CHAPTER SIX

I woke up abruptly, from yet another nightmare, drenched in hot sticky sweat. I felt my forehead, which was feeling very clammy. My heart was pounding like a beating guar drum, and for good reasons. Yes I had just had another nightmare, but this one was different. A werewolf was involved this time.

"You alright, Erick?"

I had awoken Melvin from his sleep, just as I always did with my nightmares. But for some reason he didn't seem to be too angry this time.

"I had another nightmare, but it was different this time."

"Yeah, how so?"

"I saw a werewolf…"

Melvin looked at me for a couple of seconds with a blank stare, and then all of a sudden busted out with laughter. Her was actually holding his stomach and complaining that it hurt from the laughter.

"A werewolf? That's funny, Erick, it really is. But you know it's probably good that happened. Now you know you have nothing to worry about."

"And why is that?"

"Erick….a werewolf? Come on, give me a break. How can a werewolf mean anything?"

"You and I both have heard the stories…"

"Exactly…STORIES! Stories told to us by Nord wanderers so old they don't even remember their [iown[/i names!"

He obviously didn't seem to think these dreams weird, but I certainly did. Werewolves, though considered mythical creatures at best, still scared the living daylights out of me. Many stories have been told about how man have been torn to pieces by these ferocious beasts, yet nobody has actually be able to prove their existence. I for one believed in them, but Melvin did not.

I was so angry at him I went back to sleep without saying anything else. One thing was for sure though; I was going to talk to the local priest first thing in the morning. I had a bad feeling about all of this.

The next morning I woke up extra earlier, some time around five o'clock in fact. I headed straight for the Imperial Cult Shrine, where the priest Antonius Nuncius had his own room.

Antonius wasn't your regular priest mind you. He may act all nice and all in front of you, but let me give you a forewarning, he's actually a backstabber who'll do anything to save his own head. I never did like the man and I never will. He helps inmates smuggle alcohol right under Captain Falx's nose. But of course I wouldn't dare tell him for fear of losing my own life at the hands of the other inmates.

It might seem to you a bit strange that I was going to this man for advice when I hated his guts, but what can I say? I'm a desperate man in need of figuring out what my dreams mean and why I keep having them.

So I entered the building and walked over to Antonius's door. I wasn't too sure if he would hear the knock or not since a study room separated the hallway and his actual room. But, after about thirty seconds of loud forceful knocking, the corrupt priest opened his door, and it appeared he wasn't in a good mood.

"What in Oblivion do you want? It's almost five thirty in the morning!"

His face was rather hairy, signaling that he was in need for a good shaving. Also it appeared as if I had angered him. I guess I shouldn't really be surprised.

"I wish to speak with you, Antonius."

"This early in the morning? I don't think so. Come back later…"

He began to close the door in my face, but I stopped him just in time.

"No, I need to talk to you now. I've been having dreams, and…"

"I said not now, Erick. Everyone has dreams, you know. As I've already told you, come back LATER!"

Before I could react the old wooden door was slammed violently in my face, almost breaking my nose in the process. Thankfully I was able to back away from the door just in time. I left the armory feeling quite annoyed by everything, and then decided to go back to my room. I didn't really know what else to do, and it wouldn't be too much longer until it was time for work. But then Captain Falx walked out from the main building and spotted me.

"Erick, what are you doing up so early?" He yelled from across the yard. I walked over to him so we didn't have to yell.

"I just couldn't sleep, sir."

I lied to him of course, but I wasn't about to tell him the truth. There was no way I could tell him the dreams I was having. He would think me as a lunatic, just like Melvin does. Thankfully he hadn't seen me leaving the armory.

"Well, how about you join me on my morning walk. There's something I've been meaning to speak with you about anyway."

To be honest I didn't really want to walk anywhere, for it was freezing cold, but then again I didn't want to upset Falx. So I walked with him. We exited the fort through the back entrance and began walking on a small dirt path leading to the northeast.

"I hear there have been some problems at Raven Rock," He said simply, not looking at me but keeping his eyes pointed straight ahead.

"Yes, um, about that…"

"There's no reason to explain, Erick, Falco has explained everything," he said in an unusually gentle tone. I had expected him to lash out at me in anger for disgracing Fort Frostmoth and the Imperial Legion.

"And you're not angry?" I asked wearily.

"I was at first, and then Falco explained the situation. I understand there is a certain Bruno that is causing problems?"

"Yes sir, but that's no excuse for us to act irrationally."

He chuckled and then looked me in the eyes. "Yes, I knew you would say that. You always have been a level-headed person. It's a shame your life was ruined by your ill-fated decisions earlier in life, hmm?"

He was right. I really wasn't that bad of a person. Just a few bad decisions led me to where I am now. But I wasn't ready to openly talk about that with anyone just yet….not even the Captain. And when I didn't respond to his comment, he continued anyway.

"But I digress. I just wanted you to know that you are not in trouble, Erick. Knowing you I'm sure you're worried about what's going on, but remember, I picked your group for a reason."

"And what's that?" I asked eagerly.

"Because you and your mates, for the most part at least, stay out of trouble. The Argonian and the Khajiit are a little crazy-acting sometimes, but that's okay. Melvin is a little controversial, but I think everyone is used to that by now. And then of course there's Madila, but I don't she'll be a problem any time soon. What I am trying to say is that you five are the best prisoners of Fort Frostmoth. That might not seem much to you, but believe me, at least it's something."

We talked for another twenty minutes or so, but most of it was just small talk, nothing really important. When we arrived back at the fort most of the prisoners were awake and ready to leave. I had not showered this morning, but I didn't even care. I was still shocked by what happened last night. And when I saw Melvin standing over in a corner, rubbing his leg where he received his wound from last night.

"How're you feeling?" I asked him.

"My leg's killing me, but at least I looked good," He grinned and winked.

I wasn't at all amused. I was only ashamed of what he did. And after speaking with Falx earlier I was now ashamed even more.

On the way to Raven Rock I explained to Melvin what Falx and I talked about, but he didn't seem to care.

"So what? Do you really think it matters, Erick? Either way we're prisoners. No matter if he likes us or dislikes us we'll always be inmates."

I didn't feel like arguing with him so I simply let it go. Besides, I had a feeling we were going to have a long day ahead of us and I didn't want to be in a bad mood all day.

At the entrance of the mine Madila, Teemee and J'Dato were waiting by the door, all three looking to their left. When I looked to see what they were staring at I saw Bruno marching towards Melvin and me. He stopped just inches from Melvin's face and glared at him for several seconds. Then he reared back with his fist and swung at Melvin's face.