Tending the Flames Tending the Flames is a quest available in . This is a quest for the Bards College . Walkthrough . Proving Your Worth . The quest begins inside the Bards College with Viarmo , the headmaster of the college . Upon speaking to him , the Dragonborn is given a dialogue option to ask for admission . He then tells the story of King Olaf ' s Verse , which was thought to be lost when the king ordered the copies destroyed . However , one copy is suspected to be with the bard at Dead Men ' s Respite . Viarmo then asks the Dragonborn to retrieve the book from the dungeon . The marker for the dungeon shows up on the map , south of Solitude . Locate King Olaf ' s Verse , Book . The ancient barrow is located in the mountains southwest of Morthal and the Dragonborn will , immediately upon entering , notice a strange ghost wave at them , then disappear through the sealed entrance to the north . Pick up the Ruby Dragon Claw from the table , which will cause four of the previously dead draugr enemies to reanimate and attack , but will also raise the gate and allow them to follow the ghost . It soon becomes clear that the ghost shows the correct path , so follow it and pull the chain at the dead end . The next area is a maze - like tomb where the Dragonborn will have to pull several chains to open up different areas . Use the map to make sure to access the easternmost room for a copy of the Speech skill book " The Buying Game " , guarded by a well - placed Battering Ram . Watch out for several draugr and frostbite spiders and continue north . Beware of the pressure plate at the foot of the stairs , which will release a flame trap . Fight the spiders in the next room , loot the shelves for some potions and soul gems then pull the chain , which will open the grating in the floor and reveal a watery pit . Take the jump and proceed forward to a chamber with several enemies , including an archer on the ledge above . Proceed to the level above and disarm the tripwire on the gate before opening it , or it will trigger several swinging blade traps . Pull the chain at the far side of the bridge to make them stop . Go up another level and open the huge door . At the end of the next tunnel , use the Arcane Enchanter if necessary , then turn around and watch the ghostly guide disappear through yet another door ; due to a magical seal they are not allowed to follow , so continue through another set of catacombs and fight draugr or a Draugr Deathlord , depending on level , with two sleeping draugr in alcoves . The expert locked door hides a master locked treasure chest , with a boss - leveled amount of gold . In the next chamber , the gate will shut behind the Dragonborn and five draugr will attack . After the battle , explore the southeastern room for a chest , but beware of the Dart Trap protecting it . Pull the chain and head down the stairs in the center of the room . Activate the handle to the left and watch the rock wall lower and behold the sight of the ghost sitting next to the decaying corpse of Svaknir , the Bard executed for questioning the King in ancient times . They cannot interact with the ghost , but the corpse still holds the forbidden Verse , so claim it and learn the truth behind the annual Festival in Solitude . As soon as the Verse is taken , the ghost disappears and they will have no choice but to backtrack through the Catacombs . On the way back , the Ghost of Svaknir is near the magically sealed door . He will turn towards the door and break the barrier and run headfirst into the Chamber . Follow him to a Nordic puzzle door ; it is finally time to investigate the ruby dragon claw they found when you initially entered the barrow , so take an extra look to find the symbols Wolf , Hawk , Wolf . Proceed forward and prepare for a lengthy battle . In the final chamber , the ghost of Svaknir will stand in the middle of a small pond , surrounded by draugr all seated on thrones . There are eight on the ground floor , and an additional four on the ledge in the other end of the room . Everything seems quiet , until getting close to the ghost . He will then shout out : " " Olaf ! It is time ! " " His words will make the entire room tremble and the first wave of draugr enemies will rise from their thrones and attack . As a ghost , Svaknir is immortal and will pick up the fight , so help him out to defeat them . When all eight enemies are slain , Svaknir will shout : " " Arise , Olaf ! My vengeance is at hand ! " " This will make the four draugr on the ledge rise and attack , so once again help Svaknir get his revenge . These draugr are all higher level than the first ones , but Svaknir will once again prove his skills and help to defeat them . When they are dead , he will finally shout out : " " Olaf ! " " This will finally cause Olaf One - Eye himself to burst out of his coffin screaming : " " Insolent Bard . Die ! " " He will then attack both Svaknir and the Dragonborn . He can be a tough opponent , as he will almost always be armed with an ebony sword or war axe , but will eventually fall to the ground and die . The tormented soul of Svaknir will finally be set free ; he will head to the nearby door , pull out his lute and disappear in a ray of light . Loot Olaf ’ s corpse for the key to his treasury , then examine the wall behind his coffin for a Whirlwind dragon shout . Examine the area for considerable loot - each Draugr has at least some gold . Unlock the treasury door and examine the chest and surroundings for loot , then pull the lever and leave the barrow . Return to Viarmo , Bards College . Return with the verse and bring it to Viarmo , who begins to read it . He mentions that the verses are incomplete . Ask him about recreating the verses , and he gives it a shot . The first verse talks about King Olaf ' s capture of the dragon Numinex being a con . The three options to select are : The second verse talks about his conquest of Skyrim , and the Siege of Solitude . The three options to select are : Blue Palace . Once the Dragonborn meets Viarmo in the palace , he will approach the Jarl and begin to read the verse : No matter the lines used , Elisif will be impressed enough to hold the festival and provide a reward to the college . Viarmo thanks the Dragonborn , then tells them to talk to Jorn inside the college . Talk to Jorn , then wait until 8 : 00 PM to talk to him again . The Burning of King Olaf . Once outside , head to the right and into the overlook . Viarmo will set an effigy of King Olaf on fire , then congratulate them on their work . He announces the crowd that they are now an official bard , informs them of several other quests inside the Bards College , and gives their share of the reward from the Jarl , a sum depending on level .