Civil War

 Civil War

     Iriisii considers some difficult thoughts on where and what she needs to do now. She knows she has to stop Alduin, but how to go about setting the stage to allow her access to the resources to do this. She knows she has to reach Sovngarde. That there is a portal somewhere because Alduin is using it to regain the power he is using to resurrect his followers from their burial sites. She cannot be at every one as he raises them just to put them back into the ground. That and she has determined that Sovengard is the only place he is vulnerable to her.

     Iriisii thinks to herself: 'I know he is going to have this portal in a place that is inaccessible to anyone but other dragons. If not it would already have been discovered, and an army camped out there to wait for him. So to get there I have to trap a dragon and then bargain with him, hoping I can get the information I need as well as a way to get there. I have my own wings now, but I do not want to alert them and have this get back to Alduin.

     So I have no choice but to treat this as any other normal mortal would. I have to ask Jarl Balgruuf to help me trap a dragon in the old trap on his porch. But as long as this damned civil war is going on, he is not going to allow that, in case he gets attacked while either trapping a dragon or I somehow get him to take me to where I can get to Alduin.

     In all honesty I cannot blame him for that. He cares for his people, as I am coming to care for all of Skyrim as my own people. I guess I could try and negotiate a truce but...no, who am I trying to kid here. I am no politician or diplomat to try this. Besides there is no way I could please everyone involved and I would try my best to do that. No, I have to end this stupid war. Stop the bloodshed, pain, and misery that is being inflicted on everyone. Then I can turn my sights directly on to Alduin, with no distractions. So, I guess that means I go to Solitude and join up. I only hope this a not a colossal mistake and waste of valuable time.

     I do not have years to work my way into a position where I can be effective. General Tullius and I are going to have to come to an understanding right from the start. Not to mention why in the name of the Gods and the Heavens am I doing this for the Empire after they tried to take my head at Helgen! Because I feel and the Gods are whispering to me that they are the best choice overall for everyone, if and only if it can be pointed in the direction it needs to go in. And I can help do that from inside far better than I can from outside. But if I join with Ulfric and use the Stormcloaks to tear down the Empire, what then? Start another Empire?

     Like I can see that happening, I would have to completely destroy the Thalmor to do that. They would love for the Empire to be destroyed, then they just walk in and take over. Not that they are not already well on their way to doing just that. No, Tamriel needs the Empire to hold itself together, until Akatosh can do something about its direction. Shit! What am I thinking? If he has some plan in the works, no doubt I will be up to my eyeballs in it. Well that will come when it comes, first things first, to Sovngarde I must go, and that path takes my feet to Solitude.'

     She makes the long walk to Solitude, unlike some she either meets or passes on the road, she knows where she is going. If these others cannot read the road signs or ask for directions, it is not for me to hold their hands. She is merciless to a few thieves who try and accost her on the road. They threaten to 'gut her like a fish' if she does not hand over her valuables. Stupid fools, trying to ride the line between being thieves or being assassins and failing miserably at both. She has no time for their games and simply 'guts them like a fish' taking whatever they have managed to acquire and moves on, giving the spoils to the displaced farmers who have lost everything to the depredations of the dragons.

     The giants, she gives them a wide berth, no need to antagonize them. they simply wish to be left alone with their mammoths. The bears are another issue, they see her as a threat and react accordingly. So she has no choice but to kill them. At least she skins them and takes the meat, leaving the rest for the scavengers. They need to eat as well.

     She approaches the gates of Solitude, having already witnessed the execution of Roggvir. She remembers his words in his defense, that it was a fair fight between Ulfric and Torygg. She wanted to shout to Roggvir, 'Was it fair for Ulfric to use a weapon Torygg could not defend himself against in a duel? Ulfric spent many years learning the first word to 'Unrelenting Force'. He knew Torygg stood no chance, and so where was the honor in what he did? Is that the true Nord way? I think not. I would call Ulfric out as he did Torygg, but my knowledge is so much more than Ulfric's, he would stand no chance against me. And yet I possess the honor it is apparent Ulfric does not, for I will not use the Thu'um against him. When I stand before Ulfric, it will be a sword in each of our hands. And then we will see if he can find a shred of honor remaining within himself.'

     Moving on, she takes a moment to contribute a septim to a Great War veteran fallen on hard times. Then as she approaches the ramp toward Castle Dour, she hears someone call out, "Come and see me when you get bored stranger." She keeps on walking thinking to herself, 'Sure, you have some work. If you are trying like this it is not legal work, and also not condoned by either the Dark Brotherhood or the Thieves Guild. Thus making it certain I am not involving myself in it.' She stops at the door into the Castle. One of the guards standing outside says, "If you want to join the Legion, talk to Legate Rikke. She will get you set up right." Iriisii nods her head to him and opens the door, entering an antechamber. She can hear General Tullius talking to Legate Rikke in the next room.

     She walks to the doorway to the next chamber. Inside is the 'War Table' where a physical map of skyrim sits, with markers placed at the locations of towns, camps, forts, other places of interest. General Tullius is discussing how he sees this protracted war moving here and there, the roles of Skyrim's nobility, the Jarls, and how he seems puzzled by how they are reacting to everything. Iriisii thinks to herself, 'He cannot or will not see how life here in Skyrim has shaped the very ways they think over the centuries. They are different from Cyrodiil, yes, but they are not any less civilized in their hearts and minds. They have built a power structure that works for them and Skyrim. Understand that structure and you will understand the Jarls, and how to speak with them in ways you can get them to see your point of view. And make it easier to bring them to your side. You need me even as you have no idea how badly you do need me, but before this war is over, you will see it. And if I have anything o say about it, it will not be too late.'

     Legate Rikka's part of their conversation echoes what Iriisii is thinking. She ie giving Tullius the directions to the answers he seeks, but he is too much mired in Cyrodiilic politics to see anything else. Not to mention the Thalmor have played their part in misdirecting him. She has their dossier on Ulfric, but she knows it would be useless to show it to him. It does not fit with how he sees everything and so he would never believe it. But then 'he' does not have to as long as she and Legate Rikke see and believe it.

     General Tullius: "I suppose the guards have a good reason for letting you in here, citizen, or are they just letting anybody wander in?"

     Iriisii: "No, General, they are not just letting anyone wander in and listen to your discourse about the Jarls and their rule over the provinces of Skyrim. They allowed one who is not only the 'Dragonborn' to enter, but one who is 'Thane' to several of these 'Holds', Whiterun and Solitude included. Let me say this before you decide if I speak the truth or if I am lying. 

     For better or worse, you made either your first worst mistake or your first greatest decision of this war when you captured Ulfric Stormcloak and myself along with him. Yes, I was at Helgen, awaiting the headsman with all the others. But you placed control of the prisoners in the hands of an overzealous Captain. Who went beyond your orders and sent all the prisoners to the block even though there was two of us not on your list of those you were seeking. It would not have harmed or delayed anything to separate us out until it could be determined if we were innocent or guilty of being in league with Ulfric."

     General Tullius is growing a bit impatient over having his decisions 'raked over the coals', but Legate Rikke begins to see where Iriisii is going with this and fervently hopes General Tullius is not about to make a horrendous blunder that could cause them to lose this war.

     Iriisii: "I had no idea of anything of what was going on here, the civil war or who was involved. You are thinking 'what rock was I born under and had just crawled out from' if I did not know of these things. I came here from an island continent on the other side of Nirn from Tamriel. The Empire knows nothing of us, the Sea Elves of Pyandonea know and trade with us, the Tsaesci of Akavir know us, and the ancient Nords of Atmora knew us as well. There are still some of us that can trace our lineage back to them, although I am not one of that number. No, I am of a people truly ancient, who lived there and became who I may be the last of, during the 'God Wars' that nearly destroyed Nirn.

     I see the questions in your mind, they are written across your face for anyone to see. How I got here is of no concern of yours. And probably for the best, as such knowledge could call into question everything you know of Nirn and what happened in its youth, whose remains are here, buried and still to be found. Better they remain that way, for you are not far enough along the Path of Wisdom to understand them. And should you ever do, I pray to the Gods they are strong enough to keep you safe from damnation. I am of the Aasimar, born to be 'Scourge'. As I thought, you know nothing of us. But Legate Rikke has at least heard of us, likely through old tales from storytellers who have forgotten more of the old truths than the rest of Nirn even remembers or suspects."

     General Tullius: "Rikke, what in blazes is she talking about?"

     Legate Rikke with awe in her voice at staring at the evidence of those old stories standing before her, "General, Sir, please hear her out. From the stories I heard when I was a child, if she is indeed 'Scourge', she could be what we need to put an end to this war, much sooner than we think we can now."

     General Tullius: "What have you heard that makes you react the way you have?"

     Legate Rikke: "Sir! The 'Scourge' were trained from birth to know and fight 'Evil'. It is what they were born for, in every fiber of their being, their nature, their fate, if you will."

     General Tullius: "FATE! There is no such thing, there are the decisions each of us makes in our lives that determine how our lives progress and what we do with it."

     Iriisii: "To an extent, you are right, General, but the 'Fates' exist. It matters not if you do not know and believe in them, for they know you, and know what place in the future of Nirn they see for you. But to answer the question burning inside you as to why I am here now? Why did I choose to come and embroil myself in your problems? My intent was to go the High Hrothgar, to seek my future. Did you not hear their voices as they felt the presence of a new 'Dragonborn', anointed of the dragonblood by Akatosh? As they called out in welcome and asking that the Dragonborn seek them at High Hrothgar as did Tiber Septim? For many centuries has the dragonblood been a part of my family line, but until now, never has any of us been called to be Dragonborn. Now when I am the last of my people. I am called to maybe be the 'Last Dragonborn', for that is a part of my fate. Upon my shoulders rests whether or not there will be others beyond me.

     Know this well, I am not here to decide the winner of this war. I am here to decide if Nirn lives on or is destroyed by Alduin the Worldeater. This war stands in the way of what I have been called to do, and so it must be dealt with, that I may go on to complete that for which I was given a dragonsoul and my dragonblood awakened by Akatosh to do."

     Legate Rikke: "The black dragon that stopped the execution at Helgen, that sat on top of that tower and rained down fireballs."

     Iriisii: "Was Alduin, yes. He was not there to interfere with the execution of Ulfric, was in no way interested in him. He was and is interested in me."

     General Tullius: "So the Stormcloaks has nothing to do with it appearing?"

     Iriisii: "No, nor the Elves as well. Alduin came on, and for himself. As I said he wanted to see me with his own eyes."

     General Tullius: "Why would he do that, if he is as you say, the 'Worldeater'. Does that not mean it is the end for Nirn? At least that is what those scholars in the Synod say."

     Iriisii: "They know only part of the prophecy that was written. His task is to consume the old Kalpa when its course has been run, and then to bring the new one into existence. At some point he rebelled against this task, and sought complete control over Nirn, thus the Dragon Wars. Few know that at the end, he did not die. But rather he was banished. And yet he is fated to end this Kalpa, unless a Dragonborn steps up to stop him."

     General: "I do not suppose since it was done once it could be done again?"

     Iriisii: "No, he too knows how it was done and so will not fall into that trap a second time. The first time, he was lured to the top of the 'Throat of the World', where three of the ancient tongues did battle with him. Gormlaith Golden-Hilt lost her life, Hakon One-Eye was seriously wounded, it took Felldir the Old invoking an 'Elder Scroll', to open a wound into the 'Streams of Time' and Kyne banishing him into the Streams. The 'wound' is still there, pulsing with power, but it is best it be left undisturbed. There is reason, Akatosh has never sought to completely close and heal it. Something he has left there undisturbed, no one should seek to explore it."

     General Tullius: "I take it you have done so, by the way you speak of it?"

     Iriisii: "I did, at the behest of Paarthurnax. I acquired an Elder Scroll, the very same one used to open it the first time. I unfurled and read it while standing within the wound. I do not know if it was just my mind or all of me, but I went back to the beginning of the 'wound' when it was formed. To stand as witness to the events that occurred, hear first hand the Dragon Shout created by man and used to force a dragon out of the sky to the ground. Only then can enough force be brought to bear to kill a dragon, but Alduin cannot be killed on Nirn. 

     This must also be known, for any dragon killed, whose soul is not devoured, can be resurrected. And there are a great many dragon burial sites across Skyrim. How do I know this? For I watched Alduin bring one back at Kynesgrove, and once he had done so I put that dragon back into the ground, but not before devouring his soul. Now he is gone forever, and I have his power, memories, knowledge. For this is how dragons acquire their immense stores of such, by killing other dragons and absorbing theirs."

     General Tullius: "If you are this powerful a Dragonborn, why do you wish to join the Legion?"

     Iriisii: "For my path has a boulder blocking the way. A boulder called the 'Civil War'. It must be settled for me to go on with that which I must do. And so I looked at all I have seen as I have trudged across Skyrim. And I believe the Empire and its Legion is the better choice for all concerned. But I have not the time to begin and rise up the ranks the normal way this is done. We must find an accommodation that we can all agree to and live with. Then I will get to work and we will begin truly winning this war. Understand this, I have made the Empire my first choice, do not think it is my only choice."

     General Tullius: "What other choices do you have then?"

     Iriisii looks hard at him until one possible answer dawns on him.

     General Tullius: "Oh, that choice."

     Iriisii: "It is not the only other choice, but you will not like the third one either. Think it through if I am forced to go it alone. I personally like it least, but I am willing to go that path if neither of the first two work out. I have thrown out a lot to consider so I do not expect a decision right now. When you decide, I will be at Proudspire or the Legacy of the Dragonborn Museum."

     Legate Rikke: "I have heard of that place, people say it has a lot of exhibits. Considering the names on some of those things, I wonder as to their authenticity."

     Iriisii: "The more dangerous and valuable items on display are copies. The real ones are stored away in a very secure location. I have no desire for the Thieves Guild or someone else to get hold of them. The damage they could do if released back onto Nirn does not bear thinking about."

     Iriisii turns and walks outside, then makes her way to Proudspire. Once inside she informs her housecarl, Jordis, that she is going to soak in the hot bath, if visitors or a messenger comes she is to be informed at once. Jordis nods her head and positions herself near the front entrance while Iriisii walks into the room with the hot bath. She draws herself a tub, marveling at the Dwemer ingenuity that made this possible. Once the tub is ready, she disrobes and settles herself in to soak.

     She has enough time absorb the heat from the water and grow drowsy. Then there is a knock on the door as her Housecarl Jordis speaks.

     Jordis: "My Thane, the Legion Legate Rikke to see you."

     Iriisii: "Let her in and bring her to me."

     Jordis: "At once, My Thane."

     Iriisii hears the retreating footsteps of her Housecarl as she goes to the main door to allow Legate Rikke inside, then to escort her to the hot bath where Iriisii waits. She hears the door open as she feels the cooler air from outside enter in. Then she hears Rikka's sharp intake of breath as she realizes where Iriisii is and what her current state is.

     Iriisii: "Thank you and shut the door if you please. Legate Rikke, you may join me if you feel the need to soak and relax, otherwise, please take the chair to my left. Their are some papers on the small table next to it you will be interested in reading."

     Legate Rikke, her voice stumbling a bit, "I thank you for the offer, but I will just take the chair if it is all the same to you."

     Iriisii: "Whatever pleases you, I do not bite, and as well I am spoken for, so you have nothing to fear from me. Before you read what I have placed on the table, is there any other questions you or General Tullius requires clarification on?"

     Legate Rikke: "I have a few questions and the answers may have bearing some of General Tullius' questions."

     Iriisii: "Then by all means continue, I have nothing to hide."

     Legate Rikke: "What is your opinion of the Thalmor in general?"

     Iriisii: "That is a deep question with many branches, but I will try and not let my answer stray too far. I detest the Thalmor, not the Altmer people. Why I detest them is partly due to the pain, misery, and death they leave in their wake. More is that this is completely unnecessary as the goal they profess this is needed for is unreachable by them."

     Legate Rikke: "Just what is their goal, other than abolishing the worship of Talos?"

     Iriisii: "That is at the heart of everything. Is Talos the 'Ninth Divine' or is he not? That is the base question that sits at the heart of all of this mess. They say a man cannot rise to divinity because he never had that spark within to begin with. Yet they deliberately forget their own history because it denies their own words."

     Legate Rikke: "I do not understand."

     Iriisii: "Many do not, because the truth is hidden from them. So listen and know the truth. Yes the Altmer were descended from a part of those who once were the Ehlnofey. But man had no part in what happened to them. Their own ancestors made the decision to forsake their divinity and become mortal, albeit very long lived mortals."

     Rikka: "Wait! They were not forced to become mortal? They did so of their own volition?"

     Iriisii: "Yes. And now you see the truth they would rather keep hidden, for it yanks the rug from beneath them and their words. Talos is indeed the 'Ninth Divine', for when he ascended, the 'at that time' Eight Divines, took him amongst them and gave him his place. They could have denied him, and he would likely still be a 'God' living in Aetherius but on his own, as many others are. Thus he is the 'Ninth Divine' without question. What the Thalmor wish to do would in the end be unsuccessful. They cannot oust a 'Divine' simply by disbelief, he has too much power now for such a thing to be possible.

     And so, all that they do in the name of their goal of 'felling' Talos from Aetherius is only causing more harm among the rest of Tamriel. Of course, many pay 'lip service' to their goal, but they do not believe and so it will never come to pass. But the things they employ in their actions, could cause such harm that if certain others take advantage of it. Tamriel could fall, and all of the rest of Nirn with it."

     Legate Rikke: "But who could take advantage of that?"

     Iriisii: "Akatosh knows and makes plans even now to thwart them in the future. I do not know, in fact I am not even certain if I will be the one he decides upon to implement his plan in part or in whole."

     Legate Rikke: "That is a lot to think about, but it does make much more sense than what we have been told so far. One other thing I must ask, will you take oath to joining the Legion?"

     Iriisii: "No, and my reason is this. No one truly controls who takes the seat after the one there leaves it. I am not one who can see the future and know who will be an Emperor worthy to fight for or who will be one that should be fought to keep them from the throne. History is a good teacher for this, as we have had centuries of Tsaesci Potentates sitting upon that throne before now. Not to mention 'madmen' like Pelagius. Imagine what it would have been like if Potema had reached the throne. Even Talos, as good an Emperor as he was, made awful mistakes, the worst one we are still dealing with today. So no, I will not blindly bind myself and my service to anyone. Besides I am already called to serve Akatosh and the 'Nine', no Emperor has the power to gainsay that."

     Legate Rikke: "You think it could come about that you could be sent against an future Emperor."

     Iriisii: "It is within the realm of possibility, but not unless the 'Nine' send me. I will not do so of my own decision."

     Legate Rikke: "I can understand that, I just hope that General Tullius can. As far as what position you will fill and how your ranking will be determined. If General Tullius approves, we believe you would be best suited as a Special Auxiliary Agent. This would allow us to be very flexible in what missions we give you as well as how you accomplish them. It would pretty much be up to you how to get the job done. Your rise in rank would be up to General Tullius, but I know him to be fair. The greater the impact you have on the course of the war itself, the faster your rise would be. Is there anything else?"

     Iriisii: "Read the Thalmor Dossier sitting on the table, then we may have much to discuss."

     Legate Rikke picks it up and begins reading. she does not get far when her jaw drops and she looks straight at Iriisii.

     Legate Rikke: "How did you get your hands on...this...? It was you who crashed the Thalmor party?! Who caused so mush consternation and embarrassment to Elenwen. She has vowed to find who did it and flay every inch of skin from their body while they yet live!"

     Iriisii: "She is not the first, and will not be the last to express those or similar sentiments. She will just have to get in line."

     Legate Rikke: "You have some..."

     Iriisii: "Pair of balls? Yes, I have been told that as well. But go on and finish, their are still some surprises yet hiding within the words."

     It does not take long before Rikke starts swearing bad enough to make a sailor blush.

     Legate Rikke: "General Tullius needs to see this!"

     Iriisii: "Do you honestly think he will believe it?"

     Legate Rikke stops and thinks for a moment, before the anger dissipates and her body loses its rigidity.

     Legate Rikke: "No, he will not, he cannot afford to believe it. If he believed it, it would force him to arrest and execute Elenwen, which would reignite the Great War all over again."

     Iriisii: "There will come a time when it will be necessary to do just that, but not right now. The Empire is not ready. It does not have the head it needs to pull such a thing off and survive."

     Legate Rikke: "But you think it will come soon anyway, don't you?"

     Iriisii: "There are whispers in Aetherius about just such a thing coming to be, and what the driving force will be that begins it. No, I can say no more about it. It will come and sooner than you think. Much must still happen, much of it not good, but out of all the pain and misery, the salvation of the Empire will be born, and the means of that salvation will arise."

     Iriisii: "For your personal information, it is up to you who you share it with. Up until now I have dealt with several threats to Skyrim, Cyrodiil, and Nirn in general. The Civil War is just another on the list. There will be more, of that I am certain as I have been told by certain seers. The worst is yet to come, the things I have already done, this war, Alduin, are but the means by which that I am being tested and forged for what comes. I do not know what it is, likely will not find out until it is too late for me to turn away. But this I am sure of, it is only a matter of some years away, a decade, maybe two at the most.

     Pray that a way can be found to meet this threat and deal with it, for it may be the end of Nirn as we know it. This I see in my darkest nightmares, if I survive the war and what comes after it. I will stand against the terror that comes, but I cannot do it alone. I will need the Empire to stand with me. And for that to happen it must be reborn. It must become what Alessia saw and what she desired it to be when she first founded it. The things that must be done to bring this about...will bring about regrets that I will have to live with for a very long time, but better that than Oblivion."

     Legate Rikke can almost see in her own mind what Iriisii is talking about. She feels that she can hear the screams of the dying as they are ripped apart by the unholiest of dark monsters and demons. She can almost smell the scent of blood and carrion strewn everywhere, on the battlefields, in the cities, homes, temples. But worst of all is the weeping whispers of the voices in Aetherius, those only able to watch the events as they unfold. Until Akatosh himself is the last to see, forcing himself to stay and bear witness to the holocaust. A holocaust that did not have to be, if only the people had joined together under the Dragonborn he sent to them. His gaze then finds her, and he speaks to her.

     Akatosh: "Legate, this is one of two futures ahead of the moment of time you and my Dragonborn occupy. Whether this one comes about, or its opposite, a great Golden Age reward for all the pain endured to reach that point. Both futures are close, their paths intertwined with each other so that either can become reality with a single wrong decision. The role you will play is crucial, as is that of General Tullius, and especially my 'Dragon Daughter'. She does not deserve what she will endure to see that Golden Age come.

     You will come to know what it is she must do. Stand by her, be her strength when the time comes, be the rock wall that keeps the worst of the storm from falling on the fisherfolk. Be the shield that turns away the deadly blade strike, and we the 'Nine' will stand with you, as you stand with our daughter. Go now and speak with Tullius, let your voice speak what your heart now knows, what your soul will remember."

     Iriisii gestures to Jordis standing in the doorway, anticipating her Thane's next request. She approaches Iriisii, unfolding a large towel and holds it open as Iriisii rises from the water, steam flowing from her body. She takes the towel and wraps it around herself. Moving toward the door she looks toward Legate Rikke.

     Iriisii: "I need to dress and go to the temple to pray, you may avail yourself of the hot bath if you so desire to."

     Legate Rikke thinks seriously about it, "Thank you but I must get back to the General and speak with him of what you have said."

     Iriisii: "Your choice, I hope the General appreciates the loyalty you show him, if ever you should reconsider there will be a place for you at my side. Now if you will excuse me."

     Iriisii turns and walks to her private bedroom to dress and go to the temple. Jordis shows Legate Rikke to the door.

     Legate Rikke: "What did she do to be made Thane of Solitude?"

     Jordis: "Hunted down Potema in the ruins beneath Solitude. Gathered her last remaining bone, her skull, and took it to Styrr in the Hall of the Dead to be sanctified."

     Legate Rikke: "It could not have been as simple as you make it out to be."

     Jordis: "It was not, but she does not like to boast of her accomplishments. It is enough that the ones in the 'Blue Palace' that mean anything know the truth. To be her Housecarl has given me more honor than I could ever have hoped to acquire by any other means. If there is anyone who can defeat Alduin, it is she. It is said she has even faced Sheogorath himself inside the mind of Pelagius III."

     Legate Rikke: "But that madman has been dead for centuries."

     Housecarl: "Indeed, but what is death to the Daedric Lord of Madness?"

     Legate Rikke feels a shiver crawl up her spine as she walks outside. Later Iriisii walks into the Temple close to the door to Castle Dour. She steps to the area where the shrines to the Divines are kept, noticing that the shrine to Talos is empty. She deliberately places herself before the empty pedestal and kneels, silently praying. One of the priests, one not familiar with who she is, walks toward her to object. A priestess seeing what is about to occur, steps in front of him and directs him over to the Abbot.

     Priest: "Abbot, how can you allow her to pray at the empty shrine in defiance of the White Gold Concordat."

     Abbot: "It is abundantly clear to me that you know naught of who she is. You should pay more attention to what goes on outside these walls."

     The priest pulls his shoulders back, "We are the priests to the 'Eight Divines', our eyes should always be guided to serving them, and their shrines are here not outside."

     Abbot: "You have a great deal to learn. I just hope the method of that learning does not cost you your life."

     Priest: "Abbot! How can you say such a thing!"

     Abbot: "She is Thane to this city. She earned that title by going into the Catacombs and delivered us all from the threat of a resurrected Potema. First by interrupting a ceremony meant to summon her and then bind her to the will of the necromancers who performed that ceremony. She interrupted it before she could be completely brought back. Second, she went back down there when evidence of Potema's spirit had returned and taken up residence. She fought through Potema's forces, claimed her last relic, her skull, and brought it out to Styrr for him to perform Arkay's Final Rights and sanctify it. Now she is permanently at rest and can never threaten us again. And you should also know, she is Dragonborn, anointed of Akatosh. Confirmed by the Greybeards of High Hrothgar."

     Priest: "Then why is she here, she should be out fighting the Evils trying to destroy Nirn!"

     Abbot: "If you would pay attention to what goes on outside, you would know that that is exactly what she has done, and continues to do. She has ended several threats to Nirn, and is about to join the Legion to put an end to this civil war, so that she can put all her attention on dealing with Alduin, the Worldeater. You do not think that she has earned a little quiet time to reflect and speak to the Gods, to seek what they wish for her to do next. Is it all that you can do to berate her for praying to those who sent her to save us? I have no idea what they are teaching you these days but I will find out and correct it."

     Priest: "But she is kneeling before the pedestal that held the Shrine of Talos! The one that has been outlawed."

     Abbot: "And who else than the other 'Divines' themselves have the right to outlaw Talos from his position. They have said nothing about doing such. When he ascended, they took him in among them and declared him to be the 'Ninth Divine'. Nothing the Thalmor say or do can change that, only the other 'Divines' can do that and by their very silence, they speak very loudly indeed. We only removed the Shrine to keep the Thalmor from burning this Temple down and imprisoning all of us. If we had not done so where would the people have to gather, pray, and worship the Divines in peace? None of us like this, not one bit."

     And as the Abbot turns to look at Iriisii still kneeling and devoutly praying, "But it is the decision of the 'Divines' on what to do about this, and perhaps we have their answer." 

     Chastened, the priest goes silent as he sees a glow surrounding Iriisii, he then looks around and notices the outside sun is not in a position to be the cause of that glow.