A few days later, with the EETC clerks properly in fear for their jobs and working industriously again, I was relaxing outside of the Bard's College, enjoying the nice weather this time of year, practice of skilled performers and nice scenery. An imperial soldier approached me saying "Ma'am? You're needed at the Castle. Captain Metilius would like to see you." Nodding, I rise from the bench and beckon him to proceed ahead of me. Entering the building, he points ahead to the briefing room before heading down the stairs.

Captain Metilius looks up as I enter the room and asks "Please, close the door if you would." Raising an eyebrow I do reach behind myself and give the doors a gentle shove closed. Walking to the opposite side of the table I ask "It must be important if you needed to send a soldier to find me and in the middle of the day. What do you need?" Even with our "close working relationship" he is unwilling to tell me more than "We have some critical information that must be taken to General Tullius as quickly as possible but I don't have anyone trusted enough, quick enough, and close enough... besides you. I can trust you to take this directly to the general, not open it, and reach him in time." "I have no other orders so that shouldn't pose a problem." I respond, "Where is the General now?" The captain responds, "He should be in Helgen when you get there, if not, take the road over the pass to Ivarstead. If he isn't there or has not been through there, I am afraid I will need you to find him but you will be compensated for any additional effort required." I tell the captain I am already mostly packed and be gone in the hour. He hands me a token and mentions I can borrow a horse from the stables for official business. Before long, I am on the road through Dragon Bridge, headed to the marshes.

Making good speed, I arrive in Helgen at the tail end of a prison convoy. I show my imperial credentials to the vanguard soldier and fall in alongside him behind the wagons. Expecting secrecy to be paramount I do not mention that I'm carrying a message for his commander but can see the General at the head of the wagon train. Entering the walls, I hear a sentry call out that a headsman is waiting, apparently for these prisoners. There are a few thalmor waiting as well and I reign in my horse as the General splits off from the convoy to speak with them. I am surprised to recognize the thalmor commander Elenwen is actually present and wonder what would draw her here to speak to the general, not to mention how she would even know he was here.

Their conversation concluded, the general and emisary part and I wait for the general's horse to near mine before calling quietly to him "General, I have confidential documents from Captain Metilius." When he is in arms reach I pass over the docket and my own credentials. Looking at mine briefly before handing them back, he tucks the packet into his upper saddlebag. "General," I whisper, "Captain had me ride with all speed to meet you here. You may want to look at that." Shaking his head, he says "As soon as we have these traitors executed. I don't want to wait and risk anything happening."

Deciding the urgency is over I dismount and find a place out of the way to watch this so-urgent execution. After Tullius condemns Ulfric, a beheading, a dragon, mass confusion, Hadvar and I running into the keep dodging fire, flames and rocks falling from the sky, chaos, an oblivious torture happy jailer, spiders living in a natural cave this time and lastly a contently sleeping bear, Hadvar and I eventually exit the hillside to see a dragon fly overhead. With the dragon gone, we head back to the keep hoping to find survivors, horses and supplies. Supplies we find, but the horses are either dead or taken by any survivors as there are not enough bodies to indicate everyone died. Where they went and which direction we have no way of knowing, and when Hadvar mentions he has kin nearby, I say that he's earned a few days of vacation and home time. Not really knowing who or what I am he takes that as official and briefs me on who the prisoners are and what he knows of the operation while we start walking.

Spotting a nice, out of the way spot down the trail I mention that if he's really feeling a debt to me for saving his life, I have an enjoyable and cost-free way he can pay me back. Needless to say, he's all for my payment plan. After a few more thankings and local history lessons, we arrive in Riverwood and meet his Uncle, Aunt and cousin. Since a flying dragon is faster than the village horse I accept their offer of hospitality and stay the night.

Later in the evening, after supper has been eaten, tales told and what of my story I can share, Hadvar heads downstairs to a spare cot while I look between the well muscled Alvor and his rather attractive wife. A few of their comments through the evening indicate a few cracks exist in their marriage and I mention a willingness to repay some of their hospitality with some couple's therapy. Saying this while unsnapping a few buttons makes it obvious what kind of therapy I have in mind, and Sigrid surprises me a bit by starting to undress herself. Then she really surprises me, and probably Alvor, by saying "She's an imperial, like Cammy, and you remember how much fun we had with her? Its really too bad her brother won't stock those exotic items for their eclectic customers." Turning to me, she asks "Do you ever get to Riften? We hear there is a special importer down there called... um... Calyps." A smile splits my mouth before I start to laugh. "Oh, I know who you mean. Its just too bad I don't have any of her things with me on this trip. Lessons though, I have, and fun as well." With the ice quite broken and marital troubles not as present as I thought, we have exotic fun for most of the night.

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