The Story Of Iriisii Dovahkiin Book One Chapter Fifteen

 The Story Of Iriisii Dovahkiin Book One Chapter Fifteen

                                                       Chapter Fifteen

     Iriisii stands and walks to the door with Rigmor trailing. Once out of Grelod's sight she raises her voice speaking as if she were instructing Rigmor.

     Iriisii: "We should head to the market next, I will need to order some things, clothes and such for the children."

     As they step outside, they see Constance waiting for them. Iriisii steps to her and nods her head.

     Iriisii: "It is obvious you do not approve of the way Grelod runs the orphanage. I am in complete agreement with you, and suspect there are dark things going on."

     Constance: "If I may, first, is the offer you made to the children real?"

     Iriisii smiles that Constance first concern is for the children.

     Iriisii: "Yes, it is. I am Thane of Whiterun, Falkreath too as well. I have built a house near Pinewatch, but I can only keep six children there. Also Pinewatch is not the safest place to raise children near. Be that as it may, Dragon's Keep is very secure, Jarl Balgruuf has given me permission to call upon his guard if needed. I have other resources as well as my own guards. But you have other concerns, please share them with me, a burden shared is a burden lessened."

     Constance: "I have listened to the things that have recently happened here, and what has been said in certain quarters. There is much more to you that you have not revealed, both of you."

     Iriisii: "Indeed, momentous events of vast importance are building to a crux. Father Akatosh has prepared me to come and deal with them. And yes, I am mortal. I am not a god or an avatar of one. One day into the future, who knows what path I may walk, but for now my feet are firmly on Nirn. My companion has her own place in these events, and so we work together to ensure Nirn survives what comes."

     Constance: "What is it that such powers must be gathered to stand against?"

     Iriisii: "Alduin."

     Constance face goes white as a sheet.

     Iriisii: "And so you can see that threats such as the Thalmor, Maven Blackbriar, the Dark Brotherhood, and the Thieves Guild, do not make me cringe and seek shelter."

     Constance: "You do not feel Maven is a threat to be concerned with?"

     Iriisii: "Maven is, how do you say, small potatoes, to some I have already faced and defeated."

     Rigmor" Just not long ago, we were in the Bee and Barb meeting with a good friend of mine, one I owe my life to. As we made to leave, three Argonian bounty hunters stopped us wanting my head, literally. My Guardian took them down before the place could even clear itself out and then faced down Maven Blackbriar when she came up to throw her weight around. If Maven gets in my Guardian's way again, nothing will save her life, nothing. For my Guardian can call upon those greater than those Maven could call upon could ever think about being."

     Iriisii says to Rigmor: "I think Constance gets the point, no need to recite everything we have been involved in to this point."

     Rigmor: "But she needs to know that you care for all the people of Nirn, not just those who sit in palaces and order servants around."

     Iriisii: "I think you have driven that point home well enough. Constance, will you walk with us, there is someone in the market I must speak to."

     Constance: "I should be going back, Grelod does not like me to be gone for long."

     Iriisii: "Please, this will be worth your time, I promise you."

     They make their way the short distance to the market as Iriisii leads them to Brand Shei's stall.

     Brand Shei: "I remember you, I have the package you ordered right here."

     Iriisii: "Thank you very much, Brand Shei. I feel the need to inform you of something I was recently made aware of."

     Brynjolf hears what she is saying and suddenly feels shudders run up and down his spine. He quickly makes his way down to the Ragged Flagon to look for Mercer Frey.

     Iriisii: "I was recently offered a task to prove certain skills by one called Brynjolf."

     Brand Shei: "Really, interesting indeed. Please My Lady, tell me more."

     By now those around Brand Shei's market stall, both shoppers and shopkeepers have their ears glued to the conversation, some even noticing Brynjolf's sudden disappearance from his usual stall.

     Iriisii: "He asked me to steal a ring from Medresi's lockbox, and then place said ring in your pocket. I assume he was already prepared to alert the guards and so you would unfortunately be spending some time in jail."

     Brand Shei: "I see."

     As he looks around for Brynjolf and finds him missing.

     Brand Shei: "Did he happen to reveal who it was that ordered him to do this?"

     Iriisii: "Yes, he did. Does the name Maven Blackbriar mean anything to you."

     Almost as if by magic Maven shows up with Maul in tow.

     Maven: "What horseshit is being said about me here! Brand Shei! I should have known. Will you ever learn it is not healthy to cross me, or spout lies about me to everyone who passes, and who is this?"

     As Iriisii turns to face her, Maven recognizes Iriisii.

     Maven: "I will deal with you later."

     Iriisii: "You will deal with me now or not at all, Maven Blackbriar. I told you what would happen should you cross me again and yet here you are."

     Mercer, Brynjolf, and Dirge are standing on the edge of the market watching and listening.

     Brynjolf: "What are we going to do?"

     Mercer: "Nothing, Maven has not indicated that she needs our help, so we stay out of it."

     And under his breath, "if the warrior is who I have heard she is, we will not go to Maven's rescue anyway. She will have to take care of this herself."

     Brynjolf shocked, "What did you just say?"

     Mercer: "You heard me, we put ourselves into this and we could all end up dead. There are some people it is not wise to cross, Maven is one like that, then there are those you take your life in your own hands to even go near. This warrior is one of those."

     Brynjolf: "How can you say this, Maven will have our asses handed to us."

     Mercer: "Only if the warrior lets her live, Maven was lucky she walked away alive from their first meeting. The warrior must have been feeling generous."

     Brynjolf: "If I did not know better..."

     Mercer: "Careful Brynjolf, but if you say anything of what I am going to tell you, you will end up feeding slaughterfish, and your 'jewels' will be the first things to be fed to them."

     Brynjolf: "I understand, do I really want to know any of this?"

     Mercer: "No, but you need to anyway. Delvin says that according to the Dark Brotherhood, a prime assassin called 'Darkstar' is in Skyrim. And her presence has been confirmed by the bodies left in her wake. He also says that she has completely destroyed the 'Sinister Seven'. And has the attention of Mephala herself. Mephala warned the 'Mute' from going after her once she cleaned out a new outpost they had set up somewhere beyond Akavir. She took out over a hundred of the Morag Tong's best, alone. And the 'Mute's' second in command is now nowhere to be seen or found. The Mute came back after he went to find out why they had heard nothing from them. His rage was such that he killed half their High Council, before Mephala reigned him in. There is more, a lot more. She was seen walking out of Helgen after that black dragon leveled the place. The Thalmor installation, Fort Black is now empty and silent after she and the other one with her there, rolled through the place. No one will say if they know why she is here or what she is here for, but she definitely has a plan concerning something, and it would be best if we not get involved. Oh and she has been seen heading to High Hrothgar as well. And yes, the Greybeards let her in. I do not know where all of this is going but I think it best we stay out of it."

     Brynjolf: "Oh shit! Maven is signalling Maul."

     Mercer: "Dirge! Stay put if you want to live. Go near her and she or the other will kill you without a second thought."

     Dirge stops as he had taken a step to reach his brother.

     Maven turns aside and gestures to Maul to take care of things here. She smiles as she hears a body fall to the ground, but there are no screams, no bodies fleeing for safety. She turns back and her mouth opens to scream as she sees Maul's body on the ground with this Iriisii's blade impaling his throat.

     Brynjolf: "Did you see her draw that blade and take Maul in one smooth motion?"

     Mercer: "Hell, I almost didn't. I have heard of a handful that fast but I have never seen it myself."

     There is a flash and the blade tip is against Maven's throat.

     Mercer: "Shit, I missed that one coming. Dirge! Get back here!"

     Dirge is seeing nothing but to avenge his brother. Right up until Rigmor's two hand blade executes an overhand power attack that hits him on the shoulder next to his neck and keeps going down until it exits between his legs, and the two parts of his body separate and fall to either side. Even Moll, who just got there in time to see the strike, cannot believe a slip of a girl Rigmor's size could do that to a man like Maul. She takes her blade and strikes it against her armor, and keeps doing it as more and more join her. Mercer grabs Brynjolf and shoves him away from the fight.

     Mercer: "Get back to the Flagon, and tell everyone to grab their personal stuff and hightail it. I will contact everyone when it is safe to return, now move it! Go out through the Warrens, do not come out by the canal!"

     Now the guards come swarming with bows and swords drawn. Iriisii sheathes her blade, and hands a cleaning rag to Rigmor to wipe down her blade with before slinging it onto her back. When the guards ask what happened, everybody starts giving their version of what they saw, except for Iriisii, Rigmor, and Brand Shei. They just calmly stand waiting for the guards to sort things out, and make sure Maven does not slip away.

Slowly they make some sense of the common elements of the various stories, enough to identify the primary people involved. As they head for them. another guardsman steps up and explains that he saw and heard everything. The other guards do not know him so he figures it is time to come forth.

     Trecius: "I am Trecius Admirus, Captain of the Penitus Oculatus. I have been investigating the dealings of Maven Blackbriar for the last year or so. Thanks to these fine citizens, I have enough to arrest her for high crimes against the Empire."

     He points to a couple of the guards, "You and you, tie her arms and see that she does not get away or you will be taking her place."

     The guards are quick to truss her up, sensing she has just lost any and all of the power she had wielded in this town.

     Trecius turns to Iriisii, Rigmor, and Brand Shei, "I must thank you for flushing her out like you did, outstanding work. The Emperor will be very pleased to be done with this. She has been extremely careful to distance herself from any visible crime, but when she signaled Maul to attack, I had her dead to rights. I anticipated you could handle yourselves and I was proven right. Now I must get Maven transported before someone tries to either kill her to shut her up, or rescue her. The Lord Chancellor Blackwell will be most happy to get her where he can question her. Again, thank you. If only we had more like you, we could clean Tamriel up in no time."

     The agent turns and collects Maven, putting her in a very secure wagon. Iriisii thinks someone definitely wants to get her to the Imperial City alive to answer questions. Brand Shei closes up his shop.

     Brand Shei: "Somehow with all of the excitement I do not think I will sell anything today."

     Iriisii: "Oh, I almost forgot, here."

     Iriisii hands over a old journal still wrapped in oil cloth to keep it from being water damaged. As Brand Shei reads the pages his eyes grow wide and his lips silently mouth, 'I almost do not believe this.'

     Iriisii: "It would be my honor to be the first to formally greet you, Brandyl, son of Lymdrenn, sole living heir to House Telvanni."

     Brandyl has tears flowing from his eyes, "I never thought I would see the day that I knew who I really was, and I certainly did not expect this. Thank you, you have given me my life back and I will never forget this.

     Iriisii bows to Brandyl, "I am privileged to be the one to see you restored to your rightful place. If there is anything else I can do, you have only to ask."

     Brandyl: "I thank you but I will not impose on you any longer. I think a strong drink is in order to celebrate this, don't you think?"

     Iriisii smiles, "I can heartily recommend the specialty drink called the 'Cliff Racer', the bartender here at the Bee and Barb makes one worthy of the Imperial City."

     Brandyl: "Well then let us find a table and enjoy."

     While sitting in the Bee and Barb, Iriisii looks toward Constance.

     Iriisii: "Constance, I am sorry for getting sidetracked, what was it that you needed to talk to me about?"

     Constance: "Well it might be a moot point now but...Grelod was selling children from time to time to someone, I do not know who. But I do know that the transaction was going through Maven. And Maven keeps immaculate records, so she can make certain no one is skimming off of the top, or making side deals with competitors, that sort of thing."

     Iriisii: "With Maven out of the picture, will she keep doing it? That is if she can find some way to keep from being run roughshod?"

     Constance: "You have seen her, there is no way she would stand a chance against whoever is buying the children."

     Iriisii: "Yes, you are right. The first thing is to get these children here on their way to the school, then I think a little exploratory investigation in Maven's house to locate and read her records is called for. I am also certain Lord Blackwell would like to end up with these records, they are sure to aid him in what questions he should ask her. And may even reveal who some of her influential friends are."

     Constance: "Exactly, get the children to safety first, then we can take what time we need to find Maven's records.

     Iriisii: "Hmmm."

     Rigmor: "What are you thinking?"

     Iriisii: "Maven is not stupid, she has been doing this for some time now, it is not likely the records will be easily accessible."

     Rigmor: "Underground, beneath her house, trapped access?"

     Iriisii: "All of the above, yes, it fits with how she thinks. Ok, we get the children out first, then we see if there is something under her house and how best to get in there. With any luck it will not take long, by the way has anyone seen Brynjolf?"

     Rigmor: "Now that you mention it, no. He disappeared when you started talking to Brandyl."

     Brandyl: "I suspect they have gone into hiding until things cool down. They took quite a chance staying out of it like they did."

     Iriisii: "I agree, if Maven had gotten free she would probably flay the skin from their bodies while still alive."

     Constance returns to Honor Hall, while Iriisii and Rigmor take rooms at the Bee and Barb. The next morning they get up and eat breakfast. While they are sitting, a young child walks in, and looks around. Rigmor thinks the young boy is may be looking for them, and gets up to see what he is there for. A few of the early risers getting a start on the days drinking are asking the boy if he would like a drink. Rigmor walks among their tables and scowls at them. This causes them to turn back to their own drinks and leave the boy alone. Keerava relaxes that she no longer has to decide whether to intervene or not. Rigmor reaches the boy, who upon seeing her loses the tension that had been building up.

     Rigmor: "Hello there, may I ask your name?"

     Davos: "My name is Davos."

     Rigmor: "Is there anything you need help with?"

     Davos: "I was sent by Constance to give this note to Iriisii Starborn."

     Rigmor: "Ok, I know where she is and will be happy to give the note to her."

     Davos: "You do?! Thank you, thank you very much pretty lady."

     Davos hands her the note, as she blushes from Davos compliment to her. He then turns and quickly leaves. Rigmor opens the note and reads the contents. Stands and motions Iriisii to follow as she walks out of the Bee and Barb. Iriisii gets up, passing by the bar and pays Keerava for the breakfast on her way to the south door. Stepping outside, she sees Rigmor heading for Honor Hall and quickens her step to catch up. Meeting her just on the other side of the bridge across the canal, Rigmor hands her the note and briefly tells her what it said as they walk to the orphanage.

     Rigmor: "Grelod has vanished. Probably heard about Maven and left on her own. Seems like she took all the spare gold with her. They had very little in valuables, so Constance thinks she was not forced to leave but rather did so on her own."

     Iriisii: "Well that is one more problem solved. Did she say anything about Grelod leaving any papers behind."

     Rigmor: "Yes, she did leave a ledger book, but Constance has not had time to look through it as yet. She was woken by the children noticing Grelod gone and asking about breakfast."

     Iriisii: "I imagine she sent the note, then started on feeding the children. Her heart is definitely in the right place. We will take it from here, she need only concern herself with the children."

     Rigmor: "What about replacing the gold Grelod took, Constance doesn't have anything to provide for the children, and you dumped the last you had into the Temple 'poor box'."

     Iriisii: "I have it covered, don't worry. We will get the children on their way to the school, and see what we can do after that."

     Rigmor: "Ok, fine by me. You must have been thinking about this during breakfast. I know you were paying only a small bit of attention to the Bee and Barb."

    Iriisii: "I knew you were watching for any trouble, so I began working on what to do about the children. Seems Grelod got an early start on changing things up. Actually did us a favor by leaving when she did."

    Rigmor: "All right, explain for me how she did us a favor?"

    Iriisii: "First by disappearing, she implicated herself in with Maven Blackbriar. When we find records and any other evidence of wrongdoing concerning the children, we will more easily be believed. Second, there is no one that is going to put up a fight over our taking them and putting them up in my school. With Grelod gone and Maven arrested, no one is going to want to look the least bit supportive of them. Third, it would be very easy for someone else to take advantage of this situation and grab the children for their own purposes. By our taking them immediately, if someone objected, we know who to look into as an accomplice to Maven, either business or otherwise. But most importantly, it is now easier for us to take responsibility for them and get them somewhere they will be safe."

     Rigmor: "I can agree with everything you said. There are probably more favors she did us, but we can wait to explore those."

     As the two enter the orphanage and the children catch wind they are there, they are instantly mobbed.

     Children: "Look! They came back!" "See, I said they would not forget us!" "Gods above, they came back for us!" "I do not care where Grelod went, we are going with them, hurrah!"

     Iriisii finally get the crowd under control, asking them to gather up any possessions they want to take with them. Constance comes over looking very relieved.

     Constance: "Thank you so much for coming so quickly. Grelod's leaving took all of us by surprise."

     Iriisii: "I sincerely believe she will not be coming back, but we should not waste a moment of this opportunity."

     Constance: "I agree, I have made out the papers transferring responsibility for the children to you, in case someone objects. With Grelod gone, my signature is all that is needed to be legal. If you would sign under mine, we can begin to arrange transport for the children. There are too many for the single carriage  to take..."

     Iriisii: "Do not worry about that, I have arranged for another carriage, and someone to drive it to the school. That way they can all go together, there will also be some guards with them to make sure everyone makes it there safely. I have sent word ahead to the school to expect them, so they will have everything ready for when they arrive. I wish I could be there to see their faces when they see the school for the first time."

     Constance: "I would think it is very beautiful."

     Iriisii: "Indeed it is, but I expect their first meeting with 'Snowdevil' as the guards call him will be quite impressive."

     Constance: "Snowdevil?"

     Iriisii: "A pure, solid white dragon. He guards the school from the larger, more dangerous predators. When I am in residence he likes to perch on top of the house. Honestly, I feel safer there when he does that, I can relax and not worry about things for a while."

     Constance: "He is not a problem then?"

     Iriisii: "Oh no, sometimes I sit outside when he is there with me and we talk. He sees everything going on around for leagues and keeps me informed. I know this is strange, but not all dragons have been enemies to 'man'. Some really just want to be left alone, others have come to see that which we have within us that sets us apart. To us of those they will stop and speak, I have even learned of how to properly speak to them."

     Constance: "How do you speak with them, then?"

     Iriisii: "The 'Elder' always speaks first and sets the direction of the 'tinvaak' or conversation. The Elder is determined by personal power, usually each uses a shout at the other, the stronger one is deemed to be the Elder."

     Constance: "You mean you actually let one 'shout' at you? Is that not dangerous?"

     Iriisii: "To most, yes, it is. I am a special case, first being 'anointed of Akatosh', Father of Dragons', he gave unto me an Ancient Dragonsoul to reside with me. He helps and teaches me, the others feel him inside of me, and act accordingly. Some of course, will challenge me, to gain my knowledge, my power. They do not live long enough to regret their impetuousness."

     Constance: "I see, I think I do anyway."

     Iriisii chuckles, "I can understand. Just remember that they are much like us in that they are not mindless beasts. They think more straight and directly than we do, but they understand our speech. They are driven by their nature more strongly than us, yet some are able to control it like many of us control our desires and habits. Akatosh made them the way they are, and did so for reasons of his own. It is not up to us to change them, but for us to learn to live with them in our world. And by learning this, be better able to live with ourselves."

     Constance: "Now that makes much more sense to me. Well, it looks like the children are ready to go. I will certainly miss them."

     Iriisii: "I can understand, but unfortunately there will be more. But you will now have room for them, and as I also have room, I will accept them in my school. Perhaps one day there will be no more need for orphanages, but there will always be a need for schools. Should such a time catch up to us, I will have a place at my school for you should you wish it. Perhaps even another school placed here in Riften."

     Constance: "I would like that very much."

     Iriisii: "All right, everyone. The carriages are ready just outside the gates. Step outside and do not go running off, we will go through town together. And then you will begin your own grand adventure, who knows perhaps one day some of you will go adventuring with me."

     As the group leaves Honor Hall and make their way toward the front gate, the people everywhere notice and ask their friends and those close by what is going on. A guard from the palace steps out and asks where everyone is heading to.

     Guard: "Hold on just a moment, what is happening here? Where are all of you going to?"

     Child: "We are going to Miss Iriisii's boarding school. It is near Whiterun."

     Guard: Is this true? You are taking all of these children?"

     Iriisii hands over the papers, "Yes I am, these are the papers transferring responsibility for them."

     Guard: "It looks ok to me, but what do I know. The Jarl will want to look these over."

     Iriisii: "Then wait for a few moments, I think she is coming down the steps toward us now."

     As they look that way, they see the Jarl and her entourage coming with her to see what is going on with the children.

     Jarl Laila: "Can someone inform me of what is going on here? Why are these children being guided toward the front gate?"

     Guard: "Here, My Jarl, there are the papers transferring responsibility for the children from Honor Hall to Iriisii Starborn, Thane of Whiterun."

     Jarl Laila: "Would you mind telling me what you intend with these children?"

     Iriisii: "Of course, Jarl Leila, I own a boarding school for orphans just to the west of Whiterun. My school currently has more than enough open seats for each of these children to have one. We provide a secure place to live, plenty of food, an education, a very well stocked library, and later training in any trade they desire to learn. I have plenty of staff on hand, teachers, assistants, guards, cooks, maids, gardeners, stonemasons, a head mistress to see to the day-to-day activities. The children have the main floor, the guards and other staff live in the floor below, I have a private suite on the floor above."

     Jarl Laila: "If I may ask, how do you pay for everything? It must be outrageously expensive to run such a place."

     Iriisii: "I have made my wealth from my adventuring, not just from what I brought out, but taking the weapons and armor of those I bested in battle. I would use my smithing skills to repair and upgrade everything, place some usable enchantments on them, then sell them in the nearby towns. I have acquired more gold than I will likely spend in many years. A few have thought that because I am a woman I must have acquired that gold from dishonest sources. I have been forced to correct such misapprehensions."

     Priestess Dinya: "I can vouch for what the Thane is saying. She and the Lady Mara are on good terms with each other. My Lady considers her to be her Champion and often has work that she needs one like her to accomplish. Thane Starborn, when you have completed your current task, My Lady would ask that you look into a difficult matter in Highrock for her. There is no hurry right now, but when you have dealt with your current problem, she would ask that you take this up afterward."

     Iriisii: "I would be glad to accept that task. When I have dealt with my current problem, I will seek out the problem in High Rock."

     Priestess Dinya: "My Lady will send her messenger to you in Whiterun with further instructions when you are ready."

     Jarl Laila: "As the Lady Mara calls you her Champion, when you can return, I have need of a new Thane myself. I would be honored if you would come and speak to me about taking the position."

     Iriisii: "It would be my honor and pleasure, My Jarl, to serve the good people of Riften."

     A snort, a few chuckles, even more coughing from the crowd gathered back behind floats out as the guards seek to locate the sources of the noise.

     Jarl Laila: "That amulet you have around your neck, I have never seen one like it before."

     Iriisii: "It is an Amulet of Kyne's Hunter. I was given this when I passed the old 'Trials of the Hunt' as were done in the past by those who honored Kyne. I met an old hunter, Froki, by name. He still follows the 'old ways' as they were practiced in the deep past. I asked him if I could undertake the 'Trials' and he acceded to my wishes. I cannot reveal what he had me do, but I had to travel all over Skyrim to find the places he sent me to. When I had completed them all and returned to him. Kyne had told him of my worthiness to bear her Amulet."

     Jarl Laila: "But is Kynareth and Kyne not the same..."

     Iriisii: "In a way, yes. It can be difficult for even scholars to understand. I think it is easier to say they are each different aspects of the same Goddess. Maybe I am right, maybe I am wrong, or perhaps half right. When it comes to those who live in Aetherius, how can we mortals know for certain."

     Jarl Laila: "Indeed, that is certainly true enough. But I have taken enough of your time. You and these new wards of yours I am certain are eager to be on your way. Go and do as your teachers bid you, learn all that you can, and be the best that you can be."

     As Iriisii bows to the Jarl, so to do all of the children. Jarl Laila, returns their bow and asks the blessing of the Divines on them all. Iriisii gathers the children and starts them on the way to the gate once more. As they move through the streets.

     Priestess Dinya: "I know of the relationship you have with Kyne and how far back it goes. Each Dragonborn owes their ability to use the Thu'um to her, and a few, well now perhaps you are the last she calls her Thunderchild. She has more gifts to give to you later as you grow in power. Remember those who stand with you, here on Nirn, as well as those in Aetherius. As you have given to and cared for even these considered the least of all, so shall those above give to you and care for you as their own. Hail to she who is the 'Last Dragonborn of Old', may from you come a new line. To bring the peace and prosperity of the Father to his children here on Nirn, his children both mortal and dragon."

     The priestess Dinya's words echo through Iriisii's mind, and she sees fleeting images and visions of just what could be. 

     Iriisii in a whisper, "I promise that if it is possible for me to do as you desire, Father, so I will do so."

     They go back into the city, to Honor Hall, now quiet as a grave with the children gone.

     Iriisii: "Let us start looking around, see if anything looks out of place, scratches on the floor or walls, something loose that should be tight."

     Rigmor: "But how could anything be like that and no one see it before now? I mean look at how small and open this room is!"

     Iriisii: "I understand, I suspect there is something that Grelod used to hide what she may have kept, then used it to make everyone forget."

     Rigmor: "How do you know?"

     Iriisii: "Constance, how old was Grelod?"

     Constance: "Now that I think of it, she looked far older than she should have. She looked about twice her actual age. What could have done that?"

     Iriisii: "Something I once heard of when I was with the Sinister Seven. Something even they would not touch. It was forbidden to have or use one, if they caught one with it, they were exiled immediately, never to return."

     Rigmor: "What was it? "

     Iriisii: "A 'Hand of Glory'."

     Rigmor: "I have no Idea what that is?"

     Constance: "Neither do I."

     Iriisii: "Then I will say nothing more of it. It is something most foul and dark, a necromantic tool of purest evil. If you encounter a spot that your fingers refuse to touch, that feels like the coldest ice, step back and call me. Do not try to touch it further, unprepared the damage it could do is very hard to heal. Even the Temple of Mara would have difficulty healing any wounds taken from it."

     Rigmor and Constance both agree to do as Iriisii has asked.

     They go over nearly every open inch of Honor Hall and find nothing. Then Constance staggers back from the cupboard where the food supplies are kept. Shaking and holding her right hand, Iriisii hurries to her and examines her hand first.

     Iriisii: "Did your fingers brush anything but the cupboard itself?"

     Constance: "No, as soon as I felt it, I pulled my hand away. It was hard to do, something kept trying to pull my hand toward it."

     Iriisii: "Rigmor, please take Constance to the Temple of Mara, speak only to Dinya. Tell her that Constance was exposed to a 'Glory Hand' and it tried to draw her to where it could possess her. She will know what to do. I would rather you stay there, but I know you too well by now. When you come back, come only as close to me as where you can see me, no closer."

     Rigmor: "What are you going to do?"

     Iriisii: "Get that foul thing out of here. There are ways to do it, and done properly, I will be protected. Still it is not to be undertaken lightly. I will need to prepare for this, Constance, is there any charcoal here?"

     Constance: "Yes, over in the bin by the cookfire pit. But why do you need it?"

     Iriisii: "The less you know the better."

     Rigmor: "Come on, let us get you to the Temple. That hand is not going to heal until we do."

     Rigmor takes Constance, who is cradling her hand, which even now is beginning to turn a light blue. Before she goes out the door, she glances at Iriisii, who is already choosing a fairly large piece of charcoal."

     Rigmor: "Do not start anything until I can get back and watch over you."

     Iriisii: "All I am going to do now is prepare for this. I will not truly begin until you are here. Doing this alone is most definitely not a wise thing to do."

     She steps out into the open center of the main room as Rigmor guides Constance outside. While Rigmor is gone she uses the charcoal to lay out two circles, one in the center for her, the other in front of the cupboard. As she begins to draw in front of the cupboard first, she can feel the 'Hand of Glory' reach out and begin to entice her into laying claim to it. Its tendrils feel cold and sharp as the winds that blow across the ice floes of the Sea of Ghosts in the dead of winter.

     She stops and steps back, rubbing her hands to warm them when the cold became hard enough to affect her drawing. Knowing it cannot have any errors or things could go very wrong, very quickly. Rigmor Walks back in, carrying an Amulet of Protection Dinya gave to her to give to Iriisii.

     Rigmor: "Here, Dinya said to wear this, that it would help you with you need to do."

     As Rigmor hands the Amulet to Iriisii, she brushes her hand.

     Rigmor: "Gods, what in Oblivion?! Your hands are so cold, like ice."

     Rigmor begins to slide her own hands over Iriisii's, the friction helping to restore circulation.

     Rigmor: "I told you to wait until I got back!"

     Iriisii: "I have only started drawing the 'Circles of Protection', nothing more. The more serious parts of this are yet to be started."

     Rigmor: "But if it is this bad now?!"

     Iriisii: "Once the 'Circles' are drawn, I will ask for the help of the Gods. That is when things will get very...difficult."

     Rigmor: "Why is that? Shouldn't it get easier with their help?"

     Iriisii: "Normally yes, this is a special situation. You will be in the center circle protected by the 'Nine'."

     Rigmor: "But what about...oh no you do not. You are not going to be in that 'Circle' close to that hellish thing!"

     Iriisii: "I have to, I am the only one here strong enough to withstand pulling it from its hiding place."

     Rigmor: "But unless I miss my guess, there is more to it than that!"

     Iriisii: "That is why you are here and I will be in the center 'Circle'. You will be the 'Hand of the Gods' laying their 'blessing of protection' over me while I...while I enact the summoning."

     Rigmor: "And just what are you going to be summoning? And why?"

     Iriisii: "Because only the one who makes the 'Hand of Glory' can touch it with impunity, when they use it is when the danger comes as the 'Hand' requires a part of their 'lifeforce' to perform its unholy task. Anyone else must use a proxy, and the proxy must be as strong or stronger that the 'Hand' itself."

     Rigmor: "I do not understand. Why is this thing so strong, then?"

     Iriisii: "As the user calls upon it, each time, it takes a little more of the user's life. It changes that 'life' into something..., I am sorry, I do not know how to explain it so that you can understand. Just believe me when I say that it can grow very powerful depending on how long and how many times it is called into use. I have never heard of one this strong that has not already consumed the soul of its maker, and so crumbled into dust upon doing so. There is something about this one that is different."

     Rigmor: What are you planning on doing about it if it is so strong?"

     Iriisii: "I intend to summon a entity to stand between it and me. One that is capable of handling it."

     Rigmor: "What do you want to do with it?"

     Iriisii: "Destroy it."

     Rigmor: "Finally we are getting somewhere. How do you intend to destroy it?"

     Iriisii: "That is a good question, I do not know enough about this particular artifact to know what can do the job. That is in part why I want do this summoning. To bring something here both powerful enough to handle it, and learned enough to know how it can be destroyed."

     Rigmor: "I am assuming since this thing is both dark and evil, then what you would summon must also be dark and evil. In that case what is to stop it from claiming and using it?"

     Iriisii: "It would feed from them as well, until it took all they have to give. Even those dark and evil have a sense of self preservation, of personal survival. Not to mention, any not of sufficient power would be challenged for possession of it. It would be worn down by the cost of meeting these challenges until the artifact consumed the holder and it starts all over again."

     Rigmor: "If all this is true how did Grelod hold it for so long?"

     Iriisii: "She had protection from what source I do not know. But I do know she had very strong protection. The traces of it are still here. It was probably in the form of an Amulet or Ring that she wore and took with her when she left."

     Rigmor: "All right, do you know who or what you need to summon?"

     Iriisii: "I am considering that right now. It must be powerful enough to withstand this artifact's pull, and learned enough to want to destroy the thing rather than chance falling to it. Not to mention knowing who created it and how to destroy it. All this is going to be a task in itself, but thankfully there are not too many who fit the qualifications. I am probably going to start with asking my Dragonsoul if he has any ideas of who could do this. But first it would be wise to finish the 'Circles'."

     Rigmor: "That much I can agree with, the rest I will take up as it happens. Mostly because I do not understand a lot of this as well as you seem to. But the sooner we get this done the sooner we move on."

     They finish the 'Circles of Protection' and Rigmor comments on how intricate they are compared to other summoning circles she has seen.

     Iriisii: "The more powerful the entity you summon the greater the degree of protection there must be to be effective. It is no good to use a lesser 'Circle' if what you summon can stride right out and grab you. Also the greater the 'Circle' the one you summon will know your intent and knowledge level. They will be more likely to respect you and listen to what you have to say. They are not all ravening beasts bent on destruction and mayhem. The higher ones can be just as erudite and circumspect as any diplomat. Keep that in mind if you ever need to talk to one, and do not strike a bargain unless you know exactly what you want to gain and what you are willing to pay, then lock it down with no wiggle room, even then expect to have gotten the raw end of the deal."

     Rigmor: "Then why are you doing this?"

     Iriisii: "Because there is no other way. I cannot leave this thing sitting around. Think of what could happen if Ulfric could get his hands on it. Or any of the nobles that would love to sit on the throne in Cyrodiil, or even worse, if the Thalmor should get a hand on it. If I tried to use it for 'good', I would find that as time went on it would bend me to its will rather than it to mine. No, it must be destroyed, somehow whatever the price, it must be destroyed."

     Rigmor: "When you put it like that, I can see your point. Ok, how do we go about finding the one we need to summon."

     Iriisii: "We start like this."

     And Iriisii carefully places herself in the 'Circle' in the center of the room, kneels in the open space in the center of the 'Circle' and slips into a meditation mind state. Within herself she calls out to her Dragon Soul and politely asks for his help.

     First Dragon: "I am always ready to assist you, but I thank you for the courtesy you show me. I have been listening and giving thought to what you need. I believe I know of one who would help you, and if that thing was created by who I think it was, my choice will help without too outrageous a payment asked. Might possibly do it just to get back at the creator."

     Iriisii: "You seem very certain of this choice, any particular reason?"

     First Dragon: "It is someone I heard of long ago but never met. I do know of the circumstances of her birth and so understand the strength of her desires for revenge against he who made her. If you should decide to summon her, let her discover for herself who created that travesty. She will be more amenable to doing as you ask if she knows it is made by who I suspect. Also if you do not know what he is called by, there can be no ulterior motive in summoning the one I will suggest."

     Iriisii: "How can I summon her if I do not know her name?"

     First Dragon: "It is ancient history deep in your mind. I will help you summon her and so I will bear any animosity rather than you. I can take it very well, you are not so far along as to be able to, yet, one day you will be, just not today."

     Iriisii: "How are we to summon her? How is it you are to help me?"

     First Dragon: "Because you are fluent in the use of the 'voice', we can both speak at the same time. Myself in Draconic, you in Dovahzul. The two will complement and strengthen the power in each voice. She will come, do not worry about that. Now we must work out the exact wording of the summoning. The intent of both of us must match our voices. Think of this as the beginning of a whole new school of the 'voice'.

     The Greybeards spoke all four as one in greeting you, but they all used Dovahzul. We will both be using dragon languages, but Draconic is far older than Dovahzul. Draconic is almost as old as Existence itself, Dovahzul is not even a child to compare them. But in your 'voice', Dovahzul is powerful enough to do this now. Later as you grow even more, it will become able to reach anywhere you can imagine or desire. And Draconic in your 'voice' can be either a devastating weapon or..."

     Iriisii: "Or what?"

     First Dragon: "The very Song of Creation itself."

     Iriisii: "Then we need to work on the wording. Listen to me here in my mind, then we will go over it until we are both satisfied with what it says."

     Come to our deep desires          Meyz wa mu ko un lassdilokke     Confn ekess hesi bekiw uclaric

     Listen to our voices                   hon wa un zulle                             vram ekess hesi ivahi

     Hear the words of our souls       hon faal rotte do un sille               nymuer wer lexri di hesi seoylic

     You know we seek you              hi mindok mu yah hi                     wux vucot yth sweekmon wux

     Time is quiet as we speak         tiid los drem ol mu zul                   tairais ui japachi lae yth renthisj

     Far is as near to us                    gut los ol ni gut wa mu                  grover ui lae leirith ekess udoka

     As we wish it to be                   ol mu laan nii wa kos                     lae yth huven coi ekess qe

     A boon we seek from you         aan boon mu yah nol hi                 vi boon yth sweekmon de wux

     Come unto our voices              meyz wa un zulle                           confn ekess hesi ivahi

     Come to us, Desidarius            meyz wa mu, Desidarius                confn ekess udoka, Desidarius

     From the ageless of depths        nol tu'um se okazze                      de wer grapwolic di bekifi

     From the darkest of nights        nol faal vul do vulonne                 de wer throdenilti whedab di                                                                                                                         thurkeari

     From the deepest of shadows    nol tu'um faal vokunne                 de wer bekiwilti di sjachi

     Come to us Desidarius             meyz wa mu Desidarius                 confn ekess udoka Desidarius

     All three of them hear the deep rumbling of the summoning as it rolls out into first Nirn, then Mundus, then outside. Through the Void, the Abyss, the High Heavens, the Dark Hells, shaking with the force of its speakers voices. Mortals hear it as thunder, as they look but see no rolling storms. Gods hear it and understand it, then sigh in relief that it is not directed to them. Demons hear it, quivering and quaking, not knowing if the one it calls is asleep or awake, just knowing that the name of Desidarius is feared almost above all others within their Realm. The Angelics gather and look for where this came from, for who would summon 'her', the greatest and darkest of the Fallen Aasimar? And when it reaches the ears of its intended, its message tantalizes her. For she knows who spoke it, and also knows it bespeaks power nigh unmatched and relentless in its scope, but still in its infancy. If she can find a way to help guide it, teach it to be what it could become, then to join with its bearer. They could become something truly to be feared and respected in all quarters of Time, Space, and Existence. 

     She traces the path of the summoning back to Nirn, to the town of Riften, to Honor Hall. And as she approaches , she feels something there with those who called her. Yes, that must be why they call her. And then she feels who made it, and the dark desire of vengeance, fills her heart. Not toward the ones calling her, no, for they are helping her in finding 'he' who she wants so badly to devour. As she approaches Honor Hall through the other side of reality, she can see the object 'he ' made in his obscene youth. She recognizes what it is and what it can do. She notes that Iriisii made the smart move of not getting close to it, but rather casting protective radicals to disrupt it power flows, leaving it in its cocoon, and seeking help from the Soul of the First Dragon of Destiny, her Dragonsoul. She remembers the Draconic language she learned not long after she fell, and notes she and her Dragonsoul have learned how to combine their talents, making them a great deal more formidable. She thinks to herself, one day she will be mine, and I will be hers. It will take time, that is for certain, but we both have the time to wait until the forces align for us both.

     In Honor Hall, the area that holds the second Protective Circle shudders as the Circle opens to allow Desidarius entrance into Mundus. She rises from the open black portal, her form as beautiful and enticing as ever. She glances at the 'Hand of Glory' still wrapped in its cocoon, behind the sealed stone brick that the cupboard sits in front of. Then she reads the traces of the building, discovering what its prior use was, knows why Iriisii chose this way to deal with the problem.

     Desidarius: "I do so enjoy seeing you again."

     Iriisii; "If you say so, I however have no memory of any prior encounters."

     Desidarius: "Yes, I do understand why. Those memories will be forthcoming and returned to you soon. But to the business at hand. I know why you called, and you are correct that I am interested in what has been hidden here. My question to you is this, what do you want done with it?"

     Iriisii: "I wish it to be destroyed. It is too powerful on its own, any but the most powerful taking possession of it, would call every lesser being to attempt to wrest it away. And if the taker used it, they would continue until they were consumed by it. Then the process begins all over again with the next one to lay hands on it."

     Desidarius: "You do have the right of it. And your guess as to its maker is correct as well, and my personal reaction too. I too would want to see it destroyed. The question now is are you willing to do what is necessary to do that?"

     Iriisii: "What needs to be done?"

     Desidarius: "We would have to take a little trip to the one place close enough for us to reach that can accomplish what you want. Sadly even dragonfire will not extinguish the unholy light of this 'Hand'. It is going to take something stronger."

     Rigmor asks from her place of safety, "What is stronger than dragonfire?"

     Desidarius: "A primal rift, very few of them left around and there locations are guarded by the most dangerous...well the things guarding them are so old, their names have been forgotten. They do not remember why they guard them, only that they must. Fortunately, the ones who set the guards are also gone long ago, so we must only get past the guards."

     Iriisii: "Why are these rifts the only things that can destroy the 'Hand'?"

     Desidarius: "Not the rifts themselves, but where the rifts open to, that is what can destroy the 'Hand'. The closest one is in the area where I was first banished to after I fell. After I was dropped in there, only by reaching near the rift, was I able to evade those who wanted to make me theirs, and I learned to find and use things left there from others who came to the rifts only to lose their lives to the guards. Learning to evade the guards and later learning to survive there meant I could survive nearly anywhere. But you must decide whether or not to go with me. It would be easier for both of us to do this, and you would be able to make certain it is destroyed. Not to mention what may be laying around the area for the taking. We have an hour or so for you to discuss this with your companion. Just let me know when you are ready."

      Rigmor: "Ok, I do not know why I am not putting my foot down about this. If you are dead set on going then I will not object, but I am going with you, and this is not negotiable."

     Desidarius: "She is your responsibility to keep safe, not mine. I will warn you of appropriate dangers along the way. It is on you to see that she responds accordingly."

     The First Dragon, Shivista, and Darkstar tell Iriisii that they will do what is needed to keep Rigmor safe. When Iriisii asks how they can do that from within her body, the First Dragon replies to her concerns.

     First Dragon: 'In the places where we will be going, the physical laws are more flexible than they are here. As we approach the 'Rift', they will grow even more flexible, to the point where almost anything imaginable can be done, created, changed, molded. The only determining factor is your strength of will. The power to use that will is secondary, but still important. But even that can be overcome if your 'will' is strong enough and your imagination great enough. You must however, be strong enough not to be ensnared by your own creations.'

     Desidarius: "The First Dragon of Destiny is eminently correct. Even I keep my own desires and wishes under tight control when I am near a 'Rift'. And if at all possible I do not go near them, for it only takes a single stray thought to create havoc, either around you or within you. To the point where you are trapped in a prison of your own making. A gilded prison to be sure, but a prison nonetheless. Now let us be gone from here."

     Desidarius gathers Iriisii and Rigmor to herself and they float downward into the portal she arrived from. There first stop is a world of dark foliage, deep shaded moons immersed in a band of floating rock reflecting the light from those moons. As they stand watching the celestial dance move to a music of its own making, they see occasional meteors light up the sky with bright streaks of different colored lights.

     Desidarius: "Come, watch the meteor streaks. If any survive and grow close, sing out, you do not want to be standing if one should hit the ground near you."

     Rigmor: "How close is too close?"

     Suddenly a roar is heard rumbling and echoing across the forest. The wind picks up and blows the tree tops, making them sway back and forth. Then a very bright light comes streaking across above them and continues on until it hits the ground well ahead of them. The light from the hit glows red in the distance, a large red circular glow, but the top of the glow no more than a degree or two above the horizon.

     Desidarius: "That one is not too close, but is on the edge of being too close. A hit any closer and we would be trying to crawl underground to escape the force wind that would echo from its landing. Luckily our next portal is close by, we will have a few hours to wait until it opens."

     Rigmor: "So these portals open and close by their own or what?"

     Desidarius: "That is the prevailing theory. No one is for certain if it is true or not. And no this is not how I came when I was summoned. A summoning creates a direct path from the one being summoned to where the summoning is intoned. Otherwise, to travel the Realms, one must make use of these other portals, or know how to create a direct portal. And before you ask, I can create direct portals, but only to places I have been before, and you do want to be careful about creating those. If things have changed too much since you were last there, you could end up in the middle of a pitched battle, an open crevasse that could be leagues deep, any number of dangerous and deadly changes. I have not survived this long here without learning what to do to lessen the chances of a misstep."

     They crest the top of a hill, in time to see the red glow from where the meteorite hit begin to expand and grow stronger.

     Desidarius: "Keep watch on that and see what direction it is going in. Any direction but straight toward us is fine. The heat of its arrival has caused the underbrush there to ignite and burn. The fire is then causing the trees to ignite once they grow hot enough from the burning underbrush. With any luck, we will be gone when it makes its way here. And no, if it comes toward us we will not wait. The fire will poison the air and kill us well before the heat of the fire will reach us. You might also look for the trails of animals fleeing the fire. They will tell you what direction the fire is traveling."

     Rigmor: "How is it that you know so much about all of this?"

     Iriisii: "Because she has survived here for thousands of years. To do that one would have to learn and remember all of these little facts in order not to be caught unawares. These kinds of things follow a recognizable pattern and can be anticipated, dealing with the inhabitants of these worlds is another thing altogether."

     Desidarius nods her head to Iriisii in agreement. The shadows that move and flicker across her face, caused by the light of the moons impacting her long, flowing locks of hair. Partially obscuring then revealing her face as her hair moves in the rising warm breeze coming from the burning forest. The scent of the burning trees wafting its way ahead giving warning of what is coming, and at the same time delicately asking any who partake of the scent to stay and greet the warmth as it comes to greet them. Iriisii wonders if this is for her benefit or if it is just naturally occurring. Desidarius is nothing if not patient, if she really wants something or someone, she is more than willing to wait as long as it takes to acquire them.

      Desidarius: "It will be close, but the portal will open before it get too dangerous to wait here. Keep a close watch on Rigmor and do not allow her to drowse. If you do, you will have to pick her up and carry her through the portal. The scent on the wind is created from the sap of the trees burning and being released. It is mixing with vines that grow on the trunks of those trees, making a soporific compound being spread by the winds."

     Rigmor: "What is 'soporific'?"

     Iriisii: "It means that it makes you drowsy and want to sleep. Like a dart dipped in Sleeping Tree Sap will do once it is refined. But here if you go to sleep, you will not wake up again. First you will suffocate as the air becomes poisonous, and then your body will be burnt to ash when the fire reaches you."

     Desidarius: "Just so. When the animals running for safety start coming in this direction, we will need to watch them closely. They should just pass us by in their haste to get away from the fire, but there are a few I cannot be certain that is what they will do. So be ready to fight if it comes to it."

     Iriisii: "What about natives? Are there any close enough to be affected?"

     Desidarius: "There should not be, but again nothing is certain here. Be alert to anything happening, I feel something on the winds. A particular saying I heard on a remote world is coming to mind. If it is doing so it is because it is resonating with this situation, and that is not good for us."

     Iriisii: "What is this saying?"

     Desidarius: "'By the pricking of my thumb, something wicked this way comes'. For my senses to call whatever it is 'wicked', it will be dangerous and evil to say the least. Perhaps it came on the meteor, or perhaps it was awakened by the strike. It matters not for in the end we will either have to face it or we will be able to leave before it gets here. I am hoping for the latter."

     Iriisii: "Whichever way it is, we will be ready. If needed is there another path through a different portal that we can take?"

     Desidarius: "If we have to fight and are delayed, yes, there is another path. But it has its own dangers, quite different from these we face now."

     Rigmor yawns, "What is different about this other path?"

     Desidarius: "It is in a populated area, a major city, one of only a few on this world. A city you would consider to be full of the most hideous depravities."

     Rigmor: "And you would not?"

     Desidarius: "I may be a Fallen Aasimar, but there are depths even one such as I will not go into. And that city is one of them. Should we have to go there, guard her that she not be enticed into joining anything in there. If she does we will likely not be able to get her out, not without laying waste to the entire city and all within. And that would attract attention we do not need with this thing we carry."