Disclaimer: Oblivion, the bloodmoon werewolves, and plot and characters belong to Bethesda studios
Nylia and other unrecognizable characters, and their personalities are my creation.
After I recovered from my shock, I looked around and saw there were wooden stakes that were probably used to hold back the Daedra from advancing any further like a barricade. Beside them were a few guards who had a symbol of a wolf's head on their armor and shields. Which I then assumed was the city's emblem. After few seconds I then warily made my way towards the nearest guard. Who was currently focused on holding back the Daedra that was appearing from the Oblivion gate. As soon as I got closer all of them took off towards the gate, and I saw why. They were focused on a few Scamp that must have come from the portal.
The Scamps were very short like all Scamps tended to be, it had pointed ears like the goblins I saw in the prison caves. Except unlike the goblin this creature had pink skin from its torso up and brown fur below its waist. The guards quickly dispatched them as I approached. As soon as they turned around to head back behind the barricade, they immediately saw me and began charge at me with their swords and bows poised to kill me. I tensed as well in preparation to defend myself. The only helmet-less guard, who I assume was Captain Savlian Matius, by the look of his armor, swung his sword at me fiercely. The blade of his sword managed raked across my shoulder leaving a long gash as two arrows hit me. I howled in pain as I recoiled back clutching my injured shoulder with my paw. Angry now, I felt I was on the verge of slipping into my feral side
"Whoa! I am on your side" I said holding up my other paw. To try and diffuse the situation. Instantly all three guards froze where they were standing when I spoke to them.
"Who said that" Savlian demanded while his men looked around confused and at each other, to see who had been the one said that. Then looked around for another person when they were sure none of them had spoken but saw no else around which made them even more confused.
"I did," I said flexing my outstretched paw to show them it was me who spoke. "What happened here?" I then asked glancing around at the chaos around us.
After he recovered from his shock he replied after my eyes focused back on him. "We lost the dang city. That's what happened!" A bit mad now as he continued "It was too much, too fast. We were overwhelmed. Couldn't even get everyone out. There are still people trapped in there. Some made it into the Chapel, but others were just run down in the streets. The Count and his men are still holed up in the castle. And now we can't even get back into the city to help them, with that damned Oblivion Gate blocking the way." He said angrily still on guard prepared to retaliate if I attacked.
"What about Martin," I asked about the man I was supposed to find.
"You mean the priest? Last I saw him, he was leading a group towards the Chapel of Akatosh. If he's lucky, he's trapped in there with the rest of them, at least safe for the moment. If he's not..." he replied.
"What will you do now?" I asked taking my paw off the wound he gave me which was now healing and the some of the furs also regrew in that area, and painfully removed the arrows embedded in me. Whimpering a little as I did so, before putting them with the rest of my arrows in my quiver.
"The only thing we can do. We'll try to hold our ground, that's what. If we can't hold this barricade, those beasts could march right down and overrun the encampment. I must try and protect the few civilians that are left. It's all I can do now." he said exasperatedly wanting so much to get in there and help the city's remaining survivors as I did I.
"I can help you close the gate," I said wanting to find Martin, so I could bring him back to Weynon Priory.
"You want to help? You're kidding, right? On second thought you don't look like you're kidding he said trying to read my serious expression, "Hmm... if you're serious, maybe I can put you to use. It'll likely mean your death, though. Are you sure?" He said still unsure for my alliance.
"Of course, I am a werewolf after all. I'll do whatever I can to help " I said holding my head high, and brandished my claws to make my point
Before he could answer a dremora barreling came from the Oblivion Gate behind the captain and continued to charge at us. I immediately dropped on all fours and snarled showing my teeth and flattening my ears. As I did this Savlian and the rest of the guards also tensed thinking I had lost it and was about to kill them, but before they could do anything I crouched down low and sprung over the captain toward the dremora ten feet away slashing at it as I landed neared it. It staggered back from the blows before retaliating swinging its sword and slashing at my left side another leaving a long wound. I howled in pain as the captain joined in attacking the Dremora stabbing it and wounding it even further. As they continued fighting my body started healing itself. Once my wound was nearly healed, I noticed the dremora had Savlian pinned while his two men were focused on fighting off two nearby clanfears.
I leaped at the dremora and grabbed one of its shoulders in my mouth, the combination of my jaws strength and my teeth pierced its armor and tore into its flesh in the process and threw it a few feet away. After that, it quickly got up but not before I got over to him first, and with one last powerful blow of my claws, it was dead.
I turned looking around and, saw one of the guards was still fighting his off clanfear and, it was clear that he was about to lose. Not wanting to see him get murdered I took my bow off my back drawing an arrow and shot it at the Clanfear. The arrow hit it straight in its heart as the guard stabbed it at the same time killing it. Once it was dead I put away my bow scanning the area for more Daedra when I spotted Savlian and walked over to him grinning. "You were saying," I said just relieved I was able to prove I was on their side and not the other.
"I guess I misjudged you," he said with appreciation as he sheathed his sword. His men lowered their weapons and bows.
"No problem, I already know the second people see me they think I am going to attack and some try to attack first," I said giving a brief toothy smile before continuing "But once they see that I will not attack first they don't attack either and usually I have to explain too. Granted they still might feel a little uncomfortable around me."
"No kidding, anyway as for how you can help I don't know how to close this Gate, but it must be possible because the enemy closed the ones they opened during the initial attack. You can see the marks on the ground where they were" he said gesturing at the scorch marks on the ground "with the remaining gate right in the middle. I sent men into the Gate, to see if they could find a way to shut it. So far, they haven't come back. If you can get in there, find out what happened to them. If they're alive, help them finish the job. If not, see what you can do on your own. The best I can say is good luck. If you make it back alive, we'll be waiting for you to help you finish this." he finished.
"I will shut this gate down and help free the trapped people still inside the city, Savlian," I said with determination turning towards the Oblivion gate making my way towards it.
"Wait! What is your name wolf" he yelled from behind me as I got closer to the Gate?
"My names is Nylia," I said looking over my shoulder before looking back at the Gate.
"Good luck, Nylia It's a good thing you're doing." He yelled back as I stopped right in front of the gate, taking a deep breath before going through the fiery portal.
The other side of the gate was something out of one's worst nightmare. I guess that kind of thing is to be expected, it being Dagon's plane of Oblivion and all. Except for a menacing huge tower that had a blazing fire on top, and two smaller ones that were connected to it. The land was barren except for a few strange plants, Stone ruins were littered around the three towers. The sky was even redder than the sky where the Oblivion gate was back in Nirn. Even the air smelled very bad kind of like rotten eggs as it assaulted my nose. I looked like my nose would not be very useful here. I ambled toward the structures I noticed that the sea was made of lava. I was really starting to get nervous as I was surveying the area and saw two scamps running toward me casting fireballs. I quickly took out my bow and fired one arrow at the each of them in the head killing instantly before continuing my way before spotting one of the Kvatch guards fighting a scamp. As he finished he looked around tensing up as he saw me as I came closer. Most likely fearing that I was going to attack him.
"It's okay I'm on your side," I said trying to reassure him and It seemed to work. However, He was still a little bit suspicious but then he relaxed and said "Thank the Nine! I never thought I'd see another friendly face, sort off" He tacked on.
"What happen I thought more guards were sent in to close the gate," I asked confused looking around to see only just him.
"Yes, more of us were but, some of the others... taken... they were taken to the tower! Captain Matius sent us in to try and close the gate. We were ambushed, trapped, and picked off. I managed to escape, but the others are strewn across that bridge" he points to the bridge behind us where there were indeed a couple of dismembered bodies lying around. " They took Menien off to the big tower. You've got to save him! But I'm getting out of here!" I started to panic a little as he finished. Things were starting to look bleak.
"That's okay go out and help Savlian and the others, I will shut down this gate and find Menien," I said as I started making my way towards the path that leads to the largest tower, which was looming menacingly.
"The Captain is still holding the barricade? I figured I was the last one left alive. Alright. I'll try to get out of here and let the Captain know what's going on good luck." he said still a bit shocked, then he frantically ran to the direction I had just came from.
"You too" I replied mostly it myself and turned to keep on following the path. Which consisted of the gore-spattered winding path bridge, the lava ocean, and some strange looking red plants. Along the way, I took down a few scamps that attacked me. Tearing them to ribbons while they could hardly hit me. At one point, I was walking past a red spiny plant and felt a quick scratch I looked around to see the plant retracting springing again attacking me again.
What the! I thought as I jumped back to avoid it hitting me again. After that, I came upon the enormous carved door, with the Oht sign being the shape of it, of the biggest tower and went through. Preparing myself for the next foe that may be waiting on the other side of that door.
Inside I was in a small hallway with red spiked basins that held flames inside them, and beyond that, I saw a large circular room with a fiery pillar in the middle shooting straight up. Around it was spiked fence that rose to be as high as my chest. As I got closer I saw two scamps charging at me casting some more fireballs to kill me. I quickly dodged them and took out both scamps ripping off their heads. I looked at the pillar and inclined my head to see that pillar went straight up. I wondered if up there was where someone would be able to close the gate I thought to myself.
I continued to stare at the pillar pondering how am I going get up to the top of the tower when something sharp struck my side. I howled in pain and snapped my head to my right a see what caused it. I snarled, teeth showing, I as saw a Dremora close to me. As it raised its mace to strike again I leaped back at last second and it missed, it gave a scream of frustration as I raised my claws up to attacked and growled baring my sharp teeth. I sprang at him knocking him to the floor and clawed at him until he was dead.
I looked around and saw two doors on opposite sides of the room. I turned and went through to right side door, which leads to a long inclining hallway that leads to yet another door. As soon door opened I was greeted by a Dremora and a scamp who promptly attacked as soon as they saw me. I took care of them both quickly fire a couple arrows at the scamp and mauling the Dremora to death.
I went into the larger room going through a door on the left. It took me back to the room with the fire pillar on one side, and I continued walking up the circular stairway and went into the first door I came across. This took me into another hallway that leads upward to a room with two scamps. After taking them out I found the door but, discovered it was locked so searched and found another door that leads to a red spiked narrow bridge above a steep drop outside that connected to one of the smaller towers. I made my way across and entered it through the door.
Inside the tower, the first thing I saw an upside-down rotting body, not unlike the undead thing I saw underneath the prison and flinched. The putrid smell hitting me next. Could this place get any more creepy and weird? I thought to myself. Then I heard someone yell from above "Help I'm in the cage up here" Their heart thudding.
Then a harsh gravelly sinister voice said "Shut up, mortal whoever that is they will not save you"
I made my way up the incline and was met by a Dremora with its weapon drawn already. As it saw me it relaxed a little and said "What are you doing here, Hound of Hircine, did your master send you. Does your master want something from my lord"? he questioned calmly
I just glared at him
I was also aware of the man's grasp of fear as well as his heart thudding faster in the cage above me.
"No, I am here of my own accord, and it is none of your business," I said irritated giving a sharp bark before baring my teeth growling in warning. I did not like to be referred to as a pet especially by Daedra. However, I could tolerate the people of Tamriel mistakenly calling me that was fine because I could just correct them, as much as it annoys me sometimes. plus, I do not want to hurt innocent people, but when Daedra say it I could attack them because I can.
"Then if you are not here on orders of your master, Hound, then your blood is forfeit, your flesh and pelt are both mine now," it said twisted grin. once it finished it immediately swung its weapon at me, but I dodged it and slashed at it injuring it. He almost managed to land a blow on me before I killed it with a powerful swipe, staggering it and quickly bit to the neck, and with a jerk of my own it head clean off his shoulders
I then looked at the man in ragged pants, who was probably Menien. He had frightened look on his face, was quickly replaced with a look of defiance. He looked prepared to do any to survive an encounter with me, as he raised his fists
" I am not here to hurt you," I said calmly, trying to assure him that I posed no threat to him. His eyes widened in shock, but he quickly regained his composure.
"I am trying to help find a way to shut the gate.
"I am not likely to believe that, but If you truly are then quickly! There's not much time! You will need to get to the top of the large tower. The Sigil Keep, they call it. That's what keeps the Oblivion Gate open! Find the Sigil Stone. Remove it, and the Gate will close!" he then pointed the headless dremora.
The Keeper has the key- you must get the key!".
"What about you," I asked moving forward. leaping up gripping the cage as well as finding my footing and started to use my strength to pry open it.
"No, just take the key," he said alarmed at the sudden movement, backing up in the process. "Get to the Sigil Keep and find the Sigil Stone. It's the only way to dismantle the Oblivion Gate. Don't worry about me; there's no time! Get moving!" He said much more calmly, and I admired him for possibly putting his mission first before himself. Or he did not want to get killed. It was either one or the other.
I let go of the bars leaping back down towards the Sigil keeper and searching its body until I found the oddly shaped key. I took it heading back through the door across the bridge, and back into the larger tower until I got the locked door and promptly unlocking it with the key before heading through. On the other side was another inclining spiral hallway which I followed coming to a scamp and a trap that shot spikes out of the wall. I killed the scamp and avoided the trap nearly getting skewered in the process.
After which I wondered how many hallways were here in the tower. I found a door the lead to the top of the room where the fiery pillar was and climbed the spiral ramp before coming across a glowing thing. After a moment of hesitation, I stepped on it which it teleported me even further up. I continued my way up killing all enemies but not without receiving injuries of my own until I got to the place where the Sigil stone was. In the room were narrow fiery pillar and some stairs.
I went up the stairs and saw a Dremora and the Sigil Stone that looked to be causing the fiery pillar. The Dremora noticed me and only smirked but did nothing. only when I snarled and bared my teeth did it start to charge at me brandishing its ax taking a swing at me. I quickly jumped back, but not before it manages hit me leave a grisly looking wound behind. I let out an angry snarl and leaped at it quickly clamping my jaws on its throat putting my power into my jaws.
When it tried to struggle out of my grip, I just smirked tasting its bitter blood on my tongue than with a small jerk of my head I snapped its neck, and it went limp. like with the other dremora
After it was dead, I went over to the Stone and took it from its place and stored it in my satchel. Suddenly the whole world started to catch fire and turned pure white and before I knew it. I was back in front of Kvatch tumbling out of the gate before it collapsed in a fiery blaze before disappeared leaving only a large scorch mark on the ground from where it was. I was not the only one. Menien was also on the ground, but he was unconscious. Some the guard tended to him.
The city was still in ruins but now the Oblivion gate was gone. All that was left of it was some large scorch marks on the ground and some of the city walls. I don't know how long I was in there, but now the sky was beginning to go back to normal as it darkened, having started rain and extinguish some of the flames in the process. Exhausted from all the fighting I then turned to see Savlian Matius running towards me followed by his men. they looked equally as tired from defending the camp.
Once he reached me he happily said "You closed the Gate? I knew you could do it! This is our chance to launch a counterattack! I need you to come with us. You seem to have got as much of combat experience as my men. If not, then you certainly got the power. Are you able to join us now? I can wait, but not for long. We've got to move quickly before they have a chance to barricade the city gate."
"I am ready to help, let's go," I said turning back toward Kvatch gate running at it as he followed yelling "For Kvatch!"
Once we opened the city gate, we saw that everything was ruined and on fire, I looked as though nearly every small structure had been demolished in the attack. The some of the stone walls and buildings blackened from the fires that were still burning. The wood houses and buildings were nearly all destroyed and there were none that were completely intact. Even the castle in the distance looked as though it had taken heavy damage from the fight. As I looked around the ruined city I could see nothing but destruction Fortunately, the only build that seemed mostly intact, other than spire on top has been broken off, was what looked to be the chapel, which was exactly where I needed to go. The whole city was bleak. Small fires raged in certain areas destroying everything in their path. Despite the rain slowly putting them out slowly one by one.
The smell was no better as I could begin to smell the decay and burning of flesh and wood, even though the fresh scent of the rain. Widening my eyes realized that I was probably smelling bodies of the those who did not survive the Daedric invasion and even through the Oblivion Gate was closed, there were still Daedra lose within the city wreaking havoc. In was not long before some Daedra had spotted us and charged. All of us scattered in different directions taking out whatever Daedra we could find. Though that is of itself was challenging I, myself was able to take out a few scamps by raking my claws across their bodies maiming and killing them. But tracking them through smell alone as the rain washed any scents away
I had also encountered a few fearsome looking Dremora who put up a greater fight even managed to give me a gaping wound on my chest causing me to howl in pain a couple of time. However, I returned to favor by sinking either my claws or teeth into their necks and killing them. As soon as the courtyard in front of the chapel of Akatosh was clear Savlian approached me again saying
"Ha ha! We wiped the suckers out! It's now safe to pull those people out of the chapel. Let's get in there and make sure they're all right. Come on. This is only the beginning of the battle for Kvatch. We can discuss the next phase once the civilians are safe if you are up for it"
I headed into the chapel my wounds already starting to heal once again. Inside the chapel was huge and, there were survivors scattered are everywhere, some were okay, some were injured. There are also few children and their families that had survived. In front of me was some stairs leading somewhere downward. I looked around for Marin before spotting a nearby blond lady and walked towards her, the claws on my feet clicking softly as they hit the stone, as she frozen a little "Can you help me with something" I asked as the guards came in.
"I'm sorry. I don't think I'm going to be much help" she said a bit alarmed backing up.
"Do you know where I can find Martin?" I asked.
"Brother Martin? Yes. He's right over there. He led a group of us here during the confusion of the initial attack. We owe him our lives." she said sacredly as she pointed to an Imperial man with shoulder-length brown hair and wearing gray priest robes standing by an altar before hurrying away, trying to get away from me as fast as possible.
I made my way to him. As I got a bit closer, I saw he was finishing up treating another man. Once he was finished he turned around and saw me. His blue eyes, the same as his father's, widened in shock a little before he spoke. "I heard about how you helped the guard drive the Daedra back and shut down the gate. Well done." Though I could tell he was a bit wary about my presence here given what I am. "what do you need" he asked
"I came here because the emperor told me to find you," I said urgently.
"The Emperor is dead, we heard the news from that guard over there, who came here a couple of hours ago before you even arrived here, and before that Oblivion Gate appeared." He said gesturing at a guard standing by a pillar across the room. "Who are you? What do you really want with me?" He asked a little frustrated now not looking like he wants to put up with this. Especially coming from a species that was created by another Daedric Prince.
"You're Martin, right the priest?" I asked wanting to make my point. I had to fulfill the Emperor's last request.
"Yes. I'm a priest. Do you need a priest? I don't think I'll be much help to you. I'm having trouble understanding the gods right now. If all this is part of a divine plan, I'm not sure I want to have anything to do with It." he replied uncertainty in his voice.
"Gods or not. We need your help" I told him.
"If you came to me for help, you're more of a fool than you look. Look around. What good is a priest?" He said.
"I'm not talking about you being a priest, I'm talking about you being Uriel Septim's son," I said as the tip of my tail flicked in irritation.
"Emperor Uriel Septim? You think the emperor is my father? No, you must have the wrong man. I am a priest of Akatosh. My father was a farmer." He said in disbelief. Unable to process that strange new fact. I would be too if someone told me something like that.
"The Daedra came here for you" I explained to him as his expression shifted to horror.
"An entire city destroyed to get at me? Why? ... Because I'm the emperor's son?" He asked his voice rising an octave, not really wanting to believe it.
"Why would I lie to you, there is no benefit to anyone in that in this case?" I asked him.
"I don't know. It's strange... I think you might be telling the truth. What does this mean? What do you want from me?" He said as he looked like he was starting to believe me.
"I need you to come with me to Weynon Priory and talk to the grandmaster Jauffre" I simply said.
"You destroyed the Oblivion Gate, they say. You gave them hope. You helped them drive the Daedra back. So, I'll come with you to Weynon Priory in the morning and hear what Jauffre has to say." He finished then we both started towards the door together.
Then as we neared the door with some of the other refugees started following behind us, Savlian spoke up. "Attention everyone, I need you all to start heading to the refugee camp follow me please" He then turned and went out the door. Next Martin and I went through, and the rest of survivors followed us.
Outside it was still raining very heavily as we followed Savlian to the city gates. I turned my head and looked at the survivors, who were looking around at their ruined beloved city in a mixture of shock and grief. Some may have also lost their loved ones and were trying to process it. The rain had already put out most of the fires, though it would take a lot of rebuilding fix destroyed homes and walls. Plus, they had to find all the bodies of the people who perished in the siege. For the survivors, it must have been hard to lose everything they knew and lose people they knew. In time they would be able to rebuild their city, but right now the pain must have been fresh and raw, and people that they lost would never return to them. Those people's families would mourn them for a long time.
I continued to look around the ruined and desolated gray city and noticed that one family was staring at me, especially the older familiar looking Imperial man with brown hair and eyes who seemed to be the father. The looked to have had an expression of recognition on his face. While the rest of his family looked on in fear and amazement. Did the man know me or did he just recognize that I was a werewolf? I decided that it was probably the latter.
I still wondered what was that all about as we made our way through the city gate, past the barricade, and down to the encampment. About halfway down the mountain felt something grab my tail. I turned my head over my shoulder and slightly twisted my torso to see what was going on. it was a little girl with blond hair and brown eyes, hanging on to it with her little arms giggling as she did. When saw her I smiled slightly, wagging my tail back and forth causing the girl to move along with it effortlessly. Which caused the girl's giggles quickly becoming laughter as she swayed along with my tail. Looking like she was having the time of her life. I let out a bark of laughter, perking my ears up, feeling touched that there was one person that would approach me that was not apprehensive. I turned to look at Martin who was smirking. He must have been thinking that same thing, and maybe he knew the little girl. Still, it was like the little girl trusted me to not hurt her, which I wouldn't any way I am not a feral animal all the time after all.
"Alright, little one. It's time to let go" I said her, and she got off running back to her family. Who unlike the girl did seem apprehensive?
"By the way, I didn't ask your name," he asked me when she was back with them.
"My name is Nylia" I answered as we continued our way back down the mountain.
By the time we got to the camp it was sunset, and by the smell of it, dinner for the camp was already being made. Everyone was moving around from place to place, talking to each other. Some children were chasing each other back and forth. Other were doing chores. I inhaled catching a whiff of the meat cooking causing my stomach to growl. Deciding that I would need to hunt soon, I looked around to see. A few feet away Martin talking to a few people, most likely people he knew. I did not pay attention as I want to give them some privacy. Once he was finished, He turned around seeing me and smiled. I walked toward him smiling and I was glad that he was okay along with the rest of the survivors were. Though I imagine he was still unsure and shocked at what I told him earlier.
"I see they started to make dinner," I said knowing I had to eat soon, too. I figured that If I got too hungry I could lose control and hurt someone, and that was the last thing I wanted.
"Yes, they have, are you going to join us?" he asked while looking around at the people. He looked like he was deep in thought about something.
"No, I am really hungry for something fresh" I replied pausing to also look around at the in the camp before continuing "Plus it would be extremely bad if someone was near me when I am relying on instinct that way"
"Alright, I will see you when you I get back" He before turning around to go eat with the rest.
I walked to a nearby tree taking off my satchel, bow, and arrows off my back, setting them down before taking off into the forest on all fours. As I sprinted I felt the cool wind blowing on my face, the feel of the cool dirt and grass under my paws and, the fresh smell of the grass and trees. The sound of crickets chirping in the distance. I loved the sensation of all these things as much as I enjoyed the freedom I was given earlier today. Once I was sure I was far away from Kvatch or any other city, and very deep into the woods. I inhaled deeply to pick up any scents and I listened for any nearby heartbeat. After a few minutes, I picked up on some tantalizing scents followed by, several heartbeats a mile away and, following it till I came upon a deer herd by a stream. Some of them seemed to be grazing, others seemed to be drinking from the stream, and there was a few keeping watch. I crouched down low ready to spring and let my instincts take over.
I let out a hungry growl as sprang at my prey. But, by the time my prey heard me, it was too late, and I slammed into to it knocking it down as the rest quickly took off. I then held on to my prey as it struggled to get away, and I instinctively went for its throat. I crush its windpipe in the process. Biting down further I kept my hold on it. I could hear my preys choke on the blood that was it throat. Despite this, it still struggled to escape but it was useless. As I continued to hold on until it was dead. I then opened my jaws from around its neck and tore into its side, laying down I started to eat in peace. Stripping the flesh from the carcass, enjoying the taste. Slipping further into that peaceful oblivion as I ate
When I was finished eating, I slowly felt reason once again return to me. I looked at the buck which was now nearly a skeleton with a few scraps. Now full, I felt perched getting up and making my way over to the stream. Before lapping up some of the cool water washing down the rest of my meal. I looked at my recently blood-stained paws and muzzle from my dinner, and a little earlier in oblivion. Geez, I look like a mess I thought to myself before promptly washing clean my muzzle, face, and arms of thoroughly once more.
Once done, I took off back toward where Kvetch's refugee camp was. Using my memory with the aid of my scent of smell, and my hearing to guide me back. When I arrived, the camp was almost quiet. Which I guessed was because most of everyone was asleep, Martin most likely as well. However, there were a few people still up, but these people were mostly the surviving guard. This included Savlian who was just sitting by a fire and keeping watch and a few others. Looking for my things, I noticed that my belongings were by bedroll that was placed near one of the tents. But not too close to the tent. I like someone must have placed them here. My guess is that Martin, judging the presence of his scent on them, as well as the bedroll, must have been the one to place them there. Smiling, I went over and laid down on the bedroll on my side with my hind legs sprawled out facing the forest. I soon fell deep asleep with head resting on my folded arms