Stonefalls: Balreth

“So, Shalidor, eh?” Ket questioned as she, Makayla, and Respite left the Dwemer cavern for the ash-streaked sky of Stonefalls.

“The Guild will want to hear about this,” Makayla confirmed, tucking the tome they’d found into her pack.

“Want to hear about what?” Alana asked as her group came into sight.

“Aren’t you supposed to be checking out those ruins?” Respite asked of his fellow Bosmer. Bakki shrugged and looked at the other two.

“We needed to get directions first,” he teased. “Apparently the local Dunmer didn’t remember where it was. But our friends at the Mages’ Guild were happy to show us a few maps that had its location.”

“We’re on our way now,” Alana continued. “And I guess you took a detour before Othenris?” The healer reached out and ran her hand along Fearsome’s back, eliciting a trill from the creature. She was very glad to have her traveling companion back at her side, even if she was no longer alone.

“There were rumors of a magical tome in these ruins, so we decided to check that out first. After all, knowledge is our first pursuit,” the Imperial mage reminded them.

“I just wish these books weren’t always in forgotten crypts or old ruins,” Ket said with a heavy sigh.

“Then where should they be?” Greyson wondered.

“On a bookshelf in a library with a cozy fireplace?” the other templar offered.

“Well, that’s where it’s heading back to,” Makayla reminded her. “So I guess this is where-” Her words were cut off by another voice.

“Bring forth the blood sacrifice! When Coldharbour calls, Nirn obeys.” Everyone froze for a moment, eyes darting around to try and see where the voice had come from. Bakki immediately faded into the shadows, and Respite drew his bow and sniffed at the air. He stalked over to a rocky outcrop, peering over for a moment before flattening himself nearly to the ground. With a quick gesture for the others to follow, he again dared to raise his head over the rocks. Makayla and Greyson drew their swords, while Ketatiera and Alana got their staffs ready. Fearsome growled softly, tail swishing madly behind him. The group looked out over a small, flat section of the mountain slope, and there saw a small crowd of robed individuals gathered around an ornate altar. Sigils and symbols of summoning had been carved into stonework laid in the ground, and what appeared to be a well rose up from the center of the circle. A figure in rags was hovering over the well, held in place by powerful magick. As they watched, the lead robed figure stepped forward, motes of magick dancing over her fingers.

“God of Schemes, we offer this victim to honor you. Through the power of innocent blood, bring forth your Anchor, and let two worlds become one. Bind this world with your chains, and draw it ever closer to your realm.” As she spoke, the sky overhead darkened, clouds swirling together. And then a piercing beam of light shot from the sky, obliterating the suspended person. Alana and Ket threw their hands over their mouths to stifle screams, and Makayla closed her eyes and looked away. Greyson’s teeth ground in anger as his grip tightened on his weapons.

“Eyes up, people,” Respite chastised, voice barely above a whisper. They all looked up once more to see a circular ring spinning above the place. A moment later, three chains launched from the center to latch onto the well. As they impacted, pain lanced through all their chests, reminiscent of their hearts being impaled. The cultists began cheering, and the Sept members all looked at one another. What was happening?
* * *

Tyrna and Caidiana stumbled from the cavern where they’d met with the projection of The Prophet. He’d told them the place would be called The Harborage, and when he came there physically, it would be a safe haven for all of them. He’d taken the women on a journey into his mind, and the Imperial was still reeling from the visions. At first she’d been happy that she remembered something from her past: She knew Sai Sahan. How exactly, she wasn’t sure, but she knew that he had been the Redguard who had addressed her… Squad? Legion? Most everything was still a blur, but one thing was certain: Mannimarco and his Worm Cult had to die. “So… You have a splitting headache still?” the Breton inquired, massaging her temples.

“A headache and a need to kill that Altmer.”

“Guess that hit close to home? Seeing your Emperor get laid low by deceit?”

“That would have been the only way to catch him off-guard. Emperor Varen was a battle-hardened commander. But he trusted that High Elf, and look where it got us.”

“Yeah, fighting a battle halfway across the continent for people who would sooner kill us than accept our help normally.” Tyrna sighed and laid a reassuring hand on her Sept-mate’s shoulder.

“We’ll get everyone home, I promise.”

“It’s not like I really want to go back,” the blonde protested. “I mean, my parents were a little upset with me last time I checked.”

“What for?” Caidiana put a hand behind her head and kicked at the ground.

“Oh you know… Refusing to get married. …Fifty or so times.” The Imperial blinked and was about to ask for details, when a searing light near the base of the mountain caught their attention. The light seemed to be coming from a circular ring in the sky, and as they watched, chains struck down from it. Pain knifed through their chests, and both of them stumbled, holding onto each other for support.

“Great Akatosh! That’s one of those Dark Anchors! We’ll talk about marriages later.” Tyrna grabbed the other woman and started running, not knowing exactly what they would find when they reached the Anchor. However, she didn’t expect to see some of the others crouched behind a few boulders, watching in disgust. “Why are you standing around?” she demanded.

“Because we were trying to figure out what we’re up against,” Makayla answered.

“Greyson, report!” The soldier snapped a quick, automatic salute as he turned towards his current commander.

“Five members of the Worm Cult, ma’am. Three sorcerers and two heavy guards.” Tyrna nodded and drew her weapons, Caidiana doing the same.

“That portal leads to Coldharbour. Molag Bal is trying to pull this world into his realm. The old man showed us this in a little vision.”

“Good enough for me,” Respite said as he stood up and took aim. He fired at one of the sorcerers, and saw Bakki step from the shadows to knife another in the back. Makayla blasted the last with lightning while Tyrna and Greyson engaged the guards. The fight was over relatively quickly, and Caidiana kicked at one of the cultists.

“That’s it? Wow, clearing these things is going to be-” One of the summoning sigils near her began lighting up, and Fearsome charged for it. Another Clannfear emerged from a cloud of smoke and light, and the two Daedra engaged. But then more sigils began lighting up, and Daedra began dropping down from the rift in lightning bolts.

“It’s raining Daedra!” Ket shouted, bringing up her staff.

“These things can do that?!” Alana echoed as Greyson took up a defensive stance in front of her.

“The Prophet didn’t show us this!” Caidiana explained, leaping from target to target along with Bakki.

“Remind me to take that up with him next time!” Tyrna shot back, smacking a Clannfear in the face and then running it through.

“Just don’t hurt Fearsome!” the Breton healer warned.

“You need a collar for it, then!” Respite suggested, firing as fast as he could load.

“Just keep at it!” Makayla called, lightning swirling around her. Summon after summon, Daedra after Daedra, it seemed to be without end. At one point, the Imperial mage spotted a glowing pinion, and raced over to touch it. As she did so, one of the giant chains rattled, and the pinion disappeared. “Get the chains loose! Touch the pinions when they light up!” Three times more they did that, and then a voice reached their ears that sent shivers up and down their spines:

“Destroy this Anchor, and scores more will take its place.” A large bolt struck the ground, and from it uncurled a Flesh Atronach, which took a few bounding steps towards the group. Tyrna dashed forward, calling on her abilities to lock it in place as three curved spears of rock thrust out of the ground.

“Kill it!” she commanded, hacking into the creature. Greyson, Caidiana, and Bakki joined her, while Makayla and Alana rained lightning on it. Ket launched a spear of golden radiance at it as well, and the thing dissolved in a pile of rotten flesh. A fifth pinion rose up from the step leading up to the well, and Tyrna placed her hand on it.

“Enjoy your fleeting victory, insects,” the Prince of Destruction sneered as the chains pulled up and back into the ring. It spun a few times before disappearing with a sky-splitting clap of thunder. Then the clouds parted, and sunlight once against filtered down on the group. Everyone took a deep breath, and the healers quickly checked them over for injuries. Ket grinned at Makayla for a moment.

“It’s going to be one of those days,” she teased.

“It’s going to be a lot longer than that,” the blonde retorted, sheathing her sword. “Well, we have a crypt to visit, some of you have ruins to check out, and the rest have jobs to do. See you at Ash Mountain when we have answers.” Then everyone parted ways, leaving the Anchor site in peace once more.
* * *

Othenris. Ket wasn’t certain what the name translated to in Dunmeri, but she was betting it was something similar to “creepy place full of walking dead”. How were they going to find one spirit amid all of this? “’Kayla?”

“Yeees?” The blonde took her hand and grinned. She was trying to diffuse Ket’s fear, and the templar appreciated it.

“Where do we start looking?”

“I say we take that Argonian’s advice and look for the largest, gaudiest tomb here.” Ah yes, Garyn’s friend that had not wanted to set foot inside Othenris for fear the Dark Elf dead would devour his soul. He’d had the right idea.

“And how do you tell?” Respite wondered, bow out as his eyes slid across the structures. “These all look gaudy to me.”

“How do Bosmer bury their dead?” Ket asked, frowning a bit as she was forced to agree about the tombs they were passing.

“Out in the wood, where they can feed the trees. Most of you have graveyards you visit, but we have the whole forest.”

“Interesting,” Makayla noted, her own eyes flitting over the various texts carved on the tombs. “No, not the right family. No, not the right time frame…” she would whisper every so often.

“You can read all that?” the mage turned to the templar.

“I had to study a few dead languages at the Tower, remember? A lot of these inscriptions are in Chimer.”

“Chimer?”

“What the Dunmer used to be called,” Respite answered. Then he looked back at the blonde. “What tower?”

“…Mages’ Tower in Cyrodiil,” came the delayed response. The archer’s eyes widened as he quickly looked her up and down.

“Oh, you’re that Makayla.” His comment caught the women off-guard.

“Wait, what?” Respite waved Ket’s concern away.

“Not important right now. Let’s find Mavos’ tomb, get the information, and go.”

“I agree. This place gives me the creeps.” Ket kept a tight grip on her staff as they continued to walk. Finally, the trio beheld a grand tomb: Flames burned along an ornate staircase, relief carvings covering almost every inch of stone. At the top of the stairs stood a large obsidian urn, gold and precious gems laid in arcane patterns across it. Makayla pointed at a bronze plaque with writing.

“Mavos Siloreth, Grand Magus and sealer of Balreth: younger Brother of Strife. May he be blessed for all time.”

“Thank Y’ffre,” Respite whispered. “So how do we talk to him?”

“Petition his spirit,” Ket replied, bowing her head and getting down on one knee. If there was anything she had learned from her time in the Imperial City, it was how to appeal to the vanity of nobles. She was betting Chimer nobles were no different. “Grand Magus Mavos, hear our plea! Balreth has been once more loosed on this region, and we require your aid to stop him!”

“Do you now?” a rich tenor voice inquired as a form shimmered into view by the urn. “And who are you to request such help?”

“Members of the Sept of Undying Spirit,” Makayla answered. “We were defending Davon’s Watch when Tanval Indoril summoned Balreth.”

“And lost control of it,” the Chimer stated, shaking his head in disgust.

“See, he already knows!” the Wood Elf quipped.

“I know because that is the only logical conclusion!” Mavos snapped. “No one person can hope to control either Brother. They are fools to think otherwise, especially when even those who created Balreth and Sadal could not bring them to heel. I put guardians in place to prevent a disaster like this. Where are they?”

“Guardians?” the Imperial mage wondered. This was the first time she was hearing about this, and her opinion of the Indorils was dropping fast.

“Yes, Ragebinder and Blaze. Flame Atronachs who keep Balreth… Pacified.”

“He must’ve dismissed them.” Now Makayla’s mind was turning in different directions. But all she could think of was that the Sept had just as much responsibility for Balreth getting loose as Tanval. Why hadn’t Tyrna listened to them?

“Makayla, what are we going to do?” Ket asked, tugging on her sleeve.

“Can the Atronachs be re-summoned?” Mavos locked eyes with the blonde, anger slowly giving way to something else.

“Yes, though I have… Forgotten the exact summoning ritual.”

“Forgotten?”

“It has been many centuries, little Imperial! You come back from the aether after as long as I have and tell me you can remember everything in detail!”

“Is there a way to jog your memory?” Ket questioned once his tirade was over.

“…Perhaps. I require two foci though, and they are elsewhere in the complex. A skull and candle, both clearly marked with my sigil. Once I have them, I will allow you into my memories. There, you will find the answers you seek.” The three looked at each other and sighed.

“Great, a scavenger hunt.”

“Let’s just get this over, Respite. Then we can meet up with the others,” Makayla said as they turned from the stairs and trekked even further into Othenris.
* * *

The ruins that greeted the trio seemed to be no different that any others that dotted the region: Large stone platforms with a pillar at each corner, as though there had once been a roof over each one. Stairs wound through the complex, though some had been chipped or broken over the many years since their construction. “This place feels so odd,” Alana whispered, clutching her staff to her chest. Fearsome stayed next to her, sniffing the air and keeping a wary eye on a few Scamps further in the ruins. Greyson was on the healer’s other side, shield up and sword held in a loose grip. He wasn’t sure which was more unsettling: The Daedra or the atmosphere.

“Evil was done here,” Bakki’s soft voice told them. The Bosmer ghosted behind them, ducking in and out of the shadows. His daggers were firmly in his hands, and his facemask allowed only his large, dark eyes to show.

“A grand undertaking of magick was done here!” a new voice chastised. “Good and evil are paltry words that mortals use to quantify things.” The group turned to see a Dark Elf standing a bit down a path, eyeing them with interest. He was dressed in the traditional robes a scholar from the Mages’ Guild, and Alana walked up to him.

“Who are you, if I may ask?”

“You may indeed,” he answered with a nod. “I am Vunal of House Telvanni.”

“Then you’re the man we’re looking for,” Greyson told him. “We heard you know the history of the Brothers of Strife.” Vunal grimaced for a moment, and then gestured to where the Scamps were bounding around.

“Yes, and no. I know this is where they were created, but I do not know exactly how that was done. However, I have devised a ritual to allow a glimpse into the past. Only, I can’t do it alone. If you help me, you will witness history first hand.”

“What do you need?” Alana wondered.

“Objects called Heartstones that were used in the original ritual that created the Brothers. They are scattered throughout the complex, though I only require four.”

“What stopped you from retrieving them already?” Vunal looked up at Greyson and shrugged, managing to look slightly embarrassed.

“I’m a scholar, not a warrior. The Scamps would’ve roasted me alive.”

“Typical noble,” Bakki whispered, shaking his head in disgust.

“So we get you these stones, you perform the ritual, and we hopefully see what we need to know?” Alana had been hoping for an easy first assignment, and taking out Scamps qualified, especially with three of them plus Fearsome.

“You have the gist of it,” Vunal agreed.

“We’ll be back shortly,” Greyson vowed, heading off for the ruins. Bakki was already gone, and he guessed the Bosmer was ahead and waiting for them to attack. Finding the stones was easy enough, as they radiated both intense heat and magick that Alana could pick up on. The Scamps guarding the stones made the work a touch harder, but not for the three of them. In less than an hour they had the four stones, and returned to Vunal, who waved them into a cave.

“I’ve set up the area in here, as it will offer me shelter from any curious Daedra until your minds return to the present,” he explained.

“You’re sure this will work?” The Dunmer sniffed and nodded curtly at the Wood Elf. Behind his mask, Bakki’s lip curled into a sneer. He’d like nothing more than to bury his daggers in the haughty mer’s back, but they did need him alive for now. That, and he was pretty certain neither Alana nor Greyson would understand his reasoning. Vunal arranged the Heartstones and bade them step into the circle. “Now then, you will merely be watching the events that led to the Brothers’ creation. No one in the past will be able to hear or see you, so feel free to go wherever the action is.” The spell started, and all of them blacked out for a moment. When the trio opened their eyes, they were still in the cave, but it was now filled with Chimer soldiers. Their forms appeared the same, but people were passing through them as if they weren’t there. Alana looked around and realized that Fearsome was not present, and she frowned a bit. Suddenly, someone who looked like they were in charge headed for a group of soldiers near them.

“You, soldier, report!” a commander snapped, forcing Greyson to remember that it wasn’t him she was speaking to.

“The Nedes are beginning to break through our lines,” the other Chimer answered. “Are General Balreth and Legate Sadal still all right?”

“They are safe with the sorcerers and priests,” the commander replied. “And orders have come down that they are almost ready for the ritual. All that’s left is to gather the hearts.” The Chimer near the commander quickly saluted, all drawing their weapons.

“Aye, ma’am!” They ran from the cave, and Greyson followed, Alana trailing behind him. Bakki headed further up the path, seeing some sorcerers fighting Daedra. The templar and healer caught up to one soldier, who had wounded his enemy. Alana realized that the Nedes were actually ancient Nords, and resolved to ask Sasha and Stirs-Fear about it later.

“For Stonefalls!” the Chimer soldier cried, plunging his dagger into the Nede’s chest. Then he began sawing at the wound, and the Breton was startled by this act.

“What is he-” she began, before Greyson grabbed her and pulled her against his chest. “Hey, what are you doing?!”

“Don’t look,” the Imperial warned, though even if she’d wanted to, Alana couldn’t with her face pressed to his armor. After a few minutes, Greyson released her, and she stepped back. He looked apologetic, but shook his head. “I didn’t think you wished to see what he was doing.”

“Why, what was-” she turned without realizing it, and her eyes went wide. The Nede lay dead on the ground, a gaping hole in his chest. But the worst part was, she could see that his heart had been torn out. Nausea pressed in from all sides as the Breton felt her body temperature spike. Quickly running over to some rocks, she voided the contents of her stomach as quietly as possible. A hand was suddenly on her back, and she bit back tears. She was such a weakling…

“Are you all right?”

“I… No. I wasn’t expecting to see that.”

“You’re not a battlefield healer, then?” Greyson’s tone was soft, but she knew he didn’t need her to answer. He’d already seen the truth.

“I was still in training. We hadn’t had any real experience with the war yet.”

“I’m sorry.” She looked up and met his eyes.

“For what?”

“That this will become commonplace. Or at least the violence and such. I don’t see any of the Sept cutting out our enemies’ hearts.”

“Speak for yourself,” Bakki stated as he walked up. “They’re almost ready at the top of the hill. They have Daedric essence and Nede hearts. All that’s left is for Balreth and Sadal to go through with this ritual.”

“Then let’s hurry, or we wasted this opportunity,” Alana said to them, gathering her composure as best she could. They raced up the steps, ignoring the fighting still taking place. On one of the platforms stood a brazier, and two men were facing it. These two were more elaborately dressed than the others, and Greyson realized they must be the Brothers before whatever had happened to them.

“Are you prepared?” a sorcerer asked, stepping towards them with a bowl in her hands. Both men nodded, and she took a mixture that looked like congealing blood from the bowl and dabbed it on their faces. The remainder of the mixture was poured onto the brazier, and then the assembled group at their backs began chanting. Power began flowing, and the brothers lifted off the ground. Fire burned around them, consuming their bodies. When all that was left were skeletons, other bones arced towards them from the battles all around, fastening onto the brothers’ bones. Soon, twin colossi that Makayla and the others had described stood before them. The air shimmered, and the group found themselves staring up at Vunal.

“Well, what did you see?” As Greyson gave the man his report, Alana took Fearsome outside, taking a few deep breaths to calm herself.

“They are made of fire and wrath.” She jumped, not even realizing Bakki had followed her. “Fire, wrath, and a hatred for non-Chimer.”

“That’s why Tanval couldn’t control them.”

“That’s why no one could,” the Bosmer countered. “You don’t create something like that and expect it to reason, or listen to anyone but itself.” The Breton shivered.

“We have to get to Ash Mountain. Balreth must be bound again.”

“Then let’s hurry,” Greyson stated as he too emerged from the cave. “And hope that Makayla’s group found what we need to know as well.”
* * *

Ash Mountain was swarming with activity as Tyrna made her way up the slope. She saw Makayla and Alana in conversation with Garyn Indoril, and headed over to them. “You made it,” Sasha noted as she interrupted her walk. The two women clasped hands.

“Sorry I’m late, but there was some nonsense about an assassin at one of the smaller forts.” The Nord grinned and shrugged.

“Most of us have just gotten here too. I was helping a homestead deal with goblins, Nathan’Dar muttered something about Dark Elves forcing Khajiit to summon demons, Caidianna was helping another settlement at a place called Sulfur Pools, and Injects was clearing out a mine of Daedra.”

“Wow. Seems we all got quite a bit accomplished.”

“Not to mention that the Mages’ Guild just got more interesting,” Makayla told them as she walked over.

“Interesting?” Tyrna raised an eyebrow, and the other Imperial grinned.

“The Mad God and a long-dead arch-mage apparently have a feud going that some of us got involved in.” The Sept leader blinked, and Sasha shook her head.

“Nothing good can come from Sheogorath’s attention,” the blonde templar reminded them. “Just make sure you keep him entertained.”

“I think I can handle it,” the mage replied. “So, now that everyone’s here, we have a plan.” Tyrna nodded and walked with her back to Garyn.

“Ah wonderful, now we can begin,” the young Dunmer said with a bright smile. “We know how to re-summon the guardians to bind Balreth, and we have a bit more of a glimpse into his psyche.”

“Can we defeat it is my question.” Garyn nodded at the Imperial, feeling both proud and hesitant to be here. History was being made, but he wasn’t sure he appreciated the front-row seat. “Then we need to head for the summit. Makayla, I need you to lead a team for the summoning. I’ll take the others and push against whatever’s up there until you arrive. Garyn, you’ll be with me.”

“Very well.”

“Myself, Ket, Respite, Stirs-Fear, Nathan, Bakki and Injects will get the guardians,” Makayla noted, ticking off the group as her eyes alighted on each.

“Which means Sasha, Hana, Caidiana, Alana, and Greyson are coming with me. Let’s get going so we can get this damn creature bound.”

“This won’t be easy, ma’am,” Greyson warned. Tyrna grinned and gripped the hilt of her sword.

“I’d be upset if it was. Now come on, we’ve got a long climb ahead of us.”
* * *

The summit of Ash Mountain was hot, smoky, and filled with the sound of Daedric screaming. The Sept was together again, staring across the volcano’s caldera at Balreth. It towered over them, fire wreathing its form as it waded into a pool of lava. Tyrna looked back at the group, eyes darting across the terrain as she formed a plan. “All right, we’ve only got one shot at this, so here’s what we’ll do: Greyson and I will keep its attention while Sasha and Stirs-Fear hack at it from either side. Bakki, Caidiana, and Nathan’Dar, I want you three to dart in and get at its back whenever you can, then quickly get away. Respite, Injects, and Hana, you three fire as many arrows as you can as fast as you can. And if any of those Scamps get near us, take them out. Makayla, you rain lightning down as much as you can and stay back as well. And use that storm totem Walks-in-Ash gave Hana.” Tyrna had been a bit surprised to see the older Argonian at the summit, but she’d pressed a wood carving into the Bosmer’s hands, saying it was her way of saying thanks. Apparently she and Stirs-Fear had been busy saving a village as well in the intervening time. “Ket, Alana, and Garyn, I’ll be counting on you three to heal us if things look dire. Any questions?”

“Negative, ma’am,” Greyson replied.

“We’ll get this bastard abomination, lass,” Stirs-Fear promised.

“For the Pact,” Sasha intoned.

“For Stonefalls,” Ket added.

“For the Sept!” Makayla shouted.

“Sept of Undying Spirit, charge!” They raced into action, with the two Imperial soldiers immediately getting in front of the creature and hacking into it with their swords. The two Nords gave war cries as they charged in, swords up and swinging into the mass of Balreth’s torso. The three dagger wielders were almost too fast to see, taking turns stabbing at the thing’s unprotected back. Arrows rained down around them, the shafts making knocking sounds against the bones. Lightning poured down from the sky, centering itself on the creature’s head. And every time it managed to slip past the onslaught and head for the lava pool, a cool rain washed over them, making Balreth pause long enough for the cycle to start once more. Back and forth, slice after slice, bolt after bolt, and volley after volley the Sept kept up the pressure. The three healers kept close watch on them, healing any injury before it slowed the rhythm. Even Fearsome helped attack it, standing with the two Imperials. Finally, the body of bones collapsed, and a shimmering version of Balreth stood before them.

“Bind it now!” Garyn called. Makayla cast the essences of the guardians into the lava, intoning archaic commands. They rose up, pausing for a moment as they took in the situation. Makayla’s eyes narrowed, and she raised her sword. A bolt of lightning struck between the Atronachs, and they screamed for a moment.

“Do as you were commanded!” the mage bellowed. “Bind Balreth and seal him away once more. I am your master now, and you will obey me!” Ragebinder and Blaze stared at one another before gliding over and beginning their duties once more.

“Forgive us, mortal master,” one of them said. “You are indeed as strong as him.”

“That’s better.” After a few minutes, the three Daedra vanished in a swirl of fire and light, and the Sept turned back to the portal that had brought them here.

“I’m glad that’s over,” Caidiana stated, wiping the sweat from her forehead.

“Time to head back to Davon’s Watch?” Respite wondered.

“Time for some much needed rest,” Tyrna agreed.

“You are all heroes, and I shall make sure everyone knows,” Garyn told them. “We could not have done this without you.”

“You’re damned right you couldn’t have!” Stirs-Fear shot back. “Bunch of milk-drinking prissy Elves…”

“Speaking of drinking,” Hana brought up. “To the tavern!” She and the two Nords ran through the portal, and Tyrna laughed and shook her head. She saw Ket take Makayla’s arm, the templar blushing fiercely.

“You were so… Forceful back there, ‘Kayla.”

“You have to show summons who’s the boss.”

“I think we need to get back to town so you can show me that again…” The mage raised an eyebrow and grinned, pulling the other Imperial along a bit faster.

“This one believes there is something going on between those two,” the Khajiit said as he came up on Tyrna’s side.

“They’re married,” Respite explained. When he got a few strange looks, he held up his left hand. “They wear rings of Mara. Am I the only one who saw them?”

“Nathan’Dar did not realize that’s what they were. He will make sure to pay attention in the future to who is married to who.”

“Why, were you interested in one of them?” Injects wondered.

“No my scaled friend, but there is always curiosity when people display affection.” They headed for the portal, followed by the Bosmer.

“A job well done, ma’am,” Greyson praised as he walked over, Alana trailing behind him. “Your plan worked perfectly.”

“Of course it did. Did you have any doubts?” The soldier quickly saluted.

“Not for a moment.”

“I’m looking forward to taking a break,” Alana mused. “But… Where exactly are we staying? The Fighters’ Guild can’t put us up forever.”

“I’ve been thinking about that,” Tyrna replied. “And since Garyn is so set on making us heroes, I think we might be able to get some land and permission to build a place of our own in the city.”

“Would be nice to have my own room again,” Caidiana said with a sigh. “Not that I don’t like sharing with Hana, but… She talks in her sleep.”

“About what?” the other Breton asked.

“…About food. I really don’t need to know how you get the burnt flavor out of Dunmer, or that Nords are stringy.” The healer turned a bit green at this, and hurried towards the portal. Tyrna shook her head and also sighed.

“No one said this was going to be an easy trip.” She stepped through the portal as it closed, already running through her mind as to how to approach Tanval about the land.