Fredas, 9^th Morning Star, 4E 202

We crossed Evermore’s border just after 11:00 AM on the 9^th. Not long after, Lisrier stopped and said, “Damn, we are on the doorstep of the kingdom, yet the gods ordain that we stumble across trouble now. What a farce!”

I stood beside him and said, “Several times on this journey, I have told you that gods are not responsible for what you blame them for. It rains, you blame the gods. Suicidal bandits attack, and you blame the gods. Gregor farts, you blame the gods.”

“No, I said, ‘Oh my fucking god, what died up your arse?’”

I used Zoom Vision to have a closer look.

I told Lisrier, “He is badly injured and does not seem to be sporting Evermore insignia on his uniform. There is a beheaded Legionnaire on the watchtower’s steps.”

“How can you possibly see that from here?”

“You must have realised by now that I am not a reagent merchant, and my companions are not guards.”

“Perhaps you might tell me who you are.”

“Perhaps. Maybe. One day.”

“Anyway, if that person has no insignia, they might be an Evermorin Conscript.”

“A conscript? That is illegal in The Empire except during times of war and only under exceptional circumstances.”

“It is the only way of keeping the guard numbers up. Those who cannot pay their taxes or other minor crimes are allowed to serve their country rather than rot in a jail cell.”

“Not the best way to have high morale amongst your guards.”

“Some grasp the opportunity and thrive. Some are sullen and get nothing out of the experience.”

“We shall see if they need help. Stay here.”

“I have no intention of going an inch further until you find out what is happening.”

I Blinked to the injured person.

“I am a mage and can help you. What happened?”

“Those Witchmen…Ughhh…In the tower, they ambushed us when we were changing shifts…Ahhh. Warn The Divide. Get them to send men. Please!”

“Okay, I promise, but first, I will cast a healing spell and get you back on your feet.”

“Too late… Witchmen poison…”

Before I could cast Grand Healing, the young man spasmed and then died.

I removed the conscript’s helm as the squad ran to catch up. He had foam around the mouth. I collected a sample and placed it in a stoppered vial.

I told the group, “He said Witchmen attacked the tower when they were changing shifts. His wounds are minor, but Witchmen coat their weapons with potent poison.”

Sarah said, “The Witchmen were north of Evermore City a week ago.”

I drew my katana, and we approached the watchtower.

We passed the decapitated Legionnaire on the steps.

We could hear chanting in Daedric. The voice was of the deepest baritone and coming from above.

When we entered the watchtower, I used Heat Vision.

 I told the group, “There is a lone Witchmen who is carving something. I am guessing a body.”

We walked by several more deceased as we made our way to the roof. Every one of them was decapitated.

Gregor quipped, “It seems somebody has the same hobby as you, Wulf.”

The Witchmen knew we had reached the roof but did not stop his carving for a few seconds.

When satisfied with his handiwork, he slowly stood and stared at me for a few seconds.

I let him approach me, hoping he would say something worthwhile.

He was a Briarheart and slowly walked to me with a sword drawn and without fear. A dweomer to improve one-handed swordsmanship glowed on the hilt of his sword. Poison glistened on its blade.

He stopped before me and said in his deep baritone, “Another fleshling assails us? The King will have his Tower, he will have his subjects, and he will have your head. The Dark Mother assures this.”

He attacked, and I casually lopped his head off.

I turned the body over and inspected it closely. The briar heart installation looked no different than those of the Forlorn.

I scrapped a toxin sample from his sword and placed it into another stoppered vial.

I then inspected the body he was carving. The burns were postmortem and not deep. The bones and organs the Briarheart removed were undamaged. His incisions had been almost surgical in their precision.

• Sarah: What in Mara’s name was that thing doing?
• Wulf: I can speculate. I think we interrupted the creation of a flesh sculpture. The precision and care in removing the organs and bones suggest this. If the Briarheart carved for cannibalism, he would not spend the extra time required to be precise. He would hack at the body like a butcher.
• Gregor: Why burn the body?
• Wulf: The burns are not deep. I believe it was done to aid the separation of lungs, etcetera, from the ribs. But that is pure speculation.
• Jordis: Who is this Dark Mother he mentioned?
• Wulf: Probably Namira. I have never heard that term used for her, but it might be local. Mother is a term often used for Lady Mara. So, if Namira opposes her, Dark Mother would be an appropriate name.
• Erandur: What about the king and the towers?
• Wulf: I have no idea. It seems this Briarheart worked for the king, believing the Dark Mother would deliver on some promises.
• Sarah: I think the Briarheart hoped to be a subject of the king once he had his tower.
• Wulf: That is what it seems on the surface. We will have to learn much more, but that one sentence has given us much to ponder.
• Gregor: Any idea what tower the king wants?
• Wulf: Many powerful towers, including The White-Gold Tower, are in the mortal realm. The Adamantine Tower, known in these parts as The Direnni Tower, is another. But we do not know enough on that subject either.
• Jordis: The Forsworn do flesh sculptures.
• Wulf: Yes, but very crude ones. The Ayleid were masters of that art. They also had a thing called a Gut Garden. I will leave the description of those to your imagination. Their treatment of the enslaved was brutal, but when they started slaughtering many to pursue this perverted art, Saint Alessia prayed for assistance to rescue her people. Lord Akatosh responded, and that led to The Alessian Slave Rebellion. So, in many ways, Ayleid depravity led to their downfall.
• Erandur: From the practices of the Ayleid, the bias against Daedra worship was born. Thousands of years later, mentioning you worship a Daedra in some societies instantly labels you a cannibal or worse.
• Wulf: And yet Dunmer and Khajiiti live in nations of civilised Daedra worshippers.
• Sarah: Such bias is not based on evidence or logic.
• Wulf: We had better return to Lisrier before he pisses himself.

Lisrier watched us approach, noticeable relief on his face.

• Wulf: The watchtower was attacked by Witchmen, and there are no survivors. I killed one of their Briarheart. He was the only Witchmen there.
• Lisrier: Beware of the Witchmen. If you treat them like you would any common scoundrel hounding for your coin purse, the next sight you will see is that of your gods. The bastards coat their blades and arrows with vile poison. A resin so foul it can condemn giants to an agonising death with nary a brush. I am not sure how you lot came out of there alive, to be honest.
• Wulf: The Briarheart died when I removed his head with my first sword stroke. We have faced far worse than Witchmen.
• Lisrier: Really? That is hard to believe, as these…scum…are a whole new low for the Reachmen. They carve up men, women, children, and babies for their hideous rituals.
• Jordis: Brutality does not make them challenging. The ability to slaughter and torture civilians does not make them immune to our weapons and magic. We have faced dragons, vampires, various undead, and countless enemies far more potent than Witchmen.
• Gregor: We encountered three sizable bandit gangs along your ‘safe’ route. The smallest numbered around three dozen and the largest nearly sixty. How long did it take us to carve through them?
• Lisrier: Okay, but have you seen how depraved the Witchmen are? They play with the bodies and hoist them in that dense woodland to the north.
• Wulf: They are called flesh sculptures, and we have seen similar. But what are the Witchmen doing this far south? You said they were a problem north of the city of Evermore, not the entire kingdom.
• Lisrier: I do not know what they are doing here and am unsure if the authorities are aware of this incursion.
• Wulf: Then we will inform Governor Merosa.
• Lisrier: She is a frumpy little woman, but do not tell her I said that. She will generally be within the temple, sparing a prayer to our mutual mother.
• Wulf: Is the temple dedicated to Lady Mara?
• Lisrier: Yes. Temples of The Nine can be found in other towns and Evermore City.
• Sarah: This is the only kingdom of High Rock that does not worship the Bretony Pantheon.
• Lisrier: Evermore’s religion is The Nine, and no other god worship is tolerated.
• Wulf: Except for the corpse of Mados on display in a temple.
• Lisrier: Apart from Mados, no other god worship is tolerated.
• Wulf: And what of The Thalmor?
• Lisrier: Those sleazy bastards seem to do what they want to who they want. But they will not stop the worship of Talos within Evermore, no matter how many citizens they persecute.
• Wulf: What will you do now?
• Lisrier: My clients are probably waiting with bated breath. It has taken long enough to get here. I must skip my usual indulgences in The Divide and head straight to Arnima.
• Wulf: Then it is farewell and good luck, Merchant Lisrier.
• Lisrier: I will see you around, friends. Please, thank Governor Merosa for keeping this road so safe, hahaha!

Lisrier mounted Jenna and continued his journey.

Once he was out of sight, I cast a Mark and teleported us to the Safehouse.

• Wulf: Gregor, Jordis and Erandur, it has been quite fun camping out. But alas, you will now have to suffer comfy beds and bathing.
• Jordis: I do not mind making way for Lydia. I suspect somebody prompted her to volunteer.
• Wulf: Rigmor thinks Lydia is one of the more sensible Dragonguard. I need somebody to talk sense into me.
• Erandur: Lydia and Celestine combined wield excellent nagging power.
• Gregor: Vayu is here. We had better ask him where and what we should guard.
• Wulf: Erandur, before you speak to Vayu, I want you to take the foam of the dead conscript and a sample of the poison to The College of Winterhold. Speak to Master Tolfdir and tell him I want the poison identified and a quick-acting antidote to distribute to Legionnaires in Evermore.
• Erandur: Will do.
• Wulf: The banquet and ball posed the most significant danger to His Imperial Majesty. The Penitus Oculatus probably issued a collective sigh of relief when that finished. The other events have fewer guests and more guards per square yard.
• Sarah: After reading the unredacted journals, it seems that trouble within minutes of entering Evermore was not unexpected.
• Gregor: Wulf attracts trouble like flies to shit.
• Sarah: Don the scout armour, Sarah. I will summon the rest of the squad and leave soon.

I handed Erandur the stopper vials, and he vanished.

Inigo was enjoying a hot mug of coffee.

I asked, “Did you enjoy being a guard at the banquet and ball?”

“My friend, as soon as Emissary Baa’Ren-Dar saw me, my guard duties were over. I got to sit amongst the stick-up-their-arse nobles and get heartburn from all the rich food.”

“Rigmor told me Olette did fine.”

“She was remarkable with impeccable manners and became a favourite. Rigmor and Olette pretended they only just met and instantly bonded. I think having Rigmor nearby eased your daughter’s worries.”

“I enjoyed the more leisurely pace of travel than we usually experience. But I would have much preferred to see Olette grow in confidence.”

“When you next change squads, please let me travel with you. Rigmor will be free to travel soon as well.”

“I do not think any squad will last more than a few days before the darkness of Evermore gets to them. It was palpable not long after crossing the border. The place is on the edge of chaos, and we have yet to unravel why.”

“Today, your museum will be officially opened. Elisif and Mede are going to cut a ribbon together. A bit cliché, but I am sure the public will approve.”

“I had better change and return. I want to use the few hours of sunlight left.”

I changed into my fancy, very expensive armour. I liked it, even if other people thought it a bit pompous. However, a strap broke, so I changed back into the armour I wore before.

I asked Sarah, “Do you like the scout armour?”

“It is okay. Do I have to keep the hood on?”

“Yes. I told you the reason why.”

“We represent The Imperial Army, and they never publicly remove helms or hoods.”

“Well done, Knight Susan.”

“I will have a bowl of stew before we return.”

“Go ahead. We shall be a while longer.”

  I told Ghorbash, “That is an impressive suit of armour, Knight Ghorbash.”

“Yeah, it kind of suits that title.”

“Ebony with gold piping is beyond your Captain’s wages.”

“It will be interesting to see how the racists react to a Gronk in fancy armour.”

Lydia was disappointed I would not let her use her usual armour. Few, if any, Evermore citizens would recognise it as  Imperial Army.

She tried on several suits before selecting the one I guessed she would like the most.

Celestine’s only change was to wear a kimono displaying the Imperial insignia.

An hour after leaving, I teleported the squad to the Mark I left earlier.

We then walked towards The Divide.

A griffon screeched and plummeted from a mountain as we approached an open, unguarded gateway.

It then flew away at an impressive speed.

• Lydia: That is the biggest bird I have ever seen!
• Wulf: It would probably eat you if it heard you call it a bird.
• Lydia: Ah, what is it then?
• Celestine: What is on Evermore’s green flags?
• Lydia: Oh, a griffon. I thought they were made-up children’s tales
• Wulf: It would probably eat you for saying that as well.
• Sarah: I am positive that is the only griffon in Evermore.
• Wulf: The size of its mane indicates it is a male.
• Ghorbash: I have never seen two or more together. I doubt that one is the noble creature that so many citizens admire.
• Sarah: It makes me uneasy whenever I see it.

Just past the gateway was a notice board.

I told the group, “Here is one way of discovering what concerns the people of Evermore.”

I read a recruitment notice to the squad.

“The local Imperial garrison calls upon new talent!

Recruitment is held at Procul Presidium.

Commander Drugo will look into your application personally!

Recruiting hours are from dusk till dawn.

Craft schemes and accounting education are available upon joining the Legion. A promising future awaits you!

For the glory of the Emperor and his Dominion!”

• Ghorbash: They used to get a steady stream of applicants. But then the numbers dwindled, which is a mystery.
• Wulf: As things got bleaker, the offer of three meals daily and accommodation would become more attractive.
• Lydia: I bet they need a lot of accountants!
• Ghorbash: They probably have accountants whose responsibility is counting accountants.
• Lydia: And they probably have accountants whose responsibility is to count the number of accountants who count accountants.
• Sarah: Is this how I will end up, Wulf?
• Wulf: Avoid blows to the head, and you should be okay.

The following notice had Hanna in large letters written on it. I opened it and read it aloud.

“I have searched for you throughout High Rock, and now I resort to these public pleas. I tried, believe me. I know you are determined to find those shamans. I cannot stop you.

If this does happen upon you, then the shaman you seek lies north of The Divide. Between the crag, look for that tree that juts from the cliff face.

Please return once you have what you want. I do not wish to follow you worldwide, yet my heart drags me along your trail.”

Celestine commented, “There are many reasons why people visit shamans. I hope Hanna finds what she seeks and returns home.”

The third notice had the heading “Missing Children.”

“The Saint Ilayne Orphanage calls for help in finding their lost. If you find any young without a carer and confused, please take them to the temples. We have people who attend that can return the children to the orphanage. Reported sightings were in Evermore’s capitol. There have been reports of particular pilgrims escorting the young to unknown places. Please intervene if you see this.

A reward of 500 septims is offered for each recovered child. Please do not bring those not belonging to the orphanage unless for new registration.”

• Wulf: I have no idea who Saint Ilayne is.
• Lydia: How can children go missing from an orphanage?
• Sarah: Perhaps the particular pilgrims might know.
• Lydia: The most precious commodity of any society is children. I cannot believe this place is so immoral that children vanish and the nobility does nothing about it.
• Sarah: I think some nobles know precisely where the missing children are.
• Lydia: Oh, of course. I was told of your ordeal.
• Wulf: We shall find the truth and punish anybody who has harmed a child. I do not care if they are king or commoner.

The last notice was titled, ‘Seek It Out!’

“There lies a site both profaned and blessed, which brings worshippers both wretched and benign.

It kisses the clouds yet sleeps just beneath the snowy spine of the north. Here exist the grounds where ancient rituals were performed for those distant gods – and where they were acknowledged.

The gods still linger. However, their influence is fleeting. Reach them in the West and bring tribute for inordinate power is on offer.”

• Celestine: Sniff, sniff. Do I smell the pungent odour of a trap?
• Sarah: It is worded like a riddle, so people will be compelled to solve it.
• Wulf: The site probably exists, but I doubt visitors return with inordinate power.
• Celestine: They will probably find themselves on a sacrificial altar with hagraven surrounding them.
• Wulf: If we get some idea where the site is, we will visit it.

We continued toward The Divide and saw three Orsimer heading out of Evermore.

I said, “It is time to use your infinite charm, Sir Ghorbash.”

We waited, and the group stopped to talk to us.

• Ghorbash: Greetings, bloodkin. I am Knight Ghorbash Gro-Dushnikh, a bodyguard for Envoy Sir Wulf Welkynd. He is visiting Evermore on behalf of Emperor Titus Mede II. He is bloodkin to every Orsimer in Skyrim.
• Wulf: May I ask your names?
• Burmag: I am Burmag Golphan, and this is my sister, Shelim.
• Marag-kil: I am Marag-kil.
• Wulf: His Imperial Majesty has asked me to investigate rumours of trouble in Evermore. This road leads to the border, so I assume you are leaving the kingdom.
• Burmag: Yes, we are getting out of The Reach before things turn sour for my kind. Many of my brethren have the same feeling of another disaster approaching.
• Wulf: Are you afraid that pogroms will occur?
• Burmag: Yes, my father told me about the pogrom that he survived. It is such a terrible story that I hope my family or I never have to experience one ourselves.
• Wulf: What has led to this situation?
• Burmag: There has been hatred towards my kind in these lands for the longest time, but with the ‘Orsinium’s Sons’ raiding and causing a stir amongst the Breton, the retaliation from the Manmer will most likely have Orcs like us in the crossfire.
• Wulf: What can you tell me about Orsinium’s Sons?
• Marag-kil: They are an extremist group formed from the embittered and aggressive remnants of shattered Orsinium. They are fanatics and so devoted to the cult of Malacath and their culture that any transgression against it is taken personally. I do not know what they hope to achieve, but all Orcs have been grouped with them. We get persecuted even more due to their activities.
• Burmag: We were assured that we would be safe here under the protection of The Empire and that the locals would appreciate our skills. But The Empire is weak, and the Breton grow angry. We do not want to tempt fate by sticking around.
• Shelim: There is a promise of small havens scattered around Skyrim and a myth of a new Orsinium to the southeast. Let us hope that no Man gets a whiff of it this time. We can only rebuild our homes so many times.
• Wulf: The Empire is far from weak, but the garrison in Evermore has been too small. His Imperial Majesty recognises this. Therefore, if I recommend it, the garrison will be increased significantly. As for New Orsinium, his Imperial Highness, a Man, has donated the land and the money to ensure it is built. If Orsimer can establish a thriving city, then an independent city nation is possible. Orsimer will have armies containing only Orsimer and equipped with armour and weapons made by Orsimer smiths and under Orsimer command. The Imperial Legion will protect New Orsinium like the Imperial City. I guarantee these things as His Imperial Majesty’s Envoy.
• Ghorbash: Our people are respected within Skyrim and Cyrodiil. Within Skyrim, we are free to establish strongholds and follow our traditions. We administer justice within the strongholds according to The Code of Malacath. There is no reason New Orsinium cannot flourish and for Orsimer to be as respected as any other race.
• Marag-kil: If everything is so rosy in the strongholds, why do you wear an Imperial uniform and risk your life for a Man?
• Ghorbash: My brother is chief of my stronghold. He allowed me to live there, but the pressure of the traditionalists was too much. We would not fight to the death, and I did not want to be chief. He did not want to kill or be killed by his brother. I served with distinction in the Legion. Then Envoy Wulf offered me a position. I am more than his bodyguard. I am his friend, and you, Marag-kil, should show great reverence for him. Envoy Wulf is The Dragonborn and the greatest warrior on Nirn, who was recognised as such by Lord Malacath, who named him his champion.
• Lydia: Ghorbash does not risk his life for a Man. We fight beside Envoy Wulf for the benefit of all mortals.
• Burmag: We have heard of Envoy Wulf’s exploits and admire him for more than your martial ability. Perhaps he may make a difference in Evermore. But we will not wait to find out.
• Marag-kil: Ghorbash, you understand that we can only lift a finger against those above us when we are ready to spill blood. I am not yet prepared to challenge my father if I ever will be. Maybe one day, I will sneak back in when he is not looking. But he is an Orsinium’s Son, and his bloodlust is strong. I would be killing him for a position I do not desire, as you did not desire to be chief of your stronghold.
• Ghorbash: We weaken ourselves by killing our people due to tradition. What is the use of proving you are the best warrior when enemies outnumber you, and the second and third-best warriors would have evened the odds? There must be a balance between tradition and practicality.
• Marag-kil: I would not mention such a concept to an Orsinium’s Son. That would be regarded as an insult.
• Wulf: Since when is raping and torture part of The Code of Malacath? Where does Lord Malacath approve of the use of Shamans to conduct war? You accurately described the Orsinium’s Son as a cult. They are not the future of Orsimer.
• Ghorbash: I and my kin have freedoms that Orsinium’s Sons only dream about. And I guarantee I have killed more enemies of the Orsimer in battle than any Orsinium’s Son!
• Burmag: Breton have no love for Orsimer. When the time comes, they will show their true face. Friend, lover, teacher, all goes out the window when the mob forms.
• Wulf: You may be right, Burmag, but I will try all I can and as hard as I can to stop that mob from forming. Thank you for talking to me, and I wish you all the best.

Since it is reportedly the only one in Evermore, I have capitalised his name to The Griffon. He was perched on a nearby rock and had been watching the conversation. I approached The Griffon to see if he had anything worthwhile to say and to scan his soul.

It said, “And the clouds gather again, how futile, your tears will not wash away the roots. The feast draws near little wolves.”

I was revolted by it and stepped back. The Griffon flew away as I fought the desire to blast him out of the sky.

• Ghorbash: What was that all about?
• Celestine: That, dear Ghorbash, was griffon mumbo jumbo.
• Wulf: I scanned its soul. That thing is not a noble griffon of legend. It is a minion of a Dark Lord.
• Lydia: Have you any idea what it meant?
• Wulf: Not the slightest, but I instinctively know it is a problem that needs fixing.
• Ghorbash: If we kill it, I have dibs on the legs! Huge Drumsticks! I wonder if it tastes like chicken?
• Celestine: We do not eat sentient beings, Ghorbash.
• Ghorbash: Not even a nibble?
• Celestine: Not even a nibble.

I walked over to Sarah and said, “You were right to feel uneasy in that thing’s presence. I doubt those who chose a griffon for Evermore’s flag met that creature.”

We approached an open gate with a single sentry on duty. He would not be able to stop a determined Skeever, but still, I had to be diplomatic—that is what diplomats do. An Orsimer civilian was with him.

He yelled down, “Hold up. I have not seen you here before. What is your business?”

“I am Envoy Sir Wulf Welkynd, here on behalf of His Imperial Majesty. If you think I am silly enough to risk my neck by impersonating such a high rank, I have the relevant paperwork.”

“No, no, I can see by your shiny uniforms and impressive array of weapons you are people of rank. Do you need assistance, Envoy Wulf?”

“I need to speak to Governor Merosa. Witchmen have sacked the nearby watchtower. We were too late to save the garrison but eliminated the Witchmen.”

“Witchmen?! Bloody Mara, I never thought they would get this close. You will find Merosa in the temple. Tell her everything for the sake of The Reach.”

He told the Orsimer, “Other guards have arrived to take you to your cell. Enjoy breathing while you can, for Skooma dealers like you are destined for the block.”

Not far past the gate, we were treated to some local gossip delivered by Nords. We had to suppress giggles as we eavesdropped.

• Dalor: Igmar, have you heard the news from Skyrim? They say that Ulfric was captured and killed!
• Igmar: He was not killed! A dragon came to rescue him!
• Dalor: A dragon?! Haha, Dalor! You are mad, brother. The dragons hated us back then, and they would hate us now. Time does not mend grudges.
• Igmar: Aye…You can say that again. But hate makes you miss the best things in life, like good mead.

Igmar headed for a nearby tavern. Dalor turned to me as I approached.

• Wulf: Dalor. I am Envoy Wulf. Your accent makes me think you are from Whiterun.
• Dalor: I got evicted from my home in Whiterun for ‘running a Skooma ring.’ Of course, that was not true, but my neighbours thought otherwise. With little septim or assets, I packed up and moved out here. The land is very cheap, and the food is even more affordable because of the trade that runs straight through.
• Wulf: I am The Dragonborn. I am also the Thane of Whiterun and a good friend of Jarl Balgruuf. I find your story a bit suspect, Dalor. If you were innocent, Jarl Balgruuf would have listened and told your neighbours to stop their gossip. But your past is exactly that. I assume you now live an honest and honourable life in Evermore.
• Dalor: Um…ah…yes, of course.
• Lydia: Dalor, you and Igmar seem ignorant of what has occurred in Skyrim. Ulfric was killed months ago, and dragons are friends with us. Well, most of them.
• Dalor: How did Ulfric die?
• Lydia: Envoy Wulf chopped his head off in single combat.
• Wulf: Ulfric was a Thalmor puppet and a traitor to both Skyrim and The Empire. Luckily, I killed him after we defeated Alduin, so we did not see him in Sovngarde. I might have been tempted to cut his head off again if we did.
• Dalor: You went to Sovngarde?
• Lydia: We had to so we could fight and defeat Alduin for the second time.
• Dalor: You fought beside The Dragonborn in Sovngarde against The World Eater?
• Wulf: Lydia and other Knights of The Order of The Dragon have fought beside me against many powerful enemies.
• Dalor: Not all Nords, but certainly some of my friends, have avoided news from Skyrim. We may be enjoying our lives in Evermore, but we are homesick. It may seem strange that we are ignorant of what you say, but it was our deliberate choice. Perhaps we should pay more attention.
• Wulf: You should because this place may become unbearable if we fail in our mission.
• Dalor: Igmar and I have been discussing that very thing. We do not know a fraction of what is happening. However, we recognise the building tension. We see Orsimer friends of ours leaving with the clothes they wear and nothing else. It is like that old saying. Rats know when to abandon a sinking ship. Not that Orcs are rats. It is just a saying.
• Wulf: I wish you and Igmar the best of luck. Just keep a few things in a bag in case you must run.
• Dalor: Ah…if you think it is that dire, I will take your advice.

As Dalor headed for the tavern, Sarah said, “The little house I purchased is back a little. Follow me.”

A guard was chopping wood. If he leaves some for us, that is acceptable.

A consecrated Shrine of Mara was next to the entrance.

We entered the tiny abode, and Evermore suddenly felt less repressive.

We had a quick look around.

I then cast a Mark, and we exited.

Sarah asked, “You felt it, didn’t you?”

“Yes. The foreboding I had felt since crossing the border was gone. Now I am back outside, and it has returned.”

“That is why I have named it Mara’s Rest.”

“That is an apt name. Now, let us hurry to Governor Frumpy, I mean Marosa.”

A Town Crier delivered the hourly news, so we stood and listened.

“Horrific doom befalls the hamlet of Sabbat as it has been torn to shreds by vile magic. It has been overtaken by death! Or should I say undeath?!”

Celestine commented, “It seems a trip to Sabbat is in our future!”

“Hear ye! Hear ye! The Witchmen raid exposes Evermore’s eastern border like a fair maiden’s hip! The Imperial watchtower’s garrison was butchered!”

That was grim news. It seems The Witchmen are methodically weakening Evermore’s defences.

“More and more ships trouble the waters of Iliac Bay every day as corsairs from Hammerfell continue to ravage our coasts.”

Sarah whispered, “They have shallow draft boats that allow them to travel Evermore’s rivers. They have become another faction vying for power in the kingdom.”

“The Orcs still lurk in the countryside and are out for blood! Remain within the city walls, or do not travel alone.”

Ghorbash grumbled, “There is no effort to distinguish Orsinium’s Sons from peaceful Orsimer citizens!”

“The latest flood has devastated the settlement of Forlorn. That is bad news for travellers as the village inns now serve only fish!”

Lydia stared daggers at the Town Crier. Forlorn is where Zoe and Sakura were enslaved. If the farmers were starving then, how would they be coping now? The Town Crier making light of the catastrophe was unacceptable.

“The Affliction threatens to engulf The Reach as ever-increasing fatalities are reported and even witnessed at times! Pray to the Ni…ah…Pray to the Eight for good health!”

I growled, which made Sarah jump in shock.

Celestine explained, “Sarah, Wulf is never happy when people are too scared to say ‘The Nine.’”

“The ancient curse’s echo grows louder as the undead guardians of Grey Belmor begin to stray further from their dark fortress! If your journey takes you past Grey Belmor, do not tarry! Or do, if you have fighting prowess!”

Lydia laughed, saying, “There is an invitation for us knights.”

“Farm food stealer caught! The once elusive man who ate the feed of cows, horses, and hens, even their manure, was thrown into The Undertow, where he will spend the rest of his days. His last words before having the jail gate slammed on him were, ‘What is for dessert?’”

Sarah commented, “The most honest people in Evermore are found in The Undertow. He was probably insane from starvation and deprivation.”

“Be wary of the skies while on your travels or, before you know it, you could be halfway to the sun in a dragon’s claw!”

I remarked, “Perhaps some rogue dragons have decided Skyrim is not a safe hunting ground.”

“The Imperials emerge victorious. Could that mean our ability to worship Talos worship is only a step from complete eradication?”

That was the last straw. Misinformation adds to the sense of doom seeping into Evermore’s population. As I strode towards the Town Crier, he squeaked, “Ah, that is all the news for now.”

• Wulf: What is your name?
• Baraoc: Baraoc Jeaois, my Lord.
• Celestine: Baraoc, you are speaking to Sir Wulf Welkynd, Envoy of His Imperial Majesty.
• Baraoc: As in Lord Welkynd, The Dragonborn?
• Celestine: Correct. His Imperial Majesty recently knighted Sir Wulf and named him Champion of Cyrodiil. That is one of many titles our Knight Commander has earned in his service to not just The Empire but also The Nine and every person on Nirn.
• Baraoc: Oh…umm…
• Wulf: Knight Celestine, you said The Nine! No doubt Thalmor snitches will run to the nearest Justiciar and earn a few septims for tattling on you.
• Celestine: Oh no, what shall I do?
• Lydia: Show them your Amulet of Talos, and if they get nasty, kill them. That is what we usually do.

We all showed Baraoc our Amulets of Talos, except Sarah, an Acolyte of Mara.

• Wulf: Who scripts the news that you announce, Baraoc?
• Baraoc: I do, my Lord.
• Celestine: The correct way to address Envoy Wulf is ‘Your Excellency.’”
• Baraoc: I do, Your Excellency.
• Wulf: Do you intend to inform The Divide’s citizens of important information or unnecessarily increase their anxiety?
• Baraoc: My family have proudly informed the citizens of essential facts for generations. If those facts increase anxiety, that is due to the nature of the news delivered.
• Lydia: Speculation is not a fact. For example, suggesting the worship of Lord Talos is in greater danger because we won the Skyrim Civil War is pure speculation.
• Ghorbash: It decreases support for The Empire and unnecessarily increases anxiety.
• Wulf: His Imperial Majesty has no intention of allowing the ban on Talos worship to continue. Her Royal Highness, Queen Elisif the First, decreed that the Thalmor can no longer arrest or harass Skyrim citizens who openly worship Lord Talos. That is news that decreases anxiety, not speculation that adds to it.
• Baraoc: Forgive me, but news from the rest of The Empire seems to disappear at our borders.
• Celestine: That is a poor excuse. If you want to tell The Divide’s citizens the truth, you can organise regular and reliable delivery of Cyrodiil and Skyrim news sheets.
• Sarah: Many travelling merchants will happily take your coin for doing so.
• Wulf: We are in Evermore at the request of His Imperial Majesty and Lady Mara. They are both concerned about the rising tensions and potential for conflict in Evermore. By displaying zero compassion for fellow citizens, you contribute to gloom and helplessness.
• Sarah: Do you endeavour to follow The Ten Commands of the Nine Divine?
• Baraoc: Yes, of course I do!
• Wulf: Lord Stendarr says, ‘Be kind and generous to the people of Tamriel. Protect the weak, heal the sick, and give to the needy.’
• Sarah: The person thrown into The Undertow was a starving individual who was seemingly insane. Do you think that making light of his predicament is following Lord Stendarr’s command?
• Baraoc: No, it is not. But I must inject some humour in amongst the grim announcements.
• Sarah: Find a way that does not diminish the suffering of others.
• Lydia: The people of Forlorn were suffering before the floods. Now, their situation is even more dire. Yet you think that belittling the situation with humour is appropriate. Can you see why that is harmful and not in keeping with what The Nine desire?
• Baraoc: I do. But why select me for such a lecture?
• Wulf: We will address the problems besetting Evermore with the highest level of nobility. But ordinary citizens can also aid us. Town Criers can champion the truth or contribute to suppression and misery.
• Ghorbash: For instance, not every Orsimer lurks in the countryside looking to spill blood. A small percentage of Orsimer call themselves Orsinium’s Sons. If you are a Breton who fits the generalisation of a racist bigot, then I understand your desire to smear all Orsimer.
• Celestine: Are you a bigot, Baraoc?
• Baraoc: No. I have many Orc friends, some of who have already fled Evermore out of fear.
• Celestine: Then be more careful how you report the actions of Orsinium’s Sons.
• Wulf: We will do what we can to aid Evermore. When we succeed, I advise you to report the facts without exaggeration or misplaced humour. That would serve the interests of The Divide’s citizens. Bias and language contributing to the simmering hatred and paranoia besetting Evermore are not news; they are your contributions that add to the problems.
• Baraoc: I understand.
• Wulf: Good, then this conversation has been worth having. Good day to you, Baraoc.

Baraoc watched us leave with a look of relief on his face. Nobles are feared in Evermore.

I asked Sarah, “What is the significance of the stag’s head between the Imperial and Evermore banners?”

“I do not know. If it were an old goat’s head, I would say it represented Governor Marosa.”

A beggar called out, “Hey, new face! Do me a favour, will ya, please? I will make it worth the trouble.”

I approached him and asked, “What is your name?”

“Floyiper Kingian, my Lord.”

“What favour do you need doing, Floyiper?”

“I just need you to give this pouch to a fella named Elritch down in Arnima. He will be festering with the rest of our ilk.”

“Your ilk?”

“Beggars.”

“Hand me the bag.”

Floyiper handed me a bag, which I opened and quickly counted about fifty septims

I said, “If I pass by, I shall give Elritch a bag of fifty coins. But there is a chance I will not see him, so you had better keep this.”

I handed the bag of coins back to the startled Floyiper.

He stammered, “You have earned yourself a friend. If there is anything you need, and I mean anything, I will return the favour. Do not ask while my eyes are at the back of my head. That is my happy time.”

“In case you were wondering, Floyiper Kingian, the name of your newfound friend is Sir Wulf Welkynd.”

The gobsmacked beggar wandered away, and my friends laughed.

Sarah said, “It is always good to have the downtrodden on your side.”

Celestine replied, “Wulf practices charity as that is his nature. He does not do it to buy the loyalty of the unfortunate.”

“Oh, I did not mean to imply otherwise.”

I interjected and said, “We know that, Sarah. But you are right that having the downtrodden trust you is always advantageous.”

I looked up at Mother’s Temple of Grace. It dominated The Divide’s skyline, as Lady Mara dominated its citizens’ faith.

We made our way to the entrance of the temple.

A Shrine of Mara sat next to an offering tray holding several septims. The shrine was inactive.

• Sarah: As you can see, honesty is prevalent amongst the citizens of Evermore. As people starve, septims sit unmolested on an offering tray.
• Lydia: Is the honesty generated by reverence for The Nine or fear of draconian punishments?
• Sarah: In the past, I would say the former. But now, any crime carries severe penalties, no matter how small.
• Wulf: Is that the same for every town or city?
• Sarah: Not so much for The Divide or Evermore, but in Arnima, the theft of a loaf or a few septim will earn a trip to the chopping block or gallows.
• Wulf: Before we enter and deal with our first noble and perhaps priests, remember why we are here and how we must behave.
• Celestine: We must be diplomats. That means we must bite our tongues and not respond to things that deserve scorn, anger, and disgust.
• Wulf: We cannot mediate if one side or the other dislikes us because we offended them in some way.
• Lydia: We shall take our cue from you, Wulf. When you discard diplomacy, we will be happy to join you.
• Wulf: Hopefully, I can pretend to be a diplomat for long enough to achieve some measure of success.
• Lydia: What did Rigmor keep emphasising?
• Wulf: I have a big stick. Use it to belt people into submission if necessary.
• Lydia: Use the authority His Imperial Majesty has given you.
• Sarah: What could go wrong? You have two princesses and the son of a chief here to guide you!
• Ghorbash: I do not think Orsimer diplomacy suits this situation. It involves a lot of blood and screaming.
• Wulf: That sounds like Rigmor’s Court.

The temple was impressive in size, and the quality of the stained-glass windows was superb. I doubted they would spend some of the donations to help The Divide’s people.

We entered the temple and then listened to a conversation between Governor Merosa and Priest Fenig.

• Fenig: Governor Merosa, did you want to speak of Mortifayne? I have heard the news from The Council that his seat in Arnima may be put into question.
• Merosa: You heard correctly, Brother Fenig. His seat is in question because he and his guards demand more gold from the merchants while becoming more aggressive. They are no better than thugs, and that little lord does nothing but encourage it. I despise that unsightly man. Every conversation with him is extremely unpleasant. His paranoia also makes it so we cannot have any of our own in that town to keep an eye on him.
• Fenig: I have a missionary down there within the temple. He shares whispers with me on occasion. If you need consoling on this, you only need to ask. If I may beg my pardon, I shall return to servicing this temple.
• Merosa: Very well, pray that nothing terrible arises from this disorder. It is good to have gods listening in times like this.

Merosa was on her way to the exit when I approached her.

• Wulf: Governor Merosa, may I have a minute of your time?
• Merosa: Have we arranged a meeting? Or is it your intent to address nobility lacking proper decorum? Quickly, speak up lest you rile my temper.
• Celestine: Governor, you are addressing Envoy Sir Wulf Welkynd. He is in Evermore at the personal request of His Imperial Majesty.
• Sarah: Governor, I am an Acolyte of Mara. Lady Mara also asked Envoy Wulf to visit Evermore. Did you not just say it is good to have gods listening in times like this? Well, they have listened.
• Wulf: Governor Merosa, may I have a minute of your time? I suggest you address me quickly and with proper decorum, lest you rile my temper.

Merosa realised how big a blunder it was to insult an Imperial Envoy. She turned white and began to shake. I did not intend to bully the woman and felt sorry for her. She is a product of Evermore politics, and I must consider that.

• Merosa: Pardon the introduction, Your Excellency. Yet I desire you to understand the need for it. We cannot have any wandering yokel approach royalty like they are of the same stock. It would not reflect well on the kingdom’s image.
• Wulf: Where, Governor, in The Ten Commands of The Nine Divines, does it say nobles are of a different stock than other mortals? A noble’s duty within The Imperial Empire is to serve the people and ensure they follow the Ten Commands by setting an example. That is how you improve the image of a village, town, city, kingdom, or province.
• Merosa: I…ah…well…
• Wulf: Relax, Governor. I am here to help resolve the issues plaguing Evermore, both political and religious. Within minutes of arriving, we came across a watchtower that Witchmen had attacked during their change of shifts. Both shifts were massacred. I killed the only Witchmen there, a Briarheart.
• Merosa: Oh, you are a harbinger of grim news. I thank you for telling me in advance of my guards. It was only a matter of time before they encroached further east. We will have the guard there as soon as possible.
• Wulf: Where should I start if I want to decipher the political situation in Evermore quickly?
• Merosa: To the east of this bridge lies the town of Arnima, formerly called Raven Spring. Within Arnima, you will find Jackos, who trains the scout detachment there. He is the only person I somewhat trust there, as he is not beholden to Lord Mortifayne. Ask him about rumours. Tell him I sent you, and he should understand your intent. We have conducted affairs before. Usually, a simple nod from him would be more than enough information for you to infer. But of course, you will want to know more. He may be of use.
• Wulf: Governor Merosa, if I were somebody of lower stock, to use your terminology, would you have asked me to retrieve a message from Jakos promising a generous payment?
• Merosa: Yes.
• Wulf: What would happen to such a person if suspected of trafficking information between you and Jakos?
• Merosa: I do not know.
• Wulf: Knight Ghorbash, what may happen to such a person?
• Ghorbash: Operatives from Arnima would interrogate the unfortunate. If they claimed they were working on behalf of Governor Marosa, she would deny it.
• Wulf: Knight Celestine, who would the nobles believe between Governor Merosa and the unfortunate person of lower stock?
• Celestine: Your Excellency, they would not publicly accept the word of a lower-class person over a noble. It would not be good for the kingdom’s image.
• Wulf: So even if they knew the messenger was telling the truth, they would place his head on a spike for lying and spying.
• Celestine: Indeed, that would be their fate.
• Wulf: Knight Lydia, does this injustice exist elsewhere in The Imperial Empire?
• Lydia: No, Your Excellency. Even other kingdoms of High Rock would think such injustice is terrible for Evermore’s image.
• Wulf: I warn you, Governor Marosa, that you and the other nobles of Evermore will be judged on The Empire’s accepted morals and laws, which are based on The Ten Commands of the Nine Divines.
• Merosa: You have no right to judge us!
• Celestine: Envoy Wulf speaks and acts on behalf of His Imperial Majesty. It may as well be Emperor Titus Mede II standing before you. Remember that the next time you are tempted to display such ignorance.
• Wulf: You are dismissed, Governor Marosa.

I turned my back on Marosa and headed to the shrine. It was another message to remind her of our relative positions in the noble pecking order.

The smiles on my friends told me they liked how I swung my big stick.

I approached Lady Mara’s shrine, and it was not properly consecrated. It could not cure the plague or any other disease.

Ferig was standing next to a font when I walked over to him.

• Fenig: Soldiers of the Legion, would you care to help this humble priest?
• Wulf: We spend a lot of time helping priests.
• Fenig: As someone who serves in the light of The Nine, it is to be expected that I might require assistance. I am sure the matter is easily resolved by people who possess your skills.
• Celestine: Brother Fenig, you are addressing Envoy Sir Wulf Welkynd. He is in Evermore at the personal request of His Imperial Majesty.
• Sarah: Brother Fenig, despite your ignorant denial when last we met, I am an Acolyte of Mara. Not only is Envoy Wulf here at the request of His Imperial Majesty, but Lady Mara also asked him to come to Evermore.
• Fenig: You expect me to believe Mother spoke to a layperson? Blasphemy is a serious offence, and your position within the Imperial Legion will not spare you the jail time earned! Pretending to be a servant of Mother would extend that sentence considerably.
• Wulf: Brother Fenig, I am better known as Lord Wulf Welkynd, Dragonborn and Champion of The Divines. Many gods speak to me, including Lady Mara. I strongly advise you not to question the honesty of any Knight of The Order of the Dragon. Your position as a priest will not spare the jail time earned.
• Sarah: As you know, Priest Fenig, every other country that declares The Nine as their pantheon has Priests and Priestesses.
• Lydia: Calling Envoy Wulf a layperson is silly, don’t you agree, Priest Fenig?
• Celestine: I advise you, Priest Fenig, that Envoy Wulf acts and speaks with the authority of His Imperial Majesty. As I told Governor Marosa, it may as well be Emperor Titus Mede II standing before you.
• Ghorbash: Perhaps you should reword your request, Priest Fenig.
• Fenig: It is too minor a thing to ask of His Excellency.
• Wulf: I suspect you are under duress, so let us forget the awkward introduction. Let me judge how minor the assistance is. So, how can we help you?
• Fenig: I require a particular sap belonging to a Spriggan Matron, and I think just one belonging to a lesser. I need these because, with the help of the other priests, we may be able to concoct some immunity for the pox that spills from the West.
• Wulf: Do you speak of the one where those called Afflicted can forcefully expel bright green and acidic liquid? Their skin is reddish in hue with black encrustations.
• Fenig: Yes, and it has stricken the states of the West. It mainly claims the poor but has been seeping up into nobility.
• Wulf: I am surprised to hear a Priest of Mara refer to nobles as being above the poor. Their importance is no greater or less in the eyes of The Divines. But I digress. Please continue.
• Fenig: Well, the pox was first sighted amongst those Witchmen, lifeless along the road towards Evermore. We do not know if it is of natural or Daedric origin.
• Wulf: It is a creation of Lord Peryite and first appeared in Wayrest months ago. Even under uncertain rule, that kingdom seems to have the plague’s spread under control.
• Fenig: How do you know that particular Dark Lord created it?
• Wulf: I spoke to him. As I told you before, I speak to many gods, not just The Nine. As for a cure, I have collected samples of the plants used by Peryite to gestate the disease. I am the Arch-Mage of The College of Winterhold. Knight Celestine leads a team of mages investigating a cure. Knight Celestine, tell Priest Fenig of our progress.
• Celestine:  Envoy Wulf provided the plant samples to The College of Winterhold. The best Restoration Mages in Tamriel are working together to find a cure. That includes mages from other High Rock kingdoms and the Counties of Cyrodiil. A Skyrim colony of dozens of Afflicted are voluntarily aiding with the search for a cure. I will ensure plant samples are provided to you, as it is wise to have a parallel set of people investigating.
• Fenig: I will pass on your information to others. The pox seems to strike the children and elderly the hardest, and a handful of the young died within Arnima last month.
• Celestine: It kills all without discrimination of age, Priest Fenig. However, poor health and hygiene, as experienced by the undernourished poor, allows it to spread quickly.
• Wulf: Knight Celestine, you have narrowed the reagents to four. Is Spriggan Sap of any form one of the four?
• Celestine: No, Your Excellency.
• Wulf: When did the Priest Circle start looking for a cure, Priest Fenig?
• Fenig: Well…ahh….
• Wulf: I suspect it was not until nobles and priests started contracting the disease. Am I correct?
• Fenig: Umm…
• Wulf: Do not bother answering with a lie. Such dismissal of The Ten Commands of the Nine Divines is expected by priests and nobles who think they are of a higher caste than the people they should be serving.
• Fenig: We serve the people!
• Wulf: Bollocks! Do you know that an adequately consecrated shrine of any of The Nine will cure the plague, Priest Fenig? I have witnessed a good friend cured by Lady Mara’s shrine in Solitude. Knight Celestine has seen other Afflicted cured by Lord Talos, Lady Dibella, and Lord Akatosh shrines. Ask yourself why this is not the case in Evermore.
• Sarah: Why do you wear a jewelled amulet and not Mother’s? That seems strange for a Priest of Mara.

We exited the temple and headed for Arnima, talking as we walked.

• Wulf: How did I do?
• Celestine: I can see what your coping mechanism is.
• Wulf: Do tell.
• Celestine: Instead of completely ignoring things that make you want to throttle people, you point them out and then move on.
• Sarah: Both know you are not impressed by the status quo. Now they wonder what changes you will make.
• Wulf: You all did excellently since we had not rehearsed how we would do this.
• Lydia: I am impressed with how quickly Sarah has picked it up.
• Sarah: The conversations flowed naturally, so it was easy to decide when Wulf wanted one of us to contribute.
• Celestine: And if he needs to, Wulf will prompt us.
• Ghorbash: Both looked down their noses at me. I am disappointed I did not have a fart prepared beforehand.
• Wulf: This is such a picturesque place. It might be enjoyable if that constant feeling of imminent doom did not intrude.
• Sarah: We are going to pass by Sabbat. The last time I passed this way, it was a nice place.
• Lydia: But now it has been destroyed by undead, according to the Town Crier.
• Wulf: We might as well investigate since we are passing it.

Two guards were too busy gossiping to notice the strange undead attack us not far past The Divide’s gates.

We cut them down before the guards realised what was happening.

We examined them.

Celestine remarked, “They look like flayed corpses. Their organs, muscles and sinew are still intact. They remind me of the donated cadavers used at The College of Winterhold in Restoration classes.”

“New country, new forms of undead. How exciting!”

A third undead got nowhere near us before Sarah ended it with her crossbow. The silver bolts she uses inflict massive damage on the undead.

I was about to continue towards Sabbat, but a conversation between the guards caught my attention.

• Sebore: Redguard thieves, bloodthirsty Orcs and now even the dead come for us, Ernand!
• Ernand: Do not worry, Sebore. We will find the bastard that did this and feed him to the dogs. The souls of Sabbat will not be at peace until we do.
• Sebore: This realm keeps getting bleaker by the day. Why do you think the gods have stopped answering our prayers?
• Ernand: What makes you think they were ever listening?

I intercepted one of the guards at the bottom of some stairs.

• Wulf: Are you Ernand or Sebore?
• Ernand: Who the fuck wants to know?
• Celestine: Sir Wulf Welkynd, Envoy to Evermore on behalf of His Imperial Majesty, asked you a question.
• Lydia: You might have heard of him. He is The Dragonborn.
• Sebore: Haha. You put your foot in it there, Ernand.
• Wulf: Tell me, Ernand, how The Divines help the mortals of this world.
• Ernand: Ahh, the priests say they hear our prayers and control the weather and other things if we are pious enough.
• Wulf: That is bullshit. What The Divines do is use mortal agents to respond to problems. That is why they sent me to deal with Alduin and other dangers you may not have heard about.
• Celestine: His Excellency has prevented your death or enslavement many times.
• Wulf: Lady Mara asked me to come to Evermore to help its people. We shall investigate Sabbat. If we find whoever caused this tragedy, we shall kill them.
• Lydia: That sounds like help from the gods!

When we approached the hamlet, many undead attacked. They used farm implements and other crude weapons.

We soon eliminated every undead in the ruins, but I spotted a mine that may harbour more.

I told Sarah, “You are doing well. I am quite impressed with your marksmanship.”

“You work together like parts of a machine. How the bandit gangs were eliminated on the trip here was frightening, and I was on your side!”

In a gully near the mine’s entrance were a fire’s smoking remnants. Small clouds of a toxin floated near it.

Fractured Black Soul Gems lay amongst the debris.

• Wulf: Somebody created a concoction and then set a fire to spread it. They used the Lifeforce within Black Soul Gems as part of the incantation.
• Celestine: The fumes would have travelled down this gully and spread throughout Sabbat.
• Lydia: I did not see any undead children.
• Sarah: There were no elderly undead either.
• Celestine: The toxin might have been fatal to the young ones and old.
• Wulf: Whoever did it used Black Soul Gems. For that reason alone, they deserve death.

We eliminated the numerous undead without slowing to and through the mine. A platoon of Legionnaires would have been equally as efficient.

We encountered excellent deposits of Orichalcum within the mine.

We could hear somebody practising an incantation. Sounds echoed off the mine walls, so I used Heat Vision to find the mage.

I Blinked to him and removed his head.

I searched the twitching corpse and retrieved a journal. I read it to the group.

“Henrig’s Research

What would be the best way to carry out this spell? I am not sure. The others told me to conduct it on living persons. Preferably a village or small settlement to see the spell’s results and warn anyone who pursues us. Thereby, we hit two birds with one stone.

I have settled on a small hamlet called Sabbat, and no one suspects a thing. This experiment is a first because every other time I have tried something like this, some scoundrel always sniffs me out and goes hollering at the guard. The elder mentioned the temporarily abandoned mine at the end of the scaffolding across this cliff. It has been deemed unsafe because of the shaky supports.

I think this will be an excellent place to conduct my affairs.

Alright, I altered the spell slightly from the master’s intent. I hope he does not mind. The spell now has a larger area of effect. Imagine being one of the first necromancers to make living subjects essentially as mindless and obedient as those reanimated corpses. They will have more motor functions and be capable of more complex tasks. Maybe I will get lucky and strike a couple of women with it.

Catastrophe! I do not know what to do!

I cannot return to the others as they will tear me apart. The spell tore through the hamlet, searing the flesh of all the people in its way. I could hear the screams for days from this mine. Fortunately, they were still obedient. Unfortunately, they were not as sophisticated as we hoped. I have left them at my flank. I hope to gather enough ore from this mine to bribe one of those guards. I know many of them only need a few septim to turn the other way.”

• Celestine: So now we have a coven of necromancers adding to the mayhem.
• Lydia: We have Witchmen, nobles at each other’s throats, Orsinium’s Sons, a weird griffon, Thalmor and who knows what else. You take us to the most fun places, Wulf.
• Sarah: You left out the Redguard corsairs, the Ustase and Exiles.
• Ghorbash: I fear it may not be clear who the good and bad people are.
• Wulf: We will figure it out as we go.
• Sarah: Lady Mara will guide us.
• Wulf: It is getting dark, and I do not fancy travelling through unfamiliar lands at night.
• Sarah: There is a sheriff in The Divide. He may know something about the coven. He resides in the Divide Council Hall.
• Wulf: Okay, we shall talk to the sheriff. I placed a Mark in Mara’s Rest, so after that, we can teleport there, have a meal, and sleep. We will head for Arnima first thing tomorrow.
• Sarah: The best thing about Mara’s Rest is the outside privy.
• Ghorbash: I would not advise anybody to enter it till at least an hour after me.
• Wulf: There are only four beds but room for a bedroll.
• Lydia: You could fit four people on the double bed!
• Wulf: Or one large Knight Commander.
• Ghorbash: The ladies can have the beds. I am content with a bedroll.

On our way to The Divide, I informed the incredulous Sebore that all the undead had been eliminated, and the necromancer who had cast the spell had been killed.

We entered The Divide, and Sarah led us to the council hall.

The Sheriff was sitting when we approached him.

• Celestine: Excuse us, but are you the sheriff?
• Entemon: Yes, I am Sheriff Entemon. Can I help you?
• Celestine: Sir Wulf Welkynd, His Imperial Majety’s Envoy, would like to discuss Sabbat with you.
• Entemon: An Envoy, huh? Well, that would explain the fancy armour.
• Celestine: I would advise you to stand when addressing His Excellency.
• Entemon: Oh, of course.

Entemon scrambled to his feet.

• Wulf: Sheriff Entemon, what are your duties?
• Entemon: I help take care of the spiteful bastards who harass these lands by hiring mercenaries to eliminate them. I have always got contracts coming in, so do not be afraid to stop by and ask. The Reach never has a day without blood.
• Celestine: Are you suggesting The Dragonborn is a mercenary?
• Entemon: You could have told me he was The Dragonborn.
• Celestine: Okay, are you suggesting His Imperial Majesty’s Envoy is a mercenary?
• Entemon: No, not at all.
• Celestine: Good. That means Knight Ghorbash does not have to lop your head off.

Ghorbash growled. Entemon flinched.

• Wulf: Relax, Sheriff Entemon. Knight Celestine was having some harmless fun.
• Ghorbash: And I do not lop off heads on an empty stomach.
• Entemon: Ahh, how can I help, Your, ahh…
• Celestine: Excellency.
• Entemon: How can I help, Your Excellency?
• Wulf: I wanted to inform you we have eliminated all the undead of Sabbat and the necromancer responsible.
• Entemon: I posted contracts on the various public notice boards, but no bounty hunter was brave enough to come forward.
• Wulf: The undead were not powerful and, being the townspeople of Sabbat, only had crude weapons. We discovered how the necromancer did it. However, there was nothing to tell us the formula of the concoction used.
• Entemon: All that magic stuff is beyond me. If you want to know what that mage, necromancer, or whatever was doing, the Arch-Bishop in Evermore has been looking into the problem.
• Wulf: Good, because he was part of a coven. I want to wipe them out.
• Celestine: You have done well, Sheriff Entemon. You did not make the mistake of offering a reward to Envoy Wulf.
• Entemon: Unlike many in Evermore, I have tried to educate myself on the news outside our border. I know what you people have done for not just The Empire but all of Nirn.
• Wulf: Hopefully, we can resolve some of Evermore’s problems. Thank you for your assistance, Sheriff Entemon.
• Lydia: Do not be afraid when we vanish.
• Entemon: Ahh…okay.

I teleported us the Mark I had placed inside Mara’s Rest.

Ghorbash insisted on cooking his Goulash, which was excellent.

Eventually, everybody headed for their beds or bedrolls. I lay on mine and contacted Rigmor via Mara’s Rings.

“How is my favourite Countess?”

“Exhausted. Having to play the proper lady all the time is very tiring!”

“How did the opening of Dragonborn Gallery go?”

“Very well. Guess who Mede chose as his guide?”

“Could it have been Lady Olette Lillith Welkynd?”

“Yep. Olette spent the day after the banquet and ball, learning what she could about the exhibits. Aryen did not mind, and to be honest, I think he was a bit awestruck by the number of high-level nobles who attended.”

“I hope Elisif did not feel left out.”

“Not at all. Mede ensured she was as involved as he.”

“The museum has just over two thousand exhibits now. It would have been twice as many if I spent more time collecting them.”

“Mede and the other guests understood almost every relic was obtained while defending Nirn and Mundus. That made each item not only part of ancient history but their history as well.”

“Evermore is pretty, but there is a sense of foreboding and helplessness. The little house that Sarah obtained for us is called Mara’s Rest. The foreboding and helplessness do not penetrate its walls.”

“After Elisif’s coronation, I want to travel with you. I want to add my strength to yours to defeat whatever faces us.”

“I do not yet know what dangers we will face. However, I will need you with me as I cannot help but feel great darkness is ahead.”

“Olette will want to be part of lengthy discussions about this week’s events. Therefore, tell me about your first day in Evermore to stop you from getting the gossip early.”

“The knight’s oath forbids me from engaging in or enjoying gossip!”

“Yeah, right. Pffft!”

“Okay. The first noble I met is the frumpy Governor of The Divide….”

I know not what time I fell asleep. I know it was after several hours of telling Rigmor about Evermore.