Sarah braced for the worst. "Hadvar or I are going to die?"

High Queen Idgrod shook her head. "No. At least, not what I saw. I see the gates of Oblivion opening."

"That's impossible. Martin Septim stopped that when he gave up his life in the Oblivion Crisis."

High Queen Idgrod patted her knee. "I don't mean literally, dear. This is more . . . subtle. Namira's children are like wolves circling around you and another girl. You love each other. The wolves made you flee to Skyrim."

Sarah's stomach churned. "You mean that a cult of Namira framed me for murder?"

High Queen Idrgrod tightly held her hand. "Dear, they're in Skyrim. I found them near silvery stone."

"Does that mean Markarth?"

"To be honest, probably."

Sarah went outside to find her father. "Father, we discovered who framed me back in High Rock. A cult of Namira in Markarth."

Master Drekonish stiffened. "Filthy cannibals. It's only fitting that you are the only to administer justice. Please, take Hadvar and Njada. Serana and I will stay here. We're waiting for our spies from Valenwood to appear soon."

Sarah found her friends sharing laughs over a few bottles of mead. She bit her lip. "Are you all drunk?"

Njada made a face. "Nah. I don't get drunk. I don't like losing control like that."

Hadvar nodded. "Same here. Few drinks here and there, nothing to be worried about."

Sarah's shoulders eased. "Good, because we're going on a stealth mission in Markarth."

Njada perked up. "Do we get to assassinate the Silver-Bloods? I've been waiting for this!"

"Um, we're tracking a group of Namira worshippers. If the Silver-Bloods are part of that cult, they better start praying to Anu."

Njada grinned. "Yes! Sweet! Let's go!"

They traveled to Markarth. The air was sweltering and humid. They hustled inside the city. Hogni Red-Arm proclaimed, "The bloodiest beef in the Reach!"

Hogni examined Sarah. "I can't believe anyone mistook you for a Forsworn agent. I know you're a Breton, but that's the only similarity you have with the savages. Ooh. I mean, before they came here peacefully. Now they're alright."

Njada shrugged. "Well, we figured out Thonar Silver-Blood made a deal with the Forsworn king, Madanach. He threw her in jail because of it."

Hogni's eyes widened. "Really? That turncoat ought to pay for his crimes! I'll take care of him. I'll invite him to a big dinner . . ."

Njada coughed. "I'm sorry, but we have to go."

Hadvar voiced, "I'd like to go to the bank and have a word with Thonar about how to treat women."

Sarah latched her hand on his arm. "He'll throw you in prison! He owns it! He can put whoever he wants in it!"

They roamed into Understone Keep where Thongvor was shouting at Brother Verulus. "What are you hiding, priest?"

"I'm not hiding anything. It's closed for a reason."

Thongvor roared, "You keep us from seeing our honored dead? You and the Jarl will answer for any desecration of my ancestors' bodies!"

Brother Verulus sighed. "That's enough, Thongvor. We're done."

Thongvor caught sight of the gang and closed the gap between them. "At least the Empire is restoring Talos worship. I'm glad that accursed elves are gone, but the Forsworn? The cretins need to leave."

Hadvar shot him a polite smile and followed Brother Verulus. The priest's eyes narrowed. "The Hall of the Dead is closed."

Njada suggested, "We could help you. Anything to shut up Thongvor."

Brother Verulus gave them a key. "I was going to have to find someone to take care of the issue. Be warned. Bodies have been torn apart, like they were eaten by a savage animal."

Sarah turned to her companions. "This sounds like the work of Namira's cult."

Brother Verulus jumped back. "A Daedric Prince is behind this?"

They went inside, checking all the corpses to see which ones were unharmed and which ones were violated. A voice echoed, "Not many would walk into a crept without fear and feel . . . hunger."

They sprinted at the voice, only for it to console, "Don't be frightened. Your mouth waters at the sight of flesh. Namira understands and judges not."

Hadvar unsheathed his sword. "Here we go."

A blur rushed in front of them and stopped suddenly. A blonde, half-blind Breton surveyed the squad and her gaze finally rested on Sarah. "Namira told me about you. You were young when you first tasted human flesh. An older sister who had died-"

A fury brewed inside Sarah.

How dare she mention Katrina?! That witch will pay for uttering her name!

"-An accident, of course. But you thought, what was the harm in one bite?"

The flame leapt from Sarah's chest and into her throat. Her hand instinctively reached for her axe.

I would never hurt Katrina! I loved her! And I still do! I miss her every day!

"It's okay. You're safe now. You're accepted for you are, in your wretchedness . . ."

"YOU MONSTER!"

The Breton seethed, "Fine! To Oblivion with you and your precious Katrina!"

Sarah ripped the axe for its place and sunk it into the girl's skin. Thanks to its Fiery Soul Trap enchantment, the inner murderous fury extended into the real world and charred the girl's flesh.

In her frenzy, Sarah roughly shook her three times, knocked her to the ground, and pierced her heart with the axe. Her whirlwind of hatred wasn't worn through. She grabbed the girl's corpse and dragged it over to the torch.

The door creaked open. Brother Verulus meekly stepped in. "I heard rather violent noises and thought I should make sure you were okay."

Sarah spat on the girl's body and spluttered, "There's your cannibal."

Brother Verulus took a step back at her unexpected anger. "I'd rather not know the details. Thank you. For your trouble."

Sarah snatched the gold, shoved it in her pocket, and picked up the girl's head.

Brother Verulus winced. "Can I help you?"

Sarah grunted, "No. I'm good." She got a grip on her waist, and delicately placed the body on the torch.

Brother Verulus repeated, "Can I help you? You seem extremely psychologically disturbed."

Sarah ignored him as she watched the body burn with a pure satisfaction she hadn't felt since a child, and since Katrina was alive.

The Namira worshipper's skin became to peel off. Brother Verulus pulled Sarah away. "This seems to be damaging your mental health. Please, for your own safety!"

Hadvar gestured for him to leave and placed a hand on Sarah's shoulder. "Honey, what was going on?"

Sarah crossed her arms. "I had a sister named Katrina who died when we were children."

Njada's jaw dropped. "You ate her?!"

Sarah turned on her. "I did NOT eat her! I was so devastated. She was my best friend. When I saw the body, I lost it. I suddenly knew I lost her and I put as much of her in mouth as possible so she'd still be with me."

Njada corrected her previous statement. "So you had a nervous breakdown? That's so sad! I'm sorry. Katrina sounded amazing."

Sarah refocused on the girl, who was burnt beyond recognition. "She was the best."