The group made their way down from the small plateau where the portal once was and got to the nearest path they could get to. Traveling over many small green hills and boulders, luscious teeming plant life and wild life surrounding the beautiful area. The path was more a road and was clear and distinct, easy to follow and provided no discomfort to travelers of any kind. In the distance, the road twisted and turned over many hills; not to mention there was no place of rest and food anywhere in sight as the heroes only had their instincts and memories to go off of.
This wasn't a problem as all the heroes knew Cyrodiil quite well and so they then began their walk down the road, the trees on the side provided shade and a cool air in contrast to the sun's warmth that beamed down in certain areas of the road where no trees were to block its path. Down the way was a waterfall that could be seen to the left, it's water pouring into a part og the Upper Niben—the sun's light reflected off of the eroded rock that the water poured down from and its glare was a sight to behold. To the other side of the road were some white pillars among the trees, these pillars being the only structures in the area, as for what they belonged to or were. It seems now that none remain who knew.
Fendrel was at the front of the group, the rest of the guild were clumped together behind him though not uncomfortably. Though, their size did take up all the road but this was no problem as there was no other living soul, Man, Mer or Beast to be seen for miles. Over and down they continued to go on the dirt road, the upward slopes requiring some real leg strength to walk on while the downward slopes provided ease for the weary armored legs of the group. As the group continued to travel, they come across the ruins of a couple inns along their way. Faregyl Inn and The Inn of Ill Omen. The foundations were all that was left, charred pieces of wood and rock in piles surrounding the once quaint inns. This was no time however to stop and investigate as there was work to be done and so the Guild of Tamriel pushed onwards from the rubble.
'We're always so quiet when we walk. Surely there's something to talk about to lighten up the atmospehere. Anyone?' asked Sheogorath. He walked with his Staff held tight in his right hand and was using it as a hiking stick.
'I'm sure we've talked about everything we could possibly talk about. Life stories, adventures, the whole lot.' replied Althalos.
'Well, if we don't have anything of that sort to discuss, we can talk about what our next steps should be after we head to Bravil to obtain a couple horses and then back to Deepscorn Hollow.' suggested Terrowin. Everyone's faces and head movements agreed with that proposition.
'I'll help make flyers to advertise The Guild of Tamriel. I'll need some paper, charcoal, and paint. Does this "Deepscorn Hollow" have such items?' asked Fendrel.
'It does.' Terrowin answered.
'I'll do my part by helping spread positivity...or death. Either/or could work!' said Sheogorath.
'Whatever you say, Mad God.' Fendrel remarked.
Not before long, the trail started to descend downwards, small slopes and nothing too dangerous where one risks great injury or death. To the west was the Niben Bay, now in better view without many a great trees and hills hiding it—as this came into view, so did the city of Bravil. The city was large indeed but not spectacular in the terms of its architecture, rather dull with its many brown buildings and even Castle Bravil didn't stand out too much. Cities such as Cheydinhal and Bruma were more a sight to see. Bravil being of familiarity to Althalos, Hadrian, and Terrowin since they were near the city a few days prior.
Looking back to the west and along the banks of the Niben Bay was a shrine, still largely in tact as well, a nice change from the many destroyed inns and landmarks that plagued the roads of the province. Fendrel derailed from the path to head to this shrine, once he reached it, he found it was a shrine to Zenithar. Zenithar being one of the Divines and the God of Work and Commerce. The shrine itself was unlike any of the shrines Terrowin was familiar with yet all the other heroes looked upon the structure with nostalgia. It had many white pillars surrounding it in a circle, the shrine part looking like a well, the rim adorned with many red diamonds matching what the Armor of the Crusader has along with what the Knights of the Nine wore.
Fendrel kneeled before the shrine and muttered to himself, he was the only one did so. The others having their hands in Daedric matters, of course but they weren't ones to judge Fendrel's or anybody's faith for that matter. Fendrel then got back up to his feet and turned towards the group.
'Thank you for allowing me to pray. I know that the rest of you don't follow the Divines but I prayed to Zenithar that we are protected and may our hard work for this guild bring Tamriel prosperity.' said Fendrel.
Fendrel then returned to being in front of the party and they continued on to Bravil, the city growing closer and closer. The smell of food and commerce also began to grow closer, reminding every warrior in the guild of home, a place of ease and comfort. The walls of Bravil were your typical chivalric looking protective walls that all Cyrodiilic cities had, large and strong. The stone ancient and timeless, not weakened by nature or the hands of any race on Nirn. To the west of the trail and the city itself were the remnants of a destroyed Oblivion gate and of an old fort, the fort was nigh non-existant—some miniscule stone walls were all that was left.
'Since we're real close to the city now, I'll change back into Hadrian so as not to arouse suspicion.' said Sheogorath as he used his magic to change himself back into the Divine-Armored Hadrian.
There was a small wooden bridge that led to the gates of Bravil, one would assume a bridge such as that would be in a state of disrepair and would be treacherous to cross but it looked as though the bridge had recently been rebuilt. At the entrance to the bridge was a single Imperial guard who viewed the guild with heavy and questioning eyes. Now in close proximity was the Bay Roan Stables; a small quaint wooden building with a large fenced area with two horses in it. A large deep brown colored Bay Horse and an equal size Paint Horse that had the same brown color but with a large white blotch across its body.
'You fellas pay for the horses, I'll head into the city and acquire some food for us. I won't be long and I'll be sure not to cause any trouble.' Viedrelle stated as he strided past the guard who simply said 'Citizen.' The Hero of Daggerfall then entered through the large gates of Bravil—the rest of the group headed up to the Bay Roan Stables.
Outside the building sitting on a wooden bench was a well-armored Nord woman. She wore a nice set of steel armor and had long black hair along with ocean blue eyes that looked upon the group with question yet intrigue. The guild then approached her.
'Greetings travelers. I'm Zahara Magnus. I assume you're purchasing a fine steed?' asked Zahara.
'Two, actually. The only ones you have back there.' said Althalos.
Althalos then reached into the satchel at his side and pulled out a couple small green emeralds and a large diamond. The gems and diamond shimmered in the bit of sunlight that the trees allowed. Althalos handed them to Zahara who inspected them with shocked eyes.
'My. Thank you, Dunmer. I'll lead you fellows around back to the stable itself and my Khajiit assistant Jef'ranak can help you out. He prefers the shortened "Jeff" however.' Zahara said as she got up from the bench and led the group to the stable. The Nord woman opened up the small latched wooden gate and she entered along with the guild.
'How many jewels and Septims do you have?' whispered Terrowin.
'Plenty.' Althalos whispered back.
At the back of the small building was a Khajiit wearing a exquisite green shirt and pants, his face grey and with no discernable marks or facial features present. Jeff said nothing as Zahara asked of him to fetch the horses—he then walked past the heroes over to the two horses in the stable. Jeff led the two horses by the bridles over to the guild; the horses walking with the Khajiit with grace and a calm temperament. The brown Bay Horse to his right and the Paint Horse to his left.
'Be careful as you climb up, Jeff would not like it if you all got bucked off.' said Jeff. His voice a bit pitchy and even high for a male Khajiit.
'You three along with Viedrelle can use the horses, I will finally be able to use my Boots of Blinding Speed once again but with no one on my back this time.' Althalos said.
Terrowin climbed atop the Paint Horse carefully and slowly—the Dragonborn was relatively light-weight even with his good amount of muscle weight. Fendrel got on the Paint Horse as well, Fendrel definitely did weigh more than Terrowin but the horse didn't seem to mind. Hadrian got on the Bay Horse and much like Terrowin, didn't weigh a whole lot as his considerable skill in acrobatics made him light as a feather though he hadn't quite been able to exercise this skill yet.
Terrowin and Hadrian led their horses out from the gate and back onto the road, here they would sit and wait for Viedrelle to come back out from the busy city. Many minutes passed and the armored Breton did return, carrying a handful of fruit and meat. Terrowin took a cooked rabbit leg, Fendrel had himself some pears, Althalos ate two raw potatoes, Hadrian politely declined and so Viedrelle had some grapes. After their small meal, Viedrelle climbed on top of Hadrian's horse—the group then waved Zahara and Jeff goodbye as they then rode off from Bravil to Deepscorn Hollow. The horses were fast and quite remarkable creatures of such grace, Althalos ran beside the horses, keeping at their pace. Though the Nerevarine could indeed run much faster, that wouldn't be too ideal at this very time.
What would take hours took minutes as the heroes sped their way down. The Niben Bay quickly turned from a large body of water to but a small river; no doubt the Lower Niben which then became the Topal Bay. After some more minutes passed by, the guild saw and passed by the town of Leyawiin, where the Nerevarine, Hero of Kvatch, and Dragonborn had been many days prior. Past that now was the much lower part of Cyrodiil, Elsweyr and Black Marsh so close and well within reach. More time flew by quicker than the trees and the heroes now reached Deepscorn Hollow. Everyone except Althalos climbed off their horses and then led the beasts to a nearby tree to leave them there though not permanently. Fendrel and Viedrelle looked at the ruins that lay everywhere, bricks and wood showing some vague representation of what was once a structure.
'Let's make sure we switch out of keeping an eye on the horses as well as kill any wild game out here for some food.' suggested Althalos.
'No problem at all. So, where is this "Deepscorn Hollow"?' asked Fendrel.
'Follow me." answered Hadrian.
Hadrian then led all the guild down to the large Topal Bay and hopped into the water, Terrowin and Althalos jumping in after. Fendrel and Viedrelle looked at each other with slight confusion but jumped into the water as well. The sun was still bright and warm and so the water was surprisngly warm as well. Very welcome change from the cold water the Nerevarine and Dragonborn had experienced before. Hadrian once again forcefully submerging himself in the water against his amulet's will. Though everyone's vision was blurry from the assault of water, they followed the blob that was Hadrian's to the hollowed out tree entrance into Deepscorn Hollow.
Everyone went through the wooden door and emerged out from the water into the entrance into the new fortress and base of operations for The Guild of Tamriel. Every hero spent a few seconds making sure their items and armor were okay from the submergence in water—Althalos, Hadrian, and Terrowin led the Eternal Champion and Hero of Daggerfall through every room in the quaint yet ominous fortress. Through the same rooms the Nerevarine, Hero of Kvatch, and Dragonborn were familiar with, Fendrel and Viedrelle took a some time walking through to appreciate the simple architecture of Deepscorn Hollow.
Heading into the Deepscorn Bastion, the central table in the front was covered in maps and all kinds of books and weaponry from the last time this area was occupied. Hadrian cleared off the table and then went to grab two wooden chairs so that Fendrel and Viedrelle can sit. Once every hero was seated, one hero look at one another with looks of satisfaction and anxious waiting—wondering what was going to happen next.
'Let us begin.' said Hadrian.