Astaria didn't want to think about much the next morning. She was walking in the early morning light towards Riverwood, it was colder due to the snow fall last night and her feet were slowly crunching along the ground.
She hadn't slept much.
The main thing that kept coming into her mind though, was Ulfric's order about learning to fight with a sword. She scowled at herself for getting herself into the situation in the first place, if she'd just been able to keep a hold of her sword…
Kicking a stone along the path, she thinks about the fight, about how easily he had disarmed her. She had only gotten her knowledge of sword fighting from just watching the men fight, and clearly that was showing more than she hoped.
Gritting her teeth, she forced it all out of her mind for now. For the moment, she should only be worrying about what Delphine could tell her.
Riverwood was just as peaceful as ever, Stormcloak guards posted at both entrances being the main difference. She purposefully avoided catching Gerdur's eye and heads straight to the inn. Delphine looked relieved to see her and they quickly disappeared downstairs.
"Glad you made you back." She says calmly, leaning on the table.
"It's certainly been interesting." Astaria replied. "Now, you said before you believed that the Thalmor had something to do with the dragons?" She wanted to get this over with as quickly as possible.
"I do and I have a way to find out."
Astaria knew she wasn't going to like this.
"We need to get into the Thalmor Embassy and take a look around, it's the only way we will learn the truth." Delphine continued.
"And by we, you mean me." Astaria sighed. "I'm not exactly an unknown around Skyrim Delphine."
"No, but they would recognise me on sight." Delphine says with a frown. "I do have a plan Dragonborn, you can trust me."
Astaria remained silent.
"I have a contact that will be able to smuggle gear into a party they are holding soon. If you can meet him in Solitude and give him whatever you need, I can get you into that party. All you have to do is sneak away when the time is right." She watched her expectantly.
Astaria had felt cold at the mention of Solitude. Would the Imperial's recognise her yet?
"Do you think you can do this Dragonborn? It may be our only chance to find out what the Thalmor are doing."
No pressure.
She sighs. "Alright, I don't like it, but alright."
An hour later, a heavy hood over her head and her hair tied up in a tight bun, she found herself on the way to Solitude. She hoped by doing this, she would be less noticeable and guards wouldn't question her appearance, the hood being more for her eyes than her hair.
Astaria took her time walking to Solitude, she was hoping to arrive well into nightfall, it becoming much easier to sneak around should something go wrong, Delphine hadn't liked the idea but Astaria couldn't honestly care, she was only doing this because, as much she thought the Thalmor weren't involved, she was hoping for some sort of answer.
Alduin. The name still shook her to her core. But why now? There had to be a reason and the Thalmor were as a good a place to start as any.
It was bordering on nightfall when she reached Solitude, she was hesitant, but moved in anyway. Luckily, the guards were lazy, simply ignoring her as she walked past, clearly they were used to things being peaceful around here, and she had to admit, a part of her wanted to destroy that peace.
Pushing the thoughts aside, she moved into the city, the high stone walls being so different yet oddly familiar. She had been here before but it was many years ago when her brother was still with them, she couldn't even remember why they'd been here, something to do with her father maybe?
She enters the inn, enjoying the warmth even though she wouldn't be here long, and spots the man she was meeting sitting in a corner near the bar. She walks over and sits down.
The Bosmer looks her up and down. "You're who she sent? I hope she has something better than that."
Astaria scowled. "Hello to you too. Yes, I'm the one sent to meet you, do you have a problem with that?"
He stares at her coldly. "Well, as long as you are as good as what rumour says…" He trails off and shakes his head. "Right well, have you got what you need for me to get in for you?"
She did, but she wanted a few things answered first. "What's your name?"
He hesitates for a moment. "Malborn, and before you asked, I'm doing this to get back at the Thalmor. The bastards killed my entire family, they don't even care enough to know who I am, so I am using that to my advantage."
Astaria watches as he looks uncomfortable under her gaze, but he had given her the answer she wanted, and it was comforting to know that she wasn't about to be stabbed in the back. "I'm sorry." She pulls out a small bag, in it were her knives, (she'd deliberated for a long time before putting them in) some lock picks (she wasn't overly skilled with them but could get through basic locks easy enough) and health potions. She was hoping that this would be as in and out as quickly as possible, so the less she had, the better.
Malborn takes the bag. "I hope you know what you are doing."
"So do I." She says softly, standing and walking out.
Night had fallen now and Astaria made her way back out of the city, heading down to the stables, glad that the guards still payed little attention. Delphine was waiting for her.
"Malborn has what he needs?" Astaria nods. "Good, I have the invitation here, but-" she gives her a once over. "You can't go dressed like that."
Astaria scowls and goes to argue but Delphine cuts her off. "The Thalmor are expecting nobles at this party, the elite, it's going to look suspicious if you walk in full armour." She hands her a bag full of clothes. "Here, put these on."
With the increasing nag of a bad feeling, Astaria moved behind the stables to change. She almost groans at the noble clothes in the bag, hurriedly pulling her armour off and pulling the horrid clothes on.
Now she'd wished she'd given Malborn some armour.
The after thought of that did nothing to ease the growing bad feeling as she handed the bag full of her armour and sword back over to Delphine. Delphine's attention was on her throat however.
"I'm going to need that too."
Astaria looked down, her amulet of Talos around her neck. She frowns and shoves it down the front of her clothes, hiding it from view. "No."
"If they catch you wearing that-"
"I said now Delphine. It will be fine." It had been the last thing her brother had given her, she wasn't about to take it off.
Looking less than pleased, Delphine handed over the invitation. "Remember, you are a noble, so act like one in there until you can get away."
"Right." Astaria growled, looking disdainfully at the carriage waiting.
"You will be late too."
"Fashionably." Astaria looks back at her. "I can handle it."
Delphine looked worried as Astaria climbed into the back of the carriage, it taking off in a slow trot. Astaria remained silent, trying to keep her head clear about what she had to do.
The bad feeling was growing worse.
Finally, the carriage stopped and looked up at the Embassy. It took her a moment, but slowly she got off the carriage, a man in front of her, also late, was rambling on about dull parties.
He spots her. "Ah! Another late comer! Not looking forward to another boring Thalmor throng I see?" He was merry and reeked of alcohol.
Astaria gives a gentle smile. "Nice to meet you. I have to say, I'm glad I'm not going in late alone."
He laughs and they head up the stone steps together. A guard asked for their invitations, Astaria showed hers but the man had appeared to have misplaced his.
"Dammit, I know it's here somewhere." He grumbled, searching through his pockets.
"I'll wait inside, maybe we can share a drink?" She says back to him.
His eyes light up for a brief moment and he waves her on. She couldn't help but smile, there was always one at every party.
Entering, she found the place well lit and warm and a slight fill of cheer in the air, she was almost finding it comfortable until a woman approached her. The Altmer had aging blonde hair and held herself very proudly.
"Greetings," Her voice was stern and Astaria suddenly grew very uncomfortable. "I am Elenwen, I don't believe we've met. May I see your invitation?"
Astaria hands it over, choosing to remain silent.
"Ria Snow? Not a name I know, but hopefully that can change during the course of the evening." She hands the invitation back with a smile that did not reach her eyes.
It took everything Astaria had not to gulp, it had taken her a long time to convince Delphine not put her real name on the invite, but she was glad the woman had finally listened.
"And to you Elenwen. Word travels quick around Skyrim of your efforts in the war." She forces a practiced smile and gives a slight bow. "I'm sure this will be a pleasant evening."
"I'm sure it will. It will be nice to talk to someone new." Elenwen's eyes gave nothing away, but luckily Astaria was saved by Malborn.
"My lady Elenwen, we've run out of-"
Elenwen turns to him. "I've told you before not to bother me with trivial matters, just do what you've been told." She snaps and looks back at Astaria. "My apologies Miss Snow, we will have to talk more later."
Elenwen leaves her then and Astaria breathes a sigh of relief. It had almost felt natural to swing back into the noble way of acting and she had to admit, she still didn't like it. She headed to the bar, where Malborn was serving drinks.
"Evening Madam, can I get you a drink?" He asked politely.
"Yes please." Astaria breathed and down the first drink quickly as he handed it to her.
He stared at her. "Should you be doing that?"
She pushes the glass towards him, which he refills. "Don't worry, that's all I intend to properly drink."
He glances around for a moment. "I have your things outback, if you can cause a distraction for the guards, I can get you back here."
"Right." She moves away with her drink in hand and moves through the party, politely greeting anyone and listening to the talk around her.
She happened to pass Jarl Idgrod Ravencrone and Maven Black-Briar in deep conversation and paused when she heard Ulfric's name mentioned.
"…heard that a dragon attacked Windhelm, and that Ulfric went out to face it because he can shout."
"I suppose you also heard that he died defending his city?" Maven asked, clearly refraining from rolling her eyes.
"I did! You don't suppose it's true do you?"
"Do you really think we'd be here if Ulfric Stormcloak had been slain? No, no doubt it is just a rumour, probably started by him as a recruitment drive."
Astaria snorted, a smirk on her face. Ulfric hadn't started the rumour, Galmar had. As much as she disliked the old man, he had his good moments.
Maven was still talking. "Besides, the Dragonborn is on their side remember? As if Ulfric would risk fighting dragons when he has the Dragonborn to do it for him?"
Hurriedly, she walked away, not wanting to get into a conversation she knew just a little too much about.
She was just thinking about how to get a distraction going when she noticed the man from earlier, sitting by himself on a bench looking miserable. She glanced at the untouched drink in her hand and back at him.
With a smile, she walked over and sat down next to him.
"Fancy meeting you again friend." She says cheerfully. "Look! I even brought you a drink!"
His eyes light up and he reaches for it, but she holds it just out of reach.
"First, I have a favour to ask."
He looks at her with a glazed over grin. "Of course! Anything for my favourite drinking buddy!"
She grins and hands him the drink, which he quickly takes a gulp of. "I need a distraction."
"Pfft, is that all?" He stands and stumbles a little bow. "What the master at work little lady."
He then stands in the centre of the room and starts a very loud speech. Astaria was impressed, not quite believing that the man could even stand, let alone string a lot of words together.
Malborn catches her eye and she moves away, the guards and all the party distracted, and slips through a door he held open.
"That took longer than I thought it would." He grumbled, leading the way through the kitchens.
"Next time you can try and see how easy it is." She snaps quietly.
He says nothing as they walk through the kitchen, an old Khajiit almost stopping them until Malborn threatens to reveal that she eats moon sugar.
Astaria retrieves her things from the chest, taking out her daggers and tying the belt around her waist so they sit on her hips. She leaves the potions and lock picks in the bag and ties it to the belt.
Malborn stands nervously by another door. "I'll lock this behind you. Hopefully, this works."
"Just stay out of trouble." Astaria says quietly. "I can handle myself."
He nods and opens the door for her. "Good luck."
It clicks closed behind her and Astaria found the near silence unnerving. She silently stepped forward and saw two Thalmor guards talking with their back turned. There was another door further down so she ducked past and stepped in.
It was empty.
Gritting her teeth, she'd almost left when she saw the Thalmor robes placed on a table. She thought for a moment, she was too short to be able to pass as a Altmer up close, but the robes were going to be more protection than the clothes she wore, plus, she hoped that from at least a distance she could pass as a Thalmor agent.
She threw the robes on and almost groaned at the length, the bottom clearly touching the floor. With great difficulty, she adjusted her belt and managed to slide a folded amount under it so the hem sat above her ankles. It wasn't comfortable, but it would have to do.
Sneaking back to the previous door, she saw that the guards had moved on, she could hear them further back, the dull sounds of the party coming from a nearby door. She spot some stairs leading up and heads for those.
Upstairs was even quieter, she even became aware of her own soft footsteps and this made her nervous.
A Thalmor agent stepped out of a room and she froze, having nowhere to hide, but he did not walk in her direction, continuing down the hall. It only took her a moment to decide what to do. Silently, she drew her dagger and moved forward.
He didn't stand a chance.
Her knife was across his throat before he could react and he fell heavily to the floor, clutching at his neck as blood spurted out of it.
Astaria silently hoped that the guards downstairs hadn't heard the body fall.
Stepping over him, she came to another door, she could hear the wind outside. Having not found anything in here, she stepped out.
She came to a path and followed it, seeing another building across a courtyard, she had a feeling that that was where she was going to find her answers, but then she sees the Thalmor guards.
Astaria knew she could fool the ones a fair way away, but the closer ones? Luckily, there were few and if she times it right…
She drew her hood far over her face and started to walk, as tall and confidently as she could. Luckily, none of the guards looked at her until she had passed, and, even surprising her, she made it to the other door without incident.
Ducking inside, she silently prayed to all the gods she could currently think of, that there were no guards standing at the door.
She was luck. Inside was empty, bar one guard who was more interested in her nails than watching the door, and she could hear two angry voices coming from a side room. Taking a chance, she ducked into the shadows of the room, moving closer to the angry voices, they weren't really saying anything important until there was a mention of a prisoner downstairs. This peaked her interest, so she waited as it sounded like a decision was being made.
A Thalmor agent stepped out and pointed at the guard. "You. Make sure he finds his way out."
A man grumbled behind him and stormed out, the guard following. The Thalmor agent turned on his heel and headed down some stairs further.
Astaria blinked. They were making this very easy.
She moved into his office and started going through the paper and books on his desk. When she didn't find anything of interest, she turned to the chest. It was naturally locked, so she tried her lock picks.
It took her a bit, but several long minutes and six broken picks later, she had it open.
The first book in there got her interest. It was on dragons. She picked it up and started reading, her eyes flicking from page to page, frowning, she closes it slowly. Her hunch had been right, the Thalmor knew nothing about the dragons returning and by the looks of it, they had just as many outlandish theories as what Delphine did, including blaming the Blades.
Irritated, Astaria goes to follow the man down the stairs when another book gets her eye. She stares at it for a long moment before even really registering what the cover said.
Ulfric Stormcloak
Why would the Thalmor have a book on Ulfric?
A part of her didn't want to read it, even as she picked it up and opened the cover, but she knew she had to know.
Status: Asset (uncooperative), Dormant, Emissary Level Approval
What did that mean?
Description: Jarl of Windhelm, leader of the Stormcloak rebellion, Imperial Legion veteran
Background:
Ulfric first came to our attention during the First War against the Empire, when he was taken as a prisoner of war during the campaign for the White-Gold Tower. Under interrogation, we learned of his potential value (son of the Jarl of Windhelm) and he was assigned as an asset to the interrogator, who is now First Emissary Elenwen. He was made to believe information obtained during his interrogation was crucial in the capture of the Imperial City (the city had in fact fallen before he had broken), and then allowed to escape. After the war, contact was established and he has proven his worth as an asset. The so-called Markarth Incident was particularly valuable from the point of view of our strategic goals in Skyrim, although it resulted in Ulfric becoming generally uncooperative to direct contact.
Operational notes:
Direct contact remains a possibility (under extreme circumstances), but in general the asset should be considered dormant. As long as the civil war proceeds in its current indecisive fashion, we should remain hands-off. Ulfric's death would dramatically increase the chance of an Imperial victory and thus harm our overall position in Skyrim. The coincidental intervention of the dragon at Helgen is still under scrutiny, although it saved his men, we do not believe that it is off any relation. (Note: The obvious conclusion is that whoever is behind the dragons also has an interest in the continuation of the war, but we should not assume therefore that their goals align with our own.) A Stormcloak victory is also to be avoided, however, so even indirect aid to the Stormcloaks must be carefully managed.
A quiet, seething rage had taken over Astaria, her hands shaking as she finished reading. At who, or what, she couldn't say, but that anger was now fuelling her. She snapped the book shut and shoved the two into her bag, ignoring the third in the box with Dragonborn written across it, and abandoning all caution, she moved down the stairs.
In that moment, Astaria was later glad that no one had been there to see her, because in that moment, Astaria became a cold, ruthless killer.
She dropped over a railing, they were torturing a man, he was screaming in pain, but Astaria didn't care, she moved to the first Thalmor agents sitting at the desk and slit his throat. This got the attention of the torturers and a fight ensued, a fight that they never stood a chance in, her blades dripping with blood.
She found another book, this one bigger than the other two and looking just as important, but she didn't read it, shoving it into her bag. Astaria was about to release the tortured man when the door above opened and two Thalmor guards entered, leading Malborn.
"We have your associate spy!" One of them spat. "Turn yourself over now and we can promise a quick death!"
Astaria's grip on her knives tightened.
They led him down the stairs and Malborn moved just in time to dodge Astaria's blade, having been thrown, and it lodged itself into the first guard's throat. The second was about to call for help when Astaria's second knife cut him off, Astaria having moved just as quick to slice his throat.
She removed her knife as Malborn stared at her.
"Are you an assassin?" He asked quietly, looking at the bodies around them.
"No." Her voice was cold. She picked up the key and let the prisoner out before picking up another and throwing it too him. "There's a trap door. Take it and leave. Get as far away from here as you can."
The prisoner stared at her dumbfounded. "I…thank you." He hurried over and unlocked it.
She looked at Malborn. "Go."
"What about you?"
"I'll follow in a minute, I just need to do something."
He didn't wait to ask what, something about the dark look in her eyes told him he didn't want to know. He followed the prisoner out.
Astaria's heart was pounding hard in her chest as she let the rage roll off her. These bastards needed to be sent a message and she was going to be damned if she didn't.
Picking up the nearest torch, Astaria proceeded to light the bodies on fire. The smell was stomach churning but she didn't care, as she heads back to the trap door, she throws the torch into a large pile of hay, the fire growing fast, thick and heavy. She watched it for a moment, the fire reflected in her amber eyes before following after the two men.