I had made a complete set of Stalhrim armor. I gave it a moving face plate. As well a set of Fanged horns. It wasn't just solely Stalhrim though. The inner plates were made from Ebony taken from the ship as well as some ingots I bought. I had also bought saber tooth pelts to use as a fur interior. So it was nice and soft.
With putting all my armor on, I just had to put on the necklace's I forged the Hearth with. To keep it simple I named it the Frost-Hearth Amulet. It fit really well with my Icy looking armor. I raised my hands. "What do you think?"
Viree raised an eyebrow, "What about my armor?"
I clicked my tongue, "It's in the chest."
I had also made a set of steel armor with Stalhrim plates for Viree. Despite it's density, my armor was a light armor. Her armor was a heavy armor though. Truth be told I didn't expect her to want a heavy armor set. I made sure to tailor it though so it wouldn't interfere with stealth. This meant her armor wouldn't be as covering, but it wasn't skimpy or anything. So if she complains she can make her a set of armor herself.
I left her with some words. "Viree I am gonna go to the Blue palace, don't spend your whole day drinking."
Walking out of the Winking Skeever, I walked toward the Radiant Raiment. Taarie an Altmer woman gives a miscellaneous quest to show off some noble clothes to the court of the blue palace. Using this I could make some... Business connections while making a good impression. As much as I would prefer wearing my new armor everywhere.
Walking into the store the Altmer woman instantly looked up and then clicked her her tongue. "What in the world are you wearing?"
I smiled, "Adventuring gear. However that is currently a problem. You see I need some nice looking clothes to introduce myself to the Blue Palace. I figured I could get some here."
Taarie paused and before she said anything her sister interrupted. "Well, we would be happy to help you!"
Taarie pushed her sister out of the way. "I saw him first, he's my customer."
Endarie scoffed, "You saw him first? Really sister?"
They started bickering, "Aye! Excuse me, but surely you both can help me?"
They froze, "Actually, you could help us!"
Taarie pulled out a silk? No, was it cotton shirt? She explained, "This is one of our new pieces, it is made from a very rare and normally unused silk."
I stared at her and her smile, "Its an insect silk isn't it? I am guessing Frostbite spider?"
They both froze, "Uh..."
So I hit the nail on the head. I sighed, this wasn't a part of the quest I remembered, but... "I'm still willing to wear the thing. However I am guessing you have story about this."
The sisters sighed and Taarie explained, "We bought the silk from a khajiit caravan. It wasn't long until we realized no one would wear it. People who could afford it wouldn't buy it and we can't lower it enough to make a profit to those who would wear it. It makes for an amazing display piece, but for actual costs."
That made sense, it also confirmed the Khajiit caravan may sell more things than I thought. "I'll be willing to wear the clothes for a 5% profit cut from any order the Blue Palace makes from its showcase."
They both looked at me, They were about to say something but they turned to discuss it in whispers. Eventually though they turned back to me, "Sure, if you can secure a commission from the blue palace you can get 5% of the profit from the commission. We are also willing to give you a 5% coupon on the Spider Silk clothing set."
So they hoped to sell me the clothes as well. "Sure, I'll pay for it now then."
They practically bounced around with joy as they gave me the clothing set. I reequipped everything and headed towards the Blue Palace. I had a few goals with this visit. I walked past the guards as they waved to me.
Court was in session. I knew what it was, it was the discussion about Wolf Skull Cave. I let it play out as I studied everyone. I knew Bolgier who nodded in my direction when I looked over at him. Sybille Stentor was in fact a vampire still. However it was almost impossible to tell. Which was honestly surprising.
The most shocking thing though was Elisif, honestly I had to look away. She had some mighty assets and she was actually beautiful. The prettiest person I've met so far was Viree, though she looked very scruffy. Elisif though with the title of fair? It certainly fit her appearance.
I collected my composure as Falk called me up. I smiled, "Hello, I am Vek Frostwane. Some of you know me, some may have heard about me, and some may not know me at all. However none of that matters! As not only am I here to offer my services to clear out and investigate that cave. I am here on business for the Bards College and the Radiant Raiment." I gestured with my hand, "As well as some personal business."
Elisif smiled, "Bolgier talked about you. It is nice to meet you Vek. I assume the clothes you are wearing is from the Radiant Raiment?"
I nodded, "Indeed, they made this set themselves." It actually fit me incredibly well. Not only my style, but my actual frame.
Elisif gave a sweet smile, "Oh, I would love to order some more dress for them. They actually made my wedding dress..." Once she finished her sentence she glanced down in some sadness.
Falk and Bolgier jumped in soon after noticing the change. "Vek, you mentioned business for the Bard college as well."
I nodded giving a more grave expression. "The bard's have a festival called the Burning of King Olaf. Personally I think it a little barbaric. However it is a good festival for moral, commerce and grieving. You recently banned this festival, and I can certainly understand why. The bard's college has come up with the plan of acquiring King Olaf's verse. A Song about the King Olaf a individual much like Ulfric, who died a vicious death."
Elisif looked down, she was weighing everything. I had given both pros and cons in a way where she would really have to debate. If she agreed because of the potential importance of such a festival. It would clear her grief of connecting it to her late husband and any thoughts about it being a symbol against Ulfric, her husband's killer.
Elisif sighed and pulled her arms closer to herself. "If you acquire the verse, i will think about it more seriously. I bowed, "Thank you, Jarl Elisif, I can see your title of fair means more than one thing."
Her face reddened, "Thank you."
I saw Sybille roll her eyes, while Bolgier seemed happy she was reacting. Falk coughed though, "You have personal business with the court?"
I nodded, "It has been a long time since the Pelagius wing has been sealed shut. That palace wing take up almost a third of the Blue Palace, and yet is entirely unused. I wish to investigate the sealed wing of the blue palace. I know what I am asking, but it was closed in 154, that is far from the current era. Is it not ridiculous to keep it sealed?"
The court was held silent. It was a discussion that was difficult to talk about. However my speechcraft allowed me to persuade them. Falk Firebeard sighed, "You are right. It has been a long time. You may investigate the wing. If it is truly safe to use we will begin efforts in cleaning it."
Bolgier cut in, "It could be used for more guards, or just a practical space. Here is the key Vek."
I took the key from Bolgier. I didn't know he had one. I bowed, "Thank you for the audience. may we speak again."
The court split apart, but I followed Sybille with my eyes. It wasn't long until I followed her. "Excuse me, but you are a the court mage right? Can you sell me a few spell tomes."
She sighed as I followed her, however as she go closer to privacy I whispered, "I am sure a vampire as long lived as you would have a treasure trove of spells."
She paused for a fraction of a moment and chose to ignore my comment. "i can sell you a few tomes. However if you really wish to learn magic I would suggest going to the college of winterhold."
I smiled, "I much prefer learning from the wiser. I am not a fan of the undead. However an exception can be made for you. A true rarity you see someone live through the expanse of three? or was it four emperors?"
She sighed, "What is it you actually want. I've dealt in enough court politics to know you aren't looking for spells."
I smiled, "Such a brilliant mind! Truly wisdom greater than my own.... I want to you to help change the fate of a daedric artifact. Azura's star. I am even willing to lend it to you for study as long as you help me fix it into a new artifact called the black star."
This caught her attention. I had dropped my friendly tone and got right down to it. Certainly made her slightly more wary. She laughed, "Oh god you are serious! Let me ask you, how would we even go about this task?"
I shrug, "Partially soul trap me, I believe the exact spell is called Soul extract? From there I will kill the squatter currently inside Azura's star. Once that is done I will do the rest of the work and you pull me out. The daedric artifact will have changed once the mortal soul that has taken residence inside is removed."
She eyed me, "Let me analyze the star and if I see it is a worthy endeavor I will help you. While I study the star you can go handle the Pelagius wing, I assume you are going there for other daedric dealings."
Oh so she knew about the things going on there. I guess a few people have gone missing in the Pelagius wing. It wouldn't' be hard to investigate said disappearances and link it to a daedric prince. I shrugged, "How can I trust you? Can I get something to prove we are making this deal?"
She sighed, "Here is the key to my room. Does that work for you?"
Really, she was giving me the key to her room? She clearly understood my expression, "I doubt you are dumb enough to do something with that key. It is mostly just a symbol, since I don't even lock my doors. Besides it is rare I get the chance to analyze a daedric artifact. I like my research, but I like my peace more. So I will hardly leave the Palace grounds. You bringing me research material works for me. Perhaps eventually we can come to a deal so i can study those rings of yours."
I looked down at the two rings I was wearing. So she recognized them in someway. "Makes sense, I'll leave you the star in your care." I pulled the star from my shirt. She widened her eyes and leaned forward a little. "How did you do that?"
I had taken the star from my inventory. However wasn't like she needed to know that. Nor did I feel particularly safe with how she was staring at me. "Magic, isn't always some kind of magic?"
She narrowed her eyes, "Magic doesn't explain all things. We call things magic, but they can be broken down in many ways. The college of Winterhold has a much different magic understanding than those who call themselves the Reachmen."
I shrugged, "All the same. Now if you don't mind. I will go venture into the Pelagius wing."