Evening Star

Greg J Miller

~O~

Chapter 25

Morndas the 30th of Frostfall 4E48 Afternoon

It had just passed the mark of midday. Upon returning to the crowded main street of the Market District, Forester seemed to be in a hurry as he tried to make his way through the people. The throng seemed a little thicker than before as he approached the central crossroads of the marketplace.

Alex was still wondering what had happened back at the Crown's Hammer. "Where are we going?"

Monika turned back, pulling him in closer. "Meeting someone." She also checked that both Belwen and Ras'Dar were still just behind.

It was just a bit further along, that Forester turned down the alley that ran between the Merchants Inn and the blacksmith's next door. There was a small green space tucked in behind those buildings with some shady trees. The stone frame of a well was set to one side. At the far side, a low stone wall separated the green area from the narrow street that ran along in the shadow of the much taller wall surrounding the central district of the city.

Forester had halted their progress in that small patch of greenery and looked about. Some people passed by along the narrow street. A figure stood quietly in the corner by the back wall of the building in the shade of a tree.

Alex murmured to Monika. "Is that… Rivers?"

"Pinewatch." The agent spoke quietly. He waved them toward him. He also acknowledged the other two Guild Fighters with a nod. "Northwind. Forester." He looked past them to the Khajiit and Bosmer. "Who are these two?"

Forester cleared his throat. "Well, there's something of a story behind that."

Rivers produced a coinpurse and handed it to Forester. "It's all there. I just needed a good reason to be chased out of that place."

Alex started to comment upon Rivers' appearance. "You look uh…" His dishevelled appearance was a stark contrast to how Alex remembered him.

Rivers passed comment dryly. "I was trying to blend in with a certain crowd."

Monika shifted the topic. "We have some important information."

Forester interjected. "Well, it actually pertains to two different matters, but it seems that both may be related to one another."

Rivers looked to both of them in turn. "Perhaps, you should explain."

Forester glanced at Monika before taking charge of the conversation. He offered a brief outline of what he knew of the Thalmor soldiers that had been intruding upon Elsweyr and venturing into Cyrodiil. It was a brief report by Forester's measure, meaning that it remained wordy enough to challenge Rivers' immediate patience. He summarised what Ras'Dar and Belwen had encountered in the western forests of Elsweyr. He also made mention of the Daedric artefact that Belwen had carried from Arenthia, indicating that he believed it was the item that the Synod had posted an alert for. He briefly described the Dunmer mage from the northern regions that had taken the artefact and how they had tracked him to the city.

Rivers took only a moment to digest the information. "I think you should probably come with me. All of you."

Forester's expression indicated his ambivalence. "I understand, but we were hoping find this Fadren fellow before he gets away completely."

Rivers offered his reasons. "I haven't seen him. Still, I'd think that my people have a better chance of finding him in the city. I'd expect that he'll be watching out for all of you."

Forester didn't disagree, but sounded disappointed. "Yes, I suppose that you're probably right about that."

Rivers added a further question. "That Daedric artefact is dangerous?"

Forester responded. "Well, that's difficult to say. I suppose that it might be."

Rivers continued. "Then I want to get the word out about this Dunmer as soon as possible. See if he can be located, but first, all of this should be reported to my Chief Inspector."

Alex interjected. "Does that mean we are going to the tower?"

Rivers nodded once. "Yes. We should go there, right now."

No one objected.

The agent took the lead. He guided the group out to the narrow street and up the stone steps to the gated doors that separated the Market District from the central district.

They soon found themselves looking across the open space of The Green Emperor Way. Alex had found himself thinking how different it appeared from the last few times he had been there. In fact, the area seemed quite a bit less spacious that day. He noted that Ras'Dar and Belwen were about to be left behind at the gates. He paused just a moment, encouraging them to catch up.

Belwen seemed struck with awe at what she saw. The Khajiit seemed a little more occupied with trying to keep her moving. Of course, the White-Gold Tower at the centre dominated the circular area of the central district. The tower loomed large overhead, reflecting the midday sun. About the base of the tower, there was a broad circular walkway upon a raised platform of stone. That raised area featured a row of tall columns bridged by stone architrave.

Alex had never before seen so many people in the central district at one time. Of course, he had never before been there during a festival. On any other day, there might be just a few people here and there passing through the open space. Perhaps more than few at the busier times of the day. Upon that day, the people were scattered all about the area as far as he could see. Away from the paths and walkways, there wasn't quite so much hustle and bustle, but it was still crowded enough amongst the tombs and monuments of the open area. Canopies and temporary stalls were set up here and there. A variety of singing bards and other performers had drawn groups of onlookers. Alex was actually feeling a little disappointed that he didn't have the time and stop and look it all over.

Rivers had led the group along the crowded path directly toward the steps at the base of the White-Gold Tower. Belwen had been far too distracted by the towering structures above. She stumbled as she climbed the stone stairs leading up to that raised walkway area around the tower. Ras'Dar had caught her arm before she actually fell.

The elevated walkway was no less crowded than the rest of The Green Emperor Way. Upon that day, most of that walkway seemed just as bustling as the other common areas of the city. A bard juggling burning torches entertained a small crowd. Another crowd seemed just as equally entertained by the ale stand nearby.

Rivers led them through those crowds and around the path to the western side of the tower. The only entrance to the tower was through the large ornate doors ahead. That space immediately around the doors seemed one of the few places devoid of crowds. Two Imperial guards wearing elaborate armour stood at each side of the doors. Their attention only shifted as it became obvious that Rivers and his companions were actually approaching the entrance to the tower.

Rivers stepped ahead and approached one of the guards. Whatever he had said seemed to have produced an obvious response. The guard quickly opened the door and poked his head inside briefly. He then stepped aside and offered clear passage for the agent and his charges.

The group followed Rivers through the doors. Inside the tower, a hallway curved away in each direction, running the length of the outer wall of the tower. Another two armoured guards stood by another set of ornate doors across the hall. Behind those closed doors, lay the chambers where the ruling council gathered to govern the Empire. In response to Rivers' approach, the guards stood as rigid as the statues upon the pedestals by their sides.

Rivers seemed to ignore the guards, leading the group along the hall to the right. The floors of the hall were lined with longs mats cut to match the curvature. Tapestries and paintings lined the walls of the hallway at regular intervals. After a short distance, Rivers had turned and paused briefly. Belwen and Ras'Dar had started to lag behind again. He urged them to keep up and then resumed his pace.

The agent led them for quite a distance before they encountered a rampart that took them up a level and through a door. They continued to follow the curved hallway on that second level. It was immediately less decorated than the lower level. They passed several rather ordinary wooden doors along the way.

Just short of the steps up to the next level above, Rivers had halted their progress again, asking them all to step aside to the wall. A younger woman dressed in healer's robes escorted an older robed man along the hall. The older man was wearing a blindfold.

Alex whispered to Monika. "Is that man…?"

Forester answered, speaking in quiet tones. "A Blind Moth Priest."

Alex remembered Monika telling him about them. He hadn't seen any of them during the previous visits to the tower. Apparently, those priests were the only ones that could read the ancient Elder Scrolls, but it eventually took their eyesight. Neither Belwen nor Ras'Dar had any idea what the others were whispering about. The Khajiit only wondered why the old blind man seemed to command such respect. He had thought that the Emperor was supposed to be a younger and stronger man.

They soon continued on their way. Ascending to the next level, they continued along the similar looking hallway. The agent had conscripted two tower guards along the way. After passing several more doors, Rivers finally stopped. He directed Alex, Monika and Forester into an interview room and directed Belwen and Ras'Dar toward the next one. Before departing, he had assured that them that they would be attended as soon as it was possible. As expected, a guard remained outside the door to each room.

Although he wasn't certain, Alex thought it was the same room they had been taken into a few months earlier. The small room was rather plain with bare stone walls and floor. The only feature was the small rectangular wooden table at the centre and the chairs around it. It certainly looked like the same room. He supposed that they might all be exactly the same.

Monika held no expectation of a short wait. She lowered her pack and equipment to the floor and took a seat. Alex did the same. As did Forester, though he carried far less equipment.

Alex spoke first. "Why would he take Belwen and Ras'Dar to a separate room?"

Forester responded. "Well, for one thing, there's not much space in here. I might also expect that there are topics of discussion that are not meant for their ears."

Monika agreed. "He's right. They probably also expect they'll get better answers from them if they're not with us."

Alex remained silent, thinking about those things. He hoped that the Bosmer and Khajiit were not going to be in for any ill treatment. Both of them had already been through more than enough.

Now that they were alone, Forester had been thinking more pointedly about Alex's circumstance. "If you don't mind my asking, tell me this. That uh… voice magic ability that you had… you say that it had been gone since that battle at Wellspring Grove?"

Alex nodded slowly. "Yes. We think that it happened when I finished that Thalmor mage. When I damaged that Ayleid crown."

Forester stared at the table and stroked his bearded chin. "I suppose it's reasonable to expect that some sort of ancient magic was released from the object when you struck it." He looked up to Alex. "I know that I was in terrible shape at the time, but I thought I heard a noise like thunder."

Alex confirmed his suspicion. "Yes, that was me. As I struck the blow… I released the shout. I… I do not think I really meant to, but…"

Forester was nodding. His eyes darted from side to side. "Yes. That seems to make sense of some sort." He looked back to Alex. "Your… voice magic… do you have some idea of exactly how it works?"

Monika had been quietly watching the door. The shadow visible through the gap at the bottom of the door indicated the presence of the guard outside.

Alex had also briefly glanced at the door. He spoke more quietly. "It is in my bloodline. My grandfather also had it. Perhaps a little stronger than my own ability. As I understand it, it is ancient Dragon voice magic." He hesitated a little, glancing at Monika. "We think one of my forefathers might have been a Dragon Lord. From the ancient times of Skyrim."

Forester raised his eyebrows. "Interesting." He paused with his mouth open. "Well, I can't say that I know much about that. Well, nothing really."

"We do not know much either." Alex lamented.

Another thought occurred to Forester. "I do recall some mention of a similar thing. I seem to recall some writings that posed that the Septim bloodline was derived from some similar kind of heritage." He paused. His tone shifted from thoughtful speculation to something more serious. "I probably wouldn't mention that notion around here."

Monika interjected. "We don't plan to."

Forester's brows furrowed as he considered his thoughts. "I've been thinking about that burst… back in The West Weald… when you touched the artefact. I'm thinking that Azura's Star is meant to behave like a soul gem of sorts. I think that it's quite possible that it drained off whatever ancient Ayleid magic that might have been afflicting you."

"I suppose." Alex accepted.

Forester continued. "I suspect that the Ayleid magic and… Dragon magic might be completely incompatible. Well, at least that specific Ayleid magic."

"We already thought as much." Monika commented.

Forester was rubbing his beard again. "Back in The West Weald… when you touched the artefact. Did you actually shout out? With that… Dragon voice?"

Alex responded. "I think I shouted out, but that was just… just a shout of pain."

Forester looked Alex in the eye. "I wouldn't be surprised if you actually have that power restored to you after that incident with the star."

Monika spoke dryly. "We haven't had the opportunity to test that."

Alex offered his own thoughts. "I do not feel any different. Not that I can tell."

Forester patted the table with both hands. "No. I suppose you'll just have to wait for a better opportunity to see if there's been any change." He returned to stroking his beard as he pondered his thoughts.

Alex just nodded, then started rubbing the stubble upon his chin.

A silence passed between them for a short while with each of the three keeping their thoughts to themselves.

After a time, Forester had chosen to break the silence. He had casually mentioned that he had dispatched a lone Red Rope Bandit on the road between Brindle Home and Hackdirt a few weeks earlier. That was just before he visited Chorrol.

Monika was vaguely surprised to learn of that. Karl hadn't actually mentioned that detail. He'd only said that Forester had collected a bounty. She had thought that the last of the Red Rope Bandits had been finished off months ago. That implied that there could still be more of them out there.

The mention of Brindle Home had reminded Alex of something. He had asked about a farm at Brindle Home that was owned by someone named Forester.

Forester's expression indicated some ambivalence as he spoke. He revealed that his father and brother ran a horse breeding operation at Brindle Home. He had added that his grandfather had originally run that farm when he was still alive.

Alex seemed to gain some extended sense of kinship with Forester from those details, given his own history as a farmer. He had spoken a little of how Grandfather Erik had pursued a life of adventure before settling down to run the farm near Falkreath.

Forester had tried to shift the topic rather quickly. He had asked Monika whether she had observed any of those Stendarr cultists about Chorrol during recent times. She had indicated that she hadn't seen any in some time. However, she also conceded that they might well have passed through or visited the Chapel of Stendarr and she remained unaware. Of course, Alex knew nothing different. As far he knew, the only time he had ever seen one of them was that one time, as they were passing that Wayshrine near Wellspring Grove.

Forester had avoided making any specific comment of certain things that he'd recently observed. He had only mentioned that he'd recently seen some of them in both Cheydinhal and Kvatch, adding that both cities had permitted them to operate with some measure of official sanction.

The topic of conversation soon drifted to other more mundane matters, before gradually petering away to prolonged silence.

As anticipated, Forester, Monika and Alex had been kept waiting in that small room for a lengthy period of time. More than once, the occasional noises from outside had drawn attention. A number of persons had passed by the door outside. At one point, it sounded like someone might have entered the room next door, but it was hard to tell.

It was likely that the better part of two hours had passed by before the door had finally been opened from the outside. All three looked up to see the visage of that same Chief Inspector that they had met with a few months earlier.

He did look just the same as the last time they had seen him. The Imperial man was probably in his early fifties with greying hair cut short. As before, he was dressed casually, carrying some scrolls under one arm and a small bag slung over his shoulder. He glanced at the trio briefly with his pale blue eyes as he moved to take a seat at the table.

The older man had then proceeded to withdraw a worn book from his bag, as well as a quill and inkpot. He opened the book and found the page he was looking for.

He cleared his throat before speaking. His voice sounded much older than his apparent age. "Well, it seems that you've stumbled across some matters of importance." It seemed more of a comment, than an invitation for response. Accordingly, the three Guild Fighters waited for him to continue.

The Inspector glanced at each of them in turn. His expression remained perfectly inscrutable. "I can't say that I expected to see the three of you back here quite so soon." He glanced briefly at some notes on his book, but not long enough to really read anything. "I have spoken briefly with the two foreigners you brought with you. It seems that the both of them have rather interesting stories to tell." He allowed a lengthy pause to pass, again glancing briefly at each of them.

Forester spoke up. "We have no reason to doubt."

The Inspector's eyes fell upon Forester. "No, I expect not." His gaze returned to his notes. "The Khajiit confirms some things that we have already suspected. However, the young Bosmer tells a rather more interesting tale. She says that you claim that an item she carried from Arenthia is a Daedric artefact known as Azura's Star. Is that correct?"

Forester cleared his throat. "Well, yes. I believe so. Of course, I might be wrong about that."

The Inspector's glance flickered across Monika and Alex, before settling again upon Forester. "I think that I'd like to know more about this Dunmer."

Forester looked a little uncomfortable. He again cleared his throat and then proceeded to offer an account of what he knew about Fadren. He started with that first encounter near Fort Istirus. He further detailed what Fadren had told him about himself and the story of his search for a fellow Dunmer from the north. He also noted that the Dunmer might have been lying about certain aspects of his story. Forester had related how Fadren had assisted with the elimination of a nest of vampires and seemed to be exactly what he said. At least, right up until the moment he had absconded with the Daedric artefact. Forester summarised their efforts to track him through the previous evening, leading them to believe that he was somewhere in the Imperial City, or at least he had been earlier that morning.

The Inspector had been making notes in his book as Forester spoke. He took a brief moment to digest some aspects. "So, you had not encountered this Dunmer before?"

Forester's response came awkwardly. "No. Well, not directly. Well, I might have seen him in Skingrad and Kvatch, but I didn't actually know him at the time."

The Inspector shifted his gaze to Monika and Alex.

Monika answered. "We'd never seen him before. Not before he followed Forester out from Skingrad."

The Inspector's brief silence seemed to indicate acceptance. His expression didn't really indicate anything.

Forester broke the silence. "You may be aware of an open Fighter's Guild contract issued by the Synod."

The older Inspector returned a sharp nod.

Forester continued. "Well, I suspect that the Daedric artefact indicated by the contract is the same one that we encountered."

The Inspector responded. "Of course, I'm fully aware of that Synod contract. Some of the pertinent details were originally gathered via my own people. The information in that contract is still rather inconclusive." He paused for a breath. "However, I do tend to agree. It does seem to fit the general description." He paused again. "I find it interesting that the item had eluded discovery and found its way into Thalmor territories. Even more interesting, the unlikely fashion of its return to Cyrodiil."

Forester offered his opinion. "I'm quite certain that Belwen had no idea what it was."

"Probably not." The inspector conceded that point. "However, I suspect that the Dunmer might have known exactly what it was."

Forester nodded grimly. He was less inclined to defend Fadren's motives.

Monika raised the other matter of import. "What about Elsweyr?"

The Inspector shifted his focus toward her. "The Thalmor activities in Elsweyr are a matter of concern, but not an unexpected one."

Monika responded. "According to Ras'Dar, they could be all through the western forests. He says they're killing anyone that learns of their presence."

The Inspector maintained his silent gaze.

Monika expanded. She provided brief details of the encounter with the Thalmor soldiers in the southern hills of The West Weald. "I think the only reason we're not dead is because their small group was outnumbered and wounded. That, and it seemed more important that they left no other obvious evidence that they'd been into Cyrodiil."

The Inspector nodded slightly. "We've long suspected that spies and agents had been passing through regions of Elsweyr into Cyrodiil. Those you encountered a few months ago, for example."

Alex had a question. "Should we be doing something about that?"

The Inspector might have been irritated by the question, but it was hard to tell. "The appropriate regional authorities will need to be discreetly informed. However, that information should not the reach the general public. As for Elsweyr, it's no longer part of the Empire, but many of the various kingdoms remain conditionally allied. Their rulers will also need to be informed. In any event, those matters are not your responsibility, or your concern." He looked down to his notes, flicking back through a few pages.

After a moment, the Chief Inspector looked to Forester. "Since I have you here, there is another matter that has recently come to our attention."

Forester appeared a little uncomfortable under the fixed stare.

The Inspector continued. "Sources have observed that you've taken some interest in the activities of the so-called Vigilants of Stendarr. Specifically, the group in Cheydinhal and those in Kvatch."

Both Alex and Monika remained silent, looking on with some curiosity. Neither held any clear idea of what was being inferred.

Forester responded with a measure of humility. "Well, an acquaintance of mine resides in Cheydinhal…"

The Inspector interrupted the response. "Yes, the Dunmer Guild Fighter. I am quite aware of his arrangement with the representative from the Synod. I would expect that that you were also advised to leave the matter alone."

"Yes, well… after a fashion." Forester offered. "However, I uh… I have a son in Kvatch."

"Yes. I understand that your former wife and child live within that city."

"I uh… well, I have some concerns. I have observed that some of the Stendarr cultists tend toward some rather… uh, rather extreme actions, when they operate without some sort of supervision."

"I have seen the reports. I can assure that the matter is being properly examined and appropriate arrangements are being considered. I trust that you will not find any further need to intrude upon any ongoing examinations. Unless of course, you were considering a more formal position with our people."

Forester nervously cleared his throat. "Well, no."

"Then, I should hope that concludes the matter."

"I understand." Forester sounded resigned.

The Inspector looked back to his book, turning a few pages and again examining some notes. "I think that should be enough, for now." He paused. "I do have a few more questions for the Khajiit and Bosmer." He proceeded to pack away his various items. Before rising from his seat, he glanced across the table at each of the three. "I should ask that you remain here a little longer. I expect to return in a short while."

The trio remained silent as he rose and shuffled out of the room.

Once they were again alone, Monika broke the silence. "What have you been up to?"

Forester's expression seemed a mix of disappointment and contrition. "Well, nothing really. Other than what you just heard. It might be best if I didn't say. I might only recommend steering well clear of any…"

The sound of the door opening had served as an interruption. A recognisable face peered inside. His green eyes looked up beneath his fair hair. Aside from his slightly crooked nose, his lean features were relatively unremarkable. Nonetheless, that face was well known to most citizens of the Empire. It was Prince Attrebus. He had entered quickly, closing the door behind himself just as quickly. His expression had firstly remained somewhat neutral as he looked across the room.

Alex spoke first. "Tre… Prince Attrebus."

The Crown Prince's expression shifted to a smile as he stepped forward. "Alex. Monika. I'd just heard you were here." He shifted his attention to Forester, extending his hand in greeting. "You must be Forester. Malcolm, isn't it?"

Forester took his hand, trying to maintain his composure. "Majesty."

Attrebus returned his gaze to Monika and Alex. "I heard you found some more trouble with Thalmor agents. Out in The West Weald."

Monika passed comment. "We haven't been here all that long."

"I have someone that keeps me informed." Treb maintained a mild grin.

Monika eyes narrowed a little. "Aside from the Chief Inspector, we've only spoken with…" She concluded that Rivers might be the one he was referring to.

Attrebus looked slightly serious. "I'd appreciate it if you kept that to yourself. I don't want him getting into any trouble with any of the Chiefs."

Monika only nodded in response.

Alex chimed in. "I thought that Chief Inspector was the man in charge." A tilt of his head indicated the next room. "Well, beneath your father, that is."

Treb raised his eyebrows slightly. "He-heh, no. Not exactly. There's no single person in charge of the Penitus Oculatus. Not any more. We had some trouble with that a few years back. There's a Council of Chief Inspectors. They report to my father and I'm kept informed, at least somewhat." He paused for a breath. "All the other Inspectors are various ranks of field agents and clerical agents." He paused again. "Anyway, I didn't stop by for that. I thought I'd just come by to see you." His smile returned.

Alex returned the smile. "I thought you might be too busy. With the day of festival."

Treb rolled his eyes a little. "Yeah. I have to be somewhere again in about an hour. Right now, my father's over at the arena. Watching the special Emperor's Day tournaments."

Monika interjected. "The Lady Annaïg is well, I hope?"

Treb's smile almost faltered. "Oh yeah, she's fine. She's uh… maybe a bit frustrated with being cooped up in the tower. That, and all the fuss from the palace healers. Other than that, she's doing well." He paused. "There's at least another three months to go." His smile wavered again with that last comment.

Monika maintained her own subtle smile. "Please, extend our best wishes."

Alex nodded his agreement.

"Thanks, I'll do that." Attrebus' expression conveyed genuine gratitude.

Forester had kept quiet as he watched the exchange. He was somewhat bewildered by the tone of familiarity between the Crown Prince and his fellow Guildmates.

Attrebus continued. "Can't stay long. I'm sure I'd be chased out, if I tried. In any case, I have to be somewhere else." He turned to Forester again. "It was good meeting you."

Forester tried to smile. "The pleasure is all mine, Majesty."

Treb nodded and returned his gaze to Alex and Monika. "I'm glad you're both doing well. Be careful out there with your Guild work."

"We will." Monika returned.

Treb grinned. "Really, you've already done enough for the Empire. I hear you might be taking over that inn at Weye, one day." The comment was directed to Monika. He shifted his gaze toward Alex. "You could always build on that land at Weye and set up for farming."

Forester seemed surprised. "You took the land?"

Alex only nodded, stifling a yawn.

Forester had assumed that both Monika and Alex had accepted gold as the unofficial reward for their service at Wellspring Grove. He suddenly realised why Monika seemed so interested in how Nerussa was running the inn.

Treb had called his visit to an end. "I'd better get moving. It was good seeing you all again." Hurried goodbyes were exchanged before Attrebus poked his head out the door and quickly departed.

Only a relatively short silence passed.

"That was… interesting." Forester was still digesting the experience of meeting with the Prince in such an informal fashion. He struggled to suppress a yawn.

Alex wore a mild smirk. "It looks like Treb will be a father fairly soon."

Monika passed comment. "Annaïg will be doing all the hard work."

Alex glanced up toward the ceiling. "Yes. It's a pity we can't visit her." He yawned again. "I wonder whether it will be a boy or a girl?"

Monika noted Alex's casual slip with two words. He rarely departed from the more formal speech that his grandmother had drummed into him. In part, she put that down to fatigue. She started to steer him away from his line of thought. "Yeah, well uh…." The yawning was becoming contagious. "Royals are…"

The noise at the door again interrupted. This time, it was the Chief Inspector returning from the next room. He glanced at the trio. He seemed to recognise that he had just interrupted a conversation. If he had known that Attrebus had just been in there, he made no indication of it. He shuffled back to the table and repeated the ritual with the items from his bag.

Once he was quite ready, the Inspector made a short noise as he cleared his throat and looked up at the Guild Fighters. "I won't keep you for much longer. I have just a few more questions I'd like to address."

The Chief Inspector proceeded to go through various points and clarify certain things, occasionally making further notes in his book. He again made it perfectly clear that the matter of the Thalmor activities was not a topic for any public discussion. He also made of point of reminding Forester to avoid unnecessary contact with the Stendarr cultists.

After pausing to clear his throat once again, the Inspector continued. "A number of agents are being mobilised to look for this Fadren fellow. We won't keep you from looking for him. However, at this stage, I expect that our people will be more likely to locate him first."

Forester seemed to struggle to conceal an irksome expression. Monika's eyes seemed a darker shade than their usual amber, but that might have been just because she was so tired. Still, none of the Guild Fighters voiced any comment.

The Inspector cast his pale blue eyes across the trio. "I think that should mostly conclude our business. There's just one more thing." He paused briefly to unfurl the scrolls he had brought with him. "As you might expect, I'll be requiring that each of you sign these documents of confidentiality."

It wasn't much of a surprise. They had to do the same thing when they worked those contracts a few months earlier.

After signing the document, Alex had a question. "What about Belwen and Ras'Dar?"

They Inspector appeared vaguely nonplussed. "Well, they have been most helpful and forthcoming. As far as I'm concerned, they are both free to go. I'd only recommend that you remind them of the importance of remaining quiet about what they know."

Alex nodded, struggling with the pressing urge to yawn.

After packing away his things, the Inspector rose from his seat. "Very well. Thank you for your assistance in these matters. I will have the guards escort you from the tower. Good day to you all."

The Chief Inspector made his way out of the room, leaving the door open. He spoke briefly with the guards outside and then went on his way.

The three Guild Fighters proceeded to gather up their equipment as the guards waited patiently for their exit from the room. Ras'Dar and Belwen were already waiting out in the hall. They both appeared quite weary. As advised, the two guards escorted the group back down through the tower to the doors that led outside.

Emerging from the White-Gold Tower, the passage of time was immediately quite evident. It seemed clear that more than four hours had passed by since they had entered the tower. The sun had already fallen well below the tall walls of the city. It was most likely near to settling upon the horizon by that time.

The crowds had eased notably, but there were still a lot of people spread throughout The Green Emperor Way. Two men were making their way through the people, lighting the city lamps. They also ignited the temporary torches that had been placed here and there. A rowdy group of drunks were singing at a spot along the northern side of the raised walkway. That was near the still busy ale stand. There was a less rowdy group watching some bards performing a play over near the outer wall of the district. Another crowd was gathered about a quartet of musicians just south of where they were standing on the walkway.

Alex raised the obvious question. "What should we do now?"

Monika sighed. "I'm too tired to do much of anything." She glanced about each of the others. "We all are."

Alex failed to stifle a yawn. "What about… what about Fadren?"

Monika looked to Alex with weary eyes. "I think we should just leave it to the agents."

Forester seemed to bristle just a little. "As much as it might annoy me, I suppose that I must agree. They do stand a better chance of finding him."

"So, then?" Alex prompted.

Monika sighed again. "We should head back to the Wawnet Inn. I told Nerussa that we might be back. There should be room for all of us."

Forester opened his mouth, then seemed to change his mind. "Well, I suppose that it is on the way back to Skingrad."

The Khajiit finally entered the conversation. "Ras'Dar does not have the coin for staying at inn. This one expects that Belwen has even less."

Belwen didn't confirm the obvious.

"That won't be a problem." Monika advised. "Food and board will be taken care of."

The Khajiit offered his friendliest grin. "Imperial Fighters are most generous. Ras'Dar is most grateful."

Monika just nodded and turned to look toward the path. "Come on, then. It'll be dark soon. We should get moving before we all fall down."

The others fell into step with Monika as she started off. They headed directly for the Talos Plaza District and the main gates out of the city.

The sun was just settling below the western horizon as Fadren Verelas emerged from the Waterfront Inn onto the docks of the Imperial Waterfront District. He paused for a moment to casually glance about, running a hand over his freshly cropped head and cleanly shaved face. It seemed a strange sensation. It had been years since his hair had been so short. Even longer since his face had been without a beard.

The Dunmer exchanged a friendly nod with the Imperial guard who was bringing his torch up to light the oil lamp on the wall.

Fadren had discarded the robe he had been wearing. He was again wearing his plain clothes. He felt satisfied that he appeared quite different from how he looked when he passed through the city earlier that day. He didn't know for certain whether anyone might be looking for him. However, he suspected that Forester might have been rather upset that he had run off with Azura's Star after that incident in The West Weald. He wouldn't have been surprised if the Guild Fighter had tried to follow his muddy tracks. He didn't know whether any of his companions held the skill to track him. Even if it had been the case, he doubted that anyone could have followed his movements through that crowded city upon the hill above the docks.

Fadren gently patted the satchel that hung from his shoulder as he strolled along the curved dock of the waterfront. That satchel contained everything that he had. There was a little dried food and a water flask, along with what little gold that he had left. He had earlier purchased a map of Cyrodiil from the Imperial Trading Company office just a little further along the docks. The map cost a bit more than he might have expected, but he planned to put it to good use. Of course, the most important thing in his satchel was that item that brought him to that location in the first place, Azura's Star.

The Dunmer offered a silent prayer to Azura in the twilight. The dusk represented one her times of greatest influence. With such an object of her power at his side, he felt assured that his prayer would be heard, if not answered. He briefly wondered just how far he could travel before the arrival of the next twilight with the following dawn.

~O~