"It was never easy on the road in those days, even on a good day you don't know who or what sort of trouble you might find yourself in."
A Flower in Dragonfire
-Anonymous
Niamh winced when sunlight hit her eyes. She shot up when she felt soft cotton sheets underneath her fingers and bare legs. Her eyes darted around the room, finding Martin sitting by the window. He broke his train of thought when he saw her.
"You're awake…" He sat up, "How are you feeling?"
Niamh became self conscious and pulled the blankets close to her.
Martin looked at his hands, "Kesh-Ra insisted we stop in Skingrad. He didn't want to wake you so he offered to trade a few things in town." He stood up and brought Niamh a bundle of clothing, "I thought you might feel better once you changed." Then he added, "I didn't take your other clothes...one of the Temple healers came by during the night…" He quieted himself.
"Thank you." Niamh said quietly, keeping her gaze on him, then she suddenly became concerned, "I hope you slept some."
"I'll be fine." Martin said, then he added, "And your wound?"
"Better."
Martin nodded slowly, clearly uncomfortable.
"You should have left me on that road." Niamh said.
"And travel alone with Kesh-Ra...I think not." Martin gave a weak smile.
Niamh snorted, "Yes he can be quite a handful...then again he is much younger than either of us."
"To be young again and have the luxury to complain about the mundane." Martin lamented, "He's lucky."
There was a long silence afterwards. Niamh had noticed Martins forehead crease, as if he hadn't liked what he was thinking.
"I know this is a lot to take in," Niamh said, trying to create conversation, "I can't promise it will be any easier from this point forward."
Martin rubbed the back of his neck, "It's still all just sinking in. Those poor people in Kvatch…"
"Don't start blaming yourself." Niamh told him, moving to sit on the edge of the bed all the while watching where Martin was putting his hands, "You didn't know. No one did."
"I don't know why you're helping me...but it is a great comfort." Martin admitted, "I know I'd be dead if you hadn't closed the gate and cleared the city."
Niamh couldn't help but smile, "I'm sure your people would have gotten along just fine."
"Hardly…" Martin shifted his stance.
"Martin?"
"Yes?"
"Would you like to step out so I can change?"
Martin sighed with relief, as if the aura in the room had been pressing all around him.
"Yes, yes I will…" He quickly ushered out of the room.
Niamh took a deep breath once the door was closed.
As she was changing, she couldn't help but think that Martin was strange for a human. Granted she hadn't been around many priests, but he was the first man that hadn't asked her for a fuck. She was wary, and out on the road she would watch him.
Martin had given her a soft blue cotton shirt, paired with dark trousers. Niamh was glad to be out of her furs, but she would carry them with her just in case. She pulled her hair up off of her neck, tying it back with a leather thong. She caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror, noticing she looked fairly gaunt. She frowned, telling herself that the least of her worries would be over once she had fulfilled her promise to the dead Emperor.
She felt a shudder run through her body. Seeing how Martin so closely resembled his father was eerie, and she just couldn't get over how magnificent their eyes were. She shook her head, feeling herself becoming taken with childish fancies.
When she was ready, she collected her things and met Martin and Kesh-Ra down at the bar. Kesh-Ra was nursing a cool mug of milk when he saw her. He spit it up, racing to her feet to beg forgiveness.
"I'm so sorry-" Kesh-Ra started.
Niamh held her hand up, stating bluntly, "We've lost daylight, we need to move." Then she added quietly, "Thank you, Kesh." Before leading the other two out into the city.
The noon sun had dried all the rain off of the cobblestones, and Niamhs ears pricked when her boots hit the hard stone. Skingrad was filled with unfamiliar smells, most of them the humans that passed by. Kesh-Ra flinched whenever he heard yelling, moving closer to Niamh each time.
They hadn't had time to stop into any of the stores, though Kesh-Ra begged to go into the apothecary. Niamh was already irritated enough they had wasted half a day.
Nearing the edge of the city they came to a small cluster of two story homes. Kesh-Ra fell back when he heard a glass bottle break against the ground.
"C'mon, Elanora!" Someone yelled, "Let me in!"
The three warily peered around the home, seeing a Redguard woman standing under the crude windows, her greying locs pulled up in a loose bun. She didn't seem phased by the broken bottle at her feet.
A beautiful elven poked her head out, her red lips set in a frown.
"I told you to leave, Celeste!" She said angrily, "Drunkard!"
Celeste shook her head, "Darling, I'm better now."
Elanora took up another empty bottle, "And this is?" She threw it at Celeste.
Celeste stepped out of the way before it hit her chest. Then she muttered under her breath, "Crazy bitch…" She looked up again, "Will you at least let me in so we don't have to talk through a window?"
"No!" Elanora slammed her window shut and closed the curtains.
Celeste huffed, then seemed to notice people were looking at her.
She nodded her head to acknowledge them, "Marital squabbles." She laughed awkwardly.
"Quite." Kesh-Ra cleared his throat, then he pulled on Niamhs shirt, "Let's go."
"Going on a trip?" Celeste asked.
"Well, yes-" Martin started.
"What's it to you?" Niamh asked quickly.
"Touchy touchy…" Celeste laughed, "Well if you're leaving Skingrad I'd be glad to accompany you."
"Why?" Kesh-Ra asked.
Elanora had opened the window once more, throwing out Celestes clothing, along with her weapons. She slammed the window before Celeste could blink.
Celeste looked at Kesh-Ra again, then shrugged, "Free time."
Niamh watched Celeste gather her greatsword and chainmail.
"You're a warrior?" She asked.
"Yes," Celeste smiled, coming to her full height after she cleaned up her things into her pack, "Formerly retired, but I've been known to guard a caravan or take up mercenary work now and again. I'm willing to travel, at least until the wife misses my tongue."
Martin suppressed his smile when he saw the look of horror on Kesh-Ras face.
Niamh thought for a moment, shifting her stance.
"And if you do accompany us…"
As if sensing her question, Celeste replied, "I earn my keep. All I ask is that I keep what I find. And I'll leave should you ever ask it of me."
Kesh-Ra nudged Niamh, "We could use another body watching our backs."
"She seems genuine." Martin added, "And in need of company given the current situation."
Niamh sighed, "Alright...but know this. Our road is treacherous…"
"I've seen my fair share of danger in my time." Celeste came to join the others, "I can handle myself."
"Fine," Niamh said, then whispered, "But if any harm comes to either Martin or Kesh-Ra, I will kill you."
Celeste just smiled, "Understood."
Niamh just glared, but held her tongue and marched towards the gates of the city.
Celeste turned around and blew a kiss to Elanora, who was watching through the curtains.
"I love you, my flower!" She called, receiving a choice finger in response.
Celeste turned to join the others.
Niamh felt she could finally breathe once they reached the outskirts of the city. Though she was in front as they walked the Gold Road, Niamh kept looking back to see where Martin was, taking care to see what Celeste was doing. Kesh-Ra kept looking between the three, thinking to himself that Niamh was being maybe too cautious. He liked Celeste enough, and she was pleasant enough company when she wasn't being inappropriate.
Celeste had asked him what the purpose of their journey was, and Kesh-Ra was all too eager to retell their adventures so far. He made sure to include the part where Niamh had dragged him through a sewer system and he was almost eaten alive by goblins. Celeste gave a hearty laugh.
"Sounds like you've had quite the adventure since you left your little hovel, Master Argonian."
"After we leave Martin in the capable hands of the monks I think I'd like to return. I was working on a health potion to ease the pains of skooma addiction."
"A worthy cause," Celeste said, "I remember I did a tour in Morrowind nearing seven years ago. Some protection detail for an Imperial noble or something." She waved her hand, "How he managed to scrounge up enough names to drop and get an entire Imperial guard detail I'll never know. But, I remember touring the marketplace and seeing an entire row of slaves up for auction. This particular seller had them all drugged up on skooma, keeps them complacent when you're traveling city to city…"
Kesh-Ra balled up his fist, "Cursed Dunmer…"
"I think they're getting their dues." Celeste said, "The Nerevarine...well she's something else."
Martin turned to her, "You've seen the Nerevarine?"
Celeste smiled, "I know Narya quite well."
"Funny...everyone I've spoken to has always said the Nerevarine was a man." Kesh-Ra said.
Celeste scoffed, "Just because Indoril Nerevar was a man, doesn't make his reincarnated soul one. I heard it explained once," She thought for a moment, "Souls have never had gender, so why should our bodies? We are as we are."
Kesh-Ra gave a wry smile, "Argonians have never been born with specific gender. I might have been hatched as what one would assume to be female. But in my heart I feel that I am male. Therefore I am."
"The important thing is that you're comfortable with your own self." Celeste told him, clapping him on the back.
They walked in silence for over two hours before coming upon the white silhouette of the Imperial City on the horizon. Martin stopped in his tracks to gaze upon it.
"I've only been to the City a handful of times…" He admitted, "I guess I never really noticed how it's looked before. Always my nose stuck in a book, or praying at the temple."
"And now you'll be asked to rule from there." Kesh-Ra added, "It's an awesome responsibility."
"I know…"
Niamh kept walking, muttering "It's not that great."
Martin lingered back with Kesh-Ra and Celeste.
"She doesn't trust me." He said, "She'll make quick conversation, but I know she is very uncomfortable with my presence. Have I offended her in some way?"
Kesh-Ra nodded, "To be fair I still don't think she fully trusts me either. It's not just you, Martin."
"I thought you two were close?" Celeste asked.
Kesh-Ra laughed, "We've only just met days ago."
Celeste gave a mirthful laugh.
Martin furrowed his brow, "And yet you follow her?"
"Niamh, in her own strange way, saved my life. Sure she's an absolute thorn in my tail, but she's tried to make up for her mistakes." Kesh-Ra sighed, "Had your Emperor father not released us...I shudder to think what might have happened to her in those dungeons."
"Yes, you mentioned the soldiers…"
Kesh-Ra lowered his voice, "She doesn't know that I saw what they did to her on our way to the City...or if she does she would never ask." He shook his head, "The depravity of man will never cease to shock me."
The three fell quiet.
Time passed and the group came to a ravine, the only way across being a rickety bridge. Kesh-Ra moaned.
"Not this thing…"
"Kesh-Ra, I've already told you-" Niamh started.
"Yes, yes, keep your eye on the other side and count your steps." Kesh-Ra sighed, "You nagged me the first time."
Niamh stopped and turned to look at him just as she reached the first step. With one raise of her brow Kesh-Ra issued a swift apology. Niamh turned back towards the bridge.
She hit the first plank with her foot, tapping it to test its hold. When it seemed sturdy she slowly continued on. She counted each of her steps, focusing on the trees just at the opposite end. Deftly, she avoided the spot Kesh-Ra had fallen through on their way to Kvatch, calling back to warn Kesh-Ra once more. He stood at the edge and mocked her for nagging again, earning a slap upside the head from Celeste.
Niamh had just reached the very end of the bridge when she noticed a parchment nailed to the post securing the rope. She snatched it up quickly when she saw that it was a call for her bounty.
She furrowed her brow, looking to the others.
"Have you seen this?"
Kesh-Ra was halfway across the bridge when he called to her, "I'm trying to focus, Niamh."
When he finally reached her, Niamh shoved the bounty into his chest.
Kesh-Ra glared at her, but then began to read.
"'Reward, one thousand Septims for the live capture and return of'...well at least it doesn't say your name…"
"Kesh."
"Right, right…'This Bosmer woman. She is to be brought into the custody of one...Captain Alban.' That absolute prick," Kesh-Ra scoffed, "'And this crude picture does you no justice, your face is more square than anything."
Niamh groaned, "That's beside the point, Kesh...you and I both know the Emperor dismissed our charges…"
"Oh well the Captain is all too clever...it says here you're a fugitive in the investigation of his murder."
"Bullshit."
Kesh-Ra looked to Martin, who had just joined them. Celeste was the last to cross.
"It seems we've made quite an impression in your fair city." Kesh-Ra said.
Martin read the bounty.
"These accusations are baseless." He said.
"We were there when he was killed." Kesh-Ra said.
"Baurus is our witness." Niamh told him.
"I'm sure he can put these falsities to rest." Kesh-Ra assured Niamh, "For now we'll stay clear of the city."
Niamh felt her stomach tighten, "The guards that patrol the roads…"
"Then we cut through the wilds." Martin suggested, "Yes it will be treacherous, but if the guards really are looking for you we must err on the side of caution. I'd rather face a wolf than a group of well armed guards."
"We can stick to the trees, but come nightfall these hills are extremely dangerous." Celeste said to them, "Even Khajiit don't even cross through the Great Forest." Then she thought, "We could always make a wide half circle through the wilds until we hit where the Red Ring road begins."
"Whatever we do we have to do it quickly. Jauffre will be expecting us at the Priory, and we've already taken longer than expected." Niamh said, "We'll avoid the roads altogether and cut across the forest." She concluded.
The other three warily agreed, immediately trailing off the road and into the woods.
Night had fallen on the Great Forest. The moons had just started to creep over the trees when Niamh stopped to give the others a rest. Celeste said not to risk firelight, so they ate what little provisions they had with them in a dead silence.
The night sounds had made Kesh-Ra extremely nervous, and in the dark he sought Niamh to assure him that it was nothing more than an owl or a frog.
Kesh-Ra nearly climbed a tree when he heard the howl of a wolf off in the distant hills. Celeste snickered, returning to her last bits of bread.
"Kesh, I told you they won't hurt you." Niamh reminded him.
"They're big, they're covered in fleas, and their teeth are sharp...I don't care what you say." Kesh-Ra held his hand to his chest.
"Could be worse," Celeste said, "Might be werewolves."
"You're joking." Kesh-Ra eyed her.
"Not at all. Sure they're more prevalent in other regions. Skyrim for example...even Morrowind. But as most animals do, they migrate." Celeste told him.
"They live in Valenwood as well," Niamh added, piquing Celestes interest, "But the Bosmer do not fear animals, even if they are part man. My mother is a shaman, and my clan was always taught that it is a great respect to Y'ffre if ones body and soul is intertwined with that of a creature."
"Some say werewolves are a curse from Hircine." Martin said, "Or a blessing if you're a devotee."
"But there's no way an Argonian can become one...right?" Kesh-Ra asked.
Celeste shook her head, "Have you heard of the Hounds of Hircine?"
Kesh-Ras eyes widened, "No…"
"They're all Argonian werewolves. I traveled with the Nerevarine after I retired from the Imperial guard. We ended up in Solstheim and aided a group of the native Nords. It's a long tale but...we ended up in Mortrag Glacier and were set upon by the Hounds. You see they looked different from most werewolves, patches of scales creeping out from the flesh of the wolf." She sighed, "Poor creatures, once they were dead Narya and I saw what they were in their true form. Do not be fooled, Master Argonian, anyone can be infected."
While Kesh-Ra was thinking over the conversation with utter horror, Martin looked to Celeste.
"You seem to have traveled to quite a few places with the Nerevarine."
Celeste nodded, "In part it was one of the greatest times in my life. Elanora would say different, but I just think she didn't like who came home. You spend so long thrust into this great adventure with this wonderful spirit, and when it's over you feel empty." She stared at the ground, "Took me a long time to convince myself that alcohol was my demon."
"How long have you known your wife?" Martin asked.
Celeste seemed to light up at the question, "Nearly thirty years. Her mother was an Altmer seamstress, and her father was an Imperial Captain. They moved to Skingrad when Elanora and I were young teens." She closed her eyes, "When I saw her...I was smitten. I asked her to marry me right after I joined the Imperial guard. Been in that house ever since…" Her voice trailed off and she rubbed the back of her neck. She shrugged her shoulders, "She found a few bottles of wine under the dresser. I told her I had been saving them since before I was sober and just forgot about them. But uh-I think I've hurt her too much."
"Maybe the time away will give her the chance to think it over." Martin suggested, "You've been together a long time."
Celeste laughed, "Absence makes the heart grow fonder as they say." She waved him off, "Listen to me prattle about my marital problems…"
"We've all got something." Martin said to her.
"Like being the heir to an entire Empire?" Kesh-Ra came out of his stupor.
"There's that." Martin sighed.
Niamh signaled the end of the conversation when she told the others to pack up. Kesh-Ra groaned at the thought of moving in the dark, but he knew Niamh didn't want to waste anymore time. They had traveled for an hour before they felt the first drops of rain, Kesh-Ra taking care to flip the cowl of his cloak up before the downpour.
After walking some time through the rain, Niamh could spot lights in the distances.
"That looks to be the Priory." She said, stopping in her muddy tracks, "But…"
"But what?" Martin asked, shielding his eyes from the raindrops.
Niamh hesitated, "The lights...they're moving all about. It's like…" She felt her stomach drop, "Stay here." She raced towards the Priory.
"Who did she say that to?" Kesh-Ra asked.
Martin didn't answer, instead he ran after Niamh, Celeste following. Kesh-Ra looked around him in the darkness, deciding it was best to follow the others after he heard a particularly loud noise.
He came upon Niamh throwing down the dead body of a woman in red robes. A panic set in when he realized what was going on. He searched for Martin, watching him go inside the priory. He followed after, rushing past as Celeste fought off two cultists by chopping their heads off in one swing. Kesh-Ra screamed as he threw himself at the door into the chapel, consequently knocking the cultist that was behind the door onto the floor and into flames.
Kesh-Ra called to Martin, rushing up the stairs to find Jauffre stabbing a cultist in the neck with a hidden dagger. Jauffre held Martin by the shoulders, yelling the one of the cultists made off with the Amulet and he's no longer safe. He threw Martin to Kesh-Ra, urging them to run.
But Martin stood determined and waited for Jauffre to join them before grabbing Kesh-Ra and racing back down the stairs.
The flames grew and licked at their arms and legs as the three practically leaped from the door of the chapel. Kesh-Ra threw himself on the ground to put out the fire on his trousers. He looked up and saw Niamh throwing herself in front of a coming arrow before it his Martin in the chest. She caught it in the shoulder just as Celeste thrust her blade into the archer.
Niamh fell to her knees, Martin dragging her off to the three horses that Jauffre managed to save from the stable.
Kesh-Ra felt his body lift off the ground, Celeste picking him up to throw him on one of the horses, jumping up behind him to follow Brother Jauffre. Kesh-Ra looked for Niamh, blood pouring from her head and shoulder as Martin held onto her as they all rode away from Weynon Priory.
"Take the reins, young master." Celeste said to him, "Seems my shoulder is displaced."
Kesh-Ra readily took control of riding, Celeste throwing her good arm around his waist to she could stay on.
They followed Jauffre along the Orange Road, riding hard for nearly two hours before they finally stopped. Jauffre led them to a small clearing on the side of the road, calling for Martin to bring Niamh to him.
Celeste fell from their horse.
"Help me with the shoulder, Master Kesh-Ra." She held her right arm close to her side.
Kesh-Ra felt all the color rush out of him when he heard the snap of her bone going back into the socket. Celeste didn't seem phased by the pain, instead she tied the three horses off to the side. She set them under the trees to keep the rain from them, making sure they each had whatever apples were left from her own pack.
She and Kesh-Ra sat to the side, watching as Jauffre pulled the arrow from Niamh, who nearly punched him in the face when she learned the Amulet of Kings was stolen. Jauffre checked her head, thankful that the blood was just coming from a small cut.
Once she was bandaged, Niamh called Kesh-Ra and Celeste over to join the conversation.
"What's the plan?" Celeste asked.
Jauffre was the one to answer.
"It is clear that the Mythic Dawn now has the upper hand," He seemed exasperated, "It's more imperative than ever to get Martin to a place of safety. It is my intention to bring him to Cloud Ruler Temple."
"The Blades are as good as any to keep Master Septim safe." Celeste agreed.
"Can we not take him to the Imperial City?" Kesh-Ra asked, "He has guards there as well."
"I would not trust the Imperial City at the moment. The Mythic Dawn has already proven they can reach the Emperor, at least at the Temple we can stand a chance if they attack." Jauffre told him, then he stood up, "The faster we get there the better it is for Martin."
"Am I not to have any say in this?" Martin asked.
"I am doing what is best for you, Martin. You must believe that." Jauffre said, then he sighed, "I am trying to help."
Martin looked at the ground, seemingly regretful of his outburst.
"I know…"
Jauffre nodded in acknowledgement, "We'll let the horses rest for a bit, but we must ride through the night. It's a long ride to Cloud Ruler Temple, and we must cover ground quickly." He looked at Niamh, "Rest."
Niamh seemed to frown, but didn't retort.
Even in the coming rain, Niamh managed to crawl up into a tree and shelter herself in the leaves. Kesh-Ra marveled out loud that he was impressed she could sleep in anything.
"Bosmer are more conditioned for the wilds than we are, Master Kesh-Ra." Celeste told him, trying to cover herself under her metal shield by sticking the sharpest part into a dead tree. She motioned for Kesh-Ra to join her, both of them just able to fit.
"Try and rest, young master." Celeste told him, "You've been nothing but a mess of worry since I met you earlier today."
"I just thought I'd be on my way to my cottage after this…" Kesh-Ra lamented.
"Nothing's stopping you."
"You say that...but at this rate Niamh is going to get herself killed. I can't let that happen if I can help it."
"You're a loyal friend, Master Kesh-Ra." Celeste reminded him, "Don't forget that."
Kesh-Ra leaned into her as a child would their mother, "Thank you…"
Celeste just patted his arm gently, pulling him in for a gentle embrace. She rubbed his back until she heard soft snoring.
Celeste watched Jauffre and Martin find cover in the trees, thinking it sweet when Martin looked up to see if Niamh was alright. Every now and again he'd say something in audible to Jauffre, who would nod or say something back.
She leaned back against the trunk of the dead tree, watching the rain steadily splash upon the soft grass.