Chapter XLIX: Theatrics

As everyone was forced to stop themselves from cowering due to the sudden feeling, Davos' face twisted into a gleeful smirk 'Serves the arrogant pricks right.'

The shadows around the imposing figure slowly dissipated, revealing a tall elven figure holding their arms behind their back in a relaxed stance.

They wore imposing black robes over light ebony armor, the face covered by a mask of the same metal with three spikes spreading at its summit, creating the image of a crown.

The only visible feature of the actual person underneath were the twin glowing embers marred by flecks of gold that were their eyes.

The entire hall went silent while the Nords were trying to compose themselves, Davos' companion was constantly shifting her gaze between her employer and the new arrival.

She was about to ask something but the figure suddenly stilled when its eyes landed on her, focusing all the supernatural dread on her shoulders.

Not a moment later the feeling disappeared, but still left her breathing heavily. The new arrival nodded at her employer and he cleared his throat.

All the Nords, now covered in a cold sweat, turned their eyes to Davos who with all the decorum of a noble retainer spoke "Presenting the Court Mage of Solitude and Master Enchanter of Winterhold, Reyvin Flame-tongue."

A beat of silence passed before a deep, rumbling chuckle left the now identified 'Reyvin'. Moments later he finally spoke, "Now that I have established that there will be no dick-measuring here I hope we can promptly begin planning on how you will serve your King."

Bolvar quickly shook off the remaining effects of the fear aura and glared "If you think you can come down here and comm-"

The aura of dread returned full force, slamming into everyone present with an even greater might than before, as the mage's slow chuckle turned into derisive laughter "Let it be known that I would prefer to personally slaughter everyone present for their choice of 'survival strategies'... however you find yourselves in the unique position of still being useful so do keep your mouth shut when I speak."

He approaches the great hearth, and even its light starts to dim the closer he gets, and stands in front of Helm, his face invisible but his mockery unmistakable, and speaks once more "Your King has seen fit to use you to finally bring peace to this pigsty, and is even prepared to offer a great reward for your honorable service."

Helm slowly turns to his brother and signals something, Bolvar nods and after a calming gulp asks "While we would be honored to serve the High King, we would inquire as to the nature of these rewards."

The mage sighs, pulls out a vial from... somewhere? and tosses it to Helm who catches it on instinct "Drink that, I do not have the patience for your translator bit."

Helm goes to drink but his brother tries to stop him, they share a couple of glances and Helm shrugs and drinks the entire thing in a single gulp. For a moment nothing seems to happen, but the he starts coughing painfully while clutching his throat.

Bolvar turns to glare at Reyvin "YO-" but a raised index finger from the mage forces his jaw shut.

Helm soon calms down and starts breathing heavily, he lets out a long breath and looks at Reyvin with respect this time "My thanks Court Mage." his voice is a raspy thing, like grinding rocks. And if Reyvin's entrance didn't stun the gathering brotherhood, the 'Silent Brother' suddenly speaking certainly did.

Bolvar stares at his brother with a mix of awe and excitement "Brother, we cannot let him jus-"

A raised hand from his leader interrupts "He is right in treating us like this, as we are we have dishonored ourselves, and can only seek redemption in the eyes of our fellows."

"I see you can talk the talk... but can you walk the walk oh 'Silent Brother'?" The mage questions mockingly.

Helm patiently closes his eyes and asks "What does honored Torygg require of us?"

"You are to prepare yourselves to assist the King in pacifying the sprawl by taking out the other organizations, and I emphasize only the organizations, controlling the different territories within. For this task, you will be provided the assistance of my retainer Davos, and if there is a need for a grander assault that of myself."

Helm narrows his eyes "So if I am understanding this correctly, you want us to throw ourselves against everyone else in this shithole on our own?"

Reyvin once again lets out a derisive chuckle "I said assist, did I not? Do keep up." he clears his throat "You are to clear out all problematic centers of resistance with utmost speed, at which point the Solitude Guard and Imperial Legion will move in to occupy the positions and ensure order."

Bolvar scoffs from nearby, still nursing his hurting jawline "So you want us to be fodder then? The others too valuable eh?"

Helm sighs "Brother be silent."

"Bu-"

"Be. Silent."

"As you say." He withdraws.

Reyvin smirks behind his mask "Even if he is an annoying little shit, your brother does have a point, why would we need you if we have soldiers? The answer to that is rather simple" He raises a finger "You have knowledge of the area and targets" and another "You are indeed not as valuable as the proper soldiers" and a final third finger "Why in Kyne's name would Torygg offer you a reward if you would not work for it?"

There are some chuckles among the gathered warriors as Helm nods his agreement "And what is this reward the King is offering if I may be so bold to ask?"

"You may." the mage drawls "The King offers a pardon for you and any you choose to assist you in this endeavor, barring the more heinous actors, followed by a Thanehood of the sprawl to the group I choose to help pacify it."

Everyone turns deathly silent after that moment, Helm's eyes threatening to leave his head as he looks at Reyvin completely dumbfounded "H-he would make me Thane?"

Reyvin nods calmly "Indeed, the situation has gone so out of control that we find it preferable for an ingrate such as yourself to be made a noble than to let this continue for a moment longer." as he says this he feels glares on his back but shrugs them off.

Before anyone can respond Reyvin clears his throat again "Naturally effective immediately, you are to cease all activities that may be considered criminal under the laws of Skyrim. After an hour I will personally summarily execute any and all of your group who disobey this edict."

Helm quickly nods and says with loud certainty "Spread the word!" Some of his subordinates immediately running off to follow his orders.

Reyvin nods, satisfied "I take it you accept the Royal request?"

The scarred Nord snorts humorlessly "As if I would ever forgive myself for missing this chance at redemption."

"You will find... that the life of a noble might bring far more taint than that of a criminal." The Court Mage states ominously.

Helm frowns "I will never falter again."

Reyvin merely shakes his head "As I have said, you can talk the talk..."

He nods "Yes, of course. Talk is empty."

After a beat of silence, the Court Mage speaks up again "I will go and check in with my retainer now, do start preparing. We need the sprawl pacified within two days. Once you are ready you will inform us where we will be needed most."

Helm's eyes widen at the timeframe but he steels his eyes and nods.

(Reyvin's pov)

I walk by Davos and the young woman, signaling them to follow me. We leave the longhouse and are subjected to a mixture of glaring and grateful looks, I naturally ignore them completely and walk toward the walls.

After finding a quiet spot I turn to Davos "Anything interesting besides these ingrates Davos?"

He shuffles uncomfortably and shares a look with his companion before turning to me "Uhh... apparently, I met Sheogorath..."

My eyes widen comically "You what!?"

*One explanation later*

I let out a long sigh "We aren't going anywhere near that house."

The Nord woman glares at me "I was promised help for my sister."

I shrug "And helped she will be, you will bring her with you to the mage tower when this is over and done with."

Her eyes narrow "That was phrased oddly specifically."

Quick, isn't she? I nod without a care "Indeed, you are hereby conscripted into the service of the Court Mage, congratulations Minthara."

As she sputters out her refusals my thoughts drift back to when I first saw her.

(Flashback, when Reyvin first entered the hall)

As the pitiful 'Brotherhood' flinch before my presence I take my time surveying them.

My gaze inevitably ends up on Davos and his hired guide and for a moment I feel both excited and irritated, for the same feeling of divine power that Potema wielded was housed in the young woman, just that this time it was of a far greater purity even while muted.

My eyes narrow and I quickly identify her with my system:

[Minthara(Myrna) Early-beard: A Nord woman with Altmer blood, ostracized by her own people for denying their views of her father's race, she is a thief of some skill and surprisingly well-read for her upbringing, a hidden power of divine origins shimmers below the surface waiting to be unleashed when the time is right.]

A fucking half Nord half Altmer... if that didn't scream main character I don't know what would.

Wait a bloody moment... Early-beard!?

(Flashback ended)

"What do you mean I am conscripted?!" She yells at me.

I roll my eyes "It is exactly what I have said, I sense great potential within you and refuse to let it wallow in this filth."

Davos gives me a very odd look, almost as if...

"Davos if you dare voice what I think I will throw you down the wall."

He stiffens "I wasn't about to say a thing, I swear."

Minthara doesn't seem convinced by my impeccable attempt at diplomacy and keeps on seething "Even if I wanted to come with you, which let me make it perfectly clear: I. do. not." Her look turns pleading "I can't leave my siblings down here."

I let out a snort and give her a dry look "I admit I may have phrased that a tad ominously, what I meant is you will be in my employ, the employ of a Royal Court Mage. That alone should tell you I am doing you a rather large favor."

She halts her tirade and blinks "And I will be able to bring my siblings?"

I scoff "Not to the palace of course, but accommodations and some education will be provided to them."

She seems stuck between confusion and excitement now that the weight of the situation has finally struck, her eyes narrow once more "Why are you so insistent on this?"

I sigh "I will explain it in good time, just know that this goes beyond the both of us."

She rolls her eyes "I heard about mages being cryptic, but this is ridiculous."

I shrug "As I have said, you are indeed being conscripted into a better life, so cease your petty complaints and make sure you don't get killed in the meantime, that would be... inconvenient."

She grumbles but is all in all leaning toward being grateful if suspicious.

One of the members of the Brotherhood soon approaches us "Sir mage, Thane Helm has prepared a plan of action and invites you downstairs."

I chuckle "Not even finished with his duty and already calling himself Thane, eh?"

The warrior flinches "Uhhh... he didn't do that, umm we did sir."

"Congratulations, you just saved him further humiliation." I snark and wave my hand faux-imperiously "Now lead the way, the sooner we get to work, the sooner I can do something actually fun."

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!senots ruoy em eviG

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