Previously on Ekali of the Frozen Heights: Ekali bought a house in Whiterun and then went to Riverwood to finally find out who’d stolen the horn before she could take it. It turned out to be the innkeeper, who’s a member of the Blades and have been looking for a Dragonborn for a long time.

Dezhahnu 3
3rd – 4th Hearthfire

The snow crunched loudly underneath her feet as she stepped closer to the edge, and when she was close enough she leaned out over it. Nothing but the pale clouds could be seen beneath, as if though a barrier existed between her perch and the rest of the world. Occasionally, a shadow would move through the mist as one of the dragons stretched their wings, but otherwise the world was silent, and though she wasn’t cold where she stood in the snow, Ekali shivered lightly.

As she stood there, she pondered how it would feel to fall, whether Feynahkril or Mirmulnir would bother with catching her, and exactly how long towards the ground that the white barrier stretched.. For a moment, standing there on the edge, it was almost as if though she was alone in the world. Then the illusion was shattered as the flapping of wings came from far behind her, and she turned to see Feynahkril land on the other side of the platform.

“Dovahkiin. I trust you are well,” the dragon greeted her with a nod of his head, and she inclined her head in return.

“As well as can be expected,” she answered as she walked away from the edge. He gave her a bemused look that clearly conveyed his understanding as he folded his wings close to his body. She only came a few steps closer to the dragon, choosing then to increase her distance to the ledge while keeping the distance between them the same, and he let out a deep chuckle at the proof of her distrust.

“I’d have expected us to gain company here soon,” the large dragon said as he sat back on his haunches in an attempt to appear less threatening. It failed spectacularly.

“You will soon enough,” she uttered as she kept an eye on him, walking slowly across the snow. She finally came to a stop a few meters later, and though her eyes were pointed towards the horizon her attention did not leave the creature sitting nearby. “I heard something about the dragons, and I was wondering if it was true,” she said, not meeting his gaze.

“The people of Tamriel have many rumors that pertain to us, but not all of them speak the truth.” He watched her bemusedly as he waited.

“Vahzah[True]. That is why I’m asking,” she said before looking back at him. “Is someone bringing the dragons back from the dead?” she asked, and was treated to the first look of surprise on his face since she’d killed him and absorbed his soul. He recovered quickly however, schooling his face.

“Ferviit [Curious]. And what reason have you found to believe that?” he asked, watching her closely as she frowned at him.

“None yet, though I’m looking for some. I was merely wondering if you could tell me something about it.”

“There are many abilities available to our people of which you’ve never heard, Dovahkiin, be assured of that. Some have higher penalties than others, and some require a certain state of mind. I intend to say no more of the matter, except that you certainly were the first person to kill me,” he said and paused momentarily, strangely hesitant. “Golgronfron,” he finally finished, and seemed strangely content when he once again unfolded his wings and took to the skies. She watched him go, not really moving until Mirmulnir came gliding in through the mist at her side, eyes on her as he landed.

“I would excuse our zeymah[brother], but it would be of little use,” the dragon said as he shook his head to be rid of the gathered water, almost reminding her of Gladio for a moment. “You wonder of our return. Faal yoriik do faal dovahhe[The march of the dragons]. It is true that few of us survived the persecution of the Blades, but how the others are back I could not say.” Had he been a man, Mirmulnir would most likely have shrugged, but instead he tilted his head slightly as his eyes swept across the dreamscape.

“When last Alduin flew across the skies of Keizaal[Skyrim], I served as one of his lieutenants. Now, I am dead before the fighting has begun.” He turned his eyes to the khajiit. “Do not mistake my loose tongue for loyalty, Dovahkiin. I will provide you whatever counsel I may offer, but I do not think you will win this. Alduin is the World-Eater, and were you to destroy him I would be very surprised.” Ekali met his eyes as he spoke and found nothing but truth in his level stare. She held his gaze until he broke it, as with a flap of his wings he took flight from the plateau. And though he left, her eyes followed him until the clouds hid him from the eyes of the dragonborn. First when she was certain the dragons wouldn’t see her did Ekali allow the shiver to course through her body, and a deep breath filled her lungs as she turned her face towards the sky.

YAY!!... ...

An excellent story, and one that I have missed greatly!...*Applauds*...

I love this episode...This dragon-space place is such an excellent idea!...I'd forgotten - not a great shocker for me at the moment - that you'd given them all names, and that's another nice touch!...

The mistrust bit, where Ekali's walking away from the edge but keeping her distance from the dragon was nicely done... ...

An amazing and brilliant new addition, hope there's more to come before you disappear again... ...

Nicely done!!...

Nice one!!...

*Applauds heartily*...

I enjoy the dragon conversations very much. It’s great to get an update on this story.

It has been both a long time since you have updated and a long time since I have read. This story is too delightful to leave be though. Your character is quiet but endearing in that way. Plus I just like khajiit. The conversations with the dragons are a real pleasure. This is a far better way to treat the soul devouring nature of the dragonborn than someone simply consuming them like a piece of candy. I wonder what will happen when she finally defeats Alduin though? Would she be stuck the rest of her life with that dragon roaming around her head? That would be very… unpleasant I would think.

I do hope you continue writing this story and get the chance to update a little more often.

Author's note: It's been far too long since I updated this story the last time and I'm incredibly sorry for it but my inspiration has been non-existential. A recent surge of it over the last few days hopefully means that I'll get going again though. Because I've finally figured out how to introduce the characters that need to be introduced and how to keep the main quest interesting. Hopefully it will be to your liking

One of the many new ideas I've got concerns what will happen with her forays into Dezhahnu. However, that won't be either explained or controlled for quite some time to come. Which means that most of my ideas considering the powers associated to dragons won't really be expanded upon until the sequel.

Previously on Ekali of the Frozen Heights: Ekali bought Breezehome in Whiterun and then followed the note she found in Ustengrav to Riverwood, where the innkeeper Delphine gave her the horn and told her that the dragons haven't just been returning, they've been coming back to life. To prove her theory, Delphine proposed they go to Kynesgrove where the next dragon is likely to be revived. But first, Ekali returns to High Hrothgar.

Chapter 6.1 Dovhasebrom
6th Hearthfire

The light snow fall that had been going on ever since she reached the snowline of the mountain had left a light cover of white upon her silver-coloured armour and fur hood, and when Ekali finally pushed the door to High Hrothgar open it was with a sigh of relief that she dropped the sack of supplies she'd brought from the village onto the stone floor and pushed the hood back to fall over her shoulders. The afternoon sun, half blocked by the snowfall, valiantly shone in through the small windows that where set high in the walls, aiding the lit braziers in lighting the vast space, and fell partly upon the Greybeard whom had begun to rise to his feet when she entered. Now he faced her, and Ekali slid her equipment of her shoulders as she walked further in, opening her bag to extract the horn.

“Ah! You’ve retrieved the Horn of Jurgen Windcaller. Well done.” Arngeir said as he approached and accepted the horn from her gauntlet-clad hands. “You have now passed all the trials, and it’s time to recognize you formally as Dragonborn.” Arngeir examined the horn for a moment before placing it on a pedestal out of the way as his fellow Greybeards entered the room at a slow walk. “It also means that you are ready to learn the final word of Unrelenting Force, ‘Dah’, which means ‘Push’.” Arngeir gestured towards Wulfgar, and yellow eyes turned to the other Greybeard as he came to stand near them before speaking the word. It appeared before them on the floor in the draconic script, and as Ekali stepped closer it began to glow orange and voices rose around her. They rose to a crescendo before abating, leaving her only the Word. Dah.

“With all three words, this Shout is much more powerful. Use it wisely,” Arngeir said as she turned her eyes back to Wulfgar, and he bowed his head as the knowledge of Dah's use flowed from him to her, taking on a form as if though it was burning mist as it passed into the woman. When the power finally abated and the space was once again lit up only by the rays of the sun and the fires of the braziers, Arngeir spoke once again. “You have completed your training Dragonborn, and we would Speak to you now, as only we can. Stand between us and prepare yourself. Few can withstand the unbridled Voice of the Greybeards, but you are ready.” As he spoke, he moved to complete the circle formed by his fellow Greybeards around the carved pattern in the floor, and Ekali took the few steps required to place her between all of them. Then she merely looked on as all of them simultaneously opened their mouths, and began to Speak.

“Lingrah krosis saraan Strundu'ul, voth nid balaan klov praan nau. Naal Thu'umu, mu ofan nii nu, Dovahkiin, naal suleyk do Kaan, naal suleyk do Shor, ahrk naal suleyk do Atmorasewuth. Meyz nu Ysmir, Dovahsebrom. Dahmaan daar rok.”[Long has the Storm Crown Languished with no worthy brow to sit upon. By our breath we bestow it now to you in the name of Kyne, in the name of Shor, and in the name of Atmora of old. You are Ysmir now, the Dragon of the North. Hearken to it.] As the room shook underneath the power of their voices and Ekali struggled to remain one her feet, her memory was drawn back to that day that seemed so distant now, when the distant call of Dovahkiin had drawn the attention of both her and the people, and she had first been called Dragonborn by the Jarl of Whiterun. She hadn't seen what they'd seen then, whatever power she possessed had seemed foreign to her, but perhaps this was finally the proof she required.

As the Greybeards fell silent, and the world ceased shaking as though a chasm was about to open up underneath her feet, Ekali's eyes were drawn to the spokesman of the Greybeards, and his was drawn to her. “Dovahkiin. You have tasted the Voice of the Greybeards, and passed through unscathed. High Hrothgar is open to you,” he said finally, inclining his head in unison with the others as a sign of respect, and Ekali nodded in return as all the Greybeards turned towards other parts of the building, to continue whatever chores her arrival had interrupted.

<-><-><->

Having shed her armour and weapons in her temporary quarters Ekali sat at the old table clad only in her simple clothing and leather boots as her eyes scoured the page of the old book before her. The writing was a mixture of old Tamrielic and the Dragon tongue, and every now and then she'd pause and her brow would furrow as she thought of the meaning of the words.

Her concentration was broken after a time as cloth moved across stone in the doorway, and the khajiit raised her eyes to see Arngeir looking down at her. He paused for a moment as he noticed her before continuing into the cramped library.

“Have you found any information that answers your questions?” he asked as he sat down at the table across from her as she followed him with her eyes.

“No, I've only found more questions I'm afraid.” One of her fingers began to tap against the table as she looked thoughtful for a moment before once again addressing the Greybeard. “This book seems to be one of several written by king Wulfharth, I don't know how long ago. He speaks quite a lot of his encounters in Dezhahnu and his gradual loss of control over his Thu'um, and though it is never expanded upon how it happens, he eventually stops writing about them. At some point after he was crowned king he ceased writing for a rather long time, and when he picked it up again he'd ceased writing about either problem,” she said as her eyes scanned the books pages, finally looking up to meet Arngeir's gaze.

“Yes, Wulfharth was crowned king of Skyrim in the first era. He studied here for a time before that, I believe. It is possible that there might be some way of regaining ones control of the Thu'um, many texts written by old Dragonborn seem to suggest that they accomplished it, but rarely is anything that might help one guess at the method mentioned. It is a well kept secret that they never told to the Greybeards.” Arngeir simply watched her as she thought, having no need to refresh his memory of the old texts.

“But why would they keep that information from your order?” Ekali asked quizzically.

“Only the Dragonborn of old could answer that. Perhaps they did not trust my predecessors, perhaps it was too dangerous a process for them to ever want it to get out. Maybe the incident haunted them and they only wished to forget it. I doubt it is a question to which we will be given the answer within my lifetime,” he said, and she nodded thoughtfully.

“Perhaps, or perhaps the reasons are simply beyond our comprehension.”

“Are there any other questions you have been seeking an answer too?” he asked instead of continuing to pursue the subject, and Ekali gave a soft snort as she closed the book she'd been reading and fixed her attention upon the Greybeard.

“Only a hundred more,” she said, and he smiled softly in response. “For most of my life I did as I was told. First by my mother and then by my superiors. I didn't question, not even when fighting next to the Thalmor and seeing them resort to torture to get the information they sought. Not when a quarrel with my Centurion saw me reassigned to the frozen landscapes of northern Tamriel. Now I find that questions is all that fill my mind, and the few answers I find only lead to more questions.”

“Perhaps all you have to do is to ask them.”

“And perhaps doing so would see my head placed upon another block.” She drew in a deep breath, eyes finding one of the many small windows to seek the stars, but the night was cloudy and both braziers and torches burned brightly in the chamber. There was nothing outside but darkness. “Dragons are roaming the land, and a civil war is raging. Imperials and Stormcloaks fight each other when the Thalmor are the true threat and also the only ones who benefit from the war.” Pausing for a moment, her eyes came down to meet his. “I have met Imperial soldiers who worship Talos in whispers as night sets in, soldiers who die with the name of the Ninth divine upon their lips, and yet they all follow the commanders who would dance to the tune of the Thalmor.”

“Men finds comfort in familiar things,” Arngeir said as he watched the Dragonborn, took in the sorrow and confusion that shone from her gaze.

“And when everything they find familiar is taken from them?” she asked in a quiet voice.

“Some seek revenge, and some choose instead to make use of what they have left and begin anew.” Her lips quirked up in a faint smile, though it did not reach her eyes. “The civil war is not your fight. You have other duties now,” he said, and she only watched him for a few moments before rising to her feet.

“Indeed. It's time I retire for the night. Good night Arngeir,” she said and turned from him. He returned the words as she was walking out the door and then lingered in thought for a few moments before going to bed.

I know exactly what you mean... ...

Properly brilliant to read this again...Indeed, it has been too long... ...

Brilliant stuff...Loved the little things with Arngeir, but also the epic initiation into "Dah!"...Brilliantly done...

Excellent!!!...

Hoping for more soon... ...

Nice one!!...

*applauds heartily*...

McBadgere: Thank you, I'm glad you enjoy it I really enjoy writing the story.

Author's Note: Something that you're going to want to pay attention to in the next few chapters is that they're very heavily altered from the way things actually happens in the game. I've mostly just altered conversations lightly before and added a few scenes, and I only slightly alter the conversation in this one, but the following chapters are not just going to have very heavily altered conversations, they're also containing a lot of scenes with which I think the events make a whole lot more sense. For example, the invitation that Ekali has to get herself next chapter. Delphine is not going to do the job for her.

Previously on Ekali of the Frozen Heights: Ekali returned the Horn of Jurgen Windcaller to the Greybeards, prompting them to formally recognise her as Dragonborn in the dragon tongue. They taught her the final word of unrelenting force and then she spent the evening reading up on the experiences of past dragonborn in their library. That's where Arngeir found her, and the two discussed the secrets of the dragonborn of old and the civil war.

Chapter 6.2 Sahloknir
9th Hearthfire

When Ekali finally arrived at Kynesgrove in the late afternoon the sight that met her eyes spurred her on, and she jogged into the small settlement as her eyes searched the streets for Delphine. People were running every which way, yelling about dragons and for everyone to take cover. A small child staring at the sky above the entrance to the mines was grabbed around the waist by a large man and hoisted onto his shoulder before he hurried into the house upon which the tavern sign hung and another man was holding onto the leash of a dog that had flown into a panic, attempting to calm it.

“There you are, finally!” The words were called out from her left, and Ekali turned from watching the raucous to find Delphine jogging up to her. “There's no time to loose, the dragon flew by only a minute ago!” The woman practically had to shout to be heard over all of the noise, so the khajiit only nodded and gestured for her to lead the way. Delphine didn't hesitate before setting off at a run towards the mines, then took the right path when the road forked just in front of them. Ekali followed right behind her, the wolf on her heels as they headed up the hill towards the beating of wings and the speaking voice that she'd only just begun to hear. When they crested the hill and rounded a large rocky outcropping the burial mound was clear to see before them. But above it, great wings beating the air to keep it aloft, a black dragon looked down upon the mound as he spoke.

“Sahloknir, ziil gro dovah ulse! Slen tiid vo! [Sahloknir, ever-bound dragon spirit! Let your flesh be unrotten!]” The last three words came out as a shout and the ground shook as the great skeleton of a dragon broke free from the earth and in fragments of light its body began to reform as it clambered out and turned to face the black dragon.

“Alduin, thuri! Boaan tiid vokriiha suleyksejun kruziik? [Alduin, my overlord! An age past, did you not destroy the power of the ancient kings?]” Ekali kept her attention on the two dragons, placing her pack down in the cover of the great stone next to which they'd stopped and drawing her bow as Delphine muttered something in the background. Gladio kept his body low to the ground, tensed and ready to attack as his eyes kept watch over the two creatures.

“Geh, Sahloknir, kaali mir, [Yes, Sahloknir, my trusted ally.]” Alduin said before turning his head to face Ekali, and she stilled underneath his penetrating gaze, stopping in the process of drawing an arrow from her quiver. “Ful, losei Dovahkiin? Zu'u koraav nid nol dov do hi. [So, my false Dragonborn? I do not recognize you as dragon.]” Ekali found herself bristling at his mocking words.

“Vahr dreh hi lorot zu'u ulaak?[Why do you think I care?]” she called out, not truly realising she'd spoken in the dragon tongue until the words had already left her mouth. Alduin chuckled lowly in return.

“You speak such a garbled version of our tongue, Golgronfron, and yet you dare take for yourself the name of Dovah. You are but a mortal child playing at something it's not. Sahloknir, krii daar joorre. [Sahloknir, kill these mortals.]” He turned away from the two women just as Sahloknir turned his attention to them. Then Alduin beat his wings harder, angling them so as to carry him away from the impending battle as Sahloknir unleashed a bout of flame at the two females and then took to the air to gain the upper ground. Ekali and Delphine both ducked down behind the rock to escape the flames, then the khajiit nocked an arrow, attention fixed upon Sahloknir as Alduin flew off into the horizon. Delphine drew her own bow just as Ekali let her first arrow fly.

The arrow missed the great beast by inches and it let out a roar as it circled around, heading for the two of them as Ekali fumbled for another arrow and Delphine drew the string of hers back, releasing the arrow straight at the dragons chest before ducking down behind a stone as the dragon opened his mouth to Shout. "Fus Ro Dah!" It Shouted, and Ekali was thrown backwards away from Delphine. She landed on her back, bereft of her bow as she scrambled to get onto her feet and reorient herself. He'd cast her out into the open, away from the cover of the outcropping, and was once again turning the air to come at the Dragonborn. Preparing to cast her flame spell from both hands, Ekali drew on the power that she and Sahloknir both shared as he approached, head up and claws outstretched and reaching for her. He wasn't far away when she released the power.

"Fus Ro Dah!" The great shape wobbled in the air and the khajiit threw her hands forward, fire sprouting forwards from her hands at the motion and bathing the chest of the dragon in orange flames. The dragon deviated from his path, getting out of range of the fire to regain his equilibrium as the khajiit set of across the open space to the outcropping next to which Delphine stood in full view, letting loose arrow after arrow at the beast. She scooped her own bow off the ground as she did so, fitting an arrow to the bow as soon as she reached Delphine and turning to unloose it into one of the dragons' wings as he began to loose altitude and crashed into the ground.

A cloud of dust and debris rose into the air, and Ekali covered her face with her arm before once again shouldering the bow and drawing her great-sword from her back. When the dust cleared Sahloknir turned his head towards the two women, calculating gaze setting upon the khajiit.

"Mu lor ho wah kos do sobahlaan. Aalkos mu lost folaas.[We thought you to be of lesser worth. Perhaps we were wrong.]" The dragons voice rumbled as he spoke and Ekali's brow furrowed for a moment as she attempted to decipher the words. Her moment of inattention was however what he'd been waiting for, and she had to throw herself out of the way when he shouted. "Yol Toor Shul!" Fire bathed the ground where she'd been standing moments before, and Ekali's eyes sought out Delphine's form beyond the flames to ensure the other woman's safety as she got up on her feet again. She quickly found Sahloknir, his great form lumbering towards the two mortals, his attention taken up by the only perceived threats on the battle field.

Gladio came up from the side, his jaws clamping down on the dragons left wing, and it let out a roar of pain as the sensitive membrane tore, swinging its head around to bite the nuisance. But the wolf was gone before he could catch it, the animal's attack giving the women time to approach and strike at the dragon. Delphine's katana pierced deep into the hide of Sahloknir's chest, and Ekali's greatsword struck down on his neck. The dragon let out a final roar as it crumbled to the ground, the breton and the khajiit stepping back as it thrashed.

Finally the beast fell still and the khajiit wiped of her sword and sheathed it. “Well I'll be damned, you did it! That was well done. Come on. I've been wanting to get a closer look at one of these buggers," Delphine said as she walked up to the dragon, pulling out her swords before moving to take a look at the front. But she paused when the dragon began to glow as if it was burning from the inside. "Wait. Something is happening... gods above." The breton took several steps back as Ekali watched the light increase, growing into a stream of power and leaving the dragon nothing more than a pile of bones as it flowed in her body. Ekali breathed deeply as the voices overwhelmed her, as the dragons of old spoke in the dragon tongue of valiant battles and the thrill of the hunt. The pride of a parent and the knowledge that this, this was life.

Her eyes snapped open wide to see Delphine looking at her in increasing worry, the scope of her realisation taking a moment to settle in her mind. Because the voices spoke not of power or death, but of life.

"So, you really are... I... It’s true, isn’t it? You really are Dragonborn." Her attention was drawn back to Delphine at the woman's weak attempt at starting up a conservation and she merely nodded in response, not feeling up to talking just yet. "I owe you some answers, don't I? Go ahead. Whatever you want to know. Nothing held back.” The breton was looking at Ekali with an awe that scared the khajiit far more than she'd ever admit.

“Who are you, what do you want with me? Why go to all this effort just to find me?” Ekali asked after a moment, and Delphine thought of her response as she found a cloth tucked away under her armour and used it to clean of her blade before sliding it back into its sheathe.

“I’m one of the last members of the Blades. A very long time ago, longer now than most remember, we were dragonslayers. We swore our loyalty to the Dragonborn, the greatest dragonslayers that have ever existed. For the last two hundred years, since the last Dragonborn emperor, the Blades have been searching for a purpose. Now the dragons are coming back and our purpose is clear again. We need to stop them. I don't know if it's chance or the intervention of the Divines that brought you here, but whatever the reason we sure are grateful," she said as she looked back at the skeleton of the dragon, shifting from foot to foot for a moment before turning away.

“What do you know about the dragons coming back?” Ekali asked as she watched the breton, and Delphine gestured for the khajiit to follow as she walked away from the dragon and towards the spot where Ekali had left her pack.

“Not a damn thing, I'm sorry to admit. I was just as surprised as you to find that big black dragon here.” Delphine sighed as she sat down on a stone. Ekali remained standing, hand reaching out to brush through Gladio's fur when he came up at her side.

“I've seen that dragon before, the one that got away," the khajiit finally admitted, thinking back to her first few days in Skyrim.

“Really? Where?” The surprise was evident in the bretons voice.

“It was the one that attacked Helgen, when Ulfric escaped from the Imperials.”

“Interesting. Same dragon... Damn it, we're blundering around in the dark here! We need to figure out who's behind it all!” Delphine fisted her hands on her knees as she blew out a harsh breath.

“So what do we do next?” Ekali asked after half a minute, and when Delphine's eyes met hers there was a small smile of gratitude on her lips.

“Well, the first thing we need to do is figure out who’s behind the dragons. I'd figure the Thalmor to be our best lead. If they aren’t involved, they’ll know who is," the Breton said thoughtfully.

“What makes you think they're involved?”

“Nothing solid. Yet. But my guts tells me it can’t be anybody else. The Empire had captured Ulfric. The war was basically over. Then a dragon attacks, Ulfric escapes, and the war is back on. And now the dragons are attacking everywhere, indiscriminately. Skyrim is weakened, the Empire is weakened. Who else gains from that but the Thalmor?”

“No one I can think of. And you are right, that sounds exactly like something the Thalmor would do," Ekali said as she finally sat down in the ground next to Gladio.

"Do you have any experience with them?" Delphine asked quizzically, and Ekali sent her a sharp nod.

"Yes. I only spent a short time on active duty before I was reassigned as a forester, but during that time I saw a lot of things I sometimes wish I hadn't. The Thalmor have never been good news to anyone," the khajiit said. "But why are they after you?”

“Before the Great War, the Blades helped the Empire against the Thalmor. Our Grand Master saw them as the greatest threat to Tamriel. At the time, that was true. Maybe it still is. So we fought them in the shadows, all across Tamriel. We thought we were more than a match for them. We were wrong.” Delphine's voice was bitter, and though Ekali couldn't imagine the life of persecution that the Blades might have lead, she did know what it was like to loose everything.

“So, we need to figure out what the Thalmor know about the dragons. Any ideas?”

“If we could get into the Thalmor Embassy... it’s the centre of their operations in Skyrim. Problem is, that place is locked up tighter than a miser's purse. They could teach me a few things about paranoia...” Delphine muttered the last sentence, and Ekali snorted in amusement.

“So how do we get in there?” she asked, and Delphine smiled bitterly.

“Subterfuge or a lot of bloodshed," the breton quipped and Ekali smiled. "On a more serious note, I'm not sure yet. I have a few ideas, but I’ll need some time to pull things together. Meet me back in Riverwood. If I'm not back when you get there, wait for me. I shouldn't be long. Keep an eye on the sky. This is only going to get worse.” As she spoke, Delphine stood and stretched her back briefly, nodding her greeting at Ekali that the khajiit returned as she got to her feet. Then the breton headed off down the hill, presumably to pick up her equipment at the local inn.

Well, that was pretty darned awesome, right there... ...

Absolutely loved it...That was excellently handled...Loved all the dragonspeak (and their translation!) and the back and forth of it all...

Brilliant stuff!!!...

I'll be honest, it's so long since I did the MQ that I'd never have known they were in-game scenes you say you're changing... ...Just say you made it all up and I'd believe you... ...

The only thing I found a little jarring is there were too many women in this bit... ...



And that the phrase "Other woman" appears very quickly next to one another...

Is fine, but I've seen that sort of thing mentioned by others, elsewhere is all...

Proper loved it, so glad you're back into it...

Nice one!!...

*Applauds heartily*...

Author's note: Hopefully I should be able to publish another chapter this week, but I can't make any promises after that as I'm going away for a few weeks and don't know what kind of access to the internet I'm going to have.

Previously on Ekali of the Frozen Heights: Ekali arrived at Kynesgrove just in time to witness Alduin's revival of Sahloknir and exchange a few words with the two. Then Alduin took off and Sahloknir attacked Ekali and Delphine. Once the dragon had been defeated, Delphine finally told Ekali what's going on, and the two discussed what to do next.

6.3 An Invitation
12th – 14th Hearthfire

“I don't think you were followed. Come on, I have a plan.” Those words were the first greeting Ekali got when she stepped inside the door of the Sleeping Giant Inn, and then Delphine had turned on her heel and headed into her own room. Ekali quickly followed, sighing before telling Gladio to lie down by the fire and make sure no one followed them.

Once the two women were alone in the secret room and had closed the closet doors behind them the Breton didn't waste any time before launching into the subject of their previous discussion. “I've figured out how we're going to get you into the Thalmor Embassy.”

“That didn't take long," Ekali said as the other woman rested her hands against the edge of the table, eyes quickly running over the map.

“I've been doing this a long time, remember? While the Thalmor's been looking for me, I've been watching them, and I've learnt far more than they have.”

“So what's your plan? How do I infiltrate the Thalmor Embassy?”

“The Thalmor ambassador, Elenwen, regularly throws parties where the rich and connected cosy up to the Thalmor. You are a Thane of Whiterun. That comes with its own sets of responsibilities and perks. Of course they seem to have dispensed with most of the duties in your case. I doubt anyone would want to take up the important time of the Dragonborn, though it's also possible that they simply doesn't think you know anything about politics. Which, well, I really hope you do have at least a basic comprehension of royal etiquette, because you're going to need it." Delphine smiled sardonically at the khajiit at that. Ekali's eyes furrowed in confusion for a moment before the meaning of the words dawned on her and a look of horrified apprehension appeared on her face.

"Please tell me you're not telling me what I think you're telling me," the khajiit uttered.

"I'm afraid I am. I have a contact inside the Embassy who can get you into the private quarters when you're there and smuggle in some equipment, but you'll have to get in first. The most believable way for that to happen is for you to be a representative of Whiterun, so I really hope you know how to argue, because you're going to need the Jarls go ahead on this one." Ekali groaned in response.

"I'm going to need to wear a dress for this, aren't I?" she asked in a low tone, ears tucked close to her head.

"Yes, I'm afraid that'd be the most appropriate." Ekali sighed, then straightened up and met the Bretons eyes.

"Who's this contact of yours? How are you so sure that I can trust him?"

"His name's Malborn. Wood elf, plenty of reason to hate the Thalmor – they wiped out his family back in Valenwood during one of their purges that we never hear about. Luckily they don't know who he really is, or he wouldn't be serving drinks at the Ambassador's parties. Once you get that invitation he'll meet you in Solitude, at the Winking Skeever – you know it?" Ekali shook her head. "Well, it isn't hard to find. Give him everything you need smuggled into the embassy and then meet me at the Solitude stables. I'll make sure there'll be a carriage waiting for you."

“Once I'm inside the Embassy, then what?” Ekali asked.

“That's when the fun starts. You'll have to slip away from the party without raising the alarm. Then you'll need to find Elenwen's office and search her files. Malborn should be able to point you in the right direction.” Delphine straightened up from the table as she met Ekali's eyes.

“Then I'll see you in Solitude.”

“Sounds good. Be careful out there.”

<-><-><->

When Ekali walked into Dragonsreach early in the morning of the 14th of Hearthfire she was walking far too quickly and her fingers were tapping irregularly against her leg. She'd managed to keep her ears in an upright position and a few deep breaths had been enough to calm her heart, but the fear of failure was still prominent in her body language for anyone who knew how to read her.

Jarl Balgruuf was thankfully sitting on his throne, Proventus Avenicci and Hrongar standing on either side of him as the three of them spoke in quiet voices. Irileth stood further down the hall, idly talking to Lydia as the housecarl consumed her breakfast. Her ears twitched slightly at the sight of the housecarl, but she quickly turned her gaze back to the head of the room to see that both the Jarl and Hrongar had switched their attention to her.

Without looking at Gladio, she signed for the wolf to stay by the doors, and then walked up towards the throne when it was made evident that she wouldn't be interrupting the ceased conversation. "My Jarl," she greeted Balgruuf as she sank down on one knee and bent her head before once again rising.

"Yes, Thane. What brings you here?" the Jarl asked as most of the hall grew quiet.

"I have a rather urgent favour to ask of you. I need an invitation to the next party at the Thalmor embassy." The surprise was evident on both the Jarl and his advisers faces after she spoke and Hrongar's eyes grew calculating as he pondered the request.

"That's quite a sudden request. What business do you have with the Thalmor?" the Jarl asked, eyes glancing briefly towards Irileth who's walked closer to the dais and was making sure that no unwanted ears would hear the conversation.

"A friend of mine believes that they may have some information concerning the return of the dragons in Skyrim, and I wouldn't be surprised if that was true," Ekali answered, rolling her shoulders to release the tension as the Jarl thought.

“You're going to head into the Thalmor Embassy, go through their files to find out what they know about the dragons and somehow make it back out alive. What happens if they catch you? Better yet, what happens to us when they find out what you've done?” As Balgruuf spoke Ekali's eyes stayed firmly on him

“You tell them that you had nothing to do with it and that you certainly wouldn't have sent me if you'd known. If it appeases them, you put a bounty on my head.” Four pairs eyes widened in surprise at that, Irileth being more than capable of hearing the conversation from her position just off of the dais.

“You'd take that risk? Why?” Hrongar finally spoke up, fixing his eyes upon the Dragonborn as she stared back unflinchingly.

“Because the two largest threats on this continent are the Thalmor and the dragons, they're both focusing their attention on Skyrim at the moment and I have no idea which is the greatest threat or if they're even connected to each other.” Her eyes shifted to the Jarl. “I need the answer to that question, and the only place I'm going to get it is from the Thalmor. And I've seen enough of them to know that getting that information won't be easy.” Resting his hands on his knees, Jarl Balgruuf watched her silently for a few moments before nodding and turning his head towards Avenicci.

“Write up a missive expressing my regrets that I could not attend the party personally, but that our newest Thane would be more than happy to pass along any messages and that I hope my absence does not cause any trouble,” he said to the steward, and the Imperial nodded briefly before leaving the dais to do as asked. The jarl turned his eyes back to the khajiit as Proventus left them. “Do attempt not to make too much of a commotion,” he said as Ekali nodded her thanks.

<-><-><->

Ekali was walking towards the doors, missive and invitation packed away safely in her bag, when Lydia came at her from the side and took a hold of her arm. The female khajiit didn't protest the action as she was led off into a corner of the hall by the housecarl, waiting until they'd finally stopped to shrug of the Nord's grip and aim a glare at the woman.

“I'm going with you,” Lydia ground out as the khajiit watched her, ears prickling with annoyance. “And don't tell me I'm going to get in your way, I already got that message.”

“Look, I'm not trying to belittle your training or experience...” Ekali started before Lydia interrupted her with a glare of her own.

“Really? Well, that's exactly what it seems like you're doing,” the housecarl said, and the khajiit sighed in exasperation.

“Do you have any experience at all in infiltration? Spying, sneaking, picking locks? That kind of thing. Generally just not making the kind of noise that would tell an elf or a beast that you're coming from a mile away,” Ekali said, practically growling in annoyance, and Lydia's glare faltered as she attempted to come up with an answer. “Yeah, didn't think so,” Ekali said as she started walking towards the door. Lydia's hand shot out quickly to stop her. The khajiit stopped and glared at her, causing the Nord to let go.

“Look, I realize that I have little to no experience in the kind of work you seem to be quite good at, but that doesn't mean that I can't help. I can't just stand back as you head heedlessly into danger. There must be something that I could do,” she said, causing Ekali to sigh as she turned to face Lydia head on.

“Fine. You want to get involved that bad, I'm not going to stop you,” Ekali said as she lifted her hand and ran the fingers through the fur on her head. “I've been going through some maps, trying to memorize the area around the embassy as I don't know how I'm going to leave it. Perhaps you could get a couple of horses, take Gladio with you and wait for me at the Statue to Meridia.” Lydia nodded as the annoyance finally abated from her features.

“That I can most certainly do,” the Nord said with a small smile, and Ekali rolled her eyes.

“Just don't wait any longer than the dawn of the following day. If I haven't gotten to you by then I'm probably caught, and then there won't be anything you can do to help me any more,” the khajiit said, meeting Lydia's eyes with her own as she waited for some kind of confirmation.

“Fine,” the Nord bit out as the slight smile vanished from her lips and Ekali nodded slightly before turning without a word and heading out of the hall.

Previously on Ekali of the Frozen Heights: Ekali convinced Jarl Balgruuf to send her as his representative to the Thalmor Embassy, and Lydia convinced Ekali to let her help the khajiit get out of there.

Chapter 7.1 Welcome to the Party
21st Hearthfire

True to Delphine's word Ekali had very little trouble finding the Winking Skeever once she'd finally arrived in Solitude. Situated on the main street, the inn was separated from the gates by only a few buildings, and the sign hung out over the street in full view from the gate. She made no detours before heading into the building, and once inside her contact was easy to find. There were all kinds of people in there, both eating and drinking, but only one wood elf sitting alone at a table near the door.

“Yes?” The Bosmer's greeting left much to be desired when the khajiit came to a stop beside him, his eyes not even straying from the half filled goblet in front of him. She didn't let the brusque greeting stop her as she slid onto the stool opposite him.

“Our mutual friend sent me,” she said, and finally Malborn's eyes rose to meet hers over the table. His eyebrows rose and his lips twitched in blatant disbelief.

“Really? You're who she picked? I really hope she knows what she's doing.” Shaking his head briefly, he took another drink of the goblet that her sensitive nose identified as containing wine before placing it back on the table and fixing her with an evaluating stare. “Here's the deal. I can smuggle some equipment into the Embassy for you. Don't plan on bringing anything else in with you. The Thalmor take security very seriously. Give me what you can't live without, and I'll make sure to get it into the Embassy. The rest is up to you.” He took another drink as she nodded.

“You wouldn't happen to know what kinds of thing I might have use for in there, would you?” she asked and was met with a frustrated look in response.

“You're asking me? She promised she was sending someone who knew what they were doing...” He rolled his eyes.

“I'm asking you because I've never been in the Embassy before and haven't really got any idea of what I'm going to face,” she ground out as she sent a glare his way. He paused in lifting the goblet to his lips, nodding in recognition of her statement.

“If you actually want to get out alive, I'd bring whatever you need to move quietly, and kill quickly. If you're discovered you're going to be swarmed with Thalmor wizards before you can even comprehend what's going on, and then Elenwen is going to get both of our heads served to her on a silver platter.” He shuddered at the thought as Ekali shook her head at him.

“Alright,” she said, standing up so as to be able to get her pack and weapons off of her back. Handing him the short-sword, the bow and the quiver she started rooting in her pack. After a few moments she withdrew a couple of potions, some lockpicks and her spare leather armour before placing them down onto the table in front of him. “There, that should be enough,” she breathed out as she retook her seat, and he quickly looked over the items before withdrawing a sack from underneath the chair and stuffing them in it.

“Well then, I guess I'll see you at the party,” he said as he stood up and hoisted the bag onto his shoulder.

“Yes, good luck,” Ekali said as he headed towards the door.

“I'm not the one who's gonna need it.” She only just heard his parting comment, and her lips quirked up into a smile as she rose from her seat and left for the stables.

<-><-><->

When Ekali arrived at the stables Delphine was watching the road vigilantly from where she stood leaning against the old stone mill. Near her, but still out of the way of any workers, a carriage drawn by two horses stood. A young Nord was lying down on the seat, hands folded under his head. The Breton straightened up when she saw Ekali approaching, quickly checking their surroundings as she approached the khajiit. “Have you given Malborn the gear you want to smuggle into the embassy?” she asked as the two of them came within a few feet’s distance of each other, and Ekali nodded shortly.

“Yes, he's all set.” Delphine nodded in response, lifting the sack she held in her hand a few centimetres higher briefly to draw Ekali's attention to it.

“Good. I have your clothes for the party here. I trust that you had little trouble getting the invitation?” At Ekali's nod, the Blade continued. “Well then, put this on. When you're ready, I'll keep the rest of your gear safe until you get back. You'll only have access to whatever you told Malborn to smuggle in for you as well as whatever can be found in the building. Look, I don't know much about the embassy but what I do know is that it's made up of three buildings. You're going to see the barracks and the main house from the entrance courtyard, but it's unlikely that there's anything in the barracks that'll be of use. The party is in the main building and the guests will likely be confined to a couple of rooms but your goal is Elenwen's solar on the other side of the inner courtyard. So once Malborn gets you in you need to make your way, alive, across the heavily patrolled courtyard and into Elenwen's office in the solar. It's likely it won't take long until they discover you even if you do manage to avoid any bloodshed, so you'll need to move quickly once you leave the party.”

“What kinds of guards are there at the Embassy?” Ekali asked as she accepted the sack from Delphine.

“Mostly altmer, though there might also be a couple of khajiit or bosmer. I doubt they'd have any Imperial soldiers at the Embassy, and Thalmor ranks only accept those three races. Why, do you think you could take someone's armour?”

“Possibly. It would solve the problem of crossing the courtyard if I could pull it off.”

“Ambitious, but a good idea.” Delphine nodded slowly as she thought it through. “It would give you considerably more time to search for any information.”

“Yeah,” Ekali said as she headed towards the mill, only glancing back briefly before she headed around to the back.

When Ekali came back she was dressed in a light green dress that reached down to her ankles. A grey sash and a darker grey belt held the dress tight around her abdomen. On top of that she wore a dark green over coat with brown lining and silver embroidery around the edges. The collar of the coat covered the lower part of her neck and was open so that her throat and the front of the dress was visible. The outer sleeves of the coat was embroidered with silver thread and on her feet she wore brown flat boots that were stylish but unremarkable. To complement the clothing she'd picked out a jade and emerald circlet and an amulet of Akatosh. “Hmm. I guess that will have to do. You should pass for a real guest, at least until you open your mouth. Ready to board the carriage to the Embassy?” Delphine said after she'd looked the dragonborn over.

“I'm ready. Keep this safe for me, will you?” Ekali asked as she handed over her pack and the sack that now contained her armour and great-sword.

“Don't worry, it will all be waiting for you when you get back. Just make sure you get back out of there alive with the information we need.” Delphine accepted the equipment without protest and Ekali got onto the back of the carriage as the Breton headed up to the front and slapped her hand against the side of the carriage. The driver almost fell off the seat as he was startled out of his rest, but quickly regained his wits when he saw Ekali sitting in the passengers seat. Nodding at Delphine, he took a hold of the reins and spurred on the horses to start walking away from the stables.

<-><-><->

It was almost dark by the time the carriage arrived at the Embassy. A cold wind swept across the court yard as Ekali got off of the carriage and her eyes swept the courtyard, landing on the guard at the entrance after only a few moments.

“Ah! A fellow latecomer to Elenwen's little soiree. And arriving by carriage, no less! I salute you, ma'am!” The male voice that called out for her caused Ekali's attention to waver from the entrance, and she looked around to find that a male Redguard was looking at her from his seat on some rocks of to the side. “My lateness is due more to getting lost on the way up this god-forsaken mountain than to any desire to actually arrive late. I prefer to arrive early. Often the day before the party. So as to not miss out on any of the drinking.” Ekali flashed a smile in response.

“An admirable quest,” she said, and the bearded Redguard chuckled lightly in response as the khajiit approached the door guard.

“Welcome to the Thalmor Embassy. Your invitation, please.” The guard, a female Altmer with light brown hair, accepted Ekali's invitation without any further comment as she looked it over thoroughly. “Here on behalf of Whiterun?”

“Indeed, the Jarl was unfortunately unable to make it. But as the newly appointed Thane I volunteered to help Jarl Balgruuf on this matter.”

“Very well, ma'am. Go right in,” the guard said and handed the invitation back to the Khajiit. Ekali smiled slightly before walking past her and up the stairs.

The door swung open without any problems as she pushed down on the handle and light spilled out upon the darkening courtyard. As the Khajiit was stepping inside, she spotted an Aldmer woman clad in Justicar robes watching her. Ekali closed the door behind her as the woman ended her conversation with one of Skyrim's elite and approached her, stopping a few feet away in front of the bar behind which Ekali could see Malborn busying himself with various different bottles.

“Welcome. I don't believe we've met. I'm Elenwen, the Thalmor Ambassador to Skyrim. And you are..?” As the other woman spoke, Ekali forced a smile to cross her lips as she reached out her hand towards the ambassador.

“My name is Ekali of the Frozen Heights, and I'm here on behalf of Jarl Balgruuf of Whiterun. Pleased to meet you.” A small smile crossed Elenwen's lips as her eyes remained stern and she accepted the Khajiit's hand and shook it.

“My, now you've really caught my interest. How did a Khajiit manage to become a Thane in Skyrim of all places?” Ekali was busily thinking of a better story than the truth before the ambassador had even finished her question, but only a moment passed before the wood elf bartender spoke up from the side.

“Lady Elenwen?” he asked, and as the ambassador turned her attention to the Bosmer Ekali let out a breath of relief before allowing her eyes to stray around the room for a bit. Though not as big as the interior of Dragonsreach the hall was quite large, and men and mer of all gender and sizes littered the room. Several soldiers also littered the room and though the majority of them were definitely Altmer there where also two Bosmer in the room.

“What is it Malborn?” Elenwen asked in exasperation, and Ekali forced her attention to return to the ambassador.

“It's just that we've run out of the Alto wine. Do I have your permission to uncork the Arenthia red...” Elenwen sighed as he talked, clearly not interested in talking about what to serve next.

“Of course. I've told you before not to bother me with such trifles.” As the Ambassador spoke Ekali heard the Redguard coming in through the door and watched from her peripheral as he slipped past her and started mingling with the different guests, grabbing a drink off of a tray as he went.

“Yes, Madame Ambassador.” Malborn lowered his head, eyes finding the floor as Elenwen turned her gaze back to Ekali.

“My apologies. We'll have to get better acquainted later. Please, enjoy yourself,” the ambassador said as someone called her name from across the room, then her attention completely left Ekali as she headed towards whoever had called for her. Ekali closed her eyes momentarily in relief before she walked up to the bar and leaned up against it. As she did so she noticed that the Redguard had taken a seat on a bench along the wall, and every now and then he'd try and strike up conversation with one of the waiters when they walked past, looking more and more annoyed for every time they ignored him.

“What can I get for you?” Malborn said with a loud enough voice to be heard above the din. Then he continued in a whisper as he picked up a glass and wiped it off with a cloth. “You made it in. Good. As soon as you distract the guards, I'll open this door and we can get you on your way. Let's hope we both live through this day.”

“Give me two goblets of whatever alcoholic drink you've got on hand, and then get ready. We'll have that distraction soon,” Ekali said quietly as he took out two goblets and filled them up with some wine before handing them over to her.

“Of course. Let me see if we have another bottle of that. I'll be waiting by the door for everyone to be distracted.” Ekali nodded as she accepted the goblets, then turned towards where the Redguard was sitting and walked over to him. What he was saying only got clearer as she drew closer to him.

“What does a fellow need to do to get a drink around here?” The Redguard uttered in a frustrated tone, and Ekali smiled as she took a seat next to him and handed over one of the goblets. “Ah, pardon me, friend. I didn't see you. And how incredibly generous of you!” he said as he accepted the goblet and took a long drink right of the bat. Ekali stared at him for a moment before shaking her head to clear it. “Allow me to introduce myself: Razelan. Imports and exports, by trade. Observer of human nature, by avocation,” he said as he held out his hand to her, and Ekali shifted her drink into her left hand to shake his.

“So, what brings you to this party?” Ekali asked as her eyes strayed from him to observe the room. It was filled by both humans and elves in finery, though the elves only consisted of Altmer members of the Thalmor. She found it unsettling to discover that she didn't recognise a quarter of the people assembled.

“Officially, I'm here to establish new contacts and earn the company more money. In truth, I'm only here to drink and be drunk and disorderly,” he uttered before he took another drink. It ended rather abruptly and he sighed as he observed the empty goblet. Smirking, Ekali held the other one out to him.

“Ah, the one generous soul amongst a gathering of pinch-pennies and lick-spittles! If there's ever anything I can ever do for you, do not hesitate to call upon me!” he exclaimed as he accepted the goblet from her and placed the empty one down onto a side table.

“Actually, there is something you could do for me,” Ekali said quietly as she met his eyes, and he answered her look with a bright smile.

“Wonderful! I can begin to repay your generosity immediately. What do you need, friend?” he asked, and the khajiit smiled thankfully.

“I need you to cause a scene. Get everyone's attention for a few minutes.” He narrowed his eyes slightly at her in curiosity, but didn't comment on it.

“Is that all? My friend, you've come to the right person. You could say that causing a scene is somewhat of a speciality of mine. Stand back and behold my handiwork,” he said as he stood up and made his way into the middle of the room. “Attention, everyone! Could I have your attention, please! I have an announcement to make!” As he spoke Ekali got out of her seat and slowly walked towards the bar as the attention of the room slowly shifted to Razelan's rambling.

“Let's go, let's go! Before anyone notices us,” Malborn said when she finally reached his position behind the bar. He looked around once before unlocking the door and getting her to step in before him. Ekali's eyes wandered around the small storage room as the Wood Elf closed the door behind them. “So far so good. Let's hope nobody saw us slip out. We need to pass through the kitchen. Your gear is hidden in the larder. Just stay close and let me do any talking, got it? Follow me.” Ekali only nodded in response as he unlocked the other door and opened it up.

“Who comes, Malborn? You know I don't like strange smells in my kitchen.” The voice of another Khajiit met her ears when Ekali stepped into the kitchen, the smell of cooking food filling the air.

“A guest, feeling ill. Leave the poor wretch be.” The Khajiit turned around to watch them as Ekali followed Malborn, attempting to appear as if though she was walking unsteadily.

“A guest? In the kitchens? You know this is against the rules...” Tsavani muttered.

“Rules, is it, Tsavani? I didn't realize that eating Moon Sugar was permitted. Perhaps I should ask the Ambassador...” The cook bristled and bared her teeth.

“Tss! Get out of here, I saw nothing,” she hissed as Malborn smirked and opened the door, once again letting Ekali go through first. Then he closed the door behind them and pointed to a chest in the corner.

“Your gear is in that chest. I'll lock the door behind you. Don't screw this up. Come on. If someone misses me at the party, we're both dead,” he said as she crouched down by the chest and opened it. A weight lifted from her heart as she saw her equipment in the chest and she quickly got started with changing into the leather armour and out of the finery.

I like the changes you made to the game’s story. It makes great sense for a Thane of Whiterun to attend the party openly and then slip away.

Author's Note: This chapter has been in the works for way too long, and funnily enough it was the loss of the parts I'd already written that prompted the ideas that meant that I actually managed to finish it.

And the changes to canon continue! You can't actually disguise yourself in-game. Also, the texts that are written in italics in this chapter are actual in-game notes/books, so I can't take credit for writing that.

In my version of the Elder Scrolls Universe elven armour, and any other armour that was made by mages or used by the Thalmor, is enchanted to fit on whoever puts it on. I'm going to include the Blades armour into that category later on, though Ekali won't wear it. And of course that means that that's not true for all armour.

Previously on Ekali of the Frozen Heights: Ekali met up with Malborn in Solitude to give him the supplies she'd require, then went through the plan with Delphine before heading to the Embassy by carriage. Once there, Malborn only just saved her from an awkward conversation with the First Ambassador, and then she had to create a distraction to be able to enter into the back area of the embassy unseen.



Ekali didn't waste any time once Malborn had let her through into the rear of the embassy. It didn't take long before she could hear two voices in the room just to her left, two soldiers who were discussing recent troop movements and the appearance of the dragons. She waited until they finished talking, and then when they'd continued on their respective rounds she went after the female altmer who'd walked right into the corridor in front of the khajiit without spotting her.

She slit the taller womans' throat before she had time to think further about it and quickly took a hold around the elfs' waist to lower her gently onto the floor as her blood spilled out onto the cold stone. Moving quickly, as she knew it was only a matter of time before her absence at the party was discovered, she checked one of the closed doors in the corridor and carefully opened it to see a dark, cramped space with shelves that were stocked full of cleaning equipment. Then she carefully hoisted the tall elf onto her shoulder and carried her into the small room before depositing the corpse on the floor.

A grimace passed across Ekali's lips as she began to strip the quickly cooling corpse, but she kept quiet as she used some of the supplies to clean off the worst of the blood and then switched her leathers for the elven armour. She was thankful for the fact that it was Thalmor armour when she'd fastened it properly and the armour changed to fit on her body. Lastly, the khajiit pulled on the other woman's helmet, discarded her own weapons on the floor and sheathed the elven short-sword that the elf had been carrying at her own waist.

When Ekali entered into the larger room that the soldiers had been talking in, the soldier standing by the door, a male bosmer wearing elven armour and carrying an elven bow and quiver on his back, merely nodded at her before letting his eyes continue to scan the room. His eyes passed over her again a moment later and his brows furrowed, but before he had time to draw a weapon or call out she'd already reached him and plunged her newly acquired short-word through his throat. Once again she was careful to not let the body make too much noise as it fell, instead stooping down so that he could fall forward onto her shoulder. She carried him out of the room and into the same storage in which she'd dumped the woman's body, then quickly headed for the door he'd been guarding. Considering the slight draft she could feel coming from it Ekali guessed that it was most likely the closest door that opened up into the courtyard, and as she pushed it open she found that her theory was correct.

Ekali took care not to walk too quickly as she walked outside. Neither did she look around, only briefly noting the wizards and soldiers she could see in her periphery as she took the shortest path to the building on the other side of the courtyard. The only light in the courtyard was provided by the snow reflecting the light of the moon, and from the glimpse of blue she saw in one of the soldier's eyes as she passed him she guessed that they were probably using night-eye spells to see in the dark.

The walk was quick, and before long the female khajiit pulled open the door and stepped into the warm interior of the solar.

The entrance hall was rather large, with several benches and tables placed around the room. A soldier stood only a short distance from the door, but he only looked her over briefly as she entered, and opposite from the main door stairs went both to the second floor and to the cellar. There were two rooms on the left side of the entrance hall and a counter on the right, and in the one room on the left of the door two people were arguing. Through the doorway she could see that it was a nord in commoners clothing speaking to one of the Thalmor's wizards. The room next to the one in which they were standing in also looked like it was someone's office, and it didn't seem as though their argument would be finished any time soon.

She headed towards the stairs so that she walked right past the soldier, then turned off to the left and headed into the room with the desk. Walking in behind it placed her outside the view of all the Thalmor agents, and she slowly opened the desk drawers in search of some papers that might provide her with a clue. However she only found papers on troop movements and economic calculations, so she silently closed the drawers again and crouched down next to the chest that had been placed next to the back wall.

It was locked, but the lock didn't seem very complicated so she drew out some of the lock-picks she'd stashed under her armour and worked the chest open. Inside she found a key, a small note labelled; Dragon Investigation: Current Status and two dossiers on Delphine and Ulfric Stormcloak. She read through the note quickly, which revealed that the Thalmor didn't seem to have any idea of why the dragons were returning and that they held a prisoner in the dungeons that should be able to enlighten them on the subject.

First Emissary Elenwen,

We anticipate a breakthrough in our efforts to uncover the party or power behind the dragon resurrection phenomenon. An informant has identified a possible lead, whom we have brought back to the Embassy for a full interrogation. The subject is obstinate, but by all indications is holding back the information we seek. I have authorized Intermediate Manual Uncoiling – I do not expect more will be necessary, unless you feel time presses.

I know you prefer to be present for the final questioning; I will inform you immediately when the subject is fully receptive. Two days should tell the tale.

In the meantime, if you wish to audit our technique, your expertise is welcome, as always. I have placed the prisoner in the cell closest to your office stairs, for your convenience.

-Rulindil, 3rd Em.

Ekali had just finished reading and tucked the note away under her armour when she heard footsteps walking by outside in the entrance hall. Then a moment later she heard the outer door open and close as the second person headed towards the stairs.

There were some stairs in the room she was in as well, and Ekali didn't waste any time before going down them and attempting to open the door at the bottom. Though the door was locked that problem was quickly solved by the key she'd found in the chest, and Ekali went through slowly to make sure that she wasn't spotted or heard.

She entered onto the upper level of the cellar to the sound of pained groans and a smooth male voice trying to get someone to talk. It sounded familiar, and Ekali guessed that it was the wizard who she'd glimpsed in the entrance hall previously. Looking over the railing onto the lower level affirmed that belief, and it also alerted her to the soldier that was standing below the stairs.

When Ekali turned to walk down the stairs she didn't make any effort to muffle her steps, instead relying on the armour to get her close enough to the soldier to kill him quickly. He looked up as soon as she entered his line of sign, nodding to her briefly in greeting. Ekali answered with a nod of her own before her eyes drifted to the wizard who was standing in front of a prisoner in one of the cells. He didn't make any motion to get up and check what she wanted, so Ekali focused on the soldier instead.

She was hardly two feet away from the soldier when he noticed the fact that she was holding her short-sword half hidden behind her back, and though he opened his mouth to call out a warning the khajiit stuck her sword through his abdomen before he had time to utter a sound. However the groan of pain and following clatter as the soldier fell to the floor unimpeded was more than enough to alert the wizard, and he spun around with narrowed eyes as he raised his hands to cast a spell. Ekali threw herself to the side and the bolt of lightning missed her by inches. Because of the close quarters it didn't take long for her to get close to him, and he was forced to raise his dagger to parry her strike, unable to focus enough to fire off another spell.

He was skilled with the dagger, but he had neither shield nor armour, and soon enough Ekali got in a blow on his side and twisted it. As his hands went to the wound and the dagger fell to the floor with a clatter she didn't waste any time, taking hold around the back of his head to slit his throat easier before allowing him to crumple to the floor.

“What's going on..?” the pained question brought her attention to the prisoner who'd been shackled to the wall and she quickly wiped off the blade of the short-sword before returning it to the sheath at her waist.

“What did you tell the Thalmor?” She used a lock-pick to unlock his shackles as she spoke, and he turned his head up to look at her in confusion.

“That I've seen a guy in the Ratways of Riften that fits the description of the man they're looking for. Esbern, I believe they said his name was.” She nodded, and when he was finally free from the wall he rubbed his wrists tenderly before looking back at her again.

“Do you know how to get out of here?” she asked, though her attention was divided when she heard a door open and close up above.

“Yeah, there's a trap door further in that they've been using to dump bodies in,” he answered, and Ekali nodded before leaving the cell.

“Listen up, spy. You're trapped here and we have your accomplice. Surrender immediately or you'll both die,” a female voice said from the upper level, and Ekali's face tightened as she saw that another soldier was holding onto Malborns' arms just behind her.

“Nevermind, I'm dead already,” the bosmer spat out.

“Silence, traitor. Move slowly,” the female soldier told him as Ekali headed towards the stairs to get up to them, drawing her blade quickly. As she moved, Malborn broke free of the soldier holding him and drew a knife from within his clothing before attacking the man. The male soldier brought his sword up to fight him as the female headed towards the stairs, and Ekali took the last few steps at a run to get on more even ground.

The following fight was quick in the close quarters, and Ekali finished it by plunging her sword into the other woman's stomach. Then she turned her attention to the male soldier and Malborn who were still fighting each other, and got up behind the altmer before sticking her sword into his back. That provided Malborn the opportunity to cut his throat, and the bosmer didn't hesitate before doing so.

“Now the Thalmor will be hunting me for the rest of my life. I hope it was worth it,” Malborn uttered once they'd both caught their breaths and Ekali had searched the soldiers to find the key that would help them get out of there.

“So do I. Let's go,” she said before heading down the stairs with Malborn following after her. When they'd almost reached the cells Ekali spotted a table and a chest next to them and deviated from her course to look through the chest. It contained some writing utensils and a small notebook labelled Thalmor Dossier: Esbern which, though she only skimmed through before tucking it into one of the hidden pockets inside her armour, seemed to contain quite a bit of interesting information.



Status: Fugitive (Capture Only), Highest Priority, Emissary Level Approval

Description: Male, Nord, late 70s

Background: Esbern was one of the Blades loremasters prior to the First War Against the Empire. He was not a field agent, but is now believed to have been behind some of the most damaging operations carried out by the Blades during the pre-war years, including the Falinesti Incident and the breach of the Blue River Prison. His file had remained dormant for many years, an inexcusable error on the part of my predecessor (who has been recalled to Alinor for punishment and reeducation), in the erroneous belief that he was unlikely to pose a threat due to his advanced age and lack of field experience. A salutary reminder to all operational levels that no Blades agent should be considered low priority for any reason. All are to be found and justice exacted upon them.

Operational Notes: As we are still in the dark as to the cause and meaning of the return of the dragons, I have made capturing Esbern our top priority, as he is known to be one of the experts in the dragonlore of the Blades. Regrettably, we have yet to match their expertise on the subject of dragons, which was derived from their Akaviri origins and is still far superior to our own (which remains largely theoretical). The archives of Cloud Ruler Temple, which is believed to have been the primary repository of the oldest Blades lore, were largely destroyed during the siege, and although great effort has been made to reconstruct what was lost, it now appears that most of the records related to dragons were either removed or destroyed prior to our attack. Thus Esbern remains our best opportunity to learn how and why the dragons have returned. It cannot be ruled out that the Blades themselves are somehow connected to the dragons' return.

We have recently obtained solid information that Esbern is still alive and hiding somewhere in Riften. Interrogation of a possible eyewitness is on-going. We must proceed carefully to avoid Esbern becoming alerted to his danger. If he is indeed in Riften, he must not be given an opportunity to flee.

“I saw guards dragging bodies over here. Might be a way out,” the former prisoner stated when she finally came up next to him and Malborn.

“Let's hope you're right,” she uttered quietly before using the key she'd found to unlock it. Then she let Malborn and the prisoner go down before her so she could watch their back and lock the trapdoor behind her.

* * *

There was still a couple of hours left until dawn when Ekali approached the camp-fire that Lydia had lit underneath the great statue. The horses stirred in the dark when the unknown presence approached them, waking Lydia from her light slumber. The housecarl started to get onto her feet, and then she noticed Ekali who was still wearing the elven armour but had taken off the helmet, and stayed in her spot. Gladio looked back briefly from his spot outside the reach of the fire, and then laid down to rest again once he'd noted that she wasn't harmed.

“Did you find what you were looking for?” Lydia asked as the khajiit came up next to the fire, and she nodded.

“Yes. It wasn't what I expected, but I know what to do next,” she said as she seated herself on the second bedroll and met Lydia's gaze with her own.

“Then sleep a few hours. The sun will rise soon, and we need to get going to escape the patrols that the Thalmor will most likely be sending after us, but we won't get very far if you don't rest first.” Ekali opened her mouth to protest, but the nord swiftly interrupted her. “Sleep, I'll stand guard.” Finally the khajiit gave in and took off her plundered armour, settling down to sleep with only her underclothes and the bedroll to keep her warm.

I’m happy to see Ekali’s adventures continue. She did a marvelous job at the embassy. My characters always make a huge mess.

Yeah, I know what you mean I've never managed to sneak by any of the soldiers myself, I always end up having to kill everyone. Not that Ekali's out of the woods yet She still has to get back to Riverwood alive.

Y'ssss!!!...

Another fic I've missed...

Absolutely loved the writing of this whole thing...

I'd missed three parts, and it was properly brilliant to go through them all one after another...

I also love the way you've adapted the Canon to fit what you want...Which I've always advocated anyways...That the game should be the start of it, the recognizable basis on which to build your own thing off, while still retaining the things that everyone can grab on to as they go through the subtly changed sections...

And the whole Dragon-Soul-Realm thing that you have (apologies for forgetting the name...It's ma thing...Sorry...) and the use of the language...All through the little - and other fairly hefty - things...Brilliant!!...

An excellent story that I very much enjoy...Glad to see you're keeping on with it... ...

Nice one!!...

*Applauds heartily*...

Author's Note: This chapter has been a very long time coming, and has basically been half finished since I posted the last one. However it really didn't want to cooperate with me. All because I wanted Ekali to know who's who of all the nobles in Skyrim.

So, Ekali gets a horse! She wasn't actually supposed to have a specific mount before, but then this happened and I kind of really liked the animal that I invented, so he's staying. This chapter also ended up being way longer than it was supposed too, but there was no good place to cut it in half.

I've actually been writing quite a lot lately, though most of it won't be published anywhere for a good while yet. I do have some stuff that isn't Elder Scrolls posted on both my blog (link in my signature) and on AO3 if anyone has any interest in reading that stuff. And I posted a short scene from a story I'm calling Misfits of Tamriel in "the Man with the Green eyes" quite a while ago, a story for which I've actually finished the first couple of chapters. I'm really happy with it, more happy than I am with EotFH actually, but I don't know if I'm going to post it now/soon, or if I'm going to wait until I've got the rest of the first part/book written. Tell me if that'd be anything you'd be interested in reading, and if you'd be willing to have to wait months for the next chapter once what I've already written has been published.

Oh, and in-game when you escape from the Embassy there isn't actually anyone hunting for you other than the occasional hit squad, but for them to pop up you really just need to anger people.

Previously on Ekali of the Frozen Heights: Ekali infiltrated the Thalmor Embassy with the aid of the bosmer Malborn so as to find out how much they know about the return of the dragons before heading to meet Lydia.



“Did you pick the biggest horse you could find?” were the first words to leave Ekali's lips as she finally got a good look at the two horses in the daylight. The horse on the left, with a brown colouring and black mane, was Lydia's. She'd called him Piper when she introduced the horses, and he was only slightly shorter than Ekali. The gelding hardly paid any attention to the khajiit, being far too busy looking for snacks in the housecarls' pockets, but from the few horse breeds she was familiar with Ekali had no trouble identifying him as a Skyrim Coldblood.

The horse next to him was slightly harder to identify. The dappled grey stallion watched his new owner with alert eyes, and since his withers only stood slightly shorter than the top of Lydia's head he practically towered over Ekali. Though he looked fairly similar to a Coldblood, he was both taller and had a somewhat slimmer body.

“Do you know how hard it is to find a horse that's accustomed to khajiit in Skyrim? There aren't a lot of you up here, and the ones who actually use horses regularly – the caravans – don't ride them. Besides you didn't actually give me much time to work with,” Lydia answered her, the annoyance clear in her voice as she tightened the straps on the saddlebags lying over Piper's back.

“You're right, I'm sorry,” Ekali answered with a grimace, and Lydia threw her a surprised look at the quick acquiescence. Sensing her Thane's discomfort, she let the matter be when she continued to speak.

“He's a Fjord Drafthorse. Used to freight ice, stone, wood, whatever materials are needed. Few horses share their strength except the Anvil White, and they're not fit for Skyrim's terrain. They're a cross between the altmers' Fleetfoot and the Skyrim Coldblood, bred to carry orcs and nords into battle. An elf up in Hjaalmarch came up with the brilliant idea, only it didn't catch on. Still, they're worth a fair bit. I believe the legion makes use of a few. His former owner called him Fleet.” Having finished with the saddle-bags, Lydia moved on to strapping her bedroll to the back of the saddle.

Ekali offered no further comment as she stepped up to the large stallion and offered him the carrot she held in her hand. He sniffed her suspiciously before cautiously taking the offering from her and Ekali raised her hand to pat his neck. When he'd finished his treat, Fleet turned his head to blow some air at her face, and a small smile slipped over her face as she lowered her hand and returned to helping Lydia pack away their equipment.

* * *

The two women left Gladio and the horses well out of sight before approaching Dragon's Bridge by foot through the few trees that littered the slope down towards the village. Ekali had shed the shiny elven armour, except for the boots, in favour of some simple wool and cotton clothing that Lydia had been thoughtful enough to bring with her. The nord still wore her steel armour, but it was far less eye-catching than the golden elven armour, something that was only proven further when they'd finally found a vantage point from which they could look down at the village and military outpost guarding the bridge.

About half a dozen Thalmor and a dozen Imperial soldiers were moving about in the village, checking every traveller that wished to cross the bridge.

“We'll have to head back along the road and cross the river with the horses so as to avoid their notice if we don't want to fight our way through to Whiterun,” Lydia uttered quietly as her eyes left the village for a moment to look at Ekali. The khajiit's eyes were following the soldiers intently as she sat crouched next to the nord and it took a little while before she answered.

“We're not going to Whiterun. But yes, we'll still have to find another crossing,” Ekali stated as she gestured to Lydia to precede her back to the horses. Lydia raised her eyebrows in question, but did not utter another word out loud until they'd passed out of sight of the Thalmor.

“Where are we going, if not to Whiterun? High Hrothgar?” Ekali didn't look at her companion when the other woman spoke up, choosing instead to keep her attention on their surroundings.

“No, we're going to Riverwood. It's time you find out why I needed to get into the embassy.”

“And the answer to that question is in Riverwood?” Lydia asked with a fair amount of confusion in her eyes and voice.

“No, but it's where we will find out if I found what I was looking for.” The nord cast her a somewhat sceptical look but did not question her Thane further as they retrieved the horses and headed back to the road. The small group reached the river without any incidents, crossing it – and the border to Hjaalmarch – at a spot where the water reached no further up that Lydia's feet when she rode Piper.

Continuing to make their way east and south through the day, the two travellers made sure to keep away from the main roads and taverns as they kept on the lookout for Thalmor and Imperial soldiers. They continued in the same manner throughout the rest of the day and well into the evening. When it became too dark to see well enough between the trees to steer the horses from horseback they dismounted and continued on foot.

It was just before noon of the 24:th, as the khajiit and the nord travelled close to the road leading into Whiterun Hold from Hjaalmarch, when Ekali's keen eyes saw the golden flash of elven armour further back on the road. She hurriedly gestured for Lydia to stop and hide, and together they dismounted and retreated to hide behind a rocky outcropping they'd passed only a little while ago.

“I thought we passed into Whiterun Hold several hours ago?” Ekali whispered to Lydia as the soldiers drew closer to their position and the noise of their march increased. The taller woman didn't look back at her Thane, electing instead to keep an eye on the elves, as she leaned as far out from behind the outcropping that she dared to risk.

“Do you really think that would stop the Thalmor?” Lydia murmured only loud enough for the khajiit to hear her as she fingered the blade at her side.

“No, of course. I just didn't think they'd be so open about it,” Ekali answered as the soldiers passed them by, heading further into Whiterun hold. The two kept silent for a good while yet, staying put until long after the elves had passed out of both seeing and hearing range, before once again leading the horses out into the open and mounting them. The khajiit watched Lydia silently as she checked to make sure her saddle bags were still firmly attached. “You seem strangely al right about running from the Thalmor without any explanation as to why.”

“You are my Thane. I'm sworn to carry your burdens, not question your actions, and I'll do so until you or the Jarl chooses to relieve me of my duty,” Lydia said as they spurred the horses on and continued through the rugged terrain.

“I would still prefer it if you actually wished to be my housecarl, if this wasn't something you did because the Jarl ordered you too.” Lydia let out an audible sigh as she turned partly in her saddle to look back at the other woman.

“When you killed that dragon you saved Whiterun Hold and all the people in it. You were made Thane because you earned it, not because of who your parents were or who your friends are. That makes you more deserving of the title than most of the nobles of Skyrim in my book. Just because your stubbornness annoys me it doesn't mean that I'm not proud to serve you.” By the time Lydia finished she'd turned back to face the road and Ekali was watching her in silent shock. The khajiit only had a few moments to realize that she should say something before the housecarl continued. “My father was a legionnaire. He died in a riot in Markarth, ma got 500 thalms from the legion, and that's the last we heard from them. I swore my loyalty to Jarl Balgruuf because he's a good man, because he keeps his word when he gives it. He hasn't led me wrong yet. And while the Jarl might very well be undecided as to who he supports in the war, I know what I think and I know that he does in some ways share my views.”

“And what are those views?” Ekali asked after a few moments of silence had passed between them.

“That I care for neither side and if the Jarl ever makes a choice I will support his decision. But that doesn't necessarily mean that I'll like it. I can't help but thank the Divines that I weren't born a noble.” Lydia shook her head as a wry smile crossed her lips.

“I can't say I know enough of the nobility in Skyrim to pick a side,” Ekali stated as a smile crossed her lips in response to Lydia's comment. When the nord turned to face her Thane again her eyebrows were raised in amused surprise.

“A Thane of Skyrim knows nothing of the nobility? My, what an embarrassment,” Lydia quipped, turning forward again to watch where they were going. Ekali's mouth dropped slightly open in surprise.

“And here I thought no one in Skyrim had ever heard of humour,” Ekali stated as she spurred Fleet on and he trotted up next to Piper, falling into an even gait beside the other horse. “I'm sorry, but Politics 101 is not a lesson they cover in the library of High Hrothgar.”

“It seems there's a lot you don't know about Skyrim, but I'll be happy to fill in the blanks for you if you wish me to,” Lydia offered with a sideways look and a small smile for Ekali.

“That would be greatly appreciated. Thank you,” Ekali answered in surprise, and the housecarl nodded shortly in confirmation before turning her attention back to the path ahead of them.

“The main governing body, as I'm certain you have gleaned by now, is the Jarls. Each is in charge of a major town and the Hold it is situated in, and their rule is largely autonomous. Though there is a higher post, that of the High King, it is unfilled at the moment. And while Jarl's are born to their title the High King is chosen from amongst the Jarl's, and by them. The High King has the power to overrule the other Jarl's, leads Skyrim in war and is responsible for political relationships with the other provinces. It was the death of the last High King that triggered the civil war. And though the details surrounding the event aren't known, everyone knows that Jarl Ulfric killed High King Torygg using the voice, thus leaving Jarl Elisif a widow and raising the question of who should be the next High King.”

“So the Imperials supported the mourning widow and Jarl Ulfric wants the crown for himself.”

“Yes. I suspect that the Thalmor thinks Elisif to be a vassal they won't have much trouble controlling.”

“You disagree, I take it.”

Lydia shrugged non-committally, keeping her eyes on the lands that stretched out before them. “I believe that Elisif has yet to prove herself, one way or the other. She may support the Imperials at the moment, but one has to take into account that many of her court support them. Falk Firebeard, her steward, has two sons currently serving in the Imperial army. Erikur, one of her thanes, cares only for money, and that is something that the Thalmor does not lack.”

“That accounts for Jarl Elisif's court, but what of the rest?”

“East of Haafingar hold lies Hjaalmarch, ruled by Jarl Idgrod Ravencrone from its capital Morthal. It's a small hold which is mostly covered by swamps and wetlands and holds little strategical value despite its access to the Sea of Ghosts. Jarl Idgrod is aligned with the Imperials, she's an older and very wise woman, and doesn't let racial discrimination sway her thinking. The position of steward is held by her husband, Aslfur. The next hold along the northern coast is the Pale, where the capital is Dawnstar. The Jarl of the Pale is Skald the Elder, a Stormcloak sympathiser. It's mostly tundra and pine forests, but because it's far easier to navigate it's more populated than Hjaalmarch.

“Furthest to the northeast lies Winterhold, and the city with the same name. Jarl Korir rules there, and though it's most known for the College of Winterhold just outside the city, Skyrim's guild of mages, there's an inherent distrust between the Nords of the city and the guild after half the city fell into the water many years ago. He's mostly disregarded by the other jarl's since Winterhold has lost its importance on the grander scale. The east-most hold is Eastmarch, Jarl Ulfric's domain. I don't expect I'll have to tell you much about the city or the hold, but the Jarl's steward is Jorleif and his housecarl Galmar Stone-Fist also holds the position of general over the Stormcloak army.

“The south-east hold is the Rift. Its capital is Riften and it's run by Laila Law-Giver, though it's an ill kept secret that Maven Black-Briar and the criminal underground has run of the city. The only one who doesn't seem to realise this is the jarl herself. She has two sons, Harrald and Saerlund, and Anuriel is the Steward of the Rift. Her housecarl is Unmid Snow-Shod and she supports the Stormcloak cause. In the court only her youngest son, Saerlund, supports the Imperials. Falkreath, the southern hold, is governed by Jarl Siddgeir from the town with the same name. He's an Imperial supporter and took the title from his uncle Dengeir some years ago. There's been some speculation that this was a coup staged by the Imperials, but there's little proof of that theory. He's a lazy man who leaves the actual work of running the hold to his stewardess Nenya.

“The south-west hold, the Reach, is a very mountainous region, and the mines there have a great value for Skyrim's economy. Jarl Igmund runs the hold from Markarth, though in general the Silver-Blood family can do as they wish as they own the biggest and most valuable mines in the hold. The jarl's housecarl is the redguard Faleen, and the position of steward is held by the jarl's uncle, Raerek. The court wizard Calcelmo is well known for his interest in dwemer artefacts and he's leading an excavation into the caves beneath the city. There is, of course, a lot more that could be said about all of them, but that is the simple version and I don't expect that someone unused to politics would be able to learn all of it in one go,” Lydia finally finished as her eyes briefly met those of the khajiit and Ekali nodded thoughtfully.

“I expect you're right. I'll ask you if I find I need to know anything else,” Ekali answered as she watched the housecarl, and Lydia nodded in acceptance of the statement.

* * *

It was late into the night by the time the two riders and the wolf arrived back at Riverwood. Ekali was reluctant to waste any time, and as such she did not protest Lydia's offer to take care of the horses before telling Gladio to stick with the housecarl and making her way into the tavern.

Because of the late hour the main hall was practically empty of people. A couple of drunks where still lingering at one of the tables, though they seemed far closer to unconsciousness than they wanted to admit as they raised their their mugs into the air for a toast and managed to spill most of the contents. Her eyes only passed over them quickly before finding Delphine's fit figure near the back of the room. The breton had raised her head as the door opened, and she motioned for the khajiit to follow her as she got off of the barstool and opened the door to her own room.

As Ekali followed the other woman neither of them uttered a word until they'd entered the hidden chamber and Delphine had closed the closet doors behind them. “You made it out alive, at least. Your gear's safe in my room, as promised. Did you learn anything useful?” the Nord uttered then, gesturing towards the chest holding Ekali's gear as she did so, and the khajiit gave a short nod of thanks as she knelt down by the chest. When she was satisfied that all of her supplies where present, she once again rose to her feet and faced the other woman.

“The Thalmor know nothing about the dragons,” she finally said, and Delphine's brows furrowed as she leaned her hip against the corner of the table in the middle.

“Really? That seems hard to believe. You're sure about that?” she asked as the two of them faced each other, and Ekali nodded decisively before reaching into the pack she'd brought from off her horse to take something out.

“Yes, I'm sure. They're looking for someone named Esbern,” she said as she finally got the documents out of the pack, placing the small collection of thin books on the table between them with the one labelled “Esbern” on top of the pile. Delphine's eyes shone with genuine surprise as she reached out for the thin leather-bound book, eyes widening at the information that she found within.

“Esbern? He's alive? I thought the Thalmor must have got him years ago. That crazy old man...” she trailed off, a smile of fond amusement on her face as her fingers stroked across the worn letters. “Figures the Thalmor would be on his trail, though, if they were trying to find out what's going on with the dragons.” She turned her eyes back to Ekali at that and placed the book back down.

“What would the Thalmor want with Esbern?” The khajiit asked with no small amount of curiosity as her eyes lingered on the volumes for a few moment longer before turning to meet Delphine's eyes.

“You mean aside from wanting to kill every Blade they can lay their hands on? Esbern was one of the Blades archivists, back before the Thalmor smashed us during the Great War. He knew everything about the ancient dragonlore of the Blades. Obsessed with it, really. Nobody paid much attention back then. I guess he wasn't as crazy as we all thought.” The Nord looked thoughtful as the talked, a contemplative hum just barely breaching through her lips when Ekali spoke up again.

“They seem to think he's hiding out in Riften.”

“Riften, eh? Probably down in the Ratway, then. It's where I'd go. You'd better get to Riften. Ask around the Ragged Flagon, in the Ratway. It's at least a good starting point,” Delphine said, nodding slowly to herself before remembering another important piece of information. “Oh, and when you find Esbern... If you think I'm paranoid... you may have some trouble getting him to trust you. Just ask him where he was on the 30th of Frostfall. He'll know what it means.”

What a lovely introduction to Fleet!

It was great to hear what Lydia thinks of serving Ekali as her Housecarl. It was the perfect introduction to Lydia’s politics lesson. Now, on to Riften!

Fantastic!!... ...

Really loved this update...I have to admit, I could never have told you any of the who's who that you put out there... ...I may have to refer to this if I ever get around to doing anything again... ...

Fair dues...

I love the way you write Lydia...Brilliant stuff...I'm a fan of her in the game too...My Tank-Cat™ character has her as Steward in the house just outside Whiterun...I do think she gets a bad rap from "Fans" of the game sometimes...

Amazing stuff, glad to see you still giving it large in the writing department...

Nice one!!...

*Applauds heartily*...

Grits: Yeah, I really wanted to expand upon Lydias' character and motivations some more. I'm glad you liked Fleet. His creation involved deciding average heights for the horse breeds I created as well as the different races in the game, which I'll probably post at some point.

McBadgere: I'm glad you liked it. I think I've got a fairly good idea of who's who in Skyrim, but I had to spend quite some time in the TES wikia to get all of it right. I think Lydia gets such a bad rep because she's the first housecarl you get so almost everyone has had her as a follower at some point. Character wise I don't think she's better or worse than any of the other housecarls though, and fanfiction gives you a lot of leeway when it comes to character development so I'm taking a lot of characters who barely have any dialogue in game and fleshing them out for my own purposes.

Author's note: From this point forward, all the dragon language except for the lines taken directly from the game will be written with the use of the Dovahzul Print Dictionary 3rd Edition: https://www.thuum.org/assets/Dovahzul%20Pri...d%20Edition.pdf

I’m no longer placing the scenes that play out in dezhahnu in separate chapters, and dovahzul translations are now written in italics to further put them apart from the rest of the text.

Also, Book one is almost completely planned out at this point. It's going to be 16 chapters + epilogue when it's finished, and I know roughly what happens in every chapter. I'm aiming for four parts in chapter 8.

Previously on Ekali of the Frozen Heights: Ekali infiltrated the Thalmor Embassy to find information about the return of the dragons, saved two lives and then fled into the night to meet up with her housecarl. Then they had to avoid the main roads when returning to Riverwood so as to avoid the notice of the Thalmor, and Lydia told Ekali about the political situation in Skyrim.



The sun had only just broken free of the confines of the horizon when Ekali made her way out of the inn. As she stepped out onto the road the khajiit turned right straight away, following the tail of the wolf as he turned the corner of the wooden building at a leisurely pace. Around her the large village was slowly waking up to greet the day, as the song of birds and the rushing of the river intermingled with the sounds of barking dogs, playing children and a blacksmith hard at work at his forge.

The noise grew somewhat more muted as she rounded the corner between the inn and the building next door, and the small stable and the low stone wall that surrounded the village met her gaze. The stable belonging to the inn consisted of little more than a grass-filled enclosure, a couple of sheltered boxes to tie up horses in and a water and feeding through. Fleet was grazing peacefully, only keeping an eye on Gladio as the wolf examined the enclosure carefully. Lydia was cleaning her mare's dappled coat with calm, firm strokes using a grooming brush, and though she looked up when Ekali came around the corner the Nord didn't stop her care of the mount.

Ekali made no attempts at dancing around the subject when she finally reached her housecarl's side, and the other woman cast her a look to show that she was listening to whatever her Thane had to say. The housecarl had pulled her hair back from her face, tied it up into a ponytail with an old leather cord and instead of her armour she was clad in some linen and wool clothing.

“I'm headed to Riften as soon as I'm packed and ready, but I thought we should have that conversation first,� the khajiit stated as she leaned up against the stable wall behind Lydia, far enough away that the mare wouldn't be bothered by her presence.

“About why you broke into the embassy?� Lydia enquired as the khajiit fell silent for a few brief moments.

“Yes. It's to do with the dragons that have been appearing and attacking people. I've been working with one of the few remaining Blades to find out what is going on.�

“I thought all the remaining Blades died in the Great War?� Lydia asked with raised eyebrows as she finished brushing down Piper's coat and turned to face Ekali. The khajiit raised her eyes to meet the nord's gaze before answering.

“You're not the only one to have made that assumption,� she said with a quirk of her lips before quickly continuing onto the subject she'd come to speak about. “We thought originally that it was dragons who'd come out of hiding and migrated from the north who were attacking people. But though that may be true for some of the beasts, most of them are being returned to life. We've been to the old burial mounds, and one by one they're being emptied.� Lydia looked up sharply at that, mouth dropping open in shock a few moments before she once again spoke up.

“You're certain of that. But how..?� the nord questioned, and Ekalis' answering grimace did nothing to ease her mind.

“That's what I was trying to find out at the embassy. We thought the Thalmor might have something to do with it, but it appears that they know no more than we do. They did however have information about another Blade who might be able to provide those answers, so I'm heading off to find him. Hopefully before the Thalmor can do the same.� Ekali watched her housecarl carefully when she finally finished, somewhat reluctant to face the possible argument that would very likely arise from her blatant exclusion of the other woman in her plans.

“And what are my orders?� Lydia asked instead, and Ekali blinked briefly in surprise before schooling her features.

“I want you to stay here with the horses and keep an eye on things in the village. Delphine, the Blade who resides here, has a good cover but I'd still be more comfortable if she had backup closely available while I'm stirring up the hornets nest,� she answered, with a nod to the inn to indicate Delphine's place of residency.

“Very well, my Thane. I'll stay here and await your return.� Lydia nodded decisively, and Ekali found herself watching in surprise as the other woman turned away from her to continue caring for the horses.

“Well, I'll see you once I return, then. If all goes well, it shouldn't take more than a fortnight at most.�

* * *

Ekali realized, as she awakened to the cold winds of Dezhahnu, that she was unlikely to ever grow used to the unsettling place or the knowledge that the vast landscape that was home to so many beings was a part of her mind. Her thoughts flew for a few moments to Pelagius the Mad and what Mirmulnir had said about the source of his madness. She tried to shake the thought, but a shiver still coursed through her body as she turned her attention to the skies.

The mist was not as thick as she'd grown accustomed too, which meant in turn that she could see the silhouettes of the dragons, now four in number, who'd taken up residence in her mind.

The khajiit spun around quickly when the sound of beating wings reached her ears, approaching her from behind and circling slightly to her right.

Feynahkrii's dark brown scales shimmered slightly in the strange light as he came in for a graceful landing a short distance from the khajiit. The earth shook lightly upon his impact with the frost-clad ground, but not nearly as much as one might expect from a creature of his size.

Ekali backed away to a more comfortable distance as she watched him and his head came around to watch her in turn. There was a slight tilt upwards at the corner of his mouth, and that in tandem with the look in his eyes and the way he held his body was enough to make her realize that he was silently laughing at her.

“You're assembling quite a collection of souls, briinah.[sister]� When his voice reached her ears there was quite correctly the rumble of laughter accompanying them, and her eyes narrowed slightly as she watched the large creature.

“Drem yol lok, zeymah. [Greetings, brother.] What do you want now?� she questioned as they watched each other, and more laughter rumbled up through his throat.

“Drem yol lok, kiir. [Greeting, child.] How goes your search for the truth?�

“Nii shur. [It goes.] It would be faster, I imagine, if you were to answer my questions.�

“Ah, but what would be the fun in that? No, briinah, you'll have to find your answers yourself.� He bared his teeth in something that might be thought to resemble a smile, and Ekali responded by narrowing her eyes further as her ears tilted back to practically lay against her head. He nodded once at that, then took a few steps back and leapt into the air as he spread his wings above them. He only just got into the air from his standing position, and Ekali was forced to duck so as to avoid being hit in the head by his claws before he managed to gain altitude.

As she straightened up from her crouch, the khajiit turned to watch the dragon flying off, not taking her eyes of of him until only the barest hint of his silhouette was discernible through the mist.

Ekali was not certain what dragon would wish to speak to her next until the great beast came gliding in through the mist, came to a running stop as it landed, and stopped before her.

“Ful nii los. Ont einzuk aan nahl dovahkiin paagol ko Keizaal. Zu'u drei ni korah Dunahzin fod tinvaakrek do hi. Lost zu’u maht nahlaas, zu’u zent rek fund kos peh meyareistig. Rek kend kos, orin nu, fah dii briinah drey ni med zey rinik pogaas. [So it is true. Once again a living dragonborn walks in Skyrim. I did not believe Dunahzin when she spoke of you. Were I still alive, I expect she would be quite smug(self-certain). She must be, even now, for my sister did not like me very much.]� Inquisitive eyes watched her closely at they faced each other, and Ekali backed up a step to put a more comfortable distance between the two of them. The large creature hardly seemed to notice, or perhaps he simply did not care like Feynahkrii would have done.

“Zu’u drey qiidaht vahr hi drey ni tinvaak fod zu drey yin hi. Vrah, zu’u Dovahkiin. Osos do un taar peyl zey Golgronfron, osos for zey briinah. [I did wonder(query) why you did not speak when I did confront you. Indeed, I am Dovahkiin. Some of our kin call me Golgronfron, some name me sister.]� She spoke rather slowly, not yet used to forming words in dovahzul.

“Zu'u mindok. Hi aal ni mindok pogaas do mii, dovahkiin, nuz faal dovahhe dein niist miin nau hi.[I know. You may not know much of us, dragonborn, but the dragons keep their eyes on you.]� There was a glint in his eyes as he spoke, and had he been humanoid there would have been a small smile on his face.

“Fen nii hesven zey tol zu’u lost faal ahmiin do aan ulan reyliik? [Should it flatter me that I have the attention of a whole race?]�

“Aalkos. Nuz mu ney mindok tol faal dovahhe los ni faal nunon joriin wo lingraav hi. Faal fahliille ahrk jul ney dein niist miin nau faal gein wo vis krii dovahhe. Ol fah zey, zu’u los Wuthkarongein. Peh osos tiid lost saark naal ruzun aan dovahkiin bahlaan do tol for laat drey paagol voth faal nahl, ahrk nii fent ofan zey lot kirnd wah mindok waan hi los vrah bahlaan. [Maybe. But we both know that the dragons are not the only people who watch you. The elves and humans both keep their eyes on the one who can slay dragons. As for me, I am Wuthkarongein. Quite some time have gone by since a dragonborn worthy of that name last did walk with the living, and it shall give me great pleasure to know if you are indeed worthy.]� The large creature moved his neck in a motion that could have been an imitation of a shrug, but Ekali thought no more of the motion in favour of questioning the dragon.

“Ahrk naal fos malz fund hi miknuur zey wah kos bahlaan? [And by what measure would you judge me to be worthy?]� she questioned hesitantly, and the dragon took a few steps back before answering.

“Naal hin sodde ahrk fos nust shaan ko vorey joriin. Waan hi vis mindoraan ahrk kron faal grinne tol naal un edil mu nis filok, aalkos hi fent ko tiid lask faal fir do faal dovahhe. Nii jah ni hiitir membrah hi vis rim tirahk rahnd, ahrk waan anahlrii fund miik wah frey hi ko naal vergrav naal fend kos giwahdil ganog. [By your deeds and what they inspire in others(other people). If you can understand and conquer the bonds that by our nature we cannot escape, maybe you shall in time earn the respect of the dragons. It will not matter unless you can gain safe passage, and if someone would offer to aid you in that endeavour that should be evidence enough.]�

“Tirahk rahnd? [Safe passage?]� The khajiit watched the large reptile with furrowed brows, impatience causing her lips to purse as the dragon let out a low chuckle.

“Hi jah koraav, uv hi jah dir. Hjane strah, faal puvagaan drehni hiitir ahst nutiid. [You will see, or you will die. Either way, the specifics don't matter at present.]� He backed off before Ekali had the opportunity to ask anything further, and then leapt into the sky away from the dragonborn. She watched him go for a few moments, then let out a small sigh and turned her eyes in the other direction.