Morndas, 12^th Morning Star, 4E 202

& Tirdas, 13^th Morning Star, 4E 202

As we approached the Soul Stone, Celestine said, “Hold on, Wulf. Vayu is summoning me.”

I approached my friend and said, “He has probably tried to contact us via Corb.”

“He knows it will not work when it is in your Journal Case.”

“I could get it out, or we can travel to where Vayu is.”

“He is in The Safehouse.”

I told the group, “Everybody, please gather around. We are teleporting to The Safehouse.”

When we emerged from the ether, the others headed for the kitchen as Celestine and I approached Vayu.

• Wulf: What is the emergency, Vayu?
• Vayu: We need Celestine to refine the two alchemical formulae. No other mage has her level of expertise, and wasted time means wasted lives.
• Wulf: Celestine told me you are confident of the four reagents.
• Vayu: We are, but the exact quantities and preparation illude us.
• Celestine: Before leaving for Evermore, we tried over a hundred times to get it right.
• Wulf: The side effects you described are unfortunate but not life-threatening.
• Vayu: You are almost certain to die if you become Afflicted.
• Celestine: You will not die from drinking the preventative or curative potions.
• Vayu: But you might get the shakes or severe diarrhoea or break out in a rash.
• Celestine: However, gossipers exaggerate the side effects.
• Vayu: When word of those exaggerated side effects spreads, many people become reluctant to use the potions.
• Celestine: The plague will never stop unless nearly everybody uses the potions.
• Vayu: I know it does not seem logical, but that is what happens.
• Wulf: I have read that this phenomenon occurred during other plagues. Mandates were used to make the cures and prevention items compulsory.
• Celestine: You will need all of us to help defend Arnima if Mortifayne triggers the Oblivion Gate.
• Wulf: The recovery of his amulet will give me another chance to assess his mental state. I may need all of you inside Arnima for some time if I think he is on the edge of triggering it. In the meantime, head for the College and see what you can do.
• Celestine: The others are in the kitchen. I know they will not admit it, but they are worn out mentally and physically.
• Wulf: The feeling of helplessness and imminent chaos is palpable and impossible to ignore. I understand and will swap the squad.
• Celestine: Take Rigmor with you. You need her, as it will only get darker. I do not have to be a seer to predict that.
• Wulf: Okay, Rigmor will be part of the new squad.

Vayu and Celestine teleported to the College. I spent thirty minutes gathering and equipping Erandur, Rigmor, Inigo and Felix.

We teleported to the entrance of Arnima.

• Inigo: My friend, this place makes Windhelm seem friendly!
• Rigmor: I cannot ignore it. It is like somebody scraping fingers along a slate board.
• Felix: Or a knife or fork screeching on a ceramic plate.
• Erandur: Others tried describing this sense of hopelessness. They were lost for adjectives.
• Wulf: It is something that needs experiencing to understand fully. Locals might push it to the background, but it will always be there, subconsciously making them feel helpless.
• Rigmor: Is the countryside any better?
• Wulf: No, Knight Eisra. The only respite from the gloom is within Mara’s Rest.
• Inigo: That is a nice name. Why did you pick it?
• Rigmor: It is my Maternal Grandmother’s name.
• Wulf: Ivanitchy would have been easier to remember.
• Rigmor: If you ever use that name again, there will be trouble!

We entered Arnima and then made our way to the Soul Stone.

• Erandur: Can you refresh us on the latest developments?
• Wulf: The only Daedric Prince we know for sure is involved is Namira, known locally as The Dark Mother.
• Inigo: My friend, you will soon add her to those Dark Lords who hate you.
• Wulf: She, or a minion, or both, have been whispering in Mortifayne’s ears ever since he started wearing the amulet given to him at Munstor. The amulets were handed to all the nobles. It did not matter who wore them or how many, as Namira would have picked one and done the same to them as to Mortifayne.
• Erandur: You do not think Mortifayne is evil.
• Wulf: No, I do not. However, it is unknown why he chose to risk wearing the amulet when the other nobles refused.
• Rigmor: Do not call them nobles.
• Wulf: No matter how distasteful, we must treat them as nobles.
• Erandur: As I must accept the blasphemers and charlatans as Priests.
• Wulf: I found Mortifayne’s written apology to his wife in a hidden room. It is on a table next to the Shrines of Mara and Dibella. I suspect he asked priests outside of Evermore to activate the shrines. The shrines in Evermore’s temples are inactive. Mortifayne still visits those shrines. Does that sound like the actions of one whose soul is dark?
• Erandur: When I heard about the Shrine to Mara, I found myself pitying the man.
• Wulf: I ascertained the following from the message to his wife. A mortal agent of Namira’s works as Mortifayne’s chef, and his name is Maarin. Mortifayne believes that if any harm comes to Maarin, a great catastrophe will happen to Arnima. Mortifayne suspects Maarin murdered his wife, but the body was never found. Mortifayne had no way of avenging her death or disappearance. Mortifayne was racked with guilt and sorrow and tried suicide. However, Namira would not let him die. I assume Maarin thwarted the attempt. Naimra told Mortifayne he was crucial to her plans and had to live.
• Felix: Why did Maarin kill Mortifayne’s wife?
• Wulf: Mortifayne showed resistance to Namira’s ensorcellment. He said, ‘I have understood the cost of hope, which is my burden.’
• Rigmor: Maarin is also feeding Mortifayne food laced with Nightshade.
• Erandur: In the correct amounts, the imbiber is weak and confused. It makes logical thought difficult, and the poisoned are easily manipulated.
• Felix: What is the purpose of the atrocities and murders?
• Wulf: Mortifayne believes it is the only way to stop Namira from destroying Arnima. Mortifayne is not interested in power or riches. He genuinely wants to protect his people and can see no option but to do as Namira instructs. He could no longer protect his people if he were removed as lord.
• Felix: And Namira has told him when to ramp up the terror and violence?
• Wulf: Somebody has. I am unsure as to who speaks to him via the amulet.
• Felix: Why would Mortifayne trigger the Oblivion Gate?
• Wulf: Mortifayne has probably been told that more of his people would be saved if he triggered it. I do not think it would make a difference, but he will believe the lie.
• Erandur: Namira or one of her agents invades Mortifayne’s dreams and gives him instructions. When Mortifayne thinks of what happened to his wife, he is more inclined to order random acts of violence. The whole process is designed to ramp up the level of violence and paranoia.
• Rigmor: The more extreme the acts, the more likely The Council and King will act against him.
• Wulf: The murders, rapes, tortures, and other crimes were tolerated. Only when Mortifayne started affecting trade was action taken. Namira may be tapping into this terror and misery to power her plan for an Oblivion Gate without needing Mortifayne.
• Erandur: Namira can either trigger the event to open the Oblivion Gate via another mortal agent or knows Mortifayne will trigger it when others arrive to remove him from his office.
• Wulf: I have no proof she can trigger it without Mortifayne, but logic says she would not risk her plans on a single mortal’s actions. So yes, that is what we face. Are we capable of preventing it? I cannot guarantee success, but we can try.
• Inigo: My friend, what makes you sure Namira is behind this?
• Wulf: Logic and a lot of evidence. I broke into another part of the keep. There was a portal there. I stepped through the portal and exited the ether next to a Shrine of Namira. It was in a room with head-sized eyes growing from piles of rotting corpses. The eyes followed me when I examined the place.
• Inigo: Do you know where the room is?
• Wulf: I could not see stars or the sun, so I had no reference. However, I know it is in Evermore and deep underground. Two other portals are in the room, leading to other parts of Evermore.
• Inigo: Rigmor said you cried several times when searching Mortifayne’s keep.
• Rigmor: I wept as well when Wulf described what he saw.
• Wulf: In the room containing the portal to Namira’s shrine were many bodies. People had been slowly tortured. The remains of a mother were draped over a child. She was trying to shield her child as they were burnt to death. I know Maarin did it, and I cannot get justice for those he tortured.
• Rigmor: We both felt great anger and sorrow, but they were not what made us weep.
• Wulf: I imagined the horror of mother and child and how their love defeated their torturer. It reminded me of what Rigmor endured at the hands of The Thalmor. Maarin was probably hoping for some breaking of the bond. But all I saw was courage and love, and they deserve justice. Mothers and their children represent all that is good and pure and beautiful. Lady Mara is part of virtually every pantheon because she is the Divine associated with motherhood. Maarin attempted to break that special bond, which was an act of pure evil.
• Rigmor: They displayed the beauty that Maarin tried to erase.
• Erandur: Why did they steal Mortifayne’s amulet?
• Wulf: I do not know if the thief is Namira’s ally.
• Rigmor: They might be leading Wulf to information.
• Erandur: But an immortal Daedra tried to kill you.
• Wulf: It might not have been the thief’s ally. We still have far more to discover.

We arrived at the Soul Stone, and I told them, “I will travel via this portal and then summon you. We will be in the middle of Witchmen territory. So, be prepared for new spells and other weirdness.”

 Rigmor asked, “Weirdness and new spells from you or the Witchmen?”

“Both.”

I entered the portal. As soon as I materialised at the other end, I summoned the squad.

We could hear nearby Witchmen, so we silently headed for the cave entrance.

Once inside the cave, we heard many Witchmen muttering mantras.

I drew my bow and whispered, “I shall try and take as many down as possible, but I think there is a lot of fighting to be done.”

We crept forward, and Heat Vision showed two enemies in the first cavern.

I took them both down.

A headless woman lay on the walkway. That was one of many displays of brutal violence that we witnessed.

Heat Vision showed a person sitting on the ground.

I whispered, “A person is ahead, sitting on the ground. I do not think it is a Witchmen. A couple of mercenaries tried to recover the amulet. It may be one of them.”

It was a mercenary, and he needed healing.

I cast Grand Healing, and then Felix helped him to his feet.

• Byrne: Ah, that feels good. I always thought I would die some more spectacular way than slowly bleeding out.
• Wulf: I am Sir Wulf Welkynd, Envoy to Evermore on behalf of His Imperial Majesty and Lady Mara. My companions are Knights of The Order of the Dragon, of which I am Knight Commander.
• Byrne: Once known as Lord Wulf Welkynd, The Dragonborn, and his companions, The Dragonguard.
• Inigo: We have recently had a name change.
• Wulf: What is your name?
• Byrne: Byrne Mercell.
• Wulf: You are fortunate your attackers did not use their poison on you.
• Byrne: I am fortunate you arrived and became their focus. That gave me a chance to crawl away.
• Wulf: I have healed you, but fatigue will be a problem for a day or two.
• Byrne: I owe you one, don’t I? Obviously, I have nothing to repay you with unless one of you fits into my clothes.
• Wulf: No, Byrne, you owe us nothing.
• Byrne: Maybe I can help you with your mission. Do not be surprised the lowlife underground network knows about you and why you are here.
• Wulf: I am not surprised. Knowledge is life for those skirting the laws of this country. Mind you, just breathing in Evermore seems to be enough to secure a death sentence.
• Byrne: You never know what useful information the unwashed and ignored gather. Look for me beneath Evermore and ask questions, get answers.
• Wulf: I would quickly make your way out of here, Byrne. We are going to kick the ant’s nest.
• Byrne: That is an excellent idea. But I will wait till you are a bit further away, and when I hear screaming and explosions, I will make my way home.
• Wulf: Do not tell ol’ Monty that you failed unless you want your head adorning a spike.
• Inigo: My friend, when do we get to meet Mortifayne? He sounds like a lot of fun at parties.
• Byrne: Ah…is he okay, apart from being blue?
• Wulf: Knight Inigo has not been the same since our trip to Sovngarde.
• Byrne: Inigo the Brave?
• Rigmor: Shhh! His new helm is tight, and his head has no room to expand.
• Inigo: Yes, I am Inigo the Brave. Knight Eisra is understandably jealous.
• Rigmor: Yeah, right. Pffft!
• Wulf: We had better get moving.

Our pace was impressive as we disposed of Witchmen with ease. None of us bothered commenting on their iniquity. We often see it when dealing with necromancers and devotees of the less pleasant Dark Lords.

We entered a large cavern and disposed of several Witchmen. However, one of them did not respond to the fighting.

I leapt down to kill him but then stood fascinated as he transformed.

I told the group, “He looks like the invincible Daedra we encountered. But he is different. He is a Daedric Werewolf!”

The Daedra did not use Blood Magic, but he was Afflicted. Like the invincible Daedra, he was fixated on me. He only attacked others if they stood between us.

The Daedra was not invincible, but most physical and magical damage was absorbed. Any break inflicting damage allowed it to heal. Grunts, growls, and moans combined with spells and weapon impacts created a cacophony of chaos that echoed.

Halfway through the melee, the Daedric Werewolf declared, “The worm will conquer the mountain!”

Erandur had to heal people many times, and all my friends consumed Healing Potions. I was too busy dodging, parrying and striking when an opportunity arose to do anything else.

Inigo landed the final blows from behind. The fight had lasted thirty-five minutes!

I spent several minutes studying the corpse as everybody caught their breath.

The room was covered in blood and green Afflicted sputum.

• Wulf: It does not have Mortifayne’s amulet.
• Rigmor: If those things come through an Oblivion Gate, the people of Arnima will be slaughtered!
• Wulf: This Daedra looks like the invincible one but is very different. They may be singular creations, so hopefully, there will be no others or very few.
• Erandur: Daedric Princes reuse efficient designs when creating minions.
• Wulf: Yes, and I think Namira is doing that. These Daedra are hideous, which is her intention.
• Rigmor: Were they both Bretons?
• Wulf: This Daedra was a Tribal Reachmen who became a werewolf and caught the plague. I have samples from the large heart that kept the invincible one alive. I will test it and see if I can determine what he used to be.
• Felix: If that thing is not carrying the amulet, I dread imagining what it is.
• Inigo: A giant, naked Lydia replica that spews Apple Cabbage Stew! Aaargh! I scared myself with that thought.
• Rigmor: Have you ever spoken to Namira?
• Wulf: No.
• Rigmor: Then why do these Daedra try to tear you apart?
• Wulf: They may choose to attack the most dangerous opponent. However, I am positive I was identified by a griffon when we first entered Evermore. He is one of Namira’s minions.

We continued, disposing of more Witchmen.

Thick Oblivion Vines blocked our progress.

I announced, “I have seen these before. Watch.”

I Shouted the Fire Breath Shout, and the vines moved out of the way.

We could see a woman sitting in front of a Flesh Sculpture. Unrelenting Force killed her.

I then blinked into the cavern and killed a Briarheart and a Hagraven.

Not much further along, I jumped off a small cliff into a shallow, underground lake.

A juvenile Golem attacked and died. The squad eliminated several Witchmen firing bows from a ledge.

• Felix: What is that?
• Wulf: She was a juvenile Golem. I have only ever encountered a single adult in my travels.
• Felix: I would hate to meet her parents!
• Rigmor: Now you have done it, Felix!
• Felix: What have I done?
• Rigmor: You have ensured we will meet her parents by saying those words.
• Felix: Pull the other leg. It has bells on it.
• Rigmor: I look forward to saying, ‘I told you so!’
• Wulf: I will check those Direnni doors and the Golem’s pouch.

The Direnni doors were jammed shut.

From the Golem’s pouch, I retrieved Mortifayne’s amulet. It was not an Amulet of Namira but one shaped like a taproot with a centre made of flesh. There was also a page torn from a journal. The writing matched the note found in Grey Belmor, so I knew the author was the same. The thief wrote it.

I handed the amulet around, but nobody held it for long before passing it on. I soon had possession of it again.

• Wulf: It makes sense that the amulet is shaped like a taproot.
• Inigo: My friend, why are there glowing taproots everywhere?
• Wulf: Look at her belly next time you see a Spriggan Matron. Taproots are Spriggan wombs.
• Erandur: You would have noticed the occasional Spriggan head atop spikes.
• Wulf: Taproots represent motherhood, which Lady Mara champions. Therefore, Hagravens who worship Namira dislike Spriggans.
• Erandur: They can be used to store Magicka and glow.
• Wulf: Intuition tells me the amulet represents a foetus growing in Oblivion.
• Rigmor:  What a pleasant thought.
• Wulf: It would be another insult to Lady Mara from Namira.
• Erandur: What is that door?
• Wulf: It is of Direnni design but jammed shut. Missionary Reamonn asked me to look out for Direnni architecture. I have noticed bits and pieces as we travelled.
• Felix: Would you expect to find some?
• Wulf: Yes. Late into the 3^rd Era, the Direnni still influenced High Rock. The remnants of the clan live on the Isle of Balfiera, where The Adamantine Tower is. Therefore, finding Direnni ruins in Evermore is not unexpected.
• Rigmor: Why would Reamonn be interested in Direnni ruins?
• Wulf: It would be handy to have Reniel or Sarah here to confirm my suspicion.
• Rigmor: Which is?
• Wulf: It is only speculation.
• Rigmor: With a hint of intuition?
• Wulf: Yes, it is intuitive speculation.
• Rigmor: Well then, tell us about this intuitive speculation.
• Wulf: Not yet. I will say that I think the thief wants me to figure out Namira’s plan.
• Rigmor: At least give us a name so we can try to figure it out ourselves.
• Wulf: King Laloriaran Dynar. Since the Ayleid convention was to use only the surname, he is known as King Dynar.
• Rigmor: Is he the king who will have his tower?
• Wulf: He cannot be, as he resides in Aetherius. That is all I will say for now.
• Felix: Wulf expects Evermore’s history to be a bit warped concerning King Dynar.
• Wulf: Knight Felix Decimus Varrus, a descendant of Abnur Tharn, should know the accurate history.
• Rigmor: You know I am going to ask. So….
• Felix: Abnur Tharn was a member of The Five Companions. With the aid of Meridia, they rescued King Dynar from Coldharbour.
• Wulf: King Dynar’s story is long and complex, and this is not the place for a lecture. However, I want to discuss a note the thief left with Mortifayne’s amulet.

“I sought to find community among the lowest of them. Yet still, the cursed flesh thwarted every attempt to bond. No matter the land or class, the ugly will not find a haven. But in my dreams, I hear a promise, a road, a purpose! My effort can afford me something beyond another affirmation of my low self. Those dreams rebuke the truth I have learned in the daytime: we follow a road laid out without our choosing and paved before our first breath.

I have put to rest the hopes of returning to high life. It was made clear that this vessel had no future among them. With my most recent exclusion from those I thought beneath me, does that path become a cliff to those who dwell under it? I will soon know.”

• Rigmor: Do we think the thief is male?
• Wulf: Intuition tells me the thief is male.
• Rigmor: Well then, he sounds like the type of downtrodden person a Daedric Prince could recruit.
• Erandur: He believes our fate is set before birth.
• Wulf: If a citizen of Evermore, that would be the message given to him by priests and nobles.
• Rigmor: They tell people that serfdom and other social norms are what The Divines desire and designed.
• Felix: They hope citizens will not seek something better because they have been told that is not what is ordained.
• Inigo: Why does he think he is ugly? Is it due to his race or a deformity?
• Wulf: That is impossible to ascertain from this journal scrap.
• Erandur: Like Mortifayne, the thief is being whispered to in his sleep.
• Wulf: Unless you possess a cursed item like Mortifayne’s amulet or a relic like Vaermina’s Skull of Corruption is nearby, Daedric Princes cannot invade your dreams. However, if the thief has learned of promises made to others by Namira, he may dream of desired outcomes.
• Erandur: A devotee of Namira may be trying to recruit him with those promises.
• Rigmor: He seems uncertain of the outcome of his decision.
• Inigo: I do not imagine you can half commit to a Daedric Prince.
• Wulf: Usually, you make a verbal but binding contract if you desire something from a Dark Lord. Mortals can be manipulated by clever wording of those contracts.
• Felix: Miraak was fooled by Hermaeus Mora.
• Wulf: When Rigmor was kidnapped, I had not made a verbal contract with Boethia. She was not obligated to tell me of Rigmor’s whereabouts even after I retrieved the relic she desired.
• Rigmor: Wulf negotiated a contract to fight Boethia’s champions for my whereabouts.
• Wulf: Boethia pretended she would not honour the contract after I defeated her champions. If Dark Lords did not honour their contracts, mortals would be more reluctant to deal with them. Therefore, I knew she was bluffing and refused to play her game.
• Erandur: All the civilisations that bargained with Daedric Princes failed, including the Ayleid, Dwemer and The Direnni Hedgemon. The Dunmer do not bargain with The Reclamations but revere them.
• Inigo: Khajiiti have some Daedric Princes in their pantheon but do not bargain with them.
• Wulf: That is why the bias against Daedra worship makes no sense.
• Erandur: Yet the priests in Evermore tell its citizens that they must bargain with The Nine.
• Wulf: Okay, we are getting a better idea of the thief’s motivations. We think he made a bad bargain with Namira and is helping us to thwart her plans.

As we headed for the ledge and an exit we could see, Rigmor pointed to a Bone Sculpture.

• Rigmor: I have seen a few Bone Sculptures like that in these caves and outside.
• Wulf: It represents Lady Namira. That one has guts inside, signifying a pregnant Lady Namira.
• Rigmor: Oh, and that ties in with the taproot gobblygook.
• Inigo: My friend, what has happened to Rigmor? She was once a sensible young woman. Now she thinks like you!
• Felix: I get the connection with the taproot.
• Erandur: As do I.
• Wulf: Lady Namira cannot give birth. But it seems her realm, The Scuttling Void, will produce a child.
• Inigo: And is the baby going to be cute and cuddly?
• Wulf: No, because Namira likes the ugly and deformed. It might even be a blue Khajiiti.
• Inigo: Hahaha.

When we reached the ledge, I decided to wear Mortifayne’s amulet.

• Wulf: I am going to wear the amulet.
• Rigmor: But you do not let many beings into your mind.
• Wulf: I will block my memories. Whoever speaks to Mortifayne might recognise I am not him. They will have no idea who I am.
• Inigo: How will we know if you are alright?
• Wulf: Run if I start measuring your limbs and muttering about sculptures.

I placed the amulet around my neck, and a conduit to a pocket plane of The Scuttling Void opened.

• Wulf: You are all out of focus, and I can hear scuttling like many-legged things running across a wood floor.
• Rigmor: I can sense something strange through Mara’s Rings. It is hard to describe, but part of you is missing.
• Inigo: Are you in danger, my friend?
• Wulf: No. The amulet’s dweomer is not much different than the one on the Corbs.
• Felix: Will they speak to you if they do not recognise you?
• Wulf: If they are confident of their plans, then yes.

We reached the end of a corridor before The King telepathically contacted me. I put my hand up to halt. Then Inigo and the others watched in case I was endangered.

“Little Lord, the hour approaches, and yet you stall. If you become a pest, then the rape of your people will be unending….”

I waited patiently while the being figured out what was wrong.

“No, this is not your touch, Little Lord. Another observer has come to listen in on these affairs.”

“It seems you were unaware of this part of Namira’s plan.”

“Hear me, fleshy vessel. Obfuscation of what is ordained for your realm will only invoke a more squalid demise. The threshold has been crossed, and we no longer need the noose you hold to undergo the ceremony.”

“You do not know to whom you speak. You were unaware somebody stole this amulet from Lord Mortifayne. Why were you not informed of this by Dark Mother? You are a powerless puppet, and I will end your existence in Mundus or Oblivion. The Nine are infinitely more powerful than Namira, as I am infinitely more powerful than you.”

“Come what may, thy kingdom will return.”

“You keep telling yourself that while worrying who it is that will stop you as he has stopped many others.”

I removed the amulet, and my eyesight returned to normal.

• Wulf: The King spoke to me. He has no idea who I am but will likely worry about me.
• Rigmor: Did he tell you anything important?
• Wulf: Yes. This amulet and Mortifayne are no longer the only way to open the Oblivion Gate.
• Erandur: Is that possible?
• Wulf: Yes. The King said that a threshold had been reached.
• Rigmor: Can we stop it from happening?
• Wulf: We can delay it by keeping Mortifayne from triggering it. Lady Namira must be waiting for something, or she will have already opened the Oblivion Gate.
• Felix: Did he provide other clues?
• Wulf: No. Let us return the amulet and decide what to do after that.

We killed a few more Witchmen before exiting miles from where we entered.

I growled, “Only a few enemies are in the camp below. I am not leaving them alive.”

I Blinked to the camp and eliminated three Witchmen and a Hagraven.

Everybody relaxed after we teleported into Mara’s Rest.

• Inigo: My friend, what if you make The King panic, and he opens the Oblivion Gate?
• Wulf: I do not think he can trigger it. It will be up to Namira or Mortifayne.
• Inigo: What is next?
• Wulf: We are not taking the amulet to Mortifayne at three in the morning. So, eat and then sleep for a few hours.
• Rigmor: That sounds like an excellent idea!
• Wulf: There is a bathtub downstairs.
• Rigmor: Bath, eat and then sleep.
• Wulf: The privy is outside.
• Rigmor: Pee, bath, eat and then sleep.
• Wulf: Erandur, Mara’s shrine outside the front door is active.
• Erandur: Then I shall visit it. I have found today quite disturbing.

I did not think the Oblivion Gate would open soon. However, we slept with our armour on as a precaution. I let Rigmor sleep while we prepared breakfast and, more importantly, her morning coffee.

Just after 8:00 AM, we teleported to Arnima’s entrance.

Inigo asked, “My friend, why do you teleport outside the city?”

“If what we fear happens, Knight Inigo, a barrier will likely be erected to prevent teleporting.”

I intended to confront Priest Matthew with the amulet. However, as we made our way to the temple entrance, I saw a house on fire.

I growled, “And they dare call Witchmen barbaric!” then ran towards the inferno.

Two Evermorin Aventurier were aiming Flame spells at the dwelling.

I asked, “Who is inside?”

Neither Aventurier replied.

I demanded, “I am Envoy Wulf. Cease what you are doing, or I will stop you!”

One of them said, “Yeah, we heard about your warning. But we do as our king asks, so be a good foreigner and leave.”

The other Aventurier added, “Yes, go away, or we might have to turn these flames on you.”

I replied, “I fight dragons, so I doubt your pathetic and weak spells would singe a whisker. In the name of Emperor Titus Mede II, I command you to cease casting Flames and step away. Comply immediately or die.”

They ignored me, so five seconds later, I Shouted Fire Breath. The Aventurier outfit they wore had a weak dweomer to protect against fire. It made no difference.

They screamed as Dragonfire roasted them and boiled the puddle they stood in.

Some guards headed our way. Inigo rapidly shot three arrows, each landing between the feet of three guards. The guards halted, and he yelled, “The next arrow is between the eyes.”

The guards saw knights with cocked bows and Erandur with a stave in each hand. They dared not take another step towards us.

Heat Vision showed nobody alive inside the house.

All thoughts of diplomacy vanished as I stormed towards the temple.

Rigmor caught up and pleaded, “Wulf, please, calm down. You knew this is how they deal with Afflicted before entering Evermore.”

“Knowing is abstract. Seeing is reality.”

“You want to save as many innocents as possible. To do that, you must continue to try diplomacy. You do not even know if the priest was aware of this atrocity. Stand still and let Our Quiet remove the anger.”

I stopped. Rigmor stood beside me and held my hand as I closed my eyes. My anger was replaced by the logic of what Rigmor said. It is unlikely Matthew has any say in what the Evermorin Aventurier do.

Rigmor felt the transformation and said, “Come on then. Let us speak to the priest and then ol’ Morty.”

We entered the temple, and I calmly walked over to Matthew. I held out the amulet.

• Wulf: If you want proof of Lady Namira’s influence, wear Lord Mortifayne’s amulet.
• Matthew: What would I hear?
• Wulf: The King that the Witchmen venerate may speak to you. The disturbing noises from The Scuttling Void are also interesting.
• Matthew: There is no need, Your Excellency. I have spoken at length with Missionary Reamonn and was rightly chastised for questioning your claims.
• Erandur: As a Priest of the Divines, you should listen closely to the words of their champion, not question his truthfulness.
• Wulf: Knight Erandur is a Priest of Mara and is one of her mortal agents. He helped me save the city of Dawnstar from Lady Vaermina’s nightmares. With the assistance of Lady Mara, we destroyed one of the Dark Lord’s relics.
• Erandur: Will you question my ability to speak with Lady Mara, Priest Matthew?
• Matthew: No, Knight Erandur. I am now dealing with things beyond my knowledge or experience. Hence, I will avail myself of your wisdom and advice.
• Wulf: The King told me they can open the Oblivion Gate without Mortifayne. However, I think Lady Namira is waiting for something else before making her move. Therefore, I shall return the amulet to Lord Mortifayne so he does not do something harsh that forces Namira’s hand. I am reluctant to fill the city with knights currently.
• Matthew: Why?
• Wulf: Their presence may trigger Lord Mortifayne. They would undoubtedly generate many questions from Arnima’s citizens. I must trust my instincts on this matter.
• Matthew: Apart from the amulet, what other proof of Namira’s involvement have you discovered?
• Wulf: Inside The Summit of the Lord is a room full of torture equipment and victims. A portal in that room leads to another room deep underneath Evermore. Inside that room is a Shrine of Namira covered in blood from countless sacrifices.
• Matthew: Does my Lord use that Shrine?
• Wulf: No, but his cook does. Have you ever met Maarin?
• Matthew: No.
• Wulf: Maarin is a mortal agent of Namira. He murdered Lady Mortifayne when Lord Mortifayne hesitated to do as Namira wanted.
• Matthew: Lord Mortifayne said his wife returned to her family. I did not know she was dead.
• Wulf: Lord Mortifayne has a torture rack in his throne room.
• Matthew: Then he is truly evil!
• Erandur: No, Priest Matthew, he is not.
• Wulf: I found a hidden room where candles lighted active Shrines of Ladies Dibella and Mara. Lord Mortifayne still visits that room but cannot pray to The Nine due to his ensorcellment.
• Matthew: Why does he order the things he does? Why does he allow evil to walk the streets of Arnima?
• Wulf: He believes that if he does these things, Lady Namira will spare the people of Arnima. He appeases her with atrocities to save most citizens. The dead are collateral damage. Lord Mortifayne is now insane, but he is not evil.
• Matthew: Can he redeem himself?
• Erandur: Before becoming a Priest of Mara, I was a Priest of Vaermina. I sought and found redemption.
• Inigo: I am Knight Inigo. I was a Skooma addict and bandit. I am a murderer. His Excellency offered me a chance to redeem myself.
• Wulf: Any mortal can change their ways and seek redemption. It does not happen through prayer but through actions.
• Erandur: Following The Ten Commands of the Nine Divines is a path to redemption, Priest Matthew. Redeemers must prove they are honest in their desire to reform through actions, not prayer or insincere words.
• Wulf: We shall return Lord Mortifayne’s amulet and decide our next steps.
• Matthew: You may want to speak to Missionary Reamonn. He has discovered the whereabouts of another Mados relic.
• Wulf: Where shall we find him?
• Matthew: He was determined to watch a most unpleasant necessity when dealing with the plague.
• Wulf: If you mean the murder of citizens by fire, I killed the perpetrators but was too late to save the victims.

We left the temple and headed to The Summit of the Lord.

Just after entering the throne room, Inigo whispered, “My friend, the stink of Nightshade is overwhelming!”

“It irritates my nose, so I can imagine your enormous hooter is suffering.”

“My nose is not enormous.”

Rigmor laughed and said, “Yeah, right. Pffft!”

I approached a tired and worried Mortifayne.

Protocol says I should remain standing on the floor and not the steps. I told protocol to shut up, stood inches away from Mortifayne, and forced him to look upwards.

• Wulf: Lord Mortifayne, we have successfully recovered your amulet and disposed of the thieves.
• Mortifayne: You look uneasy. You best give me that amulet before the power of it sunders your mind!
• Wulf: I wore it, and although quite attractive, it held no power or danger I could detect.
• Mortifayne: How dare you sully such a relic!
• Wulf: As explained when we last met, I own a museum in Solitude that may be familiar to you. It is called The Dragonborn Gallery and is filled with thousands of relics. Most relics in my museum are worth many times that of your trinket. Some relics are priceless and belonged to gods, including The Nine.
• Erandur: His Excellency is one of the wealthiest men in Skyrim and an expert on ancient relics. He is the Arch-Mage of The College of Winterhold, which houses countless relics of immense worth and power.
• Wulf: I wore your amulet to ensure the thieves had not placed harmful dweomer or curses upon it. I am glad to report it is harmless and safe for you to wear, and there is no need to thank me.

I handed the amulet to Mortifayne, who took it with a mixture of fear and awe. He did not immediately wear it.

I turned and left the room without Mortifayne’s permission, once again demonstrating our relative noble ranks.

We found Reamonn staring at the burning house.

• Wulf: As you can see, Reamonn, I killed the two murderers who refused to obey my command.
• Reamonn: They are volunteers who have learned some elemental Destruction spells. We call them Evermorin Aventurier.
• Wulf: I knew who they were.
• Reamonn: Unfortunately, something must be done since The Nine do not seem to be lending their Divine aid. At least their suffering is at an end now.
• Erandur: How do you justify burning Afflicted in their homes?
• Reamonn: Afflicted people understand and resign themselves to this fate. A more altruistic act than any I could deign to accomplish. The town remains safe.
• Wulf: I should kill every noble and other ignorant bastard and place farmers in charge! Why am I wasting time trying to find a solution to this kingdom’s problems when the answer is obvious?
• Rigmor: Your Excellency, please calm down.

I closed my eyes and let Our Quiet smother my anger and disgust. After a few seconds, I nodded, and Rigmor knew my temper was under control. There is a danger I will not be able to bring myself under control at some stage. Then, my threat could become a reality.

• Rigmor: Reamonn, if Envoy Wulf being here is not The Divines providing aid, what is?
• Wulf: The Master Mages of The College of Winterhold are aiding their compatriots in High Rock and other provinces. Together, they are working on a cure and prevention for the affliction.
• Erandur: I am a Priest of Mara and Master Mage in Restoration. Some medications reduce the symptoms of the affliction to manageable levels. The Afflicted are not overly distressed till near the terminal stage. Instead of providing this care, your backwards logic thinks murdering them most horrifically and painfully possible is acceptable.
• Wulf: Were there children in there?
• Rigmor: Your Excellency, please maintain your composure.
• Wulf: Reamonn, I order you as Envoy to tell me now. Were there children alive in that house?
• Reamonn: Yes.
• Wulf: Knight Celestine has returned to Skyrim as we are close to producing a cure and prevention. A properly activated Shrine of a Divine will cure the plague.
• Inigo: I was cured by Lady Mara in Solitude’s temple.
• Wulf: But it is too late for these innocents who have been murdered. Needlessly killed because the nobility in this kingdom and their priests are ignorant savages! If people want to end their suffering, you have the option of giving them painless and sweet-tasting poison that puts them into a deep sleep from which they do not awaken. Instead, you make them suffer and destroy property that will remain in ruins because not a single septim will be spent to repair the damage. Where is the logic in this, Reamonn? Where are the Ten Commands of The Nine Divines in this? Answer me!
• Reamonn: I… I do not know.
• Erandur: The answer is easy. These murders are in no way compatible with the teachings of The Nine.
• Felix: They do not even make common sense.
• Wulf: Do you know who else is aiding us with finding the cure, Reamonn?
• Reamonn: No.
• Wulf: Dozens of Afflicted who live in a commune in Skyrim are helping us. The same people in Evermore would have been burnt to death for the crime of catching a plague.
• Rigmor: Envoy Wulf told us that the Priest Circle only started work on finding a cure after some nobles were infected. That was months after the outbreak had killed thousands of ordinary citizens.
• Erandur: The plague started in Wayrest. Even with their political problems, they isolated the plague with compassion and sensible quarantine.
• Wulf: Enough of the berating. There is very little Reamonn can do about the laws of Evermore.
• Reamonn: Voicing my opposition would get me strung up or shortened by a head.
• Wulf. I hope you understand why we are full of anger.
• Reamonn: I do.
• Wulf: Mortifayne said you have some news. What is it?
• Reamonn: It involves my divination skill, which you know is not of the Alteration School.
• Wulf: We will discuss the truth of that in a minute. What has gone missing, and where is it?
• Reamonn: Gauntlets belonging to the blessed and venerated War Knight, Sir Mados. They were stolen at the same time as his ring. No one had any answers as to where they were. Until now, of course, with my help.
• Wulf: Terrific. I will make sure you get a medal for your excellent divination. Where are they?
• Reamonn: Far to the north, way beyond this kingdom’s grasp. Most strange is how far below the earth my search took me. They are in the depths of a Dwemer ruin.
• Wulf: I am bored and have not been there yet!
• Rigmor: You have no idea how the gauntlets got there or how Mados’ ring found its way into Grey Belmor. We suspect Witchmen took Mortifayne’s amulet into the caves we visited but did not steal it as they never entered Arnima or his residence.
• Wulf: Most likely, the same thief who stole Mados’ relics also stole Mortifayne’s amulet.
• Felix: If somebody has suspicious tendencies, they might think the person who knows where they can be found have placed them there or was told by the thieves where they are.
• Erandur: Suspicion is increased because that person lied about their supposed scrying ability in the first place.
• Reamonn: I am trying to help the people of Evermore. You must believe me!
• Wulf: Why should we believe you?
• Reamonn: As you can see from my garb, I was going to ask if I could accompany you.
• Wulf: I will consider it depending on the truth, Reamonn.
• Reamonn: Neither The College of Whispers nor Synod could help me with my divination skills. I was given access to The Imperial Library and spent months reading what I could find on other diviners. After some time, I decided that the search for help was hopeless. However, I was short of the funds needed to return home, so I contacted one of Cyrodiil’s bandit gangs. They were interested in procuring three Ayleid relics but needed to know where they were kept, as the Count of Bruma had several vaults.
• Wulf: How long ago was this?
• Reamonn: The first week of Hearthfire.
• Wulf: That was soon after the Count and his family died or vanished under tragic circumstances.
• Reamonn: Yes.
• Wulf: What happened?
• Reamonn: The relics could be used for necromantic rituals but only as a set. Two were stored in one location and the third in another. After I correctly located the first vault and the heist succeeded, Bruma’s guards guessed the next target. So, the second heist resulted in several guild members being arrested. Under interrogation, one of them implicated me. I was arrested in Chorrol and spent two weeks in the city jail before being released. There was no proof I was involved.
• Wulf: Was that the only time you have used your divination skills for crime?
• Reamonn: Yes. It was a harsh lesson that set me back on my path. I went to Cyrodiil for knowledge because I believed that if I learned more about divination, it would be a better tool for helping others. Instead, I ended up using it for selfish reasons.
• Rigmor: I know Countess Ragnarsdottier of Bruma. She is working with His Excellency to place the Ayleid relic collection on display to educate people. Therefore, you were stealing from the people, not a deceased Count.
• Reamonn: Please, tell Countess Ragnarsdottier I am ashamed and regret my crimes.
• Wulf: I shall take you with us. Countess Ragnarsdottier will hear of your conduct today and whether we think you are genuine in your remorse and attempts to make amends.
• Inigo: When His Excellency found me, I was in a jail cell in Riften. I used to be a Skooma-addicted bandit, and I murdered somebody. Now, I am a knight who still seeks redemption. My friend has given me a chance to find that redemption.
• Wulf: You can travel with us, Reamonn. However, those furs protect against the cold but are insufficient to protect you against the enemies you will encounter. I feel a sense of urgency, which I would be foolish to ignore. Therefore, I do not want to spend time rectifying that problem. If you are determined to accompany us, I will equip you with a bow that does significant damage to any adversary. I will not give you a sword or other weapon, as you would die if you tackled Witchmen or Dwemer Automatons.
• Reamonn: How good is the bow?
• Wulf: If you were to sell it, thirty thousand septims would be a reasonable asking price. That would buy two decent-sized cottages in Evermore.
• Reamonn: Oh!
• Wulf: As we travel, you will witness what is behind the troubles in this land. We know much about Lady Namira’s plan, and the two times we have recovered stolen items, we have learned more.
• Reamonn: Do you think more clues and Mados’ gauntlets will be found?
• Wulf: Yes. The thief is leaving us a trail and working against Lady Namira. They may be an agent of another Dark Lord or have been badly treated by her.
• Reamonn: What leads you to think this is the case?
• Wulf: Three items of not much monetary value were stolen and placed where Lady Namira’s devotees were secretly working. Intuition and logic suggest that the Dwemer ruin will fill in much of what is missing from the narrative.
• Inigo: Reamonn, realise this. Envoy Wulf and I have fought against Alduin and other powerful enemies. Envoy Wulf has defeated enemies that would kill me in seconds and you even faster. His Excellency fought two minions of Namira, one in Grey Belmor and the other in those caves, that were equal in power to anything he had faced before. The Witchmen and Automatons are nothing compared to those Daedra he fought.
• Reamonn: If you ask if I am still willing to risk my life, the answer is yes. I did not lie when I said I returned to Evermore because I thought I could help.
• Wulf: That is good, Reamonn. Because if I cannot figure out how to stop Namira, those powerful Daedra will swarm all over Evermore like ants. One of them would be enough to wipe out Arnima’s entire garrison. The Priest Circle and their blasphemous prayers asking for Divine Intervention will not save the people. I do not know if we could.
• Reamonn: Pass me your map, and I will mark the location of the ruin’s entrance. I know most of the local geography well.
• Wulf: We will have to use the Soul Stones, as I cannot teleport to places with which I am unfamiliar.

I reached into my Journal Case and retrieved a superb Ebony bow and quiver of arrows. Reamonn took them from me with awe on his face.

He then marked the Dwemer ruins on my map.

I summoned Remiel. About thirty seconds later, she popped out of the ether.

• Wulf: There are Dwemer ruins in High Rock you have not visited.
• Remiel: I did hear of several in Witchmen territory and another occupied by Orsinium’s Sons. I avoided those.
• Wulf: Well, now you get to visit one in the middle of Witchmen territory!
• Reamonn: She will freeze in that outfit!
• Wulf: Knight Remiel, the sceptic in Skaal furs, is Reamonn. He is a missionary who has seen the truth outside of Evermore. Your armour covers more skin than mine, so I am confused about his claim.
• Remiel: Reamonn, His Excellency has placed dweomer on our armours to prevent us from feeling cold or heat. The dweomer does a myriad of other things that make good mages and fighters into superb ones.
• Wulf: I am taking Remiel with us because she is a Dwemechanic and can provide expert advice on the ruins we visit.
• Reamonn: Are you from High Rock, Knight Remiel?
• Remiel: Yes, I was born and raised in Wayrest City.
• Wulf: The Dwemer city we are visiting is called Izmark.
• Remiel: I have never heard of it.
• Inigo: Knight Remiel, be careful not to stab yourself or other knights with your swords.
• Remiel: Haha, Knight Inigo. I held my own against you in our sparring even if you were holding back.
• Felix: Knight Shiva was watching. If Knight Inigo hurt you, she would have tied his tail into knots.
• Inigo: You are better than most, but I advise you to use your crossbow against Witchmen.
• Wulf: They are not conventional fighters, Knight Remiel. They rely on brute force and fight like berserkers. They apply dweomer on weapons and armour plus use potent poisons.
• Remiel: I will be content to use my crossbow when possible.
• Wulf: Reamonn, you must stand close behind when I activate the Soul Stone. When we appear at the other end, I will summon the knights.
• Reamonn: Why isn’t everybody using the Soul Stone?
• Wulf: You never know if you will vanish and never be seen again or turn inside out.

We made our way to the Soul Stone.

A nervous Reamonn moved closer to me as my amused friends chuckled. I selected The Maw as our destination, and we teleported without incident.

As soon as we exited the ether, I summoned the squad.

• Wulf: We are in the middle of the Witchmen’s religious territory. Nearby is a portal to The Scuttling Void.
• Rigmor: And wooden towers represent the one The King is supposed to inhabit.
• Reamonn: Can Daedra come through the portal?
• Wulf: Maybe in small numbers. It is not like an Oblivion Gate. Blood on a platform above it suggests sacrifices are made and thrown into the portal.
• Remiel: Can I go back home? I was reading an excellent tome about Dwemer mating rituals while drinking hot chocolate.
• Wulf: No, Knight Eisra, you do not need to know how Dwemer knocked boots. However, the book is in my library.
• Remiel: Who is Knight Eisra?
• Wulf: The knight formerly known as Ivanitchy Ramsbottom.
• Remiel: Knight Eisra, you would probably be as fascinated as I am about their attachments for Automatons.
• Rigmor: Are there diagrams?
• Remiel: Many coloured illustrations demonstrate their myriad uses.
• Wulf: I shall look around and ensure no Witchmen have snuck up while you two discuss Dwemer perversion.

I looked over the edge of a nearby cliff and said, “There is a book in a bird’s nest. It is along the correct path, so we shall gather it on the way past.”

I started leaping down the cliff. The others took the scenic route since Reamonn could not follow mine.

When they caught up to me, I retrieved the book from the nest and quickly read it to myself.

I told the group, “The book is called The Lost Lord. It is bollocks, but I shall read it to you anyway, as it provides a clue to Lady Namira’s plan.”

“The ancient king will govern these lands again with a new deity for all.

Anybody who does not bend the knee to our dreaded mother will know misery.

• Pelinal falls.
• Alessia rots.
• The Wheel will burn.
• The King will come for the bones of the rebel.
• The Nine will be none.”

• Wulf: What does this tell us about Lady Namira’s plan?
• Rigmor: She does not intend to live in Mundus but will rule via a proxy.
• Remiel: The King will be her puppet ruler.
• Erandur: Destroying The Wheel would eliminate The Liminal Barrier. Then, all Daedric Princes could roam Mundus, which The Aurbis would eventually consume.
• Felix: I can see your bewildered frown, Reamonn. I do not understand it all, but I know it is a lousy outcome that The King and Namira seek.
• Remiel: Who is the rebel?
• Wulf: The rebel is Lorkhan, or for you, the backward Wayrest people, Sheor. An idiotic theory is called Enantiomorph. It postulates that several pairs of beings have only existed to oppose each other throughout prehistory and history. They are opposites in methodology and morality but have a common goal. In this case, I speculate that The King believes Lorkhan desires the same crown.
• Erandur: I assume the logic you used to reach this speculative conclusion is complex.
• Inigo: You are speculating about speculation.
• Rigmor: You have speculated that Knight Erandur is speculating about speculation.
• Wulf: The amount of information my mind processes is enormous. Intuition sometimes trumps logic.
• Rigmor: His Excellency explained it as a reflex. If I throw a ball at you, there is little thought into how you will catch it. Your mind instantly calculates where the ball is going and moves your body and limbs to catch it.
• Felix: What have Pelinal Whitestrake and Saint Alessia got to do with it all?
• Wulf: Nothing if you know the true history of The Direnni Hegemony. However, Reamonn asked about Direnni architecture, so perhaps he can tell us why that interests him.
• Reamonn: The Priest Circle are fascinated by The Direnni and fears The Ayleid. Did you encounter any Ayleid construction?
• Wulf: Some Ayleid floor markings were in the room with Namira’s shrine.
• Reamonn: The Priest Circle had been fixated on an ancient enemy, and they wonder if that nightmare is the source of Evermore’s problems.
• Rigmor: King Laloriaran Dynar.
• Reamonn: Yes. They believe he is The King revered by Witchmen.
• Rigmor: You have travelled outside of Evermore. What do you think of that concern?
• Reamonn: As I explained to His Excellency, I started questioning what Evermore’s priests teach during my travels.
• Wulf: I will listen to their warped history and then educate them. King Laloriaran Dynar is a mortal hero now residing in Aetherius. His name is Ayleidoon, and it means ‘King in Dark Times.’ It does not mean ‘King of Dark Times.’ I know who the King is. He is not King Dynar but died trying to become him. Now, he believes he is King Dynar, as Namira convinced him of that lie. Let us continue before I go into lecture mode.
• Rigmor: No, please, I beg you, Your Excellency! Quick, start moving!

As we headed up a path, I saw a sleeping bear ahead.

• Wulf: Look, Knight Eisra, a bear.
• Rigmor: Are we going to say hello?
• Wulf: I think she is asleep, and it would be impolite to wake her.
• Rigmor: Okay, we shall tippy-toe past her.
• Reamonn: Why not kill it and walk past the no longer dangerous corpse?
• Rigmor: You should be ashamed of yourself, Missionary Reamonn!
• Reamonn: But….
• Rigmor: No, I do not want to hear your excuse!

Rigmor and I walked up to the bear who was not asleep. The large bear stood on her hind legs and waved.

We waved back, and then she curled up into a ball again.

We walked a bit further and stopped as Reamonn was bursting with unanswered questions.

• Reamonn: Can somebody please explain what I just witnessed?
• Inigo: You saw a bear wave to Knight Eisra and Sir Wulf.
• Reamonn: Yes, but why did it wave to them?
• Inigo: It was being friendly.
• Reamonn: Why was the bear friendly to them?
• Inigo: They are lovely people, so why wouldn’t the bear like them?
• Erandur: I hope, Reamonn, that you are not suggesting they are not lovely people.
• Reamonn: No.
• Erandur: Good. That saves me from having to clean my mace.
• Reamonn: Why would your mace get dirty?
• Erandur: It would get covered with blood and gore after I hit you with it.
• Reamonn: What kind of priest are you?
• Erandur: The kind that hits rude people with their mace.
• Wulf: I hear Witchmen ahead. It smells like they are roasting something.
• Inigo: They are burning people and have wolves or dogs with them.
• Reamonn: Are you going to wave to the wolves?
• Rigmor: Do not be so silly. Wolves do not wave at people!
• Wulf: If they are not ensorcelled, I might give one or two a scratch behind the ear.

Acrid smoke rose from the roof of a stone watchtower.

The Witchmen were unaware of our presence till the wolves attacked.

Unrelenting Force killed a Witchmen mage and the wolves.

Reamonn immediately blocked his ears with his hands. When he saw the others laughing, he dropped his hands.

I explained, “That was The Thu’um. The Voice. People think it is all about being loud when many Shouts, the spells of The Thu’um, are whispered.”

Reamonn replied, “But that sounded like a clap of thunder only feet away.”

“That was Unrelenting Force, and it is loud.”

We passed a Spriggan Matron’s head on a makeshift wooden spike.

Reamonn said, “I have never been this far north. It is sad to see how any form of civility completely vanishes as you trek through these woods.”

“I know what you mean. Where are the beggars, the prostitutes, drunks and Skooma addicts? Where are the signs of oppression and elitist nobility? There is not a single starving serf or child prostitute in sight! You could not get more uncivilised!”

My friends laughed, and Reamonn looked embarrassed.

I asked Rigmor, “Knight Eisra, why do some Hagraven dislike Spriggan Matrons?”

“Motherhood is denied to all Hagraven, so they dislike Spriggan Matrons. Those who worship Lady Namira are even more vehement in their hatred. Witchmen whose Hagraven advisors are devotees of Namira share their hatred for Spriggan Matrons.”

“I hope you have learned something, Reamonn. There is always an explanation for what these uncivilised savages do.”

We turned a corner, and a Briarheart attacked.

Inigo said, “Ooh, a Witchmen Briarheart. Should we scream and run away?”

I Blinked to the Briarheart and lopped his head off.

Rigmor explained, “Reamonn, I know you want to ask about what you witnessed. It is easier to accept that The Nine and other gods have blessed His Excellency with knowledge and abilities other mortals do not have. If you see Sir Wulf do something extraordinary, that is why.”

That wisdom did not reduce Reamonn’s stunned look, but at least it prevented more questions.

I advised, “What is atop the watchtower will not be pleasant. However, we must look, as clues to Namira’s plans may be there.”

Two bodies were being consumed in an oil-fed fire.

Spiked Skeever heads surrounded a partially completed Flesh Sculpture.

On a table were body parts ready to be added to the flesh sculpture.

There was also a journal in three parts titled, ‘Mother’s Muse.’ On one of the pages was a disturbing depiction of a pregnant Namira.

I quickly read the journal, then told the group, “This appears to be the dogma or beliefs of the Briarheart I just killed. He was artistic, if not very cheerful! It is in three parts.”

I read aloud the first part titled ‘Muse One.’

“All life is destined to die, and all people to decay. There is no escape from this fate.

 As centuries pass, our cultures will fade, our bodies weaken, and our passions cool. Everything will be forgotten with time. No one can escape it.

The young will grow old, and the whole and sweet will wither and sour. Time brings decay to all. Accept your fate and rise above it.

The world will end not with fire but with a sigh of lost hope.”

Inigo commented, “What a cheerful fellow. I used to hear the same ramblings in the Skooma dens I frequented.”

I replied, “Oh, that was fluffy white clouds and sunshine compared to his poetry.”

I read the poem, called ‘Muse Two,’ to the group.

• Despair all ye nations deny not that we are sick,
• for our blood is like water where once it was thick.
• And our minds have grown leaden, our bodies gone weak,
• And venom pours from our lips whenever we speak.
• Despair all ye nations, for the time draws apace,
• When the rot of the cynic shall steal our good grace.
• And our sweetest of dreams shall fade to lost hope,
• Our pride and our arrogance, our noose and our rope.
• Despair all ye nations, see the years drawing on,
• Our great cultures are fading, and soon they will be gone.
• So conceited our scholars, they jeer through their teeth,
• with their theories so shallow and quite soulless beneath.
• Despair all ye nations, for the ending is near,
• when the Lord of Lost Heart shall govern us with fear.
• Our weakness unfetters as we face this unknown,
• and our faith trails to nothing; we stand here alone.
• Despair all ye nations, the Corrupter has come,
• and the sad days of this world are nearing their sum.
• For the shining ideals through endeavours we sought
• grow sour as she passes and are coming to naught.
• Despair all ye nations, there is no hope for us now,
• for we made this monster, placed a crown on her brow.
• She fed on our apathy; our pain made her swell,
• We gave her Dominion; she gives us Oblivion.

Rigmor laughed, saying, “That poem had quite a good meter till the last line!”

I commented, “We do not stand here alone. Many who embrace the darker side of Daedra worship believe the lie that The Divines and other gods do not care. Mortal agents are continuously saving Nirn and Mundus from the plans of Dark Lords. They could not do so without the assistance of gods who do care.”

Finally, I read aloud the predictably named ‘Muse Three.’

“Indeed, the very process of construction and creation foreshadows destruction and decay. Today’s palace is tomorrow’s ruin, the maiden of the morning is the crone of the night, and the hope of a moment is but the foundation stone of everlasting regret.”

I remarked, “What a load of nonsense. An elderly woman with wisdom and wrinkles is just as endearing as a young maiden. Yes, mortal-made buildings eventually crumble and return to the elements from which they were constructed. That does not mean their construction is without purpose. As for hope, I intend to turn it into reality. That transformation will be the source of everlasting regret for the author and his ilk. Realised hopes will stop the Dark Mother.”

Inigo whined, “My friend, can you sing us a happy song? This place is even darker after those three recitations.”

“Then I had better not show you his picture of pregnant Namira.”

“Please do not show me. You know I am not very good at suicide, but I might give it another try.”

As we walked, I sang two songs.

• Dancing through savannah grass
• On light feet, we glide.
• Hey, hey, Baandari boy
• Tap your heels in stride.
• Hey, hey, Baandari girl
• Swing your tail beside
• Val Vijah Va Rhook, Baandari
• Carrying our world in packs
• Val Vijah Va Rhook, Baandari
• Our kingdom on our backs
• Home is on the move again.
• On wagon wheels we go.
• Hey, hey, Baandari boy
• Where the wild winds blow
• Hey, hey, Baandari girl
• Our caravan in tow
• Val Vijah Va Rhook, Baandari
• Carrying our world in packs
• Val Vijah Va Rhook, Baandari
• Our kingdom on our backs
• Walker, we can teach the steps.
• We will be your guiding star.
• Hey, hey, Baandari boy
• Keep close, and we will go far.
• Hey, hey, Baandari girl
• Our vagabond bazaar

Rigmor smiled because that song was our favourite.

The Storm and the Sunflower was a Breton song I had recently learnt.

• Do you hear the waves, my sunflower?
• The seas brought us together, and now they will tear us apart.
• I will breathe my last soon, Sunflower,
• And die with a scar of love upon my heart,
• Content we dared to dream that we might end this war we did not start.
• Bend your head now, Sunflower.
• Kiss me with the soft petals of your lips one final time.
• Pull me close, my sunflower,
• The love we dared to share was not a crime.
• We would have known Mara’s grace had we but world enough and time.
• And when you taste the prick of raindrops, imagine each one a kiss
• And when you feel the wind upon your face, know it is my hands’ gentle caress
• And when you hear the distant thunder, that is me murmuring your name
• Who knew when lightning met the sunflower, we would set the field aflame?
• Will you remember me, my sunflower,
• And all the dreams we had of being wed and wild and free?
• Or will you follow me, my sunflower,
• Remembering what we would forfeit just so you and I could be?
• Do not gasp and pray for rain when you might drink deeply of the sea.

• Inigo: That last one was a bit sad.
• Wulf: Yes and no. It celebrates Lady Mara’s gift of love.
• Remiel: I have not heard that song since I was a little girl.
• Rigmor: Last year?
• Remiel: I am several years older than you, Knight Eisra.
• Reamonn: Umm…are we in the middle of Witchmen territory?
• Wulf: Yes, and there are plenty of them around here.
• Reamonn: Then why are we singing and being noisy?
• Inigo: I will smell and hear the enemy before we see them, Reamonn.
• Wulf: Sometimes, I will use dragon allies as scouts, but there is one nearby that might object.
• Reamonn: The beast has reportedly killed several travellers.
• Wulf: Dragons are not mindless beasts.
• Rigmor: His Excellency has the blood and soul of a dragon. He is not part beast.
• Wulf: The Dovah will be aware of my presence, yet I have not heard him issue a challenge or say anything. I might have to visit him.

I warned the group, “We are approaching what seems to be a major religious encampment. Do not expect a warm welcome and nice chat with cakes and tea.”

We carved our way through a dozen Witchmen.

At one point, Inigo said to Remiel, “That is three to me and one to you!”

Seconds later, Remiel replied, “Two to me!”

Reamonn got ahead of the group during the melee, and two adult Golems headed towards him.

Rigmor yelled, “Hey, Knight Felix. I told you so!”

He replied, “Hey, Knight Eisra, we had better help Reamonn before he gets turned into missionary paste!”

I quickly disposed of my opponent and joined the others who came to Reamonn’s rescue.

When all enemies lay dead, we had a look around.

• Wulf: Knight Eisra, those are the Nordic ruins I saw when using the portals under ol’ Monty’s.
• Rigmor: I still think we will end up exploring them.
• Wulf: Maybe, but now we have far more exciting Dwemer ruins to visit!
• Reamonn: I am excited as well. I have always wanted to explore them!
• Felix: Your Excellency, I think Reamonn missed the sarcasm dripping from your comment.
• Wulf: Dwemer ruins are the same every time. They are all full of bland architecture and Automatons that want to eviscerate you. They are about as exciting as cold porridge.
• Inigo: Do not forget the Falmer.
• Reamonn: The what?
• Wulf: Falmer are the descendants of Snow Elves that asked The Dwemer for sanctuary from Nord butchery. They were enslaved by The Dwemer and remained behind when their masters vanished.
• Rigmor: Do not worry, Reamonn. The Falmer are entirely blind.
• Reamonn: Oh, that is good.
• Rigmor: But they use their ears and noses to find where you are, and their archers are renowned for their pinpoint accuracy.
• Reamonn: Oh, that is not good.
• Erandur: New types of Daedra might be waiting to tear you apart.
• Wulf: How many miles of Dwemer boredom will I endure before getting to that good bit?
• Reamonn: What are those wooden structures? They look like biped creatures of some sort.
• Wulf: I do not know. One is still smoking, and the intact one has kindling around it.
• Reamonn: Are they burnt during a ritual?
• Wulf: It seems so, but I have no idea why.

I picked the lock on some Dwemer gates, and then we entered a mist-covered valley.

At the end of the short valley was Izmark. Remiel and I were drawn to a Dwemer monument.

• Wulf: That is remarkable!
• Inigo: I think some Dwemer experts in Skyrim would get tented trousers over this.
• Remiel: That conjures an image of Professor Marassi that I could do without.
• Reamonn: What is so exciting about a metal statue?
• Wulf: I have traversed dozens of Dwemer ruins. Not once have I encountered artwork made by Dwemer.
• Remiel: Either have I, and none has been recorded in any book I have read.
• Wulf: This is unique, which is why it is remarkable.
• Reamonn: What is that thing on the end of the chain?
• Wulf: A Falmer.

There was a plaque with Dwemeris glyphs and archaic Cyrodiilic glyphs.

“Knight Remiel, I might make a mistake. So please translate the plaque to Tamrielic for us.”

Remiel stared at the plaque and whispered Dwemeris under her breath as she sought the correct phrasing. After a couple of minutes, she began.

“Even in their most degenerated form, the enslaved person had coveted delusion that the master was good, and all there is. Without his tutelage there is uncertainty. The enslaved person finally forgoes thought and fully accepts what pride repressed: Bondage is destiny.

All praxis used by the master hitherto has fostered fear in the enslaved person, greater than the torture of its servitude, that uncertainty is the worst of all prospects. So, the master leads with the torch, battling against this great unseen while holding firm to his chain.”

• Felix: That sounds like feudalism!
• Rigmor: The nobles and Priest Circle of Evermore want the serfs and indentured to forgo thought. They want them to obey without question, trusting the upper castes’ wisdom and Divine authority.
• Wulf: They also want them to fear the wrath of the upper castes and the uncertainty of other forms of leadership.
• Erandur: The Nine are supposed to be assessable by laypeople. Yet Evermore’s priests have inserted themselves between the people and their gods.
• Wulf: The priests blame all misfortune on the citizens. You have not prayed enough, your tithe is inadequate, or you had thoughts of freedom!
• Reamonn: Do you despise them?
• Wulf: My outburst in Arnima outlined a hastier version of my desire. If I had my way, I would round up the nobles and put them on trial for Munstor. I would get every priest denounced by the leaders of Divine worship. I would place an Imperial Governor in charge until a transformation to a better form of nobility and temple was established.
• Rigmor: It is a struggle for all of us to be polite in the face of evil and injustice.
• Inigo: We are here to stop a danger to all Nirn. It is a danger that came about because of your nobles and priests.
• Wulf: I want to save the farmers and other citizens of Evermore. I will reluctantly save the nobility and false priests.
• Reamonn: But Namira is to blame!
• Wulf: No, Reamonn. Namira has used the greed and lies of the nobles and priests. She did not force them to slaughter the innocent at Munstor. She has used the hopelessness of the oppressed to recruit followers.
• Erandur: It is convenient to blame gods for the actions of mortals. Evermore is in its current state because your people chose to persecute the Orsimer and Witchmen. Your people decided to keep feudalism when the rest of High Rock and The Empire, in fact, all of Tamriel, abandoned it long ago. There are still societies that enslave people, but at least they do not hide behind another name for it.
• Reamonn: Other kingdoms of High Rock sent soldiers to the siege of Munstor!
• Wulf: Some knights joined because they believed the lies about Hagraven depravity corrupting the communes’ serfs. Mercenaries joined for money. Some joined because they like to kill, rape, and loot. There was no groundswell of support from the more civilised kingdoms of High Rock.
• Remiel: I assure you, Reamonn, that Wayrest regards Munstor as a blight on Evermore’s history.
• Rigmor: Your priests and nobles feared losing their status and wealth and cared nothing for the lives of those they slaughtered.
• Wulf: Breton fear every other race, and Evermore has always been a place of battling factions. Nord, Imperial, Colovian, Direnni, Ayleid, Alessian Order, Orsimer and Reachmen. Their blood soaks these lands whose ownership is disputed even within the current kingdom.
• Erandur: This playground is ideal for some less pleasant Daedric Princes.
• Rigmor: I do not know if Wulf has explained this to you. Both Forsworn and Witchmen would prefer to live in peace alongside and with the other residents of The Reach. But the Markarth Incident and Munstor made them ideal recruits for the ambitious plans of Daedric Princes. When faced with the savagery of ‘civilised’ neighbours, you return the brutality.
• Felix: In case you have forgotten, Reamonn, the unwarranted savagery shown to the Orsimer has resulted in Orsinium’s Sons. So do not blame the gods for the current problems. As His Excellency stated, the blame lies with the nobles, priests, and misguided citizens who believed in their false teachings.
• Reamonn: Is it too late to save the kingdom?
• Wulf: Probably, but we will save what we can. Our priority is the preservation of the innocent, not the kingdom.
• Reamonn: But how can you say that? Arnima is not the entirety of Evermore.
• Wulf: I have only started scratching the surface of the problems in this kingdom. I have concentrated on Arnima as it is the most pressing, and an Oblivion Gate opening is a danger to all citizens of Nirn.
• Rigmor: Once we resolve Arnima and start looking at the other issues, we will encounter more corruption and evil within your higher castes.
• Wulf: We know there is more corruption. Otherwise, Arnima would not be an issue, nor would The Witchmen or Orsinium’s Sons. The same nobles and Priest Circle rule now that oversaw the massacre at Munstor. Many of them lived during the pogroms.
• Remiel: Do not forget the plight of children in this wretched place.
• Reamonn: What about the children?
• Wulf: Why did Evermore invade Wayrest in 4E 187?
• Reamonn: King Barynia kidnapped King Sigmayne and demanded a ransom. After our king was rescued, he sought justified retribution for that illegal act.
• Wulf: Earlier that year, King Sigmayne was invited as a guest by King Barynia. After several days of hospitality, he approached King Barynia and asked for his daughter’s hand in marriage. King Barynia refused. Do you know why?
• Reamonn: I did not know our king made that generous offer or why King Barynia would insult him so grievously.
• Wulf: King Barynia refused because your king did not want to marry a daughter of age. He wanted to marry nine-year-old Princess Ardine. King Barynia was insulted by this perverse offer, and King Sigmayne was escorted across the border. However, several weeks later, your king re-entered Wayrest without permission and had no Diplomatic Immunity. That slime you call King Sigmayne enterer King Barynia’s castle grounds and tried to rape Princess Ardine. She was nine years of age! That is why he was imprisoned, and no ransom was demanded. King Sigmayne was being held so that a trial in front of his peers could be organised. However, he escaped and sought retribution.
• Rigmor: We know this to be true, Reamonn, because Princess Ardine told us, and she is an Acolyte of Lady Mara.
• Wulf: Many children go missing in Evermore, and I believe King Sigmayne knows what has happened to them.
• Erandur: Envoy Wulf finances several orphanages in Skyrim that house hundreds of children. Can you imagine the conflict he felt when Lady Mara and Emperor Titus Mede II asked him to be diplomatic?
• Wulf: I must be nice to people who deserve to be tried, convicted, and executed.
• Reamonn: I was wrong to think I could help by returning to this wretched kingdom.
• Remiel: Reamonn, you are with us and learning the truth. That is helping your kingdom.
• Wulf: Evermore’s citizens are too scared to say anything, and with good reason. We will remove the fear, the people will be heard, and change will happen.
• Reamonn: To help more, I must first survive this trip!
• Wulf: Then let us get moving.

A few seconds later, Remiel gasped.

• Wulf: Yes, I see it as well.
• Remiel: I would hope so. It is huge! Two pieces of Dwemer art in one location!
• Inigo: I think some Dwemer experts in Skyrim will suffer an embarrassing wet patch over this.
• Remiel: I am struggling to remove the image of Professor Marassi with tented trousers from my mind. Now you have made it worse!
• Wulf: I have a two-foot-tall bronze replica of that statue in my museum. We always wondered if it was based on a larger version.
• Reamonn: By The Divines, what a sight. The Dwemer were a vain society, weren’t they? Then again, most Elves share the same trait.
• Felix: He did not just say that, did he?
• Remiel: Breton xenophobia at its finest.
• Rigmor: Reamonn, didn’t His Excellency say minutes ago that he had never seen any Dwemer artwork before?
• Reamonn: Yes, he did.
• Remiel: Apart from the two art pieces, I can see Dwemer buildings no different than dozens of other ruins spread throughout Tamriel. They have no external adornments except for the ever-present Dwemer busts. The facilities are not painted or decorated. When we enter the buildings, they will be indistinguishable from countless others with the same furniture and fittings.
• Rigmor: That is why Wulf gets so quickly bored with them.
• Felix: Have you ever been to an Orsimer stronghold, Reamonn?
• Reamonn: Ah…no.
• Felix: They are the same all over Tamriel. There are no adornments on them either.
• Erandur: If you have not noticed, I am Dunmer. Our buildings and houses have few adornments.
• Rigmor: Contrast these examples with the palaces and temples of Breton, Nord, and Imperial. Each building is constructed at great expense to try and outdo similar structures. So, tell me again, Reamonn, who is vain?
• Reamonn: Okay, point taken. I apologise for what I said.
• Erandur: Good. Once again, the need to clean my mace is narrowly averted.
• Remiel: I hope we find an explanation of why a giant statue of a Snow Elf was built.

A troll wandered past. Reamonn resisted asking us why it did not attack.

We entered Izmark’s courtyard.

A Wisp Mother approached.

Reamonn said, “What a pretty lady. I wonder what she wants?”

I used Unrelenting Force, reduced her to ash and then replied, “She was a Wisp Mother and wanted your soul.”

Reamonn stared in horror at the ash pile as we walked past it.

We entered a small structure called “First Pillar.” Neither Remiel nor I knew what that meant.

First Pillar allowed access to an upper walkway.

The colossal statue so enraptured Remiel that she almost walked off the edge. Rigmor grabbed her arm in time, and the Dwemechanic laughed nervously.

• Wulf: This next section is called ‘Izmark Gateway.’
• Remiel: I wonder where the gateway leads?
• Inigo: I hope it leads to Blackreach.
• Rigmor: His Excellency told me that place is beautiful.
• Inigo: It is, but the Falmer were not friendly.

Decades, if not centuries, of accumulated spider webs blocked our way.

Inigo shouted, “Spiders!” and then eagerly cut his way into a domed chamber.

Two spiders peeped down from a hole in the dome. A dead Falmer suggested they do not starve.

• Inigo: Come on, little spiders, nice Inigo will not hurt you.
• Wulf: Do not mind Knight Inigo, Reamonn. He replaced his Skooma addiction with a compulsion to squish spiders.
• Inigo: They make a superb crunchy sound when you hit them!
• Reamonn: Okay, I will stand over here. Have fun when they drop on top of you.
• Inigo: I cannot wait. Hurry up, my eight-legged friends!
• Rigmor: Kyne’s Peace prevents them from attacking you, Knight Inigo.
• Inigo: My friend, can you turn it off?
• Wulf: Lady Kynareth has not provided that option.
• Reamonn: Huh?
• Wulf: The bear, troll and these spiders will not attack us because Lady Kynareth has blessed me with Kyne’s Peace.
• Rigmor: The wolves attacked because severe conditioning or ensorcellment negates Kyne’s Peace.
• Wulf: Giants will usually leave me alone, but brutal treatment by Stormcloaks turned some of them into killers.
• Erandur: Many animals will attack whatever is trying to harm Envoy Wulf.
• Wulf: That is unfortunate on occasions. Fluffy bunnies and Skeevers do not last long against dragons and other powerful adversaries.
• Reamonn: How long does it take for knights to get used to all of this…this…
• Rigmor: Weirdness?
• Reamonn: Yes, that seems an appropriate description.
• Rigmor: You have no idea how weird Wulf is.
• Wulf: Excuse me, Knight Eisra?
• Rigmor: You have no idea how weird His Excellency is, and we accept it. We do not get used to it as he surprises us on occasion.
• Reamonn: What do you think would shock me the most?
• Erandur: We cannot tell you some things about Sir Wulf, and they would shock you. However, we have kept some of his titles secret due to misguided bias within Evermore.
• Reamonn: Such as?
• Erandur: His Excellency is not only Champion of The Divines. He also champions Azura, Boethiah, Hermaeus Mora, Malacath, Meridia and Sheogorath.
• Reamonn: Ahh…
• Wulf: Only your poor education finds mutual exclusivity with these multiple titles. Not every mortal hero who saved Nirn’s people from enslavement or extinction has worshipped The Nine. For instance, The Nerevarine was Azura’s champion.
• Inigo: Khajiiti champions combined with those of other races and saved Mundus from powerful dragons without the aid of a Dragonborn.
• Reamonn: I want to learn more truths, but as I said earlier, I must first survive this fun expedition.

I turned the Falmer over.

“He is a fresh kill. Let us leave our fanged friends to their meal.”

We walked down a ramp and found another dead Falmer and a destroyed Automaton.

• Remiel: Something has changed the status quo. The Falmer and Automatons have lived together since the Dwemer vanished. They rarely fight each other as boundaries have been established.
• Wulf: The Automaton was not destroyed by the Falmer. He was a mage, but there is no sign of spell use.
• Erandur: The Falmer has been dead for less than a week.
• Rigmor: The thief!
• Wulf: That is a possibility. It could also be another Daedric Werewolf.
• Remiel: Daedric Werewolf?
• Inigo: You missed the fun, Knight Remiel. It took over thirty minutes to kill it.
• Remiel: Darn. I hope we find another one.
• Reamonn: How fast can Daedric Werewolves run?
• Wulf: Faster than a Breton Missionary with soiled trousers.

We walked through another gate, and more boring Dwemer architecture greeted us.

As we traipsed through endless corridors and rooms, we killed Automatons and Falmer. We also found more dead enemies we had not eliminated.

A recently destroyed Centurion caught our attention. The average mercenary or thief could not defeat it.

We entered a room where a zombie wandered in random patterns.

• Wulf: Knight Inigo, this is a zombie. Draugr are not zombies.
• Inigo: That thing is not scary. It is not a zombie!
• Erandur: It smells, never bathes, and does not think. Therefore, it must be…
• Remiel: It must be a Nord!
• Rigmor: Ahem.
• Remiel: Can’t you take a joke, Knight Eisra?
• Rigmor: I can, but my sword is sometimes offended and chops the offender in half.

A hidden Dwemer Spider leapt out of a pipe.

Reamonn shrieked.

Felix chopped it to pieces.

We laughed, and I said, “Oh, poor Reamonn. We forget to warn him about the hidden Dwemer Spiders.”

“I suspect that was on purpose so you would all get a laugh out of me.”

“Thank you for providing a much-needed break in the monotony.”

A while later, we came upon something far more interesting.

A Dwemer Lift was behind gates that could only be opened by machinery. However, to activate the machinery, we had to solve a puzzle.

• Wulf: Those twirly things are Tonal Locks.
• Rigmor: Twirly?
• Remiel: If you hit the targets, the central hub will twirl till it reaches the bottom.
• Wulf: A tone will then be played, and valves should open.
• Remiel: The correct sequence of Tonal Locks must be triggered. If that is achieved, all the valves will open, allowing the gates to unlock and give us access to the lift.
• Felix: What happens if you get the sequence wrong?
• Wulf: Automatons will be released. I can see three types, including Centurions. So, everybody should get higher up so we can dispose of Automatons with ranged weapons.
• Reamonn: Are there any clues to the correct sequence?
• Wulf: No. We do not even know how many Tonal Locks must be hit.
• Remiel: The circle of valves in front of us will give us clues, but it will be trial and error.
• Rigmor: Admit it, Your Excellency. You have found something interesting in a Dwemer ruin.
• Wulf: Too bad we suffered hours of tedium to reach it.

Of course, I did not guess the sequence in the first three attempts. But we quickly disposed of the Automatons.

I told the group, “Now the Automatons are disposed of, I shall try from in front of the lifts. That will let me see the valves better.”

After several more attempts and the application of logic, I discovered the correct sequence.

Facing away from the lift, I had to hit the furthest Tonal Lock on the right and then the nearest left one.

All the valves stayed open, and the lift doors opened.

When everybody was on the platform, I pulled the lever.

It took a few minutes to reach the bottom.

I said, “I am impressed your divination found the gauntlets this deep underground, Reamonn.

“Unfortunately, there is no consistency on how accurate it is.”

We exited a small corridor into Blackreach.

• Reamonn: What is this place? It is beautiful!
• Wulf: It is called Blackreach, and it spans much of Tamriel.
• Inigo: My friend, do not use the Thu’um against giant orange globes! Okay?
• Erandur: Lydia told me about that. Not one of your brightest moments, Your Excellency.
• Wulf: Knight Inigo made me do it!
• Inigo: I just suggested it, so I do not think you should blame me for that ‘incident’!
• Reamonn: What happened when Wulf used the Thu’um on the orange globe?
• Wulf: It rang like a bell and summoned a furious dragon.
• Inigo: Do you have the two shapes?
• Rigmor: One edged. One round.
• Remiel: The round one for tuning. Dwemer music is soft and subtle and needed to open their cleverest gates.
• Wulf: The edged lexicon for inscribing. To us, a hunk of metal. To the Dwemer, a full library of knowings.
• Reamonn: What are you blabbering about?
• Wulf: The last trip we made through Blackreach.
• Rigmor: It is a long tale involving The Tentacled Turd.
• Wulf: Also known as Hermaeus Mora.
• Reamonn: What is the blue fluorescence?
• Wulf: They are Aetherium crystals.
• Remiel: Dwemer used Aetherium to create powerful artefacts. However, they ended up having a civil war over control of the element, which decimated their population and destroyed some of their major cities. Many scholars believe it eventually led to their disappearance.
• Reamonn: Why isn’t it mined? Look how much there is!
• Remiel: Only Dwemer knew how to extract the pure element from the ore and forge it. Only one forge was made that could smelt the crystals, and nobody is quite sure where it is.
• Wulf: The Dwemer took much of their knowledge with them when they vanished up their backsides.
• Reamonn: Does anything live in Blackreach, apart from angry dragons?
• Wulf: Falmer live in many Dwemer buildings inside Blackreach. There are also giants and Chaurus.
• Felix: Chaurus eggs! Knight Ghorbash and I love Chaurus eggs.
• Remiel: They are disgusting slimy things, and you stunk out The Safehouse with them!
• Felix: They are so delicious and fun to eat. The way they pop in your mouth and deliver all that slimy goodness is exquisite.
• Reamonn: Okay…
• Felix: Do not fret, Reamonn. I will control my greed and leave you some if we discover any.
• Reamonn: Thanks… I think.
• Wulf: I do not know if the gauntlets are up or down. Logically, we go up.
• Reamonn: Why is that logical?
• Wulf: If we do not find them above us, we can see the entire layout and plan our next destination. Conversely, we cannot see the entire layout from below. I can see no Falmer structures at this level. So, logically, they live below. That makes two logical reasons to go up.
• Rigmor: And what about intuition?
• Wulf: My excellent gift from Lord Lorkhan also suggests we go up.
• Reamonn: I find all this amazing, but you knights are so casual about this stuff.
• Inigo: We have had a long time to get used to His Excellency’s weirdness. Not that a blue Khajiiti is normal.
• Wulf: Labelling gifts from the gods as weird is blasphemous.
• Rigmor: What is your opinion, Knight Erandur, Priest of Mara?
• Erandur: Some of them are weird. The others are weirder.
• Reamonn: Your knights show little reverence for your station, Your Excellency.
• Wulf: They are my friends, Reamonn. We are using titles and so forth, as that is expected of high-ranking diplomats. It is a charade, but the elite castes of Evermore should respect my noble rank.
• Reamonn: I understand.

We eliminated several Automatons on the way up.

Then, we reached an example of Dwemer savagery.

Daedric armour and weapons were scattered about a small room.

In a cage lay a dead Dremora.

I pushed a button to lower some bars and examined the body.

• Reamonn: Who is he?
• Wulf: He is a Dremora, not a mortal.
• Felix: It looks like he was tortured!
• Erandur: The Dwemer would have to be careful. If a Dremora dies on the mortal plane, their soul returns to Oblivion, and they seek vengeance.
• Reamonn: The Dwemer must have been confident in their power to do such a thing.
• Wulf: I would not put it past those arrogant bastards to entrap the Dremora’s soul.
• Rigmor: Why would they torture him?
• Erandur: Experiments, perhaps.
• Wulf: They wanted information about the plane reached via the nearby Oblivion Gate.

The others looked to where I pointed, then quickly followed me.

We passed by two ballistae that could fire explosive bolts.

• Reamonn: Is that what I think it is?
• Wulf: It is an intact but dormant Oblivion Gate.
• Erandur: To which domain?
• Wulf: See the vines near it. They are everywhere where Oblivion touches Nirn. However, the ones encountered in Nevermore have been red or crimson wherever Namira’s presence has been. I believe this is a gate to Scuttling Void.
• Remiel: You will discover how to enable the gate and step through. And with no more concern than a stroll through your favourite park.
• Wulf: On the contrary, Remiel. I am not afraid of death. I fear failing the people I champion, whether they know who I am or not. I fear leaving those I love behind until we reunite in Aetherius.
• Rigmor: Those who love you know why you risk all. It is your compassion for all mortals that attracts so many diverse friends.
• Wulf: Let us not get morbid. Entering through that Oblivion Gate will be progress.
• Reamonn: What vile practices were The Dwemer involved in here?
• Inigo: You saw the tortured Dremora. That is one of the vile practices.
• Wulf: Dwemer did not enjoy what The Divines provided. There was little art because there was little love. They thought they could learn the secrets of the gods. Their efforts resulted in the exchange of compassion and empathy for arrogance and blasphemy. The et-Ada that created Mundus and Nirn sacrificed much, including their immortality. Some died. They deserve respect, if not devotion.
• Rigmor: Travelling through Dwemer ruins reminds Wulf of their godless society. That, more than boredom, constitutes his dislike of them.
• Remiel: I try to concentrate on the mysteries they left behind. However, His Excellency has changed my opinion of a race I once admired.
• Wulf: Back to the task at hand, I think Mados’ gauntlets are in Scuttling Void and have been placed there by an enemy of Namira. Somebody or something has been leading us to clues to help reveal her plans.
• Inigo: They are probably excellent thieves if they are powerful enough to enter Scuttling Void.
• Reamonn: And that is why we never caught the thief!
• Wulf: I believe I saw the thief at Deepcrag. He could teleport and probably go ethereal or invisible. With those skills, thieving would not be difficult.
• Inigo: What is the giant metal spider?
• Wulf: It is a Daedra known as a Harvester. However, it has been altered.
• Inigo: What kind of alteration?
• Wulf: Harvesters have a serpentine body and only four arms. But looking at its face, it is unmistakably a Harvester.
• Felix: I thought that if the thief killed the Automatons and Falmer, they must be a formidable warrior. Killing this thing proves it.
• Remiel: They used the two ballistae, Knight Felix.
• Wulf: They are great for hunting rabbits!

We made our way to a platform overlooking the Oblivion Gate.

I studied a lever and associated machinery with Remiel. We concluded it was inoperable.

• Wulf: The machinery lacks power. We shall have to find a way to repair it.
• Reamonn: You are rushing around to prevent an Oblivion Gate from opening in Arnima. Yet you wish to open this one?
• Wulf: Portals and gateways to Oblivion realms are less rare than you think. I share a Pocket Plane of Oblivion with The College of Winterhold. We use it to store artifacts and manuscripts. Lady Namira cannot use this portal to manifest on Nirn.
• Reamonn: And you will all voluntarily walk into the Scuttling Void?
• Wulf: The knights would join me, but I will not let them. If we get the gate working, I will enter it alone.
• Reamonn: Why alone?
• Wulf: Because I believe it is too dangerous. If I entered Scuttling Void and encountered Namira, I would be helpless against her. But then again, an entire legion would be powerless against her within her realm. There, she makes the laws of her reality and is in full power. Therefore, I have decided to risk annihilation alone when entering a Dark Lord’s realm.
• Rigmor: You risk worse than that, Your Excellency, and you know it.
• Inigo: None of the nasty Dark Lords would waste the chance to play with a Son of Akatosh.
• Reamonn: Is Akatosh your father?
• Wulf: Lord Akatosh is my Celestial Father, as he is for all dragons. Similarly, Saint Alessia is the Celestial Mother of all Minotaur.
• Erandur: And Knight Inigo is the Celestial Father of all fleas.
• Inigo: I would be offended if there was no truth to that. Damn you, fleas!
• Reamonn: Can you die?
• Wulf: Yes, as I conclusively proved once. Lady Azura saved me.
• Reamonn: A Daedric Prince saved you?
• Rigmor: As we told you earlier, His Excellency is the champion of several Daedric Princes. Not all of them are enemies of mortals or The Divines.
• Reamonn: Once again, the Priest Circle lies to the people. All forms of Daedric worship are banned as they are all evil.
• Erandur: Oh no, the poor Dunmer are so stupid they worship three evil gods!
• Felix: I cannot believe there are Khajiiti knights. They worship evil, nasty gods as well!
• Inigo: Before Sir Wulf goes into a lecture, there are no good or evil Daedric Princes. Ask him another time about that. We need to get these gauntlets and stop Daedra from eating your friends.
• Wulf: There are more ramps leading up nearby. Let us head for those.

We encountered a single Automaton on our way to the highest point. Once there, we discovered a sentient machine.

A regular, boring Dwemer bust had a Black Soul Gem inserted into its right eye socket, and steam came out of its left eye socket.

When I approached, the bust asked in Dwemeris, “What is your directive, m…m…master?”

Remiel was too stunned to talk, so I did.

“Can you speak Tamrielic? Not many of my colleagues understand Dwemeris.”

The bust replied, “Analyses finished. Closest proximate is Cyrodiilic.”

“That will do.”

“Cyrodiilic interface enabled. Animate being f-found. Sentience deduced. C-carrier of a large soul. What is your directive, m…m…master?”

“Do you know who lights the candles and lamps in ancient tombs?”

“S…sorry. I do not comprehend.”

“How long has it been since a sentient being has spoken to you?”

“It has been three thousand, seven hundred and eighty-two years. What tasks would you have me undertake?”

“Do you know if anybody besides The Falmer below and my colleagues are within Izmark?”

“There are no other sentient beings apart from the subjects below, which you called Falmer, and those within the immediate vicinity.”

“Has any animate and sentient being, apart from those in the immediate vicinity, visited Izmark recently?”

“I will check for tampering since the time of my hibernation.”

The light around the bust turned green. Valves could be heard opening and closing in the distance.

After ten seconds, the bust reported,

• Centurions…original structure remains unmolested.
• Micro-Serving automatons…original structure remains unmolested.
• Inter-Plane Gate…

The surrounding light turned red.

“WARNING! INTER-PLANE GATE COMPROMISED DURING HIBERNATION – WARNING – BREACH OCCURRED THREE NIRN CYCLES PRIOR TO CURRENT EVENTS”

“Can you tell me who breached the Inter-Plane Gate?”

The light turned to the friendlier green of before.

“Gate mechanics for the portal can only be operated by self-aware biologicals – RELAYING ARCANE FOOTAGE FROM CENTURION – Biological of unknown species. Biological was carrying silver and leather items – DISCERNING ITEMS’ FUNCTION AND AGENT’S AGENDA – Items are gauntlets. Agent’s motive is unknown.”

“Where does the Oblivion Gate lead?”

“The portal leads to Subject Realm number one hundred and thirty-seven.”

“Is Subject Realm number one hundred and thirty-seven known as Scuttling Void?”

“Data collected indicates it is part of Scuttling Void.”

“Open the Oblivion Gate to Subject Realm number one hundred and thirty-seven.”

“Extremely hazardous materials will be encountered through your expedition in the Subject Realm. Are you sure you want to continue?”

“Yes. Open the Oblivion Gate.”

“I cannot comply. Power has been disconnected to the Inter-Plane Gate. F-find the energy director below. B-beware of subjects.”

“Is steam the power source?”

“Correct.”

“I saw pipes with turning valves attached to the gate. Are they what we seek below?”

“Yes, three valves. Beware of subjects.”

I said to the group, “We passed another lift earlier. Let us see if that takes us to the lowest level.”

The lift did take us to the lower level. Chaurus greeted us but did not attack.

• Wulf: Have you calmed down yet, Knight Remiel?
• Remiel: Your Dwemeris needs practice.
• Wulf: Sorry if my use of a dead language is not perfect. But the bust understood me well enough.
• Rigmor: I thought you were going to faint, Knight Remiel.
• Remiel: Izmark is full of firsts, but I was unprepared for a talking Dwemer bust!
• Wulf: A Black Soul Gem powers that abomination, so I find contempt, not admiration, for it.
• Reamonn: What is a Black Soul Gem?
• Erandur: Non-sentient beings are entrapped in normal Soul Gems. Sentient beings are entrapped in Black Soul Gems.
• Wulf: When the Lifeforce within a Black Soul Gem is fully consumed, the Consciousness of the entrapped person is sent to a realm of Oblivion called The Soul Cairn. They do not go to their chosen afterlife.
• Erandur: The College of Winterhold forbids using Black Soul Gems.
• Wulf: I recently entered a relic called Azura’s Star and killed a necromancer who had turned it into a Black Soul Gem.
• Reamonn: How big was the relic?
• Wulf: About eight inches across. Three inches high.
• Reamonn: Umm…
• Rigmor: That was not as weird as when Wulf entered Emperor Pelagius’s brain and cured his insanity.
• Inigo: A dead Emperor Pelagius.
• Reamonn: Ahh…
• Wulf: I cleansed Azura’s Star at the behest of Lady Azura. I removed Pelagius’ insanity at the behest of Lord Sheogorath. I will do what is morally correct no matter if Divine or Daedric Prince requests my aid.
• Reamonn: Have you met those gods?
• Wulf: I have met Lord Talos, Saint Alessia, Lord Malacath, Lady Boethia, Lord Hermaeus Mora, Lord Sheogorath and other gods and demi-gods.
• Rigmor: The thief must have come down here and closed the valves.
• Felix: If the thief wants you to find the clues, why do they endanger you?
• Wulf: Mados’ ring was not with the invulnerable Daedra. Mortifayne’s amulet was not in the possession of the strongest enemy we faced in those caves. I do not think the thief knew the Daedric Werewolf was there. If I ever get to speak to the thief, I will ask about the invulnerable Daedra in Grey Belmor. Why they want us to trek through Blackreach is also unknown.
• Felix: This place is enormous!
• Wulf: It might take a while to find the three valves.

The Falmer were not much of a threat, but they were numerous.

It took several hours to find and open all three valves.

We then returned to the talking bust.

“Metal Head, are you still there?”

“STEAM HAS REACHED ALL NODES, SUFFICIENT CHARGE FOR GATE APERTURE. NEEDS ACTIVATION AT LOCAL SYSTEM RELAY.”

“So, all I have to do is pull the lever?”

“All systems primed for your traversal to Subject Realm 137. Activate the gate through the accompanying device. May the gods fear the march of enlightenment.”

“May the Dwemer vanish up their backsides! Oh, they have already.”

The Lifeforce within the Black Soul Gem was fully depleted. The bust would speak no more, and the formerly entrapped mortal would now be a guest of The Ideal Masters.

We made our way back to the platform overlooking the Oblivion Gate.

I pulled the lever, and there was a bright flash as the portal to the pocket realm opened.

• Remiel: Okay, deep breaths, Remi. It is scary. But going into a pocket in Oblivion is also exciting. Just keep your mind clear so you can take it all in.
• Wulf: It is also perilous, so I am entering alone, Knight Remiel.
• Felix: Knight Vayu and others have spent considerable time explaining why His Excellency chooses to do this.
• Remiel: Yes, I know. I am not thinking clearly. All of this is a bit….
• Rigmor: Overwhelming and scary?
• Remiel: In your case, worrying.
• Inigo: We shall all be worrying, Knight Remiel.
• Reamonn: Why is the relationship between Sir Wulf and Knight Eisra a secret?
• Erandur: Our missionary friend seems more observant than we gave him credit for.
• Reamonn: The glimpses and occasional holding of hands are giveaways. The use of His Emmisary’s name without title supports my proposition.
• Rigmor: Oops. I have done that, haven’t I?
• Wulf: We cannot discuss any possible relationship between Knight Eisra and me. This is not because it is scandalous or for other mundane reasons. It is for her safety and to aid The Divines with a future threat. That is all I will say on the matter.
• Felix: Can you escape Oblivion if need be?
• Wulf: If the portal is unavailable, I can use my Welkynd Stone to travel to another Oblivion pocket realm or Sancre Tor.
• Erandur: You discovered its other destination?
• Wulf: Yes, I did. Luckily, I can read Ayleidoon and had several tomes about Ayleid Waystones. Silah aided me with some of the nuances. Ayleid traders used the second destination to store items when dealing with Daedric Princes or Dremora. It is a much smaller version of the pocket realm that The College of Winterhold and my museum use.
• Erandur: If you are wondering, Reamonn, Daedra and Daedric Princes cannot easily wander into other realms or pocket realms of Oblivion.
• Wulf: It is not as tricky as manifesting within Mundus. Daedric Princes can and do invade other realms of Oblivion with effort. However, they would have to know my little realm exists to enter it, and Oblivion has thousands of similar pocket planes.
• Erandur: Can you control the time there as you can with your Aetherius Room?
• Wulf: I might be able to, but I have not researched that aspect.
• Reamonn: Aetherius Room?
• Wulf: I have a room in Aetherius created for me by Lord Talos. I could not possibly learn everything I needed to know before Alduin arrived if restricted to Nirn. So, I spent years in my Aetherius Room, where time moved slower than on Nirn.
• Reamonn: Are you older than you look?
• Wulf: Yes, by several years. When we started this trip to Izmark, I felt an urgency. I still do, so it is time to enter the Oblivion Gate and see what clues our thief has left for us.
• Inigo: My friend, how long do we wait before panicking?
• Wulf: How long is a piece of string? Time in the pocket realm relative to Nirn is unknown until I am there. I will not enter and immediately exit as that may close the portal.
• Rigmor: We will not enter to look for you even though that has not been your command.
• Wulf: I would not issue such a command. It is your choice.
• Rigmor: It is an unspoken one, and we understand why.
• Wulf: Everybody is to stay on this platform. The knights will protect you, Reamonn, if anything hostile exits the Oblivion gate.
• Reamonn: Like that Harvester thing?
• Wulf: Or worse. However, if something exits the portal and is not hostile, do not harm it.
• Reamonn: Mara will be with you.
• Wulf: Unfortunately, I am going somewhere she cannot see into or influence.

Rigmor rushed over and said, “The cat is out of the bag, so why pretend?”

With that, Rigmor dragged my head to a reasonable level, stood on her tippy toes and kissed me for ten seconds.

My friends were smiling while Reamonn was not sure which way to look.

I said, “Knight Eisra, that was well done and well needed.”

Rigmor replied, “What is the most powerful force known to mortals and gods?”

“Love. The Divines celebrate ours, for it is the strongest.”

“Twice, it has enabled you to return from The Void. That bitch Namira does not know who she is dealing with.”

Rigmor could have spoken via Mara’s Rings, but she wanted to bolster everybody’s courage.

As I approached the Oblivion Gate, I told her via the rings, “I know why you said those things out loud.”

“Even the newer members of what were The Dragonguard have become fond of my Guardian.”

“It helps I pay them a stipend.”

“Wulf!”

“Yes, I know they will worry. But they will also be able to comfort you better now that Reamonn is aware of our relationship.”

“I might need that comfort. You know the drill.”

“As soon as I return to Nirn, I will let you know.”

“Let us hope I am not married with children by then.”

“Thanks for that last bit of encouragement.”

“You are welcome.”

Rigmor was looking down on me, and I could feel her anxiety increasing as I got closer to the Oblivion Gate. Inigo stood next to her and whispered something that made her smile.

I entered the Oblivion Gate, and the link between my beloved and me was severed.

The pocket realm was dark, so I used Night Vision.

Dwemer architecture extended into the pocket plane.

Oblivion Vines were abundant.

A colossal skeleton was that of a dragon, but with a head that resembled the two powerful Daedra we had fought. It was a new form of Daedra in foetus form. Lady Namira was taking her mimicking of Lady Mara a step beyond what I expected.

I did not know if the Daedra would grow flesh. However, even in skeletal form, it could fly. The wings of dragons provide some lift but nowhere near enough to enable flight. They are held aloft by a dweomer. There is no reason the gestating Daedra could not do the same.

I looked up, expecting to see a portal to other parts of Oblivion. Instead, a figure obscured by countless webs floated above with tentacles writhing. It was not Hermaeus Mora but something equally grotesque as befitting Scuttling Void.

What seemed to be rain fell into a red lake. I held my finger out and let some drops fall onto it. I sniffed the liquid. It was water. When I tasted it, there was a saltiness to it. It was raining tears!

I climbed a ramp. Halfway up, there were puddles of fresh blood.

A waterfall of blood cascaded into the lake below.

A Dwemer tower in the lake suggested a part of Izmark was absorbed into the pocket plane.

When I looked up again, I saw another being with multiple tentacles. Webs did not obscure this one.

The ramp ended in a nook of thick Oblivion Vines.

Inside the nook was a being held in place by chains. It was an emancipated mortal whose heartbeat sounded slow, steady.

Cradled in its arms were Mados’ gauntlets. As with his ring, they were of excellent quality, but the dweomer on them, to increase Lifeforce, was weak. They were probably worth two thousand septims at the most. Something like my sword would be worth well over three hundred thousand septims. The gauntlets have significant historical value to the Breton of Evermore but not enough monetary value to be worth hiding in Oblivion.

In one of the being’s hands was a blood-soaked note in the same handwriting as the previous two left by the thief.

“Finally, here I am accepted.

The quill still draws the mind, for she has taken fingers, arms, head, and heart.

But this sacred paper concludes the story, writing in this belly.

She uses me for new intents and has destroyed old hopes. It is a mercy.

Here is evil, ugliness and the end.

Here is home, true.

Now, I am content. Now I have peace.”

I took a risk and scanned the being’s soul. It was not there. If I scan the bones of dragons that can be restored, there is a link to their soul. This being had two links!

Two puzzles presented themselves.

Are these the remains of the thief, and if so, how could he steal and place relics and leave notes?

How can there be two links to a single soul?

I will have to discuss them with others to gain clarity.

I heard a rasping sound from below, so I cautiously descended the ramp.

The rasping was the breath of an unusual being. A red miasma surrounded it. It may be grey in daylight, but its body was crimson here.

I approached with weapons sheathed and no spell prepared. I did not scan its soul, for I did not know what it was. I learned from the god in The Void that it is dangerous to scan the soul of an unknown species.

The being turned to me, and it was hideous, which befitted The Scuttling Void.

It was bipedal with two arms, tentacles for hair and a vertical toothy mouth with four tiny arms surrounding it. Rigmor would probably accuse me of being a pervert, but the mouth reminded me of female genitalia.

My sword remained in its scabbard, for there was no sign of hostility.

In a raspy, slithery voice, it said, “There you are, the one to shatter this crimson cage and grant me freedom!”

“If I have released you by entering this pocket realm, that is purely coincidental and not why I came here. Does your species have a name? Do you have a name?”

“The Liberator wants a name, a moniker for this transient form. Very well, you can call me Ambition. I am what I feel, like any man!”

“You said transient, which implies you will change into some other form.”

“I am compelled, Liberator. Pulled towards my want by a great force, a desire converged upon by the gods, lords, and men. That want is power!”

“Love, family, and companionship are sought by the wise. Power is hollow and fleeting. Love is solid and eternal.”

“But the corpse king rotting atop his spire needs a prince, and who better to take up that venerated role than Ambition?”

“If you work with my enemy, I must stop you!”

“Palpable, proximal, and personal. It is now possible. From this hideous pit emerges royalty who awaits his throne.”

“I get the gist of what you say. Perhaps you should clarify your purpose and intent?”

“Yes, strip away the artifice and cast away pretension. Forgive my joy, Liberator. Becoming aware of destiny rewritten has made me giddy.”

The creature breathed heavily. It was rather repulsive, with the accompanying gurgles emanating from its throat.

After a few seconds, it continued, “Yes, it has made me giddy.”

“What is the purpose of the construct behind you and the being within?”

“Take in the child yet conceived behind me. It gestates in the wanting womb, the durance that bore me.”

“The vines are its umbilical cord. This pocket realm is its womb, and you think the body was your prison.”

“Liberator, I wish you would kill this child and remove the final hurdle to my rise.”

Ambition then talked to Namira.

“Yet every harm directed is rendered hollow, aren’t they mother? You covet your child with such fervour.”

Ambition turned his attention back to me.

“The child is already named; would you believe that, Liberator? Mother has called it ‘Whisper’.”

“And why would I want to kill Whisper? I do not murder in cold blood!”

“If only we could inflict death on the dead. To ameliorate that contradiction would cease my struggle. Yet, it cannot be. However, there is another who could be the source of your malice. It is an anchor to ambition and the bank of remembering. It is called The Husk.”

“What can you tell me of The Husk?”

“If you see The Husk, a frail, pathetic thing, kill it! Bring it low, tear it to pieces and hunt the remaining scintilla of its vessel. Then I will be free, truly free.”

“You are asking a lot for somebody who does not kill without purpose. Until Whisper or The Husk threaten harm to me or others I protect, they will not have earned death at my hands. I protect all mortals, increasing their chances of a future death sentence.”

“Your every inflexion will be heard from here to the dying light, and your image will be burned for my future dreams. We will meet again, Liberator, and I will be pleased to see you.”

“I suggest you dress more sensibly if we are to meet in public.”

“The worm will conquer the mountain, as they say! Haha!”

Ambition’s breathing became strained as if the conversation was physically taxing.

It continued, “Everything ugly and weak will all be burned away. And you will join me in this growth. When I have gone from scum to royalty, you will go from nomad to nobility. Then, you and I will destroy the Dark Mother together! Goodness and beauty will prevail!”

“I doubt we will ever have a common purpose. I am already more noble than you can imagine. Destroying Lady Namira is a dream that no amount of ambition can achieve, for she is a Daedric Prince and eternal till the end of this kalpa. However, I will stop her plan and destroy the false king.”

If Ambition had an opinion on my claim, it did not voice it.

Instead, in a cheerful, guttural, gurgling voice, said, “Farewell intrepid friend. May we divulge on the last axiom when our paths cross again.”

I decided Ambition was a form of Daedra. However, I was still not prepared to scan his soul. 

I watched Ambition as he ran for the Oblivion Gate. I had no reason to attack or stop him. He had not done or said anything worth killing over. I was confident he would run past my friends without harm for the same reasons.

When he exited, I said, “Whisper, you do not need to be what your mother desires.”

I exited and said aloud, “I am back! Shut down the portal!”

Rigmor waited for me on the platform and hugged me. Then the group discussed what occurred.

• Rigmor: I am in a mess after just a few minutes of not knowing. Imagine when people send loved ones off to war for years! How do they cope?
• Wulf: They cling to hope and memories.
• Rigmor: What was it like?
• Wulf: Albatross multiplied by Albatross.
• Rigmor: Nothing is that weird!
• Wulf: It was raining tears. A waterfall of blood cascades into a lake of blood mixed with tears. A growing Daedra with the skeleton of a dragon is gestating, for I was in Namira’s womb. The foetal Daedra has been named Whisper and is the son of Namira. Inside Whisper’s bones is a desiccated humanoid body held by chains. It is alive and has a beating heart. Strangely, two connections to a single soul are attached to the body. I met a Daedra called Ambition, who has tentacles for hair and four tiny arms surrounding his mouth. He would have run past moments ago.
• Rigmor: Okay, that is Albatross cubed.
• Wulf: I have Madros’ gauntlets and another note from the thief.
• Reamonn: Daedra or not, that thing was sinister-looking regardless. I had feared the worst for you.
• Rigmor: Reamonn, if His Excellence says he was a Daedra, that is what it was. Comments relevant to your areas of knowledge are more valuable.
• Inigo: Reamonn, being a blue Khajiiti, I know what it is like to be judged on looks alone. You thought Ambition looked sinister and must have presented a danger to Wulf. None of us thought the same as we judge on actions, not appearance. Ambition was different, not sinister.
• Wulf: I think we have almost lectured Reamonn to death.
• Erandur: His death would not be in vain if he learned something.
• Reamonn: It is okay, Your Excellence. It has been ages since anybody tried to teach me anything.
• Wulf: Remember, Reamonn, that you are free to comment, but be prepared for a tongue-lashing about sensitive subjects.
• Reamonn: I doubted we would ever find Mados’ gauntlets in this sprawling ruin. Now, I need to return them to Arnima, although I would love to stay here for research.
• Remiel: Reamonn, you know nothing about Dwemer and would die a horrible death within hours of commencing your research.
• Felix: A single Dwemer Spider would scare you to death, tear your arms off, or both.
• Reamonn: Unfair. I have faced Falmer, Witchmen and Dwemer Automatons by your side. But I have no courage to face such beasts as exited that gate.
• Felix: That is why you tried to hide behind the manifold and then decided I was a better shield.
• Wulf: Okay, enough dribble! I need help sorting out what I just experienced and what Ambition said.

I recited word for word my conversation with Ambition.

I said, “The note left by the thief is also of use.”

I recited the bloodied note.

I told them, “Let us discuss what they mean.”

• Remiel: You were in Namira’s womb.
• Wulf: Thanks for that, Knight Remiel. Now I feel a great need for a bath.
• Remiel: And you entered and exited by her birth canal.
• Rigmor: Should I regard that as being unfaithful?
• Wulf: The Oblivion Gate is not Namira’s birth canal. The portal in the middle of the Witchmen camps is where Whisper will be birthed.
• Rigmor: Ambition said The King would need a prince. I believe The King will remain in their tower, which may or may not be in Oblivion. A prince will act as his spokesperson on Nirn and travel beyond the tower. As we deduced before, Namira will not manifest on Nirn.
• Wulf: That is logical, and I came to the same conclusion.
• Reamonn: Who placed the gauntlets in Oblivion?
• Wulf: The Husk. He is the thief and a mortal who made a deal with Namira. A deal that went bad, and his reward was for his soul to be used by Whisper. I assume he is another Daedra and the entity I saw at Deepcrag.
• Rigmor: Ambition speaks as if his name represents his primary motivation. He does not doubt he will become The Prince.
• Erandur: Ambition fears The Husk. He described it as the anchor to ambition. In other words, the entity called The Husk can stop the entity called Ambition.
• Inigo: Empathy, fear, and many other emotions can stop somebody from achieving their ambitions.
• Remiel: It seems we have two entities with opposing personalities.
• Wulf: More accurately, we have a single entity split in two. Hence, the two connections to a single soul.
• Rigmor: Please explain.
• Wulf: This will be the most speculative speculation I have ever speculated!
• Inigo: My friend, go ahead, but if our brains explode, it is your fault.
• Wulf: Okay, but I must go into lecture mode and present my theory in point form.

I ordered my points in my head and then proceeded.

• Ambition believed the foetus to be his prison and the final hurdle to his rise, to his purpose.
• Ambition said, ‘I am what I feel, like any man!’ These words indicate he regards himself as a mortal person.
• Ambition was excited by destiny rewritten. This reaction suggests that he no longer feels restricted by a previous destiny.
• That destiny was forced on Ambition as Namira commandeered his soul for Whisper.
• Ambition and The Husk combined constitute the soul that was changed to be used by Whisper. Somehow, part of that soul separated and became The Husk. He has empathy, caution, humility, and other emotions that can constrain ambitions in mortals. Memories combined with superfluous emotions are why Ambition fears The Husk. He thinks they may combine to become a single being.
• The metaphysics of Oblivion does not allow a soul to wander that plane without a vessel. A loose soul will be incorporated into a body of some sort. The Husk soul escaped Whisper first, was placed into a body, left Scuttling Void, and led us to the clues by stealing and planting the relics we recovered.
• Whisper is supposed to be The Prince and use the soul that is now divided.
• Ambition thinks my entrance into the pocket plane allowed him to escape Namira’s plan for him to be Whisper’s soul. He no longer believes his destiny is to be that soul. As with The Husk, metaphysics created a suitable body for Ambition. He thinks he can discard his current body and choose another. If we kill Whisper and The Husk, Ambition will become The Prince without the constraints of what The Husk contains or fear of recombination.
• Ambition without moral constraints is dangerous and would justify any action in pursuing his goals.
• Ambition will not stop striving to become The Prince and defeat Namira.
• Ambition needs a purpose. Therefore, if Ambition successfully fulfilled his current ambitions, he would invent a new one. It could be something terrible, such as the elimination of a particular race.

I am done, and I see no exploded heads.

• Erandur: I find no flaws in your logic.
• Reamonn: I will gently nod and wipe away the dribble.
• Remiel: Even if we do not understand metaphysics, the logic of His Excellency’s theory is strong.
• Wulf: I do not think the loss of her chosen soul for Whisper will stop Namira’s plans. She may even be confident of retrieving the chosen soul later. In the meantime, Whisper will be born with a substitute soul.
• Rigmor: Whisper may be tasked with hunting Ambition and The Husk.
• Wulf: That is possible.
• Reamonn: Who was the thief before Namira kidnapped his soul?
• Erandur: He was a mortal who thought he was ugly. He sought acceptance, which was denied. He turned to Namira after she promised to aid him.
• Reamonn: We had better head back to Arnima.
• Wulf: Yes, we have been gone all day, and the petty politics of Evermore have not stopped during our absence.

As we made our way out of Izmark, Rigmor spoke to me via Mara’s Rings.

“Wulf, you are worried. Can we not stop the Oblivion Gate from being triggered?”

“I do not think we can, but I will not stop trying.”

“We had a chance when Mortifayne was the only trigger. Now we do not know what Namira is waiting for.”

“If we were to face Dremora and other known Daedra, we could stop them without casualties.”

“But if they are as strong as the ones in Grey Belmor and those caves, friends could die.”

“We stroll through most places with enemies hardly slowing us at all. We have started to feel a sense of invulnerability. Those two Daedra have shown we are vulnerable.”

“Arnima is a large area to protect.”

“Many people will not head for safety but stay and fight for their homes and businesses. Therefore, we will have to spread thinly and have a couple of squads in the residential and market areas.”

“I cannot imagine the terror people experienced during The Oblivion Crises.”

“You have read the tomes about The Siege of Bruma. Even your city walls did not provide a sense of safety to its people.”

“It could be history repeating, except this Rigmor of Bruma is fighting Daedra far away from home.”

“And her Guardian will not be there to fight by her side. He will be killing The King and closing the Oblivion Gate.”

“I wonder what crap has happened while we have been retrieving the gauntlets?”

“We are about to find out. The exit is not far now.”