Chapter 19 – The Prophecy (Reprise)
As the three stepped out of the chapel, the townsfolk, the city guard and familiar faces like Captain Pasqual and Grandmaster Jauffre ran over to congratulate them. The guard and militia had both put up a good fight – comparatively few men had been lost in the battle.
"So, the prophecy is fulfilled," Jauffre said warmly as he saw the three. "I must offer my most sincere congratulations – your journey has not been an easy one by any means"
"Thank you very much, Grandmaster," Camri said, shaking hands with Jauffre.
It was only a few minutes before Ariel Lasaille and Marlus Halisman arrived in the town via the north gate – Camri, Latta and Assurrani quickly made their way over to the gate to meet them, as Ariel ran into the city and threw her arms around Camri.
"You did it!" Ariel said gleefully.
"I fear I once again had little part in it," Camri replied. "It was Latta who killed Mannimarco, and of course you smashed down the door into the chapel for us. What happened to you in Echo Cave anyway?"
Ariel told her incredible story – she had been lying on the floor of the cavern, barely conscious. The arrow had pierced her heart and she was bleeding internally. There seemed no hope for her as she had closed her eyes for the last time, knowing that her time had come. But then, a magical force had engulfed her and life flowed through her, her wounds magically healing themselves, and she leapt to her feet, magicka literally surging through her body.
"It was Meridia" Assurrani explained. "She sorted me out as well"
Ariel smiled and embraced Assurrani. "I'm glad you changed your mind. It wasn't your fault. And Latta, it has been a true honour fighting alongside you, and what you have just achieved was incredible"
Halisman also stepped into the town and exchanged greetings with the other three. Then, Camri turned to Latta.
"I suppose this is goodbye then, Latta"
"Yes, I'm afraid so," Latta said sadly. "I must go back to the Shivering Isles and hopefully use my new powers to restore peace there. But I will never forget you four – we have been through a lot together over the last few weeks, and I don't want to be separated from you. I am going to order a secret shrine to be built where you can contact me. Offer a clouded funnel cap at the shrine and I shall speak to you"
"Where are you building the shrine?" Ariel asked.
Latta smiled knowingly. "I told you it was a secret, didn't I?" She handed a scrap of paper to Ariel, on which she had written a riddle.
Between where the surface of the water of life hardens
And the trees of the river stand
Near the black boot
"If you ever need help, or simply another sword to stand alongside you into battle, come and find me"
Latta said her emotional goodbyes to the three and left, catching a caravan from outside Bruma, heading for Bravil where she would complete the short journey across the water to the portal to her rightful home, the Shivering Isles.
--
Sitting in an inn a short while later, Ariel and Camri deciphered Latta's riddle in no time, using Ariel's powers of deduction and Camri's geographical knowledge. The small scrap of paper was now covered in notes.
Between where the surface of the water of life hardens (Water of life = Blood, Surface hardens = Crust, Bloodcrust Cavern nr Skingrad)
And the trees of the river stand (Trees of river = reeds, Reedstand Cave nr Bravil)
(Between the two is in West Weald near Elsweyr border)
Near the black boot (Fort Black Boot in West Weald)
"We will have to wait for the shrine to be built first," Camri said. "Although I do not know precisely who is going to build it"
The three were alone together for the first time in many weeks – Halisman had reported to the Guard Captain of Bruma for a debriefing along with every other Legion serviceman involved in the battle, including Captain Pasqual.
"I have something to tell you both" Ariel said quietly, not wanting to attract the attention of the other rather merry patrons in the pub. "I'm sure you two will want to carry on adventuring now, but I have made the decision to go back to High Rock for good, and Halisman will be coming with me"
Camri's heart skipped a beat. "Why?"
"It's just getting too much for me. Being thrown in the Imperial Prison reminded me why I've been on the run from any figure of power for my whole life. They just want to keep me prisoner and use me as a tool. While I was in prison…"
Camri gently held Ariel's hand. "What is it?"
"It happened only an hour before you broke me out. That man, Kanvius, he… took something special from me. And Halisman was forced to watch it all happening"
Assurrani and Camri sat in shocked silence.
"I'm glad I left him to die a slow, painful death," Assurrani said eventually. "If you think this is the right thing to do, who are we to doubt you?"
"Falas is right," Camri continued. "We'll come and visit you every time we're near High Rock – you can't get rid of us that easily!"
Ariel smiled. "You will both always remain my two best friends"
After another emotional farewell, saying goodbye to Ariel Lasaille and Knight-Bachelor Marlus Halisman, Camri and Assurrani had returned to Olav's Tap And Tack, which had always been a favourite establishment of Camri's, where celebrations were expected to continue well into the early hours.
They were rudely interrupted, however, by an ominous rumbling sound coming from outside the city gates, followed by what sounded like a clap of thunder and a constant high-pitched whine. Camri leapt to his feet and drew his sword, Assurrani following him, bemused.
"I know that sound!" Camri shouted as he ran. "I hope to the Gods I'm mistaken!"
Along with Jauffre, Pasqual and several guards, the pair burst out of the east gate, to see an Oblivion Gate looming in front of them. Everyone was too shocked to say anything, before one of the guards pointed south-east, across the Jerall foothills.
"There's another one open down there! You can see the flames!"
"What in the name of the Nine is going on?" Jauffre demanded. "I thought the doors to Oblivion were supposed to be sealed for good!"
"We did this…" Camri said softly. "We removed the Mantella from the mortal world… What have we done?"
--
Epilogue
The Shivering Isles, House of Mania, throne room
Latta grinned as she sat down on the throne. As soon as she did, incredible change began to take place around the Shivering Isles.
The whole island bloomed into life, the dank undergrowth of Dementia being replaced by lush, verdant plant life. The sun beat down brightly over the whole island. Citizens began to see life in a new light, with renewed clarity. The Wellspring at Cylarne, Saint's Watch, began to flow once again. Golden Saints emerged by the score from the magical fountain.
"There is only one more thing you must do, Latta" Meridia said, Sheogorath also present in the room. "Every Daedra has their sphere. Sheogorath's is Madness, mine is Life. What will yours be?"
"I have thought long and hard about this," Latta replied. "I am going to provide a service to the mortal world which I know they will soon be in need of. My sphere will be Knowledge"
-The End-
-of-
-The Daedric Child-
The story will continue in 'When The Dragon Broke'.