An Elder Scrolls Novel : The Infernal City The Infernal City is a novel set in universe , that was published by Del Rey on November 24 , 2009 , and by Titan Books in the UK . It is written by Gregory Keyes , and a sequel titled has been written . Plot summary . The events of the novel revolved around the story of Annaïg Hoïnart , a young Breton ; Mere - Glim , her Argonian friend ; Prince Attrebus , only son of the emperor Titus Mede ; Colin , a Penitus Oculatus agent ; and Ezhmaar Sul , a vengeful Dunmer and how their destinies tie into that of the dangerous and looming Umbriel , a floating city . The story begins with Umbriel being summoned into the mortal plane . The flying city approaches the city of Lilmoth by sea . The An - Xileel escape from the destruction of the city , but the Lukiul , the assimilated Argonians , are controlled by the rogue Hist of Lilmoth . The Lukiul and non - Argonian races are slaughtered and reanimated as zombies . Annaïg and Glim escape the massacre , and they end up in Umbriel thanks to a flying potion . Annaïg and Glim must then work in Umbriel to survive . Annaïg son becomes a renowned cook , and the different kitchens of Umbriel fight to have her in their kitchen . Mere - Glim , is sent to the sump , where he must take care of gathering the resources the sump provides and taking care of the Umbrielians that are being born . Annaïg warns Prince Attrebus about Umbriel through a Dwemer device that allows them to talk through a screen . Attrebus is a hero to the people , so he proposes his father Titus Mede I to launch an attack on Umbriel . The emperor isn ' t bothered by the flying city , and refuses to send an expedition unless Umbriel threatens the Empire . Attrebus disobeys his father orders , and he leads his men into the flying city . Attrebus is betrayed by one of his men , Radhasa , who turns out to be a criminal . They are ambushed and all of Attrebus ' men are slaughtered . Attrebus is held captive and transported to Elsweyr to be sold to an eccentric Khajiit who collects people like him . Radhasa reveals to Attrebus that his life is a lie , he was risen to believe he was a hero , but in fact , he was only allowed to take part in battles where he heavily outnumbered the enemy . Sul saves Attrebus from Radhasa , and they team up to stop Umbriel . Inspector Colin , a newly appointed Penitus Oculatus , is put in charge of Attrebus ' case . Everything points that he has been murdered . A beheaded body is found with the prince ' s signet . However , Colin believes that the prince is alive . He is interviewed by the Emperor . Colin exposes his concern to Titus Mede , who believes that his son is alive . Sul tells Attrebus all he knows about Umbriel . Forty - eight years ago , Sul ' s wife Ilzheven was chosen to power the Ingenium , a device that kept the Ministry of Truth afloat . Sul tried to save her , but he destroyed the Ingenium . Baar Dau collided with Vivec City killing Ilzheven and triggering the events of the Red Year . Sul and Vuhon , the designer of the Ingenium , where propelled into Clavicus Vile ' s realm , where Umbra took them captive . Sul managed to escape from Vile ' s realm , but Vuhon had to make a pact with Umbra . Vuhon built a second ingenium that could power Umbriel , Umbra ' s city . They merged into one body , henceforth called Lord Umbriel . The only way to stop Lord Umbriel is by wielding Umbra sword against him . Umbra , the being , had thrown Umbra into Vivec City when Vuhon and Sul arrived at Vile ' s realm , so Attrebus and Sul head to the city . Word spreads that Annaïg is a talented cook . The kitchen she is working at is invaded by Chef Toel , one of the top chefs of Umbriel . Annaïg is taken to Toel ' s kitchen , where she further ascends as a cook . Mere - Glim , for his part , initiates a secret rebellion with the skraws to improve their living conditions . Attrebus and Sul are aided by the F ’ aashe clan . They open a gate to Oblivion so that they can beat Umbriel to Vivec City . They end up in Hircine ' s Hunting Grounds . Hircine chases them , but the warriors of the F ’ aashe clan sacrifice so that Attrebus and Sul can escape . At last , they arrive at Vivec City . Sul searches for Umbra , but the sword had already been taken by another person . He encounters Ilzheven ' s ghost , who begs him to let it go and don ' t suffer any more . Colin discovers that a woman called Letine Arese is involved in Attrebus ' ambush . He follows her to a meeting with the criminals that organized the ambush . Letine summons a daedra and kills the criminals . The daedra almost detects Colin , but he remains hidden in the shadows . Umbriel arrives at Vivec City , and the undead capture Attrebus and Sul . They are brought to Umbriel , where they finally encounter Vuhon . Sul manages to break free from his chains and attacks Vuhon , but every effort is useless . Without Umbra , they can ' t defeat Vuhon . Sul opens a portal to Oblivion and Attrebus and him escape from Umbriel . Annaïg replicates the flying potion that allowed Glim and her to arrive at the flying city . She informs Glim that they can escape from Umbriel . They meet at midnight at the docks . They drink the flying potion , but while they fly away from Umbriel , their bodies start to become incorporeal . They had spent too much time in Umbriel , so they had become part of it . They were affected by Vile ' s circumscription , so they couldn ' t leave Umbriel . They came back to the flying city , hoping that they would be able to escape in the future . Critical reception . The Infernal City received an average rating of 4 . 2 / 5 stars in Amazon . Acquisition . The two novels can be purchased here :