Returning Home 2

     Iriisii extends her arm with the spider still on top of her hand.

     Iriisii: "Do not move, Mephala wishes for you to hear what she and I have spoken about. If you make a move to do anything else but listen, you are dead. There now."

     Iriisii: "Half of your company will stay under my eye. You and the other half will return to Morrowind. Your task is to bring her judgment to the High Council. If you are successful in this the other half will be returned to you unharmed. As to the reason you were sent here in the first place. I will go to Black Marsh and speak with the Hist. We will come to an agreement concerning this invasion and you will be able to remain in Morrowind once negotiations have been concluded. But from this moment onward, if any of the Morag Tong ever set foot again on this, my homeland, their life will be forfeit. These are the words of Mother Mephala and are binding upon all of her children, do not forget her again or transgress against her word. The price you will pay will be dire indeed."

     Iriisii reaches up and allows the spider to climb her hand once more. She then eases herself down and places her hand against the ground as the spider crawls off into the brush. Just before she rises back up, she hears a whisper in her ear.

     Mephala: "Once more you have earned my respect. Know that you are now my Champion as you are to Azura, Boethiah, and Meridia. When you speak to my children you speak with my voice. They will hear you and obey. I declare that I and all of mine will stand for the Great Balance when the Jihad of Truth is called. You have shown how strong the Great Balance is by the strength of your devotion to it. May the future of Nirn be assured as the 'Starborn Dynasty' begins an unbroken line of Dragonborn Emperors and Empresses. With that I would ask why do you feel these deserve mercy?"

     Iriisii: "As I spoke to the leader, I felt his thoughts and emotions of the situation and of what I said to him. From that I deduced that he had no idea he was disobeying your past commands of not setting foot here. He was told by the High Council that you had rescinded that edict, so that they might find a new home. This was because they felt that Morrowind would soon fall to the Argonians and the Hist. Also there was a troubling trace that he felt from all that has happened there, that the Hist may not be desiring of stopping with Morrowind. That this is but the beginning of something bigger."

     Mephala: "Troubling indeed, my Champion. That somehow the Hist have been able to hide these intentions from all of us, the Divines included."

     Iriisii: "Much of what we know of them is nothing but suspicion, innuendo, baseless writings likely done to mislead. Though these things are of your world, I do not in any way believe you are involved. The Hist have always closely guarded their thoughts, intentions, desires, remaining close, and silent. All the way back to the wars between the Ehlnofey. But there are other traces in history equally troubling."

     Mephala: "Tell me your thoughts, Champion."

     Iriisii: "The Argonians were taken from Nirn by the Hist of Shadowfen, then returned during the Oblivion Crises. But Shadowfen is the source of nearly all that is deadly and dangerous that has come out of Black Marsh. It is whispered that some of the Hist still live in Clavicus Vile's Realm. Although they originated elsewhere and are considered to be lesser cousins to the Hist. This could be naught but conjecture, but they could still be related. I will need to go there and see for myself."

     Mephala: "Do as you feel needed, but be very cautious. The Hist could affect even you with their sap and substances drawn from it.

     Nirn can ill afford to lose you now, this close to Akatosh's grand vision. Call upon me should you need assistance. I cannot help as much as I would wish in their 'places of power', but I will do what I can. Travel quietly and act wisely, my Champion."

     As Mephala fades into her Realm, Iriisii looks to the Morag Tong, "Those who are to remain here, stay here in this courtyard. I will have food and water brought here for you. Anyone who leaves should know there is a bounty, dead or alive, on each of you. The guards would very much prefer to deliver your dead bodies when they go to collect the bounty. So keep your heads down, stay quiet and out of sight. I will arrange your return to Morrowind when it is safe for you to return.

     Oh, and there is an access to the waste system of the city. It is under this courtyard in the lowest tunnels. The entrance from here is in an alcove just to the left of the northeast corner of the courtyard. It is behind that large clump of brush amid the two trees there. Once in there, follow the downward corridors until they flatten out, there will be a room on the left side of that corridor. The rooms on the right side can be used for sleeping if you so choose. The only access to the rest of the city from down there collapsed years ago. The city has forbidden any repairs due to the likelihood of further cave-ins."

     Iriisii turns to the Tong Leader, "I have a ship at the docks that will take you to Morrowind. Inform the Captain of what port to take you to. I will instruct him to await your return, he is then to return to me here. If you are successful, then you and the rest of your people will board and we will be off. If there are complications, then inform me of what happened and we will make further plans."

     Tong Leader: "What will you do after?"

     Iriisii: "I have been charged by Mephala to go to Black Marsh and speak with the Hist. To see if an accommodation can be reached that will stop the invasion and the bloodshed. I need to do this before the Empress and the Empire involve themselves into this mess. Once they do, there is no telling how much worse it will grow, before it is finally sorted out. For I know this, the Empress intends to extend the Empire to all of Nirn before stepping down in favor of her daughter.

     She will not stop until this is done, no matter the cost. This is not just her mind or desire, she has the full support of Akatosh and the other Divines. So understand that this will happen, one way or another. If we can lessen the bloodshed and lives lost, it could very well insure our survival. I know I am not one of the Tong, but I am Mephala's Champion now, and so all that is hers is my duty and responsibility to protect. If not for that, all of your heads would now be being delivered to the City Council for the bounty and bonus.

     Understand that I have more gold than I can ever spend, but what I want is that bonus, a two thousand acre land grant. I know where I want it to encompass, and I want it for personal reasons. All I have to do is get all of you off this land to get the bonus. Whether you live or die is now because of Mephala's will and desire. Do not make her regret allowing her to let you live."

     The Tong Leader feels a chill run up and down his spine at Darkstar's words. Now he is unquestionably certain that 'Darkstar' is who he is speaking with. No one else would stand before him and all of his people, speaking of their lives in such a way if it was not 'her'. Now he also knows that the tales told upon the return of the 'Mute', before his unfortunate meeting with the current Empress, are in fact true.

     The Tong Leader turns to address the members, "My fellows, listen to me, our High Council has lied to us. They not only lied to us but were prepared to waste out lives. Whether they actually intended for us to make an outpost here for others of ours to come and escape the Argonian Invasion, I cannot speak to that. But what I can speak to is that they told us the Lady Mephala gave us permission to come here. They lied about that, for there is no question in my mind that this is 'Darkstar' and she says the High Council lied. She came to take our heads for the bounty the City Council here has placed on us. But Lady Mephala has declared Darkstar to be her Champion, and so her Champion desires to see us return to Morrowind and have the High Council face the charges we will level against them.

     As to what would happen afterward with the invasion still going on, she has said the Lady Mephala has directed her to go to Black Marsh, to Shadowfen, to speak to the Hist and see what can be done to stop the invasion. Darkstar knows this needs be done quickly, before the current Empress of Tamriel enters that fight. For if the Empress steps in, she will bring her Legions, veterans all of the ultimate destruction of the Tsaesci. And both sides will suffer until peace is bought with the currency of pain, suffering, blood, and death. For she has but to speak her wish and her Legions will follow her anywhere, even into Oblivion itself.

     So if all of this is to happen, why should we do as she has said? Because we will live on, for our friends, family, to live as well, for the desecration of our ancestors resting places to stop. And for all of us to have a chance to rebuild. For if the Empress and her Legions go in and put down the fighting, how much do you think will be left for us to rebuild? I believe Darkstar, Champion of Mephala, and I will do as she asks of us, in Mephala's name."

     The assembled Morag Tong repeat in a low volume, "In Mephala's name."

     Darkstar: "I will need a few hours to get the ship provisioned, give the Captain his orders, and arrange to get you and those going with you through the city and on board the ship alive. Wait here for me, I would leave my apprentices with you, but that would be a signal to the other hunters out there. The three of us came into this quarter of the city, and as long as the three of us leave, all out there will think you are somewhere else. We will return under cover of darkness, watch for us. We should not be followed but I would take no chances."

     The Tong Leader nods his head and sets a few in various places with a view of the outside. Once Darkstar is satisfied with where they are placed, she nods her head and motions for Rigmor and Rose to follow. She quietly signs for them to say nothing until they are well away from here. The three slip quietly out of the courtyard, down the long alleyway, the sun just beginning to crossover into afternoon. About halfway back to the Gilded Courtesan, she motions for them all to sit next to a fountain in the shade of the city walls.

     As she waits for Rigmor to begin forming questions, Rose asks one.

     Rose: "How are you going to arrange to get them across the city and through the docks?"

     Rigmor: "And why are we even doing this? They are the Morag Tong, they tried to kill me and Kintyra."

     Iriisii: "Rose, do you want to tell her?"

     Rigmor looks surprised at Rose, who takes a deep breath.

     Rose: "Back when Iriisii carried you back to my boat after you had fallen through the limbs of that tree. When I and Iriisii, holding you in her arms, approached Hedren, he asked us 'why', just as you are asking now. I told him then, and I am telling you now, 'Sometimes you have to do the right thing, even if it means risking everything'."

     Rigmor starts to remark, closes her mouth, and thinks a moment on what Rose has said and just what it can sometimes mean. Then she thinks on all the times that Iriisii has defied common sense, went and did what she felt was right, no matter what she had to risk, and watched as it all worked out.

     Rigmor: "You are right, I may not realize it now, but sometime later it will work out for us and then I will know why. Because she risked everything and did what was right to do, like she did when she carried me to your boat, instead of leaving me to die of my injury. And I have all that I have, because of what she risked to save me."

     Iriisii raises a hand and gently cups Rigmor's face, "And I have all that I have, because I risked everything to save a young girl who I did not know, from the injury she got while running from the Thalmor.'

     She then leans in and kisses Rigmor, "And it was worth everything I risked."

     Rigmor sighs, then gets up, "Well, don't let it go to your head. We still have to get to the ship and give the Captain his orders. And thank you, both of you, for saving my life."

     As they started moving out of the fountain plaza, Rigmor asks Rose a question.

     Rigmor: "I have been meaning to ask, Was she any good that first night with you?"

     Iriisii almost stumbles and as she catches herself, she hears Rose reply with a chuckle in her voice.

     Rose: "I warned her if she did not do it right, I would slice off her breasts and feed them to the slaughterfish."

     Rigmor: "I guess she did it right then because she still has them attached."

     Rose: "Did you think for some reason that she was not good enough?"

     Rigmor: "Even though I had not been with anyone before her, I thought she did just fine. Good enough that I later fell in love with her."

     Rose: "That says it all, doesn't it. After that night, I told Hedren when I saw him that I had finally found the someone special I had been looking for so long to find. And then that 'son of a sow' had to go and turn me in to the Thalmor! Not Hedren, Morion, the Jarl of Falkreath's nephew, whatever became of him?"

     Rigmor: "Oh, Iriisii killed him and his cohorts, then paid the Inn's owner Delphine to have the bodies carted off down river where some frost trolls would take care of the bodies."

     Rose looks over to Iriisii, "You did that? Thank you, he deserved worse but I am glad he was taken care of anyway."

     Iriisii: "You are welcome."

     Rigmor: "We also cleaned out Fort Black looking for you."

     Rose: "You came looking for me?! I do not know what to say."

     Iriisii: "You do not have to say anything. When I read Joror's journal I realized what you had done and why."

     Rigmor: "Do not let her off so easy. Losing you...losing the future she imagined having with you...it almost killed her. It took all I could do to keep her from doing something stupid. When she got past it, she realized..."

     Rose: "Realized what? Come on, do not leave me hanging like this."

     Rigmor: "Before we entered Fort Black, she stood at the door and prayed to the Nine. She asked for a sign that you were the one intended for her to spend the rest of her life with."

     Rose: "Oh my, I am so sorry! I did not know!"

     Iriisii: "There was no way you could know. You did what you had to do to live, I do not blame you a bit for that."

     Rose: "Why did you not come after me? I kept looking over my shoulder looking for you but you were not there."

     Rigmor: "The Gods made it clear to her that she had to stay. Her purpose was to kill 'Alduin the Worldeater'. And even though neither one of us had any idea, they also brought the two of us together. And that ended up with us on the thrones. And now we are about to trade in one set of Gods for another. Who would have thought."

     Rose: "What do you mean?"

     Iriisii: "Rigmor, not now."

     Rigmor: "She has to know sometime, and the sooner the better, so she has more time to think it over and decide what she is going to want to do."

     Rose: "Know what? This is getting frightening and I do not scare easily."

     Iriisii: "You know I am Dragonborn?"

     Rose: "Yes, that I do know, so what about it?"

     Iriisii: "When Kintyra accepts the throne from me, my tasks as Dragonborn will be done. Do you know what happens to a Dragonborn when their reason for being here is over?"

     Rose: "Now you are being very frightening, but go ahead."

     Iriisii: "We fade back into the mists of time. But there is a wrinkle in my history that will open whole new vistas before me. But you will need to become as Rigmor and I are, before you can go with us?"

     Rose: "Why? What do you mean 'go with you'? You speak as if you will be leaving?"

     Rigmor: "We will. We are soon to experience something known as the 'Calling'. When we must decide whether we accept or not?"

     Rose: "What is this all about?"

     Iriisii: "Whether we choose to step upon the 'Path of the Gods', or remain mortal for the rest of our lives."

     Rose: "You mean you are to ascend like Alessia and Talos did?"

     Iriisii: "No, the Nine would have us join with them, yes, but we have had another offer."

     Rose: "Another...offer..."

     Iriisii nods her head, "Yes, from a group called the 'Gods of Eld'. You must see, I am the last of the Aasimar living on Nirn. We were once normal mortals back in the Dawn Times of history. And then through no fault of our own, we became involved in a battle between two groups of Gods, the 'Gods of Eld' and the 'Great Old Ones'. There is a complicated history between them, much too complicated to go into right now.

     But Aasimar means 'god-touched' and it was the 'Gods of Eld' that touched us. They shared their flesh and blood to enable us to survive after what their battle did to the land where I was born and raised. Their blood and flesh is strong within me, strong enough to allow me to contact and talk with them now. I know and have met 'he' whose blood and flesh has been passed down to me from my ancestors. He has told me that when I accept the 'Calling', any others close to me who have for any reason shared my blood, will also have the opportunity to do as I will. And they will join as 'Children of my Line'. This is to signify who their immortal parent is, as I will be of the 'Line of Kthanid', current leader of the 'Gods of Eld'. Now if there is nothing else, we need to be moving."

     They continue on out of the 'edge' district and into the 'merchant' district. Making their way on to the 'Gilded Courtesan'. As the approach the door, a courier shows up and hands a letter to Iriisii. She gives the courier a few gold coins.

     Courier: "My lady, this is not necessary."

     Iriisii: "You have come a long way to track me and deliver this. Such diligence and resolve should be rewarded for going above and beyond. Keep it, and know the Empress of Tamriel appreciates the work you do."

     Courier: "Thank you, Your Majesty."

     The courier turns and quickly makes his way to his next destination.

     Iriisii opens the letter and reads it.

     Rigmor: "What is it about?"

     Iriisii holds up a hand to pause any further speech until she is done. Once she has finished reading it, she folds it back up and continues into the Gilded Courtesan. When the House Mother appears, Iriisii asks to wait on Lord Moramal. The House Mother then escorts them to his table, and goes off to prepare food and drinks.

     Rigmor: "What happened? I know it is serious because you went all, 'I want to slit somebody's guts open.' You never go there unless it is serious."

     Iriisii keeps looking straight ahead, "There has been another attempt on Kintyra's life. I thought we had put all of that behind us after the last time."

     Rigmor: "Another attempt! Is she all right?! Was anyone else killed?"

     Iriisii: "Kintyra is fine. She handled it well. Our training her has paid off. She held off her attacker, until the guards could arrive. The assassin killed himself rather than be captured."

     Rose: "Is there anything else? Anything to identify which group the attacker was with?"

     Iriisii: "No, and that bothers me. Ours, the Cammona Tong, Morag Tong, Dark Brotherhood, all wear their distinctive armor and colors. They want their kills to be known who did it because of the fear it sows. This was different. Also, Lord Blackwell is very concerned about this, said he would reach me later about it."

     Rigmor: "Well that tears it. When are we going home?"

     Iriisii: "We are not. Of course, you are free to do so. I must stay on my course."

     Rigmor: "Now just a minute! She is your daughter too!"

     Iriisii gives Rigmor a scathing look as Rigmor backs up in her chair.

     Iriisii's voice is low, with a hint of a deep growl. Rigmor swears she can hear Iriisii's dragonsoul speaking with her, "I will never forget that she is my daughter as well. And whoever is behind this will wish they had not crossed this line for eternity. But what I need to do, cannot wait. Innocent lives all across Nirn are threatened until I can resolve this. And I cannot rule out a connection between what I need to do, and what has just happened."

     Rose: "You mean someone made that attempt to divert you from your present course?"

     Iriisii: "That is indeed what I am thinking. And if it is correct, only by going forward will I find who did it and exact justice."

     A whisper in Iriisii's ear, as she feels a small spider at her neck.

     Mephala: "Champion, your thoughts ring with rage, as well as truth. The source of the attempt is unknown and not one of Nirn's children. Further, as you have sailed up and down the 'River of Time', so is one coming down to you, to aid you in your tasks. In the future, he is close to you, as you are molding him into a warrior of a kind never seen before. You saw what he could become, and desired the chance to prove to Existence that you are right. Your future self has worked hard to help him overcome what his own past had turned him into. Now you are getting a chance to see the living weapon you are forging.

     He is aware of your situation, and his task in helping you resolve it will strengthen the particular Stream of Time that brings the two of you together in the future. Know that he wants this with all of his black heart and blacker soul. He seeks the chance to become 'balanced', balanced inside himself, and then balance the inside with the outside. Only then will he be able to become what you saw in him. And what Existence in the future needs. He is close now, you will know him as soon as you set eyes upon him. Good hunting, my Champion, your prey awaits."

     Iriisii: "If either or both wish to return to Cyrodiil, you may go."

     Rigmor: "And leave you here alone, not a chance in Oblivion!"

     Iriisii: "I will not be alone. Someone is being sent to assist me."

     Rigmor: "Who is he?"

     Iriisii: "I do not know his name, but I have been told I will know him when I see him."

     Rigmor: "And who told you this?"

     Iriisii: "Mephala, just a few seconds ago."

     Rigmor: "I will wait and see who this is before I decide."

     Iriisii: "As you will."

     They hear the door open and an immediate hush falls over the hall. The House Mother starts to go and see who entered even as she stumbles to her knees as she catches sight of the backlit figure in the doorway. Iriisii can barely hear a low, rumbling voice asking the House Mother where Darkstar is. She assumes the House Mother has pointed her out, as she hears the voice politely thank the House Mother and hears extremely quiet footsteps walking toward the table she is sitting at. She feels the footsteps more than she hears them, and when they stop, she doesn't even feel the need to turn and look at who stands behind and a pace to her right.

     Iriisii: "Rigmor, will you ask the House Mother for another chair please?"

     Rigmor is frozen in her chair, unable to move at the sight of this truly apex predator/warrior.

     Rose: "I will do this, Rigmor seems to be indisposed."

     Iriisii: "Thank you, Rose."

     Rose and the House Mother bring another chair from somewhere and place it where Olaf can grab it and adjust its position to his liking.

     As Rose sits back in her chair, Iriisii speaks, "Olaf Trevorson, I have been expecting you, will you please sit. No one here will harm us or allow harm to come to us. None will risk banishment from this place for transgressing its tenets."

     Before he moves to sit, he kneels at Iriisii's side, bowing his head, "I am yours to command, Mistress." He then carefully sits in the chair afforded him, placing himself where he can leap up quickly if needed. This is not lost on Rose or Iriisii, although Rigmor is still stunned by him.

     Iriisii: "I see you have had quite the effect on Rigmor."

     Olaf: "It is still too soon after the tragedy that befell Letho for her to have fully recovered. Anyone that she meets that reminds her of him will garner a stunning reaction."

     Rose: "May I ask a question?"

     Olaf: "I will answer if I am allowed to."

     Rose: "Are you...?"

     Olaf: "I am spoken for. By whom, I am not allowed to name, but you will meet her in the future. More than that I cannot speak of."

     Rose: "I see, thank you for being honest."

     It is then that Lord Moramal walks up.

     Lord Moramal: "Who is this that I know not of? I do hope for his sake he is not being a pest to you ladies."

     Darkstar stands, "Lord Moramal, may I present, Olaf Trevorson, one considered to be 'First' among the Empress of Tamriel's Black Dragon Elite. She has sent him to be trained as I was once trained in the Temple of the Ancient Order of the Blade Dancers. Why she did not send him there, she has her reasons. But I know that she places the utmost trust in him. Why he is here is that the Empress feels my path will take me into Shadowfen, and as such, Olaf is a better companion in a place like that. Let me say that when I tested his skill level when she asked me to take on training him, I found almost none that I have ever faced that was better than he is. And when I am done, he will be in truth her 'Dovah do Maar'."

     Lord Moramal: "I do not know that title."

     Darkstar: "It is in Dovahzul, the speech of Dragons, it means, Dragon of Terror. As there was once not so long ago in Tamriel's past, a warrior of such renown that when his name was called out and his battle standard was seen fluttering in the winds of Hammerfell. His opponents would drop their weapons and flee the battlefield. His name was 'Ragnar the Red' and he led the 'Sons of Talos'. When Olaf's training is complete he will be able to do the same, and when he fights he will leave the battlefield as Pelinal Whitestrake did when Alessia sent him out to do battle in her name. He will be feared as both men were feared in battle, and he will go beyond both of them. For as a Commander of the Black Dragon Elite, his battle companion with be a dragon, and together they will see their enemies run in fear for their very souls even as the Dragonriders of Emperor Gorieus could not accomplish."

     Lord Moramal: "I see. If Darkstar says these things of you, then I am honored to meet and to know you. I am Lord Jacobas Moramal, City Council member and advisor to the King."

     Olaf: "Honored, Lord Moramal."

     Darkstar: "Although it is not known to many, Lord Moramal and I share a special bond. I still remember that day years ago when I first met him. He was kind to me, as I was tasked to bring to him the child I had just given birth to, his grandson. I am sorry for what happened not so long afterward."

     Lord Moramal: "It was not your fault, dear one. I more so than most knew the signs of Black Lotus addiction. I soon realized that was how the 'Mother' of the Sinister Seven was keeping you on her leash. And when I heard of what happened with my son, I knew the 'Mother' was here in the capital, so someone else was in charge during her absence, and it was that one that was responsible, not you."

     Darkstar: "Still, your grandson survived that night."

     Lord Moramal: "WHAT? What happened, please tell me, what happened!"

     Darkstar: "Those at the Blade Dancer Temple were brought to me by a wandering priest I met in the night I escaped the house. I later learned they followed the tracks I left until they came upon the house and investigated everything. They found him and brought him to the Temple as they did me. My Grandfather had already arranged a place with them for me. They questioned me while I was withdrawing from the Black Lotus. And Sharra, their Matriarch, decided to adopt the both of us, to train and raise us as brother and sister. My love for him was no different whether he was my brother or my son. And they said he worshipped the ground I walked upon. He was the light in my life, the light that kept the dark at bay, when it came howling for me in my nightmares."

     Lord Moramal sees a tear trace its way down to her cheek when he reaches up and gently lets it roll onto his finger. He looks at it, feeling there is something altogether strange about it.

     Darkstar: "It was when I was to choose my 'trial' that Darius went out and set his hand to acquire a pair of demon possessed moon katanas. He thought I would need them to succeed in my 'trial'."

     Lord Moramal: "You did say the blades he sought were 'Moon Katanas'?"

     Darkstar: "Yes, Sharra had tried hiding the scroll that contained the 'opening spell', but as time after time it continued to be found and we kept losing students seeking to be the first to claim them."

     Lord Moramal: "Mother Mara! Soulstealers, now it makes sense."

     Darkstar: "Lord, what makes sense?"

     Lord Moramal: "The blades were forged by Desidarius herself, no one remembers where or exactly when, but it was said among some I have done business with in the past, those looking into the legends of those swords. They said, she forged them as a tool for revenge against a specific entity. The entity is never named in any of the stories, books, scrolls, nowhere could a sign be found. The only thing is that where each scroll or book was found there was a broken piece of glass or mirror nearby. If it has some significance no one has been able to find it."

     Darkstar: "Please sit Lord Moramal, this could take some time. The glass and mirror shards are very important in this. For the entity uses them and anything by which a reflection may be cast. He is not a devil or demon, what exactly I do not know, but even gods fear to know he treads in their Realm. He is particularly fond of bets and bargains, in all of which the stake is the soul of the other side. To date, there is only two who have defeated him at his own game. I am acquainted with one of them. A professional monster hunter who is known as the 'White Wolf'. I went with the Empress some years ago, as she, well how she ended up there is not important. What is important is that she, and the 'White Wolf' along with another named Letho, found the entity in the bowels of a mountain. The three of them fought him and gave the Empress an opening to drive the swords into the body the entity was inhabiting. She then went on and built a magical null prison, placed the body and the swords inside, locked it, then destroyed the key. Then she and those who wished to come with her followed her back to Nirn.

     Years before this happened, I was prepared to select my trial, but something would not let me choose. I was about to force myself to when Sharra discovered Darius left the Temple to go and claim the swords. I went to the Elders and declared my intention to invoke my right to select my own trial. When they understood I meant to go after Darius and catch him before he could find the swords, they immediately approved my choice and set me on my way. I barely got to him in time, but I was followed by Anias."

     Lord Moramal: "The 'Killing Frost', yes, it would be her to catch up to you. It was as if she was filled to overflowing with fear, hatred, envy, all directed toward you. She sensed something about you that filled her with all of that, fear most of all."

     Darkstar: "She was the one who gave me the 'order' to go to your son's house."

     Lord Moramal: "I thought she was the one but I could never get confirmation. She is dead then?"

     Darkstar: "Yes. Her death was quite painful."

     Lord Moramal leans back in his chair with his head pushed back and his eyes closed, "I hope whatever 'hell' she now resides in makes her pay for the pain and death she has caused."

     Darkstar: "I fought Anias to a stalemate, and was about to deal with her when she was joined by Brutus, the Father. I told Darius to open the portal, step inside and stay until someone came and released him. That under no circumstances was he to touch anything in there. If only I could have been faster with killing Anias, we might have had time to escape. Or if I only had to fight one at a time, I could have given Darius enough time to get away. I..."

     Lord Moramal: "Shhh, it is as the Gods willed it. We cannot see what they see, and so we must trust that it needed to happen this way."

     Darkstar crying, hot tears running down her face, "All may not be lost yet."

     Lord Moramel: "What!? Tell me what you think? Take your time, bring it back slowly."

     Darkstar: "For my role in helping imprison the 'Man of Glass', I was told by Darius' soul when he was released from the sword, that I was due a reward from the Gods whose Realms the Man of Glass had roamed through spreading pain, mayhem, and death. He said when I knew what I wanted as a reward there was a place I could go to and make my request. Something he said to me as he was heading for Aetherius. He heard me crying out to him to come back to me, that all I wanted was for him to come back. He said I would know when to ask for my reward when I knew what to ask for. This is why Lady Mephala said I needed to go to Shadowfen. Deep in the depths of it is a mysterious shrine, built almost right after Nirn was created. The entity the shrine is dedicated to, will, when the proper gift is left there, well, I can ask it to be a conduit between me and the Gods in those other Realms I helped. I can then tell them what reward I want."

     Lord Moramal: "What are you willing to ask for?"

     Darkstar: "To give me a child, to house the soul of Darius once more."

     Lord Moramal: "Are you sure you want this, there is so much more you could have if you wanted."

     Darkstar: "I know, but the loss of Darius has been the greatest pain I have ever been forced to endure. And now there is a chance to have him back. This is something I must do, for the both of us, Father."

     Lord Moramal: "Thank you, daughter, for I have always thought of you that way. Even as I read the letter you wrote to my son before you disappeared. He did not want to understand, he wanted you. I understood what you were trying to tell him, and I tried to explain it to him. But he just would not listen. He later found Tissia, but even with her he still thought of you in the deep depths of the night. Especially when the nights would grow stormy. I know this because she would come to me and ask what happened to him, who was the woman who came out of the stormy night to lay claim to his soul. I tried to tell her what I thought she could understand and that with time the memories would fade. I know now it was not to be. I am just sorry it cost her life."

     Darkstar: "She was a failed blade dancer wasn't she? One that never returned from the trials."

     Lord Moramal: "Yes, she was. Why? Is it somehow significant?"

     Darkstar: "Maybe, I am not sure, because no one knows this."

     Lord Moramal: "What is it?"

     Darkstar: "I remember once overhearing Grandfather talking to the village Sage about my mother. She died giving birth to me, and just a matter of months later my father passed in the night of a broken heart. They thought she may have been one of their failed ones as well. Grandfather said father had dreams about her for months until he got up in the night one time and left to go find her. Three months later he showed back up with her. There is something there, a link of some kind, I know it, I just cannot think of what it could be just now. Maybe it will come to me or at least a clue to where I can look for an answer."

     Lord Moramal: "I hope you can find the answer and unravel all of this, maybe find out if and how these events are tied together. It would give some kind of meaning to what happened, maybe that would lessen the pain we share."

     Darkstar: "Indeed, is the Temple of the Nine still open throughout the night as it once was? I remember the priest was getting on in years and may not now be able to keep it open."

     Lord Moramal: "Yes, it still is kept open for any who feel the need. The old priest passed some time ago, and a new one came to take care of it. I do not know his name but he does attend to the Temple and those who enter."

     Darkstar: "Then I will start there. Perhaps the beginning of all of this begins there, I do not know if I am being like the dog that incessantly barks at whatever he sees up in the trees, but I feel that if I ask the right questions I will get the answers I need."

     Lord Moramal: "I pray that you do, for all of our sakes."

     Darkstar rises and gives her 'father' a hug, "Thank you for all that you have done. It means so much to me that you do not attach blame to me for what happened."

     Lord Moramal: "You were not to blame for any of it. You danced as a puppet on the strings of the puppetmaster. It is they and ultimately those pulling their strings. I know that leads back to the Gods. So I hope there are good reasons for it all and not just some whim of desire."

     Darkstar: "I will see you again before I leave the city."

     She leans in and kisses him on the cheek before turning to walk out, her companions trailing behind her. Lord Moramal gently touches the cheek she kissed and whispers, "You are truly the daughter I wished so for. At least now I can go to my 'rest' knowing I have found you at long last."

     As they step outside the door.

     Darkstar: "I know there are many questions that have been raised, please hold them until we reach the steps into the Temple."

     They cross the districts noting the different feel to each one. Then they are in the Temple district, and the feel here is different from everywhere else. It is hard to pinpoint what is different. Even from the areas around the Temples in the other lands and provinces of Nirn. They stop at the foot of the broad steps leading up and into the Temple of the Nine.

     Darkstar: "Alright, ask your questions, I will answer if I know the answers."

     There is a deep silence surrounding them.

     Darkstar: "That serious is it? Let me say that I am aware of your questions, for I have been asking myself the very same ones, even as I was talking to Lord Moramal. As to how this can be, I would refer you to the volume in the Palace Library titled, 'Where Were You When The Dragon Broke'. We are in a minor time stream slip, one where two streams, with events almost identical are running concurrent with each other. How this came to be, I cannot say. Maybe Akatosh could if he deems it needed that we know. What will be the result when they are merged, again I cannot say. The events as they are about to happen could become 'what happened'. The events that occurred in the past that cover what we are seeing now, could become 'what happened', or it could be a mix of the two. What concerns me most is what caused this to occur and what we are to do about it."

     Olaf: "Ask the priest", and points to a young priest walking out of the Temple to greet them.

     Priest: "Well met, your Majesty, your Highness", and nods his head to the others.

     Darkstar look at him closely, then bows, "Father Akatosh."

     Rigmor: "How could it...oh, the Liminal Barrier is weakening still."

     Priest: "Indeed, my daughter, it is. But hopefully it will hold until Kintyra can relight the fires. But to the matter that drew you here, yes, you are within a 'Dragonbreak'. The question is what caused it and was someone behind it? The answer to the latter is 'yes', the former is still being looked at."

     Darkstar: "Do we have any ideas as to 'who' was responsible?"

     Priest: "Several in fact, and that is the problem. Each has their own reasons for wanting to do this and none are the same. You know some of them, Salaquine is one, the Hist are another, Project Purity is one I am looking at very closely."

     Darkstar: "I thought I had put them out to pasture."

     Priest: "So did we all. Yet like a bad apple, they keep turning up. With the plans they previously had, we are more concerned with them than any other at the moment."

     Darkstar: "I agree. Yet even as Salaquine is capable, my last tinvaak with her indicated to me that she would cease any efforts to change the timelines, knowing I would be drawn to it."

     Priest: "That is why she is not at the top of the list, yet she may have insight into who did start this and why."

     Darkstar: "How is this going to affect Darius?"

     Priest: "A very good question, we do not know if this involvement of him is coincidence or deliberate. How to resolve this is going to be tricky at best."

     Darkstar: "I understand, Father."

     Priest: "Please know, Daughter that nothing will be done before we speak with you about your thoughts on this and that all are in agreement. We owe you much more still, but this will be a start to repaying you for all you have suffered for our decisions and on our behalf. If it is possible to somehow keep both, we will most certainly do so."

     Darkstar: "Thank you, Father."

     Priest: "You will need to go straight to Shadowfen, Akavir can wait until you straighten out the mess there. This will also give you a chance to see if the Hist are involved in this and to what extent. It is possible they do not have a part in it, but I am certain they know somewhat of it, and what they know would likely help us greatly. This I can also tell you, Project Purity was behind the latest attempt on Kintyra's life. Which time line's version of it does not matter, now they are so strongly entwined, both must be destroyed. If either is left, the timeline will be threatened yet again in the future, and the outcome of that...does not bear thinking about."

     Darkstar: "By chance, could the Morag Tong High Council be involved with either of the Project Purity groups? I ask because the Morag Tong sent another group here to gain another foothold, in violation of Lady Mephala's edict against such action. They have said it was for survival because of the Argonian Invasion, but now I an not so certain."

     Priest: "We know nothing of such a matter, although also we cannot rule it out. If you think there is a link here then it would be best to investigate it. Your instincts are proving to be your greatest attribute, follow them whenever you can and you will not be led in the wrong direction."

          A voice Iriisii/Darkstar knows very well speaks from the nighted shadows just beyond the Temple's northern edge.

     Salaquine: "Dragonborn, I would speak with you if you are willing."

     Iriisii: "If you wish to speak, I will allow it, but you must approach for me to verify it is indeed you. In these times nothing must be taken for granted."

     Salaquine: "I understand, you have lost none of your ability to bring wisdom to the fore of your decisions."

     Rigmor: "Iriisii, love, no. After all you endured from her hands, why speak now?"

     Iriisii: "Because I know why what went before happened. I have already made my opinion of it known to her, but I also have understanding of why. We have found common ground before, there is no reason why we cannot find it again."

     Salaquine: "You have humbled me as the Dwemer were not able to. You do not live in pride and arrogance, and so you are far more secure in yourself than they could ever be. A pity the Thalmor also could not see this or much pain could have been avoided."

     As Salaquine steps forth into the light, Iriisii immediately realizes she is in her true body, not a possessed host, or something similar. The effect on Rigmor and Rose is astonishing, even to a point she feels it. Only Olaf seems immune, but Iriisii thinks that is because Olaf's desires are in a totally different direction from Salaquine's. Iriisii gives a half bow that Salaquine returns.

     Salaquine: "Thank you for hearing me, I wish to reiterate what Akatosh has said concerning any involvement in this split time stream. I have had nothing to do with it, and only recently discovered its existence."

     As she catches a glimpse of Olaf, she stops to look deeper.

     Salaquine: "You continue to amaze with your ability to find those who with your tutelage can become far more than any would suspect. This one especially, but I have no interest in him, save to see how long it would take for him to put Freya in her place. Which would be her body in tatters and her essence on its way back to Oblivion to reconstitute itself. Then maybe she would be able to stay out of trouble for a long while."

     Iriisii: "Is she somehow involved with those who created this split timeline?"

     Salaquine: "That is my suspicion, for she came to me some time ago and tried to sway me to join with some who sought to recruit her. I remembered all that she did before, not just what she was told to do, but what she went beyond and did. Her attempts to seduce you were not of my doing, and in fact I warned her against even trying. But I still had use for her and so I allowed her to make her own mistakes. I later learned while she was negotiating on my behalf with certain Daedric Lords not to interfere with my plans, but she was negotiating her own plans with them."

     Iriisii: "Do you know what those plans encompassed?"

     Salaquine: "Do you not mean were they involved with the assassination attempts on Rigmor and your child? I do not know for certain, but I would not deny the probability exists. You know as well as I that Freya has a sadistic vengeance streak. Anything she seeks to do now, she takes great pains to distance herself from being identified with it. She knows well our reach should she cross us, but even that would not stop her if that streak for vengeance was being fed."

     Iriisii: "I understand, this complicates things even more but also opens possibilities that could be used to get close to her allies. Close enough to see if they are a part of this problem we face."

     Iriisii looks toward Olaf, "It is possible I may have to send you after Freya. What and how you do it is of no concern of mine, just that her essence is sent back on its way to Oblivion. Know that she is a Daedric Seducer, and nothing of the Arts of Seduction is outside of her skills. Personally the more exotic and sadistic the better she likes it. For now we will go on and see how things look. Should we meet her before I decide her fate, just ignore her attempts to beguile you. It will make it easier for you should I send you after her. I know I have never asked you to do anything like this for me before. But she is a case all her own. Betrayal is second nature to her as is her drive for physical pleasure. She is a master of using those drives as weapons, both direct and indirect. Underestimate her and she will kill you, make her underestimate you and she will be at your mercy. That is how I beat her, by making her underestimate me. Logic will fail you in fighting her, instinct however will deliver her to you."

     Salaquine: "You learned well how to manipulate her when you were with me. She still bears you a grudge for what you did to her before you left Sky's Divide. Do with her as you will, just do not leave her body alive when you turn your back on her. A word of caution though, she poisons her blades."

     Iriisii looks back to Olaf, "Keep that in mind, should we encounter her."

     Olaf bows to both Iriisii and Salaquine.

     Salaquine: "He knows when to speak and when to maintain silence, a rare gift in a man, one worth nurturing."

     Iriisii: "He has given himself to me completely, mind, body, and spirit. And I have promised to mold him into what he could one day be, my 'Dovah do Maar'."

     Salaquine: "A living weapon of unspeakable power, but totally yours. Even now, you do not have to speak, he knows what you want of him. And he honors you by doing as you will him to do. I make this vow and promise to you now, I will never give you reason to send him after me. Call on me if you have need, I will be near."

     Salaquine steps back into the dark shadows and fades from sight.

     Rose: "Who was that?"

     Priest: "A 'Child of the Void', by name, Salaquine. Iriisii met her some years ago when Salaquine plotted to force the end of this Kalpa, and birth the new one under her influence."

     Rose: "Why? Why do such a thing?"

     Priest: "For her survival. Iriisii turned all her plotting on top of her, then escaped her as she turned the old Dwemer island of Sky's Divide into her private island fortress. Hiding it in the mists of time. Later Iriisii took care to ensure Salaquine's survival, acquiring the debt she is still trying to pay off. Although it will take her some time before she will have done enough to do so."

     Rose: "So she lived in the 'Void'?"

     Priest: "Yes, because of some argument, disagreement, no one is certain why, her wings were shorn and she was dropped in front of a Dwemer research installation. Where she gave herself up to gain entry, learned their strengths and weaknesses. Then turned that knowledge against them before they realized what she could do and destroyed her. She just may have had a hand in what Kagrenac did that caused the death of the Dwemer race. Iriisii, while on Sky's Divide witnessed a simulation of the event. A more convoluted turn of events, I myself have never seen. You know what you must do, where you must go. Use the help offered to you as you proceed. It will make things easier for you."

     Iriisii: "Indeed, I wish you well, Father."

     Priest: "Go with the blessings of the Nine, Daughter. When the load becomes to great to bear, call upon us and we will share it."

     Iriisii bows once more then turns back to the district where she left the Morag Tong in the hidden courtyard, and begins walking. The others fall in behind her, Olaf taking his position behind and to her right, watching for trouble. Rose comments after watching him a bit.

     Rose: "He must really be from her future, she does not even have to use sign to instruct him on how to act and what to do. He just does it and he is where she expects him to be. I have never seen such a close synergy. The former Legion officers I served under would kill to have someone like that by them."

     Rigmor: "I know. But they do not know how to draw one like he is to them. You cannot command someone to do what he does. He is like Letho was before... Anyway, you have to earn that kind of loyalty and respect. Iriisii did with Letho, and now it looks like she has done the same with this Olaf. There is no other way to describe it."

     Olaf looks over to Rigmor and gives a single nod of his head, then goes back to looking for trouble.

     Rigmor: "See, he heard and acknowledges I am right. One thing to remember, she chooses the most 'broken' to rebuild in this way. Let whatever is in his past, stay there. Don't do or say anything to bring it back."

     Rose: "He has let Iriisii send him back into time to help her earlier self. What did she have Letho do that was similar and took the same amount of trust?"

     Rigmor: "Step off of a high flying dragon. Drop to the ground with only a sword she had given him. And trust that he would not splatter himself all over the ground when he landed."

     Rose: "Whew, what happened?"

     Rigmor: "The sword converted the 'fall' into a force wave that went out from where he landed. Tore into an entire brigade of Thalmor, hit the walls of a caldera they were in, bounced back and cancelled out when it got back to him. He then started killing all those that had survived the force wave. By the time we had gotten back to the surface, there was barely enough left to 'mop up'. He earned the respect of the dragons that serve Iriisii that day, and they still revere him and call him 'fahdon'. As best I know it translates as 'friend'."

     Rose: "A whole Thalmor Brigade huh? I wish I had known that before, you know."

     Rigmor: "Yeah, I do. He was not one to bask in the glory of his own accomplishments. He didn't even like for others to do that, but he tolerated it for their sake. Hey, did you know that Crispus and Aenus asked him to train them? When he asked them why? They answered him that they had been 'fuckups' the entire time they had been in the Legion. And now that the Empress allowed the Thalmor assassins to escape with Kathea, while she saved Aenus' life. Well, they figure it was time for them to repay her and the only way they could do that was to become Legion soldiers she would be proud to have serve under her."

     Rose: "Did he do it?"

     Rigmor: "Yes, he did. What he managed to do with them. I have no idea what he did or how he did it, but it worked. Now they are in charge of the children's security detail. All the soldiers that are on it have to pass their muster. And they say it is considered one of the hardest details. There is even a waiting list for those who want to apply for it, and they have even managed to garner Lord Chancellor Blackwell's respect."

     Iriisii holds up a hand for all to stop.

     Iriisii: "I am going on alone, they do not know Olaf and are likely to react badly to his presence. Besides all I want to do is inform them of the change in plans, then we can move on."

     She turns and moves on down the alley to the hidden courtyard. Hearing gruff voices she slows, moving silently and carefully until she can see who is here and what is occurring. As she sees the picture ahead, a chill tries to run up her spine, but she forces it back down. She slips back into being Darkstar, and moves quietly into the courtyard.

     City Guard: "You know you are going to tell us in the end anyway. Make it easier on yourself and tell us where they are, then we kill you quick and clean. No need to drag it out."

     The captive Morag Tong sees Darkstar enter and hold a finger to her lips indicating silence. Then as one of the guards loses his patience and draws a skinning knife.

     Darkstar: "Who gave you permission to poach my targets?"

     The four City Guardsmen whirl to face her.

     City Watchman: "Who are you to come seeking up on us like that? We could have mistook you for a Morag Tong or something."

     Darkstar: "Then that would be the last mistake you would ever make. Now I have asked for who gave permission for you to hunt those I have a signed contract for?"

     City Guardsman: "We didn't know, honest. We just got an anonymous tip that they were hiding out here. We came and only found this one. There are a few signs of more having been around so we started to ask this one where they were. So far he ain't talking."

     Darkstar: "Of course not, they do not put those who can speak in positions like this where they can be made to talk. And still you have not answered my question. Therefore you need to determine who you fear the most, the name of he who sent you here, or me."

     City Watchman: "You calling us liars?"

     Darkstar: "Are you lying to me about how you came here?"

     City Watchman: "No."

     Darkstar: "Then why will you not answer my question?"

     City Watchman: "I did, I said it was an anonymous tip."

     Darkstar: "In this city there is no such thing. I could ask any street urchin or beggar who was anywhere close to you when you received this tip and they would tell me instantly. But I choose to ask you, since you are the ones I found here. Now you will tell me because I have no intention to ask again."

     City Watchman: "Now why would I choose to do that?"

     Darkstar: "Because you heard that a certain 'Seven' assassin was back in town."

     The face of the City Watchman tightens up and goes pale as he realizes who she is.

     City Watchman: "Get her, with the bounty for her we can all retire rich!"

     Darkstar parries the first sword strike, "You have to stay alive to collect that bounty."

     She throws a dragonstar that embeds itself in the throat of a guardsman trying to flank her.

     Darkstar: "One down, three to go. Who wishes to make it two down."

     The City Watchman pushes both of the remaining guardsmen to take her.

     She draws twin daggers from the sheaths just above the ankles on both legs and buries the blades up under the ribcages of both guards as she slips between them. The City Watchman slips out the courtyard entrance and disappears into the dark.

     The Tong watch cries out, "He is getting away!"

     Darkstar: "He will not be going far."

     As a slap of flesh on flesh and a sudden gurgling comes from the darkness outside the Courtyard. Olaf walks in dragging the body of the City Watchman. As he sees Darkstar he drags the City Watchman and lays him at her feet, then kneels down to her. The Tong watch stares in disbelief at what his eyes are telling him.