"I'm surprised he let you go." Teldryn broke the silence as they neared the town.
Her raven colored hair had been replaced with blonde. She wore a much fancier dress made in a traditional Dunmer style. The deep emerald color would help her stand out among the crowds and hopefully making it easier for Deculin to find her. Her hair was curled into loose ringlets and enough of it braided at the frame of her face to keep it pulled back. She looked up at the Dunmer who was eying the nearing city. "Are you kidding, he has the road littered with soldiers."
"Either way, he let you go. He can't have them in the city, not when they are trying to pull someone into a trap. Let us hope that he is not well versed on the sigil Miraak flies."
"We will just play stupid if he recognizes it."
"He seems dense enough to believe us."
The two pushed their was through the crowds to the market nearest the dock, staying close enough to the inn that he would spot them which ever way he chose to go. Avari moved to pretend she was interested in the fish displayed, Teldryn standing only a few steps behind her with his hand resting on the hilt of his sword. Playing the role of the hired guard wasn't hard for him, it was something he'd been doing for more than a year now. His eyes scanned the area, watching as a well dressed man slowly made his way from the docks. It wasn't hard to recognize the dark hair and tanned skin of the Imperial. He stood out against the Dunmer with their dark hair and skin to match. Teldryn cleared his throat, looking forward, giving Avari their agreed upon signal. She turned to face the man, keeping her eyes on the stall to keep it from being obvious that they were waiting for him there. She moved to stall selling sweets, smiling at the candied apples.
"Ah, they are delicious." The merchant smiled, catching sight of her interest.
"Oh, I can only imagine!" Avari smiled widely, digging into her pouch and pulling out a few coins. She dropped them into the Dunmer's outstretched hand, plucking one of the shinny apples from its place.
"Rikld?"
She looked up at the voice, locking eyes with him. "Deculin Vasna?"
"Ah, what a pleasure it is to see you here." He smiled widely.
"A pleasure for me as well." She looked down at her feet suddenly, frowning deeply. "I apologize for the way we parted in Anvil."
"Completely forgotten." He smiled widely.
"If I may be so bold, why have you come to Morrowind?"
"My Aunt often loves the jewelry from here. I thought to bring her some."
"So you came just to buy a gift for your Aunt?" Avari looked up at him, tilting her head slightly.
"Was that not a very well thought out excuse?" He smirked.
She laughed lightly, twisting the stick the apple was pushed upon.
"Truthfully, I wanted to see you again."
"Well, I'm glad we ran into each other then." She smiled, looking up at him under her lashes.
"I wasn't sure if you'd still be here."
"Actually, we were just about to leave."
"Oh?"
"We have business else where. You may accompany us. You may have a better chance finding beautiful jewelry."
"And I could always use a beautiful woman's opinion on what she think looks best."
"Such flattery." She looked down at her feet again.
"When are you leaving?"
"We were just about to meet our carriage."
He held his arm out to her. "Well, then let us before."
She linked her arm with his, walking with him through the market towards the gates of the city.
"Curious guards on the roads, hardly any of them are Dunmer." Deculin spoke, lifting up the curtain to look out the window on the carriage.
"I hadn't paid much attention." Avari leaned forward, moving closely to him to look out the window. She felt his breath on her cheek when he turned to look at her, slowly turning her head to meet his eyes. She quickly moved back into her seat, turning her head away to feign embarrassment.
"You seem much softer." He remarked, reaching out to take her hand.
"Do I?" She looked up at him, softly smiling.
He cupped her cheek with his free hand, moving his face closer to hers.
Relief washed over her when the door was suddenly yanked open, a man in black and gold armor taking hold of the noble by the front of his vest and pulled him out. Avari shrieked loudly as she was pulled, carefully, out of the carriage. She put her hands up, looking over at Deculin who was doing the same, a dagger pressed tightly against his neck as he was patted down and his sword was tossed to the ground.
"What is going on here?!" He yelled, breath catching in his throat when the sharp edge of the dagger cut against his throat.
"I would suggest you keep your mouth shut." Miraak spoke as he approached.
Deculin's eyes went wide at the masked priest who was slowly walking towards him, an entourage of soldiers with him.
"I'm guessing you know who I am?" Miraak turned to Avari, holding his hand out to her. "I see you've met my wife already."
"Wife?" His eyebrows shot up, moving only his eyes to the woman who stood next to him.
Avari lowered her hands, pulling the ring from her finger. "Sorry."
His mouth fell open the blonde haired, green eyed Nord was suddenly replaced with the raven haired, sapphire eyed Dragonborn that was known almost every where. She moved to Miraak, taking hold of his hand and moving to his side.
"Gag him, I have a feeling he isn't one to be quiet." Miraak ordered, motioning to his men. "Bring him to the council when you have finished." He turned with Avari and walked up the hill towards camp. Once far enough away he pulled off his mask. "I did not like that."
"It was not my cup of tea either."
"I didn't like the way he looked at you."
"Well, he wasn't really looking at me. I was wearing the ring."
He stopped, watching Kotod as he approached. "You should go dress yourself."
"Of course, we need to play our parts as the all powerful rulers. Sometimes I wish you had to squeeze yourself into those dresses." She quickly kissed his cheek, looking to Kotod.
"There are no ladies here to assist you. I am the best you have." The vampire motioned for her to follow.
"This must be why women have such slender fingers." Kotod groaned, doing his best to lace the corset.
"Having issues?" Avari teased, looking over her shoulder.
"I imagine they are waiting on us. They've already sent someone to retrieve us." He sighed, glancing over his shoulder just as Teldryn stepped inside.
"How much longer?" The Dunmer asked, approaching the pair.
"Let Teldryn have a try, he's done this for me a few times."
Kotod stepped aside, motioning to the woman's back.
"Ah, it takes a bit to get the hang of these things." He passed his helm over to Kotod, setting to work on fixing the vampire's work.
Avari returned to fixing her hair, pinning the last few pieces of hair into place. "It seems stupid to do all this just to stand in front of someone."
"You want to appear regal, being from Cyrodiil the man will take you more serious if you play the part that he is use to seeing." Kotod remarked, taking the choker with the dragon etched into silver.
Avari lowered her hands as the man wrapped it around her throat, locking it in place with the clasps. "My dress is over there." She pointed to the black and silver dress that was laying across the bed.
"Here we go." Teldryn remarked before pulling tightly, Avari bracing herself on the edge of the vanity as her corset was tightened one last time before being secured. He held her waist as Kotod lowered the gown for her to step inside. "At least it is a bit simple."
"Still uncomfortable." She sighed, pulling it up her body and slipping her arms into the long hanging sleeves with the vampire's assistance.
"Avari?"
"Hmm?" She looked over her shoulder to Teldryn.
He held her black slippers in the air, tossing one at a time to her.
She held them down to Kotod who quickly slipped them onto her feet. "Ready then?"
"As long as you are." Kotod looked up at her, brushing down his own robes.
The three of them hurried out of the tent, quickly walking the short distance to the councils tent. Miraak looked up as they entered, holding his hand out for Avari. She took it and let him guide her next to him, Teldryn taking his place to her side and only a step behind her. Kotod taking his place next to Edgster on Miraak's side. Miraak gave a nod to one of the guards, the fully armored man slipping out. He pulled his mask into place, looking over to Avari who helped him pull the hood of his head to frame the golden mask. She adjusted his robes until they were straight, both turning to face the entrance of the tent just as it was pulled back and three armored men stepped inside. The leader of the small group bowing before the two before stepping aside and allowing the two who held the prisoner upright to move the man in front of the two Dragonborns. A gag still secured tightly in his mouth, the loud breathing from the man's nose filled the room. Deculin looked around the room, squinting his eyes at the bright fire behind those that stood in front of him. He looked at all their faces, lingering on Miraak's before settling on Avari's. She met his eyes, not breaking contact. They released his bound arms, each bowing before the couple.
"Bow, dog." One hissed out from behind his helmet, kicking the man in the back of the knee and sending him to ground.
Miraak raised his hands, the two guards taking a step back.
"Remove the gag, please." Avari looked to lead guard.
"Of course, your grace." He moved quickly. "I'd suggest you not speak out of turn." The man whispered when Deculin glared at him, stepping back and taking form with his fellows.
"I imagine you know my wife." Miraak spoke suddenly, drawing attention from the man.
"Hardly recognizable." Avari smiled, folding her hands in front of her and doing her best to remain graceful.
"Do you know who she is?" Kotod asked, watching the man who was staring at the woman. "Or are you just captivated by her beauty?"
"I have a guess." The man answered still keeping eye contact with Avari.
"Well, let us hear it." Edgster insisted.
"She's the Dragonborn, the one from the stories told by soldiers returning from Skyrim. My cousin encountered you once,. Just in passing, but still you match his description."
"And him?" Edgster motioned towards Miraak. "Do you know of him?"
"The pretender in the mask."
The guard backhanded Deculin.
"I'd be a bit more respectful." Kotod stated, narrowing his eyes.
"That is what they called you." Deculin looked up at the man.
"The pretender." Miraak thought over the title. "It is better than a lot of things they could have come up with, if they'd only done their research."
"He is the first Dragonborn and a powerful Dragon Priest." Avari remarked, smiling widely.
"So, I was right." Deculin looked up at her. "I knew you weren't just some woman in service to the Countess. I knew there was something... different about you. That means... Sybina."
"Now that we have given you information, I think it is time you answer our questions." Miraak's loud voice became strict.
"Why did you follow me here?" Avari spoke.
He looked to other men in front of him before settling back on Avari. "You want the truth?"
"Of course we want the truth." Edgster narrowed his eyes.
"I was attracted to you."
"You followed a woman you barely knew all the way here because you found her attractive?" Kotod raised a brow at the answer.
"I wasn't doing much else." He kept his eyes on Avari, Miraak shifting slightly. "Your harshness in Anvil intrigued me. I was curious about who you really were."
"And now that curiosity has you in chains." Miraak remarked. "You chased my wife here when you could have simply left things as they were and continued on without a second thought about her."
"I am glad I did not just stay in Anvil. I must admit that the woman standing in front of me is more radiant than the woman I met in Leyawiin."
Once again the guard backhanded the man, this time using enough force to knock him to the floor. "Watch how you speak of the lady."
"I would suggest you think how you use that tongue to speak of my wife, lest I cut it from your mouth." Miraak warned, glaring from behind his mask.
"I was merely complimenting her." His eye shifted to the priest, sitting back on his heels. "What are your intentions, exactly?"
"What do you think our intentions are?" Kotod stepped forward, hands folded behind his back.
"If you're thinking my family will pay for my safe return, you would be mistaken. Every time I leave the estate I know they wish for my death to find me."
"Why is that?" Avari asked.
He turned to look up at her. "Surely Sybina filled you in on the rumors."
"A bit." She nodded. "But is that all they are, rumors?"
"Some have a bit of truth to them, enough truth that it is constantly held against my family."
Miraak shifted, looking over to Avari.
She smiled to him, holding her hands in front of her.
"I could always use another... resource." Kotod looked to Miraak.
The priest knew exactly what the vampire meant, a warm supply of food for him.
Deculin looked between all four of them before clearing his throat. "Or, you could let me join your group here."
"And why would we do that?" Miraak looked at the man.
"Kill me, or make my family think I've disappeared and you lose a great asset in Cyrodiil."
"You just said you are not in high-standing with your family." Edgster stared the man down as he spoke. "What good would a black-sheep do us?"
"I may be a joke to those who look at me, but I am still a Vasna. The simple mention of my name would open many doors for you. That is what you want, yes? Sybina will know how to use my family name."
They all looked to one another before Miraak sighed. "We must speak amongst ourselves. Take him to the cages."
The guards gave a nod of their head, hauling the man off the ground and escorting him out of the tent.
"I think we should ask what Sybina thinks we should do." Avari spoke first once they were alone.
"And why is that, Avari?" Kotod turned to face her.
"She is the one who has been the most active in Cyrodiil. If using him like he suggests would help her like he says it will, I think we should take him up on it."
"And what if he is just telling us anything for us to release him? " Edgster looked to Miraak for agreement.
Miraak pulled his mask from his face, listening.
"I didn't say we let him ago. He said Sybina would know how to wield his name, obviously he is not expecting us to release him."
"He could just be trying to get on our good side to allow us to lower our guard and give him a better chance of running to his Legion and informing them of our location." Edgster shook his head. "We should not trust a noble from Cyrodiil, one from a influential family at that."
"He is not some Count or Countess, he is from a wealthy family who just happened to have well placed members. Even more reason for us to use him as a tool."
"And what happens when it does not work? Excuse my boldness, my lady, but it is a risk that could take everything from us."
"That is why we should contact Sybina, leave it up to her to decide if it is something worth taking."
"We don't know this Sybina."
"But I do and she is someone to be trusted. Are you forgetting that Tenven is also out there, Edgster? He is as much part of the inner council as you are."
"Enough." Miraak sighed, looking between the two. "I will consider Avari's proposal. She will contact this Sybina and we will see what she has to say on the matter."
"Very well." Edgster gave a nod of his head.
"If it does not work out and she does not see his worth then we will hand the man over to Kotod."
"Thank you, my lord."
"I will send a raven to Sybina immediately." Avari took her leave, Teldryn following close behind her.
Miraak sighed loudly, stepping inside the tent and immediately removing his robes. Avari sat on the large bed, legs tucked to the side under the blanket. The sun outside had just begun to rise, dimly lighting through the crack in the thick leather that made their door. He sat roughly down onto the bed, pulling his boots off with a groan of relief. "We leave today."
"For where?" She moved to her knees, crawling across the bed until she was closer to his back. Resting her hands on his shoulders and massaging them slowly.
"To Rootspire in Blacklight. There we will meet with the Great Council. After many arguments with Ulfric before he finally gave, after Edgster's insistence, he will be sending over fifteen thousands workers to help with rebuilding. We must clear the border regions, starting with assisting your friend. Neloth, he will be meeting us near his families port."
"Neloth?" She raised her eyebrow. "So, you've spoken to him?"
"I have. At the moment we will leave the past where it is, gaining Morrowind will help us. Hammerfell is also sending a little over seven thousand men to assist."
"Hammerfell is our only support."
"They are the strongest so far. If we can gain Blackmarsh it could turn things for us."
"What about Elsywer?"
"I don't see them turning on the Dominion, not unless we can perhaps show them a bit of power or force our hand."
"And we don't have the man power to do that yet."
"We do not." He suddenly stood. "I need you to prepare your things, only a handful of men will be staying here to guard. The rest will be packing up what remains and meeting us in Rootspire. After pushing the Argonian's back, the Great Council will be announcing their loyalties to us. We suspect that us taking yet another province along Cyrodiil's border will cause the Empire to make their first move. Hopefully by then our men hiding in their ranks will be ready to move."
"What of Deculin?"
"He will be brought along as a prisoner. I cannot very well leave him here." He stepped behind the privacy divider, quickly changing his clothes to something more comfortable that wouldn't bother him while riding in the saddle.
Avari scratched under the horse's chin, the white mount pushing its face into her palm. She looked over at Miraak who was walking towards her, pulling his hood over his head. The sound of his mask hitting the metal armor pieces on his thighs grew in volume the closer he came to her.
"Ready?" He asked, before lightly kissing her cheek. "We have some ways to go from here."
"Not to mention we must take a boat across to reach Blacklight." Kotod suddenly appeared on his dark horse, Teldryn riding closely next to him.
"Avari." Edgster called to her, stopping at the door to the open carriage. "I do wish you'd consider riding with the council. It would be much safer then being exposed on horseback."
"I will be fine, Edgster." She pulled herself into her saddle, controlling the horse when it began to step forward, the animal much too excited to get moving.
The old man shook his head before disappearing into the carriage.
Miraak whistled loudly before pinning Avari between himself and Teldryn with Kotod riding on the outer right next to Teldryn. The sound of hoofs and wooden wheels filled the air, the distant sound of chains breaking over the noise at times. She could only guess that the sound belonged to the caged man who was surrounded by armed soldiers. Miraak's banners were held high around them as they carried on down the road.
"It's hard to see the land like this." Teldryn remarked after a hours of riding, the sun dropping from the sky slowly.
"It will be great again." Avari smiled.
"We have no choice, but to heal your homeland, Teldryn." Miraak added, keeping his eyes forward.
The men who walked in front of them began lighting torches, passing them back towards the other men to fill group with the soon much needed light. Kotod sighed with the setting sun, pulling the hood from his head. Avari looked over at him, the hunger on his tongue showing in the features of his face. His eyes were dark and shadowed, skin paler than usual. The light danced across his skin, causing shadows to only worsen his appearance.
"Kotod?" She spoke gently.
"Yes, Lady Avari?" He turned to look at her.
"Do we need to stop so you may feed?"
He cleared his throat, looking away suddenly. "I will be fine."
"Nonsense." She looked to Miraak who turned to her at the feel of her eyes on him. "Kotod needs to eat."
"It is not that simple, Avari." Miraak commented while looking over at the vampire. "There is no one here for him to feed off of."
She turned back to Kotod. "Where is your young woman that usually travels with you since the Temple, Kotod?"
"I thought it too dangerous for her to accompany me on such an adventure." He spoke honestly, staring forward.
"Miraak, we have to stop. He looks awful, if any thing we cannot approach the Great Council with a starved vampire. The way he appears alone will alert everyone."
"Where are we to find blood for him, Avari? I cannot give him one of my soldiers to sate his appetite."
"Then I offer mine."
"Absolutely not." Miraak growled, giving her a warning glare.
"It is either that, or you find another. I've given my blood to a vampire before. He does not need to bite me if that is what frightens you. I will even take a potion after to better sooth your worries."
"Lady Avari, I cannot..."
Avari interrupted Kotod, raising her hand to stop him from speaking. "I insist. I would rather not see you hunted or Miraak disgraced by others judgments of your nature."
"She has a point, Miraak. If she is willing I think you should accept it and let her do what she thinks is best. You know she is going to do it whether you agree or not. It would be better to agree with her and be able to monitor the exchange." Teldryn made an attempt to convince Miraak.
Miraak was silent from some time, glaring in front of him before he groaned loudly in defeat. "Very well. Once, Kotod, I will be sending for your usual assistant immediately. I'll assign a personal guard to her to ease your fears also."
"I.." Kotod sighed. "I appreciate it, Lord Miraak."
Miraak gave a nod of his head.
Avari stepped inside the medium sized tent, Kotod looking up at her and smiling gently from where he sat in wooden chair. "Good evening, Kotod." She smiled widely, glancing over her shoulder at Miraak.
Kotod pushed himself to his feet. "Evening to you both."
Avari pulled a dagger from her waist, the vampire grabbing her wrist firmly when she moved to cut her forearm.
"Are you sure about this?"
"Of course I am, you're clearly starving." Her brows knitted with worry, looking at his pale face. "I would rather offer my blood to you than have you killed by some ignorant fool."
Miraak moved next to Avari.
Kotod looked up at the man, before pulling the dagger from Avari's fingers. He closed his eyes, doing his best to calm his nerves before he quickly cut through the skin on her arm. Just enough to give him a steady stream of thick, red blood. It already began to run down the side of her arm, the man catching it with his finger. The scent filled his nose, making his throat burn with anticipation. Gently holding her elbow with one hand and her wrist with the other, he stretched out her arm and quickly covered the tiny wound with his mouth. The sting of forceful sensation causing Avari to wince at the sudden pain, closing her eyes tightly and turning her head away. Miraak's nails drove into his palms, relaxing the hand that Avari reached for and letting her pull it into her own. She closed her eyes once more, resting her head against his shoulder and doing her best to ignore the insistent sting of the blood being forced out of the fresh wound. It went quickly and soon she felt the softness of the vampire swiping his tongue against the mark of her arm to clean any remainder blood from her skin. He turned away from them, moving towards his supplies on the table and returning a moment latter with a small bottle for Avari and wrapping smeared with salve that he had prepared before they arrived. He focused on the task of securely wrapping her wound while she threw her head back and gulped down the fluid within the bottle. Coughing roughly at the vile substance and holding back gagging at the texture.
"Was that enough, Kotod?" She met his eyes when he took the empty bottle from her.
"It was." He gave a nod of his head.
"I would prefer not to do that again." Miraak remarked. "I did not imagine it being so intimate."
"A willing offer of blood is always so intimate. I did not wish to break the trust from either of you, I made it as gentle as I could."
"As gentle as any could be." Avari reassured him.
"Yes, well, I would rather not witness such a thing once more. I've already received word that your companion will be meeting us in Blacklight. It was a promise that they would ride until they reach it. So let us hope that they do not take too long, lest I have to feel as if my wife is being violated again."
