Disclaimer&A/N: I was hoping to get this chapter posted a little bit sooner, surprise!, but a lot of stuff came up and then I just couldn't find the right break call it another chapter. So consider this a late Easter bunny gift. Enjoy! And you all know by now who is mine and who is, sadly, out of reach.

Katryn's breath was a harsh, ragged sound as she drew it in quite suddenly, her body going stiff with pain again. But as she let it out in a long sigh, she relaxed against him for the first time. Her head burrowed into his shoulder as she felt the intense burning of whatever Eldamil had used on her fade. Instead her skin was feeling like she had spent too much time in the sun and she was so tired. Martin's arms were strong and gentle around her and it would be too easy to just close her eyes and sleep for days. She felt the tender pressure on her head one more time, just above her ear and knew that he had pressed his lips there for at least the second time.

"Martin," Eldamil's voice, smooth and even, seemed to grate at Katryn's nerves. Her head was pounding and every little sound reverberated between her ears, "We have to keep moving. None of the others here are loyal to Vexra but that does not mean that they will not stoop to informing someone else."

"I won't leave her," Martin was murmuring against her hair but his voice was clear and firm, "Come on, Kat, he's right."

She groaned softly and tried to worm her way even closer to him as he shifted her around to help her to her feet. With her head so close to his neck it was easy to hear how his breath caught at her sudden reluctance to let him go. It surprised her as well, though she was the one acting. After her hesitance to even look him full in the face for days on end, it was a pleasant surprise to want him close to her. It took him a minute to try again and he slid one hand up her arm and gently pulled her away. He was careful to avoid touching her other arm too close to the wound there and then got his feet under him.

"Please, Katryn, we can't stop here," He implored and wrapped his arm around her waist as he stood.

The Elf sighed as she steadied herself against him and then risked the pain in her head to look around. The others that had been held captive in the iron cages had disappeared long ago, probably afraid that they would be forced back if they waited for too long. Eldamil had eased up from his crouch and was dipping the rag again.

"Here, Martin," He said as he wrung it out and stepped closer to them, "For your hand. You may not feel the pain now but you will not want to have any handicap when facing the master."

The priest had Katryn clasped firmly to one side and he was relieved that he didn't have to release her to tend to his burnt fingers. It was the first time he realized he actually was injured and wondered why he hadn't felt the pain yet. His skin was a deep bright red, burnt clear through so that he would have been bleeding quite profusely had the hot metal not seared the wound shut.

"Martin," Katryn breathed and heard the hoarse, spent tone to her voice, "What did you do?"

He tried to ignore how his heart flipped a little at the care and concern in that question and the way she said his name so that he could concentrate fully. It was like everything had been forgiven, like she had never been angry with him or maybe it felt more like none of the arguments had ever happened and they had spent blissful days together. Whichever it was, he wanted to make sure that tone stayed present in her calm voice.

"I was too worried about you to think of what I was doing," He said calmly and surprised even himself at how matter-of-fact he was.

Eldamil hid his impatience well. They didn't understand fully the danger they could be in and he wanted to keep them moving so that next time they weren't facing three or four of the guards unawares. When Martin didn't take the rag from him, the Dark Elf stepped forward and dealt with it himself. The priest was caught in Katryn's burning eyes and Eldamil was not such a fool he couldn't see why. What surprised him was the actual match of Imperial and Dunmer; it was unacceptable at his home but he knew that was an old-fashioned ideal. He was well over three hundred years old.

Martin hissed in pain, unconsciously tightening his other arm around Katryn's slender waist. The pain in his hand was excruciatingly intense. It burned hotly, spreading all the way up to his elbow before creeping back down, making his arm tingle like he had slept on it all night. The priest's body went stiff and he squeezed his eyes shut as he tried to focus on the present. He sucked in a breath and held it, blotting out the pain as best he could, and then released it slowly. As he did so, the burning eased and he was able to open his eyes again. They immediately sought out his Elf whose fire colored gaze was on him rather mournfully, knowing exactly how he felt.

"I'm so sorry, Katryn," He told her, "If I had known that-"

She was shaking her head and she gently loosened his hold on her waist. His fingers had dug into her flesh roughly but with both firsthand knowledge of his pain and the fact that her guard was no longer up around him, (collapsed into smouldering dust by now), she didn't mind.

"It was momentary," She interrupted, "And I'm fine now. Eldamil is right, we must keep moving."

The priest nodded reluctantly, watching her as she moved so that just his hand was resting at the small of her back. She stood straight, giving the impression that she was taller than she actually was but when they took that first step, she swayed a little and would've have fallen if not for his support.

"Kat-"

"It is the potion," Eldamil cut in, grasping Katryn's other arm gently. He knew there was a good reason Martin avoided that one and he didn't want to cause her anymore pain, "Like I said, we have never used it on mortals and I was not sure how greatly it would effect her."

"I am fine," Katryn insisted, pulling away from Eldamil and her priest. That was a wrench but she was not about to be babied again. And she needed to prove to herself that she was capable of doing something as simple as walking, at the very least. She accomplished a few steps on her own, her strength returning gradually and she turned to face them once more, spreading her arms, "See?"

Martin's sharp gaze caught her wince as she quickly lowered her right arm again and he wondered how long she had been beyond her tolerance for pain. He sighed and moved next to her again, wishing that he had never announced his plan to her in the first place. Not caring if she was determined to walk the whole way on her own and wanting her close to him again, he pressed his hand against the small of her back as he reached her and kept them both walking.

"Yes, you're fine," He answered in a tone that suggested anything but, "Now let's move on."

For the first time since Jauffre's death, she found herself grinning genuinely at the sound of long-suffering in his voice. His hand was warm and firm on her back and as she met his beautiful blue gaze, she wondered how it could have been so hard for her to just simply admit that she really did care for him.

They reached the spot where their weapons had been dropped and continued up the path once more. Eldamil was keeping a careful eye for any of the other guards but when their trouble started again, it came from behind instead of ahead. The sounds of loud angry voices reached their ears and Eldamil was suddenly stiff with unease. He uttered a sharp curse underneath his breath in his own tongue and then stared warily at them.

"We cannot leave you to face them alone," Katryn told him sharply, reading the thoughts in his face as if she was reading a book.

"It is no use," Eldamil was tense and he was listening just as hard as Katryn to the curses and threats that were being called from the cavern below them, "I will try to head them off. Keep to this path, do not turn off it no matter what. We are about halfway to the outside door and that one is not guarded. Carac Agaialor will have two guards outside and the Lady Ruma will be with the master. The guards will not allow you access unless the master knows you are coming. That is why I don't like this. I will do my best to meet you outside. Wait no more than a few minutes and then press on without me. Go."

He spoke quickly but his hands moved the entire time. He had pulled the knives from his belt and pocket, giving himself a slice along his hairline and proceeding to rip holes in his robes. Tossing one knife to Katryn, he gouged at his cheek with the other, wincing with the pain and smearing the blood along some of the tears in the fabric. Bright red eyes met them again and he bowed a little too regally. Somehow he managed to pull it off and the ancient grandeur was quite something in this dark, sweltering heat.

"I wish you the best of luck," He said and his voice was more gentle this time, kinder, and his eyes flickered briefly between the two of them, "In all you do."

With a flash of ruby red robes, he disappeared down the tunnel after giving the twin knife to Katryn. She and Martin watched him go and then shared a brief glance. The priest slid his hand down her wrist and grasped her own, intent on not letting go of her unless absolutely necessary.

"Let's go."

They hurried up the stretch of tunnel. No one stood in their way and they reached the outside door with an ease that was a little unnerving. Like before, it shouldn't have been this simple. The door opened at the slightest touch and when they looked behind and around them, they were standing on the worn pathway in the too bright green grass with the cliff to their backs. The sky was still a deep, perfect blue and the flowers that suddenly exploded on each bush lining the path were shocking colors. Through the next clump of trees a flash of pure white was visible and the path before them seemed to cut straight for it. Katryn glanced once more behind her and then met Martin's gaze. Like the first door, this one had disappeared as soon as they were through it, making the face of the cliff smooth and perfect.

"Just a few minutes," Martin echoed Eldamil's words, still squeezing Katryn's hand. He glanced down at their clasped hands and realized what a blessing and a curse this was. Finally able to express his feelings for Katryn and have them returned, it couldn't have come at a worse time. Their lives were hanging in the balance and they would have no opportunity to be alone and do more than just discuss their future together.

The Elf seemed to read his thoughts and she smiled gently, tenderly, as she repositioned her fingers to lock with his. Her orange eyes searched his face rather sadly. Why now? She asked herself as she studied him, seeing again how handsome he was; how much he looked like his father; how his blue eyes seemed to pierce right through all her doubts and see that she had always loved him. It's so inconvenient. And it was, more than anyone could know.

"I've been awful to you," She murmured and had to look away, afraid that this would evolve into something that neither one of them could control. That neither one would want to control, "I was such a fool. If I had just listened to you, we could have had so much more time and now..."

Martin reached up and brushed her cheek, his fingers grazing the healing gash there and then wandering down her jaw to tip her chin so she would look at him.

"Better late than never," He replied and smiled a little, unable to put into words how happy he was to hear her say that. His fingers caressed her cheek again and he pressed his palm against her smooth skin.

Katryn tilted her face closer and her eyelids drifted shut. Her breath hitched a little in her throat as she felt an intense urge to fling her arms around his neck and let their desires overwhelm them. Martin shuffled closer, his hand tightening around hers and she felt his breath across her nose and lids before he pressed his lips to her forehead. He went still, afraid to go too far and spiral out of control completely. Drawing in the still rather smoky scent of her, he sighed against her hair.

"But, unfortunately, we have to cling to the later just a little bit longer," He was whispering, terrified that this would be a dream and he would wake up and discover a still cold and distant Katryn. It took a monumental effort to pull away from her, but he wouldn't let go of her hand, "We can't afford to wait any longer."

Katryn reluctantly opened her eyes and had to take a few breaths before she could be sure that her voice would come out steady. Her burning gaze finally met his and she nodded, reminding herself that they were being beyond stupid, almost giving in like that: here, where just behind the cliff face there was a good man that was probably suffering simply because he had saved their lives. But their emotions and feelings for one another had never made sense before, why should they start now?

"All right," She finally managed, "Later than."

Martin once more tightened his hold and together they headed down the path to their final adversary. The air was warm and sweet, a huge difference from the thick heavy atmosphere of the caverns. Even with this change, Martin felt his spine stiffening. It was the feel of the place; the fact that they knew exactly what went on down in those caverns, Katryn better than anyone. They were coming closer and closer to that brilliant flash of white and the Elf slowed her pace, pulling at Martin's hand and holding him up. Her burning eyes scanned the breathtakingly beautiful building that suddenly sprang up before them.

The palace was three stories high and the facade was all the gleaming ivory that the bridge had been made up of. Pillars spanned the entire front and supported a flat roof that sheltered the two guards posted at the tremendous doors. Carved windows were barely four feet apart on each floor and they each swept gracefully to a gentle point. Flimsy curtains swept outward in the light breeze and if they hadn't known the evil it housed, they would've been grateful to come across such a magnificent sight. Even though there was nothing to match its grandeur around it, they got the strange inkling that it belonged there; that there would have been something missing without it.

They ducked quickly behind a small clump of bushes, just out of sight of the guards. Perhaps it was the fact there were no real threats here that the two Dremora missed them and Katryn breathed a prayer of thankfulness. Still, two of Vexra-like Dremora were not going to be easy to bypass and they had to come up with some sort of a plan.

"We cannot sneak around them," Katryn informed him quietly, "And since these are our only knives, I'm not sure if you want to risk throwing them?"

"You will not have to," A soft voice spoke from directly behind them and Katryn had to clamp her hand over Martin's mouth to keep him from giving away their position.

Relief swept through her fiercely at the sight of Eldamil, looking the same as when they had left them and absolutely contented with his lot in life. She counted to ten before she deemed it safe to remove her hand and then smiled at her fellow Dark Elf.

"Success?" She asked, though by the look on his face it was very clear.

"Very successful," He answered with a nod, his expression becoming smug, "It was Orthe that we heard. He found that the cages were empty; he was Vexra's relief guard. Of course I had to think quickly to explain my appearance but he seemed pleased when I told him that you had more of a temper than any had believed likely," This with a nod to Katryn who smiled a little and ignored Martin's sudden indignation.

"I am glad you're safe," The Elf murmured before Martin could cut in.

Eldamil returned her smile and nodded. His red eyes flickered to the palace briefly and then back to them. He was becoming extremely nervous again but his resolve remained firm. He would do all he could to get them into that palace and alone with the master.

"Likewise," He finally answered and motioned to the bands on their wrists, "I had not thought of those. Even if you had been diplomatic in approaching the guards, there would have been questions about that. I think I have bought us some time with Orthe, but we still have to move quickly. Give me your sword again, Martin, and one of the knives, Katryn. Put the other in your pocket, just in case."

They did so without complaint this time and Eldamil tucked them away on his belt. He motioned for them to follow and they eased out from the bushes, taking a few steps back to make it obvious to the guards where they were coming from. Eldamil walked just a step ahead of them and once more they could feel the slight pull of the odd bands. It grew more insistent when they lagged behind and Katryn felt the burning start as she did this just once to test them. She had to pry her hand away from Martin's when they came within a few yards of the palace and she assumed a subservient position and expression. Beside her, the priest mimicked her and they tried to ignore the chills of horror that cascaded down their backs when they felt the Dremora gaze at them coldly; ruthlessly.

"Prisoners for the master," Eldamil murmured softly, answering an unasked question.

One of the guards stepped forward to open the doors while the other stared unblinkingly at them. Despite the monstrous size of them, the great wooden doors swung in without a sound and Eldamil urged them forward, getting them away from the Dremora before any suspicions were raised. The hall that they found themselves in was uninterrupted in height as its ceilings soared up to the roof itself. A wide, sweeping staircase wound its way to the second floor where the landing was open to the great doors and spacious hall. The cool marble-like floor glowed a deep reddish-black and was a startling contrast to the white of the walls and ceilings. Blood-red curtains swathed the windows and hid what could only have been doors leading into other sections of the palace but those were the only furnishings. There was no furniture to be seen and the hall was devoid of life. Still, Eldamil knew what he was doing as he moved to his right and swept away a portion of a red curtain. Behind this there was no window and instead he uncovered a small niche in the wall. Nestled within was a statue about a foot tall in the likeness of Camoril, which Martin immediately recognized, and beside this was a small gold gong. The Dark Elf took up the matching hammer and tapped it once, softly. The light, bell-like sound echoed in the hall and seemed to reverberate back and forth between the walls as it bounced up to the ceiling and faded out.

He returned to them instantly, his face becoming anxious. The red eyes bore into each of them rather sternly as though he were about to scold them but when he opened his mouth, it seemed that he was the one in pain.

"I will be allowed into the room with you," He was speaking in such a quiet whisper that even Katryn had to lean closer to him, "But when the time comes, I cannot help attack... the master. The way he has linked us to him makes it excruciatingly painful to do so. Like I told you, the Lady Ruma will be with him. It should only be those two but the master is a very skilled fighter and the lady is not to be underestimated. She-"

Eldamil was so intent on giving them last minute instructions that he didn't hear the footsteps coming. Katryn, who was listening with half an ear at least, picked them up easily and gave him a quick shove to turn him around, interrupting him mid-thought. Eldamil recovered instantly, smoothing his face into an expressionless mask as he met the gaze of the Altmer that emerged from behind another curtain.

The woman, much like Eldamil, was beautiful beyond belief. Her blonde hair was tinted with a strawberry red and cascaded to her waist. Her slanted eyes were halfway between grey and green and startling in her pale, heart-shaped, luminous face. The full lips pursed slightly and with the high, prominent cheekbones, it added to her superior, arrogant expression.

In spite of her unwavering self-assurance and the fact she never gave anyone the power to make her feel inadequate, Katryn was suddenly self-conscious. She was rather painfully aware of her singed hair and bedraggled clothing. Blood was seeping through the thick bandage Matti had swathed around her shoulder and the gash at her cheek felt tender. Even Martin's obvious, over the top adoration and devotion to her didn't ease these feelings; and usually he made her feel so desired that her appearance never mattered.

"Yes, what is it, Fireze?" The Altmer's voice rankled Katryn's still raw nerves, "I hope for your sake this is important."

This time Martin stiffened as well. She was becoming less and less attractive the more that she spoke. Her arrogance was more than a little off-putting and it made the silky voice grating. Martin wished that Katryn would speak. The desire to hear her soft, calm voice was overwhelming and it helped him concentrate on helping Eldamil pull this off perfectly. If this Altmer was another part of Camoran's magic than the priest wanted nothing more to do with it.

"Tell the master I have mortals he will be interested in," Eldamil's tone was cool and important.

The Altmer's breathtaking face darkened for a brief moment and her slender body stiffened. The grey-green eyes flashed and then cooled.

"You presume to know the master so well?" Her tone was biting and irritated.

"You know that is not what I meant, Sela," Eldamil stayed patient but a little smirk tipped the corners of his mouth, "But if this is below you, never mind. I will inform the master that you are unsatisfied and-"

A quiet hiss of breath interrupted him. Sela wasn't the least bit attractive now. Her pale face was flushed angrily and her eyes were bugging with terror. If Katryn had not been upset with her for her attitude towards Eldamil than she would have felt sorry for the Altmer. Maybe.

"Wait here," She snarled and stalked up the stairs.

Eldamil couldn't help but look smug, his fears and misgivings forgotten for the moment. He smiled at them with a rather vindictive joy.

"She likes to think of herself as the master's favorite. Any threat against her position here is a foolproof way to make her angry and get what you want."

"But why did she listen? If she knows she's so important to Camoran, why would she allow you to intimidate her?" The priest's tone was politely curious and he ignored Eldamil's wince at the flippant use of the master's name.

Eldamil recovered quickly and his smile was chagrined; bitter. He was hating himself for one reason or the other and he suddenly had their undivided attention.

"The master likes me as well. I told you that I had certain... freedoms, and that scares Sela more than anything. One hint of suspicion from me and her life could be made very uncomfortable here. I would not destroy her place completely but I could conceivably make it much more difficult."

"So we were lucky to have run into you," Katryn was not asking and she wondered briefly why Martin seemed to visibly relax beside her.

Eldamil understood the priest's reaction. The Elf's voice was like music, a long-beloved song that had not been heard for some time and it calmed the men's overworked nerves instantaneously. He smiled a little, realizing how much he was going to miss his new friends.

"Very lucky."