A/N: So, a nice long one this time around. I'm going to be gone next week, visiting family for Thanksgiving, and I wasn't sure if I'd get the chance to post while I'm away. So in reality I'm just placating you with a longer chapter. I'm thinking this story is going to have a lot of Baurus and Katryn because their relationship is just soooo much fun to write. Anyway, Happy Thanksgiving everybody and thanks so much for the nice reviews.
"She's beautiful, Martin," She said softly, "You are doing the right thing, keeping her in the dark."
"I know, Kat, thanks," His voice was heavy as he turned to the table, "Not everyone agrees with that."
The Elf and her shadow followed. Steffan shook them by the hand, forever calm and aloof while Baurus shifted down a little to make room. There were three other soldiers that Katryn didn't recognize and Martin made introductions.
"Captains Darsk and Stoam and General No'mar; gentlemen, Katryn Gwynyth."
"The woman that needs no introduction," Darsk said cheerfully as he leaned across the table to shake her hand, "It's a pleasure to finally meet you."
Katryn felt her face flush a little and she waved one hand at Gozrak. The Orc took his place next to her, making her appear even smaller.
"Gozrak Shor'na, my lords."
Darsk had no jovial greeting for the Orc and neither did the other two. Gozrak's black eyes were glittering and the amusement he felt over the men's unease made his expression hard and more than a little imposing. Baurus recognized the glint in No'mar's eyes for what it was and cut in smoothly before the Argonian was given a chance to light into Gozrak.
"Well, Martin, we're all gathered and Katryn has yet to hear the details."
Martin seemed not to have heard as he glanced at the guards posted by the door and gave a single nod. The men bowed and left the room without a word, closing the door behind them. The Emperor looked back at those gathered.
"Right," He said more to himself than anyone though the blue eyes were on Baurus, "It's been nearly two weeks since word reached us and that makes it 2 ½ since the threat was discovered. There's an outpost in northern Morrowind, near Khuul, and their report was that the threat was uncovered and traced to one of 3 tribes: the Urshlaki, Zurzanik, or Marland. So far a move has not been arranged simply because we know so little and there is no guarantee that this is founded on anything. We're taking it seriously because... it's my daughter and I won't allow anything to happen to her."
"No one is grudging you your extra safety measures, sire," Steffan said softly and calm seemed to radiate from him.
Gozrak was quick to note the slight tightening of Darsk's mouth and the nearly imperceptible shift from No'mar. Katryn was the next to speak when Martin didn't continue.
"And no move should be made until more research is done," It didn't perturb her that she suddenly had the attention of almost everyone in the room. She had become the teacher and she knew precisely what she was talking about, "These tribes would have nothing to do with this, Martin. They want nothing to do with politics or war."
"How-" Stoam began.
"She knows," Baurus interrupted.
Martin searched her steady gaze almost frantically as though he was making sure neither she nor Baurus were lying to him. Whatever he saw there seemed to satisfy him and he relaxed in his seat with a nod.
"All right, tell me why."
Katryn took no offense at the short command and merely repeated the same information that she had given to Baurus two days ago.
"What prevents them from losing control completely like other tribes?" No'mar asked, his scaly face unreadable, "Everyone has that instinct to rise up when their own are threatened."
"Of course," She agreed, "But it would have to be a severe blow for such a violent reaction and unless you are not telling me something vitally important, none of the tribes would have a reason."
"Kidnapping the Ashkhan's daughter seems to be the most popular," Baurus cut in and his black eyes danced as they met Katryn's.
"I haven't withheld anything, Kat," Martin tried to get them back on track. Baurus was like a child at times and with Katryn sitting in, that side of his nature was even more dominate, "What are you thinking?"
The Elf frowned and one hand reached up to twine a loose strand of hair through her fingers. It was an old habit, one that she had picked up towards the end of her days with the Blades and something that was completely absentminded. Her burning gaze stared into space for a moment while she thought on that.
"I don't know," She said finally and glanced around quickly, "I mean, I certainly have my suspicions. There are only a few reasons why someone would choose one of those three tribes to frame. The obvious ones are other tribes of course and that doesn't make sense. Cyrodiil is more powerful now than it has been in years and any tribe would have to be incredibly desperate or stupid to take her on. Anyone wanting to break the Dunmers would have done their homework and realized that no one would believe any of those three capable of doing this which is what I don't understand. The other option is that this is all a distraction, covering up the actual plan and sending you on a wild goose chase. Has anyone approached the Ashkhans or wise women?"
"No," Stoam was shaking his blonde head and the hazel eyes were almost a little disdainful, "We weren't sure how we would be received with the questions we had to ask."
Katryn inclined her head, conceding the point. She gave the lock of hair a tug and the men could practically see the wheels turning in her brain.
"That was smart. The Urshlaki would have been receptive but the Marland and Zurzanik..." She searched for the right words and then added simply, "There are certain procedures to go through before speaking with them and they would have remained silent about everything if those weren't followed. What about the outpost? Have you spoken to the men there?"
"Just the messenger," Martin answered. His heart had grown cold at the thought of missing the real threat and his voice was taut with worry, "With appointing Mia's guard and watching over her night and day... It hasn't been done."
"Understood," Katryn's tone didn't give away the fact that her heart was twisting at the agony clearly written on Martin's face, "That will have to be done, just to follow up. There may be the chance that someone got one of the tribe names wrong and you can't risk that."
"I thought that was the reason you were brought in," No'mar's voice was taunting and the gold eyes glittered with malice.
The room was suddenly filled with a tense silence. Katryn released the lock of her hair abruptly and let it fall against her shoulder; a growl rumbled in Gozrak's chest as his hands curled into fists and Baurus was glaring at the Argonian in annoyance. It was Martin that deftly brought everything under control.
"Katryn is here as an advisor," He said to the room as a whole though his blue eyes were flashing brilliantly, "Whether she decides to remain and assist us is her decision, not ours."
Something in his tone made Katryn glance sharply at him and wonder what he really did expect of her. When she saw that he was looking at her expectantly, she shrugged her shoulders, forgetting No'mar's challenge.
"I don't really have anything else, Martin. I told you why it can't be those three and now you know why I believe this is a distraction for something else. The other option would be that a Nord is claiming to be Nerevar reborn. In a country teeming with rather fanatic Dunmer intent on keeping the 'old ways', this is blasphemy. It could be possible that the idea is to blame him since these rumors are gathering more and more validity as time wears on."
"Would they be that troubled by this?" Darsk asked.
"Yes," Katryn was so firm they thought twice about arguing with her, "Dunmer have never gotten along well with... well, any other nationalities and knowing their stubborn pride firsthand, they would consider it quite a blow to have someone they consider swine in a position of absolute power over them."
She cast a quick, apologetic look at Stoam who smiled good-naturedly and winked at her. He was beginning to like this little woman.
"Do you suggest I have him watched, then?" Martin inquired knowing that he might be taking on the near impossible. This Nerevar claim, if it was true, would send the Nord all over Morrowind and more often then not, those trips would be made in the dead of night to avoid riots and mindless violence.
"I wouldn't go that far yet, but it is something to keep in mind," She glanced around at them again and then arched her brows, "Was there anything else you needed of me?"
Baurus was yawning, stretching his arms over his head.
"Not me," He replied as he stood, "I have a new guard overlooking the watches and I don't trust him yet. Good night, sire; men; Gwynyth."
With a half bow, he turned away. The other soldiers were standing and Katryn said quite suddenly,
"Gozrak will help you, Baurus. He can make sure your man does things right on his own next time."
The Orc was downright alarmed at this and he looked at Katryn as though she had gone mad. His coal black eyes were searching hers and he opened his mouth to respond.
"Sure, that'd be great," Baurus cut in. He was frowning at the Elf as well but he knew that when she had something up her sleeve, there was no dissuading her, "Come on, Shor'na, let's go scare the hell out him."
"I'll be fine," She told her Orc in an undertone as she inclined her head to the other soldiers, "I know what I am doing."
"No, you don't," Gozrak muttered but her hand was shoving insistently at his back and he slowly left the room with Baurus.
Katryn got to her feet, straightening her shoulders and steeling her nerves as she looked Martin full in the face. The Emperor was watching her steadily, his eyes smouldering, and Katryn knew she would have to make her point fast. She was too vulnerable where he was concerned.
"What gave No'mar that impression?" She asked abruptly.
Martin blinked. He hadn't been sure what he expected her to say and his heart was thudding heavily at the thought that they were alone together, by her doing. Now he felt his hopes crumble and he wondered how angry she was with the whole situation.
"They don't understand why I wanted you," The response was simple enough but it was hard to ignore the blatant truth to it.
"I have to say that I don't either," She allowed her exasperation carry through her words, "Any book, anyone with even the smallest understanding of Dunmer tribes could have told you this and you decided on me. Is there another reason, Martin? Because if so you need to tell me now. I left behind my shop and a town that depends on me, with the promise that I would be back soon. I can't desert them."
Martin got to his feet in one fluid motion and almost winced at her obvious withdrawal from him. Her hands were clasped in front of her and the burning gaze flickered briefly. His blue eyes were shuttered, something that she wasn't used to and it made her uncomfortable, not knowing what he was thinking after months of being so in tune with him.
"I was telling the truth," He said as he paced to the windows and looked out at the night lights of the city. His emotions were raging and he knew that if he got too close to her he was going to spiral out of control no matter what she might say to him, "But now... Kat, it's not that easy."
"It should be," She answered sharply and had to force herself to stay put when he turned back to her. His eyes were blazing with passion and she immediately regretted her decision to corner him now.
"I can't help it," He said heavily and saw how her pulse leapt and her hands grip so tightly that they were turning a very pale blue. Moving forward a couple of steps, he stopped as she moved away, clearly apprehensive, "With you here, it's... it's like the old days. The days when everything was so much simpler. I wouldn't give Mia up for anything but I can't help thinking of how many sons and daughters we might have had."
Katryn inhaled quickly, taking another step back as he stepped towards her. She was berating herself for sending Gozrak out, hating that she willingly placed herself in this position. Maybe this is what you wanted all along. A voice in her head mocked. Maybe your biggest problem was that you couldn't bring yourself to come home. She tried to banish this and focus on the real problem: that Martin was getting too close to her.
"Martin, please, that was so long ago. I've moved on and you said-"
"I still love you," He interrupted and stopped her short just three yards from the door, "I've always loved you, Kat, you know that."
She closed her eyes, shaking her head and felt her heart starting to crack into smaller pieces. Again? After all this time, all this heartache, do I really have to do it all again? She had to get out; she could feel her muscles tightening and her reflexive action was to run. This was exactly what she had been afraid of, but after how easy it had turned out to enter the palace and then this room she had started to believe that everything would be okay, that they could deal with one another and not have these awkward, painful moments. And then, ignoramus that she did indeed end up being, she placed the two of them alone and wondered why things turned on her. Martin's fingers brushed her cheek and she gasped, her eyes flying open. He was right there, the closest he had been in 15 years and his eyes were so tender she was momentarily speechless. His hand wandered down when she didn't stop him and the caress she remembered went over her hammering pulse.
"Kat, oh, Katryn," He murmured hoarsely and bent to kiss her.
The Elf's hands went up to his shoulders and she was pushing him away without remembering to tell her body to do so. He looked down at her through a haze of desire and she was stepping back, trying desperately to keep him at arms' length. Her burning gaze was sorrowful and when she spoke, her voice was thick with emotion.
"I told you, Martin, I can't. I am done with this. I'm tired and this is too much," She dropped her hands and took yet another step back, "You asked me for help and I have given you what I could, let me be. I'm going home tomorrow. Tonight I'll stay and I promise I will say good bye before I leave, but let me live in peace, please, Martin."
The Emperor remained motionless, staring at her with so much hurt she almost gave in, and then she straightened her shoulders. She met his gaze squarely and wished her heart wasn't thundering so treacherously. Gripping the neckline of her shirt, she made a small bow.
"With your leave, Highness."
She turned to open the door when he spoke.
"Let me go with you."
The Elf froze, one hand on the door handle and the other tightening in her shirt so that her knuckles were nearly white. She didn't dare turn to look at him and merely cocked her head to one side to show she was listening.
"Is that a command?"
Martin flinched at the trepidation and distaste in her tone and then had to ask himself what he actually meant by that. He had spoken before he even thought about it and now he had hurt her yet again. His gaze went down over her sun bleached hair, slender neck and lithe form and he felt the burning need for her deepen, making him sound even more like an idiot.
"What if it is?"
"I don't believe you," The amusement in her voice produced a steadying effect on both of them and without turning, Katryn was glancing back at him, "Next time, sire, don't act so desperate. It's unbecoming. Good night."
She was gone before he could even begin to think of a response and he found himself agreeing with Mat Fara. Katryn Gwynyth was a master at completely throwing one off a subject.
Heidl sighed as he went into his study and shrugged out of his heavy cloak. One would think that Ald'ruhn and the surrounding desert areas were always too hot, but they never had visited in the fall and winter. The cold night air was creeping and pinching at him and he felt the old inflammation in his lungs flare up again. The fire had been reduced to embers and he knelt to stoke life into it once more before he thought of lighting any of his oil lamps. It was a pity that his help never stayed anymore. Once rumors got around that he was too interested in necromancy and the more unsavory aspects of it, no one was brave enough to stick around to find out the truth. The flames leapt from dying coals and began to lick eagerly at the dry wood he carefully piled.
"Thank you, Heidl," A voice spoke from the darkness and made him jump to his feet, whirling to face the room, "We would've had it ready for you, but we weren't sure if we wanted to give away our presence so soon."
Heidl suddenly recognized the voice and felt his shoulders relaxing. The strengthening fire was giving the room more light and he wasn't sure how he had missed Nema Bargth where she was leaning against his desk, her Dremora in the shadows to her right.
"I didn't expect you to speak before you paid me back for blowing your cover the other night," He replied drily.
Nema shrugged her shoulders and her pale eyes were gleaming in the flickering light. The Dremora was grinning evilly and Heidl chose to ignore him.
"I considered it for a while and then realized this would be much more effective," She replied as she balanced an ancient letter opener between her long fingers.
Heidl hid his curiousity while he lit one lamp after another, bathing the room with light from all half dozen of them. There had to be a very good reason for Nema to risk more exposure to come and see him, add to it she was actually here to give him a warning of sorts. Her lopsided features were exaggerated in the flickering lights and he arched his brows at her as he decided that he wasn't about to give in to her games.
"I am glad you have changed your mind."
"Do not get too comfortable, it hasn't been a full transformation," Nema tossed the letter opener aside carelessly and noted his poorly concealed wince, "Your men are fools. They let that spy walk free."
Heidl frowned at her, not understanding. Most men were fools, what did his own have to do with anything?
"Spy?" He didn't like having to ask for clarification, but he didn't have a choice.
"That Altmer that skipped out the other night after your rousing speech. Two men followed and should have killed him but apparently that was too much to ask," Nema shoved away from the desk and the near white eyes were malicious in the fire light, "I originally told Yvex we would let you find out on your own but... plans have changed."
Heidl allowed a smile that was less than encouraging. His hazel eyes flickered with disdainful amusement and he paced to his window, looking out towards the lights of Ald'ruhn.
"And you came running to tell me because you have had a change of heart about the cause?"
As he thought, his words had an adverse effect on both his unwanted guests. Nema let out a hiss like an angry cat and the Dremora's hand flew to his hip.
"Don't be ridiculous," Nema snapped, forcing herself to ignore that sting, "You have alternative plans that will give you a bigger piece of this pie and we want to be involved."
The Bosmer's face was impassive. He knew Nema was beating around the bush. There was more to her complete change of heart and that made the wheels in his head whir crazily. She was right in her guess, he did have alternative plans, ones that would be much more effective and the 'rousing speech' was merely to get others to follow.
"It's to do with the barbarian, isn't it?" Nema's words could hardly be considered a question and her sharp gaze was fixed on his face, "Blaming the death of Septim's daughter on him will be much more effective if you ask me. Which means that the others are merely being used as collateral. It was really quite simple to figure it out, Heidl, and in return for our promise of silence we want full payment."
"Always on the lookout for number one, eh, Bargth?"
Nema could plainly see that they had successfully pegged the Bosmer and her grin was frighteningly evil. Heidl couldn't talk his way out of this one and the fact that she had perfectly gambled everything was euphoric. The Nord was making progress with the Nerevar business and in all likelihood, the Ashlanders would follow after him, including Nema's own. Which meant that she would be free to strike the ultimate blow against them.
"It is the only way to live."
Katryn wasn't surprised to see both Gozrak and Baurus in her room when she stalked through the door. The passions Martin had stoked to life again had quickly simmered into furious anger. Knowing the whole episode was more her fault than his made her fury even more poisonous and when Baurus gave her a smirk, her gaze flared hotly.
"Well, Gwynyth, did you get some things off your chest and out into the open?" He questioned as his eyes danced. The Redguard knew exactly what he was doing. Katryn would need an outlet for her frustration and anger and he was willing to become her target.
"Go home to your wife," She snapped as she paced to the windows and saw rain was now coming down in steady sheets.
Gozrak was looking worriedly at her and saw that her cheeks were flushed pale blue. Her pulse was strong and her fire colored eyes were cloudy, a clear sign she was upset and trying not to show it. The tone of her voice was at odds with the obvious attempts to calm herself and the Orc was immediately on the defensive, wondering if he would have to bash heads and pull arms off.
"What happened, Kat?" He asked and his concerned tone was as soothing as Baurus' was infuriating.
She snorted slightly and shook her head as she leaned forward and gripped the windowsill. Her knuckles were turning even more pale and visions of Martin's passionate response to her words were flashing in her head. His tender caresses were making her knees weak even with him two floors above her and she spoke again so she could have a different focus.
"Exactly what you think. Relax, Gozrak, I will let you know when I want you to kill him."
"Do you feel better now at least?" Baurus cut in. He was relaxed against her bed and he ignored the death looks he was sent by both.
"Him, on the other hand?" The Orc asked, his voice a growl.
Katryn arched her brows at Baurus and turned from the window to look at him fully.
"Anytime."
The Redguard chuckled and saw that he was gaining at least some ground. Katryn crossed the room to the bed and bent, dragging her recently emptied pack from beneath. She flopped it down beside Baurus and then began pulling her clothes out of the wardrobe. The general watched without saying a word until she returned to the bed and began stuffing the clothes inside the bag. Instantly he was on his feet beside her and closing his hand around one slender wrist.
"Kat-"
"I told him this time," She interrupted and tugged at his hold to no avail, "He has been given fair warning and knows why I'm leaving. Yes, the truth."
Baurus' gaze was unreadable and Gozrak was frowning. The Redguard still hadn't released her and she didn't like how judgmental the black eyes had become.
"What are you talking about, the truth?" Gozrak demanded, "What's going on, Gwynyth?"
"I left him all those years ago, Gozrak, and now I have to do it again," She said simply, never looking away from Baurus and wondering why his disappointment hit her so much harder than Martin's, "We're leaving tomorrow morning. I have done all I can here."
"You don't believe that," The Redguard argued quietly. His fingers were still gripping the soft skin and he could feel the hammering of her pulse.
Her gaze was desperate when she looked at him and he wondered exactly what Martin had done to her. She pulled at him again and when he merely tightened his hold, she seemed to deflate. Her face took on that lost expression she had had when Martin stormed out of her barn that night and her shoulders slumped.
"I don't know anymore, Baurus," She murmured and wanted nothing more than to get away, "I just... I just needed to get away from him. He is making this... No, that's not fair. I'm making this too hard, on both of us. But... I can't."
The Redguard sat on the bed again and tugged her down beside him as Gozrak hovered nearby. Baurus was looking closely at her face but her eyes were dry and her chin set stubbornly. It would not be easy to convince her this time and he knew there was going to be no way around those painful and still very tender subjects.
"Sleep on it at least, Kat," He said mildly, tempering his tone to make it more cajoling, "Don't make a decision until you have had a good night's rest and then talk to me before you leave. Please, don't leave him when you're both so pissed off."
Katryn let out an exasperated sigh and met his gaze. Without saying a word, she reached out and pushed the pack off her bed. It landed on the floor with a dull thud and amazingly didn't tip. Gozrak's frown deepened but Baurus' relief was encouraging and he decided that maybe this would work out after all.
"You are a damn nuisance, Coll," The Elf muttered and finally managed to free her wrist.
"And that's why I mean so much to you."