Bittneld and the Chorrol guards returned after two hours, with four Battlehorn Knights, all clad completely in steel armor. The sun was high in the sky when Bittneld stepped up on the well for the second time. He looked around at the group of fighters, obviously displeased with the fighting force. Bittneld order all the fighters to put their names, and if their fighting background on a piece of parchment that he passed around, it read:

Bittneld the Curse-Bringer

Lum gro-Baroth, Fighters Guild, Warder rank

Kurz gro-Baroth, Fighters Guild, Warder rank

Vilena Donton Fighters Guildmaster

Viranus Donton, Fighters Guild, Swordsman rank

Will Fredrick, Fighters Guild Porter, Protector rank

Sabine Laul, Fighters Guild Smith, Protector rank

Frank, Chorrol Guard

Dave, Chorrol Guard

Gerry, Chorrol Guard

Jake, Chorrol Guard

Honditar, Scout

Angalmo, Mages Guild Alchemist, Evoker rank

Athragar, Mages Guild, Evoker rank

Contumeliorus Floris, Mages Guild, Evoker rank

Teekeeus, Mages Guild leader

Valus Odiil, Warrior

Rallus Odiil, Warrior

Antus Odiil, Warrior

Reynald Jemane, Warrior

Gaturn gro-Gonk, ex-fighters guild member

Sefirandio, Warrior, once royal bodyguard

Freidir, Spellsword, Skingrad Mages Guild

Otis, Battlehorn Knight

Victor, Battlehorn Knight

Shagrol gro-Uzug, Battlehorn warrior

Herald, Battlehorn Knight

Anthon, Battlehorn Castellan

Jauffre

Gureryne Selvilo, Healer

Chanel, Castle Mage

Rasheda, Smith

"Good," Bittneld says, looking over the list. "I'm glad we have you smiths, and the healer. Now, we'll be staying here all of today, and we will leave at sunrise tomorrow, so rest up, in the chapel and in the main building. "I need a small group of fighters to go to all of the small settlements close by. The building Weatherleah is empty, but the small town Hackdirt, Gottlesfont Priory, and Brindle home are, as far as we know, still occupied. I need volunteers. It is noon, if we hurry, we'll make it back by dark, best I figure, only the zombies can be out in the day, the vampires come out at night only,"

"Of course it's us," Sef says, walking away from the priory with Otis, Freidir, and Bittneld.

"Hackdirt," Bittneld mutters as the group approaches a small settlement. There were many buildings, perhaps five, including a chapel to the south. "Alright, let's split up, Dunmer, take the inn and that house, Thief, take… whatever, Otis, you're with me,"

"Bastard," Freidir mutters, approaching a shop.

Twenty minutes pass and Sef meets Otis and Bittneld in the town square. "Where's Freidir?" Sef asks Otis.

"Ah, shit," Otis replies, pointing his sword over the dark elf's shoulder. Sef turns to see Freidir being held by a shirtless imperial, holding a club against the Bosmer's neck. Behind the Imperial stood four more shirtless imperials, all holding clubs.

"Alright, no need to do anything you might regret," Sef says, undoing his belt, letting his sword and dagger fall to the dirt. Then he pulled his bow off his back, dropping that as well. "I'm not armed," Sef says, removing his helmet. He steps towards the imperials. "Please, release my friend,"

"No, not with that guard here, our town won't burn again!" The imperial holding Freidir shouts, then he swings his club, and it connects with the Bosmer's temple. Freidir collapses in the dirt and lies there, still. Sef turns to get back to his weapons, and as his back turns, then a sharp pain in his head then, nothing.

Otis readies his sword next to Bittneld. "This is bullshit," The captain of the Chorrol guard mutters. "Dumbass elves," Then the lead imperial raises his club and the others do the same, and in unison they charge. Bittneld, with his steel claymore, stabs the lead man, then spins in a full circle, chopping of the second man's head. Otis stabs his blade into a large-eyed man in the throat, covering Otis's cuirass in blood. The Battlehorn Knight looks to see Bittneld snapping one of the imperials knees sideways, then silences him with his large claymore. Otis ducks under the last man's swing, and from his knees stabs the man in the chest.

Alright, let's hurry with these last two settlements, it took an ass-long time to wake you guys up," Bittneld says as the group heads south.

The group walks up to Brindle home, a small house next to a stable. As they got closer Sef noticed the horses. Three horses lay dead in a huge pool of blood. "Shit," Sef says jogging up to the house. He knocks quickly on the door. He tries to open the door and finds it locked. "It's safe; you can open the door,"

"How do we know you aren't a vampire?" A voice shouts back from through the door.

"Its daytime, the sun is still up," Sef shouts back.

"Bullshit!" The voice shouts back.

"Screw this," Bittneld says kicking open the door. He begins to step into the house when an arrow connects with his chest.

"By the Nine, Torbal, it is daytime," Says a different voice, a woman. Then the woman, an Altmer, comes through the door and kneels next to Bittneld. While she comforts the guard, two more people come through the door. The one Sef assumes is Torbal walks out carrying a bow, several iron arrows in a quiver on his back. He is a gray haired Nord clad in leather armor, the other, another Altmer, this one a balding male, carrying a small axe.

"Is he gonna live?" Freidir asks, not actually concerned.

"I don't know," The woman replies. "No one has any healing potions, so either I wrap him up or we take him to Gottlesfont. At the chapel he can pray to be healed,"

"Okay," Otis says. "Let's get him there fast,"

"Agreed," Freidir says, summoning Balas to carrying the downed guard.

The group walks into the chapel to see two women praying at the altar. The women both quickly stand and look at the group. "Who are you?" One of the women asks.

"We are here to get you, but first, our guard needs help," Otis says gesturing to Bittneld, whom Balas is carrying.

"Of course," the woman says, moving to the side, gesturing for her friend to follow.

"Can't…pray," Bittneld mutters. "The things I've done to Bosmers…" He coughs, blood trickling out of the corner of his mouth. "Three thieves, all Wood elves, came to my…my dad's store one night. They started… looting the place and they woke up my dad. He… went down to the store and they… killed him. I've done too much to receive a blessing. I went to the prison, and killed 'em all. I've treated all Wood Elves just like those thieves. I'm so sorry, Freidir,"

"You had every reason to hate those mers," Freidir replies. "And I understand how the hate could've spread to all Bosmers. I forgive you Bittneld, and I'm sure the Nine will as well," With that the little elf lead Balas and Bittneld past the pews and up to the altar. Balas gently placed Bittneld before the altar, helping him to him knees. Then the daedra turned to Freidir.

"Please," He said in his hissing voice. "Call me back from Oblivion after the guard's blessing is complete, for if I stay here, the Nines' power will destroy me,"

"See you in a moment, my friend," The Bosmer says sending Balas back to Oblivion.

"Please," Bittneld mutters from the kneeling position. "Forgive me," Tears roll down his cheeks, though Sef could not know if because of the pain or the guilt. Then a large flash of light fills the chapel, knocking the captain on his back.