Plans in the Night

True to the Emperor's word, a man was waiting for them outside the room. He guided them through the palace to a smaller exit, away from the grand front halls where they would have had to run a gauntlet of courtiers, councilors, and various other curious nobles before they were allowed to leave.

Still, they all breathed a sigh of relief once they were outside. The air seemed far lighter and they felt they could move without every action being scrutinized and mulled over for any sort of double meaning.

Nevano was quick to lead them out. Fortunately, the city was laid out in a circle surrounding the palace. All he had to do was lead them to the gate that led to the Temple District.

"So, 'Lasa..." He said. "I counted five."

"Not paying attention then." Drelasa laughed. "Thirty seats total in that chamber, including the emperor. Five in total might be completely and utterly loyal to him. The other twenty four have ulterior motives. At least ten are dangerous."

"When will you have that exact number and names?" Nevano asked in amusement.

"I said three days. I expect those notes to be waiting for me." Drelasa smiled sweetly. "Rather nice to have Jorun with me though. I can at least run yes or no questions by him."

"I noticed at least seven watching me closely," Gyrmallion said, his eyes never still for a second.

"Oh yes." Drelasa agreed. "It's about to get very interesting. I will give you the notes my people bring me once I break them out of code. I should have the first set by morning."

"I would appreciate that." Gyrmallion chuckled. "It will be...very interesting to be on the same side as the Armigers, instead of opposite sides."

"Who knows? Maybe we can learn from each other." Drelasa laughed a bit. "Might as well get used to how we work now, if we are to be of any use taking down the Aldmeri Dominion later."

"Maybe so." He smiled at her.

"I'll be glad to leave that to you," Ravenlight said. "I have...very little head for that. Like I've said before, I greatly prefer dragon politics."

"There are similarities." Drelasa smiled. "The courts tend to shout at each other as well. Just not nearly so eloquently nor is their point clear but there is, at least, shouting. Too bad I can't shout the lot of them over. Talk about getting attention."

Nevano didn't have a witty quip to add to that. He had gone quiet, staring ahead. "Look. That's the Temple of the One."

The temple itself stood alone in the center of a circular square. Unlike the grandly ornate cathedral in Bruma, it was a simple, single structure, as plain in its elven architecture as the other buildings around it. But there, the similarities ended. The roof had been torn off during the final battle of the Oblivion Crisis. Rising from the center of the temple, larger than Odahviing, larger than even Alduin or the dov in Ravenlight, was a stone dragon, wings outstretched, head thrown back in mid-roar of exaltation. The temple had been rebuilt around it, opening it up so it became more an outdoor monument, instead of closing the statue off. Dragons, afterall, were creatures of the sky and not to be tormented by being imprisoned indoors. Ivy with blooming red and white flowers grew along the temple walls and large lit braziers cast shadows on the statue, almost making it seem as if it were still alive and moving.

Ravenlight went still, gazing at the stone dragon with intense eyes.

"Nikki told me that when Martin turned into the avatar of Akatosh, he was a giant dragon of fire." Nevano said in a hushed tone, staring up at it. "The city was on fire all around here but the flames of Akatosh didn't burn. Instead, they seemed to swallow up all the fire the daedra and Dagon had caused and burst back out, stopping the spread of destruction. Everyone and everything, human, mer and daedra alike, stopped to watch him battle Dagon. Finally, Martin snapped his jaws on Dagon's neck and then breathed white holy fire all over him. Dagon fell, banished. In that instant, all the Oblivion gates that had opened all over Tamriel fell shut. It was over then. Martin though...turned to stone on the temple's altar. That statue...is actually Martin as the avatar of Akatosh. I...might follow Azura, but no one can't tell me that seeing this doesn't move something inside of you, no matter who you follow."

Nevusa swiped at a few tears that threatened to fall down her face. Drelasa put a hand on her shoulder, though didn't take her eyes off the statue. She remembered, very keenly, battling hordes of daedra, desperately trying to slow the tide while Morrowind scrambled to mount a defense, any sort of defense.

Gyrmallion stared as well, and the lights from the lantern appeared to watch. The small ones could not have remembered...but Gyrmallion was old enough to recall the Oblivion Gates. He, too, remembered the final days of the battle, remembered standing with his father and brothers, holding off the hordes of daedra pouring through. And he remembered the moment when the hordes suddenly faltered, screamed, then whirled on their heels and fled back toward the Gate, just before it shuddered and collapsed.

After several long moments, Drelasa broke the silence. "I still say you and Jorun were stupid as hell-struck guars to run into the damned gate."

"Worked though." Nevano said.

Ravenlight didn't seem to notice any of it. She was walking toward the statue, drawn toward it almost like a moth toward a flame. About halfway toward the temple, she stopped, gazing at the head. And it...it didn't move. Not really. But somehow, everyone sensed that it turned, and for a few heartbeats, the avatar of Akatosh was gazing down at the Dragonborn beneath it.

Nevano smiled.

"He's here," Ravenlight said softly. They sensed that perhaps she would have liked to reach up and somehow touch the statue; but she had not entered the temple to do so. "This city...Bal will not dare enter. Because he is stone...but he is not dead. He's here."

"Good." Nevano murmured. "I'm...happy to know that."

"He's not stuck here, either. Martin Septim, I mean." Ravenlight bowed slightly and turned away from the statue.

Nevano let out a breath he didn't realize he was holding.

"No," Drizzt agreed slowly. "That's right. He's the one your parents met that night...the one who gave them..."

"A new vintage they didn't ask about called Godsblood, yes." Ravenlight glanced back over her shoulder. "Akatosh's blood, in fact."

"He did..." Nevano trailed off, looking up at the statue.

"According to Azura, my family was traveling to another town when they met with a stranger in the woods, someone who had apparently been separated from a caravan. Strangers lost in the wilds of Valenwood often don't make it through the night, so my family offered to share the safety of their fire for the night. All he had to offer in thanks was a bottle of some new vintage that didn't break the Green Pact, which he shared with them." She smiled a little. "They didn't ask for his name, and they didn't ask what the vintage was called. But Azura said that he would have given his name as Martin Septim, and called the drink Godsblood. And that it wasn't an...empty name."

"Azura..." Nevano murmured. "She likes to watch the heroes."

"She does," Drizzt agreed.

"Can't help but wonder what she makes of Zak," Ravenlight muttered.

"She approves of him." Nevano said.

Drizzt seemed to relax a little.

"When I...talked to her last, I mentioned him, among other things." Nevano said. "I said I liked him. He's a grumpy thing but...always the first to be the one to stand guard. You can't help but like and respect someone like that. She agreed with me."

"He's mellowed out a lot," Ravenlight agreed.

"Knowing Azura...she'd find him amusing even if he hadn't." Nevano shrugged. "She… has a thing for those that'd sooner bite than listen..."

"She'd at least find his interactions with Ravenlight amusing," Drizzt said, darting a mischievous glance at his sister.

"Okay, he rubbed me more than the wrong way at first, I'll admit it." She rolled her eyes. "At least I didn't decide to have a sparring match with him in the house that broke half the furniture and nearly all the dishes and decorations..."

Drizzt looked away, flushing purple.

Nevano laughed.

"Why are you laughing?" Drelasa asked. "Need I remind you what you and Jorun did?"

Nevano's laugh cut off with astonishing speed.

"Hmm. Sounds like a good story there..." Ravenlight gave him a curious glance...as did Serana.

"I was ready to kill them both." Drelasa nearly growled. "Young, stupid idiots. Found this little brass ball in a ruin. They didn't know what it was. So instead of leaving it where they found it, they brought it home. Where it proceeded to unroll into a dwemer sentry and about destroyed my house. Both howled that most constructs were much bigger, where this one was about the size of a melon. I almost smashed their heads like melons."

Nevano's ears steadily grew redder.

Ravenlight burst into laughter. "All right, at least he didn't do anything like that."

"Though Sorine nearly lost control of one of her constructs the first time she brought one back to the fort," Serana said, giggling. "Isran was...not pleased. After that, she made sure there was no power source in them before she brought them back."

Drelasa shook her head.

"I know. I couldn't believe it when I heard she was doing that." Ravenlight rolled her eyes. "A dwemer spider can be nasty, let alone a sphere. Or that blasted centurion."

"At least the trolls have a brain, however small." Drelasa sighed. "The constructs are animated weapons. Well, let's go back to the inn, shall we? It's been a very long day."

She nodded. "And...I am hoping there are no crises waiting for us there."

"Got to find a way to keep the twins occupied. Though...I think I know of a way." Drelasa said, tapping her fingers.

"I'll bow to your expertise there." Ravenlight looked briefly back at the statue, before turning to follow the others back to the inn. "Though if it involves going outside the city, I might suggest Zak goes with you."

Gyrmallion paused, looking over at Drizzt. "Speaking of Zak..."

Drizzt paused, one eyebrow raised. "Yes?"

The Chii Chare shook his head, but looked as though he was considering something.

"I'll have to ask them." Drelasa said. "I'll leave them a choice. I'll be nice. It is their name day after all. I'll be even nicer if they finally come clean with how old they truly are."

"I'm not making plans," Ravenlight admitted. "I don't know when Ahmetia's army of seamstresses will let me go, but I also know I'll take that time to learn the name of the best blacksmith in the City, and once I'm free, I'm going to him."

"Might find something to do, avoid the flurry of dress making." Nevano said in amusement, leading them through the streets. "Oh, and if the twins are even forty I'll be surprised."

"They won't call you," Ravenlight said. "You've got something suitable already. Farkas, now...they might haul out a tailor or two for him."

"Wasn't worried about that! It's the flurry that comes with it!" Nevano laughed. "Not getting caught in that windstorm, though Farkas doesn't have much of a choice, sorry, Farkas."

The Companion looked...mildly dismayed for the first time, though he took a deep breath and squared his shoulders when Nevusa took his hand. "I...guess. If it's for the wedding."

"Well, you got forewarning at least." Nevano shot an amused look at Ravenlight.

"You would have had warning if you'd been paying enough attention to realize what they were talking about," Gyrmallion said. "Ahmetia had it figured out in less than twenty minutes with the hints we were dropping."

"Also to be fair, that was the last thing I was expecting to happen while dealing with daedra." Nevano said, though he gave Serana's hand a squeeze. He wouldn't have wanted to change their wedding for anything.

"As we told Veleth: can't focus on death and destruction all the time." Ravenlight laughed easily. "There's got to be a reason you want the world to keep turning."

"I already made up my mind I had that." Nevano smiled at Serana. "But...I will say it was...incredible to share it like that."

"It was." Ravenlight laughed. "I have to say, though, I was astounded to see Paarthurnax was there."

"You and me both!" Nevano said.

"I think he was there to make sure nothing else tried to come," Drizzt said. "He arrived not long after Zak and I killed that hybrid, about a day or so after you left."

"One hell of a security!" Nevano laughed.

"Paarthurnax? I've got to agree with that." Ravenlight ran her hand through her hair. "He's a strong one. Helped us go toe-to-toe with Alduin that first time; not many can say that."

"I can see that. We chatted with him a bit. Wouldn't mind doing so again." Nevano said. "Oh good. There it is. Layout is easy enough in this city but it all looks the same..."

He missed the smugly pleased expression that crossed Ravenlight's face at that as they went inside the inn. Drelasa didn't; and she shot Ravenlight a warm smile.

A few of their group were still up waiting for them. The twins were by the fire, dozing while sitting back to back, each with a sleeping infant cuddled close, a protective parent close by. Jorun had come down even, though the girl behind the desk was giving him an exasperated look. The others all had amused looks on their faces but tried to hide it as Ravenlight and company walked in.

Ravenlight paused, catching the tail end of a smirk. "All right...what happened?"

Wolf eyes blinked calmly at her, completely nonplussed. He slowly stretched, toes spreading out, revealing a tiny collar dangling off one claw.

Nevano dissolved into laughter, despite trying to stop it.

"I honestly hope you scared it and didn't actually eat it; it'll probably give you indigestion," Ravenlight said calmly.

Jorun made a disgusted noise.

"No. It was hilarious actually." Veleth smirked. "Selene here didn't give full due to just how horrible those stupid little rats actually are. We ignored them until they started to harass the two tiny ones. Dusty whined once and that's all it took. We were ready to kill the damn things but we didn't see da come down. Bellowed out this roar like a dragon. Scared one of the things but the other kept following him around until he kicked it like a horse. Little rat flew through the air and landed in a bucket."

"Not sorry I missed the dogs," Ravenlight mused, "but that would have been funny to see."

Jorun had a distantly satisfied look on his face. Nothing was going to mess with those babies and get away with it.

"It's a good thing Zak hadn't come upstairs when that happened," Cattie-Brie said wryly.

Jorun wuffed quietly. He'd have helped with that too.

"I bet. He might be scared of the little ones, but anything that threatens them around him..." Ravenlight shook her head.

"Don't piss off the grandparents." Nevano said.

Nevusa bit her lip behind him, trying her hardest not to laugh. Drelasa smirked. Nevano, she knew, would be in contest with Zak with who would hit the roof faster.

"We will tell you all that happened at the palace. Tomorrow. When we aren't falling asleep where we sit." Drelasa looked pointedly at the twins.

Ravenlight chuckled, then sighed. "I agree. Pretty tired myself...and we're going to have quite the day tomorrow."

Nevano wasted no time. He scooped Serana up and was gone with impressive speed. Not as fast as her, but fast enough.

"They've been waiting all day for that, haven't they?" Drizzt laughed, though the glance he tossed Cattie-Brie's way suggested he wasn't at all averse to doing the same thing himself.

"They have...and yes, I'll take Dusty tonight..." Drelasa trailed off as Veleth seemed to disappear as well. "Well then."

"I wonder if he'll be able to keep Sul from watching," Ravenlight murmured with a giggle.

"As closely tied as they got?" Drelasa shook her head.

"Be fun to tease him about that later. Did I tell you what memories he was trying to use as comparison to being able to taste again for the first time?"

"No." Drelasa smirked, gently waking the twins up.

Ravenlight giggled wickedly. "You remember when we were discussing what advice Farkas needed with Nevusa, and you mentioned how wild he got in his younger days?"

"Of course." Drelasa said. Jorun made a wuffing noise that sounded suspiciously like snickering.

"Those memories. He turned some very interesting shades telling Sul to get out of those, let me tell you!"

Jorun was definitely laughing now. Drelasa slapped a hand to her mouth, her eyes crinkling as she giggled. "Talk about a compliment to your cooking!"

"I said that exact thing!"

Gyrmallion laughed. "So did I. That was funny."

"Don't know how he gets so shy." Min said.

"This coming from the same man who knocked out the front teeth of that one idiot they sent us." Zeb said.

"Ohhh, that's right. I forgot. Cap'n had made it clear Dreyla was his and his alone." Min said.

"This fool didn't want to listen and tried to make it a challenge." Zeb said.

"I think that was the only time Fethis ever said 'thank you' to him." Min thought for a moment.

"The next day he went back to yelling and screaming because Dreyla showed her appreciation while we played dumb and pretended we had just seen her a few moments ago." Zeb grinned. "That was fun."

"Sent the toothless fetcher back to Blacklight with a letter of...condemnation?" Min asked his twin, who shrugged. "Oh well. He was lucky it wasn't pinned to his forehead with a dagger."

"Get someone else interested in those and my goodness, he turns into the most easily-embarrassed creature..." Ravenlight glanced at Drelasa and laughed. "Remember how he ran off while we were discussing advice for Farkas?"

Drelasa laughed. "I swear, I have no idea where that shy streak comes from!"

Jorun glanced at her. Her side.

"I think not, fur ball." Drelasa shot back.

"All right, you two," Ravenlight chided mildly. She covered her mouth to hide a yawn. "Well. I'm going to bed now. You all have a good night."

"Good night, darling." Drelasa gave Jorun a mock glare. "You forget, I met your father."

The last thing Ravenlight saw as she went up to her room was a wolf getting a distinct 'oh shit' look on his face.

As she'd requested, her room was shared with her children, a curtain separating the three spaces to give her growing son and daughter a little extra privacy. Hers was the largest bed, and currently empty: but once she'd removed her armor and lay down, she heard little feet pattering. And a moment later, a small form slipped into bed with her and cuddled up close. Ravenlight smiled sleepily, her eyes drifting shut already, and draped her arm around Connlach's shoulders.