The Story Of Iriisii Dovahkiin Book One Chapter Eighteen

 The Story Of Iriisii Dovahkiin Book One Chapter Eighteen

                                                              Chapter Eighteen

     Staying far enough away not to be detected, but still close enough to jump in and intervene if needed, is not an easy task. Yet they do manage it. Catching brief glimpses of mosaics, tapestries, statuary, and committing all they see to memory to go back later and relive what they saw. Iriisii reads the history of the Blade Dancers, realizing they were once far more than what they are today, and giving herself a goal of maybe bringing them back to what they once were. And surprisingly there were scenes of the most powerful clans of the Aasimar, and the stories that were recorded of their deeds. But most important to her, is that her return to the 'Great Balance' is a return to where they started and somewhere along the way lost their path. And she thinks deep in her heart and soul, that if the Aasimar and the Blade Dancers could be brought together, what could they accomplish following the 'Balance'? Then it all comes to a jarring halt as the group ahead of them comes to a stop.

     Iriisii: "Stay down low and quiet, I will get closer and see what is going on. Listen for me, if I yell, come on the run."

     She then slides into stealth and fades into the wavering air. She get as close as she dares, noticing these men are standing as if transfixed by what they see, and then she sees it and almost wishes she had not. Somehow she sees this in its entirety, even though it covers an area several hundred feet in diameter. In the center is the Rift, a wavering field of energy, of swirling colors and blinding intensity. A white chalcedony archway surrounding and encompassing the Rift, keeping it stable and held in place. The archway, and the lettering engraved into its surface, some kind of flowing runes, now twisted and changed. Engraved into the floor is what appears to be a giant pentagram, but this one has nine points instead of five, with a small stone pillar at each point. On top of each pillar is a cradle holding a scroll. Each scroll is different from the other. But nothing out of the ordinary, no gem encrusted cases, no exotic materials, so they all do seem to have impeccable craftsmanship in their making. They do all seem to be gathering power leaking from the Rift, sending it around the ring of scrolls. And in a second ring further out from the scroll ring is a ring of monoliths, each one connected to a scroll bearing pillar by an engraved channel of inlaid crystal. The power being redirected from the scroll ring and sent down the channels to the monoliths. This is where the greater Monoliths outside the Temple were getting the power running through them from. And somehow the power out here is shifted and being fed back toward the Rift, where a 'balance' between the two is being created, and the Rift held in check. And somewhere in the midst of all of this, she feels the very force of Creation itself, that which the Ancient Blade Dancers called 'Soulfire' is present everywhere. She then realizes the Rift is a conduit beginning in the Mirror Existence, passing through the Soulfire between the Existences, and breaching into this Existence, being controlled by the construct in front of her. And she has no choice but to stop the mage from disturbing any of the scrolls.

     Before she can do anything else, she notices a glistening shimmer form around each member of the group with the exception of the mage, yet he still seems to be enthralled. The shimmer grows brighter and higher, until none of the group can be seen within it. Then it vanishes, and the mage's companions with it. Where they are, what condition are they now in? Iriisii cannot hazard even a guess, and she doubts the mage knows either from his reaction to his missing compatriots. Oh well, she thinks, no time like the present. She shifts out of stealth and slowly walks toward him, when he finally notices her presence.

     Temussin: "Who are you?! What did you do with the others?"

     Iriisii: "No introductions first? My how rude. But no matter, I am Iriisii Dovahkiin, and you are?"

     Temussin: "Do not play games with me, whatever you are, just tell me what you did with my companions?"

     Iriisii: "I did nothing with them."

     Temussin: "Do you expect me believe that? You are the only other living being here besides me and I know I did nothing with them."

     Iriisii: "Are you so sure you are the only other living being here? Life takes many different and varied forms, many of them the uninitiated would never realize were alive at all. And if I am certain of one thing it is that I have seen only a infinitesimal fraction of the many life forms that exist in our Existence, and none at all in the Existence on the other side of that Rift."

     Temussin jerks his head around to look at the Rift.

     Temussin: "Wha...that was not there before! What do you know about what is going on?"

     Iriisii: "I came here for a completely different purpose that what you came for. It was upon overhearing you intended to acquire one of these scrolls, and that you were traveling in the same direction I was, that I followed to see what particular scroll you were to acquire. When I realized what their purpose was, I knew I could not allow them to be disturbed."

     Temussin: "And why should I believe anything you say?"

     The First Dragon of Destiny takes over her voice, sensing that information needs to be revealed that Iriisii is not ready for yet.

     First Dragon of Destiny: "Because she knows far more of what is happening here than you do. Also because this Temple was once home to the Holy Order of the Blade Dancers, of which she is a high ranking member of their Temple on her homeworld. She is a Dovahkiin as well, the most capable of not only surviving here, but getting us all out alive. And because she is also Aasimar. One of the very few now who serve the Great Balance, where in their very oldest beginnings that was their strongest belief. And so she makes no distinction between 'light' and 'dark', which is why you are still standing with your head on your shoulders."

     I sense someone else behind her voice, who are you?"

     First Dragon: "I am her Dragonsoul, I was once the First Dragon of Destiny."

     Temussin: "Then those old stories that led me to that ruined temple were true! I saw the runes covering the walls but could not read them."

     First Dragon: "They are the written form of Draconic. Iriisii is learning how to speak and write them from me."

     Temussin: "There were four altars in there, not one. What of the other three?"

     First Dragon: "The souls of the others sleep still. Soon they will awake and seek the hosts that are being prepared."

     Temussin: "But for the four of you to return, what happens that you are being sent back?"

     First Dragon: "You have a sharp mind to leap to correct conclusions on scant information, much like my host, Iriisii. Very well, you are already on the correct track to the truth. Existence is unbalanced and tilted toward Absolute Evil. It is not yet irreversible, but nears that point. All other attempts to correct it have failed, but there is still time for one last attempt. All stops are being pulled away, nothing is being held back. All the efforts are being pinned on this one before you. She is not yet aware of this, though she sees signs of it and so is disturbed by what she sees."

     Temussin: "What is it that caused this to come about?"

     First Dragon: "There are other Rifts like this one, although they are not guarded and balanced as this one is. Magic and Words of Enunciation have trickled across and as time has moved on, have embedded themselves in this reality. Building until the 'balance' became disrupted."

     Temussin: "Yet I am of the 'Dark', why trust me with this?"

     First Dragon: "Your existence is threatened as is that of all others on both sides of this Rift. You are of the 'Dark' but not 'Absolute Evil'. She can and will work with you, reason with you, to convince you that even touching anything in this area would have repercussions the likes of which would make the 'Blood Wars' of the Abyss look like a children's scuffle in a school playground."

     Temussin: "Then what is all of this for, and what does it have to do with that within the archway?"

     First Dragon: "Briefly, that within the Archway is a Outer Rift between our Existence and its 'Mirror'. All that you see here is to siphon off a part of the energies that are leaking from it. Send it through the Arcane Construct, shifting its vibratory phase until it is exactly opposite, then sending it back to the Rift to counter the emanations leaking from the far side. Thus it maintains an equilibrium between the two, so that they stay in balance and one does not intrude into the other with both being destroyed."

     Temussin: "That actually makes sense. That is truly a Rift, I will concede that much. But cannot they who built this place do the same for the others?"

     First Dragon: "Once they lived here as any others of the Gods. Yet they rose above their fellows and went apart to save Existence collapsing due to the imbalance of power had they remained. No one else remains that can build another construct like this one. Yet even that may just become possible if the correct path is taken. Tools have been created over time, that if brought together and used with the knowledge and strength of will, could be used to do as was done here. For simply closing the Rifts will not correct the issue, for they can simply be reopened in another place."

     Temussin feels the shift in who is speaking in Iriisii's body and changes the course of his conversation.

     Temussin: "Although I have only your word as to what is on the other side, this has obviously been meticulously constructed to keep both isolated. Thus doing anything to upset its operation would be very dangerous. But my employer is not known to take failure lightly, and if he should see it as betrayal, his reaction would very much worse. This puts me in a quandary, or more like a rock and a hard place."

     Iriisii: "I understand your position, so I will make you an offer. In return for your forbearance in this matter, I will offer you a position with me. I will stand for your protection and livelihood for as long as you stay with me. I have houses scattered across my homeland  that you can stay, and I hold positions of authority in many of the provincial capitals. I am always traveling to many places and could sometimes use the skills of a good mage. If you prefer I also have a boarding school for orphans, and I lack a magic teacher for those who wish to learn the Art. I would then teach you Dovahzul, the language the dragons of my world speak. The ones who help guard my school would like to have another to hold tinvaak with, your experiences being quite different from theirs, both could learn a great deal from each other."

     Temussin: "You know how to speak with dragons?"

     Shivista: "She is Dovahkiin, Dragonborn in the common tongue. The head of the Nine, Akatosh, God of Time and Dragons, anointed her and gave her an ancient Dragonsoul to live within her, so as to awaken the abilities that dragons share and give her those same abilities. It has been said that she may be the last to be called, but if so, she will also be the greatest to have ever lived. You should also know that the Gods who exist outside Mundus have their fingers on her destiny as well. So that when Akatosh is finished with her, she will not just fade into the mist of time and history. No, a whole new chapter in her life will open and begin. And those who stand and walk her path with her, will go with her, for as long and as far as they wish to go. Their life and deeds will be remembered by uncounted numbers, in the places they will go, things they will do, entities they will meet. I have lived a very long time, and so I know somewhat of what lies ahead on her road. You would be a valuable addition to her following, and she can teach you things you cannot learn elsewhere. Power will be there for you to gain and she can teach you what you must do to reach out and make it a part of you."

     Temussin whirls around and sees the others now spaced out behind him, waiting to see what instructions Iriisii is going to issue as regards his fate.

     Iriisii: "One question, if you please."

     Temussin: "Ask."

     Iriisii: "How did you get past the guardians?"

     Temussin: "What guardians, we were ported right to the Temple's edge."

     Iriisii: "Osaquen?!"

     Osaquen sets himself to listen for the two groups he had previously listened for.

     Osaquen: "They are together now, about twenty-six left out of two hundred. They are at the edge of the Temple now. The guardians are at the inside edge of their areas, and the inhabitants are standing around them, unwilling or unable to continue further."

     Iriisii: "This I did not anticipate, there being a third group with an unrelated purpose. But now it is up to us to deal with the one combined now heading this way. I think it best if we get started on thr reason we came. At least in that we can deny the others their goal."

     Desidarius: "Where do we start?"

     Iriisii: "Take the 'Hand' and hold it close to the Rift. I must open a small access in it and then we can see to the destruction of the 'Hand' and the release of your son's soul from it. No one touch anything here, it is all working together to 'balance' this Rift, and thus keeping it sealed."

     Rigmor: "But you plan on opening it, feeding it an artifact of tremendous power. Would that not threaten the stability of it?"

     Iriisii: "No, it will not. The system in place here is designed to handle much more. Besides if done correctly there will be no harm. When something like the 'Hand' is created, there is always a way to undo it. You simply need to do it correctly, and that knowledge was in fact placed here for just such occurrences."

     Rigmor: "I do not understand."

     Iriisii: "The ancient Blade Dancers knew that from time to time, artifacts too dangerous to be allowed to continue to exist would need to be safely destroyed. And so they made allowances with the assistance of the Ageless Ones, for a way to do just that. The instructions are keyed to a Blade Dancer, so that it would take one to know what to do, how to do it, and do it safely. For me the instructions are written everywhere here in this area, anyone else will not even recognize them as writing."

     Temussin: "Of course! That is why all of the markings everywhere here seem to waver in and out of sight. They obviously meant something, but no one can see them for long enough to make any sense of them."

     Iriisii: "Shivista, I will need you and Desidarius to help me. Desidarius, your tie to the 'Hand' is the strongest, you will need to hold it for this ritual. Shivista, you will work with me to open and hold the Rift steady. Temussin, I would ask that you stand with Rigmor and Osaquen, should those still chasing us appear and attempt to intervene, you have permission to use any and all means to stop them."

     Temussin: "I understand and will obey."

     All go to there appointed places. Iriisii and Shivista stand with Desidarius between them, facing the twisted form of the Chalcedony Archway. Iriisii and Shivista both slowly and carefully place their hands on the sides of the Archway. The gentle hum of power rises until all in the area can hear it.

     Iriisii: "Stand and hold, this will take some time. We must get it right the first time, there will be no repeating this. The one who created this should not appear, should not be able to get this close, but do not underestimate his ability to effect things from afar. I suspect he will mask his Aetherial presence in those coming to us to stop us. Stop his agents and we stop 'him'. He will not risk his physical form by coming here."

     Rigmor: "How do you know this of 'him'? We never even knew of his existence before coming here."

     Iriisii: "My Dragonsoul knows of 'him' from the past, knows his foul taint, and his even fouler reputation. 'He' may attempt to speak with us through one of his agents. Be on your utmost guard for he can be most persuasive. Yet his bargains are always one-sided, 'his' side. And the cost of them is always the soul of the fool who accepts 'his' bargains."

     Shivista: "I also am acquainted with 'him'. The words of Iriisii and the First Dragon of Destiny are true, and they barely scratch the surface of 'his' perfidy. Any who would do what 'he' did to Desidarius, deserves all the retribution that can be dropped upon 'him'."

     Desidarius: "Thank you, Shivista, and may I be present when his past finally catches 'him' in its claws!"

     Osaquen: "They are moving faster than they should be able to. But I am sure if you move quickly, you can destroy the Relic before they arrive."

     Iriisii: "Starting now!"

     Iriisii links with Shivista to begin a pinpoint access directly in the center of the Rift. They both monitor and compare the ripples within the Rift as they open the access further. Desidarius is holding the Hand of Glory, and feels it tremble in her hands, almost as if it is aware of the purpose of the ritual being performed. She thinks that maybe it is at that. For any power 'he' placed inside it will soon be forever lost to 'him'. She hears Iriisii and Shivista both speaking in a language she does not know, but can only surmise is Archaic Aasimar. She feels the power thrumming in each word, no wonder the Aasimar are looked upon with both awe and trepidation if this is what they can reach for when they call to the Gods who once 'touched' them.

     She can visibly see the access point growing ever larger. And then she feels Iriisii and Shivista change the tempo of their invocation, and begin to sing. The song pierces her to her very soul. Was this a part of the 'Song of Creation'? No, but a distant memory of it nonetheless. If a fragment of a distant memory can hold this much sheer power, what did the 'Song' hold when it was first sung? She feels the terror that the 'Hand' holds for what is happening. For now it knows that its ending is near.

     If these here can call and hold such power, at some point in their ancestral past, the Ageless Ones had to have 'touched' them. And possibly who else later down the line did the same, and now they are melding the lines of power within themselves. Setting themselves up to become something greater than the sum of their parts once they have reached the points of their separate 'Gestalts'. What is in store for them as they reach for their pinnacles? And should she hang on to one of them, where would that one take her? Who would she become? What would she become? She decides she does not really care, because her emotions and reactions have made her choice for her. Then the moment comes, even as she hears the sounds of battle off in the distance, this moment is hers.

     Iriisii: "Now, sweet Desidarius, give the Relic to the Rift, and ask for the soul of your son in return!"

     Desidarius doesn't think about what she has been asked to do, or what will come afterward. She just does as she has been instructed. As her hands reach forth with the Relic in her hands, she feels the power of her maker reach for her. As the fear rises in her, she feels one hand from Iriisii and one from Shivista, each gently laid on opposite arms. Then the power she heard in the 'Song' flows through her, purging 'His' influence from her, restoring the strength she had felt ebbing away.

     She then feels her hands, Relic held within them, entering the Rift. Feeling the power of the Rift pulling on the Relic, she releases it, asking in all humbleness for the soul of her son trapped inside it. Then as she senses something within the Rift smile at her request, she knows what is now flowing into her is indeed the soul of her son. She feels her hands being drawn out of the Rift, and guided over to the side away from it, even as Iriisii and Shivista work to close the Rift. When she realizes that, she looks to see who guided her away and sees a shining figure. The most marvelous figure she has ever seen.

     Talesen: "Hello, mother. It is so good to see you again. You are just as I remembered you."

     Desidarius: "Talesen, is it really you?"

     Talesen: "Yes, it is. I am so glad you found this path out of all the possible ones you could have chosen. For it led you to me, and to your own future redemption."

     Desidarius: "My redemption will take care of itself when its time comes, but to see you once more is the goal of my heart at this time. However I do need to speak with you before your father realizes you are free."

     Talesen: "I understand, I too wondered if you had a plan to keep him at bay, for I do not wish for you to suffer his wrath once again for my sake."

     Desidarius: "Do not worry about that, my son. We have a plan that will put you where 'he' cannot touch or influence anyone else to harm you."

     Talesen: "Tell me what you have found out, mother."

     Desidarius: "One of my companions, Iriisii Dovahkiin, has the 'ear' of 'Death' himself. She will call upon him to come and take you to the Final Gate, and take you through it to the 'Great Beyond' on the other side."

     Talesen: "The 'Great Beyond', I have heard whispers of it. A place where no god may pass over to. A place where those with no afterlife here can go to and find a new life, a new destiny. I can take it that she whose aura is so blinding is she called Iriisii Dovahkiin?"

     Desidarius: "I cannot see her 'aura', that is something only the dead may see. You say it is blinding?"

     Talesen: "Yes, brighter even than the sun it is. It is no wonder that 'Death' hears her voice, she is destined for far more than any here can imagine. And among just a few of her paths ahead, I see glimpses of you, my mother. You are important to her future now, and will be even more later. Take the paths less trodden, until you see the one that calls to you. Take that one and do not look back, when on that path, always look forward and we will meet once more when it is your turn to enter the 'Great Beyond'."

     Desidarius: "You can see that far ahead?"

     Talesen: "Only down that one path, I do not understand much that I see, but this I do see. The two of you will be together, there will be others as well, but you will be there and she will want you there with her."

     Desidarius: "Thank you, my son. Now we must send you on your way, so that 'he' will not have a chance to intervene."

     They hear a quietness fall over the area as Iriisii walks to them. Iriisii feels it and looks around to where she senses 'Death's' approach. 

     Iriisii: "He comes and will be here soon. I am pleased to greet thee, Talesen, son of Desidarius."

     Talesen: "You are of the same clan as my mother, separated by many centuries, but still of the same clan. I am honored to call you kin, but I see something strange. You were once 'scourge' but now follow a different trail, one even older than what we know but with a familiar feel to it."

     Iriisii: "I serve the 'Great Balance', for I have been where I could learn of it and know it was the trail we all once sought after, and somehow lost our way. I have found it once more and pledged myself to its teachings."

     Talesen: "Then I am doubly honored to know you and claim kinship with you."

     Iriisii: "The honor is mine."

     Iriisii turns to the side away from Talesen.

     To a vague shadow, wavering there, she bows.

     Iriisii: "Lord Death, I greet thee for coming to hear my plea."

     Death: "It is no bother, my daughter. We have traveled together for so long, I am coming to look upon you as I do my sister."

     Iriisii: "I wish I had more time to hold tinvaak, but I have one who needs to travel quickly, before his father discovers he is free."

     Death looks Talesen over.

     Death: "I see what you mean. I will be glad to do this for you, to help you and to discomfit his father. I truly wish I could escort his father to a special place just for 'him', but alas he is beyond my reach. There is hope for the future though, that at a time not too long from now, he will cross one known to me and that one will be his true nemesis. I will send for those just beyond over there, no point in making a special trip back for them."

     As he looks around, he gives a sigh.

     Death: "I can remember when your forebears lived here, walking with the Ageless Ones. Damn but that dates me and so long ago. But come and take my hand young sir and we will be off. I can assure you this will be a very pleasant trip indeed. You will enjoy yourself quite a bit. I know just the right tavern to start your new life at. And several new friends await you there."

     As Talesen takes Death's bony hand, they both fade from view, and Iriisii feels them gone from this place. She turns to Desidarius and extends a hand to her. Desidarius sees it, makes up her mind and places hers in it. Iriisii helps her up and then draws her into a hug.

     Iriisii: "He will be just fine now. Once Death has custody of him, his father has no power to take him away. He is safe from all harm now."

     Desidarius: "Thank you, Iriisii. You truly do live the 'Balance' in your life. Now we should see about leaving before..."

     Gaunter O'Dimm: "Before what my dear Desidarius. And where is our 'son', I had so hoped to see him once again."

     Desidarius tries to leap from Iriisii's arms and rake her now substantial claws down his face. The First Dragon moves himself to the fore and whispers to Desidarius.

     First Dragon: "Do not play into his hands, you know full well what awaits you if you do. Together he will not attempt anything, we are too powerful. This is when we use that to our advantage, see if we can cause him to stumble. Then we will see what we can get away with."

     Desidarius gestures against Iriisii's hand so O'Dimm does not hear what she has to say, not yet anyway.

     Desidarius: 'I hear you and agree. Now is the time for me to be patient. Let me bait him a bit, then we will see what he makes of you now.'

     Gaunter O'Dimm: "What now, has the cat eaten your tongue? Ahh yes, I do remember what that tasted like, would you indulge me once more for old times sake?"

     Desidarius: "You should be careful what you wish for, you might just get it. And it would be a shame if it turned out to be more than you bargained for."

     Gaunter O'Dimm: "Oh, my dear, you have grown much more interesting these last few millennia. Please tell me what you had in mind, I might even enjoy it."

     Desidarius: "Oh I am sure I would. Seeing you writhe from side to side, your every nerve being consumed by molten steel, your bones being bored with holes by worms as they seek the marrow. As your very organs seek to devour each other, and your soul unable to escape your body, having to endure all the torment being inflicted on you."

     While she is crooning all of this to him, she walks up and places her hands on his chest, leans in close to his ear to continue.

     Desidarius: "Oooo, this is getting me so excited. Just say yes, and I can start, I will make sure you feel every exquisite moment."

     Gaunter O'Dimm: "You tempt me, you really do. But I must ask about our son, and why he is not here with you? I can smell that he was here not long ago at all. Now if you just tell me where he is, then we can discuss that delightful chain of torment you were telling me about, and whoever told you they had something that could do that to me."

     Desidarius gives Gaunter a very evil smile before saying to him.

     Desidarius: "Someone I met some time ago, had a very wild fling with her. She wanted to make me like she was, but I just could not see myself going that far. Although I did get her to tell me how she would do it. And as she explained it all, I just could not stop myself from thinking of you."

     Gaunter O'Dimm: "There now, you see, I am not such a bad guy after all, if you can think of me at a time like that."

     Desidarius: "Oh yes, you see, I was in the arms of a Wamphyri Brood Mother."

     Shock and realization of the danger he could be in sweeps over him. He pushes Desidarius from him as hard as he can, then scrambles from her, looking everywhere for the little telltale eggs. Desidarius is laughing so hard she can barely stand where she landed from him tossing her away from him. The rage that flows across him changes his physical form into his true one as he loses all control. Scales erupt from his skin, venom drips from the sides of his elongated snout, full of dagger-like teeth, needle sharp claws punch through the tips of his leathery fingers, and a cowl of thick skin extends from around his neck to frame his head.

     Desidarius: "Do be careful what you wish for, you might not only get it, you might even enjoy it. I will be sure the next time I see her to tell her how excited it got you when I told you about what she wanted to do to you."

     Gaunter O'Dimm: "And how did you avoid what she wanted to do to you?"

     Desidarius: "She did not get the chance, I wore her out and left while she was sleeping. The question you should be asking yourself is this, 'Did Desidarius come away with any eggs or leeches to give me or is she holding them for a more opportune moment to slip them to me?'

     Gaunter O'Dimm: "When I get ahold of you! You will regret the day I turned you, and every day since then!"

     As he comes toward Desidarius, the First Dragon in Iriisii's body steps in between.

     First Dragon: "You will back off, or face one that knows your deepest secrets."

     Gaunter O'Dimm: "What?! Who are you to stand between me and she who I made?"

     First Dragon: "This body is host to me. As to who I am, I am the First Dragon of Destiny, first son of the Draconic Divines."

     As the First Dragon cocks Iriisii's head and takes a deep breath.

     First Dragon: "Yes, you smell just as you did back in the days of your youth. Time has in no way taught you anything of your errors. Errors which are even now closing in on you."

     Gaunter O'Dimm: "And what do you know of any possible errors I have made in my life, aside from that one there?"

     Pointing at Desidarius. By now Shivista is standing behind him just a few feet away.

     Shivista: "I am one such error you made."

     Turning, Gaunter O'Dimm recognizes Shivista and knows he could be in dire trouble indeed. 

     Shivista: "You made several errors then attempted to pin the responsibility for them on me. Luckily I saw what was coming and made allowances for it. Gathered the information needed to prove the veracity of my words and deeds. I was exonerated of your misdeeds, and you are now hunted by those you sought to deceive. And if I were you, I would be very afraid of what would happen if they catch up to you. For they know of how you escape problems, time and time again, and have searched extensively to find a way to deal with you such that there is no escape for you if they get to you. And it will work, indeed it will, there are some forces that exist that can undo even you, and they found one.

     I could take you now and hand you over to them. But I have other more important matters that need tending to. It is enough for me to know that your mistakes will find you, and deal with you in an appropriate manner. But if you are not very careful, it does not mean that I cannot have some fun with your carcass before letting you go."

     Gaunter O'Dimm: "No! You cannot touch me!"

     Shivista: "Look where you are at, Gaunter O'Dimm. I do not have to touch you to have fun with you. This place has Guardians built by the Ancient Blade Dancers under the instruction and teaching of the Ageless Ones. These Guardians have had billions of years to learn new methods of fighting, of spell craft, of every form of offensive and defensive skills, and how to tap into the 'Mirror Existence' to use the power it bestows to them as well. They are not bound to leave you untouched. You have invaded their protectorate and so they are even now coming to deal with you."

     Gaunter O'Dimm: "Then they will have you to go through first before they get to me."

     Shivista laughs.

     Shivista: "You really should observe those around you better, but no, your hubris will in the end be your undoing. The host that the First Dragon shares the body of, is one high in the hierarchy of the Ancient Order of the Blade Dancers of her homeworld. She knew how to pass the Guardians and so having done so in the prescribed manner, they will not harm us when they come, but you are a different matter altogether. Listen, can you not hear them coming for you?"

     Gaunter O'Dimm: "You fucking bitch!"

     Shivista: "Oh, I am much more than that, a lot more. I am one of two true daughters of Shai Hulu'ud left in this Existence. And as such I am  one of two of your worst fucking nightmares. You will never learn who the second one is, until it is too late. Now I would suggest that you leave before the guardians show up and your day really turns bad."

     Gaunter O'Dimm's eyes take on a look of vast distances and he fades into nothingness, just as the guardians arrive. They look the situation over and one moves to Iriisii. It kneels down and bows to her, silently awaiting her orders. Desidarius stands and walks to Shivista.

     Desidarius: "A daughter of Shai Hulu'ud? Who would have thought it."

     Shivista: "Yeah, no one being able to believe it is why I have stayed alive for so long."

     Desidarius: "I understand, your secret is safe with me."

     Shivista: "Thank you for that."

     Desidarius: "So there is a second one?"

     Shivista: "Yeah, and she will be even greater than I will."

     Desidarius: "How so?"

     Shivista: "The Ageless Ones also claim her as their daughter."

     Desidarius: "How can...ah, I see. They planted the seed back at the beginning, and it has taken this long to sprout and grow."

     Shivista: "Just so."

     Desidarius: "You know who it is don't you?"

     Shivista: "Yes, but everything depends on her not finding out until she is ready to hear it."

     Desidarius: "It is falling into place, and I can see the reason for the silence of knowledge, ...and memories. I will say nothing more, even though anything we say here will not leave here, it is simply better to be silent."

     Shivista: "I knew you were intelligent and savvy as well. Come on, let us gather the rest and get out of here."

     They arrive back at Honor Hall in Riften. Everyone has returned to their proper forms, for now.

     Iriisii: "Osaquen, we will need to cast an illusion spell for you. No one here has ever seen a drider form before and we definitely do not need to draw that kind of attention. Temussin can use robes with wide arms that will hide his 'Vir'."

     Desidarius: "Can you wait for a few days, I promised Rigmor I would have her sword repaired."

     Iriisii looks toward Rigmor who nods her head. Iriisii then thinks for a few moments.

     Iriisii: "How much time do you need?"

     Desidarius: "As time flows here, about a week, should be no more than that."

     Iriisii pulls out her map and lays it on a table. Looking it over she sees what she wants to see and thinks things will work out very well. She points out a place on the map just to the west of Whiterun.

     Iriisii: "I have a house there, big enough for all of us. It will take just less than a week for us to reach it, so we can meet you there when you have the sword ready."

     Desidarius: "Good, where are you bound for afterward?"

     Iriisii points to a place on the border with Hammerfell, high up to the northwest of Skyrim.

     Iriisii: "Somewhere near there is a black diamond mine. Rigmor's mother is being held there as a slave. We are going to go and free her."

     Desidarius: "Want any help?"

     Iriisii: "Any who want to come along are welcome. I do not know for certain what we will be facing, but there should be plenty of killing to go around for everyone."

     Temussin: "A black diamond mine you say? I have never seen one before, should be worth a look to go and see it. I am in."

     The others also give their assent and desire to go as well.

     Iriisii: "All right, we will rest here tonight and start out in the morning. We are close enough to go out the south gate and avoid most of the people wandering about. I need to go to the market for a few things, so I will have some food and drinks sent back. The bartender at the 'Bee and Barb' makes some real exquisite specialty drinks. I will have him send a bunch of different kinds along with some food. And save at least one 'Cliff Racer' for me if you know what is good for you."

     After going into the 'Bee and Barb', talking to Keerava about what she wanted, and where to have it delivered to. Once Keerava sees the gold coins she has not a problem in the world with doing as asked. One, she knows her customer is serious about the order, and two, she knows her customer is good for it. Iriisii then goes out looking for anything in the market that she may need. A couple of lower level thieves watch all of this and begin to wonder if they can pull together a heist that will propel them up the ranks far enough to possibly oust Mercer Frey and take over the guild.

     Meanwhile Iriisii listens for street gossip concerning the thieves guild and what is happening with them since Maven's forced retirement. Mainly she hears about no one able to step up into her shoes. Her daughter is only interested in her Alchemy, Sibbi is still rotting in jail, for real this time, as all of his extravagences have been taken away since his mother's arrest and transport to the Imperial City's dungeons. And her last remaining son, does not seen to be able to garner enough of whatever is needed to step up.

     The Thieves Guild itself has been very quiet and low key. There are grumblings from within that seem to indicate a possible power shift, but overall it is becoming more and more thought of for the populace to band together and go clean them out. Iriisii thinks on it but decides there is something going on within the guild itself that has put them in this position, and she has no intention of getting involved. Even as she feels the eyes on her from the shadows, she wonders who this is. It is not any of the thieves' guild, she knows how incompetent they are. No, this is someone else, with a different agenda, looking at her to see if she is going to insert herself into the confusion.

     Either way it is not anything she cares to involve herself in. She already has to get back on track to get to Diamond Ridge Mine and get Rigmor's mother, Sigunn, out of there. She turns and makes her way back to Honor Hall to see if they left her a 'Cliff Racer', or will she have to make a return trip to get one. After dinner, everyone has made arrangements to sleep, sometimes having to butt up the ends of two children's beds to make one long enough. Iriisii has felt the eyes she earlier felt still watching, but since they will be leaving in the morning, as long as all they do is watch, she will leave them be.

     After all are asleep, the two thieves who watched earlier quietly pad into the orphanage. Unfortunately for them everyone hears them but is waiting for Iriisii to act before they do. Iriisii waits to see what these two think they are going to do. If they turn around and walk out, she will let them go. If not, well then things might get interesting down at the 'Ragged Flagon'. The thieves start by just looking around for anything out in the open and easily grabbed. Finding nothing they resolve themselves to having to get closer.

     Roulf whispers, "Wait, I do not like this. Something feels off, let us just get out of here, quietly."

     Jennes whispers back, "You saw how much got sent here, that was a lot of gold she spent. And I am sure there is more where that came from. If you want to back out now, then go, I have no further use for you."

     Roulf whispers, "You know how things have been going lately. And it is not getting any better. Katris is cooling her heels in jail after a job that should have been easy. And how many have been complaining of close calls. No, this just feels off and I for one am not taking any further chances. You are on your own."

     Roulf turns and quietly leaves the orphanage, while Jennes whispers to himself.

     Jennes: "Good riddance, more for me when I fence everything."

     Iriisii: "You should have gone with your friend. Now the fun begins, tie him up but leave him able to walk. I have no intention on carrying him all the way through the Ratway."

     Once he is securely tied, Iriisii takes his rope.

     Rigmor: "Someone should go with you."

     Iriisii: "I am not alone, I have Darkstar, Shivista, and the First Dragon with me."

     Rigmor: "You know what I mean, another body to watch while you discuss business."

     Iriisii: "Yeah, you are right about that, but you are not going."

     Rigmor: "Alright, but take Temussin. They will not know what to make of him and will be more careful, especially as he is a mage."

     Iriisii: "Good idea, Temussin, you are elected to come with me. Keep your face hidden, but leave your arms exposed so they can see the 'Vir'. When they see it move, they will back off and be more wary of starting anything."

     Temussin nods his head in agreement and is glad to see she is already willing to use his skills to assist her. Iriisii grabs Jennes and lifts him to his feet.

     Iriisii: "Come on, we are going on a short visit to the 'Ragged Flagon'."

     Jennes eyes grow wild as he pictures in his mind what Mercer Frey will likely do to him for this. They make their way the short distance from the Orphanage door to the steps leading down to the canal, then across a small bridge, and a left turn along the ledge walkway to the entrance to the Ratway. Once inside, she has Temussin hold with Jennes while she checks ahead.

     Iriisii: "The low caste fill up these spaces almost as fast as one can clean them out. I do not like doing this, but if we try and pass they will just attack, some thinking we want to steal whatever they have, others just for the 'fun' of it. So sit tight and let me deal with this. I will be back when the way is open."

     She turns and enters the shadows of the corridor and vanishes. Temussin thinks to himself, 'Damn, they were right when they talked about how she can use the shadows. Never have I seen anyone do that before.' A little while later he hears echoes of a scuffle at the far end of the corridor, as a couple of bodies hit the stone floor. Later he feels a disturbance in the quiet air and assumes some more housekeeping is going on. Then he hears a sound like a drawbridge coming down and shortly thereafter she reappears.

     Iriisii: "Come on, the way to the 'Ragged Flagon' is clear."

     As they pass by the first pair of bodies, Jennes recognizes them, as some guild cast-offs. Judging by the weapons they dropped as they died, they have been robbing some and tossing the bodies deeper into the Ratway. They probably would have ended up dead anyway if Mercer Frey had found out about this first. A few twists and turns they come to the drawbridge.

     Iriisii: "If we get separated and this bridge is up, you can get to the other side by jumping down, going through that metal gate in the far wall, follow the way to the left and keep going. You will find yourself coming into a chamber next to the Ragged Flagon. This way forward leads to the same chamber just to a different doorway. The switch for this bridge is on the other side."

     He sees the switch she mentioned as they pass it by and proceed on through the corridor. Shortly they enter the main chamber and she points to the left side where he sees a downward sloping deep alcove. At the bottom of which is a door with a sign of a flagon crudely painted on it.

     Iriisii: "That is the door to the Thieves Guild. Let us go and say 'hello'."

     they walk down, open the door and note the silence. There is not a soul to be seen. Iriisii whispers a 'shout' and is able to see where everyone is.

     Iriisii: "Come on, they are either out on their jobs, or asleep in another chamber behind this one. We will go to the main area there just in front of the bar and I will bring them to us."

     They walk along the right side ledge, a cistern on their left. As they walk on and curl around to the left, Iriisii drags up a chair from one of the tables and puts Jennes in the seat.

     Iriisii: "Be quiet, do not say a thing, and you might get out of this with your skin intact. I do not know who has been following us, but someone has and prefers not to advertise their presence. As long as they do not do anything against us, I prefer to let them go their own way. Anyway we shall see how this goes and how many bodies will I have to stack up before they stop and listen. Be prepared for anything, if anyone attacks, you have my permission to kill them outright, just do not bring the roof down on us."

     Temussin: "I understand. One on one kills only."

     Iriisii: "You are quick, we are going to get along very well."

     Iriisii prepares to use the Thu'um to get their attention.

     Iriisii: "ALL RIGHT YOU SKEEVER SPAWN! GET YOUR SMELLY HIDES OUT HERE BEFORE I HAVE TO LIGHT A FIRE UNDER YOU TO WAKE YOU ALL UP, AND LEAVE YOUR WEAPONS BEHIND. ANYONE I SEE ARMED IS DEAD! TRY ME IF YOU DO NOT bELIEVE ME."

     The first two are just minor members, Iriisii assumes sent to see if she really means her threat. As they clear the short hall and enter the main chamber daggers in hand.

     Iriisii: "Kill them, they did not listen."

     Temussin nods and raises his arms, the Vir actively moving in a pattern Iriisii can almost read. Then a black blast of power bursts from his hands and rains down on the pair, as the power falls to the floor and dissipates, so to does the flesh from the bones of the two thieves.

     Iriisii nods her head, "Effective. ALL RIGHT, THAT IS TWO DOWN, WANT TO MAKE IT THREE? FOUR? COME ON, MAKE THIS EASY ON ME, JUST RUSH ME WITH EVERYONE YOU HAVE, ALL AT ONE GO!"

     A single pair of eyes can now be seen, first looking at the bones of the two thieves sent out to test Iriisii's threat, then looking up and out, seeing only Iriisii, Temussin, and Jennes, tied up and sitting in a chair next to them. The voice that comes out of the shadows next is one Iriisii has heard before.

     Brynjolf: "All right lass, there is no need for anyone else to die. What is your purpose in coming down here?"

     Iriisii slowly sweeps her head from side to side.

     Iriisii: "My instructions were for everyone to come out here, unarmed. The two sacrificial lambs sent out to test me, I do believe have proven that I mean what I say. So unless those who have chosen to remain back there are ready to face what I can summon amongst them, they should make their way out here, before I lose my patience and drop something vile and nasty back there. I am certain your guildmaster Mercer Frey is still back there so let him come first. If he does, you have my word I will stay my hand. As to whether or not you can trust my word, after what I did to Maven Blackbriar, I should think you would have no other choice but to trust my word. If I wanted to kill you all, you would already be food for the crows and I would never even have had to leave Honor Hall to do it."

     Brynjolf: "Let me talk to him first, I will make him see it is the sensible thing to do to come out here and talk."

     Iriisii: "Very well, I will give you some time. But if I sense anyone trying to leave by the hidden back door covered by the tomb, well I would not want to be in their shoes. There are some very bad things wandering out in the night. It would be a pity to become dinner for one of them. Besides crawling out from under a tomb in the middle of the night, might be mistaken for a ghoul. Trolls like to munch on ghouls, so do ghasts, but they prefer their prey live and bloody. Think about that before trying to slip out that way."

     Temussin: "You do not pull any punches do you?"

     Iriisii: "Not with stupidity, I do not. The Guildmaster is the only truly intelligent one in here. The rest are bootlickers, although that might be insulting to bootlickers."

     Temussin laughs, "Are they really that stupid, if so how could they have survived as a guild for this long?"

     Iriisii: "They were not always like this. I think according to the stories I have heard, this guild was pretty strong under the previous guildmaster. It was not until this one came up and took over that it went downhill. From some other things I have heard and a feeling I get in the air around here, they have seriously pissed off their patron Daedric Prince. And I really do not want to do anything about it. I have had enough of these diversions, even though I understand their true purpose is not to slow me down but rather to instruct me and pass on knowledge. 

     I have other things on my mind that I need to take care of. With that said I may be convinced to return and deal with this after I have taken care of some of the most important other matters. But only once those are done, do I make myself clear?"

     A slight rattling sigh, and a little rock dust falling from the ceiling is the only reply she gets.

     Iriisii: "Good, we understand each other then. I will tolerate your watching me as long as you do not interfere with what I do."

     Temussin: "That was directed to our watcher?"

     Iriisii: "Yes.

     Brynjolf: "Mercer says he will be with you in a moment. He prefers to show himself in a more presentable fashion."

     Iriisii: "I will wait for him then, when he is ready."

     Brynjolf: "If I may ask what brought this to our doorstep?"

     Iriisii: "Since I am sure this is going directly into Mercer's ears, this piece of trash that calls itself a thief, along with another one who was smart enough to leave before outstaying his welcome, decided to see what we had lying around that could be given a new home so to speak. I was already trying to get some sleep before traveling in the morning, when all I could hear was the two of them walking all over the place making enough noise to wake the dead.

     Do you know how much trouble it is to put them back to sleep once they have been woken up like that? Anyway I gave this one enough time to figure out he was not going to find anything and that he should leave so the rest of us could get back to sleep. He decided to stay and try to search around our bodies. That was a step too far for my liking and so I got up and captured him. Then decided to bring him and give him back to you, because I am just a nice person in general.

     I mean I could have flayed him and left his skin outside your door, but then you would not know why I did it. So I decided to bring him back down here and return him, perhaps a little wiser when it comes to sizing up marks. I also want to lodge a complaint about all of those thieves running around Skyrim saying, 'hand over your valuables or I will gut you like a fish'. And then when I 'persuade' them to go on their way, alive. They have the nerve to say, 'let this be a warning to you'. Why the last one to say that to me caught me at an awkward moment and before I knew it I had 'gutted him like a fish'. Have you ever smelled a thief who has not had a bath in weeks and then you open his guts? I almost lost my breakfast over that.

     Now that I have gotten all of that off my chest, you can take this trash and do what you wish. I have business elsewhere and do not have the time to keep sorting out these smaller problems with so much bigger ones looming over me. Like this problem you are having keeping this guild together. I am not about to stick around and fix it for you, what I will do is tell you this. The problem is inside the guild itself. Someone has done something they should not have and now all of you are suffering for it. So you really should look around and see if you can find the answer yourselves."

     An enchanted sword blade comes out of nowhere running straight for Iriisii's neck. She draws her own even as she kneels down and directs her blade above her head, striking the horizontal moving sword and knocking it and its wielder off balance. She rolls to draw him away from Temussin and Jennes. As she comes up, she begins another defensive block as the sword comes right where she expected it would.

     Iriisii: "Predictable, did anyone really teach you anything but swing and stab?"

     Iriisii blocks a series of strikes as if she knew ahead of time where each one would come from and where it would target her.

     Iriisii: "Oh, come on, surely you are better than this!"

     Then there is silence, and Iriisii extends her awareness further, noting that the attacker is not gone, just staying hidden. Then she knows why as she feels her watcher moving closer to him. She then makes a decision.

     Iriisii: "Come on, Mercer, you are not going to let a woman beat you in a sword fight now are you? I mean, once word got out, everyone would be snickering behind your back as you went by. 'Did you hear about Mercer Frey? No what did you hear? Why some half-pint unknown merc woman beat the pants off of him in a sword fight. Took it right out of his hands and beat his ass with the flat'."

     Then there is a scream of rage as he comes at Iriisii trying to put together a flurry of strikes, when another blade flashes from behind him and slides across his neck. His enchanted sword falling to the stone floor, along with Mercer's body. The 'watcher' standing over Mercer's cooling corpse, flips back the hood of her traveling cloak.

     Brynjolf: "Karliah?!"

     Karliah: "It is done at last."

     Karliah looks to Iriisii.

     Karliah: "Thank you for that, if not for how you really distracted him, I would not have been able to get close enough to take him down."

     Brynjolf: "Karliah, you had better have one damn good reason for what you have just done."

     Iriisii: "Brynjolf, you know when I said someone had done something they should not have and that all of you were paying the price?"

     Brynjolf: "Yeah, so what about it? Wait! You mean..."

     Iriisii: "Yep, there lies the one who 'cursed' you all by something he did."

     Brynjolf: "And how can you tell that?"

     Temussin: "She is right, all curses carry a scent around them that those whose magical senses are strong enough can determine. His is particularly strong, but he also carries enchanted artifacts that ward him from the curse's effects. The rest of you do not have any protections from the curse."

     Brynjolf: "What can we do then?"

     Iriisii: "Find what he took and return it to where he took it from. I daresay from the strength of the curse, it will be an iconic item associated with either an Daedra or an Aedra. Could be one of the others but I doubt it. I would look for something that belonged to your patron Daedric Prince. Well I am sure you can handle things from here, I need to get what sleep I still can before the sun comes up."