20 Old Flame 1/2

Ciri and Lucius made their way back to the sleeping giant inn.

"I don't think you were followed. Come on. I have a plan. I've figured out how we're going to get you into the Thalmor Embassy." Delphine said, motioning them to go into the hidden room.

"That was fast, we just got back." Ciri spoke, taking a seat on the table.

"I've been doing this a long time, remember? While the Thalmor's been looking for me, I've been watching them." Delphine replied.

"So what's your plan? How do I infiltrate the Thalmor Embassy?" Lucius asked.

"Wait, why does it have to be you?" Ciri piped up.

"I'm an elf, i know the culture. And i already have the attire of a noblemen."Lucius slowly explained, motioning to his black silken robe.

"The Thalmor ambassador, Elenwen, regularly throws parties where the rich and connected cozy up to the Thalmor. I can get you into one of those parties. Once you're inside the Embassy, you get away and find Elenwen's secret files. I have a contact inside the Embassy. He's not up for this kind of high-risk mission, but he can help you. His name's Malborn. Wood elf, plenty of reason to hate the Thalmor. You can trust him. I'll get word for him to meet you in Solitude, at the Winking Skeever. While you're doing that, I'll work on getting you an invitation to Elenwen's little party. Meet me at the Solitude stables after you've arranged things with Malborn. Any questions?" Delphine laid out her plan.

"Uh~...This Elenwen. It doesn't happen to be a female high elf that's the head of justiciar devision, right?" Lucius cautiously probed.

"Yes, that's her." Delphine nodded.

"Why?" Ciri asked, with a weird face.

"Damn. Well, this is either extremely lucky or extremely bad for me." He cursed under his breath. "She may have a slight obsession with me...We... kinda grew up together." Lucius avoided eye contact. "Ahem, we also may have been.... engaged.... at one point." He awkwardly finished, coughing to try to break the tension.

"Huh! Wait, what happened to all that pureblood shit?!"" Ciri yelled out in complete surprise.

"Well. Her family preferred ability, over lineage." He sheepishly replied. "And they thought....Our children would look 'cute'." He sighed, closing his eyes.

"This is good." Delphine whispered, catching the attention of the two. "This is really good! Just seduce her and get the information while she's sleeping...Or, knock her out. Shit. Fuck her so good she can't walk for all i care, but this is a golden opportunity." Delphine happily declared.

"Not even going to ask if i'm okay with that? Sure, why not." Lucius grumbled, ignoring Ciri burning gaze beside him. "It's not like she was the one who ruined dancing for me." He hushed with red cheeks.

"And while he's partying it up, what will i do?" Ciri piped in.

"Learn more alchemy? I could only get one invite. Sorry" Delphine apologised.

"Fine... I don't love it, but i can't fault it in being a good plan. We didn't part on great terms, i can work on that pretty easily though." Lucius said, hand on chin. "Say how long until the party starts?" He asked.

"5 days, any preparation should be done immediately if that's why you asked." Delphine said. " You should leave for Solitude on the 4th day. so that leaves you three full days of work." She concluded.

"There a forge in Riverwood i can use?" Lucius eyes gain a brief twinkle.

"You can ask Alvor, i suppose. He lives just down the road." She informed Lucius. "I have an alchemy lab upstairs you can use." She said to Ciri, who was skulking in the corner.

"Hmm? Oh, thank you." She said, opening her book of recipes.

"All sorted?" Lucius asked, receiving nods from the two.

"Yes. You'll have a real invitation, don't worry. As long as you can act the part of a Thalmor toady, you'll get past the guards. That's when the fun starts. You'll have to slip away from the party without raising the alarm. Then you'll need to find Elenwen's office and search her files... Elenwen should be able to point you in the right direction." She finished with a cheshire grin.

"Great~ i'll be on my way to speak to this Alvor then." Lucius waved.

.

.

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(2 days later.)

A gem of pure shadow set neatly into place on a small black metal ring. Much more exquisite in appearance compared to Lucius's last effort. The dark metal twisted itself in ways that showed vine like tendrils worming its way to the gemstone.

A pair of gloved hands lifted the ring into a setting sun, reflecting small orange rays into Lucius's calculating silver eyes as he appraised his work.

'This one certainly looks better. Now let's see if the dark soul gem is a better conduit.' He giddily thought, putting the ring on a solid pedestal.

Setting his hands alight in a combination of black fire and lightning. He slowly lowered them to fuse his mana with the ring as he did before. Only, this time he released out a wave of soul energy to bind itself into the very metal of the ring, reinforcing its structure even further.

A dim glow flooded the smithy, pouring out onto the stream besides the porch. Lucius let the gem go before taking his gloves off.

The ring perfectly fit the middle finger of his left hand, glowing slightly in an eerie shade of ethereal violet.

"Nice ring, much better than the last." Ciri said, making Lucius jump.

"Fuck. I didn't hear you coming..." Lucius breathed out.

"Here, i made you something for the party." She said, throwing Lucius a clear bottle of green liquid.

"Uh...Thanks, but i don't need aid in that department." Lucius tried smiling.

"Idiot, it's a resist poison brew. In case anyone tries something." Ciri laughed.

"Huh, that's actually a great gift. Thank you, Ciri." He smiled at her with full sincerity.

"Yeah, well don't get used to it." She turned away. "Do you have your clothes ready? I can take care of your armour and sword when you go." She asked over her shoulder, walking back to the inn.

"You sound like my mother..." He blankly replied, following the ashen haired girl.

"You can call me mommy if you want~" Ciri sung.

Lucius held a blank stare into her emerald eyes, still walking beside her.

"I might have issues with my mother's past but i'm not that bad, you brat!" He exploded as Ciri bellowed out a contagious laugh, one that Lucius couldn't help but join.

"Sorry, sorry. It was right there, i had to." She waved it off.

"Yes i do have my robes ready, and my jewellery. I just need to engrave the runes on the ring before i set off and i'm ready... How's your alchemy going?" He said.

"Great actually. A lot of it is similar to Witcher alchemy so i'm taking to it pretty fast." She perked up. "I can't wait to show uncle Vesemir when i get back." She finished.

"Your father's teacher?" Lucius wondered, opening the door to the tavern.

Ciri nodded and took a seat.

"Yup... Hey, i owe you a drink right? Wanna grab some?" She offered, wiggling her eyebrows.

"Sure~ why not." Lucius said. "You're buying tonight anyway." He laughed at her expression.

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A lil twist on Lucius's past in this one. I bet no one expected that when i said he would have a past haha!

Lucius's ring:

I swear Sauron's fair form is just my Mc at this point. Same hair, ears, fashion. The only difference is the eye colour.

This is Elenwen btw:

I'm conflicted on what to do next chapter with the party. Full send? Or just the mission? Hmm... Guess you'll have to find out next time.

Have a good one.

Your "patently evil" Author ;)