Balgruuf the Great 56 preview (Patreon)

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Irileth

The guardsmen stood quietly before the High King's door, their a single gauntleted hand wrapped around the spear they held. It served two purposes, one for them to show any potential intruder that the High King did not sleep idly and secondly, a supporting stick for them to lean on as it was in the middle of the night and they felt drowsy.

Suddenly, a light noise awoke the drowsy men. The sudden burst of energy that coursed through them made the men stand straighter, their eyebrows furrowing as they regarded the empty hallway.

It was truly empty, save for the paintings and other furniture that decorated the hall and the chandeliers and torches which lit the way.

But still...it did not feel quite so empty.

"Who's there?" the first guard challenged, his voice authoritative. For a second, there was silence before finally, the air fizzled as a being came into view. The guard's first instinct was to level their weapons at the perceived intruder but they held back, adopting a soldier's pose as Irileth, now armor-clad, came into view.

"You two are getting good. I will write a favourable report to your commander," Irileth praised them. Irileth never stopped testing Dragonsreach's guards and defenses. It was the best way to determine how strong it would hold up after all, both from magical and mundane enemies.

"It is our duty, Housecarl," the first guard replied as the second one nodded. "Are you here to see the High King?"

"Yes. I must speak with him before I leave," Irileth revealed. The first guard nodded and turned around to knock on the door.

"Irileth wishes to enter and speak with the High King," the guard spoke up. For a second, there was nothing then the twisting of a lock as the door swung open. Another guardsman revealed himself, his uniform even more ornate than the ones outside his door. He turned to regard Irileth and offered her a salute, a closed fist to his chest.

"The High King is speaking with the High Queen and his Steward," the guardsman revealed.

"I will not take long," Irileth said, walking in and pushing past the guardsman. The man simply went and closed the door behind her. Her feet walked automatically, going to find a loud trio of voices speaking from a different room. Her ears, sensitive as they were, picked up pieces of conversation.

"...it will take months for an official response to come from Cyrodiil," a female voice said. It was the High Queen, Irileth realized. She kept her face impassive as she drew closer to the room. "More than enough time for us to stonewall the Thalmor from sending in their Justiciars. Say that you will only make an official move until Cyrodiil arrives with its order,"

"It will only make him look indecisive," reasoned the Steward, his thick accent filling the room. "By waiting for Cyrodiil to make an official ruling, it will make the High King look like a meek pup waiting for its master's orders."

Irileth quietly knocked on the door, bringing its inhabitants attention to her. They were all lounging by the fire, the High Queen laying on a couch, her pregnant belly clear as day. The Steward was also seated as he was crippled and could not stand. Balgruuf stood by the fireplace, leaning back against it with his arms crossed. He nodded at Irileth to enter and speak.

And so she did. "I've something to report, My King, before I leave on the errand,"

Balgruuf glanced at his wife and father, who nodded at him. "Make your report, Irileth,"

She resisted the part of her that chilled as he said her name. With a mask of pure discipline, she did so. "Our guest in the Plain's District concurred that the Thalmor will use guile and cunning to sow damage into the Empire. On a more practical note, our guest wishes for your approval to establish a cell of free Altmer here in Skyrim, or at least a road for him to send them to a place that does. In exchange, he will let you tap into this network with everything it has to offer."

Balgruuf hummed, rubbing his beard. "We will have to think more about this at a later date but I will always welcome any disruption into the Thalmor plans,''

"Are you really going to go welcome such, My King?" Cecilia asked, her head cocked. "That is dangerous. How will we know that the Altmer he brings are truly against the Thalmor? How will we know they are not a trap?"

"Hence we will have to discuss it a later date. And besides, we've already debated our course of action for the entire day. Let's give this a stop and rest," Balgruuf declared.

"Works for me. I'm tired anyway," the Steward yawned. He shook his head and yelled for the guards to fetch his servants. Balgruuf watched his father in amusement before turning to Irileth.

"Is there anything more you have to report on, Irileth?" Balgruuf asked.

The dunmer shook his head.

"Then good luck on your journey to Solitude," bid Balgruuf. "Find the ones responsible for this and handle it, gently. The last thing Skyrim needs is religious unrest."

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The shape of Solitude loomed over the horizon, the signature outline of Castle Dour, the Solitude windmill and the Blue Palace visible even from afar. They had set off from Whiterun on speedy horses, their yellow cloaks denoting their status for all to see. Irileth had mused on hiding their identity but the High King wanted to show that Whiterun was making an attempt to do something about the declaration. And so, yellow cloaks it was.

Many had given them a wide berth as they rode up the stone road into Solitude, recognizing their status as agents of the High King. Status however did little to settle the chill in her bones. It was getting cold, Irileth felt. Colder than usual. Perhaps the Sea of Ghosts was starting to act up? Usually, the mountains to its flank protected most of Haafingar from the tender mercies of the Sea of Ghosts. But not now. 

"I should have bought a thicker cloak than this," Cassius shivered under his cloak. He looked quite comical, with his extra layers of clothing underneath his armor. 

"Or learn magic. You wouldn't be freezing right now," Mira quipped, looking fresh and peppy. 

"My parents were priests, Mira. They did teach me magic," deadpanned Cassius, throwing the Breton a look. "Restoration, not like the unnatural sorceries you practiced." 

Mira simply snorted. "Unnatural? Look at Restoration and how it can heal a grave wound quickly. Is that natural, Cassi?" 

"That's enough, both of you," Gotz finally spoke up, his voice a rumble. "We are nearing Solitude. You are agents of the High King. It will be unbecoming of you two to be riding into Solitude and bicker like children. Enough." 

Mira, Cassius and even Irileth gave the orc a cursory glance. 

"But...Gotz....you are bare-chested with only pants as clothing, and a necklace made of bone," Mira pointed out. Gotz sat on his horse silently. 

Then, he spoke with the wisdom of sages. "The High King is a man that accepts and respects the traditions and culture of his Housecarls. I am glad to serve him," he answered simply.

Irileth shook her head, letting the three bicker amongst themselves. She allowed them their moment of brevity for as soon as they would enter the city, brevity would be gone and duty would have to be fulfilled. Finally, they reached the forked road that would have lead either into the city or down into the port of Solitude. In the bay below, Irileth could spy many ships either docking into Solitude or heading out into open water. 

Even despite losing the High Kingship, Solitude would never have to worry about losing it's status as Skyrim's wealthiest city. Rising as it may be, Whiterun simply did not have the sea access Solitude have. It technically did, the White River was connected with many other rivers which itself led out into the Sea of Ghosts. The only problem however was the massive waterfall between Eastmarch and Whiterun which would make shipping impossible. 

If only a way could be found to use that to the city's advantage....

Irileth shook her head. What was she thinking? She was a damn nightblade, an assassin. Many fell to her blade and spells. She wasn't a damn surveyor from Balgruuf's bureaucracy wondering how best to profit from a plot of land! 

She shook her head. 

Balgruuf was influencing her too much. 

They entered the city without issue, the guards letting them in without question. The first thing that hit Irileth was the...uneasiness and tension in the air. It wasn't her that noticed it. The other Housecarls stopped their bickering, the stillness in the air killing their conversation. Citizens were moving about twice as fast, as if they didn't want to be in the streets. It was still quite busy as a bustling port-city should but the average Nord looked as if they didn't want to be there. 

Still, Irileth and the party moved on, their destination the Blue Palace. As they rode on, Irileth could catch bits and pieces of conversation. 

"Did you hear? Joanice's daughter was taken in the middle of the night, gone as if the wind took her!" 

"Hobart, you better make sure that the windows are boarded up extra strong tonight! I don't want our children taken!" 

"Halif says that black robed men took his wife. I don't think they were men..." 

Cassius trotted alongside Irileth, whispering. "Kidnapping in the night. This stinks of the Thalmor." 

Not even the inviting smells of the market, the spices and perfumes of shringes, and the sunny warmth on her face could calm down the boiling rage inside Irileth. "They already starting taking people away? The High King did not give his assent yet!"

This was a diplomatic breach of sovereignty. The Thalmor were moving out of line if they could simply waltz about and steal innocent people from their homes and the streets. She had half a mind to storm back to Whiterun and ask the High King to kick the Thalmor out of Skyrim for good.  

"The Thalmor most likely took away people when the Declaration was put up," Cassius remarked, noting the swiftness of the average citizen walking past them. "Can they actually do this?" 

"If we are strictly following the Concordat then yes. But we should have been the ones to do it, not them!" Irileth forced every fiber of her being not to seethe under her cloak. That would be too...unseemly. 

"What are we to do, Lady Irileth?" Cassius asked, glancing at the hushed conversations of the citizens. 

"Once we wrap up our business in the Blue Palace, send a missive to the High King and make it known that people were taken before he had given his assent. This is unforgivable!" 

"Not to sound a downer, my lady, but we have no evidence that the Thalmor had done such things," Cassius spoke up, earning a glare from the Dunmer. Despite the glare, Cassius continued. 

"Listen. all we are hearing is that people were taken in the night. But there is no evidence we can prove that it was the Thalmor. If we go and throw an accusation that it was indeed them, they can always demand evidence on our accusations. Evidence that we do not have yet. I understand your anger and I feel it too but we cannot act on this yet. We need to prove it," Cassius explained quickly and calmly. 

As much as Irileth hated to admit it, Cassius was correct. Yes everyone had the right idea that it was the Thalmor who had done so but how could they prove it? It wasn't as if they captured a Altmer squad acting in the middle of the night nor did they have confirmation that the kidnapped people were in their custody. 

They needed evidence first.

Luckily, the High King asked her to investigate the High Elves. 

And investigate them she will. 

"I will tell you three of another errand we have to fulfil over here. I shall inform you all tonight," Irileth revealed, urging her horse forward towards the Blue Palace. Cassius nodded, following along.

As they traversed up the streets and up towards the Palace, Irileth heard and smelt them before anyone else. Angry cries and barely contained sobs. They rounded the street on their horses and saw it, a large crowd of Nords standing before the Blue Palace, entrance blocked by a row of helmed guardsmen. 

Irileth quickly realized who the crowd was. 

Families of the victims taken. And they were all crying out for help from their Jarl. Their arrival did not go unnoticed either, their yellow cloaks giving them away. As soon as the first Nord saw them, they were quickly surrounded, each one baying and begging for help. 

"Look! Agents of the High King!" 

"Please! Please! Help me! My husband, he was taken in the night! Please, we have three children, we need him!" 

Cries begging for help and assistance, all from emotive human faces in deep pain and sorrow, and bubbling rage hidden underneath. Irileth said nothing, only moving her horse forward as the crowd parted. Cassius said nothing as well, but Mira did, giving them promises and assurances as they moved. The guards parted as well, seeing their cloaks. They continued on into the palace in silence. Even Mira had her spirits dampened. 

In anything, it only made Irileth that much determined to finish her duty as swiftly as possible. 

Quickly, they were ushered into the court of Jarl Torygg. 

"Introducing Irileth! Housecarl to the High King, Balgruuf!" came the booming voice of Falk Firebeard.

"Hail, Housecarl, and welcome to Solitude," came the warm and welcoming voice Jarl Torygg as he stood from his throne to greet her and her entourage.

Irileth and her entourage saluted him, closed fists to their chests. The Blue Palace hadn't changed much since she was last here save for the lack of the aura of a royal court but still, Jarl Torygg maintained the dignity of his court. His wife sat by his side in a different throne. Not quite as ostentatious as his but still dignified. Unlike the High Queen however, she wasn't pregnant.

"Jarl Torygg. I wish I had come here to Solitude on better tidings," said Irileth. Truly, she had meant that. Solitude was quite a beautiful city, with its windmills, and ports, and markets. The Bards College offered much to the poetry and music starved visitor. The Temple of the Divine had its frescoes and stained glass windows and healing services and the spires of Castle Dour offered the city a comfortable shade from the sun. Not to mention that Torygg himself was an agreeable man that sought the best for his people. Standing by was the Court Mage, still having a dark hood obscuring her face but Irileth could feel cold calculating eyes measuring her. In the far corner and armor-clad, Bolgeir stood with his arms crossed, his helmet hanging limply from his side.

"So do I, Housecarl," Torygg sighed, his expression forlorn. Irileth gave him a glance and found that the Jarl had the look of a man that hadn't slept. He shook his head. "But we do not get to choose the events of our time, only in how we react to them. I assume that is the reason you are here."

"Yes my Jarl. We came as soon as we could," reported Irileth with a nod. "The High King is wishes to ensure that this doesn't become any more of a problem than what it shall be. In that vein, he requests for your assistance in finding those responsible for the distribution of the declaration,"

Torygg nodded. "And Solitude answers the call. We ourselves have done our own investigation though the results of that, it shall have to be discussed somewhere else. Go with my Housecarl and he shall fill you in."

"Very well," replied Irileth, eager to get this all done and sorted. 

"You have travelled quite far from Whiterun, Housecarl. Might I not interest you in some food and drink before you begin business?" Torygg asked, looking at the rather haggard looking party. 

Irileth made to speak but she halted, giving her fellow housecarls a glance. She wanted nothing more but to finish her job. Why waste time with the frivolous things when she could go and get her responsibilities sorted in short order? But this time, she wasn't alone. She had them to consider and to discard their desires would only breed a certain resentment down the line. 

Cassius found Irileth looking at him and he spoke quietly. "I am good. I ate enough to last for the day." 

Irileth nodded, turning to Mira and Gotz. The Breton shrugged her shoulders. "I'm good too. Enough cheese in me to turn me into a cheesemonger." 

"Let's get this thing done with," Gotz rumbled. 

Well. Time to get to work, Irileth mused. She turned back to Torygg. "Thank you for the offer, my Jarl. But we are eager to enact the will of the High King." 

"The High King has motivated men and women," Torygg said, praise in his voice. "Very well. Bolgeir shall discuss with you. Go with the blessings of Solitude, Housecarl," 

At that, the aforementioned Housecarl took a step forward. his expression granite. "If you would please follow me, Housecarl." 

Bolgeir led them away, to a far hallway lit only by the windowlight. Mira and Gotz followed him first, their expressions the usual. Gotz in his usual orcish grimness, Mira having a dreamy look that spoke about some internal fantasy. Irileth did not walk yet, her eyes looking at the Court Mage who glanced back. 

"Is something wrong?" Cassius asked, whispering next to her. 

Irileth shook her head. "No, it's just...a feeling. Come on. They are walking off," And with that, Irileth's legs moved. Cassius watched her walk off. For a brief moment, he stayed behind to see where the Chief Housecarl was looking at and found that she was glancing at the Court Mage of the Blue Palace. Cassius knew that wizard wore hoods and such similar clothing, for fashion or for some magical purpose, he did not know. He did find it strange that the Court Mage's hood was a bit to thick. 

Was that red under there?

"Cassius!" Mira called out. That shook Cassius from his staring. Shaking his head, he marched off. But as he did, he could swear that the Court Mage was smiling at him from under her hood.

Bolgeir lead them deeper into the Blue Palace. Irileth and her fellow housecarls took note of the richness of the furniture, the long carpet that was rolled on the floor they walked on, the shuttering of the windows as the Sea of Ghosts assaulted the stone outside. Irileth quickly realized that the building itself was strong, considering that it was facing the tender mercies of the Sea of Ghosts on a daily basis. Freak snow storms, winds strong enough to tear a ship in two. The builders of the Palace took account of that, as well as the aesthetics of the Palace. 

Personally, she preferred the rustic architecture of Whiterun. It felt comforting....like home. 

"We began our investigations as quickly as possible," Bolgeir began. "We started in the Temple of the Divines. We interviewed guards, servants, and checked the logbooks even. There was nothing out of the ordinary, as if a ghost simple manifested and put up such dangerous material." 

Irileth quietly took note of the information. Bolgeir finally halted, stopping before a door. He pulled out a key from his person and opened it. Inside, Irileth could see a spartan room with a table. On it was a model of the city. On a far wall was a map of Skyrim. A war room, Irileth quickly realized. Bolgeir walked in first, beckoning them to enter. They did so, all housecarls taking note of the inside of the room. 

"Next, we gave the Bard's College a look. The paper used in the declaration was of fine quality. Far too fine than what was used in the market. The ink too we identified as a peculiar type that only a few places used. Places such as the Bard's College, the East Empire Company." Bolgeir said, listing down the objects of interest.

"And were you able to find anything?" Irileth asked, as the other Housecarls filed into their places inside the room. Cassius stood by the map to examine it. Gotz stood by her side, arms crossed and face grim. Mira watched the model of the city with rapt fascination. 

To her disappointment, Bolgeir shook his head. "No. Our investigations were inconclusive. The Bard's College was innocent, with all their inventory accounted for. That left the East Empire Company but we haven't gone to them...yet." 

"And why so?" Gotz asked, an eyebrow raised. 

"Because the East Empire Company is not a simple place you can walk into," Bolgeir answered. "They are a powerful monopoly that contributes much to Solitude's economy. Before we can walk in, we need permission from the branch manager of the East Empire Company." 

Irileth thought for a moment before looking up at Bolgeir. "How important is this lead of yours? Have the zealots made any moves since the declaration was given?" 

Bolgeir crossed his arms. "By now, they are our only leads. No one saw anything. No physical evidence left, save for the hammered paper on the Temple door, as well as other places. And as for the zealots...they have been quiet as well." 

And as if on cue, they heard rapt tapping on the door. Irileth had to turn around to see what was going on. By the door way, there stood an exhausted looking guard. "Housecarl! R-report!" 

"What is it? What seems to be the matter?" Bolgeir demanded. 

"In the central market, Housecarl! A man claiming to be the one who nailed the Declaration is making a speech to the people!" the guard quickly reported. 

The Housecarls glanced at each other. 

"We need to move, now!" 

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A/N: It begins