~O~

Filial Bonds

Giant mushrooms.

Anja had become familiar with the sights upon her trips to Morrowind in the past. She was impressed to find such a large, Telvanni settlement here in Solstheim. Upon her arrival, she could see a male Dunmer paging through a book while arguing with another, female Dunmer.

"Why are you out here? Aren't you supposed to be in the tower assisting Master Neloth?" the female Dunmer asked, putting her hands on her hips.

"If you must know, Verona, I'm trying to get this Ash Guardian spell to work," the male Dunmer snapped, annoyed by the interruption. "Now please, let me concentrate. Besides, shouldn't you be worrying about the damage to the tower?"

Varona scowled. "Master Neloth has tasked Elynea with repairing the tower. Why aren't you doing this in the lab, where it would be safer for all of us?"

"The, uh... the lab is too small. Also, I need the ashy soil. Master Neloth knows what I'm doing. No need to bother him about it though. He's quite busy at the moment."

Varona pointed a finger of warning at him. "It's on your head if something goes wrong. Just let me get back inside first."

She sighed and turned, noticing Anja approaching on her horse. "We don't get many visitors. Is there something you need?" she asked.

Anja stepped down and nodded, glancing up to marvel at the settlement. "What is this place?"

"Tel Mithryn. It's the home of Master Neloth," Varona told her. "You may have heard of him. He's a famous Telvanni wizard. In Morrowind, the Telvanni grow buildings from special fungus spores. Master Neloth grew one here to be his home. Don't ask me how."

Anja arched her brows. "Are you his apprentice?"

"No. Talvas is his apprentice," Varona said, gesturing to the Dunmer she had been arguing with. "I'm his steward. I manage the day to day affairs of Tel Mithryn. If you are interested in spells, he might be willing to sell you some. Elynea is our alchemist. She specializes in mushrooms and other types of fungus. Ulves runs the kitchens."

"Oh. Well, is he in right now?" Anja questioned. "I need to speak to him."

"Good luck. He doesn't do much of that." Varona whispered, so Talvas could not hear. "Just a lot of demanding."

Anja rolled her eyes. "Fine. Just lead me to him."

"It's the larger tower."

Anja nodded her head. "Thank you."

She walked up the incline and opened the door. She noticed a levitation floor in front of her and stepped onto it. She was lifted up into the air with a yelp and placed onto the floor above. She looked around, seeking out Neloth and found him with his face buried in a book.

He glanced up when he saw her. "You again. Didn't I see you in Raven Rock?" he asked.

"Yes, you did." Anja said. "I'm here to talk to you."

"Oh? Well talk and we will see if I'm interested enough to listen." Neloth quipped.

Anja arched her brows. Rude. She decided to break the ice a little bit.

"I've heard of the House Telvanni of Morrowind," she said. "I understand those from the house are quite powerful wizards."

Neloth smiled smugly and shrugged his shoulders. "Of course you have. Everyone has heard of the master wizards of Morrowind. We are one of the great houses that rule Morrowind."

"You must be almost as powerful as Savos Aren of Winterhold." Anja said. "My sister was taught under him."

Neloth snorted and placed his book onto a table. "Savos? Ha! He wouldn't be fit to be my apprentice. Of course he does have a knack for wards that would be handy to learn," he sneered. "If you see him, let him know that I might be willing to take him on as my apprentice. For a price of course."

Anja blinked. "Right..."

"So...why have to come to my tower?" Neloth asked.

"Well, I heard you know about Black Books."

Neloth paused in what he was doing - which involved walking to another table - turning with interest on his features now. "I do so indeed!" he said, "You refer to the tomes of esoteric knowledge that old Hermaeus Mora has scattered throughout the world? What could you know of them?"

"I found one. I need to find more."

Neloth approached her, reaching out with his long, bony fingers when she held out the Black Book to him. "Found one? Yes, and you read it, too, didn't you?" he said, smiling. "Don't try to deny it, you've got the look. I can see it now. Dangerous knowledge is still knowledge and therefore useful. Usually turns out to be the most useful, in my experience."

Anja frowned at him. "What are these Black Books? Where do they come from?"

"Hermaeus Mora has always tried to seduce mortals into his service with the lure of forbidden knowledge," Neloth explained, as if it was something she should have known. "Where the Black Books actually came from... no one really knows. Some appear to have been written in the past, others might be from the future. Apparently time is more malleable if you're a Daedric Prince of fate and destiny."

Anja shrugged her shoulders. "I've read it, but nothing happened. I didn't feel any change. I need to read more."

Neloth smirked at her, somewhat amused by her offer. "Now that is a dangerous path indeed. Hermaeus Mora gives nothing away for free. You may end up like Miraak, of course. Two power-mad Dragonborn. It could be very interesting."

"I have to know what Miraak knows if I want to stop him."

Neloth's eyebrows went up. "Miraak? The one all the townsfolk are always chanting about?"

"Yes. You may have noticed he's trying to return to Solstheim."

"Well, I knew something connected with Hermaeus Mora was spreading its influence across the island. I wasn't sure that it was in fact the same entity as this legendary namesake of the central temple. Although the villagers seem quite convinced."

"Okay, you're obviously as smart as they say." Anja argued. "Do you know where I can find another Black Book?"

Neloth nodded his head and turned to another table where a map was laying. "Oh yes. They're not hard to locate once you know how to look for them," he told her, pointing to a spot north from where they were. "I have one here that I have been using to locate more."

Anja frowned and tilted her head. "Nchardak... An old Dwemer ruin, I take it?"

"Yes."

Anja looked at him curiously now after she thought about what he had said. "Wait, you have one?"

Neloth sighed impatiently, almost exasperated by her questions. "Yes I haven't been idle while this fascinating madness engulfed Solstheim." he told her. "But my book isn't what you're looking for. I'm quite sure it is unconnected with this Miraak. But I do know where to find a Black Book that can help you. I haven't been able to get it, though. But maybe together we can unlock the secrets the Dwemer left behind."

"The Dwemer? What do they have to do with this?" she asked.

Neloth smiled down at her, though it was exceedingly irritating for some reason. "Forbidden knowledge was somewhat a specialty of the dwarves, eh? You don't think they would just leave it alone, do you?" he said. "It seems the ancient Dwemer discovered this book and took it to study. I have found their 'reading room' in the ruins of Nchardak. The book is there, but it's sealed in a protective case which I wasn't able to open. But perhaps the two of us together will be able to get the book."

Anja nodded. "Okay, lead the way."

"I intend to."

Neloth moved below with the use of his levitation floor and Anja rolled her eyes. "'I intend to'." she mocked, under her breath. "I, I, I. Me, me, me."

O

Anja and Neloth made their way in the direction of Nchardak, and the woman kept a close eye on any creatures that would try to stop them. Neloth seemed partial to walking, so that didn't bother her. They stopped in front of the Sun Stone and Anja dismounted her horse. It seemed that there were people enslaved to this stone as well. Since it was on the way to Nchardak, Anja proposed that she release them from this stone the same way she had done for the Wind Stone.

"What can you do?" Neloth sneered.

"I'll show you, princess." Anja shot back.

Neloth glared at her. "What? How dare you - "

Anja interrupted him by turning to the stone and uttering the Shout. Immediately, the very ground shook again and he held out his arms to maintain his balance. He looked completely bewildered by what was going on and Anja smirked at him.

"Wait for it..." she said, holding up a finger.

As if on cue, the edifice was destroyed and the same creature as before appeared, letting out a fierce roar. Neloth's eyes widened and he raised his hands, which crackled with energy.

"Dagon's eyeballs, you're an ugly one, aren't you?" he cried.

Anja drew out her weapon. "Try to keep up, old man."

Neloth glowered at her and released Thunderbolt shots at the creature's head. It retreated from the attacks with a frustrated snarling sound, raising its hands in an attempt to shield its face. Anja took the chance while Neloth had it distracted and shoved her sword into its left leg. Sick, black blood spurted from the wound and the creature reared back, kicking her harshly with its other leg. Anja was sent flying backwards, tumbling across the ash with a groan of pain.

"That hurt...just a little bit..." she groaned.

Neloth seemed to make short work of the creature with the use of his magic. Anja moved to her feet and watched in amazement as he fired blast after blast of lightning at its head, tearing the creature to ribbons until nothing remained but a steaming mess of scales, meat and bone. She made her way toward the dead thing before turning to Neloth.

"Should have known better than to challenge a master wizard of the House Telvanni." he said, with a smirk of pride.

Anja chuckled and rolled her eyes. "Yes, I guess I underestimated you. You've got strength."

Neloth puffed his chest up a little. "You did indeed. However there are more important things we must be doing right now." he said. "I am not attempting to impress you, Dragonborn. Remember that. Fate gave you a free pass, but you won't get such with me."

Anja's smile disappeared. She quickly made her way passed the disoriented people. She mounted her horse, before glaring at Neloth.

"By the Gods, you are so annoying!" she snapped.

Neloth scoffed and simply followed her as they continued on.

"It's not my fault if you possess an intellect sorely for brute force!"

"And it's not my fault if you're an arrogant ass!"

Nuala appeared in orb form. "I wish the two of you would stop arguing." she said, hovering near Anja's head.

Neloth reacted as if he didn't hear her.

Anja frowned down at him, curious by his lack of reaction.

He didn't see her?

O

Elli found sleep almost impossible in New Sheoth.

She could hear noises coming through the walls and maniacal sounds of glee from the windows. The guards - Haskill had called them Dark Seducers and Golden Saints - simply looked at her with such disgust and annoyance, but they seemed to tolerate her presence because she was there on Sheogorath's command. He was going to go on a trip to Tamriel to visit an old friend and no one knew when he was planning to return. As far as she was aware, he hadn't let just yet.

Elli was somewhat hungry, so she ventured to the kitchens to find something to eat. She found a covered platter and went to open it. When she did, she drew back with a startled yelp, seeing Sheogorath's head resting on the platter with a bright grin.

"Am I not just good enough to eat?" he laughed.

Elli stared down at his head and watched as his body walked over toward the table. Sheogorath's head called to it. "Hey, over here!" he called. "Yeah, a little to the left. No...warmer...warmer...YOU'RE ON FIRE! That's right, lad, I'm right here!"

She watched as his body grasped his head and fitted it back on with several twists and disgusting sounds. He grunted and cleared his throat before smiling brightly at her, extending his hands as if he expected some sort of reaction, but Elli gave none. She just stared back emptily.

"That used to make you smile, at least!" Sheogorath complained.

Elli sighed. "Forgive me if I can't crack a smile to a Mad Man anymore."

"And why not?" Sheogorath put his hands on his hips, as if offended.

Elli turned away. "I'll just find somewhere else to get food."

Sheogorath followed her into the throne room. "Come now, Elli. Talk to your dear old Uncle Sheogorath!" he encouraged. "Tell me what's on your mind. Well, at least before I have to cut your skull open and see for myself. I don't want the throne to get messy, now do I?"

Elli sat down on the floor near the throne where Sheogorath took a seat. "She has forgotten me. I have nothing else in life to enjoy..." she said, glancing down at her hands before staring into the stream where the water ran through the Isles. "I wanted to prove myself worthy of the affections my father had given her, but maybe I didn't do it all for him, or for her. Maybe, I wanted to just prove that I was her equal. That I could be happy just as she was. So just maybe...when I looked at myself in a reflection, I would feel pride. I would finally see something...beautiful."

Sheogorath was oddly silent.

Elli pursed her lips with loathing. "But no. All I see is NOTHING!"

She slapped the water, which distorted her image.

Sheogorath stood up and leaned over her shoulder, studying the water for a moment. "Well, perhaps it's because this water is murky." he suggested. "I'm always telling Haskill 'don't let the animals drop their little presents in it', but he - "

Elli just glanced at him, arching her brows with mild disgust.

"Ahh, my wee little wolf pup...have you wondered why you're still alive?" Sheogorath sighed, putting his arm around her.

Elli shrugged her shoulders. "Well...maybe Talos loves me a bit?"

Sheogorath suddenly laughed. When Elli glared at him, he looked surprised. "Oh, you were serious? Here, let me laugh harder."

He did and she scowled, folding her arms across her chest.

"Honestly though..." Sheogorath said, stopping his laughter. "Would you believe I am capble of decency?"

"No."

Sheogorath made a false expression of sadness. "Aww. That hurts." When she arched a brow skeptically, he nodded his head. "Okay, you're right."

"Is there a point to your words?" Elli said, mildly bored.

"Yes, actually. Think back, little pup. Wasn't there a time when you felt someone or something watching over you?"

Elli frowned and shrugged. "Well...um...Talos?"

Sheogorath snickered a little. "Well, maybe so. But it's not the God hundreds of blind mortal Nords worship." he told her. "No. Think harder. Back to the glory days of your misspent youth. Have you seen things that your sister couldn't see?"

Elli thought about it and when she came to a memory she thought she had forgotten, it startled her.

Baby Elli rested in her crib, cooing at butterflies floating over her head. She attempted to touch them, letting out happy giggles. Peering over the edge of it was Sheogorath, grinning brightly down at the little infant. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a little stick with bells and colorful magic bursts.

"Hello, my little mad bomb in the making!" he crooned.

Baby Elli attempted to reach for it, but he pulled it back and reached into the crib, holding her in his arms and doing a little dance, soothing her sounds with Daedric song. It was strange how she seemed so content in the arms of the Prince of Madness.

"There we go! You'll be mine soon, my little pup!" he laughed.

Elli stared at the Mad God in disbelief. "It can't be..."

"It was, my little wolf pup. It always was."

He started to reach for her again, but she flinched back, mild disgust on her face. Sheogorath stared at her curiously. "Come now, my dear Elli." he said, using her name now. "You don't have to be afraid of me. What do you think I'm going to do?"

Elli snarled at him. "You're SICK!" she spat. "You're EVIL!"

"Oh my deluded little minion...tell me something I don't already know." Sheogorath chuckled. "But really, why would I want to harm you? I've kept you alive this entire time, though you've done things that could have brought on a full disembowelment. But really, why would I have to kill you? You. The perfect handiwork of madness itself! Delightfully psychotic and beautifully twisted in a million different ways? Why would I want to destroy something that stunning?"

Elli groaned. "Please, do you think I'm so stupid to fall for this?"

Sheogorath couldn't resist his laughter. "And why wouldn't you consider it? Why would that be so wrong, mortal?" His voice began to darken a little, turning much more threatening. "It's all a joke! Everything you've ever valued or struggled for... it's all a monstrous, demented gag to them! They are not even remotely worthy of one so perfect and pure! So twisted and insane! That should be mine! It's my KINGDOM!"

She didn't answer.

"Well, I'm off to visit my old friend!" Sheogorath's tone suddenly changed and he turned on his heels. "I'll hope my departure will give you plenty of time to think about our bargain, dear wolf pup!"

"The only way I will surrender is if you kill me."

Sheogorath stopped, turning to face her. "Pardon?"

"You'd better just kill me, then. Because I won't give in."

Sheogorath smiled at her. "I know you won't. You have pride. Quite a bit of it in fact for one so lived without it. But remember, it will never stop. So long as you continue to resist me, you will always end up here in the Shivering Isles. Whatever choices you make, whatever details you alter, we will always end up here...with me."

He walked away, whistling a cheerful tune to himself.

O

Neloth and Anja could see the ruins of Nchardak in the distance.

"There it is." she said.

"Let's go." Neloth ordered.

Anja hopped down from her horse, but Twilight suddenly let out a sound of unease, backing away. She grabbed the horse's reigns and tried to hold on to him. "Horse, what in the name of Oblivion is it now?" she snapped. "Stop struggling and sit still!"

Then, Anja sensed it and turned, seeing a man in furs stepping out from the trees. He was wearing what appeared to resemble the similar attire of the Skaal, but it was tattered, ripped and torn, wrapped around his waist and exposing his bare chest.

This must have been Torkild.

"You..." Anja said. "Are you Torkild, brother of Wulf Wild-Blood?"

The man glanced up at her, or rather...through her. "Who... thirst for sky... All-Maker craves the night of sun." he whispered.

"What?"

Neloth scowled impatiently. "We don't have time for this. Let's get inside."

Anja shook her head. "Wait."

Torkild seemed disoriented, mumbling under his breath to something Anja or Neloth couldn't see. "He hears the underslake of blood dust!" he whispered, in hysterical tones. He scratched the sides of his ears. "They can't talk the wave signs!"

"Are you...all right?" Anja queried, cautious.

Torkild suddenly stood up and smiled at her, though there was something about it that carried a madness. A particularly dangerous one.

"Power. He was afraid of it. They all feared power." he told her. "But I possess true power."

Anja blinked slowly. In her darkest of thoughts, she knew what had become of him, but for some reason, she felt compulsion to ask anyway. Neloth hadn't said anything, which surprised her. Instead, she noticed he was standing in a perfect offensive stance.

"THIS. IS!" Torkild bellowed.

Suddenly, he doubled over with a primal howl. Anja watched the sight with horror as Torkild's body seemed to shudder violently. His fingers lengthened before her eyes and thick brown hair sprouted across his body. He seemed to grow in size, which made her draw her weapon and back away. Neloth snarled and started to ready some Lightning, but Anja held out her sword, stopping him.

"We need to kill him now before he becomes too dangerous!" he spat.

Anja shook her head. "Please...just wait."

Torkild's face elongated and long fangs slipped from his gums. He stood up and his roars deepened into monstrous sounds that echoed across the ash-covered valley. When he stood up, he was now a fully transformed Werebear, towering over them with deep, thick snarls.

"Torkild?" Anja whispered carefully. "Please...your brother wishes only your safe return. If I must kill you, I will."

Torkild's eyes flared before he opened his mouth and let out a powerful roar. Anja backed away.

"So be it..." she said.

The Werebear charged at her and Neloth unleashed a blast of magical Lightning that shocked his back. The Werebear whirled with a furious roar and turned attention to the Dunmer, charging with teeth and claws flashing. Neloth attempted to keep the creature at bay with his magic, but it continued moving forward, driven mad with blood lust.

"HEY!" Anja shouted at it. "Come and face me, beast!"

Torkild seemed uninterested in her and charged for Neloth. He appeared to be bold in the face of this creature.

"You cannot challenge a master wizard of Telvanni!" he spat.

Anja quickly picked up a piece of rubble and tossed it at Torkild's head. The Werebear whirled and snarled at her, charging swiftly with its claws extended. Anja turned and led the Werebear from Neloth and it quickly jumped down on all fours, racing after her with greater speed. Anja attempted to reach a vantage point, but Torkild's claws swiped at her heels, sending her reeling forward. She recovered by rolling to the point that she ended up on her back, just as the beast lunged.

Anja quickly pointed her sword up and the Werebear fell directly onto it.

Torkild let out a roar that gradually died into a soft groan. The Werebear stared down at the place where her sword had stabbed him - right into his chest and through his heart. Anja watched in amazement as the Werebear transformed back into Torkild. Blood gushed from his mouth and he looked at her weakly, hands grasping at the blade in a futile attempt to pull it free.

"Forgive me..." Anja whispered, pain in her voice.

Torkild looked at her and for that moment, she saw peace in his eyes. "No..." he groaned. "Forgive...me..."

And with that, he slumped forward, blood gushing from his open mouth onto Anja's armor. She winced and pushed him to the side, pulling her sword free from his lifeless body. Neloth approached the scene, watching as Anja searched through a knapsack that Torkild had on his person.

"Are we done?" he asked, bored. "Because that wasted more time than we needed."

Anja ignored him and removed a folded letter from the pack. She opened it up and read what Torkild had written:

Dear Wulf,

I'm writing to you now as I already feel my mind going. I fear that soon I will not be able to write at all. I came to the wilderness to better know the All-Maker. But in the wilds I found a force greater than any we've known.

It is seductive, this power I've been granted. I know you would not approve, so I don't dare show my face to you. But know that I realized the greatest potential of my strength before the last.

I hope to one day meet you before the All-Maker, brother.

- Torkild

She closed her eyes and approached Torkild's body, shutting his as well. "May the All-Maker grant you rest..." she said, in respect to his God.

She pocketed the letter and walked passed Neloth briskly.

"Let's go..." she said, harshly.