A/N: Thanks GetOutOfMyBathroom for spotting that I posted the wrong chapter. Hate that it was my first review, but thanks for letting me know! I also figured out by going through all of these that I somehow missed posting a Ralof chapter. I think it is my chapter 11.

Thorin III

The city had actually entered a peaceful era under the rule of Madanach. Although it is debatable if this peace is genuinely out of the morality of the citizens or if it is out of fear that Madanach will kill anyone in their sleep for acting out.

The Forsworn had officially disbanded as the terrorist group. Now they were the Reach Royal Army. They served as guards in the minor settlements like Granite Hill and Karthwasten as well as Markarth itself. They were set up along the border of the Reach in case the Imperial Legion or the Stormcloaks came to siege the city.

The Reachmen still served outside of Markarth as spies in other Holds and even in the Imperial City. Madanach had connections everywhere it seemed. His spies now reported to Kaie the young Forsworn woman who helped us all to escape the mine.

The first few days of Madanach's rule were chaotic to say the least. He beheaded Jarl Igmund and Thongvor Silver-Blood. He had both heads places on pikes outside the city. Many Nords were soon out of a job and working at the forge or in the mines like the Reachmen had been doing for decades. After he showed the Nords the indignity of the work he did begin to equalize the economy. Nords who were not troublesome were given better jobs.

Raerek was kept under watch at my home. The only luxury he had was that he was allowed to live with Argis and myself. Madanach had wanted his head too, but I had managed to talk him into it. Raerek could be used as a peace offering with the Elder Council, or with Ulfric should Ulfric truly win independence. Everyone who knew anything knew that Raerek was a worshipper of Talos. That was the only reason that the Temple of Talos was still standing during the years after the Markarth Incident.

While I am thinking of Talos woship, the Thalmor that were here have all been rounded up and taken to the Dunmer ruin beneath Understone Keep. Apparently when they rose decades ago against Jarl Igmund's father, Hrolfdir, they had the Aldmer whispering in their ear that the Kingdom of the Reach would be an ally of the Dominion and would be very beneficially for the Reachmen to take their kingdom back. Madanach was told he would have the Western Reach in High Rock as part of his kingdom as well as all that he could conquer in Skyrim.

When the elves agreed to a peace treaty they threw every agreement that they had made with the Reachmen out the window. The madmen of the Reach were left out to dry with no stronger nation to help them. The forces of Ulfric Stormcloak returned from the war and took the Reach back from Madanach's forces. He placed the blame for his failure as much on the King of Alinor as he did on Ulfric Stormcloak.

Since Madanach knew that Cidna Mine was escapable it had become a regular mine for the city's treasury. The mages working for Madanach spent all day taking in any and all silver they could find and used magic to turn it into gold. When people from the rest of the Hold did brought in iron they turned the iron into silver and then into gold. As long as there was still silver in these mountains the Reachmen would still have much gold as they would need. The Empire would be smart to make allies out of them.

The city had become more and more well off since Madanach had come to power. With no threat of secret murderous terrorist the people worked so much more and in turn spent more in the stores of the city. Madanach had let in two Vigilant's of Stendarr to cleanse a Deadric Shrine, even though many of his people worshipped Molag Bal since at least the Second Era. Namira and Hircine were still heavily worshipped by the Reachmen. The only Divine that I know they worship is Lady Dibella, but really who doesn't love a good sex goddess?

Madanach was doing his hardest to help the Nordic people and the Reachmen who lived in Markarth. We certainly were not hurting and he even allowed me to continue to serve the court. Officially the office of thane is dead and barons have replaced them. I feel like I am in High Rock instead of Skyrim. At times I forget the Reachmen are still Bretons and not their own people.

We did not need the Imperial Legion to invade, we did not need Ulfric to "liberate" us. Our people had fallen into a perfectly ordered line working, drinking, sleeping around, drinking more, fighting, just as they had done in Jarl Igmund's reign.

"Breakfat, mi'lord." Argis walked in to my private bedroom.

I put away my journal and nodded at the housecarl. He was truly a blessing to have so close at hand. When one of the Forsworn had found out I had killed his daughter he had not given up trying to kill me. I did not know that I was killing a future ally's daughter. The bitch had tried to kill me first. What was I to do but kill her before she got me? As he was awarded some title for his service I could not take this before Madanach. I would need to be discreet.

"Argis, send word for Vosrtag. I need to see him. Tell him lunch will be on me." I had used the Nordic sellsword before but never for assassins work. Well, not like this. He had gladly went to kill a bandit leader or a Forsworn for me. It was basically the same thing.

When the Nord entered my home hours later I had already met with Raerek to go over my plan. When I told the mercenary what I wanted he looked at me with a smile and said, "So we are replacing the Forsworn?"

"Well, not necessarily replacing them. The men you find and recruit will serve me and only me. I will give you the orders and I will expect results. I would recommend sending that drunk, Cosnach, to kill Uraccen. Get the two drunk and let them fight or something similar…"

"Why couldn't I kill him myself?"

"Because I want as much domestic Breton on Breton problems as we can manage." I looked to him.

"So we are to turn them against themselves?" He seemed to get excited at the idea.

"Exactly."