Dar'adhavi dropped onto the chair that Delvin kicked out for her and sighed, draping an arm over her eyes.
"What's the matter, Boss?" the Breton asked, feigning innocence.
Dar'adhavi glared at him. She'd seen him in the market before the masked Dunmer had attacked. "Lloronea! This one has a job for you."
Delvin laughed and rose, surrendering the table for her to complete her business with the Dunmer.
"What do you need, Boss?" Lloronea asked as she settled in across from Dar'adhavi.
"You've been in Dragonsreach, yes?" Lloronea nodded, and she went on. "You remember the dragon skull above the throne? This one needs a replica of it." She studied the face of the forger. "Dar'adhavi can get you the real thing, but this one needs a fake as soon as you can get it done."
Lloronea considered this, staring at some point above Dar'adhavi's ear as she thought. "Won't be cheap, and I'd have to get some help for some of it. Might have to go to a legitimate smith."
"You will be reimbursed. And this one will cover whatever bribes it takes." She met the Dunmer's surprised look. "Dar'adhavi is willing to pay for skill. Not like this one had to work too hard for it."
Lloronea rose. "I'll get started on that. If you could bring the original soon, it would help a lot."
Dar'adhavi waved, leaning back in her chair. "Please tell this one that there have been no major problems, and that the coin flows in like water."
Vekel chuckled, placing a plate and a bottle of mead on the table in front of her. "That's been about the state of things, Boss."
"Good. Someone find Karliah and Brynjolf. This one needs to leave Skyrim for a time."
She straightened up and began to eat as the hidden door to the Cistern opened and closed. A chair scraped across the floor as her fellow Nightingales sat across from her.
"So, Lass, Delvin says you had a bit of a commotion by the gate," Brynjolf began, eyes twinkling as he drank from his own bottle of mead.
Dar'adhavi snorted. "Someone wishes this one dead. This one will be heading off to teach them the depth of their folly."
"And where will you be going? Ravyn said your discussion with the Emperor was uneventful," Karliah asked, purple eyes studying the younger Khajiit.
"That did not go as planned, no. He will be naming this one as heir, but no, that is not this journey. Dar'adhavi is headed to Raven Rock to deal with the one who tried to have her killed."
She flicked an ear as Delvin drifted over to her table. "Raven Rock, you say? I've got a brother out there, Glover. Think he's turned legit, but he can help you out a bit."
"She also said she's the Imperial heir. You planning on leaving us, lass?"
She snorted. "Hardly. This one has seen how you act without supervision. However, this one will be seeking to… expand our influence, likely starting with Delvin's brother."
Delvin hummed to himself, and Dar'adhavi studied him. He was making a sincere effort to not meet her gaze. "Well, see, I ain't exactly… communicated with Glover since he moved out there."
Dar'adhavi sighed. "Well, this one will see what she can do about him." She glared at Delvin. "You should write him, though."
"I'm goin', boss." Delvin headed down the hallway to the Cistern and Dar'adhavi sighed.
"This one is not looking forward to this," she muttered. "So, in Dar'adhavi's absence, try to keep the beggars in line. And leave that one in Solitude be, Gissur. This one thinks she knows who he serves, and mistrusts them."
"And what do you plan on doing about the Crown?" Karliah asked.
Dar'adhavi shrugged. "It looks rather fetching upon the bust behind the desk, does it not? But later, this one will attend to the war." She considered, then sighed again. "But this one will likely need to step down as Guildmaster soon."
Brynjolf chuckled. "Breathe, lass. We can keep the Guild running in your absence, and you can always send us a note to keep us in line."
"That reminds this one," she began, pulling out the spidersilk ropes. "This one has these, and possibly cloth made from the same material. Assuming the cloth can turn a blade, that is. Brynjolf, they will be sending it to you. Test it here, against a blade and arrows. If it stands as decent armor, this one would like a few tunics made from it." She considered for a bit, playing with her fork. "See if it can take a dye, as well. White tends to attract the eye."
Brynjolf stared at the ropes in distaste. "Why me, lass?"
"You are known as a merchant outside of the Guild. They can find you without exposing us."
"Fine, then. You get to bed, lass. You look exhausted."
Dar'adhavi waved that off but rose, heading to the private room she was granted as Guildmaster. She could feel the day catching up with her as she stripped off her armor and slipped into bed. She wasn't expecting anything to trouble the Flagon or the Cistern tonight, and she could bathe before setting out to Windhelm in the morning.
She was somewhat surprised to find herself in Sheogorath's courtyard, facing his palace. She shrugged and entered, preparing to discuss her current plans with him. He wasn't there, to her surprise, and she settled herself on the steps of his dais to wait. She had just started to get bored when he appeared, lounging on the throne as if he'd always been there.
"Ah, Kitten. You're making some very entertaining enemies. But, I do still have a use for you, and you'll need a bit more protection than My name in the future. So, in light of that, I have a gift for you." He leaned forward, dangling something before her eyes.
She took it, studying it carefully. She was surprised to see it was two necklaces, cords tightly entwined with rough cut stones softly clicking together. She looked up at Sheogorath, confused.
"Wear them always. They mark you as Mine, and any who threaten you will have to answer to Me."
She drew back, hackles rising at the tone of his voice, but she slipped the necklaces on without argument. She'd almost forgotten how powerful her lord truly was.
"And one more thing." He held out his hand, and Dar'adhavi approached cautiously.
He held another crystal, so translucent she could hardly see it. It was loosely caged in fine gold wire, attached to a fine gold chain. She took it, delicately.
"This little trinket will show you what you need to find, so long as you are in Oblivion." He grinned at her expression. "No answers, Kitten. You'll see what I mean in due time, in due time. Now, go and tweak as many tails as you can. This will be a very interesting trip." He clapped his hands, startling her. "Now, back to Mundus with you, Kitten."
She glanced up. "You know how to get the contract lifted from the Emperor, don't you," she demanded.
Sheogorath laughed merrily. "I know the answer to all your problems, Kitten. The ones you don't know about, too. But what's the point in having a Champion who isn't clever enough to suss out the solutions on her own? Hmm? Now, no more talk, it's time you returned."
There was a flash, and she sat bolt upright in bed, fur on end and heart racing. She growled softly as she settled herself, quietly cursing her patron for his dramatic flair.
A soft strike against her chest reminded her of the necklaces and she pulled them off to study them more. The pair he had offered first intrigued her. She'd never seen any gems like these. One was smooth, water-worn, and an almost sickly greenish-yellow color. This was encased in a web of knotted black cord. The second was a short spear of black stone, with faint spiderweb cracks showing a vivid green shining through. The point of the spear hung down, while the jagged root appeared dipped in gold, with a white cord looped through a hole in the gold.
There was some magic in them. She could feel it skittering under her fingertips, but it was strange. She couldn't tell if the magic as on the stones, or of them. She shrugged and slipped them back on. Dar'adhavi doubted any harm would come to her here, but she didn't want to push her luck.
She drew the separate crystal from her beltpouch. It was flawless, and clear enough to see through. The gold wire was fine enough she thought it would break under the weight of the crystal it housed, and the chain was not long enough to wear around her neck. She shrugged, placing it back in her pouch and began to collect her gear.
She wasn't surprised that no one met her on the way out, they mostly worked at night, after all, and it was only an hour after dawn. But Karliah was waiting in the Flagon, a pack of her own tucked under her chair as she slowly tore apart a fresh loaf of bread.
"Guildmistress," she said, eyes dancing in the shadows of her hood. "Brynjolf and I thought it best that you have a companion on your way to Windhelm."
Dar'adhavi arched an eyebrow as she settled in across from the dunmer. "Oh? Worries that this one can not protect herself?"
Karliah laughed. "Hardly. But the assassins yesterday were rather vocal about seeking the Dragonborn, and Ulfric might seek to further his claim with you." She took a sip from her tankard and studied Dar'adhavi over the rim. "Especially since you deprived him of the Jagged Crown."
Dar'adhavi waved that away, tucking in to her own breakfast as she went over last-minute details with Karliah. They both knew she was only doing so to distract her from the foggy future she'd face on Solstheim. Finally, they rose, shouldering their packs as they made their way to the stables.
Karliah saddled one of the Guild's horses, a stocky bay, while Dar'adhavi saddled Rogue. She felt a pang at the realization she'd need to leave her behind, but trusted Karliah to keep an eye on her.
They rode north, sharing idle gossip about fellow members of the Guild and other mutual acquaintances as they traveled the empty road. A mile north of Shor's Stone, however, Dar'adhavi reigned in Rogue, craning around to scan the skies behind them.
She raised a hand as she heard Karliah loosen her bow.
"No. It is only Vulthuryol."
Karliah nodded, slinging her bow back over her shoulder as the dragon landed in the road behind them.
"Greetings, little sister."
Dar'adhavi rolled her eyes. "You hardly stand on tradition with me, Vulthuryol. Say your piece."
He snorted. "Very well. Odahviing returned to the Throat with a message for you. He dropped it off and returned to Cyrodiil, apparently enjoying the furor his presence is causing." He dropped a small, grubby satchel on the road, blandly watching as Dar'adhavi dismounted to grab it.
"That was fast," Karliah murmured.
"Indeed, though I had the impression he had wanted this for some time, and was only waiting for the right agent."
Dar'adhavi rolled her eyes again and pulled out the notes. One, small and folded, bore her name on the outer side, while the second was contained in a scroll case. She whistled lowly as she examined the case. It was gold, and intricately carved with rubies inset into the design. To her eye, it seemed as though the rubies were flawless, and the gold was pure. She tucked the case into her belt and read the first note.
"Dragonborn
Considering the conversation we had last, I thought it prudent to provide you with these documents. They are official papers, declaring you as the Imperial representative wherever your travels should find you. With these documents in your possession, you can speak for me in any capacity you might need to. Any agreement that is made with you will be enforced to the fullest extent by the Ruby Throne."
It was signed with a scrawling signature that might have been the Emperor's, but just as easily might have been the result of an insect walking through ink along the bottom of the page.
She sighed, tucking the note and the scroll case into her pack for now. She leveled a gaze at Vulthuryol as she mounted.
"What else, then? Because you'd have left, otherwise."
The dragon huffed a half-laugh. "We heard your Thu'um last night. There is something…" he glared into the distance. "Power is building in Oblivion, and it is leaking onto Solstheim. You are driven to face it, aren't you."
She shrugged. "I was attacked by ones who claimed I was the 'false Dragonborn', and Miraak would show everyone the truth. They came from Solstheim, so to Solstheim I will go."
He reared up. "You will let us come with you."
"No." The word came with all the force of a Shout, and she steadied Rogue when the ground shook beneath her feet, then continued, calmer. "If this Miraak is a Dragonborn, I will not see any of you slain in my stead. If he is not, well, it will be a simple matter to resolve. But all the Dov who obey me will remain in Skyrim, until and unless I call for them."
She glared at him until he ducked his head. "As you command, Dovahkiin, thuri."
He rose into the sky as Dar'adhavi coughed and blinked dust from her eyes.
"He didn't seem too happy about that final order," Karliah commented as they rode on.
"No. They all want to fight alongside this one, but this…." She sighed. "If there truly is another Dragonborn, he can slay them permanently. If he is a fraud, then stopping him will be simpler. Although… Both Sheogorath and Vulthuryol implied that this one will need to deal with another aspect of Oblivion. That is worrying."
They rode in silence then, each mulling over the newest revelations. Finally, Karliah broke the silence as they approached the stables.
"Well, I'll leave that to you, though I agree with the dragon. You do need some support out there. But, Brynjolf will run the Guild until your return, and I'll ensure the forged skull is returned to the Jarl of Whiterun. Watch your back, Guildmistress, and shadows preserve you."
Dar'adhavi nodded acknowledgment and shouldered her pack. She flicked an ear as she heard Karliah leading Rogue back to Riften as she headed across the causeway toward the docks.
She found the Northern Maiden easily enough and approached. Some Nord, she guessed Captain Gjalund, saw her approach and met her at the dock.
"This one needs passage to Raven Rock," she began, settling her pack at her feet.
"Absolutely not. I'm never going back to Solstheim. There's something strange there."
She twitched her tail in annoyance. "You recently arrived here, yes? Ferrying three people in masks?"
The man paled. "Yes. I remember them approaching in Raven Rock, and then we were here."
"You sailed with no memory? Curious, no? But those masked ones tried to kill Dar'adhavi, and she wishes to track down their master." She felt her coinpurse and sighed mentally. "Will you ferry Dar'adhavi to Raven Rock for twice your usual fee?"
"Well, a man needs to make a living."
She counted out the coins as he started barking orders to his crew and found an out-of-the-way nook as the ship pulled free of the dock. She handed the purse to the captain and settled down to wait out the trip.
Once the crew seemed to be done with the ropes, Dar'adhavi rose and walked to the railing. She enjoyed the feel of wind in her fur, and the sunlight glittering on the water and she allowed her mind to wander. She was pulled from her reverie when she realized she was staring at great stones under the water.
There was a snort behind her. "Aye. Some king or other thought to conquer Solstheim by building a causeway out to the island. Didn't work, and the whole mess has sunk beneath the sea."
She nodded, considering. Might be useful, might not.
She spent the next few days wandering the deck and trying to stay out of the way. The crew seemed to appreciate her ability to stay out of their way.
She was roused from a light doze on the third day by Gjalund. "Well, here we are. Raven Rock. Can't say I'm too glad to see it again."
She looked up, watching as the port came into view. It was strange, in a way. The architecture was alien to her eyes, with a smattering of more conventional houses on the outer edge.
She gathered her pack as the crew did whatever they did to bring the ship into port.
She was surprised to note a dunmer approach the ship.
"I don't recognize you, so I'll assume this is your first visit to Raven Rock, outlander. State your intentions."
She twitched her tail slightly at his tone, but answered honestly. "This one is looking for one called Miraak. Do you know of him, perhaps?"
The dunmer seemed taken aback. "Miraak, I'm… I'm not sure. But Raven Rock is sovereign territory of House Redoran. You are no longer in Skyrim and subject to our laws."
"That seems reasonable. But you were saying about Miraak?"
He seemed flustered. "I… I don't recall. I think he might have some connection to the Earth Stone? Perhaps?"
Dar'adhavi raised a hand, soothingly. "This one is also looking for Glover Mallory. Can you direct her?"
The dunmer relaxed at that. "Yes, he's the blacksmith. Just down the main road, in the market."
She nodded and headed where he had directed, absently listening to the captain try to explain his absence. The forge was empty when she arrived, so she decided to wander around the town. She was met with some quizzical looks as she walked, and spent a bit of time studying the armor the guards wore. One took pity on her and explained it was bonemold, forged of bone and resin.
She had reached the wall and was about to turn back when she heard, faintly, the sound of combat in the distance. She pulled her bow free, shouldering her quiver as she headed out, pack abandoned under a shrub. She strung her bow as she mounted a small hill and the combat came into view.
A dunmer, armored as the guards were, was standing alone against three creatures. She checked to see if any of the guards were coming, then sighed and began firing. The creatures seemed confused as to where the arrows were coming from, and their distraction gave the dunmer the space he needed.
After the fight was done and the creatures fell to ash, she approached.
He was leaning on his sword, catching his breath. "Thanks… I wasn't sure I'd make it off this farm alive. I wish I could have said the same for my man here. I'm Captain Veleth."
She nodded, poking one set of remains with her toe. "This one is Dar'adhavi. What are these things?"
"Some of the Redoran Guard have taken to calling them 'ash spawn.' Me? I don't care what they're called… all I know is they're a danger to Raven Rock and they need to be stopped."
She nodded. The smell of magic permeated the area around them. "So, what brings a captain out to a farm?"
"I was going to search for clues that might lead me to wherever they're coming from. I know it isn't the best place to start, but we know they've been coming from this direction."
Dar'adhavi studied him as she thought. He looked exhausted, and she doubted Miraak was expecting trouble so soon. Especially since the followers she had met were dead. That decided her. "Khajiit can lend a paw, if one is needed."
His relief was palpable. "Good, I can use all the help I can get. Besides, I don't feel comfortable leaving Raven Rock behind, and I'd hate to lose any more Redoran Guard."
She started poking around the remains as she asked, "So, where do these come from?"
"No one knows really. Superstitious folk say they're the risen forms of those that died long ago, but I'm not so certain. They started attacking the Bulwark a few weeks ago. My men were able to kill them, but they keep coming back." He considered for a moment, then continued, "We've had two other assaults on the Bulwark at different spots on the wall. I know it sounds crazy, but it's almost like they're becoming more organized and probing it for weaknesses. Something has to be directing them against us and we need to find out who, or what it is."
Dar'adhavi hummed to herself as she found a scrap of paper tucked into one of the spawn. Scanning it quickly, it appeared to be a declaration of war. Oh, that's just what I need, she mused, heading over to show the captain.
He read it, brow furrowing. "This is strange. The note says it's from General Falx Carius, but that's impossible." He caught her confused look and answered, "Well, Carius was the Imperial garrison commander at Fort Frostmoth, but he died over 200 years ago when the Red Mountain leveled the place. There's no way he could still be alive." He crumpled the note and addressed her, pulling a folded scrap of paper from his belt pouch. "If General Carius is still alive, there must be something keeping him that way. I need you to head out to Fort Frostmoth and check it out. I'm going to head back to Raven Rock and prepare the men for further assaults. Be careful, this General Carius sounds out of his mind."
He turned to go, and she sighed, following him long enough to collect her pack. She pulled on her armor in the ruins of the farm, tucking her pack into what remained of the rafters, then consulting the map he had given her. She headed toward the fort, grumbling to herself as she could feel the ash build up in her fur. It was almost enough to make her miss Winterhold. Almost.