Disclaimer: I do not own Oblivion, its NPCs, or its plotlines.


I sheathed my sword and switched to spells as soon as I was through the door and had entered the interior corridors. I was seeing mostly scamps and more fire daedra, so I pulled a few freezing spells from the depths of my training and managed to fire off several rounds across the room before the creatures detected me.

Time seemed to slow itself as I picked my way amongst the dead bodies of more soldiers; the count's personal guard had failed in their task to keep their lord safe. I wondered if they would find redemption in an afterlife, if they even believed in such things. And now their only hope of salvation rested upon the shoulders of a jaded, dispassionate Nord- and a woman. If they can see me from whatever afterlife they believed in, it must be a bitter sight for them, I thought. I raised my hands not only to defend myself against the remaining daedra but also to block the sight of the men from my eyes.

I did not trust myself not to lose my mind amongst the carnage. I wondered if that was how Martin had felt- especially once he'd realized that it had happened because of him. It was no wonder he slept so ill at night- why he had no desire to protect himself- why someone else had to fight for him, for now. He might've given himself up to the creatures, otherwise.

I wondered at myself as well…it was not like me to feel the loss of life so deeply. It wasn't how I was built and yet here I was, in tears over these men like they had been my brothers. In part, I knew, because they were important to Martin. He had loved Kvatch; had loved the new life it had granted him; had loved the people. He would have wept for them, if he could have been there beside me.

I swore under my breath and threw another spell out before sliding my hip dagger in between the last daedra's ribs…if it even had them. Although the heat from its flame burned my hand, I twisted the now red hot metal further in and felt the life of the creature go out before I tore my trembling hand away and let the beast fall to the ground. Its body still shimmered uncertainly with dying flames. I kicked at its body once, viciously, then ripped what was left of the door to Count Goldwine's chamber off its hinges. The count's body greeted me, lying face down on the floor, still dressed in a rich robe, still covered in his jewels and regality. It made me sick. These creatures; they killed for the pleasure of it- not because they were after something- not because they wanted power or money. They killed because they could. And they had destroyed Martin's city in spite of him not even being there. They had continued to kill. I was glad Martin could not see this; I would not tell him of the fate of Kvatch. I would not wish him to know.

And there, standing amidst the smoking rubble of rafters, tapestries, and what was once a very large, very old canopied bed, I registered why I could not hold myself together long enough to do my bloody job.

Then, because I could not bear to voice it aloud- even now, the words hurt my heart so deeply- I grimaced to keep the tears inside and scooped up the Count's broken body.

If I could not deliver the whole, living man, I was not going to let his body burn along with his castle. Savlian would not accept just his ring as proof of his death, either. I knew that full well. The man believed in the salvation of his city too much. It was all he had left. He would cling to it unless I could make him see- and even then, it would inspire hope. Still, I was afraid I would only be delivering one broken man to another.

I arrived back out in the hall, the count's body looking considerably better than it had, but my heart still beat quickly in my chest. I had attempted to clean him up some- the smudges of ash no longer lined his face and his eyes were closed now, instead of staring, horrified, glassy, at nothing. I looked up from his face as I descended the stairs and gazed across the room to Savlian.

I couldn't quite make out his face for the smoke that still lingered in the room, but I saw him take a few steps towards me, hopeful, until I got closer. His face fell and drew itself into a tight expression. It was unreadable and I sighed to myself as I neared him.

"Savlian," I began, but he cut me off. I could see the men gathering about one another. So. He'd used my potions like I'd asked him to. That was something; at least now they wouldn't be with protection or order.

"Was he dead when you found him?" he asked me. I nodded and laid the body down on what was left of a table. It would do for a funeral pyre for now. Then I drew the count's robe up across his face.

I looked back to Savlian and could tell he was struggling with what I had done. I turned to him and held out my armored hand.

"Here," I murmured. He held out his own and I dropped the count's ring into his open palm. "I am sorry, Savlian. There was nothing I could do."

"No- because haven't you done enough already?" he lashed out at me, anger rippling across his face. His hand clenched about the ring and he snarled at me. "Why didn't you come earlier? We could have-"

I cut him off. "We couldn't have done anything!" I yelled at him. "There was nothing to be done- nothing," I paused to take a breath. I did not want to fight with this man. He had been through too much already. "Savlian, he was finished before I got there. I am sorry I was too late. Please, forgive me my harsh words."

Savlian reeled back and gazed down at the ring in his palm once more. He knew he had just overstepped himself with me and I could see the pain working its way across his face as he tried to decide how to apologize. I felt tears sting my eyes. This man, apologize to me? How utterly useless.

"What can I do for you now, Captain?" I asked him, putting a comfortable distance between us with the use of his title. He watched me, pale faced for a moment before smiling gratefully.

"There is nothing left for us to do, but rebuild, Hero," he murmured quietly. "But we will need a leader. I do not know how we will survive without one."

"Can Kvatch even spare a few soldiers now?" I returned, putting a hand on his shoulder, steadying him. Again, that grateful smile.

"Aye, we can. I promised you aid for Bruma, Hero. We will deliver. Just give us some time to organize ourselves."

"Will I see you there, Captain?"

He shook his head. "No, I- there is no need for me to be the Captain any longer. It will take time to rebuild the city and I want to help do that. I cannot…I cannot shoulder such a responsibility any longer. I do not deserve it. We all failed in our task."

I began to protest, but he cut me off. "Here, Hero. Take this cuirass. Surely it will help you more than it can help us, now. I have no need of it any longer."

My heart beat painfully as he removed his armor and handed it to me. My reward and my dismissal, I knew, for I could never take up the mantle of order in Kvatch. I had many more quests on my plate before my job as the emperor's champion would be finished. So, I did the only thing I could and thanked Savlian for his generosity.

I spoke to the soldiers gathered with him and wished them all the best of luck in rebuilding. Then, unsure of what I could possibly say further, I left the ruins of the castle and picked my way outside to the city gates. With one final glance at the remaining towers of Castle Goldwine and the chapel, I pushed open the gates and left Kvatch for the second time in less than a month. My heart was just as heavy as it had ever been.


From Kvatch, it was a steady ride across to the coast and Anvil, where I successfully defeated another gate and secured more aid for Bruma. I paused on the road back up North to Chorrol for a brief rest. While I didn't like wasting any more time, I knew it was necessary. Lore was tired, I could tell, and based on my performance in Kvatch I needed some sleep and food.

We camped just a hillside away from the road in the hopes that any bandits would ignore us and kept the fire burning at embers only. Lore actually laid down next to me for once, instead of sleeping on his feet as he tended to do. I was surprised and ran my hand along his mane. Was he alright? Was I feeding him enough, giving him enough time to rest?

The answer was no, but he whuffed into my hand affectionately like always and rolled his eyes at me before laying down his head and falling into an easy sleep. I continued to stroke his neck in the dim evening light. I wondered what he had seen before becoming my horse. As a monk's steed, what sorts of stories could he tell? Where had he gone? Whom had he met?

He snorted in his sleep and I smiled at him fondly. "I am sorry, Lore," I murmured. "Once we get back to Cloud Top I will let you rest in the stables there for a long while. I doubt that my job is over, but I have taxed you too far as it is."

Then, content with our position and the small meal that warmed both our bellies, I too lay my head back and closed my eyes, welcoming sleep.

A few hours later, I was awoken with a start by rats who had found their way into the food left over in the embers of the fire and were steadily making their way into my sack of stores. They squealed with alarm when they saw me and immediately I was up and awake, my sword ready. Lore was also shaken by the commotion and he scrambled to stand as I cut the creatures down swiftly.

After kicking one over to assure myself the disease infested rodents were dead, I turned to Lore and soothed him. Putting away my sword, I bent to retrieve what was left of the food and wrapped it tightly in the old linen sack. Perhaps I could find a stream to wash it off in later. I snorted to myself. It would make more sense to throw it away now that it had been compromised, but I could not bear to waste food. Lore shared my concern and sniffed at the bag. I looked up into his gentle eyes.

"Are you still hungry, boy?" I asked. "I'm sorry- we'll have to wait until we get to Chorrol to pick up new supplies, unless you want to graze for a bit here." Though I gestured to the wild grasses and flowers around us, he turned up his nose at nature's offerings and I laughed wryly. "Alright, then, but don't complain later. I gave you the chance," I muttered before tightening his girdle and mounting. His hooves stamped out whatever was left of the fire and we crested the hill down to the road.

Travel was not easy; I had opted to retrace the Imperial road only as far as Skingrad and from there to cut up through the wooded hillsides until we reached Chorrol. It was almost a direct line from Skingrad to the Northern city and I didn't want to waste any more time. Aside from the occasional wild animal, bandit, and craggy hill, I didn't expect the crossing to be much trouble. However, as I knew that Lore was not doing as well as I'd previously thought, I was concerned for him at first. He seemed to be holding up well as the day progressed, though, and as long as I kept us at a reasonable pace he was as docile and even keeled as ever. In fact, I was more concerned with myself than him…by the time we reached Hackdirt, nearly halfway between Skingrad and Chorrol, I was shaking in my boots. Lore remembered the place as well, I could tell. His ears flattened back and he bared his teeth as we skirted the outside of the small, now deserted, town.

There is no erasing evil once it has made someplace its home.

Still, the sun remained high in the sky despite our grim surroundings and we soon made our way past the dismal place, breaking out finally into the fields just outside Chorrol. It was early afternoon- taking the Imperial roads as far as we had was a smart idea. As I dismounted outside of Chorrol, I looked from Lore to the stables and back again. He was gazing with ardor at the hay that was piled just inside the fences and I couldn't help but laugh.

"Would you like to stay in Chorrol for a bit, then?" I murmured to him, patting his neck. He whinnied in response and I gladly opened the gate to usher him in. After whispering a few more soothing words to him, I exited, closing the gate after me, and dropped a few coins in the stable owner's hand. Then, content that my horse and closest friend was in the best of hands, I walked forward into the city gate. The sky rumbled low about the walls and I could just see a red light in the distance.

One more gate to close and I could set about to Martin's task for me. My heart lifted in my chest and I smiled to myself. Just this one more and you can be near him again. Once inside the city, I ran all the way to the castle, eager for my penultimate audience with yet another ignorant vassal of the Empire.