"Red Diamond," TESO, Bethesda/Zenimax Studios
Chapter 68: The Fifth House, p.3
Meran Elsinor, the Dominion Emissary replacing Lady Elenwen, was a beautiful elf. His cousin, Faralda, head of the Winterhold College's Destruction Arts Department, couldn't hold a candle to him in looks. The way he carried himself and spoke, there were various little indications that this was a mer who was well-traveled and versed in many cultures. A cosmopolitan on the outside, not at heart. Curtis remembered Faralda's warning that her cousin was an expert at aping a target's culture to get closer before bringing out the knives. Such is deep-cover work for moles, narcs, and spies.
He didn't pretend to be a friend to Skyrim or downplay the Dominion's stance about Talos and Talos worship. He stated his intention to enforce the terms of the Concordat in Skyrim, the conditions those Holds that chose to remain with the Empire were obligated to obey. An arduous and painful task as it should be for a proud people, he conceded The Dominion forces were here to be the "villains," the hated outsider soldiers that enforced unwelcome disciplinary actions. They did not expect to be respected for this duty.
Minister Edelfin, speaking for the Jarl, politely acknowledged the Emissary's presentation of his new administration and its mission in Skyrim. He agreed that "great changes" throughout history were inevitable, but Nords... indeed… the First Empire of Man began in Skyrim. And the Empire of Cyrodiil came about only with the assistance of the Nords. The blood of Skyrim gave rise to the Dragonborn Emperors. The Concordat was agreed between the Dominion and the Mede Emperors. Skyrim's opposition should be understood that while some Holds supported the Empire they helped build, that others did not was a reminder to Cyrod that the Empire's control of Skyrim was not absolute. This was a family quarrel the current Emperor — much less the Dominion — had no authority or ability to control.
It could be said that the Empire trying to control Skyrim was the reason Skyrim was now divided as it was.
This was easily a finger flick on the forehead to General Tullius, who maintained a stony expression as he stood next to the Jarl's bodyguard/housecarl.
"Amusing," said the Emissary. "So the Mede emperors are not family, and thus any agreement they made with the Dominion is invalid in the eyes of the Nords, you say? I understand the future Mede Emperor is a Tongue and a blood relative of the esteemed Dragonborn, who has chosen not to assert her claim to the Imperial crown. This is troubling. One might take this as a threat to break the peace of the Concordat."
"We Holds that are still loyal to the Empire are still citizens that respect the authority of the Ruby Throne even as we disagree with ones sitting on it," answered the Minister in a mild tone. "The Dominion has stated that it will continue its unwelcome duty to enforce the Concordat. We will tell you again that you do not have the right to execute or imprison Skyrim citizens at will as has been done by your predecessors. We know you do this in Cyrodiil. This will not be accepted in Skyrim. The words of the Concordat grant you the right of enforcement, but the scope and methods are not so specified. However, this is not the time nor the place to argue the interpretations of every little letter."
"Agreed," said the Emissary with a faint smile.
"As for the Mede bloodline, the future Emperor Felix Mede is an adopted son. The former Harbinger of the Companions — though originally of Colovia — is one Skyrim has accepted as its own."
The oh-so-polite verbal knife fencing went on for a little while longer.
Curtis, hanging at the back of the crowd in the audience chamber, didn't look at the emissary. Unless you were naturally paranoid, he made a good first impression just by appearance. But Curtis didn't trust looks anymore. He had his head down and just listened.
Yeah, the emissary was a smooth talker. He eschewed the languid, patronizing arrogance of his predecessor. He also used a subtle touch of the Nord way of structuring his speech and pacing his words. A dangerous chameleon — you couldn't trust what skin he was wearing, where those eyes were looking, or where that tongue would strike.
The formal court session ended early to allow the palace staff to make final preparations for the courtesy feast for the new Emissary.
The Stormcloak delegates excused themselves from participating in the evening socializing.
"What do you think of him?" Curtis asked Revyn Sadri when the Dragonborn's party had returned to Proudspire Manor.
"Trouble comes in threes, especially when it comes to the Dominion. Up front are the Emissary and the Secretary. Elenwen's wing mates were Rulendil and Ondolemar. Where is Meran's other wing?"
"Oh, you're right," said Curtis. "I never really noticed that about them. With The Reach out of the picture, where would you place an agent to stabilize your power? Can't be Falkreath, unless Siddgeir's new bride is an agent. Can't believe that idiot found somebody to marry him. And she's Colovian, so I really doubt she's an undercover Justiciar," he mumbled.
"Political maneuvering," said Revyn, overhearing him. "Her family is marriage-linked with the Gold Coast Faustus clan. Her yearly income from investments is easily five times Falkreath's tax income. When Siddgeir vacationed in the Imperial City, a little play was arranged, and he was allowed to be the hero who rescued her. He was quite pleased with himself for catching such a wealthy bride. She is happily consolidating her power. Once she has a child off him, his time as jarl will be over. She may let him live as her puppet jarl if he behaves himself."
"Eesh," muttered Curtis, shivering a little. "That easy you think?"
"Despite being an Imperial, Lady Augusta has won over Dengeir and Thaddgeir. She will also have help from her siblings. One is a high-ranked merc who has recently become the master of the Bruma Fighters Guild. The other is a decorated Knight of the Penitus Oculatus recently assigned to the Bruma outpost and in charge of investigating and remodeling the underground Akaviri ruins there. She will not be replacing Legate Varro as the fort commander. But there's no mistaking that she will influence border security."
"How long 'til the Dominion realize Siddgeir's wife is a Felix cousin?" asked Curtis.
"Oh, they'll know if they bother to do their research. Little Nicky used his mother's clan name 'Faustus' while wandering Skyrim and when he was the Harbinger. Knight Augustus was briefly his bodyguard while Athis was learning what it takes to be a bodyguard in the Imperial Court.
"But their family does not take orders from the Felixes. Their interests currently agree with Felix so they are cooperating for now, more for the sake of their blood ties with the Faustus family."
"Good enough," said Curtis, sighing. "Don't need to know the details of the family politics. I'm more worried about that missing justiciar."
"Justiciar or high-level knight," said Revyn.
"An undercover agent," mused Curtis.
It clicked.
Oh, no. Too cliché. Really?
"Maybe… like a wandering bard? I met one recently. On the surface, he doesn't seem to have any family resemblance to Faralda. But if he's any good as a spy, he should know about disguises. Says he came here for stories about Dragons and even bought your songbooks, my lady. And he did tell me he came over on the same boat with a couple of justiciars assigned to Skyrim. Salen of Skywatch — you can ask Dean Viarmo for more about him."
Helsette nodded. "Thank you. I shall."
X—X—X—X—X—X—X
When Auri-El slew Lorkhan,
He ripped his heart right out,
He hurled it across Tamriel,
And the heart was heard to shout:
Red Diamond! Red Diamond!
The heart and soul of Men.
Red Diamond! Red Diamond!
Protect us till the end.
The laughing heart sprayed blood afar,
A gout on Cyrod fell,
And like a dart shot to its mark
Down in an Ayleid Well.
Magicka fused the Lorkhan blood
To crystal red and strong
Then Wild Elves cut and polished it down
To Chim-el Adabal.
Red Diamond! Red Diamond…
This was the third grand dinner at the Blue Palace in a week, this time celebrating the engagement of Jarl Elisif the Fair to Hrongar of Whiterun. Elisif would wear the crown of the High Queen of Skyrim; however, a significant amount of power from Skyrim's political throne would shift to Dragonsreach.
The day before, Curtis taught Elisif and Balgruuf how to use the custom handmirrors/telecoms fitted with fingerprint and retina scanner locks. This was on the Dragonborn's orders. A pre-set call list was included that only Curtis (or an authorized agent) could modify. Their current call list included Archimage Urag of Winterhold, the Dragonborn, and her husband. Later, King Ulfric, former Jarl Idgrod of the Elder Council, and Queen Caitlin of The Reach would be coming online. The Dragonborn considered this the core team needed to watch and counter the new Dominion leadership assigned to Skyrim.
The Bard's College, as usual, performed splendidly. Salen of Skywatch, an honorary member, was among the bards. Again, he sang translated songs from Summerset/Alinor and the Empire.
The College performed an orchestrated version of The Dragonborn song from his arrangement, and he sang it in flawless Dovazhul. At its conclusion, The Dragonborn stood up and presented him with a gift of the dragonbone dagger she said she'd worn in Sovngarde. An incredible honor.
If he was thinking correctly, he should have refused the dagger as being too great a gift for a song that wasn't an original of his creation. But he couldn't miss the envy on many Nord faces. He beamed with pride as he accepted the dagger and put it in his belt. The Dragonborn had just given him an invaluable gift that would ensure his welcome in any jarl's court in Skyrim.
He smiled smugly. She smiled. Curtis grinned — dagger with non-magical microelectronic tracking and recording gems successfully planted.