The Story Of Iriisii Dovahkiin Book One Chapter Twenty-Two

 The Story Of Iriisii Dovahkiin Book One Chapter Twenty-Two

                                                         Chapter Twenty-Two

     Gisela: "If you indeed are all you say you are and can do what you have said you would do then yes, I will ask to enter your service, for as long as I live and my actions please you."

     Iriisii rises and intones in Dovahzul, Hi ofan zu'u hin ahmik daar sul,     (You give me your service this day,)

                                  Fah ol lingrah ol hi please zu'u,      (For as long as you please me,)

                                  Zu'u fen care fah hi ol dii kiir         (I will care for you as my child)

                                  Ol Dovahkiin zu'u fen krif fah hi    (As Dragonborn I will fight for you)

                                   Ahrk hi fen krif voth zu'u                (And you will fight with me)

                                   Let faal nen hon dii zul                   (Let the Nine hear my voice)

                                   ahrk gron mu ney wa un rotte         (and bind us both to our words.)

     As Iriisii speaks in Dovahzul, the hellhound cringes and howls in a long, mournful voice. The vampire Mistress wilts under the power of Iriisii's voice, and when the rumbling thunder is heard echoing across the dark skies, the vampire Mistress turns and vanishes into the night. Gisela witnesses all of this and kneels to Iriisii in awe, knowing now that she is indeed all that she said she was, for the Nine answered her in approval and Stendarr's voice was among them.

     Stendarr: "The two who raised blade against you will be punished for their transgression, and as you have shown mercy to the one left as I would have done. I ask all who follow me to look to your example of what it is I desire of my followers. You have shown what it truly means to be a Vigilant after my heart. When you have opportunity, there is a task I would ask you to consider when you have time. Just stop by the Inn in Dawnstar and speak with the vigilant that will come to you. And now I give you my blessing, may it serve you well in the dark times ahead."

     Iriisii feels the power of his aura descend upon her and sink into her, becoming a part of her. As she looks around the two Vigilant bodies are gone, and no sign of the fight can be seen anywhere.

     Iriisii: "Since things have been cleaned up, there is no reason not to camp here tonight. Somehow I do not think we will be bothered anymore this night. I have a spare blanket you can use until I can get you a proper bedroll. Now is there anything more you wish to ask of me before we retire for the night?"

     Gisela: "What did you intend for the vampire had she not vanished and left?"

     Iriisii: "First I would have spoken with her, if I could have convinced her to go her own way in peace I would have allowed it. If not I would have destroyed her."

     Gisela: "But that is not..."

     Iriisii: "not what you were taught it was proper to do? Let me ask you something if I may."

     Gisela: "Please do, Mistress."

     Iriisii: "Can you read, at least well enough to read and understand the scriptures?"

     Gisela bows her head, a few tears dropping to the ground.

     Iriisii: "I see. Then it is not your fault that you have not been acting as Lord Stendarr asks of his followers. The fault lies with those who have twisted his words in teaching you and the others. I will begin to teach you how to read. There is a woman who I and some others have rescued from a mine being operated by the Thalmor where she had been enslaved. She will be at the place where we will be going in the morning. She used to be a schoolteacher, and I am sure she would have no issue with teaching you to read. Then we will read Lord Stendarr's writings together and see what he would have us to learn."

     Gisela: "You would so this for me?"

     Iriisii: "There are many things that I would like for you to learn to do, and many of them require that you learn to read. A great deal of what I was taught is written down and I would see that you can learn to read them yourself. Once you can do this, you will know if someone is truthfully telling you what the Nine say in their writings and not simply telling you what they want you to believe."

     Gisela: "I thank you, and promise to be a worthwhile student."

     Iriisii looks toward her High Elemental.

     Iriisii: "Anything you wish to ask before we bed down and sleep?"

     Elemental: "So the lower orders of the Vigilants of Stendarr are being manipulated by their lack of the 'reading' skill?"

     Iriisii: "Yes, I do not know to what specific end, or who is ultimately responsible, but I think the task Lord Stendarr asked me to look into will give me a clue and possibly a way to begin to undo the damage already done. I know they are being sent out without the proper equipment and training to do what they are being asked to do. I have seen too many of their bodies lying drained of blood and stripped of clothes and gear on the sides of the road. I am beginning to 'connect the dots' and arrive at a conclusion."

     Gisela: "What or who do you think is at the source of all of this?"

     Iriisii: "Molag Bal."

     Gisela stays quiet, trying to piece together why Iriisii thinks this.

     Iriisii: "Look at it this way, as I said all of the bodies I see on the roadsides are the work of vampires. They are also growing to be more of a menace than they have in the past. Someone has managed to corrupt the higher levels of the Vigilants, twisting the teaching to make it easier to recruit new members. I would even bet they are being told that there is not enough gold in the coffers to afford better equipment."

     Gisela: "That is exactly what we have been told, is this not so?"

     Iriisii: "I would bet a lot of it is being diverted into the pockets of the upper class, And because they tell you what they want the scriptures to say, you believe everything. Molag Bal is the source of all of Nirn's vampires. There is another book I will put on your reading list that will explain much of this, Molag Bal, seduced, then ravaged and defiled a Nedic maiden called Lamae Beolfag. Before leaving her still living body he placed a single drop of his blood on her brow. Lamae was discovered by a tribe of nomads, who took care of her and attempted to heal her wounds. Despite their best efforts, however, she appeared to have died within a fortnight. The tribe then prepared to set her body aflame in a funeral pyre, but as it was still burning she rose up and emerged as the first pure-blood vampire. Enraged, she slaughtered the nomads by ripping out the throats of the tribe's women, eating the eyes of the children, and raping the men in a crazed act of violence.

     As she was the first individual granted vampirism directly from Molag Bal himself, she became known as a Daughter of Coldharbour. This developed into a tradition among Molag Bal worshipping cults which dictated that females be offered to him on his summoning day. Few survive the ordeal, but those who do emerge as pure-blooded vampires. Being selected as an offering was considered to be an honor that is not rejected lightly.

     She had also made her own cult of vampires in the Blood Matron's Crypt, where select few individuals would learn of Lamae's past and curse both Arkay and Molag Bal. Upon completing the tasks, the initiate would go into a pool and have their blood drained out by the cult's priests. Lamae herself would then appear and turn the initiate into a vampire."

     Gisela: "You suspect Molag Bal is who is behind all of this?"

     Iriisii: "Yes, I do, and when I go to do this task Lord Stendarr has for me to do, I will be drawn into the middle of this. I do not regret this happening, for it is a part of the troubles that Nirn has that I as Dragonborn have been brought forward to deal with, so that Nirn may regain the path it was intended to take, and maybe once my job is done, it will no longer be needed for the Kalpa to be devoured by Alduin and then reborn anew. He is another problem that I have been given to deal with."

     Gisela: "I had no idea of how so much of the stories and rumors I have heard all touch one another in some way or fashion."

     Iriisii: "Stay with me and I will see that you learn of this, then you will know the 'truth' and it will set you free to know the path you need to follow. Now to sleep, we move on with the dawn."

     The morning comes crisp and clear, Iriisii is looking at the sky over beyond the mountains. Gisela wakes and asks what she is looking at.

     Iriisii: "We need to get moving, but breakfast first. There will be snow before nightfall. It is behind the mountains for now, but when it tops it will drop quickly. I will make breakfast for us, if you will draw some water from that stream over there, watch for mudcrabs. The little ones would go well with breakfast, the bigger ones are more trouble than they are worth unless you have the supplies to cook them properly."

     Gisela grabs the water skins and goes to fill them, while Iriisii starts cooking. By the time Gisela comes back with the water and a few small mudcrabs, Iriisii is piling the food on thin plates. She puts the crabs on the coals and lets them cook while they eat. About an hour later they are ready to go, and start off after Iriisii fills in the fire pit with the dirt she dug out.

     Iriisii: "If you do this when you start a fire, it will not get away from you. And learn how to dig one properly, once it is filled in it will look like it was never there."

     As they move at a quick walk, Gisela asks her how she learned to trail cook so well.

     Gisela: "I mean the men would expect me to do the cooking as if that was all I had time to do. And actually I think it was because they were so bad at it."

     Iriisii snorts, "Excuses, excuses. Let me tell you a secret, you have seen the Gourmet's Cookbook?"

     Gisela: "Yes, but I cannot seem to get what I cook to taste any good."

     Iriisii: "Aside from the fact that you cannot read, would you believe that the Gourmet is a man?"

     Gisela: "Really?! A man?"

     Iriisii: "Yes, I met him before I met my Rigmor. I was out in the wilds near the Nightgate Inn, scrounging for herbs when he showed up looking for some for a new recipe he was working on. He saw what I had gathered and asked what I was going to use them for. When I said cooking, he asked what I was cooking. I replied Frost Troll, and let me say he did not take me seriously until I went into how to skin it correctly, separate the different cuts of meat, and go into how each cut had to be prepared. He saw that I had a good understanding of the field dressing of wild game. 

     He asked why Frost Troll and not venison or rabbit. I replied they are not difficult to kill if you know how, and the meat is plentiful, really good if you prepare it right. I also told him that there was no reason why anyone in Skyrim had to go hungry with all the plentiful sources of meat available. I said that I could cook and eat anything that did not succeed in eating me first."

     Gisela: "Really! You said that?"

     Iriisii: "Yes, and to prove it I took some troll that I had killed earlier in the day and showed him how I did it. Once it was done, he was more than ready to try some. He told me that he could not quite compare it to anything else he had eaten, and asked if he could put the recipe in his next cookbook. I told him if he could make certain people did not laugh about it and think it was a joke, he was more than welcome. He told me he knew just how to do exactly that."

     Gisela: "How could he do that? What could he do to prove he was serious?"

     Iriisii: "Cook it for the Emperor."

     Gisela: "You are not kidding are you?"

     Iriisii: "No, I am not kidding. I got a message by courier a few years ago telling me the roast Troll was a hit at the Emperor's table. Of course he did not tell the others there what they were eating until after."

     Gisela: "By the Gods, that must have been hilarious."

     Iriisii: "I heard it was, and the Emperor truly enjoyed it, both the dish itself and the courtiers reaction. We will soon turn off this road and go south."

     She turns to look back at the dark clouds forming over the tops of the mountains they left behind.

     Iriisii: "We should outrun the snow. With any luck we should be at Angi's before it reaches us."

     Gisela: "How can you tell what the weather will do?"

     Iriisii: "Experience mostly, if it does something markedly different than I anticipate, then I look into why. Sometimes some fool mage is trying to learn weather magic. Only the most powerful and learned should even attempt it. For there are always unforeseen consequences to messing with the weather. Change something here and somewhere else will change in response and so it will go on, sometimes strengthening, sometimes weakening. There is something not very well known that demonstrates this. When the Empire once attempted to invade Akavir, the ships coming to bring more men and supplies was met by a ferocious storm. The Empire's mages tried their best to dispel the storm, but they were unable to do so. The fleet went down with all hands. What happened because of that to the Emperor's forces is discussed in a book about Ionith. But what they did not realize is what effect that magically raised storm had on the weather in other parts of Nirn.

     My homeland lies beyond Akavir on another island continent. My village was in the mountains of the northwest part. Our Elders talked of what the weather was like then. The storms that rolled across those mountains. Usually the mountains protected us against the worst of storms, not so with those. Many were the graves that had to be dug in the mud. It was so bad, they would shore up the sides with stone so the sides would not collapse. Entire families were lost to mudslides, many bodies were either unrecoverable or simply could not be found. No one was untouched by the loss of life.

     In the end, they did as they had always done, and persevered. Even as bad as it was, it could not compare to what happened to create us as Aasimar. But that is a quite different matter, with a different cause, and one that to this day still causes pain. Soon we will be passing the Half-Moon Mill, I would like to stop and check on the pair that runs it."

     Gisela: "The two I was with had orders to go there and see if the couple there were vampires. There had been stories passed back about that."

     Iriisii: "They are, yet they have also renounced Molag Bal and all he stands for. They do not go out of their way to hunt as other vampires do. And they also watch the road for me, driving off any others and helping to keep it safe for travelers, even Vigilants."

     Gisela: "How did you do this, get them to help keep the roads safe?"

     Iriisii: "I saved Hern, the male vampire from an assassin's attack. And yes, I knew he was a vampire before saving him. I did it because he was innocent of any wrongdoing. And as I ultimately serve the 'Great Balance', and it sees no distinction between the 'Light' and the 'Dark', so too do I. For both have their place within Existence, and both are much closer to each other than many want to believe. Not that there are not differences, but there are differences on both sides, just as each side is capable of acting like those of the other. The 'absolutes', are another matter entirely."

     Gisela: "The 'absolutes'?"

     Iriisii: "Absolute 'Good' and 'Evil'. They embody all of each side, each believes its side is 'right' and all others 'wrong'. Both are 'wrong', it is 'light' and 'dark', the interaction between the two that drives life to thrive, civilizations to rise up, even as they make way for new ones to be born. For the 'Arts' to be created and enjoyed, families to be born, all that we see, know, experience, comes from that interaction. And so, how can that be wrong?"

     Gisela: "What about when things go too far?"

     Iriisii: "That is within the purview of 'Good' and 'Evil', not 'Light' and 'Dark'. the line between is not always clear, but it is there for those who wish to discern its presence. Come on, there is the mill."

     As they approach, Iriisii tells Gisela to come at her own pace and runs ahead to put a stop to a situation she sees forming. Standing outside their door is Hern and Hert, surrounding them but a fair distance away is a group of Vigilants. As Iriisii is running to get there before anyone is hurt or killed, Hert leans to Hern's ear and whispers into it. He then stands a bit taller, knowing help is fast coming on the run.

     Vigilant: "We have it on good and respected authority that the two of you are vampires. We have come to find out for certain if this is true."

     Hern, knowing if he can delay for just a few more seconds, one will arrive who can put a stop to this farce.

     Hern: "And just who is this good and respected authority you speak of. Do we not have the opportunity to face those who would accuse us of such? And who gave you the authority to wander about the provinces accosting anyone who you suspect of whatever you want to believe?"

     Vigilant: "We are sent by Lord Stendarr of the Nine Divines, no further authority than that is needed."

     Iriisii standing behind the Vigilants, silently draws her sword and marshalling her Thu'um, "WHO ARE YOU TO INTERRUPT THE GOOD FOLK OF FALKREATH HOLD AS THEY GO ABOUT THEIR LAWFUL BUSINESS!"

     The Vigilants twist and turn to find out who shouted at them with such force.

     Vigilant: "And who are you to stand in our way as we search out the evil vampires, werewolves, and Daedra worshipers in our midst."

     Iriisii: "I am Iriisii Starborn, Thane of Falkreath Hold and Whiterun Hold, Dragonborn of Akatosh, and the Divines' Right Hand of Justice. By what right do you interfere with the lives of those who have never offered threat to you or yours?"

     Vigilant: "We are followers of Lord Stendarr. We only do as he has commanded."

     Iriisii: "As Lord Stendarr has commanded or those within the Vigilants that stand above you and tell you what they believe Lord Stendarr has commanded? I am the Nine's Right Hand of Justice, I know what Lord Stendarr has commanded for he has told me himself. And you are most definitely not doing as he has commanded. You also break many of the other commandments of the Nine by your actions."

     Gisela: "And I have heard Lord Stendarr's voice as it rolled across the skies as thunder, as he commended the Dovahkiin for her actions. Commanded those who wish to know his mind and keep his words to look upon her actions as he approves them and strive to do as she does. For I transgressed his laws as those who accompanied me falsely accused her of Daedra worship, and as she saw fit to show me forgiveness, so then did Lord Stendarr speak to her and commend her for doing as he would have done."

     Iriisii: "Lord Stendarr's true mercy is there for any who seek it to find it. And it is not at the end of a blade, or a mace, or a burning stake. But rather it is a helping hand, full of grace, of peace, and healing. For there are means by which the werewolf can kill the wolf spirit inside and so return to the human fold, means by which the vampire can be restored of a soul to replace the one taken when they became a vampire. These are the things that should be taught, the knowledge of these should be spread where all can hear of them. That this is the Path of the Mercy of Stendarr, not the blade, the mace, or the stake.

     I know not for how long the Vigilants have been led astray, or who in their blindness started them down this dark path, but it has been laid upon me to put a stop to it, to return the Vigilants back to what Lord Stendarr intended when the Order was founded. And this I will do, Lord Stendarr opens his arms to any and all who will turn aside and return to 'Him'. And for those who refuse, 'He' will remove his 'hand' from you. No longer will he listen to your prayers, no longer will he heal you at his shrines, no longer will he speak on your behalf to Father Akatosh."

     The Vigilants start looking at each other as Iriisii's words sink in, the whispers back and forth. Try as he might, the leader cannot regain control of his group. The group forms around a new leader, who looks to Hern and Hert, and apologizes for their actions. He then gathers them together and begins to lead them off, but stops before Iriisii.

     Leader: "What would Lord Stendarr have us do?"

     Iriisii: "First, go back to your chapter house, tell your leader what you have heard this day. If he will not listen then turn and leave in peace. Go where Lord Stendarr leads you, build a new home, then go to the closest temple and ask the priest or priestess inside to instruct you in what the Words of Stendarr and the rest of the Nine say of how we are to follow their words, then go out and do them. So that the 'Nine' will bless your efforts, and empower them on your behalf. Those who refuse to hear you, do not force your words upon them, simply turn and walk away. Their disbelief will punish them far more harshly than anything you could do."

     The Leader nods his head in acceptance of Iriisii's words. Gathers his fellows and leads them down the road. The old leader, seeing his control has left him standing, turns and runs in another direction. Iriisii walks up to Hern and Hert.

     Iriisii: "I no longer see anyone challenging your right to exist."

     Hern: "I never thought that this could happen. I have feared that one day they would come and find us, but what you have done for us. Never would I have expected anyone to do such a thing, thank you."

     Iriisii reaches into a pouch tied off around her belt, and hands Hert two filled black soul gems.

     Iriisii: "If you wish to follow the path I described to them, take these to the Court Wizard, Fallion, of Morthal Hold. Ask him to perform the Rites for Return of the Soul. And may the Nine grant your request."

     Hert: "Once more you have done us a service greater than we could have imagined. We will talk it over and make our decision soon."

     Iriisii: "As you will, it is your decision to make and yours alone. The way now stands open for you, all you need do is accept it. May the Nine watch over you, whatever you decide."

     Hern: "Thank you once more, and I think we have already decided what we will do. Do you agree with me, my love?"

     Hert: "Yes, the Nine have shown us that they do indeed care and have not forsaken us, it is time we showed them how much we are prepared to thank them for showing their love for us. We will leave as soon as we can make ready."

     Iriisii: "May the Nine give you a good and safe journey."

     Hern: "May you succeed at all the Nine would have you do."

     Iriisii: "Thank you, if enough people believe I can do so, then I will be able to do all they want of me."

     And with that, turns and continues on to Angi's, keeping an eye out for the snow coming down from the mountains.

As they walk past the road directly into Falkreath, they see one of the guards talking to a little girl just outside of town.

     Gisela: "Are we going to see what is going on there?"

     Iriisii: "It is not yet time for me to become involved in that yet."

     The first flakes begin to drop as they come into sight of Angi's camp. They can see shadows standing around the main campfire outside of the small hut. Everyone stands expectantly as Iriisii walks to the campfire. Sigunn, Angi, and Sorella, look most agitated that they cannot see Rigmor. While Temussin and Karliah see the High Elemental and the second figure coming up behind her.

     Iriisii: "Sigunn, I am sorry that Rigmor is not with me

     Sorella: "Where is Rigmor? Is she all right? Why is she not with you?"

     Iriisii: "Rigmor did not make it out ..."

     Sorella: "You said you would protect her...I hate you!"

     Sorella runs into the hut, into the back room where she has a small bed. Angi goes after her to check on her. Iriisii speaks further to Sigunn and Baa-Ren'Dar.

     Iriisii: "She is still alive though, and so there is still a chance. I will find her as I am now sworn to do so."

     Sigunn: "This is so much like punishment, I get her back only to lose her all over again. But if you say she is alive, then I must hold out hope. I will see about Sorella and tell her Rigmor is still alive."

     Baa-Ren'Dar: "Who told you Rigmor is still alive?"

     Iriisii: "Azura herself spoke to me. There is much going on that we need to speak about. This goes further and deeper than we have first thought, and time is of the essence if I am to save her once more."

     Baa-Ren'Dar: "Come with this one to Rigmor's tent, we can talk privately there."

     Iriisii looks to Karliah and Temussin.

     Iriisii: "This is Gisela, once a Vigilant of Stendarr, now she has taken service with me as have the two of you. The other is my High Elemental, bonded with me by blood and soul. She seeks her true name right now as she travels with me. I must speak with Baa-Ren'Dar about what happened after we parted and what I am to do next, please stay warm by the campfire until I return."

     Iriisii enters the tent and sits in the chair by Rigmor's bed, Baa-Ren'Dar sitting on a Khajiit rug. Once Iriisii sits she looks at Baa-Ren'Dar and holds the invective she feels but still lets him know she is not happy with how things are going.

     Iriisii: "Baa-Ren'Dar, there is far more involved in this that had we known the possibility of when we went in would have made a great difference. I do appreciate you bringing Casius and Yngol, but it does not make up for what happened that did not have to. No, sit and listen, then when you know all I know, then you may know what needs to be done from your side. There is a Daedra, who I am not certain of, but I am certain at least of who it is not. This Daedra is behind the Thalmor effort to destroy the Empire and take Tamriel for his own. As to how I know this, the documents and maps Rigmor and I found lead to that inescapably.

     How they intend to do this I do not know at the moment, but I expect one with a part of the answer will find me soon enough. As I said I an sure who this Daedra is not, it is not Mehrunes Dagon, nor is it Molag Bal, only because he has something completely different seething in his mind. Most of the others would not involve themselves in this kind of plot. Not their style, so that only leaves a few possibilities. But this much I can divine, it bodes badly for all who live in Tamriel if you are not Thalmor. We are running out of time to stop this. I feel the pressure building. I am doing what I can, dealing with Aedriath, recruiting followers to help me do what needs to be done.

     The Nine can only do so much, the rest is up to us. I will not be the one to disappoint, for it will in the end mean death and desecration. Now what I need from you is to speak to anyone you feel may be able to help us find the information that will lead me to Rigmor. I will take it from there. I apologize for how I am speaking, the pressure I feel is tremendous, and you are one of the few that I can trust, that I can show what is going on inside me. To everyone else I must hide this, let them only see confidence, courage, determination, instead of the fear that I feel. Again I am sorry, I know it is the time I spent under Black Lotus, that as long as I remain, remain what, it is on the tip of my tongue. Something that might happen later, to free me from this ongoing prison."

      Baa-Ren'Dar stands and places his arms around Iriisii, holds her trembling body close until the tremors fade and she is able to recover  herself. Before he came to know her through Rigmor, to discover her past. He never thought to believe that someone could survive what she did, suffer for as long as she suffered. If it was not for the Ancient Bladedancers taking her in and doing all they could to help her control what the Lotus did to her. They told Kaza what must happen for her to be totally free of it. And even then she would not speak plainly of it. She said when it happened, then this one would understand, until then this one needed to be there for her when he could, that Rigmor held the power to heal her now. Until the time came when that responsibility would be given to another. Kaza would not say anything of this other, save that 'blood would speak to blood', what that meant no other seer would even try to see.

      Baa-Ren'Dar: "There is one who may be able to find what you need to know, or at least set you on the path to find the one you need. I must need to travel to meet with him and ask his help. Are you ok now?"

     Iriisii: "Yes, thank you, old friend. I am sorry to be such a burden."

     Baa-Ren'Dar: "You are not a burden, rather you are the last hope for Nirn. That is a burden this one is glad not to have to bear, even as this one is saddened that you must be the one."

     Iriisii: "Thank you, Baa-Ren'Dar, let us hope this is over soon. Then I can move on to other things."

     Baa-Ren'Dar rises and makes his way outside with the snow coming down in thick flakes.

     Temussin walks up to him and asks, 'How is she?"

     Baa-Ren'Dar: "If you know of anything to help her bear what she must bear, speak to her of it. This one knows so little of how to help her with what she must endure."

     Temussin: "I will, for I owe her much, and this would be a good way to begin to repay her."

     Baa-Ren'Dar: "Good, this one must go and do what this one can. Take care of her, for she bears the burdens of all of Nirn on her shoulders."

     Temussin: "I understand, go and worry not, for I know something that will help. and I believe she can make much better use of it than any other I have ever known."

     Baa-Ren'Dar goes on before the snow grows thick enough to keep him snowbound in Angi's camp. And Temussin walks to the tent and asks to enter.

     Iriisii: "Come in."

     Temussin walks in and sits on the side of Rigmor's bed, looks to Iriisii.

     Temussin: "There is something I know of that may be of use to you in what you face now and what will come."

     Iriisii: "Tell me of it, if you would, I will listen."

     Temussin: "You know I bear the Black Vir, what appears as a tattoo on my arms. First, it is my choice of where I bear it. Everyone who takes it must decide for themselves. But what I want to speak of is just a little bit different. There is another species of Vir called the 'White'. It enhances the martial and physical, where as the 'Black' enhances the magical and spiritual. What is known only to a very few, and my Sufi, my teacher was one. He told me that both could be borne in symbiosis with each other and their host. With one of sufficient power and resolve, they would meld and become 'Gray'.

      They sometimes do not completely become 'Gray', sometimes the 'Gray' becomes edged with both 'Black' and 'White'. My teacher said no one remembers why this can happen, only that pattern of the Vir will grow with the host and assist with their becoming a 'Warrior of Balance', attaining true enlightenment in all aspects of the martial and magical arts. This would propel them to unheard of levels of accomplishment. Why almost none are heard of is that they prefer not to be paraded around by sycophants hanging on their every word and movement. However it has been whispered among those who know of this that they wait for one to rise above all others. To that one they will gather and offer themselves in whatever capacity is needed or wanted.

      All of what it can do has been lost over the years, centuries, millennia. Faint whispers in the depths of dreams sometimes come unbidden of what can be possible. I speak of this because I have heard such whispers. You say you are a Dragonrider who has bonded to your dragon. Such that you can call from anywhere and he will come to you. The Vir can merge with any sufficiently powerful and intelligent being, even if they be dragons. If your dragon should accept the 'Gray' along with yourself, he can among many other things place himself within the tattoo that is the Vir and go with you anywhere you go, and thus be ready to step in with but a thought. If this is done, the resultant 'tattoo' of the Vir will take on your dragon's aspect and it will seem as if the tattoo has always been of his image and will seem alive and covering you, the image appearing not as an flat image but as if there was an actual dragon draped around you. And in some way who is to say this is not so. I have a few times in my deepest sleep, dreamed of one such who accomplished this. It may be that she sensed that I would come to meet you. Her name is Xan'ith Karek, and she sleeps somewhere, I know not where."

     Iriisii: "You first spoke of the Vir as a symbiotic parasite, what is the cost of what you suggest?"

     Temussin: "No cost to you, they would primarily feed and nurture each other. Some things that naturally occur, your sweat, dust from your surroundings, things like this they would consume from your skin. Your internal wastes they also would take care of. Anyone touching your skin would know no difference, and you would also not feel any difference. If you wish you can command them to consume anything dead that is outside your body. Anything dead inside, they will consume and clean from your organs."

     Iriisii: "If I should choose to do this, we will take it one step at a time. For now I need to sleep on it, for I am exhausted and direly in need of sleep."

     Temussin nods his head, rises and stops for a second at the draped covering over the tent entrance.

     Temussin: "I will guard from the fire pit should you need my services."

     Iriisii: "Thank you, Temussin. I do not know who may be looking for us, but I am certain someone is. Be alert and wake me if you sense anyone else coming near."

     Temussin again nods his head and walks out into the deepening snow, his footsteps strangely making no noise as he walks to the fire pit. Iriisii thought she was the only one capable of moving so silently. Perhaps there is a great deal in what he spoke about that would be of help to her. She lays her head down on the bedroll next to Rigmor's empty bed and falls into a fast dreamless sleep. Seemingly almost as fast as her head hit the bedroll, Sigunn is shaking her awake.

     Iriisii: "I am awake now, tell me what is wrong."

     Sigunn: "Sorella is missing, along with one of Angi's bows. She must have gone out looking for Rigmor. Angi is out looking for her now, can you catch up with her and see if she has picked up Sorella's trail?"

     Iriisii: "Let me get something on and I will set out. Did Angi have any idea where she may have gone, what direction she took when she left?"

     Sigunn: "Angi said she went north on the road that passes by the camp. She said there was a place called Bloodlet Throne in that direction."

     Iriisii: "I see, I will get out there immediately and see what more I can do to help. Would you send Karliah and Temussin in when you leave, please.?"

     Sigunn: "Of course, and thank you Dragonborn."

     Iriisii is dressed when Karliah and Temussin walk in and wait for Iriisii to tell them what is going on.

     Iriisii: "Ok, Sorella still being distraught over Rigmor, has taken one of Angi's bows and went looking for Rigmor. She went to the road to the east then went north. Angi is already out there looking for her tracks, but a place I know of called Bloodlet Throne is also out that way  somewhat close. It is probable that there is a coven of vampires living in there, so we have to get to Sorella before they do."

     Karliah: "What do we do if they already have her?"

     Iriisii: "Kill every last one of them. If she is still alive, we rescue her first and deal with the vampires second. I would say let Angi bring her back while we deal with the vampires. If she has been bitten but is still alive, we take her to the 'Hall of the Dead' in Falkreath and get the priest of Arkay that tends it to bless her at one of the shrines there. It should cure her of vampirism. If she has been bitten and did not survive, we take her to the Hall of the Dead and have her body sanctified and buried. Any questions? Temussin, about what we talked about last night, how long would it take to begin the process?"

     Temussin: "I can give it to you right now, and it can begin working. How long that takes is anyone's guess. It is different for each who takes it."

     Iriisii: "Then give me what you have and let it begin."

     Karliah: "Wha...?"

     Iriisii: A mixture of two forms of the Vir on his arms. They should balance each other and help me achieve 'Satori' between all the disparate parts of me, my skills, my power. If I can do this with its help, it will allow me to keep Rigmor safe without worrying about getting waylaid again."

     Karliah: "You are the boss. We do what you want."

     Iriisii: "I would not ask this of anyone else. I will do it for myself, but anyone else is going to have to find their own way."

     Temussin pulls out two phials out of a pouch slipped inside of his leather shirt. He gives them to Iriisii and tells her to open them and drink the contents of each as quickly as she can. She holds them side by side, and pulls the corks at the same time. Raising them to her lips she downs the liquid inside each and swallows. Handing them back to Temussin, she tells them to follow her. As they come out Iriisii asks her Elemental and Gisela to guard the camp from intruders. As they move out Iriisii can swear she feels twin streams of something moving through her bloodstream.

     Iriisii: "Is it supposed to work this fast?"

     Temussin: "You are already feeling it move through your body?"

     Iriisii: "Yes."

     Temussin: "Usually it days days or weeks, the stronger the host the sooner it works, and the greater the effects will be once it has settled  in. If it is working now...Gods what you could become."

     Iriisii: "Well we will worry about that later, we have a little girl to save, let's move it!"

     It does not take long to catch up with Angi who is searching the snow for signs of Sorella's tracks consistently filling with snow, and hoping they can find where she went before the oncoming blizzard hits.

     Iriisii: "Where do you need us to start looking?"

     Angi: "You brought help?!"

     Iriisii: "There is a blizzard coming, maybe even a 'whiteout', if we do not find her soon we may not be able to until the spring thaw. Now where do we need to concentrate our eyes!"

     Angi: "You are right. I am sorry. Please look to the north of here."

     Iriisii: "You do mot think..."

     Angi: "I pray not!"

     Iriisii: "If so, we have enough to get her out. I will not leave her in there if that is where she went, I promise you that!"

     Angi: "Thank you, Dragonborn. We should stop talking and start looking."

     Iriisii: "Temussin, Karliah, start looking just to the north of here but stay in sight of Angi. I am going further toward Bloodlet Throne. If anyone sees tracks call out."

     Karliah: "Go on and start looking there, we will be fine. Let's find her before the worst of the snow hits!"

     Iriisii moves north, as close to Bloodlet Throne as she can and still stay in shouting distance of the others. It seems as if they are not going to get a break when she spots a couple of footprints shielded under a evergreen tree. She sees them heading straight to the keep and she turns toward the others, enables her Thu'um and calls out to them that she found tracks. It only takes a few minutes for them to reach her and she shows them the tracks. She quickly moves toward the front of the keep and places her hands on the hard wood of the door. Extending her senses, seemingly sharper and more defining now, she locates vampires scattered throughout the keep, with a concentration at the far end and down underground with a small pack of pit wolves. There she is! Somehow being protected by the pit wolves. She pulls her hands back and lays out a course of action.

     Iriisii: "She is alive and currently being protected by a pack of pit wolves. Why, I do not know but I am not questioning it, they are protecting her and I am going to take full advantage of it. Temussin and I will go first. We keep the same distance between us as we do the walls, then I want Karliah behind Temussin about ten feet. Angi, you should be behind me about fifteen feet with your bow. Anything not Sorella or us that you can get a clean shot at, take it. Karliah, anything that gets past me or Temussin you are to take it out. Do not attack anything like a werewolf or gargoyle, leave those to me. Alright let's go!"

     Iriisii opens the door easily, she notices it was unlocked as if the occupants expected company. She almost sneezes from the thickness and dryness of the dust combined with the smoke from lit torches in sconces along the walls. She scans the dust for footprints but there is too many overlapping over Gods know how much time. Easier to just follow the trail since it probably leads where they want to go.

     Iriisii: "We follow the foot trail, if you see something yell out then hit it with blade, spell, or arrow."

     They start out as quickly as possible and still not miss anything, for anything could be important. Moving along the upper walk, then reaching a set of steps down, Iriisii hears a vampire commenting of how dinner was coming to her rather than she having to hunt it down. Iriisii pulls her sword and hair fine grey streaks start forming in complex patterns similar to a spiders' web along her arms and across the top of her chest. Temussin notices and a look of surprise crosses his face. 'So soon' he thinks, 'when she fully utilizes it and it engages with her, they will both be as powerful as gods.'

     Suddenly her blade strikes out and a vampire becomes visible, a sword cut opening the flesh across her entire front, the white bones of her ribs exposed as her mouth is open in a soundless scream of agony. Agony cut short on the next strike that separates head from shoulders. Iriisii gives a short flick of her sword and blood droplets are flung from the blade making small bloody mud drops in the dust covering the steps. She moves on to reach a open room, a table set with plates with various pieces of human flesh on them, cups half filled with blood. A single vampire sits at a chair, at the table. Two others come at them from different directions, one goes down with an arrow from Angi's bow, the arrow protruding from its left eye socket. The other is struck by a spell cast from Temussin, his Vir flaring deep black on his arms. Then a blast of concentrated liquid fire impacts the vampire, who goes up like a torch. The fire refuses to die down until there is nothing left of the vampire, not even ash.

     Iriisii goes to the one sitting at the table, her blade still held out ready to use.

     Iriisii: "Where is the child you took?"

     Vampire: "You are too late, the feast has begun. Did you come to join in?"

     Iriisii: "You have one chance to survive, tell me where she is and you can leave, now, unharmed. Keep up this nonsense and I will leave your rotting corpse right here sitting at this table in the filth of your own ashes."

     Vampire: "'She' told us to gather the children, that 'She' needed them."

     Iriisii: "Who is 'She'? Why did 'She' need the children?! 'TELL ME!'"

     Her voice echoes throughout the keep, the stone walls creak and moan with the force rolling across them. The Vampire Elders down below raise their heads and listen to try and figure out who is up there and what is happening. If they can survive a fight with whoever it is.

     Iriisii: "Tell me before I cut you open and read it in your guts! Then drink the answer from that craven excuse for a soul that 'She' gave you!"

     Temussin steps in knowing he has to help her rein in her responses before they take her to forbidden places. He reaches out with his left hand, willing all of his Vir to reach out to Iriisii and help calm her rage. A streamer of black reaches out from his hand and touches Iriisii's gray threads growing stronger with each second. He thinks she must be being influenced by her still nascent abilities as a Sacred Anatomancer interacting with the 'Gray Vir'. This is new territory, for such a combination has never been considered before.

      As his Vir connects to Iriisii, he feels her Dragonsoul inside working to help balance her out. He calls out to it to let him help. He hears its silent call to come and help if he can or at least tell him what to do. Then to his complete amazement Shivista and Darkstar both add their voices pleading with him to show them how they can help. He then does the only thing he can under the circumstances, he opens his memories to them of his own training to learn how to work with the Vir and lets them learn it directly from them.

      With all of them now understanding what is happening, they can erect the proper barriers to separate the two disciplines until at a later time she can reintegrate them in a more suitable environment. To Karliah and Angi, standing on the outside of all of this and not understanding anything about what is happening or why, they just know that the hair on the back of their necks is standing straight out. The fear in the air is almost thick enough to touch and to cut with a knife. They feel the 'eyes' of the gods know what watching them to see what happens. Then Iriisii closes her eyes for a second, and when she reopens them the redish black haze that was swimming within them is now gone. They are now back to their normal violet. Her stance is now less on edge, but she is still in control of this vampire.

     Vampire: "'She' has made it so that I can tell you nothing. That you can learn nothing from me. 'She' is not yet ready to reveal herself to you. So you will learn nothing until 'She' is ready for you to learn."

     Iriisii: "Then you are of no use to me."

     Her sword cuts the air, then the vampire's neck parts. His head falls to the table and crumbles into ash.

     Iriisii: "Leave every vampire where they drop, their last remains can serve as their grave marker."

     They follow the dust print trail around the halls, cutting down every vampire they meet, hear, or sense. They twist and turn, cross 'rope and plank' bridges, and still more vampires fall. She comes upon a Redguard woman's body surrounded by the carcasses of three pit wolves that had finally taken her down. She finds a journal on her body and stops to read it. The story it tells chills her heart, as she learns of many other children of Hammerfell as well as other province areas close by disappearing in the middle of the night, never to be seen again. It seems she can hear the anguish of the parents, and the voices of the souls in Aetherius telling her that the souls of the children are not there. That the coven's brood mother has them imprisoned somewhere. The cries reaching her ears, pleading for her to find and free them from their prison. And somehow she knows that this is yet another 'Great Task' that Akatosh has given her to deal with as his 'Hand of Justice'.

      She finds the 'Bow' infused with 'Vampire Ash', and the 'Silver Arrows' described in the journal. The vampires would not touch them lest they go mad. The one in the main room sitting in the chair, likely had touched it, and so he was placed there with two minders for her to find and deal with. She reads of the ring, taken from the Alik'r Warrior that prevents her soul from reuniting with her daughter's soul. She stands with the open journal in her hands and speaks a 'Holy Vow'.

                         Naal dii rot ol Dovahkiin              (By my word as Dragonborn)

                         Zu'u fen drun ziil wa kos               (I will bring your soul to be)

                         Voth hin mon's sil                          (With your daughter's soul)

                         Faal vokul geinne fen ni lahney    (The evil ones will not live)

                         fah orin gein more sul                    (for even one more day)

                         Daar sul hi lost dii rot                     (This day you have my word)

                        ol Dovahkiin do Bormahu               (as Dragonborn of Akatosh)

     Iriisii: "Look around, there is a door to their lair around here somewhere, that is where we will find Sorella and there is the Gods Justice to mete out this day. Everyone begins checking out anyplace they can lay hands on. Karliah finds it behind a wall tapestry and draws attention to it when she finds the trigger to open it. Iriisii takes the lead and races down to see a barred gate at the bottom of the incline. She can see Sorella through the bars, the Pit Wolves surrounding her, keeping the vampires at bay. The vampires notice them as they move to the bars to see what they will be facing when they come down.

     Vampire Master: "Who are you to come here and interrupt our business? Stay if you wish and we will add you to the festivities."

     Iriisii: "If you do not release Sorella now and leave Tamriel it will be you who will join all of your followers above who are now just ash.

I gave them the chance to leave and keep their pathetic existence but they attacked instead and so even now Lord Arkay has sanctified their remains. They cannot be raised or otherwise returned to Nirn. The same fate awaits you if you do not do as I say. As to why you should, know that I am Iriisii Dovahkiin, anointed Dragonborn of Akatosh, and I act this day as his 'Right Hand of Justice'."

     Vampire Master: "What do I care of what Akatosh thinks, much less who he sends as his toy sword. I serve Molag Bal, he who made me what I am. And I will enjoy doing to you what he does with those given unto him for his enjoyment."

     Iriisii: "Call your master then! Call him to come and face me! I dare you to call him to come and duel me!"

     Vampire Master: "He will come and deal with you when it pleases him. He does not come at the beck and call of those who are so far beneath him."

     Iriisii: "And I know it is because he cannot do anything against me that I will not give my permission for him to do. Not him, his brother, Mehrunes Dagon, Clavicus Vile, not any of them can do anything to me that I refuse to accept. He knows this and so he will not face me. He will not face me because he knows I will beat him. And so I guess I must give him yet more reason to want to face me!"

     Iriisii runs the few steps over to a side tunnel that holds a chain that she grabs and pulls down. A click is heard and the bars start dropping. Iriisii quickly runs into the small grotto, and leaps to Sorella's side.

     Iriisii: "Sorella? Are you alright?"

     Sorella: "Yes, the wolves have not hurt me. They are protecting me from the vampires. Have you and Angi come to take me home?"

     Iriisii: "Yes, we have. I want you to go to Angi now, she will take you out of here. I and my friends will see that these vampires do not bother you ever again."

     Sorella: "Ok, thank you for coming for me."

     Iriisii: "Go now, Angi is waiting. Angi! Take Sorella and go. I and my friends will deal with these filth. We will follow as soon as we clean them all out ."

     Angi: "Sorella, come with me. Be careful Dragonborn."

     Iriisii: "Akatosh stands with me this day, as I am his right hand. No one can stand against me with my 'Father' beside me! BORMAHU! Give me your blessing this day as I mete out your divine justice!"

     A wave of light extends down out of the rock ceiling and envelopes Iriisii. Then her Dragonsoul materializes around her physical body. He opens his jaws and roars his pleasure at the battle to come. Her 'Gray Vir' threads extend to encompass her Dragonsoul as well as herself. They look at the group of Elder Vampires standing on the ledge above them and they call out, "Yol Toor Shul", and a stream of dragonfire engulfs the Elders, cutting them all down into ash. She then speaks to the Pit Wolves and tells them to go out and hunt the vampires that remain in the keep and as one they race to the door, their howling being heard to accompany the screams of vampires as they are torn apart in the wolves jaws. Going up onto the ledge, she finds a parchment note, dusts the ash from it and reads it. It speaks of needing just a few more children for whatever unholy purpose, a warning about an Alik'r mother of one of the children taken, one that the pit wolves had already devoured when she fell into them trying to escape the vampires.

     She then goes out and searches every other room, tunnel, alcove and finally finds the ring. Once she lays hand to it, she feels drawn back to where the mother's body lays. When she finds her she places the ring in her hand and whispers to her.

     Iriisii: "It is done. This coven is no more. You and your daughter are free. I ask Tu'whacca to guide these two to the 'Far Shores' for they have suffered enough and deserve peace now forevermore."

     She is about to leave when she hears Karliah gasp. As she looks her way she sees Karliah point down the long hallway. There she sees two ghosts, one a Redguard woman, the other a young girl child coming toward her. She knows who they are and what they want. She draws her sword, holding it point down, she kneels on the stone floor, placing the blade in front of her, point to the stone and her hands on the hilt. She bows her head as the ghosts approach. She feels it as both lay hands on her and speak to her.

     Redguard Child: "Mother says thank you for bringing us together once more. Now no more children will these vampires call in the deep night. Take her bow for the child you rescued and she will use it for what it was intended for. Also take my ring and give it to her, that it be a shield to her against their voices as they try and call to her again. Tu'whacca gives unto you his blessing for your actions this day."

     Iriisii: "Ask your mother what should be done with her body? I would not wish to leave it here among all this filth."

     Redguard Child: "If it be your wish, Mother says to wrap her body in a tapestry, then have the one called Baa-Ren'Dar take it back to Hammerfell and give it unto the 'Throne Keepers'. They will see to it afterward. May all the Gods of Mundus bless you and watch over you Dovahkiin of Akatosh."