A tome forbidden locked in the shadows.
A shadow master with the only key.
A door to the darkness soon to be opened,
To let in the shadows without to roam free
It was twilight on the docks as the ship was moored. A gang-plank was pushed out onto the creaking wood as metallic boots clanked down its length. Two soldiers in the gilded armor of the high elves strode down on to the docks, the dying sunlight glinting off the sides of their upswept helms. They stopped in unison, waiting at attention for their charge to alight the ship. They were tall, powerful warriors, each an accomplished swordsman, archer and mage but they stood nervously. They had never escorted one such as this. He, or she for that matter, had spent the entirety of the voyage in a private cabin, eating little and talking to no-one.
The door to the aft cabin opened slowly and a tall, very slender figure stepped out. It wore a black robe with a cowl so deep that no facial features could be seen. Black gloves and boots completed the menacing image as the figure strode to the gang plank without a sound. The two soldiers stiffened. This was the only time they had seen the passenger since departing Firsthold and never this close. Their sense of unease grew as the figure drew nearer. It paused, motioning for the escorts to continue. With an almost hasty relief they turned and began their ascent up the dock stairs and the now lamp-lit cobble stones of the road to the waiting carriage on the hill. The figure followed at a distance.
The closed carriage was manned by a driver and two more soldiers, each armored and wielding long bows. Its door opened and a black-robed Thalmor wizard stepped down. The first of the escorts produced a sealed scroll from a pouch at his hip and handed it to the wizard, who took it in a gloved hand, broke the seal and read. He looked up at the hooded figure standing behind the escorts in the growing darkness. Recent snow-fall had chilled the air considerably over the past day, but the figure stood motionless, oblivious. The wizard nodded to the escorts who saluted, then turned and saluted the dark figure who continued to stand motionless. They exchanged a nervous glance and then promptly marched back down to the docks.
Wordlessly, the wizard held open the door of the carriage and the hooded figure stepped in, closing the door behind him. Nonplussed, the wizard stared at the closed door for a second and then took a seat next to the driver, who snapped the reins and the horses began to pull the carriage up the hill into the icy, tree-lined darkness.
*******************************************************************************
There was a soft knock on the door to the solar. The first emissary finished signing the scroll and placed the quill back into the ink pot.
"Come," she called. The door swung open and Rulindil stepped into the room.
"Your guest has arrived, Madame Elenwen," he said, a hint of curiosity in his tone. Elenwen stood and smoothed her robes.
"Show him in, please." Rulindil bowed and motioned to a tall, thin and hooded figure outside. It walked slowly into the room, cowl still obscuring its face. Rulindil glanced at Elenwen, then at the figure and then quickly closed the door. Long, gloved fingers pulled the cowl back and down. Elenwen stared for a minute.
"When I was told you had resurfaced in the arcane university during the sack I could scarcely believe my ears," she said.
The face remained expressionless. It was a face like a cut diamond. Sharp, angular with high cheekbones, pointed nose, upturned narrow chin. His skin and hair were like pale gold, so pale as to be almost albino. But it was his eyes that caught one's attention. Much larger than an average Altmer, and completely colorless. To look into those eyes was to look into a bottomless well, carved from crystal. Few could stare into them and discern any meaning or purpose. Elenwen was one of those few.
"Then when I was told you had been arrested for heresy and then almost immediately pardoned upon reaching Alinor I did not believe it at all," she smirked. "The powers that be clearly see more than the average Justiciar." A tell-tale smile played about the corners of the tall elf's mouth.
"Fortunately, the average Justiciar does not make the important decisions," he replied in a deeply toned soft voice. "The powers that be can see the bigger picture. Some of them at least."
Elenwen smiled, more relaxed. She motioned to a seat on the other side of the deeply stained Valenwood oak bureau and decanted wine from a silver flask into two crystal goblets.
"Welcome to Skyrim, Sylvano." she said. Sylvano took his seat and sipped politely at his wine. They sat regarding one another for a long moment. Elenwen continued.
"I have the reports you requested as well as your official letter of passage. All Thalmor agents are to assist you wherever and whenever you cross paths. I understand that your mission is of the utmost secrecy but even I have been told virtually nothing." she took a sip of wine, placed the goblet on the desk and stared at him over steepled fingers.
"Can you not share even a little with me?" she asked.
Sylvano paused for a few minutes, considering.
"You are being kept in the dark for your own protection, Elenwen. The things that I have learned from my research over the past two centuries has revealed a danger to Tamriel, and our Dominion, that likely surpasses even the threat posed by the dragons." Elenwen's eyebrow shot up.
"I see," she replied. "Is that what you were doing during the Great Anguish? And why did you leave the order?"
We will not forget this betrayal, Sylvano.
Sylvano's brow furrowed momentarily.
"The answers to both of those questions are classified information," he replied curtly. "The report from Ondolemar in Markarth," he continued, changing the subject. "Will Calcelmo co-operate?"
"Yes," replied Elenwen, nodding. "Although some diplomacy will be required."
"Very well. And from the college, who have you stationed there?" Elenwen looked away with a slight sigh.
"Ancano."
Sylvano felt a brief pang in his chest as an old memory flashed through his mind, three friends laughing and strolling through the gardens in the shadow of the great Crystal Tower. A time long gone. And best forgotten.
"I see," he said quietly. "So he believes the ravings of this madman Signus may be of some significance?"
"So be it. I will make for Markarth first and then Winterhold. I will keep you abreast of any information you need to know." Sylvano stood, and Elenwen with him.
"Farewell, Sylvano." she said quietly. He nodded and opened the door, then paused briefly and looked back at the first emissary.
"Was there ever any chance for the both of us?" he asked. She sighed again.
"Perhaps, a long time ago in another place. But that place has gone." she looked down. "And so has Sylvano."
The tall elf stared for a second, then pulled the cowl back over his head, once more shrouding his face in darkness. He left the room without a sound, leaving Elenwen standing motionless in the quiet solar.
Comments
Or is it like "this is how it starts, play it yourself to know the rest"?
I look forward to more.
Nicely done Andrew.