The Story Of Iriisii Dovahkiin Book One Chapter Twenty-Three

The Story Of Iriisii Dovahkiin Book One Chapter Twenty-Three

                                                                 Chapter Twenty-Three

     Iriisii is trudging up the hill to Angi's, a load wrapped within an aged tapestry slung over her shoulder, Karliah and Temussin behind her, their feet leaving ever more deep tracks in the snow. They stop and warm themselves at the campfire, Gisela comes out to see if they are alright.

     Gisela: "What is that?"

     Iriisii: "Something I must have sent back to Hammerfell, it is the least that I can do for her now."

     Gisela looks to Karliah and Temussin.

     Karliah: "We will give you the whole story later. Right now we need rest."

     Iriisii takes the wrapped body and places it in Rigmor's tent in the spot where Baa'Ren-Dar has his rug. Then she comes back out to see Sigunn waiting for her by the campfire.

     Iriisii: "Sigunn, is Sorella okay?"

     Sigunn: "She says she can still hear their voices in her head, calling her. What can we do to help her?"

     Iriisii: "Do you think I can talk to her for a few minutes?"

     Sigunn: "I think that would be good for her. You were there and know what happened."

     Iriisii goes on inside and sees Sorella sitting in a chair by a fire, Angi sitting in another chair close to Sorella, gets up and moves away for Iriisii to sit and talk to Sorella.

     Iriisii: "Sorella may I talk to you for a few minutes about what happened?"

     Sorella: "Okay."

     Iriisii: "Tell me what happened, what made you leave here?"

     Sorella: "I just wanted to find Rigmor, so I took the bow to protect myself with, but I got lost in the snow. Then I heard the voices in my head guiding me to where I could get out of the snow. I only wanted to find Rigmor."

     Iriisii: "I know, I promise you that I will find her and bring her home. But tell me about the wolves."

     Sorella: "They were just walking around me, not attacking or anything. That made the vampires mad, and when they kept trying to force them to hurt me they got all mad at the vampires. Then you and Angi came for me. You gave me over to Angi and she got me out of there and back here."

     Iriisii: "Do you still hear the voices in your head?"

     Sorella: "Yes, they keep calling me to come to them. You are not going to let them hurt me are you?"

     Iriisii: "No, I took care of every one of them there. They will not come and get you from there anytime soon. But I have something I want you to wear."

     Iriisii gives her the ring that she tied a leather thong through it so she could wear it around her neck.

     Iriisii: "Here, put this on over your head, just like that, yes. Now can you hear the voices now?"

     Sorella: "No, they are gone now."

     Iriisii: "Good, now you must not take it off for any reason or the voices will come back."

     Sigunn sticks her head in and says that Angi is saying we have unwanted visitors.

     Iriisii: "Alright, I need to outside and see what is going on, you stay here and let us handle this, ok?"

     Sorella: "Ok."

     Sigunn: "I will stay and watch over her."

     Iriisii: "Do not worry about this, we will take care of it."

     Iriisii steps out and moves around the hut to stand beside Angi looking out toward the west with snow still falling.

     Angi: "There is only one out there. I bet I can hit him with my bow."

     Iriisii concentrates and uses 'Aura Whisper', the tracks she sees says there are a lot more gathering behind the single scout Angi sees.

     Iriisii: "No, there are a lot more gathering behind him that you cannot see. I and mine will take care of this. If any get by us feel free to take them out."

     Angi: "Aye."

     Iriisii hands Angi the treated bow and silver arrows she brought out of Bloodlet Throne.

     Iriisii: "Here, these are for Sorella. she may need them in the future. With these any vampire she comes across will wish they had not turned and ran as soon as they saw her."

     She then gathers her companions and briefs them on what is happening and where the enemy is.

     Iriisii: "We spread out, but stay close enough to help if someone needs it. I am going to use some summoning spells, in fact this would be the right time to try one I learned a bit ago. It is going to be dangerous but with as many as are gathered out there I think it necessary."

     Karliah: "What are you going to summon?"

     Iriisii: "A void dragon."

     Temussin: "Is that wise? The power needed to summon it alone is staggering, but to hold control of it?"

     Iriisii: "Yes, I can do this. It will not remain in this realm for long, a few minutes at most. But it will put the fear of the gods into them. If needed I can 'call' Snowdevil, he feels the tension I am under and it is making him itchy to get into a fight. But I do not want both of them here at the same time. I know one is a 'summons' and the other is a 'transport' of one bound to me. But I do not want them trying to square off against each other."

     Temussin nods his head, "Wise, you understand their natures. The 'void dragon' will take a great deal of effort to control, and Snowdevil will react to the other according to his nature. If you command him not to go against it, you would need enough power to control both and fight whatever enemies come at you, since that would make you a target for the enemy to concentrate their efforts. I could summon the 'void dragon' and let you handle Snowdevil. that way your efforts are not divided."

     Iriisii: "No, my friend. Using 'void magic' carries its own 'burden'. I will not risk you like that, especially if you have not encountered it before."

     Gisela: "Is it tied to Oblivion and the Daedra?"

     Iriisii: "No, it derives directly from the 'void'. A rogue mage named 'Samel' developed it. We will discuss just what it can do later when we have time. Just know that it is incredibly dangerous to use without preparation and knowledge of how to shield yourself from it while using it."

     Temussin remembers the power of those Iriisii carries within her and figures they can step in and help shield her from the dangers she anticipates in using the 'void magic', assistance which he lacks.

     Temussin: "I understand, you have resources which I do not. I will go with what you decide to do."

     Karliah: "I agree with Temussin, if he is okay with this then I will go along as well. Even though I know nothing about what you two are discussing, I trust you both."

     Gisela: "I too trust you, Commander. You carry Stendarr's Blessing and his approval of your actions."

     Iriisii: "Let me tell Sigunn to keep Sorella inside out of sight and warn Angi not to fire on the dragon. Then I need to tell Snowdevil to be ready to port to me."

     Walking into the hut, she spots Sigunn.

     Iriisii: "Sigunn, whatever you hear outside, keep Sorella inside and out of sight. We have hostile visitors coming, enough that I feel it needed to summon a dragon to fight for us."

     Sigunn: "A dragon? Are you sure it will not turn on  us?"

     Iriisii: "The one I will summon will stay for only a few minutes before the spell wears down and he is sent back. I may 'call' Snowdevil, he is, how can I say this, blood bound to me. I am his 'Dragonrider' as they were in the days of Emperor Goreius. Either of us would fight to the death to defend the other. I know that sounds strange these days."

     Sigunn: "Actually it is not strange at all. I am aware of the special relationship that existed at that time between the Dragons and their Riders. I did not think that it could exist anymore the way things are now. I am glad to see a ray of light shine to bring what was then into what we have now. Do not worry, I will keep Sorella inside until you say it is safe to come out."

     Iriisii: "Thank you, Sigunn. I need to let Angi know what is about to happen before they start getting close."

     Iriisii turns and steps out into the howling wind that is picking up. Walks around the front of the hut to where Angi stands looking out into the trees with snow swirling between the trees like a river.

     Iriisii: "Angi, Sigunn is going to keep Sorella inside until all of this over. I need to let you know that I am going to be summoning a dragon so you will expect to see and hear it. It will only be around for a couple of minutes, but that will be long enough for him to do quite a bit of damage to them. Just please do not accidentally put an arrow or two into his hide. I will be controlling him and I will feel the shots as well as it will make him more difficult to control. He is very powerful and I do not want to lose control of him until he is sent back to the 'void'."

     Angi: "A dragon! You are sure you can keep hold of him?"

     Iriisii: "Yes, I can."

     Angi: "Very well. If you think it is needed, then go ahead."

     Iriisii: "Thank you."

     She trots back to the campfire and gathers her companions, leads them down to the flat the campsite overlooks.

     Iriisii: "Out there they are gathering, I am going to send the 'void' dragon to do as much damage as he can, then we will see if we need help finishing them off. Everyone stay back while I cast this spell."

     She locates where she wants the spell to place the dragon, then she again uses 'aura whisper' to see where the enemy is. They are just out of sight, behind the rocks, trees, anything they can use for cover, waiting and watching to see what she will do. she then thinks to herself, 'very well, let me get this show started'.

     She places her hands before her, palms flat against each other, as she mentally forms the image of a esoteric diagram, feels it engage with the reality in front of her, then she turns it in a direction it should be impossible for it to turn. As she is doing this, a guttural chant wells from deep in her throat. The space between the palms of her hands begins to glow. She moves her hands apart and a crackling energy arcs between her fingers from one palm to the other.

     The Thalmor mages watching this can feel reality twisting into a different form. They begin to fear they have now met one of the few 'Void Mages' known to exist. Until now they have stayed out of sight, never allowing themselves to be seen or heard from. But if she is one, what is she doing, for this corresponds to no known type of spell any of them have studied before. Then they see what she has done, and fear courses through their veins along with their blood.

     Once Iriisii feels the spell is ready, she hurls the energy construct at the place she wants the dragon to appear. It strikes the ground and quickly expands to match the size of the dragon she fought on the plains of Whiterun. Its form takes only a few seconds to solidify as it raises its head to the snow-laden clouds above and screams. The Thalmors' hounds break their leashes and run as fast as they can away from the dragon, for they know just how dangerous it is.

     Iriisii points to where the largest number of Thalmor troops are hidden and she gives the Dragon her command.

     Iriisii: "NIR".

     Its response is both immediate and terrifying. It finds the first group and 'shouts', but the words it uses are not in Dovahzul. They are in  a language that rocks the very air, as javelins of ice come dropping down out of the clouds. A half dozen troops are pinned to the ground by the icy javelins. The dragon 'shouts' again, and this time bones vibrate with the tone of the shout. Then the affected troops start spasming as their  bones grate against each other, their bodies arch and contort so severely their muscles and blood vessels tear apart inside.

     The Thalmor Commander orders his remaining forces to attack, and so the slaughter begins. Any who go near the dragon are caught in his jaws and gulped down before the spell fades and the dragon with it. The others are met with blades, magic, and arrows. Iriisii seemingly flying from one to another, her blade cutting down Thalmor, Orc, Human, Scout, Soldier, Archer, and Mage. The snow on the ground changes from a pristine white to a dirty red. Iriisii sees magic bolts coming from further behind them but since they are targeting their enemies she does not care.

     She is just beginning to think it may be time to 'call' Snowdevil, as she looks up she sees no more enemies in sight. One by one the others finish off the ones they have and look up when done to see no more left. Karliah looks around at the bodies, then raises her head to feel the snow flakes drift down onto her face. She then releases a ancient Dunmer warcry in celebration of victory. Iriisii just smiles as Temussin and Gisela join in. She looks at the all the bodies scattered and thinks that someone has to do something about them. before the wolves and bears come looking for them.

     So she casts 'Greater Telekinesis' and picks up one of the bodies. It feels so effortless now that she uses the other hand to pick up one. Now does she carry them to the lip of the rock ledge and drop them or, maybe...she gets an idea and half turns, swings one arm and lets the body go when the swing reaches the end. The body goes sailing out beyond the rock lip and disappears down the rock face. Soon enough she has the rhythm going and it does not take long before the area has been cleaned up. Of course there is still the better pieces of armor she saved as well as a note on the Thalmor Commander. She reads it and a frown forms on her face, degenerating into cursing as she realizes what the words mean. She turns back to Angi's camp and sees a familiar hooded figure waiting on her at the base of the hill Angi's campsite is built upon.

     Iriisii: "Tendril Sethri, I appreciate your assistance in this matter. You were just in time."

     Sethri: "Hello Dragonborn, is it my imagination or are you growing very much stronger, very quickly now."

     Iriisii: "It does seem so, my friend. Now does your Mistress have any words of advice for me?"

     Sethri: "Indeed she does, Dragonborn. You have amazed a number of celestial beings with how tough and resilient you are. There are a number of the Dragonborn of old that could not have survived what you have. But that is to your advantage as all too many do not know you still live. My  Mistress suggests you use this opportunity to prepare for what is to come."

     Iriisii: "And what is that, Tendril Sethri?"

     Sethri: "War, Dragonborn. A war to cleanse Tamriel of all other races but for the Altmer. Even though it is the Thalmor that are working hard on this, not the Altmer people."

     Iriisii: "I do not think the Altmer in general would be in agreement of this if they knew the truth of it. Anyway what detail has she found out that I can make use of?"

     Sethri: "She still does not know where young Rignor is being held or why they want her."

     Iriisii: "Damn it all to Oblivion! Someone somewhere has to know something!"

     Sethri: "As it happens, there is. Do you know who Jonte Malesam is, by chance?"

     Iriisii: "Malesam? I found a journal while at the 'forge' in the mines with his name in it. Yes, it was his journal. He was working with Joror on why they could not forge the weapons. Seems when Aedriath ordered Joror to desecrate Azura's Shrine he got very 'cold feet' and left there in a hurry. From the way the journal read and his reaction to the desecration, I believe someone planted him there to find out what he could and pass it on."

     Sethri: "Then you know more of him than I do right now, but he 'knows' you are alive. Everyone else believes you are dead, you and Rigmor both, since Casius and Yngol were hauled in by their respective 'Commands' for a game of 'arse slap' because of the all night drinking parties held in your and Rigmor's names. Anyway, Malesam wants to meet with you, to pass on what he knows about Rigmor's whereabouts."

     Iriisii: "How certain is he to have reliable information?"

     Sethri: "I cannot say anything about that, but my Mistress wants you to go meet with him and hear what he has to say."

     Iriisii: 'Ok, that is good enough for me. Now what are we going to do about a safe place for Angi, Sorella, and Sigunn? They know about them being up here now, since they sent this party to mop up whoever was left that knew anything about Diamond Ridge."

     Sethri: "Agreed, I may have an answer for you on that. I have an old farmhouse down in the 'Reach' where they can all stay. It will need some minor fixing up, but not too much really. And it is not in Empire controlled territory, so you will all be safe from the Empire anyway. I will leave convincing them to go in your hands. Just do not take too long, time is short."

     Iriisii: "I hear you, Sethri. And thank you for coming to tell me all of this."

     Sethri: "Glad to be of help, Dragonborn."

     Iriisii continues up the hill to speak to Sigunn, while Sethri disappears into the snowstorm. As she reaches the campfire, Sigunn starts to ask questions about what just happened.

     Sigunn: "Dragonborn, can you tell me what just happened, why were those, whoever they were, sent after us? What does all this mean?"

     Iriisii: "I will tell you what I know as of this moment, they are all a part of a splinter faction within the Thalmor. They call themselves the 'New World Order'. They are the ones that have Rigmor. Where? I do not know just yet, but I have a name of an Altmer to speak to that may know. Why they came for you, Angi, Sorella, anyone else here? You do not roll through Diamond Ridge Mine like we did without word getting out about it. The ones behind it got seriously embarrassed by what they were doing under the Empire's nose. They want it all swept under the rug, nice and neat, out of sight. That means buried in the ground somewhere no one will ever find out.

     Sethri has offered us the use of a farmhouse he owns. It is in the Rift on the river. It is safer there because it is not controlled by the Empire, so we can move about without worrying about the Legion. The Altmer I need to speak to is also near there. Hopefully he will be able to tell me where Rigmor is being held and for what purpose. With that I will go wherever I have to, storm the place, scorch the ground, and get her out, alive and in one piece. I need you to talk to Angi about moving there as soon as possible. It is likely that was not all of the people they sent, when they come looking for them, they will come with more. I have to find Rigmor, and time is short. I cannot sit out here and protect everyone.

     There are some I could leave to watch over you, but eventually they will be overcome. I do not have the luxury of an army to call upon. Sethri's farm is the safest place we have access to right now. And everyone must go, anyone left behind will die, there is no doubt of that at all. So will you try and convince her to leave with Sorella?"

     Sigunn: "When you put it that way, yes, I will try."

     Iriisii: "Thank you, I mean that. Also, when things settle down there is something else I need to talk to you about."

     Sigunn: "What is it, tell me what I can do?"

     Iriisii: "I have walked into a 'mess' with the Vigilants of Stendarr."

     Sigunn: "What kind of 'mess' and how can I be of help?"

     Iriisii goes on to explain what she suspects is going on with them and would Sigunn take some time to start teaching Gisela to read first, then if time permits to write."

     Sigunn: "I see. The 'Nine' did not go wrong when they chose you to be Dragonborn. You do not distinguish between the problems you are called to fix. Small or large, you approach all of them with the same seriousness. I will find time somewhere to teach her, do not worry about that. Now let us see how Angi is going to take this."

     Needless to say Angi does not take to it at all. Sigunn gets nowhere with her.

     Sigunn: "I am sorry Dragonborn, I thought Rigmor could be difficult to convince of doing something she did not want to do, but Angi is far worse. Maybe if you shift the concern of danger to Sorella, she may listen to you."

     Iriisii: "Thank you for trying, I was hoping to not have to go that way, but I cannot leave them here to face what will come for them. Even if she hates me for the rest of our lives, I must get her and Sorella to the farmhouse in the Rift. It is their only chance to survive and live their lives."

     Sigunn: "I will say a prayer to the 'Nine' that you can succeed, Dragonborn."

     Iriisii steps inside the hut, moves a chair to face Angi, then sits silently for a what seems a few minutes to let the seriousness of this situation sink in.

     Iriisii: "You know I have to go and find Rigmor. I have no idea where I will have to go, what I will have to do, how long this will take."

     Angi: "Sorella and I are not leaving."

     Iriisii: "Stop and listen to me for a moment! I wish it did not have to be this way, but I will not leave the two of you to your deaths."

     Angi: "I can protect Sorella."

     Iriisii: "Like when you looked and said there was only one standing out there? How many bodies did I throw over the cliff's edge? Could you have saved Sorella when they swarmed over you all at once? And the next time they come, and they will come. They have no choice, they must clean up all the loose ends. You could scream all day long that you know nothing of what happened at Diamond Ridge Mine but they will not listen. I would like to say it was simply because they felt they had to in order to keep word of what happened from getting out. But it is more than that, they feel they are the only race deserving to live. Everyone else is only worth living if they can provide value to them. Whether it be as a slave in a diamond mine, serving their soldiers as a toy to play with, or just to enjoy watching you die under their whips. Make no mistake they will come back, and then what?"

     Angi eyes start to picture what Iriisii is saying, and fear begins to creep into that picture.

     Iriisii: "If you want to fight against that kind of tyranny, so be it, because it is coming for you. You have the right to decide what you will do, but it is not about just you anymore, is it? What of Sorella? She does not have the skills to fight, not yet anyway. She might kill one or two, if she does not freeze. Because it takes something inside you to kill another, be it man, mer, or of the beast races. She is innocent and does not have that ability within her. One day she will have to learn it, experience it, and I pray one of us is with her to help her understand why it had to happen.

     Animals are cunning, smart in an instinctive way, but they do not kill and torture just for their own enjoyment. The Thalmor have no remorse when it comes to the 'lesser races' as they call us. Against them I will give back what they would do to us. I lost my innocence a long time ago and it was also not by my choice. When death came for me, instead I was taken captive, addicted to a most horrible poison, and trained to hunt and kill men as you kill animals. Do not let this happen to Sorella, spare her that fate. Please spare her."

     Angi looks into Iriisii's eyes, seeing the truth along with the pain and anguish inside them. 

     Iriisii: "The Gods needed someone like I am now, to do what they could not, to fight all those who come to destroy, desecrate, and enslave Nirn. But it is my responsibility to endure this, to stop this, not yours, and certainly not Sorella's. Rather you and Sorella are the reason why I do it, why I endure it, to make sure you do not have to fall to it. If you wish to stay, then I will not stop you, but let me take Sorella away from this. Don't force her to experience what will come for you if you stay. But remember this, this is only for a short time. Because it is my task to deal with this, not yours."

     Iriisii gets up to walk outside and let Angi think about what she has said.

     Angi: "Dragonborn, wait!"

     Iriisii stops and turns to look at her.

     Angi: "I guess at this rate, I will have to board this place up and sell it. But would you do something for me?"

     Iriisii: "Whatever you need, if I can do it, I will."

     Angi: "Sorella will need a pony for her to ride to this farmhouse you want to take us to. There is one available in Falkreath, would you go and buy it for Sorella. You will need to talk to a man at the 'Dead Man's Drink'. His brother's family lost their little girl and no longer need the pony."

     Iriisii: "Of course, I will go now and get it for her."

     Angi: "Thank you, I will get started packing everything up that we will need for the journey."

     Iriisii steps outside to see everyone standing around the firepit.

     Iriisii: "All of you hear that?"

     One by one they nod their heads, the elemental included.

     Iriisii sighs, "It does not change what I must do at this time. I have to go into Falkreath and get a pony for Sorella, and I am going alone. The Thalmor do not know any of you and I want to keep it that way for as long as possible."

     Karliah: "We talked it over, and you need at least one with you. Temussin said he can disguise me if I can think of someone I know strong enough to change my appearance into. I can also go ahead and check out the situation, who is there, how many, together or scattered. I used to do this for Gallus when we...you know."

     Iriisii walks up to Karliah and takes her hands in her own.

     Iriisii: "I know. Very well, I could use the help, nothing in a situation like this ever goes as planned."

     She then leans into Karliah's ear, "When the time is right, we will go and free Gallus' soul, just the two of us, I promise."

     Karliah: "You know where he is?"

     Iriisii nods her head, "the 'Temple'".

     Karliah quietly curses, "I should have known it! She would not take him into Evergloom as long as the 'Key' was still missing. But how did you find out...Azura, it had to be."

     Iriisii nods her head again, "She once was involved in stopping Nocturnal from crossing over into Mundus and establishing herself on this side. It seems Nocturnal was helping another Daedra by clouding their activities from being seen by others. Why I do not care, but it does call for a bit of retribution. Had she stayed out of it, then I would be honor bound not to step in. But she opened the door, and I am going to go through it, and show her the mistake she made."

     Karliah: "I look forward to it, but how can we mortals do anything that will affect them?"

     Iriisii: "One thing you need to remember, the Daedra can do nothing to you that you do not allow. They bluster and talk big, but if they really had the power they claim to have, Nirn would have been destroyed or enslaved long ago. That does not mean they cannot act in a sideways manner. They can influence weak minded individuals to perform tasks for them that have physical effects in this world. But since it is usually one of our own performing the task, the Daedra themselves are not acting directly against us, and so what their servants do works as their masters desire. Stand up to them, deny them, renounce them, they can do nothing to stop or harm you. Your disbelief in them is your greatest weapon."

     Karliah nods her head.

     Karliah: "That makes sense of all that I have read, and seen. Nocturnal herself seems not to help or harm directly, but rather to affect what we call 'luck'. But what of the 'curse' she placed on the Thieves Guild?"

     Iriisii: "As you said, by affecting what you call 'luck' is merely removing the influence she has nurtured over the years. The things, said of what she can do, written about her, peoples' thoughts of her, it is our belief that she taps, that gives her the ability to affect events in our world. But rather than she having power over us, we through our belief give her that power to influence the world around us. The Guild, deep in their minds have been taught that their 'luck' springs from 'her' rather than from their own belief. So when she removes her 'hand' their 'luck' changes.

      It does not have to be this way, the Dwemer proved that by first separating themselves from the Gods. Building their civilization on science and technology. Kagrenac, however, interfered in power that the rest of the peoples of Nirn, who believed in the power of the Gods, gave unto them. And not understanding what he was doing, set the stage for what that interference did. That is not to say that believing in the Gods is not a good thing. You know that it is, how many have been healed at the shrines of every known affliction and ailment. But the interaction between the power of the Gods and the belief of mortals in that power must be balanced in order for 'life' to follow the path it desires. It is a complicated dance between all of this, one we give to the gods because we cannot seem to understand it. There is no shame in that, for the Gods do have power of their own. It is the interaction of their power as it crosses us and how we choose to accept it is where the problems begin. But I have digressed enough, we must be along to Falkreath. Temussin, if you will 'hide' Karliah within another guise, we will get going. Everyone else help get the camp packed to move and be ready when Karliah and I return. It is likely we will need to get moving quickly afterward."

     Once Temussin is done, Iriisii inspects his handiwork.

     Iriisii: "Vex, am I right?"

     Karliah: "Yes, she is the one I chose. She is a complicated person, but quite a bit 'full of herself'. If anyone remembers seeing this 'face' involved in whatever we run into, it will fall on a most deserving person."

     Iriisii: "I understand. When we get near Falkreath, go ahead and go in, check out the Inn first. I suspect that is where they will be congregated, drinking, and making pests of themselves, so be prepared for it. I will wait for you outside to give me the lowdown on what is going on before entering. Ok then, let us go."

     They make their way down the mountain to the road into town. Following it until they are just in sight of the gates. Karliah goes on alone to the Inn, while Iriisii moves to where she can see the front door of the Inn, but stays out of notice. She waits for a while and then sees Karliah walk out of the Inn, followed by a Legion soldier who cannot seem to keep his hands to himself. Karliah is not fighting him off but also is not inviting him to 'take' her right there in the middle of the street. Iriisii watches to see if there is an opportunity for her to interrupt without causing any trouble. Turns out she did not have to do anything as when the town guards were out of sight, Karliah knocked the drunken lout in the head with the pommel of her dagger. The Legionnaire dropped like a sack of potatoes at her feet. Iriisii steps out to grab one side of him while Karliah grabbed the other.

     Iriisii: "Where can we take him?"

     Karliah: "His tent is just down this street and around the corner in the area of the mill. He said the soldier he shares it with is still drinking it up in the Inn, so no one will come looking for him until he starts his watch in about four hours. I figure we should be long gone in that time. Help me get him there and I will tell you everything I heard."

     They get about halfway when they see a town guard coming. Iriisii thinks fast and tells Karliah what they are going to do. When the guard and his torch get close enough, he sees the Legionnaire with both females draped on either side of him with one of them kissing him, the other holding one of his hands on the rear of the one getting kissed, fingers intertwined. The guard keeps walking on down the street, shaking his head, wondering how that Legion piece of crap managed to get two women to go back to his tent with him. He does good just to get the waitress to bring his ale without spilling it all over him. He thinks, 'When they find who they are looking for, they will be gone and things will go back to normal.'

     Once the guard moves on, Karliah helps Iriisii unwind herself from the guard as they finish taking him to his tent.

     Karliah: "Thanks for taking the lead on that."

     Iriisii: "No problem, I just figured you had enough of him pawing every inch of you. Now let's sit and you can tell me everything you found out."

     Karliah begins with detailing how many Thalmor there are, and how many Legion soldiers.

     Karliah: "You were right in that they were sent out here to find Angi's camp. Their orders were to kill everyone they could find up there, then disguise it to look like bandits did it. A Special Squad officer took most of them up the mountain, and they have no idea yet that they will not be coming down. There are about three others of this Special Squad are still in there. They are only watching all of the antics, staying as sober as the Legionnaires are drunk. But if anything gets started it is pretty close quarters in there. Just who are they and how do you want to do this?"

     Iriisii: "As far as the Special Squad, they are supposed to be the Thalmor's elite assassins. I think they are closer to elite jackasses, myself. Most of them could not assassinate their own butts if they tried. Anyway, I will go in alone, I want you to slip in just a few minutes later and find a quiet corner if you can. Stay out of it if anything happens and try to herd the native people to safety if you can. It might be a good idea for me to speak to one of the guards and make sure they are in a different part of town for a while."

     Karliah: "How are you going to do that?"

     Iriisii: "The guards are as corrupt as the Jarl is here. And I happen to be Thane of Falkreath. If I explain what might happen to the Thalmor and the Legion, grease a few palms with some gold, If something does happen, they will be happy to have some gold to spend on ale and mead, with no Legion grunts drinking up the entire supply, and no Thalmor stinking up the air with their 'holier than thou' attitude. I will also leave the Innkeeper some gold to cover the cost of cleaning up and making sure everything is 'swept under the rug'."

     Karliah: "Temussin was right, you really were trained as an Prime Assassin."

     Iriisii: "That feels like an eternity ago, but somethings never leave you."

     Karliah: "That is the 'Gods own truth' for certain."

     Iriisii: "Ok, let me look for a guard and get this going."

     It does not take long to find one. She introduces herself as Thane of Falkreath, and talks to him about the possibility of her business going bad should the Thalmor and Legion recognize her.

     Guard: "On their bad side I take it."

     Iriisii: "You could say that. I have serious problems with the Thalmor, and these Legionnaires with them are nothing but their lap dogs."

     Guard: "You have the right of that. What is it you want of the Guard?"

     Iriisii: "Nothing involving any of you getting hurt. I need for the Guard to be somewhere else patrolling the town rather than right around here for as long as it takes me to complete my business and leave. Of course if they figure out who I am, I will have to kill them all. More graves for the graveyard, of course trash like that just needs to be burnt and let the winds take the ashes."

     Guard: "I personally like the way you think, the others however..."

     Iriisii hands him a full pouch of gold, "Do you think that would be enough of a contribution?"

     Guard: "That is very generous of you. Take as much time as you need, and if you have to kill them, oh well, they must have picked on the wrong person."

     Iriisii smiles, "A pleasure guardsman, if I should have to kill them, there is one sleeping off the ale he drank. Make sure he stays alive so he can carry the tale of what happened back to his masters. That way there will be only your account of what happened."

     Guard: "Smart, good thing you are on our side."

     Iriisii: "Indeed, guardsman, indeed. May the Gods give you a quiet night."

     Guard: "Thank you, I could use one."

     ‏Iriisii bows and turns away back to Karliah.

     Iriisii: "All done, we are covered as far as the guards are concerned."

     Karliah: "I have seen all kinds of bribes given and received, but never as smooth as that. What is your secret?"

     Iriisii thinks a second, then sighs, "I do wish I could teach you, but I cannot. I will not betray those I have committed myself to do that. I am sorry."

     Karliah: "I too am sorry, for I do not understand."

     Iriisii: "I was taught by Roseaidth, the 'Mother' of the Sinister Seven. The way she taught me...how can I say this. She taught me directly, just me and her, one on one."

     Karliah: "You mean...?"

     Iriisii: "Yes, she demonstrated every lesson with me, time after time after time, until I performed to her expectations. It is somewhat because of that, that I will not be intimate with anyone I am not completely in love with. For I know the difference, even if no one else can see it in me. And it is enough that I would know."

     Karliah: "I understand and will hold my silence."

     Iriisii: Thank you. Now let us go buy a pony."

     Karliah steps inside first and quickly finds a shadowed corner with a chair to sit and watch the room. She sees Iriisii enter and move to the far side then turn and go up toward the bar. It is then Karliah sees the man sitting at the end, still drinking as he had been there all day and now it looks like maybe all night as well. She glances about to the Thalmor and Legion soldiers and confirms that none have taken any notice of her so far. Maybe they can get out without a room full of bloodshed.

     Iriisii walks up to the bar next to her target and gestures to the Innkeeper. 

     Innkeeper: "What can I get you tonight, something to eat, maybe. We still have some drink, but it has not had time to properly age, our current guests have nearly cleaned us out of mead, beer, and ale."

     Iriisii passes over some gold coins and asks, "Do you have any 'Blackbriar Reserve'?"

     The Innkeeper smiles, "Give me a moment to bring it up from the cellar, finally a discerning palate."

     As the Innkeeper goes down the back stairs to the cellar, Iriisii strikes up a conversation with the man trying to stay drunk.

     Iriisii: "Excuse my lack of manners, I do not intend to intrude, kind sir, but I am looking for someone with a pony for sale. Would you by chance know of who has one and would part with it?"

     Drunk: "You are in luck. beautiful lady. My brother and his wife have one they would like to sell. They recently lost their daughter and she had the pony."

     Iriisii: "My condolences on your family's loss, my friend. Pray tell, what happened, if you could tell me."

     Drunk: "Of all of the things that could happen. My brother and his wife hired a drifter looking for a few days work, harvesting on their farm. No one knew he was a werewolf."

     Iriisii's eyes grow wide, "A werewolf? Here? That is strange, for they usually do not go into towns or cities. Also what happened that the werewolf changed while in the presence of the little girl? They usually have more control than that."

     Drunk: "You sound like you have had experience with them."

     Iriisii:, without missing a beat, "I have had a few experiences with some out in the wilds. Also I have a fighting companion that was once one of the Vigilants of Stendarr. She has told me all that they were taught about werewolves, vampires, and such."

     Drunk: "If I may ask, what is the most dangerous of the monsters out there in the wilds?"

     Iriisii: "First, Dragons. Second, Liches. After that you can pretty much take your pick."

     The drunk nods his head in agreement.

     Drunk: "Sounds like the voice of experience."

     Iriisii: "Unfortunately that is true. Do you think your brother would sell the pony?"

     Drunk: "For a small donation to buy a headstone for the grave, he would consider it a fair trade."

     Iriisii counts out a hundred gold septims and places them in another spare pouch, ties it shut and hands it over. Just then a cool bottle of Blackbriar Reserve finds its way in front of her. She pulls the cork and toasts the drunk, "To the pony."

     The drunk returns with a slightly slurred, "To the pony."

     Innkeeper: "You buying the pony?"

     Iriisii: "Yes, it is for my daughter, so she has a mount of her own and does not have to ride with me. She says it is not dignified for a girl her age to have to ride in front of mama."

     The Innkeeper laughs, "How old is she?"

     Iriisii: "She is six years old."

     Innkeeper: "They get old quick, enjoy them while you can."

     Iriisii: "I hear you. That is why I am here buying a pony for her. If I may ask, what is going on with the Thalmor and the Legion in town?"

     Innkeeper: "They say they are hunting a terrorist up in the mountains. Fact is, the only person I know who lives up there is Angi, and she is no terrorist. She lives alone, minds her own business, brings down meat and furs to sell from what she hunts. I do not know what is going on but I will be glad to see them all go, let things return to normal."

     Iriisii: "I agree. Trouble seems to follow the Thalmor wherever they go, may they take it with them when they leave."

     Innkeeper: "True enough, maybe the Gods will hear and send them on."

     Iriisii: "We can only hope."

     Iriisii turns to the drunk, "Let us go get the pony, I need to get back to my daughter with it."

     Drunk: "Of course, follow me if you will."

     They both stand from their stools and start walking toward the door. As they round the long fire pit in the center of the room, their way is blocked by three Legion soldiers.

     Iriisii: "Something I can assist you with?"

     Soldier One: "You are new and beautiful, how do you feel about joining our party?"

     Iriisii just stares a neutral face.

     Soldier Two: 'Ah, come on. Don't be like that...who was that some time ago that did not want to party with us?

     Soldier Three: "Some mountain girl, heard she lives around here now. If you know her, tell her me and the boys would like for her to come and party with us. We did not see enough of her last time. Although I managed to grab me a memento of our encounter to remember her by. You know, you do not look half bad, maybe you and the mountain girl would like to party with us?"

     Iriisii tells the drunk she will meet him out back in a few minutes. As he walks out the door, Iriisii turns to the third soldier, leans into him like she was going to climb into his skin. As her lips get close to his ears she whispers something in them. His reaction is immediate as he half turns and begins gagging, then gasping for breath. Iriisii quickly palms the necklace that he had taken years ago from Angi. His brothers try and help him but whatever has him in its grip is not going to let him go.

     Iriisii turns and calmly makes her way to the door, as she was going to go out, the Legion Commander steps in and recognizes her.

     Legion Commander: "That is Rigmor's Guardian! Stop her!"

     As she draws her blade, she shouts, "Tiid Klo Ul". As time slows around her, she drives her blade into the closest Thalmor, a Justiciar.

She cannot help but feel a bloodthirsty pleasure as she rips her blade upward from where it first entered him just above his beltline. She pulls her blade out as his guts begin falling to the floor, his hands unable to catch them. She moves around the room, targeting Thalmor and Legion, ignoring everyone else. Her movements are practised, smooth, and deadly. Everyone else just sees her flash from one to another as they fall dying from one kind of strike or another. Karliah's trained eye, can make out a bit more, and what she sees leaves her in awe, and horror that someone with this command of skill in dealing death exists, much less right here in front of her.

     She pushes the thought out of her head and moves to clear the innocent out of the way. Iriisii stops when the last one falls then counts the bodies, finding one missing. She looks around, then listens and hears heavy gasping breathing from one of the rooms on the far side. She tracks the breathing and patrons swarm for the door. Some few notice it is only the Thalmor and the Legion that were the victims here, and they start applauding Iriisii's actions here, this night. As she passes by the bar, she tosses a bag of gold to the Innkeeper.

     Iriisii: "For damages and cleaning up, tell the priest to burn the bodies, no need to sully the graveyard with filth like this."

     The Innkeeper nods her head. Iriisii then adds another comment.

     Iriisii: "If they come asking questions about who did it and why, tell them this, to the Thalmor, your efforts to take down Talos as the Ninth Divine are doomed to failure. The Eight declared him to be the Ninth upon his ascension. And you now go against the will of Father Akatosh. He has sent me to deal with you, I give you one last chance to turn from this path, if you do not, I, Iriisii Starborn, anointed Dovahkiin of Akatosh, his Right Hand of Justice, will mete out the justice he has decided will be theirs. And there will be no mercy for the souls he has judged guilty.

     To the Legion, these here are the dregs of what is in the Legion, any who take joy in executing the Thalmors' orders are as guilty as they, and will suffer the same fate as these here this night. Emperor Titus Mede II, please see to it that I am not sent to bring you before the Father's judgment. I am aware of what happened to end the Great War, and I do not intend to face you over this unless the Father sends me. Your fate will find you soon regardless as you well know. Only who is sent, and how it will be done is yet to be decided. So says Iriisii Starborn, Dovahkiin of Akatosh, Daughter of Talos, the Ninth Divine.

     Shout my words unto the mountaintops, let the valleys echo them so all ears may hear and know the truth. Talos is the Ninth Divine, those who deny him, deny those who accepted him into their pantheon. Father Akatosh works to bring peace, prosperity, and justice for all the races that live upon Nirn. All who deny Talos, also deny Father Akatosh and all of his works, and so they wish to deny you the peace, the prosperity, and the justice that Father Akatosh wants you, his children to have. So speaks Iriisii Starborn, the Last Dragonborn of Akatosh, for after I have done all that is to be asked of me, there will be no more. And I will move on and carry the wish of Father Akatosh beyond Nirn, beyond Mundus, out to the Great Existence that lies beyond what we see in the night skies. Remember and give these words to those who ask what happened here this night. So speaks Iriisii, daughter of Talos, founder of the Septim Emperors, and of Alessia, founder of the first Empire."

     She enters the room with the last Legion soldier, the one she took the necklace from. As he sees who has come looking for him, the room takes on a foul smell. Her Vir activates as she reaches toward him, deciding not to foul her blade with his blood, she extends her hand until she can feel it encircle his heart, and she squeezes and twists, until she feels his soul being pulled screaming to be placed before Akatosh for his judgment. She then releases him and walks outside the Inn, around to the back where she sees the pony with the drunk waiting for her.She thinks, 'he may be totally drunk, but he has honor as well.'

     He does not say a word as he hands her the reins to the pony.

     Iriisii: "Soon I will look into the matter of the werewolf, and see what the truth is of what happened."

     He nods his head and watches as she leads the pony away out of town and along the road until they turn into the mountains for Angi's. Just as they are out of sight of the town, Karliah catches up to her.

     Karliah: "What does it all mean, what you said back there?"

     Iriisii: "It is specifically for the Thalmor, the Legion, and for the Emperor."

     Karliah: "But are you some kind of seer, as well as all the other things I have witnessed?"

     Iriisii: "I am many things to many peoples, and even I do not know all that I could be. I discover these things the same as you do, when they choose to make themselves known. As to what I said back there, I have seen what lies in wait for them. And have tried to warn them to turn away from it. It is not my wish, want, desire that 'it' finds them, but it is now their decision if 'it' does. As to what it means for the rest of Nirn, I will do all that I can to see that the 'Gift of Akatosh' is made manifest for them. After living so long under constant strife, enmity, disease, war, and rumor of war, Nirn and its people seek peace. It is time they should have it, for they have earned it, have they not?"

     Karliah: "After all I have seen since being driven out of Riften and the Guild, constantly moving, never sleeping in the same bed twice, always looking over my shoulder. I understand about what you said and you are right, the people and myself seek peace."

     Iriisii: "Then walk with me on the path I walk, and help me bring peace to Nirn."

     Karliah: "What about after that? You mentioned going onward somewhere after Nirn?"

     Iriisii: "That road is mine to take, it will change me, greatly in some ways. But it is basically a road of change. There are no words to describe the places I will go, peoples I will meet, troubles I will solve. Some small and seemingly insignificant, others greater than you can imagine. Those who join me on that road, will be a part of the legacy that will be written by what we do."

     Karliah: "Could there be a place for me there, with you, on that road?"

     Iriisii: "Let us deal first with the freeing of Gallus from Nocturnal, then you can make that decision."

     Kaeliah: "Yes, you are right, that must come first, then we will see."

     Iriisii stops and puts a hand gently on Karliah's face.

     Iriisii: "Whatever path you choose, do not change yourself at your core. Protect who you are from anyone who would seek to remake you into someone else. For you are very special, and I for one am blessed for having met you."

     Karliah does not know what to make of this. She feels something, what she does not know, cannot place as anything she has ever experienced before. At first she wonders if this is some kind of love, maybe, but if it is, it is of a kind never imagined, contemplated, experienced, written about in all of those books, stories, and songs she devoured to try and fill the emptiness in her heart when Gallus was killed. Even the thought of freeing his soul from Nocturnal cannot compare with this. And so with this feeling driving her, she makes her decision for her future. And so her life and future changes as her mind is made up. The unknown, unseen 'Streams of Time' shift and move, the changes there flowing down the streams create a new path for her. A path that means her life as she has known it will never be the same for her, ever again.