Political Drama (2): A Million Gold Septims
"Ambassador Elenwen! What a twisted surprise! I feel like ages since we saw each other last time… oh! Wait a minute! This is the first time we see each other." Jon saw Elenwen and acted surprised.
Elenwen narrowed her eyes for a second then decided to ignore Jon seeing him in a good mood and trash-talking everyone. She walked forward inside the Longhouse's great hall but her eyes landed on Ulfric Stormcloak in the corner.
Her expressions betrayed her and she was simply enraged seeing Ulfric's face, after all, this is the killer of her master.
Ulfric couldn't help but to sneer. Through the years, he could finally face Elenwen, the very same Thalmor Officer that interrogated him while he was young, and can now look down on her the same way she always looked down on him.
In the end, Elenwen had to swallow the bitter pill and walk further into the hall. No one could miss her annoyed expressions after that.
"Your Grace. It has come to our attention that some natives of Alinor were among the force that tried to pillage the Hold of Winterhold. We would like to be handed over the bodies of our brethren for a proper burial."
"I do not understand. The Altmer that attacked Saarthal were a band of marauders as far as our investigation is concerned. Would every Dominion Ambassador go around each country gathering the corpses of every Altmer lowlife on roadsides." High King Torygg didn't take Elenwen's demanding tone well.
"Your Grace, this is a Dominion affair and we advise…"
"Pick your words carefully, elf." Falk Firebeard was not comfortable with Elenwen too.
Elenwen looked between the King and his people then looked at Jon Dare who was standing not far from her with a funny expression.
"The dead Altmer bandits are under the jurisdiction of Winterhold." High King Torygg dismissed the matter with a wave of his hands.
Elenwen looked to the man standing beside the High King.
"Jarl Korir."
"The matter is under the management of Thane Jonhild." Korir brushed it off.
Elenwen looked with annoyed eyes towards Jon who smiled widely and opened his hands.
"How can I help you?" Jon said.
"The bodies of the dead countrymen of mine. The Aldmeri Dominion would like to…"
"I know, I know… no need to repeat yourself." Jon said then sat back. "But you know, taking them requires a ransom. I am sure we all on the same page."
"Say it." Elenwen wanted to cut to the chase.
"2,000 fallen foot soldiers and 9 Arch-Wizards, if we summed it up… but still, Goddamn! You High Elves surely have a lot of rouge Arch-Wizards for them to gang up so far from Alinor and cause a mess. The Isles of Summerset must be one hectic place at this rate." Jon deviated from the subject.
"The ransom."
"100 Golden Septims for each foot soldier, 80,000 Golden Septims for each Arch Wizard."
The people in the room all sucked a breath of cold air. Jon was extorting the Thalmor for almost a Million Golden Spetims.
"Jon Dare, you are biting more than what you can chew." Elenwen said.
"Meaning?"
"The Thalmor government doesn't like to be pushed around and there surely will be retaliation. You are not the same Jon Dare from the other day. We know about your puny attempt to reach a state of divinity was merely all your best effort and we will admit that it was admirable but you put a large target on your back and your city, Thane Jonhild. There is no getting away from that. Even the Empire won't extend a hand of help to you." Elenwen's tone was full of threats.