//------------------------------// // 19: The Thalmor's Party // Story: Sunset's Adventure in Skyrim // by Blackdrag-rose //------------------------------// Sunset and her friends, now adding the artifact of Sheogorath to the collection of Daedric Artifacts no longer in danger of being collected by Tirek, left the Blue Palace with ease and returned to the streets of Solitude. There was a small spring in her step this time, as she was fairly confident that she could gather the remainder of the artifacts, provided the Princes they belonged to didn't ask her to do something like destroy an entire town. Fiona and Bjorn seemed glad to have the Wabbajack stored away, though both Cicero and Lydia seemed indifferent to what they had just accomplished. As they walked through the city several people bowed slightly to Sunset, though at one point she heard one of them use the word 'Archmage' as they passed them by. Sunset realized that some people in Skyrim did, in fact, respect the mages of the College, which allowed her to smile to the person as they exited the city. Once they were outside Solitude they returned to where the carriage driver had dropped them off and found a second carriage resting near the windmill, with Delphine standing near it. "I have your invitation to the party." Delphine told Sunset, waiting until they were literally standing in front of her, "But the only way you're going to get past the guards is if they really believe you're an invited guest. Which means you need to look the part, and not be armed to the teeth. Here, put this on." "You may want to look at the invitation first," Sunset replied, beckoning to the letter that Delphine held, "It might actually be different than what your actually expecting." "Fine, have it your way," Delphine growled, still annoyed with Sunset over joining with the Dragon Priests, though she opened the letter anyway, "Let's see, 'Elenwen, First Emissary of the Aldmeri Dominion to the Kingdom of Skyrim, Requests the pleasure of the Company of Archmage Sunset Shimmer at a reception on 30 Heartfire, 201 at the Ambassador's Residence. Special Permission Towards the Archmage to Wear the Clothes of Their Office to the Party.' What in Oblivion is this nonsense?" "It means that Elenwen wishes to speak to me," Sunset replied, taking the invitation back, while returning the clothes she had been given back to Delphine, "not as a simple party guest, as most people will be, but as someone of an equal position to her own. Maybe she wishes to learn about Ancano and how he was corrupted. Or maybe she wishes to learn about my conflict with Tirek and lend me some aid in that regard. I won't know until I meet with her." "I'm going back to Riverwood," Delphine said, clearly not wanting to be annoyed by Sunset anymore, "if you get any information out of this venture, you'll know where to find me." Sunset watched as Delphine walked up the hill that she and her friends had just walked down, before turning down the pathway that would take her to whatever settlement was nearby. Sunset wished that Delphine would get over her hatred for the Thalmor and the dragons, otherwise one of her allies was going to discover it and, in the worst case scenario, destroy the alliance she was trying to create. It was quite simply; she knew that Princess Celestia couldn't have beaten Tirek without allies, and Princess Twilight wasn't able to do it alone either. She needed allies to fight the demon, before he succeeded in shattering anymore villages in Skyrim and before he managed to get any closer to his full power. "What about us?" Bjorn asked, causing Sunset to look back at her friends for a moment, "What shall we do while you visit Elenwen and try to make an alliance with the Thalmor?" "Oh, you guys are accompanying me to the front door," Sunset replied, causing them to look at her like she had lost her mind, "Almost everyone might say that you guys are the bodyguards for the Archmage of the College of Winterhold. So why wouldn't the Archmage be escorted to the party with her 'bodyguards'? I'm positive that the Thalmor will be expecting some type of escort, but there's another reason for all of this I'm afraid..." "Tirek," Bjorn said, realizing exactly where she was going with this, "You want us to keep an eye out for him while your at the party, in case he comes to strike at the leaders of Skyrim while their guards are down." "Yes, and we must not lower our own guard," Sunset replied, climbing onto the back of the carriage as her friends followed suit, "While I'm speaking with Elenwen I need the four of you to watch the surrounding area, alongside the Thalmor guards, and report to me if, and when, Tirek decides to show himself." ------------------------------------------------------------ One group of Thalmor guards, who just happened to be guarding the main gate and were welcoming all the Jarls and important people to Elenwen's party, were just standing by the gates as they waited for their shift to end. One of them held a list of names, the list of guests that had been invited to the Embassy, and crosses off whoever arrived, which his partner would call out when they passed the main gate. That was how it went for the last several minutes, as guests arrived and the carriages they arrived on departed from the area, though when the last guest's carriage left the guard looked down at his list and wondered where the last person was. "Has the Archmage arrived yet?" his partner called to him, apparently getting impatient that one of the guests had yet to arrive. Just as the guard was about to reply he heard the sound of a carriage approaching and turned around to face the open gate, allowing him to see another carriage approach the embassy. As the driver approached the guard got a good look at who was coming to the party, the latest Archmage of the College of Winterhold and the four people that followed her around all the time. Once the carriage arrived the bodyguards climbed out of the back and stood nearby, watching the breton Archmage get onto her feet and then step onto the snow as well. Then, once the passengers had been delivered, the carriage driver moved towards the gate and soon he was heading down the mountainside, leaving them alone. "Yeah, the Archmage is here," the guard called to his partner, though he was pleased to finally cross the Archmage off of the list, so he could add it to the fire as well. Sunset beckoned to her friends for a moment, bidding them to wait like they had planned on before their arrival at the embassy, before she walked up to the front door. As 'bodyguards' her friends were allowed to keep their weapons, though they were supposed to remain sheathed until something happened to the Thalmor's guards. She hated to leave them outside, but she knew that she needed to speak with Elenwen and knew that her friends would keep watch for their enemy. The guard near the door, now knowing that she had arrived, still asked for her invitation, though he was quick to return it the moment after she had given it to him. Once inside the actual embassy Sunset was immediately greeted by another altmer, though she knew that by the way this one walked that it could none other than the hostess. "Welcome. I don't believe we've met." the lady said, bowing her head ever so slightly, "I am Elenwen, the Thalmor Ambassador to Skyrim. And, judging by the robes that you are wearing, I would have to say that your the Archmage of the College of Winterhold." "You are correct. I am Archmage Sunset Shimmer," Sunset replied, bowing her head slightly in return, to show some respect towards the Thalmor's leader, "Its a pleasure to make your acquaintance Ambassador Elenwen." "There is some business I would like to discuss with you before we attend the party," Elenwen commented, as if she expected nothing less of their meeting at the moment, "Come, let us head to my office... where we won't be interrupted by anyone." Sunset nodded and followed the Ambassador through the embassy, receiving nods from the guards and party guests alike, with one or two mentions of her title thrown in. It didn't take them long to reach the outside air, though that was when she noticed that the place had been separated into two pieces; one to serve as a greeting hall and party area, while the second served as the main offices. When they entered the second building Sunset noticed that two people were on their way out, pausing whatever their conversation had been about so they could nod to the Ambassador and her companion. Once they were alone Elenwen beckoned Sunset into her study, where she took the seat behind the desk and offered one to Sunset, which she accepted and sat opposite of the Ambassador. "I must first offer my condolences to you Archmage," Elenwen said, pouring herself some wine before offering some to Sunset, who declined due to the fact that it severely weakened how she could control and perform magic, "I heard that your predecessor, Savos Aren, had been killed on the College grounds, though I was unable to receive the full story on that... due to the fact that the College, and the city surrounding it, was completely a day or two later. I had the chance to visit the College once or twice in the past and Savos seemed to accept me, instead of shunning me for what I am, though I was... hurt to hear that he had fallen. I'll get right to my point though; I want to know why I have been hearing stories about one of my own mages, one by the name of Ancano, joining himself to a new master before he slew your predecessor." "That's because he did," Sunset replied, not surprised to see a shocked expression appear on the Ambassador's face, which disappeared not a moment later, "but I'm afraid that, if your going to understand everything that's happened, I'll need to tell you about my enemy, the demon Tirek. I'm sure you remember me and Bjorn Wyrmsblood, sitting in the cart with the rest of the prisoners, but then there was that one old nord who seemed, how shall I put it, 'out of place'." "Yes, I remember seeing him that day," Elenwen commented, though it was clear that, by her tone, she was still confused as to where the story was going at the moment, "What's your point?" "That old nord was Tirek," Sunset explained, wondering how best to tell the Ambassador how powerful the demon could become, "Sure, he may have appeared to be a weak old man, but over time he has been absorbing the magic of those around him, adding their power to his own. He's also managed to trick several powerful mages into chaining themselves to him, so that they can 'receive' great power and then, when they fall in battle, he consumes whatever power they have. Ancano is, unfortunately, one of those mages that fell into Tirek's lap, allowing his greed for power to fuel his decision to make a deal with that foul demon. It was that lust for power that drove him to seek out the Augur of Dunlain, a mystical force that existed under the College for years, and learn how to harness the power of the Eye of Magnus. It was this desire that, eventually, drove him to assault my predecessor with the power of the Eye and slay Savos without giving him a chance to defend himself. That act then fueled his decision to use the Eye to slay anyone and everyone that disagreed with him, be they the simple people of Tamriel or the Thalmor that he used to serve. It was that act that made me venture into an ancient nordic barrow in search of the Staff of Magnus, which I recovered and used against Ancano, shattering him to the point that Tirek stole his power from him. What happened after that, well, you've heard the stories about." "So its true then," Elenwen said, shaking her head slightly, "that a demon by the name of Tirek suddenly appeared and, with one strike of his fist, shattered the ground around the College and sank it, along with what remained of Winterhold, into the sea. Wait... did you say that you found the Staff of Magnus?" "Yes, and I have stored it inside my personal chest," Sunset replied, a small smile appearing on her face for a moment, "I didn't want to come to your residence armed, otherwise I'm sure that your guards might have refused me access and we never would have had the chance to speak. I also came because it is only a matter of time until Tirek sets his sights on your Embassy, where he will likely absorb the magic of everyone here before he shatters everything you have built." Elenwen fell silent for a moment, making Sunset wonder if she could even convince the leader of this branch of the Thalmor to ally herself with her current allies. A few seconds later the altmer got up and moved to a bookshelf, her fingers running over the books that she had collected, before she selected one and pulled it from the shelf. She then sighed as she opened the book and returned to the desk, where she placed the book in front of Sunset and took her seat once more. "The Book of the Dragonborn," Elenwen said, beckoning for Sunset to read from it, to which Sunset picked up the book, "I have heard of your power over the Thu'um and knew that I would have to read this to understand what was happening to Skyrim, though it seems that this world is in more danger than I originally believed. The prophecy in that book goes something like this; 'When misrule takes its place at the eight corners of the world. When the Brass Tower walks and Time is reshaped. When the thrice-blessed fail and the Red Tower trembles. When the Dragonborn Ruler loses his throne, and the White Tower falls. When the Snow Tower lies sundered, kingless, bleeding - The World-Eater wakes, and the Wheel turns upon the Last Dragonborn'. The Prophecy of the Dragonborn, as that prophecy has become known as to everyone across Tamriel, has foretold of several heroes that rose up against the powers that threatened to destroy the whole of Nirn. When I heard about Tirek I consulted that book, wondering why none of the ancients that made the original prophecy would warn us against this evil. An evil that turns our own friends and allies, and even those not affected by the war, into monsters that wish the end of everything upon everyone else. This dremora... no, this demon of yours needs to be stopped, but I have no idea how to do that." "'When the hero fights the Demon of Oblivion'," Sunset recited, recalling the line of prophecy she had been given a while ago, "the sky shall be torn asunder and, in her hour of need, an alicorn with a flaming mane shall descend upon Nirn, to end the fight with the Demon itself'." "That almost sounds like a forgotten line of an important prophecy," Elenwen said, looking up at Sunset once more, "Where in Oblivion did you hear that from?" "From the priestess of Azura herself," Sunset replied, closing the book and looking up at her host, "Azura is saying that, if I don't stop Tirek before he reaches his full power, the sky will be torn asunder, referring to the fact that Nirn will be in the process of being destroyed. Yes, the prophecy mentions that an alicorn will fight him and that I am only a unicorn, but I am the only Equestrian that's here on Nirn, so it falls to me to stop him. I will not allow Tirek to continue to run around, destroying whatever he wants, as if he is immune to everyone else in this world. Last time I saw him I managed to wound him, so I know that, given enough time, I can draw him into a battle of magic, where I will send him back to Tartarus. I will not allow Tirek to destroy Nirn, or the province of Skryim, or any other provinces of Tamriel." Elenwen stared at Sunset for a moment, as if she was wondering if she could ally herself with the person that was going to fight Tirek in the end, before she sighed. "I will have to think on this," Elenwen admitted, not liking that she had no idea what to do at this point, "Come, let us return to the party and mingle with the rest of the guests... I'm sure that you'll have an evening free from..." "I'm sorry for the interruption," one of the guards stated, barging into the room and saluting the Ambassador, "but one of the Archmage's bodyguards spotted someone suspicious coming up the hill towards the Embassy. One of them asked me to come inform you of this nord, but I'm not sure why they would be worried about a simple nord that's unarmed... besides the magical aura wrapped around him." "Tirek..." Sunset said, getting onto her feet as she turned to Elenwen, "If he's coming here then that means he's coming to destroy the Embassy, and anyone whose still here when he arrives. Since he's coming from the front we'll have to go out a different door, but this place only seems to have one entrance and one exit, which will be blocked by the demon." "There's the trapdoor in our interrogation chamber," Elenwen suddenly said, as if she remembered that it existed, "Its not the most pleasant way to leave the Embassy, but its the only other way out of here that isn't the main gate." "Then get the guests and get them out of here," Sunset replied, summoning her chest and drawing out both the Dawnbreaker and the Staff of Magnus, "I'll try and buy you some time." As soon as she said that Elenwen got up and started barking orders to the guards near them, following Sunset outside so she could get a look at the monster that she was determined to fight. As they walked back to the main gate they passed by several confused party guests, though Sunset noticed that Jarl Balgruuf was among them, before they were standing near Sunset's friends. The four of them had their weapons drawn, as if they were expecting Sunset to let them fight the demon beside her this time, but she had to shake her head at them. "I need you guys to help the Thalmor get the guests to safety," Sunset told her friends, beckoning to Elenwen for a moment, "Get them, and yourselves, out of here before Tirek arrives. I don't want anyone caught in the crossfire that's about to happen." As her friends and Elenwen left Sunset had to wonder how much damage she could cause to Tirek, considering that she had been lucky the last time they fought. There was no telling how much more power that the demon would have this time, though she believed that it couldn't be more than when they were at Kynesgrove. Unless, she grimly added, Tirek managed to find a stronghold full of mages and drained them all before coming here, which she seriously hoped wasn't the case. "Ah, I should have know you'd be here," a voice said, just as Tirek stepped out of the darkness and revealed himself, though Sunset was glad to see that the cut she had given him might have scared, "Strange, every time I want to destroy something, you seem to be there to witness the destruction. I guess this time I shall take measures to destroy you and any hope you have of ever defeating me." Sunset sighed and channeled her magic once more, allowing a mass of condensed magic to gather around the Dawnbreaker, before she released the attack at her enemy. This time Tirek simply brought his fist back and slammed it into her attack, shattering the magic into pieces before the ground beneath Sunset's feet started to shake. Then, just like she had seen at Winterhold, the ground cracked and heaved, breaking the walls around them before shattering the main door of the Embassy. It just surprised Sunset that he was still so powerful from their last encounter, almost as if he hadn't been weakened from all the energy she had poured into her attacks. The Dawnbreaker, as if responding to her anger, ignited as a mass of condensed magic, even larger than her previous ones from Kynesgrove, wrapped around the blade. Sunset didn't question it as she pulled the blade back and swung it with all her might, sending the wave of power through the smoke created from Tirek shattering the first wave. The smoke broke apart the moment the wave encountered it, though it was clear that Tirek hadn't expected another one so soon and was pushed back the moment it touched him. The following explosion rocked the front gate, shattering the foundation and destroying the gate entirely, though when the smoke cleared there was another diagonal cut added to Tirek's body, the exact opposite of the one she delivered at Kynesgrove. "Ah, I can feel your power growing," Tirek said, somehow enjoying being hurt at the moment, "but still, you do not possess enough power to defeat me. Now, allow me to show you how powerful I am at only half of my power." Tirek disappeared for a moment, only to reappear above the embassy, where energy was coursing around his right hand as if he was about to shatter the entire area, just like he had done with Winterhold. But as Sunset watched her enemy she remembered another story she had heard, where Tirek could crush a location with the power of air alone. It was similar to him using the power of earth to shatter locations, only at fifty percent it could be devastating to the area he wanted to destroy. She waited a moment, debating if she could hurt him again, but she sighed and sheathed the Dawnbreaker on her belt, turning towards the bottom of the hill and running forward. She hated to run from Tirek, but at the moment she simply didn't have enough power to constantly fire off so much condensed magic in rapid succession. "Push," Tirek said, a grin appearing on his face as he threw his hand towards the ground, allowing his magic to descend towards the embassy as he watched Sunset run away. Sunset turned back in time to watch the magic collide with the embassy, where the buildings were quite literally torn from the ground and thrown down the side of the mountain. Pieces of the buildings hit the ground around Sunset, causing her to stop and watch the pieces rain down around her, causing her to wonder about her chances once more. She glanced up at the area above the embassy, but as the destruction rained down around her she noticed that Tirek was already gone, fleeing to whatever location he called home. She turned to the other path that lead to the embassy and noticed her friends coming her way, followed by Elenwen, her guards, and the rest of the party guests. Tirek may have ruined one more location in Skyrim, but one again Sunset found the determination to press onward with her plans to stop the demon. There were only twelve Daedric Artifacts left, twelve more she needed to secure before she considered doing anything else.