Alriiiiight! Another chapter and the conclusion of the Fighters Guild questline.
Sharah's pair order from Bruma did the Fighters Guild credit in Leyawiin as well. The trio stuck together. Then there was Ragar and Sherina, Brodras and S'Kasha, and Sharah and Oreyn. Once inside, she really wished she'd had the option to just sneak in and burn the place up last night. Blackwood had had the chance to set up barricades and defenses. Bastards. Even with the Leyawiin guard and the Order of the White Stallion there, it was a fight for every inch. Blackwood had probably been drinking Hist sap like water too, because they fought like berserkers, mostly mad for all their training. Sharah was glad she couldn't remember what had happened while under the sap's influence. She must have looked like a demon. Worse even than when her wolf took over.
The guard and warriors and knights met Blackwood on every front. They pressed for the stairs and the basement, breaking through and climbing over the upturned tables and chairs that had been arranged to be obstacles. Blackwood had seen the assault coming and was determined to keep what they had, even if the city was set on expunging them.
The battle raged, but Sharah and Oreyn had their own objective. She'd described the interior to him. While the main battle was fought, the two of them weaved through the madness to the one door that mattered. Oreyn kept the fight off her while Sharah dealt with the lock. There wasn't anyone guarding it now. But considering how crazy the whole building was right, they probably figured the solid bolt was enough. Or they'd just gone crazy enough to forget their priorities.
And it was a good lock. Very sturdy. Still, mortal lock, meet daedric artifact. No contest. So in the midst of the battle for the building, Sharah and Oreyn slipped through the door into the basement chamber.
The first part of the stairway wasn't lit, and the door was thick enough to muffle the fighting above. Ri'Zakar had spared no expense for the security of his tree. But the quiet meant it was easy to hear a twirl of sound coming from somewhere below. And the air was tinted with the scent of that sap. It all felt wrong.
The stairway ran straight down, then took a sharp turn to the left. There was light reflecting up from beyond that corner. Sharah and Oreyn exchanged some nonverbal communication and crept down the stairway together, both with weapons drawn. They lined up against the immediate wall. Sharah crouched and peered around the corner.
She could see some of the room down below. Some very large glass tanks, a moving mechanism that was only partially visible, and some foliage hanging down that did not belong indoors. The Hist tree. But nothing living that she could see. Yet. Sharah backed up and cast her life detect spell. Two life forces below, unmoving and probably concealed. Sharah would bet her manor in Anvil they were both mages.
More silent hand motions passed between the Fighters. Then Sharah leapt out and barreled down the stair. The mages reacted quickly, having heard the door above open and close. Sharah dodged the bolts of lightning, thanking Countess Narina Carvain's Viper-eye ring which absorbed some of the energy when a bolt found its mark, lessening an agonizing strike to a painful sting. With the mage flushed out of hiding to attack her, Oreyn had a clear shot to his target. He stepped out close behind her and hurling his mace through the air with stupendous accuracy. It struck one of the mages dead-on and the Argonian crumpled.
By that time Sharah had reached the second. She grabbed a hold of his fine clothes and wrenched him around and threw him against one of the glass tanks. The tank shattered on contact, spilling its contents out over the floor. Divines and Daedra, as though she hadn't already had enough of this thrice damned sap. Now it was all over her pants and boots. Sharah prayed it wouldn't stain or she was going to have to put in a request for new Wolf armor in the near future.
With their opponents out—or possibly dead on Oreyn's account—the two fighters cast their eyes upon the source of their troubles: the Hist tree. It was an abomination of nature, pure and simple. The tree itself was large and sturdy, rising high from the basement floor up the isolated chamber and the first level. But the leaves were a sickly green color, and the bark was pale and thin. Both notes of an unhealthy tree.
And beneath the foliage was shown the true defilement. Metal fixtures driven into the wood held glass tubes in place. Some of the glass was colored from sap, drawing the tree's life fluid from it. Others held fluids moving in the other direction, pumping some unrecognizable liquid into the flesh of the tree. And the pumping was spurred on by a pair of great machines that were bolted on either side of the Hist. Hell, they were bolted into the base of the trunk, serving as shackles for the prisoner they were bleeding at a frightful rate.
Sharah stared at the spectacle, and recalled her dreams from the sap. "…screaming trees…," she whispered.
Oreyn growled beside her, "This is unthinkable. The Hist are sacred to Argonians. I can't imagine how any one of them would sit by and let this be done." He glared at the two still mages. "Let alone assist."
She shook away her shock and looked at the pumps. "We need to get this done. I think…those pumps should be first. We can find an axe for the tree when there's no danger of getting caught in those mechanisms."
Oreyn retrieved his mace and both of them inspected the pumps for possible off switches or way's to block the machines' wheels. The hum was loud, but Sharah still heard the clank of armor as it came down the stairs. "Oreyn! Look out!" She yanked out her dagger and sent it hurtling across the room. But it pinged harmlessly off Ri'Zakar's heavy cuirass and he finished charging for her companion, swinging his heavy battle axe for the mer's head.
Oreyn dodged and rolled away, yelling, "Destroy that tree! I'll handle him."
Ri'Zakar bared his teeth and hissed at her, "Traitor! Fighters Guild spy! Your life is forfeit. You will all die!"
Sharah leapt back to the other side of the tree, avoiding the warriors as they converged. The crash of their battle sounded over the hum of the machinery, but it didn't dull out what they said.
"We will exterminate the Fighters Guild! And Blackwood will rise in its place!"
"You stupid bastard! Can't you see what you're doing? You've tainted the Hist, and it's tainting you in return. You're doing nothing but harm," Oreyn roared back over the clang of their weapons.
"You are the fool. You are the weak ones. The Hist will make us strong. It will carry us forward until all of Tamriel knows our name!" Ri'Zakar declared.
Oreyn growled, "Not if I have anything to say about it."
She focused on finding a way to stop the mechanisms. Two lose pipes set aside caught her attention. Sharah grabbed the first and hefted it carefully. Watching the turn of the wheel she waited for her chance, then thrust the metal pipe into the gears.
The desired affect was immediate. The gears lodged around the intrusion, the wheel seized up, its ridges catching only partially as it jerked while trying to turn without success. Then it all let loose in a flurry of kinetic energy. Gears ricocheted out, the internal components cracked or broke entirely so that the entire pump shuddered and spasmed, blowing out in places and crimping in others.
Sharah dropped to the ground as another glass tank shattered when a flying metal shard smashed into it and another flood of sap hit the floor. She didn't wait for an invitation, but went for the second pipe. She shouted a warning to Oreyn, "Take cover!" then with another timed shove, the second pump went like the first, blowing apart and crumpling inward.
The pipes from the tree cracked and broke, sending their liquid falling to the floor. The metal wedges that held the pumps in the tree contorted and cracked the trunk open in places, leaving deep gashes in the wood where sap ran out sluggishly. The entire floor was running with the damned stuff.
Sharah looked toward the combatants and saw Oreyn clambering out from behind a large barrel, apparently unhurt. Ri'Zakar was laid out from the blast and she saw a shard of metal embedded in the front of his cuirass. Sharah hoped it was bigger than it looked and had sliced him through. But no such luck. Ri'Zakar rolled over, slightly dazed but still mobile and soon to be back in fighting form.
The woman reached for Umbra on her waist, but didn't get the chance to draw it. Something in the first pump had caught on fire and was spitting out embers and sparks. Some lit on the tree and the metalwork. But some fell upon the sap soaked floor. The flames caught…and spread. It wasn't hard to know where this was headed.
Sharah leapt up onto a table and over the floor toward the stairs, avoiding the flame's advance. Bypassing the Pakseech, she grabbed Oreyn's elbow and pulled him the rest of the way up. "We have to get out of here!" she shouted.
Oreyn looked across the room and saw what she had. Then they both turned their backs on the Khajiit and fled up the stairs as the fire spread across the floor and up onto the tree. Ri'Zakar crawled toward his prize, wailing as flame consumed everything the basement had to offer.
Sharah felt the heat on her back all the way up and out the basement door. They shoved it closed, providing a temporary barrier to the heat. The battle had moved further up and down into Blackwood, leaving the first floor mostly clear save for the bodies. No Fighters Guilds among them, thank the Nine.
"Head to the upper floors," Sharah told him. "Get everyone out. I'll hit the other basement."
Oreyn nodded and they took off in their respective directions. Downstairs, Mazoga was among those battling. Sharah threw open the door and roared at the top of her lungs, "Everyone out! This place is burning. Everyone out!"
She kept it up, heads turning one by one as the message seeped in. Soon combatants were flowing up the stairs. Blackwood, on their training mat, gave cheers of victory as their opponents retreated. Then the heat from the Hist room crept through the walls, and some of the less sap-high mercenaries realized exactly why the enemy was fleeing. Sharah didn't try to convince them to leave. It would be too much effort to spare saving those drugged-up idiots. And she needed to make sure her own people were out.
There were soldiers coming down the stairs from the upper floors as well. And Sharah heard Oreyn yelling on the second level. Sharah could feel the floor getting warm, and there were flames licking out around the Hist room's door, catching crawling up into the ceiling. Not to mention pouring acrid smoke into the upper floors. There was no stopping it now. With all that sap and the tree to feed on, Sharah doubted even the Mages Guild could quench the fire at this point.
Guards, knights, fighters and Blackwoods all ran for the exit, jostling to get out while the smoke became denser. Some supported wounded comrades. And most of the bodies left behind were Blackwoods.
"Oreyn! Everyone out?"
The mer came down the stairs close behind Ragar and Sherina with three Leyawiin guards behind him. "That's all of ours."
"Let's get out then!"
Sharah urged them past her, wanting to be the last one out just for the sake of being certain she really was the last one.
"You!"
She turned to see a familiar face over by the basement. Maglir.
Oreyn paused beside her, but she urged him, "Go. I'll handle this."
He looked ready to argue, but she and Maglir had unfinished business. And this was not a matter for Oreyn. A moment later, Sharah and Maglir looked to be the only ones in the room. The Bosmer appeared crazed. Small wonder considering the amount of sap he must have ingested during his membership here.
"You!" he yelled again. "You've ruined everything! I had a job. I had a home! You've taken everything!"
Sharah didn't even raise her voice. "You had a home and job with the Fighters Guild, Maglir. You had a family, too. But I supposed that didn't matter much. It was all about the gold for you, wasn't it?" His face contorted, but she paid it no mind. "Blackwood is done, Maglir. They're done hurting people. It's over." She saw his grip adjust on his sword, then her eyes flicked back to his face. "Don't strike at me, Maglir. Just walk out the door. You'll spend some time in prison, but at least you'll be alive. But if you attack me, I'm going to kill you. Don't doubt that."
His face became a masque of anger. "You'll kill me? You'll kill me?! NO! I'll kill you!"
The Bosmer raised his weapon high and charged her through the smoke and heat. Sharah watched him come, tracking the twist of his shoulders with each pace as the winter stream flowed through her veins. Then, when he came within range, she raised Umbra's point and let Maglir drive himself upon it.
Umbra had a mind of its own. There were days when it could cut steel like thin leather. This was one of them. Umbra went straight through the fine Blackwood cuirass and out the other side. Maglir's rage turned to shock and his sword clattered from his hands. Sharah watched the blood well up in his mouth and, when he sagged, Sharah let his own weight carry him off the edge he'd been impaled upon. So their business was finished. The little bastard would betray no one else ever again. And he would never again betray her.
Looking down at the body, she felt a sense of satisfaction. Not just that she'd finally squelched the little fetcher for what he'd done. More that she was done with something greater. No more incessant drive to kill. No more underlying bloodlust. Her inner wolf no longer whining that she ought to slit another throat. She'd killed a lot of people in the last couple months. A couple dozen, certainly. And now, she felt satisfied with the number. Sharah wiped her sword clean, sheathed it and hurried out of the building without looking back.
Outside, the plaza was filled with people: combatants from the attack, Blackwoods taken prisoner, and citizens come to spectate. And all of them were giving the Blackwood building a wide birth. There was a make-shift medical station set up for the wounded. She took account of all her guildmates and was relieved they hadn't lost anyone. She joined them by the large tree just as the basement windows blew out from the heat and pressure. Everyone jumped, but the blast hadn't done more than startle the masses.
Sharah watched the fire flicker in the lower windows and the smoke pour out from the upper ones. She could imagine some Blackwoods might still come running out. They'd be arrested like the others who were now bound, under guard and awaiting whatever due process the Countess would consent to.
It was done. Blackwood was defeated. Countess Caro would spread the word amongst her noble circles and to the other authority figures about what had happened here. No one would welcome Blackwood anywhere again. Not that they'd be much of a threat now. Their leaders dead, their Hist tree destroyed and their advantage removed. They'd be just another mercenary group. And Fighters Guild's last serious competition was gone.
Not that all was well. Blackwood wouldn't have had this opportunity if it hadn't been for the Guild's own master. Fighters Guild had survived this adversary, as they had survived the Companions. But how long would it be before another threat rose up? How long before the Guild was pushed to the edge again? Something had to be done about Vilena. And it needed to be now. No more waiting. No more hoping she would suddenly recover and return to them. The Guild needed their master. And Sharah was through waiting for her.
Oreyn came to stand beside Sharah, looking at the building as it was slowly consumed. "Maglir?"
"Attacked me. I killed him." Brief and matter of fact. And no invitation to press further. "…Sap doesn't normally burn like that, does it?"
The mer shook his head. "Must be that additive. All the better that the tree will take the whole building with it. The last thing we need is crates of that sap getting out into the world."
Sharah nodded. Blackwood probably had some of it shipped to their groups around Cyrodiil. But they'd run out fast at the rate they seemed to drink the stuff. And, like Oreyn said, the rest would burn up with its source.
After a few moments watching, Sharah said, "I'm heading back to Chorrol. It's past time someone talked to Vilena. And she needs to know what's been happening."
Oreyn sighed. "I thought you might say that."
"Will you come with me?" Sharah asked. It was time to speak to the Guildmaster. Regardless of the consequences.
She caught his nod out of the corner of her eye and continued watching the Blackwood building deteriorate. Some Blackwoods came stumbling out of the door. They were swiftly apprehended and arrested. Pretty soon the flames started flickering out of the first floor windows, cracking the glass and leaving the stones of the foundation blackened beneath.
And as Sharah watched the building burn, something occurred to her. It was almost the end of Evening Star, wasn't it? Yes. In fact, today was the 29th, wasn't it. She eased back and crossed her arms, watching the fire spread and wondering how many sap-hyped Blackwoods were dying inside from the heat or suffocation. Happy birth day to me.
XXX
Sharah's face was stained with her tears. She wondered if her mother would ever embrace her. If she would ever pick her up again. Naturally, thinking about this only made Sharah cry more. What was she supposed to do to make her mother love her? Had she done something wrong? Little Sharah tucked in her chin, trying to hide the next wave of sorrow.
She didn't hear the brush of fabric across the floor. Then, to her surprise, two hands came around her and lifted her off the ground. A zealous smile broke out across her face as Sharah's mother wrapped her arms around the child and drew her close. Sharah squirmed closer, grasping her mother's clothing and snuggling into the warm embrace that she'd been waiting so long for.
Her mother rocked her gently and cooed, "I'm sorry, my dear. I know you've been very patient. And such a good girl, meeting your Price without any prompting. I'm so proud. We can bring you home now."
Sharah's mother turned to the table and picked up the black clad doll she had been manipulating all this time. She tucked it into Sharah's arms, saying, "This is for you. He'll keep you safe when you need it. And now that you're ready, I'll send him to you." She pressed a kiss to Sharah's head, and whispered, "Try not to make it too easy on him."
Sharah wrapped her arms around her mother's gift and snuggled closer, not ever wanting to be parted again. From behind, Sharah felt her Father's presence draw near and His dark and dreadful hand come to rest on her head. She sighed in utter contentment. This was home. She was home.
XXX
Sharah and Oreyn traveled north in much the same way as they'd come south for Blackheart: Sharah riding, Oreyn running. By the time they reached Chorrol, Sharah was tense and fuming. She'd spent the whole time going over everything she wanted to say to Vilena. She'd started out intending for it to be a serious report. Then it turned into a lecture. Now, as the Chorrol city walls came into view, there was a straight-up rant running through her head. Vilena Donton was going to get an earful from the Wolf, that was for certain.
Sharah's fervent mental compositions had kept her from noticing how little Oreyn spoke during their journey. He'd merely kept on her heel and, for the most part, kept his piece. But as Sharah stalked through the city gates, the mer caught her arm. Sharah, already feeling her prepared flurry of a speech welling up in her throat, rounded on Oreyn almost angrily—and was brought up short by the look on his face.
Oreyn stood there for a moment, as though really seeing the wolf in her on the surface just now. And had to set his own words before he spoke. "Wolf. I know this needs to be done. And I know you have every right to be frustrated with Vilena…I wish I could go with you…"
The Wolf took a breath and tried to keep her voice even. "You're not allowed in the Guildhall, Oreyn. And I doubt she'd hear any of this from you."
"I know. But that's not her fault. I did have plenty of opportunities to speak straight to her, and I never did. Just…" He looked at her pleadingly, "…just be gentle with her. Please. She's suffered a great deal."
Sharah met his eyes and replied, "I'm sorry, Oreyn. But I can't do that. I know she's suffered. Many of us have. But the time for gentle is over. Regardless of what's happened, regardless of what that woman has been through, she is our Guildmaster. We need her. She doesn't need gentle right now. She needs a proper kick to the seat of her pants."
Oreyn let go and sighed. "I thought you'd say something like that. I'll wait at home. Come let me know how it went afterward." They parted, the mer down the street toward the chapel and Sharah in the direction of the Great Oak Plaza.
Sharah was walking toward her expulsion. She'd known that most of the way up here. And after deciding what she was going to say, it had become a certainty. But Sharah would be damned if she wasn't going out with a bang.
It was funny. Sharah thought she'd be a bit more concerned that she was going to lose her place in the Guild. But the more she thought about it during the travel, the more she realized the Guild had already become distant in her mind. She hadn't noticed it until now but ever since she'd come back from Forsaken Mine her connection with the Guild hadn't been the same. And Sharah had been too…everything else, to notice. She'd been grief stricken just afterward. Numbed out until the business with the Companions. Driven by stubborn purpose through the Companions, the revitalization, and Blackwood.
But now, as odd as it had been, as attached as she'd been to the Guild for so long, as much as she depended on them for support and companionship and all that…Sharah realized she wouldn't be so devastated with being kicked out and cut off. Maybe it was the loss of Lashana and Cargas. Perhaps it was just finding her comrades dead as she had. But it had changed something for her.
Actually, losing Oreyn would be more difficult. He'd helped her through so much and they'd gotten close over the last year. She'd miss him more than the Guild, Sharah was sure of that. Maybe, since they'd both be Fighters Guild castaways, he'd want some company. They were both skilled warriors. They could make their living together as freelance fighters. And it was probably no more or less healthy for him to be alone than for her.
Yes, once this business with Vilena was done, Sharah would do what she could to stick with Oreyn. They'd both need it. And they could look out for the Guild from the outside to make sure things went alright. But first things first. Vilena needed a good talking to. And Sharah had more than enough to say in that regard.
The Wolf shoved the Fighters Guildhall doors open so hard that they ricocheted loud off the walls and closed themselves behind her after she'd stepped in. Her eyes darted around the first floor and spotted Sabine Laul who was still getting over the surprise of the entrance.
"Where's the Guildmaster?" Sharah snapped.
Sabine froze when their eyes met and blustered a couple of words, then jerked a finger straight up. Sharah's glare followed the gesture towards the ceiling. Then she made for the stairs, taking them two at a time. She grabbed the rail as she mounted the last step and wrenched herself around hard enough to make her innards shift and strode for the second flight. Vilena was about to get the report of her life.
"Vilena!" Sharah yelled, her legs eating up the height and distance to the Guildmaster's office. Vilena herself looked startled as Sharah came into view. Perhaps her shout had been louder than intended.
The Guildmaster quickly recognized who had come calling and, with the recognition, recovered some of her strength of will. "You were told to stay out of my sight. I assume you're here to tender your resig—"
"Be silent!" Sharah ordered, coming up to the other side of the desk. "I'm here to speak, and you're going to listen to the end."
Vilena was shocked briefly into silence but recovered her indignation and rose from her seat. "How dare you!"
Sharah slammed her hands down on the desk, "Shut up! I more than dare. And if you're going to expel me, you'll do it after I'm done. Now sit down!" The Guildmaster was once again shocked into silence. It must have been years, decades even, since anyone had taken that tone with her. If anyone ever had. "Sit! Down!" Vilena's knees bent, intentionally or not, and she dropped back into her chair.
Sharah snorted in satisfaction. In her head, everything she'd put together and intended to say all wanted out at once. Sharah put her feet to the floor and paced a couple of times, dragging order from the chaos and putting her flurry of thoughts into some understandable sequence.
"Do you have any idea what the Guild has been through the last couple years? What's been happening the last few months? Do you? Do you have any idea what's been happening since you closed yourself off? And how it's affected the Guild?" The Guildmaster was silent, watching Sharah's pattern of movement.
Sharah growled, "No, I didn't think so." Her eyes flicked to the back of the room. "My guess is all the reports are probably back there," she said, jabbing her hand at the now returned pile of forgotten paperwork that had been gradually breeding on the table at the back of the office. Sharah glared back at the Guildmaster. "After you canned Oreyn, how many did you actually read before going back to sulking?"
She faced Vilena completely and her pace became a prowl. "So let me inform you what you've been missing, Master. We were attacked by Companions. Companions! If we hadn't caught it in time they would have annihilated the Bruma Guildhall. We lost two members as it was. Did you know about that? No! You just left the reports to collect dust.
"How about Blackwood, Vilena? Been keeping up about that? The ones who made deals with the bastard who killed your first-born. The ones who did kill your second! Which you would know if you'd paid the slightest amount of interest!"
The Guildmaster's eyes were widened now and Sharah went at it. "They paid Azani Blackheart off so they could set up shop in Leyawiin. Blackheart! The one who killed Vitellus. And they ambushed and killed Viranus and seven more of our guildmates in Forsaken Mine. And what did you do about it? You expelled Oreyn and then nothing!"
Vilena made to open her mouth, but Sharah cut her off, "I'm not finished! Oreyn has been nothing but dedicated to this guild, and to you. He kept up everything while you wallowed and he tried to do right by Viranus when you wouldn't. He kept us going. He avenged Vitellus's death. Something you should have called for the day you found out. And you didn't even bother finding out who killed Viranus!"
Sharah stalked up and down the office again. "Divines and Daedra, woman, what's wrong with you?! You think you're the only one to suffer? You think you're the only one who lost people you loved? We all did. But your name should have been counted amongst the dead rather than let you live as you have."
Sharah came to a stop, trying to draw in the reins on her frustration. "I know what you've been through. For all you frustrate the hell out of me, I understand and sympathize. Truly. But you are our Guildmaster. You are our leader. You do not have the right to sit up here and ignore your duties when there are people depending on you. You didn't even leave your responsibilities to Oreyn before dropping everything for your grief."
A few rapid steps and she was around the desk. Sharah yanked open the lower drawer to reveal two reports that looked to have been rapidly stowed there when Vilena had been startled. One of them worn, the other only a few months old. Before the Guildmaster could protest, Sharah yanked them about and slapped them down on the table. Stabbing her finger into the front, Sharah snapped, "You think this is going to bring them back? You think staring at these is how best to honor their memory?"
The young warrior glared down at the master of her guild. "We took care of Blackheart. Oreyn and I. While you were somehow maintaining your useless existence, we found the bastard and Oreyn killed him. We avenged Vitellus. And we found out Blackwood killed Viranus and dealt with them, too. Their headquarters is probably still burning in Leyawiin, along with the tainted Hist tree whose sap they were drinking. We've maintained and rallied the halls and kept the Guild from falling apart because there was no one else to do it."
Sharah crossed her arms. "The Companions nearly destroyed a Guildhall. The Blackwood Company was well on their way to ousting the Fighters Guild from the province. Threats both, but neither as dangerous as you." Vilena's eyes darted up. Far from angry, they looked frightened at the prospect of hearing what was next.
The Wolf growled as she leaned forward, "You nearly killed the Guild, Vilena, by doing nothing. We had no one to look to for direction and we suffered for it. Ever since you checked out we've been losing members. We've been losing contracts. We needed you. We still need you."
Sharah came out to the front of the desk. "The Guild has a shot now. Our competition has been defeated. Members and contracts will return, but it won't mean diddly squat without someone at the helm. It is the Guildmaster's job to lead. To be the Guild's strength and guide. To be someone the rest can look to. We need that now more than ever or we'll be right back on the edge. So you had better step up. Or step down."
Sharah the Wolf took a proper breath and leaned back, satisfied. Well, that had been a long time building, hadn't it? And she had most certainly crossed the line a dozen times or more. But she'd said it. She'd come up here and lectured the Guildmaster, rather extensively. She was most certainly going to lose her patch for it, but no one could say she hadn't done everything she could to put the Guild right. She'd need to decide what she did next with her life. Decide exactly how she was going to make her living now. And try to talk Oreyn into accompanying her. But that would come as soon as Vilena closed her mouth and issued actually words.
Sharah managed not to twitch with impatience while she waited for the hammer to fall, and to ignore the odd feeling of eyes on her back. Vilena Donton finally shut her jaw and swallowed with difficulty. "I…I had no idea it had gotten so bad." She looked down at the reports for an agonizingly long period, her fingers moving lightly over the files. "…You are right. I have been…blind to the Guild. Blind to everything except…But no more…This cannot continue."
Then, finally, her hands moved to the edge of the desk and gripped it as she lifted herself off the chair. The Guildmaster looked over the desk at the Guild's Champion, some glimmer of her old fire returning to her face. "Now we must speak about what you have done. And how it affects your place in this guild."
Sharah stood straight and lifted her chin. She regretted nothing. Even if it resulted in expulsion. Let Vilena do what she wanted. Sharah would take it proudly.
Vilena's voice was calm and even. "I am stripping you of your rank of Champion. Your actions regarding the guild are unbefitting of that position." Sharah waited for the final expulsion. The Guildmaster's hand lifted to where she had her Master's Guild patch strapped to her cuirass. Sharah watched every movement, a bit curiously, as Vilena unattached the patch and held it in her hand. She stroked the leather gently, then stood straight herself. "Your actions are unbefitting of a Champion. But indicative of a true leader. I am hereby naming you Master of the Fighters Guild. Effective immediately."
Sharah felt her skin blanch slightly and blinked a couple times. Wait…this wasn't at all what was supposed to happen…
Vilena Donton came around the desk to stand in front of her. "I have been a fool. And you. You have been brave and true." She took Sharah's hand, placed the patch therein and closed her fingers around it.
Sharah's eyes dropped to her hand, then darted back up. Her throat worked but the only thing it could muster was, "…What…?"
"The Guild does need someone they can look to. But that is beyond me now. The Guild has passed me by. You are its future." She met Sharah's eyes, her own reflecting sadness and solemn acceptance. "Take your responsibilities seriously. I wish you the best of luck."
Sharah opened her mouth but, again, only one word dropped out. "What?"
Vilena smiled sadly. "Oreyn was steadfast and dedicated. I believe he would serve you well as Guild-second. As he always did. You would do well to rely more on his wisdom and experience than I did. Because you have many duties ahead of you. Good luck." Vilena walked to the stairs in the silence, leaving Sharah dumbfounded.
She blinked again. What had just happened? She looked down at the patch in her hands. The symbol of the Guildmaster stared back up at her: a mounted knight, crowned and bearing the Fighters Guild symbol. But…this wasn't right. She was supposed to be expelled not…Guildmaster? But what was she supposed to…
She had to find Oreyn.
Getting down the stairs on wooden legs was a challenge. Sharah stumbled around toward the second flight and came to a dead halt. The entire residency of the Guildhall was clustered under the stairway, hidden from view of the office but within easy listening distance. Damn the open build of this accursed hall. How long had they been there? How much had they heard?
She got all the answer she needed when a rare orcish grin broke out across Kurz gro-Baroth's face. "Master."
Sharah went still, then mumbled some 'excuse me' and cut for the door. What had just happened? She'd been made Guildmaster? No…no, that couldn't have just happened. She was going to be expelled. She'd known that. No one in their right mind would do anything less. But…this Guild patch in her hand…
She needed to find Oreyn.
Sharah was just about frantic by the time she got to Oreyn's shack and burst in the door. "Oreyn!"
He stood up quickly, none too reassured by Sharah's face and tone. "Breathe. What happened? Did you talk to Vilena? How did she react?"
Sharah could not get her damned mouth to work. "I…I just…I…And she…" Sharah thrust the Guildmaster's patch before his eyes, "…me!"
The mer's years of wisdom showed as he gathered her meaning despite the madness of whatever was coming out of her mouth. Far from how she expected him to react, Oreyn grinned. "Made you Guildmaster, did she? Congratulations."
Hearing that from him, Sharah finally exploded, "NO! Not 'congratulations'. This …this is a nightmare, that's what it is!" She hit the floor of his shack with her boots, running a hand into her hair and fisting it harshly, "I…I can't be a Guildmaster. I'm too young. I don't know how to run a guild."
She collapsed into a chair with her head in her hands. How could Vilena have done this to her? To the Guild? The only thing worse than having a useless old woman for a leader was having a no-clue rookie in the position. And the Guild's Master was supposed to…Divines and Daedra, she didn't even know what the Master was supposed to do.
Sharah abruptly stared at the Master's patch. Then she shot up out of the chair and thrust out the patch. "You take it! You know how to run the Guild. You did it when Vilena was away. You can do it now."
He backed off. "No. Vilena gave this to you. And, frankly, I couldn't agree more. You earned this."
"But I don't know how," Sharah wailed. "I can't be in charge of a guild. I do contracts. I…I hate paperwork. I'm gonna bring the whole Guild down around our ears. I'm gonna muck it all up!"
She was unraveling fast. Oreyn saw it and walked over to put his arms around her. Sharah leaned into him, shaking a little and trying desperately not to lose it completely. Oreyn was shaking some himself…Oh, damn the bastard, he was laughing!
"This is not. Funny!" she cried, not lifting her head from his cuirass.
But he didn't stop chuckling, although he did pat her back gently. "It's going to be fine. You'll do fine."
"I've only been eight years in the Guild, Oreyn. I can't do something like this on my own." Vilena's last recommendation popped into her head. Sharah looked up and grabbed the collar of Oreyn's cuirass desperately, "Be my Second!"
"What?"
Her grip on the metal jerked slightly. "If you won't take Guildmaster be the Guild-second again. Please! You have to! You know as much about Guild matters as anyone."
Oreyn scoffed, "Pah! I'm an old man. I've done my time. And I was actually looking forward to retiring." Sharah could feel the blood drain out of her face. And her expression must have been something rivaling desperation because he burst out laughing. "Then again…I suppose someone has to keep you in line. I'll do it…Guildmaster."
Sharah couldn't help it. She threw her arms around his neck. "Oh thank you, Oreyn! Thank you, thank you, thank you!"
He laughed again and returned the gesture. But hugs of that caliber were generally uncomfortable in heavy armor, so they let go before too long with Sharah wiping at the moisture that had collected at the corners of her eyes.
Oreyn was the one who broke the silence. "You gonna put that on, or not?"
She stared at the Guildmaster's patch again, and then started fumbling with her strap as though it was the first time she'd ever tried to take it off. Oreyn sighed and came to her rescue. He helped her to remove the strap and replace her Champion patch with that of the Guild's Master. Sharah just sort of stared off as he made the switch and replaced it on her arm. By the Nine, how had this happened?
"It's going to be fine, Wolf."
"How do you know?" she asked, unable to keep the tremor from her voice. "I was only supposed to be second, remember? And you said I wasn't ready."
"At the time," the mer replied, tightening the buckle into place. "You've done a great deal since then. Grown."
Sharah remained unconvinced. This was such an immense development. "I don't know how to lead a whole guild." She'd had that option with the Thieves Guild and Nocturnal's Cowl, and studiously avoided the Gray Fox's 'Guildmaster' responsibilities before they came to her. How had this happened?
"This may come as a surprise to you, Wolf, but you've been doing it for a few months now."
She rubbed at the patch, feeling the new pattern that adorned her arm. "That was…temporary. And extreme circumstances."
Oreyn sat down, placing himself in the line of her vision. "But the Guild followed you. You may not see it, Wolf, but the rest of us do. You're young, yes. But you've got an old soul. And you're going to do fine."
Sharah sighed and hung her head, like the weight of her new responsibility had fallen around her neck. "If you say so." It was a moment longer for her to acclimatize enough to look up at him and ask, "So…what do we do now?"
Oreyn stood and offered his hand. "Now we see to the Guild."
Sharah looked at the offering, then put her hand in his. He pulled her to her feet and held the door open for her to step outside.
It had really happened. Sharah was still grasping at the 'how'. But it had. She was Sharah the Wolf, Guildmaster of the Fighters Guild. And, regardless of how, it just was. She was their Guildmaster. And the Guild needed her. They needed her like she had known for so long that they needed Vilena. Sharah sighed, the responsibility weighted her down again. But it was hers. And if her Guild needed her, then Sharah was going to do whatever they needed of her.
With that thought in mind, Sharah squared her shoulders and she and Oreyn walked toward the Fighters Guild Headquarters.
XXX
"To the Mare!" Sabine declared like a rally cry. And it was similarly echoed by the Guild members present.
Sharah laughed with them as she let herself be encircled and herded out the door by her eager guildmates. Truth be told, Sharah felt the pressure to perform her duties as Guildmaster. The Guild was, after all, still weak. And while she wasn't sure about exactly what a Guildmaster was supposed to do, the pile of paperwork in the office seemed the first logical step. Which meant she was anxious to finish it all as soon as possible. Then figure out the next thing the Guild needed. And the next. And the next. Sharah had felt it an absolute necessity that she get through that paperwork. And as 'in one go' as possible.
Wait…hadn't she found Oreyn attempting that before? Ah yes, and turned briefly into her mother whilst making sure he took care of himself. Perhaps that would explain why Oreyn had been so insistent that she join the Guild's celebration tonight. He'd persuaded her to let the paperwork wait until the morning, telling her she needed to celebrate her new position before it became a chore and let her guildmates celebrate her as well. It made sense. The Guild needed something happy and needed the opportunity to be joyful about it. And certainly a new Guildmaster was that.
Also, Sharah got the impression that if she'd refused, then Oreyn was liable to throw her over his shoulder and actually carry her down to the Grey Mare. The way he talked, it didn't seem to matter to him that Sharah outranked him. She doubted it ever would.
Speaking of the mer, she didn't see him amongst the throng of Fighters Guild that was moving toward the Mare. He'd been with them at the door. Failing to spot her Second, Sharah extricated herself from her guildmates. "You lot go ahead. I'll catch up." There was opposition voiced, but she insisted. After all, it wouldn't do for her to lose her Second within her first twenty-four hours as Guildmaster. And this was as much a party for him as for her.
Although…as she watched her comrades go, Sharah noticed how much fewer they were. Barely more than a half dozen fighters. When she'd been officially stationed in Chorrol…before Forsaken Mine…the hall always seemed full of her guildmates. Now it was hard not to notice how far they'd fallen. How many they'd lost. Even if tonight was to be a celebration, the Guild wouldn't need a second table to seat their number.
Oreyn wasn't in the Guildhall. On the back porch, Sharah thought she saw movement in the direction of the chapel. Not exactly looking forward to the attention waiting for her at the Mare, Sharah headed after, hoping she was catching up with Oreyn. She didn't get close enough to recognize him until they were approaching the back of the chapel. It was Oreyn, walking, for whatever reason, into the city's cemetery. Before she could call out to him, Sharah noticed he was not alone here. Vilena Donton stood alone in the dark while Oreyn went toward her, apparently by intent. Sharah held back and stayed quiet.
The former Guildmaster looked up when she heard the footsteps, then went back to her vigil over the headstones when she saw who it was.
Oreyn stopped beside her. "I thought I might find you here," he said, the conversation easy to hear in the night's quiet.
Vilena sighed heavily. "And where else would I be?" She stared sadly down at the graves. "A parent should not outlive her children. And I have buried both. And nearly the Guild as well. I…I don't know what to do now." Oreyn didn't say anything, but he stepped up to her and placed a supportive hand on her shoulder. She looked further up the row towards older gravestones "How do you do it Oreyn? You were close to my father. How did you bury him and stay so strong?"
Oreyn replied softly, "I had an oath to keep. He'd come back and haunt me if I didn't."
His hand dropped as Vilena took a few steps and set her hand on a worn grave marker. "I wish I'd known him better."
"He loved you. That's all you need to know. And for all his accomplishments, he always said you were his greatest."
She bowed her head. "If he could just see me now."
Oreyn said, "He'd still be proud."
She turned on him. "How can you say that? I loved my sons so much that I was blind to everything else happening around me. The only good I've done is step down."
"Come back to the Guild, Vilena," Oreyn said. "Not as Guildmaster. Just as yourself. You can still do good now, and you are still one of us." When the woman made to turn away, he reached out and held her firmly. "You are not alone. Even after everyone you've lost, you are not alone. And it's time for you to remember that again. Come back with me. The Guild is celebrating tonight at the Mare. Come and sit with us."
Vilena sagged and shook her head. "How can I face them after everything I've done?"
"Everyone makes mistakes," he reminded her, looking at the newest headstone, "I've made my share."
"You should have seen her face, Modryn. I just dropped all of that on her and walked out. Even when I try to do right, I am unfair."
"The Wolf? She'll be fine. She'll be better if she has someone else's experience to lean on. And I don't want you spending your days alone anymore. Especially not here."
Vilena looked up at him. "You knew I was coming here?"
"Every night? Yes." Oreyn sighed. "I should have said something sooner. Maybe things wouldn't have gone so far. I promised that I would take care of you. And I did a lousy job of it. I'm sorry. I just saw you so strong all the time. Even after your father and your grandfather, then your husband…I didn't think your boys would affect you as much as it did."
The former Guildmaster replied, "You're not to blame. The fault is mine. You did what you could."
The quiet lengthened as Sharah watched the two standing together without speaking. Oreyn finally said, "We both made mistakes. Blaming ourselves won't help anyone. But we can start making amends tonight. Come with me to the Mare. As your godfather, I insist. It'll be good for you."
Vilena actually chuckled. "You're always looking out for me."
"I have my oath. And after changing your diapers, there was really no going back."
Sharah watched with a smile as Oreyn guided Vilena out of the cemetery and toward the street. They were out of sight before Sharah realized where they were headed and that she should be there already instead of peeping in on a private moment. She sprinted back the way she'd come, cutting through the darker back-streets in an effort to head them off, not wanting to give them any indication that she'd overheard them. Sharah arrived at the Grey Mare's door out of breath but well ahead of the two.
Her guildmates were elated at her arrival and she took a seat among them. Again, their dwindled number struck her deep, but Sharah resolved that tonight be one of joy. She had a glass in hand and her breath regained before Vilena and Oreyn walked in the door.
At their appearance, Sharah waved to them. "Hey, old-timers. Nice of you to join us."
Oreyn scowled at her without hesitation. "Watch that lip, Wolf. I didn't sign on as your Second just to be verbally abused."
Sharah giggled and flashed a grin at Vilena. "Is this what I get to look forward to from now on?"
The former Guildmaster had entered the Mare very reserved, doubtless uncertain how she would be received by the Guild she had failed to lead. Sharah agreed with what she'd heard Oreyn say in the graveyard. Vilena could still do good in the Guild without being Guildmaster. It might even be easier for her to remain around the hall without feeling the pressure of being the Guildmaster. And Sharah knew she'd need the help taking up her new mantle. So she made sure that Vilena had an open invitation to return, in everything from posture to tone to expression.
The older woman hesitated, then a slow smile lengthened her mouth. "Oreyn takes his job very seriously."
"I've noticed," Sharah laughed. Then she slid over. "You're welcome to pull up a bench. I think Kurz was about to embarrass himself."
The guildmates had spent so much time lately walking on eggshells around Vilena that it took a little while for the talk and merriment to pick up again. But once the awkwardness had lessened and the volume increased, Sharah leaned toward her predecessor and said discretely, "Vilena, I was wondering if you would mind sticking around the hall for a while longer. I know I'm gonna be leaning on Oreyn, but I'd appreciate the extra help until I get the hang of this Guildmaster business."
Beneath the surprise, Sharah couldn't tell how much of the woman's expression was guilt and how much was appreciation. None the less, Vilena replied, "Yes. Of course. I'd…be happy to."
Sharah sat back, well satisfied, and saw Oreyn looking at her. She smiled and winked at him over the rim of her tankard. He paused then looked away while shaking his head and giving his version of an exasperated smile. He was probably guessing that she'd somehow overheard their conversation. He always seemed to know about what she did. And he'd probably have a talk with her later about privacy. But Sharah had been trained by the Gray Fox. Being nosy was unavoidable.
It wasn't too much longer before Sabine Laul stood up and called for everyone's attention. "I know tonight's all about the new. But I would like to propose a toast to our former Guildmaster." She looked down at Vilena. "We know it's been a tough time lately. But we all want you to know that it has been a privilege to follow you."
The elderly Donton bowed her head, clearly feeling unworthy of the praise. "Thank you. But the privilege was mine." Before the silence could get awkward, she lifted her cup toward Sharah. "And a toast to you, Sharah the Wolf. May life never give you more hardship than you can bear."
Sharah raised her tankard with theirs. "To the fallen. And the remembered."
Kurz gro-Baroth was next. "To a bright future."
And Oreyn put a cap on it. "To the Guild!"
A rousing cry filled the Mare as the cups converged with such force that more liquid spilled from them than stayed in. Sharah tossed back what she had left.
Whatever had happened or would happen, tonight she would celebrate. They had been through so much hardship and loss. But they'd still remained strong and had come out united. A fact proven by how they all were here at the table tonight. When news reached the other halls, Sharah suspected there would be similar scenes all across Cyrodiil. The Fighters Guild celebrating their victory and future.
Sharah grinned and called on Emfrid for a refill. The future could bring what it wanted tomorrow and the day after. Whatever came, the Wolf knew she could handle it.
I hope the battle sequence wasn't cut too short for you guys. And did I go overboard with Vilena? I swear, every time I hit that part of the quest I was always yelling at my screen, "Do you have any idea what I've been through for you?!"
So, that's Fighters Guild all finished up. Goodie! Two questlines down. But we're not done yet. On to the fun part. And, let's face it, this is why you started reading. X) Okay, maybe not. But it's why I started writing this story in the first place. I'll admit it! I really didn't intend for Fighters Guild to take over quite so much when I started this thing. But it did, so there you go. Stay tuned.