Mortred again controlled his breathing then the scraping sound suddenly stopped on his sides and took another look at the mirror. He nodded to send his satisfaction to his barber. Then she looked at him with a warm towel on her hands.

“Master Mortred, please do close your eyes for a moment.” Zet requested which he complied.

A warm towel covered his face then was used to gently wipe out the dirt that were covered earlier by his long hair and soften his facial skin. Then she began cutting his beard and hair on his face.

There’s still an air of tension as two of the most powerful people in the room were still on their seats in silence. Until Maven asked.

“Should I still continue?” Maven asked for another goblet then drank a couple.

Mortred closed his eyes for a moment then replied.

“Yeah… so what’s the other bad news?” Mortred looked at the ceiling to avoid the lingering awkwardness. All of the servants wept in their minds and started sending their grateful stares to Fang.

“The former High Rock kingdoms have declared their independence from the Empire.” She said.

“So they finally stood under one banner?” Mortred asked.

“Although they aren’t like Morrowind, High Rock isn’t known for liking their own neighbors nor themselves.” Maven replied. “All of them declared one by one. While also amassing their own troops at each borders. It wouldn’t be a wonder if they started a war tomorrow.”

Mortred was still curious on the origin of their resolve to rebel. Although the empire was already weakened by the past war with the Dominion and Civil War in Skyrim, it was still a major power in Tamriel.

This was answered by Maven’s next sentence.

“Markath was taken by the Forsworn and declared their freedom from the Empire.”

“Finally, someone to teach them.” Mortred was relieved.

Markath, one of the most stubborn city state in Skyrim that supported Ulfric in the Civil War. Mortred wanted Markath to be neutral in the war but failed many times even to the point of threatening of burning the city to the ground. The city was the last bastion of the Stormcloak after rebellion was crushed. But even after intimidating the Jarl and the people to end their resistance they refused to surrender. It was the only city to remain hostile and closed their own city. The imperial army besieged the city for three years then General Tulius decided to end the siege, knowing that he was just wasting resources. Instead, the imperial army closed the entire hold. Building watch towers and wooden palisades instead. This made any counter attack of the remaining rebels virtually useless. Imprisoning them in their own land.

Mortred actually preferred the outcome where the Forsworn takes the Markath instead of the empire. Markath was one of the richest city in Skyrim where its income came from the rich mines in its mountains. Unlike Markath citizens and people, Forsworn never bothered with the mines and thanks to his Blood Pact with the Forsworn, would allow his miners to enter the mountains as long as they would respect their laws. Even though the Empire and the High Queen resisted the idea when he forced them to sign the truce with the Forsworn, they know that fighting on two fronts was bad enough, but fighting everyone was pure stupidity.

And the proclamation of the freedom from the imperial grip was not his problem anymore. The truce was only effective till the end of the Stormcloak rebellion which the Forsworn probably took advantage by initiating the takeover of Markath. The puzzle of High Rock’s resolve to also separate from the Empire was probably the now existing buffer given by the Reach. They could easily defend High Rock from Wayrest to Dragonstar.

“I doubt Hammerfell would help the Empire reclaim High Rock though.” Maven scoffed as if she read his thoughts. Which gave him another new question which he actually should have asked before all of this.

“Of course, they are still bitter of the White Gold Concordat. The desert hides the corpses but never forgets.” Mortred said then he realize something. “Wait…”

“Hmm?”

“There’s one thing that made me wonder…”

“What?”

“The Empire.” He asked. “You never mentioned the imperial throne response to any of these issues.”

The empire would never remain silent with these consecutive rebellions.

“True, that’s because that’s my second worst news.” Maven sipped the last drop from her wine then handed her goblet to her servant.

The servant walked out after seeing that the bottle of wine she carried is already empty.

“Two months ago… the emperor was assassinated.” Maven held her head.

Mortred became silent with wide open eyes as he heard the news. Then smiled with a tinge of loneliness as he remembered the man before he went underground.

“I see… he is gone huh…”

The emperor was probably one of the few people in Tamriel who understood and empathize with Mortred during the Civil War. And one of the few powerful people who secretly supported his cause behind the scenes. It was already during the late stages of the Civil War when Mortred realized the true pitiful situation of the emperor.

“A crown of thorns and the throne of daggers… as he had called it.” Mortred repeated the same phrase that he heard from the emperor. He felt complicated emotions as he was confused whether to feel happy that the poor man was finally given peace, or feel sorry for the man who willingly donned the cape of cowardice for the sake of the future.

Maven knew that he was close to the Emperor despite denying it when asked many times. She gave him time in silence as she gazed at his mourning mood. Then he raised his head and turned towards her.

“When?” Mortred asked.

“This happened recently, during the birthday of his heir. And on that event, some assassins had also attempted to take his son’s life but failed.” Maven looked back at Mortred. “Your former Blade.”

“Allistair.” He muttered the name of someone he knew.

“Yeah, it seemed that accepting that knight to be his bodyguard had paid off.” Maven pointed at her neck which her servants massaged in response. “He was able to kill off dozens of assassins. And capture two. Although they weren’t able to get any good information as these assassins immediately killed themselves. I should congratulate you on that, now the heir to the Imperial Throne owes his life to you.”

Mortred sighed as Maven was sarcastically teasing him, knowing that this event can be used to drag him into something he never wanted to be in. And she may also be hinting that the ensuing conflict have people that planned to make him involve. But he had another question.

“Morag Tong?” he asked, he only knew four assassin groups aside from Morag Tong and those four would never accept this contract that could affect the majority of political landscape of Tamriel without his approval. And they know what will happen if they did the deed without his permission.

“I can’t confirm anything for now. My rats failed to find any crumbs and are still investigating. And it’s probably not them. After all, they were losing members every month thanks to your own band of assassins.”

Maven then stood from her tub. Her servants quickly took some towels to wipe her body and gave her a chair and a mirror on her side. She sat cross-legged naked, facing Mortred as she was given another goblet of wine while her servants gently dried, combed and fixed her hair.

“After the assassination, the capital went into riot.” Maven grumbled as she looked at the mirror. “It later affected my businesses and investments in the capital. And right after the fall of a sovereign at a wrong time…”

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“Succession conflict.” Mortred completed for her.

“More or less.” Maven confirmed.

“Between who? When I was still on the surface, only the heir should have the power and support to be the next in the throne.”

“There are four contenders currently… currently because they kept increasing as months go by. Maybe there will be another one next month.” She shrugged. “The heir is supported by the Colovian States and our High Queen. Then emperor’s distant cousin declared his legitimacy and claimed that the heir was a bastard of the High Queen of Skyrim and the former Emperor.”

“That’s quite a bold claim.” Mortred knew that the Jarl of Solitude isn’t like Maven but he knew also that she wasn’t tolerant to scandals and rumors that threatened her hard earned reputation that granted her the position as the High Queen. The Dark Brotherhood would probably be receiving contracts from her already after hearing this.

“He wouldn’t have the balls to say that out loud if he isn’t supported by the Hammerfell states. He probably made a deal to grant support for their cities in exchange for the Imperial Throne.” Maven added.

“Madness and stupidity.” Mortred breathed deeply. Shaving finally ended as Zet wiped the remaining ointment that was still stuck on his face and sent for another servant to take another set of clean warm towels. He thanked his past self from cutting his own legitimacy on the Ruby Throne, or else power hungry nobles and jarls would probably use him for their gains.

“Another claimant is the Emperor’s brother.” Maven said.

“Didn’t he gave up his chance for the throne in the past?” Mortred asked.

“Old age and opportunity to hold power tempts a lot of people.” Maven closed her eyes as she took in the feeling of her head being molded by another’s hand.

“Who’s the other contender?”

“Your former student. The Imperial daughter.” Maven added. “To be honest, she is actually the only contender right now that could threaten the heir.”

“Wait. The Princess? Isn’t she still 8 years old?”

How did they have the princess get involved in the power struggle who was guarded by the Oculatus? Mordred wondered.

“You have gone underground for several years. Just in case you forgot, we aren’t immortal. Humans grow older. She is currently married to one of the archdukes, which supports her… or in reality, supports himself to start a new imperial dynasty.” Maven replied.

Everything seems to have escalated quickly that he was having a hard time comprehending his sense of time after his expedition in the underplains.

“Don’t these consecutive events somehow feel familiar to you?” Maven looked at him with deadpan eyes.

She is annoyed. Mortred thought. Probably not because of the previous issue.

“I know but as far as I remember, no Dragonbreak happened recently that could make me feel this sense of déjà vu.” Mortred replied with a shrug.

“These are some of the exact major conflicts that occurred before the start of the Oblivion Crisis.” Maven said as she swirled the wine from her goblet. “I already made preparations right before I even heard of the assassination. For now, my spies found no disturbance or trouble maker in the horizon to take advantage of the chaos. But just in case I also sent some of these information and the future possibility to Winterhold and Whiterun.”

“Are the jarls still the same?”

“Unfortunately, yes.”

“We should just expect the worse. Can you also send to Windhelm and Solitude?”

“Already did two days ago.” She quickly answered.

“And what was their response?”

“I don’t want to waste my saliva talking about each of the cities’ answer but you can visit them later if you wanted to know. Because they were also asking about you.”

He turned his gaze back to the mirror and smirked.

“Did you tell them?” Mortred knew about the power of Maven’s information network. She would receive the news just minutes after it happens. So his return to the surface would be one of her most expensive information to sell. Especially in Skyrim.

“You know me.”

Mortred nodded. With Maven’s answer, he could feel confident that the jarls of those respective cities would act like what he had briefed in situations like this just in case he wasn’t around.

“You mentioned that this is just the second worst. What’s the first?” he asked.

“Did you notice something other than the Empire’s inaction?” Maven looked at him.

He mused for several seconds before getting another revelation.

“The Dominion.”

“Yes… I never mentioned those damnable elves. Because… they never did anything.” Maven revealed which caused Mortred to be silent for a moment while comprehending the information before asking a single word.

“What?”

“It’s the same with the vassal states, both Elsweyr and Valenwood also made no movement except from strengthening their borders by increasing the patrols and garrisons. Not even the bloodthirsty Thalmor made any response behind the scenes. Their navy made no attempt to even harass the coasts. The fleet just stayed on Summerset with no action. And that is the most troubling matter of all.”

Mortred knew that the dominion was waiting for this kind of chaos in the Empire to take advantage and use it to start their invasion and take back the Ruby Throne which they had claimed to be their right. He already have confirmed proofs of the Thalmor’s involvement in starting the civil war in Skyrim. And Aldmeri elves would always be one of his greatest headaches during the Civil War. And now, their inaction made it like a deafening silence.

“Do you have well placed rats in the provinces?” he asked.

“I have rats already sleeping in the bedrooms of each Thalmor mages.” Maven tilted her head as if saying that Mortred was asking something stupid.

Mortred closed his eyes in apology.

“Oh yeah, I almost forgot… Whiterun, Windhelm, Winterhold and Riften declared neutrality on this civil war.” Maven revealed.

Mortred doesn’t care about their political stance but this surprised him.

“That’s interesting… I don’t care about the other holds’ decision but I thought you’re going to take a side.” Mortred raised his brow. But inwardly, he knew that Maven would never take just one side, she will sell arms, soldiers, drugs, supplies and information on both sides for profit, connections and power.

“How about you? Did the underground shrooms infected you with spores that made you forgot that damnable Civil War years back?” Maven snapped. The issue of the Skyrim Civil War, Alduin’s Return, the guerilla war with the Dominion, almost made Clan Blackbriar sunk into bankruptcy due to her failed investments. Without his help and the East Empire Company’s cooperation, her prized assets would have already been distributed and auctioned across Tamriel.

Ah shit, she got pissed. Mortred thought.

Both of them have opened wounds that they don’t want to be picked on.

The stance of neutrality was a good decision for the battered province. It’s not an exaggeration that Skyrim was still recuperating from its wounds.

“You missed some cities Maven.”

“I didn’t. Those unmentioned still haven’t declared their side. Only Solitude stayed with the Heir. With the insistence of your friend, General Tulius by the way.”

A sudden knock on the door interrupted them. A servant that was standing near Maven turned and walked towards the door and asked some questions. Then went back to Maven and whispered something. Maven’s face twitched and frowned.

“Someone is asking to have an audience with you.”

“Who?”

But before he could get an answer from Maven, he could hear a familiar heartbeat walking towards the door. Then a servant opened it for them. It was two female Bretons. One of them have heartbeats that he knew. Although he doesn’t know her companion who continued walking even after the other one bowed before entering. Maven herself glared at the two as they entered her halls without permission.

“Don’t worry Maven, I know one of them.”

“That is still not an excuse to intrude on my estate.” Maven snapped.

One of them ran and stopped the other who was walking straight towards Mortred, ignoring the rant of the owner.

The former then forced the latter to bow her head.

Then she kneeled.

“Carmilla.” Mortred said her name before she could speak. “How are the covens? Is there any naughty lords and ladies on the lists?”

“Milord, please do forgive this one’s transgressions in intruding your bath.” She bowed again, this gesture was followed by her companion. Even if her face was covered with her hair. Then she also stared at Maven. “Milady Maven. This lady also apologizes for the manners of her companion.”

“What’s a Vampire Lord purpose in coming to Riften?” Maven asked. “As far as I know, the Dawnguard explicitly stated that no vampire shall step near their headquarters except for those who were members. And with the current state in High Rock, you shouldn’t leave your lands as its current overlord.”

“Milady. This one’s sister requested an immediate audience to our Suzerain.” Carmilla then bowed deeply again to Mortred. Then kicked her companion’s feet as if signaling her to introduce herself. “And the matter was something important than war with mortals.”

“It doesn’t matter. My talk with Maven must finish first. You will have to wait.” Mortred said as Zet was finally finished with her work. Then she nodded at her two servants who cleaned their hands with towels and started massaging both of his shoulders each.

“I am Arlene va’Braun of House Leschenmacht. Sister of Carmilla Distrisch, Head of House Leschenmacht. And the current Morrowind Chapter Master of Dawnguards.” The vampire with much younger appearance than Carmilla, stared at Mortred. “What you seek, I have seen. What you are searching, I have found. With only one request, I shall deliver.”

Mortred was surprised to know that a vampire was able to ascend the ladder of promotion to the position of a chapter master. His attention was now taken by this girl.

“What do I want?” he asked, testing her.

She replied with a smile.

“Your last crew. The Akaviri. I can deliver that person to you.”