Chapter Twenty-One

The road to Winterhold wasn't an easy one. Bears and saber cats were out for blood and it seemed like there was an endless line of wolves waiting to die by my hand. I felt somewhat guilty leaving the carcasses untouched. I had no time to skin the animals but it was a shame to waste so many pelts. The orphanage could always use more furs and the warrens needed them almost as badly.

I was exhausted by the time I reached the college gates. I had no love for these spell crafters but a healthy dose of respect. I had seen incredible things in my brief time here. The forces of nature could be controlled at a whim by anyone with the know how. That made me uneasy. But the college had guidelines they seemed to stick to, so I didn't look at them as a threat to skyrim.

I headed directly for the Arcanaeum. Urag sat as he ever did, behind a desk littered with various books, scrolls and other tomes. It looked like chaos to me, but the irritable Orc seemed content. His eyes tracked my movement, but he made no other acknowledgement of my presence. I heard him growl in agitation when I drew closer.

"Questions, I suppose? You're full of questions aren't you?" He growled at me.

"Aye. What do you know of a Child of Oblivion?" I asked, wasting no time on pleasantries.

The Orc stared at me in astonishment. "A Nord and you've never heard of a Child of Oblivion? Just creatures of myth. But Nords love their damn myths don't they?" He grumbled.

"What are they?" I snapped impatiently.

He raised his eyebrows. "They're described as nasty creatures, they feed on people like vampires and spread their undeath through bites." He supplied.

"How do you kill them permanently?" I asked.

"You cannot mean to imply you've actually met one." Urag said. "What am I saying? You're a dragon slayer of legend that defeated a dragon that devoured souls."

"And I would like to know how to kill one of these creatures if you would be so kind." I prodded.

The Orc rose without a word. He was grumbling to himself as he unlocked one of the bookshelves nearby.

"Ah!" He called triumphantly. "A Child of Oblivion is a demon of the foulest sort." He read from a dusty book. "The unfortunate result of a dremora bedding a mortal woman, the Oblivion Crisis was the catalyst for an epidemic of these foul beasts being brought into Tamriel. Their births always result in the death of the mother, if their forced creation did not. These women are doomed from the start."

I nodded. "Yes but can I kill them?" I urged.

The Orc snuffed irritably. "Patience Dragonborn. Hmmmm. They devour their victims heart first. They tend to flock together. They do not age. Ah! They cannot tolerate sunlight and they can be beheaded. Their bodies will then turn- damn the book is damaged!"

"The bodies turn to ash." I finished flatly. "Can someone bitten be cured?"

"No. They are doomed forever. Death is the only salvation." A voice behind me intoned grimly.

"Savos." I greeted the elf. "You are knowledgeable on this subject?"

The Mage raised his eyebrows and gave me a sardonic smile. "Don't sound so surprised Dragonborn. My position isn't one of birth. I know a great many things." He sighed. "Unfortunately, not a great deal is known about The Children. Your best chance at learning about them would be to visit with one."

"You know where their lair is?" I demanded incredulously.

"Not at all. I know where one lives." Savos snapped irritably. "He's lived there for many years. He's... Unpleasant but not violent."

"Why isn't it like the others?" I asked.

"He chooses not to be. Apparently he's more in control of himself than the others of his kind. I should warn you Dragonborn. Just because he IS NOT violent does not mean that he CANNOT be. He is very old, and very powerful. Tread carefully." He warned me.

"Aye. Could you mark down his location on my map?" I asked impatiently.

"No need. He lives in Blackreach." Savos dismissed.

"By Talos does every foul beast live in Blackreach?" I groaned irritably.

"Very nearly." He quipped back, quickly writing down directions to the exact location of the beast.

I left the college quickly, catching a coach to take me just outside of the ruins leading to Blackreach. It was as beautiful as ever but crawling with falmer. I could see their sickly gray hides silhouetted against the dark landscape. It appeared that our liberation a few weeks prior had put them on edge.

I made my way through the ruined civilization, dispatching the falmer as silently as possible. After twenty were slain in my wake I grew weary. Their numbers never seemed to dwindle. I couldn't believe an entire race had been held captive for so long.

Finally, I reached the shack that housed the beast. I opened the door quietly. I stepped inside but nearly tumbled back out again. I found myself nose to nose with a pale creature unlike any I had seen. The young woman in the woods was nothing like this thing peering at me.

I'm not sure what I was expecting but this wasn't it. The being before me appeared almost dainty, a full head shorter than myself. Deep brown skin was sharply contrasted by hair as white as freshly fallen snow. Its eyes glowed brightly in the dim room, a brilliant red with no discernible iris or pupil.

"Unless the world has changed most drastically since I last ventured outside, it is generally considered quite rude to enter someone's home without being welcomed in." It spoke in a soft, musical tone. I could only stare.

It cocked its head at me. It appeared quizzical. "You certainly haven't ventured upon me accidentally. Your movements were quite determined as you attempted to be stealthy. An area you're lacking in by the way." It said amiably.

Its barb jarred me from my stupor. "Beast I have come far. You will answer my questions now." I commanded.

It smiled. "You are very rude young man. This is my home. If you cannot use your manners I would ask you to leave."

I stepped forward menacingly. "You will do as I say or regret it beast." I growled.

The smile froze on its face before it dropped completely. "You are a fool." It said softly.

I put my hand on my blade but made it no further. Faster than I could dream of moving, I was disarmed and slammed to the ground by my throat.

I froze as razor sharp teeth glinted above me. Red eyes were narrowed in irritation.

"A lesson in manners is long overdue human." It snarled. "I'm going to let you up now. If I put you down again, you will not get back up. Understand?"

I nodded. Immediately I was yanked to my feet. "So you have some questions for me?" It asked pleasantly.

"Aye." I said hoarsely, rubbing my neck.

It grinned at me, those nightmarish teeth glinting. "Excellent. I'll make us some tea and you can ask away." The odd creature bounced away, leaving me standing there bewildered.

"What's your name?" It called from across the room.

"Arryn. Most just call me Dragonborn." I answered.

"I much prefer Arryn. I don't abide by titles. I am Rathe, by the way." It called.

"Wraith?" I asked before I could stop myself.

"Mhm. The woman who helped guide me had an unusual sense of humor. I altered the spelling but her meaning remains the same I suppose." It answered, handing me a mug. "I am a demon of sorts. But I expect you already know that, do you not?"