Two months had passed, and under Sivreth's guidance, Ysolda had turned Honningbrew Meadery into a prosperous venture. The business grew, and so did Ysolda's reputation. Her sharp wit and unyielding determination had earned her the respect of many, even the powerful Yarl Balgruff of Whiterun had granted her the legitimacy she needed to flourish. Her success did not go unnoticed by the cunning Maven Black-Briar, who made several overtures to form an alliance. Yet, Ysolda remained steadfast, reminding them that she was merely the manager and that Sivreth under his false name not even Ysolda knew, his name Hroldir, as the true mastermind behind the operation.
The whispers of Sivreth's growing wealth and influence had reached the ears of the Black Briar family. Despite their initial disdain, they couldn't ignore the potential of aligning themselves with such a lucrative and well-managed enterprise. They offered Ysolda a partnership, dangling the prospect of increased protection and resources before her eyes. But she, ever the astute businesswoman, knew that true power lay in independence. With a courteous smile, she declined, explaining that she was open to doing business but had no intention of becoming a permanent member of their family.
Maven Black-Briar's eyes narrowed at the rejection, but she knew better than to push too hard. After all, the Thieves Guild relied heavily on the network of fences Ysolda had established throughout Skyrim. Any move against her could disrupt their delicate balance of power. Instead, she gritted her teeth and agreed to the arrangement, plotting other ways to bring Sivreth into her fold.
Sivreth, meanwhile, had taken up residence in a grand manor in Whiterun, the same place where Ysolda now lived.. he hadn't wasted these extra 2 months staying in whiterun, this was part of his plans as he perfected the blueprints and specific details of his soon to be crafted Overpowered gear and weapons, it needed meticulous planning and had taken him years but soon it will be time to craft itwas a sprawling estate, a symbol of his newfound wealth and power. However, it was also a fortress, laden with traps and enchantments that would keep even the most skilled thief at bay. But one evening, as the candles flickered in the quiet halls, Sivreth's keen Falmer elf senses detected an intrusion.
A High Elf girl, no older than 20, had slipped past his defenses. He watched from the shadows, curious. Her illusion spells were adept, but not enough to fool him entirely. She moved with the grace of a cat burglar, her eyes searching the darkened corridors for any signs of life. Sivreth could feel the pulse of her magic, a strange and alluring dance that whispered of secrets and deception. He decided to play along, allowing her to think she had bested him.
Merril was a skilled illusionist, but she had underestimated the depth of Sivreth's defen2ses. He had anticipated such a move and had prepared accordingly. As she reached his private chambers, her heart raced, thinking she had found the prize she sought. The room was dimly lit, the only illumination coming from the flickering candles that cast dancing shadows on the walls. She saw the spellbook on the table, a tome bound in gold like material with ancient runes etched into its cover.
This was Sivreth's Elder Grimoire.
Merril's heart sank as she realized the book was not in a language she recognized. It was a puzzle she couldn't solve, a treasure trove of knowledge beyond her understanding. She felt a presence and whirled around, her hand on her dagger. But she was too slow.
Sivreth emerged from the shadows, his eyes gleaming with curiosity. He had been watching her the whole time, his magic barely disturbed by her illusions. She gasped as he moved swiftly, the sound of his footsteps silent on the stone floor. Before she could react, a sudden force slammed into her neck, and the world went dark.
When Merril awoke, she found herself bound to a chair in the same room she had attempted to rob. The Falmer loomed over her, his expression unreadable. "Why did you come for my book?" he asked, his voice a deep rumble.
Her eyes darted around the room, searching for an escape that wasn't there. "I-I was told it belonged to you," she stammered, still disoriented from the suddenness of her capture. "An Imperial mage, he recognized it from your time in the City. He said you had powerful knowledge that could be of use to him."
Sivreth's gaze grew cold, the mention of his past sending a shiver down her spine. "What is your name?"
"M-Merril," she managed to whisper, the fear evident in her voice.
Sivreth nodded. "Well, since you told me you're name, i might as well do the same, I am the Snow Prince, Sivreth. Now then what interest does an Imperial mage have in my grimoire?"
Merril took a deep breath, her heart racing as she spoke. "He said it belonged to a powerful mage who once lived in the City. He thought it would be valuable to his research. He promised me my life if I could retrieve it for him. I didn't think it was really you, you're really the one that caused that chaotic incident in the imperial City more than a year ago."
The Falmer's eyes narrowed at the mention of the City. "What is his name?"
"Ardin Matthias. He is a mage from the Magic academy. He was a teacher at the institute and during his time he saw you use this book a few times and always had such revolutionary ideas in how you apply the magic. But when you revealed your identity as a Falmer he didn't want that kind of knowledge and power left in your hands after your proclamation of being the future Emperor of Tamriel," Merril replied, her voice quivering as she tried to keep the tremble out of her voice.
Sivreth's expression remained stoic. "The Magic academy," he mused. "I had almost forgotten that place." He leaned in closer to Merril, studying her with a thoughtful gaze. "What if I were to offer you something different, Merril? Something far more valuable than serving a desperate mage who sends young, talented elves to steal for him?"
Her eyes widened slightly at the offer. "What do you mean?" she asked, hope tentatively seeping into her voice.
Sivreth leaned back in his chair, his gaze still fixed on her. "I mean that I can see potential in you, Merril. You're not just a common thief, but an illusionist of some skill. With proper training, you could become something more. Much more."
Merril's heart raced. An apprenticeship under someone like Sivreth? It was an opportunity that came once in a lifetime. "What do you want in return?" she asked warily.
Sivreth's smile grew, revealing his sharp teeth. "Your loyalty, of course. I have no need for a thief in my service, but an ally who understands the subtleties of power and deception... now, that is another matter entirely. I have a literal Dragon under my command, so even if you refuse i could care less.."
Merril swallowed hard, the gravity of the situation sinking in. "What do you propose?"
Sivreth leaned back in his chair, his gaze unwavering. "I will take you under my wing and teach you the ways of Mysticism, the arcane arts that even the great Arch Mage Shalidor once mastered. You will learn to manipulate the very fabric of reality itself." His words hung in the air like a tantalizing mirage, a promise of power that Merril could not resist.
Her eyes searched his, looking for any trace of deception, but she found none. The Falmer's offer was genuine, a rare opportunity to rise above her current life of crime and become something greater. "Why me?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Sivreth's smile grew more pronounced. "Because, Merril, I see a spark in you. A thirst for knowledge that mirrors my own. And because, should you choose this path, I suspect your unique talents would be quite... useful in my plans." He leaned back in his chair, steepling his fingers before his face. "But let us not be hasty. If you wish to join me, you must first prove yourself."