[b]Lord Regent of the Aldmeri Dominion Orthos 25th of Midyear Alinor, Capital of the Dominion[/b] Orthos could hardly believe the reports coming in from all over Summerset, nor the scroll he held in his hand. It did not hold the words of neither a rival nor him nor had his own father ever seen. Yet it was Orthos’ grandfather who had been a mere sailor and a lad when the known last battle with the Sea Elves had occurred. It was only due to the might of the Empire and the Dominion, as well as a Storm to beat them back. Orthos knew that Alinor was truly in danger now, should the Maormer wish it. The Lord Regent’s thoughts were disrupted when a Altmer seemed to near materialize in the Throne Room, bowing before Orthos. “My Regent, I’m afraid we have terrible reports from Valenwood. Some of the local Bosmer population still loyal to the Dominion says that they plan to sell their coasts to the Redguard for protection from our Wrath.” Orthos was numb and distracted from this recent letter. He could barely register the words of the Whisper who knelt before him. Yet he did note some dim pride that the Order of Whispers was already hard at work, and seemed to have already infiltrated Valenwood as far as news of the region went. “The Redguard? They would surely slaughter us all, in retaliation for the invasion of Hammerfell! No, The Dominion simply cannot tolerate such a volatile nation so close to our own islands. I must assemble the Royal Fleet.I thank you for your information, Whisper.” He said, before nodding that the Whisper may leave. Instead, the Whisper stood, seeming amazed. “Would you go to war with them, my Regent?” “Yes, I will set sail immediately and sink and Redguard ship who approaches the Coast of Valenwood. Would you go and deliver these Orders to the Sailors and Dominion troops? As well as give this scroll to the Arch-Mage, and tell him to send it to Aelid. ” Orthos asked the Whisper. The boy nodded, and left in a hurry. It was now several Thalmor officials came, seeming to brim with anger and fury. “Lord Regent! I heard you are assembling the Royal Fleet? Go! Have you not heard of the return of the Maormer? We must return them to their Island of Exile and show them the true descendants of the Aldmer once and for all!” “No, Justicar Revin. I shall sail for Valenwood, to Embargo it’s seas and cut it off from the Redguard who would establish a forward base of assault there.” “Take the Royal Fleet to blockade Valenwood? The damned Bosmer who would have our heads on pikes? Are you mad? This is the time for defense, and stopping these Sea Elves! You must listen to reason, Lord Admiral!” Orthos smiled and began walk, making his way out from the Throne Room. The Thalmor followed him, curious as to where he was going. As he stepped lightly on each glass step of the stairs leading outside into the cool summer breeze, Orthos replied; “First and forestmost, If the Sea Elves would come to Alinor and raze it, I’m afraid there is nothing we can do about it, and I mean nothing, Justicar. I have been a Admiral near all my life, and I assure you we alone cannot step their Navy. Nonetheless, I shall leave a reserve force of 1/3 of the Fleet. I shall take two hundred ships and blockade this land from the Redguards.” The Thalmor were in a panic as he approached the docks, the vast armada of ships in harbor bobbing lightly at sea. Quickly the Justicar asked; “What of the Regency? Who would fill it while you are gone? Someone must sit the Summer Throne!” The Justicar shrieked as Orthos would board the Flag Ship of the Dominion, [i]The Aldmeris[/i]. “Give it to Lord General Walden Estermont of the Renshi, he will hold this place together until the return of Aelid.” Orthos spoke, catching sight of many Sailors seeming to pour out of their barracks, quickly preparing the ships. “To a Imperial Man?! Surely you jest! The Thalmor will rebel before such a lowly and treasonous act is committed!” The Justicar assured him, with nods of affirmation from the other Thalmor Officers around him. “Fine! Give it to the Arch-Mage Nelron of the Society. He is old and wise, his council will be valuable. I will return soon, Justicar.” Without another word, he entered the Captain’s Cabin of the Flag Ship, and disappeared from sight. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [b] Lord General Walden Estermont of the Renshi 24th of Midyear Alinor, Summerset Isles, Capital of the Dominion.[/b] The Lord General had been back in the Capital of the Dominion only a few hours when he heard whispers of Sea Elves and Red Guard, truly a turbulent time. Yet they handed over the Mane cub to the Thalmor upon return, where he was took to a secluded and hidden holding cell inside. He felt bad for the wee kitten, but he knew that much larger things were at stake than the innocence of a house cat. When Walden’s small ship had come into bay with the Mane, he had found Lord Admiral Orthos scrambling the fleet, seeming to prepare to take the vast majority of their Navy out into the sea. The older noble had fed and bathed upon return, and was taking a walk through the gardens of Alinor when he heard a familiar voice, the voice of a Justicar Revin. “The High King Aelid completely failed in keeping the Bosmer with the Dominion, and now he has abandoned us to go make peace and alliances with Lizards in far-away lands, while the Thalmor must do all the real work. It was we who told the Society of the Aldmer ruins near Cloudhaven, and we who orchestrated the kidnapping of the mane!” He said in a dry heat, apparently talking to others around a rose bush near a large oak tree. “Yes! Now Orthos wants to go sail around making vain attempts at stopping the Redguard from taking Valenwood as their own! The Bosmer don’t want our protection, leave them to their fate!” Came the cry of another frantic zealot, this one seeming older than Justicar Revin. “The Mists that once hide the Maormer from the world are now gone, and we may exact our Vengeance on their salty hides! Yet Orthos would take the majority of our fleet when it is obvious we are needed here?” Came the coos of a female Thalmor. Walden crouched down, listening carefully to the words of the dissenters. So this was the true thoughts of the Thalmor. He couldn’t help but feel that these Extremists would need to be dealt with, and soon. “Do not worry, my friends. The High Justicar Aldra has assured me she already has plans to right these wrongs. All we need is Patience…” Came his final haunting words, as the sun slipped behind the horizon and Walden stumbled backwards in horror, quickly leaving the gardens in a near panic at the deceit within the Dominion. [b]Actions: -The Suspected Mane is now captive in the Summerset Isles! -200 Altmer Ships lead by Lord Admiral Orthos are sent to blockade Valenwood and Hammerfell, cutting them off at the sea. -Valenwood has been infiltrated by The Order of Whispers. -The Maormer Letter has been sent to Aelid at Stormhold! -The Arch-Mage of the Arcane Society is now Lord Regent! -Thalmor Dissidents are now growing in strength and support with both Aelid gone and Orthos making unpopular decisions and then leaving.[/b]