Shadows of the Past
Chapter 12
The Middas day festival at the Bards College was entertaining enough, but over it all hung the disappointment of the citizens of Solitude that it wasn't their annual Burning of King Olaf. The music, dancing and food, however, were enough to appease most of the disgruntled. Edna and Kaidan attended the festival for a while, but Edna begged off early. She insisted, however, that Kaidan remain and enjoy himself.
"You don't often get a chance to cut loose," she smiled. "It will do you some good."
She was fast asleep when he dragged himself back to the Winking Skeever and collapsed on the other side of the bed. He was out cold and snoring when Edna rose the next morning. She smiled to herself and let him sleep off the gigantic hangover she knew he was going to have. She gathered the items she wanted to disenchant and returned to the Blue Palace. She didn't see Sybille Stentor in the reception hall, where Jarl Elisif sat with her court, but then, she didn't expect to. Instead, she found the woman exactly where she assumed the mage would be: in bed, asleep.
The curtains were drawn in the room, making it darker than usual, and Edna's skin crawled as she stepped lightly over to the enchanting table. She finished her errand quickly, more than aware of the vampire sleeping behind her. Sybille had given her no reason to mistrust her, but it was never wise to underestimate someone whose existence depended on sucking out the life-blood of someone else. She wondered briefly how long Sybille had been a vampire, then just as quickly decided it was irrelevant, and she didn't really want to know.
She crept silently out of the mage's room, satisfied at least with the disenchanting she'd done. While she might never actually use the enchantments she'd learned, it would now be possible to create new items with those glamours. They would be weak, since she wasn't that skilled in Enchanting, but it could still be a way to earn some extra septims.
Passing through the reception hall, she nearly ran into the Steward, and would have apologized, but for the fact that he did it first.
"I'm sorry," he said sincerely, holding out a steadying hand. "Are you alright? I'm afraid my mind was on other things."
"I'm fine," Edna assured him. "You're the Steward, right?"
"Aye," he replied. "Falk Firebeard is my name. And you are…?"
"Edna Valerius," she answered. "I remember you from yesterday, when that man came in talking about some problem trouble in a cave."
"That would be Varnius, from Dragon Bridge," Falk nodded. "He seems to think there's something supernatural going on at Wolfskull Cave. But our court mage has assured us there's nothing there, so I don't really know what he expects us to do."
Edna held her tongue regarding Sybille's nature, but it occurred to her that if there was something 'unnatural' going on in the cave that perhaps involved vampires, that of course the mage would say there was nothing there.
"Would you like me to look into it for you?" Edna offered.
Falk sighed and ran a hand through his flaming hair, which was only just beginning to see threads of silver run through it.
"I'll be honest with you," he admitted, "I was planning to let that go. Varnius is a bit jumpy at the best of times. There have been reports of weird happenings near Wolfskull Cave. Travelers disappearing, odd lights. I suspect wild animals or perhaps bandits."
"And that's not enough to make you want to confirm if something's really there?" Edna asked, raising an eyebrow. Falk shrugged helplessly.
"We don't have the manpower," he explained. "I don't think it's worth our time with the war going on, but if you want to clear out the cave, I'll make sure you're repaid for your work."
"I'll look into it and let you know what I find, then," she promised. It meant she'd have to wake Kaidan up, and he would not thank her for that, but there was no help for it. She couldn't go into Wolfskull Cave on her own, not knowing what she might find there. Kaidan would definitely not thank her for that!
As she headed down the stairs, a delicious scent wafted through the foyer. The palace kitchens were just off to her right, and the smells came from there. She crossed the entry hall and poked her head in the door where the cook and his scullions were rushing about, preparing the midday meal for the Jarl and her court. If Edna's personal experience, growing up in a house of wealth were any indication, they had likely been up since before dawn putting the Jarl's breakfast together, and would be up until late that night clearing away after the evening meal and preparing to do it all over again tomorrow.
The cook saw her lingering in the doorway and came over. "I'm kind of busy right now," he rumbled. "Did you need anything?"
"I was just wondering what was that delicious aroma I'm smelling?" Edna smiled. It was unlike anything she'd experienced before.
The cook beamed. "That's one of Jarl Elisif's favorites," he explained. "Orsimer Venison. I got the recipe out of the Gourmet's cookbook itself, Uncommon Taste."
"I don't think I've read that one," Edna frowned. "Is it a new book?"
"I don't think so," the cook replied. "I've been using it for several years now. Name's Odar, by the way. I'm the head cook here. Look, I'm a bit busy…"
"No, please," Edna said hastily. "I don't wish to interfere. I like to think I'm a decent cook myself, and I'm always looking for new recipes."
"Aren't we all?" Odar chuckled. "I swear, it's a real challenge sometimes, trying to find interesting foods to impress all the dignitaries that come and go around here."
Edna smiled slyly. "I don't suppose you'd be interested in something from Cyrodiil, would you?" she asked. "It's something I used to eat when I was much younger and forced to attend state dinners. I could…trade you for that venison recipe you're making now?"
"What's the recipe?" Odar asked, suspiciously. "I might already know it."
"Oh, I wouldn't imagine so," Edna said modestly. "It was a secret recipe our cook had, and he never shared it with anyone. I only learned it because I…uh…bribed it out of him." She chuckled. Forio hadn't wanted to give up his recipe, but Edna had badgered him for weeks, bringing him small gifts she could afford with her pittance of an allowance, until he had capitulated. "It's for a strawberry tart that will make you think you've died and gone to Aetherius."
Odar regarded Edna with skepticism all over his face. "I know a lot of recipes for fruit tarts," he hedged. "We don't get a lot of strawberries here in Skyrim," he mused. "Weather's a bit too cold for that, and it's expensive to import them. But I'll tell you what I'm willing to do. I'm a firm believer in sharing what I know. Knowledge that isn't shared is knowledge lost, as far as I'm concerned. So I'll trade that recipe with you, if you've got a moment to jot it down, and we'll see if the Jarl likes it."
This was quickly done, and Edna returned to the Winking Skeever to see if Kaidan was awake, humming a happy tune she'd heard the previous night at the bards' performance.
It was a grumpy and groggy Kaidan that met her in their shared rented room.
"Just where have you been?" he demanded in a surly tone.
Edna stiffened. Kaidan might be hungover, but that was no reason to take it out on her.
"I went to the Blue Palace," she said in a neutral tone. "Among other things I learned of a job we could look into." She outlined the plan of clearing out Wolfskull Cave to him.
"Aren't you afraid we'll miss meeting up with this Malborn person?" Kaidan asked as he splashed water on his face from the pitcher and bowl on the nightstand by the window.
"I didn't say we'd go right now," Edna frowned. "What's gotten into you Kai?" she continued. "Did you get up on the wrong side of the bed this morning?"
"No, I just—"
Kaidan deflated. This was quite an accomplishment, as he towered over Edna's nearly six-foot tall frame.
"I'm sorry," he said, wiping his face dry with a cloth. "I just don't like the idea of you going into the Thalmor fucking Embassy alone, just because Delphine has a bee in her bonnet about them maybe knowing something about the dragons returning. Isn't there some other way we could get that information?"
Edna tsked. "Of course there is, dear boy," she soothed. "I can just go up to the next Justiciar we see out on patrol and ask them."
"I'm serious, Dragonborn!" Kaidan scowled.
"I know, Kai, I know," Edna sighed. "And I don't mean to be flippant about this. I think Delphine is being completely paranoid about the whole thing, but she's not really listening to reason right now. I think she's flailing away at shadows because she's scared. She's the last Blade that she knows of. All her organization has been wiped out by the Thalmor, and she's likely spent the last twenty or so years of her life hiding from them. And now, suddenly, another ancient enemy – the dragons – have shown up, and she's not sure how to deal with it. And when you add to that the fact that suddenly I turn up and prove I'm Dragonborn, well…" She shrugged. "I think I'm willing to cut her a little bit of slack. She's had a rough week."
"Well, I'm not," Kaidan said stubbornly, slipping into his cuirass and buckling it up. "She says the Blades are sworn to protect and guide the Dragonborn, but all I've seen her do so far is doubt you and put you at risk."
"You're not wrong," Edna admitted. "And again, I might put that down to her own inexperience."
"What, as a Blade?" Kaidan questioned, doubtfully.
"No, as someone who was never in a position before where she had to make decisions and give orders," Edna replied. "She likely had officers above her rank, while she was an active member of the Blades, who gave her directives and told her what they needed her to do, and she made those things happen. But I don't believe she ever had much opportunity to strategize independently."
Kaidan gave a derisive snort.
"And don't forget," Edna went on, "that she's terrified the Thalmor will find her. That's a very legitimate fear. If she were to actively put herself out there in the world to find out how and why the dragons are returning, she might feel that it would put a target on her back. So she's trying to work from behind the scenes."
"She somehow learned about that Dragonstone," Kaidan reminded Edna. "She suggested to Farengar, that court mage, that it might be a good idea to find it. If she really needed it that badly, she could have gone in and gotten it herself."
"Good point," Edna agreed. "She certainly didn't seem to have any trouble at Ustengrav, taking the Horn of Jurgen Windcaller before we even knew we had to go retrieve it."
"So, are you going to tell her to fook off?" he asked. "Tell her you're not going to infiltrate the Embassy?"
The Dragonborn sighed. "No, Kai," she finally replied. "And only because this might be a very good opportunity to see what they might know about other things besides the dragons."
"Like what?"
"Well, for starters," Edna shrugged. "Just how ready are they to put boots on the ground for another war? Who are their informants? What plans does the Dominion have to further weaken the Empire?"
Kaidan whistled. "I hadn't thought of that!"
Edna gave a smug smile. "I have. Now, get yourself ready. I'm hungry, and then I want to do a little research in the Bards College library."
"About the Thalmor?"
"And about dragons in general," Edna nodded. "Forewarned is forearmed."
The library at the Bards College was small, and broken up in several locations. There seemed to be no organization to the collection. Ancient history was mixed up with folk tales and mythology, theology was mixed with fiction and prose. Kaidan volunteered to explore the books on the main floor while Edna went up to the second-floor classroom, where the Dean of Histories, Geraud Germaine, told her she could find additional bookshelves.
While they found several duplicated copies of various volumes of Brief History of the Empire and The Real Berenziah, there didn't seem to be much in the way of information about dragons, and none at all about the Thalmor, which didn't surprise Edna at all.
One book, however, caught her eye: Dragon Language: Myth No More, which was an in-depth study the author had made about the language of dragons, including translations of texts taken from the curved, Word Walls, which Edna had already seen in Bleak Falls Barrow, Ustengrav, and Bonestrewn Crest.
She attempted to take the book downstairs to show Kaidan, but the elderly woman teaching a vocal lesson stopped her.
"I'm sorry," the woman called out. "Please leave the book here. You can't remove it from the room."
"I only meant to take it downstairs to show my friend," Edna protested quietly as the students in the room glared at her.
"What? And mess up my system of finding things?" the older woman gasped, aghast. "Leave it here, please."
Sighing in frustration, Edna put the book down and went downstairs to bring Kaidan back up with her.
"I haven't found a bloody thing here except five copies of Aedra and Daedra, and about three of The Firmament," he scowled. "This isn't much of a library. The one in Whiterun is better."
A few of the bards looked up at that and glared at him, but Kaidan set his chin stubbornly. "I said what I said," he muttered darkly. Intimidated, the bards went back to their studies.
"Come upstairs, Kai," Edna said in a hushed tone, glancing around. "I've found something interesting, but they wouldn't let me bring it downstairs."
"Don't see why not," her companion snorted. "It's not like it's the only copy, from the looks of things here."
"You're not helping," Edna hissed. "Just come upstairs before you get us thrown out of here."
Back in the classroom, the group was just finishing up, but the older woman hovered around after the students left, as if she expected there to be trouble.
"This is the book," Edna said, deliberately ignoring the other woman. She and Kaidan moved over to a table in the corner. "It's the one you told me about, concerning the dragon language. Let me see your sword again, Kai."
Wordlessly, he pulled it off his back and set it on the table between them.
Edna smiled in satisfaction. "Now, let's see if we can't figure out what these runes mean."
The shadows lengthened into late afternoon before the two sat back, both smiling.
"I think that's about as close as we're going to get," Edna sighed. "Tovit kruziik qethsehokoronne."
"Search the ancient 'bones-of-enemies'," Kaidan translated. "Well, the Blades have never wanted for enemies," he mused. "The Thalmor, the dragons, the Mythic Dawn…I'll have to think about this." He gave an amused chuckle. "You know, I could try my hand at learning some of this dragon-talk. Can't be too complicated, can it? And I'm starting to think it could be pretty useful in these parts." He grinned.
Edna gave a soft laugh. "Well, if we come across a copy we can actually keep," she threw a pointed look towards the older bard who was still sitting there, pretending to read, but obviously watching them, "then perhaps we could both learn it. For now, though, let's leave it here and head back to the Skeever. It's getting late."
They left the classroom, and behind them the older bard scurried to reclaim the book and put it back on the shelves where Edna had found it.
The Skeever was busy for a late Turdas afternoon, but Edna noticed the wood elf sitting by himself in the corner immediately, even if Corpulus hadn't waved at her and pointed in Malborn's direction.
She approached the mer who flinched nervously as she sat down.
"Can I help you?" he asked, throwing a glance over his shoulder at the front door.
Edna cleared her throat. She didn't know who might be listening or watching them; it was a public tavern. However, a little caution never hurt.
"Our mutual friend sent me," she said in a low voice.
The wood elf blinked. "You're kidding!" he exclaimed. "You're who she picked? I hope she knows what she's doing," he muttered to himself.
Behind her, Kaidan bristled, but Edna threw a "shush" over her shoulder.
"Here's the deal," Malborn said. "I can sneak a few of your things into the Embassy. Don't plan on bringing anything else in with you. The Thalmor take security very seriously. Give me what you can't live without, and I'll make sure to smuggle it in for you."
Edna frowned. "The party, as I understand it, isn't until tomorrow night."
"And?" Malborn countered. "I fail to see the problem."
"You're asking me to go without weapons and armor and what-not for an entire day until I get there," Edna pointed out. "How am I supposed to manage until then?"
"That's your problem," Malborn dismissed. "Mine is getting your stuff in there without rousing suspicions. And if I don't return soon, that's just what's going to happen!"
Edna blew out a breath of frustration. "Alright, give me a few minutes," she said sourly. "I'll need to get out of my armor."
"Are you sure you've done this sort of thing before?" Malborn demanded skeptically.
"No," Edna snorted. "I never have."
"Y'ffre preserve us!" Malborn moaned, looking slightly sick as Edna rose from the table and headed upstairs. Kaidan waited near the bar, but kept his eyes on the room, watching everybody to see if anyone paid any attention to the wood elf in the corner.
Edna returned several minutes later, during which time Malborn fidgeted and started at every loud noise, constantly looking over his shoulder.
Fetcher should have sat with his back to the wall, if he was so worried about people sneaking up behind him, Kaidan thought with some amusement.
The bundle Edna bore was bulky, and Kaidan could see it contained not only her armor, but her bow and sword as well. He assumed there must be a quiver of arrows and a dagger or two tucked inside the lumpy package, which was wrapped up in what was clearly the coverlet off the bed. She handed the bundle to Malborn without a word, and Kaidan immediately turned to get the attention of Corpulus so the innkeeper wouldn't see that the wood elf was leaving with the quilt off the bed.
He returned to Edna, now dressed in a simple cotton shirt and leather trousers, with a mug of ale in both hands.
"You look like you could use this," he said, sitting down at the table with her.
"I can't believe I just let that mer walk out of here with my weapons, and my brand-new armor," Enda simmered, taking a long pull of the ale. "This had better be worth it, or Delphine and I are going to have some words."
"Would those words be fus ro dah?" Kaidan grinned.
Edna grimaced. "Don't tempt me!"
The following day was mostly a quiet one. Edna purchased some jewelry from Radiant Raiments, but the elf behind the counter, Endarie, was just short of insulting in her manner.
"Do you get a lot of business with that manner?" Edna asked, mildly piqued.
"Radiant Raiment has the finest attire in all of Skyrim," Endarie replied, her lip curling slightly. "That is how we get business."
"I see," the Dragonborn nodded. "I wish I had known about your work earlier. I might have consulted you before I head up to the Embassy tonight. As it is, it's far too short notice to have anything specially made."
It might have been imprudent of her, Edna felt on reflection, to admit to an Altmer that she planned to be at the Embassy party, but Endarie's attitude rubbed her the wrong way. As it was, she collected her purchase and gave a friendly wave to the mer's shocked, dismayed expression as she left the store, so she felt the point she scored was worth it.
Kaidan had gone up to the smithy to work some dents out of the unique armor he wore, and to hone his nodachi to a razor-keen edge. He was seated at the grinding wheel when Edna arrived to let him know she was headed to the Blue Palace.
"You were just there yesterday," he protested. "This is becoming a habit with you."
"I won't be long," she assured him. "There's something I want to do, and I can only do it there. As far as I know, they've got the only enchanting table in town."
"I'll come with you," Kaidan offered, rising from the grindstone, but Edna shook her head.
"I'll be fine, Kaidan. Just keep working on your sword. That last dragon put a few knicks in the blade." This last was said mostly as a deterrent. She knew how Kaidan felt about his equipment. But the look of awe that Beirand shot them was also very gratifying.
At the Blue Palace, she once again headed to Sybille Stentor's room, not surprised to find the woman in her bed, asleep. Still unnerved about the vampire reclining not three feet away from her, Edna quickly laid down an enchantment on one of the rings she'd bought. It was a large ring – far too large for her hand – sized for a man's finger, and Edna hoped it would fit Kaidan's. The enchantment wasn't strong, but it would help boost his skills with his nodachi. They needed every advantage they could get.
As the animal's soul slipped from the gem into the ring, Edna felt the tingle run through her. It was not an unpleasant sensation, and she felt she could get used to doing this kind of work.
"Not bad," Sybille's voice behind her said, and Edna whirled around, heart thumping, hand clutching for a dagger that wasn't there. "Not many people can pull off an enchantment like that," the vampire purred, still lying on the bed, but watching Edna closely. "Keep working at it, though. You'll find your enchantments will get stronger the more you practice, as with any skill." She closed her orange eyes and rolled over to her other side, ignoring Edna.
Edna's blood pounded in her ears as her heart raced. She'd thought the woman was asleep! She gathered her materials and quickly left Sybille's room, exiting the Blue Palace as fast as she was able. Halfway back to Castle Dour and its smithy, she paused, outside a very large and very empty-looking mansion. Gasping slightly to catch her breath, she was grateful Kaidan hadn't been with her. His quick reaction to an apparent threat would not have ended well for anyone!
People passed by her, paying no attention to the older woman in plain clothes. Children were running through the streets, chasing each other in a game of tag, their voices ringing out in giggles as they went. An old Bosmer with dark eyes and tattered clothing wandered aimlessly up and down, and around the Hall of the Dead, muttering to himself. Guards patrolled the cobbled roadway, ignoring her as much as they ignored the madman. It was a beautiful sunny day, in spite of the chill in the air, and in the eaves of the vacant mansion behind her, out of the wind, it was actually quite pleasant. Her stomach, however, reminded her it had been far too long since breakfast, and she hurried to join up with Kaidan again.
At the Skeever, over a bowl of vegetable soup – for Edna – and a large chunk of roast horker with potatoes – for Kaidan – she gave him the ring.
"For me?" he blinked.
"Of course, for you," Edna smiled. "It certainly won't fit my fingers! It's not very strong, I'm afraid. I'm rather new to this enchanting stuff, but I think I could get to like it. Of course, acquiring the soul gems might be a problem."
"I can't believe you made this for me," Kaidan said quietly, his throat working. "No one's ever made anything for me since Brynjar died."
"Consider it a late birthday present," Edna grinned. "Or an early one. I don't know when your birthday is."
"Sometime in the middle of First Seed," Kaidan replied, still admiring the simple silver ring. It fit the first finger of his hand perfectly, and he could feel the faint pulse of magic coming from it. "I don't really know for sure. If Brynjar knew, he never told me. We just settled on the thirteenth, and I've marked each year of my life from then." He looked up at her, admiring this older Imperial who had already seen so much in her lifetime, but hadn't allowed it to make her sour or cynical. "Thank you, Edna," he said softly, in a rare use of her name. "So…that almost compels me to ask: when is your birthday?"
"Oh, it's coming up," she replied vaguely, waving a dismissive hand. "But I stopped counting them years ago."
He chuckled. "Liar," he mocked her.
Edna returned his laugh. "You know me too well, it seems, Kai. Alright, I will admit to being fifty-five on my next birthday."
"I'll be sure to make a mental note of it, if you just tell me the day," he insisted.
"Fine," she sighed. "It's the twelfth of Evening Star."
"That's practically Saturalia," he observed.
"Don't I know it?" Edna grimaced. "My brother Cassius was born on the last day of Midyear, so it was always a big celebration. My birthday tended to get swallowed up in the general anticipation of Saturalia. It was always treated as an afterthought by my parents, and sometimes they'd even forget it completely."
She kept her tone even, but Kaidan could sense the hurt and bitterness she was hiding.
I'm going to make that up to her, he decided. Assuming we aren't hip-deep in draugr at the time!
Edna spent the rest of the afternoon preparing for the Embassy party. The carriage would leave the Solitude stables at precisely seven in the evening, and she had no wish to have to walk there. When she finally emerged from the room, Kaidan gave a low whistle of approval.
"You look like a proper matronly dignitary," he approved.
Edna rolled her eyes. "My boy, there is nothing proper about me, I assure you!"
She had modified the dress to split open the front of the skirt to give her more freedom of movement. Using the scraps she had cut away and some additional material she had on hand from a dress Lydia had given her, she had created a pair of trousers to wear under the skirt. The bodice had remained mostly untouched, except that it had scooped uncomfortably low, for Edna's taste. She had added a placket of lace from Lydia's dress to the front to emulate a cravat that spilled over the neckline and down the front, forming a sort of collar. It all looked very elegant, and Edna was proud of it. She couldn't have finished it in the time she'd had without Lydia's help, and thinking of the Nord woman struck her with a sense of guilt.
Lydia was her Housecarl, assigned to her from Jarl Balgruuf himself, and all she'd done was sit at Breezehome guarding the things Edna left behind. Lydia was a skilled swordswoman, and deserved a chance to do the job she'd been assigned to do – guard the Thane of Whiterun.
I'll make it up to her, Edna vowed. I'll make it up to Rayya, too. If I have any missions ongoing in either Hold, I'll take them with me. I'm sure Kaidan will understand. It's not a criticism of his ability to fulfill his oath to me. It's just fair.
Kaidan escorted her down to the stables where they could see Delphine waiting for them. Edna turned to her companion.
"I don't think you should come with me on this one, Kai. The Thalmor are expecting only me, if they're expecting anyone at all."
Kaidan nodded, but it was clear he wasn't happy about it. "I can't protect you if I'm not there," he protested, "but I understand. Me, in the middle of a gathering of Thalmor, well…that wouldn't end well for either of us. Just promise me you won't do anything foolish while you're in there?"
"And I'll eat my greens and be home by midnight," Edna joked, but Kaidan wasn't in the mood for levity.
"I mean it, Dragonborn!" he said fervently. "You know what those bastards are capable of doing! You've seen my back. I just could bear the thought of them doing that to you, and me not being there to protect you." As strong as he was, Kaidan looked ready to break down.
"Kaidan…Kai," Edna shushed him, patting his arm. "It will be alright. I'll shmooze a few hours with them to see what I can learn. If I get a chance to sneak away and rifle through the Ambassador's private papers, so much the better. But I promise you I will be careful. Wait for me back at the Skeever. I'll return there when I'm done."
Not trusting himself to speak, Kaidan nodded and headed back up the hill to the city of Solitude where it perched on the magnificent natural arch over the Karth River delta.
Edna sighed and turned to meet up with Delphine. It was almost time to leave.
"Did you give your gear to Malborn?" Delphine asked without preamble.
"Yes," Edna replied, still seething inwardly about having to give up her equipment. "Malborn's all set."
"Good," the Breton woman nodded. "I have your invitation to the party. But the only way you're going to get past the guards is if they really believe you're an invited guest. Which means you need to look the part, and not be armed to the teeth. Here, put this on." She handed Edna a common-looking robe worn by the upper classes in Skyrim, and pair of rather nice-looking shoes which were better than the ones Edna had secured for her outfit. She stared at the dress.
"No, Delphine," she said. "I'll take the shoes, but not the dress. I spent a lot of time crafting this one for just such an occasion, and it's unique. If I wear that, I'll look like every other noble in the room!"
Delphine's lips thinned and she gave an exasperated snort. "Don't you think that's the whole purpose of this outfit?" she countered. "You're about to go into the Thalmor Embassy to spy, Dragonborn. And the last thing they need to be able to do is remember the one missing person who wore a unique outfit."
Edna simmered, but she could see Delphine's point. She tried to think of any other way she could wear the dress she'd made, but there wasn't one. Delphine was right: she would stand out like a sore thumb if she wore her dress.
"Fine," she growled, grabbing the dress and the shoes. "But under protest."
The only place she could change away from prying eyes was inside the mill, which she accomplished as quickly as she was able. She came out in the brown, quilted robe that did nothing for her complexion and handed off her new dress to Delphine.
"Hmm…I guess that will have to do," Delphine said critically, looking Edna up and down. "You should pass for a real guest, at least until you open your mouth."
"One more insult from you, Delphine," the Dragonborn warned, "and you can find someone else for your little spy mission."
"You're right, you're right," Delphine backed down. "I'm sorry. Are you ready to board the carriage to the embassy?"
"I think so," Edna sighed. "You'd better keep this safe until I get back," she warned. "I put a lot of work into it and I'd like to have a chance to actually wear it."
Unfazed, Delphine merely nodded. "Don't worry, it will all be waiting for you when you get back. You can find me back in Riverwood. Just make sure you get back out of there alive with the information we need. Good luck."
Shaking her head, and wondering what on Nirn had brought her to this point, Edna climbed into the carriage.
The carriage pulled up inside the compound of the Thalmor Embassy, perched high up on a mountain to the west of Solitude. It had taken over an hour, bumping over cobblestones and nearly falling out of her seat at the angle at which the poor horse had to drag the wagon up the side of the hill. Iron gates opened to let the carriage through, and Edna's skin crawled at the number of gold-clad soldiers milling around. They searched her and the entire wagon – and the driver, Thaer, who seemed to be used to this sort of treatment by now – before she was permitted to approach the granite-clad Embassy itself. There was only one non-Altmer in the compound besides her at the moment; a Redguard who already looked three sheets to the wind. He was a talkative drunk, too, as Edna soon found.
"Ah! A fellow latecomer to Elenwen's little soiree," he greeted her. He reeked of alcohol, and Edna positioned herself as upwind of him as she could without being obvious about it. "And arriving by carriage, no less! I salute you, my good lady!" he went on. "My lateness is due more to getting lost on the way up this gods-forsaken mountain than to any desire to actually arrive late. I prefer to arrive early. Often the day before the party. So as not to miss out on any of the drinking. There's not enough drinking in the world today, wouldn't you agree? I will just...rest here a moment. Although it is damnably cold out here. I don't look forward to the trip back down. Perhaps we might share a carriage after the party? I know, I know - we've just met. But think, by the time the party is over we'll no doubt be fast friends. I look forward to it. Don't mind me. I'm perfectly insensible to the cold. I'll go after you. Although these fellows know me. I never miss one of Elenwen's parties, you see."
In all that rambling, he never once asked her who she was, or anything about her, which suited Edna just fine. She walked over to the steps leading up, but was stopped by a black-robed Justiciar.
"One moment, please," the imperious woman demanded. "Your invitation, please."
Expecting this, Edna merely handed it over, though she had taken the time to read it on the trip up here.
"Elenwen, First Emissary of the Aldmeri Dominion to the Kingdom of Skyrim
Requests the Pleasure of the Company of
Edna Valerius
at a Reception on 28th Sun's Dusk, 4E 201 at the Ambassador's Residence.
Regrets Only. Formal Attire Requested."
"Thank you ma'am," the Justiciar replied, handing it back to her, though there was no warmth in the gesture. "Go right in."
As Edna started up the steps she heard Razelan slur behind her, "Now then. Here's my invitation. I don't have a poisoned dagger strapped to my thigh, et cetera, et cetera."
The Justiciar's lip curled, but it wasn't a smile. "I'm just doing my duty, sir. Everything's in order. Welcome back, sir."
"Yes, yes," the drunken Redguard muttered. "Now to find myself a drink."
Edna waited for him, to open the door for him if he needed assistance since he seemed to be having a bit of trouble coordinating his feet, but Razelan shooed her inside.
"Inside, my friend, inside!" he laughed. "Where only the women and drinks are cold!"
Inside was brightly lit, and Edna took a few moments in the foyer to adjust her eyes. She handed off her cloak to a Bosmer girl standing nearby as Razelan brushed past her, intent on getting to the bar as quickly as possible. A tall, imposing figure in the gold and black braided robes of a Justiciar moved to intercept her as she headed into the room. But this was no mere Justiciar; this was the Ambassador herself.
"Welcome," she greeted Edna politely, but as coldly as Razelan had hinted. "I don't believe we've met. I am Elewen, the Thalmor Ambassador to Skyrim. And you are…?" she prompted.
While it was on the tip of her tongue to just introduce herself, it occurred to the Dragonborn that a bit of caution here wouldn't come amiss – especially since Delphine had already so crudely pointed out her mission here.
"You're Elenwen?" she gushed. "Oh, I am so pleased to meet you! I've heard so much about you!"
The flattery worked…marginally.
"Have you?" the Altmer woman preened. "All good, I trust. But you have me at a disadvantage." She frowned slightly. "I'm afraid I know nothing about you... Please, tell me more about yourself. What brings you to this... to Skyrim?" Clearly, she had caught herself from saying something quite insulting about the Province to someone who actually lived here.
Edna was at a loss to know what to say. The direct approach was clearly out. Whatever the Thalmor knew or didn't know about the dragons returning, they would keep that close to their vest. Fortunately for the Dragonborn, a voice she recognized as Malborn's floated from the bar around the corner, where Razelan was still trying to get a drink.
"Madame Ambassador, I'm so sorry to interrupt..."
Irritated, Elenwen turned back. "What is it, Malborn?"
"It's just that we've run out of the Alto wine," he apologized. "Do I have your permission to uncork the Arenthia red..."
Now the Ambassador was angry and clearly not afraid to show it to one of her underlings. "Of course. I've told you before not to bother me with such trifles!"
"Yes, Madame Ambassador." Though his tone was mild, Edna could imagine that Malborn couldn't be happy about being taken to task in front of a guest the way Elenwen had done. Resentment was certain to be a huge motivator in the reason behind why he was willing to take such a huge risk to help her spy on the Thalmor.
But Elenwen was speaking again, and Edna forced herself to pay attention. "My apologies," she was saying, though she didn't appear to be sorry at all. "We'll have to get better acquainted later. Please…enjoy yourself." She moved back into the room, allowing Edna to properly enter the grand hall.
It was a large room – not as grand as some Edna had been in, but certainly impressive enough. There was a door across the way, and another behind the bar where Malborn worked, glancing up at her from under his eyelashes as he scrubbed the already-spotless counter clean.
It was also very crowded, with dignitaries here from all over Skyrim – though not, as far as Edna could tell, from any Stormcloak-held Hold. She recognized Jarls Siddgeir and Idgrod, talking together on a bench nearby, and over by the fireplace, young Jarl Elisif was engaged in conversation with Elenwen and a middle-aged man whom Edna had seen at Elisif's court. She thought she remembered that he was one of her Thanes.
There were many, many more she did not recognize, however, but Edna had never been a wallflower. She moved over to Idgrod and Siddgeir.
"Ah! There she is!" Siddgeir exclaimed. "Idgrod, I'd like you to meet Edna Valerius, my newest Thane."
"You mean your only Thane, Siddgeir," Idgrod replied, smiling to take the sting out of her words. "And I've already met Edna. She recently helped us out in Morthal."
"Bandits?" Siddgeir asked ingenuously.
"Vampires," Idgrod intoned, and Siddgeir paled.
"I think I need another drink," he muttered. "If you ladies will please excuse me…" He beat a hasty retreat to the bar.
"Unctuous fop," Idgrod muttered. "I knew you'd be here tonight, Edna," she continued, turning to the Dragonborn.
"How could you know that?" Edna asked in surprise. "I didn't know myself until just this week."
"Oh, I See things," Idgrod said. "Lots of things. Things many people here would probably hope I didn't. Be careful, Edna, for you walk among vipers here."
"Don't I know it?" Edna sighed, feeling that Idgrod was the one person here she had anything in common with.
"I'm surprised you became a Thane to Siddgeir, though," Idgrod went on. "That doesn't seem like the sort of thing you might do."
"I'm guessing that Siddgeir set the bar pretty low," Edna chuckled. "And it wasn't something I was actively seeking. I just felt that by doing so, I could help the people of Falkreath better, since he seems unwilling to."
Idgrod nodded sagely. "And do you feel you might want to help my people out, as well?" There was a sly smile about the old woman's lips, and Edna warmed to her even more.
"You wouldn't have to persuade me much, Jarl," she replied. "I'll see what I can do, next time I'm in Hjaalmarch."
"In your own good time, Edna," Idgrod smiled. "I know you have a much larger destiny before you than just becoming Thane of a lesser Hold."
"It would be my honor, my Jarl," Edna promised. Idgrod patted her arm and drifted off to engage in conversation with Elisif, whom Edna had not formerly met.
She wandered over to an older man, sitting alone on a bench near where a Bosmer girl was serving drinks from a tray.
"Could I have a drink, please?" she asked the girl.
"Of course," the Bosmer maid smiled. "Here you are, ma'am. The finest Colovian Brandy." She handed Edna the goblet, then turned to serve another patron. Edna sat down next to the older gentleman, who looked decidedly uncomfortable at being among all the other dignitaries, and who admitted as much when she introduced herself to him.
"I'm Jarl Igmund, of Markarth," he replied. "I admit, I've never felt entirely at ease in the Thalmor embassy."
"Why did you come, then?" Edna asked.
"I came here hoping to learn that more Imperial reinforcements were on their way to Skyrim," he confessed, "but so far I've been disappointed."
"I can't imagine that's a question Ambassador Elenwen would have the answers to," Edna pointed out. "You'd have done far better speaking with General Tullius at Castle Dour."
"I was going to," Igmund said. "He was supposed to be here tonight, but had to cancel at the last minute."
"Oh, I am sorry to hear that," Edna sighed. "I would have liked an opportunity to catch up with him myself."
"You knew Tullius?" Igmund queried, then shook his head. "I shouldn't have looked so surprised. You're an Imperial. You fought in the War, didn't you?" When Edna merely nodded he went on. "I think just about everyone our age fought in the War. But we're supposed to be at peace with the Thalmor now."
"Can there be peace between us?" Edna asked in a low voice. "Can the Thalmor be trusted?" She had serious doubts on that matter. Just the fact that she had found Kaidan in a Thalmor-staffed prison spoke volumes.
"For now, perhaps," Igmund acknowledged. "But I've heard disturbing rumors that they're marshalling their strength. I suspect the treaty that ended the war was just a tactic to buy time so the Thalmor can rebuild their armies. I hope I'm wrong. I'm not sure the Empire can afford another war."
On that sober note, Igmund rose, bowed to Edna and moved across the room to speak with Proventus Avenicci, whom Edna already knew. She glanced towards the bar and saw Malborn fidgeting. He made a surreptitious "hurry up" gesture with one hand turning it into the act of wiping out the inside of a goblet while meeting her eyes. She nodded. Yes. She should hurry. But there was so much more she hadn't learned here yet.
"Ah, there you are!" Elenwen's voice rang out, and Edna inwardly cringed. "I was hoping to get to know you better. Edna Valerius, isn't it?" When Edna nodded, Elenwen continued, "I went over my guest list just now, and I recognized every name on it but yours, which was very curious. Tell me: how did you come to be invited here?"
Think fast, Edna.
"Jarl Balgruuf couldn't be here tonight," Edna replied, hoping Elenwen wouldn't think to grill Proventus on the matter. "As his Thane, he asked me to take his place. I hope you don't mind."
"Not at all," the Ambassador answered smoothly, her face clearing. "That would explain it, then. The poor man has been so busy keeping both Imperials and Stormcloaks from overrunning his little Hold, that I'm not surprised my invitation had to take a back seat."
"I can see you spared no expense," Edna praised, in what she hoped was an approving manner. "Everything here is simply lovely."
"Of course," Elenwen sniffed. "One does not gather the most important men and women of Skyrim and then serve them cheap ale and stale bread. This is only a taste of the benefits that accrue to those that align themselves with Thalmor interests."
Edna almost blurted out, 'And what are the Thalmor interests?' but managed to bite that back. Aloud she said merely, "I've never understood exactly what the Justiciars do. Could you explain, please?"
Elenwen's eyes narrowed, as if trying to decide if Edna was criticizing or simply being ingenuous. She apparently opted for the latter as she replied, "The Thalmor Justiciars are so often misunderstood. Our primary goal is to preserve the peace between the Empire and the Aldmeri Dominion." The Altmer woman's face hardened as she went on, "The worship of the false god Talos contributed to the unfortunate friction that led to the Great War. Following the Great War, the White-Gold Concordat set out the terms for peaceful coexistence between the two powers. The Empire and the Dominion agreed that the worship of Talos was a relic of the past, and must be eliminated in the interests of peace. But I'm sure you didn't come here for a lecture on high politics." She smiled, but there was no warmth in it.
"I understand what you mean perfectly," Edna nodded, and the Ambassador's eyes narrowed as she once again tried to determine the depth of her guest's sincerity.
"Elenwen!" One of the other guests called, and the Ambassador excused herself, but Edna was shaking inside. This was getting far too dangerous. She needed to leave. Glancing again at Malborn across the way, she could see the Bosmer doing almost comical contortions to pretend to be doing his job while begging silently to hurry up. It reminded her of her niece and nephew when they were very young, trying to hold themselves before they could get to the privy. She almost laughed. Almost.
Gliding across the room, she sat down next to Razelan, who was brooding morosely. Apparently he had been cut off at the bar.
"What does a fellow have to do to get a drink around here?" he moaned. He started as he seemed to notice Edna for the first time. "Ah, pardon me, friend. I didn't see you standing there. Allow me to introduce myself: Razelan. Imports and exports, by trade. Observer of human nature, by avocation."
Amused that he had already forgotten meeting her outside, Edna realized she still held the goblet of Colovian Brandy in her hand. "Here," she offered kindly. "I brought you a drink."
"Ah," he sighed as he downed the expensive drink in one draught without gasping. "The one generous soul amongst a gathering of pinch-pennies and lick-spittles! If there's anything I can ever do for you, do not hesitate to call upon me!"
An idea spawned in Edna's mind. "Well…" she began slowly. "There is one thing you could do for me…"
"Of course!" the drunken Redguard enthused. "I would do anything for you, my one and truest friend! What do you need from me?"
Edna lowered her voice, and in spite of Razelan's rather aromatic air, she leaned in closer so the Thalmor guard nearby couldn't overhear. Between the noise of the patrons and the music, she felt it was fairly safe. "I need you to cause a little distraction," she informed him. "Get everyone's attention for a few minutes."
Razelan smiled and wheezed. "Is that all?" he chortled. "My friend, you have come to the right place! You might say that 'causing a scene' is quite a specialty of mine." He rose unsteadily to his feet. "My friend, stand back and behold my handiwork!"
He staggered into the middle of the room and Edna rose as well to slip further to the back of the room near the bar.
"Attention, everyone!" Razelan called out loudly above the music and conversations. "Could I have your attention, please! I have an announcement to make!" He raised his empty goblet. "I propose a toast to Elenwen! Our mistress! I speak figuratively, of course. Nothing could be more unlikely than that someone would actually want her in their bed."
Gasps of shock and consternation, with more than a few muffled giggles, erupted around the room. Elewen's face was a thundercloud. "Razelan. What are you doing?"
"Although..." Razelan went on, unconcerned, "most of you are already in bed with her! But again... I speak figuratively, of course!"
Guards began to close in on him, but Malborn was hissing at Edna. "Come on! Let's slip through here," he urged. "Quick, before anyone sees us!"
As the door closed behind her, she could still hear Razelan spouting off.
"Fine, fine. Get your hands off me. I'll be a good boy now. After all, we wouldn't want to offend our Thalmor overlords, would we? Someone bring me a drink, quick!"
A part of Edna felt sorry for Razelan and the hangover and fallout he would have tomorrow due to his actions tonight.
Malborn was insistently gesturing to the door at the other end of the corridor.
"Your gear is through here, in the larder," he explained. "Just let me do the talking, okay?" Under his breath he muttered, "I hope we both live through this day!"
The wood elf guided her through a cluttered kitchen, full of worktables, barrels, pots and pans, and food in various stages of preparation. Some of it would still be served this evening, and the rest was being readied for the morning meal – or possibly a midday meal, if the Ambassador and her guests were late-risers.
"Who comes, Malborn?" a female Khajiit hissed as she stirred a pot of something that smelled delicious. "You know I don't like strange smells in my kitchen."
"A guest, feeling ill," Malborn replied in a tired voice. "Leave the poor wretch be."
The cook's ears perked up. "A guest? In the kitchens? You know this is against the rules..."
"Rules, is it, Tsavani?" Malborn challenged, turning to her while Edna slipped past him into the larder. "I didn't realize that eating Moon Sugar was permitted. Perhaps I should ask the Ambassador..."
"Tss!" Tsavani hissed. "Get out of here, I saw nothing."
So, it appeared that Malborn had some leverage over the Khajiit chef. That worked in her favor. Malborn turned back to her and muttered in a low voice, "Your gear is in that chest over there. I'll lock the door behind you. Don't screw this up. I need to lock the door behind you or the patrols might notice something's wrong."
As Edna shimmied out of her dress and clambered into her gear, Malborn became more and more impatient. "Hurry it up. I've got to get back before I'm missed."
"Then come help me with these buckles," Edna growled. "You've clearly never worn armor before!"
But Malborn didn't come over to help; he merely stood at the door and danced impatiently until she finished, which included packing away the dress and shoes she'd worn into her backpack, which he had smuggled in with her equipment. The damask bedspread that had carried everything remained at the bottom of the chest. She didn't need it, and only felt a minor pang about have to steal it from the Winking Skeever to allow Malborn to carry everything here in the first place.
There was a door immediately to her right, and as she slipped beyond, she could hear Malborn saying, "Good luck."
Now her real work began.