If you have kept reading up to this point, then hopefully that means you like the story. I started writing this very long ago, back when I still played Morrowind, but it was not until much later that I started posting chapters here. And since then I've been updating this very slowly, since it always took a back seat to my other writing projects.

For your general information, I am following the basic plot of the Bloodmoon expansion in the beginning of the novel, but as the story progresses I will diverge significantly from what happens in the game. I never actually beat the Bloodmoon expansion, so I wasn't sure how it ended. Instead, I just came up with my own version of the plot. There are also a few other minor differences between my story and official Elder Scrolls canon.

10

I awoke the following morning huddled up in thick blankets, the fire in the fireplace now just smoldering ash. I yawned and stretched, and rolled over in bed to find that Carius was already up. I slept so deeply that I didn't even wake when he got out of bed. This was no real surprise, given how much I'd had to drink. Carius probably had business to take care of in the morning, so he'd let me sleep in.

After using the privy, I walked back out into the bedroom and got dressed. My clothes smelled like the flin that had spilled on them the night before, so I decided that the first order of business was to get a new change of clothes. And then something to eat. After that, I would figure out what to do regarding Carius.

The two guards outside Carius' quarters did not so much as snicker at me as I left, which I did appreciate. They merely nodded in greeting, as if it was perfectly normal for me to be there. Carius had probably spoken to them earlier.

By the time I got outside, I realized that I was already late for breakfast. Liman would probably be very upset with me, but I could live with that. I walked across the empty courtyard, the brisk wind erasing any lingering effects from the alcohol. It was even colder than it had been the night before, and I was chilled almost to the bone by the time I went inside the guard's quarters.

I went to my bunk room and changed clothes, leaving the dirty ones in a pile on the floor by my bed. What I really wanted was a bath, but that would have to wait until later.

"Well, well, well. Look who finally decided to show up."

I turned around to see Gaea standing in the doorway, shaking her head, her hands on her hips like a disappointed nanny. She wasn't wearing her armor, so I guessed she'd just returned from breakfast.

"Do I even have to ask where you spent the night?" she asked.

"Probably not," I said with a guilty smile.

Gaea sighed and came into the room. "The fox sure is persistent, I'll give him that. I guess he finally talked you into sleeping with him?"

"Well, it was more of a mutual decision."

Gaea looked me over and finally smiled. "Well, if you're happy about it, then I'm happy for you as well."

"Thanks."

She went over to her bed and began laying out her armor. I sat down and pulled on a pair of heavier boots, and then donned a fur jacket. When Gaea was ready, I helped her put on her armor, by adjusting the clasps behind her shoulders. She could have done it herself if she had to, but I figured I might as well help.

"By the way," I said, "I heard something last night."

"About what?"

I tightened one of the clasps and tried to think of the best way to broach the subject. I decided to just tell her what I heard. "Don't take this the wrong way, but I heard some of the other guards talking last night, and they called you a butch."

Gaea stiffened and I heard her take a sharp breath. I pretended not to notice and continued to adjust the straps on her back. "Now, I've never heard that word before, but I think I can guess what it means. I was just curious if it's true."

"And if it is?" Gaea said carefully.

"You don't have to be embarrassed or anything," I said in what I hoped was a supportive tone of voice. "It doesn't change my opinion of you. I mean, I fooled around with other girls when I was growing up. I understand what it feels like."

"Do you?" she asked, and turned around to face me.

"Yeah, I think I do. I eventually grew out of it, but for awhile I was much more interested in women than men. And I've known other women like that."

Gaea seemed unsure what to say, so she just took a deep breath and shrugged nervously. "Well, I'm ... I'm glad you understand then."

I smiled and touched her arm. "You don't have to feel uptight around me or anything. And don't worry, I won't tell anyone."

"Most of them know already," Gaea admitted. "Or at least they suspect it. I haven't been with any of the men here at the fort, and I guess someone started a rumor. I think my old commanding officer might have slipped word to somebody here."

"Is that why you got sent here?"

"Pretty much," Gaea sighed. "They caught me in bed with someone, with another woman, and they arranged for me to be transferred here a few weeks after that."

"I'm sorry," I said.

"Don't feel bad for me," she said, and then cleared her throat and went over to her bed to put on her belt and sword sheath. "It's ancient history now. As soon as I get off of this stupid island I'm getting a transfer to Cyrodiil. I have some friends there, and they said that people are ... less judgmental there."

I didn't know if that was true, as Cyrodiil was still a fairly conservative city. Gaea might find more acceptance in a place like Sadrith Mora, since the eastern islands off of Vvardenfell were such a mix of races and cultures, they might be more open-minded about differing sexualities. Or at least I heard they were, as I'd never been there. To my knowledge, few places in Morrowind were truly accepting of female lovers. In most places, like Skyrim, it was only tolerated in teenagers who were merely experimenting, as I had done.

It must have been even harder for Gaea, who was now surrounded by men, with few women to become close with. As I looked back on it, I realized that Gaea had been hinting at it, perhaps feeling me out to see if I shared her attraction, since I had become friends with her. I also remembered when she told me about Carius, that he "wasn't her type." I knew now he wasn't her type because he was a man.

She finished getting ready for her guard duty, and slid her sword into the scabbard with a loud click. As she was leaving, she said, "Are you going down to the kitchen?"

"Yeah, I missed breakfast. I better go apologize to Liman."

"I'm headed that way too."

We went down the hall and descended the stairs together. As we walked, she said, "If you're not busy later tonight, I'd appreciate if we could talk a bit more. I mean, if that's okay with you," she added quickly.

"Sure thing," I replied.

"Thanks. It's been awhile since I knew someone I could really talk to."

"I understand."

When we reached the bottom of the stairs, I suddenly saw Carius out in the main lobby area, talking with two of his men. He glanced up and saw me, and waved me over.

I smiled at first, but I noticed that he wasn't smiling back. He looked agitated about something, and I quickly walked over to him, Gaea coming along as well.

"What's the matter?" I asked.

"I know this is short notice," Carius said, "But I need you to help me with something. I need you to go to Raven Rock as soon as possible."

"What? You mean right now?"

"Yes, please. You have to deliver a message there. Go get ready right now and meet me at the Imperial Cult offices. I have to talk with Carnius Magius first."

"What's this about? Is something going on?"

"I can't talk about it," Carius said quickly, ending the conversation. "I'll be in Magius' office, meet me there as soon as you can."

With that, he ran off in a hurry with the two other guards in tow. I stood in the lobby, completely shocked, for a few seconds, before letting it sink in. Gaea stood beside me and held out her hands helplessly when I looked questioningly at her.

"No one said anything to me," she said. "I don't know what's going on."

"I guess I better get ready then," I said, and hurried back to the stairs. Gaea decided to come with me, and we returned to the bunk room.

First, I had to dress warmer, if I was going to be traveling on foot. I added another pair of pants over the leather ones I already had on, and put on a thicker coat with a fur-lined hood. Gaea got me some equipment from her lockbox and gave me a pair of warm gloves and a belt with item pouches and a plain sheath. I took out my sword, the one Carius had given me, and slid it into the sheath, where it fit perfectly.

I also had managed to procure some knives that were almost perfect as throwing blades, and Gaea watched me curiously as I tucked four into my boots and slid another into my belt.

"What are the knives for?" she asked.

"Just in case," I said with a shrug.

Gaea also gave me a utility pack with important items like a flint for starting a fire, as well as some clean bandages, a few assorted potions for minor injuries, and a compass. I hooked the pack onto the back of my belt and tried to think of anything else that I might need. Thinking of nothing, I left the guard quarters and hurried over to the Imperial Cult offices. Gaea came with me as well, although I knew she was supposed to be reporting to duty by now.

Inside the Cult offices, I heard raised voices that silenced almost as soon as I showed up. A couple of low level Imperial priests darted down the hallway as if escaping from somewhere, and I wondered again just what in the hell was going on. As we came to Magius' office, the door swung open and Carius came out, looking very upset, but he held it in check as he saw me coming.

"Here," he said brusquely, handing me a large paper envelope. "Get this to Raven Rock immediately. It's very urgent."

"I need a map," I said. "I don't know how to get there."

"Oh damn it, I forgot that," he said to himself. He saw Gaea standing there and said, "You know the way there, don't you?"

"Of course, sir," Gaea said.

"Then both of you go."

"Why don't I just take it there myself, sir?"

"No," Carius said hesitantly. "You should both go, it would be safer with two people. You know it's dangerous out there."

"Yes, sir. Of course."

We turned to go and Carius called my name. I looked back and he came up to me, looking almost distraught. For a brief moment, he was not the confident, charming man I'd known up until now. It was the first time I saw him look scared.

"Go there as fast as possible, but don't take any chances, okay?" he said. "I don't ... I don't want you getting hurt." He took my hand with a pleading look in his eyes.

I almost couldn't speak, I was so stunned by his behavior. I would have expected him to be more in control in front of his troops, but his defenses were down. Whatever was going on, it must have been incredibly serious, for him to betray his emotions so openly.

"I'll be fine," I said, not knowing what else to say. "I know how to take care of myself, remember?"

"Yes, I know you can," he said, and then to Gaea as well. "Good luck, both of you."

A minute later, Gaea and I were heading out the rear gate and walking off into the wilderness. I had the envelope tucked into my jacket and a hand on my sword. The snow-covered ground crunched under my feet, and the bitterly cold wind stung my face, but I felt strangely energized.

I didn't know what was going on, but I had a feeling that I was going to find out soon enough.