“It’s good to be back home.”

 

Hammerleaf snorted. “Somehow this is home already?”

 

“Well…it’s the closest thing we’ve come to it in a while.”

 

“Fair enough. Looks like Woody has kept things in good order.”

 

So it appeared. Swordsinger cast an eye over the valley. Where once had been Foresworn tents and hovels, sturdy defenses had sprung up. A palisade protected the cave entrance while the already rough ground surrounding it was a maze of spiked fence rows. It would take monumental effort just to reach the wall.

 

Well, unless you were a dragon. Fortunately, this appeared to be a dragon-less day.

 

The downside to the arrangement was that it took them all day to wind their way through it. Sky Haven Temple – or the mountain that housed it, anyway – had blotted out the sun by the time they were cheered through the gates. After giving Wooly and the other Company leaders a brief rundown on what had happened, they finally got the chance to talk to their prisoner.

 

The elf’s fancy robes were mud-spattered and torn and he reeked since he had proven to be very bad at shitting with his hands tied (and neither of his captors had felt any inclination toward helping or wiping him after) yet he still managed to convey an air of superiority as they removed his gag.

 

“Now then,” Swordsinger began, “let’s get down to business.”

 

“Indeed. Do not worry, you savages. You won’t need torture or cajolances. The things that are in motion cannot be stopped now. Not by you. Maybe by the dragons, but we’re working on a plan for them as well.”

 

Swordsinger lifted her eyebrows. “Oh? Well, let’s test that theory. We have heard a rumor that Ulfric Stormcloak is secretly a pawn of the Thalmor. Is that true?”

 

The elf laughed. “Of course! He has been our puppet from some time.”

 

Hammerleaf cursed and Swordsinger chewed on her lip. So it was true. “I suppose the stalling of the war was your idea as well?”

 

“Not mine personally, but it is the grand design. You Stormcloaks were moving far too quickly for our tastes at first but it didn’t take much effort to shift enough resources here to the Reach to slow you down.”

 

Swordsinger exchanged glances with Hammerleaf. “Guess you were right.”

 

Hammerleaf shrugged. “Wish I wasn’t. That was disappointingly easy. What are we supposed to do with him now?”

 

“What?” The elf frowned at them. “You killed my men so you could kidnap me and drag me here for one question?”

 

Swordsinger ignored the elf. “I don’t know. I’m fine with killing people on a battlefield but I’m no murderer. Think he’d make a good slave?”

 

“This is asinine! Don’t you want to know about our strategy?”

 

“I suppose that depends on what kind. We could send him to Jaunty’s men to make him mine.”

 

“Or the Imperial setup? Wouldn’t that be useful?”

 

“I don’t know about that. The only way Jaunty could have got his promotion is if he and his family were brown-nosing Ulfric something fierce. I have the feeling our friend would become an honored guest if we did that.”

 

“What about supply points?”

 

“Good point. Should we take him to Delphine?”

 

The name seemed to have sparked something in the elf – his head snapped up and there was a new fire in his eyes. “Delphine?!”

 

Swordsinger blinked at him, surprised by the reaction. “Yes. You know the name?”

 

The elf spat. “Every Thalmor knows that bitch’s name.”

 

“Truly? What do you know of her?”

 

“She fucked men for money and horses for pleasure, that’s what. Where did you hear of her?”

 

“We met her about…how long has it been?”

 

“Five months?” Hammerleaf poked the elf.  “Took a while to find you.”

 

The elf paled. “That…that’s impossible.”

 

“It is? Well, to be fair, we only know that’s her name because she told us as much. Perhaps she isn’t the real Delphine. Why don’t we see her and find out?”

 

“Wait…she’s here?”

 

“Well, I don’t know if the real Delphine is here, but someone calling herself that certainly is. Guess we’ll find out soon enough.” Swordsinger stood and tugged on the rope.

 

The elf cast his eyes about, then glared. “You’re bluffing. I don’t know how you heard that diseased-filled whore’s name but she can’t possibly be here. She died a decade ago.”

 

“If she was really filled with disease, you’re probably right.” Swordsinger tugged the hood back over the elf’s face and glanced at Hammerleaf. “Ready to visit our patron?”

 

“You know, I believe I am.”

 

***

 

They found Delphine almost exactly where they had left her, but the room had changed. A surprisingly large pile of scrolls, books, paper, and writing materials now covered the massive table and dozens of newly polished sets of Blades armor lined the walls. Refurbished weapon stands held numerous black blades that made Swordsinger’s palms itch in lust.

 

Delphine looked up from polishing a wrist guard as they approached. “Well, hello again. I see you have brought a guest.”

 

Swordsinger smiled. “You could call him that. He confirmed what you told us. In fact, he seemed happy to admit it.”

 

Hammerleaf snorted. “He was gloating about it.”

 

“He was indeed. He wanted to tell us all of their plans. Apparently he feels we are powerless to do anything about it.”

 

“And I’m certain none of the information he wanted to volunteer would have been deceptive in any way.”

 

Delphine laughed. “Typical elven arrogance. So, now that you have confirmed what I showed you, have you thought about my offer?”

 

Swordsinger exchanged a glance with Hammerleaf, then nodded. “Of course we have talked about it but we haven’t come to any conclusions yet. No matter what our thoughts on the subject might be, we still have our Regiment to consider. After hearing this news, many would likely join you but just as many more are completely dedicated to Ulfric” the bloody traitor “and will not hear a bad word said about him, evidence be damned.”

 

“I understand. Let me know what decision you ultimately come to, won’t you?”

 

“Certainly.” Swordsinger nudged the elf, who had gone suspiciously quiet. “About this fellow…we mentioned your name and he had…thoughts.”

 

“Oh, yes? And what did our recalcitrant friend say about me?”

 

“He says he’s heard of you but he didn’t believe we actually knew you. He thinks you’re dead.”

 

Hammerleaf leaned forward. “Also, that you’re a diseased-filled whore who fucks men for money and horses for pleasure.”

 

Swordsinger frowned at him but Delphine looked merely amused. “Really? Let’s see who we have, then.”

 

Swordsinger reached out and plucked off the hood. The elf sputtered a bit and Delphine’s face twisted into a smile, but not like the ones she had shown before. This one was…predatory.

 

“Oh, I do know you. Deputy Moru, isn’t it?”

 

The elf’s head snapped up and his eyes widened. “It is you!” He turned back to Swordsinger with a new desperation in his voice. “Do whatever you want with me! Kill me, enslave me, I don’t care! I will serve you willingly! I’ll tell you everything you need! Just do not leave me with her. Please!”

 

Hammerleaf snorted. “I guess we found the best place for him after all.”

 

“Indeed.” Delphine’s smile had grown as the elf gibbered. “Don’t you worry. We’ll take real good care of our guest.”

 

“We’ll leave him in your hands, then. We have a rebellion to plan.” A small laugh. “Another one.” She shared a nod with Delphine then turned away. The elf’s screams (along with Delphine’s calm voice saying, “Oh, we haven’t even done anything yet.”) followed them out of the temple. It was a relief when the stone door swung shut and left them in silence.