Chapter LXXXVIII: Lordly Negotiations

My jovial greeting takes Narsis aback briefly but he doesn't so much as twitch outwardly and simply nods his own greeting "I am glad to have an opportunity to solve our... disagreement peacefully, Lord Dagoth."

"But of course." I smile and point my hand at an empty seat "We are not barbarians."

He hums non committedly and sits down, his two guards standing a bit behind him "As much as I would like to ruminate on your decision to live with these..." He looks at a group of Nords being rambunctious at the other side to the inn and scoffs "People, I do believe we have much to discuss."

"Quite." I agree and my fake joviality disappears as swiftly as it appeared "Namely what you can offer me for the freedom of one Lady Naerys and the subsequent weregild for her crimes against my house."

"Crimes against your house?!" Narsis sputters, and calms just as swiftly "I assure you that whatever happened is just a terrible misunderstanding."

"Misunderstanding?" I frown "So are you telling me that the person currently held in my cells is not, in fact, your daughter who under Thalmor orders attacked me and the Dawnguard while accompanied by an entire warband of Volkihar vampires as we were working to liberate a Moth Priest from one of their associates?" Before he can answer I look to the fully armed Maren who was standing nearby "Seeing as she is obviously someone of no import you can go and get ri-"

"SHE DID WHAT!?" The Altmer lord blows up, standing up and smashing his hand on my table, my guards tensed up, leading to the Altmeri guards also doing so but none moved seeing as I remained seated.

Completely unmoved by the explosive reaction I simply deadpan "That table is ruby ash."

He looks down and frowns "Oh... A thousand apologies." And sits down.

I barely hold back a snort at that "I trust then, that you were unaware of her actions?"

"Unaware?" He scoffs "I was told she was exploring the Direnni tower with her fellow students, not gallivanting to Skyrim of all places so she can play Justiciar!"

"So you are telling me that a daughter of a Kinlord can simply waltz into Skyrim, join the local Thalmor and do as she likes? I may be young even by human standards but even I can see how that does not indicate competent parenting." I drawl as he fumes.

The regal elf takes a deep breath and visibly calms himself, taking the cup of wine one of my servants offered without even glancing at him and sipping in silence. 

He was either protected from poisons or put genuine respect in the 'noble discourse' I invited him over for, and considering how much the Altmer valued magical power as a race I would not be surprised in the least if he thought me above simply poisoning his ass.

Eh, all the better for me for when I actually do need to use it.

Finally done with his repose he takes a breath and speaks "I do believe we have strayed off topic, while I may wish to disbelieve your claim of my daughter's scandalous behavior the simple fact that she is in Skyrim would only serve make me look the fool. So tell me, Lord Dagoth, what is it that you require for my daughter's safe return?" He pauses and raises a finger "In fact, why don't you invite her here? I trust that such a thing would serve for a fine lesson."

"Oh?" I raise an eyebrow "Sure you won't just try to take her?"

He scoffs "There is no need to insult my intelligence, good sir. Even a child knows not to act out in an enchanter's domain." His guards slightly stiffen at that.

I huff in amusement "Fair." And wave for Maren "Bring her in."

As my guards leave I turn back to my guest "While we wait, could I interest you in the local specialty? My cooks are quite inventive and they would be quite disappointed if I did not show off."

His eyes light up with interest "But of course, I would be delighted to."

It was about twenty minutes later that Naerys was brought in, just in time to see her father enjoying a pleasant meal with me as we made 'rich people jokes' about the Nords. I did not dislike the people, I even would go so far as to say I liked them, but that would not stop me from having some good old casual stereotyping fun.

The young Altmer mage just stood there and stared at us for a full minute as we pretended she wasn't even there, much to our hidden amusement and even that of the guards.

Just as she was about to speak out her father suddenly dropped his smile and turned to her "Ah, Naerys. How odd it is that I would find you here in such pleasant company, last I heard you were joining the expedition to Ada Mantia... I am certain that the honorable Headmaster will have a perfect explanation as to why."

He does take a moment to look her over, his shoulders relaxing ever so slightly as he notices no signs of torture or mistreatment.

She pales and looks down "Father, I..."

"Save it" He raises his hand imperiously "You have said and done enough and once I am done paying for your foolish indiscretions we will be having words young lady, many words."

She gulps audibly and sits down without a word.

"Now that I have been assured of her well being, for which I am most grateful." He looks back to me "What will her freedom and your forgiveness cost me?"

"Hmmm..." I hum as I lightly pull on my goatee "Well, she did aid the goals of Molag Bal." She winces and Narsis glares at her "Fight alongside the Volkihar, thereby resulting in the deaths of five honorable vampire hunters." They both show far less care about this detail "And lastly but most importantly, she did assault my person with no less than a hundred spells varying from those of the adept level all they way up to master."

Narsis straightens up "If not for the situation I would have been proud to hear that."

"A most respectable showing certainly." I nod 'sagely'.

Naerys looks down, but this time blushing all the way up to the ears, it was almost adorable.

"And while I would certainly accept monetary compensation" I continue "I could be persuaded to drastically lower my grievances depending on your pull with the local Thalmor."

He hums thoughtfully "I do find myself in possession of some contacts, yes. What do you have in mind."

'Gooood' My inner Palpatine preens at the fact "See, the current Vampire problem we are having is unfortunately a threat of the worldly scale, and the local leadership of your government-"

"Pretentious peasants the lot of them." Narsis grumbles to himself.

Filing that away for later I go on "-being as short sighted as they are, have been supporting them all along, no doubt leading into unnecessary difficulties for us righteous souls. My request from you, honorable Kinlord, is to have all support promptly withdrawn and that you ensure as many of them do as much damage in the form of sabotage as they do so."

"And that is all?" He blinks.

I shrug "I am magnanimous in victory."

A dry chuckle leaves his throat "I can definitely make sure the vampires suffer, but I can not ensure that every single agent will do as I command."

"Naturally." I incline my head "Though I am afraid I will need some assurance."

He narrows his eyes "While you have been a gracious host I assure you that any form of double cross will be paid back tenfold."

"No need to get defensive" I raise my hands placatingly "You can either pick your daughter up after the fact... or you can take her now while providing assurance."

He frowns "What form of assurance."

Instead of answering I simply clap my hands, causing Mephys to materialize beside me. Seeing as she was observing the whole thing she immediately gets to work and looks at Narsis, no doubt sending a silent contract his way.

The elven lord stares at her for a moment before turning back to me, genuine respect in his eyes "I see that your reputation is anything but undeserved." He looks back at the Daedra and nods "I accept."

"Marvelous." Mephys' silky voice caresses our ears.

Getting up from my seat I offer Narsis my hand, which he shakes firmly "It was a pleasure meeting you, Kinlord. I do hope that our next meeting will be of a more pleasant nature however."

"Indeed, Lord Dagoth." He nods with a cordial smile "Your chefs have my compliments."

"I am certain they will be delighted to hear that." I smile and watch as the Altmer leave, Naerys giving me one last glance before following after her father.

"Well..." Davos steps out from a nearby shadow "That was something I guess."

I light up a cigarette while rolling my eyes "Pretentious fucking twat." I huff and take a puff.

"I think that he was a marvelous little specimen." Mephys voices amusedly "He was trying to plan around you the entire time but the moment I appeared he surrendered without a complaint."

"Yeah, I figured as much." I wave it off "Honestly, if he was being genuine the whole time I'd have been offended."

"Oh? Does my lady's Chosen not enjoy genuine conversation anymore?" Mephys asks teasingly.

"Puh-lease." I snort "He was an Altmer Kinlord, a full Duke of Summerset. I am surprised he did not commit suicide via sheer arrogance."

"Which is a very arrogant thing to say, don't you think?" The annoying Daedra dares use logic.

"Yeah, yeah, whatever." I roll my eyes and walk out into the main section of the inn, where all of my friends and close ones were gathered "Now that that is done..." I pause dramatically "Let's get this party started!"

Sea Ghost's respite turns from relatively silent into a party in the span of ten seconds as my servants bring out the food and drinks and the musicians start to sing and play their songs.

Today was the day I entered my third decade, and I was not about to skip the celebration just for some Altmer ponce!

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The following day I found myself in one of the underground practice ranges of my mansion. Auriel's bow glowing in my hands as I let loose arrow after arrow, my frown deepening with each shot.

Last night's party was pleasant, but the shadow of what awaited us loomed over everyone and most were unable to relax fully. This annoyed the crap out of me but getting pissy about it would have been unreasonable so I just grinned and bore it, the drinks made sure the night was enjoyable after a while anyway.

What did make me incredibly pissy was what I was currently doing.

"Come on boss, it isn't even that hard." Davos grouses from nearby, his target had long since been completely destroyed due to the sheer volume of crossbow bolts he stuffed it with.

"Fuck off, I always sucked with a bow." I loose another arrow and miss the target completely.

"I just don't understand how someone can be that bad." Davos chuckles, having far too much amusement at my expense.

I stop what I was doing and breathe in slowly. I had been practicing archery for over a week now and I haven't managed to get further than mere novice level, and I have officially had enough.

Letting my magic loose I drew the bow once again, the arrow suddenly being carved with numerous runes and glowing gold as I forced my power into the bow. Without even looking I loosed the arrow and slammed all of my telekinetic might into it, sending what looked like a golden laser straight into the bullseye, destroying the target and sinking it fully into the cavern wall behind it.

"That good enough for you?" I look at my right hand Mer with a grin.

He gulps and raises his hands in surrender "Whatever you say boss."

Before our banter could continue, we were interrupted by Nightshade silently entering the range with an unfolded letter in her hands. She waited for no prompts as she announced "Everyone that could be gathered has been, they are only waiting for us."

I store the bow and grin "Good, I was getting sick of all the waiting."

Harkon was officially on a countdown, and I couldn't wait to put his pathetic ass into the ground. I have more important shit to worry about than an uppity vampire with a god complex after all...

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Auri-El's weakest warrior VS Molag's strongest slave

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