Just like I promised! Here is the second part of Chorrol!

Don't forget to post reviews, favorite/follow etc.

On a personal note, please keep my cat in your prayers. He's an indoor/outdoor cat and it's also spring so its that time of the year, but he is my fur baby and I miss him and I want him to come home so if you could, please keep him in your thoughts. He knows where his home is and he's come home before so I have faith. But keep him in your thoughts and prayers if possible.

Back on topic, lol sorry. Please enjoy this chapter and I'll get started on writing Chapter 8!

Chapter 7 – Chorrol, Part 2; The Reluctant Guildmaster

I did what was necessary to help the Countess. I knew that Chanel would be punished somehow, but she needed to understand that everything has a consequence and so she was paying for her crime. The most I could do was hope that somehow she would get by until the Countess was ready to welcome her back to Castle Chorrol. There was no guarantee, however. I was just glad that she took responsibility for her actions and that she showed remorse.

I was also glad that the Countess agreed to send soldiers to Bruma. At least it was safe enough to do so after I closed the Gate in front of Chorrol. I presumed that Gates would start opening in front of the cities of Cyrodiil since the Mythic Dawn were most likely watching my every move.

I took the Countess' advice and decided to speak with Vilena Donton of the Fighters Guild.

The Fighters Guild was an association of warriors who strived to protect the people. Their missions usually included driving away beasts, recovering stolen heirlooms or rescuing a hostage. Other missions included taking down bandits or evil marauders. At the time, they were looking for new recruits. People around the city were talking about it.

I found the guild hall near the Great Oak. When I walked inside, there were the sounds of swords clashing into each other. I was also able to see why they were looking for new members. There weren't a lot of people. It wasn't empty, but there still were not a lot.

I was approached by a Dunmer male wearing iron armor. He acknowledged my identity as a Blade and put his hand over his heart. "Welcome, Knight-Sister."

Then, I greeted him the same way. I placed my hand over my own heart. "Thank you, fellow warrior."

"It isn't often that we receive visits from the Blades," he said. "I hope everything is alright."

"For the most part," I said. "I'm recruiting allies for a garrison in Bruma. A Great Gate is going to open, but we don't know when. The Countess has agreed to send soldiers and also recommended that I speak with Vilena Donton."

"Well, if it were up to me, I would gladly send members of the Fighters Guild to Bruma. But Vilena has the final word and in a situation like yours, I am not sure if she will agree."

"It's understandable," I said. "Oblivion Gates are frightening to think of."

"Well, it isn't just that," he said. "It is more of a…personal reason. That's all I can say. I will see if I can try and speak to her about your proposal. Hopefully, we will not waste your time. Name?"

"Sonja Valus."

"Oh…oh! Well hopefully that will convince her. Wait here." Then, he went upstairs to what I believed to be Vilena's office.

After that, I was approached by one of the trainees wearing steel armor. "Excuse me, did you say your name was Sonja Valus?"

"Yes, I did," I said smiling softly.

"I'm sure you have been told this a lot, but your victories are the talk of the guild," he said. "I'm Viranus Donton. Vilena's my mother."

"Ohh," I said shaking his hand. "You're probably one of the high ranking members here?"

"Well,…not really," he said. "Maybe I would advance more if Mother would allow me to go out there."

"She doesn't allow you to fight?"

"Well let's just say that I haven't had a contract since my brother died."

"Oh my…I'm so sorry for your loss," I said.

"We both miss him very much," he said. "But Mother took it so hard that she hasn't been the leader she used to be. Modryn has been the one giving assignments instead."

"Have you tried talking to her?"

"I have, but she doesn't listen. She says that she believes in me and that I can fight well, but she holds me back. The reason she does this is because she doesn't want to lose me. I'm the only son she has alive after all."

"Sounds like she's being overprotective."

He sighed. "She is. It drives me crazy, but I know she means well. I can't blame her for wanting to protect me. I just wish that she would listen. The only ones who seem to listen are Modryn and my partner, Eduard."

"Well, at least you have some people who listen to you," I said. "Maybe one day she will listen. But as the guildmaster, I'm sure she has a lot of weight on her shoulders."

"I'm not going to blame her for that either," said Viranus.

"Excuse me, Miss Valus?" said Modryn, the Dunmer, as he came downstairs. "Vilena wishes to speak to you."

I looked over at Viranus, who said to me, "Good luck."

I could tell that he wasn't sure if it was going to go well. I wasn't sure if it was going to go well. I had the feeling that I was going to feel intimidated by this woman. She was the leader of the Fighters Guild. Her son was in the guild as well and she became incredibly overprotective after her other son died. And here I was, asking her to send warriors to Bruma to protect the city from a Great Gate, a Great Gate that we didn't even know when its opening would happen.

Modryn led me upstairs to Vilena's office and there she was standing in front of her desk with her hands behind her back. She was around middle aged, with dark gray hair touching her shoulders. She wore iron armor pieces, but instead of greaves, she was wearing a long skirt. She still looked like a warrior, a good one too. The small battle scars on her right forearm showed it. If she weren't a good warrior, she wouldn't have been the guildmaster.

I placed my hand over my heart to greet her. "Vilena Donton."

And she greeted back the same way. "Sonja Valus. It is good to meet you. I heard of your reputation. I hope you are not bothered by the mess on the desk and all the paper work."

"Oh no, not at all," I said.

"Good to know," she said. "So…Modryn has informed me of your request and after a bit of thinking, I thought it would be more appropriate if I gave you my answer personally. Please have a seat."

I pulled up a chair and sat down while she sat behind her desk.

"So," Vilena began. "You do not have a clue as to when this Gate will open, correct?"

"Correct. And it is scary to think of."

"I agree. It is very scary. Let me explain the current situation of the guild." I started getting nervous as she continued. "The Fighters Guild is lacking members. Our rival, the Blackwood Company in Leyawiin is doing everything in their power to outnumber us. On top of that stress on my shoulders, there's also my son. He keeps asking me for a contract, but he knows the reason why I cannot give him one. I don't want him to end up like his brother." She sighed. "And now here you are, the Hero of Kvatch, having come here to ask us to help you defend Bruma against a Great Gate when you have absolutely no clue when it will open."

I swallowed. She had a point. Because we didn't know when it would open, it could open at any time without expecting it. I felt bad as well. While I didn't think I was going to be put down, I understood her reasoning. "If I did anything to offend you -"

"Let me finish," she said. "Despite everything, I admire you for what you are doing for the empire. You never offended me at all. In all honesty, I can be rather blunt. But you have a good heart. You come to us with good intentions in helping your fellow citizens. And the Fighters Guild should follow your example…at least I should. You have shown bravery that not many have ever shown. Going into that Oblivion Gate in front of Chorrol was enough to earn my respect. That being said, I have decided to accept your proposal."

I almost expected her to refuse. "Wait…are you serious?"

"I may not be the leader I used to be," she said. "But that does not mean that I do not care. I will send a message to the guild halls in Anvil and Cheydinhal, requesting for their best warriors to be sent to Bruma."

"Thank you so much," I said letting out a sigh of relief. "You won't regret this. I promise."

"I hope not," she said.

I placed my hand on my heart and she placed her hand on her heart as I got out of my chair.

"Modryn?" she said addressing the Dunmer. "I am sending you to Bruma as well."

"Yes, Master," he said.

"And Sonja?" she called as I started going down the stairs.

"Yes?"

"If things don't work out with the Blades, you are more than welcome to come back. The Fighters Guild could use someone like you."

I smiled softly. "I appreciate the compliment. I'll keep it in mind."

Mission accomplished. I had gathered enough allies from the city of Chorrol.

I decided to explore the city a bit more. It probably was reckless of me to stay considering the Mythic Dawn were after me, but I couldn't help it. I enjoyed seeing new places and I had never been to Chorrol before.

I visited the shops and the Chapel. I even paid a visit to Dar-Ma and her mother's store.

No surprise, I was pursued by a Mythic Dawn agent just as I checked into the Oak and Crosier inn. Turned out his name was Eugal Belette. He had been new to Chorrol for a few week and a lot of people did say that he acted like he was hiding something. The guards searched his house after I had killed him and they did find a shrine to Mehrunes Dagon in his basement along with copies of the Commentaries. At least no one in the inn was hurt.

I still had a few hours before nightfall and so I pulled out the books that I bought from Renoit's so that I could do some more studying on Oblivion and Daedra as soon as I went into my room, but I didn't want to forget about writing to Martin.

My dearest, Martin;

I have great news! After helping the Countess recover a stolen painting, she agreed to send soldiers to Bruma! They should be on their way right now! In addition, I spoke with Vilena Donton, leader of the Fighters Guild. At first, I thought she wasn't going to agree but she said that she would send warriors as well.

I wish you were here to see Chorrol. It truly is a beautiful city. There is the huge oak tree that stands in the middle of it, right in the center. The fountain is lovely too. Oh, my love, we have to come here one day after the Oblivion Crisis is over.

I know I worried you the last time I ran into the Mythic Dawn in the Imperial City, but I have some bad news. Another one attacked me. Turns out that he had always been a citizen of Chorrol, fairly new. I think I may be starting to see a strategy here. I believe that in every city, there is at least one citizen working for the Mythic Dawn undercover. Perhaps they had always been living in the cities. If I am correct, maybe I won't be running into them everywhere I go. But no guarantee.

Anyways, I just checked into one of the inns. Tomorrow morning, I will be going back to Skingrad. I hope that things with you are alright. I hope you aren't reading too much of the Xarxes. I know we need the items for the portal, my love. But I don't want you to get sick again.

Say hello to my brother for me and to the others. And don't worry. I will not tell Steffan what you told me. *chuckle*

Another day goes by and I miss you very much. I should return in the next few weeks or so. I hope you are thinking of me as much as I am thinking of you. But I would never doubt that one bit.

Until I hear from you again, please be safe. I love you.

Love, Sonja

A few hours later after I had gone to bed, I was awakened by a tapping on the window. It was a pigeon with a letter in its mouth. It was the same pigeon who delivered my letter to Martin.

I got up, opened the window and took the letter from the pigeon's mouth and I was surprised to see that it was from Baurus. I hoped that everything was alright.

Sonja,

I'm writing to you on Martin's behalf.

You probably won't like what you read. Martin wanted to write you back, but he isn't really in the best condition right now.

You see, he was trying to decipher the second item in the Xarxes and…well, he got sick again. Don't worry. It's not as bad as it was last time, but his fever is very high. His friend, Raminus, from the Arcane University is here and he's been trying to make some medicine to bring his fever down.

Don't worry, friend. He's gonna be alright. Raminus and I will make sure of that.

In other news, we're all glad to know of the progress you've been making in this mission. Raminus brought mages from the Mages Guild to Bruma. And I'm pretty sure that the soldiers from Chorrol either have already arrived or they are almost to the city. I knew you wouldn't let us down. Keep it up. Since we still don't know when the Great Gate will open, we cannot take any chances.

Martin wanted me to tell you that he misses you and that he loves you. Steffan says the same thing. I miss you as well, friend. Stay safe on the road to Skingrad. There will be daedra. But I know you can take them down.

May Talos protect you.

Baurus