I am still getting the message that the order of things have changed.

Thanks.

Also, how can I taunt him until he attacks? He keeps saying "you would lose" and similar responses. I have been attacking him, paying gold when accosted by the guard, then immediately killing Helseth, loot his corpse, then port away. The only problem is that when I pay the gold they also take Wraithguard off me! The nerve!

Safe? Heck no! His guards are everywhere!

...

Other than that, plot-wise: yes, it is safe. I'd even recommend it because he's got the best item in the game, IMO, and you can't get that legitimately in any other way.

At least some essential characters remain marked as such even after their parts in the main quests are over. Helseth is one of those.

You can if you want, if you are up to more fighting and paying fines (Not sure if killing him is a death sentence game wise).

Thanks -- and wow, what a rush! I just beat him while his guards were attacking, got his ring (amazing), robes, daedric weapon, and used Alex's ring to port to Vivec. Too awesome.

I loved the scene the only time I did it as well! I actually used a good ol' Scroll of Icarian Flight to jump on his throne, then launched a single Black Dart at him. I watched his guards and him panicking, running around down there and helplessly watching their King meeting his slow but inevitable death... You see, none in that room had any ranged weapons or magic to reach me when I was up there on the throne!

Got down there, looted Helseth and teleported the heck out of the room. I've gone back there a few times after that to openly meet the dyed-in-the-wool outraged guards in combat. I've sliced one or two of them each time before the rest had forced me to retreat from the room. They hit hard! One of these days I should check if anyone's still alive in there; I can't remember.

I believe no-one actually reported my crime or anything. o_O Only that everyone in that room (understandably) hate my guts nowadays!

another good fight, her hands in almelexia's room in the temple. i've only ever beat them once, with a mage and a spellbook bursting with spells that would be overpowered in any other situation.