Chapter 5:

Irideth splashed water from the stream onto her face, sighing in relief as the cool liquid slid over her face and down the back of her neck.

It had been five days since she had escaped the wraiths, and she still jumped every time she heard leaves or branches crackling among the trees.

She hoped to meet up with the pack soon; in case she was still being followed, she did her best to make her track as hard to follow as possible. She knew how the wolves tracked their prey and did her best to think like a clever rabbit.

No matter how much she might hate that particular comparison at the moment.

With a pang Irideth remembered her family, the village. Were they all alright? Had the Nazgul returned to the village seeking her? Would they harm her family, as Murazor had Celephinnel?

Irideth shook her head, violently slapping her hands down in the water. It would do no good to think like this; she couldn't go back to the village and risk putting everyone in danger. It was only a chance that the wraiths had gone back there. They might still be tracking her, for all she knew.

Sighing heavily, Irideth stood. She had to try to find some food; she hadn't eaten since early yesterday evening, and it was already almost noon. She should be able to find some edible roots this close to the stream, and she'd seen what she believed to be a blueberry bush a little further up the stream. It was going to be a long day of traveling; she would need to eat as much as she could find.


Murazor managed to keep from wincing as his master withdrew from his mind; no matter how quick and efficient Sauron was when searching the minds of his servants, there was always some degree of pain for those on the receiving end.

"Rise, my friend."

Murazor did as bidden, rising from his kneeling position as his master turned away from him and began to pace back and forth across the floor in front of his throne.

"You did well in returning to me when you did. We need to bring this girl here as soon as possible," Sauron said, turning to face him. "Have you any idea where the other seven are?"

"Unfortunately no, my lord," Murazor answered. "I ordered them to keep tracking the girl and to attempt to capture her if an opportunity presented itself."

"Hmm," Sauron hummed noncommittally as he began to pace again. Silence reigned for several minutes, the only sound the clicking of boots against the polished floor.

"How long has it been since I left this fortress, Murazor?"

The suddenness of the question, and the oddity of it, floored Murazor for several seconds. "My lord?"

Sauron was gazing up at the chandelier that hung from the ceiling, the light of the candles suspended from it tinted red by covers of glass. He was smiling slightly, Murazor noticed; a rare sight these days.

"Yes… it has been too long since I myself took part in any of the affairs of my servants. I can, after all, sense the others' rings much more strongly than even you, my Black Captain. I shall accompany you on your hunt for the girl."

Murazor didn't know whether he wanted to leap for joy or go sprinting out of the room to tell Khamul to ride ahead and warn the others; their master's moods could be rather unpredictable of late, what with all the time he spent in the Eye.

Nothing to be done about it now; hopefully some time away from Barad-Dur would be enough to steady Sauron's moods, bring back a bit of the Maia Murazor had come to know all those years ago.


Irianna sprinted through the streets of Riften, tail streaming behind her as she clutched her hard-won piece of bread to her chest.

Why did the jewel-smith even care that she took an old crust of bread? He was certainly rich enough to provide for himself; a starving khajit cub taking this day-old thing should barely matter to him.

"Stop, in the name of the Jarl!"

Cursing rather inventively for an twelve-year old, Irianna ducked behind a barrel, tucking her tail around her bare feet precious seconds before the guards that were chasing her ran into the alley.

"Where'd the little gutter-rat go?"

"Damn khajit. Even the little ones are no good thieves," the other one spat.

Behind her barrel, Irianna bristled. It's not like I had a choice! It's either steal or starve for me, stupid Nords who won't employ a milk-drinker kitty, they said!

Then her heart skipped a beat when she heard the guards start down the alley. Screwing her eyes shut, she tried to push herself closer to the wall, but her fur was a rather distinct shade of copper; there was no way the guards were going to miss her.

Which was why she was so surprised when she heard them walk right past her.

I'm dreaming. I have to be. I'm going to open my eyes and they're going to be standing right over me, she thought.

When she did open her eyes, someone was standing over her, but it wasn't the guards.

It was a large golden dragon. A transparent golden dragon; she could see the wall behind him.

Irianna blinked. "I didn't summon you," she blurted; she was rubbish at Conjuration, it had always been her worst school of magic. The Thalmor would worship Talos on their knees before she conjured anything as magnificent as this creature.

The dragon… it was definitely a dragon… chuckled. "No, you did not, my mon. I have come here to speak to you about your sister."

Now Irianna was really confused. "I don't have any siblings; Mama always said I was her most precious because of that."

"Not by your mother, you have no siblings, but by your father… you have a blood sister, Irianna."

The little khajit's brow furrowed. "Does she have black hair and green eyes? And looks kind of like an Imperial right out of Cyrodiil?"

The dragon chuckled. "Yes, my child. Black hair, green eyes, brave, somewhat reckless… rather like yourself."

Irianna's jaw dropped. "The girl from my dreams! I've been dreaming about her all my life! I have a sister? She's my sister?" she exclaimed, leaping to her feet.

The dragon laughed again. "Yes, my mon, yes, but she is lost! You must find her and bring her back home."

"Where is she?"

"Far from here. She was taken far away, to keep her safe from the same threat that killed your mother."

Irianna ducked her head at that. "She… she lost her mama too, then?"

"Yes, my dear one," the dragon said softly. "But you must find her now, child, so that she… so you may both… meet your destiny."

Irianna wrinkled her nose like she'd just smelled something foul. "Destiny? What destiny? I don't know if I want a destiny."

The dragon laughed, loudly this time, and Irianna had to cover her ears. "It will find you whether you want it to or not, little one! For now, seek out the College of Winterhold. They will be able to guide you further. Farewell, my mon."

Irianna realized with a start the dragon was beginning to become even more transparent.

"Farewell," the dragon said again, voice fading just as his body was. "Bring your sister home, Irianna."

The little cub opened her mouth to ask him how in Oblivion he knew her name, but the dragon was already gone. Irianna was left staring dumbly at the wall.

"Well, that's just wonderful. How am I supposed to get to Winterhold? I don't have money to pay for a carriage!" Irianna griped. "I could walk, though getting provisions for the way might be difficult…,"

"You there! Halt!"

"… Guess I could run there, too."


Irideth sighed quietly, burying her face in Mithlas's belly as she lay in the relative warmth of the den. She had been living with the pack for close to three weeks, and it was wonderful being with her surrogate family but… it just wasn't the same. She missed cooking with Mother in the evenings, helping Adina with her letters, riding with Master Geirwulf, she missed Papa. She even missed Derda's backhanded compliments.

She wouldn't let herself think about Cevin; she'd tried once and had cried for hours until her gut ached and her throat felt like it was on fire.

She wanted to go home, but that just wasn't an option; she didn't dare give the Nazgul any reason to return to her village, to hurt anyone else she cared about.

That brought up another memory that left a sour taste in Irideth's mouth. Carantar and the others agreed it was very unfortunate Irideth had discovered her magic in front of a Ringwraith; they would undoubtedly report it to their master, along with any other oddities they may have noticed about her.

Irideth believed she'd never be able to live in civilized society again; she'd be hunted for the rest of her life.

"I don't want to disappear," Irideth muttered out loud, feeling tears threaten again.

"Hush, little one," Mithlas said, licking Irideth's cheek. "Carantar and the others will be back from the hunt soon; you may speak further of your plan then."

Irideth screwed her eyes shut, but nodded. Suddenly she felt Mithlas tense and sat up.

"What is it?" Irideth whispered, reflexively curling in on herself while Mithlas pricked her ears, staring out past the rock that hid the entrance to the den mostly from view on the outside.

"I do not know; the scent is very strange. Get behind me, little one," Mithlas growled quietly. Irideth did as she was told while Mithlas stood, beginning to creep forward toward the den's entrance.

She'd barely poked her nose out when she was suddenly yanked outside so quickly Irideth didn't even see what had happened.

Irideth bit her hand to keep from screaming when she heard Mithlas's pained howls, mingled with the snarls of what sounded like… another wolf?

This went on for several minutes, Irideth covering her ears and burying her face in her knees to block out the sound. After what had happened with Celephinnel, she didn't dare leave the den.

After a time, Irideth realized that it was quiet outside. Dead silent; not even the wind was blowing.

Gulping, Irideth crept forward on hands and knees, keeping to the shadows as she peered out of the den.

She barely bit back a cry at the sight of Mithlas, badly injured and bleeding what seemed like rivers, lying on the ground beneath the largest wolf Irideth had ever seen; it looked to be the size of a small horse, with fur that gleamed like molten rock in the sun.

Mithlas whimpered, and the other wolf leaned down and fastened its jaws over her throat.

Irideth didn't even think. With an angry shout, she leaped from the den and threw herself at the other wolf, surprising it enough to knock it away from Mithlas. Irideth crouched protectively over the she-wolf, glaring fiercely at the other creature and growling low in her throat.

Then he raised his head and met her eyes and Irideth was frozen where she was.

The wolf's eyes were the color of lit embers, glowing like fire.

The creature seemed… if Irideth wasn't mistaken, he was smiling at her, a grin that was all bloody lips and sharp teeth.

"Who are you? Why have you attacked my mother?" Irideth growled.

The wolf, instead of responding, leaped forward so fast Irideth couldn't track him. She cried out in pain as she was knocked away from Mithlas and thrown to the ground. She screamed as the creature's jaws fastened around her throat, screwing her eyes shut as she waited for him to snap her neck.

Only… the killing blow never came.

Irideth after a few moments dared to open her eyes just as the wolf released her throat. She stared up into those eyes, terrified green meeting smoldering amber. When she tried to get up, though, the wolf's head snapped forward and his jaws fastened around her throat again. Irideth flinched, but the hold remained gentle… a warning. Don't move.

Shakily, Irideth relaxed and lay back down. The wolf released her, but remained standing above her. Irideth's gaze drifted back toward Mithlas, and she froze.

Stepping out of the shadows of the trees were the Nazgul, all nine of them, Murazor and Khamul in the lead.

A trap.

But then, how did this wolf…?

Irideth could feel the blood drain from her face as she met her four-legged captor's gaze again.

He seemed to smirk back at her.

Irideth let her head drop back to the ground, breathing becoming rapid with terror as a loud ringing sound began to reverberate in her ears.

The wolf brought his face close to hers and exhaled softly.

Irideth's world went black.


Murazor thought it a mercy when his master used a spell to knock the girl unconscious; she had plainly been terrified out of her mind and likely would have passed out before too long.

Murazor and the rest of the wraiths came to a stop when a wave of power swept through the clearing, and then where the wolf had stood now stood the familiar form of their master, red-gold hair flowing just past his shoulders, black and crimson robes stirring slightly in a faint breeze as he reached down and scooped the girl up. Sauron cradled her close to his chest as he stared down at her face, troubled even in sleep.

"You were right, Murazor," Sauron spoke softly after a few moments. "I cannot sense her fea; not at all."

A quiet grunt drew all gazes to the bloodied female wolf lying on the ground. She was snarling, glaring at Sauron with a fury unrivaled by anything Murazor had ever seen as she attempted to push herself to her feet.

Sauron was kneeling by her side in an instant, one arm holding the child while the other gently pushed the wolf back down. "Hush, beautiful one, it's all right. I have not harmed her, she is merely sleeping, see?"

The she-wolf snapped weakly at Sauron's hand as she fell, but could do little more. No doubt sensing the wraith's odd looks, Sauron allowed his attention to be drawn to his servants for a few moments.

"She sees the child as her own pup," he explained before returning his attention to calming the injured wolf.

"Hush, now. I will not harm your pup, dear one," Sauron murmured, running his hand through the wolf's bloodied fur.

The wolf gave a quiet whine, but Sauron hushed her again and sent her off to sleep with a murmured word. He stood then, returning his attention to the child, resting his hand on her forehead. The girl flinched slightly, then relaxed, and Murazor realized his master was sending her into a deeper sleep. Then Sauron's gaze was leveled at him.

"Murazor, you and Khamul fly her back to the fortress and make it clear that none of the orcs are to touch her. Place her in one of the tower cells; try to make her comfortable and leave her some food and water. Bring her to me when she wakes."