Chapter Twelve
The transport helicopter landed in the landing area just outside the Imperial Palace, where Faasnu, Kabier and Elenwen got off.
"The Imperial City," Elenwen said, "Never imagined I'd be visiting this place."
"You sound surprised to be here," Kabier commented.
"I am," Elenwen admitted. "I had heard of this place from others, and read about it in books, but I never thought I'd have the chance to see it firsthand."
"Well, unfortunately, we're not here to go sight-seeing," Faasnu said.
"Did General Indari say what he wanted?" Kabier inquired.
"No," Faasnu replied. "I can only assume it's regarding our plans for the liberation of Valenwood."
"Ah, yes, Valenwood," Elenwen sighed. "Been a while since I'd been there."
"I imagine people there don't exactly like you," Kabier remarked.
"Most people in Valenwood barely know my name, let alone my face," Elenwen corrected her. "Their anger is directed at the Dominion and the Thalmor – not directly toward me."
"Touche," Kabier stated.
Faasnu, Kabier and Elenwen stepped into the Imperial Palace, and were greeted by Ulfric and Tullius.
"Good to see you're still with us, Faasnu," Ulfric greeted Faasnu as he shook his shoulder. "And I see you found our elusive Thalmor defector."
"Wait – you knew about this?" Faasnu asked, taken aback.
"We found out after you left," Tullius explained. "We would have told you, but we couldn't contact you after your transport was shot down."
"Could that be how the Thalmor found out Elenwen was on the Ardent?" Kabier queried as they moved into the main chamber.
"If that's the case, then it's likely the Thalmor have a listening post somewhere nearby," Faasnu responded.
"That's what we wanted to discuss with you," General Indari stated. "Have a seat, Captain."
Faasnu, Kabier and Elenwen sat down, with Ulfric and Tullius sitting down on either side of Rikke and Galmar. Emperor Meade entered moments later, taking his own seat.
"Your performance thus far is exemplary, Captain Faasnu," he said. "You have done many great services for the Empire and the Dragon'taan Marauder Corps."
"Keep this up, you'll make Colonel in no time," Indari agreed. "But there's more you must do in our fight against the Dominion and their Necromyan allies."
"Have we learned anything new while we were in Black Marsh?" Faasnu asked.
"Through a bit of luck," Rikke reported, "We traced a series of Necromyan signals to the ruins of a Morrowind coastal city, Tear."
"What happened to Tear that made it a ruin?" Kabier inquired.
"Massive tsunami," Elenwen replied. "Drowned half the city, and those that survived abandoned it – headed to Narsis and Mournhold. Rumor has it, the Tsunami was not an accident."
"And now, we believe that the enemy is using the ruined city as a base for a listening post," Indari said. "Unfortunately, we aren't sure – that's why we're sending you in. Your orders are to infiltrate the facility, determine if the enemy – Dominion, Thalmor or Necromyan – is operating there, and if they are, terminate the operation."
"Permission to join Captain Faasnu's team?" Elenwen requested.
"I was going to assign you to his team in the first place, Elenwen," Indari admitted. "You know better than anyone how the Thalmor think and move, and I believe you'd be an invaluable asset to Faasnu and Kabier."
"Get back to us once you have eliminated any enemy presence in Tear, and we should be ready for our assault on Valenwood," Meade commanded. "Dismissed."
As Faasnu, Kabier and Elenwen headed out of the Imperial Palace, Faasnu said to Elenwen, "We're gonna need to get you armored up, and get you some better hardware."
"What would you suggest?" Elenwen asked.
"Personally, I'd suggest either an RX Kalashnikov or an RX Hybrid rifle, as far as weapons are concerned," Faasnu responded. "And for armor... I can get you a set of the MASRA SOPIS armor suits Kabier and I wear."
"Thanks," Elenwen said. "Where are we getting this stuff, anyway?"
"I've got it locked up in the armory beneath my home in Whiterun," Faasnu responded.
"Is Balgruuf still the Jarl there?" Elenwen queried.
"Last I heard," Faasnu responded. "Haven't heard from him since Kabier and I left there about a week ago."
"Well, let's go – sooner we get this done, the better," Elenwen sighed. "No telling what trouble awaits us in Morrowind."
The three-person team then boarded a transport to Skyrim, and off they went...
The transport touched down just outside Whiterun, and Faasnu, Kabier and Elenwen got off. The sun was just beginning to sink below the horizon, casting the sky in a brilliant pink hue. They walked toward the city as the transport lifted off, and Elenwen asked, "Think the Jarl will be willing to accept me working with you?"
"Beats me," Faasnu admitted with a shrug. "I don't think he's ever met you."
"Oh. Right," Elenwen said. "Forget I asked."
"We're just stopping in to get some supplies," Faasnu stated. "We're not here to chit-chat with the Jarl, as much as I'd like to tell him we're doing well in this war."
"He probably already knows," Kabier commented. "Remember: He's been in touch with DMC officials since we left here. People with access to radios and interstellar comm arrays."
Faasnu just laughed. "Touche," he said.
They stepped through the gates, and stopped just inside, where Faasnu let loose a long sigh. Kabier bumped him and asked, "Hey – you alright?"
"Just enjoying the view of a peaceful Whiterun," Faasnu answered.
Kabier smiled, then suggested, "Why don't we rest up here, tonight, head out in the morning?"
Faasnu smiled and chuckled. "I second that," he said in a soft tone to her.
Elenwen frowned, looking from Kabier to Faasnu and back. Varying from the sly to the snide, a number of comments formed inside her mind. Ultimately, she voiced none of them. "If we're going to rest here, let's head to your house, Faasnu," she managed to say. Faasnu needn't be told twice as he headed down the street. Kabier looped her arm around Faasnu's, and walked at his side as though she were his wife. They wandered down the street until they came upon Breezehome, where Faasnu unlocked the door and ushered Kabier and Elenwen in.
As nighttime crept up on Whiterun, Faasnu and Kabier readied for bed. No one asked where Elenwen would be sleeping – she took Kabier's original bed, seeing that Faasnu and Kabier both now shared Faasnu's bed. Elenwen fell asleep quickly – much to Faasnu and Kabier's relief, she didn't snore. Faasnu and Kabier, however, remained awake, cradled in each other's arms.
"Do you think it's... odd?" Kabier asked.
"Do I think what's odd?" Faasnu asked back.
"Our relationship... you know, a Liiraan Lioness in love with a human," Kabier explained. "... Dragon-shifter," she quickly corrected herself.
"Not at all," Faasnu replied.
"Come on, be honest – something about our relationship has got to seem strange to you," Kabier whispered.
"I'm a dragon-shifter – I don't dwell on such things," Faasnu responded. "We have a lot in common, you and I – we've been through thick and thin together. I know I can trust you." He brought a hand up and stroked Kabier's cheek. "To my eyes, you are a beautiful woman – gentle, kind, and compassionate. You see what few can, and fewer still can comprehend."
"And the fact that I'm a different race than you doesn't bother you?" Kabier queried.
"It never did," Faasnu answered. "Like I said, I don't dwell on what's different. In my opinion, you are a loving and caring young woman with a heart of gold. I couldn't ask for a better partner."
Kabier chuckled softly. "Suck-up," she teased him. She kissed him lightly, then added, "We're an odd couple... but a good one, I say. I'll admit, I never thought I'd ever meet a dragon-shifter, let alone fall in love with one. But I'm glad I did; you are beautiful to my eyes, as well, Faasnu Dovahkiir – and I'll love you 'till I die."
Faasnu chuckled lovingly. "I love you, too, sweetheart... perhaps, after the war, we could settle down, have a-"
Kabier silenced him with a kiss. "Was that a proposal?" she asked him after she broke the kiss.
Faasnu chuckled. "You could call it that," he replied. He and Kabier chuckled softly, and then embraced for a deep, passionate kiss, wrapped in each other's arms for the night...