I didn't realize it until it was too late; that I had my Mother's curse.

Chapter 6: Iron-Scale

Meril's safety put me at ease. Bo'Ghadar was right about the Tam'Akar going after the Anlanixea. They've done this many times before—coming after me was always a distraction for something much worse. But… I've ignored them, haven't I? For the past several years, the Tam'Akar increased their numbers along the coast of the Blue Divide. Aridiil's team was only the beginning. With a few arrests of wanted criminals, I knew their eyes were set on the Silver Crescents. It was a push and pull battle. We kept them scrambled; managed to hit them left and turn them right. But the Altmer were arrogant, but they weren't fools. You can never beat them the same way twice.

Their motivation became more aggressive. The Parikh didn't deserve what they got.

Could I blame myself? Perhaps.

A rogue, in almost every sense of the word, meant an allegiance to no one but one's self. You would never tack on descriptions like "protector" or "savior", however, I've come to terms that I do it for them—for Mother… and yes, still, for Milkar. Valenwood may not know what battles are fought in the shadows, and to its people, it may seem like the inquisitors were merely doing their job in rounding those that live outside the law—us criminals—but in truth, we were stalling the inevitable war against the Aldmeri Dominion's enemies. A war that used us as collateral to gain power. I believe somewhere deep down in her heart, my mother knew that the Thalmor had the capability to win a fight against the Empire. And the Tam'Akar were the answer to an enormous power gap. I held no illusions of the Empire being the righteous side, but if it ever came to blows between the two political powers, Ara of the Ghost Bow was their advantage.

Whatever allure the Dominion held on Bosmer was strong. They wanted what the Dominion offered. Their truth was simply different. They say elves are better than the rest of the rrace—above humans and beasts. The logic wouldn't stand scrutiny. Because we lived longer? Because they were younger, and us older? Man has earned the right to the Ruby Throne with their blood of dragons and blessings of Auriel himself. How can we say these "gods" were wrong in choosing them? It destroyed the Ayleids, and puts us at risk. And if the Imperial empires were blessed by Divines, the Altmer would turn a blind eye to those seeking the blessings of the Daedric Princes.

Bo'Ghadar and I arrived at the water's edge. An immense forested swamp stretched to the ancient seas of southern Tamriel. I took the Wood Orc through the thicket along the edge of the swamp to a small raft hidden in the gloom and vine. I saved it for whenever a trip to the Iron-Scales was warranted. It was an old thing, and it barely held the both of us, but for now, it would do.

Bo'Ghadar pushed further into the water and leaped into the hull, his back towards the front. I came in after him, picking up the fan paddle at the bottom of the boat. I pushed off a low hanging branch, and we were off. These waters were shallow but only relatively; closer towards the ocean, it was at least a tall man deep. We made our way at a decent pace, not going too fast but not slow. Time mattered, but being capsized wasn't going to help..

Anlanixea was my friend. Despite leaving the Leucrota for a difference in opinion, she kept her word that she would obey the tenets of the treaty put forth by my brother. It was the only way we could survive and defend our prospects. The Silver Crescents protected everyone, including bands that were deemed criminal. People hired thieves: pickpockets, jailbreakers, burglars, and the like. But they had to go through the Silver Crescents first. In the time of the Thieves of the Wood, these walkers of the shadows had no rules that restricted them from outright pillaging the citizens. The Silver Crescents kept them in check… and the Leucrota kept the Silver Crescents in check…supposedly.

A thief is a thief is a thief, it is said. That wasn't true. I told this world that you didn't need to hold the same light as Ara High-Arrow to be a hero. I taught it that even those living in squalor and shadow can hold a name that was praised. I called it my revolution.

Within a few hours of paddling, the trees thinned. Around here, they grew bigger and thicker with a few sparse Graht-Oaks, but fewer, smaller trees in between. The Drowned Coast was a slime-covered paradise with thickets of vine and otherworldly flora that isn't seen anywhere else in Tamriel.

Bo'Ghadar reached into a pocket and withdrew a handful of dry, shredded meat. He stuffed them into his mouth and turned to me. I pierced my lips. 'Sorry, did you want some?' He reached back into his pockets for another handful.

I looked down at the obviously rank meat. 'No, thank you,' I said, shaking my head.

He shrugged, stuffing the rest in his mouth.

The swamp made everything seem rotten. But these forested waters were still living and thriving. The unlimited supply of water gave everything a softer atmosphere. Trees were saturated and soft the the touch, and the animals that lived here— thunk.

I turned to see what I'd missed. Thunk. Another splash in the water resounded. Bo'Ghadar laid his hand on his ax. I gestured for him to stand down, realizing what it was. 'It's fine, there's no reason to worry,' I told him and pointed to the two streams of rippling water on both of our flanks. 'It's them.'

'Scouts?' Bo'Ghadar asked.

I nodded.

The Iron-Scales were protective of their territory. They didn't claim ownership of the swamp itself but did like to know who approached their hideout. Luckily, I was a common visitor.

A tawny feathered Argonian poked his head out of the water and climbed onto our boat. His scales were a milky white, and his eyes were a deep red-ringed yellow. 'The Black Raven.' His snout flared as he took in a whiff of my scent.

'Wades-In-Murk,' I addressed him, with a nod.

'What pleasures can the Iron-Scales expect with an unannounced visit?' Wades raised a brow.

I let the raft drift along the brackish waterway. 'I need to speak with Anlanixea. It's urgent.'

'You've only just met with the sister-leader, did you not?'

'New revelations,' I said. 'I'm sorry for the unsolicited intrusion, but the Tam'Akar are finally making their move.'

Wades-In-Murk wagged his tail in anticipation. 'What about your friend here? You know the rule—'

'Without him, I wouldn't be here to tell you anything,' I snapped.

'I see…well, don't let me stop you.' Wades slipped back under the water's surface. The other scout followed his lead.

I took up the fan paddle and made haste. At first glance, Eprorn was about the same size and stature as Shimmer Root. But on further inspection, the tree was dead. It died long ago before the Iron-Scale bandit clan decided to call it home. However, despite the tree's demise, it still stood tall and strong. The limbs reached outward for dozens of feet in the air, and out from his trunk. Roots weaved in and out of the water like bodies of giant aquatic serpents. Younger, more vibrant trees gathered around it to feed off its rotting carcass for whatever nutrients remained in its majesty.

The Argonians made a nice little home of it, though. Around where the base met the water, a series of small docks encircled the massive Graht-Oak. A sweet tang of decomposed lumber cutting through the swamp stink wafted into my nose. Bo'Ghadar took deep breaths to absorb the smells enough to force the nose-blindness. Even he would have trouble getting accustomed to the smell.

We pulled into the dock, and a pair of Iron-Scale Argonians took hold of the raft, tethering it to a pier.

'Well met, friend.' One of them nodded towards me.

I returned the nod. 'Well met.'

Bo'Ghadar craned his neck, peering at the length of the tree that climbed many meters above the drifting mist of the swamp. The entrance to the tree was a gaping hole at the bottom of the Graht-Oak's base between two massive roots. Unlike Shimmer Root, which used its roots as stilts to lift its base many meters off the ground, the bottom of Eprorn's base was mostly submerged in the swamp. The heartwood was completely eroded on the inside, opening up to an enormous hollow that could fit an army comfortably. Argonians scoured at every corner. Heartwood was gutted and carved into bridges across the many landings and platforms the Iron-Scales use for their operations. The thick walls allowed for no light to enter from the outside, however, soft-glowing fungi grew thick across the heartwood walls, illuminating the entire Graht-Oak. It was adequate lighting for everyone. Silk-Moss carpeted all surfaces emanating radiant hues underfoot. Without Y'ffre's bloodlight, Valenwood would be a very dark place giving that the sun and sky were virtually blocked off by walls of foliage.

Anlanixea stood on top of a giant cluster of fungi posed as a terrace. Her eyes glowed in the bio-light. 'Sister?' Her brow raised. 'Did you follow me here? It was only a few hours did I arrive home.'

'Something happened in Weialin, Anlanixea.' I frowned. 'As soon as you departed, Bo'Ghadar here approached me.'

Her tail pointed upright. 'Why is a Boghadian here?' She hissed.

'Wait,' I said, raising my hand. 'He came to ask for my help. He believes his clan has made the wrong choice and wants me to help him change their minds before it's too late. We also know that the Tam'Akar are targeting you next.'

'How can you trust him?' Anlanixea bared her teeth.

'He helped me, Anlan. You should hear me out before it's too late.'

Anlan submitted and motioned for us to follow her into a small node lining the tree's inner wall. We walked into a small chamber lit by gleamblossoms. Weapons of Black Marsh make lined the room, smells of burning incense eliminated the stank of swamp-rot. Anlanixea sat cross-legged on a textile rug before motioning us closer. I sat across from her, but Bo'Ghadar opted to keep standing.

'Tell me what it is that's going on.' Anlanixea demanded.

'They came for me, Anlan. Arvancano and two other agents with a following of soldiers. An uhlan. They thought it would be easy, but we managed to fight our way out.'

Anlanixea rubbed her snout contemplatively. 'Knowing the Goldskinned devils, they'll send a fleet.'

'They're close,' Bo'Ghadar chimed.

Anlan flicked her eyes to the Wood Orc. 'How do you know?'

'They wouldn't pass the opportunity,' I answered. 'Once I'm out of the way, they could send their Inquisitors here…'

Bo'Ghadar understood his presence here in Eprorn was unwanted. However, I knew he wanted to make a difference. 'They have Bosmer assassins. Two—with powerful swords that brought my clan to their knees.'

'Assassins?'

I nodded to confirm. 'And one might have Goldfire.'

Anlanixea's throat bobbed. 'Then…then we must prepare.' She stood. In the next moment, she was on her back.

We all shifted as the ground rumbled; Eprorn bent sideways, unraveling our balance. I swallowed the lump in my throat. There were no signs to their arrival—no boats or ships squeezing their way through the waterways. How could they have reached this far in the swamp without anyone noticing?

Anlan crawled back up to her feet, frantic addressed by rapid breathing. 'Xuth! What in the Hist was—'

'They're here,' Bo'Ghadar crumbled, pulling his battle-ax from its holster to support himself.

Anlanixea looked at me with glowering eyes. If Argonians could sweat, she would be drenched. 'What do we do?'

'No choice but to fight.'

Anlanixea rushed to her wall of weapons and pulled two recurve bows from their slots. She tossed me one and held the other as her own. I slid a waist belted quiver over my body and strapped it tight. The Saxhleel arrows were barbed tipped and long for long-range shots. We poured from Anlan's chamber out to a rush of Iron-Scales preparing for the imminent attack. Down on the lower levels, they crowded the front entrance with pike-wielders, archers, and axmen.

High above, fire exploded through the tree's ceiling, showering debris down on the unsuspecting Argonians. Cries rang out, and the flames consumed anything dry.

'Brothers! Sisters!' Anlan called. 'The Tam'Akar have come for us. Fight for your freedom. Fight for your honor! You must live!'

Down at the base, a wave of water flowed through. Ice froze the archway and heartwood, and fire blast broke everything else. Through the chaos, the scrambling thud of metallic boots echoed through the Graht-Oak. They came in like a wave. Hundreds of Dominion soldiers and robed mages converged on the Argonions. The fighting ensued. They didn't have a chance.

I leaped out onto another terrace, catching two soldiers with arrows. They fell dead. A Thunderbolt spell slapped into my landing, tearing the giant fungus in half, and breaking my balance. I fell onto a root bridge as several soldiers converged. Twang. One arrow took the nearest soldier, and he fell to the depths below. I ran forward, smacking a soldier off the platform, swung around, and launched an arrow into the heart of another.

The Argonians put up a fight, but the numbers and organization would overwhelm them in due time. This fight will be left to the Tam'Akar. They needed to escape.

'Anlan, we must retreat into the swamp if we want to survive!' I called to her.

'I can't leave my egg-siblings.'

I took up a creeping vine and swung down to the surface of the base. The fight was already desperate. How did the get here with being noticed? I threw the bow to the ground and slipped Nocturnal's Talon from its scabbard.

I felt the heat before I saw the fire. A wall of flames strafed over the ground and slammed into my body, carrying me across the base and threw me at a wall. Ghost Flame slithered away, eating the golden flames and evaporating. 'What in the…' I looked up to see a dark-robed man slowly approaching. He was drawn to me as if nothing else mattered, ignoring the chaotic fight around him.

I gripped my sword and ground my teeth. My muscles tightened, Nocturnal's Talon's power surged into me. I took a breath and steadied my heart. Monsotar was dead; I killed him myself. I watched the wind carry his ashes. This person wielding Goldfire could not be him.

The robed Bosmer lifted Golfire and discharged a rush of superheated air. I quickly raised my own sword against the wave of heat. It's power was as strong as ever, sliding me across the thick heartwood ground, my heels dug deep. Ghost Flame coated the blade of Nocturnal's Talon, flaring to life with violet fire. It shielded me from Goldfire's power. Controlled, ghastly-hued tongues snaked around golden flicks, canceling each other out. Eprorn shook violently again. Debris from rained down on both Argonians and soldiers, their cries carried through the tree.

The cracking, the heavy thudding, the desperate warnings—Eprorn groaned. The attack was too hard, too fast for us to have done anything.

'Who are you?' I asked the Bosmer assassin.

His face was obscured within the deepness of his hood. The fires glinted in his eyes… I've never seen such hatred; not even within myself. A wall of sapwood layering broke off from the top and penetrating the space between us. I leapt backward, to keep from being crushed. When the dust cleared, he was gone.

On the fringes of the Graht-Oak, Bo'Ghadar had fought his way through to the base's entrance. By the time I reached him, the dead numbered in the dozens. Outside was no better than in. Iron-Scales were dying, outnumbered. The Tam'Akar had won.

'Anlan!'

Bo'Ghadar pointed down the rolling docks. Anlanixea was exchanging blows with a duo. I sent a rolling stream of Ghost Flame, wrapping them in its cold fiery embrace until their ashes sprinkled into the swamp water. I grabbed her arm, but she pulled away. 'Anlan, we have to go now!'

A massive construction banked around the tree's trunk. An oblong thing many meters long, hanging in midair. The drumming sound of the mechanical work hummed a a deep baritone. It was shaped like a ship, but unlike a ship, it floated through the air instead of water, carrying an army of moonstone clad soldiers. Archers took position along its gleaming deck. A long spire rose from the center of the airship with a pedestal carrying a shining gem.

Arrows flew with a harmony of snapping bowstrings, finding targets in the swamp water.. Dozens of Argonians reached the swamp, jumping in the presumed safety of the water, but were cut short by a hailstorm of arrows. Another airship swung around closer to Anlan and me. Along its sides were a series of rods leading from a single pedestal. The pattern was obvious, that's what powered it. Four prominent rods protruded from the hull of the ship, ending in spheres. the plinth glinted brighter as magicka traveled through rods and culminated within the spheres.

I threw myself over Anlanixea.

Massive beams of Ice destruction spells caught several of Anlan's people. A small berg of ice bobbed on the surface, it's victims' faces twisted in agony and fear.

Thick ash flakes from above snowed down like a volcanic blizzard. I'd only just noticed the fires racing across Eprorn's massive boughs. Billowing grey smoke darkened the sky..

I pulled Anlanixea along the docks, dodging flurries of arrows as we neared the water.

'They're killing them!' Anlan cried.

An airship strafed ahead of us, a golden light flaring up, drawing magicka from the center of its pedestal. I watched closely as the power streamed through the floating ship down into long rods aimed at us. I swung Nocturnal's Talon , Ghost Flame took the form of long scythes and severed its power supply in two halves. The pedestal fell into the swamp with a thunk. The airship dipped downward, crushing trees and foliage on its way down.

Bo'Ghadar jumped ahead of the surviving Iron-Scales swimming just as well as the aquatic beast folk.

'You have to go, Anlan,' I pushed her forward.

'What about you?' She looked back at me, her eyes were red with tears.

'I'll bring down the other airship. Whatever it draws its power from might help us in the future.'

Anlanixea strongly shook her head. 'Xuth! You'll die!'

'Go! I'll be right behind you. Get your people to safety!'

The second airship rose higher into the air, its spell cannons taking aim at Eprorn. 'Over there!' A platoon of Dominion soldiers ran along the collapsing docks. The ones to kill stragglers. The pad under me rose and fell with the waves. Visibility was smothered with thick smoke, but the pillar of sunlight gleamed off their armor.

The Altmer slid their weapons from sheathes. I took my stance. Seeing me alone gave them an air of overconfidence. I supposed they hadn't recognize me. The fight ensued with me jumping over the water to close the gap, lunging forward with a bolstered Nocturnal's Talon. My sword came down, his sword disappeared. Wide-eyed and thrown off guard, I turned up the flame, making nothing left of him but ash. The others came with a relentless team attack, pushing and prodding for my weaknesses. They couldn't reach it—not with my subconscious control over Nocturnal's Talon's enchantment. By the end of the onslaught, their weapons were devoured by Ghost Flame's power. They tried with Destruction spells, their efforts were short lived as I cut them down.From above, Eprorn's boughs came toppling down into the water. The earlier bombardment devastated all the foundation that remained of the dead Graht-Oak. Such destruction was unheard of. Floating ships were things only written in obscure studies. From what I've learned of ancient automatons, something of that caliber required too many soul gems. Too many souls.

I looped a hanging vine and swung my way up on a neighboring branch. The ship spun, turning its hull to face me. Besides it's slick oblong shape, most of it was metallic. It's deck was one solid, smooth lumber. The craft began powering its weaponry. I pulled the vine tight, swinging off and into the air. Thalmor archers trained the bows on me. I threw an outburst of violet flames against their flight of arrows, leaving nothing but dust. I planted hard on the ship's deck. The music of metal leaving sheathes filled me with glee.

I ran at the precession of fighters as they tried to stop me. Over the years, I've learned to mix elegance with savagery with my technique. Throughout the land, I've become recognized—and feared—for my ability to carve through mobs of enemies like hacking through brush on the forest floor.

One by one, I cut them down until they were nothing but piles of unmoving flesh as I waged war upon them. They killed my friends, threatened the sanctity of my home. They will know my hatred.

The deck became flooded with soldiers, ready to remove my head. I parried a strike, swung around him, and cut through his back. I lifted my sword over my back, blocking another attack, drawing my dagger, pivoting, and I slammed the blade into the Altmer's winged helmet. Others came, but they made no difference. I was a harbinger of death. The final soldier hesitated, holding his sword in shaky hands. I moved on him slowly, backing him further and further until he backed into the ship's spire. Slowly, I pushed my sword deep into his heart and unleashed Ghost Flame. The cries didn't stop until he was already half ash.

With the airship's crew dead. I grabbed my prize from the pedestal. It was solid as a rock. In appearance, it did seem like a soul gem. These gems absorbed the souls and used it as a magical source of power. I hadn't ever seen one like this. Its jagged edges were roughly hewn from a larger deposit. But unlike the normal soul gems carried by mages, this one was different in color. In Tamriel, there were many kinds: small and large; white and black, but the one I held was blue and shining bright. I pocketed it.

The mechanical hum echoing from the ship dulled and ceased, turning the heavy metal into a baseless rock. It took a straight dive towards the swamp. With time not on my side, I jumped into action, running as fast as I could across the deck. The ship fell faster and faster towards a watery death. At the edge, I leaped far into the air, diving into the water below just before the massive automaton careened with the surface of the swamp.

My limbs fell into motion. I wasn't an aquatic creature like the Argonians, but living where water was abundant, knowing how to swim was a detriment. I survived the onslaught, but what would come after was sure to cause devastating damage. When a Graht-Oak fell, the destruction caused by its descent and ultimate collision with the ground will destroy everything around it for hundreds of meters; Eprorn was finally going to rest. Many of the Iron-Scale survivors can swim swiftly and easily through the water, for a Bosmer, even the best swimmer couldn't outswim that.

'Leila, hop on!'

I turned to see Bo'Ghadar and Anlanixea pumping paddle sticks hard, propelling my raft forward. I lifted my hand, allowing Bo'Ghadar to scoop me from the water onto the boat. Creaks began to pop as the burning Eprorn began to collapse under its own weight. The body splintered away from the base, shooting shards of wood triple the size of men in an explosion. We drove hard and as far away from the Graht-Oak as we can.

The sound was deafening. The tree took much of the forest surrounding it to the death—the swamp water swelling, displaced by the massive body of Eprorn. Through the cacophony of carnage, I could hear only one thing: the screams of horror from Anlanixea.

They've won. I failed. So many dead. Wet, bruised, and tired, we paddled to land. Ten Argonians made land with us. Only ten.

Anlan stepped on to land with unstable legs, collapsing to her knees and spewing chunks. Her hands balled into fists around the soil, punching until her knuckles came up bloody. 'I wasn't enough!' She cried. 'I couldn't protect them!'

'My egg-siblings!' She threw her snout out into the air and roared.

Those that survived came to comfort their leader.

Bo'Ghadar and I watched, frozen in place and unable to do anything. He turned to me, a grim expression creasing his face. 'Why did you go back?'

I reached into my pocket and revealed the soul gem from the flying boat. The Wood Orc shielded his eyes from the gleam. 'Trinimac's strength…'

'I think it's a soul gem, but I've never seen any like it,' I explained. 'I want to know what this means.'

Bo'Ghadar narrowed his eyes and peered deeper into the swamp. 'Then, let us find some answers.'