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skyrimkinkmeme) wrote2011-10-29 12:36 pm
skyrimkinkmeme) wrote2011-10-29 12:36 pm
Meme Announcements!
ANNOUNCEMENTS: UPDATED 12/16/2017
Happy Holidays, fellow Kinkmemers! I have returned and have no reasonable excuse for my absence except LIFE. I will be working on updating the archives. If anyone sees anything amiss, please let me know.
I am also hoping to find another Mod and an Archivist.
The more dedicated people we have in this Meme the less chance of it dying. I admit that being the sole keeper of the Meme is not great for the fandom. If something were to happen to me, for good, this place would go the way of the Fallout Kink Meme. Let's not let that happen! If anyone would be interested in Modding/Archiving, please drop me a line. Thanks! <3
Re: The Wolf Queen Awakens 21.2
(Anonymous) 2014-01-18 09:12 pm (UTC)(link)The first sign that something was up was the general absence of Forsworn. There were often a few seen pointedly watching from the distance or just hunting. This time, nothing. The carriage had taken the safer south route, but the driver had remarked in passing how quiet the Forsworn had got just lately. Almost as if they were up to something.
The second sign was the absence of the Markarth City Guard. Instead the city was guarded by Legion soldiers, the rams' horns gone and the Empire's banners everywhere.
“Oh that is not good,” Karliah whispered from under the priest robes she'd 'borrowed' from Danica Pure-Spring in Whiterun. Next to her, Sapphire, dressed in a dress that had once been Alfhild Battle-Born's and with the Eyes nestling under her stomach to make her look pregnant, was also staring around in shock.
“What in Oblivion happened?” Sapphire whispered. “This city was already loyal to the Empire in the war, why the need to invade?”
Brynjolf mentally revised their cover story. Refugee Talos worshippers seeking a line of currency to set up in Ulfric's lands might not be the sure thing it had once been. He could only hope the Silver-Bloods were still in possession of sufficient coin and respect to be able to help.
His hopes were dashed as soon as he got into the inn, Karliah settling Sapphire into a side corner, looking for all the world like a Dunmer healer-midwife tending to a heavily pregnant young woman.
“Haven't you heard?” Kleppr the bartender snapped as he served the mead Brynjolf had just ordered. “I'm surprised it's not halfway across Skyrim yet. The Reach is an Imperial protectorate now, or might as well be. The Forsworn broke out of Cidhna Mine, assassinating the entire Silver-Blood family in the process – oh sure, they're saying that Thongvor might have been a Dark Brotherhood hit, but the assassin's body wasn't left behind after the jailbreak, so if he wasn't Forsworn before, he certainly is now.”
Brynjolf felt his heart sink. Their last hope of cashing these beauties in, gone. He could weep. Of all the bad luck... He could just imagine the 'I told you so' look on Karliah's face when she heard this. He guessed they'd have to head over to Falkreath sooner rather than later. At least Delphine could be relied on to look after the Eyes for them.
“So if the Silver-Bloods are gone, who's got all their money? And why are the Empire here in force?”
“Normally all assets would default to the Jarl without a legitimate heir turning up, but it's anyone's guess who that'll be,” Kleppr sighed. “Igmund's still Jarl, and he's got Nepos the Nose looking after the Silver-Blood estate seeing as he's the only person with any seniority left over there, but seeing as the idiot was so foolish as to let Thonar lock Jarl Elisif herself up in Cidhna Mine without a trial, and now the Forsworn have abducted her, I can't really see Igmund's reign continuing, can you?”
“Shor's left testicle, are you serious?” Brynjolf swore. “Jarl Elisif??? Ended up in Cidhna Mine?”
“That's what they say,” Kleppr nodded. “Apparently Thonar locked her up in there to try and stop her doing any more damage to the Stormcloak cause. I'd say that's backfired rather spectacularly, wouldn't you say?”
“The world's doomed,” Brynjolf managed to utter, paying for the drinks and heading back over to where Karliah and Sapphire were waiting.
Re: The Wolf Queen Awakens 21.3
(Anonymous) 2014-01-18 09:13 pm (UTC)(link)“We're fucked. The world is fucked. The Reach is beyond fucked,” Brynjolf said, swigging his mead and wishing he'd ordered something stronger. “Karliah, you were right, we should have gone to Falkreath first. Although that's not going to help poor Elisif. Lasses, I'm going to need to go see Delphine at once – you two can join me or go straight to Falkreath. Our contacts are dead, due partly to the Forsworn and partly to their own fucking stupidity.” He recounted what Kleppr had told him, head in his hands, all hope drained out of him.
“The Forsworn have your Dragonborn,” Karliah whispered, horrified. Brynjolf nodded.
“Yep. The lass who needs to stop the dragons destroying the world is a prisoner on some Forsworn camp somewhere. That's assuming they've not killed her.”
“And our marks, our best hope of trading the Eyes, all dead,” Sapphire said bleakly, her mind on the coin first and foremost, as always. “Fuck, Brynjolf.”
“I know,” said Brynjolf softly. “Fuck it all, coin's no good if the dragons have killed us all.”
Karliah stared at her mead, frowning, looking very thoughtful. “Bryn, who did you say was administering the Silver-Blood estates? Nepos the Nose, was it?”
“That's right,” Brynjolf said moodily. “We tried to buy him off a number of times, but he always resisted. Seemed to find it highly amusing when we threatened him, and his guards are a cut above the usual sellsword bodyguards. Loyal to the death, gifted battlemages and sneaky too. I've never dealt with him personally, but Delvin did once or twice. Nepos only deals with thieves on his own terms, when he wants to, and too many thieves who've tried to force the issue have ended up unpleasantly dead for us to raise objections. He's going to be a tough one to crack. Best left alone, lass.”
“Not if you're me,” Karliah said firmly, getting to her feet. “Come on, Bryn, Nocturnal hasn't abandoned us. Let's get to the Treasury House.”
“Wait a second, I just told you the Guild have never managed to suborn him and you're going to just talk him into it?” Brynjolf demanded. “Lass, have you gone stark staring mad?”
“Trust me, Bryn,” said Karliah confidently. “If he'll listen to anyone, he'll listen to me.”
Brynjolf turned to Sapphire, who at least seemed to share his opinion.
“You're insane,” Sapphire whispered as Karliah helped her up.
“No. Just lucky,” Karliah murmured back. As fast as they could manage with the Eyes of the Falmer down Sapphire's dress, the three thieves made their way out.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Treasury House proved to still be open and very little about it changed – some of the servants were different, and there were two tough-looking Reachmen standing just inside the main hallway who narrowed their eyes at Brynjolf, but the place seemed peaceful.
“Good evening, lass, we've got urgent business with Nepos the Nose, I was wondering if you could let us in?” Brynjolf purred. Unlikely to work but he had to at least try the softly softly approach.
“Nepos doesn't have any appointments tonight,” the receptionist sniffed. “I'm sorry, I don't think we can help you.”
“Please,” Sapphire whispered, hand on her stomach. “We've come a long way, had to flee over the border from High Rock. The Thalmor are after us, we were hoping Thonar could help... but they say he died.”
“He did,” the girl behind the counter said, her eyes flickering to the two guards and a couple of Reachfolk domestic staff lounging about, a dark-haired man and a silver-haired young woman, both of whom kept glancing over... and Brynjolf had a sneaking suspicion they were no more cleaners than he was. “And if you were friends of his... look, most of our funds are still tied up in red tape, you're better off going elsewhere. I'm sorry.” This was said with a look of genuine sympathy for Sapphire.
Brynjolf glanced at Karliah. This whole situation stank, and the poor receptionist looked terrified. Brynjolf had a feeling those guards weren't just keeping an eye on the silver. He hoped Karliah knew what she was doing.
Re: The Wolf Queen Awakens 21.4
(Anonymous) 2014-01-18 09:14 pm (UTC)(link)“Where is this going?” the girl whispered, eyes darting about, and now one of the guards was peeling himself off the wall.
“Are they bothering you, Rhiada?” he growled. “Do you need Tynan and me to throw them out?”
“That won't be necessary-” Rhiada began, but the other guard was moving in now and the two domestics had got up, reaching for daggers, and now Brynjolf was certain that they weren't really servants.
“Game's up, we're going,” Brynjolf muttered to Karliah, but she'd raised her hands, clenched her fists and held them to her shoulders.
“Daro!” Karliah cried. “Vi dim ta gelynai! Ainma Karliah a mi chara ap Nepos a Keirine! Mi gwybod Y Brenin! Gwelta yn danu, ond gado mi Nepos gwelych!”
Silence. Brynjolf tried to process that he'd just heard Karliah rattle off something that was neither Tamrielic or her native Dunmeri, but that the Reachmen seemed to understand – the guards and cleaners anyway. He shot a glance at Sapphire, who looked as confused as he did... and the Reachmen also looked surprised.
“Yin Rhanaic siarad,” the guard said, dazed. “Uaile, anas beth?”
The woman was getting to her feet, motioning for the others to back off as she approached, eyes never leaving Karliah. When she did speak, it was in perfect Tamrielic.
“Those are some dangerous names to drop into casual conversation, Tylwyth Mor,” Uaile said, eyes narrowed although her voice was calm. “I hope for your sake you really do know them as you say you do. You're fortunate. I did hear talk that many years ago, there was a Dunmer called Karliah who helped procure things for Matriarch Keirine and lived at Cwm Prendwemyn with her. We shall see how you're remembered. Wait here. I'll ask Nepos if he'll see you.” She made her way over to the door leading into the private apartments before glancing over her shoulder. “Oh, and if it turns out things aren't so friendly between you... Dryston, anfaid yenai an Ia-Mor.”
“Do I want to know what that last bit meant?” Brynjolf asked, fairly certain he could guess.
“Means we're dead if this doesn't work,” Karliah whispered, confirming his suspicions. Mercifully, Nocturnal hadn't abandoned them yet. Uaile was back in a few minutes, glaring at them.
“He'll see you. Get inside, all three of you, and no funny business.”
Uaile never took her eyes off them as the three of them made their way into the back room, Karliah leading the way. Brynjolf brought up the rear, protective arm round Sapphire and glancing over his shoulder, still not sure this wasn't a trap. But Karliah seemed confident.
Nepos proved to be an elderly Reachman in fine clothes, sitting at a table and quietly munching on an apple, a ploy Brynjolf suspected was just a means of demonstrating he still had all his teeth rather than an actual attempt to fill his belly. Nepos, aptly named, put the apple down and got up, actually smiling to see Karliah.
“Lleidr bach, what a pleasant surprise. You don't look a day older.” He looked her over, raising an eyebrow at the priestly robes. “Have you joined the priesthood or is this part of some cunning ruse?”
“Nepos,” Karliah breathed, racing over to him, flinging her hood aback and hugging him. “It's good to see you. What on earth's been happening over here? It sounds like half the city's been murdered! Are you planning a new rebellion or something?”
Forsworn. Brynjolf bloody knew it. He'd wondered, of course he had. Highly trained Reachman warriors didn't just come out of nowhere, and there had to be a reason Nepos had managed to hold on to lucrative employment and not be a Forsworn target himself. Brynjolf had suspected him of playing both sides, but now it appeared Nepos was far more than a mere agent.
Re: The Wolf Queen Awakens 21.5
(Anonymous) 2014-01-18 09:16 pm (UTC)(link)“Aedra, is it that obvious?” Sapphire sighed. “Thank Mara anyway, I'm sick of pretending.”
“Nepos is very good at reading people, Sapphire,” Karliah soothed her. “Nepos, this is Sapphire and that's Brynjolf. We... well, we need a bit of a favour. The first plan was to try and con Thonar into helping us, but seeing as the Forsworn have got a bit restless, we're opting for plan B.”
“Of course you need a favour,” Nepos sighed. “Anu forbid you visit me for any other reason. After all I've done for you over the years, finding you employment, protecting you from your own Guild, arranging Sanctuary with one of our Matriarchs, persuading Madanach you'd be an asset... you could at least keep in touch better.”
“I'm sorry, Nepos,” Karliah said apologetically. “It wasn't safe to write. But I cleared things up with the Guild at last. Mercer's dead and I don't have to hide. Not from my own kind anyway.”
“Just the law,” Nepos said knowingly. “Well, I can't be seen to be abetting thieves and criminals, Karliah, you know that... but I'll always listen to an old friend. Sapphire and Brynjolf, hmm? How very odd, I know both those names. Sapphire would be that under-the-table buyer that used to buy gemstones off hardworking Reachman miners and pay under the odds for them. How unfortunate for you that I now pay half the value of any found gemstones to the one who mines them. I daresay you'll have to find another sideline.”
Sapphire patted the Eyes still hidden under her dress. “Half the value, eh?” she smirked. “We'll see.” She loosened the dress's stays and finally got the Eyes out from under there, delivering them on to the table, glad to be rid of the blasted things. “What will you give us for these?”
Nepos stared at them, eyes bulging as he prodded them, hardly able to believe they were real.
“What in the world are – where in the Void did these come from?? Do I want to know?”
“No,” said Karliah firmly. “Let's just say we need to cash them in. Quickly.”
“I imagine you probably do,” Nepos said faintly. “Dear gods, are these really two entire diamonds the size of an infant?? Surely not, one such would be nothing short of miraculous, but two... hmm.” He picked one up, scrutinising it carefully, even running a few spells over it, before breaking out into a grin.
“Well well. May I take it you've been delving a Dwemer ruin somewhere? Stealing the eyes of a blind race, how dreadful. I should be appalled, but this is quite the find, more than you realise. They're not two whole diamonds, they're lots of smaller flawless diamonds magically bonded together and then cut, using an old Snow Elf magic that's long been lost... but not in the Reach. You're in luck, I don't think there's anyone else in Tamriel who could break these down... but one of our Matriarchs could do it. I think about a hundred flawless diamonds would be a lot more useful to us all than two great big ones. I can establish a credit line to the sum of twenty thousand septims for these?”
“You said half rate earlier!” Sapphire snapped. “The equivalent of one hundred flawless diamonds is worth a damn sight more than that!”
Re: The Wolf Queen Awakens 21.6
(Anonymous) 2014-01-18 09:18 pm (UTC)(link)“So Karliah,” Sapphire was asking. “Exactly how did you get in with the Forsworn anyway? They're not exactly open and trusting.”
“Twenty five years ago, they were the government here,” Karliah said softly. “Everyone in the Guild expected me to go east to Morrowind, where a Dunmer might blend in. So I went west instead, to Markarth. No one even considered I'd go there. Madanach was King in truth, and he hated thieves. He was quite the idealist, for a ruthless warlord anyway. There's a reason he held out for two years – he was well-organised, competent, and really really good at being king. By the end of year one, most of the Reach had got used to the Forsworn running the show. When I showed up, he was confident, even cheerful, and quite receptive to the deal I made him. Inside information on the Guild's operations in return for protection from Mercer. He had me doing spy work for him, we were quite the team. It was an inspired idea. Then the Markarth Incident happened. During the invasion, I saved the life of someone close to Madanach, got them out of the city and to one of Madanach's camps. He never forgot. One letter of introduction to his sister at Hag's End later, and I was safe for years. I gave them a cut of everything I heisted elsewhere, acquired several valuable artefacts for Matriarch Keirine, called the place home. Keirine runs a training coven with lots of women who aren't Reachwomen coming and going, no one raised too many eyebrows at a Dunmer being there. That's how Mercer never found me. Forsworn paranoia kept me safe and I'll never forget it.”
“You saved the life of one of Madanach's blood, we won't forget that either,” Nepos said, his voice kind and fatherly as he secured the Eyes. “Now why don't you take this letter of credit for Delphine and in the morning come back and I'll... oh what now?” Uaile was knocking at the door again, calling out to Nepos, sounding worried.
“Nepos? Sir? You've got more visitors. Sir, it's important, they won't wait.”
“Sithis' sake,” Nepos muttered, before raising his voice. “Uaile, it is gone eleven o'clock, I am hardly a young man any more. Tell them to come back at a civilised hour.”
“I did, but... Sir, it's the General and Legate!” Uaile cried.
“Phynaster's golden balls,” Nepos whispered, the colour draining from his face as he turned to three similarly ashen thieves. “Right, get your things and hide. Ladies, under my bed, now. Brynjolf... no, there's no hope for it, three of you and your things will not stay hidden. Brynjolf, my dear, get in my bedroom, take your clothes off and get in the bed.”
“You what?” Brynjolf sputtered. That was not in the plan, not now, not ever. “Look, I'm all for pretending one of us is your night's entertainment but can't one of the lasses...?”
“No,” Nepos snapped. “Nearly fifty years of bedding men, and now I decide to start keeping company with the fairer sex? Do you actually want everyone in Markarth gossiping? Whereas finding a Nord man between my sheets, no one will even care. Don't worry, your virtue is safe, I'm done training the untouched up at my time of life.”
Re: The Wolf Queen Awakens 21.7
(Anonymous) 2014-01-18 09:19 pm (UTC)(link)“I hope you two are enjoying the view,” he sighed as he stripped off, doing his best to ignore Karliah's muffled giggling. Sapphire just sounded vaguely revolted but they both piped down as General Tullius's voice echoed in Nepos' living room.
“General, Legate, what a lovely surprise,” Nepos was saying. “Do come in, the pair of you. What can I do for you? It's a little late for a social call. Did you want to look at more records?”
“No, no, I've seen all I need to to prove Thonar and his brother weren't just traitors, they weren't even competent,” Tullius growled. “In fact you're about the only one so far with any brains at all. No, we came to let you know we've concluded our investigations. You'll find the results of interest.”
“Personally I suspect I'm going to find the results a foregone conclusion, but do go on,” Nepos said, pouring drinks for all three of them.
“You may find some of it a surprise,” Rikke said, sounding like she was smiling. “While we've found no evidence Igmund was aware of Maia's true identity, that doesn't excuse the fact that he was letting a private citizen administer justice, if you can call it that, and allowed an innocent woman to go to jail without even a pretence of a trial. While I doubt we'd have ever found out this was going on if the victim hadn't been so high-profile, that it happened to Jarl Elisif rather than a commoner is besides the point. A Jarl should know better. A Nord should know better.”
“I'd expect any ruler with a shred of competence to know better,” Nepos said sharply. “Nord or not.”
“Quite,” Tullius said roughly, sounding a little rattled and given the state of Reach politics at the best of times, Brynjolf didn't blame him. “But the added problem remains that as a result of Igmund's staggering incompetence, our High Queen is missing, presumed abducted by Madanach of the Forsworn. Eight know what he's done to her or where he's taken her. We've not had any kind of ransom note, not yet anyway, so it's possible he doesn't know who she is. I don't know if that's a good thing or not.”
“That poor girl,” Rikke whispered, sounding devastated. “She's already suffered so much. What she must be going through. That's assuming she's not...”
“We'll find her,” Tullius said as Rikke choked on the words. “If we have to turn over every damn Forsworn encampment in the Reach, we'll find out what happened to her.”
“I understand your concerns, of course,” Nepos said, only sounding a little panicked at the prospect of the Legion turning over every Forsworn camp in the Reach. “But Madanach was never a fool, and he's got informants everywhere. I'm sure he knows who she is. I'm also sure he's not so foolish as to risk the wrath of the Empire by harming her. Look, I know you've got a war to fight, don't waste your troops on the Forsworn. I know an awful lot of people among the natives of the Reach, I can start making enquiries. I might be able to find out something for you. Believe me, Madanach will have a plan, he'll want to make contact eventually.”
“You seem awfully well-informed about the state of the Forsworn and the King in Rags' mindset, Nepos,” Tullius said suspiciously.
“I'm just an old Reachman who's been paying attention, General,” Nepos said calmly. “I make no claim to omniscience, I merely would like to offer any help I can in ensuring that poor woman's safe return.”
“Quite,” Tullius said, still a little dubious but not wishing to push the point. “Well, your offer's well-timed. We've been left with little choice. We're sending Igmund into retirement tomorrow along with his steward and housecarl and taking over direct administration of the Reach.”
Re: The Wolf Queen Awakens 21.8
(Anonymous) 2014-01-18 09:21 pm (UTC)(link)“A new Jarl?” Nepos asked, no doubt raising an eyebrow and sipping his tea at the same time. “Who's that then? Do they know what they're letting themselves in for?”
“He certainly seems to,” Tullius said gruffly. “Rikke and I decided that in order for this to stand any chance of working, we'd need a citizen of the Reach in charge. No point bringing an outsider in, they'd last five minutes. Sadly, since Markarth's leading family were all killed by the Forsworn, that's not left very many people in the city with any influence whatsoever. In fact, much as it pained us both to admit it, we really only have one option.”
Silence for a moment and when Nepos did speak, he sounded rather unsure of himself.
“General, where exactly is this going?”
“We'd like to offer you the Jarldom,” Tullius said, not a hint in his voice that he liked anything about this situation whatsoever, but clearly out of options. “You'll need to swear loyalty to the Empire of course, and uphold the White-Gold Concordat, or at least let the Thalmor do it.”
“I've never been a Talos-worshipper, sir,” Nepos said faintly. “And I have the greatest respect for the Empire, of course. It's just... are you sure? Me?”
“Frankly no, but you're a capable man who everyone speaks very highly of, from the Nord shopkeepers to the Reachman smelter workers,” Tullius sighed. “You've got the skills, I'm sure, it's just a matter of your... commitment. I'm hoping you'll be administering justice fairly and that you'll do your best to keep the Forsworn in line?”
“I shall keep the peace to the best of my ability,” Nepos promised, sounding a little shaken. “When do I start?”
“Tomorrow,” Tullius said, getting to his feet. “We'll escort you to the Keep at noon, I imagine you have preparations to make.”
“I certainly do,” Nepos said. “Well, I'll not keep you both any further, I'm sure we can discuss all the details in the days to come.”
“Indeed,” Tullius said, still suspicious but clearly resigned. “Thank you for your time, Jarl Nepos. I'm hoping this will prove a successful partnership all round. We can see ourselves out.”
There were more pleasantries, then Uaile telling the Imperial commanders to come with her, and then the sound of the door closing, a few moments of silence... and then laughter. Cackling, hysterical laughter and at least one squeal before Nepos finally sat in a chair and poured himself a drink.
“You can come out now, lleidrai,” he called. “How much of that did you hear exactly?”
Brynjolf retrieved his clothes while Karliah slipped out, Sapphire close behind.
“Did I hear that right?” Karliah gasped. “General Tullius just made you Jarl??”
“Yes!” Nepos actually squealed. “I don't – my goodness, I don't even know what to say, I just... oh my stars, I have letters to write, Himself is going to either kill me or kiss me, oh sweet Anu, Karliah, this changes everything. Listen, I need to give you that credit note for Delphine – don't worry, Brynjolf will know how to reach her, and yes you'll still all get your coin. Also seeing as your next stop is Karthspire Forsworn camp, I'll need to give you the passwords and a letter for the camp commander, and now it looks like I need to give you a note for her father as well. Make yourselves at home, all three of you, this could be a while, now where is my inkpot...”
Brynjolf exchanged glances with his colleagues, silently wondering what the world was coming to. The Jarl of the Reach was fencing goods for the Thieves Guild – a Forsworn Jarl of the Reach who was clearly on close terms with Madanach himself. And the Empire had signed off on the whole thing. The world was clearly mad... but Brynjolf wasn't complaining.
Re: The Wolf Queen Awakens 21.9
(Anonymous) 2014-01-18 09:22 pm (UTC)(link)“Legate,” he began. “Are we doing the right thing, do you think?”
“If by doing the right thing, you mean putting a Forsworn agent on the Mournful Throne, then honestly no,” Rikke said, radiating disapproval of the whole thing. “But it's your call, sir, and I do agree there weren't any other qualified candidates. We can hardly just sack a Jarl and replace him with one of our officials, the Nords would never stand for it. At least Nepos is respected by all of Markarth.”
“Even if he is working for the King in Rags,” Tullius sighed. “At least Elisif is alive and well from the sounds of it. I was worried about her, although you didn't hear that from me. The girl's trouble but she's not corrupt and she's someone all of Skyrim will rally around. The Empire needs her.”
“Do you think he was telling the truth? That he can locate her? I doubt Madanach would just hand her over, sir.” Rikke genuinely did like Elisif, and the thought of the Forsworn keeping her captive broke her heart. She'd heard stories of Madanach – he was not known for his compassion. He was however also not a fool. He'd treat an asset well.
“I don't think he would either, but perhaps he'd be willing to negotiate. Either way, Nepos is probably our best chance at getting in touch.” Tullius was sitting at his desk, hands on his temples as he stared down at the map of Skyrim spread out on it.
“You're really willing to negotiate with the Forsworn, sir? They're barbarians, General,” Rikke said, amazed he was even considering anything other than wiping them out – but she also knew they really didn't have the men, the Stormcloaks were more dangerous and a long drawn-out campaign in the Reach, against hostile natives with magic on their side in rough terrain, wouldn't help anyone.
“I know, but twenty-five years ago, Ulfric tried genocide and it didn't work. Now they all hate him. I can use that if I have to,” Tullius shrugged. “And I will do what it takes to get Elisif freed and returned to us, even if it does involve sitting down to talks with a sociopath like Madanach.”
“I don't like it, sir,” Rikke said softly. This certainly wasn't what she'd joined the Legion for – but then again, nor was biting her tongue and forcing a smile whenever that bitch Elenwen entered the room. If General Tullius thought it was for the best, she'd follow orders without question – but that didn't mean she didn't have an opinion.
“We have our mission, Legate,” was all Tullius said, glancing up at her and holding her gaze. “The Legion does not falter even when things are difficult. The Legion will find a way. Are you with me in this, Legate?”
Rikke hesitated before nodding.
“As always, sir,” she said quietly. Tullius held her gaze for a moment longer before looking away, seeming satisfied.
“Good. Dismissed, Legate, tomorrow's going to be a difficult day for us all.”
Deposing a Nord Jarl from a Hold of Skyrim and effectively placing the Forsworn in charge. Ulfric should have just left Madanach in charge in the first place. With a heavy heart, Legate Rikke headed for bed, wondering when life had got so complicated.