"No. Please! Don't kill her! Please! No! Uncle?! Uncle!" Apoltis screamed as he felt these slick hand grab a hold of him. It felt like a warm snake coiling around him. His eyes exploded open and he saw Scar-Tail clinging to him. He heard his hissing voice, "Hey. It's alright. I'm here. Shhh."

Apoltis hugged his uncle tightly scared and shaking. Tears flowing down his cheeks in terror. Scar held the boy close. "It's alright boy. Come on."

Hearing a small squeak and a change in the air he turned around and saw Ra'tarnik with his ax at the ready. For a big cat he moved rather silently. Holding Apoltis close, Scar had already moved one of his hands to one of his short swords. Both of them ready to kill each other. Turning slightly, Scar showed him that the boy was okay just a little upset. Ra'tarnik gripped his large ax in one hand and stood from the bed. He donned his armor quickly not taking his skilled kahjiit eyes off the two. Placing the ax on his back he walked over to the two but Scar slightly showed him the silver blade. The two warriors both worried about the same thing. All of this happening without Apoltis's knowledge.

Pushing him out a bit, Scar said, "Boy, are you hungry?"

Apoltis seemed to think for a minute then he nodded his head saying, "I'm really hungry."

Patting him, Scar-Tail said, "Alright. Lets get some food."

Excitedly, Apoltis realized Ra'tarnik was up. He jumped off the bed and ran over to his kahjiit friend. Ra'tarnik raised him up off his feet by his arms saying gruffly and slightly dazed from being awoken suddenly, "Hey there little champion! How are you today?"

"I am hungry."

Smiling showing those big, bone crushing incisors of his, Ra'tarnik said, "I know the perfect place!"

Apoltis had gotten use to them both his beat folk companions now. They were still unsettling to him but he was learning to be at ease around their natural instruments of death they wielded. Both Scar-Tail's claws and Ra'tarnik's massive teeth.

Busy with his own black armor, Scar-Tail asked, "Oh do you?"

Putting down the boy, Ra'tarnik said "Yes I do. The Two Sisters' Lodge."

Scar-Tail's eyes thinned into a mean jeer. "I know of a place less out in the open."

Both of them heard a grumbling sound and looked at Apoltis. His stomach was growling for food. Ra'tarnik put his hands on his sides. "Well that settles that! Come on, the little champion needs some meat in him. Don't worry, those girls know how to feed warriors. They'll make us enough bacon and chicken to feed a whole company!"

Apoltis rolled his tongue over his lips. He was really hungry. Ra'tarnik put out his big paw, Apoltis took a hold of it with a wide smile and followed the khajiit out of the guild. Sneering and hissing, Scar-Tail followed the two closely. They said their goodbyes to Alcandur first and he was very warm and left them with a warning for Scar-Tail and Ra'tarnik to protect the kid at all costs. Neither one of them needed to be told that.

Walking out, the three went down the street with the sun not just up quite enough to shine on them. The two and three story houses and buildings of Skingrad blocking the sun though they did not hide the cloudless blue sky. Skingrad was usually a very sad town but today it seemed pretty and quiet. The three passed by a few citizens but they steered away from them. Scar-Tail figured they were servants for the "aristocrats" of the town.

The three of them approached the Two Sisters' Lodge with Apoltis nearly running for it when he stopped making him slide to the ground, falling on his rump. Two imperials were chucked out of the door as if they were launched from a ballista. They flew right over the kid and landed hard in front of Scar-Tail and Ra'tarnik. The three were looking at the lodge as Ra'tarnik helped the two men up.

A loud, boisterous voice came yelling out at them, "Nobody eats my food!"

Getting the two men back to their feet, Ratarnik asked, "Why would you eat another's food?"

The two looking at each other with the one saying, "We didn't! He said all of it was his."

The other hit his friend, "Come on, let's get out of here!"

They both rushed off with the one saying to the three, "Good luck!"

Cracking his knuckles, Scar-Tail said, "Yeah. Thanks." Looking back at the lodge with doubt.

Apoltis took a sigh and began walking towards the building. Ra'tarnik grabbed a hold of the child and said, "Wait! You are not going in there."

Looking back at his khajiit friend with a quivering bottom lip, "But I'm hungry."

Ra'tarnk looked back at the lodge. "That's why I'm going in there." He walked brazenly towards the lodge with Scar-Tail holding onto Apolti's shoulders. He looked up at Scar asking, "He is going to be aright, isn't he?"

Scar-Tail shrugged. "You can hope." He hissed out.

Pushing through the doors, Ra'tarnik walked into the unknown. Watching the brave khajiit warrior enter, Apoltis took a long breath worried about his friend. There was a little commotion. Hearing a loud roar, Ra'tarnik came flying out of the lodge's front door flying over Scar-Tail and Apoltis. Sideways he flew through the air slamming onto a building behind the two and nearly broke his back. Even in his heavy guard armor, he still had been flung with extreme force. Landing on the ground he stumbled back to his feet checking his large battle-ax. Still intact. He held it ready, heading back for the lodge.

Running up to him, Aplotis hugged his leg, "No, don't go back in Ra'tarnik!"

The big khajiit looked down and patted the kid on his back, "Its okay champion. I can handle this ogre."

Scar-Tail was now curious, "Ogre?"

Ra'tarnik stopped, "Well, he is probably the biggest nord I have ever seen!"

Scar looked back at the lodge. "Let me try."

"No!" Apoltis yelled out. "I don't want you going in there!"

"Apoltis! We both have handled bigger."

Ra'narnik scoffed, "Not by much!"

Scar looked at his thrown companion. "He cannot be that big."

"In the name of Talos! Can a nord not eat in peace!" Came the boisterous voice again. The two doors to the lodge blasted open as the massive-sized nord had to bend to come out.

All three of them gawked at the huge Nord as he was nearly eight feet tall. His muscles budged out and he was just a monstrous, mountain of a man. He had two claymores on his back with nearly five or six war-axes around his waist. Scar-Tail, with his crocodilian eyes wide and shocked, "I stand corrected!"

The huge nord looked at the three holding a bottle of Cyrodilic Ice Brandy. Chugging down nearly 3-quarters of the wine with most of it spilling out of the corners of his mouth. He wiped his lips with his large forearm and grumbled. His bright red hair looking like fire on his head. His built body gigantic in scope as he walked towards the three. Dressed in nothing more than two leather belts crisscrossing his chest for his claymores, A belt holding up his war axes, and a fur loincloth. Having a slight beard and a young face. The two experienced warriors knew he might have been skilled but he was also young and inexperienced. Any fool can calculate strength.

He pointed at the three saying, "Oh, so this is how jokes get started! A kahjiit, an argonian, and an imperial kid walk into a bar. Now wait I got it. The kahjiit says, 'My fur is so itchy from the sands of Elswyier.' And the argonian looks at him and says, 'That's nothing. My scales are on fire from the marshes of Black Marsh.' Now wait -" He said taking a swig from the wine bottle finishing it and throwing it to the ground. Ra'tarnik and Scar-Tail both with their hands on their weapons. "The imperial kid says, 'I have it worse than all of you. All the other races want me dead!' Huh?" The nord asked waiting for a laugh, or an applause, or something.

Ra'tarnik nor Scar-Tail were impressed. Apoltis was just standing there a bit confused.

'Everyone's a critic." The large nord growled out. Pointing at the boy, "You there! Boy?"

Apoltis pointed to himself with a glance around.

"Yeah you." The red-headed nord said with his big finger still pointing at the boy. "Have you eaten? You look scrawny and famussion. Famashed. Famarlish - hungry."

Nodding his head, Apoltis was indeed hungry. The nord nodded once and took a long stride towards the imperial boy.

Reacting fast, Scar-Tail; with his instincts kicking in, went after the juggernaut of a nord. The nord though dodged out of the way and got a hold of him. Picking him up he threw the deadly argonian into a large wall.

Scar crashed into the brick hard and grunted out with a cough of blood. He stood on shaky legs saying to himself with a loud hiss, "I just got to feeling better!"

Taking his battle-ax in both hands, Ra'tarnik charged at the giant nord next. The ax was knocked out of his clutches and the masterful khajiit was picked up by his throat His feet kicked and he tried to claw the large nord but to no avail. Showing his fangs, Ra'tarnik growled out to Apoltis, "Run!"

Meanwhile, Scar-Tail had his two silver short swords in hand. Charging for the behemoth he was kicked away like a small dog flying through a wooden door crashing into a big, sturdy wooden table. Scar grunted out in pain feeling like his back was in a rack. Trying to get to his feet, he hauled himself up on both elbows with a merchant behind the table cowering in fear. Standing, shaking off the pain and the humiliation, Scar-Tail walked back out of the destroyed doorframe.

Throwing Ra'tarnik around just for fun the big nord was shaking him, "You have 9 lives, huh? Do you? You can kiss all of them goodbye, vermin!"

"Stop it!" Apoltis yelled out.

The nord looked at the small kid and threw Ra'tarnik down an alleyway. Stomping up to the kid, looking down at him under a furled, red-haired brow. The nord with his strong voice asked, "And what makes you think you can tell me what to do?"

Apoltis swallowed his fear and said confidently, "Because if you don't these two will get rid of you! I've seen them do it to bigger and meaner things than you!"

"Really? It's funny you think there's something out there meaner than me."

Apoltis smirked with a mean look of his own, "Ever been to Oblivion? You ever stared down the daedra lord Sheogorath in the eye?"

A big laugh came from the nord as he scooped up Apoltis in one of his strong arms. "Kid, you tell some mighty fine tall tales!" He walked back with Apoltis as Scar-Tail ran at him from behind with Ra'tarnik just picking himself up and coming after him too.

In a flash, Scar-Tail was back down on the ground from a hard back fist he received to his mouth. He was put on his rear as Ra'tarnik followed the two inside. Getting back up with blood coming from his nostrils, Scar-Tail was back on his feet heading for the lodge.

Inside, the nord seated Apoltis at one of the front tables and stomped over to the front where one of the orc sisters was snarling at the nord. The nord slammed the table and said, "Breakfast for the lad and myself!"

Apoltis shifted uncomfortably and said, "Nothing too much if it will put you out."

The nord looked back at the imperial child. With a hearty laugh and a big boom to his voice, he said, "Nonsense lad! Eggs, bacon, toast, ham, horse, dog, venison, rat, a whole slew of cookings for the boy and myself! On the double, you ugly, green wench!"

She mumbled out through gritted teeth, "You have had nearly five breakfasts since you cam in! Not to mention, the food you took from the other two."

Breaking a piece of the wooden counter the orc lady was behind with his fist, the nord yelled out, "Damn it woman. I am a man that desires food. Start cooking now!"

Nearly going for a short sword again under the counter she hesitated not because of his size and strength like last time. This time she worried about the boy with him. She went back and began to cook.

Around this time, as the large nord argued with one of the orc sisters, Ra'tarnik and Scar-Tail both snuck into the lodge with their weapons at the ready. Scar-tail grabbed Apoltis while Ra'tarnik spun his ax with great confidence. A smile donning his face as he approached the upset nord.

Suddenly, Apoltis yelled out, "Wait uncle!"

This caught the nord's attention turning his head towards the khajiit with a smile of his own. Grabbing a large wooden piece from the broken counter, the nord tossed it in the air, "Guess you don't learn, do you kitty?"

He threw the piece at Ra'tarnik with him easily dodging it. Cocking his head to one side missing the piece. Swinging his battle-ax back, Ra'tarnik took a leaping slash at the big nord. The nord easily grabbed the handle and caught Ra'tarnik by his throat. Throwing the ax to the ground slamming the warrior kajiit on the front of the counter making him roar out in agony. His thick, imperial guard armor doing little to cushion the impact of the counter.

Meanwhile, Scar-Tail was struggling to drag Apoltis away from the nord. Apoltis screamed out with tears in his eyes, "Ra'tarnik!"

The giant, overbearing nord turned his head towards the wailing child, asking, "You know this cat, child?"

Scar stopped and looked at Apoltis. All Apoltis could do was look back at him with those watery eyes pleadingly. With an irritated hiss, Scar-Tail let go of Apoltis and let him speak to the nord. He began after a few breaths, stuffing his hand in the pocket with his stone. He was hoping for it to give him some kind of power to reason with the big, brutish nord. "What's your name?"

The nord tossed Ra'tarnik aside sending him sliding down the long bar, making him crash into the opposite wall as the orc sister came out nearly dropping the two huge plates of food she had prepared.

Cracking his knuckles, rolling his shoulders and neck, the giant nord said, "Orsock Blackheart."

Scar hissed at the name Blackheart. Recognizing it just as Ra'tarnik did. Standing, holding his chest throbbing with pain, he held his ax at the ready, asking, "Blackheart? You wouldn't be related to -"

"I am." Blackheart said with a low-tone growl. "Arrnok Blackheart."

Hissing out, Scar-Tail said, "The Scourge of Skyrim."

Blackheart looked at the well-trained shadowscale, "That was nearly eight hundred years ago, lizard!"

Apoltis asked slight befuddled, "What? Who is this other Blackheart?"

Ra'tarnik gave a hiss of his own showing his fangs, "Nearly conquered a quarter of Skyrim. He was a very, very evil man."

Blackheart said in anger, "I had to leave my home because of my namesake, cat! I am not my ancestor's equal. I am more so."

Scar-Tail, with his sharp, reptilian eyes, hatefully said, "Could have fooled me."

With a howl and a slamming of his fist, destroying a random wooden table, "I am not as ruthless or as cruel! If I was - all three of you would be dead."

Both Scar-Tail and Ra'tarnik wanted to say something but it was Apoltis who said, crossing his arms in confidence, "I highly doubt it."

"Oh?" Blackheart growled out, "And why is that? Do you know my lineage child? I didn't think your mommy would tell you those kinds of stories."

Nearly twitching his one sword hand, sending the blade deep into the nord's skull, Scar-Tail fought against it. Especially as Apoltis defended both his friends and his mother.

Pointing at the large nord, "You listen to me Blackheart!" Apoltis said with about as much heart and deepening of his voice he could muster, "My mother is dead and these two have been there for me! They have been to the very pits of Oblivion for me! I've seen them kill bigger and tougher things than you!"

Blackheart smirked at the kid. He looked at Scar-Tail, remembering Apoltis's comment from earlier, "You really believe these two have face down a daedric lord, eh?"

"I saw it!" Apoltis nearly screamed.

Putting up his hands in mocking surrender, "Okay little guy, I give in! If these two are as hearty as you say, then they should eat hearty." Looking at the two going for one of his claymores cautiously, "What do you say?" Asking the both of them.

The two beastfolk looked at each other. Ra'tarnik was the first and only to speak, "Well, I am hungry."

Coming out with a large platter tray, setting it down harshly, the front orc sister growled out, "I hope you choke on it!"

Patting his thigh, Blackheart said, "Come here, give me a kiss. I bet you I choke from that!"

Showing her teeth with a menacing growl at the nord she stomped away with her hands balled into fists.

Blackheart just looked at the three, saying with an over sarcastic voice, "She loves me! She loves me so much!" He plunged into the feast on display on the tray, not caring what was on it. Shouting back towards the kitchen, "More! This platter will only sate me and not those with me!"

A few moments of silence past, only broken by the disgusting noises of the giant nord's insatiable eating habits, and the orc women brought out three more large platters of food. The last one was slightly smaller and was for Apoltis. It was still piled high of food for him and his eyes went wide with shock as the small pyramid of food laid out before him. He tried to thank the orc woman but she just stomped away harshly before he could.

Nervously, Apoltis looked at both Ra'tanrik and Scar-Tail. The khajiit warrior seemed to be feasting but Scar-Tail just sat there. Staring at the food hungrily but reserved. Apoltis looked away for a second and then back at his argonian friend, "Why don't you eat?"

With a hiss and a keen eye, Scar-Tail answered back, "Because I'm waiting."

"For what uncle?"

"To see which one of them drops dead first."

Standing angrily, Apoltis yelled out, "What?!"

The two of them looked at the argonian with wide eyes. Blackheart half-buried in the food while Ra'tarnik was about to scarf down a large piece of meat. He put it down with a snarl at Scar.

Blackheart pounded the table with anger, yelling out, "If you knew the food was poisoned then why did you just sit there?!"

"I didn't." Scar-tail told him with his reptilain eyes ablaze with anger of his own. A mad hissing in every word. "Apparently its not poisoned."

Ra'tarnik said with a sneer, "You just said you didn't know."

"Not until you ate it." Scar-Tail said turning his attention to the boiling khajiit. "You didn't drop dead so - now I know. Problem?"

Blackheart motioned at Scar-Tail, asking Ra'tarnik, "Is this lizard always like this?!"

Growling out with restrained hatred, Ra'tarnik said, "Only every second of every damn day!"

Using some of the utensils provided, Scar-Tail cut a piece of meat off his plate and ate it with a toothy grin on his face.

When the four were done, Blackheart sat up with a goblet of mead. "I think a toast is in order."

"For what?" Scar hissed out.

The giant nord looked down at the reluctant argonian, telling him apathetically, "Just get up."

Rolling his slit eyes, Scar-Tail stood with Ra'tarnik and Apoltis. The kid taking quite a shine to being part of a toast even though he was just drinking a child's version of Honeybrew. He leaned over enthusiastically, "I've never been part of a toast before!"

"Don't get too excited." Scar-Tail said with his goblet limply raised.

"This toast is to eating with new friends. May the roads you travel bring you much gold and blood from all your enemies." Blackheart gulped down the mead spilling a quarter of it down his thick, red beard.

The other three just standing there with confused looks. They looked at their drinks and then back at Blackheart.

Scar-Tail was about to sit down when he heard a small, faint noise. He turned his ear to it and then nothing. His nerves flared as the sound replayed in his head. A bow string. Faster than a snake, he was head down pulling Apoltis down as well. A poison-tipped arrow flew over his head. It stuck in the wall over the counter as Scar-Tail kept the boy's head down drawing one of his short-swords. Turning he saw a cloaked assassin. Quickly the assassin readied another arrow and fired. Scar was quick and cut the arrow in-half with his sword sending the arrow to splinters on the floor. The cloaked, would-be killer took off and Scar-Tail followed in hot pursuit, pointing back at Apoltis, "Don't let him leave!"

He flew out the door and Apoltis went to follow but Ra'tarnik grabbed him, trying to keep him under control. He struggled against Ra'tarnik as the strong cat man held him back. Keeping him from sprinting off.

That didn't keep Blackheart seated though. The big nord knocked his chair back rushing out the door to follow the two. He didn't want to miss a good show.

Meanwhile, Scar kept up with the assassin being a step or two behind. After the assassin took off, Scar-Tail instantly realized in the daylight sun that it was a Dark Brotherhood assassin. He hopped up onto a balcony and then onto a roof. Scar-Tail easily followed. The two agile murders keeping in step with each other. The assassin threw a dagger clumsily at Scar-Tail but he just chinked it away with his short-sword.

From rooftop-to-rooftop they hopped with Blackheart down on the street pushing people out of the way watching the two seemingly fly over the roofs of Skingrad.

It wasn't long before the assassin jumped into an alleyway and with Scar-Tail jumping right after him. Blackheart lost them at this point but then found them as they both rounded a corner and Scar-Tail tackled the lone killer right next to the church. He about took off to see if the nimble argonian needed assistance. The guards stopped Blackheart though asking, "Hey, what's the big idea pushing people down and running all around the streets like a maniac?!"

Taking a few glances back at the church, Blackheart figured that they hadn't seen the two. He just gave the guards some gold and patted them on their way. Turning back towards the two seeing one of them standing victorious over the other, Blackheart said to himself, "You owe me quite a bit of gold over this one, lizard! Dead or not!"

Trotting up to the two, Blackheart now saw that it was the argonian standing. "Well?"

"Well what?" Scar-Tail coldly asked back.

"What was all that about?"

"Nothing that concerns you."

Scar went to walk back towards town when Blackheart grabbed his scaly arm. "Hey look, snake! I just put up sixty pieces of gold for the guards to look the other way from your stunts. I at least deserve an explanation. And my gold back but we'll get to that later. Or, I can take it out of your hide right here if you wish."

Looking at the chapel of Stendarr, Scar-Tail asked pompously, "You wouldn't kill me on holy ground, would you?"

"You confuse me for a nord that gives a rat's ass about such things."

Nodding, Scar-Tail walked over to the dead assassin and pulled down his cowl. It was a young, male argonian. Scar-Tail bent down and told Blackheart, talking more to himself, "He's one of the Dark Brotherhood's. Not very skilled though. Must have been a new member. Not a Shadowscale either. They must be getting desperate."

Blackheart knelt with him. Looking over the dead body he had to ask, "Why? Why would the Dark Brotherhood be after that kid?"

"Well, I can think of one good reason but they're not." Scar-Tail breathed out, standing back up.

Watching Scar-Tail head back towards the lodge, Blackheart asked dumbfounded, "What?!"

Looking back, the skilled Shadowscale told him over his shoulder, "Yeah. He was after me."

"You?! What for?!"

"I kind of upset a few of their members awhile back. Long story."

A short laugh came from Blackheart making Scar-Tail turn once again, "What's so funny?"

"You know, I was thinking that you three were an odd group to begin with. Then I hear the Dark brotherhood is on your case? You people just get better-and-better by the minute."

Scar-Tail gave him a sly, evil grin, "Stick around. We got a whole lot more than that on us."

"Tell me!" Blackheart said giddily.

"Later." Scar said as he walked back to the lodge.

There, Apoltis jumped from Ra'tarnik's grip and hugged his scaled uncle. Scar-Tail returned the hug patting the kid on the back. Apoltis sadly whined out, "I thought I had lost you!"

Showing his sharp teeth in a half-cocked smile, Scar-Tail told the boy, "It would take more than that to take me down. You of all people should know that."

Releasing from each other, Apoltis said ashamed, "You're right."

Blackheart reentered and was boisterous as ever. "You should have seen what your uncle did!"

Glancing at Blackheart with forewarning eyes, Scar-Tail shook his head not wanting Blackheart to tell Apoltis. However, neither of them saw Scar-Tail's look. Apoltis with childish glee asked, "What? What did he do?! I bet it was something amazing."

Sitting up quickly, Ratarnik had seen Scar-Tail's look and was worried about the kid. "Come now Apoltis, are you really surprised your uncle pulled off something amazing? Do you really need to hear the story now? Besides, I believe your uncle could tell it better anyhow."

Apoltis looked at Scar with a glimmer of enchantment in his eyes, "You're right!"

Looking at Apoltis, Scar-Tail just easily said, "I'll tell you later." Patting him on the shoulder.

He was a little disappointed but conceded, "Okay."

All four of them sat at their table and Ra'tarnik lightly patted the wooden table, "Alright." Saying it with a sigh. "Now what?"

The four looked at each other slightly confused. Suddenly, Blackheart rolled out a map of Cyrodiil. He laid it down on the table, throwing all the used dishes to the ground, asking them, "Let me come with you guys."

Apoltis thought it was a great idea. Blackheart was big and strong and probably knew how to use the two claymores on his back but Scar-Tail was unsure of his grace and demeanor. Plus, if he did decide to turn on them, especially Apoltis, it would take a lot of energy to bring him down.

Blackheart asked curiously, "So, where are you guys headed?"

Ra'tarnik looked at Scar-Tail and he just hissed back at him. Neither one knowing where to go. Those reptilian eyes of Scar's glided back to Blackheart with a sigh, "If you're going to be traveling with us, there is something you should be aware of."

"And that would be?" Blackheart asked cautiously.

Scar-Tail looked at Apoltis.

The boy looked back at his "uncle" and nodded. From his cloak he revealed his stone. In amazement, Blackheart stared at the stone, "That looks to be Alyeid."

Standing, Ra'tarnik said, "Yeah that's what we figured."

Laying out his story, Apoltis began, "My mother gave it to me. This really powerful wizard wants it and I don't know why."

A smile came over Blackheart. "I know someone who might."

All three looked at the giant nord with surprise. Ra'tarnik actually asked disappointedly, "Oh don't tell me she's still in Cyrodiil?!"

Glancing at the warrior khajiit sideways, Blackheart evilly asked, "Know her, do you?"

"Any treasure hunter or mercenary for hire knows of her." Ra'tarnik said viciously.

Hissing out with hard eyes, Scar-Tail asked, "Who?"

"Ceyelena." Blackheart whispered to himself and the others.

Ra'tarnik informed them, "She's quite the eccentric wood elf. I thought she was gone from Cyrodiil. Looks like I was mistaken." Looking at Apolitis with worry on his face, "If there is anybody who can tell us anything about your rune stone Apoltis - its her."

Looking at both the big nord and his khajiit friend, Apoltis asked nervously, "I take it we are not going for a reason?"

The two looked at each other with Scar-Tail glancing at all three of them. Ra'tarnik was the first to smile at Apoltis, asking him, "We don't have to go. We could just hide in Skingrad. We could…"

Scar-Tail interrupted him, "No. Sooner or later, Gorghast will come for him. If anything we need to keep moving."

Growling at the reptilian assassin, Ra'tarnik hatefully said, "We can't run forever!"

"Nor can we hide!" Scar-Tail pounded the table with animosity. Calming down a bit he continued, "Skingrad was just a temporary shelter. It doesn't offer any real protection. I've got a feeling if that wizard wants in the gates of this city, there's little the city guards can do to stop him."

Awestruck, Blackheart asked, "Really?!"

Sliding his focus to the nord like a snake, Scar-Tail said, "Yes. I've seen it before. This guy wants in he'll get in, and I will bet every last septim I have, that the guards wouldn't do anything because he's probably very well known in Cyrodiil. A magika user like that -" Scar shook his head feeling that he did not need to finish.

"So, you want to find this guy?" Blackheart asked.

Scar-Tail nodded slowly. "Right now though I'm just focused on protecting the boy. I want to keep him out of reach." Rubbing Apoltis on his back.

Looking down at the map, Blackheart pointed to Kvatch. "Here. This where Ceyelena is."

All of them looked at the map with Ra'tarnik looking up at Blackheart, "Where in Kvatch?"

"The temple of Akatosh."

"I - I though that was in the Imperial City?" Apoltis asked.

Ra'tarnik corrected, "That's the Temple Of The One."

"I don't remember that divine."

"It's a temple to Akatosh too."

"Oh. That's confusing."

"Actually, it harbors the dragon fires which…"

Scar-Tail interrupted, "Can we save the history lesson for a later date?!"

Growling under his breath baring one of his fangs, Ra'tarnik forced himself back to the map, "Okay, so that's good. Kvatch is a short distance from here. We'll stick to the main road and…"

"No." Scar-Tail said.

"Why not?!" Ra'tarnk asked folding his arms irritated. His heavy armor making a loud sound as he shifted annoyed.

Scar stood up standing down the khajiit, "Because we stayed on the main road last time and look what happened. We both got hurt and nearly lost Apoltis and I nearly lost my arm."

"You almost lost more than that!" Apoltis shrieked out.

Scar-Tail gave the boy a slight smile and then went back to Ra'tarnik with a grimace on his scaly face. "We stay close to the road." Pointing to the forestation north of the road. "Far enough away from the road not to be seen but close enough to hop back on in case we need to."

Adding his own experience, Blackheart added, "I have traveled the Gold Road all the way to Anvil. Believe me, it isn't safe either way. We are already about as south as I would like to be in the West Wield. But - if you guys are serious about heading to Kvatch - you are going to need me."

Scar-Tail looked at the big nord reluctantly, "And why is that?!"

Puffing his chest out towering over the argonian, "Because I know most of the bandit parties the more south we go. I'll admit most don't come this far north towards Kvatch -" Blackheart dragging his finger over the map, "But we might luck out and you'll want me along."

Ra'tarnik snickered, "Besides Scar, look at him. Would you pick a fight with him? The intimidation he bestows on others alone is probably invaluable."

Scar-Tail nodded, "Alright cat!" Looking at Blackheart with his hand on one of swords and the other behind him close to Apoltis, "If you try anything I will murder you and leave your meat for the mudcrabs."

Blackheart stood proudly with an evil smirk, "On you? Definitely! The cat? Only if it get cold at night. The boy?"

Scar's grip on his sword tightened.

"Never!"

From behind Scar-Tail was a tug on his arm. It was Apoltis. He bent down next to the boy to hear him. "I don't think we have to worry uncle."

Rolling up the map with a sly look, Blackheart said, "What are we waiting for? Let's get going."

Ra'tarnik had to ask, "You have a horse, big man?"

"I do." Blackheart replied putting the back in a small pouch on his hip. He walked out of the lodge and looked up at the sky. The other three came out as Blackheart said loud enough for all of them to hear. "Noon. Better get moving."

Flexing his tail and his hands, Scar-Tail said looking up at the sky as well, "We won't make it to Kvatch before dark."

"If we stayed on the main road we will." Ra'tarnik added.

Looking at the khajiit with burning eyes, Scar-Tail was about to say something but he didn't have to. Apoltis calmly said, "I think it will be better through the woods Ra'tarnik. It will be nice to give the horses a nice walk."

Gleaming at the kid with a big smile, Ra'tarnik rubbed his head, "Alright champ, you got it."

The three went to the stables and got their horses. Scar-Tail mounted his horse with Apoltis getting on in front. Ra'tarnik grabbed the reigns of his steed. Old but willing. Then, Blackheart pulled his steed from the stable. Both Scar and R'atarnik looked at the horse with wild eyes. Apoltis was the fist to comment, "Wow! That is a big horse!"

Blackheart lead the mare out of the stable to accompany the three. The massive, Skyrim bred steed clomping at the ground. It chuffed and made the other two horses a bit uneasy.

They got underway staying only on the main road for a few minutes. Heading north to only head south soon towards Kvatch. What they didn't know was that plenty was following them and they were soon going to meet a murderous evil even worse than any mad wizard.