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Skyrim: Plaything	By : GE_The_Beast Category: +A through F > Elder Scrolls - Skyrim Views: 21445 -:- Recommendations : 3 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: This story is made for fun, profit and entertainment. In no way do I own anything discussed. I do not own Skyrim or The Elder Scrolls fandom in any way, nor do I intend any profit from this story.

Chapter List
- 19
- 20
- 21
Dawnstar’s two rooms for rent in the inn became cramped very quickly. Aela, Elayne and Eola had to share a room and a bed, while Kodlak, Skjor, Vilkas and Farkas had to share the other room. Elayne knew she was going to lose her clothes sleeping, but she was so exhausted she didn’t care. Waking up was a different story, as she found herself spooned between a naked Aela and Eola. Her squeal woke the three of them, and she swore she got the wrong smallclothes off the floor.
The Companions were headed back to Whiterun, and Elayne had to go to the White Hall and explain what happened to Silus to Jarl Skald the Elder. The old man couldn’t care less, mocking the young fool for getting into trouble. Elayne was of the opinion that he was two skeevers short of a horker, as the locals called anyone odd. The court wizard kindly took Silus’ remains and thanked Elayne for at least entertaining his interests. There was definitely a story between them, probably the only two mages in the city. Judging by the hurt look on Madena’s face, there was definitely a history.
With armor damaged and her main weapon shattered they needed repairing. Dawnstar’s blacksmith was overrun with orders for the Stormcloaks, and didn’t have the time to fiddle with ‘elven shite’. It was more than a day’s ride back to whiterun with their one horse, and the bay was still blocked by an iceberg. Going by ship was not an option. So that left only one way to get to a place where there was skilled enough labor to fix her gear and have a chance at finding a decent weapon. Shivering in their ill-suited backup clothing, Elayne and Eola rode the horse together all the way to Solitude, only being interrupted twice. Once for a frost troll, and the other for a Wispmother as they were making their way over the pass into Morthal. They spent the night in that inn, trying to sleep over the sounds of the orc bard.
Eola, the cheeky bitch, decided to go to sleep naked. Elayne tried not to cuddle her during the night, but the marsh was cold and her body seemed to be on automatic. Eola found it entertaining in the highest respect, and in the morning light they rode towards Skyrim’s capitol. They took the long way around Fort Snowhawk, as the guards reminded them of the presence of Necromancers in the keep. Neither wanted to mess with conjurers without good armor or weapons. The horse was annoyed with her heeled shoes long before they passed Dragon’s Bridge, but by evening they had reached Solitude. Not too late that the gates were shut, but certainly too late for the merchants to be open. After a night at the winking skeever, Elayne had spent more than fifty of her hard earned gold just traveling along the roads. The alchemical ingredients she had picked up from the wispmother and her summoned creatures would barely break even on that. Again, Eola slept naked. Elayne kept the door firmly locked, and frowned as she made the conscious decision to strip before bed.
“If I’m just going to end up naked anyways,” She started saying.
“Come on, you like showing off your jewelry.” Eola said, smiling in just her collar and locked bracelets. “Every time you walk they swing, and i bet the gems are filled by now.”
“Filled?”
“Well, your dagger is nearly out of charges. Why don’t you refill from them.” It was actually completely drained, after the Wispmother. “And they are soul gems. Get some use out of them.”
Elayne sat in bed, deciding it might be worthwhile. Normally a soul gem might break if you try to use the soul within. Very carefully, she tried to draw out the power from the gem in her navel. Power started flowing from the gem, but then the ring glowed, the moonstone lighting up with symbols. Her entire body grew hot, and Elayne gasped for air like a dying woman. Like the very fires of the Deadlands had made their home in her body, every nerve ending from her fingers to toes was screaming as she drew the soul out, recharging the dagger. Slumped on the bed, she could only regain her breath as she held the once again glowing dagger. “Ah.” She just gaped for breathe, rolling over so that the white hot moonstone stopped touching everywhere. All three gems hung like decorative crystals, her tiny breasts barely changing shape from the position.
“Try one of the other gems next!” Eola smirked.
“Not on your life!” Elayne hissed. “Gods!” Her legs shook, and her arms all shook with them as wet heat seemed to radiate from her core. It took a frost spell to finally calm her body down, at which point her teeth were chattering and the only source of warmth in the room was Eola. Justice was richly served by an icy cold foot straight to the lower back. Suffice to say, neither woman was fully rested or at their best the next morning. Grumbling, they both put on long dresses and a set of smalls to head out for the blacksmiths.
It cost almost twelve hundred of their seventeen hundred gold to repair her elven armor, buy a new elven sword with a shocking enchantment, and commission a duplicate armor for Eola’s size. The blacksmith had no issue making what he called ‘Elven Light Armor’. After selling all of the vampiric gear at Bits and Pieces, and their dust and the alchemical components across the square Elayne was proud to see more than three thousand septims in her bag. All of which were the big coins! She had never had so many before!
“We have plenty of money.” Elayne mused. “What do you think we should get? You’ve got an enchanted sword, I’ve got one. Our armor will be done soon, and we’ve got three thousand and fifty gold.”
Eola was on a high, too. “You know, I want a pair of heels that isn’t cheap. The ones you gave me were nice, but they are really not that high of quality. Why don’t we get you fitted for some more clothes, too. People should see what their hero is really like, after all. Right now if they run into you it looks like you are rich in appearance but your clothes are terrible.”
“Not a bad idea. I got this old dress from a shop in Riften. I’ve washed it, but I always have to tie it in a lot more. Let’s say we spend a hundred gold on clothing. Some nice fur clothes for both of us.”
“What do the Reach folk think of such things?”
“They used to be very fashionable. They liked to buy styles that were popular in Wayrest or Daggerfall. The goods had to pass through Orsinium or Solitude so it was very fashionable to have them. My aunt said there used to be a really good tailor next to the Hag’s Cure.”
“So why the bone and feather getups?”
“I think there were some cultists around before the fall who lived in nature and openly worshipped the daedra.” Elayne considered. “At least, that’s what my aunt told me. Apparently it is a more modern view of something called void worship. Weird to hear it mentioned anymore, but I think personally they were venerating the ravens they think are sacred.” She said, not invoking the full pronoun of Hagraven in public.
“No one ever explained it to me like that. People in Markarth would just say they had become filthy and degenerate in their daedra worship. Given up on normal human styles or wanting to share any identification with the Nords that drove them out.”
“I’m sure there are a lot of people who feel that way.” Elayne murmured. “Like in that basement. They might be happier being able to worship openly.”
Eola stopped for a moment, taking Elayne to a low stone edifice to sit down. “Would the Reachfolk ever accept giving up Markarth?” She asked quietly. Amongst the bustle and noise of the street, they had effective privacy.
“They’ve lived in the Reach for generations. There aren’t any other cities that could be used there.”
“I think you’re wrong on that.” Eola pointed out. “What we would need was a way to come to an agreement. The Empire might-”
“Not without a very good reason.” Elayne interrupted. “The Reach and the Empire were in talks when the Nords formed a militia and came down to fight them.”
“They’ve already got one civil war. What’s the threat of one more?”
“You laugh now, but there are legions in Orsinium and High Rock that could be called in. Morrowind and Cyrodil have mercenary companies that could be raised, if things in Skyrim got truly terrible. Tulius and his legion are representing much more military power that can be projected.”
“Then why don’t they do that already?”
“Because of the Nords. They don’t want to crush them so badly that they will snap under pressure. Most Nords feel like the Empire is their connection to Talos, and if the Empire trampled them down it would make them lose that faith. I think the Empire wants to keep damage and insults to the absolute minimum.”
“Weakness on both sides.” Eola spat.
“These people are the ones that you’ll have to make peace with.” Elayne pointed out. “You need practice in dealing with them. Though you won’t have any issue with the Thalmor. They don’t care about daedra worship.”
“But the Empire will. And the Reachfolk will not want to hide their beliefs.” Eola murmured. “Would they be willing to hide them again?”
“If you build a very pretty cathedral I am certain the Nords would find the few families that worship daedra to be the opposite of dangerous. Though that means you’ll have to pick a divine to have as your patron. As well as a shrine of Arkay for the dead.”
Eola hissed. “Elayne, that’s horrible to mention!”
“Practice.” She whispered. “Come on, let’s try Radiant Raiment. I think if we are going to find anything from the other world, it will be in here.”
Entering the store felt a bit odd. As if they were both underdressed for the experience. Eola was wearing a large dress that covered her collar and the ebonite bracelets that she had gotten for using Captured Dreams . Elayne had one too, covering her thigh bands and not quite fitting her waist. It did fit her ass, at least. But upon entry, the door rang a little bell that wasn’t there before. Their heels clicked on the floor, and Elayne could hear other pairs of high heels moving in the store towards them.
“Welcome back to our store, Lady Dragonborn.” Endarie called from the front desk. “We must thank you for your patronage earlier. The Jarl has ordered from our store instead of Cyrodil in honor of you.” The Altmer’s smile was wide. “What can we do for you?” The other world’s changes had definitely made their way here. Endarie was wearing a dress that split open at the throat and only came back together at the navel. It bared both breasts, revealing the complete lack of breastband holding her up. Elayne gulped at that.
“I’ve come looking for some shoes, and a few new dresses.” Elayne took off her dragon priest mask. Endarie’s smile widened even further at the sight of her face. “Smallclothes, and the same for my friend Eola here.”
“Taarie, lock the door. The store is yours, Dragonborn.” Taarie was wearing a near copy of her sister’s dress, a slit in the skirt flashing gold skinned legs whenever she walked. Elayne felt a bit of a thrill when she saw the heels that she was wearing, of very high quality. There had to be some kind of platinum or harder metal in them!
“Please, call me Elayne.” She said. “Everyone just knows me as the Dragonborn, but I’m starting to have to reveal more of my life outside of being the Dragonborn.”
“Oh that hair.” Taarie whispered, running a hand along one of the blue strands. “Beautiful. If you’re looking for the right place to get help, we are quite capable of helping you. Our niece Yodie is also here to visit, as well. She’s exceptional with hair and hair magic.”
“Hair magic?” Elayne had never heard of hair magic. It sounded so vain! Taarie brought forward a low chair, padded and comfortable. Elayne sat down, watching as Taarie bustled about with hushed whispers in Aldermis with her sister. Their heels clicked as both moved around the store, bringing out tools and measuring tape.
“Take off your shoes, darling. I’ll go see what we have in stock that fits your feet.” Endarie offered. “Your dress, too. And smalls. If you are getting everything we should start with the whole package.” Elayne blushed a bit, but sat down to take off her shoes first. She handed over the moonstone and quicksilver shoes, which made Taarie coo with delight. “Oh, these are fabulous!”
“Thank you.” Elayne offered, pulling her dress over her head. She folded it and set it off to the side, feeling self conscious about the bands around her thighs and ankles. Eola stepped behind her, yanking off her breastband and releasing her tiny breasts. Her squeal at that brought the attention of both Altmer, who grinned at the sight of the gems hanging from her.
“Elayne, where did you come by these? They are most expensive!” Endarie asked, in awe. The Altmer stepped close, setting one hand on the arm of the chair and with the other holding the soul gem that hung from her navel. “I should know.” The Altmer let go, reaching up and pulling her own dress open further, showing off her own breasts. Which were somehow larger than Elayne’s. Twin rings of moonstone pierced her, glowing with some kind of enchantment.
“You wouldn’t believe me if I told you.” Endarie’s hands closed her dress, as Elayne felt flush sitting in the chair naked. Somehow Eola had dragged her smallclothes completely off as she was distracted. “I can’t get them off.”
“Why would you ever remove them?” Taarie smiled. “They are too useful indeed.”
“I don’t even know what they do!”
Endarie moved her attention to the thigh bands around her legs. She spoke a word of magic, and traced something with her hands near both of the thigh bands. Glowing ethereal chains seemed to come out of the band, following Endarie’s fingers as she pointed. They shot underneath the chair, and then pulled tight, dragging Elayne all the way into the seat. A tap on both of her ankles, and Elayne could feel herself bound to the chair with her legs. “You’re wearing a master set meant for wives and concubines of a very rich noble.”
“What?!” She tried to move, but the ethereal chains may as well have been solid. She could move her hand through them, even. “Let me go!”
“Oh most certainly not!” Endarie mused. “You wanted a full makeover.” She took the dress from the side, along with the smallclothes. “Taarie, burn these. The Dragonborn is going to look well suited! I must get Yodie!” Both Altmer took her things, heading off to go do disparate tasks. All the while, Elayne was stuck in this extremely heavy chair! She wiggled, nipples aching as the gems swung back and forth with every attempt to escape.
“Eola, help!” She hissed.
“I am helping.” The other Breton grinned. “Listen, this book is making you into something you aren’t used to being. I say get ahead of it. If things from the other world are going to keep affecting you, perhaps you should learn from them. Plus, they know how all of these things work. So maybe if you entertain them they will tell you how the pieces you don’t have yet will work. Sit back in that chair, try to enjoy this somehow.” Eola snickered, laughing. “I’m certain you’ll make me look like quite the princess after you look like what they think a hero should be.”
“I have kohl on my eyes and I look like a whore!” Elayne hissed. “They are going to assume-” She was interrupted by three sets of heels returning. Their niece was not quite as tall, but she wore a diaphanous gown which clearly showed a corset underneath. And little else. Yodie looked at Elayne and her eyes twinkled. “Miss Elayne, it is a pleasure to meet you. I am Yodie. Hairdresser and alchemist of magics associated with that.”
“Nice to meet you.” Elayne said, out of habit as she tried to resist the desire to cover her nipples. Again, all of these Altmer had larger breasts than her! What was this world coming to! At least now she was absolutely certain that Eola was the only person in this room whose nipples weren’t pierced. “Can you tell me how these work?”
“No one explained to you when they were applied?” Yodie looked horrified. “You poor soul! Oh, darling let me explain!” Yodie came near, hefting each of the soul gems. “Each of these protect you from spells. They resist some magic. If you use your racial power, you would nearly be immune to spells. So whoever gave these to you was very kind. Very sweet. Combined with your power you can defeat any mage in combat.” Elayne wouldn’t call Captured Dreams sweet. But it did bring her comfort to know that these things weren’t useless. “It’s too bad you don’t have much to show off here. I’m all out of ingredients to make alchemical compounds for that.”
“What would you need?” Elayne’s lips murmured. Her house had been ransacked of potion ingredients, and she had sold off the rest when she arrived in Solitude. “I would try to get it for you.”
“Oh!” Yodie blushed. “I’m sorry, my aunts used all of the potions. But I am sure I could make more if I had some Kresh weed. It only comes from the eastern part of Morrowind.” So that was how they were so large! Elayne felt a burst of jealousy. “Though there are ways of taking parts of cadavers to replicate the effect, I don’t prefer to make alchemical ingredients from that. If you were to find me some Kresh fibers from Morrowind, or some Nymph hair. I’ve traveled here to Solitude to deliver potions my aunts paid for a few years ago. It has quite put me off traveling for a good while longer.”
Elayne was crestfallen. “Sorry for being demanding.”
“I would want some if I had breasts like that, too.” Yodie said without any vitriol. “So who gave you the slave bands?”
“I can’t say.” Elayne folded her arms, feeling on display.
“Well, I can’t see the maker’s mark. They’re on the inside. You’ll need the maker’s blood to get them off. And there are only two people in this province that even make those!”
“Who?” She asked, eagerly.
“Ondolemar and Rulindil, of course.” Yodie said, as if she was speaking to someone stupid. Which most Altmer seemed to act like. “Very important people, and very potent craftsmen. If you’re wearing a set from either of them they must have a reason for you to have them. A sign of their favor.”
“It makes wearing armor harder.” Elayne pointed out.
“Well, hero.” Taarie smiled, as fabric in many colors started being brought out. “Your friend here has mentioned that you like to have a lot of fun when you aren’t running around as a hero.” The word fun was intensified on her tongue. “We are redesigning your style for that. And you’ve been hiding your gifts from your Thalmor friend, so we got you some beautiful things to show them off!” Eola unceremoniously dumped out all of her clothing from her bag, and she watched in horror as they just threw all of her clothes into a bin. The only thing they kept was the maid outfit. She was about to scream something at them, but remembered Eola’s words. She at least knew more now than she did before. And it was just clothing. She could always pay for more elsewhere.
“So long as you aren’t throwing away armor, I am perfectly fine.” She lied smoothly.
“Certainly.” They took out the cheap heels that Belethor had given her more than a month ago, and made a sound in the back of their throats as those also went into the bin. “If you are a hero, you should at least look like anyone who has seen you would never forget it. And this corset you bought! Cursed to oblivion. If you had worn it, you would have been drained of personality. Horrible, just horrible.”
That captain in Dawnstar had fleeced her! The bastard! “Ugh. I paid good money for that, too.”
“Don’t worry, dear. You’ll not have to worry after today.” Endarie stepped over with some kind of lace. It was wrapped around her torso, and pulled tight at the base of her breasts. The fine fabric tickled, and then lifted gently. Again and again Endarie brought it around, until Elayne was staring at a new breastband, one that seemed to let her gems swing freely, but also support her. “See? If you absolutely must cover up those gems, you should at least feel comfortable. Nords use wool up here. Sometimes linen. Dreadful, absolutely dreadful.” Well, Elayne didn’t mind this very much. In fact, it felt very nice.
Measuring tape ran up and down her form, with Endarie unlocking her ankles to measure her leg as it was extended. And then snapped it right back into a locked position, leaving Elayne to watch as the three Altmer ran around the shop grabbing dress frames and running fabric and numbers all across it. Apparently she had an Aldmeri waist. Though when the elves got to setting her ass on the dress making frame, they cranked it wide. “Well, darling, anyone behind you is going to be very appreciative.”
“That’s the only compliment my mother ever gave me. Tried to set me up to marry a merchant from Northpointe.” She tried to make small talk, consciously aware of the one piece of fabric on her. “So how do these bands work?” She asked the burning question.
“Oh, those!” Endarie was holding up fabrics and colors before Elayne, the signature blue of Wayrest clashing with her hair. “Meant for the wife or concubine that likes to run away. Or is disobedient. Simply say the word ‘Shauta’ and tap the band. Then tap the place you want the magic to attach to. It will drain them to do it, but whoever got you those thoughtful piercings has already accounted for it. Those soul gems will charge your slave bands. The slave bands cannot be cancelled until the command word is spoken by another creature. You can’t free yourself.” The Altmer was saying, as Elayne was just considering it. “So long as you have magicka to give, you are wearing enough that keeps you from ever running out of charge on your wonderful experience.”
“It was forced upon me.” Elayne pointed out, as a bright red was brought over that made her wince. “Not that.”
Endarie glared at Yodie, the one who had chosen that. “Indeed. Go busy yourself elsewhere.” Apparently the scorn that the altmer used like a knife extended to family.
“Eola here wants her hair done.” Elayne said helpfully. “She’s growing it out, but wants a style that covers the scars on her face and ear.” Eola looked venomous at that.
Yodie cackled and threw Eola into a second chair off to the side. Endarie nodded approvingly as she brought over soft whites and creams. “You said this was forced upon you?”
“Yes.” Elayne looked down at her navel, the gem sitting softly. “I didn’t exactly agree to this.”
“Then you’ll be just like all those who did want it and just screamed injustice. Amongst the Thalmor, the only way to win back your identity in these situations is to gain more power than the one who has forced it onto you. We think this in terms of decades and centuries. I think a queen wore some of these, once. But I won’t bore you with her story. It hardly is impacted by them. Just as you only find wearing pants difficult. None of this stops you from being a hero.”
It did feel good to hear that. “Thank you, Endarie. That means a lot to me. They, uh, keep giving me the items and don’t explain what they do.”
“So you’ve come to the right place. I’ll tell you, on one condition.”
“Which is?”
“That if you aren’t wearing armor, you only wear Radiant Raiment. I want the hero of this province to be known for her look, and her sense of style. So if you promise to only wear the clothing we give you when you aren’t fighting dragons and saving insipid men who don’t know what they’re doing, I will tell you about the things you may yet find yourself wearing.”
Elayne bit her lip, hearing Eola screech about something in the background. That was some promise. “Will it keep me warm in the cold?”
“Fashion has many sacrifices.” Endarie held up a slim silver ring. “But this will keep the cold off your skin. It can’t resist it all, but it will let you strut your stuff anywhere but Solstheim. That place is only warm enough in the summer for anyone to go into. Much less live.” She seemed to find the place downright insulting. The Altmer placed the ring upon Elayne’s finger, and she immediately felt warmer. As if the cold of the air did not affect her. When she pulled it back off, her nipples immediately pebbled and goose bumps rose on her arms. “See? We are prepared for living in tough regions. Fashion sense also comes with a sense of survival, much like these Nords.” The Altmer was running more fabric across her body, this time in soft greens and yellows. “Unfortunately with that hair the colors that suit you are Thalmor or Dunmeri. But first, your promise?”
Elayne was still swimming through her mind, trying to decide what to do. If she agreed, and then somehow got noticed in another city this nosy Altmer would hear about it. And she knew about the pile of moonstone and quicksilver that probably awaited her. The only other people that might know were Rulindil and Ondolemar, but the risk there came from them simply taking advantage of her. Endarie and Taarie were probably the only Altmer outside of the Thalmor that she knew and talked to. It also seemed to be a place where the aspects of the other world were bleeding over.
“I will agree, but only if you make over Eola as well. She’s part of the nobility of the Reach, and that maid dress I have is hers, not mine.”
Endarie’s eyes twinkled. Barter was something she appreciated. “I can always simply add it to your tab with us.”
“You get the Dragonborn wearing your designs for her career!” Elayne felt more in her element, gems swinging nearly freely as she changed position and pouted. “Eola will get a makeover. On the house.”
Endarie took a minute to converse with Taarie and Yodie. The three of them were in hot debate for a while. Endarie broke off to ask Eola a few questions in the other room, but Elayne couldn’t see what was going on there. When the Altmer returned, she stepped before Elayne and seemed to give an impetuous grin. “We have decided to agree. Your makeover shall be the one you pay for. Eola shall receive our just attention, though we just discovered your especial collar around her neck. Not that you’ll be free of that yourself if you keep getting gifts.”
“Which you will explain?”
“We have prepared a contract in writing.” Yodie stepped forwards, holding a piece of parchment. The ink was still drying, the fine script in common tongue. “You have any questions about anything we know about, we will answer them at no fee. And if you ever get enough money saved up to remove the entire set of moonstone and the blood from the maker of the set, we shall help in its removal.”
Well. That was very nice! Elayne read through the contract, which stipulated rather simply that she would wear Radiant Raiment and only such clothing unless coerced, jailed or in some other way inconvenienced to the point she could not wear such. In exchange, if she ever saved up. Her brain snapped at the number she saw. “Twenty five thousand imperial dragons?!”
“That’s what it will take for us to break the magic containing you.” Endarie said smoothly. “We will be breaking a lot of equipment that can only be made in the Aldmeri Dominion. Which we only can buy in person, which means losing most of a year’s income to you if you decide to do it. We sacrifice very much to help you.” Endarie explained. “So you must pay for the year one of us will inevitably be gone replacing the broken materials.”
That actually seemed fair. To her Breton mind, that seemed entirely fair. But it was still an astronomical amount of gold. Even adventuring and fighting as hard as she had, Elayne had only managed to get two thousand gold together at a time. This was multiples higher than that. In fact, “I could pay for Proudspire Manor with that!”
“But you could never afford the same price again to furnish it, darling.” Endarie chuckled. Well, she was right on that account. “Sign your name at the bottom to agree, and while Yodie makes you a copy,” The elf stared balefully as her niece ran for the back room. “We shall go over and explain to you the fate you might face.”
The rest of the contract simply stipulated that the Threadmaker’s Guild of Amaranth, of which Endarie was a member, promised to support and never lie, cheat, scam or manipulate Elayne in any way. That if Elayne had a reasonable request that Endarie or any other member of the guild would supply it. That if Elayne ever became collared they would promise to treat her as a regular person, and not a slave girl. As well that if Elayne was in Solitude that she could use their home and enjoy their food and hospitality. Odd, that caveat about a collar being in the contract.
Elayne signed both copies, and Endarie pulled her own chair forward as Eola screeched in the back room. Something about indignity. But she wasn’t listening. “These sets of moonstone and quicksilver were originally designed to control a queen from the shadows. Concealed under her clothing, the queen wore bands across ankles, thighs, wrists and biceps. A collar was upon her throat. A moonstone headband that made her hair perfect every day. But also let her captors find her at any time.” Elayne could always feel the weight of the headdress upon her brow. She had gotten used to it, now. But it didn’t sit well that someone could track it.
“Why did the queen accept it?”
“She was forced to by a suitor. She of course refused him the morning after, but he simply waited a decade. By that time it was an open secret that she couldn’t make decisions without him. They were unhappily married and nearly started a civil war over it. As you have seen, these bands across your legs are meant to be difficult to remove. The entire set bonds to your skin. The ankle bands are slowly damaging your feet, making you move slower. Over a decade you will be exhausted by a long stroll, rather than your heroics that you regularly enjoy.” Endarie said, not skipping any of the theatrics. “But it takes years to see that kind of damage. The thigh bands are far less intrusive. They simply can be used to attach you to anything, and if your owner decides he can bind them to a location. The queen was bound to her palace unless she got especial permission to leave it. These stopped her from leaving.” She tapped the thigh bands.
“So, do you know the magic words to turn that off?”
“I do not. I simply know Aldmeris and can guess their function based on the lines of writing.” The Altmer waved her hands. “Still, you should know about the other pieces. Your piercings are charging the entire set. They also draw from your pool of magicka. You might have noticed you have less?” Elanye nodded, as the woman continued. “It’s not much now, but the entire set will keep you from casting much more than a Candlelight. The bands that may yet go upon your arms come in two varieties. Bracelets and bicep bands. The Bracelets are going to shock you if you wield any weapon your master deems as not belonging to you. That can include eating tools, as well. So be careful on those. The bicep bands will be less intrusive as well. Those were designed to curse your ability to handle gold. If you get those, feel free to panic. Touching gold will shock you. Gems and jewelry, of course would be left alone.”
Elayne nodded. “Which just leaves a collar.” She said at last.
“Indeed. The queen was a figurehead because of it. She had to accept commands from the owner of the collar. Thankfully only spoken. But the Queen did escape from her captor.” Endarie said hopefully. “She found a way to change the collar to a new owner. So she made her choice. The pretender controlling her was replaced by her own son, who promptly did the very same thing, just in preparation for his own rule. Once he had the setup he desired, he freed his mother.”
“That’s terrible!”
“Welcome to the world of Altmer political activity. But that’s part of the reason I know about these. My great grandmother was one of the people who helped invent a way to remove them. My family has fallen in and out of popularity with the ruling class as a result of our association. Which is why we moved to Skyrim. Safe enough, and wealthy in its own way.” The Altmer waved her hands, freeing Elayne from the chair as she spoke a word of magic and tapped the moonstone bands.
Of course, that was only because she had piles of clothes to try on. Now that she had signed a contract, the real debate would begin. Elayne had to put her foot down on so many things, such as frills. Frills were godsawful things that never looked good on her. She barely saw Eola over the next three hours, as Yodie spent her time in back with Eola for the first two hours, switching places with Taarie as she tried to control the hair situation. But she didn’t know how to set the headband, and Endarie wouldn’t do that at all. Apparently it was dangerous to tamper with if they weren’t going to remove it. “Too close to the brain, darling.”
The sun had nearly set when Elayne finally was able to leave Radiant Raiment. They had taken nearly the rest of her money. She and Eola had enough to get back to Whiterun and the rest of her savings, but only just. Elayne felt on display. Completely. She was wearing a strapless dress with a tight corset on the outside. The skirts were a split style, providing no hope of covering up any of her legs. In fact, she had to wear smalls that rode up higher on the hips just to wear any with this dress, the slits were so high. Her bag was heavy, filled to the brim with outfits matching this one, or worse. A full three outfits were something Endarie referred to as ‘party’ attire. She wouldn’t be able to wear those anywhere with a stiff breeze.
Eola was fuming. She hadn’t been able to help herself, whispering ideas to Endarie and Taarie. She was wearing her own dress and corset, though hers was a halter style. Her hair was enchanted. Not just styled but enchanted to stay in a certain way. It hung in a thick curly vine over her bad eye in front, running down to the top of her breasts. In back it looked like a well coiffed masterpiece, flared and reaching her mid back in layered waves. Probably what had Eola fuming most was the miniskirt. All of her outfits included them. Yodie had grown her hair out and given her ear piercings. Through magic, somehow. Both of them had heeled boots with blatant symbols of Radiant Raiment upon them.
The guards took thirty gold for public indecency within two minutes, sending both women running to the inn for cover. Even though Eola wouldn’t talk to her that night, Elayne felt as though she had a much better idea of what may yet come. Knowledge was half the battle, of course. She had a daedric weapon. She could technically fight Alduin, now!
But in order to do that, she would need that elder scroll back. Harkon the vampire had that, and the only person who knew about him refused to tell her anything. Sleeping naked that night, Elayne tried to shake the feeling that something was wrong about all of this. But she didn’t feel into that. Instead she tried to trust that someone would know about Harkon. Where he lived, what his strengths were. Somewhere out there the answer lurked. Glancing at her bag, she knew that Captured Dreams would at least answer some questions. But that carried its own risks.
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Skyrim: Plaything