13 Rain's Hand
I, Theatlus Truegor, by order of his Lordship Pentagos of the 3rd Emissary, have embarked on a mission of the utmost import. I believe that keeping this journal will both serve to organize and record my thoughts as I continue this investigation. As a last resort it may also help my Thalmor brothers should anything happen to me.
Let me first begin with the reason for my mission. A fortnight and a day ago there was one of Ambassador Elenwen's much loved (by her) social gatherings comprised of the best boot-licking Nords Skyrim has to offer. A guest, on the guest list and with a proper invitation, arrived late to the party. It was oddly an Argonian male who went by "Verax" - a name we must assume is false but I will use it to identify the man regardless. A proper Argonian name would be much different but I have reason to believe this is no ordinary citizen of Black Marsh. At any rate this individual, with the help of our long time barkeep now identified as a traitor and spy, managed to slip from the festivities and raid our embassy. Classified documents as well as rare books were taken right from the desks and shelves of our own people.
Such was the skill of the intruder that a key ring was simply taken right off a guard's belt (who was summarily punished). In fact, other than the mingling with the other guests and speaking briefly with the Ambassador no one saw the assailant at all. Days later the long sought after Blades record keeper known only as Esbern was safely removed from his safe house in Riften by an unknown party. From the evidence found at the scene our investigators determined that a glass broadsword enhanced with flame and a uniquely shaped long dagger were used to over power one of our strike teams in minutes. All signs point towards the Verax individual but no survivors were left, not even locals witnessing the battle.
His Lordship demanded my immediate involvement and has charged me with ensnaring this agent of destruction before any more good Mer are lost. He also no doubt has priceless information on the whereabouts on the last Blades in Skyrim: the aforementioned Esbern and the older Nord woman, code named "Straw Hair". I have been given unlimited clearance and authority in this matter and do not intend to fail with the great deal of trust placed in me. Tomorrow I choose my team and we begin in earnest.
17 Rain's Hand
My, my, my, what a difference a few days makes. Where to begin? Firstly, it seems that Verax is indeed this Argonian's name or at least the one he is known by in Skyrim. Either he is incredibly stupid or incredibly audacious to use his real name at a clandestine function but no matter. I have requested all available information for every Hold from our eyes and ears. We are still assessing the data but from a public relations stand point this Verax is virtually unassailable.
He is well known and much respected as an adventurer in every corner of the land. More unbelievably he is also a Thane in eight of the nine Holds! It is a ceremonial but high honor bestowed on only the most helpful and well known citizens. It will be immensely difficult securing official cooperation in his capture from the Jarls and especially so in the holds openly hostile to us Thalmor. I may assume this is one of the reason he has ingratiated himself with the Nords. Who would suspect such a person of wrong doing when so many of Skyrim's citizens know of his good deeds?
Though it took much gold to acquire more specific information about him I've learned some key facts about my quarry. He is almost always seen at night or early morning and quickly is lost in open wilderness. He is always alone except when dealing with deliveries from his arms and armor company. Word around the holds is that he is an expert blacksmith and either makes the merchandise himself or is the front man for another reputable smithy. At most four others have been spotted with him, three his personal housecarls and one unknown Dunmer who has proven as difficult to track as Verax himself.
Strangest of all he has taken to wearing Thalmor robes! Through enthusiastic and thorough questioning we have learned that the robes are completely intact and well cared for. If he has killed one of ours there would be repair evidence but I feel something is wrong here. He would not be an agent of ours simply by his race but could he be an agent so high ranking even the 3rd Embassy knows not his station? I must assume he simply found the robes somehow but something here is clearly amiss.
Most troubling is that no one seems to know where he is at any given time, how to find him or even how to contact him. Most of his known associates advise speaking to the local Jarl for reasons already stated going directly to the Nords would be problematic.
I have been given a team of four. Tomorrow we set out for Solitude to speak with our contacts and get a closer look at his dealings there.
4 Second Seed
The Second Planting is almost upon us. The people of Solitude are gearing up for work as we continue our investigation.
Through intimidation and bribery we have learned where Verax lives in Solitude. It is a large manor that from official records was expensive both to purchase and furnish. Whatever Verax is involved in a large amount of coin has found its way to his pocket.
His local housecarl, known as Jordis the Sword-Maiden, had gone to the market and gave my infiltration specialist time to search the house for clues to its owner's whereabouts. What he found was as unhelpful as it was interesting. The house was exorbitantly furnished almost entirely for show indicating that our target may even be wealthier than it seems. Amazingly, the house was laid out like a great museum; entire rooms were dedicated to specific kinds of items. One room for swords, one for furs and bones of dragons (!), one for ceremonial apparel and so on. Drawers, dressers, wardrobes and cabinets were crammed with books instead of garments and personal effects. Though the master bedroom was immaculately organized, much like the rest of the house, a thin layer of dust coated everything.
No communique, gold or personal items were found at all. The only signs of habitation were made by the housecarl who only occupied one small room. I am tempted to request a Sieze and Sequester order for the housecarl but I am nearly sure it will do no good other than to arouse Verax's suspicions as well as upset the locals. Given his paranoia I would not be surprised if he never set foot in Solitude again if he learned we track him.
17 Second Seed
No new leads. I make the decision to contact various mercenary and underworld groups. I am putting up 10,000 septims for information that leads to his capture or 15,000 for him alive. This is a princely sum for this rabble I am forced to deal with so I expect results to come in soon. Such a massive bounty is bound to turn some heads. Perhaps I'll get lucky and some poor fools will at least leave a blood trail for me to follow. I've also put in requests to the infamous Dark Brotherhood as well as the Thieves Guild. I can't expect much from these Nords but at this point any lead will be a helpful one.
23 Second Seed
Mid Year is almost upon us and I have nothing but disappointing news. The Thieves' Guild agreed to put out feelers for information but Verax's presence in Riften was, at best guess, at least six months ago. The contacts also made mention that any information would come at triple the normal price. Apparently it was well known even in Riften that Verax was not to be trifled with and that intel would be hard to come by.
Worse was the news from vaunted Dark Brotherhood. The Black Sacrament was performed faithfully by some dupe as ordered by one of our agents. Remarkably an assassin did appear before the contract maker in the dead of night. However, when informed of the target the assassin was visibly shaken and told the dupe they had twice attempted to take Verax's life on earlier contracts. He would not take the gold as he was unsure if the job could be finished but would be back if he was successful. To date, the assassin has yet to return for his payment.
The Argonian is proving a most difficult assignment. We are moving to Whiterun as it is a trading center and perhaps we'll run into him there.
7 Mid Year
A break at last! A Nord in Riverwood with a grudge against Verax (some petty woman troubles, how provincial) managed to strike gold for me. Eavesdropping on the blacksmith's wife he learned that Verax is due in Riverwood in one week to drop off a shipment of weapons. It is likely for the Mid Year Celebration festivities as so many foolish types mean to try their luck that day. At last, we will finally put and end to this hunt.
I expect this operation to come to a swift and routine end. With a proper capture and some luck we should be back at the Embassy within the month. I pray for just that but experience has taught me to be wary of assuming a job is finished when it is not...