Sundas, 11^th Morning Star, 4E 202

We had just finished breakfast when the Corb I placed on a shelf emitted its annoying alarm.

“Hello, Jin.”

“Your signet ring was delivered to the Safehouse. Do you want me to bring it to you?”

“Yes, thank you. I will summon you now.”

Jin looked tired when he appeared from the ether.

He handed me my signet ring. I chose the Imperial Empire’s dragon with W.W. below it as the emblem.

• Wulf: How is everything?
• Jin: Today is the last day we support the Penitus Oculatus protecting His Imperial Majesty. I think we will all be relieved as it is very tiring.
• Lydia: It is tiring to constantly stay alert and on the lookout for danger.
• Jin: We are not doing anything physically to wear us out, but it is a mental strain.
• Wulf: Does Mede still plan to tour Skyrim?
• Jin: No. The Penitus Oculatus advised him that too many Ulfric sympathisers are hidden amongst the population.
• Wulf: He wants the people of Skyrim to know he is ordinary and cares about them. His Imperial Majesty is not a god, but he lives in a mythical White-Gold Tower, so many Skyrim citizens think he is.
• Jin: Unlike this place where the nobles claim they are royalty and appointed by The Divines.
• Lydia: The nobles here are the worst kind. So far, Wulf has not killed any.
• Wulf: I have only met one!
• Lydia: I did say ‘so far.’
• Jin: Okay, I had better get back. They are allocating guard positions, and I do not want one inside the privies.

Jin cast a teleport spell and vanished.

We headed for Mother’s Temple of Grace, hoping Merosa was there. After meeting with her, we planned to visit Commander Drugo.

There were half a dozen citizens in the temple. Some were on their knees praying to Lady Mara.

I told Merosa, “Ma’am, your friend indicated he would appreciate assistance.”

She whispered, “Not here! Come, follow me!”

I expected Merosa to lead me to a backroom or other secure place. Instead, she led me to a dark corner at the back of the temple. I am sure the witnesses in the room did not think anything was suspicious about that. Yeah, right. Pffft!

I handed Merosa the envelope containing Jackos’ letter. I did not repair the wax seal as I wanted her to know I read it.

When she noticed the broken seal, Merosa frowned and stared at me. I smiled, and with a huff, Merosa started reading, her frown intact.

After a few minutes, I asked, “Have you finished reading it?”

“Yes, I have.”

I snatched the letter off her and set it alight with Magicka. When it was ash, I blew it away. That elicited a few oohs and aahs from the audience. They had moved from praying to watching the spectacle from the pews. Celestine erected a small magical barrier that blocked their entertainment but not access to Lady Mara’s shrine.

• Merosa: After your unforgivable breach of protocol, you now know that Mortifayne could very well bring down The Divide and Arnima if he does not come to his senses. I must speak with the Council to see what can be done.
• Lydia: Ma’am, legally, His Excellency could hold your nobleness upside down and shake you to see what falls out. Do not assume you know the appropriate protocols when he is performing the duties assigned by His Imperial Majesty and Lady Mara.
• Merosa: You now know the sordid details. What are you going to do about that horrid man?
• Wulf: Before we discuss that, I want to know why you hate Lord Mortifayne. I get the impression animosity has been simmering for a long time.
• Merosa: I prefer to keep a clear head and not become further incensed by recalling our past altercations. Even picturing that miserable, bitter face casts a spell of anger over me.
• Wulf: Ma’am, I apologise for making you uncomfortable. I must understand the disagreement before negotiating a solution to the problem.
• Merosa: Your Excellency, there is no need to apologise. Mortifayne is a topic for conversation that is as unpleasant as any other fetid duty with which I am plagued. It is a topic only to be addressed when its removal is an option.
• Celestine: Oh, you poor thing. Being a noble with fine clothes, three meals a day and coin to spend is full of fetid duties. Why don’t you swap positions with one of the serfs? I am sure they have it much easier than you.
• Merosa: His Excellency might have a higher rank in nobility than me, but you do not. So, I advise you to keep that acid tongue to yourself.
• Celestine: You have no idea of my noble status, Ma’am. I assure you that it is not far below that of Envoy Wulf’s.
• Sarah: I can attest to Knight Celestine’s noble status. But even if a serf, she has the right to express her opinion. Similarly, you have the right to whine like a spoilt noble.
• Merosa: Well, Your Excellency, what will you do about Mortifayne?
• Wulf: I urge you not to inflame the situation with Lord Mortifayne beyond what it is. There is a far greater danger than you, King Sigmayne, or anybody on The Council realise. I need time to diffuse the situation.
• Merosa: We are not ignorant of the potential for another serf rebellion alongside the Witchmen. Just like Munstor twenty years ago.
• Wulf: That is not the danger to which I refer, but please, tell me what happened at Munstor.
• Merosa: I am no expert nor historian, but what I can tell you should be the same that every Reachmen would recite when speaking of those savages and the incident at Munstor.
• Wulf: Ma’am, I doubt a serf would have the same perspective as a noble. But go ahead and give us your version of history.
• Merosa: Accounts state that this new incarnation of Witchmen appeared nearly two decades back, just after the incident at Munstor. Are you all aware of that incident?
• Lydia: His Excellency told us the history as written in books. But your description is probably more valid than those tomes.
• Merosa: Munstor was an abandoned fort far to the north that has since succumbed to its frozen locale. Peasants, serfs, and other seditious souls had made a great exodus under the cover of night, leaving their fields and workplaces and abandoning the lords they were sworn to serve.
• Wulf: They swear no oaths of service, Ma’am. They are born into servitude.
• Merosa: That is a matter of perspective.
• Celestine: No doubt the indentured’s perspective differs from the privileged’s.
• Merosa: When all your labour, thus wealth, absconds in but a moment, there will be tremors. So, the lords sent men to trail these wayward workers to Munstor. What they saw was an ostensibly bizarre affair. Both Witchmen and peasants had formed a decadent commune, many turning to layabouts who engaged in petty pleasures and shirking the labour that had made them.
• Wulf: Citizens of Markarth Hold also formed a commune with Reachmen. Like the Witchmen, The Forlorn hoped to live in peace with the residents of The Reach.
• Merosa: This commune with the Witchmen was before they turned feral. They were always savages, but their former identity was ultimately harmless, unlike those you see now.
• Wulf: Like Ulfric Stormcloak with The Forlorn, Evermore’s nobility ended that former identity with savagery.
• Merosa: The lords eschewed violence at first. Instead, they opted to subvert the commune. They freed their scum and exiles northward, with the condition that they go live in Munstor. The hope was that the delusional dreamers of that town would abandon their fickle want for equality once ‘extreme’ personalities had entered their midst.
• Ghorbash: Free of your enforced shackles, many of the scum proved to be resourceful and not a burden. Am I correct?
• Merosa: To our utter astonishment, most of the scum that would haunt our societies were subsumed and proved helpful to the new town. Others were turned away. It seems they were questioned about their intentions by the savages and runaways at the front gate!
• Celestine: Evermore’s nobles were wrong about why people wanted to join the Witchmen.
• Merosa: Yes, and many re-evaluated the true intent of these radicals. At first, we thought they were just pacifists who would allow anybody into their ranks, which would spell doom for any gathering. Panic-stricken, many lords conspired and agreed on the siege that would be the commune’s undoing. No supplies reached Munstor, and miners dug tunnels under the fort’s walls. The underground streams feeding their wells were found and poisoned.
• Wulf: The commune had other untouchable water sources and food stockpiles.
• Merosa: Yes, so a lengthy siege seemed inevitable. Therefore, Evermore’s nobility tried diplomacy to impart some reason to the serfs. The hope was that most would abandon their naïve ideals and return to civilisation.
• Wulf: So how did it turn into a massacre?
• Merosa: The lords saw the beneficiaries within Munstor. There was a gathering of hagraven who prolonged the siege to impossible lengths. Then, crumbs of discontent were found among our militia. Fear gripped the nobility that these ideas could spread to every serf. Aid in the form of knights from the entirety of High Rock joined Evermore’s forces when they heard how severe the crisis was. High Rock was united in crushing this small town. Yet only a luddite would think so simply.
• Wulf: Munstor was an idea that needed crushing. That was the motivation of Evermore’s nobility. Most knights who fought thought it was a religious emergency after lies about the hagraven influence were spread.
• Merosa: Yes, as you said, Excellency, the actions that day were undertaken to crush an idea, a canker that would undo the very way of life we enjoyed. So, the gathered force’s strength was honed into one blow. They threw all their might at the walls of that ancient fort, and many streamed through the tunnels. The walls fell, and what mercy would have been previously shown to those misguided serfs was instead replaced with conviction to stamp out a chaotic ideology.
• Wulf: His Imperial Majesty is of the impression many survived and returned home. Are you saying that all were slaughtered and that you were there?
• Merosa: I was not there. However, every man, woman, and child was killed. It was a hollow victory in the truest sense. Evermore had lost half its serf class, yet the lords were elated. The existential crisis of revolution was averted. Exceptionally harsh measures were implemented for anyone who uttered the commune’s name or dared to evoke some of the same rebellious sentiments. And that concludes the tale of Munstor.
• Wulf: You have failed to mention what this massacre did to the Reachmen. How did they transform into Witchmen.?
• Merosa: Okay, but bear with me as what follows can drift into conjecture.
• Wulf: Tell us what you believe happened. Do not worry about how strange it may seem.
• Merosa: Rumours from the nobility in that siege reported seeing figures watching the slaughter in Munstor unfold. They were neither part of the militia nor the defendants. Scouts were dispatched to see who the strange party was, and upon their return, they carried weird idols made into amulets. The scouts claimed they were gifts for the nobles from the shady silhouettes. However, neither their names nor identities were ever disclosed. Most nobles in attendance discarded the gifted charms immediately. That wretch Mortifayne did not. He was enamoured by that hideous amulet that still rings his filthy neck.
• Wulf: And what do you think the Witchmen want?
• Merosa: If I could tell you, we would already be halfway to a solution. But that is where my knowledge ends.
• Wulf: Then let me enlighten you. And you had better listen closely because your petty hate for Mortifayne is inconsequential!
• Merosa: It is not inconsequential!
• Wulf: It is compared to the catastrophe we are here to prevent. Lady Mara and His Imperial Majesty did not send us to deal with petty squabbles amongst minor nobles.
• Merosa: Petty squabbles!? Minor nobles!?
• Ghorbash: Ma’am, I advise you to shut up and listen.
• Lydia: I can see you are tempted to open your mouth. Do not!
• Wulf: The Witchmen turned to a Dark Lord for guidance. The same Dark Lord had acolytes handing out those amulets in the hope of influencing the nobility. It seems the Dark Lord now controls Lord Mortifayne. This Dark Lord plans to open an Oblivion Gate, which would mean a disaster for all Nirn, not just Evermore. Are you following this, Governor Merosa?
• Merosa: Dark Lord? Oblivion Gate? What proof do you have of this absurd hypothesis?
• Wulf: Lord Talos spoke to His Imperial Majesty and me. Lady Mara spoke to me. The Divines and your Emperor sent me here because this is what I do. I save the mortals of Nirn from nightmares that would lead to their deaths or enslavement. Because I have investigated absurd hypotheses, you owe me your life and freedom. So I strongly advise you to listen and do as I say.
• Merosa: I cannot rule my people by basing decisions on unproven theories!
• Wulf: I could write an official request for you, The Council, and King Sigmayne to cease all legal and military action against Lord Mortifayne until I have finished my enquiries and mapped a course of action. I would not issue such a document until I can present proof of the danger, but that may be too late. Thus, we will do something different.
• Merosa: Can I speak yet?
• Celestine: No. His Excellency has not finished.

I reached into my journal case and retrieved a writing board, several sheets of paper, some wax, and my eternal quill, which never needs dipping in ink.

I wrote a decree and then signed it. I melted some of the wax with a bit of Magicka, placed it on the paper and pressed my signet ring into it.

• Wulf: You will sign this decree and place your seal. The four knights will sign it as witnesses.
• Merosa: What is the decree?
• Wulf: You will immediately cease all actions against Lord Mortifayne. Do you agree to this, Governor Merosa?
• Merosa: What if I do not sign it?
• Wulf: I will arrest you and place you in chains. I will teleport you to Solitude, where His Imperial Majesty, Emperor Titus Mede II, currently resides. You will be placed in Solitude’s jail and await His Imperial Majesty’s visit. Since he is very busy with official duties, you may have to wait several days for that visit. When our Emperor gets around to visiting, you can explain why you disobeyed his Envoy. He is likely to decide that it is treason and act accordingly.
• Lydia: Do not suggest His Excellency would not do as he says. I assure you, he would, without hesitation.
• Wulf: Governor Merosa, will you sign the decree and agree to cease all legal and military action against Lord Mortifayne? I want a verbal confirmation as well as your signature.
• Merosa: You leave me no choice. I agree to stop further legal and military action against Lord Mortifayne.
• Wulf: If I hear one word associating Lord Mortifayne with a Dark Lord, I will know who to lock up, won’t I?
• Merosa: As if I would tell anybody your tall tale. I would be the laughingstock of Evermore!
• Wulf: I have closed four Oblivion Gates in the last few months. If your head were not stuck up your arse, you would know Solitude was one of the cities where an Oblivion Gate opened.
• Celestine: Ma’am, you are accusing a knight of lying. Do you have a champion who would defend your honour against his challenge?
• Merosa: There is a difference between lying and being delusional.
• Celestine: So all those who reported the shadowy figures handing out amulets at Munstor were delusional?
• Merosa: I suppose what happened to Sabbat was the work of a Dark Lord or some other creature from under a child’s bed?
• Celestine: We thought you were dim, Ma’am. There is no need to prove it.
• Sarah: The Oblivion Crises and Planemeld happened. Anybody who professes to be devout knows that Dark Lords plot against Nirn and Mundus.
• Wulf: Sabbat was the work of a necromancer. We killed him and eliminated the undead. The necromancer was part of a coven that we will eliminate when we have the time.
• Merosa: You took care of that problem?
• Wulf: That is what we do when not wasting time with petulant, ignorant nobles who think they know more than The Divines and His Imperial Majesty. Sign the decree, then press your signet ring into the wax. I will not ask again.

I melted more wax and placed it on the paper. Merosa signed and then pressed her signet ring into the wax.

I handed the decree to Celestine, who signed it and then handed it to Lydia. Soon, all four knights had signed the decree as witnesses.

I told Merosa, “All is in order. You are dismissed, Governor Merosa.”

Celestine dropped the barrier. Merosa stormed off in the foulest of moods. We teleported into The Procul Praesidium Reach’s courtyard.

• Wulf: I think the hagraven in Munstor were devotees of Namira.
• Celestine: That makes sense, but it implies Munstor was not as spontaneous as we thought.
• Wulf: The Reachmen wanted to create a peaceful commune even if Hargraven had given them the idea.
• Ghorbash: The hagraven convinced the Reachmen to become hostile after the massacre.
• Wulf: Jackos said that those who go insane and join The Witchmen repeat the exact phrase repeatedly.
• Lydia: You did not ask him what that phrase was.
• Wulf: I think we heard it just after crossing the border.
• Celestine: The King will have his Tower and so on.
• Wulf: It reminds me of the people Miraak enslaved. They would repeat a sequence of phrases in an endless cycle. Repetition likely reinforces the enchantment.
• Celestine: We need to prove the connection between Mortifayne and Namira.
• Wulf: He cannot ignore us for long. We can expect an invitation soon.

We entered the embassy, and I asked a Legionnaire where Drugo was. He told us we would find the Commander at his desk a few flights up.

As we climbed the stairs, we overhead Naruman speaking to Drugo. I raised my hand, and we stopped outside the room’s entrance.

• Naruman: Commander, you must understand that this costly operation you have planned will set you back on your debt with this kingdom.
• Drugo: And you must understand, Naruman, that this is our last opportunity to justify our presence here. Without this, suspicions among the Breton of our ineptitude will only deepen.
• Naruman: I advise great caution with the occupants of Deepcrag, Drugo. They could hold invaluable information. All you need to do is stay your hounds.
• Drugo: You seem keen to see them survive. Why is that, Naruman?
• Naruman: We should not debase ourselves by imitating the barbarous Breton of this kingdom. They have already bled the Orcs dry. Why should we add to the slaughter?
• Drugo: The plans will be inked when Envoy Wulf returns. We are not dealing with civilians here. Any rights The Empire would bestow are now forfeit.
• Naruman: Very well, Drugo. All the blood that spills will be on you.

As Naruman turned to leave, we entered the room, and I blocked his progress.

• Wulf: Interesting conversation, Justiciar. Let me check something. Knights, have you ever heard of Thalmor showing any concern for the welfare of people of another race?
• Ghorbash: That is an impossibility.
• Lydia: History shows they never have, and their philosophy dictates they never will.
• Celestine: All other races are inferior. Therefore, their deaths are inconsequential.
• Wulf: So, Justiciar Saruman, what game is The Dominion playing with Orsinium’s Sons?
• Saruman: Tell me what it is if you suspect me of wrongdoing.
• Wulf: I should lock you in a cell so there is no chance of you forewarning the occupiers of Deepcrag. But it does not matter because we will aid the local garrison and take back that outpost without losing a single life. Orsinium’s Sons have made themselves outlaws by their actions, and we will legally kill every one of them in Deepcrag without mercy. Once they see what we can do, anybody using the Orsimer to weaken the Imperial presence in Evermore will find them more challenging to control.
• Lydia: Your Excellency, what will we do if we find evidence of collusion with a third party?
• Wulf: Even if the third party has diplomatic immunity, we will kill them.
• Sarah: The blood that spills will be on us, Justiciar.

Ghorbash and Celestine had moved to block the room’s exit.

Saruman stormed over to them, demanding, “Move out of the way! Do you want to join your master on my list of annoyances to be eradicated?”

I said, “You forgot the magic words, Justiciar. Try saying excuse me, please and thank you.”

He repeated, “Move out of the way!”

I cast a low power Telekinesis spell. Saruman screamed as he flew over Celestine’s head and landed on the stairs. He rolled to the bottom and lay still for a second.

Saruman stood and dusted himself off. Only his pride was injured.

I said, “Watch that first step, Justiciar. It is a doozy!”

He walked away without saying a word.

Drugo was grinning when I approached his desk.

• Drugo: You do not like Thalmor, do you?
• Wulf: The Altmer are kind, intelligent people. It is about time they removed the Thalmor cancer from their nation.
• Drugo: Have you had reason to kill Thalmor?

Drugo was startled when all of us started laughing.

• Wulf: Commander Drugo, I have killed hundreds of Thalmor on the battlefield and elsewhere. Their blasphemy against Lord Talos is a minor concern compared to the atrocities they commit wherever they infest. The Markarth Incident was their plan, and Ulfric was their puppet. They had no intention of letting that traitor win Skyrim’s Civil War, but they supported him enough to lengthen it.
• Drugo: Saruman thinks I am an idiot. While he continues to believe that, he will do as he just did and make blunders when speaking to me. His faux concern for the Orcs almost made me vomit.
• Lydia: Thalmor arrogance is one of our best weapons. They underestimate anybody who is not Altmer.
• Drugo: True, and sooner or later, Saruman will accidentally reveal his treacherous plans.
• Wulf: Have you had scouts look at Deepcrag, and if so, what did they report?
• Drugo: We have had scouts spy on Deepcrag since the Orsinium’s Sons massacred the defenders. They report two high-ranking Orcs within Deepcrag. One is a Warchief, and the other is a champion. The Orcs have been busy building their Warchief new premises. They are holding civilian hostages, which is a tactic they have recently started to use. Any sign of an assault will result in the hostages being butchered.
• Ghorbash: Rape is another breach of The Code of Malacath. The Orsinium’s Sons are not true Orsimer but savages. I look forward to cutting them down.
• Wulf: Lord Malacath expressed his concerns about the treatment of Orsimer in Evermore to me. He never suggested that what the Orsinium’s Sons do is justified.
• Drugo: You spoke to the Orc’s god?
• Celestine: Envoy Wulf is Malacath’s champion.
• Wulf: Which officer will be assigned?
• Drugo: A respected career soldier, Captain Leomus Sallius. He originates from Leyawiin and says the difference between his Count and the nobles of Evermore could not be more significant. He does not understand why Mede has not done something about the feudal system.
• Wulf: His Imperial Majesty has been busy keeping what is left of The Empire together. I get the impression that the High Rock kingdoms are happy to slaughter each other but will band together if outsiders threaten one of them.
• Drugo: So, if he tried to change things in Evermore, he may have a whole country opposing him?
• Wulf: Yes, but that scenario is less likely now the Skyrim Civil War is over.
• Drugo: Good luck, Your Excellency.
• Wulf: Orsinium’s Sons are in for a shock, Commander Drugo. And luck will play no part in their destruction. Please mark the muster point on my map.
• Drugo: My men will be ready. I know they are eager to fight by your side.

Drugo marked my map, and then I teleported us to Arnima’s entrance.

A sentry exclaimed, “For the love of Mother Mara, I wish you wouldn’t do that! ”

To avoid Grey Belmor, we had to take a longer route to the muster point. The weather turned sour before we reached it.

Two unwanted figures towered over the others waiting for us.

• Wulf: Captain Leomus, I will be approaching and breaching Deepcrag by myself.
• Sek: You will not get past their sentries!
• Wulf: I will be invisible, or I might go ethereal.
• Sek: Oh… of course…
• Mek: Sek, you cannot even spell ethereal, so do not pretend you know what it is.
• Wulf: Captain, is it protocol to have sweets accompany The Imperial Legion on such missions?
• Mek: Hey, who are you calling sweet?
• Lydia: Sweet means civilian, you oaf!
• Leomus: Knights hold a military commission within High Rock. Therefore, they are not civilians. We usually invite some local troops or guards along to witness our efforts and help contribute to the safety of their kingdom.
• Wulf: I know knights are commissioned officers, but are these two recognised knights or imposters?
• Leomus: Commander Drugo assumes they are legitimate members of some knightly order. But for diplomacy’s sake, he has not demanded proof from their lord.
• Wulf: Okay then, they can tag along. Perhaps they can get peppered by Orsinium’s Sons arrows, thus saving the lives of Legionnaires. That makes them worth taking with us.
• Sek: I do not think His Excellency likes us, Mek.
• Mek: DUH!
• Lydia: Listen to Envoy Wulf carefully, and no more interruptions except for valid questions!
• Wulf: I will approach Deepcrag undetected. I will not kill any sentries as that will likely alert the compound. I expect the Legionnaires and metal morons to eliminate them on the way to the compound. That will leave a safe corridor for civilian evacuation.
• Leomus: You do not intend to take on every Orsimer alone, do you?
• Ghorbash: They are Orsinium’s Sons who are outlaws. They are not regular Orsimer citizens!
• Wulf: Knight Ghorbash is correct and I suggest you all remember that fact! I will not fight alone when they have hostages.
• Leomus: I imagine you could and would if they did not have hostages.
• Wulf: That would deny dumb and dumber the chance to die for their lord. I would not be so rude.
• Sek: Hey… that was…
• Mek: Shut up, Sek.
• Wulf: Once I enter the compound, I will find where they keep the hostages. I will then teleport my knights to me. Our priority will be the Orsinium’s Sons guarding the civilians. Then, we shall kill the rest quickly and efficiently.
• Leomus: When do you want us to join you?
• Wulf: As soon as my knights vanish, you run full speed and join us.
• Leomus: What about their leader?
• Wulf: The priority is the welfare of the hostages. Once they are safe, we will find and kill the leader.
• Leomus: His headquarters are high above the main compound. The hill leading to it will probably be well-defended.
• Wulf: I will not take the conventional route if I see an option.
• Leomus: Their champion is a formidable foe.
• Ghorbash: Any faithful follower of The Code of Malacath would find honour in fighting Envoy Wulf and dying in glorious battle. Too bad their champion is a savage heathen who will die without honour and be forgotten.

I walked over to the knights.

“You two will not attack non-combatants, no matter their race. If they hold no weapon, they are to be left alone.”

I cast Shroudwalk, then headed for Deepcrag.

I passed a total of five sentries and two guard dogs.

The dogs knew something was nearby and started to growl. When their handlers saw nothing, they told the dogs to shut up, but the dogs ignored them. What would stupid two leggers know?

Torrential rain, and associated darkness, randomly came and went. However, the pause in the rain was always brief.

Opening the gates would be a giveaway, so I leapt over them.

I had a quick look around so I knew where most of the enemy were located.

I carefully made my way into a pit. The three bound hostages were inches away but did not hear a thing.

I summoned the squad and quickly knocked my bow, saying, “Stay calm and stay put. Legionnaires shall take you to safety soon. Do not move from this pit!”

We killed dozens of Orsinium’s Sons in three minutes of slaughter.

The Orsinium’s Sons champion was better than the rest but outclassed by me.

When only a couple of enemies remained in the main compound, I looked for a way to their leader.

My shortcut bypassed several Orsimer, whom my squad would eliminate as they hurried to join me.

The Orsinium’s Sons leader was also outclassed.

I discovered two women imprisoned inside the leader’s rooms. One was dead, and the other was shackled to the wall.

While undoing the shackles, I asked, “What is your name?”

“Denize. Denize Gueve.”

I lowered Denize to the floor.

Then I cast Grand Healing.

Celestine came running, and we helped Denize get to her feet.

“Denize, Knight Celestine is also a healer and will help you dress. Then we will discuss what happened here.”

We waited outside, and five minutes later, Celestine yelled, “Denize is dressed.”

We entered and I approached Denize.

• Denize: Why did it take you so long? Did you forget about us? The things they did….
• Wulf: I am sorry we were not here sooner.
• Denize: And what is that monster doing in Legion armour? Get away!
• Wulf: Knight Ghorbash just risked his life to save you. He is not an Orsinium’s Son.
• Celestine: Remember, Denize, I told you this is Sir Wulf Welkynd, The Dragonborn.
• Denize: The Orcs placed one of their evils inside me! I can feel it writhing around. You are both healers. Please, get it out! Please!
• Celestine: Even if raped several times, it is not a certainty you would fall pregnant, and it is too early to tell if you have.
• Denize: I cannot raise a damn Orc spawn! I would rather die than be placed with that burden.
• Sarah: I am Sarah, an Acolyte of Mother Mara. If you are pregnant, the potential child is innocent. If you believe in Mother Mara, pray to her for guidance. Ensure the assumed burden is not the only reason you would terminate the pregnancy.
• Celestine: Do not make a hasty decision you may regret later.
• Denize: None of you carry this demon inside. Why should I listen to you?

Denize ran outside.

I followed the troubled woman but stopped when I noticed a being watching Denize.

I used Zoom Vision to get a closer look.

Denize approached Captain Leomus and said, “Have mercy and strike me down, please. I cannot live like this. I-I cannot….”

“Lady, I shall escort you to Arnima’s temple. Seek guidance there.”

The being teleported.

As I approached Captain Leomus, Denize wandered off. Celestine was watching to make sure she did not go far.

• Leomus: We will make sure she does not do anything irrational. Some of my men are ready to escort the captives to Arnima. She can go with them.
• Wulf: Her name is Denize. Where are the knights?
• Leomus: They returned to Arnima after complaining there was no sport to be had. The knights helped fight the sentries, but they were not that impressive.
• Wulf: They find armed and experienced opponents harder to kill than defenceless civilians.
• Leomus: We only killed five remote sentries. Every other Orc was dead by the time we entered the compound.
• Wulf: Is this outpost to be rebuilt?
• Leomus: Yes, with the help of our eastern garrison. Honestly, I wish I was not here in the first place. The Reach is, quite frankly, hopeless.
• Wulf: The Reach spans a significant part of Markarth Hold in Skyrim. The Forsworn are a pest, but no Imperial Officer in Skyrim would declare The Reach as hopeless. His Imperial Majesty understands there are not enough Legionnaires in Evermore and will, at my recommendation, increase the number. That is if he does not have to send the two Legions on the border into Evermore to end the chaos. A chaos that I am trying to prevent.
• Leomus: I apologise. Moral is high amongst the Legionnaires, even with our challenges. We all have our low periods.
• Wulf: Why do you think the Orsinium’s Sons are doing this?
• Leomus: We have lost contact with many of our Orc consorts within the enclaves. Therefore, their motives are ultimately left to what we can infer. After we studied where and when they strike, the conclusion is that it does not seem to be a random savage streak. Instead, we think they are distracting us from something.
• Wulf: What makes you think that?
• Leomus: In every instance of combating these vandals, numerous refugees will go through The Reach’s crags. They are following a hidden route to somewhere unknown.
• Wulf: What have you done about it?
• Leomus: We have sent scouts to tail them but have been unable to find where the Orcs are going or who is organising them. We were foolish to underestimate the Orc’s cunning.
• Wulf: You disappoint me, Captain Leomus. First, you display a lack of faith in your mission here, and then you display ignorant racism.
• Ghorbash: They replaced me, who left because of the hatred towards Orsimer, with somebody who practices that hatred.
• Leomus: I am not a racist, Knight Ghorbash. If there is something I have missed, then enlighten me.
• Ghorbash: Are the Orsimer fleeing over the mountains known members of Orsinium’s Sons?
• Leomus: No. The scouts said they were mainly civilians, with a few armed Orcs acting as guards.
• Ghorbash: Every time Orsinium’s Sons commit an act of violence, such as overrunning Deepcrag and taking hostages, normal Orsimer, who are citizens of Evermore, find themselves targeted by bigots. All Orsimer are bad because the Orsinium’s Sons are bad.
• Wulf: The innocent Orsimer are fleeing because they are afraid. Many are only one or two generations distant from family who experienced pogroms. They leave their homes, businesses, and possessions, hoping to reach the new enclave.
• Ghorbash: Who built and who protects the new enclave, Captain?
• Leomus: I do not know
• Ghorbash: His Imperial Majesty had it built, and Legionnaires are protecting it.
• Wulf: Orsinium’s Sons are not trying to distract you so that sinister, unarmed civilians can enact some cunning plan. They are weakening our forces in Evermore and eroding confidence in The Empire. Who do you think may benefit from that cunning plan, Captain?
• Leomus: The Dominion. They have always tried to entice High Rock away from The Imperial Empire.
• Wulf: That is why Orsinium’s Sons are wasting lives by commandeering outposts such as Deepcrag, knowing they will be retaken.
• Ghorbash: Captain, you could have figured that out with more thought. Being racist takes no effort.
• Leomus: I unreservedly apologise, Your Excellency and Knight Ghorbash. I do not think badly of Orcs, but when you retake a place like this and witness the brutality enacted upon Legionnaires and civilians, you look for reasons to make sense of the unforgivable.
• Wulf: The dead Legionnaires and civilians are to be gathered and identified where possible. They will be taken to The Hall of the Dead and kept until relatives claim them. The elapsed time to allow such claims varies from city to city. Those not claimed are to be given individual burials and not dumped into a communal one. The Imperial Army will foot the bill. Is that clear, Captain Leomus?
• Leomus: Yes, Your Excellency.
• Wulf: I will order Commander Drugo to withdraw all scouts trying to follow the fleeing Orsimer. I have no doubt its location will eventually be found by those who would oppose its existence. We do not need our troops showing them the way.
• Leomus: After we return the hostages and Denize to Arnima, we shall do as you ordered.

I gathered the squad and teleported into The Procul Praesidium Reach’s courtyard.

• Wulf: I had better not see Saruman. I do not know if I could resist killing him.
• Celestine: No matter how angry you are, you will wait until you have evidence of Thalmor supporting Orsinium’s Sons before killing Saruman. That is the Wulf I know.
• Wulf: I saw a being watching Denize ask Leomus to kill her. When he said no, the figure teleported elsewhere.
• Celestine: Can you describe it?
• Wulf: It was transparent and androgynous. If it was a mortal, I could not tell if Man or Mer. Its eyes and mouth glowed red, and a pink miasma flowed around it, like the undead in front of Grey Belmor.
• Sarah: Why would it show interest in Denize?
• Wulf: I have no idea. It is another mystery that adds to the mess we are dealing with. However, my intuition, which I now understand was a gift, tells me I will learn who it is.
• Ghorbash: I was disappointed with Captain Leomus.
• Wulf: He has only been here briefly, so I doubt Evermore is the source of his racism. Leyawiin is very cosmopolitan and has a sizeable Orsimer population.
• Sarah: Perhaps his apology was genuine?
• Ghorbash: I hope so. I hate to think prejudice is seeping into The Imperial Army.

We entered the embassy and found Drugo at his desk.

• Drugo: Scouts have reported unbelievable accounts of you and your squad’s martial capabilities.
• Wulf: We are very efficient killing machines when the need arises. Most hostages were rescued, but not all. The savagery of Orsinium’s Sons rivals anything I have encountered in the past.
• Drugo: We suspect but need proof of who is behind their actions.
• Wulf: Keep me informed of any leads.
• Drugo: I will.
• Wulf: Commander Drugo, I order that the Orsimer civilians leaving Evermore not be followed. They are heading for a hidden enclave built at His Imperial Majety’s request and guarded by The Imperial Army. Many enemies of the Orsimer would like to know where the enclave is. We do not need to lead them there with unnecessary scouting.
• Drugo: As you order, Your Excellency.
• Wulf: Now, I intend to visit Arnima’s temple. It is about time we met more fake priests.

We teleported to the entrance of Arnima. It so dark, I used Night Vision.

One of the guards said, “I hope you stop what is happening in there, Your Excellency.”

“What is happening?”

“Skinner Ranney is putting on a show for the Orc haters by cutting up Arami. Sek and Mek say they caught her out east, but she was nabbed in Forlorn, where her apothecary used to be. I know because I saw her there an hour ago. She was once respected by the residents of Arnima and Forlorn because there are few alchemists around here except for the priests, whose prices are steep.”

“What is the real reason they are hurting her?”

“She is an Orc.”

“You are brave telling me this.”

“Not all of us are rotten.”

We entered Arnima and were confronted by barbarity.

Arami was shackled to a cross, and Skinner was cutting her repeatedly with a sword. He was an expert at what he did, and the girl would die from a thousand wounds as her blood pooled beneath her.

As we approached, Sek said, “Hey, do not hog the greenskin Skinner. Let others get a taste of grock blood.”

Some spectators drew blades.

I spun Skinner around and growled, “In the name of the Emperor, I order you to stop.”

Mortifayne’s knights knew their fun was over. They left before my anger focused on them.

Skinner asked, “Do you wanna have a go at the grock? It seems she still has a few pints left in her. But others want a turn, so ya best be quick.”

“Arani is not an Orsinium’s Son, but even if she was, this spectacle is illegal!”

“She must be a demon. I have cut her a hundred times, yet she does not scream.”

I used my Thu’um and said, “KNIGHTS OF THE ORDER OF THE DRAGON. IF A SPECTATOR STEPS TOWARDS ARAMI WITH WEAPON DRAWN, KILL THEM!”

The squad drew their weapons.

One of the crowd lunged at Arani with a dagger in his hand. Lydia promptly decapitated him.

The crowd stepped back, and a few people hastily sheathed daggers and swords.

A shaken Skinner whined, “My Lord said I can have some fun. It is only a stinking Orc, and this is payback for Deepcrag. Now go away.”

“I am Sir Wulf Welkynd, Envoy to Evermore on behalf of His Imperial Majesty, Emperor Titus Mede II. My noble status far exceeds Lord Mortifayne’s, and I command you to cease harming Arami.”

“Gods damn, they are still sending you traitors to poke around?”

“How can I be a traitor when my allegiance is to The Empire, not Lord Mortifayne?”

“I will be asking questions, and I will get answers. I will make sure you are what you claim. And if you are not, we will have another show here.”

“And who is going to arrest me? You? I doubt you have ever faced a person in combat. You are a snivelling coward who needs his opponents shackled before you face them.”

Skinner tensed. He was going to attack me and die.

I told him, “Skinner Ranney, drop your sword and move away. This warning is your last.”

Skinner attacked. I dodged his inept swing while drawing my sword. A second later, his head flew and hit the ground before his body realised it was dead and followed.

I used my Thu’um again and said, “YOU WHO WATCH AND HATE ARE A DISGRACE IN THE EYES OF THE DIVINES. YOU CALL ORSIMER AND WITCHMEN SAVAGES AND CANNOT SEE THE HYPOCRISY.”

I had used a fraction of my Thu’um’s strength. I did not hold back as I yelled, “GO HOME!”

I heard screams from the crowd and windows shattering. By the time the first echo arrived, most spectators had started running away.

We then attended to Arani.

Ghorbash undid the shackles as I supported Arani’s weight.

I helped her to the floor and then cast Grand Healing.

Sarah recovered Arani’s clothes from nearby, and all three ladies helped her dress.

I then spoke to her.

• Wulf: Arani, I am Sir Wulf Welkynd, Envoy to Evermore on behalf of His Imperial Majesty.
• Arani: I am not what they said, Lord. I was leaving the remnants of my apothecary in Forlorn and heading for the border when the knights grabbed me and dragged me here.
• Wulf: A witness said you were in Forlorn and nowhere near Orsinium’s Sons. The knights were with us at Deepcrag and had no time to reach the Orsinium’s Sons’ frontline in the east.
• Ghorbash: The knights were looking for sport and decided you were it.
• Arani: Orsinium’s Sons care nothing for other Orsimer. They know their actions reflect poorly on us all.
• Sarah: Why did you remain silent, Arani?
• Arani: I wanted to show I was stronger than them.
• Celestine: You have read Envoy Wulf’s journals, Knight Sarah. Another remarkable young woman did the same when Thalmor almost whipped her to death.
• Arani: I wept when reading that part.
• Wulf: I know of the place you were heading, Arani. My knights and I will take you to the border if you want.
• Arani: A group of Orsimer is waiting not far on the other side. If I can make it to the border, I can reach them. Then we shall go to that place and be safe for the first time in many months.
• Wulf: I can use magic to get you close to the border. We shall then accompany you the rest of the way.
• Ghorbash: You can trust Envoy Wulf, Arani.
• Arani: I have never met an Orsimer knight.
• Ghorbash: There have been quite a few throughout history.
• Wulf: There are families of noble Orsimer in Cyrodiil.
• Arani: Okay. I am ready.
• Wulf: You must put your hand on my shoulder, Arani. Then, we shall be in total darkness briefly before reappearing many miles from here.

Arani placed her hand on my shoulder, and I teleported us to the front of Mara’s Rest.

We escorted Arani to the border, and then I teleported us to the entrance of Arnima.

The guard who had spoken to me earlier was no longer there. Hopefully, he has finished his daily duties and not found trouble for speaking to us.

We entered Arnima and headed for The Temple of the Divine’s entrance. It was an impressive and expensive structure paid for by the enslaved labour of Evermore.

Upon entry, we saw that the emancipated corpse of Mados stood in the centre of the temple. Shrines but no statues occupied a small area at the rear.

Sarah said, “Remember, Wulf, we have to accept the oddities of Evermore’s faith.”

I replied, “Up to a point, Sarah, but this blasphemy cannot continue.”

As we approached the priest, my anger grew. My ability to be diplomatic was going to be severely tested.