Ariel shoveled the last bit of dirt on top of Carcette's grave. After ending Carcette's life, Ariel dug graves for all of the dead Vigilants and buried them. She did so by herself, while Larina focused on piling the vampire bodies together to burn. They completed this task in silence. No jokes. No crying. No nonsense. By time they finished, the sun had set, and the cold night air started to flow. Larina set the vampires ablaze and joined Ariel, who leaned on the shovel, sulking. Both women emotionally drained from the past couple of days.

"I'm sorry about your eye." Said Larina. "My instincts took over and I lost it."

Ariel's right eye turned purple from Larina's steel gauntlet. She murmured, "Whatever."

Neither of them knew what to do. Every attempt to bounce back was thwarted by the vampires. The hall, no longer standing. The Vigilants, barely enough to call them a team. The mission, damn near unachievable with the odds beings stacked so high.

"We should split up." Suggested Ariel. "Lay low and recoup."

"And where do we go?"

"Your father is still alive in Riften right? Go see him. Tell him you love him. Spend some time with him and take your mind away from all of this misery."

"What about the vampires?" Larina asked worriedly with her arms folded. "They aren't just going to go away."

Ariel kept it cool, not even raising her monotone voice. "Fighting a vampire army is the last thing we need to worry about. We don't know who's running the operation, but as far as they're concerned, the Vigilants are no more. We're not on their radar. So, the best thing we can do, is go to a big city where there's tons of protection and security."

"So that's it huh?" Larina raised her head, looking at the moon. "It's all over. We just run away."

Ariel threw down the shovel. "Yeah, we're running. Because we have no other choice. News of our demise is going to spread soon, and your father is probably worried sick. Larina, I don't have anyone else. I don't know if Afiya will ever recover, and I can't lose you too. Please, put your pride to the side, and just go home."

Larina never heard Ariel speak so straight forward. Ariel was exhausted and couldn't be bothered to get angry anymore. It was pointless. A waste of energy to rage at something that can't be undone. The Vigilants were indeed finished. Larina exhaled and nodded. She opened her arms, and Ariel came in for a long, much needed embrace.

"Are you going back to Solitude?"

"I've got a home there. Plus, I'll inform the Imperial army of what happened. I doubt they'll do anything, but its best they know."

Larina agreed. "I'll do the same with the Stormcloaks. It's getting dark. We should get going before more of them show up."

"Go ahead. I'll try to salvage anything useful. Write me when you get home."

Larina kissed Ariel on the cheek. She tied Carcette's Warhammer on her back and rode off into the night.

Ariel trotted downstairs, digging through the Vigilant's personal chests that weren't burnt to ashes. She managed to scour some journals and personal possessions she can mail to their fallen comrades loved ones. Afiya's chest had dozens of books on her medical findings, which would prove useful in the future. Ariel tied it all together in a sack and climbed on Apple.

"How are you doing boy? Hopefully better than me."

Ariel took one last look at the remains of her home for the last decade. This was where the second phase of her life started. Where she vowed to take vengeance for her family. Where she grew as a person, learning under some of the most insightful people she's ever met. Where she met her best friend. Where she buried a piece of her life with another. Where she met the woman who she'd happily call mom. This wasn't the return home she wanted, but accepted it, nonetheless. She steered Apple around and went home to Solitude.

The sun shined bright through her bedroom window. She didn't arrive until 2 A.M. that morning, only catching around four hours sleep. Most of which she spent staring at the ceiling. Rolling out of bed, Ariel threw on a pink robe and a pair of comfy house shoes. Both made from spider silk. Another example of the luxurious life that she was given.

Claudius paid her well enough to buy a two-floor house in the city. Right across from Proudspire Manor where Claudius lived. It was decorated with plenty of nice furnishings. A lounge chair. Stone crafted fireplace. A basement with a clay tub for bathing. All kinds of books and knick-knacks to give the place a homey feeling. There was only one room, but it's not like anyone else lived with her.

Ariel sleepily walked downstairs and popped a bottle of distilled grape juice. Poured it into a silver goblet and sat in her lounge chair. Living in such a wonderful place was ruined by the emptiness. Ariel would gladly spend a cold night camping out with the Vigilants if it meant being with her friends. She sipped her juice and rubbed her belly. She got flabby from all of the fine dining and had been slacking on her workout routine. With more free time, there is no excuse she could make. Not today though. A fine walk around Solitude would suffice.

Ariel put together a nice outfit. A white knee-high dress with long sleeves and a gold waistband. Paired with brown leather boots. She tied her short hair into a ponytail and put on makeup. Blue eye shadow and pink lipstick. She tied her swords together, threw those around her shoulder, and grabbed a basket to carry stuff she bought. Upon heading outside, she saw Sontaire talking to Victoria Vicci on their front steps, who waved when she noticed Ariel.

Sontaire was an altmer (high elf), and Claudius' wife. They married four years ago after meeting at a party in the Jarl's castle. Claudius is 52. Sontaire is 24. But that's none of Ariel's business. Sontaire often attracted the glares of many men for her natural good looks and buxom breasts, which she typically had on display in some sort of low-cut dress or top. Other women gossiped that should adored the attention, using her beauty to get things she wanted from vulnerable men. Claudius being one of them. Ariel had a few chats with Sontaire when they shared dinner. Ariel wasn't fond of her. Sontaire only hung with nobles and the rich, often talking down on common folk. Being a farm girl, Ariel didn't appreciate that sentiment, but kept her opinions zipped up to not sour her relationship with Claudius.

"Ariel! How are you darling?" Greeted a cheerful Sontaire, who's face quickly soured. "Ugh. What happened to your eye?"

Ariel chuckled. "Good morning, ladies. I got into a nasty fight. Being a Vigilant has its pros and cons."

"Ooo, you are such a rouge. Couldn't be me." Said Victoria.

"What are you doing back so soon?" Asked Sontaire. "Claudius told me you'd be leaving Solitude for a while."

"Plans changed. I'm back in town for now. Is Claudius home?"

"No. In fact, he's out on a business call about your book. By the way, I read a few pages. What an interesting read. Can't wait until I get my hands on the full thing. You're going to famous my girl!" Sontaire placed a finger on her lips. "Almost makes me a tad bit jealous."

"No need to be. I didn't do it for the fame. Only to honor my brother's memory. Without him there is no book."

"If there isn't a better reason to publish a book, I haven't seen it." Added Victoria.

Sontaire sucked her teeth. "Right, right. Ariel, if you're not busy tomorrow evening, the girls are getting together for tea and cake at Victoria's. She's got a cousin who's visiting that's very handsome, and single. He's also a nobleman's son."

Victoria laughed. "Sontaire, stop."

"What? Is it wrong to think that a beauty such as Ariel should go without a man around her arm? We'll have to do something about that eye though. It's not flattering."

Ariel grinned. "I'll come for the cake. Keep the cousin. You ladies take care."

"Good day." Said Victoria.

Sontaire gave a funny finger wave. "Till later darling."

Ariel went about her day. Chatting with people around town. She dropped off her swords at the blacksmith to get sharpened. She spoke to Captain Aldis of the Imperial army. He gave the usual, "We are of what's going on, but are spread thin because of the war. We'll keep our eyes open.", reply he gave to everyone. Ariel just shook her head and moved on. She purchased a bottle of spiced wine and a silver circlet to match the necklace that she remembered wasn't around her neck at the moment. No matter, it still looked nice. After grabbing a snack, she headed down to the East Empire docks. Ariel loved sitting there and soaking in the ocean view.

She munched on a bag of apple chips. Apples cut thin and baked with butter and cinnamon. She meant to bring a bag to Afiya but forgot when she already left. She took her boots off to dip her feet in the cool water. It didn't get any better than this. She often felt guilty about this life when the Vigilants were risking their own for no real admiration. Imagine dying for a cause that no one knew existed. Perhaps when she made enough money from this book release, she'd have a memorial built with their names etched into it. In fact, that's exactly what she was going to do.

A loud thud caused Ariel to jump. One of the barrels sitting on the dock fell over. Whatever was inside began to move. With no one else around, Ariel went to see what it was. Others would be scared, but after what Ariel had seen, there was little she currently feared. She opened the lid, finding a small cat inside.

"Mew!"

Ariel's face lit up. "Who are you?" She asked in a high-pitched tone. She reached in and pulled it out. A dark orange cat with a white patch around its nose.

"Mew!"

"What were you doing inside that little guy? Wait." Ariel raised it in the air and tilted her head. "You're a boy. Probably a hungry boy too. You hungry?"

"Mew!"

"Let me grab something." She put him down and grabbed her leftover apple chips. When she turned around, the cat was standing on two legs. His head reach her knees. "Oh, you're a Khajit! This is rare. Here you go. Fresh, crunchy apple chips."

The Khajit accepted the snack, nibbling through each one as Ariel scratched his head. He didn't have any clothes on, and no one was there to claim him. How he got there is a mystery. Did he come from one of those traveling caravans? If that was the case, what was he doing in a barrel by the docks? Regardless, Ariel wasn't going to leave him there to suffer.

"You want to come home with me little guy?"

"Mew!" The Khajit licked her hand. Ariel took that as a yes.

She gathered her things and carried her new friend back home. While he ran around the house, Ariel cut up and sewed up an old dress into a mini tunic for him to wear. She patted her leg. The Khajit dashed and jumped into her lap. She got him clothed and petted his head. He happily purred. Ariel was over the moon. This is exactly what she needed. He didn't have a name, but she already had one in mind.

"Until we found where out where you came from, I'm going to call you Tyrus. Is that okay? Hmm?" Tyrus had no objections.

The night consisted of her lying in bed with Tyrus, reading through the journals of her Vigilant buddies. Learning things about them she never knew.

Margodal. An older, nord Vigilant from Markarth, who worked as an inn cook his entire life. He joined five years ago when his wife Shina passed away, placing 35 years of marriage to rest. His only child moved to Morrowind. Carcette stopped by for a job and tasted one of his delicious dishes. Rather than waste his last good years at an inn, he took a job cooking for the Vigilants. Ariel didn't have many conversations with him, but she picked up a few decent tips for roasting meat to perfection.

Dyus Marsh. A 27-year-old imperial from Dawnstar. A big and burly warrior. Long goatee and a mohawk. Scary looking bastard. Many touted him as one of the best warriors in Skyrim. He stood at six feet, seven inches. Weighed about 280 pounds. But he moved as fluently as a 90-pound elf, with two axes in his hands. Dyus came off as psychotic, fighting with a bloodlust that only became sedated when he flexed his skills. That was the main reason Carcette recruited him. Although his journal tells a story of crying like a baby when his pet bird Monk died. Since many of the Vigilant's wanted nothing to do with him, he worked alone, much to his delight. If anyone could take on a vampire solo, it would be Dyus. His current whereabouts are unknown. He just never came back. Whether he's dead or wandering the land, he definitely made his presence known.

Larina, her best friend. Born in Riften. Raised by Orthus in the lower area of the city. Seen as a blessing by her father, and a burden by her mother, who abandoned them a month after Larina's birth. A miner by trade, Orthus carried Larina six days a week on his back to work over in Shor's Stone. Larina grew up in the mines, living a life of physical labor. Surviving off stale bread and skeever meat. When she turned seventeen, things got much better. She began working at the Riften fishery while Orthus continued at the mines. With dual incomes, they were able to buy a nice house for two. Had fresh vegetables to eat, and they showed her mother what she missed out on.

While heading to Shor's Stone to bring Orthus lunch, she stumbled into a fight between the Vigilants and necromancers. Larina knew for a fact that necromancers are bad news, so she helped take out the rest with an iron dagger. Impressed with her raw talent, Afiya invited her to train with the Vigilants. Seeking to step from the box of everyday life, Larina accepted the offer. Orthus was hesitant to let her leave, but knew he wasn't going to live forever. His baby girl's happiness mattered the most, and if fighting against Daedra brought her that happiness, then so be it.

Ariel knew this story, as they both found common ground with overprotective fathers. What she didn't know, is the conversations with Vanis. He often bugged Larina for details about Ariel, hoping to ask her on a date at some point. This warmed Ariel's heart. It also hurt, knowing he never got the chance to say how he truly felt. Unfortunately, Vanis had no journal. There may have been some letters from home, but Ariel found none of them.

Afiya, her mentor and parental figure the past seven years. 46 years old. Afiya didn't talk much about her past. Only the fact that she came from Hammerfell as a priestess, taking her talents with healing magic and cures across Tamriel. She did tell the story of meeting Carcette in Falkreath. One of the Vigilants became poisoned from a nasty spider bite. There were talks of severing his leg due to the spread. Thankfully, Afiya knew a very rare spell from Morrowind to cleanse a body of all toxins. This spell required a lot of magic to work, so Carcette spent over 100 gold of her own money on mana potions. The man's life was saved, and leg stayed attached. Moved by her dedication to the Vigilants, Afiya offered her services to Carcette, who welcomed her with open arms. Due to taking vows as a priest, Afiya never had children. That all changed when Ariel came into her life.

Ariel had so much to thank Afiya for. From saving her, to being a shoulder to cry on whenever she needed it. When Ariel's nightmares started, Afiya slept on a folded sheet next to Ariel's bed, just to be there to calm her down. Always making sure she was properly fed. Teaching Ariel etiquette and how to conduct conversation. For all intents and purposes, Afiya viewed every young Vigilant as her children. Since most came in as adults, Ariel became the real child she never had, but always wanted.

Ariel called it a night and got comfortable in her queen-sized bed. She petted Tyrus, who curled up on a pillow. The fuzzy hair reminded her of Farkas in werewolf form. He was on her mind all day. His rugged look and gentle words made her insides stir in an amorous manner. It could no longer be helped. If Ariel saw Farkas again, she would express her true feelings.

The next two months flew by, and things seemingly quieted down. Ariel spent her time working out to get her body back in top shape. Training with Captain Aldis to sharpen her sword skills. Studying vampires and Afiya's notes on medicine to expand her knowledge. Her run in with the vampires almost broke her psyche, so Ariel spent three hours a day turning herself into a beast.

She spent nights with Tyrus, caring for him like her own seed. Reading to him. Playing with him. Scolding him when he broke something. Having some custom clothes made for him at Radiant Raiment. White hairs started to grow around his head, forming a mane. People gawked and pointed at them, walking hand in hand as if it were normal. To Ariel it was. She encouraged him to play with the other kids, who were happy to play with him, but came off a bit shy and hid behind Ariel's legs. The Khajit caravan eventually came around and Ariel had a nice sit down at their camp.

None of them knew who the youngling was. Young Khajits may be kidnapped for slavery purposes, or to be raised and skinned for the fur. It was heartbreaking for Ariel knowing this bundle of joy could have been a slave. They did inform Ariel of his breed and his age. A six-year-old, Pahmar-raht. Tyrus will grow into a well built and ferocious warrior, who will protect its mother. Ariel liked the sound of that. They gave Ariel a brief explanation of Khajit culture and particular things that Khajit like. Tyrus will began speaking soon, as Khajits mimic the lip movements of their elders. As a thanks for taking care of one of their own, they gifted Ariel moon sugar, a Khajit delicacy, and a discount on purchases from them and any Khajit caravan she finds.

One thing they asked about was the name. Ariel told them it was in honor of her dead brother. While the Khajit had no problem with that, it would be respectful to at least give him a traditional Khajit surname. Ariel agreed. The young lion was now known as Tyrus Ra'Dru Ginter.

She invested in a set of magic-resistant, steel-plated armor. Finding no further use for her Vigilant robes, she stored them away as a keepsake. One morning, a knock came at her door. Ariel was in the middle of making a pot of apple cider.

"Hold on." Ariel took off her apron and answered the door. A courier stood there with a letter.

"Ariel Ginter?" He asked.

"Yes."

"Here you go." He handed her the letter. Before Ariel took it, she went and plucked a few septims off the table. She returned with the gold in hand. "No tip necessary ma'am."

"Please, take it. I'm sure you work very hard."

"Much appreciated. Have a good day ma'am."

"You too honey." Ariel closed her door and paused. Ma'am? Honey? Afiya's mannerisms must be rubbing off on her. The letter was from Danica. Ariel tore it open, hoping for good news. She speed read it, only to find Afiya was still sleeping, but Danica has found a way to revive her. Come to Whiterun as soon as possible. That was all Ariel needed to hear.

She put on her armor and elven sword. She dressed Tyrus for their first trip together. Apple stayed at the Riften stables where Ariel paid good money for his care. Full of vigor and determination, Ariel set her sights on Whiterun to save Afiya.