Two Days Later:

Three large caravans and one large covered carriage arrived at the stables outside of Winterhold. Each of the uncovered caravans held six Thalmor agents who began to unload from the wagons. They formed two straight lines of nine each starting at the covered wagon.

The door to the covered wagon opened and two more Thalmor agents came out and stood on either side of the door. They both extended a hand towards the door and guided Elenwen from the carriage. She made her way to the middle of the line of agents and the two from her carriage stood as one behind her and one in front. They then all together made their way to the city gates.

Seeing the Thalmor arrive had gotten the cities attention as more and more people lined up to witness. The city guards were expecting this and had already formed a blockade to leave a path from the gates to the Jarls house.

The Thalmor made it through the gates to a loud chorus of boo's and insults.

"They won't be gone forever you cowards!" They heard shouted at them.

"Go back to your stolen castles, fascists!" Came from the crowd.

Elenwen and the agents paid them no mind and continued on looking forward until they made it to the doors of the Jarls Longhouse. The two Thalmor who were in Elenwen's carriage went inside the longhouse with her and the other eighteen stood watch outside the building. The city guards were rightfully annoyed by this as it meant they had to remain here to keep the citizens from mobbing the Thalmor again.

Inside the longhouse Elenwen was surprised to see the Jarl's entire council instead of just him and Yarwil. Jarl Kraldar and Yarwil stood up and greeted the Ambassdor. Both of her guards stood at her side looking straight ahead with their arms behind their backs.

Kraldar reached out and shook her hand.

"I hope your travels were peaceful. Shame to see you under such unfortunate circumstances once again."

"Our trip was quite easy. It seems your Thane and his Orc do quite the job keeping this hold safe." She said as she scanned the room. She knew who these people were but were not expecting them to be present.

"These ones you speak of, They have names you know. Names one would think The Thalmor would know by now." M'arques said to her as she sat down. He sat slumped in his chair, his left arm hanging over the chair back. His posture and body language indicating he is not one bit impressed by the Ambassador.

Elenwen gave him a quick sharp glance as she sat down at the chair at the end of the table Kraldar had pulled out for her. He walked around the table and introduced his council members. She already knew exactly who everyone was but kept up appearance by letting him continue.

Stewards came around the table and poured wine for everyone. When they got to Elenwen she put her hand over her glass and ask to see the bottle. The steward showed her the label.

'Isles of Paradise Reserve Collection' it said.

"No thank you, much too dry for my tastes. A water would do me just fine." She said without ever making eye contact with the steward.

"This is not something I do often but it appears I owe both the city and the college an apology.

I came here in person because I wanted to personally give some assurances. We seek to be a victim of unfortunate circumstances as the Jarl referred to it." She paused as they all

Noticed the chanting and hollering from the crowd outside began to get louder and louder.

"The squad of Justicars that came to your city to apprehend the Archmage were not here on any official Thalmor business. They were led by a rogue agent under false pretenses. He even went as far to plant fake evidence to support his claims. His claims were that Ambassador Ancano was the victim of a conspiracy to place your Archmage into his current title.

You'll be happy to know the rogue agent has been dealt with and is currently residing in the cells underneath our embassy where he awaits his trial in Summerset Isles." She took a small sip

Of her water and again looked at the tables to scan everyone's reaction.

"We do have concerns of our own however. No one in Winterhold was aware of the secret nature of the Justicars presence but by all accounts they were met with aggression and resistance. As far as anyone knew they were acting within their rights, rights that are granted to us by your Imperial government.

You responded to them by slaughtering them in the streets. Encouraged to do so by your Thane and his Orc."

M' Arques scoffed. "Again, the one you speak of have names. Do not act like you do not know them."

Elenwen again sent darts to M' Arques with her eyes. "Travius and Vhornyak. Travius and Vhornyak encouraged the public executions. I did not come here to argue semantics." She stated

"One's name is not semantics you pompous…." M' Arques snapped back before The Jarl spoke up to derail this conversation before it got out of hand.

"Your agents started the aggression the moment they showed up. You cannot expect average citizens to understand the nuances of the White-Gold Concordant. No one in this hold was present when it was signed." He stated.

"I was" she responded snidely. "A lack of education is not a valid excuse. Ignorance of the law does not invalidate it."

She paused to allow cooler heads to prevail.

"However, that is also my fault. Since the Eye of Magnus incident we have had no presence in Winterhold. We have not had the ability to build up a proper relationship to help facilitate the growth of the Hold. To help rectify this, we will be placing an Ambassador here in your council and an Ambassador in your college. I have a signed and sealed letter from the Queen of Skyrim authorizing this."

She had her guard hand the letter and gave it to Kraldar. He opened it up and pursed his lips in anger as he read it.

"Under no circumstances will there a Thalmor Ambassador in my college. The last one almost killed us all with his hubris and I will not put my students or faculties safety at risk to satiate a political endeavor. It will not happen, period." Yarwil said with the same emotionless demeanour as Elenwen.

"I don't believe you have a choice." she said as she pointed at the letter.

"And that's where you're very wrong, Ambassador. The college is not associated with The Synod or The College of Whispers, we are an independent entity. We are not sanctioned by this Hold, the Province or the Empire. We receive no grants and pay no tax. Our cooperation and involvement with this city is done for both of our mutual financial and social benefit and is no way an admission into The Empire. We are under no obligation to adhere to the demands of the Queen and I refuse to believe you don't already know that" Yarwil retorted.

He and Elenwen both stared at each other before she finally spoke.

"My Ambassadors will be staying when we take leave" was all she said.

"Although we do appreciate the gesture of the personal visit. I'm sure you're eager to start your travels home. Anything else we can do to move on from this situation. " Kraldar asked her.

"The reason my travels were delayed actually. I was Awaiting word from the Isles. They want a prisoner." She said.

"Good thing you have the responsible person in your holding cells already." Kraldar said to her. "I see no reason they shouldn't be satisfied with a rogue agent."

"They want your Thane. He has a past with the rogue agent and instigated a mob execution to send a message we believe." She said to him

This created a large round of laughter from the table. Elenwen herself was even grinning from the preposterousness of her statement.

"He should be returning at any point now. Good luck with that endeavor." The Jarl stated as his laughter died off. He then motioned with his hands for everyone else to stop laughing.

"If I may finish." She then waited until everyone's focus was back on her.

"I have no intention of taking such a foolish action. I accept that the our rogue agent brought this issue upon us but I will

Not ignore the fact that you and your people allowed to it escalate. I think we can all agree that whoever shot that arrow would be where we place them blame."

"Aye, it would. If we knew who it was they would already be in custody." The guard captain said to her.

"We can most certainly help find them." She said deviously.

"I will not have you going through my hold and threatening people, There will be no prisoners leaving Winterhold today. No one is to blame but The Inquisitor, him and him alone.

I will obey the Queen and allow your so called Ambassadors to remain here and they will be shown quarter and respect but they will not sit on my council." Kraldar said to her in an angry tone that was not there earlier.

"The Queen signed this in bad faith not knowing you have spies here anyway. Now please leave my home and I hope your ambassadors deal in more honesty than you."

"I beg your Pardon?! I have been nothing but transparent with you." Elenwen said as she straightened herself out in her chair. "I have come here to make peace and I do not appreciate the hostility."

"In none of my correspondence with you or anyone else on this matter did I mention anyone shooting an arrow. That means you knew about it from other sources. That means you also knew we did not have anyone in custody and you said yourself trying to take Travius prisoner would be foolish. That means you intended to use that as leverage over us and I will not tolerate deception being disguised as diplomacy. " Kraldar said as he sat down.

Elenwen has wisely decided this

Conversation had the potential for conflict and got up from her chair.

"I understand you have your own burgeoning little world here but you seem to have a great misunderstanding of what authorities you live under. Perhaps you have forgotten or you simply never really knew. One day I insist we have the relationship we are supposed to have."

"Our relationship was just fine the way it was." Yarwil made as one last comment to her as she turned away from the council and her guards stood on either side of her as they headed towards the door. She said nothing else as they headed down the hall and out the door.

"Dacur, please allow two rooms for our new friends." Kraldar said and then spoke

To the rest of the council.

"They are here whether we like it or not, they are political diplomats, treat them as such."

……………………………………………………………………….

Elenwen stepped out of the Longhouse and was immediately greeted by loud booing and insults as she did on her way in. The crowd had seemed to have only grown and the space between the crowd and long house had noticeably narrowed.

The justicars standing guard outside all formed two lines around Elenwen as they had before but this time they all had weapons drawn and held their shields up to make a wall around her.

The taunting and insults got louder and more intense as they walked and the guards used their shields to fend off the occasional tomato or bottle that made its way towards them. Despite how things may appear in the moment Elenwen was quite happy with the meeting. She had no intention or any real desire to take a prisoner but had the public eyes and ears she needed in Winterhold now. She wanted access to the arcane and technological advancements the college was creating, and now she had it. Her brother's behavior may have benefited her for once.

As the Thalmor agents made their way through the city gates and into the stables they saw another large caravan party unloading as the Thane and the new students were just arriving. Three carriages full of students and the original traveling party rode their own horses this time.

Thonjolf and the Guard Captain both had followed the Thalmor out of the city and saw them arrive and quickly ran past the Thalmor to greet Travius and let them know this was a peaceful visit and the Jarl would inform

Him of the details.

Travius and his party all made their way towards the gates with their belongings and crossed paths with the Thalmor who were loading up their own carriages. Elenwen waited outside her carriage and greeted them as they walked past.

"Ambassador" Travius said as he nodded and wanted to walk past but she stepped in front of him.

"Seems you have made quite the life for yourself, since the last time I saw you, haven't you?" She said as she was bold enough to even reach out and touch his armor, Almost as if she was inspecting it.

"Quite the life indeed." She then looked at Anaelle and delicately took the Amulet of Mara into her hand and slowly caressed it with her thumb. "A congratulations is due to you I see."

She then looked at Anaelle more intently and gave an inquisitive curl to her eyes. "Interesting" she said quietly.

Elenwen then continued onto her carriage without so much as saying goodbye. Travius stared at her carriage and then shook his head as they rode off. Seeing Elenwen and Volonare both within a matter of a week was bringing memories to his mind he had long since wanted to forget and he was happy to see her going. He was nervous about the results of her visit however.

The crowd inside the city had started to disperse as the Thalmor left. Thonjolf and the Guard Captain both quickly escorted the new Ambassadors to the long house. Before heading home, Travius and his party stepped into the longhouse to get briefed on Elenwen's visit as well as to pick up his note of credit for the job they did in Whiterun.

The council members were all still sitting at the table talking as they approached to a warm greeting from everyone.

"Looks like I just missed a good time, what did Elenwen want?" Travius asked.

"We'll get to that later" Kraldar said as he excitedly walk over to Anaelle and saw her amulet.

"Looks like we have quite a bit to discuss over dinner tonight!" He said as he slapped Travius on his shoulders.

"More importantly though. I'm sure you want this. I'm not sure what you got yourself into in Whiterun but the Emperor sure is happy about it. A legion caravan came by today and left a chest of jewels at your home. They also left this credit note." Kraldar said as he handed him the letter.

Travius opened the letter with the line of credit. He looked at it and his eyes nearly bulged from

His head. The rest of the group had the same reaction as he passed it around. Aratore again had one of his moments where he stared absently with his mouth wide open after seeing the amount.

J' Zargo and Vhornyak both sighed and Vhornyak flicked him in his temple.

"So weird" J' Zargo said under his breath.

The line of credit was for one hundred thousand septims. Netting each of them twenty thousand a piece. Travius noticed another small note in the Envelope and read it.

'The line of credit is for your work in Whiterun. The chest is an extra for putting those elf bastards in their place in Winterhold. Please destroy this once you read it.'

Travius did as the note instructed and destroyed it as Kraldar walked back over to him.

"We have much to discuss tonight. Go home and get out of this armor and all of you join us for dinner. I also hope you don't mind but your home will have occupants when you get there. It seemed like the best place to put the girls"

"The girls?" He asked and then he remembered. Astrid and Deena from the pale. "Oh right, they've been staying there?"

"They were with the healer the first two days but I haven't the room here and I'm sure Dacur could of put them up but a rowdy tavern didn't seem like the right place for two traumatized girls, one of which is with child herself." Kraldar said to him .

"I feared as much from one of the bandits journals. Our house is just as well until I can find them a permanent home." Travius said.

Kraldar developed a big grin on his face.

"I believe that would be you. Sure, we could probably find a home for Astrid but no one is going to take in a pregnant thirteen year old."

"I don't think I'm the right person, besides, we just decided to take in Aratore." Travius said

"Travius, why do you think I had that house built with five bedrooms and a full kitchen for two men who eat at a tavern every night?

It was never going to just be the two of you forever. You're not just the glorified mercenary you think you are sometimes. You are a respected hero and a rich man now. You're soon to marry, just consider this a head start on a family.

It not like you're alone in caring for them. Besides, the girls have already been told they are staying there and have been given a room and started to decorate it. So unless you want to go break some children hearts I suggest you accept it." Kraldar said to him.

"We will be happy to take in the girls" Vhornyak interjected. "Matter of fact, we should go let them know we're here."

…………………………………………………………………….

LATER THAT NIGHT

Dinner was much smaller than Travius expected, he assumed the whole council would attend. Dinner ended up only being Kraldar, Yarwil, Travius and Anaelle. The new Thalmor ambassadors were also suspiciously absent.

"I hate to jump into business immediately but this may be our only opportunity to speak with out Elenwen's new ears listening in." Kraldar said as everyone started their meals.

"We do have some things that you should know though."

Yarwil pulled out the arrow they found after the incident with the Thalmor and laid it out on the table. "This is the arrow that was shot from an unknown source that ignited the altercation last week. I know you two have dealt with Deadra and their worshippers on multiple occasions. Have you had any run ins with Boethia?" Yarwil Asked them.

"Haven't had that displeasure ourselves, no." Travius responded as he picked up the arrow and looked at it himself.

"Disrupting a peaceful resolution to a dispute seems very fitting for Boethia though."

"I agree." Yarwil said. "I looked into it even further while you were gone and found something quite interesting with a contact I have at the Penitus Oculatus. This same inscription was found written on the handle of the dagger that was used to assassinate the Emperor a few years ago."

"I thought that was the Dark Brotherhood's doing?" Anaelle asked.

"It was, they made sure everyone knew that. The Dark Brotherhood would be a very fitting job for a Boethia worshipper too. Especially a contract like that. " Yarwil said.

"Knowing how he behaves I wouldn't be surprised in the least bit if the Inquistor has had someone perform the Black Sacrament on him. Do we think the Assassin missed?" Travius asked

"We have no way of knowing for sure. No one is perfect but I have a hard time believing anyone from the Brotherhood managed to botch the contract that badly. We also can't just assume it was an attempt at him. Something deeper is going on here." Kraldar said.

Kraldar went to pour some more wine into his glass before Travius stopped him.

"Is that 'isles of paradise reserve collection' " He asked.

"It sure is, become quite fond of this" Kraldar responded gleefully

"I'm sure you have, it's because it's full of narcotics, that's actually what I need to talk to you about.

The bounty that we ran for the empire, the one they payed us one hundred thousand septims for. It was to destroy a smuggling operation where the Thalmor and a mercenary group of their sympathizers have been producing this. They were also had enough narcotics to keep Vhornyak in a coma on what seemed like a regular basis." He Said.

"Elenwen refused this wine herself when she was here, I should have known then." Kraldar said as he put the cork back in the bottle and then instructed the steward to remove all of it from the kitchens. "I'll have Dacur remove it from his shelves as well."

"Why would the Thalmor be manufacturing drugs and alcohol though?" Kraldar asked

"My guess is a means to destabilize Skyrim. The civil war they orchestrated failed so they are having to try new methods. What narcotics were they making exactly?" Yarwil asked.

Travius opened his satchel and pulled out several vials and small bags.

"Take your pick." He said. "They were in all sorts of different containers and in varying quality so they have been confiscating this and collecting it for years it seems. They had pounds of Joy Snow alone and that's not easy to find."

Yarwil carefully looked through the drugs until he came across a blue powder that he didn't recognize and curiously inspected it.

"I haven't a clue what that is myself. To make matters worse the skooma I found in Whiterun is the same as i found in the bandit camp where they were keeping the girls. Whatever they are planning is already in motion. I collected some research materials in Whiterun that I think should give us some answers." Travius said

Yarwil continued to look at the drugs.

"Good. Bring them to the college tomorrow and I'll call for M' Arques. This many narcotics being moved around would not be lost on him."

……………………………

THE INK SON

THREE WEEKS LATER

Volonare had been waiting in this dark cave from what seemed like hours until he finally heard someone coming. He stood up knowing he was about to fight someone or greet someone, depending on who it was who Broke the silence in the cave.

He saw a stalky Reachman wearing a helmet made of deer antlers and a pair or ragged shorts. The shirtless man had several small X's tattooed in him. They started all the way from the top of his throat and led down across his chest and shoulders and down through his abdomen. Leaving a circle around the whole

In his chest where tendons and rib cage held

in place an exposed glowing heart. A Briarheart.

The Briarheart sat at the opposite side of this small table and took his helmet off exposing even more of the tattoos on his shaven head.

"Be quick elf, your offering bought you a small amount of my time." The Briarheart said in a very curt manner.

"Casix, The Ink Son of the True Natives." Volonare said sizing up the Briarheart.

He had seen them before but this was his first time seeing one this close and he was quite disgusted by the exposed heart and thought it to be a barbaric practice but he did appreciate the intimidation it could create

"Quite the name you have made for yourself. As a matter of fact. You're the only Reachman to have accomplished enough for the rest of the world to know your name. That's an impressive feat beyond what you may even know." Volonare said trying to gauge his reaction.

"I'm quite sure the head of the only Justicar whose name people know would fuel my reputation. I suggest you drop the flattery. It buys you neither favor nor time with me." Casix said to him.

"Very well." Volonare said to himself

"I shall be blunt then. I ask you for your army. In exchange I offer you your own hold. A new beginning."

Casix was certainly intrigued.

"Why exactly would the Thalmor need my army?" He asked

"If you are so aware of who I am, you would know that officially I'm in a cell at our embassy. I'm not here on behalf of the Thalmor." Volonare responded.

"I need your army so I can make you something greater. Give you and your people a better life. A thriving future." He said.

Casix laughed. "I have built a clan twice the size and at half the age of any other Briarheart. Do not take me for a fool Elf. Do not poison my ears with lies about wanting to benefit my people. From The Thalmor no less. We have what we need."

"A mudcrab picking through a wolf's carcass is getting what it needs, but what it wants is a fresh fish." He replied

"How do you presume to know what I want?" Casix asked.

"You've spent the last several years amassing the largest single clan of Forsworn anyone has ever seen. You have raped your way to having nearly a dozen sons. You have made the roads so treacherous and mining near impossible around Markarth that you have almost completely destroyed the holds economy. Your body adorned with tattoos to represent the Nords you kill.

Why did you do this? So you and your people can live in caves and tents? Unprotected colonies spread out all over the reach? Rationing your food, seeing your infants die from exposure? All of this while those who stole your peoples land live in abundance Behind walls and metal Armor?

What you want is your home and land back to ensure Safety and security for your people. I am offering to help you achieve that. We will take Winterhold." Volonare told him.

Casix laughed again. "Why would I desire to leave the beauty and fertility of The Reach for Winterhold?"

"Your people have always been obsessed with re taking the Reach. Always trying to get through the stone walls of Markarth. I even hear you have been sending spies into Solitude. A bold and admirable endeavor but in my opinion a foolish one.

With the political importance of Solitude and the mining money in Markarth you'll lose those cities as quickly as you captured them. You'll lose too many of your men to be able to defend it, all of that work and sacrifice just to cause a temporary disruption in what are just old relics of a corrupt, incompetent and failing Empire anyhow.

Winterhold on the other hand is a burgeoning and growing hold. That city and the college have become the most prosperous in all of Skyrim. Winterhold has become a shining beacon of hope and unity for Skyrim, for the Nords. Just like they took your lands and your futures from your people, you take their hope from them.

You can then build something greater out of Winterhold for yourself. From there you can could easily take control over the northern coastline. In time even invade the neighboring holds. Do to them what they've done to you."

He could tell Casix was considering his offer from how intently he was in thought.

"No, I don't trust you, Elf" was all he said and stood up and began to walk out.

"I bet none of your people know you are here." Volonare said to him.

Casix turned back around and Volonare could see his heart began to create small beams of light.

"Before you make another threat remember I always have room for a new tattoo. I have a special one for you people as well."

He lifted his arms to show dozens of T shaped tattoos on his rib cage.

"No threat was made here. My point is, you didn't come here just to have a story about the time you told The Inquisitor 'No'. If you did, you would have your clan outside these walls waiting for you, and yet no one is there."

Casix sat back down.

"How is it you expect we won't just suffer the same fate as Solitude or Markarth? You've said yourself we can take it but can't hold it. Why should I send my people across the province to die?"

"You and your clan alone I do not expect to defend it, but the entirety of the forsworn would be too big of an army for The Empire to risk that many Legionnaires. The other holds attacking you would be a suicide mission at that point.

In any case it would take months if not years before anyone could be ready to try and retake it and by that time you will have gotten stronger." Volonare answered .

"I assume you have a clever plan as to how I'll unite all the clans?" He asked next.

"How about The Orcs head?" Volonare answered.

He saw Casix eyes turn in such a manner that you could only describe it as hate. Volonare saw this and lowered his own face to hide his smile. He had him now.

"You were a boy when the Dragonborn and his band of criminals came through Skyhaven Temple weren't you?"

He could see Casix's heart begin to slightly glow again.

"Your father was the leader of that clan was he not?"

Casix still sat silently and nodded his head.

"Much like you, your father was trying to bring the clans together. He was so close."

He allowed Casix to further stew in his anger.

"This Dragonborn shows up with the Imperial and the Orc and see what they consider to be savages. Now, can't blame them for that. They had only known the forsworn to be aggressive and violent, no different than a bandit clan.

Your father sent scouts to offer a peaceful access to your settlement to enter the temple. They were met with an orcs hammer instead.

With no words they just slaughtered your entire clan. Then to make matters worse their presence brought the attention of the dragons.

Then while the Dragonborn pilfers this ancient temple with heretical blades fugitives he leaves his street rats to plunder your home. Your father tried to use diplomacy to save what remained of your home but the Orc instead mutilated him. Removed his gifted heart."

Casix still remained silent, Volonare knew his anger would work to his favor.

"Now, years later, whenever one of these Jarls decides the Forsworn has no right to live they send for the Orc. He comes with his ale scented breath and massacres your people. Removing the Briarheart from your clan leaders as a trophy that he then sells to wizards to make potions.

Just merely a few weeks ago he devoured a small clan in Whiterun. The Briarheart there was a friend of yours I believe. He even went through the ceremony to receive the Briarheart with you."

Casix still remained almost lost in a haze of rage consuming him.

"Did you know these imperials have found a way to use your Briarhearts as a means to keep their cocks hard when they get become frail at the end of their miserably short lifes?"

With that last statement Casix lifted both arms and in a furious rage slammed both his fists onto the wooden tables breaking it in half. He took a moment to appreciate how well he was able to get into Casix's head.

"Bring them the head of the beast who has caused so much suffering for your people and the other Briarhearts will have no choice but to follow you to Winterhold."

He then reached out and touched a small patch of uncovered skin right above Casix's heart,

"I think a hammer would look quite nice right there don't you think.?"

Casix still never spoke another word. His rage and grief swelling his tongue and blocking his words.

"Six months. Stop squandering your resources terrorizing Markarth. Train and grow your people. Prepare them for your new home. Prepare them for vengeance."