Cevimel scowled at the dress laid out on the bed. True, it would be striking against her golden skin and set off her eyes to good effect, but there was so much…lace. It was nothing like the simplicity of her Thalmor robes. Which were, of course, Thalmor robes, and therefore completely unsuitable for going undercover.

“Chaos,” the senior Inquisitor had said, grimly pleased at Cevimel’s new orders. “You’re going to cause chaos the likes of which the Empire will never forget.”

Cevimel had bit her tongue against the impulse to point out that, in fact, the Empire had already faced down numerous forces of destruction, including the sort she was about to attempt. It did not do to contradict Inquisitors, even if she was twice this one’s age and had decades more experience in assassination. Her insubordination had cost her many a promotion already.