Divisions

Divisions. Fractures. They appear so quickly in everything. A tug here, a tear there. All too soon a union can break and be destroyed. Loyalties surmount loyalties, and even as it forms, a fellowship divides.

Some time later after Finn had eaten and packed up again the three headed into Cylarne. Finn could feel Adriana's glare on the back of his head. She had seemingly taken an instant dislike to him, although he suspected, and Nerte had confirmed it, that she was like that with everyone. Anyone who wasn't either a Saint or Lord Sheogorath himself…

The walls dropped back to reveal the open courtyard entrance of Cylarne which they had already entered once that day. However, the difference was that now the sun was dipping beyond the horizon. Pink and purple fluorescent constellations lit the sky as day prepared to make way for night and the Mazken and Auriel guards lit torches and placed them in holders around each of the ironwork gates.

So, thought Nerte – to light the flames he'll either have to unite the parties or force them into all out war… But he'll have to choose a side first…

The two stopped as Finn looked around, and then walked over to the Mazken guard.

"You are the one our Lord Sheogorath has sent to light the Flame, are you mortal?" asked the Mazken guard. When he answered her she snorted lightly and continued "Well then your task has been made somewhat easier then… Tonight the Auriel have an all out raid on the Alter of Despair planned…" she paused and looked at him. "If you will aid us, that is."

A battle, he thought. That's what it always comes down to with this mob. He turned around as he felt Nerte tap him on the shoulder. "You'll have to choose a side now" she said, "whether you like it or not. I know this mob – I'm one of them – neither side will ever give in without their fight."

"Haskill?" growled Finn, looking away from Nerte and Adriana. A long suffering sigh later, the black and red figure appeared out of a mist cloud. "What is it this time? Can't it wait?" it asked.

"No it can't" said Finn. "Why's it got to be a battle for the Alters?" he demanded. "I don't mind killing Grummites and stuff, but the Seducers and the Saints, they're like people…"

"Yes, there does have to be a battle" answered Haskill in a tone that one usually reserved for two year olds and the mentally damaged. "And you have to be in it too." As if he could see Finn lining up his next question (Which was "Why?") Haskill continued. "Cylarne has stood on the brink of teetering to one side or the other for countless years. However, in His divine wisdom our Lord Sheogorath has made sure that the forces are always perfectly balanced – a new member will be required to change the outcome…" He stopped in mid sentence and then followed through "And if it makes you feel better, remember that the Mazken and the Auriel are Daedra, and you have in your possession no means to kill them."

Like before, before Finn could ask anything else Haskill faded away, muttering to himself, "enlightening, as always…".

"Damn mongrel always goes before I'm finished with him," he said quietly.

"Why don't you just summon him again?" asked Nerte curiously.

"Spell won't work again for a half a day or so," he explained.

He thought about what Haskill said. "You have in your possession no means to kill them…" But he doubted this. The Daedra could be killed, but essentially their souls were re-born, at their respective wellsprings, the weak spots in the world from the Waters of Oblivion. He had a sword which he believed functioned by devouring souls. If he was right, there would be nothing left to be reborn if he used Dawnfang on a Daedra…

"Well, a battle there will be then," he said suddenly, sounding far more reckless then he felt. He turned back to the Mazken guard. "I will fight alongside you," he declared to her. Nerte stepped up beside him and finished… "We will hold the Alter of Despair with you."

The guard smiled at them, and opened the gate for them. "Follow the passage through the main doors – it will lead you into the stronghold of the Alter of Despair. Ask to talk with Ulfri – our leader in Cylarne."

She looked at someone behind him and he turned around. "Your friend, however," continued the Mazken coldly "is not welcome."

Adriana loomed forward and shot a look at her, before turning her face towards Finn. "Champion…" she said lowly, "I respect you as the Hero of the Isles – however, now is where I take my leave of you. If you survive I will continue on with you and guard you – however, I will not stand against my brethren, not even for one appointed by Sheogorath."

Before he could really reply or even get over his surprise she had turned away and strode off towards the far side of the courtyard. In the short time since they'd met he hadn't felt any sense of her having loyalty towards him. Yet, apparently she had. All for Sheogorath though, no doubt. After all, the only person that the saints truly respected was Sheogorath. But he still hadn't expected it…

He shook his head and cleared it from his mind. He would fight with the Mazken. They had been his favourite of the two races since he had entered the Isles, and there was something about the Saints that annoyed him – their "bull-headed arrogance" he believed he had once heard a Seducer describe it as.

He stepped through the gate, small stones crunching under feet. Nerte marched in behind him. She too had been rather surprised to hear that Adriana felt any loyalty to the mortal they had only just met. She scarcely did and at least she'd spoken to the man…

Regardless, it did not matter now. She would not meet Adriana again unless in battle. Surprising herself she felt a pang of sadness at the thought. She had enjoyed the silences of marches with Adriana, her grumpy nature, her lack of need of conversation. Nerte was perfectly capable of working with someone like that… As an assassin, she had often gone for days without talking with anyone at all. Adriana's company had been aggressive, but… there had been something about it that Nerte had nevertheless liked.

Suddenly she recalled what the guard had said. If Ulfri was indeed leading Cylarne's forces then there would be more trouble then she had thought.