Skyrim: A Sorcerer's Tale

Chapter 196: Interlude III: Shady Happenings

Chapter 196: Interlude III: Shady Happenings



A hooded figure clad in a grey traveler's cloak sat in the corner of Dawnstar's most prominent inn patiently listening to the fruits of his labor.

"Is it true what they say? That the Jarl is the one behind the nightmares?" One of the patrons asked the innkeeper in a hushed tone, the others pointedly ignoring the known rabble-rouser. The innkeeper nearly smacked the man as he hissed quietly "Keep your voice down you dolt, we don't want the guards offing us for 'causing sedition' because your drunk ass can't keep his mouth shut."

"Feck off you milk drinker." The patron half spoke half burped "I just wanna know if they say is true."

The owner of the establishment looked around warily before answering in a whisper "They say he was cursed with nightmares and made a deal with a Daedra to let him off, the madman even let a bloody Mythic Dawn cultist into the city walls so something must be off."

"Bloody feckin' nobles." The patron cursed "Think he sold his soul to Dagon too?"Nôv(el)B\\jnn

The innkeeper shrugged while cleaning a mug "How should I know, do I look like a Vigilant of Stendarr to you?"

"Oh pardon me, your eminence." The patron pointed at him with sarcasm "I didn't know you Dibellan whores were so uppity about your station."

A wet rag smacked into his face causing him to gurgle "Shut your trap Bran or I will tell everyone your ass is looking for customers."

The hooded stranger tuned the conversation out and turned to his companion, red eyes met red eyes as he asked "When do the stores close again?" 'When is the meetup scheduled'

"Hour or so before sundown." The other responded offhandedly '1800 sharp'

The stranger sighed "Feh, I'd hoped to stock up on some potions for the road." 'Do you have the supplies?'

"Fear not friend" His companion responded jovially "I have a couple on hand." 'Yes.'

"Well then, we might as well get going, those wolves won't skin themselves." He took a final sip of his ale, left a tip on the table, and stood to leave.

As the duo of shady figures left the walls of Dawnstar and made sure that no one followed them on their 'hunt' the first removed the cowl hiding his grey face and spat on the ground "By the Webweaver if I have to listen to another bloody drunk propositioning the innkeep I will lose it... bloody n'wahs."

"Come now, Jackal they won't get at each other's throats without a bit of prodding." His companion patted his back lightly.

"Easy for you to say Fox, you don't have to listen to them blabber on for hours on end about their fucking god all the damn time." the so-called Jackal huffs "Oh Talos this, oh Talos that, it is almost as if they forget they have eight other gods to worship all of a sudden."

"What else do you expect of Nords?" Fox rolls his eyes.

Jackal gives him an incredulous look at this "You say that but you are the one that got close to that scary fucker Tolfdir before we entered our new lord's service."

Fox outright shivers "Fuck I still remember the look he gave me when I even thought about sneaking into the college. That fucker is as much a Nord as we are Ehlnofey."

"Ain't that a fact." Jackal hums in agreement.

As if choreographed, the duo made a turn, stumbled into each other, and suddenly disappeared behind a tree. One swift roll later they found themselves in a magically excavated chamber under the ground, a trio of their colleagues staring down at them while another sat nearby disinterestedly reading through reports.

Upon noticing the fourth person both of the new arrivals saluted.

Without even looking at them the seated Dunmer commanded "Fox, Jackal, Report."

It was Jackal who spoke first "Rumors are getting some traction in Dawnstar but the guards are coming down on them hard, they beat anyone they hear even whispering about it." "Good." Their superior comments.

"I am sorry sir, but how exactly is that good?" Jackal asks with some confusion, all he sees is his hard work getting undone.

The seated Dunmer finally looked up at the duo "If the guards beat anyone who speaks about it then they will obviously think there is at least something to the rumors, not everyone will understand the need for wartime discipline." Davos explains easily.

While I am unable to liberate our people with haste I shall not abandon those placed under my protection upon my birth as a noble of Resdayn, and so I urge you to aid my following proposal with all your ability so as to assure the continued survival and eventual prosperity of

our kin.

My agent who now stands before you has been given instruction by which to construct a stable portal between a secluded part of the Quarter and my own territory. I shall provide our people with food, clothing, weapons and all other supplies deemed necessary for their preservation

free of any charge or obligation.

It would ease my worries if you were to assure the people and lead them into quiet cooperation so that they may resist and eventually overthrow their oppressors. By the time this war is done the Dunmer shall have true say in the governance of their homes, so I swear

by my name.

In my capacity as:

Champion of Azura

The Webweaver's Left Hand

Royal Court Mage of Skyrim Lord Dagoth

Signed: Your friend Reyvin'

It took Rendar a moment to reboot his mind but the moment he did so his eyes snapped to the

agent standing before him. He considered the implications of the letter, what was held within could potentially damn the young Mer that sent it his way but somehow he doubted he would ever be permitted to do such a thing without losing his head, after he lost his sanity no doubt. But to think the young man would claim to be Lord Dagoth... Rendar knew many a story, such was his nature as an innkeeper but he never in his many years expected to meet someone from that house as reviled as that one. And to think they of all people would offer aid...

His thoughts suddenly came to a stop as he took a deep breath... before laughing out loud at

the simplicity of the problem before him.

"Does something confuse you, sera?" The agent asked politely.

"I have but one question." Rendar said seriously.

The agent nodded calmly, though she lightly palmed the knife in her hand outside of the

inkeep's perception "Ask your question sera."

A grin of enthusiasm not seen on the innkeeper's face for months preceded the simple

question "When do we begin?"

On this fine day, my parents gave to me

A totally insufficient stone quarry.

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