Conspiracy

At night, I left my room in the Temple of Dibella, apparently I could use there as free lodging since I was a Blessed One, and headed towards the Shrine of Talos.

With Margret showing me the city during the day, I could navigate my way easily.

I checked my surroundings for anyone suspicious but found none, then entered the Shrine.

The man from before was standing right in front of the statue of Talos.

"Thank you for accepting my unreasonable request and coming to meet me here."

"Will you tell me what is the reason?"

"Yes. I'm sorry for implicating you in Markarth's problems, but after that attack in the market, I'm running out of time. There is something big going on in the shadows in this city and whatever it is, I don't think it is good."

"If you think so, why me?"

"You heard the guards right? They are in somebody's pockets and I'm a local, if I snoop around too much, I'll be caught instantly without solving anything. You, on the other hand, are an outsider. You showed that you could handle yourself, you'll do. Of course, I'm not asking you to help me for free. Here, take this." Then he passed me a pouch full of Septims.

'Hmm more than 300.' I weighted the pouch. It was heavier than the one I got from Alvor.

"You can choose to walk out with the pouch, I can't stop you nor will I do so. But if you can help me, there will be more to come."

"Why are you doing this?"

"…You heard what the man, Weylin, said in the market right?"

"Hmm, I believe it was something like 'The Reach belongs to the Forsworn'?"

"Yes. They call themselves Forsworn now but they weren't called like that in the past. They were known as Reachmen. Natives of The Reach. They were the rulers of Markarth, before Ulfric Stormcloak and his men came. The Nords drove Reachmen away from the city. That was about 20 years ago. But, somehow they're here. And they are killing people."

"They were driven away from their home?"

"Yes. The war was…Brutal to say the least. Ulfric came and killed everyone who did not ally themselves with him. Saying "You are either with Skyrim or against her". Even the women and children were not spared. The surviving Reachmen escaped from the city and made camps throughout the woods. I'm not saying Forsworn was innocent for they had their own crimes too. I have my own feud with them for example."

"That's where you are coming into the picture?"

"Yes. It all started when I was a boy. My father owned one of the mines. Rare for anyone who isn't a Nord. He was killed. Guards said it was just a madman, but everyone knew the murderer was a member of the Forsworn. I've been trying to find out why ever since. Gotten nowhere so far, and then I got married. Have a child of my own on the way. I swore I was going to just give up, for my child's sake, but it's like my father's ghost is haunting me. Asking me "Why?""

"I see. I will try to help you to the best of my abilities. But, no promises though."

"That's all I can ask. I want you to investigate that woman, Margret, the supposed victim in the attack today."

"Why?"

"She's not from Markarth. The air about her screamed "outsider." So, why was she attacked? What was her role? She is suspicious. And also, Weylin, the man arrested by the guards. He was one of the smelter workers. I used to have a job down there myself, casting silver ingots. I never knew much about Weylin, except he lives in the Warrens, like all the other workers. He is a member of Forsworn but he managed to stay under detection. He was not found out until today. If so, he could've lived normally for the rest of his life but he suddenly goes and attacks a woman in the name of Forsworn. No, somebody must have contacted him to do it. There must be a clue to his contacts."

"Got it. I will see what I can do."

"Godspeed."

With that, I left the Shrine of Talos and headed to the Temple of Dibella to rest for the night.

The next day, I headed for the Warrens to see if I could find some clues.

The Warrens was the equivalent of slums from big cities. It was a place full of sickness and rotting corpses. The are was permeated with a foul stench.

With every step I took, two others were looking at me as if I was a fresh meat in a butcher shop. They were ready to throw their lives away for a chance to steal a few coins from me.

I tried not to look at them too much since I couldn't handle their gazes. I wanted to somehow help these people but I couldn't. I didn't have the means to do so.

I continued ahead as I searched for Weylin's room.

Finally after what felt like forever, I found the room with the help of a beggar that became happy after seeing 100 septims.

I tried to open the door but it was locked, so I opted to breaking it. With a kick, the rusty lock shattered and the door opened.

A foul stench, just like the rest of the Warren. The room had bare minimum for survival, a hay bed and a bucket with terrible stench.

So, I went to the bed. Lifted it and searched in the hay. It didn't take much long for me to find a note hidden beneath.

[Weylin,

You've been chosen to strike fear in the heart of the Nords. Go to the market tomorrow. You will know what to do.

- N]

Was written.

"Guess we've found a clue."

I stashed the note in my storage and headed out.

Just as I stepped outside of the Warrens, a Rough looking man with leather armor blocked my way.

"Well well well, look who we have here? A nosy visitor who has been poking his nose where it doesn't belong. It's time you learned a lesson."

Then he sent a straight punch at my face. I dodged with a side step and punched his abdomen. "Ugh." The man buckled from the power behind my punch. I grabbed his head and kneed him right in the face.

"Gah!" The man fell down while holding his nose with a hand and trying to push himself further with the other. I stepped on his hand and put a sword to his neck.

"Talk, who sent you?"

"Wait wait! I was sent by Nepos the Nose. The old man hands out the orders. He told me to make sure you didn't get in the way. That's all I know, I swear!"

"Hmm well then, now strip."

"Wha-What?"

"Did I stutter?"

A few moments later I got myself a nice fit of leather armor. I was tired of running around with a simple old tunic and I didn't really have the time for shopping.

Then I headed towards the market in hopes of finding Margret once more and thanks to my off the charts luck, I found her in front of a jewelry shop.

"A bit of jewelry for your journey home?"

"Oh, this pendant would look lovely on my sister."

She was talking with the shop keeper and I approached her.

Soon enough, she noticed me coming.

"Oh Alaric! How nice it is to see you again."

"Hey, Margret."

"A friend of yours?" The shop keeper asked.

"Yes. My savior in fact. He saved my life just yesterday from an attack in the market."

"By the divines! It was you Margret? I heard about the attack but didn't know it was in fact you. You are okay right?"

"As I said Kerah I am okay, thanks to Alaric here." Then she turned towards me. "Thank you again. I can't believe I was this close to being killed." She made a motion with her index finger and thumb.

"Don't fret over it. You paid me back remember?" I waved off her concern.

"My life is only worth showing you around the city?" She asked with a smile.

"Oh come on, this again? No, you life is worth more but I really don't want anything from you in exchange."

"Fine. Have it your way then." She finally gave up on the topic. "I will come back later Kreta." She said to the shopkeeper and left the shop with me in tow.

"So, what are you doing here?" Then I asked while we were walking.

"Nothing much, just shopping for a pendant for my sister back in the Imperial City."

"You are not from around here?"

"No, I'm just visiting here from Cyrodiil."

"Hmm, that's a long way home."

"Indeed. But being away from home is what makes it so beautiful doesn't it?"

"I guess it does. By the way, do you have any idea why that man could have attacked you?"

"No, I don't have any idea. I was just shopping then."

"Hmm, he mentioned something about 'The Forsworn.'"

"I've heard of them. Something about the men who live in the hills and attack caravans. I'm sorry. I don't know anymore. Why are you looking for it anyway? Shouldn't you let the guards handle it?" She asked with suspicion.

"Guards didn't look like they would look into this matter and I can't sit still when something like this happened right in front of me." I said with hopes of diminishing her suspicion of me.

She scrutinized me for a few moments, then let out a sigh.

"Sigh, you are too nice for your own good Alaric. Wish there were more people like you around."

It looked like I dodged a bullet right there.

Wait, what is a bullet?

Anyways, the rest of the day went without me gaining any intel of importance.