81 Chapter XXII: Torygg

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I walk down the stairs while humming one of those tunes you can't ever remember the name of but they still get stuck in your head anyway. I knock on the servant quarter's door a couple of times and after a minute I hear grumbling on the other end.

Not long after a tired and disheveled looking Davos opens the door and lightly glares at me "Couldn't wait a tiny bit longer boss?"

I give him a cheery smile "Come Davos, where is your sense of adventure? We are in the greatest city of Skyrim, of course we are going exploring immediately!"

I think I hear him grumble something about over-energetic kids, but as the gracious lord that I am, I ignore his words and wait patiently for him to get dressed.

When he is ready we head to the exit.

On our way there I almost bump into a still drowsy Torygg, his bodyguard right behind him.

I quickly bow and say "A pleasant morning to you King Torygg."

He wipes the sleep from his eyes and mumbles "Yeah, mornin'." while waving with his other hand.

I suppress the urge to snicker and look at the bemused guard "I don't believe we have been introduced."

"Bolgeir Bearclaw." Is all he says, his tone stiff but the bemused expression remains on his face.

I guess that is all I am getting "A pleasure." I nod politely.

The King seems to have finally woken up, and after realizing that he just spoke to me he seems to get some kind of idea and says "I was just going to get my morning coffee, you could join me if you wish."

Naturally, I accept immediately "Finally someone with proper taste in these lands." I say proudly.

He nods vigorously "Truly, the tea drinkers will use any means to suppress the one true beverage."

Our two guards give us deadpan looks and we share a short laugh.

He waves for me to follow him and I do so.

We are led onto a terrace that gives us a perfect view of the entire city. Unfortunately, that view is spoiled by the massive slums, they really do look like a cancer from here.

Torygg seems to notice my gaze and says melancholically "Truly a shame."

"What exactly is stopping the place from being brought to order?" I ask, genuinely curious.

The King takes a seat and I follow suit, he looks down at the city for a good minute before saying "There are many factors, but the most pressing ones are the complete lack of trust from the populace and the gangs that seem to have established their own criminal 'governments'"

"Why not just forcefully establish order?" I already know the answer but that wasn't the point of the question.

He sighs "The death toll would be enormous and I refuse to be a King that slaughters his own people."

Before I can respond a servant brings us our drinks and we take a moment to enjoy it. After taking a sip of some of the best coffee I have ever drank I continue my testing "That is an honorable viewpoint, but do you not think that killing some now might be worth it if it meant saving everyone else in there? From what I hear living down there really shouldn't be called as such."

He lets out a humorless snort "You sound like Sybille."

"Then Sybille must be one smart woman." I smirk.

He shakes his head and says "While you are right that it would improve the situation it would also open us up to the criticism of others."

Realization quickly dawns on me "Good old Ulfric would go right for the throat if that happened wouldn't he?"

"Without hesitation." He says immediately and mumbles "To think I once respected the man."

He then decides to change the topic with a handwave "Enough about that for now, I am curious, why did someone of your talent decide to accept this position? You could have stayed in Winterhold and just amassed riches and power for the next decade without anyone bothering you."

"I could have, yes. But what would be the point of that?"

He raises an eyebrow "Oh?"

I shrug "Staying in Winterhold was the safest option, yes. But I am young and I refuse to spend that time stuck in a room if I could be traveling to new places, learning new things, and finding new foes to defeat."

He seems both surprised and slightly envious "Just like that?"

I nod seriously "It is the reason I pursue magic after all, so I could do what I will. Not to mention the fact that I can use my considerable power to help people."

He takes another sip of his drink and says "At least your goals aren't entirely selfish."

I shake my head "Oh trust me they are, it's mutually beneficial, I help people and they spread my name making it easier for me to make connections."

He blinks and shrugs "Well as long as you are helping people I guess I cannot truly complain." His gaze then turns to Davos "And what about your follower there?"

Why would he ca-? Ah, I see... hiding my smirk behind my drink I ask "Balgruuf has already informed you of everything hasn't he?"

The King of Skyrim quickly hides his surprised expression and nods with a wry look "Yes, he made sure to give me all the details he had on you... including your follower."

"Quite prudent of him." I say with genuine approval "But you need not worry, I assure you that neither he nor I will do anything to damage your hold or your reign."

There is a glint in his eye as he says "I see you omitted the other nobles from that statement."

I shrug "If they play stupid games, then I cannot be blamed for awarding them stupid prizes."

He doesn't seem to approve, but neither does he refute my words so I guess I will just have to make sure to watch my steps.

After a bit of silence, the King asks "Since we are already here, would you mind telling me your opinion on the current state of the realm?"

"Anything specific?" I ask.

"Just your general thoughts, I am merely curious."

Well, here it goes "It doesn't paint a pretty picture honestly." He winces slightly "The concordat is attacking the people's traditions while Ulfric is rousing their rebellious spirits, and then there is the economic decline caused by the war. And let's not even mention our dear friends the Thalmor. All in all, it is a volcano waiting to erupt at any moment."

He lets out a long sigh "You got it all in one... what would you recommend?"

I raise an eyebrow "You ask me for advice during our first ever conversation?"

He waves me off "It isn't like I am giving out state secrets and you might have a different perspective. Besides, you are an advisor even if you are a new one."

Hmmm... There is an idea! "You should get an heir." I say, completely serious.

Bolgeir actually laughs from his spot near the door to the terrace, and Torygg visibly blushes and sputters "How am I supposed to get an heir? I am barely twenty summers old!"

Well, that came out of left field... I stare blankly at him as if to say 'And your point?'

He flushes "I am not even married for gods' sake!"

My judging stare shows no mercy at his excuses.

He slumps "Why do you even think that would be a wise idea?"

I decide to spare him from any further teasing until we become a bit more friendly, accidentally insulting a monarch is never a good idea.

"From my research into human history, the populace and direct subjects tend to be more content and trusting in their leaders when they have an heir. I do not know why this is but it is a mostly confirmed fact." I say in a lecturing tone.

He blinks "Truly?"

I nod with all seriousness.

He seems to be deep in thought, but before I can guess at what he is thinking a wheezing sound distracts me from nearby. Bolgeir is barely keeping himself from laughing his ass off, there has got to be a story there.

I slowly turn back to Torygg whose face seems to be constantly shifting between embarrassment and determination. Oh, I get it now "I see you already have someone in mind then?"

He coughs into his fist in an unsuccessful attempt to hide his blush and says "Yes, yes I do."

"Then what seems to be the problem?"

He shifts in his chair uncomfortably "Her father isn't very fond of me."

I raise an eyebrow "Not fond enough to even deny his king?"

"It doesn't work like that." He slumps deeper into his seat "Harald Fair-hair is a Thane under my house that rules over my westernmost territories, he considers me an unworthy heir to my father and refuses any advances I make on his daughter."

"Then your path forward is rather simple."

He jerks his head in my direction so quickly I feared he snapped his neck "Tell me of this path then."

I blink, a bit stunned by his sudden intensity, and say "Are you aware of the rising tensions with the Forsworn to the west of your hold?"

He seems confused "Rising tensions? I was informed that there were bands of bandits wearing poor dress attacking people, not Forsworn raids."

Hmmm, could someone be downplaying their impact or is it truly a false alarm? No, Savos wouldn't specifically say I was here for the Forsworn if that was the case.

Time for a bit of a gamble "During my journey here I heard rumors of a new leader among the reachmen leading raids into the west of Haafingar. True, it could be just rumors and they are just bandits, but something tells me that this problem will inevitably escalate."

His eyes widen for a split-second but he composes himself, apparently only talk of his crush can really shake him "You are certain of this?"

I shake my head "As I have said, they were rumors... In fact, the Archmage said that I was specifically called here to assist the hold against uppity reachmen, is this not why you requested another mage?"

His brows furrow "No, I called for another mage due to the repeated sightings of undead and necromancers within the hold's borders, I had no idea about any Forsworn."

"I guess old Aren wanted to play a bit of a prank with me." I shrug "But the problem still persists and will grow if left unattended, he wouldn't joke about this."

The King groans "If it isn't one thing then it is another... Very well, I will send scouts to confirm your claims. It won't hurt to survey the surroundings in the best-case scenario."

I nod "Indeed, let us pray I was wrong. And what is this about necromancers? This is the first I am hearing of it."

"Your Archmage really was pranking you then." He smirks "As I have said there were sightings of undead and rogue mages to the north, but they haven't been doing much so we are observing for now. In any case, remind me to thank the Archmage if your claims prove true."

"Of course. As eccentric as he is, he is mostly well intentioned."

Torygg scratches his cheek with a sheepish expression "Umm... not to sound uncaring, but how exactly is the Forsworn situation helpful in me getting Hrorik's approval?"

I blink "Well you obviously gather a bunch of your men, go smash the Forsworn to pieces and proclaim eternal glory for yourself while getting the girl. Isn't this how Nord culture works?"

I hear a snort from the king's guard and the young man has stars in his eyes "Yes, I must prove myself by defeating them with my own hands, it was indeed a very good idea to call you here!"

Out of context, I would have thought he just doesn't give a shit about the whole 'a bunch of cultists are attacking his people' thing, but the poor boy is so in love it is blinding.

He gets up from his chair in excitement.

"And where exactly are you rushing to?" I ask carefully.

He blinks "Well to hunt the forsworn of course!"

This is going to be a long couple of months, isn't it?

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