Chapter 24

Crossroads

XxXxXx

4E 201 - Raven Rock, Solstheim

Nevano was blissfully asleep, out like a rock. He had been going nonstop since he had arrived in Solstheim and it had taken a few days for him to calm down enough to sleep for more than a few hours at a time. Finally, with a little help from Geldis who was determined to find a drink that would make him flinch, he found that black oblivion that saw him out cold for well over twelve hours. That is, until he was tossed clean off the bed.

"F've m're min'mphf…" Nevano blindly groped around and dragged over a pillow to bury his face in it. Or was it a blanket? It was soft and still warm with his body heat, he couldn't care less what article of bedclothes it was. He'd fall back asleep on the floor if he had to.

"You need to get up."

"Whhhhhy?" Nevano was well aware that he sounded like a child but the LAST thing he wanted to hear right now was Veleth barking orders at him. He wasn't one of his Redoran guard! Then something fell on his head.

"I will drag you out of here naked if I have to. Hurry up!"

"Why?" Nevano growled, pulling his pants off his face.

"Because I think there's a dragon outside."

THAT snapped Nevano fully into the world of consciousness. A dragon? Here? He scrambled up; one leg already shoved into his armor before he was even on his feet. He scrambled into the rest of his armor, threw his weapons at the departing captain and dashed after him, hopping a few steps as he yanked his boots on.

"This island usually has strange noises echoing on the wind." Veleth said tersely as they ran through the Retching Netch and outside, passing people who were huddled together in tight, frightened groups. He motioned for the nearby guard to usher them indoors. "Usually I can identify them. Mostly it's the bull netch calling to the betties but you can hear the bristlebacks, the bears, the spriggans beating off intruders to their ponds, even were-beasts on occasion. The past few months though I've been hearing something else, something I couldn't identify. It's louder now, coming down from the glacier. No bear or werewolf can make that noise."

Nevano didn't have to ask what noise. A low moan rose up a pitch above the wind, gliding upon it, until it burst forth into a guttural scream that silenced every other organic sound on the island. Nevano swallowed hard as the hair stood up on the back of his neck.

"That's a dragon alright." He said thickly, taking his weapons back from Veleth. There was no mistaking that sound. "You hear it once, you never forget it."

"You said you've killed a dragon before." Veleth said. "Can you help do so again?"

"Of course." Nevano drew Bonebiter. "Be prepared for a nasty fight. No ash spawn can even compare to a dragon. I'll take those over a dragon any day. Have every monster on this island line up and I'll take them over a dragon. I have no idea what kind of flying monster has been sleeping under the ice all these years before Miraak woke it up but if Miraak was the first Dragonborn, then it could very well be some ancient beast that makes Alduin look like a puppy. Our best bet is to fight it just outside the Bulwark. We can get it's attention before it attacks the town and there's plenty of room for us to spread out and hopefully reduce casualties."

"Let's go then."

"Bring them all." Nevano said, tightening his grip on the bow. "We're going to need them."

As they ran through the gate, the roar came again, much louder this time. Ash shook free from the tunnel walls and rained down on their heads from the sheer force of the vibrations. Several of the guard froze in fear. Before Nevano or Veleth could give any reassurance, the twins spoke up.

"Kinda reminds you of the captain on days when Fethis starts accusing him of going after Dreyla for his so-called East Empire Company contracts." Minnasour snickered.

"No, remember when that boat from Blacklight was late and if you so much as breathed wrong we got double shifts? THAT growl!" Zebdusipal countered.

"Or the time-"

"WE GET IT!" Veleth bellowed.

"THAT one!" The twins said at the same time, causing Veleth to groan in exasperation. Nevano openly laughed while the rest of the guard snickered to themselves, the paralyzing sense of fear bleeding out. Nevano remembered Veleth telling him how hard he fought to keep the twins in his ranks and now saw the brilliance in such a move; the twins were not only capable warriors but also they were quite possibly the best moral boosters the guard could possibly have. Thanks to the twins, the rest of the guard willingly moved forward.

"Alright, listen because I won't have time to scream it out once we have a dragon roaring in our faces." Nevano said, feeling oddly loud with only the wind and surf making noise. Everything else had gone eerily quiet. "It won't land right away. It's going to fly around, spitting fire or ice or some form of magic attack at us while trying to snag someone for a free flying lesson. Staying on the move is key to surviving. Shoot at the wing joints. The scales covering the rest of the body are ridiculously thick but they thin out there. Once it hits the ground, watch out for the...ah, hell, every angle of a dragon can kill you. If there's a vulnerable spot it's the face. Aim for the eyes and pray the thing breathes fire because we can survive that…just don't take a direct hit. Fan out. Dragons aren't stupid. They will attack clusters first."

Nevano watched as they spread out over the beach, a pit of dread filling his stomach. He really didn't want to see what manner of dragon had been revived on this island. It was one thing when Alduin had been reviving every dragon he could find to build up his army. Then there was the chance that a young, inexperienced dragon would be attacking. They were still incredibly dangerous but a distinct lack of experience made things slightly easier. Miraak didn't strike him as someone who would have young soldiers serve him. He was fully expecting something with Paarthurnax's intelligence and Alduin's strength.

His sensitive ears picked up the sound of wings flapping and not delicate little bird wings. It was a miniature hurricane that made trees bend in half. Before he could give warning, a pack of ash hoppers tumbled over the cliff and scurried by, throwing themselves into the crashing waves.

"Safe to say the dragon is almost here." Nevano said, pulling an arrow free and laying it on Bonebiter's string.

"Get ready men." Veleth said, narrowing his eyes. If he was nervous at all, he hid it perfectly.

The rushing of wings grew louder, no longer needing an elf's acute hearing to notice it. Nevano tightened his grip on his bow. All around him, the guard fidgeted a little, their nerves as tight as his bowstring. The only thing keeping them from snapping was their captain's calm. Even when the dragon roared again, causing trees to shake and rocks to bounce off the cliff, he didn't flinch. Nevano could see how he became a commander at a young age.

The dragon burst out over the trees with a roar that made Nevano's bones vibrate in his body. The dragon twisted in the air like a snake, far more nimble in the air than any other dragon Nevano had encountered. In fact, the dragon looked nothing like the other air-borne reptilians he had seen in Skyrim. This dragon was far more streamlined, more like a snake than a lizard. Even its head was snake-like though no snake had teeth poking out in all angles from its mouth. It circled overhead but strangely didn't attack. Nevano narrowed his eyes but drew the arrow back on the string, sighting it. He wasn't about to wait for the dragon to make the first move.

"Remember! Aim for the…what the?" Nevano looked up, lowering his hands and allowing the string to go slack. Did he just see…? "WAIT! Hold your fire!"

"Have you lost your mind?!" One of the twins shouted.

"No." Nevano grinned suddenly. "No, I haven't…but the idiot riding on the back of that dragon might have!"

"You know, I should be shocked, surprised, outraged, something but after dealing with you for the past month…nothing can surprise me anymore." Veleth sighed, resting his weapon on one shoulder. "I'm only going to assume that he's the kid you came here with correct?"

"Correct. I'm…rather impressed. Making an entrance with a dragon, that I didn't expect." Nevano watched as the dragon descended to the ground, the earth shaking when it finally landed. "What I want to know is HOW that goofy Nord convinced that…really messed up looking dragon to become his steed." He shook his head and put away Bonebiter as Gunjar hopped to the ground and walked over to them.

"Nevano!"

"Hey kid."

"I didn't expect a welcome committee…" Gunjar looked around at the dumbstruck faces of the poor guard who had no idea what was going on.

"You forgot to send word ahead that you would be arriving via dragonback!" Nevano looked over at the rather disgruntled looking dragon who hissed back at him. "I think I like Odahviing better. He at least looked like a dragon. What is wrong with that thing's face?"

"That is Sahrotaar. I stopped Miraak from absorbing his soul." Gunjar grinned over his shoulder at the dragon. Nevano stared. It was official; Gunjar could make friends with anything.

"So Miraak is dead then."

"Miraak is dead." Gunjar grinned broadly as the jaw of every Redoran guard hit the ground.

"Good job, Dovahkiin. There's just one more thing." A slow grin started to creep across Nevano's face, making everyone, even Veleth, take a calculated step away. Gunjar's grin wilted into a wince. "There is the matter of our little wager. You know, the one where the last one finished buys the drinks?"

"We didn't shake on that!"

"Oh yes we did." Nevano's grin took on a decidedly wicked look. Veleth took another step away. Even the dragon seemed to shift away. "I've been waiting here for you for the past several days. That makes me the winner. AND I think that since all of Raven Rock was rather alarmed and these poor Redoran guard thought they were going to have to fight a dragon…drinks are on you tonight!"

The look on Gunjar's face as the twins cheered and hustled him back into Raven Rock with the rest of the guard made Nevano laugh. Next to him, Veleth eyed the dragon with misgivings. "I hope he fed that thing…"

Sahrotaar hissed in reply.

XxXxXx

Later, after the furor in the Retching Netch died down, Nevano climbed up to the top of the Bulwark and sat watching the dark water below him ebb and flow. It was funny how everything had led him to this point. Several months ago, running from that dragon with his hands tied behind his back, had seemed a lifetime ago. He had thought he would have slipped into complete obscurity, living the lonely live of a wanderer with no particular goal. He never counted on this. If he were honest with himself, he was rather happy it turned out this way. It definitely wasn't boring. Frustrating and infuriating at times, but definitely not boring.

"For someone who hates the ocean I sure do find you staring at it a lot." Nevano smiled as Gunjar sat down heavily next to him.

"You aren't passed out drunk under a table?"

"I ran out of money before I could get drunk."

"That's what happens when you make a bet with a Dunmer."

"No, this is what happens when I make bets with YOU." Gunjar nudged his shoulder. "I'm never taking a bet from you again."

"Spoil sport."

"Once again, you are trying to evade."

"Actually no. I was thinking about what you said, back when we left Tel Mithryn." Nevano picked up a hardened clump of ash and turned it over in his fingers. "About how you don't care about what kings and jarls and councilors think…that you do it for the people who truly care. Do you truly believe that or did you just say that just to say it?"

"I truly believe it." Gunjar said. "You did have a point though. Kings and councilors have their own agenda but I never once charged at a dragon screaming 'For the true High King!' or any of that nonsense. I charged in thinking about my wife, about how one day I want to have a kid with her. Maybe a little girl with my eyes and her mother's spirit or a little boy running around with a wooden sword scaring the feathers off the chickens. I was thinking that I got to make this world safe for them. I mean, I pretty much accomplished what I set out to do as the Dragonborn. Alduin is dead, the first Dragonborn is dead, most of the dragons have gone off with Parthurnax and the rest are being mopped up one by one. But if years down the line, after I got my little army of kids and a barn full of chickens, something happens that requires me to grab my axe and run off to fight…I'd do it. For that little army of kids."

Nevano crushed the hardened chunk of ash in his hand, the particles slipping through his fingers. He suddenly remembered what had fully changed his mind about being the Nerevarine. "I…I remember. It was the first time I had visited the Urshilaku clan. I didn't want to be there anymore than they wanted me there but it was the only way I could go home so I dragged myself through the dirt doing what they wanted and eventually I got to speak with the ashkhan. He sent me to go retrieve Bonebiter here. On my way back to them, an ash storm came ripping through. I remember hearing how concerned they were…the guar herders were throwing blankets over their animals and mothers were running to retrieve their children…they even started screaming at me to hurry up and run into one of the yurts to wait out the storm. It hit so fast. You could barely see your hand in front of your face. The ash was swirling in all directions so you couldn't tell if you were sitting, standing or walking upside down. One little girl inhaled too much of the ash and…caught corprus. There's no cure for that. She died several long agonizing hours later, with her mother screaming and crying and her father trying his damnedest not to break down either. There was nothing they could do other than watch her die. That was the moment I decided that I had to do it. I didn't want another little kid to die, not like that and not because some mortals wanted to play god."

"You got jaded when you lost…Modryn, right?"

"Yeah. I just…didn't see the point after that. Why fight when all that was going to happen was something else was going to come along, take the previous monster's place and destroy everything you just tried to save?" Nevano gripped at the stone under him. "I just…didn't see the point."

"Something changed though."

"Remember me telling you about Jorun?"

"The Dunmer with the Nord name, yeah."

"I admit I'm one of the worst friends around. It would be years in-between visits. I guess when you don't age time becomes a little hard to keep track of…but on one of my visits I was suddenly assaulted by a small little cub who attached himself to my back with his arms around my neck absolutely begging me for stories. Didn't matter if it was one his dad had already told him, he wanted to hear it from ME. I had so much fun with that kid." Nevano smiled. "I…didn't realize how much time had passed until I ran into him here. That little calf grew into a bull and a fighting one at that. The good captain still gets pissed off when I call him Bull but I refuse to change the nickname."

"Captain Veleth? The one who looked like he wanted to cut me in half for bringing the dragon here? HE'S Jorun's son?"

"Surprised?. I sure was." Nevano grinned. "Tough kid. Looks like his mother…and inherited her temper I noticed. Inherited his father's gut too. He's a very interesting combination of them both."

"You think he's going to end up involved in what's going on in Morrowind?"

"I don't think, I know he will be." Nevano frowned, crushing another lump of ash in his fingers. "He told me how he ended up here…Gunjar, something about that story set off warning bells in my head."

"You think so?"

"I…I can't let him do this alone." Nevano sighed. "I let my rage overtake me when I went after that undead apprentice of Neloth's. Gunjar, I lost my mind. I did exactly what every warrior is told NOT to do. I'm broken, I got nothing left, but I'll be damned if I let the same thing happen to this kid. I'll sacrifice my own sanity first."

"I think you got more than you realize but you are determined to see yourself alone." Gunjar shrugged. "Every fighter goes through that moment where they realize the beast that lives in us all is trying to get out."

"I guess so."

They lapsed into a companionable silence for a while, Gunjar watching Masser and Secunda make their slow journey across the sky and Nevano crushing ash clumps and sprinkling the dust down into the dark water below. They both knew what was going to happen; they just didn't feel the need to say it.

"I'm curious about something though." Gunjar said. "All this talk about kids…you obviously like them. Ever thought about having your own one day? Maybe retiring and living a normal life?"

Nevano's hands involuntarily curled into fists and his jaw clenched. He sucked in a deep breath and forced himself to relax. "I can't"

"Why not?" Gunjar asked. "I know you don't age but even that time with a woman would be nice. Most women I would think would like a good-looking man who won't age."

Nevano sighed. "That's not it at all. Being a slave as I was in my early years…they don't like their slaves breeding. There are places that allow that. Can you imagine? An entire facility that breeds PEOPLE for the sole purpose of being a slave? It's like owning cattle…anyway, all the places I've been to didn't want breeding slaves. It cuts down the work time and effectiveness, not to mention it brings about a certain defiance because parents want to protect their kids. You know, natural instincts? The thing we are all born with? So I was force fed a potion that would…sterilize me. See, it wasn't supposed to be permanent. It only worked as long as it was taken on a regular basis but as young as I was it…permanently damaged me. No kids for me."

"I….I'm sorry."

"Don't be." Nevano gave him a small smile. "Modryn never had kids of his own but he ended up with me. I might not ever have my own little brats running around, and I'm sure there are a lot of people breathing a sigh of relief at THAT thought, but I can help look after my friends' brats. Veleth being a good case in point. Maybe one day I'll even entertain your horde of brats. Or even finding some kid who needs someone like I needed Modryn." Nevano stood up abruptly, brushing the ash off his hands. "I guess it's time to go tell Morvayn my decision."

"Do me a favor?"

"What's that?"

"Cause mayhem. As much as you possibly can." Gunjar grinned as he stood up, brushing ash off his armor. "When this is written in history books later, I want it to be so crazy that I'm laughing at it. I want to be old and telling my grandkids about the story of the crazy yellow-eyed Dunmer who turned an entire empire upside down with his unorthodox methods. Even better, I want you to remember to come visit me when I'm old and keep my army of kids and grandkids entertained with the story of how you saved Morrowind again."

Nevano found himself grinning back. "For once, a promise I know I can keep. I'll give you a story worthy of telling in Sovngarde for eternity my friend." He tossed Gunjar a full pouch of coins. "Go get yourself a few drinks on me. I'll come find your drunk arse later and make sure you aren't actually passed out under a table."

"Thanks! I think…"

Nevano jumped down from the Bulwark and made his way back through Raven Rock to Morvayn's manor. It was very late but he knew better; the councilor rarely slept. So he didn't feel bad in the slightest when he walked in and dropped into a chair in front of the councilor.

"When is the next boat out to Blacklight?"

Morvayn looked up from the letter he was writing. Nevano could read a few of the words upside down, Veleth's name popping up a few times. "What makes you think there is one in the foreseeable future?"

"Because now that things have settled here on the whole island, in as much as Solstheim CAN be settled, you now have the time and the ability to focus elsewhere…to the Thalmor problem." Nevano tipped his chair back. "And to your unwitting key player. That WAS your plan, yes? Sending Veleth back to Blacklight?"

"Whoever said you weren't sharp was badly mistaken…"

"That would have been all of Morrowind circa 3E 427." Nevano picked at his nails. "But let me get this all laid out and you tell me if I'm right or wrong. The Thalmor, after fighting open warfare with both Cyrodiil and Hammerfell, are trying a more quiet approach in Morrowind, seeking to choke us out instead of outright cutting off our heads. After all, it's working in Skyrim. I foiled one plot by stealing back my own damned swords but that was merely one knot in a massive tangle. Veleth trips over that tangle when he got skewered in the swamp and is now tied up in it himself. However, because he's as blunt as a boulder and has no head for politics, he's sent here until someone can figure out how to play him in a role he cannot escape. How am I doing so far?"

"Nearly spot on." Morvayn sighed. "However, it's not quiet as harsh as you are making it out to be. Years ago, when he requested to stay, General Relas readily agreed to it. He hadn't figured out what happened out there, still hasn't actually, and he did not want to throw Veleth out as bait. He's rather fond of the boy. So he felt it was the wisest course of action to allow him to stay. I wasn't going to argue it; the man is damn useful around here. Then the mines closed down, things got tight and then the whole thing with the ash spawn and Miraak? He was the first one to throw himself against the yoke and pull harder, so to speak. He kept this town going where I could not. However, things back on the mainland were getting worse. The Thalmor were starting to make their move, starting to choke us, as you said. I knew that the time was drawing closer that I would have to send Veleth back, despite everything going on here. Then you showed up, you and the Dragonborn. You two cleared everything up and made making these decisions much easier."

"What can I say? I bring a cleansing rain with me wherever I go." Nevano said sarcastically, waving his hand around.

"With a burst of caustic fog."

"It gets the job done."

"Of course." Morvayn snorted. "Anyway, you came along and all of the sudden things…are flipped around. You are a wild card, Nevano. I haven't told anyone you are here because I'm not sure which way you are going to go or how you are going to play."

"You have no idea how happy I am to hear that, councilor." Nevano smiled. "Because I'm going to let you in on a little secret; even I don't know how I'm going to play. I'm going to go to Morrowind with Veleth. Beyond that…well, I guess I'll see when I get there. Finish your letter but I'm going to request that you leave me entirely."

"I was, and I'm glad to hear you are going with him. Veleth can walk freely in Blacklight without drawing suspicion, but you can't. However, on the flip side, Veleth can't navigate the political arena that will undoubtedly come about but your quick mind can. You two might be the perfect team that the Thalmor will never expect."

"Easier said than done." Nevano let his chair fall flat with a thump. "But it's plan enough for now. Now, one last thing to settle."

"What's that?"

"Which one of us is going to risk the wrath of the Bull and tell him he's relieved of duty here and going to Blacklight?"

XxXxXx

"You win."

"Excuse me?"

There was just something about catching Veleth off guard that amused Nevano. Maybe it was payback for years of Jorun doing the same to him for all those years or maybe it was because it was fun throwing a normally hyper aware person off their game. With Gunjar it was easy enough, even though the kid had wised up to his ways. Veleth actually expected him to try…and still Nevano could shock him. Or maybe it was the look Veleth was giving him now, the mixture of exasperation, annoyance and curiosity.

"You win. I'm going to Morrowind." The look morphed into annoyed shock. It was an interesting combination. Nevano was fascinated at how he could combine two emotions that normally did not run together hand in hand, though he was fairly certain that the annoyance was more directed at the tiny bloom of suspicion in his gut that was telling him to beware the plot twist.

"What made you change your mind?"

"I couldn't let you go alone."

"Couldn't let me…I think you got something wrong there." Veleth looked highly confused now and little concerned. Nevano didn't blame him. By now that little inkling in his gut should, hopefully, be telling him to stop fighting and go along with it. Unfortunately, stubbornness was Veleth's finest trait.

"Nope. I'm going to Morrowind to figure all this out…and you are coming with me."

"In case you haven't noticed but I have a post HERE." Ah anger. A good defense but unfortunately for Veleth, Nevano could see the spark of doubt in his eyes. His gut was heavily disagreeing with him. It would win over eventually but Nevano knew it needed a little help to push through that stubbornness.

"And now you have a post elsewhere." Nevano said. "Look, Bull, you said so yourself. It's bad. The tension so thick you could cut it with a knife. You said that remember? You also said that I'm a legend, a living legend, and that if I re-appear the whole nation will rally behind me to throw the Thalmor out on their arses. Well, one elf can't do that alone, no matter how highly you or a nation thinks of me. I didn't kill Dagoth Ur without help. No hero in history has ever gone it alone. There is always a small army of support that never makes it to the history books behind them, from a kindly old lady who gave them a hot meal and a few encouraging words to a spy master who orchestrates everything. I can't do this alone…and Morvayn agreed with me. Interestingly enough, he already had plans for you to go, with or without me. However, I can't do this alone…but nor am I willing to let you go alone without me. What do you say?"

"I was not expecting to go myself to be honest…"

"Hoping I'd do all the hard work?"

"Yes."

Nevano laughed at that. "Nice try. I have to admit that, as much as I wanted to think otherwise, I've been mentally assembling my army ever since you told me about rebelling against the Thalmor. You were the first player I had on my mental chess board."

"Pawn or knight?"

"Rook, actually. Very blunt piece that moves forward, no strange shifty moves."

Veleth remained quiet but Nevano could see a quiet resignation in his eyes. He knew, like Nevano knew, what they had to do. The hardest part was admitting it out loud.

"Look…go talk to Morvayn and go talk to Dreyla. The boat isn't due to leave for another few days but I can delay it if I have to. I haven't replaced enough of my blood with alcohol to go on a boat ride just yet." Nevano turned to go. "Please consider it, Bull."

XxXxXx

Veleth paced around, waiting for Dreyla to show up at their meeting spot. His mind was in a upheaval, churning over this latest turn of events in a desperate attempt to make sense of it all but it kept coming back up empty. He was being shipped off. Not reassigned but sent off. When he had stormed into Morvayn manor and all but demanded an explanation he had left feeling more conflicted than when he had entered. He was to go to Blacklight under the pretense of being re-assigned after…how long had he been here? He stopped pacing as he did the math. Boethiah strike him down, it had been almost 70 years.

He stood there in utter shock. He had been here for over half a century and he had barely even noticed. Of course, such a chunk of time was not much by elven standards but it was certainly a lot longer than he had originally intended on being here. And now he was being reassigned. Just like that.

"Modyn? What's wrong?" Dreyla hurried up to him, her eyes bright with worry at seeing his normally composed appearance in shreds at his feet.

"I'm leaving, Dreyla." He said bluntly.

"Wait, what?!"

"I've been reassigned. My time here is…over."

"No, no, THIS is your home! They can't just send you away!"

That made Veleth pause. Home. When he heard that word his first thoughts immediately brought up images of Blacklight, of winters with the cold wind from Skyrim bringing the sharp clean smell of ice and snow. He thought of summers on the rocky shores, playing in the surf, Vvardenfell dark and foreboding on the horizon. He thought of running along the curving streets and how thinking of cities where everything lay straight just seemed so strange. He thought of Rootspire standing tall, casting shadows that reached across the whole city at certain times of the day. No matter how fond he might have gotten of this little spit of a town, Raven Rock was not home. Suddenly the whole reason for leaving was clear.

"Dreyla…" He began slowly, knowing it would break her heart. "Raven Rock is not my home. Blacklight is my home. It always will be. I was born there and my heart will always be there. I was on loan here. We both knew that one day the time would come that I would be recalled back to the mainland. It just came sooner than we expected."

"Modyn…"

"Hear me out Dreyla because I just figured it out." Veleth led her over to a rock and pulled her to sit next to him. "I'm going to be honest with you…but you need to keep this quiet for right now. Morvayn is telling everyone that I'm being recalled to the Redoran army. In truth…I'm being turned loose. With Nevano. I'm not completely certain just WHAT we're going to do but…we're fighting a fight no one else can do. It's dangerous and I'm not certain how successful we're going to be but we got to try."

"This started when you went to Blacklight with the councilor, didn't it?"

"It started long before that, my love." He said gently. He rarely called her by a nickname but he wanted so bad to ease the pain from her face. "It's just that now I'm free to deal with it. Raven Rock is safe and now I need to go make sure Morrowind herself is safe."

"And you are going with that kid?" Dreyla looked up at him and the sad resignation in her eyes nearly broke his heart. "Is he really the Nerevarine?"

"He's twice my age and yes he is." The memories had been slowly trickling back over the past month, the man who he had viewed as a fun uncle as a child. He even remembered the incident where Nevano had taught him a few curses in the Ashlander tongue and his mother had thrown a vase at Nevano's head while his father had laughed uproariously. Nevano's sense of humor hadn't changed over the decades but he could see how world-weary the man had gotten. Still, if there was one person who could help them it was that crazy, yellow-eyed Dunmer bastard who looked far younger than he actually was.

"Then it's bad."

"It is." A crazy thought entered his head. Rash and born of a fevered desire to ease both of their pain, one he knew would never work but he had to try. "Dreyla…why don't you come with me?"

"Modyn…I can't." Dreyla gasped. "I want to but…I can't leave my father. It'll kill him I…"

"No…I'm sorry I shouldn't have said anything." Veleth sighed, disappointment crushing his soul. "I just…I can't say when I'm coming back…if I'm coming back at all."

"Don't say that!" Dreyla gripped his armor so hard he was almost afraid that it would crack under the force of her grip. "We will see each other again. I just know it! Reclamations will it we will see each other and be together again. Then nothing, not even my father, can keep us apart."

Veleth said nothing as he hugged her tight. Silently he made a promise to himself that he would make it so. He just hoped he survived long enough to hold to that promise.

XxXxXx

There were many things Nevano couldn't stand to see in life. Kicked puppies, sad children, lonely women and undrunk alcohol topped the list. So, as the day of their departure drew near, when he saw Veleth looking like a combination of all four of those things, he knew he had to do something. Besides, if he remembered correctly, Veleth's birthday was coming up. He needed to do something…special. He looked over to where Gunjar was trying to get a bad knick out of his axe.

"Hey, Gunjar?"

"What?"

"If you were about to head off on a rather lengthy adventure, and I'm talking long-term here, what would you like the most before you left?"

"An uninterrupted night with my wife." Came Gunjar's almost instant reply, not even looking up from his weapon.

A slow grin started to stretch across Nevano's face. "Hey, Gunjar?"

"What?"

"I'm going to need your help with something." Gunjar looked up in alarm. He knew that tone.

The grin never left Nevano's face as he walked through town, snagging the twins and dragging them to a quiet corner behind one of the abandoned houses. "I need to cause a…commotion. One that is a long time coming." Nevano pulled the twins close. "We need to give the dear captain some…time off."

The twins followed Nevano's gaze to where Mogrul was harassing people as usual. Nevano gave them a moment, watching as it slowly dawned on them what he was hinting at. "As Redoran Guard we cannot condone this. We have to follow the guidelines and rules set by House Redoran and by Councilor Morvayn, upkept by Captain Veleth and-oh forget it. We hate repeating that damn phrase." Nevano blinked. They always spoke in perfect tandem that it left his brain buzzing. "So we get to harass Mogrul and get Veleth to go on a date?"

"And annoy Fethis Alore."

"Don't think you can sweeten this deal more…"

"You won't get in trouble."

"We're in!

Nevano grinned widely, yellow eyes flashing. The twins grinned back, their faces a perfect mirror of devious delight. He quickly outlined the plan to them and dashed off to go find the captain, leaving the twins snickering behind him.

"Hey Bull!" It really wasn't all that hard to find the captain. All Nevano had to do was follow the black cloud of misery. Well…misery struck through by anger. That black cloud had lightning bolts in it.

"For the last gods' damned time, don't call me that." Veleth snapped. Nevano kept a calculated distance between them, warded off by the tension that was all but snapping him in the face.

"You know that I won't." He replied easily. "It's our last day here. Tomorrow we go."

"Thanks for the reminder." Veleth said dryly.

"Oh stop it. You should really spend it with Dreyla."

"Look, I would LOVE to but…"

"But what? You really weren't planning on leaving a girl without a goodbye were you?" Nevano interrupted him before he could launch into a tirade that would last the rest of the day. "Patrols are covered since you reorganized everything and set someone to act in your place, it's so calm it's boring right now, and I'll keep her father suitably distracted."

"That's besides the point! I got…" Veleth trailed off as Nevano's words sunk in. "Wait, did you just say you'll distract Fethis?"

"Yes I did." It took all of Nevano's willpower to keep from bouncing on his toes like an excited child.

"…How long?"

"I can get you a few hours." Nevano said. "I can definitely try for more. I'm also calculating in another hour or so after I'm done for him to even think to look for her. When he starts bellowing I'll find a way to warn you."

"I…"

"No man should leave without saying goodbye to his favorite girl." Nevano said, spinning the captain around to where Dreyla was moping by her father's market stand. "You are just one of the lucky ones whose favorite girl won't slap you across the face for it. No unrequited love for a favorite bar girl for you! Now go signal her or steal her away or whatever it is you do to get her away from her father."

"Wait…"

"You can thank me later."

"Nevano…"

"Go! Before I tell the twins to keep her happy while you're gone."

"You wouldn't dare."

"I killed three gods, Veleth. There's not much I wouldn't dare do anymore." Nevano shoved him hard in the back, which didn't accomplish much given that Veleth was much bigger than he was but it had the desired effect. Nevano smirked as he watched the captain walk by, giving Dreyla a small hand signal before strolling off back across town, towards the Bulwark. Dreyla waited a minute or so before she followed after him. He waved at Gunjar and the twins. It was show time.

The twins promptly chased all the other guards off, shoving them off to different posts, effectively clearing the market square. They would make sure no one interfered while at the same time making sure things wouldn't get too out of hand. Gunjar strode up, clearing his throat to get Mogrul's attention.

"Hey, Mogrul." Gunjar said. "Next time, send some thugs who actually know how to fight. Or are you planning on going broke sending fools after me?"

"I have no idea what you're talking about." The orc growled. A hush went over the market square as Raven Rock's residents stared wide-eyed as someone dared stand up to the town bully. When Mogrul's bodyguard, Slitter, glared they did their best to appear busy while never once taking their eyes off the scene unfolding in front of them.

"Of course not." Gunjar took a folded letter from a pouch and began to read aloud. " 'Find Gunjar and get my money. I don't care how you do it, or what you do with Gunjar. Just get my gold!' it's signed M but since I apparently inherited Drovas' debt, I can only assume that means you. Oh, and I killed those thugs outside Tel Mithryn. Master Neloth sends his thanks for the gift of three bodies to perform experiments on." Gunjar crumpled the note up and threw the ball at Mogrul. Slitter tightened his grip on his weapon. Gunjar pulled out another note. "This one from a group I killed outside the Skaal village. We fed the bodies to a hungry bear. The bear sends her thanks for the meal." Another balled up letter bounced off the orc's face. Nevano swore he could see smoke pouring from Morgul's ears. He also noted that everyone was watching with barely hidden glee. He was pretty sure he had matching expression on his own face. "And this last one. This was the best one. This group got brainwashed into working on the Water Stone. When I freed them, they attacked me. The sailors that were freed along with them helped me kill them, though I didn't really need the help. I thanked the sailors for helping me dump the bodies into the ocean for the slaughterfish."

The next paper ball to the face was the straw that broke the guar's back. Mogrul roared in fury and charged at Gunjar. However, Mogrul was not much of a fighter, hence the bodyguard. He certainly was no match for the much younger and far more skilled Gunjar. The Nord grabbed the charging orc and threw him headfirst into Fethis' stand, knocking everything over and breaking half the objects there.

Slitter drew his sword, fully intending on running Gunjar through but Nevano was not having it. "Oh no you don't!" He barked and jumped up between them, throwing his weight into his fist as he drove it into Slitter's nose, feeling a satisfying crack as his nose shattered under the blow. Meanwhile, Mogrul was getting to his feet, growling. Nevano pulled out a small round pellet from his belt, something he had requested Milore to make a few days ago. He had intended to use it against Mogrul anyway before he left but this…was just too good an opportunity to pass up. He threw it at the angry orc.

"Oh…oh Shor's breath!" Gunjar backed up, hand clapped to his nose and mouth. "Was that a stink bomb?"

"You just threw a stink bomb ON ME!" Mogrul screamed, frantically brushing at his clothes.

"Did you just throw a stink bomb ON MY MERCHANDISE?!" Fethis screeched.

"Think of it as orc repellant?" Nevano put on his best innocent grin, trying not to cough as the horrible stench made his eyes water and his throat feel like sandpaper.

"You…you…GET BACK HERE YOU!"

Nevano laughed wildly as he raced around the market square, an angry Fethis hot on his heels. He hadn't had this much fun since he colored the sheep at Weynon Priory pink with a potion he got from the Mages Guild and set them loose in the castle. He had run from the guards, laughing the whole time, leading them on a merry chase that wound through the entire city. Nevano had had more color potions and he had infuriated the pursuing guards by lobbing them over his shoulder at them, turning them some interesting colors. Of course it had all come to an absolute crashing halt when Modryn got involved. He knew that Veleth was going to crash his fun eventually but for now, while said captain was "busy", he was going to enjoy the moment. Gunjar told him to create mayhem. This was a grand start. Speaking of Gunjar, the Nord was currently laughing so hard his face was turning red. Or was that from the stench?

As he passed Morvayn Manor he could see Councilor Morvayn leaning against the doorway, watching the madness unfold, Adril Arano and his wife watching with wide eyes as every citizen was doubled over with bouts of laughter mixed with coughing in a fog of stink, Slitter groaning on the ground with blood dripping everywhere and Mogrul bellowing.

"Lleril…what is…are we going to stop this?"

"You know what? I didn't see anything."

XxXxXx

4E 201, 26th Last Seed

"Are you still mad?"

Cold silence.

"Oh come on. You got your good-bye with your girl without getting caught. You're welcome, by the way."

Still silence, this time punctuated by a nasty glare.

"Fine, fine, be a stick in the mud. I regret nothing."

How Veleth made that glare blazing hot and the silence icy cold at the same time was a mystery.

"The twins voluntarily helped when I asked. It's not like I corrupted them or anything. You are acting like I corrupted the whole guard…"

"I wasn't worried about corruption. Distraction was one thing but you threw the WHOLE TOWN into turmoil!"

"He speaks!"

"Get on the gods damned boat."

Far from being put off by Veleth's obvious bad mood, Nevano laughed. He was still riding the high he had gotten plunging the entirety of Raven Rock into mayhem. He planned on riding it as long as he possibly could, especially since he was about to get on a boat for yet another long boat ride. After this, he was never getting on another boat again if he could help it. If he couldn't walk overland to his destination or be magically transported, he wasn't going to go. That meant never visiting the Summerset Isles or whatever the Thalmor called it now. Somehow that thought didn't bother him all that much.

The boat shoved off, making him wobble for a moment, his balance as coordinated on water as a cat wearing slippers. He gripped the railing to keep from falling over. So this was it. He was actually headed back to Morrowind. It definitely wasn't something he expected but…for once, he felt at peace with his decision. Like he was doing the right thing finally.

He saluted to Gunjar as the boat reached the edge of the cove, receiving a wave in return. Gunjar would head back off to Skyrim to tear it apart then put it back right again. If there was one Nord who could accomplish that, it was Gunjar. Nevano would keep his word and cause mayhem and hopefully they would see each other again and share their adventures over sujamma. Nevano took in a lungful of salty air and turned his attention south, towards Morrowind.

It was time to go.

"Oh, by the way…happy birthday Bull." Nevano laughed when a muttered curse answered him.

END PART 3

XxXxXx

A/N: And thus ends most things canon! From here on out, it's MY inventions y'all! I can't tell you how excited I am about this. Buckle your seatbelts kids, its about to get wild!

Confession time; I'm not going to follow Gunjar. There are several reasons for this, the foremost being that I have not actually completed the civil war quest lines (don't ask. I get busy leveling crap. I refuse to write about something I have not actually played through if it's canon.). However, I most likely will end up writing Gunjar his own story about what happened in that whole thing because I have ideas. However THAT particular fic won't come about until AFTER I complete this fic. With school being a beast I can't handle more than one project a time. I'm not giving away my plot but Gunjar is not gone from this story forever. He still has a part to play.

Has anyone ever notice how the serpentine dragons in Dragonborn DLC look a lot like the flying mounts the Nazgul use in Lord of the Rings?