A/N: And here's the next Chapter! This Chapter is brought to you via the internet connection of the White Mountain Research Station. I know this is mostly a filler chapter, but this has been a busy time for me, what with all the Field Geology I've been doing. Anyway, Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I don't own the Elder Scrolls series. I only own my original ideas.

Chapter 24: Reunion

The Assassin made his way across the lands on the back of Shadowmere, heading towards where he'd last heard Nazir was. As he traveled, his mind wandered to what he'd witnessed during the last meeting of the conspirators. Events seemed to slowly heating up, and if what the Dragonborn said is true, the Psijic Order is getting involved as well. Shadowmere carried the Assassin across the plains of Whiterun, and into the canyons of the Reach. They made their way down the trails, following the river deeper into the mountains. Eventually, they came to their goal, the city of Markarth. The Assassin left Shadow mere with the nervous-looking stable hand, and entered the city.

The Assassin asked around for Nazir, checking the various shops and the inn, and was directed to the Dwemer ruins of Nchuand-Zel beneath the city which were an active excavation site. The Assassin entered the ruins, navigating down the passages to the main excavation site. As he turned the last corner he found himself facing a familiar scimitar.

"My friend, we really must stop meeting like this," said the Listener.

"Listener!" said Nazir, lowering his blade, "good to see you again. What have you been up to?"

"It's a bit of a long story, but suffice it to say we've gotten mixed up in something pretty big. It seems the world is marching towards war. Several seemingly disparate factions have formed an alliance against the Thalmor. Are your services still required here?"

"No. I've completed what the head of the expedition, Calcelmo, wanted of me," said Nazir, "I'm free head out now".

"Good," said the Listener, "let's go".

The Listener led the way back out of Nchuand-Zel, and out of Markath. The Listener hopped back onto Shadowmere, and Nazir did the same with his horse, and the set off to the south. The pair made their down the canyons, and eventually arrived in Falkreath Hold. They continued past the city of Falkreath, and around to the shores of Lake Ilinalta to the Listener's Manor. They went inside, and were immediately greeted by their favorite vampire.

"Nazir!" said Babette, "you're alright!"

"Of course I am," said Nazir, "so, what's been going on?"

"Alright," said the Listener, "after we parted ways, I followed the trail of our guest to the Thalmor Embassy, only to find a woman camped outside, but well within view of the place. I realized she was partially acting as a distraction, so I approached her to see what I could learn. She mentioned her Thane was out 'hunting' nearby. I waited, and soon two Argonians emerged from a nearby cave. One was our visitor, while the other… was Veezara".

"So the Shadowscale managed to survive?" said Nazir, "Good to hear".

"There's more," said the Listener, "The other didn't seem surprised to see me at all. In fact, he seemed to be expecting me. He shared with all present what he'd found: the Thalmor hired us through a proxy to kill the emperor. They wished to then pin the act upon the Stormcloaks, prolonging the Civil War and thus aiding in destabilizing the land".

"Sounds like something they might do," said Nazir.

"True enough," said the Listener, "I decided to listen to what he had to say, and well, that's where things got more interesting".

The Listener continued on, explaining his meetings with the group of conspirators, and learning what the Dragonborn had to say, and of his group of allies. He told of all he'd seen and experienced since they departed.

"Well, it seems you've kept busy," said Nazir, "What do you need of me?"

"Tell me more of the situation in Hammerfell," said the Listener, "How do you think they would react to resumed conflict against the Dominion".

"I believe they would welcome it," said Nazir, "tensions between the Thalmor and Hammerfell are still very high. If anyone where to declare war against the Thalmor, I am almost certain the Redguard would join".

"I see," said the Listener, "that's good to hear".

"Hmm… what could be such a powerful driving force as to bring all these forces together?"

"The Dragonborn, Shouts-at-Sun spoke of an artifact," said the Listener, "It was the Eye of Magnus. He seems to believe the Thalmor wish to use this to achieve their goals".

"You mean their goals of 'unmaking' the world?" said Nazir, "I still find that hard to believe".

"Read about it for yourself," said the Listener pulling out some papers, "I pulled this off a Justicar who was making trouble down in Riften".

Nazir took the offered papers, and read them over. As he finished, he looked grim.

"This… is not good," said Nazir, "Where is the Eye now?"

"The last I heard," said the Listener, "It was in the hands of the Psijic Monks, in Artaeum, with is inside the Dominion".

"Ah," said Nazir, "I'll have to check with my contacts back in Hammerfell to get a better read on the situation there".

"You do that," said the Listener, "I will see you then, my friend. Until things stabilize, we should consider this place to be our backup headquarters".

Nazir nodded, and headed out. This Listener sat back for now, and though on what might the future hold.

Artaeum

The Eye gazed down on this current guard, quietly shifting its plates. It was the one it had been doing its work on, slowly worming its way into the monk's mind. It had planted a seed, and it was slowly taking root. Soon, it would be free of this place, and then the world would see it's true might.

A/N: And there we go! Next time: the adventure continues! See you then!