"Remanada

Fragmented, mythical recounting of the conception of Reman and the return of the Chim-el Adabal with the people of Tamriel

Chapter 1: SANCRE TOR AND THE BIRTH OF REMAN

And in those days the empire of the Cyrodiils was dead, save in memory only, for through war and slug famine and iniquitous rulers, the west split from the east and Colovia's estrangement lasted some four hundreds of years. And the earth was sick with this sundering. Once-worthy western kings, of Anvil and Sarchal, of Falkreath and Delodiil, became through pride and habit as like thief-barons and forgot covenant. In the heartland things were no better, as arcanists and false moth-princes lay in drugged stupor or the studies of vileness and no one sat on the Throne in dusted generations. Snakes and the warnings of snakes went unheeded and the land bled with ghosts and deepset holes unto cold harbors. It is said that even the Chim-el Adabal, the amulet of the kings of glory, had been lost and its people saw no reason to find it.

And it was in this darkness that King Hrol set out from the lands beyond lost Twil with a sortie of questing knights numbered eighteen less one, all of them western sons and daughters. For Hrol had seen in his visions the snakes to come and sought to heal all the borders of his forebears. And to this host appeared at last a spirit who resembled none other than El-Estia, queen of ancient times, who bore in her left hand the dragonfire of the aka-tosh and in her right hand the jewels of the covenant and on her breast a wound that spilt void onto her mangled feet. And seeing El-Estia and Chim-el Adabal, Hrol and his knights wailed and set to their knees and prayed for all things to become as right. Unto them the spirit said, I am the healer of all men and the mother of dragons, but as you have run so many times from me so shall I run until you learn my pain, which renders you and all this land dead.

And the spirit fled from them, and they split among hills and forests to find her, all grieving that they had become a villainous people. Hrol and his shieldthane were the only ones to find her, and the king spoke to her, saying, I love you sweet Aless, sweet wife of Shor and of Auri-el and the Sacred Bull, and would render this land alive again, not through pain but through a return to the dragon-fires of covenant, to join east and west and throw off all ruin. And the shieldthane bore witness to the spirit opening naked to his king, carving on a nearby rock the words AND HROL DID LOVE UNTO A HILLOCK before dying in the sight of their union.

When the fifteen other knights found King Hrol, they saw him dead after his labors against a mound of mud. And they parted each in their way, and some went mad, and the two that returned to their homeland beyond Twil would say nothing of Hrol, and acted ashamed for him.

But after nine months that mound of mud became as a small mountain, and there were whispers among the shepherds and bulls. A small community of believers gathered around that growing hill during the days of its first churning, and they were the first to name it the Golden Hill, Sancre Tor. And it was the shepherdess Sed-Yenna who dared climb the hill when she heard his first cry, and at its peak she saw what it had yielded, an infant she named Reman, which is "Light of Man."

And in the child's forehead was the Chim-el Adabal, alive with the dragon-fires of yore and divine promise, and none dared obstruct Sed-Yenna when she climbed the steps of White-Gold Tower to place the babe Reman on his Throne, where he spoke as an adult, saying I AM CYRODIIL COME.

Chapter 2: THE CHEVALIER RENALD, BLADE OF THE PIG

And in the days of interregnum, the Chim-el Adabal was lost again amid the petty wars of gone-heathen kings. West and east knew no union then and all the lands outside of them saw Cyrodiil as a nest of snakemen and snakes. And for four more hundreds of years did the seat of Reman stay sundered, with only the machinations of a group of loyal knights keeping all its borders from throwing wide.

These loyal knights did go by no name then, but were known by their eastern swords and painted eyes, and it was whispered that they were descended from the bodyguard of old Reman. One of their number, called the Chevalier Renald, discovered the prowess of Cuhlecain and then supported him towards the throne. Only later would it be revealed that Renald did this thing to come closer to Talos, anon Stormcrown, the glorious yet-emperor Tiber Septim; only later still, that he was under instruction by a pig.

Long glory was wife to the all the knights of the dragon-banner, who knew no other and were brothers before beyond many seas and now were brothers under the law named the blade-surrender of Pale Pass. And having vampire blood these brother-knights lived for ages through and past Reman and then kept guard over his ward, the coiled king, Versidue-Shaie. The snake-captain Vershu became Renald became the protector of the northern west when the black dart was hooked into Savirien-Chorak.

Here torn pages indicate that the rest of this ancient book has been lost."

Silus Vesuius and Vigilant Grayvild approached Keeper Thorondir in the main hall, surrounded by the injured. The Imperial lad cleared his throat. "We'll need to reach out to the other holds, sir."

Keeper Thorondir waved it off. "Yes, we will, but not at the moment - we need to get things in order here at Stuhn Ravine. There are still many dying and we're short-handed. I do not wish to see any more perish while my remaining healers run off."

Silus scratched the back of his neck. Thorondir raised a good point, but a little poorly considered given the circumstances. All the more reason for them to need aid. "Well, the Mythic Dawn isn't going to wait for us. We have to tell the other holds."

Vigilant Grayvild agreed with Silus. "Yes; perhaps we could get aid from Solitude, or Whiterun."

"They already know." came the voice of Brina Merillis, holding a Missive in her hands. Her left arm was in a sling, however, given her battle injuries. "They're holding a meeting in Whiterun, between all the Jarls. They're planning to form some sort of alliance against the Mythic Dawn and the Daedra."

Horik followed Brina with diligence, even though they were in a safe haven. His own injuries could not impede him in his duties. Walking made little difference to him, even with a staff to assist him. "Thank the gods." he muttered upon hearing the good news.

Tolfdir was resting on a pew against the wall at the entrance door of the main hall. He looked at the Imperial Jarl with an expression of surprise on his face. "Well, someone was able to compromise with Jarl Korir? That is quite a surprise... but desperate times lead to many surprises, I suppose."

Keeper Thorondir held his arms behind his back, with his back to the Shrine of Stendarr. He stood before the altar and looked down at the injured laying in bedrolls strewn about the floor before them. "Times certainly are desperate, I will concede to that."

Colette lay against a wall, barely awake and lost in her thoughts. Everything had taken its toll on her, as well as the Vigilants nearby who had been mending the wounded for the most part, as well. She had been uncharacteristically silent for most of the time, withdrawn to herself, and it was beginning to worry the other mages who knew her, as well.

Faralda nudged Tolan on his side and gestured towards the Restoration Professor when she noticed he was handing out Stamina Potions to those who were worn out.

Vigilant Tolan gently shook Colette Marence's shoulder, stirring her awake. "Hey, how are you holding up?"

Colette gazed up at him, her voice tinged with irritation and tiredness. "I was trying to rest. Do you mind?" She'd worked herself to the bone and managed to stabilize a few more people. However, she could never undo those whom death had already claimed.

"Don't bite me - I just wanna help. Here." Tolan reached into his satchel and passed her a Stamina Potion. "You look like you could use it. You're exhausted."

"Have... have you heard any new from the other holds?" Colette nervously inquired as she popped the cork off the potion and took a sip. There was chaos in the Pale, and she could only surmise that there was more to it than that.

Tolan shrugged. "There've been whispers about the Imperials and the Stormcloaks hosting a peace meeting to come up with a solution to this Daedra problem."

Colette sighed. "It was terrifying. Those Daedra? Gods... do you really think we could win? Skyrim?" she shook her head despairingly. "No, we're all dead. We'd best just enjoy what little time we have left." she held her face in her hands and leaned forward. "I wish Carcette were here - not because I want to see her get hurt, mind you - but so that I could tell her I was sorry for falling for a stupid impostor."

"You haven't seen her face-to-face in years. Don't hold it against yourself." Vigilant Tolan waved it off. "Heck, I should be more embarrassed, workin' with her for decades and falling for that impostor. Maybe we Vigilants really are soft; useless. Just like people have said over the years."

"Well, you Vigilants were the only ones who gave a damn about the Daedra." Colette reminded him. "Everyone else was caught up on the war, and the Dragons. This - atrocity - has been brewing under our cities for decades. The Mythic Dawn didn't just assemble overnight. You all were right. The rest of us were asleep. Huh... come to think of it, maybe that's why you're called the 'Vigilants' of Stendarr."

Tolan chuckled lightly. "Heh. Perhaps."

Keeper Thorondir paced the floor, where he was able. He cleared his throat and called out to his subordinate. "Vigilant Jacob!"

The elder Imperial descended the steps on the western half of the main hall upon hearing his name. "Yes, Keeper? How may I help you?"

Thorondir crossed his arms and leaned backwards. "I want you - just you - to venture to Winterhold. Speak to Jarl Korir and inform him of what happened in the Pale; every minute detail. Speak of our grave losses, our injured, the destroyed mountain, Stuhn Ravine, and our desperate situation." he pointed to Silus, "And you. If you want to aid us, go to Whiterun, tell the same to Jarl Balgruuf. He has a good relationship with the Vigil of Stendarr. I suppose we owe that to Keeper Carcette. Perhaps she did do something right, after all." he called out to Altano, who was just entering from outside. "Altano, you will go to Riften, and inform Jarl Laila of our matters here. She was an ardent supporter of the Dawnguard - perhaps she will be willing to aid us as well, if she is able. If not - at least our situation will be made aware of to our allies."

"Very well." Altano confirmed with a polite nod and he turned around on his heel and headed out the door.

Brother Adalvald entered as he was exiting and they exchanged a glare in that instant, and went their separate ways. Silus Vesuius followed, as did Vigilant Jacob to attend to their tasks. Adalvald was followed by Brelyna, Onmund, and J'zargo. "Keeper Thorondir, I request that the mages be able to return to Winterhold - they wish to do research on Mehrunes Dagon and the Daedra - perhaps there may yield information that could help us." He gestured to the trio of students. "I will go with Tolan to Stendarr's Beacon in the Rift. Perhaps there we can look through our archives."

Keeper Thorondir shook his head. "No - we need to remain here for the time being. The wounded - "

Colette walked around the corner with Tolan. "Oh, for crying out loud! They're stable! I made sure of it." she barked out of frustration at them. This was utter nonsense, she thought. She turned to Tolfdir briefly. "I want to go to the Beacon, as well. You said that Cura was there, right? I need to see something for myself." the Stamina Potion had rejuvenated her again, and she no longer desired to remain in these depressing halls.

Tolfdir permitted it. "Well, this will be your first time out of the North meridian in a long time, Colette."

"Now that there are no more of those flying lizards on the roads, I want to see more of the land again." Colette admitted. "Th-though... the Daedra are making me second-guess that choice." she had to ask Tolan and Adalvald, "You two can Fast Travel, right? I haven't quite managed to get the hang of it, myself. Why, once I did it and wound up on the opposite side of the building I was aiming for and I had to walk all the way around! Can you believe that? Hmph. Sometimes it's as though the very fabric of reality itself has it out for me, I swear! And another time - "

"She's back to her old self again." Faralda scoffed from the wall adjacent to them.

"J'zargo is much sick of these Daedra. Especially after that terrible encounter. It is a shame they are used to fire for the most part. Otherwise J'zargo would have blown them to pieces." the Khajiit growled lowly. His sides were still sore, but he was willing to move through it.

Brelyna rubbed her hands together to shake the cold out of them. "Phinis taught me a few Daedra-subjugating techniques; I hope that I will be of more use in the next encounter."

"I hope there won't be a next encounter." Onmund shuddered. "...But I'm certain there will be. What kills me the most is that we were prepared. We were prepared, and we still got whomped. What happens if they sneak up on us? What happens if they get us when we aren't ready?"

"Then we go wild on 'em. Like feral animals." Vilkas and the Companions entered the hall. The Vigilants standing on either sides of the walls looked at them with great suspicion, and Keeper Thorondir did, as well.

Though, the Keeper was relieved, at the end of the day, that these Werewolves were on their side in this fight. "Ah, yes; I had said we would talk about your Lycanthropy at a later time, did I not?"

"I don't remember." Farkas said flatly. "But if you wanna fight, my greatsword is still thirsty."

"Easy, Farkas." Kodlak redirected his anger, as well as the tension from Aela and Vilkas. "We lost good shield-siblings. Ria, Njada, and Torvar were fine warriors. Their absence will not make things easier for any of us. We cannot afford to make war between our factions now."

"I agree, actually." Keeper Thorondir admitted. "I wanted to thank you for aiding us in these troubling times. I am willing, with my authority as Keeper of the Vigil, to pardon the Companions. As my predecessor here in Skyrim had."

Farkas raised a brow. "Processor?"

"Predecessor, you fool. He's referring to Carcette." Vilkas shook his head at Farkas' ignorance.

Kodlak looked at the grievously injured lining the floors. "This sanctuary seems to be well-fortified. You just need guards on the exterior. Unfortunately all of our numbers have dwindled."

"One well-placed Daedric attack and we're all doomed." Aela marveled at the terror lining their situation. "Just one is all Dagon would need. I trust that those Vigilants who left were going out to find aid, right?"

Tolan nodded. "Yes, and we're going to research these Daedric forces. Anything that can be done to help will do at this point." He glared at Keeper Thorondir. "It would be the wise decision to let us do our jobs, Keeper."

Vigilant Grayvild stifled himself and walked across the room, carefully navigating around the wounded as he went to the small workstation with Irbrand and some other Vigilants.

Kodlak looked at Thorondir and spoke firmly. "We will take our leave; Whiterun might need us there. We all need to cover as much ground as possible. I trust that the Legion will be heading to Dawnstar - if it's so, they could help you better than we can."

Keeper Thorondir noted the other Vigilants' reception to the Companions and ultimately decided to let them go, as well as the Winterhold Mages. He addressed Tolan and Adalvald directly. "Very well. I will allow you two go to the Beacon, but remember one thing: I don't know what you've gotten away with under Carcette, but remember that I am not her. I'm not weak. I'm not lenient. I will not be walked over by anyone. Do you understand?" he crossed his arms firmly, as if guarding himself. "You will do what I say, and you will follow my commands diligently. I won't have insubordination under my watch."

Vigilant Tolan took a deep breath and turned to the Keeper, face-to-face. "No, you are not Keeper Carcette. You've got that right. We have no history together. I am only listening to you because of your rank. As long as I am sworn to this organization, I will listen to you. Remember that before you walk on your veterans."

The veiled threat lingered in the air momentarily as Tolan made his way to the door. Colette and Brother Adalvald trailed behind him, exiting and leaving Keeper Thorondir rooted to his spot, bewildered.

Brother Adalvald tapped Vigilant Tolan on the shoulder. "You really just threatened to quit. In front of the Keeper. In the middle of a crisis?"

Vigilant Tolan turned to him. "I don't like him. His attitude. Strolling around like he owns the damn place. Struttin' his fancy feathers and talkin' down to us like we're children."

Colette agreed. "I don't know what it is about these Altmer men - they really seem to think that way. Last one I met, Ancano, his name was, basically acted like he owned the College. Mm-mm. It was a good thing dear Mirabelle acted as a bulwark to keep him in check. Poor thing lost her life because of that bastard... the Arch-Mage, too! No offense to Nirya, or to Faralda, but the Altmer are really beginning to grate on me. I don't care if they're in my ancestry!"

Brother Adalvald scratched the back of his head. "You don't think they made peace with the Thalmor, do you? The Imperials and Stormcloaks?"

"Hmph. There's the worst alliance in history, in the making." Tolan sneered at the prospect. "The Thalmor are antithetical to mankind. They're like the Ayleids, only in black and gold robes."

Brother Adalvald scoffed. "Agreed. I'm certain Umaril the Unfeathered would have a soft spot for them."

When the three of them exited Stuhn Ravine, they beheld the landscape of the Pale beyond the cliff's edge: the forest below, normally covered with snow-shrouded trees, lay underneath a thick blanket of snow, caused by the mountain's destruction. That mountain which Dimhollow Crypt rested underneath, which had overseen the Vigil's operations for decades, no longer was. The scenery itself felt alien, though familiar to them.

The large chasm could be seen even from where they were.

"Horrifying..." Colette remarked as she overlooked the cavity in the earth from afar. "That... that was your home for a very long time, wasn't it? I'm so sorry."

"The Hall was a place of respite, learning and comradeship, where a road-weary brother or sister could rest for a time in peace and comfort. Most of our learning could be found there. We always studied our enemies, so we might better learn how to defeat them. But of course, those days are gone now." Vigilant Tolan said melancholically. Thankfully they had the foresight to move much of their information to the Beacon, but there were still many books forever lost now. The worst part is that it was technically Stendarr who destroyed it, so they could not even truly be angry.

Tolan looked backwards at Stuhn Ravine and clenched his fists in frustration. "Someday, we'll rebuild the Hall of the Vigilant. Mark my words, I'll see it done before they put me in the ground."

Brother Adalvald shook his head sadly. "I don't think there will be any coming back this time, Tolan. We rebuilt it once already, and now look what's left. Moric Sidrey had it built there with a purpose he said was 'inspired by Stendarr.' Now we know what it was. And why. And Stendarr destroyed it. It's fulfilled its purpose."

"Dimhollow Crypt... the Statue of Dagon..." Tolan recalled all that had been on that mountain. "Aye. Who knew there would be an Oblivion gate inside of that giant statue all these damned years?"

Colette shook her head. "Stendarr. Nobody else could have known." She held her hands together. "I... I'm ashamed to admit that I wasn't expecting him to actually intervene, but he did." she looked to the chasm again and pointed to its circumference, drawing it out with her finger and then bringing her hand to her chest. "I should never have left the temple back then. I should have fought to stay there. Maybe... if I'd have convinced Carcette to stay in High Rock, she wouldn't have gone with Moric and you fellows to here in Skyrim, and the Hall would never have been built, and the Mythic Dawn would not have had a Dragonborn to sacrifice... everything could have been prevented, the more I think of it."

"We can muse on different life decisions all day. Doesn't change anything." Tolan said flatly.

Brother Adalvald seemed to have noticed something off in the distance, behind a couple of mountainous rocks nearby. "What was that?" He drew his mace and sprinted there, and Tolan and Colette prepared themselves, as well, following him from behind.

When Adalvald rounded the large stone, he shouted out, "Mercy!"

Tolan raised his warhammer and dashed through the deep snow, which weighed him down with each laboured step. "Don't retreat just yet! We'll - " His hammer stalled in mid-air, and he gasped. "Mercy!"

Colette dashed around Tolan with a flame spell in one hand and a healing spell in the other, but stalled when she saw what the two of them were shouting about. A white horse stood there, snorting and kicking up some snow with its front hoof. "Huh? It's just a horse. What are you crying for mercy about?"

"No - that's her name! Mercy." Brother Adalvald had docked his mace on his waist and walked over to the horse. He gently caressed her snout. "She was supposed to be Carcette's steed." he gently took the mare's reins and led her out from behind the rocks, revealing the blue tabard emblazoned with the Skyrim-fashioned Horn of Stendarr on it.

Colette looked at the horse anxiously. "Oh, dear - and you said that you haven't seen Carcette in weeks now, right? Oh, gods... you don't think..."

"I don't want to think like that, but there is the possibility that Mercy no longer has an owner. But I'm sure Carcette is out there somewhere." Brother Adalvald did his best to offer comfort, yet the cascade of events was undeniable; her perceived failure at the Vigil, the loss of Cura, and the fact of her severed connections with Coldharbour. He couldn't shake off the gnawing fear that Carcette might have silently chosen to end her own life. His prayers were fervent, hoping that this was not the case. The alarm he felt was palpable, especially recalling the turmoil etched on her face during their last encounter. The death of Cura had shattered her beyond doubt.

Her tears were etched into his mind. Of all the years he had known Carcette, not once had he ever seen her cry like that. Not a single time, under far worse circumstances. Not to diminish Cura's death in any way, of course; it was a tragedy which shook Skyrim itself, and crushed his own heart. Every time Adalvald thought of Cura, he remembered her as the young squire that trained in the back of the Hall with Tolan, who he would read stories to late at night. She was like a daughter to all of them.

The impact on Tolan was evident; the Nord was not only saddened by Cura's death but also deeply angered. A profound, simmering fury took hold of him at the thought of the Mythic Dawn, her killers. His body language grew more rigid than usual. "Bastards. The Mythic Dawn... this is all their fault. May they all rot in Oblivion!" He took his warhammer out and struck a nearby stone with great fury. His thoughts were clouded with hatred, now.

Colette, as if on instinct, began to look down the cliffs below, hurrying down to search for a body. "Carcette? Please tell me you didn't... please..." She began to try and dig through the piles of snow, shoving the thick powder off of clumps of thick powder.

"Don't be stupid. Of course she didn't throw herself off the cliffs!" Vigilant Tolan growled at Colette. "The Keeper would not die out in the open like that if she took her own life. She'd find a discreet place, where she'd be hidden. Probably rather make it look like a murder, because Carcette was a proud woman. Er, is a proud woman. If she did do that, she'd probably slit her throat and throw the dagger away."

Brother Adalvald reprimanded him, his tension mounting with each passing minute in response to the ominous suggestions. "Tolan, really? We found her Horse. That doesn't mean anything! Mercy could've fled when the Mythic Dawn entered the Hall - when they sacrificed themselves to defile the shrine. Let's not jump to the worst conclusions."

Colette walked back up the slope and approached the mare. She gently touched Mercy's neck and ran her fingers through her platinum blonde mane. "Well, we can't just leave the poor thing stranded here. Let's bring her with us."

Mercy whinnied and shook her head back and forth. Tolan and Adalvald agreed with Colette on that idea. "All right then, let's take her to the Beacon. I'd rather Mercy be under their roof than with that fool Thorondir." Tolan spat. "He thinks he can just come in and treat us like shop interns. Us! We've been workin' in Skyrim for ages. He's here five minutes and he already thinks he knows the land. He wanted to hold us back there, and for what? Is he scared of a little Imp comin' out of his Chamber Pot? What?"

Brother Adalvald sighed. "We'll have to listen to him for future reference, Tolan. He's the Keeper now. We've got to get used to it."

Isran stood outside Stendarr's Beacon and instructed Dawnguard members to help pitch tents along the mountains surrounding, for the Rift citizens who were crossing south. The Dawnguard were cooperating with the Rift Guards as well in other ways, such as constructing quick ramparts, of tree trunks and stones lining the roads, set up for archers and Battlemages, potentially.

They would block as much of the path as they could, stretching from one mountain side to the other. The men set up defensive traps as well; oil barrells on the cliffs above which could be rolled down on their enemies, and large ballistae from Fort Dawnguard stationed strategically on top of Stendarr's Beacon, and on the surrounding cliffs, aiming in three directions, 45 degrees apart in angle. One facing twelve o'clock from the fort, one facing three o'clock, and one facing nine o'clock. Sorine and Gunmar worked with Guards to install them in place.

They were under Meridia's protection at the Beacon and its surrounding area, but it wouldn't hurt to have extra defenses just in case.

Vigilant Tolan, Brother Adalvald, Colette Marence and Mercy manifested there, in the center before them all, startling the people into drawing their weapons, but Isran quickly had them sheathe them.

"Well, well, well. Look who finally decided to show up." Isran walked over to Tolan and shook his hand. "It's been too long, Tolan. You Vigilants had us worried, especially with news of the big gaping hole where the Hall was, apparently."

Brother Adalvald was shocked to hear it. "You know about that?"

"Serana told us about it." Isrand said plainly. He gestured towards Colette "And she said the College of Winterhold was empty. She found out from Jarl Korir that you guys went to the Pale. She found a wasteland there, and was worried."

"Oh... she's such a dear, that Serana." Colette remarked sweetly. "Aye, Phinis had a vision from a spectre - a ghost of a wizard named Madena, Jarl Skald's mage, I think. Anyway - she said bad things were going to happen near Dawnstar. Serana - the Master Wizard - left suddenly to help her friends in Windhelm, so we knew there was something amiss in Skyrim, for sure. Arch-Mage Tolfdir gathered us and the students and we went to help Dawnstar. We were... unprepared, to say the least. So many people died... it was horrible."

"Windhelm?" Brother Adalvald asked. "Her friends... you mean Cura's friends: Inigo, Lucien, and... Vilja, I think her name was? Yeah. They're in Windhelm now?"

"Actually, Inigo went to negotiate a treaty between the Jarls." Isran stated.

"He what?" Vigilant Tolan barked aloud. "How in the name of the Nine could he? He's not -"

"He has the virtue of being one of the Champions who defeated Lord Harkon's Court, and is the closest friend of the Dragonborn." Brother Adalvald reminded him. "And he's not sworn to one faction or the other. A true wild card."

"Aaand, if I may, Inigo, the little blue dear, helped us fight Ancano's weird anomalies in Winterhold." Colette reminded them of the battle. She recounted the intensity with which the Khajiit confronted the mystical energy orbs, alongside his allies.

Adalvald led Mercy over to the stables with the other Horses and he gently set her therein with a bale of hay to eat. The poor horse had not eaten in days, and took to the straw immediately.

"Case in point. They were willing to let him be the arbiter for their meeting. The rest of his crew are either in Windhelm, or still inside Riften." Isran stated curtly. "Look, I have a lot to manage right now, so if you're here for a particular reason, get to it."

"Hmph. Fine!" Colette scoffed as she turned to the Beacon, following Tolan and Adalvald's lead. "Oh, how quaint! There's a little Shrine here, and a set of stairs that leads underground. Who thought that up?"

Vigilant Tolan closed the door behind them and took a torch off the wall to light the stairway as they descended. "Moric Sidrey, actually. He made it as a fallback for us in case something were to happen to the Hall of the Vigilant. Didn't realize how in-depth it was until I had to come here myself. He definitely knew something we didn't."

"Really has to make you wonder why he was so interested in Ruunvald." Adalvald scoffed.

On their descent they came upon the sleeping area, where Cura still lay in the bed, seemingly asleep, all things considered. Colette immediately identified her laying there and hurried to the bedside. "Cura! There she is!" She loomed over her prized pupil's body and examined her up close. "Wow... she is remarkably preserved. Thank Stendarr! But... what's this?" She pointed to the thick gash present on her throat.

"The cut that killed her." Adalvald said morosely.

Colette examined it closer, and cast a Candlelight above herself to see it in greater detail. What she witnessed horrified her. "Oh, gods... her blood is black. Why is her blood black? And charred?"

Vigilant Tolan took one look at Cura laying there in the bed and then continued silently walking with an expression of anger written across his face. Brother Adalvald answered her instead. "It was a dagger specially designed to kill those with Dragon Blood."

"Oh, dear..." Colette gently touched Cura's jaw and moved her cold face to the side. "I see. It did more than that, I'm afraid. I think it may have severed the life itself from the blood. Blood doesn't turn black and begin to flake until weeks after death. I mean, it technically has been, but... this is not normal. I've seen death before, Adalvald."

"What do you make of it, then?" Adalvald inquired.

"The life was removed from the blood before she died. Probably moments before." Colette pondered. "The link between the soul and the blood is undeniable. That link was severed long before she hit the ground, I think. N-normally, even if a person is immediately cut down, there is a small window of opportunity where they can be saved. Preserved. In the School of Restoration, we call this "Avoid Death." A last, second wind. When one is about to perish, they can lock their soul into their blood using Restoration magic. That keeps them alive. Cura didn't even have the chance to do that."

"Carcette could do that. Avoid Death. In more ways than one, it seems." Adalvald stated. "Get to the point, Colette. What are you trying to say?"

"You said the dagger was designed to specifically affect Dragon Souls, right?" Colette asked.

"Dragon blood."

"The soul and blood are linked." Colette restated. "The dagger severed the Soul from the Blood. She never even stood a chance..." her voice broke as the reality of it set in.

"It split her Soul, then." Adalvald realized what she was saying.

Colette took Cura's cold Dwarven Metal Hand into her own and gently rubbed the palm of it. "Her Mortal Soul and her Dragon Soul were severed. She was a Dragonborn, right? They have that dual nature. Kind of like Auri-El of old, they said. Man, Mer, and Dragon."

"Don't compare Cura to the gods, Colette - that's blasphemous!" Adalvald tried to warn her.

"Don't be a fool, Adalvald." Colette tapped herself on the forehead as she recounted stories she'd read over the years at Winterhold. "Do you know what the Alessians did to Auri-El?"

"They Broke the Dragon." Adalvald stated. "It's not entirely clear how they did it, beyond dancing on top of a Tower with the Adabal, but..."

"What if it wasn't the Adabal, Adalvald?" Colette wondered. "What if it was something Daedric? Like that dagger."

Brother Adalvald sat at the edge of the bed and began to muse on her words. "You mean to tell me that what happened to Cura is like what happened to Auri-El?"

"And to Lorkhan, having his heart torn asunder, breaking his Spiritual and Physical forms." Colette proposed. "Ugh... if only Arch-Mage Aren were still alive. He would know more about this stuff, I'm sure of it! All I know is from what I've read at the Arcanaeum."

"Auri-El... Lorkhan... Akatosh and Shor... do you realize how ridiculous that sounds?" Adalvald scoffed her proposition away.

"There has to be a reason why a Dragonborn would show up at the turning of the age! Right when Dragons and vicious Elves, and Daedric forces are running rampant! Think, Adalvald, think!" Colette reached forward and grabbed his cheeks, and gave him a good throttle. "If I didn't know better I'd say she was the reincarnation of Shezarr!"

"Shor's bones, woman!" Adalvald pulled away from her. "They're right about you; you're out of your mind."

"But she really had a Dragon Soul." Colette gestured towards the gaping wound. "This proves it! You can call me insane if you like, but it doesn't change the reality of what we see in front of us. She was chosen by Akatosh. His chosen champion." Colette stood up from Cura and gestured to the area around them, and spun around with outstretched arms. "You Nords call Stendarr "Stuhn". Stuhn was the Shield-Thane of Shor, right? That's what Tolfdir said years ago. That has to count for something! There's no way Cura was dropped off at the Vigil by accident!"

"You're connecting her to both Akatosh and Shor because of that?" Adalvald asked.

"She has AURIEL'S BOW! HELL-OOOOO!" Colette waved her hands in a circular motion in front of his face, as if to garner his attention.

Brother Adalvald shook his head and the Candlelight dissipated, leaving them at the mercy of the dim natural lighting. "You keep your theories to yourself. We have a lot to work through at the moment." Indeed, what did this Breton woman know of Shor and the Nordic Pantheon? They condemned him as "Sheor" and regarded him as a fiend. The exasperated Vigilant Scholar crossed his arms as he pondered if there was any veracity to what she had claimed. If Colette was correct, then Cura's death was a far darker sign than they realized, and they should be very, very afraid. If what she proposed were true, then the last of their hope died with the Last Dragonborn.

He ventured downstairs and the Restoration Professor followed him all the way, trying to convince him that it was more than 'just a theory.' They eventually reached the Library section, where Vigilant Emma was busy filing information in a logbook of sorts on the counter. As soon as she saw Adalvald, she nearly dropped her quill. "Brother Adalvald! It's so good to see you again! How can I help you? ...And who is this?" she pointed to Colette.

"Colette Marence, Restoration Professor at the esteemed College of Winterhold." the eccentric Breton introduced herself. "Don't mind me, dearie - I've come to see the current state of affairs."

Vigilant Emma looked confused for a moment, and looked to Adalvald for advice on how to handle this matter. He simply shook his head and explained, "She was an old friend of Carcette's, and she was one of Cura's Winterhold professors."

"Ahem! Her best professor!" Colette corrected him hastily. She walked around the counter and laid a hand on it. She stared directly into the young Vigilant's eyes. "You think Restoration is a valid school of magic, worthy of study, right?"

Vigilant Emma took a couple of steps backwards, shifting awkwardly. "Uh... yes? Of course?"

"Good, good. We'll get along just fine!" Colette returned to her sweetened disposition. "I followed them here because I wanted to see my poor pupil. I'd heard the tragic story of how she died, but now some things have piqued my interest. Dearie, you wouldn't have any books on the Divines, or on Shezarr around here, would you?"

"Oh, for -" Adalvald threw up his hands in frustration and retreated to what was originally the Keeper's quarters. He needed a minute to collect himself. There was too much happening in the world these days, and he just needed a single, solitary minute. Then he would begin his research on Mehrunes Dagon, the Oblivion Crisis, and the Daedric forces at play.