Loredas, 17^th Morning Star, 4E 202 to Tirdas, 20^th Morning Star, 4E 202

Upon entering Fort Dawnguard, I warned the group, “This is the last chance for Isran. If he continues to insult Serana or aggravate me in any manner, we will break all ties with The Dawnguard.”

It did not take us long to find Dexion. He had a covering over his eyes. I have read how Moth Priest can go temporarily or permanently blind. They can also go insane. It is a hazardous calling.

• Wulf: Dexion, are you blind?
• Dexion: Yes, and it is my fault. In my haste to read Serana’s Elder Scroll, I neglected the careful preparation required. I have only recently read your Elder Scroll, so the danger was greater. I thought I’d be able to allay the after effects, but I was wrong. Now I am paying for my foolishness.
• Wulf: I am a Master of Restoration. Perhaps I can restore your eyesight?
• Dexion: I am afraid not as no mortal magic can repair it. The blindness may be temporary, and it will just have to run its course. It may be some time before we know if it is permanent.
• Wulf: This is too steep a price. I knew that members of your order risk this infliction and should have considered that before asking you to read Serana’s Elder Scroll. I am so sorry. Please, forgive me for my thoughtlessness.
• Dexion: What is there to forgive? I have dedicated my life to reading and deciphering the Elder Scrolls. The same could have happened when I read yours at the College. If I hadn’t read Serana’s, some other Moth Priest would have risked their sight instead. That would have been cowardly and selfish of me to allow such a thing.
• Wulf: It sounds callous, but we can’t wait and hope your eyesight returns. I will have to act fast and get the Elder Scrolls read in The Imperial City.
• Dexion: It is not insensitive at all but simply practical. There is another way that will save you time. The question is, how much are you willing to risk to find Auriel’s Bow?
• Wulf: I do not want the bow for any selfish reason. It seems I need the bow to stop a catastrophe, the masking of the sun, from occurring. Therefore, as I have done many times before, I will risk my life to help the mortals of Nirn. Just tell me what needs doing.
• Dexion: I can’t guarantee you would be free from harm. Becoming blind could be the least of your worries.
• Wulf: I understand and accept the risks.
• Dexion: Scattered across Tamriel are secluded locations known as Ancestor Glades. There is one in Skyrim, in a pine forest northeast of Peak’s Shade Tower.

My Divine Compass shifted. I did not have to move around to triangulate as I was positive that I knew the cave. It is east of Angi’s.

• Wulf: I think I know where it is, but The Divines have let me know anyway.
• Aranea: Your compass thingy has moved?
• Wulf: My Divine Compass thingy. Yes.
• Inigo: Did you threaten to tie the Herald of Akatosh’s tail in a knot? It is hard to believe they are suddenly so helpful.
• Wulf: It would be reasonably stupid if I were killed by bandits or whatever whilst wandering around looking for a cave.
• Serana: How hard is it to get to the glade?
• Wulf: It is a reasonably easy walk from one of my houses though it is a steep climb. It is not far from the Bloodlet Throne. A clan of vampires that eats children lived there once.
• Serana: Did you destroy them?
• Wulf: They lure children when they are sleeping. I assume the dweomer used is a present from Molag Bal. I rescued a child from the Thalmor. They were going to execute the young girl to keep their plans hidden. The vampires subsequently captured this child. I went to retrieve the child, and they attacked me. I did not hunt them down, but after they attacked, I wiped them out! Dozens fell to my wrath, and I was much weaker then. So, when Harkon boasted of his powers, it was difficult not to laugh. According to some notes I read inside Bloodlet Throne, this clan has covens all over Tamriel. The children they did not consume were sent to their Broodmother. Any child affected by the dweomer would find their way to the nearest coven. I protected the child with items I found inside that terrible place.
• Serana: And is the child in your orphanage?
• Wulf: No, some friends adopted her.
• Dexion: I find this discussion fascinating, but we had better talk about the Ancestor Glade.
• Wulf: Sorry, Dexion. Please, explain what I have to do in the Ancestor Glade.
• Dexion: You have to perform ‘The Ritual of the Ancestor Moth’ within the glade. This ritual will allow you to read an Elder Scroll.
• Serana: Wulf, Ancestor Moths are mentioned in one of those books you let me read.
• Wulf: Yes, the Pocket Guide to The Empire, Cyrodiil Volume.

I quoted the passage, “For long the Cyro-Nordics had exported ancestor-silks to other regions, simple yet exotic shawls woven from the silks of an indigenous gipsy moth and inscribed with the requisite genealogy of its buyer. Under the Cult, however, ancestor and moth became synonymous: the singing and hymnal spirits of one’s forebears are caught in a special silk-gathering ritual, the resource of which is used to create any manner of vestment or costume.”

• Wulf: I read my Elder Scroll without the use of Ancestor Moths. But I think I know why and how the moth will allow me to read another.
• Ghorbash: How high is this on the gobblygook scale?
• Wulf: I might have to use some strange words, but it is not as gobblygook as Elder Scrolls.
• Ghorbash: Okay, my brain is ready.
• Wulf: To read my Elder Scroll, I had to stand within a tear in time. When I did so, I was in two moments at once. I was simultaneously when the Elder Scroll was used to banish Alduin and in the present. Because of my dragon soul, I have an affinity for sequential time. This affinity allowed me to make sense of both times at once. The combination of being in the time tear and sequential time affinity gave me access to the same ancient magic that the Ancestor Moths possess. I assume the ritual will also provide me with access to this ancient magic.
• Dexion: ‘Primal Augury’ is what we call that ancient magic.
• Derkeethus: I know Wulf can read and understand many languages, but I find it hard to believe moths will dictate an Elder Scroll to him!
• Dexion: Oh, the moths don’t read the scrolls… but they maintain a connection to the ancient magic that Wulf mentioned. If you listen closely when within the glade, you should be able to hear their song… a soft, harmonious trilling. It’s through this ancestral chorus that the moths tap into ‘Primal Augury’ and become a conduit for deciphering the scrolls by the Moth Priest.
• Derkeethus: Oh, so the moths decipher the Elder Scroll unintentionally via some gobblygook, and the Moth Priests use more gobblygook to understand the stuff the moths didn’t know they knew.
• Dexion: Ah… um… no. The moths only provide access to the ‘Primal Augury’ as Wulf’s affinity for time and being in a time tear did for him.
• Derkeethus: Aha… I understand! Why can’t they just read fish guts like my village shamans used to do?
• Ghorbash: Then Dexion would be a Fish Gut Priest. That is not a title anybody would want!
• Aranea: By having the Ancestor Moths close to the Moth Priest, they can utilize a conduit and share the moth’s Primal Augury.
• Dexion: Precisely! It can take a few or many Ancestor Moths to be nearby. Only the most resilient of priests can do it this way… it takes years of practice to interpret the harmony of the conduit.
• Aranea: Then how can Wulf hope to interpret the harmony or even establish a conduit?
• Dexion: You’ve found several Elder Scrolls. Whether you believe it or not, the scrolls have a mind of their own. If they didn’t want Wulf to find them, they wouldn’t allow it. Because of this, I firmly believe he was meant to hear the ancestral chorus.
• Wulf: That might be true. However, I believe I have a chance because of my affinity for time, and I have connected to the Primal Augury before. The Divines are pointing to the glade, so we must visit it and go from there.
• Serana: Please, Dexion, can you detail the ritual?
• Dexion: Wulf must carefully remove bark from a Canticle Tree. When carrying this bark, Ancestor Moths will be attracted to him. Once enough of the moths follow Wulf, they’ll provide him with the ‘second sight’ or conduit needed to decipher the scrolls.
• Serana: The Ancestor Glade will contain ‘Canticle Trees’?
• Dexion: There has to be at least one there to keep the Ancestor Moths within the glade. Otherwise, they would go searching for them elsewhere. Wulf must use a specific tool in the Ancestor Glade, an implement known as a Draw Knife in keeping with tradition. There should also be one or more of those within the glade.
• Serana: The Ancestor Glades sounds like places of peace and beauty.
• Dexion: Indeed, they are! As I mentioned earlier, if you listen closely when you enter the glade, you should hear the song of the Ancestor Moths. It is a soft, harmonious trilling. The beauty of the glade helps relax the Moth Priest and allows the almost hypnotic state required to access the conduit. When the Thalmor captured the White-Gold Tower, they destroyed our most ancient Canticle Trees and desecrated our glade. Even though it was rarely used, its mindless destruction caused much grief amongst my brethren.
• Wulf: It would have been destroyed at the behest of Boethia. But that is another story for another day.
• Dexion: This may be premature, but what will you do with the Elder Scrolls if we all survive this prophecy?
• Wulf: I believe others need to study them. We will allow them to be read by Moth Priests, but I also want their dweomer investigated. That may give us some insight into Dawn Magic. Therefore, my Elder Scroll will remain accessible via the College.
• Serana: I will gift the other two Elder Scrolls to the College. They are of value to my parents only as tools in their power struggle. When that is ended, they will have no further use for them.
• Dexion: I am unaware of the power struggle of which you speak. However, by the tone in your voice, I believe you will be relieved to dispose of them.
• Serana: Yes, I will.
• Wulf: We must be on our way. We thank you for your assistance, Dexion.
• Serana: How are we travelling to the Ancestor Glade?
• Wulf: I will teleport to my house nearest to the glade. Once there, I will zap you all to me, and then we walk.
• Dexion: Good luck. I hope you find the answers you seek.

I teleported to Lakeview Manor then summoned Inigo.

“My friend, you are not just risking your sight!”

“I did mention that Moth Priests can become insane. However, let us not talk about that risk with the others till we are at the Ancestor Glade. If space allows, we shall take precautions.”

“Fair enough. But Rigmor also needs to know! If something goes wrong, and you did not forewarn her, it will be much harder to accept.”

“Agreed. I knew you would have something to say about the insanity. That is why I zapped you in first.”

“Yes, we know each other well, do we not?”

“Very much so.”

I summoned the others and gave them a couple of minutes to wander around the house.

Serana commented, “This house is beautiful. How often do you use it?”

“I have never spent a night here. The Sentinels and others at Silverpeak Lodge have. All of my houses are available to them. It is the only chance they get for privacy.”

“I hope you have a roster, so you know if the house is occupied before teleporting inside!”

“I can always teleport outside the house, but that is a good idea anyway. I will put one into effect after we finish with this Divine Task.”

It was cold and foggy, but everybody enjoyed the walk to the Ancestor Glade. The cheery mood was aided by a total lack of anything trying to kill us.

Outside the entrance to the Ancestor Glade was a small campsite. A campfire had only recently been extinguished.

• Wulf: I would not be surprised if Harkon had a sentry waiting for us to make an appearance. He will have rushed away to inform others of where we are.
• Inigo: So, what do we do?
• Wulf: For two reasons, I want you all to guard the entrance from inside the glade. The first reason being we may have Harkon’s rabble visiting us. I don’t know if I will be in a trance, but I may be vulnerable. So, if we have visitors, take care of them for me.
• Aranea: The second reason is, you may go insane.
• Ghorbash: I had forgotten that was possible.
• Wulf: If I do go insane, you are to run! On the way out, put up your best barriers at the entrance. Then seek help from the Priests and Priestesses at the Temple of The Divines in Solitude.
• Serana: There is no way I will leave your side. I need to be involved. You should understand why.
• Wulf: Yes, Serana. We are deciding the fate of your father. Therefore you should watch and listen.
• Inigo: Can we get into the, hopefully, warm cave before my whiskers snap from the cold?

 We entered the glade, but the corridor was far too narrow to fight a melee safely if one was to occur. So, The Sentinels continued with me, further into the cave.

After a series of switchback corridors, we exited into a large cavern and beheld beauty. Rigmor would love the place!

Inigo said, “Take time to do as we discussed.”

“I will.”

“The likes of Harkon’s minions should not sully this place. We shall not let them get past us if they are foolish enough to make an appearance. My friend, I can hear the moths. Mr Dragonfly is humming along with them!”

“We shall visit again when this is over.”

“A certain young lady would love this place.”

“I am not going to ask for a promise. You know that if I can’t control my Dovah, I will be a threat to all of you. You will do the right thing and run.”

“Good luck, my friend.”

Inigo quickly organised the other Sentinels as Serana, and I made our way to the Canticle Tree.

A Draw Knife was hovering within its holder. Strictly, it is not needed, but I decided to stick to the ritual. It was my way of showing respect for the many generations of Moth Priests who have served The Empire.

I said to Serana, “I need silence for a minute or two.”

She replied, “Do whatever is needed. I don’t want to rush this anyway. I find this place soothing.”

I hated to deceive Serana, but I could not trust her with some secrets. I contacted Rigmor and said, “Hello, my love. How many beheadings so far today?”

“I am sorely tempted on occasions. Malesam and Freathof almost fainted when I suggested placing my word across my lap will make things go much smoother. I have to rely on scowls and choice swear words to make my displeasure known.”

“Believe me, my dear, when I say your stare can cut as sharply as your sword. It contains so much promise of violence I have no doubt it would reduce a god to a quivering mess.”

“So, humour from my Wulf means something is up. What nasty things are you yet to tell me?”

“I should forgo trying to ease you into these things. You are too adept at this game.”

“Talk, or I will give you one of my stares!”

“But I can’t see you!”

“Do you think that would stop the power of my stare?”

“No, mercy, Countess!”

“Well?”

“Dexion, the Moth Priest, was blinded by the effects of reading Serana’s Elder Scroll. It can happen to Moth Priests, and we do not know if it will be permanent.”

“But you need the third scroll read. Oh, you are going to read it!”

“Yes, I am going to attempt to read it using a ritual once used by Moth Priests.”

“You are risking your eyesight.”

“Not just my eyesight. Reading an Elder Scroll can induce insanity.”

“I understand you have to do this but have you taken precautions?”

“Yes, The Sentinels are well away from me and have instructions to run and seal the cave before seeking help. Serana will remain with me. What the Elder Scroll says may determine the fate of her father.”

“Contact me when the reading is finished. It will be difficult for me to determine if you are just your normal weird or have become insane, but I will try!”

“This place I am in is called an Ancestor Glade. It is beautiful. If the last thing I ever see is not your face, this is a reasonable substitute.”

“I could be there this very second, but you still do not want Serana to know about us, do you?”

“No. I know Serana well enough now to feel very guilty keeping secrets from her. But it is not just my conscience at stake.”

“I am keeping it secret from those whom I deal with every day. Even Cerys, who has become like a sister to me. I am sure my mother suspects, but she respects my privacy too much to snoop.”

“If it means that we save all that we love, they will come to understand and forgive.”

“I know. But I hate the politics of Cyrodiil for its moral ambiguity. This secret of ours makes me feel as unclean as the politics.”

“I don’t know how much longer before The Divines impose a break or how long it will be. I don’t even know if we will have forewarning. I want you to join me at the dig after I complete this Divine Task. Let us just enjoy ourselves while we can.”

“You have had to fight endless animals and a couple of dragons at the dig. That is not relaxing.”

“I thought you might like to help sift through tons of debris looking for tiny pieces of pottery and mosaic tiles, etcetera. Plus, I might have to do some hard labour, with my top bare and sweaty, while you supervise.”

“I can’t rip the rest of your clothes off when in polite company!”

“Ah, but the anticipation!”

“Okay… I think I might need a cold bath before I head back to the throne room.”

“I love you, Countess Pervert.”

“Did you say something? I was distracted by mental pictures of a sweaty, half-naked Dragonborn.”

I couldn’t help but laugh, which resulted in a concerned stare from a nearby vampire.

I said to Serana, “Ancestor Moths have a wicked sense of humour!”

Serana shook her head as I took the Draw Knife and headed for the Canticle Tree.

I took a couple of scrapings of the bark and put them in one of my handy pouches.

When I approached some Ancestor Moths, they started to fly in random patterns around my head. Their trilling became more pronounced.

Serana exclaimed, “Unless I’m hallucinating, you’re starting to… glimmer.”

I walked around the glade gathering moths. Soon I was in danger of tripping over due to so many moths flying past my eyes!

The trilling became something more. Sometimes when I stare at the stars, I can hear murmuring, not unlike the many voices of a busy inn. The volume rises and lowers randomly, and I know I hear a language, but I can’t pick out individual sentences or words.  I was receiving the same from the Ancestor Moths. There must be a connection between the two phenomena.

I instinctively knew there were enough moths around me to attempt the reading. I removed my helm and stood inside a beam of sunlight. Serana did not say a word but watched intently.

I unrolled Valerica’s Elder Scroll.

At first, it was too bright. I couldn’t make anything out except for Ehlnofex runes.

The image I received no longer relied on the Elder Scroll. The Ancestor Moths’ augury was now my augury. I lowered the Elder Scroll, and the image slowly clarified.

A route through a cave system and the location of the cave became known to me. As soon as I could remember it clearly, I willed myself to detach the conduit with the moths.

There was a blinding flash, and I closed my eyes.

I tilted my head upward to where the hole in the cavern roof had let the sunshine stream in. When I opened my eyes, it was not sunlight but stars, and a familiar murmuring, that made me sigh in relief. I could see. But how much time had passed?

“Your back! Can you see?” Rigmor asked in a panic.

“Yes, and I think I am sane.”

“You were so calm. Like when we are together and surrounded by our peace. I kept getting glimpses of a cave, but it was nothing special, so I don’t think it is the one you are in at the moment.”

“No, it is the cave we need to enter to find Auriel’s Bow. Let me check… oh, I was ‘gone for just over three hours!”

“There was a brief period of confusion at the start, and then nothing happened until the last five minutes.”

“Yes, I think it took some time for my brain to interpret what was being fed to it. Maybe an experienced Moth Priest would have translated it quicker. But I don’t think Dexion was supposed to read this Elder Scroll. It was not written words but a map.”

“Could the previous Elder Scroll have made Dexion blind to force you to read the last one?”

“I wouldn’t dismiss that as impossible. Not with what we have learned about the Elder Scrolls recently.”

“I am relieved. You had better talk to Serana. She might be thinking you have lost your mind.”

“Yes, you are right. I will talk to you later.”

“Now, where was I? Oh, that’s right. The sweat was rolling over your chest and biceps, and I found myself transfixed. Suddenly I felt a familiar heat….”

“Okay. I will leave you to that!”

I looked at the Canticle Tree and asked Serana, “Was that tree as beautiful before I read the Elder Scroll?”

“Yes, Wulf. This whole place is beautiful!”

“That was an interesting experience. I am pleased to have done it.”

“Are you okay? We almost thought we lost you there. Inigo has been down at least a dozen times to check on you.”

“I am perfectly okay.”

“I never trusted those damn scrolls. Who knows what those things could have done to you? Just look at Dexion!”

“It was just the latest risk in a long line of many.”

“What about Auriel’s Bow? Do you know where we can find it?”

“It is in a place called Darkfall Cave. I know exactly where the cave is and how to traverse it.”

“Then it is almost over. We can finally put an end to this ridiculous prophecy.”

“There are things I would like to discuss with the entire group, so let us go.”

I emptied the Canticle Tree bark into the pond, and then we started up the stairs.

With impeccable timing, Harkon’s goons tried to force their way into the glade.

They lasted mere seconds.

Inigo asked, “It is good to see you are with us again. You are okay, aren’t you?”

“You know, you remind me of myself at a young age. All I cared about was riding narwhales and sleeping in honeycombs, and drinking babies’ tears. Word of advice, if you ever ride a narwhale, mind the pointy end.”

“Ah… should we run and put up a barrier?”

“Do you mind? I’m busy doing the fish stick. It’s a very delicate state of mind!”

Serana interjected and said, “Wulf is perfectly okay.”

I whined, “Not fair! I had plenty more Uncle Sheo quotes to use.”

“My friend, let us get outside into the night air. I prefer the cold to these things. Hopefully, they soon rot and provide sustenance for the plants and trees.”

We made our way outside and had a quick discussion of what occurred.

• Wulf: I know where we have to go next. It is called Darkfall Cave. I don’t know if Auriel’s Bow is in there or just the first step to where it resides.
• Inigo: Why did it take so long to read the scroll?
• Wulf: It was not words but a map and directions given to me by the Elder Scroll. I simply think I am inexperienced at interpreting what came through the conduit.
• Aranea: A map and directions? How would Dexion have communicated that to us? Draw it out?
• Wulf: I suspect the Elders Scrolls did not want Dexion to read Valerica’s scroll. They made him blind, so I would have to read it.
• Aranea: The Elder Scrolls are too powerful to doubt that possibility.
• Wulf: The vision I had did not seem to be related to the prophecy. I think anybody seeking Auriel’s Bow could have had Valerica’s Elder Scroll interpreted without having the other two scrolls. Nothing we have heard from the reading of the scrolls mentions the blood of a Daughter of Coldharbour. I wonder where Valerica got that idea?”
• Inigo: Your scroll supposedly tells the secrets of the Dov. Yet, when you read it, you did not receive that information. When that crazy mage read your Elder Scroll, he was given the secret to opening the Dwemer Lock Box and nothing else. Perhaps each Elder Scroll has multiple uses?
• Wulf: You are correct, my blue genius. The Moth Priest who read Valerica’s Elder Scroll to her must have seen information that I did not.
• Serana: There was nothing related to my father. But I don’t suppose we need a prophecy to foresee what his future is.
• Wulf: There is more to play out before such decisions need to be made.
• Derkeethus: How do we get to Darkfall Cave?
• Wulf: It is southwest of the Thalmor fort and jetty to Harkon’s castle. North of Markarth and deep in Forsworn territory. I have been along that way before, and it is quite a picturesque walk. The Forsworn in that area are friendly to me since I rescued their king.
• Ghorbash: Undoubtedly, it will involve a steep climb. You never take us anywhere lovely and flat or downhill.
• Wulf: It was logical that if Harkon knew about Ancestor Glades that he would have a sentry or two posted outside this one. There is no reason for him to suspect Darkfall Cave is relevant to the prophecy.
• Serana: Let us go before more of the clan appear.
• Wulf: I will teleport to the jetty and zap you to me.
• Serana: I can teleport myself as I am familiar enough with the location.
• Wulf: Okay, see you all in a minute.

I teleported to the jetty and thought Harkon’s castle looked even gloomier than usual.

Serana teleported herself, and I summoned The Sentinels. We then started the reasonably long walk to Darkfall Cave.

It was a pleasant walk. The air was brisk but not overly cold. The night sky was spectacular, and I enjoyed myself.

Rain clouds rolled in near the conclusion of our hike. It became so dark I used night vision.

I said to the group, “Okay, this is not a big place and only has a few tunnels. I doubt Auriel’s Bow will be in there. It is most likely just an entrance to something larger.”

We entered the cave and were greeted by the usual mysteriously alight torches.

To Inigo’s disgust, I fried a couple of spiders with Lightning as we went.

We came to a bridge that led to a dead end. That was okay, for I knew what we had to do.

I said to the group, “Leap into the water from the left side of the bridge. The current of the river will take us to the exit of this cave complex.”

Aranea asked, “Did you know that before we entered the caves?”

“The information was in my head somewhere. It is like seeing the bridge has jogged a memory. Some information planted by the Elder Scroll, perhaps, or maybe I have been here before. The Divines know that parts of my past are coming back to me.”

I leapt into the river, and the others followed without hesitation.

As well fell over some waterfalls, giant spiders followed us down.

Inigo tried to shout for glee but ended up gurgling as he swallowed half the river.

Each time we thought our swim was over, another waterfall loomed ahead. Rigmor would have loved this part of our travels!

A small waterfall finally deposited us into shallow and slow-flowing water. Our eight-legged friends were not far behind.

We slaughtered them all, but Inigo was not happy. He whined, “My friend, I allow you to have the lion’s share of Thalmor and stupid bandits. Please return the favour and leave more of the crunchy spiders to Inigo the Brave.”

“Maybe the Doom Strider is a spider as large as a city! Wouldn’t that be something?”

“You would probably run ahead of me and kill it with a single blow. My prophecy would change to you being the hero and me reduced to the kind, handsome sidekick.”

“You will never be just a sidekick, Inigo. Where were you when Alduin was twice defeated?”

“By your side, trying to catch my breath after fighting Alduin for what seemed like an eternity.”

‘You will not be remembered as Inigo the Spider-Slayer. I have to kill threats to my friends as quickly and efficiently as I can.”

“Fair enough. Do you know where we are?”

“No, but my Divine Compass has changed once more.”

Just then, many more spiders dropped from the ceiling. I let the others take care of them except for one marked by Kyne. Inigo was far happier after squishing a few of them.

We came upon a small camp. Two bedrolls indicated two people, but only one body was there. He had dropped his torch, and it looked like something raked him from behind.

• Wulf: Bedrolls for two people but only one body.
• Serana: I wonder what happened to them?
• Inigo: He looks like a troll got him from behind.
• Wulf: Let me see if he has… aha…a note. A bit bloody but readable.

“Sister, I know that you’ll come to find me, but it will be too late. If you find this letter, get out of this forsaken cave as soon as possible. We were fools to think we could live so close to such creatures and live peacefully.

I should’ve headed back to camp with you after we placed the torches down here. I thought these trolls would be different, that they would somehow understand that we didn’t want to hurt them.

I am now cornered, and it’s only a matter of time before one of the trolls decides to finish me off. I hope it is a quick death.

Farewell, my dear sister.”

• Wulf: I hope his sister left and didn’t get turned into troll turds.
• Serana: That is a bit heartless, joking like that.
• Wulf: I feel sorry for every lonely death I find in the myriad caves and ruins I navigate. But these two were foolish and ill-prepared for the reality of places like this. Their senseless deaths make me angry, so I will joke because whatever you think of me then, it is better than facing my Dovah.
• Ghorbash: Spend any time with soldiers, and you will find the same dark humour. It is natural, and it helps.
• Serana: Forgive me. I have a lot to learn about mortals, it seems.
• Wulf: Now, if everybody will remain quiet while I do my Stendarr bit. He looks like a Breton, so it is probably appropriate. In reality, it doesn’t matter if he was a devotee of Molag Bal. Lord Stendarr will keep his soul safe.

I performed Arkay’s Rights then we moved on.

The campers had set up a rudimentary tripwire. The troll that killed one of them stepped over it.

I tripped the trap with a Lightning spell, then we continued.

A knocked over brazier suggested the troll pursued the unfortunate Breton.

We could hear trolls, so I used heat vision.

When we entered a large cavern, two trolls smelled us and warned us to stay away. Once they taste the flesh of Man or Mer, they will continue to hunt them. So, I decided to kill them both.

We found the remains of ‘sister’ next to her torch. I performed Arkay’s Rights once more.

The cavern with the trolls was long and narrow. At the opposite end of the cavern was a shrine to Auri-El. And, of all things, a Falmer stood before it.

We approached with weapons sheathed and no attempt to hide our presence.

• Gelebor: Come forward. You have nothing to fear here.
• Wulf: If you are a servant of my Celestial Father, I hope not!
• Gelebor: I am Knight-Paladin Gelebor. Welcome to the Great Chantry of Auri-El.
• Wulf: I am Wulf, Dragonborn and Champion of The Divines. I am honoured to be within this Chantry.
• Gelebor: Ah, that explains the Celestial Father bit. All these thousands of years, and you are the first of Auri-El’s blessed to come this way.
• Serana: We know little of the Falmer. Your lifespan must be considerable!
• Gelebor: I prefer Snow Elf. The name ‘Falmer’ usually holds a negative meaning to most travellers.
• Wulf: Only the ignorant of which we are not. But if Snow Elf is your preference, we will comply.
• Gelebor: As for my prolonged life, I believe our sovereign, Auri-El, has something to do with that. I have no idea what keeps my brother alive, however. But more of him in a minute.
• Wulf: Do you have a preferred name for the Falmer?
• Gelebor: I call them The Betrayed.
• Serana: I imagine you know why we are here.
• Gelebor: Of course. You’re here for Auriel’s Bow. Why else would you be here?
• Wulf: We do not seek the bow for profit or other base need. We seek it to stop a prophecy that threatens all mortals. You would be aware why Auri-El’s blessed are placed on Nirn.
• Gelebor: They are placed on Nirn as Auri-Els mortal champions in times of great need.
• Serana: Do you know where Auriel’s Bow is?
• Gelebor: I can help you get it, but first, I must have your assistance.
• Wulf: I will not deal for something Lord Akatosh sent me to retrieve! I have told you why we are here.
• Gelebor: I am afraid the aid I require is the only way you can retrieve Auriel’s Bow. For it is guarded by my brother, Arch-Curate Vyrthur, and he needs to die.
• Wulf: I am no assassin, Knight-Paladin! I will never agree to kill somebody unless I know they have committed offences deserving of that punishment.
• Aranea: Why do you want your brother dead?
• Gelebor: The kinship between us is long gone. I don’t understand what he has become, but he is no longer the brother I once knew.
• Wulf: I will need an excellent explanation of why the most senior member of this chantry, therefore loved by Akatosh, should die.
• Gelebor: It was The Betrayed… they did something to him. I just don’t know why Auri-El would allow this to happen.
• Wulf: You should know better than to ask such an ignorant question. Exactly how is Auri-El going to intervene? Alessia’s Concordat and Martin Septim’s sacrifice created barriers that prevent his direct intervention on the mortal plane. That is why he needs mortal champions. That is why he needs me! Why don’t you ask why he didn’t save your entire race from the Nords and Dwemer?
• Inigo: Knight-Paladin, I advise you to explain what you think happened with so clarity.
• Gelebor: The Betrayed swept into the Chantry and began killing everyone without pause.
• Wulf: That is nothing unusual. I assume the mace you carry is not just decorative?
• Gelebor: The Chantry was a place of peaceful worship. I led a small group of paladins, but we were no match for the Betrayed’s sheer numbers.
• Wulf: You were in the middle of a genocide. It could just easily have been a horde of mindless Nords. Logic dictates more than a handful of paladins would have been prudent!
• Inigo: My friend, what is done is done. We need to concentrate on why we are here.
• Gelebor: After slaughtering everybody in the main part of the Chanty, they stormed the Inner Sanctum, where I believe they corrupted Vyrthur.
• Wulf: What makes you think Vyrthur is corrupted, and how could The Betrayed do such a thing? They have rudimentary magic at the most and are not aligned with any Daedric Prince.
• Gelebor: I know my brother. He is different. And it must have been The Betrayed who made him that way. There is no other explanation.
• Wulf: Have you spoken to Vyrthur? If so, what did he say?
• Gelebor: I have only seen him from a distance. But something is wrong. He never looks as though he is in pain or distress. He just… stands there and watches as though waiting.
• Serana: Have you tried to get into the Inner Sanctum?
• Gelebor: Leaving the wayshrines unguarded would be violating my sacred duty as a Knight Paladin of Auriel. A solo assault on The Betrayed guarding the Inner Sanctum would only end in my death.
• Wulf: How many who sought Auriel’s Bow have you sent to their deaths over these thousands of years?
• Gelebor: I never forced anybody to attempt the task.
• Wulf: But you never told them the odds they faced, did you? Do you even know what happened to them? If they died, how and what killed them?
• Gelebor: I… never warned them, and I assume The Betrayed killed them all.
• Wulf: The Betrayed are territorial. They would not be guarding the Inner Sanctum but protecting their home. So let me summarise. You think your brother has somehow been corrupted by The Betrayed but have no idea how or what the corruption entails. You accuse him of no crimes yet still expect us to murder him.
• Serana: The fact is we need the bow, so we will have to go to the Inner Sanctum.
• Wulf: Listen, Knight-Paladin Gelebor. We shall make our way to the Inner Sanctum, but I do not agree to kill your brother. We will judge him on his actions, not the accusations of his estranged brother. Will you still aid us?
• Gelebor: Since we have been talking, I have sensed my sovereign near you.
• Wulf: The armour I wear and the sword I wield were made by Lord Akatosh upon the same anvil he used to create his bow. They carry blessings of The Divines and are some of the most powerful artefacts on Nirn. But I am also his Celestial Son. I carry his blood and the soul of a dragon.
• Gelebor: Does he speak to you?
• Wulf: Other Divines and gods do. Lord Akatosh speaks to me through a dragon he calls his herald.
• Gelebor: Auri-El used to speak to Vyrthur. He was our sovereign’s voice amongst my people and loved by all. I don’t understand why somebody of such strong faith would act as he does. If he is not corrupted, why has he not helped me defend the wayshrines as Auri-El would want him to do?
• Wulf: I don’t know, but perhaps we can find out by reaching the Inner Sanctum. Will you aid us?
• Gelebor: Of course. I would be betraying Auri-El if I didn’t.
• Serana: You said you guard wayshrines. What are they?
• Gelebor: Follow me, and I will show you.

We approached the wayshrine, and Gelebor cast a spell. The symbol of Auri-El on top of the wayshrine’s dome briefly flashed, and then the structure lifted and locked into place. The Falmer portals were blank.

• Serana: So, this is Snow Elf magic. Incredible!
• Gelebor: This structure is known as a wayshrine. They were used for meditation and transport when the Chantry was a place of enlightenment.
• Aranea: They were portals. No wonder Wulf knew about them!
• Gelebor: Prelates of these shrines were charged with teaching the mantras of Auri-El to our Initiates.
• Serana: What does the basin in the centre signify?
• Gelebor: Once the Initiate completed his mantras, he’d dip a ceremonial ewer in the basin at the wayshrine’s centre and proceed to the next wayshrine.
• Serana: So, these Initiates had to lug around a heavy pitcher of water. Marvellous.
• Gelebor: Well, once the Initiate’s enlightenment was complete, he’d bring the ewer to the Chantry’s Inner Sanctum. Pouring the contents of the ewer into the sacred basin of the Sanctum would allow him to enter for an audience with the Arch-Curate himself.
• Serana: All that just to end up dumping it out? It makes no sense to me.
• Aranea: Serana, if there is one person here who should not question the validity or sensibility of religious ceremony, it is you! Carrying a jug of holy water makes more sense than being raped.
• Serana: Yes, Aranea, you are correct. I apologise, Knight-Paladin Gelebor.
• Gelebor: It is symbolic. I don’t expect you to understand.
• Wulf: You must have handed out hundreds of these ewers over the years. We will probably trip over them!
• Gelebor: There were only a dozen or so made. If progress to the Inner Sanctum halts, they will eventually reappear here. 
• Wulf: Handy confirmation that more have died pursuing the bow.
• Gelebor: If there were another way, I would have done it long ago.
• Wulf: We will follow in the Initiates footsteps, and I will be proud to do so.
• Inigo: Who gets to carry the ewer?
• Wulf: We shall take it in turns. I will freeze the water each time so it cannot spill.
• Gelebor: The first wayshrine is at the end of Darkfall Passage. It is a cavern that represents the absence of enlightenment.
• Wulf: How many wayshrines are there?
• Gelebor: There are five in total, spread far apart across the Chantry.
• Derkeethus: These caves must be massive!
• Gelebor: Caves? Oh, no. The Chantry encompasses more than a few caves, as you’ll soon discover.
• Wulf: May I have an Initiate’s Ewer.

Gelebor walked behind the wayshrine and returned with the ewer. It will be cumbersome to carry, but if we rotate the duty, then it will be manageable.

• Gelebor: When you locate a wayshrine, there will be a spectral Prelate tending to it. They will allow you to draw the water from the shrine’s basin as if you’ve been enlightened.
• Wulf: I think we know all we need to complete the initiation.
• Gelebor: This may be the last time we’re able to converse. If you have any questions before you leave, I suggest you ask them. Otherwise, all I can do now is grant you my hopes for a safe journey.
• Wulf: You call Auri-El your sovereign. I assume that most Snow Elves worshipped him?
• Gelebor: As he is the head of your Divines, he was the head of our pantheon. This Chantry was constructed near the beginning of the First Era. It provided a retreat for those that wished to become enlightened.
• Wulf: I notice a lot of similarities to Ayleid architecture.
• Gelebor: That is not surprising since both peoples separated from the Aldmer at about the same time. Our mutual respect and cooperation were lost when the Ayleid became puppets of various Daedric Lords.
• Wulf: Did smaller chantries exist for Trinimac, Syrabane, Jephre and Phynaster?
• Gelebor: Yes. They were just as splendid but smaller. A temple within this chantry catered for those gods if somebody divided their worship or were visiting.
• Wulf: Will I be considered enlightened if I visit each wayshrine and pour the water at the end?
• Gelebor: Yes. I can sense this would be important to you.
• Wulf: I have many titles. I like ones that show my dedication to The Nine.
• Gelebor: The wayshrines were an essential part of the process here. Sadly, the magic used to construct these wonders were lost long before I arrived here.
• Wulf: You would be amazed how much ancient knowledge has been lost.
• Aranea: Can you please explain the spectral Prelates.
• Gelebor: They are ghosts of the Snow Elf priests who tended the wayshrines before being slaughtered by The Betrayed. Through the grace of Auri-El, they were restored to their spectral form to enable them to continue their duties.
• Aranea: Their love of Auri-El survived even death?
• Gelebor: Yes, their faith was strong. In their current form, they still believe the Chantry to be an active centre of worship.
• Derkeethus: Who were your people?
• Gelebor: We were once a wealthy and prosperous society that occupied a portion of Skyrim. Unfortunately, we were constantly at war with the Nords, who claimed the land as their ancestral home. We had always maintained an uneasy alliance with the underground-dwelling dwarves, and when faced with extinction, we turned to them for help. Surprisingly, they agreed to protect us but demanded a terrible price… the blinding of our race. There were splinter groups that resisted the agreement and even some that sought alternate alliances. But when it was all said and done, those elves were either slaughtered, vanished or gave up and took the dwarves’ bargain.
• Derkeethus: How did they become The Betrayed?
• Gelebor: I’ve often asked myself that very same question. The blinding of my race was supposedly accomplished with a toxin. Certainly not enough to devolve them into the sad and twisted beings they’ve become. The Chantry is relatively isolated, so it took some time for the dwarves’ offer to reach us here. By the time the compact had been completed, it was too late for us even to attempt to intervene.
• Derkeethus: Is that why you have not lost your sight?
• Gelebor: Correct. We only numbered perhaps a hundred at a time, so our presence remained a secret to the dwarves and the Nords. Ironically, our undoing came at the hands of our own people.
• Wulf: You lived peacefully with the Nords until the Night of Tears. Why did the Snow Elves attack Saarthal?
• Gelebor: We were aware of a powerful relic buried beneath the place Ysgramor chose for his city. We feared, not just for us but all of Nirn, the discovery of this relic by the Nords. We wanted to prevent them from discovering and using the relic, and so we sacked the city. We were successful in achieving our objective, but the consequences were unforeseen.
• Wulf: There is no justification for genocide. Man against Mer continues to this day, and it sickens me.
• Gelebor: It was galling to find the ones slaughtering my people suddenly professing love for Akatosh. I suppose they did not consider Auri-El and Akatosh to be the same.
• Wulf: The relic beneath Saarthal was recently discovered. I and other mages managed to remove it from Nirn before it destroyed us all.
• Gelebor: In a way, our attack on Saarthal only delayed the inevitable. And look what it cost us!
• Aranea: How many Snow Elves still live?
• Gelebor: Within this Chantry, there is just my brother and me. I suspect there may be isolated pockets of survivors hidden throughout Nirn and pocket planes of Oblivion.
• Wulf: We shall get going. Divines bless you.
• Gelebor: And may Auri-El light your path.

The portal to Darkfall Passage became active once I stepped into the wayshrine carrying the ewer. I handed the ewer to Serana. It was hers till we reached the first wayshrine of the Initiate’s path.

We stepped through the portal, and the first thing to get our attention was phosphorescent plants.

When you got close to them, their glowing flowers withdraw into their stems.

I used heat vision then warned the group, “A flying Chaurus is hiding in that cocoon. They metamorphose into them at the end of their life cycle, and it is the form that breeds.”

Inigo commented, “Mr Dragonfly says that is the same as caterpillars and butterflies.”

“Tell Mr Dragonfly that I have never met a butterfly that wants to chew my head off.”

When we approached, the Chaurus broke from its cocoon and attacked. Lightening took care of it.

A bit further on, I warned the group once more. I told them, “Betrayed are hiding in the walls, waiting to leap down and surprise us. Don’t disappoint the poor things by not acting surprised.”

The first Betrayed who leapt at us didn’t even hit the water before I electrocuted him.

The combination of heat vision and the strength of my Magicka meant Chaurus and Betrayed hardly slowed us down at all.

We found remains of several Initiates who didn’t even get to the first wayshrine.

Derkeethus exclaimed, “Fresh Chaurus eggs!” then started shoving some into a bag.

Ghorbash asked, “My scaly friend. What are those for?”

“For breakfast, lunch, dinner and midnight snacks!”

“They look slimy and unappealing. How are they cooked?”

“COOK THEM? You are disgusting!”

Derkeethus then proceeded to stuff a couple of Chaurus eggs in his mouth. They made a distinct popping sound as he bit into them, which made Ghorbash almost vomit. The rest of us laughed.

We continued through the caves killing as we went.

Another type of fluorescent plant had trumpet flowers. There was also a form of fluorescent lichen. Several times we found trapped chests surrounded by fluorescent flowers.

• Wulf: Okay, we know The Betrayed cannot see.
• Ghorbash: Duh!
• Wulf: So, how do they know about fluorescent flowers and that it is a good idea to light up trapped chests so that victims notice them?
• Ghorbash: Uh…
• Serana: Do you know the answer, or do you ask these questions out of spite?
• Wulf: I don’t know everything, and on occasion, somebody else fills the holes in my knowledge.
• Inigo: Wulf just admitted he doesn’t know everything. I think I might faint!
• Wulf: I have never claimed to know everything, you smelly blue flea palace!
• Inigo: I wish fish were as easy to hook as you, my friend.
• Wulf: I take it nobody has any idea on how The Betrayed learned how to do this?
• Serana: Gobblygook?
• Aranea: Oh, poor Serana. She is becoming one of us!

We came upon a bone sculpture.

• Wulf: This is astonishing!
• Inigo: We have seen many bone sculptures like this.
• Wulf: Yes, but Forsworn, Goblin an Riekling made them. I have traversed dozens of ruins and caves swarming with The Betrayed and have never seen anything like this.
• Sarena: Do you think these Betrayed are more advanced?
• Wulf: It makes sense. Apart from the occasional Auriel’s Bow seekers, these Betrayed have been left alone. Instead of constantly having to fight for survival, they have had thousands of years to develop culturally.
• Aranea: The Betrayed have placed the sculpture on a raised platform with glowing ore at its feet. They wanted it to be seen by those that have sight.
• Wulf: It shows promise for the species. Perhaps, if given a chance, they can drag themselves away from their hatred filled state.
• Ghorbash: It doesn’t seem much progress given the amount of time.
• Wulf: Evolution accelerates. It might take a long time for the first step. Then a shorter period between the first and second steps. An even shorter period between the second and third steps. Understand?
• Ghorbash: Yes. Is art a critical step?
• Wulf: It means they are thinking about something other than survival. Instead of concentrating on who the next enemy might be or where dinner is coming from, they have dedicated time and resources to express themselves. It is a significant step from which comes written language and all that evolves from that.
• Derkeethus: Some people would be terrified at the prospect of smarter Betrayed.
• Wulf: Undoubtedly. But I think it is fantastic!

Glowing ore was in abundance.

We could not avoid conflict and were increasingly uneasy with the killing.

A dead-end halted progress. Until the Auri-El Chantry, I had never seen Falmer pull chains. What was more astonishing is they were also illuminated with glowing rocks embedded into them! We started to wonder if some of The Betrayed could see.

At random, I pulled the chain on the left.

A section of the wall slid downwards.

Before entering the newly revealed cavern, a strange blue and purple mottled tiger leapt on Inigo. We killed it and healed Inigo before proceeding.

After entering a vast cavern, Inigo exclaimed, “Wow! Look at this, Mr Dragonfly.”

I said, “It is a bit like Blackreach.”

There were strange plants that would close if you touched their middle.

We could see a wayshrine in the distance.

I approached the spectral Prelate, who said, “Welcome, Initiate. I am Prelate Sidaynis, and this is the Wayshrine of Illumination.”

“Auri-El’s blessings be upon you, Prelate Sidaynis.”

“Are you prepared to honour the mantras of Auri-El and fill your vessel with His enlightenment?”

“Yes, Prelate, I am.”

“Then behold Auri-El’s gift, my child. May it light your path as you seek tranquillity within the Inner Sanctum.”

The Prelate moved away then cast a spell on the wayshrine. Auri-El’s symbol briefly glowed then the wayshrine arose and locked in place.

Serana handed me the ewer, and I dipped it into the central font.

A portal opened, but I couldn’t make out any details of its destination.

I froze the water in the ewer then handed it to Derkeethus.

We stepped through the portal, and my Divine Compass shifted once more. We were in a cave not dissimilar to the Darkfall Passage except for two things. We could smell fresh air and feel a breeze. Snow Elf ruins were visible.

I told the group, “I think we are about to exit the caves. If we are out in the open, we can probably dodge many of The Betrayed. Let us try to avoid killing a large percentage of their population.”

The local deer have stripes and dots similar in pattern to the tiger that attacked Inigo.

We followed a deer that led us to the exit.

We entered a vast and stunningly beautiful valley. Snow Elf archways had collapsed with age but showed us the paths to the wayshrines.

Serana said in awe, “This is incredible. It is like a whole other world.”

“I think my Divine Compass is directing me towards the Inner Sanctum. But I will visit each wayshrine first. This tradition is important to me.”

“Yes, of course, there is no need to hurry. There is no possibility of my father finding this place.”

A Betrayed sentry aimed his bow at us.

I killed him with Lightning.

The local tigers proved to be very aggressive and would charge us from a distance. They were peppered with arrows before they got close.

Two lines of arches led from the valley. We decided to follow the ones on our right.

We passed a cave entrance. It had the usual totem that The Betrayed use all over Skyrim to proclaim their territory. What was also present was a large, colourful flag or banner fluttering in the wind.

• Wulf: If you can’t see, the sound of the waving banner will let you know where the entrance is.
• Aranea: If you have sight, the banner would be seen from a distance and let you know where the entrance is.
• Inigo: The totem is there to announce Betrayed territory, so the banner must be for the purpose you think it is. It is an aid to navigation.
• Serana: I have had very little to do with The Betrayed. Are these things we have seen in the Chantry genuinely unique?
• Wulf: I have travelled dozens of ruins and cave systems full of The Betrayed. The pull chain, bone sculpture and these banners are items I have never encountered before. It is like The Betrayed of this chantry are an advanced version of those in Skyrim.
• Serana: And you believe their advancement is due to the relative peace they have experienced?
• Wulf: Absolutely. I want some experts to study them, but then again, if word spreads of this place, their peaceful existence will cease.
• Inigo: Any mention of living Snow Elves will rile the blood of Nord racists. Therefore, they too must remain a well-kept secret.
• Serana: Could you fly Bostin here?
• Wulf: Yes. Or I could fly a dragon here.
• Aranea: Do you think dragons might live here?
• Wulf: I don’t see why not. They sought places of refuge, like the two we encountered at the dig site. If we do meet some, I hope they don’t force me to kill them.
• Serana: We are not going to enter the cave, are we?
• Wulf: I have no intention of invading the homes of The Betrayed unless they are on the path we must take.

As expected, following the arches led us to another wayshrine.

As before, I approached the spectral Prelate, who said, “Welcome, Initiate. I am Prelate Athring, and this is the Wayshrine of Sight.”

“Auri-El’s blessings be upon you, Prelate Athring.”

“Are you prepared to honour the mantras of Auri-El and fill your vessel with His enlightenment?”

“Yes, Prelate, I am.”

“Then behold Auri-El’s gift, my child. May it speed your journey to the Inner Sanctum.”

The Prelate moved away then cast a spell on the wayshrine. Auri-El’s symbol briefly glowed then the wayshrine arose and locked in place.

I took the ewer from Derkeethus then unfroze the water within. I dipped the ewer in the central font and then froze it again. This time I handed it to Aranea, who handled its weight with ease.

Only one portal appeared, and it was to Darkfall Passage.

I told the group, “There is no need to return to Darkfall Passage. So, we will follow the other line of archways.”

Typically hard to see when hiding in vegetation, an unfortunate spider was highlighted by Kyne.

Inigo knew that anything thus marked was mine, so didn’t grumble when I turned the spider to ash.

I used heat vision and told the others, “There are more spiders just over the rise.”

I took care of one and let Inigo enjoy his hobby with the others.

I warned, “There is a large spider on the rock shelf above.”

I killed it as it lowered itself.

The passage between the spider-infested rocks led to another valley. This one was full of ice and snow with a river coursing through its centre. It was just as spectacular as the previous valley.

We spotted a chest with a skeleton next to it. Curiosity demanded we have a look, so we did.

Next to the chest was a strange book with Auri-El’s symbol on its front cover.

The contents of the book were in Falmer script. Although some parts looked similar to other languages, I had no hope of translating. I decided that even if Knight-Paladin Gelebor read it to me, a written translation would be preferable. Urag was the person for translations.

The trail of arches restarted, so we followed it.

We soon came upon another wayshrine, and the familiar routine ensued.

“Welcome, Initiate. I am Prelate Celegriath, and this is the Wayshrine of Learning.”

“Auri-El’s blessings be upon you, Prelate Celegriath.”

“Are you prepared to honour the mantras of Auri-El and fill your vessel with His enlightenment?”

“Yes, Prelate, I am.”

“Auri-El bless you, child. For you are a step closer to the Inner Sanctum and everlasting wisdom.”

The Prelate moved away then cast a spell on the wayshrine. Auri-El’s symbol briefly glowed then the wayshrine arose and locked in place.

I took the ewer from Aranea then unfroze the water within. I dipped the ewer in the central font and then froze it again. This time I handed it to Ghorbash, who clipped it onto his belt and said, “I can take it from here. It may impede the others now that it weighs so much.

Once again, the only portal that opened was to Darkfall Passage.

We looked across the valley and could see another series of arches. I could also see a temple, and that is where my Divine Compass pointed.

I used zoom vision to have a closer look.

• Wulf: That temple across the way. That is where the Inner Sanctum is.
• Inigo: It seems close, but I doubt it will be easy to reach.
• Serana: Even from here, it looks magnificent.
• Aranea: Yes, a fitting home for Auriel’s Bow, I should think.
• Wulf: Well, let us cross the river and follow the arches once more.
• Ghorbash: Terrific. As soon as I volunteer to carry the ewer the rest of the way, we get to climb steep, icy pathways.
• Wulf: If I had my lute with me, I would play a sad tune to show how sorrowful that makes me.
• Ghorbash: You can be a right bastard sometimes.
• Wulf: Pardon, Inspector?
• Ghorbash: Commander Valdr, with all due respect and in no way subordinate, you can be a right bastard sometimes, Sir!
• Wulf: Somebody has to be when there is no sergeant around.
• Ghorbash: Right you are, Sir.
• Serana: I know! You both swallowed snow and have brain freeze!
• Derkeethus: Ghorbash is an Orsimer, so that is impossible.
• Ghorbash: Are you implying something, you Chaurus egg chomping lizard?
• Derkeethus: That reminds me. I have been trying to pace myself with the eggs, and it is time for another couple!

Ghorbash quickly moved ahead as Derkeethus deliberately exaggerated his chewing sounds and smacked his lips while consuming more Chaurus eggs.

We made it across the river by leaping from one frozen island to another. We managed that without anybody falling in. The steep climb to the arches was quite pleasant despite Ghorbash’s reservations.

We found ourselves in yet another valley. A frozen lake dominated this one. There was no sign of The Betrayed but plenty of skeletons.

Inigo asked, “What has killed the Initiates?”

“I don’t know. I can see no sign of The Betrayed.”

“Maybe they just slipped on the ice and banged their heads.”

“You keep telling yourself that if it makes you less nervous.”

“Quiet, Mr Dragonfly. I was not going to lie and say I was not nervous!”

As we walked across the ice, Serana asked, “Wulf, is this ice thick?”

“I have no idea.”

“What if one of us falls through it.”

“This is just an educated guess and pure speculation, but I think they would get wet.”

“Why did I bother asking?”

“Ah, that is a far more difficult question to answer!”

We carefully made our way towards some arches at the other end of the lake. None of us expected what happened next.

Two dragons broke through the ice from below!

“Zu’u los Dovahkiin. Hi fen dir fod hi krif!” (I am Dovahkiin. You will die if you fight!)

One of the dragons seemed to be of the Revered species. He replied, “Voslaarum fen krif!” (Voslaarum will fight!).

I could not decide the species of the other dragon who said, “Naaslaarum fen krif!” (Naaslaarum will fight!)

I was not going to try and talk them down. Battle lust drove them beyond reason.

What followed was a brief and one-sided skirmish. The dragons offered little challenge to my Thu’um and the expertise of my comrades.

The nightmare repeated as I stood and absorbed the souls of my brethren. There was to be no afterlife or resurrection for them. Maybe I can turn those majestic beings into a new staff or dagger! What a load of fucking bullshit!

Inigo stood in front of me and said, “Speak to her. Listen to her.”

“She will know and talk to me soon. When I watched people kill each other during the civil war, I wondered how they did it. The Nords who sided with The Empire faced friends and sometimes family on the battlefield and justified their deaths somehow. The two senior officers who helped me beat The New Order retired before facing each other on the field of battle. Yet The Divines force me to eliminate my Celestial Brothers, not just kill them. No Sovngarde. No flying over the mountains of Aetherius. Nothing for eternity. They are wiped from existence. I don’t know how to express what this does to me. And each time, I have to put it aside and keep moving.”

“I don’t know how to help you, my friend. All I can see each time is the pain and anguish.”

“And what tops it all off is Alduin. He did the same to countless mortals in his bid for power. Yet his soul returned to Akatosh. He will be reborn, and of all the Dov I have faced, he is the least deserving of that reward.”

Inigo was at a loss on how to help me. Nobody knew how except for my gods and the woman I love.

“My dear Dragonborn. I have fled the throne room in tears and left Malesam, my mother and Freathof confused. After his barn burnt down, the farmer asking for help must have thought his story moved me to tears. But I don’t care. Your heart is breaking, and you are confused once more. You are my priority.”

“I can’t fall apart like this every time I have to kill a dragon. No, not kill but extinguish, eliminate, eradicate, destroy. I didn’t hesitate to attack with all I had against these two dragons. Why? Because I was defending my friends. I don’t know if I would be so fast to do so if by myself. Why am I worth more than a dragon? At least I would have an afterlife.”

“But you are worth more because every person on Nirn needs you. Even if alone, you must think of all the millions you are defending when fighting for your life. You must think of our farm and the little girl and how that needs to come true. That future life has the beauty and simplicity that exemplifies mortal existence. It must come true to prove you have conquered those who want to take it all away.”

“I just don’t understand why it has to be this way. It is redundant and no longer needed. Surely Lord Akatosh can remove it.”

“Maybe he can and hasn’t for some gobblygook reason of which we are unaware. We don’t know, my love.”

“I am in one of the most beautiful and spectacular places imaginable. I can’t wait to show you this place and the Ancestor Glade. You can use your words to make it even more memorable.”

“I can’t wait. But for now, do not concern yourself about how The Sentinels view you. Being upset about the dragons is not a weakness you display but confirmation of the person they all admire and love. Get back to them now and move to the next part of this Divine Task.”

“You had better dry your eyes and assure the farmer his burnt barn did not make his Countess cry.”

“Talk to me later.”

“Yes, my love.”

I looked around and saw beauty. I started to walk towards a Word Wall, and the others followed.

The Word Wall tried to teach me ‘Lah’, which means Magicka. It is the second Word of the Drain Vitality shout. I already knew the Word and the Shout.

• Wulf: The message is, ‘Lungerd wahlaan qethsegol ahmulii vahrukt thorgrima deinmaar do sahqon yolos ahrk drog do.’
• Serana: You didn’t seem to punctuate the message and used a lot of cojoined words.
• Wulf: It is difficult for me to speak Dovahzul fluently unless I am reading it. Dragons do not use punctuation and join several words together that I would pronounce separately. They still understand what I say and often reply in the stilted form.
• Serana: What does it say in Tamrielic?
• Wulf: Lungerd raised this stone in her husband’s memory. Thorgrima, keeper of crimson fire and lord of Magicka.
• Inigo: They sound like Nord names.
• Wulf: The Nords and Snow Elves lived in harmony for many years. Perhaps Nords once visited this place?
• Inigo: Have you ever researched the people mentioned on Word Walls?
• Wulf: Yes, but the ancient Nords did not keep good records, and much of their history was oral. Unfortunately, most of it is lost. It is probably impossible to discover what influence Lungerd and Thorgrima had in their day.
• Serana: Because of the dweomer that detects Dragonborn, there must have been a significant ritual in erecting the Word Walls.
• Wulf: I would imagine so. They would not have been cheap to create, and the dweomer used known only to a few.

We crossed the last of the frozen lake and followed the arches to the next wayshrine. I stopped to take in the spectacular view along the way.

The ritual repeated itself once more.

“Welcome, Initiate. I am Prelate Nirilor. You have arrived at the Wayshrine of Resolution.”

“Auri-El’s blessings be upon you, Prelate Nirilor.”

“Are you prepared to honour the mantras of Auri-El and fill your vessel with His enlightenment?”

“Yes, Prelate, I am.”

“Then go forth, child. May the enrichment of Auri-El strengthen your resolve as you undertake your journey to the Inner Sanctum.”

The Prelate moved away then cast a spell on the wayshrine. Auri-El’s symbol briefly glowed then the wayshrine arose and locked in place.

I took the ewer from Ghorbash then unfroze the water within. I dipped the ewer in the central font and then froze it again. I handed it back to Ghorbash, who clipped it onto his belt once more.

This time several portals came to life. One to each of the wayshrines already visited.

I said to the group, “I want to have a look at the valley with the river. We only saw one end of it.”

It was easy to reach the river, and, in the distance, we spotted a Frost Giant. They are rare in Skyrim, so we decided to have a closer look.

We were used to getting very close to the normal giants of Skyrim. We were nowhere near the Frost Giant when it roared, waved its massive club and charged us.

Inigo dashed forward and deftly dodged the giant’s club whilst delivering a flurry of blows.

The Frost Giant was already dead by the time others reached it.

I said, “I wanted to see one up close, not kill one. Now we know that they are more aggressive than other giants. Therefore, we shall give any other we encounter a wide berth.”

The giant carried an ovoid amethyst gem in a pouch.

The gem did the rounds before being returned to me.

• Wulf: Okay, who wants to guess the purpose of the gem?
• Inigo: If you sit on it, a giant amethyst chicken will hatch!
• Serana: I have seen similar, and I believe it is a key to a portal.
• Derkeethus: How droll. Inigo’s chicken sounds more interesting.
• Serana: What if the portal is to a giant cavern full from top to bottom with Chaurus eggs? Would that be considered droll?
• Derkeethus: Ghorbash and I would spend years eating every single one of them!
• Ghorbash: Ah, no thanks.
• Wulf: If we see the apparatus that uses the gem, we shall try it.

We walked along the river a bit and discovered the portal device.

I told the group, “I am going to try a Mark Spell. It acts like the beacons for Bostin. It will allow me to mark areas I don’t know very well, and then I can teleport to them with a Recall Spell. When I cast Recall for the second time, I will return to where I cast it the first time.”

I cast the Mark Spell, and the location was placed in my memory. I didn’t know how many places I can remember. I will have to experiment to find out.

I then placed the amethyst gem into the portal apparatuses’ holder.

A portal appeared, but we couldn’t make out details of its destination.

We stepped into the portal and found ourselves in a cave that should have been full of The Betrayed.

It was full of The Betrayed, but they were all dead! We hadn’t travelled through that area and did not kill them. Whatever did kill them savaged them, and I hoped we didn’t bump into it!

I turned to the group and said, “I don’t think there is anything here of interest to us. Let’s head back.”

We returned to the apparatus, and I removed the amethyst crystal.

Something had been bothering me since we talked to Gelebor, so I thought I would get Serana’s opinion.

I said, “Serana, I am kind of surprised and disturbed that Gelebor is willing to give up Ariel’s Bow so easily.”

“As long as we can get Vyrthur out of the Sanctum, he will be happy to hand it over.”

“That is the part that disturbs me.”

“Why?”

“What if we were working with your father or even for ourselves, and we intended to mask the Sun?”

“Oh… wow!”

“He is so fixated on his brother he has lost perspective. How many thousands of years has this issue consumed him? Any mortal could go insane. I have encountered undead that have gone insane after fixating on something for a long period.”

“I don’t think Gelebor is insane, but he is certainly fixated.”

My discussion with Serana was interrupted by Ghorbash and Inigo yelling, “Frost Giant!” in perfect harmony.

When I saw the portal apparatus, I concentrated on it intently and did not notice it was opposite a Front Giant’s den.

The Frost Giant had returned home, saw us just across the river and charged. Ghorbash and Inigo had no choice but to kill it.

This Frost Giant carried a sapphire portal key.

I said to the group, “We will not hunt the giants just to retrieve these portal keys. Since we already have this one, let us see where it takes us.”

Instead of crossing the cold river, I used the Recall spell and appeared in front of the portal apparatus as my friends got soggy.

Before anybody could beat me up for being a smug bastard, I inserted the sapphire key into the apparatus.

We walked through the portal, and I gasped.

• Wulf: This is it! This place is the Inner Sanctum!
• Inigo: Why are there frozen Chaurus and Betrayed?
• Wulf: They are still alive under the ice.
• Aranea: Serana, have you ever seen a spell that can do that? They might have been frozen for thousands of years!
• Serana: No, Aranea, I haven’t.
• Wulf: My sense of Lord Akatosh is strong here. There is an Auri-El shrine similar to the one at Gelebor’s camp. If I can feel my lord’s presence from here, I can’t imagine how strong it will be when I get near to it!
• Inigo: Can you see what is at its base, my friend?
• Wulf: Two red mountain flowers. But we have not seen a single one in any of the valleys!
• Serana: There is some significance to this?
• Wulf: They are a symbol of the love I share with my lady. I can’t just dismiss their presence as coincidence.
• Serana: Oh, I was not aware you had a partner. No mention has been made of her in the days I have travelled with you.
• Wulf: There are reasons for which I am not at liberty to discuss. Just know this, our love is what keeps me moving forward. It has brought me back from death and the brink of death. Gods, and not just The Divines, are in awe of the strength of our bond. Even Boethia, that cold-hearted bitch, respects it.
• Serana: Then I am glad for you, Wulf. You deserve such love and the comfort it provides. I envy you.
• Wulf: Everybody deserves such a soulmate.
• Inigo: Just make sure you don’t choose the wrong one because of Skooma!
• Serana: I sense that advice is born of experience?
• Aranea: Oh, don’t get him narrating that sad tale. We will end up frozen like those Betrayed!
• Wulf: Let’s see if there is an exit from this room. Even if there is, we will not use it. I must complete the Initiate’s pilgrimage. It is important to me.

There were no exits except the portal. However, there were many excellent quality gems which The Sentinels helped me gather.

Serana asked, “Wulf, exactly how wealthy are you?”

“Emperor Titus Mede II has well rewarded me for services rendered. I never asked for compensation but did not refuse it. I had to pay for the renovation of a castle to make a suitable orphanage, and Mede knew that. Other’s might have objected to him funding the orphanage, but nobody objected to the Dragonborn receiving a reward.  Some of my houses were gifted by appreciative Jarls. The real estate value is far less than the coin I have accumulated by collecting gems on my travels. Those who travel with me are free to take whatever they are willing to carry, but the gems are mine. The gems collected from this room are worth close to one hundred thousand septims.”

“And you get fair prices for the gems?”

“Yes, from the Khajiit traders who travel the roads of Skyrim.”

I told the group, “Let us return through the portal and complete the pilgrimage.”

Whilst outside, it was pretty easy for us to spot The Betrayed and where we could, we avoided confrontation. Still, some violence was necessary when we came face to face on the narrow paths.

We came upon some wind chimes made from Chaurus claws.

• Wulf: Once again, I am impressed by the ingenuity of the local Betrayed.
• Inigo: These chimes let the sightless ones know which direction to take to reach the cave up ahead.
• Serana: They must lose some with all of these narrow ledges and bridges.
• Inigo: I suppose it is survival of the fittest. Those who traverse this area would have a mental map almost as good as eyesight.
• Serana: But it would be easy to become disorientated. That is probably why windchimes such as these are needed.
• Wulf: It looks like we have no choice but to enter the cave. I expect the sentries will be far more numerous. Blind or not, they will know we are there.
• Aranea: If Derkeethus stopped farting, we would have a better chance of sneaking past.
• Derkeethus: Sorry, Chaurus eggs do it to me every time.
• Aranea: Maybe you should rear-guard for the next few hours.
• Wulf: Notice the flapping banner similar to the one we saw earlier.
• Inigo: Yes, my friend. These Betrayed are more intelligent than the average Nord!
• Ghorbash: The brave Khajiit risks his life with his jest. Wait, there are no Nords with us. How fortunate for the brave Khajiit.

We entered the cave and looked on in awe at the infrastructure built by The Betrayed. 

As expected, the sentries were immediately aware of our presence. It doesn’t matter how quiet we were because their sense of smell is acute. Like a hound can follow a scent trail for miles, the sentries could smell us when the slightest breeze blew their way. Once aware of our presence, they would hone in with their hearing and prove uncannily accurate with both arrow and spell.

We had to make our way to the valley floor, and this cave system was the only route we could see. Therefore, we killed to achieve our objective.

Killing as few Betrayed as possible, we eventually reached the valley floor. The rushing water masked our sounds, and the strong winds dispersed our scent.

The only encounters we had during this part of the pilgrimage were the flying Chaurus.

We eventually came upon some arches that confirmed we were on the right path amongst the many we could have chosen.

Several sentries barred our way forward and had to be eliminated.

We entered some glacial caverns, which required wading through icy water.

Inigo’s expression showed his distaste for that necessity. But he dared not say anything because the echoes would carry to the ears of Betrayed sentries.

Two trolls waited for their meal to emerge from the water. One of them was marked by Kyne.

I quickly dispatched both of them.

A winding and narrow path led upwards to the exit of the cavern.

We could not avoid the sentries.

We soon found ourselves on a very narrow ledge with traps set at intervals. I shot the tripwires to disarm them.

We were going from narrow ledge to cavern to narrow ledge once more and had to kill too many Betrayed.

We encountered more structures made with aesthetics an obvious consideration in their design.

More ledges, more caverns, more killing.

We came outside and saw a collapsed stairway that would have led from Auri-El’s Temple to the valley floor. We needed to find a way to the other side of the valley to reach a ramp and the entrance.

We were close to the temple, but it was still out of reach. We knew there was one more wayshrine to visit and hoped it was still intact despite the damage we could see.

We entered a very narrow valley, and the killing resumed.

I found another book for Urag to translate.

We emerged from the narrow valley and could see arches ahead.

We soon reached the final wayshrine.

“Welcome, Initiate. I am Prelate Edhelbor. You have found the Wayshrine of Radiance.”

“Auri-El’s blessings be upon you, Prelate Edhelbor.”

“Are you prepared to honour the mantras of Auri-El and fill your vessel with His enlightenment?”

“Yes, Prelate, I am.”

“May the blessings of Auri-El protect you as you climb the road to the Inner Sanctum and final enlightenment.”

The Prelate moved away then cast a spell on the wayshrine. Auri-El’s symbol briefly glowed then the wayshrine arose and locked in place.

I took the ewer from Ghorbash, then unfroze the water within, then dipped the ewer in the central font. I did not refreeze the water or hand the ewer back to Ghorbash. I wanted to carry the ewer for the final leg of the pilgrimage with the burden of sloshing water. It just seemed appropriate.

Ingo said, “My friend, we are close to Ariel’s Bow!”

“It will be interesting to see what the Arch-Curate has to say. For once, I can’t even hazard a guess as to what will happen next.”

“It would be ironic if he thought there was something wrong with the Knight-Paladin. Thousands of years of suspicion that a simple conversation would have resolved.”

“That would be almost comical in its tragedy.”

“Well, let us hurry and find out!”

“Ah, I think I will stroll. It would not be funny if I slipped and spilt the water.”

As we approached Auri-El’s Temple, it was breathtakingly beautiful despite the visible damage.

Milady sensed my mood and asked, “What is it you see, my Dragonborn?”

“Concentrate, and you can see through my eyes.”

“I know, but it is exhausting, and a headache is inevitable.”

“Trust me. It will be worth it.”

“Oh my! Do you think that marble and gold look would be too much for our humble farmhouse?”

I started to laugh so hard the water in the ewer threatened to splash over its rim. I quickly put it on the ground.

I finally composed myself and said, “So much beauty lost. Nothing the Nords have made compares to this. Dwemer architecture is an eyesore.”

“The White-Gold Tower is not as magnificent as it once was, but I can imagine it once resembled that wonderful building in colour, hence its name.”

“We are coming to the end of this part of the Divine Task. Once we have Auriel’s Bow, a decision will need to be made about Harkon.”

“Poor Serana! What a thing to have to face.”

“She seems resigned to his death. But we shall see. It may not come to that.”

“You had better keep moving. Meanwhile, I will pretend my head isn’t about to explode.”

“I love you, and no, we will not have a marble and gold farmhouse.”

“How about just the privy? I love you too!”

I laughed out loud again, and The Sentinels knew what was going on. Serana looked thoughtful. I think she is starting to piece things together. Without a word, I picked up the ewer, and we continued onward.

We approached a giant statue of Auri-El. Its patina was evidence of its antiquity. Although I could feel the presence of Lord Akatosh, it was not as strong as before when I viewed the shrine inside the temple.

We climbed some stairs and stood before the entrance. A font similar to those in the wayshrines drained into three channels. The water flowed from the three channels into an indent shaped like Auri-El’s symbol.

I slowly poured the water from the ewer into the font.

I watched transfixed as three streams raced each other to reach the indent.   

When water filled the indent, a green glow appeared, followed by a green beam that shot into the sky.

The lock on the doors turned clockwise, and a loud click was heard.

I walked up and pushed open the doors.

How I wish I could see Auri-El’s Temple as it once was. It must have been magnificent because even with the damage, it was stunning.

I didn’t have to tell anybody not to touch the items held by frozen Betrayed. They were triggers designed to bring the Betrayed back to life. It was apparent because of the way they held the items. They looked like hawkers at a market trying to sell their wares.

We could see the windows that we looked through before. Nobody said a word as I approached the shrine.

The only other time I felt Lord Akatosh’s presence as powerfully was when I stood before Herald.

I said, “Lord Akatosh, it saddens me to see your temple like this and the last of your subjects hiding as they do.”

The voice of Herald spoke, “Our Lord dearly loved Vyrthur. However, his soul no longer yearns for Aetherius and has been claimed by another. We do not seek retribution but ask you to use your judgment when dealing with him. His blasphemy is beyond anything we have encountered before. The infinite variables presented by mortal free will continue to astound and surprise us. Our Lord did not envision such abandonment by one so devout. Remember, The Nine are with you always.”

I stepped away from the shrine and broke the silence.

• Wulf: You just heard the voice of the Herald of Akatosh.
• Serana: Why didn’t he speak in your head? I thought that is what all the gods did, including the Dark Lords.
• Wulf: After my first experience of having a Daedric Prince crawl inside my head, I have put up barriers to protect my inner self and thoughts. They snoop and find things they can use to manipulate and use against you. It felt like my brain was swimming in sewerage.
• Serana: Who taught you how to do that?
• Wulf: Like many things, I have no memory of where I learnt the skill. I just knew it was there and how to use it.
• Serana: All gods have to speak aloud to you?
• Wulf: All except one, and I recently figured out why. Do not ask who it is.
• Inigo: Vyrthur is guilty of something serious enough to upset The Divines.
• Wulf: As the Herald said, they will leave his fate to me. I will not try and guess what crimes Vyrthur committed. Let us visit him and find out. The Divine Compass was not pointing to the temple. It was and is pointing to Vyrthur.

I picked up the two red mountain flowers from the shrine’s base and placed them inside my journal case.

Aranea said, “Red roses are important to my mistress.”

“Oh yes, Lady Azura left huge ones for me to find. I will have to show you one day. But the red mountain flowers are significant to my beloved and me. One day I will display such a flower upon my shield.”

My Divine Compass led me to a break in the temple wall and a narrow fissure through the rocks behind it.

The fissure led to a corridor. The corridor led to the Inner Sanctum. Vyrthur was sitting on a throne, nonchalantly awaiting our entrance.

I turned to the group and said, “Herald indicated Vyrthur’s soul belonged to another. Knight-Paladin Gelebor attributed his long life to Auri-El but was uncertain what kept his brother alive. I have a hunch.”

I used heat vision and zoom vision and looked at Vyrthur. He was undead!

I turned to the group.

• Wulf: Vyrthur is undead. I don’t think he is a lich because they generally look like desiccated corpses. I think he is a vampire.
• Inigo: Wow! That is unexpected!
• Wulf: He has Auriel’s Bow. He will think we are delivering what he needs to fulfil the prophecy.

Serana was livid. I moved to stand before her.

• Serana: I will rip his throat out!
• Wulf: We will hear him out. Lord Akatosh wants me to judge him, so I will.
• Serana: The way he is slouching on his throne. He is so smug and sure of himself!
• Inigo: Wulf is good at many things but removing smugness and arrogance is a speciality of his.
• Ghorbash: He smothers his enemies feeble attempts by being smugger and more arrogant!
• Serana: Wulf, do your stuff, declare him guilty, and then I will rip his throat out!
• Wulf: Let me do an Aura Whisper Shout. That might give me more of an idea of what we are facing.

Aura Whisper showed Vyrthur to be undead. That was no surprise. What else it showed shocked me.

• Wulf: I didn’t learn anything more about Vyrthur, but there seem to be two children behind the wall. They were not moving, so I assume they are paralysed or in stasis.
• Serana: Cattle for Vyrthur? Or could he be part of that clan you mentioned that eats children?
• Wulf: We don’t know enough, and both of those are wild speculation.
• Aranea: Let us hurry and talk to him. His stare is unpleasant.
• Derkeethus: I agree!

We approached Vyrthur, and the arrogance he displayed was sickening.

• Vyrthur: Did you really come here expecting to claim Auriel’s Bow?
• Wulf: I see nothing that can stop me.
• Vyrthur: You’ve done exactly as I predicted and brought your fetching companion to me.
• Wulf: Yes, Serana is a Daughter of Coldharbour, and you are a second rate vampire.
• Serana: We know your secrets, Vyrthur, but you have no idea who this man is.
• Vyrthur: It matters not as his usefulness has come to an end!

Some of the frozen Betrayed and Chaurus sprung to life and attacked. I laughed and started killing them with Dragonfire.

Dekeethus exclaimed, “I didn’t know you could do that!”

“I can do it from both ends, but it ruins my undergarments!”

“Really?”

“No, Derkeethus. Just keep chopping them up.”

We quickly destroyed the unfrozen minions, then Vyrthur said, “An impressive display, but a wasted effort. You delay nothing but your deaths.”

I used my Thu’um and replied, “I am a Son of Akatosh, and Auri-El has requested I judge you for your crimes! Don’t waste this chance to speak in your defence.”

I didn’t use too much power. The roof looked very fragile!

Just as I thought that Vyrthur used impressive telekinesis power to bring down part of the aforementioned fragile roof on top of us.

Inigo whined, “Not clever, my friend. I do not want to be squished!”

“It wasn’t me, Inigo. Keep dodging and stop complaining!”

More of the frozen minions thawed and attacked. I continued to roast them.

It took mere seconds for the second wave to be destroyed.

I yelled, “Give it up, Vyrthur. Your pathetic powers are no match for us. Die with some dignity!”

He replied, “My life ended long before any of you were born!”

Vyrthur conjured a large Frost Atronach.

I destroyed it with one swing of my sword.

The last of his frozen army attacked and were cut down almost immediately.

Vyrthur stood then shouted, “No… I won’t let you ruin centuries of preparations…”

The Arch-Curate surrounded himself with a telekinesis field, the strength of which was increasing at a tremendous rate.

I yelled, “He is bringing the whole place down!”

I was impressed and very disturbed by the amount of telekinetic power Vyrthur unleashed.

A large piece of masonry hit me, and I was hearing bells for a few seconds.

Inigo and Serana helped me to my feet. The Inner Sanctum had been blasted to pieces!

I asked, “Is everybody okay?”

Surprisingly, nobody was severely hurt or in need of healing.

Serana ran ahead, saying, “Come on, Wulf, we need to get to him before he finds a hole to hide in!”

Vyrthur had injured himself with his desperate act of vandalism. He managed to hobble to the far end of a patio and stood waiting for us.

• Serana: Enough, Vyrthur! Give us the bow.
• Vyrthur: How dare you. I was the Arch-Curate of Auri-El, girl. I had the ears of a god!
• Wulf: I have the ears of many gods, but that does not make me deserving of respect! People earn respect, and all your actions have earned is your death. You are pathetic!
• Vyrthur: When I was infected by one of my Initiates, Auri-El turned his back on me. I swore I’d have my revenge, no matter what the cost.
• Serana: I understand your anger. Auri-El should have protected you.
• Wulf: WRONG! How was Lord Akatosh supposed to do that? Do you think the barrier protecting Nirn and Mundus has different rules for ‘special’ people? If he could intervene, don’t you think he would have saved the women, children, farmers, artists and other non-combatants who the Nords were systematically slaughtering? Don’t you think he would have saved the Falmer who were being poisoned and made blind by the faithless Dwemer?  Why would he forgo helping all of those people yet help some egotistical Arch-Curate? An Arch-Curate who thinks Lord Akatosh serves him and not the other way around! The level of arrogance is stunning! The blasphemy is unforgivable!

Vyrthur went to say something, so I used my Thu’um, “SHUT UP AND LISTEN!”

My voice echoed several times as it bounced between the mountains surrounding the valley.

• Wulf: You contracted a disease, Sanguinare Vampiris, and had three or four days before it corrupted your soul. Instead of praying at a shrine, like a devout follower of Auri-El should have automatically done, you did nothing to help yourself. Your ego was dented because you thought Auri-El allowed the infection to happen. As Arch-Curate, you should have known that Divine intervention was not possible! Prayer in front of Auri-El’s shrine would have cured the disease! Any half-decent alchemist could have provided a Cure Disease potion as an alternative. Instead, you blamed my Celestial Father and let the disease take your soul and hand it to Molag Bal. The blame for your condition is yours and yours alone.
• Inigo: Vyrthur, did you allow The Betrayed, the Falmer, into the Chantry?
• Vyrthur: How do you hurt a god? The easiest way is to have his followers brutally killed. That is your answer.
• Serana: Your ego is such you thought you could take revenge on a god?
• Vyrthur: Auri-El himself may have been beyond my reach, but his influence on our world wasn’t. All I needed was the blood of a Daughter of Coldharbour and his weapon, Auriel’s Bow.
• Inigo: It seems Lord Harkon is not the only insane vampire who has heard the prophecy.
• Wulf: There are probably many who are only acting now due to a flaw in the prophecy.
• Serana: Flaw?
• Wulf: A line of the prophecy says, ‘when dragons return to the realm of men.’ The realm of men is Mundus, the mortal plane. Dragons never left the realm of men. They just hid from persecution. Many interpreted that line as meaning when dragons return to Skyrim. But they have been hiding in Skyrim as well, so even that interpretation shows the prophecy to be flawed. Somehow the Arch-Curate inserted a false prophecy into an Elder Scroll. That is the only explanation for the flaw.

Serana was livid. Her vampiric powers came to the fore as she lifted Vyrthur clear off the ground like he weighed nothing.

Serana growled, “You created that prophecy? Do you know what that did to my family? Do you know how many lives have been lost or ruined because of it?”

Vyrthur struggled, but he was like a rat in the mouth of a terrier.

Serana continued, “You were waiting all this time for someone with my blood to come along. Well, too bad for you because I intend on keeping it. Let’s see if your blood has any power to it!”

I warned Serana, “His telekinetic powers just destroyed the Inner Sanctum. Stand clear!”

Vyrthur started to gather his energy and immediately pushed Serana away. She fell to her knees and was at his mercy.

Vyrthur floated in the air, and as occurred in the Inner Sanctum, his stored energy grew at a tremendous rate.

Just as he was about to release his telekinetic energy, I used my Thu’um and froze him. He came crashing to the ground.

Inigo and Serana stood over him with their weapons drawn.

I let my Dovah come forward. He growled, “MOVE AWAY! This execution is my duty and privilege.”

They quickly moved away as I stepped forward with sword drawn.

I stood over Vyrthur and said, “You failed your people and your sovereign. When your people needed your guidance the most, you became embittered and blamed Auri-El for something not of his doing. You felt Auri-El owed you special attention because you were his Arch-Curate. You forgot that was a privilege, not a right, and how it signified his love for you.

Mortals can make mistakes. We can sometimes be bitter when we think we were slighted in some way. You went beyond the acceptable in trying to avenge a wrong that never happened. One prayer at Auri-El’s shrine would have cured the vampire disease. Something you did many times a day for many years was within reach, and you rejected it. You boasted that you had the ear of a god. Did you ask that god why he didn’t protect your soul or cure Sanguinare Vampiris? Were you giving religious advice to Initiates without knowing the fundamentals of how we are protected from Oblivion?

You failed to guide your people in their hours of need as the Nord and Dwemer massacred and enslaved them. You orchestrated the massacre of non-combatants within this chantry because your sovereign loved them. You abandoned and blasphemed Auri-El, who provided all you see when he and his kind sacrificed so much to create the mortal plane. You caused much misery and death with your false prophecy.

I am going to kill you, but that is just the start of your eternal punishment. Your soul belongs to Molag Bal to do with as he wishes. He may cast you into The Void or keep you as a plaything.

You will never know the beauty of Aetherius. You will never again meet your kin and friends as they enjoy a paradise now denied to you. I declare this to be an apt punishment for your failure to your people and your god.”

I plunged my sword into Vyrthur and confirmed he was dead.

I turned to face my friends.

• Inigo: My friend, I have never seen you kill somebody who couldn’t defend themself.
• Wulf: It wasn’t a fight. It was an execution. Imagine he was trussed up and waiting for the headman’s axe to fall if that makes it more palatable. Plus, he was a split second from killing Serana and others when I froze him. He still had an enormous amount of energy stored and would have released it if I let him thaw. He did not choose this spot for our confrontation randomly. If he had released his energy, I would now be scraping some of you off the ice below with a shovel.
• Serana: He baited me, didn’t he? He knew what to say to get me so angry I forgot to think.
• Wulf: I could see what he was doing as I do the same thing with mortal and immortal. It was the first time we saw you demonstrate vampire strength. I was half expecting you to transform into your Vampire Lord form.
• Serana: I’m not too fond of the outfit, and I can’t do anything with my hair in that form.
• Aranea: You were correct about his punishment. You just started it. He will have eternity to regret his choices.
• Wulf: No matter the sentence, it is always too late to help those who were wronged.
• Inigo: What now?
• Wulf: In all the excitement, none of you noticed the wayshrine has risen. Let’s speak to Knight-Paladin Gelebor.

Gelebor was standing to the side of the wayshrine’s entrance. To my amazement, two Snow Elf children were with him. They must be the owners of the auras I saw.

• Gelebor: So, the deed had been done.
• Wulf: I spoke to Lord Akatosh via his Herald. He told me to use my discretion when dealing with Arch-Curate Vyrthur. I found him guilty of many things that, if tried individually, could have earned execution. When I added his crimes together, the sentence was clear, and I executed him.
• Gelebor: As soon as this wayshrine became active, I knew that my brother must be dead, and The Betrayed no longer had control over him.
• Wulf: The Betrayed never had control of your brother. Vyrthur was a vampire, infected by an Initiate. He controlled many of The Betrayed but not all. He did lead them into the chantry and let them loose on the innocent.
• Gelebor: He was a vampire? That explains much. Deep inside, it brings me joy that the betrayed were not to blame for what happened here.
• Wulf: I saw an emerging people as I travelled through this chantry. They are not the same mindless creatures that slaughtered those who lived here. They have had thousands of years to change, and I believe they can once again become civilised.
• Gelebor: You believe there is still hope they might one day shed their hatred and learn to revere Auri-El once more?
• Wulf: I believe that will have some religion. Let them choose what that may be. The Betrayed do not want continual conflict and death.
• Gelebor: It has been a long time since I felt any hope for my people. My thanks to you and your companions.
• Serana: Knight-Paladin, who are the children?
• Gelebor: My brother was a fine mage. He placed these children in stasis and put them in the safest place, the Inner Sanctum. I believe he did that before ushering The Betrayed inside.
• Serana: Their clothes look ceremonial.
• Gelebor: They had just taken their first steps to enlightenment, and when not at school or with their parents, they spent their time helping within the temple and Inner Sanctum. They do not speak Tamrielic. The best interpretation of their names I can give is Genevier for the girl and Fanaris for the boy. They do not yet know of what occurred here. It will be a shock, and they will mourn their families. But I have had a lot of practice mourning and can help them adjust.
• Wulf: They are beautiful, precious, and the embodiment of mortal potential. Still, Nords cut such down with no guilt whatsoever. No doubt the same Nords went home and cuddled their children without the slightest inkling of the hypocrisy. One day I will be jailed for punching the lights out of a Nord boasting of Ysgrammor’s greatness.
• Aranea: Do you think more of your people are alive?
• Gelebor: Yes, I do. Wiping out an entire race is not so simple. We had many mages as adept as my brother, so many Snow Elves were probably placed in stasis. You may have noticed some sealed doors in the temple. The room behind them contains our archives, and I hope some information about pockets of hidden refugees are within.
• Aranea: Will the children have somewhere suitable to live?
• Gelebor: Yes. The destruction does not extend to the floors below. They will have a space that held over one hundred to live in and explore. They will want for nothing except other Snow Elves. What their future holds depends on if I can find others of my kind to join us here. Although the knowledge to create new wayshrines is lost, I can connect to others that still exist. I can travel vast distances in my search for other survivors.
• Wulf: We will keep the location of this chantry a secret for two reasons. I want The Betrayed to remain unmolested so they can continue to grow as a people. Secondly, there are still Nords who would think killing Snow Elves is an excellent thing to do. Killing these children would guarantee them a place in Sovngarde. I couldn’t think of a more fitting punishment for such animals.
• Gelebor: What you say does not surprise me. With many Nords, their hatred for Mer ran deep long before Saarthal.
• Serana: Look, Wulf. The bow has appeared!
• Gelebor: Wulf, you are my sovereign’s champion, and I can think of nobody more deserving of the bow’s ownership.

Auriel’s Bow floated above the font. I picked it up and detected a strong dweomer to harm the undead. I also felt the presence of Lord Akatosh.

• Wulf: It is beautiful. What can you tell me about it?
• Gelebor: The bow was said to have been carried by Auri-El himself into battle against Lorkhan in ancient and mythic times.
• Wulf: At the battle of the Convention?
• Gelebor: Correct. I used to boast its craftsmanship has no equal anywhere on Nirn and possibly beyond. However, looking at your armour and sword, I think we have some equivalents.
• Wulf: Created by the same hands, or whatever Lord Akatosh has in his native form.
• Serana: What do you detect when holding the bow?
• Wulf: There is a very strong dweomer that will damage any undead. But nothing that indicates it could blot out the Sun.
• Gelebor: The bow draws its power from Aetherius, channelling it through the Sun. Therefore, when an arrow is loosed from the bow, it produces a magical effect very similar to intense fire. The damage produced is in addition to the dweomer against the undead.
• Wulf: Yes, it sounds powerful, but I believe my existing bow would do far more damage against any foe.
• Gelebor: But that is only a fraction of its potential. With Sunhallowed Arrows, you would be able to produce a much more spectacular effect. Bursts of sunlight would envelop your foes. You would only need to aim one Sunhallowed Arrow at the Sun to kill many enemies. The damage multiplies when inflicted on the undead.
• Inigo: My friend, that sounds similar to some of your Shouts
• Wulf: Yes, and unless the bursts of sunlight were guaranteed only to target enemies, I would never use that feature. Not that I intend to use the bow at all beyond a single battle, and that will be inside.
• Serana: Your brother mentioned something about using blood?
• Gelebor: Well, using an arrow that’s been dipped in any blood may cause it to function differently. It would corrupt its purpose.
• Wulf: The sunlight enveloping enemies is not permanent and will cease after a short time, I assume?
• Gelebor: Yes, after about a minute, I believe.
• Wulf: There is no reason why the effects of a corrupted arrow would last any longer.
• Aranea: I can think of no reason they would.
• Serana: Nor I.
• Gelebor: Logically, you are correct. But you would be foolish to test that theory.
• Wulf: I require some Sunhallowed Arrows. Where can I obtain them?
• Gelebor: I can imbue good quality elven arrows with the proper incantations and rituals.
• Wulf: I don’t believe Auri-El’s dweomer is Mer specific. How about the arrows that I carry? They are of the finest quality available, I can assure you.

I handed Gelebor a couple of my arrows, and he was impressed.

• Gelebor: Yes, these will be more than adequate. How many do you need?
• Wulf: Fifty will suffice.
• Gelebor: Give me ten minutes, and they will be ready.

I handed Gelebor my quiver, which contained about fifty arrows. He took them to the side and called the children over in a language I thought I would never hear. They watched and listened with evident concentration as he described what he was doing. He even had the children recite some of the ritual. I understood some of the incantations as much magic involves nonsense sounding words of no defined language. Some say it is the language of the Magna-Ge. When finished, Gelebor handed me my quiver full of Sunhallowed Arrows.

• Wulf: Thank you, Knight-Paladin Gelebor. We shall leave now, but I want to return soon and see if you need our assistance of any sort.
• Gelebor: I don’t expect you to make such a detour from your duties.
• Inigo: We have a flying ship. We will sit back, eat a meal and talk while it flies us here.
• Gelebor: That sounds like a marvellous device. Dwemer in design?
• Inigo: Yes, but it took the smarts of Khajiit to make sense of their diagrams and make it work.
• Gelebor: A proud race that was here before even the Sun Elves.
• Inigo: Today, the Nords say, ‘Skyrim is for the Nords!’. Most are ignorant of this land’s ancient history.
• Gelebor: I have no doubt the children are taught we were savages who deserved our fate.
• Inigo: Wulf says that the victors write history.
• Gelebor: Yes, and the best strategic and tactical manuals as well!
• Wulf: I see the portals to every wayshrine are now active.
• Gelebor: The network is once again complete. Perhaps we can configure Sun Elf portals to work with yours?
• Wulf: That would be a worthwhile exercise.
• Gelebor: I will take the children below and get them settled. Then I must attend to my brother’s remains. Despite everything, I need to grieve and inter him properly.
• Wulf: I understand. The Divines bless you, Knight-Paladin Gelebor.
• Gelebor: And may Auri-El’s light guide you through the darkness you must face. I do not envy your position as Champion of The Divines.

Gelebor called the children over, and together they walked into the ruined Inner Sanctum. I saw a denial of Ysgrammor in their existence and was pleased.

I offered Serana Auriel’s Bow, and she held it like it was going to set her on fire!

• Wulf: Relax, Serana. Its dweomer is passive unless used with intent.
• Serana: Excuse me if I am nervous about anything that sets vampires alight using the Sun.
• Wulf: Well, what do you think?
• Serana: It’s not a shiny as I was expecting.
• Wulf: Like the gold and white of this temple, its aesthetics are pleasing to the eye, not tacky.
• Serana: You intend to use it against my father, don’t you?
• Wulf: Without sounding callous, my sword and bow would do more damage, especially inside where the Sun can’t add to it. But your father needs to understand that Molag Bal’s blessings cannot compete with Lord Akatosh and his champion. If Harkon has to die, it will be accomplished by my Celestial Father’s weapon.
• Serana: I have been thinking about this. It’s… it’s not easy, but I don’t think we have a choice. My father must die, or he will never give up pursuing us and the prophecy.
• Wulf: I told your father that I would kill the entire clan next time I step into his hall. Are you comfortable with that?
• Serana: Vampires can show true nobility, yet the ones infesting Castle Volkihar have decided to be animals. They lack any redeeming features. They also present a danger to all vampires by reinforcing the generalisations that have plagued us since Lamae. There was once a time my father himself would have hunted and destroyed other vampires who behaved like those in Castle Volkihar or The Bloodlet Throne. Now he has become what he once detested. I will gladly aid you in their extermination.
• Wulf: I still don’t think, even if we coated arrows with the blood of a Daughter of Coldharbour, that the corrupted dweomer would last longer than that of Sunhallowed Arrows.
• Aranea: Yes, we assumed that Auri-El’s bow was to be corrupted. That made sustained masking of the Sun sound feasible.
• Serana: So, all my father’s hopes are dashed. Unless he has an unlimited supply of corrupted arrows and somebody to fire them at the Sun every few minutes, vampires will not roam freely and rule Nirn.
• Aranea: Not only that, the area affected would be limited. It would be similar to having a cloudy, rainy day in one part of Skyrim whilst another part enjoys warm sunshine.
• Wulf: We also confirmed there was no need for Serana to die. A drop of blood for each arrow? You could make thousands before the donor had to recover. You wouldn’t kill the only source of the blood.
• Serana: What happened to my family and clan was based on incorrect assumptions and a false prophecy. That makes me feel angry and frustrated. My father would never have achieved what he ruined my family to pursue.
• Ghorbash: Vyrthur was so callous he probably assumed such tragedies would occur and not gave it a second thought.
• Aranea: In many aspects, the Arch-Curate was mimicked the owner of his soul, Molag Bal. As Wulf likes to point out, Molag Bal is what nature created. Vyrthur chose to be what he was.
• Wulf: Vyrthur must have had extensive knowledge of Dawn Magic to place the prophecy onto an Elder Scroll. He could have done many things to aid his people yet squandered that knowledge on misguided revenge.
• Inigo: Are we letting The Dawnguard aid us?
• Wulf: We don’t need them, but as I have said before, many who have signed on with Isran have legitimate reasons for seeking revenge against vampires. So yes, we will let them participate. It may provide some closure for a few.
• Inigo: Are you are going to teleport to Fort Dawnguard and zap us there once more?
• Wulf: Yes. We do not want to assault the castle at night but just after sunrise. We will send The Dawnguard to meet us there then spend the night in Silverpeak Lodge.
• Inigo: Yes, my friend. You may still be going strong, but the rest of us are exhausted.
• Serana: Including me. You wouldn’t have any coffins handy at home, would you?
• Wulf: Ah… no.
• Serana: I was only joking. I enjoy a comfortable mattress and warm blankets as much as any mortal.
• Wulf: If surrounded by snoring, farting Sentinels is not your idea of fun, you can use the loft bed.
• Ghorbash: I find the sounds soothing. Like a lullaby.
• Derkeethus: We were in the Legion, you bonehead. It was our lullaby!
• Wulf: Okay. Give me a minute, and I will zap you to Fort Dawnguard.

I teleported to Fort Dawnguard then summoned The Sentinels and Serana.

Serana did not seem her confident self. I asked her, “Are you having difficulty with all of this, Serana?”

“I thought I was strong enough to do this. But now, I’m not just sure anymore. I know I may seem carefree, but in the end, I don’t know. I guess I am trying to hide all of these feelings.”

“I can’t possibly hope to understand the conflicts you face. All I can do. All we can do. Is be available to listen and talk and maybe offer a shoulder to cry on.”

“I can’t remember the last time I cried. My father always said it was a sign of weakness and a mortal flaw.”

“Your father said lots of things that are untrue, I am sure.”

“I am feeling so overwhelmed. But I have to follow through with it. I need to be there if I am to have closure. Like some of The Dawngaurd.”

“As I said, we may not be able to comprehend fully, but we will be there to support you.”

“Thank you. Now let us go tell Isran so he can rally his troops with mindless bloodlust.”

We walked into the fort, and Isran was waiting for us. Sentries must have told him we had arrived.

I held forth Auriel’s Bow. Isran’s eyes bulged!

• Isran: The bow… you have Auriel’s Bow!
• Wulf: Yes, and it was not easy to retrieve.
• Isran: I’ve heard it described in tales, but I could never have imagined its beauty.
• Inigo: Isn’t it peculiar how a device designed to kill is suddenly beautiful because a god made it?
• Wulf: We are offering The Dawnguard a chance for revenge. Will you fight beside us?
• Isran: Yes. The day hasn’t been won while Harkon still walks Nirn.
• Wulf: Then gather your members.
• Isran: But what about Serana? Can she be trusted to lift a blade against her kind? Her own family?
• Serana: Why ask Wulf? Ask me, and I will tell you how I have already killed members of the Volkihar clan. They are not what vampires can be or should be. They are wild animals and a danger to both mortals and vampires.
• Wulf: I trust Serana more than I trust you, Isran. You are still an unknown commodity, whilst Serana has proven herself countless times in the last few days.
• Isran: That is a fair assessment. Let me address The Dawnguard, and then we’ll be off.
• Wulf: We will attack at first light. Please, keep the anti-vampire rhetoric to an acceptable level.

Isran called out, in his deep baritone voice, “Everyone! Gather round!”

I said, “Good effort, Isran. Let me help.”

Not wanting to shake Fort Dawnguard to pieces, I moderated my Thu’um. But still, it would have been heard throughout the valley.

“DAWNGUARD. TO THE FRONT LOBBY. NOW! THE LAST ONE GETS PRIVY DUTY FOR A WEEK!”

The Dawnguard came running. Isran had only managed to retain seven of those who answered his posters and made the trip to Fort Dawnguard. The rest must have decided his method of command was not to their liking.

As The Dawnguard assembled, Serana stood in the shadows, leaning against a wall.

I advised her, “If you don’t want to hear the hatred, you could wait outside.”

“Each of them probably has ample justification for their fear and hate. They only know the type of vampire that has intruded upon their lives in some horrific way. When I fight beside them tomorrow, they will see that we can differ in outlook and morality as much as mortals. Listening to their hate will reinforce why my father and the clan need to be removed. I will stay.”

I smiled at Serana then joined Isran as the stragglers arrived.

When all seven had stopped their whispers and questions to each other, Isran gave his speech.

“For too long, we’ve allows these vampires to poison the night and kill our people! Now, we finally have the means to strike back! We now have Auriel’s Bow. The gods themselves have favoured us, and we must answer with action!”

The Dawnguard hooted and cheered and yelled typical threats to prove their bravado. It was predictable and, in a way, sad, as the same process has been repeated countless times before. The bravado in the barracks will vanish, and the once brave will piss themselves with fear when facing the enemy.

The Dawnguard settled down, allowing Isran to continue.

“The time has come to put an end to Harkon and his unholy prophecy! We will march on their lair and destroy those wretched abominations so they can no longer corrupt our world! This is our fight and our fate! This is the time of The Dawnguard!”

More hollering, boasting and anti-vampire dogma ensued.

I stepped forward and used my Thu’um.

“QUIET!”

Half-finished sentences were punctuated by complete silence. I had their attention.

I said, “Most vampires did not become so voluntarily. They contracted a disease and, for one reason or another, did not get cured in time. Many of those vampires chose, and continue to choose, to live a life different than that of Lord Harkon and his clan in Castle Volkihar.

Imagine you are a Divine loving Nord who finds their soul now belongs to Molag Bal, the most detestable of the Daedric Lords. No Sovngarde or other pleasant afterlife is in your future. An eternity in Coldharbour as a slave to Bal looms. When faced with this reality, some people will prove their worth to the Dark Lord and participate in the more brutal and unsavoury aspects of vampirism. It is not unlike some slaves who will become thugs hoping they will become an asset to the slave masters. A selfish choice has been made, and those individuals deserve contempt.

However, it must be remembered that many of those inflicted with vampirism attempt to maintain a moral and righteous existence. These people realise that choice will not sit well with Bal. They know that maintaining decency and morals will make their eternity in Coldharbour be far more unpleasant than it need be. Yet, they have the moral fortitude to use their free will and live as they want, not what Molag Bal expects.

These moral vampires don’t want your pity or even friendship. But they do deserve your understanding and respect. Ask yourself if you would be ingratiating yourself with Molag Bal or living a moral life? Be honest when measuring your response to that question.

The Divines, including my Celestial Father, Lord Akatosh, do not condone mindless violence and bigotry. Auriel’s Bow is not a symbol of hatred and revenge against vampires or any other people. It is a symbol of the love that our creators have for mortals, and that love is not extinguished when a beloved mortal contracts a disease. Each mortal soul lost to a Dark Lord causes our gods grief as much as any of you who have lost loved ones to vampires. They do not ask me, their mortal champion, to mindlessly eliminate these lost souls. They trust in my judgement as to which of them needs to feel Divine wrath and which ones need understanding and acceptance.

We do not need Auriel’s Bow to fight vampires. We do need the certainty our actions are those of justice and not mindless violence generated by senseless hate.

I will use Auriel’s Bow in our fight tomorrow, not because it is the best weapon that I have available for killing vampires. I can assure you that it is nowhere near as powerful as my other weapons. I will use it because each arrow that strikes Harkon’s clan members will carry the Divine wrath of Lord Akatosh delivered by his mortal champion. Divine wrath imbued upon the arrows by sacred ritual. Wrath earned because the vampire has used free will and chosen to endanger the mortals created and loved by The Divines. Each arrow will deliver Divine wrath that was earned by their actions, not their label of vampire.

Vampires have always lived amongst us, and many have proven valuable allies to The Empire. Do not let yourselves become like Harkon’s minions. Do not hate somebody for what they are rather than what they have done.”

I addressed Isran once more.

“You are their leader. Tell them they are not to run in front of me during battle. They are not to harm any child vampire, or mortal slave. They are to kill quickly and not deliberately prolong the suffering of a vampire. I am giving you a level of trust you have not earned. Don’t prove me the fool.”

“We shall assemble at dawn tomorrow. We will follow your men, and Serana, into battle. Even if they don’t manage to strike a foe with their weapon, these people need to know they did something to avenge loved ones.”

“They can all survive this if they control their hatred. Not just physically but also mentally.”

“We will meet you outside Castle Volkihar in the morning. We will not attempt anything until you arrive.”

Isran exited Fort Dawnguard at a rapid pace, with his Dawnguard following as quickly. Their carriages are not far, so they shouldn’t collapse from exhaustion before reaching them.

I teleported into my bedroom at Silverpeak Lodge then summoned the others.

I said to them, “We have had enough talking and speculating and all the rest. We know what we need to do tomorrow. Get some sleep! Serana, let me escort you to the loft bedroom.”

Lucia is a light sleeper, so I was not surprised she was waiting to say hello to me.

“Wulf, are you home now? Lydia taught me a new waltz, and I want to show you how good I can do it!”

“I should be home tomorrow afternoon. Then we can dance the waltz till our legs fall off.”

“That would be silly, learning a new dance and then not being able to dance at all.”

“I will have to wear these big metal boots.”

“Why?”

“It won’t hurt when you keep stepping on my toes.”

“I think I will dance with Inigo instead. He is not rude like you.”

“But I don’t give you fleas!”

Lucia giggled then climbed back into bed.

Francois was also out of bed and had been listening to my conversation with Lucia. He whispered, “Can you teach me how to do the male bit of the waltz? I would like to surprise Lucia and ask her to dance it with me.”

“Oh, I would have to do the female steps. I can do it, but I might have to wear a dress.”

“I won’t be able to learn if I am laughing too much.”

“What about if I shave? I won’t look so silly in the dress then.”

“I don’t think shaving your beard would help.”

“No, I was thinking about my legs. My big hairy legs.”

Francois giggled and was smiling as he made his way under his bed covers.

The dogs sleep just outside the children’s room. The six of them would be a match for anybody threatening their small friends.

The Sentinels headed to their beds.

Serana was staring at me.

“Yes, Serana. Is something bothering you?”

“You are the most efficient killer I have witnessed. Yet you were so natural and gentle with the children. It is a fascinating contrast.”

“Those moments with the children remind me of what I am protecting. There are no riches in this world as precious as a child’s laughter. It is the music of life and contains hope and happiness.”

“Do not forget to say goodnight to your mysterious lady.”

“Ahh, I was wondering if you would figure it out.”

“Ancestor Moths do not have a wicked sense of humour!”

“That was a rather witty explanation for my sudden hilarity.”

“Was telepathy something perfected while I was interred?”

“No, it is a gift from Lady Mara. It helps both of us bear our burdens.”

“Please, show me this loft bedroom.”

We climbed the stairs to the loft, and I bid Serana good night.

I walked wearily to my room then flopped down onto my bed.

“I am exhausted, my dear Countess. So just a quick hello and goodbye.”

“I can sense your weariness, my pooped Dragonborn.”

“I have no worries about defeating Harkon and his rabble. They stand no chance, but Serana will be emotionally distraught. She deserves better.”

“Too bad there is no cure for vampirism.”

“But there is! Falion is a master of Conjuration. He was a well respected and valuable colleague at the College but found he did not like Savos. Subsequently, he left to pursue his studies elsewhere. He now lives in Morthal and can cure vampirism. I did not delve too far into the process he uses. I could see it was heading in a direction with which I felt uncomfortable. I don’t think the process is illegal or immoral but certainly bordering on both.”

“Does Serana know of this?”

“No. I wanted to get her father out of the way first. I will put it to her as a decision that needs careful consideration on her part. I will not give my opinion either way.”

I yawned then Rigmor laughed.

“Did you know I catch your yawns through the rings? It is like when you observe somebody yawning, and you get this impulse to do the same.”

“Time for sleep. I will try and talk to you before I leave.”

“Okay. Now, where was I? Oh, that’s right! I was slowly kissing my way down your chest, and as I got closer to my goal, your breathing.….”

“RIGMOR!”

“Hehe! Pleasant dreams, my Dragonborn.”

I know not what time I fell asleep.

I know I was smiling at my beloved’s laughter.