The Wolf Queen Awakens

Chapter 22

Breninma,

I hardly know where to start but it seems the old gods have finally come through for us. The Legion have done as expected and sacked Igmund – and their chosen successor appears to be me. By the time you read this, I'll have been sworn in as Jarl of the Reach.

Of course, I remain your right hand as always, although I am sure the Empire will be watching my every move. They seem to expect me to be able to rein in Forsworn attacks – I have no idea where they'd get that idea from, but I do hope no one's going to do anything foolish like ordering settlements burned and travellers killed. It would be very embarrassing.

They're also very keen to track down the missing High Queen. I know her business is her own, but it strikes me as a very good idea if she could make contact with one of her allies soon and let the General know she's all right. He's worried about her, poor man. Honestly, the whole conversation was a bit like her parents turning up and demanding to know where their little girl was. Not something I'm accustomed to dealing with, I'll have you know.

And in other news, we've had an unexpected windfall. That Riften colleague of the esteemed Jarl's turned up with a rare find which will need handling by one of our Matriarchs in order to be of any use to anyone. Sixty percent of the resulting value will be going to the jewel finders, ten percent to our New Friend in the Akaviri, and the remainder will be split three ways between you, Keirine and myself. Exact values are unknown, but we're looking at a possible five figure sum for each of us. The Falmer weren't using them anyway.

I will of course update you as the situation unfolds, but it seems things are suddenly looking very good for us.

Yours as always,
Nepos
Jarl of the Reach, apparently

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Nepos, you backstabbing, throne-stealing son of a bitch,

I can't decide whether to order your execution or ask for your hand in marriage. I guess I'll have to do neither. You can rest easy a while longer.

Don't worry about Forsworn attacks, I have bigger plans ahead. The Reach can rest easy, my sights have been set a little higher than just a few skirmishes. I'll need those warriors elsewhere.

As for our new Brenhina, I'd love to help, but thanks to the Mor Gwadoreen, it's probably safer for her if everyone thinks she's a Forsworn prisoner. Given their present reduced numbers, it'll take them weeks to investigate all our camps. We can give them the runaround indefinitely. Or kill them, of course. In the mean time, stall for time and rest assured your concerns have been passed on to the Lann-Hiril. I'm informed she's got a strategy of her own for dealing with them. Once they're out of the way, I'm sure the ap Davrha will be happy to drop in on Solitude and pay the General a visit.

I will believe improbable tales of semi-mythical gemstones when I see them. Just get me my cut and all will be well. In the interim, I expect you to administer the Reach to the best of your ability and ensure everything is in order for any future transfer of power. In particular I want clean sheets in the Master Bedroom, a full jenever decanter on the dresser and the place to be immaculate. I know what sort of things you're likely to be getting up to in there, and I want all evidence gone before anyone else takes residence.

Take care of my city for me,

Madanach, Rhan-Brenin (and don't you forget it!)

~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Are you serious??" had been Delphine's response on hearing what had happened. The entire Blades had been amazed to hear the story – of the Thalmor's revenge on the Guild, Mercer's betrayal, the hunt for the Eyes, and then a fortuitous meeting with two Companions and the rescue of Ria, and finally the news that Nepos the Nose had promised to turn the Eyes into their component smaller gemstones and split the value, with a tenth of that for the Blades. Brynjolf had left the bit about the Nightingales out, although the armour had got some admiring glances, Cicero had not stopped cooing over the Nightingale weaponry and Chillrend, and that new Blade Eola had looked at the Nightingale Blade, then back to Sapphire and Karliah, a rather knowing look on her face, and Brynjolf had a feeling she'd either worked for a Thieves Guild in another province or done her fair share of Daedra trafficking before now. He wasn't entirely sure what to make of the girl, but she seemed friendly and competent and kept Cicero under control, so she was all right with him.