Aranande

"Ah, you must be the town's champion. I've heard quite a bit about you."

Good things, I hope. "Well, you certainly seem to have won over the local townsfolk."

You have me at a disadvantage, then. "I am Aranande of the Thalmor. We are here to enforce the terms of the White-Gold Concordat. Does that bother you?"

I'm not interested in politics. "How very wise of you. That probably helped you win the hearts and minds of the townsfolk."

You do what you have to do. "Believe me, I intend to."

"You've only been back for a few weeks, I believe?"

That is correct. "How long were you gone, if you don't mind me asking?"

Ten years, give or take. "I'm curious, what did you do during these years?"

I went out looking for adventure. "[?]"

I joined the Imperial Legion. "I had assumed as much. Who knows, perhaps we fought on the same battlefield."

Perhaps.

I doubt both of us would be here if we had. "Yes, you're probably right."

"Well, no matter. We actually need your help for something. We have reason to believe a member of the outlawed Blades order may be hiding in this area. This dangerous fugitive must be caught and eliminated. We need an expert fighter like you to help us find him. Any idea where we should be looking?"

Not really, I'll have to ask around. "Very well. Let us know if you find anything. Have you found out anything more about that presumed Ayleid sorcerer-king?"

I'm trying to figure out where its lair might be. "You should investigate the ruins of Niryastare. They have long been known to be haunted."

Oh, I've been here for a while. "Ah. I must have heard wrong, then. I was under the impression that you had been away for quite a long time."

I kind of lost track after a while. "[?]"

"We still need to your help to capture that fugitive Blade. Any idea where we should be looking?"

Not really, I'll have to ask around. "Very well. Let us know if you find anything. Good luck finding that Sorcerer-king's lair. You'll need it."

"We still need to your help to capture that fugitive Blade. Any idea where we should be looking?"

Let's try the old soldier camp. "Excellent! You lead the way, we'll follow."

Sure, let's go. "Glad to hear it. We leave at once!"

I have a few things to do first. "I see. Don't take too long."

Not really, I'll have to ask around. "Very well. Let us know if you find anything. Good luck finding that Sorcerer-king's lair. You'll need it."

"Ready to help us hunt for that Blade?"

As ready as I'll ever be. "Glad to hear it. We leave at once!"

Not yet. "You'd better hurry. I'm sure you don't want us to lose the Blade's trail because of your dallying."

"I sent out two of my soldiers to scout. One of them reported that there are trolls ahead."

What about the other? "No word yet. I'm sure he's fine. You should go ahead and deal with those trolls."

All right. "Report back to me when you've killed those trolls."

"Report back to me when you've killed those trolls."

"I take it those trolls won't bother us anymore?"

They're gone. "Good. Now, finish exploring the area. Let me know immediately if you find the fugitive Blade."

"So, have you found anything?"

Not yet. "Very well. Let me know when you do."

"So, what's the verdict?"

The Blade isn't here. "Just as I expected. Let's return to town and decide our next move."

"We'll return to the Town (Town name) and decide our next move."

"Well, that was a colossal waste of time... I'm starting to think you may have deliberately misled me. You wouldn't be trying to help that fugitive, now would you?"

I wouldn't want to get on your bad side. "How very wise of you. Ugh! Now I have to go wash off that troll stench! It's absolutely revolting!"

You can trust me. "I don't trust anyone. That's what makes me so good at my job."

"Have you found anything more about our mysterious fugitive?"

Sorry, no. "No matter. I've put that aside for now. I've received a tip from one of the townsfolk about locals continuing to secretly worship the false god, Talos. This is, of course, forbidden by the terms of the White-Gold Concordat."

What will you do to them? "They will be detained and interrogated until they renounce their heresy."

That sounds fair. "Of course it is. We're not monsters; we're just here to make sure people follow the law."

Why not just let them live in peace. "They are free to live in peace, as long as they don't worship false gods. That's the whole point."

Do you need help dealing with those heretics? "That's very considerate of you, but we can handle this matter ourselves."

"I appreciate your eagerness to help us, but we can handle this matter ourselves."

"It seems someone tipped off those Talos worshippers...they were all gone when we got there. I'm convinced that Blade outlaw is responsible for this..."

That sounds about right. "We shouldn't have lapsed in our efforts to catch him...or her. Let me know when you have more ideas on where our quarry might be hiding."

I will do that. "We are now ready to assume our hunt. Do you have any leads?"

Not yet. "Let me know as soon as you do. The sooner we catch that fugitive, the sooner I can leave this forsaken place."

You don't even know if he exists. "No. There is no question that this Blade is hiding out somewhere near here. Let me know when you will have more ideas on where our quarry might be hiding."

I will do that.

"Ah, Fugitive (Player name), I've been expecting you. I hope you have a new lead on our fugitive Blade..."

I do. "You do? Excellent! So, where are we off to now?"

A small cave inside the Haunted Grove. "Haunted Grove? That sounds dangerous."

It's just a name. "No matter, since you're coming with us anyway. We leave as soon as you're ready."

"Lead the way, Fugitive (Player name). We'll be right behind you."

"So this is the "haunted grove"? I was expecting something more impressively dreary. Looks like there are a couple of bears ahead. A perfect job for you."

"Report back when those bears are dead."

"Good work, Fugitive (Player name). Go on ahead. I'll meet you at the cave entrance."

"You go on ahead. I'll meet you at the cave entrance."

"How do we know this isn't a trap?"

Go on in, you'll find out. "I have a better idea: you go in first, and if you don't come out then we'll know."

I'll go in. "I approve. Shout if you need help."

"Go scout inside the cavern, and report back to me on what you find."

"Well? Did you find any trace of the fugitive?"

I found nothing. "That's...unfortunate."

Just the wispmother. "As I expected."

"Let's return to town. Our work here is done."

"I'm disappointed in you, Fugitive (Player name)."

I didn't realize it'd be this dangerous... "No, I'm disappointed because I thought you knew the area, but clearly you've been away too long."

So, what now? "Maybe we'll ask someone else for advice on where to go. That old weaponmaster looks knowledgeable. You'd still come with us, though. We can use your fighting skills. I'll let you know when you're required."

"I've received some encouraging news from the First Emissary. New details have surfaced about our fugitive. A messenger is on his way with more information. That likely means we'll be leaving here sooner than expected. Are you relieved?"

Why? I enjoy your company. "Hmph. Of course you do."

My feelings about this are irrelevant. "A very... well considered answer. If you ever tire of swordplay, you might have a future in politics."

"That messenger should arrive today. Soon we will have a solid lead on that fugitive Blade..."

"So, I have good news, and bad news. Which would you like to hear first?"

The good news. "The good news is that we've narrowed our list of suspects to five people."

Okay...and the bad news? "The bad news is that our messenger was murdered. Outside of us, only five people knew about him. We've suffered a minor setback, but we are still getting closer to our goal. Oh, by the way, Henrik Seven-Swords told us he'd come up with a few more leads. And yes, before you ask: he is on the list of suspects."

The bad news. "The messenger we were waiting for was murdered just outside of town."

I see. And the good news? "Only five other people knew that he was coming, so our list of suspects has narrowed considerably. We've suffered a minor setback, but we are still getting closer to our goal. Oh, by the way, Henrik Seven-Swords told us he'd come up with a few more leads. And yes, before you ask: he is on the list of suspects."

"I'll let you know as soon as we have a new lead on our fugitive's whereabouts."

"Get your armor and weapons ready. We have a new lead from Henrik Seven-Swords."

Where to now? "Draugluin's tomb, which sounds just as lovely as all of the other places we've visited. I'm starting to suspect the old fool is sending us on wild goose chases..."

Henrik wouldn't do that. "Not if he had an ounce of sense in his body, certainly. That, however, remains to be seen. It might be good to remind him - and you - that assisting a Blade is a serious crime."

I know. "Good. Now let's get ready to explore Draugluin's tomb."

"We're ready to explore Draugluin's tomb. Lead the way."

"This place is eerily beautiful. The Ayleids truly were a great civilization. I've sent out two of my soldiers already. Go and make sure nothing has happened to them."

What about you? "I'll stay here and make sure the Blade can't escape."

"Go find my soldiers and help them if they need it. I'll stay here to guard the exit."

"So, did you find anything, or is this another red herring?"

Nothing but long-dead elves, sorry. "I wish I could say I'm surprised by this. At least we didn't lose anyone this time... There's nothing more to see here. Let's head back to town."

"Let me be very clear: the Thalmor will not be played for fools. So I'm asking you now: Is Henrik stringing us along?"

I have full confidence in Henrik. "I'm sure you do. You two are close, aren't you?"

He taught me everything. "As I thought. I'll give him one last chance to provide some real information."

Not particularly. "I see. In any case, I'll give him one more chance. This time he'd better be right."

You'll have to ask him. "Oh, we will. Believe me, we will. I'll give him one more chance. If he fails again, I'm done with him."

Sounds fair. "Goodbye, champion."

"Let me guess. You want to ask me if I know of an alleged bandit spy in town. Is that correct?"

Well, do you? "I do not, nor do I care to know. The internal affairs of your realm are of no concern to us. We are here for a very specific purpose. You would do well to remember that."

How do you know this? "You forget it is my business to know things. All kinds of things. Well, except for who the bandit spy is. I neither know nor care about that."

"Please do not trouble me with such trivial matters as bandits."

"How is your quest to defeat the Sorcerer-king going?"

We're trying to find an ancient Ayleid incantation. "Hmm. We may be able to help you on this. I've learned of an old enchanter called Martin Gavinius who is an expert on ancient Ayleid magic. He may know something of use to you."

Do you know where to find him? "I do. I want you to kill this unrepentant Talos worshipper once he's given you what you want. Do you have a problem with that?"

Nope. "Excellent. Here are the directions to where he lives. Be careful though. There's a reason this sly old man is still alive... "

I'll have to think about it. "Suit yourself. You know where to find me, Eldan..."

"Have you reconsidered my offer?"

I'll do it. "Excellent. Here are the directions to where he lives. Be careful though. There's a reason this sly old man is still alive..."

I'm not an assassin. "Suit yourself. You know where to find me, Eldan..."

"Have you found that old enchanter yet?"

On my way right now. "Good luck, Fugitive (Player name)."

Soon. "Let me know when it's done."

"I thought we had an understanding."

What do you mean? "You were supposed to kill the old enchanter, not bring him back with you! Explain yourself!"

I thought you'd want to question him. "Question him? About what?"

Other Talos worshippers in the area. "That's...not the worst idea you've ever had, actually. Very well. We'll interrogate him before killing him. Maybe he does have something of value to share."

Maybe he knows where to find the Blade. "I doubt that, given that he's a hermit who never leaves his tower!"

He surrendered. "That's no excuse! The man is an unrepentant heretic. He does not deserve to live."

"Don't worry. You've done enough. I'll let you know if we learn anything from that old enchanter."

"Once again you disappoint me, Warrior."

What is it this time? "The old enchanter, Martin Gavinius, has escaped - no doubt with the help of the fugitive Blade. This wouldn't have happened if you had killed him, as we had agreed."

You're right, I'm sorry. "Forget about him. I have much bigger news. We've finally unmasked that fugitive Blade."

You did? Who is it? "I'd rather show you. I'm curious to see the look on your face when you see who it is. Meet us in the old arena. You'll have a front-row seat to our triumph."

If you insist. "Good. I'll see you in the old arena."

I don't have time for this. "What if I told you it's someone you know? You're intrigued now, aren't you?"

I'm not a murderer. "Yes you are, you just haven't embraced it... yet. Anyway, forget about him. I have bigger news. Much bigger."

"Ah, Warrior. We were waiting for you."

Why is Henrik here? "Isn't it obvious? He's the Blade we've been hunting for all this time."

Him? That's impossible! "Impossible? He actually confessed to it!"

He did? "He most certainly did. He must have lied about this to you as well. Here's your chance to make things right: you will be the one to kill him."

I'm not a murderer! "Oh, come now. We've even given him a weapon, so he has a fighting chance. Do it, or we'll kill both of you."

He's lying. I'm the Blade. "As I suspected! It never quite made sense that this old man could be an elite Imperial agent. Soldiers, kill the old man while I deal with this Blade!"

"What is it? Are you having second thoughts?"

He's not the Blade. I am. "[?]"

No, I can do this. "Do it, then."

"Well done, Warrior. And to think I suspected you of being the hidden Blade. Does that surprise you?

Never trust anyone, right? "You learn fast. No wonder the old man was proud of his pupil.

He was a good man. "[?]"

It doesn't matter now. "You're right. It doesn't matter now. In the end, we all pay the price for our mistakes.

So, what now? "Now? We leave this forsaken place and move on to the next one. Your Empire is full of renegades and Talos worshippers. And you can go back to being your miserable little town's champion, or whatever it is you do here. Just make sure you don't give us cause to return.

You can count on that. "Farewell, Fugitive (Player name). It was...interesting."'

"You can go now. We can find our own way back."