Hjorr:This is getting out of hand. How he was able to obtain this is... concerning. I must return and prepare for the Yuletide feast, but I will do so with a bent ear and a keen eye. Be safe.
Hjorr left them.
Eivor:The Firebrand's flame burns no longer. It was Jorvik's abbess, Ingeborg.
Ljufvina:Gods, I would have never suspected. Does The Order's reach know no bounds?
Eivor:None. And it is often those we least expect who carry out their ambitions. The abbess, she sought to destroy all Christian texts in the city. Rid Jorvik of their ideals. She did utter a phrase that perked my ears—"One of the four is ours."
Ljufvina:Four? But there are only three targets in Jorvik. Could there be something we're missing?
Faravid stormed into the hall following Ricsige.
Faravid:Damned Picts! Not only do they hold the North, but those lawless shits have free-roam in our lands as well!
Ljufvina:Hjorr said our spies are on the ground—
Faravid:Under the ground! Only one of them has returned, bone-beaten and bloodied! The howling mother take them!
Faravid marched off, leaving Ricsige behind.
Ricsige:Ljufvina, a moment of your time? And Hjorr if he is about.
Ljufvina:I will be with you shortly.
Ricsige left them.
Eivor:I have knocked two names off the list. The Firebrand and The Needle.
Ljufvina:Well done. Who were they?
Eivor:The Firebrand was Jorvik's abbess. She sought to destroy all Christian texts in the city. Rid Jorvik of their ideals.
Ljufvina nodded in understanding.
'Eivor:And The Needle was Jorvik's dockmaster. He was gathering silver and minting it for The Vault.
Ljufvina shook her head in disbelief.
Ljufvina:Gods... does The Order's reach know no bounds?
Eivor:None. And it is often those we least expect who carry out their ambitions.
Eivor:Could be why Faravid is pressing the council for more silver.
Eivor saw a list on a table to the right.
Eivor:A list... what Jorvik needs for the Yuletide feast.
Ljufvina:That is Audun's handwriting.
Eivor:Items have been struck out. Where did he find the funds to make this large a purchase?
Ljufvina:Audun is a well-connected man.
Eivor headed to the scrolls on the center table.
Eivor:A wax seal, similar to the one I found in the sewers.
Ljufvina:The seal you took from The Needle's hand. You don't think someone could have stolen it...?
Eivor:Let's keep searching.
Eivor walked towards a recently moved table and found a note.
Note to Silversmith To be delivered to: Coppergate Market I will need this smelted down, and I will procure more if necessary. Breathe not a word of this to my wife. -Hjorr
As she read, Eivor made a note of the table.
Eivor:This desk... it looks as though it has been moved here.
Ljufvina:That's Hjorr's desk.
Eivor:It is loaded with silver.
Eivor and Ljufvina finding suspicions with the incorrectly placed table
Eivor took a closer look at the surroundings.
Eivor:Scratch marks on the floor.
Ljufvina:Hjorr's desk used to be against the other wall.
Eivor:So why the change?
Eivor and Ljufvina nodded at each other and then moved the table back.
Ljufvina:A hidden entrance... where does this lead?
Eivor:Guard the door.
Eivor investigating the hidden room
After breaking the entrance open, Eivor saw a bottle of wine.
Eivor:There was wine here. Whoever moved it did so in a hurry.
Ljufvina joined Eivor in the secret room.
Eivor:A load of wine was removed from here, and the room smells of almonds. It may be the wine was poisoned.
Ljufvina:It it likely the wine for the Yuletide feast. Do you think one of the council means to kill someone?
Eivor:Looks that way.
Ljufvina expressing her worry of Hjorr being a member of the Order
Ljufvina shook her head and stated to Eivor.
Ljufvina:It is not him. Not my Hjorr. He would never do this, he...
Eivor came close and made sure to keep Ljufvina on task.
Ljufvina:Keep your focus. Once we have all the facts, then we can worry about Hjorr. Right now, we need to get to Yuletide feast. The people are in danger.
Eivor and Ljufvina ran to the theater to stop the poisoned wine from being distributed. As they arrived, they both spoke with each other.
Eivor:Do you see the wine?
Ljufvina:No.
Eivor:Then there is still time.
Ljufvina:The entire council is here. Any one of them could be The Vault.
Eivor:I need you to keep an eye out for the wine. I will speak to each of the council members. See if I can trap them in a lie.
Ljufvina:Even Hjorr?
Eivor:Even Hjorr. If he is The Vault, I will not allow him to kill all these people. Ljufvina...
Ljufvina:I heard you. Just... grant me one thing. Confer with me before you make your move.
Eivor:I will.
Within the party, Eivor had to talk with each of the council members.
Eivor:Now, to speak with the council members. I will speak of the wine and watch for their reactions. That may lead me to The Vault.
Eivor speaking to King Ricsige
Eivor spoke with King Ricsige, who was watching the party from his throne.
Eivor:Ricsige.
Ricsige:Ah. Come to join in the feast, have you?
Eivor:I have some bad news. The wine for the feast has spoiled.
Ricsige:Of course it has. Why would I expect differently? I'll have my men dump it. There may be more wine in my private stores, I'll send a man to retrieve it. Is there anything else?
Eivor:That is all. Enjoy the feast.
Ricsige:I shall try.
Eivor left and then went to Hjorr, who was talking with a stranger.
Hjorr:I will have the silver ready in the coming days. Thank you, Boe.
Boe:Of course.
Eivor speaking to Hjorr
Eivor arrived after the stranger left.
Eivor:Hjorr. Who was that?
Hjorr:There you are. I was beginning to worry.
Eivor:Worry not. We have tracked The Vault here. He is someone on the council.
Hjorr:You are certain?
Eivor:I am. Once I discover who, I will dig my blade into his heart and end this for good. Until then, it is important that I investigate without raising suspicion. I need your help.
Hjorr:Of course. What do you need me to do?
Eivor:Drink yourself into a drunken fit.
Hjorr:What? Why?
Eivor:I need a distraction. Keep their eyes off of me. The wine should arrive soon. Drink three full cups, then make a scene.
Hjorr:I can't be seen doing that. You'll have to find another way.
Eivor:Just do it.
As she left Hjorr, Eivor heard some chats from the guests.
Anglo-Saxon Man 3:He has indeed. The High Reeve of Jorvik has a bright future ahead if he keeps this up.
Eivor speaking to Audun
Eivor then met with Audun, who was surrounded by guests.
Eivor:Audun, it seems you have found the funds to go ahead with the feast after all. You must be elated.
Audun:That is putting it lightly! Look at it. I could have not asked for a better turnout. Soon the feast will begin, and these people will be given everything they deserve.
Eivor:We should honor you. I will fetch us some wine.
Audun:N-no I mustn't indulge. The wine is for the people of Jorvik. But when it arrives, do help yourself.
Eivor speaking to Faravid
Eivor then headed to speak with a sitting Faravid.
Eivor:Faravid, a word if I may?
Faravid:Ah, drengr! If it's to join arms with me, the answer is yes. We can use someone like you against the Picts.
Eivor:I may be courted. But I am selective with whom I join. Are you a drinker?
Faravid:Hah. If that is a challenge, I am up for it.
Eivor:Very well. I will return with some wine.
Faravid:Wine? Come now, we will do this over ale. That will give us a good measure of who can better fight its lure.
Eivor then returned to Ljufvina to compare notes.
Ljufvina:Eivor. Have you uncovered who The Vault is?
Eivor:I believe I have. Each of the council members has given me reason to suspect them. Some more than others.
Ljufvina:Who is it you suspect?
Eivor:Hjorr refused to drink the wine when I proposed he help flush out The Vault. What's more, The Needle was collecting silver for The Vault. I think Hjorr was taking this money and funding The Order.
Eivor:Hjorr has been managing Jorvik's money shortage, yet we find silver aplenty on his desk. The same desk concealing the wine.
Ljufvina shook her head in disbelief.
Ljufvina:Gods, no...
Eivor:The town's funds in decline. A treasurer's hand in the coffers. It is all connected. For these reasons, I think Hjorr is The Vault.
Ljufvina:How could I have been such a fool...
Eivor:I need you to focus now, Ljufvina. These people are in danger. I need your help.
Ljufvina nodded in agreement.
Eivor:I think Faravid aligned himself with The Order, and plans to use The Needle's silver to fund his war against the Picts. When I pressed him about a drinking contest, he opposed drinking the wine and insisted on ale.
Eivor:Faravid's fixation on his war makes him seem innocent, but it is exactly why I suspect him. The Needle was collecting silver for The Vault. A lot of it. Faravid needs silver to feed his men in his war against the Picts. It must be him.
Eivor:For these reasons, I think Faravid is The Vault.
Eivor:As the king, Ricsige has access to all. The coffers. The archives. A bounty of wine. He felt us closing in, knew we would search the archives and tried to implicate Hjorr to throw us off his scent.
Eivor:Ricsige groans about how wrong things are going. The money shortage. The war with the Picts. But Ricsige's problems are his own doing. He funds The Order using Jorvik's coffers and sits back while Hjorr takes the heat. It is the perfect ruse.
Eivor identifying Audun as the final member
Eivor:Audun was the one pushing for the feast from the start. He planned it, which means he would have had access to the wine. And he was helping Abbess Ingeborg collect Christian texts. She turned out to be The Firebrand.
Ljufvina:Yes... yes you're right. And the wine?
Eivor:Of all the councilmen, he knew the wine had not yet arrived. When I offered some, he flat out refused, insisting it be saved for the guests.
Eivor:This Yuletide feast was Audun's idea. He planned it, which means he would have had access to the wine. What's more, he was close with Abbess Ingeborg, The Firebrand. I think he was helping her dispose of the Christian texts.
Eivor:For these reasons, I think Audun is The Vault.
Eivor:Not yet. I will return shortly with my decision.
When Eivor was ready to accuse, she returned and made a choice. (Return to previous dialogue option)
Audun giving a speech at the feast
As Eivor finished laying out the case for her accusation to Ljufvina, Audun suddenly began a speech.
Audun:Brothers, sisters. Dear friends. Welcome all. Before we begin, I would like to introduce our honored guests. Here with me are some of Jorvik's most revered lords. Men and women who have kept Jorvik trudging through these harsh times.
Audun received a goblet of wine and began to toast the crowd.
Audun:I am pleased to say that today, on the day we honor Yule, we honor as well the nobles to whom we are all so indebted.
Regardless of Eivor's accusation, Ljufvina realized which council member was truly The Vault.
Ljufvina:The wine! Audun is The Vault!
Eivor:Too late for them. We must not miss our chance.
Audun:Join me now in celebrating their successes, and yours. To everything you deserve and more.
Some guests drank the wine, sealing their fates.
Eivor:Shit.
The nobles dying from poisoned wine
The four nobles on stage started bleeding from their mouths and dying, Red Handbandits surrounded the feast, and certain council members looked on in shock, as Audun changed his tone to one of contempt.
Audun:And now, deafened and blinded by your lust for indulgence, your foolish pride, I will tell you just what nobility is. A death sentence! A new world of order is upon us! A pity none of you will live to see it.
Eivor turned to Ljufvina while Audun poured away his wine, revealing his membership within the Order.
Eivor:Get the councilmen to safety. I will handle Audun. Go!
Eivor and Ljufvina split up and readied themselves for battle.
Ljufvina:Protect the king!
Audun revealing himself as The Vault
While Eivor fought the Red Hand soldiers working for him, Audun continued to pontificate.
Audun:There is no escape. No future for people like you. The hierarchy will be reformed. Kill anyone who tries to escape!
Eivor:Audun! Save these breaths. They will be your last.
Eivor chased after Audun and assassinated him. In the Memory Corridor, Eivor walked to where Audun lay on the ground, the both of them surrounded by riches and statues.
Eivor:What did you hope to gain with all this? What riches are worth so much misery, and the deaths of honorable men and women?
Audun suddenly teleported from the ground to walk around the riches.
Audun:Only a feeble mind would call them honorable. They are privileged. Sedentary. Complacent. They wasted their resources. I secured our power through wealth. I contributed to the future of a glorious order!
Eivor:On the backs of honest people! Merchants and priests and nobles alike.
A ghostly Odin appeared, sitting on a nearby chair.
Audun explaining his rationale
Audun:Eivor... you are wrong. Held back by your primitive cosmology. Nine worlds in the tree? No! Nine times nine thousand worlds. And as many suns!
As Eivor hid against the statue of an animal, Odin spoke his turn.
Odin:Nine nights I hung in the tree, sacrificing myself to myself. So does the Wise One seek wisdom.
Eivor emerged from hiding and walked towards Audun.
Eivor:I live in one world only.
She grabbed his Order medallion and Audun's spirit immediately vanished.
Eivor:You live in none.
After Audun's death, Eivor looked around.
Eivor:Hjorr, Ljufvina. Where did they go?
Eivor reconvening with her friends
Eivor then went to regroup with her old friends.
Eivor:Are you alright?
Ljufvina:We're fine. Faravid and his karls escorted King Ricsige back to the Royal Hall. Everyone is safe.
Eivor:Let's regroup there.
Eivor returning to the council with Ljufvina and Hjorr
As the group of three went and arrived at the Royal Hall, King Ricsige exclaimed in outrage.
Ricsige:Audun. That sniveling little shit!
Faravid:Conspiring right under our noses.
Eivor then met with the remaining council as Ricsige yelled at Faravid.
Ricsige:I don't care! I want answers!
Eivor:Calm, Lord Ricsige. Audun is dead.
Ricsige:That doesn't calm me. I wanted to rip out the bastard's spine out myself. You want to calm me? Start talking.
Ricsige looked away as Eivor spoke.
Eivor:Audun aligned himself to a secret group that was plotting to overtake Jorvik.
Ljufvina:He had help from two others. Grigorii, the dockmaster, and Ingeborg, the abbess.
Ricsige:And you, Eivor. You were after these conspirators from the moment you arrived?
Ricsige thanking Eivor for her aid
Eivor:Yes, though I could not let it be known. This group can reach any person, permeate the walls of any city. Much like the worms of a spoiled apple, they would eaten Jorvik from the inside out if we let them.
Faravid:But you stopped that from happening. We owe you a debt of gratitude. You can be sure Halfdan Jarl will hear of this.
Ricsige:If the threat is gone, then you have my gratitude as well. I'm alive today, and so are many others because of you. I would like to name you an Honorary High Reeve of Jorvik, Eivor. Would you accept?
Eivor:It has a nice sound to it. You honor me, lord.
Ricsige:You have earned it.
Eivor:Then, if I may, a hoard of silver is left unaccounted for in the grottos beneath these streets.
Ljufvina:That's right. Silver the dockmaster was collecting.
Ricsige:What do you propose we do with it?
Eivor suggesting the silver be returned to the merchants
Eivor:Hardworking merchants were robbed of their wares. Honor Yuletide by giving the silver back to the honest citizens of Jorvik.
Hjorr:A wise suggestion. I agree.
Ricsige:Fine. I will see to it that Hjorr distributes the silver evenly.
Eivor:Without resources, Halfdan's army will perish against the Picts. I say we fund the war. Give Halfdan's men what they need to turn the tide. Future Danes and Saxons will thank us for it.
Faravid:You will hear no argument from me.
Ricsige:Then it will be done. Hjorr will see that your army gets what they need.
Ricsige turned to Faravid.
Ricsige:Come, Faravid, help me secure this hoard. I could use a bloody walk.
Faravid and Eivor nodded nicely to each other as Faravid left. Eivor then turned to her friends.
Ljufvina:We have a saying in Bjarmia. "Only the dead get to complain."
Eivor:And we're still living.
Hjorr:I could muster a few complaints about the king and the treasury, but I shall forbear. You did it, Eivor.
Eivor:We did. It may be we were the recipe to keep Norway from Harald all along.
Ljufvina:We still can be.
Eivor:No. Norway is behind me now, and the rest of England ahead. That said, I must be going.
Ljufvina:Wait!
Ljufvina gave a silver arm ring, a token of alliance among the Norse, to Eivor.
Eivor:Is this a bitter farewell?
Hjorr:Let it be said that I do wish you had more trust in me. But no. There are no ill feelings here. You did what you had to do. If it were me, I do not know that I could have been as level-headed. You remain a friend, Eivor. Let that be clear.
Ljufvina:Should you ever need us, we will come.
Eivor:One last thing. The silver on your desk, Hjorr. It planted a seed of doubt in my mind, so I must know. What is it for?
Hjorr:I suppose I can forego the element of surprise. I hired a silversmith to craft a love token for Ljufvina. A Yuletide gift.
Ljufvina grinned and playfully pushed Hjorr.
Ljufvina:You sneak.
Eivor watching as Ljufvina and Hjorr embraced one another
Ljufvina and Hjorr embraced each other and began kissing passionately.
Eivor:I will take my leave before you shame the throne.
Ljufvina:Until our paths cross again, old friend.
Eivor:In this world or the next.
Hjorr:If you drop by Jorvik again, please join us for an ale. I know of a place down the street.
Eivor then took her leave.
Eivor:Now it seems the wind calls me back to Randvi. Best tell her the good news.
