Ani nodded at the Nord, but let Tanesha explain her people without interruption.  A totally unknown culture was interesting to the dark elf, as there were few new things to discover in most of Tamriel.  The people, cultural beliefs, and actions of the elves and humans were all predictable and unsurprising.  She quietly wondered if all humans in all parts of Nirn believed in an afterlife.  Most of the elven cultures followed various beliefs, as well.  The Dunmer, for instance, historically worshiped the corrupt Daedric deities.  Ani been involved in a scheme of the Daedric prince Namira who attempted to have Ani become one of her followers - and then tried to have her followers eat the elf when Ani refused to join.  Ani had shrugged off gods and goddesses after that.<br/><br/>She noticed a small group of Reach guards pushing their way through the people on the streets.  She navigated out of their path, uncertain if they were coming for her.  They passed without a glance.  She watched them as they headed toward the city gates.  The elf felt a strange suspicion in her gut, and followed the guards at a distance.  Her talent in stealth granted her swift, silence movements.  The guards came to a halt at the excessively large gates - which the elf often pondered the wisdom of.<br/><br/>A very athletic, thinly dressed man stood with the usual posted watchmen.  One of the guards, evidently a ranking officer, spoke to him in hushed tones.  Ani had to move closer to hear, ducking into an overhang of a nearby building.<br/><br/>"What is it, messenger?" the officer asked sternly.  "What news do you bring?"<br/><br/>"The news must be delivered to Jarl Elsef," the messenger replied.  "I have specific orders."<br/><br/>The officer motioned to one of his men who immediately produced a small orange bag.  The officer snatched the bag quickly and dropped it into the messenger's open hands.  The jingling sound it made upon impact indicated that it was full of coins.  The messenger made no expression.<br/><br/>"I have a message from the east watch," he told the officer.  "A regiment from Hjaalmarch marches on Markarth.  They are armed for combat.  They are four hours out."<br/><br/>The officer glared at the messenger.  He scoffed and waved him off.  "See him out," he told the watchmen.  "I must speak with the Jarl."<br/><br/>The guards turned on their heels and marched back toward the keep.  Ani frowned deeply.  Stormcloak soldiers from Hjaalmarch meant that the High King intended to reign the Reach back in.  This would not bode well for any refugees.