"We all have wrongs that need to be righted."

Erandur seemed surprised at first by my truthful reassurance, then relieved. "Thank you, Alessia." He straightened up. "I still have my key to the library. Whenever you're ready, let's move on."

I dipped my head, chest squeezing tightly as I thought of descending deeper into the tower. "All right. I'm ready." Without a word, Erandur led us through the unblocked hallways, each and every one of us on edge. "How can the Skull be affecting Dawnstar?" I questioned, trying to make conversation and get rid of the chill that had settled in my mind.

The Dunmer pondered my query for a moment, stepping over various forms of debris as he walked. "Lore holds that the Skull of Corruption holds a constant hunger for the memories of others. The Skull has been out of touch for so long, I fear it's gained the ability to reach out on its own and try to feed. What it does with these memories is just conjecture and an argument for scholars and historians to this very day. We mustn't tarry... the Skull needs to be destroyed as soon as possible." He brought us back up the stairs. "It's just up here. Be careful... I wouldn't doubt we'll find the awakened within."

By the time I'd processed Erandur's words, Bishop had already placed an arrow on the string of his bow. Erandur approached a dark-wooden door and inserted a key into the lock. I carefully drew my twin blades while Karnwyr bared his teeth. "This library used to be filled with arcane volumes. Now look at it; almost everything's been burned. I hope the tome we need is still intact."

"And if it's not?" My question remained unanswered as it echoed off the stone walls.

Erandur clicked his tongue as he scanned the shelves, most books burnt beyond repair. "Hopefully, we can locate the information we need."

Bishop spoke up. "And... what are we looking for?" My mind wandered back to the Skull for a moment before fleeing once more and leaving a headache in its wake. "Hello? Ladyship? Anyone home?" I opened my eyes, not even having realized I'd closed them.

"What? Oh. Sorry. Just thinking."

"Mmhmm. Less thinking, more looking."

"I'm not you, Bishop. So that means more thinking and less looking."

"Ye- wait, what?" I ignored his look of astonished dismay and started looking on the upper floor.

"Remember, we're looking for a book of alchemical recipes called 'The Dreamstride.' The tome bears the likeness of Vaermina on the cover. It should be here somewhere." The men below had the bottom shelves covered; I could take care of the top. Besides, it helped that the book was easily spotted right in plain sight. Breathing a sigh of relief, I took it from its pedestal and trotted down the steps.

"Found it," I announced, holding it up.

"Excellent!" Erandur exclaimed, holding his hands out for the book. A shiver of excitement ran through me as I passed it to him. Bishop and Karnwyr approached as the priest flipped through the pages. "Let me take a look..." After a few moments, he let out a harrumph of triumph. "Mara be praised! There is a way past the barrier to the inner sanctum. It involves a recipe for a liquid known as Vaermina's Torpor."

"Is that some kind of potion?"

"Yes. The Torpor grants an ability the priests of Vaermina called the 'Dreamstride;' using dreams to travel distances in the real world."

Bishop snorted. "So what, is that like... sleepwalking on skooma?" I bit my lip to avoid laughing, but Erandur was hardly amused.

"I assure you, the Dreamstride is well known in Vaerminian Lore."

"That's amazing!"

Erandur seemed pleased with my interest. "Quite amazing, yes. Alchemy and the blessings of a Divine distilled down into an ingestible liquid." The corners of his mouth turned downwards. "Sadly, I have yet to see it function in person."

"So there's no way to get to the Skull?" I found myself saying, barely able to hold back my disappointment. Both Erandur and Bishop sent me strange looks. I cleared my throat and tried to fix an innocent expression. "Then how will we get rid of these nightmares?"

The priest closed the book and set it aside. "As a sworn priest of Mara, the elixir won't work for me. The Torpor will only work for Priests or Vaermina, or the unaffiliated."

"Is that so?" Bishop spoke up. "So my lady here is going to be your test subject, is that right?"

"Unless you're willing to volunteer, then yes." Erandur eyed both me and Bishop in turn. The ranger was silent, though there was something in his stance that made me question his reluctance to take my place. It couldn't have just been not wanting to, so what was it?

My doubts vanished when Erandur headed my way, fixing his hood. Worry lines had left creases on his blue-gray face, or maybe it was just him being a Dark Elf. I couldn't tell. "This sounds dangerous," I started, "so how can you be sure?" Erandur made some sort of choking noise.

"I- I c- I will not lie to you," he admitted, "there is some risk involved." A brief flash of worry ran through my body. Karnwyr sped up until he was right next to me, his red fur standing on end. I patted him in an attempt to calm the furry canine down.

"The last time the Torpor was imbibed could have been decades ago. But I swear upon Lady Mara that I will do everything within my power to prevent any harm from befalling you."

"Forget it," Bishop snapped, moving in front of the priest. "It could kill her."

The Dunmer shook his head emphatically, making movements with his hands as he explained. "No, all my research points in the opposite direction!" he insisted. "This is the exact liquid the priests would drink."

"And is that supposed to be comforting?" Bishop challenged. I wondered for a moment when he'd decided to become oh-so-protective of my annoying ass. Then again, perhaps my annoying ass was the reason.

"The only question in my mind is whether Alessia will be granted the Dreamstride. Otherwise, the worst that could happen is a bad aftertaste. I again swear upon Lady Mara that I would never let any harm befall you." Erandur spoke to me, and I had to mentally run over the conversation before I could reply.

Bishop stared at me incredulously. "She..." A scowl fitted itself over his face, replacing the concern that had occupied it for the briefest of moments a second before. "It's up to you, ladyship."

I swallowed my nervousness. "I suppose I have to." I twisted my neck to look at Erandur. "Do you know where we can find the Torpor?" I queried.

"I believe there is a laboratory in the east wing," the priest informed us. His red eyes glinted with nervousness. "If we proceed there, we should be able to locate a sample. The laboratory adjoins the library. I'm hoping we'll find a sample of the Torpor left undamaged." He began to lead us to the laboratory, and along the way, I realized I was shaking.

"What will the Dreamstride feel like?" I hated how my voice trembled, but it seemed like neither Erandur nor Bishop had noticed. Who did? The red wolf that walked by my side, constantly whining and nudging my legs.

"You'll be viewing the memory of another through your own eyes and with your own body," the Dunmer intoned, looking around the temple. I guess he did hear me. Our footsteps echoed in the hallways. "Those around you will perceive you as normal and you will find the words you utter may not be your own. Thanks to all of these odd principles, there is quite a lot of debate about whether this is really a dream or just the machinations of Vaermina." His explanation didn't do much to assuage my concerns.

"How will I know when to awaken?"

"I will watch over you as you slumber to ensure your safety," Erandur swore, placing a blue-gray hand over his heart. Despite my attention mainly on the priest, I still noticed a cross Bishop with his head turned away. "If I deduce anything is amiss, I will use my arts to bring you back. Otherwise, I am uncertain what will end your Dreamstride. Perhaps when Vaermina's curious appetite has been filled."

"Oh, that's... that's comforting."

Erandur shrugged. "It's all I can offer you, milady." I followed Erandur ahead, though I hesitated when Bishop remained standing against the wall, inspecting his dagger with critical eyes.

"Are you not coming?" I queried, hoping he would come with me.

"What, at this? Nah, takes a lot more." Bishop gave a wink, but it seemed rather forced to me. "Why don't you go ahead?" He sounded rather sour, and I frowned in response. Setting my arms akimbo, I responded with just as much venom.

"The least you could do is help!" I hissed. "This isn't just on me, you know!"

"Didn't say it was." Bishop wiped at his dagger uncaringly. "But I'm not the one going to drink drugged potions."

I ground my teeth together while clenching and unclenching my fingers. "Oh, and this is coming from the man whose main hobby is getting drunk." Bishop paused and sheathed his dagger.

"I'll catch up," he promised. "Go on... milady."