I let Shadowmere take the Argonian and I as little distance from the shrine as I dared before stopping to dismount. It wasn't fair to make her carry two of us, and I wouldn't break her trying to save my life. I took the reins from the Argonian, looping them over Shadowmere's head, and began to lead her away on foot.

"Thank you… for saving my life," the Argonian said quietly after a few minutes of travel, breaking the silence. "I was frightened by those people, and you are a… fearsome warrior. I was worried that you might do to me what you did to that assassin, but…" He fell silent. I didn't say anything. He spoke the truth. "…You didn't have to save me," he continued finally. "I don't know who you are, but I owe you a great debt. It would have been easier to leave me behind."

I glanced back at the Argonian, reading what I believed to be sincere gratitude on his face.

"I couldn't let you die," I responded, turning forward again to pick my path through the underbrush. "The Mythic Dawn has already killed enough innocents."

"Is that who they were?" he mused. A sudden shudder shook his frame. "All I know is that they intended to sacrifice me to their dark god. If only I could erase the memory of that hellish place."

A horrible, mutilated face floated before my eyes, a face utterly unrecognizable had I not already known who it was. My person hellhole. Applewatch.

"The memory will never disappear, but, with time, it made fade a little. That is the only consolation I can give."

He said nothing, and we continued in silence once more. Shadowmere's hooves crunched the rock and twigs beneath her feet.

"I am Jeelius," the Argonian said eventually. "I am a priest in the Temple of the One in the Imperial City."

"Sarasamacial," I answered by way of reply. "I work for the Fighters Guild."

"Did the guild master send you?"

"No. If anyone sent me, it was the emperor."

A small piece of dark amusement settled in me as I watched my words sink into the dumbfounded Argonian, and then I looked forward once more and grimly continued on.

It was far into the night when we finally stopped to make camp, and, although I was exhausted from all my recent travel and our fight, I slept little, too anxious that my woodsman's skills wouldn't be enough to hide us from the Mythic Dawn should they come looking. There were advantages to being a Bosmer raised somewhat in the Bosmeri way, but they weren't absolute. We packed camp at dawn, unable to sleep anyway, and reached Bruma later that morning. I left Jeelius outside the gates, anxious as I was to get back to Cloud Ruler and deliver the Mysterium Xarxes.

Shadowmere's hooves made quick work of the snaking mountain trail heading up to the fortress afterwards. My head nodded, half asleep, to the hypnotic rhythm of Shadowmere's steps as we approached the gate when a faint whistle pervaded the air. She danced back as an arrow thudded into the ground before her, and I glanced up, rudely roused and uneasy. Two Blades – Arcturus and Caroline, if I was remembering correctly – were scowling down from the east sentry tower. Arcturus had an arrow trained on me. Caroline called down, her voice cold.

"What business do you have here, murderer? Make it quick or the next one won't miss."

I frowned, wondering why the Blades had suddenly deemed me unwelcome, when I realized I was still wearing the Mythic Dawn initiate's robes. I reached up and pulled back the hood.

"It's me, Sarasamacial," I called up to the pair. They relaxed immediately, if not completely.

"We will meet you at the gate," Caroline called again, and I noticed, as I continued forward, that Arcturus still kept his eyes on me.

The gates to the fortress opened slowly, and I was greeted by Caroline, Arcturus, and Pelagius. Caroline stepped forward as I dismounted. I noticed Arcturus and Pelagius had their hands resting on their blades. A wave of magic passed over me, and I glanced at Caroline in surprise, my attention recaptured by her.

"What are you––?" I began, but I bit off my own question as she nodded to her companions.

"She's clean," she said, and the other two relaxed visibly, their hands leaving their weapons' hilts. "My apologies, ma'am," she said to me with a polite dip of her head. "But we had to make sure it was you. Those assassins are well versed in magic, or so we were told – we couldn't have one of them masquerading as you to get to Martin."

"I understand," I replied solemnly, part of me gladdened to see they were taking such precautions, another annoyed that my return to a warm, safe bed was delayed. "Is Jauffre available for a report?"

Caroline didn't have time to reply, as a familiar voice sounded through the cool mountain air and cut her off.

"Thank Talos you've returned safely!"

I turned to the voice, watching as its owner, Jauffre, marched up in the armour of the Blades and summoning any reservoir of strength I could find pooled in my tired limbs. Speak of the daedra. He nodded to the three other Blades, dismissing them, and then turned his attention to me as they returned to their posts.

"Baurus told me of your intentions with the Mythic Dawn," he said eagerly. "Did you recover the Amulet?"

I sighed, not wanting to give him the news I knew must be given.

"I'm sorry Jauffre," I said. "Mankar Camoran escaped with it."

Frustration and distress coloured the older man's expression.

"Please tell me you have some good news," he said. I gave a slow, sore shrug.

"Maybe," I replied. "I managed to steal the Mysterium Xarxes, the Mythic Dawn's sacred text. It may not do us any good, but at least it's a blow to them."

He gave a nod. Grim satisfaction flashed momentarily in his eyes.

"Good, then. You should take it to Martin right away. He knows of such things. He'll be in the Great Hall, reading. He's hardly taken time to sleep since you left."

I felt vaguely frustrated with the priest – I had told him to get some rest, after all – but I hid it under a mask of professionalism… or exhaustion. I wasn't sure which.

"Alright. I'll do that. Just give me a moment to take care of Shadowmere."

Jauffre glanced at the steed and then me.

"You needn't bother," he told me. "You look like you could use some rest. Go talk to Martin, and then find a bed. I'll get Belisarius to look after of her. "

I took a double take at Jauffre, unsure if I had heard correctly until I remembered that there was a Blade here by the name of Belisarius. Nameless laughter chuckled in my ears, amused by the fact that someone even so distant from me as a dead Speaker could make me break out into a sweat. Abruptly I was afraid to go to sleep. If the Dark Brotherhood was haunting me this much in my waking hours, the terrors they would bring when I slept…

"Thank you, Jauffre," I replied, perhaps a little stiffly – an effect caused by my fear – "I appreciate that very much." Pulling my saddlebags down off Shadowmere and slinging them over my shoulder, I made my way into the fortress.

As my eyes adjusted from the bright light outside, a warmth born of relief filled me, casting off some of my previous weariness and filling my steps with renewed vigour. Baurus and Martin, the former standing guard behind the latter, stood sentinel over one of the long tables laden with books, parchment, and a shield, and I couldn't express how wonderful it was to see them. I roughly shoved my Dark Brotherhood memories into their dank corner of my mind, determined to let them haunt me no more. Baurus noted my presence immediately as I strode in, and bent down with a pleased grin on his lips to murmur something to Martin, who looked up sharply from the text he had been studying.

"Ah, you're back," he called out to me. A smile grew on the priest's features as I neared, and I couldn't help but smile back, weary as I was. "I told Jauffre not to worry."

I settled my saddlebags on the bench opposite the two, sidling in to take a grateful seat of my own. Sighing appreciatively, I regarded the pair with a tilted head, the smile lingering on my lips.

"Glad to know someone has faith in me," I said with good nature, albeit tiredly. "Although I never really doubted it from either of you."

Baurus took a seat beside Martin.

"I wish I could have helped you deal with the rest of those Mythic Dawn bastards," he said. "But it seems you did alright on your own." He frowned. "I see you've got a new wardrobe, though."

I glanced down at myself, realizing once again that I was still wearing the initiate's robes. I looked up.

"It's a long story, Baurus. Sufficed to say, I tried to sneak out."

"Tried?"

"Like I said: long story. I'll tell you after I've had a chance to settle in. Speaking of which – Martin, I have something for you."

The priest looked on curiously as I reached into my saddlebag and pulled out the Mysterium Xarxes.

"Here you go," I said. His eyes went wide and he jumped up suddenly and wrenched it out of my hands, dropping it in the centre of the table as if it were a hot coal.

"By the Nine!" he shouted. "Such a thing is dangerous to even handle!" I blinked up at him, shocked, not only by this revelation, but by the fact that my mild tempered acquaintance was actually yelling at me.

"I… I'm sorry," I said, still a little dumfounded. Martin seemed to realize what he'd done, for he looked at me with sudden distress as he ran an anxious hand through his hair.

"No… forgive me," he said, calming. He sat back down, slowly, almost gingerly, as if he were afraid of my potential reaction. "You were right to bring it to me, I… overreacted." He reached for the book, tentatively sliding it off the papers it had landed upon and onto a clear patch of table. "This is an artefact of great evil," he explained solemnly. "I know some ways to protect myself from its power, but it would be best if neither of you touched it." He lifted his eyes to both Baurus and me. "I wouldn't want either of you to be hurt by it."

I frowned, tilting my head a little, perplexed.

"I've been carrying this thing around for over half a day," I told him. "I slept with it under my arm. Are you sure it's of any danger?"

Martin looked worried, and I suddenly feared for myself. Gods, I was tired. My self-preservation instinct rarely kicked in this hard unless something was presently in the process of trying to eat me. Afraid of a book? Psht.

"It is a powerful daedric artefact, Sarasamacial," the priest explained. "It could work all manners of dark magics without us knowing." He frowned as he studied me. "You show no sign that I can see... Are you well, my friend?"

"I'm well. Tired," I admitted, "but well. It was a long battle and an even longer journey."

"You should have waited," Baurus chastised. "You didn't need to leave for the Shrine that very day. If I'd known I would have stayed behind."

I looked over at the Blade, my renewed vigour from earlier replaced by all too familiar weariness.

"I was already too late as it was, Baurus. I'm lucky I got away with the knowledge that I did."

"What do you mean, 'too late'?" the Blade questioned suspiciously. Martin was studying me, his brow furrowed.

"You didn't recover the Amulet, did you?" he said quietly. I shook my head.

"No. I was only able to recover the Mysterium Xarxes. I thought it might be able to lead us to Mankar Camoran."

Seeing the confused look on Baurus' face, I decided to elaborate.

"When I arrived," I began, "there was some sort of ceremony going on. Mankar Camoran, or 'the Master' as the Mythic Dawn followers called him, was giving some sort of speech. He spoke of a place called Paradise, and how the 'time of Cleansing' was drawing nigh. He said he would return with Lord Dagon at the coming of the Dawn. He then opened some sort of… portal, and stepped through. He was gone with the Amulet before I could do anything." I sighed, pushing a strand of stray hair back into place. "They had prepared a priest of Akatosh for sacrifice. Freeing him and stealing the Mysterium Xarxes was the best I could do."

Silence settled on the three of us. Baurus was the first to stir.

"The best you could do, Sara," he said slowly, "is better than most of us."

We fell quiet again. I lifted my eyes appreciatively to Baurus' for a moment before dropping them to the wood of the table once more. There was a distinct air of hopelessness around us.

"Do you think it will be of any use?" I asked after a moment, breaking the silence. Martin followed my gaze to where it rested on the Mysterium Xarxes.

"I don't know," he answered. "I suspect that the secret of how to open a portal to Camoran's 'Paradise' lies within these pages, but I will need time. Tampering with dark secrets, even just reading them, can be very dangerous. I'll have to proceed carefully."

"With all due respect, sire," Baurus cut in. "Shouldn't you leave that to someone else? If anything happens to you we'll have no hope of defeating Dagon."

I glanced back at the priest.

"I agree, Martin. If this thing is as dangerous as you say it is, it might be too much of a risk."

He looked at us resignedly.

"There is no other who can do this," he said. "This evil book was written by Mehrunes Dagon himself, and given by him to Mankar Camoran. You were lucky, Sarasamacial, but the next person who handles this book may not be. I am the only person who can safely decipher it."

"Then we'll bring someone else to read it," Baurus said.

"Who?" I countered, looking at the Blade. "I don't like the idea of Martin putting himself in danger either, but he makes a valid point. The only people who could read this book safely are those with knowledge of daedric practices, and, seeing as our enemies are a daedric cult, that doesn't sound like a good idea to me."

"Besides, we are running out of time," Martin added. "Mankar Camoran's plot was undone only by the merest chance, and his victory remains perilously close. We must recover the Amulet of Kings and relight the Dragonfires before it is too late to stem Dagon's invasion."

"Then what about Tar-Meena?" Baurus ventured. "She knows more about daedric cults and artefacts than anyone at the Arcane University. She could help us."

"That's true, and she has already proven her loyalty," I added, switching sides once again. Martin shook his head.

"Unless she has knowledge of the inner workings of daedric worship, it is unlikely. My ability to protect myself comes from my use of the dark arts themselves. No, I am the only one who can do this."

We fell silent once more, and I pondered the validity of Martin's words. Baurus broke the quiet.

"You… practised the dark arts, Sire?" His voice was hesitant and small. Martin let out a slow breath.

"I put aside the dark arts when I became a priest, but yes, I did," he admitted. "Yet it seems the workings of fate may be seen in this, too. 'The gods can turn anything to good', or so I piously told those who came to me for advice." His voice was heavy with the irony of his next words. "Perhaps I may yet come to believe it myself."

I felt for Martin. I had once known the safety and comfort of devout faith. There had been almost nothing more painful in my life than being betrayed by my one god. I couldn't imagine what Martin felt like being betrayed by nine of his.

"If giving us a key to defeating Mehrunes Dagon is good, then yes, the gods must have that strength," I said, mostly for Martin's benefit. It's not like I believed in the Nine. Well, not really anyway. "If we use that strength to our advantage, we will defeat this invasion. If we trust in each other to do our parts, then we will prevail." I rose, reaching down and slinging the saddlebags over my shoulder. "My part is to do what the Blades cannot. Baurus' is to do what the Blades can. And Martin… if you say you are the only one for this task, then I believe you. You will do what is necessary to protect us." I did not entirely believe my speech, but I knew enough about armies and morale to know that all pieces needed to function properly – and believe that they did so – in order to prevail. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to refit myself from the armoury and" – I glanced down at my attire distastefully – "find myself a new change of clothes."

"Why don't you help her, Baurus?" Martin suggested in his soft spoken voice. "I think I'll retire to my room, for a time. I have been given much to think about, and I will need to prepare."

Baurus looked anxious at the thought of leaving Martin unattended, but appeared to be unable to find a concern large enough to warrant contradicting his lord's desires, and nodded.

"As you wish, Sire," he said, and then rose and came to my side. "Let's head to the barracks, shall we?" he said. "I know where we can find some clothes for you." I nodded and followed the Blade.

When we reached the barracks, Baurus went immediately to a small chest settled against the far wall. I approached as he knelt down beside it, opening it and reaching inside reverentially.

"These were Captain Renault's things," he said quietly, lifting out a shirt. "I don't see why you can't have them. She won't be needing them anymore."

I was quiet as I took the shirt gently, thinking.

"That's her sword over the fireplace, isn't it?" I said as Baurus reached into the chest once more. "The one set apart from all the others?"

"Hers and Glenroy's, yes." He handed me a pair of simple cloth breeches. I took them with the same reverence as the shirt. The hurt from Renault's death must have still been strong for the Blades. It had only been little under a fortnight since her passing. I was both surprised and grateful that Baurus was allowing me the use of her once possessions, and hoped the others would be as practical and unoffended.

"I'd… like to apologize for taking her things," I said quietly. "It was practical, but it wasn't thoughtful of me."

Baurus glanced up at me, a small, sad smile on the corners of his lips.

"I don't really blame you, although I was a bit upset when it happened." He shrugged, his eyes fixed on some spot on the wall. "What you said made sense though. You were more help because of it." He glanced up at me. "Didn't really help the 'should I be leaving a strange convict to take the Amulet to Jauffre?' feeling, though."

I gave him a sheepish smile.

"But you've forgiven me, yes? Come to trust me?"
"Forgive you? Riiiight…" he said with a teasing light in his eyes. I made a face at him, which he greeted with a chuckle. He then turned back to the chest, his expression sobering. "You, uh…" I watched with fascination as a light flush began to dust the Blade's cheeks. "You don't need… undergarments, do you?"

Baurus' embarrassment and comment took me so off guard that a burst of laughter escaped me. The Blade continued to blush further.

"It's not that funny," he muttered, self-conscious.

"No, no, you're right," I said, stifling my giggles with only the utmost effort. "I shouldn't be laughing. I just wasn't expecting, well…" I attempted to compose myself, trying to ease the poor man's discomfort. "Men usually have a… different reaction when they talk of my smallclothes."

"Do men often talk about your smallclothes?"

I gave another chuckle and knelt down beside him.

"I'm from the Fighters Guild," I reminded, seeking his eyes with my own laughing ones. "They talk about every woman's smallclothes, and more often than you'd like to know."

A slight smile wavered at the corner of the Redguard's lips, as if he was trying not to smile or was still too embarrassed to. I reached over and placed my hands on the lid of the chest, gently urging his away and shutting it.

"However," I continued, my voice calmer, more collected. "I have no need for new undergarments today. Those, at least, the Mythic Dawn were unable to take." I didn't mention how close to a lie that last statement had come. Baurus, from what I was beginning to see, was a chivalrous, protective sort. Perhaps a little hot-headed, more than I'd first believed, and a little vengeful, but chivalrous and protective nonetheless.

"I noticed Celesti was missing," Baurus said, bringing me out of my thoughts. "I wondered what had happened to her."

I sighed, standing, and he rose with me.

"The Mythic Dawn took her, along with the rest of my equipment. I'd hoped to infiltrate and recover the Amulet without a fight, but…" I trailed off.

"Yes," he said. "There's blood in your hair. I assumed it wasn't yours, but wanted to ask you about it anyway."

I didn't want to speak of it. It was enough that Baurus knew of my time with the Thieves Guild and of my origins from within the Imperial Prison. He didn't need to know that the blood in my hair was most likely not of my own, but of my tortured victim's, and I was much too tired to be sure of my ability to keep that secret should he begin asking questions.

Baurus must have seen the shadow that crept across my face, for his brow knit in concern.

"Are you alright, Sara? You aren't hurt, are you?"

"No, I'm fine, Baurus. Just tired, that's all."

"You should get some sleep then. Everyone's out on patrol. There'd be no one here to disturb you."

"No," I replied, perhaps a little too quickly. If I went to sleep now… she would be there, waiting, lurking in my dreams, biding her time until she could strike when I was defenceless. I had tortured a man. She would not pass up the chance to torment me with that knowledge. And who knew what else I might dream, with the Dark Brotherhood so present in my mind?

"I thank you for your concern, but I'm fine. I have some potion – I'll take a bit of that and I'll be as good as new. I have far too much to do to sleep now."

Baurus studied me sceptically.

"Like what?" he asked. "Martin hasn't even begun working on the Mysterium Xarxes, Jauffre and the other Blades have the situation under control… Unless you've had word from your Guild, there's nothing. Besides, you've just come from battle. You've earned a little rest."

"No," I said again, waving his justifications away. "I can't. I can't sleep. I have to refit myself. I have to get changed." I glanced around, trying to think of better, more legitimate excuses. "I have to––"

"It's the nightmares, isn't it?" I turned my eyes to Baurus, my words stilled. "That night at Luther Broad's," he explained, looking sheepish. "You were tossing and turning all night. And you… well, you talked."

Fear clutched at my stomach, its grip cold and clammy. What had I said? What had he learned?

"You shouldn't have listened." I said, only my years of training keeping the panic out of my voice.

"I didn't mean to," he said, looking shamefaced and defensive all at once. "My shoulder was aching because of a spell one of those Mythic Dawn bastards threw at me, and I was having trouble sleeping. You were making a lot of noise. I almost woke you up."

It was my turn to go red. Oblivion take whatever it was that was happening to me. I knew what was giving me nightmares, and it had all transpired twenty years ago. It was supposed to be behind me. Why was I being tormented now? Why was it happening when I was so exposed?

"Why didn't you say anything earlier?" I asked, still fighting to keep my tone even. How could he keep this from me? I could have… he could have… A wave of sickening terror washed through me. If I'd said anything incriminating, my life could hang in the balance. All it would take was one careless word from him in the wrong ear.

"I didn't want to embarrass you," the Blade said in response to my question. "I thought it was a onetime thing." I looked away, unwilling to let him see the fury and fear in my eyes. "Sara, I know we haven't known each other very long, but I'm… I want you to know I…" The Redguard stopped as he groped for words. "The Blades have a saying," he said, continuing. "'Concern for one is concern for all. Stand together else we should fall'. It's a bit over the top, but true. If there's something bothering you, we can help."

Some part of me appreciated Baurus' offer, but fear made my defences high and my tongue sharp.

"Lest you have forgotten," I replied scathingly before I could think, "I am not a Blade."

"No," he said, calmly accepting my scorn. "But you act like one, and I trust you like any of my other knight sisters and brothers."

I blinked up at him, taken aback. The sincerity in his eyes frightened me. I looked away again quickly. I didn't deserve his trust. Not entirely.

"There's nothing you can do to help me with this, Baurus," I said quietly. "Just… tell me what I said. Please."

Baurus was silent a moment, shifting his weight from one foot to another.

"I don't really know," he admitted eventually. "At least, for most of it. You were speaking another language."

"Bosmeri," I explained absentmindedly, my eyes fixed on the floor beyond him. "It's my mother tongue. I was born in Valenwood." Out of the corner of my eye, I thought I saw Baurus' eyebrows rise.

"I never knew," he said. "I assumed you were from Cyrodiil. Your accent is perfect."

"I've lived mostly in Cyrodiil," I clarified. "My mother fled here when I was young."

"Fled?"

"It's a long story."

"You seem full of long stories today."

We fell silent, my unwillingness to share building a barrier between us.

Eventually Baurus sighed.

"Alright, so you're not going to tell me anything, and you're not going to sleep," he said, his tone light and offhand despite his obvious frustration at being denied an answer. "Can I at least have your word that you'll take it easy for the rest of the day?"

I glanced up at him, surprised and confused by his lack of insistence, and wondering if it was going to come back to bite me later. His brown eyes were warm and comforting, however, so I shrugged off my concern for the moment.

"You have my word that I'll take it easy. By my definition of "take it easy", of course."

"Shouldn't have expected a straight promise from you," he said, a teasing light in his eyes. He nodded his head towards the door. "I'll meet you down in the armoury, alright?"

I nodded my agreement as I held my new old clothes to my breast. Baurus turned to leave and began to make his way out of the room.

"Baurus," I called after him as he reached the door, my voice devoid of all our earlier gaiety. He stopped, one hand resting on the door frame as he faced me.

"Yes?"

"…Thank you."

A shadow of a smile hovered on his lips, and he inclined his head to me in a gesture of acceptance. Then he turned away, and was gone.

I found myself in the armoury a few minutes later, being strapped in to a set of the Blade's heavy armour.

"Baurus, I can't wear this," I said as I adjusted the cuirass over my slight frame. I felt like I was swimming in it, but it was the smallest piece of armour we could find. Renault's sleeves and pant legs had also required several roll ups to make them the right length for me. Baurus hadn't been kidding when he'd said he'd never heard of a Bosmeri Blade before.

"Sure you can," Baurus replied, helping me do up a buckle that I couldn't reach with any ease. "It's either that or nothing. I'd prefer not to see you in nothing."

"Again, not the response I usually get from men."

He paused as he glanced up at me, a chastising remark obviously upon his tongue in addition to the slight discomfiture. I decided that a part of me liked making him behave like a fourteen year old, tongue-tied youth.

"I think I'm going to have to accompany you back to the Fighters Guild," he said, returning to his work, "and give those men a few lessons in chivalry."

"You'd be there for a while. I don't think they'd know chivalry if it bit them in the you-know-what."

"And they claim to be a protective force of Tamriel? How can they protect anyone if they can't treat them with respect?"

"It's easy," I told him cheekily. "You grab a sword, hit whatever it is you're paid to hit, and say 'thank you' when they give you the gold. Besides, we know how to dole out respect… mostly. It's just chivalry that's dead. Anyway, I'm sure you Blades are just as bad. Caroline and Jena probably have a time of it fighting off all you men."

Baurus straightened, his efforts with the buckle completed.

"I wouldn't necessarily say that," he replied. "They're more likely to get satisfaction out of reporting one of us than doing anything… unladylike. They're Blades after all. Duty first, right?"

I frowned at him, crossing my arms as I did so and becoming more annoyed with how difficult the cuirass made the gesture.

"Why would they report you?" I asked.

Baurus turned back, reaching for the Akaviri sword we'd selected to replace my missing one before answering.

"Fraternization isn't tolerated among the upper ranks of the Blades. They don't want us torn between protecting the emperor and protecting our lovers." He handed the sword out to me, and I took it, thinking.

"You aren't allowed any kind of relationship at all?" I asked, my eyes finding his as I sheathed the blade. "Not even outside the ranks?"

"It's… frowned upon, but no, families outside the Blades are grudgingly accepted. It's not like we have much time for love, though. The Blades who serve publicly have often spent their entire lives proving their skill and loyalty to the Grandmaster, even more so for those who serve in the Emperor's personal guard."

I thought about that as I buckled on my quiver and settled my bow across my back. Jauffre had said Baurus was one of the youngest Blades to serve in Uriel's personal guard. Did that mean he'd never…?

The Redguard gestured for us to make our way out of the armoury, and I took the cue.

"So you've never had a lover?" I asked as we made our way up the steps. "A sweetheart? Someone special?"

"That's a bit of a… personal question, wouldn't you say?"

"I'll answer if you answer."

Baurus glanced at me wryly before pausing to open the door to the Great Hall for me. We passed out into the Hall without further comment. I glanced up at the swords hanging along the walls and wondered just how many of them there were.

"Back when I was younger – barely more than a recruit in the Legion – I fell in love with a young woman, Caelia," Baurus said quietly, pulling me out of my thoughts. I hadn't really expected him to answer, nor had I realized he'd served in the Legion, or… well, anything of what he'd just said. I turned to face him. His expression was pensive, reminiscent. "She was also a Legionnaire, hailing from Leyawiin. She was… something else." The Redguard raised his eyes to mine, a wistful expression in their brown depths. "We had our first tour of duty together. Killed our first man together too, but damn if we didn't argue over who stuck him first." A smile lit his face, and I smiled with him to see him happy.

"So what happened?" I asked. "Things just didn't work out?"

A shadow passed over Baurus' face.

"She died," he said. The smiled faded from my lips. "She earned a posting in Leyawiin as guard captain and was murdered. Jauffre offered me a position in the Blades shortly after, and I accepted. Wanted to make the world a better place. Wanted to take my mind off her."

"I'm sorry. I had no idea."

The Blade looked at me.

"It's alright," he said. "It happened a long time ago. I've learned to deal with it."

I was trying to find something more to say when the doors to the great fortress blew open, and I glanced over to see a rather ill-tempered looking Caroline marching up to me.

"You are aware that this is supposed to be a hidden fortress, yes?" she said to me crossly as I stared at her, taken aback.

"Er... yes?" I replied hesitantly, wondering what in the world had happened to make the brusque but level headed Breton so perturbed. Said Breton continued to frown at me.

"Then perhaps you can explain to me why Fortis and Roliand have returned from patrol early with a Dunmer girl who claims to be looking for you."

I frowned, trying to think of any Dunmer women I knew who could possibly have any desire to seek me out. Caroline nodded towards the door, and, after a quick, confused glance at Baurus who rose to come with me, I followed after her.

It was a fairly large commotion at the gate. Fortis and Roliand stood, grim faced, on either side of their charge, whose identity was mostly hidden behind the imposing form of Captain Steffan. Belisarius and Pelagius also waited a little further back, their eyes hard as they regarded their prisoner. Arcturus I could see high up in the east sentry tower, still keeping watch.

"What were you doing in Bruma?" Steffan questioned. His voice was cold and intimidating.

"I told you: I'm looking for the Champion. She was last seen outside Bruma. It made sense to follow the trail, and it's not so difficult to find if you have the training—"

"And where exactly did you receive your training, Dark Elf?"

"Well, Morrowind, but... but I've been in Cyrodiil these twelve months passed! I work for the Fighters Guild in Anvil. I was sent by Modryn Oreyn. Please, you have to believe me. I mean no harm!"

"We'll be the judge of that," Steffan replied darkly. He stepped back to greet Caroline's hail, revealing the Dark Elf girl who stood blindfolded and dejected between her two guards. I smiled grimly as I recognized her.

"It's alright, Steffan – I can vouch for her," I said as we approached. Steffan frowned at me, but the look of hopeful relief on the Dunmer's face was so strong it was almost comical.

"Champion? Is that you?" she asked, her face lighting up.

"It's me, don't worry."

"Oh, thank Dibella! Please, please tell them I'm not spy or anything worth killing!"

"You know this woman?" Steffan asked, still looking mightily perturbed.

I turned to the girl, my gaze hardening.

"Who is the keeper?" I asked.

"The fair skinned rose with emerald leaves, and petals as red as flame."

"What holds the blade?"

"The dusk haired sire of a band of mercenaries, sworn to the uphold of honour."

"And what are your feelings towards a certain Dunmeri mage living in Anvil?"

Between the correctly recited pass code and the blooming darkness on the girl's cheeks, I was sure beyond a doubt that this was, indeed, who I believed it to be.

"I do know this woman," I replied to Steffan with a gesture at the girl. "And that just confirmed it. This is Llensi Llaram, an Apprentice in the Fighters Guild, and one of our Master's favourite couriers." I glanced back at Llensi. "Take that blindfold off her. She's on our side."

"Her actions say otherwise. She tried to flee from us when we went to speak with her."

"And if I was a lone scout and saw heavily armoured soldiers making for me I'd run away too." Steffan glowered at me. I sighed and turned to Llensi. "What brought you all the way to Bruma looking for me, anyway?" I asked, ignoring him.

Llensi swallowed.

"I have a message from the Master," she said. "He wants you to report for duty at Chorrol as soon as possible." She paused, undoubtedly censoring the words Modryn had given her to tell me. "He says now isn't the time to... get into trouble, and he doesn't appreciate you lying to him."

I raised my eyebrows at the girl.

"Lying to him?" I questioned.

"I'm not sure what he was talking about," Llensi admitted. "But he was very angry about it. Said he was going wring your fetch––uh, fair neck if you came back, and twice over if you didn't."

"Because of course I'm going to let his filthy, blue hands anywhere near my neck next time I see him."

"Champion," she hissed, looking almost frightened beneath her blindfold. "You can't say that about the Guild Master."

"What, that's he's filthy?" A smile touched my lips. "Have you been near the man after a battle, Llensi?"

"As happy as you are to be reunited, can't this conversation wait until later?" Steffan interrupted ill-temperedly. I glanced at the man, having half-forgotten that he was there. "Her being here complicates the situation. We need to take her inside for questioning and ensure that she isn't a spy."

"Llensi isn't a spy," I told him, an authoritative, challenging edge to my tone.

"We don't know that," the Imperial countered, glowering at me. "How are we to trust her? By her own admission you can't have known her more than a year."

"I know my people. I trust Llensi." Perhaps I didn't trust her as deeply as I did Modryn, Burz gro-Khash, or some of the other veterans of the Guild, but she had proven her loyalty enough for me to stand up for her here. She had done nothing to warrant my suspicion… yet.

"So we are to place faith in your judgment over our own?" Steffan argued. "You, a woman we barely know?"

I narrowed my eyes, ignoring the uncomfortable shifting of Baurus behind me.

"Uriel trusted my judgment," I said, my voice deadly calm. "Seeing as yours lead to his death, shouldn't you as well?"

There was a collective intake of breath from the Blades, and even Llensi, who knew not of what I spoke, stilled. It was a cutting blow, I knew, but I wouldn't see my poor Dunmer charge dragged off to whatever dank dungeons there were here to be "questioned" simply because she had been following orders. It was my fault really. I should have contacted Modryn.

Captain Steffan's lips tightened into a thin, white line. Fury danced in the shadows of his blue eyes. He turned stiffly to Pelagius.

"Find the Grandmaster," he said, the words sharp off his tongue. "Tell him we need his judgment. And you," he said, turning to me. "Do you judge this man to be honest?" His gauntleted hand gestured at Baurus. I met the Redguard's eyes for but a moment before facing Steffan once more.

"I do," I said.

"Good," he replied curtly. "Then you won't have any quarrel with his guarding you." A wave of indignation rose up within me, but if Steffan noticed, he made no show of it. Instead he turned to Baurus. "Take them up to the stable for now. These two are not to leave until Jauffre arrives. Understood?"

"Yessir," replied Baurus, standing to attention. I noticed his expression become distinctly more upset and less professional as Steffan and the other Blades departed for their duties. I stepped forward and took Llensi by the elbow, guiding her towards the stables with Baurus at our heels. Once there I undid the blindfold around her eyes and she blinked at the sudden light.

"I'm sorry," Llensi apologized in a small voice as I folded the blindfold. She seated herself rather wearily on one of the hay bales stacked against the stable wall.

"This isn't your fault," I assured her, coming to the girl's side and taking a seat. She wasn't yet eighteen, and already she had fled her family and home to free herself of an unwelcome marriage and cruel husband. She didn't deserve the treatment she'd gotten here, although I understood the Blades' caution. "Look," I said when she continued to be miserable. "You were just following orders. I would never let any harm come to you for doing such a thing. I'm your champion, yes?"

She nodded, a tiny smile lighting up her beautiful, delicate features.

"Besides," I whispered conspiratorially. "Who would you rather face? Modryn Oreyn or the whole of the Blades? I'd take the Blades any day."

There was a snort from Baurus' direction, and Llensi gave a laugh, some of her forlornness melting away.

"He still scares me sometimes," she admitted. Her face grew worried. "And with the way he was acting these past few days…"

I frowned.

"What do you mean? How has he been acting?"

Llensi sighed, looking torn.

"He probably wouldn't want me to tell you, but…" I waited patiently for her to continue, and she obliged me after another moment of consideration. "He was so upset after Kvatch," she explained, her large eyes turning on me. "Everyone thought you had died in the attack with the rest of them. He was well enough to send forces from Skingrad and Anvil to help out with the daedra and the bandits, but he wouldn't even see me when I came to give my report. I had to shout it through the door. When I told him of the sightings we'd had of you, it practically flew open." She paused, dropping her eyes to the floor. "He… wanted to go look for you. It took everyone in the guild hall to convince him that he had to stay, that we needed his strength to lead us. He was very unhappy sending just me." She looked up at me. "I've never seen him so upset before. Even with the Blackwood Company, he never…" She fell quiet again, and my gaze dropped to my hands where they rested between my knees. Modryn had been that upset? He'd been that worried? He was never a man to shirk his duties, so to simply ignore all of them like this... It didn't make sense. "Champion," Llensi's hesitant voice broke silence. "You aren't… lovers, are you?"

I glanced up at her, taken aback.

"Me and Modryn?" I exclaimed. "No, we're––!" I paused to shake my head incredulously. Not that I hadn't considered it before – not that both Modryn and I hadn't considered it before, and quite seriously – but he was my elder by a good hundred and fifty years, and for the well-being of the Guild and our friendship we'd decided to let it be. "We're just very good friends, Llensi. We've been through a lot together."

I felt rather than saw a pair of eyes on me, and I glanced up to see Baurus quickly look away from me. I didn't have a chance to make a remark, however, as Llensi's voice drew me back.

"Oh, good," she said with a laugh. "I didn't think you were, but with the way he was acting I had to make sure." She glanced at me, her red eyes filled with longing. "It must be nice to have someone care that much about you." I was once again taken aback by her candidness. It took me a moment to find appropriate words.

"Yes," I finally said, my eyes dropping to my hands once more. "It is."

"Jauffre's coming," Baurus said, his voice edged with… annoyance? Well, I supposed I deserved it. I had insulted the competency of his order in a particularly cruel way. He stepped aside to let the Grandmaster enter. Pelagius trailed behind. I smiled sheepishly, hoping to be found endearing.

"Jauffre!" I said, rising. "Allow me to introduce my fellow sister-in-arms, Llensi Llara––"

"None of your cheek, Sarasamacial," the man said sharply. "You're already in enough trouble as it is." He turned to Baurus. "Is it true she sassed Captain Steffan in front of you all?"

The Blade glanced at me with an unreadable expression before facing Jauffre again.

"She did, sir."

If I hadn't known Jauffre, I would have sworn I saw him roll his eyes. He gestured to Llensi.

"Pelagius, escort our guest inside. I'd like to question her in private." I opened my mouth to speak, but he cut me off with a quick, raised hand. "Not a word from you," he warned. "This woman has come too close to Cloud Ruler, and with the convenient excuse of looking for you, no less. I intend to find out how legitimate that claim is without you jumping to her defense at every second word."

I snapped my jaw shut tight and settled back down onto the hay bale, carefully keeping my indignation in check. I knew when I could push the envelope. Now, in the Blades stronghold and facing down their Grandmaster himself, wasn't the time.

I looked at Llensi.

"You'll be fine," I told her as Pelagius stepped forward to lead her away. "Just tell the truth and all will be well."

She nodded stiffly, fear flashing in her eyes, and allowed herself to be lead out. Baurus made to follow them.

"You'll be staying here, Baurus," Jauffre said, stopping him with a hand. His eyes flicked to me. "I daresay she'll need some supervision for the time being."

Baurus looked like he was holding back a sigh, and nodded.

"As you wish, Grandmaster. Is she to be confined to the stables?"

"No, nothing so severe as that. Just keep her out of the west wing."

"Understood, sir."

After one final, reprimanding look at me, Jauffre departed. I watched him go, frowning.

"Well, that… wasn't exactly what I expected," Baurus said after he'd gone.

I scowled at the Blade, feeling ill-tempered and frustrated with the situation.

"Am I really that untrustworthy? I mean, is my judgment really that impaired in your eyes?"

Baurus came to sit by me.

"I trust you," he said. "That hurt what you said about Uriel, but you were right: we did fail the Emperor, and he did place his trust in you." He paused, and I saw the tale-tell sign of a man locking away his grief. "Although," he said, eyeing me up and forcing himself to be cheerful. "Seeing the kind of company you keep, perhaps I should be a little more cautious."

I felt a smile lift the corners of my lips, and I gave him a light-hearted shove.

"The only company that should be concerning is yours," I teased. Baurus chuckled.

"Come on," he said. "I've been tasked with keeping you out of the west wing, and you need to learn how to use a sword. Jauffre didn't say anything about stopping you from sparring."

I gave a good-natured groan as he rose, and allowed him to help me up with an offered hand.

I apologized to the other Blades during the evening meal. They accepted it without comment, but thereafter passed along the salt and other items with much more graciousness. Llensi was eventually released from questioning, and, although Jauffre insisted in keeping her in one of the lower rooms and under guard, he reassured me that he did not think her a spy and allowed me to see her. She was no worse for wear, although she reiterated my need to return to Chorrol. Belisarius, her guard, told me she would be released and escorted to Bruma under blindfold when the next Blade was to leave. Unhappy with that condition but satisfied, I settled down to sleep.