AN: Thanks for everyone who is still keeping tabs on the story, there's only 1 or two chapters left to write after this one, but will explain everything that's gonna happen after this story is finally done :P


Sixteen years ago, Bruma, Cyrodiil.

Well, well. What do we have here?" Sulandril chuckled as she entered the main hall of the castle. She smirked when she noted the Countess was nowhere to be seen, as were most of her guards. Six of her elite guards remained, all of them guarding the three entrances leading into the main hall. She smiled wider at their polished steel plate and blades.

Clunky, slow weaponry. No wonder the Great War ended so quickly, pathetic puppet Emperor or no.

She idly stroked the hilt of her glass dagger before striding into the room, nodding to the ten members of the Aldmeri Dominion guards, who stood to full attention the moment she came into view. Sulandril schooled her face into a neutral expression as she let her gaze fall on the sight of the sixteen children before her.

Ragged clothing, dirty, idle expressions. I have my work cut out for me.

The leader of the Thalmor herself had tasked her in this miserable and cold hovel for an important mission. Her orders were to facilitate the will of the superior race onto these barbarians at a young age, preventing further strife. The last generation had been a success with only a handful failing their reconditioning. And the earlier the conditioning started, the better.

She allowed herself a few more moments of silence as the children started to fidget.

"Silence!"

The quiet that followed was appreciated, and she smiled now as she let her eyes wander on these plain faces. And then stopped when her gaze was met with a pair of steely blue orbs. She chuckled and walked forwards, all but this one child backing away from her. Sulandril knelt down to eye level and moved a strand of black hair from the urchins face.

"Why scowl so much, little one? We are your salvation, the ones who will uplift your townsfolk to something greater."

Like a footrest.

The child simply glared at her.

Sulandril smiled wider.

"Oh, I see. A member of your family was killed in the glorious war. A war in which we won."

Still silence.

A challenge. Interesting.

She stood up and walked away, allowing a fireball to form into her right hand. Spinning around, she chuckled harshly.

"Your first lesson is magic. I expect all of you to fail but with my guidance and teachings, you will become something greater."

Ten minutes later, she was having difficulty in trying not to laugh. Watching these inferior beings trying to form even a wisp of smoke was amusing. She had learned the arts of Destruction by the age of forty. At forty years old in these mortals, they would be ready for early retirement.

She then noted that silent girl again, who was staring at her again.

Walking over, she made to admonish her.

And then stopped as the girl ignited twin balls of flames in her tiny fingers, the fire flickering as she maintained her mana levels. Ignoring the gasps of the other children, she walked over and smiled.

"Forming the fire is one thing. Throw it, girl. Ascendris, a shield spell."

She nodded as her chief lieutenant formed a shimmering blue barrier.

"I said, throw it!"

The explosion threw her and every over person within sixty feet to the floor as the frail girl launched the balls of fire at the shield. Casting a quick Ironflesh spell, Sulandril stood up and laughed as the surprised lieutenant scrambled to his feet, his once pristine armour smoking slightly.

She turned back to see the urchin on her hands and knees, her limbs trembling from the exertion. Kneeling down again, she tilted the child's face upwards and smiled.

"Your name."

"M…m…."

Typical. Her body is in shock from using so much mana at once. Still, a good start for one of these animals.

"Name."

"Morgan. Morgan Aurelius, Justiciar."

Good. She knew who I was. Going to every house seems to have instilled some of our will already. This girl may be of some use. A pity the Countess' daughter is not here but she will become another puppet to our will.

"Good. Now stand up and do it again."

The sound of someone fainting and landing on the ground the moment she turned around was her answer. Rolling her eyes, she walked to the other children.

"Now, your turn."


Three years later…

Sulandril smirked as the young Breton girl blocked two fireballs, her feet shaking as her shield absorbed the impact. Of all the children, this was the only one who showed any potential.

Of course, her friendship with the young Countess to be failing certainly helped in keeping her in line.

She didn't hate the young princess. In fact, the girl had grit, something her ailing mother lacked. From what her mages told her, she wouldn't last another ten years. A fact which always cheered her up to no end. Her latest reports had received much praise from her superiors, a further three detachments of the Dominions finest soldiers had been sent to Bruma, along with a warning.

After Herself had heard about this strange girl who displayed a knack of fire magic as well as being seen using ancient fighting styles that only matched styles used in assassin styles from Black Marsh, and more worryingly, Akavir. Her orders had been changed slightly. This girl was to be watched. Carefully.

Her waste of a father had already been disposed of, killed only six hundred yards out of the walls. His corpse had been immolated and the ashes thrown of the tallest mountain in Cyrodiil. The cover story was that he had abandoned his wife and daughter. No extra details had been given. She would always recall how the wife had had a shocked face before changing into disappointment.

Good, saved me the hassle of pretending to care.

The girl on the other hand….

Odd things had occurred since then, however. All of them involving Morgan Aurelius. Even the name bothered her. She had instructed her best archivist for a family lineage and he had recovered the information within a single week.

It turned out that this odd girl and mother had some very disturbing ancestors. Namely the Champion of Cyrodiil, also known as the Hero of Kvatch. Despite over a century of searching, they hadn't found her body. And if the local belief was correct, Lucinda had supposedly been a vampire. Which meant that she could still be wandering Tamriel or even further from the known lands.

And if she were to find out that her lineage continued, Sulandril dreaded to imagine what damage that would cause. Herself had declared any information of the Champion was a high priority…even more so than the puppet Emperor of Cyrodiil.

She smiled as young Morgan threw three moderate fireballs of her own, directing them with a wave of her hands, the projectiles swarming around the three casters, who nullified the flames with Silence spells. Sulandril clapped her hands a few times and held her amusement as Morgan stood upright, even though she knew she was exhausted.

"Much better. Perhaps you may be worthy of the battlemage titles that your Empire likes to name their magic casters."

"Thank you, Justiciar."

Sulandril moved closer, stroking the side of the girls cheek with a finger.

"Who knows. Perhaps you may be worthy of travelling to our wondrous capital of Alinor. But for now, begone. I have reports to make. Well, one seeing as the others failed so badly."

Morgan bowed and sprinted out of the room.

Sulandril smirked wickedly.

Herself will be pleased. The girl is far stronger than expected, showing high levels of control with her magic and from what the lieutenant said, she wields a blade as though she were born with the knowledge. Keep her here and that's one possible threat removed. Get rid of her strange mother and everything will fall into place.


Four years later…

She stared at the unseeing eyes of Lieutenant Ascendris, his armour spattered with blood, a horrific rend in his chest plate. She ignored the steady pulse of blood oozing from the ghastly wound and looked at the healer.

"One stab wound from behind, death was instantaneous. Heart ruptured and three ribs bent slightly when the assailant twisted the blade," the healer reported calmly, her face showing no emotion.

"Just like she was taught. How did this happen? Three guards should have been able to subdue her yet Ascendris was killed from behind. He was a veteran of the War yet he turned his back on this girl? Why?"

The healer nodded to the other two bodies.

"One was killed by an ice spike which penetrated his brain through his right eye socket. The other was killed by a series of precise blade strikes. Two in the chest, one under his right armpit and a killing stroke which slashed his throat to the spine. I have no doubt that it was Morgan Aurelius who killed these two."

"So she had assistance. Someone killed him when he had a chance to paralyse her."

The healer nodded.

"I tried to heal the bar owner before she expired but she did divulge some interesting information."

Sulandril didn't care about the middle aged woman who was lying in two pieces on the ground, a snapped iron blade still clutched in her stiff hand. She eyed the healer who smiled.

"Emissary Elenwen thought her slave would make an excellent spy and she served her purpose well. Anyway, the slave mentioned that the murderer was Morgan's mother, Lilith. She fled the night before she was due to be captured and hasn't been seen for over a year."

Sulandril fought the urge to unleash the strongest spell she knew of and fought to maintain her anger.

All those years wasted.

"She also mentioned that she had a contact in Skyrim. Seeing as that province is the closest to this little hole, it makes sense that she would flee into Skyrim."

"This contact. Who is she?"

The healer smiled.

"Get me noticed in the Circle and I shall tell you everything the slave knew."

Sulandril knew how the politics in the Aldmeri Dominion worked. And seeing as her parents had been in the Circle for over two hundred years before being murdered in a typical family assassination, she knew when a dog wanted a favour.

"Done. Now tell me what you know. Leave anything out and I will ensure that your family back home will be fed to the nearest Sload nest available."

The healer blanched and Sulandril smiled.

Well played but I always hold the aces in the deck.


Riften, present day…

Maven Black-Briar chuckled as she reviewed the latest series of reports. Laila Law-Giver was still seriously ill, thanks to the poison she had slipped into her morning meal a mere hour before the Moot had begun. While the nightshade extract wouldn't kill the useless bitch, Maven had made sure that Laila knew who had done the deed. Having a Jarl in her debt was a good card to play in the future.

And as she perused the parchment in front of her, her pleasure increased. Brynjolf was a mere puppy and had already caved into giving her thirty percent of the Thieves Guild's cut, along with assurances from that filthy dunmer initiate whose name she could never recall.

Karliah, that was it. Brynjolf must be desperate after Mercers death, hiring this little tramp.

Maven laughed now, grinning as Maul walked into the room.

"Maramal won't be bothering you again anytime soon. I made sure he won't be bothering you every time you walk through Riften."

Maven smiled.

"Excellent work my dear. You are feeling no ill effect of your recovery?"

Maven had spent six thousand gold on healers on her personal bodyguard after the damage that the bitch Dragonborn had inflicted on him. She had thrown Maul straight over the railing and he had landed on his spine on the walkways below. It wasn't gold spent out of friendship. Maul was a useful tool and he knew more of the lesser people than she did.

"Fine, thank you ma'am. You also asked about Ingun? The girl spends a lot of time talking to that airhead Mjoll and the simpering shit that follows her like a lost pup."

Maven snorted.

Foolish girl will be dealt with once the mess has died down. Elisif may have been chosen but it is I who runs this land. The Thalmor aren't the boogeyman these dumb Nords claim they are. They are tools, tools with plenty of gold and influence.

Maven sipped at her wine and frowned at the last piece of parchment on the desk.

Maven.

Now that my organisation has a new leader, I cannot in good consciousness order a hit of the Dragonborn, Morgan Aurelius, nor any of her affiliated contacts. In fact, when your message and jewels selection arrived, the Listener laughed and ordered me to write back to you as soon as possible. However, the Listener thanks you for your additional information and promises that it will be put to good use.

Regards,

A

Maven frowned as she set fire to the parchment using the candle flame before turning to Maul again.

"It seems my request was denied. Triple the guard and give them extra incentive by hiring their own mercenaries. If Astrid will no longer take my orders, I have no further use for them."

Maul nodded briskly and left the room, leaving her alone to her thoughts. Taking one more look around the room and noting the window was firmly locked and shuttered, she smirked before leaving the room.

The second the door closed and was locked by the departing Maven, a single figure shimmered into existence. Having been sitting on the windowsill the entire time under cover of magic blessed by Nocturnal, Karliah held in a snort of amusement as she unlocked the desk with the Skeleton Key. She was Nocturnals Nightingale and she was the best at what she did.

Pulling out the sheaf of leaflets and perusing them, she gasped softly when she noted now many were written by the late Ulfric Stirmcloak, all of them asking for information for one favour or another. And when she read one in particular, dated around the time when Alduin had only just been defeated, she sighed heavily when she read the contents.

Ulfric,

As pleased as I am that the dragon menace has reached a conclusion, the fact remains that the Dragonborn is still an unknown to the both of us. Having her on the Stormcloak side would no doubt be beneficial, yet the fact is that she has repeatedly showed a sign of allegiance with that of Elisif.

However, I know of a young man who may prove useful to you. Marcus is one of my best spies and I would be happy to lend his expertise to your cause. He knows how to tame even the wildest women, and even the young Dragonborn would find it impossible to resist his charms.

Perhaps a political marriage between the two would prove beneficial to the both of us. I eagerly await your response, Jarl Ulfric.

Maven.

Karliah frowned as she pondered the meaning of this letter and was beginning to understand why the Dragonborn had changed so much over the few years. It hadn't been the transformation into a vampire that had changed her so. It was this betrayal of her love and trust that had awoken the monster within her. She had seen into her soul that one time they had met, and all she could see was darkness.

Take this to Delvin. While the Dragonborn may not be in my service, having her in good terms is best for business. Be swift, My Champion.

Karliah smiled as her mistress gave her the orders she needed, and in a blink of an eye, she was gone, leaving as quietly as she had arrived. Making a mental note for all members to avoid the Black-Briar home for the foreseeable future, Karliah hoped that this would solve the remainder of their problems.


Astrid stayed silent as the Listener read the note. She was pleased that Delvin had been so swift in sending the message, yet as she watched the vampire read in silence, she nodded to Nazir, who quietly pulled the new Initiates out of the room and locked the heavy door behind him. She took a shuddering breath as she met Serana's gaze, the ancient vampire smiling a little.

She felt a little safer. But only a little. Having Babette, Gabriella, Brelyna and Lucien in the room as well certainly helped. And Cicero being asleep was a bonus.

Morgan finished reading the note and said nothing for thirty full seconds. And then exploded into profanity.

"Fucking little bitch sucking, shit eating, skeever fucking WHORE!"

Astrid had met many people who could curse but Morgan was in her own league. She said nothing still as the note was incinerated and waited.

"Morgan."

Serana's voice had a calming effect on the Listener yet Astrid knew that's he anger was still there, bubbling under the surface like a volcano about to erupt once more.

"I thought it had been all Ulfric's doing yet it was this old bitch that was behind all of it," Morgan snarled. "After the coronation in Solitude, I am going to Riften and wiping out every member of that puss filled, dragon shit smelling family…Apart from Ingun, she had been nothing but kind to me and hates her own family."

Morgan stayed silent for a few more seconds.

"I doubt most of Skyrim won't mind," Serana remarked dryly. "That woman is the most venomous mortal I have ever met or known of."

"Of course, you would have to get inside without the guards knowing," Babette pointed out. "And while we know that Laila was poisoned by Maven, we only have her word for it."

Morgan smiled wickedly.

"I get within twenty feet of their home and I can Void-walk inside. Kill everyone that is a target and leave. I won't bite anyone though, just stabbings and general decapitation."

Lucien chuckled darkly. He liked this plan.

"And Ingun?" Gabriella asked.

"I won't take a single item from their home. Karliah and Brynjolf already know Ingun rather well and have given their word they won't rob her. The entire Black-Briar estate will be hers alone. Maybe Riften can recover from a foul smelling cesspit with all the poisonous vermin gone," Morgan explained.

Astrid nodded.

"Golag and Solia will be out taking care of a few contracts," Astrid said, "The contracts we have from last week."

"The Night Mother has teased she has important news but will wait until all these distractions are taken care of," Morgan replied, glancing at Lucien who simply smirked at her.

"Patience, Listener. She has not mentioned anything to me yet said it involves me greatly."

Morgan smiled and run her hands through her hair once before smiling at her bond mate.

"Then we better get to Solitude."

Serana grinned.

"Yes, with a visit to the charming elves of Radiant Raiment for our outfits."

"Ah, fuck."

Laughter exploded from the hall and Morgan couldn't help but join in although she could see her final target in her minds eye. A target that would release her from the anchors that had held her back for years. Sulandril, Marcus and Ulfric had wronged her in so many ways. Maven was the final piece of a wicked puzzle. A puzzle she would finally solve.

Coronation first, brutal murder afterwards. Family time after that.

"Come, little Dragon," Serana said as she looped an arm around her waist. "I want to see how dresses are fitted in this Era."

Morgan grinned.

"Even with the two bluntest shop owners poking you the whole time?"

Serana gave her a fanged smile.

"That's why you're going first."

"Bitch."

AN: Hope you liked it, trying to tie up loose ends is fun and annoying at the same time...probably like attending one of Sheogorath's parties :P Already working on the last few chapters so hopefully you won't have long to wait :D