Chapter Sixteen

I admired Leyawiin's white stone walls as we walked up to the West Gate. When we went through the gate, I gaped at the two and three story homes. They were more spread out than the ones in Skingrad but just as amazing. Khajiit and Argonians outnumbered the man and mer races. Jurgis led us behind the beautiful houses and into an area full of dingy, one story homes that reminded me of the homes built along Anvil's docks. To the left of the road there was a little pond that was fed by a stream that came in from under the wall. Jurgis had us enter one of the houses that stood opposite from it. When I was about to walk into the door, he pulled me aside to stand next to him.

"I'm going to warn you now, girl, what you're about to hear and learn and see may not be easy on you," he began in his Nordic accent. "But I'm going to need you to keep it together and trust that you'll get your answers. I know, I know. You're tired of hearing that. This building – this one right here – this is where you'll get more answers than what you've bargained for. This is where the White-Gold Council is," He gestured to the door being held open by a solemn faced Mal. "Now get in there and keep your mouth shut unless you're spoken too."

I entered the small home and hoped I could do as he asked. I do have a tendency to blurt out whatever comes to mind, especially when I get the overwhelming urge to have the answer immediately. Inside held the basic accommodations of any home. Most of our group who had entered were now gone, leaving me to assume there was a trap door somewhere as there had been in Alabaster. Besides Jurgis, Mal, and myself, a small Breton man was cleaning off the table and not paying us any attention. I followed the Nord and the Imperial to, as I had guessed, a trapdoor and went down the rickety ladder.

I had expected to find another caved room, but instead was met with one of the most exquisite places I had ever seen. It was even finer than Alyssa Greensley's entire home. The walls were beautifully bricked and sheets of stained glass were fitted into holes to appear as if there were windows. There were several stuffed bookshelves and an alchemy table aligning the walls. There were doors indicating that this secret room expanding in to several more sections. In the center of the room there was an ornate meeting table. Jurgis and Mal walked past me to accompany the rest of our group and the strangers who already sat there. At the head of the table sat an old, pale, scarred, brown headed Bosmer whose eyes almost appeared to have a glow in the torchlight. To his right sat a male Dark Elf whose eyes had the same odd glow as well as a female Breton. To his left sat a female Altmer, who gave me an odd smile, and a male Imperial.

I took the last open seat, which was next to Mal, and prepared myself to sit through the same war talk I had heard several times.

"Captain Jurgis Wind-Shifter," the old Bosmer smiled, "it is my understanding that you just arrived from Elsweyr. How did you and Madame Wind-Shifter enjoy the heat after Skyrim's cold?"

"To be honest, I am looking forward to seeing my mountains again," Jurgis smiled back. He gave me a quick glance and I suddenly felt Mal grab my hand under the table. I felt as if Jurgis were about to set the room on fire and lock me in. I had to keep telling myself to stay calm.

"Head Councilor Floramer," Jurgis began and every muscle in my being tightened. I looked back at the old Bosmer. The Floramers were a small family, the name was carried into Cyrodiil by a single man, and yet here was one right in front of me. I still had family besides my drunk of a brother!

"Oh, Jurgis, I believe we've known each other long enough for you to call me by my first name. Please, call me Ravenwood."

My heart stopped. I could feel all the blood drain out of my face. Mal's hand tightened on mine but mine only grew limp. I stared at the Bosmer. He was old and Bosmer do have a longer lifespan than men, but there was no way for him to be as old as my great-grandfather. I looked at his eyes and the curve of his nose. They were the same as my late father's. This man was, and yet couldn't be, my ancestor.

Jurgis took a deep breath and continued, "Yes, Ravenwood. Thalmor forces are growing stronger in Skyrim and racism has grown to an all-time high. I need more High Elf spies to infiltrate the Aldmeri Dominion. In return, Skyrim can give 100 soldiers for each spy. I would be able to offer more, but the Stormcloak Rebellion is taking most of the able-bodied men."

"Not all Altmer chose to be spies. We have war heroes as well, you know," the Altmer at the other end of the table sneered.

"We all know this, Elenwen," my grandfather said to her, "Your race simply has the best advantage in this war. Those of you who stand up against the Thalmor rule shall all be war heroes."

"Not all of us believe that blood should come before reason. What the Thalmor have done to our lands is atrocious and some of us Altmer can see that. Aren't I right, girl," Elenwen said to me.

I froze. I still haven't regained my wits from the first shock and now this Council member was talking to me. Mal squeezed my hand so hard that it hurt and it brought me back enough to give a slight nod.

Ravenwood gave me a long, hard look and then turned back to Jurgis. "I have a few Altmer spies I can spare, but where do you expect me to hide all of those soldiers? Most of our camps are nearly full and a dragon took out one near Bruma."

"I'd say split them up. We can always use more at the Boethia camp," the Dunmer said.

"Hmmm…true. You have yourself a deal. I'll have ten spies sent to your headquarters in Skyrim. Send 400 of your men to the Boethia camp and the rest will go to Bruma to replace the troops lost and watch for more dragon attacks."

I watched as the Breton made notes on several sheets of parchment. Letters, I assumed.

"Now," Ravenwood smiled with his glowing eyes lingering on me a little longer than the rest, "I would like to know the names behind these new faces."

Jurgis cleared his throat and gave me another worried glance as if he thought I was about to have an outburst. I was a little worried myself, to be honest.

"You've met Malpenix, Ormvard, and my wife, of course. Lugrub is here to be a new ranking officer for your forces," he said with a nod to the Orc. He then turned to me with a heavy pause and continued, "And this young elf is Emerald. She's a newer recruit but I see a lot of potential in her."

I was honored by the compliment, though I could tell it was partially used to soften all of my pain.

"Now," Jurgis quickly began again, "I know there is much more business to attend to, but my men have been traveling all day and are in much need of the relaxation Leyawiin has to offer."

"Of course!" Ravenwood smiled. He gestured to the Imperial and said, "Mattius here will show you to the Five Claws Lodge."

Everyone stood up to climb back up the ladder, but when I began to rise Jurgis looked to me and said, "Not you, girl." My gut turned to lead and I sat back down into the seat. Mal and Ormvard, wanting to be my sword and shield, stayed sitting as well but Jurgis gave them both commanding looks and ordered them to leave.

Once it was only Ravenwood, Jurgis, and myself remaining, the old elf stood and sat across the table from me.

"You look so much like your mother. Especially those rare green eyes."

"I thought you were dead," I said in a flat voice. I could see Jurgis place his head in his hands as if I were an overly out-spoken child.

"Is that what your father told you?"

"Yes. Why would he? What's the truth?"

"He was ashamed of me," Ravenwood admitted. "I'm sure you've noticed how odd I look. That's because I'm a vampire, dear child. Bitten by the Count of Skingrad himself."

"That's impossible…" I began, stumbling over my thoughts.

"It's surely possible child."

"No…I mean… He couldn't have been ashamed of you. He told me all of the tales of your adventures. He told me of your discoveries."

"He did?" He looked honestly pleased. "But he left out my relationship with the Count?"

"Yes, he never mentioned that," I told him.

"At least he did me the honor of passing on my stories. He was a good child. How is he now?"

"He's dead. He died two years ago during a hunting trip. And Gweden has been attacked by a dragon." I saw his face fall as I told him all that has come of our family.

He took a minute to regain his composure and then asked, "How is it that you have come to be in Jurgis's service?

"Alyssa Greensley sent her to Riverhold to meet up with us," Jurgis answered for me.

"Good woman," Ravenwood smiled at me. He turned back to Jurgis and asked, "What do you have planned for my grandchild?"

"I'm leaving her under Mal's command. She's a fair archer and has a very sharp mind. My hopes are that she is eventually in charge of her own soldiers."

Both the men looked at me with proud smiles and Ravenwood said, "Floramers make for great soldiers and even better leaders."