12th of Hearthfire
“You will return them to me immediately or the Magistrate in Chorrol will hear of this.” The Prioress Selvia Varo said in increasing volume and pitch.
“Madam, you are mad.” Kurst said from his saddle.
“We have neither seen them, nor do we know when they have gone.” I said to the highly agitated woman.
We had departed early, our route following the main road southeast to the Imperial City. The sun, therefore, was still early in its own journey through the morning sky when we again passed by the Priory. Unlike our last passage the Prioress virtually pounced upon is as we arrived.
“Two girls, traveling on foot with few provisions, cannot have gotten far without assistance.” Aric said. “They said nothing to you, or to their fellow students?”
“Do not pretend that you do not know, sir.” Selvia Varo said.
“Gods, Aric, the cultists.” I said. “Lucia said they traveled overland to reach the stones. They must have passed quite close to here.”
“When did you first notice their absence?” Aric asked Selvia Varo.
The Prioress was clearly about to argue, but Kurst preempted her.
“Stop arguing and think, woman.” He said. “They may be in danger. When did you first notice that they were gone?”
She closed her open mouth and looked at Kurst and Aric for a moment before answering.
“Two days ago.” She said. “At morning assembly.”
The day after Lucia and Runa were injured.
“Thank the Gods.” I said.
“The day prior to that, did you see two men dressed in red robes approach from the east and continue overland westward towards Chorrol?” Aric asked
“Two men in red robes, sir?” she asked, “Why would I notice such a thing.”
“I saw them.” One of the girls said. “They crossed the road a short distance south. I saw them while I was hanging the mornings washings out to dry.”
“What time was that?” Kurst asked.
“It would have been about midday.” She answered.
“And the two girls were still here at that time?” I asked.
“Yes.” The girls said.
The relief I felt was clear for all to see.
“Are they in danger?” the girl asked of her missing classmates.
“It is not a time to be wandering the countryside.” Kurst said.
“These men attacked my daughters, who were grievously wounded.” Aric said. “Anyone so attired, either in robes, or in armor adorned in similar material, are dangerous and should be avoided.”
“Do not wander far from the safety of the priory.” Kurst said. “Be vigilant and lock yourselves inside if they are seen in the vicinity.”
The mood of the Prioress changed considerably as Aric and Kurst spoke.
“You must protect us Captain.” She said. “You cannot leave us to face them alone.”
“You are not their primary target, Lady.” Rafel said. “But take care not to become a target of convenience.”
“We ride to the Imperial City, and a meeting with the Emperor.” I said. “I will personally mention the Priory to him when we speak. Do not fear lady.”
Take that statement how you will. I thought.
“I will venture a guess and say that the two missing girls did not simply decide to walk away from the abuse of the Priory.” Kurst said. “An inventory of that structure will certainly show the absence of more than two students.”
“Could they have collected sufficient resources to simply pay for passage to Bruma?” I asked. “It was the destination we announced for Anja. They may be in Bruma already if they bought passage on the earliest scheduled transport.”
“I pray that is what happened.” Kurst said.
“We pass by the two closest alternatives as we travel south.” Aric said. “We will know more after that.”
It was clear, after stopping for a short time at each of the villages we had visited before, that the girls had chosen a different destination.
“Is that what it appears to be?” I asked Aric some hours later as our journey took us farther east and south.
“They are standing stones.” He said. “If they did not sit upon that small hill they would not be seen from the road.”
“Their proximity to the road and the former outpost to the north and west makes these stones a poor candidate for finding cultists in residence.” I said.
“Would we attack such a compound were we to find one?” Rafel asked.
“It is a fair question.” Aric said. “for which I have no definitive answer.”
“I could ride out and back in short order.” Rigel said.
“Our main goal lies to the east.” Aric said. “An investigation here would only delay us.”
“We will reach the bridge shortly after nightfall.” Kurst said. “it is a short ride from there to the stables. We will sleep in comfort tonight.”
“When is your meeting with your two scouts?” Rafel asked.
“In two days, at the prearranged location and time.” Aric said. “And each day after that, at different locations.” Should they fail to appear after three days we will know they met misfortune.”
“I have meetings to arrange as well.” Rafel said. “and research in the Imperial library.”
“I trust I do not insult you, friend, when I remind you that we do not know who to trust.” I said. “Take great care sharing any information at all.”
“You do not insult me, Archpriestess.” He replied. “I recognize as much as anyone that a probable source for such powerful mages is my own Guild.”
“And the City Guard is already shown as compromised.” Kurst said. “We must assume that spies exist in the Imperial City as well as Chorrol and Bruma.”
“No guild is above suspicion.” Aric said. “The warriors that accompany those Mages are no common brigands. Fortunately, the Archpriestess and I have a resource in the City we can call upon.”
“A resource you intend to keep secret?” Kurst asked.
Aric smiled.
“Yes, friend.” He replied.
“My name is Noxaura.” I said to the evening attendant at the Inn in the Imperial City Temple District. “I am an Archpriestess with the Maetreum of Cybele. “I require rooms for myself and my three retainers. We will stay for three days. We will require lodging and meals.”
The attendant looked at the four of us, all wearing the dark blue garments that clearly indicated our service to the Mother Goddess. His attention quickly moved to the handful of gold that Ensim placed upon the counter.
“You are an Archpriestess.” Kurst said after we had left the stables. “It is beneath you to handle coin. You must act as if you are above such things.”
“If you will allow me, Reverend Mother, I can help you with that.” Ensim said. “I seen enough of the aristocracy and how they treat their servants.”
“I place myself in your hands, then, Ensim.” I said. “Here is the coin purse. I have an excellent model to emulate in my dressmaker. We may review my role afterward and you may offer any suggestions you feel appropriate.”
And so, standing in the All-Saints Inn and emulating the sisters of Solitude in aggregate, I viewed the offered accommodations with a look that I had seen several times as the sisters surveyed my existing wardrobe.
“It will do.” I said. “Toinen, see to the baggage.”
“Yes Reverend Mother.” he said as he hid his smile behind his hand.
“I have an audience with the Emperor tomorrow.” I said to the attendant. “My robes need tending. Have you such ability here, or must I send them elsewhere?”
The man’s eyes grew large at the word Emperor.
“We can see to them, Reverend Mother.” He said.
“Their value would certainly equal the value of this entire establishment.” I said as Kolmas developed a cough before covering his face.
“Perhaps we will send them out, your Grace.” He answered.
“Shouldn’t you adopt your Imperial title of Prefect in the City, ma’am?” Ensim asked, which caused Kolmas’ fit of coughing to become worse.
“I will call upon the Palace at once, Prefect, and request the Emperor’s laundry attendant and four guardsmen immediately.” The man said. “You will have pristine robes when you meet the Emperor.”
“That will do.” I said.
“Blessed Mother forgive me for taking as much pleasure as I did.” I said as Aric and I lay entwined in bed, each of us bathed, but tired after our long day. “But even her patience would have been tested when faced with that man’s demeanor when we entered the Inn. You would have thought we were covered in mud from head to toe.”
“It is the Imperial City.” Aric said. “It seems that even Inn attendants feel that it is their duty to assert their superiority over visiting provincials.”
“You would have been proud of my three attendants.” I said as I smiled at the memory. “Their clash of armor as they stopped in unison at the counter should have woken the entire Inn.”
“It is hard to recognize the three men we took into custody in your three retainers.” Aric said. “They seem as if they are new creatures.”
“Surely, that is the purpose of this obscure custom.” I said. “And the obscure names these men bear now. Yet Ysabeth did not hesitate for a moment in naming them.”
“Shall I share a secret with you, Prefect?” Aric asked.
“Do you keep secrets from me sir?” I asked. “Pray tell me then.”
“Their new names are not names at all.” He said.
“I do not understand.” I said.
“Ensim, Toinen, and Kolmas. Or, more appropriately, Ensimmäinen, Toinen and Kolmas, when translated, mean First, Second and Third.”
I know how to count, dragon prince.
“I finally understand Ysabeth’s cryptic statement.” I laughed.
“They have never been treated as they were upon entering the Imperial City.” Aric said. “And their behavior responded accordingly. They were treated with respect, and they seemed to grow taller, to walk prouder.”
“Inge cried when she first saw her husband, resplendent in his new armor and livery, enter the temple.” I said. “If you had seen her face, beloved, you would have cried as I did.”
“I am sure I would have.” Aric said.
“Shall I share a secret with you now?” I asked.
“Do you keep secrets from me, madam?” he asked me, matching my earlier tone perfectly. “Pray tell me, then.”
“I dreamed of my Mother.” I said.
“Your Mother?” he asked. “When?”
“Two nights ago.” I said.
He thought for a moment.
“That day that we discussed your village.” Aric said. “It is not unexpected then, after talking of your home, to dream of your Mother, is it?”
“It was not simply that.” I said. “I dreamed of her, but she also dreamed of me. We were there, Railius and I, outside the cottage where I was born, under the moonlight, when my mother came out to meet us.”
“Railius was there also.” Aric said. “The three of you sharing the same dream, and not in the Rift.”
“My mother was not sure what to make of it either and she knows more about dreams than anyone in Tamriel.” I said.
“The three of you.” He simply said and was quiet for a moment.
“How was Railius affected by this fantastical event?” he asked me.
I began to laugh.
“He began to flirt with my mother.” I said.
Aric laughed loud enough to wake anyone in the next room.
“Did your mother banish him from the dream?” he asked.
“Quite the opposite.” I said.
His laughter continued.
“Railius and your Mother.” He replied.
“Is that lascivious tone appropriate when speaking of my father and my mother?” I asked.
“Fathers and Mothers have been known to have an attraction for one another from time to time.” He answered as he kissed my forehead.
“Before we parted my mother gave us a warning.” I said. “She said something approaches, something she cannot see.”
“Ysabeth said likewise.” Aric said, his smile gone. “Ysabeth knows how to hide from such things. She said as much. I hope your mother can as well.”
“It may be a skill we will all need to learn before this threat is defeated.” I said.
It was the daytime attendant that greeted Aric and I as we entered the private dining room for our breakfast, dressed in clothing that would attract no attention.
“Prefect, your robes will arrive within the hour.” He said as his eyes kept glancing at Aric.
“It will suffice.” I said. “We do not see the Emperor for several hours yet.”
“We, Prefect?” the attendant asked.
“This is my traveling companion, the Archmage of the College of Winterhold in Skyrim, who will also attend my audience with the Emperor.” I said as I lifted my chin in feigned arrogance. “He and his housecarl arrived somewhat later than I did. His court finery was virtually thrown at the Emperor’s laundry attendant as he departed. It was a shabby manner to treat such garments.”
Aric hid his smile behind his mug of tea.
“A thousand apologies, Archmage.” The man said. “I will speak with the night attendant when he arrives.”
“It is no matter sir.” Aric said. “I was quite late in arriving. We shall say no more of it.”
“And I will require the services of an excellent coiffure well before the time of our audience, and a lady’s maid to help me dress.”
“I will see to both immediately.” He said.
“You shame me into better behavior, sir, with your lack of participation.” I said to Aric after the attendant had left.
“A Prefect has a reputation to maintain, madam.” Aric said as Ensim entered the dining room. “An Archmage from Skyrim has a reputation to repudiate.”
“Ensimmäinen, what do you have to report?” I asked him.
“Your Grace?” the man asked with a look of bewilderment as he stood before us in common attire.
“What do you and your cohort discover, Ensim?” Aric asked him.
“He knows his work, but he’s there alright.” Ensim said. “He took no note of us as we left the Inn, us looking common and all. He hides it well, but he don’t take his eye off that doorway.”
“What do your brethren do now?” I asked.
“They are keeping an eye on him, discreet like.” Ensim said. “Toinen thinks he can trip him up whenever it is needed.”
“We have finished our breakfast.” I said. “Do the streets become busy enough to conceal us?”
“They should do the trick, your Grace.” The man said with a smile.
“Then now is as good a time as any.” I said. “How will we know when to depart?”
“You’ll know all right, your Grace.” He said. “Just wait by the front door.”
The daytime attendant stared at us as we stood at the front door and waited.
“I have a clandestine mission to complete for the Emperor.” I said. “It is necessary to leave without being seen by the spy who lurks outside. If anyone askes, I am in my rooms.”
The attendant’s eyes became quite wide at my words, and at what was clearly our cue to leave.
“THIEF! THIEF!” was repeated several times outside as the sounds of a commotion started.
“Now.” Aric said as we opened the door, turned to our right, away from the noise, and continued onwards, the hoods of our cloaks pulled up. We turned right again at our next opportunity and simply waited, two lovers embracing.
“I believe we are safe.” Aric said.
“Let us wait just a bit longer.” I said as my arms tightened around him and my lips found his. “One cannot be too careful in these situations.”
“Good morning sir.” I said to the elderly Altmer that answered the front door of the Aldmeri Dominion Pro Counsel’s residence. “Forgive me for such an early intrusion. Might I have a moment to speak with the Pro Counsel?”
The man looked at my common clothing and clearly thought the answer should be no.
“Please inform him that High Priestess and Custos Urbi of Skyrim wishes admittance.” I said.
He paused for a moment.
“Wait here.” He said.
“May I beg your indulgence and wait inside, sir?” I asked. “I do not wish to be observed.”
He considered again before stepping back and allowing me to enter.
“Please sit there.” He said indicating an ornate chair next to a side table.
“Thank you.” I said as I sat down.
I could see nothing except the long hallway which had the chair I sat in at one end and a guard at the other. It took several minutes before two guards appeared with the elderly man and indicated that I should follow them.
I was shown into an office with a desk at one end and a conference table at the other. An Altmer woman of indeterminate age sat behind the desk with a cup of steaming tea in front of her.
“I am Lorne Dorin, Pro Counsel of the Aldmeri Dominion to the Imperial Court.” She said. “You gave my servant your titles, but not your name. And forgive me for speaking plainly but you do not dress as if those titles are yours to give.”
“Pro Counsel, my name is Noxaura. I am an Archpriestess with the Maetreum of Cybele and by appointment of the Emperor I am, indeed, appointed High Priestess and Custos Urbi of Skyrim. I believe you had a message from a friend of mine, and a countryman of yours. His name is Fasion Adus, and he described some illicit activities in my adopted homeland.”
She considered only a moment.
“Leave us.” She said to her guards and servant.
“I apologize for this early intrusion, and the manner in which we were forced to conduct it.” I said. “We are under surveillance and were forced to sneak out of our lodging under disguise.”
“We.” Lorne said.
“Yes.” I replied. “You are about to receive another visitor. A certain Thane from Skyrim will arrive soon. It was necessary that we travel here separately, to confuse anyone looking for a man and woman traveling together.”
“Encar.” The Pro Counsel called.
“Bring the man who will arrive shortly directly here. But first ask his name.” she said as she looked at me.
“His name is Aric.” I said.
“His full name.” she said.
“His full name is Aric Heimdall Belrud Aamutähti.” I said.
Her servant Encar’s reaction to the name was clear.
“Do you speak the ancient language that sired that name sir?” I asked.
“It has been some time since I have heard it spoken, madam.” He replied.
“I find it to be a beautiful language, but I must admit that I do not understand a word of it.” I said. “It is like enjoying a singer who sings in their native tongue. I must sit and enjoy the entire song before asking what was sung.”
“Must I also wait for the Thane to arrive before I hear this song sung in its entirety?” she asked.
“I find I must start my tale at the end of the recent troubles in Skyrim.” I said. “Troubles that you were instrumental in ending. I cannot find adequate words to thank you for your assistance.”
“I must tell you plainly that Ambassador Elenwen made a full report of what transpired on the battlefield whose name I cannot recall.” Lorne said. “She swears to the accuracy of every detail.”
“I regret the loss of so many of your countrymen.” I said. “I tried most earnestly to find a solution that did not involve bloodshed.”
“She said as much.” Lorne said. “She also said that it was in your power to kill every remaining Aldmeri soldier, yet you chose to end the battle and heal all the wounded without distinction of race.”
“The Gods do not distinguish man from mer.” I said. “We are all children of the Divines. The sun does not shine on the one and not the other. Who am I, then, to gainsay the sun?”
“Fasion wrote separately concerning you, and your care of his wounded soldiers.” Lorne said. “I can see he was not mistaken.”
The door opened and Aric was shown in.
”Thane Aric Skyrimistä, asianajaja.” Encar said to Lorne Dorin.
“Kiitos ystävällisyydestäsi, sir.” Aric said to the elf.
The door closed, and we were alone
“Please sit, sir.” Lorne said. “And you may both sing this song in its entirety”
"In a language that can be understood by all." I said.
The Pro Counsel was silent for a few moments after our story was concluded.
“I see your reputation is well deserved Prefect.” She said.
“I was not aware that I had a reputation, Pro Counsel, deserved or otherwise.” I replied.
“You have a reputation as a most remarkable woman, madam.” Lorne said. “I have never had such extraordinary situations land upon my doorstep before, and this is the second instance you have brought to me.”
“I assure you, madam, that I am the most common of women.” I answered. “But for reasons passing understanding, the Divines see fit to place me in close proximity to such situations that cannot be ignored.”
“You could ignore them quite easily, Prefect.” The Pro Counsel replied. “That you felt compelled to do otherwise is more than enough proof that you are a rare gift.”
“You give me too much credit, madam.” I said.
“I would speak at length with you on your experiences in Skyrim, and how you came to know my friend Fasion, who for his diligence in those matters in Skyrim is appointed Praetor.”
“That is wonderful news!” I said. “We just recently saw him, and my adopted sisters who serve under him. We spent three days in relaxation, my sisters and I, at my cottage in Whiterun.”
“Your adopted sisters?” Lorne asked.
“It is her habit, Pro Counsel, to formalize a bond of love in such a manner.” Aric said. “Three of the soldiers she rescued and healed formed such a bond and have adopted each other.”
“It is your habit as well, sir.” I said. “And it still does not seem fair that you can talk to two of my sisters in your ancient language while I cannot.”
“I would teach you.” He said. “I have offered to do so several times.”
“If you are committed to instructing me on languages, sir” I said, “you might start with the language of horses. I could then as least ask Loga her opinion without requiring your assistance.”
“You speak the language of horses, Thane?” Lorne asked him.
“Do not encourage him, Pro Counsel.” I said before Aric could reply. “I am firm in my belief that he is an inveterate show off where languages are concerned.”
“You see, Pro Counsel, how I am unfairly maligned.” Aric said. “It is the lot of a lowly Thane to accept such abuse from a Prefect of the Empire with a polite yes, ma’am the only available response.
We paused our merriment for a moment while her servant Encar entered with a splendid tea set and served each of us spiced tea.
“You amaze me, both of you.” Lorne said. “My head spins such that I wonder if my face will be to the front when it stops. Your service to the Aldmeri Dominion and the Empire is unique in my experience. Ambassador Elenwen made a particular point in heaping praise on the service the Thane performed for her. Prefect, do you find the tea overly spiced?” she asked me as I coughed and sputtered tea onto my clothes and her conference table.
“I apologize, Pro Counsel.” I said in between coughs. “I have accidentally inhaled some of this quite excellent tea.”
“Encar.” She called.
“We have disturbed your morning to ask your assistance, Pro Counsel.” Aric said after Encar had cleaned the table and departed. “Our official audience with the Emperor is this morning, should he be free and deign to meet with us at all. But even if such a meeting were to occur, it would not be the proper venue to recount the details you have just heard. These cultists have infiltrated both Bruma and Chorrol. There is every reason to suspect that at least some of their forces are recruited from both the Fighters Guild and the Mages Guild. They make great efforts to observe every step that the Reverend Mother takes. They will certainly attempt to overhear any conversation she has with the Emperor.”
“What would you have me do sir?” Lorne asked. “I cannot place the two of you in a basket and smuggle you into the palace.”
“No, Pro Counsel, that would not be practical.” I said as I handed her several sheets of parchment, folded, and bound with silk. “But you can meet him privately in advance, recount what you have heard, and give him this. It is what we know in written form. It requests a private audience after the public one. Anyone in the Imperial Court who is involved in this will surely attempt to be present in that private meeting. The Emperor must give strict instructions that no one, no matter what their rank, is to be admitted.”
“We will observe who makes such an attempt.” Aric said. “You could aid us greatly in that respect. We know no one at court. Any observer we send can only describe who it was. Someone acting on your orders could add a name to the face.”
She thought for a few moments.
“Encar.” She called.
“Your attendance will be required at Court today.” She said to him after he had entered her office. “Perhaps you should inspect your good coat and breeches.”
“If he hadn’t acted so guilty he wouldn’t have had any trouble.” Ensim said as he met me on my return to the Inn. “But he hoofed it.”
We drew closer to the Inn and I could see Toinen and Kolmas, standing at different points, and seemingly engaged in business of their own. Each one made a slight gesture with his left hand.
“You can go right in, your Grace.” Ensim said. “The way is clear.”
“Thank you, Ensim.” I said. “Thank your cohorts as well. We have a short time before the Thane arrives. You three may return to your rooms. We set sail under full colors just before midday.”
“You may relax, faithful attendant.” I said to the attendant, who stood nervously watching the door. “Our mission was a resounding success. Did anyone inquire?”
“No, Prefect.” He said with a visible release of tension.
“Very good.” I said. “My three immortals will return soon. They will accompany me to my interview, as the Thane’s amaranthine will accompany him.”
Some tension clearly had decided to return.
“Very good, your Grace.” He said. “Should they care for refreshment, it can be ready in a trice.”
“That would be excellent.” I said before climbing the staircase.
“I must certainly do penance tonight.” I said to Rigel, who had stood guard in our rooms. “I take far too much pleasure in terrorizing the attendants of this establishment.”
Rigel made no attempt to hide their smile.
“It is a great honor to them, your Grace, to be treated so by important persons.” She said. “You give them stories to recount to whoever would listen. These attendants will certainly speak of The August person of the Imperial Prefect from Skyrim who plotted and executed a secret plan to confound the enemies of the Empire. They will speak of your haughty nature as a clear sign of your status.”
“Can this truly be my life?” I asked. “One year ago, I resided in a cave in Haafingar.”
“The Gods are mysterious, sister.” She answered. “You know this as well as anyone.”
“I do know it.” I said as there was a knock on our door. “But must they go to such effort to remind me of it?"
“Dread warrior, I have the coiffeur and the lady’s maid which were requested by the Prefect.” The attendant said to Rigel from the hallway, two women and an assortment of cases just behind him.
Rigel stood in the open doorway and adopted a scowl that forced me to bit my lip before responding.
“Allow them to enter, Rigel.” I said regally. “They have work to do.”
“Gods, Aric!” I said. “It must surely be worth a king’s ransom.”
“It may be.” He answered as he admired the sapphire and diamond necklace he had just placed around my neck. “But I still find that I would not have it reside anywhere else.”
“Your eyes are that exact color.” Rigel said, her armor burnished to a mirror finish. “It is uncanny.”
“It is time to depart.” Aric said, himself beautiful in his best court finery. “We shall walk as if on parade. Let our observers reconsider their intended target.”
He opened the door to our room to be greeted by a clash of armor as my three attendants, each encased in chain mail, dark blue livery, polished pauldrons, gorget, and helm, stood to attention.
“Surely the attendant will faint when he sees us.” I whispered to Aric as we proceeded down the staircase, Rigel first, Ensim second, Aric and I next, with Toinen and Kolmas immediately behind.
“He will endure.” Aric whispered back.
All sound in the common room either ended or was overwhelmed by the sound of marching armor and weapons. The coiffeur and maid had not yet left, choosing to take a moment to sit and gossip about their latest client. Their gossip ceased as we made our slow, regal exit into the sunlight and began our parade like walk to the palace.
“So many people stop and stare at us.” I said. “How are we to know which is our observer?”
“We will not know.” Aric said as he smiled at two nearby ladies who each smiled back and calculated the odds that they might see that beautiful smile later that evening, at much closer range.
“Velvet robes and cloak are not suited to the summer season.” I said.
“Nobility can be quite cruel.” Aric said as he looked at me with his beautiful smile.
“Nobility has that in common with some Thanes of my acquaintance.” I said.
It was as we approached the Imperial Palace and the Elder Council Chambers that we collected Captain Kurst, also resplendent in gleaming armor.
“Reverend Mother, you take my breath away.” The Captain said.
“Brother, I will give you this costly necklace if you would only give me a drink of cool water.” I said.
“We will enter the palace in a moment, sister, and you will be glad for your robes and cloak.” Kurst said. “It is the nature of such large stone structures that they are always cool if not truly cold.”
“Then I must renege on my recent offer, sir.” I said. “The Thane would surely not approve the exchange in any case.”
“Rafel does not join you?” Aric asked Kurst.
“He is sequestered in his guild hall.” Kurst said. “His stated purpose is arcane research into the practice of Shaping. His actual purpose is to gather intelligence as to which of his brothers may secretly be cultists.”
“He should take care.” I said. “But I am sure he needs no instruction from me.”
We finally arrived at the large doors that led into the palace, and a quite grand antechamber which already contained many people.
“Most of these have no chance of seeing the Emperor.” Kurst said. “They all look quite grand, but they are mostly self-serving, self-important fortune hunters. They wish to approach just close enough to offer a bribe to the Emperor or someone within his orbit.”
“How will we approach the Emperor?” I asked.
“It will be only you and the Archmage who will be allowed an audience, your Grace.” Kurst said. “No one under arms is allowed anywhere near him.”
“But how do we announce ourselves?” I asked.
“I will demonstrate that in but a moment.” Kurst said as our column approached a man in court livery who stood sever paces from a well-guarded door.
“The Reverend Mother Noxaura, Archpriestess of the Maetreum of Cybele, High Priestess and Imperial Prefect of Skyrim, and Thane Aric, Archmage of the College of Winterhold in Skyrim, request an audience with his Excellency the Emperor Titus Mede II.” Kurst said in a loud voice as he handed the man a small piece of parchment.
The man with the staff motioned to another man who held a book. The book was brought and consulted as a hush filled the large room and every eye observed as this band of exquisitely dressed provincials dared request an audience with the Emperor of all of Tamriel.
“Prefect, Thane, you are expected.” The man said as he closed the book and gave a slight bow. He handed the book back to the man. “Please follow me.” He said.