The Lost Element

by XD-385

Equestria has long been known as the land of ponies. However, the name of Equestria is misleading. For far too long, a certain element has been missing from the world. And now, that element has been brought back. But for better or for worse?

156. Reunion Among Ashes

Like many times before, my mind drifted from drowsy awareness to slumbering dreams. But that awareness did not entirely fade. My senses became clouded only to become clear again. The air was very cool. And it carried a certain...odor. The scent of something burning? Like the remains of a recently extinguished bonfire?

Ashes. A blanket of volcanic soot covered the landscape around me. Many trees stood, but they were long ruined. Ravaged and charred free of leaves by a volcanic eruption from long ago. But not all of them. While many were bare husks and towering stumps, just as many still lived. Evergreens with their needles covered in that fine pale ash. Almost a grim parody of a frosty winter forest. And while fire and brimstone may have no longer been raining down upon the ruined forest, the blanket of fresh ash over the landscape would continue to prevent the ecosystem from ever recovering. And far on the horizon, I saw the source of the land's devastation.

The ocean spread out before me as I gazed beyond the trees to the south. The shoreline of a distant continent could be seen while a starry night sky peaked through the strangely illuminated clouds above. And rising out of the darkened landmass was a great mountain. A mountain that was constantly spewing a massive geyser of volcanic fumes that spread wide into the sky. Steam or smoke rose visibly near that mountain. A blighted land for certain. And I recognized it immediately. "Vvardenfell... What am I doing back on Solstheim?"

If I was so aware, I was not alone. I glanced up at the starry sky hidden behind a layer of thick clouds. What a strange case of light pollution. A sky tainted by volcanic activity is a strange one indeed. It was much too bright out for being in the middle of the night. I then called out cautiously, "Hello? Is anyone out there?"

I received no answer. Only for me to suddenly remember where my body was currently sleeping. Many miles from the mainland on Capricorn Island. There was a significant time zone difference between it and Canterlot. Even the Princess of the Night and Dreams must rise from their nightly slumber eventually. It must be a complicated affair to keep watch over the dreams of people on the other side of the world as them. Morning had likely just started to dawn on Canterlot by them. But I still asked again. "Am I alone? But...I'm so aware. Is someone there?"

Still no answer. My solitude made me uneasy. For me to be experiencing a dream so lucid without the supervision of any being with the ability to venture into the dreams of those who sleep... But then I heard it. A distant rustling or evergreen branches being pushed aside with the ash accumulated on them falling free.

I ran. All I had was my usual attire during my dreaming adventures in the realm of Tamriel. A thick and padded winter coat fit for a noble. But rushing through that ash... It was akin to jogging through snow. What a miserable environment to exist in. All the encumbrance of snow without the beauty and charm of it. Even the air was not cool enough to allow for snowfall. My coat would protect me from the cold, but not from a brigand's blade or the claws of a beast. One of which was pursuing me.

The distant call of a towering stilt strider carried far across the land while I desperately scanned the area ahead of me. Thought the colors of ash and the general haze brought on by the volcanic sky, it would be too easy to blunder into all manner of threats. Bandits clad in beast hides, Spriggans blending in with the mangled remains of fallen scorched trees. And that was when I realized how futile it was to even try to run. The ash was slowing my feet while the risk of rushing ahead into threats hidden by teh environment were too great. And the sound of movement from behind... I was not being pursued by bandits bogged down by the ash like me. It was too quick and light... The sounds of a swift beast.

I was unarmored and unarmed. But I still had something to defend myself with. I remembered how to channel magic through my armor's gauntlets. And that knowledge translated to the manipulation of the magical energies unique to Tamriel. I came to a stop and flexed my fingers. I desired to use lightning magic and got exactly what I needed. Sparks and glowing electricity began to course around my hands. Lightning spells are swift and instant. I turned to gaze through the trees and ash wastes behind me. Where was my pursuer?

I brought both hands together to prepare a lightning spell that would fly swift and sure. I just needed to see my target first. I did not see anything move, but I did see a low tree branch be disturbed. Ash lining its many needles fell. My heart pounded in my chest with tension. I may very well have had only one shot to blast my pursuer away. While I was not in danger of dying, I was not immune to pain. Even in my dreams.

My breath caught in my throat and waited for any sign of movement that was not part of the environment. Even the call of the distant silt strider went silent as if in anticipation for the encounter. I waited. Until I saw something emerge from behind a tree and launched my spell.

I missed. The lightning bolt flew straight and struck the ashy ground behind them. But my pursuer was startled by having a blast of lightning fly by their head. They shrieked and became still while throwing up their wings before them like a pair of arms shielding their face. But...the wings. Not of feathers, but scales and leathery membranes. A rosy red coated the membrane like a curtain hanging in a mansion.

Relief and embarrassment filled my heart. I suddenly realized who stood before me and how close I had come to harming her. I was not being pursued by someone who wanted to harm me. Someone had been drawn to my location. Someone I knew well by then. I waved my hands to disperse the electrical energies around them as I called out in embarrassment, "Oh god, I didn't know it was you! Are you OK?!"

The two wings parted just enough to allow an eye to peek between them. An eye of teal hues set into a face of dark violet scales. That eye widened with those wings spreading wide to reveal my guest. A beautiful dragoness adorned with platinum bangles and barbs. And she spoke with relief in her voice. "I knew you were near!"

There was no unease in my heart that time. It was her. Cynder had found her way back to me like she always did. I lowered myself to one knee and welcomed the little dream dragoness into my arms. She came galloping through the ash and tucked her head under my jaw while I put my arms around her. There were no doubts or regrets between us. Those dark memories had been put behind us. And as Cynder showed my affection in a manner that was almost indecently intimate in her kind's eyes, she spoke softly to me. "I felt you were close before a little while ago, but...you just suddenly became very distant. I almost had you. I was so close to reaching you only for you to just...disappear."

She was more right than she knew. I remembered. During that brief nap I took in the library of the Ivory Palace, I too sensed her presence vaguely. But my dream never became lucid. Cynder was too far away on the currents of my dreaming mind to lock my mind down for some time together. But not that night. I was deep asleep and would not be waking anytime soon. And with my lucidity being a result of only Cynder's presence, we were entirely alone. No one would be observing us from beyond the veil.

But the fact that Cynder had some awareness over the unexplainable distance between us... I had to choose my words carefully to ease her concerns. "I felt you too... But I couldn't find you. At least you found your way back to me like you always do. Is that...compass in your head still working as well as last time?"

Cynder let out quite the sincere giggle at that memory. I even went out of my way to hide myself inside a suit of ebony armor, yet it was not enough to hide me from whatever inexplicable senses Cynder possessed that bound her to the one whose mind had dreamed her up in the first place. "Mmhm. I wish I could explain it, but...I always know where you are. All I have to do is look in your direction and...I just know that's where I'll find you. So don't you go and try to hide from me. Because I'll always find my way back to you."

There was a much more playful inflection in Cynder's voice towards the end of that statement. Almost as if she was daring me to run and try to hide from her. Those words reminded me of things Ember had said to me... And after all that had happened between me and Cynder up to that point, I was convinced. Regardless of the world of their origin, a dragon's heart is a delicate thing. While Cynder was in a more playful mood, I maintained my sincerity. I turned my head to gently nuzzle my cheek against her smooth scalp. "I won't run from you. Not anymore."

It was Cynder's turn to reaffirm that what happened before was never to repeat. She whispered to me, "I will never hurt you again. Never again will I think you're something you're not. I was a fool once...but not anymore. Do you believe me?"

"I do... Thank you for staying." I replied while cradling my little friend against me. Cynder even brought herself closer to try and curl herself around me. One of her wings draped itself around me as we forgot about the world that surrounded us. I was sure of myself by then. I wanted to see Cynder emerge from the realm of dreams. To become real. I did not want to lose her.

"I'm with you. And you're still all I've ever had. I won't let anyone or anything take you from me. Or from them." Cynder whispered before I started to hear a sound deep in her throat. She was...purring. All in a manner that a feline could not do. And it was such a soothing reverberating sound. Cynder was happy. As she deserved to be.

I held that little dream dragoness. Just letting us savor our reunion. But our attention was brought back to where we were when Cynder lifted a hand to rest it atop my thigh. And she became aware of what was caking it. "Wha... Ugh, what even is this stuff? It's not snow...and it's not sand?"

I too was reminded of just how blighted the land around us was. And unlike sand, that ash really was sticking to everything it touched. Cynder had already transferred some of it to my coat and it would not be easy to get off without water. I finally released Cynder from my embrace as she tried to brush the substance from her hands. I explained to her while turning my gaze to the southeast, "It's ash. Volcanic ash."

Only then did Cynder see what was on the horizon. And her eyes widened as she beheld the perpetually erupting Red Mountain. "Whoa... It's just...spewing so much into the sky... Are we safe here?"

"Yeah, don't worry about that. We're in no danger of falling lava bombs at this distance. But...this ash is everywhere down here." I replied while not pleased with where I was. Now that I was actually experiencing life in the ash wastes of Solstheim, I came to realize how miserable such a place is to live in. All I could do was hope an ash storm would not be stirred up during our stay.

Cynder scanned her surroundings. We were alone for now, but something about where we were stirred a memory in her. "Where are we anyway? Are we back in... What did you call that region again? Skyrim?"

I scowled at myself. Or rather at how little control I have over my dreaming thoughts when Nightmare Moon and Luna are not present to influence them. "Yes. I mean no. I mean...kind of? This island used to be technically a part of Skyrim, but it's now under ownership of the neighboring province of Morrowind. Sure does look and feel like Morrowind too, come to think of it."

"So we're still... Wait... I can remember this." Cynder replied while gesturing with her hands in a manner that showed she was recalling information step by step. She looked down at her hands and said, "We are in the world of Nirn...on the continent of Tamriel...on an island that is kind of shared between the provinces...of Skyrim and Morrowind?"

"There you go. You're getting it." I replied while gently patting Cynder on her head. She let out a snickering giggle as she looked rather proud of herself. It felt good to see someone with such a troubled past looking so happy. Although my gaze rested upon the blade at the tip of her tail. Remnants of a dark time that somehow were back on her body after being removed from her more than once. "You want me to remove those while we have a minute?"

"Remove what... Oh. These. I didn't even notice. How do they keep finding their way back to me no matter how many times you take them off?" Cynder grumbled in some mild annoyance. Rather than look troubled over those platinum shackles and blades serving as a reminder of her time as a thrall to a dark master, she was growing more annoyed with them than anything else. She brought her tail forward to hold the tip just below the blade. "How? No matter how many times we remove them, they always end up back on me by the time we cross paths again..."

"At least they make for a handy and reliable source of bartering goods. Platinum is a highly valuable material." I replied while trying to focus on how we could get some good use out of those seven artifacts. Cynder snorted in some begrudging amusement, unable to refute that fact. I then asked, "Shall I remove them for you?"

Cynder's mouth started to open only for her brow to furrow as she looked contemplative. But just for a few seconds. "No, not yet. They can stay for now. Although... This one? Please?"

Cynder tapped a finger on the band that was clasped around her neck. It was definitely the most uncomfortable looking of the seven. And she had admitted that it was just as uncomfortable as it looked. I got down on one knee again and reached out to it. "Sure thing. Just a moment here..."

I managed to loosen the clasp of the band and get it to open up in two halves. Cynder instantly let out a sigh and rubbed her ashy hand over her throat. "Much better. You have no idea how unpleasant that one is to wear."

"I can imagine. It must make swallowing difficult. And those tiny barbs would dig into your neck if you flex yourself too far in one direction. It's...just a restraining device. A...slave collar." I grumbled while pitching the band far into the wastes. I did not want to have to carry it around and we had six more platinum artifacts to use if we needed to trade for anything while there.

"It is. And thank you for freeing me from my shackles yet again." Cynder replied a bit smugly. Almost playfully.

My companion appeared nowhere nearly as disturbed as she had always been by being reminded of her past servitude to the monster who had kept her in binds since the moment she hatched. I stated carefully, "These things look more like a minor nuisance for you now."

Cynder's eyes softened as her tone became a bit more somber. She spoke sincerely, "It gets a little easier every day. I'm finally living now. Everything that happened back then... It was out of my control. I know that now. Back then, I was just a tool. And now... I'm just me. I'm trying to just leave that time behind. Malefor no longer exists. The world I came from no longer exists. That world...would have never wanted me anyway. So these sigils... These bangles and blades... They mean nothing."

The lovely little dragoness then stepped towards me with her eyes lighting up. Her stiff reptilian lips curved to show a grateful smile. "The only world I know now...is you. When I'm with you, I'm home. And when I'm home, I'm happy."

Powerful words. And they filled me with such relief. Cynder was truly healing and I could not be happier for her. I brought myself low to the ground and gently cradled one side of her face in my hand. I spoke softly to my friend, "I'm proud of you."

Such a sigh of peace hissed from deep in Cynder's lungs. And those beautiful eyes... Set into a face of dark violet scales. I could see an almost dreamy smile spreading across her stiff lips. Her voice soft, Cynder whispered to me. "Is it wrong to say...you just might be everything to me?"

"If I'm all you've ever had...then that's not an inaccurate statement." I replied while Cynder snorted in some begrudging amusement. Perhaps I was being too cautious. Cynder had shown...admittedly intimate affection towards me more than once. Tucking her head under my jaw. Even...sharing a kiss back in Riften. I should not let myself get too attached. Not yet. It is reckless to...love someone too much when they do not exist. And it is unhealthy.
But what if one who does not exists loves you?

This sudden thought in my head caused me to flinch. And Cynder's eyes widened when she felt that sudden twitch through my hand. Her eyes showed quiet concern as her smile flattened. "Is something wrong?"

"I... It's just... My mind went somewhere I wish it didn't. Uncomfortable thoughts that make me think too hard..." I muttered while trying to not give Cynder any ideas. She was very attached to me. Maybe too attached. I began to lower my hand from her jaw only for Cynder to raise her and hold my from below to keep it pinned to her jaw. She did not want me to stop. I asked quietly, "Too comfortable to let go?"

"Do you have any idea when you last held me like this? It feels like its been weeks... Of course I don't want you to stop yet." Cynder replied with a bit of a smug smirk spreading to the edged of her lips. She was so very different from the dragons of Equestria, but I adored that about her.

"Heh. Fair enough." I muttered while continuing to hold and subtlety caress Cynder's face from below. Her eyes closed with a long sigh hissing through her nostrils. She was so lovely... I felt a powerful urge to kiss her. Just atop her head. But I resisted that urge. So instead I said something lovely to her. "I didn't realize just how much I missed you until I saw you again."

Cynder's response was even more tender. All without opening her eyes. "I'm always longing for you. Even when I'm just...wandering in my dreams. Longing for when you'll hold me again... When you'll remind me that I'm worth something... That there's someone out there I can live for."

She never had much. But Cynder has always had me. Even if we cannot always be together. But when we are together... It is truly quality over quantity. Every encounter brings us so much closer. So much happier to be together than the last. Truly distance makes the heart grow fonder. And such lovely words... Words that surprised me. I gazed upon the young dragoness who had once been an engine of destruction and tool of evil. I asked without expecting a real answer, "How did you become so lovely?"

My companioned open her eyes just a crack. She smiled, but just slightly. As if she was happy with where she was, but was confused all the same. "Is it wrong that I can...love?"

"No. It's never wrong. I'm convinced you always had that ability. It was just...buried for so long. With the rest of you." I replied thoughtfully. Just to think... Being imprisoned in one's own body with no control over one's actions or words, their body just a vehicle for the will of another. The true Cynder had been shackled so deeply in hr own body since the very start and only truly began to live that night. She deserved to be happy... To be able to love.

Cynder pressed her head more intently into my palm. Eyes closed as she sighed happily. "It feels good to love."

I replied with some caution, "Just be careful with who you do love. Not everyone can love you back the same way."

My eyebrows rose. Cynder opened only one eye in a very...facetious manner. She asked almost playfully, "Why would you say that? Are you afraid of being loved? Even when so many love you already? So many who have become your life mates?"

She had me there. And the truth over my hesitation to even discuss that with her could not be revealed. I could have stammered and deflected, but I quickly came up with a better retort to that statement. I asked softly, "Does your species of dragons mate for life?"

I almost regretted that question. Because that wide reptilian smile on Cynder's face combined with that very endearing gaze in her eye told me so much. Even before she gave an answer. "Forever."

Silence fell over us. A silence only broken by the distant croon of a silt strider. But Cynder did not acknowledge it. Is it only natural for one with such longevity to love their dearly beloved for eternity? I very carefully averted my eyes as I said, "Then I hope you will find that eternal partner someday."

I suspect Cynder was starting to get the hint. She then said softly, "When I finally do... I have a hunch I won't have to look far."

My gaze remained upon the horizon. Watching the constantly erupting Red Mountain as it ejected volcanic debris into the stratosphere. Just doing all I could to not press the topic further. Cynder must have understood this since she shifted to talking about someone else. "But what about all of your mates? Have things been well between you lately?"

I wanted to respond happily, but very recent news still weighed upon my heart. So I spoke after releasing a sigh, "Yes...but we've had...difficulties. A couple of my beloveds and I have...been trying for children. But...it hasn't taken yet. And the cause is...frustrating. It is possible, but...the odds are not in our favor."

Cynder finally lifted her head from my palm and stepped forward. I looked at her before she rested her head against my shoulder. "I... I'm sorry. I know you've already been blessed with children, but... I pray for you and your mates."

I had no words. It was just such a depressing topic to discuss. But Cynder then asked quietly, "James... Do you think I could meet your children someday?"

"Yeah... I think they'd be happy to meet you. Especially Gladesong. She seems to like everyone she meets." I replied while feeling my heart go out to my precious firstborn. It was just a shame she was probably already awake back in Ponyville by then. We would not be able to bring her into our dreams even if we tried.

My companion tried to keep the conversation going while lifting her head to gaze at me directly. "Remind me who her mother is again? The one who became your mate first? That was...Fluttershy, right?"

"Yep. Fluttershy was my first. And Gladesong is our firstborn. I swear she's going to grow up to be the spitting image of her mother someday. I just have a hunch about the way she looks." I replied while already able to see that image in my mind. Gladesong all grown up and identical to her mother in all but color. It was bound to happen someday.

"She's just a little filly, right? A pegasus filly? And you have Novo as well. Your children with her will be little feathered foals? Or...are they chicks? Are hippogriffs more bird or are they more horse?" Cynder asked with a more curious gaze. Not that I blame her. It is hard to tell which side of their physiology a hippogriff leans towards at first glance.

I honestly got a laugh out of that mental image. Specifically the image of a gaggle of hippogriff foals tucked in a bird nest. "Nah, they're called foals. I know they look more bird than horse, but they refer to themselves as mares and stallions."

"I suppose your world is one where equine races are fairly dominant." Cynder replied with an amused smile. Her gaze wandered until she momentarily looked upon that very distant volcano across the sea. I wonder if it made her think of the same person I was remembering. "And...what of Ember?"

"She... Not yet. She's not ready to say it. Dragon courtship for her race of dragons works differently from yours." I replied while finding my heart longing for my beautiful blue rose of a lover. There was no denying that she and I have been madly in love with each other for some time. It would happen. Just not yet.

"I want to see her again. She was...good to talk to." Cynder replied fondly. I too remembered when she and Ember first met on that fateful night. And how well they clicked with each other. Their time together was brief, but I could see the beginning of a friendship starting to bud between them. When the day came where Cynder would emerge into the realm of reality, she and Ember would surely become fast friends.

That volcano... It really did remind me of the dragon lands. What a wasteland. Hopefully one with a brighter future. Especially with someone as progressive as Ember governing it. "She really is the best the dragon lands have to offer. I'm confident that she knows what she's doing."

"To think... A dragon queen found an eternal love with you. That alone is...admirable." Cynder said almost forlornly. She must have had a moment of weakness in that instant. Perhaps Ember could have talked some sense into her before that night. I rested a hand on her shoulder without a word. I felt Cynder's body slouch as her impressive wings drooped. "You must have told her about the others. Was she distraught too?"

"Yeah... She was. And in hindsight, I see why. But when I explained, she listened. And she understood. And now...she's my precious blue rose. And I'm her... Well, I'm not a poet really, but I'm her little warrior poet." I replied before those tender pet names got a chuckle out of my companion.

"Warrior poet... Oh she must really love you." Cynder giggled while bringing the back of her hand up to her lips. Only for her to turn her gaze to meet mine. All while smiling beautifully. "And she's your blue rose? What a lovely thing to say about her."

I was blushing. I must have been. I still remember that rush going into my face. But I was smiling too. "It's not just because her body is blue. It's because...a blue rose is just that rare. Ember is...not like other dragons. Probably the only one out there who thinks the way she does. She's a literal blue rose. A beautiful blue rose. And...I never want to see her wilt."

Cynder nuzzled her brow against my cheek. Followed by a whisper. "Then never stop loving her. I still remember the way she looked at you. The way the two of you talked to each other. I could see it then and I still see it now. You two are meant for each other and I want nothing but the best for you."

"Thank you... I'll do my best to never let Ember down." I spoke with hope in my heart. It was a refreshing change of pace. A topic that I was happy to discuss. I was once again tempted to kiss Cynder atop her head. Only for me to suddenly notice a streak of ash left behind from my hand. And we had plenty all over our hands and feet. I tried brushing it off, but it was a lot like trying to brush off the ashes of an old used match. It would not come off easily. "Oh man... This ash..."

While Cynder's smooth scales would likely repel the ash well enough if she tried to wash it off, it was still a nuisance. She grumbled while lifting her hand to reveal just how deep that layer of ash under her had been. "Right... Is there anywhere we can go to get away from all this?"

I looked to my left as the island gradually rose on an incline. "We could head north from here. The ash clouds don't each that side of the island...but it's also much colder up there. Nothing but snow and ice. You're not cold-blooded, are you?"

Cynder scowled at the hillside ahead of us. She even pulled her head back in revulsion. "No, we dragons aren't like lesser reptiles. But...I'd still rather not go where there's snow. I don't know how the dragons of this world handle such frigid weather... What was his name again anyway? The one on top of that ice mountain?"

Of course. I did remember our previous encounter and who we met before that dream ended. An old friend situated atop the Throat of the World. Which we could not see from so far away. "Paarthurnax. Just be careful not to draw the attention of any other dragons we may find out here. They're not as kind as he is."

My companion lifted her head to scan the strange sky above us. Her eyes were wide with alertness. I then said, "Don't bother watching the skies. You'll hear them before you see them. Unless they're grounded."

Cynder remained uneasy. Had Paarthurnax been like all the other dragons out there at the time, he could have pounced upon her before she could even try to defend herself. "Right, right... But he blended in with that rock wall so easily. Are you sure there's no one else like Paarthurnax in this world? Will all dragons try to eat us alive?"

I was about to insist that Paarthurnax was the only one of his kind. Until one name rose from my memory. One that filled my heart with inspiration. "He... Wait... No. No, wait. There's one more. One other that is definitely not our enemy. And I can even summon him to us if we need assistance. The one called Durnehviir."

"These weird dragon names, I swear... Wait. You mean you can call one of this world's dragon's here? Right now? How?" Cynder retorted while sounding both intrigued and worried about that revelation. As she had every right to be. For the dragon whose name I had spoken was not like the rest.

"Yes. His name carries a strange power. All I have to do is call his name and he will manifest before us. Would you like to meet him? I think he would even appreciate being out here, come to think of it." I explained while not going into too much detail about my ally in the world of Tamriel. A part of me was tempted to maintain some degree of an element of surprise.

While not one of the Dovah like Paarthurnax had stated, Cynder looked intrigued at the opportunity to meet other dragons. At least as long as they were civil. She nodded with a curious smile on display. "All right then. Let's summon this Durnehviir and have a chat if he's a friend of yours."

"I think calling him a friend is a bit generous, but I think he'd appreciate a good conversation. Hold on a second." I replied before turning to a more open area of the ash wastes around us. And there were no signs of life around us. "OK then... Durnehviir... Durnehviir?"

I spoke his name a few times only for nothing to happen. And my act of just saying his name caused Cynder to step up beside me to look up at me with a cockeyed stare. "Well? Where is he?"

It suddenly dawned on me why just speaking Durnehviir's name as not enough. And I groaned while rolling my eyes. "Oh for the love of... No wonder it's called a Shout. I have to put some oomph into it."

"Shout? As in...you literally have to yell his name to get his attention or something?" Cynder asked with growing confusion. Not that I could blame her. She had barely any understanding of anything in the world of Nirn.

I looked down at my companion and said, "Yeah... Kind of. In this world, I possess a power that is normally only unique to dragons. The Thu'um. In their tongue, it means 'Shout'. The dragon language carries power in their words whenever they roar them. I guess if I'm gonna call Durnehviir here, I literally have to yell for him."

Cynder raised an eyebrow at my words. Though mostly for a reason I did not expect. "And that's a problem because...?"

"Because I don't like raising my voice." I retorted while Cynder cracked a smirk even as she laughed with a snort. She probably preferred in when I speak quietly anyway. But I knew there was no other way around it. I turned to face the open air again and said, "But fine. Stay back. I'll get it right this time."

Cynder backed up and watched in silence. I grumbled under my breath, annoyed I would have to defy my very nature just to use such a power. "Come on out then... Dur...NEHVIIR!"

There was a sudden rush in the air. And before us, a swirling mist of vibrant bright purple formed over the ground. And bit by bit, the unmistakable form of a Dovah began to materialize over the ash coating the ground. But with it... Cynder and I were taken aback by something I was not expecting. The stench of death and decay. Cynder brought a wing over her face as she gagged, "Wha... Ugh! What's that smell?! What did you summon?!"

The answer should have been obvious for someone who was so familiar with that specific dragon. But it never occurred to me. Because with every previous sighting of Durnehviir, we had been separated by a screen. I could see and hear him, but those were the only two senses I could use. But now that I was actually there in that world, the sense of smell was active for me. And I was being assailed by an utterly putrid odor as dragon I summoned stood before me. "Oh...good god! I completely forgot about this!"

The great Dovah before us lifted his head high and took in his surroundings. He then spoke with a deep and powerful voice much like Paarthurnax. And yet, his voice was also very different. It oozed a powerful and deep tone. As deep as the void. It almost sounded...primordial. "Ah, the air of Tamriel graces me again. But the scent of that which has been scorched on the wind... The ash wastes of Morrowind, perhaps? Still preferable to the stagnant air of the Soul Cairn."

The Dovah before me lowered his head to gaze upon me. And I was filled with such conflicted feelings as I beheld the cursed wyrm in person for the first time. His form was a sickly green, much of him coated with a putrid layer of slime. Several curved horns reached out from the sides of his head to grant him a unique and recognizable form And around him... A swarm of buzzing flies constantly floated about his body. And upon closer inspection... The layer of tough scales over his chest had long since rotted away. His empty chest cavity was exposed with ribcage visible. A form that was all too fitting for a dragon who carried his name as I muttered the irony to myself. "Durnehviir... Cursed Never Dying."

Fearsome and disgusting as his form was, Durnehviir spoke to me with that eldritch powerful tone in a calm manner. "It has been some time since I last tasted the air of the mortal realm, Qahnaarin. And as always, you have my thanks... Hm? What has come over you? Why do you recoil at the sight of me? We have laid eyes upon each other many times by now."

"It's...not the sight of you that's a problem. It's...the stench. I didn't anticipate this..." I replied while keeping an arm up just under my nose. Even when he spoke, the two halves of Durnehviir's jaws were connected my a net of that putrid green slime. The odor was overwhelming, but I had to endure it. He could not help his situation. And he very likely would never be free of it.

Durnehviir was understandably confused by my words. Because he could never have known of his own nonexistence. "Whatever do you mean, Qahnaarin? You have stood in my presence many times. You know what to expect when I am here. How does the stench of death surprise you this time?"

Only then did Cynder find the opportunity to speak. She looked past me while still keeping a wing before her face. "That slime... The smell... Your chest has rotted away like a corpse... Are you...undead?"

"Cursed. Not dead. One cannot be risen from the grave if they've yet to ever perish to begin with. I am not the same as the thralls of a necromancer. For we Dovah are detached from the concept of mortality. We barely have any comprehension of it." Durnehviir explained without hesitation. And he was right. He carried the look of a dragon in a constant state of decay, but he had never died once. He still lived. In a sense. Even if it appeared he no longer possessed lungs to breathe with in his empty chest. Or even the presence of a beating heart to sustain him. He was now being sustained by a force that was not of that world.

"I... I don't understand. Necromancy is something I never really understood even during my darkest days. If you're not dead...and not undead either... Then what are you?" Cynder asked with growing confusion while trying to endure the stench of Durnehviir's perpetually rotting body. I said nothing. It was best to let the ancient wyrm explain his own history.

All too happy to have a compelling conversation, Durnehviir spoke to his guest. "Ironic you would say that. For it was my pursuit of mastering necromancy that reduced me to...this. I sought power from beyond the mortal planes. From a place betwixt the realms of Mundus and Oblivion. And even then, a plane still not quite a part of the realm of the Daedric lords. I sought power from masters unseen. They who reign over the Soul Cairn. And for such power of unmatched dominion over the undead, a bargain was made. A bargain steeped in deception."

Cynder kept her wing up for the moment as she and I tried to endure the stench rising from the cursed flesh of our guest. She then asked, "But...why would you even seek such power anyway? Aren't all dragons of this world immensely powerful as they are?"

A bitter chuckle rumbled in Durnehviir's throat. The irony was not lost on him. "True. But I... I desired more. We Dovah are meant to dominate. And I wished to dominate in ways that no other Dovah could. I sought the power to control death itself. Where the corpses of the fallen may become my weapons. I sought power...and in turn was dominated by those beyond even the might of a Dovah. For in return for the power I sought, I am now bound by chains. Chains that eternally bind me to the cursed realm of the Soul Cairn. And in the eons since that binding contract was struck, I...became this. A Dovah that is now all too at home in a realm where only death resides. A Dovah...that can never fully return to the world of the living."

Karma was most cruel to the wyrm before us. The only Dovah ever humbled by his pursuit for a dark power. He still oozed with a certain sense of pride as most dragons do in that world, but he still spoke with a glum resignation. He acquired the power he sought, but at what cost?

Cynder finally lowered her wing. Even I lowered my arm. The stench in the air was less noticeable by then. Maybe we were just becoming noseblind to the odor around us. The little dragoness beside me then said with a gentle tone, "I know that feeling... I've been there. Shackled by a master you can never escape... Waiting for freedom that will never come... Our experiences are very different...but so similar..."

"Ah... You say you too know of enslavement, little wyrm? Those silver shackles upon you... Did you ever find freedom? Or do you remain in binds even now?" Durnehviir asked with a softer tone in spite of the power of his voice.

A subtle smile spread across my companion's lips. And she spoke while glancing up at me out of the corner of her eye. "Yes. This man freed me from my shackles. My old master is no more and I'm...finally free and happy. And I repay my savior by keeping him safe in the worlds we travel to. I guess you could say I'm bound to him now. But I'm bound by my choice and no one else's."

I found myself smiling down at my companion while Durnehviir let out the briefest chuckle. The cursed Dovah then spoke, "Ah, you freed another from their shackles as well, Qahnaarin? Perhaps it is in your nature to not stand for chains to bind one to a fate that is not of their choosing."

Cynder then promptly asked, "That term... Why do you keep calling James that? He has a name."

I could have explained, but I felt it was best to let Durnehviir do the talking. I preferred to listen until a time came for me to speak. The rotting wyrm before us then explained, "It is a title I found fitting. For I had not known defeat until I encountered him. I was soundly bested. And thus I bestowed the title of 'Qahnaarin' upon the victor. For it means 'Vanquisher' in the tongue of a Dovah. Although I suppose I should expect as much from your ignorance. I do not sense a soul akin to my kind within you. You may be dragon, but you are not Dovah. "

"He said that too... The one called Paarthurnax. Sure, I'm not a...Dovah like you. But I'm still a dragon. A dragon who can do things even your kind can't." Cynder replied while assuming a more defiant stance. She even had a slight smile on her thin and stiff lips, her red wings spread wide. She may not have possessed the Thu'um like the dragons of Tamriel, but she still had access to her own brand of magical might.

Rather than comment on Cynder's confidence, Durnehviir lifted his head to gaze at an unseen mountain towering over us. "Ah... Yes, the second son of Akatosh. He who remains free atop the Throat of the World. He followed a different path from all other Dovah in the end. It was an honor to speak to him when you summoned me there, Qahnaarin. Master of the Thu'um, yet a seeker of the Way of the Voice. A way not meant for a Dovah, yet a journey he continues regardless."

Cynder and I noticed the wistful tone on Durnehviir's booming and primordial voice. Almost wistful... Perhaps even envious. And the little wyrm beside me could not ignore it. "He is free... Unlike you. But surely... There's a way to break the chains that bind you, right? All chains are meant to be loosened. They are never meant to hold someone forever."

She was hoping against hope. Cynder wanted to believe that. As did I. But Durnehviir did not allow us to cling to false hope. He spoke with a smile forming at the edge of his oozing jaws, "Your concern is appreciated, youngling. But no. Not these chains. The chains imposed upon me by my masters cannot..."

Durnehviir suddenly retched. He raised his head and roared as a sudden flash of purple flames engulfed him for only an instant. And like a phantom, he faded from sight. I was admittedly startled by our guest's sudden disappearance, but Cynder was even moreso. Her wings spread wide as she glanced from side to side. "Gone... Why?"

"Hang on. I can fix this." I retorted while clearing my throat. I was hoping that I would not be held back by the limitations I had grown used to. With a deep breath, I shouted his name once again. "Now then... Dur...NEHVIIR!"

It worked. The great decaying dragon materialized before us in the same manner yet again. And he was quick to speak to us before Cynder could even ask anything. "There... Do you see now? I can only escape the Soul Cairn for so long before my chains drag me back in. And even then... Even if you were able to sever those chains entirely, I still would be bound there. My body... It has been exposed tot he stagnant air of that realm for too long. If I were to remain here in Tamriel for too long, I...would meet a true end. It is too late for me, little wyrm. Far too late."

Cynder's mouth opened, but no words came. She was struggling to speak. Trying to find any rebuttal to that revelation. But she could not. The reality of our guest's fate was as he said and no amount of hope would change that. Now that even had fallen silent, I felt it was my time to speak. I gazed upon our cursed companion and asked, "Durnehviir... What is it you want most? What would you do if you were ever truly freed? What do you dream of?"

A very bitter chuckle rumbled in the cursed Dovah's throat. And he spoke words I was not entirely expecting. "Had you asked me that long ago, I would likely say I would seek to dominate once again. To bring my fellow dragons under my claws with my newfound mastery of necromancy as I had originally intended. Possibly even challenge the World Eater and conquer him if I found the hubris to do so. But now..."

Durnehviir turned his gaze upward at the bright cloudy sky, the stars above peeking through gaps. And he let out a putrid and powerful sigh. "All I desire now...is to soar. To feel the frigid air of Tamriel's northern peaks under my wings. To see the vast continent beneath me and knowing that I am free once more. My greatest desire is...to be free. To return to a familiar world that I took so dearly for granted, not knowing what I was leaving behind."

"You...would not seek to dominate Tamriel like long ago?" I asked with growing curiosity. Durnehviir was not like Paarthurnax. He did not renounce the cruelty of his kind's rule from so long ago. He assisted me in the past for entirely unrelated reasons. What was truly going on in his head?

The cursed Dovah lowered his gaze to meet mine as he spoke softly. "I would have at one time... But now... How the tables have turned. I now know, Qahnaarin. I now see through the eyes of one trapped in subservience with no means of escaping on one's own power. I now know...what the men and mer of the distant past knew under the dominion of my kind. And unlike them, I know there will be no salvation for me. The old urges are gone... The desire to dominate is but a flickering memory. My masters strangled that deep-seated predilection out of me long ago. I now only desire what the mortals of Tamriel did. To be free. To be my own master once again."

It was all such a facade... Durnehviir's booming voice hid his heart well. In time, even a Dovah could be broken. All he had left was his fractured pride. His hubris had doomed him to an eternity he would have never agreed to. And I felt immense pity for my companion. I could not stand there idly. I raised my hand and stepped forward. Cynder softly questioned my movement, "What are you..."

Durnehviir did not speak. He only watched as I reached out to him. But the putrid slime constantly flowing over his face... The odor was even more unbearable up close. But I had to. For him. Doing all I could to resist the stench of death and decay, I rested my hand upon Durnehviir's snout.

That slick sensation... It made my skin crawl. Durnehviir's body had suffered under the influence of his ghastly prison. Twisted into a mockery of life and death, being neither. Even undeath would surely have been preferable to a state of constant decay. But I endured. And I spoke softly to my companion. "I wish I could give you what you seek. Even if your form remains cursed, I wish I could free you from those chains. And see you soar eternal in this world without fading."

I felt Durnehviir quiver at my touch. His breath wavered as he exhaled softly. His jaws moved as his deep and foreboding voice spoke as softly as it could muster. "Qah... No... I shall delay no longer, Qahnaarin. From this day forth, I shall know you as Fahdon."

"Fahdon...?" Cynder asked softly. Even I was not certain of what that term meant. Cynder then asked, "What does it mean? Rescuer? Champion?"

Durnehviir snorted with a suppressed chuckle. And his answer touched my heart in a way I did not expect. "Friend."

I gazed upon the cursed dragon before me. One of the last things I ever expected to hear from such a proud Dovah was a term of genuine affection. He continued to speak to me through a smile, "You have never been so kind to me before, Qahnaarin. Where were you hiding such gentleness? Have you always been this way behind the helmet? It almost feels as if...I am only meeting you for the very first time."

If only he knew. But I could not tell him. Paarthurnax may have been wise enough to understand the truth without being broken by it, but I was doubtful Durnehviir would. And I absolutely could not discuss it in front of Cynder. The truth needed to remain buried. So I said softly, "Don't think about it too hard...my friend."

The stench rising from my friend grew more bearable by the second. It was something he could not help and I should not hold it against him. Durnehviir then spoke softly, "I have...savored our time together today, Fahdon. It was soothing to just...talk. Just remember that I will always answer your call if I can. Be it assistance in battle or just to have my presence near you, I will come when you summon for me."

Cynder then stepped forward and spoke up at the first chance. "I'll keep watch over him if you can't be here. I'll guard him with my life."

"You have my thanks, little wyrm. If only I..." Durnehviir began to say before he suddenly retched yet again. He lifted his head high with a snarl and those malevolent purple flames washed over him before they faded in a second with him along with them. I looked at my empty hand, the palm still lined with that putrid slime of decay.

"He was only here for five minutes... Is that really as long as he can hold onto this world?" Cynder asked with genuine concern in her voice. And I too felt disappointed in the departure of my friend. It was not fair. Through loss, he had been tempered into letting go of a Dovah's urge to dominate. He had changed. And for the better.

I lowered my hand and readied my voice. It was too soon to say goodbye. "One more time. Dur...NEHVIIR!"

And once again, the cursed dragon answered my call. He materialized before us again and answered my call with a surprised chuckle. "Ahaha, and yet again I return so soon. Never before have you summoned me to your side so many times in such quick succession. Do you long for conversation with an old Dovah so fiercely, Fahdon?"

I found myself amused with just how unrestrained the Thu'um truly is when not bound by something as arbitrary as gameplay mechanics. Interactive mediums have rules to follow. Rules that do not apply to one's dreams. I replied with a smirk on my lips, "I don't know how to explain it. My voice feels...unshackled lately."

Cynder glanced up at me in confusion, but did not interject. Although Durnehviir then conceded, "So I see. Although I must ask... What is there left to discuss for the moment? What do you need from me now?"

I knew exactly what I wanted to see from my friend. And so I said, "I called you back...to just let you be free for a while longer. Go. Spread your wings and soar. The skies of Tamriel beckon."

Durnehviir stared at first. And then he chuckled under his breath. "Ah... You are most kind, Fahdon. Then soar I shall! Remember, summon for me and I shall appear should you need me. And you, little wyrm. Keep watch over Fahdon. There are many threats in this world that seek to spill the blood of mortals."

"I shall. Safe travels, Durnehviir." Cynder replied before the mighty Durnehviir spread his tattered wings. Even the membranes of those great wings had holes that had rotted through. But they still trapped enough air under them to create lift. Durnehviir flapped those great wings to lift himself high before he began to soar away as free as a bird. If only for a few minutes. Even cursed with perpetual decay and rot, Durnehviir's soaring form still possessed the powerful majesty of a dragon. But as we watched Durnehviir soar to the north, Cynder then glanced up at me with a smirk on her lips. "The skies of Tamriel beckon, huh? Looks like Ember wasn't wrong about the poet part."

"Peh... I guess I have my moments. This world has a way of bringing out more...flowery dialect in someone." I snickered to myself before realizing my hand was still slathered with that putrid slime of rot. I was not willing to touch anything until getting that washed clean. But dare I rush down to the seaside? Where it was more likely for volcanic debris to rain down on me? I had an idea and turned to Cynder. "Hey, could you scan the area above for any bodies of rushing water? Where I can wash this off?"

"That? Oh, right... Sure. Just give me a moment." Cynder replied before fanning her rosy wings. She easily flung herself high into the air and went out of sight beyond the ashy forest around me. I dared not move while I waited for her to return. If I stumbled across any trouble without Cynder at my side, I would likely not survive. But barely a minute went by before Cynder came back overhead. She pointed to the west and said, "There's a brook over there!"

I followed Cynder through the wastes before she descended ahead. And indeed, there it was. A rocky basin with fresh water bubbling up before flowing downstream towards the ocean. I vigorously waved my hand through the frigid flowing water around near the spring's exit point to get that slime off. While the stench of decay still lightly clung to my flesh, it was at least clean. I was also careful to not get my boots wet to avoid letting all that volcanic ash get heavily caked onto them. But Cynder and I were still becoming quite the mess the longer we stayed out there. With Durnehviir being far out of reach for the moment, we were alone. Cynder then asked, "Now then... Maybe we should get somewhere a bit more...developed. Are there any villages or towns around here?"

"There is. Solstheim is governed from the town of Raven Rock to the west. Or at least they should... Most of Solstheim is wild wilderness. We'll be safe once we get there. I don't think I need to explain why no one really wants to try and settle this place. It's probably only marginally better than Vvardenfell over here." I replied while Cynder turned her gaze back to the south. Even there in the trees, we could still see the erupting Red Mountain. I did not even want to think of what was happening beyond it in the province of Morrowind. Had the entire place been ruined by then? Ash wastes right up to the borders? I muttered softly, "I wonder if that volcano will every stabilize..."

"This is a dangerous world... I hope the next world we find will be more peaceful than this." Cynder replied before she and I started to trudge to the west. I too was hoping that night would be the last we would ever see of Tamriel. There were greener pastures to find. So long as Cynder did not begin to question how we traveled from world to world...

I kept my eyes forward while glancing off to the sides. Doing all I could to make certain I would spot any threats before they would see us. That haze did not help. We could all too easily stumble across something that was at home in the ash wastes. And eventually, I saw it. I came to a stop as we were about to pass near a patch of ashen trees and dried shrubs. Cynder did not notice that I had stopped and continued on. I acted swiftly, grabbing one of the horns on her head to keep her in place. This sudden restraint startled her, prompting my companion to bark in protest. "Hey, what's wrong?!"

"There. Right in front of us." I spoke with tension in my heart. Standing there in the ashen trees and dry lumber was a wooden figure. Barely swaying without the caress of a strong enough breeze. A figure that was vaguely reminiscent of a human woman, but crafted from intertwining branches that had been scorched by flames. Even a woman face was set into the head of the creature before us. A creature we had already encountered once before in the forests of Falkreath. I spoke carefully while the creature stared directly at us. "You see it?"

I glanced at Cynder out of the corner of my eye and saw her eyes narrow. She scanned the area ahead of us only for her eyes to widen in shock. "I... I didn't see it. That thing blends in so well with the ash and the trees... What did you call them again? Spriggans?"

"Yeah. They'll tolerate us if we mind our distance. Let's go around." I replied as I let go of Cynder's horn. Only for my own eyes to widen as she took one step forward with her wings fanning out on reflex. I spoke firmly, "Cynder. No."

My reptilian protector looked up at me and said, "I can handle it. I already took care of that last one. Shall I?"

"No. Not this kind." I said before once again taking hold of her horn and guiding my companion backwards. With some more distance created between us and the Spriggan ahead, I explained to her, "The Spriggans of the ash wastes of Solstheim aren't like those of more verdant locations. The change in the environment has altered them. They don't use...whatever magic other Spriggans use. They wield fire. If we challenge that thing, we'll be burned alive."

That look of shock in Cynder's eyes told me everything. While I had never confirmed it, I doubt even her flame breath would not be as effective against it as other Spriggans. And even Cynder did not seem keen on being exposed to fire. "Oh... Thanks for the warning."

There was nothing more to say. We looped around the Spriggan before us while being very mindful of our distance. The wooden creature even turned in place to keep us in sight. Once on the opposite side of where we had flirt found it, we turned and continued west. I breathed a sigh of relief while seeing the Spriggan was not following us. "Phew... That could've been bad."

"I guess I have a lot to learn about this region. Let me know if I can or can't handle whatever we come across." Cynder replied while stepping through the ashes at our feet. And my eyes remained constantly scanning the horizon to the west. But while I did not see anything alive out there, Cynder's attention was drawn to what seemed to be a wall of interlocking stone pillars that were holding up deposits of ash. "What even are these walls? These pillars... They don't look natural. Who put them here?"

We had passed several such pillar assemblies along the way before Cynder finally took a moment to stop and examine them. They were not just too closely packed together to appear natural. They were all perfectly hexagon shaped instead of cylindrical. I carefully pondered these formations before us before a name came to mind. "These... It's on the tip of my tongue... Ah! Right, these are basalt columns! And they're perfectly natural. Nobody carved them to look like this. It's just how they are."

Cynder glanced up at me before flapping her wings to propel herself above the cluster of stone pillars. She called down at me while looking down upon them, "They're all in the shape of hexagons! Are you sure these are natural?!"

I had to really go digging through my memories of geology to answer that. "OK, what's that term again... I think...they end up looking like this through a process called...columnar jointing. Don't ask me how it actually works. That's about all I know. Although I bet Maud Pie can explain it..."

I muttered that last part to myself. Cynder did not need to know about Maud at the time. When she landed beside me again, Cynder said, "I take it basalt is a volcanic rock? That would explain things..."

We continued on while I started to veer towards the northern side of Solstheim. The forests began to thicken with the evergreen trees around us being numerous and healthy in spite of the layers of ash coating their needles. I knew there was a northern entrance to Raven Rock we could use without risking some of the dangers one might find along the shoreline. Although we were not the only ones out there. I came to a stop before noticing a small clearing ahead. A sight that made me smile. "Well now... I haven't seen those in a while. It's too bad Luna's not here."

"What... Hold on. What are those? Leathery...balloons? With tentacles?" Cynder asked once she also saw what was ahead. There were four of them, two of the creatures being smaller than the others.

"It's just a herd of netches. They're perfectly harmless. Unless you manage to make them angry." I replied while approaching the four floating creatures with no concern at all. I was aware of how gentle they are. And how much Luna adored them when she found one during our first ever shared dream experience. The two larger netches had tentacles and an underside that sported a subtle azure glow while the two smaller calves did not. And they would let out gentle and otherworldly blooping sounds that gave them an almost alien vibe. They truly looked and sounded like something out of science fiction. "Man, I keep forgetting just how weird the wildlife of Morrowind is..."

"Morrowind? I thought you said we're on Solstheim. You mean...these things just floated over the ocean and settled on this island?" Cynder asked while she began to circle the docile creatures. They paid her no mind at all as they grazed, their tentacles picking through the ash for sustenance.

"Probably. Maybe they could sense that Solstheim's southern side was just that similar to Morrowind and migrated over here." I replied while gently rubbing a hand over one of the two netch calves. The top of their bodies was coated in a much firmer leathery shell that was not quite hard to the touch. Sturdy, but not hardened. I then noticed Cynder reaching for one of the tentacles on the bull netch. Taking note of what that azure glow on their undersides meant, I spoke up. "I wouldn't. Adult netches generate a nasty sting through their tentacles that's similar to lightning magic. And they can really put up a fight with them. They might be the toughest creatures on the island and will wreck us if we tick them off."

Cynder promptly pulled her hand away with an uneasy grimace spread across her thin lips. "Yikes. Thanks for the warning."

I continued to rub my hand over the top of the two netch calves while their parents took no offense to it. They would probably only deem me a threat if their offspring let out an auditory cue that they were in distress. All I heard around there were those deep blooping sounds of peace. That was when even Cynder tried having some fun with the strange floating creatures. She flapped her wings to hover on up before landing atop the largest netch there. Even with the weight of a small dragoness atop it, that netch maintained its altitude and showed no discomfort. Cynder snickered at just how lackadaisical her mount was and said, "They really are peaceful. Maybe too peaceful. You'd think creatures this easygoing would be prime prey."

"Anyone who knows better won't mess with netches for the same reason you don't mess with a moose. You don't have to be a carnivore to be powerful. Just one bull netch can demolish a hunting party. I've seen it happen. It's almost hilarious to watch." I replied while rolling my eyes at the memories of such suicidal bravado. I was glad we had not found one such party yet.

"Why make enemies when you can be friends, right?" Cynder said with a chuckle. She gently patted her mount on its top before she threw herself off with another flap of her wings. She landed before me gracefully and asked, "Well then... Shall we be off?"

"Yeah, we should. Have a good one, guys." I replied while bidding the netch herd farewell. We continued on with Cynder at my side, but my eyes were still carefully scanning the distance as the forest became denser around us. I spoke cautiously, "We need to be careful to not go too far north. There's a bandit camp not far from Raven Rock and we don't need to deal with that."

"Speaking of that..." Cynder muttered as she suddenly became stiff. Wings spread wide, head held high, tail curved. It was as if she was listening to all of her senses. She had detected something before even I could. And she spoke with a whisper. "I sense malice."

"Sense? How?" I asked while wondering how Cynder even had such an ability. I knew that she was stained heavily from that old curse, but had it bestowed her with a certain sixth sense?

"Malice is a very dark urge. And I'm...tainted by darkness." Cynder said almost with shame. But she did not lower her guard. She soon looked back and said, "Over there."

Seconds later, there they were. A trio of humanoid figures jogging through the ash wastes from whence we had came. All were clad in makeshift armor forged from the pelts of beasts. Some carried round shields lined with tanned leather. The telltale mark of brigands. But they were not the fair-skinned Nords of Skyrim. They had a more...elven appearance. Pointed ears and narrow jaws. Dark gray skin with bold and intimidating red eyes. Dunmer men. Like almost everyone else on Solstheim. And the fact that they did not have their weapons in hand yet despite having clear sight of us meant that they had something to say before engaging in hostilities. But Cynder could sense why they were approaching. She suddenly looked up at me with a gaze of alarm. "That malice is being directed at you. Shall I take care of them?"

It was all adding up. I knew what those elven brigands wanted from me. But before I could give Cynder permission to unleash lethal force upon our attackers, a devious idea popped into my head. One that caused me to wear one devilish grin. I started to turn to face west again before saying, "On second thought... I have a better idea. Come on! Keep up!"

"Huh?! Why?! They're still chasing us!" Cynder barked before she started rushing ahead alongside me. I jogged through the ash as I tried to maintain some distance between us and our pursuers. They were just as slowed down by the ash as I was, so the distance between us remained consistent.

"Don't worry. Just follow me and we won't have to worry about anything." I said with a snicker in my throat. Those thugs had no idea I was leading them into a hilariously obvious trap. So we ran through the ash forest while I was careful to watch what was to the north and south of us. We began to rise higher while the land by the seaside began to sink beneath us. A great wall of those basalt columns were creating a tall cliffside that led along to the eastern entrance of Raven Rock. But we would not be entering through there. I soon saw a dip in the ashy earth that led down past more walls of basalt columns and guided Cynder between two such basalt column walls. "Here we are. Don't say anything and let me handle it."

"You better know what you're doing here. I could handle them all easily if you'd just let me." Cynder spoke with some skepticism as we passed the entrance to a mine at the northern edge of the town. We reached the town square of Raven Rock with the place largely deserted, the homes that were not immediately situated next to the rather small and humble harbor being carved out of solid stone in a style that was more in line with Morrowind's architecture standards than Skyrim's. I came to a stop between the well at the center of town and the empty blacksmith forge beyond it. We were alone. Alone except for the very heavily armed and armored guards positioned around the place. Cynder was even taken aback by the one guard I happened to stop in front of. "What... What are you?!"

"What? Never seen a Redoran Guard before?" The guard spoke with a somewhat raspy voice that was thick with a traditional Dunmer accent. His face was concealed behind a helmet that blurred the line between fantasy and science fiction in terms of aesthetics. A helmet that reached back to form a long hollow crest with a translucent visor situated at the front. Everything about the helmet and armor suggested it had been designed to protect the wearer from harm and even from ash storms in Morrowind. Between the yellowish and almost brittle looking plating of actual bone, the armor covering the guard was expansive and thorough in how much of him it covered with wide protective pauldrons over the shoulders. Even the shield in his left hand was made of the same material and bore an uncanny resemblance to the shell of a horseshoe crab.

We were safe in the presence of Raven Rock's guards. Shrewd and trained elites, they likely even put the best guards of Skyrim to shame. And those bandits were still likely not far. I turned to the guard and said, "Don't mind her, sir. But be alert. We've got trouble coming."

The guard turned his helmeted head to his left and saw the trio of bandits beginning to descend down the ashy slope Cynder and I had used. But he also seemed to notice I was not running away or preparing myself for a fight. Rather than draw his sword, he called out to his comrades nearby with a brief phrase spoken in some foreign dialect. An old Dunmer term? Two other guars nearby in matching armor began to situate themselves around the town square while keeping a close eye on the brigands who had just run into town without weapons drawn. Cynder glanced around at our surroundings and grumbled, "Are you sure you know what you're doing?"

"What happens next depends on them." I replied as the bandits slowed to a walk. The one at the front of the pack stepped forward with his eyes on me. And he looked...a little too excited to see me. I asked with a confident smile, "Can I help you, sir?"

The three Dunmer thugs were completely oblivious to the equally three Redoran Guards standing very close by. One was even standing behind them to block off an escape route should they start trouble. Perhaps they thought that whatever they were doing was so specific that it would not qualify as a crime under the law there? Whatever logic they were operating on, the one closest to me spoke as the three of them began to reach for their axes and maces. "Mogrul says to pay up. We figure we can just take it off your corpse."

"Is that right?!" The Redoran Guard just to my left shouted as he and his comrades were given all the reason in the world to intervene. The air was filled with the sound of sharp blades being drawn from their scabbards as they took their swords in hand with the brigands before me suddenly looking utterly panicked. Cynder and I quickly backed away as the brigands desperately raised their weapons and shields as the Redoran Guards descended upon them. Shouts and screams filled the air as the vastly outclassed thugs were swiftly reduced to bleeding heaps on the ground in a matter of seconds. All while I failed to keep a straight face at the sheer black comedy playing out before me.

Cynder stared with a look of amused disbelief as our pursuers were swiftly put out of their misery. Only for her to look up at me and speak with a barely contained snicker in her throat. "All right then, sorry for doubting you. That actually was pretty funny. Who knew bandits could be dumb enough to assault someone in front of armed guards?"

"They get dumber every year, I swear." I said with a wheeze of hissing laughter of my own. The three guards looked down at the freshly deceased bandits while even lightly kicking them to make certain they would not be getting back up. What a bunch of fools. Really, what did they think was going to happen?

The commotion in the town square had gotten the attention of one specific guardsman nearby. One Dunmer man in matching armor to those who had protected us came jogging our way with his helmet off. His head was shaved, giving him a tough and professional air about him that was fitting for one in charge of such mighty sentinels. And instead of a sword and shield at his sides, he had a long battleaxe slung over his back. "What's all this now?! Seems I was late to the party."

"Reavers, sir. Rushed into town with their weapons holstered. Walked right up to this man and voiced the intent to take his gold off his corpse. So we made certain the only corpses that were made were theirs." The guard nearest to me replied with his raspy voice hardly sounding phased over the gruesome incident that had played out not even a minute ago. It was clearly not his first rodeo.

"Reavers? Here? Absurd. No Reaver is foolish enough to put themselves in a situation involving crossing swords with the Redoran Guard." The unmasked guardsman replied with his brow becoming furrowed. And he was right to be skeptical. The bandits before us were not entirely lawless highwaymen.

It was then that Cynder decided to speak up while directing her attention to the unmasked guard beside us. "They were chasing us from pretty far from town too. Followed us all the way here... Who are you anyway?"

"A cliff racer?! And she speaks?! Must be a rare offshoot. I thought they went extinct ages ago..." The guard replied before getting a laugh out of his own confusion at the sight of Cynder. But he still composed himself as he said, "No matter. You want to know who I am, miss? Modyn Veleth. Captain of the Redoran Guard, at your service."

"Well met, Modyn. Sorry you couldn't be here to see such suicidal stupidity at play. It was over in seconds, but it was a blast to see." I replied while the captain's men pushed the thugs over to get them onto their backs. Just examining them and being certain they were no longer breathing.

Modyn seemed happy to see me as well and spoke with a certain confident flair that told me he would be fast friends with Admiral Seaspray if they ever met. "As much as I would relish a chance to put foolish thugs in their place, it's just as well my men kept you safe all the same. But you say these fools were outright chasing you? And right into town without immediately attacking you? What's that about? Reavers don't waste time introducing themselves to their prey."

"Captain. One of them mentioned Mogrul." The guard I first spoke to mentioned while he and his comrades sheathed their swords after wiping the fresh blood from them. It was a name I was familiar with. And I felt a tension in me as I knew exactly where the situation was about to go.

Modyn's eyes narrowed at the sound of that name. A name that was known to everyone around Raven Rock. And for those who the name did not invoke fear in, it instead invoked loathing. "Mogrul, eh? In that case, search the bodies. They must have something on them that can give us some answers on why this happened."

The three guards got down on their knees and began to go searching through any pouches the thugs had. We watched silently, but Cynder looked up at me with a concerned glance. She only spoke with a whisper, "Did an enemy of yours send them after you?"

"Not just my enemy. Someone who is hated by everyone in town." I retorted quietly to not let Modyn overhear us. Cynder's eyes narrowed in a show of disgust that I recognized. But we then turned our attention to the guards. They pulled a few gold coins out, then a few lock picks, and even a carrot and half a loaf of bread. But just when it looked like there could be nothing left in those pouches, the guard examining the corpse of the thug who spoke directly to me pulled out a folded sheet of paper. A message that would doom the one whose name had been spoken.

The guard handed the note to Modyn. Cynder and I watched as he unfolded it before looking over it. His brow furrowed even further as his menacing red eyes scanned the text scrawled on it. His voice muttered with a tone of disgust, "Mogrul. How I've been waiting for an opportunity like this to come along."

"Is it that bad?" Cynder asked before Modyn lowered it to her. She took the note into her hands and looked it over. Only for my eyes to widen at what I saw. Cynder's confused gaze became filled with a look of silent fury. A gaze I had seen once before. Back in Riften. When she learned of Maven Black-Briar's attempts on my life through the use of hired assassins. Those were the eyes of a woman who was ready to murder someone. She then glanced up at the two of us and asked with a chilling tone in her voice, "Where can I find this...Mogrul?"

I took the note in hand. Just so I could refresh my memory on what exact orders those thugs had been given. It went about as well as I remembered. "Find James and get my money. I don't care how you do it, or what you do with him. Just get my gold!"

Their boss had been clever enough to at least not give out his full name. But it was still signed with an M in the corner. And with the guards themselves serving as witnesses to the words of the fallen hired thugs, we had more than enough evidence we needed to see the most loathed inhabitant of Raven Rock put in chains. I turned to Modyn and asked, "He's renting a room at the tavern, right?"

"He is. And he's probably turned in for the night, so he won't be seeing us coming. Let's pay a visit to Mogrul and get this all sorted out, shall we?" Modyn relied with a certain...thrill forming in his eyes. Cynder maintained a chilling silence as we approached the stone dwelling that bordered the ashen road leading east. Modyn's three men followed and stood as attention once we stood just outside the door. He turned to them and said, "Mind the door. Let no one enter until I return. And if an Orc emerges without me, kill him."

The three Redoran Guards drew their swords and positioned themselves around the entry point to the tavern. No one would be getting by them unscathed. Modyn then led us inside as we were greeted by the cozy stone confines of the tavern. The domed ceiling and walls were gently lit by the ambience of open flames from the fireplace beyond and candles. I truly have to wonder what architectural genius allowed the place to be ventilated enough for habitation in spite of the ash storms that routinely blew through the town. Cynder and I followed the captain of the guard down the stairs ahead and into the much more spacious bar below. A familiar voice thick with a Dunmer's accent spoke up from our left. "Evening there, Captain Veleth. You here for some matze like always?"

"Not yet, Geldis. I'm here on business. Just make sure to stay behind the counter in case things get...messy." Modyn replied and he reached behind him and took his axe in hand. It was of elegant and almost golden elven design, the head of the axe bearing the look of an eagle with its wing serving as a long and narrow blade. It clashed strongly with the seemingly makeshift armor of its wielder, but was an indicator of the elitism of the Redoran Guard. I was very curious of where this encounter was about to go. But there was one last obstacle before we could reach our target. Someone stepped out of the shadows of a doorway. And Modyn was quick to address them. "Stand aside. I'm here to have a chat with Mogrul."

"Mogrul's not taking calls tonight. Leave. Or else." The Dunmer man before us spoke with such audacity to the face of the toughest guard in town. With long unkempt hair, he was clad in equally strange armor that contrasted with Modyn. Instead of yellow bone, it was varying shades of pink and red fabric overlaid with plating of some kind of chitinous shell. It was meant to be light and provide less protection than the heavier armor worn by the Redoran Guard. A long battleaxe was slung over his back, but one forged from inferior iron than the more exotic materials of whatever the Redoran Guard was using.

Rather than try to reason with the Mogrul's obvious bodyguard, Modyn only responded with an almost mocking tone. "Or else, eh? Well then, how about we find out what that else really is then? I'm not leaving without your employer, sellsword."

"Got a death wish, captain? Mogrul says..." The bodyguard said before reaching for his axe. But Modyn was much quicker. And with gruesome results. With the bodyguard only barely getting one hand on the shaft of his weapon, Modyn performed a mighty swing before burying his axe's head right into the brow of his foe. Both Cynder and I were unprepared for the carnage that played out. We both took a step back as that axe cut cleanly and deeply. Right through the center of the skull and down to the base of the neck. The freshly deceased bodyguard stumbled with his head gruesomely split in two before slumping off with fresh blood spilling heavily onto the stone floor.

I knew Tamriel was a harsh world to live in. But I was unprepared for just how brutal such results could be. Modyn turned to us with his axe's blade still caked with fresh blood while entirely unfazed with what he had done. "Sorry you had to see that. Hopefully Mogrul will be a bit more cooperative."

"Uh... Yeah. Right. I just... Wow, that's...gnarly." I muttered while trying to not let my eyes focus on the corpse that now laid sprawled out on the floor. Cynder had no words, but she still tried to shield her eyes with a wing. I rested a hand on her head to calm her while Modyn approached the door the bodyguard had been standing beside. I asked softly, "He probably won't go quietly. Orcs are stubborn like that. You ready for this?"

Cynder turned her gaze up to me as her look of unease was replaced by a sharp glare of resolve. She said softly yet coldly, "He won't get away. I won't let him."

Modyn tried to open the door only to find it locked. Undeterred, he pounded his fist on the door. "Mogrul! This is Captain Veleth! Get out here!"

There was no response at first. It would be difficult to sleep through the sound of pounding on a wooden door in a stone room. That noise would bounce around the place easily. After a moment of no response, Veleth pounded on the door again. "Mogrul! I won't say it again! Answer the door or I'm chopping my way through!"

"All right, all right, I'm coming!" I heard a gruff and muffled voice yell from the other side of the door. One thick with the tone and pitch that many Orsimer men carry. I heard the sound of a lock clicking before the door opened inward to reveal its occupant. "This better be good, captain. What're you doing waking me up at... Whoa... Hey, hey, what're you doing?!"

Modyn did not even wait. He started to march right in and forced our target to back up while he kept his axe ready in both hands. All while putting on a false air of friendliness. "Now now, we're not having that, Mogrul. Go ahead and get comfortable. We're just here to have a talk."

The gruff voice of the Orc was almost panicked despite his gruff tone. Especially when he happened to notice Modyn's weapon in his hands. "What're you even doing here? And...is that blood on your axe?! Where's Slitter?!"

The captain of the guard was not joking around. He then spoke much more firmly than before, "He paid the price of serving a wanted man. And if you don't want to end up like him, I strongly suggest you don't resist and start cooperating. Now then, why don't I introduce you to someone who has filed quite the complaint on you?"

That was our cue to enter. I stepped into the room while a quiet commotion began to fill the tavern behind us. While there were not many around at that hour, a few locals had gathered for a nightly drink. And they were listening intently to the confrontation playing out in the corner of the tavern. I stepped in first, eyes narrowed as I glared upon our target. "Hello, Mogrul."

"Oh... You. What do you want? If you're not here to pay up the thousand Septims you owe, we have nothing to say to each other." Mogrul growled as Cynder eyed our enemy bitterly. With pointed elven ears and flesh of an unsightly dull green, but with a jaw and tusks bringing to mind a wild boar, the Orsimer before us possessed a revolting aura about him. He was strangely unarmored, being clad in very comfortable clothing instead of any sort of armor like most of his kind would prefer. But he still had a fitting weapon at his side. A war axe forged from the deep green of orichalcum. A brutal weapon for an equally brutal loan shark.

"I don't have much to say. But they did." I replied before holding up the note I was carrying in my hand. I flung it at Mogrul in a manner that he almost was not ready for. He barely managed to catch the note and opened it. He scowled as he read it. Only for his eyes to widen and eyebrows to rise. He recognized his own directive and handwriting as I said, "Your thugs are dead, Mogrul. And you're next."

For all his arrogance, greed, and Orcish pride, Mogrul still had enough survival instinct to try and appeal to the far better armed and armored Captain Veleth. He held out the note to the captain of the Redoran Guard and spoke with his arrogance being replaced by a much more sheepish tone. One that would embarrass any traditional Orsimer in his presence. "Now hold on a minute... I didn't write this, captain. Anyone with a name starting with M could've written this. You should investigate anyone in Raven Rock. Could've been Milore. Maybe even Mirri..."

"What sort of fool do you take me for, Mogrul?!" Modyn spoke with a somewhat louder voice than he normally spoke with. Mogrul cowered even harder as he backed away towards the bed at the rear of the room. His patience with Mogrul rapidly running thin, he readied his axe in both hands for a confrontation. "Even if I had reason to suspect those two fine and honest ladies, the thugs who accosted this gentleman were apparently courteous enough to mention you by name. My men confirmed it to my face. And how I've been relishing this opportunity for a while. All these complaints of harassment finally culminating in a murder for hire attempt. And I did warn you that I'd be sending you back to Skyrim in a crate if you didn't keep your nose clean. I also didn't say you would be in one piece when it happened."

Mogrul was backed into a corner with no way out. He had finally overplayed his hand. While his grizzled face was filled with fear, I could see that classic Orc defiance starting to set in. He was beginning to snarl, teeth clenched as he breathed sharply through them. Mogrul was on the verge of panic. But he was also furious. I could see his right hand lowered near his axe. He would never best any of the Redoran Guard in a fight to the death, but he was determined to not go quietly. Modyn, still trying to be lawful in his approach, spoke firmly. "I'm giving you one chance to come quietly, Mogrul. Set your weapon down and come with me. Now. Or I'll see to it you'll be leaving this room in pieces. It's your choice."

The ultimatum only infuriated Mogrul more. That growl was very much like the sound of a wild boar bracing for a fight. He had spent far too much time getting his way and being a thorough bully without consequence and was not about to give up that lifestyle without a fight. But just when I was sure he was about to snatch his axe from its holster, someone else spoke up. "No. Allow me. He's mine."

We had all forgotten about Cynder. She stepped forward past Modyn and stood between him and Mogrul. We all looked down at the dark dragoness with Mogrul's glare of defiant fury even fading as he gazed at her in confusion. He did not even know what she was, but her small size did not intimidate him. Cynder then spoke coldly, "I can sense that malicious defiance. He won't go without a fight. So I'll take care of him."

Mogrul suddenly burst into confused laughter as he threw his head back. His voice echoed in the narrow stone room as he howled, "Bwahahahahaha! You're telling me your pet can talk?! And she's got the stones to take on an Orc?!"

Modyn did not like the sound of that. He leaned over her with axe in hand and said, "That won't be necessary, miss. Stand aside. If Mogrul prefers being sent to his grave by my axe, I'll gladly..."

"I said he's mine." Cynder snarled while looking over her shoulder at us. That cold fury in her eyes... She would not be denied. She would not leave that room until Mogrul was dead before her. She then coldly declared, "James is mine to protect. And this fool tried to take him from me. The Orc dies here. And I'll be the one to do it."

"Now that's rich... How about this, captain? I'm a betting man. I say you give me and this lizard a few minutes alone together. Whoever walks out of this room gets to leave with no questions asked. What do you say?" Mogrul said with that brutish confidence returning. Cynder had made her challenge and he was trying to use it to his advantage. Betting his life in a way that would allow him to escape justice from Captain Veleth. At least if he managed to deal a fatal blow to Cynder before she could.

Modyn was hesitant. And Cynder was not even remotely fazed. She spoke up with her eyes on her prey, "I accept. Guard the door to make sure no one interferes. I don't need anyone's help for this."

That chuckle in Mogrul's throat... He had no idea what Cynder was capable of. And the confines of his room left virtually nowhere to run or hide. He was trapped in a corner with Cynder having a clear shot at him. But out of caution, Modyn then looked over his shoulder at me. "I don't like this idea. I could put him down here and now. But she's your companion. What say you on this?"

Now it was my turn to smirk. And the look on my face caught Mogrul's attention. I saw his eyebrows rise as his gaze met mine. And I spoke confidently, "Yeah. She's got this. Let's give these two a moment alone. Play nice, Cynder."

"Oh don't worry. I'll be gentle." Cynder said with a devious tone in her voice. There was nothing to be done. No one in Raven Rock, perhaps in all of Tamriel, would mourn the vile Orsimer before her. With great reluctance, Modyn followed me out of the room with the door closing behind us. We stood at the sides and waited.

"I don't like this, friend. Are you really putting your friend's life on the line like this? All she's doing is overcomplicating things." Modyn said with his axe still in hand. He was scowling at me with unease. He did not want to see anyone harmed who had nothing to do with the situation.

I then explained coolly, "It's a personal matter. Cynder and I have been through a lot in a relatively short amount of time. I'm very important to her and she takes extreme offense to anyone who tries to take my head."

It was then that we heard Mogrul's voice through the door. He had likely already taken his axe in hand and was sizing his opponent up. "All right then, lizard. I'll show you why you don't mess with an Orc. I'll be sure to make a fine set of boots out of... AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!"

He was screaming! And that noise on the other side... The sound of rushing flames? Mogrul shrieked and wailed as Modyn and I flinched at the sound of an Orc screaming in utter agony. And I had a good idea of what exactly Cynder was up to in there. That fool never stood a chance. Mogrul screamed and screamed until he could scream no more. He held out for maybe a good ten seconds before his voice finally went silent. Even the noise we were hearing came to an end. Modyn, eyes wide with shock, stiffly turned his head to look at me while asking, "What the devil did she just do?"

I decided to be a bit more snide in my retort. While a bit rattled from what I had just heard, I spoke with a smirk. "Sounds like she gave him a good time."

There was a sudden banging on the door behind us. Followed by Cynder's voice yelling on the other side as she gasped for breath. "Let me out! Can't breath!"

"You can't?! Hang on!" I shouted before Modyn and I shoved the door open. Cynder burst out of the room as we were greeted by the awful smell of smoke. The dark dragoness coughed as she gasped for clean air. And we quickly saw why. The entire room was filled with smoke as the remains of the bed in the back smoldered. And there, fallen over the bed's charred remains, was a body that had been charred so black that it was hard to say who it had once been. Mogrul was dead. Burned alive by Cynder's magical flame breath. And nothing of value had been lost.

"Well now... Color me surprised. Never would've guessed such a little creature had such power in them. Mogrul didn't stand a chance from the looks of it." Modyn said somewhat calmly as he beheld the results of Cynder's wrath. Cynder even pounded on her chest from below as she cleared her lungs. She must have not realized that too much fire in such a small space is a very good way to run out of oxygen very quickly. Now almost nothing but smoke lingered inside. Modyn then hooked the bottom of his axe's head on the armor of Mogrul's bodyguard and dragged him into the room before closing the door to keep both corpses inside. "Let's keep them there for now. I'll send some men by later to clean up the mess and dispose of the bodies."

"All in a day's work, eh?" I retorted while Modyn holstered his axe across his back. The deed was done and a blight on Raven Rock had been destroyed. All thanks to Cynder. I gazed down upon my companion as she breathed deeply to fill her lungs with cleansing air. I then rested a hand upon her head in a manner that got her attention. My voice spoke softly, "Did you enjoy yourself?"

Cynder became still. And I could see she was not smiling. Her head turned to look at the door that still leaked a conspicuous smoky odor. She then spoke with a sigh, "No. I just...did what I had to do."

I was proud of her. No matter how much she resented those who wanted me dead, she never took pleasure in violence. I dropped to one knee and pulled my friend into a soothing embrace. Her brow rested against my chest while I spoke to her. "Good. That's how it should always be."

"I'm with you." Cynder said briefly. A sacred vow she had whispered many times before. And I continued to hold her for a moment longer. Until she was comfortable with leaving my embrace.

While we remained there at the far end of the stone interior of the tavern, I saw Modyn having a word with the bartender over yonder. "So sorry about the mess in your guest room there, Geldis. I hope you won't mind the smell of smoke for a while. I'll be sure to send some of my men by to clean up the mess. And I'll speak with Councilor Morvayn about getting you reimbursed for any property destruction."

"You're just doing your job, captain. I trust we won't be hearing from Mogrul again. How about some matze for the road? Just the way you like it." The bartender replied while he was wiping down the counter. He placed a tankard of some sort of beverage on the counter that Modyn happily took in hand.

"Many thanks, Geldis. But if you're wanting to thank someone, save it to those two brave souls back there. I took care of Mogrul's pet, but they handled the Orc. As for now, I should report back to Councilor Morvayn. Have a good night." Modyn replied before he started to make his way to the left towards the stairs. But I did see him look our way and give his farewells with a genuine proud smile.

The bartender could see Cynder and I clearly from the counter. He patted the counter and motioned for us to approach with his hand. Seeing that he wanted to talk to us, I stood up and led my companion towards the bar. The bartender was yet another Dunmer with his hair tied high behind him and a thin beard around his face. He was clad in traditional Dunmer garb of reds that must have been imported from Morrowind. The immediate area around the bar was situated with what appeared to be makeshift furniture and iron frames holding many goat horns serving as scones to light up the area. Instead of being made of wooden pegs and panels a carpenter had assembled, most of the furniture was composed of cylindrical branches and sticks bound together to give a very rustic and primitive aesthetic complete with a few round paper lanterns gently glowing with a candle inside. The people of Morrowind sure have it rough...

As we drew near, the bartender greeted us rather cheerily. "Well now, I hear you two took care of a little problem of ours. Mogrul finally bit off more than he could handle? Tried starting trouble with the wrong person?"

Cynder spoke first with a firm gaze. "He sent assassins after James. And I made sure he would never harm him again."

"Hm. A noble reason as any, I see. Believe me when I say you did our community a service, lass. That Orc's been a blight on Raven Rock for too long. I guess it would take going after a local hero to finally give someone enough reason to put him in the dirt. Anyway, pull up a seat! I'd say you two have earned a good night after all the trouble Mogrul put you through." The bartender replied while setting out an ornate bottle that was plenty round and made of ceramic material. A very different look compared to the thick glass bottles of Skyrim.

Cynder managed to get herself seated on a stool while I joined her. She then glanced at me with a pleased smirk and asked, "A local hero, huh? What were you up to around here before you met me?"

It was tempting to respond, but I had a better idea. "I really shouldn't toot my own horn. Geldis, why don't you tell her? Better to let someone with an outsider's perspective tell the story, right?"

Geldis replied as he fetched us some tankards, "That I can. Anyway, miss... In order of occurrence, this fine fellow managed to find a way to get our ebony mine reopened to finally put Raven Rock back on the map. Then he put a stop to all those ash spawn raids that kept happening on the bulwark at the edge of town. And then to top that all off, he put a stop to an assassination attempt on our own Councilor Morvayn. The man's been a godsend on Raven Rock and we're all richer for it. Nord or Dunmer, it doesn't matter. A hero's a hero."

I felt rather embarrassed to hear Geldis speak so passionately of my prior exploits. I was left speechless as I tried to avert my eyes. Only for mine to meet Cynder's as she smiled warmly at me out of the corner of her eye. "He's certainly my hero too."

Geldis then happily said, "And so are you, from the sound of it. You both take the thanks for dealing with Mogrul. And for that, whatever you order tonight is on the house. And this is your first time here, right? In that case, welcome to The Retching Netch cornerclub. Home of the finest sujamma that will ever grace your lips."

As much as I appreciated Geldis treating us to some good food and drink, I knew we still had a means to pay. I glanced at Cynder and eyed the platinum bands that were still on her. She probably would have preferred that the spikes on her wing joints and the blade on her tail stay on for the moment, but the bands on her wrists and tail still needed to come off. Cynder raised a hand to look at one such band while I said, "You sure? I think we can afford whatever you have to offer."

Geldis was not having any of it. He said with a chuckle, "Nah, you don't have to. I'm making more coin than I can count after the mines reopened. And that was thanks to you in the first place. I'd say I owe you a debt already and I intend to repay in kind."

"Come on, we... James, please. Get these off and just give them to him. I don't need them." Cynder grumbled before turning to me with her hands raised and tail curled towards me. She was not entirely comfortable with getting everything for nothing when her reasons for going after Mogrul were entirely personal.

Before Geldis could object, I went to work on removing the three bands that were still on Cynder. I then glanced at him and said, "If you won't accept payment, then how about a little something as a tip? Really, we don't need these."

Geldis stared at the three platinum bands I set on the counter before him. He took one of the wrist shackles in hand to get a closer look at them. "What are these made of anyway? Silver?"

"Platinum. You should take those to Glover Mallory and get them appraised. Might be worth something." I replied while pushing the rest towards him. I think Geldis was really expecting us to pay him in coin instead of something meant for bartering. He appeared less hesitant to accept those platinum bands over actual money.

After a moment of consideration, Geldis took the platinum bands and placed them on a shelf under the counter to keep them out of sight. "All right then, just as long as you're not giving me any of your hard-earned gold. Mogrul already put you through enough trouble trying to get yours. Now then, what else can I get you two for the moment? Sujamma is the best we've got, but we've also got matze and flin. And even a fresh shipment of shein. I think I even still have some bottles of mead if you prefer something from Skyrim. And I've got a fresh pot of ash yam and horker stew ready in the back."

While never one to turn down a stiff drink, I knew nothing about those four beverages Geldis named. And Cynder had almost no experience with alcohol at all. I then asked, "How would you even describe those four in flavor? I haven't had them in too long."

Geldis happily replied, "Been so long without a drink that you've forgotten how they are? The first thing you need to know about flin is that it's imported Imperial whisky. Very strong stuff if you just want a good kick to loosen you up. Matze is much more mild, being something akin to ale or beer. We also have shein, which is a mild kind of wine brewed from comberry. But sujamma... Oh ho, I don't think words can do it justice. I say pour yourself a tankard of it and see for yourself."

Cynder and I decided to take Geldis up on his offer. I removed the cork from that round ceramic bottle and started pouring. The bottle was even quite cool to the touch. And the substance that poured forth was not like most strong liquors. It was not clear. It was a creamy color and opaque. Like some sort of sweet cream brew. Cynder's eyes widened as that beverage poured smoothly into my cup. "That actually looks delicious..."

"Almost looks like a dessert drink, doesn't it? Don't be fooled though. It's as potent as it is sweet." Geldis said with a growing smirk as he waited for us to take our first sip of the finest sujamma in town. I poured Cynder a helping of it as well with the two of us bringing our tankards to our lips. Geldis asked with his striking red eyes gazing upon us, "Worth every coin, ain't it?"

I was very pleasantly surprised by the flavor. If I could describe it, sujamma tasted like a very potent tequila cream liquor. That smooth and sweet creaminess helped offset that strong tequila bite as it flowed down my throat. Cynder sighed harshly at the burn, but also looked very pleased with the flavor. I said softly, "All the kick with none of the recoil. That's...one fine drink. Now I see why everyone in town has such good things to say about it."

"Ain't that the truth? Anyway, let me go get you some hot food. Don't go through the whole bottle before I get back, all right?" Geldis replied with a smile before he turned and headed into a room a short ways behind the counter. Right beside two massive barrels of ale. Or maybe those were what he stored his matze in. Cynder and I could already smell roasted meat from beyond the door that was whetting our appetites. We sipped our first mug of sujamma slowly to savor it. That thick creamy consistency encouraged us to pace ourselves. But as I gazed about the rear of the bar, I happened to notice a few bottles of mead set aside. And the labels on them sent a chill through my spine. The logo of Black-Briar mead.

Even Cynder's eyes eventually noticed the bottles too. And her eyes narrowed when she read the text on them. Cynder glanced at me out of the corner of her eye. And with a cool tone, she spoke to me with a whisper. "I did what I had to do. And I'll do it again if I have to."

I said nothing. There was true conviction in Cynder's words. And no regrets. She would face the entire world if it meant keeping me alive and safe. And I responded the only way I could think of. I rested my hand over hers while she set her hand on the counter. Her eyes lost that stern gaze as they softened at my touch. She looked at my hand before looking up at me with a much more vulnerable look on her face. All before speaking with a whisper. "You're still all I ever had. I can't lose you..."

"I know. And I'm happy to have you." I replied with Cynder displaying a very relived smile. Even her tail swayed gently behind her, surely in a show of quiet joy. I then had an idea. I knew what to say to play upon one of her favorite things to say to me. "Are you with me?"

"Always." Cynder said with a very broad smile spreading across her thin reptilian lips. Although that smile faded just slightly while her gaze veered away from me slightly. Almost in a display of minor shame. "At least...I am when I can be... I wish I could spend every day with you instead of just...wandering in a haze everywhere more than half the time."

I did more than just rest my hand over hers by then. I curled my fingers to hold Cynder's hand in mine before I said softly, "But you'll always find your way back to me. Right?"

"Heh... Right. You'll never escape me for long. Even if we're worlds apart, I'll...always follow that invisible thread right back to you." Cynder said with a much calmer smile. The way she was looking at me... And the way she reached out with her head... She wanted to tuck her head under my jaw like many times before. In a display of indecent affection. But with how she glanced downward, Cynder knew not to try. Not because anyone might notice and take offense, but because she would fall out of her seat if she leaned too far to the side. Cynder centered herself on her stool again, but cast me a noticeably devious smirk and asked, "I don't suppose you have a place where we can be alone around here. Where we can just...hold each other for a while?"

"To be fair, The Retching Netch is also an inn. We can bunk here for the night." I replied while Cynder looked as if she liked what she heard. She really wanted to relax in my arms again. Probably even keep her head tucked under my jaw while purring beautifully. She really did blur the line between woman and beast that not even the dragons of Equestria do. And I found it to be such an endearing quality of hers.

It was right then that Geldis came back into view. He stepped our way while carrying a wooden tray holding two bowls of stew and even two plates of roasted goat meat on it. Just the sight and smell of our approaching meal was enough to get us both salivating. Our bartender spoke as he set out our meal, "And here we are. Piping hot, so don't go burning yourselves."

"This looks... Wow..." Cynder mumbled while gazing down at the bowl of stew before her. It looked reminiscent of chowder, having a thick creamy broth with chunks of rich and hearty horker meat and chunks of ash yams in it. But with it being so hot, we decided to savor some more sujamma while waiting for it to cool.

"Looks fantastic, Geldis... And do you happen to have a room free we can bunk in for the night?" I asked with what I had said a moment ago fresh in my mind. Best to ask before I could forget.

Geldis promptly replied, "That I do. And I was going to let you two know its on the house for tonight. Put your feet up and relax a while. First door on your left at the end of the bar, but I reckon you already knew that."

I had stayed at the cornerclub quite a few times during my travels on Solstheim. A cozy place unlike the inns of Skyrim. But my eyes then fell upon the bottles of mead I had seen over yonder. While Cynder tried desperately to cool a spoonful of that stew to finally get a taste, I asked quietly while leaning towards the bartender before us. "Geldis... Before I forget. Have you heard any rumors lately? Maybe anything juicy trickling in from the mainland?"

The hospitable Dunmer started cleaning a tankard in his hands while he said, "Around here? No, not really. Things have been quiet on Solstheim recently. But when it comes to mainland gossip... I have heard whispers about a murder in Riften. Except it wasn't just any poor fool who got their throat slit. Murders happen all the time after all. But this one... It was someone just about everyone thought was untouchable. Maven Black-Briar herself."

Even knowing the wretch had it coming was not enough to completely soothe my nerves. It was the knowledge that Cynder had done the deed entirely for my sake, even without me requesting her to do so, that made me uneasy. Cynder said nothing and averted her eyes while I spoke up first. "Right... Did they ever find any clues or leads on the culprit?"

Geldis replied with a curious tone in his voice. "Not a thing. Not one loose end that could lead them back to anyone. Whoever or whatever pulled that off did it in ways the Morag Tong can only dream about. At this point, they're even suspecting her own son did it since he was the one nearest to where her body was when he said he woke up. Can't prove it, but I wouldn't be surprised if he did it for the sake of getting the Black-Briar clan's riches through inheritance. Even if he was pretty well off already under his mum's thumb..."

Cynder and I feigned ignorance entirely while I then asked, "But do you think he really did it?"

"Nah. I'm convinced that whoever did the deed must've really hated the old dame's guts. Old Maven may have had a lot of bloody ties in Skyrim, but she never had any acquaintances in Morrowind. The way I see it, karma got back to her in a big way. All those riches, all that power, all those connections to thieves and assassins alike, and she still managed to become hated enough for the right person to finally cut her throat out. And in the comfort of her own home. I guess it just goes to show making enemies is no way to go through life. If I ever met the one who did the deed, I'd buy them a drink." Geldis replied with a touch of venom in his words. Being a bartender serving traditional Dunmer fare, he was not under the sway of the mead giants of Skyrim. He had no reason or incentive to speak kindly of one of the vilest women in all the land.

Hearing Geldis being so supportive of the death of a very dangerous and vile woman allowed me to lower my guard. I felt he could be trusted with the truth. And Cynder's eyes relaxed as well. Cynder inhaled deeply to steel herself for what she was about to say. "You already did."

"I did? When? What, did you happen to pass by someone who..." Geldis asked with his red eyes widening. He became silent as his mouth hung agape. He glanced at me and then back at Cynder. With a hushed tone, Geldis then asked, "You mean...the two of you...?"

"No. Not James. I did." Cynder said with a very quiet tone. The tavern was just noisy enough to mask our voices, but we still had to be careful. It was unlikely anyone on Solstheim cared much about the assassination of a mead mogul. But if a bounty had been put out for information leading to the assassin's identity, then we could never be too sure. The corrupting influence of money can override even the best man's morals.

Geldis was left silent as he set down the tankard he had not finished cleaning yet. He eyed Cynder suspiciously, the gears likely turning in his head as he tried to ponder the motive of her actions. To him, she was just a beast companion of mine who happened to have the mind and voice of a young woman. What could someone like Maven have done to earn Cynder's malice? The curious Dunmer finally asked, "Well then... If you don't mind me asking... Why?"

Cynder turned her head to look at me while I looked back at her. I said nothing. Maven's death was not my idea. My dark companion then said softly, "Because I discovered she had sent assassins after James to take his life. So I made sure it would never happen again."

The bartender before us then asked with a softer tone, "You two have been through quite a bit together, eh? A friendship that can weather anything?"

My lips curled into a slight smile while Cynder spoke with a sincere tone. "He's all I've ever had. And he's all I need."

I felt it was my turn to speak. And so I said, "Cynder was...enslaved to a dark lord since birth and I was able to rescue her. All I've been doing ever since is trying to keep her happy and safe."

Cynder then spoke up at the first opportunity with a proud smile spreading across her face. She glanced at Geldis and said, "He gives me happiness and I give him protection. It's a fair trade."

Geldis cracked a smile at Cynder's warm sincerity. He then leaned over the counter and spoke quietly, "Heh. It sure sounds like it. There's plenty of foul folk out there practicing the dark arts who are eager to kidnap poor souls for...gods know what purposes. But hey, any friend of a hero of Raven Rock is a friend of mine. Tell you what, lass. Not that I'm expecting anyone to come out to desolate little Solstheim digging around for clues. But if anyone does come along asking questions for anything about Maven Black-Briar's killer, I never saw you."

"It's appreciated, Geldis." I replied while Cynder and I finally started on our meal while sipping some of that delicious sujamma. I had never eaten goat meat before and was very impressed with its flavor. But that stew... For using an ingredient grown from the ash wastes, those yams complemented the horker meat in ways I could not expect. Cynder and I were so pleased that we asked for seconds. Which Geldis happily obliged to. But after we finished another cup of sujamma, I started to notice something about Cynder. We were definitely starting to feel the influence of alcohol by then. Sujamma was potent in spite of its sweetness. But while I have always been a happy drunk, Cynder seemed...downtrodden. Her head bowed as she swayed a bit in her seat. I asked quietly, "You OK there?"

"James... Really. Why do I keep hurting people?" Cynder asked before gulping down the rest of her helping of sujamma. And I started to see what was happening. The most Cynder had ever consumed at a bar was mead. A beverage that is only slightly stronger than the average wine. And that sujamma was much more potent. That sweetness deviously masked just how potent it was, allowing the consumer to drink more and reaching their limit much too fast. Cynder began to sound increasingly forlorn as she bowed her head, "I thought I was done being a weapon for evil... So then why am I still spreading death?"

I raised an eyebrow as I found Cynder's unprompted self-loathing to be very unusual. She had never obsessed over a past she could not control at the time. I asked in a weird fusion of concern and amusement, "Uh... Cynder? You feeling OK there?"

"No, I'm not OK! Because I'm still a monster! Why can't I stop bringing death everywhere I go?!" Cynder finally shouted with tears flowing far too freely some the dark scales of her face. If she was not drunk, she was dangerously close. And it was not pretty.

Geldis had seen more than his fair share of drunks and was quick to point out what was happening between us. "Uh oh, looks like someone's a sad drunk. You want me to talk to her, friend?"

"Nah. Leave her to me. Come here, Cynder." I said before standing up. Cynder was too unsteady to resist as I scooped her into my arms and cradled her with her head resting on my shoulder. "Hey, don't go saying all that. You're no monster. Never were. The only deaths you've caused lately have been nothing but bad guys."

I swayed in place to basically rock my companion into submission. I kept her held up with one hand resting on the base of her tail. She was refreshingly light, but I suppose she would have to be in order to fly. But my words did little to soothe her as she then brought up something I wanted to never think about again. "But I am! I even tried to hurt you! All because I was too stupid to believe you!"

That night... No. I was not going to dwell on that tragic misunderstanding. At least I understood why Cynder could not let herself believe me at the time. And what I said next... Maybe I should not have said it, but the sujamma in my belly made me a little too daring at the time. "Yeah. You were pretty dumb that night."

That should not have been funny. But it was. Geldis suddenly let out a laugh from behind the counter. As did a few of the patrons who just happened to be witnessing the spectacle playing out in the middle of the bar. But no one laughed harder than Cynder. At least I think she was laughing? Her tail and wings reflexively curled around me in an embrace as she howled with her head right next to mine. It sounded like she was bawling, but also laughing uncontrollably. Her tears were still flowing and I could feel that growing patch of wet setting into my shoulder. But the embrace of Cynder's wings and her tail curling securely around me told me that she was starting to come around.

I continued to gently sway with that beautiful creature in my arms as I said, "But you're smarter now, right? You're no dummy."

"Am I really not an idiot anymore? You think...I'm smart enough to know better?" Cynder asked with a sniffle into my ear.

It was then that I leaned my head to rest it against hers. "Yes. You're no monster. And you're no idiot. You only hurt bad guys now. The kind of people the world is better off without. And you'll always be my little shimmering shadow."

Cynder giggled and whimpered as she clung to me for comfort. I was wrapped in those rosy red wings. Geldis then tried to appeal to Cynder as well as he said, "You feeling all right there, lass? How about I throw in something sweet for dessert? I've got a few sweet rolls fresh in the back."

Nothing helps mend a bad mood like good food. Even Cynder in her drunken stupor could not resist the call of her lingering appetite. She began to relent and asked softly into my ear, "Say that again? What am I?"

"My shimmering shadow. Always." I replied as Cynder finally let out a long sigh of relaxation. I carefully set her back down onto her stool with her placing both hands on the counter to keep herself steady. I then asked quietly, "All better?"

My companion had no words for the moment. She just nodded with fresh tears starting to dry on her face. Geldis then asked, "So then... How about some dessert?"

Cynder nodded while I returned to my seat as well. Geldis was gone for a moment before he returned with two plates topped with some impressive sweet rolls. Those tall pastries lined with freshly poured white icing. Like a tall cinnamon roll. Cynder and I both found it best to use a knife and fork to eat them. And she definitely started to seem happier. So much so that she paused halfway through her dessert while Geldis wisely took away any remaining liquor from the counter now that it was clear Cynder had already had more than enough. She looked at me, mouth opening to speak, only for her to apparently show just enough restraint to not actually say what she wanted to. But I still asked, "Yes?"

"I... I shouldn't say some things when I'm like this... Thoughts are racing. Temptations..." Cynder muttered as she looked back at her dessert.

I used the moment as another opportunity to pile on my praise from a moment earlier. I reached out and patted her on the head between her horns. "See? You're not an idiot. Smart enough to know what not to say when you've been drinking? And on your first time drunk? That's impressive."

"Oh my god, James..." Cynder burst into a snickering fit with her lips covered. She could not even try to refute that. But just when we finished our dessert, Geldis happened to bring up a wooden pail filled with liquid. Cynder wisely shook her head and said, "No, I think I've had enough for tonight..."

"Oh this isn't booze, miss. It's fresh well water. We make sure the well in town doesn't get contaminated from the ash storms, so it's as fresh as it gets. Since it's your first time getting plastered, a word of advice. Stay hydrated or you'll wake up tomorrow with a wicked hangover." Geldis replied while filling clean glasses with that pure clear fluid. I drank my helping greedily while Cynder did the same. She was taking the words of a seasoned bartender at face value as she should have.

With the cornerclub starting to grow quiet as the patrons over yonder started to head home for the night, Geldis started to gather up our empty bowls and dishes. He then said to us, "Now that's what I like to see. Satisfied customers. Just remember that The Retching Netch is always welcome to friends of Raven Rock."

It was only then that Cynder put the words of that name together and asked, "Wait... Now that I think about it, what gave you the idea to call this place that? What does it have to do with netches? I mean we came across a herd of them before coming into town, but..."

"You know what netches are, eh? In that case, you've got a good picture of how it went. Everyone who comes here for the first time always asks me about the name of my place. And it's quite the story, miss." Geldis replied while wiping down the counter without missing a beat. That subtle smirk on his lips told me he was more than happy to tell the tale again.

I glanced at Cynder and spoke with a smile, "It's a good story too. Wanna hear it?"

Cynder got comfortable and listened closely as Geldis told the tale of the netch who retched. "It all happened a few years ago. Back then, my little establishment here went by a different name. But it wasn't quite as catchy, so there's no need to tell you what it was. Anyway, I was strolling by the docks and saw a Dunmer staggering around with a bottle of sujamma in hand. I recognized him as one of my more heavily drinking patrons, so it wasn't anything unusual for me."

"Doesn't sound so unusual. What's that got to do with netches?" Cynder asked while I drank more water. I nudged her glass closer to encourage her to do the same. Which she obliged to.

Geldis smirked whimsically as he then said, "That's what it seemed like at first. Until I got a good look at the fool. It turns out that my patron was as naked as the day he was born and singing a jaunty tune at the top of his lungs. Badly, I might add."

Cynder winced at the thought of such an image in her head. But also while looking very puzzle. She had never seen a...primate in the nude. And even I did not want to think about what a Dunmer man looks like in the nude. Cynder, wisely deciding to not ponder the thought any further, asked cautiously, "And...?"

Our storyteller got a good nervous chuckle out before continuing. "I admit I was watching longer than I probably should have. Basically because it was too funny a sight to look away from. But while I was watching that drunkard, a big bull netch comes floating over the bulwark and just happens to come drifting over to him. The man looked up at the netch, yelled 'have a drink' before tossing the bottle of sujamma straight up...only for it to never touch the ground. Or even land in the bay."

"Why? Did the netch catch the bottle in its tentacles?" Cynder asked while I knew where the story was going. And I was grinning in anticipation.

"You'd think so, wouldn't you? But no. It turns out the bottle landed on top of the netch. And it managed to break on top of it. All that sujamma went oozing over it and I'm guessing the netch drank the stuff that flowed down over its mouth since it started to float...kind of titled. Like it was going on an angle. It started to quiver and before I knew it, that netch started spewing the foulest liquid to ever assail your nostrils. Now I've seen more than my fair share of drunks in this line of business. But I'll tell you right now, that retching netch was just sick. True story, friend. True story." Geldis explained while Cynder just cracked up into the heartiest laughter I had heard out of her ever. I too cracked up as I imagined that drunkard getting covered in the netch's vomit. Unlikely that it happened since Geldis would have surely mentioned it, but a ridiculous thought nonetheless.

"Oh wow... I guess netches just can't hold their liquor." Cynder wheezed before wiping a tear from her eyes. And not one of sorrow. I thought she was going to fall off her stool for a moment.

Geldis then said to us happily, "I guess that's one lesson to take away from it. You want an easy win to a drinking contest? Challenge a netch. Anyway, you two've had your fill for the night? I've got a fresh room ready in the usual spot. On your right, first door on the left."

"Yeah, I think we've had enough food and drink for the night. And thanks again for everything, Geldis... Whoa?" I replied before suddenly hearing a sound from my right. Cynder had tried to get down from the stool herself. And being in the intoxicated state she was, she flopped right down onto the stone floor. And she did not even try to get up. I looked down and asked, "Uh... You OK there?"

"James. Help. I think I'm stuck." Cynder grumbled with such an annoyed and defeated tone. I think she was just trying not to move in order to not make things worse for herself. If she tried to stand, goodness knows what would've happened.

Geldis had never seen a drunken beast in his own tavern and was cracking up pretty hard at Cynder making a fool of herself. With a roll of my eyes, I stood up from my seat and kneeled beside her to scoop my companion into my arms. "Fine. Come here, you silly lounge lizard."

"As long as you're not calling me a lesser wyrm..." Cynder let out an uneasy giggle. She really got slammed harder than expected. I know how my body works when it responds to alcohol and how to deal with it, but Cynder was a complete novice. I maintained a steady gait as I headed further into the cornerclub and past some giant barrel casks of some brew for patrons and nudged the first door on my left open.

It was another stone room with walls that curved inward to become the ceiling. And was comfortably furnished with sconces and a paper lantern providing ample lighting. A bookshelf was repurposed to hold a few bottles of Dunmer liquor on the left as well as a few ash yams for snacking. The far end of the room was more dimly lit than the rest, but I could see more ash yams atop a table there. Large and sturdy ceramic jars were set around the room that were definitely of Dunmer design. Even the bed shared the design aesthetics of much of the furniture in Raven Rock, being made of entertained branches. Everything on the bed itself was more in line with what Skyrim's simplest beds were like. Just a layer of straw covered in beast pelts. I was just glad I would not actually be sleeping there that night. Cynder lifted her head to look at the bed and sighed, "I already miss the beds from Riften."

"They make due with what they have out here, I guess." I muttered before setting Cynder down on the bed. It was only designed for one person, although we could probably share it regardless. I closed the door behind us while Cynder curled up on the beast pelts. One thing I happened to notice was a ceramic jug with a cloth towel hanging off the lid. A look inside revealed the contents to be water. And that was when I realized what it was. I took a seat on a stool, wetted down the towel, and went to work wiping all that volcanic ash off myself and jacket. It came off surprisingly easily, but I did not bother with my boots. Getting those wet and heading back out would cause ash to get caked on even harder. After giving the towel another good rinse once I was done, I looked over at Cynder and saw that she was not trying to sleep. She was just watching me the entire time. And then I had an idea. "Hey, lemme do something for you."

"Huh? Do what?" Cynder asked while not moving from that spot. She probably did not trust herself to remain steady once standing. I ringed out the towel and sat by her side before rubbing it over her wherever I saw bits of ash still clinging to her scales. Cynder soon let out a giggle once she realized what I was up to. "Ooh, that's nice. Don't miss a spot."

"This ash is worse than sand. At least sand doesn't stick to you while it's dry." I grumbled to myself as I went to work getting Cynder's smooth scaled body wiped clean. I started with her hands and feet before wiping her face clean. I also wiped along the underside of her tail since it surely dragged through the ash at times. Although Cynder did roll onto her back with her wings spread wide to grant me easy access to her rosy red underside. And in the flickering glow of the flames around the room, every part of her body I wiped with that wet towel shimmered with moisture. I took note of how shiny she appeared to be and said, "Huh. You really are my shimmering shadow right now."

"I am...? Oh! I didn't expect that." Cynder replied before she happened to look down at the scales lining her strong chest to see the light from the sconces dancing along the thin layer of moisture coating it. Even her tail swayed lazily to show her amusement.

More than just a little loosened up myself from so much strong drink, I gently ran my fingers under Cynder's jaw. Her eyes promptly closed before she let out a very please reptilian purr. She soon whispered through my touch, "So then... What now? Is it time to sleep?"

"I guess we could...but I don't want to. Not tired enough yet." I replied while feeling like only a few hours had passed at most since I found Cynder that night. At least in the dreamscape. Who could say how much longer I would remain asleep? I did not want to waste my time sleeping when I would get no benefit from it in the realm of reality. But Cynder was not dreaming. She was very much awake in that realm of a different reality. And I should not deny her sleep if she needed it. "What about you? Ready to close your eyes for a while?"

"Only if I'm in your arms." Cynder said softly with her hands reaching up at me. As if begging me to hold her. And I did. I scooped her up to bring her chest to mine, her head once again tucked under my jaw as she began to purr beautifully to me. Not like a feline, but like a very different beast.

She was just so lovely... I never expected Cynder and I to go through so much in only a matter of encounters together. I thought she would be just like all the rest. An imaginary entity summoned from my memories only to be encountered once and then cast aside once their roles had been fulfilled. But not her. She survived that encounter. And when she stepped away to process all that had been lost that night only to plead for me to remain at her side. And when that dream ended, it ended with us desperately clinging to each other as we plummeted into that white void.

Cynder could have drifted away and remained in slumbering stasis at the back of my mind for the rest of my life. But instead, she wandered in search of me while not even being entirely conscious. She found her way back to me like no one ever done. Because after that night, I was all she had. She was a dream. She did not even really exist... But she was still alive. And she definitely felt like it in my arms.

I was at a loss of what to say to the beautiful purring creature in my arms. That dragoness embodying a perfect threshold between woman and beautiful beast. Cautiously, I whispered to her. "What...do you want to do right now?"

My companion remained silent as her purring ceased. And despite her intoxication, she spoke while carefully letting her words emerge slowly. "I... I want... Things I...shouldn't say."

Those words could have meant many things. And I knew better than to press her on them. So I went silent and continued to cradle Cynder in my arms while she resumed her purring. She was just losing herself in my embrace. Until she stopped again. And she remained silent.

Cynder's stillness caught my attention. That purring was a sign of quiet joy and relaxation. For her to stop, what was on her mind? "Actually... There is one thing I want... Something I think I can say. If you don't mind me getting profound for a minute."

"Really? Then let's hear it." I asked while still keeping her cradled in my embrace. I was cautious, yet curious. It was best to just let Cynder speak without interruption.

The little dragoness in my arms sighed deeply. Most likely carefully considering her words in spite of her intoxication. Until she finally spoke with her brow resting against my chest. "From the moment I hatched, I belonged to Malefor. He had me bound in chains. Chains I couldn't see or break. And my own body was my cage. I was always his pawn. His tool..."

My hand slid gently down her back. To the base of her tail and between her wings and back again. Just trying to soothe my companion as she recalled the darkest era of her life. When she did continue to speak, her tone remained somber. "I was... Until the day you shattered those chains. But I had no home to return to. No place to belong. And I've been wandering ever since... Whenever you're not here to make me feel like I'm home..."

There was a tension in my heart. I could hear a budding optimism in Cynder's voice. And I feared that there was more than that. Wait... Perhaps fear is not the right word. But I still felt uneasy for reasons that were unknown to me at the time. And Cynder continued to speak with her hand rising to rest upon my chest, "I became Malefor's without any say in the matter. But...if I chose... If it was my choice to belong..."

My breath caught in my throat. And a part of me hoped what I heard next was not what I was expecting as Cynder whispered with a happier tone in her voice. "If I chose... There would be no chains to break. No cage to be freed from. No one could take me away. And if we were separated...I would just find my way back to you."

I finally found the will to speak. And I asked with caution, "What exactly are you saying?"

Cynder finally lifted her head with her hand remaining upon my padded chest. She gazed into my eyes with a look of uncertainty. As if even she was unsure if what she was about to say was a wise thing to say. But she gathered her courage...and spoke something truly beautiful. "I'm saying I want to be yours."

Powerful words. Words that could mean any number of things. I asked with hesitation, "And...what does that even mean?"

"I mean...I want to be yours. Not to be your property or your pet or...anything you own. But...to be yours. To belong to you in a way where no one can take me from you. I'm happy with you. And you... You make me happy to be alive." Cynder said with the slightest smile spreading across the edges of her lips. She then added with a whisper, "But please... Don't keep me in chains. Don't keep me caged. You won't need to. Because I'll always find my way back to you."

"I would never... I just want you to be free and happy. I don't believe in controlling someone like that..." I muttered with my hand resting over the reptilian hand upon my chest. I was hopeful Cynder would not say something too binding. Anything too dangerous to say that she may regret later. I have always been her dreamer. It would be reckless to become more than that.

"I know. And that's why I want to be yours. It's my choice. And I choose...to belong to you while still being able to soar free. And when I need to land, you will always be the mountain I rest upon." Cynder said in such a flowery fashion. She is not normally so poetic in her choice of words. And it got me wondering. Was that her heart speaking? Or was it just the hard drink in her system?

I started to ponder the true motivations in those words. I then asked almost playfully, "Have you always had such a poet in you? Or is that the liquor talking?"

"Peh... I don't know. Maybe being around my warrior poet so much made you rub off on me somehow." Cynder said with such a cheeky grin on her face.

I rolled my eyes and turned my gaze elsewhere. Cynder was definitely loosened up by all that sujamma. "Cynder, come on. You know I'm only Ember's warrior poet. Even if I don't have a gift for poetry anyway..."

"I know, I know..." Cynder snickered before me. Only to once again send a shiver down my spine when she once again tucked her head under my jaw. An indecent show of affection of her species. And on her breath was a tender whisper. "But I will always be your shimmering shadow. Always following your footsteps. The shadow you cast will always be me. A shadow that will never leave you... If you would have me."

Those were not merely profound words. They oozed with a sincere beauty to them. And my heart was torn. Was Cynder just struggling to restrain herself? She wanted to be mine...but I knew she was someone I could not have. Not when there was an unbreakable barrier separating our two planes of reality.

And yet... A piece of my heart dared me to not say no.

I pondered those words carefully. There was more than just devotion in them. There was love. A barely concealed love. I was certain of Cynder's intentions by then. Our encounters had been few. But they were always wondrous. Quality over quantity. But I had to test those words. With my hand resting between her wings, I closed my eyes and whispered back to the beautiful creature in my embrace. "If you become mine... Will I also be yours?"

"I..." Cynder muttered as she pulled her head away to gaze into my eyes with hers filled with such shock. She did not ever consider such a dynamic. She had always looked up at me. Perhaps she was too accustomed to being the subordinate to those of greater stature than her. Her existence was built around being smaller than those who were important to her. She finally asked with a whisper, "You would...give me something so precious?"

"If you will be mine... Then I'll have to be yours. I don't want to be your superior. Always above you. I don't want that kind of distance between us. But is that something you want?" I asked with sincerity. I was unsure of where anything was going anymore. Cynder only became more of an anomaly with every encounter we had. Unpredictable. Always becoming more than she should have been. What a confounding yet beautiful will to live.

"Nothing...would make me happier. So...please..." Cynder whimpered as her eyes glistened. Followed by fresh tears beginning to trickle down that beautiful face. She quivered before resting her brow against my chest. Her voice breaking as she began to understand my offer. "Please... Be mine. So I'll never lose you again..."

I too felt the warmth of tears at the edge of my eyes while my arms cradled that beautiful creature against my padded body. Cynder whimpered and wept in my arms. Her emotions were infectious. I could not contain my own tears. I inhaled sharply as I rested my hand on the back of her head. And I spoke with a whisper. "Mine."

"Yours..." Cynder whimpered without resistance. Only for her to rest her hand upon my chest. As her whimpering ceased, she then spread her glorious wings and wrapped them around me. All while whispering with a more joyous yet weary tone. "Mine."

"Yours." I replied in kind. I accepted Cynder's desire. I was hers and she was mine. Bound without chains. Dream and dreamer. But would a day come where the dream would awaken in the arms of her dreamer? And as her emotions stabilized and her tears ceased flowing, I felt Cynder beginning to dream as well. Her emotions and the sujamma in her had tired her out enough to pass out for a nap. As much as I did not want my own dream to end with Cynder asleep, it would be selfish of me to awaken her. I gently set my friend down on the bed in a comfortable position and quietly saw myself out. She had been through a lot in just a few hours.

The tavern had gone quiet by then. Every patron who had been present had gone home for the night. With little more that the distant popping and crackling of a fireplace upstairs filling the aid, I stepped over to the bar to find Geldis wiping down the bar for the night. It was probably about time for him to turn in for the night as well. But he still looked willing to provide me with more drink if I asked. "Back for more, friend? I just closed for the night. But for you, name it and you got it."

"It's appreciated, Geldis. How about something light? Maybe some of that matze you mentioned." I replied while pulling up a seat at the bar one last time. Geldis promptly fetched me a tankard and filled it from one of those massive casks in the back. It certainly looked and smelled like a beer. Foamy and crisp. And quick swig did confirm that matze is definitely a type of beer. Pleasantly cool too, although not as frigid as I would have liked. "Yep, that's a beer. Sometimes all you need is a cold one."

Geldis resumed setting the bar down for the night. Gathering up used dishes and drinkware left behind by other patrons. He then pulled up a seat beside me with a tankard of matze for himself before taking a big swig of his own. He looked at me and asked, "I take it your little friend had an easier time getting to sleep than you?"

"Yeah, that sujamma knocked her out good. I doubt she'll be waking up again until morning." I retorted before noticing the faint odor burned wooden and other materials on the air. Even though the door to the room in the back had been closed, it could not completely keep the smell of smoke from leaking out. I glanced at Geldis and said, "Hey, uh... Sorry about Cynder making a mess of that guestroom."

Geldis snorted with a smirk on his lips. "Think nothing of it, friend. Having to replace some furniture is a small price to pay for finally being rid of that lowlife. Don't worry about it. Besides, now that Mogrul's gone, I don't really have a use for that room for the time being."

The local bartender was certainly a good friend and a reasonable man. We even clinked our tankards together for a round of cheers to celebrate Raven Rock finally being rid of an obnoxious parasite. But Geldis then looked at me and asked, "If you don't mind me asking, what's the story behind your friend there? I've seen a lot in my time, but never have I seen anything like her. She's no cliff racer, that's for sure. I'd say she almost looks like a dragon, but...not like the dragons that used to run Tamriel."

With Cynder not around to object, I was willing to tell at least a little of what I could about her. "It's...complicated. She is a dragon, but...not like the ones the legends speak of. I think she's called a lesser wyrm for...obvious reasons. Just don't call her that to her face. She takes offense to not being a 'greater' wyrm."

A good chuckle came from Geldis while he only barely stopped himself from taking a drink. He would've spewed some of that if he did. "Lesser wyrm, eh? I can see why. But...there's something strange about her, you know? I served plenty of customers of many species. Men, elves, even the beastfolk of Elsweyr and Black Marsh. But...she's an actual beast. On all fours and everything. But she...talks? Like she has the voice of a young lady? I guess all dragons are creatures anyone can have a conversation with?"

"She's definitely more woman than beast. At least in mind. Although I think she's right at that perfect threshold. Not too much of a woman and not too beastly. It's a...very special quality of hers. And I wouldn't change anything about her." I replied while knowing Cynder would even be quite the anomaly in Equestria. Only the largest and greediest dragons of that world take on more beastly forms to fit such lifestyles. Most of Equestria's dragons lean closer to being more...hominid than beastly.

Geldis then chugged the rest of his drink before looking at me with his arms crossed over the counter. "Whatever she is, I say she fits the role of a guard dog well. She keeps you safe, even from scum like Mogrul. You must've done something really special for her to be that stubbornly protective of you."

I looked at Geldis and spoke truthfully. "I gave her a life worth living. She's free now. And she's happy. That's all there is to it."

"Some things really are just that simple, aren't they? Anyway, I'd say I'm done for the night. Don't go making a mess of the place before morning, all right? Make yourself at home and I'll see you again next time you need to sate that thirst." Geldis finally said before he stood up and went behind the counter to retrieve the platinum bands I had given him. He was not taking chances of any thieves sneaking in and pilfering them. He then headed back over to where Mogrul's smoldering corpse was locked inside. He went beyond that door and rounded the corner to disappear from sight before I heard another door close. It seemed The Retching Netch was also his own home with his personal residence in the further chamber.

I was alone. And I went to help myself to another helping of matze from that cask. Geldis would not mind, but I should probably not make a habit of that in the future. At least should I never return to Solstheim in the depths of my dreams. But while I took a seat at a small corner table instead to just sit and drink, I hoped that I would not be returning to the world of Nirn anytime soon. If ever. At least not with Cynder. It was a world where she could easily end up becoming a fugitive with a massive bounty on her head. She was unfettered when it came to those who sought to spill the blood of those who are dear to her. It did not matter if they were a mere street thug or a corrupt tyrant on a throne. If anyone ever conspired to end me, she would not rest until she had cut their throats out. And she would absolutely find a way to succeed. I sighed in resignation, "Cynder would make for a fine assassin if she ever tried to be one. I hope she doesn't have it in her to consider that line of work..."

I tried speaking to no one in particular. Calling out the names of the three royals linked to the night. Nightmare Moon. Then Luna. And finally their dear father. Not one of them responded to me. I was truly alone with only Cynder's presence forcing my dreaming mind to be lucid. And now she was asleep for the night. How much longer before my dream would end and we would have to say farewell?

I wanted to rouse Cynder from her slumber. But I knew I should not. But then I had an idea. I was not entirely without a companion. Durnehviir. He had surely been dragged back into the Soul Cairn by then. All I had to do was shout his name and he would appear before me. But only if I was in a location that was not so...confined. Trying to summon a dragon of his size indoors would simply not work. And it if did... It would leave quite the mess behind with him being squeezed into the tight confines of the tavern. Geldis would be furious with me for that. With my drink finished, I started to make my way back over to the stairs leading up to the entrance. Only to freeze at a sound. An opening door somewhere in the building. Had Geldis come back out to check on something? Or... "Cynder?"

I turned around and saw my friend come trotting my way with a brisk pace. Her eyes were wide to give her the look of having been startled. But she still spoke up with a less startled voice, "Hey! Uh... Going anywhere?"

With how exhausted she had been on top of being almost drunk wearing her out further, I was surprised Cynder was already back on her feet while looking very awake. I asked, "What's up? Can't sleep somehow?"

The answer I got was sillier than I expected. "I was... But then I woke up a bit. And before I could fall back to sleep, I saw something high on the wall in front of the bed... A bear's head. And the bear looks like it wants to eat me. I...uh...couldn't go back to sleep after seeing that."

How did I overlook that? I went back over to the door leading to our room and yes, there was indeed a very large bear head stuffed and mounted on the wall right atop the bookcase in front of the bed. Its jaws were open while the face was frozen in a state of fury. Anyone who woke up in bed would be instantly greeted by the face of a wild bear ready to pounce on them. I winced and even laughed at just how awful such placement of something so menacing was for a bedroom. "Oh my god... Where did Geldis get the idea of having THAT being the first thing someone sees when they wake up? It's sure to get you awake and alert pretty quick."

"Yeah, I guess. But now I don't want to go back to sleep with...that thing watching me. Can we go outside for a bit? Get some air? Clear my head?" Cynder asked while tugging on my pants. Not that I blamed her. With no idea of how effective the ventilation was in The Retching Netch, clear air would be best for us after a night of drinking. I led Cynder up the stairs to the front door while hoping there was no ash storm blowing through town.

We were lucky. The air was clear for the moment. The pillar of ash rising from the Red Mountain far across the sea was not being blown towards Solstheim at the time. It was quiet too aside from the sound of gentle ocean waves washing over the docks nearby. Only a handful of guards clad in their iconic bone armor were present on the ashen streets. I led Cynder to the left as a tall stone wall reached high above us. Only for us to reach a flight of stairs leading up between the walls. Hoping that there would be less ash to walk through atop a manmade structure, I led my companion up.

Another solid stone dwelling that matched the architecture of The Retching Netch stood before us. The immediate area around the entrance was mostly devoid of ash, giving me the impression it had been recently swept away. It was a place of importance. But I then noticed that Cynder had stopped. I looked back to find her at the top of the stairs with her eyes wide in alarm. I asked softly, "Something wrong?"

Cynder breathed slow and cautiously. She could sense something I could not. "In there... Something...feels wrong. Dark... Twisted... What is this place?"

"It's...a temple. Where the Dunmer of Raven Rock come to worship." I replied while not surprised Cynder was able to sense something foul within. I looked back at the temple and said, "And many Dunmer don't worship the Aedra like at the Temple of Mara. They lean more towards...Daedric deities."

"Daedric... Didn't you say...they're dark gods? Evil entities? Why then? The Dunmer of this place seem like perfectly fine people. Why would they follow the scriptures of evil gods?" Cynder asked with utter disbelief in her eyes. It was inconceivable to one who had been a thrall to dark master that could have been seen as godlike among his kind.

"I don't get it myself. I really don't. I guess the Dunmer people re just...out of place among the rest of the elven races. Morrowind is a strange and alien realm that fuels strange and alien beliefs, I guess..." I retorted while not really being able to understand the mindsets of many Dunmer. Dark Elves, they had always been called. Perhaps they just took that moniker and ran with it. An act of rebellion against Tamriel's societal customs? Maybe the true answer had been lost to time.

Cynder stepped up beside me, eyes narrowed in confused thought. Pondering the purpose of such beliefs. Although I then said, "But to be fair, the Dunmer are very picky over which Daedra they worship. And not all of the Daedra are made equal. Some are absolutely vile with no redeeming qualities. Vaermina, Molag Bal, Namira, Clavicus Vile... Some are more...ambiguous in their machinations. Hircine, Nocturnal, Sheogorath... And there are a select few that could even be seen as honorable deities. Meridia and Malacath come to mind. But in general... It's wise to not get too devoted to Daedric practices. No one makes a deal with the devil and doesn't face some kind of consequence for it."

"Then I want nothing to do with this place. I'm not going in there. I don't want anything whispering twisted temptations to me. I'm not going down that path again..." Cynder replied before staggering to her left. She was not quite free of her intoxication just yet. And there was a place for us to rest over there as well. An open space was present atop the wall that included a round small garden of sorts. But it contained no vibrant flowers. Only flora that could endure the conditions of an ashen wasteland. Large red leaves that bore a resemblance to aloe vera leaves and sturdy twisting wooden vines were all that were present. Cynder took one look at the sad excuse of a garden and spoke through a sigh. "This place makes me sad... I want to see a brighter world than this."

I began to approach the side of that round stone garden nearest the wall's top to take a seat. The clouds had cleared above to grant the two of us an unobstructed view of the aurora borealis. A reminder than we were closer to Skyrim than Morrowind. And yet the sky was still strangely bright in a manner than resembled light pollution. Something I am sure is only possible in places with heavy volcanic activity messing with the sky. Cynder rested beside me upon the stone bench of sorts and sighed in disappointment. "Even the sky doesn't look right. It's supposed to be dark with only the auroras lighting it up."

As someone who is familiar with light pollution during my time on Earth, I understood Cynder's displeasure. The brighter sky makes sleep more difficult to achieve when exposed to it. I rested my hand on Cynder's head and stroked it as if she were a large pet. At least we had each other. If only for a moment. But that was when I felt that familiar sensation again. An indescribable tremor that ran through the world around us. Not like that of an earthquake. More like one that caused the very fabric of reality to waver. It was almost time.

I looked down at Cynder as she gazed up at the auroras above. It was almost time for me to awaken. And there was no one watching over us who I could ask to prolong my slumber. Cynder and I were about to be pried apart once again. But I could not tell her. Not yet. Maybe not ever. But as it dawned on me that our time together was short, I remembered another unfortunate dragon bound in unseen chains. One we had spoken to that night. While I would gain nothing from it, I decided to grant my cursed friend one last act of kindness while I still could. I breathed deep to ready my lungs as I said, "Excuse me for a moment, Cynder. Dur...NEHVIIR!"

In a flash of cursed purple flames, that putrid dragon materialized before us. And our nostrils were once again assailed by the stench of his perpetually rotting body. While Cynder and I recoiled from that odor, I heard the calls of the Redoran Guards nearby as they gathered around with swords and bows drawn. Durnehviir, his massive body perched on the edge of the wall before us, lifted his head to call out to those around us. "Stay your weapons, mortals! I am not your enemy! I have merely answered the call of the Qahnaarin!"

While I could not see most of the guards around us, they still watched in caution with weapons drawn. Durnehviir then lowered his head to look at me with slime oozing from the edges of his great maw. "Now then... Why have you summoned me once more? The air is still. I sense no danger around us."

Cynder gagged from the stench of our companion while I tried in vain to fan the odor away from my face. But I still managed to get a statement out. "Ugh... I just... I wanted to give you some more time to soar free again. Nothing more. Just go. Enjoy yourself. You deserve it."

I could see the edges of Durnehviir's reptilian lips curve upward to display a delighted smile. At least as much of a smile his anatomy would permit. "Ah, you done me another kindness, Fahdon. Then soar I shall. Be safe. Both of you."

Durnehviir flapped his great wings while unfortunately propelling the stench coming off his body down all over Raven Rock. The many Redoran Guards coughed and gagged through their helmets as they were fully exposed to the cursed dragon's decay. The odor thankfully aired out quickly once he was high above and flying away. Much to everyone's relief. Cynder coughed after hold her breath and said, "What a sad existence he lives... If nothing else, I really hope someone can at least fix that part of him."

"We can only hope." I muttered while knowing I may very well never see Durnehviir again after that night. Cynder and I continued to savor our time under the bright night sky. But in a matter of minutes, I could no longer see the northeastern landmass of Skyrim's bordered across the sea. Because a great white wall was beginning to consume everything on the horizon.

I sighed in disappointment. I knew I would have to say goodbye to my friend. At least for a time. But as that white void began to gradually close in from all directions, I was greeted by an unexpected sight. Durnehviir came swooping back into view as he headed towards that wall of white. Could he see it? Was he merely trying to see how far he could fly before he was dragged back into the Soul Cairn? Whatever the case, the distant form of the cursed dragon drew ever closer to that approaching void. Until...he disappeared into it.

I tried to not think much of it. I was certain that anything and anyone consumed by the void of white would simply enter a stasis in the back of my mind. Until Cynder said something unexpected. "He's...gone. Into all that white.

She could see it. Cynder was aware enough to see that approaching void. And I instantly glanced down at her while she looked up at me with a gaze of concern. "It's coming again... Why? What is that white?"

It would seem that as Cynder and I encountered each other more and more, she would become increasingly aware of phenomena only a dreamer is supposed to be able to detect. I had to choose my words carefully. Anything to keep her from knowing what she must never know. I gazed out over the sea as it was consumed by the void, "This world...is about to reject us. It's time to leave."

"Oh... I think I'm all right with that. I don't want to come back to Solstheim again. And Skyrim won't accept me if they ever find out about what happened in Riften." Cynder said with acceptance. I rested my hand on her back while hoping she would not pursue the topic further. Until she looked up at me inquisitively. "But then... Where are we going next?"

"I...don't know. I think I'm just going home for now." I replied in hopes that Cynder would not ask to many more questions.

Much to my dismay, Cynder then spoke with a noticeable smile. "Then take me with you. Let's go home together. I'm yours now. Let me see the world that you call home. Please."

Perhaps it was because of my own moderate intoxication, but those words opened up a fresh wound in my heart. She did not know. She could not have known she was asking for the impossible. But I could not put that desire down. And I could not ignore my heart. I gently pulled my little friend into my arms and whispered a plea that I knew would not be honored. "Stay with me..."

"Shhh... I'm not letting go. I'm with you." Cynder whispered as she held onto me. Those beautiful rosy wings wrapped around me as we both closed our eyes. I hoped. I prayed. My heart desperately wanted that wish to come true that night. And as I felt that wall of awakening overtaking us, I heard Cynder whisper to me one last time. "Take me home, James. To where I belong."

But I did not. Because I could not. At least not on my own power. With no one to witness what we had gone through that night, my eyes opened. And I despaired. Cynder was gone. The only one in my company was Novo. And for the first time ever, the presence of my beloved queen did nothing to soothe my aching heart.

I held my arms out while reaching for the ceiling of the master bedroom of the Ivory Palace. Waiting for an embrace that would never come. She was right there in my arms yet again. And no matter how tightly I held on, she was pried out of my grasp yet again. I brought a palm to my head. Cynder was in there somewhere. Drifting aimlessly on the whims of my subconscious. A dream who was now dreaming in her own slumber.

Why was I so distraught? Even now, I do not understand. But I was not alone in my angst for long. A hand rested on my chest. And I turned to look as Novo gazed at me with eyes filled with concern. "What's wrong, honey? Bad dream?"

There was no need to lie to Novo. Not when she had already met Cynder once before. "I saw her again... You remember Cynder?"

"Cynder? Sounds like a dragon's name... Oh right! Her! That pretty little thing we had some tea with. Did you two have a good time together?" Novo replied with her eyes widening happily. She did leave quite the impression on that little dream dragoness.

"We did... Until we had to say goodbye. I...don't know why I miss her so much." I muttered while still gazing aimlessly at the ceiling. I was so madly in love with Novo, but all I could think about was that precious creature who had been tightly held in my arms mere minutes ago. I knew Novo had questions. And I told her all I could. "I... I'm not ready to tell you more about her, Novo. I don't know how at this time..."

"I understand, baby. You tell me all you want about your little friend when you're ready. But since it looks like daddy woke up unhappy, mama's gonna go ahead and put together something special to get your day started. I'll see you in a bit, all right?" Novo replied before placing a kiss right between my eyes. She did not even bother taking a morning shower. She was focused on making sure I started my day right.

I sat up in bed while all alone for a while longer. And all I could do was hope that the moment of truth was not too far off by then. Just a little longer... I have faith in Luna and Nightmare Moon. If anyone can find a way to bridge the gap between dreams and reality, it is them. Cynder just gets happier every time we meet. She deserves to be happy. She deserves...to exist.

Only time will tell if that dream ever comes true. But until then, I had a full day to myself on Capricorn Island. It was time to enjoy myself while I had the opportunity.