Atherius. By Jenene Richards-Travaille.

8/12/2019 Atherius. By Jenene Richards-Travaille.

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hronicle 1.

"Guide my mind, Julianos, all that remains of me apart from you is f lesh and fickle feeling. Guide meto a greater knowledge of your aspects during these lonely nights of contemplation. Stendarr forgetme not, your wayward daughter of pride; soften my heart to those seen as unworthy. Grant me anotable increase in patience and forbearance when dealing with.."

guilty pause.

"..with our neighbours, the !rsimer."

#oking all the gusto within her she stated, "$y the ight %i#ines & petition it, so may it be."

Juliana's prayers were becoming more fre(uent, and genuine, now that she was ha#ing such troublesleeping. &t were the dreams, the #isions; they had gi#en her little bother the last decade. &n fact, thelast time they were so intense was some twenty years ago when her parents first admitted her to theschool of Julianos in %aenia. $y the age of fifteen she was adept in the magickal school of restoration, and all belie#ed this to be the reason the %i#ines sought her out initially.

She became a priestess, a woman of the cloth sworn to worship )he ight for the rest of her days,much to the disappointment of her mother but somewhat strange relief of her father. Juliana was anonly child and her mother, C*line, certainly did not take well to the idea of her only daughterproducing no heirs. She failed to take much well at all, and so Juliana saw a new path as an escapefrom an unfulfilling life met out in her mother's dressmaking bouti(ue. +er father she lo#ed as he

was an old and kind spirited $reton. +e was of noble blood and inherited his father's estate, or soshe was told as her grandparents were an elusi#e legend ne#er to be heard from. Juliana could ha#ebeen (uite comfortable li#ing off her father's name but he insisted she -oin the school at the time of her acceptance.

#ery night of the month #ening Star she had piercing #isions and strange dreams, similar to thosefrom her past di#ine in nature. )here were depictions of eternal concepts she recogni/ed from herstudies mi0ed with other strange symbols. sually she could manage, but this night the priestess wase0ceptionally drained after ha#ing already awakened twice. 2ollowing her prayers she slipped back into the deep places of her mind, to the world of sleep.

"3our duties oblige you, Juliana," the message was muddled in a conglomeration of religious chimesand whispers. )he presence was di#ine in nature but not wholly familiar.

" se my sword against the horrors of 4olag $aal."

n image of )amriel coated in darkness morphed into her #ision oo/ing bogs where mountainsonce stood and to0ic water, pockets of people crying and hiding in e#ery pro#ince.

blade that was dripping with crystalline light swiftly sliced away the reality of the dream.

" bargarlas, dispose of the e#il in bargarlas and reclaim the ancient relic. 2ail me not, mortal."

)he presence receded.


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hronicle 5.

Juliana awoke in clear coherence and consciousness. She left her warm bed and shi#ered through thechilly halls directly to the library archi#es the best place to identify a holy relic.

She wasn't going to be a typical half bred ltmer rebel lf, as the &mperial scribes would ha#e onebelie#e. She had a strain in her that was older than recorded history her blood was yleid, and it wasno secret. )heir family practised forgotten magick and obser#ed more.. obscure celebrations than theother inhabitants of 6alenwood. 6arlatari 7wood of stars8 was the name passed down to her, a wordthat entwined $osmeri habitat with yleid philosophy.

)wenty se#en were the years allocated to her when the family once again faced the foe of theirancestors, twenty se#en short l#en years to bra#e their common enemy e0tinction. )he family'spopulation had dropped sharply after a particularly #icious bout of 9nahaten flu below the southernforests. )he stories surrounding the lineage of their kin were rapidly entering $osmeri myth, albeitnot without many whispered rumours and scandalous fables.

:onetheless, 6arlatari stood ali#e today. She had sur#i#ed and conse(uently li#ed a life dri#en by fear,though not a soul could tell. )he confidence she put on display was owing to a life built by preparation and admiration. She was more than happy to oblige fear; it was felt as a moti#ator, and adash of an0iety kept her a step ahead; her mind sharp.

She would practice with her bow and con-ured arrows each and e#ery e#ening in the deep woods. )he night was her medium of precision, and who could deny it 2unnelling the light from the starry hosts into her spells, namely her arrows, would only become possible at the sun's recession. She wasable to wea#e the magick of alteration admirably after many years under the teaching of her greatgreatmother. 6arlatari would spend e#ery other free moment found with her, learning traditions andslithers of magick practised by her ancestors.

+er great greatmother, Silagea 7shining wisdom8, was born in the second era of the year 1


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")oday is the day," the wind chimed in.

)he forest and the $osmer had a mutually beneficial relationship, they were part of a pact )heGreen =act. )he $osmer would protect the forests in honour of 3'ffre, the deity that ga#e controlo#er their e#er changing forms during the chaos times, and in return the forest God would protect itspeople.

6arlatari thanked the gro#e for its hospitality and pursued the direction of the wind. &t flew aroundthe draping arms of the willow and danced with the eddies in the stream; it beckoned her on andsped away mischie#ously. )he trees murmured at the wind to slow down and take its time but the

wind was too e0cited; after all, it was carrying news from such a re#ered figure in 6alenwood> 6arlatari lunged through the trees and out through a mass of huddling ferns onto the plateau before 6ulkwasten.

$osmer were about their nightly routines some lay outstretched on the grass chatting about the day'se#ents, mothers tended to their treehomes and children chased after bugs or listened to stories toldby their elders. 6arlatari spotted great greatmother in a clearing with her elder brother, ?elkynd7skychild8. Silagea ga#e her a tired smile and nodded at the space by her feet.

"+ello brother. Greetings lder 4other," she brought her head low in respect.


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hronicle @.

Go around corner, enter second room wait. d#ance to balcony, yessss, (uietly open windo locked )onight yessss, of course it has to be locked tonight. )s'thu was not born under the sign of the tower, that is why he carries thesssse , the rgonian slid a lock pick out from under a hidden scale.

Aight, left, right.. right , the silence in the home amplified the chinking and cranking emanating fromthe small de#ice.

hea#y clonk re#erberated through the darkness. Suddenly footsteps began thumping through thehall at a determined pace. )ime had escaped him.

$reak the window or lay in waiting the -ob was finished and he had no need of a confrontation.

)he longer one waits, the sooner one is caught and sent to the chopping block> speaker Sekith'sinstruction prompted in his mind.

$reak it> Gods, Sekith himself will hang )s'thu by his scales for this.

2ootsteps turned to thuds, thuds to shouting. )he rgonian hit the ground running as the aristocratfumbled into the room. )s'thu had left two clear signs of who had paid a late night #isit a body thatappeared to be peacefully dreaming, only no longer breathing; and, e0cluding the window embarrassment, the greatest e#idence of a Shadowscale nothing.

+e looked to the sign of the shadow in the sky to e#oke his temporary ethereal form. Sithis would bepleased, the 6oid had something to satisfy its hunger pangs, for now.

)he rgonian elected for the scenic room home by way of the ri#ulet; its waters were cool and fresh,loosening each crusted fin. ?ith e#ery passer by he skulked down into the depths, eyeing the

obli#ious with underwater reptilian #ision. )he Shadowscale was nearing the bog, filled with gases only an rgonian would take pleasure in. )s'thu slipped down under the water's surface and propelled himself toward the hideout with hisleathery tail.

rusted red and deathly green hue festered around the dark entrance. )he gateway was eroded fromyears of murky water but the magick maintained upon it preser#ed its purpose barring entry to theuninitiated.

"?hat is life's greatest illusion " the door asked raspingly. &t thudded with an ominous heartbeat, the water sloshing around him with e#ery pulse.

&nnocencccce , )s'thu mentally communed.

)he gate crunched down into the bog, opening a hidden entry way to the $lack 4arsh sanctuary.

"3essss.. &nnocence," he blithely re acknowledged the truth of the riddle. :o one was innocent, andit was by that philosophy which preser#ed him as a member of the %ark $rotherhood. :ot one of their targets had pure intention, and Sithis' hunger for souls was to be sated.


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)he rgonian made for Speaker Sekith's (uarters to deliberate business, romantici/ing o#er ideas forhis ne0t contract. curious re(uest had been appealed by a shady 4er, an ltmer they belie#ed.

)s'thu was keen to see the other lands. +e belie#ed e#en the +ist, a sentient race of trees deeply connected to the rgonian of $lack 4arsh, were encouraging him. )he assurance came in the formof whispers, stirring him to pursue a life that would lead to greater knowledge of the world around

him. )he Shadowscale was #ery ready for such a -ob."Silencer, welcome home brother. &s the young aristocrat sleeping in the realm of darkness "

":aturally. =robably still thinkssss it's all a dream," the li/ard men shrilled with hisses of delight.

Sekith halted his laughter as abruptly as it erupted, "&f we didn't understand the %read 2ather's way, & would almost feel what the races of men call 'ssssadness'. +e was an innocently arrogant character,somewhat entertaining.. +owe#er, we ha#e a new contract to discussss. s you you'#e probably heardan lf has been in contact with the Bistener, performed the $lack Sacrament. +e's paying three times

what he owessss."

"?hat will we be offering to the %arkness on thissss occasion " )s'thu watched the Speaker'sdemeanour twist to a dark glee.

"+e wants an entire family. Can you imagine brother n entr*e, main course and dessert for the%ark God> ?e will be blessssed. &'m sending two of my finest, along with the apprentice to see somereal blood. 3ou and your brothers will lea#e $lack 4arsh unseen, in the midnight shadowssss."

)s'thu's opening had finally arri#ed. +e was breaching the borders of $lack 4arsh.

" nd who e0actly does the 4er want dead " he hoped to hear the name of a race as e0otic asAedguard or $reton.

" family line that has outli#ed its era all child bearers remaining to the once great race of the yleid. 3ou're heading for 6alenwood. %agist will inform you of the rest, good luck brother. 4ay Sithis ssssmile upon you."

)s'thu departed to make preparations.


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hronicle C.

)he three left in the deadness of night with the sign of the shadow to alone guide them. ?eeks wenton as they lurked through the dark toward the borders of lsweyr, the rgonian saw many une0pected creatures such as cat men and cats with the intelligence of men.

)hree weeks had faded away when they skulked into the northern territories of 6alenwood. ?hilethe three went on, )s'thu sensed eyes resting upon him; perhaps e#en the comfort of a fleeting

whisper from the +ist.. or was it the %read 2ather

?hile they neared 4alabal )or, a murky region of 6alenwood where the floor knows no sunlight, themurmurs began to nag at him. )hey berated him for his pre#iously careless contracts and yetencouraged him to glorify himself in the new lands. dditionally, he had %agist's whispers to discern;the senior Shadowscale was more than proficient in the school of illusion and had been a long standing practitioner of telepathic communication.

)hissss , he in#aded )s'thu's mind, motioning towards a plateau densely coated in flora.

)hey crept atop the platform, their readied weapons lusted for blood.

%o you see her

)hat one, )+ ) one> + A> another #oice burst into his mind, essentially knocking hisconcentration entirely.

young l#en woman with long black hair and palatial robes knelt at the feet of whom could beassumed her grandmother, another young man stood to their side. )he slender $osmer bore a twiggy longbow at her back along with a curiously empty (ui#er she was defenceless. )he timing wasine0orably ordained by Sithis himself, like that of death's season.

Bet us ssssate him, %agist leered. +e rubbed together his scaled hands to con-ure up a magickalstorm of fear and chaos. )he scarlet red and macabre black essences of etherius swelled in hispalms, he wea#ed them around and around until they crackled and spat.

)s'thu took a #ial of nightshade from his bandolier and coated the dagger +sh'kep in a dark purplelather. )he apprentice Jagath was assigned to keep guard, ne#ertheless with e#ery spare moment he

watched on in awe at the coming pandemonium.

)he honour is yourssss brother, gestured the fellow Silencer.

2i0ated on the girl, )s'thu drew his arm rearward.

:!?> :!?> ) 9 )+ :C& :)> $lood, blood, $B!!%> 2 % 4 S!:> his body wrenched #iolently and +sh'kep flew trembling from his claws.

%agist stabbed at his mind, ?hat in the 6oid's name is wrong with you, fool>

)he force of the -erk propelled the dagger to the left. +sh'kep flittered directly toward the yleid. )here was a screaming on the wind as fate closed in, followed by an eerie stillness.


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)he dagger buried itself deep into the laryn0 of the grandmother, her body instantly slumped to apile. %agist released and his spell intently hunted after the dagger, landing itself in an e0plosion onthe hilt.

shrilling laugh more raucous than twenty anguishing #ictims shrieked through )s'thu'sconsciousness.


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hronicle D.

)he l#en male snatched up his blood co#ered sister and fled to a nearby treehome. chorus of melodic shouts ensued.

"4urder>"

"3'ffre preser#e us>"

"4urder> ll firstborn to the temple>"

" #eryone inside>"

?elkynd dumped 6arlatari on the ground, choking for air, " ight.. ?hat in 4agnus' plan.."

6arlatari was damp with plasma and fuelled with fury. )he $osmer grimace upon the pendant of 4agnus she had snatched before her greatmother's body.

"3ou know today you will die ?elkynd, they called the firstborn to the temple.E+e read-usted his sash while trying to ignore her.

F?e are wanted dead, if )he 2irst do not protect the gro#es we will all die. 3ou must sacrifice to theforest; today you will become one of the ?ild +unt," she would say no more to him, lea#ing only aga/e of e0pectance.

+e faced his last responsibility with a courage that his younger sister co#eted ?elkynd sprinted intothe screams of the forest towards the temple from which howls of otherworldly creatures werealready barking and s(uealing.

)he stars were bright; 6arlatari was fortunate, her magick would be strong for defence. She lookedon to the tree temple, whoe#er had attempted to eliminate their family had scarce idea of the raw power about to be unleashed upon them. &t would cost her a brother, but it was a burden that all$osmer li#ed beneath.

)he first of the creatures emerged from the tree grotes(ue and alien, nothing like a 4er. Begs -utting out from heads and the faces of old Gods embedded in stomachs, fre(uently contorting into e#ermore terrifying legends. )hey rushed like blind beasts towards the direction of the attack, screeching and roaring. )he $osmer not directly in#ol#ed hid in their treehomes with the knowledge that, oncethe +unt was o#er, the creatures would turn on themsel#es.

6arlatari's father, Sunnatar 7blessed wood8, materiali/ed from the anarchy; he carried the body of hisgreatmother.

"3ou would do well to safekeep that talisman, 6arlatari. Silagea's treasure.. She yearned for her young to follow the traditional worship of 4agnus," he lay the lder's body on a tree bed. )he dagger inher throat had #anished as fast as it had appeared.

"She told me about the ancestor's f light from bagarlas,E 6arlatari wiped away a smear of bloodfrom her neck, Fshe had entrusted me with the reco#ery of our lost knowledge yleid magick. & will


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respect her re(uest and lea#e shortly for Cyrodiil. 4y separation is una#oidable, & will release thegro#e of any threat."

"3ou are wise, daughter, it will be sufficient; & will inform your mother of your responsibilities.+onour our family, notably your elder brother. +e committed his life to the +unt to preser#e

6alenwood,E Sunnatar held his eyes down while rising from the lder, Flet us stand and wait for therite to mo#e on."

)hey watched at the door together as the beasts tore apart Jagath, who had tried to ascend a maplesapling. s his body sailed to the forest floor it was swarmed by the creatures, not a drop of bloodremained to drip to the ground.

"& o#ersaw the ritual in the temple. 4y disturbance ne#er ceases despite one hundred and thirty yearsas 9eeper, all of one's balance is disregarded when faced with the +unt."

S(ueals re#erberated through the forest.

"&t un(uestionably makes one grateful to 3'ffre for the earthbones," her father frowned as he watched an rgonian attempt to confuse the monsters with a spell of illusion. luminescent greene0plosion ga#e the gro#e a burst of resplendence, more than had been seen since the trees coated thesky.

)s'thu had already fled when the creatures burst forth from the tree temple. )he Shadowscale haddashed through the forest with all the adrenaline a#ailable, and he had not looked back. $y the timehe had ceased running and found a stream in which to co#er himself, his mind heard a meteoricmessage from %agist.

rase the child barer. 2inish the contract. +ail Sithissss..

%istant s(uawks and screams became further blurred.

Silence.

)s'thu was all alone, in a foreign land.


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tried to scream but the magick around the gates silenced all to !bli#ion.

")his is already the reality in regions from which you ha#e been sheltered," the #oice seethed.

"4y sword is wo#en with the energies of life; death knows no life, and & am no creature of death tofear. ?e may ha#e our differences.. but if you do nothing you will be forsaking your reputation as ane0ecutioner of e#il, the blood of e0pectance and reliance will be on your head. 3ou will not ignorethis call. Cleanse my temple on the thirteenth of 4orning Star, take my artifact, enlighten the worldof my nature and end the tyranny of the daedric prince obsessed with domination."

)he world before her warped again and the skies caught on fire. Strangely curious, she glanced forless than a moment into the inky portal and instantly was pulled within. She beheld a desecrated

)amriel the ?hite Gold )ower was defiled and an e#il representation of its former glory rose outfrom a mire of sludge, co#ered in congealed blood and e0crement. )his was the plan of the daedra+er hatred for the beings surged.

")his is the creation of 4olag $aal, the har#ester of souls, mortal," 4eridia inter-ected, anticipating

the priestess' reaction.

"Se#er his leash upon your plane."

Juliana, Gods forgi#e her, was defecting. )here was a greater good that the %i#ines would surely understand. She would relin(uish her #ows against this seemingly di#ergent daedra and lea#e for

bagarlas tomorrow. )he priestess would tell only her father in the forenoon, for now she was left inpeace of night's stillness.


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Juliana felt to be somewhat hassled by dreams in 9#atch; whether they were related to the coming disasters of Cold +arbour, the wrath of the %i#ines for her betrayal or another e#ent entirely she

was not sure. )he dreams prompted her departure, an unwelcome dismissal.

:ineteen days had past when she arri#ed at the entrance to bagarlas, or 'Sideways Ca#e' as thema-ority of &mperials insisted when gi#ing direction, the area was o#ergrown with foliage and smelledconsiderably rotten.

nswering -ustice's calls of anticipation, Juliana opened the rickety door and entered the ruins. )hegate swung shut behind her.


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hronicle J.

6arlatari mo#ed swiftly from trunk to tree and kept as nimble as possible; the young $osmer knew she had been followed for the past three moons.

)s'thu watched on, keeping only enough distance to a#oid direct conflict with the lf. +e imaginedshe was alerted to his presence when he had awkwardly fallen on some :amira's Aot mushrooms,pro#oking them to a frightful s(ueal. Caution was now his priority as the girl was not only hiscontract, but his guide out of this unfamiliar land.

)he young rgonian continued the pursuit of his unwitting chaperon, all the while fre(uent whisperspraised his ploy and then abruptly demanded the girl's soul. +e would delay for the perfect pause inher e0pedition, but only after she had lead him from the dark forest.

)wo days thereafter and 6arlatari had broken through the boundary to lsweyr, the home of the9ha-iit. She had chosen to a#oid as much &mperial terrain as possible for wars riddled the mainlandbetween the %aggerfall Co#enant, %ominion and bonheart =act. ll factions wanted their end on

the throne. )he elegant $osmer would assuredly not turn down the opportunity to some day becomempress, howe#er, she had li#ed only twenty se#en years and had yet much to learn of her heritage.She desired for more power, prestige, and that knowledge had laid dormant in the ruins of herancestors for millennia.

6arlatari #entured on through the grasslands of Aeaper's 4arch, stubborn to reach $ra#il in less thana week. 2rom there she would take a small boat through the pper :iben to 2ort lessia, south of the &mperial City and an hours walk from bagarlas.

=ausing for a moment she looked to her south; a pair of coppery slit eyes faded into the gloam.

=erhaps an in(uisiti#e 9ha-iit , she considered and mo#ed on.


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hronicle K.

Juliana's mace crushed the right ear of a rotted reanimated body, knocking it to the floor; its groansand gargles came delayed by death. )he undead were repulsi#e, and needed to return to the gra#e.

hand stiffly fell on her back, spinning the priestess around. Juliana hastily #isuali/ed her faith and ahallowed spear materiali/ed in her grip. She stabbed the corpse, the impact resulting in a blast of golden energy. pon petition, rkay answered her /ealous call and flames of -udgement combusted

within the pre#ious carcass.

2ull of fer#our the priestess strode towards 4eridia's shrine. final cada#er at the altar's base limply walked her way, moaning while seemingly looking through her; the priestess called on Julianos.

merciless silence.

)he corpse continued lurching towards her as she was #ery nearly brought to her knees by thesorrow of abandonment. +er grief morphed to resentment Julianos was the God of logic, was itnot logical to compromise di#ine alliances for the greater good She furiously bombarded the foe

with blunt force until its decrepit legs cracked, returning it to the gra#e.

+er conscience was now seared. She knelt at the shrine of the daedra, "Bady of &nfinite nergies> )oday on the thirteenth of 4orning Star your sanctuary is cleansed. & summon you for on terms of compensation."

)he statue of 4eridia portrayed a robed woman, disparaging in countenance. &t spoke with thefamiliar #oice from her dreams, "4ortal, you ha#e completed a ser#ice for me. & ha#e waited a long time three thousand two hundred years."

":ow my artifact can be released to my champion, the sword which lesser races title '%awnbreaker'.

)he blade is a medium to the rays of light it channels. ?hen impressed upon the skin of e#il, it willmelt away male#olence and life e0pired; ha#e no compassion on those that would defile and profane.$ehind this statue you will find %awnbreaker, hidden safely within my roots."

Juliana grappled about until she grasped a thorny bough. !n her touch it gently unra#elled, dropping the hilt of the sword into her hand. &ts warmth flowed through her arm.

"4ay my nature be re#ealed through you and my influence surge once again."

)he daedra passed back to her realm with a rumble and flash. 2or a moment, Juliana stood blindly incontemplation; an insatiable emptiness gnawed within her.


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hronicle 1


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hronicle 11.

)s'thu slunk behind a marble pillar.

)ake the soul> )ake it.. ) 9 &)> the #oice demanded.

3ou wait, you wait.. you only delaaaay , singing filled the rgonian's head.

+e lost sight of the $osmer.

"%amned to the 6oid> 4ust ha#e sssslithered through that door," he spat.

&f Speaker Sekith only knew what he had endured to this point, his pay would surely double again;maybe he would e#en inherit the others' pay.. Sithis ease their souls.

fter slipping through the arched gateway and reac(uiring the target, he sensed the momentapproach. )here was not a place #isible for her to escape e0cept through him. +e took thenightshade #ial and, acknowledging Bithsip's lack of blood, smeared the dagger.

)he #oice wailed, 2&: BB3> Smear death on the waaaaall> 2&:&S+ )+ C!:)A C).

)he rgonian con#ulsed and his eyes gla/ed o#er; holding back his arm, face contorted and hissing,he impulsi#ely bolted for the lf.

robed figure emerged (uietly from a concealed side passage and crossed into his path. )s'thu,obsessed with his ob-ecti#e alone, made hard impact with the figure and ricocheted flat on thepathway.

&t was a woman, he -eered and -umped from the cold floor. )he figure's ga/e was hidden under thehea#y hood of her robe and he was unsure if she e#en cared. +er head slowly turned toward the

rgonian, instilling in him a spike of uncertainty. pair of eyes bla/ing with golden fire commandedhis ga/e. ?ith all of his concentration, he ripped himself from the trance and looked instead to thelf.

6arlatari stood facing )s'thu with an arrow drawn under such power that her body trembled. 6arlastone hid within the $osmer's (ui#er and infused her arrows with a cool glow, illuminating two dark green eyes. )his was the being responsible for the greatmother's death.

She disguised her an0ieties in confidence, "!h my, li/ard. &t seems as though you are in a trap.. +ow typical of a beast. & belie#e the 6alenwood rate for rgonian hide is, two hundred gold pieces "

iming at his torso, she released the string, "& ha#e been searching months for an e0otic trim.."

2urious, )s'thu launched Bithsip at the haughty lf's head. )he dagger collided with the radiantmissile and both shattered into infinitesimal fragments. Sharp refle0es immediately ser#ed +sh'kepinto his clench.

CB!S > Close.. Cut out her )+A! )> the #oice bellowed rhythmically.

Juliana recogni/ed the seal of the %ark $rotherhood and obser#ed the rgonian frothing at the


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mouth. s he leapt for 6arlatari, the priestess slammed her foot down on his tail; the li/ard manyelled out in pain and #iolently -erked backwards.

")o the %arkness with you both>" he swiped at the $reton's co#ered ankles and tore her robe.

)he Shadowscale's claws made contact with a scathing metal so sharp that it se#ered a spindly fingerfrom his hand; shock grappled with his heart. +e suppressed the urge to emphatically acknowledgethe in-ury, endured the ra#ening pain and fought on.

)he hole within Juliana's dress had re#ealed a smouldering blade dripping with energy. )he priestesscommanded the sword for the first time and slashed at the rgonian's thrashing hand; e#ery scaledislodged flitted in an opposing direction.

)s'thu took +sh'kep and gashed the woman's calf. She flinched back, stunned, stepping off his long tail. +e sei/ed the opportunity of freedom and..

)he rgonian lurched backward again as an arrow punctured his shoulder. )he bolt's magmaticradiance was e#idence of the boiling heat; the wound steamed and (uickly became badly charred.

6arlatari was delighted at her increased potential> She wildly chortled, "3es> Bet us cook the beastali#e> & recall rgonian as a crisp dish.." she glimpsed de#iously into his s(uinting eyes, "the scalestruly add an e0tra.. crunch>"

Cackling, she released another arrow. &t punched through his stomach. )he rgonian was leftchoking on blood and bile, but he was not without a final murderous attempt. +e rushed the girl,flung himself upon her and lacerated her thigh. )he $osmer roared in anger at the humiliation.

?ith indignant poise, 6arlatari rose abo#e her aggressor. She began a spell of !akflesh and hurriedly called for the protection of the forest God, 3'ffre. +er spindly fingers drew the crude outline of an

oak tree while she chanted the incantation, "Bye, adma angu.. Aacu#ar an karan mora 7which roughly translates, ')ree, hear me. Cast down wood armour'8."

Juliana obser#ed the ?ood lf's skin calcify to bark, the moment was now to finish the assassin. )aking %awnbreaker, she rent a gouge through the rgonian's back; his tunic ripped from shoulderto pel#is and welded into the open, meaty wound.

+e released his grip upon the $osmer, closed his eyes and was lifeless.

)he women glanced at each other, the rgonian and each other again. ll three were enemies in eachothers eyes, all three from opponent factions.

6arlatari took note of the sword, "& see you honour +er Bady, 4eridia. )hat artifact e(uals the ageof my ancestors."

"&t is an arrangement of contrition, & assure you," the priestess retorted.

)he lf began her wily negotiations, "=erhaps we too could ha#e such an arrangement."

$osmer were acclaimed for their mental finesse and she was about to pro#e it. 6arlatari furthermanipulated the situation to her agenda, ")oday we ha#e halted a headhunt placed upon my family by


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the %ark $rotherhood. Certainly, the Gods' fa#our would be sufficiently en-oyed during ourcontinued days than yet another blessing granted to the remaining winner of our battle. ?alk away from this with your life."

"Granted, by one condition & take the body of the rgonian. & am well aware of your people'scannibalistic mannerisms, there will be no more gore today."

"Granted," 6arlatari knew she would ha#e gained no en-oyment in the customary consumption of her greatmother's murderer.

&t was settled, with the 6arla and ?elkynd stones in her (ui#er, she confidently limped to theentrance with her chin high. Juliana hea#ed the body onto her shoulder; it was cold and listless.

?hile the $osmer made her return to 2ort lessia, the priestess carried the Shadowscale to the edgeof Bake Aumare.

"4ay Stendarr ha#e mercy on your black soul," she pushed the body into the water.

&t sank to the depths.


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hronicle 15.

)wo days pass.

)he +ist will tend to their own.

Sleep in the waters, my son..

!ne week passes.

)he waters regenerate, rehydrate and purify those with accepted skin.

& will gi#e you a home greater than any you ha#e e#er known.

)he third week.

brother loyal is a brother unforgotten.

?hisper your secrets to the Spinner. Come to the shadow of secret slaughter.

)hird week, second day.

4orrowind calls, the )ong beckons..

?ake up son of nticipation.

+e awakens, he is reborn. %unmereth will know no other.

)s'thu clambered out from the marsh. )he woman had not reali/ed that the rgonian could reco#erfrom near death while submerged in water. +e had played dead, and now he would play ali#e.4ephala, the daedric prince of murder, had in#ited him from his dreams to the oldest branch of assassins in )amriel )he 4orag )ong.

)s'thu followed the caring whispers they lead him through the pper :iben, Corbolo and AeedAi#er. +e climbed the 6alus 4ountains in delusional delirium, and as he crossed the border to4orrowind the #oices cheered for him like no one before.

+e was home.


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hronicle 1@.

"Stay still 4adame."

Crackling restoration magick circulated under Juliana's palm and into the woman's hand. )he fleshy tissue (uickly cauteri/ed under the heat, sealing what had been ripped open by a wild cat.

deep, thunderous e0plosion echoed in the distance; outside, a three way war raged on that thepriestess needed no part of. )he &mperial City had citi/ens forgotten and neglected, and she wouldnot deny them the basic right of healing.

n old man called for her, frailly pointing to a dark pit in his back.

"Got stabbed in the back by a :ord assassin.. :e#er thought &'d see a hulking boar of a man mo#elike that; the bastard poisoned me," he grimaced while Juliana carefully pressed around the fetid areato assess the #enom's reach.

)he priestess had seen work like this numerous times from the bonheart =act. &t was a :ordicblend deri#ed from three herbs with deadly potential &mp stool, %eathbell and 4ora )apinella. )heeffect of the potion was a gradual infection that disabled anything touched.

Juliana took a prepared poultice to the wound, dabbing softly she (uietly e0plained, ")he &mp Stoolused to harm you can also be used to heal you; in combination with $lue 4ountain 2lower and$listerwort it will re#erse the effects of the to0in."

)he priestess placed a hand under the man's side, lifting him to an upright position. She bound historso with a linen wrap soaked in the re#ersing agent and asserted, "4aintain this compress for fourdays and if it has impro#ed continue with the herbal antidote, three times daily, for one week.E

She put the herbs within his hand and added, F%o this and it will one day be a memory." )he old man reached into his pockets, rummaging for gold.

"Sir, the priesthood offers its ser#ices without cost; we #olunteer and are paid in the results of ourefforts," she bowed and fi0ed her hood to lea#e.

+e clasped her hand within his, "4ara bless you all, and may she protect you. )amriel needs more of your order."


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hronicle 1C.

)hree weeks and 6arlatari's lacerated thigh had sealed. )he &mperials at 2ort lessia were morehospitable than a 4er would anticipate, no thanks to her l#en demands. She was neutral to theconflicts of the other races and cared only for the issues of her family. !bser#ing the infighting between the races of men reminded her of young children yet to learn self control; the $osmer hadlittle time to wait on them.

%uring the three week interim on her in-ury, she ga#e meticulous thought to her ne0t ambition.Silagea was no longer present to guide and teach her which left the $osmer with a sense of disorientation. $y the fourth day of contemplation, 6arlatari's mind was made. She knew theimportance of staying true to her family's use of magicka and decided to further her studies in theschool of lteration at the college in 2irsthold on the Summerset &sles home of her +igh l#encousins. She had once #isited with her younger brother 4oralor 7dark wood8, but relations betweenthe $osmer and ltmer were.. somewhat dis-ointed. )he ltmer looked upon her kind as they lookedupon most all with pretension. )hey regarded themsel#es highly as one of the oldest races known to

)amriel and thought it outrageous that a group such as the $osmer would dare to lea#e their gloriouspedigree.

6arlatari braced herself for the e0tended family gathering and set to charting a portal gateway abenefit of ha#ing already #isited. Shades of #iolet chased after her fingers, meeting at a high archabo#e her head. She wrote the word 'mitta#oy' 7enter8 at the base, opening a hole that re#ealed amirage of 2irsthold.

&t was certainly something the ltmer could be proud of cathedral spires gleamed in the sun and thegreat ri#er %iceto twirled around the royal gardens. 6arlatari, entranced by the #ista, fell forward intothe portal; a fresh bree/e kissed her face and offered the sweet scent of )iger Bily and Aose nectar.She clapped her hands together and the portal collapsed behind her.

)he ri#er led her through the city's botanical gardens where water +yacinth were in bloom, floating on the ri#er top, and the grass beneath her feet felt as luscious as #el#et. 2or a while, 6arlatarimar#elled at the beauty; she was reminded of her homeland.

)he sun was setting o#er the becean Sea when she arri#ed at the 4ages guild; morning glory blossoms lining the path began to close and emit a dim luminance. )he tall door to the guild halls,along with all ltmeri architecture, was built for the +igh l#es and the +igh l#es alone. )he$osmer's small frame reached for the lofty handle and she swung inside.


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hronicle 1D.

Juliana rode =holos outside the &mperial City and onto the Aed Aing Aoad. messenger had broughta missi#e from another priest, )heotis, appealing for help with a sensiti#e (uandary. +e was thesenior priest of rkay watching o#er the dead in 2alkreath.

)he letter stated the 9nahaten flu had ra#aged Skyrim with such ferocity that the halls of the dead ine#ery hold were now at ma0imum capacity. ll bodies were ordered to redirect to 2alkreath in thesouth, a town historically known for its enormous gra#eyard. ?hat was somewhat e0pected aboutthe matter was that 2alkreath had now become a beacon to necromancers. Aumours had been

whispered to )heotis regarding Juliana's possession of %awnbreaker and he had reali/ed its potentialin such a situation, despite the sword's infraction on their faith.

Juliana stopped in Chorrol, a town occupied by her faction in north western Cyrodiil. )he chapel of Stendarr loomed o#er the city and formidably reminding all to honour the ight %i#ines. &nside thetemple harmonic chimes echoed, citi/ens knelt in the aisles while petitioning the Gods and elaborateportrayals of )he ight filled e#ery window with glass of a hundred colours.

)he #isage of Julianos sei/ed the $reton's ga/e; shame brought her eyes down to the altar below his window. pla(ue read 9now the truth. !bser#e the law. ?hen in doubt, seek wisdom from the wise.

Guilty, she (uietly left the chapel and rode away.

)hree days it took to follow )he Colo#ian +ighlands north east to linhir in +ammerfell. Bess thana day and Juliana had arri#ed in 2alkreath.

)he situation was more repulsi#e than )heotis could ha#e described carriages loaded withunattended caskets lined the streets, some with lids partly detached; diseased dogs sat in the roadsnarling at any passer by and, within the gra#eyard, a horde of twenty eight bodies lay ready forburial. ?hat was worse, some of the gra#es appeared to ha#e been disturbed. )he mark of necromancy was without a doubt upon the forest town.

)heotis was frantically arguing with a guard on patrol, insisting on help with digging up more landfor the grounds, when Juliana appeared into his half blind sight. +e wa#ed a hand at the soldier to begone.

"Sister> Come help your senior and dirty yourself, you'll ne#er learn this at that school in +igh Aock,"he thrust a sho#el into her hands.

)he priestess looked at )heotis' half dug hole in the ground, he nodded e0uberantly at her; she set todigging.

"3ou wouldn't belie#e the bait these bodies are to those e#il practitioners in the hills. )hey must bedrawn in by the smell, & can think of nothing else. Se#en attacks in the past week, se#en> =rior to theflu, 2alkreath was honoured with -ust one #isit a year>"

+e looked at her and abruptly blurted out, "So you ha#e the sword, yes %awnbreaker $ane of theundead Something must be done about these Gods forsaken creatures. )onight "


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)o Juliana if the undead were not dead, then neither could she die.

"& would be obliged, Sir. Beast & be found wanting."

" 0cellent> " he sung.

")he leader seems to make an appearance on each new moon, usually loitering around somewherebehind his underlings," the priest lowered his tone to a murmur, "and between you and & &'d ratherthis not get back to the priesthood, you know, that sword's master.."

She interrupted his fears, ")he blade ser#es no being other than the one who wields it, Senior. & ser#eno daedra."

"%on't become another maril the nfeathered, Gods forbid.." the eccentric priest hurried away,distracted by another task.


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hronicle 1G.

")ell me again, rgonian.. +ow much do you lo#e the %read 2ather " Grandmaster 6endrus 6edari watched )s'thu's pupils dilate and shift.

")he 2ather & re#ere and the mother 4ephala & adore> Can you hear the singing "

6endrus looked at 4aster &dulari; her eyebrow was raised. )he %unmer woman spoke flatly, "?ouldhe be capable of completing +ouse %res' re(uest +e is seasoned."

)he 4orag )ong had blundered about the contract for three months and lost four members to thetarget. )hey were a distorted reflection of their guild two hundred years prior, restricted to a ho#el in

)he Gra/elands near 2alensarano on the eastern coast of 6#ardenfell.

6endrus foresaw a contingency, "6ery well Shadowscale, here is your contract. Sethriella #anhi of )el $ranora continues to fail on payment to +ouse %res for the sum of ele#en sla#es, this display of e#asion is encouraging all other members of +ouse )el#anni to withhold payment. ?e ha#e beenapproached to force the situation forward. 3ou will be gi#en an +onourable ?rit of 0ecution forthe magister Sethriella. 3ou are now bound to the contract."

)s'thu clapped and begun to sing with the #oices, " Sanguine blood is the blood of his children> )he outer realms, our cousins' homes.. "

"3ou ha#e undoubtedly been touched," 6endrus noted while )s'thu ambled out the door muttering,"howe#er it finishes, blood of an abnormal soul will bring -oy to )he Bady."

&dulari smirked and shook her head.


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hronicle 1H.

Juliana, )heotis and a troop of fifteen guards stood before a throng of ten necromancers and theirleader.

)he old priest whispered in her direction, FAemember your wards.E

)he black robed mages mo#ed first; portals to !bli#ion folded back reality and out stepped creaturesof pure flame bound in molten rock. Juliana directed her eyes away from the holes, recalling the lastresult from her dream.

nother gateway folded back and a ghoulish scamp peered through from another realm. &ts ears werepointy like those of a 4er and it swayed low from side to side while huffing hea#ily. )he priestessopened her hand in faith, and within an orb grew to the si/e of a small rock. moment longer.. )hescamp dipped its dangly foot into the new realm and cautiously assessed e#ery direction. :ow>

Juliana threw the shining spell at the window to !bli#ion and the opening recoiled within itself,e#aporating to smoke. small foot tumbled into the nearby grass; the toes wriggled for a few

seconds before falling limp.

)heotis had taken a guard and ran to the gra#eyard upon hearing a disturbing rumbling in theground, he outstretched his hands to each side and cried out for rkay to protect the perished. ruby bla/e bolted down from the southern skies and into the priest, creating around him a fiery field;the large sphere burnt any nearing enemy seeking to profane the dead.

)hree warlocks commenced chanting in a circle and the guard to Juliana's left fell on his knees,choking. )he priestess pulled her fingers in one at a time and recited a di#ine rite. !n the se#enthfinger her wrists fro/e o#er, the crackling cold creeping into her hands. &f she wanted to castsuccessfully, she needed a ward. ?ith an arm fro/en she wa#ed in a circular motion, threading aroundherself a magickal barrier ten feet wide.

She wasn't fast enough the guard fell on his face, dead. )he chanting figures began the process again with another sentry; Juliana sighed slowly, her breath shuddered in resentment.

)he ward melted the ice enough for her to snap through; she completed the chant, pulled in her finalfinger and wrenched her arms downward. magnificent globe e0ploded within the warlock's circleand the three dissol#ed to dust, affirming their e0istence as #ampires. )he guard snorted in a surgeof air at his release.

Juliana brought forth %awnbreaker. Some of the figures attempted to telekinetically pull the swordfrom her; howe#er as their magick touched the artifact, they were set abla/e. )he remaining

necromancers ran for refuge in the darkness, pro#oking one's death at the hand of their leader in ashow of strength. )he last lackey found himself within the guards' own circle of steel and theaforementioned sentry dro#e a sil#er a0e into his neck.

)he leader alone remained. +e flicked his claws at the priestess and her sight was clouded in black magick, at her back there was a shriek from the guards following a li(uid e0plosion.

Stillness . She felt the e#il presence drift from her.


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hronicle 1K.

Juliana could go on no more. )he seeds sown by her had come into bloom, and she was left with ahar#est of guilt. )he conscience within her pulled what was once a -oyful face to the ground andgripped her heart in a #ice for ransom.

)hen, the reality of the situation dawned she had consorted with illicit spectra and fallen from grace,-ust as 4eridia. )he daedra had robed itself in white and con#inced the priestess they held acommon enemy. $ut in truth, beneath the holy appearance was a being alike all other daedra a selfishentity seeking to further its own agenda. )he priestess had gi#en away the co#ering of Julianos forthe esoteric, temporal power of his enemy.

Juliana fell from =holos, misery dragged her to the ground. She wept bitterly, counting her losses. sa follower of the God that go#erned the realm of contradiction, the situation was tortuously ironic.

)wenty years studying his attributes, and she had foolishly backslid in such a way.

!riginally, the $reton was en route to Jehanna in +igh Aock and then wished to return home. :ow,

she now wished for nothing other than forgi#eness; the priestess came to a place of repentance.

"Bord of wisdom and logic.. come to me for without you my eyes should neither know the truefrom the false, nor sense from folly as & ha#e committed. & seek a pardon for my failing foresight. 4y Bord, deli#er compassion to your unruly child and acknowledge her by way of a #ision."

Juliana's ears began to ring. Bightning whipped a pine ten feet from her, harbingering rain. )hepouring water coalesced into a pillar, then morphed to the shape of a tall man burnished with redand blue robes. )he priestess lay petrified and held her ga/e on the dirt below. =holos shied backwarda few steps, grunting and pulling his head upward awry before stiffly submitting to the ground.

)he form of Julianos echoed, "& am beyond #isions of disorder and doubt, & will no longer answeryour petitions in sleep as the daedra ha#e blasphemed your dream world; howe#er, & am not lacking logic and ha#e instead chosen to appear to you in a form strewn from the flesh of :irn."

")he day you forsook me for your affair with 4eridia, & turned my countenance away. 3ouprostituted yourself to my enemy, offering what was mine into daedric hands."

"3et & am neither lacking in wisdom, and see now a child ridden with anguish owing to regret. 3oursoul is one of authenticity, and for this reason & fa#oured you as one of my own. ?isdom is weary of trust, and for your sacrilege you must -ustify my confidence in gifting you my loyalty once again."

"3ou will turn from your path and tra#el to 4orrowind; the land that is dark and co#ered by all

manner of profanities, the likes of daedra worship and sla#ery. Set forth for the sla#ers' capital of )ear, & will place weighty words in your mouth to prophecy against them. 4eanwhile 4ephala, thedaedric prince of murder among many abominable things, leads a guild of unanimous mortals in thestealing of li#es. 3ou will se#er this fruitless branch and & will burn it, honour me in this way andremission is yours," the edra's a(ueous form collapsed in a splash.


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hronicle 5 4aster thenar's blood would boil if heknew the %unmer wi/ard lords were watching him.

6arlatari groaned. She was in a #ery dangerous situation. +er options were limited comply, or fight. )he latter was a terrible idea, not only due to the nullification of her magick but because )el#anni

were among the most powerful and dominant wi/ards on :irn."& see you will ser#e me, a con#enient submission. )he pre#ious drudge from your defecti#e guild

was a pitiful worker; he found himself as a li#e test sub-ect thanks to his disobedient antics. & supposehe was worth for something, e#entually."

6arlatari remembered 2aelcelmo's disappearance two weeks prior, it bothered her little considering his ltmer typical imperious attitude.

)he grey skinned %unmer touched the roots and they fled away in fear of wilting. )he $osmerstepped from the cell with all dignity intact.

"3ou can start by brewing some %raggle )ail tea, also, & will be addressed as '4istress'. Sla#es neednot speak my name, nor at all for that matter. :ow, where did & put that :etch Beather.." the redrobed woman ho#ered away.

6arlatari could now think without worrying about the magister o#erhearing. )he cell lead into thekitchen which, despite the circumstances, was rather accommodating. She e0amined the ingredientladen shel#es; there were herbs from most pro#inces in )amriel along with a stockpile of the&mperial whiskey 2lin.


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+er mother, Aiel 7beauty8, had taught both brothers and herself many of their peoples' ownconcoctions. Aotmeth, for e0ample a sugared, salty and bitter 'tea' that was prepared by means of fermenting spiced meat. s a child enduring sleepless nights, she would be afforded two sips toencourage slumber.

%raggle )ail stood tall in a -ar behind a crop of +anging 4oss. )he $osmer had no issue with thehandling of flora, pro#ided the plants were not born to 6alenwood; the Green =act forbade it.

?hile she twisted the pods from their stems, something became #ery apparent to her. She subtly glanced behind, confirming the absence of the mind ea#esdropper. ?ith the appropriate herbs, shecould poison the magister> :o, death was too easy.. 6arlatari placed her hand around a -ug andcommanded the water within to boil. )he shel#es contained two of the three ingredients needed tomake an eli0ir of apathy, taught to her by Aiel. )he +anging 4oss and salt were lacking one potentadditi#e )rama Aoot.

?ould this ' -ira' aid her )he $osmer had nothing to barter sa#e a chance at freedom.

"+urry yourself, scamp>" the 4istress barked.

2orcing her mind away from suspicious matters, 6arlatari hurriedly took the tea to the wi/ard.


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hronicle 51.

=holos and the coachman's nag rela0ed their pace at the carriage's ascent, the two slowly climbed theslopes of astmarch into the Aift.

")ell me again, why you're endea#ouring to tra#el to the other side of )amriel " the Aorikstead nati#ecould hardly fathom the idea of tra#elling outside e#en Skyrim.

"&t is a commission of penance which &'d rather not di#ulge, Sir," Juliana prayed that he wouldin(uire no more.

"$uh, the Gods would ne#er ha#e me running off to such forsaken places, mind you we'#e ne#erbeen close."

)he priestess began, ")he %i#ines smile upon all of their children. 3ou could.."

"& don't wanna hear no preaching, 4a'am. &'m content with my lot."

)hey struck a bump in the road. )he coachman's horse nipped at =holos.

" nough of that.." he growled, Fyou may be old, but you're still as cranky a steed as e#er.E

"Books like we'll make Aiften by daybreak. Good thing, weather's turning," the :ord placed two Ja/bay Grapes under his beard and leant back.

Aiften well represented its reputation when it came time to depart, the priestess was thirty gold shy.She chose to ha#e pity on the thie#ing beggars and mo#ed on to Cyrodiil.

Juliana was careful to a#oid the warring bases and rode through the then unoccupied Cheydinhal,onto Shadowgate =ass. She passed through the border to 4orrowind where the city of 9ragenmoor

ga#e her shelter between the mountains. fter -ust one night, the %unmer became unsettled at herpresence and suggested she lea#e.

=holos carried her south east toward Bake Coronati a body of water bordered by the historical siteof ld 4arak. &n the year 5K


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hronicle 51.

6arlatari -abbed at the sleeping 9ha-iit, " -ira Something has happened, & need to speak with you."

)he cat woman was curled around like a ball. She mumbled from her dreams, ")his is not -ira'smoonsugar.. 4other sent three salmon to finish 4istress' chores.."

6arlatari pinched the ser#ant's tail, eliciting from her an irksome yowl, "Aenri-> )his one's mothertaught no manners.."

)he $osmer shushed her and motioned to the door, they met outside.

"=ointy ears better ha#e good e0cuse.. -ira does not like nap time interruptions."

She tried her luck with forthright persuasion, "?e're going to escape."

)he 9ha-iit's ears flattened, "?hy would -ira and cub want to escape ?e lo#e 4istress and4istress lo#es us>"

6arlatari pushed to o#errule her delusion, ")he 4istress is a )el#anni magister; whate#er lo#e she hasshown you was more than forced, do you not wish to be free "

)he cat woman frowned, " 2ree Speak plainly, 9ha-iit do not understand ?ood lf words."

"2ree is when you catch your own fish and walk where you wish. 3ou can lea#e this place and returnto your own land, where you belong, all & need is one )rama Aoot."

)he 9ha-iit's whiskers twitched in contemplation, ")he lsweyr sands.. & ha#e forgotten their warmth under my paws..E

Fnd what of Jo & understand the kitten is yours ?hat of her future EFCub has ne#er seen the homeland,E the 9ha-iit appeared to dream for a moment. +er faciale0pression changed to one of a shifty demeanour; it suited her. ?hether the homesickness for hernati#e land or the e0citement of escape inspired her answer was unknown, nonetheless the response

was sufficient.

F -ira will do this, for cub. ?ait here.E

)he cat prowled inside and returned on the minute.

"+ere is the )rama," she handed o#er the dried roots, "4istress sent Jeer )ei to har#est a batch for

calming tea. ?ill this one be making a drink "

"?orry not about that, & will come for you in the right time. )hank you clan sister," 6arlatari clearedher mind and commenced the plan.

)he potion was absolutely going to be in the form of a tea; there was no other substance themagister would be coa0ed into consuming, e#en by a $osmer. )rama Aoot was not only calming butboasted magickal traits; two #ery suitable attributes to a busy wi/ard. )he ?ood lf knifed off the


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barbed thorns, after all, she didn't want the 4istress to choke..

6arlatari reached and sei/ed the second ingredient +anging 4oss. second after the plant rippedaway, there was a clanging in the ad-acent room followed by a clamoured s(uawk. +er hand fro/emid descent; she slowly retreated with the small crop and knelt down, shrouded from sight. )he$osmer brought her hands a foot apart and summoned what meagre magicka was a#ailable to detectthe life nearby. weak la#ender strand whirled in and out of the space between her palms; on e#ery ebb and flow, the etherial current pulsed to a heartbeat. faint cloud formed for her #ision aloneand co#ered the soul ne0t door. She watched it pace to and fro for a time, until it became apparentthat the indi#idual was too preoccupied to mind the $osmer's business.

4other's instruction for this recipe was simple wea#e the )rama in moss, lace with salt and steep inhot water. ach layer would increase the potency, and salt would reduced the bitterness. &t took littleto prepare but the effects would re(uire double the time. !nce all was complete, the $osmer left toscour the mushroom tower for -ira.


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hronicle 55.

)he statue of /ura stood with its hands raised against a background of darkness, Juliana felt the weight of curses past as the boat sailed by. )he people of 4orrowind were under a hea#y deception,had the Gods simply gi#en them o#er )hey wished to be free of the edra and their goodness; andso the conse(uence was a nation coated in calamities. Aain fell from high abo#e; %unmereth wept.

)he plant towers of )el $ranora emerged from the fog's caress. Shiphands scurried about like shalk to ready for docking. )he priestess refastened =holos' rope to the stern, he was happy enough toha#e another #essel tra#el for him. )wo rgonian, who could assumed to be sla#es by their gauntappearance, wa#ed in the boat.

"4ore labourers for +er 0cellency Book, a $reton> !h ho ho, & bet she paid a high price for you.. ?e'll take good care of you, for sure ," the li/ard man had a smile wicked enough to make a daedrauncomfortable.

Juliana's pale skin crawled at their per#ersion, she had ne#er encountered the lewdness of a male at

the school in +igh Aock. She reminded the men of their humanity, "3ou were not created to follow after the nature of a beast."

)hey smirked and drew nearer. ll became (uiet.

"$ut Sera, we are beasts.."

concealed %awnbreaker crackled softly below her robes. )he $reton tried another approach, "&f you truly want your desires sated and to e0perience something from another land, then come closer.."

)he rgonians' claws dandled in her hair, she waited for the impeccable opportunity, -ust a momentmore..

?hen the li/ard men stepped beyond the threshold inches from the her face, she abruptly drew %awnbreaker, the blade whistled through the air to a #ertical stance between them.

)he sla#es gasped and lurched back, "+ist sakes> ?e -ust were ha#ing fun, woman>"

")ake me to Sethriella, or do you still cra#e to see more of the surprises +igh Aock has to offer "

)he two rgonian walked her without (uestion through the courtyard and into the fortress, checking the location of her blade e#ery half minute. ?hen they neared an archway, one of the men held outhis hand to signal a pause.

long robed %unmer with tied, black hair and red eyes sat at a table with a cup in hand. She ga#e nopri#ilege of a ga/e to her sla#es, instead answering aloof, "& hear the thoughts of a stranger.2ortunately for you, & feel oddly hospitable.. Come, ha#e some tea."


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hronicle 5@.

)s'thu's heart palpitated in rhythm to the pulse of his target; the closer he neared, hea#ier thecadence thundered.

2lattery from the #eil beyond urged him forward, 3our family watches on in pride.. 3ou are my perfect child of cunning, born to tug the threads of your world..

+e felt himself embraced by the cool shade of 4ephala, she was the mother ne#er known to him.

)he assassin infiltrated the courtyard. 9ha-iit woman knelt tending to a garden of ash yam; her tailswayed from side to side while she hummed the promise of Aiddle')har.

=luck the strand of betrayal.. :ourish your lo#ely dagger; let it sip the blood of deceit.

)he rgonian perched ne0t to the 9ha-iit and offered as sane a smile as was manageable.

She purred, " nother ser#ant ?e'll soon be able to build a small town."

)hread a string of loyalty..

)s'thu pulled a blue Stoneflower from within the weeds and presented it to the cat woman; her earsstood tall, surprised.

"!h> )his one is a flatterer.."

)he rgonian knelt toward her, his words were brief and sil#er tongued, " pleasure to ha#e metyou."

+e dro#e +sh'kep deep into her side; the cat's tail fell limp.

)s'thu made a lurking return to the shaded embrace of 4ephala. )he sla#e's body remained facing skyward; her deathly ga/e reflected the moons.

0cellent> )hough not a lie was told.. 2orget not the -oys of deception, my child.


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hronicle 5C.

6arlatari's mind paced. Someone was in the ne0t room, drinking the apathy tea made for themagister> )he $osmer dropped down behind the counter and turned her ear to the wall. )here weresome muffled tones, "&t has resentfully come to my attention that you are not only holding sla#es butstealing them, & e0pected more from one as intelligent as yourself."

F& am not harming them.. well, merely those that elect to become nothing more than insubordinatedolts. 4any feel blessed to ser#e +ouse )el#anni,E the magister's tone was now irksome, F?hy dothe races of men constantly seek to ban such fine business opportunities Sla#ery is not a moralmatter, it is.. a mutual negotiation.E

"3our mind is reprobate. Can you not imagine yourself in their position "

")hat is different; l#en lineage is superior. )he races of men and beast li#e to ser#e while the 4erli#e to be ser#ed. 3ou are a $reton, part 4er by blood. %o your people not wish to mimic theirancestors "

"?e wish to mimic the goodness of the ight %i#ines, something your people abandoned long ago,"the accuser sighed, " ntertain this thought imagine as a child that you were taken from your homeand sent to an unfamiliar pro#ince. Someone bought you; your future in capti#ity was sealed andincontestable. !pportunity was nothing but a myth and the word freedom was ne#er understood.&magine if your future as a member of +ouse )el#anni was traded for a bag of coins, can you yet seeyour peoples #iolations "

)he 4istress became flustered, ":othing is free, you know. & paid a handsome sum to +ouse %resfor the first shipment; more than they were worth> %o you suppose & simply release them +ow ridiculous>"

)he #oice of the #isitor grew languished and (uiet, 6arlatari withheld her breath to hear.

" nd what if & offered myself in their place "

)he )el#anni chided, "%on't be absurd, & would ha#e Co#enant ministers at my door in less than amonth."

)he $osmer had begun counting down the seconds to the apathy brew's tenfold full effect when afamiliar set of footsteps resounded through the hall. )hey were subdued and of a consistent tempo.She tilted forward and found the sound was matched to a pair of scaled feet, another sla#e.. +e hadto be warned not to interrupt the plan>

6arlatari fluttered a petite hand around and harshly whispered, " Stop> !#er he "

+er palm slapped o#er her mouth in an attempt to recapture the words. Cold trembling sei/ed herbeing; the $osmer thrust herself back against the wall. )he feet matched none other than those of the beast from bagarlas.

+e was dead> !r was it that she had died and this was all a torment from another world +e seemednot to ha#e noticed her.. ?as she a ghost 6arlatari searched for reality. ?hat if this was the work of


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a soul gem )hen she had been trapped fore#er>

)he obli#ious murderer entered the guest chamber, there was a scream of horror and dread as )s'thuapproached behind the 4istress and lunged his dagger into her back. Juliana acted instincti#ely andbounded to her feet; she took his shoulders in her hands and with all her courageous might, threw him from the indifferent )el#anni. ?hy was she not reacting

"Sethriella, you'#e being attacked>"

)he wi/ard watched disinterested, "3es.. but & don't seem to mind. & ha#e to ponder this.."

)s'thu could see nothing but colours. ll was ebony black bar the red mist of his target and anobtrusi#e shining yellow light. bewildered #oice rose o#er the dissonant chanting within his head,"+ow > 3ou were dead> 3ou were in the lake>"

Juliana resorted to the sacred oath and demanded an answer, ":ecromancy be damned, who roseyou>"

raspy utterance croaked out of his mouth, "=adomay of all change and his wife, the 4other of 4ortal ?ebssss>"

Juliana's self assurance slipped as the effects of the tea began to manifest. )he priestess prayed infright, edra of magicka, & am now in your will, restore to me my sound mind>

)wo triangles gridded by an incalculable network of channels enclosed around the her pupils. Sheclinched the situation with a sharp clarity, Julianos had answered> +er confidence doubled.%awnbreaker's flowing wisps wrapped around her wrist in fer#our. She understood the blade'snature it would seethe until the assassin's soul had been e0tinguished.

)s'thu disregarded the $reton, he hungered only for the targeted magister. +e thought he hearddistant calls from his childhood, though there was a struggle to heed anything through the bellowing,!bli#ion sings> =erform for us>

&n the midst of chaos and without warning, Jo flew forth from atop a shelf and wrapped her teetharound the rgonian's leathery ankle; the cat groaned and wailed until she was kicked away.

6arlatari watched from the safety of concealment. )he hooded #isitor parried a fatal blow to the4istress, hinting at her identity the weapon was the same blade possessed by the priestess from

bagarlas. )he $osmer further (uestioned her sanity, this was beyond strange. &t was either thecoincidence of the century, or a working from therius. She made doubly sure to stay out of sight,the ?ood lf did not know which would be better the death of the )el#anni, her greatmother'smurderer or the %aggerfall representati#e.

Juliana struck her blade to the ground in a righteous mo#e of chastening; a blast of energy rattledthrough the chamber. )he e#il inside the Shadowscale was rebuked with such force that he crashedsidelong into the wall.

Sethriella sat slumped watching the battle in wonder, she poured herself another cup of tea.


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)he bla/ing light approached )s'thu.

:o, no> the #oices roared, kill her> %o not unwind my beautiful web>

face formed from the golden bla/e, and he beheld the terror of all terrors purity. )he rgonianclosed his eyes in distress to hide from the intensity. )he e#asion failed; the priestess filled his sight.&t was then that the whispers abandoned him and his perception cleared. &n a final attempt for blood,he threw +sh'kep at the $reton.

)here was a flash and a dull thump. %awnbreaker had ricocheted the blow.

)he #oid has come for you, failure.

)s'thu's last choking breath was spent on surprise, "$lacknessss ?ait> ?here is the %read 2ather'ssmile.."

+is final ga/e beheld fear as his soul departed.

6arlatari #ery nearly shrieked with glee. She watched the priestess tug the dagger from his forehead.:ow, it was a certainty that the Sithian sociopath was deceased.


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hronicle 5D.

Sethriella finished another cup of tea, apathetic to the entire occurrence. Juliana mo#ed in to addressher gash.

"%on't touch that> &'#e been wanting to e0periment on a fresh, succulent wound as of late. nd lea#ethat body too, & would much like to e0amine the anatomy of an rgonian to see if it compares withmy other sub-ects."

She continued, "& sense your conscience is persistent, despite our interruption. Correct me if & am wrong, which of course & ne#er am, but did & hear you praying to that edra wi/ard, Julianos "

)he $reton took the opportunity to testify, ")wenty years & ha#e ser#ed him by #irtue and moste#ery moment has been a -oy. & ha#e witnessed trials such as this, and by each one the God of logichas ne#er failed to teach. &t is by his graciousness that & stand here, petitioning you to release yoursla#es."

"!h that is #ery (uaint, but & don't care. & am more curious about the rumours of this 'damnede(uation' he supposedly incants."

Juliana hesitated, "3es but, shall & say :o, it is too dangerous to e#en speak of."

":onsense> %angerous knowledge is the most useful. )ell me or & will retrie#e your thoughts foryou," the )el#anni prodded into her mind.

":o, & will not tell you. & took an oath," the priestess turned her thoughts back to her original topic.

6arlatari listened with a#idity to their con#ersation, the plan was re established and, if anything theslaying of the beast would gi#e the #isitor a greater credibility. :ow -ust to hear the words that would

unlock her magickal bindings, and those of all the sla#es. )he discussion turned to daedra. Sethriella's tone was riled, " nd where did you get that sword &know it is of daedric origin, & can hear it muttering. 3ou are not in truth a holy woman if youfraterni/e with your masters' ad#ersaries>"

"&t is true in a moment of weakness & was decei#ed. )here was a mistake made the day false logic walked me onto a seemingly bene#olent path; & fell away. $ut no weapon is inherently e#il, it is theone who wields it that forces destruction," she pressed for reason, "& appreciate you admit thee0istence of holiness, my erring not withstanding. 3ou measured me to a standard that all sentientcreation innately comprehends goodness. Aationali/e abo#e your culture, Sethriella. Sla#ery by forceis unethical, it is an absolute e#il."

)he suggestion of rational racial supremacy along with the effects of 6arlatari's apathy potionkindled an epiphany in the 4istress, "2ine> )ake the useless curs> $ut lea#e the #olunteers.. )his willgi#e me an edge o#er that dunce, 6ed#ala, from )el 4ora. & will be the transcendent bearer of logicin +ouse )el#anni> :ot only that but it will cull the swarm of eggs &'#e been finding within the sla#e(uarters, horrid li/ards."

Juliana took the offer. She wouldn't attempt to address the magister's growing #anity and ill intention,


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lest she change her mind. )he priestess commenced arrangements regarding which prisoners were tobe released.


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hronicle 5G.

6arlatari's wrists and neck were tightly clenched under an unseen power. )here was a noise akin toshredding paper pursued by a current of wind in re#erse, within the same moment, the crushing strain released and she found herself free. )he 4istress had relented.

?ere the shackles truly undone )he $osmer formed her hands in a hori/ontal steeple and waselated to witness her magicka returned; fibres of lucid cyan rippled in tune with the tides of

etherius.

)he final piece of the plan could now fall into place. 6arlatari wished not to be noticed by the woman from bagarlas, who was still in discussion with the )el#anni, for the circumstances were stillincredibly fragile. She left the room on silent $osmeri feet to search out -ira.

s she descended the tower, the ?ood lf met her old friend an0iety. She was familiar with thehorrors of the ?ild +unt, yet what she saw deeply stunned and disturbed her. )he beast had killeddo/ens of sla#es during his ascent of the halls. mong the dead lay few barely ali#e, e#en a pair of

children. She walked by e#ery bewildered sob that grasped for her care; she was no healer nor acomforter, the $osmer knew nothing could be done for them.

)he fingers of a desperate, one armed 9ha-iit brushed her ankle. 2ear demanded her flight she ran. -ira, Jo and her own sal#ation were priority and she had limited time. )he 4istress would e#entually sober from the potion and re ensla#ed them all. )here was a compilation of sprinting around and-umping o#er bodies, and a coral stain soon pigmented the hem of her gown. She ran and ran inpanic from the suffering until she was greeted with the fresh, open air beyond the tower.

"&t is all well, child.. +ere it comes," a croaky #oice whee/ed, "the friend.."

Jo lay under the chin of -ira; the older sla#e had become another mutilated #ictim to the beast. Shehad a torn ear, se#eral missing whiskers and was donned with a drooling wound across her chest.

strange sympathy within the $osmer stirred. She knelt at the cat woman's torso and rubbed herback, ")his was truly unpredictable, my apologies.."

"%eath is most predictable " she gasped, "as predictable as -a'9ha'-ay the Bunar Battice. :ow thisone must do the predictable and send -ira home to the ancestors."

6arlatari #alued lineage and knew information, e#en at such a time, was imperati#e to e0tract, "!f what tribe are you nati#e "

"%agi.. 9ha-iit of magick from )enmar. )radition calls -ira disgraced if li/ard man would ha#e thekilling blow; that is why clan sister, the friend, will finish 9ha-iit to send her to paradise."

Jo's mother pulled a golden wristlet bestrewn with black gems from her forearm, " -ira's family are9ha-iit of spells. ll who came before sleep within the paradise that family has created, within the

#ery -ewels."

6arlatari took the armlet for e0amination. )he weight far e0ceeded its appearance, and it becameapparent why when she reali/ed the dark stones' nature they were black soul gems. )he moment


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didn't permit her bother that the gems were, for the most part, illegal; in fact, it rather intrigued her.

"&t is family's romantic idea of fore#er life; family li#es always amongst each other and its souls arene#er used for e#il. -ira will enter the stone ne0t to mother and, one day, little one here will enterthe gem ne0t to -ira. )his way, 9ha-iit with birthright is ne#er alone and ne#er to be sad."

6arlatari hid the appointed stone under her thumb, "& ha#e ne#er used a black soul gem, though &ha#e utili/ed many common shards and once e#en a greater. 4y family also practices magick unseenby the general populace of 6alenwood, it was from Mar0es that & learnt the e0istence of these dark fragments."

-ira's face bloated as fe#er set in, "!kay, it is time to go. )his one will gi#e the heirloom to cub and-ourney far away. Show child the sands, let it choose a path. :ow.. gi#e -ira the end."

6arlatari stretched her palm o#er the mouth of the dying 9ha-iit.

"Jo, stand behind me."

gust of dry air whirled throughout her fingers. )he $osmer began the chant

" nyammis a# anyammis.

4itta#oy an ceybal,

oioseprediabal."

7Bife upon life.

nter the dark stone,

the stone of eternal peace8. tethering cord stemmed from 6arlatari's arm and wrapped itself around the 9ha-iit. She (uickly connected the soul gem to the bond, the #ictim's respiration slowed.

"Aemo#e -ira's disgrace and make the killing blow.."

)he $osmer held three fingers o#er the cat woman's eyes and slowly lifted her palm, pulling forth thelife from within; the wristlet became substantially hea#ier. )hen, the 9ha-iit held her final breath anddied.

!ne of the only people to ha#e e#er called 6arlatari 'friend' was gone. She sat silently with Jo under

the dusty sky.


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hronicle 5H.

Juliana stumbled down the steps in dismay, "9ynareth's tears.."

)he assassin had left a cruel signature; rows of mangled bodies littered )el $ranora. ?hat anaccursed creature> )he priestess bedamned his memory in a moment of failing grace. She remindedherself he was no longer a sub-ect for prayer and that he would now answer to the Gods. Still, she

would certainly be following up with the remaining murderous members of the 4orag )ong. 2ornow, the $reton took a moment and tended to what little life was left.

)here was a young rgonian, who looked to be no older than si0 years old, huddled under an oldchair. +is face was pale with shock and his scales were tightly flattened. +e withdrew at the priestess'approached. Juliana crawled under the table to sit with the ghastly child; when it became apparentthat the woman was an ally, he promptly latched around her arm.

)he boy burst into tears, ")he dark man hit all my friends and they all fell down, and my sister won't wake up> & want fatherscale> +e was looking after motherscale's eggs in the other mushroom."

"?hat is your name & am called Juliana."

"4y name is Geelk."

"&t is nice to meet you, Geelk. Bet us find your father, but first a game. ?e will tra#el through thetower and you will tell me where we are. +ere is the challenge & will cast a special spell on you, sothat you will not be able to see anything. %o you trust me " the priestess summoned an illusionary green orb to coa0 the child, he did not need to see the horrors within the halls.

"4amascale said & shouldn't go with ," he stared into the globe, "hmm.. okay.."

Juliana placed a mild rune of blinding o#er Geelk's eyes and carried him onward through the tower.2limsy lanterns hung from the walls, pro#iding -ust enough magickal glow to guide the priestess' feet. ?hile they sidestepped what was left of a young 9ha-iit, the boy gagged, "Something smells yucky..%id %rusee cook scrib for dinner again "

)he $reton whispered comforting words to the boy. )here was so much death in a single place to which Sethriella would ha#e to deal alone. Juliana held the scaly child close and hurried out the doorto )el $ranora's courtyard.

"3ou are not going in there, Sa0hleel>" a senior li/ard man wa#ed his hand out before a fellow sla#e,")he killer may take you too, it is too dangerous>"

)he hiss of a 9ha-iit alerted the group to Juliana's appearance; they cowered and shied away in alarm.Geelk -umped from the woman's arms and wobbled towards who could be assumed his father. )heboy babbled and crowed, in between tears and hugs, about all he had e0perienced. +e asserted withgreat gusto the trustworthiness of the 'white lady'.

Juliana took o#er for the boy, ")he threat has been dealt to, finally. )he tower is safe to enter. )hough & will warn you it is #ery grisly."


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)he crowd found themsel#es between a moment of relief and dread. 9ha-iit sire spoke out, ")he4istress is well "

"She is. &n fact, & bring also good news Sethriella has agreed to release all sla#es held against their will."

)here was a mi0ed response. Some gasped in shock, others ga#e (uestioning tones and yet otherssaid nothing at all. young cat woman spoke first to her companion, "+usband, this is family'schance at a new life> & will begin to pack our things."

+e was blunt with her, ":o, 9ha-iit are staying. )he 4istress treats family with kindness."

slanderous phrase fired from Juliana's mouth, "3ou know little of kindness if the 4istress' is allyou ha#e known."

She regretted the words instantly.

"& am sorry, sually & would not speak e#il of another.."

n rgonian patriarch growled at the infighting, " nough> ach of us ha#e a decision to make tostay and ser#e, or to chance the dangers of the outside world in the name of freedom. )hose who

wish to lea#e, stand to my left; the rest, to my right."

)he aforementioned 9ha-iit couple split from one another. Children stood in the middle, unsure of which parent to -oin. &t was ne#er Juliana's intention to di#ide the families.

She attempted to reason with the crowd, "?hate#er you choose, rupture not the security of a child. )hose who elect independence will accompany me we will board the boat and sail to the townshipof )horn in the pro#ince of $lack 4arsh; after, & will depart from you to deal with the murderer's

source."She sighed with relief as a couple reunited in the name of stability. &nspired, three pairs more mergedat her side. Still, they were split down the middle in numbers of those who would stay and those who

would go.

")his will likely be your last encounter with one another; choose your fate wisely, including that of your children."

9ha-iit left the priestess to -oin with his wife, fi0ing the ratio of escapees at about two to three.

)here was an unner#ing sense of anticipation as a gust of wind swirled into bitter cold and a light

rain began to fall. Juliana's heart murmured to a disconcerting rhythm, something dangerous wascoming. )he wind carried an therial #oice of warning, " Bea#e (uickly.. )he tide turns.. "

"Come. ?e must depart, now. & ha#e but one thing to say to those who will remain forget not your worth. 4ay the ight watch o#er and preser#e you."

She turned to her group of followers, "Bet us run to the boat, there is a burden of urgency on my heart."


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Atherius. By Jenene Richards-Travaille.

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