Antonio and Fjorkvar reached Bruma where they were greeted by two Khajiits, neither parties exchanged greetings they just climbed off and the Khajiits took over. Now standing on the road which he took so long ago to head into Skyrim he turned to Antonio looking for an answer to what happens now, but Antonio just kept walking.
The entire walk to Chorrol felt like it took years to take, Antonio the whole way was silent, making no attempt to converse, Frjorkvar couldn't tell if he was just enjoying the scenery or he had annoyed him. Seeing the stone walls of Chorrol, Fjorkvar felt he should have some sense of feeling that this is home, yet it was just another city that he once lived in. As the two strolled up the path leading to another path that heads to the gates Fjorkvar began to turn in but Antonio kept walking.
"Hey, where are you going? Chorrol is this way" Fjorkvar shouted
Antonio just kept walking on. Fjorkvar ran up to him
"Chorrol is that way." Fjorkvar said pointing towards the city.
Antonio stopped taking a deep breath.
"At what point did I say we are heading into Chorrol? We are heading up there." Antonio replied pointing towards the castle at the end of the path
This castle was one that Fjorkvar was always told to stay away from growing up, while he never got a reason why the town folk would always say that it was home to the undead. As they walked up the path reaching the entrance way, Antonio kept walking towards the front door, hesitantly Fjorkvar followed.
He made his way into the middle of the grounds he looked around seeing how perfectly clean the outside was, how could something undead really live here? No sooner he admired the castle grounds he saw a familiar horse.
"Shadowmere?"
Fjorkvar ran up to his horse, but she took no notice of him. Antonio looked over at him and shaked his head.
"Over here now."
Fjorkvar couldn't understand what he had done to either Shadowmere or Antonio to make them upset with him but his fascination with finally finding out who lived in this castle outweighed his curiosity to why his companion was being short with him.
Fjorkvar made his way over to Antonio who was waiting at the front door. Antonio about to knock the door suddenly stopped
"Dragonborn, you are about to meet a man who is very short tempered. I have had many conversations with him and like me he will know anything and everything about you. But for the moment I ask that you do not say a word, nod if you agree."
Fjorkvar nodded yet Antonio didn't even check. He just opened the door and walked in. Fjorkvar couldn't believe it, for a castle that was supposedly haunted or inhabited by the undead it was well kept. Antonio walked through the entrance into the middle of the next room, Fjorkvar followed once there he was greeted by 7 statues of stone men covered in armour, many of these types he had seen before slightly altered but at the end standing alone stood this strange gold and black armour, Fjorkvar admired the craftsmanship. He reached out to touch it and a voice echoed through the hall
"And so the Nerevar Reincarnate returns, it has been too long my friend."
Fjorkvar turned to see a Redguard standing above wearing rather lavish clothes.
"I am not surprised to see the killer of Gods standing side by side with the most important mortal alive today. You come to me to ask for my arm in a war that will finally tear this land apart. But am I so rude as to not introduce myself to our new friend here. I am Saladin Musashi former prisoner of Uriel Septim VII, protector of Martin Septim, the 7th Champion of Cyrodill, the Second Divine Crusader, Hero of Kvatch and at one point the Mad Prince himself Sheogorath but I am not quite sure of that. While we both have many questions to ask each other Dragonborn, only one at the moment comes to mind, please explain to me how you came to acquire the services of my horse? "
Fjorkvar was visibly puzzled, he looked over to Antonio
"I did not ask him Dragonborn I asked you. That man had never even seen a horse before visiting Cryodiil. But I ask again how did you come to have my horse all the way up there in Skyrim?"
Fjorkvar couldn't really explain how he got Shadowmere, so instead he brought forward his Spectral Assassin to answer the question posed to him. Upon entering the mortal realm the Spectral Assassin looked around
"I come to you Listener from the Void."
The Spectral Assassin turned to see Saladin standing above.
"How strange, to be in the presence of two Listeners. Truly this is an honour. But there is one among us who is the sworn enemy an agent of the Morag Tong."
Fjorkvar didn't really understand, turning towards Antonio, than to Saladin and back to the Spectral Assassin.
"Lucien it is good to see you again master." Saladin spoke with a tender voice
"I am no longer your master Listener; I am but a humble servant to our Night Mother's new Listener."
Saladin bowed his head.
"I am truly sorry Lucien for what happened. Understand that I could not get to Applewatch any sooner then I did." Saladin expressed with sorrow.
"You have no need to feel apologetic; the Dredd Father holds no grudges. Although I cannot say the same for Mathieu Bellamont" Lucien responded with a hint of happiness.
Saladin raised his head locking eyes with Fjorkvar.
"Now I understand, Shadowmere, was a gift. Passed on to you has he was to me. It would seem there are still many secrets I am to uncover about you, brother. You are welcome to stay here. I only ask one request; please allow me some time to indulge myself in conversation with my former mentor."
Fjorkavr didn't even take a moment to think it over. He just nodded and with that Lucien made his way up the stairs and followed Saladin into a door to the left of them.
Antonio walked over to the golden armour next to Fjorkvar, taking a moment to also enjoy the fine craftsmanship.
"Well that couldn't have gone any better, right Dragonborn?" Antonio said with a sarcastic tone.
Fjorkvar just shook his head, letting out a slight chuckle.
Antonio continued "I see you are quite fond of this armour, would it surprise you if I said this suit is only made for the Emperors of Tamriel, and that Saladin is the exception to this rule."
Fjorkavr not really paying attention just nodded in agreement.
"Maybe one day Dragonborn, you too will wear this armour."
Fjorkavr just nodded again. Antonio walked off leaving Fjorkavr alone when he came to the realisation of what Antonio just said to him.
"Wait, what?" he said in a state of horror while trying to catch up with Antonio to get some answers.
