Alice sat at her usual table in the Reach Stormcloak Camp's mess tent, sipping her tea and still trying to wake up. She had gotten up with the rest of the officers half an hour ago and the men were starting to rise now but it always took her a while to wake up and she could deal with no one without a cup of tea first. As she sat and thought about the day's duties, her father sat down across from her, setting down a cup of coffee and a large plate of scrambled eggs and bacon.
"Morning." He said groggily.
"Morning". She said, matching his tone.
"How'd you sleep?" He asked. He took a second plate out from under his own and put about half the food on it. He then handed it to Alice, along with an extra fork.
"Okay." She said, accepting her breakfast and starting to work on her eggs. They tasted good, and the melted eidar cheese mixed in was a nice bonus. The bacon was thick and crispy, just the way she liked it. "I think I drank too much. The women in this army drink just as much as the men do. You'd think they started as chidren." She covered her mouth as she let loose a small yawn and rubbed her eyes.
"That's because they did." Simus said, smiling at his daughter despite not being a morning person himself. "We're not in Cyrodiil anymore sweetie. The Nords have a vastly different culture than we do and much of it involves beer."
"Well that's what you and mom always said." She said through another yawn. "I guess I had to experience it to see how right you were."
As they were enjoying their breakfast a young Stormcloak soldier jogged into the tent and stopped beside them bearing a large letter with an elegant red wax seal.
"Captain Pskyrakon, good morning sir." The soldier said, saluting Simus with a fist across the chest. "I'm sorry to interrupt your breakfast but this just came for your daughter."
"Thank you soldier." Alice said, taking the letter. Being a new officer in a camp of veterans meant she didn't always get the respect she deserved. Being a woman, looking like she was about twelve, and having a strong "daddy's girl" stigma for being the commander's daughter didn't help matters.
"Yes ma'am, sorry ma'am. I uh...didn't see you there." The soldier said, heading over to get some breakfast himself now that his task was done. Alice examined the envelope: the only thing outside was her first name in elegant penmenship. There was no stamp or return address. Curiosity piqued, Alice opened the envelope and read its contents:
Alice
Due to the unique skills you posess, your presence is requested at a special room at the Winking Skeever in Solitude. You needn't worry about your current duties in The Reach, as Ulfric Stormcloak has seen fit to give you an indefinate leave of absence in order to participate in this initiative. However, your father's services are not required at this time. He may escort you to the meeting, but he may not participate. You will find a sum of 100 septims attached to this letter to pay for a cart outside your camp. The driver's instructions are to take you to Solitude. Also, It is strongly encouraged that you disclose any strange visions you may have had recently.
Sincerely
A friend of your mother's
(may she find peace with the gods.)
p.s: Have you written to Natesse lately? She's anxious to hear from you.
Alice put the letter down in wide-eyed bewilderment. The detail of this letter had shaken her and Simus did not miss this. He took the letter from her and read it over himself. He was concerned but also intensly curious.
"Who in Oblivion could this be from?" Alice exclaimed.
"I don't know." Simus said. "But I think we should look into this. You see these seals at the top of the page? The one on the left is that of the Blades and the other is of the Knights of the Nine. Your mom and I worked with agents of both orders during the Great War. We've been able to keep some of our contacts so this might be one of them. It's impossible to say who though."
"What do you propose we do then?" Alice asked, looking at Simus. "Should we investigate this? Why did they ask for me and not you?"
"I'm not sure." Simus said. "You can do things that I can't, I guess they want those skills. Whatever they may be." His daughter looked concerned, which was perfectly normal when one recieved a mysterious note, but he needed to reassure her that they were not in danger. "There's nothing to be scared of honey. All they said is they want to talk to you, I seriously doubt this is a trap. Even if it is, I'll be right there with you. If they don't want me there, they're welcome to try and drag me out."
"I'd like to see them try." Alice said through a small chuckle. Dad was right, what was she so worried about? He'd never let anything happen to her, not after so much has happened already.
Simus smiled down upon his daughter and gave her a quick kiss on the forehead.
"Come along little faerie." He said. "Your carriage awaits."
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"Alice?" Simus said softly, gently shaking his daughter. She had lain out on the carriage's bench and fallen asleep, using Simus' lap as a pillow. He had been cradling her head after making sure she was warmly wrapped in her blue hooded cloak. "Honey? We're almost to Solitude. Why don't you start waking up."
Alice gave a soft sigh and a gentle moan as she woke up. Her cloak had kept her nice and warm against the cold afternoon sun. Her hood was also up and that provided a nice buffer between her head and Simus' dragonplate armor, as well as some good shade for her eyes.
"M-hi." She said sleepily. She was still too tired to lift her head up but she was able to look up to her father, who was still holding her. "Sorry about turning your lap into a pillow, I guess I dozed off. How long have I been asleep?"
"About three hours." Simus said, stroking her covered head. "Did you have a nice nap?"
"Mhmmm." Alice said, enjoying the comfortable moment. It helped keep her mind off the comming uncertanty.
The carriage stopped at the gates of Solitude.
"C'mon." Simus said, gently lifting Alice off of him. "Up you go."
They arrived at the Winking Skeever without incident, undoubtedly thanks to their mysterious contact. The few-minutes walk had given Alice's brain time to restart and she was now aleart enough to produce her letter and show it to the woman manning the bar.
"Excuse me?" She asked. "I recieved this letter concerning some sort of initiative here at the Winking Skeever. Do you know where such an event would be held?"
"Oh, you're one of those letters." The barmaid said while examining Alice's letter. "head downstairs and go to the end of the hallway. Stop at the door with that wierd lock on it and use this key to open it up. Samuel said he was expecting one more so it looks like you're it."
"Thank you miss." Alice said, taking the large bronze key. "Do you have any information concerning what I might find down there? Also, this is my father. Would it be acceptable for him to accompany me?"
"Well, Samuel said to expect one more, not two." The barmaid said. "But I suppose it ain't gonna make this day much stranger 'n it already is. With all the folks goin' down there you'd think they were planning a surprise birthday party for the Jarl. Her birthday ain't even for six more months! Oh well, it ain't none a my business anyway."
"Thank you very much miss." Alice said, giving a polite courtsy. "Have a pleasent afternoon."
"Well, ain't you a well-mannered girl." The barmaid said, genuinly flattered. "You must be from Cyrodiil. Ain't nobody here in Skyrim that has manners that good. Certainly nobody that comes through this place. Always a bunch a 'Imperial Soldiers' who get drunk and start fight an not one of 'em knows how to pick up after themselves. We need more sweethearts like you missy."
Alice thanked the barmaid for her kind words and then proceeded down the basement with her father. The key fit seamlessly into the strange puzzle lock and the door opened to a large living area with tables and comfortable looking couches. Directly beyond the living area was a well stocked kitchen that had seen recent use. To their left was a roaring fireplace and around the rest of the room were small hallways that lead to closed doores. Two rooms on the left, three on the right. By the looks of things, they were dormatories. Alice and Simus were taking in this small but cozy living area when something happened that made them both jump. The fireplace spontaniously opened to reveal an elevator! Inside the elevator was a man who appeared to be the innkeeper. He looked at the two new Imperials as if he were expecting them.
"Alice, it's nice to finally meet you. My name is Samuel. Follow me please."
"One moment, I..." Alice started but was cut off.
"All will be revealed my dear, in due time. Now please follow me. Your father can come too."
Alice looked to Simus and he gave her a reassuring nod.
"Um...very well then." Alice finished, she and Simus following Samuel down the elevator. As they descended into the etherial and beautiful cave, Alice's eyes went wide with wonder. They soon came to a small dwemer home with four other people in the living room: A Kahjiit, a Bosmer a Nord and and a fellow Imperial behind a strange Dwemer mask. Alice assumed they were the rest of the team.