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Chapter 5 - Daedric Conference

Kiraya was on an errand she was reluctant to undertake. Granted, she had given her current employer a discount, but that same employer had - without being asked, mind you - improved and enchanted her armor, and enchanted the precious ebony bow her mentor had given her. So she had been compensated very well indeed, better than any previous employer ... which was what made this so difficult. Still, it was necessary to achieve her current objective.

She greeted Ahkrinbo and the two of his team who weren't busy practicing archery, then continued to the Manor's main door, and knocked. When Rayya answered, she bowed. "Kiraya would like to speak to the Lady Dovahkiin, if she is free."

"Come in, and I'll see."

Kiraya obeyed, waiting in the entry hall until Rayya returned, smiling. "She'll see you in the sitting room. Follow me."

Kiraya did so, admiring the home. It wasn't ostentatious, but it was clearly the home of someone wealthy, because everything she could see was of high quality, Including the chair the Dragonborn waved her to.

"Welcome, Kiraya," Yssha said. "You are looking well, and I must thank you for reuniting Sorcalin and his parents."

"It was fortune rather than skill, but this one is happy about it, as well. How is Lady Serana doing? This one heard she was gravely injured."

Yssha nodded. "Yes, she lost her left leg, but there were two master mages there able to cast healing spells to keep her alive, though there was nothing they could do about the severed leg. She's up and around on crutches now, and she and her husband are making plans for a mechanical leg replacement." She paused. "But I am sure that was not what you wanted to see me about."

"No." Kiraya looked down. "You know this one is fond of Kharjo?"

Yssha smiled. "It would be hard to miss, truly. Is there a problem?"

"Of sorts. We wish to visit Elsweyr, at least briefly, then travel Skyrim together. But Kharjo will not leave while he owes money to Ahkari, so that is the problem. We do not have so much, and this one wonders if you would be willing to extend a loan."

Yssha was puzzled. "Unless you have been more extravagant than I would expect, you should have enough for any reasonable debt."

"Ah ... " Kiraya blushed, her ear-tips heating. "This one has what another might call an extravagance. She was raised in an orphanage in Orcrest, and sent them most of the money."

"Ah!" Yssha smiled. "Then we share an interest. Marcurio and I finance orphanages in most of Skyrim's holds. And we have adopted one, a Nord boy named Freyr. How much do you need?"

"One hundred seventy-eight," Kiraya replied. "To be repaid with interest in a year."

"The interest to your orphanage, as a contribution from me," Yssha agreed. "Done?"

"Done and done," Kiraya agreed.

Interlude in Oblivion

The Daedric Princes were gathered to discuss what Mehrunes Dagon called the "Dragonborn Problem".

He was the most ambitious of the Princes, having tried to invade Nirn several times, but they had no real ruler, so most were there out of simple curiosity.

It was Sheogorath who actually opened the meeting. "So what is it, Meh? She nip your nose?"

Mehrunes Dagon growled. "She stole my Razor, and sequestered the Mysterium Xarxes' title page. I want revenge. I should have had her as my champion instead!"

Sheogorath laughed. "A Dragonborn, child of Akatosh himself? You think he'd let one of his children serve any one of us? Even Sanguine knew better than to try! I've no reason to act against her - in fact, I may drop Wabbajack off for her to play with for a while."

"Not exactly," the Lord of Debauchery said. "I was starting to try, because debauching her would be great fun, but I was warned off." He grinned. "On the other hand, her own dovah nature puts her partly into my realm. She is very sensual, and only a bit more picky about her partners than I would prefer. She's amusing to watch as she comes to terms with herself."

Peryite shrugged. "She hasn't bothered me or mine, so I don't care one way or the other."

"I do," Vaermina said. "She didn't steal my artifact personally, but she did aid a traitorous priest of mine, who turned to Mara instead, to steal it. I'm with you, Mehrunes."

"Nocturnal?" Mehrunes Dagon turned to the Lady of Shadows.

"Your problem." She shrugged. "I was informed she couldn't serve me fully as a Nightingale, but she did return the Skeleton Key, so I allowed her to become one of my Agents, and she chose Shadow. And she did allow me to establish a shrine in her guild. I will not act against her."

"Azura?"

The Lady of Dawn and Dusk shook her head. "My artifacts are in no danger from her, and my champion is a long-time friend of her family. He acts with her, not against her."

"As is mine," Hircine added.

"And mine is a member of her Family," Meridia added. "My champion has also been maimed, and is out of action, at least for a time."

Mehrunes Dagon scowled at them. "Then I'll expect you to at least refrain from action."

"You don't rule us, Dagon," Hircine said with a snarl. "We'll act as we see fit, as always."

The scowl became a glare, but Dagon's attention turned to those who hadn't yet committed themselves. "Namira?"

"I've had no dealings with her," the Lady of Decay said. "I'll sit this one out, unless she acts against me."

"The same goes for me," Malacath said. "As long as she leaves me alone, I'll do the same for her."

Dagon turned to Mephala. "What about you, Webspinner?"

"She ruined one of my more disruptive schemes, then had Talos take my Ebony Blade to Aetherius, and he put it in the trophy room of her Stormhaven house, with the others he removed from Mundus. To add insult to injury, she calls it the Blade of Betrayal."

Sheogorath laughed. "It's actually a very accurate name, you know - and more imaginative, as well. You ought to change it."

"You have a point," Vaermina agreed. "More like my Skull of Corruption. I wonder where that ended up."

"Immaterial," Mehrunes Dagon snapped. "What about you, Clavicus?"

"Never dealt with her, and my Masque doesn't seem like the type of artifact she'd bother having removed from Mundus. Seems she goes more for the nastier weapons than apparel. I do wonder what she'd ask me for, though. I may send Barbas to lure her to my shrine, and find out."

"And you, Molag Bal? I hear she got your Mace."

"After I set a trap for her that she sprang, and killed a number of my vampires, yes. I'll gladly help you against that skeever-spawn."

"I as well," Hermaeus Mora said, in his measured voice. "Not because she stole the Oghma Infinium; she did not. That she earned honestly. But she refused me twice, once in my own realm of Apocrypha, when I claimed her as champion. She must not escape me!"

"That leaves only you, Boethiah," Dagon said. "How say you, Prince of Plots?"

"She is not the type to make me a suitable champion. Now if she had joined the Dark Brotherhood instead of destroying it, she might have had potential, but as it is, she interests me not. Nor is my artifact in danger from her."

"So we all know where we stand," Mehrunes Dagon said. "I thank you all for coming. Those of you who stand with me, please remain; the rest will leave my realm."

The three who favored the Dragonborn joined Azura in her palace in Moonshadow, where she was the first to speak. "We support the Dragonborn primarily because of our Champions. I think it would be well to notify at least one of them about that conference."

"Yours would probably be best," Meridia said. "Mine, as I mentioned, has been maimed and is unable to wield Dawnbreaker until she and her people can restore her mobility. I need to find at least a temporary replacement, able to wield it, and preferably the Ring of Khajiiti as well - I foresee them requiring considerable stealth at times."

Hircine thought for a moment, then smiled. "I may have a candidate for you - she came to my attention by doing a couple of services for my champion, most recently reuniting him with his parents. An attractive Khajiit named Kiraya."

"Mmm. I shall observe her for a time, then, and if she seems suitable, ask her allegiance."

Azura nodded. "But if we are to get the information to the Dragonborn in a reasonable time, my champion and Hircine's will have to change some travel plans."

Hircine chuckled. "Indeed they will. I doubt Mehrunes and his group will give them the weeks that surface travel will take to warn her."

"Change of plans," Andreius said, when he, Imiril, Sorcalin, and Arenim met the day of their departure. "Arenim, how many can Odkiinbrii carry?"

"Four, easily; five, if they crowd together."

"Good. Then we fly to Lakeview Manor, and use ground transport from Helgen, rather than sailing to Wayrest in High Rock and by carriage or horse to Markarth, then Whiterun."

Sorcalin nodded. "So I was told, as well. Highness, Skyguard - any objections?"

"To flying?" Imiril laughed. "Certainly not!" He grinned. "Especially if I get to sit behind her and hang on."

"Airborne 'flying' in that sense is only for dovah," she informed him. "Hands to yourself until we're on the ground. And that is not a request."

"Yes, Skyguard." There was an element of teasing in Imiril's voice, but no one listening doubted he'd obey. And she'd said nothing about 'hands off' on the ground, which seemed promising.

"Let's go, then," Andreius said.

Ahkrinbo greeted them when they landed at Lakeview Manor. Andreius introduced Imiril and Arenim, stressing that they would be traveling incognito, and Ahkrinbo promised to spread the word. Dragons loved to gossip, certainly, but they could keep secrets when necessary.

Yssha was startled when she saw them. "What are you four doing here? I thought you would be starting with King Balgruuf in Whiterun!"

"Unexpected change of plans," Andreius said. "Azura thinks you need to be warned about something, and sent me here instead."

Yssha frowned. "If a Daedric Prince thinks I should be warned of something, it must be serious. Tell us about it, as soon as I get Marcurio in here."

That didn't take long, and as soon as he joined them, she said, "Now tell us."

"A coalition of Princes are plotting against you. There was a meeting recently, and it seems Hermaeus Mora, Mephala, Mehrunes Dagon, Vaermina, and Molag Bal want revenge on you, all but Herma-Mora for stealing their artifacts. He's angry at you for not becoming his champion." Andreius grinned. "It's not all bad, though; Azura, Meridia and Hircine are on your side, because of their champions' friendship with you. The rest are neutral, unless you act against them. Some are more favorable than others, of course, but at least for now, they're staying out of it."

Yssha sighed. "That is not good," she admitted. "Though I am very glad of any assistance those three are willing to offer."

"Unfortunately, they can't give you any specific information. Obviously, they got kicked out before the enemy group started planning."

"Obviously, yes." Yssha sighed again. "Please, if any of the friendly three see a threat to my Family, ask them to ignore any threats to me, and help them instead."

"They will," Andreius assured her.

"As will I, at least your sons." Talos appeared, to assure her. "The rest can fight for themselves, but Freyr, and especially your baby, cannot. It shouldn't take Bormahu's influence, since the Princes can no longer manifest physically in Mundus, and I should be able to handle their servants."

"They cannot?" Yssha frowned. "Then how was Hermaeus Mora able to turn Septimus Signus to ash and impale Storn Crag-Strider with his tentacles?"

"The first is possible from his realm, with a Prince's powers, but the second, I do not know - I'll ask Bormahu. Possibly because Storn was offering him information and that's the way he gains it, is the only reason I can think of offhand."

"I suppose that makes sense," Yssha said slowly. "But it worries me, that if one may manifest physically, others may be able to."

There is a way to prevent that, moni. She sensed Bormah's presence, and smiled. I have forbidden them access to Mundus physically, when I restored the barriers between Oblivion and Mundus after Martin shattered the Amulet of Kings, but it seems there are occasional flaws. Those should be remedied, and you are immortal, so it need be done only once.

Something about that made Yssha shudder. "What do you mean, Bormah?"

This time he spoke so all could hear. "I will give you the power to do what My Avatar was kept from doing. You will go to the Temple of the One and light the Dragonfires. That will completely bar any physical manifestation from Oblivion, so only their emanations may manifest."

"Even without the Amulet of Kings?" Yssha asked.

"Indeed, since you have both the dovasil and dovahsos. But the manifestations will continue, so those artifacts still here will remain unless you ask for them to removed, and the Princes' ability to contact or gain champions will as well. It is also possible they may influence mortals to recreate their artifacts, then imbue them with the powers of the ones you removed. Even the Dragonfires cannot stop such influences."

"I believe I understand, Bormah, and I will do as you wish, of course."

"One more thing. There are two permanent portals to Oblivion that cannot be blocked. Fortunately, neither allows access to Mundus from Oblivion, unless that individual initially entered Oblivion willingly at that specific portal."

Yssha frowned. "I assume the Soul Cairn is one, because both Valerica and Serana entered willingly and returned. But I do not know the other."

"Surely you've heard of the Strange Door on an island in the Niben Bay, about halfway between Bravil and Fort Grief," Andreius said.

Yssha thought for a moment. "Once, several years ago," she said with a nod. "Grams mentioned entering it and encountering someone named Haskill, who introduced himself as Sheogorath's chamberlain. He wanted her to help his master handle a forthcoming cataclysm. She told me she went to the Shivering Isles briefly, but decided she liked a realm of madness even less than she had liked the Deadlands, and returned to Cyrodiil."

Andreius nodded. "That's what she told us. That, and she had no intention of helping him again after Border Watch, something she regretted doing."

"That, I do not remember her mentioning, and I will not ask her about it."