This update feels a little short, but it'll have to do. I didn't originally plan for the story to go in this direction, but I have a feeling it will just be an added chapter or so instead of an entire change to the plot. (I have a feeling I should have given the worshippers names...)

Ah, my twin brother is on here now as AssassinZ7, so check his stories out sometime.

Disclaimer: I don't own Oblivion.

Chapter 20

Alright, so there I was: faced with 3 angry Orcs with several menacing weapons between them. My only weapon was a tiny iron dagger, though I dared not reach for it.

Maybe you've heard of Malacath? No? Well he isn't the worst Daedric Prince to come across, and is very kind to his followers. Obviously, this means his followers are also devoted to him. This can be very problematic for a scrawny wandering Breton.

I took one look at the gathering of Orcs and threw up my hands, not letting go of Black's reins.

Oh yeah, I had that morning's on-the-go breakfast of bread hanging out of my mouth.

It wasn't a good morning.

"Who are you?" One of the worshippers yelled.

I tried to talk, my shock making me forget the bread and nearly spit it out before covering my mouth long enough to swallow a large bite. "My name's Margot. I'm just a wanderer; I mean you no harm." I yelled.

They lowered their weapons slightly, "How can we be sure?" One of the larger ones called.

"You can't." I called back, not knowing what else to say. "Though I'm not sure why you'd worry about a scrawny Breton without armor."

Finally one of them sheathed his broadsword and grinned, "You're probably right. You may go in peace if you promise not to tell our location."

I started to agree, but instead something else came to mind, "Can I ask a favor of you in exchange for my keeping your secret?"

The muttered amongst themselves for a few moments before one called back, "Come here and tell us; we promise no harm will come to you until you've asked your favor."

Then I'd better word this well. I thought, tugging Black forward. They were giving me a chance, and such trivial things wouldn't upset a normal person, even a Daedric worshipper.

"Now, what is it?" One of the larger Orcs asked. "Talk fast, I don't think our friends would appreciate coming back from hunting to find someone like you here."

I nodded, "I was wondering if you'd seen any guards pass through here."

Each of them thought for a moment before shaking their heads slowly. I nodded, "I have one more question: I was staying at an estate last night and this morning I saw someone- How should I explain it?- Leading an ogre on some sort of leash into a cave." I stopped them before they could dismiss me as insane, "I know it sounds crazy, and it was early in the morning, but I wasn't sure if you knew anything about it."

Suddenly a smile spread over each of their faces, and they were much more… welcoming.

"Come on over to Malacath's Shrine. Sit down; tell us all about these ogres." All their weapons were sheathed now, and they lead me to the Shrine.

There were skinned animals hanging near fires, drying and laid out on rocks, and other carcasses with and without skin. Weapons were equally abundant, the biggest lay in front of the shrine itself. A few bloodstained cloaks were scattered around with pieces of broken armor.

They brought me to a few benches, and one Orc left to retrieve something. I sat down and they sat across from me. The one who left returned with roasted meat that I didn't recognize right away. It was very dark, and something in the back of my mind told me it was probably bear.

These people hunted bears for food and I was thankful for anything hot and edible, so, despite the fact that it wasn't entirely appetizing, I just smiled and nodded as I ate.

"Now, what about these captive ogres?" The biggest one, with the axe, asked.

I swallowed, "I was staying with a Dunmer named… Drad, I think. He and his wife, or sister, I don't know, and the next morning I left early and saw some guy with a leashed ogre."

"Drad, you say?" The smallest Orc, ironically and understandably wearing the most armor, said with a big smile. "I'm pretty sure I know where his estate is."

"It was a very nice looking estate, well at least what I saw of it." I mentioned before taking another bite. I swallowed quickly, remembering something else. "I think I may have gotten turned around in that storm. Which way is Anvil?"

"Just follow the water that way." The smaller one pointed almost in the direction that I'd come. "If you're heading that way, there's an island you can see just before you reach Anvil. There's good fishing there, but it's hard to reach so it's only good for a marker."

"Thank you. Is there anything else I can do for you?" I asked, feeling thankful with my full stomach.

The smiled again, helping me stand up. "No, no, you've done plenty. Guys, I think we owe this nice young lady for this information."

The biggest one handed me a large bundle of cloth. "Here, some extra clothing. I put a bottle of mead in there too if you get thirsty."

"Thank you!" I said, surprised by the generosity.

"Just don't tell anyone where we are, and don't spread anything about the ogres." Each of them said something along these lines as they ushered me out, pressing Black's reins into my hands.

I walked for a time before stopping in the shade of a boulder to tie my gifts to Black's saddle and climbing on. The horse was well-rested and quite content as I took my time getting to Anvil.

Dodging Oblivion Gates and munching on grapes, I meandered my way to the city on the water, thinking of good fish and a warm bed that I didn't have yet. I didn't count the days and I didn't ration food, knowing I would reach my destination eventually.

It was a fine time on the road. I watched the stars and considered making maps later after I had parchment. The nights were filled with staring at what seemed like nothing, trying to see if there was some far off star hiding from my eyes. My mind avoided the subject of my future, focusing on a single point in the sky until I'd forgotten everything.

It was then that I met someone who I should have never seen again, someone who I wouldn't see again until my life had once again been altered.

I came across a road as I walked farther inland after sighting the island the Orcs had told me about. It was a perfectly ordinary road, with a very nice sign pointing the way to Anvil. I noted that one of the signs was blank and, strangely, seemed to point nowhere. This perfectly ordinary road with its quant little sign was the place that I saw Captain Hieronymus Lex.

It was then that time started again.