Scroll 12

"Rhavil's Treachery"

After meeting up with Amrien, the group made their way to the center of town.

Entering the doors of Hlaalu House, they were greeted with a crowd of people and the cacophony of their voices as they yelled and protested in frustration.

"Drathus Othral! We must speak with him!" Dauragon yelled over the crowd.

The uproar of voices continued to echo and Dauragon's frustration began to show on his face.

Aedalyn put a hand on Dauragon's shoulder and grinned. "I've got it."

Placing her thumb and pointer finger to her lips, Aedalyn whistled into the hall.

The uproar turned into dead silence as all of the dunmer nobles, counselors and guards stared at the group near the door.

Akisei hid behind Dauragon, taking fistfuls of the back of his robes. He looked back at her and she quickly let go.

"S-sorry…."

Dauragon just nodded and looked back towards the staring dunmer.

"Drathus Othral? Where is he?" Amrien questioned.

"I-I'm Drathus….how can I help you outsider?"

"Are you familiar with a dunmer by the name of Rhavil Urano?"

Drathus thought for a moment, but shook his head. "I am not….should I?"

"We believe he's trying to cause harm to your city." Aedalyn answered. "He may be trying to help the Covenant take over."

"Please, elaborate. I haven't heard any news of the sort." he added wide-eyed.

Akisei stepped from behind Dauragon. "H-he poisoned the Hist tree in the argonian quarter." she spoke up, receiving a few glaring gazes from some of the dunmer in the room.

"Trying to put blame on House Dres, no less." Aedalyn added, giving the glaring dumer a glare of her own.

Drathus' eyebrows furrowed uneasily.

"A nord outside the gates by the name of Hraegar said he tried to pay double for the lumber they were selling. All so they would leave town." Dauragon added.

Amrien stepped forward. "I would also like to add….." stopping to address the whole room. "That he made the priests of your temple question their faith and sabotaged the shrines so worshipers would be attacked by wandering alit."

Drathus was silent…..he crossed his arms as he turned to the large group of people standing around him.

A hand finds its way to his chin as he closes his eyes in thought.

"The Covenant troops haven't left their encampment to the west….but it's only a matter of time before our inactivity encourages them."

A sigh of frustration escapes his lips as he pinches the bridge of his nose.

"One problem after the other…..will the troubles ever cease?"

"F-forgive me for saying, ser…" Akisei piped up. "But all of Ebonheart is ready to defend the city."

The argonian woman was met with many a judgemental glance as she continued.

"These two bosmer and this dunmer helped persuade the people to talk to one another about the Covenant threat." she finished.

"What is your point, lizard-woman?" a noble asked from the crowd, his eyes narrowed in utter disgust.

"I'd show some respect…." Dauragon interrupted. "She helped us too."

The nobleman scoffed and looked away from Dauragon, scoffing in response.

"Why would this mer cause so much trouble?" Drathus questioned aloud, seeing if it would get any response. "Could he be an agent of Sheogorath?" he continued.

"Y'ffre, I hope not." Amrien replied.

Drathus turned toward Amrien and the rest of the group.

"If this were to be true, would you like to aid me further?"

Aedalyn looked to her brother and Dauragon, who both nodded.

"Do you have a plan to deal with this mer?" Aedalyn asked, a little worried about what he wanted them to do.

"I have a spell…merely a scrying spell, if you were wondering, so don't worry about that. I will cast it on one of you and see through his or her eyes. Rhavil is surely to recognize me if I looked into this matter, so this spell will allow me to speak with you."

"Charming." Amrien chimed in.

"Yes, yes, I realize the thought of casting a spell on someone is rather inconvenient. But I assure you, I've done this many a time. Rhavil must have a home here in town….head over and see what he's up to."

"Doesn't sound too hard, especially for you brother." Aedalyn smirked, nudging her brother in the arm with her elbow.

"Haven't trailed anyone in quite a long time…should be fun." he added, placing his right arm on her shoulder and leaned against her. "I'll take the spell and track him down."

"Very well, bosmer, I'll cast the spell on you."

A golden light enveloped Amrien and instantly disappeared just as quickly.

"I'll head for Rhavil's house and track him down. You two stay here in case he shows up." he looks over to Akisei. "You've seen him before, haven't you?"

Akisei nods. "Drunk out of his gourd, but yes, I have."

"Good, keep an eye out. I'll be back soon." he holds out his hand to Aeda. "Can I borrow your daggers? Mine are getting fixed."

Aeda nodded, pulling them from her side. He kissed her on the forehead and ran for the door, swinging it open.

"Be careful!" Aedalyn yelled.

"Always!" he responded, heading into the streets.

Drathus turns to the group of dunmer around him. "As for the rest of you, I'll attend to you after this matter is settled. Please return to your homes until you hear word from me."

The nobles of Ebonheart were not happy to hear this, but complied nonetheless. As each dunmer left House Hlaalu, they glared at Aedalyn, Dauragon and especially Akisei.

Akisei, who continued to stand next to Dauragon, was suddenly shoved to the floor.

"Oh, apologies." sneered a female dunmer, who acted like she was brushing dirt from her shoulder. "I didn't see you there. You should really be more careful, lest you want someone to confuse you for a servant." she paused, looking the argonian up and down. "Although, with the way you're dressed…..you look the part already. Who do you belong to? Are you looking for work?" she smirked. "I'd be more than happy to let you work for me."

She turned her gaze to Dauragon, who looked at her with rage. "Is she yours?" she asked, pointing to Akisei. "Keep your property close, ser. She's in the way."

"You're the one who should watch where you're going, ash-skin."

"Who said tha-"

The dunmer woman was cut off as Aedalyn stood between her and Akisei.

"How dare you, you mud covered tree imp! I should have the guards send you back to tribunal knows what forest you crawled out from! Savage!"

Aedalyn's gaze had fallen to the floor. Her fists were balled up tight to the point the whites of her knuckles were all that were seen. She shook in rage and for a moment, that familiar and painful crawl of bones begging to change struck her very core.

"I….suggest….you leave." She almost bellowed out. Biting her lip so hard she tasted iron. "Before what you've read about my people happens to you."

The noblewoman's eyes grew wide and she immediately bolted for the door.

Wiping a hand over her mouth, Aeda took a few breaths before turning around. She held out her hand to Akisei, who looked up at her in surprise.

"Here…..are you alright, Akisei?" she asked with a smile.

Akisei nodded. "You didn't have to do that. I'm used to it."

"You don't have to be use to it any longer. Some people just can't accept change." Aeda replied, referring to the signing of the Pact. "Oblivion take that wretched woman."

"Come on, bosmer, let's get some fresh air and cool down. This place smells of overly priced incense and desperation." Dauragon added jokingly.

Aedalyn looked up at him, surprised. "Since when can you tell jokes?"

000

Amrien searched the city, on the western side near the temple.

"There he is." Drathus' voiced echoed through his mind.

Amrien cringed a little at the strange intrusion to his brain. "A little warning next time, dunmer." he complained.

Whether it was luck or just coincidence that Rhavil stood in front of his house, Amrien considered believing in other gods for the mere moment.

Crouching down, Amrien watched him walk towards the direction of the docks.

"Follow him, let's see where he goes."

Rhavil made a few stops along the way, the first to a man who sold offal outside the temple. Amrien only knew what the stuff was because of the smell.

"I'm not selling any offal right now, Rhavil. Temple has stopped allowing it for now."

"Shut up, you damn fool. I paid you for your discretion!" Rhavil whispered violently before walking off.

Amrien continued to follow him down a long set of stairs and to a house just to the side of the dockyard.

Rhavil entered it and Amrien stood there, unsure of whether to follow, or wait until he came back out.

"Wait until he leaves." Drathus ordered. "Then head in there and see what he's hiding.

"Any chance this is a misunderstanding and he's just storing dried fish in there?"

There was no response.

Well someone doesn't have a sense of humor. Amrien thought irritably, rolling his eyes.

A few moments pass and Rhavil exits the building. Amrien remained crouched behind the landing of the stairs until he was a good ways back up into the city.

He heads for the building and opens the door.

000

Outside Hlaalu House, Aedalyn paced while Dauragon kept his eye on the streets of the city. He knew that Rhavil wouldn't show up if he felt threatened, nor would he make himself known. Still, he eyed each individual that passed.

It was when Aedalyn passed him for the tenth time that he grabbed the bosmer by the back of her leather jerkin.

"Would you stop pacing, antlers?" He questioned a bit crossly. "I can't think."

"I can't help it….I always worry whenever my brother goes on one of his sneaking missions. Something could have happened to him. What if Rhavil knew we were coming for him? What if he set a tra-ow!"

Aedalyn was interrupted by slight pain as Dauragon flicked her forehead.

"You've constantly said to trust your brother….shouldn't you be doing that now?" He scolded.

She glanced up at him for few moments, wide-eyed and dumbfounded. A smirk followed, which in turn made Dauragon turn his gaze away.

"Are you actually concerned for my brother's well being? How sweet of you!" she teased.

Dauragon's nostrils flared as he let out a frustrated sigh. "Shut up, tree dweller and help me keep an eye out for Rhavil or your brother.

Aedalyn grinned. "Yes, sir, Mr. Firestarter." she saluted jokingly. She stood next to him and then playfully punched the dunmer in his right shoulder. "Thanks….I feel a little less panicked now."

"Don't make this a habit, antlers…..my patience only allows so much."

000

Cautiously, Amrien entered the room. His eyes wandered to each corner, making sure it was clear.

The only light filtering into the room came from the windows and a group of candles on a desk in the middle.

As he walked to the center of the room, his eyes wandered to a tome on the desk.

"What did he come in here for?" he questioned aloud for Drathus to hear. "I don't see anything in here that could be useful to him if he was really plotting for the Covenant to attack the city."

"Shh, quiet….that tome…..a communication spell?" he questioned, silencing Amrien. "Let's see who he contacted."

Amrien only responded with a nod, hoping that would suffice. His hand gently touched the book, only to block his vision from a bright purple light.

When the light subsided, a magical image of a woman stood on the desk. She was Breton, of which Amrien was sure. The figure crossed her arms, tapping her foot.

"Oh, for the love of…. What is it now, Rhavil?"

She was silent as she looked down at Amrien, who returned her gaze as his hands gripped the hilts of Aeda's daggers.

"So…you're the one who has been meddling in all of Rhavil's work." the magical image of the woman puts a hand to their face. "Such a waste of my time."

The magical image of the woman lifted her staff and two portals appeared. Leaping out were two scamps, who snarled and bared their teeth at Amrien. Both of them lifted their hands into the air and threw two fireballs at him.

Amrien spun himself to the left to barely dodge out of the way of one. But the other, grazed against his right side. He winced, feeling the burn crawl across his skin.

"What a nuisance…." Amrien cursed. Suddenly….the familiar pain of bones wanting to break crawled across his body.

"You won't be satisfied with these two….I'll take care of them without your help!" he sighed in frustration as the familiar pain continued. "I told you I'd hunt soon, so be patient." he took out his daggers and ran for the two scamps.

000

Back at Hlaalu House, Drathus quickly opens the door. "Hurry, follow me! Your brother is being attacked, I told him to meet us at Rhavil's home if he made it out!"

Drathus runs past, ready to head for the house, only to have Aedalyn grab the back of his robes and pull him back.

"Hold on!" she yelled, pulling him back violently. "How many were there?! Is he okay?!"

"He's fine….a-at least I think so. There was a woman, a breton, who summoned two daedra from portals."

"These daedra, what did they look like?"

"Small…..red skin…..looked kind of dumb, honestly."

Dauragon scoffed. "He's fine."

Aedalyn sighed out in relief and let the dunmer go.

"Lead the way to Rhavil's house, Drathus. It's time to confront this cowardly mer." she says with an outstretched hand.

"Can…can I come too? I don't want anyone to get hurt." Akisei shyly piped up from behind the three.

"If you want, but you're staying outside." Dauragon told her.

Akisei nodded. "I'll stay out of the way, I promise." she assured, clutching her staff tightly.

"Let's hurry, Amrien will catch up." Aedalyn ordered.

The group followed Drathus towards Rhavil's home. Aedalyn was ready to punch this guy in his cowardly face. Not only for putting her brother in danger, but for working with the enemy and plotting to lead the Covenant into the city.

Enemy…..did she just call The Covenant that? Sure, they were the enemy for the Pact, but not necessarily to her and Amrien. Could she really call them the enemy, when narrowly a year ago she and her brother worked for the very king that leads them.

She was sure that a courier would arrive for them eventually, giving them what would essentially be a hate letter. Or one of complete disappointment. There was always a difference between the two when it came to High King Emeric.

"Over there! Isn't that your brother, Aeda?" Akisei questioned, pointing to Rhavil's home as they approached.

Sure enough, Amrien sat on the stairs to Rhavil's house. His demeanor was one of urgency. He was clearly ready to confront Rhavil…..and possibly kill him.

"Brother! Thank Y'ffre, are you alright?" Aedalyn called.

Amrien looked up and smiled, raising up his arm in greeting. "A little singed, but I'll live."

Aedalyn hugged her brother, who in turn winced as her arm wrapped around the burn he received from the scamp.

"Sorry."

"Let me see that." Akisei offered.

Akisei dug through her pouch and pulled out a vial of crushed herbs. She pulled out a tincture of health and mixed the herbs into it.

"This is gonna sting a little." she warned, before placing the mixture onto Amrien's burn.

Amrien flinched but didn't put up a fuss. He looked at the argonian in awe and nodded in her direction.

"Thank you, Akisei. I appreciate it." he thanked, placing a hand on her shoulder.

Akisei blushed. "N-no problem."

The four comrades and Drathus stood outside of Rhavil's home.

"Let's get this over with." Dauragon said eagerly.

Amrien nodded. "Either this cowardly mer surrenders, or he pays for his crime in death."

They entered the home, weapons at the ready.

"Rhavil Urano, don't move!" Aedalyn yelled, aiming her bow at him.

Rhavil, who was nose deep in a tome, dropped it and looked up in shock.

"What is the meaning of this?!" he protested.

"You know full well why we're here! Who's the woman you contacted in the storage shack at the docks?!" Amrien questioned.

"I have no idea…w-what you're talking about." he responded uneasily.

"I suppose you don't know why you tried to pay off the nords to leave the city, or sabotaged the shrines to the tribunal?" Dauragon asked, clearly making Rhavil more uneasy.

"Or poisoned our Hist tree in the argonian quarter?!' Akisei accused angrily.

"As I was saying, I have no idea what you're talking about. You can't just burst into someone's home and accuse them of ideas as outlandish as what you claim."

"The breton woman in the shack mentioned you by name, Rhavil. Saying we were meddling in your work." Amrien stated, hoping to catch him off guard.

"Damn that Conele! Stupid Covenant bitch!" he pulled out a sword from behind his desk. "You won't take me, Conele gave me potions so I'll thank her for that at least, the backstabbing halfbreed!"

"I'm confused." Aedalyn jested with a smirk. "Are you cursing her or praising her? You need to make up your mind."

It was with that final insult, Rhavil charged the group…..he didn't stand a chance.

000

"I assume you found more inside than just "evidence" yes?" Drathus asked as they group exited the home.

"He attacked us….we had to kill him." Amrien admitted.

"Having him alive would have been useful, but having him dead is just as good, to be perfectly honest. The ritual items in the shack on the docks and his belongings might tell us something more." he stops, sighing in relief. "I'll shed no tears over the death of that traitor….he caused so much grief."

He clenches his fist. "And for what? A few gold coins from the Covenant?"

"Who knows what his true motives were." Dauragon replied with a shrug. "He's dead either way. Good riddance if you ask me."

"Ser!"

The group turns to see a guard approaching them.

"Forgive me for the interruption-"

"Yes, yes, out with it boy!" Drathus responds irritably.

"Ser, the force sent to Vivec's Antlers has been pushed back. They were nearly wiped out."

"We need to hurry." Amrien told Dauragon and Aeda. "I'll meet you guys at the stables, I need to go pick up my daggers."

Without letting them respond, he quickly vanished among the crowd and disappeared.

"Anything else, soldier?" Drathus asked.

"Well, to make matters worse, the dreugh have emerged to fight both sides. I fear the Covenant may have the Coral Heart as we speak, ser."

Drathus put a hand on the soldier's shoulder. "Do not lose faith, soldier. The Tribunal are with us." he turns to the group. "Will you go to Vivec's Antlers? They could use all the help they can muster."

Dauragon nodded. "We were in town to resupply and were already heading there. We'll put a stop to them."

"But we're glad we could stop Rhavil before anymore harm came to your city. My biggest worry is that this breton woman knows Rhavil has failed and will surely act. You must get the city ready to defend itself, just in case."

"I can't thank you enough, outsiders, for what you've done here. I apologize if the stay here was….uncivil."

"Some do not like change." Dauragon replied. "It's too bad that they will have to accept it. Whether they want to, or not."

"Well….if you'll excuse me, I have a city full of nobles to attend to along with defense of the city. Safe travels to Vivec's Antlers. I hope your mission is successful."

"You're help was most appreciated. Tribunal watch over you, Drathus." Aedalyn thanked.

"And may the green of Y'ffre's light watch over you, bosmer. Safe travels and good luck."

Aedalyn's heart hurt but also felt joy at Drathus' prayer. She hoped that while she couldn't return home, Y'ffre was still watching over her in some way.

She was foolish to think that, however. Y'ffre had abandoned her and Amrien. They could never return home…..nor ever have hope to be a part of the endless green.

"I….guess this is farewell?" Akisei asked.

"Hopefully not for good. I hope we'll see each other again. Thank you for all of your help, Akisei." Aedalyn smiled.

"I-I should be thanking you, Aedalyn. You saved the Hist tree and the whole city of Ebonheart. Rhavil has been taken care of and the Covenant's plot has been stopped for the time being." her gaze falls to the floor as she lowers her head. "I just hope they don't have the Coral Heart."

"We won't let them take it, Akisei. I can promise you that at least." Dauragon assured her.

"Who are you and what have you done to Dauragon? You? Being nice?"

"Shut up, tree dweller. Let's hurry up and meet your brother at the stables."

Akisei smiled. "Safe travels, my friends…..um, is it okay if I call you friends?" she asked, flustered.

Aedalyn pulls Akisei into an unexpected hug. "Of course, after everything you've done, consider it my thanks."

"V-very well." she reaches into her satchel and pulls out three healing potions. "Consider this a thank you for helping the Hist tree. I hope you won't have to use them, though."

"Thank you so much, Akisei, we'll use them as a last resort. I promise." she looks up at the sun and curses. "Hircine be damned, we need to go! The sun is starting to set. Come on, Dauragon, let's hurry."

"I've been waiting on you, antlers, hurry up!"

As Dauragon and Aedalyn waved farewell, Akisei watched them with a smile.

If they have the courage to travel….then I should too. It's time to finally leave this city.

000

Amrien, Aedalyn and Dauragon picked up their mounts and sped towards Vivec's Antlers. Dauragon's horse almost couldn't keep up with the two faster senche as they rode along the road.

"Not much farther! I think I see the camp up ahead!" Amrien yelled back.

"Good, the sooner we get there, the better!" Aedalyn called back.

As they approached the camp, a soldier called them over.

"Hold, you look like you can handle yourself in a fight. The Pact needs your help here."

"We were sent here, what's going on, sergeant?"

"A Covenant force lead by a mage named Alexandra Conele has invaded Vivec's Antlers. They're after a powerful artifact called the Coral Heart."

"Conele….now we know her full name at least." Dauragon interrupted.

"We tried to take Vivec's Antlers back, but her army almost wiped us out."

"Then the dreugh came."Amrien added.

The soldier nodded. "They started slaughtering everyone. If you want to pitch in, report to Captain Noris. He's the officer in charge here. He's encamped to the north."

"Thank you, sergeant, we'll go speak with him now."

The group rode their mounts into the camp, with one of the most breathtaking views as they approached.

Jutting rocks and orange coral rose from shallow pools of water that littered the area. And not too far away was the ocean…..with ships anchored at the beach.

Ships that Aeda and Amrien were all too familiar with.

The orange glow of the coral mingled with the now setting sun as the skies turned pink and purple in color. It was beautiful….but the dreugh that were visible below fighting both Covenant and Pact soldiers, broke the picturesque scene immediately.

Vivec's Antlers…..they had arrived. And somewhere, whether on the Covenant ships or somewhere down below. Alexandra Conele was making her move.

The Coral Heart was somewhere…..and they had to find it first.

(Ebonheart is safe and the group have finally made it to Vivec's Antlers. Can they find the Coral Heart before Alexandra Conele? I guess we'll find out in the next chapter. Next Chapter: The Coral Heart! Look forward to it! ^.^)