Chapter LXXI: Sharing Secrets and Settling The Defeated

"Can someone please explain to me what is going on here?!" A very confused Marco exclaims after a beat of silence. His fellow apprentice narrows her eyes while staring at me intently.

This is usually where one spins lies and denials in an attempt to keep things in the status quo, but I have had armies crash against me and have come out the victor, I no longer need to fear being found out. After all, in this world, the rules apply only to those too weak to remain unbound. 

I shrug "That was me conquering the temple of a Daedra in the name of another Daedra" I say nonchalantly.

Marco's eyes widen and he shivers "Y-you are a Daedra worshipper?!"

Once again Minthara proves to be the wiser among the two as she merely crosses her arms and waits patiently.

"Chosen, but not the point" The shivering increases and I roll my eyes "Marco, what is the official religion of Morrowind?" I ask patiently as if talking to a toddler. The guildsmen chuckle among themselves at my question.

He blinks "The Reclaimed Tribunal..." his eyes widen once again and he facepalms.

"Indeed" I drawl "You could say I have been a Daedra worshipper since birth."

"Which one?" Minthara interjects "Which one are you the chosen of?"

I smirk "Use your big streetwise brain Minthara. I know you aren't stupid" 

She looks at me, then at the guildsmen, then back at me, and finally at the altar "Mephala" She mutters, and Marco 'eeeps' like a girl.

"Got it in one" I clap my hands slowly "Though I do hope you aren't stupid enough to go around telling on me" 

Marco, who is scared shitless rapidly nods his head while Minthara narrows her eyes "And how exactly do you expect us to trust you if you were chosen by a literal god of betrayal?"

Some of the Dunmer shift uncomfortably, barely hiding their offense. Davos merely snorts.

"You do realize the Dunmer race wouldn't worship her if she was only that, right?" I respond in lecture mode. She looks at me expectantly and I go on "Mephala is one of the three good Daedra who taught the Dunmer the art of subtlety, and that of intrigue. In those ancient days when we were still Chimer, we were low in number and under great threat of invaders so we followed the teachings of the Webweaver and struck down our foes with hidden blades." I smirk "After all, they can't conquer you if you poison them to death."

My students manage to relax at least a bit after my lecture, while the Dunmer nod along like good little followers.

Minthara sighs "Very well, I guess I can understand... Any other earth-shattering secrets you might want to share about yourself?" 

I snort "I am not about to reveal my life story to you" I tilt my head "Though if you do find a good enough clue I might share something, but until then you will have to content yourself with what you learned today."

She looks unhappy with my decision but has already learned that she has no way to force information out of me so all she can do is accept.

"Now" I clap my hands "As riveting as this was we should get moving, this place won't loot itself!" I look to the Guildmaster and stop in my tracks as I find myself fully capable of recognizing her.

I blink "Huh, honestly I am not all that surprised."

Jenassa shrugs "I did leave some very easy hints, my Lord"

"Right" I drawl "You lot will search the place for any correspondence and hunt down any possible Thalmor agents in the vicinity, if you manage to find one bring them to me alive."

They wait for a moment, in case I have further orders but seeing as I remain silent they disperse.

"Come on you three" I wave for my apprentices and Davos to follow me "We should meet up with Torygg."

We make our way down, seeing half of the guildsmen thoroughly searching all the rooms (Even the charnel pits) and making sure there are no survivors anywhere in the temple.

As we descend into the main chamber a centurion notices us and approaches "Sir" He salutes "The High King has called for his council to convene at the southern section of the city."

"Lead the way soldier"

The legionary guides us through the sea of overturned tents, families of Forsworn milling about with defeated looks on their faces, trying to gather whatever valuables they can salvage, all the while being looked over by attentive legionaries.

We are led to a section near the prisoner camp, and under a great willow tree awaited the rest of our fellow leaders, naturally already having brought in chairs and a large table, because standing would be plebian of course.

"I see the battle went well." I say as I approach, carefully eyeing the two young Reachmen who flinch at my approach "These are?" I raise an eyebrow at Torygg.

The King nods at the two young men "These two have found themselves as the representatives of the surrendered Reachmen, they are here to negotiate about their people's future."

"Odd that a couple of youths would lead" I note dryly "Then again I guess that might be my fault" My tone was regretful but my bloodthirsty grin was anything but.

Harald guffaws from his seat, already three horns of mead into his celebration "You tell 'em lad."

I look at Sybille and the twins "Everything fine on your end?"

Bor sends me an annoyed glare "I am never running ward duty again."

"Too hard for you Bor?" I ask mockingly.

He rolls his eyes "No, it was too bloody boring!"

I shrug "The temple wasn't all that much better" I say nonchalantly and all eyes focus on me, after all I was yet to give my report "It seems that most of the actually competent mages and warriors got butchered at Haraldstead" My lips twist to a disdainful sneer "The ones that remained here were so pathetic my apprentices dealt with most of them."

Marco twitches as he remembers the experience.

"Just to reiterate" Rikke interjects "It and its residents have been neutralized?"

I nod "Indeed, I already have my agents searching for clues." 

Ingvar frowns "Is it wise to... stir the nest?"

I wave him off immediately "Whatever happens as consequence of this investigation will never be traced back to the crown of Skyrim, of that much I can assure you."

Torygg chuckles "I am glad you are using your vendetta productively."

I bow dramatically "I am the image of rationality and productivity" the doubtful looks of most of my comrades make me burst into a fit of deranged giggles.

One of the Forsworn clears his throat nervously "Umm... could we please get back to the fate of my people?" He looks ready to jump away as my eyes focus on him.

Torygg nods "Yes, as I have said earlier you have two options, either accept resettlement and swear to follow the laws of Skyrim or be banished into the Reach of High Rock."

The older of the two speaks up "Most have agreed to your proposal King, we first came here for promises of good land and plentiful food, but all the hags brought was war and pain. We hope your word weighs more than that of the Hagraven."

There is some grumbling among the King's men but Torygg waves it off "I will naturally strive to provide for all my subjects. My people are a hard bunch but if you show you are hard working and honest, they will accept you with open arms, even with our previous conflict."

"Indeed" I interject and immediately see Torygg's eye twitch "It surprises me how accepting Nords are when you show them you aren't complete scum."

The two lads seem stuck between being reassured by my words and shaking in fear at me even speaking to them "Stop shaking like leaves, I am not some murderous madman."

I feel a hand tap my shoulder consolingly/mockingly and turn to see Sybille looking at me like I was delusional "Keep telling yourself that dear."

I snort and look back at Ingvar "So what is the plan?"

He goes on to explain that the two and a half thousand fresh settlers will be moved to the eastern parts of the hold so they may be integrated more quickly, they will be joining the freshly founded villages, and some of them might be allowed into the hold guard after a year or two. The rest would be given some food and supplies and sent on their way while a band of scouts and mercenaries made sure they left Skyrim in its entirety.

"We are going to need a group to ensure law and order" I interject as Ingvar finishes his explanation.

"Are the guards not sufficient?" Torygg asks.

"They are well trained and their numbers are fine" I agree "But we need strong leaders to ensure proper integration between the two groups. While Nords can be surprisingly welcoming do keep in mind that we are dealing with two groups who have gone through a very tumultuous couple of years."

"What do you propose?" The King asks.

"Grant some of your veteran housecarls temporary lordship over the lands, if they prove themselves worthy of the position let them keep it and advance them to lesser nobility."

Ingvar tilts his head in thought "You propose a knightly system? Like in High Rock?"

I shake my head "Nothing so rigid, this is just a way for you to reward your trusted and loyal warriors while making sure the newly founded settlements do not fall apart due to a lack of oversight. Just be sure to let them know you can revoke their posts at any time and it should be fine." 

"And you are sure this would work?" The junior Steward asks, his doubt evident.

I shrug "It should work until you find a more permanent or efficient solution, I am good at coming up with ideas but don't expect me to spell everything out for you."

He sighs and nods "That is fair."

The King once again addresses the Forsworn "Is this offer acceptable to you?"

The younger one gulps "W-we would like t-to be able to practice our traditions" He immediately raises his hands placatingly as my eyes narrow "The l-less gruesome ones of course."

Torygg gives me a look and I sigh "If I see or hear a hint of Namira worship I am killing every Reachman in my rather considerable range, am I understood?" I stare at the two youths who gup and nod rapidly.

"And there you have it" Torygg interjects "I hope you will find peace and prosperity under my rule."

"And so do we" The older Reachman nods and the two of them leave.

"Right" RIkke claps her hands with false cheer "Time for logistics!" everyone at the table groans, and I immediately shadow step out of there.

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Reyvin has no time for logistics, only stones.

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