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Chapter 28 - Initial Planning

Early Second Seed, 5E 2

On her way into Whiterun for her weekly check-up with Danica, one of the gate guards told Yssha that High King Balgruuf would like to see her when she was done at the Temple. She assured him she would visit Dragonsreach as soon as she could, and thanked him for the message.

She and Danica chatted for a bit, then the priestess asked, "You're still feeling well? No morning sickness, or other problems?"

"Quite well, thank you," Yssha replied with a purr. "I have mentioned before that such is common for those descended from our revered ancestress Ysshaya, and apparently that is not changed simply because I am carrying a half-human kit. What concerns me is later in the pregnancy, and then the birth - human babies are larger than Khajit kittens, and I do not look forward to the terrible backaches and prolonged labor many human women have mentioned to me."

Danica chuckled. "Even though an inter-species pregnancy other than human-mer is unprecedented, so it may not apply, in those, the infant takes after the mother, with only a bit of the father showing. Are you familiar with the story of the Gray Prince?"

Yssha nodded. "Yes - Greats-Grandmother defeated him to become Arena Grand Champion. An Orsimer mother and Imperial vampire father."

"Exactly. And he looked almost pure orc." Danica chuckled. "Also answered the question of whether vampires could reproduce genetically ... anyway, if that applies to inter-species reproduction, your kit should be small enough for a normal Khajiit pregnancy and birth. Hmm."

"Geh?"

"You may be far enough along that I can tell if your son has a tail. I do know he's smaller than a human baby would be at this stage."

"Please do, then."

Danica smiled, putting her hands on Yssha's abdomen, and casting a spell. When she removed her hands, she was grinning. "A definite tail, so it seems you'll be carrying on your family tradition of an easy pregnancy and birth. And I can quit worrying about him not growing at the rate I'd expect from a human."

Yssha sighed in relief. "I am glad ... some of those stories made pregnancy and childbirth sound worse than facing a dragon before I had Dragonrend!"

This time, Danica laughed outright. "Oh, my dear Yssha! Just remember battles you've fought in, and the exaggerations and bragging you've heard afterward. Women are the same about pregnancy and childbirth as men are about battles. Certainly, there are difficult and even horrible ones at times, but those are outliers. From what I'm seeing, you'll have a fairly easy time of it."

Yssha smiled. "Thank you - that is good to know. But I shall have to warn Marcurio that our son will be born with fur, a tail, and pointy ear-stubs, then."

"Yes, I suppose you will." Danica smiled. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I have Temple things I need to see to."

"and High King Balgruuf wishes to speak to me, so there is no problem. Next Fredas?"

"Yes, same time. Blessings of the Nine, Ysmir."

"And on you."

When she entered Dragonsreach, she smiled at the guards who opened the doors for her, and got grins in return. "Good news from Danica?" one asked.

"Yes, thank you. I understand the High King wishes to speak to me?"

"Yeah ... hold on," the other said, opening the door. "Dovahkiin los het!" he shouted, then bowed her in with a smile.

Yssha entered, to find her path to the throne was clear, and Balgruuf was waiting in front of his throne, Commander Maro beside him.. Balgruuf smiled at her. "Drem yol lok, Dovahkiin."

"Drem yol lok, Lotjun Balgruuf," she replied, returning his smile. "You wished to speak to me - what is it?"

It was Maro who answered. "Preliminary discussions for an Imperial visit, hopefully some time in Mid-Year. At the moment, we're trying to figure a tentative schedule. Is that timing suitable for you, Stormcrown?"

"Priestess Danica says I may be starting to show my pregnancy by then, but if His Majesty does not feel that would disrupt the visit, the timing is fine with me. Sun's Height or Last Seed might be better if he plans to visit Winterhold or Windhelm, however."

"I understand he does, since he wants to see the Great Reconstruction personally. Since no plans have been firmly set yet, I'll pass along your recommendations."

"If His Majesty wishes to visit the Reach, it might be wise to station a full Legion in Markarth, rather than simply Legate Rikke's detachment of the Fourth. Rikke and her detachment are quite adequate for the city but ... " Yssha hesitated, frowning. "The Reach is still swarming with Forsworn, and His Majesty would be a prime target for them."

Maro nodded. "The Tenth and Eighteenth are in garrison right now. I'll recommend the Tenth be sent to the Reach immediately. What about elsewhere?"

Yssha thought for a moment. "Eastmarch could probably use more troops. The Stormcloaks who kept order under Ulfric, the ones who did not return to civilian life, became Skyguard and are now stationed throughout the Empire. Most were from Eastmarch."

"I see your point. That would be a good place for the Eighteenth, then." Maro smiled. "I'll add that to the recommendations. Thank you, Stormcrown."

Yssha frowned. "One more thing, Commander. Not a recommendation, but something to watch for." She growled softly. "I do not know if word got to you, but my teams and I, with Divine Talos' aid, have removed four of the Daedric artifacts from Mundus. Unfortunately, it seems that they have been recreated with mortal aid. So if you have been counting on them being gone, you can no longer do so."

"Damn!" Maro shook his head in disgust, then sighed. "Thanks for the warning. I'll dig out those contingency plans, then. Thanks."

Middle of Last Seed, 5E 2

Yssha dreamed. It wasn't like a normal dream, and even less like her dragon-memories - yet she remembered it as if it were something she'd experienced while awake. She mulled it over while she went through her morning routine and ate breakfast, deciding she needed help to interpret it. Her team, yes, definitely - Marcurio's historical knowledge might help, and Serana's memories of the Merethic Era.

Who else? Grams, yes. She always valued Grams' counsel, and Lokbiidaan would know where she was. Paarthurnax ... well, the dream hadn't seemed like a dragon thing, but if he couldn't help, he'd probably know who could. So when they went outside to meet Odahviing, she Called the blue dragon. "Lokbiidaan ahrk Grams wah Monahven, zu'u bolog." [Lokbiidan and Grams to Throat of the World, please.]

"Geh, Dovahkiin - mu bo." [Yes, Dovahkiin - we fly.]

Odahviing snorted a chuckle. "Which tells me, as well, both where we will be going, and that you wish counsel. May I listen and offer what aid I may?"

"Of course!" Yssha exclaimed. "I would expect it of you - I thought you knew that."

Odahviing nodded. "I had assumed so, but it is reassuring to hear it stated clearly. Mount, and we go."

XX

When everyone was settled, Paarthurnax gape-grinned. "It is good to see all of you again. Why, though, Dovahkiin?"

Yssha's ears twitched. "I had a very peculiar dream last night, wuth fahdon. [old friend] I am hoping this group can help me understand what it means. If anything, of course."

"Then tell us about it, love," Marcurio said gently. "I did think you were a bit restless last night, but then you settled back down."

Yssha sighed. "As I said, it was peculiar. Not that long, but unforgettable. It began with weapons, the four Daedric artifacts that were removed from Mundus by either Talos or Mara, and the construction of their replacements by ... it seemed like Wylandriah, guided by Hermaeus Mora and mantled by the original owners. Not that she can be accused on the basis of a dream, or even that remaking them was a crime.

"Then was a symbol or word in characters I did not recognize, but can draw, if anyone has the materials."

Paarthurnax chuckled. "Simply smooth a bit of snow and draw in that. Unless you need a great deal of detail."

"It should not require that." Yssha did as he said, then turned to the rest. "Does anyone understand this?"

"It's Daedric writing," Marcurio said. "Chim, whatever that means."

"The language is Ehlnofex," Serana added slowly. "CHIM. All capitals; they didn't have lower case. It has something to do with royalty, starlight, or high splendor." She shrugged. "That's all I know; sorry."

"Was there any more?" Marcurio asked.

"Nothing as concrete as what I have just told you," Yssha replied. "Merely a feeling that I should learn as much as I can about this CHIM. I received no clues about how to do so, however."

"The libraries," Nevan said. "Both at the College of Winterhold and Sightless Pit."

"There may be something at Arcane University or the White Gold Tower," Grams added. "I'll get my people to check there for you."

"Please do." Yssha sighed. "I hate this sort of mystery, you know. I am, at least by preference, a very straightforward person. I am also not accustomed to acting on nothing more substantial than dreams."

Marcurio chuckled. "Yes, you are, love. And I'd be reluctant to act on a dream myself, but maybe you can get a bit more guidance if you ask for it. I vaguely remember hearing about CHIM - something to do with Talos, I think - so maybe he'd give you a few pointers."

"I would rather not bother him, or any other Divine, until I have exhausted my own resources," Yssha said, turning to Paarthurnax. "Do you know anything of this, Zokwuth? [Eldest]

"Krosis, nid," the dovah replied regretfully. "Which, I think, means it has nothing to do with we winged ones, though it clearly does with you."

Yssha sighed. "Divines willing, my research will at least tell me what this CHIM is, and give me an idea why I dreamed about it. I believe I will start at the College. Nevan, Serana, would you ask for copies of anything on that subject from the Sightless Pit library next time you are there?"

"Of course." Nevan grinned. "Drop us off at the Pit on your way to the College, and we'll get started right away. Tell Urag hi for me, please."

"Certainly," Yssha assured him. She smiled at Paarthurnax. "Forgive my impatience, please, fahdoni, but I am most eager to find out what, if anything, this dream means."

"Forgiven, and I am curious myself."

"So am I," Grams said. "So I'll get back to Cyrodiil and put the University staff to work. I'll talk to the Moth Priests, too, in case the Elder Scrolls have anything to contribute."

Yssha smiled gratefully. "I had not thought of them, but that is possible - thank you."

With that, the meeting broke up, heading for their separate destinations. Yssha and Marcurio dropped Nevan and Serana at Sightless Pit, then continued on to the College of Winterhold. She saw foundations for two large buildings inside the expanded walls of the city as they flew over, to land in the College's courtyard.

She and Marcurio went up to the Arcaneum, approaching Urag's desk. She smiled at the Orc. "Nevan and Serana send their greetings, and I offer ours, as well."

"Welcome as usual, Dovahkiin." Urag scowled, then gave that up and grinned. "What challenge do you have for me this time?"

"Something called CHIM," Yssha replied. "I dreamed of it, but have no idea what it is, or why I would have such a dream."

"CHIM, huh?" Urag looked as puzzled as she felt. "You're getting pretty deep into mysticism and religion with that. All I know is that it was part of the Amulet of Kings, and it's some sort of knowledge that gives you incredible power, if you can learn it."

"Do you have anything that references it?"

"A few books, yes, but they're almost as bad as Septimus' Ruminations on the Elder Scrolls. Not something you can get through quickly, or absorb in a single reading." He paused. "This isn't something I'd offer anyone else, but if you'll give me a week, I think I can have copies made for you."

"I would appreciate that very much. Is there anything I may do for you in return?"

Urag laughed. "I'm still deeply in your debt, Ysmir. First for the Elder Scroll, then for the suggestion to have scribes record dovah memories ... Divines, I'm going to have to build an annex! They're incredibly willing to tell their stories, their memories are accurate to the exact word - we've done some cross-checking - and we're even getting illustrations and paintings of the Dragon Age. Of course, some of the artists aren't too happy to be corrected, but there are enough willing to, ah, 'take dictation' that I'm confident they're accurate."

Yssha smiled. "We are proud of what we ... supervised the creation of, yes. And during my captivity, I was shown most of our greater works. If you do not have paintings of Bromjunaar and Skuldafn in their glory, you should ... those were the two greatest."

"I do, of both. Several others, as well. It's ... well, for a librarian or a historian, the dovah are a gift from the Divines themselves."

Yssha chuckled. "Well, yes. Bormah Akatosh intended such cooperation from the beginning. Our wings and memories, combined with your hands and creativity. Unfortunately, Alduin ... forgive, I would prefer not to speak of that one's betrayal."

"Forgiven, of course. Not that you have anything to be forgiven for, Dovahkiin. You weren't alive during the Dragon Age, any more than I was."

"I ... " Yssha took a deep breath. "Yes, you are right. I have shared memories of that time, but I ... was not there, and have no responsibility for my fronne's actions."

Urag turned to Marcurio. "Perhaps she would be happier at home. I fear I'm disturbing her."

"I think you're right. Yes, I'll take her home and let her settle down." Marcurio nodded and gently led his wife out to where Odahviing waited to take them home.