Chapter 34

Saber woke feeling cold and aching. He lay on his back on the stone floor, disheveled and altogether disoriented as to why he was there. The light shirt and pants he donned beneath the leather armor stuck to his skin from exertions of the battle. He found he was, not unexpectedly, alone. Nekros was gone, leaving him alive and bewildered that he was left like this.

Touching his chin, the Dunmer felt the tiny wound of the sword's blade had left, thereby proving to him that they had fought. He frowned. He'd lost the fight, and yet Nekros had actually spared him. Sitting up took effort, as he shook off the spell's effect. A headache threatened to grow worse, and having fallen asleep after such a brutal confrontation, left muscles stiff and sore. Joints protested movement when he shifted to sit up, trying to gain his bearings.

Only then did Saber realize that his pack sat beside him along with recognizable potions of healing. His frown deepened as he inspected the pack, finding within all the items he'd had before, including his journal. A familiar sheath also caught his attention, finding the Manos blade tucked neatly beside the pack. What the-?

Drawing the blade, Saber stared at his shocked expression at the bared steel. Red eyes blinked amid the runic glyphs etched into the metal. He couldn't believe the vampire left this for him. Why? For that matter, why spare his life after their confrontation? Nothing of this made sense. The Dunmer sat for several moments trying to make sense of his old master, unable to compare the vampire he knew to the one that raised him.

The thought occurred to him the vampire might only wish to further torment him rather than end his life so quickly, but instinct spoke otherwise. Nekros had voiced regrets. He also left healing potions and the coveted Manos blade for him. There was also the key to the lower levels, thereby telling Saber that Nekros knew his purpose for coming to Kogoruhn. He knew he had to go in the lower levels to find the tokens.

Is he helping me? Saber was left stunned and even more disturbed by the vampire he'd come to learn was simply impossible to comprehend.

Sipping the healing potions until he felt pain ebb from his senses, he found the room nearly vacant of all items. Nekros had moved on, leaving only the furniture behind. How he managed this on his own, Saber had no idea. He might have more 'minions' to his beck and call, or even had unknown magic in his arsenal. Furthermore, Saber now had no idea when he might show up again.

I had completely underestimated him, Saber thought darkly. The fact the vampire had so easily defeated him weighed heavily against his confidence. What made things worse, was the former apprentice felt the stirrings of regret for having killed Nekros so long ago. Saber couldn't shake the memory of Nekros' admission of wrongdoing, nor could he push aside the vampire's pain of his betrayal. To the master assassin, his apprentice had been everything to him as much as wanted to be everything to him. And that boy killed him, Saber thought disgustedly. He wasn't sure to where the disgust was focused on.

Part of him still hated Nekros, but part of him also knew that the man….beast….whatever he was, had been the only parental figure in his life for most of his childhood. Was it possible I am still seeking his approval?

Hoisting his pack to his shoulders, Saber thrust all doubt and questioning aside. He still had this quest to complete, and the danger below would be distraction enough to silence these confusing thoughts. He didn't want to think further on this enigma of Nekros, or what he was going to once he found the tokens, or even if he was going to ever see the light of day again.

A glint of light caught his eye when he reached for the door's latch. He noticed the tiny opal ring on his pinky, sparkling back the torchlight with promise of a quick escape. He could, for that matter, leave now and go home. He could lose himself in Morrowind or elsewhere-

Something caught his throat as he drew open the door. I have to do this…and Saber had no idea why.

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Eiryn sat on a woven rug outside the wisewoman's hut to watch the Ashlanders prepare for their journey to Kogoruhn. The past two days since returning to the camp had been long and tiring. Saber had yet to return, and many assumed he was dead. The night before the tribe gathered to find a solution to the problems of the mercenaries and possible vampires remaining at the stronghold. By dawn, they decided to travel to the Dunmer clanstead to clean out the nest of trouble once and for all. What's more, the tribe had decided to seal the entranceway to the lower levels as precaution against the Blight creatures there.

She had vehemently protested, voicing her concern for Saber and how could they possibly think of sealing the only way out? Even as she pleaded with the Ashkhan to reconsider, she knew their decision was for their survival. They couldn't risk the tribe on a single warrior who was most likely dead. Merthisan was oddly silent throughout the debate, looking pale faced and concerned, but otherwise said nothing.

Numb from the days' events, Eiryn sat with a blanket around her shoulders watching the warriors sharpen their weapons, and prepare to journey to the stronghold. A constant lump in her throat threatened to release into a steady stream of sobs if she didn't maintain control. Instead, she remained quiet now; mourning losses she wasn't ready to comprehend.

"Are you coming with us?" Master Kendari asked her softly as they finished their preparations. He wore his steel cuirass with the long sword at his hip. Borrowed pieces of armor made of guar skin made for a sharp contrast to his usual pristine appearance of steal and chainmail.

"To go shut Saber into the lower levels you mean." She mustered enough disgust in her voice to cause the man to wince.

The swordsman wet dry lips, and eyes blinked back the moisture he felt threatening to fall. "Eiryn…" He began, but she shot him a dark look, daring him to finish what he intended to say. He stiffened his resolve. She needed to hear it as much as he did. "You know Saber isn't coming back."

The scout swallowed hard. "We don't know that-" Her voice cracked, and her own doubts were apparent. A single tear trailed down a dusty cheek, which she quickly flicked away. "Saber is really good with the sword. You taught him. You should know-"

Merthisan looked away to the horizon, to the rising sun. The blue in his eyes turned pale gray in the bright light. "Yes, he's good. Good enough to fend off a clan of vampires? Good enough to fight his way through the underbelly of Kogoruhn?" The swordsman closed eyes, looking very old and wearied. "He went with hardly enough armor. He had no potions, or spells, and he went to face Nekros." The pause between words was full of meaning. "It's been two days…"

Two days, she thought sadly. Even with the door to be sealed, he had the ring of recall. He could've used the magic to return, that is, if he could. How long would such a quest take? How many tunnels and battles would he fight before he found all three tokens? Would he find any healing if he'd been injured, or did he simply die alone and in the dark? The sudden vision of his lying dead, or worse, finally broke her.

Tears streamed down her face now, as she bent her chin to hide the fact. A sob bubbled up from her throat, and she covered her face with her hands. Gone! He's gone! How could he do this to me? She knew her thoughts were not rational, that if Saber was dead, he certainly hadn't made the choice to do so. However, she wanted to go with him, even to die beside him if necessary, and he wouldn't let her.

She felt Merthisan sit beside her on the rug, letting her lean against him to share her grief. A hand stroked her hair to provide what little comfort he could. "He loved you very much." He whispered, dealing with his own sorrow.

Loved…? She was painfully aware of the past tense.

Just then, a sound drew her attention, as the Ashlanders were suddenly chattering and talking at once. Something had happened. The eerie quiet of the morning hours was now buzzing with the excited chatter of the Ashlanders and the sudden appearance of Saber in a swirl of magic.

"By the Nine Divines…" Merthisan gasped. Both Eiryn and he rushed to his side.

Saber had appeared in the center of the camp, covered in blood, battered and bruised, but alive! He staggered as he caught his bearings, dropping the tokens before him. A heavy shield fell with the Dagoth cup, and something wrapped in sacking. He also had with him his pack, and curiously the Manos blade. Merthisan noticed, frowning and wondering how he came to find it. Nekros….he must've killed Nekros!

One of the warriors closest grabbed the Dunmer thief just as he fell, easing him to the ground. He groaned, clutching his side from a wound that still bled. Half the armor he'd worn was gone, with the shirt beneath torn and ripped, splattered with blood.

Eiryn ran to his side, startled to find he was still bleeding from a number of wounds. One arm had the sleeve torn, with livid burns raising blisters on the skin. A deep gash to his side dripped blood on the sandy ground. He was barely conscious as the wisewoman tried to encourage him to take some of the healing potion in her hand.

Centering herself, Eiryn laid her hand on the most vicious wounds and murmured the incantation of healing. A warm heat spread from her palm, swirling into fingertips until finally bathing the wound in the same glow. To her relief, the blood stopped flowing.

Saber suddenly fell limp, provoking Eiryn to cry out. Nibani touched her arm. "He's not dead. He's exhausted, child." She told her, motioning to the closest warriors to help carry him to the yurt set aside from them. "We'll set him to right."

Eiryn nodded, feeling brainless and followed them into the dark tent. Nibani set to work, cutting away the torn fabric and replacing damage with salves and bandages.

Eiryn kept a silent vigil by his side while the wisewoman made prayers and forced more healing potions into him. The wounds were worse than the scout thought, knowing that if he hadn't teleported back when he did, he would've bled to death. The extent of damage he'd received startled the young scout. From burns to deep gashes, the injuries were obvious that he'd healed on several occasions. He must have been fighting the entire journey.

Saber remained unconscious, oblivious to the help he was receiving, but this didn't stop Eiryn from keeping a firm hold of his hand, or murmuring promises that he'd be all right. Nibani assured her this to be true.

"A day or two, and he will be fine. He needs rest." She told her, tying off bandages wrapped around his forearm. Her face deepened the wrinkles at mouth and eyes when she shared a genuine smile. "You should sleep as well."

Unable to argue that point, Eiryn felt her own exhaustion prompt her to nestle beside him. Nibani left them alone, giving the young Breton a comforting pat on her arm to assure her all would be well.

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Saber jerked awake catching his breath. Several moments passed before he recognized his surroundings. No…he wasn't in the windowless hell of Kogoruhn. He made it back to the encampment. No ash ghouls, no corprus beasts, no blight-infected creatures waiting in the darkness for him. Sweat covered his face, as he swallowed a dry throat. He shifted to sit up, finding Eiryn sleeping soundly beside him.

The realization of his escape from the horrors he'd faced washed over him in relief. Though overjoyed to see her near him, he was glad she remained asleep, not wanting the company or her concern just yet. Hands still shook, and his heart threatened to beat out of his chest. He hadn't had nightmares this bad since he was boy. He also wasn't quite ready to talk about Nekros.

Moving quietly, he gently removed her arm from across his chest and covered her with the thin blanket they shared. She looked exhausted with lines along her mouth and the skin a bit darker near the eyes. The dust of the Ashlands left streaks of grime across cheeks and nose. But she was still beautiful in his eyes, dust and all. The thief drank in the vision of her, finding it difficult not to crush her in an embrace and never letting go.

Long hair was still bound in a braid except for a few errant curls falling along her neckline. The heart shaped face seemed younger in sleep, providing her an appearance of innocence he knew she didn't have. The woman was a fighter, and, fool that he was, kept pushing her to safety. It was difficult not to, he mused. This perhaps was why Nekros had tried to teach him to live a solitary life. Friends and lovers made one feel weak, being a chink in the armor of a warrior.

I'm an idiot, he thought. Long fingers ever so gently brushed back hair from her face. He didn't regret refusing her to come along with him to Kogoruhn. He was immune to Blight and Corprus, she wasn't. It was as simple as that. However, he didn't have to send her and Merthisan to Balmora, now did he? He didn't have to be so harsh to her before, nor did he need to rant about his running off to lose himself in the backwoods of Morrowind.

Unable to sleep further, Saber crept without a sound from the yurt to find a clear night outside. The air carried a chill, and the soft whisper of a breeze blew his long hair across his face and throat. Stars twinkled above with the two moons in their prime. The moonlight cast shadows through the huddled mass of yurts amid the dunes. Rocks jutting from the hilltops appeared as stony guards from the world beyond.

Folding arms across his chest, Saber moved closer to the ashmire at the encampment's center. He wore trousers and only bandages, which were hardly enough from the night air. Thick liquid bubbled and steamed from underground streams of hot mud. Only a few trauma bushes welcomed the moisture that otherwise was unusable. The heat however was used to help warm the camp on nights such as this.

The scent of mud and ash filled his nostrils as the steam enveloped him in a warm embrace. He blew a sigh, trying to release the pent up tension he felt. Doubts nagged at his courage, and confusion concerning Nekros also baited him with further misgivings.

He could be watching me now, Saber thought. Instinctively his gaze followed the horizon surrounding the camp to find nothing amiss. The sun was to rise soon, casting a warm pink glow to the east. No movement or out of sorts shadow could be seen. He wouldn't so easily give up like this. He's up to something. Will I always be watching my back?

"Couldn't sleep?" A voice spoke softly but nonetheless startled Saber enough to throw him off balance. The Ashkhan smiled at the younger Dunmer trying to regain composure and avoid falling into the mire. "My apologies. I did not mean to alarm you."

Saber was glad for the break in tension. He forced a smile on his face. "After what I've seen, you're the least of my concerns." The thief brushed loose hair from his face.

"You've passed the Warrior's test." The Ashkhan told him, the dark rimmed eyes assessing the bandaged wounds. "You've done what even I could not."

Turning away, Saber shifted awkwardly, unable to find the words to respond. For most of his life, the young Dunmer had lived by his wits and his own rules. Here, amid the Ashlanders, their rigid code of honor and courage was unsettling to one who chafed under any restrictions. Now however, he could at least understand why they lived as they did. Such rules and customs gave one's life consistency. Saber respected that.

"And I shall give now you the secret of the Third Trial." The warrior continued.

Ah yes, the Third Trial. I am on the path of the Nerevarine. Two trials had already been passed, four more to go. What was it that he felt suddenly as though he'd aged two hundred years?

Sat Matuul lowered his chin, giving him a stern look. "In caverns dark Azura's eye sees/and makes to shine the moon and star.' This is the Third Vision." The Dunmer explained. "And you must go to the Cavern of the Incarnate, a place sacred to Azura, and look for the moon and star."

"And where might I find this place?" Saber asked. Great, he thought, another seek-and-find errand.

"The secret of the Cavern of the Incarnate is set in a riddle." Sat Matuul looked to the star filled sky. "The eye of the needle lies in the teeth of the wind, the mouth of the cave lies in the skin of the pearl, the dream is the door and the star is the key."

Saber frowned and refrained from voicing the 'what-does-that-mean' response. "I see." He said softly, holding back other retorts.

"This is a test of Wisdom." Sat Matuul further explained. "Take counsel in the tribes. Gain the Moon-and-Star and return to Nibani. Take this-" He handed a soft leather belt, "with my blessing and the blessing of the tribe."

Saber touched the soft hide and felt fingers tingle with the enchantments that were melded into the material. Any magic item from the Urshilaku was treasured, as well valuable. He accepted the honor bestowed to him, and curious to what spells had been infused into the belt.

The moon-and-star… Family heirloom? Lord Nerevar had the Moon-and-Star as his family's standard. It could be anything… He had no idea what to even look for. Hopefully whatever it was would look obvious…

"I will do this." Saber heard himself say. Perhaps the darkness of Kogoruhn held more sway in his decision, seeing all the horrid creatures there, or perhaps his resolution was born of the harrowing of Nekros. Either case, he now felt compelled to follow through and rid this place of the horrors of the Sixth House. It would keep him busy if nothing else.

What choice did he have? The choices left to him did not include going back to his life. He either could lose himself in this foreign land, with Dagoth Ur's power growing by the day, or try to be a hero. The thought galled him.

Saber swallowed hard. Take it one day at a time…

At least this time, I don't intend on going on alone… In fact, Eiryn might be the very thing to bring along to help find some lost cave in the hills of the Ashlands. Thinking of the Breton scout, a smile pulled his mouth into a smile.

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Eiryn roused with a stretch and yawn, suddenly aware that the bedroll beside her was empty. Saber was naught to be found. Now alert, the scout scrambled up to toss the blanket aside. Just as she was pulling on boots, the curtained doorway drew back as the Dunmer entered the darkened yurt.

"Saber?" She gasped, seeing he still wore the bandage wrappings Nibani had placed around his torso and forearm. She quickly assessed him for injury, and how he fared. For all the damage he had the day before, you'd never know he nearly dead. "Are you…are you alright?"

He smiled, nodding. He put a finger to his lips, and then pointed to the pile of blankets to his right that slept with a low snore. "I had trouble sleeping." He whispered. Crawling back onto the bedroll, he laid down beside her.

Eiryn felt guarded, eying him with a discerning look. "Trouble sleeping?" She whispered back. The red eyes glowed back the ember glow. She could barely see the strained smile he gave her. "Are you sure you're alright?"

He was oddly silent for several long moments, simply staring back at her, studying her face. A hand reached up, touched her chin before falling back. "Yes…" His voice was so soft now. "I'm fine."

She relaxed. "I'll have to take your word for it." Eiryn muttered, settling back down beside him. Part of her wondered if he wanted her there. His hand found hers, drawing her palm to rest against his chest. His heart was fluttered beneath the bandages, despite the calm exterior. "What is it?" She asked, without looking at him this time. The tension between them was thick and awkward.

Saber released a drawn out sigh before speaking. "I was a fool," He told her slowly. His expression was pensive. "I never should have sent you and Merthisan to Balmora."

"At least we agree on that." Eiryn responded. The anger she'd bottled up inside since their last argument made her voiced edged. She also found the sudden temper she felt was because he nearly died…again. Her nerves were raw from all the worry and grief.

"I wouldn't blame you if you decided to leave-" He began but she shot up to glare at him.

"Leave?" She couldn't help now the rise in pitch that stirred Merthisan from his slumber. She tried to force herself into a softer tone. "Me? I'm not the one who runs off first sign of trouble-"
Now it was Saber's turn to stiffen in indignation and sit up. "If you let me finish, and hear me out-"

"How can you even suggest that I'd consider leaving?" She huffed, not even hearing him.

"I'm sorry…" Saber looked duly chastised this time. He rubbed fingers along his forehead as if he had a headache. "I'm not very good at this."

"Good at what? Nearly getting killed, because so far I see you're really good at that." Eiryn asked, moving away from him. She crossed legs, arms soon followed.

The Dunmer sighed again. "Apologizing…I'm not very good at apologizing."

"Maybe you just need practice." She shot back. "Or maybe you shouldn't do things you have to apologize for to begin with!"

He fell silent again, as the face pinched into a frown. Eiryn wanted to rant further, but his stillness bespoke something deeper was running through him. Something had changed. Something had happened in that dark pit of Kogoruhn. She remembered how they found him unconscious in the cage, shackles like an animal. She remembered the horror of seeing him nearly beat a man to death.

Eiryn was still unsettled by what she had witnessed. She knew he must have gone through his own nightmares, and her anger began to wane.

He swallowed hard. "Nekros…" He coughed to clear something in his throat. "He …killed you."

"What?" Now she was confused.

"He killed what I thought was you…" He corrected himself, "And Merthisan. Nekros told me he'd killed Lyra as well."

"How?" How could he make a person look like someone else? Even as she asked, she knew the answer. Magic. Why then even do such a thing, other than torture him? Disgust pinched her belly at the thought.

A tongue flicked out to wet dry lips, and she realized how difficult this was for him. For a time in his prison, he believed they both had died. "Nekros had cast an illusion over a man and a woman. I don't know who they were, but at the time they looked just like you and Merthisan…" His gaze darkened in the memory, and she noticed he grew restless. "He killed them…right in front of me."

"And you thought they were us." She finished. How would she react if Nekros had killed Saber in front of her? The very thought was repugnant.

"It broke me." He admitted. Saber refused to meet her gaze. "I just couldn't…imagine…going on without-" The elf stopped, the frown deepened.

Eiryn wasn't certain what he was trying to tell her. Her anger abated almost immediately. Her hand found his, resting palm down upon a clenched fist. "But its fine, Saber. We're alive. You made it out. Nekros is dead-" The hand drew away quickly.

His eyes met hers in a guarded stare. "No, he's not."

"What?" This time Merthisan was awake, staring oddly at the dark elf in question. "How is that possible?"

The Dunmer shifted uneasily under their combined scrutiny. "We fought. He won." The words were clipped and edged. "For some reason he spared me. I woke hours later with my pack, healing potions, and the Manos blade beside me."

Eiryn sensed there was so much more he wasn't telling them, but felt it prudent not to press the issue…for now. "But you made survived, Saber, despite everything. That should amount for something."

Merthisan nodded, rubbing the sleep from his eyes. "She's right, Saber. You've survived against insurmountable odds. You should be proud."

The Dunmer gave a derisive snort. "Proud? No, I'm not proud. Not the way I behaved before I left, not the way I treated both of you." He swallowed again. "And I'm spoken with the Ashkhan. I'm to face the Third Trial of the Nerevarine. I'm to find the Cave of the Incarnate."

Eiryn and Merthisan exchanged pensive looks, and in the few moments of awkward silence, the young scout knew what was coming next. A smile touched her mouth this time. So he was trying to apologize while asking them to join him on this quest. What's more, Saber wasn't running anywhere this time. "When do we leave?" She asked.

Saber smirked at her eager tone for adventure. "As soon as we're supplies for the journey." He told them.

This was another chapter that had me frustrated with getting the words out. I've been so busy lately, with my son starting kindergarten, and other personal things happening, but the chapter is done. I might have to re-write later. I hope you enjoy anyway. PLEASE give feedback! I feel as though I've lost a bit of the magic with this chapter….