Vernanye,
I am headed toward Winterhold on business. Perhaps you would like to join me? I will concede I do not fully trust the guildmaster, and I am to be alone with him on this endeavor.
We are headed to Snow Veil Sanctum, southeast of Winterhold. I hope to see you there.
It had gone precisely as Thellias had hoped it would.
He had accompanied the runner out of the Embassy, and ridden as far as Whiterun with him. From there, he handed the letter he'd written for Anasteria that bore orders, and while the runner returned to the rest of the reinforcements, Thellias rode onward toward Windhelm, to find a site where they could set up a base camp - and ultimately, a blockade. No one would get in, no one would get out... or at least, that was the plan.
He was pleased, then, when he found such a site south of Windhelm, overlooking the city. He'd written in his letter that he planned to light a signal fire once he saw the Dominion reinforcements riding along the road, and thus indicate the location he'd chosen. He began to set up when he saw a snow-white horse bearing a rider in glass armor, followed by a contingent of soldiers on foot, all in elven armor.
He rarely mistook that glass armor for anyone else's, and smiled softly as he lit the signal fire. He watched as the rider directed her followers toward the destination, and Thellias resumed setting up.
He had been determined to lessen the workload of the likely-exhausted soldiers as much as possible, and had managed to set up several tents on his own. When he heard the hooves of the horse clopping upon the ground and toward the base camp he was setting up, he had finished setting up a large tent for himself and the rider.
"Anasteria," he said, bowing respectfully to the rider as she dismounted.
"Thellias," she replied with a warm tone and an even warmer smile. "You look well."
"Ebony hasn't failed me yet," he mused. He strode toward her and embraced her tightly. "I've missed you," he murmured quietly.
"And I you," she responded just as softly, returning the embrace. When they let go of each other, it was Anasteria who spoke again. "We'll take over setting-"
"No. The soldiers must be exhausted from such a long march. I, on the other hand, have had energy to spare, and I rode here at that. If there are volunteers within, then they are welcome to help me," he added, raising his voice so every last soldier could hear him, "but if not, then I want your squad leaders to meet and discuss shifts. We will set up our blockade immediately, and restrict Windhelm as much as possible."
A few soldiers, although they looked weary, stepped forward, as if to volunteer themselves to help set up. The rest stayed back; a few even looked toward the tents Thellias had set up on his own.
"Alright, you five, help me, then." Thellias nodded toward the large tent. "Anasteria, we'll be staying there."
"Separate cots?" she inquired.
"And here I thought you'd changed your mind," he mused with a smile. "Yes, separate cots."
She laughed softly, and turned to face the contingent of Dominion soldiers. "You heard the temporary First Ambassador. Squad leaders, front and center; begin planning shifts. Those who are not helping Thellias set up camp or chosen for the first shift are to rest, so that those who are chosen for the first shift have well-rested replacements when said shift is over. That is all. Dismissed!"
"'Temporary'?" he said with a raised brow.
"Until Alinor makes it official, you aren't the actual First Ambassador, Thellias. Besides, do you really want it, so close to retirement?"
"...No, not really," he said after a moment. "Anyway, get settled, Anasteria. When camp is fully set up, I have things to tell you that I didn't think would suit a letter." His expression was grim, and his tone reflected that as well.
Anasteria definitely noticed, for her good mood turned somber quickly. "Right." They both watched as the squad leaders convened, and watched as two squad leaders approached both of them.
"You've chosen, then?" Thellias said.
"Yes sir."
He nodded. "Then here is what I want your squads to do. One squad is to set up barricades on the bridge west of Windhelm; the other is the barricade the roads from Kynesgrove and the road from Morrowind. I don't care if you can't get it done all in one go; you are all understandably tired. If you don't finish it entirely, the next shift will finish up for you."
"Yes sir." One squad leader paused for a moment. "Sir, if I may?"
He nodded.
"Level of force permitted to use if people attempt to force their way through?"
"If they will not listen to warnings, you are permitted to use force. Non-lethal for anyone outside of Windhelm." He smiled maliciously. "Lethal force for anyone trying to escape Windhelm. I want to make the message very clear to Ulfric Stormcloak that he cannot hold them from us forever."
"'Them', sir?"
"I'll explain later. For now, understand that this barricade around Windhelm is of great importance to internal issues with the Dominion."
"Sir." The same squad leader hesitated a moment longer. "And the docks?"
"I would have preferred if you arrived by boat - that way, we could have used the ship to barricade the water - but we will make do with magi. If any ships come in or try to leave, stop them. Try and freeze them in place with frost magic, or burn them down with fire if you must. No one - and I mean no one - is to enter or leave Windhelm until we get whom we came here for."
"Sir!" The squad leaders saluted, and returned to the rest to convey what Thellias had said.
"You're very ruthless about this," Anasteria commented softly.
"When you hear what I have to say, you'll understand," he said quietly. "For now, make yourself comfortable; I'll be with you once we're done setting up."
She hugged him once more, and set off for the large tent. He watched her go, then joined the five volunteers, who were starting to set up another tent.
"Careful!" he called out as he drew near; one soldier had nearly dropped a post on one of his comrades' heads. "Here, let me hold that up."
The five volunteers looked immensely relieved that Vindicator Thellias was not as heartless as some rumors made him out to be, and obeyed his orders to the letter.
"What's this, then?" Mia asked, head tilted to one side. The woman had just turned the corner from the road coming from the south, and spotted wooden barricades.
"A... blockade," Adalla murmured. "But who...?" She drew a little closer, searching for anyone nearby. She saw it then: several individuals wearing nothing but elven armor. "Thalmor...!"
"Shit," Mia growled. "Why Windhelm?"
"I... I don't know," Adalla replied, eyes wide. If she was discovered and recognized... and out of her elven armor, no less... she would instantly be questioned as to whether she was in dereliction of her duties, taken to see superiors... and ultimately punished for being absent without leave.
"We gotta fall back. I ain't ready to lose ya," Mia said, grabbing Adalla's arm and tugging her away from the barricade.
"R-right," she murmured, allowing Mia to pull her away. She turned to face the woman and followed her after taking a moment to right herself. "So now what? Maybe we... but no, if they're barricading this road, they're barricading all routes in and out of Windhelm."
"Even the sea?"
"Mm." Adalla looked troubled, and tugged at her green cloak nervously. "Where will we go now, then...? What can we do...?"
"No idea." Mia was looking around, and her eyes rested on a fort that overlooked Windhelm, more or less. "Maybe we can clean out what all lives in there, and stay there until this here blockade's done and gone."
Adalla turned her gaze to the fort in question, then turned her gaze back toward the fork in the road. She considered the options before her and Mia now. "That... sounds to be the best idea," Adalla said after a time. "Though can we say for certain anything lives in there?"
"Good point," Mia said with a grin. "Be sure ya stick Adima in somethin' so we ain't losing the little shit in the fort, or riskin' us being given away."
The mer looked at the saber kitten, who was nestled and asleep in her arms, and shook her head. "How comfortable do you feel cleaning out the fort yourself? I can wait for-"
"If that kitten's gonna be getting in our way, we'll have t'get rid of it," Mia growled. "I ain't gonna let ya just tag along, Adalla; yer my best friend and partner. Ya gotta have my back much as I got yers."
Adalla glanced at a small pouch that seemed big enough to fit the kitten, then kissed the top of Adima's head gently. "Sorry," she murmured quietly, tucking the saber kitten into the pouch. "Mommy Mia's being-"
"Hey," Mia fumed angrily. "I'm tryin' t'look out for ya, Adalla."
"I know, I know..." She sighed quietly. "Still... you can't seriously look at Adima and think it's cruel for me to stuff the kitten in a pouch..."
Mia looked at the pouch. "What is the kitten, anyway?"
"Huh?"
"Y'know, male or female? I ain't ever been good with that kinda thing, so I don't know. Ain't never thought t'look, either, because I got better things t'do with me time than check out a kitten's-"
"Oh! Well... I can check once the fort's cleared out." Adalla smiled sheepishly, and readied the bow that was slung over her back. "So... shall we?"
"Aye."
"M'lord!"
The shout interrupted the discussion Runael, Elenwen and Ulfric were having in the great hall, seated at the central table; Ulfric had pulled a chair up at the end closest to the throne. Ulfric looked equally annoyed, relieved and curious as to the interruption.
"What is it?" he asked as neutrally as he could. Runael could still see the other conflicting emotions upon his face, though, and thought it was funny.
"Windhelm's being blockaded, m'lord!"
Ulfric was the first to rise to his feet, and did so with such speed that the chair he'd been sitting in was knocked onto its back. "What?!" he shouted, the air rippling around them - reminding all present that the Jarl of Windhelm was capable of using the Voice. "Who dares?!"
"The Thalmor, m'lord!"
"Damn elves," he growled angrily. His eyes flashed at Runael and Elenwen both. "I don't suppose they'd be here for you, would they?"
"It's... not impossible," Elenwen said after a brief pause, before Runael could think of a better way to say the same thing. "But if they're blockading, then that means they have far greater numbers..."
"Than what?" he asked tersely.
"Than they used to." Elenwen bit her lower lip gently. "It's likely they received reinforcements from Alinor, then..."
"Dammit." He slammed his fist upon the table. "The docks? The roads?"
"Thalmor mages are attacking the ships that try to come and go, no matter how big or small they are. They're doing nothing to the ships moored, though. The roads are barricaded; any who try to force their way in are subdued with force. Any who try to leave..." The guard shook his head. "We've had two deaths from such attempts already."
"The farms to the east-"
"Are outside the blockade. Hollyfrost and Hlaalu Farms are both unattended to now, or are otherwise cut off from us. In other words, m'lord, what we have in the city now is all we'll have until they lift this blockade."
His gaze again went to Runael and Elenwen, and this time, Runael recognized the look of anger in his eyes; it was directed at them. "Thank you, guardsman. Send someone to try and communicate with those damned elves, so we may better understand their intentions."
"Yes, m'lord." The guard saluted, and left moments later.
"This is because of you two," he snarled furiously. "I ought to just send you both to them now!"
"We don't know that, Jarl Ulfric," Runael said with as level a tone as she could; she, too, suspected the Thalmor were blockading Windhelm to get her and Elenwen. "Let's not forget that Windhelm is home to a temple of Talos..."
"They wouldn't blockade for that," Elenwen countered. "They would simply invade and destroy the temple, then hold Jarl Ulfric accountable for his choices, as they did with the statue of Talos in Whiterun and with Balgruuf."
Runael gave the former First Ambassador a look, trying to convey 'you're not helping our situation' through her eyes alone.
"The bitch has a point," Ulfric said, glaring at Runael. "And you just seem like you're trying to escape your fate."
"I'm trying to keep an open mind!" Runael protested. "We don't know that they're here for us; we don't even know that they know we're here! I'd be astonished if they did know!"
Ulfric's expression softened at this; apparently, it was something he hadn't considered. "True..." He sighed, and shook his head. "Still, this is too convenient for it to be mere coincidence. I have both of you - traitors to the Thalmor - in my city; not long after you both arrived, the Thalmor form a blockade around Windhelm."
Neither elf wanted to confront the fact that it was too convenient. Runael knew, deep down, that the Thalmor were fully aware of their presence in Windhelm... but how?
"Jarl Ulfric... do you remember who the courier you sent was?" Runael asked after a moment.
"I do."
"Did he mention whether or not he... had a confrontation with someone on the road?"
Ulfric stared at the Arch-Mage. "What are you suggesting?"
"I know what she's getting at." Elenwen shook her head, as if she didn't quite want to believe it. "Your courier may have been intercepted by a Thalmor scout, and the letter read; perhaps the courier was then permitted to continue on to the College, now that the Thalmor knew what was going on."
"That's absurd," he growled. "My men would sooner die to an elf in battle than surrender and do their bidding just to save their life!"
"Even if it's to strike at an elf - Thalmor or otherwise?" Runael asked, crossing her arms.
He didn't respond to this, which gave both mer an answer.
The Thalmor camp was fully set up, and there were guards in place to make sure no one interfered. It had been hours since Anasteria and the rest of the reinforcements had arrived.
The Vindicator was sitting at a table in the large tent Thellias had set up for them, hands on a goblet, her eyes wide at what Thellias had just told her. "No..."
"I'm afraid it's true." The elder mer sat down with a groan, and picked up the bottle of wine that Anasteria had poured a glass from. "Runael and Vernanye both have, for want of a better word, defected. Runael for certain, but Vernanye has simply escaped her punishment and has been absent without leave since then. Both are in varying degrees of trouble."
Anasteria closed her eyes, and shook her head gently. "It's just so..." She lifted the goblet to her lips. "How could both of my daughters...?"
Thellias didn't respond, which gave Anasteria time to drink from her goblet... and time to think. What could have driven both of them to act thusly? Where were they now? What were they doing to avoid capture by the Thalmor?
"Runael and Elenwen are both in Windhelm," Thellias said after a time. "That's why we're here, and why we've blockaded the city. We'll strangle the city's supplies until Ulfric gives both of them to us, and once we have them, we'll lift the blockade and return to the Embassy. Once we reach Rorikstead, we'll split the group and address the matter of En'zhar, in the Reach. Our last correspondence with our spies out that way suggested that he was pretty entrenched in his current location... though we haven't heard from them in a while yet. I think it's safe to assume his fiends killed them."
"And the infiltration?"
"We found the infiltrator. Saarie was interrogating him, and gleaned the locations of the Dragonborn's homes throughout Skyrim. Nothing was found in Solitude or Markarth, and there was some... confusion, I suppose, over the home in Whiterun. That I'm aware of, no efforts were made to act on Windhelm or Riften. Then again, Saarie seemed more devoted to her 'pet project' than getting to the bottom of the matter."
"You're no better, chasing defectors," Anasteria said.
"I'm addressing internal problems while I work. Any other proper First Ambassador would do the same." He corked the wine bottle and set it back down on the table. "As an aside, the Blades were said to have an involvement in the infiltration of the Embassy, as well. That's why we're scouring the Dragonborn's homes: if we can find some indicator as to where the Blades are hiding out in Skyrim, we can eliminate them as well. Until we have that information, though, there is nothing more we can do. We are at a dead end, and as such, we can focus on internal matters such as this."
Anasteria once again lost herself in thought, lips resting upon the rim of the goblet. She still didn't want to believe it. Her two daughters... her own loyalty would probably be called into question because of it... or would it? If she was part of the group who brought them in for dereliction of duty, would she be suspected?
"I told Vernanye the truth of the matter between her and I. She didn't seem to take it all that well. I can't say for certain because Elenwen set her free not long after I told her." He scowled a little. "I didn't get to tell her that Runael's only her half-sister."
"I see." Anasteria was only listening at this point.
Apparently, it wasn't enough for Thellias, because he sighed wearily. "And now I'm boring you with the little, inconsequential details. You should get some sleep, Anasteria. The journey must have been long, even for you."
"What about you? You spent most of the afternoon setting up camp before and after we arrived." She took a sip from the goblet, grateful that he'd had the foresight to bring a bottle of wine with him - a wine she liked, no less. It made it easier to forget the problems she was now being faced with.
"Please. I may be older, but I still have energy to spare." He flashed a smile her way.
She sighed softly and let out a faint chuckle. "Some things never change... some people never change." She looked up at him. "I can see you're still the same 'eager to please' cadet you were decades ago, when we were both fresh faces at the academy."
"Between you and I, one of us had to be," he mused. "You were always such a recluse, preferring to read as opposed to put what you were learning into practice."
"And which of us performed better on the written exams?" she said with a playful nudge.
"Words are well and good, but the truest form of exemplary conduct lies in how you conduct yourself in combat situations. Think about what we're often called to do, Anasteria. We typically fight."
"We also engage in politics," she reminded him. "We also prepare strategies, plan for matters, and otherwise do all we can - physical or mental - to further the Dominion's cause."
They both stared at each other for a moment.
"'On my honor and my life, I do swear to commit myself fully to the Dominion. No task shall be too great, no challenge insurmountable. We are the strongest, we are the smartest. We are Vindicators, and we serve the Aldmeri Dominion until we breathe our last.'" They both recited the Vindicators' Oath simultaneously.
"Or until exemplary service earns one retirement," Thellias added with a chuckle. "I bet I'll be the first Vindicator to actually retire."
"Are we sure it's a good thing?" she said with a wink.
"Can you prove it's bad? My service record is decorated with honors and praise; I was informed my discharge would be honorable, and my retirement days excellent."
"That's assuming you can get this task done," she intoned.
He gave her a dubious look. "You doubt I can? Which of us, I wonder, managed to break that-"
She waved her hand dismissively. "Never mind. If you're going to just brag, forget I mentioned it." She finished the goblet of wine, and stood slowly from her seat. "I think I shall get some sleep. I advise you do the same, Thellias. Your old bones need more rest than mine," she added with a wink.
"Perhaps you'd like to warm them," he joked.
She waggled a finger at him. "Separate cots," she said, reminding him of what was said earlier. "Besides, it's highly unprofessional if soldiers come to report something to us and we're both sleeping together."
"It's not like it would be the first time it's happened," he muttered.
"True, but we got in trouble for that. And Vernanye was born months later as a result." She sat down on the cot she had chosen to sleep in. "I have two daughters already, Thellias, and both of them are proving to be more trouble than they're worth. I'd rather not risk having another child if it's only going to mean more trouble for me."
Mia stared up at the star-lit sky, while Adalla played with Adima in hopes of tiring the saber kitten out. Both had things on their mind.
Clearing out the fort had been easy for them. Adalla in particular felt as though the new clothing she'd effectively been gifted by Mia made for much easier mobility than her elven armor ever provided. It was... nice, to be able to dodge much easier without armor pieces clicking together and restricting her movements. Never had she found it so easy and flawless to draw a bow.
As Adima played with the ends of her hair again, Adalla cast a quick glance at Mia. Not for the first time, she wondered as to her best friend and partner's past. Mia never seemed inclined to share before. Unlike the past few times, though, Adalla was seriously considering asking now.
"Hey, Mia..." she began.
She was interrupted when Mia stood abruptly, and pointed down at the road. "Look. Someone's comin' up the southern road."
The mer was put out at being interrupted, but followed Mia's finger, and saw that there was indeed someone walking the road. It was a dark elf, clad in what appeared to be leather... and that hair, though hard to see in the moonlight, was...
She scooped Adima up in her arms and hopped carefully down from the rooftop she and Mia were sitting upon, and made for the road. It couldn't be the Dunmer, could it? If so, why was she alone? Wasn't she still with Runael?
"Oy, Adalla!" Mia called after her as loudly as the woman dared; she didn't want to draw too much attention. The mer continued on her way, though, and she could faintly hear her friend cursing quietly under her breath - and in a language she'd never heard before.
She wanted to ask right then and there, but figuring out the identity of the dark elf on the road took precedence for the time being. She saw the Dunmer turn to face her as she ran through the scant few trees lining the road, hand on her blade. She came to a stop upon the road, panting softly and clutching the saber kitten to her chest.
"...Adalla, was it?" The voice was familiar, as were the markings on the dark elf's face. It was Irileth after all.
"Yes." She watched the Dunmer for a moment, then heard the sounds of someone else rushing through the trees behind her; she didn't need to turn and face Mia to know it was her.
"And... Mina, correct?"
"Mia," the woman replied with an exasperated sigh. "I swear, it ain't that hard t'remember..."
"You two are still living freely, I see."
"Well... not exactly." Adalla gestured to the blockade. "We were on our way to Windhelm, actually, but the bridge has been blockaded. Windhelm has been cut off from the rest of Skyrim; don't ask me why, I don't know." She sighed softly, and gestured toward the fort she and Mia had chosen to stay in for the time being. "Would you like to join us until this blockade's been lifted?"
"Thank you for the offer, but I need to try and get by. That cat from Nightgate is supposed to be on his way to Windhelm, and he's supposed to be after Runael's life."
"Runael-" Adalla's eyes widened. "Why is she in Windhelm? No, never mind that, how do you know about that?"
"I've... been in contact with someone," Irileth said tentatively. "I'd rather not say more."
"Hosuecarl of Whiterun's up t'no good," Mia mused.
"I am not," the Dunmer replied with a huff.
"Still... if you're going to try and get by the Thalmor's blockade-"
"So that was right, too." Irileth's expression was troubled. "They do have reinforcements in Skyrim now. Our assault on the Embassy may not go over as well as we'd like..."
"If their reinforcements are all the way over here, it might... but y'know, ya may wanna swing yer forces over here and crush these reinforcements first, while they ain't got proper walls t'hide behind." Mia shrugged a little after offering the suggestion.
"True... but there's no time. If I'm to save Runael's life from that cat, I've got to get past the blockade first. I don't have time to run back and relay this information to Whiterun; Runael will-"
"We'll go," Adalla interrupted. "Mia and I can probably slip by and get into Windhelm. We have business here anyway-"
"I need to do this myself," Irileth said, interrupting the high elf in turn. "It was part of an agreement I made-"
"We'll all go, then," Mia interrupted. "Three of us together'll cover more ground'n one would."
"You have a point, but... how will the three of us get past...?"
Mia pointed toward a small hill to the right of the road, where a statue of Talos sat upon a cliff.
"Other side of that hill. I been thinkin' that maybe it's not blocked off by them Thalmor pricks. If it is, well, we'll figure somethin' out from there. We're gonna have t'swim for a little, but maybe we can make do with logs or somethin' t'cross and stay dry."
They looked at each other for a moment.
"Ready?" Irileth asked quietly.
Both Mia and Adalla nodded.
"Let's go, then." Both mer watched Mia take the lead, as she seemed to have an inkling of where they could possibly slip on through, then followed her as quietly as they could.
A.N. - And that's the last one from this weekend that's finished.
As I first started writing out the blockade of Windhelm, I got thinking to myself whether or not my mental distances were accurate or not. I've never really had to hop into the game simply to get my facts straight before, but that's exactly what I did when it came to rereading and proofreading this chapter for accuracy. I had initially set up the western blockade at the fork in the road, where the road heads south, and then west toward Agna's Mill; I decided against that, though, because blockading a bridge is technically easier to accomplish; I hadn't thought it viable, though, until I reminded myself that there was, in fact, a bridge there.
Then that left the matter of crossing the water. Because I'd forgotten the bridge was there, I'd forgotten there was a small river running between the statue of Talos' hill and Windhelm; further, there aren't any shallow areas where one could simply walk across. I had to get a little creative with the idea there. I'd been under the impression it was just solid ground, covered in trees.
So the faintly agreeable Runael/Ulfric exchange has broken. If you were in charge of a city, and your enemy blocked off your city to get at fugitives, I think you'd be furious, too. It was all I could do to keep him from just ignoring both of them and kicking them out to the road himself. Of course, he's not going to simply stand for it, not when Windhelm's livelihood is at stake...
So some may think the story appears to be winding down now, given that all the characters are converging on/at Windhelm now. To those who do think so, I have only this to say... you're right. Flames is drawing to a close. As I mentioned in the first of these four updates, I've already begun work on the Dragonborn story featuring Mia. First chapter of that is a rough draft, second chapter is being worked on here and there. It's not as high priority as Flames, of course.
Now, onto semi-non-story-related stuff.
So, I can explain the month-long delay. I've been looking for work the past month and a half. It wasn't easy, but I found a new job, and start work in a couple of days. I took the weekend to myself so I could unwind, relax, play some Skyrim (played the Dwemertech mod and started Spectraverse, both available on Nexus Mods), and otherwise just try to make progress on the story. Last night, I began playing the Dragonborn questline through again so I could refresh my memory on the lines used there; I won't be copy-pasting the lines, but rather putting my own spin on them. I prefer doing it like that, for the most part; makes it feel authentic and not like 'just another 'insert OC here' questline story'. I'd do it on Mia, but the problem is she's already played through the Dragonborn quests; in fact, Mia is typically the character I play whenever I start a new mod of any sort. (I played through Dwemertech with Runael, though.)
Is it ironic if Vernanye was the vampire in Flames - but Runael is the vampire in-game? I kid you not; she is Arch-Mage of Winterhold, and a vampire lord besides. (Mia was once a vampire lord as well, but I cured her for... whatever reason. I can't remember.) I never used to think being a vampire lord was all that great - then I learned the Drain Life spell is a decently-sized AoE spell that has potential to kill multiple clustered enemies at once. I'd never really done much with vampirism before I learned that, so she's slowly but surely making progress toward her Vampire Lord perk tree.
I've begun playing Skyrim with the Requiem mod active. I'm not sure how I feel about it. Maybe my generally negative opinion of Requiem stems from the fact that, after I installed it, I began to have issues starting a new game; the wagons you ride into Helgen on would glitch out, Tullius/Hadvar would attack a pair of dragons flying overhead... I even had one time where the wagons began to climb up a mountain for no apparent reason! And of course, when the game finally decided to cooperate, and I made my new character, I made my way to Helgen Keep... only to have my character 'freeze'. I could do nothing, but the game wasn't frozen itself. Hadvar/Ralof both kept telling me to 'come here so they could get the bindings off', but I couldn't move, couldn't turn the camera, access menus, etc. I eventually managed to get Requiem to work, though, by starting a new game without it active, then saving just before I left the cave and entered the Skyrim overworld, quitting, reactivating Requiem, and proceeding. It worked that way, but it's such a pain in the ass to do it like that.
Then there's a multitude of other factors, too. For example, if you don't put points in Lockpicking, you can't pick any lock - even a Novice lock is beyond you. For Mia, who's Lockpicking is at 71, that's downright embarrassing, to fuss with a Novice lock and break picks over and over while you're at that one spot that you KNOW is the 'unlock' point. (It was especially irritating when I killed someone in the Drunken Huntsman, went to leave - and found the exits were both locked with Expert-level locks.) It's a very difficult mod to start a new character with (the one character I created to play Requiem from the start of a new game is a level 2 Dark Elf), but if you use a more experienced character (I made a separate save for Mia and play Requiem off that save alone; if I want to play without Requiem up, I use the original save), it's not nearly as bad.
In short, Requiem has earned mixed reviews from me. It was an absolute bitch to get working in the first place, and I'm positive it's a problem with the mod (I turned it off, started a new game, and had no issues moving around; turned it back on, BAM! Couldn't move around the Keep once I'd stepped inside) that isn't explained in the FAQ. If you can get it working, though, and like a challenge in your game, Requiem is good for that.
...Wicked long Author's Note, but that's alright. It's been a busy month for me. I shall continue to work on Flames, and continue work on the story to follow, which I will be titling 'I Am Dragonborn'. (I contemplated simply calling it 'Dragonborn', but that's just lazy, considering it's the official name of the content, like 'Dawnguard' or 'Hearthfire' are.) As mentioned, it will center on Mia, but Adalla will be there, as well. Two other characters from Flames will be making apperances: one will be a cameo, the other... well, think 'secondary big bad'. I won't get too far into it right now.
-Spiritslayer