Akiseta had never fully gotten used to the gloomy air about Falkreath. The dreary atmosphere was constant over the whole hold. It was overcast almost all the time. And all the businesses in the town where named in relation to death. It had a certain macabre charm, though.
After greeting a few people, Akiseta made her way to Dengeir's house, and knocked on the door.
"Who is it?" The old man's voice sounded from inside.
"It's Akiseta."
"Oh. Come on in."
Akiseta opened the door, holding it open for Serana, and then entered. Dengeir was sitting in a chair by his fire place. His brother wasn't home, but Telka was, sweeping on the other side of the room.
"Akiseta. I wasn't expecting you to visit. nor your lover." Dengeir remarked. "Why have you come?"
"This isn't a courtesy call, I'm afraid." Akiseta said. "There's been some problems. With the war."
"Let me guess. The Empire finally forced your hand?"
"It wasn't just the Empire." Serana told him. "Ulfric also caused a problem for us."
Dengeir sighed. "That doesn't surprise me. Still, I'm not sure why you're telling me. I'm not the Jarl."
"That's precisely the reason for my visit." Akiseta said. "Everyone is Skyrim learned of my threat to Tulius and Ulfric. But, not everyone agrees with it. I need the support of the other Jarls. And Siddgeir won't support me."
"You're right about that. He enjoys the comforts being Jarl gives him, including the Thalmor's little parties. And he's not above unscrupulous deals, as I'm sure you remember. He will oppose you at every step."
"He will. But you won't."
"I would love to be Jarl again. But Siddgeir won't step down."
"He might. If I can... convince him. I can get you your place as Jarl back, Dengeir. As long as you agree to my terms. You will become neutral territory in the war, and you will stand by my future decisions on the war."
Dengeir was silent for a brief moment in consideration.
"Alright, Akiseta. You have a deal."
"Thank you, Dengeir." Akiseta said. She turned to Serana. "You go wait in the tavern, iluukai. I need to have a talk with Siddgeir.
"I'm a bit surprised to see you, Akiseta." Siddgeir said. "You so rarely ever come to visit me. And you've never requested to have a private audience."
"It was neccessary this time, Jarl." Akiseta told him. She was seated with Siddgeir at a small table in his quarters.
"Then I gather it must truly be important. What do you want?"
"I've run into a problem regarding the ultimatum I gave Ulfric and Tulius in regards to the war."
"I presume Ulfric broke his end of the deal? Not surprising."
"Tulius broke his as well, Siddgier."
"Really? Well, Whiterun is a necessary access point for travel, Akiseta. You can't really blame him."
"I can, actually. The deal was crystal clear."
"Well, if you plan to bite off more than you can chew, go right ahead. It's none of my concern."
"It is, actually. I need to know you support me on this."
Siddgeir laughed. "Support you throwing Skyrim into more chaos? Surely you jest. Kill Ulfric if you so desire, but killing Tulius won't stop anything."
"I have other ideas on how to handle this, Siddgeir. None of which are your concern. I just need your support."
"I'm sorry, Akiseta, but your on your own."
Akiseta sighed. "Then I have to ask you to step down as Jarl."
Siddgeir broke into hearty laughter. It was several minutes before he spoke again.
"Step down? Why? So you can take my place? I'm not a prideful fool like Korir was."
"I was thinking your uncle should have his job back."
"That foolish old man? I'd sooner bend a knee to Ulfric than make him Jarl again. Now, you're begining to get on my nerves. I suggest you leave."
"I have something to show you first." Akiseta said. She pulled a letter from her pocket, and opened it, setting it on the table, while keeping a hold on it. "Look familiar?" She asked.
Siddgeir stared at the letter, eyes wide. It was a letter he had penned to a group of bandits he had made a deal with. After growing tired of the deal, he'd hired Akiseta to clear them out. She'd found the letter, and kept it.
"How would your subjects feel if they knew you'd had a deal with the bandits making their lives miserable?" Akiseta questioned. "How quickly do you think they'd demand justice?"
Siddgeir's face contorted in anger. "You are a vile little wench." He seethed.
"And you're a rotten thuxis." Akiseta said, folding the letter back up and putting it in her pocket. "So, are you going to step down peacefully, and save what little face you can? Or do I have to turn the whole town against you?"
Siddgeir looked down at his lap. "Fine. You win."
It took a couple days to get Dengeir situated back as Jarl. After everything was settled, he invited Akiseta and Serana to a private conference in his quarters. Serana waited by the door, but her heightened hearing let her hear.
"I appreciated this more than I can say. Akiseta." Dengeir was saying. "And you have my word that we will remain neutral. And, I'll make sure Siddgeir isn't allowed to send or recieve any messeges."
"Thank you Dengeir. Also, I have something for you." Akiseta told him. She reached into her bag, and pulled out a couple large coin bags, and set them on the table. "In case Siddgeir has any supporters or connections, this should make them complacent. And if he doesn't, some extra money in the coffers never hurts."
"Thank you, old friend."
Akiseta nodded, and she and Serana left the longhouse. Akiseta summoned Arvak, and she and Serana climbed onto his back, and headed out of the town. They rode in silence for a while.
After a while, Akiseta reined Arvak in by a small rise overlooking Lake Illinalta. She and Serana dismounted, and looked over the lake.
"You okay, Aki?" Serana asked.
"Blackmail and bribery. Two things I can't stand, and I did both of them." Akiseta sighed.
"Aki, you know Siddgeir didn't give you any other option. I know better that anyone that sometimes, things just have to be done. Even if we don't want to do them."
"I know, Serana. I just.. Skyrim is my home. I'm going to do whatever I have to to protect it. It's just a lot of pressure."
"I know, love. But it'll be okay." Serana reassured her.
Akiseta offered her a small smile, and pulled her into a hug. Serana leaned her head against Akiseta's shoulder, breathing in her scent. She also picked up other mortal scents.
"Do you smell that too?" She asked quietly.
"Yes." Akiseta whispered. "Laas... To your left."
Serana pulled back from the hug, and fired an arc of lighting magic in that direction, and heard a scram of agony. Akiseta drew her sword, and ran toward the trees.
Serana couldn't see who was there, but she could smell them. She used more of her lighting magic, and followed up with an ice spike, impaling one assailant to a tree. Akiseta had finished off the other one.
Serana approached the assailant pinned to the tree, and pulled off their cowl. It was a female Altmer. She coughed, blood running down her mouth.
"More Thalmor assassin, right?" Serana asked the woman, who merely glared.
Akiseta came over. "Who sent you?" She asked.
"Graxifalas bet!" The Altmer snapped, spitting on Akiseta.
Akiseta hissed, wiping the spit off her face. "A beast, am I?"
She snarled, and slashed her claws into the Altmer's throat, making her let out a choked gargle before she died. Akiseta sighed, shaking the blood from her claws.
"How did they find us out here?" Serana questioned.
"I don't know. But I don't like this. If we're being followed, there could be more."
"What stake to the Thalmor have in this? You haven't encountered them in months. And, they couldn't know you take out their little 'patrols.'"
"They had to know Tulius order troops to move through Whiterun. They must have been waiting to see if I'd find out."
"They really planned ahead."
"They tend to do that. This means they could be tracking our moves now. So we'll have to be extra careful."
"Suddenly I don't feel too safe." Serana said, feeling uneasy. She hated the thought of being followed.
"Getting into trouble again, Akiseta?"
Serana and Akiseta turned to the new speaker. It was an Orc woman, donned in armour that looked similar to something a guard might wear.
"Borgahk? What are you doing out here?" Akiseta asked.
"I was out hunting. I heard noises, and I followed them." Borgahk explained. "I wasn't expecting to see you, or your lover. What in Oblivion happened here? Are those Thalmor?"
"Yes. Thalmor assassins. It's a long story."
"I see. How about you two come back to Helgen with me, and we can talk over some drinks?"
"That sounds like a good idea."
Akiseta unsummoned Arvak, and the three women began heading to Helgen.
Aldmeris(Altmer language)
Graxifalas: Extremely disgraceful
Bet: Beast.