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Skyrim: Plaything	By : GE_The_Beast Category: +A through F > Elder Scrolls - Skyrim Views: 21453 -:- 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
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Elayne was tired of hearing how she couldn’t actually fight Harkon. That he was invincible or unkillable. Heroes, she decided, did not have to listen to absolutes. After watching Gabriella giving Astrid a heart attack, Elayne decided to let her dark brotherhood family sort themselves out. She had heroics to perform, or so she told them. In reality she just really felt like her plate was full at that point. So she went and started a cascade of events, loudly leaving a trail of news of what the Dragonborn wanted. Every bard from Riften to Solitude would be shouting about it. At least, that was the intention.
Which is what brought her to the new Hall of the Vigilant. It was some ruin east of Riften, and even with the rain Elayne’s spirits were high. She had finally found out what happened to the Vigilants, and Isran. East of Riften, almost along the road to Vvardenfell there was a small slot canyon entrance. It looked partially collapsed, something that used to be able to allow easy transportation of goods. But someone had set a shrine of Stendarr along the road here, and it looked well cared for. There were flowers and other offerings near it.
Ducking through the tunnel, it looked like some people had been digging it out. But past the thin path, it opened into a wide valley. It looked like a hidden gem, overgrown with trees and bushes. A hard packed road with cobble had been cleared, and her heels had plenty of purchase on it. The rain seemed to be worse in the valley, dumping so heavily that it was getting through her cloak. At the head of the fortress, two vigilants seemed to be shivering in what little cover they could get, but challenged her.
“Who g-goes there?” One chattered his teeth.
“It’s the Dragonborn.” The other said with excitement. “Welcome to the new Hall of the Vigilant!”
“It looks a little out of sorts.” Most of the walls were still covered in vegetation. “Is the Keeper home?”
“She is!” They grinned. “If it weren’t for this damnable rain, she might be outside with us.”
Elayne shivered, feeling a bit cold herself. “I think I can do something about that.” She stepped out of the thin cover and stared up at the sky. “Lok! Vah! Koor!” She yelled the dragon shout, as the thick rainclouds were driven off. It wouldn’t last forever. Kyne controlled the skies, and that was not a force anyone could reckon with. But it did get the attention of the Vigilants inside the keep. Isran, Carcette, and some of the other vigilants came out to see her. Letting her sodden cloak fall back from her face Elayne stepped into the light.
“Keeper Carcette. Isran.” She give a bow of the head. “I’ve come with important news. I’m going to be destroying a champion of Molag Bal and the source of vampire attacks across Skyrim. They took something that is needed to stop Alduin from destroying us all. I’m inviting those that know how to fight daedra and vile creatures best to come and speak. It’s part of a larger conversation that needs to happen regarding the dragons, but I need your support if I am to bring down the Volkihar.”
“We were just driven from our Hall by them. What makes you believe that we will be capable of helping?” Keeper Carcette said critically. “We have no army.”
“Don’t worry.” Elayne grinned. “I already have one.” Isran seemed to blink at that. “You just might have to accept that they are a bit different.”
“How so, Dragonborn?” Isran couldn’t help himself. “Is this something that will just fill in the hole left by the Volkihar if they fall?”
“Uh, no. I meant that I convinced the Forsworn to stop fighting everyone and fight for me instead if I fulfill certain agreements. So I have an army.” She grinned, her mask hiding her smugness. “So what we need are experts in hunting vampires and killing daedra.”
Keeper Carcette just started laughing, long and loud. “Dragonborn? Elayne? I don’t care what you wish to be called. Consider this my RSVP.” The older woman clasped her arm, bringing Elayne in for a hug. But her whisper could cut glass. “The Gods know you do not walk with them. Don’t assume you may tread over them if you try anything.” While the rest of the Vigilants were happy and cheerful Keeper Carcette maintained her stern expression as she stepped back. “Where will this speechcraft occur?”
“High Hrothgar.” This made many of the Vigilants consider things fairly. It was a temple to Kynareth, after all. “You may send two representatives. The Companions will be guarding anyone scaling the mountain, as I have invited the Thalmor.”
“You invited them? Why?” Isran seemed highly suspect.
“Because if I didn’t, they would show up anyways. They’ve got conjurers and powerful enchanted weapons.” Elayne pointed out. “But after this I have a much harder task. You all I deeply respect for your work and your faith. But now I must head north. I have to invite Ulfrik Stormcloak to this.”
“My condolences.” Keeper Carcette offered. “I find that he respects those that pray first in the temple of Talos before going to visit his palace. Make an offering of hawk feathers and snowberries. It will help.”
“Thank you.” She said fervently.
“Where is your usual companion?” Isran asked. “You never travel alone.”
“Oh, I had her deliver the letter to the Forsworn and the Thalmor for me.” Eola was going to be a festering bitch of complaints after this. But they needed to split up and cover more ground. Elayne used a courier to send a message to Esbern and Delphine. They needed to know her plan to fight the dragons. She had the hardest tasks before herself. The Stormcloaks and the College of Winterhold. Then she and Eola would meet back up in Solitude. With a few goodbyes, she left the valley and the Vigilants behind. Her heels started to carry her north, every step verifying that this was the right idea.

The Palace of Windhelm was a very cold pile of stones. Elayne was thankful for her ring, as she wore her armor towards the palace. Stormcloaks were everywhere, and two followed her once she entered the gates. They saw her offer a blessing at the temple of Talos, and Elayne finally felt as though one of the divines actually responded. She felt as though her throat was feeling better, and she was less cold. The priest seemed ecstatic, a man named Lortheim.
It made the guards far more relaxed as they approached the palace. Unlike in other holds, it felt as though no one was here. No one was waiting to speak to their Jarl. No tradesman were waiting for help or approvals. It seemed off. Her heels clicked on the stone, and the doors were opened by two strong nords to let her in. A long table suitable for a king’s court filled the space, with the Jarl himself sitting upon a throne at the head of it all. He was waiting for her. With no hurry, she walked the left side of the table. Bretons always liked to approach someone from their right side, as the left was more insulting. Anything done with the left hand of a lord was considered far less important than their right.
“Long have I awaited your visit, Dragonborn.” Stormcloak spoke. “Or would you rather be called Elayne of Wayrest?”
“In these circumstances, Dragonborn is acceptable. If you accept, I will be happy to allow you the hospitality of my name.” She came to a stop in front of his throne.
“In curiosity, I want to try something new.” Stormcloak got off of his throne. “I fought a dragon with my troops recently. When I tried to shout at it, it seemed to believe that I was finally talking to it. Though it called me weak.” The man narrowed his eyes. “I wish to exchange words with you, as the dragons do.”
“You, uh, want to take a shout?”
“Yes, Dragonborn. I want to see if you are truly as powerful as you say.” This, from the man who was said to have killed Torygg with his own voice. “As host, I will go first.” He lined up, moving so that now nothing was behind the other but smooth stone wall. Elayne gave him a nod, before he let loose a powerful shout. But she was ready. This was natural to her, as she felt the words wash over her. Bracing her knees, the sconces behind her were blown over and the plates from the table nearby were disturbed. As for Elayne herself, her heels scraped as she slid a few inches. A man in a bear-cloak seemed to just stare, as Elayne felt the rush of her own shout rising in her throat. She could have held back, but didn’t feel like it would be fair to him.
Ulfrik tried to brace. He really did. But Elayne sent him ass over teakettle into the wall behind him, the sconces along it also being moved even further. The man stood, groaning. But Ulfrik was laughing. “I haven’t been thrown like that since Arngeir and I scaled the summit together! Hah!” He rubbed his back, stretching. “I don’t doubt your voice, Dragonborn. I am no competition in that regard.” He came back to his throne, sitting in it heavily. “You bring something before the true king of skyrim. Speak your mind.”
“I am here to call a summit. The Volkihar clan of vampires have taken an elder scroll from me. In doing so, they have willingly sided with Alduin and are intent on letting him end the world. I have need of all of the major powers in Skyrim to help me in retrieving it as the first part of my summit. The second part will be to come to an agreement about ending the fighting so that soldiers can be defensively protecting cities and roads. A ceasefire, if you will. This winter will be hard enough on the people of Skyrim if the Dragons do what they did during the last dragon war.”
“We have been fair minded and keeping them away from holds that are protected by my soldiers.” Stormcloak dared to claim.
“During the Dragon War, the dragons decided to act cruelly. They burned every field of those that stood against them, cut down stragglers and hunted groups of people that tried to bring food back to the homes of their families. When, not if the dragons feel they have the strength to war against us mortals again they will. And every single Draugr of their dragon cult lies buried under your feet. I think Alduin is waking them, along with the dragons. Nordic ruins have been less and less safe to explore since he came back. I won’t rule out having to fight your own honored dead as they rise from the ground, and then keeping your eyes above to hunt dragons. Also, during the dragon war the Way of the Voice wasn’t yet conceived. Nords could learn to shout and did use it against the Dragons. I sincerely doubt that Arngeir would come off the mountain to fight for you or any other hold.”
Stormcloak frowned. “No, no he would not. But you are willing to fight them.”
“I am one woman and I belong to more than one hold.”
“Balgruuf would say differently. You’ve killed three or four dragons within his hold, by my spies count.” The Nord was short by one, but no one had been along shriekwind bastion in a long time to see that skeleton. “My hold has only had your blessing once.”
“Twice.” She corrected. “But I doubt you have people along the eastern mountains by dwarven ruins.”
Stormcloak seemed to consider that. “I’ll send a patrol to go looking. Now, about this summit. Who else have you invited?”
“I’ll be inviting the Empire. But I can hardly expect them to give my summit any kind of respect unless I invited you first.” That much was true. A man that declares himself king by killing the previous couldn’t be slighted. A merchant always knew who the biggest fish in the pond were. Stormcloak was one of the biggest. Perhaps not the most powerful, but one of the loudest voices. “The Vigilants of Stendarr are coming, the Reachmen are coming,”
“You would trust those bastards?” Ulfrik looked shocked.
“My mother was born in Markarth.” Elayne said softly. “My family home of twenty generations currently lies occupied by Thonar Silver-Blood.”
Ulfrik frowned. He could see that he was in prickly territory there. “My men and I were coming to the aid of a deposed Jarl. I believed my oaths to him were more important than what came after.” His entire revolution occurred because of the Forsworn rebellion. “I do not wish to imply that I take pride in your family’s suffering.”
“All of Skyrim is suffering. I simply found a reason for the Reachmen to find peace. If you could have done things differently, what would you have changed about Markarth?” Elayne asked, poking at the point of vulnerability. “Speaking only of yourself.”
The man took his time to answer, giving her inscrutable looks. “I would not have changed any of my actions. I demanded that Talos be worshipped openly. I stood by my beliefs.”
“But Torygg wasn’t the only person you’ve killed by the use of the unrelenting force shout. You also killed Madanach’s wife with it.”
He looked shocked to hear her say that. “That room was empty.” He whispered. “The room was empty.”
“There was a false wall.” Elayne spoke softly back. “Four people were inside the back room. My aunt was one of them, members of the court.” She made eye contact, seeing that Ulfrik had no fear of staring her in the eye. Even when being confronted with that. “Do you regret killing an unarmed woman with the Voice?”
“You are not hearing the full story.” Ulfrik spoke clearly. “That woman was using a mace. It felt like one brush with it was enough to steal my very will to fight. I didn’t want to kill her. But I was given no choice. That weapon was dark, and I wasn’t sure of my ability to keep fighting after everything else.” His eyes did not waver. “Yes, I killed her with the voice.”
“Would you be willing to speak on the behalf of those people, when they seek peace with you and the Empire?”
Ulfrik actually looked away at that. “That would weaken the Empire to lose Markarth.”
“They don’t want to contest Markarth.” She insisted. “But they aren’t going to be confident of their chances of negotiating a peace in the Reach without your support.”
“I can’t speak of their intentions. Nor of their leadership that I could trust. Witches and hagravens make poor leaders of civilized people.”
“But it’s your actions that created the entire split. If you didn’t have a rebellion going, I think Markarth would be ignited into conflict again.” Elayne kept prodding, feeling empowered by all of this. Perhaps this was the only time someone would challenge him. “Perhaps you might want to create something by your hand rather than just leave destruction in your wake.”
“You presume too much.”
“I am going to save the world from Alduin. Will. There is no if. If you want to become king of this province you have to accept that there are some things that are stronger with a quill and ink rather than a sword. I am creating this summit to ask for peace until Alduin is dead. I am not demanding you stop your war. I refuse to take a side upon it. But I will if you won’t pull your head out of your ass and get behind me when I want to give you a Sovngard to return back to when you grow old and die.” Elayne’s words echoed in the throne room.
“But you need me at this summit if you will see any kind of result that leads to your victory.” Stormcloak countered, acceding her point. “You need more than that, to get back your elder scroll as well. So what will you promise to bring me there?”
“What, are you in need of reasons to be dragged to the table like some ungrateful child!” She yelled at him. Something about his casual mockery of her words pissed her off. “I’m inviting you as the most important member of a peace summit! I’m not bribing you. I’m telling you as the Dragonborn that you will bring yourself to High Hrothgar and prepare to talk. If you come expecting to be lured in like some weak Imperial child, you’ll be disappointed. I’m actually visiting you. The Thalmor are getting a letter. The Companions will be fighting at my side. And yours, if you decide to help.”
Ulfrik had his lips set. The man in the bear cloak behind him looked like he was trying not to laugh as he watched his liege lord be lectured to like a child. “Maybe I’ll refuse. It sounds like you are inviting all of my enemies.”
“I’ve also invited the unmarried queen of the Reach.” Ulfrik blinked at that. Eola not being here helped her a lot to make this claim. The woman would have screeched like a cat to be used as a catspaw like this. “She has the full support of all of their clans and is the only surviving child of Madanach. She hates him, if you’re curious. So you share that interest.”
“I’ve never heard of this queen.”
“Why would you have? The Forsworn have no interest in being targeted by the Dark Brotherhood over it.” She pointed out freely. “The point I’m making is that this will be a council of mages, worshippers of Stendarr, men of war. Queen Potema tried to defeat what I must and she failed. I don’t want the world to end. In the light of that threat, is a summit that much of a danger to you?”
“I haven’t campaigned outside of my own lands since Helgen.” Ulfrik spoke clearly. “We both were there. Heard that creature speak.” He swept his eyes over the room. “I’ll be at your summit. Make sure I sit next to the Reachfolk. As far from the Thalmor as possible. I am likely to kill them if they so much as imply the word Talos.” He offered his hand to her. “Will you personally guarantee my safety?”
Elayne nodded. “We both were at Helgen.” She quoted him. “Only you and one other are allowed on the Throat of the world. Members of the Companions will escort you on the ascent. When you come, bring anything you have about the Volkihar vampires and their leader, Harkon. He has an island fortress somewhere in the Sea of Ghosts.”
“You’ll have it.” Ulfrik said clearly. “Galmar? If there is to be a ceasefire we had best take what territory we can. So sayeth the King of Skyrim!”
“I have a very small favor to ask.” Elayne said, once they had shaken hands. This made Ulfrik guffaw, his laugh echoing across the chamber.
“Now that you have my word, you ask for more?” He laughed once more. “A true hero indeed. What can I do for you?”
“I was kicked out of the College of Winterhold. Could you perhaps invite them to come to the Summit? I have a letter for them.”
“What in the name of the Aedra did you do to get kicked out?” Ulfrik was at least entertained more than horrified.
“I may have tried to open a portal to Oblivion using blood from all of the different mer races.” Elayne didn’t hide what she was doing. “I was using a daedric artifact to try to understand a prophecy about Alduin. The portal opened, and took most of my bedroom with it.”
“I can see why they might think you needed a sabbatical.”
“They don’t like summoning of unbound Daedra or loose portals to Oblivion. Or the three clannfear that went rampaging through the entire hall of initiates. Broke three major rules and wasn’t apologetic about it.” She left out the part about waving the Oghma Infinium in front of Mirabelle Evain and getting expelled at the ungodly hours of the morning.
“What are Clannfear?” Ulfrik asked. “I am not well versed in Daedra.”
“Clawed reptilian daedra. Claws, biting, and extremely low intelligence. But they are large and have large bone and scale crests that come off their heads like this,” She held her hands on either side of her head, trying to replicate the shape of the odd heads. “They injured every other initiate and two of the professors before they were unsummoned.”
“I’ll try to convince them to come to the Summit.” Ulfrik nodded. “Jarl Korir is a good friend of mine. I’ll get it done.”
“Thank you.” She smiled. “If I were to head west, and try to reach General Tulius where would be the safest route? I have to keep to my schedule.”
“Galmar? Get a squad of our best and spare horses. The Dragonborn will reach Imperial lands unscathed. Have a courier summoned to go to Winterhold immediately.” He gave his eye contact back to Elayne. “Could you perhaps visit the dragon we killed outside the city a couple days past? Make sure it stays dead?”
“Well, I guess I specialize in that.”

Castle Dour was reached within three days. Three miserable days. Her nudist curse didn’t seem to have been cured by her visit to the temple of Talos. She had been earnestly hoping it would be cured by that. To her undying shame, she had slept through her self-stripping and all of the Stormcloak soldiers saw her naked glory. And then the Imperials that guarded her in turn saw the same again! It didn’t help that none of her legs were covered by any single outfit she owned. Elayne just thanked the daedric princes and the aedra that she hadn’t woken up naked with any of them. Soldiers were not exactly the trustworthy sort. By the time she had gotten inside the Winking Skeever, she was certain her piercings would be the talk of the entire Castle. Gods, she looked miserable when she slumped next to Eola at a table.
“What died in your hair?” She spat. “Also, hi. Nice to see you too. Long time no see.”
“I’ve been under guard by patrols of soldiers on both sides of the civil war to get here safely.” She murmured quietly. “We slept in the open!”
Eola blinked, before grinning wolfishly. “Oh! Ooh, soldiers like to talk!” She patted her hand. “It’s alright. You can just wear one of your dresses to Castle Dour.”
“Gods, no. I’m meeting him in my armor.”
“That armor is covered in troll fat, horse smell and sweat. Have you worn anything else?”
She really hadn’t, since she was in Solitude last. “No.” She squeaked.
“We are carrying like fifty points of clothing to wear and you are not using it? When that could be loot instead?” Eola scoffed. “Go put on something nice. I’ll help with your hair. We’ve got to meet Tulius before he goes to inspect one of the forward camps.”
“When will that be?”
“Any day now.” Eola shrugged. “Soldiers gossip. That’s all I know.” She made a shooing motion. “I got us a room upstairs. First on the right. Go up there and I’ll bring you food and mead.” Eola insisted. “And thanks for asking about how my deliveries went. So glad you care!” She snarked, standing up and moving to the bar.
That was how she showed up to Castle Dour wearing a strapless red dress. It barely covered her thighs, leaving all of her legs on display. Short red colored heels were on her feet, leaving her ankle and thigh bands on full display. Her smallclothes had all been replaced by diaphanous silk and satin, meant to ride high on the hips and disappear between her asscheeks. Instead of concealing her gems, the breastbands were designed to let them hang out while the rest of her was supported. Her nipples wouldn’t be making an appearance through the dress, but it was tight enough that the gems might be implied. A small white corset wrap went over the dress and made the appearance of her breasts larger. All in all, she looked amazingly like a whore. Thankfully she was wearing her mask, or else she might die of shame.
One guard thought he would try his luck and complain about the dress, but Elayne just used a calm spell and let him wander off once it hit. Her heels clicked and she knew that every soldier was watching her go by. Two in training tried to pay attention, with one of the men missing a block entirely from his warhammer wielding friend. A clerk made eye contact and stumbled full into a wall. Scrolls went all over as he rushed to pick them up, her shoes carrying her right past him.
When she knocked on the door, there was grumbling from inside. “Rikke!” The person who opened it was a Nord, her face weathered from time and travel. She was wearing an officer’s uniform, but her boots had heels. Short ones, but heels nonetheless. They both looked each other up and down, measuring one another. Elayne looking for signs of the other world affecting her, and Elayne probably being judged as whorish.
“It’s,” She finally looked at Elayne’s face, not expressing any emotion that Elayne could tell. “It’s the Dragonborn, sir.”
“About time.” The general growled. “Send her in.” The general was an old Imperial, with skin like leather and muscles hardly atrophied from time or wastefulness. He looked ready to admonish her, or scream about something. But instead his mind seemed to stop as she entered, her outfit breaking his mindset. A gap in time she took advantage of.
“General. I’ve need of you at a peace summit.”
Whatever he wanted to say, the General seemed to stare at the slave bands on her thighs the most. “What in the gods do you think you are doing here?”
“I’m trying to stop Alduin. The World Eater.”
“That myth hasn’t been substantiated. We know the dragons are here, but they aren’t making overt moves to conquer or destroy holds. Nor have we seen any evidence that their leader is a demi-Aedra with designs of ending the world.” Tulius said sourly. “What in the name of the Gods gives you the right to call a peace summit?!”
He didn’t believe she was the Dragonborn. He might even associate dragon shouts with what Ulfrik did to Torygg. How could she convince him that this was the right idea? “How many people have you lost to the Dragons already? Or the Volkihar?”
“I’ve lost less than what I’ve lost to the Stormcloaks. A few dozen at most.”
“The holds are suffering quite a bit. Your soldiers and Stormcloak’s took from the levies of all of the holds. And the war before that, along with the Markarth incident took even more from Skyrim. There are empty homes in many cities now. A lot of widows and sonless mothers. Your legion’s job is to end this conflict, but you haven’t done that successfully. I’m trying to stop the fighting long enough for the Dragon threat to be dealt with. Once I have that, you’ll be free to finish your war without the worry of daedra, vampires or dragons taking advantage of it.” She stared the general in the face. He looked more stubborn than even Ulfrik. “Stormcloak is coming to the summit, as is the queen of the Reach.”
“Queen? Those tribals have a queen?” He glared at Rikke. “Where the fuck are our spies’ reports on this! This is critical information!” He was furious. “And you won’t be seeing me at any cock and pony show of a summit when you visited a revolutionary kingslayer before the legal enforcers of the peace!”
“Everyone but you has confirmed they are coming. Vigilants of Stendarr. College of Winterhold. The last of the Blades. The Companions, Ulfrik Stormcloak himself. The Thalmor are sending their Second Emissary. How thoughtful.” Instead of helping, the general seemed to be grinding his teeth. “All of you are invited to High Hrothgar, to the hall of Talos to speak peacefully about the threat to this hold. Are you angry that I came to you last?”
“Rightfully so. Your gallivanting throughout this province has caused as many problems as you seem to fix. By my reports, you were at Helgen. We don’t even know if you drew that dragon to attack and ruin what should have been a moment of triumph!”
“You think that I-” She laughed out loud. “That I called Alduin? As you were about to have me beheaded for just walking along the road and harvesting mountain flowers?”
That made the general soften his features. “For that, I am sorry. Our officers were overzealous and wanted every major supporter of Stormcloak to die. Just in case any got out and could continue his war.”
“That doesn’t justify killing someone for just being at the wrong place at the wrong time.” Elayne pointed out. “I’ve done the best I can to respect the ways and customs of Skyrim. To not disturb its dead. Don’t assume I came to you last because it was an insult. I needed Stormcloak to feel like he had the upper hand on you. That way he would actually agree to come without demanding that I bribe him for doing so. Which he still tried to do, but I talked him down. Even got to shout at him.”
“What a relief.” The general said, deadpan. “Your participation in the civil war has been shouting.”
“I sent him flying back fifteen feet into a wall.” She pointed out. “His shout barely moved my feet.”
“Ah. Shouting. Ancient Nord blah blah blah.” Tulius waved his hand. “I don’t care where this summit is being held or why. You’re disrupting the war.”
“The last time this room was used, General,” Elayne leaned on the table, looking at the giant map of skyrim. Flags were all over it. “Ysmir Talos the general of King Cuhlecain planned the attack of Sancre Tor in this chamber. This is the room that your Empire was born in. There is nothing more sacred to Nords. To Ulfrik Stormcloak, this is about as sacred as it gets. When he studied on High Hrothgar, he would spend hours in that room, reflecting upon it.” Arngeir had told her that much. “If you don’t come, you may as well be spitting upon your Empire.”
“We can’t confirm any of those claims. The Graybeards don’t talk to anyone but you. And Stormcloak spent years with them. We can’t trust them.”
Rikke made a sound in the back of her throat. “General, if you value my opinion in the slightest you might wish to take that back. The Greybeards are monks that have been in existence since time immemorial. Before we had a calendar, we had them. No Nord would refuse their summons, nor their blessing upon this kind of meeting. I think the last time the Graybeards said anything was to offer their condolences for the loss of the Septim dynasty. Two hundred years ago. The bards still talk about it.”
Tulius sighed. “I still can’t trust this. You want me to go into territory that belongs to Ulfrik and put my life at risk? Put this entire civil war at risk?”
“I’ve hired the Companions to guard everyone involved. They will escort you all.” Elayne said clearly. “They are highly respected-”
“I don’t care!” Tulius roared. “This all sounds like a bunch of hoopla to drag Stormcloak or I out of our circles of safety and imply that either of us could be capable of further treachery! I can’t trust this, even if it was the most important thing I could do for this war.” The old man looked concerned. “It’s going to be in all of the streets today. You might as well know. The Emperor is on his way here. He and some of his elder council are coming for the wedding of his cousin. It’s not something I can just leave. If I am off at your summit and the Emperor is here and vulnerable, I would be betraying the very oaths that I hold dear.”
“Maybe I should be inviting him, then.” Elayne blurted out.
“That would be the most daft thing you could do! Inviting an Imperial who has not a single drop of Nord blood into their most sacred sanctum? In a room with Stormcloak himself!”
“It has to be someone with the power to bargain for the Empire.” Elayne pointed out. “And perhaps the Emperor might succeed where you have failed to create conclusive results.”
“I had him! I had him surrounded, captured and with his head on a block!” Tulius roared. “How can you say those results aren’t conclusive?!”
“Alduin seems to be disrupting your war effort rather well, I think.” She replied quietly. “What could I do to convince you that this would be the right thing to do?”
“Besides killing Stormcloak?” He scoffed. “I could hardly do it. I don’t have as much power as you want me to have, Dragonborn. I simply cannot bargain everything that you would need at a summit like this without talking to Amaund Motierre and convincing him to have it in writing first.”
She had heard that name before. Amaund Motierre. He was hiring the Dark Brotherhood. The Night Mother had told Gabrielle that much, apparently. Elanye was just happy someone else got the spotlight for once. “What does he do?”
“He’s the minister in charge of foreign affairs. Third most powerful seat behind the High Chancellor.” Tulius said, as if scolding a child. “Since Stormcloak is a legally seated Jarl and has no heirs, its a complex situation. I can kill him on a battlefield but not in his city without justification first. So my bargaining power at this table you seem to believe I will have is limited.”
“When does the Emperor arrive?” She asked, quietly. “Perhaps I could make my case before him and his council.”
“Mages will be teleporting them to the old mage’s circle and then he will be brought here to Castle Dour. Sometime in the next few days. Then he will leave the same way he came in. Amaund thought it wise to send the Imperial fleet here. During winter! Thankfully the High Chancellor advocated for the Synod to prepare the old guide posts. The Mages guild used to have circles for teleportation, and mages specifically attuned to one another and these arcane circles. Safe way to travel, but hard on the mages. The Imperial City has one of the few functioning guide posts left, and we have a few mages who were alive back when the Mage’s Guild operated them. So I’ve been able to send important messages to Cyrodil faster than expected. Stormcloak was at the border by Helgen because he doesn’t know I have that ability. He thinks that by cutting off my lines of communication he can win. Smart, but foolhardy when one forgets about Imperial Battlemages.”
“Will you let me talk to him?”
“I can promise that.” Tulius nodded. “Stay in Solitude, should only be a few days before I know when you’ll get time. Then we will discuss more.” He scrunched his face and looked her up and down. “Perhaps, Dragonborn, you can show some more decorum?”
Elayne had made her promise to Taarie and Endarie. “I’m a Breton, General. I am rather free spirited.” Hah! That was the best her tongue could conjure on short notice?! Well, perhaps she should go find a crypt to bury herself in. “This is decorum for me.”
“If you’re going to meet with the Emperor you may wish to find something that covers your blatant connection to the Thalmor.” His eyes trailed down to her thighs.
“These were not my choice.” She emphasized. “I can’t remove them without the blood of their creator.” As well as twenty five thousand gold. Ugh.
“I’ll take your word for it. Guess you’re not allowed to hide them, huh?”
“Not right now.” She had gotten used to it, at least. The ring that let her ignore the cold was also a key factor. “Thank you, General.”
“You’re welcome. At least someone in this province is thinking about peace.” Rikke spoke up. “Will you be at the Skeever?” Elayne nodded, as she was moved from the room.
“If Ulfrik is joining this summit, we should expect probing attacks at all of our holds. Perhaps something big from Dawnstar. Track troop movements and see if any of the blacksmiths are making brackets for siege weapons. Reinforce all of the bridges.” Anything further was silenced by the heavy doors. Again, she felt the stares of soldiers as she walked through the castle courtyard. By the time she got back to the Skeever she had passed Endarie in the marketplace, who looked thrilled. Eola looked pleased, grinning like a cat as she returned back to the Skeever. She was in a chair by the fire, her small outfit attracting the attention of a couple of off duty soldiers. They scattered as she approached.
“So?” Eola asked quietly.
“He doesn’t have bargaining power for everything we need. But he is going to let us talk to someone who does.” She whispered, sitting down in the chair next to her. “But we need to know more about the Volkihar before we meet at the summit.”
“No one else is going to know more. No one will know for certain how to fight him.” Eola pointed out. “The ravens knew about them, but no more than the Vigilants did. They did have a few effective words of warning. The Volkihar lords can ignore frost resistance. Or they are so powerful that their abilities kill nords through their thick skulls. The Thalmor accepted your letter and sprouted some flowering language about how they will be at the summit. Requesting that they be escorted by the Companions was rejected, of course. Got a signed letter and everything.” She brought out a sealed wax letter. “They probably don’t have much, but I heard about something going wrong at a place called Northwatch by their guards. I think it might have been some kind of vampire attack. So they’re going to be happy to help against the Volkihar.”
“There is one place we can go to find information that no one else can.” Elayne said clearly. “People who will speak about how Harkon was defeated.”
“Isn’t that risky?” Eola asked. “Is it okay for either of us to be there?”
“I am wondering if people talk about the fortress in the other world. There might be someone that knows more.”
“When will we be going?” Eola asked.
“How about now?” Elayne broke her reverie. “I’m already being mocked for having no decorum. Let’s go to where I’ll at least fit in.”
Eola nodded. “We won’t be long, right?”
“We will be fine!”
As Elanye would decide later, no they were not fine.
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Skyrim: Plaything