[b]Lord Regent Nelron of the Aldmeri Dominion 25th of Midyear Alinor, Summerset Isles, Capital of the Dominion [/b] The elder Altmer sat weakly on the Throne of Summer, seeming to nearly struggle breathing in his old age. Several Thalmor officials loitered in his court, as well as a few members of the Order of the Eight. A middle-aged Altmer female would enter into the palace, dressed in the robes of the Arcane Society. Approaching the new Lord Regent, she saw the Justicar Revin acting as the new Regent’s cupbearer. she would kneel and then speak; “Arch-Mage Nelron, I have reported as you have summoned. What would you have me do?” Spoke the female, as she stared at the glass floor of the palace, there were carpets of intricate silks on it which seemed to intertwine and seemingly slithered as one. “I would have the Society begin researching some way of binding massive amounts of arcane energy into a living thing. I was working on this project back at the Society before I was called to serve as Regent for the Lord Admiral. I would have you continue it, and perhaps find a way of getting around the problems with it I could not.” He spoke warily, his breaths coming ragged and seemingly without rhythm. Her eyes widened with the severity of her assignment, and she nodded seriously, before looking up to the seated Arch-Mage. He smiled tiredly, but with the warmth of an elder. “My research notes and the like are in the Arch-Mage’s chambers at the Society, I would have you take over there for me in my stead. Imagine it as using a Soul Gem to harness the life force of a being, except the Soul Gem is actually a Being. I suppose related to the Dragonborn, except with Magicka instead of dragon souls. Can you do this for me, Valina?” He asked, closing his eyes tiredly. “It will be done, my Lord Regent.” She said, standing and nodded to him. Her eyes met with the Justicar Revin, and a chill ran up her spine. Something was not right in all this, but the Lord Regent dismissed her then, and she was forced to leave with her mind occupied by her new mission. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ [b]Agent Aiden of the Renshi, Servant to the Aldmeri Dominion. 25th of Midyear Alinor, Summerset Isles, Capital of the Dominion. [/b] “Are you sure you can handle this?” Walden asked the younger Altmer youth who stood before them, dressed from head to toe in Official Thalmor garments. “As ready as I will ever be, Lord General.” The boy swallowed nervously and adjusted a button on his silky and slick jet black Thalmor jacket. “I believe in ya, Aiden . Just relax and you will do fine. Remember, this is for the Dominion. For Aelid!” Said the older Imperial Noblemen. The lad took a deep breath and rushed around the corner from where the two crouched, and approached the same oak tree with the rose bush that Walden had found yesterday. Revin and several co-conspirators were gathered around, whispering dark things to each other. The youth approached them, and spoke nervously for several minutes. Though Walden crouched and tried his hardest to listen, he could not hear. Aiden approached them, and they cast suspicious eyes upon the youth. Yet a cold wave of calm descended upon him, its roots in his Renshi training. He spoke with a cold malice few Altmer could match; “I heard you would replace this weak Regent and reform the Dominion more to Thalmor liking. I have come to aid you in this.” He spoke evenly. “And how are we to know we can trust you, stranger?” Spoke Revin, the apparent ringleader of the conspiracy. “I would perform tasks as you wish. To prove my loyalty to the Thalmor.” Aiden spoke, and as he did now the female Thalmor spoke now on his behalf. “What of Nelron? Surely we can use him to assassinate the Regent and get it over with or some such thing. The Regent is weak. “Yes, Nelron is old and feeble. The poison I have been slipping him will kill him perhaps within a week tops, and I’m afraid assassination is too risky, at least a quick one would be. The title of Lord Regent shall then pass onto the highest ranking Thalmor in Alinor, which happens to be me. Once I take the Regency, I shall receive orders from the High Justicar on our next move to consolidate our power.” Spoke Revin optimistically, unaware of the traitor in their midst. A idea seemed to come to him. “I would have you sent as Steward to the new temporary Arch-Mage of the Arcane Society. Keep an eye on her and make sure she doesn’t come too close to the truth of our plot. I’ve a bad feeling about her...” Revin spoke ominously. Aiden nodded and slid back, already preparing for his new job. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [b]Lord Admiral Orthos of the Royal Fleet 25th of Midyear Abecean Sea[/b] [i]The Aldmeris[/i] swayed in the sea as lightly as a feather, the golden ridges of the ship splashed with salty water. It’s sails appeared to be near made of spider silk, or as if a bird could easily fly through it and send the whole thing tumbling apart. Thus was the ingenious of the Altmer, who’s ships were some of the fastest and lightest in all of Nirn. This flagship of the Dominion was better equipped than most war ships of the Dominion, having a large under deck to carry large amounts of troops as well as sailors, and a private chamber for a group of battle-mages to be kept at. The idea was that during intense battles, the Mages would be able to shield and protect the ship from incoming enemy fire. It had been originally designed by the Arch-Mage Nelron many, many years ago when he was still a young member of the Society. The Captain’s Quarters looked every bit the Altmer craftsmanship as the rest of the boat, with the interior walls draped with soft fabrics with intricate design. The colors of the Fleet reminded the eye of their home, of summer. Many of the ships were painted golden, crimson, even kept a wooden brown, though sanded and shined until it looked as fine as the glass the elves were famous for. “Our ships are preparing to form the Blockade, Lord Admiral. We discovered a small group of Hammerfell scouting ships which attempted to flee after we discovered them. We destroyed all but two of the ships, one of which actually set itself ablaze rather than fa capture. The last… escaped.” Spoke the First Mate of [i]The Aldmeris[/i] with apprehension, knowing the wrath of his Admiral. “Escaped!? How could mere men escape the Altmer at sea?” He asked, disgusted, staring at a map of the sea on the center table of the quarters. He looked at his ships carefully, plotting his next move. He had to choose carefully, or risk the Dominion. “We are not sure, my Lord. But the ship was on fire, and the majority of the crew killed when it escaped. I assure you, with any luck they won’t have gotten far.” Spoke the Altmer. “Men and Fools believe in luck, you know this!” Growled the Admiral through clenched teeth, already picturing the ship fleeing to Stros M’kai to warn the fleet. Yet then the idea came to him, and he knew what he needed to do. “How many ships are needed to keep up this blockade of Valenwood? I wouldn’t have anything slipping by.” Asked the Admiral, staring at the island fortress on the map. “Our forces could make do with as little as a hundred ships in securing Valenwood from unauthorized naval transport.” Spoke the sailor. The Lord Admiral looked to his maps only a moment before deciding. "The Yokudan breed like vermin, and number too great even for our superior Mer craftmenship. Blast the Blockade, we won't need it if there's no Hammerfell to send people... Rally all two hundred ships and have them follow [i]The Aldmeris[/i] to leave the rest of the Fleet tonight. We will sail for Stros M’Kai, and strike at it at first light tomorrow morn. Aldmeri ships are faster than those of Men, and if we hurry we can still yet strike at Stros M’Kai before their wounded ship can hope to return to port and warn them.” Spoke the Admiral gravely, knowing he was sending many Altmer to their deaths. Yet this was war. He wordlessly waved the First Mate away, sending him to his tasks. [b]Actions: - The Arch-Mage is now Regent! -New temporary Arch-Mage of the Society! -Renshi Agent has infiltrated Thalmor Conspiracy! -Dominion Flagship and Royal Fleet of 200 sail towards Stros M’Kai after cleansing the Northern Valenwood Sea of Undesirables.[/b]