Infiltration

Any thoughts of the Companions or the Dawnguard were put on hold once we arrived back in Whiterun and arrived at the front door to Breezehome. I grabbed the letter nailed to the door and read it over. I couldn't help the sigh. 'So much for possibly having half a day to relax.'

"What is it?" Lydia asked.

"It's from Delphine. She has asked me to return to Riverwood as soon as I'm home. I'd better go."

"Do you need my assistance?"

"No. Make yourself at home. If I'm not back soon, it means I'm off with Delphine somewhere."

"Of course. Stay safe, my Thane."

Before leaving, I figured I should at least send a message to Ford Dawnguard, letting Isran know I'd completed the mission. Having no idea about how to send a message in Skyrim, and figuring it would probably be a lot different to Cyrodil, I simply had Lydia do it, who laughed at me because of my cluelessness. But she was kind enough to say she'd do it right away.

I could have walked to Riverwood, but figuring Delphine had made a breakthrough in her investigation, and assuming we'd probably end up travelling somewhere else, I took my horse, Skulvar joking that I should make up my mind sometimes whether I wanted to stable the thing or not. I rode into Riverwood with the sun warming my back, a sign of how some things had not changed, the only change from the very first time arriving in town being the appearance of a few Hold guards.

I found Delphine waiting for me downstairs. "Everything alright, Dragonborn?" I shrugged. "Keeping busy?" I nodded. "I was at Kodlak Whitemane's funeral."

I raised eyebrows at that. "You were?"

"I didn't think I should make my presence known. What I didn't know was that you were a member of their Circle. You rose the ranks fast."

I shrugged. "I think they liked to the idea of having the Dragonborn as one of them."

"Have you been investigating anything to do with the dragons?"

"Not really. There's also a vampire menace too."

"Ah, so you've been approached by the Dawnguard?" I nodded. "I've seen people wearing strange armour around here recently. One or two have come into the inn, looking for recruits. Orgnar gave them short shrift when they asked him."

"You know anything about the Dawnguard?"

She shook her head. "No. Dealing with vampires was never a task the Blades handled." She paused a moment. "Had any issues with the Thalmor?"

That took me by surprise. "No. Why do you ask?"

"Because I have no doubt they would know of the Dragonborn. And would probably know where he lives by now. The only thing they wouldn't know is exactly who the Dragonborn is. That may keep you safe for the moment but I'm not sure how much longer our luck will hold out."

"You think they'd what, want to kill me?"

"If they're behind the return of the dragons, then I'm absolutely sure that is what they'd want to do."

"Right, if that's the case, I'm hoping you have a plan to deal with them."

She smiled. "I do. You're going to infiltrate their embassy." I must have made a face as she laughed. That surprised me. 'Didn't think she laughed.' "Don't worry. They probably have heard of the return of the Dragonborn but they won't know it's you."

"Okay, give me the details."

"The Thalmor ambassador, some elven bitch by the name of Elenwen, regularly throws parties where the rich and connected cosy up to the Thalmor." She sneered. "It's disgusting how our own people fawn all over them."

I shrugged. "Perhaps it's the only way to keep the peace?"

"We're only at peace because the Thalmor like it that way for now. They'll change their mind soon enough and part two of the war will resume." She cleared her throat. "Anyway, we're getting off track. The good news is that I can get you into one of these parties as one of the guests. Likely as the Thane of Whiterun. I just hope the news the Dragonborn is also the Thane hasn't reached their ears. But my contact may help in that regard anyway."

"So what do I do once I'm inside?"

"Sneak away and find any files you can on the dragons. I can't help you in regards to where they are. Our contact inside may be able to."

"Who's the contact?"

"A wood elf by the name of Malborn. And, trust me, he hates the Thalmor as much as all the Nords of Skyrim. He won't like the idea of having his life on the line but he'll otherwise help however he can."

"Where am I going?"

"Ever been to Solitude?"

"No."

"It's far to the north of here. Capital of Skryim. Grand old city, lots of history and the embassy is close by. There's an inn, just past the city gates, called the Winking Skeever. Malborn will meet you there with further details."

"And how am I getting into this party?"

She returned a slightly evil grin. "I've managed to gain you an invitation."

"Where will you be?"

"I can't go inside the embassy. My face is simply too well known. I'll travel back to Riverwood and wait there while you're at work. But meet me near Solitude stables once you're done with Malborn and we'll organise things from there."

"When's the party?"

"The night after tomorrow. You've got enough time to get to Solitude."

*****

The city walls towered over me. I had seen Windhelm from a distance, and thought the dark walls of the ancient capital had been imposing. But the walls of Solitude simply said 'You shall not pass!' I craned my neck as I walked the hill towards the city gates, the flag of the city hanging from walls to both sides of the gate. In the middle, above the gates, was a headless body, hung from a bit of rope. Above that, on a pike, was a head, a crow pecking away at the face.

"Who was that?" I asked one of the guards.

"Ah, that was old Roggvir. He was a town guard until he allowed Jarl Ulfric Stormcloak to escape after he'd murdered High King Torygg."

'What? Murder?' "What?"

The guard looked at me like I was an idiot. "You haven't heard?"

"I'm new to Skryim." A half-truth. "Jarl Ulfric murdered the High King? How?"

"Jarl Ulfric was summoned by the High King to discuss the civil war plaguing our land. He arrived under a banner of peace and was allowed safe passage to the Blue Palace. The details of what transpired within are murky, but Roggvir claimed Ulfric challenged Torygg to single combat and then shouted the High King apart."

'Ulfric has the power of the Voice? That I did not know. How did he acquire that?' "Shouted him apart?"

The guard shrugged. "I think it's an exaggeration. But it was murder, plain and simple. Then Roggvir allowed Ulfric to escape. We arrested Roggvir quite quickly after that, put him on trial, found him guilty of treason and executed him. I worked with him as a guard for years. Good man. Well respected. The Captain hated having to put one of his own men to the sword, never thought he'd stoop to treachery against his own people. And as for Ulfric, he showed his true colours once and for all by murdering the King. Now the people of Solitude stand firmly behind the Empire, and we shall bring his rebellion to an end then hang his body from here too."

'I had no idea about any of this. Murder? But what if Roggvir was right? I may need to gather more information. But the longer I'm here, the more I'm unsure about anything regarding this war. There appears to be no right or wrong on either side. It's just… stupid. Particularly in regards to the Thalmor. The longer I'm here, the more I listen, the realisation should be that they are the enemy, not each other.'

It was certainly a revelation to oneself. All the ideas and dreams when I left Chorrol were diminishing rapidly the more I learned about the war. I wasn't sure what I believed anymore. Maybe I'll just sort out the dragon crisis and remain a Companion? Perhaps I'll adventure across Skyrim and find great prizes in old ruins? Maybe I'll just become a full-time vampire hunter? I had plenty of possibilities. Perhaps, at the end, the civil war can just sort itself out without any help from me.

I thanked the guard and entered Solitude. And it was crowded! So much so that I continually had to say 'excuse me'. So much busier than Whiterun, a true sign this was an important city. There were a number of bustling marketplaces while I plenty of shops lined the main thoroughfare, their signs indicating all manner of clothes, armours, weapons and potions to be traded. In the distance, I even saw a sign for some sort of college. I eventually found the sign for the Winking Skeever and entered, grateful to escape the crowd. I looked around for a wood elf and saw one in the far corner, back to the wall, obviously watching who came in and out of the door and clearly paranoid. But he'd clearly been told what I looked like as he made the smallest gesture with his head to approach, taking a seat next to him, also back to the wall, not meeting each other's eye. It was certainly… clandestine. And Malborn oozed with fear. I wondered if he was in over his head.

"You're Ragnar?" I nodded. "Okay. Here's the deal. I'll smuggle some equipment in for you. You won't be able to go in armed for the party, not even a dagger. The Thalmor take security very seriously."

"I'll want to be quick and quiet so just take my dagger."

He raised eyebrows. "That's all?"

"For a big guy, I've proven to be rather sneaky."

"What about armour?"

"If I'm desperate, I'll rob it off some poor unfortunate Thalmor bastard I may end up killing."

"Do whatever you have to do. I just don't want anything linked back to me." I could have asked him questions, particularly about how he came to be involved in all this, but figured he probably wouldn't tell me. "Okay, I'm going to go. I'll keep an eye out for whenever you arrive."

I spent the rest of the afternoon strolling around Solitude until near enough to my agreed meeting time with Delphine. There was certainly plenty to see and do. The college sign I'd seen early was for aspiring bard's, so that immediately counted me out. A raving lunatic wandered past me a number of times, ranting about losing his master. I ignored him. I eventually ended up outside the palace itself but didn't think I should really enter. I had no business in there and would probably find myself roped into doing some sort of job considering that's what seemed to happen to me nowadays.

The sky had turned a beautiful orange and pink as the sun set behind the mountains before I finally left Solitude. Delphine was waiting for me, just as she said. Before she'd said a word, I could sense the nerves. I wasn't feeling too nervous, considering I was the one heading into the lion's den. She probably just thought I was out of my depth. She was probably right.

"Everything go alright with Malborn?"

"Apart from the fact he was the most nervous wood elf I've ever seen, yes, he has what I need."

She looked me up and down. "No armour?"

"I plan on doing whatever it is I need to do quietly."

"Very well. I have some clothes for you to change into over there in one of the stables. There's also a bucket of water for you to quickly wash down. The Thalmor are suspicious at the best of times, so you need to completely look the part. So have a wash, change clothes and then you should be all set. The carriage to take you there should be here shortly."

I had a quick wash before changing into some of the finest clothes I'd ever had the pleasure of wearing, the cut of cloth smooth against my skin. 'I could get used to this.' The shoes were also comfortable and I immediately had thoughts of lording it up back home in Whiterun in my finery. I was still chuckling to myself at the visions as I walked back towards Delphine, the carriage having arrived. I handed over everything I didn't need.

"Any last minute pieces of advice?" I asked.

"Yes. Just don't get yourself killed. Do whatever it is you need to do then get out there alive with the information we need. Though if you have the chance to put that bitch down, take it."

I raised eyebrows. "Seriously? That would surely start a war?"

Delphine shrugged. "If the Thalmor were to invade, the civil war would end immediately as we'd once again have a common enemy. You did notice the Imperial presence in Solitude, right?"

"Yes. I assume it's rather well defended?"

"The Thalmor managed to sack the Imperial City but even they'd have second thoughts about trying to take some of the cities in Skyrim." She cleared her throat. "Right, we're off topic again. You should go. Once you're done, head directly to Riverwood. I'll meet you there and hopefully we'll have something to go on."

*****

"Invitation, sir."

With steady hand, and a false smile, I handed over the invitation Delphine had managed to get me. The high elf stared at it hard while the second elf patted me down for weapons. "Have you ever visited the Thalmor embassy before?" the elf patting me down asked.

"No, I haven't had the pleasure."

"Ambassador Elenwen will greet you upon entering the door. Please show her the respect her position deserves."

"Of course."

The drunk I'd arrived with continued to talk behind me, hearing the other elf scoff under his breath as he asked for his invitation but the two appeared to know each other, so I figured he was a constant visitor. The elf patting me down finally finished and gestured towards the door.

The embassy was certainly a grand old building, wondering who owned it before the Thalmor moved in. I wasn't surprised it was so close to Solitude. Even I wasn't dumb enough to realise the Thalmor would be keeping tabs on Imperial troop movements through the province. I'd heard more than enough rumours about what the Thalmor were actually up to. It was clear they were preparing for another war. I wondered when it would start again as there was no doubt that I would sign up for that.

A female elf approached me as I entered the embassy, both of us coming to a stop a few paces apart. She smiled at me, though it was insincere. A smile that didn't reach the eyes. "Welcome. I am Elenwen, the Thalmor Ambassador to Skyrim. I don't believe we've met."

"No, we haven't, Ambassador. I'm Ragnar of Whiterun. A pleasure," I stated, bowing slightly.

"Ah, yes. You're the new Thane, correct?"

"I am."

"And what has brought you to Skyrim?"

She obviously had a good ear for accents as even I knew that I didn't sound like the locals. But before I could even respond, I heard a question asked behind her. 'Malborn?' I didn't know why he'd distracted her, but whatever she wanted to know about me was conveniently forgotten and she simply wished me a pleasant evening. Whether it was a who's who of Skyrim at the soiree, I'll never know. But the money on show was something else entirely. I attempted to mingle, and while one or two were polite enough to indulge me in conversation, I received a number of curious glances and, I'll admit, one or two sneers. Compared to some of them, I obviously was far above my station in life.

After giving myself some time to acclimatise, I approached Malborn behind the bar, cleaning it with a cloth. Compared to the nervous wreck he was the inn in Solitude, here he was the picture of confidence. He met my eyes, grinned and bowed slightly. "What can I get for you?"

"I'll have a glass of brandy, if you please."

"Of course." He grabbed a bottle from a shelf behind and poured as he spoke quietly. "Good. You've settled in well. What you need to do is distract the guards. Once you do that, I can slip you out the door behind me."

I thanked him for the glass and turned back towards the crowd, wondering who would provide the perfect distraction. I noticed the drunk who had followed me in sitting across the room, looking slightly unhappy. I waded through the crowd and sat down next to him.

"Having a good time?"

He crossed his arms in a huff. "No. Elenwen said I have to dry out a bit before I can have another drink. Though, I guess it's good she knows who I am otherwise I'd never have been let in."

"If I give you this glass of brandy, can you do something for me?"

"Sure. What?"

"Create a distraction."

He smiled. "My friend, I can do even better than that."

I didn't particularly know what he was going to do as I circled around the crowd once again, looking back as he stood up on the bench and beckoned for everyone's attention. It worked like a charm, even the Thalmor guards turning to look at him just long enough for me to slip through the door into the kitchen. Malborn led me to a storage room, where my dagger had been well hidden. I clipped the sheathe to my belt and was shown the way out of the kitchen, the khajit cook looking at me quizzically, Malborn simply telling her to mind her own business.

Once on the other side of the door, I heard it locked behind me and I was now on my own. I moved a silently as possible down the hallway as I heard two voices from the next room. And the discussion between them already suggested they were as surprised by the dragon attacks as everyone else. 'But they are regular soldiers and wouldn't be involved in the machinations of politics.' I peeked through a door and saw two Thalmor soldiers and knew I'd have to take out both to get anywhere. I watched one of the soldiers walked down a hallway in the distance and turn a corner, leaving the second elf alone.

I struck immediately, not overthinking nor wasting time on strategy. Quickly and quietly was the simple idea. The elf didn't hear me until it was too late as I grabbed him from behind, covering his mouth with my left hand as I buried the dagger into his chest with my right, feeling him struggle against my grip until his body finally turned slack in my arms and I let him drop to the ground. I looked around for a place to hide his body, eventually finding a storeroom. I took his sheathed sword, attaching that to my belt.

I searched each room, becoming more frustrated as each desk was filled with nothing but junk, any chest containing only coin and jewels, which on any other day I may have considered taking, thinking the Thalmor wouldn't have missed them too much. But I needed information about the dragons and there was none to be found. 'Maybe there's another building?'

I found an exit to the back of the embassy. Across an open expanse of snow was another building, where I could only hope that I would find the information I needed. A trio of Thalmor soldiers were on patrol and even I wasn't confident enough to think I could take on all three. I watched their patrol routes for a few minutes and finally moved, keeping to the shadows and thankful cloud was covering the moon. I thought they would have heard my footsteps in the snow, or my heavy breathing as I crossed from one building to the next, but I got across unscathed, the three Thalmor not even turning in my general direction, more interested in keeping people out than worried about anyone behind them.

I was thankful I entered quietly as two people in conversation did not hear me walk through the door. I hid behind a column and waited for them to disappear, thankful they did after a few minutes, wiping my brow of sweat as, I'll admit, the nerves and strain were taking hold. I was well outside my comfort zone doing all this sneaking around and cloak and dagger. I heard footsteps disappear so moved quickly again and eventually found an office. There was a Thalmor seal on the wall in addition to a number of flags and artefacts. 'Must be the Ambassadors office?'

I search each drawer and cupboard and finally found what I needed. There were two journals which I pocketed without checking plus an official looking letter, which I did glance over and, if anything, it proved the Thalmor were as surprised by the return of the dragons as everyone else. 'If this is the evidence Delphine wants, then we're at a dead end.'

Knowing I couldn't go back the way I came, and surprised my disappearance from the party had yet appeared to be noticed, I looked for a way out, heading down a set of stairs and finding an unlocked door. It was through here I finally found evidence of Thalmor brutality, hearing the cries of someone below me as he was obviously being tortured, hearing question after question being shouted at the other, who did nothing but plead for mercy. I wasted no time, unsheathing the sword I'd taken earlier, leaping over the railing to the floor below. The Thalmor sat at a desk heard me land and got out from his seat but I was too fast, swinging my sword and cutting his throat.

The second Thalmor obviously heard something over the screams of his torture and walked out of the chamber to find me waiting for him, cutting downwards with my sword, hearing him match the screams of whoever he was torturing as I almost cut him in two.

"Thalmor bastards," I muttered as I walked into the darkened cell. In the gloom I could just make out the body of a man, shackled by his wrists to the wall. He heard me approach and tried to curl into a ball, bringing his knees up to his chest.

"No more! No more!" he whimpered.

"I'm a friend," I stated gently as I crouched near him. Even in the darkness, I could see the bruises and blood covering his face, "Give me a moment to find the keys to get you out."

He said nothing as I checked over the Thalmor I'd just cut down. He had nothing on him, searching the other Thalmor, finding nothing there. On a desk I found a couple of keys, pocketing those, while I searched a nearby chest and found a third journal, placing that in the band of my trousers with the other two I'd found earlier. Using the keys I'd found, I finally managed to release the prisoner. He was unsteady on his feet as I helped him up, letting him lean back against the wall to gather himself.

"Who are you?"

"Etienne. I'm… a nobody."

I knew being 'a nobody' was a lie but I wasn't about to question that. "What did the Thalmor want?"

"That I will gladly answer. They're after some old guy called Esbern." The name meant nothing to me. 'Yet I have a feeling Delphine will know.' "The Thalmor are worried about the return of the dragons. In fact, I'd say they're frightened. They think the Nords have something to do with it too. I know I'm not the only Nord they've chained up here and tortured to death."

"Do you know anything about this Esbern?"

He nodded. "I may do, that's why they grabbed me. There's an old guy who lives in the Ratway. That's the sewers below Riften. The Thalmor seem to think that is who they're searching for. They were trying to get me to confirm that."

"Do you think it's Esbern?"

He shrugged, pain etched on his face. "No idea. But the Thalmor appear convinced it is. They just wanted a local to confirm their suspicions."

I had what I needed and, slipping Etienne my dagger, I motioned for us to leave. Etienne was leading me to a trapdoor nearby when I heard footsteps thunder down the staircase behind us. I was ready to just leave when I heard Malborn cry out in pain and I knew our entire plan had likely been discovered. I also knew they'd kill him without hesitation. 'Do I want that sitting on my conscience?'

"Listen up, spy! You're trapped in here and we also have your miserable little accomplice. Surrender immediately or both of you will die."

"Just run! Run!" Malborn yelled as he leapt over the railing, landing in front of me with a thud. He didn't move again, standing no chance of surviving the way he landed. Etienne yelled from behind me to hurry up and, taking one last look at Malborn, muttering my apologies at the waste of life, I turned and leapt through the gap in the floor, lifting the door behind me and locking it, hoping I had the only key.

We'd descended into a cave, numerous bodies around us, further evidence of Thalmor crimes against the people of Skyrim. Thankfully, we were high up on a ledge and heard before we saw the troll below us. I was unarmoured and armed with only a sword, while Etienne was in no condition to fight at all. Somehow we managed to sneak by the troll, keeping to the shadows as the troll was focused on eating, dreading to think what it actually was but the evidence was clear enough.

Outside the cave, it was near the middle of the night and, with the moon behind covered, it was nearly pitch black. Etienne bent over, hands at his knees, and was sick.

"Sorry. It's just…"

"Don't worry about it. Unfortunately, in my line of work, you get used to it."

"It wasn't just that. The Thalmor fed me all sorts of potions. I guess they were trying to get me to tell the truth. More fool them that I was. But that didn't stop me from appearing unconscious, but hearing everything they talked about."

"Where will you go now?"

"I'm going to head back to Riften. Thanks for the rescue. I may see you there one day."

I let him run away, figuring he was in for a long journey home. I had no idea where I was, following the path down the hill until I came to a road, recognising, even in the darkness, that this was the road towards the embassy. It was a cold night, my clothes were thin and it wasn't long until I was chilled to the bone. I followed the faint lights in the distance and finally arrived at the stables.

Delphine had hidden a chest with my armour inside. I spent a minute or two changing then burned the fine clothes I had been wearing, figuring I should eliminate any evidence, even though plenty of people had seen my face, so I knew the Thalmor would definitely be looking for me now. I just added them to the mental list I kept of people, animals or creatures who wanted me dead. The Thalmor could simply get in line. The day of reckoning would come with them soon enough.

I mounted my horse, dug my heels into its ribs and started my journey back to Riverwood. On my way back, I took the time to read the three journals I had stolen from the embassy. Reading one of the journals would change everything I had believed in and the very reason why I had come to Skyrim in the first place.