Madrar
The Shadow in the Dark.
It was late. Most of the others had left for their rooms, knowing they'd be leaving the following day. Salthar remained at his table, pondering Aliah's request. The coven had dozens of informants scattered throughout Tamriel. If her sister really was in Skyrim, his people would know of it. Though, as far as he knew, Aliahs sister was safe in Alinor. For her to be in Skyrim, and Riftens' ratway of all places, made no sense.
Movement nearby caught his attention, and he glanced up to see a young, pretty Nord woman making a beeline for his table. It didn't take him long to realize she was no mortal. The tone of her skin, the way she walked, with the confidence of a predator, and her eyes, gave it away. A vampire. And since Salthar couldn't sense the vile taint of Molag Bal around her, it was safe to assume she was a member of his coven. The way she was dressed, in a simple beige and white smock, gave him the idea she was a spy. She smiled at him and passed by, dropping a slip of parchment as she did so. He trapped it with his gloved hand, and waited until she'd left the inn to read whatever message was on it.
The message was written in a neat hand, and requested that Salthar meet with the writer near Riftens docks as soon as possible. The signature at the end surprised him. Lucius Draconus was supposed to be overseeing matters at the Bloodlet throne, and yet, he was apparently in Riften. Something important must have come up for him to request a direct meeting.
Discretely,Salthar left the inn, and made his way to the docks. When he arrived, it wasn't hard to find Lucius. The red haired Imperial stood on the docks, his cloak fluttering in the wind. He turned upon hearing Salthars boot heels clunking on the wood of the dock. "My lord. You received my message."
"Evidently. What is so urgent that you needed to speak with me?"
"This upstart northern warlord. And his 'brotherhood' "
Salthar frowned. " I don't follow. The brotherhood has remained in the northern holds."
"Until now, my lord. Our garrisons in Whiterun and Falkreath holds report men entering villages and towns, recruiting for 'the true leader of Skyrim. I thought it best to consult with you before taking action."
"Interesting. Has any one village dedicated themselves to the brotherhood?"
"Several small clans have attempted revolts. No whole village has declared independence."
"Then restore order. Have the Brotherhood scouts publicly executed. Along with any who have declared support for this warlord. Remind them who they owe allegiance to."
"As you wish, my lord..."
The pair of them had moved up to the wall as they spoke. To any casual observer, they were two friends out for a late night stroll. "Is there something else, Lucius?"
The Imperial hesitated, obviously uncomfortable with the subject."Speak freely." Salthar encouraged him.
"My lord...I've received reports of discontent among the ranks."
"Discontent?"
"Many among the coven are wondering why you're still leading this group of...misfits. Rather than sending the coven to deal with this brotherhood."
Salthar frowned. "I have my reasons. Besides, these 'misfits' as you call them have proven useful.For example, they draw less attention than a contingent of the blackguard would."
"I see. I'll relay that to the others. Shall we expect you back at the fortress soon?"
"Not much longer, I think." Salthar replied. "Once we've disposed of the brotherhood, I'll be free to rejoin the coven. Go now. I'd better return to the others before they miss me. I intend to leave Riften sooner rather than later. I'll be out of contact after that." Before the Imperial could reply, Salthar spoke once more, his fellow vampires' request on his mind. "Make contact with our contacts in the ports and on Alinor. Any news of a young Altmer woman, most likely appearing in recent months, in the garb of a mage. You know how to get a message to me, evidently."
"As you wish, my lord." The Imperial bowed, turned, and stepped off the wall. An instant later, he was gone. Salthar turned on his heel, and headed back to the inn.
Movement nearby caught his attention, and he glanced up to see a young, pretty Nord woman making a beeline for his table. It didn't take him long to realize she was no mortal. The tone of her skin, the way she walked, with the confidence of a predator, and her eyes, gave it away. A vampire. And since Salthar couldn't sense the vile taint of Molag Bal around her, it was safe to assume she was a member of his coven. The way she was dressed, in a simple beige and white smock, gave him the idea she was a spy. She smiled at him and passed by, dropping a slip of parchment as she did so. He trapped it with his gloved hand, and waited until she'd left the inn to read whatever message was on it.
The message was written in a neat hand, and requested that Salthar meet with the writer near Riftens docks as soon as possible. The signature at the end surprised him. Lucius Draconus was supposed to be overseeing matters at the Bloodlet throne, and yet, he was apparently in Riften. Something important must have come up for him to request a direct meeting.
Discretely,Salthar left the inn, and made his way to the docks. When he arrived, it wasn't hard to find Lucius. The red haired Imperial stood on the docks, his cloak fluttering in the wind. He turned upon hearing Salthars boot heels clunking on the wood of the dock. "My lord. You received my message."
"Evidently. What is so urgent that you needed to speak with me?"
"This upstart northern warlord. And his 'brotherhood' "
Salthar frowned. " I don't follow. The brotherhood has remained in the northern holds."
"Until now, my lord. Our garrisons in Whiterun and Falkreath holds report men entering villages and towns, recruiting for 'the true leader of Skyrim. I thought it best to consult with you before taking action."
"Interesting. Has any one village dedicated themselves to the brotherhood?"
"Several small clans have attempted revolts. No whole village has declared independence."
"Then restore order. Have the Brotherhood scouts publicly executed. Along with any who have declared support for this warlord. Remind them who they owe allegiance to."
"As you wish, my lord..."
The pair of them had moved up to the wall as they spoke. To any casual observer, they were two friends out for a late night stroll. "Is there something else, Lucius?"
The Imperial hesitated, obviously uncomfortable with the subject."Speak freely." Salthar encouraged him.
"My lord...I've received reports of discontent among the ranks."
"Discontent?"
"Many among the coven are wondering why you're still leading this group of...misfits. Rather than sending the coven to deal with this brotherhood."
Salthar frowned. "I have my reasons. Besides, these 'misfits' as you call them have proven useful.For example, they draw less attention than a contingent of the blackguard would."
"I see. I'll relay that to the others. Shall we expect you back at the fortress soon?"
"Not much longer, I think." Salthar replied. "Once we've disposed of the brotherhood, I'll be free to rejoin the coven. Go now. I'd better return to the others before they miss me. I intend to leave Riften sooner rather than later. I'll be out of contact after that." Before the Imperial could reply, Salthar spoke once more, his fellow vampires' request on his mind. "Make contact with our contacts in the ports and on Alinor. Any news of a young Altmer woman, most likely appearing in recent months, in the garb of a mage. You know how to get a message to me, evidently."
"As you wish, my lord." The Imperial bowed, turned, and stepped off the wall. An instant later, he was gone. Salthar turned on his heel, and headed back to the inn.
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