Dar'adhavi studied the ship from the shore. She saw a way into the main cabin without alerting the guards and grinned. She patted the bound and gagged mer on the head, ignoring his struggles. She nodded to Ravyn Imyan, and the Dunmer moved closer.
"Dar'adhavi can get into the ship. Just keep our friend here out of trouble, yes?"
He nodded, grinning wickedly in the moonlight. She downed the Waterbreathing potion and approached the shore. She felt a small twinge about leaving the former member of the Morag Tong with one of their sworn enemies, but she trusted him to behave. She slipped into the water, fighting down the instinctive panic as she took her first breaths of the sea.
Once she was certain of the potion, she swam silently to the moored ship. Once in the shadows, she held onto the rough wood as she coughed up the water in her lungs as quietly as she could. She recovered and tossed up her grappling claw, tugging to ensure the secure fit. She swarmed up the silken rope and perched on the guardrail along the small deck. She double checked that her second dose was secure and settled in to wait.
She brushed water out of her fur and clothes as she tried to eavesdrop on the conversation inside the cabin. One speaker had a quieter voice, and the other was far enough away from the window she couldn't hear anything clearly. She pursed her lips in annoyance. After nearly an hour had passed, she heard the heavy door open and close. She waited, slowly stretching her limbs, for another quarter hour to be certain her quarry was alone.
She picked the lock on the door, carefully slipping into the cabin. She saw her quarry lying on the bed and she slid past to ensure the visitor had bolted the door. She braced a chair under the knob to buy herself more time if she needed it and returned to the sleeping figure. She watched him sleep for a moment, then placed her hand over his mouth, restraining his shoulder with her free hand.
"Be at ease, your Majesty. Dar'adhavi means you no harm. This one only wishes to speak with you."
She released him and he sat up slowly.
"You don't strike me as a member of the Dark Brotherhood. Why are you here?"
She grinned. "As I said, to talk. The Brotherhood assassin who holds your contract has been… delayed."
He watched her closely. "The Brotherhood won't stop, you know."
She snorted derisively and moved to study the bookshelves across the room. "If this one can persuade the… customer… to rescind the contract, they will. And if not," she shrugged dramatically, "this one has an army of dragons at her disposal. The Brotherhood is taking its last gasps as we speak, it would be simple enough to put the order out of our misery, yes? But, we were speaking of other things."
She turned to face him. He was standing by the door into the ship, examining how she had blocked it. He nodded and turned to face her. "So, you are the Dragonborn I have heard so much about. What can I do for you, that you can not do on your own?"
"Abdicate. This one can restore your crumbling empire and possibly raise it to new heights-" She broke off as he chuckled and shaking his head.
"Oh, child." He gestured to a chair and sat slowly in the second. She sat, and he studied her face. "You want the power of the crown, yes, but you do not strike me as the kind who would settle into the day-to-day of ruling well." He held up a hand as she protested, and she waited. "I am assuming you wanted me to abdicate so I could serve as an advisor, hmm?"
She nodded. She had lost control of this meeting and wasn't quite sure how.
"Then hear my advice now. You are an excellent warrior, and I am certain you could unify Tamriel, and guide her to a greater future than even Talos had hoped. But," and he winked at her, "you would make a poor ruler. As Emperor, I can not walk the streets of my city without a guard. My every move must be planned out months in advance. But you… right now, you have the freedom to travel as you wish, to act as you see fit."
He trailed off, eyes unfocusing as he seemed to think of something. "Yes, that just might suit us both…" He fixed his gaze on hers. "If you are amenable, I have a proposal that might suit us both rather nicely."
She raised a brow, tail twitching. "You have my attention, sire."
He grinned. "I propose that you serve the Ruby Throne. Work in the world as I can not, and with my approval and authority, act as you see fit to reunite the Empire."
She glared at him. "You would have Dar'adhavi do all the hard work while you take credit? No."
"Not at all. I would make it well known you were acting with my approval, and I would honor any agreements you make in my name. It would be a partnership. I constantly receive missives of troubles throughout the Empire that I can not handle in a timely manner. But you could. And with your assistance, the Empire could shed the yoke of the Thalmor. And as I have no heir, well, the Dragonborn would more than satisfy the council."
She sat back, blinking. "This one will consider your offer. And will work on removing the contract from your head."
"A request, if I may, Dragonborn?"
"You may ask. Dar'adhavi does not guarantee that she will oblige."
He grinned at that. "You say you can command the dragons. It would seem prudent to have one at least appear to serve me in your name…"
She laughed. "Alright. Dar'adhavi will ask one of the Dov to play watchdog. Likely Sahloknir or Odahviing will agree." She cocked her head as she thought. "Or both. Dar'adhavi will ask."
As she moved to the balcony door, the Emperor asked, "Send a message should you decide. And I will send you all the troubles you could assist with."
She turned and bowed, then walked out onto the small balcony. She heard the chair being moved, and she grinned as she dove into the water. She swam back to shore, considering the proposal. I wonder if I can wrangle a stipend out if this? She climbed the rocks lining the shore and nodded to Ravyn.
"Dar'adhavi is finished. Now," she turned to the Altmer, pulling the gag free. "Dar'adhavi would like to know who contracted you to kill the Emperor, and what it would cost to… forget the contract."
He spat at her feet and snarled, "I won't sell out the Brotherhood to you, cat. You'll get nothing out of me."
"Pity." She turned to go, biting back a grin as Ravyn drew a blade behind her.
"Wait!" the Altmer yelped. "Wait! I can- Maybe we can come to an agreement?"
She turned back. "Oh?"
—
Five dragons perched on the boulders scattered about the Throat of the World, watching the Khajiit pacing before a bare wall. Finally, she turned to them.
"The Emperor has offered me a position. I travel Tamriel under his authority and deal with the issues he can't."
Vulthuryol, a vibrant orange and black dragon, scoffed. "And what will you get from this position, little sister?"
"I get to do what I planned to do, without having to placate the nobles. He wants a dovah as a guard, and I'd like to see one of you there, if only to play messenger." She sighed. "And because there's a contract out on his head at the moment. The Brotherhood is unlikely to surrender it, but I have a few options."
One of her newest dragons, a deep red and cream named Toormaarfeyn, stretched his wings pointedly. "The dov do not serve jorre."
Odahviing Shouted him down. "This is intimidation, not service." He turned to Dar'adhavi. "This sounds interesting. I will go and terrify the jorre in your name."
She grinned at him. "Don't eat anyone. You don't know where any of them have been, and you might get sick."
He laughed as he flew off. Sahloknir watched him leave, then sighed heavily. "He will be insufferable for centuries after this."
"Most likely," she agreed. She gazed in the direction Odahviing had gone. "Sahloknir? Go keep him out of trouble, yes?" She leaned against Vulthuryol as the larger dragon left. "And now I need to figure out how to deal with the Brotherhood." She shivered as the wind picked up. "And build something up here so this one does not freeze to death talking to you lot."
Vulthuryol curved a wing around her. "And how will you deal with your new problems, hmm?"
She scrubbed a hand over her face, thinking. "Delvin says the Night Mother has returned, with a Listener. They won't give up the contract so long as they have assassins to throw at the Emperor." She glared at the empty sky. "This one wonders… They must take a contract, yes? Dar'adhavi must speak with some people."
She looked over at Toormaarfeyn. "You can reach the planes of Oblivion, yes?" At the dragon's surprised confirmation, she continued. "Can you seek Sheggorath and let Him know this one would like to speak with Him?"
Toormaarfeyn flew off, and she grinned at Paarthurnax's annoyed grunt.
"Your disapproval is noted, and ignored, Paarthurnax. The Aldmeri Dominion is up to something, but this one can't figure out what. The Emperor seems willing to help."
The gray dragon studied her, then sighed heavily. "True. I will see what I might learn." He paused. "I will also see about better protecting you."
She blinked, surprised. "What do you mean?"
"While you have the skills of a Dovah, you lack the armor of one." She narrowed her eyes at him. "You have the soul of a Dovah, yes, but it is housed in the body of a Jorre. I will see about finding you some scales." She stared after him as he flew off.
Vulthuryol nudged her gently. "You might also wish to seek out a smith, sister. The bones of Numinex would make fine weapons for you."
She glared up at him. "I won't violate the dead. Besides, based on what Paarthurnax said, he's been through enough. And I would like to bring him back, if at all possible."
He snorted. "A few missing bones will be replaced, and your fangs and claws are no match for mine. Come, I will show you."
She sighed and mounted, squeezing her eyes shut as he leapt off the side of the mountain. She could hear him laughing at her as he fanned his wings open and coasted toward Dragonsreach.
—
The guards scattered as Vulthuryol landed on the great porch of Dragonsreach. Dar'adhavi grinned brightly at the two who stood their ground, shaking as they were.
"And a very pleasant morn to you. This one seeks an audience with Jarl Balgruuf, if he is not too busy."
She slid off Vulthuryol's neck as the doors opened, revealing the jarl, Irileth and Farengar flanking him. He seemed somewhat resigned as he approached, and Dar'adhavi felt a twinge of regret.
"Dragonborn. To what do we owe the pleasure?" Balgruuf began.
"Dar'adhavi has need of the remains of Numinex." The jarl paled as Dar'adhavi continued. "This one can ensure a replica is made, so you do not lose standing, but this one will be taking them."
Balgruuf huffed a breath, then sighed. "Very well, Dragonborn. The skull is on display above the throne. And there are several other bones in the treasury. I'm assuming your current… companion… will carry them?"
Dar'adhavi nodded. "Indeed. And Vulthuryol will behave in my absence. Your guards and city will be safe."
"And I believe your wizard had questions," Vulthuryol rumbled, obviously amused.
"Dar'adhavi needs to speak with a few others, so if you had no need of her…?" she trailed off, flicking an ear at the jarl.
"No. I will have the bones brought up and delivered to your dragon. You are free to complete whatever errand you had. Although…" he shot her a pained look, "I would appreciate it if you would enter by way of the main gate, without the dragons, barring an emergency from now on."
She grinned. "Indeed. Dar'adhavi assumes the other jarls fear your perceived status."
Balgruuf gave a dry laugh, and Dar'adhavi took her leave, heading for the Skyforge. She had heard Eorlund Greymane was the best smith in Skyrim, and she wanted to see his skill for herself. If he was as good as the stories claimed, he might be able to forge her a bow and sword. Possibly a pair of daggers, though she thought the Nord might balk at those, citing "honor on the battlefield" or some such.
She found him at the forge, hammering away at something under the great spreading wings carved into the mountainside. He turned his head to acknowledge her, but didn't stop as she approached.
"And what can I do for you, Khajiit?" he asked, attention apparently fully on his hammer and anvil.
"Dar'adhavi hears you are the finest smith in all of Skyrim, and the Skyforge the best forge. She wishes to test this claim."
The man laughed, lowly. "Really. And how do you propose testing this?"
She wandered around the forge, idly examining the tools and weapons lying around. "Dragonbone was once used to make mighty weapons, and the scales of same made for legendary armor."
This time the laugh sounded amused. "And you think to see if I can forge you some?" He spat to one side, rising and shoving the steel into the trough nearby. "And where do you hope to acquire the materials for this test?" he demanded, moving to stand before her.
Her tail twitched in annoyance as she had to crane her neck to meet his challenging gaze. She held her tongue as she felt Vulthuryol approach. She raised one finger as the dovah glided in to land behind her, and she bit back a grin at the look on the smith's face.
"Vulthuryol bears the bones of Numinex, and Dar'adhavi will bring you scales later. This one desires a bow, a sword, and a pair of daggers." She stepped onto Vulthuryol's wing and pulled several bones from the closest sack. "This one trusts this is enough?"
Eorlund coughed. "It might do better, Dragonborn, to have extra. The art of forging dragon bones is long lost, you understand. I'd likely make errors in the beginning."
She pulled out a few more, adding them to the pile and Vulthuryol studied the smith.
"The old smiths likely wrote down the method," he said, tone thoughtful. "Come, little sister. There might be a way to sharpen your claws faster."
Dar'adhavi sighed and clambered onto his neck, straddling the sacks with the bones as Vulthuryol leapt into the sky.
"Khajiit were not meant to fly, brother of my soul. And I would like to see my horse again."
Vulthuryol snorted. "And what does your horse do that I can't?"
"Well, she's quiet, for one. And she doesn't terrify the people I need to talk to."
He laughed as he landed on the Throat. She slid off and tucked herself under his wing as the wind picked up.
"You had a plan. Talk fast so I can find a warm dry place to sleep."
"Patience, little one." He roared a greeting to a pair of dragons who flew past and continued. "Hermaeus Mora likes to collect information. I am fairly certain your Lord will help you steal the secrets of forging dragonbone and dragonscale. If he will not, well, any of us could fly you in."
She snorted. "And alert him to my presence, as well." She sighed. "I'll speak with Himself, see what He's willing to do. And if that was all, I will take my leave."
"There is the small matter of Numinex, and finding someone to make a replica for the jarl," Vulthuryol mused.
Dar'adhavi swatted him. "Well, I do not know the shout. I saw Alduin use it once, but didn't hear." She waved at Paarthurnax as he landed. "I don't suppose you know the words that can resurrect Numinex, here?"
"Krosis. I do not. Alduin kept that Shout close and did not share. However, if you insist on visiting Apocrypha, you might discover it there."
She nodded, thinking. "Well, there is a forger in the Guild. I'll ask him to make the skull and see what insight my Lord can offer."
She made her way down the mountain, waving a greeting to Borri as she passed High Hrothgar. The Greybeard nodded, but seemed content to let her pass without comment.
She hadn't been avoiding the Greybeards, as such, but Master Arngeir had certain hopes about her arrival, and she wasn't interested in following the path he saw for her. So she'd decided to not see the human leader of the Greybeards when it was avoidable. The trek down the mountain was uneventful, and she was pleased to see Rogue in a field, grazing contentedly.
The dapple gray mare lifted her head, whickering as Dar'adhavi approached, and trotted to the fence.
Dar'adhavi grinned, stroking the mare's nose. "Yes, this one missed you, as well. We will travel together again, this one promises."
She said goodbye to Rogue and entered the Vilemyr Inn. She paid for a room for the night, with a hefty bonus for keeping Rogue as long as they had. She waved off the offer of dinner and fell into bed as soon as her boots were off.
She was pleased to find herself once again in the courtyard of Sheogorath's palace. She hadn't been able to visit since Alduin fell, and she was starting to miss her conversations with the Madgod.
Which probably says a number of things about me, none of them good, she mused as she passed the great torches and Auriel and Mazken guards. She entered the throne room and walked down the two-tone runner, kneeling before the throne.
"Just because you are my favorite, kitten, doesn't mean you can send your dragons to intimidate me."
She looked up at the amusement in his voice. "No intimidation intended, my Lord. I simply needed to speak to You, to beg Your assistance in a small problem I face."
Sheogorath glared at her, topaz eyes barely hiding his amusement. "Well, firstly, you plan on stealing something which is well out of My purview, and secondly, you can't get there from where you are anyway, so it hardly matters. And, no, you don't get a hint. Trouble will find you soon enough."
She scowled at him, then bowed and took her leave. She was familiar enough with his moods to know she wouldn't get any further information out of him tonight. She walked along the path leading to the palace, but Haskill didn't seek her out. Resigned, she scaled up the side of the palace to admire the nebulae that painted the sky impossible colors until she awoke.
Shortly after dawn, she saddled Rogue and made for Riften. She would check on the status of the guild and see if the new forger, a Dunmer named Lloronea, could fabricate a dragon skull for her. She let her mind wander as Rogue sauntered down the road toward Riften.
Dar'adhavi sat up as a familiar scent caught her nose. She reigned in Rogue, looking around until she caught sight of the smoke through the trees. She dismounted, ground tying Rogue as she made her way to the campsite. She skirted the pen holding the frostbite spiders and approached the hunters.
They greeted her warmly, their leader apparently recognizing her from their last encounter. "So, Khajiit, how did the rope suit you?"
She grinned. "It suited this one very well indeed. This one is interested in acquiring several more lengths for her associates, and had a question, as well." She paused as one of the hunters rose to fetch more ropes, then continued. "This one wonders, could this be woven? Some webs this one has encountered were very difficult to cut through. And, as you say, it is very strong. This one would like to know if it could make an armor."
"What, weave a shirt and have someone stab you?" one of the hunters laughed.
"Well, weave a shirt and stab the mannequin wearing it, yes. This one does not intend to be the first."
The hunters laughed, ribbing their companion as the leader looked thoughtful. "Well, we haven't tried, but my sister weaves. I'll bring her some and we'll try it. What's your name, Khajiit? I'll send you a bolt or two if it works."
"This one is Dar'adhavi, though this one travels frequently. There is a man, Brynjolf, in Riften. Send it to him, and this one will receive it."
"Good. Now, I'll be taking twenty septims for these ropes."
She flicked an ear. "After testing your product and giving you ideas for more? Five."
The man grinned, and the two haggled happily for some time, finally agreeing on ten. She collected the ropes and Rogue and continued on her way.
At Riften's gate, she stabled Rogue and entered the city proper. She was hoping to grab a meal and a drink at the Ragged Flagon and catch up on the latest news with Vex, Tonilia, Delvin, Karliah, and Brynjolf, before checking in on the junior thieves. She'd slowly been shifting the Guild's direction away from Mercer's destructive drive toward more profit, slowly building up a rapport with the beggars throughout Skyrim. A small monthly expenditure was proving to be a valuable asset, as the beggars would cheerfully point any thief toward greater profits. Small bribes were also ensuring that the beggars would act as guard dogs for those inside places they shouldn't be, frequently delaying the rightful owners or guards while the thief could slip away. She was planning on how to change the Guild's standing in Riften when she was pulled from her thoughts by an unfamiliar voice calling her name.
"Dar'adhavi." She looked up, surprised. The man was wearing robes of a cut she had never seen, with armored pauldrons and a mask of carved bone. He was flanked by two others, wearing similar attire. "You are the one they call 'Dragonborn', are you not?"
Something about his manner made her hackles rise. "It would depend upon who was asking."
"It's her! Kill the false Dragonborn!" He and his fellows drew swords, the leader hurling a fireball at her.
She dropped, pulling a knife from her boot and throwing it. It hit the leader squarely in the chest and he fell, gurgling. His companions kept coming as the guards on the gate waded in. Dar'adhavi hissed in sympathy as one caught a fireball to the arm and fell, screaming. She grabbed the fallen sword, rising and cutting through the mask and revealing a Dunmer, face contorted in rage. She ducked under his return blow, rising to impale him on her borrowed sword. She looked to the third, but they had fallen under the combined attacks of another guard and Mjoll, the sellsword who lingered by the gate.
Dar'adhavi dropped the sword and approached the fallen attackers as the guards helped their wounded fellow to her feet and the temple. She moved out of their way, then searched the masked ones for any sign of who had sent them. She also cheerfully pocketed their coinpurses as she scanned the note the leader had borne.
"Board the vessel Northern Maiden docked at Raven Rock. Take it to Windhelm, then begin your search. Kill the False Dragonborn known as Dar'adhavi before she reaches Solstheim.
Return with word of your success, and Miraak shall be most pleased."
Dar'adhavi scowled at the note, then shoved it in a pocket as she followed the wounded guard.
She handed the masked Dunmer's coinpurses to the guard outside the temple, nodding toward the wounded guard struggling to make it up the stairs. "For them. This one would have been filleted without aid, and she was wounded helping this one. Let the dead pay for the injury."
The guard nodded. "I'll see that Illdi gets it. Thank you, Dragonborn."
She waved him off and made her way to the Flagon. She had a number of things to think about.