Dar'adhavi stretched, scanning the area around her. There wasn't much, just a scrye on the small platform in which she found herself. She tugged the small crystal free from her pouch and pressed the scrye. A bridge uncurled and she waited while a tunnel swung around. She hopped into it, following the tug of the crystal to a scrap of paper and heading deeper into the tunnel.
Several hours, and books, later, Dar'adhavi approached the final chapter. Her crystal had guided her to a scroll, a journal, and a scrap of paper before falling limp, and she wanted to be back on Mundus before she read them. She still had several arrows, though some had broken on the lurkers and seekers she had encountered. As she climbed the stairs, the sky darkened as Hermaus Mora made himself known.
Dar'adhavi schooled her face to neutrality as eyes and tentacles writhed and disappeared before her. She forced herself not to turn as she realized she was surrounded.
"You have entered my realm. You have sought out knowledge that only one other has obtained. I know what you want. To use your power as Dragonborn to bend the world to your will."
Dar'adhavi twitched an ear. "This one is not so easily defined, Lord."
The closest eyes narrowed at that, but the Daedra continued. "All seekers of knowledge serve me, in time. You will be no different."
A tentacle approached her, then stiffened.
"No. How have you come to this knowledge? Only Miraak holds the wisdom I gave him."
Dar'adhavi slowly shifted her stance as the Daedra raged. She knew that there was nowhere she could flee to, as long as she remained in Apocrypha, and Hermaeus Mora was between her and the only sure exit. She still had arrows, true, but she could only hope to irritate the Prince, not kill him. She was about to resign herself to her death when the sky was rent buy an echoing roar. She looked up, startled, as ebony wings surrounded her. Alduin roared again, and Dar'adhavi bolted toward the now clear book.
She opened it, fleeing back to Mundus as Alduin's defiance echoed in her ears.
As her vision cleared, she found herself back in the dwemer reading room. Neloth approached her as she tried to calm her pounding heart.
"What happened? What did you see? Different people have very different experiences when reading these books."
She sighed. "This one was offered an arrangement by Hermora. Since this one already possesses the knowledge he offered, he became rather angry at this one."
"He spoke to you? And you're still acting surprisingly sane, too. How did you escape? I highly doubt he would have let you leave, under the circumstances."
Dar'adhavi sighed. "This one has allies, yes? One of them interfered."
Neloth looked unsatisfied with that, and she raised a hand to silence him. "This one is very tired. This one will explain all, in great depth, later."
"Hmph. See that you do." He turned to go, calling back over his shoulder, "I'm heading back to Tel Mithryn. I have a few ideas on how to find more of those Black Books."
Dar'adhavi rolled her eyes as the door slammed closed behind him. I highly doubt there's anything more I need from there. Besides, Daedric Princes can hold grudges for millennia. Seems foolish to go trotting right back after angering Himself.
She followed the Dunmer outside, pinning her ears back and drawing her bow as she felt a dragon approach. There was something wrong about him, though, something that made her lip curl and her hackles rise.
He landed on the ruined tower across from her, and they studied each other for a moment. He was more serpentine than the dragons she was accustomed to, built similar to the one she had seen Miraak ride on her first visit to Apocrypha.
"Miraak has commanded your death. So it shall be."
Dar'adhavi narrowed her eyes at that. "And why do you obey? He his too afraid to face me himself, so he sends you?"
The dragon blinked at her, and she saw something in his gaze that turned her stomach. Unbidden, the words of Bend Will came to mind, and she snarled.
"No. You will fight because you wish it, no one else," she roared as the dragon took to the sky. She felt… something… as she screamed, something similar to her first use of a Shout, and she was stunned as the dragon staggered as if struck.
She sheathed her bow, watching as the dragon circled, then settled upon the fallen tower once more.
"Dovahkiin. What did you do?" He seemed bewildered.
Dar'adhavi shrugged, sitting on the ledge across from the tower. Her tail still lashed in rage at what Miraak had done, and she didn't trust her voice to be steady.
"Her will is stronger than Miraak's. She simply laid claim to you."
Dar'adhavi didn't look up as Alduin landed behind her.
"Alduin, Thuri." The serpentine dragon ducked his head. "I felt your death."
Alduin grumbled. "She was victorious. It was deemed that I should serve her."
Dar'adhavi tilted her head back, studying the elder dragon upside-down. "How did it go with Hermora?"
Alduin pinned her with a crimson glare as she laughed. She rose, dusting herself off.
"So. This one is Dar'adhavi. You know Alduin. Who are you? And what happens now?"
The serpentine dragon studied her. "I am Krosulhah. I am indebted to you, Dovakiin thuri. I will aid you as I can against Miraak."
Dar'adhavi stretched, feeling her back pop. "Very well. This one requires a place where several Dov can gather, since I doubt you came alone," she said to Alduin.
He simply studied her with a blank expression. "You ordered them to remain in Skyrim," he said, mildly.
"Yes, as I ordered you. I know the Dov don't follow orders. So find me a place where you can gather."
Alduin laughed. "Saering's Watch. The location of the word wall you were sent to."
He rose, Krosulhah following, and she scowled after them. I do not like having abilities I did not know about.
She waited, but there was no reply. She sighed and headed back to Tel Mithryn. She wanted to see what Neloth could tell her about the Black Books, even as she doubted that she would use them again.
The walk back was almost pleasant, if it weren't for the ash that coated her fur with every step. She stopped on a ridge just above the crowd of giant mushrooms and tried to get the worst of the ash out. She froze when the wind shifted, bringing the smell of fresh-spilled blood to her nose. She crouched, ears pinned back as she tried to discern where the blood was coming from. Slowly, she walked along a ridge, following the smell of blood on the wind. She hissed when she saw the ash spawn, but they hadn't noticed her yet. Satisfied, she shot the three in quick succession. Once they had crumbled to ash once more, she approached the form they had been milling around.
She recognized the woman at once. The observer of the apprentice. Varona. She sighed and cast around, but all she could smell was ash and blood, and faintly, magic. She closed her eyes, trying to focus on that, but the trail was far too faint for her to track. The spawn had trampled any tracks into uselessness, as well.
She sighed and approached Tel Mithryn. She wasn't looking forward to informing Neloth. I doubt he would miss her, or mourn her. Probably only concerned for how it affects him.
She shook her head and entered the main mushroom. He could surprise her, after all, but she doubted it.
"Have you seen Varona? I'm hungry."
Dar'adhavi flicked an ear at Neloth as she settled on the landing pad. "This one saw her on her way to Tel Mithryn. She is dead."
Neloth turned to face her. "Dead? Well that's annoying. How did she die?"
"Ash spawn, from the looks of things."
Neloth scowled. "There are more and more of those things showing up around here lately. Well, you'll simply have to find me a new steward. Tray Raven Rock. They are in awe of me there. I'm sure almost anyone would be willing to serve me."
Dar'adhavi raised a brow, but decided that arguing would be a waste of her time. She floated back down and left the mushroom. She spied the cook as she passed, and she told him where to find Varona's remains, then began the long walk back to Raven Rock.
She stopped just inside the Bulwark, again futilely trying to brush the worst of the ash from her fur, and pricked her ears up as Veleth approached her.
"Surely there is no more trouble brewing in Raven Rock?"
Veleth laughed. "Fortunately, no. But I do owe you a drink, and this is the first time I've seen you while I was off duty. I thought I would catch you here, before you went running off to fix someone else's problem."
She laughed. "Someone else's problem, indeed. Neloth is in need of a new steward." At Veleth's confused look, she elaborated. "Varona was slain by ash spawn."
"Damn. She was a good woman, and deserved better that that n'wah. Fortunately for you, I may be able to help." He pulled open the door to the Retching Netch and gave a shallow bow as she entered. He nodded at a dunmer by the fire on the upper level. "That's Drovas Relvi. He's been desperate to get out of Raven Rock for years now. Kept gambling his pay away, so couldn't afford it. He's a good enough sort, he can handle that arrogant wizard for you."
"My thanks," she murmured as he descended the stairs. She approached Drovas, considering.
"Working on those standing stones felt like a bad dream. Thank you for freeing us from that."
She inclined her head. "This one is looking for a new steward for Tel Mithryn. Would you be interested, perchance?"
He blinked at her. "You mean, leave Raven Rock? For good? To go work for a crazed Telvanni wizard? Sure. Just let me get me things." He took a step toward the door. "On second thought, nevermind. I can get new stuff."
She watched him, doubtfully. "Are you sure? You seem awfully… eager, yes?"
"Well, I've never been one to pass up an opportunity. Sorry to run, but I'm off to me new job." He rushed out the door as Dar'adhavi blinked in surprise.
"Huh."
She watched him until the door closed, then shook her head and headed downstairs. Veleth had secured a table on the edge of the room, where they could both keep their backs to a wall while they talked. She grinned, then took the offered seat.
"He was very eager to leave," she reported, pulling the jar of flin to her and giving it a cautious sniff.
Veleth laughed. "I'm not surprised. He's been saying he would leave for years now."
Dar'adhavi took a sip of her flin, then studied Veleth over the rim. "So, you didn't just wish to but this one a drink, did you?"
"Unfortunately, no. I had some of my people go through Fort Frostmoth after you cleared it. They found this."
He set a small journal on the table, and she blinked at it, tail twitching. She had seen it, in the crypt, but had discounted it.
"And what is it? Dar'adhavi does not recall anything of import contained within."
Veleth sighed heavily. "Ildari was Neloth's apprintice. She supposedly died, doing…," he waved a hand vaguely in the air, "some unauthorized experiment or other. This was started after her supposed death."
Dar'adhavi swore. "So, not quite as dead as assumed. Damn. Well, Neloth is talking to this one, so this one will go back to Tel Mithryn and see what can be discovered."
Veleth nodded. "I appreciate it. Neloth is mostly harmless, but if Ildari is alive, and seeking vengeance on him, Raven Rock is caught in the middle."
Dar'adhavi drained her flin. "So, this one assumes you would know of places where she might be hiding?"
Veleth laughed. "I do. May be empty, may just house some reavers. But Highpoint Tower would be a good place to start, since you didn't see her at Fort Frostmoth."
She rose, pulling her map out of its pouch. "Mark it, then, This one will grab dinner on the way." She shot a look back at Veleth over her shoulder. "You are buying, by the way."
She crossed to Geldis and made a quick order, returning to the table as he went to fetch what she asked for. She ran a finger along her quiver, taking quick stock of her arrows. Deciding she had enough, she accepted the bread and cheese Geldis brought, swinging her pack on as she studied Veleth.
"You know, this one would not turn down your company, if you wished to come."
Veleth shook his head sadly. "No, I'm needed here. But I can see you to the Bulwark."
She flicked an ear in agreement, walking in silence as they left the cornerclub. She cocked her head as she caught a shift in expression as Glover passed on his way in.
"Oh?"
Veleth watched Glover descend the stairs, then shook his head. "He's up to something. I can't prove anything, but I have a nose for trouble. That man reeks of it."
Dar'adhavi arched a brow at that. "Oh? Most people would lay that accusation at the feet of khajiit. What trouble do you expect an Imperial blacksmith to be?"
Veleth growled softly. "You may be right. My apologies. But something about him…. He's going to slip up, someday."
He stopped as they approached the Bulwark, and saluted. Dar'adhavi waved and kept on, considering her options. Glover would be an asset in the Guild, especially if he could make contacts on the mainland, but Veleth was sharp. She would enjoy sparring against him, but she wouldn't put her people at risk. She entertained herself on the way to the tower, eating her dinner as she considered the best way to move the Guild's influence through Solstheim without alerting Veleth.
She liked him, despite herself. She also knew that he was the type who couldn't be bribed to look the other way, and wouldn't allow his men to do so, either. As for the Skaal village, that was a wash. It was too insular, and any stranger would be obvious to even the most simple-minded among them. Not that they had anything worth taking. So, Raven Rock was the Guild's only toehold into Morrowind. It would likely be easier to set up someone once the mine started producing regularly, and ships started coming with more frequency.
She put her plans aside as she approached the tower, dropping into a crouch as she heard the now-familiar sound of a rising ash spawn. She shot it cleanly before it spotted her, and she waited a moment to see if any more would rise. Once she was satisfied no more were coming, she collected her arrow and crept into the tower. There were other guardians further in the ruin, and she felled them swiftly.
Once in the tower, she took a moment to look around, to see what her senses could tell her. She could, faintly, smell a lantern burning. She approached the railing and looked down the staircase. There was a desk below, with a lantern illuminating a journal. Dar'adhavi glanced around, then eased her way down the stairs to the landing. She opened the journal, scanning the entries.
It was obviously Ildari's, and she had been driven toward insanity, probably from Neloth's experiments. Dar'adhavi flicked an ear at the mentions of finding one of her saviors "pleasant". She doubted that this Niyya would have survived Ildari's quest for vengeance.
Dar'adhadvi sighed and tucked the journal into her pack. She couldn't fix the past, and Ildari was a threat to the whole of Solthsheim. She moved on, grinning at the turn her thoughts had taken. Miraak was a larger threat than Ildari, and yet here she was, creeping through a crumbling stronghold to deal with the lesser issue.
Dar'adhavi shook her head, clearing the chamber ahead of more of the flame spiders and knocking the soul gem free of a trap, then moved on. The ruin was disturbingly empty, save for the ash spawn that rose every so often before her. She headed in deeper, trying to keep her hackles from rising at the solitude. She paused at a crossroads, raising her head to better catch the scent. There was someone else down here.
She took the right path, finding a small prison. All the cells save one had bodies in various states of decay. The exception was a living redguard woman. Dar'adhavi shrugged and picked the lock on her cell.
"This one assumes you are Niyya?"
"Yes. Thank you for rescuing me. That witch was going to kill me soon, I just know it."
Dar'adhavi leaned back on her heels. "Ildari? Tell this one exactly what happened."
Niyya sighed. "We were digging in the mines when she found us. She was hurt so bad. We took pity on her and nursed her back to health. She repaid out kindness by attacking us in the middle of the night. Those of us that didn't die were made prisoners."
"And what did she do with the prisoners?" Dar'adhavi asked, guessing she already knew.
"Horrible things. Experiments- and worse. I'm the last one. The others are all dead now." Her eyes hardened. "If you find her, don't make her end quick."
Dar'adhavi nodded, stepping aside. "The path to the entrance should still be clear. If you wait, this one can escort you to Raven Rock after."
"Thanks, but I think I can make it on my own." Niyya nodded, then left the room.
Dar'adhavi watched her go, then studied the prison. There was nothing useful here, just another journal. She flipped through it, then shoved it in her pack with the other. The heartstone seemed to have unbalanced Ildari's mind, and made her trauma worse.
She sighed and moved on. Ildari needed to die, but at this point, it felt more like a mercy. Deeper into the ruin, the stone walls gave way to the mine Niyya spoke of. Dar'adhavi slowed, giving herself plenty of time to see and handle any of the ash spawn that arose.
The mine tunnel opened to reveal a massive chamber, and Dar'adhavi slid into a shadow against a wall, pulling the darkness around her. As she studied the room, a voice rung out.
"You've gone far enough. Neloth is a fool to think he could send some lowlife to finish me off."
Dar'adhavi scanned the room, seeking out the speaker. Finally, she saw her, standing on a ledge overlooking the room. She wasn't looking at Dar'adhavi, and didn't seem to see her, but Dar'adhavi well knew that there were other ways of detecting someone.
She waited while Ildari headed deeper into the caves, and readied an arrow. She wasn't surprised when ash spawn rose, and picked them off swiftly. Once the final one fell, she left her shadows, heading up the stairs to follow Ildari.
More ash spawn rose before, each swiftly and ruthlessly cut down as Dar'adhavi hunted Ildari down. A third journal was added to her pack, to be looked over later. Finally, Dar'adhavi found Ildari. Two fire traps were guarding the entrance to the final chamber, and Dar'adhavi knocked the soul gems free without attracting attention. She found her way to the upper level, and found Ildari hunched over a desk, muttering to herself.
Dar'adhavi moved, then fired an arrow, pinning Ildari to the desk by her shoulder. She rose and approached the dunmer, pulling a knife free of her boot.
"This one sorrows that this must end this way," she murmured, driving the knife inti Ildari's chest.
She rolled her over, raising a brow as Ildari glared up at her.
"You dare?"
Dar'adhavi sighed, and raised the dagger again. Ildari fell at her feet, and she dropped the heartstone beside the corpse.
She looked around the rather spartan room, then shrugged and left. Veleth should know that this was all resolved, and she wanted to speak to Neloth. Actually, that was a lie. She wanted to kill Neloth. His arrogance and lack of forethought brought this about, and he rather obviously learned nothing. And likely would never learn anything, unless it suited him.
But House Telvanni was influential, and a representative of the Empire murdering a wizard of same would lessen any help she might drum up for the Empire. She hissed in annoyance and headed to Saering's Watch. Niyya would pass along what she knew to Veleth, and Neloth could wait while her temper cooled.