![\"\"](\"https:\/\/baakay.com\/FanFic\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/5-2-14-1.png\")
<\/p>\nDardeh stepped down from the Mournful Throne\u2019s niche and away from Markarth\u2019s Jarl, Thongvor Silver-Blood.\u00a0 He frowned, looking at Roggi, and leaned in toward his ear.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo he\u2019s offered me the chance to be a Thane.\u201d<\/p>\n
Roggi looked startled for a moment and then laughed. \u201cYou\u2019re going to end up ruling Skyrim in spite of yourself, love.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Dardeh growled. \u201cNo. Don\u2019t even joke about that, Roggi. But it feels weird. I mean this is \u2013 or at least it was<\/em> \u2013 my home.\u00a0 When I\u2019m here, I feel like just a miner.\u00a0 And here I am, being offered a title and talking to the Jarl about the High King.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOk,\u201d Roggi said, leading Dardeh down into the main keep.\u00a0 \u201cSpeaking of that, what did he say?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh he\u2019s with us as far as backing Ulfric at the Moot,\u201d Dardeh said, walking out past the intersection marking the court wizard Calcelmo\u2019s domain.\u00a0 On one side was the Dwemer Museum entrance; on the other was a passage leading to the excavation of Nchuand-Zel, the Dwemer city on which Markarth rested.\u00a0 \u201cHe says that Ulfric was a hero for saving the Reach from the Forsworn all that time ago.\u00a0 He\u2019s not going to be a problem.\u201d<\/p>\n Roggi glanced at him. \u201cBut\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah. I questioned him about the Forsworn, and he told me there are none in the city. Ulfric got rid of the Forsworn, he said. Anyone who says otherwise must be sick in the head.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s not what Frina told us,\u201d Roggi said, shaking his head. \u201cAnd that\u2019s not what the people at the inn said, either.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cRight. And I know better; the Forsworn are everywhere in the hills. There\u2019s something odd going on. I\u2019d wager it has something to do with the silver mines.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell, his family is rather fond of making money, so I would be surprised if he wasn\u2019t trying to put the best light on things, and putting pressure on the mines on the side. But at least he\u2019s with us. And then there\u2019s Dengeir.\u201d<\/p>\n They\u2019d stopped in to see the Jarl of Falkreath before heading west.\u00a0 Dardeh had no real doubts that Dengeir would support Ulfric even though he\u2019d made no secret of the fact that he didn\u2019t necessarily trust the man\u2019s motives. The Jarl hadn\u2019t even looked up when they\u2019d alerted him that the Moot would likely be happening soon.\u00a0 But when Dardeh told him about Lord Edwyn Wickham, he had risen to his feet and stared at them intently.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll be certain to be there. And I\u2019ll bring my stoutest guards along. It would be bad enough to see Elisif on the throne but I\u2019ll die fighting before some mage takes it.\u00a0 The only thing worse would be a Thalmor.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m sure you won\u2019t need to do any fighting, Jarl Dengeir,\u201d Dardeh had told him.\u00a0 He was sure of no such thing. Judging by the frown on Roggi\u2019s face, neither was he. \u201cBut trust me, we all agree with you about the Thalmor.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIncluding Ulfric,\u201d Roggi said.<\/p>\n \u201cIncluding Ulfric,\u201d Dardeh agreed, nodding, and smiling, but internally wincing that once again they\u2019d had to talk about him.\u00a0 What was it Roggi said? It\u2019s always, always Ulfric.<\/em><\/p>\n That was the frame of mind Dardeh had been in, leaving Mammoth Manor to make their way to Markarth.\u00a0 He\u2019d been uneasy. \u00a0He would have thought that visiting his hometown again might have made him less uneasy.\u00a0 It hadn\u2019t.<\/p>\n Dardeh squinted up into the bright sun as they exited Understone Keep.\u00a0 \u201cYes. At least he\u2019s with us. So we know we have Whiterun, Falkreath, Markarth\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201c\u2026 and Riften,\u201d Roggi added.<\/p>\n \u201cYeah. What\u2019s next?\u201d<\/p>\n Roggi stroked his beard. \u201cWell I would assume we should steer clear of Solitude, for obvious reasons. Let\u2019s hit Morthal.\u201d<\/p>\n ___<\/p>\n Brynjolf smiled as he approached the jetty.\u00a0 Agryn Gernic and Vyctyna Tardif were waiting for him, as they had arranged.<\/p>\n \u201cThanks for meeting me. Are you ready?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes,\u201d Agryn said. \u201cJust tell us where we\u2019re headed once we reach the island.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, I really would hate it if Edwyn spotted us first,\u201d Vyctyna said.<\/p>\n Brynjolf nodded. \u201cJust keep low.\u00a0 The entrance is on the north side of the island, so we\u2019ll head around to the west as soon as we hit land.\u00a0 I can\u2019t imagine that anyone would be expecting us to show up, but just in case, let\u2019s be safe.\u201d<\/p>\n He transformed into his winged form, followed by the others.\u00a0 They hovered just above the water\u2019s surface, gliding slowly across the expanse between the mainland and the island. It was slower than Brynjolf would have liked \u2013 slower than rowing, certainly, and much slower than actively flying using their great wings \u2013 but it was also silent. He didn\u2019t want to risk the sound of an errant oar splashing or the regular, thumping whoosh <\/em>three pairs of wings would make. All it would take would be one out-of-place noise to alert another vampire\u2019s keen ears to their presence.<\/p>\n Once they reached Volkihar Island they resumed their human forms and gathered just beneath the stone walkway to the castle.\u00a0 Brynjolf pointed to their left and led them quietly around the shore toward the west and then north, keeping as low as possible. When they reached the old dock, he turned to speak to them.<\/p>\n \u201cAlright. So far, so good. We\u2019re going to go up these stairs into the oldest part of the castle. I don\u2019t know how well it\u2019s been kept up, so there\u2019s a possibility we may run across skeletons or death hounds. Nothing we can\u2019t deal with easily enough.\u201d<\/p>\n Agryn looked around. \u201cInteresting. As I told you before, we\u2019ve never spent much time at the castle. I didn\u2019t know this was here.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt doesn\u2019t look very abandoned to me,\u201d Vyctyna said.<\/p>\n Brynjolf nodded. \u201cYeah. We spent a good amount of time restoring the place, after we took care of Harkon.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou and Andante?\u201d Vyctyna blurted out her question and then clapped her hand over her mouth, her eyes going wide.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m sorry.\u201d she said between her fingers. \u201cI didn\u2019t mean to bring up bad memories.\u201d<\/p>\n Brynjolf couldn\u2019t help but chuckle at her. \u201cIt\u2019s fine. It was a good period of time for me in many ways. Much better than what followed. I\u2019m glad to see it\u2019s still in good shape.\u201d\u00a0 He walked up the steps and pushed the door open. \u201cAlright, let\u2019s go.\u201d<\/p>\n They made their way in to traverse the familiar upward spiral of passages toward the courtyard. The drawbridges in the cistern level had been raised again. It was probably a good idea for security reasons, Brynjolf thought, but annoying nonetheless because it meant that they needed to go the long way around, and because the chambers that he and Andante had once cleared of hazards had accumulated a few more frostbite spiders and death hounds.\u00a0 The battles were short, but noisy; and he worried about being detected. Before long, Brynjolf was gathering the shadows around himself and cautiously poking his head up past the moon dial to see whether the courtyard was safe for them to enter.<\/p>\n It was empty of other people, though not of plants; and he turned to wave the others up the steps after him. He looked around and smiled.<\/p>\n Serana and Valerica have spent time here, I see.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cOh!\u201d he heard behind him as Vyctyna climbed up into the courtyard. \u201cIt\u2019s really pretty out here.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAye,\u201d Brynjolf said. \u201cIt was a sorry mess when I first saw it. It\u2019s good that it\u2019s being used again.\u201d\u00a0 He turned to face Agryn as he joined them. \u201cI\u2019m going to take you into the north tower.\u00a0 It\u2019s where \u2026\u201d He paused to heave a great sigh.\u00a0 So many things we\u2019d planned to do that never happened.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cWhere what?\u201d Agryn asked.<\/p>\n \u201cWe were going to live. If we\u2019d stayed here. I doubt very much anyone else has moved in, if you two don\u2019t know about it.\u201d<\/p>\n Agryn shook his head. \u201cNo. As far as I\u2019m aware Edwyn has been focused entirely on the College and Solitude. The only times he\u2019s come here things went\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSideways,\u201d Vyctyna finished. \u201cReal sideways.\u201d<\/p>\n Brynjolf nodded as he led them to the door. \u201cThat\u2019s what I understood from Serana. Poor Vingalmo. He wasn\u2019t my favorite person but he surely didn\u2019t need to die like that.\u201d<\/p>\n The three of them made their way inside and down the steps into the main living area.\u00a0 They got a fire started for a bit of light.<\/p>\n Agryn spoke up first. \u201cAlright, here we are. Now what?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNow,\u201d Brynjolf told him, \u201cI am going to go find Serana and bring her back here so that we can decide together what we ought to do next.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWon\u2019t they recognize you the second you step into the main castle?\u201d Agryn asked him.<\/p>\n Brynjolf reached into his pack and pulled an item out of it. \u201cProbably. That\u2019s why I brought this. Nobody will know who it is if they catch a glimpse.\u201d\u00a0 He lifted his hands up toward his face and, when he dropped them, was wearing a facemask that matched his armor and completely obscured his features.\u00a0 \u201cWith my hood on they won\u2019t see my hair, either.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s good,\u201d Vyctyna. \u201cA man in a mask.\u201d<\/p>\n Behind the mask, Brynjolf grinned. Exactly. I may be old but never let it be said I didn\u2019t learn something here and there along the way. <\/em>He nodded at Vyctyna. \u201cAye. I\u2019ll be very careful as I enter the court, as well. Honestly, I probably won\u2019t really need it.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019ll need it if Edwyn has gotten here before us,\u201d she said grimly.<\/p>\n \u201cAbout the last thing you want is for him to find out you\u2019re a vampire again, Brynjolf,\u201d Agryn added.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m not convinced the others wouldn\u2019t be eager to tell him about it. Wear the mask. And good luck.\u201d<\/p>\n Brynjolf nodded. \u201cI\u2019ll be back as soon as I can.\u201d<\/p>\n He left them and slipped back outside, making his way across the courtyard to the entrance of the main keep.\u00a0 Walking up the steep stairs into the castle proper was bittersweet. It was impossible not to be reminded of working on this elegant old building with Andante and the others. It was impossible not to feel apprehensive about what might happen if, in fact, the rest of the Volkihar did not accept his presence as well as Serana had. And it was impossible not to feel guilty for having once more become a being that could<\/em> safely walk the halls of the castle.<\/p>\n I wonder if she\u2019ll ever forgive me.<\/em><\/p>\n I suppose it won\u2019t matter if Edwyn takes over. He\u2019ll never accept me as a member of the Volkihar. He\u2019ll just try to erase me.<\/em><\/p>\n It was quiet inside the castle; not that it was ever especially noisy, but often enough there were arguments \u2013 good-natured and otherwise \u2013 going on in the main hall. Not this night. He rolled his eyes behind his mask.\u00a0 After the lengths to which he\u2019d gone in order to smuggle Agryn and Vyctyna into the castle, it seemed as though they might just as have walked in the front door.\u00a0 He turned right at the top of the stairs and made his way past the entrance to the cathedral; and he couldn\u2019t help but glance at the heavy doors, remembering both the fantastic battle that had gone on inside and the sense of pride they\u2019d had once the place had been cleaned up and polished once more.<\/p>\n There usually was at least one person roaming these upper balconies.\u00a0 He didn\u2019t see anyone at first glance, but then the sound of quiet breathing on the balcony to his left caught his attention. Two chairs overlooked the main hall; and in one of them, munching on something that looked bloody and smelled divine to him, sat Serana. He crept closer, staying low after spotting Orthjolf in the hall below.<\/p>\n \u201cYou realize I would recognize the sound of your breathing anywhere, don\u2019t you?\u201d Serana said quietly without turning around.<\/p>\n Brynjolf chuckled, the barest of sounds escaping his lips. \u201cIt seems I\u2019m out of practice.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t forget that I\u2019ve been listening a lot longer than you have.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve brought some people you need to meet. Come with me so we can talk freely.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAlright.\u201d Serana\u2019s voice was barely audible.\u00a0 She stood and turned to face him. One eyebrow rose at the sight of him in his mask, and one corner of her mouth rose as well. \u201cLeaving nothing to chance, I see.\u00a0 Well done.\u00a0 Let\u2019s go.\u201d<\/p>\n Brynjolf grinned beneath his mask and led the way back to the north tower.\u00a0 Only when they were safely inside did he remove his mask and turn to face her.<\/p>\n \u201cSo I see everything went well,\u201d Serana said.<\/p>\n \u201cExcept for my wife kicking me out of the house, yes. The poor thing tried hard. She won\u2019t betray me, but she\u2019s a Redguard.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAh,\u201d Serana said, nodding. \u201cThe Redguard and their feelings toward the undead. I\u2019m sorry, Brynjolf.\u00a0 Or should I be calling you Lord <\/em>Brynjolf?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo, lass. I told you before. Andante left the castle to you.\u201d\u00a0 He rubbed his chin for a moment and then grinned. \u201cOn the other hand, if it would help convince the others to help us\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n Serana chuckled. \u201cWell, as it happens\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re back!\u201d Vyctyna chirped from her spot in front of the fireplace. \u201cTook you long enough, Bryn.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cCome over here and I\u2019ll introduce you properly,\u201d Brynjolf told Serana. To his surprise, though, Serana looked more uncomfortable by the moment as he ran through the introductions.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat is this, Brynjolf? You brought me here to turn me over to Edwyn\u2019s two closest lackeys?\u201d she said, standing in a defiant pose with her eyes flashing.<\/p>\n \u201cHardly, lass. I\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re not his lackeys anymore, Lady Serana,\u201d Vyctyna interrupted. \u201cNot since that pervert tried to\u2026 well, let\u2019s just say that it\u2019s likely a good thing his wife<\/em> wasn\u2019t at home.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHe crossed the line. The one and only boundary I have ever set for him. And I have had several hundred years of working my fingers to the bone for the man only to be completely taken for granted. I\u2019ve had enough,\u201d Agryn said dryly. \u201cSo we are more than happy to assist you and Brynjolf in ridding the world of him; assuming that is what you\u2019d actually like to happen, Lady Serana.\u201d<\/p>\n Serana looked both of them over and then turned back to Brynjolf. \u201cI see I\u2019m not the only one he\u2019s managed to alienate recently. And what is all this \u2018Lady Serana\u2019 business?\u201d<\/p>\n Brynjolf couldn\u2019t help but smile. \u201cI told you before, Serana. I\u2019m not in this for the castle, or to take the lead in this clan. I could, <\/em>I suppose, if there was a need for it, but there\u2019s no need. Andante and I were very close but you\u2019re his named heir. What I want is to make Skyrim safe from Edwyn. I have plenty of fires to be tending in Riften already.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, like those three big ones out at the bee farm,\u201d Vyctyna said with a giggle.<\/p>\n \u201cLass.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSorry, boss.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cLass<\/em>.\u201d\u00a0 Brynjolf snorted, laughing in spite of himself. \u201cBe serious. I\u2019m nobody\u2019s boss. Second-in-command at most. Unless Serana\u2019s mother intends to rule the clan, Serana is its rightful leader.\u201d\u00a0 He shook his head. \u201cNow then, Serana. What is the status of things here? If I step out into that hall, is Orthjolf going to come at me? Or any of the others?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat is the question,\u201d Agryn said. \u201cI never got much of a chance to talk to any of them. Edwyn has a way of dominating the room.\u201d<\/p>\n Serana sighed. \u201cYes, he does. And he has to be put out of our collective misery, as soon as possible.\u00a0 But no, I don\u2019t think any of them would attack you, Bryn.\u00a0 They respect you and Andante for defeating my father and for restoring the castle. And they are absolutely mortified<\/em> by what Edwyn did to Vingalmo.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWith good reason,\u201d Brynjolf said.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, if all of us gang up on him, it probably won\u2019t even matter how good a mage he is,\u201d Vyctyna said.<\/p>\n She has such a way of putting things. She\u2019s likely right. And if the two of them, Serana, Orthjolf and Feran Sadri, even Fura Bloodmouth are all aligned against him\u2026<\/em><\/p>\n He sighed heavily.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat is it?\u201d Agryn asked.<\/p>\n What is it, he asks. He\u2019s not married to a mortal woman who has a deep-seated fear of vampires. <\/em><\/p>\n What have I done?<\/em><\/p>\n He shook his head. \u201cNothing, really. I\u2019m wondering about Garan Marethi. What do you think about him, Serana?\u201d<\/p>\n Serana smirked. \u201cHe is above the petty squabbles here.\u201d\u00a0 She chuckled. \u201cI don\u2019t know, Brynjolf, but I\u2019m fairly certain he will not stand in our way even if he doesn\u2019t join us in fighting Edwyn.\u201d<\/p>\n Brynjolf nodded. \u201cThat\u2019s good. I wouldn\u2019t want to cross him.\u00a0 What about Valerica?\u201d<\/p>\n Serana looked sad for a moment. \u201cShe keeps to herself, mostly up in her tower. She really hasn\u2019t been the same since Father\u2026 died, in spite of their estrangement. I suspect if I asked her to help us she would, but only reluctantly.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHmph,\u201d Vyctyna snorted. \u201cWith as much firepower as we have just in this room we can take Edwyn. I\u2019m pretty sure of it. Add those other two or three? No question of it.\u201d<\/p>\n Brynjolf nodded. \u201cSo will you take us back in there to talk to the others, Serana?\u201d<\/p>\n She nodded. \u201cYes.\u201d She started back toward the door and then turned back to look at Brynjolf.\u00a0 \u201cI can almost smell the question burning in your mind.\u00a0 No, I won\u2019t have a problem with this.\u00a0 He utterly betrayed me.\u00a0 And he betrayed Elisif of Solitude as well.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnd me,\u201d Agryn agreed in a low growl.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd definitely me,\u201d Vyctyna added. \u201cBesides. He\u2019s out of his mind. I don\u2019t know what happened to do it but he\u2019s plain crazy and we can\u2019t have someone that powerful who is also crazy running things.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat about you, Brynjolf?\u201d Serana asked quietly.<\/p>\n The lass is perceptive. She knows.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cI agree with all of you about him.\u00a0 No question. He needs to die so that the world can get back on track again.\u00a0 It\u2019s just that\u2026\u201d\u00a0 He hesitated for a moment, and then decided that his own misgivings couldn\u2019t make the bizarre situation they found themselves in any worse. \u201cI feel as though maybe I really didn\u2019t need to do this.\u201d\u00a0 He waved at his own face.<\/p>\n \u201cOh,\u201d Agryn said.\u00a0 \u201cIt hadn\u2019t even occurred to me that you wouldn\u2019t want<\/em> this. Forgive me, but you\u2019re one of the strongest vampires I\u2019ve ever met.\u00a0 And I\u2019ve met Harkon.\u201d<\/p>\n Brynjolf smiled sadly.\u00a0 \u201cYes. I was born into a great deal of power and worked hard at getting the rest of it.\u00a0 It\u2019s just that I also have children. And a wife who I love very much.\u00a0 I can\u2019t help but wonder if I\u2019ve just managed to split myself off from them for no real reason.\u201d<\/p>\n Serana shook her head. \u201cNot for no reason, Brynjolf. Don\u2019t be fooled. That man is extremely dangerous. Especially if he\u2019s not quite in control of his own mind.\u201d\u00a0 She waved them toward the door.\u00a0 \u201cLet\u2019s go.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAlright,\u201d he said, nodding.\u00a0 As they all made their way back into the courtyard he couldn\u2019t help but hope that Serana was right.<\/p>\n ___<\/p>\n \u201cWell he was certainly in a hurry to leave, wasn\u2019t he?\u201d Roggi observed after they disembarked from the carriage. \u201cYou\u2019d think the vampires were on his tail, not yours.\u201d<\/p>\n Dardeh smirked. \u201cMaybe they are, who knows? I\u2019ve heard the stories about the one who used to live in a cave out this way.\u00a0 He was taken care of a long time ago, to hear it told. But that doesn\u2019t mean someone else hasn\u2019t taken over the place.\u201d<\/p>\n Roggi shook his head. \u201cYeah, maybe.\u00a0 But this area is just loaded with interesting plants, Dar. In fact, I ought to pick a few of them while we\u2019re here. We could plant them outside the house and I wouldn\u2019t have to travel to find ingredients! \u00a0At least not the ones you have to grow.\u00a0 Giant\u2019s toes will always be a rare find.\u201d<\/p>\n Dardeh laughed. \u201cIf you want.\u00a0 If you can keep the cuttings going long enough for us to get them home, why not?\u201d<\/p>\n He looked around the settlement that passed for a hold capital.\u00a0 He\u2019d never been especially impressed by Morthal and time had done nothing to improve the place, as far as he could see.\u00a0 There simply wasn\u2019t much there aside from the alchemist\u2019s shop and a small lumber mill.\u00a0 It had no port, at least not one that could accommodate ships that drew any depth to speak of.\u00a0 But it was, after all, one of Skyrim\u2019s holds with a Jarl who would vote at the Moot. The banners fluttering outside one of the wooden buildings identified it as Highmoon Hall, the Jarl\u2019s residence. While he was familiar with all the other new jarls, he wasn\u2019t sure about this one\u2019s leanings.<\/p>\n He heard Roggi make a noise behind him, and turned to look.\u00a0 \u201cWhat is it?\u201d<\/p>\n Roggi pointed to Dardeh\u2019s belt. \u201cAre you ever going to take that thing off? It\u2019s really creepy, you know.\u201d<\/p>\n For a moment Dardeh wasn\u2019t sure what his husband was referring to.\u00a0 He wore two items on his belt, both related to his time on Solstheim.\u00a0 One was one of the black books he\u2019d acquired while trying to get to Miraak and the other, of course, was Miraak\u2019s mask, carefully arranged with a harness of leather strips.\u00a0 He turned back toward the longhouse and grimaced.\u00a0 He\u2019d never told Roggi that he couldn\u2019t seem to remove the black book from his belt no matter what he did. He could take off his armor, of course; but the book had remained firmly affixed to it since the moment he\u2019d slung it there to make carrying it a bit easier.<\/p>\n Hermaeus Mora really does have his tentacles in me, whether I like it or not.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cI assume you mean Miraak?\u201d he said, not wanting to pursue this line of thought farther if he could avoid it.<\/p>\n \u201cYeah. Why keep that around, Dar? It\u2019s just\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n Dardeh turned to Roggi again and smiled. \u201cI wear it to remind myself, Roggi.\u00a0 To remind myself that it\u2019s easy to be warped by so much power.\u201d\u00a0 He placed his right hand on Roggi\u2019s shoulder, and his voice grew soft. \u201cAnd to remind myself that there was a very important reason to get back to Skyrim, even when I had almost lost my way.\u201d<\/p>\n Roggi stared into his eyes for a long moment and then nodded, seemingly satisfied. \u201cI get it. But you still could get rid of the mask. I\u2019ll always be here to remind you why you came home.\u201d\u00a0 He grinned.<\/p>\n And that\u2019s exactly why I won\u2019t take it off. Call me superstitious. I want to make sure you\u2019re always here.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cI know. But I wear it so that I can\u2019t possibly forget.\u201d Because when Miraak died, I absorbed his soul, and the energy of all those dragons he had killed. No one person should be this powerful and yet I am. I wear this mask so that I never forget what can happen to a person who rises too high. And so that I remember how easy it would be for Hermaeus Mora to take control.<\/em><\/p>\n He pushed open the door to the longhouse and looked toward the throne. There, at the opposite end of the great hall, sat a woman.\u00a0 She was in common clothes, not the sort of finery he was used to seeing on Jarls. To the left of her throne stood a well-muscled and frankly intimidating Argonian male.\u00a0 Both of them glanced at Dardeh but appeared to take no particular notice of him.<\/p>\n Dardeh veered left into what had once been the Imperial Legate\u2019s war room and greeted the man in Stormcloak officer\u2019s armor standing there. He smiled to himself looking at the map of Skyrim covered with blue flags, where once he had seen more red than anything else.<\/p>\n \u201cCommander?\u201d<\/p>\n The man, a Nord with a long, sharp, thin nose, turned to face him and smiled.<\/p>\n \u201cArrald. Arrald Frozen-Heart. And I know who you are, Dragonborn. It\u2019s an honor to meet you in person.\u00a0 What brings you to my city?\u201d<\/p>\n Dardeh grinned at him. \u201cI\u2019m doing a few small errands for Ulfric Stormcloak, who is busy getting ready for the Moot.\u00a0 And, uh, I wanted to ask\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat is it?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe new Jarl?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes. Sorli, the Builder. She and her husband Pactur are from Stonehills. Used to run the mine there.\u201d<\/p>\n Dardeh nodded. \u201cYes, I had heard of them. I hate to ask this but\u2026 is she trustworthy?\u201d<\/p>\n Arrald furrowed his brow and was silent for a moment, clearly weighing what he might reasonably say about the new jarl. After a pause he nodded, then spoke.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, sir, I\u2019m sure she isn\u2019t a Talos worshipper, and,\u201d and with this he leaned a bit closer to Dardeh and lowered his voice, \u201cI\u2019m not convinced of her motives. I\u2019ve heard some of the townspeople say she\u2019s only in it for herself. She used to work for one of the Thanes in Solitude, after all. I think she\u2019s a bit of a climber, if you know what I mean.\u201d<\/p>\n Dardeh frowned. \u201cYes, I do.\u201d<\/p>\n Arrald nodded again. \u201cStill, sir, I\u2019m certain she\u2019s not an Imperial sympathizer the way Idgrod was. That makes her better than what we had before and, truthfully\u2026.\u201d He shrugged. \u201cWell, look around. There\u2019s not that much to defend, here. We\u2019re up to the task, the men and I.\u201d<\/p>\n Dardeh smiled again. \u201cThank you, Arrald. And it\u2019s not \u2018sir.\u2019\u00a0 Just Dardeh. I guess I was<\/em> one of Ulfric\u2019s officers, but if not for this big mouth of mine I wouldn\u2019t even rank as high as my husband.\u201d<\/p>\n To Dardeh\u2019s great surprise, Arrald looked past his shoulders and grinned.<\/p>\n \u201cHi, Roggi. Or should I call you Inquisitor, sir? It\u2019s been a long time.\u201d<\/p>\n Dardeh heard Roggi chuckle behind him. \u201cYes, it has been. And just call me Roggi. We\u2019re not on active duty anymore. Not officially, anyway.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, sir,\u201d Arrald said, laughing.<\/p>\n \u201cThanks for the info, Commander,\u201d Dardeh said. \u201cNow I need to speak with the Jarl. Things are afoot.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGood luck,\u201d Arrald told them as they returned to the great hall.<\/p>\n Dardeh stepped up to the base of the throne and cleared his throat, taking a good look at the new Jarl. He couldn\u2019t tell how old she was. Not at all. For while her steely gray hair might have made her older than Ulfric, her face was even more youthful than his own.<\/p>\n \u201cGreetings, Jarl Sorli. My name is Dardeh at-Dadarh and I am here on behalf of Jarl Ulfric of Windhelm.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAre you, indeed?\u201d she said coolly. \u201cI hope it\u2019s more good news.\u00a0 I\u2019m quite indebted to Jarl Ulfric for my current position. Finally, my leadership is being recognized. Hjaalmarch isn\u2019t much, but it\u2019s a good start. I\u2019ll make a name for myself here, then maybe work my way up to someplace like Riften.\u201d<\/p>\n Indeed. Riften already has a Jarl. I think Ulfric is going to need to watch this one. I don\u2019t trust her.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cWell,\u201d he said carefully, \u201cI think it\u2019s good news. The Moot is going to be called, very soon, and we\u2019re here to be certain Ulfric will have your support when it is time to choose the new High King.\u00a0 A vote which, I\u2019m sure you\u2019ll agree, is very much overdue.\u201d<\/p>\n Sorli looked at him with that same sort of condescending air he\u2019d learned to expect from people who were going to be trouble. She looked him up and down, turned to grin at her Argonian housecarl, and then back at Dardeh.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, as Teeba-Ei can attest, I\u2019ve not completely made up my mind on the issue of who is best to elevate to High King \u2013 or Queen.\u00a0 Jarl Elisif might actually make a refreshing change of pace.\u201d<\/p>\n Dardeh felt the embers of his internal fires begin to heat up.<\/p>\n \u201cThe problem, of course, is that she is very inexperienced in matters of rule, having only been on her husband\u2019s throne for a short time compared with the Jarl of Windhelm.\u201d<\/p>\n Sorli laughed. \u201cOh don\u2019t hand me that line. My predecessor on this throne held her position much longer than Ulfric has, and you can\u2019t tell me she would have made a good High Queen. Length of service hardly equals good leadership.\u201d<\/p>\n Dardeh ground his teeth.\u00a0 How is it that we have taken an instant disliking to each other?<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cAnd yet, as you say, you are indebted to Jarl Ulfric.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIn a sense. That doesn\u2019t mean I like him.\u201d<\/p>\n In spite of feeling Roggi\u2019s calming and reassuring presence somewhere just behind him and to the right, Dardeh wasn\u2019t able to contain his temper.\u00a0 He took a deep breath and spoke again, purposefully inserting just enough power into his voice that he knew it would make an impression.<\/p>\n \u201cEnough!\u201d he said, watching the Jarl\u2019s eyes go wide. The Argonian Teeba-Ei took a step closer toward her. \u201cIt has been long enough that you Jarls have delayed, and fought, and quibbled over details. I am the Dragonborn, and I say that you will have the Moot<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDar,\u201d Roggi murmured behind him. \u201cEasy.\u201d<\/p>\n Dardeh shook his head but didn\u2019t break his lock on Sorli\u2019s wide-eyed stare.<\/p>\n \u201cYou need to have the Moot now or I will personally find out how to light the Dragon Fires and assume the position myself instead of waiting for you people any longer. And you wouldn\u2019t like that. I\u2019m not a politician and I\u2019m not a ruler, but by the gods I\u2019ll do it if I have to so that we can prepare our province for the next Thalmor attack.\u00a0 It will be so much better for all of you if you just have the Moot and name Ulfric High King.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n His voice had vibrated with more and more power as he spoke until, by the end, small items on tables nearby rattled lightly.<\/p>\n Roggi tapped him on the shoulder. \u201cDardeh, I think you are tired and owe the Jarl an apology.\u201d<\/p>\n Dardeh closed his eyes, and breathed deeply.<\/p>\n Yes. Yes, I do. And do you see it, Roggi? This is why I have to keep this mask with me. Sometimes it\u2019s the only thing between me and exploding, and people get hurt when I explode.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n He opened his eyes and smiled at Sorli.\u00a0 She was pressed back in her throne, looking taken aback.<\/p>\n \u201cYes. I am sorry, Jarl Sorli. I can only think of one person who might be less a match for the position of High King than I would be, and that\u2019s the man who married Jarl Elisif.\u00a0 Just having him that near the throne would be a disaster.\u00a0 That\u2019s why I want you all to support Ulfric.\u00a0 It would be very dangerous for all of us, otherwise; and Skyrim has already suffered enough damage pushing the Empire out.\u00a0 I do hope you\u2019ll forgive my lapse of manners.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cJust\u2026 let me know when the Moot will be held,\u201d Sorli said quietly.<\/p>\n Dardeh nodded to her, then turned and headed for the door.\u00a0 He heard Roggi\u2019s voice murmuring quietly for a moment, and then heard him running to catch up.\u00a0 He slammed the door open and stomped his way outside.<\/p>\n Winterhold is next, and then back to Ulfric.\u00a0 Always, always Ulfric. <\/em><\/p>\n Dardeh stepped down from the Mournful Throne\u2019s niche and away from Markarth\u2019s Jarl, Thongvor Silver-Blood.\u00a0 He frowned, looking at Roggi, and leaned in toward his ear. \u201cSo he\u2019s offered me the chance to be a Thane.\u201d Roggi looked startled for a moment and then laughed. \u201cYou\u2019re going to end up ruling Skyrim in spite of … <\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/baakay.com\/FanFic\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/5-2-14-2.png\")
<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/baakay.com\/FanFic\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/5-2-14-3.png\")
<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/baakay.com\/FanFic\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/5-2-14-4.png\")
<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/baakay.com\/FanFic\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/5-2-14-5.png\")
<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/baakay.com\/FanFic\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/5-2-14-6.png\")
<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/baakay.com\/FanFic\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/5-2-14-7.png\")
<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/baakay.com\/FanFic\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/5-2-14-8.png\")
<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/baakay.com\/FanFic\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/5-2-14-9.png\")
<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/baakay.com\/FanFic\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/5-2-14-10.png\")
<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/baakay.com\/FanFic\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/5-2-14-11.png\")
<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/baakay.com\/FanFic\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/5-2-14-12.png\")
<\/p>\nPart II: Resolution<\/a><\/div>\nPrevious<\/a> \/ Next<\/a><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"