Their transport waited at Balmora's gates, ready to depart any time. There were several carts near them. Finally, something Rialyn could recognize; it wasn't different from Skyrim. Each carriage had a horse along with it and its rider. Most of them were dunmer, but one was of the nation of men, seemingly imperial.

"Here we are, then. That's our transport." - Heleria pointed at the cart with an imperial.

"And do they go straight to Vivec? " - Nerius asked.

"Some of them might travel to Gnisis for the right price, trust me on this." - She responded and waved to the imperial man.

"Back already, eh?" - He asked with a slight smile.

"There weren't many books to take today, I'm afraid. I have some friends here that desperately want to get to Vivec. That wouldn't be a problem, would it?"

"No, of course not. I was about to depart there anyway." - He said and got onto the stallion. "Get in; you can pay when we're there."

Heleria sat as comfortably as possible in the car, taking her satchel and calling the Dragonborn to follow. Nerius was quicker and got to the front of this cart.

"Adventure awaits!" - He exclaimed almost childishly, still happy from being finally freed.

"In Vivec? You should probably be careful…You know, not to end up like that again." - Heleria warned him.

"Oh, I know, I know…I don't think the bleeding scales would let me forget." - He said gravely. "Still, I haven't seen much of the world besides docks of Riften and Windhelm…."

"That…Sounds hellish."

"And you? Have you seen much of the world?" - The argonian wondered.

"A little more than you." - She responded before turning to Rialyn, the Dunmer only now got in the cart, so it finally departed. Another journey was ahead of them. This time, however, they could sit back and relax. That wasn't easy for Rialyn, as uncertainty still plagued him. He clutched to the necklace Inaaru gave him, once again reminding him of his purpose. The dream must be fulfilled.

Nerius laid down at the front of the cart, looking at the ashen landscape around them. The same couldn't be said about Rialyn, who was still pondering. What did Heleria want? What will they see in Vivec? Where will he go from there?

"How long will the trip take?" - Rialyn asked sternly.

"Oh, don't be so grumpy; we'll be there just in time." - Heleria answered.

"If you think that's grumpy…" - Rialyn said with sarcasm.

"Don't continue that sentence." - Heleria joked around. The woman looked around her, then at the cart once again. Rialyn enjoyed the moment of silence, too. He felt the heat coming up to him, and so the Dragonborn finally removed his helmet, putting it to the side. Heleria was immediately captivated by a tired dark elf with crimson eyes.

"So, you are dunmer! I was wondering about that since the beginning." - She smiled.

"You could have asked."

"I imagined it would be a little rude…So where are you from, then?"

Rialyn considered this for a moment, Heleria did not seem dangerous, but still, he found it hard to trust others.

"Not from Morrowind." - Dovahkiin replied.

"I imagine it's all very novel to you…Not the best time to visit."

"True, but I didn't come here to find ease." - Rialyn said confidently.

"I see…As for me, learning about old Morrowind makes me regret that I couldn't see much of it for myself. Have you heard about netches? They were used here as transport before eruption, must have been quite exotic." - Heleria continued the conversation, prompting Rialyn to remember his own adventures.

"I've seen one. On Solstheim, Neloth of Telvanni brought it there." - Rialyn reminisced of his time on this isle, so much potential for questions missed…After all, Neloth knew Nerevarine in person, one of the last mortals alive.

"That must have been a sight to remember! I should visit Solstheim sometime in the future."

"It's not the friendliest place. Even without cultists enslaving the minds of its people." - Rialyn warned her.

"I did a lot of research on Solstheim, so I can protect myself."

"Research won't help you when a couple of bears surround you, but whatever you say …Now that I think about it, is that why you took an interest? You thought I traveled a lot and wanted to use my knowledge for that research of yours?" - Rialyn was almost relieved when he said it; this was a best-case scenario that made sense. A bookworm and a scholar, Heleria wouldn't pass up on an opportunity to learn more without risking her life there. However, Rialyn's hopes did not come to fruition, not entirely.

"You are half-right. I assumed you were a strong warrior by looking at your armor…" - She gazed at Rialyn's weapon. "And by taking a look at this, I assumed you had your fair share of deals with Daedra." - She identified the mace; few could do it, at least of those that Rialyn encountered.

"You recognize it?"

"Yes, the Mace of Molag Bal. The Daedric artifact that, according to my research, was seen last time in Tamriel shortly after Oblivion Crisis! This is identical to all of its depictions from books, and here I have someone just walking in with it like it's another sword." - She said with excitement; there wasn't much Rialyn could say about this other than that she was on point.

"Well, assume you are right. And what does it tell you about me?"

"That you are not a simple traveler, first and foremost."

She cornered him. Rialyn didn't know how to hide it anymore. Heleria helped them; after all, perhaps she deserved to know. After cursing himself for potentially risking another betrayal, Rialyn began to talk.

"I am…" - He was interrupted by a loud snore. Two elves looked to their side and found Nerius deep in careless slumber.

"Your friend had an eventful day…" - Heleria said before turning back to Rialyn. "So?"

"I am the Dragonborn."

After these words, all Rialyn could witness was a triumphant smile on Heleria's face.

"I knew it! Rumors spread quickly across all of Tamriel, and Skyrim's hero couldn't be missed. Only someone of your status would be able to attract the attention of Molag Bal's kind." - It all finally clicked for her; Rialyn just sighed.

"Yes, you can stop with the excitement."

"Just happy that I was right. You'd have to tell me more about your adventures…Surely you don't mind." - She asked him hopefully.

"Maybe, but now I'd rather follow Nerius and get some rest." - He deflected and laid on his back; Heleria concealed the look of slight disappointment and shrugged.

"I didn't mean now, but I'll have to ask eventually. Oh, and don't forget the shouts!" -

"Yes, yes…"

"Answer one question, at least. Why did you come to Morrowind?"

It remained a difficult one to answer. Rialyn thought to himself, this course of action was clouded and yet obvious…What can a hero do after there are no dragons left to slay? When the land he was forced to serve is safe? Only to sail away to his ancestral homeland to find answers to…Something.

"I wanted to see the homeland of my people and help…And to learn. About its history, our culture, and Nerevarine…" - If only Inaaru could have been here.

"Is it so?" - Heleria must have noticed his uncertainty. "I could help you with that. The years of reading and research have not gone without results."

"Thank you, I suppose. First of all, I'd like to see Vivec with my own eyes. I know that nothing remains of what it once was, but still…That place means a lot." - It better not disappoint.

"You are right about that; the new Vivec is…Divisive, to say the least. But don't you worry about that. I won't bother you anymore and do what I do best." – She took the book out from her satchel; Rialyn could partially see the title; it was something about the story of Mournhold, once significant capital of Morrowind. That will definitely be another story for him to learn of…But that will happen later.

For now, all Rialyn could do was enjoy a respite and the feeling of refreshment. All with a good rest.

…

Oh, the blissful travels, magnificent freezing winds shifting across the land. How commonly they held reign in northern lands, how Rialyn missed them after departure…Back in the era when everything seemed certain, even the devastating war that took countless lives seemed to be at its end. Defeated and broken, put on their knees…But not all were willing to live a compliant life. Rialyn learned this in the most painful way possible.

As he dreamed, the Dragonborn reminisced once again. The dreams that were so unceremoniously interrupted have begun to emerge again, to Rialyn's deep-seated desire. He was not in control, naught but an echo drifting across his own mind, witnessing the memories in perfect clarity.

This time it was the mountainous forest not far from Bruma, a place he rarely visited on his own. Either with Erstenn looking for materials to be delivered to the forge or with Inaaru. It took some time to find the time where both Rialyn and her would be free to spend some time together, but all of it was worth it.

An arrow launched before the dreamer's gaze interrupted the silence of those woods. It raced to the nearest victim, a rabid wolf roaming the forest. The animal howled in pain, unsuccessfully trying to cling to its existence. The dream saw two dunmer approaching as it fell, one with a steel sword, another with a bow. The woman was brimming with pride, looking at her arrow.

"Clear shot!" - Inaaru exclaimed, only to have Rialyn sigh behind her.

"Are you sure you need me here? I barely even have time to approach them." - He pointed out.

"What were you thinking when you came hunting with a sword?" - She couldn't stop wondering about his decision, but Rialyn remained adamant.

"You didn't spend years perfecting your fencing, have some faith and let me demonstrate."

"I suppose…Fine, the next few are yours!" - Inaaru said with excitement as they approached the wolf. The woman kneeled and took the arrow out. Now she would go for the pelt.

"This shouldn't take too long…" - Inaaru began her work, and Rialyn shook his head.

"Honestly, I half-expected you to do it simply for excitement." - He toyed with her a little.

"Hey, I'm not that vile, am I?" - Inaaru immediately became agitated a little; Rialyn smirked but had no intention of offending her.

"Don't worry, of course not. Had I been in your place, I wouldn't have spared my blade either." - He looked over the dead wolf before another thought crossed his mind. "Still, I object if your parents think this will make for a good leather armor."

"Doesn't matter, warmth, armor, anything…There is a need in Bruma for pelts, and they're easily sold. You know what I need." - She said quietly.

Yes, he did, but with no understanding. Rialyn could hardly wrap his mind around it. How can someone desire to leave their home and family to journey into some unknown place for vague knowledge and exploration? He understood the significance of Morrowind to their people, but it seemed there was nothing but suffering and despair reigning there.

"Still thinking about the Ashland?" - Rialyn asked, knowing the answer.

"Yes, of course…I hoped for years, and now it could be something more than a dream." - She replied with contained happiness.

"I wouldn't be so happy if I were you…."

"You just don't understand?"

"I'd rather remain here, with people I spent all my life with. Start a forge of my own, protect our town if something arises…To me, that's worth a life." - Rialyn said proudly. Bruma became a home for him, even if it had nothing dunmer.

"You haven't read up on Morrowind, though. I bet you'd be just as…Intrigued as I am, or at least see it." - Inaaru still tried to convince him. Rialyn thought about this even in those times. Did she want him to come with her? It has been indeed a hard choice. To keep a life Rialyn wanted and give up on the woman he cherished dearly or to follow her into the unknown?

"And what will I find in those books? Some legends about Nerevarine?" - The swordsman wondered.

"Nerevarine is only one chapter in Morrowind's story, but it's a great start. I was fascinated when learning of his biography!" - Inaaru kept a tone that consisted of excitement and desire to convince Rialyn.

However, before she had any chance to finish, the two heard a loud roar.

"What's…" - Inaaru didn't finish as the roar rang out once again. Rialyn clung to his sword, ready to fight. They felt watched. Inaaru stood up and tried to find the enemy; this sound couldn't come from a wolf but an animal much more rabid and destructive. Unfortunately, Inaaru looked in the wrong direction, and Rialyn was too far away, but he was the first to notice.

"Behind you!" - Rialyn rushed to her defense, but the animal was quicker. A wild and hungry bear emerges straight from the depths of the woods. The beast ran towards Inaaru, and the dunmer woman attempted to shoot it with an arrow. One, however, wasn't enough. A clear shot only enraged the bear, who continued its assault.

Before Rialyn could help Inaaru, it plunged its teeth into her shoulder. Inaaru screamed in pain, but this moment did not last for more than a split second.

Rialyn got to her and pierced the bear's skin with his blade, forcing the animal to back off. Inaaru fell to her knees, breathing heavily as the blood streamed down her hand. At this moment, Rialyn felt primal hatred empowering him, Inaaru was hurt, and this enraged him. It didn't matter that this was a simple animal; it dared to attack her…And it will pay. Rialyn charged at the wounded bead, avoiding and blocking its attempts at a bite. After a short Clash, Rialyn cut the beast's throat, and after one last breath, the bear fell down.

He didn't waste time savoring victory, running directly to Inaaru; Rialyn helped her get up, giving the woman a shoulder.

"Thank you…" - She said in a tired and simultaneously relieved voice.

"Sorry, I should've been quicker…" - Rialyn said regretfully.

"You saved my life, don't regret…" - She tried to walk, but it was much harder for Inaaru due to the wound. "I just need to finish with the pelt."

"Akatosh Damn you, you are bleeding!" - Rialyn got a weak healing potion out of his pocket and lent it to Inaaru. She drank, and after a few seconds of burning inside, the pain had quelled.

"We need to get you home and treat the wound." - Rialyn stated.

"But my…"

"You can't travel to Morrowind if you die, can you?" - Rialyn pressed on.

"Fair enough…" - She gave in.

"Come on, I'll help you."

The swordsman gave Inaaru a shoulder and helped her to move. They walked back towards Bruma, with Inaaru immensely grateful and Rialyn happy to help. The thoughts of losing her…Made him fearful. Is that the only reason he considered coming with her? Was he so dependent on her? He did his best not to think about it.

The dream shifted a few hours forward, and the dreamer saw an interior in front of himself. In the vast halls of what many would consider a mansion, Inaaru's family spent much to live in prosperity. Her parents were not home yet; Rialyn opened the door and entered along with the wounded woman. The blood began flowing again as the smoke created by the cold surrounded it. The next few moments became naught but a flash in his dream. He helped Inaaru bandage the wound, how they spent some time together in her house, left to their own devices. She was always welcoming and cherished their time together; Rialyn hoped so, at least.

The dreamer saw the following image in front of him a few hours later, as Inaaru and Rialyn stayed in her room. Even the stern blacksmith couldn't help but feel intrigued by what she kept in there. There were a dozen of books, most of which focused on the lore and history of Morrowind. Here Rialyn first began to dive deeper into the story of this land. The dreamer witnessed Rialyn looking at the book that Inaaru showed him, describing the formation of the Tribunal and their reign over Morrowind for many generations.

"I heard about them before…Some old gods that they had abandoned two centuries ago." - Rialyn commented on what he now knew. "And to know that they have been there since Chimer…."

"Told you, it's an insane time to be alive…Morrowind never really recovered after all the tragedies that followed." - Inaaru replied with sadness.

"Somebody should've thought before putting a giant rock above the city…" - Rialyn said dryly, and Inaaru let out an uncomfortable smile. For him, these tragedies have been very distant, the stories of the past, especially compared to the Thalmor threat. But what is two hundred years in the history of thousands? For those few that lived and saw it unfold…It must have been traumatizing.

And so, they continued to talk, not paying attention to the passing time. Rialyn indulged Inaaru and decided to hear her stories, only to be mesmerized by them. The separation of Chimer, battle of the red mountain, the curse of Azura…It took a long time to discuss the beginning of dunmer's story, but alas, they were interrupted. Rialyn heard the opening door, immediately attracting his and Inaaru's attention.

The ebon-haired woman stood up with Rialyn's help and looked at the entrance. Her parents have arrived. Her father was a talented archer, and her mother owned a store at the heart of Bruma.

"You're back!" - Inaaru said in delight and rushed towards them; Rialyn walked behind slowly. He was an acquaintance of their family, and therefore his presence was not surprising…Or so he expected.

"Hi, my dear…I thought you'd come later." - Inaaru's father said sternly. She didn't expect this.

"Inaaru, are you wounded? What happened?" - The mother asked, concerned.

"It was a dangerous hunt, but Rialyn saved me, and we got a couple of pelts…."

However, the reason for their worries became apparent soon. They weren't alone. Behind them stood alone, nord, kneeling near the door. He was wounded and could barely hold his own. Rialyn felt the gaze of Inaaru's father; whatever was happening, this time he wasn't supposed to be here. Still, it was too late. As Rialyn would know soon, this man seemed asylum, more precious days of his life.

When her family started giving refuge to Talos worshippers, the death warrant was signed.