"He is either stronger than he looks, or his comrades carried him." Captain Kurst said as we stared at the dead brigand laying by the road. "Does he look familiar, your Grace?"
"He looks all too familiar, Captain." I said. "He resembles all of the men who recently sought my life, and who killed my father. Past that, I cannot say. He may have been on the road when we came upon the captive children, but I cannot be certain."
"What will we find when we finally meet them?" Lucia asked. "A small group, or a large force."
"A large force would have returned and razed the village for this." Aric said as he nodded at the dead brigand. "Whatever force we find, they were not anxious to return to that village."
"But their friends will not hesitate." I said. "This has cost them, but the price is not yet high enough for them to reconsider their plans."
"We will take every opportunity to raise that price." Aric said.
We had left the village no more than half-an-hour before finding the dead brigand. Our departure was delayed as we debated the order of assignment, for both warriors and priestesses.
"It is our duty to attend you." Maliyah said.
"We cannot let you go off alone." Giselle said.
"I will not be alone, sister, and I have a Captain, a Thane, and a Mage most powerful as attendants." I said. "We must ride fast, through unknown country, and into unknown danger. The Mother Superior would tell you herself that, in this matter, your place is here. These children are under your care until I return which, Gods willing, will be before sunset. Please honor my wishes in this."
"You have much to learn." Aric said to Lucien and Adrian as he began the first of two conversations that were required of him. "You are aware of that, I know. You have seen demonstrated what skill and training can accomplish, and you each are sufficiently intelligent to calculate how long you could stand against such skill in combat in your current state. I am correct, am I not?"
"Yes, milord." Came from two mouths.
"It is the most solemn duty a warrior can undertake, the defense of those who cannot defend themselves." Aric continued. "In the defense of this village you will each of you play your part; that part being to stand guard, under orders of the commander assigned over you.
Any brigand that sees either of you from a distance will stop and reconsider their mission. But mark me, the entirety of your duty is to call out to whichever housecarl commands your watch. Once that alert is given, Rigel, Jordis and Runa will defend the village if necessary."
Aric's second conversation was more fraught with obstacles.
"I chose you because you are both mage and swordsman." Aric said to his broad-shouldered daughter. "Any force that returns to this village in our absence will be bent on revenge and will have the force of men to ensure they do not suffer the fate of the previous visitors. If such an attack occurs you will have your hands full, I assure you. I give you this task because it is the more difficult of the two."
"I believe half of your words were meant as flattery, Father, but I take your point." Runa said.
"You wound me, little dove." Aric said as he hugged his daughter. "I am well aware that flattery does not affect you."
"Its effect is entirely dependent upon the flatterer." She said as she placed her head on her father's chest.
"Only a day ago, I would have argued that my sworn duty is to protect you." Rigel said. "But you take far greater protection with you, so I will hold my tongue and say "Yes, honored Thane."
"Yes, honored Thane." Jordis said as well.
Aric looked at me.
"You discern the tone, do you not?" he asked me, "I do not imagine it, surely."
"I beg your pardon, sir, I did not attend the conversation." I said, my laughter putting the lie to my words. "A dog ran past, and I was distracted."
"This is conspiracy, pure and simple." Aric said as he walked away shaking his head.
"Take care, sister." Jordis said. "neither of us knows what we have wandered into."
"Including the Thane." Rigel said, "who appears to be walking in the wrong direction."
"I did not walk in the wrong direction." Aric said a short time after we had left the dead bandit behind. "I am once, again, a victim of cruel aspersions."
"Do not misinterpret me, sir" I said as Lucia hid her laughter behind her hands "I believe you implicitly. But we do ride in a westerly direction, and your wandering as you left me with your housecarls can only be described as easterly."
"It is a clever trap you set, madam." Aric said, "but I avoid it quite nimbly. I walked a short distance east and placed a Rune on the main road. It will be visible from the guard position we have selected. It will alert either youth well in advance of any force that approaches using the main road."
"That is a wise precaution, Archmage." Kurst said. "Or do you prefer Thane?"
"I prefer the title of Father most of all." Aric said as he looked at his statuesque daughter. "After that, I am not partisan."
"You did not list the title of Bard in your recitation for the Baroness." I said, "yet a Bard you are, and it is a title you won through your efforts. Why do you omit it?"
"Because I do not wish anyone to ask me to sing." Aric said.
"None of us wish that, Father." Lucia said.
"It is a day for insubordination, I see." Aric said. "I blame your mother. She has had a contrary tendency since the day we met. It has rubbed off on all my children."
I was in the midst of laughing when a thought occurred to me.
"You did inform someone in the village about the rune, did you not?" I asked.
Aric's head came up as his eyes widened.
"Father!" Lucia said. "It is a hazard!"
Aric looked at his daughter as his smile slowly formed.
"You!" she said to him. "I was about to ride back to the village to warn them!"
"Would it ease your emotions somewhat if I sang to you?" he asked, his smile growing.
"Gods!" was all she replied.
It was only a few minutes later when our path turned north.
"To the north lies the ruins of Fort Warden, to the south lies Sancre Tor. Our journey to complete your pilgrimage will retrace our steps to this point."
"Then we must encase the dead bandit in clay when we pass by him on our return to the village." I said. "I will not have the children see him laying so."
Kurst smiled at my words and found something on the pommel of his saddle that drew his interest.
"It is her true nature, good Captain, to place the needs of others to the fore." Lucia said.
"Surly I am not unique in that respect." I said. "It is a common trait, is it not?"
"I have never found it so, your Grace." Kurst said.
"Not the degree to which you practice it, sister." Lucia said.
"You are very kind, sister, but I will cling to my belief with both hands." I said. "There is good in this world. We have but to look for it."
"Since the day we met you, beloved, none of us have had to look very far." Aric said.
It was certainly more than the ruins of a simple tower, but it was the ruined watchtower of Fort Warden that we encountered first. The fort itself was only a short ride north. Signs of recent traffic – foot, horse, and wheeled, were evident. Traffic that led to the fort ruins, some of which we had been following since we turned north.
"This is more than four men's traffic." Lucia said. "Much more."
"These are the same wheel tracks that continued south when we stopped to turn north," I said.
"They have used this as a base for some time," Aric said. "traveling back and forth along this stretch of trail."
"It is only trails from here south." Kurst said. "Those trails see market traffic from the farms that dot the western portion of Cyrodiil."
"They continue to do so, it appears." Aric said. "But now it is the children from these farms that are trafficked."
"That practice will end." I said, as my anger grew. "I swear it by the Blessed Mother."
Captain Kurst glanced at me and his eyes grew quite large.
"Your eyes burn, beloved." Aric said.
Gods. I thought, as I calmed my mind, and my breathing.
"I most humbly beg your pardon, Captain." I said, "My anger gained a momentary advantage. It lurks close to the surface whenever I contemplate the fate these children faced. I must pray to the Blessed Mother for forgiveness, and for strength."
"Anger is the appropriate response, your Grace." Kurst said. "I freely admit that I feel my share of it when I think of these poor children, though my face does not display it so flamboyantly."
"You are very kind, sir." I said. "Thank you."
Three unoccupied tents were distributed around the ruined tower, the remains of a fire nearby.
We were approaching the ruins of the fort itself when we heard it.
"Horses." Aric said.
The sound had been clear. Horses within the ruined walls, greeting our own mounts, who did not hesitate to return the greeting.
"How many?" Lucia asked.
"I heard two distinct voices." Aric said. "There may be others, that did not speak up."
"You can distinguish the voices of different horses?" Kurst asked him.
"A portion of my mind still believes that you make such displays of ability to impress me, sir." I said to Aric.
"Other displays of ability, perhaps, madam, but not his." Aric said as he smiled at me.
"Your other abilities are most certainly impressive." I said in reply.
"Is this truly the appropriate time for this conduct?" Lucia asked. "We have an enemy to our front, and the Captain certainly does not wish to endure this talk."
"I could endure it a bit longer, good lady," Kurst said, "I am made of sterner stuff."
"How is it, now, that I am suddenly required to be the voice of decorum and maturity for this group?" Lucia asked with a laugh as she dismounted.
"Because your mother is not here to do it, little chick." Aric replied to his daughter.
The fort must certainly have been impressive in its day, but that day was long in the past.
The large main gate and arch were missing, as was the material that had formed them. What could be seen of the main structure at the north end of the courtyard was not much better. But it was what stood next to the smaller structure to our left that gained our attention immediately.
"Is that what it appears to be?" I asked.
"It is a holding pen." Aric said. "And it does not appear to be meant for animals."
I required a moment to fight the internal battle to control my anger.
"It is the Warrior Priestess that will require an answer from these retches." I said as I attempted to keep my breathing even.
"I am very glad that we are allies, Lady." Kurst said.
"Two horses in a stable that has seen at least twice that number recently." Aric said.
"And no wagon, though it is clear where it would reside were it here." Lucia said.
"The main structure is a death trap." Kurst said. "I would not step under any part of that roof for any amount of gold."
"They have repaired the roof on the smaller structure." Aric said. "It is there that we should seek the Reverend Mother's answers."
"I will enter first, Thane." Kurst said.
"With respect, Captain, a strong ward is what is needed breaching this structure. A strong arm will have its due shortly." Aric said as he looked at Lucia.
"I consider this only partial repayment for the way you have treated me recently, father." Lucia said as she began to walk to the door of the nearby structure.
"I recall some very ungenerous remarks regarding my singing, daughter." Aric said. "Perhaps we should call each debt canceled?"
"Have you heard him sing, sister?" Lucia asked as she hesitated at the door.
"I have not had the honor." I said.
"You are fortunate." She answered as she cast her ward and opened the door.
"And the debt has, again, swung back to my advantage." Aric said as he followed his daughter.
I was a square room with stairs leading downward at the other end. Its current use was as a common room, the remains of food and drink still present on the square table at its center. A side room was in use as sleeping quarters for what appeared to be four occupants.
"It seems that someone prefers not to sleep under canvas." Lucia said.
"It is likely that one of the occupants of the tents we passed is now laying by the road that lead him to the village, but only part way back again." Aric said.
"I cannot currently find it within me to mourn his passing." I said. "I violate my oath, and the tenants of my faith with my lack of compassion. I will do penance at a time to be determined."
"It were best if you delayed your penance." Lucia said. "He is not the only bandit you will not mourn. For efficiency's sake, a single penance for all would be best."
"These stairs must lead down to the fort's prison." Kurst said. "There is light, and the smell of tallow, easily identified emanating from below."
"I warn all of you: do not place yourselves between me and these brigands." I said.
"Space permitting, madam, we will face them side-by-side." Aric said.
"I, for one, am not anxious to face your summoned raptor." Lucia said.
"Surly the space is too small for something so monstrous." Kurst said.
"It has a different aspect when summoned indoors." Lucia said, "That I beheld from close range as it drove two assassins into our arms."
"I would have burned those two to nothing if the Mother Superior had not recalled me to my senses." I said. "For that I am truly sorry."
"They will receive a just sentence, beloved." Aric said. "It need not be at your hand."
"I would have acted out of anger." I said. "I owe Mother Oranius much. I would have carried that guilt for the rest of my days."
"You have a Divine heart, Lady." Kurst said. "I have never encountered another like it. I will build you a monument in Bruma, I swear it."
"Do not swear such a trivial thing, Sir Knight." I said. "I cannot think of a person less deserving of a monument."
The sound of voices ended our discussion. We had all drawn our weapons before proceeding down the stairs. I had chosen my dragon steel short swords that Runa had given me.
Disused cells lined the wall to our right as we reached the bottom of the stairs. A room faced them on our left, the doorway open, and emitting light and sound.
It was Aric who entered first. Kurst was second, and I entered as Lucia entered last. The room was large enough to stand three abreast.
Three of the men were clearly the bandits that had such a rude reception at the village, one with a bandage around his head. The forth wore a robe whose design I did not recognize. Neither did I recognize the armor of the fifth, though it bore a resemblance to the robes of the forth.
"How now, friends, why do you stare so." I said to the pair. "Your holding pen above stands empty, as do your cells nearby. Have you misplaced all of the children you abducted?"
"You have no idea whose affairs you disrupt." The woman in the robes said to me. "You should never have involved yourself, priestess."
"Archpriestess, madam." I said. "But it is only a title. Kidnapper is another title with which you may be familiar. I do not recognize your robe. Are you mage, or priestess, or both?"
The man in the unique armor drew his sword as the three brigands retreated as far as they were able.
"I am one of the chosen." The woman said, her hands came up.
"I was once also one of the chosen." I said as my bound sword spells enveloped their dragon steel brethren. "I found the experience to be somewhat overrated."
"By order of Countess Larina Bradus of Bruma, you are all placed under arrest." Captain Kurst said. "Surrender your weapons and submit to the Justice of the Authority."
"There is only one authority I recognize." The woman in the robes said. "And he is none of you."
Her spell and Aric's ward met in the center of the room, as the man in armor and I engaged.
He was large, but the ceiling was too low for him to employ his sword to its full effect. His shortened strikes were still powerful, however, and he wielded his bulk as an additional weapon quite effectively, forcing me to reply with speed and agility.
The woman in the robes was powerful, wielding some form of shield ward in her left hand as she fought Aric with offensive spells from her right. Lucia had cast a spell that had forced the three brigands against the rear wall and was not allowing them to move a muscle.
My dance with my large opponent was requiring me to weave, and bob, and pivot, and employ every technique I had learned, leaving the Captain no opening to assist me, despite his continued efforts to find an opportunity to do so.
It was one of his attempts that drew my opponent's attention just long enough for me to land a rapid series of strikes on his helm and shoulder before I retreated to a safer distance in anticipation of his counterattack.
But what he did next I never expected. He seemed for a moment to forget where he was before turning and killing the woman in the robes, at which point the Captain saw his opportunity and killed the man in armor.
"What just happened?" the Captain asked
"I apologize, sir." I said as I caught my breath. "this was my first opportunity to use these particular weapons in battle, and I had completely forgotten the enchantment placed on them by their previous owner."
"You will not know the name of Miraak, Captain, but he was a master at manipulating others, and these weapons belonged to him. He enchanted them so that any opponent struck might turn and attack one of their comrades." Aric explained.
"Might, sir?" Kurst said. "It was a foregone conclusion in this case."
"That was most likely the number of times he was struck, Captain." Lucia said. "By my count, he was struck five times in less than two seconds."
"You exaggerate, sister." I said. "It was surely not so many."
"That was my count as well." Kurst said. "I had little else to do but stand and count. I do not think I have ever felt so useless in a battle."
"It was your efforts that gave me the opportunity, cousin; if I may call you that." I said
"You would honor me, and my entire family, your Grace, with that title." The captain said, his eyes shining.
"Do not kneel now, cousin." Lucia said. "My arm tires from holding these three in place."
"God, sister, I had completely forgotten." I said. "My apologies."
"Let them go." Aric said to his daughter. "They do not seem in any way anxious to resist."
"If you move, we will surely kill you." Kurst said to the three men. "Do you understand?"
Three nodding heads voted in the affirmative.
"I do not recognize these robes." I said as I looked at the dead mage. "In my defense, I have spent most of my life cloistered."
"I am likewise unfamiliar with them." Kurst said.
"I recognize them." Aric said. "I have seen them before."
"Where?" I asked him.
"In Dawnstar." He answered. "The curator of a museum wore robes such as these."
"What sort of curator would wear such robes?" I asked. "What sort of museum?"
"A museum dedicated to the Order of the Mythic Dawn." Aric said.
Nothing on the persons of either the dead or the living was of any value in leading us closer to the person behind these kidnappings. The same held true for the sleeping quarters and the common room.
"The Order of the Mythic Dawn was a cult that worshiped and served Mehrunes Dagon." Aric said as we sat in the courtyard. Our three prisoners currently resided in the holding pen. "They were responsible for the assassination of Uriel Septum. They were responsible for the Oblivion Crisis. With the exception of the museum curator in Dawnstar, who certainly cannot be counted a true member, they are extinct."
"It appears that at least two other individuals failed to receive proper notification." I said. "Do I infer correctly that my opponent, whose armor bore marked similarities to the robes of the dead mage, is also, or should I say, was also a member of that extinct cult?"
"As with the curator of the museum, both mage and warrior certainly styled themselves after that cult, but the true cult was eradicated at the dawn of the forth era." Aric said.
"The wise woman in the village said someone who would see them opened again. She refers to someone who would open the gates to Oblivion again. It was the leader of the Mythic Dawn that opened those gates during the crisis." Kurst said.
"Yes." Aric said. "But those gates are forever shut, and Mehrunes Dagon was defeated by Martin Septim. There will never be another Oblivion Crisis."
"Someone failed to receive that notification as well." I said. "Clearly someone believes that they have the means to accomplish that task."
"They are mistaken, but they will terrorize Cyrodiil until they are better educated." Aric said.
"What part do the kidnapped children play in their plans?" I asked.
"It is a fair question." Aric said as he looked at the three prisoners, "and it is high time we asked."
"Step forward to hear the charges against you." Kurst said to the three men.
It seemed, as we approached the pen that the two unharmed bandits were consoling the wounded one. They stopped speaking as we approached, and slowly stood and stepped closer to the bars of the pen. None of them looked happy, but the wounded man looked much worse than the other two.
"By your own words, you identify yourselves as the men that the Reverend Mother and her party met on the road from Skyrim to Bruma. On that evidence alone, I will find you guilty of kidnapping. The testimony of the villager and the body of your dead comrade identifies you as the men who attacked the village two days ago in an attempt to kidnap more. If this were a battlefield, I would convene a drumhead trial and you would be found guilty and executed."
The wounded man began to cry in earnest as his legs failed him.
"Now you feel guilt and remorse." Kurst said "when the noose is about to tighten around your neck."
"That ain't why he is crying." The shorter of the other two said.
"Why does he cry, then?" Aric asked.
"What do you care?" the man asked Aric. "You don't care about him, or his family, or us. You with your fancy clothes, and armor, and weapons and horses and saddles. Have you ever been hungry? Have you watched your children starve, or be sick with fever, or freezing in winter?"
"Your lot don't notice our lot." The second man said. "you don't look us in the eye, you can't tell us one from the other."
"What do you say?" Kurst said "Do you mean to justify what you have done?"
"Ain't no words will change your mind." The shorter man said. "You look at us and you see filth. Pass your sentence on me and Rolf" he said nodding at the taller man. "But let Dirge go home to his family."
"It's too late." The wounded man said crying. "We been gone too long. He'll take 'em for sure. It's my fault."
"What are you saying, man." Kurst said. "Explain yourself."
"Captain." I said softly, "This is now work for a priestess. Please allow me to conduct this inquire."
"As the Reverend Mother wishes." Aric said.
"Unlock the pen." I said. "I tire of standing in the afternoon sun. Let us move under the shelter at the other end of the courtyard. Thane, I require medicinals to treat this man."