Chapter XXVIII: Understone Keep

(Within Understone Keep, the ancient palace of Markarth)

"I dearly hope that the accommodations provided were to your liking." Igmund, the Jarl of Markarth raises his expensive glass cup conversationally while offering me a polite if somewhat strained smile.

I was summoned to his keep the first thing in the morning and the Jarl insisted I join him for an early meal, the man was still very happy for my deeds against the Reachmen and wasted no effort in showing this appreciation by showering me with petty gifts.

He still completely failed at hiding the deep tension that had sunken its claws into him.

"Understone Keep is certainly one of the most unique palaces of Skyrim." I answer neutrally "The proximity to a deep and yet unexplored Dwemer ruin is no doubt a source of much headache but even more prosperity for your house."

Igmund lets out a mildly exasperated sigh at that "My ancestors were wise to leave the ancient city well enough alone but my current Court Wizard is obsessed with the damn things." He huffs "He spends more time tinkering with machines instead of doing his job."

His wife, an Imperial by the name of Camellia who was very poorly attempting to gauge my intentions with her 'hidden' looks, lightly taps his shoulder "Come now, my dear. There is no need to bother the good Thane with your annoyances, he is already busy with many other things no doubt." She gives me a pointed look.

Uncaring for propriety I snort "So much for subtlety." The woman looks almost scandalized by my reaction as she covers her mouth, something I have no care for "In other words you wonder what I am doing here?"

"Yes." The Jarl's wife states firmly, the naive fool.

Igmund inhales slowly and grits out, likely hoping to go unheard by me "Now is not the time for your probing Camellia."

He goes to say more but I cut him off "Problems in the city?" I ask, my voice tinged with cold threat. Now that they have failed at even amateurishly hiding their issues from me I decided to strike at the heart of the problem.

The woman scowls but Igmund gives her no more space to dig the hole she had opened up by speaking, he takes a calming breath while covering her hand with his own and pressing it lightly before speaking "While there are certain issues cropping up within the city I assure you that everything is under control."

"Jarl Igmund" I let out a sigh of annoyance, lightly startling the duo and drawing the gaze of the Jarl's housecarl who went by the name of Faleen "You are aware of the rumors going about that I am capable of detecting lies, yes?"

He grumbles something but wisely doesn't take the bait.

"I assure you that said rumors are anything but." I completely ignore his astonished look and continue without pause "So kindly cease your attempts at deception and tell me what is going on."

It takes a couple of minutes of him staring at his table while his wife glares at me with feminine fury before the Jarl finally looks up, his tired eyes openly showing all of his frustration "The Silver-blood clan has slowly been getting more and more influence across the city and I can't dedicate any more of my time to reigning them in due to the constant Forsworn raids that I have to deal with. The traitors plan to oust me while I can do nothing but guard my people."

"The Knights of Evermor not enough to stop the raids?" I ask with a raised eyebrow.

"While our honorable friends from High Rock are formidable warriors they can not be everywhere at once." The Jarl explains diplomatically but his meaning is clear.

"The Silver-bloods are Stormcloak supporters, no?" I question after a moment's consideration, reclining back into my seat and summoning up a cigar while doing so.

Igmund lightly blinks at the sudden appearance of magical blue smoke but quickly files it into the 'eccentric mage things' part of his brain "They tell anyone who can be convinced to listen that they are loyal subjects of the Empire, but it is well known that they would jump at the opportunity to take the Jarldom should Ulfric ever manage to take the city and even help him in doing so if they got the chance." He informs me mechanically but hidden behind his droning voice is a raging fury chomping at the bit to slaughter his enemies.

"Hmmm..." I hum while pretending to consider the implications of all that.

The Silver-bloods taking over would just be plain stupid, but so would allowing them to remain in any kind of powerful position while the war is still going on. Which leaves only one option.

"Very well then." I straighten up with false reluctance in my voice "I will help you deal with them."

"You will?" Igmund nearly shouts in surprise while his wife gives me a look of genuine shock.

"Yes, why wouldn't I?" I deadpan.

"I mean no offense, Flame-tongue" Igmund raises his hands diplomatically "It's just... don't you have other more important things to focus on?"

Once more I hit him with my harshest possible deadpan "Why do you think I am in your city?"

"Oh just tell him what you are doing already!" Camellia looses all of her patience, much to her husband's visible terror.

I let out a rumbling chuckle "Very well madam. I am here on something of a Daedra hunt." I immediately interrupt any potential questions "I will not be telling you anything about that until it has been dealt with but rest assured that I have plans for all of it."

"I see..." Ingmund "Is my city in danger?" He asks after a long and pregnant pause.

I tilt my head and consider for a moment before shaking my head "Nothing potentially devastating."

"Very well, we will trust your judgment on this." He nods tiredly "What about the Silver-bloods?"

Just as I am about to give my answer, my sight informs me of an incoming visitor and I swiftly disappear into the room's corner, blending into the wall's shadows and drawing incredulous looks from my hosts before the both of them regain their cold expressions.

Just in time as well, as the doors of the dining room are nearly smashed open, though the apparent visitor at least had enough self-preservation and good sense to not be outright insulting while doing so, merely grievously disrespectful.

Semantics, I know.

In came Thongvor Silver-blood, a bald Nord built like a heavy-duty warrior, flanked by two heavily armored clansmen whose faces were hidden behind aventails of chain. His eyes zeroed in on those of the Jarl and instead of offering a proper greeting he merely bobbed his head by a tiny margin "Ingmund."

"Jarl Ingmund." The Jarl's housecarl interrupts with steel in her voice while palming the hilt of her orichalcum blade.

"Apologies, my Jarl." He bows a bit lower this time, though not without adding a mocking undertone to his greeting.

"What is it that you want Thongvor?" Ingmund impressively keeps his temper in check, even if I can feel his desire to bash the bald man's skull in with his silverware.

"Nothing in particular." Thongvor answers cheekily "I am just here to inform you that we have managed to repel another Forsworn raid that your incompetent guard has once again failed to intercept."

"Yes, I am certain that your clan has once more proven its glory to the hold." Ingmund drones coldly "Was that all?"

Seemingly surprised by Ingmund's uncaring facade Thongvor narrows his eyes "You are hiding something."

"I am certain that I have not yet woken up fully for I could swear I just heard you question your Jarl, Thongvor." Ingmund tilts his head, his aura brimming with the desire for violence "I am sure you are not quite as stupid as to do just that."

"Of course not, my Jarl." Thongvor grits out "A good day to you." He bows again and leaves, his guards following after him and swiftly closing the gate behind them.

"Cheeky little fucker, no?" I appear in my seat once again, a half burned cigar still stuck between my fingers and my face betraying no opinion on what just happened.

Ingmund lets out a growl of barely contained rage "I have shamed myself before you, honored guest."

"Think nothing of it." I wave him off lightly though not impolitely "I believe that we have a proper course of action now."

"Speak your mind, Court Mage." His hands grip the table so hard I can hear the wood creak, all the while his wife tries to calm him down by laying her hand on his shoulder.

"Firstly I am going to need you to compose yourself." I point at him and he starts taking deep breaths "Secondly I have but one question."

Another deep breath "Ask." He says.

"Did you know that the Silver-bloods are the ones behind the Forsworn attacks?" I practically feel the temperature drop as I deliver the news.

"You are certain?" Sheesh, Ingmund's voice was as cold as ice.

I clap my hands and my hosts do not even blink as one of the agents I had stationed in the city nearly materializes himself next to me with how fast he rushes from one of the nearby alcoves "Greetings Silt-strider." I greet him without even looking at him.

The Dunmer simply offers a deep bow instead of answering.

"Kindly inform the Jarl of all you know about the deeds of the disgraced Silver-blood clan." The Dunmer nods and begins rummaging through his pack while I look to Ingmund "As for you, kindly make the proper preparations before going for the kill. I would like to be present when it happens."

Before they can answer I also add "And do not attempt to unmask my agent, that would be most unwise." My voice is lazy and uncaring but all three of the locals feel a terrible shiver go down their spines.

"And what will you be doing in the meantime?" Camellia catches on surprisingly quickly.

I toss the finished cigar into the air, turning it to ash with a mere thought, and shrug "Just some hunting."

Ingmund's eyes are so focused on my agent that if he were capable he would have burned a hole into him already "Tell me everything." He commands ineffectually, only after I nod does Silt-strider approach him.

"Good luck with your hunt, Court Mage." I hear the Jarl call out as I walk away.

"I won't need luck where I am going." I mutter darkly.

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Barely minutes after I had left the Jarl's personal quarters and after a short but productive visit to the local priest of Arkay do I find myself walking down a set of Dwemer built stairs and into the workspace of one of Skyrim's more renowned magi.

Calcelmo was busying himself with disassembling a Dwemer sphere his employees had unearthed with the aid of his nephew Aicanthar. Well it was more the old Altmer telling the young what to do while he oversaw the process.

It takes only a split second for Calcelmo to notice me after I enter his domain and the old elf immediately brightens up "Ah! Master Dagoth, it is good that you have finally decided to visit."

His nephew offers a silent but respectful bow after he makes sure to look presentable.

"I am afraid I am not here for as cheerful a reason as you might at first expect, Master Calcelmo." I state coldly and the demeanor of the Altmer duo immediately shifts into one of caution.

"And why is that?" The old Altmer asks.

"I have come here to ask why the Court Wizard of Markarth has not been doing his job." My eyes narrow and a threatening red glow emanates from them, utterly paralyzing the younger Altmer and no doubt intimidating the elder.

The way Calcelmo's brow furrows and his face both pales and reddens at the same time would have been entertaining if not for the sheer indignation the man's rather potent aura gives off.

Knowing that if he tried to throw his weight around he would be instantly fucked beyond belief both magically and politically, the old elf grits his teeth and musters an "Explain."

"It is you who needs to explain, Master Calcelmo." I answer ominously "Why there are three malignant Daedra operating within the city without any recourse."

His next words perfectly summarize just what he thought of that "Shit."

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(Davos' POV)

"For a human flesh merchant the fucker is surprisingly hard to pick out from within the crowd." I mutter in frustration.

Nightshade offers an amused giggle and comments "Could it be that you can't do your job without our master's sight to look over you?"

Her mocking tone makes me scoff but instead of getting offended I allow a small smile to twist the edge of my mouth.

Seeing that I wasn't about to respond, Nightshade focuses back on the task and sniffs the air like some kind of beast, though I definitely won't be saying that aloud anytime soon if I value my life. A moment of silence later she steps in front of me, her form completely covered in an opulent robe of while and gold "I believe I have found him, follow me."

"Familiar with the smell of human flesh, eh?" I ask teasingly. The duo of ice cold blue orbs focusing on me with a brief spark of rage immediately make me regret my words as I sheepishly scratch the back of my head and offer a quick "Sorry about that, I was out of line."

"It is fine." Nightshade growls, no doubt not feeling fine at all "Let us just focus on finding the damned merchant."

We step through a couple of winding paths and out into a small stony market, coming face to face with a balding Nord man "Bloodiest beef in the Reach!" He exclaims to his duo of suspiciously eager customers.

"Target found." I mutter forlornly, and prepare for yet another tangle with the Daedra.

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And thus, Davos sinks even deeper

and incidentally finds powerstones!

Who would have thunk it?

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