Hello everyone! Finally back with a new chapter! Hope you all enjoy and once again thankyou for your reviews!
Titus the Younger was worried, his time was almost up and he had no idea how he was going to convince his father to give up Skyrim.
He sat in his room whilst his servant, Illyana, cleaned up around him, reading "A Brief History of The Empire". He had watched all his life as his father had allowed greater independence to each of the countries. His father was weak, avoided conflict and allowed the Aldmeri Dominion to shackle them under the White Gold Concordat. He had watched as his father let the empire crumble, Skyrim being only one of many countries talking of independence. There had been whispers from Morrowind among others, but Skyrim had been the only country to act. But Ulfric had only managed to start a civil war, not one against the empire.
It frustrated him, all he wanted was to lead an empire like the great Titus Mede I, his great grandfather. No one dared cross the empire back then, but now they were nothing. Nothing more than traders, leaders by name and not action. He knew the Concordat was a farce and once the Dominion was strong enough they would go after the empire. That is why he had made the deal with Elenwen, she had told him stories of wealth beyond anyones dreams in Skyrim. Wealth that only the High King or Queen could access. Elenwen had promised that if he delivered the dominion Skyrim, he would have that gold. He could then use this to buy off the heads of the other countries, secure their loyalties forever. He would use their armies to defeat the Dominion once and for all!
"I'll defeat them ALL!" he cried. Illyana turned and looked at him frightened. He looked over to her and took a breath.
"Leave me be."
She nodded and left quickly without a fuss. He moved over to the large bookcase and looked for a particular book. Picking "The Wolf Queen" he heard the rumblings of behind the shelf. He took a step back and watched as the opening to a secret room was revealed. Stepping inside he made his way to a small shrine, a statue of Boethiah in the center. Elenwen had given him the statue as a present at a function sometime ago. Activating the shrine he felt a surge of power go through him. It was like a drug, a feeling of invincibility. The deadric's voice filled him.
"You must defeat them all, my son. Defeat them all."
...
Emperor Titus Mede II sat in his chair comfortably reading when he heard the door open and a dark man who looked to be red guard appeared. Looking the man up and down, the emperor immediately recognised the uniform as one of the dark brotherhood. He sighed and put his book down, standing up and moving towards the man. "Well then young man, make it quick. I assume my son is behind this treachery?" Titus had suspected his son of plotting against him for sometime. He had been withdrawn, spending much time in his room and his behaviour in Skyrim was suspicious. A young girl appeared at the door. "Nazir hurry, the guards are coming."
Nazir moved around to the back of the emperor, pressing his blade against the older mans neck.
"I cannot tell you who brought us this contract, but there is one thing i can tell you, it was not your son."
With one swift move of the blade, the lights went out.
...
Mikhail, Rikke and Tullius arrived at the Blue Palace, immediately making their way to court. Falk was in deep discussion with Bryling and Sybille, while Erikur was in discussion with Elisif. Mikhail met her eyes and she ceased her conversation and stepped over to them.
"The emperor has been killed, although I'm sure you already have heard."
The three bowed down in greeting and nodded.
"Do we know who was behind the killings?" Tullius asked anger in his voice, "No, not yet. Titus III's coronation is happening as we speak."
"Wouldn't be surprised if he was behind it himself." Mikhail said gruffly
"There is no proof of that." Elisif replied before continuing "However," she paused for a moment, "all imperial soldiers have been ordered to return to Cyrodiil."
"What?" Rikke and Tullius both said alarmed. "What is he thinking! He can't do that, we would be leaving Skyrim in peril!" Tullius argued.
"I'm afraid you don't have a choice Tullius. Unfortunately the new emperor has chosen to abandon us, right when the Dominion is knocking on our doors."
Tullius' anger rose to the surface. "We haven't done all of this, i haven't lost all those men, just to let Skyrim be taken over by the Dominion! Mark my words, this is not the end of this." He stormed out and Rikke looked on concerned before turning back to Elisif.
"What are you going to do my queen?"
"We must solidify Skyrim, all able men and women must be ready to fight on a moments notice. Rikke i want you to travel to Whiterun and Riften and send the other Legates to the rest of the holds. Alert the Jarls to gather their troops. We need information as to what the Dominion's movements will be first before we gather the troops into particular positions. You must leave as soon as possible."
"Of course, we will leave tonight my Queen." Rikke turned and left.
"What would you have me do, your highness" Mikhail asked. Elisif looked over her shoulder and noticed the thanes, Falk and Sybille still in discussion. She lead him over to the balcony and spoke quietly.
"I want you to infiltrate the embassy again. I want you to find any information on the Dominions plans. Hopefully we can anticipate where they will strike first, and get ourselves on the front foot."
"What about numbers? Without the empires troops, we will have little chance." Elisif sighed.
"I know, which is why we need that information. I'm going to travel to the Stormcloak camp, they may have been defeated but there are still several thousand possibly even more of men and women still loyal. We will need them. they are skilled warriors and they have heart. Never underestimate the heart of a Nord, with them we have a fighting chance. We also have you." She put a hand on his arm.
"I'm only one man, my queen."
"Yes but you are also the dragonborn. You certainly changed the game in the civil war, why not one with the Dominion?" She smiled
He nodded. "I will also leave tonight. I will send word if i find anything." Mikhail turned and left, Elisif watching as he went down the stairs and out the big front doors.
"Be safe Mikhail."
...
As Mikhail was upstairs packing he heard a knock at the door. Knowing that Jordis would answer he ignored it and continued. Packing only light armor and a dagger, he hoped he would get to the embassy in time. Elisif was right, if they could anticipate their movements, they'd be in with a chance. He could only hope that Titus would change his mind in regards to the soldiers leaving.
Jordis knocked on his door and he turned around.
"There's a woman down stairs for you, a very attractive woman." Jordis raised an eyebrow at him. Mikhail looked at her like she'd grown a second head.
"You better hope that Elisif's spies haven't seen her, she might get jealous." Jordis joked.
"Honestly how old are you, twelve? There is nothing going on between the High Queen and I" Mikhail shook his head and headed down.
Jordis was right, she was incredibly attractive with long black hair and bright green eyes, but he had no idea who she was.
"Hello Mikhail," she greeted him like she was greeting an old friend.
"Good evening, i'm sorry i don't think we've met?" Mikhail replied.
"I'm disappointed, you don't recognise me at all?" The woman took a step towards him and looked him straight in the eye.
Mikhail looked hard into her eyes and realised who she was.
"Babette!"
"Well done. Yes I've decided to try something different, I finally designed a potion to make me look older than 10, although it is not permanent. The affect only lasts around 48 hours, you see. I got a bit bored of being a child, although it was lucrative. A woman has needs you know. "
"Right yes, well...um I don't think I am the right..."
Babette cut him off laughing at his assumption.
"Relax, that is not why i am here. I have information on the murder of the emperor. It was a dark brotherhood contract."
"Who ordered it!" Mikhail demanded.
"I can't tell you exactly who, it would break the sacrement. You should know that Mikhail." She replied.
"What I can tell you is that it wasn't the emperor's son who wanted to kill him. Someone from the Aldmeri Dominion ordered the contract."
"Divines! So you did it then?" Mikhail asked
"No, unfortunately I didn't get to, although I did get to have some fun with a couple of guards. No, Nazir had that pleasure. Look I'm telling you this because I care about the country. I might be part of the dark brotherhood but i don't want the Dominion in power as much as anyone else, it will be bad for business."
"Fair enough. So what will you do now?"
"Well I must get back to the sanctuary. You're still welcome you know." She smiled before leaving.
"Wow! Assassinated by the dark brotherhood! They must of made a mint!" Jordis spoke shocked.
Mikhail nodded, things were getting complicated.