{"id":2275,"date":"2023-02-20T14:28:03","date_gmt":"2023-02-20T21:28:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/baakay.com\/Snow\/?page_id=2275"},"modified":"2023-02-23T09:40:06","modified_gmt":"2023-02-23T16:40:06","slug":"chapter-21","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/baakay.com\/Snow\/volume-ii\/part-ii-above-and-beyond\/chapter-21\/","title":{"rendered":"Chapter 21"},"content":{"rendered":"
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 <\/p>\n

Dale felt much better, having rested. Rest made the tasks before him seem much less monumental.<\/p>\n

I need to report to Agryn. I need to check in at the Sanctuary and see whether there\u2019s work for me. And I suppose I need to keep looking for whatever Dalaran was up to, as the Sovrena asked, since Agryn directed me to work with her. I just don\u2019t know which thing to do next. I feel as though I should\u2026<\/em><\/p>\n

He never finished his thought, for the stone doors he hadn\u2019t been able to open earlier caught his attention. He had two keys in his pocket. One he\u2019d just gotten from the Sovrena and the other he\u2019d taken from Dalaran\u2019s body down in the sewers. Grinning, he tried both of them. Dalaran\u2019s key was the one that turned easily in the lock, producing an audible click.<\/p>\n

So let\u2019s see what you were up to here, my fine fellow.<\/em><\/p>\n

He stepped through the door and gasped.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat is this, then?\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

He was in a huge, domed room with maps and charts mounted on every available wall and an oddly-patterned floor. Dale moved slowly around the perimeter, examining the charts. The first was covered in what looked to be Dwemeris text but had three ovals superimposed on it, with red glyphs connected to each other by lines. Beneath the chart was a table loaded with soul gems.<\/p>\n

Maybe it\u2019s some kind of harmonic map. I hear the Dwemer used tonality as a mainstay of their magic.<\/em><\/p>\n

Other maps showed Tamriel as a whole, Solstheim, Hammerfell and High Rock, and local maps of cities in Skyrim. One of the maps was of Solitude \u2013 a very old map, showing a much more extensive docks area than currently existed, as well as a district with the notation \u201cWolf\u2019s End\u201d near the mountain, behind Castle Dour. Apparently he\u2019d been more or less right imagining where he was while in Potema\u2019s catacombs.<\/p>\n

But why is this map on the wall here, and now, in a city that\u2019s relatively new? What is going on? <\/em><\/p>\n

On a table beneath the map of Coldhaven, Dale found an intriguing journal, written in a hand he recognized as Dalaran\u2019s. He started scanning it and his eyes grew wide. Dalaran and Galain, while they were still both alive, had been searching for other enclaves of vampires, hoping to recruit more residents for Coldhaven.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur floor map is marvelous, but the portal crystals embedded within have been one of my greatest creations. Galain has personally buried reception crystals in vampire caves, fortresses, and dens across the land,\u201d Dalaran wrote.<\/p>\n

Dale turned to stare at the floor.\u00a0 Map? Portals?<\/em><\/p>\n

He returned the journal to the table and looked down at the floor. From his position it was difficult to tell that it was a map, but as he peered at it he began to recognize the shapes of bodies of water and the spiraling, heavily-shadowed spot that had to be the great mountain with its Seven Thousand Steps. But he was from Cyrodiil, and while he\u2019d learned a great deal about Skyrim his knowledge was primarily of the areas around Solitude, Dawnstar, Riften and the lakefront where the forgotten cellar lay.<\/p>\n

This isn\u2019t useful. I need height. Wings, perhaps?<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

A moment later the huge wings of his vampire lord form lifted him high enough off the floor to afford a good view of the whole map. For a map it most definitely was, as Dalaran had written. Studying it carefully, he noticed a pattern to the placement of the soul gems: they were all in places where vampires had been known to congregate. Bloodlet Throne. Shriekwind Bastion. Broken Fang Cave.<\/p>\n

These allowed for one-way travel to the places in question, according to the journal. Apparently Galain and Dalaran had differed about whether there should be return-travel crystals; Dalaran, being the person with the crystals and the expertise to make more, had decided it wasn\u2019t safe.<\/p>\n

Wise choice. Enemies might quietly gather in this room, undetected, if there was two-way travel. It could be a disaster.<\/em><\/p>\n

He floated across the room toward the area representing the Sea of Ghosts, looked down, and chuckled. There was a stone near Morthal. He reverted form and studied the map again for a moment.<\/p>\n

How much quicker it would be to get to Dawnstar if I could simply transport myself to Morthal! And from there, I can take care of the rest of my business and will have saved most of a day. Time for a test. If it fails, well\u2026 I\u2019m technically dead already. I may as well try it.<\/em><\/p>\n

He reached down and touched the stone. Once more, as it had when he\u2019d tried on Dalaran\u2019s ring, the world went dark. Once more he fought down his distress. This time he\u2019d been expecting it; still, disappearing into the void was uncomfortable.<\/p>\n

When the darkness faded, he found himself at the top of a wooden staircase leading down into what may have been a mine shaft. \u00a0Several large frostbite spiders patrolled the area before a doorway. It was likely a vampire\u2019s den, based on everything he\u2019d learned in the portal room.<\/p>\n

Tempting. Very tempting. But I really think I should check in with Agryn before I make contact with anyone else. Besides, I need to get to Dawnstar.<\/em><\/p>\n

He turned back, creeping silently to avoid alerting the spiders, and emerged into the bitter air. It was a fine night, cold and clear, perfect conditions for him to stretch his legs. He took a moment to get his bearings and then began running.<\/p>\n

By the time he reached Dawnstar the sun had risen far enough above the Velothis for its angled light to reveal gathering clouds. That suited him, though; foggy days and cloudy days were the best for vampires – and besides, he was going to disappear around the headlands and behind the enchanted door of the Sanctuary.<\/p>\n

Both the Listener and Cicero were there before the Night Mother\u2019s coffin. She knelt, whether in prayer or contemplation Dale couldn\u2019t tell. Cicero stood directly before the Night Mother\u2019s ancient corpse, as he always did. He turned his head to glance at Dale, and from Dale\u2019s perspective it was almost as though the Night Mother was preparing to feed from Cicero\u2019s willing neck. Dale tried not to grin.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

The Night Mother as a vampire. What a thought. <\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cHello, Just Dale! Hello!\u201d Cicero called out gleefully, following up with a giggle.<\/p>\n

\u201cGreetings, Cicero,\u201d Dale replied. \u201cI hope you\u2019re well.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCicero is hungry,\u201d the old jester replied with an exaggerated pout. \u201cHe needs a sweet roll. Or a carrot.\u201d<\/p>\n

Dale chuckled. \u201cI\u2019ve come to speak to the Listener. If you\u2019re willing, ma\u2019am,\u201d he added, turning to the dark-draped figure kneeling on the floor.<\/p>\n

\u201cOf course,\u201d she said, rising gracefully to her feet. \u201cAnd you have excellent timing. I\u2019ve just had our Mother tell me of another job to be done. Come with me.\u201d<\/p>\n

He followed her back into the Sanctuary, past Babette\u2019s garden and across the wooden bridge suspended in the tower itself. She led him down the stairs toward her private quarters, but stopped at a small study area with a well-lit table covered by a map of Skyrim and piles of books. A cupboard slanted across the corner held more of the same. She sank down onto the chair with a heavy sigh.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m so tired,\u201d she said, almost as though she didn\u2019t realize she was speaking aloud. \u201cSo very tired. It\u2019s been too long and I just want to go home.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cListener?\u201d Dale asked, not quite sure how he should act or whether she\u2019d been addressing him.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

She looked up at him, then, studying his face before nodding, slightly, and giving him a tiny smile.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou look so much like your father. And yet you\u2019re completely different.\u201d<\/p>\n

Dale hadn\u2019t expected that. He snorted. \u201cSo completely different apart from the fact that we look alike and both were in the Brotherhood, you mean?\u201d<\/p>\n

The Listener smiled. \u201cYes, apart from all that. You\u2019re much more\u2026\u201d She trailed off a moment before shrugging. \u201cSerious, I think. Earnest. Your father was a jokester. Oh, he certainly took his job seriously but he was always looking to make other people laugh if he could. It\u2019s no wonder Cicero liked him so much. It\u2019s one of the things I missed when he was gone.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, you\u2019ll forgive me but I don\u2019t find it especially amusing of him to have left my mother alone with a child,\u201d Dale grumbled before he had a chance to think better of it. \u201cThe poor woman had to handle me, alone, and provide for both of us completely on her own.\u201d<\/p>\n

To his relief, she chuckled. \u201cI suspect he didn\u2019t know you existed, Dale,\u201d she said quietly. \u201cCertainly none of the rest of us elders knew that, and he \u2013 well, let\u2019s just say he didn\u2019t leave the impression of a man who would knowingly father a child.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cUndoubtedly. I\u2019ve heard stories.\u201d<\/p>\n

She smiled. \u201cLet me assure you that you\u2019re every bit as valued here as he was. At any rate, our Mother has given us a task. There is a barbarian woman in Ivarstead who needs to be removed. She\u2019s not one of the locals but word has arrived that she\u2019s staying there for the short term. Can you handle it?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ivarstead? How convenient. I\u2019ll send word for Agryn to meet me there and I\u2019ll take care of the job while I wait.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cOf course.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI thought you\u2019d be willing. I won\u2019t be here when you return. I need to visit my home and mend a few fences. Feel free to contact Nazir when you\u2019re finished.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI shall. Thank you, Listener.\u201d He bowed slightly and stepped back before turning to leave. Behind him, he heard another heavy sigh.<\/p>\n

Now that is a woman who has too much on her shoulders. I wonder what it is.<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Dale stepped through the door of the Vilemyr Inn to scan the room for people he\u2019d not met before. There was a random merchant, but male, and he was looking for a woman. Aside from him and a priest of one or another of Skyrim\u2019s gods most everyone else was a local. He was just about to leave when the innkeeper\u2019s voice caught his ear.<\/p>\n

\u201cI heard Temba yelling at you yesterday. Why do you let her treat you like that?\u201d<\/p>\n

The answering chuckle came from Gwilin, the Bosmer who had nearly run over Qaralana the day they met. \u201cIf you\u2019ll pardon the expression, she\u2019s far more bark than bite.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\u201cPerhaps. But abuse is abuse. I don\u2019t think I could stand it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s much more to worry about in life than a bit of a temper.\u201d<\/p>\n

Dale turned toward the door again, deep in thought. There was something about Wilhelm\u2019s remark that was important, and he didn\u2019t know what. Abuse is abuse. Odd. I don\u2019t know why it matters right now, but I\u2019m certain it does. <\/em><\/p>\n

It had become another very dark night, so dark that he nearly tripped on the woman seated at the bench on the inn\u2019s porch. She was fully armored in furs and plate, leaning against the building, sighing, and looked like just moving would be a huge effort.<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s my barbarian. A tired barbarian, but a barbarian nonetheless.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cOh! Pardon me, miss,\u201d he said. \u201cThat was clumsy of me.\u201d<\/p>\n

She looked up at him wearily and nodded. \u201cIt\u2019s fine. I\u2019m dying for a rest. I swear I could just lie down and sleep forever.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

A chill ran up Dale\u2019s already-cold back. It was so reminiscent of what the Listener had said to him. \u201cI\u2019m so tired. I just want to go home.\u201d Strange. But I need to focus. I believe I can accommodate this woman\u2019s wishes.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m certain you\u2019ll get your rest soon, miss,\u201d he said, smiling. \u201cNow if you\u2019ll excuse me, I\u2019ll attempt to leave without colliding with you this time.\u201d<\/p>\n

The woman nodded wearily and sighed once more. As soon as he was around the corner of the inn Dale drew the shadows in around himself and returned to her, leaning forward and sinking his fangs into her neck. He drained the woman and laid her back on the bench, smiling.<\/p>\n

Rest well, my dear.<\/em><\/p>\n

He slid around the corner and behind the inn, so as to approach it from the other side once his shadows dissipated. He would wait in the inn for Agryn\u2019s arrival, behaving as though nothing at all had happened; and if he should encounter someone else near the woman\u2019s body he would, of course, be just as startled and distressed as they.<\/p>\n

I wonder if the Listener will get some rest, too.<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Near the top of the steps up to Lamae\u2019s Rest, Dale turned back to smile down at Agryn Gernic. \u201cHere we are. I hope you\u2019ll be pleased.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Agryn gave him a crooked grin. \u201cOh, I\u2019m already pleased, Ondale. Let\u2019s go inside, though, before we speak further.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOf course.\u201d Dale unlocked the home and ushered Agryn inside.<\/p>\n

After meeting him in Ivarstead Agryn had followed Dale down the long circular staircase and past the gate into the city, asking questions as they walked along the streets of Coldhaven and trying not to reveal his excitement. Dale had felt it, though. This vampire, so very much more ancient and experienced than he, had been looking for something like this city ever since his sire Edwyn Wickham had gotten the first rumors of it from Lord Harkon of the Volkihar. Edwyn and Agryn had spent eons, first in High Rock and then in Cyrodiil, quietly tracking down every wisp of a clue. Part of that, Agryn explained, had been tangled up with Harkon\u2019s obsessive search for Auriel\u2019s Bow, a weapon of legend that could kill a vampire – or blot out the light of the sun.<\/p>\n

This wasn\u2019t the city Harkon had sought, Agryn told him. It was far too recent a creation to have been rumored about hundreds of years before. But it was<\/em> a vampire city, close held in the ancient heart of the mountains – beneath the shoulders of the greatest mountain on Tamriel, in fact – its secrets so old that not even the shapers of the city knew where they began or where they ended.<\/p>\n

So it was that when they stepped into Lamae\u2019s Rest Dale was not surprised to hear Agryn\u2019s sharp intake of breath. He wasn\u2019t surprised that his sire said little as they toured the basement with its smithing and enchanting facilities, or that he made only the slightest sound of surprise when Dale pushed the button to raise the thrall in her cage; but he could feel Agryn\u2019s excitement nonetheless. Finally, they mounted the steps to the upper level and Agryn, after looking around, shook his head.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou don\u2019t like it?\u201d Dale asked, worried.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, it\u2019s not that. Not at all.\u201d Agryn grinned at him. \u201cIt\u2019s perfect. That\u2019s why I\u2019m shaking my head. Call it envy, I suppose.\u201d<\/p>\n

Dale frowned. \u201cEnvy? Why do you say that?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBecause you\u2019ve earned yourself a perfect home in a perfect city. Why else?\u201d Agryn asked.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

It was Dale\u2019s turn to grin. \u201cBut it\u2019s for you, sir. You and Vyctyna. I thought perhaps you would both like to live here, so that you can keep an eye out on things. Your home near Riften is wonderful but this is so much more central to\u2026 well, everything.\u201d<\/p>\n

Agryn stared at him for a moment and nodded. Then he smiled. \u201cYou\u2019re right, and if you\u2019re sure about it I believe that the two of us would be more than happy to accept. Once we\u2019re done here I\u2019ll travel back to Riften and fetch Tyna. She\u2019ll love it here.\u201d He looked around again, clearly pleased. \u201cShe asks so little of me and yet does so much. It will be good to give her something like this.\u201d<\/p>\n

Dale led Agryn back outside and pointed out Dalaran\u2019s tower, the former Sovrena\u2019s cabin and Madi\u2019s home. Agryn took it in, his gaze snapping from one thing to another, and Dale could almost see his thought processes as he analyzed the strengths and weaknesses of the city.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s that tower?\u201d Agryn asked, pointing back toward the city\u2019s entrance.<\/p>\n

Dale peered through the murk. Behind some of the shops there was indeed a tower that he\u2019d never noticed before. \u201cInteresting. I don\u2019t know. I guess that\u2019s something else I should investigate.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGood idea,\u201d Agryn agreed before frowning slightly. \u201cOnly one way in or out of the city?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat is what you might think,\u201d Dale said. \u201cI was really concerned about that, personally. I think maybe that\u2019s one of the reasons the current Sovrena is so intent on weapons and defense.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIndeed. If enemies were to take the entrance above, the city would be trapped.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cExcept for one thing,\u201d Dale said, grinning. \u201cWhen I found Dalaran in the sewers I also found a key. Let me show you what it opens.\u201d<\/p>\n

He led the way to the portal room and ushered Agryn inside, then explained what he\u2019d learned about how the place worked. He pointed out the gem that he\u2019d used to travel to Morthal.<\/p>\n

\u201cI know that one works, though I haven\u2019t tried the others. I can\u2019t imagine why they wouldn\u2019t, though.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s an escape route, isn\u2019t it?\u201d Agryn agreed. \u201cThis mitigates some of the danger of having only one entrance. What a find! And you say that the Sovrena doesn\u2019t know about it?\u201d<\/p>\n

Dale stared at him. \u201cI \u2026 honestly don\u2019t know. I almost doubt it, though. She asked me to find out what Dalaran had been researching. I found the key on his body, and the notes and journals discussing what it does here, in this room.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHmm. It certainly bears some thought, doesn\u2019t it?\u201d<\/p>\n

Dale nodded. \u201cI wish I had some words of wisdom for you about Tamara, or Sicara, the former Sovrena. This is a perfect place to settle and consolidate power but I don\u2019t know that I trust either of them. Especially not Tamara.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTell me,\u201d Agryn said, and Dale did just that. He laid out everything he now knew about the noble houses, how the place had been developed, Tamara\u2019s obsession with the enhanced weapons she was so proud of, and the very odd coincidences between that, Galain\u2019s death, and Dalaran\u2019s disappearance. He particularly stressed Tamara\u2019s strange reactions to learning of Dalaran\u2019s death and the fact that he\u2019d been researching a supposed set of experiments being done on vampires.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\u201cI got the feeling that she already knew all about what I reported to her – all except for the actual proof of Dalaran\u2019s death. I don\u2019t know, Agryn. It sets me on edge. I don\u2019t know how easy it will be for you and Vyctyna to gain any sort of influence here unless somehow you bring Serana into it\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d Agryn said, firmly, shaking his head. \u201cI don\u2019t trust Serana, either. I never have. I didn\u2019t like the influence she had over Edwyn, either, even at a great distance of both physical location and time. I know that Tyna likes her, but that doesn\u2019t mean we need to bring her into this. That\u2019s part of the reason I was looking for a well-hidden base rather than moving into Castle Volkihar.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo I should continue looking into Dalaran\u2019s research? There\u2019s one more area he was searching for that I haven\u2019t explored yet and I think<\/em> this key is \u2026 well, the key.\u201d He held the old dwarven key out for Agryn to examine.<\/p>\n

The older vampire nodded. \u201cYes. See if you can learn more about what the Sovrena intends. I\u2019m going to take advantage of this portal. Redwater Den isn\u2019t that far from here but it will give me a chance to see how it works. I\u2019ll gather up Vyctyna and meet you back here in a few days.\u201d He clapped Dale on the shoulder. \u201cGood work, Ondale. But please, be very careful. We\u2019ll know where to search for you if the worst happens but I\u2019d prefer that not be the case.\u201d<\/p>\n

Dale grinned. \u201cMe too.\u201d<\/p>\n

He stood and watched as Agryn touched the portal stone leading to Redwater Den and disappeared. Even though he knew it worked, a shudder ran up his spine. There was just something about portals that unsettled him. Then he turned back to the door.<\/p>\n

So, he thought, taking another look around the portal room. Investigate the Sovrena. How should I go about doing that?<\/p>\n

I can\u2019t just walk up to her and ask questions. \u201cPardon me, my lady, but did you have something to do with Dalaran\u2019s death? Did you know what he was looking for? Were you just waiting for some well-meaning fool like me to do the dirty work for you?\u201d No, that won\u2019t do. So if not that, then what?<\/em><\/p>\n

He pictured the Sovrena\u2019s tower in his mind. There was the entry, and the audience chamber, and then the hallway beyond it that served not only as the entrance to the vault and the Sovrena\u2019s chambers, but also as a resting spot, library, and crafting area. And both entrances to the audience chamber were closed off by draperies.<\/p>\n

If I time it well and go in while the place is full of Nobles – now, for instance – I might be able to get into the Sovrena\u2019s chamber. There were a great deal more books and notes there than I had the chance to look at before.<\/em><\/p>\n

It was worth a try. If he had any trouble he could use Dalaran\u2019s ring to return to the house, and then dart down the stairs back here to the portals, to escape. They\u2019d never know where he had gone – and he had the only key to this space. Grinning, he left the portal room, making certain to lock the door behind him, and trotted down the stairs to the Sovrena\u2019s tower.<\/p>\n

The place was full of dignitaries trying to one-up each other and to ingratiate themselves with the Sovrena. He saw her gaze move to him and inclined his head, smiling at her. She\u2019d effectively made him a Noble himself by giving him the house, after all, so it didn\u2019t feel out of place to him that he would be there mingling with Coldhaven society. He didn\u2019t say much to anyone, but listened to their boasts, chuckling at appropriate moments while slowly working his way toward the far curtains. Then he watched, and waited. Finally, when the Sovrena leaned over to whisper something in Nasaris\u2019 ear and was facing away from him, he slipped through the curtains and cloaked himself in shadows to pass the lone guard.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

As expected, there was nobody in the Sovrena\u2019s private quarters. Dale immediately made for the Sovrena\u2019s desk at the far side of the room. On both of his other visits to this space Tamara had been between him and it, keeping him unable even to see what was there beneath the stained glass panel, much less rummage through it. He took a quick inventory of her belongings, and snorted.<\/p>\n

You certainly don\u2019t skimp on your own d\u00e9cor, do you my dear? Send me to the sewers while you sip from a jeweled goblet?<\/em><\/p>\n

A lone candle flickered from within a beautifully-worked candlestick, its base covered in intricate knots and swirls. Next to that was the goblet, also of impressively ornate make with two rows of jewels inset beneath its rim. Piles of books and several familiar maps covered the rest of the desk; but of far more interest to Dale were a number of parchment notes and journals. He flipped open the topmost parchment and was surprised to find that it had been written by the former Sovrena shortly after Galain died and Dalaran had disappeared. She\u2019d written that the city was still at peace, and safe, but that rumors of discontent had begun amongst the Nobles.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Dalaran hasn\u2019t been dead that long. That means that it also hasn\u2019t been long at all since Tamara ousted Sicara. Interesting. I wonder where the rumors of discontent started, hmm, my dear Sovrena?<\/em><\/p>\n

Placed at the front center of the desk as though it had been written in just recently was a journal, its cover unstained by time. This, he was certain, was what he needed to see. He lowered himself onto the Sovrena\u2019s chair and began reading.<\/p>\n

Tamara, it seemed, had originally been working out of a lab in the southwest mountains. She\u2019d developed what she called a \u201crepellant field\u201d for silver weapons, working alongside someone named Theseus.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s a very useful thing to have developed, I\u2019ll give her that. But why has nobody mentioned this Theseus before? Where is he now?<\/em><\/p>\n

And then Tamara answered his question. Theseus had been experimenting on vampires, using his own kind to further his research, whatever it might have been. She declared that she\u2019d been disgusted by what he was doing and had been \u201cforced to destroy him.\u201d<\/p>\n

Dale frowned. That must be the life-transfer research Dalaran wrote about. She knew about that research. But she says that she killed Theseus because she didn\u2019t agree with it? Something about this is all wrong. <\/em><\/p>\n

Dale turned the page and grimaced in disgust. Tamara despised Theseus\u2019 research but had taken it, regardless, and had used it to create Bloodglass weapons – the ones she later taught her smith, Kharsh, to make and for which he was so highly regarded. When she\u2019d returned to Coldhaven and learned that Galain was dead she had flown into a rage and begun working to turn the Council against Sicara, convincing them that they were not nearly as safe as they thought.<\/p>\n

She has a point. Agryn saw the city\u2019s vulnerability, too. But to use research based on experiments with vampires, even if you are disgusted by it? That\u2019s as bad as Sild forcing souls from their rest to do his bidding! Interesting that she was conveniently \u201cforced\u201d to kill Theseus, leaving her to bestow the fruits of his labor on a grateful public and take credit for herself. <\/em><\/p>\n

The rest of the journal was full of self-congratulation about how kindly she\u2019d treated Sicara and how the Nobles had bowed to her superior wisdom. She also confirmed what Dale had suspected – she had spies keeping an eye on Sicara, as well as watching for signs of unrest from anyone else. She missed Galain and his ability to disagree with her.<\/p>\n

Yes, and there\u2019s been nobody to disagree with you since, except for Sicara, eh? It doesn\u2019t matter, though. Spying is common enough. But using your own people in experiments? What was it that Wilhelm told Gwilin? Abuse is abuse. <\/em><\/p>\n

I need to find out what this key she gave me unlocks. And I need to share it with Agryn and Tyna. Time for the sewers, again. I\u2019m so looking forward to this.<\/em><\/p>\n

He closed the journal, gathered the shadows about him once again, and left the Sovrena\u2019s private quarters. A few minutes later he was lowering himself back down into the nasty water. He made his way down the corridors, grimacing as he came across a mass of floating dead skeevers.<\/p>\n

The smell hasn\u2019t improved with age, has it?<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

It took him a minute or two to wade through to the hanging bridge over the waterfall which, he found, hurtled down an ancient staircase, not just a stone tunnel. He jumped down from the edge and fought his way to the wall, keeping one hand on it for support as he climbed the steps. The stairway ended next to the hole from which the water poured; a ladder led from there up though an open hatch to another set of stairs.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Halfway up was the carcass of a frostbite spider. Dale frowned.<\/p>\n

Alright, what lives here that took out that spider?<\/em><\/p>\n

A sudden great clanking and the hissing of steam above him announced that there was a Dwarven centurion stationed there.\u00a0 And it had detected him.<\/p>\n

As the centurion swiveled to face him – thankfully, to his mind, they took awhile to change direction – he fired a couple of quick arrows at it. He heard them clunking off its metallic surface, but neither of them did much damage. Dale leapt backwards as the construct blew a cloud of scalding hot steam at him. He reacted almost out of instinct by casting a gargoyle.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\u201cGo, my friend! Take point and distract him!\u201d<\/p>\n

Then Dale drew his blades and gathered in the shadows. If he could attack unseen from behind while the gargoyle fought in front, he could dispatch the centurion. For one tense moment he thought disaster would strike: the centurion took two steps backward just as Dale crossed behind him. In spite of that, though, he had enough space to strike; it didn\u2019t take long until the creature crashed to the floor in a shriek of metallic dismay. Dale walked back up the steps to find a locked door and a second, downed construct. As he\u2019d hoped, the old Dwarven key Tamara had given him opened the door – and there was a lift.<\/p>\n

Ugh. I hate lifts. There are always unpleasant surprises on one end or another of them. At least this one looks solid enough. I suppose I don\u2019t have another choice.<\/em><\/p>\n

He stepped reluctantly onto its surface and threw the lever.<\/p>\n

The lift door opened, uneventfully, to a downward-sloping staircase. At the bottom two dwarven spheres rested quietly, steaming but apparently unaware of his presence.<\/p>\n

And I\u2019m going to keep it that way<\/em>, if I can<\/em>.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Dale drew his swords and crept downward, pressed as tightly to the wall as he could and pausing beside each of the support columns. He reached the bottom of the stairs unseen, but as he rolled forward to try surprising the nearer of the two spheres, both of them sprang up to an active position. He still managed to take out the first of them with a well-placed dagger into its mechanisms; the second swiveled around in apparent confusion, giving him another opening. As they both clattered to the floor Dale stood and loosened his shoulders.<\/p>\n

Didn\u2019t realize how tense I was! Well then. Let\u2019s see what we\u2019ve got. <\/em><\/p>\n

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 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Home Previous \/ Next   Dale felt much better, having rested. Rest made the tasks before him seem much less monumental. I need to report to Agryn. I need to check in at the Sanctuary and see whether there\u2019s work for me. And I suppose I need to keep looking for whatever Dalaran was up … <\/p>\n

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