Chapter XXIX

The moment Rasha came through the shop door without Wren, Tam feared the worst. As The Ohmes-Raht-Khajiit proceeded to explain the situation, she wondered if her first fear would soon become a reality if she didn't act.

Hides was more than content to allow Wren to take on the Thalmor by herself. Magoza on the other hand wasn't. Neither was Brendarr, or she herself for that matter.

"She's an idiot," Tam said with a heavy sigh. "A complete, utter imbecile."

"Now you say that," Hides derided.

"Well she was before," Tam accepted, "but at least she had an accomplished assassin with her."

"Bounty hunter," Rasha corrected.

Magoza stepped forward, her fingers webbed together, her eyes pleading. "We're going to help her though, right?"

Tam looked to Brendarr. "Your crossbow, how good are you with it?"

The farm boy puffed out his chest with pride. "You saw me on the road west of Solitude, when we ran into those other Thalmor."

Tam closed her eyes for a few moments, thinking about their next course of action. "Right," she said, opening them. "We'll need everybody that's able if we're going to pull this off."

Rasha stood tall. "What's the plan?"

"Hides, Magoza and Brendarr will be ranged," Tam began. "Once they are dealt with, we go with the dress-up plan."

"Dress-up?" Hides repeated unimpressed. "That's really the plan?"

"Sure," Tam said. "Well, I won't be, I doubt I'd be able to fit into any of their armours. Brendarr might be too broad, but we'll figure it out."

"We'll need to figure it out before we get there," Hides said.

"Not necessarily," Tam argued. "I say we all head there, except the Bards and Faldan, they can stay here. I doubt they'll be much use anyway.".

"They'll be sorry they missed it," Rasha commented.

Philip, who had been sat on a chair behind the counter the whole time shook his head. "You're all mad."

"Yes we are," Tam agreed. "Okay, let's go."

"I'm not," Hides said. "Too risky, and I don't think this'll end well. "

Tam shrugged. "Fine, you stay here. The rest of us will go."

"I will."

"I'll remember this though," Tam warned him.

With that, they headed out.


Wren had never really spoken to the fishermen before. Jahn she knew; albeit not well, but she knew. The other two were almost complete strangers. The other Nord, Salmon; a strange name in Wren's eyes, was quite large and according to Jahn the two had met during the war after he had been reassigned from her legion to retake the Imperial City from the Dominion. Salmon didn't talk, not since his family had been butchered in front of him by the Thalmor; something that Jahn told her when the large Nord had been out of earshot.

The Dunmer's name was Sedren, and he had been in the Imperial Navy. The ship he had been serving on had been sunk by the Dominion. According to him, the Aldmeri vessel had been full of fire mages, who had launched bolts of fire, which had set their ship ablaze. Not many had survived, such was the fate of many that served in the Navy during the war.

By comparison, Wren's experience of the war had been easy. Not much going on at the Argonian border, apart from the odd group of Thalmor trying to sneak their way up through Blackwood forest.

The war had never ended, not even now. All that had happened, was it had been put on standby, an interim of tense peace, one that was not readily acknowledged by those in charge.

She wondered how a second war would turn out. A lot of people had died during the last one, however unlike Mer, Men bred faster, so the Empire would in theory, recover faster. There was no doubt in her mind however, that in the mages colleges in Isles, they weren't concocting something to give them the edge when the second great war began.

"Someone's coming," Jahn whispered.

Wren looked up to see a group of figures heading towards the boat. It took only a moment for her to see who they were. It was Tam, along with the Dunmer lad, his mother, Rasha and the young Orsimer, Magoza.

"You defeated them?" Tam asked.

Wren nodded in confirmation. "Yes, I also have their attire right here," she said pointing to a mound of armour, topped off with a crimson robe.

"What did you do with the bodies?"

Sadren gestured to the water. "She turned 'em to ash, and threw what remained overboard."

Tam looked at her in surprise. "You disintegrated them?"

"No evidence," Wren told her, "better this way."

Llandri glanced back at the dock. "Shouldn't we get ready, in case the other Thalmor show up?"

Wren agreed. "I'm wearing the robe," she told them. "Rasha and, the Dunmer woman can wear the armour."

"My name's Llandri," the Dunmer woman informed her.

"Sure."

"That's only two soldiers, there should be three," Tam said.

"Yes, Brendan-"

"Brendarr," Llandri corrected.

"Brendan will be swapping places with Sedren here. The lad's too broad to fit in the armour, but Sedren will do just fine."

Tam nodded. "Sounds good. What are me and Maggie doing?"

"You two'll be heading over there to the East Empire Company building," she said, pointing. "It's in full view of the boat, but is off to the side, and should stop anyone approaching from noticing you."

"And then when the Thalmor relief arrive, what then?"

"You shout something, give us a slight distraction. It should be enough to throw them off guard, and that's when we'll strike."

Brendarr rolled his shoulders in anticipation. "They won't know what's hit them."

"Let's get suited up, then."


Masser had just about set by the time the four Thalmor came sauntering up to the docks. Three of them were footsoldiers, the fourth was dressed in crimson, indicating another wizard.

As they got close to the boat, Tam stepped forwards, out of the shadows. "Thalmor bastards!" she yelled, just loud enough for them to hear, but no one else.

They looked around as planned, giving the others the opportunity to strike.

One moment, the crimson attired Mer was looking for the source of whoever had shouted, the next they were crying out in pain, as a large shard of ice smashed through his spine and out through his chest.

Before he had collapsed to the wooden decking, the other three Thalmor soldiers had spun around, their swords in their hands. It took a moment for them to realise that the attack was coming from who they had thought were their allies. By then, it was already too late.

Brendarr held his crossbow straight, pulling the trigger down hard. The steel-tipped bolt flew forward, straight into the middle soldier's chest. It fragmented as it struck the elven plate, splintering the armour, knocking him down.

The other two charged forwards, clashing blades with Wren and Rasha.

The Khajiit awkwardly swung at the Mer, still not used to using her left hand. Luckily, the large Nord, Salmon, was there to help. Using an Elven sword from the first group, he swung at the soldier's face. He dodged, but the action gave Rasha the chance. She thrust her sword forward, it smashing into the front of his armour, denting it. The force was enough to knock him to the ground, where the large Nord quickly finished him off, just in time to see Wren cut down her foe, before moving over to the soldier who had been knocked down by Brendarr's crossbow bolt.

He was not back on his feet, sword in hand. He didn't notice Tam behind him, her warhammer raised above her head. She brought it down on his head, the helmet smashed, and his neck snapped awkwardly. He fell back to the deck, next to the fallen wizard.

"Now we deal with these bodies," Wren said. "Then, I deal with the remaining two." She looked over to Tam and Magoza. "You two should probably fetch the others. If something goes awry, we need a way out."

Tam nodded. "Okay, we'll go fetch the others."

Wren held up her hands, sparks flickering in her palms in preparation to remove yet more evidence.


Sneaking into the inn was rather easy. Finding where the two remaining Thalmor were sleeping was more difficult, but only slightly, their crimson attire folded up and placed onto the sideboard.

Once she knew where the two Mer were, Wren went looking for a broom, so that she could discard their remains once she was done. She found one in the kitchen, which at this time of night, was empty.

With broom firmly in hand, she crept back to the room where her two victims were sleeping, her intent was to make sure neither of them saw another day.

Upon entering the room, she took note of the two occupied beds in the darkness, the outlines of their bodies barely visible under the linen sheets.

She leant the broom against the wall, before moving over to the first sleeping Mer. Carefully, she hovered her hands near their heads, before gripping hard with a sharp twist. His neck cracked with a satisfying snap.

Wren moved silently to the next one, the Mer's body completely under the sheets. She pulled them back, revealing nothing but bunched up clothes and other knick knacks designed to make it look like it was occupied.

Wren spun around, expecting to see the absent Thalmor stood behind her. Yet there was no one. They had gone, most likely to get help.

After cursing herself for falling for such an ancient trick, Wren's mind focused back on the dead Thalmor laying in the bed. If the other one had known she was coming to kill them, why hadn't they warned the other one?

She quickly checked some drawers, finding nothing of note. She closed it, moving back to the dead Thalmor, standing over him. She grabbed the duvet, pulling it off the bed.

She held out her hands, both crackling with energy. After a deep inhalation of breath, she cast the spell. Sparks flew from her hands, setting the room aglow. The body quickly turned to ash, the process burning a nasty hole in the mattress. She grabbed the broom and swept the remains around, and into the cracks between the floor boards.

Apart from the ruined mattress, there was no evidence she was ever here. She went back to the dresser, noticing that there was now only one robe, where before she grabbed the broom, there had been two. She took it with her, as well as retrieving the set of boots and anything else. She wanted to make it appear as though they had left of their own volition.

She left the room, knowing that the other Thalmor could be anywhere. There was a chance they would be heading for the docks, but they would do so stealthily and most likely not reveal themselves to Tam or the others.

With luck, she would catch up with the agent, but she doubted it. Not now, not before they set sail westwards. After a moment, she realised that the Thalmor had escaped her to see another day. There was absolutely no doubt in her mind, that it would cause them grief in the future.


Tam and Magoza stepped into the book store, greeted by a rather tired looking Philip, who sat on a chair behind the counter.

"Aren't you lot done for the night?" he asked. "I want to go to bed."

"Don't worry," Tam told him. "We're leaving."

"Excellent," he said. "The others are upstairs."

Tam turned to see Hides step into the room, his bow on his back. He frowned, or at least as much as an Argonian could frown. "The foolish plan was a success then?" he asked with a surprised tone in his voice.

"Yes, it was," Magoza affirmed.

Tam looked down at her. "Maggie, go fetch the others from upstairs."

The young Orsimer nodded, heading up the stairs. It was a short while before she returned with everyone, carrying their various bags, the two Redguards with their instruments on their backs, and Faldan, who looked like he was about to fall over, as his head drooped and his body swayed slightly.

"You drunk?" Tam asked him.

Faldan looked up. "I was sleeping," he moaned.

"Uh-huh," Tam said, turning to look at the Redguards, then at Magoza. "We got everything?"

"I got all my stuff," Hides said.

Tam looked around. "I know you do." She looked back around. "Give me a few of those bags."

Kalon passed her a bag, while Magoza passed her another.

"So I guess this is farewell," Philip said.

Tam turned to him. "Afraid so."

"Been interesting," the rotund Breton said.

"It certainly was," Tam agreed. "Want to send a message to Meratur?"

"Yes, tell him that his Orc friend is rude, and that he needs to teach her some decency."

"That's what you want to tell him?" Tam questioned.

"I can't think of anything else, so sure."

"Okay then, well goodbye."

"Goodbye."

They left the book store, making their way along the road northwards, back to the docks. Tam hoped that no one knew of their short stay with Philip. She hated the thought of anything happening to him because of them.

"So we're sailing?"

Tam looked around to see who had spoken. She saw Faldan looking at her expectantly.

"We're getting on a boat?" he asked.

"Yes we are," she confirmed.

"I hate sailing," Faldan mumbled.

"I'm looking forward to it," Magoza replied. "I've never been on a boat before."

"Word from the wise," Tam began. "Don't call it a boat in the fisherman's presence. Wait to hear what they call their transport. Sometimes people can get uppity if you call their pride a boat, when they see it as a ship."

"I'll try and remember that," Magoza said.

Hides released an audible sound. Tam turned to see Wren walking up to them.

"Dealt with them?" Tam asked her.

"One of them, the other's gone."

"You let one escape?"

"They pulled the cover over fake body routine."

Hides hissed. "Excuses from the inept."

"I didn't see you helping," Wren said. "So shut your craw."

Tam began to pick up the pace. "So all of this was for nothing?" she questioned.

"Of course not, we have a ship," Wren said.

They rounded a building, heading towards the wooden pier.

"Do you have any idea where they are?"

"None," Wren replied. "Best guess is they'll lay low till the morning, then try and book a cart or ship to Daggerfall."

"So we have to hurry," Tam said.

"Yes, we do."

The group stepped onto the ship, where the others were waiting for them. Tam noticed Sedren; the Dunmer fisherman, scowl at her, before she heard Jahn the captain chuckle.

"Ignore 'im," he said. "Let's cast off and get underway."

"Let's," Tam agreed.

"We don't even know the way," Sedren said.

"I do," Wren told them. "I used to sail these parts a long time ago. Besides, all we have to do is hug the shoreline. We can't miss it, or any of the other ports on the way."

"Whatever," Sedren said as he and the large Nord untied the ropes that anchored them to the pier. He turned to Tam. "You, help us push the ship off."

Tam noticed Magoza smile. "A fine ship too," the Orsimer said.

Tam helped push the ship off, before helping Salmon deploy the sail. The wind was blowing south-west. Not ideal, but at least it would push them in the right direction.

Slowly, they left city of Jehanna behind. They were finally on their way.


Philip's eyes shot open. He wasn't sure what had stirred him, yet he felt uneasy about something. Perhaps it had been a bad dream, or a result of recent events, with the brief reunion with Meratur, then his strange friends that followed.

He rolled over from laying on his left side, onto his right. That's when he saw a shadow of a figure by the window.

He gasped, sitting bolt upright. "Who's there?" he demanded, a fearful quiver in his voice. "What do you want?"

Suddenly a blue orb of light appeared, casting the stranger aglow. She held her hand out, the orb hovering above it.

Philip let out a yelp. "Who are you!?" he asked the Altmer who stood before him. "What do you want?" He squinted at her face, which was hard to make out due to the brightness of the glowing orb. "Tam?" he asked.

The Mer smiled. "Now, now, not all of us look alike." She gestured to her crimson attire. "Do you know what I am?"

He shook his head.

"Never seen a Thalmor before then?"

Philip began to shake. He gripped the side of his bed hard, desperately trying to think of a way out of the situation he found himself in.

"Where have they gone?" she questioned. "You will tell me!"

"W-who?" he stammered.

She didn't look happy by his response. "The ones that were here? The ones that killed the other Thalmor? The ones that escaped?"

"I-I don't know," he lied.

"Oh dear," she said with disappointment, holding up her other hand "You will tell me," she began, a flame forming in her hand. "You will tell me, or I will burn this place to the ground."

"I-if I tell you, you'll kill me," he said, trying in vain to quell his fear.

"Perhaps I'm feeling generous," she said. "Though that generosity will wane with time, as will my patience."

"Please, just leave me alone!"

"Perhaps I need to earn your trust. I am not here for you, only her. You will help me, and I will forget you exist."

"Don't make me, I can't tell you."

"I am asking nicely," she said. "Do not make me force it out of you."

"No."

"I promise, no one will be harmed. Your friend Meratur will be safe, you need not worry."

Philip's eyes grew wide. "How do you know about him!?"

"I know a lot of things, Philip. I keep my eyes and ears open. A lot of folk around here like to chat, not caring at all who overhears. I know he was here with others, two of which escaped the clutches of our forces in Solitude."

"Why do you want to find them?"

"Not them, only Taemwyn. I am only interested in her. The others are of no consequence to me, not even the two Nords."

"I can't!"

The flames in her hand grew larger. "Pity."

"Daggerfall!" he blurted out. "They went to Daggerfall."

The Altmer smiled broadly. "Now that wasn't hard was it," she said to him. "Do not talk to anyone about this. I mean anyone. If they find out I spared you, then I will be in trouble. As for you, they'll kill you."

"I won't say a word."

"Excellent." She made her way over to his bedroom door. She paused, turning around. "Thank you Philip. You help is appreciated. My name is Alderin by the way. Good night." The Mer stepped out of his room, closing the door behind her.

Philip sat in the darkness for what felt like an eternity, before he stood up, retrieving his lantern. He lit it with a match, checking every part of his house and shop to make sure she was gone. Much to his surprise, he found every door was locked. How she had managed to get in and out he didn't know, but he was going to save up and buy some new ones.

He made his way back to bed, blowing out the lantern. He lay there, eyes wide open unable to sleep. The Thalmor was now gone, but the fear was still there. She could easily change her mind and return to kill him.

Just the thought stopped him from being able to find rest, and soon it was dawn. Today; he decided, he wasn't going to open the store. He desperately needed the day off.