Evening Star

Greg J Miller

~O~

Chapter 11

Sundas the 15th of Frostfall 4E48

Monika and Alex had fully intended to arrive in the Imperial City during the afternoon of Sundas. They had been on the move since Loredas morning. As planned, they had departed Bruma early that morning. Leaving the main gates of that city, they had followed The Silver Road as it wound downhill from the high country. Aside from the Imperial patrols, the road was quiet that day. At several places along the way, the White-Gold Tower of the Imperial City came into view through the trees. Even the city itself could be seen at some points, though it remained seemingly distant until they had nearly reached The Red Ring Road that encircled Lake Rumare.

As intended, they had turned westward at the end of The Silver Road and continued onward until they reached the village of Aleswell. It was near to dusk by the time that they arrived.

Aleswell was not a large settlement. It was really no more than a small farming community along The Red Ring Road. The village comprised just eight houses and the inn. A number of modest sized crop fields surrounded the settlement. As Alex and Monika had arrived, two farmers had been busy driving their sheep into pens for the evening.

As Monika had suggested, the accommodations of the inn were rather less than ordinary. Even the best room in the place seemed just a short step up from terrible. Alex was reminded of the time that they had stayed in Bravil. He suspected that Monika would have suggested camping by the roadside, if the weather had been warmer. They just made do with what was on hand.

On Sundas morning, they resumed their journey. Rather than following the main road all the way around the lake, they diverted along the lesser road just a short distance from Aleswell. That road wound downhill to the edge of Lake Rumare. There was a narrow bridge that crossed the waters to the City Isle. The last time that they passed that bridge was nearly three months ago. At that time, they were in a small boat passing under the bridge. They were on their way to complete that mission at Wellspring Grove.

The small road led from the north-western peninsular of the City Isle up toward the main gates of the city. It also passed the Legion trainee camp located upon the lower hills of that part of the island.

Alex had taken a good look at the encampment as they passed by. He had only previously seen it from a distance. That was the reason behind his curiosity. Still, it wasn't much to look at. There were only a couple of permanent structures there. It seemed that the rows of tents were used for the trainees. Off to one side of the camp, there were a few small crop fields.

A Legion soldier was busy watching over a group of about twenty recruits as they trained. No one paid any attention to the two travellers passing by along the road.

Alex and Monika continued onward until they passed the stabling facilities outside the city walls and then reached the main city gates.

It was later in the morning as they entered the Imperial City. The Talos Plaza District of the city appeared as busy as any other Sundas. People wandered this way and that. The greater concentration of people was about the plaza at the centre of the district. A few children dashed through the streets, as they generally did. Dodging an enthusiastic beggar, Monika and Alex made their way directly toward the eastern side of the district. The Arcane University was located across the far side of the city. They intended to take the most direct route.

Passing through the gated doors of the eastern wall, they entered the central district of the city, known as The Green Emperor Way. Although he had seen the White-Gold Tower up close several times just three months earlier, the sight of it still made a suitable impression upon Alex. The base of the structure fully dominated the centre of that district and the tower loomed high into the sky above. The open green space between the central structure and the outer walls was a marked contrast against the gray stone.

From where they had entered The Green Emperor Way, they could see the armoured palace guards that stood by the large ornate doors of the entrance of the tower. However, that was not their destination. Alex and Monika cut across the grassy area to the south. Statues, gravestones and mausoleums punctuated the open green space. Aside from the tower itself, the rest of that district was open to the general public. A few children played in the shade of one of the trees. One of the regular city guards was keeping a watchful eye to ensure that the children caused no trouble.

Monika and Alex walked around the outer area until they reached the gated doors at the south-eastern section of that district's wall. They then passed through into the Arboretum District. Being a Sundas, the gardens of the arboretum were just a little crowded with all the people wandering the open area. The statues that represented each of the Nine Divines lined the circular path. The statue of Talos stood at the exact centre of the open space. Alex and Monika made their way directly across to the gated door at the far side.

The doorway through the stone walls led them outside the city. The Arcane University was contained within in its own stone walls. Those walls were not nearly as tall as those of the main city, but still impressive enough. The spire of the mage's tower rose up from the centre of the university grounds. Again, it was no where near as grand as the White-Gold Tower, but it dominated the university.

They crossed the stone bridge that traversed the deep gully between the walls of the city and those of the university. Alex had just noticed that he could see Wellspring Grove Island from that bridge. He was just a little surprised that he hadn't previously realised how close the island was to that location. He held no fond memories of that place. A number of their comrades had died there, and they had only barely survived the experience themselves. He had idly wondered what had become of Forester since that time.

Inside the grounds of the Arcane University, they descended the stone steps from the entrance. Alex had given a wide berth to those purple flames that arose from the stone cauldrons near the base of the steps. The last time that he visited that place, those flames had leapt out at him. They did not burn, but they seemed attracted to him. They had speculated that it had something to do with Alex's inherited ability. Although that ability had since become dormant or lost, Alex did not want to test the flames. He was actually a little worried of a different effect since he had been affected by ancient elven magicks.

Monika and Alex proceeded directly to the main office of the Arcane University just inside the base of the tower. After presenting their papers, they were kept waiting at that location until someone had found Moorcroft and brought him to the office.

The Synod mage was not exactly what they had expected. He seemed rather less than impressive. Moorcroft was a diminutive and elderly Breton man with just a thin wisp of white hair. His hands were shaking as he took possession of the delivery. Moorcroft had instructed the office attendant to handle the paperwork and payment before shuffling off to parts unknown.

With the contracted task attended and payment received, Monika and Alex departed the Arcane University. They had not learned anything about the Daedric weapon they had delivered, but then they hadn't really expected any different. They made their way back to the main city. Alex had kept pace with Monika as she walked briskly back across the Arboretum District and into the central district of the city. It was more than an hour past midday by that time. Nearly half way across The Green Emperor Way, Monika had suddenly stopped.

Alex wondered what might be wrong. "What is it?"

Monika looked across the central district toward the northern wall. "I'm hungry. What about you?"

"I thought we were headed for the Wawnet Inn?"

"Yeah, but…" Monika trailed off.

"I am a little hungry." Alex conceded.

Monika smiled and gestured toward the far side of the district. "Come on. Let's head over to the Market District."

"Okay." Alex fell into step with her.

The Market District of the Imperial City was still quite busy and crowded even though it was coming up on two hours past midday. The usual broad mix of people moved through the streets of the marketplace. The greater number appeared to be Imperials, Bretons, or Nords, or possibly some mix of those heritages. Each of the other races also seemed to be notably represented. There were several darker skinned Redguards and a few Orsimer. Though fewer in number, there were a smattering of Altmer, Bosmer and Dunmer. A pair of Khajiit operated a stall that offered jewellery, trinkets and the like. The only Argonian in sight was involved in a heated discussion with an elderly Dunmer woman. A city guard appeared to be mediating the dispute.

Monika and Alex passed through the central crossroads of the marketplace and headed for the open stalls that lined the northern side of the main street. They each purchased something light to eat from a street vendor and they paused to stand by the statue of one of the old emperors of a past era.

Alex had been considering how mild and pleasant the weather seemed. He recalled standing in that same place during the peak of Sun's Height. At the time, he could not remember having previously experienced such hot days. Even the warmest summer days in Falkreath were nothing like that.

Monika had just finished her food and reached for her flask. "That's much better."

Alex was still finishing his last bite as he responded. "Mmm, yes." He paused. "Are we still going to the Wawnet Inn?"

Monika glanced up at the sun, gauging the time. "Yeah, we should probably head off. Come on."

Alex was still fumbling with his water flask as Monika took a few steps, then stopped to wait for him.

As they headed along the main street of the marketplace, a hooded beggar had accosted them. He had skilfully blocked their path through the crowd and commenced his routine. Alex's experience with that sort of thing remained limited. As Monika had previously instructed him, he avoided making eye contact with the beggar and deferred to her lead. Only because the beggar had so artfully blocked their path, Monika had dropped a coin into his hand. The beggar had thanked her for her generosity and brushed past Alex to find his next mark.

Just short of the gated doors to the Elven Gardens District, Alex had realised something out of place. He spoke with some surprise. "There is something inside my…" He was checking his pocket. "It looks like a note. It must have been that beggar."

Monika spoke quietly. "Just leave it."

Alex looked back with a slightly confused expression.

"Wait until we are out of here… out of the city." Monika settled.

Alex did as she said, but he was feeling rather uncomfortable over the matter. Not just about the note, but also the manner that it was placed upon his person. He had casually checked his other pockets as he walked. There didn't seem to be anything missing, as far as he could tell. He couldn't imagine any reason why a beggar would sneak a note into his pocket.

Monika and Alex proceeded directly into the Elven Gardens District. They moved along the broad thoroughfare past the residences of that district. It was far less crowded. There were just a few people about the central crossroads near the taverns. They continued onward into the Talos Plaza District. Those streets were less crowded than the marketplace, but still fairly active. They dodged past an eager beggar in the plaza on their way toward the main city gates. Monika seemed slightly annoyed. The behaviour of the beggar was to be expected, but Alex was drawing undue attention. He was eying the beggar and generally looking far more shifty than any potential pickpocket. Monika had taken his arm and firmly guided him toward the exit at the city walls.

They passed through the gates and proceeded directly along the main road from the city. Monika had been waiting until they were alone. She slowed and stopped about half way between the city gates and the stone bridge across the lake.

Monika turned to Alex. "Okay, then. What is it?" She was referring to the note.

Alex withdrew the note to examine it. He looked up with some surprise. "It is for you. It has your name on it."

"Let me see." She took the note from him and unfolded it. Her brows furrowed as she read the words.

After a moment, Alex prompted her. "What it is about?"

Monika hesitated a moment, before responding distractedly. "It seems… it seems to be from the Prince." She was reading over the note for a second time.

"From Treb?" Alex was waiting for her to continue.

Monika summarised the content. "He ah… he mentions recent dealings with Skingrad." She paused briefly. "He says I should expect to find that my status has been restored with the Skingrad Fighter's Guild office." She looked up to Alex. "That seems to be the general idea of it."

Alex knew that Monika had been previously banned from working at Skingrad, but he still held no idea of the details. "Why would Treb use a beggar to send a note?"

She gave him a withering look. "It wouldn't have been a beggar. He was probably Penitus Oculatus or something like that."

"I suppose so." Alex agreed.

"A better question, is why would he even send the note?"

"Well, he is our friend."

"He might be friendly… but he is still the Crown Prince of the Empire."

"We did help save his Empire. His father's Empire, I mean."

Monika shook her head. "Come on, let's keep moving."

Alex fell into step. He could tell that Monika wasn't in the mood to discuss her thoughts and he chose to remain silent.

Monika wasn't really so annoyed at receiving further favour from Attrebus. In fact, she suspected that the Lady Annaïg had something to do with it. She was more concerned that it seemed that their movements were still being watched in some fashion.

It seemed to be the quiet part of the afternoon on the roads outside the city. They passed only one person on the bridge. A small farmer's wagon was passing through Weye outbound and a pair of Legion soldiers rode their horses slowly along the road just nearby. The open stall by the fishermen's house was unattended. The small stabling facility across the road from the inn was also vacant.

Monika and Alex proceeded up the road that ran through the middle of Weye until they reached the door of the Wawnet Inn, then stepped inside. They passed through the familiar entryway into the gloomy tavern area. There seemed to be just the one patron inside. It was the old drunkard in the far corner. He was often there during the afternoons. Turning left toward the service bar, an unfamiliar circumstance greeted them. The old fisherman's wife, Flaenia was standing behind the bar.

Monika was surprised. "Where's Julia?"

Flaenia smiled and leaned forward on the bar. "Oh, hello dear. I'm just helping out Nerussa until… Well, it's not for me to say."

"Is that Monika?" A frail voice called out from the hall behind the bar area.

"Yes, Nerussa." Flaenia returned.

Monika shifted her gaze from Flaenia toward the back, then moved to the end of the bar. Alex followed a few steps behind. The very elderly Altmer woman slowly emerged from the back and found the end of the bar with her hands.

"Hello, Nerussa." Monika announced her presence.

Nerussa shuffled up close, peering through her near useless eyes. "Monika. You are well?" She reached out to find Monika's arm.

"Yes, Nerussa." Monika affirmed. "And you?"

"I'm well enough." Nerussa waved her arm outward. "Alex is still with you?"

Alex stepped forward so that she could find him. "I am here, Nerussa. I am well also."

"Good, good." Nerussa's firm grip found Alex's arm.

Monika raised the obvious questions. "What's going on? Where's Julia?"

"Gone." Nerussa responded in a tone that reflected her annoyance.

"Gone?" Monika repeated with surprise. The younger Imperial woman had worked for Nerussa for as long as Monika had been back in Cyrodiil.

Nerussa seemed to stare at Monika. "Yes, gone. The ungrateful wench just up and left for Leyawiin. Good riddance, too. I'd just about had enough of her smart mouth."

Monika started to speak. "But…"

"Nothing to worry about." Nerussa insisted. "Flaenia has been good enough to help out for a few days."

"But…" Monika tried to interrupt again.

"Everything is in hand." Nerussa asserted. "I have a young fellow starting tomorrow morning. One of the boys from the Kvinchal family. His parents are honest workers."

Monika recalled that were several people by that name in the city. A number of them were dock-workers down at the waterfront. She thought an Imperial woman in the marketplace was also a Kvinchal. "But if…"

Nerussa held up her hand, cutting off Monika again. "Don't you worry about anything. I have been running this inn since before I knew your mother."

Monika acquiesced. "Yes, Nerussa."

"I'll whip the boy into shape." Nerussa said firmly. "It's not like a Kvinchal boy will run off to Leyawiin."

"Yes, Nerussa." Monika agreed.

"Now, I hope you are both staying here tonight?" Nerussa shifted her pale gaze between Monika and Alex's approximate position.

Monika answered. "Yes, Nerussa. We have just come from the city." She paused in response to a subtle expression upon Nerussa's face. "We just needed to make a delivery to the Arcane University."

Nerussa made a tutting sound of disapproval. "You're not involved in that business with the Synod, are you?"

"What do you mean?" Monika asked innocently.

"I've heard what's going on." Nerussa tutted again. "They have every fool and adventurer running about the countryside looking for some old Daedric artefact. They don't even know what it is."

Monika tried to sound reassuring. "No, not that. We heard about it, but we're not involved in looking for it." She paused. "We've been up north. We visited Alex's homeland."

Nerussa's expression softened. A subtle smile formed. "You should put your stuff away in your room. Then, you both come back down and tell me all about what you've been up to these past few weeks."

"Yes, Nerussa." Monika agreed.

Alex followed Monika upstairs to the room that had been set aside for them.

Around the middle of Sundas afternoon, Forester and Suvaris travelled along the rocky hills above the Rugdumph Estate, several leagues north of Cheydinhal. The tracks they had been following had earlier taken them to the small road that led to the lands of the Lady Rugdumph. Before reaching that location, the trail again left the road and headed into the hills just to the west.

Not all that far from the road, they found the carcass of a huge bear. The wounds upon its body indicated that it had been killed by a number of different weapons. It seemed that it had been there no more than a day. No other animals had yet found the carcass. From the tracks upon the ground, it seemed obvious that the Vigilants had killed it.

Although the bears further south would still be fully active, Forester had thought that those of the northern highlands might be seeking caves or hollows to sleep away the winter months. Suvaris had advised him that there was at least another month before that was the case. His expression indicated that they should remain mindful.

The tracks led further northward. It was growing notably cooler as they headed into the high country. There were a few patches of unmelted snow here and there in the shadows of bushes and trees. Forester had turned to gaze at the settlement below the hills. The main feature was a large mansion. There were a few other structures surrounding the main building and a number of crop fields. Rugdumph sounded like an Orsimer name. He was mildly curious of what kind of Orc would hold a noble title and live in a place like that.

They continued onward in silence for a while. The trail took them west for a short distance, then turned back toward the east. It seemed as though the Vigilants may not have been certain of their path. They had spotted another bear in the distance at one point. It was too far away to be of any great concern.

As they traversed an open hillside with a clear view for a good distance, Forester had given voice to an idle thought. "Suvaris, I am curious about something."

Suvaris merely returned a short glance to indicate his attention.

Forester continued. "You must hold… an eighth rank in the Guild?"

Suvaris kept his eyes upon the trail. "Yes, eighth. For a while, now."

Forester had held seventh rank for some time. "You have been a resident of Cheydinhal for quite a while, haven't you?"

"Yes, since I left Morrowind."

Forester knew that Suvaris had left the south of Morrowind many years ago, during the Argonian invasion. He had been amongst those Dunmer that escaped the advancing armies and fled into Cyrodiil. "I suppose that I am a little curious that you are not in charge of the Guildhall in Cheydinhal."

Suvaris glanced to Forester, just briefly. His expression revealed no indication of his thoughts. "I have no interest in such a position."

Forester let the matter drop. He looked toward the mountains above. They seemed much closer. In fact, the hills that they climbed had become far more mountainous. He also turned to gauge the position of sun in the west. It seemed that they were likely to run out of daylight before reaching any obvious destination. He chose to remain silent for a short while.

After a short period, Forester spoke up again. "Are you certain that you don't know what's ahead."

Suvaris' expression remained inscrutable. "There's a lesser road just ahead. It leads through the mountains to two paths. One way heads southward to Bruma and the other, northward into Skyrim. I understand that the Temple of the Ancestor Moths is somewhere about the base of the mountains, but I'm not sure where." He paused a moment. "Also, there is rumour of a Daedric shrine somewhere in the area."

Forester's expression did not hide his annoyance. "A Daedric shrine." His tone reflected the accusation that Suvaris might have known all along.

Suvaris maintained an even tone. "I didn't really anticipate going this far."

"To which Daedric lord?"

"Azura." Suvaris offered.

"So, where is this shrine?"

Suvaris glared at Forester. "I do not know." Although he did not make mention of it, the implication was clear enough. He was warding off the notion that a Dunmer would be likely to know of the location of a shrine to Azura.

"That's not at all what I meant." Forester clarified. "I merely assumed that you know this area well enough to know where it is."

Suvaris sighed, returning to his more usual measured tone. "Not that well. I've heard it's supposed to be somewhere in this area, but I've never seen it. Besides, we don't know for certain that the shrine is the destination."

Forester did not respond, even though he had reasonably decided that they probably were headed for that Daedric shrine, wherever it was. A silence fell between them as they continued to follow the trail.

That far north, the tracks had become far easier to follow. Much of the ground was covered with unmelted snow and no fresh falls had occurred in the past day or so. They climbed further into the mountainous terrain. The trail had led them up a lesser mountain just below the range of the Jerall Mountains. Upon the side of that mountain, they came across the remains of dead minotaur on the ground. It was evident that the creature had been dead at least a day. It was obvious that wolves had fed upon the carcass, but it was also apparent that the wolves had not killed it. Wounds upon the carcass indicated that it had been killed by blade. From the tracks in the snow, there was little doubt that the Vigilants had killed the minotaur. The wolves had apparently left the area some time ago. Nonetheless, both Forester and Suvaris kept alert for any sign of danger.

It was near to dusk as Forester and Suvaris finally caught sight of the Daedric shrine to Azura. The statue was just as tall as the one of Vaermina that they had visited just two days before, but the terrain served to obscure view of the shrine until they were almost on top of it.

Given what they had seen on Fredas, they were not at all surprised at what they found. The shrine had been desecrated in much the same fashion. The snow was stained with the blood of the dead. A pile of bodies had been burned near the base of the statue, though not as well burned as the previous ones. Just as before, the work had been signed in blood across the base of the shrine.

Forester spoke first. "Well, it seems that your friends have been busy."

Suvaris glanced only briefly to Forester in response to the comment.

Forester examined the obvious tracks leading away from the site. "Looks like they headed north or north-west from here."

"Looks like." Suvaris agreed.

"So…?" Forester prompted.

Suvaris gazed off to the north, but didn't say anything.

Forester pressed again. "Are you planning to follow them."

Suvaris turned back toward Forester, then looked back down over the remains of the burnt corpses. "No."

"What then?"

"We should head back." Suvaris resolved.

"It will be rather late."

"Yes, it will. We should move quickly."

After just another quick look around, Suvaris and Forester headed back the way they had come. They moved at a brisk pace, but kept alert for possible dangers. The light was fading fast and neither of the moons had yet risen. The white snow upon the ground actually made things just a little easier. It was the shadows that drew greater attention. More than once, a suspicious looking shadow had raised concern, only to turn out to be nothing at all.

They had continued onward in relative silence until they had neared the Rugdumph Estate. By that time, Masser had risen above the horizon and Secunda was also just beginning to emerge. The moonlight improved matters notably.

Rather than exactly retracing their outbound path, they headed for the road by the Rugdumph Estate. It would lead them directly back to Cheydinhal.

Once upon the road, Forester's mind had eased somewhat. He gave voice to his thoughts. "What do think will de done?"

"What do you mean?" Suvaris kept his eyes upon the road ahead.

"About the Vigilants of Stendarr, of course."

"I don't know. It's not for me to decide."

"Of course." Forester agreed evenly. "Still, I imagine that you must have some sort of opinion on the matter."

"Some." Suvaris kept his response brief.

Forester offered some of his own observations. "At the moment, they are only attacking vampires and obvious Daedra worshippers. I begin to wonder what might happen once they run out of such obvious targets."

Suvaris had glanced toward Forester. His expression was obscured in the dim lighting. After a pause, he spoke. "I cannot speak for the Synod, or the Penitus Oculatus, or whoever stands to make such decisions. I can only imagine two likely outcomes." He allowed a moment to pass. "Either someone will decide that the Vigilants of Stendarr should be shut down…" He didn't immediately complete the statement.

Forester prompted him to continue. "Or?"

Suvaris turned his head only briefly, before returning his gaze forward. "Or perhaps some effort might be made to legitimise the movement. If they answered to the Synod, or the Emperor… or someone… then I expect that some measure of control might be placed upon their activities."

Forester digested those suggestions. "I'm not certain of which I'd prefer."

"It's not for either of us to decide." Suvaris commented.

After a short silence, Forester spoke again. "What will you do now?"

Suvaris kept his eyes upon the road. "Return to Cheydinhal and sleep."

"Of course. I was referring to tomorrow."

"I know what you meant." Suvaris suggested. "I suppose that I will return to the Imperial City and report what I have observed."

"I am planning to leave Cheydinhal in the morning." Forester reminded him of his intentions.

Suvaris understood the suggestion. "I ride out at dawn."

"Very good, then."

Both men fell silent as they marched back toward the city. It was late in the evening by the time that they arrived at the eastern gates of Cheydinhal. Suvaris returned to the Fighter's Guild and Forester retired to his room at the inn for one last night. Forester knew that he'd have no trouble at all falling asleep.

~O~