I had awaken at the temple of Dibella in Markarth. That's about as far in Skyrim from Whiterun as I can imagine... and I have no recollection what happened in between. I'm hung over, and obviously in trouble with the priestess that's shouting over my head...
Apparently - according to the hag - I wrecked the temple in my drunken stupor and 'defiled' their statue of Dibella. The priestess now insists that I compensate the temple... Thankfully, I was able to persuade her to let me off with just cleaning up the shrine. She even tells me a bit of what I said last night.
Senna said that I mentioned in my drunken state that I came from Rorikstead - and that I had an appointment to meet. In my bags I also found a slip of paper from Sam Guevenne, detailing a couple of things I am to get before I return to him for the staff. Hmm. At least he remembered he owes me a staff.
My chore with the temple down, I headed out into the streets of Markarth. Head still throbbing from a mighty hangover, I stumbled out into the midday sun - I only visited Markarth once before to look for the researcher Calcelmo. Maybe this time I can get a better look of the city. It was a spritely day, and a perfect day for-
Murder. In the market a roughly dressed man suddenly lunged after a woman. In the commotion, the man succeeded in knifing the woman before the guards got to him. The man refused to be subdued, screaming about the revival of the Forsworn as the guards bring him down.
From my perspective, it almost looked like the guards wanted to cut him down, not giving him much chance to surrender. That can't be right, can it?
As the crowd dissipated, a man called Eltrys passed me by, lurching a slight closer than expected, he a pressed a note in my hands. I took a glance at the slip when nobody was looking - it says to meet him in the Talos shrine.
In the shadows of the shrine, Eltrys explained that there had been a string of curious murders in Markarth - normal, sensible folk had taken to suddenly shouting about Forsworn independence and knifing innocent residents - some of these victims were even openly sympathetic to the Forsworn.
In all these cases, the guards were always too slow to react, allowing the victim to die before killing the perpetrator instead of arresting him (or her). Eltrys noted my quick eye after seeing what happened at the market, and wanted to hire me to investigate the secret behind the murders - being a Forsworn himself, he wanted to clear the name of his people so that peace can return to Markarth and the Reach again.
In truth, Eltrys' cause sounded so noble I could hardly refuse him. I decided to asked around town with regards to the victim. The woman - called Margret - is an Imperial from Cyrodiil - and stays at the Silver Blood Inn.
I convinced the innkeeper to allow me access to the deceased rooms. Within I found Margret's journal, which gives a clue as to why she might be a target.
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