Shadowfen: The Dominion Strikes

Stormhaven was a city like none they'd ever seen. As the Sept stepped from the wayshrine, the scents and sounds assailed them. The sticky heat seemed to infuse everything, and animals and insects called to each other across the lush jungle that stretched out all around them. Mud squelched beneath their feet, and Nathan'Dar recoiled slightly. But Injects spread his arms wide, took a deep breath, and joyously proclaimed: "Welcome to Blackmarsh, my scale-less friends!"

"It's… Not what I was expecting," Tyrna admitted after a moment's pause.

"What were you expecting?" the Argonian wondered, turning around. "Blackmarsh lives up to its name, does it not?"

"It certainly does," Respite agreed, getting onto the stone of the city streets. "My question is: What does the Dominion want with this place?"

"Just because you worked for the Queen doesn't mean you know every plan she has," Makayla countered. "Besides, we've been gone a while, and things probably changed." But both assassins shook their heads.

"Queen Ayrenn wouldn't do something for no reason. And if she wanted to infiltrate the Pact, she wouldn't start here," Bakki insisted.

"Aye, that fiery she-elf would sooner challenge the Skald-King to a duel than skulk around in a swamp," Stirs-Fear added. Tyrna held up her hands, and the talking immediately ceased.

"We're not getting answers standing here gawking about like visitors. Injects, since this is your home, we'll need you on point with other Argonians. Hexus, you can talk to the local Dunmer and get their views on this. Stirs-Fear, I'm going to need you to talk shop with the Nords here as well. Bakki, Respite, and Hana; get out there and scout. If you see any Dominions forces, get as close as possible to listen in, and then report back. Makayla and Ket, you two need to chat up the local branch of the Mages' Guild. Greyson, I need you to check out that old Imperial prison we heard those rumors about."

"If it is all right, may I accompany him and Alana?" Lorrelya asked. Tyrna tilted her head for a moment, but when neither the soldier or healer protested, she nodded.

"That leaves Sasha to confer with the Fighters' Guild, and Nathan'Dar to… Do what you do best."

"This one will find information for you, Sept Leader," the Khajiit promised.

"What about me?" Caidiana wondered, looking puzzled.

"You're coming with me," the Dragon Guard replied, like there had been no other answer. The blonde Breton shrugged and followed the other woman down into the depths of a stone building. There they met with Vicecanons Heita-Meen, Hrondar, and Servyna. "Greetings, we are the Sept of Undying Spirit. You sent for us?"

"Praise the Three!" the Dark Elf said with a smile. "We did indeed."

"The waters here have grown murky, and we wished a fresh perspective," the Argonian added. "I erect the spine of welcome to you."

"What's exactly been going on?"

"For starters, the murders in the city," the Nord brought up. "There's been tales bandied back and forth about Shadowscales doing it."

"Which is preposterous!" Heita-Meen hissed for a moment and then calmed down. "Shadowscales perform a sacred duty, and there is no way Sithis would call for the deaths of regular townsfolk."

"So you have a murderer stalking your streets, and no one's done anything about it?" Caidiana was confused by this, and felt anger rising.

"I thought the letter you sent spoke of Dominion forces?" Tyrna was also confused, and if the Sept was merely going to be used in place of local law enforcement, she was going to give these Vicecanons a piece of her mind.

"They have been sighted, yes," Servyna told her. "Which has everyone even more scared. There's the possibility that they are assassinating people to stir up old prejudices."

"…The victims are all Dark Elves." An icy feeling formed in the Imperial's spine.

"Yes, which is why the Shadowscale rumors are so damaging," Heita-Meen confirmed. "Please, get to the truth. The people will accept it from you." Tyrna and Caidiana looked at each other and nodded.

"We're on it," the blonde told them. "That murderer won't get far." Then they raced back up into the city, hoping that it wasn't all connected.

The fact that their enemies kept staying one step ahead of them was starting to irk Tyrna. She and Caidiana had uncovered a plot far worse than anyone could've imagined, and the safety of the Sept was her first priority. She'd recalled everyone as quickly as she'd been able, though that hadn't been fast enough for some. All three Bosmer were out and about, and Greyson was with Alana and Lorellya somewhere deep in Shadowfen. "New rule," she told the remaining members. "No one goes anywhere without a partner."

"What's got you so spooked, lass?"

"Something we never expected," Caidiana told the old Nord, hugging herself as she thought of what she and Tyrna had witnessed.

"The Dominion have found a way to make themselves look like other people. But it requires the original person to die, and then they use some… Daedric magick." The Dark-haired Imperial looked to Makayla, who frowned and shook her head.

"Nothing good can come of this. We have to find the person responsible."

"That means splitting up and scouring the marsh for any clues," Tyrna continued. "So I've got new assignments for everyone: Makayla, once your business with the Guild is finished, take Ket and head for the Hatching Pools. They need to be protected. I'll have Greyson follow as back-up when he reports in. Stirs-Fear, you and Hexus are to stay here and coordinate defenses with the remaining vicecanons. Injects, I want you and Sasha to head to Hissmir and keep that site guarded for the pilgrims. Caidiana and I will make our way to Alten Corimont to deal with the pirates staying there. Nathan'Dar, head back to the guild hall and grab Lyressa. You and she will head for Stillrise Village and see what these Kothringi can tell you." The Sept scattered to their various assignments, and the Dragonguard sighed heavily.

"You okay?" Caidiana wondered, poking her shoulder.

"No. I'm tired of everything happening around us and feeling like we're only reacting. For once, I want to be on the offensive."

"We'll get these bastards, don't worry." Tyrna smiled down at the blonde.

"You're right. I can't feel sorry for myself at this point." Grabbing the Breton's hand, she headed for the wayshrine to the pirate base. With her eyes focused forward, the Imperial missed the blush that colored her companion's cheeks for a moment.

Injects and Sasha were patrolling the swamp around Hissmir, both of them anxious after the ordeals they'd been through. "Your people take their trials seriously," Sasha finally commented, wiping the sweat from her brow.

"Don't yours?" the Argonian countered with a shrug. "These trials are sacred to my people, just like the trials at the Hatching Pools."

"I thought that was where your eggs hatched?"

"Yes, but how do you think those eggs get there? Not every Argonian is considered worthy of passing a piece of themselves further along the river." The blonde furrowed her brow for a moment, mulling that thought over.

"So you fight for the right to mate? That makes no sense!"

"Why not?"

"What about love? Don't your people ever have children with someone they care about instead of who they're told to be with?"

"Do Nords love everyone they mate with?"

"There's at least some kind of attraction when we take a tumble, Injects. It could be that we respect them as warriors, or we liked a song they sang, or maybe we're just lonely and they offered to keep us company."

"But none of those things mean they are a good match for making Nords that are stronger, or faster, or smarter. I think my people are better off this way."

"…So does that mean that you aren't raised by your parents?"

"Correct. A suitable pair is chosen to receive hatchlings to raise, and they are our "parents", just as any hatchlings are our "siblings".

"And you need this… Hist to do all this?" Injects turned wide eyes to his friend, not quite sure how to explain it.

"Of course! The Hist is everything to my people. It keeps us whole, keeps us grounded, and lets us pass along memories that we might have otherwise forgotten." Sasha shook her head at that comment.

"Like those stones we were shown in that vision?"

"Yes, like those. It is a great honor for the Hist to talk to you."

"But why is the Dominion so interested in it?" The Argonian was quiet for a few minutes, scratching at his Khajiit-hat.

"I do not know. The Elves have never shown an interest in our Hist Trees before, except when they realized we needed them. But for one of the Altmer to wish to… Control even a piece of the Hist makes my scales itch."

"Then it's a good thing we stopped the bastard."

"But he cannot be alone. Whatever the Dominion is planning here, I feel my people will suffer for it."

"We won't let that happen," Sasha promised, clapping a hand on his shoulder. "Now come on, we should hunt something for supper. That'll get your mind off this." Injects considered the offer, then broke into a wide grin.

"Have you ever had wammasu?"

Pandemonium had broken out across Shadowfen, and the Sept of Undying Spirit was desperately trying to pick up the pieces. Reports had come flooding in about the Dominion having groups everywhere; enslaving or killing Argonians, and looking for ancient lore and treasures. And now they had made their move at the Hatching Pools, somehow cutting the Lizardfolk off from their sacred Hist Tree. Everyone converged on the place, and Tyrna was relieved to see both surviving Vicecannons and the remainder of her people doing what they could. Servyna met her the moment she materialized from her travels, and the two leaders stepped away to talk. "It's a tragedy."

"What happened here?" Tyrna tried to keep the demanding tone out of her voice.

"To hear it from the Keepers, the Dominion arrived, killed any who resisted or tried to escape, and then… Waited. Your people showed up just before the Hatching, and attempted to figure out what was going on. By the time they did, it was too late. The

Head Keeper gave his life to save the eggs, but I do not have all the details on that."

"I do," Lorellya spoke up, seeming to appear out of thin air. Both women jumped, and Servyna nodded and left them. Tyrna could see she was a bit uneasy around the other Dunmer, but that was probably because of the religious differences. "Sept Leader?"

"Details, Lorellya. As many as you have."

"The Argonians have been magically cut off from their Hist Trees, which they share a connection to. There is an artifact called the Mnemic Egg, and they believe it has been corrupted by the Dominion. Or more specifically, a mage by the name of Ruuvitar. From what we have seen, he is an elitist who wishes to completely destroy any enemies of the Altmer."

"For Queen Ayrenn?"

"I do not believe so, for she stands for the Dominion, not just the High Elves. But without further proof, I cannot speculate as to this Ruuvitar's loyalties."

"And what of this place specifically? What happened here?" The Dark Elf's hands tightened around her staff for a moment, and Tyrna tilted her head. "Lorellya?"

"….There was chaos when the Dominion struck. The Hatching failed with no Hist to connect to, and a rift to the Void opened at the base of the tree. A few Keepers gave their souls to Sithis so that we could save the eggs before the Void swallowed them. All of us ran for the nests, grabbing as many as we could. Even Fearsome was gently grabbing a few…" Her voice trailed off, and Tyrna grabbed the other woman's arm. She suddenly had a very uneasy feeling about all this.

"Where are the others?"

"Makayla and Ket are helping Vicecanon Heita-Meen to arrange transport for the eggs to Hissmir. Greyson… Greyson took Alana back to the guild hall." Fear blossomed in the Imperial's gut as she saw the potential meaning in those words.

"What happened to Alana?"

"She was injured. Badly. Greyson blames himself. He fought like a man possessed when he saw what happened. I think she will be all right, but it was just…" Tyrna heard footsteps behind her thundering towards the wayshrine, but she shook her head and put it out of her mind. As long as the Breton was out of danger, she would check on her later. Right now, they needed to salvage the situation.

"Come on, we've got work to do."

Feint. Thrust. Block. Sidestep. Parry. Block. Greyson drilled in the practice area, going through the moves just as he had a hundred times before. But this time his mind was far from calm. Accusations towards himself still assailed him, no matter how much he tried to concentrate on the moves. Feint. 'You let her get hurt.'

Thrust. 'You broke your promise to defend her.'

Block. 'She was injured because you weren't good enough.'

Sidestep. 'Alana trusted you, and you let her down.' His sword fell to his side as his shield suddenly felt as if it weighed a ton. Guilt was eating at him, and even though the healer hadn't blamed him for her injury, he knew it had been his fault. In his mind's eye, he replayed the moment over again, fingers tightening around his weapons so much he heard the leather grip of his sword creak.

Shadowfen. They'd been facing off against Dominion forces going after the Argonians' Hist Tree. Alana had been scrambling to save as many unhatched eggs as she could, her arms full of the fragile orbs. However, that also meant she couldn't hold her staff, and a Khajiit wasted no time in leaping at her. Fearsome had gotten in the way at that point, defending his mistress with vicious bites and tail slaps. Greyson had tried to disengage from the two Altmer he was fighting, when he spotted a Bosmer archer. The enemy let the missile fly, and it had planted itself squarely in Alana's back. She'd stumbled, going to her knees, but Greyson saw the determination on her face not to drop the eggs. And then Lorellya, Makayla and Ket were there, thinning out the hoard around them as the Imperial healer got to her Breton counterpart. Anger had colored Greyson's world red for a moment as he hacked into his opponents with fierce abandon. Then the Pact soldiers had finally arrived, dealing with the last of the Dominion. Greyson had rushed to Alana's side, where Ket was working on her. The pain in her eyes had been too much, and he'd turned away. But he'd carried her back to a wayshrine for immediate teleportation to Davon's Watch, and insisted on getting her into the guild hall the same way. That had been a few hours ago, and he'd come down to the training room to clear his mind.

"Hey, Imperial!" a thunderous shout echoed across the space. Being in the basement helped with the acoustics in that regard. Greyson groaned for a moment, instantly knowing the owner of the voice, and realizing it was the one person he dreaded more than Tyrna. "Hey, you gone deaf as well as stupid?!" Sasha demanded.

"What is it?"

"What happened out there? I leave Alana in your supposedly capable hands, and she comes back with an arrow in her back?!"

"She doesn't still have it," he shot back, sheathing his sword. "Ket got it out."

"No thanks to you, oh great defender!" She was in his face now, which meant he was at eye level with her. Greyson still found it odd how tall the Nords were. But Sasha's words set off a trace of anger in him, and he squared his shoulders.

"Like you could have done better in that situation?"

"You're damned right I could have! Tyrna never should have put you in charge of protecting Alana. That was my job!" A smirk tweaked the corner of the Imperial's mouth.

"Oh I see, you're jealous. Our commander gave me the task you had, and you still can't let it go." The rational part of his mind was screaming that this was a very stupid, childish thing to do, but Greyson ignored it. "She knew in the long run, I was better."

"Ysgramor's beard, you're the reason she's hurt now!" the blonde screamed, hands balling into fists. "But if you think you're so high and mighty, then I challenge you to a brawl. Whoever wins gets to guard the healer after this."

"You want me to fight you?"

"Yes, you sodding milk-drinker! Come at me, if you're man enough." She stepped back a few feet, fists up. Greyson undid his sword belt, and let his shield clatter to the floor. When he looked up at the Nord, there was a dangerous light in his eyes.

"First blood or unconsciousness?" Sasha grinned at him, her teeth looking just a bit more predatory.

"To first blood. May the best Nord win."

Greyson awoke with a splitting headache and every muscle in his body on fire. He rolled over, feeling a sheet slide across him, and trying to remember where he was. The last event he could focus on was clocking Sasha in the jaw hard enough for her lip to split. She'd spat blood, grinned, and then… What exactly? Blurs of things, fragments of memory: Fur, blood, his heart hammering in his chest, feeling a body beneath his own… That last thought made him sit bolt upright, the room spinning around him in retribution. Nausea crept up the back of his throat, but he fought it down with a groan as he grabbed his head and closed his eyes. Beside him, something moved, and then a cool hand was on his shoulder. "Bad dream?" a teasing voice asked. Wait, didn't that voice belong to…

"Sasha… Why are you in my bed?"

"Actually, you're in mine." Greyson lifted his head, blinking at her. She was naked, the sheet pooling at her waist. And as he looked down at himself, Greyson realized with slight horror that he was also naked.

"Did we…"

"A few times, don't you remember? Kyne's grace, you've got a lot of stamina. You sure you're an Imperial?" The soldier blinked at her, cheeks flushing scarlet as he swallowed the sudden lump in his throat.

"I don't remember, actually. We were brawling, and then I think I drew blood, and then… Fur." Now it was Sasha's turn to blush, and she reached for her breeches at the end of the bed.

"I owe you an explanation," she told him, grabbing a shirt off a nearby chair.

"I'd appreciate that," Greyson agreed, winding the sheet around his waist as he carefully got out of bed. However, even that slight movement sent waves of pain across his back, and he grimaced. "You must really like it rough. I ache all over."

"Turn around," she commanded, coming over. He did so, and she sucked in a quick breath as she saw his back. There were claw marks running from his left shoulder to his right hip, and they were deep. The Nord sighed and quickly got to work healing the gashes. This was the worst-case scenario. "So you know how in Skyrim, it's not called the Fighters' Guild, but The Companions, right?"

"Right, to honor Ysgramor and the Five Hundred Companions who first settled Skyrim. Stirs-Fear told me about it."

"Well, we of the Companions have a bit of a… Ritual we do. For those who prove themselves, or want to ascend to the inner circles. Not every Companion does it, but it's a pretty widespread practice."

"What does this have to do with my back hurting, Sasha?"

"It would be hurting because I clawed you while I was transformed." There was silence for a full minute.

"Transformed into what?"

"…A werewolf." Greyson sat down on the bed, head in his hands.

"So that means that what, I'm one now too?" The blonde nodded.

"The Provost and I can help you adjust. He's been talking about bringing more into the pack, and you're a strong warrior." He looked up and frowned.

"Not strong enough to keep Alana safe."

"Not then, but you were strong and fast enough to draw first blood on me. So by rights, she's still your to protect." Sasha patted his head and grinned. "Besides, she always seems so happy when she's around you."

"She keeps me calm. Keeps me focused," he added with a small smile. The Nord tilted her head, intrigued at the change in his demeanor.

"Ah Greyson… You two aren't by any chance…" She pointed at the sheet covering him, and he immediately blushed.

"What? No! No, we're not… We haven't…" Pants were suddenly in his face, and he took them and quickly got them on.

"I'll have a chat with her for you," his Sept-mate promised. "Poor girl probably just doesn't know how to approach you."

"Approach me for what?" Sasha grinned and headed for the door.

"For what we did last night." Then she was gone, and Greyson hurriedly gathered up the rest of his clothes. He hoped his weapons were still down in the training room, and that Alana didn't find out where he'd been.

"What a mess," he mumbled, heading for the Breton's room. Maybe she'd be awake, and they could talk about what had happened in Shadowfen. As long as she didn't hate him, Greyson would take whatever blame anyone put on him.

It was a couple of weeks later, and Tyrna was growing frustrated with the lack of progress the Sept was making in tracking down this Ruuvitar. Alana was healed, though the Breton seemed to just sulk around the guild hall because Greyson was running this errand and doing that task seemingly constantly. Lorellya had at least gotten the healer out into Shadowfen for a bit, and for that she was grateful. She turned from the pile of maps and leads on the War Council table, and nearly fell over as she saw Bakki and Respite standing behind her. "Arkay's beard! Announce yourselves next time!"

"Sorry?" Respite replied with a shrug and a smirk. "But we just got some news you might want to hear." He held out a letter with the royal Aldmeri seal on it, and the Imperial took it with a quizzical look. "We wrote home, and this just came in."

"To be more specific," Bakki continued, "We wrote to our superior with what information we had. Thanks to him, we've got a lead." Tyrna looked at the letter:

Dearest Respite and Bakki-

You don't write, you don't stop by, and you don't even let Cariel know you'd be away so long! This one was beginning to think you'd had enough of the Eyes and gone back to King Camoran. Not that this would be a bad thing, but Razum'Dar would've appreciated a notice that you'd quit. Two years you've been gone! But anyway, all is forgiven so long as you're still with us. Your letter was very disturbing, and this one dug as deep as he could to find this "Ruuvitar". Seems he's not in the employ of the crown of Queen Ayrenn, but someone we know as the "Veiled Queen". Yes, that damnable Heritance is back and stirring up trouble, and it seems they wanted to share with the Pact. Raz has taken the liberty of finding out where this slippery alchemist has hidden, and it seems he has some kind of research camp at a place called Loriasel. So, if you both happen upon this Ruuvitar, be so kind as to give him this one's regards with your bows. Or blades; your choice. We all look forward to hearing about his response!

For the Eyes,

Razum'Dar

The Imperial looked up, blinking at the two Bosmer. "You weren't kidding about working for the Queen."

"You thought we were?" Bakki wondered, tilting his head.

"Maybe? It doesn't matter now. What matters is that we finally have a solid location to check out. Get everyone mobilized."

"You trust Razum'Dar's information that much?" Tyrna was halfway out the door when she raised an eyebrow at Respite.

"You showed me the letter, which means that you trust him. And that's enough for me. Everyone is to stop what they're doing and head to this Loriasel. And if we don't know where it is, I want it found."

Loriasel was full of nagas, something no one had been expecting. Between them and these "Heritance" forces, it was a wonder the Sept had gotten into the ruins proper. But now they faced another conundrum, one that had Tyrna sighing heavily. They'd found a Khajiit being harassed by some naga, and had killed them. Kazdi, as she'd introduced herself, seemed to be no friend of Ruuvitar. But was that merely a ploy to save her own skin, or because she truly didn't like him? "She is part of the Dominion!" Injects argued. "She must answer for the crimes her people have committed."

"Kazdi's people did not kill lizard babies! It was Brute-vitar and his Altmer. Okay, maybe some of the Bosmer helped, but Khajiit would not do that!"

"Your people were at the Hatching Pools. They attacked us." Greyson's matter-of-fact tone was cold, and Alana shivered beside him.

"You, yes, but not innocent babies."

"Ruuvitar isn't even here for the Dominion," Respite told the group. "He's working on someone else's orders."

"He's still trying to harm my people," Injects reminded the assassin. "And anyone who helped him must face the same punishment."

"Killing her won't change what's happened," Ket spoke up. "If she's going to be punished, she should be put on trial first." Arguments kept going, and Tyrna stepped back, unsure of what to do. Her eyes came to rest on Nathan'Dar, and he too seemed torn.

"Is she capable of hurting innocents?" she quietly asked the thief.

"That is like asking of any of us are. My people do not usually walk the darker paths, though it can happen. But Kazdi… She lacks something that this one has seen in killers. Nathan'Dar does not think she is lying, but there is one way to find out."

"Then do it." The Khajiit nodded and stepped forward, and the Sept fell silent. Hoisting Kazdi to her feet, Nathan'Dar drew a dagger and rested it against her throat.

"This one normally follows Baan'Dar's ways, but he can make an exception in this case. Swear on the Two Moons that you were not involved in any bloodshed, and you will be free to go."

"You can't-" But Tyrna waved the Argonian to silence.

"This one swears by the light of Jone and Jode that she had nothing to do with killing lizard babies, injuring your friends, or that she willingly went along with Brute-vitar's plans. May the Two Moons strike me down otherwise!" A moment of silence passed, and Nathan'Dar smiled and sheathed his dagger.

"May your path be forever bright, sister. We will deal with Ruuvitar, and then we will send you home."

"This one would ask the name of her savior."

"Nathan'Dar is but a humble Khajiit happy to save any of his people from a bad situation." Kazdi nodded and turned to Tyrna.

"Then Kazdi will help you get your revenge on that horrible Mer."

Kazdi was true to her word, and helped the Sept get through the wards that Ruuvitar had placed on the inner sanctum of Loriasel. Cornered like a rat, the Altmer was dealt with by a combination of Respite, Bakki, Injects, and Greyson. The Imperial and Argonian seemed especially fierce as they killed their enemy, and Tyrna frowned a bit. While she could certainly understand her scaled friend's anger, it was the soldier who worried her. Alana had hung back by Lorellya, eyes wide as she watched her partner hack into the Mer with an almost reckless abandon. When the corpse resembled nothing more than a bleeding piece of clothed meat, the Sept leader stepped forward. "Enough!"

"Yeah, I think he's dead enough," Respite agreed, putting away his bow. Injects kicked the body one last time, but then took a deep breath to calm himself. Greyson still had a death grip on his sword though.

"I gave you an order, soldier."

"But-"

"Greyson, did you suddenly get a promotion I wasn't aware of?" she snapped, eyes narrowing. "Have you renounced your Imperial duties since we walked through that door? Has someone else become your commanding officer while I wasn't looking?" The other Imperial swallowed hard and stood up straight, sheathing his sword.

"No ma'am!"

"Then when I give you an order, I expect it to be followed! Am I clear?"

"Crystal clear, ma'am!" He saluted, but Tyrna saw the fires of rage just behind his eyes, and realized how much control Greyson was actually showing.

"Back to your charge, soldier," she gently told him, saluting back. Alana looked both relieved and upset when Greyson once more stood next to her, but more pressing matters were at hand. Injects was searching the site for whatever artifact Ruuvitar had taken, and the Argonian's cry of panic snapped them all into action. They found him standing over a brown object that resembled a seed, but was about four feet or so in length. Their scaled septmate was kneeling next to it, anger and grief warring in his features. Tyrna was no mage, but even she could tell that the lines of sickly yellow energy running along its surface were probably a bad thing.

"It's been tainted," Injects whispered. "The Hist; the memory of my people…"

"Can you undo it?" Sasha asked him.

"I… I don't know."

"We can try and help you," Makayla offered. "But I don't know much about your people's magick."

"If it's tainted, a healer is probably a good thing to have," Ket added.

"I erect the spine of gratitude."

"I'm going too," Sasha spoke up. "If anything needs to be pummeled down, I'll handle it." The Argonian smiled, and was about to say something, when Lorellya stepped forward. The Dark Elf looked very intrigued by the whole situation.

"I offer my services as well."

"Absolutely not! I will have no Dunmer scum touching any part of the Hist!"

"Injects-" Alana began, before the Argonian rounded on her.

"No! That is my final word on the subject. I will take Makayla, Ket, and Sasha, but I draw the line at her. If we cannot help the Hist, it will be up to the Elders to do what we could not." The Breton snapped her mouth closed and retreated to the back of the group. Lorellya gave a small bow and shrugged, moving to join her friend.

"So what are you going to do?" Tyrna wondered.

"We will touch the Mnemic Egg and enter a trance. That will put us in contact with the Hist, and from there we will do what we must." The four of them knelt around the artifact, placing one hand upon it. The light flowing around the Egg enveloped them as well, and they fell unconscious. The rest of the Sept stood guard for what seemed liked hours. Even when Vicecanon Heita-Meen and some Pact soldiers arrived, they kept their vigil. Finally, after night had fallen, Ket began to stir. She was quickly followed by the others, with Injects the last to wake. All of them looked awed by whatever they'd seen, and the Argonians among the Pact seemed jealous. Allowing the Mnemic Egg to be carried from the ruins, the Sept set off for the nearest wayshrine. Tyrna noticed that Kazdi was clinging tightly to Nathan'Dar, and slipped beside him. The female Khajiit released her grip on the thief's arm, and walked a few paces behind them.

"You seem to have an admirer," Tyrna mused.

"Yes," he sighed. "This one seems cursed like that."

"Cursed? What man wouldn't want women hanging all over him?" Again, there was a heavy sigh, and the dark-furred Khajiit blushed a bit.

"The type that did not like women?"

"Wait, you… You're-"

"This one prefers the company of men, yes. Kazdi will be disappointed, but Nathan will let her down gently. Probably right before he puts her on the ship to home."

"Thank you for stepping in with her, by the way. I thought Injects and Greyson were going to kill her."

"Possibly. Your fellow Imperial seems a bit… Intense since the Hatching Pools. And our Argonian friend has seen his home region nearly destroyed by Ruuvitar's machinations. That they wanted to take it out on an innocent Khajiit was a bit surprising, but not by much. After all, when you finally return home, will you not be tempted to do the same?" Tyrna met his dark-green eyes and frowned.

"I'm not going to kill innocents."

"This one does not know if such a thing exists in Cyrodiil anymore."

"I'll find out one day. Because the moment I get back to the Imperial City, I intend to take down Mannimarco, Clivia Tharn, and anyone else foolish enough to get in my way." The icy tone in her voice made Nathan'Dar shiver, and he said nothing further.