Sundas, 11^th Morning Star, 4E 202

& Morndas, 12^th Morning Star, 4E 202

As I walked toward Priest Matthew, I was aware of my promise to Lady Mara.

At first, I was not in the mood for Evermore’s brand of blasphemy and decided that diplomacy could get stuffed!

But my conscience, the enemy of anger, changed me into a perfect diplomat. I was going to listen to blasphemy and be a good Envoy.

• Wulf: Excuse me, are you Brother Matthew?
• Matthew: Yes, I am. It is an honour to meet you, Your Excellency.
• Wulf: Did Priest Fenig inform you of my visit to Evermore?
• Matthew: Yes, he did. We efficiently deliver vital information within The Priest Circle.
• Wulf: I need to understand the position of the temples and priests within Evermore.
• Matthew: We are immeasurably crucial in Evermore’s society. The clergy have congealed with royalty. The two casts have governed in tandem in many kingdoms and continue to do so in Evermore.
• Wulf: What do you mean by royalty? You have a king and a prince. What other royalty is there?
• Matthew: Why, the lords and governors, of course.
• Wulf: Forgive my ignorance, but are nobles regarded as royalty?
• Matthew: That might not be the case in unenlightened provinces and countries, but all nobility in Evermore is of royal blood.
• Sarah: Excuse me, Brother Matthew. I am an Acolyte of Mara and am intrigued by this concept of caste. Do you think royalty and priests are of a different social level than the citizens you serve?
• Matthew: Yes, as The Nine meant it to be.
• Wulf: I see. And do you work closely with Evermore’s royalty?
• Matthew: Every lord, governor and king have their priest. Sometimes, it is to keep up traditions, but most commonly, it is to convene meetings with other royalty via the priests’ relationship with one another.
• Wulf: Via The Priest Circle? Precisely, what is that?
• Matthew: A council of priests. It was created after the dissolution of The Mages Guild in the province. It supplants their purpose, yet with a limited interest in the arcane, as from what came before. Restoration Magic takes centre stage in our studies. We do not dabble in the more destructive arts.
• Celestine: And why would that be?
• Matthew: Many royals fear their lands becoming despotic theocracies with a ruling mage class. This unfortunate event happened to several kingdoms when The Mages Guild held prominence.
• Wulf: Do the priests of Evermore study outside of High Rock?
• Matthew: No, we do not.
• Wulf: I have seen much suffering in Forlorn and Arnima. How do you cope?
• Matthew: I would love to tell you that faith alone keeps me going, but this goes farther than appeasing the gods. Only those with black hearts could look the other way, so I stay and do my best. The alchemist’s corner allows the temple to serve potions and other relief. And we let the injured rest within the temple and the grace of their gods.
• Wulf: I was unaware that The Nine needed appeasing. Do you blame them for what is happening in Evermore?
• Matthew: I am at a loss as to how to explain this kingdom’s misfortunes in any other way.
• Wulf: Do you manage to leave this temple often and visit with the citizens of Evermore?
• Matthew: Unfortunately, no. I rely on The Missionary to do that for me. Vicariously living through his exploits unburdens my mind and helps me stop thinking about the reality here.
• Wulf: We assisted Brother Fenig of The Bridge. It would be remiss of me not to ask if you may also require assistance.
• Matthew: Perhaps. We recently suffered a string of thefts within this temple, and I have no idea why. They are not emptying our coffers, but the thief seems interested in particular relics.
• Wulf: Is there something the stolen relics have in common?
• Matthew: They belong to Mados, the Champion of Lady Mara.
• Wulf: Did you employ extra security to catch the thief?
• Matthew: The guards generously spare some eyes to watch over the temple when I am not here. But nothing, neither beggar nor vagrant, has appeared. The Missionary, Reamonn, has taken up the pursuit and is quite the prodigy in Alteration. One such exercise he has mastered is Great Searches. He scours the land through projected Arcane Vision. While using his peculiar skills to search for our most recently stolen item, he found it.
• Wulf: What is the item, and from where can we retrieve it?
• Matthew: It is a ring that belonged to Mados and is located within the dungeons of Grey Belmor. Apart from what can be seen treading the surface, we have no idea what dwells there. I will beg Mara’s ear for your safe return.
• Wulf: Did Brother Fenig inform you that I am here at the request of His Imperial Majesty and Lady Mara?
• Matthew: Yes, he mentioned that a Priest of Mara sent you.
• Wulf: No. Lady Mara spoke to me. Have any of The Nine ever spoken to you?
• Matthew: Of course not. To suggest such a thing is blasphemy!
• Sarah: I am an Acolyte of Mara. Many witnesses, including Priests and Priestesses, and I witnessed Lady Mara speak to Envoy Wulf in Riften’s temple.
• Lydia: The Sybil in Markarth speaks with Lady Dibella every day.
• Celestine: We have all witnessed The Divines, Dark Lords, and Saints converse with Envoy Wulf. The last person whose faith you should question is the one placed on Nirn by Lord Akatosh.
• Wulf: Enough. Brother Matthew’s faith and knowledge are based on the limited learning he received within the closed system of Evermore. He only questions what is new to him.
• Matthew: I am sorry. We have often debated expanding our training outside our borders, but the traditionalists always win.
• Wulf: I will place Lord Talos’ shrine in its rightful place. You will not remove it. Consider it an action performed by His Imperial Majesty, Emperor Titus Mede II.
• Matthew: But….
• Wulf: If, for some reason, a Thalmor enters this temple and complains about it, tell them to come and see me.
• Celestine: Do Thalmor agents ever enter the temple, Priest Matthew?
• Matthew: Never. But….
• Sarah: Thanks to His Excellency, you will not have to change its name to Temple of the Divines Minus One.
• Matthew: But….
• Wulf: You are dismissed, Father Matthew. We shall speak again after we retrieve Mados’ ring.

We then spoke to the missionary.

• Wulf: Excuse the interruption, but are you Missionary Reamonn?
• Reamonn: Excellency, please use Reamonn, although, in Cyrodiil, they use Raymond.
• Wulf: Reamonn with two n?
• Reamonn: That is correct.
• Wulf: You are Breton, so I assume you studied or worked in Cyrodiil?
• Reamonn: I studied there. I thought it was my ticket into a good life, only to end up back here. However, in retrospect, I would not have it any other way.
• Wulf: You are concerned about the problems in Evermore?
• Reamonn: As we speak, much innocent blood is being spilt. If I want to do something about it, I must be here, not in Cyrodiil.
• Wulf: Do you travel often?
• Reamonn: Until recently, yes, I did. I had much fun, although I never left Arnima without a shiv hidden in my boot. Now I need a bloody armed escort!
• Celestine: I am Knight Celestine and a Master of all schools of magic. I want to discuss your divination capability when we have some spare time.
• Reamonn: Yes, of course, Knight Celestine.
• Wulf: You divined the location of Mados’ ring. Can you tell us more? Is it at ground level, deep underground, on the roof, etc.?
• Reamonn: It is dry and not far underground. But I sensed a lake or pond nearby.
• Wulf: Okay, that will help.

Lydia retrieved Lord Talos’ Shrine from a nearby cupboard and handed it to me. I placed it where it once stood. A Priest of Talos would need to activate it.

We left the temple and started towards Grey Belmor.

• Celestine: I was worried you would tear Priest Matthew’s head off!
• Wulf: I still might. However, Lady Mara urged me to be tolerant of their ways. So, I will be tolerant until I am not.
• Ghorbash: I sensed a lake or pond nearby!
• Lydia: Oh, like the entirety of Forlorn and much of Arnima?
• Wulf: Divination can be very accurate. But if something is in a generic-looking place, you get wishy-washy directions like those Reamonn provided.
• Celestine: Divination is not Alteration magic. It is an innate ability, like foresight.
• Wulf: I think Missionary Reamonn has used Divination for nefarious reasons.
• Celestine: I thought the same when he mentioned hiding a shiv in his boot.
• Lydia: Do you think he has been in prison?
• Wulf: Yes, I think he has.
• Sarah: I wonder what nasties are in Grey Belmor?
• Wulf: New types of undead if we are lucky!
• Lydia: Ghorbash can fight them while we draw sketches and make notes.
• Wulf: Let us hope he lasts long enough for us to finish.
• Ghorbash: I promise not to die a horrible death before you have finished your notes and sketches.
• Lydia: That is very generous of you.

The undead did not take kindly to our presence. However, they were weak and easily eliminated.

We encountered an Atronach that used Blood Magic. My companions cut it down before I got a good look at it.

Embers still burnt thirty years after Orsinium’s Sons attacked Grey Belmor. We assume it was due to the ‘curse’ placed by the shamans.

We had a clear path to the entrance but decided to eliminate all external undead before entering.

We sometimes find books and other paper items that have survived years, if not decades, in the open. How they survive is one of those unanswered gobblygook questions.

On a battlement overlooking Arnima, I discovered the journal of a Legionnaire named Talerius Maxim. I read the relevant entries to the group.

“TURDAS, Sun’s Dusk 23, 4E 174

My first stationing had to be in this gods-forsaken cesspit. Almost one week after our arrival, these Orcs spring out of the cliffs and cause chaos in the region.

Just my luck…

I do not think I have ever seen the sun in this armpit called The Reach. The grey skies are all that welcome you every morning, and a bitter cold air assaults your skin. The officers parade around in full garments while we wear these skimpy hand-me-downs.

FREDAS, Sun’s Dusk 24, 4E 174

Those Orcs have a purpose in their eyes, and I have never seen such ferocity in the field. I had to call a retreat to Grey Belmor while waiting for help from Evermore and beyond. The Council said they could not spare many troops as most were in Cyrodiil for The Empire’s defence.

Mados is something, however! He could kick them out singlehandedly. Every swing of his sword is a reckoning for anyone standing in his way. He has taken blows that would have killed any Legionnaire three times over.

I pray for Lord Akatosh to make it so we can defeat these fanatics and end this ordeal.

“LOREDAS, Sun’s Dusk 25, 4E 174

We found one of the Orcs snooping within our lines. He was promptly captured and hauled into Grey Belmor. Funny, most of the Orcs we faced refused capture and would rather we pepper them with arrows. Maybe he is one of the tame ones? I used to have an Orc buddy back in training, a bleak but humorous fellow who always had your back in a scuffle.

The young Orc spy is locked up in a cage, looking bewildered and refusing to speak. Higher-ups say to keep him safe so we can get some Intel on what we are facing and see if those shamans pose as big of a threat as we fear.

But one of the Breton boys has a rage in his eyes whenever he comes across the green lad. I note this because the boy is talented in Destruction Magic, especially that of the flame.

I asked him if he would do anything rash. He made a snide remark about not wanting to go anywhere near something that ugly, and we both laughed. What unnerved me was when he turned from me and whispered something under his breath, I could still see that rage in his eyes.

SUNDAS, Sun’s Dusk 26, 4E 174

I woke up to the sound of shrieks and the smell of burning. Dazed from having only slept for four hours, I soon came to my senses and realised the source of the commotion. The Breton boy scorched the young Orc to the bone! There was hardly anything left except for cinders. We feared restraining him due to his affinity for magic, but he surrendered without any force being needed, lumped on the floor crying.

“You greenskin filth, you monsters! Kill them all! The greenskins will not stop until we are all dead. Our wives, children, and elders will all be killed! They do not care…. They do not care!” The Breton boy bellowed as he was carried away into the dungeons. Atrocities take their toll on all the witnesses, and I can tell that kid has seen a lot.

Mados and a small detachment headed towards where the Orcish shamans were last seen about two hours ago.

The air tastes weird, like licking iron, with a thick metallic tinge. Breathing is difficult. My hands show bone like I am one of the undead. Mados has yet to return.

By The Nine, help us! A skeleton can be seen within the skin of a legion brother. What madness is this? We struck the abomination down. An officer started vomiting violently, almost expelling his lungs in the process, and collapsed. I looked behind to see yet another of the abominations staring down at me. Where once it was a friendly face, it now remains corpus skin and bone.

They are everywhere, and I do not know if I am the only one left alive. The wooden barricade is holding up against the Oblivion spawn, but I do not know how long it will last. Kyne, please preserve us! I hear the screams and wails.

I do not think Mados found those shamans in time…

Stendarr, give me strength.”

• Ghorbash: Talerius is another soldier who served with Orsimer but still thought Orsinium’s Sons represented my race.
• Celestine: The Orsimer they captured was probably a local citizen and not one of the attackers.
• Lydia: You would hope that was soon realised without using an Imperial Torturer.
• Wulf: Torture is something I would ban if Emperor. Much of the information obtained is wrong and given in the hope of stopping the process. It is barbaric and senseless.
• Sarah: The Breton who torched the prisoner must have seen or heard about terrible things to make him snap like that.
• Ghorbash: His superiors should have recognised the problem and ensured he could not access the prisoner.
• Celestine: Wulf and I have encountered similar stories many times. Warfare affects each person differently. Nobody survives it unscathed.
• Wulf: Let us enter and discover new things that want to kill us!
• Sarah: Does Wulf have to sound so excited about that prospect?
• Celestine: Sarah, where is your sense of adventure?
• Sarah: It is at home in front of a fire with a good book and a cup of tea.

We entered Grey Belmor.

In the centre of Grey Belmor’s courtyard was a statue of a hooded skeletal figure.

We cleared the undead and then stood before the statue.

• Ghorbash: Who is that?
• Wulf: It could be Sithis, although I have never seen him depicted with a scythe.
• Sarah: Bretonic folklore describes an entity called Death as a scythe-wielding skeletal figure.
• Celestine: Like Valkyries, Death is supposed to accompany you to your afterlife.
• Wulf: Valkyries are supposed to decide which Nords, such as children and other non-combatants, can enter Sovngarde if they do not die in battle.
• Lydia: Do you believe Valkyries exist?
• Wulf: No. Sovngarde is for warriors of any morality and is the only part of Aetherius where love is absent. No doubt Ulfric is having a great time discussing the slaughter of innocents with other ‘heroes.’ The wives and children of those butchers are better off enjoying an afterlife elsewhere. 
• Lydia: This statue was not brought into Grey Belmor and erected by a few people.
• Wulf: You are right, so it was probably here for years before the siege of 4E 174. I do not know the history of Grey Belmor.
• Sarah: More undead await us behind a lowered portcullis. I can shoot them!
• Wulf: Only if you get there before me!

I rushed to the portcullis and killed some skeletal undead with Unrelenting Force. Then, I watched a different type of undead approach.

Sarah asked, “What is that thing?”

“It is a Corrupted Shade. There were many of them in Sancre Tor and Meridia’s temple. They are stronger than Skeletal Warriors but not a danger to us.”

I destroyed the Corrupted Shade, then looked for a way to raise the portcullis.

After a few minutes, I said, “This makes a change. It looks like there is no external way to raise the portcullis.”

Celestine replied, “Then we must rely on another cliché.”

I looked around and asked, “Like a drain or sewer entrance?”

“Yep, that sounds cliché enough.”

We emerged from a short tunnel into Grey Belmor’s main building.

After eliminating some undead, we were faced with a mystery.

• Lydia: Who left that lit torch on the ground and why?
• Wulf: The best guess is that the thief left the torch. There are many possible answers to why.
• Celestine: They could have been attacked by undead. But there is no blood.
• Ghorbash: They might have several torches. They leave them at some places as markers to find their way out.
• Sarah: They are leaving a trail that leads to a trap for the curious.
• Wulf: Or it could be a torch from 4E 174 that is still alight.
• Lydia: To use one of Wulf’s colloquialisms, we do not have the slightest idea.

A door at the end of a long corridor led outside. Because I was busy studying the Blood Magic using Atronach, I almost tripped over a dead Orsimer.

I destroyed the Atronach.

Then Celestine and I examined the Orsimer.

• Wulf: I estimate he was killed within the last week.
• Celestine: I agree.
• Lydia: Is he Orsinium’s Sons?
• Ghorbash: It is impossible to say. The Orsiunium’s Sons use the same armour as other Orsimer warriors.
• Lydia: He is unlikely to be the thief.
• Wulf: You have seen how Grey Belmor overlooks Arnima. Due to the fear of the place, it would be ideal for concealing an Orsinium’s Sons strike force.
• Sarah: I think he did well in getting this far.
• Wulf: Let us have a look around.

Some troops were on a rotating roster outside. Two huts provided bedding for those who were off duty.

There were no crenelations or high walls to protect defenders.

I found an unsent sealed letter in one of the huts. There was no address, but it was written by somebody named Geldis. I read it to my companions.

“The Orcs are relentless, hammering on the town of Raven Spring like wolves to deer. We do not know how these fanatics became so numerous over the years. They call themselves ‘Orsinium’s Sons,’ a splinter faction from Orsinium.

They have been terrorising small hamlets along the Bjoulsae River and any vulnerable settlement that borders the great cliffs. They impale most but have their fun with the women first. They pillage and then move on to the next town, utilising intimidation and fear to sunder the locals’ resolve, using sudden violent acts through rituals to decimate their enemies completely.

I have been told that a ritual is being performed deep in the swamp, and its magic is aimed at Grey Belmor. The ritual is the work of many shamans guarded by numerous footmen. We must quell this imminent doom or witness The Reach fall to these warmongers.

Mados leads a detachment of Imperials and Evermorin, who will try to end the ritual. The divine armour he wears invokes courage in us all. I can see Mara’s face staring back at me every time I glance at it.

Geldis.”

• Sarah: I do not understand the fixation with Mados.
• Wulf: He was a true knight and champion who shunned wealth and adoration. I doubt he would approve of the god-like reverence he now invokes.
• Ghorbash: Would his soul be at rest?
• Wulf: I do not know. I doubt Arkay’s Rights were ever performed. Perhaps I shall do that when we return.
• Celestine: I dislike seeing injured guards awaiting effective treatment.
• Wulf: Priest Matthew is an alchemist with a small Magicka reserve. He may know some fundamental Restoration spells, but not ones strong enough to cure the guards.
• Celestine: People will flock to the temple if an Oblivion Gate opens. We should ensure plenty of strong Healing Potions are available for Priest Matthew and others to administer.
• Wulf: I have sixty of the strongest in my Journal Case. Dhali will have a stock aboard the airship.
• Ghorbash: How hard would it be to defend Arnima against Daedra?
• Wulf: We do not know what Daedra will attack. We must strategically place squads to defend people and guide them to safety.
• Celestine: Dragons would not be much help.
• Wulf: Not unless they restrict themselves to teeth and claws. Any use of their Thu’um is likely to hurt civilians, guards, and soldiers. But they would cause panic. The people of Evermore are not used to dragons.
• Sarah: There are Vigilants of Stendarr in Evermore. A few of them live in a local inn not far from here.
• Wulf: And yet, suspected Daedric Prince devotees are active within shouting distance.
• Celestine: Cyrodiil seems to be the only Imperial province with useful Vigilants.
• Wulf: It is time to head back inside. The Blood Magic Atronachs were interesting, but I hoped for something more dramatic.

We entered Grey Belmor again.

Grey Belmor was once opulent. Few paintings and tapestries have survived the slow decay. However, surviving furniture, busts, statues, and flooring indicate luxury equivalent to The Blue Palace.

We entered a domed, round room where a large statue of Father stood in the centre.

There were weak undead.

And an ugly, reasonably powerful Lich.

The Lich fired Ice Spears from a staff. They were a fraction of the power Celestine or I could cast.

The Lich kept teleporting short distances. I could have killed him with Unrelenting Force, but the ceiling looked dodgy. Therefore, every time he teleported, I Blinked to his new location.

I eventually cut him down. I did not bother taking his staff because it was weak and ordinary.

I climbed scaffolding and said, “It seems repairs or renovations were being undertaken before the siege.”

Father’s statue was in good condition, but there was no shrine.

Suddenly, a roar from an unknown creature echoed throughout Grey Belmor.

Lydia quipped, “Remember, Ghorbash, be careful which way you face when combating whatever that is. We do not want arterial spray ruining our sketches.”

“I will try not to scream. That might break your concentration.”

“You are so thoughtful.”

We continued our exploration and came upon a burnt body in a cage.

Celestine said, “I think that is the Orsimer killed by the young Breton.”

A steady heartbeat now accompanied the growls and howls of the creature.

Ghorbash asked, “If I soil myself, will that ruin your sketches?”

Sarah replied, “No. We are sketching that interesting creature, not you.”

When we reached Grey Belmor’s basement, we discovered that some rooms were covered by several feet of water. We were much closer to the creature and the heartbeat.

I commented, “The creature is below and moving. The heartbeat is also below but is stationary.”

After we looked around for several minutes, Sarah found some weak planks covering a hole above the sewers.

• Wulf: I will break the planks with Unrelenting Force, then jump down. The entire squad is to join me immediately.
• Sarah: You are looking forward to meeting the creature.
• Wulf: I cannot recognise it by sound, so I am curious about what it may be.
• Sarah: And the beating heart?
• Wulf: That is another mystery to be solved. Therefore, it is exciting.
• Celestine: Any place we visit that is not Dwemer or Nord holds Wulf’s interest.

Unrelenting Force shattered the planks, whose remnants were quickly swept away by a current.

I jumped into the water with my companions soon joining me.

One direction had raised bars with no lowering mechanism.

We headed in the other direction and soon came upon more undead.

I told the group, “I will try a new spell. It is a delayed electrical explosion.”

I cast the spell between a Skeever and a Skeleton. After a second, it exploded and disposed of both. I was pleased with the result.

We discovered a bedroll. There was blood splatter near it, but no corpse.

• Wulf: That has not been here since 174! Somebody has visited in the recent past.
• Lydia: Perhaps the thief was tired.
• Sarah: There is no way I could sleep in here!
• Celestine: The bedroll has been here long enough to gather dust, so I doubt the thief placed it.
• Ghorbash: How old is the blood?
• Celestine: Fairly old. More than a few months, I would say.
• Wulf: It would have been another trespasser. The undead might not have been a danger to them because they may have had a magical item that provided protection.
• Celestine: We have not encountered undead destroyed by another entity. So, I think Wulf is right.
• Lydia: Wulf is always right.
• Wulf: No, I am not. For instance, when Jarl Balgruuf asked if I would accept you as Housecarl, I said yes. His sigh of relief should have been a warning.
• Lydia: Does our knightly oath say anything about being nasty to subordinates?
• Wulf: I swear on my honour to pick on subordinates without mercy.
• Lydia: If the person who used the bedroll was safe from the undead, then what killed them is not the undead.
• Sarah: Un-undead!
• Wulf: I think we will encounter a Daedra of some form, which is what disposed of the bedroll owner.
• Ghorbash: Is that as exciting as an unknown form of undead?
• Wulf: Indubitably!
• Sarah: Where is the body?
• Celestine: Dragged to a lair, swallowed whole or thrown into the water, and drifted away or turned into an undead.

The waterways were a warren of crisscrossing narrow paths. We often passed over a section we had traversed only a short time before.

The creature and heartbeat were still below us and getting steadily louder.

We often used pull chains and levers to open sections that had yet to be explored.

Something familiar caught my eye.

• Wulf: The thick vines on the roof and walls are from Oblivion. Every part of Oblivion I have visited has them in some form.
• Celestine: They covered that realm when I accompanied you through Solitude’s Oblivion Gate. The Dwemer ruins, where The Afflicted are living, also have them.
• Sarah: What are they for?
• Wulf: Notice they are translucent. You can see thin veins near the surface. The thick liquid inside remains static, then moves again. This stop-and-start is synchronised with the heartbeat. They carry a form of liquid Magicka and nutrients to enable their growth. The Daedric Princes use them for various purposes.
• Ghorbash: Then the creature is likely to be a Daedra.
• Lydia: I think we shall soon find out. It is very close!
• Sarah: Am I the only one disturbed by huge veins and arteries?
• Wulf: Disturbed? You should be thrilled to witness such a thing. I wonder if I can grow some in Aurane?

Not long after seeing the Oblivion Vines, we sighted the creature. It was a Daedra, and it was in a hurry to find us. It turned the wrong way at an intersection.

It soon realised the error and turned towards us.

I yelled, “Beware the tentacles! They are poisonous, but the dweomer on your armour will protect you. It seems Hermaeus Mora is somehow involved, for that is a spell he gifts to mortals.”

The Daedra could teleport and use Blood Magic. Without the dweomer on our armours, we would have quickly perished. It had enormous strength and knocked people flying like Werewolves and Werebears do.

Celestine said, “It does not care about us, Wulf. It is after you!”

Ghorbash added, “It is also immune to physical and magical damage.”

I summoned Erandur, Khao, Shouken and Omoi.

I used my Thu’um to ensure I was heard over the fighting, grunting, howling, and growling.

“KHAO, CELESTINE AND ERANDUR, YOU ARE TO CONCENTRATE ON HEALING SPELLS. LEAVE THE FIGHTING TO OTHERS. I THINK THE HEART IS THE KEY TO ITS INVULNERABILITY AND WILL SEARCH FOR IT.”

I ran through the maze of corridors, seeking the heart. The problem was that the heartbeat was low frequency, making it hard to pinpoint. On the contrary, the higher frequencies of the battle made it easy for me to pinpoint.

The fights would continue for some time and then go silent. That is when I knew the Daedra was teleporting to me.

I sometimes had to spend seconds parrying the Daedra’s attacks before my friends found me or I managed to summon them.

During my search for the heart, I found Mados’ ring. It was atop a sophisticated bone sculpture.

Mados’ ring improved two handed combat. It was of minor monetary value.

The deadly game of hide and seek continued.

I found a door with a symbol depicting Hermaeus Mora’s all-seeing eyes above it. I will need to have a good talk with the tentacled turd!

The door led to a room containing the heart.

It was entangled in Oblivion Vines.

Intuitively, I use my new spell on the heart.

Electricity crackled behind it as the spell increased in power.

The spell then released its energy and destroyed the heart. I gathered some heart pieces and placed them in a sealed jar.

All fighting had ceased, so I summoned both squads.

• Wulf: Is everybody okay?
• Celestine: Yes.
• Ghorbash: After the first couple of clashes, we stopped trying to harm it and concentrated on containing it.
• Celestine: It vanished when the heartbeat ceased.
• Khao: What was it?
• Wulf: I think it was once a mortal of indeterminate species who had a hunchback.
• Celestine: Why would a Daedric Prince create a Daedra from a deformed mortal?
• Sarah: Namira would. If mortals found the person ugly, she would make them uglier.
• Khao: Celestine said the tentacles were Hermaeus Mora’s spell.
• Wulf: One of his symbols is above the door to this room.
• Celestine: You have always suspected more than one Daedric Prince is responsible for the chaos in Evermore.
• Wulf: Chaos or the potential for chaos attracts certain Daedric Princes. It is too soon to say what involvement Mora has in this, if any. The occupier of this room may have been a devotee. We do not know enough.
• Erandur: How are you coping with the local priests?
• Wulf: They are due for a dose of reality. Some must be informed of the danger to prepare for the worst.
• Sarah: They are fucking idiots!
• Lydia: As a Knight of the Realm, I must inform Knight Sarah that was unladylike and probably against our oath.
• Sarah: The priests are fornicators of low intelligence!
• Lydia: That is much better.
• Wulf: Before we left for Evermore, I said we might have to defend Arnima against Daedra.
• Shouken: If things did not go well.
• Wulf: If an Oblivion Gate were opened, and similar Daedra entered Arnima, Legionnaires and guards would be slaughtered.
• Erandur: Would other Daedra be immune to our damage?
• Wulf: I doubt it. I think this was a static emplacement with a single purpose.
• Erandur: To kill you.
• Wulf: Yes.
• Ghorbash: The Lion Chicken seemed to know who you are.
• Omoi: Lion Chicken?
• Sarah: A griffon.
• Wulf: If Namira knows I am Evermore, she may escalate things.
• Khao: Such as an earlier opening of an Oblivion Gate.
• Wulf: I forgot to mention I found Mados’ ring.
• Sarah: Can we leave this happy place now?
• Wulf: In a minute. There may be some valuable information in this room.

On a blood-covered table were embalming tools and mortal organs. There was also a damaged journal. I read what I could decipher to the group.

“Stories of a remarkable upset now reign in my dreams! Hateful rebellion against it all! Not just a king nor a man, but their world. Any thinking being will be made equal to the filth of her domain. I will see this come to pass! The Dreaming gives me a mission, a voice telling of my purpose. She needs a relic from their temple. I am not to question why, as the dreams show me what comes from this minor crime. Their ruin is motive enough.

To have your every action, your every trauma, writ before you lay eyes upon the world. That is the question of will. And we rebel against the idea of our enslavement.

I have seen the civilisations who once called The Reach their own, and I am guided to another in the north. They tell the story of every civilisation to come. Thinking beings capture the natural law of will and lay the foundations for all they build. Enslavers and enslaved people, beyond our words and wants. It is this: Power. Not one of them can escape that law.

Masters.

Enslaved people.

Wants.

Power.

The laws for we men, yet for something we believe separate and divine. Love. We want to spread ourselves through time in progeny. Yet with my small crime, that juggernaut of life and its laws will fall.”

• Celestine: I can sum that up for Wulf.
• Lydia: As can I.
• Celestine: Cobblers!
• Lydia: Bollocks!
• Wulf: The thief is a puppet of Namira, and she has convinced them that free will does not exist.
• Khao: Nothing in your life is predetermined, yet this person thinks it is planned from beginning to end before you are born.
• Sarah: It would seem that way for those born into servitude.
• Celestine: Saint Alessia knew her fate was not predetermined. She convinced many other enslaved of that truth and formed an army. 
• Wulf: As with many of Namira’s faithful, the thief detests the status quo. That is a typical recruiting ploy of Daedric Princes. Look for the disenfranchised and offer them a better alternative.
• Sarah: Is the thief allied with The Witchmen?
• Wulf: It seems so. They are Tribal Reachmen, the civilisation that once called The Reach their own.
• Erandur: The thief recognises the power of love but believes it will fail.
• Sarah: Dark Mother is the name local devotees have given Namira. They seem to think she directly opposes Lady Mara.
• Celestine: The thief has reduced the driving force of civilisation to three cyclical elements: enslavers and enslaved, desires or wants, and the eternal pursuit of power.
• Wulf: My mother recently reminded me of love’s power. It was a lesson taught at thirteen and forgotten over the years. We shall defeat the evil of Evermore through love and compassion. Whether that is enough to stop the chaos is unknown. But it will be enough for Evermore’s people to survive and thrive after the chaos is ended.
• Celestine: Rigmor and you are convinced there will be a time when war is a faint memory.
• Wulf: Achieving that is not as complicated as most believe. If everybody on Nirn has enough food, gainful employment, and housing, want would no longer be a motivator.
• Celestine: There would be no disenfranchised for Daedric Princes to recruit.
• Wulf: Leaders would find it impossible to convince people to fight if all are content with their lot.
• Sarah: That sounds like what the Tribal Reachmen who started Munstor’s commune believed.
• Wulf: When it failed, Namira convinced them it would never be achievable without a king and his tower.
• Khao: Do you know who this king is and what tower they are talking about?
• Wulf: Not yet.
• Lydia: How was Elisif’s coronation?
• Erandur: There was a lot of pomp and ceremony, which seemed to be what the citizens wanted. Elisif is admired, and Ulfric would never have been voted High King by the moot, even if he had won the civil war. Vittoria Vici’s wedding and Elisif’s coronation were significant steps in reunifying Skyrim. I am glad I witnessed both.
• Wulf: Okay, you four better head back. Thank you for your assistance.
• Omoi: Sometimes, I hear grumbling about being armed and ready at all hours. We just proved how necessary it is.
• Wulf: The trouble is, everybody sleeps at the same time. We might have to discuss having rotating shifts.
• Celestine: That makes sense.
• Wulf: We should also decide on a standard uniform for Knights of The Order of the Dragon. I was thinking of Blades armour in different colours for the fighters and kimonos for the mages. There would still be individuality in weapon choice, but we would be recognised as members of an order.
• Shouken: We should also improve the looks of standard Blade armour.
• Wulf: Yes, and we must decide on a name for those under Delphine’s command.
• Celestine: Vayu has some ideas. Discuss it with him when away from here.

Erandur and Khao teleported their squad to Aurane.

We found a shortcut to the outside.

Then, I teleported us to Arnima’s entrance.

We entered the city and then the temple.

Priest Matthew watched but did not interfere when I performed Arkay’s Rights for Mados.

I approached Priest Matthew, intending to remain civil. The ability to remain so depends on him.

• Matthew: Why did you perform that ritual, Your Excellency?
• Wulf: I can see no wounds on Mados. That suggests his demise was caused by magic. It was most likely Reach or Dawn Magic. Such deaths often leave the soul unable to reach Aetherius as their Lifeforce is drained or they are confused. As you know, or I hope you do, Arkay’s Rights put such souls on the path to Aetherius, where Lord Arkay waits to greet them.
• Matthew: Are you qualified to perform those rights?
• Wulf: Lord Arkay never complained when I spoke to him recently. I know my recitation of the ritual works as I have been told when lost souls found their way to Aetherius.
• Sarah: As Champion of the Divines, His Excellency’s religious rank is way above yours, Priest Matthew. His noble rank is much higher than that of Lord Mortifayne.
• Wulf: Brother Matthew, we have recovered Mados’ ring.
• Matthew: Our bygone hero should never be without his possessions. I am sure Mados is smiling upon you.
• Wulf: He will be now that I have ensured his soul can reach Aetherius.

Sarah tried to suppress a snigger but failed miserably. When I gave her a stern look, the snigger became a giggle attack.

• Wulf: Several Grey Belmor creatures were unlike those you could see from Arnima. One was a Lich. Another was an invincible Daedra. Its Lifeforce was maintained by a large heart. The heart was embedded within roots native to Oblivion. The Daedra had one purpose, and that was to kill me. While I searched for the heart, it ignored all others and kept teleporting to me. I had to summon extra help to maintain the lives of the knights as the Daedra used Blood Magic to drain their Lifeforce rapidly. The Daedra was also mighty, and when hit by its hand, for it used no weapons, a knight would fly many yards. When I destroyed the heart, the Daedra vanished. I doubt it was killed, and like other Daedra, it returned to Oblivion.
• Celestine: That sole Daedra would kill every mortal in Arnima if it came through the Oblivion Gate, and we were not here to stop it.
• Matthew: What Oblivion Gate?
• Wulf: The one that Lord Mortifayne will open if we do not stop him.
• Matthew: Preposterous!
• Wulf: When did Lord Mortifayne rename Raven Spring to Arnima?
• Matthew: It was renamed about nineteen years ago.
• Wulf: Arnima is an anagram of Namira. She controls your Lord.
• Matthew: I demand proof of these allegations!
• Wulf: When was the last time you spoke to Lord Mortifayne?
• Matthew: Several years ago.
• Wulf: Did you ever see the amulet he wears?
• Matthew: My Lord has always been a devotee of Lady Mara.
• Sarah: That does not mean he wears Lady Mara’s amulet. You do not. Instead, you wear an expensive silver amulet with a large sapphire in the centre. Tell me, what Divine does that represent?
• Matthew: I…ah…
• Wulf: Lord Mortifayne wears an Amulet of Namira. I believe Namira has ensorceled him via that amulet.
• Matthew: Then why has the Dark Lord allowed it to be stolen?
• Wulf: What?
• Matthew: Several days ago, some Witchmen stole Lord Mortifayne’s amulet. He has sent several mercenaries to retrieve it. Some have returned, saying it is suicide to attempt its retrieval. We assume others made the attempt and perished. He sent Knight Mek to inform me he desires you to meet with him concerning the missing item. I assume he wants you to retrieve it.
• Wulf: We shall speak to him shortly, but I want you to accept what I say, for you have a role to play.
• Sarah: I heard what Lady Mara said to His Excellency.
• Matthew: What did she say?
• Wulf: Lady Mara said, ‘Special Child, you are needed once more. There is a terror, a terror of minds and ideas forming in the West. It is a congealing of antipathy and repressed hatred nearing its sum.’
• Celestine: Special Child is Lady Mara’s name for Envoy Wulf. Other Divines call him Dragonchild.
• Wulf: When I asked if there was danger, Lady Mara replied, ‘If this horror transpires, then neither the restraints of distance nor time will thwart the canker that will be birthed there. I plea to you, Special Child, mediate between opposites and seek resolution in the chaos.’
• Celestine: Do not question the truth of this, Priest Matthew.
• Wulf: I made Governor Merosa sign a decree that forbids her from pursuing further action against Lord Mortifayne. Knights Mek and Sek have been trying hard to prevent the triggering. Perhaps the amulet’s absence has brought us some time, as Lady Namira has not been whispering in his ear.
• Celestine: This also allows us to gather enough proof to present to King Sigmayne and The Priest Circle.
• Wulf: If the opportunity arises, you must assure Lord Mortifayne that his position is safe and that The Council will not try to remove him.
• Matthew: We have not spoken in years. That is why I have not seen this ensorcellment you claim exists.
• Wulf: Before visiting Grey Belmor, I rescued a local Orsimer alchemist from public torture. The other day, I stopped a father of three young children from being beheaded without a trial for the crime of stealing a loaf of bread and two sausages. We used our airship to provide food and provisions to the starving residents of Forlorn. You do not need to see Lord Mortifayne to recognise he is no longer a devotee of Lady Mara.
• Celestine: Were you his priest when the massacre at Munstor occurred?
• Matthew: Yes.
• Celestine: Did he change after that incident?
• Matthew: Yes, but so did many others involved in that unfortunate incident.
• Wulf: I will ignore your belittling of that massacre as I want you to think about this. Did any other noble suddenly become a tyrant? Or was Lord Mortifayne’s transformation the most severe?
• Matthew: I have heard of no other acting like Lord Mortifayne.
• Sarah: Devotees of Lady Namira handed out cursed amulets to many nobles on the night of the massacre. Everybody else threw them away. Only one kept the amulet and wore it. Guess who?
• Matthew: Then retrieve it. Destroy it. Do not give it back!
• Wulf: I will decide what to do after retrieving it. We do not know if Lord Mortifayne needs the amulet to trigger the Oblivion Gate. Refusing to return it may be the final straw.
• Matthew: What can we do if an Oblivion Gate is opened?
• Wulf: If I think it is imminent, all my Order’s knights will spread around Arnima and defend and guide the civilians. They will be told to seek shelter in stone buildings. Many frightened and injured will make their way here.
• Celestine: We shall provide you with at least a hundred powerful Healing Potions. When possible, I and other Restoration Mages will come here to attend to the injured.
• Wulf: I know you are an alchemist, Priest Matthew. Can you cast healing spells?
• Matthew: Only the weaker ones. We have no mages to teach us anything more powerful.
• Wulf: Your Magicka level will not allow the casting of Grand Healing. But you are a figure of hope and the people’s connection to The Nine. Your presence during such an event would be invaluable.
• Matthew: You think little of Evermore’s priests.
• Wulf: Yes, and for many valid reasons. But that is not important at this time. I need you to understand what we are trying to achieve and assist us to accomplish it.
• Matthew: I can do that.
• Wulf: We do not know who else is an agent of Namira. Therefore, you will not tell anybody about this, including The Priest Circle. Regard that as a Royal Command.
• Matthew: I will not talk to anybody else about this.
• Wulf: Good. Before we visit Lord Mortifayne, we will assist the two injured guards.

I approached one and asked, “What is your name?”

“Julien Montrose, Your Excellency.”

“How were you injured?”

“It is best I not say.”

The other guard answered, “He mixed up Zek and Mek. Mek was in a foul mood, so Julien copped more than a backhand.”

“Knight Celestine shall heal you.”

As Celestine attended to Julien, I spoke to the other guard.

His name was Renwic Franis, and a Black Powder Crossbow Bolt injured him. The flash burnt his eye. I cast Grand Healing and removed his bandage.

I then helped him to his feet.

He exclaimed, “I never thought I would see through that eye again!”

“The wound to your midriff was severe, which means you will be fatigued for a day or so.”

“We only get paid when patrolling the streets. So, I will have to shuffle along as well as possible.”

Julien was on his feet and ready to don his armour, so our work was done.

We exited the temple. However, before heading for Mortifayne’s residence, The Summit of the Lord, I wanted time to think, so we took a walking tour of Arnima.

We inspected one of the Soul Stones.

• Sarah: Most Evermore citizens avoid using the Soul Stones. They say that people vanish and are never seen again.
• Wulf: It looks and feels like a regular portal to me.
• Celestine: The same here.
• Wulf: The Soul Gems are not needed to power the portal.
• Celestine: A dweomer was cast on the central tube. The circular surrounding makes the dweomer self-powering.
• Wulf: The Soul Gems create the blue light to make it seem mystical.
• Sarah: I have used a couple of them. However, if you choose the wrong destination, you will be surrounded by angry Witchmen.
• Lydia: Have you decided how to deal with Mortifayne?
• Wulf: I am going to sound sympathetic but not allow disrespect. I want him to realise he has the power of His Imperial Majesty on his side.
• Ghorbash: I doubt the evidence we seek will be out in the open.
• Wulf: If we are hidden from view, I will cast a Mark and then return later to snoop around.
• Celestine: Do you want us to also play the noble game?
• Wulf: Indeed. I want you to announce me with all my titles.
• Celestine: Including the Dark Lord ones?
• Wulf: Oh, not those. Namira does not like all of them. If we push Mortifayne too hard, I will signal a halt behind my back.
• Lydia: Do we then become meek and mild?
• Wulf: I will assess the situation, so follow my lead. If I am a sorry puppy crawling on my belly, do likewise.
• Sarah: Celestine, can Wulf do meek and mild?
• Celestine: Only after Rigmor gives him one of her stares.

As we approached the entrance steps, Mek came down them

We did not acknowledge him.

We entered, and a guard said, “Behave yourselves or else.”

Celestine asked in a threatening tone, “What is your name?”

“Royal Guard Arno Maryon.”

“You just suggested to five Knights of The Order of the Dragon that we might misbehave, along with a veiled threat. Are you fond of your head being attached, Royal Guard Arno?”

“Yes.”

“Yes, what?”

“Yes, Madame Knight, I am fond of my head being attached.”

“Well then, apologise to Envoy Wulf. If he accepts it, your head will remain in place. Remember to address him as Your Excellency.”

The shaking Arno said, “I apologise for my greeting, Your Excellency. I meant nothing by it but realise it was inappropriate.”

I gave a signal, and we all moved past the relieved guard.

The building was so poorly lit I used Night Vision.

Doors with very sophisticated and unpickable lock intrigued me. I will have to steal the key.

Not far past the doors was an ideal place to leave a Mark. I cast the spell, and then we continued.

I began to open the door to Mortifayne’s throne room but stopped when I heard him talking to somebody.

• Maarin: Forgive me, My Lord, for I must be a most irksome pest. Let me return to my brew, which I hope you like. As always, I have only used the most delectable ingredients.
• Mortifayne: Yes, yes, Maarin. By all means, go away. I am expecting another guest.
• Maarin: I will happily leave you to your affairs, My Lord.
• Mortifayne: Maarin, is it supposed to be so odorous?
• Maarin: Mmmmm…that stench! I like the smell of this brew, My Lord. I think it will be the one to get things moving. Now, where did I put my spoon?

We entered, and I studied Maarin as he approached and passed us. Heat Vision showed him to be a mortal. I scanned his soul, and it was as black as soot. He was a servant of Namira.

It was disturbing to find a torture rack in a throne room.

Mortifayne stood but not still. He was fidgety, and his eyes darted everywhere.

He looked far more Imperial than Breton. Insanity shone from his darting eyes. Only Namira’s taint coloured his otherwise clean soul. I was not surprised by that. A scent in the air told me more of the story. Maarin was using Nightshade to keep Mortifayne confused and tired.

• Celestine: Lord Mortifayne, I present Sir Wulf Welkynd, Dragonborn and Champion of The Divines. Thane of Eastmarch, Falkreath, Haafingar, Hjaalmarch, The Pale, The Reach, The Rift, Whiterun and Winterhold. He is Grand Master of The Order of the Dragon, Arch-Mage of The College of Winterhold, Champion of Cyrodiil and Hero of Solitude. His Excellency is Envoy to Evermore on behalf of His Imperial Majesty, Emperor Titus Mede II.
• Mortifayne: Is an unending list of titles supposed to impress me?
• Celestine: What it is supposed to do, Lord Mortifayne, is give you a fair warning about the disparity between your minor title and His Excellency’s many titles. Hopefully, it will prevent further embarrassment as you just displayed the nobility of a gutter snipe.
• Wulf: Now, now, Knight Celestine. We cannot expect these provincial nobles to understand the correct court protocol.
• Mortifayne: Do not try my patience, Envoy!
• Celestine: You will address Sir Wulf as Excellency or Your Excellency.
• Wulf: Do not try my patience, Lord Mortifayne. You need allies, not enemies. What you say here determines what category I place myself in.
• Mortifayne: Then out with it. Why are you here, Excellency?
• Wulf: Well, for starters, we were told you need our help recovering something stolen from you.
• Mortifayne: Yes, it is fortunate that I might find your assistance beneficial. It may earn forgiveness for your unlawful interference in Arnima’s legal matters.
• Wulf: Knight Lydia, did we stop a large force of Redguard corsairs from attacking Arnima?
• Lydia: Yes, Your Excellency. In doing so, we saved the lives of Arnima’s guards and civilians and freed The Bog so mining could recommence.
• Wulf: Knight Sarah, did we remove the curse on Grey Belmor?
• Sarah: This morning, we disposed of all undead inside and outside Grey Belmor and lifted the curse.
• Wulf: Knight Ghorbash, did I have Governor Merosa sign a decree that forbids her from interfering with Arnima?
• Ghorbash: All five knights present witnessed her signing the decree. It forbids Governor Merosa from interfering with Arnima, and she may not ask The Council to interfere.
• Wulf: Lord Mortifayne, these examples show I am currently on the ally side of the equation. If you dare question my authority once more, that may rapidly change. Knight Celestine, explain the reality of our relative positions.
• Celestine: Lord Mortifayne, if it helps, imagine it is His Imperial Majesty standing before you. According to the powers given to His Excellency, that is what he is. Envoy Wulf is Emperor Titus Mede II’s voice in all matters.
• Wulf: What that means, Lord Mortifayne, is I am empowered to interfere with Arnima’s legal matters. That is especially relevant when I see people breaking Imperial laws. Executing a man without a trial is illegal. Torturing a civilian in public is illegal. Overtaxing the starving residents of Forlorn is illegal. Veiled threats against an Envoy are illegal. Do you want to add to this list?
• Mortifayne: Did you really stop that bitch from sicking her royal dogs on me?
• Wulf: Can you interpret that for me, Knight Lydia?
• Lydia: Lord Mortifayne asked, ‘Did I hear you right, Your Excellency? Have you prevented Governor Merosa from conspiring with King Sigmayne and The Council?’
• Wulf: Yes, Lord Mortifayne, I stopped that bitch from sicking her royal dogs on you.
• Lydia: That was well done, Your Excellency. You will speak the local dialect like an inbred imbecile in no time!
• Wulf: Lord Mortifayne, tell me what was stolen and who you think stole it.
• Mortifayne: Two days ago, my guards butchered a small group of Witchmen just outside the city walls. It was the first time in a while that they had come this close. They slaughtered all but one that left for the hills deep within the valley. By coincidence, an amulet of mine went missing.
• Wulf: Did you remove the amulet for some reason?
• Mortifayne: No, I never remove it.
• Wulf: Did you join your guards in combating the Witchmen?
• Mortifayne: No, and I fail to see the relevance of these inane questions.
• Wulf: You never remove the amulet. The Witchmen never entered Arnima, and you did not approach them. So, tell me, Lord Mortifayne, how did they steal your amulet?
• Mortifayne: I am confident they took it! If you find it, ask them how they managed it.

Mortifayne started whispering questions and receiving answers. Perhaps Namira does not need the amulet to talk to him. More likely, his insanity has created the other voice.

• Wulf: A man of means such as yourself can surely afford another amulet. Therefore, I assume the missing amulet is of sentimental value.
• Mortifayne: Hearing you speak of such relics like everyday jewels makes me sick. The amulet in question keeps you and this town safe!
• Celestine: Lord Mortifayne, we realise that external news rarely passes Evermore’s borders. However, you should know that His Excellency owns Dragonborn Gallery in Solitude. It is home to thousands of relics. Undoubtedly, most of them will have more monetary value than your amulet. His Excellency endeavours to understand why the amulet’s theft has upset you.
• Wulf: Forgive me for upsetting you, Lord Mortifayne.
• Mortifayne: I should not become riled with naivety. Now, off you go before forgoing the safety I have generously given you within my walls.
• Wulf: We five could reduce this building to rubble and kill every guard you send our way. I could call upon a dozen Master Mages to do the work if we were feeling lazy. If I am in a hurry, a flight of dragons would do the task in minutes.

I used a tiny bit of Thu’um. So, I was talking, but to Mortifayne, it was as loud as a shout.

“LORD MORTIFAYNE, THIS IS YOUR FINAL WARNING. DO NOT THREATEN ME AGAIN!”

The startled noble held an urgent discussion with his invisible advisor and then grinned.

I quickly gave the halt sign behind my back. We had pushed Mortifayne too far.

• Wulf: Pardon me, Lord Mortifayne. Perhaps if we knew more about why the amulet is special, we would have a better chance of finding it.
• Mortifayne: What is special about your life? This amulet is worth a dozen Legion lackeys. The material of which the pendant is made is worth more than all this town’s scum. Is it not evidence enough that I have three fresh heads outside my manor as a testament to that fact? You could be joining them if you return with forgery or deceit.
• Wulf: Lord Mortifayne, you do injustice to our Knightly Order with such threats and misplaced distrust. Did we not prove our worth to Arnima by quickly disposing of the Orsinium’s Sons’ threat at your doorstep?
• Mortifayne: A threat that existed because Legionnaires ran from the Orcs in the first place!
• Wulf: If you wish us to be successful in this endeavour, we require more information. Why do you think the Witchmen took the amulet?
• Mortifayne: Is it not enough that you know your task? Do you wish an education on those untamed scum? They are flesh and blood and a story you have undoubtedly come to know. Someone of your lowly craft should have little trouble combating their criminal horde.
• Wulf: The Order of the Dragon not only wants to retrieve your amulet, but we would also like to understand the motives for the theft. That will aid us in preventing further insults to yourself, Lord Mortifayne.
• Mortifayne: They have stolen it for something far more sinister than I can imagine in my most haunting nightmares. There are spectres of evil clawing at this town, hungering for the day these walls fall, and we all are feasted upon by something most ugly.

There were more incoherent whispers and darting eyes from Mortifayne. They were seeking an enemy that haunts only his imagination, for now.

• Wulf: Again, I apologise for upsetting you, Lord Mortifayne. We shall return with your amulet. You can be reassured of that.
• Mortifayne: Stop, no… I shall not speak any further. I have understood the cost of hope, which is my burden.
• Wulf: A heavy burden, no doubt.
• Mortifayne: My eyes struggle through a simmering disgust, and you have achieved my agitation. Now beg for my forgiveness or endure a terrible death.
• Wulf: Clear your eyes and see your best defence against the lies and plans of others. You speak to His Imperial Majesty when you speak to me. I want to help you, Lord Mortifayne, and I am in a position to do so militarily and politically. If somebody or something tells you otherwise, they accuse your Emperor and The Divines of deception. We shall return with your amulet. Have faith in that, as Lady Mara has faith in you.

We left Mortifayne whispering and with eyes darting from place to place. The only thing missing from the popular depiction of lunacy was the frothing of the mouth.

When we exited the building, I teleported us into Mara’s Rest.

Sarah soon had another hearty stew bubbling.

I asked Celestine, “Did you smell it?”

“The Nightshade? It was like Mortifayne wore it as a cologne.”

“Maarin is feeding Mortifayne low doses of Nightshade. That would reduce his strength and make him more susceptible to suggestions.”

“His judgement would be impaired, and his ability to remember would be severely reduced.”

“His paranoia overrode the initial caution we forced upon him.”

“What of Maarin?”

“His soul was as black as soot, and he is an agent of Namira. Like the knights, we cannot kill him as that may be a trigger.”

“The thief that stole Mados’ ring managed to do so despite extra guards watching the temple.”

“Intuition tells me the same thief stole Mortifayne’s amulet while he slept. The Witchmen attacked so we would have an idea where to look.”

“You could steal without detection. It seems the thief has similar capabilities.”

“There are some relics that would allow such theft. The Ring of Khajiiti, for instance.”

“You saw a being at Deepcrag that could teleport. Perhaps that is our thief.”

“That is a possibility, but we need more information. I will snoop around The Summit of the Lord and see what needs hiding behind an expensive lock.”

“Have fun!”

I cast Shroudwalk, then teleported to the Mark left earlier.

I inspected the lock at a more leisurely pace. It was, as my first glance suggested, unpickable.

I went to the throne room, where Mortifayne sat in a daze. His eyes stared into infinity, and I had no idea where his mind was.

An armless pickpocket could have stolen from him. Therefore, an invisible master thief, a title I never use but is accurate nonetheless, had no problems stealing a key from Mortifayne.

I did not think the key would open the doors. It was not complex enough. That educated guess proved true.

I decided to see if Maarin had the key. The smell of boiling Nightshade led me to him.

Maarin was engrossed in his food preparation and whistled as he worked.

I retrieved a far more complex key from the bench next to him. It was likely the one I needed.

It opened the doors. I entered and locked the doors.

The room was dark, so I used Night Vision. I did not want to miss any details, but I wish I had.

I approached a locked cell. Several burnt bodies and one unburnt one occupied it.

Not quite believing what I saw, I opened the cell and entered.

A woman and child had been burned alive. I knew, without any doubt, they were mother and child. The scene was horrific but also an expression of Lady Mara’s gift. Despite the horror inflicted by Maarin, love shone in their final moments. I wept, and my beloved was worried.

“Wulf, what is wrong? Please, talk to me!”

“I am sneaking around Lord Mortifayne’s estate looking for clues.”

“He is the noble you fear will trigger the Oblivion Gate.”

“Yes, and I have discovered a room where people have been made to suffer before death.”

“You have seen such things before. What has disturbed you so?”

“A mother and child have been deliberately burned to death. The mother tried to shield the child with her body but to no avail. I understand how and why such brutality exists. I weep, not for the suffering, but for the love I see in the tragic scene.”

“Oh, my dear Dragonborn. You need me beside you to help face the darkness. Mede will soon leave for Cyrodiil, and they do not expect me to be back in Bruma for some time. But even if they expected me to return, you need me, and they do not. Others can and do take care of the daily supplicants.”

“Perhaps we can be together soon. My current squad would like to complete a task with me.”

“Talk to me. Our Quiet sort of works over Mara’s Rings. Tell me what you are doing.”

“I need to concentrate, but I will occasionally talk to you.”

“Okay. I will let you instigate the discussions.”

Rigmor’s presence was constant via Mara’s Rings. However, it had become something in the background and rarely intruded on my thoughts. It was like sitting in a warm room. You appreciate the warmth but give very little thought about the fireplace. My beloved will probably throttle me if she ever reads this.

I continued my grim survey of the room.

Other victims lay in silhouettes of agony. Murder was not the motivation. Sustained suffering was the purpose.

The more I looked, the more I was certain Maarin was responsible for the deaths. However, Mortifayne was aware of them. I believe he orders such atrocities at the request of the Dark Mother. There was a lot more to discover concerning motivation and free will.

What appeared to be a well was a portal. It teleported people to somewhere in Nirn, but I did not know the precise location.

I told Rigmor, “I am going to enter a portal. It does not lead to another plane, so Mara’s Rings will still work.”

“Do you need to?”

“Yes. I am looking for answers.”

“You know what to do.”

“Yes, my Countess. I will speak to you after I arrive at the destination.”

“I am in your room in the Safehouse and left instructions not to be disturbed.”

I cast Feather Fall and slowly drifted towards the portal. The skull was stupid and unnecessary.

When I came out of the ether, a gate shot upwards to block an exit.

I looked through the bars and saw a domed ceiling. That was as far as Night Vision penetrated. Heat Vision showed no warm-blooded entities were in the immediate area. I was tempted to cast Mage Light and let it travel. Ultimately, I decided it would be unfortunate if powerful beings disliked my snooping and saw the light.

I was not surprised to find Namira’s Shrine. Blood on it suggested sacrifices had been performed.

I spoke to Rigmor as I inspected the room.

“Rigmor, I am somewhere in Evermore. Deep underground but still Evermore.”

“And what do you see?”

“A Shrine of Namira. It is onyx-black, and the air close to it is chilled. It channels the blood of the sacrificed into a shallow trench. It is identical to others I have seen.”

“That confirms the Dark Mother is Namira.”

“You would probably describe the creepy eyes as cool.”

“Describe their creepiness.”

“The shrine is in a small room. Dwemer architecture is in abundance. On either side of the room are piles of rotting corpses. Growing from the corpses are eyes the size of a person’s head. They follow me as I move around. I am waving at them. I wonder if Namira is waving back.”

“Those eyes do sound cool.”

“The ceiling is domed, and more bodies and creepy eyes are at its pinnacle.”

“I do not think I will ask Namira to redecorate my palace.”

“There are Oblivion Vines all over the floor and walls. There are also Ayleid markings on the floor.”

“You are enjoying the mystery. It is helping to suppress your sadness.”

“Us talking is doing a better job.”

“There are two portals. Both lead to somewhere on Nirn.”

“Are you going to use them?”

“Yes, and you know why.”

“You are looking for answers.”

“I just cast Shroudwalk and will now enter one of the portals.”

I emerged from the ether and exclaimed, “Woah!”

“That is not very informative.”

“I am in the middle of a Witchmen compound miles from Arnima. The sky is red, like in many parts of Oblivion. In front of me is a woman who is silently praying. Behind her is an eye made from branches. I can see large bone sculptures in the distance.”

“That is worth a woah or two. Is the woman praying to a shrine?”

“No. She seems to be praying to a structure higher in the mountains. It looks like a tower made from wood. I will have to try and get a closer look.”

“They cannot tell you are there, can they?”

“If a Witchmen or hagraven can detect auras or body heat, then they would know I am here. I can go ethereal if need be.

The woman was praying in front of a platform. I walked to its end.

“Rigmor, I am standing on a wooden platform covered in arterial blood. Below the platform is a portal to Oblivion. At a guess, it is a one-way trip to Scuttling Void or a pocket plane thereof.”

“They have been sacrificing people in two places you have seen.”

“The Witchmen at one place. Mortifayne’s cook at the other.”

“Cook?”

“Yes. Mortifayne’s cook is an agent of Namira. He has been feeding ol’ Morty Nightshade. If the dose is correct, the imbiber will feel weak and disoriented. Their decision-making is compromised, and they are easily coerced into actions contrary to their nature.”

“I bet you are itching to kill him!”

“That might trigger the Oblivion Gate so that pleasure will have to wait.”

“You are a poet.”

“Don’t you know it?”

“Ugh. No more, I beg you.”

Some Witchmen are talking. I had better listen to them and will repeat what they say.”

• Witchmen One: Our weakness unfetters as we face this unknown…
• Witchmen Two: …and our faith trails to nothing; we stand here alone.
• Witchmen One: Despair all ye Kingdoms, deny not that we are sick…
• Witchmen Two: …for our blood is like water where once it was thick.

“That sounds like a mantra.”

“Yes, it did seem ritualistic. It reminds me of the mantras that Miraak’s ensorceled used to repeat. I think Namira is using several mantras.”

“Well, hurry along and see what the woman was praying to!”

I made my way up the trail.

“The woman was praying to a tower made of leather and branches. There is another similar tower behind it.”

“Do they represent The King’s Tower?”

“Probably. That would explain why the woman was praying to them.”

Further along the trail was a cliff from which I could view another Witchmen compound.

“I am looking at another compound. It is next to Nordic ruins and a cave. There are very few Witchmen present.”

“I bet a Sweetroll you will end up inside the ruins and the cave.”

“You will like this part of Evermore. It is freezing and bleak, just like Bruma.”

“We do not have portals to Oblivion. Well, not anymore.”

“I am teleporting back into Mortifayne’s. I want to try the other portal.”

I made my way to the other portal and entered.

“I hope your apartment is neater than this cottage.”

“Where is it?”

“I have no reference. I will know when I step outside.”

“What is in there?”

“The owner is hanging around. Literally.”

“Did he commit suicide?”

“No, it looks like he was hauled into position. Oblivion Vines are all over the cottage, and some of that squishy ground we experienced through Solitude’s Oblivion Gate.”

I stepped outside and immediately knew where I was.

“The cottage is near The Bog. That is a mine we took back from the Redguard corsairs. There is a translucent red being standing near a small jetty.”

“It is a Daedra?”

“I just checked with Heat Vision, and it is not undead. It looks like a normal person.”

“Normal people are not translucent red.”

“It could be a new fashion trend!”

“Idiot.”

“I will talk with it. I will repeat what it says so you can give me expert advice.”

“Lucky for you, no sarcasm was detected.”

The being stood with a Witchmen axe in hand. It did not seem aggressive.

“Greetings, I am Sir Wulf Welkynd. May I ask, who or what are you?”

The bring sheathed its weapon and stood straight.

“Foolish simian maggot! The worms venture beyond their burrows and seek rot. I am the Dreadful Mistress’ avatar.”

“I am not related to apes. You are not an avatar but a spokesperson. Some would call you a demon.”

“Does this maggot seek employment? Do you desire to ascend to a herald of our Blighted Legion? If so, harvest the heads of your creators and liaison with me once again.”

“The Divines do not have heads. Therefore, I assume you want me to decapitate mortal women.”

“We speak in maggot tongue. Take your women and sever their heads. Return to have her eyes gaze upon your flesh. The queen of worms waits. We wait.”

“I do not care for Lady Namira’s voyeuristic needs. Severing the heads of mortal women does not fit well with my role as Champion of The Divines. So sorry, I will have to decline your offer.”

“What is the worm’s intention? Conflict? We are not agents of brute force. We bring you rot, and you will come to see the ill of your choice.”

“Make up your minds, Blighted Legion. First, you call me a maggot and then a worm. They are two entirely different creatures. It seems demon school is not what it used to be.”

The demon said no more. I moved away.

Rigmor asked, “Why did you let it live?”

“It would be foolish of me to attack it without knowing its capabilities. We fought an invulnerable Daedra this morning. I had to find and destroy a large heart entangled in Oblivion Vines to end the fight. In the meantime, the Daedra kept teleporting to me. It did not care about anybody else.”

“Oh. That sounds fun!”

“I must finish searching Mortifayne’s place. There must be more to this than him wearing a cursed amulet.”

“Intuition?”

“Yes, which I now know is a gift, not weirdness.”

“It is weirdness. Take my word for it.”

I cast Shroudwalk and then teleported into Mortifayne’s residence.

I placed Maarin’s key in its original location.

I then snooped around the rest of the house.

I entered a library and soon found something that should not be there.

“Rigmor, Mortifayne has a lovely library full of bookshelves and bookcases. However, there is a cupboard at one end.”

“Not the old secret panel behind the cupboard trick.”

“I think so. I am waiting for a guard to leave. He might get suspicious if the cupboard opened by itself.”

“He might soil his britches if a cupboard opened by itself.”

When the guard was far away, I used Mortifayne’s key to unlock the cupboard.

There was no sliding panel, so I stepped through and closed the cupboard doors.

A small corridor led to a shrine room.

“Rigmor, I am in a small room. Lit candles surround active Dibella and Mara shrines. I do not know if Mortifayne can still pray to them.”

“Do you think the candles are old or more recent?”

“The amount of molten wax suggests they were new when lit, less than a day ago.”

“So Mortifayne visits the shrines even if he cannot pray.”

“Yes, there is also a book. Let me see what it is.”

I read the first few lines then told Rigmor, “It is an apology to Mortifayne’s wife. Her name is Belize.”

“Did you know he had a wife?”

“No. I will read you the apology, and we can learn about Belize together.”

I read, “I love you, Belize, my dear wife. I am so sorry.

My grief spills out daily, and those under my wing take the worst of it.

They do not deserve such a hateful lord, but the rage consumes my soul each night. When the Dark Mother comes to whisper in my ear again.

You know I cannot do anything against that chef, Belize, for he is a part of her demonic envoy. His death would have untold implications upon this town, and I would not render any more suffering on my people.

When I remembered that night of your disappearance, I had to vomit for hours on end. I embraced death by my own hands for the thing that I have done to you. But the Dark Mother stopped every advance for my demise, telling me I would interfere in her plan.

I hope we will see each other soon and that a kinder lord will take my place. I have done dreadful things each time I wept. I know I am an impulsive man. I cannot help it.

That pestilent mother takes advantage of my volatile phases, and she makes me carry out morbid acts. But I never ordered for your death. That was a trick. I have had a lingering rage for that chef ever since, but as I have said, he cannot be harmed.

I am sorry.”

Rigmor’s grief flowed through Mara’s Rings, and my tears joined hers.

After some time, I said, “I think I know what is happening.”

“Please, explain it to me as I fail to understand this darkness.”

“I believe Mortifayne commits atrocities to appease Namira. He thinks it is the only way to prevent an Oblivion Gate from opening.”

“When he showed some resistance, they killed Belize.”

“Since then, he has been a more compliant puppet. Any hesitation over extreme violence was extinguished. He believes the violence is saving lives.”

“The Nightshade diminishes his ability to think through the problem.”

“His amulet was stolen. We are going to retrieve it. I do not know what we shall do after that.”

“Who stole it?”

“Intuition tells me it is not a mortal thief. To steal an amulet from around the owner’s neck takes considerable skill, even when they are asleep. The thief ensured that Witchmen were blamed so we would know where to search for it. We retrieved a relic this morning that was stolen from the temple when extra guards saw nothing.”

“And you think the thief wants you to search for it.”

“It is a good theory, but I would like to know why the Daedra guarding the ring was determined to kill me. Did the thief want that outcome?”

“Do you know where to search for the amulet?”

“Roughly. I shall ask the local diviner if he knows where it is.”

“There are not many people with that skill.”

“It is probably a curse to most. Anyway, I must inform my squad of everything I have discovered. Then we shall decide our next move.”

“Talk to me when you can, my Guardian.”

I replaced the book and then teleported into Mara’s Rest.

Over a meal, I explained everything to the group. We decided the demon was a priority.

I teleported us to the entrance of Arnima.

We then made our way to the cottage. My red friend was there.

“Hello, Blighted Legion. I have come seeking conflict. I believe that is a mortal’s body that you have hijacked. It is time to vacate it and return to mummy.”

The demon hissed just before I removed its head.

Ghorbash said, “Aww, it was not immortal. We had so much fun with the Daedra that I hoped for more.”

“Sorry to disappoint. I did not think it was immortal, but I could not take the chance when alone.”

I teleported us to Arnima’s entrance.

We entered the temple and approached Reamonn.

• Wulf: Reamonn, we have agreed to find Lord Mortifayne’s amulet. I am hoping you have divined its location.
• Reamonn: Your Excellency, he has sent five mercenaries after that bauble. Three of them dropped the venture entirely when I told them what they were going up against. Two of them have never returned.
• Wulf: It is more than a bauble to Lord Mortifayne, and I believe it must be returned to him.
• Reamonn: I am sure you have your reasons for believing so.
• Wulf: None that I am free to discuss with you now.
• Reamonn: It is inside a cave up in the valley, past the Exile camp and close to the falls.
• Wulf: Please mark it on my map and the locations of the Soul Stones.
• Reamonn: I must speak to you about the Soul Stones and other matters. Would you mind following me?
• Wulf: Certainly. Lead the way.

We knew where the Soul Stone was, but I was interested in what Reamonn would say when out of Priest Matthew’s earshot.

• Reamonn: Here is a Soul Stone. This mode of travel is not often used for obvious reasons.
• Wulf: Ahh, not so obvious.
• Celestine: It is not obvious at all!
• Reamonn: You are never sure you will arrive at the other end intact.
• Wulf: I assume the Soul Stones were made during the time of the Direnni Hegemony.
• Reamonn: According to local historians, yes.
• Wulf: What is supposed to happen to some travellers who use these portals?
• Reamonn: They appear at their chosen location, either mangled or simply dead.
• Celestine: And what causes these random deaths?
• Reamonn: Spiteful gods or lingering Direnni omens. Take your pick.
• Wulf: What a load of utter bullshit! They are just portals no different than many others I have used made by many races and civilisations. Have you been witness to one of these accidents? Has one even occurred to your absolute certainty?
• Reamonn: Well…no to both questions.
• Wulf: How long ago was Lord Mortifayne’s amulet stolen?
• Reamonn: Three days ago.
• Lydia: The day we entered Evermore.
• Wulf: Please mark the approximate location of each Earth Stone and the cave we will search on my map.

Reamonn marked my map and handed it back.

• Wulf: The Maw is the closest portal to the cave. I visited that area earlier today and saw many Witchmen.
• Reamonn: Yes, and I will pray for your return. Hopefully, this time, I will be answered.
• Wulf: The Divines do not work that way, Reamonn. They have no power to save mortals on Nirn. They rely on mortal agents, of which I am one, to do their work in Mundus. Even in our darkest hour, when Mehrunes Dagon walked on Nirn, only an avatar of Lord Akatosh could manifest. The energy of Martin Septim’s sacrifice and the destruction of The Amulet of Kings was required to manage that manifestation. Do you think they could somehow make an appearance and save me? No, they cannot.
• Reamonn: And you see why my travels have confused my worship. Accepting what The Priest Circle teaches is so demonstrably wrong is hard.
• Sarah: But wrong it is.
• Wulf: Reamonn, what is your opinion of The Witchmen?
• Reamonn: They were always savages who could not stomach civilisation and would sooner gut you than explain why. However, their ways have sustained their lot for several eras, whereas we drift from one failed empire to another.
• Wulf: I sense some admiration on your part.
• Reamonn: I know them too well for that. At the same time, I know enough to keep an open mind. It is the ones we are up against that are truly beyond redemption.
• Wulf: Tribal Reachmen were content to live peacefully with others. That was demonstrated both in Markarth and Munstor. The savagery of High Rock nobility and Ulfric Stormcloak created Forsworn and Witchmen from peaceful Tribal Reachmen. Have you observed Tribal Reachmen go about their daily lives?
• Reamonn: Yes, in my travels, I saw them going about their lives. Children were catching frogs by the river. Young girls were painting each other’s faces to look like wights. Imagine fighting something like that?
• Wulf: That is precisely what your nobles did when they slaughtered all at Munstor! The atrocities committed that day and by Ulfric at Markarth were not something Tribal Reachmen practised or expected.
• Sarah: The Munstor massacre occurred because the false nobility of this land did not want their subjects to have the freedoms enjoyed everywhere else in The Empire.
• Reamonn: Do you believe Breton and Nord can peacefully co-exist with Tribal Reachmen?
• Wulf: Yes. Tribal Reachmen were so successful at governing Markarth that His Imperial Majesty was about to offer them their own country. Instead, we ended up with The Forsworn and current Witchmen due to the unforgivable violence that had been acted upon them. And now you have Orsinium’s Sons due to the unwarranted savagery and racism perpetrated upon the Orsimer. Ask yourself, Reamonn, who should be seeking redemption?
• Reamonn: You have given me a lot of things to think about. May I ask you a favour?
• Wulf: Yes, of course.
• Reamonn: Could you tell me anything you find within the cave related to the Direnni or Daedra worship?
• Wulf: And why do you want this information?
• Reamonn: We are stumped about what makes these Witchmen so feral, and any findings you tell me will contribute to this research.
• Wulf: I have no idea why you think the Direnni have anything to do with the current Witchmen. But I know for a fact Lady Namira guides the Witchmen. We are still unravelling her plan. I know that an Oblivion Gate is one part of the plan.
• Reamonn: Then you must inform The Priest Circle!
• Wulf: No, Reamonn! I must deal with this in a way that prevents needless death and destruction. The priests of this land are no better than their nobles. Fear and ignorance will not help us prevent the catastrophe that Lady Mara fears. I have told Priest Matthew, but he is not to tell others.
• Reamonn: Why only him?
• Wulf: If we do not prevent it, the Oblivion Gate will open inside Arnima.
• Reamonn: Then why are you wasting time retrieving Lord Mortifayne’s amulet?
• Wulf: For a reason that I am reluctant to divulge to you at this moment.
• Reamonn: There are some of us whose only concern is the welfare of the people.
• Wulf: I would like to believe that, Reamonn. Maybe if you stopped lying about your gift, I might trust you.
• Reamonn: What lie?
• Wulf: I am Arch-Mage of The College of Winterhold and Master of all Schools of Magicka. Knight Celestine is also a Master of all Schools of Magicka, including Alteration.
• Celestine: Your ability to find objects has nothing to do with Alteration!
• Wulf: Tell me truthfully how it works and what happened in Cyrodiil, and you may earn my trust.

Reamonn turned and headed to the temple.

I told the group, “We will encounter many Witchmen and probably spells new to us.”

Sarah added, “And for some reason, Wulf sounds excited about that prospect.”