The Tenth Hold

 

Preface

I thought, perhaps, it would be wise to explain a few things before the story itself begins. A fair amount of the story that you are about to read is as it was related to me primarily by its main character, Seved Kron, in the various talks that he and I had not long after we met. I am sure that many of you who are reading this have heard rumors that this tale is more raunchy than that most famous of plays, The Lusty Argonian Maid, and I will be quite honest. It is far, far beyond that dreadful piece of literature. The reason for that is simple. I have endeavored to relay the truth, as much of it as I could, as much as was possible given that the majority of my information came from Seved himself and some of the people you will read about here were not around for me to speak to on the matter, whether by their leaving Skyrim or the land of the living depends entirely on which person it is. Their fates, to the best of my knowledge, have been recorded in this story.

To further set the story, one must have a bit of an understanding of the history which set it in motion. In particular, the war between the Aldmeri Dominion and the Empire. It was a long and bloody affair, which left both sides rather crippled, and while the Empire ultimately won, the Dominion managed to begin their wheedling into any affairs which they deemed necessary with the negotiating and signing of the White-Gold Concordat. I myself was but a child when it was signed, though almost an adult by Altmer reckoning. Yet, even as a fresh adult, I was still very much a child until the day I met the Jarl of Bones. I was blinded by the propaganda spilling out of every Thalmor supporter and agent in the Isles. I had no idea at all of the truth of what was going on. I am certain that few of us did.

The Thalmor, after the war, set themselves to eradicating all traces of the fact that Tiber Septim had ascended to godhood. What, in particular, had them steamed about this simple fact I am not sure. Perhaps it is the more ancient history of his defeat of the previous incarnation of the Thalmor. Still, it is agreed that the Thalmor as a whole are highly racist. They do not treat our fellow Mer with any sense of kindness, they certainly have disdain for the beastfolk, and they firmly believe that Men are a blight upon Nirn. It is these things which began to set the stage for the political climate in Skyrim at the time. Toryg, the High King of Skyrim, and Jarl of Haafingar, was in a difficult position. Most Nords would sooner die than give up the worship of Talos, and it is understandable why. Still, they complied to the Thalmor wishes by the letter if not by the spirit. Existing shrines in the wilderness would be left alone for their historical value, but his shrine was removed from the temple in Solitude, and only a few priests were somewhat public. The people kept their amulets and personal shrines and devotion nicely hidden from view. It was the best compromise they could find. Let them think it is gone, but worship quietly. Things probably would have continued to be just fine if this had been allowed to continue. 

But then there was a man of ambition. Ulfric Stormcloak. He had already done less than savory things during the war. In particular, he had been the one to reclaim Markarth from the Forsworn, who were the natives of the Reach, and gave its rulership back to the man who had sat as Jarl previously. So there was one group that was already displeased. Still, the debate amongst the Jarls of Skyrim had grown heated. Were they going to continue to accept Imperial rule and be forced to hide their faith, or was it time to discard a dying government and become a sovereign nation once more? Ulfric sought the freedom of Skyrim, but ultimately for his own gain. If Skyrim was to be free, he wanted to sit on the throne. Otherwise, I am sure he’d have seen it all burn before giving up to the Empire.

With all this in mind, it was Ulfric who confronted and challenged Toryg to combat, in the old Nord tradition. Ulfric won the fight and Toryg lay dead. In the eyes of any traditional Nord, the fight was decided, fair and square. However, to those who had adopted a more civilized way of life, who followed the Imperial laws, Ulfric had committed regicide. Thus was Skyrim divided almost evenly into two parts. Those who sided with Ulfric and those who sided with the Empire. Ulfric escaped from Solitude and had begun the perilous journey back to Windhelm when he was at last captured near the border of Skyrim along with his retinue, a horse thief from Rorikstead, and one very unfortunate Nord who had happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time and every reason to fear Imperial capture. That Nord was Seved Kron. He had no idea what fate had in store for him in that moment, or what could possibly be coming in the days to follow that incident. Still, he did not carry himself with any shame or extra pride. He was a man, caught fair and square, with an awful lot to answer for in his life, and a few things of which he would pay for, though he was ultimately innocent.