Chronicles of Hej Hai

by Victor James

This is a gripping story about the lives of people who encounter an enormous supernatural battle in the interior of Argonia. Some fight for virtue, others fight for evil. Who will win this fight? Read to find out!

1. Book I: Walks With Trees

Book I: Walks-With-Trees

Written By: The Keeper

Prologue

Walks-With-Trees was born in the North-Western part of the Black Marsh sometime in the first era. He was the second of five children. His father; Runs-In-Wind was a hunter for the small village of Hej-Hai. Walks-With-Trees' mother; Swims-With-Swiftness was a gardener. She was probably named Swims-With-Swiftness because she used to swim a lot when she was a child, but she had slowed down over the many years in the swamp. Walks-With-Trees' older brother was in charge of watching Walks-With-Trees and his brothers and sisters.

The family did not have much money, although, I will say, money goes a lot farther in the Black Marsh. They only needed to trade in the village, but most things were still bartered. Trading items for other items was the way Argonians traded at this time. This is why Swims-With-Swiftness had taken up gardening. Runs-In-wind would sell pelts, and any valuable plants that were usually used for Restoration.

The children of the village were assigned to small tasks, keep the fires going, gather tinder, search for plants, and that sort of thing, other than these random jobs, the children were free to roam around the village, but they were told since birth, not to leave the island that the village stood on. For it contained strange Crocodilian animals, that could take an Argonian child, and swallow them in a few bites. This was more than enough warning, yet, sometimes there was that curious child, that looked for trouble, this child was Walks-With-Trees...

Chapter I: Curiosity Killed the Lizard

It was an average day, just like any other, but Walks-With-Trees was restless; he felt like he had to do something, but didn't know what. He and a few of his friends gathered on a low spot that was below sea-level. It was just down a hill of the village, it would become underwater sometimes, in these times, and the children would have to leave, because of the Were-Crocodiles. The Were-Crocodiles of the Black Marsh were very aggressive and territorial. Walks-With-Trees had never seen one before, but he remembered a time when a woman screamed, and all the men in the village, went running toward the low-spot. (Where Walks-With-Trees and his friends currently are.) Walks-With-Trees mother had always told him that she migrated to Stormhold.

Walks-With-Trees thought this curious thought. "Why does everyone always move away when they come to this low spot?" He told his friends this, but they all shrugged. "Come on, Walks-With-Trees, let's go play!" said Runs-At-Trouble; which was one of Walks-With-Trees best friends, despite their obvious differences. Walks-With-Trees sat on the bank, and looked for these things that "made" people move to Stormhold.

After a while his friends grew weary and left him there; all except for Runs-At-Trouble. The weather was dull, it was cloudy and the sky was dark, and it seemed like everything was absolutely quiet. Walks-With-Trees was starting to doze off, when suddenly Runs-With-trouble woke up Walks-With-Trees in a panic. "Did you see that!" he cried. "What, What was it!" said Walks-With-Trees.
"I don't know, but I'm not sticking around to find out!" said Runs-At-Trouble, as he ran back toward the village.

Walks-With-Trees got crouched, and slowly walked toward where the water met the shore. He stared out, turning his head, back and forth, looking for signs in the water. Obviously at this point, he wanted to scream and run to the village, but his curiosity got the better of him...

He saw them, a yellow pair of beady eyes, but just as he saw them, they submerged and were gone. He crept closer still, until his toes were almost in the water...he looked, his heart was pounding in the silence. it seemed that he and this thing were the only two things alive...It all returned to silence, when he heard breathing, at first he couldn't tell where it was coming from, then he felt the warm, stale breathe on the back of his neck! He turned around and saw a Were-Crocodile! Of course, he had no idea what it was, which made it all the scarier.

He was cut off from his village, he thought of screaming, but his voice wouldn't, so he jumped in the water and swam with swiftness. Good thing his mother was an avid swimmer or Walks-With-Trees wouldn't be with us now. He swam in the dark tan waters, he could barely see in front of him, he was sure that the Were-Crocodile was going to grab him at any moment, but it didn't. He got on the other shore, he looked back, and there was no sign of the Were-Crocodile, but he was sure that it was waiting for him to return...So, he turned around and saw a thick jungle-swamp, he looked upon his newest adversary, nature...

Chapter II: The Forest Full of Life

Walks-With-Trees stood, looking upon this massive forest, "Whoa..." he said aloud, in an august voice. He was scared for a few moments, but Walks-With-Trees was not a dumb boy, he thought of how he could survive. "First I'll need a weapon, then I'll have to build a shelter, but it must be hidden, so that they can't find me." he said to himself as he headed into the forest to look for his supplies...

After a few hours, he had a long stick, which was fairly straight and, of good weight, he would use this as a staff, but he realized that this would not protect him from the many beasts of the Marsh, so he went around, and found a nice long rock, he then sharpened this on another larger rock, until the point was razor sharp.

He then cleaned up the stick with his dagger. He now only had to tie some type of string around to turn it into a spear. He looked around, until he found a nice little sapling, the bark would be perfect for string...

He walked up and took a glance at the tree, it was kind of strange looking, it had two trunks, that went up into something like a chest, and it had tow limbs, like arms, and a green bunch of leaves on his head, that almost resembled hair. He took his knife and went to slice some of the bark off, it was relatively easy, and the bark was of excellent quality. "What are you doing?" said a voice. Walks-With-Trees' heart jumped up his throat and looked around. "Hello? Is anybody out there?" he said looking around the forest to see if he could see anything, but there was nothing. He then looked up toward the tree; he saw that it had eyes! "Whoa, what are you?" asked Walks-With-Trees.

"I'm a Hist, silly." said the tree, which was obviously very young; he had a small voice, for a tree. "What's your name?" asked Walks-With-Trees, "I'm Thilo, what's your name?" responded the tree. (We will now call him, Thilo.) "Walks-With-Trees." answered Walks-With-Trees.

"Why were you cutting one of my legs?" asked Thilo. "I'm really sorry, I never met a tree that was alive." responded Walks-With-Trees. "What do you mean; you've never seen a tree that was alive? The forest is full of them!" said Thilo. "Can you show me?" said Walks-With-Trees. "Sure, just follow me." said Thilo as he led Walks-With-Trees along the forest, showing him all kinds of new creatures.

There were all sorts of small lizards, toads, skinks and things of that nature, but Thilo also warned Walks-With-Trees about poisonous plants and animals. "Watch out for those." or "Be careful around there."

It was not long before they came upon a Feathered-Serpent. Thilo froze and Walks-With-Trees hid behind him. "What is it?" asked Walks-With-Trees in a whisper. "A Feathered-Serpent, there very venomous, not to me of course, but very dangerous to you, one drop of their venom can kill a grown man." Thilo whispered back. "Watch out here it comes." said Thilo. Walks-With-Trees stayed as quiet as he possibly could. It was not a long time before the Feathered-Serpent had gone.

"That was scary, one day, I'm going to get a tooth from one of those and put it on my spear, maybe I'll put some of it's feathers on there, too." said Walks-With-Trees. "That would be nice, come on, I have to show you to the Elders!" said Thilo as he began to walk again. "What are the Elders?" asked Walks-With-Trees. "You'll see, come on!" said Thilo as the two walked deeper into the Forest of Life.

Chapter III: The Magic Lawn

Thilo and Walks-With-Trees walked for about two hours before they reached a tree-tunnel. They walked through this tunnel to find a plush, green, manicured lawn. There were trees all around that served as a wall. The trees went up into a canopy, with a large hole at the top; this flooded the area with sunlight and fresh air. There were no houses or structures, except for a well, that stood in the middle of the lawn. It was a round-stone well, just like most other wells, but this one seemed special, it seemed magical.

"Wow, what is this place?" asked Walks-With-Trees, with his jaw dropped, looking at the beauty in awe.
"This is where the Hist Council meet, come on, let me show you the well." said Thilo, but before they could do anything, a large, brown Hist came charging up to the two children.

"Thilo, who is that!" said the Hist, who was obviously a male Hist. (If there are genders in Hists, I do not know, but it would be hard to believe that this voice came from a female.)
"This is my friend, Walks-With-Trees, he's from the Hej-Hai tribe." said Thilo, a little timidly.
"You know that you are not supposed to be around the Argonians, and, furthermore, bring them to this secret and holy place!" shouted the Hist, it now seemed to the two boys that the entire forest was rumbling.
"What do you have to say for yourself!" thundered the voice.
"I - I'm sorry." said Thilo as he started to sob.
"Well you should be the village will have a search party out anytime now. You know as well as I, that there are too many villages around. You can't go wandering out everywhere." said the voice.
"I - I'm sorry," said Thilo still timidly, but gaining confidence. "But, what are we to do with him now?" asked Thilo.
"The only thing we can do, he'll have to stay here." said the Hist.
"Really!" asked Thilo as he started to jump around in circles. "Yippee! Yippee! He can stay!" cried Thilo joyously.

Walks-With-Trees was very happy, and very sad all at once, he did not really know what to think. But, he did not really have the time to ponder the idea, because before long, the Hist had taken the two to the wall of trees on the West side of the lawn. The Hist muttered something in an unknown tongue. Suddenly, the trees parted, and left a path open. "Come follow me, and Thilo, promise me, that you won't take your friend back to the well. Not until he is ready." said the Hist.
"Yes, Ryad." said Thilo. (Ryad is what we must now call this Hist.)

Then Ryad turned around and led the two boys to a different part of the forest.

Chapter IV: The Secret Forest of the Hist

The children followed Ryad for about half of an hour, the walks was short, but it seemed like forever, there seemed to be some enchantment in the forest, a feeling Walks-With-Trees had never felt before. Now Walks-With-Trees had time to think about living with the Hist trees. "I like the Hist, but I miss my family." he thought to himself. But, of course he would not say anything out loud; for fear that Ryad would not let him leave. This is what scared Walks-With-Trees the most, it was a prison, in a sense, even if it was in one of the most magical, and secret places of Tamriel.

It was not long after this, that the path had been blocked by thick trees. Ryad once again whispered these magical words, and the trees opened. Revealing another canopy, like the one at the Magic Lawn. But this one had yurts, and no well. "This is where all the non-Hist guests stay, until they are ready to leave the forest." said Ryad, in his deep, old voice.
"When will I be ready to go back home?" asked Walks-With-Trees sheepishly.
"This is your home, now. You are to become a Prophet of the Forest." responded Ryad.
"You mean I have to stay here forever?" said Walks-With-Trees as he started to sob loudly.
"Don't cry little one, you may leave when you have finished your training." said Ryad.
"Really?" asked Walks-With-Trees unbelievingly.
"Yes, of course, all Prophets of the Forest leave. But, the training is long and difficult." said Ryad.
"Don't worry, I'll be the best Prophet ever!" shouted Walks-With-Trees as he jumped up, and danced around. Ryad and Thilo both started to laugh, as they saw his gestures, so they joined in and danced around. Though, Ryad had to be careful not to step on Walks-With-Trees or Thilo.

After they had stopped dancing and were quite happy, Ryad said, "That it was time to call the rest." "You mean there are more of you?" said Walks-With-Trees amazingly.
"Of course, there are many Hists in this forest. Now, I shall call them." replied Ryad, which then stood with both feet on the ground spread out a bit. He then urged, somewhat like flexing his leg muscles, and roots suddenly popped out of his stub-like feet. They started to spread out, and went in all different directions. After a few moments he recalled the roots and simply said. "Now we wait."

Thilo and Ryad had now stuck their feet in the ground and rested. (This is how the Hist sleep.) Walks-With-Trees, went into the yurt, and found a nice homely place, it had a fire lit, and a bed, that was made, and a pillow stuffed with feathers. There was also a table, with a little, ornate box, carved from wood. This is rare for Hist to have things made of wood, so Walks-With-Trees suspected it to be of foreign nature. He opened it up; there was small, sealed note inside. Walks-With-Trees was now sure that it was a secret magic note. He looked at it in awe, but said nothing.

He then heard a noise that scared him, but it was just Ryad, peeking into the house. "I forgot to tell you, don't open the box, it isn't time yet." said Ryad. "Why is it special?" asked Walks-With-Trees. "Indeed, very special, mustn't touch now, not until the time is right." said Ryad. "When 'will the time be right'?" asked Walks-With-Trees. "All you need to know now is that you mustn't open the box." replied Ryad.

Ryad then returned outside and resumed his sleep. Walks-With-Trees lay down in his nice bed, staring at the box, wondering what it holds. "It must be very special." thought Walks-With-Trees to himself. "If it wasn't, why would Ryad act so mysteriously about it? Why wouldn't he want me to open it?" he asked himself. Walks-With-Trees eventually drifted to sleep, but the temptation to open the box filled his dreams.

Chapter V: An Unwelcome Party

That morning Walks-With-Trees woke up to see the dying embers of the fire, and the sun, shining through the open door of the yurt, flooding the room with brightness, and fresh air. Walks-With-Trees sat up and yawned, which sounds rather funny, you know what I am talking about if you have ever heard an Argonian yawn. But, for those of you who have not, it makes a crackling sound, much like the sound your mouth makes when eating Pop-Rocks, but louder, and more of a clicking.

Anyway, Walks-With-Trees stretched about the room, he looked at the box, and it did not seem so mysterious in the daylight, but he still wanted to open it. He then heard a noise outside, it was Thilo and Ryad, making a large pile of dead sticks and limbs of old trees. They were making it in the middle of the lawn, which was manicured properly like the one at the well.

"What are you guys doing?" Walks-With-Trees was suddenly surprised by his voice. He then repeated "Guys." He was astonished at his hissing, and very curious about it. "This means you are growing up." said Ryad in his low earthy voice. "You will start your training today." continued Ryad.
"Really, Yippee!" cried Walks-With-Trees as he danced and hopped about.
"Yes, I will show you around this forest, we will back later Thilo, you may go play with your friends." said Ryad. Thilo thought about asking to go with Ryad, but he knew that Ryad was uptight about ceremonies and such things, so he thought it better to keep this to his own. He then walked away into the forest.

Ryad and Walks-With-Trees walked for about an hour Due North. They then cut east and headed to the edge of the forest. There were some diseased trees out that way, and Ryad wanted to see if Walks-With-Trees could help them.

They saw a large group of about 35 Nords. All of which were male. As soon as Ryad had seen them he froze, and let his legs grow the roots. His arms he held out, so that he looked like a tree. Or, more like a tree then he usually does.

Walks-With-Trees hid behind Ryad. He peeked out, listening and watching. He could hear voices.

"This isn't getting us anywhere, we haven't seen any tribes in weeks!" said the first voice. Then, a second chimed in.
"Well, don't you think we have enough of them already?" the second voice asked. As he walked to a large covered wagon, he pulled off the cover, and there were Argonians under it! Most of them were children, too. Walks-With-Trees shook with fear, their faces were sad and vacant, they had many scars, and open wounds from the beatings and floggings the Nords had given them.

"No, those aren't even enough to pay for this damned adventure!" said the first voice, who was obviously becoming very frustrated. There was then a long pause, and the Nord with his hands on his hip, took a deep breathe.
"All right, set up camp here, we can at least make an outpost here, so that we can signal to the others." said the first voice more calmly than ever.
"Others!" thought Walks-With-Trees to himself. He was so afraid. What happened next scared him even more. A large Nord came around the tree, he grinned terribly frightening, with yellow, crooked, teeth.
"I thought I heard something!" he cried. Walks-With-Trees screamed, the whole camp was in a hurry, and 10 or so Nords were around Walks-With-Trees.

They looked at him, with terrible smiles, but the first voice from early was now speaking again, and he was a young Nord, with long black hair, and fine complexion, obviously not a relative to the other Nords.
"We wish you know harm, child, what is your name?" he asked in a fine voice. Walks-With-Trees trembled, and gave no answer.
"Come now, I d not wish to hurt you, I could help you find your tribe?" he said.
"No! I know who you are! I saw the others in the wagon!" shouted Walks-With-Trees as he filled with righteous anger.
The face on the young Nord was now completely, different, and his true intentions were clear.
"Grab the little monster! No rations until he tells where his tribe is! Will get one of those monsters to crack!" he yelled.

But, before he could grab Walks-With-Trees, the ground trembled. The Nords became scared, just then, Ryad came back to his humanoid self, and stepped on one of the Nords, which came about to his knee.

"Walks-With-Trees, run!" shouted Ryad, who was also filled with anger. He was swatting and stomping about, and the Nords were running to get their weapons.

Walks-With-Trees made it to the edge of the forest, and watched. Ryad was winning at first, but then, they started to throw ropes up at him. They pulled him over, and were hacking at him with axes. Ryad still would not give up, he struggled, and struggled, and struggled, but he then stopped moving altogether, and lay there.

Ryad thought about his people, and with a giant shout, shot roots up out of the ground, the y were sharp as swords, and thicker then small trees. Shaped somewhat like a Trama Root of Vvardenfell. They seemed infinite; they slew the Nords, and tipped the wagons, causing them to break, all the Argonians went running in groups of 4 and 5 mostly. The scene was soon dead quiet. And Walks-With-Trees eyes filled up with tears. He approached the body of Ryad; it was broken, and severed. The land seemed gray that day. And Walks-With-Trees sat there for hours, crying.

Chapter VI: Treachery and Vengeance

After Walks-With-Trees had had a good long cry, he found himself amidst a battle-field, something he had never seen. He then thought of what to do next. He did not really know what he would do. He could not go back into the forest, for he did not yet learn the Magic of the Hist.

He decided there and then, that he had had enough of an adventure, and was going back home. But something the Nord said scared him, he talked about signaling the "Others." Walks-With-Trees would have to be very stealthy to avoid the other raiding parties.

He then thought about the Argonians that had been locked in the wagons. "I must go and stop those bad men." he said to himself. "I think it's time to make my spear." he said as he clenched his teeth, becoming angry, and wanting vengeance.

He went into the edge of the forest and found a nice strong branch. He cut it from the tree with a sharp stone. He then took a few hours cleaning the wood. He then found a rubbery substance in a shrub; he cut that, and tied the stone to the branch. "Now, to find that serpent." he said, still infuriated.

He went around the forest, until he caught site of a nest. "There." he said as he sunk into the bushes and crawled toward the nest. And sure enough, there was a Feathered-Serpent. It had laid a few eggs, too. Walks-With-Trees had now sneaked up behind the serpent. He jumped up out of the bush; the serpent turned its head, and found that the spear had hit it right in the forehead. The serpent wriggled back and forth, hissing loudly. Walks-With-Trees, realizing that the serpent still had strength left, climbed up a tree. The serpent slowly wriggled into the low foliage and tried to flee, but Walks-With-Trees would jump from tree to tree, following it. But, not before he grabbed the eggs of the snake.

It took a few hours for the serpent to actually die. Walks-With-Trees then Walks-With-Trees climbed down the tree, and took his spear out of the forehead. He then, sapped the venom out of the teeth, and it absorbed into his spear, making it deadly poisonous. He then skinned the serpent, and made himself a robe, which at first, was much too long. So, he cut it, and took the extra parts, and made them sleeves. He now looked like he was invincible in the jungle, and expert survivor. The snake's head went right on top of his, to make him look quite fierce.

Walks-With-Trees then fashioned a belt out of the rubbery shrub, and cut a few long cords of it. He then found the Sumnulius Fern; he filled the eggs with this, and tied them onto his belt, using the cords from the rubbery shrub.

"I'm ready." said Walks-With-Trees, as he heard the scream of an Orc, far off in the distance. "The Others." he said to himself. He then dashed off into the trees, and jumped up into the canopy of the forest, jumping from tree to tree.

It did not take too long, to figure out what had happened. There were Orcs, with a row of wagons, similar to the ones the Nords had. One had tipped over, and crushed the right leg of the Orc, who was hollering out in pain. A few of the other Orcs were trying to lift the wagon, and there were a few others who were circling a male Argonian who Walks-With-Trees recognized. "Father?" he said to himself. He was not sure, and decided to get a closer look. The Argonian was wearing Hej-Hai Tribe Armor, and carried a familiar spear. He lunged at the Orc who came near him, trying to keep them at bay.

Walks-With-Trees was trying to think of what he could do to help, but then he heard talk, and ducked lower, and listened.

"You animal, we'll get you for that!" barked one of the Orcs, who held a whip, with metal pieces at the end.
"You will pay for what you have done to my family." said the Argonian.
"I doubt it!" said the Orc as he cracked the whip at the Argonian, the blow cracked the armor, and blood seeped through the gaps. But, the Argonian would not falter.
"You killed my children, and my wife, and my friends." said the Argonian as he threw his spear, and stuck the Orc between the eyes. The Orc fell backward, and landed in the mud. The Argonian then drew his dagger. The Orcs saw this as their chance, and started whipping him. At first, the Argonian could manage to block the blows, but as they came faster and stronger, he collapsed, and lay on the ground.

An Orc then drew a cruel, blunt, knife. He stood over the Argonian, and stabbed it through his back. The Argonian cried out with pain for more than five seconds, then lowered his head, and passed away. The Orc started to laugh, and Walks-With-Trees could hold his anger back no longer. He jumped up out of the bushes and cried "FATHER!" He then released the eggs, and the camp went up in smoke, the Orcs were coughing and wheezing, and Walks-With-Trees walked to the edge of the camp.

The smoke cleared, and it started to rain heavily. He stood there; he was outnumbered one-hundred-to-one. He said nothing, but stared at the Orcs. It was said later in story, that, "...The last of the Hej-Hai fought like ten devils..."

The Orcs were now mad, and charged toward Walks-With-Trees. He did nothing but stood there. They charged, and just as they arrived at Walks-With-Trees feet, he brandished his spear, and struck the first Orc down, just as he did so, a clap of thunder came down from the heavens. The weather started to get worse, and now there was wind, rain, and thunder.

Walks-With-Trees fought like a god of the olden days. Still the Orcs charged forward, and were cut down. The last one tried to flee, but Walks-With-Trees ran faster than any beast alive, and cut him down.

He then fell to his knees, and looked up to the stars, "WHY!" he shouted.

Chapter VII: The Son of the Father Hist

Walks-With-Trees was so traumatized, that he thought he might end his life. "I have nothing now. No teacher, and no - no father." he said. He took the knife out of his father's back. This was hard, because the knife was dull. So Walks-With-Trees had to pull rather hard. When he pulled the knife out, a tear ran down his cheek.

He then grabbed the knife in a back-handed form. He went to his knees. He held the knife with both hands, as he started to say his goodbye speech. Even though, there was no one to hear it. "Let it be by this dagger that I will die. It took the soul of a grand warrior, who has been avenged. So, I pray, that the warrior finds me worthy of dying by such a blade." he stopped, as the tears flowed down his cheeks. Just before he was about to strike, he heard a voice. He could not tell where it came from. Was it from his heart? Or was it from his Brain? Or was there someone really out there listening? These questions haunted him.

The voice was calling him by name. "Walks-With-Trees, Walks-With-Trees, I am calling for you, come forth." it called; the voice was as strong as thunder, yet as soft as a gentle breeze. "Who's there?" asked Walks-With-Trees. "Who is it?" he went on.
"You will see now come." said the voice. This seemed to come from everywhere. "I cannot tell where your voice comes from. It comes from nowhere, and yet, it comes from everywhere." said Walks-With-Trees.
"Come." said the voice. Walks-With-Trees was now sure it was coming from the South.
"I'm coming! I'm coming! Please, don't leave!" cried Walks-With-Trees as he got up and ran. He left all of his weapons, and his serpent clothes. He was now only wearing his pants, and the tatters that were left of his shirt. The rain was still pouring, and a fog was starting to come in.

Walks-With-Trees jumped up into the trees, and went with the wind, that was blowing South. The voice echoed through his head. He ran and ran he ran until he could run no more, but he could not stop, he could not risk losing this voice. For came with it, comfort and peace.

Walks-With-Trees then entered a meadow. There was a clearing, and in the middle of this dewy forest, the grandest Hist tree anyone had ever seen, knelt, with a hand on the ground, so that Walks-With-Trees could climb into his hand. There were Lamp-Bugs all around. It was as if Walks-With-Trees had entered another world, or was dreaming.

The Hist stood at least five feet taller than the largest of the Hist. His leaves were a bright Emerald Green, and his bark was smooth and soft, unlike the others, who were more like Oak. His leaves were most similar to Maple leaves, but much grander and richer.

Walks-With-Trees stood in awe. He had never seen such a magnificent being.
"Who are you?" asked Walks-With-Trees.
"I am the Son of the Father Hist." answered the Son.
"Do you have a name?" asked Walks-With-Trees as he walked slowly close to the Son.
"In these lands I am known as Saviel." answered the Son. (We will now call him Saviel.)
"Where do you come from?" asked Walks-With-Trees.
"I hail from the Lands Beyond." answered Saviel.
"The 'Lands Beyond', you mean out of Nirn?" asked Walks-With-Trees.
"Yes, my lands are not of Tamriel or Nirn." answered Saviel.
"But you are a Hist, yes?" answered Walks-With-Trees in a curious tone.
"I may appear as many things, but if it is truly me, then you will know." replied Saviel.

"Now, tell me of your adventures." asked Saviel. After Walks-With-Trees had told him the whole story, of how he was lost from his village, how he had met Thilo and Ryad, and what had happened with the foreigners, and the battle with the Orcs, and everything, just up until he heard the voice.

"I would like to see Thilo again." said Walks-With-Trees as he looked of into the forest.
"You may see him again, you still have many travels ahead of you." said Saviel.
"How do you know that?" asked Walks-With-Trees.
"I know many things. I have my eye on every creature. I can see what most cannot." replied Saviel.
"How?" asked Walks-With-Trees.
"The power comes from the Father, who knows all things." said Saviel.
"Where did He get it?" asked Walks-With-Trees.
"He has had power since before this world existed, He has had the power for eternity." replied Saviel.
"Will I ever meet Him?" asked Walks-With-Trees.
"Look around you, do you believe that this forest is real?" asked Saviel.
"Yes, I believe it is real." said Walks-With-Trees.
"And, do you believe that I am real, and in this world. Living as a Hist?" asked Saviel.
"Yes, I do." replied Walks-With-Trees.
"Then one day, when your journey is over, you will meet Him." said Saviel. I must go now, we will speak again, friend." said Saviel, as he seemingly drifted away.

Chapter VIII: A Re-Visitation

Walks-With-Trees could not remember what happened next, but he awoke, laying in the soft, dewy, grass, right next to the well in the Magic Lawn.

There were larger Hist trees all around him, staring. Walks-With-Trees woke up, a little confused, wondering if the previous night had all been a dream. "No, it was real." he thought to himself.

Walks-With-Trees then stood up, and a little embarrassingly said, "Hello, wonderful morning, yes?"

Ryad must have been a very easy-going Hist, because the other Hist did not think his joke that funny.

"Ryad called us, where is he?" asked an old Hist in a very old, deep voice.
Walks-With-Trees looked down, as he remembered the terrible death that he had faced all while saving one Argonian teenager.
"He's dead." said Walks-With-Trees, still looking at the ground.

The Hist argued, and murmured, and all went into an uproar. Then, the old Hist grabbed a younger Hist by the arm and whispered into his ear. The younger Hist shouted, "Silence! All listen!" The crowd was soon silenced. The old Hist then cleared his throat. "We will not find out what happened, unless we ask the person who knows of such things, so what happened, young one?" asked the old Hist.

After Walks-With-Trees had told all the Hist the story, he had to go back to some parts that they did not understand.

"You killed one-hundred Orcs all on your own, one Argonian boy? I do not believe it. No one could do that!" said one of the young, arrogant Hist.

The old Hist then perked up again. "Not unless he was aided by the Father Hist." he calmly said. At this, the crowd quickly went into an uproar, but then was silenced, as they saw that the old Hist was going to speak again.

"And I believe he will help us return to a free Argonia." said the old Hist.
"I don't care about Argonia, what do they have to do with us, we are Hist and do not need the Argonians." said another in the crowd.

"No?" said the old Hist. "We need them, without them, we would be invaded from the North, they protect the borders of this sacred place." said the old Hist.

"You have a point, but the Father Hist as not been here in ages." said the Hist, who obviously knew when he had lost an argument.

"But, it is said in the Teachings, that '...I will come again, when you are in most desperate need, and free you from your anguish...' You see, a new era is upon us, and this boy is the link between the world of Hist, and Argonians." said the old Hist.

Then Walks-With-Trees decided to speak.
"I saw the Son of the Father Hist lasts night." he said.
"You did? And what did he say?" asked the old Hist, who was now very curious.

After Walks-With-Trees had told them about his account with Saviel, once again, he had to re-tell parts.

"Interesting..." said the old Hist.
"What?" asked Walks-With-Trees.
"I do not know, this just seems so sudden, I am not used to all these changes, especially fast, major ones." replied the old Hist.

"So what will happen now?" asked Walks-With-Trees.
"Well, you must start your training immediately." said the old Hist. "My name is Grandier, and what would yours be?" asked Grandier.
(We will now call him Grandier.)
"I'm called Walks-With-Trees." said he.
"Well, then, Walks-With-Trees, let us go, and begin your training." Grandier said. With that, the two walked off into the forest, some of the crowd followed, but most spread out, and headed to different parts of the forest.

Chapter IX: Some Familiar Things

Grandier led Walks-With-Trees to a part in the forest which Walks-With-Trees had never seen. There were buildings made of a dark gray bricks. Of course, the bricks were nothing like our modern ones, these were very crude, and more round than square.

Grandier led him down the main road, which was a tan dirt road. It ran throughout the place, and actually went into the forest. It had seemed like ages since Walks-With-Trees had seen a road.

Then something amazed him even more, there were other Argonians! They were of all ages, young hatchlings to the oldest of Argonians.

"Whoa! Argonians!" cried Walks-With-Trees. He dashed off to a nearby arena. It was a wooden pavilion. It had two entrances on the sides, and had horizontal beams across it set up for barriers. There were two boys about Walks-With-Trees age there, sparring with one another.

"Hello." said Walks-With-Trees to a girl who was about his age.
"Hi, I haven't seen you around here, are you new?" asked the girl.
"Well...not really "new" but I've never been to this part of the forest." Walks-With-Trees said.
"Oh, well my name is Sings-With-Passion." said Sings-With-Passion. (We must now call her Sings-With-Passion.)
"Oh, my name is Walks-With-Trees." he said.
"That's nice," said Sings-With-Passion as the boy in the ring called to her. "Well, I have to go, now." said Sings-With-Passion as she started to walk away.

It was at this time that Grandier walked up to Walks-With-Trees. "I see you already have your eye set on Sings-With-Passion." said Grandier.
"Yea...No -- I mean no way!" said Walks-With-Trees.
"Whatever you say, now, come with me, there are people you must meet, and things you must learn." said Grandier. The two walked over to one of the large buildings.

"Go inside and ask for Fights-For-Glory, watch out, he's a bit prideful, but rightfully so." said Grandier.

Walks-With-Trees said nothing, but went inside. There was a small table with two Argonians, a little older than Walks-With-Trees having an arm wrestle. Walks-With-Trees did not say anything, but went in, and had a seat on a barstool. He then took a better look around.

There was a small bar, with a short, stumpy, Argonian male standing at the table with one arm resting on the bar. He held a towel in one hand, and a bottle in the other.

"Who are those two at the table?" asked Walks-With-Trees.
"Well, the one on the left is Swings-On-Vines...And the one on the right is Fights-For-Glory. Who are you anyway? I've never seen you around here." asked the barkeeper.
"I am called Walks-With-Trees. I was sent to find Fights-For-Glory." said Walks-With-Trees.
"Well, he should be done in a minute. You're a foreign Argonian, aren't you?" said the barkeeper.
"No, I'm born and raised in the Black Marsh." said Walks-With-Trees.
"Oh, sorry, didn't mean to offend you. But you talk with a slither?" asked the barkeeper.
"Yes, so?" asked Walks-With-Trees, becoming a little paranoid.
"Well, Argonians on the interior don't, and only Northerners and Imperials call Argonia, 'The Black Marsh.'"
"Oh, well I can learn to speak proper." said Walks-With-Trees.
"Properly." the barkeeper corrected.
"Fine, whatever!" said Walks-With-Trees said as he got up, needless to say, embarrassingly.

Fights-For-Glory had finished his arm-wrestling match, and had won. Walks-With-Trees then approached him.

"Are you Fights-For-Glory?" asked Walks-With-Trees.
"Yes. Who are you?" asked Fights-For-Glory.
"I am Walks-With-Trees, I was sent to find you." said Walks-With-Trees.
"May I ask, by whom?" said Fights-For-Glory.
"By Grandier, the wise, old Hist." said Walks-With-Trees.
"Wise, more like "experienced" I could take him down in a match of wit any day." said Fights-For-Glory proudly.
"I don't know about that -" Walks-With-Trees tried to continue but was interrupted.
"Of course I could, and why do you keep hissing at me?" said Fights-For-Glory.
"I can't help it, it's just how I speak." said Walks-With-Trees, who had not realized that he hissed until he talked to other Argonians who did not.
"Sure it is, now what did he send you for?" asked Fights-For-Glory, who was now obviously annoyed, and not afraid to show it either.
"He didn't really say." said Walks-With-Trees, who was now having a horrible day, he could think of nothing to do but look at the floor, which he eventually did.
"You don't even know why he sent you? I am positive you are a new recruit. Are you?" asked Fights-For-Glory.
"Yes." that is all Walks-With-Trees could muster.
"Very well, this way." said Fights-For-Glory as he led him outside.

Chapter X: Finally Making Progress

Walks-With-Trees was feeling miserable, to say the least. He feels like the new kid, and what is worse, he feels like he made a fool of himself. He dragged his feet, and his tail sagged, as he followed Fights-For-Glory who proudly carried himself high.

"Hurry up, will you? We don't have all day." said Fight-For-Glory.
But Walks-With-Trees did not really make an effort to go faster.

Fights-For-Glory led him back to that same pavilion where he had met Sings-With-Passion.

"All right, that man standing there is who you are going to fight." said Fights-For-Glory as he handed Walks-With-Trees a wooden spear that was resting on a weapon-rack. With that, Fights-For-Glory pushed Walks-With-Trees into the arena, and the fight began.

Walks-With-Trees' opponent stood at the ready, with a wooden spear, pointed at Walks-With-Trees' heart. Walks-With-Trees was still metaphorically numb from being pushed into the arena so quickly. He had not had time to prepare, and was clinging the spear to his chest.

As soon as the opponent realized this he came flying toward Walks-With-Trees, who had just realized where he was, and immediately Walks-With-Trees dodged the blow. His opponent then turned around, and circled. The two circled for quite some time. Then, Walks-With-Trees saw in the corner of his eye, Sings-With-Passion. He immediately became more confident. He charged for his opponent, who tried a horizontal strike. Walks-With-Trees dodged by ducking. The force of the strike made the opponent turn around 360 degrees. And by the time he turned around, Walks-With-Trees' spear stood but an inch from the opponent's face.

"Not bad." said Fights-For-Glory.
"Thanks." replied walks-With-Trees.
"Yeah, well I would have done much better. Anyway, you can have the day off, I'll continue training tomorrow." said Fight-For-Glory as he strutted off.

Sings-With-Passion then approached Walks-With-Trees, who seemed calm on the outside, was trembling furiously on the inside.
"Nice round you did with that Guy." said Sings-With-Passion with a smile.
"Well, uh, yeah, I guess so. I was a little scared at first." said Walks-With-Trees, who was at this time blushing.
"You know, my brothers and I were wondering if you would like to come and hang out sometime." said Sings-With-Passion, who was now blushing a little as well.
"Uh, sure, I didn't know you had brothers." said Walks-With-Trees, trying to appear confidently.
"Yes, I have two, Jir-Honek, and Ty-Reel. There just a year older than me. Do you have any brothers or sisters?" asked Sings-With-Passion, was really just trying to keep the conversation going. Walks-With-Trees said nothing, but just looked down at the ground.
"Oh." said Sings-With-Passion, who was embarrassed that she had touched a sensitive topic. She then perked up again.
"Well come on, I'll show you around." said Sings-With-Passion, as she grabbed Walks-With-Trees' hand and pulled him along.

Chapter XI: Mainly About Relationships

Sings-With-Passion had shown Walks-With-Trees the various buildings. There was an armory, which was filled with native weapons and armor. There was a smithy, which was equipped with a blacksmith, a weapon smith, and a sword smith. There was a bar, The Regal Chant, which had no rooms for rent, just good, native, Argonian, ale. There was a healer's shop, which was owned by Jir-Kecht, who was a nice, humble, Argonian. He would often play with the children, that is, if there was no one to be healed. When there was someone in need of healing, he would watch them like a hawk, and record all their symptoms, and the stages of recovery. He was truly a master of medicine. There was also various enchanters and sorcerers, who kept in touch with nearby Hist. There was also scattered houses, which littered the glade. Sings-With-Passion then brought Walks-With-Trees to her and her brother's house.

The house was not grand, but much nicer than the thatched roofed house of the now gone Hej-Hai tribe. The house was made of many large stones; they were stacked around in a circle, which made a very interesting floor plan. The house was about 1,000 square feet. This is quite comfortable when there are only three people living there. "Well, this is it," said Sings-With-Passion. "What do you think?" she continued.

"It's very nice indeed." said Walks-With-Trees, who was looking about the house.

"Well, its home, Jir-Honek, Ty-Reel! Anyone home?" said Sings-With-Passion with a loud voice.

"I guess they're not here, well it doesn't matter, come on in." said Sings-With-Passion, who was lighting the lamps about the house.

"Thank you." said Walks-With-Trees as he humbly stepped into the house and closed the door behind him.

"I'm going to freshen up, you can grab a bite to eat while I'm back there." said Sings-With-Passion over her shoulder as she walked down a narrow hall. After Sings-With-Passion had left the room, Walks-With-Trees began to relax. He sat down on a wooden bench that was lying in what would be the living room.

"Walks-With-Trees, you truly have out-done yourself this time." he said to himself. "That girl is something." he continued. He then grabbed an apple-like fruit that was in a basket, lying on a table, which was something like a modern coffee table. Then, Sings-With-Passion came out of the hall, dressed in some of the finest clothes in Argonia.

"Wow, you look nice." said Walks-With-Trees, who now felt that what he was wearing was rags. "I'm sorry, I don't have any nice clothes, I don't even have a house yet." said Walks-With-Trees, who was stunned at Sings-With-Passion's beauty.

"Thanks," Sings-With-Passion replied. "I'll let you borrow some of my brother's clothes. His things are in that chest right there." said Sings-With-Passion, as she was putting the last of her jewelry on.

"Thank you." said Walks-With-Trees as he walked over to the chest. He opened it up, and saw that some of the clothes in there were rather exquisite. So, he took some of the less fancy things. These were still quite nice. He held the clothes and looked at Sings-With-Passion, as if he were implying something.

"Oh, I'm sorry. There's a dressing room back there." said Sings-With-Passion.

"Thank you, once again." said Walks-With-Trees as he walked to the end of the hall. There was a room back there, which was kind of dark. It was a small room, which had another door. Walks-With-Trees was rather nervous, and got dressed rather quickly. So, he figured he still had a little bit of extra time. He went through the door, and found a large-fenced in pond. The water was light blue and clear, not like natural water in Argonia. Walks-With-Trees thought it was very nice. "This girl must be swimming in septims. Much too nice a girl for the likes of me, what do I have to offer her?" he thought. Around the pool was landscaped lawn, with shrubs, and little foliage, with a few large trees here and there. "Well, I should get going now." thought Walks-With-Trees as he turned around and headed back into the house.

"Where are we going, anyway?" asked Walks-With-Trees, who now realized that he did not know what he was getting dressed up for.

"We're going to a friend's house, they're having a party. The elders don't like it, but we do it anyway." said Sings-With-Passion.

"Oh, well let's go." said Walks-With-Trees.

So, the two walked out of the house and headed toward a different one. This was quite awkward, because Walks-With-Trees had seen a few other Argonians his age that day, and they all walked as couples. Walks-With-Trees felt "Out of the circle." as they say. But, however, the two did get there. (I do not say "couple" because they were not, and did not look like they were.) It was a house similar to Sings-With-Passion's. Walks-With-Trees knocked on the door, which was opened by an Argonian female. "Hi, who are you with?" asked the girl. Walks-With-Trees did not really know what to say, but before he could say "No one" Sings-With-Passion laced his hand, and said, "Don't worry, he's with me."

Walks-With-Trees was now on a roller-coaster of emotions. He felt good that Sings-With-Passion was holding his hand, he felt insignificant that she took the lead at door, and he felt curious if she really enjoyed holding his hand. Sings-With-Passion kept holding his hand until she saw some of her friends, at this point, she let go and went over to get hugs from her "girlfriends." Walks-With-Trees stood quietly in a corner; he had never been to a party, let alone one like this. Then two Argonians approached Walks-With-Trees.

"Hey, are you new around here?" asked the first.

"Yes, I just arrived a little while ago." replied Walks-With-Trees.

"Well, I'm Jir-Honek." said Jir-Honek. (This was the Argonian who asked if Walks-With-Trees was new.)

"I'm Walks-With-Trees." responded Walks-With-Trees with his usual hiss, although these guys did not seem to care and seemed friendly enough.

"I'm Ty-Reel, and by the way, nice clothes, I got some just like that." he said.

"Well actually, these are your clothes. Your sister let me borrow them." said Walks-With-Trees who was now utterly embarrassed.

"Ah, so you've met Sings-With-Passion?" said Jir-Honek.

"Yes, I met her yesterday when I arrived." said Walks-With-Trees.

"Oh, well, she's quite the singer and twice the warrior." said Jir-Honek.

"She fights?" asked Walks-With-Trees.

"Almost as well as I, but I do not compare to her in singing." said Jir-Honek as he let out a laugh.

Walks-With-Trees looked confused.

"What's up, don't girls fight where you come from?" asked Ty-Reel jokingly.

"Well, actually, they don't. Only men do the fighting." said Walks-With-Trees, who now felt like he was an entirely different race.

"Well in the interior we all fight. And, she's one of the better warriors. But I heard you knew how to handle a spear pretty well, too." said Jir-Honek.

"My father taught me when I was a boy, but then the forest taught Me." said Walks-With-Trees.

"What do you mean by the forest taught you?" asked Jir-Honek.

"Well, I was separated from my parents when I was young, and lived in the forest until I found a Hist. They brought me in, but it is a long story, and a sad one. I may tell you of it later. But now, let's have fun." said Walks-With-Trees who was beginning to feel more comfortable.

"Alright, sounds good to me." said Ty-Reel who was now ready for a wild party. Sadly, the elders don't let them throw wild parties, just social get-togethers.

"All right, well, I got to go, I got a lot of training tomorrow." said Jir-Honek as he walked out of the house. But what was strange is that he and Ty-Reel had their arms around two Argonian girls. Something made Walks-With-Trees think that they weren't going home to rest.

Sings-With-Passion now returned. "Come on, this party is getting boring, let's go to my house. We're going to have an after-party." said Sings-With-Passion.

"Sounds like fun." said Walks-With-Trees, who really thought that it was a horrible idea; he just did not have the guts to say "no" to Sings-With-Passion.

After the two had reached the house, they could hear laughing, and playful screaming coming from the pond behind the house. The two entered the house, and went back in the hall way. They opened the door to the pool, and sure enough, Ty-Reel, Jir-Honek, and the two girls were swimming together, in the nude, which didn't really bother them, even after they had been caught.

"You guys!" said Sings-With-Passion, who was annoyed at their recklessness, she then went storming into the house, while she was storming off, Jir-Honek, with a big smile on his face said "What?" as if he was not doing anything wrong. "Oh, hey Walks-With-Trees, want to join us, the water's fine." he said as he laughed.

"No, I think I'm going to check up on Sings-With-Passion." he said, needless to say, Walks-With-Trees never looked once at the people in the pool, and said all this while he was looking away,

"Okay, but watch out, she's nasty when she's mad!" said Ty-Reel.

Walks-With-Trees made no reply, but walked back into the house, where he saw Sings-With-Passion, changing out of her fancy clothes into comfortable sleep-wear. As soon as Walks-With-Trees laid eyes on her he turned around, covered his eyes, and looked at the ground. After she was finished changing, she looked up and saw him.

"Sorry about my brothers, they're a bit reckless." said Sings-With-Passion who was sad, ashamed, and embarrassed.

"Its okay, what hurts me more, is to see you sad." said Walks-With-Trees as he hugged Sings-With-Passion, who then hugged back. It was not so much of a romantic hug, but more of a comforting hug.

"Thanks." was all she said with a smile.

"No problem, by the way, I haven't seen any bedrooms in this house." he said with a smile.

"Right this way, I'll show you right where it's at." said Sings-With-Passion with a very seductive, naughty smile. She then ran of down the hall, and into the bedroom, Walks-With-Trees chased, her, tickling her sides, which made her laugh. Once they were both in, Walks-With-Trees closed and locked the door behind them.

Chapter XII: Chivalry

The next morning Walks-With-Trees and Sings-With-Passion were both sleeping in. (You see, they had had a long night.) When there was a loud knocking on the door. Sings-With-Passion got up and dressed and then answered the door. Walks-With-Trees had taken the liberty of hiding under the bed.

It was Fights-For-Glory. "Good morning, beautiful, been sleeping in?" asked Fights-For-Glory, who obviously liked Sings-With-Passion.

"What do you want?" she asked, she was obviously not interested in Fights-With-Glory, which made Walks-With-Trees smile.

"I just came to see you." he said as he pushed the door open and let himself in.

"What about?" asked Sings-With-Passion who was getting a little nervous.

"About you, and me, and things." he calmly replied.

"Oh? What 'things'?" she asked.

"Well, I've ---" Fights-For-Glory was interrupted by a scream. It was something in the village.

"I'll be back, don't go anywhere, beautiful." he said as he darted out of the door and into the village.

Walks-With-Trees then climbed out from under the bed.

"Thank the Hist. You didn't tell me he was into you." said Walks-With-Trees.

"Well, now you know, I don't like him at all, so I don't see why it matters." said Sings-With-Passion who was becoming emotional.

"Don't worry, its okay." said Walks-With-Trees as he embraced Sings-With-Passion, this time more romantically than the previous night. "Now come on, I got to get dressed, and go to training. And don't worry about Fights-For-Glory, I'll take care of him." said Walks-With-Trees, as he exited the house.

Walks-With-Trees had returned to the poorly-woven clothes he had before he visited Sings-With-Passion's house. He headed over to the village to see what the screaming was about. It turned out, that a middle-aged woman had fallen down a flight of steps and hurt her back. Jir-Kecht was already attending to her wounds, and the village had returned to normal. Fights-For-Glory was on his way back to the house, when he saw Walks-With-Trees.

"Where'd you go last night?" he asked.

"I went to sleep in the forest, I always sleep better there." replied Walks-With-Trees.

"Well, that's perfectly savage of you." responded Fights-For-Glory.

"What? Don't you like the forest?" asked walks-With-Trees.

"Why would I? Bugs and all sorts of nasty things." was the reply.

"Oh? Scared of a few little insects?" asked Walks-With-Trees in a poking manner.

"Me scared? Never! I just don't like it." said Fights-For-Glory.

"Uh huh, sure." said Walks-With-Trees who was now getting Fights-For-Glory pretty angry.

"Do you want to fight!" was the response Fights-For-Glory gave.

"Sure, winner gets Sings-With-Passion, loser stays away from her." said Walks-With-Trees, who was now going to fight for his life.

"Deal." said Fights-For-Glory. "Now, do we fight with wooden weapons, or with steel?" asked Fights-For-Glory.

"Wood, I want to be able to hit you a lot." said Walks-With-Trees.

It was at this time that Sings-With-Passion came out. She saw the two walking toward the pavilion, and knew a fight was about to ensue.

It was not long before the two were ready to fight. Both had chosen spear as their weapon. The rules in Argonia are different in some ways than our rules. You can only score a point by hitting the opponent in the chest, between the waist and neck. Headshots are illegal, low-shots are legal, but serve no purpose. And hitting one in the back is said to be dishonorable. The ceremonial drum was beat, and the fight began.

Fights-For-Glory charged out from his side immediately. He was flailing the spear all around Walks-With-Trees, who was dodging and blocking each blow. It was not long before Walks-With-Trees found himself in the corner. Walks-With-Trees then parried a lunge, and started to push Fights-For-Glory back to the middle of the arena. That was when things got technical. Fight-For-Glory would stab, Walks-With-Trees would do flips and spins, always dodging and blocking the blows that came for him. Fights-For-Glory then grew tired, and had to go on the defensive to get his breath back. Walks-With-Trees saw this an opportune time. He unleashed all his rage, and all his strength into the next couple of blows. The first shook Fights-For-Glory up. The second knocked his spear out of his hands, and the third was a wooden spear to the sternum. Fights-For-Glory was knocked back, and fell to the ground. Walks-With-Trees had won.

The crowd that had gathered cheered on. For none had ever defeated Fights-For-Glory in a duel.

"He cheated! He used dark magic to win!" cried Fights-For-Glory. "It's not fair." he said, as he began to sob.

The crowd gathered around Walks-With-Trees, but he walked over to Sings-With-Passion.

"I took care of him; he won't bother us anymore." said Walks-With-Trees as he embraced Sings-With-Passion.

"Thanks." was the reply, as she kissed him on the cheek.

Chapter XIII: More Social Occasions

The rest of that day was largely uneventful. The next morning Walks-With-Trees woke up and heard rain beating against the roof of the house. "Ah, good old Rain's Hand." he said with a smile. In fact, it was the fifth day of Rain's Hand, Walks-With-Trees' birthday. Sings-With-Passion woke up next, and said, "Happy Birthday, sweetie." as she gave him a kiss.

"Thanks, I'm 19 now, and I almost forgot. Must have been lasts night, huh?" said Walks-With-Trees with a smile. Sings-With-Passion said nothing, but only smiled.

"Well, I guess I get the day off, want to go for a walk?" asked Walks-With-Trees.

"Sure, where do you want to go?" asked Sings-With-Passion.

"Oh, out in the forest, there's a really nice spot I'd like to show you." said Walks-With-Trees.

"All right, I'll get dressed." said Sings-With-Passion.

"Okay, I'm going to go take a swim to get cleaned up." said Walks-With-Trees.

"I think I'll join you." said Sings-With-Passion.

After the two were done bathing and had gotten dressed, they headed out into the village. Walks-With-Trees laced her hand, and they walked cheerfully through the forest. It was not long before they had reached the spot Walks-With-Trees mentioned earlier. There was a large house built, and there was smoke rising from the chimney.

"Well, what do you think?" asked Walks-With-Trees with a big smile.

"It's great, but someone's house is in the way. Who lives there anyway?" asked Sings-With-Passion.

"We do." he replied.

"What? You mean---" she said, but she could not finish, because she was so excited.

"Yes, I built it, I had a little help from the Hist, but it's ours, we don't have to share the small house with your brothers anymore!" he said as he got almost as excited as Sings-With-Passion. "Come one, I'll show you the inside!" said Walks-With-Trees as he pulled Sings-With-Passion by the hand.

It was a comfortable house; this had padded furniture, unlike the wooden furniture seen in the village. It had a hearth with a chimney, and a second story. It had crystal clear water; it was taken from the Magic Lawn, it was a gift, given to Walks-With-Trees by Grandier for some kind of wedding present. (You see, in Argonia, when you show a female a house, it means you would like to live with them for life.) The yard was fenced in, and had trees scattered about along the fence line. The pool was a funny shape, rectangular, but with rounded sides, and a square that jutted out on one side. It was truly the nicest water in Tamriel. It made one feel not only refreshed, but strong and young.

After Walks-With-Trees had shown her the entire house, they sat down together on a bench. (This was kind of like a porch swing.) And held hands, and talked, they talked for hours about "life" stuff. You know, how many children they would have, and things like that. That night Walks-With-Trees invited all of his friends (He had made a few after defeating Fights-For-Glory.) to his birthday party, which was also going to be his wedding. You see, in Argonia, they don't dress up for weddings or anything; they just pick a nice social occasion to announce it, so as to get the word out.

Anyway, it was a great party; there were games, food, laughter, and all the necessities of a great party. After the party had ended, Walks-With-Trees and Sings-With-Passion retired to the bedroom, for an "after-party."

Chapter XIV: Troubling Times

That morning the two had found that they slept in. But, the sleep was heavenly, and they felt refreshed, and ready for the trials of the day. After they were both dressed and had eaten. (The meal was mainly of herbs.) They set out for the village, which was a good mile or so from their house. When they arrived at the city they were very frightened. The town lay in a smoldering ruin. There were dead bodies everywhere. Even the Hist lie dead among the ash. The raid must have happened not long after the two went to bed, for the people's bodies were still dressed in their party clothes; they must never have reached home. It was there that Sings-With-Passion saw her two brothers lying dead. They were in the middle of a circle; the outer circle being Dunmer

"No! How could this happen!" she cried as she ran to their side. Walks-With-Trees said nothing, but looked around in fear; as if he had seen these images before. He had; he had seen them in a dream the previous night. But the images were vague, and he just thought it to be a nightmare; when it was really a vision of the future. Sings-With-Passion lamented over her brothers. Walks-With-Trees walked over to the burned carcass of Grandier.

"Why? Why was I such a fool?" he asked himself. "I should have been training instead of celebrating. I did not practice my gifts, and now, look what they have done." he said. Walks-With-Trees now seemed like the most ashamed person on Nirn. "Everywhere I go --- I bring death and suffering." he said.

The next thing the couple knew was that Dunmer were coming back, they could hear the voices. They were yelling; giving each other directions. Walks-With-Trees and Sings-With-Passion ran back to their house, where they would make their final stand. They readied their armor, sharpened their weapons, and stood ready for the oncoming raiders.

"You know we will probably not survive this attack." said Sings-With-Passion.

"I know, so we must make it a good fight." replied Walks-With-Trees.

"Yes, make it worthy of all those who have already died." said Sings-With-Passion who was summoning all her bravery and courage.

"Yes, make it worthy of our families; make it worthy of the Hist." said Walks-With-Trees; who was awaiting battle eagerly.

They could now hear the voices again. They were coming up the path. It was only a few moments after they heard the voices that they saw an on going legion of Dunmer. They appeared to be mostly rogues, not high end warriors. But their numbers were many, too many for Walks-With-Trees or Sings-With-Passion to count. However, they were not thinking of how many there were; just how many they would slay. The legion caught sight of the house and immediately ducked and hid around; hoping they would take them by surprise, but Walks-With-Trees and Sings-With-Passion both saw them. Walks-With-Trees sounded a mighty horn of battle, and when the Dunmer heard it; they got up and ran toward the house. Walks-With-Trees and Sings-With-Passion both readied their spears, and took up ground in front of the house.

The Dunmer charged up the road. They broke against the combined power of Sings-With-Passion and Walks-With-Trees. However; there did not seem to be an end of the Dunmer; they just kept coming forward. Walks-With-Trees' style was more masculine than Sings-With-Passion's; he used large broad sweeps; some of these could take down multiple Dunmer at once. Sings-With-Passions used short, fast, sweeps, and quick lunges and stabs. The Dunmer used every sort of weapon imaginable: Pikes, halberds, brass knuckles, short swords, long swords, daggers, claymores, broadswords, whips, maces, clubs, and basically every weapon style known to Tamriel. The fight raged on and Sings-With-Passion and Walks-With-Trees got more powerful as they went on. The Dunmer however were not intimidated. They kept charging forward. This was when things started to go badly for the couple. A group of archers were now firing volleys at them. Walks-With-Trees was shot in the leg, although, it did not impale him; it just badly skinned his scales.At this he threw his spear at a Dunmer who was charging toward him with a mace. Walks-With-Trees grabbed a large shield, and brandished his katana. Sings-With-Passion did the same; except her shield was smaller and she used a tanto rather than a katana. The two could now block the majority of the arrows. Most of the arrows fell on to other Dunmer; thanks to the marksmanship of the archers.

For a very brief moment it appeared as if the two could actually win this fight. Then the more experienced Dunmer appeared; they were much more skilled, and much quicker. They were fast; especially for Dunmer. The two at first were pushed almost back to the front door of the house. When they felt that they were getting pushed back to far; they charged forward. Walks-With-Trees blocked an over-head attack from a Dunmer with a mace; he then cut the elf in the shin. The elf fell to the ground in pain; where Walks-With-Trees stabbed him through the heart. Sings-With-Passion was not faring as well. She was being overwhelmed by four experienced elves. At first she could manage them, but then they surrounded her. She was stabbed in the back of the knee. She fell to the ground in pain; when she cried for help, "Walks-With-Trees! Help!" she cried as loud as she could, while still trying to block the Dunmer attacks. Walks-With-Trees heard her cry for help, and he bolted to where she was. He cut the head off the first elf, stabbed the second through the heart, cut the third into two pieces, and cut the other one over the head, so that his brains were showing.

The Dunmer still charged forward. It was not much longer before the house was surrounded. The elves threw torches onto the house, and it went up in flames. Walks-With-Trees and Sings-With-Passion, though wounded and tired; would not give up their fight. They continued to battle on; until the last of the Dunmer were killed. When the battle was over, they threw down their weapons and embraced each other. But what happened next was the worst of all.

Chapter XV: The Final Battle

There was a Daedra walking over the hill. He was staring at Walks-With-Trees and Sings-With-Passion. The couple very quickly took up their spears from the bodies of the Dunmer and prepared for the fight of their lives. The Daedra walked very quickly, but very slowly all in one; it almost seemed as if he was gliding. It was not long before the Daedra stood a few feet away from them; it was here he stopped.

"My master wishes you dead, Argonian." he said in a deep, giant, voice.

"Why does your master seek us?" answered Walks-With-Trees bravely.

"It is not my duty to ask, but to do." the Daedra answered.

"Then who is your master, Daedra." asked Walks-With-Trees.

"Mehrunes Dagon." The beast replied.

"And what would your name be?" asked Sings-With-Passion.

"They call me Extrailia, Dagon's Fist." he replied.

"Let us fight, but leave the girl alone." Walks-With-Trees replied.

"Very well, I do not care about her." Extrailia replied.

With that; the battle began, and the Daedra picked up his sword and charged toward Walks-With-Trees. The first blow of the sword cut Walks-With-Trees' spear in two, and cut his chest. The Daedra then kicked Walks-With-Trees; this sent him flying backward. Sings-With-Passion then stood in between Walks-With-Trees and Extrailia.

"Fool, step aside unless you wish death." said Extrailia.

"I never agreed to stay out of this fight!" she said with a lot of bravery.

"Then die." replied Extrailia as he also snapped Sings-With-Passion's spear. He then back-handed Sings-With-Passion; this sent her to the ground abruptly.

Walks-With-Trees then charged toward Extrailia with his katana. This weapon withstood the blows, but the power of Extrailia made it hard for Walks-With-Trees to keep his balance. After five or six blows the katana began to crack, and on the seventh; it broke. Walks-With-Trees then threw what was rest of the blade; along with the handle at Extrailia. It struck him in the thigh, and dug deep through the armor, and into his black skin.

Then, without expression on his face, he pulled the blade out and simply dropped it. He then laughed at Walks-With-Trees' attempt.

"Foolish mortal, surely you underestimate Me." said Extrailia as he walked toward Walk-With-Trees. Sings-With-Passion then got back to her feet; she made sure to keep quiet so that the Daedra would not hear her.

"Ha! I do not underestimate you; it is you who underestimate us." said Walks-With-Trees as he kept walking backward. At that moment Sings-With-Passion jumped up, and came crashing down on the Daedra. She stabbed him in the neck; right between where the helmet and pauldrons meet. Extrailia stumbled; at that moment, Walks-With-Trees picked up a Steel Mace that had been lying in the hand of a Dark Elf. He charged for Extrailia, who was now facing the opposite direction. Walks-With-Trees' mace came smashing down on the back of the Daedra. Who then almost lost his footing, but at that he swung around fast, his sword cutting the arm of Walks-With-Trees, and sending Sings-With-Passion flying of his shoulders.

"You actually think you can beat me?" said Extrailia. "Fools, I will end you here." he said. Somehow, he pushed the tanto out of his neck, and it appeared as if he had not been injured.

"What, how!" said Walks-With-Trees. "I will show you magic, demon!" cried Walks-With-Trees. At this point Walks-With-Trees did not even really know what he was doing. He just chanted, "Saviel, Saviel, Saviel, help us, Saviel, Saviel." but it did not appear to be working.

"Ha! You call upon an old Hist for help? He does not come into Tamriel in these dying days, fool." laughed Extrailia.

"Saviel, Saviel, Saviel." Walks-With-Trees chanted. Then surprising for both sides, Walks-With-Trees eyes started to glow blue, when he opened his mouth, bright blue. He then started to levitate; up until he was a good two feet off the ground, and there he was suspended in mid-air. A powerful bright blue aura that was almost white now surrounded him.

"What, how can this be!" said Extrailia, who was surprised. "You're not the only ones here with power!" he said as he dropped his sword, and put his arms out to the side, so that he looked like a cross. "Meht-Ekem-Hekem-Roht-Yoodt-Neht-Ekem-Seht's Hefhed-Iya-Seht-Tayem!" shouted Extrailia, and suddenly red and black shot out of his being. And he grew larger and stronger.

Then, out of the blue aura was formed a katana, to this day Walks-With-Trees never found out what that sword was made of. It was physical, yet it was spiritual. It is indeed very difficult to describe things of the supernatural, but I will do my best. Then, came a broadsword of red and black, Extrailia brandished this sword, and challenged Walks-With-Trees. Sings-With-Passion could now not believe her eyes. She had to look away, because the colors were so bright. She had to go far away, so that she could not feel the burning heat. It seemed as if a powerful tornado was at the spot the two faced off.

Then, the two clashed all sorts of attacks and dodges ensued. This was certainly the greatest battle of the First Era. When the two clashed, bright white lightning struck the ground near them. It was as if Mehrunes Dagon and Saviel were fighting each other through Walks-With-Trees and Extrailia. The two then backed up, and charged up with all their might a power that to this day has not been seen by another in this pure of a form. It was as if this were pure magic, and that all types of magicka we know is child's play. The two charged up for this attack, then at once they both let out the magicka and all went white. Walks-With-Trees could see nothing, and he did not remember anything, except for being lifted up, but it was all white, and he could not see where he went. The same happened for Sings-With-Passion, she could see nothing, nothing except a sheet of whiteness.

Extrailia was taken through a gate of Oblivion; back to his world...for now.

Chapter XVI: Death is not the End

After Walks-With-Trees was conscious, he looked around and found himself in a beautiful garden. The land was very bright; he had to squint when he first "came to." The land had many trees and wildflowers. There was no on around that he could see.

"Where am I?" Walks-With-Trees pondered.

"You are in the Lands Beyond." replied a voice, who knew what Walks-With-Trees had thought.

"Saviel!" he said with a huge smile. Then he realized that he did not hiss.

"Yes, it is I." replied Saviel.

"I'm not hissing!" he shouted as he jumped up and down.

"No one does here." said Saviel.

"Wow, I didn't think you would help me back there for a moment." said Walks-With-Trees who was now relieved.

"Why did you doubt? Did I not say we would meet again?" said Saviel.

"Well...I don't know everything just seemed so bad, I was losing my faith in you." said Walks-With-Trees who was kind of embarrassed.

"But you did not lose faith, and that is why I could help you." replied Saviel.

"Now, what are talking about 'Lands Beyond'? And where's Sings-With-Passion?" asked Walks-With-Trees, as he started to look to and fro.

"She is here." said Saviel as he stepped aside, Walks-With-Trees could then see Sings-With-Passion walking over a hill, robed in white garments. As soon as the two caught eyes of each other, they ran toward each other and embraced.

"The Lands Beyond is where all people that believe in me go." said Saviel. "Come, let me show you to some people that you know." said Saviel as he turned and walked away over a hill. Then as they walked over the hill, they beheld a city of gold, diamonds, and pearls. No one could muster up enough power to say anything, but I can guarantee you that every single one of their jaws were dropped. Coming out of the city, and going up the hill, came Walks-With-Trees' mother and father.

"Mother, father!" cried out Walks-With-Trees as he went sprinting down the hillside; he took off so fast that he almost lost his footing on the way down.

"Son, it is so good to see you again!" said his mother, who like all mothers at these kinds of events had tears in her eyes.

"Son, you have made me very proud." said Walks-With-Trees' father who was now embracing Walks-With-Trees.

"But - I saw you - at the -" said Walks-With-Trees, but he was interrupted my Saviel.

"There is no need to talk of things that are past." he said with his low, deep, beautiful, voice. "Come, let us go into the city." he said.

The whole group walked down the hill toward the city. Walks-With-Trees was being shown around his family's estate, when Saviel pulled the sad, disappointed, Sings-With-Passion aside. He led her up to a hill, where the moon shined brightly. (There is a full moon every night in the Lands Beyond.)

"What troubles you, daughter?" asked Saviel.

"Well, every one is so happy, and I haven't seen my brothers." she said whimpering. Saviel then took a deep, sad, breathe.

"I tried to show your brothers the way, but they would not heed my words, and so I could not save them, and bring them to this place." He said with tenderness.

"Then...where are they?" she asked.

"A place far from here, a place of eternal evil and suffering." he said.

"How can I get there? I must help them!" she said and was now crying.

"I am very sorry, but one can not pass between those two places. A great veil separates them, none can cross it. Only I have ever crossed it, and only once...Come, Walks-With-Trees worries for you, we must go tell him that you will be all right." he said as he started to walk down the hill.

And with that, this story of Walks-With-Trees ends, but his true journey had just begun.