{"id":2137,"date":"2022-12-27T13:01:55","date_gmt":"2022-12-27T20:01:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/baakay.com\/Snow\/?page_id=2137"},"modified":"2023-01-21T23:33:35","modified_gmt":"2023-01-22T06:33:35","slug":"chapter-15","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/baakay.com\/Snow\/volume-ii\/part-ii-above-and-beyond\/chapter-15\/","title":{"rendered":"Chapter 15"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\"\"<\/p>\n

A number of small garden plots surrounded the Sovrena\u2019s tower. Most of them housed a variety of fungi and glowing plants that could thrive in low light. One fenced-off square, though, was filled with above-ground plants like dragon\u2019s tongue, tundra cotton, juniper and snowberry and was lighted by spheres emitting the orange-yellow glow of artificial sunlight. It acted like sunlight too, Dale decided as he approached the open fence gate and felt the spheres\u2019 intense heat. The human slaves tending this garden probably enjoyed being near the small suns, but he was just as glad the fence kept him at a safe distance. Talia\u2019s Arcanum \u2013 the magic and alchemy shop \u2013 was just beside the garden and across from the Tower, well-placed for both the gathering of ingredients and, he assumed, the steady traffic of magic- and potion-using Nobles passing by on their way to deal with governance.<\/p>\n

He took a deep breath before pushing the heavy Tower doors open. Here\u2019s hoping I can be suitably charming. I\u2019ve done well enough in that regard in the past, but I have no idea what to expect inside.<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Just inside the doors he stopped, confused. The foyer was so like the mortal-guest alcove in the Chalice and Lancet that he wondered for a moment whether he\u2019d just imagined his stroll out of the inn and down the road. A pair of chairs flanked a small table holding a goblet and some drink bottles; a blue curtain hung to his left. He turned around to verify that the entry doors were still behind him and then shook his head, annoyed that he\u2019d doubted himself. Possibly the curtain here served a similar purpose to the one in the inn. Or maybe it was there to enhance the mystery of the Tower.<\/p>\n

Or to keep out drafts. I can\u2019t rule out the completely banal.<\/em><\/p>\n

Color me intrigued. Let\u2019s see what is beyond. I\u2019m sure I\u2019ll be amused, at the very least.<\/em><\/p>\n

He parted the curtain and stepped through. Immediately to his left was a barred door that he decided to leave strictly alone. To his right was the audience chamber, so identified by the richly-upholstered throne atop a dais, flanked by two banners. The area nearest Dale had several more nicely-upholstered chairs and a lectern. There was nobody present right then but he could envision a petitioner standing at the lectern with a speech or proposal propped up on it, while the Sovrena listened, seated above her subjects.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Undoubtedly surrounded by guards. I can\u2019t imagine a space this small and this open would be safe for a ruler unless they were surrounded by guards. Even the tiniest of the holds aboveground have housecarls at hand when the Jarl is in court.<\/em><\/p>\n

He opened the next door to his left and found himself on a balcony with a stunning view of Coldhaven. He blinked in confusion.<\/p>\n

I was on the ground floor and now I\u2019m near the roof of the cavern? How\u2026?<\/em><\/p>\n

From here he almost had to squint down to see the mansions on the Nobles\u2019 plateau. It was so high up, in fact, that there was a spyglass set up at one end of the balcony. Dale frowned.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

It\u2019s pointing up right now, as if someone was observing the phosphorescent rocks in the cavern\u2019s roof. But what I see is a tool for watching the movements of citizens below. <\/em><\/p>\n

Interesting. Another little piece of information to keep in mind.<\/em><\/p>\n

Deep in thought and still a bit unsettled, he re-entered the tower. A guard had moved into the audience room and stood across from the main entrance, before another blue curtain.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat is it?\u201d she asked him as he approached.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m hoping to speak with the Sovrena. Is she in?\u201d<\/p>\n

To his complete surprise, the guard nodded. \u201cThrough the curtain, take a left.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you,\u201d he said, smiling at her before proceeding. This part of the circular corridor held a well-stocked alchemy station. Another substantial guard stood against the wall, keeping an eye on the cabinets full of expensive items.<\/p>\n

Apparently the Sovrena doesn\u2019t like to spend her coin in the alchemy shop right next door. How amusing.<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

There was a third person here. A vampire in black hooded robes sat at another small table, just beyond the guard. Dale approached and inclined his head.<\/p>\n

\u201cOndale Perdeti. And you are\u2026?\u201d He could only hope that the man wasn\u2019t offended by his uninvited introduction. As it happened, the vampire merely sniffed in obvious disdain.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m Nasaris, Sovrena Tamara\u2019s personal assistant, scribe, advisor, and lead scholar for Coldhaven. Her will is my command.\u201d<\/p>\n

Dale nodded, smiling outside while smirking inside. Another who relishes his titles, I see.<\/em> \u201cThis is my first time in Coldhaven, and I\u2019m very impressed. I just stepped out onto the balcony and, well, let\u2019s just say that the view is spectacular.\u201d<\/p>\n

Nasaris gave him a small but knowing smile. \u201cThe Tower of the Sovrena was the first building constructed in Coldhaven. Its stones are inscribed with powerful runes and spells of protection.\u201d<\/p>\n

Dale snorted \u2013 at least in his mind. No they aren\u2019t. I\u2019m not an expert mage but I can at least sense a spell a league away. This is a tower. Any inscriptions on it are simply markings in rock. What it has is a collection of stout guards and experienced magicians.<\/em><\/p>\n

Unless –\u00a0 <\/em><\/p>\n

I have no explanation for how I ended up so far above the city from here. Maybe?<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cWe stand in the center of power in the city,\u201d Nasaris continued, \u201cand we are watched over by Molag Bal himself.\u201d<\/p>\n

Or at least a great many shrines to him, of various sizes.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cIf you have any needs, you should approach me first; if I deem your request worthy I may bring it to the Sovrena. Or I may not.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ah, yes. A grandiose minor functionary. The Jarl\u2019s court magician, so to speak. Entirely convinced of his own importance and unaware of anyone else\u2019s. Well, I can certainly manage to deal with this one. I\u2019m sure he has his uses.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cI thank you, in that case,\u201d Dale said to him, inclining his head again. \u201cI won\u2019t take up any more of your valuable time.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, yes. Run along. I have important matters to attend to.\u201d<\/p>\n

Nasaris was far too smug for his own good. Dale therefore made a point of lingering in the corridor, examining all of the supplies, flipping open book covers and scanning title pages, and making impressed noises, all before walking toward the door the guard had indicated. Nasaris rose from his chair, tsk\u2019d in disgust and walked away.<\/p>\n

Dale grinned at the mage\u2019s retreating back. Not quite as important as all that, are you then?<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

The Sovrena\u2019s chamber was an absolute cacophony of clashing colors, patterns, and textures. Dale wasn\u2019t sure whether to be impressed or queasy. It certainly reflected wealth, with teal and green blocks at the ceiling and ornate red-and-beige carpets of fine make covering the floor. Dwarven metal busts flanked the door, and a full set of dwarven armor posed nearby as though it held a live person. They were intimidating, to be certain, but he wasn\u2019t sure what purpose they served. In the center of the room was a long table covered in books, goblets, and a map he didn\u2019t recognize.<\/p>\n

Of considerably more interest to Dale were the three stained glass insets, each behind a workstation. To the right was a common enchanting table; to the left, what looked like a staff enchanter, though he wasn\u2019t certain; and in the center, just opposite the door, a desk. And there, moving from the desk to the enchanter was a striking, raven-haired woman in blood-red aristocratic robes with golden accents. She undoubtedly knew he was there. She had to have heard the door opening from the outer hallway; and though his boots were well-muffled he did, after all, breathe. She didn\u2019t look up, though, or turn to challenge his presence in her room, and he nodded to himself, impressed at her composure.<\/p>\n

This one is very sure of herself. There must be a reason for that. I should tread carefully.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cExcuse me \u2013 Sovrena?\u201d he said quietly.<\/p>\n

\u201cDo you need something?\u201d she responded, smoothly.<\/p>\n

\u201cLet me introduce myself. My name is Ondale Perdeti \u2013 Dale, to most.\u201d And Just-Dale to others, sadly.<\/em> \u201cI\u2019m new to Coldhaven, and while I know it\u2019s presumptuous of me I was hoping I could ask you a few questions about this fascinating place,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

By the Eight. That was awful. I hope I didn\u2019t just overdo it.<\/em><\/p>\n

The Sovrena, however, didn\u2019t so much as bat an eye. She was undoubtedly an ancient vampire, likely as old as Serana or the other Volkihar nobility, and she would have no reason to fear someone as young as he obviously was.<\/p>\n

\u201cOf course,\u201d she said, turning to smile at him. \u201cHow can I be of assistance?\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re the ruler here, correct?\u201d As soon as the words left his mouth Dale could feel the flush of embarrassment creeping up his neck \u2013 a real accomplishment given his cold skin. What a stupid thing to ask. But I wasn\u2019t prepared for it to be so easy to approach her.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cOf course. I am the Sovrena of Coldhaven. I have freely given knowledge of superior weapons and armor to the people of this city.\u201d<\/p>\n

Dale felt his neck tingle once again, but this time with the excitement of discovery. Weapons? Armor? Agryn will undoubtedly be interested to hear that. <\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cI was supported by all the Noble houses of Coldhaven,\u201d she continued, \u201cand they crowned me Sovrena many years ago. Our city has grown and flourished.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI can see that,\u201d Dale agreed, making his voice as warm as he could manage. \u201cI\u2019ve got to admit that I am very impressed. In fact, it\u2019s a lot to take in for a newcomer.\u201d And every word of that is true, he thought. This place is beyond my wildest imaginings. The others will agree, I\u2019m certain.<\/p>\n

Tamara smiled. \u201cI was not present for the construction of Coldhaven, of course, but I knew the founding members.\u201d She sighed, her smile fading. \u201cTheir contributions will not be forgotten.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI wonder why I\u2019d never heard of this place before,\u201d Dale murmured. \u201cPerhaps it\u2019s because I\u2019m from Cyrodiil.\u201d<\/p>\n

I hope that will prevent any notion that I might be affiliated with the Volkihar. I don\u2019t know what their relationship is, and I don\u2019t want to engender any speculation \u2013 or suspicion.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I might be able to help you understand. Coldhaven welcomes traders and merchants from the outside world \u2013 as long as they swear to secrecy, of course. We have had to\u2026\u201d She paused as if searching for just the right phrase. \u201cTo make examples of some, in the past.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI understand, and I certainly will keep that in mind.\u201d Gods. I had best be very careful what I say.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cGood,\u201d the Sovrena said, flashing another attractive smile at Dale. \u201cOur coffers grow rich from the abundance of trade, and from our gold mine. I am happy that vampires have a place to live in total seclusion and safety.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI can imagine,\u201d he said, returning the smile. \u201cI will admit that I did not<\/em> have the luxury of a safe place when I was first changed. Not that I\u2019ve been a vampire all that long, as I\u2019m certain you can tell.\u201d He chuckled, hoping it didn\u2019t sound as insincere as it felt. \u201cSo, where are the founding members of Coldhaven? Are they part of your court?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, no. Not a court. A governing body. A council, if you will. I am merely first among equals.\u201d<\/p>\n

Of course you are. And I am the Lord of the Volkihar.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cOnly one of them remains here in Coldhaven, I am afraid. Sicara refused to listen to reason.\u201d<\/p>\n

Oh, she\u2019s the one who was deposed. <\/em><\/p>\n

The Sovrena frowned, and her voice took on the edge of someone repeating an argument that had never finished to her satisfaction. \u201cI brought Coldhaven new strength and new hope, but Sicara wanted to keep our city open to the world \u2013 \u2018at peace,\u2019 as she put it.\u201d<\/p>\n

She sounds insulted. Maybe even bitter. Perhaps she just expected everyone to fall in line, and they didn\u2019t. That seems to happen often enough with leaders who don\u2019t understand that there can be a variety of viewpoints\u2026<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cHmm.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cExcuse me?\u201d she snapped.<\/p>\n

Dale nearly jumped. \u201cI\u2019m sorry; I hadn\u2019t realized I\u2019d\u2026 I\u2019m just interested. There\u2019s a part of me that wonders\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou wonder what?\u201d She sounded, and looked, annoyed.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, there\u2019s only one entrance, correct? It just seems as though it might be difficult to defend against a well-planned attack from above, if there\u2019s only one way in or out.\u201d He hoped, desperately, that he hadn\u2019t just made a horrible mistake; but he had no way to know until she responded. If she was annoyed with him, well, he was fairly good with words and light on his feet. But given his assignment from Agryn and Vyctyna he didn\u2019t want to need to be light on his feet.<\/p>\n

To his utter relief, the Sovrena nodded. \u201cYou understand, then,\u201d she said, sounding vindicated. \u201cPeace will never just happen! We need force, to ensure that it remains! Sicara was voted out by the Noble houses and left her role in shame.\u201d She paused; her voice was much quieter when she spoke again. \u201cMy dearest friend, Galain, was another founding member. He enjoyed traveling throughout Skyrim, trying to recruit vampires for our city. He also kept a close eye on the Dawnguard and Vigilants who swear \u2013 and have always sworn \u2013 to destroy our kind. He was killed one night by one of their patrols.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m very sorry to hear that,\u201d Dale said. \u201cI\u2019ve had my fair share of close calls at their hands, in just the short time I\u2019ve been a vampire. I suspect it\u2019s simply very good luck that I\u2019ve not ended up under one of their silver bolts.\u201d<\/p>\n

She nodded. \u201cIt was\u2026 difficult to lose him.\u201d She shook her head. \u201cAnd then there was the last of the founding members. Dalaran. I don\u2019t know where he is. He\u2019s gone missing and it\u2019s been\u2026 months? Years now, since we\u2019ve seen him? He was obsessed with the Dwemer. You\u2019ve seen the artifacts around Coldhaven \u2013 even those here in my tower. Researching them was his passion. His disappearance was sudden and, I have to admit, disconcerting.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Dale\u2019s mind raced.<\/p>\n

Yes, this is a vampire city. It could potentially be exactly what Agryn is looking for, especially given how little is known about it elsewhere. <\/em><\/p>\n

But this political situation is fascinating. The former Sovrena wanted Coldhaven to be open to the rest of the world. The current Sovrena doesn\u2019t trust that and wants to keep the city safe by keeping it secret \u2013 and well-armed. I know nothing about these weapons but I could probably find out. Both sides of this issue might well appeal to Agryn. I know he leans toward the old Cyrodiilic idea of working from within society \u2013 as the old Sovrena wanted. He also mistrusts the existing vampire hierarchy in Skyrim and is looking for a safe place, as the new Sovrena wants.<\/em><\/p>\n

I don\u2019t know how to direct my own efforts on his behalf, but I know he will have an opinion. I should go report before I make another move here.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cI can only imagine,\u201d he murmured, forcing his attention back to the present. \u201cI am sorry to have taken up so much of your time, Sovrena, but am extremely grateful to you for having given it to me. I\u2019m delighted to have made your acquaintance. If I may?\u201d<\/p>\n

He bowed, taking one of her hands in his and lifting her fingers to his mouth in a brief kiss. But he did not look at her face, the way he had done with Qaralana. He was too far below her station to dare make eye contact; and yet he felt certain she would appreciate the courtly gesture.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou are entirely welcome, Dale Perdeti,\u201d she said warmly. \u201cPlease, make yourself at home in our city and feel free to visit again.\u201d She cleared her throat. \u201cPreferably, at court and not here in my private quarters. We wouldn\u2019t want to create gossip.\u201d<\/p>\n

Oh by all the gods. No we wouldn\u2019t. You\u2019re a handsome woman, Madame, but at the very least several centuries older than I am, if not many more. I\u2019d sooner be with\u2026 no, I wouldn\u2019t. Serana may have been taken with my father at first but the feeling is decidedly not mutual for me, either.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cOf course. Thank you again,\u201d he said, hoping that his inner workings weren\u2019t showing on his face. He turned to make his escape, and thought that he heard the tiniest chuckle behind him as he stepped out into the hallway.<\/p>\n

He grimaced. How appalling. <\/em>Then he looked to his left and almost jumped in surprise.<\/p>\n

He hadn\u2019t noticed that the hallway was a ring around the Sovrena\u2019s central chamber. That was interesting all on its own. But of more \u2013 and more shocking \u2013 interest was the draugr, sprawled out on the floor in front of an open sarcophagus that shimmered with vertical bands of magic. Stepping gingerly over the draugr to look at the wall, he saw a framed portrait. A woman. An archer, with a fierce and determined look about her. It was nobody he knew nor had any reason to know, but if this was her desiccated corpse beneath his feet he felt something akin to grief that she\u2019d fallen to the floor this way. And yet, it was not his place to pick the corpse back up, nor did he dare approach the magical forces in the sarcophagus.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

He made his way around the circuit. There were five more draugr, all women, each splayed out on the floor before a coffin bearing the portrait of a woman in life. Dale shuddered as he left the Tower.<\/p>\n

I don\u2019t know what that signifies. Did the Sovrena kill them all? Have they been there since days gone by and she simply hasn\u2019t bothered to move them? Whatever the story, it\u2019s an unsettling thing to see.<\/em><\/p>\n

Maybe that\u2019s exactly why she leaves them there.<\/em><\/p>\n

It doesn\u2019t matter. I need to go find Agryn.<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

It was very late when Dale found Agryn and Vyctyna. He\u2019d been just about to bypass Riften entirely when it occurred to him that at this hour they might well be feeding or doing other things in the city itself. So he slipped past the guard and through the gates, and made his quiet way across the marketplace to the Bee & Barb.<\/p>\n

He wasn\u2019t terribly surprised to see Agryn and Vyctyna chatting with someone in the inn. There were one or two other people moving about, as well: an older man with no hair atop his head but plenty on the sides, pulled back into a very long tail; and a Breton mage who clearly thought nobody noticed his attempts to listen in.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

What did surprise Dale was that the third person in their conversation was Brynjolf. It was a ridiculous hour for a mortal to be awake, much less dressed in finery and leaning up against the wall as though he had some business to attend to. He was staring, blankly, at some spot between the two vampires. The barest hint of a smile played about the corners of his mouth. Dale heard Vyctyna tsk loudly, turning as though she was about to walk away from the man in disgust.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou need to be more careful, boss,\u201d she said, quietly but in a tone that held a real edge.<\/p>\n

Oh? Trouble? This could be interesting.<\/em><\/p>\n

Dale took a good look at Brynjolf as he approached them. The man seemed different, somehow.<\/p>\n

Gaunt. Distracted. What has he done to himself?<\/em><\/p>\n

It wasn\u2019t a surprise, really, given that the two of them were facing each other, but it still startled Dale when Brynjolf \u2018s gaze rose from whatever he\u2019d been staring at and connected with his. Dale thought he saw the man wince, just slightly, before turning his attention back to Vyctyna.<\/p>\n

\u201cAye, lass,\u201d he said in just above a whisper. \u201cYou don\u2019t need to worry about me.\u201d<\/p>\n

Agryn snorted. \u201cYou don\u2019t think so? Brynjolf, remember that we\u2019ve been around a lot longer than you have. In my case, a great deal longer. We\u2019ve seen this play out time and again. And I\u2019m telling you the same thing she is. Be careful.\u201d<\/p>\n

Brynjolf nodded. \u201cI know. And thank you both for caring. But you don\u2019t need to worry about me.\u201d<\/p>\n

Dale decided that it would be altogether too obvious that he was eavesdropping if he didn\u2019t say something. He cleared his throat and took a step closer.<\/p>\n

\u201cUm, Agryn?\u201d<\/p>\n

Agryn looked at him and smiled. \u201cDale. Good to see you. You have news for us?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI do. Can we speak?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOf course. Go find a table.\u201d Agryn turned back to Brynjolf. \u201cWe have some other business to deal with, but I meant what I said.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd so did I,\u201d Tyna agreed, turning to follow Dale toward one of the empty tables.<\/p>\n

\u201cAye. I will keep it in mind,\u201d Brynjolf said. Interestingly, he didn\u2019t move from his spot near the doorway. He did close his eyes for a moment, though, and then stared up toward the ceiling as if he heard something there. Dale was certain that he didn\u2019t. If someone had been moving about, all the vampires in the room would have heard it as well.<\/p>\n

Once Agryn joined them, Dale began to share what he had learned. \u201cI found it,\u201d he whispered, \u201cand it\u2019s bigger and better than I could have imagined. Hand me your map, Tyna, and I\u2019ll mark where the entrance is.\u201d He didn\u2019t want to take the chance that any of the three other people in the place would overhear him if he stated Coldhaven\u2019s exact position aloud. They trust Brynjolf, I know that. But I don\u2019t. And I\u2019m not willing to risk it.<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s exciting, Ondale!\u201d Agryn said, leaning forward to look at Vyctyna\u2019s map. \u201cSo, tell us about it. Is it what we\u2019ve been looking for?\u201d<\/p>\n

Dale nodded. \u201cI think so, Agryn. But the politics are\u2026 complicated, let\u2019s say. That\u2019s why I came back so soon. I want to know what the two of you think.\u201d<\/p>\n

He then spent some time describing the size of Coldhaven, its general layout, the hierarchy of rule there from the Noble houses to the enslaved Falmer and mortal slaves, and the fact that there were things going on that he hadn\u2019t figured out quite yet. That there were two Sovrenas in Coldhaven, the current ruler and the deposed one, and that they had very different ideas of how the place should be run.<\/p>\n

\u201cHmm,\u201d Tyna murmured. \u201cIt\u2019s the old story.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat story is that?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI suspect Tyna is talking about that inevitable problem. To live among the mortals as equals, or to hide away and defend against them.\u201d<\/p>\n

Dale nodded. \u201cThere\u2019s only one entrance, and that makes it somewhat vulnerable \u2013 which makes the need for defense really obvious, at least to me. But, oddly enough, the current Sovrena \u2013 the one who wants them armed and strong and the place secret \u2013 also wants the business they have with the outside world, which is the same thing the old Sovrena wanted. I\u2019m not sure I understand how it can be working but it does seem to be a thriving place. So I want to know how you would like me to proceed.\u201d Then he sighed as an unwelcome thought occurred to him. \u201cAnd if she finds out I\u2019ve spoken to anyone at all<\/em> about all of this, I\u2019m a dead man.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMore dead,\u201d Vyctyna giggled.<\/p>\n

Agryn rolled his eyes at her and then turned to face Dale. \u201cWhat I want you to do, Ondale, is to go back. Continue helping the Sovrena, but do so with an eye to finding out what\u2019s what and how we might be able to fit into the picture. If you have an opportunity to meet the other, do so. Get the story from both sides. But don\u2019t do anything that will back you into a corner.\u201d He rubbed his chin. \u201cHandle it the same way you did Solitude, basically.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is really exciting, Dale,\u201d Tyna said, grinning at him. \u201cMaybe we\u2019ll be able to do what Aggie wants, after all!\u201d<\/p>\n

Dale smiled back at her. \u201cI hope so.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\u201cVery good,\u201d Agryn said. \u201cYou\u2019ve got excellent instincts. I thought as much when we recruited you, but it\u2019s always gratifying to have that confirmed.\u201d He paused, looking thoughtful. \u201cI have to admit that I\u2019m itching to know how they\u2019ve managed to keep this place hidden for so long.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll do my best to find out,\u201d Dale said, rising from his chair to leave and realizing that his body was arguing with him about doing so. He couldn\u2019t quite contain a small groan.<\/p>\n

\u201cDale?\u201d Vyctyna asked quietly.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n

When he saw her brows lower he realized that his tone had been sharp, bordering on brusque. And that would not do. He especially didn\u2019t want to anger Agryn, and disrespecting his partner was the fastest way to do that. As much as he liked his mentors, he had a healthy respect for them and maybe a bit of fear following the outburst when he\u2019d found Brynjolf in their home.<\/p>\n

\u201cIs everything alright?\u201d she responded calmly, even while frowning at him in obvious annoyance.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes,\u201d he said quickly. \u201cWell, no. I\u2019m really tired. I\u2019m sorry; I didn\u2019t mean to be short with you. I haven\u2019t had a chance for a good sleep in several days and it\u2019s taking its toll, I think.\u201d<\/p>\n

Tyna nodded, and then exchanged a glance with Agryn and smiled. \u201cIn that case why don\u2019t you borrow the coffin at our house? We don\u2019t use it and you\u2019ll get a good rest.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Dale swapped a glance with Agryn, who also nodded. It was more than a little bit tempting; he always slept better in the master coffin in his own home, too. \u201cWell if you\u2019re certain, I\u2019d be more than happy to take you up on the offer. Then I\u2019ll be fresh to speak to the Sovrena again.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDo so, Dale,\u201d Agryn said. \u201cWe have business to take care of here, and we usually sleep in the other bedroom anyway.\u201d He grinned at Vyctyna. The sparkle in her eyes told Dale that two probably fit better in one of the Crypt\u2019s standard beds than they did in the coffin.<\/p>\n

\u201cAlright. I\u2019ll get some sleep and get back to work soon.\u201d<\/p>\n

When he turned to leave, he saw Brynjolf staring in their direction. I wonder how sharp his hearing is, even after turning mortal again. It would not be good if he overheard any part of that. <\/em><\/p>\n

I wonder why they were telling him to be careful.<\/em><\/p>\n

Before he had a chance to stop himself, he had walked across the room to stand before the older man. Brynjolf didn\u2019t so much as move a muscle, but he did make very firm and unwavering eye contact.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo you decided it would be a good time to torment me, eh lad?\u201d<\/p>\n

Torment? So he really was enamored of my father, and I look enough like the man to make Brynjolf squirm. I shouldn\u2019t take advantage of this, but\u2026<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cOf course. How often do I get such a perfect opportunity?\u201d He looked around. \u201cAnd in a less-confined space, as well. I have more room to make a quick escape.\u201d He knew he was smirking at Brynjolf, but he couldn\u2019t help himself. Tormenting was exactly what he was doing. And at that he thought he saw a flash of anger in the older man\u2019s eyes.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t underestimate me,\u201d Brynjolf said quietly, his voice nearly a growl. \u201cI may not have the reflexes I did at one time but I\u2019m still light on my feet. And there\u2019s more to me than you\u2019re aware of.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Dale snickered. \u201cYes, perhaps, but somehow I imagine my father<\/em> was aware of it.\u201d I expect that was a bit too much on my part, but it\u2019s too late to second-guess myself now.<\/em><\/p>\n

Brynjolf\u2019s eyes truly flared with rage at that. \u201cYes he was, as it happens,\u201d the man growled. \u201cAnd you\u2019d best think a bit harder before carrying on this way or you\u2019ll become aware of it as well.\u201d<\/p>\n

Dale was startled, but he didn\u2019t want to show it. Obviously Brynjolf means something other than what I meant. I don\u2019t know that I want to learn what he\u2019s talking about. <\/em><\/p>\n

He was about to make some flippant response before he left, but a sudden wince from Brynjolf startled him. The older man did an admirable job covering it up, acting as though nothing had happened, but it had still been a wince.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s the second one since I\u2019ve been here.\u00a0 I assumed it was just my presence, upsetting him. But it\u2019s not that. There\u2019s something wrong with him. I don\u2019t know him well enough to even guess what it might be, but there\u2019s obviously something wrong. But that\u2019s a problem for another day. I need to get moving.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cApologies,\u201d he said, grinning at the redhead. \u201cI\u2019ll just be on my way, then.\u201d He was nearly to the door when he turned and saw Brynjolf staring at him.<\/p>\n

\u201cBe careful,\u201d he mouthed, laughing inside as Brynjolf got the message and snarled.<\/p>\n

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Home Previous \/ Next   A number of small garden plots surrounded the Sovrena\u2019s tower. Most of them housed a variety of fungi and glowing plants that could thrive in low light. One fenced-off square, though, was filled with above-ground plants like dragon\u2019s tongue, tundra cotton, juniper and snowberry and was lighted by spheres emitting … <\/p>\n

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