24th of Hearthfire

Aric had given Jordis leave to arrive separately at the stables. It would take a short time to load our remaining baggage into the wagon, and for the eight members of our party to arrive from the temple, and there was no point in robbing Jordis and Rafel of their last few hours together.

The stable master had taken the mock warning he received to heart and had employed four of the city guard to watch our wagon and belongings. Our draft horse, which had done little more than walk the nearby pasture in the recent weeks, was equally excited and reluctant to be roused out of his warm stable so early. Eventually Kolmas and his charges and Jordis arrived, and the stable area was abuzz with activity and conversation. The children each took turns petting the horse's nose and giving him a treat. Giselle and Maliyah spent some time talking with Lucia, and Runa, and Jordis.

They have become almost sisters themselves. I thought. They spent some time together in Chorrol after we had departed for the Imperial City, all of them strangers in a strange city, a small band, brought together through pain and injury, grown now into a sorority of friendship and fellowship.

Another small group was also plain for all to see. The four children seemed as if they had known each other for their entire lives. And anyone with eyes to see would identify Inga as the mother of all four.

Can the Divines truly plan our fates in such detail? I wondered. Were these two poor neglected children always destined to become part of this loving family, even if it required them to take this twisted, arduous path? Were these five women destined to become such friends, even at the cost of the pain and suffering that two of them must endure?

What of my own fate? Was it always my destiny to meet Aric, to lose one great love only to have it replaced by another; to lose one family, and gain another? It is oft repeated that the Gods are mysterious, that the mind of men cannot comprehend Divine intentions. I must either accept that statement as canon or admit that life is a game of chance.

"You are lost in thought." Aric said from my side. I had not noticed him approach.

"I was contemplating the Divines, and their plans for us." I said.

"Oh." He replied with a smile, "Only that?"

I laughed as I placed my hand on his arm, our touch impeded by the armor that each of us wore.

"Only that." I said, my smile matching his.

"You will have ample time to continue with such thoughts on the road to Bruma." He replied.

"I could contemplate the question in my mind until the ending of the world and be no closer to an answer." I said. "But the answer is not important. It is the act of asking the question that is important. It is true of many aspects of life, that it is the journey that is important, rather than the destination."

Aric's laugh took me by surprise.

"Unless you are a courier delivering a letter." He said.

We passed the sight of our battle with Fortis and his men, yet another battlefield turned graveyard, just after midday. We did not stop and I, for one, barely glanced at the graves that lined one side of the road.

We continued north until we reached our former campsite where we had encountered the six unidentified bandits during the night. Our routine was so familiar at this point that no orders need be given. No orders, that is to say, need be given to the adult members of our group. Four children, full of pent up energy from sitting in a wagon most of the day, defied all efforts at order. Any small prey or insect that had not taken to its feet and escaped was quickly identified and marveled over until some other item of interest sent the children scurrying together to investigate.

Inga had assumed the duties of cook, with Anja's assistance; duties which quickly brought Olaf and Olda to her side, eager to resume their duties as cook's assistants, the office they held with Anja. Elpa and Pavo had no intention of being excluded from the increasingly disordered activity. But the disorder was offset by the sound of young, happy voices which lifted the mood of the rapidly forming camp.

Jordis had been quiet during our day's journey; quiet, but not morose or sad, her thoughts certainly going back to Rafel and the time they shared; but also, thoughts of the future, surely, and their not too distant reunion.

Kurst and Runa continued to always be in proximity to each other. Their parting was still days away but would be more permanent. He would make no visit to Skyrim, at least he had not announced publicly any such intention. But they remained a happy couple still, whatever private plans they made still known only to them.

A familiar line began to form a short distance from the tents.

"Will you take weapons practice, Sir Noxaura?" Rigel asked.

"I will certainly do so, friend." I said. "I have been remiss in my practice recently."

"You have been occupied with other tasks." Rigel said as we walked to the line of warriors. "You had, by my count, three meetings with the Emperor."

"Yes." I replied. "I confess, it was three meetings more than I anticipated when we began this journey."

"Before you uncovered a plot to assassinate the Emperor and open the gates to Oblivion." Rigel said.

"I uncovered nothing, sister." I said. "We uncovered the plot you mention. But I realize now that is was only by chance that we knew its true purpose. Had Aric not visited an obscure museum in Skyrim we would never have known what was afoot."

"I had never considered that." Rigel said as we reached the waiting group. "We all owe the curator of that museum a debt."

"Now that we are all assembled, let us begin." Jordis said to her awaiting students.

Our journey north mirrored its southerly counterpart, although with one less wagon, and a smaller number of travelling companions. It was mid-day once again when we stopped at Sancre Tor. Lunch was a cold, though leisurely affair, Aric not wishing to light fires in this sacred place. We all took the opportunity to stretch stiff muscles, attend to personal needs, and in the case of Kurst and Runa, walk amongst the ruins privately.

The sun was setting in earnest when we arrived once again at the village that was home to Gaius and Pilus; the village that saw the first village Moot, and where my three attendants had received their new names.

"These can't be the same three men." Gaius' mother Capius said as she observed the three men who had dismounted and begun to make camp.

"I assure you, madam, they are the three men in question." Aric said. "They have done much since you saw them last, barely a month ago."

"And here are two others you have met previously, and three whom you have not." I said as Inga approached with her charges.

"This is Inga, Elpa and Pavo." Aric said. "They are Kolmas' family, as are Olaf and Olda now."

"This is the family that was under threat from the brigands?" Ennis asked.

"Yes, sir." Inga said, her eyes fixed upon Aric as the four children clung to her. "We feared for our lives until the Divines sent us a champion to deliver us from harm."

"They fled their home and took shelter in Chorrol." I said. "Since that time the groups of men who terrorized your village and villages to the south, and the hedge lord who employed them and his larger band of men, have been destroyed."

"We cannot say what further dangers lurk in the shadows of Cyrodiil." Aric said, "But Zedrick and anyone who followed him is either dead of has taken flight far away."

"The Emperor himself is now involved." I said. "He will see to it that justice is served."

Our conversation had drawn attention, and it was a large portion of the village that received the wonderful news with much happiness.

Happiness gave way to silence as the group of villagers parted, and Ysabeth Locke approached.

"The Dragon Prince and the Hawk Priestess return from battle." Ysabeth Locke said.

"Yes, good lady." I said to the elderly seer. "The threat to Cyrodiil is removed, all of our duties are discharged, and we return to our home."

"Not all your duties, daughter of Kynareth." She replied. "Kasvonsa piilevä on lähellä. Sinun tarvitsee vain ojentaa kätesi tarttua häneen."

The look on Aric's face sent a chill through me.

"The one who hides his face is near." Aric said. "You need only reach out your hand to grasp him."

Gods I thought.

"Where is he Mother?" Aric asked her.

"Hän seisoo pilalla pilaantuneiden temppeliensä pilalla tuhoutuneiden suunnitelmiensa keskellä." She replied.

"He stands amidst his ruined plans in a ruined temple in the clouds." Aric translated.

"A temple in the clouds?" I asked. "Is that a euphemism for death?"

"No." Aric answered. "She refers to Cloud Ruler Temple."

"It is located in the Jerall Mountains, northwest of Bruma." Kurst said.

"It is where the eight children we rescued were being taken." I recalled.

"It was destroyed ages ago." Kurst said. "It is a poor refuge."

"It obviously has significance to this cult." Aric said.

"It had great significance during the Oblivion Crisis." Kurst said.

"Is he alone?" I asked Ysabeth Locke.

"He has gathered his remaining forces to him, winged priestess." Ysabeth Locke answered. "He looks down upon the city to the south and plans his assault."

The city to the south I thought. Bruma.

"He plans to lay siege to Bruma?" I asked.

"The Second Battle of Bruma was the final battle of the crisis." Kurst said. "It gave the Hero of Kvatch time to close the great gate. It ended Mankar Camoran's plans."

"What lunacy is this?" I asked. "Does he still believe in his foolish plan, or is this simply revenge?"

Aric did not answer for a moment.

"He wishes to draw us to him." Aric said. "He will attack the city knowing full well that we would never allow such an attack to go unanswered. It is, after all, the home of your order. He has not yet given up his plan, for which he still requires your blood."

Or yours I thought.

"We were aware of the possibility that he would take some action to draw us into his trap." I said.

"Mother, does he know we are aware of him?" Aric asked.

"Ysabeth Locke is as quiet as a field mouse." The woman said with a laugh. "I can still see and not be seen."

"Then we have the advantage." Kurst said. "We must attack before he becomes aware of us, and before he begins his siege."

"We know nothing of their numbers except where they are located." Aric said. "And they hold the high ground. They will observe our approach well in advance."

"Only if we approach by land." I said.

The group was suddenly silent. No one spoke until Aric's words broke the spell.

"Ennis, is there somewhere more private than the village square that we may converse?" Aric asked.

"The temple is reported to be in ruins." I said. "That suggests to my mind that no stables exist to house their horses. A simple equine head count will give us a better idea of their numbers."

"It would require you to be much too close to the temple." Aric said. "And remember, it was you they first targeted. Your description is well known."

"Then my description must change." I replied.

Everyone present knew what my words meant.

"It is too great a risk." Aric said. "You cannot go off alone, you would be completely unprotected while your mind is given over to your airborne spy."

"Then I will take a companion who may act as my guardian." I said. "A single companion, well disguised, to protect me for the short time my mind is elsewhere."

Kurst did not hesitate.

"I most humbly, on bended knee, ask your Grace for the honor of being your companion and protector in this endeavor." Kurst asked as he knelt in front of me. "I can guide you close enough to the temple. There is a trail that leads to the western foot of the mountain on which the temple sits. It is the opposite side of the road that leads to the temple. Nothing that travels by foot can reach the temple from the west, but wings, magical or otherwise, will do very well. I swear on my life that no harm will come to you."

Aric was quiet for a moment.

"You are sure that you will be close enough to the temple?" Aric asked Kurst.

"We will be closer than when Sir Noxaura first displayed her talent for flight." Kurst replied, reminding us of my reconnoiter of Gaius and Pilus' village, when my attempt had also changed my appearance.

I stepped forward and took the Captain's hand.

"I accept your generous offer, brother." I said, "Assuming that this recalcitrant Thane does not offer strong opposition."

The room was quiet until Aric spoke again.

"We cannot launch our attempt from here, we are too far from the temple. Is that not correct, Captain?" Aric asked.

"Quite correct." Kurst said. "Aside from the time it would take to ride there and back again, starting from here would exclude any possibility of support if it was needed."

"Where would you suggest we place our base for this operation?" Aric asked.

"The wood of Apple Watch." Kurst replied. "By way of the southern road rather than the northern one we took at the beginning of our journey. Our approach will be hidden by the wood, as will our camp. And it is too far for them to see from the Temple. Noxaura and I will exit the wood, by all appearances being two simple travelers heading to west. If anyone inquires, we lost our way in the mountains."

"The name I travelled under I Skyrim while I wore my alternate countenance was Taviah Mirel." I said. "Best you begin to practice that name, brother. Or should I say husband? Shall we be husband and wife travelling in Cyrodiil in search of lost artifacts?"

Lucia's laughter, echoed in slightly lower volume by my sister priestesses, did not seem to improve Runa's mood.

"Husband and wife, your Grace?" Kurst asked with a quizzical look.

"If we are discovered, and must act our roles as lost travelers, I shall be a shrew of a wife, and berate you constantly for not asking directions and getting us lost in the mountains." I said.

"I feel I must, in defense of my entire gender, consult a solicitor madam." Aric said, "Such slander, directed at all men, cannot go unanswered."

"Your threats do not concern me sir." I replied with a haughty demeanor only slightly ruined by my smile. "Such things are beneath a Knight of the realm. Is that not so, Sir husband?" I asked Kurst.

"As a rule, Sir wife, I find it best to remain on the windy side of the law." Kurst replied with a broad smile.

The absurdity of the situation seemed finally to have an effect on Runa, whose face lost its stone countenance and exhibited the barest of smiles.

The hour had been growing late before our council of war had started. It was later still when, most of our plan having been finalized, Aric addressed the remaining task.

"Let us see what we can arrange in the way of disguises for the Captain." Aric said. "And then we must rest. We have an early start tomorrow."

"I am very uncomfortable with placing you in such danger a second time." Aric said, his voice a quiet whisper in my ear as my head rested on his chest. "You narrowly escaped the last adventure. You will tempt fate once too often if you do not take care."

"You are very sweet to be so concerned, but this is a mission of stealth." I said as my fingers slowly traced a scar on his shoulder. "I do not walk into the saber cat's den now. If all goes according to plan, our presence will not be detected."

"I am hard pressed to identify a time recently when our plans reach fruition without the need for considerable revision." Aric said. "You need not place yourself at the fore of this battle. Give me leave to find another way to accomplish this task."

"It would require someone on foot to accomplish this task, and I well know the someone you would select." I replied. "You need not place yourself at the fore of this battle either. If the choice is between the two us, then I have priority, since it is my Mother House that is threatened, as is the rest of Bruma, where the Fair-Shield clan resides. Kurst and I are therefore the logical choices."

"Do not speak of logic, beloved." Aric said. "I love you. Love is not logical. I feel my courage failing me in increments each time you choose to place yourself in danger. This is not the life you chose. Cannot you, in this instance, simply be a priestess, and allow others the honor of marching into danger?"

I was silent for some time, as I massaged his shoulder with my hand, and listened to his heart beat, my ear still pressed to his chest.

"I would yield this honor right readily if my doing so did not place someone else in danger." I said. "They certainly watch every conceivable approach to their hiding place. Kurst is correct. The unscalable western face of the promontory on which they sit will be the one direction they will not watch."

It was Aric's turn now to be silent for some time.

"Rest now, beloved." He said. "We have an early start, and your day will be quite long."

It was an early rise for all, but an early departure for only some.

"It is safest for your sister priestesses and Inga and her children to remain here." Aric said. "Bruma itself is under threat."

Our journey east towards Applewatch was quiet. The summer season was ending, and the mornings had turned brisk and misty. The dampness seemed to penetrate our mood as well, no one speaking, each of us attending his own thoughts.

It was some hours later before the sun had truly dispatched the fine curtain of damp air that hid us from any observers. It was hours later still when we reached the point where the road split north and south, and where we took the southern road before eventually turning north into the dense wood of Applewatch.

"We can exit the wood to the east." Kurst said after our camp had been established. "Any observer at the temple will see us as we clear the northern edge of the tree line where the road branches. It will appear that we are two travelers departing Bruma for points west."

It was just past midday but the air under the canopy of foliage was still quite cool. We were all, therefore, seated around our young fire.

"I would prefer to wait until darkness covered your approach" Aric said, "but it would make your task more difficult."

"The trees will provide sufficient concealment." Kurst said. "And we need only be close enough for Noxaura's ethereal hawk to reach the temple and scan the grounds."

"She must do so without her hawk being seen." Runa said.

She has not recovered her usual demeanor I thought. Something still bothers her.

"I will find a vantage point in a tree that will suffice for my initial reconnaissance." I said. "If I am fortunate I will find their horses quickly. And do not forget that my hawk need not return to our location afterwards."

"And it will be less noticeable in the afternoon sky, with the sun on that side of the temple." Kurst said.

"Then it is best not to delay." I said as I stood, closed my eyes, and drew upon the Earthbones.

The image formed in my mind as the words formed upon my lips.

"I am the Lady of the Air." I said, my voice echoing in its preternatural manner as my ears filling with the rushing noise that accompanied the power, the image of Tava forming in my mind.

"Gods preserve us." A man's voice said.

It was only then that I remembered that three of our number had not witnessed this transformation before.

I opened my eyes and found my three retainers where they stood several paces away, their faces displaying various levels of shock.

"Forgive me, friends." I said to them, my voice and my hearing returning to normal, "I had forgotten that you were absent when last I changed my appearance so."

"I was present during your last demonstration, sister." Kurst said. "Yet I still find it quite remarkable."

"You have not forgotten my pseudonym, I trust." I said to the Captain.

"He spent the better portion of the ride here quietly repeating it." Runa said.

"The details are clear in my mind." Kurst said with a smile. "But I trust we shall not require them. I have no wish to be berated by a wife whether she be counterfeit or genuine."

"She berates me constantly, Captain." Aric said with a smile as he placed his arms around me. "I have come to enjoy the experience greatly."

"Gods!" Runa said as she walked away.

Aric's face, mere inches from my own, mirrored the concern that I also felt.

"Sister, we must be away, and I do not wish to part on bad terms." I said to her back as she stood a short distance from our camp, her gaze turned north in the direction of the temple.

Kurst was removing all items of distinction from his horse's equipment while Aric performed that task as he spoke softly to Loga.

"I am not jealous by nature." Runa said, her gaze still directed north. "I know well enough who has your heart. But he already worships the ground on which you tread. Must he call you Wife, even in jest?"

It took know explanation who he was.

"Would you be his wife, sister?" I asked.

"No. Yes. I do not know." She said haltingly. "If I am to find out, then you must return him to me."

"We will both return to you, dear sister." I said as I closed the gap between us and placed my hand on her well-formed shoulder.

"I should accompany you." Runa said as she finally turned her face to me. "Two protectors are better than one."

"You and Lucia were identified immediately at the standing stones and attacked." I replied. "They clearly have circulated your description."

"You take Kurst," she replied, "Is his description not also circulated?"

"He knows the path to approach the temple." I said. "And while he is impressive in build, you stand head and shoulders above most of your gender, your sister even more so. You are too easily identified. Neither of you can be any part of this."

The concern on Runa's face was clear as she stood silently and simply looked at me.

"I know." I said as I embraced her. "But trust that we will return safe, and that we can defend ourselves if needed."

"If you do not return I will turn that temple into a funeral pyre and insure that all its occupants are reduced to ash." Runa said her voice as hard as flint.

"You will not lack in assistance in that endeavor." I replied as he kissed Runa on her cheek.