"Arfanel must have sent you. The Queen's Eyes see all, eh?"
That they do."Green bless you, then! I have everything I need from this hut. Was just about to take my leave. Would you do me a favor and clean up? I want to make my report."
What do you mean?"Take these fire salts. The empty crates over there are the perfect kindling. Head to the camp on the bluff when you're done here. I'm sure Arfanel would wish to thank you."
"My friend. You cannot imagine how grateful I am to see you. I have need of a veteran in the Queen's service today. What brings you to Arenthia?"
A priestess of the lunar clergy told me I'd find you here."A priestess of the … all right. Hey, we need to get things done here. Whatever brought you up the road, I'm not going to complain."
"I have absolutely no idea why a lunar priest would send you to me. But I'll take all the help I can get. We've got a lot of work to do."
How can I help?"Arenthia has been taken by invaders from the north, Colovians. I've been tasked to help the local resistance. It's a ragtag group led by a woman named Kazirra. We have a rough plan, but we need help. To start with, grab a uniform off of this scout."
Then what?"Head to the safehouse in the market. It's the hut with the lion statue at the bottom of the steps. Oh, and stop to listen to the propaganda illusion playing in the market square. It'll give you a sense of what we're up against."
I think I have what we're looking for. Here."Excellent, let me see … ha! This is an amazing find, my friend. With this, by the Green, we'll retake the city for sure! But first thing's first. We need to get the Centurion to Kazirra."
How do we do that?"Gavo is doing us a favor by delivering himself right to this tower. He's meeting someone. Someone he doesn't know. Get up inside the tower and watch for him coming from the gates. When he arrives, pretend you're Tharn's envoy."
What will you do while I'm talking to him?"We need him alive, right? You talk, I get into position. Then I introduce him to the butt of my dagger. Pretty simple, as these things go."
All right, I'll get up there.
After she knocks out Centurion Gavo:
"Not bad, if I do say so myself. He went down like a sack of eel jerky."
How do we get him to Kazirra?"You're going to love this. You're going to walk their commanding officer right past the damned Colovians. Straight out the front gate."
How am I going to do that?"Our mutual friend Mister Razum-dar has this … appreciation for disguise. He may have even shown you this earring he keeps around. It has a very simple illusion spell woven into it. No good for long-term missions, but perfect for quick infiltration."
So I'll appear as Gavo, then? What about Gavo?"I'm going to gag him and dress him as your prisoner. Then, like I said. You simply walk him out the front gate. Easy as lying. This will take just a moment. You ready?"
"We've done it! Once they saw Gavo's confession, most of them abandoned the city. They're running home to Colovia. The only ones still fighting are her loyalist core. How'd it go with Lavinia?"
She's dead."Yes! You're just the best. Working with you is like that Argonian bard at my local tavern. An unexpected but very welcome surprise."
"The Collies are on the run, and Kazirra's thrilled. By the Green I wish we could stop for a brew. But no such luck. You have more work to do."
Right. The cult and the Mane."I've been thinking about what Gavo said. The temple district makes sense. The resistance kept talking about all the strange lights in that part of town. What do you want to bet that's where the Mane's gone, as well?"
I heard him talking to Lavinia. He's working alongside the cultists."Damn it. I'll work with Kazirra to contain the district. We need to keep the Arenthians out of there. You stop that ritual. Find Akkhuz-ri and do what needs to be done."
I'll see it done."Good luck in there. Hopefully, the Stonefire haven't been able to finish their ritual."
Why do you need to keep the Arenthians out of there?"For the time being, Akkhuz-ri … the Mane is an unknown. Is he working with Tharn willingly? We don't know. And I don't want the devout Khajiit of the city in there jogging your elbow."
What do you mean?"I can't be any clearer about this, my friend. The Mane is the spiritual leader of the Khajiit. He wields enormous influence. If he's been turned, or he's defected, he cannot be allowed to leave that district."
"The Mane still lives. I trust you have a good reason for this, my friend?"
He claims some kind of dark spirit controlled him."Kazirra was right, then. She'll be relieved to hear it. The Colovians are on the run and I'd say we've done a damned good job here today."
That's good to hear."You should talk to Kazirra. Tell her your account of what went on. I consider it an honor to have served with you here today. I'm going to make sure the Queen hears of your bravery."
"My friend, I could not be happier to see you again. A veteran Eye is just who I need by my side today."
I gathered that from your note—I mean, what do you need?"Back up. Pa'alat is home to gamblers, vagabonds, and the retirement villa of a former Eye of the Queen. A legend, actually. A Khajiit named Krin Ren-dro. Unfortunately, we're pretty sure he's gone rogue."
Gone rogue? What do you mean?"He's selling secrets. Dominion secrets. His lovely little resort town is lousy with agents of the Ebonheart Pact and Daggerfall Covenant. I need to find proof, steal back what he's stolen, and take him out. Will you help me?"
I'll help you.
In town:
"Behind you are the luxury guest lodgings. Covenant and Pact agents, thick as thieves. The troops here aren't even bothering to hide their colors. Sloppy."
What's the plan?"We need concrete evidence that Ren-dro is in bed with these bastards. Get inside their quarters, and search everywhere. Correspondence, letters, something … anything I can show to the Queen."
Aren't there guards?"Of course there are! I trust you to get past them. Persuasion, bribery, intimidation … whatever it takes. I have some ideas on how you can approach them."
Time to get to work, then."I'd start with the Dragons. The Pact only ships their dullest, weakest soldiers off for diplomatic guard duty."
How do I get past those Pact guards?"I've been here for a few days already, so I know the guard rotations. You would not believe what the Covenant's captain here is into, I've never … ahem."
The Pact guards, Cariel?"Let's see, this time of day … Andwulf and Ivanya are on duty. Andwulf looks like a warrior, but raise your voice and he'll run for cover. Ivanya … well, let's just say she enjoys the services of the "men of leisure" working the camp."
Can I ask you a few questions?"Can't promise I won't lie. But I'll tell you what I can. Ask."
Why isn't the military dealing with this?"Ren-dro is very well-connected. Very. He has dozens of business ventures across the Dominion. And he's in tight with members of the military from his time as an Eye. Erm. That is, from his time before the Queen was coronated …."
What are you saying, Cariel?"Ahem … well. Officially the Eyes were formed when Her Majesty was crowned two years ago. Let's just say Her Majesty was preparing for her return long before she actually got back to Auridon. Ren-dro was a big part of that."
Why do you need me for this?"Ren-dro still has some friends in the Eyes. He knows I'm out here, and the guards know what I look like. Hence the disguise. You … well, to be honest, he probably knows about you too. But they won't be expecting you."
Ready. How do I get past their guards?"Let's see, who's on duty now? Ah, Quinton. He's a dullard. He just opens the door for the parade of pretty faces. Tell him you're there to meet Captain Balrook's disgusting needs. Just know you'll probably have to deal with the Captain personally."
Who's the other guard on duty?"Seyran. That bitch. A drunkard. Want her to step aside? Just buy her some ale. But … you know what? I owe her. Why don't you convince her to step away? Suggest you've got a keg waiting for her under the bridge behind the lodge."
What did Seyran do to you? What are you going to do?"The war isn't very old. But I've already seen enough action to hold plenty of grudges. Let's just say she cost me. As for what I'll do … that's up to you. Get her to move however you like."
Thanks for the advice. Where do you want to meet?"Once you have what we're looking for, head towards Krin's compound. We'll need to get inside if we want to grab back our intel."
Take a look."Very nicely done! Clear links … yes, links between Ren-dro and agents in Riften. Deep in the heart of the Pact. And correspondence with an operator in Sentinel. The Covenant's fingers are all over this place."
What do we do now?"Our primary goal now should be to reclaim any documents Ren-dro has stolen from the Eyes. There's only one place they'd be: inside his manse. Only problem is, the place is crawling with guards."
More stealth and manipulation?"By the Green, I'm done with that. These bastards have relaxed enough. Get into the drinking tents and set some fires. Kill anyone that tries to stop you. Cause enough commotion and Ren-dro's men will come running. Then make for the compound."
I'll see it done.
Outside the hatch:
"I found a note in one of the desks talking about this hatch back here. Guess what's down there?"
I couldn't even guess."It's a secret lair! Ren-dro has a secret lair. He probably keeps his more important business down there. When I retire I'm going to get my own lair."
So you think that's where we'll find him?"Oh! Yes. Yes, that's almost certainly where he is. What do you say, my friend? Ready to deal out the Queen's justice to a traitor?"
"It's done. The bastard's dead. Thank you, your help was invaluable."
Thank you."Every member of the Dominion is a little safer because of what we've done here today. Queen Ayrenn's not here to give you a fancy scepter, or a royal title. Just me. But, from me … thanks."
Are you all right?"I'll be fine. As soon as I stop bleeding out of my side, and can walk on my own accord. Actually, now that you mention it …."
What happened? Who was that?"Where have you been the last few months? The Veiled Heritance, those bastards, led a revolt against the Queen. All of the Summerset Isles have risen against her. It's been all the Eyes could do to keep her alive."
What can I do?"There's not much you can do. They tracked us cross country. Overwhelmed us. I'm not … I'm not going to last much longer. Maybe you can help Raz. He's up on the hill. Find him. He's the Queen's last defense."
I'll find Raz.
Conversations[]
Striking at the Heart
As Indaenir returns to life:
Mane Akkhuz-ri:"Look. Indaenir."Cariel:"Perhaps you should take a few steps back, Mane?"<Indaenir comes back to life>Cariel:"The Valenheart … it saved Indaenir!"Mane Akkhuz-ri:"Saved him? Cariel?"Cariel:"The Valenwood brought him back! It's Y'ffre's will."Indaenir:"What happened?"Cariel:"Indaenir, you're … Y'ffre has chosen you. You're the Silvenar."
After speaking with the revived Indaenir:
Cariel:"I'm going to go let Raz know. I'm sure he's pushed into the grotto by now with the Vinedusks."Mane Akkhuz-ri:"Yes, and Queen Ayrenn must be informed as well."
Cariel:"Now to wake him up. Smelling salts should do the trick."
<Centurion Gavo wakes up>
Centurion Gavo:"What … what happened? Who are you?"Cariel:"Another word and you're dead. Get up. This is your escort. Follow them, and don't speak. You won't see me, but I'll be watching. Try anything and you'll be the first to die. Nod if you understand me."
<Centurion Gavo nods>
Cariel:"Such a good boy! He's all yours! I'll go on ahead, but I'll be nearby."
Quotes[]
The Colovian Occupation
"See you there!" – After agreeing to meet her at the safe house
"Welcome to Arenthia's resistance!" – At the safe house
