Do'Khaj's Story

Do'Khaj walked briskly towards to docks, now wearing his armour, and with a small satchel slung across his right shoulder filled with food, drink and potions. It appeared that Do'Khaj was the last to arrive, Atalil, two other Altmer and a Bosmer were already waiting.
"Ah, you've finally turned up." Atalil smiled, but at the same time showing his annoyance, "I was worried that you'd been killed in some foolish attempt to free your family."
"If only I were so lucky." Do'Khaj hissed.
Atalil frowned, but didn't respond to Do'Khaj. Instead, he turned to one of the other Altmer, the male.
"Nirrarien, I'm putting you in charge of these three, since you're the most senior member of this expedition." Atalil told him, "Don't dissapoint me."
Next, he turned to the Bosmer.
"Elevaini, be safe, all right?" Atalil asked feverishly, obivously having second thoughts about allowing her on the expedition.
Finally, he turned to the other Altmer.
"I'm looking forward to hearing of how you perform on this expedition." Atalil grinned, "You'd better live up to what I've heard about you."
Just as they were about to board the ship, Atalil stopped them.
"Oh, and one more thing." He began, "You'll be meeting another comrade in Black Marsh."

Once the ship had left port, Do'Khaj stood at the ship's bow, looking into the sea beneath him. He was disinclined to go and talk to the others on the expedition, since they all seemed to be on good terms with Atalil, and people like that weren't the people Do'Khaj wanted to journey with.

I exchanged a few more pleasantries with General Atalil, and then walked forward to board the ship. I felt excitement well up inside of me, this was what I had trained for all these years. As I stepped onto the dilapidated wood boards that served as a deck I gazed at the Khajiit we were to have accompany us, and after I had watched him go to the prow of the ship I decided to make it a priority to keep an eye on my satchel. I had heard terrible rumors of all Khajiit being thieves and liars, but then again who was I to judge a whole race?

I couldn't help but feel envious of how General Atalil decided to put Nirrarien in charge of us all. As he boarded the ship I felt a scowl replace my usually calm features, but then as I thought about it I decided that it was probaly best that he was in charge. After all, he was far older than me, and most likely more experienced.

After I had finished reflecting upon Nirrarien I turned my head towards the female Bosmer. Elevainia, I believe, was her name. She held a slender silhouette, and walked with a relaxed gait. On her back she carried a bow, as well as a quiver of arrows, and from her hip hung a well-crafted blade. As I observed how she was content meekly scuttling in Nirrarien's wake I assumed that she must be healer of our group.

Preferring to be alone for the moment, I decided that I would bide my time at the stern of the vessel. I made my way up a small flight of stairs, and plopped myself down on a lone barrel. For a few moments I sat and gazed at the busy harbor, which was already dissipating into the horizon, but I soon grew bored. So, I grasped the Elven dagger from the folds of my robe and began to sharpen the small blade with a whetstone that I had removed from my satchel, running it up and down the length of the sharp edge. It was going to be a long trip to Black Marsh.

I exchanged a few more pleasantries with General Atalil, and then walked forward to board the ship. I felt excitement well up inside of me, this was what I had trained for all these years. As I stepped onto the dilapidated wood boards that served as a deck I gazed at the Khajiit we were to have accompany us, and after I had watched him go to the prow of the ship I decided to make it a priority to keep an eye on my satchel. I had heard terrible rumors of all Khajiit being thieves and liars, but then again who was I to judge a whole race?

I couldn't help but feel envious of how General Atalil decided to put Nirrarien in charge of us all. As he boarded the ship I felt a scowl replace my usually calm features, but then as I thought about it I decided that it was probaly best that he was in charge. After all, he was far older than me, and most likely more experienced.

After I had finished reflecting upon Nirrarien I turned my head towards the female Bosmer. Elevainia, I believe, was her name. She held a slender silhouette, and walked with a relaxed gait. On her back she carried a bow, as well as a quiver of arrows, and from her hip hung a well-crafted blade. As I observed how she was content meekly scuttling in Nirrarien's wake I assumed that she must be healer of our group.

Preferring to be alone for the moment, I decided that I would bide my time at the stern of the vessel. I made my way up a small flight of stairs, and plopped myself down on a lone barrel. For a few moments I sat and gazed at the busy harbor, which was already dissipating into the horizon, but I soon grew bored. So, I grasped the Elven dagger from the folds of my robe and began to sharpen the small blade with a whetstone that I had removed from my satchel, running it up and down the length of the sharp edge. It was going to be a long trip to Black Marsh.

Nirrarien can hardly believe his luck. He had been apprehensive on learning of the young Lady Benoch's presence amidst the group, she being significantly closer to the Thalmor than he – yet barely rising from the grasp of youth. Mature though she may be, it would certainly rub the elder Nirrarien the wrong way to follow her orders. To be in a leadership role, despite the relatuve closeness of the Lady Benoch and the Bosmer girl to the Thalmor General was fortunate indeed. Fittingly then, the robed mage takes a small step back, retreating from his tight grasp of the elegant whitewood staff he had previously leant against, and lowers his frame into a short bow, “of course, Lord Atalil.” He waits calmly for Allena to finish her exchange with the general and follows the woman in boarding the ship, the Bosmer in his wake.

It suddenly struck the firemage to pause near to where he first steps onto the ship's deck, and cast his gaze to the sky in wonder. This did not feel as it should – what in Oblivion are they to do once they reach Black Marsh? How would they recognise the new companion? What even were they looking for, where was it to be found? He knew the Thalmor sought 'the keys', but keys took many shapes in Tamriel...

It is with some disappointment that the mage notices Do'Khaj and Allena's choice to distance themselves. Nirrarien would very much like to acquaint himself with those he may need through the coming dangers, and this was a most motley assortment. To this aim he turns to the Bosmer, still close-by, and delivers verbal address, “I hope you are not as shy as they.”

Conversation fluttered into my ear as I gazed down mindlessly at the whetstone running across the length of my dagger. Instinctively, I turned my head towards the sound, and there standing atop the galley was Elevainia and Nirrarien speaking to eachother warmly. "Perhaps it would be benficial for me to acquaint myself with them..." My mouth had uttered words that were supposed to be only in my mind, a bad habit of mine.

Standing on my feet, I slid the Elven dagger back into the satchel around my waist. I took a deep breath, and an elegant smile appeared on my face. As I descended the steps I held to the rail, taking on a noble and proper demeanor, one that I had perfected over many years spent in Elven courts.

As I approached them with long, graceful strides I said, "Greetings companions, I hope I am not interrupting anything." The crisp sound of the Tamrielic language floated forth, settling into their ear canals. My voice was tinged with the light and musical accent that accompanied years of studying multiple languages; It was very common in Altmer Nobles.

I made direct eye contact with Nirrarien as my manners instructor had taught me when I was a child. A small glint of ambition bloomed in my eyes, and I knew it. I suddenly shifted my gaze towards Elevainia and gave her a quaint smile. Speech had always been one of the many things in my long list of fortes.

I disregarded Do'Khaj, who still sat at the prow of the ship, if he decided to join the conversation I would acknowledge him. Although, I was silently praying that he did not have the terribly annoying habit of referring to himself in third person, as most Khajiit did. It made it quite unbearable to speak to them without laughing hysterically.

"And I do not believe we have either. I am Lady Benoch of Dusk, you may call me Allena though." I gave her a genuine smile and touched her on the shoulder, a gesture to show my respect. "Forgive my audacity, my manners are beginning to resemble rusty tools." A high pitched giggle escaped my throat, and I felt my cheeks turn a deep shade of crimson. I wasn't sure why the joke had seemed that funny to me.

An itch in my throat began to bother my terribly, and my body reacted with a fit of coughing. "Oh, Excuse... Me!" I apologized between explosions of some sort of hybrid laughing and coughing. My face grew as red as the cap of a bleeding crown, but after a few more moments of complete and utter embarassment the tic subsided. I tried my best to retain some of the regal composure that I worn just moments ago, but after that I didn't know if anyone would take me seriously. "Forgive me, that is an impairment I have had since childhood. My mother birthed me a month early."

Elevainia was very gracious about my impairments, even more so than I had hoped she would be. "Aye, Elevainia." I agreed as I wiped a small amount of water from my eye. "Your words are spoken wisely and kindly. Please do believe they have reached my ears in good faith." I appreciated the sentiment, and Elevainia would be repaid for her kindness.

I grew curious as to what the Khajiit who sat behind us was doing. I quickly craned my neck in his direction, and saw him still sitting passively at the prow of the ship. I was not far from him, and I began to take his disregard for us as disrespect. "What do you suppose could have forced him into this venture? I know he is not here willingly." I inquired in hushed tones as I nodded my heads towards him.

Elevainia seems to be close to General Atalil, she may know more about this Khajiit than Nirrarien... The sentence echoed in my head as I thought about the various circumstances in which General Atalil could have forced Do'Khaj to do his bidding. Atalil was an honorable man, but only to his allies. In many cases he had proved himself to be a distrustful snake. One that I would not place my faith in, but for now, keeping myself on his good side was very... profitable.

Do'Khaj smiled to himself, knowing the Thalmor thought she could whisper something without him hearing. She obviously knew nothing of how inferior the hearing of apes was in comparison to that of felines.
"I can hear you perfectly well, you know." Do'Khaj chuckled, "You might as well be shouting for all the difference it makes."
Do'Khaj turned from the bow and walked over to Allëna, still amused by her naivity.
"I'm not here because I want to be, you're damn right about that." Do'Khaj informed her, "You may have heard that the Mane was murdered by the commander of his Warrior Guard. That was me. I killed him because he was merely a puppet of the Thalmor, not fit to rule over all Elsweyr. He approved public executions of any who had spoken out against the Thalmor, completely innocent people. The idiot bought your lies of how you returned Masser and Secunda, and because of that he would do anything for you elves. As if it weren't enough just to capture me, you Thalmor bastards had to go and abduct my mate and cubs as well as threaten their lives! You're no less beast than I am, threatening to kill innocent people! Atalil would have ordered the execution of a 3 month old kitten! So that's why I'm doing his bidding, because my family will die if I don't follow his orders. I hope that answers your question."
With that, Kharjo turned round and stormed down into the hold of the ship to go to his room and lie down.

As he entered the hold, he was about to pass the store room, but he heard a strange noise from inside and decided to investigate. He opened the door and walked inside. He located the strange noise, it seemed to be the sound of bubbles inside a barrel labelled "Fresh Water". Surely it shouldn't be bubbling if the label were accurate. Do'Khaj began to suspect someone was hiding in that barrel, so he readied a lightning bolt, pulled out the cork and loosed the lightning bolt into the barrel. He jammed the cork back into its hole and removed the lid. It contained fresh water all right, but also the electrecuted corpse of an Argonian dressed in black and reddy brown leather armour. Do'Khaj attached the lid back on, hoisted the barrel onto his shoulder and carried it up to the deck.

"You might want to have a look at this." Do'Khaj told his companions and tipped the barrel upside down, so the water and dead Argonian spilled out.
Do'Khaj decided it would be a good idea to check his corpse for information as to why he was in the barrel. First Do'Khaj found a pair of intricate ebony daggers sheathed at the Argonian's waist, then a soggy piece of parchment found in one of the Argonian's man pockets. On the back was a smudged, black handprint of a human. Do'Khaj carefully unfolded it to see it was written in Jel. However, that wasn't a problem, as Do'Khaj was fluent in every language of Tamriel. He proceeded to read it aloud, in Tamrielic, for the benefit of his companions.
"To Drek-Shei,
It has recently come to my attention that the Thalmor are intending to expand their empire. I am aware that they intend to search for objects across Tamriel which are supposed to lead to a large reward of some kind. They are currently composing a group to send in search of said objects, and are going to send them to Black Marsh soon. I want you to go to Summerset Isle, get onto their ship and kill them in whatever way you see fit and then burn the ship, proving to them that they aren't welcome here. Succeed, and I will have a small fortune in gold waiting for you when you return. May the Hist guide you."

Before Elevainia could speak her opinion, The Khajiit had appeared before them, hissing very rudely why he were here. When he had left however, she looked up to the Thalmors eyes, searching for any hint of discomfort his rude words may have bestowed. "General Atalil woul- he, he couldn't do such horrible acts as he says!" Elevainia began to well up tears, thinking about Atalil doing such a horrible act of crime.

Elevainia hissed, her long tied up golden hair swinging with agitation, "Although, A- I-I mean, a Justiciar had told me that this man was dangerous, a lair, and thief. So he must be making it up!" Elevainia took a deep breath and calmed herself, she spoke outloud to herself, "I shouldn't judge others though. Someone else may like one other, while someone hates the same person."

Her thoughts were interupted as the Khajiit came out of the ships hold, a barrel on his shoulder "You might want to have a look at his." he said as he dumped the barrel over and water, as well as a scaly man came crashing to the floor. The Khajiit began to search through the corpse, an un-godly smell rising from the dead one. He began to read a note, and Elevainia listened closely since she could not read herself. When he was done, Elevainia could not speak, she was so shocked that someone, she did not even know, was trying to kill her. She began to doubt why she wanted to come on this journey, and began wishing she were safe with Atalil once more.

Allëna Benoch

I had been highly offended by Do'Khaj's outburst but decided that it was better to attend to more important matters, settling for my famed death glare. Deciding to let it go, I let out a wholehearted laugh. "Oh well this is just grand. An agent of the Dark Brotherhood, coming for us!" I glanced down at the soaked corpse, observing the black and red leather armor draped on it's body.

Internally, I simmered over the Khajiit's insolence, while externally I held up a brilliant facade of indifference. I decided to share a fun fact I had learned during my years of study in the history of Tamriel. "The very faction who murdered Emperor Pelagius nearly three hundred years ago... Although, I wouldn't worry about them too much, in recent years their power has been highly eradicated. Who do you suppose took care of this assassin? I know that I haven't even visited the underworks of this ship." I said distantly as I gracefully raised a finger in the dead Argonian's direction.

Not unless this is an ally of Do'Khaj's. What if he is secretly planning to assassinate us, and this is just a failed attempt? My thoughts grew frantic as I considered all the possibilities. A few moments later I decided that I was just letting my mind run rampant, reasoning that the Dark Brotherhood only clung to footholds in Skyrim and northern Morrowind. Even if he was an ally of the Dark Brotherhood, as a native of Elswyer, he could have managed little or no contact with the Brotherhood at all.

Allëna Benoch

I had been highly offended by Do'Khaj's outburst but decided that it was better to attend to more important matters, settling for my famed death glare. Deciding to let it go, I let out a wholehearted laugh. "Oh well this is just grand. An agent of the Dark Brotherhood, coming for us!" I glanced down at the soaked corpse, observing the black and red leather armor draped on it's body.

Internally, I simmered over the Khajiit's insolence, while externally I held up a brilliant facade of indifference. I decided to share a fun fact I had learned during my years of study in the history of Tamriel. "The very faction who murdered Emperor Pelagius nearly three hundred years ago... Although, I wouldn't worry about them too much, in recent years their power has been highly eradicated. Who do you suppose took care of this assassin? I know that I haven't even visited the underworks of this ship." I said distantly as I gracefully raised a finger in the dead Argonian's direction.

Not unless this is an ally of Do'Khaj's. What if he is secretly planning to assassinate us, and this is just a failed attempt? My thoughts grew frantic as I considered all the possibilities. A few moments later I decided that I was just letting my mind run rampant, reasoning that the Dark Brotherhood only clung to footholds in Skyrim and northern Morrowind. Even if he was an ally of the Dark Brotherhood, as a native of Elswyer, he could have managed little or no contact with the Brotherhood at all.

“It was the efforts of high-elves that restored the missing moons,” Nirrarien had been quiet up to then, content to simply observe the interaction between the elven women and the high-strung Khajiit – sometimes one could learn more from distance than involvement. Such biting words, however, necessitated a rebuttal. “My family gathered within the great observatory in the grounds of the Falirae estate to watch the moons return. My father was not amongst us, for he was with the other great mages who toiled to end the Void Nights.” Fortunately the feline left them before any more could come of the debate, and that was fortunate as conflict is not something the mage desires so early in their voyage.

A thick scowl frames the pointed elven visage as Do'Khaj's back is turned, and it is to Elavainia that the elder elf turns to offer muttered condolences, “the Thalmor's methods are worthy of criticism,” and yes, if Allena deigned to glare at him, he would feel it burning into his flesh, “often brutish and malicious. But they act for the good of the Dominion, and their leadership has indeed done the Dominion much good...”

Then reappears the Khajiit to display his grisly finding, and Nirrarien is slow to react. He traces the outline of the smoking corpse with his eyes, gripping tightly in both hands the long whitewood staff against which his weight is leaning, and calmly waits out the response of the Lady Benoch, whom is beginning to grate slightly on the mage's nerves. Some nobles are wise, patient, and just that – noble. Others are imperious, spoilt and entitled, and the closer to the Thalmor one lived, Nirrarien had noticed, the more one tended to fit the latter description. “I would suppose it was he,” the mage calmly replies, his gaze angled at Allena, before it swivels to hold Do'Khaj in view, “in which case he ought to be thanked. Although...” one fair hand extends from its grip of the Altmer's staff to swivel an extended finger in indication of the pool of fresh water that spread slowly through the wood beneath and around the Argonian's body, “we may wish to be more conservative with our water...”

"I thought you nobles were supposed to be picky, that water is by no means fit to drink, it's had someone hiding in it. And don't think buy your lies, I know exactly what happened during the Void Nights. Masser and Secunda were never in any real peril, the whole scenario was designed to gain the loyalty of the Khajiit." Do'Khaj pointed out, then turned to Allëna, "And yes, I was the one who killed the assassin. You also seem to be forgetting the Dark Brotherhood's most recent achievement, the assissination of Titus Mede II. I'm surprised you didn't attack Cyrodiil while it was in chaos. However, I'm glad you gave Lucius Mede his chance to be crowned, he's an honourable man, a man I have met in person. If you ask me, I see a brighter future in the Empire than in the Dominion. I stray from the subject, I'm surprised you haven't realised they've completely reestablished their organisation all over Tamriel with extremely strong presences in Argonia. I hope we don't have to go to Morrowind as well, it's clear the Argonians aren't going to welcome us."
Do'Khaj hoisted the dead Argonian back into the barrel and put the lid back on. He then lifted it up an hurled it into the sea, but made sure he still had the note.

This Khajiit was truly ignorant to the political standards of Tamriel, and his arrogant words struck at my core. "I suppose you think he will be a better ruler than all others of the Septim Dynasty. Have you not seen the blight they have inflicted upon Tamriel since the day one of those cursed bastards took the throne? If it please you, despise until the day you die, but the Aldmeri Dominion is a brighter future for Tamriel. You would see that if you were not an angry fool." As I spoke I felt as if I were an enraged snake, venom lacing the words that spewed forth from my mouth. "Furthermore, Nirarrien is completely correct about the Void Nights. If it wasn't for the High Elves' continuous efforts you Khajiit would be formless, pitiful creatures. Not able to track whether you were a Cathay-raht or a Suthay-raht. Thank you for the assistance, Do'Khaj."

As the relief of letting out the extent of my anger settled into my being I felt my shoulders relax, and my former self take presidence in my rigid body. I could sense tensions rising between the members of our small group, and it bewildered me as to how The Dominion could have chosen such an uncompatible array of people. Bickering could put our goal at risk, and if the mission was jeopardized, I would eliminate the problem.

A small sigh escaped my mouth and I looked at Elevainia. "I shall retire to my chambers. The heat of this day wears on my nerves. Elevainia, would you like to join me?" I inquired politely as I shot her a pleasant smile. "Leave the men to discuss their politics."

Elevainia sat quietly as they fought and argued. She felt the need to interfere and stop it, but quickly decided against the idea. She never did like arguing, or seeing people who SHOULD trust one another, bicker and growl at one another. As this kept going on for awhile, she couldn't help but to notice that it began to get dark, and she could sense a storm coming from the north.

Her thoughts were interrupted when she heard her name. She looked to Allena who smiled to her and asked if she'd like to join her into the Chambers. Elevainia quickly nodded and smiled, "Oh yes, Of course Allena."

Allëna Benoch

I reached out and clasped Elevainia's fingers in my hand, leading her down into the hull of the ship. Hopefully, leaving behind me a dumbfounded and angry Khajiit. We proceeded to walk down a dimly lit corridor, the glare of candlelight dancing across our bodies. As we progressed I rounded a corner, and was greeted by a cherrywood door, a plate of metal with my name engraved on it stamped into the wood.

As I approached the door at the end of the hallway I looked back at Elevainia who was still being led by my grasp. "I don't think that our group will last long if our differences aren't put to rest. The best techniques are passed on by the survivors - the strong, the adaptable, the ambitious - and I won't pretend to assume growling like children is any of those things." I said solemnly as I released her fingers and turned the knob of the door, nearly throwing myself on the bed that was so graciously supplied by The Dominion.

I ran my fingers across the silky crimson sheets that were embroidered with golden thread, savoring the sense of solace I had found wrapped in it's lengths. It was then that I remembered the bewildered Elevainia, staring at me near the shut door. "I apologize, I must say these blankets are of very fine make... I would like to meet the person who wove these." I explained awkwardly with a slight giggle, as I gestured for her to come sit next to me.

"What do you think today's events, Elevainia? You do not seem to be one to speak your mind openly, so how will you fare behind closed doors?" I began to contemplate what Do'Khaj and Nirarrien must have been doing at this very moment... Arguing, probaly. I said inwardly after a few moments of wonder. I turned my attention back to Elevainia, and waited for an answer.

Nirrarien watches the outburst of Allena with a tight-lipped scowl, his irritation culminating in a sharp, “enough!” which cut above the tail-end of the woman's insults. The scowl continues as he watches the female Altmer's back walk away from the men, and it is with a pained expression that he turns back to face Do'Khaj, letting slip a grim sigh.

“She is young, rich, and influential,” the firemage explains, shaking his head, “and therefore a fool, just as I was some couple of centuries ago. I would hope the toils of coming trials cool her head as they did mine. In the meantime...” Nirrarien busies himself with freeing an outstretched hand from the confines of an overlarge wizard's-sleeve to present the Khajiit with open and splayed fingers, ripe for shaking, “I am Nirrarien, the Falirae Flame. I would hope our disagreements do not prevent any level of companionship.”

Allëna Benoch

I gazed sincerely into Elevainia's multi-colored eyes, almost feeling sympathy because she could not admire The Dominion the way I did. "The Dominion has so many wishes for the people of Tamriel... We envision a world without poverty, prejudice, and suffering. We dream of a Tamriel united as one, able to rise to any foe that should challenge us." I laughed a bit, thinking about the emotion that colored my voice. That dream was the reason I had joined The Aldmeri Dominion.

"As a child, I watched as the children around me who did not have the privileges of a noble birth either died of famine, or sickness. We High Elves do have a resistance to disease, but even our bodies cannot resist the chains of mortality when so fragile. What about the soldiers who fell in battle, defending what they believed to be true? Or maybe the grieving mothers and wives who wept for their kin, lost to the void at the hands of a war started by the Imperials. I vowed that I would join The Aldmeri to speak for these souls, who the world had already forgotten." I wiped a tear that had fallen onto my robes. I wasn't quite sure if I was saying the words that Elevainia wanted to hear, but this was the only way I could think to answer her unprecise question. "War is a horrible thing, one that I would never wish upon my greatest enemy. It ravages the souls of those it does not murder. These battles are just the price we must pay for past mistakes. Do'Khaj must see this, his family has been taken prisoner because of this war. Though he chooses not to end these atrocities, and I can't understand why. He would rather resist The Aldmeri Dominion, only to prolong the suffering of the Tamrielic people, as well as his mates and cubs."

By now my eyes had began to leak profusely, as I was frustrated by the day's events. Images of my deceased Mother and Brother ringing through my mind, I did my best to stem the warm flow of tears, but it was to no avail. Silently, I sat staring down at my cloth covered legs, the occasional tear turning my vision into an endless abyss of shining lights. Moments later, the abyss would vanish, leaving behind a drop of water. I was too ashamed to say anything to Elevainia, who as far as I could tell might have been ridiculing me at that very moment.

Do'Khaj extended his gauntleted paw and shook Nirrarien's hand.
"We might not share the same political views, but at least you're not objectionable like Allena." Do'Khaj smiled faintly, "I'm glad to say you're not the stuck-up, stereotypical Altmer noble I expected you to be. I've never really known vast amounts of wealth, but I have known fame, since I was the chief of the Mane's warrior guard. I wonder what the next Mane will be like. I don't mean to try and raise tensions, but I'm afraid I can prove that the Thalmor didn't really conjure up Masser and Secunda. Years ago, an extremely important, and old, Thalmor general visited the Mane and died of a heart attack during that time. I was tasked with clearing his room of belongings and making sure they were distributed according to his will. While clearing out the room, I found a large tome in his room. Already questioning my loyalty to the Thalmor, I looked inside to see that it was written in a strange unrecognisable text. I knew the book contained important secrets, for I could read, write and speak every currently spoken Tamrielic language. I purchased a book written by an important wizard in Skyrim about the language of the Falmer, the language this book had been written in. It turned out to be the diary of the general, a diary he had written in the language of the Falmer for fear that unwanted eyes would read it, a fear that was well founded. It turned out the most important Thalmor, elves even more important than Atalil had agreed to come together and use illusion magic to conceal Masser and Secunda until a counter spell was used. Those Thalmor then spent two years spreading knowledge amongst less important mages of how to cast the counter spell, while at the same time lying to them that they were unaware of the cause of Masser and Secunda's dissapearance. The spell was then cast, revealing Masser and Secunda once more. The reason the top Thalmor refused to let their comrades know is because they couldn't spread the truth if they didn't know it. The writer of the diary even wrote that if any of the Thalmor involved in the plot found his journal and translated it, he would have been executed and his diary burned. I tried to publish my findings, but nobody would publish them, for fear the Thalmor would have them assassinated. I have the diary right here if you wish to see it, but I don't have the Falmer dictionary."
Do'Khaj proceeded to reach into his satchel, removed a leatherbound tome and held it out for Nirrarien to take.

I ceased my weeping for a moment and raised my head to gaze at Elevainia, who time and time again was proving to be my closest ally on this voyage. I couldn't seem understand her nature. It was strange, unfamiliar, and completely unique from any other I had experienced, with the exception of my Father's, although he now suffered from a disease that had erased all memories of me from his mind, as most other things.

My nerves worked against me for a moment, and all I could muster was a blank stare. When I finally gathered my wits and spoke my voice spilled forward in a jumble of disoriented words, lacking my usual air of conviction. "I... It seems that I have spent too many years among snakes, and false allies. I was taught to condone any ounce of emotion, for the world of politics is a harsh one. Although, yours is a friendship I cannot seem to resist. You gave me acceptance where I could find none with others." My body was bathed in warm emotion, and a joyful grin spread across my face. It was truly nice to know that there was a friend amongst the crowds who criticized me, as well as my faction. Though at the moment, they seemed to be of little significance, petty beings who ceased to exist.

"I am here because my mother, Niara, and my brother, Alyán, were murdered at the hands of the Imperials. The Dominion saw a grieving noble, but the Thalmor saw a woeful warrior, ready to avenge her family. They gave me the tools that I would need to exact my revenge when the time came. I excelled, fueled by my desire to feel the warm blood Cyrodiil upon my body. When they considered me worthy I was inducted into their ranks. After a few battles General Atalil contacted me, requesting that I take on this mission. He explained to me that these keys could reveal our path to victory, and thus cleanse Tamriel of the cancer, that is the Imperials and their allies. I am here to avenge them, as well as all others that have been lost to this war." An austere sigh escaped my mouth, as I meekly smoothed out my crinkled robe.

I noticed that Elevainia had been silently admiring my sheets as she listened to my response. It seemed that she agreed with my high opinion of the grade of the fabric. The alluring appearance of the sheet was enough to make even the most opinionated person like it, but the texture made you fall completely in love with the beautiful cloth. I silently deliberated what my stance on this woman would be.

I will help Elevainia in her quest... She has shown me much kindness. I will aid her in finding who she was, and hopefully remind her of who she is now. I thought to myself with a sense of finality. The expedition to Black Marsh was proving to be much more challenging than I had anticipated. I should also apologize to Do'Khaj tomorrow, I cannot risk the trust of someone I will need in the coming trials. It seemed that the days ahead would bring a whole new array of tests.