Loredas, 17^th Morning Star, 4E 202

to Turdas, 20^th Morning Star, 4E 202

Rigmor knew I had to get the weeping out of the way and lent her support by silently watching me work through the raw emotions.

After a few minutes of crying, I brought those raw emotions under control.

I said, “It must have been hard, fighting knowing friends had fallen in battle.”

“Cries of disbelief, grief, anger and determination punctuated each one.”

“Can you give me a brief outline of what happened?”

“The platoon of Legionnaires and the Arnima guards were almost wiped out in the first three hours. A Legion scout reported to Commander Drugo, and the entire garrison made their way to the city. He set up a block of archers protected by pikemen. They proved effective but could not move quickly to trouble spots.”

“That has always been a good defensive strategy but cumbersome in a chaotic melee.”

“At first, civilians were determined to protect their homes and families. We ran from place to place, pleading with them to head indoors. This herding of civilians prevented us from concentrating on the Gorgons. Erandur fell when urging a couple to stop praying at the central statue of Lady Mara and head to the temple or other stone structure. One of the long-armed Daedra teleported behind Erandur and broke his neck with a single swipe. The couple he was talking to were killed seconds later. I witnessed his death, Wulf. All I could think while cutting the Daedra down was how much easier it was with the kai-katana than it would have been with a hand and a half or greatsword. For hours, I was Rigmor the Swordmaiden with emotions suppressed. My Dance of Death was equal to yours in efficiency and speed. It seems we share many things in common, including the ability to kill and make it look easy.”

“One day, we shall put our swords into a locked chest and never have to kill again.”

“Yes, we must believe that vision is obtainable.”

“What happened to Iona and Remiel?”

“Nobody saw them fall, Wulf. Remiel died with her crossbow in her hands and loaded. We think she was aiming at something and was surprised by a Gorgon skidding. That is a tactic we have seen dragons use, and I am surprised they did not wipe out Drugo’s square with it.”

“It makes them vulnerable to ground forces. You saw that they stood little chance against attacks on both flanks when they were on the ground.”

“We were told of Iona’s death by a College Mage. A mother and three children hid in their house when a Gorgon tore its roof off. Iona and the mage rushed into the house when they heard the terrified screams. The mage exited the house with a barrier erected. The mother and children followed close behind the mage. The house collapsed onto Iona, who was last in line to leave.”

“I only asked for the four Restoration Mages to assist.”

“One of them teleported to the College and reported what was happening. Tolfdir asked for volunteers to help defend Nirn. Two dozen Master Mages bolstered our ranks. Nearly all of them were Masters of Destruction, and they were frightening to behold. Gorgons started falling from the sky, covered in flames, ice, and electricity. Our mages never had the chance till later in the battle to form a cohesive battlegroup. When they did, no Gorgon lasted more than a minute. Still, the lesser Daedra did not lessen in numbers, and the fight continued.”

“Do we know the name of the Master Mage who was with Iona?”

“Nubaree, a young Argonian. She told Vayu what happened. He told me you know Nubaree.”

“Yes, I met her in Riften and advised her to enrol in the College. However, before leaving, she helped defend Riften against the dragons and then stayed to aid with the repairs. She was in The Bee and Barb when those idiot mercenaries wanted to remove your head.”

“Oh, I remember. So Nubaree went to the College after that.”

“Yes, and as I predicted, she was soon promoted to Master of Destruction.”

“You have lost friends in battle before.”

“We were always acting under the orders of our Grand Master. This outcome feels different. They died following my orders.”

“But they were not under your command, Wulf. You know that. You also know they decided to defend Arnima. Nobody forced them.”

“Our Quiet has helped me rationalise as you have done. Still, the hurt is great.”

“I think Iona had some sort of premonition and still fought.”

“She did seem a bit gloomy yesterday morning. How many of our friends were hurt?”

“All of us needed healing several times. Jo’rassa, Felix, Shiva, Seiko, and Gregor will take some time to recover. That is another reason our mages were less effective in bringing down Gorgons than the College mages. Our mages were running around healing us.”

“I cannot imagine fighting for thirteen hours against an endless stream of teleporting Daedra.”

“Did you learn anything more about Namira’s plans?”

“Yes, but let us not discuss that now.”

A familiar roar echoed.

I looked up at Mother’s statue, and Silah flew around it before landing and shuffling towards us.

• Silah: Iona, Remiel and Erandur were greeted by Lord Arkay and their deceased friends and family. They are now in the peace of Aetherius and at ease with their fate.
• Wulf: Aren’t you breaking the rules?
• Rigmor: Wulf told me that mentioning who has entered Aetherius is forbidden.
• Silah: Lord Akatosh gave me permission for what Valdr might regard as cold and selfish reasons.
• Wulf: They need me to recover and return to the fight.
• Silah: Yes.
• Wulf: It is not cold and selfish, Silah. I know who and what I am. I am more than a killing machine. I am their mortal champion and best weapon against the Daedric Princes.
• Silah: Has Saint Alessia spoken to you?
• Wulf: No.
• Silah: She must be concentrating on her battle with Molag Bal.
• Wulf: Her presence is here and therefore of comfort.
• Silah: Lord Talos suggests you and Rigmor spend a day or two in Aetherius. Let the love that permeates that realm aid in your mourning. He will leave you be unless you decide to speak to him.
• Wulf: I can slow time in my Aetherium Room so we will not delay our return to Evermore by more than a day. We must spend time mourning in Aurane with our friends. Father would find it difficult to comfort me on this issue, for despite his good soul, he became hardened to such losses.
• Rigmor: I spoke to Vayu. He will organise Erandur’s cremation. His urn and the caskets containing Renier and Iona will be transported to Aurane aboard Rava.
• Wulf: Come, Rigmor, let Our Quiet and the love in Aetherius aid us.
• Rigmor: Before you go, Silah, I must compliment you on your new body and colouring. I did not think you could be more beautiful, but you are.
• Wulf: And I never thought her arse could get bigger, but it did!
• Silah: Thank you, Rigmor. Get stuffed, Valdr!

Silah took to the air and flew toward The Throat of the World at tremendous speed.

We teleported into my Aetherius Room. Rigmor’s Lifeforce was protected by the dweomer Father placed on her Amulet of Talos.

We changed into kimonos, and I stared at Aetherius from different windows.

There is a beauty to the infinite. Even the lightless vista of The Void supports that proposition.

Rigmor and I spoke briefly before retiring, but I did not go into detail about Scuttling Void and Namira’s plans. They can wait.

We lay in bed and spoke of our friends. Rigmor did not know Remiel and Erandur as much as she knew Iona. When Iona, Lydia and Jordis met Rigmor at Angi’s camp, they became firm friends.

I was not plagued by guilt, just the sorrow of knowing I would miss those who died. All three deserved fuller lives than the restrictions of keeping my secrets and living in a commune.

I mourned many times in Akavir and will undoubtedly experience it again.

I know not what time I fell asleep. Not that it mattered where we were, for I had stopped time to a trickle.

When we arrived in Aurane, we joined with everybody else in a wake celebrating the three lives lost.

With Rigmor’s aid, I wrote letters to the families of the deceased outlining their courage and selfless actions. I hope my words sufficiently express how much the deceased were loved.

On the morning of the 19^th, Rigmor, Olette and I said our final farewells.

Iona will be interred in Riften’s Hall of the Dead.

Remiel will be interred in her family crypt in Wayrest.

Erandur will be interred in his family crypt in Morrowind.

Some people find it strange how much reverence we pay to the remains of the deceased when we know their souls are elsewhere. It is a form of respect for the vessel that served the deceased. Knowing where they are interred can provide a focal point when we want to talk to them, as with Olette’s visits to her mother’s grave.

It was time to get armed and armoured and return to Evermore.

• Olette: Promise me that you will not let anger get in the way of sound judgment.
• Wulf: I have told you I will not do that.
• Olette: A promise might add extra protection because I know you will be angry.
• Rigmor: As per usual, Olette is correct. You may hesitate before acting on impulse if that would break a promise.
• Wulf: I, Valdr Septim, promise not to cut somebody’s head off or gut them simply because I am angry.
• Olette: That leaves earned decapitation and evisceration options open to you.
• Wulf: Yep. If good judgment says slice and dice, I shall do so. My Dovah half urging, ‘Kill the bastard!’ will not be the trigger of the killing.
• Rigmor: Could you control your anger, Olette? You saw what men like King Sigmayne did to children when living on the streets.
• Olette: I would probably castrate him first, then stab him in the heart if he has one. Oh my, they are not the words of a timid young noblewoman!
• Rigmor: They are the words of a young noblewoman who gives a stuff.
• Wulf: Babette, the vampire stuck in a pre-pubescent body, spent hundreds of years hunting such men and never had difficulty finding them.
• Olette: However, lots of children go missing in Evermore, and nothing seems to have been done about it.
• Wulf: Yep.
• Olette: I was told that Evermore became much wealthier after Redguard Corsairs defeated Wayrest. Is there a connection?
• Wulf: I am suspicious of the source of Evermore’s wealth but am reluctant to air conjecture.
• Olette: I know. Speculation is not proof.
• Wulf: The timing of your question suggests you have the same suspicion.
• Rigmor: Would somebody like to speculate in the open so I do not feel stupid?
• Olette: Logic, Rigmor. We were discussing adults who like to molest children.
• Wulf: As well as the fact that children go missing in Evermore without any effort to stop the problem?
• Rigmor: Oh…do you think the missing children are the source of Evermore’s wealth?
• Wulf: Business and other alliances for access to children. Do what you want, including murder. Just do not tell anybody.
• Rigmor: So, the corruption might extend beyond Evermore’s borders.
• Wulf: Yes, and as we discussed the other night, I think that is what Lady Mara is concerned about. The moral decay of Evermore is the canker she fears spreading.
• Olette: I miss having the young orphans here, Cap’n. I would play with them and pretend I knew nothing about the reality of this world. I could still see everything through their eyes for a while.
• Rigmor: Even after the trauma some of them experienced, they would revert to childhood naivety.
• Olette: I had to live with reality longer than they did. It erased the naivety.
• Wulf: We shall find the guilty and bring them to justice, Olette. For many, justice will be public humiliation at a trial and a sentence delivered by a headsman or hangman.
• Olette: Does the axe have to be sharp, or does the drop have to be long?
• Rigmor: Woah! Remind never to get on the wrong side of Olette!
• Wulf: Okay, tin can time.

I tried to ruffle Olette’s hair, but she knew the attempt was forthcoming. She quickly dodged and raspberried as she ran away.

My squad was Celestine, Rigmor, Lydia and Sarah.

We teleported to the Mark that I left near Rados’ smithy.

There was no sign Rados had returned. Rigmor said the reluctant hero seemed disturbed by what he saw and experienced. I hope he can put it behind him and return to smithing.

We made our way to the back entrance of the city and entered.

Since returning from Scuttling Void, my eyes have been light-sensitive. I found the glare in Evermore’s streets to be severe.

I noticed the spirit of a young girl and approached her.

She said, “Please, stop them. Then I can be with Mummy and Daddy.”

I replied, “I will try, little one.”

As she said, “Good…” she faded away.

We came upon a conversation between a guard and a noble.

• Noble: Is there ever a smile among the guard? The gloom of The Reach is behind you. Live it up and enjoy Evermore!
• Guard: I just cannot get used to it. Evermore has become so wealthy! If you had seen this city some twenty years ago, you would have thought that a Dragon Break must have occurred.
• Noble: You worry too much.
• Guard: It is not natural to change so suddenly. Where did all the wealth come from? Why is The Reach so distinct? It is like an ever-pervading squalor that you can never erase.
• Noble: Forty feet of stone separates us from that despairing land. Force the world’s woes from your mind and relax. Besides, this disparity cannot be contended. We are privileged by birthright!
• Guard: So says somebody who has never worked for his supper.
• Noble: We have been chosen by The Nine. They would not bless us with such pleasures otherwise! Those born beyond Mara’s gaze will never feel her radiant warmth. Who are we to argue against our most benign mother?
• Guard: What about the unfortunates in the rest of this kingdom?
• Noble: If we are being honest, the city can do without their stench.
• Guard: Watch it! A whole slew of misfortune brought down good people out there.
• Noble: This is a just world. No one would suffer if they did not deserve it.

I was going to give the noble a verbal lashing, but Rigmor whispered, “Leave him to me.”

As the guard stomped away in disgust, Rigmor stood before the noble and asked, “What is your name?”

“Why should I answer? Who are you?”

“I am Divine Knight Eisra. I asked the question on behalf of His Excellency Sir Wulf Welkynd, His Imperial Majesty’s Envoy to Evermore, Champion of The Divines and Dragonborn. He has not asked it directly because you offend him, and if he got closer, he might be tempted to carve you in two.”

Rigmor looked my way, and so did the noble. I drew my sword and pretended to examine its edge by staring down the blade. It was a coincidence that it pointed at the noble, and I smiled at him. He gulped and answered, “I am Floyon Brutence.”

“What is Lord Stendarr’s Command, Floyon?”

“What do you mean?”

“Surely, since you seem to be an expert on what our gods do and think, you know The Ten Commands of the Nine Divines?”

“Ahh…”

“So, what is Lord Stendarr’s Command?”

“Well…um…”

“Lord Stendarr says, ‘Be kind and generous to the people of Tamriel. Protect the weak, heal the sick, and give to the needy.’”

“Oh…”

“He does not say, ‘Sit on your arse and falsely claim The Divines chose you while ignoring the plight of your fellow citizens.’”

I did sword forms with my katana, making sure it emitted whooshing sounds and then sheathed it.

Floyon gulped and then stammered, “But I am nobly born. I am different than others!”

“Lady Mara has not declared you or the citizens of this city special. Her gaze fell upon this kingdom, and she wept at its injustices. So, she asked His Excellency to visit and help as best he could. He has found selfish people like you who enjoy unearned privileges and do nothing to help others. Lady Mara did not choose you. You are a parasite enjoying a life paid for by the toil, blood and sweat of others. So, on behalf of His Excellency and Lady Mara, I declare you a useless piece of trash. Thank you for your time.”

Floyon stood and rapidly walked away. When he looked back, I took a step towards him. He started running, and we laughed.

A Khajiiti bard clapped and yelled, “Bravo, well said, Divine Knight Eisra! This one can make a splendid tune from your words.”

I approached the Khajiiti.

“I have not seen many Khajiiti walk the streets of any place in Evermore.”

“Ahh…this one is Marzig and a trader of rare commodities. Therefore, Khajiit is tolerated, yes?”

“What rare commodities, Marzig?”

“Does the Envoy think this one is selling Moon Sugar?”

“I do not jump to conclusions. That is why I have asked.”

“This one has friends who advised Marzig that an ally of Khajiiti, The Dragonborn, suggested cocoa and related products would have a market in Skyrim and other provinces. So, this one introduced chocolate to the wealthy of Evermore City and taught several eager students how to make it. The treats are in great demand, and Khajiit obtained exclusive import rights to the needed ingredients. So, this one can sing, dance, and make fun of nobles without fear of retribution.”

“We have recently made our first batch of chocolates. They are as addictive as Skooma, with the only side effect being a bulging belly.”

“This one feels guilty that the wealthy indulge in chocolates but the poor of Evermore starve. However, the profits will aid the liberation of Elsweyr, and Khajiit gives a good portion to the needy outside of these walls.”

“The people of Evermore would welcome those who follow the Moonpaths. The traders of this kingdom seem determined to import luxuries instead of necessities. However, many changes must be made before such free trade is possible.”

“This one looks forward to that great day. Many good people in Evermore deserve an easier life. May this one ask if you know of the dragon who visited yesterday?”

“Yes. That was Nahfahlaar.”

“The dragon friend who aided my people?”

“Yes, and he is very fond of his Khajiiti friends and proud of how they defended your homeland.”

“This one was not frightened as Nahfahlaar did not come breathing fire or roaring. However, many guards and citizens had to change their undergarments after a dragon flew through their barrier like it was not there.”

“Nahfahlaar would have gone ethereal for a brief second. The barrier only exists in Mundus.”

“Nahfahlaar hovered over the palace and, Khajiit does not know the polite words for his actions, shit on its roof.”

“People dressed as pilgrims were taking young girls to a griffon, believing Mother Cat wanted them to do so. The griffon was eating the children. So, Nahfahlaar ate the griffon.”

“This one hears stories and, like many, has seen the spirits of forgotten kittens. How can one believe Mother Cat would want such a terrible thing?”

“The teachings of the Priest Circle in Evermore are blasphemous and have little to do with proper worship of The Nine. They are designed to create a caste system where nobles like Floyon can exist without contribution to society.”

“This one has also heard rumours of an Oblivion Gate in Arnima.”

“That was two days ago, and we lost friends defending the city. Mother Cat sent me to Evermore to investigate the evil and troubles permeating this kingdom. I entered Namira’s realm and learnt much about her plans. But I do not think she is the only Daedric Prince with her claws in Evermore. I hope we meet again. Mother Cat’s blessings, Bard Marzig.”

“May you walk on warm sands, Sir Wulf.”

We continued toward the palace and temple.

Rigmor asked, “How diplomatic are you going to be?”

“Diplomatic? What is that?”

“Ooh, this could be fun!”

When we entered the temple, my blood boiled to see pilgrims dressed the same as Garth. Sarah whispered, “The old fart in the armour is the Arch-Bishop. He has face tattoos of Reachmen design, but I doubt there is any Reachmen blood in his bloated body.”

The Arch-Bishop approached, and I waved him away. I said, “I shall talk to you shortly, Berlf. I must check something first.”

He was going to reply, but my glare told him that was not wise.

Akatosh’s shrine was front and centre. It was not active.

The other eight shrines were upstairs. None were active. I was surprised to see Father’s shrine not locked in a cupboard.

We then confronted the Arch-Bishop.

• Rigmor: Berlf Acnis, you are in the presence of Sir Wulf Welkynd, Dragonborn, Champion of the Divines and Envoy to Evermore on behalf of His Imperial Majesty, Emperor Titus Mede II.
• Berlf: Young lady, my title is Arch-Bishop.
• Rigmor: And my title is Divine Knight Eisra. Unlike you, it is an accurate title, and my noble status is confirmed.
• Wulf: I wish to speak to you about Arnima and how the fake priests and blasphemous Priest Circle failed the good people of Evermore.
• Berlf: That is a grave accusation, Sir, and I deny it.
• Rigmor: You will address Sir Wulf as Your Excellency.
• Wulf: I will address you as Berlf because your title is false and not recognised by any religious order in Tamriel. It is another fabrication designed to instil a sense of inferiority in laypeople.
• Berlf: My title had been in existence for centuries!
• Rigmor: Are there any other bishops in Evermore?
• Berlf: No.
• Rigmor: Are there bishops elsewhere?
• Berlf: No.
• Rigmor: Then, as His Excellency said, it is a false title, and I will add that it is a bit silly since no other bishops exist.
• Wulf: Your Priest Circle has deliberately lied about Evermore’s history and the teachings of The Nine. The Divines do not select Evermore’s nobles, and they are not royalty. Priests are not of a higher caste. The Divines do not control the weather and do not punish mortals with natural disasters. Leaving offerings to The Divines does not make them look more favourably upon the giver. Offerings are frowned upon and discouraged by real priests. The false ones in Evermore sell the offerings and pocket the profits. Serfdom is not the natural order as designed by The Nine. I could list the falsehoods infinitum, but we must continue Lady Mara’s work and save the people of Evermore from the evil you have gestated with your blasphemy!
• Rigmor: You told King Sigmayne that the Priest Circle discovered the connection between Lord Mortifayne and Lady Namira.
• Wulf: The truth is, I discovered the connection a day after arriving in Evermore. You and your false priests did no investigation at all, even though Lord Mortifayne has been killing and torturing his citizens for decades.
• Berlf: But…
• Wulf: I am not interested in any denials from your lying mouth. The shrines in this temple are not activated. That is because you are not a real priest. Tell me, Berlf, are you a trained warrior?
• Berlf: No.
• Wulf: Then why do you wear armour? What has it got to do with teaching The Ten Commands of the Nine Divines? Bah, do not bother answering. Do you want a chance to provide service to Evermore’s people?
• Berlf: Yes.
• Rigmor: Matthew said that then proved to be a cowardly liar.
• Wulf: We shall give Berlf a chance. Sometimes, when people realise it is their last chance for redemption, they can be truthful.
• Rigmor: I bow to Your Excellency’s superior, hopefully not naïve, optimism.
• Wulf: Berlf, we know Lady Namira’s plot, but that information is for those we trust. However, we do not think she is the only Daedric Prince taking advantage of the moral decay in Evermore that you have presided over. So, we will investigate other things that have come to our attention. We know a Necromancer coven has been active within Evermore. We were told you may have further information on their whereabouts.
• Berlf: Is The Divide yet to deal with that matter? What happened to the mercenaries they hired?
• Wulf: I know nothing of any mercenaries. On our first day in Evermore, we killed a Necromancer who had transformed the citizens of Sabbat into a new form of undead. From his diary, we learned about the coven.
• Berlf: The Divide’s Priest, Fenig, made us aware that their devious ilk has made themselves our neighbours.
• Wulf: Necromancers plague the entirety of Tamriel. Do you know where this coven might be?
• Berlf: Fenig said they were right under our noses. However, a correction had to be made with further inspection, for they exist above.
• Wulf: Divine Knight Eisra, did I ask the question in a foreign language?
• Rigmor: No, Your Excellency. I am sure Berlf will eventually provide an answer.
• Berlf: They occupy the frozen rubble heap of Spinster’s Peak.
• Wulf: That fort changed hands several times when many more kingdoms fought to rule High Rock. It is marked on my map.
• Berlf: I advise great caution on your expedition. Necromancers are the most dangerous foe, and audacious displays will be your undoing.
• Wulf: Did you hear that, Divine Knight Lydia? Necromancers are more dangerous than Alduin!
• Lydia: Oh, my! It took us over an hour to defeat The World Eater in battle.
• Celestine: Didn’t you fight Lady Namira’s champion in Scuttling Void two days ago?
• Wulf: A weakling compared to Necromancers, according to Berlf.
• Rigmor: When you defeated Hermaeus Mora’s minions in Apocrypha, you were fortunate he did not send a Necromancer to kill you!
• Celestine: Imagine that. The Arch-Mage of The College of Winterhold almost died of excessive audacity but was saved by a fake priest’s advice.
• Lydia: Anybody would think the Champion of the Divines would know a thing or two about Necromancers.
• Rigmor: I wonder how His Excellency has managed to kill hundreds of Necromancers in the past?
• Wulf: It must have been pure luck. Thank you, Berlf, for that valuable advice. Is there anything else you would like to teach me? How to suck eggs, perhaps?
• Berlf: Is sarcasm part of the skills required of His Imperial Majesty’s Envoy?
• Wulf: No, but I needed it. I got upset when I lost good friends while fighting the Daedra invading Arnima. When I remembered the invasion only happened because of the blasphemous, lying Priest Circle, I felt homicidal. A bit of humour helped prevent me from killing you.
• Rigmor: You promised your daughter you would not randomly lop off heads.
• Wulf: She never lets me have fun anymore. I might run away from home!

I barged past the slime and exited into the fresh air.

• Celestine: How did that feel?
• Wulf: Cutting the crap is so much more fun than diplomacy.
• Lydia: Was that another of Wulf’s weird colloquialisms, Rigmor?
• Rigmor: I think I have heard him use it before. It likely originated within that tiny island of inbreds near Roscrea.
• Sarah: Are we treating the child rapist with equal contempt?
• Wulf: I shall play the fool before sticking the knives in.
• Sarah: Oh, goody!
• Wulf: That was metaphorical. There is to be no eviscerating. You promised.
• Rigmor: Could you see her hands? Sarah may have had her fingers crossed.
• Lydia: And everybody knows that crossed fingers nullify a promise.
• Wulf: I will invite Sarah to Sigmayne’s appointment with the executioner to compensate for good behaviour.
• Sarah: Can we have a picnic?
• Wulf: Yes, but if it is a beheading, we shall be careful where we sit, as arterial spray can reach quite a distance.
• Sarah: Okay, until then, he remains alive.
• Rigmor: I know just the thing for the picnic.
• Wulf: I will regret this. What, my beloved, would be suitable for the picnic?
• Rigmor: I recommend diced sausages.

I groaned. The ladies laughed.

As we approached the palace entrance, three guards drew their swords. I could not be bothered discussing their idiotic lack of protocol and rampant paranoia.

One guard said, “Halt. Who seeks entry and why?”

Rigmor, in her perfect stick-up-the-bum snobby accent, replied, “Sir Wulf Welkynd, Envoy to Evermore on behalf of His Imperial Majesty, is here to speak to King Sigmayne. I suggest you sheath your toothpicks and stand aside, or we will carve our way to the door.”

The guards quickly sheathed their swords and stood to the sides as we passed.

We entered, and Rigmor whispered, “Why aren’t the carpets straight? I could not sit on my throne for more than five minutes with wonky carpets in front of me!”

I replied, “I would have servants whose only job is to ensure the carpets are straight.”

“What about paintings hanging at an angle and vases not centred on tables?”

“I would have vase and painting adjusting servants as well!”

I smiled at my beloved, and she smiled back, which made the world brighter.

Rigmor advised, “Protocol says we stop about fifteen feet before the steps leading to the throne and wait to be announced.”

We made our way there. On our left was a statue of Lady Mara. On our right was the familiar statue of my father, crow’s feet included.

We listened to Sigmayne’s conversation with Kegor Riren, his advisor and steward. Most senior royals have two people to fulfil those roles. We discussed this anomaly and concluded that Sigmayne has one person to aid subterfuge. Kegor would often be absent from the throne room. That is convenient for somebody with things to hide. Sarah said Kegor has a reputation for fairness, and we can probably trust him.

• Kegor: Your Majesty, we have seen the Orcs procuring more weapons from an unknown supplier. The Orsinium’s Sons would not be this powerful without some external help.
• Sigmayne: And who, Kegor, do you suspect this illusive group is? Do you have any hard leads rather than theory?
• Kegor: Forgive me, but simple logic dictates that such a ragtag militia of Orcs cannot resupply and arm themselves this fast without help. Every time they sustain massive losses, they seemingly come back with a force sporting even more numbers and weapons than before.
• Sigmayne: Those damn Orcs…Ahem, beg my pardon. I should not air my grievances for all to hear. Well, keep to your investigation. And Kegor, whatever details you find, make sure to voice them with Sir Horustair, as I currently have other matters to deal with.
• Kegor: I will. Thank you for hearing me. I will have my leave and return to this case. Hopefully, I can find someone else to help as well.

Kegor walked towards us and stopped with a very unwelcoming look.

• Wulf: Advisor Kegor, would you like our assistance investigating the Orsimer?
• Kegor: Listening in on the King’s affairs is considered treason. Lucky for you, I am not the King. So I can let it slide.
• Rigmor: Lucky for you, Envoy Wulf did not introduce himself before speaking. So perhaps he will be generous and ignore your impertinence.
• Celestine: We are the prescribed distance from the throne as protocol demands.
• Sarah: Protocol does not require visitors to stand with their fingers in their ears while waiting for an audience.
• Lydia: We are not citizens of Evermore. Therefore, we cannot be guilty of treason.
• Celestine: Our oath and loyalty are to His Imperial Majesty, not some minor king!
• Rigmor: Advisor Kegor, this is Sir Wulf Welkynd, Envoy to Evermore on behalf of His Imperial Majesty. When you speak to His Excellency, you speak to Emperor Titus Mede II. Be mindful of that from now on.
• Kegor: My apologies, but I am not one for protocol. I do need help with a particular task.
• Wulf: You need somebody to spy on the Orsimer and gather evidence of collusion with a third party.
• Kegor: If collusion means somebody is helping them re-arm, then yeah, that is what I need.
• Wulf: Do you know where we should start our investigation?
• Kegor: We had a tip from one of our scouts. The Orcs congregating around the old Direnni ruins of Umbasir are running low on gear and food.
• Wulf: Umbasir is marked on my map. We will investigate for you.
• Kegor: Whoever supplies the Orcs has not joined the fray for selfless reasons. They are enacting their motives through the Orcs. And we are not sure why.
• Wulf: It is obvious who the third party is and their motivation. But let us gather the evidence before I lop off heads, shall we?
• Kegor: Can you investigate Umbasir without being seen?
• Rigmor: Envoy Wulf is a Master Mage. He could cast a spell and stand in the middle of a thousand Orsimer, and they would not know he was there.
• Wulf: Or I could use The Voice and a Shout to go ethereal as another way of remaining undetected.
• Kegor: The Voice? Are you The Dragonborn?
• Sarah: His Excellency has been in Evermore for a week, and the advisor to King Sigmayne did not realise who he was. It is a wonder disgruntled rats have not overrun this kingdom.
• Lydia: They might be planning an attack soon, judging by the numbers I have seen.
• Kegor: I was informed somebody matching your description routed the Redguards near The Bog.
• Lydia: It seems demonstrations of efficient violence are the only way to earn respect in Evermore. So, we wiped out the corsairs without Jackos or his crew getting their swords bloodied.
• Kegor: Jackos, huh? I have not spoken to that wily dog for a while. The report of that action must be among my letters. Thanks for reminding me of my mounting paperwork.
• Wulf: I would be concerned if my advisor did not read a report delivered almost a week ago.
• Kegor: If what you say is true and those Redguards are gone…
• Rigmor: Kegor, we can accept a lack of protocol, but if you question our integrity once more, we will have a severe problem.
• Lydia: The Redguards are gone!
• Kegor: Okay… once again, no offence meant. That means we can commence the next stage and eliminate them for good.
• Wulf: I doubt the Redguard Corsair problem will be so easily eradicated. Not when this kingdom’s idiocy handed them Wayrest. Think of the corsairs as the navy of a powerful neighbour rather than a bunch of pirates. That way, the absurdity of your statement will be abundantly clear.
• Rigmor: Advisor Kegor, cut the rhetoric and tell us what needs doing.
• Kegor: There are scouting posts up the river to guide whatever red ships come sailing our way. We would have dealt with them already if it had not been for the hazards such confines bring. Any skirmish could quickly flip to slaughter in a heartbeat.
• Rigmor: We would not expect Evermorin soldiers to handle such a dangerous task. They might split a hair or crack a fingernail. Maybe even get a splinter! I shudder at the thought.
• Lydia: Many Legionnaires fought beside us in the defence of Arnima against the Daedric army.
• Sarah: A decent-sized force of Evermorin soldiers was brave enough to accompany Governor Merosa on her traitorous ride to Arnima. However, most of them ran away when the nasty Daedra attacked.
• Wulf: This small band before you will accomplish the task faster than any of your pretend soldiers could.
• Kegor: Oh, ah, it is apparent that you have got a mind for strategy. Since our scouts are hawking other targets, you may need to undergo this without their assistance.
• Wulf: Do I know strategy, or am I an expert in tactics? I get confused between the two.
• Lydia: Your Excellency is an expert in both, as proven when leading armies into battle and small squads when doing trivial tasks such as this.
• Rigmor: Your strategy and tactics defeated Ulfric Stormcloak, the dragons and The New Order.
• Wulf: Splendid! I do amaze myself sometimes.
• Rigmor: His Excellency told you we can do this faster without pretend soldiers. So scouts, if available, would be superfluous, Advisor Kegor.
• Wulf: That is a wonderful word.
• Lydia: Your Excellency has always thought superfluous is super.
• Kegor: If you hand me your map, I will mark the known locations of the three outposts. Burn whatever equipment may exist, and you have my permission to pacify any hostile threat in any way you see fit.
• Wulf: Divine Knight Lydia, do we need permission to pacify any hostile threat in any way we see fit?
• Lydia: No, and I am sure Advisor Kegor was not implying he was permitting us.
• Rigmor: Your Excellency, we must be tolerant of the backward ways of these tiny kingdoms. This one is yet to discover soap.
• Celestine: Your Excellency, may I suggest Fireballs? We can roast the corsairs and their equipment simultaneously.
• Wulf: Maybe, but meteors are much more fun and spectacular.
• Lydia: Do not use dragons, as there would be nothing left for us to inspect, and they get all the fun.
• Wulf: We might use various slaughter methods to relieve the boredom.

Kegor stared at us with his mouth open.

I handed Rigmor my map, and she waved her hands before Kegor.

• Rigmor: Ahem, Nirn to Advisor Kegor, are you in there? Are your hands clean?
• Kegor: Ahh…why do you ask?
• Rigmor: I will not pass His Excellency’s map to you if it is to be made grotty!
• Kegor: It looks bloodstained as it is.
• Rigmor: His Excellency kills lots of people, and it is hard to avoid all that blood.
• Wulf: Divine Knight Eisra, you can wipe the map down before I touch it.
• Rigmor: Of course, Your Excellency.

Rigmor handed Kegor the bloodstained map, and he marked the locations of the three scouting posts. He then handed it back to Rigmor, who held it up to the light and made a show of wetting her fingers and rubbing at an imaginary smudge. Then she returned it to my map case.

• Wulf: Are we finished here? I must speak to King Sigmayne.
• Rigmor: Yes, we are. Advisor Kegor, you are dismissed.
• Kegor: Shouldn’t I announce you to the king?
• Wulf: I think I can remember my name! And if I do not, one of the others will.
• Lydia: You can do it if you try, Your Excellency. We have faith in you.

Kegor left in a hurry and did not look back.

I had no intention of introducing myself. Rigmor stopped at the required distance that protocol demands. She stood to Sigmayne’s left and turned slightly towards him. It would be scandalous if she were to turn her back on the higher noble. Sigmayne looked between me and my beloved with arms crossed. His arrogance would soon be removed.

In her best upper-class voice, Rigmor said, “King Sigmayne, I have the honour to introduce Sir Wulf Welkynd, Thane of Eastmarch, Falkreath, Haafingar, Hjaalmarch, The Pale, The Reach, The Rift, Whiterun and Winterhold. His Excellency is Dragonborn, Champion of The Divines, Champion of Cyrodiil, Hero of Solitude, Arch-Mage of The College of Winterhold and Grand Marshall of The Order of the Dragon. He has many other titles and is in Evermore as Envoy on behalf of His Imperial Majesty and Lady Mara.”

I stepped up and stood a few feet in front of Sigmayne. He had to bend his head considerably to look me in the face.

• Rigmor: Your Excellency, this is King Sigmayne Antieve of the Kingdom of Evermore.
• Wulf: Are you positive this is him? He does not look very kingly, so it could be one of his valets.
• Rigmor: It is him, Your Excellency. Remember your archery practice yesterday?
• Wulf: Let me look…yes, you are right. I just imagined big holes in his head, and what do you know, instant recognition!
• Rigmor: I think he is a bit taken aback by all your titles.
• Wulf: Divine Knight Eisra, you forgot to mention I won the annual Riften Sweet-Roll Consumption Trial three years running!
• Sigmayne: Must I remind you that before royalty, one must bow?
• Wulf: I bow to my superiors who, at this point, numbers only one other, that being His Imperial Majesty. Are you so ignorant of noble ranks?
• Rigmor: Forgive him, Your Excellency. I doubt anybody of your rank has visited this kingdom since Sigmayne first sat on that rather dull throne of his.
• Sigmayne: Our Arch-Bishop informed me that your actions and those of your cohorts halted the advance of a powerful Daedric entity intent on invasion.
• Wulf: What did he say about Daedra? It sounds like he has a plum in his mouth and had his balls cut off.
• Rigmor: He called Namira a powerful Daedric entity.
• Wulf: That is like calling a tornado a bit windy.
• Rigmor: Your wit is excellent as usual, Your Excellency.
• Wulf: Is it okay if I call you Siggy?

We waited three seconds. Sigmayne looked like a fish gasping for air.

• Rigmor: Siggy seems okay with that convenient truncation, Your Excellency.
• Wulf: Siggy, let me put this in terms you may be able to understand. We closed a fucking Oblivion Gate and prevented the slaughter of everybody in Evermore!
• Sarah: We fought for thirteen hours while His Excellency traversed Scuttling Void and killed The False King.
• Celestine: Three of our fellow knights died along with dozens of Legionnaires, guards, and a smattering of Evermorin troops. Most of your soldiers ran away.
• Lydia: We killed hundreds of Namira’s minions that would have been knocking on your door by now.
• Wulf: In short, you owe us your life and kingdom. There is no need to thank us.
• Sigmayne: When such an event occurs, it calls for an even rarer opportunity to award a knighthood. Although your shoulders have already carried the burden of an entire city, I am sure they can also carry the unparalleled importance of being a knight.
• Wulf: Did Siggy say being a knight is more important than being Champion of The Divines?
• Lydia: Siggy said being a knight is unparalleled in importance. That absurdity implies none of your titles is as important as being a knight.
• Wulf: Poppycock!
• Rigmor: Balderdash!
• Celestine: Codswallop!
• Lydia: Hogwash!
• Wulf: Tell me, Siggy, would this knighthood involve an oath?
• Sigmayne: Of course.
• Wulf: Recite the oath.
• Sigmayne: Pardon?
• Wulf: Divine Knight Eisra, am I speaking too quickly for this local?
• Rigmor: No, Your Excellency, but I do not know if all his sheep are in the paddock.
• Wulf: Oh, I had an aunty like that. She thought she could fly and launched herself into the air with a trebuchet. She was doing quite well till the castle wall got in the way. Very messy!
• Rigmor: Perhaps Your Excellency might want to try again?
• Wulf: Siggy…recite…the…knight’s…oath.
• Sigmayne: Is that necessary?
• Lydia: It was not a request and in no way negotiable.
• Sigmayne: Thousands of men would murder for a chance of knighthood without enduring decades of work as my guard, yet you seem content to mock it!
• Wulf: Recite the oath. I will not ask again!

Sigmayne cleared his throat and said,

• “Revere The Nine and maintain their temples.
• Serve the King in valour and faith.
• Protect the weak and defenceless.
• Give succour to widows and orphans.
• Obey those placed in authority.
• Guard the honour of fellow knights.
• Never refuse a challenge from an equal.
• Never turn your back upon a foe.
• Eschew barbarity, malevolence, and disorder.
• Above all, keep the faith.”

Playtime was over. My mood changed and Sigmayne looked nervous.

• Wulf: Does knighthood place the individual above others?
• Sigmayne: Peasants are forced to respect a knight. Nobility accepts them as equals.
• Wulf: Did you knight Sek and Mek?
• Sigmayne: Yes. They are fine warriors and have done many good deeds for the kingdom.
• Wulf: Good deeds like murdering unarmed civilians at Munstor, keeping silent about Lord Mortifayne’s connection to Lady Namira and terrorising the citizens of Arnima for years. Perhaps you refer to them bringing young girls for you to abuse.
• Sigmayne: Do not cast aspersions at our knights!
• Wulf: I killed Sek and would have killed Mek. Unfortunately, according to one of my knights, Lord Mortifayne’s chef killed him, butchered him, and ate him before I could exact just punishment. I do not care about rank or false oaths. Any lawbreaker will be punished by me legally and without mercy. The lucky ones will live a bit longer as they await trial. Others will find their heads rolling within seconds of my judgement, as happened to Governor Merosa.
• Sigmayne: Oh…
• Wulf: Tell me, Sigmayne, what did you think of Governor Merosa?
• Sigmayne: She was undeservedly burdened with what she governed. But she took it in her stride. It was a shame she could not overcome her antipathy with Mortifayne. I remember her days within these walls and how my father mentored her to become the leader she was destined to be. Fortunately, I have inherited my father’s love for the young and want to nurture them for a prospective future.
• Wulf: No wonder Merosa turned into a crabby old spinster. Molestation does terrible things to a child.
• Rigmor: ‘Come here, little girl. Undo my fly, then sit on my lap as it is time for more nurturing.’
• Lydia: That does not excuse her oath-breaking, Your Excellency.
• Wulf: No, it does not.
• Sigmayne: What are you implying?
• Wulf: Not implying, Sigmayne, but stating facts. Your father was a child molester and must have been so proud you followed in his footsteps. You went to war because a father jailed you for trying to rape his nine-year-old daughter.
• Sigmayne: He jailed me and held me for ransom because I offered to marry his brat.
• Wulf: Divine Knight Sarah, tell Sigmayne your previous name and title.
• Sarah: I was Princess Ardine Severine Bacqure, daughter of King Barynia Bacqure of Wayrest.

Sigmayne stared at Sarah. He recognised her, gasped and paled. A realisation struck that any further denial was useless.

• Wulf: Sigmayne, King Barynia would have been within his rights to gut you for what you did to his daughter. Instead, he complied with Imperial Law and held you for trial. Your war of revenge weakened Wayrest. Sarah, her mother, and sisters were forced into exile. Sarah blames you for the loss of her home and her father’s death. I am sure an Imperial Court would find her testimony truthful when backed by other evidence I shall gather.
• Sigmayne: Search all you want. There is no evidence!
• Wulf: Several Imperial Legions sit on your border waiting on my word. It would take seconds, even from here, for them to receive my order and swarm across that border. However, thousands of troops tend to mess up crime scenes, so I would prefer to finish my investigation first.
• Rigmor: His Excellency discovered Lord Mortifayne’s connection with Lady Namira. He did so by sneaking around that paranoid madman’s residence undetected. He unlocked doors and found secrets hidden for decades. He has done the same in far more secure places than this palace, including the Thalmor Embassy in Skyrim.
• Lydia: You would be a fool to believe you can hide things from The Dragonborn.
• Wulf: What will happen to The Divide now?
• Sigmayne: A transient council has been assembled to ensure order there. You may have met them. Fenig, Entemon and Helga. We are deliberating on Merosa’s replacement. No people should be without a shepherd for long.
• Wulf: You see, Sigmayne, that is where you have it very wrong. People are not sheep and do not need herding. They need leaders who teach by example. If you want your people to work hard, show them how it is done. If you want your people to worship The Nine, try it yourself.
• Sigmayne: We are faithful followers of The Nine. Have you not seen our magnificent temples?
• Wulf: Do not dare tell me you follow the teachings of The Nine! If you did, the war with Wayrest, the massacre at Munstor and the invasion by Namira would not have occurred. You use blasphemous teachings about The Nine to control the population.
• Sigmayne: That is…
• Wulf: King Sigmayne, I am uninterested in your lies and excuses. I advise you strongly to refrain from trying to defend the indefensible. Just answer my questions like a good boy, okay?
• Sigmayne: How about you answer me? Why are you in my kingdom?
• Wulf: I have been fixing things in Evermore for over a week, and you still do not know why I am here.
• Rigmor: His Imperial Majesty and Lady Mara asked Envoy Wulf to investigate the evil infesting Evermore and help its citizens.
• Wulf: There is great evil in Evermore, and I will root it out. Lady Namira’s plans are one part of it. I have no doubt other Daedric Princes are taking advantage of the corruption you and the Priest Circle have enabled. Evermore’s citizens need protection from this evil, which centres around the cities, towns, and fake nobility that rules them, not the countryside.
• Rigmor: I believe our friend, Divine Knight Nahfahlaar, sent you a message on behalf of His Excellency.
• Wulf: Such is the corruption you have nurtured that young girls were fed to a griffon in Lady Mara’s name! The piles of their skeletons were waist-high.
• Sarah: You must be relieved competition for unsullied pre-pubescent virgins is reduced.
• Sigmayne: The other kingdoms of High Rock would not sit idly by while The Empire forces its will on Evermore.
• Wulf: That is where you are wrong. They despise you and Evermore’s enslavement of citizens. I have been patient so far, but if you dare say serfdom is not enslavement, that patience will evaporate.
• Sarah: With the aid of His Excellency, His Imperial Majesty demolished the invading armies of The New Order.
• Lydia: We destroyed Ulfric Stormcloak’s army with a few dozen knights and better tactics.
• Wulf: These things were accomplished without resorting to my dragon allies. What would a couple of dozen dragons do to an adversary opposing His Imperial Majesty’s army?
• Rigmor: Nobody would come to Evermore’s defence. They would see your removal as just, if a bit late.
• Sarah: Where is your son, Damian, and Consort Murinne?
• Sigmayne: In Daggerfall, visiting Murinne’s family.
• Wulf: Did Damian recently reach eighteen years of age?
• Sigmayne: Yes.
• Wulf: Consort Murinne gave birth at thirteen, meaning she is now thirty-one. That is way too old for you! It is no wonder you must find new young girls to molest.
• Rigmor: Knowing the corruption runs deep, I would place a bet that Damian becomes the preferred replacement for Lord Mortifayne.
• Wulf: I hope they give him a big budget. Lady Namira made quite a mess of his keep.
• Sarah: I have heard that Prince Damian is unlike his father. He is a proper nobleman, and the interests of Evermore’s citizens are paramount.
• Wulf: Would you trust him in a room with young girls?
• Sarah: He likes his lovers to have breasts and hair down there and be in their late teens or older. Well, that is what the gossipers say.
• Wulf: I will not say meeting you has been pleasant, Sigmayne. I will leave you with some advice.
• Sigmayne: Which is?
• Wulf: Never offer a knighthood to somebody who is already a knight. It will likely result in a slap in the face with the knight’s gauntlet and their sword in your belly on the tourney grounds.

We exited the castle and city and headed for Umbasir.

Melancholy attacked a while later.

• Wulf: Kegor said Umbasir is Direnni ruins. Yes, it is, but they built Umbasir around Dwemer ruins. Remiel was keen to visit them, as I mentioned them to her.
• Sarah: You could consider her a victim of Sigmayne’s lust.
• Rigmor: Yes, because her family suffered due to the political instability caused by the Redguard Corsair invasion.
• Wulf: If the corsairs had not attacked, I think Remiel would still have pursued her interest in the Dwemer, but it would have been through choice, not necessity.
• Rigmor: Have you told anybody else about your plan for the museum?
• Wulf: We will rename The Hall of Lost Civilisations after Remiel. I will have to think more about the exact wording.
• Lydia: That is a wonderful idea, Wulf.
• Rigmor: He has one occasionally.
• Lydia: We are looking a bit sad. Inigo would help with his eternal cheerfulness.
• Celestine: If he does not propose to Jo’rassa after her brush with death, I will whack him on the back of the head.
• Lydia: If Jo’rassa accepted, she might worry it was a mistake caused by the bash to her head.
• Rigmor: I saw Inigo crying, and that is a sight I never want to witness again. It seemed so foreign and not right.
• Wulf: He has experienced despair, which drove him to Skooma. But I think he is stronger now, and having his prophecy has given him a purpose beyond aiding us.
• Celestine: The Doom Strider does not sound like the end of the world type of threat.
• Wulf: I told him he needs to find a better name to make money from the following novels.
• Rigmor: What is your plan when we get to Umbasir?
• Wulf: I will use Shroudwalk and wander around looking for clues.
• Rigmor: We know it will be Thalmor interference.
• Wulf: That is the logical assumption.

We exited Evermore City’s limits, and the countryside was still pleasant, and rich farmland was abundant.

Civilisation ceased only a few miles from Evermore City, and bandits roamed. They had destroyed a small settlement and attacked us.

We quickly disposed of them.

A search of several houses found only dead villagers.

We spotted several crude settlements but did not investigate them. I was not interested in killing Exiles or frightened Afflicted.

We arrived at the outskirts of Umbasir. The sound of an Orsimer barking commands disturbed the quiet.

I told the ladies, “Okay, I will sneak in. If I summon you, accept immediately and be prepared to fight.”

I cast Shroudwalk, then entered the grounds of Umbasir.

Many Orsimer occupied the area around the ruins, and I spotted a Thalmor Wizard in the distance.

As I headed for the Thalmor Wizard, I felt a familiar presence.

I stood before the doors of the Umbasir ruins. Hermaeus Mora’s avatar was somewhere close to it.

That annoying Dark Lord has nothing to do with my current task. Therefore, I approached the Thalmor instead. He was talking to an Orsimer, and lucky for me, they provided the information required.

• Artnil: Urk-Magzor, I hope you are following our schedule. It would be a shame for your group to lose momentum now.
• Urk-Magzor: You worry too much, Agent Artnil. Just give us the gear, and we will do the rest. You do not like speaking to us, and we sure do not like talking to you!
• Artnil: A mutual sentiment, I assure you. Have you spoken to your friends at that outpost?
• Urk-Magzor: The imperial one? Nah, the big chief there has not sent someone over in weeks. Dunno what is wrong with him. Some say The Dragonborn has him under scrutiny. But he only crossed the border a week ago.
• Artnil: As usual, your kind behaves like your goblin cohorts in the first week of an organised occupation. You will send for that Imperial Warchief and speak!
• Urk-Magzor: Listen, hurry, and bring those supplies. As I said, we will do what you lot want, and you pay us. Simple!
• Artnil: If only it were ever that simple with your kind. The gear will be here in the next day or so. Remember, you must leave one witness from Dunlain alive. Do what you do with the rest.
• Urk-Magzor: Hah, do not worry. We have sharpened some brand-new spikes just for them. We got a bet on whether the old ones or kids live the longest.
• Artnil: You are such a morbid race. Anyway, we will speak again after the contract is completed.

I debated keeping them alive as that provided the best chance of uncovering the Legion turncoat. However, I did not know how occupied we might be, which left the residents of Dunlain in peril.

I summoned my squad and cancelled Shroudwalk.

I said, “Naughty, naughty. The Emperor will not be pleased with more Thalmor crap polluting The Empire.”

I ignored Urk-Magzor as Rigmor headed his way.

I cut down Wizard Artnil and a few Orsimer who decided I was the only target.

Too bad for them, the ladies slaughtered others quickly and efficiently and then came to my aid.

Soon, two dozen Orsinium’s Sons lay dead.

I searched Artnil, but he had nothing of use on him.

A quick search of the corpses, huts and other structures produced zero evidence.

• Wulf: Oh no, we have no evidence. Who will believe our claim that The Thalmor supplies food and weapons to Orsinium’s Sons?
• Lydia: Nobody will believe our kind and caring Thalmor friends would do such a thing!
• Rigmor: Are they organising them as well?
• Wulf: They hire them to do jobs but leave them to their own devices most of the time. They are planning on attacking Dunlain and will leave one witness alive.
• Lydia: They will school the survivor on what to say.
• Wulf: The survivor will report who did it and the atrocities committed. They plan on placing everybody on spikes, whether alive or dead.
• Celestine: Is that where the Augur of Dunlain comes from?
• Wulf: Yes.
• Rigmor: That is the weird energy person you told me about.
• Wulf: Yes, he lives under The College of Winterhold.
• Lydia: When do they plan to attack Dunlain?
• Wulf: The weapons will be supplied in a day or two. I do not know how quickly after that.
• Rigmor: This attack is meant to make the Legion look incompetent.
• Lydia: I suggest we let Commander Drugo know so he can hide Legionnaires throughout Dunlain. The Orsinium’s Sons will be caught by surprise and slaughtered. The Legion are heroes, and The Thalmor plan is ruined.
• Wulf: Lydia, that would be the logical thing to do, but for one huge problem. The garrison was decimated when defending Arnima. Also, somebody senior in the Legion is a traitor. Most likely, that traitor is Commander Drugo.
• Rigmor: Have we lost the chance to find the traitor? Will they still attack Dunlain?
• Wulf: Even if it was Commander Drugo, he has not spoken to the Orsinium’s Sons despite being summoned for weeks. I would guess he had a change of heart. He might have sympathised with the Orsimer until he realised they were not fighting to avenge pogroms and the sacking of Orsinium. They want to kill and maim for sport and get paid for it.
• Celestine: Justiciar Naruman made the mistake of arguing with Commander Drugo about reclaiming Deepcrag. That was a giveaway.
• Wulf: I warned him. Since I like to keep my promises, we shall visit and exact justice on the Justiciar. As for Dunlain, I doubt they will still attack it. But we shall discuss it with Kegor tomorrow. We still have things to do today.
• Rigmor: Okay, that sounds sensible.
• Wulf: Something is disturbing about the ruins of Umbasir. I sensed that Hermaeus Mora’s avatar was just inside the entrance. I do not think it always sits there but manifests when somebody might enter.
• Rigmor: Are you going to speak to the tentacled turd?
• Wulf: It would be the logical thing to do. I doubt he has any plots against Evermore, but he may know who does.
• Celestine: What next? The Redguards, the Necromancers or Mora?
• Wulf: Even though we are feet away from Umbasir’s entrance, we should deal with the Redguards first. Their lookouts are far apart so we can enjoy Evermore’s countryside more.
• Sarah: And get attacked by friendly locals.
• Rigmor: Wulf always takes us to exciting places.

I cast a Mark.

I then teleported us into the embassy. I did not want to see an empty courtyard or the faces of survivors. I had a plan to express my appreciation to them.

Commander Drugo saw us materialise and approached. His face was etched with sorrow.

• Wulf: Commander, you should be proud of how well your soldiers fought.
• Drugo: In the Penitus Oculatus, a commander might have to write two or three letters to the family of the fallen at one time. I had to write fifty-seven. That is almost two-thirds of this embassy’s garrison. It would have been far more if not for the brave mages from your College.
• Wulf: I had no idea the battle for Arnima would last thirteen hours.
• Drugo: You also lost friends. But Arnima still stands, and most of its people have survived.
• Wulf: I will be recommending a commendation for this unit. It does not bring the fallen back, but the flag can be the focus of recollection and generate pride in achievement.
• Drugo: If anything, the fight for Arnima against horrors from childhood nightmares has made the survivors more determined. I doubt many will remain out of Evermore for long. But they do need a break from the bleakness of this place.
• Rigmor: The people of Evermore are learning of the Legion’s sacrifices and bravery. That makes The Thalmor plan we uncovered more sinister as they try to undermine your achievements.
• Drugo: What plan?
• Wulf: Advisor Kegor suspected a third party was supplying Orsinium’s Sons with intel, weapons, and supplies.
• Drugo: Kegor is a good man, Your Excellency.
• Wulf: Some of Kegor’s scouts reported that a contingent of Orsinium’s Sons camped at Umbasir were low on supplies. We agreed to investigate and see if we can determine who might be supplying them.
• Lydia: His Excellency’s luck is uncanny. We arrived in time to witness a Thalmor Agent negotiating with the Orsinium’s Sons leader.
• Wulf: I was invisible and feet away from them, so I heard the plan. Agent Artnil, a Thalmor Wizard, was going to supply Orsinium’s Sons with supplies and weapons so they could attack Dunlain.
• Drugo: That is a beautiful village of no strategic importance. Artnil has always irritated me.
• Wulf: Urk-Magzor, the leader of the Orsimer in Umbasir, agreed to the conditions stipulated by Artnil. They were to leave at least one villager alive. That villager would likely lament the lack of protection provided by The Imperial Legion.
• Drugo: Surely people would not believe that after our sacrifice in Arnima.
• Wulf: The Thalmor are experts at misinformation. They would make the claim the prominent talking point of Evermore’s citizens.
• Rigmor: The Orsinium’s Sons were not participating as revenge for pogroms and historical attacks on Orsimer.
• Wulf: They were interested in the killing, raping, and looting for sport. They intended to spike every resident and place bets on how long the children and elderly lived.
• Drugo: Those who sympathise with the Orsinium’s Sons have been deceived.
• Wulf: Artnil and Urk-Magzor spoke of a senior Legionnaire aiding them.
• Drugo: Do you think that is me, Your Excellence?
• Wulf: You are a natural suspect, but I heard your pushback against Justiciar Saruman concerning Deepcrag. He did not hint at past cooperation.
• Drugo: You ripped into Captain Leomus for his racist attitudes towards Orsimer. That was a recent change of attitude. He was a sympathiser of Orsimer’s Sons until witnessing their brutality. I can assure you that he stopped aiding them weeks ago. I had been watching his activities, hoping he would change before I had to take measures. He died defending Arnima.
• Wulf: We shall not blemish his memory by mentioning his betrayal.
• Drugo: I was the only one who knew of it, and I think that is the best solution. He was a good soldier and objected strongly to how Orsimer were treated in Evermore. However, he made the mistake of thinking the Orsinium’s Sons were aiding Evermore’s Orsimer. The constant feeling of doom and dread affects each person differently.
• Wulf: I cannot let Justiciar Saruman live. He has been working against The Empire and cost the lives of civilians and soldiers. I will explain my actions in a letter to His Imperial Majesty. There will be no repercussions. Our spies and agitators are killed regularly by The Thalmor. Espionage and subterfuge are parts of the ongoing Great War.
• Drugo: Do what you must, Your Excellency.
• Wulf: I shall speak to your surviving troops soon. Anything I say now may seem contrite.
• Drugo: That is how it has always been. Let the troops mourn, then express your admiration and condolences. They know the routine, and the commendation will help. Saruman is in his room.

My friends stayed with Commander Drugo. This delivery of justice was personal.

I barged into Saruman’s room without knocking.

“What is the meaning of this?”

“I was fortunate enough to overhear an interesting conversation between Agent Artnil and an Orsinium’s Sons leader called Urk-Magzor. I am afraid I cannot allow the slaughter of the residents of Dunlain. The plan would be undermined as the bravery of the Legionnaires who protected Arnima against the Daedric Invasion will soon be known by all residents of Evermore. Town Criers and news sheets will praise their sacrifice and, combined with their actions in Deepcrag, their popularity will be unprecedented.”

“I know you found no evidence that I knew of this alleged conspiracy. Now, if you do not mind, I was busy doing anything else but speaking to you.”

I drew my sword, and Saruman realised his life was forfeit. He squealed and tried to run.

I quickly blocked his efforts to find a way past me.

After several minutes, Saruman was winded and defeated. He was gasping for breath as he awaited the killing blow.

His head rolled, and I wiped my blade on his cape before sheathing it.

I looked around his room and searched the corpse. Nothing incriminating was found. I then returned to Commander Drugo.

“Justiciar Saruman is dead. Please arrange for his remains to be returned to his homeland.”

“I have recently become proficient at arranging coffins and their transportation.”

“It was justice, as was my execution of Governor Merosa. People like King Sigmayne will have a trial, but I assure you, Imperial Law will prevail.”

“Nobody is going to question your actions. I dread what The Dominion will write on Saruman’s service record.”

“They will be brutally honest while denying they interfered in Evermore. My airship will deliver the prevention and cure for the plague soon. It is currently busy transporting the deceased, including those of this embassy.”

“You have a cure?”

“Yes. Divine Knight Celestine and many mages from different provinces have worked long hours to produce the concoctions.”

“Lady Mara sent the right people to Evermore’s aid.”

“I hope so. There is still more corruption to uncover and repair.”

We teleported to the entrance of Arnima. My companions knew I had no interest in entering and seeing the destruction wrought.

Rava hovered overhead. Over the last few days, a steady stream of occupied coffins has been hauled aboard.

The weather was miserable as we walked to the river that Dragonstar sailed with immunity.

When we eliminated Dragonstar’s forces, Jackos promised to have their ships burn bright enough for the whole river to see.

We saw no destroyed ships, and Dragonstar guards had been placed to protect the intact vessels. They died without seeing their assassins.

There was a lot of walking, climbing, and swimming between the observation posts.

We took each one by surprise, killed the Dragonstar corsairs and demolished their equipment within minutes of spotting them.

We approached an Orsimer encampment with weapons sheathed. It was the usual choice. If they attacked, they died. If they let us pass without incident, they lived.

They chose death, which we dispensed quickly.

After destroying the third outpost, I asked, “Does anybody need to rest, or should we visit the Tentacled Turd?”

I did not need to voice my urgency. My friends knew I wanted to uncover other dangers to Evermore’s people. So, the consensus was to return to Umbasir.

We teleported to the Mark I had left earlier. Then, we approached Umbasir’s entrance. As before, I could feel Mora’s presence.

After entering Umbasir, we had to step around several Orsimer corpses to get closer to Mora.

I was surprised he did not try to speak to us telepathically.

His deep, phlegm-filled voice boomed, “More purveyors of the perverse? No…it is my Champion who once more pursues knowledge. Descend into these decrepit ruins and find the most indelible truths!”

“I assume that the dead Orsimer and by your greeting, we are far from the first to visit these ruins.”

“You passed close by not long ago. This avatar wakes if it detects a possible visitor. All who entered have perished, but most were not after knowledge. They sought treasure and would forever doom mortals to eternal stagnation through greed. It would be an unending night for the mind.”

“Logically, this place must be an alternative to using Black Books to access Apocrypha. Built by the Direnni or their Ayleid allies from Dwemer leftovers.”

“Come now, Champion, that would be free information. You can find the answer if you descend.”

“Okay, we shall descend.”

“Good, we will talk again if you survive.”

Hermaeus Mora’s avatar faded. Behind him was the symbol of Auri-El.

• Sarah: He sounds like a used wagon salesman!
• Rigmor: That is a good description, Sarah!
• Wulf: And a good analogy. Mortals rarely get the better part of a deal with Mora. That is why I never made one with him.
• Rigmor: Do you think he holds a grudge about The Oghma Infinium and Miraak?
• Wulf: No. I am a potential knowledge source, which is more important to him than one-upmanship. He is as vain as other Daedric Princes but the pursuit of knowledge dominates his personality.
• Lydia: It must be hard to be vain when you look like an octopus orgy.

Giggling accompanied the start of our downward journey.

We came upon the spirit of a Direnni mage. I approached with weapons sheathed.

The Direnni attacked, so we turned him into a puddle of ectoplasm.

After that, we treated all Direnni spirits as hostile.

We reached a vast cavern with winding walkways. We could see a small room shrouded in a magical barrier. Two exits below us had similar barriers.

I commented, “Remiel would have been disappointed. There are very few Dwemer bits left.”

Sarah replied, “The Direnni are a vain people. They would not like constant reminders they have inhabited somebody else’s abode.”

Two large Ayleid Welkynd Stones provided the Magicka needed to maintain the barriers.

We entered a small tower. It was once used by mages and contained little of interest.

After exiting the tower, a Will-O-Wisp approached and zigzagged between us.

I said, “I think it wants us to follow. A Wispmother will be watching us.”

Rigmor asked, “We are not going to be silly and follow it, are we?”

“Rigmor, where is your sense of adventure? Of course, we shall follow it.”

The Will-O-Wisp led us to a staff. A plaque in several languages named the staff ‘Incandescent.’

I held the staff and explained, “The staff’s dweomer produces an impressive amount of electricity in a constant stream.”

The Will-O-Wisp led us to the room enclosed by a barrier. On the other side, a Direnni spirit could be seen.

• Wulf: Our bright friend wants us to eliminate the Direnni Spirit.
• Rigmor: But the barrier is in the way.
• Wulf: My Thu’um would penetrate it, but using it risks blowing documents and so on all over the cavern.
• Celestine: We must destroy the Ayleid Welkynd Stone that maintains the barrier.
• Wulf: Yes, and it just so happens I have the perfect device for doing that.
• Lydia: Why would the Wispmother want us to eliminate the Direnni Spirit?
• Wulf: She has probably been waiting for revenge on the Direnni for past discretions. I do not think she will appear or try to harm us.
• Sarah: That is a long time to hold a grudge!
• Lydia: Why hasn’t the Wispmother used the staff?
• Wulf: Only mortals can trigger the staff’s dweomer.
• Rigmor: How much would a Welkynd Stone that large be worth?
• Wulf: Many thousands of Sweetrolls.
• Rigmor: Mmm…. Sweetrolls….

The Welkynd Stone was several levels below.

The Will-O-Wisp accompanied us.

I aimed Incandescent at the Welkynd Stone and triggered its dweomer.

The Welkynd Stone shattered, and the beam of Magicka vanished.

The Direnni Spirit did seem to notice its protective barrier was gone.

I walked up to it and said, “Boo!”

It turned and prepared a spell.

So, I cut it down.

There was nothing of significance in the once-protected room.

The Will-O-Wisp flew by one last time before heading away from us.

We made our way to a walkway leading to one of the blocked exits

I was sure the same Welkynd Stone powered the barrier on the exit below us.

We got close to the Welkynd Stone, and I zapped it with Incandescent. It shattered, and the barriers on the exits vanished.

Both exits led to the same area.

We arrived in a room containing a large piece of art. Before viewing it in detail, we had to eliminate several Direnni Spirits.

Auri-El was using magic to hold up a globe of Dwemer manufacture.

Three figures tried to drag the globe away from Auri-El towards a large Seeker.

The races of the three figures pulling the chain were hard to discern.

• Sarah: It is very well made, but what does it represent?
• Wulf: As I said to Mora, I think this place offers a chance to access Apocrypha’s knowledge without having to traverse Oblivion
• Celestine: Direnni would trade with Mora. His usual currency is knowledge for knowledge.
• Wulf: I think the sphere is a gateway to Oblivion. Auri-El is trying to prevent Direnni from accessing it.
• Rigmor: So those ugly brutes are Direnni.
• Wulf: They have eye ridges like some Orsimer. I think the artist wanted to represent Direnni base wants without offending them too much.
• Rigmor: Get away with it using figures resembling a despised race.
• Wulf: Art is subjective, but that is what I think they represent. Want seems to be the theme running through many of our discoveries.
• Celestine: The fire represents The Liminal Barrier. The Seeker is repelled by it.
• Wulf: Seekers are not that large. As far as I know, they are mute. Therefore, I am unsure what that part of the sculpture represents. But I also think the fire represents The Liminal Barrier.
• Rigmor: This is a warning. Auri-El does not want you to seek the knowledge offered by The Tentacled Turd.
• Sarah: I doubt Direnni would take much notice.
• Wulf: I have never dealt with them.
• Sarah: You are fortunate.

We entered a large chamber containing the globe in the sculpture.

A figure waited for us to approach. It was a Direnni Mage.

Heat Vision showed him to be alive.

When I got closer, I detected a Dwemer Stasis Field. They can keep mortals alive indefinitely.

I stood before him and knew that arrogance would be abundant.

• Erinium: A mass of tentacles and eyes sets a trap, and you eagerly run right into it without delay. You should hold yourselves to a higher standard.
• Sarah: Aren’t Direnni a race of Mer so idiotic they did not learn from the fate of the Ayleid?
• Celestine: Yes. They thought they could deal with the Daedric Lords and get the better of the bargaining.
• Wulf: But the merchants of that race were not the stupidest. Their mages were known to make the most idiotic comments towards beings whose power dwarfed theirs many times over.
• Erinium: Fools that bite. My name is Erinium. Who are you?
• Wulf: Sir Wulf Welkynd, Dragonborn and Champion of The Divines. Those accompanying me are Divine Knights of The Order of the Dragon.
• Rigmor: What kind of idiot calls powerful strangers fools?
• Sarah: The kind of idiot who thinks their failed race is somehow superior.
• Lydia: Direnni have proven to be the best at losing large tracts of their territory to other races.
• Wulf: Erinium, we did not get tricked by Hermaeus Mora. He asked us to investigate this place as he was concerned about people trying to destroy the knowledge that it contains.
• Erinium: Have you dealt with that Dark Lord in the past?
• Wulf: I am his mortal champion but not a devotee of his. I am a Son of Akatosh and here on behalf of Lady Mara.
• Erinium: How did you become his champion?
• Wulf: I retrieved the Oghma Infinium when his minions failed to do so. He was not pleased that I refused to read it and locked away in Aetherius. I also rescued his previous mortal champion, who Mora had imprisoned in Apocrypha.
• Erinium: Why, if you have thwarted him twice, would he make you his champion?
• Wulf: Because I am one of the most powerful mortals ever and capable of retrieving knowledge he craves.
• Rigmor: Call Wulf a fool again, and he will demonstrate his power by ripping your arms off.
• Wulf: I have read of Dwemer Stasis Fields. With such knowledge, they should have been content.
• Erinium: Knowledge of which I obtained from a Daedric Prince. It was the only time I got the better of a bargain. I swapped information about an enemy of mine for eternal life.
• Wulf: Then it was not Hermaeus Mora with who you dealt.
• Erinium: No doubt the Dark Lord promised riches. I am sure you have taken your fill from these halls already.
• Rigmor: Why are we speaking to this moron?
• Wulf: Erinium, look at our weapons and armour. Any Direnni merchant could tell you this gear would sell for millions of gold coins. So no, we are not here to make paltry amounts of money from these ruins.
• Erinium: Then you must sense a far greater reward. Something that material riches cannot satisfy and only gods have the power to grant it. I hate to be the messenger, but that promise will not bear fruit. A truth we were too slow to realise ourselves. Deception is all that thing knows.
• Lydia: The twerp contradicted himself. He told us he got the better of a Daedric Prince to obtain knowledge. Then he says deception is the only thing Hermaeus Mora knows.
• Celestine: Erinium is clueless! The Dark Lords are true to their word and always honour a verbal agreement. The trick is to get the wording correct. Any flaw in an agreement will be utilised to the mortal’s detriment.
• Wulf: We are here seeking knowledge, which Mora has in abundance.
• Lydia: Unlike this clueless clown.
• Sarah: We do not seek knowledge for selfish reasons. We are helping the people of Evermore.
• Wulf: So, unless you can in some way assist, shut up and move aside.
• Erinium: At the end of this hall, a machine fashioned from Dwemer technologies holds the key to unsealing the passage between this world and theirs.
• Wulf: Why not call a portal a portal?
• Rigmor: He is trying to make it sound mysterious.
• Erinium: I hope you can stop Hermaeus Mora. He sends eyes to scour these halls in search of our most guarded secrets.
• Wulf: Mora cannot do that. Do not lie to people more intelligent than you.
• Celestine: What is left of your civilisation is crowded on a small island. Apart from the Conjuration School of Magic, they have not contributed anything worth mentioning.
• Rigmor: They have perfected the art of sounding smart when dumb as a rock.
• Wulf: I have had enough of this fool. Let us look for the mechanism to open the portal.

A model of Mora’s other avatar form was on a shelf.

Stacks of deteriorating books were numerous. Master Gro-Shub would strangle Erinium to death.

A Black Book, its dweomer ruined via experimentation, lay on a table.

We approached the sphere. There was no obvious way of triggering the portal.

I said, “There is an observation platform above the portal. Let us see if there is a control panel.”

Cobwebs across corridors suggested nobody had walked them for an extended period.

There was a control panel overlooking the portal. It had many levers with too many combinations to luck upon their correct positions. However, the solution was written on a plaque in Dwemeri. It had a diagram of the levers in incorrect positions. The writing said a mirror would open the portal. Erinium never deciphered the writing or misunderstood the riddle. I reversed the direction of each lever in the diagram, and the portal opened.

Seekers emerged from the portal and were quickly disposed of.

I approached Erinium and said, “Look at that! We idiots figured it out! How many centuries have you been staring at the globe and dribbling?”

I told Rigmor, “I have nothing to fear in Apocrypha. Mora’s minions are far weaker than Namira’s and not in great numbers. I hope the maze is short as the place is mind-numbingly monotonous.”

“You have been there often enough that I do not worry about that place. But I never like it when Mara’s Rings stop working.”

“I will not dally there. If the information is not available, I will come right back.”

I walked into the portal and found myself in a pocket plane of Apocrypha.

Seekers and a Lurker attacked and died.

I was then free to examine the pocket plane.

Three braziers were not lit.

Logic suggested I use Incandescent to light them.

As soon as all three were lit, a barrier surrounded the pocket plane, and a portal to Apocrypha opened.

I stepped through the portal and was in Apocrypha proper.

A bridge rolled out, and I proceeded further.

I activated a Scrye to open some doors.

I disposed of a few more Seekers, then approached Hermaeus Mora and another entity using a similar avatar.

• Ven: Free me if you seek to forgo combat with my subordinates.
• Wulf: Not so fast. Give me your name so I can better bargain with respect.
• Ven: Bow, mortal, and show respect to the Lord of Knowledge and Memory.
• Mora: Ven, I told you, my Champion is not one to command or who will mindlessly obey.
• Wulf: Please do not tell me this is a child of yours!
• Mora: I got tired of speaking with Ayleid and Direnni. Therefore, I created this aspect.
• Wulf: They are two races of mortals with as much arrogance as yourself. It must have been agony!
• Mora: This aspect’s name is Ven, Eater of Dreams.
• Wulf: That is undoubtedly pretentious enough for one of your minions.
• Mora: How is Miraak?
• Wulf: His power has grown since returning to Mundus. He is a solid ally and friend. A few days ago, he was crucial in defending Evermore from an invasion from Scuttling Void.
• Mora: And the Oghma Infinium?
• Wulf: It is still locked away, and nobody can get it.
• Mora: You have never made a deal with me. That is wise.
• Wulf: Why should I free Ven, and does he pose a danger?
• Mora: He poses no danger. He has access to knowledge that has not yet been released to my indexers and cataloguers, those you call Seeker. I would gain that knowledge, including many Direnni secrets, some of which may aid you with the playground of Namira called Evermore.
• Wulf: Ven, what must I do to free you?
• Ven: Two books reside within my library. They are studies of my being, covering my birth to my death. Find them and consume their texts. Upon reading them, I will be free from my prison. And we can then drown in unseen truths.
• Wulf: I have missed these exciting strolls through Apocrypha.
• Mora: Ven does not understand sarcasm.
• Wulf: Perhaps one of the truths uncovered explains sarcasm. I hope he reads it before his breath runs out.
• Mora: Ven does not understand humour, especially unfunny humour.
• Wulf: Come on, I know you are suppressing a chuckle.

When no chuckle was forthcoming, I began the search for Ven’s autobiographies.

There is no need to describe this trip through Apocrypha. It is no different than the others I have undertaken. Mercifully, it was not long.

The two volumes about Ven did not contain any legible information. The opening of the two books released Ven from his prison.

Portals then appeared and provided shortcuts. I did not have to backtrack.

I soon stood before a large, transparent Seeker, Ven’s chosen avatar. The large seeker in the sculpture seemed to represent Ven.

“Ven, I did as you requested.”

“The loyal mortal followed the breadcrumbs to the source from mere curiosity. A curiosity that has yet to be sated, I assume? Not to worry, a compendium of knowledge surrounds you so that curiosity shall forever be entertained.”

“You are wrong on many levels. My loyalty is to The Divines and the mortals of Mundus, not you. I do not seek anything out of pure curiosity. I did not follow breadcrumbs but applied logic to reach this point. I want specific information.”

“Admission to this library is not free. I implore you to accept this offer. Reclaim the soul of Erinium and bring it to me. Then the torrent of anthologies and studies you see before you will be at your disposal.”

“Why do you want Erinium’s soul? And I repeat, I am not interested in accumulating random knowledge.”

“Have you ever had trouble discerning the motives of your cohorts? The affairs of mortals may seem incomprehensible when you are one, and time is not a luxury you can take for granted. But here we gain hindsight. This knowledge is a new lens with which the web of egos becomes clear.”

“What a load of bollocks! You are not omnipotent and cannot discern the motives of random mortals. There is no possibility, without being told, of knowing the motivations of specific mortals.”

“All entities capable of cognition, however basic, have needs. Yours are food, water, and copulation, while our need is knowledge. A ravaging hunger resides within that is only sated by knowledge. Erinium is keeping a secret that is too tempting from which to avert our gaze. Hence my desire for Erinium’s soul. So again, I implore you to retrieve his soul.”

“I am Champion of The Divines. Lord Arkay’s Commandment is, ‘Honor the earth, its creatures, and the spirits, living and dead. Guard and tend the bounties of the mortal world, and do not profane the spirits of the dead.’ You are asking me to profane the spirit of a mortal by handing over his soul. That will never happen. You must act upon your base needs, but most mortals do not. Complex interactions of morality, responsibility and needs determine our actions. Mortal free will is exercised, which your kind does not possess.”

I decided to play the greedy knowledge seeker and see how Erinium reacts. Ven must know something it can tell me that will aid with Evermor’s problems. Perhaps I might have something to trade Ver other than a soul.

As I headed for the pocket plane and the portal to Mundus, I noticed Erinium waiting for me. Zoom Vision showed he did not carry a weapon or staff.

I entered the pocket plane and approached Erinium.

“Ven wants your soul before I can access his archives.”

“And you are to be the courier?”

“I would rather not kill you if there is another way.”

“We are blessed with intelligence so that binary choices can become many. You may bark ‘Fallacy!’ at what I propose, but hear me out. Bring that entity a soul in my image, even with my scent. Aha, but it will not be mine! Simple but genius, right?”

“And you discuss this plan while within his realm?”

“Do you think I told you to light these fires for my amusement? They produce the Liminal Barrier that surrounds us. This barrier shields and shrouds us to that being’s eyes. What is discussed here is for our ears only.”

I had to grab hold of my anger. You cannot raise a Liminal Barrier within Oblivion. It is a barrier between Oblivion and Mundus. The knowledge and ability to create a Liminal Barrier resides with Lord Akatosh! You can make Liminal Bridges, short-lived portals, but that requires a Sigil Stone or other anchor and the cooperation of the Daedric Prince whose realm within Oblivion you are trying to reach.

Erinium never mentioned the fires, and if he wanted a private conversation, anywhere in Mundus would do!

I managed to contain my temper and said, “Ven wants the knowledge he will gain from consuming your soul. A Black Soul Gem may contain a soul that you have modified to mimic yours. However, it cannot contain the knowledge desired.”

“It’ll be none the wiser, a glutton as it is, only desiring the next meal without a care for the taste.”

“Why not just give Ven the information it seeks?”

“And give it all the power? What is to be gained from that? Knowledge has a value that can be traded for spoils beyond your fickle thoughts.”

“Hand me the Soul Gem. Your continued arrogance and false superiority sicken me.”

The Soul Gem that Erinium handed me was not a quick thing to be produced on a whim. It would have taken considerable effort and time. He may have been holding on to it for thousands of years, waiting for somebody capable of delivering it.

I consume souls from slain dragons to absorb their knowledge. I am also Ningheim. These two things combine to provide insights into souls Erinium has no hope of comprehending. The Soul Gem will not fool Ven, but Erinium does not realise that. His plan is one of arrogance and not complete understanding.

I re-entered Apocrypha and approached Ven. However, Hermaeus Mora was also waiting. He likely heard Erinium’s plan since the idiot discussed it in a pocket plane of Apocrypha.

Ven changed his avatar to match Mora’s when I started speaking to his creator.

I told Mora, “I have a Black Soul Gem with a modified soul within. Erinium is under the impression Ven would absorb the soul and not realise his ruse. Such a deception must enrage you?”

Hermaeus Mora’s echoed the anger I had seen when Miraak defied him. He growled, “You have gifted us the knowledge of Erinium’s deception without striking a bargain beforehand. You are also incensed that he would ask you to gain an advantage via deception. Dealings with my kind are inviolate contracts, and you knew my anger would match yours. You hoped I would give you something in return so my anger and desire for revenge may be realised through my Champion.”

“You probably heard our conversation. I had not agreed to Ven’s terms, but I am angry Erinium would try such deceit. However, I would never kill another mortal just to sate your desire for revenge.”

“Perhaps I can provide some knowledge that will lead you to understand better what befell another mortal champion. It is relevant to how Evermore became what it is. This knowledge, in turn, may result in the uncontrolled anger of your kind and thereby the revenge I desire.”

“I would slay him if justice demands it, but never think for a moment that your wants in this matter are of any concern.”

“I know that, my Champion. But I would still gloat at his demise.”

“What is it you want to impart?”

“Ask Erinium about Laloriaran Dynar, the Last Ayleid King. Press him on the Rights Charter. Feed his ego and mention Delodiil.”

I exited into the pocket plane.

Erinium was using a standard invisibility spell. He was spying on my return and decided it was safer not to be seen. I let him step through the portal and then waited ten seconds.

I then stepped through the portal and returned to Nirn.

As I walked to Erinium, Rigmor said, “We did not stop Erinium from following you into the portal because we didn’t think he posed much of a threat.”

“I gave no instructions about that eventuality as it was unexpected.”

“Did you learn anything useful?”

“Not yet. But Erinium will provide some knowledge to aid our understanding of past events.”

I gave a hand signal, and my friends joined the conversation.

• Wulf: Erinium, did you ever meet The Last Ayleid King?
• Erinium: Laloriaran? That twisted despot? Why do you evoke such a name?
• Wulf: He tried to invade Nirn. With the aid of his Dark Lord, they opened an Oblivion Gate in Raven Spring, and many were slain. I traversed Oblivion and removed the Sigil Stone, thus ending the threat for now.
• Erinium: That could have been a famous heroic tale without the guts and torture. Yet, no story of Dynar would be complete without that. Ask any of my kin, and they would have told you the same of him, and none would be surprised that he ended up the way he did. More a wild flame to cover our retreat than an ally. We even feared he would turn his attention to us had he prevailed against Alessia. Such was his desire for blood.
• Wulf: You are an eyewitness to the truth, so why tell the same falsehoods as the Breton?
• Erinium: They say that the victors write the history. We hoped to sully the name of the one who destroyed the Direnni! We won the battle and war and should have thrived. It seems you have not accepted our alternate history.
• Wulf: Laloriaran Dynar led your forces to victory!
• Erinium: At the cost of our control over the Breton and a false acknowledgement of racial equity!
• Wulf: The Rights Charter was needed before the Breton Kings would aid against the Alessian Order. Lady Alessia was not the enemy of the Direnni Hegemony! Your false history might not have been so apparent if you had left Saint Alessia and Pelinal Whitestrake from your falsehood.
• Erinium: As if those mongrel Breton could ever be our equal! When Dynar invited the Men of Skyrim to fight alongside him, it was insult upon insult!
• Rigmor: The Breton turned on the Direnni because they were tired of your immorality driven by your worship of profit.
• Celestine: Yes, and within two decades, the Direnni were forced from all of High Rock except the Isle of Balfiera.
• Wulf: The Breton were tired of Direnni arrogance and reliance on Dark Lords.
• Erinium: Which Dark Lord aided Dynar with his invasion? Was it his beloved Meridia, or did he become a traitor and join Molag Bal?
• Wulf: You know of his capture by Molag Bal?
• Erinium: We made plans with Molag Bal, who wanted Meridia’s champion in his grasp. Laloriaran thought of me as his friend and accepted my invite to Nenalata and the stop for rest and refreshment I had arranged in Delodiil. His name was sullied, and he became a prisoner of the darkest Daedric Prince. Our revenge on Dynar was complete.
• Wulf: The entire population of Delodiil perished except for Dynar.
• Erinium: If you are looking for guilt on my part, you will find none. Whatever happened in Oblivion, he became the monster we invented. He has since killed Breton, and that makes the outcome sweeter.
• Wulf: You think you are superior yet have proved to be one of the dumbest individuals I have met.
• Erinium: Without my aid, you would never have reached Apocrypha and found the needed information!
• Wulf: I can enter Apocrypha whenever I desire, as I own many Black Books. You did not tell me how to enable the portal or mention the three braziers. I told Ven of your planned deception. Hermaeus Mora was incensed and provided a clue about some information you held.
• Lydia: We all heard every word said to Wulf. Where was the help from you?
• Rigmor: Who is Ven?
• Wulf: Ven is an aspect of Hermaeus Mora. He is the big Seeker in the artwork with Auri-El. Ven was used as a vendor to Ayleid and Direnni because Mora could not stand either race.
• Rigmor: Understandable.
• Wulf: Erinium, my knowledge of souls is derived from study and gifts from The Divines. I am Dragonborn and absorb dragon souls for knowledge. I am Ningheim and can manipulate souls with thought alone. Your fake soul would never have fooled Ven.
• Sarah: Did Ven want you to soultrap Erinium?
• Wulf: Yes, he did. Erinium thought I would deliberately dishonour my agreement with a Daedric Prince.
• Sarah: He is as immoral as all other Direnni.
• Wulf: Divine Knight Celestine, this fool said lighting the three braziers created a Liminal Barrier. We were already in a pocket plane of Apocrypha.
• Celestine: That is an impossibility. He would never rise above the apprentice level at our college because of his low intelligence.
• Rigmor: Claiming others can replicate the power of Lord Akatosh is blasphemy!
• Erinium: I admit I was wrong about some things. Now leave and let me work in peace!
• Wulf: King Laloriaran Dynar was a prisoner of Molag Bal for three thousand years. Mortal agents rescued him with Meridia’s assistance. He helped thwart a plan of Molag Bal’s called Planemeld but died a hero when doing so. He now resides in Aetherius after The Divines accepted his rejection of Meridia.
• Rigmor: Wow, what does it feel like, Erinium, knowing that your nemesis is a hero?
• Erinium: Many Breton half-breeds died. Dynar suffered for three thousand years. Our revenge is sweet.
• Wulf: You are complicit in the deaths of the people of Delodiil and the imprisonment of a mortal hero by a Daedric Prince. You are scum and have lived for far too long.

Erinium’s eyes grew wide as he realised my intent.

In a single movement, I unsheathed my katana and cut Erinium’s head off with a backward swing.

As Erinium’s head rolled to a stop, Rigmor asked, “Was this trip through Umbasir and Apocrypha worth it?”

“We have filled in a bit of history, which is never a waste. We now know who betrayed Laloriaran Dynar and why. It was not a devotee of Molag Bal who did it but a false friend seeking revenge for misplaced blame. Ven probably has information we could use, but the cost is too high. When dealing with Mora, it is knowledge for knowledge exchange. Ven was created to deal with Ayleid and Direnni, so knowledge within Black Soul Gems for information is its default exchange. I have no doubt people like Erinium would murder to acquire a requested Soul Gem.”

“What next?”

“Breakfast in Mara’s Rest. After that, we shall see who wants to continue travelling with me, for I do not intend to stop. I want to visit the Necromancers, speak to General Tullius, and do a few other things before putting my feet up.”

“Well then, wriggle your fingers. I could do with a few rashers of bacon and runny eggs.”

We teleported into Mara’s Rest and enjoyed a good meal.

I could feel Husk’s connection to my soul and was surprised Silah said nothing about it. Vayu had some theories. The Shamans who trained him use such cords to anchor their soul to Mundus when travelling the ethereal plane.

I will keep visiting places in Evermore till I stumble upon the other plans of Daedric Princes I am convinced exist.