Madrar
The Shadow in the Dark.
Council
Alinor, Somerset Isles, The Crystal Tower
4E 219
No weapons were permitted inside the grand council chambers, although Salthar Vivarian was certain that more than one of the council members wished that there were no such prohibition. In addition to the no-weapons policy, the stones that made up the walls of the chamber were imbued with magic dampening dweomers, which prevented the use of magic within, and defended against magical assault from outside. Royal Aldmeri guards, part of the queens' protection stood ready to repel any physical and magical assault from outside the chamber.
However, despite all these formidable magical and physical defenses, they did nothing to stop a vampire lord. Salthar could have killed every one of the council members in moments, including the High queen, before the guards even made it through the door. Fortunately for the council, he had absolutely no interest in killing them. Not this day, anyways. Officially, the vampire was an Altmer lord, having earned his title fighting in the Great war, and later in Skyrim. Unofficially, he was seen as a rogue Thalmor agent, who followed his own orders, but got results. Most Altmer abhorred the undead, and the majority of the council members in seated in the chamber seemed no different.
He paid no attention to the sneers and worried glances, instead he swept the circular room with his eyes, recognizing three of the council members. The minister of war, Thalas Ayvindor, the lord wizard, Agromir Thanasa, and finally, the high inquisitor, Celestia Mourne. The three of them worked for the Thalmor, although only the gaunt, gold skinned Celestia was actually wearing her robes. Salthar himself wore his own customized, heavily enchanted gold,black and red robes, along with his gloves. He'd removed his hood, allowing, his thick, midnight black hair to cascade forward over his shoulders. The room was humming with the murmur of councillors, in quiet conversation.
All that conversation ceased once the doors opened, and Morgiah, the Dunmer High Queen, and leader of the Altmer nation entered. She took her seat, which was slightly elevated, allowing her a full and unobstructed view of the entire room. She nodded to several council members, before her gaze was drawn to the vampire. A little surprise in her gaze, perhaps fear as well, however, regardless of her personal feelings she nodded and said "Lord Vivarian, it pleases us that you have found the time to return to Alinor" Salthar inclined his head slightly from his seat, although he suspected that not all those present were exactly pleased to see him returned unharmed.
As if to confirm his suspicion, the minister of war, Thalas, spoke up "we heard reports that you'd fallen in battle outside Whiterun, nearly three years ago, and yet here you are" Salthar smiled and made an inconspicuous movement with his left hand, covering his right, where a gold ring with a small, flawless ruby sat, although Thalas couldn't see that. "I have my ways, councillor Ayvindor, I assure you" the elf seemed to be refraining from making a caustic remark, and Salthar decided to reveal his reason for returning to the capital of the dominion. Standing, he automatically drew all attention to himself. "Speaking of Skyrim, you majesty, if I may, I have a proposition for the council" the attitude in the room went from surprised to vaguely curious. Morgiah nodded, her own expression inquisitive.
"After my...defeat, by the allied Nord and Imperial forces, the emperor signed a treaty with Ulfric Stormcloak. Skyrim is no longer part of the Empire. They are still reeling from the last two wars, and if we strike now, we can eliminate Ulfric and his upstart trouble makers once and for all" most of the council members looked doubtful, but the high inquisitor looked intrigued, as did Thalas Ayvindor. "What about an alliance between Skyrim and the empire? If we attack, will the Imperials support Ulfric?" Inquired one of the others in the room. Salthar shook his head, grinning
"Doubtful.The empire just lost another of it's provinces.They can't afford to go to war with the Dominion again" this seemed to put most of the doubts away, although many of the councillors still seemed on the brink of disagreeing with him.
Morgiah herself seemed uncertain, after a few moments of speaking with some of the Altmer closest to her seat, she straightened once again. "The council will re-convene in one week from now" the chamber emptied quickly, with the Altmer nobles heading out to their homes or other areas in the capital city. Salthar was one of the last to leave, beside the high inquisitor. As they stepped into the bright sunlight, the Altmer vampire turned to face the woman "high inquisitor...is there something I can help you with?" Celestia stopped as well, a curious smile on her thin lips. She was slender, but not underweight, with her robes hanging open, and her shirt underneath that was cut in a low V, probably intended to be more than a little enticing.
"You intrigue me, lord Vivarian" she said at last, and Salthar, his hood now up and protecting his skin from the harmful rays of the sun rose a single black eyebrow. "Is that all?" He smirked, watching the woman like a hawk observes its prey. Celestia brushed a single strand of pale gold hair away from her face, a predatory smile replacing her former grin. "You also surprise me, I didn't expect a vampire to be able to have so many of our people willingly follow your lead" laughing, the Altmer vampire nodded, and on an impulse, seized her delicate wrist in one of his gloved hands.
"You haven't changed in the slightest, Celestia", he commented, and then continued " And I think you'll find I have that quality" with that, he bent, and gently kissed the top of her hand with his freezing cold lips. Straightening, he bid her good afternoon and went on his way, smiling to himself as he recalled the look of startled excitement on her face. A few moments later, his younger brother appeared out a dark alley, where he'd been waiting. "That was quick" Vengar Vivarian remarked as he fell into step with the older vampire. Salthar shrugged "the council was less than willing to agree to an assault on Skyrim.They'll reconvene a week from today, in which time I am certain they'll come up with more reasons why it is a horrible idea" he lectured, nearing the mansion that he'd been granted upon his return to the Isles. "What can we do about it to change their minds?" Inquired Vengar, hurrying to get out of the sun and into the darkness of the mansion.
Grinning, his older brother turned and stated " we'll simply have to persuade them, dear brother"