First things first. With Safia gone, I tucked the stolen letter into my shirt and crossed town to Caius Cosades house. I knocked on the door and a few moments later, it cracked open just enough for the old man to see me through the crack. He then closed it, unhooked the chain and swung it wide, inviting me inside. To my surprise, there were no complaints about the time. I suppose a spymaster would be used to late clandestine meetings.

"Han lu, where are your shoes?"

I chuckled tiredly. "I kind of left the guild hall in a hurry."

He nodded. "What can I do for you?"

"Well, long story short, I have to forge a copy of a letter and I can't return to my guild until morning. I was hoping to borrow a pair of shoes, a good shirt, and about thirty septims. I can pay you back in the morning, I promise."

Caius laughed heartily. "Believe it or not, that's not the strangest request I've had at this time of night. Have a seat by the fire, I'll get what you need."

I thanked him before settling into one of his large chairs. He had books scattered everywhere.

"So may I ask if this is related to the Blades or is it an... extracurricular activity?" Caius asked.

"It's kind of for the fighters guild. Tell me Caius, do you know what group could be fighting the Camonna Tong?"

"Of course. The only group who'd be so brazen is the thieves guild. They've come in from Cyrodiil and they're trying to move in on Camonna Tong turf."

"Well, I guess I'm doing it for them," I mused. "What time is it by the way?"

"Oh, probably between three and four."

Caius tossed me a pair of simple shoes and a blue shirt. "Thanks." I slipped the shoes on while Caius sat across from me with a pouch of money. When I took my shirt off, he frowned at the swollen spots on my chest.

"What's with the sores," he asked?

I glanced down at my wounds before answering. "Oh, it was this disgusting bone creature in the tomb. I got jabbed a couple times and I forgot to disinfect it before healing."

He set the money on a table and went to a corner. He knelt and pulled up a floorboard, taking a potion bottle from a hidden stash. "Here, this will help with the infection, but you should seek proper healing."

I sat and sipped slowly at the bland, thick mixture. "Thanks Caius."

"I've got to keep my agents on their feet, don't I?" He set a sack of gold down next to me. "That's your payment for the Orc's job. It ought to cover your expenses for whatever you need. I assume you'll have some intelligence for me soon."

"Tomorrow."

Caius nodded. "Keep the shirt and shoes and good luck with your project."

I scooped up up the gold and saluted the spymaster. "Divines know I could use some good luck."

He saw me to the front door and I set out to do some late night shopping. The next morning, Safia found me asleep at a table at the Riverside dinner. I was slumped over a couple pieces of paper and a random book, I'd purchased. Thank Azura, I'd had the good sense to stopper my ink bottle before laying my head down to rest, because I'd tipped it over in my sleep.

I awoke with a start when she shook my shoulder. I jerked awake and looked around in disorientation. It took me a moment to realize where I was. Safia perched lithely on the chair across from me in expensive looking travel clothes. Her expression was serious, but I caught a brief glimpse of concern.

"You don't look very good Sera."

I rubbed my eyes and tried to clear my head. "I'm sick, injured, and got next to no sleep last night." I added a note of exaggerated enthusiasm to my tone. "It can't be helped though. I can't expect your guild to schedule your robbery attempts at my convenience."

Safia gritted her teeth, glancing at the rest of the breakfast crowd. "I'll thank you to keep your voice down. This isn't a private venue."

"Right, right," I agreed dismissively, waving a hand in the air. "Down to business then. The reason I couldn't just give you the letter yesterday was because if your father had any reason to believe the code in this letter had been stolen, he'd use a new code and all your efforts would be for nothing. What you need is a double bluff. You need to read the letter to learn what's inside and return it to Orvas without breaking the wax seal. That, however, would be impossible."

Safia nodded curiously and patiently. "So what you need," I continued, "Is a perfect copy." I took the two envelopes I'd fallen asleep on top of and handed both to her.

She glanced at me while opening them and comparing them side by side. Her mouth hung open slightly. "Why, they're almost identical."

I nodded tiredly. "Close enough to pass your father's inspection I think. I've had lots of practice forging handwriting, so the hard part was finding the envelope, ink, and paper to match the original." I gestured at the book on the table. It was called, The Pilgrim's Path. "I've never read it, but the book is mass produced and uses cheap paper, much like what is used for stationary." I opened the book to show her one of the blank pages in the front I'd carefully removed for use on the letter.

"Honestly, I was lucky. There are two pawn shops in town, both of which are open all night and between the two of them, I found everything I needed. Well... except one thing."

Safia glanced up from her letters, her face on the verge of awe. "What was that?"

I held up a finger. "What's the one thing on here I wouldn't be able to replicate?"

She studied the pages for a moment and then realized what I was talking about. She instead picked up the envelope from the original letter, brushing a finger over the broken wax seal. "My father's signet?" She looked up at me to confirm her guess.

I shot her a tired but winning smile. "I don't suppose you could help me out with that, could you?"

Slowly, she reached for a leather cord around her neck and laid it on the table. A ring hung on the cord with an artful little design carved into its face. A signet ring, I knew, was carved with a family's crest. It was used on official documents, making an imprint on the wax seal to confirm that it was sent from someone of the proper family.

I reached for my pocket and drew out a small purple candle, matching the color of the wax seal. "I don't suppose you know any fire magic do you?" I offered her the wick and she reached out towards it. The tip caught fire. "Put the letters away for me, would you?"

She did so as I held the candle, trying to pool the melting wax. She slid me the forgery and I dripped the wax over the lip of the envelope. Before the seal could cool, I took her ring and carefully pressed the signet into the soft wax, leaving the impression of the Dren family crest. I withdrew the ring, careful not to rip the seal from the paper. I then set the letter aside, handed her the ring and her dagger from last night. I kept the forgery and she held onto the original with the broken seal. I met her gaze seriously. "Do you have a smuggler for me?"

She took a moment to respond, as if deep in thought. "We have a member who can get you passage on a smuggling vessel. Her name is Addhiranirr. You can find her around the Foreign Quarter in Vivec. We've sent her word to expect you, but you'll still have to pay your way."

I nodded. "I've got that covered." I looked around to find the waiter, but noticed the look Safia was giving me. It was like she was seeing me for the first time. "What is it," I asked?

"Well, it's just unfortunate that you're leaving. I get the feeling my superiors would very much like to recruit you. You're obviously a skilled agent."

I chuckled. "I appreciate the compliment, however, I'm hoping to get out of the espionage business. You're about two weeks too late. However, I don't suppose you'd like to join me for breakfast?" I raised and lowered my eyebrows at her.

She responded with a small laugh. "Wish I could, but due to your forgery plan, I'm running a few hours behind schedule." She stood packing away her things. "I do have one question though. Why make a perfect copy of the letter when you could have just copied the information for us and put the original letter in a new envelope?"

My mouth hung agape as my exhausted mind followed her train of logic, my expression becoming gradually crestfallen. My mind had been so debilitated, I hadn't even considered the simpler possibility. "I just wasted a whole night when I could have been asleep." I rested my head in my hands, sulking over my oversight. "I'll never get those hours back."

Safia patronizingly patted my shoulder as she passed. "Talented perhaps, but not the sharpest tool in the shed. If it's any consolation, it is a very nice copy and I'm sure my father will appreciate it." I glanced up to see her grinning at me. "I don't suppose I have to ask you not to mention my involvement," she said.

I pinched my lips closed with two fingers and raised my hand as if in solemn oath, drawing a grin out of the girl. She departed, saying, "I wish you safe travels, Han lu. Almsivi be with you."

I turned to watch her leave. She flipped her hood up and seemed to melt away into the crowd. Or maybe my vision was blurring. I blinked several times. Yep, my vision was definitely blurring.

Deciding to skip breakfast and go back to sleep without delay. I took the forged letter, abandoning the rest of my supplies. I stumbled a lot as I made my way back towards the guild hall until I finally had to stop to rest against a building. My head started swimming and suddenly I found myself laying with my cheek on the cobblestones. Somebody shook my shoulder.

"Hey, are you alright?"

I tried to speak and was able to mutter, "Fighter's guild." A few minutes later, I was being carried. I looked over to see Wayn and Eyedis hauling me back to the guild by my shoulders. Wayn noticed I was awake.

"Han lu, are you with me? We spent all night trying to find the thief. Did he get you? Are you poisoned?"

I shook my head weakly. "Just sick." I was able to slip my hand in my shirt and pull out the letter. Eyedis gasped when she saw it.

"How did you get that back?" I let my head loll forward as if losing consciousness. I couldn't lie right now. I was in no state to make up a good story. Instead, I let them take me back to the guildhall.

"Ajira." I croaked.

"What?" Wayne asked?

"Ajira," I repeated.

"I think he means the Khajiit healer next door," Eyedis concluded. They dragged me in the front door of the fighter's guild. "Fasile," Eyedis ordered. "Go to the mages guild and bring their healer."

I drifted in and out of consciousness as they put me in my bed. Once my head hit the pillow, I was out like a light. I awoke in a cold sweat with a dry throat. I cracked my eyes open to see Ajira talking to Eyedis in the doorway.

"Water," I croaked.

They both glanced at me. Eyedis brought me a drink while Ajira sat down across from me. Her cat eyes met my tired, red ones. "What exactly caused the wounds on your chest?" The Khajiit asked.

I took the water from Eyedis and drank slowly, trying to think through my feverish haze. I could admit to Ajira that I'd robbed a grave, but I wasn't sure I could trust Eyedis. Would she frown upon such a crime?

When I finally did speak, it was in a croak. "It was this awful bone creature on the edge of the ashlands. An ash storm had just kicked up and it tackled me out of nowhere."

Eyedis sat back and didn't press for details. "Well, you'll be happy to know that we were able to deliver that letter. The client was very pleased and I'd very much like to hear how you recovered it." Ajira shot her a look and Eyedis added, "Er, once you've had some time to recover of course."

"Of course," Ajira repeated in an irritated tone.

Eyedis nodded, finally getting the message. "I'll leave you to your work then, shall I?"

In a moment it was just Ajira and I in the bunk room. I laid back and gathered my thoughts, but she broke the silence first. "Han-lu's potions are finished." She removed four stoppered glass vials from her satchel.

"Perfect." I drawled, trying to pull myself together. "Will you put them in my bag? My wallet's there too. Just take what I owe you." She did so and fell silent. When I opened my eyes, she was sitting patiently, but on the edge of her seat with anticipation. "What?" I asked.

The cat leaned forward. "Now that you have them, how long before we can leave?"

I sighed tiredly. "Let's make a list. First I have to recover. Second, I need a day or two to complete the job I need the potions for. Third, I have to meet a contact who can put me in contact with a smuggler and I have to accomplish this without taking on more work or it will push us back further. Even worse, I have to keep from raising any suspicions that I'm leaving which makes it difficult to say no to jobs. Taking all that into consideration, it could be another week or two."

A catlike sigh escaped Ajira's lips. "Are you sure we can't leave any sooner."

I nodded tiredly, letting just a tinge of impatience into my voice. "I'm doing the best I can, okay? If I hurry anything along, I may be caught, or worse, killed. You aren't exactly doing the heavy lifting on this thing. Now if you want to go contact the smuggler, be my guest."

Ajira's hackles rose. "No, Ajira will just wait. Patiently." She added with emphasis.

"Good," I said, relaxing. "I'll get back to work as soon as I can get my feet under me. At the moment, my head's still spinning."

A warm paw pressed against my forehead. "Yes, you're still quite feverish, but with the potions Ajira has given you and some rest, you should recover soon. That being said, Ajira should leave you to sleep."

She stood and gathered the things she had brought with her into her alchemist's satchel. I rested my eyes and mind, not noticing when she left. My rest was not peaceful. My fevered mind drifted in and out of sleep, never really getting much rest. I don't know how much time had passed when I threw my covers off and snatched a bucket some thoughtful soul had left for me. My body heaved violently to empty my stomach, but very little came up. It was mostly bile, which I hastily rinsed away.

I tried to rest again afterward, but the room had become stuffy from the midday sun and the heat of my own body. I was forced out of bed. I dumped some water over my head and dressed, taking my sick bucket outside to empty. I was able to slip out passed Eyedis who was busy in her office. Once I was outside, the cool breeze, brought some of my sense back to me. The sky was abnormally clear except for some looming clouds in the horizon. It seemed the streets were packed with denizens of Balmora. I wondered why. Were they just enjoying the particularly sunny day? My answer came as I walked to the river to clean the bucket. A group of children ran passed me playing and a number of Dark Elves were working to string lanterns over the river across the whole waterfront. I remembered the Dren's party and it clicked.

"Oh, the harvest's end celebration. I wonder if that's tonight." On my walk I gathered that the celebration would last the whole week, not that it mattered to me. I planned on being very busy this week. After returning the bucket to the guild, I turned my thoughts to the tasks laid before me. There was no way I was making the journey to Arkngthand for the deal with Ra'Virr in my current condition. I had promised Caius some reading material though and all that required was a short walk. I entered the Mage's guild to find the Orc mage asleep. I nudged her awake and she shoved her report into my hands before sending me away with a hiss and curling back up on her bed.

I was all too happy to leave the grumpy Orc to her sleep. So I made my way across town to Caius' home, getting caught up in the revelry. True, the celebrations hadn't started, but there were wonderful smells from every kitchen, the men and women both showed off all sorts of fancy clothing making me feel underdressed. I wore the blue shirt Caius had given me along with my dark pants and leather boots. Common dress at best.

I put it out of my mind. I wasn't celebrating anything and beyond that, I was terribly sick. So, I took my time, breathed in the fresh air and enjoyed the sights until I arrived at my destination. I didn't come back to reality until I was invited inside. With Caius' door closed behind us, the old man awaited my delivery with greed. I took the roll of parchment from my bag and handed it over. Caius beckoned me to a seat while he paced back and forth reading aloud. The notes described in great detail the beliefs surrounding the "Nerevarine".

I only got a few details as I was drifting towards sleep, but the gist was that the ancient hero Nerevar had died long ago. The Temple celebrated him as a saint, but many members of the Ashland tribes held a belief that the hero was bound to be reincarnated. The temple held this as heresy which created a rift between the settled peoples of Vvardenfell and the Ashlanders. It was at this point the details bored me to sleep. It didn't last long however. I saw a face in the darkness of sleep. It looked like my own, but older and hardened. It spoke to me quietly. So quietly, I had to strain to hear.

When earth is sundered, and skies choked black,

And sleepers serve the seven curses,

To the hearth there comes a stranger,

Journeyed far 'neath moon and star.

Though stark-born to sire uncertain

His aspect marks his certain fate.

Wicked stalk him, righteous curse him.

Prophets speak, but all deny.

Many trials make manifest

The stranger's fate, the curse's bane.

Many touchstones try the stranger

Many fall, but one remains.

With that last line, a chill in my spine shook me awake and Caius' face was inches from mine. I froze in place, a feeling I couldn't place holding me to the spot. "You've done great work for me Han-lu, but I fear you don't understand the significance of these notes." His pores all seemed to glisten with a light sweat and his breathing was trembling and unsteady. "We walk the line of destiny as prophecy nudges us to keep us on the path. You can feel it can't you? As a chill down your spine and pins and needles along your skin. You can feel the thrill, can't you?"

I was silent, not knowing how to respond. At the moment, the room felt like the entire world to me. I could feel what he was describing. The thought crossed my mind that I should have been dead a number of times by now, yet, some guiding force had helped me overcome the odds. Still, so powerful was the feeling that had wrought upon me, I couldn't bring myself to answer him.

The spymaster withdrew and returned to his perusing. "Tell me Han-lu, do you have any suspicion of my goal here? Surely, you must have a theory as to why I have you gathering information on these things."

I cleared my throat. "I hadn't really thought about why. I'm just doing what the Emperor wants so I don't get executed."

"Hmm," Caius breathed with disappointment. "If the Emperor wanted an unthinking servant he'd have put you in some city guard. We are the Blades. Now tell me, what could our interest be in these legends and prophecies?"

I shook my head, reluctant to seek deep thoughts. "I don't know. To better control the people here?"

"Generally, yes, that wouldn't be inaccurate," he admitted. "But how would we go about doing so?"

I ran my hand through my sweat dampened hair. "Do you think it could be real? That this hero might actually be reborn?"

"Well, look at the prophecy I just read. Skies choked black could refer to the ash storms. Wicked stalk him, righteous curse him. Sharn's report just told us, the Ashlanders seek their returned hero and the Temple discourages the practice. If this figure were to appear, he could gather many supporters and enemies and throw the land into turmoil."

I made a connection in my head. "You're afraid someone is going to claim to be the Nerevarine. The Emperor sees it as a threat to his power. That's where your interest lies."

"Closer and closer Han lu. I want you to consider these things during your next job."

I groaned. "I'm in no condition to delve into another ancient ruin for mere scraps of information."

Caius chuckled. "Not so this time. These informants shouldn't need quite so much convincing and they are in Vivec, so if there are any problems you can always call for the guards to help. All it will take from you is some footwork."

With another groan, I gave into the inevitable. "Okay, who do I need to contact?"

"These contacts are people I've worked with before. The most important one is Mehra Milo. She is one of my agents, embedded in the Tribunal Temple." Caius waited for me to meet his gaze. His next words fell like hammer blows. "You mustn't blow her cover. You don't ask around for her. You will go to the library in the Temple under false pretenses. You will pretend to be studying until you see her. She is a dark elf woman with a very rare dark red hair, so you can't get her confused with another. She has a code word to let her know other agents in the field. It is Amaya, as in lake Amaya."

I listened carefully and made a mental note, thinking better of writing a sensitive code word down.

"The other two informants can often be found in the Foreign Quarter. One is an Argonian named Huleeya and the other a Khajiit named Addhiranirr." My memory flickered at the name and I had to keep a straight face as I realized it was the name Safia Dren had given me for my smuggler contact. 'Small world,' I thought to myself.

Caius continued, oblivious to my thoughts. "These two are not agents of mine, just contacts. Convince them to tell you what they know of the Sixth House and Nerevarine cults and keep track of your expenses. I'll reimburse them." The Spymaster paced back and forth seeming unusually diaphoretic and anxious. "Was there anything else?" He wondered aloud.

"Are you alright Caius? You seem a little on edge."

He glanced back to me dismissively. "Pay it no mind. I believe that's all I had for you."

Being the troublemaker I was, I didn't put my suspicions to rest. Instead I took a quick glance around the room, seeing nothing to make sense of his condition. I stood, letting my tiredness show and faced Caius, stepping a little closer than courtesy normally allowed. He turned to face me with slight anticipation and a questioning glance, but said nothing. I took the moment to look him in the eyes. His right pupil was dilated while his left was noticeably more constricted.

I confirmed my suspicions and chuckled. "You're high as a kite aren't you?" His frown was the only confirmation I needed. That explained his strange intensity a few moments ago. "Don't worry," I half assured, half teased. "A Blades agent knows how to keep a secret."

I left his home with new confidence. It had taken me a while, but I finally had some dirt on Caius, even if I didn't know how I could use it against him. I returned to the Fighters guild to sleep the sickness away with a bit more bounce in my step. I didn't plan on blackmailing Caius. I could only see that ending badly for me. Still, it felt good to get one up on him. It brought back feelings of the glory days, when I had been unstoppable.