THE FALLEN

The Harbinger

I keep my ears pinned to the ground. It was the only way to hear Aerin's deep breathing. It was erratic for some time, I feared the chains and the cold had finally taken their toll on him. But for the time being, he is safe.

I also keep my eyes closed to avoid their assaulting ones. The Dark Brotherhood still looms over us in the night. The abandoned shack we found is where they keep us, their prisoners. At least we are clothed now. No more nudeness and being chained to the ceiling. I fear for the day we are taken back there.

No. I clench my jaw. I will make sure we escape now. We have never been so close to home but bound and kept so far away. The chains still burn as they dig into my skin, they would be no use with a lot of movement. But I will find a way.

I open my eyes slightly to follow the smallest of the Brotherhood members. He didn't take to the cold too well. It was possibly a disadvantage of being Argonian even in this semi-arid climate, but he was holding up. Yet, he is also wounded. On the way up High Hrothgar, he was nearly taken down by a polar bear. The cuts and bloodloss left him in a bad position. Something I could use to my advantage.

No, I could not rely on the loving bonds the Brotherhood has seemed to form with each other. They were groomed to not care when one of their own died. Their emotions are useless, but if I could somehow make him bleed again, he would have to leave to find a healing potion. The members who are with us were too dimwitted to bring their own in here. With him gone, my odds will increase.

While I muse, I see it. Over the window in the moonlit night, a shadow passes over. I tense. Someone is at the door. And instead of knocking, the door is blown open. I move as much as I can through the pain and reach the other side of the room. I lay my body over Aerin's to protect him while the screams and grunts of frustration ensue. Sword meets flesh in the most gruesome way possible. I just hover over my friend. If they kill me, maybe they won't even see him. When I hear the last Brotherhood member fall, I turn my head.

I have spent many hours dreaming of Vilkas. That he would show up like this with a sword and determination to save me. I know he still is. I can't bear to think of the alternative. Instead, I find the Redguard Brotherhood member. I think the Night Mother called him Nazir. He is panting heavily and searching the pockets of the other members.

"Here. Good thing Astrid made sure they had pockets." He chuckles. He sounds nervous.

"Certainly! Can't do anything without them." The last voice I expect to hear rounds the corner. I find Clavicus Vile in the flesh. Purple and gold robes adorn him. His hair is freshly cut and styled. "There they are! Took forever to find you. Get them out of that, Nazir. It looks like it's wounding them further."

Rough hands trace down my bound arms to find the lock. When it opens, I pull my arms out and move to tear off the assaulting chains. "Clavicus. What are you doing here?"

He laughs, Nazir goes to help Aerin. I keep a close eye on his hands while I listen to Clavicus's explanation. "Here to sweeten the deal, wolf."

"What do you mean?" I keep watching as Nazir carefully pries the chains from my friend.

"I mean, I help you get freed, you give me an extra task to your deal." He leans against the doorframe. The moonlight brightens his hair, making him seem more ethereal. I am beginning to know better.

"No." I say immediately. I need to be freed, but to add another task…

"No deal." Nazir says, "I'm freeing them by my own accord."

Clavicus sneers, "Fine. You got me there. And where is Barbas?!" He looks around his legs.

The small Wolfhound comes bounding in. He looks to all our faces then whines at Clavicus Vile.

"Hm, yes. Alright, come on you two. Let's go to this Jorrvaskr and commune with your people. Evil is afoot."

My home, my temple, my sanctuary is not yet in pieces. Jorrvaskr sits tall and proud as the day I first saw it. When I scrambled up the steps, a little ahead of Aerin, to my regret, I broke through the door to find an empty room. No one was home.

I didn't take the chance to look around yet. No, me and Aerin fell into the feast at the table. No one crowded the halls, but the room was not barren. Glistening meat, vegetables, fruit, even desserts and breads abound. We ate it all to the bone. When I was nearly done stuffing my face with more lamb, I remembered my good manners.

"Nazir, would you like something? Clavicus Vile?"

They both stand near the doors, Nazir with his hands clasped in a respectful manner, and Clavicus Vile is fanning himself with an ornamental fan. "Yes, just give me, hmm maybe a few sweetrolls, a rack of lamb, side of beef, how about a horker or two?" He gives me an exaggerated look of annoyance, "You've eaten damn near everything! Took you long enough!"

Barbas whines at his feet. Aerin is paying them no mind. So, I grab two peaches and make my way up the steps to hand Nazir and Clavicus each their own. "Here, for the trouble. Thank you for saving us."

Clavicus shines his peach, but Nazir just holds it. "I wouldn't say 'thank you' to an assassin. I have quite the story to tell. As for the peach, I'm not too fond of anything…extremely sugary or sweet. Do you have anything else? An apple, perhaps?"

I think he is joking as much as Clavicus but Aerin tosses me a spare apple. I hand mine to Nazir who just hands his peach to Clavicus Vile. He has already eaten the first one to the core.

"Good now that that's over, how about a little talk?" He addresses the three of us.

I pause, "One moment." I've been for too long without this power, I nearly forget how to use it.

Vilkas? Are you there?

Silence.

Vilkas?

A few moments later, I sink to the ground. Hands rest on my head. I look up, expecting it to be Aerin and instead find Clavicus.

"I'm sorry." He whispers.

Tears threaten. He would know. He was following them. "Where is his body?" I have to ask. I need to know before I'm taken by the dark storm inside that will never let up.

Mjoll? Is that really you?

Vilkas. I cry out with the sound of his voice in my head. Then, I give a sharp glare at Clavicus.

He's taken aback, "What? I said I'm sorry. I'm sorry we didn't bring more food."

I stand immediately and shove him as hard as I can. He goes flying to the door, rattling Jorrvaskr to its foundations. Barbas barks and dances around, as if in a fit of laugher. I see Nazir holding back a few chuckles and Aerin is practically squealing behind me.

Vilkas, where are you?

I'm safe. I'm with Brynjolf and the two vampires and Gabriel. We are traversing the eastern side of the Reach. We left Markarth a few days ago. Where are you?

Whiterun. The Night Mother brought me here. But I am safe. I am in Jorvaskrr. Where are Aela and Farkas?

I am not sure. Are you sure you are safe?

Yes. I say, Then I shut of the connection and send word to the others.

Farkas, Aela, are you there?

Loud and clear. Where were you?!

Mjoll… Aela seems to sigh in relief.

I am in Whiterun and I am safe. Where are you two?

Farkas answers, We just ran all the way up to Solitude. Thought you got caught.

The meat-head wanted to charge the Castle. But I told him to wait. I am glad we did. Aela responds.

I am safe, come to Whiterun. I command, then I shut off the connection. I am growing weak. I move back to the banquet table to sit and eat more peaches.

"You two, sit. I need to hear what is happening." I command the other two.

Aerin is next to me, Nazir and the Prince take the opposite side. The candlelight from above illuminates their faces so I can see their expressions clearly. I tear into a sweetroll while pulling over a plate of roasted potatoes. "What happened?" I direct my question to Nazir.

He sighs, "I was wrong. I admit that. I thought the Night Mother was the best for us, but what she has planned…that is not the assassin life I signed up for." His sharp eyes meet mine, "I, for one, prefer quick and efficient kills. When the person isn't looking perhaps, or a full-fledged fight. They die with some sort of honor, some sort of ignorance. What the Night Mother wants is akin to torture.

"She wants to breed the human population in their own designated areas. Then cull the herd from time to time. Mass killings. The people would know when it was coming and how much time they had. They wouldn't be able to move freely about the world. I guess you could say, they will have lost their own free-will. That is not being an assassin. That is being an extended version of the Thalmor, watching people's every move and prodding them in the direction they seek."

He pauses, "The directions are messy, she has oversights. Things she isn't taking into consideration. After the nightmare apocalyptic scenario plays out for a few years I bet it would go crumbling. Not long for me then. She's already culled some of her undesirable members."

I ponder while I eat and swallow before speaking. I am a wolf, but I still have manners. "You are willing to go against her for a simpler life?"

He laughs, his head is tipped back so I can see all of his teeth. "Why yes, I guess you could say that. I feel I almost got too comfortable with Astrid's limited contract streak. Since the Emperor was killed it has been a non-stop adventure." His tone dips near the end.

"Will you be punished if you are found out?" I ask.

He smiles, "Most certainly. And not just a five-hundred coin fee. I'm guessing I would be without a head. But let's not get that far, shall we?"

I nod to that. "What of the other… higher ups? The vampire girl?" I still want to shudder at the thought of a young girl in these ranks. But I have to remember how old she is.

Nazir shrugs, "Babette goes where the wind blows her. She doesn't talk about her early time as a vampire, but I am guessing she got all the ambitious ideas out of her system long ago. She prefers to kill when asked to and play with her dolls on her off time." He seems to sneer but I see the fakery. He has a certain fondness for the girl.

"She is my friend." He says, "I tried to get her to come with me, but she thinks I am a fool."

I give a sharp look, "You think she will tell the Night Mother?"

He laughs, "No, she is smart and likes to keep from rocking the boat. She'll take the secret to her grave if necessary. I should add, you shouldn't be worried about her well-being. If she sees the ship is sinking, she will not hesitate to jump."

I swallow some potatoes. "Good to know. What about you? What is your story?" I ask Clavicus Vile.

He sighs dramatically and flicks his fan at me. "I, I Clavicus Vile, have been following you to the ends of Nirn and back! We have a deal you know. I thought they'd surely kill you in that Castle and I'd lose out on my end of the bargain. I'm glad to know I haven't." He adds. But I don't see a look of softness on his face.

"I couldn't show myself because I couldn't help. Hircine did. And nearly got you killed. So, I hung back for a bit and when I saw this opportunity, I just had to go get this guy over here." He motions to Nazir, "To bust you out."

I smile, "A sufficient answer. Where are the others? Eve and the Night Mother? Cicero?"

He rolls his eyes. "All of them are up in Dragonsreach trying to lure one in. I think when they do, the dragon is going to take them somewhere…" He rubs his forehead.

"I can't remember. I'll have to talk to my siblings." He freezes, his slate gray eyes widen. "A moment, children." Then he disappears.

I sit with my food and the others. We continue to eat. So does Nazir. The silence is companiable. When I raise my eyes again, I jerk in surprise. Behind Nazir is Nocturnal, Clavicus Vile and Sheogorath.

"Heard you were freed." A deep voice grumbles. I stand quickly to look over my shoulder. Molag Bal towers over me, as terrifying as the day I first saw him. He looks even more intimidating than his statues would depict.

"Are you here for Eve?" I ask.

"She has the ring on her." Nocturnal says solemnly. "But we have a chance. You, White Wolf." She directs me. Her eyes I know are hazel but they glow purple. "You need to slay the Night Mother and bring my Nightingale home."

"I will." I say without hesitation, "What do I have to do?"

Nocturnal glances at her brothers before sitting at the table where Clavicus Vile was. "You must follow the Night Mother, take the Daedric Artifacts, and slay her."

"Where is she going?" I ask. I feel Aerin stiffening next to me. He will be fearful while I am gone, but I can't allow him to come with me.

"Sovngarde." The Prince of Darkness replies.

I take a moment to let it sink in. So does Aerin. The land of our Mothers and Fathers. The place every Nord was told of when they were little children. I remember hearing the stories from mother about the great halls with the great feasts. The warriors you commune with. Gods you feast with. The land of endless hunts and revelry. I will finally be able to see it.

"And I will return?"

Nocturnal gives a brief smile, "Yes. For one, you are just entering a portal. And two, you are bound to Hircine. He has claim on your soul for the Hunting Grounds."

This is not the first time I hear this story. Kodlak was adamant that his soul be cleansed for Sovngarde. Maybe I will see him there. "How do I get the Artifacts in? Will they even work there?"

"Truth is no one knows! Not even dear old us." Sheogorath butts into the conversation. "But, all you have to do when you're in there is think of the Artifact you want and poof! It'll be right in your hands!" He holds his hands out for further emphasis.

I put mine under the table to keep them from seeing my shaking. My fear. "Sounds easy enough to do. I have to wait for her to kill the dragon first?"

"Yes." Nocturnal says, "Here, hold out your hands. All the Princes will need to bless you, in a way. It's not an actual blessing. More of a tether to their Artifacts."

I really don't want to show my hands again, but every moment we spend is another the Night Mother gets. I raise them, palm up. Nocturnal lays one hand on both of mine. "I give you my artifact, my Key, to wield in your efforts to enter Sovngarde and make a safe return."

I feel warmth from her hands. It seeps into my palm. For a second, I see her artifact laying in my hand until it fades. She finishes and quick as ever, Sheogorath is in front of me. "Same as I, dearie. I have a malt shake with Eve's name on it." He sees my puzzled look. "And you as well! Malt shakes for two straight from the Dementia Sector!"

"Malt shakes?" Aerin perks up.

"Ah yes! Would you like one?" The Prince of Madness waggles his eyebrows.

"Sure!" Aerin says enthusiastically with that boyish grin on his face.

"Keep your focus." Molag Bal growls.

"I forgot…Ah yes! I give you, White Wolf, the best Artifact this side of Oblivion. The Wabbajack! Be sure to take care of it, love it, feed it, please it, and give the Night Mother a run for her money!" He lays the staff in my hand. It disappears as well. "Maybe turn her into a chicken if you can." He winks.

Molag Bal muscles his way in. He shoves the Prince of Madness to the side. "Here." He lays a black mace in my hands. I'm trembling at the power of it. "Use it wisely. Not many mortals get this opportunity. They're too squeamish." He snaps his teeth.

I jump. Everyone just chuckles. Clavicus Vile is next. "Ah, the Masque. Good for you, I have the mask and the axe. Might as well give you both." He lays the artifacts one by one in my hands before they disappear. I smile at him.

One by one, Daedric Princes appear to give me their Artifacts. I shrink back when I see Melphala and Namira. They don't say much to me, they don't try to goad me. I hold the Ebony Blade and think of Eve. I am guessing this was taken from her in the Castle.

"How are these Artifacts taken if they're not by mortal hands?" I wonder aloud.

"It's because we are giving you our blessing. We have limited power when it comes to this, and we are using all of it to bring these artifacts to you. Don't make us regret it." Meridia tells me. She lays Dawnbreaker in my hands.

"Spellbreaker." A slim, green dragon appears. I nearly lose my lunch with the fright. He gently lays a large shield in my palms. "I give you this to protect yourself against the storm."

He is gone and Sanguine is in his place. "The Rose. Use it wisely." He lays the rose staff in my hands. "Bring it back in one piece too, Gabriel might need it."

The others finish. Only three more Princes to go. I take a deep breath. It is exhausting to be at the ready for so long while all seventeen Princes speak to me.

"Seventeen, huh?" Aerin asks next to me.

"Sixteen. Jyggalag does not have an Artifact." Nocturnal murmurs.

I nearly flip the table with my jump. I only see it for an instant, but this Prince is terrifying. A black cloud of smoke filled with eyes appears in front of me. A book lands in my hands. "For the Night Mother." The cloud seems to laugh before fading once again.

I have to calm my heart rate. I was not expecting that. "Hermaeus Mora can be unpredictable." Nocturnal says. She moves forwards to set a small dagger in my hands. "Mehrunes Dagon cannot be here, so I am ferrying this to you. I give you his razor to aid you in your battle."

That disappears as well. Only one Prince left. When I look up from my palms, I see Hircine towering over me. His antlers are so large they make him look even more massive. I try to keep my breathing calm.

"White Wolf, I am happy you escaped. Use this ring well and use my powers to your advantage." Instead of placing his ring on my palms, he puts it on my pointer finger. When it's slid into place, he is gone.

I curl my fingers so my hand are now in fists. They are done. I have all the Artifacts.

A crash sounds. Not in Jorrvaskr but beyond. I stand with the others in our bewilderment.

"Dragonsreach." Nocturnal states.

I burst through the doors right when he takes flight. The red dragon is soaring through the air with someone on his back and two people in his talons. He's too far away to tell who is which but I have the idea the Night Mother is not in his claws.

"Now." Hircine says behind me, "You must command him now to come back for you."

I shiver. That power. I forgot about it and how destructive it can be. But this is my only chance. I think of the dragon, the red one flying right before my eyes, and send all my thoughts him.

When you have disposed of them, come back for me. I need to be taken where the Night Mother is going. I send all my frustration and anger into that one thought.

The dragon barely turns his head in flight. And that is all the acknowledgement I get.

"Very well, then." Nocturnal whispers, "We wait."

Hours later, we were still sitting around the banquet hall swapping stories. I was telling the Princes of my plights in the Castle and they were telling me their struggles with finding the Night Mother. She has gotten keen to their methods and is able to evade them well. They told me of the moondial in the Castle gardens that is supposed to be the beacon for power. When activated, it will keep them from entering this world.

"Mehrunes Dagon is the only one wishing it would happen, he wants us to suffer as he has." Molag Bal drawls. He leans so far back in his chair I fear it may snap. Almost in return to my thoughts, he gives me a dark grin and tosses an apple in the air. He catches it with his fangs before devouring it whole.

"That idiot? He wants to see the world burn in any way possible. Even if it's ours." Clavicus Vile says from another chair. He sighs, "Do you at least have a bathing room here? Spa?"

"I'm sorry to say we don't." I say back. Aerin is next to me. We had a small argument in our heads over whether he comes with me or not. I firmly told him no. But he is a tougher one than he used to be. He is trying to barge through the doors in my mind to argue further.

I meet Nocturnal's eyes. He will be back soon. She whispers to me.

I clench my fists again. I need the dragon back as soon as possible so I can leave before the others get here. If the rest of the pack know what I'm doing, they would never let me go. I'm at least grateful Aerin cannot talk with them telepathically.

A bang sounds at the door. We all rise. It gets louder, louder, then a roar. I race to the door and yank it open to find the red dragon nearly taking down Jorrvaskr.

"You're here." I say in shock. I thought we would have heard him in the skies.

"That I am, White Wolf. Such bruniik ahkrin. My name is Odahviing. You wish to take flight and join Dovahkiin on her journey?" His intelligent, yellow and gold eyes peer up at me. He is keeping his head bowed as not to startle us.

"Now is where you test your mettle." Sheogorath claps me on the shoulders. "Best of luck to ya! Bring me a piece of the pie if you get one."

"Good luck. Remember, we still have a deal." Clavicus nearly whines from the other side of the room. His dog barks with him.

"Be safe." Nocturnal lays a soft hand on my shoulder. "I need my Nightingale back."

"I will make sure she returns safely." I promise.

I then turn to Aerin. He is standing as if he will fall into a puddle or latch onto the dragon himself. "Please, Mjoll, I can come with you. I can defend myself."

I run to his arms and pull him into a hug. "I will be safe. You need to be here for the others when they arrive."

"Don't go. I don't know what I'd do without you…" If you die. Those words are thoughts I pick up on.

I will be safe. You know me. You know how powerful I am. We might not get another chance like this. I remind him.

I see it through his mind. His pain. How hard it is to pull away from me. I see him wipe a stray tear from his eye. "Just get her good."

I grin. "I will."

Before I mount the dragon, there is one more person who wishes to speak. Molag Bal stands between me and the beast. His arms are crossed, showing all his muscle and scars. "Bring her head back. I want it for a mantle."

"It's not her head." I remind him. Another fire burns inside. That girl didn't ask for another soul to inhabit her body. I intend to lay that body to rest when the Night Mother is gone.

"The offer still stands. It's all the same to me. I saw the evil in her eyes. Bring it to me." He smiles, showing his teeth. I inch around him, fearful he will make a deal. Instead, he grasps my shoulder and puts a sharp talon on my belly. I stop breathing for a moment.

"I gutted many people before. That might be your best option. Use my mace, get her good in the gut and pull as hard as you can." He breathes his nasty scent in my face. I keep my eyes averted from his.

"I will see what I can do." I shake free from his grasp and leap so I'm on the back of the great dragon. Odahviing moves slightly to bear the sudden weight. Although, I am sure he has carried more.

Molag Bal laughs, "We will see. If you die, I might make a deal with Hircine for your soul. Don't disappoint."

I give a last glance to Aerin. Be safe. Tell the others what happened. I'm going to talk to them before I go in. IF anything happens, you give the Harbinger title to Vilkas.

No, Mjoll. If something is happening then I'm coming with you! I see him break free of the crowd.

I kick my heels, the dragon moves slowly but before Aerin can get a good grasp on his tail, he takes flight. I lurch with the instant feeling of my stomach dropping. It was like gravity couldn't get a good hold on me.

"Hold on, Grohiik! The winds will be rough!" Odahviing yells back to me.

I clutch his scales and lean down so I'm as flat as possible. It's very hard to hold on while he tears through the sky. I just have to keep from falling and I'll be home in no time.

Vilkas, Aela, Farkas. I am going to slay the Night Mother. Get to Jorrvaskr and keep safe. I will be back soon.

I send that thought to them but don't open the channel for a response. I will lose my nerve if I do. Odahviing swoops through the sky and dives quickly. I yelp but keep my hands on him in a death grip.

"Where are we going?" I yell over the wind.

"Eastmarch, young wolf. Grohiik. To Skuldafn temple where Alduin has opened a portal to Sovngarde." Odahviing replies.

This is a strange place for Alduin to create a portal. He was near the boundary of the province in the Velothi Mountains. It would be easy to go over into Morrowind if he wished. Although, pondering on it more, it might be the best place. We would be searching for him in central Skyrim. The north was taken by the Night Mother. The southern border is plagued with bandits, travelers, and Imperials. The woods make for little cover for a portal.

The Reach was hard to inhabit as well, Forsworn are not friendly to outsiders, even dragons. I guess Skuldafn temple is as good a place as any. It would take days to traverse those mountains by foot as there were very little roads to take a carriage on. "Was it just the Night Mother you took?"

The dragon hears me, "No, a strange jester and another vampire were with her. She commanded I take them."

Eve and Cicero are with her. This is good to know but also a problem. I have to slay the Night Mother after she kills Alduin. But I have to get to her before she does anything to Eve.

"Get me there as quickly as you can." I say, then I turn my cheek to keep my head down and away from the biting wind.

"Trust me, White Wolf, I am going as fast as I can. When I see the temple, I can dive if you wish. Although, it would feel very hevno. Brutal, for you." He seems to laugh.

"Do as you must. I need her dead before she causes more damage." I say.

The great dragon laughs again and as if to show me his might, he does a barrel roll before soaring closer to the ground.

"Velothi Mountains. If you wish, I can take you to Morrowind and away from here." He laughs.

"No. Dive." I say. And when he does, I wish I held my tongue. My stomach and heart are in my throat and I doubt they will leave anytime soon. The temple comes soaring up to me, almost as if we will crash into it. I close my eyes before we hit.

Cicero's Journal Entry

12th of Last Seed, 4E 202

Cicero did something today he thought he would never do! Ever! He flew on one of the mightiest of all creatures! A dragon, great and beaming in the sky! Mother was at the helm, of course, so Cicero and Listener were left to be held in his talons. Not a completely…comfortable ride. But a ride, nonetheless!

What great heights we soared to! I think Mother enjoyed it as well. Ah, she got to see what it was like to fly before decimating the dragons for good. Too bad we all can't have a pair of wings…