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Chapter 9 - Farengar's Concerns
30 First Seed, 5E 3
Farengar sighed as he approached Siddgeir's cell. He'd been told what had happened at the party, and agreed that it sounded like some sort of spell or Daedra influence. Siddgeir was both lazy and greedy, granted, but he'd never been either stupid or suicidal, the way he had acted last night.
The former Jarl looked both angry and confused when Farengar approached. "Farengar! What in the names of the Nine is going on? The guards won't tell me anything."
Farengar sighed, casting a truth spell he'd designed for just such purposes. "What do you remember about last night's party?"
"Party?" Siddgeir looked blank. "What party?"
Farengar frowned. "You remember nothing? It was a welcome-home party for Ysmir, celebrating her rescue from the Thalmor."
Siddgeir just looked puzzled. "I ... I think I remember getting an invitation for such a party, but nothing more about it. Why? Why am I in here?"
"Because you insulted, grabbed, and spat on Stormcrown," Farengar said flatly. "She tried her best to get you to stop before you went too far, but ended up having to use Voice on you. Since it was in the presence of the High King and all the Jarls, no trial was necessary. I'm just here to find out if there was any magical or Daedric influence on you."
Siddgeir lost all color in his face. "I ... I wouldn't! All right, I don't like her very much, and she's been given things that are rightfully mine, but still - !"
"You challenged her to take you in the middle of the great hall, with everyone looking on."
"Divines, no - I couldn't have!"
Farengar was certain Siddgeir believed what he was saying; his truth spell insured that. "Then I shall try to find out why you did." He cast the spell he'd designed earlier to check for Daedric influences. He wouldn't know whether or not it actually worked unless he found something, since he'd had no known Daedra to test it on, but he cast it anyway.
Yes ... a faint, mottled reddish aura appeared to emanate from the former Jarl. There didn't seem to be any current influence; this was too faint for that, more like the lingering scent of a day-dead skunk. It didn't let him identify which Prince had influenced Siddgeir, though Farengar had some ideas on the matter, since it was clearly one of the nastier ones.
"If it's any help, it seems one of the Daedric Princes took advantage of your jealousy and dislike to encourage a confrontation. Of course, since you left yourself open to that influence, the responsibility remains yours."
Then, ignoring Siddgeir's protests, he left the dungeon to report.
Farengar joined Balgruuf, Yssha, and Marcurio in the High King's office to make his report. "I couldn't determine which one, but he was definitely Daedra-touched. He had the inclination, but on his own, he wouldn't have acted on it - he had difficulty believing that he had."
Yssha sighed. "It is a shame he must be executed for something he would not have done on his own. I may despise him, but I still do not think that right."
Balgruuf shrugged. "Vampires wouldn't be bloodsuckers if they weren't infected with sanguinare vampiris, which is hardly something most people would want, and most werewolves become that by catching sanies lupinus. Few of either would willingly harm others, in their right minds, and didn't want their conditions. But when they violate the law, assaulting or murdering people, they have to be executed. How is Siddgeir any different, when he commits a different capital crime?"
"I know what must be done, but that does not mean I have to like it." She sighed again. "When is it, and is there anything I as the offended party must do?"
"At mid-morning, about another hour," Balgruuf replied. "The people will expect you to be there, but you don't have to do anything."
"Very well. But, Farengar - you could get no idea of the Daedra Lord's identity at all?"
Farengar shrugged. "Only that it's one of the nastier ones. Why?"
"Because I have learned that five of them have personal grudges against me, and I was wondering if it was one of them."
"Hmm." Farengar looked at her thoughtfully. "If you know which five, I may be able to at least eliminate one or two. Though even without that, simply from the way Siddgeir acted, I would think the likeliest culprit was Molag Bal, King of Rape and Lord of Brutality."
"He is in that group, yes, along with Vaermina, Mehrunes Dagon, Hermaeus Mora, and Mephala. Of those, I agree he is the most likely."
Balgruuf grimaced. "Any idea why those in particular are upset with you, and not ones like Boethia?"
"Well, I have asked Talos to remove four of their artifacts from Nirn, and Hermaeus Mora has been upset with me since our first meeting, when I refused to become his champion. Probably more so now since I believe I refused a second time, in Apocrypha. I cannot be sure, as we were rather distracted at the time."
Balgruuf chuckled. "It's said one can judge a warrior by the quality of the enemies he attracts," he mused. "By those particular enemies, I would have to call you the greatest warrior in Skyrim history."
Yssha made a noise something between a cough and getting rid of a hairball. "Having to dodge such enemies when this one is pregnant, even with the knowledge of Talos' assistance for her kit, is not a pleasant prospect. She will think about it, however."
"I think you'll personally be safe enough," Marcurio said thoughtfully. "They have to know you're immortal and regenerate; even the Thalmor knew that. So unless they decide to haul you to their realms, it's the ones you care for that they'll be likely to target."
"And I doubt very much they will be able to summon me," Yssha said. "Azura had to have permission from Akatosh and Talos before she could show me Moonshadow, one of the most beautiful realms of Oblivion. And she wished only to speak to me, not harm me. So yes, it is those I care for who are in danger, rather than myself."
She turned to Balgruuf. "You have already been targeted, by Mephala influencing Nelkir, and you saw Talos remove her Blade of Betrayal from Nirn. Also, Siddgeir was possessed by, perhaps, Molag Bal in your court. So you would seem to be a prime target."
Farengar scowled. "There is little a mage can do to protect against Daedra. That's a matter for priests, not mages." He sighed. "It's a matter of mana versus magica, you know."
Yssha frowned. "I know there is a difference, because when Qolaas tried to cleanse Miraak's Temple, she was told she did not have enough mana to do so, but Akatosh lent or gave her what she needed. Can you clarify?"
"I'm not sure, but I'll try." Farengar seemed to brace himself. "You all know that magica is something innate to, and, um, radiated by, all living beings, from the tiniest being to the greatest humans, mer, or Betmer, correct?"
All three nodded, so he continued. "Mana is ... not completely understood, even by the mages and priests who study it most intensively. So I will try to be as clear as I can, but if you have questions, don't hesitate."
"All right," Yssha said. "Go on."
"As we understand it so far, and I must emphasize that this is tentative, mana is magica that is freely offered to the Divines and Daedric Lords, mostly unknowingly, through worship. So magica becomes mana when it is transformed by worship. It is, we think, what sustains both the Divines and the Daedra, and what they, in turn, use to sustain Mundus, Aetherius, and Oblivion." He shrugged. "We could, of course, be wrong - but that is the current most-accepted theory."
"I understand so far," Yssha said. "But unless there are a lot more Daedra worshipers than there appear to be, I should think they would be far weaker than the Divines. They seem to have approximately equal power, however."
Farengar shrugged. "That's one of the things we have no real clue about. Sorry." He paused. "The theory I think most likely is that because the daedra have fewer worshipers, they have less mana, yes. But that means the Divines have to use more of theirs to sustain the realms, thus making the balance between Daedra and Divines equal. But it is only a theory, with no evidence pro or con."
Yssha nodded. "I understand. Which brings us to the question of how to protect possible targets, or perhaps how to get the Princes to ignore other targets and concentrate on me instead, despite the impossibility of doing me permanent harm."
Marcurio frowned. "I don't like that, dearling. Especially not now, after what the Thalmor did to you, and you being pregnant."
Yssha smiled at him. "I do not particularly like it either, beloved. But is it not more logical to have an immortal as primary target, rather than mortals? And since our child is a gift from Akatosh Himself, I am sure he will be protected."
"Which means you will be too," Balgruuf said. "Since his welfare is directly dependent on his mother's condition. So for however long you're pregnant, you won't be vulnerable."
"That sounds plausible," Yssha said. Still ... "I have a Shout to slow time for myself . I have no reason to believe I cannot create another to speed it up the same way, and give birth in far less time than would normally be required."
The three men said, "No!" almost in unison, and she shook her head. "Why not? It would let me become the primary target far earlier."
"Danica said that you need to be monitored," Marcurio reminded her. "We both want a healthy child, so we shouldn't take chances."
"And there's another immortal around, you know," Balgruuf pointed out. "The Nerevarine and his friend are showing our young friend Imiril around."
"Yes, and Imiril is precisely why it must not be Andreius as the target. We dare not let the new King of Alinor become caught in any possible crossfire. The only other immortals we know of are my vahrinne, and I will not allow them to be sacrificed in my place."
"Why not?" Farengar asked, puzzled. "You can always reincarnate them if they're killed; you've done it for several of them already."
"And would you want one of your family hurt or killed, even if you could cure them afterward?" Yssha demanded.
"No ... no, of course not!"
"Then do not ask me to sacrifice my kindred. We are of different forms, true, but I am sil-briinah, or soul-sister, to every dragon who has ever existed. I would sacrifice myself willingly, were it not for my baby and husband, and my vahriinne depending on me."
"Which brings us back to the problem of how to protect those we're sure are or will be targeted," Marcurio said. "King Balgruuf, to start with."
"Farengar said that was a matter for a priest rather than a mage." Yssha turned to the High King. "I know you worship Talos, fahdoni, so I assume you wear one of his amulets."
Balgruuf nodded. "I even got Heimskr to bless it."
"That is good. I would suggest not removing it, and perhaps adding prayers whenever you think of it."
"Would you add your blessing, Ysmir?"
"I would like to, but no." Yssha shook her head. "You are already a target, and I fear that might only make you a more attractive one. But I shall pray he grant you extra protection; that should be safe enough."
Marcurio chuckled. "They can't do much about you talking to your soul-brother, hmm?"
"That is my thought, or at least my hope." Yssha smiled. "The Divines love the world they poured so much of Themselves into. I cannot see them failing to defend it and its inhabitants."
"I hope you're right," Balgruuf said.
Then there was a knock, and Irileth entered. "It's time, my King."
Yssha hid a sigh. Time for Siddgeir's execution, of course. She rose, along with Balgruuf and the others, hoping no one would notice when she closed her eyes. The sound and smell would be bad enough.
