The group, on their way to meet with Penelope in the stables of Windhelm, discover that the closer they get to the entrance to the city, the slower they seem to be moving. RaGinn notices he is fine, however his companions are moving as if in slow motions. Ephyra realizes it is the rings in their possessions that are causing this. RaGinn explains that he placed his ring in his bag of holding, which transported it to a different plane. The group discovers that the closer they get to exiting the city, the less they can move. Ylora gave the rings, why would she want to keep them in the city? For safety? For control? They search the city for her, but cannot seek her out. They do find Vredic, her assistant and they inquire of him about this magick.
He seems exasperated, but not surprised. He tells them he knows nothing of this magic, but that perhaps they can find something to help them within her home. The group breaks into Ylora's home, dodging traps and eventually finding a locked room. Once inside they find a treasure trove of spells, books and magic items. Ephyra finds a amulet with the same symbol as their rings. A mysterious inscription reads "For only the King of Storms shall break the bind."
The group decides that the King of Storms is the King of the Stormcloaks, the Jarl of Windhelm and they must gain audience with him.
Sal remembers that he heard about a Championship happening the next day and the winner receives a special blessing from the Jarl. Everyone agrees that the best way to earn the Jarl's favor is by winning the Windhelm championship.
The group rests for the night, with Ephyra spending her night with Lanister.
Ephyra and Lanister take their seats in the arena as the rest of the group, Rynly, Nirius, RaGinn, and SalRivel take their place among the other would be champions. The contestants, who include six others, are told they are to acquire the Stormcloak banner, a huge blue banner with the Stormcloak bear afixed to the top of a pillar in the center of the arena and take it to the steps of the Palace of the Kings. The only rule: no killing.
The contestants immediately run towards the pillar, while a few are already fighting each other. RaGinn decides to knock each one unconscious while Nirius uses dimension door to reach the top of the pillar. Sal climbs to the top of the pillar while RaGinn and Rynly are taking down the other contestants. The two are able to unfasten the banner, but once they do, suddenly hundreds of banners appear and fall to floor of the arena. Everyone begins picking up banners but every time they do, it drains of color and turns to ash. While RaGinn is frantically knocking the others unconscious, the rest of the group is picking up banners one by one. Finally, Rynly picks up a banner that begins to glow, the crowd screams in celebration. Nirius polymorphs into an eagle, scoops Rynly and the banner up and flies out of the arena towards the Palace of the Kings.
The audience, including Ephyra who was unaware of this ability of her friends, shouts, claps and begins pouring out of the arena to watch their final journey of the championship.
Nirius in eagle form, gently places Rynly down on the steps where the Jarl is waiting. Smiling, he announces her as champion and that a feast of blessing will be held in her honor that night.
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