All time ceased for Raspion. Fear shook the big Nord to his core, thoughts of confinement in a cramped cell, alone, locked away from the world was a terrifying thought.

'I have broken a law?' he asked coolly

The guard chuckled

'No Nord nothing of the sort'

His relief was instantaneous and powerful.

'Then what do you want of me?' he asked

The guard a well built balding man with a gray-flecked black beard licked his lips and leaned close to Raspion.

'I believe I know you' he said

Raspion's eyes widened but he said nothing

'Yes, a blade were you not?'

'No you must be mistaken'

'No I am sure, how could I forget the man I fought beside?' asked the guard

It was then Raspion recognized the man; it had been fifteen years since he had last seen him. Raspion remembered him being well muscled and handsome.

'Barius? Is it really you? I apologize I did not recognize you'

'Yes well age has not been as kind to me as it has to you Raspion, you have aged well!'

Barius smiled and made to embrace Raspion who at first tensed (Only Anya saw this) and then relaxed wrapping his arms around the smaller man and laying two heavy thumps on his back.

'I apologize if I alarmed you' said Barius stepping away from the big man

'It is just such a shock to see an old comrade I had to stop you and be sure' he went on

'I know how you feel' Raspion replied

'Listen im on duty so I must go, can I count on you to come to meet me for a drink tonight?'

'Im sorry we cannot, we must be on our way before nightfall'

'Come now don't be so foolish, you cannot leave without allowing me the honor of chatting with an old friend and ally' Countered Barius

The big Nord sighed and looked at the gate longingly, bringing a smile to Barius lips.

'Ah I see you have not changed. Fear not my home is outside these walls half a mile or so up the path, I too dislike the confinement of the cities and towns, especially now with these Oblivion gates popping up everywhere.'

Raspion nodded seeming to relax 'Ok a drink with an old friend, why not?'

'That's the spirit and there will be a bed if you need it'

'Ok thank you Barius we will be there'

'No, thank you it lifts my heart to see you are well' replied Barius who then turned and blended into the bustling crowds.

'So the man of the wild has a friend and a past?' asked Anya

Raspion shook his head

'It is not much of a past, and he is not a friend'

'But you would drink with him?'

'I have my reasons' replied the Nord keeping his eyes fixed on the figure until Barius turned a corner and was out of sight.

'Oh would you care to enlighten me?'

'No, now come I don't believe you have seen a chapel such as the one in this town' he said changing the subject. He turned and walked away and Anya had to run to keep up with him, but Raspion did not notice he was too preoccupied with questions to ask his new friend.

For hours Anya followed Raspion as he absently pointed out interesting landmarks. Her favorite by far had been the castle; leading to it was a great bridge, built high above the land below. The way was lit with small pyres filled with hot coals that never seemed to burn away. Inside was amazing as Raspion had promised but she worried at her friends declining mood and was unable to fully enjoy the sights he showed her. Anya hated his detachment and found herself asking foolish questions, like a child craving the attention of an adult. As dusk fell and the pace of the town slowed to less than a crawl Raspion and Anya made there way to Barius's home.

'So are you going to tell me what's going on?' she asked

'The less you know of this the better, you must act naturally, be on your guard though and drink nothing he offers'

Raspion gave the door two hard raps it swung open at once. Barius face lit up and he motioned for them to enter.

'You are late! Not to worry, come, come sit. Make yourselves at home.'

Raspion and Anya sunk into two cushioned chairs that sat next to a large fireplace. It was lit and roaring the heat was exquisite to the two weary travelers. Anya smiled her thanks as Barius handed her a goblet filled with a strong smelling beverage.

'My dear lady, I apologies for my boldness but I don't believe that I have had the pleasure' asked the bald man following up with a deep bow.

She smiled and extended her hand

'I am Anya sir'

'Anya' he said slowly as if savoring the word 'what a beautiful name to accompany such a beautiful face' he said taking the offered hand and kissing it lightly 'And you would be Raspion's…' he asked raising an eyebrow.

Anya blushed furiously

'Friend. We are just friends'

'Friends, of course' replied Barius

He stepped back and lifted a purple colored bottle to a second goblet. Anya was glad, he had a round friendly face but his eyes were cold she was glad to be denied of there scrutiny.

'The one thing I love about Skingrad is the wine, you could not find a better bottle in all of Tamriel!' he exclaimed handing the filled goblet to Raspion and sitting opposite the pair.

'You will not drink with us?' asked Anya

'Me? No, no duty calls and I must be out before dawn tomorrow. So tell me Raspion where have you been.'

'Here and there' replied the Nord setting his goblet aside

'I do not understand, why did you leave it all behind where did you go?' Barius went on

'You know why I left' said Raspion softly

'I do?' asked Barius

'Do not play the fool with me; you think my memory so short?'

The alarm registered on Barius's face he tried to stand but Raspion was on him at once, his hand wrapped tightly around the smaller mans throat, pinning him to the wall hitting the table as he did so the wine bottle fell smashing on the ground, smoke rose from the contents as it began to eat through the floor.

'You brought us here to finish what you could not all those years ago'

'Please Raspion!' choked Barius

'I remember Barius I know I was not supposed to' snarled the Nord 'but I remember all of your faces and your betrayal'

'Please Raspion listen to me!' said the small man feebly beating on Raspion's arms, working his hand with his own two trying to loosen the big mans grip to no avail.

'Why did you do it? What purpose was there?'

'It was him, the Dunmer we were under his orders Raspion you must understand!'

'I remember him, the Dunmer what was his name?'

The cold fury in Raspion's voice chilled Anya as she watched the scene unfold before her still clutching her poisoned wine.

'I don't-' he was cut off as Raspion squeezed the mans throat causing his face to turn a deep red, and a large vein to pop out on his temple.

'This is the last time Barius, tell me his name!'

'V…Vasra' cried the man, Raspion let go of him and Barius fell to the ground coughing and gasping.

'But you will never find him Raspion, let it go'

'I will find him. I remember Pale Pass.'

Turning he signaled to Anya who at once stood up, her eyes widened

'Look out' she cried dropping her goblet

Raspion spun, the man had rose from the floor a deadly curved dagger held in his hands. He charged the Nord who had only enough time to raise an arm in his defense; the weapon came down hard on his forearm cutting deeply, instantly turning the sleeve of his tunic a deep red. Raspion grabbed for the man, catching his shirt and pulled him close, pinning his arms to his side with a vicious bear hug. Barius struggled fiercely and was successful in planting his feet on the ground. With tremendous effort he managed to propel them both backwards, Raspion stumbled over a chair and fell hard freeing the smaller man from his grip, Barius scrambled to his feet. Standing over the fallen Nord triumphantly he raised his dagger, but before he could put it into Raspion's chest the bald man cried out. He turned toward Anya clawing at his back and Raspion could see her dagger sticking out of his shoulder. Standing defiantly Anya awaited her attacker, he came at her and swung a hard hook that took her in the chin and sent her sprawling to the ground. Raspion was able to get to his feet and draw his sword.

'Barius, stop now I did not come to kill you, but for information on Vasra tell me all you know of him and we will leave, tell me why he did it'

'Even if I knew I could not tell you, Vasra already has me marked for death for failing to cause yours'

He charged once more and Raspion caught the arm that held his blade and pulled him forward onto his sword, cutting deeply into Barius stomach. Blood bubbled from Barius mouth and as he fell to his knees Raspion pulled his weapon clear. Wiping the blood on the dead mans tunic. He crossed the room to Anya who sat nursing a large bruise on her chin.

'Are you ok?' he asked

'Yes, but you are bleeding'

'I will be fine'

'No let me fix that for you'

Taking his arm in her hands Anya closed her eyes and muttered a few words, Raspion felt heat both surround and enter the wound to the point where it almost became unbearable and then it faded. She let go and when he looked down he could see no sign of a cut save for a tiny faded scar and the blood on his tunic.

'You know magic?'

'Only some minor healing spells, my father taught me them' she replied

'You never fail to surprise me'

She smiled at him and Raspion looked at the dead body on the floor

'I should have cut the bastards throat when I had the chance' Said Anya

Raspion shook his head

'He was a desperate man Anya and I pity him. When we were together in the blades he was a…a good friend to me'

'Is it because of him and all those other men that betrayed you, is that why you took to the wilderness?'

'No it was the final reason I suppose but there was much before that. I have lived long Anya and I have seen much. Most of it has despaired me.'

Reaching down he unclipped Barius's sword from his belt and handed it to Anya. She put up a hand in protest.

'I am not very skilled with a sword' she said

'Then I will teach you how to be, you will not last very long with me using that dagger'

She took the weapon and tied it to her belt the weight she found, was very uncomfortable.

'We must leave let us get into the wilderness before the full night comes, im sure this mans death wont go unnoticed for long.

The Argonian stooped low as the two figures emerged from the hut although he was practically invisible with the spells he had cast, he still felt a trifle uneasy. The Nord looked to have a keen sense, and the Argonian felt an unfamiliar feeling in the pit of his stomach, fear. It was something he had not felt in a long time and it caused him to smile. Yes the hunt would be fierce and he would relish every moment.