Evening was coming over the land. The four had taken it slow through the woods. The trees were getting slim the more westward they went. A tumultuous amount of quiet followed the four. Their three horse slowly trotting through the trees and multicolored grass. Gold and green shinned across the land morphing into the Gold Coast. As the trees were getting smaller, their branches were extending out more with tops as round and full as giant bouquets. More open terrain sprawled across the warriors as they proceeded.

Apoltis looked up at Scar-Tail and asked, "Can we bed down for the night close by?"

Looking down at his younger friend, Scar asked, "Why?"

Apoltis shrugged, not wanting to admit he was enjoying the scenery and that was about the only reason. Plus, he was having a heavy spell of depression. He just wanted to sit down and be still for a while. Gather his thoughts and maybe cry a bit.

They reached a clearing of mostly tall, golden grass and the party stopped with Scar-Tail in the lead. Ra'tarnik brought over his horse next to Scar-Tail as he was gazing out over a rolling hill. The two watched the fading sun with Apoltis breathing a nice sigh of relief. Ra'tarnik's horse tromped at the ground wanting to keep going at the leisurely pace but he jerked the reins ever so slightly, asking Scar-Tail, "What is it? Are we being followed?"

Looking around with his slit eyes, Scar-Tail answered, "No. Just taking in the view. Apoltis wants to camp here for the night."

Moving slightly on his saddle, Ra'tarnik said hesitantly, "I don't know. Lots of open terrain." Scanning the field.

Humbly from Apoltis's lips came, "It looks like a sea of gold."

Scar-Tail gave him at pat on the shoulder, "Yes, it does."

Pulling at the reins, turning the horse towards Blackheart, Ra'tarnik said with a doubtful ire to his voice, "We're making camp."

Hearing the restrained anger in Ra'tarnik's voice, Blackheart turned his horse following Ra'tarnik to a spot he picked close to the paltry tree-line. They talked it over both thinking it was a good idea to keep their backs to the trees.

Turning a bit to see with Scar-Tail gently turning his black mare for him to see where they were making camp, Apoltis said depressingly, "Oh. I wanted to be up on this hill."

Scar heard the hurt in his voice and tried to cheer him up a bit. "Don't want to be on a perch. Archers can be quite deadly. Give them a tree and a perched target - we would just be giving them the best shot."

"I guess but -" Apoltis stopped himself.

"But?" Scar asked.

"I'm tired of being on the run."

Felling a slight pinch in his heart, Scar-Tail lowered his head next to the boy's ear. Saying sympathetically with a saddened hiss, both for himself and the boy, "Me too."

Dismounting his horse, Scar-Tail helped Apoltis down as Ra'tarnik and Blackheart helped to build camp. By last light, they had a large fire going and a small tent over one of the closest trees. Three of them sat around the fire while Apoltis was in the tent. By himself.

Ra'tarnik growled out curiously, "What is wrong with him, Scar?"

Warming his scales, staring deep into the flames as the cooler air of the night breezed by, Scar-Tail said, "He is fine."

Getting up to check on him, Ra'tarnik sat up from the fire with Scar-Tail getting up as well, "Leave him alone!"

Turning with a show of his ivory white teeth looking like daggers at a forge in the firelight, Ra'tarnik nearly clamped onto his ax, "Why? Is it because you have done something to him?!"

"Oh cut that out! It is quickly becoming a very old song-and-dance with you!"

"Yeah!" Blackheart rudely interjected.

Ra'tarnik shot a menacing jeer at Blackheart, "Stay out of this, nord! This doesn't concern you!"

Still sitting down with his hands folding into fist, Blackheart said insulted, "It does now! I'm part of this and the reptile's right!"

With a inquisitive look, Scar-Tail asked, "I am?" He had been brow beaten by Ra'tarnik and strangers so long that it was odd hearing a positive compliment from someone else besides Apoltis. Even if it was still slightly demoralizing.

"He's not!" Ra'tarnik belted out.

Blackheart grumbled under his breath, itching his red beard with his grumbling coming to a hard, auditable tone, "I could tell you two didn't like each other from the moment I saw you. But then I saw you both defend the boy and that seems to be the only time you agree with each other. The time you two seem to work well together. You know what that tells me?"

The two beast folk looked at each other.

"It tells me that neither one of you would hurt the boy. So both of you shut-up!"

Ra'tarnik and Scar-Tail both sat down. They didn't take their eyes off the other though with Ra'tarnik folding his arms across his chest. He then asked out of spite, "So, any good stories from either one of you murders?"

Tilting his head with a snarling hiss, Scar-Tail again found it hard not to draw on the khajiit.

A hearty laugh came from Blackheart, "I have one! Do I ever have one!"

Meanwhile, inside the tent, Apoltis tugged at his cloak. It still reminded him of his mother. In some spots it still had her smell. That smell of bread and flowers. He inhaled deeply with a small cry coming from him but he stopped subtly hearing Blackheart's boisterous voice. He crawled close to the flaps of the tent and listened in hoping that not one of the adults could hear him eavesdropping.

Talking loudly, Blackheart went on with his story, looking at the fire with pleasant, disturbed memories, "As you probably know, necromancy isn't as banned in Skyrim as it is here in Cyrodiil. Still not looked on as positive but Skyrim really doesn't have the means to track them down like here in the main imperial providence.

Anyway, I was asked to go after this one necromancer. Seems he was causing problems for the people in Dragon Bridge. It took me a while to find his cave. When I went in I had to kill a few other pesky necromancers before getting to him. When I got there, he had already risen several draugr. I easily disposed of them. But - I had not seen that one he had risen while his cowardly ass ran! It was one that had the power of the voice."

Both beast folk looked at each other. Ra'tarnik actually asking, "The what?"

"The voice? His thrum? Have neither one of you ever heard of it? That when dragon words are spoken they have power."

Ra'tarnik grumbled, "Dragons? There's no such thing."

"Not now, no." Blackheart replied. "But long ago there was."

Looking away, hissing with subtle annoyance, Scar-Tail tried to keep his feelings to himself.

Noticing it though, Blackheart gave a glance to each one. "So, neither of you believe there were ever dragons, eh?"

Calmly turning his gaze back to Blackheart, Scar-Tail said, "I can't speak for the cat but no I don't."

"Well, when they come back, I bet you believe in them then."

"Oh," Ra'tarnik dragged out. "Suppose to come back from another dimension?"

"No!" Blackheart fiercely roared out half-insulted. "It's written on Alduin's wall. That they are suppose to come back from the dead and a champion with the voice will rise and challenge them. He will be dovahkiin."

Holding up his dark golden-scaled hand, Scar-Tail halfheartedly pleaded, "Please! Just finish the other story before you go into some crazy rant about the Nordic end of the world!"

Looking at Scar-Tail with a mean streak deep in his eyes towards the argonian, Blackheart finished abruptly. "I killed the draugr and the necromancer later! The end!"

An uncomfortable silence filled the air around the fire. After about a minute of Blackheart jeering at Scar-Tail he got up with a gruff, "I'm going to go get more firewood." Stomping off with his fists clenched.

Meanwhile, Scar-Tail watched him closely while Ra'tarnik poked at the fire with a random stick. He was thinking. Finally, he made a soft mew agreeing with himself that it was time. Scar-Tail heard the mew but ignored it.

Turning towards him, Ra'tarnik asked, "So, you going to kill me or what?"

Snapping his head like a ready cobra, Scar-Tail hissed out, "What on Nirn are you talking about?!"

"You're not doing it in my sleep. You will face me down like an alpha-male!"

Shaking his head, Scar-Tail just asked more to himself than Ra'tarnik, "I have no idea what you are blabbering on about!"

Staring right at Scar-Tail, "You know damn well! You're not here for the boy. That much is certain to me now. So, if you're not here for the boy, then you must have come to kill me. Or maybe Blackheart."

Staring him down with irritation, Scar-Tail said, "I'm not here to kill either one of you. I didn't want you or that big nord following me!" His voice barely auditable. He was at a tone just so Ra'tarnik could hear.

Glancing at Apoltis's tent, Ra'tarnik then said, "Then who? I know it isn't the boy. You have had plenty of opportunities to kill him so…"

Scar-Tail tried to keep his voice down as a low, dark rumble came from him saying, "I would never, ever hurt that boy! If it gets you off my back, I'll tell you."

Easing up, Ra'tarnik listened.

Having a hard time starting, never telling anyone, Scar-Tail sighed as he looked deep in the fire. The light shimmering off his golden scales with his teeth looking like jagged pearls. Sorrow forming on his brow rubbing his hands together. The blackness of night coming over the land and more-and-more did Scar-Tail feel like he was fading out of the real world and back into his most hated memory. As if it was happening all over again. "When I hatched…"

Ra'tarnik stopped him. "I don't think you need to go back that far."

"Yes I do." The argonian's eyes pools of determination and sadness. Never had Ra'tarnik seen this heavy sorrow in his face. He stayed quiet letting him continue.

"When I hatched, I came out under the sign of the shadow. All argonians who are born under that sign are taken from their families and thrown into the service of the kingdom of Argonia. The first things they teach you is to get over you're - revulsion of killing. Some don't even loose it and either are killed or sold off into slavery. I passed with flying colors. You are trained by other, elder shadowscales who dedicate their lives to argonians like me. Ones who show more promises than most. It lasts until you're about 16 or so. That's when they put you into a group rather than letting you fend for yourself. Four is the maximum.

That was a great day indeed for me. I had been put with two of my closest - siblings. For your sake I won't tell you there names but they were clutch siblings. I was from a different clutch but they except me as their brother. Since we all had done so well we got to choose who we were going to be with. I didn't have to think twice.

So many runs together. We had the time of our lives. Oche - my sister and brother were in awe at my bloodlust and carnage. They killed quick and silent. I enjoyed my dagger in flesh and the slow, begging whispers of -" Looking at Ra'tarnik he stopped.

The khajiit tried to keep his animosity quelled listening to Scar-Tail go on.

"We were unstoppable. So many fun, little excursions all across Tamriel. Even into the heart of Hammerfell. That was fun. I tell you, those redguards are the best with spears and I had never seen swordsmanship like I did there!

We continued on like that until we were 'transferred' into The Dark Brotherhood. While I had the most fun in service to the royal court, The Dark Brotherhood was where I truly learned the skilled arts of assassination. All business there. Sunrise-to-sunset and beyond learning how to just angle the blade right on every creature. I even learned at a correct angle, a dagger could pierce both a lung, kidney, and heart in nearly one stab, so-to-speak. How to get the most out of a poison and what type of arrow they mingle with the best. Stamina drains work best on elven, health drains on steel, and magika drains on silver and glass. In fact, glass is probably the best for any one of them. But if you start mixing them then…"

Ra'tarnik put up his massive paw. "I don't need a lesson Scar, I get it! You know how to murder innocent people!"

With a loud hiss, Scar snapped back, "See, that's something I never understood. Yes, we murdered innocents but we also dealt with some nasty individuals too. We are equal opportunity murders-for-hire. We don't discriminate. If you want them dead, we make them dead."

Twisting his furry paw for Scar-Tail to continue, Ra'tarnik looked away with a snarl trying to be civil about the most uncivil.

"Anyway, I had taken plenty of jobs. Me and my - family were getting along so well. I considered all of them just as close as my argonian siblings I had joined with. There was no other argonians except for me and my two. I had such luxurious conversations with -" Scar-Tail stopped. He was trying to avoid the part that ached at him the most. Why he had to leave his family. "One day I was reading, taking it easy in the sanctuary when the head executioner came up to me with a job that he said I'd be perfect for." He laughed a bit. "Said that I needed to 'paint' with them."

"Paint?" Ra'tarnik asked.

"Yeah." Nearly whispering it through his teeth. Scar-Tail went on, "It meant to get brutal with the target. That wasn't a problem for me. He said I was going to be paid well for this one. Orders of the deed coming directly up from Valenwood. A wood elf by the name of Sheeva. A bunch of bosmer and altmer had seen her dealing with daedra princes, blood, murder, collapse of an empire - a whole bunch of bad things. Said she was born evil. She was also set in line to become some kind of princess. I'm not exactly sure how it was all suppose to work. She was born under the sign of the lord so I think that made her royalty."

Ra'tarnik asked skeptically, "Why not hire the Morag Tong?"

"They're more like mercenaries than quiet assassins. And - they're not as heartless as the Dark Brotherhood. The elves knew they needed a cold-blooded killer. Someone with no conscious and who could carry out the death in a brutal fashion. The Brotherhood had a reputation to uphold. Not to mention we were just better all around, period." A hiss of pride coming from the killer argonian.

Ra'tarnik ignored it.

"So, I took the contract and headed for Valenwood. That set me in my mood real quick."

"Mood?"

Scar-Tail nodded. "The jungle, humidity, swamplands. It all reminded me of Black Marsh. Only prettier. Valenwood was far less swampy and more lush. It was the type of environment I was first trained in, grew-up in, the environment where I made my first kill in.

I was three days in. Finally, I figured out where Sheeva was at. The elf that told me at the local pub was a high elf. They had seen the bodies she would leave in her wake. I snuck into her bedroom. She was high up in a tree somewhere. I moved in like a skeever in the night. Slipped in through her window. Had my dagger in hand. Stood over her and - I couldn't do it."

Ra'tarnik hopefully guessed, "You had a change of heart. You couldn't kill anymore."

Looking at the khajiit with dull, obstinate eyes. "Please. I would have slit her throat easily. If - if -" Scar had a hard time getting the words out. "If she had been a few decades older."

"You mean…"

"She was no older than maybe a newborn - if that. I put her at a month at the most. She was just so small. I could tell in her eyes she had no idea what I was doing there. Just that I was there. No fear." Scar-Tail lost himself in memory. That night coming back to him so vividly. The warm breeze with the smell of just fallen rain. A tinge of domestic fruit laced in it. The wood around him of the tree smelled too. Her crib made from what seemed to be sturdy oak. The night casting slight shadows. The moons brightening up the room with quicksilver lighting that lit up the small child as she laid peacefully in her crib.

She just looked at him so innocently. That's what got him the most. These same circumstances with anyone else that primal fear would be there but not in her eyes. Curiosity. Fascination. Deep in her small, little eyes. He even remembered reaching out and touching her gently on the head. She didn't smile or shy away. She leaned into his scales for some unknown reason even to him. This small elven babe so innocent.

"That was when the guards came in. They had seen me and I escaped out through her window. Just as I had come in. Leaping from treetop-to-treetop to get away. Landing on the ground I went back to the sanctuary. That was when I was outcast to never return.

They turned on me so fast. It was like as soon as I had jumped out of her window, I landed in a different world. My brother and sister let me know that they were going to make it their personal mission to track me down. I only saw them a few times but they never made a move. I think because they just wanted me to remember what I had given up. A family for some stranger. They never let me forget. They send assassins from time-to-time out for me. They never get me. I was heading back to Valenwood when I ran across Apoltis."

Sitting there silently listening, Ra'tarnik weighed everything he had been told. He ruffled his whiskers a bit and then said, "What about Sheeva?"

Scar-Tail took a long, thoughtful sigh, "The guard was tripled on her that day. Until she ran away. She had killed nearly ten people before leaving. She was only five, I believe."

Looking down at his furry hands, rubbing his claws together, Ra'tarnik looked at Scar-Tail solemnly, "So, she did become a crazed killer after all."

Shrugging, Scar-Tail looked at the trees not wanting to face the khajiit, "I don't know."

Apoltis had heard it all. He sat in the tent with his knees to his chin. That was when he heard Scar-Tail heading towards the tent. He laid down pretending to be asleep. Why? He didn't know. He asked himself that. Thinking that he didn't know how to handle what had been said. Apoltis believed that Scar-Tail had always been some dark knight. Maybe done some questionable things but nothing quite so horrific. Killed and slaughtered so many. A tear ran down his face. His uncle now revealed as the blood-thirsty butcher he once was.

Looking in on him, Scar-Tail smiled a bit. Not knowing that Apoltis had heard.

Meanwhile, Blackheart was hacking away at a tree. He was going to get some firewood. Although, his claymores weren't really getting through the large trunk. They were meant for slicing bone and flesh, not cutting down trees. He was more cutting at the tree out of anger than anything. Getting more mad that he was dulling his blades.

As chips of wood flew from the tree and Blackheart grumbled to himself, he saw down on the road two horses ride by. Imperial armored horses with lightly armored riders. Two khajiit on one and a wood elf on the other. Sheathing both claymores on his back, Blackheart followed the three the best he could. They rode without precision and reared the animals hard. Definitely not horse riders, Blackheart thought.

Slipping down to get a closer look at the three on two horses. They were looking for something. Watching them closely, staying unseen, Blackheart had hunted enough vampires in his life to know them when he saw a few. The pale skin with pinkish or red-hued eyes. No doubt these three were vampires. They kept on riding and he thought about killing them but he didn't want to draw too much attention to barely hidden campsite as it was.

Standing a little relieved the three hadn't see the fire he turned around when an arrow went right through his shoulder just below his neck. Falling to his knees he grabbed the arrow and pulled it straight out. It was poisoned. He blinked trying to shake it off but two more arrows went right into his ribs and he fell on the ground out cold. The poison didn't kill him, it just knocked him out quick.

Scar-Tail was looking at Ra'tarnik, asking him, "So, where are you -" He suddenly stopped. Pulling both his silver short-words with readiness, Scar-Tail looked over his shoulder with a furious look. "We've got company."

Standing, looking around the woods and the flatland, Ra'tarnik slowly moved for his glass battle-ax. Grabbing the hilt he dodged one arrow but not the other. It pierced right through his boot and went through his calf muscle.

Apoltis flew out of the tent as he saw Ra'tarnik cringe out and bent down to the ground in pain. He ran to him with Scar-Tail yelling at the boy, "No Apoltis!"

A quick shadow scooped up the boy and ran off with him into the wilderness. Scar-Tail watched in utter horror as he disappeared from his eyes. The fast moving assailant was quick but not quick enough for Scar-Tail to not get a beat on her. He quickly took off after her but didn't get too far.

After Scar dodged nearly three arrows expertly shot, an orc woman came from out behind a tree with Apoltis at knife point. An elven dagger to his throat. She was wearing heavy armor and Scar-Tail was impressed she could move that fast with that heavy armor.

Ripping the arrow from his calf, Ra'tarnik growled as he stood gripping Gluttony in both hands. Another growl escaped his lip as he joined Scar-Tail's side. He was feeling woozy and was stumbling a bit. Still, he faced down the orc woman with his ax in both hands. Wavering to-and-fro, Ra'tarnik stood ready and armed.

Licking her teeth the orc woman demanded of the two, "Weapons. Now!" Twitching her head to the left wanting the two warriors to lose them.

The two stood firm.

"Look!" The orc woman said with a twist of her neck and an evil glint in her eyes, "I don't want to do it but I will drop this little, smooth skin right where he stands!"

Having a hard time standing, Ra'tarnik slowly lowered his large ax to the ground with Scar-Tail still armed. Dropping the ax the warrior khajiit looked at his stubborn argonian compatriot. "Drop the swords Scar, now!"

Glancing at the orc lady sideways moving only his eyes with not one other muscle moving, Scar-Tail said confidently, "She's bluffing. I see it in her eyes."

With a whimper of fear, Apoltis asked sorrowfully and calmly, "Are you sure?"

Not taking his eyes off the orc but having a sympathetic tone to his usually hissing, dark voice, "I've never been more sure of anything in my life. I would never gamble with your life. Never."

Pushing the blade closer to Apoltis's throat the orc woman said menacingly, "His blood is on your hands, lizard!"

Staring her down, Scar-Tail's tail ever so slightly wavering. The rest of his body still as a statue. His breath barely auditable, his eyes as ruby stone with thin slivers of black ebony bolting through them. His dark-golden scales as shaded septims in the night. The silver short-swords contrasting that stygian black armor of a silencer covering his body. A deep rumble came from his throat saying, "Never. My blood will flow before his does. Now, release the boy or I kill your archer accomplice."

Her eyes widened with the dagger slightly faltering from Apoltis's throat, "How - How could you possibly know?! No one is that good!"

"I am. I know their whereabouts too. I could sling one of these swords and hit them dead center. He's one the finest archer's I've seen but I know where he's at. Let - him - go!"

The two's eyes locked on each other. Their stares both of ice. The two engaged in silent combat with each other. The tension nearly visible from the two as Ra'tarnik fell to one knee feeling the debilitating effects of the poison-tipped arrow. He stayed awake but it felt like he was fighting a thousand foes at once inside his mind. Scar-Tail and the orc woman both waiting for the other. "Times running out." Scar-Tail evilly hissed.

Swallowing, the orc woman finally let go of the boy and he rushed right over to Ra'tarnik hugging him. Scar broke his gaze for a second making sure Apoltis was okay. Ra'tarnik laid on the ground as the boy held his hand. "Ra'tarnik?!"

He smiled weakly back, "I'll be alright."

The orc woman said, still staring at the argonian assassin, "He'll be alright. The poison doesn't kill or damage health. It just drains stamina. He'll be back on his feet in three minutes."

"Now," Scar let out coldly, "tell your partner to stop where he is. Otherwise I'm going to turn around and plunge my sword through his…"

"Her." The orc woman said. Tilting her head past Scar-Tail's shoulder, "Alright Shizaru. You can stop."

Standing up from the silent, crouched position, Shizaru stood up right behind Scar-Tail with her fur armor and well-kempt bow. She quivered her arrow and put back her bow. Walking past Scar-Tail he noticed her features. She was more gaunt then her partner. Very tone though and her face was a mishmash of horror. One of her bottom canines was broken and a large scar traveled down the left side of her face. Another, more angry scar, was across her throat. Apparently somebody had tried to kill her by cutting her throat and had failed. On her back neck and shoulders were burn scars. Looking more like green scales than flesh. Standing right next to her partner in silence.

The bigger of the two put away her dagger and pointed at her skilled archer compatriot, "This is Shizaru. She's my sister."

Apoltis stood up from Ra'tarnik and asked politely but frightened, "Is there a reason you just raided our camp?"

The bigger orc sister looked at the kid, "Just looking for some gold."

Scar hissed out, "Bandits."

Looking at him insulted the bigger of the two orc sisters said, "Yeah. But we're not like the others."

Sitting up still woozy but regaining some of his strength, Ra'tarnik said, "I've heard of you two. The Gro-Dazaroth sisters. In-and-out before morning broth." Holding his head feeling dizzy but also starting to feel his strength coming back. "The bandits who killed nobody." Apoltis staying with Ra'tarnik.

A mean glance from Scar as he gazed back at the two orc sisters.

"I see out reputation is well known." the bigger orc sister said.

"Why not?" Scar asked with his head down and his piercing red, slit eyes staring out under his golden-scaled brow.

Sliding her yellow eyes at the murderous argonian, she said in rebuttal with hate of the idea, "Because we're not murders. We don't kill people we don't have to. Draws attention."

Skillfully walking sideways, not taking his eyes off the two sisters, Scar-Tail walked over to Apoltis asking, "Are you alright."

"I'm fine!" A subtle coldness to him. A hidden despise.

Retracting, Scar looked at the child curiously. Studying him he was acting differently in his presence. Something was missing. Before, Apoltis had been warm and inviting of Scar-Tail. Now, it seemed like he didn't want anything to do with him.

Looking at the ground with sadness he shook it off quickly, walking back over to the two orc sister. "And you? What's your name?"

"Mitarzu." The bigger one said.

"Mitarzu and Shizaru." Scar making sure he had the names right.

Glancing up from Ra'tarnik, Apoltis looked around, "Hey, where's Blackheart?"

They all looked around with Mitarzu pointing into the woods, "Oh, the big nord? We left him unconscious by a tree. He should be awaking right about…"

"Actually, I was up way before that!" Blackheart said leaning on a tree for support. His stamina still drained a bit. Holding both claymores in his hands. His eyes pools of hatred. "Now, if you guys don't mind, I am going to decapitate both of the orcs!" Blackheart stumbled for the two.

Struggling to get up quickly, Ra'tarnik held out his paw, "Hold on, wait up there, big man!"

Blackheart was not one to take orders from beast folk calmly but he did as instructed. His only thought hoping it was a good reason why he was not mutilating the two orc sisters.

Shizaru with two arrows already drawn on her bow. She was ready swallowing hard with he eyes and arrow head aimed right at the large, beast of a man.

Barely standing but managing, Ra'tarnik tried not to lean on Apoltis but he couldn't help it. He still wasn't at a hundred percent but he was getting there. Looking over at the two, "If you come with us I think there might be a pretty penny in it for you."

Mitarzu held down her sister's bow asking, "How much?"

"Well, we are heading to Kvatch. The argonian over there is just protecting the boy here. I'm of the same. The large nord over there, he's just here for the thrill and excitement."

"Say's who?!" Blackheart asked irritated.

"If you were to come with us. You can have any gold we find."

"Not all of it!" Again, Blackheart said annoyed. Not really caring if the orcs accompanied them but they were not taking his share. He'd kill every last one of them before letting that happen.

Mitarzu pondered for less than half-a-second, "No thanks. We'll stick with robbing people."

Blackheart then piped in, "We don't need them anyway."

Scar-Tail stayed silent. Somewhat drifting into the shadows. He figured he would let this play out. If they didn't want to join that was fine but both of them had skill. More than even they knew. Especially Shizaru. She reminded him of his old days in the Brotherhood. He had never seen such a skilled, silent archer before. Moving to a tree he stayed in the shadows.

Then, Apoltis stepped forward. "Wait."

They stopped. Mitarzu looked over her shoulder at the kid.

"Mitarzu, -" Apoltis nervously spoke. "I know that getting gold from robbing people is probably pretty easy."

"It's very easy, little man."

"But -" He pulled out the stone from his cloak holding it up for both sisters to see it. He definitely had their attention now. "This is all I have left of my mother. We are going to an alyeid expert to see if we can't figure out what it is. I hear alyeid stones sell for quite a heavy price."

"That they do." Mitarzu and Shizaru entranced by the stone. Their greed getting the better of their minds.

"Maybe she can give you the location of some ruins or something. Maybe you can -" Apoltis hated to say it. "Rob her."

Approaching the boy, "Or we could just take your stone and sell it at Kvatch."

Watchfully, Apoltis put the stone back, "No you can't."

Scar-Tail stepped up. "Not while I'm around."

Ra'tarnik right next to him. "Or me." His strength nearly back. Standing fine and feeling nearly back to normal.

Blackheart came up with his two claymores dragging behind him. His hulking body stumbling but held straight. His cold wind-sheered eyes menacingly transfixed on the two.

Looking at the two sadly, Apoltis said solemnly, "Haven't you ever fought for anything besides money?"

Taking a rugged, rough, hard step towards the child, Mitarzu belted out, pointing to herself, "Kid, I fought to get where I am. Where we both are. I use to fight for more but it didn't pay. Or people would try to rip us off."

Looking at the two with a humble yet stern look. Apoltis said, "Look at me. Do I look like someone who would try to rip you off." His voice sounding a decade older than what it was.

A sigh escaped Mitarzu gazing at her sister. Glancing back at Apoltis, she said, "Alright but if this doesn't pay off heavily, I'm taking that stone."

The two sisters joined the group and laid down in the grass a little ways from the campsite. Ra'tarnik asked them, "sure you don't want to come closer to the fire?"

Mitarzu asked, "Are you sure you want us that close?"

Shaking his head, Ra'tarnik just walked away from them with Scar-Tail glancing at them evilly.

The entire group getting some rest with only Scar-Tail and Apoltis still awake. Him and the boy sat by the fire with Apoltis blinking sleepily. Looking Scar wearily he said, "Well, I'm going to get some sleep."

"Apoltis?" Scar-Tail uttered. The crackling fire nearly being too loud over his hurt, low, hissing voice.

Apoltis didn't look at him with his back turned.

Looking back at the fire with those hurt, red snake eyes, Scar-Tail asked, "It's something I did, isn't it?"

Turning back around to look at his uncle, Apoltis saw the hurt. "I thought you were some kind of knight. I thought you did bad things but for the better of somebody else."

"You heard me talking to Ra'tarnik, didn't you?" Scar-Tail asked, rubbing his hands together with nervousness.

"Yeah."

Nodding, Scar-Tail just said, "I can't - I can't change what I've done Apoltis. I wish there was someway I could. Somehow. But I can't." Looking at him, "If you want me to leave - I will."

Furrowing his brow and looking at the argonian he didn't see a murder. He saw this reptilian person who had come to his aid time-after-time. A protector. Somebody who had been there for him when he had lost his mother. Scar-Tail was now the only real family he had left. He shook his head silently and walked into his tent. Leaving Scar-Tail alone.

With a pondering, heavy heart, Scar-Tail thought about leaving anyway. That knight guise shattered of his own accord. No longer was he the knight of Apoltis and it broke his heart. He was no longer this great hero in Apoltis's eyes. Wincing with a heavy pain inside, he opened his eyes letting a few tears travel down his face. For the first time since leaving the Brotherhood, he felt that he was loosing his family all over again. He knew he would never be the same again in Apoltis's eyes. Never to have that high pinnacle of respect from the boy again. He was disappointed. Disappointed in himself.

He laid down on the ground next to the fire and watched the flames slowly waver out. More tears running down his face as he hadn't felt this sick in a long time. A nightmare that he knew he couldn't wake up from. He lost respect from Apoltis and he felt as though another piece of himself had been taken away. Wondering how much of himself he could lose before there was nothing left.