Author's Note: For those of you who chose to skip the last chapter, here's Lokmoroyol's reaction to the decision to turn Yssha into an enslaved whore: "If the fahliille wished gold in exchange, that was nothing to her protection of her thur. Though when - or if - the living dovah found out ... well, attempting to enslave a dovah was unforgivable. Capturing one, as was done with Numinex, and holding him to insanity and death, was merely unfortunate. Enslaving one, as Miraak had done to many with the Bend Will Shout, had led to the razing of his Temple. And, Bormah being just, it had led to his slavery to Herma-Mora as well."


Chapter 54 - Second Note from Ungarion

06 - 19 First Seed, 5E 3

Yssha's patrons weren't willing to let her remain a captive any longer than necessary, so it was Talos who accepted Ungarion's second note, in the guise of a novice Justiciar, went to a spot where he could see Lakeview Manor disguised as a Skyrim courier, and waited until he saw one of the inhabitants come outside.

As he emerged from Lakeview, Marcurio saw a courier approaching, and waited. "It's another one from 'An Enemy'", the courier said, handing him an envelope.

Marcurio sighed, and opened it, removing two sheets of paper.

"I am sure you will be pleased to know that your wife is no longer being tortured or raped. However, you may be less pleased to know the reason. Since my guard sergeant conducted an experiment on her, she has become far too valuable in a different way - too valuable to damage. Even my partner has stopped taking her pelts as they regrow.

"You see, my sergeant's experiment revealed her as extremely passionate, with an astonishing amount of drive. She was most enthusiastic about servicing a full shift of guards, and still wanted more. So I have obliged her. The interrogation suite has been turned into a gilded cage, its occupant the most exotic and ardent whore in the Dominion - and perhaps the most expensive. I keep her supplied with Thalmor men, and in return, my partner and I are becoming wealthy, despite taxes.

Since I no longer care if you know my name, I remain your faithful correspondent,

"Ungarion, Justiciar of the Aldmeri Dominion

"P.S. Our notices of her availability are being distributed throughout Tamriel. If you ever get her back, her reputation will have been destroyed. A copy is enclosed."

The second sheet of paper was an advertisement, and Marcurio snarled. It had a drawing of Yssha reclining on a bed naked, her pose clearly inviting, at the top, and below that:

"Justiciars Ungarion and Nerissa are pleased to announce that the fearsome Dragonborn has been tamed, enslaved, and is on exhibit in the Palace sub-basement for a very modest fee. She has proven to be as talented and enthusiastic in intimate matters as she is in combat, with seemingly inexhaustible capacity. Thalmor of any rank are invited to test her for themselves, with rank-based fees, between ten in the morning and midnight. Reservations and special arrangements may be made with her manager, Thalmor Sergeant Seridur."

Marcurio went inside long enough to get the rest of the rescue planners, then back outside to get Ahkrinbo to call Odahviing. When the red dovah joined them, at the far side of the clearing, he read the note aloud. The babble that rose subsided when Odahviing spoke. "You did not expect this?"

"No," Marcurio said. "Why would we?"

"Because she is dovah," Odahviing said matter-of-factly. "Dovahin, to be exact. You have all seen sky-dances."

Marcurio nodded. "But she - "

"You were her First," Odahviing interrupted. "And to the best of my knowledge, have been her only, until now. Is that correct?"

Marcurio nodded again.

"Then her dovahin nature remained dormant until her surrender and the rapes that followed. It takes several matings in a short time to awaken that." He thought for a moment. "Lokmoroyol is one of her waking guests, her soul-sibs, and would have shielded her from the pain of the rapes by sharing memories of sky-dancing. What this sergeant could have done to bring that to the fore in her kaaz body, though, I cannot speculate."

"I can," Sorcalin growled. "It's not a usual thing, but sometimes an interrogator will break into a series of rapes to show a female prisoner she's no longer capable of normal arousal. But this time one was, and her ... forgive me, Marcurio ... dovah lust came to the surface." He scowled. "But he gives his guard sergeant credit ... that his sergeant could do it I believe, since it's rumored Seridur has at least twice persuaded a whore to pay him. What's hard to believe is Ungarion crediting anyone else for a useful idea, or Nerissa not torturing anyone in her power. Especially when she could sell the Dragonborn's pelts for very good money."

Marcurio had become coldly angry during Sorcalin's analysis. "You are forgiven, and his partner's ... forebearance may be because of the price they charge for using Yssha. I would very much like to know how much he charges for my wife, so I can take it out of his hide."

Andreius shook his head. "Don't think about it, friend. It wouldn't satisfy you." He turned to Odahviing. "Does this change your determination to attack the Isles, with her submitting to her ... clients?"

"No," Odahving growled, rising to his haunches and mantling his wings. "This just tells me that we are free to do something about it. The Ungarion and the Nerissa are dead, even if they still breathe. If collapsing that city would not harm her body, and require her to regenerate, I would summon all dov to flame it immediately." He looked at Andreius and Sorcalin. "You two have ... two weeks to rescue her. Then her vahriinne go in to do whatever is necessary to bring her out." He paused briefly. "Even if we have to burn down the entire city. It is not possible to tame or enslave a dovah, though it seems Bormah is allowing them to delude themselves of the opposite. Even the thought of it will drive most of us into fury."

"Understood," Sorcalin said. "Actually, this simplifies our planning. And now we're certain where she is, and that she's in no danger till we get to her." He turned to Andreius. "Not my prisoner any more. My favorite slave bodyguard, with me for a visit to whatever whore-name they've given her, which will be easy to find out once we're there."

Andreius nodded. "I like it. That way no one will question me being armored and armed - though they may wonder at a Justiciar with a personal bodyguard instead of Thalmor soldiers."

Sorcalin snorted. "In Thalmor society? No one questions a Justiciar, who has the power of life or death over anyone of lesser rank. Which is anyone other than a noble or the King. And I can illusion myself to look like a noble Justiciar. You won't be questioned."

Grams grinned. "Sounds good to me. I'm heading to Imperial City to let Titus know what's going on, and that we have both a firm location and an absolute deadline, so he can get the invasion moving. Then I come back, and we finalize our own plans."

"One thing," Marcurio said, primarily to Odahviing. "Try not to damage their palace, since that seems to be where those two Justiciars are. Their lives are mine."

Odahviing nodded. "I will spread the word." Then his attention went back to Grams. "Set the attack for noon, two weeks from today," Odahviing ordered. "That will give his other forces time to get in position, and our infiltrators two hours to get Dovahkiin out of the city." He turned to Sorcalin. "She deserves to see our revenge on her behalf. So find a spot where she can dress and watch. I will fly you in tonight."


They had found Sorcalin's family farm, which was now occupied by quiet peasants, and decided quite quickly that it wasn't a suitable teleport destination, so Sorcalin led his friend up a nearby hill. "I had a hideout up here when I was a boy ... maybe it's still there, and we can use it." It was a dirt cave, smaller than he remembered, but usable, so he memorized it as a teleport target, then 'ported back to Lakeview to pick up Yssha's armor and weapons, a supply of healing potions, and some food and drink. Once they'd stowed that, Sorcalion cast a minor aversion spell, so no one else would enter.


Back in Alinor city, they found a tavern near the palace, one frequented by Justiciars, and entered, taking a small table. Sorcalin ordered flower-wine for both of them. The serving-maid looked bubious, but obeyed, and a Justiciar approached. "Are you sure you want to be here, brother? This one looks like an Imperial."

Sorcalin grinned. "Because he is - third generation of my slave bodyguards. His grandfather was a bit reluctant, but his father served willingly. Andreius himself grew up in my service. Will you join us, brother?

"Gladly, then. I'm Norcaron." He waved for a barmaid, ordered more flower-wine for himself, and smiled. "I don't recognize you, brother. Are you here for anything special?

"I'm Sorcalin, in from Valenwood on leave, and yes. I heard about the Dragonborn being tamed, and thought it might be interesting to hire it as a treat for Andreius. Maybe myself, if the rumors are true."

"Valenwood? You have my sympathies. But yeah, the Dragon Lady's been tamed - I had her myself, once." Norcaron grinned. "She's unbelievable until you've had her. It's a wonder the King lets anyone else use her, or it would be, if he could persuade the Queen to go along."

"Really?" Inwardly, Sorcalin cursed. "We heard she was available in the sub-basement cells, and quite expensive."

"Both true; the King only takes her once a day, at most; rumor says the Queen's made it clear she won't tolerate more than that. Won't let Prince Imiril do more than look, poor kid." Norcaron grinned. "Which the rest of us appreciate. Not that you'd ever recognize her cell as anything but a bordello room, now. Silks, velvets, furs ... her manager keeps her in luxury, and rightly so. For a beast-woman, she's beautiful, and so soft ... so eager ... " Norcaron sighed. "If you can get in first for the day, and restrain yourself long enough to warm her up, it's said she's ... more dragon than Khajiit. After that, just incredible, not superlative." He grinned. "Oblivion, they don't even chain her any more, unless the client asks specifically."

Andreius wanted to grin at that, but frowned instead. "That sounds ... odd. As a professional, how do I know if she's secured well enough to insure my master's safety?"

Norcaron chuckled. "You've nothing to worry about. The suite she's in is heavily warded, inside against magic cast by anyone but Thalmor, and outside against any retrieval or eavesdropping type spells. She can't cast spells or Shout, since they keep her tongue trimmed back to a stub. No clothing, so she can't hide a weapon even if she got hold of one. And her claws've been trimmed, ever since she accidentally clawed one of her guards trying to get him in deeper."

"That sounds safe enough, I suppose," Andreius said, his tone grudging. He turned to Sorcalin. "The lack of chains still bothers me a bit, though, master. Will you ask for those?"

Sorcalin chuckled. "I think not. I'll trust the precautions Norcaron describes, plus that sword of yours. Or her being in your arms for the other one."

"Put that way, all right," Andreius said.

"Oh, if you want to get in before your leave's up," Norcaron added, "I'd talk to seridur first thing. She's usually booked well in advance, but you might get lucky. Or bribe him, if you can afford it."

"First thing in the morning," Sorcalion said "If we can reserve her for early in the day we leave, it'd make going back to Valenwood a bit less awful."

"Then you might want to add a few prayers to Dibella in Her Temple," Norcaron said with a grin. "And have a heavy purse when you talk to Seridur."


Interlude in Stormhaven

Yssha found herself in Stormhaven, unsure how it had happened this time. The last she remembered was a new client entering her room, then she was here, with Talos, in Lakeview's sitting room. He smiled at her. "Welcome, briinah."

"It is pleasant to see you, zeymah," she said, returning the smile. "I am pleased you are still willing to talk to me, after what I have become."

That made him laugh. "A prostitute for the Thalmor, and enjoying it? Briinah, that's nothing to be ashamed of, though it would've been nice if you could've made that particular discovery about yourself in friendly territory."

"But - "

He chuckled. "As you keep telling others, you're a dragon, and you've experienced their memories of sky-dancing. Of course you'd want and enjoy it in your own body." He chuckled again. "Promiscuity is part of being dovah, and physically, it's easier for a woman - you don't have to recover between couplings. You can have as many as you want, whenever you want. Divines know I was busy enough!"

"You?" Yssha was astonished. "But you were a perfect husband and gentleman!"

Talos laughed. "So history's been sanitized, has it? No, I wasn't. I never raped anyone, true, but then, that's not a dragon thing, with the dovahin eager to - excuse the crudity - frig any male dovah in the vicinity."

"I do not understand." Yssha's eartips were burning. Yes, she knew all about the eager sky-dancing, but ...

"Oblivion, girl! There's no such thing as a chaste Dragonborn - I don't think it's even possible. I bedded anyone who wanted me, if time permitted, and there were a lot, from high nobles to tavern wenches. Never less than one a day, more often three or four. I'd be surprised if there's any human in Tamriel who can't claim a trace of Septim blood, and no few mer. No Khajiit or Argonians only because inter-species fertility has to be deliberate."

He studied her, then sighed. "You've worshipped me your entire life, which I appreciate, but the Talos you took for an example was an idealization. Power's an aphrodisiac, you know, and I was a conqueror and then Emperor. You're Stormcrown, the equivalent. You're going to get propositioned a lot, once you're freed, since by then it'll be common knowledge that you've been bedding a lot of Thalmor on a daily basis, and enjoying it."

Yssha felt like hiding, but knew he was simply alerting her to a new reality she would have to face. "Is there ... anything I can do about that, with my reputation ruined?"

Talos shrugged. "Don't think of it like that, briinah. Flaunt it instead. Bormah will make sure your husband understands. You won't be able to run around naked, of course, and I'm not saying you should take everyone who wants you, or be indiscreet about when and where. But modifying your armor to have a Legion-style kilt, and bedding anyone you feel like, whenever and wherever you want, will let people get used to it, and eventually take it for granted. In a couple of years, probably, if you're open enough."

"But those years will be ... difficult," Yssha protested.

Talos nodded. "Unfortunately, yes, and it's already starting. Ungarion's made sure to send his advertising flyers to every province in the Empire, and they're circulating. Until society learns it has to make an exception for Dovahkiin, a lot of people will disapprove. And there's the fact that men you've never seen, much less met, are going to boast of having bedded you. It's a status thing, you know."

Yssha groaned. "I suppose you are correct, as usual. So if I will be claimed as a conquest by so many, I might as well truly bed those I would enjoy."

Talos smiled. "That's how I worked it. I did bed any woman who asked, if time and location allowed, but I was also claimed by quite a number I was never anywhere near." He paused. "I'll take care of modifying your armor, by the way."


By the deadline Odahviing had set, everything was ready for the rescue and assault. Besides the prayers to Dibella and a hefty bribe to Seridur - who'd proven surprisingly protective of the Dragon Lady, grilling Sorcalin for several minutes to assure himself he meant her no harm - they had spent Sorcalin's "leave time" scouting Alinor City. Evenings they 'ported home, sketching maps and detailing defenses, especially those close to the Palace, so the dragons and Imperial forces both had intelligence neither had dared expect.

That hadn't meant too many plan changes, actually, aside from a dragon attack on a Thalmor training compound perhaps five miles outside the city. That would get a squadron attack, while the main force went after the Thalmor fleet and Alinor City itself. It was probably fortunate that the docks were stone, instead of wood; once the Altmer fleet was burned, the Imperial fleet could dock, and the Legion assault be launched from there.

Outside the capital, the Empire had few targets. A couple of heavily militarized cities rated a dragon squadron or two apiece, but farms and villages would be ignored as not worth the effort unless they proved otherwise, in which case they might get a dragon - two, at most.


Author's Note to Jarius Za'adran: You read everything in four days? Considering the length, that must have been almost nonstop! That's a real compliment to a writer - thank you very much.