The Khajiit began to awaken. He found himself in a dark cave. He got up. He had leather armor on, and was armed with an orcish bow and a quiver of arrows on his back. At first, he couldn't remember anything, not even his own name. It was as if his mind was a blank slate. Then, moments later, memories came flooding back to him.

Ta'Liq. His name was Ta'Liq. He had been kidnapped by the Dark Brotherhood. They had... transfused his blood with the blood of someone else. Then, he lost consciousness. He sat up, and to his great surprise, and horror, found many bodies strewn about. He immediately got up, and rushed towards the mouth of the cave. He stopped when he saw a light around the corner. He heard the voice of an Orc, and an Argonian.

"So, what brought you to Skyrim in the first place?" The Orc asked. Ta'Liq peeked behind the corner, and saw the Orc talking to the Argonian. They didn't look at all like Dark Brotherhood.

"First, my name is Kalur. As for the reason I'm in Skyrim, I was... just trying to find a place to settle down." The Argonian said. "I never really felt like I fit in back at Black Marsh."

"Why?" The Orc asked.

"I knew. It wasn't hard to figure out. Everyone in the village in Black Marsh always looked at me with this... look, as if they were telling me I wasn't wanted. I guess that's what happens when your mother's husband is an exile."

The Orc now looked curious. "What was he exiled for?"

Kalur sighed, looking at the floor as if ashamed. "...He was a rebel. Part of a terrorist faction called the 'Liberators of Tamriel.' They were, and still are, a rouge faction trying to root out the Thalmor. At least that's what I've seen, judging by my father's letters to my mother."

"I see." The orc said. "Still, I'm getting this strange feeling... Almost as if..." The Orc then slowly turned his head to look over his shoulders, and jumped out at Ta'Liq, pinning him against the wall.

"…As if we're being watched!" The orc snapped.

"Please, don't! Show mercy upon Ta'Liq!" Ta'Liq begged.

The orc looked over him, then sniffed the air, taking in his scent. "You are not brotherhood. What are you doing here?"

"He must have been one of the transfused. Like you." The Argonian said. "Look, see the bandages on his body and arms?"

The orc looked, then nodded, relasing Ta'Liq. "Alright, fine. Come join us near the fire, cat. We're getting out of here. Just make sure I don't have to carry you out."

Ta'Liq joined them near the fire. There was silence for a few moments. Then, Ta'Liq got the courage to speak up. "...Who are you?"

"That's a good point. We haven't had time for introductions. I am Kalur Rune, a wanderer. I've traveled a great distance to get to Skyrim. I thought it would be a place where I could find some peace." Kalur said.

"I am Krog Gro-Garak, swordsman-for-hire." Krog said proudly. "I used to work for the companions, but I didn't like the jobs they gave me. They were too mediocre, so I left."

"I see." Ta'Liq said. "I am Ta'Liq. My family is... or was, part of a Khajiit trade caravan that traveled throughout the Whiterun hold. We were attacked by raiders one night. I was the only one that survived."

"How did you survive?" Krog asked.

"I was knocked out during the attack. When I came to, all I had on me was the leather armor and clothes I'm wearing right now. The whole caravan... was killed. I've been alone ever since." Ta'Liq sighed.

"...I'm sorry." Kalur said. He could only imagine what Ta'Liq was going through.

"So, are you going to continue from where you left off, Kalur?" Ta'Liq asked.

Kalur looked puzzled. "Excuse me?"

"About your father." Ta'Liq said. "You were talking about how he was part of the Liberators of Tamriel?"

Kalur sighed. "That was a long time ago. About eight years. That was the last I heard from my father. I don't know where he is now. For all I know, he might be dead..."

Ta'Liq nodded as he warmed himself by the fire. He didn't pry any further.

"So, how are we going to get out of here?" Ta'Liq asked.

"Simple. We fight our way out." Krog answered, handing him a short sword. "Prepare yourself, Ta'Liq. We attack as soon as the fire dies out."

Ta'Liq took the shortsword and attached the scabbard to his belt. He looked at the fire. From the way it looked, it wasn't about to die out for another couple hours. Just enough time to get some rest. He sat against the cave wall, pondering on their odds of getting out.

Kalur stared at the fire, back against the wall of the cave. He couldn't keep his eyes open, even though he was doing his best to stay awake. After a couple minutes, he succumbed to slumber once more.

# # # # # # # # # #

Kalur felt a hand skaking his shoulder. He opened his eyes. It was Krog.

"It's time." Krog whispered. Kalur looked to see Ta'liq. He had his bow out, and was peering around the corner, ready to strike at any dark brotherhood lackeys standing between them and freedom.

Kalur got up and walked up behind Ta'liq. "See anything?"

"No, not yet, it's as quiet as a hall of the dead." Ta'liq said.

"Let's move." Krog led the group through the cave. They went on and found a passage that led apparently to a temple. That's when Kalur realized where they were: Bleak Falls Barrow!

Krog also recognized their surroundings. "Clever bastards." He muttered.

They went for the entrance to the ruin, when they heard a great commotion ahead of them. Krog got up against the wall, out of sight, sword in hand. Kalur and Ta'liq did the same, wielding their weapons.

They waited as footsteps approached. Krog motioned for the others to get ready to strike.

As soon as they were at the corner, they leaped out, ready to strike at the Dark Brotherhood goons!

Only it wasn't the Dark Brotherhood! It was Dovah and Dulian! They all froze in place for a moment.

"Well, at least you're alive, Kalur." Dovah said, as the group sheathed their weapons. "And it looks like you've made some new friends."

"Indeed." Kalur replied. "Though now, we have bigger problems..."

"That we do, Dragonborn. That we do..." A voice said.

The group turned to the direction of where the voice came from. Stepping out from one of the pillars around the corner was Delphine of the Blades.