Previously on Ekali of the Frozen Heights: Ekali convinced Jarl Balgruuf to send her as his representative to the Thalmor Embassy, and Lydia convinced Ekali to let her help the khajiit get out of there.
Chapter 7.1 Welcome to the Party
21st Hearthfire
True to Delphine's word Ekali had very little trouble finding the Winking Skeever once she'd finally arrived in Solitude. Situated on the main street, the inn was separated from the gates by only a few buildings, and the sign hung out over the street in full view from the gate. She made no detours before heading into the building, and once inside her contact was easy to find. There were all kinds of people in there, both eating and drinking, but only one wood elf sitting alone at a table near the door.
"Yes?" The Bosmer's greeting left much to be desired when the khajiit came to a stop beside him, his eyes not even straying from the half filled goblet in front of him. She didn't let the brusque greeting stop her as she slid onto the stool opposite him.
"Our mutual friend sent me," she said, and finally Malborn's eyes rose to meet hers over the table. His eyebrows rose and his lips twitched in blatant disbelief.
"Really? You're who she picked? I really hope she knows what she's doing." Shaking his head briefly, he took another drink of the goblet that her sensitive nose identified as containing wine before placing it back on the table and fixing her with an evaluating stare. "Here's the deal. I can smuggle some equipment into the Embassy for you. Don't plan on bringing anything else in with you. The Thalmor take security very seriously. Give me what you can't live without, and I'll make sure to get it into the Embassy. The rest is up to you." He took another drink as she nodded.
"You wouldn't happen to know what kinds of thing I might have use for in there, would you?" she asked and was met with a frustrated look in response.
"You're asking me? She promised she was sending someone who knew what they were doing..." He rolled his eyes.
"I'm asking you because I've never been in the Embassy before and haven't really got any idea of what I'm going to face," she ground out as she sent a glare his way. He paused in lifting the goblet to his lips, nodding in recognition of her statement.
"If you actually want to get out alive, I'd bring whatever you need to move quietly, and kill quickly. If you're discovered you're going to be swarmed with Thalmor wizards before you can even comprehend what's going on, and then Elenwen is going to get both of our heads served to her on a silver platter." He shuddered at the thought as Ekali shook her head at him.
"Alright," she said, standing up so as to be able to get her pack and weapons off of her back. Handing him the short-sword, the bow and the quiver she started rooting in her pack. After a few moments she withdrew a couple of potions, some lockpicks and her spare leather armour before placing them down onto the table in front of him. "There, that should be enough," she breathed out as she retook her seat, and he quickly looked over the items before withdrawing a sack from underneath the chair and stuffing them in it.
"Well then, I guess I'll see you at the party," he said as he stood up and hoisted the bag onto his shoulder.
"Yes, good luck," Ekali said as he headed towards the door.
"I'm not the one who's gonna need it." She only just heard his parting comment, and her lips quirked up into a smile as she rose from her seat and left for the stables.
When Ekali arrived at the stables Delphine was watching the road vigilantly from where she stood leaning against the old stone mill. Near her, but still out of the way of any workers, a carriage drawn by two horses stood. A young Nord was lying down on the seat, hands folded under his head. The Breton straightened up when she saw Ekali approaching, quickly checking their surroundings as she approached the khajiit. "Have you given Malborn the gear you want to smuggle into the embassy?" she asked as the two of them came within a few feet's distance of each other, and Ekali nodded shortly.
"Yes, he's all set." Delphine nodded in response, lifting the sack she held in her hand a few centimetres higher briefly to draw Ekali's attention to it.
"Good. I have your clothes for the party here. I trust that you had little trouble getting the invitation?" At Ekali's nod, the Blade continued. "Well then, put this on. When you're ready, I'll keep the rest of your gear safe until you get back. You'll only have access to whatever you told Malborn to smuggle in for you as well as whatever can be found in the building. Look, I don't know much about the embassy but what I do know is that it's made up of three buildings. You're going to see the barracks and the main house from the entrance courtyard, but it's unlikely that there's anything in the barracks that'll be of use. The party is in the main building and the guests will likely be confined to a couple of rooms but your goal is Elenwen's solar on the other side of the inner courtyard. So once Malborn gets you in you need to make your way, alive, across the heavily patrolled courtyard and into Elenwen's office in the solar. It's likely it won't take long until they discover you even if you do manage to avoid any bloodshed, so you'll need to move quickly once you leave the party."
"What kinds of guards are there at the Embassy?" Ekali asked as she accepted the sack from Delphine.
"Mostly altmer, though there might also be a couple of khajiit or bosmer. I doubt they'd have any Imperial soldiers at the Embassy, and Thalmor ranks only accept those three races. Why, do you think you could take someone's armour?"
"Possibly. It would solve the problem of crossing the courtyard if I could pull it off."
"Ambitious, but a good idea." Delphine nodded slowly as she thought it through. "It would give you considerably more time to search for any information."
"Yeah," Ekali said as she headed towards the mill, only glancing back briefly before she headed around to the back.
When Ekali came back she was dressed in a light green dress that reached down to her ankles. A grey sash and a darker grey belt held the dress tight around her abdomen. On top of that she wore a dark green over coat with brown lining and silver embroidery around the edges. The collar of the coat covered the lower part of her neck and was open so that her throat and the front of the dress was visible. The outer sleeves of the coat was embroidered with silver thread and on her feet she wore brown flat boots that were stylish but unremarkable. To complement the clothing she'd picked out a jade and emerald circlet and an amulet of Akatosh. "Hmm. I guess that will have to do. You should pass for a real guest, at least until you open your mouth. Ready to board the carriage to the Embassy?" Delphine said after she'd looked the dragonborn over.
"I'm ready. Keep this safe for me, will you?" Ekali asked as she handed over her pack and the sack that now contained her armour and great-sword.
"Don't worry, it will all be waiting for you when you get back. Just make sure you get back out of there alive with the information we need." Delphine accepted the equipment without protest and Ekali got onto the back of the carriage as the Breton headed up to the front and slapped her hand against the side of the carriage. The driver almost fell off the seat as he was startled out of his rest, but quickly regained his wits when he saw Ekali sitting in the passengers seat. Nodding at Delphine, he took a hold of the reins and spurred on the horses to start walking away from the stables.
It was almost dark by the time the carriage arrived at the Embassy. A cold wind swept across the court yard as Ekali got off of the carriage and her eyes swept the courtyard, landing on the guard at the entrance after only a few moments.
"Ah! A fellow latecomer to Elenwen's little soiree. And arriving by carriage, no less! I salute you, ma'am!" The male voice that called out for her caused Ekali's attention to waver from the entrance, and she looked around to find that a male Redguard was looking at her from his seat on some rocks of to the side. "My lateness is due more to getting lost on the way up this god-forsaken mountain than to any desire to actually arrive late. I prefer to arrive early. Often the day before the party. So as to not miss out on any of the drinking." Ekali flashed a smile in response.
"An admirable quest," she said, and the bearded Redguard chuckled lightly in response as the khajiit approached the door guard.
"Welcome to the Thalmor Embassy. Your invitation, please." The guard, a female Altmer with light brown hair, accepted Ekali's invitation without any further comment as she looked it over thoroughly. "Here on behalf of Whiterun?"
"Indeed, the Jarl was unfortunately unable to make it. But as the newly appointed Thane I volunteered to help Jarl Balgruuf on this matter."
"Very well, ma'am. Go right in," the guard said and handed the invitation back to the Khajiit. Ekali smiled slightly before walking past her and up the stairs.
The door swung open without any problems as she pushed down on the handle and light spilled out upon the darkening courtyard. As the Khajiit was stepping inside, she spotted an Aldmer woman clad in Justicar robes watching her. Ekali closed the door behind her as the woman ended her conversation with one of Skyrim's elite and approached her, stopping a few feet away in front of the bar behind which Ekali could see Malborn busying himself with various different bottles.
"Welcome. I don't believe we've met. I'm Elenwen, the Thalmor Ambassador to Skyrim. And you are..?" As the other woman spoke, Ekali forced a smile to cross her lips as she reached out her hand towards the ambassador.
"My name is Ekali of the Frozen Heights, and I'm here on behalf of Jarl Balgruuf of Whiterun. Pleased to meet you." A small smile crossed Elenwen's lips as her eyes remained stern and she accepted the Khajiit's hand and shook it.
"My, now you've really caught my interest. How did a Khajiit manage to become a Thane in Skyrim of all places?" Ekali was busily thinking of a better story than the truth before the ambassador had even finished her question, but only a moment passed before the wood elf bartender spoke up from the side.
"Lady Elenwen?" he asked, and as the ambassador turned her attention to the Bosmer Ekali let out a breath of relief before allowing her eyes to stray around the room for a bit. Though not as big as the interior of Dragonsreach the hall was quite large, and men and mer of all gender and sizes littered the room. Several soldiers also littered the room and though the majority of them were definitely Altmer there where also two Bosmer in the room.
"What is it Malborn?" Elenwen asked in exasperation, and Ekali forced her attention to return to the ambassador.
"It's just that we've run out of the Alto wine. Do I have your permission to uncork the Arenthia red..." Elenwen sighed as he talked, clearly not interested in talking about what to serve next.
"Of course. I've told you before not to bother me with such trifles." As the Ambassador spoke Ekali heard the Redguard coming in through the door and watched from her peripheral as he slipped past her and started mingling with the different guests, grabbing a drink off of a tray as he went.
"Yes, Madame Ambassador." Malborn lowered his head, eyes finding the floor as Elenwen turned her gaze back to Ekali.
"My apologies. We'll have to get better acquainted later. Please, enjoy yourself," the ambassador said as someone called her name from across the room, then her attention completely left Ekali as she headed towards whoever had called for her. Ekali closed her eyes momentarily in relief before she walked up to the bar and leaned up against it. As she did so she noticed that the Redguard had taken a seat on a bench along the wall, and every now and then he'd try and strike up conversation with one of the waiters when they walked past, looking more and more annoyed for every time they ignored him.
"What can I get for you?" Malborn said with a loud enough voice to be heard above the din. Then he continued in a whisper as he picked up a glass and wiped it off with a cloth. "You made it in. Good. As soon as you distract the guards, I'll open this door and we can get you on your way. Let's hope we both live through this day."
"Give me two goblets of whatever alcoholic drink you've got on hand, and then get ready. We'll have that distraction soon," Ekali said quietly as he took out two goblets and filled them up with some wine before handing them over to her.
"Of course. Let me see if we have another bottle of that. I'll be waiting by the door for everyone to be distracted." Ekali nodded as she accepted the goblets, then turned towards where the Redguard was sitting and walked over to him. What he was saying only got clearer as she drew closer to him.
"What does a fellow need to do to get a drink around here?" The Redguard uttered in a frustrated tone, and Ekali smiled as she took a seat next to him and handed over one of the goblets. "Ah, pardon me, friend. I didn't see you. And how incredibly generous of you!" he said as he accepted the goblet and took a long drink right of the bat. Ekali stared at him for a moment before shaking her head to clear it. "Allow me to introduce myself: Razelan. Imports and exports, by trade. Observer of human nature, by avocation," he said as he held out his hand to her, and Ekali shifted her drink into her left hand to shake his.
"So, what brings you to this party?" Ekali asked as her eyes strayed from him to observe the room. It was filled by both humans and elves in finery, though the elves only consisted of Altmer members of the Thalmor. She found it unsettling to discover that she didn't recognise a quarter of the people assembled.
"Officially, I'm here to establish new contacts and earn the company more money. In truth, I'm only here to drink and be drunk and disorderly," he uttered before he took another drink. It ended rather abruptly and he sighed as he observed the empty goblet. Smirking, Ekali held the other one out to him.
"Ah, the one generous soul amongst a gathering of pinch-pennies and lick-spittles! If there's ever anything I can ever do for you, do not hesitate to call upon me!" he exclaimed as he accepted the goblet from her and placed the empty one down onto a side table.
"Actually, there is something you could do for me," Ekali said quietly as she met his eyes, and he answered her look with a bright smile.
"Wonderful! I can begin to repay your generosity immediately. What do you need, friend?" he asked, and the khajiit smiled thankfully.
"I need you to cause a scene. Get everyone's attention for a few minutes." He narrowed his eyes slightly at her in curiosity, but didn't comment on it.
"Is that all? My friend, you've come to the right person. You could say that causing a scene is somewhat of a speciality of mine. Stand back and behold my handiwork," he said as he stood up and made his way into the middle of the room. "Attention, everyone! Could I have your attention, please! I have an announcement to make!" As he spoke Ekali got out of her seat and slowly walked towards the bar as the attention of the room slowly shifted to Razelan's rambling.
"Let's go, let's go! Before anyone notices us," Malborn said when she finally reached his position behind the bar. He looked around once before unlocking the door and getting her to step in before him. Ekali's eyes wandered around the small storage room as the Wood Elf closed the door behind them. "So far so good. Let's hope nobody saw us slip out. We need to pass through the kitchen. Your gear is hidden in the larder. Just stay close and let me do any talking, got it? Follow me." Ekali only nodded in response as he unlocked the other door and opened it up.
"Who comes, Malborn? You know I don't like strange smells in my kitchen." The voice of another Khajiit met her ears when Ekali stepped into the kitchen, the smell of cooking food filling the air.
"A guest, feeling ill. Leave the poor wretch be." The Khajiit turned around to watch them as Ekali followed Malborn, attempting to appear as if though she was walking unsteadily.
"A guest? In the kitchens? You know this is against the rules..." Tsavani muttered.
"Rules, is it, Tsavani? I didn't realize that eating Moon Sugar was permitted. Perhaps I should ask the Ambassador..." The cook bristled and bared her teeth.
"Tss! Get out of here, I saw nothing," she hissed as Malborn smirked and opened the door, once again letting Ekali go through first. Then he closed the door behind them and pointed to a chest in the corner.
"Your gear is in that chest. I'll lock the door behind you. Don't screw this up. Come on. If someone misses me at the party, we're both dead," he said as she crouched down by the chest and opened it. A weight lifted from her heart as she saw her equipment in the chest and she quickly got started with changing into the leather armour and out of the finery.