UESP Forums

I didn’t know how I got myself into this mess. That’s a lie, I do know how this happened, and that’s what scared me the most. I was facing down a band of the toughest individuals in Cyrodiil, and I was sure of a bittersweet victory. I was shaking like a leaf, and I was already cut badly. Would I survive this? I truly didn’t know. But if I did, would it really be a better fate than death?
I’m sure you’re confused, so let me start from the beginning.

It was a foggy morning, and a small Imperial Legion team was ready to take another job. I had just joined said team – actually, I was forced to join due to debt. I had no real allegiance to the Legion. The team – our team – were tasked with hunting down high risk escaped criminals.

I was quite unlike any other legionnaire I knew, for I was a mage. But it was either join the legion for life or spend life in jail for high debt – so I joined the Legion, no matter how different I was. I got paid nothing, but I had parents that I needed to be taken care of. They would live better if I could visit them. I was just an Imperial, average height, average weight, with sandy blond hair. I had a gift for destruction spells, especially frost spells. Foolishly, I had little restoration spells.

I considered my team to be very unique and powerful – they were the only ones to take me in, so I admired them greatly.

There was Celeste- she was the leader of the team. A tall and proud Nord, Celeste cut back any foe in her way with her deadly claymore. She was tough on the outside yet gentle on the inside, always willing to do the right thing.

Then there were the Hemlock twins – Jerry and Gabe. These two couldn’t stay out of trouble if they tried, but they had good hearts. They each wielded two full silver longswords and were extremely talented with dual weaponry. I could rarely tell them apart – they both had bright ginger hair and a bad haircut, green eyes, and spotted freckles. Plus, of course, that ever present mischievous glint in their eyes.

Iris was the archer of the group. She was a tall, lean Bosmer and could shoot an arrow hundreds of yards without it losing power. She had no sense of humor – which was tragically great fun for the Hemlock twins because they constantly made fun of her – and we generally just called her Deadeye.

Lastly, there was our mentor Avers. He was an older man with grey hair tied back and a short grey beard. Avers was a battlemage – best of both worlds, you could say, but it was no match for my skills. That wasn’t bragging, it was just fact. He was wise and kind – it always made me feel unworthy to look at him.

But there we were – the dream team clad in Legion armor – and we were being barked at by the guard captain. He had told us that the criminals we were looking for, a deadly bunch who were in a warrior cult lead by a guy named Felix, were hidden in a large abandoned military fort, Fort Pick.

After we got the full briefing; who were the criminals, that Fort Pick was heavily booby-trapped, and all that fun stuff, we met up outside the city.

“So,” Celeste announced. “We’ll go in hard and we’ll go in fast. This won’t be a stealth mission, I’m expecting us to be back for dinner. Deadeye, you’ll go and scout ahead while we barge our way in – just to make sure we won’t walk into a booby-trap. Jerry H., Gabe H., you’ll be following me close. Avers –“ She announced to the old man. Even Celeste, the strongest woman I’ve ever seen, was tender when giving orders to Avers. “You’ll stay behind the Hemlocks.” She finished.

“White!” Celeste barked at me. That was my name, by the way. Jason White. “You’ll stay back and shoot those spells I’ve heard so much about.” I hung my head then nodded quietly. She was purposely putting me out of the fight because she didn’t trust me. “Does everyone understand their assignment?” Celeste shouted. “Yes ma’am!” We shouted back in unison. “Good,” She smiled, “Then move out!”

We started our long trek from the Imperial City to Fort Pick. I mostly hung back – Jerry and Gabe playfully harassed Deadeye while Celeste discussed tactics with Avers. This team just didn’t seem like a good fit for me. I didn’t even try to communicate with them, after even the chatty Jerry and Gabe refused to converse with me I just gave up.

Once we finally got there, we found that the outside was empty, not a guard in sight. “Strange,” Celeste said, “I can’t believe that they didn’t post a lookout.”

“Maybe they want this fort to appear abandoned.” Said Deadeye, and Celeste nodded. She ran a finger through her hair thoughtfully, like she always did when thinking. “This is no reason to stop, let’s go.” She decided, and the six of us cautiously ventured into the fort.

Deadeye went on ahead and we kept a steady jog, finding no enemy near the entrance.
“This is odd,” Gabe whispered, “I can’t believe that we haven’t seen any evil cultists. We haven’t even stumbled across Deadeye’s corpse!” And Jerry snickered.

“Be quiet, you two!” Avers hissed, “We will be discovered!”
“By whom?” Jerry retorted.
“All of you, shut up before I make you shut up!” Celeste yelped. I decided to jog a little slower and stay back from them. Right after I decided to do that, I heard a “White! Keep up!” from Celeste, sighed and continued on ahead. We jogged for about five minutes and reached another chamber. There was an “I” carved in the door to show that Deadeye had gone through there.

Still sighting no enemy, Celeste decided to become more cautious in case we were walking into a trap. Everyone’s nerves were slowly growing. Avers was chewing on his beard, Celeste was fiddling with her sword, and the Hemlock twins were inching closer and closer to each other.

As soon as we slowed to a walk, we heard a cry for help up ahead. Deadeye! Celeste took off after the scream, followed closely by us. We found Deadeye with a long gash on her leg, next to a wall with several slits in it.

“Ahh…” She gasped between breaths, “Blade trap…” She managed to squeak. To test it, Avers threw a dagger of his into the trap and large blades slid out of the slits in the wall, making a large metallic clang noise. “It’s a miracle you only got away with that.” I said to Deadeye. Everyone looked at me, surprised. It was then I realized that was the first thing I had said to them since we left the Imperial City. I just shrugged. “Avers, do you have a spell that could help?” I avoided looking directly at him.

“Aren’t you supposed to be a mage?” He said quickly. He spotted my ears turning red and went to look at Deadeye.
“Okay, Iris,” He was the only one who called Deadeye by her real name, “I have a healing scroll. This isn’t powerful enough to heal you completely, but is should heal the wound.” Avers cast a healing spell over her leg. It stopped bleeding, and the cut sealed. Celeste helped Deadeye up. She groaned once she put weight on her leg.

“Aah… it hurts.” She grimaced. Celeste patted Deadeye’s shoulder reassuringly. “Stick with us from now on. Stay back with White and shoot from afar. No more heroics from you today, got it?” Celeste was always so kind despite her harsh outer shell. Deadeye nodded and limped back to me.
“We need to find a way to get past this.” Avers though aloud.
“There might be a way around this… the warrior cultists got through, anyhow.” Avers pointed out. “If we just looked…” He studied the walls and finally found a ledge high on top of a wall. “There! Jason, could you use a telekinesis spell and lift us up there?”

I nodded. “I can do that. This may tickle.” I announced, then slowly lifted everyone up one by one on the ledge, then lifted myself up. “Yep, looks like there’s a doorway to a deeper part of the fort from here.” Avers confirmed, and so we pushed on, slowly though for Deadeye.

We didn’t get far until we came to a large open room with what looked to be a suit of armor standing vigil on the other side. But then… it moved!
“A warrior cultist!” Celeste shouted. Before anyone could react, Jerry H. drew his twin blades and stepped out to face the cultist. “I’ve got this one, guys.” He announced. But the second step he took, darts shot out of the wall at him.

“Jerry! “ Gabe shouted. Celeste contained Gabe before he ran out into the dart field, but it looked bad for Jerry. Luckily his helmet was on, so for a few seconds the darts didn’t penetrate his armor. After those fateful seconds, however… the screams began. Jerry writhed in pain and fell to the floor. When he was on the ground the darts just grazed his back.

After a few seconds that felt like an eternity, the darts stopped. I managed to get my wits together and shot a frost spell at the cultist that lead Jerry into a trap. The warrior fell over in a heap, mist rising from his body.

Gabe quickly ran to Jerry and carried him across the dart field. We did the same, while the darts were recharging. Gabe examined Jerry, shaking silently. Darts had punctured his arms and scraped his back, and a few in his side. “Now is the time to pull the darts out,” Avers said sadly. “Gabriel, help me.” Avers and Gabe quickly pulled the darts out of Jerry’s body. He was bleeding heavily, and breathing in short, ragged breaths. Avers took out some medical wrap and wrapped it around Jerry’s entire side. “Jerry,” He said, “You’re going to be fine. You stay with me, Jerry.”

Two of us already injured and our goal wasn’t even done. My goal was even farther from being done. Avers and Gabe hoisted Jerry up to his feet. His back was bleeding lightly. I’m sorry, but I only had one healing spell.” He said sadly. Jerry just grunted in pain. Gabe was shaking even more now, putting his arm around his brother. “Jer’,” He squeaked, “You’re gonna be okay, you hear me? You are.”

Jerry seemed like he was going to survive, for now, but his sword arms were destroyed. He was just going to be an onlooker when we fought the cultists.

Celeste sighed. “We need to keep going, they know we’re here now, fully armed.” Celeste continued forward. Gabe lead Jerry slowly. We came into the next room, which was a large throne room, but with no one in it.

“The fools wish to challenge us,” A deep, menacing voice called out from nowhere, “But are they strong enough? No! We shall cut them down, fellow Followers of the Dark! Slay them and keep their heads as rewards!”
Suddenly, six men and women in dark red armor appeared in all the corners of the room, with daggers and swords and masks.

Celeste did a 360 and looked for the leader, who she couldn’t find. “Felix! I know you’re out there!” She shouted. A man with two sharp daggers stepped forward, his face hidden by a mask. “I am Felix Lindar, and you are Celeste Vallden, am I correct? Of course I am. We’ve been expecting you.” He looked around to his men. “Followers… attack!”
We all engaged our own enemy. Celeste took on two men, including Felix, and Avers, Gabe, Deadeye and myself took on one.

It was a tough fight, and admittedly my first time fighting a real live person. I’ve fought monsters before, and several training dummies, but I’ve never fought a person. A lit my hands up in two balls of fire, and tried to punch the large masked criminal facing me. He dodged it gracefully and swung at me with his sword. I shot a frost shard at him, but he held up his shield and blocked it.

I tried again with a frost shard, and he blocked it again. I had noticed a pattern. When he threw up his shield, he covered his entire face, and couldn’t see anything. I could easily go around him while he was blocking.

I shot the frost shard at him, and he expectedly covered his face. I took the opportunity and dashed ton his backside. By the time he put down his shield I was out of his sight, and he was confused. I acted quickly and unsheathed my dagger, and thrust it into the criminal’s back. He gurgled, grasped the air, then fell to the floor.

I looked around. Deadeye was doing pretty well, so were Gabe and Avers. Celeste, however, was still fighting Felix, and she looked to be wavering, so I jumped in. “Need help?” I asked, out of breath. She nodded and grinned then charged towards Felix. He tried to block it, but the woman was a walking battery ram. She knocked him flat onto his butt and body slammed the wall. Taking the chance, I conjured up a scamp. He may not seem like a challenge, but the little guy packed a punch. He lunged at Felix and tore at his throat. Felix grabbed the scamp, but it had already disappeared back to Oblivion. He tried to garble something to me, but fell back. He started twitching slightly and then fell still. I turned around only to find a criminal charging at me. With a flash of daggers and arms, my arms were cut and my chest was cut. Before the criminal could finish me, however, Deadeye shot an arrow into his neck.

Around the same time, Avers and Gabe managed a swipe of the sword that hit home. Every criminal was dead.
At first, it was silent. Then Gabe started to laugh and cheer. His attitude is contagious so before long everyone was cheering… everyone but me.

Celeste pumped her arm in the air. “That’s why no one messes with us!” She shouted. Deadeye limped up and high-fived her. Gabe knelt down to cheer up Jerry, who was sitting down resting.

I walked away from them and brought my arms behind my back. Their job was done; mine was not. “I’m sorry,” I whispered, and cast a mass paralyze spell at them. The team fell over to the dusty fort floor in shock. I just shook and tried to stop myself from bleeding, but my increased heart rate made me bleed even more.

“Jason, please tell me this is a joke.” Avers pleaded. I shook my head. “I’m afraid not.”
Celeste’s face grew red. “Hey! Let us go, now!” She commanded, and I shook my head again. “I can’t.”

“You all know I got sentenced to dangerous Legion work for life,” I said, “They probably told you it was due to debt, but that wasn’t exactly true. It was a fraud, I extracted millions of gold pieces from the Imperial City alone. But the guard found me, and it was Legion or life in prison. But I have elderly parents to take care of. They can’t live without me; so I struck a deal with the criminal gang the Alleria. They promised my freedom… if I killed Felix, then killed the most powerful obstacle between their escaped agents and their freedom. You guys.” I shrugged and looked at my feet.

Pleading voices came up from the group, and even though I looked away, the faces of those I were about to kill floated in my mind.
Celeste, the hard yet kind warrior. Avers, the wise battlemage. Jerry and Gabe, the fun twins, and Deadeye, the serious archer.

“If you do this, son, it will haunt you for the rest of your life. This action will devastate your life. Ruin it.” Avers said desperately, but I didn’t hear him.

I didn’t know how I got myself into this mess. That’s a lie, I do know how this happened, and that’s what scared me the most. I was facing down a band of the toughest individuals in Cyrodiil, and I was sure of a bittersweet victory. I was shaking like a leaf, and I was already cut badly. Would I survive this? I truly didn’t know. But if I did, would it really be a better fate than death?

“Forgive me.” I whispered, then shot a wide flamethrower at the group, my eyes closed. Their screams were carved into my head and their pained faces burned into my skull. After it was done, I finally looked down at myself. My armor was covered with blood and by arms were dripping red. I clutched my torso and fell to the floor, depressed and near death. I was scum for betraying those who took me in so willingly. How could I? Avers was right. This will haunt me forever. I was nothing now. Well, maybe I was something.

I was a criminal.

Weak from blood loss, I closed my eyes and accepted whatever fate was destined for me…

End of Part One

Fredas, 22 Morning Star

It’s happened so fast that I’ve decided to write a journal to retain my sanity. I’ll start when I passed out in Fort Pick, after I just ruined my life…

I awoke just outside the fort, bandaged and weak. I didn’t know who helped me, but I was grateful. As I started to get up, I heard a “Whoa, there.” From behind me. I tried to turn my head but I was too stiff.
A thin, agile-looking man walked into my sight – wearing light leather armor, with a dagger. He had a slim, fox like face, a thin goatee and long greasy black hair tied into a ponytail. What I noticed most was the scar below his eye; it lead the side of his nose to the base of his ear.
“Take it easy, Jason. You’re safe now but you lost a lot of blood.” He said. I faintly recognized him. “Who…?” I tried to say, but , my throat was too dry and it came as a creak.
“You don’t recognize me? I’m hurt.” He said with mock sadness. “You already know this, but I’ll say it again: I’m Wheedle.” I stared at him blankly. “Of the Alleria.” He finished, and I finally remembered him. He was the one who recruited me and asked me to kill Celeste and her team.

At the thought of Celeste, my eyes blurred and my throat swelled. Wheedle looked shocked at first, but then regained his calm, roguish look. “Feeling guilt, kid? Don’t you worry, it happens to all of us the first time around. You’ll get better.”
“How did you even find me?” I asked, avoiding the subject.
“I tracked you from the start, I needed to make sure you’d do the job, but I couldn’t even get near them, let alone hurt them.”
I just grunted. “Could you possibly help me up?” I asked indignantly.
“I was gettin’ to it, kid!” Wheedle said, annoyed. He slowly hoisted me up, careful not to reopen my wounds, and I rested on his shoulder. “Come on, kid.” He said, “Let’s get outta here.”

I was relocated to Chorrol after that, and the Alleria got me a job of a waiter in a rather high-class tavern, more than I could have hoped for. I had my name changed, too. I was no longer Jason White, but Randall Sessus. In my opinion, I liked Jason White better. Wheedle left me in an apartment shared with five other people and a promise: “Listen, kid. My bosses have decided that we helped you just a little more than you helped us… so be prepared, because I’ll be back, asking a favor. And you can’t refuse Alleria offers.”

For the next month, I worked in the tavern happily. I got paid well enough from my job, but I never had excess money, because I sent half of whatever I earned to my parents. I didn’t write them, though. I just sent money.
Well… there, I’ve caught up with the events. This is everything that’s happened. I still regret my decision, though. I remember Celeste’s face every day, just as much as Avers, Gabe, Jerry or Deadeye. The criminal Felix even floated into my mind several times. I had never killed anyone before that, I had just been a con-artist. It’s rather ironic how someone who’s never even drawn blood became a murderer, wanted dead or alive overnight.
But, I guess that’s life for you.
Great Mara’s undergarments, it’s the morning already. I’ve written this all through the night, and it’s not even that much. I just got so emotional, I guess… but it is time for work, so I must go.

Fredas, 29 Morning Star

I’ve been busy the past week… because I think I might be insane. The pressure might finally be getting to me, because there is no other explanation.

I saw Celeste today.

It was a crowded day in the Chorrol market, and briefly I saw those same dark, considerate eyes… that petite nose… those lips… she even had Celeste’s hairstyle, thin, black and drawn back. I dropped all of the groceries I was carrying and shouted “Celeste! Celeste!” Many people looked at me like I was crazy, but not her… she looked directly at me! She turned and ran.

Mara, I am so confused! Celeste DIED when… when I killed her! But I saw her today. I put her description out in the Chorrol Times, and I’ve searched the market again and again, but she hasn’t been found. Did I imagine this duplicate of Celeste? Did she somehow survive? WHAT IS HAPPENING?

Sundas, 2 Sun’s Dawn

I got a reply from the newspaper! Someone said that a girl that matches Celeste’s description lives in Weynon Priory as a warrior monk. But… Celeste couldn’t have changed her life so easily. Well, I did. But I had a reason to! Celeste is innocent! I must investigate. I will write tomorrow.

Morndas, 3 Sun’s Dawn

This was… not what I expected. After everything I went through, I have concluded that life is a cruel mistress. Mara, how did this ever happen? Why did I not die in Fort Pick?!

I took the day off in the tavern, and went to Weynon Priory early in the morning. I went up to one of the monks wondering around. I rmember the following events vividly.

“Is there a Celeste Vallden here?” I asked, shaking with excitement.
“Celeste? No. But there is a Vallden girl here, she might know this Celeste.” The monk answered. I started shivering. Not Celeste? Then… a sister? Cousin? Aunt, mother, what, what?

“Where is she? I must see her.” I demanded. The monk looked at me strangely, but gestured towards the priory.
I rushed in hurriedly, and saw her. The spitting image of Celeste, wearing monk robes and wielding a long katana. I stared at her for a few seconds then approached her. “Excuse me, Miss Vallden?” I asked timidly. She turned, and looked at me with surprised. “You!” She gasped.
“Yes, me. I called to y- someone you know in the market.” I said. She shook her head sadly.
“My sister. She’s dead, you know. Murdered.” She said coldly. I winced.
“Trust me, I know. May I ask your name?”
She eyed me warily. “It’s… Ionna. Ionna Vallden, may I ask why you’re here?”
I looked down at the ground. “It’s regarding Celeste and her team, murdered in Fort Pick. Do you know who killed them, by chance?”
“Yes, a scum criminal named… wait a minute, even I didn’t know where exactly she was killed. Who are you?” She glared at me.
“Umm… Randall Sessus.” I gave my fake name. She continued to stare at me. “I think we both know that’s a lie.” I winced again. How did she know?
“M-meet me l-later tonight, h-h-here.” I stuttered. Wait, I never stuttered. What was wrong with me?
She continued to eye me. “Yes. Tonight.” She agreed.

Tirdas, 3 Sun’s Dawn

Again, everything that happened is fresh in my memory.

I wandered aimlessly around Chorrol, trying to pass the time. I went into the other tavern and had a drink, and had an interesting discussion with a drunken adventurer, then went to the bookstore, rapidly read a book and left without paying for it. (I’m kind of obsessed with books and reading) Then I went to the chapel. That stopped me fast… I was hoping to get a blessing from the High Priest, but then I saw the initiate there…

I think her name is Cassandra. She has flowing, beautiful orange hair, a beautiful smile, beautiful blue-grey eyes, and her face was spotted with beautiful freckles. She was... beautiful. She had a white and pink robe, and she was always laughing at everyone who passed in.
I watched her from afar. She had a cup of water, and handed it to an old beggar when he came in. She just smiled and nodded when he thanked her.

I approached her gingerly, and said hello. She smiled and seemed inviting, so I struck up a conversation with her. She was beautiful and so was her personality.
I talked to her for some time until I happened to look out the window. It was dark! I quickly said my goodbyes and ran out of the chapel.

I ran to Weynon Priory, by the time I got there I was out of breath. I jogged to the back of the priory and saw Ionna waiting for me. Her arms were folded and she looked cross (No bad pun intended).
“I’ve been waiting for you, ‘Russel’.” She said, and I sighed. “Randall, actually.”
“So, tell me. How do you know of the murder of my sister?” Ionna asked.
“I may have heard… I have a friend in the guard..” I started, but gave up quickly. I just couldn’t hide it from Ionna, she reminded me so much of Celeste!

Much to my surprise and hers, I told my entire story. She was silent the entire time, sizing me up, deciding if my story was true. When I finished, she was silent for a long time.

“I ought to kill you.” She finally said to me. I didn’t even blink. “Yes, you ought to.” I repeated.
“But… I won’t. Damn it all, but my raising as a monk lead me to believe in two things: One, everyone can be redeemed, and two, everything happens for a reason.”
I started to protest but she cut me off. “This means that I believe you found me because you should be redeemed, but I could be wrong. So this is why I am giving you three months… to do something great, and if you don’t, then I kill you.” She said simply. I was stunned.
“That is ridiculous! How can I possibly redeem myself? I am beyond redemption.” I stated.
“I do not believe that, but do not get me wrong. If I could kill you and face the monks again, I would. But you killed… five people. So, I judge you need to save five people, and you will make yourself even with the Balance.”
“The Balance?” I asked, and Ionna nodded.
“Yes, it is our belief. The Balance for each person must be equal or great, or else they shall be cursed forever, and every person has once chance at evening their Balance. So, three months, Jason White, or else I will find you, and I swear to sweet Mara I will kill you and even your Balance for you.”

I continued to stare at her dumbly. “Are you sure about this? I could attack you, then you’d be forced to kill me.”
“No, I stick to my beliefs. Plus, I know my sister… Celeste was always kind, and I think that if you truly can redeem yourself, she will forgive you.”

I shook my head in amazement. “If you truly mean this, then I thank you.” I said. I tried to shake her hand, but she didn’t return contact. I left, wondering how I could ‘redeem myself’ in three months month.

Loredas, 15 Sun’s Dawn

A lot has happened since the third. I looked all over the city for jobs, but nothing major. I asked Celeste – I mean, Ionna, again and she said that I can’t simply kill some bandits or rescue stolen property. It needs to be something heroic.

I visited the Initiate Cassandra a few more times. We got along really well, and I even took her to the tavern for a quick meal. If was… fun, and the only pleasure I allow myself. Everything else needs to be redemption and sending money to my parents.

Now I must close the journal. My roommate is coming toward me, and I cannot have anyone see this log of my crimes

Sundas, 16 Sun’s Dawn [Early in the morning]

Rejoice! It is Heart’s Day! The celebration of young love, and the legend of the lovers Polydor and Eloisa. There is going to be a parade in the street today, and all inns are offering rooms for free. It’s going to be a busy day at the tavern! I probably won’t be able to write any more.

Sundas, 16 Sun’s Dawn [Late at night]

By the love of Mara… by the love of Mara… I can barely write this without shaking. On a great holiday, every guard was either off duty or slacking. And then… while the parade was in full effect…

The Great Chapel of Stendarr was attacked. Five shaded men walked right into the chapel, and walked right out, with blood on their clothes.

There were three priests in there at the time, one healer, the Primate, three chapel goers, and… Cassandra. I don’t know if she is alive or not, the guard won’t reveal a report and won’t let anyone in the chapel.

My heart aches for Cassandra. Is she alive? Has she been killed? I swear, if anyone harmed her… I will hunt them down and make them pay.

Morndas, 17 Sun’s Dawn

I cannot believe it! Cassandra survived! The guard released a report with little information, but I went to see her right after she was announced alive. She got an arrow in her side. The sight of her, bandaged like that… it infuriates me.
This was her report of what happened:

She was in the attic, which directly looked down at the chapel, when five men walked in. They said nothing, just started shooting with bows and arrows. They went for the citizens first, shot all three of them down in seconds. The priests tried to run, but were killed before they got far. The healer tried behind the alter but was stabbed when one of the killers walked right up to her.

The Primate was downstairs, but he came up with all the commotion. He got grabbed by the nearest thug, and that was when Cassandra snapped out of her horror and sprung into action. She retrieved a crossbow from the attic, which happened to be hers that she stored to avoid citizen panic, and commanded the thug to let the Primate go. He stared up at her and made a slashing motion at Cassandra, so she fired a bolt right into his head.

His fellow killers panicked, shot the primate from afar, shot her in the side then fled.

“Randall…” She whispered to me, “I want to get revenge. I know I am supposed to be a priestess, but I need to avenge the others. Those innocent citizens. I know you’re a mage, will you help me?”

I was taken by surprise. Help her avenge the people of the Chapel? “Of course,” I said without much thinking.
What I was really pondering was the fact that this might redeem myself in Ionna’s eyes, to Celeste… hopefully, to me. But was I really willing to help Cassandra for a dishonest cause? She did not even know my true identity. Well… I did feel for her, and I’m sure she felt for me.

“So,” I sighed, “Where do we start?”

Tirdas, 18 Sun’s Dawn

I write this on the road. The day after I promised to help Cassandra, she demanded to be let free despite her wounds and went to pack her things.
On the dead thug’s body a ripped up letter was found. Cassandra and I spent hours piecing it together and even then it wasn’t complete, it just read

“Swanson,
Head to…. After we’re done… we’re after… take orders… Bravil Base… Tome…”

I asked Cassandra about what the Tome the letter detailed was. She said that it was rumored the chapel protected an Ancient Tome of Saint Paladas, a famous saint who lived hundreds of years ago. Apparently that was the reason the thugs killed the people of the chapel. Even she hadn’t seen the Tome or had even heard confirmation of its existence.

I met Cassandra at the gate to Chorrol. I waited for a while, leaning on the walls. I was dressed in blue and gold robes and I carried a newly bought staff. I took out a month’s advance on my pay and bought the necessary equipment for a non-Legion funded expedition.

Before that, I had visited Ionna in Weynon Priory. She had agreed that if I killed the three men who massacred the people of the Chapel of Stendarr, she would let me go and I would be redeemed. I was excited, as well has confused. Could I really be forgiven so easily? Could I forgive myself so easily?

Finally, I saw Cassandra approach… not what I expected, however. She was wearing light leather armor and had her crossbow. The girl I saw from the Chapel was gone, the one I saw here was a trained rogue.
“Are you ready to go, Randall?” She asked and I flinched. She still didn’t know my real name, but I really only wanted Ionna to know. “I’m ready, Cassandra. We should head out to Bravil now, for we have a long trip ahead of us.”

I am finishing this entry at the campfire, halfway to Bravil. Cassandra is asleep and I’m supposed to be keeping watch. It’s been rather boring up until now, we haven’t met one travelling merchant or bard. But we did stumble across a dead bandit. It’s strange how those things never seem to rot.

Turdas, 20 Sun's Dawn

We’ve finally reached Bravil. Me and Cassandra asked around the city for a bunch of strange men – surprisingly, there are a lot in Bravil. We finally got a lead when a strange Khajiit woman told us those men lived in an abandoned factory close to the Bravil Bay. Cassandra is loading up on bolts and I’m preparing by buying some healing scrolls. Cassandra’s a little shaken, however. She saw those she respected, who she cared for, killed, and now she is going against her priestly ways to avenge them.

Loredas, 22 Sun's Dawn

I remember it vividly.

“So,” Cassandra said to me. “Are we finally ready to take these three on?”
I nodded and smiled. “I’m ready. Are you sure you don’t want to bring the guard into this?”
“No. I want this to be personal.” She answered.
“Okay then, let’s head out. I’d like to be back for Dinner at the Inn.

” Cassandra nodded in agreement.
“Thank you for helping me do this, Randall. It means a lot to me.” She smiled and looked at me for a long time, before turning and heading out the Inn door.

We came to the outside of the warehouse. People were swarming in the streets, going in and out of buildings, but not one even went near the building the killers were supposed to be in. Cassandra went up to the door and tried to open it, but it was locked. Suddenly a child who looked like a beggar came up to us.
“Miss,” He said timidly. “Sorry to bother you, but that’s the Sero Building. It’s sorta haunted. The doors are locked forever, and if you look inside the windows you see… ghosts.” He finished with a shutter.
“What kind of ghosts, boy?” I asked.
“Everyone sees them different. There are ghosts of people from our past in there, trying to scare us away.” The child continued to shake, he seemed on the verge of tears. “I need to go.” He announced, then ran away into the crowd.
Out of curiosity, I looked into the window, despite Cassandra’s protest. What I saw was not pretty.
It was Celeste, again, and the team. They were dead, sprawled across the ground.
I quickly looked away. I felt sick. I must have looked it, too, since Cassandra put her hand on my shoulder. “What did you see?” She asked worriedly. I just shook my head. “The place is haunted. Let’s just go.”

“No, we can’t.” Cassandra said firmly. “I must avenge my friends, the citizens of Chorrol.”
I was still shaking. “Perhaps there is a ghost hunter in town?” She said cheerfully. It was meant as a joke, but I slowly nodded. “That’s not a bad idea. A Necromancer has dealings with the dead – he could get us inside.”
Cassandra looked at me like I was crazy. “The Mages Guild are against Necromancy.”
“That doesn’t mean they aren’t out there. I bet there’s even one or two in the city.” I countered.

So Cassandra and I scoured the city again, asking for a Necromancer. We eventually got a report of a Necromancer hideout just outside the city – but the Necromancers usually attacked anyone on sight.
“Well, that’s out of the question.” I said disappointedly. Cassandra just looked at me with a thoughtful glint in her eyes. “Not necessarily. We just need some costumes.”

Yes, that’s right. We stole necromancer robes from two Necromancers from the hideout exploring the Bravil countryside. We slowly approached the Necromancer hideout and waved down the door guard.

“Where do you hale, for you are not of here.” He announced. Cassandra looked to me quickly and winked. She had a plan for this.

“Sir, we hail from Chorrol. We were sent here by Anchorite Asarin to enter the haunted warehouse in Bravil. There is important treasure in the warehouse that Sir Asarin wants.” It turns out that Cassandra once heard from the Chorrol guard that another Necromancer hideout was situated near Chorrol and lead by this Anchorite.
The door guard seemed to let his guard down. “Asarin himself? Come in, but I fear to tell you that we have tried to enter the house. It is haunted by a wraith, we fear. Only a master Necromancer can deal with that… and he is unwilling.”
“Why is this Necromancer unwilling to enter the house?” Cassandra asked.
The Door Guard made a face. “Old Zaron turned ‘good’ and went to the Mages Guild. He refuses to work with us anymore.”
Cassandra nodded thoughtfully. “But he still has the powers to enter the house?” Cassandra asked and the door guard nodded. “Indeed, but I will pay to see the day he helps a Necromancer.”

Without answering, Cassandra walked away. I nodded a goodbye to the door guard and followed her.

Cassandra and I quickly redressed in our normal gear and entered the city, and headed to the Mages Guild. The nearest mage we saw, Cassandra asked “Hello Sir. By chance, is Zaron here?”
“I’m sorry, but Zaron has asked not to be disturbed right now.”
Cassadra put on her best pleading face. “He’s actually my uncle… I was wondering if I could see him… it’s my birthday, you see…” She went on, and the mage got a pained expression on her face. I admired how Cassandra lied so easily, but I was scared at the same time.
“Hmmm. He’s in the second room down the hall, try not to make much noise. Please.” She finished and walked away.

Cassandra and I entered Zaron’s study. Zaron was a large man, with wild gray hair sticking up in all directions, as well as a small goatee. He had small yellow eyeglasses and he wore a large black, feathered overcoat.
“May I help you?” He asked.
“Yes, We need your help entering the haunted warehouse in Bravil. We believe that some murderers are using the ghost as a shield to prevent their capture. And we aren’t Necromancers.” She amended.
“Then you must have dealings with them to know me.” He accused.
“We just asked them,” Cassandra clarified hurriedly, “We need your help desperately. It is personal.”
Zaron stood up. We was taller than both of us and was very large altogether. “I need more information than that.” He announced.

Cassandra sighed. “Very well. I was up in the attic of the Chapel in Chorrol…” Cassandra started to retell her story. Zaron was silent the entire time, contemplating the story. When she finished, he sighed heavily. The breath almost knocked us back.
“Very well,” Zaron said, “I will assist you.”

Loredas, 22 Sun’s Dawn (Continued)

Cassandra and I lead Zaron to the warehouse where the criminals were hiding. When we showed him the place, he slowly approached it. He looked in the window, but quickly looked away. “This warehouse is haunted by a powerful spirit. But… the problem that I have with this is that no mortal would be allowed inside here. These criminals of yours must be more than they seem. A Spirit such as this would not mingle with mortals.
“Can you get us in?” I pressed. Zaron nodded vigorously. “Of course, of course! Give me a moment…”
The large necromancer’s hands glowed dark purple as he cast them over the door. A faint hiss was heard and the door swung open. “If you stay behind me,” Zaron instructed, “The spirit will not touch you.” He held his hands high and entered the abandoned building, followed very closely by us.

We went into the warehouse, which was dark and had no furniture, and after searching and not finding anyone, we went to the basement. I could almost… feel something around me. This place was not safe.

When we entered the basement, we found it was also empty. “They need to be here.” Cassandra stated. “They just need to be.”
“I don’t know.” I answered. “What if-“
Zaron quieted both quickly. “Wait! I hear something…” After we stopped talking, I could hear it too. A quiet chanting was heard just ahead of us. Zaron quietly approached the sound, but came to a stone wall. With a quick tapping on the wall, he found one section was hollow. Zaron motioned to me, and I nodded. I conjured a large shockbolt and fired it at the wall, which was torn down. We went running in, all hopes of secrecy gone, and burst into a room with three men standing around an odd rune pattern.

“Kath’e larsennos, eros c’f’er…” One man holding a large book was chanting. Cassandra gasped. “It’s them, but what are they doing?”

“Cinthe glesb Avaros!” The man continued to chant. They seemed oblivious to us, but Zaron paled. “Avaros?” He whispered. “Avaros is fabled to be the man who killed Saint Paladas, and who…” Zaron gasped softly. With three quick strikes, he smashed the three criminals’ heads in with his large beefy hands. “Hey! Cassandra said angrily. “I was going to do that.”

Zaron turned to us, serious. “This is work of evil going on. This indeed is the Tome of Saint Paladas, and we need to get it out of here.”
Cassandra blinked. “Why?”

Zaron picked up the Tome, and handled it gently. “Because I realized who’s spirit is haunting this place

Loredas, 22 Sun’s Dawn (Continued)

Zaron ran out of the warehouse carrying the tome. Cassandra looked to me quickly. “That necromancer is trying to steal Chorrol’s tome! We must get it!”

We eventually found Zaron back in the Mages Guild. Cassandra approached him, a mad glint in her eye.
“Where is the Tome, old man?” She asked. Zaron paled.
“I destroyed it.” He answered. Cassandra made a short gasp but I didn’t believe him.
“He’s lying, Cassandra.” I said. “You can see how nervous he is. Why don’t you want us to have the Tome of Saint Paladas?”
Zaron sighed and ushered us into his office. “Listen,” He said, “I only believed this was a legend, but now I see it is more than that. Avaros was an all powerful sorcerer, who was studying the art of controlling ghosts. Avaros was the man fabled to have killed Saint Paladas…. Because Saint Paladas was said to have stolen Avaros’s work and hidden it in his tome. Legend says that if Avaros reclaims that knowledge, he will create a ghostly army and take over Nirn. The bandits were trying to use a blessing that Paladas included in his tome to bring Avaros back to life.”

Cassandra whistled. “That is… not good.” She finished. “But how do you know the men were not just fools to a legend?”

“Because,” Zaron shivered, “When I touched that Tome, the spirit haunting the place touched me. And I could feel it… it was indeed Avaros.”
“Then why not destroy it, like you suggested?” I asked.

“I tried!” Zaron shouted. “I burned it, I stabbed it, I ripped it up… but it healed itself back up again. Paladas must have cursed it. And the longer Avaros knows where the Tome is…” Zaron started quietly.

“The harder he will try to take it back.” I finished.
“Now what should we do with it?” Cassandra asked.

“A normal person cannot destroy the Tome, only Paladas himself, and he is long dead. But,” Zaron said, “Paladas was rumored to have a family, in a small town in Skyrim. There is a small chance we will find a descendant of Paladas in Skyrim, and the descendant will be able to destroy the Tome.”

I was unsure on what to do. My duty to Ionna was fulfilled. I could walk away and never look back. But then again, so could Cassandra or Zaron, and they seem to be willing to travel all the way to Skyrim.
I sighed. Sometimes I just wished I was more evil ,so I could forget about Celeste, Ionna, Cassandra, Zaron, Avaros, all of them.

“We should probably get going. Skyrim’s a long way away.” I said.
Zaron nodded and grabbed the Tome from his desk. He put it in a large leather bag and set out ahead of us. Cassandra smiled at me and we followed him.

The Gates of the City opened and we stepped outside. “Okay,” Zaron said, “If we use horses we can reach Bruma in a day’s time. We’ll buy equipment there, and then be to the Skyrim town in another three days.

But we never got the horses, and we could never set out for Skyrim.

The last thing I saw was Wheedle, the thug from Alleria. He charged at me with a mace in his hands, there were a dozen of Alleria men around us.
I was so shocked I didn’t fight back, and then all went black.

Some day, some time

I was attacked by thugs of Alleria, and Wheedle. I can only guess why, but my theory is that they took my leaving Chorrol as a betrayal. Bunch of idiots.

I’ve been in a cell for longer than I could imagine. I’m alone in here – I haven’t heard from Cassandra and Zaron since the attack. I’m thinking at best they could have escaped… at worst, they could have been killed. By the gods, I don’t know what I would do if they died. My stuff is gone, I just have rags on.

Anyway, it’s been a long time since I woke up in a cell. The Alleria gives me food, and even some paper and a quill. Other than that, nothing. No human contact. I could have been in the cell a few days, it could have been a few weeks. Even more.

A few (?) days later

I think i might be going insane!!! A tiny cell. A TINY CELL. Cassandra and zaron are dead!!!!!! They must be. Why was I kept alive??????

Some time later

Its not going well If Zaron and cassandra are dead, the alleria must have the Tome of aaint Paladas. What are they doing with it????? Has Avaros gotten his ghostly hands on it?????? The Alleria can’t protect it

Time

i was thinking i thought that avaros must have taken over the world and im in hell what other explanation is there i failed ionna and celeste and casandra and zaron and every one but im dead now so i guess the balance has been restored i payed with my life

time

i was doing some more thinking and i decided that death isnt so bad i mean i dont have any pressure on me to save the world or redeem myself i just didnt expect the afterlife to be like this even if it is hell

Some other amazing day, after more wonderful time has passed on the wonderful world

Amazing news, just amazing! I write this as a free man! I breath fresh air, a drank clean water, I ate fresh foods… I saw other people.

It started with me, in my cell in a fetal position, as usual. But instead of my one daily meal being slid in a crack in the wall, a heard a few thuds and clangs, and then the door fell off its hinges. Who I saw standing there was so unexpected, yet so amazing. I cried with delight.

It was Ionna. She had come to find me.

After Meeting Ionna

It was all a blur to me for a while. I remember Ionna pulling me to my feet and commenting on how I looked horrible. Just then I noticed that my hair was long and ratty and I had a pretty big beard.

I remember I was pretty disoriented but something happened – I think that Ionna may have slapped me in the face – and I snapped back to reality. I’m pretty sure she slapped me because I called her Celeste, to be honest. “Ionna? What are you doing here? What am I doing here? Where am I? Where are -“ Ionna cut me off by slapping me again. That woman sure could slap hard.

“We don’t have much time. This is an Allerian prison. I’m getting you out of here. ”
“What about the other prisoners?” I asked.
“There are only two others and I can’t get you all out of here.” Ionna answered.
“No! The other two prisoners – a large old man and a woman with red hair?” Ionna nodded curiously.
“They’re my friends, we were doing something important… redeeming myself.” I finished.

Ionna crossed her arms and sighed. “Fine… fine, Jason, but we still need to get out of here.”

We left my cell and found two more cages, and yes, Cassandra and Zaron were both present. I’m still getting over how I looked after all that time in the cell, so I won’t describe how they looked, I’ll just use the word “Ratty.”

“I’m getting you all out of here.” Ionna announced. “Don’t ask questions until we’re safe.”

Ionna showed us an air vent that she used to get in; the prison we were in was underground. Luckily it was big enough for even Zaron to crawl through, and luckier still that it was a steady slope up to the surface, not a steep drop that we could not climb.

Once we finally reached the surface of the air vent, which lead out into a forest, the first thing Ionna told us to do was wash in a nearby river, and it was much needed. As Zaron and Cassandra were laying in the flowing river, waiting for everything to be washed away, I snuck away to see Ionna.

“Ionna… why are you here? How did you know how to find me?” I asked first.
“I told you, you had three months until I came to kill you.” She answered simply.
“Wh-what? I was in there for three months?” I asked, taken aback.
“I’m afraid so. I was seeking to kill you, but then I heard what you did in Bravil. I knew that you wouldn’t just disappear after that, so I tracked you. I learned that the Alleria captured you because they thought you were fleeing them.”

“Oh.” I said, dumbstruck. “Well then, I thank you, Ionna. You saved my life, but…” Suddenly, it all hit me like a charging ogre.

“The Tome!” I shouted in despair and turned around frantically. Where was I? What happened to the Tome of Saint Paladas?

I must have looked very distressed, because Ionna cut me off. “What Tome?” She asked.

I explained everything to the warrior monk, including the involvement of Cassandra and Zaron, Avaros, the Tome, and the little fact that Zaron and Cassandra didn’t know who I was, not really.

“The Alleria would have the Tome.” Ionna concluded. “It would be in one of their vaults… most likely near Bravil. We absolutely have to get it back. Maybe we can even get your gear back along the way.” She said.

“Ionna,” I smiled, “You are an amazing woman. Thank you for helping me.”

At that moment, Zaron and Cassandra came back from the river.

“Randall? Do you know this woman?” Cassandra asked. Uh-oh. Ionna hasn’t mentioned what she thought of me hiding my identity from my friends. I looked to her and pleaded silently to play along.

“… Randall is my friend from Chorrol. He told me he’d be back in three months from Bravil. When he wasn’t I came looking for him.” Ionna said slowly. I sighed with relief.

“Did you say three months? Blast it!” Zaron said in frustration. “We lost the Tome!”

“Randall told me about it. I believe we can still get it back.” Ionna answered.
“It’s been three months.” Zaron responded bluntly. “The cultists out to get it surely have it by now.”

“I wouldn’t be so sure.” Cassandra answered. “I heard some guards talking. The men who kidnapped us were Alleria. They’re a big group, and most likely well defended. The Tome is probably sitting in a vault somewhere.”

“Why would the Alleria kidnap us?” Zaron asked.
Cassandra shrugged. “Maybe they heard we had something important on us. Hopefully they didn’t realize it was the Tome.”

“Excuse me, miss, but where are we?” Zaron asked.

“You’re far south of Bravil, this is an Allerian prison.” Ionna answered. “And my name is Ionna.”

“Of course, I’ve seen you in Waynon Priory before.” Cassandra said. “I don’t know about you three, but I’m going to find the Tome. And my gear.”

Ionna, Zaron and I all nodded in agreement. We had become a new and improved team.

Avaros is still out there and he still poses a threat. We need to get the Tome back.

After Meeting Ionna, Continued

The first thing we did was go back to Bravil. My three companions and I did not know exactly where to start, but Zaron did know that there was a Information Broker in town that might be able to tell us about an Allerian vault somewhere. We were still in our prisoner rags and Ionna had little money for clothes because the money she had she was saving for this Information Broker.

Zaron lead us to a house in one of Bravil’s corners, inconspicuous and uninteresting. Zaron knocked on the door and an Argonian woman draped in lavish strips of cloths, jewelry, and some fur poked her head out. The word I would use to describe her is… exotic.

“Yes? What do you require?” She asked.
“Alfava! Is that any way to treat an old friend?” Zaron asked cheerfully, his arms open wide.
“Ah. Zaron. Many people think you are dead, my elderly Necromancer acquaintance. Of course, I knew better.” She replied, emotionless.
“I expected nothing less.” Zaron said. He explained to us previously that Alfava was a very reclusive woman and never shared her information if she wasn’t paid for it – even if said information could save peoples’ lives. She doesn’t share information with the guards, and she is left alone by any group that could kill her for her information.
“What is it you require, Zaron?” Alfava asked.
“Do you know any Allerian bases near here, my dear? Especially one where they keep their stolen loot.”
“Yes, I know of one.” She said, but didn’t elaborate.
“Oh, yes. Here is your gold, Broker.” Ionna said and gave the Argonian a sack of gold. Alfava weighed it and decided it was suitable.
“Go northeast of here. Fort Marigold is actually their base of operations in the Bravil region.” Alfava instructed and then slammed her door shut.

“Ah, you gotta love her.” Zaron said with a small smile.

With no money and no protection except for Ionna’s fighting ability and my and Zaron’s magic, we set out for Fort Marigold, where the Tome of Saint Paladas hopefully was stored.

It took around an hour of traveling to get to the outskirts of the fort. There were a few wolves guarding the entrance, probably to cast the illusion that the fort was overrun with wild animals. The wolves were killed easily. Zaron summoned a wraith that flew at the beasts, and went right through them. The wolves’ moral dropped and they went running away from the ethereal being.

Cassandra went up and tried the gates to the fort. “Locked.” She stated.

“No problem. I think I can take this challenge.” I said, and raised my hands to the gate. “Stand back.” I ordered. Cassandra got out of the way and my hands started to burn bright with fire and I directed the force of the flames at the doors. I’m not going to be modest, I was good. It was one of my better spells and the door flew in and soon after we heard a huge crash.

I ran in to see what damage I had done. The door crashed against the wall about twenty feet in and there were two crushed bodies laying on the floor that I assumed were the door guards. I shrugged. “Oh well.”

We slowly made our way through the fort. There were Allerian guards everywhere, but only about five or six per room. Ionna could take on two, and Zaron and I took the rest. Cassandra picked up a bow and some arrows from a fallen guard and helped us fight as well.

Luckily for us the fort was small and the guards did not expect a fight that day. In just a half hour we made our way into the final room where there were five people waiting for us. I recognized one. It was Wheedle.

“Well, the brave heroes finally make their way to the final boss.” Said an older man who was clearly in charge. He laughed, but it was more of a wheeze. “Let’s see how you fare against my elite guard. Everyone else here, they were bugs compared to these men.”

“We don’t want to hurt you.” Ionna warned. “But we need access to your vault.”

The old man wheezed some more. “Ha! You truly believe you can beat my men? Just try it!” He laughed and his four guardsmen, including Wheedle, went forward to us. I flashed back to when they attacked us the last time; we were defeated within seconds. But this time, we were ready. Plus we had Ionna. It was four against four, and I just hoped we’d come out on top. If not, we could kiss the Tome, and very likely the world, goodbye.

The Elite Guard Fight
Sadly, Wheedle did not challenge me. Too bad; I wanted to hurt him. He tackled Ionna and they started wrestling, they appeared equal in strength.

The three guards split up and took on the rest of us. The guard I was now fighting was a large guy with an even larger spiked mace. My ‘fighting’ mostly consisted of dodging him and trying to wear him out; I didn’t have time to prepare a spell.

He eventually cornered me to the wall. I didn’t give up hope, however, because a plan was forming in my mind.
He swung and missed me, hitting the wall. It took him around a second to pull the spiked mace out of the wall, and that’s when I got my idea. I backed up against the wall again and waited for him. He swung and I dropped. His mace hit the wall again and I was sitting in front of him; a perfect target. It was do or die now, quite literally. I readied a shock spell but was disoriented by the sounds of battle around me and the tension, so it was too weak to kill him. I had one shot and I needed to disable him.

I felt sorry for men everywhere when the spell hit it’s mark. Oh, it disabled him all right. Or should I say her. He fell to the ground in pain, completely out of the equation.

I stood up and looked around. Cassandra was still battling and Zaron had beaten his foe and was helping Ionna with Wheedle. I considered helping Cassandra when I saw the old man obviously in charge here. He hadn’t left the room; he was standing in the far back, observing silently. What an idiot. I concentrated more than last time and produced a damage health spell, aimed, and fired at the old man. The man’s head snapped to the spell travelling at him, and his mouth formed a perfect ‘O’. He did not do anything else; he had no time left. Literally.

As soon as the old man crumpled, Wheedle tore away from Ionna and Zaron and Cassandra’s foe did the same.

“No! Do you realize what you’ve just done?” Wheedle shouted and knelt down to the old man, now dead.

“Both of you. Drop your weapons and face me.” Ionna commanded. Wheedle and his guard compatriot did what she asked.

“What have you done?” Wheedle asked angrily. “That man was the leader here. I was tasked to protect him!” She shouted, almost frenzied.

“It looks like you won’t be getting guard duty anymore.” Cassandra observed.

“That’s not how it works in the Alleria.” Wheedle said. “They’ll make me pay all right. With my life. They’ll kill me!”

“Wow. That really isn’t good for you. Start running and maybe they won’t find you.” Cassandra continued.

“They’ll find me. You killed me when you killed him. Killed us!” Wheedle gestured to his friend. It was then I had one of my more ‘unique’ ideas.

“Maybe not.” I said thoughtfully. Wheedle looked at me confused.

“We’re on a quest of great importance and we’re leaving this place far behind." I said with as much bravado as I could muster. "Join us, both of you and the Alleria won’t find you.”

In the fort

“What?” That was the response to my offer. From basically everyone. It was a chorus of the same word directed towards me with a mixture of surprise, hope, confusion, and anger (Cassandra, of course.) The only person who didn’t say anything was Wheedle’s guard friend.

Now, I know what you’re thinking. If Wheedle is actually crazy enough to accept my offer, I could never trust him. He’d always need to be watched. With the information we know, plus an outright backstabbing. Yes, Wheedle was scum. And he was independent, sort of. But in the end, he always followed commands. Followed someone else. It might not be too big of a challenge for Wheedle to switch to following us.

I looked to Wheedle’s fellow guard. He looked to be my age or younger, meaning around 25, muscled but not overly beefy, but the most unique thing about him is that he had pure white hair just falling short of his shoulders. He also had piercing green eyes. The guy had white chainmail armor and a large dwarven warhammer.
Whatever this guy’s name was, he appeared to not really have a mind of his own since he hasn’t said anything and he’s just followed Wheedle. I think I could actually pull this thing off.

“You. Want us. To follow you.” Wheedle repeated slowly.
“No, actually we don’t.” Cassandra said, shooting a look at me.

“Yes, we do. We’ll be watching you carefully but if you actually help us then we’ll let you go… in Skyrim, where we’re going. Do you agree?” I asked everyone there. Cassandra obviously didn’t like it, but Zaron and Ionna went along with the idea.

Wheedle looked back to his friend. He nodded. “We’ll follow you, White.” Wheedle said bitterly.

“White? No, that’s Randall Sessus.” Cassandra said.

“He still calls himself Randall Sessus? Can little Jason not take the blame for everything he did in the past?” Wheedle continued laughing madly.


“…Randall? What does he mean by this?” Zaron asked. Cassandra and Zaron looked slightly anxious while Ionna looked plain old uncomfortable. Wheedle was smiling like a madman while the other guy was just standing there like a post.

“Um, Cassandra. Zaron. There is something that I’ve been hiding from you.” I said slowly.

This was going to be uncomfortable.

I slowly explained everything to them, beginning with my criminal activities that earned my forced duty in the legion, my meeting with the Alleria and when they asked me to kill Celeste’s team… how I went through with it. The memory of Celeste, Avers, Iris, Jerry and Gabe came back to me and hit me like a rabid troll.

After I told them my story with Celeste, I detailed being saved by Wheedle and taken to Chorrol, and my meeting with Ionna. Everything else Cassandra and Zaron knew. Once I finally finished, my face was burning red with shame but at the same time I felt better for telling them. I don’t know why I hadn’t told Zaron sooner; he’s a man not without his own faults and I’m sure with his old age he has seen it all. Zaron nodded slowly and simply said “I see.” He thought harder. “You were trying to redeem yourself. At least it’s a start. But I really shouldn’t be a judge of character; I was a wild Necromancer in my youth.” He finished. I sighed with relief again.

Cassandra was another matter. She was an innocent priest and considered any evil unforgivable. Cassandra huffed, “I need some air.” She said and left the fort. Uh-oh.

“My my. Did I say something out of place?” Wheedle said, laughing some more.

I ignored him and ran after Cassandra. I stopped her just as she left the fort and tried to talk to her.

“How could I tell you this, Cassandra?”
“How could you not?” She replied bitterly.
“You made me want to be a better man, Cassandra.”
“Really? Then why did you not come forth and tell me?” Cassandra demanded.
“I was ashamed. I wanted to tell you, but I thought you wouldn’t accept my help.”
“Whatever. We’re going to get this mission done and then I’m leaving. Let’s just go with your new thug friends.” She added bitterly.

Around this time the rest of the band of misfits found us. Nobody pried on the conversation between us. “Well, I have good news.” Zaron said, breaking the silence. “I cased the vault.” He pulled out the Tome of Saint Paladas from a bag he had acquired. I noticed he was also wearing his old black overcoat and even had his glasses. Zaron tossed us two bags of equipment. “Your old gear.” He stated. “Get dressed.”

After Cassandra and I had our gear we set out, silently.

“So…” Wheedle said shortly after, either not sensing any tension or not caring. “As Jason told you I am Wheedle the Magnificent, and my friend here is Archer. He’s a natural born follower, he is. Ain’t ya Archer?” The white haired thug nodded silently. “Don’t worry, he’s good with that hammer of his. Calls it Annabelle, don’t ya Archer?” Archer nodded again.

“Well, I hope we can work peacefully Wheedle and Archer.” Ionna said. It was more of a warning, I think. Wheedle picked up on it. “Yeah, here’s hoping.”

It was… awkward, to say the least. Cassandra was pretty mad at everyone but Zaron. Ionna, living in mostly solitude as a monk, did not know how to respond so stopped talking. Zaron felt it was not his place to resolve any conflict between me and Cassandra so he didn’t try. Wheedle was humming quietly and Archer, of course, never talked. I tried to make conversation with Zaron or Ionna but it didn’t get far because of the obvious tension in the air.

We had continued to walk and were around the point of the Imperial City when Zaron suggested we stop for rest. The six of us traveled into the city and went to the Tiber Septim Hotel. Zaron approached the innkeeper. “I’d like three rooms please.” He said.

The innskeeper, who looked to be a teenaged assistant, frowned. “Oh… let me check… oh. Sorry, sir, we only have one room.” Zaron made a tsk sound and mumbled “We’ll have to find another hotel then.”

“Oh, sir, I’ d bet you wouldn’t be able to find a room. Sorry! Tomorrow’s the second anniversary of the battle of the Imperial City and the death of Martin Septim… there are going to be a lot of activities tomorrow including a parade! But all the inns in the city are booked, pretty much.” Zaron cursed under his breath and turned to us. He was getting a little mad now.

“Okay, fine. Fine. Cassandra and I will stay here. Wheedle, Ionna, go to the Merchant’s Inn. Jason, Archer. Go to Luther Broad’s.” He commanded and handed us all money. I was a little unsure about going with Archer but agreed it was a good idea to 1.) Stay away from Cassandra and 2.) Keep Wheedle and Archer under watch. But I didn’t know the guy at all. I shrugged and nodded and turned to leave. Archer was right behind me.

Luther Broad’s Boarding House, in the Elven Gardens district, was very crowded with the poorer population of the tourists. Luckily, considering the rooms were small (But in bad condition). Archer and I had a quick dinner of bread and beer then went up to our room. There were two ‘beds’ That were really planks of wood with a bedroll of top. We got in them, and by then, Archer still hadn’t talked. At all. But I was starting to think better of him. I’m sure he just joined the Alleria because he wanted to have a leader. He probably was just as likely to join a guild or the legion, even the church. I was sure Archer wouldn’t betray us unless Wheedle was behind it.

“So… your name’s Archer.” I said. He nodded. “What’s your last name?” I said, trying to get him to talk.

“Lauren. “ He said quietly. His voice was more gentle than I expected, and lighter too.

“So… Archer Lauren. Has a nice ring to it.” I said. Archer nodded again.

“Do you think we can pull this off, Archer? Saving the world from Avaros, I mean?” I asked out of the blue. I hadn’t asked that, and barely even thought about it myself. I only suspected Archer would shrug, but he did speak.

“The Avaros Cult is hunting us, I’m sure. I hope we find Paladas’s heir in Skyrim… otherwise someone would need to continue to flee with that book forever… because it can’t be destroyed.”

I nodded slowly. What he said made sense and it was scary to think about. Suddenly another question left my lips before I could stop.

“Do you like Wheedle?” I asked. Archer smiled briefly at my question but then shook his head.
“No.” Was his simple answer.
“Oh.” I said.
“He can be a jerk.” Archer explained. “He thinks because I’m not a…” He searched for the right word. “Outgoing person, I’m less than human or something and he treats me accordingly.”
“Oh. Man, that’s bad. Was he always with you in the Alleria?” Archer nodded. I tried to think of another question. Believe it or not, I liked talking to Archer.

“How did you join the Alleria?” I asked.
“Long story.” He answered.
“I’m listening.” I said.

Archer explained something that hit home with me. His family was poor so he started to steal things to feed them. Eventually he got noticed by the Thieves Guild, and it was the Guild that discovered his talent with a warhammer. Eventually the Alleria took note and hired him. Archer’s family, his two parents and sister, died when Mehrunes Dagon attacked the city. Not by Daedra, no, but looters who raided houses in the confusion. Some particularly violent raiders chose Archer’s parent’s house and they were killed. Since Archer didn’t have another purpose in life than to feed his family, he stayed with the Alleria.

This story reminded me of myself, sort of. That whole scam I pulled in the Imperial City that got me in Celeste’s team doing community service in the first place. I did that to feed my family as well. I told Archer this and he nodded. “It’s a harsh world out there. You must do what you can to take care of your loved ones.” He said wisely.

“Well, I think I’m tired. ‘Night Archer.” I said and turned over to go to sleep. “Goodnight.” I heard him say before he slept as well. So yeah, I thought pretty highly of Archer. I was comfortable with at least him, Zaron and Ionna. Cassandra and Wheedle, however… well, let’s just say I’d rather be with the other three.

It was early in the morning when Archer woke me up and we got ready for the day of traveling ahead. Archer readied his warhammer, which he called Annabelle, while I got dressed. I didn’t have a staff like many mages. No, my natural magic was enough for me thanks. We went down to the lobby and it was pretty much deserted.

“Luther!” I said to the old innkeeper behind the bar. “Where is everyone? There were dozens of people in here before.”

Luther laughed. “It’s the Anniversary of the battle! The Council has officially named it: Armistice Day! The parades haven’t started yet if you still want to get a good view. Remember: I’m closed during the parade.”

I looked to Archer. “We should get the others before the parade.” I said, and he nodded.
The streets were packed, ready to burst. Everyone and their mother had gotten a seat all throughout the city to see the glorious parade funded by the Emperor. I would have stayed if we hadn’t had a job to do.

Archer and I squeezed out way through the streets on our way to the Merchant’s Inn where Ionna and Wheedle were staying. What would be a ten minute stroll turned into a half-hour battle for space on the streets. When we finally got to the Inn, for a change, it was a completely empty save the bartender.

“Excuse me, you wouldn’t keep track of your patrons, would you?” I asked. The bartender shook his head emotionlessly.

“Oh, well then.” I said. “You wouldn’t remember a monk woman and a shady looking man who bought a room?” He shook his head again.

And old man in the corner I hadn’t noticed before came up to us. He had long, mangy hair and was dressed in rags.

“I know who you’re looking for, I do! The woman with the man ‘ands and the one who made you want to cover your purse. I knew ‘em I did!” He laughed crazily at his jokes.

“Yes, that pretty much sums up Ionna and Wheedle.” I said. “Where did they go, sir?”

“Sir? What, am I a knight now? Ooh-ee, look at me! I’m a certified Sir Knight I am! What’s next, do you have my sword? Where’s the nearest dragon? Heheheh!” He laughed some more.

“Just tell us where they went, old man.” I insisted.

“Where’d your manners go, sonny? No please? ‘ow about a thank you? Throwing in another ‘sir’ wouldn’t ‘urt.” He cackled.

“Don’t listen to Old Kirvernus. He can’t give you a straight answer.” Said the bartender.

Kirvernus frowned. “Not true! It’s a lie, I say! I say it’s a lie! Lady man-‘ands and thiefy walked out with a man in red robes. As true as day is day and night is night!” He guffawed.

I looked to Archer. “A man in red robes? Who’d that be?” He shrugged. I guess Archer was back to being silent in public.

“Very well. Maybe we’ll find Zaron and Cassandra at the Tiber Septim.” I sighed and left to the sound of Kivernus laughing his head off at who knows what.

After we managed to get to the Tiber Septim, it was even more crowded in the Talos Plaza District, and went to the innkeeper, who happened to be the same teenaged assistant we say yesterday.

“Oh, hi! I remember you two.” She said.

Good, I thought. This girl should remember Zaron and Cassandra as well. “Are the two people that were with us that stayed overnight still here?” I asked.
She shook her head. “No, but I think I saw them leave because they left later than everyone else. A red-robed man fetched them. Now no one is here, except for the staff, you… and that old man that just came in.” She said, looking off in the corner.

Surely enough, it was Kivernus, watching us with a twinkle in his eye. I nodded my thanks to the assistant and confronted the lunatic.

“You followed us. Why?” I asked simply.

“I was still talking! You walked out! Cut me off mid-sentence you did!” He pointed a grubby finger in our direction.

“I have no time for this.” I stated and began to walk away.
“W-wait!” He said quickly. “You never even let me finish that sentence! I was gonna say I know where your friends went I do! Where the robed man took ‘em. ‘ows about I tell you, aye? What’s it to ya?”

I lifted my hand to meet Kivernus’s eyes and flames sprung from my fingers. “I might let you leave here unharmed in you tell me.” I said, tired of the man.

“Oh, well! You don’t need to be so rude about it!” He said. “The man took them west of ‘ere, towards the Arcane University. I followed them I did! They went into a large area of tall flowers and never came out!” He said loudly.

“That doesn’t sound like Ionna. Would Wheedle follow some complete stranger? Er, twice.” I asked Archer and he shook his head, a definite ‘no’.

“Something’s not right here.” I said under my breath. “Come on, Archer, we have to investigate. I have pretty accurate feelings, and I feel that the Cult of Avaros finally caught up to us. And if they somehow managed to kidnap everyone, it means they have the Tome.” I said grimly.

Archer and I went immediately to the Arcane University and quickly spotted a field of six feet tall flowers with purple petals and a black core. We went into the small field and looked around. Sure enough, I stubbed my toe on a trapdoor. I called to Archer, who was searching in another area, and I flipped the door open. It revealed a dark hole with a ladder into the unknown.

"It looks like we're going down." I said grimly. I decided to go down first, followed shortly by Archer. The climb down was long, and it turned pitch black fast. After a minute of climbing or so, we finally hit stone ground. My hand sparked with white flames that illuminated a dark hallway. Had I mentioned it was dark?

Archer and I slowly ventured down the hallway, my companion's sword drawn and my non-lamp hand read to cast a shock spell if needed. The hallway lead to a large, closed wooden door. I saw light coming from underneath it. My hand's flames died down and I looked to the white haired warrior, who nodded reassuringly. I slowly edged open the door and peeked my head out.

What I saw was disturbing. Zaron, Cassandra, Ionna, and Wheedle were standing in the center of a large chamber, not restrained or anything, but they seemed disoriented. I sensed brainwashing magic at work.

What's worse, a small red-robed Redguard man was holding the Tome of Saint Paladas, reciting something in an odd language. There were several robed cultists around the chamber. "Kath'e larsennos, eros c'f'er. Cinthe glesb Avaros no delir fa'don."

I nudged Archer. "I remember that chant!" I whispered. "They're trying to summon Avaros's spirit! Stop them! Go, now!" I finished and Archer and I ran out at the same time.

"Kath'e nison, kath'e ron!" The Redguard continued, but not for long. With a single swipe of his sword, Archer cut the man's head right off his shoulders. A grabbed the Tome and tried to shake off some of the blood on it. The other cultists sprang into action at this point. I put my hands together and shot a wall of flames out that hit at least three of them. They crumpled to the ground screaming in pain.

They were unarmed, so Archer made quick work of the rest.

Suddenly with a large boom Archer was knocked back to the far side of the wall and was knocked out. I looked to what had caused it. A dark-haired heavyset Imperial with a large, bushy moustache, and of course, draped in a red robe, stood at the other end of the chamber. He must have been the mage who brainwashed the others.

"Give in peacefully, my friend." The man commanded. "You will not feel pain."

I scoffed. "Fat chance at that." And I cast a bolt of fire at him. He countered it with a deadly looking purple ray and we were locked in a battle of magicka.

The heavyset Imperial was obviously a powerful mage. The question was: was he as powerful as me? It didn’t seem like either of us were overpowering each other. I tentatively took a step towards him.
It got harder to maintain the spell as I got closer, but I felt a refreshed will to beat the mage in combat and retrieve the Tome. This nonsense had gone on quite long enough.
The heavyset man’s face grew red from exertion, and I saw him waver. I took this as my opportunity and put everything I had into the spell. I saw the Imperial weakening and when my spell had hit him, he couldn’t even scream before he hit the ground, motionless.

I staggered away from the robed man and viewed the scene. Archer was slowly getting up from the blast and the other four looked as if they had just awoken from a dream. “Good job, boy.” Zaron muttered while rubbing his eyes. “I must be losing my touch, falling victim to a spell such as that. Where’s the tome?” We looked around but couldn’t find the Tome of Saint Paladas.


“What happened to it?” I asked aloud. My question was quickly answered by a cackle as a small man ran down the hall, clutching a book half the size of him against his body.

“That’s Kivernus!” I shouted. Instantly we all took after him – Cassandra ran faster than all of us. With several long strides, she caught up to the hobbling old man and grabbed him firmly by the shoulder.
Kivernus fought hard to keep the tome, but Cassandra won in the end. Once she wrestled it free, Kivernus turned and ran away without another word, not even a cackle.

“What was that about?” Cassandra asked. “Who was that man?”
“Kivernus. We met him in the in; he must have followed us.” I answered, avoiding eye contact with Cassandra.
“Can we go, please? I’m growing tired of being in this cave.” Wheedle whined. I shrugged and nodded.
“Lead the way.” I said. Hopefully we could finally be on our way to Skyrim to meet Paladas’s ancestor. Hopefully…

The trek was long but uneventful. We traveled up on the road to Bruma, where we were wary to stay after our adventure in the Imperial city. Wheedle suggested we steal horses but Ionna and Cassandra were against it, so we walked. Again.
Eventually we crossed the border into Skyrim. We had to be careful as Wheedle and Archer were thugs and I may still be a wanted murderer (Though I haven’t asked a guard that question recently).
Skyrim felt like a whole different world. All the Legion Soldiers were Nords instead of Imperials and wonderful and amazing creatures such as Mammoths roamed the land. But we weren’t there for the sightseeing; we had to find Paladas’s ancestor before the Cult of Avaros did.

The town was called Karthwasten. It was a rather uneventful town, I’ve heard, and near the border to Hammerfell. Plenty of the town is mines.

The six of us walked into town slowly, we were tired and worn from the long trip. “Do you suppose the Cult knows about this place,” Asked Zaron.
“They tracked us to the Imperial City, so they just need to follow our trail again and we’ve led them to the key to save the world.” Ionna answered.

“So they can destroy it,” Cassandra finished grimly.

“We need to find the descendent of Paladas. They need to destroy the Tome.” Wheedle said. “But who goes around claiming they share blood with an ancient knight?”

“We’re just going to have to find out by asking around.” I replied. “The town doesn’t have many people in it. Just ask all the Imperials in town.” After the events in the City, we decided to stick together.
It was a rather unusual question we were asking, ‘Do you share blood with the ancient Knight, Sir Paladas of Karthwasten?’ and I was mildly surprised we weren’t run out of town… until a miracle seemed to occur.
We saw a stocky Imperial walking out of Karthwasten’s mine. He had short orange hair and white rags on, and he was completely covered by soot.
“Excuse me, sir,” Zaron asked. “Would you know anyone with an ancestry relating to Sir Paladas of Karthwasten?” I was ready for the Imperial curse us and walk away, but he stopped short and sized us up curiously.

“Why?” He asked. “That’s an old name. What could you want with a descendent of Sir Paladas?”

Zaron revealed the Tome he carried. “We need him or her to destroy the tome.”
The Imperial’s eyes widened. “The Tome of Saint Paladas… it is real…” The Soot covered miner stood up straighter. “I am Caleb Hossier, direct descendent of Sir Paladas of Karthwasten. I demand that you relinquish control of the Tome and hand it over to me. It is my birthright.”

“I doubt he’s telling the truth.” Cassandra whispered. “We should just move on.”

That’s when the world went up in flames, literally.

The seven of us stood together in front of the Karthwasten Mines as a huge fire erupted in several homes at the same time. The quiet town immediately came to life as citizens ran for safety… and were subsequently cut down by red robed men. Cultists of Avaros, here for the Tome one last time.

“Take cover!” Zaron shouted as we all ducked beside a boulder as the ground where we once stood was hit by a fireball.

Ionna and I peeked over the boulder. At least a dozen men were in the town, ready to kill us and take the Tome.
“We can only fend them off if we fight as one.” Ionna said confidently. “Caleb, stay here. Everyone else… charge on my count. Three… two… go!”

It was almost poetic as Wheedle, Archer and Ionna charged forward with their weapons ready, looking near invincible. Zaron had started to raise the dead citizens to fight against the cultists, Cassandra found a secluded spot to fire her bows, and I stood in the dead center of it all, firing off spells at anything that moved.

I realized what we were a few moments later. It appears that Celeste and her team continue to be with me to this day. I can’t believe I haven’t seen it earlier. .

There was Ionna, Celeste’s twin sister who represented her perfectly.
Cassandra, the strong marksman, represented the powerful Iris.
Zaron, the wizardly mentor, was in essence Avers.
Wheedle and Archer bore similarities to the warrior twins Jerry and Gabe.

It’s funny how those you wrong always seem to haunt you. From an outsider’s perspective, it may be seen as a coincidence, but it seemed like fate to me. I would redeem myself with Ionna and our new team after wronging Celeste and our old team.

I was wrenched away from my musings when a stray shockbolt nearly fried my stomach. I continued to send out spells at the Cultists, who were doing everything in their power to stop us from destroying the tome.
After I made one particularly accurate shot at a Cultist with a fireball spell, I heard a grunt of pain coming from my side. It was Zaron.
Before I could even react, the old Necromancer was on the ground, nursing a burn to his side, while a small Cultist ran off with the Tome. It appeared almost too big for him to carry. In fact, I believe I recognized him…

“By the Nine Divines, that’s Kivernus!” I shouted aloud. I had absolutely no idea what Kivernus was doing here, dressed in Cult robes, but only one thing was certain: I had to get back the Tome. Gods willing, the Hossier man could destroy it.

I quickly looked around me. Cassandra was busy firing her crossbow, on the verge of being cornered, Ionna and Wheedle were locked in a battle with some spellswords, and Zaron was out of the fight.

I motioned for Archer to follow me. He had also noticed Kivernus and was looking to me for guidance.
We jogged up after Kivernus while I cast a shield spell over us. As we got closer, I saw the strangest sight.

A cultist took the Tome from Kivernus and started reading from it… but Kivernus didn’t go away. It looked like with each passing word that the cultist read, Kivernus seemed healthier and stronger. Almost as if…

“Kivernus is Avaros.” Archer said calmly, as if this wasn’t surprising news. Ignoring the fact that Archer talked, I was horrified… because he was clearly right. Dark wisps of energy seemed to infuse with Kivernus’ old body as the Cultist read from the Tome.

Without another word, Archer and I sprung into action. I barreled down several cultists with a ward spell as we got closer to the man with the tome.

Kivernus chuckled. “Foolish boy. You are too late! I will rise again!” And he sent a bolt of pure energy towards us, a bolt that my wards couldn’t protect. It shattered them like glass, and I prepared for the impact that never arrived.
I cracked my eye open to see Archer, desperately clutching his chest and falling back into the dirt. The pained expression on his face only lasted for a microsecond before his eyes closed and he exhaled his last breath on Nirn.

“You… didn’t… just... do… that!” I shouted, and with more force than I’ve ever mustered, I pulled the Tome towards me and pushed Kivernus away at the same time.
Without pausing, I ran back to where Hossier was hiding. I only found more death. It appears Hossier tried to escape, but was slaughtered by the Cultists.
“The Blood of Paladas can destroy the Tome…” I whispered quietly. “Let’s hope it’s very literal.”
I drew a dagger from my belt and pressed it into Hossier’s chest. When I pulled it out, it was covered in blood. “Here goes nothing… If you weren’t telling the truth, Hossier, I’ll find you in death and kill you again.” I thought as I stabbed the dagger soaked with Paladas’ blood into the Tome.

At first, nothing happened. I was afraid that my plan had failed; the descendent had to actually destroy the Tome himself, or Hossier had lied in the name of greed.
I didn’t expect the blinding white light that exploded from where Kivernus, Avaros, should have been. I heard the old man’s scream of agony before the light subdued and it was over. The Cultists stopped in confusion and terror, which my allied took advantage of nicely. In less than a minute the Cultists were wiped out.

I stood up to congratulate my friends when I noticed something odd. The flames on the buildings were still. My allies seemed to be frozen in place.

“They can’t move, right now. I’ve frozen them.” Came a voice from behind me. I spun around quickly to see a man in yellow robes.

“What do you want?” I asked warily, ready for another fight. The yellow robed man seemed to calm me, without saying anything.

“I’m a friend, Jason White, that’s all you need to know right now.” He said. “It’s time that we left here, you and I. My associates want to meet you.”

“What are you talking about?” I asked. “I need to see to my friends, to Archer…”

“Jason, we need to leave. You’re needed elsewhere.” The man insisted.

“I’m needed nowhere!” I retorted.

“You know I’m right, Jason. Your skills are needed again in another place. You are no longer needed here.”

It may be crazy, but somehow I knew he was right. I felt like it was my time… to leave. How did I feel that way? It didn’t even make sense! Was this man trying to brainwash me? “Am I dead?” I asked suddenly.

The man chuckled. “No, Jason, you’re very much alive. Fate needs you that way. Are you ready to come with me?”

I looked to my friends, frozen in time. Zaron was still nursing his burn, Archer was dead, Wheedle looked unconscious (Hopefully) and Cassandra had a cut on her leg that was bleeding heavily. “My friends need me. Some may be hurt.” I insisted.

“Their fate splits from yours today, Jason. You were a good leader and you achieved your goal… Avaros is no more.” I looked down to Hossier, and over to Archer. The man saw this. “Their deaths were fated, Jason. Just as you were fated to leave with me today.


“Where are you taking me?” I asked curiously.

“I’ll explain on the way.” The man smiled.

I was probably finally insane, but I trusted him. I felt like I needed to do this.
“What the hell. Lead on.” I said as we both vanished in a ball of white light. Not unlike Avaros, ironically.

I looked to the man in the yellow robes. “So… you never did tell me who you are.”

End

Sweat poured down the young Breton woman’s. She was inches away from her goal. She had planned this heist for over a year, and it only took one teleportation spell to materialize inside the temple.

“Come on, Morrigan, old girl. I can do this.” She thought. “Don’t think about the wrath you will incur from Lady Diagon and her followers in the Temple. It's for the greater good. Don’t think of the consequences… oh…” She shivered in the large, stone room she had transported to. The room was dark except for a bright light shining from its center.

Morrigan crawled through the room until she was upon her target, the light: a large, yet simple, wooden staff with a diamond the size of an Orc’s fist on top of it.
“Akatosh’s Focus. This staff has caused so many problems…” She stood up and was illuminated by the staff’s light. Her sharp features were emphasized, her black and blue leather robes rustled softly as she admired the staff.
Morrigan’s light blue eyes shone as she took a tentative grip of the staff’s diamond. “I’ll just need this.” She thought and pulled the diamond roughly out of its spot on the staff. With a confident smile, Morrigan stuffed the diamond in her satchel and turned, ready to escape the temple with the teleportation spell she had just used.
With a flip of her black hair, tied back in a tight ponytail, Morrigan strode through the room and left the temple room forever.

One Day Later…

Lady Diagon, High Priestess of Akatosh, stood in the middle of the Temple of Akatosh in Cyrodiil, where the theft of the Holy Stone of Time had been stolen from her temple just last night.
Lady Diagon screamed in fury, and her guards backed off. Everyone was intimidated by Lady Diagon; she was a tall middle aged woman whose appearance simply screamed ‘Don’t cross me’. Her blonde hair was neatly styled and didn’t fall past her mouth and her dark eyes were brimming with fury. She had black dress that hugged her figure, making her look very formal.

“Why is it nobody was guarding the Staff of Time last night?!” She barked at her guards. None replied.

“Answer me!” She shouted louder this time. A guard tentatively stepped forward.


“M-my wife contacted me, ma’am. She was having our son. I left to be with her when she gave birth.” She avoided Lady Diagon’s intense gaze.

“Guards? You may leave now. Except the slacker.” She said as the guards scrambled out of the Temple, leaving Lady Diagon alone with the new father.

“Your laziness has cost me more than you know.” Said Diagon. “You are fired, effective immediately.”

“Yes, my Lady.” The guard said, just eager to leave the presence of the furious priestess.

“Guard,” Said Lady Diagon. “That’s not how I fire my people.” She touched his cheek, and flames sprang from her fingers on to the guard. Before he could react, the flames spread around his body and he disintegrated into a pile of ashes.

Lady Diagon stormed out of the Temple. She was immediately met by one of her acolytes. “Get me the best damn bounty hunter in the Tamriel.” she said.

“I can get in touch with Sasha Helsari, the Dark Elf hunter from Morrowind. None match his skill.” The acolyte offered.

Lady Diagon nodded. “That will do. We're hunting the [&@%!] thief down who stole from me.”

Morrigan sat in her makeshift hut along the coast of Anvil. Inside there was were large magical runes set up along the walls. This was where Morrigan teleported into the Temple of Arkay and stole the diamond.

Morrigan examined the diamond in her hand closely. It was roughly the size of her fist and it illuminated the hut with a soft sky blue light.
The light from the diamond was dwarfed by the sudden ball of light that entered the hut and swirled around Morrigan, and then danced around her playfully. It was Morrigan’s pride and joy; her tamed Will-o’-the-wisp, Solaris.


“Lady Diagon is surely readying to pursue me.” Morrigan said to Solaris. “She won’t give up ‘til she pries the diamond from my cold, dead hands. Oh, Solaris, what have I gotten myself into?” She buried her head in her hands and remembered the exact moment she realized she had to destroy Akatosh’s Focus.

It was a dark day in the College of Winterhold as a young woman strode through the huge library. Dozens of other mages were scattered throughout the library yet this woman stood out, simply because of her beauty. Her black hair that cascaded down to the small of her back flowed behind her and she walked through the large room. Her blue robes hung loosely to her body as her soft face, obviously one that has been pampered all of her life, smiled at each mage she saw.

The woman finally found what she was looking for as she stopped before a large Nord sitting at a desk. The man hardly looked like a mage, but his robes said otherwise.

The man’s stony face looked over the woman. “You’re here.” He said over the bustle of the mages in the library. “It took a while, but I have the book you’re looking for.” He tossed her a small orange book titled “The Diamond of Akatosh: Mankind’s greatest gift or dangerous weapon?”

“Thanks, Olaf,” Said the woman, eying the book. “This is…?”
“The only copy of that book still in existence after the church ordered this book be burned.” Olaf finished. “I kept my own copy. I took a risk with that book; don’t show it to anyone else.” The Nord stated.
“I won’t. Thanks, Olaf.” The woman smiled.

“I can’t say no to you, Morrigan. Now get out of here.” Olaf responded gruffly.

Morrigan left the College and walked into the city of Winterhold. She went to her usual spot where she wanted to be alone: right behind the Blacksmith’s store in a little nook where nobody ever went but her. The little nook was basically Morrigan’s study.
In the little nook Morrigan took the book Olaf gave her and opened it up. It was a short enough read but intriguing. It detailed the story about a priest of Akatosh who lost everything in an earthquake, including his temple and family. Having nothing else but his religion, the priest prayed to Akatosh every day until the god of time took pity on him and bequeathed the forlorn priest with a magic diamond that was said to be able to perform any miracle.
Using the diamond, the priest rebuilt what he lost during the earthquake, only better. It is said that the priest built the famous Temple of Akatosh that is still in Cyrodiil today, in the Great Forest.

Knowing this, Morrigan set off for the Temple of Akatosh in Cyrodiil, a huge stone temple in the middle of a forest. She met with the High Priestess of the Temple, an older woman known as Lady Bethany Diagon.
Morrigan was aware that the church of the Nine Divines had ordered the burning of the book she had received from Olaf, so she questioned Lady Diagon carefully. She slowly brought up the rumor that the Temple held a powerful magical artifact from Akatosh.
Lady Diagon denied the existence of such an artifact and ended the conversation with Morrigan, advising she left the temple.
Morrigan simply couldn’t accept this, so using a very simple invisibility spell, she snuck into Lady Diagon’s quarters. In a perfect life she’d find the diamond, but that was not to be. Morrigan did find something just as shocking, though.
While exploring the Priestess’ rooms, she found a small book simply marked “Plans”. She picked it up and flipped through the pages. To her horror, the book detailed Lady Diagon’s plans to use the diamond of Akatosh to wreak havoc on Tamriel and take over the world.
Morrigan fled the temple in despair, wondering how she could save Tamriel from the conspiring Priestess.
Over the next several months, the soft, pampered mage who had spent the majority of her life in the College of Winterhold in a different world, joining the Thieves Guild, learning how to become sneakier, and trying to use contacts in the Guild to find someone who could destroy the Diamond so Lady Diagon couldn’t use it.
After many months of working in the Guild, she found her answer. Morrigan left the Guild immediately after she had the information she needed; a scholar named Leonardo Forbes who may be able to disenchant the Diamond, which would destroy it. Leonardo lived in Leyawiin.

Morrigan blinked. She was back in her hut on the Golden Coast, Solaris floating around her. “It looks like I have to go to Leyawiin.” She said to her Will-o’-the-Wisp. “But I have a feeling that Lady Diagon won’t make it easy for me.”

Sasha Helsari sat in the Temple of Akatosh, alone, waiting for his client to meet him.
Everything seemed to be going so fast for the Dunmer bounty hunter. Just a few hours ago he was in Morrowind; Balmora’s tavern, Eight Plates, to be exact. Sasha was being treated to a drink by the proprietor, Dulnea Ralaal. He had just completed a contract for her. Sasha smiled at the memory. For whatever reason, Dulnea wanted an Argonian wanderer dead.
Sasha took the job and spent well over a month tracking the wanderer in Black Marsh. He had followed a trail through half a dozen cities, spent countless hours wading in swamps, and finally, Sasha dueled the wanderer at the edge of a large cliff on a stormy night. It was a beautiful fight. Sasha almost lost his life that night, but in the end, the Argonian went over the edge of the cliff, his screams lost in the bellowing winds.
Sasha returned to the Eight Plates to receive his payment, and moments later, a courier burst into the Inn, saying that a very important priestess in Cyrodiil wanted to see him. The priestess had went to the trouble of hiring a personal Silt Strider to bring Sasha to Cyrodiil.
Sasha agreed, seeing what the priestess had done to get him to come. One Silt Strider ride later, Sasha was in the Temple of Akatosh, yet strangely, his mysterious client hadn’t met him.

Sasha was too lost in thought to notice the dark figure approach him. Lady Diagon cleared her throat and Sasha snapped his head up to meet her gaze. “I assume you’re my client… the important priestess that went to such lengths to hire me.” Sasha said. He examined the older woman. Her fine features and short blonde hair made her look official, and her black dress that hugged her body made her look important.
While Sasha was evaluating Lady Diagon, Lady Diagon was evaluating Sasha. The Dunmer had slicked back brown hair and a thin beard. Sasha had an ebony bow and arrows with an impressive matching sword. What was probably most intimidating about Sasha Helsari was the fact that he wore light dragonscale armor. Lady Diagon knew dragons had been extinct for thousands of years and realized that the bones that were in Sasha’s armor must be priceless.

“Yes, bounty hunter, I am Lady Diagon, high priestess of the Temple of Akatosh. You’re going to hunt down and kill a thief.” She stated.

“Slow down there, Miss.” Sasha said. “I’ll need more details than that, and we haven’t discussed price.”

“I don’t have many details. The mages I’ve hired have detected a teleportation spell that they traced to the Golden Coast. We’re going there.”

“Wait a minute, you said ‘we’.” Sasha said, slightly alarmed. “I usually work alone –“

“Well, not this time.” Lady Diagon said. “I’m coming with you. The thief stole a very valuable item and I need to get it back personally.”

“May I ask –“ Sasha started.

“No.” Lady Diagon interrupted. “You’re a hired mercenary to kill a thief. Leave the details to me.”

Sasha sighed. “Fine. We’ll do it your way. What’s the price you’re offering?”

“You’ll get 15,000 drakes for completing the job.” Lady Diagon said.

Sasha nodded his head, slightly impressed. “That will do.”

Morrigan exited her hut, with only a few things with her, packed away in her trusty satchel. The diamond was at the bottom of her possessions. Of course, her little Will-o’-the-Wisp Solaris followed her.
“Okay, Solaris.” Morrigan said, mostly to herself. She wasn’t entirely sure Solaris was completely sentient. “I just need to get to Leyawiin. It’s not that far away. I have a huge head start from that maniacal priestess who wants to take over the world. Morrigan thought back on the plan book she had found in Lady Diagon’s quarters.

It was a large, dusty leather tome. Morrigan flipped open the first page to see a drawing of the beautiful diamond and some notes. “Diamond can destroy anything with beam of light produced by Akatosh Priest. Diamond can build anything if used by Akatosh priest. Diamond makes bearer, if Priest of Akatosh, immortal.” Were the most alarming notes Morrigan read. As she flipped through the pages, she found very intricate plans on how to dominate the world. Lady Diagon had obviously spent countless hours on the book and wasn’t done; only half of the tome was written in.

Morrigan opened to a random page. “Scenario: Capturing Riften City, the Reach, Skyrim,” Was the title. Morrigan read the overview of the page.

“If I get to Riften City then I have already completed two phases of the domination plan for Skyrim. (Phases Falkreath and Whiterun. Probability of surrender: Approximately 1/9) Using soldiers that were made loyal to me after the capture of Falkreath and Whiterun, I will lead the march on Riften City. I will tap into Whiterun’s coffers to bribe the Thieves Guild to assist me in the siege (Afterwards of course I shall destroy them. Too independent.) My soldiers will drive the guard into the Ratway where they will be forced to surrender and swear their allegiance to their new High Queen. Those who do not will die by the Diamond. The Jarl, of course, will be dealt with according to his willingness to serve as a governor for me. Most likely, it will be safer to depose of him (With extreme hatred) and allow a puppet to take his place. Riften citizens will be sent as refugees to Windhelm, to drain their resources and weaken their defenses to my onslaught.”

The next few pages went into every detail that could possibly occur while laying siege to Riften. Morrigan had to admit, Lady Diagon was precise. Even the simplest of Marauder Warlords, if in possession of this book, could easily take Riften.


Morrigan realized that the threat posed by Lady Diagon was very real; in fact, when she completed this book, Morrigan did not doubt that the Priestess could take all of Tamriel.

Morrigan flashed back to reality. She was standing outside of her hut, ready to leave for Leywiin. “At this pace, I’ll never make it to Leyawiin." She mumbled, and set off for Anvil, her first step on the path to Leonardo Forbes, enchanter.

Sasha Helsari knelt in the small, abandoned hut that he and Lady Diagon had eventually found.

Sasha sighed at the way Lady Diagon was storming through the hut, upturning tables, tearing apart books to find a clue at the Thief’s whereabouts. “This item that the Thief stole must be very valuable to you.” Sasha said as casually as he could manage.

“Don’t even try it, Sell-Sword.” Lady Diagon snapped. “You were hired to kill a Thief. I’m retrieving what he stole.” Sasha rolled his eyes and continued to search for something, but more carefully than the Priestess.

Sasha picked up a large, thin book titled “Morrigan’s Sketchbook”. Containing the spark of excitement that occurred inside him, he flipped open the book. There were several drawings of random things such as flowers, a dog, and a strange ball of light, oddly detailed.
Sasha turned the page to and whistled softly.

“Diagon,” Sasha said, standing up. The flustered priestess turned to him having just broken a vase. She stared at Sasha impatiently, waiting for him to speak again.
“I can’t see how we’d be luckier than this.” Sasha said. “I found the Thief’s sketchbook – her name is Morrigan. And have a look at this,” Sasha smiled and showed Lady Diagon a page he had ripped out of the Thief’s sketchbook. It showed a detailed sketch of Morrigan’s face. Below it was titled “Self Portrait”
“We have her name and her face.” Sasha headed for the door.

Lady Diagon smiled and chuckled softly. “So it’s a ‘she’. Interesting. But we’re still going to hunt her down.”

Morrigan, after a long trek, had finally gotten to the Anvil stables. She had walked the entire way, taking her time and enjoying the walk. Morrigan was confident that any She was talking to the stable master about buying a horse.
“The horse is 1300 gold.” The stable master, an older Breton woman, said.

“What?” Morrigan exclaimed. “I only have 1000. The price a horse has been here for years.”

“That was when Muriel was the stable master. I’m her sister, Carla, and I say the horses are 1300.” She snapped.

“You can’t do this.” Morrigan pouted. “I’m on an important mission.” The mage felt a pang of guilt for getting to Anvil so slowly.

“That isn’t my problem.” Carla snapped. “Now get out of my face or I’ll call the guards.”

Morrigan was about to respond, but she noticed some dark object appeared on Carla’s forehead. “What…?” Morrigan asked, but stopped in horror when she realized what the thing was.

An arrowhead.

Carla did not respond, she didn’t do anything but fall to her knees. When the stable master fell, Morrigan could see who shot her. It was a Dark Elf, around 100 meters away, riding in on horseback. He held a terrifying black bow that Morrigan instinctively knew was going to shoot her next.

Morrigan dropped and rolled towards the stables, as if the gods themselves were guiding her. She crouched behind the wooden wall and tried to catch her breath and assess the situation.

“Lady Diagon has caught up to me.” She said to herself. That much is obvious. She’s sending an assassin. This is happening too fast.” Morrigan glanced up at a chestnut stallion standing next to her. “Sorry, horse. But I’m going to have to steal you.” An arrow pierced the side of the wall mere inches away. “And fast!”

Sasha cursed to himself as the thief Morrigan hopped on a horse and started to speed away. He kicked his horse and urged it on after her.
Sasha felt little regret as he passed the woman he had killed. She had gotten in the way and Sasha shot her by accident. To get to Morrigan, bystanders were expendable; especially what Lady Diagon was paying him.

At the thought of the priestess, Sasha risked a quick look behind him. Lady Diagon was waiting far back for Sasha to kill his mark.

Morrigan was escaping at an alarming rate. Without hesitating farther, Sasha raised his bow and took a shot. He was aiming for the girl, but the arrow hit the horse’s bottom instead. The alarmed horse bucked and threw Morrigan off, rather violently.

Sasha smiled. This was going to be over quickly. Sasha kicked his horse again. “Move, Drelathe, move!” Sasha had named his horse after his mother to remember her while he was away on business.

Just as Sasha was closing in on the thief, his horse’s legs stopped moving… but it kept going. The bounty hunter looked down and with a shock, realized that the horse was slipping on ice. “She’s a bloody mage!” He swore under his breath.

There was nothing Sasha could do but brace himself for the impact. When the horse hit normal land, Sasha flew off it and landed on his back. The breath and was knocked out of him and he was breathing uneasily.

Sasha quickly scrambled up to see Morrigan getting back on her horse. Sasha frowned at the sight of his, who most certainly broke its neck when it crashed. So much for Drelathe.

“Sorry, mother.” Sasha muttered to himself as he sprinted back to the stables to hop on the remaining horse.

Morrigan blessed her good luck. The Bounty Hunter’s crash could not have gone over better.

As Morrigan finally mounted the horse, she saw a figure riding over a hill that made her shiver. It was Lady Diagon, both of her legs swung over one side of the horse, yet amazingly she stayed on. Lady Diagon was closing in fast, still in her elegant black dress, her hair still perfectly styled. She had a calm look of certainty on her face. Morrigan looked into Lady Diagon’s eyes. All she saw was a cold, unfeeling gaze that cut into Morrigan’s very soul.

“She’s getting away, Sasha!” Lady Diagon shouted. Morrigan didn’t wait around for Sasha to respond.

“Come on, horse.” Morrigan whispered and urged the horse onwards. “I can’t get caught this easily. Leonardo Forbes is waiting for me in Leyawiin.”

And so Morrigan rode off, farther and farther away, into the forest. Sasha was just too far behind her, and he could not track her among the thick trees.

Once Morrigan got a good enough distance away from Anvil, she moved the horse onto the roads and rode as fast as she possibly could. She had learned her lesson in Anvil. Morrigan would not stop until she had reached Leyawiin.

Running straight to Bravil, Morrigan took a look at her exhausted horse and decided it was time for a change. Using some tricks she picked up in the Thieves Guild, Morrigan ran off with another horse at the Bravil stables and left the old horse behind. She was sure somebody would notice the switch eventually, but Morrigan had to do anything to reach the enchanter in Leyawiin.

Surprisingly, Morrigan didn’t find any resistance on her journey to Leyawiin. “Leonardo better deliver.” Morrigan said to herself as she rode.

If only she knew.

The gates of Leyawiin finally came into sight and Morrigan breathed a sigh of relief. Lady Diagon and Sasha had probably lost track of her by now.

Entering the city of Leyawiin, Morrigan went over the plan, how it happened in her head ever since she discovered there was an enchanter with the skill to destroy Akatosh’s Diamond.

Leonardo Forbes owned a study in Leyawiin, which Morrigan went to without hesitating. She had left her stolen horse at the stables.

The doors of the Forbes Enchantment Study flew open as the young mage ran into the building. It was large and filled with strange glowing objects. Only a single, small man stood behind a desk in the front. Morrigan’s heart beat fast. Was this Leonardo Forbes? She approached the desk, and the man smiled warmly at her. “Hello, ma’am, I am Virius. What may I help you with today?”

“Where is Leonardo Forbes?” Morrigan asked. “I must speak to him. Now.”

“I’m sorry, ma’am,” Virius frowned. “But Mr. Forbes isn’t here anymore.”

Morrigan felt her heart sink. “You mean… he’s dead?” She choked out.

“Oh, no!” Virius said hurriedly. “But he is on a lengthy expedition. He won’t be back anytime soon.”

“Where is he? An ayleid ruin nearby?” Morrigan asked, knowing that the ruins were filled with artifacts an enchanter like Forbes might be interested in.

“Something… more exotic than that,” Virius said slowly.

“Where then!” Morrigan said, her voice raising.

“Leonardo Forbes has gone on a major scientific expedition… to Atmora.”

Morrigan blinked in horror. “I… Atmora? When will he get back?”

Virius shrugged. “A year or so. Why?”

Morrigan felt a wave of dread wash over her entire body. She couldn’t believe what she was hearing. How could the enchanter be gone for over a year when it will take Lady Diagon only a few days to hunt her down with her bounty hunter? “Is there anybody else here that has his enchanting skills? Who could disenchant something for me?” She asked.

“I can do disenchantments, ma’am. Can I see what it is you want disenchanted?” Virius asked, holding his hand out. Morrigan took the Diamond out of her pack, but didn’t give it to the enchanter. Virius whistled. “That looks impressive… but it’s not standard armor or weaponry. Only the boss can do that.”

Morrigan sighed. She feared that answer, but expected it. “I can’t go to Atmora. But I need this disenchanted. It might be my only choice”

Virius eyed the Diamond warily. “If you don’t mind me asking, why is the diamond so important that you would consider going to Atmora to disenchant it?”

Morrigan waved Virius off. “Don’t ask, Virius. I don’t want to get you involved. Someone has already been killed because of my efforts to destroy the Diamond.”

Virius suddenly started to observe the Diamond more closely. “That Diamond… I think I recognize it. Every enchanter reads about that. That’s the Diamond of Akatosh, isn’t it?”

Morrigan gasped sharply and stuffed the Diamond back in her satchel. “Everything they say about it is true.” Morrigan said quickly. “Lady Diagon, a priestess of Akatosh, plans to use the Diamond to take over the world. Only a Master Enchanter such as Leonardo can destroy it. She’s hunting me as we speak, with a deadly good bounty hunter.” Morrigan didn’t know why she just spilled everything to Virius, but she felt so much better after sharing it with someone. The only other person who knew anything about her mission was her old friend Olaf, up in the College of Winterhold. “I’m Morrigan, by the way.” She added weakly.

“I can see why you need to get to Leonardo Forbes.” Virius said. The small man looked deep in thought. “Leonardo built something a few months ago,” He said. “That I think can help you. Follow me.” Virius walked out from behind the desk and farther into the building.

Morrigan took this time to examine Virius. He was a smaller Imperial man, but not shorter than Morrigan. He was younger and hair thick brownish orange hair. The Enchanter’s Assistant had something of a boyish charm to him that Morrigan found herself inexplicably attracted to, if only slightly. When Virius first stared at her with his large brown eyes, she felt a chill go through her.

Virius lead Morrigan through the building and up onto the roof. Morrigan wondered what he could possibly have for her up here, but then she saw it.

Hot air balloons. There were two of them; sitting on the roof of the building just begging to be used. “These will get you up north!” Virius laughed at Morrigan’s reaction to seeing the devices. “This is how Leonardo got up to Atmora with his team. Turns out, there were two left over… to prevent this Diagon woman from taking over the world, I think Leonardo wouldn’t mind if we borrowed one.”

“This is amazing.” Morrigan said. “Simply amazing. Thank you so much, Virius.” Morrigan hugged him out of relief. The man blushed.

“No problem. It should only take a few hours to get to Atmora with these, since they’re enchanted to move faster than a normal hot air balloon.” Morrigan could kiss Virius at this point. “There’s only one little snag…” He said. Morrigan tensed.

“What snag?” She asked. “We can take one up, right?”

“Of course, but I can’t fly it. It requires an enchanter to do it, and only one stayed behind when Leonardo went on his expedition.” Virius looked down, avoiding Morrigan’s gaze.

“Well, let’s get him up here.” Morrigan said excitedly.

Tatiana walked through the Enchanting Building with confidence. Since everyone was gone, Tati was in charge for once. Tatiana was a middle-aged Redguard woman who had worked for Leonardo all of her life. Her dark skin only had minor wrinkles in it and her small, black eyes seemed to observe everything. Tati’s straight black hair fell to her shoulders and her bangs just touched her eyebrows. The Redguard Enchanter wore a simple dark blue blouse and black pants. A strong and independent woman like Tati refused to conform to the normal dresses and makeup that most pampered women in Leyawiin wore.

Tati retreated to her own enchanting desk in the building. It was basically her best friend and business partner. Tati was never a people person anyway. Just before she got to work, however, a tall Bosmer woman approached her nervously.
“Miss Tatiana?” The Bosmer asked.

“What is it, Babs?” Tatiana was pretty sure the woman’s name was Barbaracaciela, but it was so much easier to just call her Babs.

“Virius is requesting you on the roof. He says it is urgent.” Babs said.

Tatia scoffed. “What does that brownnosing apprentice want with me?”

“He’s with a stranger.” Babs answered. “He looked very worried.” Tati rolled her eyes and walked past Babs.

“Make sure nobody touches my enchanting table.” Tati said without looking back at the Bosmer.

Morrigan was examining the hot air balloon. It was really just a wooden basket, large enough for Morrigan to lie down in. The large, circular silver balloon lay on its side on the roof, deflated. “I can’t imagine this ride will be comfortable,” Morrigan said to Virius. “Especially with three people in it. Is your enchanter friend coming soon?”

Virius nodded. “Yeah, she’ll be here. In fact, that’s her now.” Morrigan looked over to see Tatiana come up on the roof.

“She doesn’t look like the kind of person who’d drop everything and come with us.” Morrigan noted.

“Just tell her what you told me.” Virius said. “Tatiana’s stubborn, but hopefully she’ll see the importance of this.”

Tatiana stormed up to Virius and Morrigan. “Virius, what’s the meaning of this? Why did you bring an outsider up here? And what’s so urgent that you interrupted my work?”

Morrigan and Virius exchanged looks and Morrigan pulled out the Diamond from her satchel. Tatiana inhaled sharply.

“By the love of Mother Mara’s holy [&@%!], is that what I think it is?” Tati exclaimed. “I can sense it has great magical power. The only Diamond that big that is that magic… Akatosh’s Stone.” Tati whistled. “I can see why it’s urgent, Virius, but why the hell is this Diamond here? Doesn’t it belong to the Church of the Nine Divines?”

Morrigan nodded. “Well, Tatiana, I have to explain everything to you before you understand why it’s here. It all started in the College of Winterhold…” Morrigan recounted her story with great detail. Virius listened intently as well as Tatiana. The apprentice wanted to know all of the little details that he missed.

When Morrigan finally finished, she took a deep breath and waited for Tati to respond. “Well, that’s everything that has happened up until this point. I need to get to Leonardo in Atmora to destroy this Diamond, or else Lady Diagon will take over the world.”

Tati, who had kept a straight face so far, nodded slowly. “I see.” Was all she said. “And this Diagon character is coming here with her lapdog?” Morrigan nodded. “Well…” Something seemed to change in Tati’s eyes. “Why the hell did you come here? Lady Diagon is liable to kill everyone she meets to get the Diamond back and you walk into my Enchanting Business?”

Morrigan’s mouth dropped. “I… I needed Leonardo…” She said weakly. Tati wasn’t going to help her!

“You’re a fool, that’s what you are.” Tati said. “This Diagon [&@%!] is going to find this place eventually and start tearing through it like wildfire. Soon, with the hunter she hired.” Morrigan looked to Virius for help. The Imperial looked oddly calm.

“It’s obvious it’s up to me to fix the problems you’ve introduced. Just stand aside and let me get the balloon ready.” The Redguard Enchantress snapped and barged past Morrigan to get to the hot air balloon.

Morrigan looked to Virius, utterly lost. “Don’t worry; this is just Tati’s way of accepting your offer.” Virius whispered. “Her whole speech was just a way to make her seem in charge. I think you’re still calling the shots here.” Virius winked.

Tati inflated the silvery balloon and fiddled with an enchanting panel in the balloon’s basket. “Without stressing the balloon out and risking damage, we can go a comfortable pace that will get us to Atmora in just four hours.” She said confidently.

Morrigan sighed in relief. Everything wasn’t going exactly as planned, but things were definitely going to work out.

Morrigan and Virius climbed into the basket while Tati was working the panel. “Hold on. What is the Enchanter-never-to-be doing?” She asked, without looking at them.

“I’m coming.” Virius said. “I’m involved in this as much as you.”

“Hell no. The only reason I’m coming is because the tiny little thief over there is incapable of flying one of these things.”

“Little?” Morrigan asked. It slipped out of her mouth without her realizing what she was saying.

“Of course, little.” Tati said. “I mistook you for a Dwarf when I first saw you.”

“Tati,” Virius interrupted. “I’m coming along. I can help in Atmora. We never know what we’ll find there.”

“The plan is to fly directly to Forbes.” Tati said. “Unless there are flying cavemen in Atmora, we’ll have no problems without you.”

Virius flashed a dagger that he had in his blue robes. “Who knows what’s in Atmora? Leonardo took a dozen guards. I could help.”

Tati sighed. “Fine, but if a killer vulture attacks up, I’m sacrificing you.” She smiled to herself and with a lurch, they were airborne. “Remember not to stomp on the basket. Don’t make any sudden moves, either.”

“Or?” Morrigan asked nervously.

Tati looked back at her and smiled grimly. “Or it’s a long way down for all of us.”

Lady Diagon and Sasha had been tracking Morrigan ever since she escaped. The Priestess had to admit, Sasha is good at what he does. By spotting only the smallest clues, and sometimes even following instinct, Sasha had discovered Morrigan travelled on the road – very arrogant of her – to Leyawiin.

“We’re going in there.” Lady Diagon said. “And we’re going to do it quietly. But if someone gets in the way, they are expendable.”

“No.” Sasha said without looking at the Priestess. Lady Diagon almost fell of her horse. She had never been denied anything in her life. Sasha noticed her reaction and calmly went on. “You’re paying me 15,000 drakes to eliminate the target, and the target only. I’ve already killed today. The stable master? I’m charging another 15,000 drakes for her death. From now on, it’s 15,000 for each kill.”

Lady Diagon bit her tongue. “Fine,” She seethed. “I’ll agree to that, bounty hunter. You’ll get your extra money.” Lady Diagon had no real problem with it anyway.

Once Morrigan was dead, Sasha Helsari would follow.

The Two rode to Leyawiin and left their horses at the stables. Sasha led Lady Diagon into the city and asked around for the Thief’s unique appearance.

“I think I saw her go into to Leonardo’s Enchantment place.” One man said. “Ask there.”

Lady Diagon felt her heart beat faster. “Enchantment? What? This Leonardo… he’s an enchanter?”

“Yeah, he is. I hear he’s the best in Tamriel.” The citizen said.

Lady Diagon pulled Sasha off to the side. She was sweating now. “I think I know what the Thief is doing. She’s trying to get my… cargo… disenchanted, and destroyed. This can’t happen. We’ll stop her. We’ll kill her first!”

“Okay, calm down.” Sasha said, condescending. “She won’t leave Leyawiin alive.”

****

Babs the Bosmer assistant was sweeping the floor of Leonardo’s when two figures burst in the front door. They made quite a pair. One was a woman who looked like she could be in the Castle having lunch with the Countess, and the other looked like a hardened Dunmer warrior… only bred in Morrowind.

“Can I help you?” Babs said, but she didn’t even finish speaking when The Dunmer was on her, holding a sword to her throat. Babs made a squeaking sound and almost fainted right there.

“A woman wearing dark blue and black leather robes, tied back black hair, bright hazel eyes, pretty face.” Sasha described, his near perfect memory recounting his encounter with Morrigan. “Smaller than average, carrying a satchel. Was this woman in here?”

Babs squeaked again, looking to the woman for help. When Babs looked into Lady Diagon’s eyes, she knew that she’d find no help in the priestess. Sasha pressed the cruel, black sword into Babs’s neck farther. I’m going to die by this blade. Babs thought.

“Y-yes.” She whispered weakly.

“Where is she?” Sasha insisted.

“She left. With two others.” Babs managed. She was turning deathly pale.

Dammit, Diagon thought. She has allies now. How much do they know? “Where is the owner of this place?” The Priestess asked.

“In Atmora. The woman you’re looking for left to find him with a Senior Enchanter and an Enchanter’s Apprentice in a magically enchanted hot air balloon.”

“DAMN!” Lady Diagon cursed. “We need to find them!” The Priestess looked into Babs’s eyes. “Kill the Wood Elf. She has no more purpose.

Babs felt the sword press harder into her neck as she heard words spill out of her mouth. “Wait! I can help you. There’s another Hot Air Balloon on the roof! You can follow them! You just need an enchanter to work it!” Babs felt the sword become less sharp against her neck as she breathed a sigh of relief.

“Are you an enchanter? Is there one in the building?” Lady Diagon asked.

Babs coughed nervously. “No. They all left of the expedition to Atmora, except Tatiana, and she left with the woman.” Babs felt the blade come closer now. “But there is an enchanter in Leyawiin!” She exclaimed. “If you spare me, I’ll tell you his name.”

Lady Diagon looked at Sasha and made a small nod. “Fine, Wood Elf. Where is this enchanter that could work the balloon?”

“His name is Lai Jasaiin. He’s an Argonian who recently quit here and joined the Mages Guild Chapter, in the city!” Babs exclaimed.

“Are you alone here?” Lady Diagon asked.

“No.” Babs bluffed. Tati and Virius were the last two here today, and they had left with Morrigan.

Sasha looked into Babs’s eyes. “She’s lying.” He said calmly. “I can tell by the way the muscles in her face moved when she said that.” He had simplified it, but that was basically how he figured it out.

“Good. Kill her.” Diagon said, and headed out the door without another word.

“Please,” Babs whispered, looking at the Dunmer’s face. She saw no mercy there.

Sasha slid his blade across Babs’s throat and she fell to the ground. Sasha turned and followed Lady Diagon out the door.

Babs felt like her throat was on fire. She weakly felt it, and her hand came away red. The Dunmer didn’t slice anything important, Babs thought. Or else I’d be dead. But I’m losing blood fast.
Babs was already feeling weak. She tried to crawl for the door. If she could alert the guards to the intruders, they could be arrested. The Bosmer dragged herself across the floor. She was only feet away.
If I could just… Babs thought weakly. Her vision was starting to blur. With one herculean effort, she heaved herself to the door and reached up for the handle. Come on… She thought. Come on, Babs! They’re going after Tati and Virius now! Don’t let them win! Don’t let them win!
Babs reached her hand up to the doorknob, slowly. So close. Inches away, even.
Her hand just fell short of the door, when she suddenly felt too weak to sustain it anymore. Her hand fell to her chest as Babs lost all hope.
“Help…” Babs whispered weakly. “Help…” She just realized how much her throat was burning.
The feeling of pain, Babs knew, wouldn’t last much longer.

Lai Jasaiin was busy reading a book in his office, in the Mages Guild. He was absolutely fascinated by it; something his colleagues didn’t know, however, was this wasn’t a book an enchanting, but a thriller about a young Altmer in the desert lands of Elsweyr.

The Argonian sat back in his luxurious leather chair, his feet on his desk, and read the book in silence. He had completed all of his duties today; now it was time to relax. He had no intention of doing anything else today.

Lai was an older Argonian with browning scales, which he was slightly self conscious about. Lai had no horns or feathers on his head like other Argonians, so he stood out when compared to others of his kind. For clothing, Lai wore a simple pair of tan trousers and a black shirt. In addition to his basic clothing, Lai wore a gray overcoat that stretched down past his waist.

“Oh, splendid!” Lai muttered. “I simply never saw that coming. This book is fabulous.” Lai chuckled to himself. Before he could turn the page, a woman walked calmly into his office. She was an average looking Imperial with styled blonde hair and a very elegant black dress.

“Lai Jasaiin?” The woman asked.

Lai looked up at her and grunted. “Excuse me, ma’am, but I’m in the middle of… important studies.”

“I sympathize with you, being a visiting enchanter myself, from Wayrest.” The woman said evenly.

“Oh? What are you doing in Leyawiin? More importantly, my office?” Lai asked, unimpressed.

“I’m afraid I was visiting Leonardo Forbes’ Office Building when there was a small accident. I was told that only you have the ability to fix it.” The woman smiled earnestly.

Lai studied the woman intently. She looked honest, but something in her eyes… “Tatiana couldn’t handle herself, and there was an accident? I can’t blame her. There are only three of them in the place.” Lai chuckled and stood up. “Is this accident truly ‘small’?” He asked.

The woman smiled, looking embarrassed. “You’ve caught me. There’s a small object that is threatening to explode. It would cause minor damage, but would best be avoided.”

Lai nodded, smiling. “I understand. Don’t worry, Enchantress, it’s happened to the best of us. I’ll help you.” Lai and the woman left the Mages Guild and headed for Leonardo’s Building. Lai couldn’t help but feel a small voice in his head telling him to go the other way, to tell a fellow Guild member or guard what he was going to do… but he didn’t.

As the Enchantress opened the doors to Leonardo’s, Lai stepped in. The doors closed immediately behind him and he was face to face with a Dunmer holding a sword to his chest. The Enchantress was smiling confidently. The Argonian Enchanter glanced down at the ground and saw the dead body of a familiar Wood Elf that used to work here.

“I’m guessing,” Lai said, maintaining a calm tone. “I’m not here to fix an enchantment.”

Lai was lead up to the roof by the Dark Elf holding the sword to his back. “Remember, Lizard.” The Dark Elf had said. “Try and do anything funny on the roof and you’ll be killed before you come to regret your decision.”

Lai was lead to the Hot Air Balloon. “You want to go on a tour around Cyrodiil?” Lai said calmly. “Is that why you killed the Bosmer girl? Kidnapped me?”

“We need to go to Atmora.” The woman said. “We need an Enchanter to fly us there. Quickly now, or you’ll be getting hurt.” Lai sighed and inflated the balloon.

“I assume that I won’t be getting out of this alive, were it up to you,” Said Lai. “But I warn you two, I am cleverer than you can handle. I will come out of this alive. You two, however, I can’t say.”

“Shut up, Argonian.” Lady Diagon snapped. “Inflate the balloon and set it up.”

“May I ask why you’re going to see Leonardo?” Lai asked while working. “I assume that it isn’t to say hello. Most likely, we’re going there to kill him.”

“We’re chasing someone there, with intent to kill.” Sasha said, ignoring the looks of hatred from Lady Diagon. “And we may encounter them on our way there. They’re travelling by air too. By the way, my name is Sasha. My angry friend here is Lady Diagon.” The Priestess looked ready to rip Sasha’s head off.

“What?” Sasha said. “He’s being civil with us. We can be civil with him.” Lai nodded his head in approval.

“You show signs of wisdom, Sasha.” Lai noted. “Sadly, you’re on a quick path to destruction.” The Balloon finally inflated and Lai climbed in the basket as Diagon and Sasha joined him. Sasha still held his sword to Lai’s chest.

“This sword will be ready to kill you,” Said Sasha, “Until we are too high for you to jump. Now, set a direct course for Atmora, please.”

Lai started working the small Enchantment panel as the hot air balloon buzzed to life. “Next stop,” He said confidently, “Atmora.”

These people have made a mistake, involving me... underestimating me. It will be their downfall.

Legate Albus Caesar sat in Leyawiin’s bar, waiting for his team to get back to him. Legate Albus looked very out of place in the bar – the older yet hardened Imperial man with cropped silver hair, heavy Imperial armor, and a steel katana was nothing like the soft commoners drinking their problems away.

The Legate was a small time officer who normally patrolled a small section of Morrowind’s borders. This morning, Albus awoke in the same old Imperial watchtower, to the same old Imperial soldiers. He examined the list of people crossing the border into Cyrodiil.

Little did Albus know he was about to become involved in a conspiracy bigger than anything he had ever faced.

Legate Albus noted a Dunmer that matched a wanted criminal had crossed the border – Sasha Helsari. Running this over with his second in command, Albus decided he needed to act, and fast. He had been stuck on the border for over five years. Even a position in the frozen waste of Skyrim was looking good, if he was involved in political drama that interested him so much.

Capturing a most-wanted criminal could give the Legate the attention he needed. The attention he deserved.
And so, Legate Albus, a man on a mission, took his entire squad (Which was not exactly legal, but nobody would care once Sasha was in chains) and they tracked the criminal to the Temple of Akatosh in the Great Forest. The Legate was shocked to find the burned remains of a temple guard, being looked into by the local guard. Albus discovered the Criminal was not in the temple – but the High Priestess, one Lady Diagon, was missing.

Hoping for the best Legate Albus set off to catch a wanted criminal and free a high-profile hostage. His team had searched everywhere and had almost given up hope until the Count of Anvil reported a hit and run murder that didn’t seem normal. Albus investigated, and discovered Sasha Helsari had indeed been to Anvil and killed a woman… but he was being followed, voluntarily, by Lady Diagon and the two were chasing a young Breton woman.

This discovery raised more questions than answers for Legate Albus, but he felt excited. Cracking this case could be the highlight of his entire 30 year career.

Legate Albus had tracked Sasha’s path all the way to Leyawiin, where he was now. His squad of ten men and women had searched the town for clues of Sasha’s location.

“Legate Caesar,” One of his men had entered the bar and saluted.

“Yes, soldier?” Albus said, containing his excitement. Sasha was close. He had to be!

“We’ve gathered a very, um, interesting report. It appears the Breton woman being pursued entered the town and went straight for one Leonardo Forbes Enchantment Office – the owner of which is on an expedition to Atmora. Apparently, the Woman convinced two of the three staff members in the Office to take her to Atmora… via enchanted Hot Air Balloon.”

“Did the third staff member say anything about Helsari?” Albus asked, containing a smile.

“Well, sir, we didn’t get a chance to talk to her. Apparently, Helsari and Diagon entered the Office, killed the last staff member, and then kidnapped one Lai Jasaiin, an enchanter in the Mages Guild. They then used the Enchanter to use the last Hot Air Balloon and took off after the Breton.”

“How do you know the Argonian wasn’t cooperating with them?” Albus asked.

“A Guildmember heard the conversation Lai had with Diagon and Helsari. He was deceived into coming with them.”

Legate Albus stood up. “Well, it’s time to go.” Albus said tiredly.

“Sir?” The soldier asked, surprised.

“We need to chase down these people and find out what they’re up to.” Albus announced as another Imperial soldier walked into the bar. This time, it was Albus’s most trusted advisor and second in command… Appia Valentin. The Soldier was much younger than the Legate, a trait he feared at first, but later came o accept with Appia’s proven cunning. Appia had black hair flowing to her shoulders and tanned, hardened skin. Her dark green eyes had no humor in them.

“Did I catch that, Albus?” Appia asked. The Imperial Soldier was always very blunt while speaking, even to her superiors. “We’re going on horseback to Atmora? You’re not drunk, are you?” Appia looked around the bar in disgust.

“I’ve made my decision, Valentin.” Albus scowled. “We need to get moving. Now.”

Appia sighed. “I’ll gather the men. This is going to be a long day.”

Morrigan propped herself up against the uncomfortably thin wooden basket. Virius was lying next to her, his face very close to dropping on to her shoulder. She didn’t mind it at all.

It had been a few hours in the sky, and Tatiana didn’t seem to mind at all. “Tati,” Morrigan whispered.”I can’t thank you enough for doing this for me.”

“Why are you whispering?” Tati said loudly. “For the hitchhiker here?” Tati rolled her eyes. “He came along because he wanted to. Let him suffer.” Tati laughed as Virius awoke with a start.

Morrigan slowly stood up and gazed out the side of the Balloon at the snowy land below her. “We’re really high up.” She noted.

Tati rolled her eyes again. “Really? I thought Skyrim was just much smaller than Cyrodiil.” She said.

“Tati, you don’t need to be so rude to our friend.” Virius said.

“I think I do need to, Viri. Coping method.”

“Please,” Virius said. “Don’t call me Viri.”

“If you can call me Tati, I can call you Viri.” Tati laughed.

“Hey,” Morrigan said, worriedly. “It’s starting to snow.”

Tati grimaced. “Damn. It better not get bad.”

Morrigan paused. “Why?”

Virius interrupted Morrigan. “You really don’t want to know.” The three flew on in silence as the cold set it.

Morrigan felt herself being softly shaken awake. She didn’t even remember falling asleep. The Breton’s eyes fluttered open, and were met with Virius’s. The two locked eye contact for a brief moment, just enjoying staring into each others’ eyes. “The snow is getting bad.” Virius said softly. “Tatiana says we may need to land soon.” Morrigan looked around. The snow was indeed getting close to blizzard state. But why hadn’t Morrigan felt it sooner? The answer quickly became obvious. Virius was wearing only thin black pants and a matching shirt.

“You gave me your robes.” Morrigan said, smiling. Virius’ blue robes covered her body like a blanket. “Thank you.”

“I’m surprised that they even cover you.” Tati said. “His robes would be tight on a doll.”

“Tati,” Virius laughed. “You’re twenty feet tall. We get it.”

Morrigan saw a dark shape approaching them rapidly. In the air.
“What is that? A killer vulture you were talking about, Tati?”

Tati took a quick look at what Morrigan was talking about. “[&@%!],” She cursed. “[&@%!], [&@%!], [&@%!].”

Virius and Morrigan stood now, troubled. Morrigan handed Virius his robes and leaned over the side to get a closer look at the incoming object. Was that…?

“The other Hot Air Balloon?” Virius asked, confused.

“[&@%!]!” Tati repeated. “That can’t be anyone except –“

“Lady Diagon.” Morrigan whispered. “She’s caught up to me again.”

“Remind me,” Virius said nervously. “What happened last time Diagon caught up to you?”

Morrigan didn’t take her eyes off the Balloon. “Someone was killed.”

Legate Caesar rode along with his squad down through the snowy land of Skyrim. He had been tracking a Hot Air Balloon for some time now.

“Albus,” Appia said. “Our scout has reported seeing another balloon just up ahead. Helsari and Diagon appear to have found who they’re chasing.”

The Legate nodded wisely. “Of course. It was only a matter of time. Let’s wait and see what they do.” The blizzard raged around him. “Shoot if you can when I give the order. The blizzard may make it impossible.”

I have a bad feeling, thought the Legate. That Helsari and Diagon’s quarry might not survive their encounter.

“We’re almost on them.” Lady Diagon whispered. “The Thief is finally in my grasp.”

Lai Jasaiin knew more about Diagon’s lost item than the Priestess realized. He quickly realized Lady Diaon might be a smooth liar, but here cold eyes gave away her true emotions. A question such as “What did the Thief steal?” produced hostility in Diagon’s eyes “What would you do if the Thief got away or destroyed the object she stole?” Made Diagon’s eyes show fear, if only for a moment. Lai knew that Lady Diagon wanted her stolen item and she needed it fiercely. Lai didn’t know what the item was, but he knew Lady Diagon was getting desperate.

The blizzard was really setting in now. A thin dusting of snow formed on the bottom of the basket of the balloon. Sasha, Lai and Diagon shivered.

“Maneuver up right next to them,” Diagon said emotionlessly. “Sasha will jump on and kill them.”

Lai cringed. He knew that one of the staff members who went with Morrigan was a senior enchanter who he respected and was friends with until he defected to the Mages Guild.

“It’ll be easy.” Sasha said. “I’ll knock the two nonessentials off the balloon and take your precious cargo from the Thief.” Sasha noticed Lai wasn’t moving the balloon and poked him with his deadly ebony sword.

Lai agreed and their balloon floated up until it was nearly touching. Something Sasha said had given Lai an idea.
If I could just distract them, then I could perform my plan. It would put Tatiana and the others in danger, but not for long. Lai thought.

The Balloon was only feet away from Morrigan’s, now. “If we get much closer,” Lai warned. “The balloons could collide and we both will crash.”

“Go closer anyway.” Lady Diagon said.

Lai obeyed and the baskets collided with each other. Lai saw the Thief and the third enchanter who he didn’t recognize crash to the ground. Lady Diagon herself looked like she was about to fall on her face… a sight Lai would liked to have seen.

Sasha got ready to jump as Tati tried to frantically move away from Diagon’s balloon as Lai tried to predict her moves and follow her.

This was Lai’s only chance at survival, for he knew that if the Thief died, Lai wouldn’t have much use anymore. While Sasha and Diagon were focused on the other basket containing the three targets, Lai slipped his overcoat off. Completely waterproof. He thought. And air resistant. Hopefully…

Just as Sasha was about to board, Sasha stopped controlling the balloon. It lurched as Sasha and Lady Diagon looked back to see what the Argonian Enchanter was doing.

It was too late… Lai had already jumped.

“What the shit!” Tatiana exclaimed. “They’re coming in too fast.” Lady Diagon’s basket crashed into Morrigan’s again, almost sending Tati off her feet.

“What’s happening?” Morrigan exclaimed, confusion in her voice. She saw an Argonian in the other basket jump out to the Skyrim wastes below. Surely a fall to the death, except…

“Morrigan!” Virius interrupted her thoughts. “The Dark Elf – Sasha! He’s trying to climb on!” Just as the Argonian jumped off, Sasha made a jump of his own – right into the basket of Morrigan’s hot air balloon.

“Shit!” Tati exclaimed, pushing Sasha over of his side. “Get him out of the damn basket!” She yelled.

Sasha jumped to his feet and drew his ebony sword and pointed it towards Morrigan’s chest. “Give me what you stole from the old lady.” He ordered.

Morrigan knew that Sasha would kill her, but she couldn’t help but watch the spectacle behind her. Lady Diagon was alone in her Balloon… and it was falling fast.

Sasha, noticing Morrigan’s gaze, turned his head and cursed under his breath. The Argonian’s betrayal, although expected, could not have come at a worse time. I am cleverer than you can handle. Lai Jasaiin’s words echoed in Sasha’s mind.
That damnable Argonian made true on his word. And now everything is going to hell. Sasha thought bitterly. Lady Diagon was on a crash course to Skyrim’s tundra – hundreds of feet below.

“Ignore her.” Sasha ordered. “Hand over what you stole.” He drew back his sword, as if to strike Morrigan, when Virius struck Sasha in the back of the head. The Dark Elf didn’t even seem affected.

Sasha spun around and knocked Virius to the ground of the basket. He turned back to Morrigan.

This won’t end well. Morrigan thought. How can we overpower Sasha Helsari?

Tatiana answered that. She opened her arms wide and crashed into the bounty hunter. “You’re not getting away that easily.” Tati exclaimed as she tackled him to the side of the basket.

“Tati!” Virius screamed in horror. Morrigan stood in shock. The Redguard enchanter, in one fluid motion, tackled Sasha and brought him over to the edge. Sasha struggled for a second, and Tati seemed to loosen her grip.

There’s no way she can overpower Sasha. Morrigan thought grimly.

But for Tati, there was always a way. She felt Sasha push her as her weight shifted dangerously over the edge. “If I’m going down…” She seethed. With a herculean might, Tati gripped Sasha and hurled her weight over the edge.

Tati had hurtled off the edge, taking Sasha with her. Their screams disappeared in the violent winds of the blizzard.

Morrigan grasped Virius’s hand for support. She was scared out of her mind right now.

That’s when she felt the Hot Air Balloon sway, and start to fall.

Lai Jasaiin fell through the sky at a moderately comfortable pace, using his overcoat as a parachute. Still, he was falling faster than he expected he would. He decided it was probably because of the blizzard, either winds or snow building up on his coat.

That’s when Lai spotted some dark figures moving along the tundra on horseback. He tilted the overcoat that he clutched by the sleeves, and aimed himself at the figures.

He hoped to the Nine they were friendly.

Lady Diagon clutched the sides of the basket as she plummeted, alone, towards the earth. Her entire plan had failed. Sasha was alone and probably dead, and Diagon herself was heading fast to her own death.

The balloon had almost gone flat by now as the Priestess fell towards a large Dwemer ruin. Lady Diagon pictured the Diamond of Akatosh and wondered how such a common woman could have made off with it.

Lady Diagon muttered a silent prayer.

And then it all went black.

Sasha and Tati clutched each other as they fell towards the earth. They were both screaming as they spun around and fell directly towards a large lake, partly frozen over.

Everyone was counting on me. Tati thought as the world spiraled around her. I failed, utterly and absolutely.

Coincidentally, Sasha Helsari was thinking similar thoughts.

The two were still screaming as they hit the lake, churning in waves.

Morrigan and Virius hugged each other as they fell into Skyrim.

“Morrigan!” Virius shouted over the blizzard. “If we don’t survive, there’s something I want to tell you!”

Morrigan was about to scream in response, but she caught a glimpse of what they were falling towards. We’re farther up north than I thought.

Despite all of the chaos, Morrigan began to laugh at their uncanny luck.

Legate Albus watched the spectacle unfold in pure awe. There’s only one thing to be sure of, The Legate thought. Neither the hunted nor the hunter are [&@%!] around here.
The Legate watched the scene unfold; from the Hunter connected to the Hunted, someone drop from the Hunter’s Balloon, and then the entire Hunter Balloon started to fall.

As if the first scene wasn’t enough, Albus saw two more people drop from the Hunted’s Balloon, as that one began to spiral down as well. Amazing. They took each other out.

“Albus!” Appia Valentin exclaimed. Albus turned to see what his second wanted. He saw it immediately.

An Argonian – presumably, the kidnapped Lai Jasaiin – was parachuting down to the Legate’s exact location. The Legate could only watch as the Argonian fell on a sloped icy hill and slid down like it was a slide, right at his feet.

Albus, not knowing what else to do, offered a hand. The Argonian hastily took it and shook some snow off his body, then struggled to get his coat back on.

“I, um… thank you.” The Argonian said shakily. “If you want to do me a favor, you’ll follow me.”

Sasha felt himself hit the water. It was a pain unlike anything he had ever experienced and the Dunmer couldn’t help but black out to the sounds of the blizzard.

Sasha awoke on the shore of the lake. I’m alive?! He exclaimed and slowly got to his feet. His entire body was sore, but the Bounty Hunter didn’t detect anything broken.

Sasha looked around the lake, trying to see if Tatiana survived the fall as well. He suddenly spotted her, but not on the shore. The Redguard’a body was floating in the lake, her face submerged. There was no chance she was still alive.

Sasha looked around and sighed. Tatiana was dead, but was anyone else?

Lady Diagon woke to voices yelling something out… below her? The Priestess shook herself awake and tried to stand up, and in horror she realized where she was.

The Hot Air Balloon’s actual balloon had caught on a Dwemer tower in the ruins and the basket was hanging over a twenty foot drop. When Lady Diagon moved, the basket rocked back and forth, threatening to plummet.

Lady Diagon slowly inched over to the basket’s edge until she could look down. The basket was dangerously close to tipping over.
The priestess saw a group of bandits below her, heckling her.

“Hey, look!” One exclaimed. “I told you, guys! There was somebody in the basket!”

Lady Diagon didn’t need any more encouragement. With a flick of her wrist, the bandit flew through the air and into the basket.

Figuring she had nothing more to lose, Diagon quickly dashed to the bandit and slipped his dagger off his belt. The Priestess drove the hilt of the dagger into the bandit’s temple, knocking him out instantly. The basket rocked violently.

“If you want your friend back alive,” Lady Diagon shouted. “You’ll get me down from here.”

Morrigan awoke in Virius’s arms. It was freezing cold and she didn’t know where she was, but she could have stayed in Virius’s arms longer.

Resisting the urge, Morrigan slowly pried herself out of Virius’ grasp. Virius stirred as well but didn’t get up.

“Virius, come on.” Morrigan urged. Virius weakly opened his eyes. The two were still in the basket, but it was at the base of a huge cliff. “We must have crashed at the base of the cliff… so familiar.”

“Did you hit your head?” Virius smiled.

“No.” Morrigan said confidently. “This is…”

“Morrigan!” An unfamiliar voice interrupted her. Morrigan perked up immediately upon seeing the man who just approached.

“Olaf!” Morrigan exclaimed, then ran towards the large Nordic man and embraced him.

“Everyone at the College saw your entrance, Morrigan. I have to admit, I didn’t think that I’d be seeing you this soon… certainly not like this!” He laughed.

“I didn’t plan on this, Olaf.” Morrigan said sadly. “We’re in trouble, Virius and I.””

Virius stood up shakily. “Anyone want to fill in the third wheel here?” He asked.

Morrigan gestures up the cliff. “Virius, this is Olaf. At the top of the cliff: The College of Winterhold.”

Morrigan, Virius and Olaf walked back up to the College of Winterhold, Morrigan’s old home. The Breton woman explained everything that happened since the mages parted ways months ago. Olaf listened intently to take in all of the events.

“So, this Lady Diagon has already killed many people.” Olaf said. “But she may be dead right now.”

“We can’t be certain.” Morrigan said. “We survived, by some miracle. Lady Diagon could have too.”

“Miracles have nothing to do with it.” Olaf said. Morrigan and Virius looked to him for farther explanation. “One of our mage teams is testing an experimental flying machine, fueled on Alteration magic. In the event that they crash, they erected a magical aura around the College that slows freefalling objects. This is how you survived, by friends.”

Virius whistled in amazement. “Then we should thank you. But we need to get to Atmora, still. The Diamond of Akatosh needs to be destroyed no matter what.”

Olaf nodded. “I understand, however, I think you two deserve a hot meal and a night of real rest.”

“Amen to that!” Morrigan blurted out before Virius could object.

“I don’t want you telling anyone who you are. I was on the tower when your balloon crashed; I don’t think anyone else saw you.” Olaf said. “Morrigan, you needn’t worry, you’re nearly unrecognizable from the woman I last saw.”

“The Thieves Guild hardened me.” Morrigan explained. “I’m practically a thug now.” The Breton woman smiled playfully. “Talking with you is great, Olaf, but when can we eat?”

“You arrived just in time,” Olaf smiled back. “Dinner’s about to be served,”

And so Morrigan, Olaf and Virius joined the gathering mages in the main hall as they had just started eating. Morrigan and Virius kept to themselves in a small corner of the room, enjoying smoked goat, rice, and wine. They ate for around an hour until night fell upon the College.

Morrigan lead Virius back to her old room. “I haven’t eaten since I stole the diamond.” Morrigan said as they were walking. “I was starving.”

“I know the feeling,” Virius said as they arrived in the small room that used to house Morrigan. Olaf had set up a cot on the ground for Virius. “The last thing I ate was a very light breakfast.” He collapsed on the cot and stared up at the stone ceiling. “Olaf said he’d get us a boat tomorrow morning,” Virius reassured Morrigan. “We’ll be in Atmora in no time.”

Morrigan looked like she was about to say something, but stopped. “What did you want to tell me?” She asked casually.

Virius sat up and looked at her. She was sitting on her bed. “What are you talking about?”

“Before we crashed. You said there was something you wanted to tell me.” Morrigan repeated. “What was it?”

“Umm…” Virius mumbled. “Nothin’. I just wanted to say… I think I forgot to feed my cat back in Leyawiin.”

Morrigan laughed and jumped off her bed. The Mage knelt on Virius’s cot. “You’re a liar.” She teased.

“No, I’m not.” Virius said with a nervous laugh. He felt himself starting to sweat, being so close to her.

“Come on. Tell me.” Morrigan insisted.

“If you must know…” Virius felt his stomach hurt. “I was going to say you’ve been… pleasant company. And I’d like to… see you again after this mission.”

“Oh?”Morrigan giggled. “Virius, are you making a pass at me?”

Virius’s face grew bright red and the mage laughed even more. “I…” Virius started, but he stopped talking. Morrigan kissing him would do that.

The following morning, Olaf casually nodded in greeting to mages as he walked to Morrigan’s cramped room. What he saw inside surprised him, to say the least. Morrigan and Virius were sleeping in the cot together.

“Am I interrupting?” Olaf asked loudly. Morrigan stirred quietly and seemed to jolt awake. She jumped out of bed.

“Oh, no! Oh, by the Nine, no!” She exclaimed. It was true; she and Virius had fallen asleep after the kiss.

Virius groggily stood up and rubbed his head. “What…?” Was all he managed.

“We were not doing anything.” Morrigan insisted, her face red now.

Olaf smiled, a twinkle in his eye. “Mhmm. Come on, you two, I readied a boat, fueled by magicka to go faster on the water.” Morrigan and Virius quickly left with Olaf, avoiding eye contact all the way down the cliff to the waters below the college.

“I’m coming with you.” Olaf stated. “And I’ve gotten two friends to accompany us.”

“Olaf,” Morrigan interjected. “I don’t exactly have a good track record with magical transportation vehicles and volunteers tagging along. Tatiana’s dead, most likely.”

“You’ll find that a master-wizard is better in a fight than a master-enchanter.” Olaf laughed. “Besides, Lady Diagon crashed with the balloon. She’s dead if she hit the ground, which, according to everything I’ve learned in the College, she would have eventually.” Olaf shrugged. “Besides, Atmora is a dangerous place. You’ll need the protection while you find this Leonardo fellow.”

The three eventually made their way to small docks, where there were several large luxury yachts. “I could get used to sailing in one of those.” Morrigan laughed.

“We aren’t cheap at the College.” Olaf admitted. “Now, hop on the white one. She’s our Arch-Mage’s, but he agreed to let me borrow it.”

“I’m surprised the Arch-Mage would approve of an expedition to Atmora.” Morrigan said.

“He approved of me taking it out for a few days… he might have the Impression we’re going to Morrowind. Don’t tell.” The large mage winked.

Morrigan, Virius and Olaf boarded the yacht and saw two people waiting for them. One was a pretty Imperial woman with long red hair that fell straight to her shoulders. She was draped in green robes. The woman had a freckled face an brilliant green eyes.

The other was a rather scrawny Wood Elf dressed in simple red commoner’s clothing. He had a blonde ponytail and a sly looking face.

“Welcome aboard the S.S. Mystic.” Said the redhead in a very dainty manner. “I am Catherine Ely of the College of Winterhold. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance.”

“And I’m Ferdinand,” Said the sly Wood Elf. He had a simple yew bow and arrows slung over his back. “I’ve explored most of Northern Skyrim, and I’ve even touched Atmora’s coast. I’ll be able to lead us there.”

“What are we waiting for?” Morrigan exclaimed. “Let’s get this thing started! To Atmora!”

“We’re not going to go too fast.” Olaf explained. “There’s a pretty bad wind… and I’d like to enjoy the cabin inside the yacht.” He winked.

Lady Diagon stormed off through the woods. After killing the bandits who had freed her from dangling on a Dwarven tower, she realized she had absolutely no idea what to do. Someone must have seen it. Someone must have seen the other balloon crash!


Lady Diagon was cursing her luck. Morrigan the Mage-Thief had proven a bigger challenge than originally expected. She had apparently managed to kill Sasha Helsari, from what Lady Diagon saw while her balloon was heading towards the Dwemer ruin. But on the plus side, Lady Diagon was discovered what Morrigan was planning to do with the Diamond. That little b*tch is trying to destroy MY diamond… MY shot at power!

It was little over a year ago when Lady Diagon had realized that she had enough of being a common Priestess in some temple in the middle of the woods. She wanted to be a queen. For weeks she pondered over the fantasy, until she actually realized that it could come true. The Diamond of Akatosh gives me immortality… and it has extreme power. I could use it to take over the entire continent!

And so Lady Diagon got to work writing her plan book on how to conquer everything in Tamriel with the Diamond. She was quite confident of her plan, until she saw Morrigan snooping around the Temple, asking questions about the Diamond… Lady Diagon started to become paranoid, but realized it was even too late for that. Only a few days later, the Diamond was gone. It had all spiraled downhill from there.

A nearby voice had jolted her from her memories. She had just arrived at a farm, and there was an elderly man tending crops. He had a very open view of the sky where the balloons had met.

Lady Diagon neatened out her dress and stormed up to the man. “Did you see a hot air balloon crash nearby?” She demanded.

“Yer stepping on me lettuce!” The man shouted and shoved Diagon out of the way so his precious plants could grow.

“A balloon!” Lady Diagon repeated. “Did you see one!”

“A fancy College flying machine? Yep, I saw me one of those.” The man said and went back to his crops.

“College? Why did you call it a ‘College’ flying machine?” Lady Diagon asked, her pulse quickening.

“’Cuz,” The farmer said without looking up. “The flying machine crashed at the old College in Winterhold. Damn mages, blocking the sun, scaring me chickens!” He mumbled, and looked up for Lady Diagon.

But she had already taken off.

Sasha staggered off from the scene of the fall and had to admire how little he was hurt. It was probably because of his Dragonbone armor. The only casualty of the fall, other than Tatiana, was Sasha’s pristine ebony bow that he had for around a decade. Sasha only felt a minor loss for it. I’m alive, and that’s worth my bow.

The Dunmer continued through the woods, hoping to find some sort of civilization who spotted the one of the balloons going down. Sasha hadn’t seen the balloons crash, but he knew both Lai Jasaiin and Tatiana had jumped by the time he had. Lady Diagon may be gone – but Morrigan made it personal.

Sasha eventually came across a very small shack with a great view of the landscape around the Skyrim lands. Hoping for the best, Sasha approached an old man outside.

“Hello there,” Sasha greeted warmly. “I was wondering if you had seen a hot air balloon crash near here.”

“You’re the second one!” The old man waved Sasha away. “What’s with all you people asking about balloons?”

Sasha felt excited. Someone else had survived? “Who asked you about it?”

“Some old lady who looked like she was ready for a dinner party. I told her what I’ll tell you; it crashed near the College in Winterhold.”

Sasha felt more relieved than he ever had before. Lady Diagon was alive! The contract was still on.

Lady Diagon was surely going to the College… And Sasha would too.

Ferdinand went to the wheel of the ship to sail it to Atmora. Olaf, Catherine, Virius, and Morrigan went into the luxury cabin.

“Olaf told me everything.” Catherine explained. “I can’t believe a priestess would commit such evils. My grandmother was a priestess of Mara. She was the nicest woman I knew throughout my childhood.”

“Lady Diagon isn’t like the others.” Morrigan said. “I don’t know why she’s so messed up, but at least when the woman commits to something, she goes all the way.”

“We’re talking about her like she’s alive,” Said Virius. “Please. She’s dead.”

“Could such an extraordinary woman die such an ordinary death?” Olaf asked.

“Time will tell, won’t it?” Morrigan said. “That woman always has a way of appearing at the worst times.”

“Excuse me,” Said Catherine, “But could I see the diamond?”

“Sure,” Morrigan said. The mage grabbed the diamond from her satchel and handed it to Catherine.

“It certainly is… large.” Catherine noted. The woman’s petite hand made the diamond look even larger than it was.

Morrigan sighed. “Too bad it needs to be destroyed.”

Lady Diagon had made quick time to the College of Winterhold. She barged straight in to the large stone building. It only took a few minutes in the College to hear rumors of a crashing air balloon and survivors.

It was night by the time Lady Diagon had arrived, but even in the dark dozens of Mages packed in every room. It would have been impossible to find Morrigan in the crowd, so Lady Diagon found a room with cots laid out for people visiting the College.

It was then Lady Diagon had realized how tired she was, and laid down on an empty cot. Only seconds later the Priestess was asleep.

Lady Diagon was being shaken awake rudely. “Mhmm…” She mumbled, but then remembered where she was. Her eyes snapped open to reveal the person shaking her.

It was none other than Sasha Helsari.

“Good to see you again, old friend.” Sasha said with a half smile. “It’s noon. You slept in, missy. I-“

“I have no time for your idiotic banter.” Lady Diagon snapped. “Nor do I care how you survived. We need to find –“

“As we speak, a yacht is sailing north. Towards Atmora. I suggest we follow it.” Sasha stated.

Without another word, Lady Diagon stood up and started jogging towards the exit. Sasha followed her.

It didn’t take much to steal a yacht. Lady Diagon looked official enough to be a member of the College so she received little trouble. “The yacht is only a dot in the horizon.” Said Sasha. “Let’s catch up before it’s too late. Go, quickly!”

“I will, you gray skinned annoyance.” Lady Diagon snapped. The near death experience had made her realize how tired she was of this little cat and mouse game. She just wanted it done.

Lady Diagon made her small yacht go at maximum speed, which allowed it to quickly catch up to Morrigan’s yacht, which was barely moving in the water.

“They’re not even attempting to run.” Lady Diagon said. “She’s just as tired of this as I am. We’ll fight… and I’ll win.”

“I see a figure in front of the ship.” Sasha whispered, and took out a simple yew bow that replaced the one broken in the fall. In one fluid motion, he drew an arrow and fired it at the person steering the ship. The shadowy figure dropped instantly. “Kill shot,” He smiled. Morrigan’s yacht slowed to a stop as Lady Diagon slowly brought up her yacht next to it.

“Ok,” Said Lady Diagon. “Make this quick. Kill anyone you see, and whatever you do, don’t let anyone get near the edge of the ship… we risk Morrigan or a friend throwing the diamond overboard.” Saha nodded and drew his sword. The duo silently jumped onto Morrigan’s yacht and circled it. Nobody was outside the main cabin and nobody seemed to notice the death of the person steering the yacht.

Sasha and Morrigan stood outside the door and listened quietly to muffled voices inside. “There are many of them.” Sasha whispered. “Morrigan most likely brought friends from the College. But I will trap them inside the cabin.”

Sasha took a deep breath of the crisp snowy air and looked around him. They were in the middle of a sea that would freeze a man to death in under ten minutes… and it would become the final resting place of the thief that was responsible for everything that had happened in the past two days. She deserves to die for making me meet Diagon alone, thought Sasha.

The Dunmer Bounty Hunter was ready. He kicked open the door with force and looked around for the woman in black and blue leather robes; the unique feature he remembered of Morrigan. What he and Lady Diagon saw instead was the beginning of a nightmare.

“You?” Lady Diagon choked out. “But, you jumped…”

Morrigan was not in the cabin. In fact, these people were also tracking Morrigan.

It was Lai Jasaiin, Legate Albus, and his squad.

Albus and Lai both saw Morrigan and Lady Diagon’s balloons go down. Making a split decision, Albus chose to follow Morrigan’s balloon. They were hours away from where it crashed, Winterhold, and when they finally did reach the city, it was dark.

Albus, his squad, and Lai spread around the city to find information about the balloon. To their misfortune, almost nobody saw the balloon come down and those that did say that it crashed into the sea.

Albus was doubtful about Morrigan’s ability to survive the crash, but they had to search anyway. Of course, the Legion squad did not find the balloon in the ocean or near it. It was well past midnight, and they decided to set out to find Lady Diagon’s balloon in the morning.

When morning came, just as Albus was about to order his men to leave, a friend in Winterhold’s guard force said he saw a College ship heading north, for Atmora. He recounted that he saw a Breton woman in black robes departing on the ship with a smaller man with brown-red hair. Lai insisted that the guard had seen Morrigan and Virius. After checking with the College, Albus had learned that a pair closely matching Morrigan and Virius’s story had indeed left to Atmora. Albus, pressured by Lai, chose to commandeer a yacht and follow the Breton mage.

Albus had been discussing recent events with his lieutenant Appia Valentin Sasha Helsari and Lady Diagon themselves burst into the ship’s cabin. Albus was baffled, briefly, until he saw the looks of the invaders matched his crew of 9 men and women. They weren’t expecting us. They were following Morrigan too. Concluded the Legate. What was odd, he thought, was that the man he assigned to steer the ship, a stout Redguard named Marcus, would surely have alerted the rest of the crew. Unless, of course… Albus swore under his breath and stood up. “Expecting someone else?” He said calmly.

Helsari was not up for conversation. He drew his menacing looking sword and appeared ready to take everyone on. Lieutenant Valentin was just as aggressive as the Dunmer, however. She raised two silver katanas and raised them towards Helsari.

Lai Jasaiin also stood up. “I thought you fell!” He shouted.

“And I thought you fell.” Sasha answered, eying the Argonian uncertainly. The last Sasha had seen Lai, he had jumped hundreds of feet to Skyrim’s snow and had been the one responsible for Lady Diagon crashing. He respected the enchanter’s ability to survive.

“Talk is over,” Snarled Appia. “You came for the Breton, but she isn’t here.” So Appia had come to the same conclusion Legate Albus did. The Legate always admired her quick thinking. Before Sasha could respond, Appia dashed towards Sasha, her katanas ready to kill.

“Stay back.” The Legate ordered the eight soldiers that remained. He didn’t want them interfering with Appia’s battle. As Appia and Sasha exploded out onto the deck, locked in a duel of flurrying swords, Lady Diagon stepped in.

“So, my Lady, we finally meet.” Albus said steadily, to attempt to keep her nonviolent until Appia had dealt with Sasha. “I’ve been hunting you and your companion for some time.”

“Looking to destroy the Diamond, just like that little thief?” Spat the Priestess. “It will never happen. You underestimate me.” Lady Diagon held her hand out, a small orb glowing in her palm. It immediately attracted everyone’s attention. The Legate saw through the ruse.

“Down, dammit, down!” He barked and crashed to the ground. He had to admit, it was hard to break eye contact with the orb, obvious a trick. Albus only heard two people hit the floor when it happened.

Lady Diagon’s hand exploded, sending shards of ice as sharp as daggers flying around the room. To Albus’s horror, the dozens of shards imbedded themselves inside several of his squad. Their lifeless bodies tumbled to the ground and no one was left standing. The Legate quickly rolled behind a counter in the luxury cabin to process what had just happened. Using a moderately weak spell in a closed range had managed to kill almost his entire squad.

Two shadows appeared on the side of the cabin and Albus briefly thought Diagon was moving in for the kill. Albus relaxed when he saw it was two survivors who jumped behind the counter with him.

“Of all the people that die, you two get left behind,” Snapped Albus. The civilian, Lai Jasaiin, had been quick enough to jump down and avoid the shard explosion. The second man who had avoided death was merely a recruit. Towering over Albus at well over 6 feet tall, the Imperial Benny Lupin was by far the most simpleminded man on the squad. It was a small miracle that he was quick enough to duck and cover. But the more Albus thought about it, the less surprising it was. Benny followed orders like a loyal hound, and the command to get down was instantly obeyed. He had cropped black hair, a simple, innocent face and a very muscular body. Combined with the heavy Legion armor, the recruit was like an unbreakable wall.

“Sorry, boss!” Benny said, his dark blue eyes wide and scared.

Albus rolled his own eyes. “Don’t apologize to me for living, stupid! Get out there and take Diagon by surprise!” Benny nodded furiously and bounded out the side of the counter. Legate Albus did the same on the opposite side, leaving Lai alone.

Lady Diagon didn’t expect the sudden charge and stumbled back towards the door. Realizing that there was no way for her to fight the two men, she dashed out the door. Albus, Benny and soon Lai quickly followed. Albus noted that Appia was still locked in a duel with Sahsa. The two appeared to be equal, which made Albus furrow his brow. Lieutenant Valentin was famed for her skill with a sword.

“Benny, get Diagon” Albus shouted and ran for Appia. Benny obeyed, chasing after Lady Diagon, who had slipped out of sight. Lai stood in the middle, paralyzed as Albus ran off to help his second in command.

Damn it all, Thought Lai. Everyone here can fight except for me. I feel so useless.

Legate Albus took out his trusty yew crossbow. The weapon had served him well over the years. With the speed of the gods, Albus loaded the crossbow and aimed at the back of Sahsa’s head. Muttering a silent prayer, the Legate let loose the bolt and it flew at Sasha. Due to a sudden spin attack, however, it hit the back of Sasha’s armor. It threw him off balance and almost sent him sprawling onto the ground.

Appia took the chance and lunged, he swords driving down into the Hunter’s back. Before they could penetrate hit armor, he spun, rolled onto his back, and kicked out. Appia staggered to her knees as Sasha jumped to his feet. Not wasting any time, he charged into the Imperial’s off balance body, sending pushing her closer to the edge of the boat until finally, she was about to fall.

Just one more push… Thought Sasha, as he pressed into the Imperial one last time. She flipped over, headed towards the frozen waters below… but she was immediately caught by Lai Jasaiin. The Argonian was already hovering, thinking of a way to help. He gripped Appia’s arm with both of his hands as the rest of her dangled over the freezing water. If she falls in, it’s over. Her armor will weigh her down, and nobody is going in after her. Just a few minutes in the north-Skyrim water will freeze you to death. Lai thought glumly.

Sasha was about to launch a counter attack against Lai, which would have been quite simple, but he was again hit in the back by Albus’s bolt. If he didn’t face the Legate, a bolt would find the Dunmer’s head. Twirling around, Sasha ran towards Legate Albus.

At that very moment, Lady Diagon came dashing around the side of the ship, being closely pursued by Benny. The young recruit stopped as soon as he saw Appia, though. “Lieutenant Valentin! I’ll save you!” He shouted. He bounded over to Lai, who was struggling to hold up the soldier. Taking a firm hold of Appia’s arm over Lai’s rough Argonian hands, Benny hauled her up over the side of the boat and into safety.

“Jasaiin… Benny… thank you,” Gasped Appia. “Where are the others?” She looked around for any other soldier besides Albus.

“Lady Diagon played a foul trick with magic. They’re all dead,” Stated Lai. Appia’s face hardened quickly.

“The hell it’s going to happen to the rest of us. Let’s help Legate Albus kill that grey-skinned [&@%!].” Appia headed towards Sasha. She never had the chance to reach him. From the opposite side of the ship, Lady Diagon called out to him. Sasha broke off from his battle and rushed over to her side.

Everyone started to run towards them, but it was too late. Lady Diagon whispered something in Sasha;s ear, and he took her hand. They then leaped into the water, speeding away in a magic air bubble towards Atmora.

Morrigan’s yacht finally was coming up on the shores of Atmora.

“I can’t wait to stretch my legs,” Muttered Virius. The Enchanter’s apprentice had changed out of his old clothes and replaced them with what he found in the yacht: a simple brown tunic and black trousers. They were ridiculously big on Virius, though, so he tied a huge brown belt around his waist. The large clothes made Virius look even smaller.

“Do you know where Leonardo Forbes is in Atmora,” Asked Catherine. The petite Imperial had also grabbed clothing from the yacht. It was a large golden fur coat to keep her warm, but it gave her the appearance of a wealthy noblewoman.

“I know that he went to study a small temple a few miles off the coast. After that, he was just going to explore. Hopefully he is still there and we won’t have to go on a wild goose chase,” Answered Virius.

“We should bundle up,” Announced Olaf. “Atmora is supposed to be even colder than Skyrim. Grab anything you can in the yacht and put it on. This is the Arch-Mages personal yacht, so it should have a lot.” Morrigan exchanged her leather black and blue robes for a thick white sweater and a heavy wool coat. She put on thick fur pants and large boots. To top it off, she wore a wool cap and gloves.

Virius donned a thick fur suit that looked fitting for a barbarian. He was wearing fur everything, including hat, boots and gloves.
Catherine was already set in her soft fur coat. She was already wearing boots and brought gloves and a hat with her.
Olaf himself had also brought what he needed. He wore a white parka and pants of similar color and material, making the large mage look like a frost troll.

Soon after they changed, the yacht stopped. Ferdinand walked in to the cabin. The wood elf hadn’t dressed for the cold. “We’re here, everybody. Have a nice… trip. I’ll expect you in a few days, correct?”

Olaf nodded his head. “That’s right.”

Morrigan, however, looked surprised. “He isn’t coming? I thought we brought him because he knew his way around Atmora.”

“No, I know how to get to Atmora,” Explained Ferdinand. “I’ve never explored it. I do, however, have parting advice. About half a mile north from where we are now, there is a small native tribe that is camping out there. Maybe they can help.”

“What are the natives like?” Virius asked curiously. “Are they civilized?”

“There are no uncivilized people, only different cultures,” Said Catherine solemnly. “The Atmoran Natives are much like the proto-Nords, tall and resistant to cold. Atmora is little more than a frozen wasteland, but its history is rich. The Natives make use of the environment in every way. They’ve never been known to be violent.”

“Well then,” Said Morrigan, “Let’s head out.”

Morrigan, Virius, Olaf and Catherine left the yacht, leaving Ferdinand behind. Ahead of them was nothing but packed snow and ice. The skies were blue and cloudless, and the wind was strong. There were no trees or any landmark in sight. “I hear it used to be beautiful here,” Catherine mumbled as they slowly trudged on ahead to the native’s encampment. “But the land was ravaged by Nords and Falmer… the Snow Elves.”

Olaf stroked his blonde beard. “Atmora is freezing. I never thought I’d say that, as a Nord. It’s the wind that gets to you.”

Morrigan nodded. “I can see why this land is unexplored. Leonardo Forbes is brave to come up here.” The group walked in relative silence for a long while, until a several dark shapes were seen in the distance.

“Ferdinand was right,” Catherine pointed. “There’s the native camp, right ahead.”

Sasha gripped Lady Diagon’s hand as he flew through the water in an air bubble. They were going at an incredible speed. What seemed like an eternity passed in a half hour until the duo finally hit land – Atmora.

They stopped as soon as they hit a beach. Sasha stepped on to land, shaken. “Beats riding in a boat,” He choked out.

Lady Diagon panted. Her hair had new strands of gray in them, and she had dark spots under her eyes. “It takes… a lot out of me.” She gasped and wavered. Sasha caught her before she fell to her knees.

“Look – just off the beach, there are a few shacks. You can rest there,” Said the Dunmer.

Sasha led Lady Diagon up to a small shack next to the beach. Beyond the shack was nothing but frozen wastes.
The Dunmer bounty hunter supported the Priestess as he knocked on the door. It swung open and a small, elderly woman was at the door. She was hunched over and covered in brown fur robes. Her skin was wrinkled and the color of caramel. Her white hair was tied back in a ponytail.

The woman’s large, dark eyes studied Sasha and Lady Diagon. “N’das, sor,” She said in a questioning way.

“I’m sorry, ma’am, we don’t speak that language.” Sasha said slowly.

“You’re from Tamriel then,” Said the woman. “What are you doing up here? I suppose it doesn’t matter, though, does it? You’re here, aren’t you? Come in, I suppose, come in.” The woman got out of the way as Sasha helped Lady Diagon in the door.

“What’s wrong with that one?” The woman frowned.

“She’s very tired,” Explained Sasha.

“Put her on the bed, Elf,” Instructed the woman as she hobbled over to her fireplace. Although she sounded less than pleased at the sudden arrival of the duo, Sasha could tell that the old woman was enjoying having something to do.

“Thank you, Miss,” Sasha said as Lady Diagon limped onto a straw bed low to the ground. “I am Sasha Helsari of Morrowind; my friend here is Lady Diagon, a priestess from Cyrodiil. We were exploring the coast, because Lady Diagon wanted to write a book on Atmora. Just minutes after we landed, a bear spotted us and we had to outrun it.” The Dunmer lied.

“I’m glad you made it out of there alright,” the old woman said as she made something in a kettle pot. “My name is Xi’da. You Tamriel folk best describe me as a Nord.” It was true; Sasha could imagine the woman in her prime: strong and proud, just like a Nordic warrior. “You can stay here ‘til your friend gets her energy back,” Offered Xi’da. “I don’t get much company ‘round here anymore, not since the frost took my husband last year. I’m making a slaughterfish stew if you want some.”

Sasha nodded his thanks and turned to Lady Diagon, who looked was shaking slightly. “I’ll be fine within a few hours,” Said the Priestess. “But Morrigan will get here and get a head start. She’s looking for a damn enchanter that can destroy what she stole from me, I know it.”

“Don’t worry, I don’t think she’ll get far,” Whispered Sasha with a smile. “I contacted some old friends in Winterhold; three of them, actually. They’re going to hunt her down, and yes, I expect a bonus for this.”

Saxon looked out upon the waters of Skyrim, just north of Winterhold. He smiled and laughed silently. Saxon’s old friend Sasha had contacted him in Winterhold and assembled a small team to take out a woman heading to Atmora. 5000 gold each for a day’s work. Promised Sasha.

Saxon was a Khajiit, but not an average one. Saxon stood nearly seven feet tall and was extremely muscular. What made the Khajiit truly unique though was that his fur was completely white. His eyes were a dull red color. Saxon was an albino Khajiit. His white fur armor made him look like a ghost in the snow, which is why he remained to the North. Slung over Saxon’s back was a huge silver waraxe.

“Saxon, we’re ready to leave,” A woman spoke softly behind the massive Khajiit. Saxon turned and saw the two Nordic sisters standing side by side. Claudia and Io were young huntresses and also were identical twins. Each had a sharp, strong face and long orange hair. Their bright green eyes sparkled in unison. The only thing that separated the twins was that Claudia wore an odd fur suit; it was skintight and as black as night. It covered her entire body below the neck. Io wore a similar suit, but hers was silvery gray.

The twins did have differences, personality wise. Claudia tended to be more outspoken and loud while Io was quiet. Claudia was reckless and charged into problems head on, often leading her to face dangers. Io was more strategic and thought out her plans before executing them.

Saxon had only heard stories, but the twins were legendary among the underworld of Cyrodiil. As the story goes, they were raised as sex slaves by Hammerfell pirates, until they grew old enough to challenge the pirate captain to a duel. Claudia fought one-on-one with the captain, and killed him. Together, the sisters fought off the crew and escaped the ship, not without sinking it first. After that, the sisters became assassins, hunting down their prey and killing them slowly. It was all part of the game.

Saxon’s story was far less interesting. He was born and raised in Elsweyr under the name Kathar, but was always a pariah because of his albinism and his size. The first chance he got, the Khajiit left his homeland and ended up in Skyrim. He joined the companions and was eventually given the name Saxon. He just lasted a few months in the Companions before he was on an adventure with two other shield brothers. They got in an argument, and Saxon ended up killing them both in a rage. Ever since that moment, he was a mercenary. During one job, he met Sasha who was hired to kill a man that Saxon was also hired to kill. The two ended up fighting and almost killed each other. After several hours in a drawn out fight, Sasha and Saxon decided they were equal in strength, and parted acquaintances. Over the years, they had built up a friendship whenever Sasha was in Skyrim or Saxon in Morrowind.

“Girls, we’re going to Atmora in style,” Growled Saxon. He gestured to three devices that looked like hang-gliders.

“We’re going to fly to Atmora,” Claudia asked quizzically.

Saxon nodded. “Indeed. With the winds, we should get there ahead of Sasha or Morrigan.”

“And then we need to hunt down Morrigan. If she escaped Sasha twice, then she’s not to be underestimated.” Io advised.

After the fight with Lady Diagon, Legate Albus’s sail to Atmora was uneventful. After giving his squadmates an unofficial burial at sea, Albus sat alone in the cabin. Lai, Appia and Benny were outside talking among themselves.

This was all my fault, Albus thought miserably. I took my squad off the Morrowind border illegally, and now most of them are dead. All because I got greedy and wanted to capture Helsari. By the Nine, I swear that Diagon and Helsari will pay for this. Even if I have to give my life to make it so.

Appia Valentin opened the door to the cabin. “Legate,” The lieutenant said cautiously. She realized Albus was under stress. “We’ve hit land. What’s more, we’ve pulled up next to a yacht that has already docked. It could be Morrigan’s.”

Albus stood up. “Very well. Let’s investigate, Lieutenant.” The Legate led his small crew of three off the ship and onto the beach of Atmora.

“Look at this place. It’s a frozen wasteland,” Lai muttered as he tightened his overcoat around him. “I hope we find Morrigan – and whatever Diagon is looking for – fast.”

Legate Albus boarded the ship and looked around. He noted the yacht was huge and luxurious.

A shout came from inside the ship. “Legate Caesar!” It was Benny. “Legate! I found someone in here!”

Albus ran down the ship to the cabin, where Benny’s voice came from. He found the large Imperial next to a very confused looking Wood Elf. “Who are you people?” The Wood Elf asked.

“I am Legate Albus Caesar with the Imperial Legion.” Albus answered formally. Lai Jasaii and Appia Valentine had joined them by now. “We have come here in pursuit of the dangerous criminals known as Lady Diagon and Sasha Helsari. Are you with Morrigan’s team?”

“Uh… yes. I’m Ferdinand, I got Morrigan here.” The Bosmer said numbly.

“Where did she go,” Albus asked excitedly.

“Just north, to a native camp,” Answered Ferdinand. “She left an hour or so ago. She’s probably there now.”

“Thank you, you’ve been a help.” Albus nodded and left the cabin. His crew followed, leaving Ferdinand questioning what exactly just happened.

Morrigan trekked up to the native camp with Virius, Olaf and Catherine following. It was several dozen tents and shacks, in a seemingly random setup. Morrigan guessed she saw about 50 natives. They were all wearing smooth brown furs. They were tall and strong, like Nords, but all of the natives had tanned, leathery skin and black hair. Their eyes were almond shaped and dark.

A few Natives immediately noticed the group approach the camp. A man jogged over to meet them. He was quickly flanked by several other men. They all looked to be cautious of the intruders.

“You are Tamriellic, I assume,” Said the man in front. He was tall and had long black hair.

“Yes, and we mean you no harm,” Olaf explained. “I am Olaf, with me are Morrigan, Virius, and Catherine. We are looking for fellow Tamriellics who came up here…” He looked to Virius for a time estimation, not knowing when Leonardo came up.

“A group of about 20. They came up a few weeks ago. The man in charge is called Leonardo Forbes.” He explained.

“There were Tamriellics here earlier, but they are here no longer,” Explained the Native. He was about to speak more when a boy came running up to him.

“Tipuk, Chief Nanuq wishes to see the outsiders.” He said, and then sprinted away again. The Native known as Tipuk eyed Morrigan suspiciously. “Our Great Chief wishes to see you. Follow me.”

“You’ll get no argument from me,” Virius muttered as he noticed the increasing number of Atmoran Natives gathering around, all armed with spears.

Tipuk led Morrigan’s group of four into the Chief’s hall, which was only a modest shack about double the size of the others. Inside they met a Native sitting back in a large wooden chair. He appeared similar to all the others; caramel skin, almond eyes. This Native appeared to be about 70, however, and had long white hair that was swept behind his shoulders. Some of it was braided elegantly. “Chief, I bring the outsiders,” Tipuk said, head lowed to the ground.

“Very good, Tipuk, you can go now,” Ordered Chief Nanuq. His voice was soft, similar to a whisper, but also hard and forceful. It carried years of experience with it.
Tipuk bowed and left without another word.

“Hello, outsiders.” Nanuq started. “I understand you come from your ‘Skyrim’. Do you have any idea what sacred ceremony you interrupt?” He asked, his soft voice suddenly increasing in volume and intensity. The dozen guards that stood in the hall gripped their spears tighter.

“We apologize for any interruption of tradition,” Olaf said quickly, trying to smooth over the situation. Years as a professor in the College have taught the large Nord to be silver-tongued.

“You intrude days before the climax of the Great Sinking.” Nanuq stated. The way the Chief emphasized his words, the Great Sinking was very simportant.

“I believe I know about this, actually,” Offered Catherine. “The Native people believe that their earth god – Mauja – occasionally recalls parts of the earth back into her realm underground in order to create fresh, new life. In Tamriel, we would describe this event as a huge sinkhole, stretching thousands of meters wide. Oftentimes, though, these Atmoran sinkholes produce extraordinary results, such as creating lakes in a landlocked region that can stretch multiple thousands of meters deep. ”

Nanuq waved Catherine off. “Outlanders and your blasphemy… it is the act of Mauja, not a natural event as you so put it. Our shamans have predicted a Great Sink will appear not far from here, within the next few days. We, the proud Sikko people, would not miss a chance to view Mauja’s glory at work. It is obvious why you are here. The hated tribe of the Massak people sent you to do evil’s bidding. Whatever it is you are planning, I will have none of it. You are to be put under guard until Mauja’s work is done here.”

Olaf quickly intervened. “I assure you, Chief Nanuq, that we are simply lost outlanders searching for our own kind.”

Nanuq scoffed. “Your lies will not deceive me. Away with you, to the prison.” Immediately, Native guards swarmed all four of the questing Tamriellics. They were lead into a separate room in Nanuq’s hall. The room was empty, except for several large dug out holes in the ground. Morrigan, Virius, Olaf and Catherine were shoved into separate holes just meters apart from each other. They were all about ten feet deep; the top just out of reach. Each prisoner had just enough space to move around, but not enough to sit or spread their arms. It was ever harder for the hulking Olaf, who could barely move at all.

“Well… this is an unexpected pickle.” Olaf’s voice rang out around the room.

“We should have fought them off.” Morrigan said bitterly.

“There were too many of them; we could never have won the fight.” Catherine said.

“They sure do make effective prisons. Simple, but effective… if not inhumane,” Virius commented.

“There’s no escaping these pits that I see,” Olaf’s voice echoed in the small prisons. “Even if we manage, the Sikko Guards will attack, and they outnumber us ten to one. If Nanuq makes good on his promise, then we could be free to go within a few days. I only can pray that Lady Diagon hasn’t found us by then.”

After half an hour of flying, Saxon, Claudia and Io touched down in Atmora, on the outskirts of a Native town. Saxon had enjoyed the air rushing through his fur, but now he had a job to do. Morrigan needed to die. He had no information on the target; but searching the sparse towns and camps near Atmora’s coast would be a good start.

Saxon approached the town, made up of several dozen mud and stone buildings. Claudia and Io trailed silently behind him. Before he could enter the town, Saxon was stopped by several tribesmen. They had dark skin and almond shaped eyes, but their fur clothing was black. It gave them an ominous appearance.

“What are you?” A Tribesman asked Saxon.

“I think he is a Sinaaq – a Snow Devil,” Whispered another in hushed terror.

“Please, people, calm yourselves. I am a Khajiit of Tamriel – not what you call a Sinaaq.”

“Outsider, then,” A Native said, disgust obvious in his voice. “We already have enough outsiders in our village.”

“What?” Saxon felt his blood pump with excitement. The hunt was on!

“You wish to see the outsiders? Follow me.” A Native trudged off, farther into the village. Saxon and the Twins followed closely.

The Natives led Saxon to a small clearing where no more than 20 people were sitting around a bonfire. They were obviously outlanders; but it didn’t look like they were from Skyrim, either.

A man in the group looked up. He was tall and bald, and had a kindly look on his face. “’Hello there, fellow Tamriellics. What brings you here?”

“I come looking for one known as Morrigan.” Saxon growled. Claudia and Io started to spread out, in case anybody started to run.

“There isn’t a Morrigan here, my friend.” The man replied. “Just me and my group,”

Saxon frowned. “Who are you, then?” He intended on giving a thorough report to Sasha.

“Me? I’m a simple enchanter, my friend. My name is Leonardo Forbes.”

After several hours of resting, Lady Diagon finally recovered enough strength to move on her own. She had finally traded in her trademark black dress for dark brown fur coat, pants and boots. They were all several sizes too big for the Priestess, and smelled faintly of smoke and sweat. “They were my husband’s, before the cold took him. Pure mammoth fur, Miss,” Xi’da assured.

Sasha stood, ready to head out. Lady Diagon was also prepared. “Excuse me, Xi’da, where is the nearest village from here?” Diagon asked.

“That would be the Sikko Tribe, just northeast of here. They’re not the nicest folk, but just tell ‘em Xi’da gives you her approval. They’ll let you in.”

Lady Diagon nodded. “Thank you, friend, for your assistance, and goodbye.”

Xi’da smiled and waved. “Anytime, strangers.”

Lady Diagon turned to leave, Sasha following close behind. “Let us pray that Morrigan visited the Sikko people at one point.”

Leonardo Forbes. The name had no meaning to Saxon. “I suppose my search halts here. May we stay here, with you for the time being?”

“Of course, but we move out shortly.” Forbes answered, as Saxon, Claudia and Io sat around the bonfire.

“Who are these Native people?” Claudia asked.

“They are called the Massak.” Leonardo answered. “They live here year-round, but are experiencing tensions with the Sikko Tribe. From what I have seen and heard, the Massak are a much friendlier people.”

Before Saxon could respond, an Altmer woman in brown robes ran up to Forbes. “Leonardo!” She exclaimed. “The Massak people are going to war with the Sikkos, right now. They’re going to battle over who gets to observe some sort of nature ritual by their God Mauja.”

Leonardo stood up, along with all of his companions around the fire. “Observing a battle between the tribes would be a great story for the book.” Leonardo stated. “Let’s observe. Travel with the Massak people and take notes on the battle.” Leonardo looked to Saxon and the twins. “My new friend; this place is going to be deserted soon as the tribesmen go off to war. Care to tag along?”

Saxon looked to Claudia and Io. Claudia just shrugged. “We have nothing else to do. Might as well.”

The huge Khajiit nodded. “Very well, we’ll accompany you.”

Hours later…

Morrigan crouched in her small prison cell. The small group had long since stopped talking or trying to get the guards to let them go.

The long silence was broken with much commotion with Chief Nanuq. “Great Chief,” Came a Native’s voice. “Our scouts report that the Massak come to attack. They wish to be the ones to observe the Great Sinking.”

“Damn it all!” Nanuq cursed. “And damn Chief Tuaq. The Sikko won’t back down. We’ll stand and fight on Mauja’s chosen land and end this once and for all, and, Gods willing, I will meet the Massak chief on the battlefield and end his life myself.” Morrigan heard stomping as the hall was apparently deserted, its prisoners forgotten.

Morrigan contemplated a way to get out. Even when she jumped, she couldn’t reach the edge. “This is hopeless,” She muttered, and looked up to the roof.

To Morrigan’s surprise, she found someone staring back at her. He was tall, muscular Imperial in Legion armor. “Legate Caesar!” The Imperial called out. “I found Morrigan!”

“What? Benny, you actually found them?” A voice called out. Another person appeared next to the one called Benny. He was also an Imperial, but this one was older, with steel colored cropped hair and a stern face. “By the Nine! It is her, isn’t it?”

“What’s happening?” Olaf called out. “Who’s there?”

Legate Caesar leaned into Morrigan’s pit and offered his hands. She took them, and he pulled her out with little effort. “I am Legate Albus Caesar of the Imperial Legion. We’ve been tracking you and Sasha Helsari for a long time.” Two more people entered the room; one was a woman in similar Legion armor, and one was an unhappy looking Argonian in a black overcoat. “This is Benny, my lieutenant Appia Valentin, and Lai Jasaiin.”

Benny reached into Olaf’s cell and slowly pulled the large mage out. Appia helped Catherine out and Lai managed to pull Virius out.

“Lai Jasaiin?” Virius asked. “I know you. You used to work at Leonardo’s Enchantment Office. And… weren’t you the one on the hot air balloon with Lady Diagon?”

“That… bitch forced me to fly her balloon. I brought it down, though, and found Legate Albus.” Lai explained. “Now we finally found you. I have to ask… what exactly is Lady Diagon hunting you for?” Albus, Appia and Benny all turned their attention to Morrigan and Lai.

“Well, I might as well tell you,” Morrigan said, taking out the Diamond of Akatosh. “They say that any Priest of Priestess of Akatosh who possesses this is immortal, and more…” She proceeded to explain the story behind the Diamond and Lady Diagon’s plot to conquer the world. Shealso explained her meeting with Virius, Olaf and Catherine.

“There is only one thing we can do.” Legate Albus stated. “We stand together as eight able bodied warriors and mages…” He hesitated and looked at Virius and Lai. “Well, six really. Together, we need to face Diagon and Sasha and kill them.”

“We should wait for the battle to ensue.” Appia advised. “We can sneak out of the Sikko village while they fight the Massak people.” Morrigan narrowed her eyes. She didn’t quite like Appia Valentin. Despite being dirty and tired, the tan warrior woman pulled off a look of simple beauty and authority. Perhaps it was the fact that both Morrigan and Appia were alpha wolves in the same group.

“Considering what we heard from Chief Nanuq,” Catherine said, “It shouldn’t be long until the Massak people reach us.”

The eight inside Chief Nanuq’s Great Hall heard the sound of fighting outside. “The Sikko have finally engaged the Massak.” Lai whispered. “We should make our run for it.”

Morrigan nodded. “Agreed,” The eight made a dash for the doors, throwing them open and running outside. The Sikko and Massak were engaged in an all out war in a large clearing just outside the village, about one hundred soldiers in all. Morrigan, Legate Albus and their companions hurriedly pushed past the elders, women and children of the Sikko tribe in haste to escape the village.

The group was brought to a halt, though, when they stumbled upon a large group of outlanders. There was a large, albino Khajiit, Nordic twins, and a group of over a dozen older people in robes, plus people who were obviously guards.

What was most surprising, though, was that Lady Diagon and Sasha Helsari were there as well. When the two groups saw each other, they froze, except for one person: Leonardo Forbes. The tall Imperial walked in between the two groups.

“Leonardo!” Both Virius and Lai called out simultaneously. “That’s Leonardo Forbes, Morrigan!” Virius exclaimed.

“What is going on here? Is that you, Virius?” Leonardo asked, more than confused.

“Ah, I was hoping it would not come to this.” Lady Diagon said slowly as she approached Forbes. Before Morrigan or anyone else could move, the Priestess jumped. Leonardo Forbes didn’t even see it coming, but then it was too late… he had a dagger plunged in his neck.

Morrigan gasped. “No!” Came her guttural scream. All this work… those who sacrificed themselves… all for nothing. Leonardo Forbes is dead, and all hope of destroying the diamond lost.

Lady Diagon flicked her head towards Leonardo’s party. “Kill the rest.” The albino Khajiit, the twins, and Sasha raised their weapons to the defenseless party, when suddenly a large magical barrier came up around them, shielding them.

“I’ll protect these people!” Olaf shouted over the sounds of the battle. “The rest of you take care of Diagon!” He ran sideways, urging the enchanters to follow. Olaf guided them away from impending showdown and quickly vanished from sight behind a shack.

Lady Diagon was already moving back. Sasha and the Nordic twins slowly approached Morrigan’s group. “Virius, Lai, get out of here. We’ll take care of this.” Albus shouted. Virius looked ready to protest, but Lai grabbed his arm and lead him away from the group.

“Catherine, you and I take the twins.” Morrigan said. “The Legionnaires will take care of Sasha.” Everyone nodded in agreement. Morrigan and Catherine separated, closely following the twins’ movement. “Move out!”

Chief Nanuq walked calmly through his fighting tribesmen. He paid no attention to the enemy warriors. He was looking for a specific enemy. Chief Tuaq of the Massak was his goal. I will find you… and make you regret attacking my people.

A voice called out from behind Nanuq. “Looking for someone, old man?” The Sikko Chief slowly turned to face his enemy.
Tuaq was young for a Chief; only in his thirties. Tuaq wore the typical black furs of his people. He had a sly face and a bald head. “Let us fight, Nanuq, and end this once and for all.”

“The recklessness of the youth has no bounds.” Nanuq stated. “You will face your death at my hands, Tuaq.” The Sikko Chief clutched his spear and raised it above his head.

The fight was on.

Olaf had led the enchanters just out of town. A guard approached him. “Sir, with all due respect, we should return to the battle and help fight.”

“My duty is to protect these enchanters.” Olaf stated. “I suggest you help me with that.” The guard was about to respond, but a look of sheer terror grew on his face. Olaf followed the guard’s gazer and turned around… to the albino Khajiit. He had followed Olaf.

“Ah, so I will get to fight after all.” Olaf said calmly. “I didn’t want to fall out of practice.”

The Khajiit growled. “Good. I love a challenge.”

“I was thinking the same,” Olaf countered. “Are we going to talk, or actually duel, Mr…?”

“My name is Saxon. Remember that, for I will you, old Mage.”

“It’s Olaf, actually, and I wouldn’t be so sure about your odds. After all, I do outnumber you.” As if rehearsed, the six of Leonardo’s guards ran out in front of Olaf, swords raised.

Saxon, however, was ready. In a flash, he drew two massive steel swords, larger than claymores. Despite his size, he swung the swords with amazing grace that the guards were not expecting. They were cut down in seconds.

“Well, now,” Olaf said calmly. “Perhaps I underestimated you.” The mage had just enough time to conjure up a shield before Saxon lunged.

Saxon’s swords hit Olaf’s shield like a charging rhino, but the Mage did not falter. He stood his ground and withstood Saxon’s attack. Olaf could only respond by jumping away from the massive Khajiit.

Saxon lunged again, but this time Olaf was ready. Lightning appeared in his hand, which quickly stretched into a purely electrical whip. Olaf whipped Saxon in midair, which caused him to fall to the ground, writhing in pain.

Olaf went to move in for the kill. The electric whip hardened to a sword as he raised is above Saxon’s large chest.
Just as Olaf was about to drive the sword down, Saxon regained control of his body. He kicked out, hitting Olaf directly in the chest, which sent the mage flying backwards. The lightning sword vanished in a puff of smoke.
Saxon jumped to his feet and ran at Olaf, swords raised. Olaf rolled onto his feet and quickly ran sideways, causing the charging Khajiit to pause and turn. Olaf was ready for Saxon, the electric whip in his hand again. He lashed out at Saxon, but the Khajiit blocked it with his sword.

“This ends, Mage!” Saxon roared. He hurled one of his swords at Olaf. Again, Olaf raised a conjured shield and the sword bounced off, sending Olaf staggering back and causing him to drop the shield. It vanished when it hit the ground.

“You’re going to have to try better than, Saxon.” Olaf taunted, but the Nord did not see the second sword being thrown.
It pierced Olaf’s chest with rapid speed and force. The sword drove itself deep into Olaf’s body and most of it poked out through the other side.

“How’s that?” Saxon sneered as he walked slowly up to Olaf and collected his sword that was on the ground. Then, approaching the Nord, he gripped the hilt of the sword and stared into Olaf’s eyes. “You lose.” Was all Saxon whispered, and with a mighty heave, he pulled the sword out of Olaf. The Nord merely coughed as blood dribbled from the corner of his mouth and into his blonde beard as he collapsed on to the dirt.

Satisfied, Saxon stood up and examined his surroundings. The enchanters had fled. “They are of no importance.” Saxon decided. “Time to rejoin the true fight.”

Morrigan’s group was pushed back by Lady Diagon’s mercenaries. They were among the fighting tribesmen now, but were largely ignored by both sides.

Morrigan had conjured a sword and was fighting the twin in black, Claudia. Claudia used a silver scimitar.
Morrigan finally got in a lucky move, and managed to cut Claudia’s shoulder. Taking the opportunity, Morrigan drove her sword down, but it was blocked by Claudia’s ton scimitar.
Suddenly, the Earth shook, almost causing Morrigan to fall. Claudia stumbled back, and scared she would fall, dashed into a crowd of fighting tribesmen.

Nanuq drove his spear down to Tuaq, but the Massak Chief managed to dodge it. Before he could offer a counter attack, the earth suddenly started to shake. Nanuq, caught off guard, fell to his knees. He half smiled at the sight of Tuaq falling face first into the ground.

“What is happening?” Tuaq mumbled out loud, trying to find the spear that clattered away from him.

“Mauja,” Nanuq whispered, a feeling of dread growing inside of him. “He has decided us both unworthy.”

Nanuq suddenly was shorter than everyone else. He knew what was really happening.

Mauja was devouring the earth, and Nanuq knelt on ground zero. He quickly fell as more earth gave way and collapsed into itself, also engulfing Tuaq, who fell to the sinking ground with a thump.

The world fell quickly with Nanuq at the center. Within half a minute, several dozen meters had began to sink and Nanuq himself was almost a hundred meters into the earth already.

That’s when water started to pour in, creating one of the fames lakes Atmora’s sinkholes tend to make. Nanuq knew he wouldn’t survive even before dozens of tons of water crashed down on his head.

Morrigan saw the sinkhole create itself and knew the tribe war was over. The Nine, or what the tribesmen call Mauja, has decided that the war would not be… including Morrigan’s personal war with Lady Diagon. Seeing no alternative, Morrigan ran so the sinkhole wouldn’t swallow her.

As she was running, she saw Catherine, trying to fend off both Io and Claudia while running at the same time. The sinkhole was expanding fast; it was almost on them. “I have to help her!” Morrigan exclaimed and jogged over to Catherine.
Morrigan threw a firebolt at Claudia. It managed to hit her hip, just above the leg, where Morrigan was aiming. Claudia yelped with pain, but didn’t fall. Morrigan tried again, but missed when she threw the second firebolt.

“You’re not helping much, Morrigan!” Catherine shouted. Claudia swung her scimitar at Morrigan, but the mage managed to dodge it and Claudia ended up dropping her weapon. Within seconds, the sinkhole devoured it.

Making a snap decision, Morrigan jumped sideways and half tackled, half pushed Claudia. The surprise of the attack, added to the unbalance she had while running, sent the Nord sprawling to the ground. She was trampled by fleeing tribesmen and couldn’t get up before the sinkhole claimed her. Claudia tumbled down the steep hill, continuously hitting rocks and ledges, until she was plunged into the growing lake inside the hole, unconscious.

“My sister!” Io wailed. In desperation, she threw her shortsword at Catherine, attempting to trick her. It pierced her leg and Catherine flew face first into the ground. Io stopped to retrieve her sword, thinking Catherine was unconscious. In a quick move, Catherine jumped up and grabbed Io’s waist, dragging her down. Morrigan stopped and tried to help Catherine, but she saw the sinkhole approaching fast, swallowing slow tribesmen and earth.

“Morrigan, Run!” Catherine shouted. “Get away from here!”

“Not a chance!” Morrigan shouted back, but in her heart, she knew it was useless. I won’t be able to reach her in time, and I’d never be able to escape the sinkhole carrying her.
Morrigan hesitated, and made her decision. Fighting off a sob of frustration, she turned from Catherine and ran away.

…

Catherine saw Morrigan flee and sighed in relief. “You did the right thing, friend.” Catherine whispered, and not seconds after, the ground collapsed under her and Io, plunging them into the sinkhole and the growing lake.
Catherine crashed into the water, which was freezing cold. It was probably ocean water. Catherine quickly glanced around the edges of the sinkhole and saw no way to climb up its sides.
Catherine knew that even if she could escape, her leg was bad. Even if it didn’t have a sword in it, the freezing waters would kill her in minutes. The redheaded mage embraced her fate rather calmly. At least the others will survive. I hope…

Legate Albus was running from the sinkhole with Appia Valentin and Benny. Sasha Helsari had run off when the earth started collapsing.

Albus and Appia were running closely together, Benny off to the side. Albus was thinking of some prolific statement to make as their leader in case one of them didn’t make it, but he could think of nothing. Some leader I am! The Legate thought bitterly.

Over the panicked shouts of the tribesmen, a guttural roar was heard. It sounded like a tiger or lion… or a large Khajiit.

The massive white Khajiit, Saxon, appeared from behind a shack, and aside from the roar, he advanced upon the small legion party silently, bowling over anybody in his way. Legate Albus saw who he was aiming for. He’s going to tackle Appia and throw her into the sinkhole.

Appia didn’t seem to take the threat of the Khajiit seriously and kept running. Legate Albus knew what he had to do. “Not one more of my team will die. Not. One. More.” He muttered, and pushed Appia out of the way. She stumbled sideways, a confused look in her face. The look quickly turned to horror as in one swift move, Saxon barreled into the Legate, picking him up and running towards the sinkhole. Saxon approached the sinkhole and with little struggle, threw Albus in.

Nearby, Lai Jasaiin was running. Both he and Virius had ventured into the thick of battle to see if they could help, and ended up running from the sinkhole as well. Now is my chance to actually do something. He thought and ran towards Saxon, towards the sinkhole. While Saxon was watching the Legate fall, Lai silently approached him from behind. He waited for the sinkhole to grow closer, and with a massive effort, Lai leaned up against Saxon’s back and pushed as hard as he could. The albino Khajiit waved his arms wildly before plummeting into the hole, screaming as he fell. Lai was already running away.

Morrigan was running blindly. Her only goal was to run as fast as she could and not look back. She noticed some shacks on the edge of the village were getting swallowed by the sinkhole, including Chief Nanuq’s hall where she was imprisoned. Perhaps it was looking up that caused Morrigan to lose her footing and fall on her face. She immediately felt that she bit her lip, and it was bleeding.

Morrigan attempted to get up, but was stepped on by a fleeing tribesman. “Damn!” She shouted. She could hear the sinkhole approaching, crashing earth into the massive pit. The sound seemed to have slowed, though.

Morrigan tried to get up again, but she was stopped suddenly. Her feet were suddenly hanging in midair. The ground seemed to move in slow motion as the earth crumbled slowly up her legs and to her waist. She was suddenly clinging to the ground as she hung off a cliff.

A miracle seemed to occur at that very moment, though, which was just what Morrigan needed. The sinkhole stopped. The earth was silent again. The threat of Morrigan falling into the icy waters below was not over, though. She clung to the cliff desperately and her strength was near depleted. She was about to fall from her own weakness… until the second miracle occurred in a row.

A firm set of hands planted themselves on Morrigan’s arms and heaved her up. She was brought up slowly but surely, and ended up collapsing on her savior, crashing them both to the ground. Morrigan looked into her savior’s face and smiled.

Virius.

No words were spoken. Morrigan simple stared into Virius’s eyes and kissed him passionately for a full minute. After they were done, Virius helped Morrigan up. “I’ll go see if I could find the others.” Virius whispered and ran off into a crowd of tribesmen, both Massak and Sikko, standing together. The war was over after so many had died in the sinkhole.

Morrigan stood as well, admiring the sinkhole and the lake that had almost taken her life. The lake was surprisingly beautiful and clear. The vision was made less amazing by the knowledge that the bodies of friends laid at the bottom.

“It’s not over yet, Morrigan. Hand over the Diamond.” Came a voice from behind. Morrigan closed her eyes and muttered a silent prayer. She turned and saw Lady Diagon and Sasha Helsari.

“Lady Diagon, is this where we finally face off?” Morrigan said tiredly. “It’s a good a place as any. I don’t have the fight left in me. So go ahead… kill me, or have your goon do it for you. At least I won’t have to live in the world you attack.”

Sasha shot a questioning look at Lady Diagon, but she ignored the Dunmer. “Sasha… please kill Morrigan.” Sasha took out a wooden bow and notched an arrow in it, ready to fire.

“Sasha, do you even know what Lady Diagon wants from me?” Morrigan asked. She had seen the look Sasha had given Lady Diagon and saw the look of confusion the Dunmer held now. “The Diamond of Akatosh makes any Priest of Priestess of Akatosh immortal.”

“Kill her now!” Lady Diagon snapped.

“There’s more,” Morrigan said quickly. “The Priestess is given godlike powers. Lady Diagon plans to use it to take over the world.”

“I’ve heard enough.” Sasha snapped. “This ends now, Morrigan.” Sasha drew back the arrow and sent it flying.

The woman clutched her chest. The arrow had just missed her heart. She stumbled back to the sinkhole, threatening to fall in.

Virius found Lai quite easily. He was with Appia and Benny. The strong Imperial woman looked ready to break down. “Albus… he sacrificed everything for me.”

“He was a good man.” Lai said softly. “You can return home and rebuild your squad in his name… Legate Valentin. ” Lai then looked to Virius. “I saw Catherine go over the edge… poor Olaf.”

“Actually, Lai,” Benny said cautiously, “I spoke with an enchanter. Olaf is dead, killed by the White Khajiit.”

“We shouldn’t mourn the dead, right now.” Virius said. “We survived, and we should focus on returning home.”

“Amen to that,” Appia said, smiling. “Wait… where’s Diagon, or Helsari? Did anyone see them?”

Appia was met with blank stares.

The woman pulled the arrow out of her chest. She saw the blood gushing from the wound and knew it was all over. Her quest had failed.

Lady Diagon was going to die.

The Priestess looked up at Sasha. She appeared older than ever. “Why…?” She managed to whisper.

“I had a bad feeling about you the whole time.” Sasha said plainly. “You were never honest with me, and I require honesty. You asked for too much.”

“Now, if you don’t mind, Lady Diagon, the lake is waiting for you.” Morrigan said happily, and gave the Priestess a light shove towards the sinkhole. It was enough to throw the weakened woman off balance. She fell back, her bottom hitting the dirt, but when her upper body flew back, only air met her, and she flipped off the cliff and fell into the icy lake without a word.

Morrigan took out the Diamond. “I suppose I should thank you.” Morrigan said slowly. “You saved my life.”

“What are you going to do with the Diamond?” Sasha asked.

“I think this Atmoran lake will take one more thing from aboveground today.” She said, and tossed the Diamond behind her. It spiraled into the lake with a meager splash.

“What will you do now?” Morrigan asked, but before Sasha could respond, the world seemed to darken. No, it grayed until all the color was gone from it. All except for Morrigan and Sasha, who remained colored.

Morrigan looked around her. “It looks almost like –“

“As if time stopped,” A disembodied voice said. A yellow-robed, tall man with yellow skin, an Altmer, slowly appeared from thin air. “Hello Morrigan, Sasha.”

“Who are you?” Sasha asked.

“That is not important right now. The only thing I must relay to you is that the world needs you. Fate dictates that we cannot interfere in many situations. Right now, I’ll tell you that your world is coming to a quick end. Forces are aligning; evil, malicious forces that threaten to destroy Nirn. We need your help for this, Morrigan. We also need you, Sasha Helsari. It would require you to leave this place, and come with me. You would not come back for a considerable amount of time.”

Sasha and Morrigan exchanged looks. “I don’t know how to explain this… but I feel like we should go with him.” Sasha said.

“But what about our lives?” Morrigan asked. “Virius…” She looked around for him.

“I agree with you, Morrigan, I have a mother back in Morrowind.” Sasha said. “But he promised we could come back. What’s the harm in doing a little world saving?”

“Such nobility from the Bounty Hunter,” The Altmer said. “A pleasant surprise. What say you, Morrigan?”

“I…” Morrigan looked down to the lake, where Lady Diagon and the Diamond laid. “I suppose I could go with you, if I could come back one day.”

“Then, let us go!” The Altmer clapped his hands. “I assure you, that day will come sooner than you think.”

“Wait,” Sasha said. “You never told us why we were needed.”

Doctor Kain Abbott looked around at what had been his home, his business, with great sadness. In the small town of Narbon, Valenwood, with a population of no more than 100, the Imperial had one of the best small universities in the country. He started it himself – well, he actually re-opened a closed university.

Kain remembered how it all came to happen. He was still young, no more than 16, but this was over ten years ago. The mysterious and enigmatic Viscount had just taken over Valenwood and promised to take control of educational systems as well. Back then, Kain lived with his parents in the greatest univeristy in Valenwood – Byzantine Academy. Kain’s parents, Henry and Melissa Abbott, were professors there and Kain himself had earned his doctorate, being a child prodigy. Sadly, as part of the Viscount’s rules, his parents were removed from their posts.

Kain was clueless as to what he would do with his life – but eventually realized that independence was calling. He needed to head out on his own, so he travelled around the jungle bordering Elden Root. Kain was always familiar with the jungle, as his mother Melissa used to take him into it as a child and teach him how nature worked.

It was on this journey that Kain met his lifelong companion – not a lover, but a hippogriff. Only native to the jungles of Valenwood, Kain found the hippogriff with a broken wing on the border of the jungle and nursed it back to health, stalling his journey for independence. He quickly discovered that the hippogriff grew an attachment to him and refused to leave his side. Kain had chosen to accept the will of the majestic beast, and it had been with Kain ever since. It was a beautiful silver male specimen that Kain named Kestrel. Ten years later, in the present, Kestrel still could barely fly due to his past wing injury.

After travelling a few dozen more miles with Kestrel, Kain encountered Narbon. It was a small town that bordered the huge jungle. It was peaceful, yet prosperous. Kain thought it was perfect.

Kain even started up a small university. In Narbon, Kain met an older Altmer man, Professor Ivon Kidroni, who had also wound up in Narbon after fleeing the Viscount. Together, the two started up Saint Jiub’s University – one that quickly gained popularity as time passed.



But recently, Viscount presence has increased in idyllic Narbon. The Viscount’s ghost army started to build up in the town for apparently no reason. Townspeople started to leave for an even quieter town, and Kain had to face the truth – Narbon was dying, fast. St. Jiub’s University lost two professors and over twenty students. Kain and Professor Kidroni were considering shutting it down. In fact, the only reason the Univeristy stayed open was because both Kidroni and Kain were Loyalists. That’s right, no matter how much Kain loathed to admit it, he had to be a loyalist to keep the university. On the inside, however… Kain just didn’t know who to choose. The Viscount was responsible for laying off his parents, but he did reunite Tamriel, which was on the verge of utter collapse.

Kain flashed back to the present. Prfessor Kidroni was talking to one of their last students – a large Nordic woman.

“Sheila, ignore the Specters.” Kidroni said, using the local nickname for the ghost army. “You’re one of our last students. Stay for me and Dr. Abbott. Stay for yourself!”

Sheila, a teenaged yet buxom blonde, shook her head, shooting down Kidroni’s requests. “I can’t, Professor. The Specters will raze the town… I just know it. Goodbye.” Sheila gave Kain a pained look. Kain just nodded and made a small wave. Sheila turned and left the university.

Professor Kidroni turned to Kain. “Well, my friend, things are not looking good for us,” The Altmer said sadly. Kidroni had a classic ‘mad scientist’ look to him, with wild and crazy white hair sticking out all over the place. The Professor even wore a white labcoat and black trousers. Kidroni was an Altmer in his early sixties, and Kain was fairly certain that he was a Thalmor scientist before the Viscount took power.

“We have Thadon and Wynne…” Kain said halfheartedly. Thadon and Wynne, two young Wood Elves, were the last students in the university.

Kain himself could look no different than Kidroni. He was a younger Imperial, almost 30, and he wore a tan buttoned shirt and brown pants. He had light brown hair that was incredibly thick and curly – it was longer, but just went past his ears. His blue eyes were often described as cunning and sharp, similar to his face.

“Two students? I’ll take Thadon, you take Wynne, hmm?” Kidroni rolled his eyes. “We’re going to have to break the news to them, Kain.”

“Let’s just… wait as long as we can, all right?” Kain asked tiredly. “Besides, we can always turn the University into full time doctor’s office.” The University already was part doctor’s office, with Kain as the doctor.

“I’d be out of a job, but I suppose it would work.” Kidroni joked. “Oh, Kain! Speaking of that, I have a message for you. Seryna Preed wants to see you in her diner. Something about back problems,”

Kain blinked in surprise. “Mama?” He asked. Seryna Preed was rarely called such in Narbon. Because she was seen as the town mother, most people just called her Mama. She loved it. Kain, however, didn’t like to just describe Seryna Preed as the town mother. That gave the idea that she was a boring caretaker or someone strict. Mama was completely different from that. She was as cheerful as anyone could be, and the nicest person Kain had ever met. On top of her kindness, Mama was one of the wisest people Kain knew. She had been an adventurer in her day, travelling the world. Now, fifty years old, Mama settled down in Narbon and started a diner. Her two employees were also her apprentices, learning from her every day.

Kain nodded to Kidroni and left the University. He looked out at Narbon in the evening. Specters were wandering the town aimlessly, for whatever reason. Nobody was outside. Narbon only had a few dozen residents anyway. Kain was about to walk over to the diner when he heard a hawkish cry from the side of the University. It was his hippogriff, Kestrel, in the small barn Kain built. Kain decided to take a detour and walk over to the hippogriff, admiring the majestic beauty.

“What’s the matter, Kes?” Kain asked sympathetically. Kestrel just whined in response. “I promise I’ll take you out on a walk in the jungle soon enough, Kes.” Kestrel just whined again. “Don’t worry, Kes, tomorrow morning we’ll go for a walk.” Kain promised and pet the creature. His pelt was feathery and smooth, like silk. “Well, Kes, I should get to Mama,” Kain mumbled and turned away from the hippogriff.

Across from the University was a large building with a sign out front. Mama Preed’s Diner was displayed in colorful letters.

Kain walked up to the door of the diner and opened it. There was almost no one inside. A red and brown scaled Argonian sat in the corner, eating alone. Kain recognized him as Izara, the town’s biologist and jungle expert. He knew even more about the Jungle than Kain.

There was a wiry man behind the counter. “Drake,” Kain called out in greeting, smiling. Drake Ranning was one of Mama’s apprentices. Drake was a dark skinned Redguard with a short black ponytail and a goatee. He wore a simple smock and raggedy pants. Kain knew that Mama was training Drake as a warrior.

“Hey, Kain,” Drake smiled. “Mama called you, didn’t she? She’s in the back.” He jerked his thumb to a door at the back of the diner.

Kain nodded. “Thanks, Drake.” He said and walked through the doorway, but not before passing Mama’s second and last apprentice. She was a young Redguard woman named Elle Siror. Ella was a thin yet tall woman, with long frizzy hair than expanded to her shoulders. Ella was a shy woman who kept to herself. Kain believed that Mama was training her to be a rogue.

Kain threw open the door to see Mama Preed in the backroom. The woman looked as good as ever, despite her reported back problems. Mama Preed was a Redguard like her apprentices, with light brown skin and a happy face. She was fairly overweight but not horribly so. Mama Preed wore a leopard pattern dress that was just more stylish than a muumuu. Perhaps what was most unique about Mama’s appearance was her styled up bleached blonde hairstyle.

Mama’s face lit up when she saw Kain. “Kain! Come in, come in, honey.” The large woman walked over to two chairs, her dress flowing around her. Kain has always respected Mama; most of it was because she walked with such authority. Her voice, her posture, everything indicated she was not one to challenge.

“So, I hear you’re having back problems?” Kain asked.

Mama nodded. “Yeah, Drake and Ella insisted I contact you. It’s not really so bad,” She went on to discuss her pain, and Kain gave advice on the ordeal.

Once Kain had finished, Mama nodded. “Got it, Dr. Abbott,” She teased Kain with his formal name. “I’ll come once a week for checkups. I’m sure Drake or Ella would love to give me a massage in the meantime.” The woman’s round face lit up with laughter at her own joke. “Anyway, I should let you go. Until next time, my friend.”

Kain nodded and stood up. “It was a pleasure to help you, Mama.” He smiled and left the Diner, back to his university. Before he could enter, however, he saw some shadowy figures outside the house next to Mama’s Diner.

Kain scowled. He should have known who it would be. Marshall and Devon, the strongest separatists he knew. Marshall was little more than a danger to the entire town: a drunk and a deadbeat. Marshall was a stocky man with a thin brown beard and short, scraggly hair. Marshall wore a tattered attire of a brown shirt, grey pants, and a grey bandanna, finished with large black boots. Nobody would insult him that to his face, though, as Marshall would most likely beat them up or worse. Kain didn’t know much about Marshall’s past – only his present, and that was enough for him. Just last month, Kain had beaten up a young man who openly supported the Viscount, causing him to flee the town.

Marshall’s most loyal companion and follower was Devon – a tall Altmer, Devon had light yellow skin, almost the color of humans. He had long, white blonde hair swept behind his shoulders and piercing blue eyes. Devon wore green and brown leather armor and never travelled without his bow and arrows.

Kain saw the house they were outside – Mirza’s. Kain truly cared for Mirza. She was such a strong woman – a great warrior when she was younger. Now, she is 35, and retired. It had all started with Davis – Mirza’s husband ten years ago during the height of her career. She agreed to settle down with him and start a normal life, but what nobody expected… Davis was just a horrible man. Kain later found out he would abuse Mirza, and go so far as to beat her. This went on for years, until one day Kain found Mirza, beaten and left for dead in the alley of Narbon. Davis had left the town and Kain nursed her back to health – but after it was over, the damage had been done; Mirza’s fire was taken out of her, the old warrior in her gone. Kain had shared a friendship with Mirza ever since.

Mirza was standing outside her door, looking angry at Marshall and Devon. The warrior Imperial woman looked like her normal self- long auburn hair that fell straight past her shoulders, and a conservative white dress. Her fiery gray eyes, strong face and sharp features were the only remnants of her warrior past.

As Kain grew closer, he heard the end of a conversation. “I said no, Marshall! I won’t risk my life for your fantasies!”

“What’s going on here?” Kain asked, facing Marshall. The stocky Breton turned and scowled at Kain.

“Damn loyalist,” Marshall cursed. “And it is none of your concern.”

“Marshall,” Devon interrupted. He was pointing at Marshall’s house, where Specters were starting to crowd around it.

“Dammit, Marshall, what did you do?” Kain asked.

Marshall looked at Kain with renewed interest. The hostility in his dark brown eyes had faded. “Abbott,” He said slowly. “I need you to do me a favor.”

Kain hesitated. What was Marshall talking about?

“It’s simple, really,” Marshall went on. “I just need you to hide someone in your university for a small period of time. You’re a loyalist, nobody will suspect a thing.”

“Hide someone?” Kain asked. “What are you talking about? This doesn’t sound good, Marshall…”

“She’s a mute.” Marshall said flatly. Kain knew mutes all too well; they were citizens who were minor criminals or separatist advocates. Their tongues would be cut off, severing their ability to speak, and they would be forced into slavery. “She’s the sweetest Khajiit I ever did meet. I knew her before she was a mute. Please, Abbott, help me.”

Kain was shocked. He had never heard Marshall compliment anyone, or say please. “I…” Kain hesitated. “Fine, Marshall. I’ll shelter your fugitive for the night… but this won’t turn out well for any of us.”

Devon snuck through the night with a stranger in tow. The mute had been at his house, but the Specters knew the villagers and their alliances. They would be at his house very soon… but Kain Abbott was an outspoken loyalist. He had to be, to keep his university running, even if there were only two students at the time.

Devon arrived back in the front of Mirza’s house. The Imperial warrior had long since locked herself inside her home, more out of fear of detection than refusing to help the mute.

Marshall eyed their guest. “There she is, Abbott. We were raised almost as brother and sister in the Imperial City. This is Zahra,” Kain eyed the mute. She was a Khajiit woman with a small frame and dark gray fur, almost black. Her eyes shone a bright yellow and she had a single large hoop earring in her ear. Kain didn’t know how she wore her clothes – Zahra wore what looked like a tunic made of burlap and tattered pants, plus some flimsy brown leather shoes. Kain could truly see the Khajiit working as a slave in the Imperial City.

“The Specters are coming, Abbott.” Marshall hissed. “Get Zahra to your university and hide her! I’ll be there in the morning.” Without another word, Marshall sprinted off, vanishing in the shadows. Devon quickly followed.

Kain looked into Zahra’s bright yellow eyes. The Khajiit’s eyes were fierce, and she gave a sharp nod. Kain could see why Marshall liked her. He could see Zahra being similar to the Breton drunk if she could speak.

“Follow me,” Kain gestured for his university. The pair ran into the night, keeping to the sides of buildings as to not draw the attention of Specters. Kain was getting so close; he could hear Kestrel’s bored squawking.

It was fated that their plan would fail.

As Kain was nearing the university, he heard a shout from their right. A group of three Specters were pointing at them. The Specters shone a bright white and were transparent, yet despite race and gender, they all wore steel armor and bore silver swords, bows and arrows. Kain believed that the Specters did not serve the Viscount by choice, but were rather bound to her service by some sort of witchcraft.

“Damn,” Kain whispered as the Specters started to walk their way.

“Stop there, Mute!” One shouted venomously.

Zahra pushed Kain forward, the message clear. Run!
Kain and Zahra were suddenly sprinting down the town, winding in between houses and away from the University. Kain could hear shouts coming from behind them.

Kain and Zahra ran until they were on the outskirts of the town, near the border of the jungle. More and more Specters grew closer to them. Zahra pushed Kain again, towards the jungle.

“You’re right,” Kain muttered. The only way to escape is to go into the jungle.
“I know a pathway down the jungle,” Kain explained as he and Zahra dove into the jungle. The sounds of the Specters were drowned out by the sounds of monkeys, birds and insects. It was nighttime now, and the pair quickly vanished into the jungle.

As Kain led them deeper into the jungle, Zahra tapped his shoulder. Where are we going? She seemed to ask.

“To see a friend of mine,” Kain answered. He had seen his friend earlier today. Zahra growled in response, the sound was intimidating but lighter: clearly a female’s. “Just hold on, will you.” Kain mumbled and lead Zahra deeper in. After a few minutes of walking, Kain found what he was looking for.

They walked into a small clearing. In the clearing were a hammock, a campfire, and a pond nearby. Kain was glad he had remembered the route here.

“Izara!” Kain called out. The Argonian biologist actually didn’t live in the town; he just visited during the day. Izara really lived in the jungle in an attempt to be closer to the nature. “Izara!” Kain called again.

There was an upsetting in the lake as ripples turned into a figure rising out of the water. It was Izara, naked except for a brown loincloth. “For the love of Mara, Kain,” Izara mumbled angrily as he wrapped a towel around his waist. Like so many others in the town, Kain knew little about Izara’s history. He knew the Argonian was older, and he fled to Valenwood from Black Marsh. Rumors said that Izara was not only a scientist in Black Marsh – but he worked for the Royal Court. If that was so, Kain could understand why Izara fled. In this new world, one really didn’t want the extra attention from the Viscount by being an important person in a kingdom.

“Izara, I’m sorry, but we’re in trouble.” Kain introduced Zahra and explained what had happened. Izara just shook his head.

“Kain, why would you do a favor for Marshall, of all people?” He asked.

“I didn’t do it for Marshall,” Kain gestured to Zahra. “I did it for her.” Izara just waved off his response.

“By now, the Specters should be fully lost.” Izara chuckled. “Probably being chased by some jaguars.” He motioned back to the path. “Come on, I’ll bring you back to Narbon. It’s almost pitch black out.” As Izara moved through the forest, Kain found it hard to keep up with him. Izara moved naturally and silently through the trees and bushes as if he was just an extension of the plants. Zahra was farther behind, struggling even harder to keep up. It was clear the Khajiit had never been in a jungle before.

Kain watched Izara move so smoothly, so it came as a surprise when he stopped abruptly. Kain quickly caught up to him, and Zahra followed a few seconds after. Kain followed Izara’s gaze and felt a cold shiver rush through him.

There was a huge clearing in the jungle, an unnatural square of at least a hundred meters long and wide. Kain examined the ground and knew the clearing had been burned down to make room for a large camp – of Specters. Specters wandered around the clearing, surprisingly with a large number of mortals.

“What is this?” Kain whispered. Izara, his face stoic, just hushed him and ran off back into the jungle. Kain and Zahra followed him, and they made their way back to Narbon. In fact, Kain found himself behind his university.

“So,” Kain said. “Who were those people?” Zahra looked curious, too.

“I have no idea,” Izara answered. “I’ve never seen them before. But a camp in the jungle…” Izara had a thoughtful look on his face. “It may explain why the Specters are in Narbon.”

“You think they’re looking for something in the jungle, something they’d even hire humans to search for?” Kain asked quizzically. Zahra looked confused, too, her head cocked sideways.

“What other explanation is there?” Izara shrugged. “I’m willing to bet there’s something the Specters, hell, there’s something the Viscount himself wants in the jungle… the heart of Valenwood.” It was true; the center of the jungle was indeed in the center of Valenwood as well.

Kain frowned, his eyes shone with curiosity. “But… what could it be?”

Izara promised to keep watch on the camp as he vanished in the jungle. Kain and Zahra, their journey finally over, crept back into the university.

As soon as Kain walked in, he was met with Kidroni, talking to their two last students, Thadon and Wynne.

They were both Bosmer; Thadon was eighteen, short, with a round, trusting face and curly white-blonde hair. He had large brown eyes and wore dull brown robes. Thadon was a student of sociology, mainly. This made him easily able to read others’ emotions, sometimes it was unsettling how easy he did so. He has varied opinions on the Viscount, liking the fact that Tamriel was united but unhappy that the Specters are the guards and soldiers.

Wynne was younger; she was sixteen. Wynne was tall and thin, with short copper hair tied behind her head in a tight ponytail. Wynne wore a simple purple and brown robe. Her green eyes sparkled with amazement and curiosity whenever she spoke, reflecting her curious and naïve personality. Wynne studied languages and cultures in the university. Wynne was a separatist.

“We heard someone chased two people out of town with your description, Dr. Abbott,” Wynne said, wide eyed.

“And it’s true,” Thadon accused. “You helped smuggle a criminal away from the Specters! You’ll kill us all!”

“Kain, my friend…” Kidroni said quickly. The last part of his sentence did not need to be spoken when a loud knocking was heard on the door.

“Viscount Guard! Open up or we break down the door.” A voice shouted.

Kain looked to Zahra and then around the room. It would be too obvious to hide Zahra is his room or Kidroni’s. Thadon would refuse to shelter her. That left…

“Wynne,” Kain whispered urgently. “Take Zahra here and hide her the best you can, now go. Go!” He urged Zahra to Wynne, who stared at all of them, her mouth hung open. Without a word, she ran into her quarters, Zahra following.

Once they were out of sight, Kain opened the doors with a large smile on his face. A tall Altmer ghost stared down at Kain. Kain actually recognized the Nord. It was Aradusk, the Altmer captain of the Specters in Narbon. He rarely interacted with citizens.

“Doctor Abbott,” He said forcefully. “I have a reason to suspect you are harboring a fugitive in the University of St. Jiub.”

“Me?” Kain asked quizzically. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.” Kain quickly glanced back. Kidroni lead Thadon out of the room so the Bosmer student couldn’t interrupt.

“I will have to search your quarters,” Aradusk continued. Kain stepped out of the way, unblocking the door.

“Be my guest, m’lord.” Kain said formally. Aradusk barged past the doctor and straight into his quarters. After a full ten minutes of searching, Aradusk came back out, looking defeated. By now, Kidroni had rejoined Kain.

“I will have to search the entire premises.” Aradusk muttered and went into Kidroni’s room. When that turned up empty, he went to the main classroom, checked some closets, moved on to the kitchen, and finally reached the student’s quarters. Kain held his breath as Aradusk searched the quarters with Wynne and Thadon inside.

Eventually, Aradusk came out, a sour look on his face. “It appears I was mistaken,” He said slowly, unable to muster the words. “There was no fugitive here. I apologize for the inconvenience.” Aradusk stomped out before Kain could respond.

The four inside the university waited a full twenty minutes before even speaking again. “Where is Zahra?” Kain asked Wynne.

“She hid in the attic above the student’s quarters.” Kain knew the attic, but he was surprised Wynne did. It was tiny; only meant to store winter clothes during the summer.

The four habitants of the university sat in the entrance room. “Please, go fetch her.” Kain asked and Wynne went running off. “That was close,” He said when she was gone.

“Too close,” Thadon said bitterly. “If I died, I would have never forgiven you.”

“Indeed,” Kidroni said. “That was very close, Kain. Don’t do anything like that again.”

Kain scowled as Wynne and Zahra entered the room. “I should tell you what we saw in the jungle,” Kain said. Zahra nodded vigorously.

“Why were you in the jungle?” Kidroni asked. “And what did you see?”

Kain retold the story of their journey. Everyone had different reactions. Kidroni remained stoic, Thadon seemed to grow nauseous, and Wynne gasped in shock several times.

“We need to tell the others. Have a town meeting.” Kidroni stated. A town meeting usually consisted of the more important members of the town. Usually, it was Kain, Kidroni, Mama Preed, Izara, and anyone else that wanted to come.

“We’ll do that first thing in the morning,” Kain said. “Raise the flag.” There was a white flag stationed at every citizen’s house in Narbon. It could be raised to signal a need for an emergency town meeting, a situation where the entire town was at risk. It was installed after the Specters took over Narbon.

“I’ll raise the flag; it will be seen in the morning.” Kidroni assured. “Now, I suggest everyone get some sleep.”


Kain awoke, a bright light shining in his window. Thadon had gently shaken him awake.

“Doctor,” Thadon whispered. “Everyone saw the flag. They’re at Mama’s Diner now.” Kain got up and ushered Thadon out of the room. He got dressed in his standard clothing, similar to what he wore yesterday. Thadon informed him that Kidroni and Wynne were at the diner already. He also said that Marshall came to collect Zahra early in the morning.

Together, Kain and his student left the university. He could hear Kestrel calling out to him, but he ignored the hippogriff. There were more important matters.
Kain threw open the doors of the diner to a crowded scene. Mama Preed and Professor Kidroni sat next to each other in the center of the room, across from Izara. Around the room were Wynne, Mirza, and Mama’s apprentices, Drake and Ella.

Mama looked up to Kain and Thadon. “The doctor shows up after all.” She said jokingly. “Izara here was telling us about your journey through the jungle.” Mama explained as Thadon and Kain sat down.

“What could they want in the jungle?” Mirza asked. “And why are they in Narbon?”

“They’re most likely using Narbon as a base of operations,” Kidroni said. “For whatever they want in the jungle.”

“Do they pose a danger to the town?” Ella asked, looking around nervously, as if the Specters were watching them.

The doors to the diner flew open as Marshall burst in, Devon and Zahra in tow. “Everyone, gather your things,” He said quickly, staring out at the group. “The Specters are setting fire to houses on the outskirts of Narbon. They’re destroying the town.”

Everyone stood up in a panic and started running around the diner. Ella and Drake vanished, going to gather their things.

“Everyone, calm down!” Mama shouted. Everyone immediately stopped what they were doing, even Marshall. Mama silently walked to the doors of the diner and peered out on Narbon. Her face paled. “It’s true,” She whispered. “I see the smoke.”

“We need to escape the town.” Marshall announced. People around the group nodded.

“And we should do so together,” Mama stated. “But we’ll be an open target if we flee north, towards Falinesti.”

“Then we won’t flee north,” Izara said silently. Everyone turned towards him. “Kain, Zahra and I escaped Specters by fleeing into the jungle once. We can do it again.”

Mama looked around the group. “Fine, Izara. We’ll follow you into the jungle, but only to escape the Specters. We’ll meet behind the University in five minutes. Move!” Everyone quickly left the diner in a hurry to grab essentials from their houses. It looked like five houses were fully engulfed in flames.

Kain was first to reach the university. He ran in the doors and to his quarters. Kidroni ran in after him, followed by Thadon and Wynne, hands locked together in fear.

Kain ran into his room and looked around. He stuffed some healing potions, antivenom, and various other medicines into his bag. He then grabbed two long, thin daggers and attached them to his belt. Finally, he grabbed a large bullwhip. Deciding that he had everything he could bring, Kain ran out of his room. Kidroni was standing in the main room. Today, he was wearing an outfit much more practical than a labcoat. He wore a dark brown tunic, matching pants, black boots, and an orange belt. The Professor had a small silver crossbow slung over his back.

Thadon and Wynne quickly ran out of the student quarters. They both had small packs slung over their shoulders, and Thadon had a knife on his belt. They both wore their same robes from yesterday. “Are we all ready? Then let us go,” Kidroni stated. The four ran out of the University. In the few minutes they were inside, a dozen more houses were burning. Kidroni led the others around the university, where they found several others gathered there already. In fact, everyone who was at the diner was behind the University, except for Mirza. Mama was there with her apprentices, Drake and Ella. Drake was dressed In black leather armor, and Ella was dressed in opposing white and gold leather. They were both armed to the teeth.

Also there was Izara, in a green, skintight waterproof shirt, black pants, and black boots. Devon was dressed in the same green and brown armor, and Marshall was still wearing commoner clothing, but he had a longsword at his side. Zahra was wearing what she wore yesterday.

“Where’s Mirza?” Mama asked. She was wearing a white tunic and gray pants. Mama had a crossbow, like Kidroni. Hers was much nicer, though. It looked to be ebony.

“I’m here, I just needed to collect a few things,” Came a voice from the side of the university. Mirza stood, armed in heavy yet elegant mithral armor with two longswords at her side. Her red hair was tied behind her back.

The old warrior in her had finally remerged. “Mirza…” Kain said, stunned. “You look like your old self again.”

“We don’t have time to swoon over me,” The warrior said, heading towards the jungle.

“Mirza’s right,” Izara announced. “Follow me.” He headed into the jungle. The twelve citizens of Narbon entered the jungle of Valenwood as Specters closed in on the university. Almost the entire town was on fire.

Kain looked back to the University with sadness. It was barely visable, but Specters were seen around it, setting it alight.

That was when a sharp, hawkish wail cut through the air.

“I forgot Kestrel!” Kain exclaimed. “I’m going back for him!”

Despite protests from the group, Kain ran back through the heavy trees to the university. He emerged from the jungle to see the university on fire. Shouting Specters were heard in front. Kain crept into the small farm building at the side of the university. The hippogriff was standing up, pacing back and forth. He was restrained by a rope collar tied to his neck.

“Just hold on, Kes.” Kain mumbled as he fumbled with the robe. “I’m not leaving you with the Specters, buddy.” The rope fell off of Kestrel’s body as the hippogriff bucked up with excitement. “Follow me!” Kain commanded. He walked outside to see a Specter, just outside the doorway. It was a short Bosmer holding a large, thing sword.

“Looks like we have a straggler,” The apparition said, smiling. Kain was wordless. He wouldn’t be able to draw his sword in time.

It was over in a flash. The Bosmer lunged at Kain, but before he could reach the doctor, he exploded into fine ectoplasm. Kain looked to the jungle. Professor Kidroni stood, his crossbow in hand. “Kain! Follow me!”

Kain ran to the professor, Kestrel following closely. Kidroni fired off another crossbow bolt at a Specter who had noticed them, causing it to explode in a white blast of the ectoplasm.

Kidroni, Kain ran back into the jungle, Kestrel following his master closely. “What were you thinking?” Kidroni asked as he ran.

“I wasn’t going to let them kill Kestrel!” Kain shouted back as they approached the others, who were waiting for them.

“There is no safe route out of the Jungle right now,” Izara explained hastily. “The only way to go is deeper in.”

“That’s insane,” Thadon said. “I’d rather risk the Specters than go into the jungle; Dr. Abbot’s told me enough horror stories.”

“The Specters will surely be hunting us,” Izara glanced at Kain. “They know we’re here. We have to run.”

“I agree with Izara,” Said Mama. “We go into the jungle to evade the Specters.” Izara sighed in relief that Mama agreed with him, as now Drake, Ella and others were nodding in agreement.

Voices were heard from the jungle border. “We have no time!” Kain shouted. “Izara, take us somewhere safe!”
Izara nodded and turned. He ran into the jungle, the eleven citizens and the hippogriff following.

The run eventually turned into a steady walk as the refugees went farther into the jungle. Kain found himself walking alongside Mirza. The warrior looked as beautiful as ever, but her eyes sparkled with worry. “Kain…” She whispered. “How many people were still in Narbon?”

“Only a few, and I’m sure they escaped.” Kain said assuredly. In truth, he knew there were at least a dozen that weren’t with the group, and they may not have made it out. He just needed to comfort Mirza.

“Mmh. I hope,” Mirza mumbled as Izara suddenly stopped.

“We go down, now,” Izara announced. He had led the group to a large cave entrance. “We’ll evade anyone by travelling through the cave and out on the other side.”

“I don’t like caves,” Mama stated as the group walked into the cave, leading underground.

“We’ll be fine,” Izara announced. “I’ve been down here several times.” The group entered a large cavern with two exits. “Or, maybe not. I don’t recognize this.”

“Really, ‘Zar?” Ella asked. The girl’s frizzy hair bobbed up and down when she walked. “You’re supposed to be leading us!”

“It’s no matter; we’ll still escape through this cave, but we should be careful.” Izara said smoothly and pointed at the two exits out of the cavern. “We’ll send scouts into the tunnels. Kain and Kidroni, can you go down either one?”

The Altmer nodded, his dark suit making him blend in with the background. “Certainly. I should have companions…” He looked around. “Drake, Ella, please come with me.”

“Of course, Professor,” Drake said and the two Redguards followed Kidroni into the tunnel to the right.

“Thadon, can you come with me?” Kain asked. Thadon studied cave systems in the University and should be able to navigate these caves easily.

“Good choice,” The little Bosmer muttered as the pair walked towards the tunnel.

“Wait up, you two.” Mama said as the larger woman hurried to catch up. “I want the fastest way out of this cave. I’m coming with you.”

“Be back as soon as possible.” Izara said. “Watch out for spiders.” As Kain and his small group vanished into the tunnel, Kestrel cried softly.


The tunnel would have been dark, but the walls were lined with a white crystal that gave off a dull glow. “Incredible…” Thadon mumbled. “Never seen anything like it… certainly worth at least two papers on the subject…” The Wood Elf student quickly took the lead, Mama and Kain were trailing behind him.

“Narbon,” Mama said sadly as they walked. “It’s gone. I just… damn the Viscount. Damn them all! Why aren’t more people fighting him?”

“The Viscount has a spirit army.” Kain answered, placing a hand on Mama Preed’s shoulder. “We can’t fight that, but we can rebuild.”

Mama adopted a steely look in her eyes. “This jungle – why do you think the Specters are interested in it? Interested in it so much as to silence an entire town?” Before Kain could reply, Mama went on. “Maybe, maybe, there’s something in this jungle that the Viscount wants; something that he needs. Possibly even something that he fears. And nobody knows about it.”

“Mama, you aren’t suggesting…” Kain asked slowly. “We try to find out whatever it is that the Specters want here?”

“If we don’t, who else will?” Mama asked. “This is our chance, Kain! Our chance to at least do something to prove we don’t need to live under the Viscount’s orders!”

Before Kain could respond, the tunnel they were in seemed to shake. A sound was heard in the distance, like two dry objects rubbing together. “What was that?” Kain asked.

“Probably a cave spider, like Izara warned,” Thadon explained. “I can’t think of anything else that it could be, don’t worry.”

“But why did the cave shake?” Mama asked. “That means something big, or an earthquake.”

“I assure you, I’ve been studying natural caverns like this for three years, Mama Preed. It’s probably just a big spider, but Kain has his swords, and you have your crossbow.”

Kain frowned as the tunnel shook again. Dirt tumbled down from the ceiling. “Thadon, I don’t have a good feeling –“

Thadon turned swiftly, his blonde curls bouncing and shining slightly in the crystal’s light. “Dr. Abbott, I assure you it isn’t anything to worry about.” The Bosmer continued to walk.

“Honestly, I’ve been a student at the University for five years,” Thadon mumbled. “They can’t respect my opinion even now. What could there be down h… here…” He stopped suddenly, staring into the shadows ahead. The Crystals seemed to die down farther in.

“Why are we stopping?” Mama asked.

“There is a slim possibility that I was mistaken in my previous assessment,” Thadon said slowly and calmly, not moving a muscle. “There is in fact a creature that lives in underground Valenwood caves, but they are extremely rare and rumored to be extinct. I didn’t think of them earlier.”

“What?” Kain asked. The Doctor found himself as still as Thadon.

“Large, solitary creatures, they are mainly carnivores, feeding off spiders and rodents. Their albinism makes them easy to recognize, and their size is unprecedented among their species.”

“You’re scaring me, Thadon,” Mama’s voice shook.

Thadon took a deep breath. “Basilisks.”