บท 27: Ambassador's Regal Attire

Victor Bran's consciousness clawed its way back from the void, a sluggish tide returning to shore. His

A single thread of sunlight pierced the darkness, illuminating a small patch of damp stone floor. The air was heavy with the scent of mold and cold earth, and Victor Bran found himself suddenly awake in this unfamiliar place. His hands were bound behind his back, and a rough burlap sack covered his head, its coarse fibers scratching at his face with each shallow breath he took.

"Where am I?" he muttered under his breath, trying to gather his bearings. This situation was unusual, to say the least. He strained to access his Magicka, but it seemed that whoever had taken him captive had managed to suppress his arcane abilities somehow. Whoever they were, they were clearly well prepared.

"Think, Victor," he urged himself, attempting to piece together what had happened before his abduction. He'd been sleeping in the Inn after having a meal with Serana, nothing seemed out of the ordinary.

His analytical mind went into overdrive as he assessed his current predicament. It was fortunate that his Inventory system wasn't tied to his Magicka; otherwise, he would be utterly helpless. But even so, escape didn't seem wise, given that he had no knowledge of his surroundings or the intentions of his captors. For now, patience would be his ally.

"Whoever did this needs something from me," he reasoned internally. "The fact that I'm still alive is evidence enough of that." He knew that understanding his kidnapper's motives would be crucial in determining his next move.

"Power, sacrifice, consequences, hidden motives..." Victor whispered to himself, pondering these recurring themes amidst the oppressive silence of his prison. "Why have they taken me? And what do they want?"

As he continued to mull over these questions, Victor's thoughts drifted back to the game of Skyrim he had modded, never imagining that it would become his reality. Sometimes he yearned for the simplicity of his previous life as a data analyst in New York City, but he knew that longing for the past wouldn't change the present.

"Nothing to do but wait..." he murmured, his heart heavy with an ominous foreboding. "Wait and see what fate has in store for me."

A faint creaking sound filled the air, and Victor felt a sudden shift in the atmosphere. Tensing, he listened intently as the muffled footsteps of an approaching figure grew steadily closer. Though unable to see, the analytical mage began forming mental images of his surroundings, piecing together what little information his senses provided.

"Ah, you're awake," a gruff voice finally broke the silence, and the man halted just out of reach after taking the bag of his head. "You gave us quite a bit of trouble, you know."

Victor resisted the urge to respond immediately, allowing a brief moment to collect his thoughts. He needed to remain cautious, relying on his resourcefulness and analytical nature to navigate this precarious situation.

"Who are you?" Victor asked carefully, his voice calm despite the uncertainty that gripped him. "Why have you taken me?"

"Questions, questions," the man scoffed, but there was a hint of curiosity in his tone. "Very well. You're alive only because I recognized you as Jarl Balgruuf's brother. Now, tell me where you acquired that attire you were wearing when you entered Solitude."

The memory clicked into place, and Victor suddenly understood his predicament. Upon arriving in town, he had been clad in the Ambassador's Regal Attire – a reward from the System for assassinating the Thalmor Ambassador, Elenwen. This man had likely noticed some identifying pattern or symbol on the clothing which indicated it belonged to Elenwen, though he didn't immediately identify Victor as her killer.

"Ah, I see," Victor said slowly, his mind racing to formulate an explanation that would satisfy his captor while concealing the truth. "My attire... I came across it during my travels. The previous owner no longer had use for it."

"Is that so?" the man replied, his voice heavy with suspicion. "That's a convenient story, but it won't protect you from the consequences of your actions."

"Consequences?" Victor echoed inwardly, his curiosity piqued. He weighed the potential risks of probing further against the valuable insights he might gain. "What do you mean?"

The man chuckled, a low, threatening rumble that echoed within the confines of the damp stone chamber. "You're a smart one, I'll give you that," he said, his footsteps growing closer. "But even the smartest of men must face the consequences of their actions. Especially when those actions involve assassinating Thalmor dignitaries."

The accusation hung in the air like a guillotine blade poised to drop. Victor was once again reminded of the dangerous game he was now part of, a game in which the stakes were his very life.

"As I said," Victor began calmly, refusing to let his captor's words rattle him. "The previous owner no longer had need for it. As for any accusations you might be making... well, I think we both know that they are baseless."

His captor grunted in response, perhaps out of irritation or uncertainty. Either way, it was clear that his statement hadn't quite landed as he'd hoped.

"Baseless or not," he finally retorted, "our superiors are keen on having someone answer for Elenwen's death. And right now, you're the only lead we have."

Victor held back a grimace at the revelation.The words hung like a shard of ice in the chilled air as layers of implication settled heavily upon Victor's shoulders. He had just slain a symbolic figure, an individual whose death would inevitably ripple into unforeseen consequences. The Thalmor wouldn't take such a loss lightly; they would seek someone to blame, and it seemed he had inadvertently painted a target on his back.

"Fair enough," Victor conceded cautiously, his analytical mind already disassembling the situation into manageable pieces he could deal with systematically. "But if I may... what makes you think I'm your man?"

Silence stretched between them, punctuated only by the slow drip of water onto stone. Victor could almost hear the gears turning in his captor's mind, grinding out responses, weighing lies against truths.

"You were found wearing her regalia," the man finally replied after a lengthy pause. "Not many in Skyrim can say that."

Victor considered this in silence for a moment, his mind searching for an escape route that wouldn't incriminate him further. His thoughts circled back to their victory celebration with Sarah. Had someone seen them? Had they left any evidence behind? The more he thought about it, the more entangled he felt in this perilous web.

"It was... loot," he suggested cautiously, trying to keep his composure. "Do you really think I'd be foolish enough to wear her insignia out in the open if I were guilty? As you mentioned earlier, I'm the Jarl's brother—why would I do something so reckless?"

The man seemed to consider Victor's words, the silence stretching out once more. The sound of water dripping echoed ominously in the chamber, a steady reminder of their cold, damp surroundings. Victor could almost hear the cogs turning in his captor's mind as he weighed Victor's words against his original suspicions.

"Perhaps you're right," the man finally responded, and Victor felt a fleeting sense of relief. "But that doesn't clear your name entirely."

Victor nodded, acknowledging the fair point. He had been found in compromising circumstances and it would take more than an eloquent denial to convince his captors of his innocence.

"What would clear my name then?" he asked, a note of trepidation threading through his otherwise steady voice. It was evident he was walking on thin ice, yet he needed to continue this dance if there was any hope for him to escape relatively unscathed.

His captor gave a low chuckle, the sound scraping against Victor's nerves like a rusty saw. "There's an easy way to prove your innocence," he responded cryptically before finally stepping into the lantern light that illuminated a small portion of the dank prison.

Victor assessed the man silently even as his mind churned with possibilities. His captor was Thalmor, there was no doubt about it—his golden armor was unmistakable, gleaming in the muted lantern light. The insignia etched into the bracers signified a high rank—an officer perhaps, or possibly something more sinister.

"And that would be...?" Victor ventured cautiously, trying to keep any trace of anxiety out of his voice. He needed to remain calm, to think clearly and logically. This was not the time for panic or rash decisions.

The Thalmor officer grinned, a predatory expression that sent an involuntary shiver down Victor's spine. His eyes, sunken into shadows under the helmet's brim, were alive with malicious delight. "Simple," he drawled, drawing out the word for effect. "Locate Elenwen's murderer for us."

Victor's heart pounded in his chest at the audacious proposal. Of course, he thought bitterly. They wanted him to find the very person they suspected him to be. Could he play along, lead them on a wild goose chase while he planned his escape? His analytical mind whirred into overdrive, processing scenarios and possible outcomes.

"Perhaps," Victor said slowly, considering his options. He feigned hesitation to appear as though he was grappling with the proposition. "But I would need certain assurances."

The Thalmor officer chuckled again, the sound echoing in the cold stone chamber like the ominous tolling of a distant bell. "And what assurances would those be?" he asked, his voice deliberately casual as he leaned against the stone wall, arms folded across his chest. His stance exuded arrogance – a clear display of power and control in this chilling game of wits.

Victor swallowed down his rising fear, focusing on maintaining his calm demeanor. "Firstly," he began, "my freedom. I cannot find your suspect from within these walls."

"A fair point," the officer conceded with an amused tilt of his head. "What else?"

"Secondly," Victor continued, deciding to push his luck, "Protection for my companions. They should not pay for my alleged crimes." His mind flickered briefly to Serana, praying she had managed to evade this predicament.

A sardonic smile tugged at the corners of the officer's lips. "And if I agree to these terms, how do I know you won't simply disappear into Skyrim's wilderness?"

Victor met the officer's icy gaze head-on. "You have my word,as a Jarl's brother" he said firmly. The audacity of giving his word to a Thalmor was not lost on him – but desperate times called for desperate measures.

The officer broke into a laugh that echoed eerily through the dim chamber. "The word of a man accused of murder?" He grinned wolfishly. "Very well, I accept your terms. Don't make me regret this decision, Bran."

As the Thalmor officer turned to leave, Victor exhaled, a plume of frosty breath disappearing into the chill air. He was momentarily relieved but, at the same time, he understood that his journey had just taken a perilous turn.

When the heavy iron door grinded shut behind him, he was alone again with only the flickering lantern light for company. Victor reached out and touched the cold stones walls of the cell, contemplating his next move. Looking for Elenwen's killer - himself - was a tall order. Getting out of this dungeon and protecting Sarah at the same time, even more so.

He allowed himself a moment to sit in silence and gather his thoughts. He thought back to his old life as an analyst - how he'd solve complex problems by breaking them down into manageable chunks. This was just another problem to solve, albeit a bigger one with higher stakes.

He began formulating a plan. Even in this situation, Victor refused to succumb to panic or fear. His mind was his weapon and it worked best under pressure.

First, he needed to convince his captor that he was genuinely pursuing leads on Elenwen's killer. For that, he needed relevant information. Victor made a mental note to demand access to the Thalmor archives. He hoped it might contain some pertinent information about Elenwen; her enemies, her routine, anything that could point towards a potential suspect.

Secondly, he needed to buy time - lots of it. Enough for him to come up with an escape plan and execute it. Time was also necessary for him to devise a method of throwing his captors off the scent if they got too close to discovering his true identity.

Thirdly, and perhaps most importantly, he needed to secure Serana's safety without exposing her to the same danger he was in. It would be an intricate balancing act of creating diversions and seeding misinformation.

Victor closed his eyes as he leaned back against the cold stone wall, his mind whirling with possibilities and contingencies. His thoughts were abruptly interrupted by the metallic screech of the cell door opening once more.

"Get up," commanded an unfamiliar voice from beyond the circle of lantern light. Victor opened his eyes to find two Elven guards standing in the doorway. "Your audience with our superior is scheduled now."

Victor rose from his seat slowly, schooling his features into a mask of calm determination. He squared his shoulders and met their hostile stares head-on whilethe door to his cell swung open with an ominous creak. His heart pounded in his chest, but he did not let the fear show on his face. Every step he took was measured and deliberate as he walked past the guards, making certain not to brush against either of them.

He was led through a winding labyrinth of stone corridors. The dull grey walls seemed to close in on him, yet Victor kept his gaze focused ahead, taking note of the turns and passages. The flickering torchlight cast long shadows that seemed to crawl along the stone, imbuing the place with an even more menacing atmosphere.

Once they reached their destination - a spacious room filled with ornate furniture and artifacts, all bathed in soft golden light - Victor's gaze landed on his captor once again. The Thalmor officer sat regally behind a polished wooden desk, a glint of predatory pleasure lighting up his eyes.

"Have a seat, Bran," the officer motioned towards the chair on the opposite side of the desk.

Victor took a moment before settling himself into the plush seat, keeping his posture upright and his expression neutral. He maintained eye contact with the Thalmor officer as he leaned back into his chair, asserting his presence without any words.

"Let's talk about this murderer you're going to find for us,"the Thalmor officer said, his voice smooth as polished stone. His fingers steepled together in contemplation, a predatory smile playing on his lips.

Victor nodded, his gaze fixed on the Thalmor officer. "Before we proceed, I would like to make sure I fully understand the situation," he began, his words carefully measured. "Elenwen was murdered within the Embassy?"

The officer maintained his smile. "No, the last we knew, she was on her way to Helgen."

"Helgen?" Victor asked, his voice skeptical "I heard that that village was burnt down by a dragon just the other day, couldn't she have perished during that, another one of them has attacked Whiterun the other day, we barely defeated it only after we lost a few good men, they're not easy to fight"

The smile on the officer's face disappeared, replaced by a stern expression that could stop a fire in its tracks. "Yes, Bran," he replied, his voice as frigid and unyielding as the stone walls that enclosed them. "We are aware of the dragon attack. However, we have not found Elenwen's body among the wreckage. We do have proof of her presence at the scene though."

"So there's a chance she may still be alive, or maybe she was just unlucky and got swallowed by the dragon?" Victor suggested cautiously.

The Thalmor officer's eyes narrowed as he admitted, "That is a possibility. However, we also discovered evidence nearby that suggests there was a struggle. Elenwen was not one to be taken lightly, Bran. It's possible she fought back before..."

"Before meeting her unfortunate end," Victor interjected, feeling a shiver run down his spine. "So, you believe the assassin fled after killing Elenwen."

"We don't just believe it, Bran. We know it," the officer declared firmly, slamming his fist onto the table for emphasis. "We found tracks leading away from the scene and disappearing into the wilderness."

"On the day of the Helgen escape, many people were fleeing. I personally encountered some of them and I believe two of them may have made it to this location by now. That's why I came to this city in the first place - to meet with them."

"Ah yes, Hadvar and his companion. We are aware of their presence and Hadvar has already given a full report to his superiors."

Victor's heart thudded in his chest, but he did not let it show on his face. He'd made a gamble and it had paid off. He forced himself to keep a neutral expression as he replied, "That's good to hear. I'd be keen to hear what they have to say for myself."

"That can certainly be arranged," said the Thalmor officer, the predatory grin returning to his face. "In the meantime, you have work to do."

Victor nodded, rising from his chair. He knew this was only the beginning of a complex game of cat and mouse, and he was at a significant disadvantage. But he was also determined - he had people depending on him, and he wasn't about to let them down.

"Then I'll get started right away," he said, forcing confidence into his voice.

The Thalmor officer regarded him with narrowed eyes for a moment before nodding curtly. "Very well. We will provide you with everything you need to begin your investigation. You are not to leave the Embassy until we deem it necessary."

Victor clenched his jaw but managed to hold back any objection. This was merely another obstacle, another piece of the puzzle that needed solving.

"Understood," he said evenly.

With one final glance at the Thalmor officer, Victor nodded and turned to leave. His learnings from the day had certainly tipped the odds slightly back in his favor. He had to play his cards right, for his own sake and for those who depended on him.

The journey back to his confined quarters was eerily silent, the echoing footfalls of the guards seeming deafening in the still corridors. The doors swung shut behind him with a heavy thud, leaving Victor once again in solitude.

As he sat on the cold hard stone, Victor drew up a mental map of Skyrim, marking Helgen and the Embassy. If he could trace Elenwen's path and find the exact spot where she "had" been intercepted, there might be clues left behind that could "lead" him to her killer - or killers.

He remained seated on his bed, refining his plan. All the while, a tiny part of him hoped that Serana was safe. His thoughts regularly strayed to their last conversation before he had been whisked away by the Thalmor — her reassuring smile, her comforting words. They would see each other again soon, he had promised they would go together in order to save her mother after all.