The Return of Sithis, Act I: An Era of Silence

Elena nods, clearly saddened and upset by her friend's plight. "Alright. Once we get back to the Guild, I'll send someone to them as a messenger. And I um... Sorry. I'm not really good with names. I'm kinda infamous for that, actually... But I think it's something you need to figure out for yourself, honey. It will come in due time. Don't rush yourself."

The last of the adrenaline rush from the battle abruptly left her, and Elena suddenly slumped to the floor, sitting down on the deck. Perhaps, if more of her crew were still on deck, she would have had the strength to put on a brave face. But it was really just her and her dear friend, and Elena collapsed from the full weight of Nel's betrayal.

"I just don't get it," she whispers, unshed tears glistening in her eyes. "That ambush wasn't designed to take prisoners... They were actually trying to kill us. Only Jarl Nelod would have the authority to order such an attack. Why? Why would he do this? He's been like a father to me... He's always been so kind, so gentle, so wise.... I'm not naive, I swear I'm not... But I... I really thought I could trust him. Damn you Nel, damn you to Oblivion for this..."

Elena merely blinked in disbelief, stunned into silence by her friend's question. She wiped her own eyes and looked up, and as she did so, their eyes met. And the eyes Elena saw... They weren't those of the kindhearted woman she had once known. Odette...? No... You aren't Odette at all anymore, are you...? Who... Who exactly are you?

Elena rises to her feet and takes a deep breath to compose herself. "No. The last thing we want is to start a Hold War while the Dead Legions gnaw at our borders. Once we get back to Riften, we'll be safe. He can't touch us there. What we need to do is find out why Jarl Nelod betrayed the Guild. My personal feelings aside, the Jarl has been a friend to the Guild since the previous Guildmaster. He's been one of our strongest and most loyal contacts for years. In return for marking Windhelm a no steal zone, the Jarl has helped us spread our influence from coast to coast. Because of that, the Guild is the most prosperous it's been in centuries. We need to find out why he turned on us, and soon."

She thinks for a few moments longer, then adds, "But not too soon. Knowing Jarl Nelod, he will expect a quick response from the Guild. The entire city will likely be on high alert for the next couple weeks. I'll have some of my best scouts watch Windhelm and report any changes. Once things have calmed down a bit, I want to send you in to investigate. Consider it your first test. You okay with that?"

Freyr took today's errands in stride as he tightened the current cloak he wore. It was his first time ever seeing snow, so it was a exhilarating experience to see the small flurries fall out of the sky. The residents were out and about as if it was a common occurrence. Freyr found himself visiting the nearby stores and purchasing items from the list. Being the only member that was a recent recruit, and one of imperial blood at that, he was sent on simple errand until he could prove he could fight. He admitted his life had been a simple one before the attack on the Empire.

He recalled the fast-paced running he did to help his mother to Whiterun and through a day where the roads were particularly slippery. It was a short and dramatic arrival to get here, and soon after his mother fell ill, and her condition seemed to worsen. It was if she knew what had befallen his father and her late cousin as they stayed behind to defend the Empire to their last breath. His mother had then recalled that his father, Maximus, had a distant relation to a family called the Greymanes. It seemed to have been a relation that had somehow transpired between one of Maximus' ancestors and a Nordic war hero during the time of the mythical Dragonborn.

They had strangely welcomed them warmly but to Freyr it felt like it was too unnatural to be true. As cold-hearted as it seemed, he had simply left his mother on them. He had spent the stay here regretting and feeling guilty over such a decision. His mother already was heartbroken and in his brief visits to her she seemed paler and more dazed than before with each visit. He was not sure how to console someone, nor did he have the experience. He had lived the stereotypical fame of one with royal blood his entire life. He wasn't a child of the Emperor, but he most certainly was a distant candidate. Freyr found he had little interest in the throne and prayed he would never be called upon it one day. But, the mysterious woman with a demonic horde had come and done all of that.

Freyr was lost between a sense of revenge and moving on. One side fought for his mother and to kill this woman called the Listener; the other felt reluctance, as people would rally him as some sort of hero for doing so, and that would place him as their next leader. It was this that caused him to waste his time here and observe the people. There was a panicked, frenzied way the people acted after the ominous monstrosity known as Sithis had appeared in the sky. Some fools had even started a cult that preached the end of the world was nigh, and that it was only a simple matter of time. Freyr buried his face into his hands and contemplated his choices of actions. Was he somehow spitting on his father, The Chancellor; memories by not fighting? Was he nothing more than a coward that wanted no part of any battle or war with something he felt he could not defeat. He was a mere mortal, and though he felt love for his father, he could not bring himsel to embark on a foolish quest. No one would rally behind him, and things we're not so simple. To sum it all up, he felt worthless at this point in time. When the snow flakes had accumulated on his cloak, he stood up and turned, accidentally bumping int an auburn-haired woman. Something dropped from her robes, a small pendant. 

Freyr bent over to pick it up and stared at it before turning it over. The woman continued silently before disappearing into the crowd. The pendant was of Imperial design and craft, too. Wordlessly, Freyr stuffed it into his pocket. He would leave it in the lost and found section somewhere. 

He he felt a presence behind him and saw the auburn woman from before. Her gaze was devoid of warmth of friendliness. Her hand outstretched, and Freyr realized she had probably felt it drop and returned before she saw him stuff away her possession. "I assume this is your pendant. My apologies..." He trailed off before handing it over to her. He felt her eyes study him before she quietly brushed passed him. Freyr found it rude of her but said nothing more. He remembered he had items to return and so he did that.

"I'll stay at the Guild for now, Elena. And if I do decide to get my own place in the city, I'll do it with my own money. I asked for a job so I could earn my keep, so it wouldn't be right to have you paying me and paying all my bills, now would it? If you're paying for everything for me then what I am going to be working for?" she said. "Right now the more pressing matter for me is what I'm going to call myself from now on. Say... Maybe we could get some ideas by asking other people what they think my name is based on what I look and act like. There's a market here at night, correct? There would be plenty of people with ideas there."

Elena bites her lip in hesitation. She understood where Odette was coming from, but... "Believe me, I understand the need to work for oneself... But you're not just some new grunt I need to break in, or test. You're one of my best friends, and even if you don't remember it yourself, I know firsthand just how valuable your skills are. I wouldn't feel comfortable with treating you like the new girl on the block... But if that's what you want, I'll respect your wishes. Now, instead of asking random people what they think your name is, why don't we ask the same guys who have grown to know and respect you over the past few days? We can still find most of the crew before they turn in for the night."

Elena visibly brightened and nodded. She really, really didn't like the idea of asking random strangers about something as important as her best friend's new name. It needed to be people who knew her. "Right then. First stop is the Bee and Barb."

Elena guided her friend into the bustling four story Inn, and the pair were immediately bombarded with a flurry of sights, sounds, and smells, all mingled together. Elena found her Guild mates huddled around a table in the corner, drinking and laughing. She walked over and asked each of them what they thought Odette's name was, though most of them were too drunk to answer coherently. Only one of them answered seriously; one of the older members of the Guild, a Nord named Balthor. He and his younger brother Wulf had been with the Guild for decades, though they mainly served as sailors and fences now.

"Two names come to mind," Balthor says, rising from the table. "Follow me."

Curious herself, Elena follows him outside. He leads them to the bridge behind the Inn, overlooking the canal below, and leans against the railing. "You remind me of Queen Freya," he says, staring down into the moonlit waters below. "They called her the Moonlit Queen. A proud woman and valiant warrior dressed in a gown of radiance. But... The other name suits you just as well, I believe. My brother was the one who first noticed the resemblance. We were on deck when you were first brought aboard the Gale, you see. My brother and I were part of the crew that hoisted the rowboat up. Now, my brother has always been a dreamer... But he has a purer heart than any you'll ever meet. He's always had a way of seeing into people's innermost selves."

Balthor turned to Odette and a flicker of a smile crossed his worn face. "Seeing you in that boat, huddled in a snow covered blanket, he said it was like looking at the Night Beacon herself, the spirit Lorelei. It's a legend every sailor who's ever sailed the Sea of Ghosts knows, but Wulf is an expert on the old tale. If you want to ask him about it, you can probably find him at the docks right now. He always takes a walk along the lake when coming back from a voyage."

Elena thanked him for his help, though Balthor waved her thanks away and walked back into the Inn. "What do you think?" Elena asks, turning to her and grinning. "I think both names fit you perfectly, but it's up to you. Do you want to continue asking around, or go find Wulf? Even I don't know as much about lore as old Wulf does. He's the Guild's Storyteller for a reason."

Elena mirrored her friend's laugh, smiling. "Don't fault them too much for it, love. I don't allow much drinking at sea, so the boys are always parched when they get home. C'mon, this way."

Elena guided her through the twisty streets of Riften, and out a small side gate, which lead onto the docks. The old Riften docks had been rebuilt time and time again, but now the wood was sturdy and polished, and reinforced with iron and steel. The docks had been expanded as well over the years, and now linked Riften to both the Western and Eastern shores, which allowed the farmers and workers who lived outside the city's walls to easily flee into the city in case of a bandit raid. While there were a few residential houses on the docks, most of the buildings were establishments and warehouses.

"Knowing Wulf, he's probably sitting on the far edge watching the boats come in," Elena says affectionately. From the sound of her voice, It was clear she cared for the old Nord a great deal.

Elena kept her eyes out for other Guild members on the way, but she didn't see any. She did see an unfamiliar Argonian harassing a fish with a stick though. They found Wulf right where Elena said he'd be, dangling his feet over the edge of the Eastern Pier, watching the last merchant ship pull in for the night. He called out an offer to help, but the First Mate politely declined the offer, so Wulf only watched from a distance, a potent homesickness in his eyes.

Elena smiled sadly as they approached him. "Sorry, Wulf. I know your home is the sea. You always make me feel so guilty when I bring you back, you know that?"

He calmly stood up and turned around, not surprised in the least. "No, milady. I may love the sea, but my home is the Guild. There is no reason for you to feel guilty, and I wish you wouldn't. Is there anything you need, Lady Elena?"

Elena's smile turned to one of love. "That's sweet of you to say, little Sea Wolf. Thank you. And yes, actually, there is. Our friend and I here are asking around what people think her name is. We happened upon your brother, and he mentioned the name Lorelei. Said he got it from you, and that you said it was because she bore an uncanny resemblance to the Night Beacon from the legend. Would you tell our friend here the story?"

A glint of excitement sparkled in his eye, and he nodded. "Aye, I would be happy to. But you know the story as well as I do, Guildmaster."

"Well, I wouldn't go that far..." She says, grinning sheepishly.

Wulf sits back down on the pier and motions to the area next to him. Elena sat down on his right and motioned for Odette to sit down beside her.

"The tale of the Night Beacon is an old," Wulf begins. "No one truly knows how long ago it happened, or even if it happened at all. But most sailors agree it likely occurred in the late First Era, or early Second Era. There was a young Nord girl named Lorelei, who lived in a small fishing village on the northern coast of Skyrim. Her father was a simple Fisherman, and her mother a Seamstress. They lived a decent life; not too poor, but not terribly well off either. It was on the eve of the girl's sixteenth birthday when a bad storm rolled in off the Sea of Ghosts. The girl had been helping her father bring in the last of the day's catch when it hit. The storm battered the small village relentlessly, and Lorelei was swept out to sea by a mighty wave. She lost consciousness, and when she woke, she had washed ashore a large island, far out in the middle of the sea. She had been stolen away from all that she knew, but at least she was alive. Some say it was Akatosh who saved her, but most agree it was Tsun. Tsun saw something in the girl, and he put before her three trials she had to pass. If she managed to pass each trial, Tsun would grant her a wish, one for each trial she passed. The trials themselves are a story in their own right, so let's skip ahead a bit. First was the Trial of Wisdom, which Lorelei passed with surprising ease. When Tsun asked her what her wish was, she replied that she wished for nothing."

"Tsun was puzzled," Wulf continues, after taking a deep breath. "But he did not try to dissuade her. The second trial was the Trial of Strength. Tsun was sure she would fail this one, but again, the girl surprised him. When he asked her wish, she again replied she wished for nothing. Tsun was worried now. He had expected the girl to wish to be sent home as soon as she passed a trial. But she hadn't. Then the last trial came, the Trial of Knowledge, and Lorelei passed that too. And again, she wished for nothing."

"Why do you not wish to return home?" Tsun had asked.

"Why would I?" Lorelei responded, confused. "This island is beautiful and bountiful. Free of danger and full of food. And my parents already believe me in Sovngarde. I grieve for the loss of my former life, but I am a Nord, Lord Tsun. We walk forward, not backwards. No, if I had a wish, it would be to stay by your side always my Lord."

"Tsun fell in love with her, and granted her wish. She and the Ocean were never apart after that."

Wulf suddenly smiled and stood up. "I will leave the meaning of that ending to your imagination. We call her the Night Beacon, because when a ship is caught in a deadly storm, it is said if they pray to Tsun, the Goddess of the Sea will appear and guide the ship to land. This may sound like little more than an old sailor's tale to you, but I experienced the truth of it myself. When I was a lad, my father's ship was caught in a terrible storm, and I saw the Night Beacon myself. She looked like you did, on that night I first saw you; pale and beautiful, with hair of midnight gold, and crowned in a cloak of snow."

Freyr returned home, unsure of what he was going to do after dropping off the supplies. He could go back out, but he wasn't sure if he was up for another bout with the cold. Not to mention he could catch a cold. "Warmth." He sighed happily, feeling his skin warm as he stepped into Jorrvaskr. It still seemed that everyone else were out questing and other hijinks. Even Old Man seemed to be gone. Freyr couldn't understand why it was almost always like this. For some reason he felt like that would be changing very soon. Lonely as he was, he took his seat at his usual seat near the window and pondered to himself. The door gave a quiet rattle. It was something he didn't hear.

The door rattled again before a click could be heard. Suddenly Freyr was on his feet warily. The door opened and the bitter kiss of the cold blew in. Who?

A familiar woman came into Jorrvaskr, and he quickly realized it was the same woman from before. She looked up and closed the door, having not noticed his presence. She slipped the item she was holding between her fingers into her pocket and let out a relieved sigh. "Looks abandoned. I can at least sleep here tonight." She murmured to herself.

Mmm... A place to sleep, eh? Come to think of it, she does dress herself like a thief. Someone from the Thieves Guild? No... She doesn't fit anything like the rumors say about them. Perhaps I should make my presence known to her. After all, this is unlawful entry. I can't see beyond that cloak... Is she shivering? Well no damn wonder. She's wearing some odd black leather. Is that Imperial make? Great Talos she is! Has the accent too. Wait, what's an Imperial beyond myself and Mother doing here? Did she escape as well? I won't know unless I ask. Alright Freyr, let's do this slowly. No need to scare the lass.

Freyr stood up straight and did his best to look imposing in the dark. He was aware he wasn't really intimidating compared to some of the Nords around here. "Sleep here for tonight? I think not, lass. Best be off before I lose my temper. This is unlawful entry!" He boomed authoritatively.


The woman whirled around and drew out something silver. Daggers? No, those were short swords for sure. Freyr's hand reached towards his belt for his sword. "Lass? You've little to boast of, boy. You look scarce enough to  be a man. Who are you and why are you here?!" She hissed. Freyr had to applaud her eyesight at least. The only way he could see her was by her auburn hair. Surely she was jesting?

"Me? This is where I and my companions reside. I should be asking you this!" He countered, sliding around the table. Bad move it seemed, for the woman seemed to slide into a battle stance. "Have you proof?" 

"This is Jorrvaskr; residence of the Companions. I'm the only one here tonight. You're lucky I haven't reported you to the guard yet." He threatened, eyes searching for a lantern. The woman laughed, and it was a scornful laugh.

"Why, aren't you pompous. I'd expect a Nord to fight first, ask questions later. Guess not all live to their reputation." She mocked.
Now he could make out her eyes. Yes, she was definitely the quiet woman he had bumped into minutes prior. What a razor tongue. Being called a Nord miffled Freyr. He was fully Imperial as far as he was concerned. "Nord? You must be as blind as this confounded darkness! I'm an Imperial!" He protested vigorously. 

There was movement, and then the lantern was lit aflame and raised towards him. They could see each other clearly now. "What's your name?" The woman demanded sharply. Freyr realized just how childish he was acting; chalking it up to his upbringing. "Freyr." He mumbled begrudgingly.

Silence. "Aurelia. That's a Nordic name you have. Imperial my ass." She snorted audibly. Freyr bit down his next retort. Someone had to be responsible. Aurelia... First he had ever heard of that name before. Still, it gave him something to remember. Aurelia took a seat and lowered the lantern.

"Well, I suppose I could stay here for the night. Of course, that depends on your response, Freyr. I travel from the fallen empire, which I'm sure you know by now that it has fallen." She said in a displeased tone. Freyr laughed. He was right; she was a jester. "Fallen? Impossible. There's no way the Emperor and my father fell. I'm expecting a letter anyday now." His laughter died into a chuckle as he sat in front of her.

"No. Our empire is gone, taken over by the Listener."

The blood in Freyr's veins ran cold.