Ravonas sighed gently as Sophie slept in his arms. Neither he, nor Serana and Lydia were unfamiliar with the cold. Sophie wasn't either, having spent most nights braving the harsh cold of Windhelm alone and selling flowers just to get a decent meal before she met Ravonas. But that wasn't something the Dunmer wanted her to do anymore. When they and their new friends, and Wesley, had arrived in the City of Chains, they found passage into the city blocked. They hadn't been the only ones with plans to flee to Kirkwall. And the town guard weren't prepared for the sudden influx of refugees, who would be? And things hadn't been much easier as Aveline had to force Wesley not to turn in Ravonas by playing to his weakness for children and make a plea not to separate Sophie from her father, making sure the Templars weren't called immediately to the harbor. His appearance made a few people uneasy, but Ravonas ignored the suspicious eyes and whispers and kept his daughter close. Now Ravonas needed to come up with a way to procure enough coin to get them into the city. Celeste and her family had managed to garner passage in thanks to a relative, even though they weren't staying where they'd thought. And Aveline and Wesley were gaining jobs in the guard and Templars, respectively.

Ravonas looked up at the city proper and handed Sophie to Serana. "I know that look in your eye," she said. "What are you planning?"

"It is time the Thieves Guild make its first mark here in Kirkwall," said Ravonas. He kissed the Nord woman before slipping on the Nightingale Armor fitted for himself and moving to the rooftops out of sight of the guard. He spotted the inner city higher up on the mountain they were on and nodded. "Bo." Ravonas jumped towards the city, the shout he just spoke taking him higher into the sky than he'd ever been. Not thinking about how to navigate, Ravonas panicked as he tried to think of a way to stop himself from splattering on the ground. "Blast it… Feim!" His body became ethereal for a brief moment just before landing, and he rolled to his feet before breathing heavily. "Not one of my better ideas…" The Master Thief dusted off the armor and looked around before ducking into an alley as he heard footsteps coming down an alley. He crouched low and kept himself in the shadows of the moon and the torches. He picked out a lavish manor and made his way towards it and managed to hop over the fence. He heard dogs bark as they caught an unfamiliar scent and growled softly. "Kaan, Drem, Ov!" The barking stopped and he grinned before heading to the manor, petting the dogs as he made his way in through a window.

"Laas, Yah, Nir." He made note of the auras in the manor and noted a few that seemed to be prone and some that were on patrol. He nodded before heading down a hall. He checked in a few rooms as he mentally mapped out the manor and found a large ornate door. He peered inside and grinned as he spotted sorted bronze, silver, and gold coins. "Nobles. So predictable." Ravonas checked the patrols and nodded before he stole away inside and stashed away several of the coins. He had Septims, sure, but was sure he'd need to melt them down and rebrand them into the currency of this world, Sovereigns from what Celeste had told him. He held up one of the gold coins and pocketed it before heading back to the exit. He spotted the two dogs waiting by the window, tails wagging and panting as they watched him. He chuckled and pet them once more before he hopped back over the fence after making his way back across the lawn. Ravonas moved back to the alleyway and stashed half of his bounty away in an old sack before marking the area with a Shadow Mark down below the eyeline of normal people and placed it in an old alcove out of sight before finding a way into the sewers to make his way back to the harbor.

Serana looked up an hour later as she spotted Ravonas return in his normal leather armor. "So. Has the Guild left its mark," she asked.

"It has. And a Nightingale has made off with some shiny coin from a rich nobleman."

"Then we should be fine. How much did you take?"

"Enough for us and the Hawke's. And more stashed away under the Mark for emergencies."

"That's cautious of you."

"As we've seen in the last week, anything can happen. Better to be safe than sorry." Serana nodded.

"We should purchase a room in an inn to sleep in then. Then we can find a new home."

"Agreed. Lydia?"

"There's no better option, my Thane. Let's get those guards their bribe." Ravonas chuckled slightly before heading to the guards as Lydia carried the bags and Serana carried Sophie.

"Back again, elf," asked one of the guards. "I don't care what you say. There are a dozen different sob stories all like yours here. And don't think I didn't notice your abnormalities. You're lucky I don't call the Templars on you, Abomination."

"I was born this way, you fool," said Ravonas. "And I have a passport for myself and my family." Ravonas jangled a small pouch of coins slightly so no one but the guard could hear or see. "See? Five passports, no?" The guard glanced at the bag and took it before opening it and seeing the gold inside.

"Yeah… five passports. Don't know how you got your 'passports', but I don't want to know, do I? Go on through. And keep out of trouble, Abomination."

"I am Dunmer. A Dark Elf. Do not call me otherwise."

"Still a bloody elf…" Ravonas glared at the man before heading into the city with his family.

"Seems certain things are the same no matter where you go," said Lydia.

"No offense," said Ravonas. "But personally, I feel you humans are just too arrogant for your own good."

"Excuse me, but whose ancestors tried becoming gods on a whim?" Ravonas grunted at the jab at the Tribunal. Yes, he prayed to the Nine, but at his core, he still worshiped the Tribunal as well. To him, the Daedra and Aedra were not too different. All were gods deserving of respect, and fear.

"Not fun when someone does that to you, is it," asked Serana.

"No it is not." Ravonas looked up at a tavern with an interesting sign of a man being hanged by his feet. "The Hanged Man?"

"Well that's a lovely name," quipped Lydia. "But it seems this may be the only place open. Perhaps we can find information on an inn if nothing else. Besides, a tavern will have food, and I'm hungry."

"We have food," said Serana.

"We have fruit. I need meat. We lost what meat we had on the trip here."

"We best do as she says, My Heart," said Ravonas. "It is not wise to keep a beast unfed." Lydia punched her Thane and friend as he chuckled and led them inside. As they entered, the familiar din of drunks and bastards filled their ears, rousing Sophie from her sleep.

"What's going on," she murmured as she rubbed her eyes.

"We're finding something to eat," said Ravonas. "And then we'll find you a bed to sleep in."

"Ok…" Sophie yawned slightly as Serana set her in a chair and Ravonas ordered food and some water from the bartender. He looked at the man.

"Along with the food, do you know of any place we can stay? An inn?"

"I've got a few rooms here I rent out," said the bartender. "Most expensive one is occupied, but I've got three more. 'Fraid they won't fit all four of you."

"Do you have two available?"

"Yeah. You sure you want to stay here?" They turned to a pair of fighting drunks as they crashed into a table by the bar. "It's not exactly a good environment for children." Ravonas chuckled and gestured to Sophie as she ignored the fight and spoke with Lydia.

"She's seen worse, my friend. No need to worry about her. My daughter is tougher than most children." Ravonas carried the food to their table and placed some fruit in front of Sophie who smiled and started eating. Ravonas looked at Lydia. "There. You have your meat. No more whining." Lydia scoffed before tearing into the piece of mutton before her.

"Don't talk to me while I'm eating, my Thane." Serana and Ravonas chuckled before the latter frowned.

"Something troubling you," asked Serana.

"Who could've sent us here? Off the top of my head, I can think of the three most obvious choices."

"If I had to guess, you're thinking of Vaermina, Hermaeus Mora, and Sheogorath?"

"Yes. Bethany mentioned the Fade, a place of dreams. Vaermina's domain. But this Fade does not seem related to Quagmire. None of the demons that were mentioned resembled any of the Daedra of that Realm of Oblivion. And I doubt she would know of other worlds potentially linked to her Realm. I doubt she would care. Sheogorath, in his madness, more than likely has knowledge of other worlds."

"He also would send you away just for kicks," said Lydia. "He's not the 'Mad God' for nothing."

"But he would also keep us in Skyrim for the chaos we might cause," said Serana.

"Then that leaves Hermaeus Mora."

"The Lord of Forbidden Knowledge," said Ravonas. "And one who would be angered at being denied a new Champion. I doubt anyone has ever ignored him before."

"So we have you to blame for this."

"You say that as if there was something else to blame."

"Random act of fate?"

"Since when has that ever happened to us before?"

"The Dragonborn showing up in Skyrim the same day the dragons return to the world."

"I mean other than that."

"Being in the right time and place to save the Emperor, his cousin, and whoever else was targeted by the Dark Brotherhood?"

"Stumbling upon my coffin by accident," said Serana with a smile.

"I can see when I'm beaten," said Ravonas with a shrug. "But if this truly is Fate acting again, why bring us here?"

"Perhaps it has something to do with Hawke."

"Celeste? Why?"

"Well, we did arrive as her family was fleeing the Blight. And she is skilled."

"And she seems prone to attracting danger like you," said Lydia.

"She's fun," said Sophie with a smile. Ravonas smiled and messed with her hair.

"I think so too," said Ravonas. "And if she as prone to danger as I am, we'll need to help her."

"For how long though," asked Lydia. "What does she have to face?"

"I don't know. But whatever it is, I'll help her however I can."

"We'll all help her," said Sophie with a grin. Ravonas smiled before finishing his food.

"Are you done, little one?"

"All done!"

"Then let's get our keys and get to bed."

"I'll have a room to myself, my Thane," said Lydia. "You three can share a bed together."

"Of course," said Serana as she picked up Sophie.

(One Week Later)

Ravonas made his way to the shack that the Hawke's had taken residence in. He knocked on it as he held Sophie's hand. He watched as a sightly old man opened the door. "What the hell do you want," exclaimed the man. He spotted Ravonas' features and glared. "Bloody elf… The alienage is not on this fucking block you bloody Knife-Ear!"

"Don't call my Papa that," exclaimed Sophie as she glared at the man.

"Gamlen," said Leandra behind the man. "Stop it. This man is a friend. He helped me and the children get here."

"Hi, Leandra!"

"Hello, Sophie. It's good to see you all got out of the harbor."

"Nothing is impossible for Papa!" Ravonas chuckled and looked at Leandra.

"Hello, Leandra," he said. "So…" He looked up at the shack's roof. "This is your family home?"

"No," said Leandra. "Someone gambled it away." Gamlen grumbled before heading further inside the shack. "How can I help you?"

"We're looking for Celeste," said Sophie.

"Sophie wanted to gift her with a special herb from our home," said Leandra. "She always considers it lucky."

"I see," said Leandra. "Celeste went to do some work with those mercenaries she took up with to help us get into the city. I think they were meeting up in Darktown." Ravonas grunted softly before looking at the woman.

"Thank you, Leandra," he said.

"Think nothing of it, Ravonas." The Dunmer bowed before he picked up Sophie and they headed to the shadier part of town.

"You brought your dagger, yes?"

"Hidden in my sleeve, Papa," said Sophie.

"Good. From what I've heard, this part of Kirkwall is more like Riften than Solitude or Whiterun. The more dangerous people are down there, and the darker dealings are there as well. What do we do in places like this?"

"Stick to the shadows. Stay out of sight. Do not engage unless forced to defend myself."

"And if you have to engage people, what do you do?"

"Strike fast, strike first, do not stick around."

"And most importantly, do not draw out the fight. I know your every instinct tells you to as a Nord. But I have seen the armors of most of these people. They were plate and heavy armor, and the rogues here seem to wear chainmail and hardened leather. You are smaller. Your strikes would not do a lot of damage. For now, you must be quick, be smart, and be a shadow. When you grow older, you may end up changing how you fight as your body changes. More muscle, more height. You may not want to stick to my usual fighting style."

"Ok. Can you teach me the Thu'um as well?"

"It may not come easily to you, Little One. Unless you were born Dovahkin, it takes years just to learn even the most basic Shouts. I will teach you when you are older when your body is more capable of handling the immense power of the Thu'um."

"Ok…"

"Do not sound dejected. The Thu'um is dangerous and cannot be learned without caution. You have seen how dangerous I can be. That danger also applies to me as well. I cannot use the Thu'um indoors unless it is the Aura Whisper or the Throw Voice."

"I thought you learned how to use Silent Casting."

"I did. But even then, the power behind the Thu'um reverbs to me and can damage me. And I also tend to forget about silent casting. I only just learned it not that long before me and Serana set out for Solstheim. And when I forget, I need to use Restoration Magic on my ears."

"Papa?"

"Yes, Little One?"

"Will I be able to use magic?"

"I can teach you if you wish. But we may need to practice in secret. You saw how Ser Wesley reacted to the Thu'um and to the scrolls as well as me and Serana using our magic. According to Bethany, this city hates Mages more than any other in lands outside of the nation known as the Tevinter Imperium. I do not know if the abilities that Aveline described can work against us, but it would be better to be cautious. We must make friends here, not enemies."

"And if we have no choice?"

"Then we show them why you do not make enemies of a child of Skyrim or of the Dovahkin." Ravonas grinned and Sophie matched it before they came to the shadier part of Kirkwall. "Do not make eye contact down here, Sophie."

"Ok, Papa." Sophie kept her eyes on the ground as her father guided them through the underbelly of Kirkwall. "Papa? Why does this place feel… strange?"

"Vile intentions carry weight. And the areas where thieves and thugs congregate tend to house the most of them. It is why you were never to enter the Ratway in Riften when we visited the town."

"Where your Guild stayed, right?"

"Yes, Little One. My Guild stayed there. The Thieves Guild operates in places of secrecy and where the authorities never venture. The Ratway in Riften, the Waterfront of the Imperial Capital. We must keep to traditions. Never take lavish homes of our own. At least, from what I've seen. We keep humble homes and lives to not draw attention to ourselves."

"But Papa, you own houses in all of the holds."

"But we only stayed in Whiterun. Enough room for the four of us."

"Five if Mama ever wanted a daughter!" Ravonas chuckled.

"Do you think Serana will ever accept?"

"I hope so!" Ravonas smiled before he spotted a group of mercenaries finishing up their kill of a rival group and Celeste standing off to the side, applying a poultice to her wounds.

"Celeste!" The rogue looked up and spotted her new friend and his daughter walking over to her.

"Ravonas," she said in surprise. "You made it into the city."

"I have my ways." He walked over to her. He looked at the mercenaries as they looted the bodies and frowned. "They should have at least some respect for the dead, not just paw at random."

"I've learned they can be… abrasive, in the last few days I've worked with them."

"Well, worry not. I came with some help. I know they gave you coin to get into the city, but now you owe them a debt." He handed her a bag of coins and nodded. "Consider this me helping a friend. Your debt to them can be paid back immediately."

"Ravonas, how did you get this?"

"I have my ways."

"Papa's a Guildmaster for a reason," exclaimed Sophie in a hushed shout. She grinned at the older woman who looked at her father in confusion.

"A story for quieter areas, Hawke. For now, my family has taken up residence in the Hanged Man tavern until such time as I can afford a home for us. But I will keep my ears open for you to find a way to reclaim your family home."

"Ravonas, you've already done so much for us, I don't know how I'll ever repay you."

"I could use someone to watch over the Little One while I am busy." Celeste chuckled.

"I should've known you would ask me to babysit."

"I am not a baby," pouted Sophie. Hawke chuckled and messed with her hair.

"I was mistaken, Serrah Sophie." Ravonas looked at the people around them as the mercenary company left and noted how many sick people there were.

"This is troubling," he said. "That there are so many people suffering."

"From what I've heard, Darktown is filled with the forgotten and the unlucky. Everyone here is down on their luck and impoverished."

"I should see if I could do anything about this. I know a few alchemical formulas that can help with fevers and the vomiting. My homeland is filled with poisonous and venomous plants and animals as well as no shortage of dangerous diseases. I would be remiss if I didn't learn to treat them. Especially with my position as Archmage in question."

"You were part of a Circle?"

"A college. We do not have Circles on Nirn. The College of Winterhold is where I refined my magic to full mastery. We had no shortage of tomes, scrolls, and younger members eager to learn. Magic is not feared on Nirn."

"Your magic doesn't run the risk of being possessed by demons."

"Maybe not, but that doesn't mean you should fear magic altogether. More knowledge of magic and how to properly contact spirits, not command them, should bring a better piece of mind to the normal people. But as I say this, I realize it is asking too much for the ambitious and cunning. If they see a means of grabbing power, they'll take it. My ancestors are a clear reminder of that, and I am one such example." He gestured to his ashen skin and sighed. "But while magic is a trouble for later, the sick can be helped now. I just need a proper workshop and home to start working with the ingredients we have and grow more."

"And how do you plan on doing that?"

"Papa is a Master Alchemist," said Sophie. "He made me a potion when I got sick."

"One does not become Archmage without extensive knowledge of all kinds," said Ravonas. "And as for getting a home, I can procure enough coin to afford one. It's best you do not ask how. Some things are better left unknown."

"It's something shady, huh," asked Celeste.

"Best left unknown, Hawke. We must be going. Promise me one thing, when one of our families gets a permanent home, we invite the other over for dinner, yes?"

"It's a deal, Indulis."

"Oh," exclaimed Sophie before she reached into her father's pack and pulled out a small potted plant that emitted a soft chime to Celeste's ears. "This is Nirnroot. It's good luck!" Celeste looked at Ravonas.

"She wants you to keep it. And I agreed to it. I have plenty. Until we meet again, Hawke."

"Of course, Indulis," said Celeste with a smile. The two shook hands and parted ways. Ravonas picked up Sophie and they made their way back through Darktown before he stopped.

"Papa," asked Sophie. Ravonas hummed as he looked at an alcove.

"Nothing to worry about, Little One," he said. "Just lost in thought." He eyed the shadows where he felt eyes watching him and kept walking to Lowtown and to the Hanged Man as a man was punched out of the door and Lydia dusted off her hands in the doorway. "Are they keeping their hands to themselves?"

"What do you think," asked the Nordic Housecarl. "Welcome back, my Thane. Someone was looking for you."

"Already? I thought someone would've taken longer to summon the Templars on the 'Abomination' as Wesley likes calling me."

"It is Wesley, actually. And Aveline. They are speaking with Serana right now."

"This should prove interesting." Ravonas set Sophie down and she ran to the table.

"Miss Aveline," she called as she saw the warrior woman.

"Hello, Sophie," said Aveline as she hugged the child.

"Back already," asked Serana as she turned to Ravonas as he sat beside her.

"Finding Hawke wasn't that hard," said the Dunmer. "She makes quite a mess in a fight."

"I think most people do, Indulis," said Aveline.

"Not if they are professional about it." Ravonas gestured to the barkeep who nodded and started filling some flagons with mead. "So why the visit. I can't imagine it's purely to check on us."

"It's half that and half asking you for something else."

"And that would be?"

"I'm joining the city guard. Wesley has been accepted into the local Templar ranks. I know your family must not have a place to stay, I was hoping you would join me in the guard to earn coin to help your family. The thought of young Sophie living on the streets or, Maker forbid, in a hovel such as this, doesn't sit right with me."

"And Ser Wesley's opinion on the 'Abomination' joining the guard?" Wesley glared at him slightly but softened his gaze as he looked at Sophie's curious face.

"I still do not trust a thing that witch said about other worlds. But I cannot deny you and the Hawke's saved myself and Aveline. You did not need to do that, even when I started to become hostile."

"A good man helps those around him. And you saw my magic, and my features. From what Bethany and Leandra told us, you had every right to suspect me. But you must admit, I do not have the same magic as your Mages. Even if I was a Blood Mage, you know Blood Magic can still be nullified by your Order's unique training, while mine cannot. Something I'm sure you noted from your frustrating failure of nullifying my magic on the ship ride here." Wesley stared at him in surprise.

"You're not exactly the most subtle when acting," said Serana. "I noticed you panting as Ravonas started a fire using his magic to keep Sophie warm while we sailed." Wesley glared at the pale woman and growled softly.

"That aside," said the Templar. "It is not me who would take a major objection to Ravonas joining the guard. It would be the rest of my Order, particularly my Knight-Commander. Meredith. Out of everyone in the Order all across Thedas, she probably hates Mages the most. It's why she came here to Kirkwall. There was talk of more people practicing Blood Magic here."

"So we now know who to avoid," said Serana. "But we already had a plan in place. And we will be fine staying here until we get that plan underway. We can trade in our Septims, the currency of our world, for this world's Sovereigns now that we're in the city. It'll help in the long run."

"How did you even get into the city," asked Aveline.

"People tend to drop a single coin when digging into their purses without noticing. You just need to know where to look," said Ravonas.

"Hmm…"

"Something wrong, Aveline?"

"There was talk of a break in at a noble's home a week ago. Apparently they made off with several handfuls of Sovereigns. One of their personal guards claimed they heard something, but the dogs would've attacked any intruders. Would you happen to know anything about that?"

"I'm afraid not. I was only able to procure enough coin to bribe the guards to let us through and rent our first night in this tavern. That was the only way us and the Hawke's got past, procuring the coin however we could. You two were able to get past because of your connections. We had to scrape by, since then I've been doing errands to earn coin to stay here until I start a proper job." Aveline looked at the table, a slight look of guilt gracing her features.

"Our 'connections' barely got us in ourselves," said Wesley. "I had to explain my actions for abandoning the Order during the Blight. Especially when news reached us that the Ferelden Circle had come under siege by one of their own who became a Maleficar. Aveline and I are married. After the defeat at Ostagar I went and retrieved her from Lothering to flee. They saw that as me abandoning my post. I have to do everything in my power just to make sure we can stay in Kirkwall. And I have already told Aveline about my aversions to you joining the guard. I don't care what you say, your magic makes you dangerous."

"As does your sword," said Serana. "Or a spear. Or his fists. Magic is just another tool or weapon. How one uses it is their choice. Having an understanding of magic can make a major difference, especially since everyone on our world can learn magic if they set their minds to it."

"Every… That's not possible!"

"Voice down," said Ravonas. "Most of these patrons may be drunk, but that doesn't mean they can't hear. And it is very much possible. Our magic is not dependent on this Fade and a connection to it. Our magic relies on Mana. On the nature around us. Not on this realm of dreams. Not even the realms of Oblivion allow us to draw on our magic. Our magic can just allow us to summon the Daedra to us."

"Daedra," asked Aveline.

"You remember the being of fire that helped us before Flemeth arrived," asked Lydia. The redhead nodded. "That was a lesser Daedra. A Flame Atronach. It calls the Deadlands of Oblivion home."

"The 'Deadlands'," asked Wesley.

"Home of the Daedric Prince of Change and Destruction, Mehrunes Dagon," said Ravonas. "Fira is a construct of his realm of Oblivion. When I mastered Conjuration, one of the Schools of Magic in the College of Winterhold, I made a formal contract with her two other Atronachs and a warrior known as a Dremora. The warrior you saw that held off Darkspawn allowing us to flee is a Dremora. The one I am contracted to, I do not trust not to send his blade into my heart when he sees me."

"I thought you were contracted."

"I forced him to retrieve an artifact from the Deadlands, a Sigil Stone. Mehrunes Dagon requires such artifacts to invade Nirn." Ravonas chuckled as he saw Wesley pale.

"Relax. The Stone is on Nirn, not here. It was needed for a ritual. Rest assured, none of our artifacts on hand can summon the forces of Oblivion here. Well…"

"Indulis," cautioned Aveline.

"One of my staves may have such a power. But it is wildly unpredictable."

"Wabbajack," exclaimed Sophie with a grin.

"Wabba-what," asked Aveline.

"A staff that transforms one object into something random," said Ravonas. "A troll, a chicken, a damn sweet roll!"

"That was a tasty bandit," said Lydia with a chuckle.

"You're all mad," said Wesley.

"Trust me," said Ravonas. "You'll know Madness if Sheogorath ever finds his way here."

"Oh yes," exclaimed a voice with an odd accent beside Ravonas. "Talk about a chatterbox!"

"What the," exclaimed Wesley as he drew his sword, aimed at the white-haired man wearing an orange and purple outfit.

"Don't do that," said Ravonas. "He has treated me worse for less. I flicked one pebble."

"And you dropped my cheese," exclaimed the man. "So, up a mile you go."

"Thank the Nine I learned Ethereal Form."

"Um," said Aveline. "I take it this is…"

"Ah, where are my manners," shouted the man. "Seriously, I think I dropped them when jumping here." The man stood and bowed low. "Sheogorath, Daedric Prince of Madness, at your service! Ah! There they are!" Ravonas chuckled at the baffled looks of Aveline and Wesley and sipped his ale as the Mad God laughed.