Woo! People are reading it! … and also becoming my grammar teacher. Hah. I love it. Thank you for reading, I really appreciate it a lot, you wouldn't believe it. Anyways. Here is the new segment.

-+-

Elizabeth found that retreating back into her cage would be useless for the door could not function properly since the gate lever had been destroyed. Instead, she merely stood outside the cage. She had reached her hands inside to grab her sandals and put them back upon her sore feet. In a few moments, the heavy thuds of armored boots made its way up the ramp.

The girl stood straight and turned around, properly facing the commander. She remembered him telling her to not speak unless spoken to; therefore, she held this as a rule when he was near. She held her head high hoping none of her fear would be hinted at. If he knew truly how she felt then he might have more of an advantage over her then what he might have now. The Dremora neared with narrowed eyes. His face seemed to gleam with sweat and blood that had sprayed upon him during battle. His jet black hair was drenched with sweat and his two ebon horns seemed shaper and far more terrifying up close then they had back in Kvatch.

His gloved hand reached up to his breastplate and he worked it off him and placed it aside. Elizabeth watched with curious eyes as he continued to remove his armor. The cuirass lay lifeless upon the floor and he stood there in a jet colored tunic that hung loosely to his great brawny figure. He turned to her and explained, "After battles such as Kvatch, the armor starts to feel heavier then it is and weighs you down even more. Now if I remove it, I can move much more easily… say, if you were to run away like you did to Xilivicus… I would catch you before you took even two steps."

"I learn from my mistakes," she said with a bowed head and a furiously beating frightened heart. "I won't try to r-run away again."

"—unless you see the opportune moment." He added in with a serious face and a hissing voice. He moved even closer and sighed, "Well then, let us get to the interrogation. I've gotten very impatient over the last few scholar's information. So tell me what you know before I get very impatient."

She sighed and then questioned cautiously, "What…is it that you want to know?"

He gave her an incredulous look. She could practically see his patient meter burst within him. His jaw clenched and he lightly muttered, "Everything."

"It will be hard to tell you everything without any specific details," said she, "would you like to know certain landmarks or the greatest of areas or the most populated or…?"

Broga glanced off, uninterested, "I have heard this all before," he groaned, "I want to know what exactly is in Tamerial."

Elizabeth blinked a few times, attempting to process this, "Tamerial consists of a lot of parts, sir. There is… Hammerfall, Summerset Isle, Black Marsh, Morrowind, Cyrodiil-"

"Cyrodiil," interrupted the Dremora. "I want to know about the parts of Cyrodiil."

Elizabeth bowed her head thinking deeply. Under these circumstances her mind was so unraveled and she was certain that if she didn't answer soon, Broga would force an answer out of her. She sighed deeply and continued, "Cyrodiil has many cities in it… there is Bruma, Bravil, Anvil, Cheydinhal, Leyawiin, Chorrol, Skingrad, the Imperial City, and Kvatch which… has been probably wiped off the world. All of Cyrodiil is practically centered around the Imperial city which is where the Emperor is at."

Broga nodded, "Emperor Uriel Septim and his sons… where are they in the city?"

Elizabeth glanced up and said, "In the center, of course, in the Imperial Palace. The sons are usually there or walking about the city. Imperial City is in the shape of a great wheel with massive walls. All over Cyrodiil the Imperial Palace can be seen in the sky."

Broga glanced away; his mind was ticking away like clockwork, "… I see," he then glanced back and asked, "The government; who are they?"

"Mostly the government… w-would be the Blades. They work to protect the emperor and contain order in each and every city. Their outpost is high within the mountains near Bruma. The rest of the government would possibly be... the guards and the Chancellor."

Broga took this information in. The other scholars would tell him mostly that Tamerial had many races and different people and the terrain of each section. They didn't think while talking but… this girl did. She knew that Broga didn't want the weather status or how the people are. He wanted geography details and he wanted to know about the whole society as one. The questions continued to come and it seemed that the Dremora pressed further and further into the Emperor's life. Elizabeth answered any question brought to her. When she had mentioned the Amulet of Kings, Broga became highly interested.

"… and if an heir does not wear this Amulet…" he began.

"… then Tamerial shall fall into darkness." She had finished for him. "There's a whole prophecy in it that I haven't gotten to yet. All that I can say is that an heir must be wearing the Amulet of Kings or we'll face our own downfall."

Broga smiled brightly, "It appears that you had the information I was looking for, dear sweet mortal. I guess your life is actually worth something afterall. I still have needs of you… so you shall not return to your dimension just yet." He turned and put on his armor and then continued, "… Xilivicus shall be your escort and your guardian from now on. An almost… personal guard—if you will. Each day he shall take note of important things you say. Any knowledge of your world will be very meaningful to us. Do not fret, child, your protection shall be our number one priority. You are an honored guest here, and you shall be shown the privileges of an honored guest. Whatever you may desire, Xilivicus shall fetch it for you unless of course it collides with our laws… you understand don't you?"

Elizabeth gave a nod of acknowledgement. She concealed a troubled frown and held back her tongue which needed some answers. Why did he ask so many questions of the Emperor? Who else was here with her? What happened to the scholars? Eventually, like her other people in Kvatch, was she going to die as well?

Broga turned and began down the ramps; however, Elizabeth stopped him. "Wait," she called out. "… What about food and water? Where shall I sleep?"

The Dremora glanced over his shoulder with uninterested narrowed eyes, "Food… ah, yes. Food," he turned back around, "Your escort shall bring you food and water to drink. Your facilities are in the center tower—you cannot be alone in there, if you are caught alone you shall be punished. The quarters for the Dremora are in a corridor beneath the center tower, you; however, shall sleep in this tower. Once again, Xilivicus shall provide you with what you need. Any more questions?"

Elizabeth shook her head and replied lightly, "…no, sir."

"Good," he nodded and left the girl all to herself.

As Broga walked to the platform, he saw Xilivicus standing by for more instructions. The commander smirked and replied, "She passed the first test. Victory for the mortal, her doom has been delayed."

Xilivicus furrowed his dark brow, "… test?"

Broga nodded, "She answered all questions correctly. Now, I must be off. I need to inform Lord Dagon that we will need services of the Mythic Dawn. I believe that a few assassins will be needed for our next step."

"Assassins?" Xilivicus blinked a few times, "Why would we need…?"

Broga waved away the question and quickly changed the subject, "You shall be the mortal's guard. Tend to her every whim. Give her what she needs to live. You aren't very knowledgeable of what is happening with Lord Dagon and Tamerial; therefore, you may answer any question she asks unless you see it fit to ignore it. You already know what shall happen if you don't follow the laws that Dagon has issued for us."

"Yes," growled the Churl, "… I know."

"Good," Broga stepped upon the platform and there was a click and slowly the platform began to fall through the air. "…don't disappoint me, Churl."

The Churl furrowed his brow and quickly made his way up to the tower keep. As he entered upon the top floor he saw Elizabeth sitting down on the floor with his helmet in her lap. Her head was tilted near it and her eyes studied it closely. Her pale fingertips caressing past the large spikes and carved designs in it. "… What are you doing?" growled the man.

Elizabeth glanced up, "I'm looking at the component used to make your helmet, I don't believe I've ever seen it before."

"You probably haven't," he said while walking over and taking his helmet from her.

He raised it above his head and just as he was about to put it on, she protested, "You said you were going to keep your helmet off! If you put it on then you must engage in conversations with me."

He tossed his piercing orange gaze down at her. His face containing its stern posture as he said, "… why do you even try to talk to me?"

"Well, I want to get to know you," she answered truthfully, "I'm going to see a lot of you, I want to at least be on a friendly status with you. Don't you want to know more about me?"

He scowled and glanced away, lowering his helmet before him and placing it once more upon the ground. "… no, I don't." He replied cautiously.

She nodded in understanding and then looked up at him, "… I know this might be a little demanding, but can you please get me some food and drink. I haven't eaten in a while and I'm beginning to grow hungry."

Xilivicus took note of this and said, "Stay here."

Elizabeth gave her head a nod and watched as her guard left to fulfill her wish. She bowed her head and knew what would happen to her if she attempted to run. For now, she would abide to their rules. The frown that she had been hiding finally showed upon her face and she bowed her head in desperation. Her world had disappeared beneath her feet and her way of life had been destroyed. The inevitable was looming on the horizon and only in a matter of time would she join her fellow people who lie dead in the streets in Kvatch.

-+-

The Dremora returned many minutes later carrying a bundle of different things. As he walked up the ramps he hoped to himself that Elizabeth wasn't foolish enough to leave. As he carefully glided up to the top story he saw her sitting precisely where she was before. Her great sapphire cat-like eyes rose up to his hands to see the surprises that he had brought to her.

He cradled bags and boxes and slowly he laid them out before the girl. "… I went to Kvatch and I found a few supplies. They were in a facility for food, so I took them. I also happened to grab a few books and scrolls as well as… femalian… clothing and a mat for when you need to rest."

Elizabeth smiled brightly, "Thank you."

He shrugged and dropped the bags rather ruthlessly. The bags went crashing to the ground making a thunderous collision and a few contents rolled out. He turned and walked to the ramps soon sitting down in the path. He looked very agitated and also in a way, jealous. Elizabeth frowned and glared over at him, "You could have put it down more nicely."

"You didn't say so, princess," he hissed while closing his tired eyes.

The girl pursed her lips and crawled over to the wreckage soon probing through the bags to find a bushel of emerald apples, a head of lettuce, a few crushed strawberries, and crunched leaves of nightshade. Her brow furrowed and she glanced up, "… This is nightshade…"

"…and?" He opened his eyes and the orange fury pierced through the dimness of the tower.

"It's poisonous!" She snapped while holding the leaves in her hand. "Anyone who so eats this could die!"

"Well, good," he purred while leaning his head back and looking at the crimson sky whose clouds billowed and waltzed around like dancers. "Maybe then you wouldn't force me into conversations."

Suddenly, the head of lettuce that had been lying next to Elizabeth's side was hurled through the air and struck the Dremora in the face. He nearly toppled backwards at the sudden impact. As he leveled himself, a few pieces of lettuce were hanging from his spiked horns. "… you little wench-"

Elizabeth turned away to her food and sighed, "Broga won't like it if you talk to me so rudely. It makes me not want to share what I know about Cyrodiil."

Xilivicus's face tensed and he pursed his lips like he was sucking on a lemon. With a deep growl, he tore off lettuce leaves from his horns and tossed them aside, "… you…" he began then quickly held his tongue. This woman had him wrapped around her finger now. She knew how to play her cards and how to keep him in line. Time would only tell until she completely corrupted his mind and made him her mindless drone. However, if he were to be sentenced to death because of her—he would only be born again for Daedra was an immortal race.

He picked up a shattered emerald piece of lettuce and chucked it back at her without any remorse. His jagged teeth pierced into his lower dark lip as it hurled through the air. Elizabeth gasped and moved out of the way just in time for it to nearly skim against her head. She winced then glared up, "How dare you attempt to strike a woman!"

His lips curled and he hissed back at her, "I didn't hit a woman… I hit an animal."

Elizabeth's eyes widened and she shoved her hands upon the ground and stood quickly. Her silver hair falling beside her dead blue eyes as she snapped back, "You wretched monster," she bent over and scooped up two apples. As she stood she aimed and tossed one at Xilivicus, "You are a terrible, hideous monstrosity to this world and even my own!" The apple collided with the wall beside the Dremora and exploded in a pale yellow mush that rolled down the wall like sap.

Xilivicus leapt to his feet and right as he stood another apple flew at him and struck him in the chest. He stumbled back a little with a glare. Pieces of apple burst upon his face and quickly rolled down his square chin and dense neck. He snarled and quickly shed of his cuirass, tossing it to his side knowing its only use now was to get soiled and smell of human food. A soiled and bloodied brown tunic was lying beneath it. "You eccentric savage, I'll praise the day when I see you slaughtered down like the animal you are!"

Elizabeth felt frightened chills roll down her back and her body began to tense. The High Elf bent down and scooped up more shimmering apples into her hands. She tossed an apple sightlessly as she picked up more ammo to catapult at him. Her lips pursed together tightly and she snarled in a faltering voice, "I am the animal? I am the animal?" Another apple was hurtled blindly at him as her eyes began to water with frustrated and hurt tears. "You are evil monsters who murder humans like livestock! How dare you insult me so lowly—how dare y-" As she lifted to throw another apple her wrist was grasped and pulled far above her head. She let off a gasp and the first thing she saw when raising were fiery eyes that pierced far into her soul, igniting her.

Her pupils shrunk and Xilivicus gave her a scolding stare. He towered over her with her wrist grasped in his firm hand. She stood on tiptoe so her arm would not become the thing that she would dangle on. He slowly placed her back down and demanded of her, "… eat your food. I will fix your mat for you to sleep on. It looks like you need the rest, do you not?" His now calming voice asked.

Elizabeth looked at him; befuddled. Her mind was slipping away from her and she couldn't precisely figure out this situation. He acted so cruel towards her and then… he cared. Her brow lowered over her eyes and she said, "… I… I am a little tired."

He nodded and stepped back, giving a glance to a bag that contained her sleeping necessities. "Let me set out everything… just fill yourself up with whatever is left from our little brawl." The Dremora stepped aside and started pulling out objects and setting them up for her. His attitude had completely changed now, but for what reason?

Elizabeth sat herself down and looked to the few crushed strawberries and half a bushel of apples that remained. She picked up an apple and bit into. The sweet juices popped inside her mouth and she closed her eyes as she could imagine her home. She could see upon the grand mahogany table the little silver bowl who cradled the apples like children. Each fruit was sweet and fulfilling with each bite. She could smell Bromus's cooking and her father's pipe that he lit only on the beginning and end of each week. As her eyes opened the scene had disappeared and she saw the dreary and gloomy walls of the tower. Her heart began to fall within her chest as for the first time in her life she began to miss her home in Kvatch.

Her eyes seemed dull and the life began to slowly drain out of them. The apple became only another worthless object in her hand as she looked down upon it. This was the only memento that she had of her home. Her hand fell to her lap and she sighed deeply as troublesome things began to litter her mind. How was she ever going to get out of this predicament? Just like the story her parents had written for her, Broga started his own story. Of the Elven Maiden who told all she knew of Tamerial which led to its downfall.

Elizabeth glanced up to see Xilivicus stretching out the mat. She swallowed a anxious lump in her throat as she softly asked, "… have you ever tasted an apple?"

The Dremora froze as he was about to roll out the top of the mat. He bowed his head with a scowl, "… no I haven't." He answered after a moment of consideration.

The Elf picked up a second apple whose gleam seemed dull in this dim lighting. With a weak smile sheltered on her face, she said, "I think that you would like them."

He glanced away knowing this was another one of her attempts to get into a conversation with him. Even after being a hostage, being in Broga's interrogation, and getting in a physical fight with a Daedra… she still wanted to be an acquaintance to him. He stood up and turned around with a bothered look. Possibly, if he just tried one damn apple, she would be off his case. He strode over and swiped the apple from her hand soon holding it up to his lips and taking a great bite. The juice flowed over his lips and dribbled down his chin.

The crunch seemed like a great explosion in Xilivicus's mind. As the taste began to swirl in his mouth he pulled the apple away and glanced at it. The emerald color of it seemed even brighter now. A new world of food began to open for him. Reluctantly; he muttered, "… good."

Elizabeth tilted her head slightly and questioned, "What did you say?"

He turned and looked at her with an almost annoyed glare, "I said… it's good."

She looked up at him and saw pieces of apple on his lips, the juice rolling down his neck and beginning to soil his ruined shirt. The Elf stood and giggled, "You're making a mess."

He took another great bite of the apple. More juice rolling down his square jaw. With a full mouth, he grumbled, "Swo, mwyabe I… wanna."

Elizabeth sighed deeply and gave her head a good shake in disagreement. She lifted her sleeve and pressed it against his lips soon wiping the juice and apple chunks away. "It's not very attractive."

Xilivicus snorted and shrugged soon glancing back to the mat that still needed to be fixed for sleeping, "Well, possibly you haven't noticed but I'm not the attractive type." He kneeled by the mat and with the apple placed in his mouth he unfolded the rest of it, preparing it for Elizabeth.

The girl looked him over with narrowed eyes and a sympathetic frown. She glanced back to the strawberries and smiled, "If you think the apple is good, you'll absolutely fall in love with the strawberries."

Xilivicus frowned, "… love?"

The smile that was lingering upon the girl's face began to disappear. "… yes. It means… that if you like the apple then you'll really like the strawberry."

The Dremora nodded and remained silent until he was finished setting up a little area for her. Four books were piled next to the mat with an unlit golden candle on top of them. A small empty cup was beside the other side of the mat, in case Elizabeth needed water at any time at night. Xilivicus stood up and looked over his own little masterpiece. He kept a strict face and as he turned to Elizabeth he saw a large red object right in front of his eyes. He blinked a few times and pulled back, "… what are you doing?"

Elizabeth grinned as she held the strawberry up to his face, "Giving you a strawberry. Go on and take a bite. I promise it's very good."

He sighed and looked it over warily. Indeed, the apple was rather good and he was sure that he would like more human food. For all his life he had to eat roasted Clannfear or remaining parts of corpses. However, there was something about Elizabeth that made him want to… pull away and keep a distance. There was this feeling inside of him… that almost seemed ashamed to be around her.

"Go on," she urged.

He narrowed his eyes and gave her his wary glance, "… if I eat this will you promise to not speak to me until after you rest?"

She agreed and he leaned forward and opened his mouth inhaling the entire strawberry. Elizabeth frowned and scolded, "You weren't supposed to eat the top of it!"

Xilivicus frowned while he began chewing. The sweetness overpowered the apple taste and a chilling sensation rolled down his throat as he swallowed parts of the strawberry, "The what?" He questioned while still chewing.

"The top!" She groaned, "The green part! You weren't supposed to eat it."

Suddenly, he began to chew into the top part and his face began to twist as the taste began to soil the sweetness. His face twisted and he stuck out his tongue a few times in disgust, "Eck," he groaned while swallowing. "Why did it taste so bad?"

Elizabeth smiled, "The top tastes awful, that's why I was holding onto it for you so you wouldn't eat it." The faces that Xilivicus made reminded her of Bromus. Her Nord butler used to make all sorts of odd faces to get her to smile when she was sad. She remembered when her father had yelled at her and she was hiding under the stairs crying. Bromus had poked his big nose around the corner and she began laughing as he made funny noises and faces.

The Elf began laughing at this flashback of her childhood. The man's facial expressions weren't helping her situation either. She held her hands up to her mouth as she began to laugh. Her eyes turned to crescent moons and her bright beautiful smile seemed to brighten the entire room. Her sweet laughter startled the tower walls who only knew of crying and moaning.

Xilivicus watched her with curious eyes as she laughed. What was she doing? Her cheeks became pinked and she covered her mouth laughing. Suddenly, she inhaled deeply through her nose and she snorted. Her eyes grew wide and her face turned even pinker. The Dremora frowned and then chortled a smile soon pulling across his face. Elizabeth began laughing at herself with her hands over her mouth and nose, "Stop laughing at me!" She weakly laughed in embarrassment while her cheeks turned to a bright red.

"I'm not." He chuckled with a bright smile.

"Then what are you doing right now?" She questioned.

Slowly his laughing stopped and his smile began to fade as well. The mood suddenly changed for him and the lighthearted moment was over. He coughed and then said, "… get some rest. When you awake we will have much business to attend to."

Elizabeth frowned and looked at him. Was he frightened to laugh? His eyes looked so distant now as though he turned off his emotions and all communications to himself. The girl walked to her mat and took off her cape and corset soon placing it down beside the mat. She didn't want to ruin her skirts, but she didn't want to remove her clothes before Xilivicus either. Even though it was hard to bear, she laid down on the mat, fully dressed, and pulled the pale emerald cover over herself. The warmth of the blanket embracing her unlike the coldness that loomed outside the tower.

Xilivicus turned to the ramps and right as he was to make his descent, Elizabeth called out, "… thank you, sir, for providing for me and even talking with me."

The Dremora bowed his heavy head and answered, "… Xilivicus."

Elizabeth furrowed her brow as she sat up, "What?"

He glanced over his toned shoulder, his long spiked ears perking as he said, "… you may call me Xilivicus."

The Elf smiled, "You can call me Elizabeth then."

The Dremora dropped his gaze and repeated her, "Elizabeth… Elizabeth," the name was very different for him. He never heard anything relatively like that before. "… Goodnight, Elizabeth."

"Goodnight, Xilivicus," she replied with a short nod.

The Dremora then made his descent, worries plaguing his mind. He knew that even if Elizabeth attempted to escape that she wouldn't be able to. The body crushing platform had been lowered and where he was going he was certain that if she tried to leave he would hear her.

Xilivicus slipped out onto the wastes of Oblivion, his booted feet hitting the bridge with an odd softness. The cold wind blew upon him as his orange eyes lifted to the horizon. He only saw lava flowing around a speck of land. A frown lay upon his face as he began to look back upon his first laugh. He had never felt so warm back there. His chest felt light and his head felt like it weighed no more than an ounce. His mind wasn't absent and his tongue was not spitting out foul words of hatred. He was… at peace.

He bowed his head and though even deeper. Love; what was that? She had mentioned it only once and immediately it had gotten his attention. Love… what an odd word. Why hadn't he ever heard it before? His mind began to stretch beyond its limits and he began to remember when he last heard that word. Nocturnal had said it. She was mentioning her followers who loved the darkness as much as she had. Yes, he now remembered.

… But that was when he was a higher official in Lord Dagon's court. When he was—the memory fluttered out of his head and he could only see a black abyss of nothingness. His eyes opened and he stared off to the lava. Suddenly, the blackness began to fill in and he saw Elizabeth's face. The moment she had snorted caused his heart to laugh. A small smile pulled on his lips. This feeling… he said to himself… why am I smiling? I have absolutely no reason to smile. He suppressed the smile and bowed his head even more.

Elizabeth was the first ever mortal that he had ever met.

She was also the only one that seemed to care.

He raised his head and looked up at the crimson sky. Thunder rolled and lightning pierced through the skies. The worst was to come… and he was certain that it was looming on his horizon.

Thank you for reading! R&R