It had been almost two weeks since KaNack had made his fateful trip into Riften, and even though it was still haunting him in the back of his mind, he did his best to hide it from the other students. He continued to crack jokes, instigate arguments with J'Zargo, and study with Brelyna and the other female mages.

He didn't tell a soul what he had done or where he had been. He relied on the other apprentices to start spreading rumors instead. Anything was better than the truth. There was everything from KaNack making an amazing prison break from the stockades, to Ulfric Shouting the mage about the Palace of the Kings. Nothing changed the fact that the Argonian had been in prison, which some of the students found intriguing.

Word also spread about how KaNack stood up to the Windhelm guards and bravely insulted their jarl for the mistreatment of Argonians as well as the elves. Needless to say, the female elves found him all the more alluring.

J'Zargo stood off to the side of the courtyard, scowling in KaNack's general direction. Once again, he was surrounded by lovely female elves, who were praising him relentlessly. Onmund was to the cat's right.

"He's sure getting popular," the Nord muttered.

"This is ridiculous," the cat hissed. "I am top of my class, and can't get one of those High Elves to look at me. He gets arrested and suddenly the lizard's the big hero."

Brelyna sat on KaNack's right, and her best friend Brelas was to his left. All the other girls giggled as they insisted KaNack tell them again what happened in Windhelm.

"Well," KaNack answered as he wrapped an arm around Brelyna. "Back in Black Marsh, you are taught to always treat a lady with proper respect, no matter what her race or class. I was not going to just stand there and allow them to slander Brelyna as though they were better. They were not!" He pointed a claw in to the air. "The Nords had another thing coming if they thought they could continue their bigotry towards elves and get away with it!"

"Oh, please," snorted J'Zargo as he rolled his eyes.

"So I stepped right up to those two louts and DEMANDED that they apologize to Brelyna."

"I love this part," Brelas giggled as she looked over to her Dunmer friend.

"Those drunken idiots decided that they'd rather fight than simply admit that they were wrong, and BOOM!" he exclaimed throwing his hands up into the air, making the elves jump and begin laughing. The Argonian grinned and folded his arms proudly. "I left those two in a heap on the blacksmith's table. Perhaps they will think twice before insulting the next elf they come across."

All the girls applauded and continued to laugh.

"You are so full of it!" J'Zargo snarled as he stormed over to the Argonian. He had enough of KaNack's cocky attitude.

"Oh, here we go," the Wood Elf said with a huffed. "J'Zargo's got his fur in a wad again."

"What really happened?" the cat growled at KaNack. "There is no way you defeated two Nords with one single attack!" He stared at Brelyna. "Brelyna, tell J'Zargo the truth!"

"That's what happened!" she hissed. "I don't know why you are so upset about it. You were the one who refused to come along with us. Maybe if you did, three mages would have been enough to get those drunks to leave us alone."

All the elves concurred with the Dunmer and glared in J'Zargo's general direction.

"Yeah, you knew it was a dangerous place," hissed a High Elf. "Why didn't you go along?"

"J'Zargo…!" the cat couldn't finish his sentence. His ears folded back as he scowled at the Argonian. "Fine, let's say you did subdue the Stormcloak sympathizers," the cat growled. "That still doesn't explain what happened that night that made you cry like a little hatchling!"

"J'Zargo!" snapped Brelyna. "What is wrong with you?!"

KaNack's eyes narrowed as the Khajiit decided to point out his moment of weakness to make him look bad in front of the students. It was a cheap tactic, but an effective one.

"I told you already, I don't want to talk about it," the mage grumbled.

"What was it that was so bad? Hmmm?" the cat growled. "Did you do something illegal? Did someone do something to you? What happened before you returned to the Hall of Attainment?"

"None of your business, that's what!" KaNack snarled as he got to his feet, and stood so close that he was nose to nose with the cat. The two glared at each other hatefully. "What happened that night is my problem, so keep your twitchy little nose out of it!"

"And what if I don't?" the cat threatened. "What are you going to do about it? J'Zargo has ways of finding anything out."

"Good luck with that," the Argonian hissed.

"Hello?"

All the students turned around, and were surprised to see a courier standing in the entrance way to the courtyard. He had letter in his hand as he approached the group.

"I'm looking for an Argonian mage?"

"I'm the only Argonian here," KaNack replied, stepping away from J'Zargo. It was a good thing the courier came when he did. With the way J'Zargo was antagonizing him, it was only a matter of time before the lizard took a swing at him.

The courier handed the sealed envelope to the Argonian. "Got something here, for your eyes only."

"I thought the couriers refused to come to Winterhold because of the dragon," KaNack mentioned as he stared at the envelope in his hands. It was long and thin, and had just the words 'Argonian Mage' scribbled on it.

"Some cloaked fellow paid me a lot of septims to make sure that you got that letter," the courier answered. He then bid the students goodbye, and rushed off again. KaNack stared at the envelope in curiosity. The last time he received a letter like this, it had contained instructions on where he could find a Word of Power. It often happened when he Shouted somewhere he wasn't supposed to. This must be the result of him Shouting in Windhelm.

"What is it?" Brelyna asked. The other mages looked on in curiosity. Someone had paid a lot of money to make sure KaNack got the letter, and all of them were dying to find out what it was.

"Maybe it's from the Thalmor Embassy!" a High Elf exclaimed as she clasped her hands in excitement. "Perhaps they heard about how you stood up for our kind in Windhelm, and have invited you to a gala!"

"It could be from Ulfric Stormcloak, demanding your head on a platter," the Khajiit hissed as he kept his arms crossed.

"Shut up, cat," KaNack growled as he broke the seal from the letter, and opened it up. The Argonian almost dropped the piece of paper in shock. On the parchment was a single black hand print with only two words 'We Know'.

"KaNack?" Brelyna asked as she noticed the terror in the Argonian's eyes. "KaNack, what is it?"

"Hah! Told you it would be bad news!" J'Zargo laughed. "Who wants you dead, lizard?"

"Uhhhh," KaNack stumbled over his words. "I gotta go!"

The mage rushed past the students towards the Hall of the Elements. He practically flew down the stairwell that led to the Arcanaeum. Urag was at his desk, looking over some paperwork. Still clutching the letter in his hand, the Argonian scrambled to a halt in front of the Orc.

"Don't run in here!" Urag snapped. "You're going to damage something!"

"Dark Brotherhood," KaNack managed to wheeze out as he tried to catch his breath. The subject made the librarian's eyebrows rise.

"The what?"

"I need anything you have on the Dark Brotherhood!"

"The Dark…? Why on Tamriel would you want…?"

"Please!" the mage insisted. "It's important!"

"All right, all right," the Orc muttered as he motioned for the student to calm down. "Let me see what I have."

KaNack shoved the letter deep into his satchel as he leaned against the desk. If Argonians were able to sweat, the apprentice was sure he would be doing so by now. Soon, Urag returned with two small tomes in hand.

"We don't have much. There isn't much known about that particular cult," the Orc grumbled as he handed the books over.

"So the Dark Brotherhood is real?"

"Well, they were," Urag explained. "There isn't much talk about them nowadays." He narrowed his eyes suspiciously at the Argonian. "Why are you suddenly interested in the Dark Brotherhood?"

"Research project," KaNack answered quickly before he made his way over to a small table. He quickly opened one of the books and began skimming through it, he didn't have to get far before he found what he was looking for. There, in one of the first chapters, was the chilling hand print he had seen on the letter.

"The Black Hand," he whispered as chills crawled up his spine. "The insignia that represents the Dark Brotherhood." KaNack read further, and the stories were haunting. Methods of assassination, famous victims of the faction, and a rather gruesome tale of revenge, when one of the Dark Brotherhood's own betrayed the inner circle.

"KaNack?"

The Argonian slammed the book shut, and spun around. Brelyna had followed him down to the Arcanaeum, she had become quite worried when he had run off. She made her way over and took a seat next to him. The Argonian pushed the books to the side, and leaned over them so that she couldn't see what he had been researching. "What's wrong? What did the letter say?"

"Nothing, it was just a prank," the mage lied. "Some jerks from Black Marsh. They have a rather sinister sense of humor."

Brelyna leaned over to try and see what he was hiding, but couldn't manage to get a clear look at the either of the tomes' titles. She sighed sadly as she placed a hand on his. "KaNack, why don't you trust me enough to tell me the truth?"

Her words hurt the Argonian deeply. As hard as it was, he just couldn't keep lying to the Dunmer. The mage gradually moved his arms away so that she could see the two books he had been hiding.

"The Dark Brotherhood?" she asked. "Wasn't that a group of assassins a few hundred years ago?"

"Yeah, like I said," he whispered as he pulled out the letter from his satchel and gave it to her. "They have a sick sense of humor."

Brelyna looked at the chilling message and clasped a hand to her mouth in horror. "KaNack, you have to tell the Arch Mage about this! This is a threat!"

"No, it's a joke!" he insisted, more for his own sake then Brelyna's. "Like you said, the Dark Brotherhood hasn't been around for a hundred years. The worshipers of Sithis are just a legend now." It took a lot of effort on his part, but he managed to smile at her. "There is no such thing as the Dark Brotherhood. I just got a little caught up in the moment. Everything is fine."

The Dunmer was unconvinced, but in the end it was KaNack's business, and if he didn't want to bring this forth to Savos, then that was his choice. The Argonian leaned over and kissed her gently on her forehead, before pulling her into an embrace.

"Thank you for caring though," he whispered to her lovingly. Brelyna hugged him tighter, but she was unable to see the look on KaNack's face. His eyes were wide and he felt a lump in his stomach. The Dark Brotherhood did in fact exist, and they were coming for him.


It had been five days since the Dark Brotherhood had sent their message to the Argonian, and five days since he had slept. KaNack didn't dare fall asleep when an assassin could be waiting around any corner, ready to slit his throat.

This lack of rest did not go unnoticed by the others. The Argonian was starting to arrive late to lectures, and fumbling on the very basics of casting. He had tried his best to hide his exhaustion, but everyone in school knew that he was avoiding bed, they just didn't know why.

"KaNack!" Faralda snapped, making the Argonian jump from his spot on the stairs. He had just dozed off for a moment in Destruction class, and that was something that the High Elf would not tolerate. "Sorry to disturb your beauty rest. If you don't mind, how about coming up to the front and showing us a fire bolt."

"Fire bolt?" he asked.

"That is what we have been working on all week," Faralda muttered as she rested her hands on her hips. "You have been reading the tome, haven't you?"

KaNack had been so tired; he could barely comprehend the instructions of the fire bolt tome that Faralda had handed out to the class the previous week. A few students snickered as the Argonian struggled to his feet, and made his way to the emblem engraved into the floor.

"Concentrate," the High Elf snapped.

KaNack could feel all eyes staring into him. He was so tired, but so scared. He couldn't let his guard down for a second. The Dunmer back in Windhelm had warned him about how relentless these cutthroats were. It would only be a matter of time before he met his grizzly end.

The Argonian got into casting position, and concentrated as a ball of flame started to form in his hands.

"Good," started Faralda. "Good. Get a good charge, and then release."

KaNack tried to hurl the bolt forward, but the flame barely got two feet in front of him before it fizzled to the ground before him. The whole class began roaring with laughter, and some even began applauding.

"The Lizard Wizard strikes again!" J'Zargo howled as he slapped his knee repeatedly in amusement. "All fear his might!"

KaNack was too tired to even feel embarrassed, too tired to even think of a clever comeback. He groaned and lowered his head to the ground.

"Okay! Everyone calm down!" the instructor barked at her students as she made her way to KaNack. She placed a hand on his shoulder. The Argonian saw that she was not angry, but concerned.

"Is everything alright?" she whispered to him. "This isn't like you."

"Sorry, Faralda," he mumbled weakly. "I haven't been doing very well the last few days."

"I can see that. Maybe you should leave class and go get some rest. The others can help you catch up later."

"NO!" KaNack cried, suddenly getting a second wind. The idea of being by himself was enough to have his adrenaline kick in. "No," he repeated more calmly. "Everything is fine; I'm just having an off day."

"If you insist, take your seat.

Relieved, KaNack returned to the steps and plopped back down next to the other apprentices.

"Oh, is the widdle hatchling afwaid to be awone?" J'Zargo purred in false sympathy.

"To Oblivion with you, J'Zargo," KaNack grumbled as he rested his head on his hands, and tried to focus on the rest of the lecture.

After class, the rest of the students returned to the Hall of Attainment to socialize and practice some minor casting spells. KaNack sat on the edge of his bed and stared out at the others who were laughing as they cast magelight and other illumination magic. As long as he could see the others, he knew that they could see him. That meant that no one could get the jump on him without the rest of the apprentices noticing.

The Argonian swayed slightly, but shook his head to try and hold off sleep. He smiled sadly as Brelyna appeared, carrying a small chalice.

"Hey, I thought I'd bring you a little something," she sat down next to KaNack and offered it to him. "Here, drink it while it's still fresh."

The mage sniffed at the liquid. He could pick of faints hints of honey and snowberries.

"What is it?"

"Just a little concoction I made up," she answered sweetly. "You've been under so much stress lately; I thought I'd make you a treat." She then tapped at his hands. "Go on! I want to see what you think!"

KaNack put the chalice to his lips and began to swallowing the liquid. It was sweet and savory, and felt like silk going down his throat. He let out a loud sound of satisfaction and then smiled at her.

"It was good."

"You really think so?" she asked as she beamed at him. "I've been working so hard at my alchemy skills."

Hearing this, the Argonian suddenly froze and stared at the empty chalice. Almost immediately his eyes began to feel heavy.

"Brelyna," he whispered in a haunting tone. "What did you give me?"

"Please don't be mad!" she cried. "You've just been so tired lately, and I hate to see you suffer like this! It's only a tiny sleeping potion! I gave you just enough so that you'll feel better once you're awake!"

"A sleeping….A what?!"

KaNack tried to stand out of the bed, but his muscles refused to comply. He fell backwards onto the bed as his body suddenly felt very heavy.

"I'm doing this in your best interest," the Dunmer insisted. "You'll thank me when you wake up feeling refreshed."

"Brelyna," he struggled to get out. "Don't…."

He wanted to say 'leave me alone', but he had passed out before he managed to finish the statement.


KaNack groaned as he slowly began to wake up. He rubbed at his head and arched his back in a stretch. As his eyes opened however, he was anything but content. He was no longer in the Hall of Attainment, but a dark and dank cabin. His body shuddered as the realization hit him.

"You sleep rather soundly for a killer," a feminine voice stated rather abruptly.

The Argonian spun around. On the top of a large bookshelf, was a Nord, clad in black and red armor. A cloaked hood hid all but her eyes as she gazed down at the mage. A single leg dangled and gently swung back and forth, almost playfully, as she stared at him.

"We were growing very impatient as we waited for a good time to meet with you. How ironic that it was your girlfriend that gave us the advantage we needed. You trusted her and she poisoned you, I'd hate to think what would happen if you ever crossed her." She chuckled and rested her chin on her hand as she leaned against the wall.

"How sad for you; such a sucker for a pretty face." She then shook her head as she gleamed down as the reptile. "We're not here to talk about your petty relationship issues though. We need to talk business." She made a gesture for him to approach her. "Come closer, I don't bite."

"Who are you?" KaNack asked nervously as he got to his feet and wobbled. He was still slightly affected from the elixir that Brelyna had given him. "Where am I?"

"Neither matters right now," she answered simply. "You're warm and alive. Not everyone is that lucky, but you know that all too well. Don't you, Argonian?" she snickered.

KaNack's heart sank. The Dark Brotherhood had come for him at last. The mage very cautiously approached the assassin as she continued to sway her leg.

"Then, you know about Grelod?"

"Everyone knows about Grelod, silly boy," she laughed sweetly. "Let's face it, the bat had it coming. Trust me; no one is worse off without the presence of that woman. We do have a problem though."

"Problem?" the mage gulped.

"That kill of yours? That was not your life to take. It belonged to the Dark Brotherhood. We aren't mad, it was a clean kill, and you managed to get out without drawing any of the guards attention, despite the children's' shouting." The Nord laughed quietly to herself before continuing. "One does not simply take a contract from the Dark Brotherhood for free though; you need to compensate us for your interference."

"Compensate? If it's pay, that kid said that he'd give you the money for the job. I'm sure he'll offer it up if you just tell him Grelod is dead."

The comment made the woman release another chuckle as she shook her head. This did nothing for the mage's nerves. "Oh, but you are too precious. I'm afraid we don't want money. A life for a life, that's the rule."

KaNack stiffened and he got into a casting position as he prepared to defend himself. This made the woman laugh even louder. "Cute, very cute. Lower your hands, lizard. It's not your life we are after."

The Argonian got out of the position and stared up at her in confusion. She outstretched her arm, and pointed to an area in the very back. "Cast a light back there if you will, dear."

KaNack was slightly nervous, but he took aim and shot his magelight towards the back of the cabin. As soon as the area was lit up, the reptile's stomach dropped. Three hooded and bound beings were lined up at the end of the cabin.

"One of these poor sods has a contract for their life. Which one do you think it is? Choose carefully."

The Argonian spun back to the Nord, glaring at her furiously.

"I'm not going to kill anyone! I didn't want to kill Grelod in the first place! It was an accident!"

"Was it?" the assassin purred. "We've been observing you closely Argonian. Ever since you killed Grelod, your personality went from satisfaction to that of pent up frustration." KaNack could tell she was smiling behind her shroud.

"Admit it. When you killed that old woman, all your troubles seemed to go away. You felt relieved. Finally, there had been an outlet for that temper of yours. It seems that killing is in your very nature. In fact, you apparently need to kill in order to function properly."

"You don't know me at all," KaNack hissed as he stormed to the door. He tried to open it, but it was locked.

"Uh, uh, uh!" she chastised him. "I told you, you owed us a life. Now, stop stalling. Oh, and please don't try that trick of yours to unlock the door. I'm sure it's far too advanced for a minor spell like that to work on it."

The Nord spoke the truth; the spell that KaNack had used on the Aretino residence only worked on the most simple of locks.

"All it takes is one, small, insignificant life, my dear. Take as long as you want to make your decision, I've got all the time in the world."

The Argonian groaned, and held his head low as he made his way to the back where the three captives were being held.

"Hello?" the male called out. "I know someone is there! I heard you! Please, I haven't done anything wrong! I beg you! Don't kill me!"

"I can't do this!" KaNack shouted back at the assassin.

"Stop being such a child!" she hissed at him. "You've killed before, now do it again! Eliminate the contracted life!"

"Whoever that is, it sounds like we can be reasonable," snickered the Khajiit. He was the one at the very far right. The cat seemed far too calm for his predicament. "Tell you what, let me go and maybe my friends won't gut you like a horker in your sleep."

"Are you seriously threatening me when your life is on the line?" the Argonian asked in disbelief. This only caused the bound Khajiit to chuckle wickedly.

"This won't be the first time I've cheated death," he hissed. "You have to ask yourself, is this Khajiit worth the risk of killing?"

The Argonian shuddered, and then turned his attention to the final captive in the middle. Judging by her body, she appeared to be middle aged.

"Who are you?" he asked her gently.

"Excuse me?!" the woman shouted, catching the mage by surprise. "What kind of a question is that? None of your damned business! I have a hundred things to do, and talking with a babbling idiot isn't one of them."

Hearing her brash voice took away all of KaNack's anxiousness, and once again he felt annoyed.

"You're a Nord, aren't you?" he grumbled.

"What do you think genius?" she snapped at him.

KaNack could hear the assassin chuckling behind him. This was amusing her to no end.

"Quiet, woman! You're going to get us killed!" the man cried out in fear.

"Grow a backbone!" she snapped back. "This moron isn't going to kill anyone! Didn't you hear him earlier? He doesn't have the guts."

"I do have guts," KaNack growled as a strange feeling of aggression came over him. "I see you do as well. Would you care if I spilled them all over the floor?"

This made the assassin in the back laugh even louder. The Argonian took a step back, and was shocked at himself. Did he really just say that?

"Hah, hah," the Khajiit chuckled. "It sounds like he means business, missy. Perhaps you should start thinking before you speak."

"I'm not afraid of him!" she snarled. "You listen to me, whoever you are! You'd better untie me right now!"

"I am starting to think yours is the life with a contract bound to it," the mage grumbled. "Is there anyone who might possibly want you dead? Perhaps your husband?"

This made the Khajiit laugh wickedly. "Ah, my friend, you are quite the devil, aren't you? Perhaps we can work something out between us. You'd fit in perfectly amongst my associates."

"How dare you!" the woman snarled. "I swear, if I didn't have this thing on my head, I'd spit right in your face!"

"You're definitely a Nord," KaNack growled as he started to lose his patience.

"No! I happen to be an Imperial, you thick louse! What are you?" she snapped.

"I can be either your salvation or your end. That all depends on you," the Argonian answered. "Now, I will only ask you one more time." KaNack got down to a knee so that he was face-to-face with the hooded woman. "Would…Someone…Pay…To…Have…You…Killed?"

"I have children to feed and no husband to help me! Stop wasting my precious time!" she shouted back at the Argonian. "Get these damned things off me now, you brainless oaf!"

KaNack had enough. Suddenly, his anger took over and a wicked smile came across his face.

"You have children to feed?" he snickered to her. "I'll be sure to send them a condolence basket of cheeses."

Having said his peace, KaNack leaped to his feet and got into a casting position. It took but a moment to charge up his fire bolt, and release it right into the torso of the bound woman. She crashed into the back of the wall and crumbled into a lifeless heap.

"Did you hear that, friend?" the Khajiit laughed. "Sounds like you and Vasha will live to see another day. It just goes to show how far a civil tongue can take you!"

KaNack released a deep and slow breath in relief. Suddenly he once again felt at peace, and all the anger that had built up within him washed away like cool water. He turned around and made his back to the assassin.

"The feisty goodwife, she had quite a mouth on her," the assassin commented as her eyes beamed with pride at the Argonian. "Someone must have wanted her dead, hmmm?"

"Was she the one with the contract?" KaNack asked.

"Does it matter?" the assassin asked as she playfully began using her finger to draw in the dust coating the wall next to her. "You obviously wanted her dead, and now she is."

"I did what you asked. You told me to kill, and I killed." He turned back and noticed the two remaining prisoners. "What's going to happen to them?"

"Don't worry; they'll be perfectly taken care of."

KaNack was slightly sick to his stomach with how he had suddenly changed into such a different creature when given the task of killing one of the three captives. He had gone from having no desire to end anyone's life, to taking a vicious glee in doing so. Letting his temper get the best of him seemed to bring out the very worst in him. The sooner he put all this behind him, the better.

"Can I leave now?"

"Of course," she answered sweetly as she produced a key. "You fulfilled your debt in full." She started to hand it to KaNack, but pulled it away at the last second as the mage reached for it. "Why does it have to stop here though? I see promise in you, my dear. You could become quite the asset to our little family."

"I'm going to become a mage, not an assassin," the reptile growled at the woman bitterly.

"Why not be both? We have two mages in our sanctuary already. One of them is a little golden in years, but he could train you. He could teach you things that that precious school of yours would not dare."

"The College of Winterhold is the best school of magic in all of Tamriel!" the Argonian announced proudly. "Nothing he could offer could possibly match up to the education I am receiving there!"

"Come now, dear," she purred, leering down at the reptile. "I saw you just now. You've got the killer instinct. You struggle in that school because deep within you desire to take lives. It's like an itch that you dare not scratch. The Dark Brotherhood can give you all the lives you need to quench your thirst for blood."

"Please, give me the key," KaNack said softly.

The assassin rolled her eyes, and handed the small key down to the Argonian.

"Such a shame. Well, when you are through being in denial, feel free to come join us. Despite your hesitation, the offer will always stand." The woman finally leaped down from the book shelf, and stared at the Argonian with piercing ice blue eyes.

"Seek out our sanctuary in Falkreath, deep within the Pine Forest. There you will find a black door. Simply state the answer 'Silence, my brother', and you shall be allowed in." She was close enough that the reptile could tell she was grinning wickedly under her cloak. "Then the fun will really begin." She gently ran a finger along the mage's chin. "And you, my sweet cold-blooded killer, will finally know a peace and satisfaction that only we can offer."

She took a few steps back, and pointed to the door.

"We took the liberty of bringing your horse here with us. No sense in wearing yourself out, by walking all the way back. Head northeast and you should manage to find your way back to that school of yours."

She folded her arms, and had a playful yet malicious look in her eyes. "Oh, and in the future, always check what you are drinking carefully. You don't want to fall for the same trick twice, now do you?" She laughed softly. "I am sure you and your Dunmer lover will have a LOT to talk about when you get back."

KaNack grumbled deep in his throat as he unlocked the cabin's door, and exited the terrible place. True to the assassin's word, Atronach was outside the structure waiting for him.

He gentle took a hold of her mane and nuzzled into her warm neck. She nickered softly as the mage stroked her. He needed to express some form of tenderness before he could continue any further. Anything to try and convince himself that what had happened in that haunting shack was just a horrible nightmare.

The Argonian then mounted his steed and urged her forward. He didn't know how far he was from the school; all he knew was that there was nowhere else he'd rather be at that moment.