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Arc 8 Side Story 2: A Shift In Politics
🕑 Added 2025-01-25 20:44:43 +0000 UTCA/n: Pacing wise this side story happens exactly after the Hortator chapter.
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(General POV, one day after Reyvin was declared Hortator)
The White Gold Tower was a hive of activity as the Elder Council assembled once more to discuss the path of the Empire of Tamriel and the pertinent events within and without its borders.
The great circular throne room was filled to the brim as nobles, guild masters, mages, and prominent merchants discussed amongst themselves and lobbied for influence even as all their authority was taken out from under them without them even knowing.
One fat nobleman found all of it quite ridiculous, even as he too worked to position himself as well as he could before the dice finally fell.
Times had been tough on one VItellius Tor and his small clique of high nobles.
Ever since he had met the young Lord Dagoth he had done his best to ingratiate himself with the new regime by working to cut off the influence of traitors or any excesses of his... peers.
It worked only some of the time but his efforts had been noticed and excepting the short instance where he nearly soiled himself as a fucking Morag Tong guildsman visited him in his safehouse without making a sound he was now tentatively accepted as someone reliable by Titus and his influence bloc.
Why, the entire situation was so stressful he even ended up losing weight!
"What do you think all the excitement yesterday was about?" The question of Countess Varina Esswood drew him from his thoughts "I heard a feast was organized in the upper palace, but no one seems to know why."
"I am afraid it is far too early to find that out, my dear." Vitellius muttered "Not even my network can wring the truth out of the Pennitus Occulatus."
His other friend, Julian Karis, scoffs but says nothing.
The young man was looking downright mighty these days as he invested himself fully into training for combat. Vitellius found it all rather unnecessary but he guessed his allies may have received visits of their own and left it at that.
"It matters little." Julian spoke after a moment "We will find out soon enough."
And as if summoned by his words, the inner council of Titus Mede II stepped into the great chamber, followed closely by the emperor and a red haired woman that seemed to always be around whenever something of importance was happening.
The Elder Council quieted down as the Emperor ascended his throne and greeted them all with a raised hand "My fellow citizens." He spoke with a smile "I thank you all for coming to this quarterly meeting, and ask your patience before we begin as I have heartening news to share."
Vitellius felt his fellow council members focus on the old man with a renewed intensity.
"A mere day prior." Titus continued as he took a seat upon the Ruby Throne "We have received news from Morrowind, where our honored ally Lord Reyvin of Great House Dagoth has once more achieved what most would think impossible."
"My fellow citizens" He repeated as a genuine smile spread on his face "Our ally has ascended Red Mountain, and ended its curse once and for all. Morrowind now stands restored and their people shall prosper alongside our own!"
An immediate wave of noise overtook the chamber as questions began bombarding the Emperor but he ignored them all in favor of raising his hand once more to quieten them down.
"That is not all however." Titus' smile turned downright vicious "It has also been made known that all six Great Houses of Morrowind, alongside the Temples of the Reclamations, have unilaterally declared Reyvin Dagoth to be Hortator of Morrowind, making him the sole and ultimate ruler of the province!"
A moment of silence, and then chaos.
Vitellius found himself once more congratulating his own wisdom even as his allies directed him with looks of thanks. He expected the elf to rise to ridiculous levels but to be declared an absolute ruler of an entire people? That went beyond even his own predictions.
For a good ten minutes the Emperor was bombarded with questions as the councilors grew concerned with Morrowind fully seceding and with potential betrayals and economic knock-on effects.
Titus answered as well as he could before he grew visibly annoyed when an accusation of probable treason was leveled for the fifth time. Once more he rose his hand and asked for calm.
"Thank you" He did not sound thankful "We understand that these news may not inspire all of you with confidence, that is after all a reasonable conclusion. But our honored ally attaining power is not the sole reason I have chosen to speak today."
"Minthara my dear" He looked to the red haired Nord woman, who Vitellius now realized was dressed far more opulently than usual "Do step up."
Without hesitation and with confidence in each step, the demigoddess walked up the steps of the Ruby Throne and the council chambers turned deathly silent as Titus stood up before her.
He faced the Elder Council and spoke "For many years now, you have wisely told me to find a successor to inherit my position before something unfortunate happened. Something I have delayed over and over again in my search of perfection."
His smile turned slightly cruel as realization began to spread through the crowd "It is my utmost honor to thus declare, that by right of both blood and faith, the house of Mede has adopted this child into its ranks as my daughter, even if her own blood is far beyond that of this meager mortal."
He turned to the perfectly calm redhead "Minthara 'Dragonbane' Septim." The crowd made a collective intake of breath "Do you accept this choice and the responsibilities it carries?"
"I do." She smiled, once more not showing the slightest hint of hesitation.
The Emperor smiled and turned to the stunned council, his expression shifting into pure steel as he slowly and meticulously looked them all in the eye "Kneel before your Crown Princess."
Vitellius did as he was bid but he still felt some fools standing in either confusion or defiance.
And then the girl pulled out the gods damned Amulet of Kings.
Truly, Vitellius thought, his foresight was immaculate.
-----
The city of Solitude shook as its streets were overtaken with rowdy Nords, ale and mead flowed and savings were thrown away as a feast nearing the grandeur of the defeat of Alduin swiftly spread throughout its many districts and soon to the other cities of the province by way of magic.
The entirely of Skyrim paused on that day.
Incidentally, nine months later, the population of the province would receive a sudden and considerable bump.
-----
The many petty rulers of High Rock paid lip service to the new declaration from Cyrodiil, and then promptly returned to their little conflicts and politicking, letting the rest of Tamriel move on without them as they did for centuries prior.
All save a singular city, where a group of knights just returned from culling a large tribe of Reachmen, and their leader met with his King, and they concocted a plan that would see their city rise above all others in their province.
But that was a tale for another time.
-----
The news washed over Hammerfell with a distinct slowness characteristic to this part of the world, whereupon they went utterly ignored as the Crowns and Forebears kept killing each other, the Thalmor, and themselves.
-----
Kinlord Narsis paced paced across his chambers under the worried gaze of his daughter.
An open letter lay upon his desk, brought directly to him by emergency courier from the manor in the Imperial City that now served as a concealed embassy. The news left him feeling rather... ambiguous about everything.
On the one hand it increased his chances of survival since he was a point of contact with the newly rising power, while on the other it could be used to heap blame upon him as he offered some minor aid to the new Hortator in the past.
"It was not aid, it was a trade" He reassured himself, nodding forcefully so as to dispel numerous panicked thoughts from consuming him.
His daughter could not take it anymore and spoke up "Father wha-"
"Be silent!" He rounded on her with fury clear in his eyes.
If not for this foolish excuse of a daughter he would never have been in this situation.
She practically wilted under his gaze and slinked back into a corner of the room.
His 'trial' was coming today and he found the fact quite grating on his manners. He would have to make it up to her, if he lived.
A knock on his door drew his attention "Enter."
His most loyal personal servant came in and offered a shallow bow "Kinlord, a guest has arrived petitioning to meet you."
"Who is it?" Narsis asked clippedly.
The servant hesitated for a moment before speaking "High Justiciar Finarfin and his entourage."
Narsis frowned, he was supposed to be 'collected' tomorrow. Not because of any respect for his position but because the other Kinlords would grow furious if one of their number was treated with such disdain.
"Send him up." He ordered after a moment, he suspected he would be given an offer, one he was likely to be unable to refuse "And prepare some refreshments."
"Your wish is my command." The servant bowed and left.
He looked to his daughter "Naerys."
She twitched in fear but still spoke calmly as she was taught "Yes, father?"
He considered softening the blow but thought better of it "Go to your rooms, it would be best if you remained out of sight."
She wilted once more, the idea he did not trust her to stand by his side worse than any physical harm he may have inflicted. She left the room without a word.
'You will make her understand' He assured himself 'This is all to protect her.'
With shaky steps, he sat behind his study table, carefully folding the letter and placing it into a drawer before locking it.
The silence felt deafening as he awaited for his guest, making him nearly jump out of his skin as the doors were once more knocked on and his servant opened them after his instinctual call to enter.
In behind came a singular figure, bereft of his guards or any followers, but still terrifyingly formidable.
The High Justiciar gave Narsis one quick look before skipping all niceties and preambles and speaking "You have received the news, have you not?"
Narsis nearly told him off for his audacity but held back "I have" He thanked the Aedra as is voice failed to shake "Both developments are rather unfortunate for our long term plans but neither was fully unexpected."
"Is that so?" Finarfin quirked a mocking eyebrow, the High Justiciar obviously provoking a reaction and smiling thinly as his target failed to bite "I trust that the situation caused by your repeated failings has left you rather high strung, so I shall be blunt."
Oh how Narsis wished to wipe the smug look from the bastard's face.
His next words nearly had the Kinlord reaching for a blade "If things continue as they are, you will be blamed for our economy grinding into a halt, and both you and your daughter would die."
"You stay away from her you bastard!" Narsis hissed as he stood up, his long unused Magicka bubbling under his skin as he glared at the Thalmor.
The High Justiciar merely raised an eyebrow and suddenly the Kinlord felt himself drowning under the suffocating pressure, the near-assault stopping only once he fell back into his seat as if a puppet with its strings cut.
"Don't bark when you can not bite, Narsis." Finarfin drawled "And I will do as I wish, no matter how loudly you whimper."
Gritting his teeth to preserve at least a bit of dignity, Narsis looked up and asked "What do you want?"
"Your absolute support." Finarfin smiled "Our enemies grow in power and you yourself are not fool enough to think they will not strike when they feel themselves ready. The Thalmor Council bickers like fools, satisfied with the minor victory we won in the last war like the foolish children that they are."
"I find this state of affairs unacceptable" He stated with a finality "If I pull some strings to see you and your family safe, you will support my bid for Overlord to the full capacity of your influence, and that is including all of your alliances and favors owed. What is your answer?"
'Serve or die, was it?' Narsis thought blithely 'How very novel.'
His sarcastic thoughts must have shown on his face for Finarfin narrowed his eyes.
But Narsis was not an idiot, and he knew this was likely his only chance at survival, and more importantly for the survival of Naerys "Very well" He said "In return for absolute 'clemency' I will aid your goals."
"Demanding, are we?" Finarfin drawled "But do not worry, I will stop them from taking your lands instead of your life. It would not do for your influence to disappear now that it is but an extension of my own."
"Quite." Naris drawled back.
The High Justiciar scoffed "I do have a task for you before I leave, consider it a... test of your usefulness."
Keeping back a scowl Narsis asked "What do you want?"
"I need you to compose a missive." Finarfin smiled "You are a capable diplomat, despite your failings, and I find myself lacking in this area of governance." The humility of the Thalmor did not sound the slightest bit humble to the aristocrat's ears "You are to compose a letter to Pyendonia, and draw them in for a meeting."
Narsis felt a headache growing "Pyendonia? Do you take me for a miracle worker?"
"I take you for someone serving in my interests." The future Thalmor Overlord smiled "So you better get to serving... or else."
As he was left to stew in his study, Narsis took all of the rage and humiliation he felt, and let it simmer down and cool. He would keep serving like a good dog.
For now.
Comments
Hakkira
Thank you kindly for the chapter 😁
Miakaru
Tftc, I love the side stories
