Chapter One:..to the east, to Morrowind
Chapter Two: Rise of the Black Hand
Chapter Three: Azura's Portents
Chapter Four: An Assassin Amongst Us....
Chapter Five: History rewritten, and History Reborn



Ebonheart; Grand Council Chambers, Three Weeks Later

Duke Dren exited his office, wearing the polished ebony armor of the Duke, accompanied by two of his Imperial Guard. He had specifically asked for me to show up and hold the meetings of the preparation of war in the Grand Council, for all intents and purposes, I was the Dukes equal upon the Island of Vvardenfell.

“You know, Sethyas. As of right now, politically speaking, you are the most powerful Man on Vvardenfell. Even the tribes of the Ashlanders have chosen you as War Leader. A feat that has not been accomplished since the first era. And certainly not by an outlander, you truly must be the Nerevarine…” the Duke mused.

“I am. I know that now more then ever…but I wonder, if I am this child of fate and destiny, am I also destined to win, or fall? Dagoth Ur is a GOD for Azura’s sake!” I said with defeatist tone.

“Now, now! You must seem strong and confident to your people! You are the General of the Dunmer once more, Nerevar, and they will look to you for inspiration and leadership…besides, I would wish for you to return, and to play with my Grandchildren in a world that you have made safe…” he said subtly.

“Right…I…” I said blushing, while thinking of Ilmeni, safe in my Stronghold of Bal Isra.

“Relax, Sethyas. The time now calls for preparation of our assault upon Dagoth Ur. The Council awaits us now. Come.” He said motioning for the Chambers.

I sat down at my Central Chair, the Chair awarded to Generals and Kings. Not a chair that I deserved to sit in for long. The eyes of Dunmer that I did not recognize, save that of Llerar Mandas and Eno Hlaalu gazed upon me with a mixture of skepticism and wonder. And pride. The pride from the Morag Tong and House Redoran, my chosen families.

There were in fact representatives from every faction in the Grand Council, the Imperial Cult, the Imperial Legion, Fighters and Mages Guild. The Thieves Guild obviously did not take place in the proceedings, and my little surprise showed up amongst the beginnings of the proceedings.

Sul-Matuul showed up with three other Ashlanders, after receiving my correspondence to gather three Gulakhans from the other tribes and show up on this day. There were gasps of shock and surprise as they took a seat at the Grand Council Table, all of them with a satisfied smirks on their faces.

“Sethyas…what are they doing here?” Vedam Dren whispered to me.

I stood up and spoke in a loud, clear voice. “Representatives, may I present the Great and honorable Ashkhan of the Urshilaku, Sul-Matuul! The three other Mer are Gulakhans of the Erebanimsun, the Ahemmusa, and the Zainab Tribes. They will join us in counsel as equal representatives of the Army of Nerevar! I will not have any grumblings or dissentions to the contrary! They are brave and wise warriors whom are willing to lay down their very lives for the Honor of destroying Dagoth Ur! They have equal standing amongst all others here amongst the Council.” I said with a hand outstretched and a powerful gaze overlooking the room.

There were murmurs and looks of hate and curiosity towards the Ashlanders. But all seemed to come to the same conclusion: We needed all the troops we could get. Ashlanders might have been hated, but their skills in the Ashlands and hunting were undeniable.

“While the House Dunmer grow fat and lazy in their rooms of stone, we Ashlanders live in the Shadow of Red Mountain, we see our lands die from the Blight. This is the same fate that shall befall all you, unless we now act as one people under Nerevar once more.” Spoke Sul-Matuul.

“Thank You, my friend. As the Chosen Hortator, and Nerevarine. I will set forth a few rules that I need obeyed in my interim. Eno. There will be a cessation to all Writs, House Wars will not be waged while we assault the Mountain. House Representatives, no duels, no murders. Sul-Matuul, Gulakhans, no raids, no tribal disputes. We are one people.”

There were a few murmurs again, but all Representatives agreed eventually, Eno shook his head in agreement.

“How do you propose we begin this war, Nerevarine? Just gather as many heads as we can, and walk into Red Mountain? We’ll get killed!” asked the Telvanni Wizard Lady.

“Vivec has already given us his outlines for the War, and how to best proceed. I have had made copies for all…..” I said as parchments were handed out.

Phase 1: Raids inside the Ghostfence
The Tribunal, Ordinators, and Buoyant Armigers are familiar with the terrain, and will provide maps and current intelligence reports. The region inside the Ghostfence is dangerous, and the Nerevarine will need to be familiar with its particular challenges. After measuring skills and resources against Dagoth Ur's defenses, the Nerevarine will know better how to pace a campaign, alternating raids with improving skills, getting better equipment, and stockpiling resources.

Phase 2: Raids upon Ash Vampire Citadels
Dagoth Ur's kin have become markedly more powerful in recent decades, after remaining stable for thousands of years. If they can be individually isolated and destroyed, they will not be able to support Dagoth Ur in later stages of the war. It may also be that the dramatic increase in their power comes from items enchanted by Dagoth Ur. Salvage of such items might contribute to our resources.

Phase 3: Assault on Gate Citadel Vemynal
Essential to recover the artifact hammer Sunder for Phase 5. The Ash Vampire Dagoth Vemyn has possession of Sunder, and probably seeks to discover the secrets of its enchantments. He may also have access to notebooks and journals of Kagrenac that have survived in the Dwemer workshops of Vemynal.

Phase 4: Assault on Gate Citadel Odrosal
Essential to recover the artifact blade Keening for Phase 5. The Ash Vampire Dagoth Odros has possession of Keening, and probably seeks to discover the secrets of its enchantments. He may also have access to notebooks and journals of Kagrenac that have survived in the Dwemer workshops of Odrosal.

Phase 5: Assault on Citadel Dagoth
All the previous stages are preparations for this stage. Recent expeditions show that Citadel Dagoth has undergone extensive expansion; the location will need to be explored carefully. The known route to the Heart Chamber will be well-defended; alternative routes may exist. Dagoth Ur will have anticipated our plan to destroy him by attacking the Heart, and he will almost certainly personally oppose approach to the Heart Chamber. Together the Tribunal could not defeat him, and he has grown stronger since then. Admittedly, the Tribunal had the distraction of maintaining the Ghostfence simultaneous with fighting Dagoth Ur, but, even so, the challenge seems daunting.

The adoption of this phased campaign seems to offer the best chances for success. In retrospect, the Tribunal's decision to directly assault Citadel Dagoth rather than proceed step-by-step through lesser objectives must be seen to have been a serious error. The Tribunal did not feel it had the option of a slow-paced and deliberate campaign, given that they had many other competing priorities, not the least of which was the maintenance of the Ghostfence and the outer defenses surrounding Red Mountain. The Nerevarine, on the other hand, should be best served by a careful, step-by-step advance, with the additional advantage of building confidence along the way while successes would undermine Dagoth Ur's own assurance in his defenses.

“Interesting, and how do we find all these Ash Vampires…and more Importantly, how do we stop them from coming back? Every one knows that Dagoth Ur eventually resurrects them…” she asked once more.

“It is possible to prevent that through Soul Trapping magic…” I said.

“And how do you know that?” She asked flippantly.

I tossed her the Grand Soul Gem that housed the Spirit of the Ash Vampire I had encountered beneath Kogoruhn.

“Say hi to Dagoth Uthol. He won’t be coming back anytime soon…” I said as she examined the gem, and remarked in surprise: “This IS an Ash Vampires soul!”

“The one you faced when I sent you to Kogoruhn? You faced down an Ash Vampire and Lived to tell the tale? Impressive Sethyas. That is already one down out of seven…” said Sul-Matuul

The murmurs of the Council now had a different tone, one that of hope. If I could face down an Ash Vampire single-handedly, then there was hope that a Unified Dunmer could defeat Dagoth Ur.

“Then we will begin with the first phase immediately! Let the Sixth House know that the Dunmeri Wrath is swift and vengeful!” cried Llerar Mandas, the Redoran General.

“Not so fast.” I said, interjecting. “Read the parchment again. A full scale war is exactly what Dagoth Ur expects, and he is well prepared for such an occurrence.”

There was a silence. “Then what?” came the response.

“I will act largely alone. What the significance of the unification means, is that the Dunmer are working together to DEFEND themselves against Dagoth Ur. The towns, the villages, now more then ever, must have every available man to defend themselves against the Hosts of Dagoth Ur. Now that I have returned, there is a different feeling in the wind, Voryn Dagoth senses me, he knows that I have returned, he feels the time is nigh to set forth with his ambitions to conquer the land.”

“What hope do you have against an army? Can one man defeat an entire army?” asked Llerar.

“No…I’m not going after every single Ascended Sleeper and Corprus Monster. I’m going after the heads of the army. The Dunmeri society was built from small fractious clans that needed to use secret murder to defeat their enemies. Kill a General, and an Army is useless. My trade is that of an Assassin, and I shall employ all my skills to this end. Ending eventually in facing Dagoth Ur and severing his link to the Heart.”

”I am attacking the weak points, not the strongest. Dagoth Ur, believes himself to be invincible. He sees his armies as easily replaceable within the ranks. This is somewhat true. But in my experience, everything has a crippling weakness. I intend to exploit it once I find it…”

The council talked amongst themselves for a time. There was a feeling of anti-climatic ness, but this was war, not glory. Just as the Empire exploited the political weaknesses of the Dunmer to Conquer Morrowind, so could Dagoth Ur. The in-fighting and petty squabbles had to cease, at least for the time being.

The council departed, and my orders were relayed to the Clans, and the Tribes. Defense of settlements and towns were to begin immediately, if aid was needed, it would be given, without consideration to the others Clan.

I then joined the Duke in his chambers for a brandy after the meeting.

“Wise Choices, Sethyas. And foolish as well. But, I believe you will succeed. You will assassinate the brothers of Ur, and the Sixth House Army will shatter like a scrib, then it will simply be a matter of cleaning up the mess. But our people will have the War they desire. And you. I wonder whether you will live through all this…”

”If I don’t, you must pick up where I left off. Follow the phases, kill the Ash Vampires. Recover Wrathguard if you can, present it to another Champion, one who is capable of facing the Sixth House.”

He nodded grimly. “Do try and live, Sethyas. I have grown rather fond of you.” He said finishing his brandy.

Before I returned to Bal Isra, I made a stop by the Arena in Vivec for a contact with my Master, Eno Hlaalu. For company, and a bit of luck.

“Sethyas! Nerevarine, and Hortator. I am proud of you this day…even if you are cutting into my profits a bit!” Eno remarked on the Cessation of Writs.

“Well, I have two new threads for you, as well as a request.”

He took the threads and asked me my request.

“Well, I know I asked for you to stop the Writs. But I would like you to make me one…for luck.” I said telling him, and he laughed as he wrote out the parchment, and applied his Morag Tong Signet Ring to the red wax.


”Here you go.” He said handing me the finished writ.

I read it aloud.




The afore-mentioned personage has been marked for honorable execution in accordance to the lawful tradition and practice of the Morag Tong Guild. The Bearer of this non-disputable document has official sanctioned license to kill the afore-mentioned personage.

Oh yay! What an interesting twitch......I really liked it, you´re quite outstanding Blackie! And Serene will naturally approve as being Archmaster of your house......waaaaay to go here. I´ll keep my fingers crossed you know that!

Heh, so Sethyas actually made the whole thing legal. Nice detail.

I did'nt mean it in that way, Jack. Its for luck, hes an Assassin.(I think I mention that only twenty times per post.) And Dagoth Ur, shall be his ultimate Writ.

True, but the writ also works in Dunmer society to make the target a legal target in the house wars. It just shows that Dagoth Ur, as the head of House Dagoth, falls under the same rules for house wars as all the other houses, even though he's holed up in a volcano with his big Dwemer puppet. So I find that a neat detail.

That writ is just awesome. This story is so very rich.

I smell action coming along quite shortly, I can't wait to see how Sethyas will handle this "The Assassin's Way".

I ,too, loved the addition of the writ for a confidence builder. At least, that's how I see it as.

Keep up the amazing work Black!

Mamaea.

A Sixth House Base, and Home to Dagoth Araynys. Many months ago, Hassour Zainsubani, my ashlander informant for Caius, had asked of me to chide his son into spending more time with his father. Why I had not gone sooner, I do not know. But as I soon found out, I should have. Part of my plan of war, was to take out as many Sixth House bases as I could to weaken Dagoth Ur's hold over Sleepers in the various settlements and cities.

Sennanit. Assemanu. Ainab. Salmamtu, and others fell to my combined assault of shadow and steel. I could write for pages and pages of all the battles and near-death experiences against the deformed visions of Dagoth Ur's perception of flesh perfected. I could write volumes of the Red Candles that lit the dark reality of the Dreamers in there Caverns, of the sounds of the bells that rang the doom of the ending of the cultists as I used that very hammer to break skulls.

For weeks and weeks, I journeyed the Island. Blood and death were my only focus, the more I did it. The easier it became to see the former city and Ashlander Dunmer as faceless troops of my Enemy, Dagoth Ur. The Goggles of the Dark Brotherhood Mask hiding my stoic countenance, as the bodies and flickering candlelight relfected off of them. Death was my music, and I was writing my Symphonic Masterpiece. And yet, it was not for mindless lust. It was so that the taverns I stayed at could stay open for the traveller, so the Plantations could continue with their slave trade. It was so the Tribes might raise their children as their own, and not the host of Dagoth Ur.

Now I silently tread through the white-stone halls of the Cavern of Mamea. Death meeting with a silent kiss the inhabitants guided by my blade and arrows. The first section of the caves cleared, I entered into the next, the Sanctum of Black Hope.

The difference with these Caverns, was that the white-stone gave into the more familiar light brown, and a presence similar to the one I had felt inside of the Caverns of Kogoruhn, and with my beloved Bow in hand, I entered into the 'quarters' of the brother of Dagoth Ur. Dagoth Araynys.

His subliminal growling permeated the stone chamber, and with eyes that were once Chimer/Dunmer he beheld me, and like Uthol before him, spoke.

"You have done well to come this far. I don't think we have anything to talk about, do we? Then lets get on with it." his voice rang in my ears.

"In such a hurry to die, Dagoth? I've killed an Ash Vampire before. You think you'll just come back, will you? Death won't be cheated, and I've come to collect, with interest." I retorted.

His expression turned to one of annoyance. "I'm going to kill you. You don't believe that, or you wouldn't be here. You are the challenger, so, by House Dagoth custom, yours is the first move."

Wraithguard gripped the shaft of the Bow of Shadows harder as I channled its energies to encompass my being. Its magicks hiding me from all sight, and my legs grew more rapid in their stride as I charged the Sixth House Lieutenant, with a leap I unsheathed the Black Hands Dagger, and brought the dark blade deep into the creatures left shoulder, using the momentum to swing myself in midair, and brought my right arm around Araynys' neck and casted Soul Trap.

He swung around madly trying to get me off his back, but I persisted, and was rewarded with his collapse, and entrapped soul within another Grand Soul Gem. "Well, it looks like my collection is growing, isnt it, Araynys?" I said taking his Token of the Soul Ring, and another Sixth House Amulet.

I proceeded deeper into the deepest bowel of the cavern. The Shrine of Pitted Dreams, arrows whistled through the air, finding their targets in the soft flesh of the fanatical Dreamers, and Ash Ghouls. But, guarding the offering troughs deep within the Shrine, a strange Dreamer spoke to me.

"So.The collapse of the outlying shrines can be attributed to you can it not, Lord Nerevar?" cackled an old prune of a Dunmer Maiden. Strangely enough she exhibited a trait that most Dreamers did not. She was fully clothed, and spoke as though she were in total control of her senses.

"What? Who are you?" I said confused.

"You may call me Zenammu. Servant of Lord Dagoth, glorious witness of the Rebirth of House Dagoth!" she exclaimed.

My Katana sang as it unsheated, and found its way through her heart, biting through the thick skin of the netch leather that hugged her torso.

"Or its first Martyr." I said as she slid back, unsheathing herself as she exhaled her last breath.

I took a quick accounting of the area, and took a look through the shrines troughs, and recovered another Daedric Face of Inspiration. For inspiring fear, no doubt. I also helped myself to a pair of Ebony Boots, to the victor go the spoils, and wars, even mine, costed money.

My hands then wrapped around a curious looking blade, carved from bone. The short blade had a curious electricity to it, and the realization of the fact that I had recovered yet another artifact came to my mind, and I flipped through the pages of Yagrum Bagarns book "Famed Artifacts of Tamriel"

"The Fang of Haynek-- Haynekthhh--namet...H-a-y-n-e-k-h-t-n-a-m-e-t..how in the fires of Oblivion am I supposed to pronounce THAT?" I said aloud to no one but myself.

Black Marsh was once known to be inhabited with what the Argonians called the Wamasus. Northern men considered them to be intelligent dragons with lightning for blood. One such mighty beast, Haynekhtnamet, was slain by the Northern men, though it took 7 days and nights, and a score of men. One of the surviving men took a fang home as a trophy. The fang was carved down into a blade and fashioned into a small dagger. The Dagger mysteriously houses some of the beast's magical properties and grants the user the ability to do shock damage on an opponent. This unique Dagger is seen occasionally by traveling heroes.

"Well then...another trophy for use against the Sixth House...anyone else smell ozone?" I chuckled.

Back into the Sanctum of Black Hope, I crept through in the Shadows to a locked door that held a Mer that could have passed for yet another Dreamer, but for some reason, I held back, and called to him from my hidden position.

"What have we here? Are you another Sixth House cultist? Or a poor, unfortunate soul caught in the crossfire?"

"My name is Hannat Zainsubani. I entered this cavern seeking shelter from the weather, and these madmen stripped me and imprisoned me here. While I've been trapped here, I've had the most terrible dreams. I... don't know if I can trust my own eyes and ears. Please. I need an armed escort to the cavern entrance. They have left me nothing. I cannot offer you reward. But my father, Hassour Zainsubani, in Ald'ruhn, will gift you generously if you can rescue me."

"Hannat, eh?" I said emerging from the shadows, and taking off my black mask. "I know your Father. He's been quite worried about you, ya know." I said examining him, and seeing if he was okay, running a hand across his arms.

"You've got a blight disease, Hannat. Hold on." I said mixing him a potion of Scrib Jelly and Ash Salts, speaking to him of his Father in Ald' Skar Inn.

"Ah, then you know my father? You can always find him at the Ald Skar Inn. If you can deliver me from this cavern, I'm sure he will reward you handsomely." he said taking my potion, and drinking the restorative effects.

"I care little for reward, your Father is a good man, and it would do me well to know that I have saved his son's life. Follow me to the entrance. I think you'll find that you're quite safe."

We spoke of my fight against the Sixth House as we walked to the entrance, he was well aware of the Nerevarine Prophecies, but as a bedtime story his father might tell him as a child, not as a reality, and certainly not as a voice that came from the shadows unexpectedly in his darkest moment.

"Thank you, Sera Velas. I owe you my life. As you can see, I have nothing to give you. But go speak to my father, Hassour Zainsubani, at the Ald Skar Inn in Ald'ruhn, for courage and generosity must always be rewarded. Tell him that I am well, and will come to him as soon as I can. I have no token you might show him, but tell him that I blossom 'anew beneath tomorrow's sun' -- he will know who has sent you."

I recognized the line from a verse in the Ahemmusa "May I shrink to Dust" that was one of the books that I presented as a gift to Hassour in exchange for information on Ashlanders.

I did wish too see Athyn and Serene, and Ilmeni once more, as I had seen the worst in human nature for these last few weeks, and needed the love of friends to sustain my sanity. To Ald' Ruhn I returned to deliver a spot of good news to Hassour.

"You have spoken with my son? Indeed? He blossoms 'anew beneath tomorrow's sun'? That is my son, indeed. And you have rescued him from a terrible fate, if that is his message. He owes you a debt of gratitude, and I am proud to pay that debt. Who can place a value on life? But please accept these five pieces of raw ebony, rare and valuable. And from me personally, accept this, my own personal blade, and this, the ring from my own finger. May these gifts bless you, as you have blessed my son." He said as I accepted his gifts in the spirit of gratitude. I would present them to Varvur.

I knocked on the door of Sarethi Manor, and Serene's blue-violet eyes widened in surprise.

"Sethyas! Do come in!" She said excitedly, kissing me on the cheek, the smell of sweet stoneflower on her skin.

"We were just talking about you, my boy! How goes the fight against the Sixth House?" Athyn said clasping my shoulders, and bringing me into an embrace.

"Well. It goes well. I'll tell you more if you can offer me a Mazte." I said with a hoarse tone.

A servant brought us all refreshments and drinks, of which I fully enjoyed, the taste of well prepared food far surpassing the stale saltrice and bread of taverns.

"Are you all right, Sethyas? You seem...odd, for you, that is." said Serene with a heavy hint of concern in her tone.

"Its...hard. I don't know. I'm spilling much blood. More then even I'm used too. For the first time in my life, I'm slaughtering, not assassinating. One has little to do with the other. I've never seen the face of a victim in my dreams, but now, I'm seeing dark caverns with red candles, the faces of the fanatics, the Dreamers. The nightmare of the Sixth House, is the pleasant dream of Lord Dagoth. I don't want to lose myself in the battle,...I need some sleep I think." I said quietly, fingering the hilt of the Fang.

"But enough of me. Where is Varvur? I have some things for him from my travels..."

Athyn and Serene looked at one another. "My son has taken up a career with the East Empire Company, he's..well,..he's an accountant. He's always been more of a Scholar then a Warrior, and, well, I'm proud of him." Athyn mused. The last I heard of him, I had escorted him to Fort Buckmoth for safekeeping while Venim's wrath was still a threat.

"How is he handling Domesea's death? He seemed quiet at the funerary rites."

"He is taking it quite well. I thank you again for being one of the nobles that carried her to the Tomb." Athyn said with gratitude.

"It was my honor and duty, Serjo." I said with a nod. "But I will leave these here, and perhaps you could send it to him."

"But as for you, Sethyas.I think I can make something that can help....you're more then welcome to rest here..." Serene said.

"I'll take whatever I can get. But it will have to be to go, its been far too long since I've seen Ilmeni." I replied quietly.

Athyn motioned for Serene to leave the two of us for a moment, and she took the oppurtunity to mix me up her heated cornberry wine.

"You're suffering from battle-stress Sethyas. It's very common amongst the Redoran warriors. You need to let up for a bit. Take some personal time, remind yourself what you're fighting for."

I shook my head. "There's no time for all that. Why should I rest when there is so much suffering? So much to do? No, the War is relentless, as so I should be..." I said, my eyelids growing heavy.

Serene re-entered the room with a steaming mug, that I gratefully accepted."I know you said to go, but it'll spoil if you don't have it fresh."

From the first sip, I felt the energy returning to my bones. "Nice concoction...I'll have to get that recipe. But it will have to be some other time...thank you for the Hospitatlity friends, but I must leave for Bal Isra. Be well."

"Be well, Sethyas." Athyn said with concern in his face as well.

I returned to Bal Isra, and Ilmenis squeals of delight met with a little more then indifference from me.

"I thought you would be happier to see me." she said with dissapointment.

"I'm showing as much emotion I can, Ilmeni. I'm more then just a little tired. But, you are the Sun after a long night. Know that, and never forget it." I said looking into her sweet red eyes.

I lay in the bath for a long time, thinking through the last few weeks. Strategy, tactics, planning. Killing, fighting, remembering. It was all too much. I needed to stop hunting down all the Bases, and assault Red Mountain directly.

I would start again in the morning. Yes, the morning. I would start it again. Until it ended.

I layed myself down next to Ilmeni, and her embrace was sweeter then anything I could have imagined. I would trade everything I had for a moment of that bliss, and I fell asleep in it. This night however, the dreams thankfully did not come. Though the taste of Cornberry Wine did.

War is tough. I hope that it ends soon, for Sethyas' sake. On the other hand, that would mean the end of the story. Hmm, conflicting wishes here.

Oh such a toching, wonderful update! You really have a great way with words, and the poetic touch is just outstanding, I´ll quote a piece that got right to me


Ah and the appearance of Serene and Athyn felt so right.....poor Seth, he really has a lot of pressure on him now, and if anyone can understand what he feels having to take so many lives, it is Serene!

Oh I love this story.....

The journey from Bal Isra to Ghostgate is a bit further then one would think it would be, as off in the distance to the east, one could see the faint glow of the barrier that seperated Vvardenfell from Red Mountain. The barrier that I would dedicate to tearing down. I did not fear the Sixth House, I possibly hated them, but I tried my hardest not to let that blind me. I spent an hour in meditation and practicing the Rain on Sand style taught to me by Goren Andarys in the Morag Tong Ald'Ruhn Guildhall, before departing for my next phase.

And looming high into the horizon, the peak of Red Mountain stared back down to me, the swirling red blight picking up almost as soon as I approached Ghostgate. A nice welcoming invite, Sixth House style. And I was to be the one whom ended it.

"Ghostgate is not for the weak, outlander." came the friendly warning of a Buoyant Armiger at the Tower of Dusk.

"Certainly not. Vivec has told me to seek out the Armigers, in his name. I need any information you can give me on Red Mountain.' I said showing him my right hand, displaying Wraithguard.


"The Buoyant Armigers, a small military order of the Tribunal Temple, exclusively dedicated to and answering to Lord Vivec. We pattern ourselves on Lord Vivec's heroic spirit of exploration and adventure, and emulate his mastery of the varied arts of personal combat, chivalric courtesy, and subtle verse. We serve the Temple as champions and knights-errant, and are friendly rivals of the more solemn Ordinators in our dedicated service to Lord Vivec and the Temple."


"Ghostgate is a stronghold that guards the only passage through the Ghostfence and into the blighted region of Red Mountain. Ghostgate is garrisoned by the Ordinators and the Buoyant Armigers, and House Redoran maintains a hostel for pilgrims. For centuries Ordinators and Buoyant Armigers led by the Tribunal would passed through Ghostgate on annual raids against Dagoth Ur's ash vampire kin, but these raids were suspended because of heavy losses to the Temple forces."


"The Ghostfence is a magic wall running completely around Red Mountain. The barrier keeps blight storms and blight monsters from spreading across Vvardenfell. The Ghostfence was created and is sustained by the divine powers of Vivec and the Tribunal. In the past, the Ghostfence was completely effective, but now we hear reports of encounters with blighted monsters outside the fence."


"We have heard the proclamation. Vivec has removed his curse upon the Nerevarine, and has ended the persecution of the Dissident Priests. Vivec has acknowledged you as the Incarnate and Nerevarine, the prophesied savior of Morrowind, and the last hope to withstand the menace of Dagoth Ur and the Sixth House."

"That is....bleak." I replied. "But I will do what I must. Vvardenfell stands united in defense, I must go alone into the Devils House."


"All our intelligence is old. No one has ventured far inside the fence for years. This map shows the locations of the citadels of the various ash vampires. Sixth House creatures have become more numerous and powerful, and the most powerful can conjure powerful daedra. Until recently, we've been able to clear routes and keep them clean with raids, but no longer. There are no safe refuges or services inside the fence; you must return here to rest and heal." he said nodding handing me a parchment that mapped out the interior of Red Mountain, marking the Citadels of Dagoth Ur, and the Ash Vampires.

"Five ancient Dwemer citadels in the crater of Red Mountain are occupied by Dagoth Ur and his ash vampire kin. The ancient Dwemer citadels on Red Mountain are no longer known by their Dwemer names, but now take the names of their Dagoth Lords: Endusal, Odrosal, Vemynal, Tureynulal, and Dagoth Ur. The only approach to the crater citadels is up Foyada Esannudan from Fort Moonmoth, through the Ghostfence at the fortress of Ghostgate, and down into the crater."

Deciding that I needed a drink to get the courage up before venturing into the nightmarish of Red Mountain, I ordered a Cyrodiilic Brandy, savoring the taste as though it were my last. During my tasting, an old Imperial Veteran sat next to me and started a conversation. It was strange to see someone like him here.
"Hello. They call me Wulf. What brings you to Ghostgate?"

"Wulf, huh?"

"Wulf. That's me."
"Nice to meet you, call me Sethyas. Have a drink on me...ya never know which one is your last." I said pointing to him, and nodding at the publican.


"This is a helluva place. Why are you here?" he said taking a sip of his drink.

"You wouldn't beleive me old man! I'm sure you've heard some crazy stuff in your time, but I dont think you've heard this!" I said laughing.

"Try me." he said quietly, something in his voice told me that he already knew, and wedged the information out me.

"I am the Nerevarine, and I go to confront Dagoth Ur in his citadel."


"What a piece of luck! Look. I'm an old Legion veteran, as old as the poor old Emperor, bless his soul. I'm too old for campaigning. I came this far to look at hell. But I can't go any farther than this. I'd take it kindly if you'd carry this old lucky coin with you when you go to Dagoth Ur. Sort of a token of the tough young hero I used to be. Would you do that for an old man?"


"I'll take your old lucky coin to Dagoth Ur with me."


"That's very kind of you. Here's the coin. I've had it with me a long time, and it's always brought me luck. But I have no more use for it, and I'd like to pass it on to somebody younger. Somebody going places I can't go anymore. Your generation's shaper of history... an engine of destiny. That coin will bring you luck on the mountain. I promise. 'For Emperor and Empire,' as we say in the legions. Go with Kynareth." he said handing me a weathered Septim, and a strange energy passed from him into me.

"How old did you say you were?" I said, thinking there might be more to this man and his coin...


"As old as the poor old Emporer. The Emperor is getting old. Don't know how much longer he'll hang on. So is the whole Empire, for that matter. Getting old, that is. The Emperor and the legions have held the Empire together for hundreds of years. It's been a good thing, by and large. But maybe it's time for a change. Time for something young and new. What? No idea. Because I'm old. Old dog doesn't get new ideas. But maybe young folks like you should try some new ideas. I don't know. Could be messy. But change is never pretty." he said finishing up his drink, and patting my back, and taking his leave.

I took another look at the coin, rubbing my thumb over the face, and realizing that it looked alot like...looking up I became startled that he had comepletely dissappeared.

"Publican! Who was that old man? Wulf?" I cried aloud.

She looked up from wiping down the counter. "Old Man? Wulf? No Idea. There's no one here by that name."

"You just served him a drink!" I exclaimed.

She shook her head. "No. Just you, sounds like you've had enough too." she said with a growing hostitlity, signalling me to drop the subject.

Weird.

That was really well done. I like how you finished this part up, "...sounds like you've had enough too." Great.

Yeah....hehe, nice done Blackie! Wulf is one of a kind and Seth was very friendly towards him...mmmm..let´s see now where this lead to.....I´m waiting4more!

I remember Wulf, never figured out who he was though. Just that he seemed unique in some way.
Also I wonder, maybe Sethyas should just try out a jumping spell like Tarhiel and jump over the whole fence, aiming his landing in such a way that he comes down right in front of the door. (a soft landing of course.)

This is what always bugs me the most about ghostfence though I understand that fixing this problem would be a big strain on the computer. Why doesn't the fence have a roof? How the heck can you expect to contain anything when the whole place is infested with cliffracers and levitating mages?

I slowly pulled my hood over my head, and took a deep breath. This would be my first step inside the Ghostgate, and the first step into the real start of the War. I activated the switch, and with a rumbling, the aged fence rose into the air, and I walked slowly into the arched tunnel beneath the Temple, and the Gate shut closed behind me.


I activated the next switch, and the next gate followed suit. And I walked into the red fury of the blight, almost immediately attacked by an Ascended Sleeper, seeiming to keep vigil at the gate. Perhaps there was some sort of massive link that connected all the Sixth House telepathically, and Dagoth Ur saw me coming into Red Mountain.


As I dodged the creatures attacks of sparks and illusion magicka, I pumped it full of arrows, until the creature dissapated into a yellowish flurry of sparks. My quiver was lighter, and the Bow of Shadows would soon be in need of a re-stringing. It was a clear reminder that I would have to stay unseen, as I was not here to kill every member of House Dagoth, rather its lieutenants, and its High Councilor. The rest of Vvardenfell was united to keep the host from spilling forth, and spoiling the land. My job was to cut the head of the snake. A multi-headed one at that.


I consulted the map, and saw Odrosal and Endusal were both roughly equal distance from me. Odrosal however, was believed to have contained Keening, the crystal blade of Kagrenac's design. Therefore it was the major of the two targets, and I ran as fast as I could to the Citadel, casting invisibility the whole way, so I remained yet another breeze in the typhoon of the blight.


"Well, Sethyas Velas. Have you come to serve? Or to challenge my station? Or to try to win Keening?"

"Many mortals serve their gods. Few are so fortunate to be invited to share their divine power with them. Lord Dagoth makes you a generous offer, Faern Sargtlin. Join him, and you can share the divine, eternal power of Lorkhan's heart. So far, all your struggles, your battling, your destructiveness... all these things might be understood as improving your bargaining position. Come now, we hold you no bitterness. You cannot truly harm us. We can afford to forgive."

"Forgiveness is a luxury you cannot afford, Dagoth."


"You think to climb higher in Brother Dagoth's eyes by defeating me? Well, then, you might rise at that. None of us Heartwights can die. The power of the Heart will bring us all back in time. But, yes, you might win Lord Dagoth's favor by defeating his lieutenants. No hard feelings. I lose, I lose my rank. You lose, you lose all. You're playing for high stakes. Are you sure you want to play? Surely, there is no dishonor for a mortal to serve a god?"

"I'm sure that's what you believe, but have you seen Uthol or Araynys lately? Surrender Keening to me, and we can part as neutral at the very least." I offered.


"It is well hidden. Even if I should fall, you'll never find it. But if you choose to serve, perhaps Lord Dagoth might even consent to grant you the use of it. Surely, by coming so far, you have drawn his discerning eye, and earned his favor. Be reasonable, Sethyas Velas. Why risk blood and life for that which might be won by words and service?"

I did risk blood and life to win the possession of Keening, and the metal Dwemer grasp of Wraithguard hugged the hilt of the black metal of my Daedric Katana, and the silky hiss of the unsheathing left no doubt as to my intentions. A red cloud of dark energy encompassed the form of Dagoth Odros, and his arms spread wide to begin casting his offensive spell. I disappeared into the shadows of the dark creaking Dwemer stronghold, and he began pelting the area with fire and damage spells, the red energy lighting up the yellow walls, knocking Dwarven dishware off of the ancient shelves, and ancient armor and weapons clattered to the ground.

I began a series of slashes and chops to his torso, while running back and forth and jumping off of walls to stay just outside of the grasp of those long nails of his, and when I saw him finally beginning to show signs of fatigue, I pulled out a scroll, and read the incantation. The spell of the Scroll of Psychic Prison, casted Soul Trap and Paralysis for over half a minute, and held the Dagoth fast. I slowly walked over to him, and lit a Hackle-Lo leaf on one of the ritual red candles of House Dagoth.

"Well, I hate to act prematurely. But I believe that I have defeated you. I could be wrong however, what do you say?" I asked his immobilized form.

"Oh, thats right. You can't speak. But you can hear me just fine. If you can send any messages to Lord Dagoth telepathically, as I suspect you can. Tell him, I am coming for him. And this time, I won't repeat my last mistake. This time I'll make sure he's dead." I said as I thrusted an Ancient Silver Dagger into his torso, the potent poison acting quickly, and he lunged backwards in a death throe, slamming against an ancient Dwemer desk.

I then began considering where he could have hidden Keening so well. It wasn't on him, as I looted his Amulet of Heartfire and Sixth House Amulet. I carefully considered all the chests and walls in the Citadel. Only to find nothing. Getting frustrated I cast a Detect Enchantment spell, only to find that I could sense an Artifact of immense power...so much that it nearly overwhelmed me. But I still could not see where it was.

Following the Siren Call of the power, I came across a ladder that led into an upper tower of the Dagoth's Stronghold, upping myself into the chamber, I no longer needed the spell. In a shrine base, like a mythical sword from some Breton legend, the golden hilt of Keening rose into the air, calling to Wraithguard, it seemed to take over my hand, and it felt as though it was not I who reached out to grab the Dagger.

My grasp fell around the hilt, and instantly, a power more intoxicating then any skooma, more energy then I had ever known rushed through my system, as I felt my Speed and Agility increased, my very life essence and magicka fortified, and my ability to make contact in battle increased to levels I could scarcely imagine. I pulled the Dwemer blade out, and the incredible hum of power overflowed my senses, and I could only stand there and stare at the beauty of the indestructible crystal housed in the Dwemer Metal. There was a sense of satisfaction between Wraithguard and Keening, to be reunited at long last. And then there was a longing for a third presence. Sunder. I did not need ask where Vemynal was, across the miles of the slopes of Red Mountain my mind could discern its location deep within the stronghold. The alien powers used my mind as a conduit to call out to it.

"Kagrenac....who were you?" I asked the empty air.

Black Hand, I hardly do a single post every week, yet you can post three in hw many days. As I've never beaten Morrowind, I have no idea on how this continues, but stories like yours make the most interesting interpretations.....

Continue!!!

Ayyyy.......like Revie said, your posting is ferocious.....oh and a quote I fell for in its sheer beauty, oh I can feell the way Seth feels...



By the nine divines......continue!

Ask, and ye shall receive. Consider it my Christmas Present to y'all. Thank you all ver much for your continuing support and fanship of this story, I would have stopped ages ago if I did'nt think that I would dissapoint some of you. Even now, this story is drawing to a close it would seem. Though there is room enough for a prologue, and of course, if folks have been paying attention, Eno Hlaalu still has something that is Sethyas' only clue as to whom the strange Assassin was that attacked him...he still wears his armor.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I screamed in delight as the power of Keening tore through the flesh of the Ash Ghoul outside of Endusal, the spellcaster never had a chance against the rush of overwhelming power that the thrice-cursed blade held. Such power, and I was becoming engrossed within it. I had to put it away. Though it took all my willpower to do so, I relinquished Keening to it hilt, and produced the Fang of...Haynekhtnamet,..I think thats how its pronounced.

If ever there were a blade seemingly forged by the hands of the gods themselves for a Shortblade user alone, Keening was it. The power was consuming and addictive. This was not meant for the hands of mortals, and it gave the illusion of invincibility. Then again, perhaps it was not an illusion. In the right hands,..or the wrong ones, depending on how one looks at it, there were few that could match the power of the Artifact.

I entered into the next Stronghold, Dagoth Endus was not ready to attack me. In fact, he was holding a pair of Dwemer Goblets, and a Bottle of some liquor, and he addressed me in the subtle, yet inhuman voice of the Sixth House.

"I greet you, Sethyas Velas. Or Nerevar. Or whoever you are. I'm Dagoth Endus, brother of Dagoth Ur, and lord of Citadel Endusal. Would you like a little ancient Dagoth brandy?" he proposed.

"You wish to offer me a Drink? Thats actually...hospitable. Not what one would expect in the House of the Devil. What is this conconction?"

"It is a rare nectar beyond compare, distilled ages before your ancestor's ancestors. And a fitting toast to our challenge. Would you like to sample it?" he said pouring out two of the glasses.

"Yes, give me some." I said, taking a goblet.

"Then I drink to your health. Bottoms up...." he said, preparing to inbibe the drink, looking carefully at me. I swirled the nectar and sniffed. It was rancid, and as an experienced alchemist, I knew poison when I smelled it. This horrible thing would have left me dumber then a kagouti, and with the willpower of a corkbulb.

I threw the drink in Endus' face, and the creature became enraged, and with a lunge he shredded my robes, and the armor beneath it, throwing me back, I landed in a dwemer shelf, goblets and pitchers falling over me. I took off the bowl that landed on my head, only to find that he was preparing to cast a spell, and a large one by the feeling of magicka that was rising in the room.

My hands fell to an Amulet that I had found far to the east of here. I had come across a Tomb, with a Dark Elf Battlemage, who claimed to be searching for it. The Amulet of Augustus. I had never had call to use it, but I was familiar with its enchantments. Blindness 10 to 50% for 30 seconds, and Silence for 30 Seconds, Disintegrate Armor and Weapon 10 to 30 points for 30 Seconds.

It was the silence enchantment that I needed, and the blast of my own Magicka did not dissapoint as the Illusion blocked out all his magicka, and his spell fizzled out into a pathetic spark. The Bow of Shadows sand with each twang of its string, and the Dagoth grew weaker, and I used the next scroll of Psychic Prison on him, and with the final song of the final arrow, I was four Ash Vampires down, and three to go.

"Worry not, Endus. I respect your means. I too am a Deciever, and I will remember you with Honor, I dont know if I will win here, but that does not mean I will not try. I have to much too lose if I dont." I said to his corpse, as I took the Amulet of Heartrime, and a key that he had looped to his loincloth.

I snatched the key, and opened the Dwemer desk that had a strong lock on it. Inside I found a Journal of some sort, though the writing was in a Dwemer text, the front page of the tome was written clearly in Aldmeris.

"Kagrenacs Journals"

Perhaps later on, Yagrum Bagarn could shed some light on these, but not now. Now, I had an appointment in Vemynal, and claim Sunder.

Aye, Sethyas is exceptionally resourceful. Very nice.

Wow, I never truly paid attention to the power of Keening. I always simply saw it as a tool for Lorkhan's heart. Nothing more, nothing less. Then again, I have a similar obsession, with a Claymore.
I wonder what the journal has to say?

Wow! You did ALL of that in one day? Unbelievable! Post Machine is definitely fitting for you. But I guess the holidays gives one lots of time to write. Hopefully I'll be able to make use of that as well.

Anyways, I found your latest editions to be fantastic as always. The Fang of Haynekhtnamet is a sweet dagger too. I found everything to be brillant, especially all the face-offs between Sethyas and the Dagoths. I like the verbal exchanges between them.

I can't wait to see the epic conclusion to this Main Quest!

Ah what mallie said.....wonderful work we see here....ach....*sigh*

‘I'm one of the oldest things to ever have slipped from a womb, Lord Nerevar, but I've never heard of anyone talked to death. Of course, there's always a first time. And I was brought up properly. I know it's not polite to interrupt. So you just go ahead. Talk all you want. And when you're done, go home. Or take your best shot. It's all the same to me."

The creature, Lord Vemyn of Vemynal, was the second holder of the tools of Kagrenac. Hanging from his loincloth, was the enchanted hammer, Sunder. It sang with a magnetic resonance to Wraithguard and Keening, and even as I held the Bow of Shadows with the string taut, the creature mocked me with his non-chalance of my imminent attack.

“Why not just pick up the hammer and attack me, Vemyn? Surely you’re not afraid? Do you fear its true power?”

“Ha! I’ve spent ages wishing to handle it. And now, the opportunity is as close as your hand. But I think you wish to make this a bit more challenging then just handing Wraithguard over, don’t you? In fact I’m thinking that I’ll have to pry it off your cold dead hand…or just rip off your hand while you live.”

“You’re welcome to try.” I said as I released the poisoned silver arrow to his heart.

But the brothers of the Sixth House are not easily felled, and he broke the black shaft with a splintering crack, leaving the tip of the arrow imbedded in his chest. With a roar that signaled his readiness to fight, Vemyn rushed me and I jumped back from attack.

The next move was very unexpected, as the Dagoth grabbed my leg while I was in mid-air, and he swung me down to the ground with a terrible strength. I nearly blacked out from the pain of my skull making a sickening crack against the cold Dwemer floor. My entire being seemed to buzz with shock, and I felt a strong leg slam into my chest, breaking a few ribs as the power of the reverberated through the floor.

“Ha. I think I will just rip your hand off. And present the rest of your dying husk to Dagoth Ur as a battle trophy! Lord Nerevar, dying at the battle of Red Mountain. How history does renew itself!” the inhuman voice came through dully and slowed down by my intense pain. It couldn’t end like this…but, as I had often said, death comes for us all, not one of us can escape it’s nets.

We have seen History Reborn, and with your re-coming, we may yet see history rewritten…spoke Nibani Maesa through the haze. Sweet Mother, ease me into your arms, so that I may know suffering no longer.

My hand moved slowly, Wraithguard moving itself to Keening. Whether or not my enemy saw, I do not know, but the power of the dagger filled me with its magic once more, much of my own life force replaced by its own. My eyes opened, and I saw the red eyes of the Dagoth looking down upon me with disbelief. I rose. It stepped back.

“And then Vivec withdrew into the hidden places and found the darkest mothers of the Morag Tong, taking them all to wife and filling them with undusted loyalty that tasted of summer salt.” I said slashing the chest of Vemynal.

“ They became as black queens, screaming live with a hundred murderous sons, a thousand murderous arms, and a hundred thousand murderous hands, one vast moving event of thrusting-kill-laughter in alleys, palaces, workshops, cities and secret halls” I said driving the dagger deep into his abdomen.

“Their movements among the holdings of the Ra'athim were as rippled endings, heaving between times, with all fates leading to swallowed knives, murder as moaning, God's holy rape-erasure of wet death!!” I cried as I brought the daggers edge along his throat, the ritual ending of life in the Name and Glory of the Webspinner, Mephala.

I took his Amulet of Heartheal, Sixth House Amulet, and Sunder.

“Thirty Six Lessons of Vivec, Sermon Twenty Two, Final Paragraph, the Ending of the Words are ALMSIVI.” I said to the corpse of Dagoth Vemyn. I wasn’t a devout Temple-goer, but I loved that part.

Next. The final outer assault, and that would lie well across the Mountain, to the East. Tureynulal. But I could see the pool of blood from where I was slammed to the ground like a rag doll, and as my adrenaline subsided, I grew weak and faint, not even the power of Keening could keep me on my feet as I collapsed to the ground in a heap, the blackness swallowing me, and I descended into a nightmare.

Gigantic ash statues replaced the former ones of Vehk, red lights adorned every corner of the Cantons of Vivec. Ordinators that were once elves, were now slow limping husks of corprus. Bodies lay everywhere in the water, turning the color into a sickly dark brown. The Moon had crashed into the High Fane, leaving a rubbled pile of its former glory. To the southwest, one could see what was once Ebonheart, now little more then Stone and Flames. And trudging through the sea as though it were a mere puddle, was a Numidium, and perched on its shoulder, bearing Wraithguard and Sunder and Keening, was Dagoth Ur, in a Golden Mask, and crowing Victory to the Heavens.


And within the Arena, deep beneath its sparring pen, lay the lifeless form of Ilmeni Dren. Her eyes opened, but they were a milky white, not red. Her dry cracked lips parted as though to say something. But no words came, and my terror rose to levels I never knew.

And from deep within the grave of Setsuna, her long black hair flew wildly around a sea of amniotic fluid that encased her. Her heart began to beat…slowly. Then faster, and faster. Until it rose up to a drumbeat. A beat of war, of that of marching soldiers. Her blood became that of patriotism, of the Dunmeri and their harsh past and present. Of My people.

And the Voice of Azura broke through, bringing clarity to a dark vision of things that may be.

He speaks the law for Veloth's people.
He speaks for their land, and names them great.

“Rise Hortator, Savior, and Nerevarine!”

“Arise, Nerevar!” her voice filled my senses with their light, and I was renewed.

She then spoke it once more….this time…..sarcastically?

“Hey Nerevar! Wake Up!” came the familiar voice.

“Azura?” I asked groggily, slowly returning to the land of the living.

“No, but I am rather divine when you think about it!”

I looked at the figure in the Netch Leather Armor, and Morag Tong mask.

“Rayne?! What the hell??!!” I sputtered out, rubbing the side of my face.

“Didn’t think I’d let’cha have ALL the fun, did you? The ‘armiger scouts said they saw you head towards here last, and I figured I see if you needed my help. Judging from all the blood you lost, you do. Think Keening there was the only thing keeping you alive. That and my medicines…”

“Well, thanks for the save….you can go back home now.” I said gratefully.

“Oh no! I’m helping you whether you want me to or not, pal! Going about this alone will only get you killed. As witnessed by your latest encounter over there.” She said pointing over at Vemyns Corpse.

In truth, it was good to have a companion in all this. Ilmeni was no Warrior, nor would I let her get any closer to the War then Bal Isra. Others were needed elsewhere, plus Rayne Alas has proved herself to be a capable and cunning assassin. A sarcastic one, but her lighter attitude was a pleasant contrast to the serious nature of the Morag Tong. Even Eno had admitted a growing fondness for it. That and she knew when to shut up, and when to make cracks.

“Very well. You will join me. But slow me down, or get in my way, and I’ll cast an Almsivi Intervention on you, understand? What I say, goes.”

“Of course, Exalted Master.” She said with a false tone followed by a giggle. I couldn’t see her expression under the mask, but I could see her eyes glinting with mischief.

“What’s our next move?” she said sitting on a Dwemer Table and sitting cross-legged, removing her mask, and letting her long dark hair fall about her.

“Tureynulal, I have all three of the necessary artifacts too sever the connection of Dagoth Ur to the Heart of Lorkhan, but I don’t want any surprises. The Ash Vampires must all die, the Sixth House must not have any Heads left to lead it. The remaining armies can be destroyed afterward as they’ll be divided and weak.” I said as I examined Sunder, I hadn’t felt it’s power yet.

Gripping the handle of the heavy hammer, I felt the rush that I had with Keening, except this time it was different. I felt my Strength and Endurance increased, along with my attack capability and luck even! But, merely holding the hammer even, seemed to tire me out. Not by a great deal, but just enough for it to be noticeable. I found its aura to be that of a mystical warrior’s that lived for face-to-face battle. It was hard to believe that these devices were created for tapping into a Gods Heart, but then again, it would take devices of unimaginable power to do so, and the mystery of Kagrenac continued.

“So that’s Sunder, eh? Hows it feel?”

“Good….DAMN good. I feel like, like, I could hammer in the face of a god with this thing. Heh. Technically, I am going to.” I said trying Sunder out, and I managed to reduce a Dwemer Closet to a nightstand in mere seconds, while Rayne covered her ears with a pained look.

“Its not very subtle, is it?” my compatriot remarked.

“Subtlety may not be an option where we’re going. And these babies are going to get some exercise for the first time in four-thousand years! By Azura, the battle will be glorious!” I said not realizing how I sounded.

“You sound like a drunken Nord, Seth. Sure those weapons aren’t getting to you?”

I blinked as I thought about her comment, and she was right. I dropped Sunder, and let it lay on the ground as I stared at its marvelous enchantment.

“You gonna pick it up, or should I?” Rayne broke the silence.

“You can’t, not without its power ripping you apart. You need Wraithguard. Rayne. These devices, they’re dangerous. If I die…”

“Don’t say that!”

I shot her a look. “IF I die, you must take Wraithguard, and Keening and Sunder to Dagoth Ur. Do whatever it takes. Be cunning, don’t go for a head-on collision with him, don’t let the power of the tools fool you, they can make you start thinking that you are a God. But you’re not…” I slipped out Keening, and gazed into the crystal. “You’re still a foolish mortal, playing one. Much like Dagoth Ur and the Tribunal. Azura help me if I can’t control myself, we men are wretched things…”

“The Tribunal is powered by the Heart? They’re the same as the Devil? Then that means….”

“It means that if my plans come to fruition, it will be the beginning of the end for them, yes. It is a sacrifice they seem willing to make, or at least Vehk is, I haven’t spoken to Almalexia or Sotha Sil.”

“What is Vivec like, in person?” Rayne asked curiously.

I thought about it. “He….is a very sad man. I believe that he buries millennia of sorrow within himself, much like a Child whom grows up, only to find that his toys no longer interest him, but the toys are still important, and he must dedicate himself to preserving them at all costs, he does not live for himself, but rather the constant preservation of others.”

“Is it true that he killed Nerevar?”

“No, and Yes. Vivec the mortal, in his blind folly to make himself a God, did. Vivec the God, in his transformed state, shed the blind dull cloak of mortality, and became something else entirely, he entered into the timelessness of the divine, meaning that he always was, always is, and shall always be. He surpassed, and preceded his mortal self, therefore, Vivec the God, did not murder Nerevar.”

“That’s…..complicated.”

“Not really….but we delay and tarry in discussion too long. Tureynulal awaits, and its time to see how well your skills as an Assassin have developed, Student.”

She jumped off the table, and hugged me. “That means you’ll teach me finally?” she screamed in delight.

“Maybe….but…take this, I no longer have need of it, and I believe it will help you immensely in our time to come. It was gifted to me from Mephala herself, and I pass it on to you, may it serve you well.” I said slipping off the Ring of Khajiit, and putting it on her hand.

“Ooooh! Shiny!” she said admiringly, as she disappeared before my eyes. “But can you do this?” The disembodied voice asked.

I disappeared with the Bow of Shadows. “Yes. Now quit playing around, and lets go….as soon as we can see each other again….”

That was quite an amusing conversation.

On the other hand, the more serious undertone was good as well. Sethyas clearly struggles with the power of the tools he now holds. Let's hope he doesn't try anything stupid, like a frontal battle with Dagoth Ur. Legion rule 34: Don't go for the show, go for the kill.

Great update Black. I second jack's remarks about the amusing conversation and the effect the tools have on Sethyas. Hopefully they don't delude him when the need is dire. It'll be interesting to see how Rayne and Sethyas work together.

I love your use of Sermon 22... and everything else. Great entry.

Thanks Canis, twas inspired by Pulp Fiction!

Also...I'm Cancelling this story...that was the last entry...ever. Sethyas is no more. I may do some occasional short stories here and there, but I'm afraid with RL concerns, I cannot focus on this as much, if at all, and I don't think it worth frustrating the hell out of my mind trying to get one or two updates a month in...

..I'm sorry folks.



NOT!

What's not? You cancelling the story or you being sorry? I personally hope (and believe) the former.

Both...If Im NOT cancelling the story, then I have nothing to be sorry for.

(The story is not being cancelled. Expect regular updates, this was all my version of a sick and twisted joke.)

Oops, guess I've spoiled the joke. Sorry!

BLACKIE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! For the sake of my sanity.....do not even think of cancelling Sethyas!



This last update was beautiful!

I must quote a passage that moved me deeply:



By the way expect Seth to appear in my story...soon again!

Rayne hopped nimbly from one side of the ancient Dwemer ledge to the other, as I landed where she was. Her Netch Leather was a stark contrast to my Dark Brotherhood clothmail, but assassins alike we were. And our target wandered the halls of Tureynulal, unaware of our presence, Dagoth Tureynal, number six on the hit list.

I motioned through battlecode as to our next move, and Rayne nodded that she understood, unslinging her bonemold bow, and nocking an arrow. I waited until the creatures back was turned, and leapt down. My feet making nary a sound as I landed.

I crept slowly to the Dagoth, shadow and silence crept to the unaware mark like the hand of death, while my hand moved to the Black Hands Dagger, the dark blades hunger cried out through my hand, cleaving the air, and severing the spine in the low back. The inhuman cry of pain was followed by a soft whisper of Raynes arrow, the tip impaling like a kiss of death.

Less then a minute later, the powerful heartwright’s back resembled a pincushion, and I was fingering the grand soul gem encasing his spirit, with the amulet of Hearthrum swinging from my hand.

“He’s got quite a library here. Whats this? ‘Galur Rithari’s Papers’ “Vampires of Vvardenfel Volume II’ Sheesh, the Temple would have a field day in this place! Hmm. ‘Kagrenacs Planbook.’ This interest you Seth?” Rayne said brushing off an old tome.

I looked over at the red cover, and looked over the Dwemer runes, with many notations and mathematical ponderings in a strange language. “Yeah. I’ll want to see what’s in this later. I’ll return for the rest of this stuff...if we live through this that is.”

“So…now we go to hell?” She said cleaning out her fingernails with the tip of her glass dagger. “To Dagoth Ur’s Citadel I mean. House of the Devil…and all that.”

I nodded grimly. “It would seem so. I don’t know if it’s wise to hold back, or to strike fast. He no doubt can sense the Dagoths demises, whether he knows where I am now, or if I am coming. I know not. But we know where he is, and we are Assassins that are turning the tide of the War for the Dunmeri.”

“I thought you were Nerevar fulfilling Azura’s prophecies.”

“That too. And whatever role I am. Whether I was a Crusader or Sorcerer, the end result would be the same, Dagoth Ur must die.” I said with a cold glint to my eye.

“And how do you plan bringing that about? You know nothing about his capabilities or defenses, he might welcome you with seemingly open arms, but that will al be a mere deception to separate you from the profane tools.”

“His weakness lies in the heart, and his self-assurance that it makes him invincible. He does not know that I know how to sever the link. Nor would he expect me willing to do so, my guess is that he would think that I would desire the power for myself.”

“Why wouldn’t you?! To become a GOD! That would have to be the greatest thing ever!” she squealed. “And you…you could figure out how to use the heart, I know you could...you would be like…the God of the Morag Tong, the Patron of all Assassins!”

I shook my head, and groaned. “Rayne. Vivec broke an oath to me millennia ago, it is his greatest regret in life. Dagoth Ur used the heart as well, and look at all he has ‘accomplished’, the Nightmarish enemy of the Sixth House. You think I would wish any of these things to befall me? Ha! I already possess a measure of immortality, I am an accomplished Assassin, from a mere bandit-assassin to a Councilman of a House have I risen, with words and deeds, I have united a people to fight together once more. All these things I did with my own hands and skills. Honor guides me, where hunger once did.”

“Power exists for its own sake. And it corrupts those who desire it, over those who deserve it. I will not become Dagoth Ur’s replacement, sometimes it takes a monster to kill a monster, but I will not lose myself in this blasphemy of the Divine. Wisdom is a far greater call then the one for Power. And you think after all I’ve seen, all I’ve manipulated and cajoled and killed to serve my own ends, that I would put myself in harms way? You have much to learn. Your first lesson: Simply because a thing CAN be done, does not mean that it SHOULD be. Plan your every movement, and keep the end in sight.”

She lowered her head as I chided her, the weight of my words sinking in. The world was far more then just her playground, and she was slowly learning that. I had to do it the hard way. She may well have to as well.

I sat in thought for a long time. The creaking of the Dwemer Machinery being tuned out by my meditiation, as I tried to separate my feelings, my fear, from the next step. An assault onto the Devil himself. If I fell back now, Dagoth Ur would have time to regroup, to add more of his Ash minions to his defense. Not to mention I had the tools. But if I died, which was likely, Dagoth Ur would have free and open access to the heart, and the Sixth House’ plans would be excelled, and the attack would be dooming the world, rather then saving it. Damned if do, and damned if I don’t. I would rather do.

“We assault Dagoth Ur. Sweet Azura, I pray that I am not making the wrong decision here, but I think, and feel, that it is the right one. He may see my disbanding of the Heartwrights as a play for power and prominence within House Dagoth. I say that I should play into that assumption. Let my trade be his downfall. If he underestimates me, then that’s exactly what I need.”

“Lets do it then...for Mephala!” Rayne exclaimed.

“For Redoran, for Ald’Ruhn!’

And back into the blighted red storm we journeyed, and through the guardian statues of the long dead Dwemer, we beheld the swirling mists that raged above the final Citadel.

“Hey. Whats that? Off in the distance...” Rayne pointed to the horizon.

I saw the jagged towering architecture of a Daedric Shrine. I had seen them everywhere from West Gash to Zafirbel Bay. But here on Red Mountain, it was the strangest, and yet most fitting place for one.

Normally, I would have put off side exploration for focusing on the objective at hand. But something told me that I needed to go there. I felt like there was a missing piece of a larger puzzle in it. Something larger that I was also involved in.

“Ularradallaku. A shrine to Mehrunes Dagon from the look of it.” Rayne said, reciting her knowledge of the terrain.

“Dagon? Then, that’s the missing piece. The final thread is in here, Rayne.”

“Thread?”

I told her the story of the missing threads of the webspinner, of the Agent Orc in Sadrith Mora, and the Dark Brotherhood Khajiit residing in Vivec, and how I had come across all of the 25 threads, except one. I could not for the life of me figure out where the final thread was.

Within minutes, all of the residents of the shrine were dead, and I lifted the right hand of an Altmer worshipper. “The Thread of Sanguine Safekeeping, the final thread! At last!”” I cried, an old frustration finally over.

“Now you’re gonna go back and give it to the Grandmaster?” Rayne asked incredulously. “We’re about to attack Dagoth Ur, right?”

“Yes. But at least I finished this. If I’m about to die...at least I finished one thing. As meaningless as the accomplishment is.”

“What now?”

I looked around at the dark walls of the Shrine. “This place is an excellent shelter from the Blight. Get your rest, sharpen your blades, and restring your bow. Prepare yourself for death, for tomorrow we may die. We attack at dawn.”

No going back now. You've managed to convey this sense of do or die very well. And congratulations on finding the last thread.

Into the pit of the Citadel, along treacherous and jagged rocks that threatened to betray every step into a steaming pit of lava. It was a fitting omen for the battle yet to come. Watch your step, or face certain death. I let it serve as a reminder to remain wary.

As the two of us approached the entrance, we looked at the globe of Dwemer metal that protected the entrance to the inner sanctum of Dagoth Ur. It was surreal that everything I had done in the last months led up to this moment, and that now, I would face my old comrade and now enemy, Lord Voryn Dagoth.

“How are we supposed to get in? There’s no way to open these doors!” Rayne yelled over the raging disease winds.

I looked around and saw the lever to open it off in the distance, just like at Arkghtand. Mephala, that was so long ago. I was still alive thus far, and I hoped to keep the streak going. I ran off to twist the ancient lever, with some effort.

“Oh.” She said as the doors creaked inward, revealing some ancient plaque on the steel and iron doors, and we entered into the beginning of the path that would lead to one of two former Generals death.

"Come, Nerevar. Friend or traitor, come. Come and look upon the Heart, and Akulakhan. And bring Wraithguard... I have need of it."

The Voice called out to me, fully sensing my presence. The effect of the energy from the calling into my mind was the same that Vivec had. And the swirling memories of Nerevar flooded my mind once more.

“Sethyas? You okay?”

“You didn’t hear that?”

“The creaking? The grunting of the Lame Corprus? What?”

“That Voice.”

“Just yours…don’t tell me you’re losing it this close to gametime.”

“No. He knows I’m here. He can feel me. And I he. He calls to me like the Sleepers. He sends the images of his desires for the Sixth House and a re-unification even now…”

“Give me Wraithguard. Ill finish this!”

“No. The burden is mine. I’ll be okay. Come on.” I said creeping forward taking out a Lame Corprus with a swift arrow, the soft whisper of speedy death.

"Come to the Heart Chamber. I wait for you there, where we last met, countless ages ago."

I staggered as the images of countless Chimer rushed the sides of the Very Mountain I was in. Torches creating fire-snakes falling and rising against the heavily armed and armored Dwemer.

“Master? Again?” Rayne said dropping the humor, and dripping with concern.

“Yes. Let’s just keep going. I can’t stop, not now.”

We proceeded further, hiding in the shadows, using our mutual artifacts to keep hidden from the Ash Zombies, Ash Ghouls and Ascended Sleepers that garrisoned the Citadel.

"Come to me, through fire and war. I welcome you."

Nerevar was reborn inside me, as the stalwart warrior awoke fully. And I saw the five Generals, Nerevar, Voryn, Almalexia, Vivec, and Sotha Sil in front of me, exactly where they would have been Three Thousand Years ago during the Battle of Red Mountain. Rayne looked like a stranger to me for a splitting moment.

“Sethyas? You’re not looking like yourself.”

“Indeed. I don’t feel much like myself right now either. Come. Lets finish this.” I said unsheathing the Daedric Katana, and taking the lead as we entered the Inner Facility.

"Welcome, Moon-and-Star. I have prepared a place for you."

I saw myself with my consorts battling against Dwemer Honor Guards, ‘Kagrenac! Time for Redemption!’ I yelled sticking my blade through the metal of the cuirass. I returned to my own time, and saw that I was instead sheathing my blade inside an Ash Ghoul.

“Sethyas? Why are you fighting like a Warrior all of a sudden? I thought you said we were going to take the stealthy approach…” Rayne commented looking at the Sixth House creature I had felled in a few strokes.

“You’re right. I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have endangered you like that.” I said rubbing the sides of my temples.

“The voice. Are you still hearing it?”

“Yes. He calls to me, thinking I come to join him..or kill him. This is it Rayne. I-I thank you for your company in this dark hour.”

“Well, sometimes your darkest hour can be your finest moment. Lets keep going, O Nerevar!” she joked, the humor returning.

"Come. Bring Wraithguard to the Heart Chamber. Together let us free the cursed false gods."

The Tribunal and I and Voryn walked through the final defenses of the Heart Chamber, to end the blasphemy of the New God of the Dwemer, and to fulfill our promises to the Good Daedra. Things were tense, and I looked at the Stern face of my bride. She could be so cold in war,…she loved it more then I it seemed. Hopesfire burned brightly in her hands, Trueflame in mine. Even as I gazed at her, none of her emotion showed through when she looked at me. O Dearest Queen, I pray that you have not misled me.

"Welcome, Nerevar. Together we shall speak for the Law and the Land, and shall drive the mongrel dogs of the Empire from Morrowind."

I stood before the Cavern into the Heart Chamber, and looked to my faithful friend, Voryn. We would need to strike silently, for who knew what evil lay inside the enemies Chamber. Why I had betrayed my blood friend in the Dwemeri, Dumac. ‘Tribunal, here shall you stay, whilst Voryn and I proceed in. Do not enter, lest I bade thee with the screams of my last breath. My Queen, be strong in my stead, Vivec, look over her, Sotha Sil…be well my good friend, for this time may be the last that we speak.’

“This is where it Started. This is where it Ends.” I whispered to Rayne, as we both stared down the final Ash Vampire. Dagoth Gilvoth. With shadow and silence once more, we opened a barrage of dual arrows upon him, and with his dying breath, I cast a Soul Trap on him.

"Is this how you honor the Sixth House, and the tribe unmourned? Come to me openly, and not by stealth."

Voryn and I proceeded into the Heart Chamber, to confront Kagrenac and his Tonal Architects, together we would end this threat to our people, and claim Resdayn as our own.

I looked over at Rayne, as I fingered the final Soul Gem, and the Blood Ring from Gilvoth.

“This is as far as you go, Rayne. Whatever lies beyond that door, is for me and me alone to face. You have been a godsend, but your path does not lay past there, mine does. I suggest that you cast Almsivi Intervention while you still can. Otherwise, be ready to.”

She struggled to protest, but she held back, letting me walk forward, and face my destiny.

The subtle weaving of past and present was incredible. Way to go!

Oh man, the time has come...

I love the juxtaposition of Seth's 'inherited' memories and the present fighting.

Oh...my...god....I read these two last parts more than once....they are incredible. I can feel Seth´s every step, every thought. So much life to the final battle.....I´m just speechless!

I´ll keep my fingers crossed for my dear friend Sethyas!

I entered into the facility cavern, as I had three thousand years prior, and Voryn would have been at my side. Not so now. He was across the distance from me at the edge of the cavern, a warped version of his former self, inhumanly large, with talons for nails, hair grown long, and his features hidden by a golden mask. The Golden Mask of my nightmares all those months ago.

Welcome Nerevar. To this place, where Destiny is made. The persuasive voice of Dagoth Ur was slow and gentle. He wanted this, and waited for Millenia as well. I stepped slowly from the shadows of the entrance. Sword drawn, but not waved around menacingly. Dagoth Ur likewise, reached out to me, only to hold back. He occasionally would summon a fireball, only to let it dissipate. We studied each other carefully, wondering how time had changed one another.

"It began here. It will end here. Have you any parting words? Or would you prefer to skip the speeches, and get to our business. You are the challenger here, after all. So to you goes the courtesy of the first blow." Voryn started.

“We have time to talk. I am in no rush to die, and there are things we would both like to know, even if the Grave calls to one of us.”

"Now that you have come to me here, there can be but one result. Many times I have rehearsed speeches offering to share this place with you. 'If you dare to defy the gods, take my hand.' 'To seal our oath of alliance, you shall give me Wraithguard.' 'You have ability. Special gifts you don't even understand. Serve me, and I can help you master those gifts.'" He said looking off to the ceiling, and rising his hand in passion.

‘I thought we might once again be friends... comrades... brothers in arms." He said with a heavy sadness, that I confess made me shed a tear. He had three thousand years to stew in the juices of what he saw as a betrayal, and to offer forgiveness took a strong person, even for a god.

"But I have won this place and power by right of conquest. By right of daring and enterprise. I will not risk it to cunning and deceit. I offer you no deals. If you are my enemy, I cannot trust you. And even if you are not my enemy, I cannot let you live." His voice rose once more with a certain power, and he pointed one of his talons into my face.

"It will all be decided here. I believe I will prevail. But I cannot be sure, and I am vain enough that, should I fall, I would wish to be remembered in my own words. So, if you have final questions you would ask, ask them now. I have final questions I would ask you, if you would answer." He said slowly at the last sentence, and I nodded my head.

"My first question is: Are you really Nerevar reborn?" he asked slowly. Even he was uncertain.

I nodded my head, it wasn’t like it was my lifes accomplishment, but it was true. And I nodded once more. My voice cracking as I responded. “I am. Voryn, I am your old friend Nerevar.”

"That is bitter. The gods and fates are cruel. I served you faithfully once, Lord Nerevar, and you repaid me with death. I hope this time it will be you who pays for your faithlessness." He said with an icy edge to his tone.

“My second question is: if you win, what do you plan to do with the power from the Heart? Will you make yourself a god, and establish a thearchy? Or will you complete Akulakhan, and dispute control of Tamriel with the Septims? Or will you share the Heart with your followers, as I have, and breed a new race of divine immortals?"

None of the above I thought to myself. I was unsure of how to answer, and added my own version of an answer. Curious how he thought that I desired the same as he and the Tribunal. Anyone who touched that Heart was cursed, plain and simple, the Dwemer did not make it as a race, neither could the Tribunal or Dagoth.

"I have my own, secret plan for the Heart." I said slowly.

"Well. Perhaps there may be surprises in store for me yet. Or perhaps you obscure your plans on principle. Or perhaps you are an instinctive bluffer. No matter."

"My final question is: if I had offered to let you join me, would you have surrendered Wraithguard, Sunder, and Keening to me to seal your oath?"

I shook my head. “No, Voryn. I do not support what you have done. If the Sixth House stood for other things, had you gone about it in another way, maybe. But,..not like this.”

"Thank you for your forthright response. And now, if you have any questions, ask them. Otherwise, you are the challenger. I await your first blow."

“Yes..there are things I would ask you. If you are in no rush to die, either.” I said, to which he laughed slightly.

“What are your questions?” He boomed.

"What is your plan for the Heart?" I asked, wondering whether he would be as honest as I were. It turned out he was.

"I will continue to draw divine power from the Heart and distribute it to my kin and followers. I will continue to broadcast divine power upon the blight winds, so that it will touch each soul on Vvardenfell, and then more broadly, across the waters to the rest of Morrowind and Tamriel. In time, every mortal in Tamriel shall feel the liberating contact with the divine." He said with the passion of his Vision.


"What is your plan for the Sixth House?"

"The Sixth House will serve as the elite cadre of our movement. As cultists evolve through various stages of enlightenment, they will become, as suits their abilities, either holy warriors or priests. Their duty is to prepare themselves for service; their joy and liberation is to enter ever-more-deeply into the profound enlightenment of the divine dreamworld." He spoke with pride.

"What is your plan for the Dunmer?"

"I will free the Dunmer from the Imperial yoke, and cast down the false gods of the Temple. I will lead them out of their ancient superstitions, and gift them with intimate knowledge of the divine. Then, perhaps, when Morrowind is once again restored to its ancient glories, it will be time to consider whether the Dunmer should cultivate ambitions of empire." The Ancient General spoke reverently

"How do you justify your crimes?" I chided him.

"If, by my crimes, you mean the inevitable suffering and destruction caused by war, then I accept the burden of leadership. The Sixth House cannot be restored without war. Enlightenment cannot grow without the risk of upsetting the tradition-bound and complacent herd. And the mongrel armies of the Empire cannot be expelled from Morrowind without bloodshed. As I have charity and compassion, I grieve. But our mission is just and noble." What he said made sense, there were no good guys or bad guys in war, no chosen side. Just the strongest dominating the other.

"What happened to the Dwemer?" An old curiosity came through.

"I have no idea what happened to the Dwemer. I have been denied the opportunity to study Wraithguard, and I am not sure how much of Kagrenac's lore was invested in his tools, and how much in his own sorcery and mastery. I have long studied Kagrenac, and have come to admire his wisdom and craft. Someday, after the campaigns of the Sixth House are secure, I hope to have time to dedicate to this mystery."

"Why are you building Akulakhan?"

"Akulakhan will serve three purposes. First, it will be the champion of my armies, liberating first Vvardenfell, then Morrowind, and then, perhaps the rest of Tamriel. Second, it will serve as a sower and cultivator of the divine substance derived from the Heart. Three, it will serve as the prominent banner and symbol of our cause -- to defy the Empire, to liberate mortals from ancient superstitions, and to glorify our crusade against the gods."

“I have no more questions….let this be our final battle. Fight Well, Voryn. Maybe I will see you on the other side…but in this world, and in this time, you are my enemy, it was you, not I whom betrayed our friendship, for it was you whom took up the tools, in your desire to see yourself as Head of the Council.”

The scream of ancient frustration bellowed through the Chamber, and I pulled forward Sunder, and the power came over me like a renewing wave of the warriors battlecry.

Lord Voryn Dagoth screamed as I made contact on the center of his chest with Sunder, the sheer force causing him to step back, and he lashed out with his Talons, causing rivulets of blood to spread across the floor.

With a speed I had yet to see in the Dagoths, Voryn called forth a terrible magic, and I was flooded with a red energy that left me weak and crippled nearly, I had to rely on Sunder for strength. The Corprus Strength was gone, and I returned to my normal self. It was going to be hard to adapt, but I had bigger things to worry about, things like angry Demi-Gods bent on revenge against their former friends.

With a thundering crash to the skull, I broke through. The Golden Mask of Dagoth Ur, through bone and bits of brain matter flying through the air, the Demi-God went down far to easily then one should.

I breathed heavily, and felt the fear of death and adrenaline pumping through my system. Had I just won? No. This was all a fabricant, an illusion that Voryn used to test me. He wanted to see my weaknesses prior to our real meeting, and the double doors opened with the illusions passing, the entrance into Akulakhans Chamber.

I took several minutes to rest, drinking a restorative, and casting “Mephala’s Balm” a spell that restored all of my attributes a small amount. Looking at the base of the door, I also picked up a nice ring, the Heart Ring.

I prepared myself, took a deep breath, and entered Akulakhans Chamber.

No more Corprus to aid him? Well, it is clear that Sethyas cannot risk a full frontal confrontation. If even the illusion proved to be a challenge to him in his corprus enhanced state. Any secret assassin tricks you're going to show us?

Well, if corprus was his divine gift, then I suppose Voryn could take it back... and it is, of course, possible to lose it in game play.

Sethyas always has some sort of trick up his sleeve... um, right?

Ahhhh lovely, well worth waiting up for! The tension in the conversation between Seth and Voryn mmmmmm just so awesome...but of course there had to be a cliffie! NW I must go to sleep wondering what will happen in the chamber of Akulakhan right? Oh cruelty thou name is Blackie!

One question.....Did Seth really get Rayne out of the way? My picture of that lass is that she´s a master of disobeyance, but maybe she actually did what he said.....this time!

Anyway.....waiting impatiently for the continuation....


Another interesting thing is....how will Seth go on afterwards? I mean just look what happened to Trey!

All those questions are answered, Minque. And damn good questions too!

================================================


I stepped in through the door. The gigantic construction of the Numidium looked at me from the distance of the enormous cavern, heat blasts from the lava below rose high into the air, and the smell of sulfur assaulted my nostrils.

Closer to me, Dagoth Ur was a bit more interesting, as he encased himself within a powerful shield. Emotion was gone, replaced by sheer ecstasy of power within proximity of the Heart of Lorkhan.

“Im a God, how do you hope to kill a god?! What a grand and intoxicating innocence! No Recall or Intervention can work in this place! Come, lay down your weapons!! There is still time for my mercy!” He taunted me, his power-lust-ecstasy rising into a frenzy as he threw his energy blasts at me.

I wouldn’t be caught like that a second time, and I jumped clear over the blasts, and landed in front of Voryn, I slashed him twice with Keening, the attacks having little effect, and I jumped off the ledge landing on the bridge leading to the Heart.

With either divine speed, or teleportation, Dagoth Ur appeared in front of me, blocking my path to the Heart. He likely suspected me to tap into its power, and would personally block my path.

“It ends here Nerevar! Surrender the Tools! And I promise that your death will be painless and swift! Else I shall torment you for eternity!”

I was between a rock and a hard place. More accurately between a Demigod and a Lava Pit, it took me a second to realize why Voryn wasn’t attacking. Here on this bridge, things were rather precarious, and if I were to fall into pit, the tools would be destroyed….

..I formulated a plan.

“HEY!! Voryn! You want the tools so bad?” I shouted, holding out Keening over the ledge, my eyes narrowing slightly, and I looked into his insane eyes beneath his Golden Mask.

“..come…get…them…” I said with a Sinister whisper, and I leaped off of the bridge into the Lava below.

“NNNNNNNNOOOOOOOOOO!!!” Came the scream from the Devil, and he followed suit, desperately lunging off the bridge after me, leaving it swinging wildly with his momentum.

For several tenths of a second, my perception slowed, and Voryn used his power to speed his fall, coming closer and closer to me at every beat of my heart. Then, suddenly, he was nearly upon me. I pulled out the scroll, and read the incantation.

“WHAT?!” His voice cried as I disappeared before his eyes.

Everything seemed frozen in place, Dagoth Ur’s Hand reached out for grasping me, but he barely moved. The wind of my fall had ceased. I looked around. I flew upwards, at speeds I had never experienced or felt. This was the power of the Scroll of Windform.

I was utterly invisible, and levitated at speeds five times that of the swiftest Khajiit, appropriately naming the scroll, as it seemed that I was mere thought, pure consciousness floating upwards to the Heart, and in less then one-tenth of a second, I was before it, Sunder in hand.

The Frozen world began to speed up, as the power of the scroll wore off, and I looked at Sunder, then at the Heart. My hand rose in a furious downswing.

But when Dagoth Ur, Lord of House Dagoth, and trusted as a friend by both Nerevar and the Dwemer, brought us proof that High Engineer Kagrenac of the Dwemer had discovered the Heart of Lorkhan, and that he had learned how to tap its powers, and was building a new god, a mockery of Chimer faith and a fearsome weapon, we all urged Nerevar to make war on the Dwarves and to destroy this threat to Chimer beliefs and security. Nerevar was troubled. He went to Dumac and asked if what Dagoth Ur said was true. But Kagrenac took great offense, and asked whom Nerevar thought he was, that he might presume to judge the affairs of the Dwemer.

Nerevar was further troubled, and made pilgrimage to Holamayan, the sacred temple of Azura, and Azura confirmed that all that Dagoth Ur said was indeed true and that the creation of a New God of the Dwemer should be prevented at all costs. When Nerevar came back and told us what the goddess had said, we felt our judgements confirmed, and again counseled him to war, chiding Nerevar for his naïve trust in friendship, and reminding Nerevar of his duty to protect the faith and security of the Chimer against the impiety and dangerous ambitious of the Dwemer.

Then Nerevar went back to Vvardenfell one last time, hoping that negotiations and compromise might once again preserve the peace. But this time the friends Nerevar and Dumac quarreled bitterly, and as a result, the Chimer and Dwemer went to war.

The tone shade rang in Resonance, a ghostly white light filled the Chamber rising and growing to the entire vast cavern.


”What are you doing?! Dagoth Ur sent his thought to me, and I could hear his painful splash into the Lava, far below.

I pulled out Keening next, and brought the crystal blade deep into the Godsheart.

And then, in that moment, all Chimer were changed into Dunmer, and our skins turned ashen and our eyes into fire. Of course, we only knew at that time that this had happened to us, but Azura said, "This is not my act, but your act. You have chosen your fate, and the fate of your people, and all the Dunmer shall share your fate, from now to the end of time. You think yourselves gods, but you are blind, and all is darkness." And Azura left us alone, in darkness, and we were all afraid, but we put on brave faces, and went forth from Red Mountain to build the new world of our dreams.

”WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!” His next thought came, as I brought Keening down once more into the Godsheart, he was now grunting from the initial shock of landing in the lava, though I doubt that it did any lasting damage to the likes of him.

But beneath Red Mountain, Dagoth Ur had survived. And even as the light of our bold new world shined ever more brightly, beneath Red Mountain, the darkness gathered, a darkness that was close kin to the bright light that Sotha Sil coaxed from the Heart of Lorkhan with the Tools of Kagrenac. As the darkness grew, we fought it, and crafted walls to confine it, but we never could destroy it, for the source of the darkness was the same source as the source of our own divine inspiration.

FOOL! STOP!! He cried out with his mind trying desperately to fulfill my mind with nightmarish images or take over my body. Neither worked, and I brought Keening down into the final deathstroke.

And in these latter days of Morrowind, reduced to a subjugated province of the Western Empire, as the glory of the Temple fades, and the dark tide rises from Red Mountain, we are reminded of Azura and her promised champion's return. We have waited, blind, and in darkness, mere shadows, drained of our ardent vision, in shame of our folly, in fear of our judgement, and in hope of our deliverance. We do not know if the outlander claiming to fulfill the prophecies of the Nerevarine is our old companion Nerevar reborn, or a pawn of the Emperor, or a catspaw of Azura, or some simple twist of fate.

“This is the bitter, bitter end.” Said the Final form of Voryn Dagoth. As he used the last of his power to teleport up behind me, and we both gazed at the disappearing Heart of Lorkhan in a cloak of blinding white light.

“You could have had everything…you could have joined me in Divine Inspiration. You would have known what it was to have been a God. The concepts of life and death would hold no sway, even your Sister could have been returned to you…Goodbye, Sweet Nerevar, this is the bitter, bitter end.” And the fallen DemiGod lunged for his final attack upon me.

But like a balloon that had been popped, like the Corprus that had been taken from me, Dagoth Ur had spent Millenia used to his power, assured of his invincibility, now he was mortal…less then mortal it seemed, as Voryn fell in less then three swipes of Keening. He fell back upon the bridge, and his golden mask fell off, only to reveal perhaps the most shocking aspect of Dagoth Ur, one that I hardly expected.

Whereas the Heartwrights seemed to have deformed faces of the Divine Disease, Voryn did not. His face was strong and handsome, fatherly almost. He had kept or molded himself into a patron, not a demon. He was misguided, not evil it would seem, as with his dying breath, he repeated Bolvyn Venim’s final words.

“..nerevar..” he whispered and his lips curled into a smile, and I shed another tear.

“Sleep Now, Voryn. And dream the dreams of the Divine. Go with the Ancestors, I pray that Azura forgives you. And I pray that you forgive me. Let it go, let it all go…” I said, fighting the bitter tears of lost friends.

The sentimentality of the moment was broken by a powerful rumbling, and the Numidium, Akulakahn, began to fall apart. The head began to fall into a direct path for the bridge upon which I stood, and my desire to live grew more then my desire to bury Voryn.

With a mad scramble, and a leap that was fueled by adrenaline I cleared the bridge and the lower ledge to the upper, and the terrible roaring of the falling rocks of Akulakhan splashing into the lava sent a terrible screaming echoing throughout the vast cavern.

I spent several minutes staring into the vast lava pool below. Voryn, and most of Akulakhan was in there now. I..had won. It was too much, in spite of all the odds, in the face of certain death. And it wasn’t by getting into a boxing match with a God, nor summoning forth the Hordes of Oblivion. It was by assessing the situation, and using my resources to my advantage. I still had the Writ. Perhaps Mephala had been with me.

My attention then turned down to Wraithguard, holding Keening. The power still washing over me like Skooma. It would be a shame to see these tools used again for the wrong purposes. But, so much could be learned from them! Who was I to say?

“I am Nerevar. And I say that Power exists for it own sake, and corrupts those whom desire it, rather than those whom deserve it. I shall not make the mistake that was made last time. This ends here, once and for all. Rest in peace, Kagrenac.” I said to the empty air, holding out Keening over the Lava, far down below.

It took all of my willpower to let go, but when I finally did, it felt right. And I watched the tuning dagger explode in a furious blast of magicka. I repeated the same thing with Sunder, watching the lava eat the cursed tool. And finally, with Wraithguard, I slipped the heavy gauntlet off my grey Dunmer hand, took a moment to examine its intricacies, and wondered how such small three little things could affect so many people, in the worst way.

I let Wraithguard go, and with that final explosion of white-hot magicka being released sending splashes of the lava high into the air, it finally truly ended. I took a deep breath.

I slipped my gloves on over the Moon-and-Star, adorned myself with the ceremonial red robes of the Morag Tong, and slipped on my hood as I twisted the chamber crank, and exited into the Inner Caverns, I needed to see if Rayne was still there, and still okay.

Suddenly, the Vision of the Cavern of the Incarnate came before me, the Daedra Lady, Azura came to me materializing before my exit into the Inner Facility.

"You no longer bear the burden of prophecy.
You have achieved your destiny.
You are free.
The doomed Dwemer's folly, Lord Dagoth's temptation,
the Tribunal's seduction, the god's heart freed,
the prophecy fulfilled.
All fates sealed and sins redeemed.
If you have pity, mourn the loss, but let the weeping cease.
The Blight is gone, and the sun's golden honey gilds the land.
Hail savior, Hortator, and Nerevarine.
Your people look to you for protection.
Monster and villains great and small still threaten the people of Vvardenfell.
Enemies and evils abound, yet indomitable will might rid Morrowind of all its ills.
For you, our thanks and blessings; our gift and token given.
Come; take this thing from the hand of god.”

Her hands caressed mine, and she left a Signet Ring in them. With a passing kiss upon my cheek, she then faded and returned to her realm. I wanted to ask her so many things, but that was not my place, I would not make the folly of the Tribunal in questioning the Divine.

I exited the chambers, only to see that Rayne was not there. So she had escaped, good.

I emerged into the pit of Red Mountain, the Mount of Dagoth-Ur. I looked to the left, and I saw Rayne staring at the midday sun with a huge smile upon her face.

“What is it?” I asked.

“Look.” She said pointing skyward. “The blight is gone…Dagoth Ur?”

“Is dead.”

“After living in that red sky for so long, that blue sky is the most beautiful thing I have ever seen. And there is no doubt that you are the one I have to thank for it. What now Nerevar?”

“Call me Sethyas. Please. I am Nerevar, and I am Sethyas. But I am happy to be Sethyas Velas, Outlander Assassin.”

“Noones gonna see it that way. You’re the Nerevarine. People will start to praise you! And build shrines and stuff! Heck you may even be considered a God-hero in time! Besides, you didn’t answer my question. What now?”

I wrinkled my nose at the thought of being worshipped eventually. That was not me. “The first thing I am going to do, is go home, and make love. And then, I am going to propose marriage to Ilmeni. Then I will give this Sanguine glove to Eno Hlaalu, and claim the Grandmaster position of the Morag Tong. My life is far from over. I no longer have the strength of the Corprus beasts, but I still have the positive aspects of Corprus, I am immortal, immune to blight, disease and age.”

“Sounds like fun…am I invited to the Wedding?”

I smiled. “You’ll have your place. If Ilmeni accepts, I would have you as a Maid of Honor. And in the future, I would have you at my side, as the Exalted Master…should your talents develop.”

“Well then,..lets go home.”

“Yes. Home. Here on Vvardenfel, this is truly my home now. And, I have made a safe place for us now. But, I sense that there are other things that still loom in my horizon. There is still much to be done.”

Ah, very clever of Sethya, that scroll. Bravo!

But I'm sure he'll find much to occupy him in the days to come...

To quickly sum it up, all I have to say is wow. But I can't simply use just one word to describe the ending of the main quest. I was quite amazed to find this much material in one day. Crazy!

I'm specifically interested in seeing what Sethyas will do next. Surely he'll go on to Mournhold and Solstiem right? More Sethyas is always a good thing.

Long live all forms of Levitation! I must say it is a clever thing to destroy the tools. While I doubt that the heart is destroyed, it is hard to reach and while someone might someday rebuilt the tools, that won't be easy.

So, let's see how Nerevar/Sethyas Velas protects Vvardenfell during the Oblivion crisis.

Well, there was a rumor (note: rumor). "I've heard the Nerevarine has left Morrowind on an expidition to Akavir, and has not been heard from sense."

Now if Bkack Hand doesn't want to go to Akavir that's his decision, I'm just supplying things I've heard........

PS: I wrote that quote by hand, and it should be exactly like the one in the game......

What would the Nerevarine have to do in Akavir? As far as I know, there isn't anything down there that demands the Nerevarine's attention. I mean, if I'm right there hasn't been any communication with Akavir for a long time. It's just not urgent.

Besides, Black's Nerevarine is the public type who wants to get married and settle down. I can see him retire and only don his Dark Brotherhood armour again when Mehrunes Dagon comes knocking.


I don't mean to critiscize your rumour, Revan. I just wanted to say why I believe that Sethyas doesn't want to go anywhere for now.

Well, It's not *my* rumor, and I was just supplying it. I wasn't doing anything else. But now let's get back to the story.

I don´t know how to say this...I´ve cmpletely ran out of words. I mean "amazing" awesome and that stuff isn´t enough here....

No this was really an elegant solution to the Mr Ur-issue....and I just knew Rayne would lurk around there somewhere!

Seth really deserves a nice night with Ilmeni....and all she can give him.....hmmm. I also gather Athyn and his family will be glad to hear about this..

Now the hard things begin, how will he cope with this in the long run? A trauma like this will certainly affect him somehow, the question is.....how!!

I am very curious about his further development.......oh yessir I am...

Rayne and I scaled the Mountain back down to Ghostgate, walking slowly to inhale the fresh air mixing in with the blighted sulfuric winds, and admire the Suns rays. All in all, it was a good day, and damn good day. I felt the burden gone, but slowly being replaced by a new one. What it was, I did not yet know.

As we approached the Towers of Dusk and Dawn, the crowd of gathered Ordinators, Armigers, and Redoran Warriors were standing admiring the now deactivated Ghostfence. They took in the forms of the two assassins that had saved the world ambling slowly to them, and cheers broke out.

“Oh Dear. Is this what I have to look forward too?”

Rayne socked the side of my arm. “Yes! Now smile and get used to it, the Devil is dead, and you did what noone else, not even Vivec, could do. I think thanks are in order!”

“How about riches, fame, wealth, and hordes of scantily clad female admirers?” I joked.

“Eh. I’m sure you’ll get those. I mean, who wouldn’t want to…well, you know what I mean.” She said blushing.

I looked at her, thinking there was something else to her words, and saw something in those eyes of hers that I had not quite seen before, it was deeper then admiration or respect. It was dangerous, and I did nothing to fan any flames. Luckily we were approaching Ghostgate.

“Praise Almsivi! Praise the Nerevarine! The Devil is dead, and the blight is gone! I can not hardly believe it! Bless your breath and blood, Sethyas Velas!” cried out an Ordinator holding his helm in his hands, dropping it to pick me up in an embrace, carrying me around in his sheer joy.

I laughed in his bear hug, as the crowd began singing a more upbeat form of the Cantata’s of Vivec, this time in more a form of singing Victory, and mocking the now leaderless Sixth House.

.. But when shall they wake?
What dark crucible may kindle their souls to light?

How long beneath red-reeking clouds
Must flickering watchfires burn?

How many lifetimes of labor and lament
Will it take to seal this restless tomb?

It took some doing, but I managed to release myself from the throng of the well-wishers, and ran with sheer excitement back to Ald’Ruhn. My best friend, Athyn Sarethi, would be glad to hear the news, as well as my more recent friend Serene, would be happy too, if they had not already. A bit of good in the trials that had faced the family, especially with Domesea’s death would be welcome.

My frantic knocking on the door was met with Athyn’s surprised look.

“Sethyas? Should you not be at Red Mountain fighting the Sixth House?”

“There is no need! The Shadow is lifted! Dagoth Ur walks with the Ancestors! Rejoice, Athyn! The Sixth House has fallen once more!” I crowed.

“Victory is ours! The remnants shall surely fall to the Armies of the Redoran! Saint Nerevar and the Tribunal be praised! Sethyas, You are truly the Nerevarine! Come! Let us feast and drink to this truly joyous event!”

”Nay, my friend! But bring Serene to Bal Isra in the ‘eve. I have something to ask of her first, marriage.”

“Aye! That you must! That you must. Go, go! Quickly! Every moment spent here, is a moment stolen from her!”

And return quickly I did, paying no mind to the Alit and Cliff Racers on my stead, though I would have expected an Ash Storm to rise up at any moment, it seemed that the land itself breathed a sigh of relief from Dagoth Ur’s passing, and gave all the good and plenty it could to celebrate in its own way, and I was blessed to be here.

Hetman Guls did a double take as he saw me coming to the Strongholds front, as he had Aryni Orethi, a former Ald’Ruhn resident standing against the wall, apparently kissing her.

“Milord! I,..uhhh…it’s not what it…that is…”

“Guls. Do what you were doing, I have triumphed! This is time for rejoicement, not apologies for living! Have the men prepare a feast for the evening! Spare no expense! For tonight I shall tolerate no sobriety in these walls! Oh, and I told you an hundred times, stop calling me ‘Milord’, Sethyas, or Sera Velas if you wish to be formal.”

“Yes, Milor—uh, Sera Velas.” He said with embarrassment and excitement.

I walked in slowly through the door, looking around the torch lit walls of Velas Manor, I made my way down to my chambers, and I saw the angelic face of Ilmeni, sleeping in the late afternoon. I carefully lay next to her, and her lovely red eyes opened slowly, and smile spread slowly across her lips.

“Do you dream well, my love?”

“Yes. I dreamed that you had won at Red Mountain; it was a strange dream though. I think that Setsuna was in it…I can’t remember all of it, she was in a grave that was also a womb…”

I blinked. It was strange, as I had had a very similar dream. Had my Sisters spirit seen and watched over me at Red Mountain? I prayed that she had.

“Have I upset you?”

”No. Your dream was a true one. My love, I have not come here for a respite, or giving up. I have come home for good. No more changes in who I am, no more prophecies must be fulfilled, Dagoth Ur is dead, and though I am Nerevar, I am content to leave that part of myself in Red Mountain. I come to you as Sethyas Velas, the Man who loves you, and the man who would have you as his wife, should you so accept…”

Her eyes fluttered in disbelief as I gave her a loving and serious look, and she screamed excitedly, straddling my form, and kissing me over and over.

“You are proposing marriage? Yes! Yes! Yes!....wait…you killed Dagoth Ur too? That’s wonderful! I’m not sure which pleases me more! You have given me the greatest Wedding present anyone could have received!

“That’s good. Cause I wasn’t going to give you anything anyways.” I laughed as she picked up a pillow and hit me with it, a lot. Laughing as she did.

The play soon ended, and we fell into one another’s arms, and for hours we made love, giving as much to the other as we could, until the barriers in ourselves fell, and we were as one. Much later, to the evening, a knocking could be heard at the door.

“Mi—I mean Sera Velas. The feast is ready, if you and your Lady are prepared.” Came Guls’ voice through the door.

“We will be there in a moment. Start without us in the meantime.” I replied.

Ilmeni’s finger traced the Moon-and-Star on my finger still. “I thought you wanted to leave all that behind you.”

“I do. But that doesn’t mean I want to forget what happened. If I am to prevent History from repeating, I must rewrite the scrolls of fate. This ring shall serve me as that reminder. It was hard enough to destroy the tools, but I feel that the Spirit of Nerevar was with me, and was what unclenched my grip.”

”But you are Nerevar.”

“And also Sethyas. I admit, for a sheer moment, before I struck Sunder onto the Heart, that I was tempted to shower myself in its tone. Power is a sirens call, and one that is hard to resist.”

“Why didn’t you?”

”It would make everything I have worked towards meaningless. All who have suffered because of the Tribunal and Dagoth Ur would have that suffering made meaningless. A ‘hero’ is a normal person who has an extraordinary grasp on what sacrifice means.”

“You have lost much…”

“And gained more when I let go. But let us feast, I hunger, and I wish to complement my bliss with drink.” I said getting up to dress. Though I am not a connoisseur of fine clothes, this situation called for it, and I put on the Exquisite Shirt gifted to me from the Ashkhan, Kaushad. In remembrance of what I had done for him.

Ilmeni wore exquisite clothes as well, and the two of us exited into the courtyard, with a large table set up amidst the Ashlands, with fine torchlights and Secunda and Masser in full glow. The scene was perfect.

“HAIL, NEREVAR!” came the toast from the Settlers. Who apparently had heard the news, and surpisingly enough, Athyn and Serene!

“I thank you all! It was done in the name of Nerevar, and for the people of Morrowind and Tamriel! But there is one more reason we have to celebrate this ‘eve! In the light of the new day, with the death of Dagoth Ur, I have asked this Fine Woman, Ilmeni Dren, daughter of Duke Vedam Dren, to be my Wife, and she has accepted! Hail Redoran!” I said picking up a goblet of fine brandy, and clinked my glass to my fiancée’s. More cheers erupted, and the feast began

“Congratulations, My Boy!” Said Athyn leaning in to me, looking over too Serene and Ilmeni, whom whispered to each other with mischievous glances, back at the two of us.

“Thank you, my friend. It is good that you are here, and I would wish that you spend as many of my happier moments with me as is possible. I wonder what might have been should you never have believed my tale all those months ago.”

“Let us not ponder on what may have been. Indeed, there is far too much that might have passed that is nowhere near as pleasant as this moment, I drink to your health!”

“And I to yours.” I said as I clinked my glass to his.

Sethyas? The voice came from nowhere.

I looked up and around, with my brows knitted. My eyes fell to Serenes Blue Eyes.
I opened my mouth to speak, but with another voice that spoke with no lips moving she continued.

Don’t talk, only think. I am a telepath, I’m sorry I never told you. But I wanted to make sure no one else could hear us talk. she sent to me.

My mind reeled with an angry reaction. You’re a bloody mind-reader? How much of my thoughts, have you been reading, you fell witch? Is this how you convinced Athyn to ‘love’ you? Did you control my mind to name you Archmaster? I scathed to her.

It is natural not to trust a telepath, much misconception lies behind it. The reaction is usually this one. I cannot control thoughts, only read them. Please, believe me when I tell you that I would never use it to personal advantage, only for self-defense and the like. I am a healer, not a political chessmaster! she pleaded with me in her sending.

Why reveal it now? Why here? I responded.

I am afraid for you. You seem fine now. But I don’t think that the full affect of what has passed has arisen within you. she said with a feeling of concern blended in with the send.

What do you mean? I am fine! Look around you! I am to be married! I have just killed a Demi-God! There is nothing wrong with me!

Time will tell, time will tell. But if you ever had need of a healer, whom understands the mind as well as the body, I beg you seek me out.

Fine. Just please stay out of my mind! I really don’t want to watch myself from thinking any embarrassing thoughts!

You mean this one? She sent the memory of the first time I beheld her.

Yes! And my Fiancée is sitting right next to you, so I’ll thank you not to say anything! I do actually love her.

I know. I can sense it. I was being playful, but I shall stay out of your mind. I promise. She said looking back to Athyn, and smiling at him.

I put it out of my mind, and enjoyed the rest of the feast, and looked forward to the futures promising horizons.