Chapter Twenty-Four
The beginning of the ride down the mountain from the shrine of Boethia was gut-wrenching. The cart felt as if it were going to tip over at any moment as the driver guided his horse down sharp curves. We cross the Silverfish River by a swinging bridge next to Fort Entius and the guard let us pass without question.
The ride took us past crumbling wayshrines, Aylied ruins, and travelers' camps. We went through the remains of old, pale forts that used to protect the road and over cobbled bridges. The bridges were my favorite. I could see the water flowing far off into the distance and the sound of the wheels on the cobbles reminds me of the first time I met Danders.
We approached the Imperial City from the east, so we had to ride in a semicircle around the city to reach the only bridge that provides entrance. Once we passed Pell's Gate Village, I could finally see the long, stone bridge. The road became larger with more travelers on it as more roads join it leading up to the city.
Finally, as we pass Wewnet Inn, the cart finds its way onto the huge stone and cobble bridge. Its huge gates, which sat at the beginning, middle, and end, still held the scars of the siege that happened nearly thirty years prior. At the end of the bridge, the driver pulled his cart next to Chestnut Handy Stables in order for Mal, who had dressed in his finest clothes, and me to climb out and walk into the city.
I take a deep breath and try to calm the jumble of nerves in my stomach as the guards open the huge wooden doors for us to enter. We go into the Plaza District and Mal guides me left. I look at his bearded face and see eyes searching for threats. He tried to dress up as an Imperial citizen, but he forgot to turn off his soldier mind. He catches me smirking up at him and he smiles back down and takes my arm.
We travel along the outer ring of the district and pass through a large wooden door similar to the one we entered the city through. We were now in the Elven Garden District – fitting that this is where the Thalmor would have parties. Going past the outer ring, we walked down a little alley on our right. Behind these houses was a sweet little garden with a well. Partially hidden by the well was a tall, blonde man in fancy attire fiddling with the locks of a window.
I suddenly became dizzy as all my breath escaped me. I had to lean against the building to prevent myself from falling over.
"Are you okay?" Mal questioned me.
Finally, my blood began pumping again and it all went to my face. I couldn't even remember the last time my cheeks had been so red. Perhaps it was the last time I was in Skingrad…
"Are you blushing?" Mal questioned louder.
"Nothing like a High Elf blushin', aye?" The blonde man drawled from next to the window. He finally turned around and his sparkling blue eyes met mine. "Oh…" is all he could get out.
"D-Danders?" I manage.
"Do you two know each other?" Mal asked, looking from me to the Breton, but no one heard him.
Danders ran to me and hoisted me up into arms and hugged me tighter than I thought my small body could handle. I pull back and take in his cleanly shaven face and slightly pointed ears. There could be no way this was real – no way he was real. Yet here he was.
"So…you know each other," Mal growled. Danders puts me down and I look up at Mal, whose hard face is looking Danders dead in the eyes.
"I knew her before Grandma Alyssa sent her down to the likes of you," Danders smirked at him. Mal bristled up and took a challenging step towards him.
"Okay, okay, gentleman. Let's get our priorities in order," I said as I put myself between the two men towering over me. "What are you doing here, Danders?"
"Obviously I'm trying to break into this party through the window. I hear it comes in right behind the lute player," he joked, though Mal only let out a slight growl. "I'm here to get you into this party, of course. Wherever you're going in, you need a second out."
"You're the in?" Mal asked skeptically.
"What can I say? I lifted a few items for some Thalmor so they would believe I was in their pocket, only that's how I got them in mine. They trust me in there, though I've been stealin' from all of them for the man next to them."
"A thief?! Of course. We're going back, Emi."
"I'm sorry, General, but you know that we can't do that," I said, in attempts to help him see reason.
Mal gave Danders another staggering glare and said, "I'll be here to retrieve you as soon as the party is over."
A sly grin spread over Danders's face as he drawled, "I'm not sure that's gonna happen, General. Do you really think they'll trust a sly spriggin like our Miss Emi here if she arrives with one man and then meets a second man in the rear garden to leave? "
"What exactly do you have in mind?" Mal asked through clenched teeth.
"I've already rented me and the lady a room for the night at the King and Queen Tavern. Calm down, it was before I even realized who I was meeting' here. It was a completely tactical move," Danders informed Mal, but then looked at me and gave me a slight wink. At this Mal grabs him by the collar of his fine clothes and pushes him against the side of the building. I try and pull at his strong arms, but my small frame was helpless to do anything.
"Do you think this is a joke, thief? Do you think her safety is a laughing matter?"
"Look at me," Danders harshly whispered to Mal, trying to avoid the attention of the guards. "Do you really think I would risk that?"
Mal narrowed his eyes at him and, with a quick shove first, released him. "You don't keep her inside longer than necessary. You have her at the stables at dawn. If you're late then I will come and hunt you down," Mal listed off his demands. "And if you touch her, I will break your hands, thief."
Without a word to me, Mal strolled off through the back of the garden and headed to an unknown destination. I looked back at Danders who was still leaning against the wall and smiling at me. It all had happened so fast that I hadn't even been able to comprehend it all. This is Danders standing in front of me. Danders works for the Rebellion. Danders is the Breton getting me into the party.
"Ready to go in, Miss Emi?" His eyes sparkled with a hint of mischief.
"I think now would be a wonderful time, Mr. Greensley," I tried a smile back. He chuckled at me and offered me his arm. When I accepted it, he gave me a soft kiss on top of my head. It really is Danders.
We exited the garden through the alley we used to enter it. Danders steered me towards the door directly on my left as we came out onto the street. He opened the door and motioned for me to enter ahead of him. As I walk in and was greeted by an entry way already filling with Thalmor and their associates, I suddenly realize that no one told me what to do. No one told me who I was looking for. No one told me what I was supposed to say.
No one told me not to panic.
As everyone in the small nook turned to look at me, I reminded myself what everyone else had been telling me: I look the part. I was an Altmer. I remembered the pretty women who would ask about my coming out parties and who my family was. Suddenly, I knew the part to play. I knew how to manipulate these people as if they were the women who would buy my goods.
I turned on my most charming smile and allowed Danders to lead me a small doorway into the drawing room. It didn't compete with Alyssa's drawing room at all, but I could see how it suited the elves in the Imperial City. There were barrels full of brandy and bottles of the finest Tamika wine. Ironically, there really was a loot player near the windows.
"General Direnni!" Danders chimed in his most charming voice. He led me to a High Elf wearing Thalmor gold.
"Ah! Greensley! I hope we might have a moment later for a discussion of business?" The General said with a sneer that almost appeared as if he were trying to smile.
"Of course, my friend," Danders drawled and then looked off to the far side of the room. "General, would you mind giving my lady here a moment of your time while I have a quick conversation with a man about a horse?"
The General turned his grimace of a grin on me and said, "I don't see why not."
Before he had out all the words, Danders had already taken his arm from mine and strolled across the room. He left me here with a Thalmor General. I reminded myself the part that I had to play and turned on my charm.
"It is a pleasure to meet you General Direnni," I beamed, holding my hand out.
He graciously took it and placed a dry kiss on the back of it. "And you Miss…"
"Sarethi," I gave him my mother's name.
"What a beautiful name for a beautiful woman." The General became greasier by the minute.
Finally, Danders reappeared by my side and placed a hand at the small of my back. "Hope you have enjoyed speaking to my darlin' girl here."
"Indeed. Sarethi is a rather fine Altmer specimen," he slithered, looking me up and down.
"She is Dibella's gift to Nirn," Danders grinned. "I'm afraid I have to steal her now. You must understand: We have to make the rounds!"
"Of course, Greensley," the General said with a nod and Danders prompted me with a firm hand do give a slight bow in return.
Once we were far enough away from the General, Danders whispers into my ear, "We're going to have to pointlessly speak to a handful of my clients and then we're leaving. The informant is not here. Don't ask me any questions. We'll talk about it at the inn."