A brief farewell to the remaining Priory folk, and back to the horses.

"Where to?"

"North of Bruma. A place called Cloud Ruler Temple. It's the Blades headquarters."

"Decently secure, then."

"We should be able to find help there."

"That too - we especially need leads right now..." Sigh. "Next time we're in the Imperial City - my contacts might be helpful there, too. I keep up friendships in both the guards and Thieves' Guild - the Thieves' Guild are the best information brokers I've found, and the guards tend to have more of an idea of conditions on the street than they think they do."

"That sounds helpful."

"It is - and I'm friendlier with the guards usually than the Thieves' Guild, but I've still got enough people who like me to get what I need."

"We can check on Imperial City after, then."

"Alright."

They really only have one option for travel - along the Orange Road that stretches from Chorrol to meet the Silver Road a little south of Bruma - easily fifteen hours total on horse-back. The road is a windy thing, and it gets worse as they approach the Jerall Mountains. The forest provides plenty of places assassins could hide, and makes traveling off-road difficult - and the woods are full of noises that could pretty easily shake the confidence of someone unused to the wilderness.

Still, they have enough magic between them to keep the horses from flagging, and they meet only more mundane threats that their party easily scare off. Azi has been through the area before and can identify a safe place to sleep before they push on past Bruma to the northern mountains that shelter Cloud Ruler Temple. The fortress stands strong, still, and there's no sign of recent combat.

Good. (Lilou's nerves have gotten worn down by the journey.)

Berengere takes the lead, to signal to the fortress that they're friendlies and they should open the gates.

There's more double checks than normal - but they can get in soon enough. 

She assumes they've all heard the news.

They have. 

Good, then they won't need to waste time explaining.

The Mythic Dawn has the Amulet of Kings, but they have a Septim heir. If they can recover the amulet, Dagon may yet be thwarted.

Some good news at least. 

They've been sending agents to track the Mythic Dawn, but they've had... Mixed success, at best. 

They may be able to help with that. Any information the other Blades can share, and a chance to rest and restock...

Anything the Heir's direct guard could ask for is theirs.

Good.

Time to plan their next moves.

Azi had mentioned keeping on the move, for Elliane at least. 

They'll need a way to keep in touch. To let them know when the amulet's been found, if nothing else.

"I might be able to enchant paired artifacts..."

"That sounds most expedient."