Middas, 26^th Morning Star, 4E 202

to Turdas, 5^th Sun’s Dawn, 4E 202

I put all thoughts of Husk aside as I listened to a conversation between Commander Drugo and a young Lieutenant.

• Drugo: We blame circumstances, Lieutenant Pelonin, not His Imperial Majesty.
• Pelonin: We have been told that Mede was fed lies about the situation here.
• Drugo: Ambassador Vaeser should have worded our concerns strongly. However, we were unaware of Namira’s plots or other hidden agendas.
• Pelonin: We know The Thalmor backed Ulfric Stormcloak, so we are not surprised they aided Orsinium’s Sons.
• Drugo: Did you fight against The New Order?
• Pelonin: I did, and the slaughter was great. We would have destroyed them without the foreknowledge of their imminent arrival but at far greater cost in lives, both martial and civilian and property damage. There is much secrecy about how this intelligence was gathered, but if you speak to Legionnaires from Skyrim, they point their finger at Lord Wulf Welkynd, or Sir Wulf as he is now known.
• Drugo: What do the official records say?
• Pelonin: A person they call Guardian General led the army defending Skyrim against The New Order. He supposedly left for Akavir at Mede’s request soon after. But Sir Wulf was involved somehow. Of that, I am sure.
• Drugo: I read the report on the demise of Ulfric’s army at Whiterun. How could a couple dozen Dragonguard and Sir Wulf make such a difference?
• Pelonin: After the defeat of The New Order, my company was sent to Skyrim to replace casualties. When Jarl Balgruuf asked for Legionnaires to help defend his walls, my company was placed under Sir Wulf’s command. All officers were told what had happened and what would happen. Dragons acted as scouts, so they knew every move of Ulfric’s Army and had identified its officers. Mages would then appear, kill the officers, and disappear. Dragons destroyed most of the catapults and trebuchets. By the time Ulfric’s Army reached Whiterun, it was demoralised and without effective leadership or ability to breach the city’s walls. Sir Wulf and the Divine Knights waited till Ulfric’s army was exhausted before attacking with The Voice, spells and weapons. There was so much chaos and confusion amongst The Stormcloaks that there was never a concentrated attack.
• Drugo: Dragons did not fight against Ulfric or The New Order.
• Pelonin: They helped defend Skyrim against other dragons. I do not know why they were not used against The New Order or Ulfric.
• Drugo: We can withdraw to The Gold Coast for refitting and recuperation, but none of the original garrison wants to leave until the job is finished.
• Pelonin: Oh no, we would be dragged to that horrible place with you! Thank goodness you declined.
• Drugo: This kingdom will devolve into chaos, and no matter how good General Tullius is, it will take time to reach Evermore City. I cannot see how that city can be saved, as everyone with a grudge will beat his army to it.
• Pelonin: I am surprised he has decided to lead the army. He could sit with his feet up in Solitude.
• Drugo: I had better return to the embassy. I have a ton of paperwork to finish.

Pelonin saluted Drugo, then left.

I said, “Do not be startled, Commander.”

Then, I summoned the squad.

Rigmor would have to wait for her hug as I approached Drugo.

I asked him, “What makes you sure Evermore will devolve into chaos, Commander Drugo?”

“You are uncovering all their dirty secrets, Your Excellency. When nobles are removed, the common people will ask why. Inevitably, the truth or equally disturbing rumours will circulate, and the serfs will revolt. It has been brewing for years.”

“Orsimer who have not been violent will join the serfs. People will not distinguish between them and Orsinium’s Sons, so the serfs will not accept their assistance. The Ustase will run wild, as will The Exiled. What is left of Witchmen will enter the fray. Those who live in the sewers will emerge to see what crumbs they can recover from the mess. All of this and more will happen, Commander Drugo. I will be the one to start it.”

“Why?”

“The collapse of this kingdom has been inevitable since the day we crossed into Evermore. Lady Mara knew we could not negotiate peace. Diplomacy has given us time to uncover the crimes and plots of mortals, immortals, and gods. It was never going to resolve Evermore’s problems. We will arrest the guilty and put them on trial. However, swords and bows will cleanse this kingdom of the remaining agitators and allow the innocent to return to their homes and farms.”

“Is there no option?”

“Yes. I could let another being, a demon, start the chaos, and the result would be the same, except more innocents would suffer and die. I must choose the lesser of two evils. Then, I must live with my decision. Good day to you, Commander.”

 Celestine advised, “Damian is due to speak soon. I think we should see what he has to say.”

“Yes, Divine Knight Celestine. We should. Gather round, and we shall teleport to Raven Spring.”

We teleported to the entrance of Raven Spring.

• Wulf: I know you all have questions. I planned to speak to Vayu on some matters, but I must keep pushing.
• Rigmor: If we must travel, you can talk to us then.
• Celestine: Diplomacy could not prevent Evermore’s collapse but could help rebuild it.
• Wulf: Precisely. I think that was Lady Mara’s intention from the start. Anyway, let us see when Ambition plans to speak. Perhaps we shall have time to discuss things before then.

We entered Raven Spring and headed for the temple. I wanted to check on Sister Jeanna.

• Wulf: Good evening, Sister Jeanna.
• Jeanna: Ambition visited the temple, and Priest Matthew is concerned about Reamonn’s reaction. I did not know what to tell him.
• Wulf: I will talk with him and see if Reamonn let the cat out of the bag.
• Jeanna: Pardon?
• Rigmor: That is one of Wulf’s weird sayings from Roscrea. It means to spill the beans.
• Jeanna: Excuse me?
• Celestine: That was another phrase from Roscrea. Wulf wants to know if Reamonn told Priest Matthew about Damian being the Daedra called Ambition.
• Jeanna: Ambition was not comfortable in here. Oliver says he spent some time staring at Lady Mara’s shrine longingly.
• Wulf: The mortal that became Ambition, and Husk was once a devotee of Lady Mara. He pleaded for her aid, but none was forthcoming. That is when he turned to Lady Namira.
• Jeanna: Is there any hope for his soul?
• Wulf: When his soul rejoins, it will briefly exist in The Void. There may be hope if one of The Nine retrieves it before a Daedric Prince. If not, it will be lost till the next Kalpa.
• Jeanna: Lady Mara told me that chaos is imminent, and the people of Evermore will need me longer.
• Wulf: The chaos is inevitable. The Divide will be least affected. Raven Spring should survive. There is little hope for Evermore City.
• Jeanna: What about the small hamlets and villages and remote homesteads?
• Wulf: The anger will be directed against Evermore City at first. If people stay put till the Imperial Army arrives, they should be safe. Other citizens will become targets only after the mob’s bloodlust is sated against the nobles.
• Jeanna: You think but are unsure.
• Wulf: I have a clear pathway ahead. I cannot allow doubt to interfere, Sister Jeanna.
• Celestine: Warning those outside the cities would likely trigger the chaos before Wulf enacts his plan.
• Wulf: Collateral damage is a term that has terrorised me since I accepted the role of Champion of The Divines. I cannot avoid it. I do not know if I can accept it. We shall see.
• Jeanna: Do not punish yourself for doing what is needed.
• Rigmor: That is logic, Sister Jeanna. Sometimes, Wulf forgets it exists.
• Wulf: Although pleasant, I cannot idly chatter. Do you know when Damian intends to speak?
• Jeanna: On the hour.
• Wulf: Blessings of The Divines, Sister Jeanna.
• Jeanna: Walk with Lady Mara’s love, Special Child.

 Priest Matthew looked concerned when approached.

• Wulf: You look worried, Priest Matthew
• Matthew: Prince Damian entered the temple to greet us. Almost immediately, the missionary became capricious. I thought it was from the scouring, and he was extremely pallid. I have never seen such a drastic turn of health so quickly.
• Wulf: He knew what Damian was but could not control his fear despite my warning. Reamonn is now in danger.
• Matthew: What is it that disturbed him so?
• Wulf: You have not earned my trust, Priest Matthew.
• Rigmor: Your Excellency I think Priest Matthew will now be wary of Prince Damian because of Reamonn’s reaction. He is also in danger.
• Wulf: Okay, but if I hear you have told others, Priest Matthew, you will spend months in a cell while I decide what charges to lay. Am I clear?
• Matthew: I am trying my best to reform, Your Excellency. Sister Jeanna had provided the guidance I should have had thirty years ago. If Prince Damian is not what he seems, then the people of Raven Spring need to know.
• Wulf: Prince Damian poses no danger to the citizens unless his identity is revealed. Let the charade continue while I perform the duty Lady Mara and His Imperial Majesty entrusted to me.
• Matthew: I will not tell anybody. This, I promise. So, who is Prince Damian?
• Wulf: A Demon, or Daedra, killed Prince Damian and his mother. A Hedge-Witch used ancient magic to graft Damian’s body onto the demon. I warned Reamonn because he had met the demon before and would see through the disguise. The demon’s name is Ambition.
• Matthew: Is Ambition working with Namira?
• Wulf: He was a devotee but is no longer. Now, he opposes her. However, we suspect Ambition might be working with another Dark Lord. He is seeking revenge on Namira, which requires a powerful ally.
• Rigmor: Where is Reamonn?
• Matthew: He has fled to The Bridge and has sought refuge in the temple there.
• Wulf: That is as safe a place as any.
• Matthew: What will happen now?
• Wulf: I have befriended Ambition and will use that friendship to discover who is aiding him. I will then make further plans.
• Matthew: Why would he befriend you?
• Rigmor: His Excellency inadvertently helped Ambition escape Oblivion. When Sir Wulf did not denounce Ambition to King Sigmayne, he was accepted as an ally and co-conspirator.
• Matthew: What is Ambition’s plan?
• Wulf: There are many parts to it. However, in summary, he thinks he can lead Evermore to war against just about everybody else and be victorious.
• Matthew: Is he insane?
• Wulf: No, he is ambitious and egotistic without the checks and balances of caution, empathy, and doubt. Once he accomplishes one goal, he will move on to the next.
• Rigmor: He will try to appeal to the base desires of the oppressed. As usual with his type, the existing nobility and religious leaders are to blame for all the peasantry’s woes. Orsimer will be the common enemy that needs eradication, and only he can lead Evermore to victory.
• Wulf: Not everybody will be convinced by his rhetoric. However, he only needs enough soldiers and civilians to start a coup and Orsimer pogroms. Then, it will act like an avalanche and grow until all are buried in a landslide of hate and death.
• Matthew: What can we do?
• Wulf: Nothing except resist his smooth words. Thousands of Legionnaires are ready to cross into Evermore and suppress any uprising.
• Ghorbash: Swift, ruthless, and efficient violence to stop this kingdom’s suffering. That is the solution if we cannot stop Damian and his supporters.
• Wulf: Now, we will listen to his speech. The Divines are with you, Priest Matthew. Stay safe.
• Matthew: You have been calling me a priest.
• Wulf: We shall use the title for now. You have a long road ahead before you have earned the title permanently. I hope if you do earn it, it means more to you than the prestige it once carried.

When we arrived at the town square, Ambition smiled. I think he was hoping I would be there to witness his performance.

A sole guard had his back to Ambition and scrutinised everybody as they entered the viewing area. He leered at Celestine as she passed but became belligerent when he saw Ghorbash and Borgakh.

• Gepyn: Halt! We do not want people gagging on Greenskin stench while our Prince speaks.
• Rigmor: You are addressing Sir Wulf Welkynd and Divine Knights. Tell me why I should not cut your tongue for such disrespect.
• Gepyn: As if…
• Pauresl: Although you have become unbearably obnoxious since donning that uniform, you are not stupid, Gepyn. Sir Wulf closed the Oblivion Gate. The Divine Knights saved Raven Spring. Divine Knight Eisra could carve you into chunks in seconds.
• Gepyn: Mind your own business, Pauresl.
• Melna: I owe my life to Divine Knight Borgakh. She stood between me and two of the ugliest monsters imaginable. They almost made you look handsome, Gepyn.
• Eritace: I saw that bravery and far more from those you insult, Gepyn. Divine Knight Ghorbash was once an Imperial Captain. He rescued my husband from a group of Exiles, but not before Arnired suffered a severe beating. Several times over the months it took for Arnired to recover, Divine Knight Ghorbash visited and did the hard chores Arnired was incapable of.
• Ghorbash: How is Farmer Arnired, Goodwife Eritace?
• Eritace: He will always have a limp. He laughs about it and says he fared better than the six Exiles you carved into pieces. And our farm did not surrender to the floods, so we were already blessed.
• Rigmor: Guard Gepyn, His Excellency is His Imperial Majesty’s Envoy. He is of the highest order of nobility.
• Wulf: The Divine Knights are also nobles. Divine Knights Ghorbash and Borgakh, you may defend your honour if Guard Gepyn continues to show disrespect.

Borgakh and Ghorbash placed their hands on weapons and stared at Gepyn as they headed for the benches. He wisely kept quiet.

I stood before the stage. Ambition was wearing plate armour. I have no doubt he has some martial skill, learnt from Prince Damian’s memories, but I doubt he would last long against an experienced fighter.

I used a bit of Thu’um and said, “I apologise for the unpleasant scene, Prince Damian. Please, regale us with your words of wisdom.”

As expected, there were murmurs amongst the crowd after they heard The Voice.

Ambition smiled, and the bullshit began. I apologise to any future scholars for including his drivel in this account. However, it does demonstrate the impracticality of Ambition’s grandiose plans.

Ambition thought that hand gestures while wandering around a stage improve the impact of a speech when most observers find it distracting.

“My hardy kinsmen, I have heard your trials and your woes. You – who have braved the worst Nirn had to offer – are still resolute.

Not even that storm of death, summoned by those of black hearts, could sunder your resolve.

So, it is a tragedy – Nay! – Insult! That you boldest of Bretons, man and woman alike, have suffered under debauched tyrants. Lords who sought their wants to the destruction of yours!

Is it not time for someone to break this most pernicious pattern? That the promise of dawn should show harvest in a day?”

I was surprised somebody dared to heckle Damian. It seems some citizens have become emboldened after Mortifayne’s demise.

• Vinelis: Do not get suckered into a rich conman’s lies. He will be as bad as Ol’ Morty!”
• Rodard: How dare you sully Prince Damian’s name. Punish the traitor!
• Gepyn: You best keep those lips sealed, Vinelis, unless you want to part with your tongue now rather than later.
• Rigmor: How dare you steal my threat, you weasel!
• Vinelis: You, Rodard, and the rest are all fools with heads so far up lordly arses you cannot smell the ashes. This kingdom is going to burn, and I hope it is soon!
• Gepyn: I was going to pay a visit later, but I think I will take your head now. Come here, scum!
• Wulf: Guard Gepyn, under Imperial Law, citizens can speak their minds in an open forum like this. Vinelis has not spoken words of a traitor but expressed an opinion. I will protect his right to express that opinion with my sword. Draw your weapon or step towards Vinelis, and it will be me taking your head. Now, let us listen to Prince Damian whilst allowing citizens to voice their opinions.

I nodded to Ambition, who seemed unfazed by the interruption.

“There is no need to rush to my defence, for the only threat here is truth. Many are reticent and fearful of speaking out against those above.

To have endured a Lord’s madness, a king’s decadence – and not rage against the Gods who ordained their rule?!

Reflect, if you will, on this land and its history and how the past blends seamlessly into the present. The wounds of times past yonder still gape as to drown the realm in a haze of madness.

That past is an anchor, staying our destinies, and only with the collective might of The Reach can we smash the chain. Like a yearning child yet conceived, trapped within the crushing womb, must erupt from its shell by any means!

Cast your traumas, kill your fear, for hope shall take their stead. Every man and woman here has one imperative: to prevail against the world itself, for it is only through triumph that we overcome our shared antipathy for life and its injustices.

Behold the advent of a new enterprise, for we are undergoing a total restoration of Evermore. Labourers of every craft work tirelessly to further our dominion. The further our presence, the nearer our enemies’ defeat! Soon, there will be no hole for their dark ilk to fester. And through the blood, sweat and toil: The Reach. Not for the savage, nor the stranger, but for you: Reachmen.

Making our mutual desire for peace and power tangible is our right. To triumph over trepidation and sail our fate through the maelstrom of destiny. This ultimate agenda was yesterday a dream. Now, our ideals are no longer distant. When Reachmen hone their desires into one shared purpose, even mountains will quake.

Will to power, no longer to endure, to suffer, and we will prosper! They thought you sheep, preying on you at your weakest!

Now you have a heart!

Now you have willpower!

Now, it is you who are strong and will be feared!

Hail Evermore!”

There was complete silence from the few who bothered to attend. I think the citizens of Evermore are more bullshit-repellent than Ambition credits. I could see on Ambition’s face that silence was not the reaction he expected, and slow anger started to surface. We quickly made our way to him before violence erupted.

Ambition watched as we approached and turned to speak to us.

• Wulf: Prince Damian, I need to speak to you.
• Ambition: Unfortunately, I will depart here soon, so if you need to say anything, make it brief. Three-fourths of today’s schedule still awaits.
• Rigmor: Prince Damian, remember to whom you speak! You do not tell Envoy Wulf to hurry. It is akin to a serf telling his noble lord to hurry!
• Wulf: Patience, Divine Knight Eisra. As you recall, Prince Damian lacked proper decorum and protocol training.
• Rigmor: Yes, Your Excellency, but one would hope he would have taught himself the basics since we last saw him.
• Ambition: I meant no disrespect. I have influential men waiting for me in the West, so we must speak later.
• Wulf: I assume these men will aid in establishing this new enterprise?
• Ambition: Yes, that is why I cannot afford to be late. Their support is crucial.
• Wulf: Perhaps I should attend this meeting to provide advice?
• Rigmor: Surely, Prince Damian, including such a powerful ally, would strengthen your position and ensure your ambition is achieved?
• Ambition: My ambition?
• Wulf: I can see the goals so eloquently expressed in your excellent speech are but small steps towards defeating the Dark Mother.
• Ambition: It is good that you remember. It would aid me to have you present, but your guards would be of concern.
• Wulf: I understand. I will attend in person without guards, as that will demonstrate my trust and commitment to the cause!
• Rigmor: That is a wise decision, as always, Your Excellency.
• Ambition: It is settled then. We shall meet at Gavaudon Quarry to the west of the kingdom.
• Wulf: Hail Evermore!
• Ambition: Hail Evermore! Now, I must leave.

Ambition rushed towards the Soul Stone. He would arrive at the quarry well before us, as we would take a longer route.

I told the squad, “We shall travel from Rados’ village.”

They gathered close, and we teleported to the well.

We had not seen Rados for days.

There was no reply when we knocked on his door.

His kiln was cold, and his equipment was where he placed it when he left with us.

• Rigmor: Rados has probably turned to drink.
• Wulf: Perhaps, but I cannot spend time worrying about him. This village is convenient for our path to Gavaudon Quarry and nothing else.
• Rigmor: Stop pretending you do not care, Wulf! It will not help you deal with what is to come.
• Wulf: And what is to come?
• Rigmor: Chaos, as you described to Commander Drugo. But you have yet to speak to us about what happened during the ten hours you were gone.
• Wulf: I needed to navigate a maze in The Void to reach Husk’s pocket plain. I had seconds to live when I reached Lady Mara’s avatar. She stopped my Lifeforce draining and led me to the maze’s exit.
• Rigmor: Did she tell you anything?
• Wulf: I will quote, and you four can interpret her words. I want to know if I am correct.
• Rigmor: Okay.
• Wulf: Quote, ‘Witchmen, those misguided souls were stolen from my grace, then moulded in the shape of the foul and False King’s form. I did not reach them in time, so, in turn, another Mother took my place.’
• Celestine: Unsurprisingly, many Native Reachmen worshipped Lady Mara. She appears in some form in nearly every pantheon across Nirn.
• Rigmor: How could Lady Mara have reached them in time? Was there a mortal hero she could have sent?
• Wulf: Only real Priests and Priestesses and activated shrines would have enabled Witchmen to keep their faith. Instead, those who falsely represented The Nine in Evermore supported the slaughter at Munstor.
• Ghorbash: They opened the door for Lady Namira to become Dark Mother.
• Wulf: Yes. Lady Mara said, ‘Where I had hoped to impart a will to live in them, that Dark Mother had brought an antithesis. Preying on their fears and animosity and exaggerating these insecurities to heights unforeseen.’
• Borgakh: Those are the same tactics that Ambition wants to use.
• Wulf: I think, Borgakh, that if you and Ghorbash had not accompanied me, Ambition would have started his verbal attack on Orsimer. In many ways, he is naïve and unintelligent, but he has survival instincts that guide his behaviour. That is why I am confident he was not entirely in control when he murdered the two women.
• Celestine: That action endangered his chance to achieve his ambition.
• Wulf: Lady Mara said, ‘And so, the same tragedy that played the Witchmen is repeating with those behind their walls. A schism forms between those found wanting and those who are rich. Material beauty and status become tenets to the divide.’
• Rigmor: Fear and animosity are also tenets of the divide.
• Wulf: Yes, it is all interconnected. All problems stem from the emotion of want. That was the basis of everything Lady Mara’s minions wrote and spoke. But that is an oversimplification and not what Husk believes.
• Celestine: Will we do the same exercise with Husk’s conversation?
• Wulf: Yes, we will. You all know I am not the most patient when the obvious is spoken as if it were a revelation.
• Rigmor: DUH!
• Wulf: Lady Mara’s voice was my mother’s, so I listened to the obvious spoken as if a revelation with interest, not impatience. She said, ‘Extremes are tempting in dire times when the status quo had proven to have failed. However, it is often with these extremes that irrevocable damage occurs.’
• Rigmor: That deserves a ‘DUH!’ but I will withhold it out of respect.
• Wulf: Did I get a ‘DUH!’ out of disrespect?
• Rigmor: DUH!
• Wulf: Lady Mara then hinted at what she hoped I would achieve, which was not what I had assumed. She said, ‘Pull the disenfranchised out of the muddy waters, mediate and save whatever you can. I am weak, Special Child, but you are strong. You have one thing that I lack.’
• Celestine: Diplomacy was never going to stop the chaos.
• Rigmor: It could not because our actions guarantee chaos.
• Wulf: Diplomacy during and after the chaos is what Lady Mara expects from me.
• Ghorbash: We all knew early on that prevention via diplomacy was an impossibility.
• Wulf: I realised that when the depth of deceit by The Priest Circle and nobility became clear. There was no negotiation possible.
• Rigmor: Not if we were to uphold Imperial Law and protect as many innocents as possible.
• Celestine: What do you have that Lady Mara lacks?
• Wulf: When I asked that question, she answered, ‘True empathy! Gods lacking the same fragility of mortals cannot grasp it.’
• Rigmor: You have told me that Lord Talos is different from the other Divines because he was a mortal.
• Wulf: He understands the struggles of mortal life and, therefore, has true empathy. This is not to say that the other Divines lack empathy, but it is triggered differently for us and Lord Talos.
• Borgakh: True empathy is crucial when a mortal negotiates with a mortal.
• Wulf: Precisely! A concern of a mortal may seem inconsequential to a Divine or Daedric Prince because they do not understand its origin.
• Celestine: Vayu would love to discuss this without wine and cheese for hours.
• Wulf: Yes, he is barbaric in some ways.
• Celestine: He would probably have some dusty tomes and scrolls, though.
• Wulf: Like all sophisticated individuals would.
• Rigmor: Freathof often says he looks forward to wine, cheese, and dusty tome discussions with you.
• Wulf: It broke my heart to hear Lady Mara say, ‘Those on the mortal plane who are swallowed by obsession, trauma or rage will find themselves a world which mimics that terrible, bloodied land you traversed and are soon to again. To have hope dim and hate simmer in these times is understandable and expected. So is pessimism when you look at history as a series of tragedies. However, you run the risk of looking through that wretched lens of despair until your passing. Every moment of good is then ignored. Every small triumph and miracle is trivialised against some other atrocity. You avoid every opportunity, trepid to every chance, fearful of the risks. Subsequently, you cling to what you know. This does not apply to you, Special Child. You still march on with a yearning to halt a disaster rather than letting it rampage and run its course, as the cynic inside us would do without hesitation. I am burdened with the curse of prescience, the prescience of tragedy, and I weep.’

I found myself tearing up once more. Not everyone recognises the love of The Divines for mortals. But those of us who have experienced it know their pain is beyond measure. Our suffering is their suffering.

My friends were silent. I was not the only one who needed time to compose themselves. Eventually, with Rigmor’s encouragement, I could continue.

• Wulf: Lady Mara knew that we would strive to halt the chaos, which hurt her, for she also knew we could not do so. And she weeps for the chaos to come.
• Rigmor: It is only because we are stubborn that we continue to fight against inevitability.
• Celestine: I think we all hoped to find a solution. It was not a forlorn hope.
• Ghorbash: If we had not investigated and tried, the chaos would have happened without forewarning.
• Borgakh: The death and destruction would have been far worse.
• Wulf: Worse than what I am about to trigger?
• Rigmor: You are convinced that arresting King Sigmayne will be a trigger. I think the serfs will revolt anyway.
• Ghorbash: I agree. The seeds of revolution grew dramatically while I was stationed here. The people of Forlorn aided each other and let it be known that the nobility did nothing to aid them.
• Wulf: Lady Mara’s last words to me were, ‘Keep the faith, Special Child, and become that indomitable effigy of hope that we, The Nine, know you are.’ And that is why I intend to stay in Evermore till I am satisfied I have helped as much as possible.
• Rigmor: You might be here for months!
• Wulf: Somebody must drag Native Reachmen away from the Dark Mother. That is one of many tasks I am most suited to undertake. I have decided, Rigmor, and there is no reason for me not to be here.
• Celestine: What did Husk have to say?
• Wulf: His pocket realm is the same one that contained the False King’s tower.
• Celestine: He must have gained access when Namira placed his soul in Whisper.
• Wulf: Meat was there, bowing in subservience towards Husk’s abode.
• Rigmor: Did Husk set Meat on us?
• Wulf: I do not think so. I believe Meat is still under Namira’s control.
• Celestine: Did you ask Husk about Meat?
• Wulf: No. I spent those hours watching a pantomime about Husk’s interpretation of The Monomyth. It was impressive but a waste of time. Husk believes Padomay created jealousy, hate, self-reflection, and murder. In turn, he thinks they evolved from the need for actualisation, which is the need for identity to be recognised and valued.
• Celestine: Does he believe Padomay could not accept Mir selecting Anu, thereby creating negative emotions?
• Wulf: Yes.
• Rigmor: Aren’t there many variations of The Monomyth?
• Wulf: I said it was Husk’s interpretation, which is neither right nor wrong. Creation myths and variations cannot be proven invalid, so they must be accepted.
• Rigmor: Do you agree with him?
• Wulf: No. Anu and Padomay did not create the Aurbis. They came to be in one part of it, and from that instance, the gods and Mundus eventually came to be. Those beings were products of the metaphysics of the Aurbis. The emotions they expressed were products of the metaphysics of the Aurbis and not created by Padomay. However, I will credit him for discovering them within this tiny sliver of the Aurbis.
• Rigmor: All those emotions are still based on want. She loves him and not me. I want her to love me. Jealousy develops.
• Celestine: The moral dilemma is, ‘What do you want? What are you willing to do to get it?”
• Ghorbash: Evermore’s serfs want food, shelter, and safety like most mortals. Up to this point, they have not been willing to revolt to get those things. But I can sense a change.
• Borgakh: I agree. Vinelis’s speech during Ambition’s speech could be the pebble that starts the avalanche.
• Rigmor: If a critical number of people show courage, all the others will follow.
• Ghorbash: The difficulty lies in surviving long enough to reach that critical number.
• Wulf: Let us start walking and enjoy the countryside. Sarah and Remiel both said Gavaudon is a pretty area.

The countryside was pretty, with many farms and vineyards. Unfortunately, my problem with bright light had returned, dampening my enthusiasm.

The Gavaudon Quarry had high walls with crenellated battlements.

I could only see one guard at the front gate. Husk stood underneath the guard post. He must be invisible to others.

I groaned.

• Rigmor: Are you having headaches from the brightness again? I thought they had gone away.
• Wulf: It is happening less often and for shorter periods.
• Rigmor: Is that the quarry?
• Wulf: Yes. Sir Horustair’s property is the huge one on top of the hill with the large barrel in front.
• Rigmor: The quarry looks like it was designed to survive a siege!
• Wulf: There is one guard I can see on the palisades. Husk is also there.
• Celestine: Do you think he is invisible to others?
• Wulf: He must be since he glows brightly.
• Ghorbash: What is the plan?
• Wulf: Nobody is using this camp. You can wait here while I speak to Husk.
• Rigmor: An Empathetic Link so I can hear the conversation would be helpful.
• Wulf: It will be your turn to get a headache!
• Rigmor: It is best if what is said is remembered by more than one person.
• Wulf: That is your subtle way of saying something might happen to me.
• Rigmor: Be careful. Do not let the last word I hear be, ‘Aaarghh!’

We reached the camp without the sentry seeming to care.

• Wulf: Let Rigmor concentrate on the Empathetic Link. Outside stimuli can easily break it.
• Ghorbash: I wonder whose camp this is?
• Rigmor: It is ours now. Finder is the keeper!
• Ghorbash: Ahh, that applies to lost items. Not campsites.
• Rigmor: What do you say, Dragonbum?
• Wulf: In the name of His Imperial Majesty, I claim this place and name it Ivanitchy Ramsbottom Camp.
• Borgakh: Please hurry, Wulf. The thought of enslaved Bloodkin so close plays on my mind.
• Wulf: I understand. We shall soon free them.

I cast Shroudwalk and then approached Husk.

“Husk, before we start, the others with me wish to hear our conversation and see you. Can that be done?”

“Yes, it is done. I will speak in their minds. Nobody can see or hear us.”

There was no need to create an Empathetic Link.

Rigmor said, via Mara’s Rings, “We can all see him now. Can all of us hear what is said?”

“Yes. I will need to concentrate. Husk’s vocabulary is rather flowery.”

I told Husk, “I need answers, not another pantomime.”

“You seek to ameliorate understanding. There is an eternity between now and the vast black. Let us fill thin interim with words. It has been too long since I have entertained an audience. Ask your questions.”

“Are you now half a person’s personality?”

“I am the vestige of ambition, what remains when desires are won. Standing before you is the full weight of the past of the once whole thing, I. Without ambition, one is idle, perched in the recess of this dead mind.”

“Before you became this divided consciousness, what were you?”

“Tremors are what animate this vessel, a morsel of desire from my abandonment. To recount my tale, even now, narcissism is all I can muster.”

“We all want our stories known.”

“Birth: Upon emerging into this foreign scape, eyes unseal to gander on the potential denied before. Possibility I shall will things to be, all that is solid shall make way. Yet I, as with all, am the result of what was. Out stories are well underway before the first breath. A dichotomy made the chapter before my waking. Savage, ordered – clean, filth – Breton, Orc.”

“You were mixed race, but the dichotomy you state is a product of perception, not reality. An Orsimer is no more savage or dirty than a Breton. I can give many clear examples to prove that is the truth.”

“But I was judged by that perception entrenched. The tradition of all dead generations weighs like a nightmare on the brains of the living. Spawn of foul union and disgust frothed forth from all passing lips. It would be death for the child or death for a dynasty. My fate was not that of those beyond my incredible circumstances. I lived.”

“The uninformed believe all mixed-race children take the appearance of their mother. This misconception is demonstrably wrong, and rarely are such children defined as one race or another. The Breton would not exist if this were not a fact. You were born with a Breton appearance and thus survived. What race was your mother?”

“Mother was Breton, and I was born and raised as such.”

“Was she raped?”

“No. However, consent between a Breton woman and an Orc would be considered such. It is not just the child that would be killed.”

“Xenophobia generates much grief. You spied upon the Breton woman, Denize, at Deepcrag. She now resides in Skyrim, within Lady Mara’s temple, and will give birth to her mixed-race child. We rescued her from Zenalata and Evermore’s xenophobia.”

“You noticed me, yet I willed myself invisible.”

“The Divines have gifted me with many abilities beyond those of Dragonborn.”

“Each year from that precious youth was another mile estranged from my origin. I question if it ever occurred. Was it a fever dream? The delusions of gutter spawn, peering through a gold-rimmed lens. Even so, I recall it perfectly.”

“Did you know your father?”

“Yes. Father had done well and provided us with a haven to call home. Through toil, he built shelter that seldom saw him in its shade. That central kingdom demanded the great mass of Orcs for new conquests. With father leading that forlorn fodder. Demanding every hour of the day.”

My friends would be angry at that statement. I was also incensed, so I objected.

“Husk, the Orsimer who fight in The Imperial Army are neither forlorn nor fodder. Two of my companions were Legionnaires. You speak from your perspective, but some things cannot remain unchallenged. If your father was an officer in the Imperial Army, he would have been respected by all races in that role and would have led many races into battle. The Orsimer in The Imperial Army fight for the rights and freedoms you and others in this kingdom have been denied, but all others across the borders enjoy.”

“His was straining labour so that generation thereafter toils less. That progeny goes without his scourge. That is the hope.”

“What scourge?”

“Power; cursed are we without it, mighty are those with. The lesser races of the world feel it through every action of those above. They will do anything to part with some small power.”

“Once again, you generalise through perspective. There are no lesser races on Nirn, despite what The Thalmor claim. What happened to change your fortune?”

“The advent of manhood had come, true youth now behind. The path of perdition ahead. I was to share my father’s worries, his fears.”

“The changes wrought by puberty can be dramatic, more so for those of mixed race. The confusion of who one is, even gender, can be extreme.”

“The flesh permutes, jagged features from soft contours. From within and without, the hopeful little Breton was now another creature entirely. Cursed thing, hunted: Orc. Perspective was forced, not sought for.”

“How did you become ‘Subject #3: The Halved’?”

“A destiny perverted, a path is drawn in Dark Mother’s nocturnal feast and is depraved from the second birth to death. I attempt to recall, but words fail me.”

“This is a chance for your story to be recorded. Do not let it go to waste.”

“That temporal visage had to change, my sole desire. After her ritual, the witch intones grave portents that flesh may change, but the past cannot. There remain memories like an anchor. My focus was captured by one goal, born of my trials – to go beyond the flesh. To be Breton again!”

“Your memories are not tied to your flesh. The witch must have had ulterior motives not to tell you before the ritual. Was she of the Hagfeather Coven? They are the only Glenmoril Wyrd that worships Namira. Was she called Zenalata?”

“Yes, to both queries. Why do you know of these things?”

“I must know many things to survive as Champion of The Divines. The witch was preparing you for Namira. Your prayer to Lady Mara was, ‘My fate is amongst the wretched, as this vessel keeps me shackled to destiny. My face, ugly and untrustworthy, destroys my ambitions and hopes. There is no solace here. Mother, hear me.’

“You were thorough in following the trail of crumbs I dropped.”

“Lady Mara could not help. The powers of The Divines are limited in this mortal realm because of the sacrifices they made during its creation. The powers of the Dark Lords are limited on Nirn because of Martin’s sacrifice, which recreated The Liminal Barrier. Gods rely on mortal agents, of which I am one. However, Dawn Magic and Hedge Magic, often practised by witches and other mortal agents of the Daedric Princes, can be powerful lures. Zenalata could help, but at the cost of your morality.”

“Yes, pursuing that most impossible want demanded spiteful and cruel crimes. Rampaging through all who came before me, what small guilt began to fade. Desensitised in the face of bloodshed.”

“The yearning for your past damned your soul for eternity.”

“But an impasse, another body opposed my dream.”

Raw emotion leaked from Husk, and anybody with empathy nearby could not avoid sadness and rage.

Husk pleaded, “Brother, dear brother. It was not yours to suffer my want, for it was mine. The ritual demanded your flesh, brother, lusted for your agony! Were we to find another way, you would still be by my side!”

Rigmor was weeping. I had to concentrate and could not spend time comforting her. I do not doubt that Ghorbash was livid. He refused to kill his brother to become Chief. He would have little sympathy for Husk.

“Tell me of the sacrifice of your brother. Zenalata divulged little and hid much. I desire to understand this ritual.”

“No one else could be offered, the flesh I had to wear rotting in my arms, the witch demanded blood. In that plunge from hope to despair, laughter. Blood, after what had passed, I lacked blood. The witch cloaked a grimace behind stern words. Yes, the irony was not lost on her either. Blood is the soul, our churning spirit. Blood was to form the ties that bind new flesh.”

“The witch lied! Souls are bound to the framework of your body, the bones. Skin draped over the meat and bones of another with face bones skilfully sculptured would be all that is required. She led you further down the path of her Dark Mother by mimicking the depraved arts of the Ayleid. Watch and see!”

I removed my helm and cast a spell. I was Breton in stature and face.

I told Husk, “I am Breton, and no test could prove otherwise.”

I cast the spell again and turned into an Orsimer.

I said, “I am Orsimer, and no test could prove otherwise.”

I cast the spell once more and was Half-Orc.

I growled, “And now I am your nightmare.”

I did not expect a reaction from Husk, so I was not disappointed. He could not feel outraged or betrayed. They are products of ego, with which Ambition had absconded.

I returned to my standard form and said, “Continue, Husk. What happened to your brother?”

“Not even a moment of hesitation, throwing brother to her ripping red pit. He was mauled and torn, so vicious was his death that shrieks lingered beyond the guts that remained. Coveted for a lifetime, defiled in an instant. Not by the threats I kept at bay, but through my dream.”

“You loved and cared for your brother. Was he also half Orsimer? Is that why you had to protect him from threats?”

“He was a simple boy, a dull thing. A feeble mind sourced to trauma by his mother’s father, who was also his. Brother, you too were a stain, and your removal was necessary for our great name’s reputation.”

“It is common to kill the malformed, but superstition or survival is the usual driving force. Your brother was a product of incestuous rape. This would make him purebred Breton, and a healthy child of such a union would not have shamed your grandfather. But a perfectly formed child with the trait of idiocy could not carry your grandfather’s name without whispers and pointed fingers.”

“I am destined to carry memory, but how long have I been here? I forget all my past’s small nothings, yet what you evoke still burns fiercely. What mortals will do for pride! To abscond with shameful progeny, whisk it from the world. The honour of our house depends on it!”

“What did your grandfather do to your brother?”

“Emerging from his home with cloaked intent, he approached my brother as the pigs stood aside. From behind, the intent became clear. He used a hammer and struck two blows straight to the skull. But you survived, sturdier than most, brother. Survival is paramount! That belief was shaken, having seen my brother’s new state.”

“Did he lose an eye?”

“Yes. You have correctly surmised what happened to him after the attack.”

“Namira would not waste such a soul. He would still have loved you even though his mortal body was torn. The being we fought in Grey Belmor and Rejects Respite fled to you when frightened. It prostrated itself, reminiscent of one worshipping another. A simple-minded brother was worshipping the one he loved and who protected him.”

There was no reaction from Husk. I say these things to him for posterity. My friends and my beloved will remember the story unwinding. Rigmor’s weeping renewed.

“Why did your brother attack me in Grey Belmor and Rejects Respite?”

“They call him Wandering Brother or Meat, and he is still under the influence of Dark Mother. I did not desire harm to you or your companions.”

“Who was the Breton you murdered for your first body?”

“The body to become mine was hidden beneath the white north. It belonged to one that besieged that forgotten experiment called Munstor. It came to be in my presence when the hope of humanity was razed to the ground. It still showed the meticulous craft of the gods, such immaculate design to his handsome face. Such promise. From what I was to this? A miracle without comparison.”

“Did you kill this man while defending Munstor? Were you part of the besieging army and killed a comrade? Your words are unclear and leave many unanswered questions.”

Husk did not answer. He was deep in his narrative, and I let him continue.

“Nightmares replaced with carnal desire, immediate ecstasy. The glutton unleashed.”

“Zenalata knew this would not work. With memories intact, there is no possibility for sustained happiness via this charade.”

“Yes, hear this. The flesh is the cage, preventing exit and inviting entrance. The mind is an open river fouled with waste swallowed by experience. Belief in man’s resilience in the face of danger, yet each small trauma twists, excreting cynicism.

Friends were made in that new life from all the high peoples. Every word uttered inflamed the Orsimer. Hatred and venom shot from the lungs of the privileged. All they cared for was a hierarchy, the ladder all mortals climb. It generates a sadistic glee for those crying below. A nuisance at first, I have dealt with much, so just accept it. Were their words to relent, and I heard different, just once. They did not relent. I did go through much, but still, I hated, I still despaired.”

“Not all mortals endeavour to climb the hierarchical ladder. Your ambition was to be a privileged Breton, but memories stopped that from being the ideal you sought. You began to hate what you had become in the flesh, for you still maintained empathy and a sense of injustice. I can see where the concept of separation was spawned, for I have the soul of a dragon. Its values differ from those taught by my parents and my mortal identity.”

“Knowing life, seeing those close to heaven smiling in our shade. One thought that luxury makes men amicable and evil is the result of poor conditions. That was the belief. No longer…”

I continued narrating for Rigmor, my friends, and posterity. Nothing would change Husk’s opinion, for he has lost the ability to reconsider and weigh his opinions. However, I needed to add my thoughts to flesh out the history of our time in Evermore.

I countered Husk with, “Evil is the result of want. The poor want food, shelter, fair compensation for their labour and safety for their family. The privileged want to preserve the status of those below them while climbing the social ladder. One lot of wants, those of the poor, are rights that The Nine defend in their Commands and teachings. The wants of the privileged are greed and not what The Nine advocates. This wretched kingdom has reversed those definitions.”

Rigmor’s emotions flowed through Mara’s Rings. She pitied this wretched creature where others would show contempt.

I asked, “Did you cause harm via your carnal desires?”

“A detail not disclosed by the witch, that the ritual would twist every spawn I sired. Regaining manhood, though still without a dynasty. She made sure of that.”

“Regained manhood?”

“It was not that inscrutable witch that first parted with my masculine essence. No, that came long before.”

“Because of your heritage, or perhaps this is done to many Orsimer in Evermore, you were castrated.”

“Yes, a fast cut, it was discarded, and I was never to love. They may still have it, but what are they called now? The joyful sadists of Evermore. The Black Dogs of Evermore.”

“They are called Ustase.”

“Even in this form, that name creates fear.”

“Yet they cannot harm you. Be comforted that I intend to make them pay for their crimes.”

“Irony has found me many times in life. I was once part of their cursed band, for they were the few who had use of my skills. I may have become Breton, but I did not become free. For coin still ruled. So, I, as all, worked.”

“Other mercenary groups or the guards of cities and towns would employ you. Why join those who terrorised and maimed you?”

“A hare leaves a scent in whichever way it so leaps. Predators give chase without pause. The hare cannot hope to run forever. Yet what if the hare found its pursuers in sleep and clung tightly, just out of sight, just out of notice? The prey’s scent will be absorbed into their combined being with time. Now, the hare needs never run. It needs never fear the hunt. As long as it grips tight the terror, it remains safe.”

“This camouflage would only work if you did not hesitate to be one of them. You inflicted terror and pain on others out of cowardice. You became something far more detestable than being mixed breed in the eyes of most.”

“Having been so close to this ravening tide, I witnessed the pit of men. I could only stomach a few years, and then I loosened my grip, a manic dash to escape.

They were not predators and did not sate a primal need. Their craft was torture, and they sought pain in the land. A diet of screams.”

“Where did you flee, and what happened next?”

“Wayrest. The siege. The predator. The undressing.

He who leads the Black Hounds, the Ustase, is an inhuman juggernaut. He finally caught the hare.

He did not eat but played and made a show. I was undressed.

An eternity passed, and he was done, released. I crawled from the embers of that damned kingdom, muscle in the mud. He had raised a new banner from my coat, and I was now a crawling, naked, red larval thing. He carved every inch of my coat from me. Naked, undressed. He was a most efficient flayer.

It must have been a mile, but she happened upon me again. The witch. Always in my time of need.”

“The carnage undoubtedly attracted her. She would have been at Munstor, where her coven gifted the amulets, one of which Mortifayne was unfortunate to keep. She no longer considered Namira her mistress when I killed her.”

No response. Anything that is not within Husk’s memories only produces silence.

I asked, “Did you murder once more to gain a new body?”

“No one was sacrificed. The dead that spilt from the fires made do, so I was assembled into a thing of parody.

I was three-fifths woman, three-fifths old, three-fifths short, three-fifths something. The witch made a show of me. My audience that day was surely entertained.

The witch left her creation. Learned men of Wayrest’s destruction found me. My journey took me to that sanctum in the east. A respite for my kind.”

“Zenalata had transformed you twice before. She must have recognised who you were when you presented Prince Damian’s body to her.”

“If so, she did not disclose that recognition.”

“Why did Ambition, The Ego, kill the women in Evermore? It seemed a targeted crime of hate and endangered his disguise and could have thwarted his ambition.”

“Visions come to the fore, revealing their contents as they burst before me. In those moments, The Ego has pain. Within these sights, faces hated and familiar.

Those women, with their guile, secured victory for this kingdom. Wayrest lay in ashes at their feet. They preyed on wanting hearts, the shields that withstood Evermore’s hunger.

Yet, were they to blame? All circumstances unto that deception were beyond their agency. Ultimately, they were condemned, for they were seen.”

“There are many in this kingdom who inflicted that horror upon Wayrest. Why single out those women for such brutal revenge? How did they secure victory for Evermore?”

“Females are the answer for male trampled wants is the common belief amongst men. Yet, that answer does not share a common image. One male sees a female in red, and another sees gold.

They were not to blame, an apparatus of violence, born from cannibals, born from males. That was to blame. But the female is blamed for betraying our world’s hideous unity.

They stand apart from a male’s ultimate want, gold amongst the red. And that outside a male’s hegemony is fated to suffer that unspoken pursuit from unchecked libido. What bleeds will receive. Females are forever subject to the male gaze, to their carnal cravings. Age is no barrier for the beast.”

“Fasiela and Estele were not prostitutes or molested. They were virgin orphans who were promised a better life. All they had to do was open the gates. They understood the concept of betrayal and the label of traitor. However, they were still naïve and believed the lies spoken. They were rewarded with rape by King Sigmayne and then life as whores in a brothel. Their punishment was already severe. Fasiela was pregnant when torn apart by Ambition.”

For the first time, I sensed unease in Husk. He contains the memories and emotions missing in Ambition. He contains hate, but empathy and sympathy still exist.

I asked, “Did you rape children? For rape, it is, even if the child submits willingly. I know your manhood was gone, but there are other forms of molestation.”

“Aside from their play, I relented. If I were to join them, I would be reminded of manhood lost. Eunuch, castrating desire.

Lacking this totem of authentic touch, one must compensate. Other children and I spoke through the night. The imminence of war whisked away with conversation. To have someone listen and share our rung on the ladder and not beneath, beholden to authority. Nor above, sneering with contempt. I was lulled.

Woe to the bastard of fortune that tosses his shield!”

“You were blessed to share thoughts with children, a precious gift. Did the women deserve to be ripped asunder for a childhood mistake?”

“They opened the gates, and the scythes were loosed, Leaving a crimson trail in their wake, cleaving through every street and alley.

On that night, Wayrest did not suffer siege but rape; total. The hounds divulged in play.

So, I sought something tangible to blame – someone to suffer. Who better than the girls? There were a hundred plotting actors behind them, yet I would never meet them again. I saw them at the gates and the imprint of their faces, never to go unremembered. And in Wayrest’s razing, the knowledge that another era was ending.

For the carnage that ensued, a chase of ungodly depths, snaring me in its game.”

“The Ego has no memories. How did he recognise the little girls who had grown into women?”

“This husk lacks want. The Ego is ‘want.’ ‘I’ am the bank of memories and caution; the culprit was always Ego.”

“We figured that out in the first few seconds of investigating! The only way Ego could have recognised the two women is via the memories you contain. How did he obtain those memories? Was the spark of recognition their names or an ability to recognise the children who grew into women?”

“I feel tremors from Ego’s every stress. Emotions and memories are exchanged, but we are not one. Just ghosts of our single origin.”

“You can communicate over distance. That makes sense as souls, whether twinned or intertwined, have a connection that transcends distance and probably time.”

“The ‘me’ who descended on their bodies was overwhelmed with conniption – suffering fully from its design, emotional construct.

An ego without its bank or anchor is a beast – barely beyond the prey. Recognition of faces and names.”

“Ambition recognised the women but had no control over his anger. But he could not be considered barely beyond the prey! His worth was well below that of those women. That would be the case even when combined with you, as proven by previous actions.”

I had heard enough of how Hush and Ambition came to be.  I needed to understand the root of the problems in Evermore!

I asked, “Tell me why multiple problems besiege Evermore. What is Namira’s plan?”

“Unfamiliar is the narrative that ensnares, so you expect convention. Cliché. Now uncertainty demands curiosity, and you seek the source of perversion in this fairy tale.”

“You are wrong, as you have been with many of your assumptions and generalisations! Curiosity has nothing to do with my search.

Lady Mara has sent me to stop a canker from spreading beyond the borders of Evermore. The Oblivion Gate was only part of that canker, as are you, The Witchmen, Ustase and other pustules.”

“May it come that you find this canker and rip this corruption from the world yet. To wish it so simple that all evil hitherto manifests in some tangible, fragile thing.”

“Cease this pointless speculation on your behalf! I have dealt with evil in many forms. In each instance, I must understand its source before removing it. If you cannot aid in this, I see no purpose in further discussion.”

“Dark Mother, like every other child neglected by the family’s patriarch, seeks to reforge the link with her despondent father. Such a tragic relationship! All for naught are the eras of her efforts to win his gaze. She reaches out to the immaterial, toward unreality and nonexistence, for father. Such struggle conceives a concept out of nothing. Such is the way he exists at all. All these cruel theatrics across her pocked land are a show, a spectacle to draw his eyes. The father is an utter black, godless void. Mother desperately tries to please father so that he may comfort her. All this chaos that you see, the depravity and rapacious misery of this nocturnal gutter, is all a show for her father.”

“If you believe Sithis exists, he could be regarded as Namira’s father. However, like the delusional and extinct Dark Brotherhood, Namira is enamoured by nothingness. Lord Shor and The Divines do not recognise Sithis as a god, nor do I. The False King and duplicate Adamantine Tower were parts of an impossible plan that the Dark Mother knew could not succeed. But still, her actions have left the canker that Lady Mara wants me to lance.”

“A fragment from that corrupt gestalt is found here, in plotting. One final ordeal, and you can save this kingdom from impending tragedy.

Such disorder is what is to come. Such shrieks in what has come came, will come. Unveil the stage and pay witness to the madness. Yet through it all, resolve.

Or you will fall!”

“You have no concept of my determination and what it has enabled me to achieve. Tell me if you have a solution without the dramatics, convoluted vocabulary, and generalisations!”

“The promised son, that suit of flesh, schemes with the masculine manifest. They seek to unify disparate ideas into an inexorable movement. The result will be an agenda that will perish all spirit in man.

Foremost, their reign will usher in the blackest cynicism. Where those bound hope their chains would loosen one day, men here will kill for good that desire.

Destroy the prince!”

“Ambition fears you and wants me to destroy you. But he fails to recognise the truth. He is you, and you are him. One cannot exist without the other. If I kill Ambition, I kill you. You are still one soul.”

“Fates entwined, one fades, so does the other. Pursuing its path, assured that it finally left me behind. It was wrong. There still exists a tether, faint and intermittent. We both feel the brunt of our designs.

An alluring mask, he will never be seen without it. The act becomes real with time as the world and stage become one. Yet its metamorphic intent will always be out of reach if I persist.

That fact burns deep within The Ego, red as Dagon’s rage. Ignoring the consequences, it will employ costly methods to destroy this husk.”

“Ambition, The Ego, Damian, has gained great power through the noble rank he usurped. Yet, to achieve his aspiration, he would need more than fancy words and the substandard soldiers of this kingdom, Ustase included. I suspect another Dark Lord is his sponsor. You mentioned Mehrunes Dagon. The schemes of Ego are not something that Lord Dagon would invest in. In a rejection of his origins, he spurns everything he regards as ugly, including the Orsimer race. On the surface, he champions beauty, but everything created from the chaos will be tainted.”

“You have recognised his folly. What is ugly; abhorred. Ego champions ‘Beauty’ to spite his past, an infatuation in futility.

However, there is a grave mistake in my reasoning. I speak as if The Ego walks a better world. A world that would resist his deception does not, and will not, exist.

What is, is madness. So, The Ego is gaining an audience that is ever more powerful. The right man in the right place.”

“He had allied with Predothor, a Dremora Lord and likely a deserter who did not return after Mehrunes Dagon’s defeat. But even with Predothor and the Ustase, Ambition could not achieve his ambition. He must have more allies to meet here. If so, that will make it easy for me to end their plotting quickly. I doubt Predothor knows Ambition’s real identity. I also doubt Ambition worships Lord Dagon.”

“Your mind is nimble.”

“What was your relationship to the fake Last King of the Ayleid?”

“As he underwent construction of his tower, a bond with Dark Mother was forming. She had wanted a child as well but was born barren, bearing a womb of cutting shards. So, she dipped her fingers into your world, nails cutting across the cavity that held me, a caesarean that sabotaged my destiny. I was to be Whisper, so the False King had his eyes and agent within the world. Dark Mother ensnared another who, if need be, could engender his return.”

“Was Maarin the mortal agent who could open The Oblivion Gate?”

“Yes.”

“I will defeat The Ego and whoever his allies are. I will kill Ambition so Evermore can recover and start afresh. I will not kill him just to satisfy your needs.”

“Understood.”

“Lady Mara apologises for not saving your soul and allowing Namira to claim it. However, she is wrong to blame herself. At some stage, you chose to abandon her. Mortal free will allowed you to do so. No matter the circumstances, you chose to turn from her light and accept the darkness.”

I did not expect a response from Hulk. I knew it would slowly digest what I said, but it was still a soul divided without the full complement of emotions to place value on my words.

Husk vanished. I contacted Rigmor via Mara’s Rings as I walked.

“I have made myself visible and am entering the quarry.”

“DUH! I can see you as you head for the entrance.”

“DUH! I knew that!”

“All of this was caused by a little girl who wanted her daddy’s attention!”

“Yep.”

“Bitch!”

“Knowing an adversary’s motive is not as important as stopping them.”

“Zenalata was not a Namira devotee anymore. However, her revenge via chaos aids Namira’s cause.”

“True, but it also weakens the Bretons, which was the witch’s desire.”

“Which witch?”

“Which witch is which?”

“I knew you would say that.”

“A magical barrier surrounds the quarry. The source of Magicka to power the barrier is a blue orb in the centre of the quarry. I can see Ustase guards and enslaved Orsimer. Damian is with a large humanoid, who I assume is Predothor. They are standing near the blue orb.  There is also a cute little Death Hound.”

“What does the barrier do?”

“I think it allows entrance only to those approved by Predothor.”

“Will you be able to pass through it?”

“Ambition looked my way and gestured for me to approach. So, I will approach.”

I walked through the barrier and was relieved when Mara’s Rings still worked.

I told Rigmor, “I will let you know anything important.”

“Will we us an Empathetic Link?”

“No. It takes a bit of concentration, and because there will likely be multiple people, it would distract me too much.”

“Okay.”

I walked close to Predothor and scanned his soul. It was as black as soot. He was a Dremora Lord of high rank.

I listened to their conversation as I walked around the Death Hound.

• Predothor: Always one for prose, aren’t you, little tyke. I must confess I grow restless. These fleshy thralls have grown tiresome to engage with. I need, we need a foe. Do we have any future wars planned?
• Ambition: Your battle lust will be more than sated soon enough, Predothor, I assure you. I have grand plans for this kingdom. Hammer the kinks from your armour and sharpen your weapon for a culling nears.
• Predothor: Joy! You are a most charitable prince! Oh, I cannot hold my excitement.

I decided to join the merry talk of war and slaughter.

• Wulf: Prince Damian, I hope I have not kept you waiting.
• Ambition: This is a beautiful place, isn’t it, Wulf? Not the quarry as much, although the explicit sight of labour and hierarchy without pretence instils hope. The beauty is beyond these walls, where the grassy knolls stretch yonder to the horizon. No man needs to arm himself for fear of intrusion or violence. Visualise that world, yearn for it. I bet you feel it naïve to play whimsical and dream of utopias, but why? Why can we not achieve such a world?
• Wulf: The naivety lies not in the dream but in the notion that you can achieve it via war. You have been remiss and have not introduced me to this gentleman.
• Ambition: Wulf, this is Predothor. I have travelled far and have plans to discourse with this gentleman. Please stay with us and join these formalities. You may bring some levity while we entertain the future of this land.
• Wulf: My speciality is juggling and tumbling whilst discussing mass slaughter. Good wine and food also contribute to the fun of such a festive occasion.

Predothor was about a foot taller than me and looked me up and down with the eyes of a predator.

• Wulf: I am glad to meet you, Predothor.
• Predothor: Look at you! All that strength and vigour ushering from your every orifice! I would love us to engage in a savage dance.
• Wulf: Then you have no idea who I am, for your wish fulfilment would mean your inevitable death. Many others, much more powerful than you, have fallen before me. But let us not spoil Prince Damian’s day. He wants to discourse with you so much.
• Predothor: Yet to meet my match. Do you think you are that? Anyway, forgive my manners. I forget how the prey works sometimes. My mind is still in the past, where I was at home.
• Wulf: I have killed many of your kind who are of a higher rank than you, so I recognise the stink. I am the hunter! But you are not prey but will be a victim of Divine retribution.”
• Damian: More cordiality is needed, gentlemen.
• Wulf: Did Daddy Dagon kick you out for being pathetic, Predothor? Or have you been too scared to return after the Oblivion Crises? I do not suppose he would be happy with his minions who lost so badly.
• Predothor: Maybe soon I can share some of my culture with you. Until then, hone yourself for the time of our game.
• Wulf: I do not need to hone my skills, for they far exceed yours, and I cannot wait to share your culture! Would I have to drag my knuckles on the ground all the time? Dirt gets under my fingernails.
• Damian: We are about to eat. Join us. You look famished
• Predothor: It is settled then. We will eat.
• Damian: It was quite the trek from Raven Spring. I hope the chef matches the talent of those in Evermore City.
• Wulf: I hope they are better than Maarin. He overcooked Knight Sek.

Ambition is incapable of understanding humour. In my experience, Dremora lack a sense of humour. But I would keep the light-hearted attitude as it was a way to resist the urge to start hacking Predothor and the Ustase to pieces.

Since I had no idea where we were eating, I followed Ambition.

I told Rigmor via Mara’s Rings, “Predothor is a Dremora Lord. I do not think he is near the strength of those we faced in The Master’s pocket plane.”

“Where are the enslaved Orsimer and breeders kept?”

“There are several entrances leading into the outside quarry. One or more will give access to the breeding pens and mineral mines.”

“What are you doing now?”

“Going to dinner with Predothor and Ambition. I assume some co-conspirators will join us at the table.”

“Ahh…what is on the menu?”

“Roast Orsimer with filet of child and offal sauce.”

“Wulf!”

“I have no idea, but Dremora like the same foods as mortals, and Ambition doesn’t seem the type to eat weird stuff.”

“That means you are not on the menu.”

“Am I supposed to laugh?”

“Only if you know what is good for you.”

“Hahaha.”

“I can tell you are fighting to maintain control.”

“My dragon has been more active lately than he has been for months. He wants me to hack and slash. I think it will come to that.”

“Summon us if you need help.”

“A few dozen Ustase and a weak Dremora Lord are not dangerous to me.”

We entered a double-story house.

Ambition sat at a large dining table with seating for five. Two well-dressed Breton were already seated with him. Predothor was yet to arrive.

I called out, “I need to use the privy. I will find it, Prince Damian, so please continue to entertain the other guests.”

I suspected anything of interest would be in the basement, so I headed downstairs.

My intuition proved helpful once more as I discovered a fighting pit.

Several women of different races watched me but did not say a word. I assume they are enslaved and in Predothor’s harem.

In the fighting pit was an inactive shrine of Mehrunes Dagon. Corpses of Orsimer littered the floor. Most of them had been decapitated or had limbs missing. None of them wore anything more than basic leather or fur armour. If Predothor measures his martial prowess by slaughtering weak opponents, he is in for a shock if we cross swords.

I used a pull chain to lower some bars. I then entered the pit.

Predothor’s victims were held behind raised bars. Pull chains in the pit allowed him to release one or more opponents.

I was not surprised that the shrine was not active. Mehrunes Dagon would detect Predothor this close to an active shrine and would likely send somebody or something to collect the deserter.

I informed Rigmor, “There is a fighting pit and enslaved women in the basement. Predothor likes to hack poorly armed and armoured Orsimer to death and thinks that proves his martial prowess.”

“You are good at accessing opponents. How long will he last?”

“One sword stroke. He might be more challenging if he drags me into Deadlands.”

“Would he do that?”

“He might, but do not worry. Most Dremora follow a strict code that varies between factions. However, I know those of Mehrunes Dagon and will be returned to Nirn if I defeat Predothor in Oblivion.”

“Even though you have stopped several of Dagon’s plans.”

“Yes. I am a worthy mortal opponent, and their honour is paramount.”

“Okay. I will let the others know.”

I quickly made my way to the dining room.

Various stuffed trophies lined the room, including an Orsimer and werewolf.

Five of us sat around a table that could seat sixteen. I was surprised there were no servants.

Platters of food were placed on small tables. That meant I could not see Ambition.

However, I could see the two Breton and Predothor.

I told Rigmor, “There are five of us at the dining table. There is enough food laid out to feed an army. Meanwhile, serfs and, I assume, enslaved people have barely enough food to sustain life.”

“Keep control of your anger.”

“I will use my excellent sense of humour to do that.”

“Oh no, that will make them attack you!”

“Did you hear that?”

“Did I hear what?”

“I tried to raspberry over the rings.”

“Haha. Now concentrate!”

“Yes, Lady Ramsbottom.”

• Ambition: Forgive the delay. Hmmm, I see the meat has kept its warmth. Just in time, then.
• Mengrelle: Your Grace, there is no need for apologies. Josiah was just practising to be a better orator through his incessant verbiage.
• Josiah: Oh, Mengrelle, you shrewd sycophant. You could have explained if you were so threatened about discourse outside your field.
• Wulf: That looks and smells like beef. I was expecting peasant under glass or Orc fillets.
• Ambition: Introductions are in short order. Another guest has complicated the itinerary for tonight.
• Josiah: Prince, my gratitude for having me attend this meeting. Forgive me for not being privy, but the kingdom hosts many knights. Why is this one special?
• Wulf: Knight? My rank is so far above knight that you would crick your neck looking up!
• Ambition: This is Sir Wulf, esteemed hero of The Reach. You can thank this one for foiling that savage plot hatched by Mortifayne. He knows the kingdom well, and I am sure such intimate knowledge of the realm will be helpful to us.
• Wulf: It was Namira’s plot, and Mortifayne was but a pawn. And there is no need to thank me, Josiah, for I am not interested in buggery.
• Ambition: Now, let us begin with what you came for in haste. Today, we have gathered to consolidate our plans for this kingdom’s future and the lands that will soon come under our rule.
• Predothor: I hope there is room for my warriors in these plans, Prince Damian.
• Ambition: The Ustase will always have a place here. No kingdom can hope to survive through threat alone. Your actions keep the malcontents at bay.
• Predothor: There will always be scum; you need not worry about that. Those men on the periphery of this gleaming society are pariahs, sadists, and degenerates. In this ever-chaotic world, these outliers will always exist. Such scum will need a shepherd, and I am ever thankful to be the one to lead these black sheep.
• Ambition: As you should, your clandestine methods have furthered our power, with The Empire and Daggerfall being none the wiser.
• Wulf: Do you expect slime to stand up to the might of the best trained, equipped, and disciplined troops in all of Tamriel? A single Legionnaire is worth four of these glorified bandits.
• Ambition: You sound unsure of our purpose, Wulf.
• Wulf: On the contrary, Prince Damian. I am very interested in your purpose and plans. But you do not want me to be a sycophant, as made quite clear when we first met. So, if my practicality offends you, then that is too fucking bad!
• Ambition: Many can feign loyalty, with only those of good heart holding it. You are one of a kind, Wulf.
• Wulf: I thought I was until I rescued somebody similar from Apocrypha. He was once Hermaeus Mora’s champion but is now my ally. That pissed off The Tentacled Turd. Shall we continue, Prince Damian?
• Ambition: Josiah, I know you are eager to share your discoveries. Elucidate your audience on the progress you have made.
• Josiah: With pleasure. We are all familiar with the merchants who trade wares throughout this province. We call this complex system of myriad independent traders by the moniker ‘Mercantilism.’
• Mengrelle: This is hardly new. Why has this invoked such interest?
• Josiah: Benefit of the doubt, Mengrelle. It is my fault for expecting you to know what I had alluded to. We are talking with other High Rock merchants about collating our enterprise to start new systems.
• Wulf: I doubt you will invent something that has not been tried and failed in the past.
• Josiah: Why the doubt? We have the labour of Orcs with no wage. We have designs for a new world west of Daggerfall, beyond the ocean.
• Wulf: Won’t you fall off Nirn’s edge if you go too far?
• Josiah: Ah, no, that would not happen.
• Wulf: How do you know? Have you sailed that far or spoken to somebody who has?
• Josiah: No.
• Wulf: In that case, I strongly suggest you factor in the loss of ships, cargo and crew in your profit and loss assessment.
• Josiah: Okay…moving on. There are untapped markets to the south of this continent full of labour that will not beg the same coin as our entitled kin.
• Wulf: Congratulations, Josiah. Excellent plan so far! You just ensured the creation of more malcontents that Predothor can recruit while losing ships over Nirn’s edge!
• Josiah: If we go through with this agenda, the wealth we reap will be unparalleled. We will create a utopia that will find every deserving soul in this kingdom a palace of their own.
• Wulf: Poor Josiah, won’t you get jealous of all those other people owning palaces?

Predothor laughed. I was wrong about Dremora lacking a sense of humour! Josiah looked at me with hate. I went cross-eyed at him.

• Josiah: I am getting carried away. The potential is palpable. We just need the go-ahead and will set out and harvest our destiny.
• Predothor: That sounds dull. What will the warrior occupy himself within this utopia?
• Josiah: Oh, never mind about that! These ventures will require our most ruthless and brutal to ensure dominion in these future subject lands. Undoubtedly, some will rebel against fate, which is where you come in.
• Ambition: See now, Predothor? The more precious the jewel, the more brutal they who protect it. That is the prerogative of the strong. Every acre we win for ourselves will need a further application of your methods, not only for pragmatism but also for the narrative we are making.

I yawned. It was not fake but a genuine, with the utmost contempt, yawn.

• Wulf: Beg your pardon, Damian. Were you narrating a narrative?
• Ambition: Hierarchy, strength – our people’s triumph over the rest.
• Wulf: Oh, of course. Not very original, but I shall endeavour to stay awake.
• Ambition: Fragility will be abhorred. In its stead is born the unflinching pursuit of dominion. The sun absconds the deep corners of our land. We are leaving the dregs to fester and spread in its absence.
• Wulf: For Nirn’s sake, say something original!
• Ambition: The charitable hand has only grown their number. Our altruism is only another opportunity for their greed. The parasites must be ripped from the kingdom’s breast. Not showing the desire to grow, they will suffer the stillborn’s fate.
• Wulf: A plan to make merchants rich involves eliminating potential customers. Genius! Pure genius!
• Ambition: They will cajole and shriek as they like, but we will hear such cries as the wind, passing as if they were never here.
• Wulf: Do you expect the parasites to fart? Oh, you said wind passing and not passing wind. How silly of me!
• Mengrelle: That was just what I wanted to hear. It was beautifully said. Damian, I wish you were king now. Say, at the chance of sounding like a treasonous whore, how long does your father have in this realm?
• Ambition: If any other had asked that question, they would have been quartered within the hour. But you are far from a turn cloak, and any punishment would reflect my poor choice of company.
• Wulf: Do you think you can kill your father without repercussion?
• Ambition: Wulf, I have been divined by the gods through birthright, lest you make the folly of thinking I speak treason. The inevitable will come to pass, and his demise will birth my reign, so do not despair at my words.
• Wulf: Do not worry about Sigmayne. He will soon stand trial for his many crimes, and, as the prosecutor, I assure you his head will be removed as a shining example of The Empire’s justice. The Empire is law. The law is sacred.
• Ambition: What are you…
• Wulf: Shut up! One more word, and I will slice you in half. Well, into quarters since you are already half a person.
• Predothor: Prince, is it…
• Wulf: Predothor, I accept your challenge, but be quiet like a good little Dremora and learn before you die.
• Predothor: Speak quickly, for I am eager to test your blade.
• Wulf: Damian, you are not the son of Sigmayne. You are Ambition, or as Wandering Husk calls you, The Ego. Your mother was a Breton, and your father was an Orsimer officer in The Imperial Army.  Lady Namira turned you into a Daedra. After I rescued you from Scuttling Void, you killed Prince Damian and Consort Murinne. Zenalata, a hedge witch, grafted Damian’s body onto your ugly, disgusting Daedric body. That was the third time she performed her Hedge Magic on you. I was asked by His Imperial Majesty, Emperor Titus Mede II, and Lady Mara to solve the problems plaguing Evermore. You are one of the problems.
• Mengrelle: Is what he says true?
• Wulf: Mengrelle, all your efforts to produce better enslaved failed. However, during your time in Rejects Respite, you became a devotee of Lady Namira. Ambition hates Namira for thwarting his plans. In retaliation, he wants to destroy her plans in Evermore. However, his actions would increase the chaos that Namira desires. You knew Ambition as Subject #3, The Halved.
• Mengrelle: Fuck!
• Wulf: Ambition, Mengrelle is one of the surgeons who performed experiments on you and other subjects. He is responsible for Namira kidnapping you.
•   End his lies, Predothor!
• Wulf: Your plans to eliminate or control Orsimer are idiotic. They are respected citizens of every other province and kingdom. The FitzMede-gro-Nagorm noble family of Cyrodiil could muster enough troops to defeat you by themselves. Imagine a noble family of Half-Orcs and full-blood Orsimer destroying your pathetic army. However, they would not have to. Thousands of Legionnaires are ready to cross into Evermore at the first sign of insurrection or other mass violence. They will crush all in their way to protect the people of this kingdom. Ustase will be cut down like wheat to a scythe.
• Mengrelle: Say something, Prince Damian! Defend yourself against this slander!
• Wulf: The FitzMede noble line started with an illegitimate mixed breed Orsimer/Nord noble from Orsinium. Full-blood Orsimer married into the family. When you were a mortal Half-Orc, Ambition, all you had to do was cross the border into Skyrim, Cyrodiil or another High Rock kingdom to escape the prejudice of Evermore. Instead, you chose to cry victim to justify murder and other crimes.
• Predothor: Come, warrior. I will show you the room in our basement where strength is king. No more talking. It bores me.
• Wulf: I inspected your pit, Predothor. Why is Dagon’s shrine not active? Are you scared he will drag you back to Deadlands to face judgment? I will join you soon. There are others awaiting sentence.

Ambition followed Predothor. I stood and stared at Josiah and Mengrelle, and fear dominated their faces.

I growled, “As Envoy to Evermore on behalf of His Imperial Majesty, Emperor Titus Mede II, I speak with his authority. Therefore, I have the legal right to pass judgment and exact punishment. You are both guilty of treason, and I sentence you to death.”

I used a half-strength Unrelenting Force Shout, and both traitors died instantly. A full-strength Shout might have disintegrated them and any evidence they carried.

I walked around the table and searched the corpses.

Both carried detailed plans they co-authored. A quick read filled me with horror. They had developed chemical castration for Orsimer that could be altered to work on other species. The advantage over physical castration is they would retain their male strength. They were also working on altering souls to breed more compliant serfs. Soulgenics was the term they used. All the research was done at Sanatorium #137, now called Rejects Respite. They had failed there but were intent on continuing the depraved experiments.

The talking Dwemer bust called Scuttling Void, ‘Realm 137’. It is no coincidence the Sanitorium had the same designated number. It was the playground of Namira.

The plans also included details of New Orsinium and how it was to be destroyed to allow a monopoly of trade routes to and from Skyrim. Many ideas from merchants were listed along with the merchant’s name. Lisrier Gulinds was a very active contributor!

I told Rigmor, “I have killed two of the co-conspirators. One of them was Mengrelle, the arsehole from Rejects Respite.”

“I hoped to meet him and give him a kai-katana enema.”

“I have two copies of their plans. I will leave one copy in the dining room.”

“You do not instil confidence with such precautions.”

“I am confident of success, Rigmor. However, I would be a fool to take all evidence of crimes with me.”

“With you to Badlands, you mean?”

“I am about to fight Predothor. He may try to take me to Badlands. When I kill Ambition, I may be dragged to Husk’s pocket plane.”

“Have you had problems with your dragon half?”

“No, for my anger is as great as his.”

“Do not play games with Predothor. Dispose of him quickly.”

“That is the plan.”

After killing the two traitors, searching them, and talking to Rigmor, I caught up to Ambition. He was dawdling and seemed defeated. His only hope was Predothor killing me.

Predothor stood with his greatsword drawn.

The Dremora Lord said, “Take a peek, just over the edge. It is calling for you, warrior.”

“I already know what is down there, you moron. That is why I knew about Lord Dagon’s shrine. You have no idea who I am even though I have travelled all over Evermore while defeating countless enemies.”

Predothor sneered.

I continued, “I am Sir Wulf Welkynd, Dragonborn and Champion of The Divines, Azura, Boethia, Hermaeus Mora, Malacath, Meridia and Sheogorath. I defeated Alduin, yet you think you are a match for me. Carving up malnourished Orsimer in leather armour is no great feat. Did you face real soldiers at Munstor or the invasion of Wayrest? Did you fight during The Oblivion Crises or hide in a basement like this one? You have challenged beyond your station, and it is too late for you to grovel and ask for mercy.”

Predothor realised who he faced, and panic was evident.

I used a weak, Unrelenting Force Shout, and he flew backwards into the fighting pit.

I leapt down with sword still sheathed.

Predothor scrambled to his feet and charged. I laughed, drew my katana, and cut him down.

I did not notice Predothor had a quiver on his back until he transformed into his Dremora aspect.

I could sense him preparing a portal. I laughed and said, “Oh, goody, am I to experience your culture now?”

I told Rigmor, “I have cut down Predothor, and he is opening a portal to Badlands. He will try and drag me there. I could resist, but he needs to die, so I shall accompany him.”

“Are you sure Dagon’s minions will abide by their rules?”

“Positive. Even Lord Dagon would not disregard them.”

“You know the drill. Talk to me as soon as you return.”

I allowed Predothor to teleport me to Badlands.

Deadlands was dead boring. Red upon red with even more red to highlight the red.

A Dremora Overlord appeared and waited for Predothor and me to approach.

I could see a solitary tower where once there were many. Each tower held a Sigil Stone and controlled an Oblivion Gate during the Oblivion Crises.

I stood next to Predothor and faced the Overlord.

Predothor said, “Overlord, is she here? The bearer of my future progeny should witness this visceral play so that I can win her hand.”

“You dare act as if forgiveness is ordained?”

“I bring you an apology in the form of a champion. This champion has done much, and if I slay him, I can return home.”

The Overlord sneered and replied, “Lord Dagon would be disappointed that one of his own did not die with his brothers. Your words are hollow, Thaedil! A coward’s tongue is fit only as a meal for the hounds, and you have brought this sad excuse for prey to appease me?”

“You can have my head if this warrior disappoints. This one differs from the man-cattle that came before and is chained to other gods. Gods who are enemies to ours, and if we defeat their herald, then we shame them. Is that not worth seeing?”

“I smell the perversions of alien gods on your tribute’s flesh. Very well, put on a spectacle.”

I mimicked the Overseer’s sneers and declared, “Be careful of what you say, Overlord, for I am not prey. Thaedil is a coward who is not worthy of speaking my name and provides little in the way of a challenge. I am Sir Wulf Welkynd, Dragonborn and Champion of The Divines, Azura, Boethia, Hermaeus Mora, Malacath, Meridia and Sheogorath.”

The Overlord replied, “We know of you. You have thwarted Lord Dagon’s plans and eliminated many Dremora and Mythic Dawn members. Lord Dagon was impressed by your survival against The Master’s best.”

“Do not forget Alduin. I will try to make a spectacle, but Thaedil is outclassed. His failings on the mortal plane were many.”

“Can you provide a list of his failings so I can add them to Lord Dagon’s records?”

“Since you asked and did not demand, I will oblige;

• He failed to recognise I was a Son of Akatosh and well above his status.
• He failed to recognise that the prince he was aiding was a mortal who was turned into a Daedra by Namira.
• He failed to realise that he once exposed the Daedra when he skinned him in Wayrest City.
• He failed to realise the plans of this Daedra could never work as they were based on inaccuracies and outdated information.
• He failed to recognise or did not care, that other mortals he was plotting with were devotees of Namira.
• He failed to recognise me as the warrior who had entered Namira’s realm, destroyed her Sigil Stone, and killed her champion only a few Nirn cycles ago.
• His army of conquest consisted of low-life scum. As we speak, an army of thousands of Legionnaires prepares to sweep across the kingdom of Evermore. They will wipe Thaedil’s amateur army from the face of Nirn.
• He never promoted the worship of Lord Dagon. None of the thousands of mortals under his command were devotees.
• I used one sword strike to defeat him.
• He did not force me into Badlands. I could have resisted but followed him to inflict the justice he has earned.

There are probably more, but I am eager to kill this underling and return to thwarting Namira’s plans.”

“That list is sufficient to condemn Thaedil’s soul to eternal pain. This dung heap adds to his failures by challenging above his station. Lord Dagon will not object to my sentence. Kill him if you wish, or leave him to me.”

“He has challenged me. I must accept, no matter how high or low the challenger. Is that not your way?”

“It is.”

“If I decapitate Thaedil, I choose his punishment.”

“That is our way.”

“Then I shall remove his ugly head with my first swing.”

“Very well, put on a spectacle.”

Thaedil faced me and said, “Warrior, you have entered the realm of the ultimate patriarch. Submit, and I will skin you slowly. Fight me with your all, however, and I will grant you a death befitting your bravery.”

“I am generous, so I grant you a free swing before I draw my sword.”

Thaedil spat and said, “Pretence makes me sick! I will cover every inch of this hole with what is left of you.”

I yawned, then smiled at Thaedil.

Thaedil growled and tried to slice me down the middle. I laughed as I dodged, stepped back and drew my katana.”

I then said, “That was pathetic. Try again. I will wait for you over there.”

I pointed to where I wanted to go, then Blinked there.

Thaedil came running at full speed.

I stepped forward to meet him. Thaedil’s momentum prevented him from slowing before he was within striking distance.

He managed to stop but could not raise his sword in time to block my sword. Thaedil’s head flew, and the Overlord laughed.

I wiped my sword on Thaedil’s loincloth, then sheathed it.

I looked up at the Overlord.

“I apologise for the poor spectacle, Overlord. Thaedil is not worthy of being my underling. Therefore, I give his soul to Lord Dagon to do with as he pleases.”

“I will place his head on the highest pike so that all can see his shame. Lord Dagon is inventive in his punishments, and I do not envy Thaedil’s fate.”

“He had caused much harm and not in Lord Dagon’s name. He sought personal glory but only surrounded himself with the weak.”

“You know our ways. That is unusual for one of your kind.”

“I have studied the many foes I might face. Now, I will return to Mundus as per the tradition of these spectacles.”

“We must grant such to those who have reified their will to survive. The gate is open, champion. March on and wear your kill with pride!”

I did a slight head bow to the Overlord. Dremora have a greater sense of honour than most mortals, which deserved recognition.

I stepped through the portal. Thaedil’s Mundus corpse lay crumpled before me.

A surprised Rigmor exclaimed, “That was quick!”

“What is my favourite colour?”

“Red. Why do you ask?”

“After revisiting Badlands, I might have to change it.”

“What now?”

“Ambition has fled this room. He is probably waiting near the blue orb that powers the barrier. I will have to cut down lots of Ustase to reach him.”

“Do you need help?”

“No. I have been looking forward to this bit. Killing Ustase could become my new hobby!”

“Weird.”

“I do not think I can avoid killing Ambition. That will also kill Husk. However, I think their soul will repair itself in The Void. He may have the willpower to return to his pocket plane from there.”

“A recombined being might dislike you.”

“He will probably hate me! Therefore, I will not visit him and ask about his health.”

“Weirder.”

“A guard with no weapon is waiting for me to approach.”

“Well then, stop lollygagging and see what he wants.”

I approached the guard, who fell to his knee in subservience.

“Y-you killed him? Gods, you killed him!  You beautiful person, you have ended his terrible reign. But wait, is he dead? I have seen him get up before, damn, damn, damn, no. Hero, you must get out of here. He may wake again. We can burn this shack down, burn it all down!”

“What is your name?”

“I do not remember my real name. They call me Dog. They are Dark Hounds, and I am a little dog. It is supposed to be funny.”

“I am Sir Wulf Welkynd, and I assure you that Predothor is dead. I killed him here and in Oblivion.”

“Oblivion?”

“Predothor was not a mortal. He was a soldier of Mehrunes Dagon, the god that caused The Oblivion Crises.”

“Oh, I learned all about that when I was younger.”

“I will call you Dog for now. If you cannot remember your real name soon, choose one. Now, let us move away from the fighting pit. It smells, and I do not like people kneeling or bowing before me.”

Dog got to his feet, and he was diminutive in size, even for a Breton.

We stood at the top of the stairs and continued our discussion.

Dog asked, “Am I free for the first time in many years?”

“Yes, and so are the ladies I see and the Orsimer. But you must be patient while we make this place safer and remove the guards. You will have to stay here till other knights arrive.”

“Then I can leave and return to my family?”

“Yes.”

“What about the girls and enslaved Orcs? Can they come too?”

“They will be freed and can choose their destination. Did you help the girls and the enslaved even when it was dangerous to do so?”

“Oh yes. I was told others before me had suffered terrible deaths at the skilled hands of Silent Sen for daring to do so. But it was the right thing, so I did it anyway. I have often stolen food and given it to the girls, breeders, and Orc miners. I felt guilty stealing, but watching others suffer without helping would be wrong.”

“Do the enslaved regard you as a friend?”

Dog smiled and said, “Oh yes. It makes Dog proud to have so many friends.”

“You need to give weapons to the enslaved so they can fight for their freedom if attacked. Those who cannot fight must be protected. Can you do that?”

“Yes, I can get the keys off the dead lord, and they open everything.”

“Nobody is to try and leave until other knights say so. Amongst them will be healers and Orsimer knights. They will take charge but will need your assistance.”

“Orc knights?”

“Only in Evermore are Orsimer treated this way.”

“I will explain that to the Orcs. They can understand, but many cannot speak. Only the breeders can speak.”

“Mages and surgeons will have a look at them. Perhaps they might be able to speak at last.”

“Thank you, milord.”

“I thank you, Dog, for remaining a good person when surrounded by evil.”

“I love Mother Mara. She teaches how to be good.”

“Yes, she does. If only more people listened.”

As I headed outside, I told my beloved, “The guard is called Dog. He is a devotee of Lady Mara and has been aiding the enslaved people. He will arm the enslaved, but they will not leave until told to do so. Ask Celestine to summon Vayu and tell him every squad will be needed. As soon as I dispense with Ambition, they must swarm the quarry.”

“So, we just kick down doors and see what we find.”

“Yes. I would reconnoiter if time permitted, but I must confront Ambition before he flees.”

“He will not stop trying to achieve his ambition.”

“No, he will not. That is why I must end it now. Predothor controlled the barriers. They will now be ineffective as he is dead.”

“Let me know when Ambition is no more.”

“Instinct tells me Husk will drag me into Oblivion. If our connection is severed, that will be why, and I might not have the time to warn you.”

“I will try not to panic.”

“Gather our friends and free the enslaved.”

“I love you.”

“Careful, when you say that, I get shot in the neck.”

“That was once, you bastard!”

“And I love you.”

I heard the jangle of keys as Dog started to unlock doors. I could also hear him reassuring the women and urging them not to panic.

I exited the building, and everything had a slight blue tinge.

My Dance of Death claimed many Ustase lives.

After a few minutes of slaughter, I told Rigmor, “The courtyard is now devoid of Ustase. No doubt more will come out of the woodwork to protect Ambition.”

“I can sense determination, not anger.”

“You might sense melancholy soon because I pity Ambition. He is a victim of Evermore’s corruption, not the cause of it.”

As soon as I stepped through the barrier, Ustase swarmed me and died.

I cut them down, then slowly walked towards Ambition. He did not run, for there was nowhere to hide and no allies to save him. He was incapable of forming a new plan.

I told him, “Lady Mara is sorry she could not aid you when you prayed to her.”

I had no qualms about killing Ambition, for it was the same as eliminating a Dremora’s mortal form. His physical body would be destroyed, but his soul would survive. I was not sure what would happen. However, I surmised that both halves of the soul would recombine, but not instantly. I would soon find out.

I drew my sword and landed a blow that would kill most opponents. I felt my katana slice through armour and bone, and everything turned red. Ambition still stood for a fraction of a second and then vanished.

Everything returned to normal, and I sheathed my sword.

Husk said, “It is done, and I have time to talk. Come, Wulf, join me.”

I did not have time to warn Rigmor. Hopefully, she is sensible and does not panic.

I found myself standing next to Husk. I could sense the pocket plane was in turmoil.

Husk said, “Millennia of tears and toil for the False King’s project, wasted through your intervention. One must wonder why Dark Mother never helped her chosen king.”

“At first, I thought it may have been a distraction as the plan could never succeed. In a way, it was. However, I think Namira was also aiding Zenalata in her revenge on those who persecuted The Reachmen. I would like to think I mitigated that revenge somewhat, but it is difficult to assess when this close to the problem.”

“What you feel now is a cataclysm, churning all beneath. This land soon subsumed into the black whence it came. Like it was not here at all.”

“After the removal of the Sigil Stone, your will has kept it stable. Your power is phenomenal! I doubt Namira realised fully what she and the witch were creating.”

“I am unnatural, yet my power, as you call it, seems natural. Born of the chaos that is Oblivion.”

“I understand. You have gathered the small amounts of Creatia present and used it to steal this pocket plane.”

“Take heed. The False King’s tower anchored the realm and every moment that passed. This storm of death tears time. Even the god you champion cannot halt this spiral.”

“The Convention is not here. There is nothing to govern time.”

“Your unique soul provides insight others would lack.”

“Yes, and via a dweomer that my father placed on my amulet, I feel time going forward, backward, faster, slower, and even stopping when in Oblivion. I could do that in Mundus and Aetherius without Father’s dweomer. It is rather disturbing!”

“Time has been placed on the rock. Who can say when it breaks.”

“A good friend has accused me of causing Dragon Breaks, which she has to repair. What happens now?”

“You have been through much. Will it away, but I see the body tremble. The world’s signature is in the scars it leaves.”

“Evermore is not the world. It has been unique in the amount of evil concentrated within its borders. What happens to you now?”

“The Ego is undone. What remains comes this way. He will make the husk whole again before its final death, which is long-awaited. The Ego will win in the interstice after reconstitution. During that time, it will be something insane. It may reach back out to you, or it may not. To predict the beast will only frustrate.”

“Ill-informed speculation is not frustrating. It is dangerous.”

“Rejoice, hero! You have overcome adversity. Feel no guilt over those you slew. I am sure the gods will repay your deeds in a short time. And as we wait for gods to care, I will offer a reward in their stead. A path home, to an audience with the kingdom awaiting their moral crusader.”

“If the gods did not care, I would not have been sent to Evermore by Lady Mara. I ask for and expect no rewards. I do what is morally right and is best for the mortals I protect. They are my only motivations.”

“I remember you telling me that Lady Mara apologised. There is nothing for which an apology is needed. I made my choices, and they were not forced upon me.”

“This place is unstable. I have but one last question before I go. What was your name as chosen by your parents?”

“Berienie Lotlinie. I took my mother’s family name. She was Eliien Lotlinie. My father was Olurlorz Lagdku.”

“I hope you find peace, Berienie Lotlinie.”

A door appeared, and I walked towards it across an invisible walkway.

I looked at the False King’s tower. It was about to topple. All the land that once surrounded it had collapsed.

I looked back at Husk. He thinks that Ambition will be dominant when they initially recombine. What that soul desires and is capable of is unknown. Perhaps it can will itself out of The Void.

I did not know where the thread from Husk would deposit me or when. There was no use speculating, and I stepped through the door.

I was in a storage room surrounded by barrels and crates. The sounds of battle, muffled by thick walls, surrounded me. Whatever building I was in shook. The only things that could do that were trebuchets, cannons, and catapults.

I used the dweomer Father placed on my amulet. I was on the correct timeline. It was three days after Husk dragged me into Oblivion.

I sensed Rigmor’s relief via Mara’s Rings and said, “Hello, my beloved.”

“Where are you?”

“I am in a storage closet, probably in Sigmayne’s castle. Husk would have placed me here for a reason. I can hear and feel the sounds of battle.”

“We have not been informed of anything. You had better find out what is happening.”

“Yes, it may be time for General Tullius to cross the border.”

Behind me was a fireplace. Above it was an inactive Shrine of Mara.

I cursed and initially struggled to keep my dragon under control.

Rigmor asked, “What is it, Wulf? Why has your anger flared so suddenly?”

“In a fireplace are the ashes and skeletons of children.”

“Summon me! You must control yourself, or other children may be harmed through haste!”

“My anger is strong enough to keep my dragon at bay. I will summon you soon. Tell Celestine, Sarah, Jordis, and Lydia they will accompany you.”

The noise of conflict was much louder when I exited the small room.

I was in a large room next to some pools. I quickly counted four children, two boys and two girls, and four adult males. The children were in underwear, and a female Orsimer watched the proceedings.

I walked over to the Orsimer, who was startled to see me. The males were not. They also seemed unperturbed by the battle outside of the castle.

The Orsimer demanded, “Stop! I will fight you if you try to hurt the children! Who are you? How did you get down here? Answer now!”

“Calm down, my good lady. I am Sir Wulf Welkynd. The last thing I would ever do is hurt a child.”

“Are you the Wulf Welkynd with the orphanages in Skyrim?”

“Yes, I am. How do you know of me?”

“My family was wealthy. I read about your orphanages, and it inspired me. We funded an orphanage with several other families, both Breton and Orsimer. Circumstances led to me being imprisoned here.”

“Tell me what happened.”

“About a year ago, orphans were being lured from our premises. Despite dire warnings from the Arch Bishop and others, I refused to keep quiet about the incidents. One night, Ustase burst in and slaughtered most of the staff. I was brought here along with the remaining orphans. They needed my skills with children, which prevented me from joining the others in death. I tried escaping once. When they caught me, Ustase skinned an Orsimer child alive in front of me and put this cage on my head. The mouth restraint is only removed when there are guests. I have not dared to try and escape since then.”

“Was it called The Saint Ilayne Orphanage?”

“Yes.”

“I saw your notice asking for help. Please do not interfere with what is about to happen. You will soon be free.”

“Are the people outside winning? Will I finally see the world again?”

“I know nothing about the battle outside. Who is fighting, and what is your name?”

“The children call me Nanny. My real name is Durzsha Malrzuf. The serfs and poor cooperated with some Wayrest soldiers who sought revenge on King Sigmayne. They led them through the sewers and caught the guards by surprise. Others have joined the battle. It has lasted several hours.”

“How do you know this?”

“King Sigmayne came to tell the guests and assure them everything will soon be under control.”

“Is this part of the palace?”

“Yes. King Sigmayne invites men here and often visits himself. They force themselves on the children. Boys and girls of all ages, and sometimes they take them away, and I never see them again. I try not to love them because it hurts to watch them suffer, and it hurts even more when they never come back. They are just children. You must stop it!”

“You know of my orphanages, so you are probably aware of other things I have done. This will be stopped, and those responsible will be punished. This I swear on The Divines. Please, be patient and do not interfere.”

As I approached a young boy, the ‘guest’ sat down and said, “I cannot wait any longer and concede the bet. Jathon, remove the rest of your clothes!”

Another guest laughed, saying, “We knew you would be the first. However, this delightful young lady severely inflamed my member, and I nearly succumbed.”

I tapped the terrified child on his shoulder. He turned to me with tears in his eyes.

“You do not have to do that, Jathon. I will take you to safety.”

“How do I know I will not disappear like the other children?”

“I am Wulf. Look into my eyes and see if I am telling a lie. Jathon, on The Divines, I swear I will not harm you or the other children.”

Jathon stared at me without fear, and after a few seconds, his crying increased, and between sobs, he said, “I want to believe you, Wulf. I just want to go home to Mum, Dad, my dog, and my little sister and play outside with my friends. But they will not let me or these other children leave. They touch us and make us do things, and sometimes it hurts, but they do not care. But you might be bad too!”

Tears were streaming down my face as I asked, “Would you trust ladies and Nanny to take you somewhere safe?”

“I want to see these bad people hurt!”

“I will not do that. They, and King Sigmayne, must answer to our Emperor for their actions.”

“King Sigmayne was the first one to hurt me! I did not understand what he was doing. He was like a grunting pig!”

“I will arrest these men and King Sigmayne.”

“What does arrest mean?”

“It means they will be taken away and put in jail. Everybody will be told about the bad things they have done.”

“I will trust you, the ladies, and Nanny if I see King Sigmayne arrested.”

“I will let you do that only if you promise to look away when I ask.”

“Why?”

“Because some people might try to hurt me, and you should not see what happens to them.”

“Okay.”

I stepped away and summoned the ladies.

• Wulf: Make sure none of the men touch a child!
• Celestine: What is this place?
• Wulf: It is where King Sigmayne allows the rape of children. I think these parasites are diplomats or traders.
• Celestine: Who is fighting?
• Wulf: Serfs and other downtrodden have joined forces with Wayrest soldiers seeking revenge. They came through the sewers and took the guards by surprise. The fighting started a few hours ago.
• Sarah: I wonder who is leading the Wayrest soldiers?
• Durzsha: Sir Usher.
• Wulf: Ladies, this is Durzsha. She was the Governess of an orphanage her family and other benefactors built. She has been here for some time, looking after the children who come here as best she can. She is a prisoner.
• Celestine: It will be Sir Usher Palien. He was my father’s steward and escorted me, Mum, and my sisters to safety in Jehanna. After Evermore invaded Wayrest, he left us to avenge Father. He must have been biding his time.
• Wulf: Celestine, while I deal with Sigmayne, I want you to summon Vayu and his squad. He must visit General Tullius and get the troops to cross the border. The rest of his squad can help with the prisoners. The fighting here will soon spread across Evermore.
• Lydia: What about the other factions?
• Wulf: The Ustase, Orsinium’s Sons, Witchmen and Exiles will attack this city before turning their attention elsewhere. General Tullius should be able to secure The Divide and Raven Spring before they are threatened. It is hard to say what will happen in the smaller towns.
• Rigmor: What are we to do with the scumbags in here?
• Wulf: They are to be arrested even if they claim diplomatic immunity.
• Celestine: That might save them a prison sentence, but not their names being published along with their crimes in every news sheet in Tamriel.
• Wulf: Divine Knights Sarah and Eisra, please accompany me.
• Rigmor: Where to?
• Wulf: It is time to arrest King Sigmayne. Gather the other children while I get Jathon. Somebody remove Durzsha’s head cage.

Jathon said, “I do not have to get undressed, so shut up. Wulf is going to arrest you.”

I walked over, and Jathon smiled.

I asked him, “Will you please help gather the other children?”

“Yep!”

Vayu and his squad appeared. Celestine gave him a quick rundown, and he teleported to General Tullius while the others in his squad arrested the men.

Soon, the children, Rigmor and Sarah, followed me to the throne room. I was told that every molester was a diplomat or other high noble rank.

We entered the throne room just as Kegor came running to Sigmayne.

The panting advisor gasped, “Your Highness, the troops from Wayrest are scything through our guards. You must flee as they seek your death!”

I yelled, “Sir Usher Palien will have to wait. The child rapist has a trial to attend.”

Sigmayne turned and saw the children.

He screamed, “What are you doing? My children, return to safety!”

We stood at the bottom of the steps.

• Wulf: What am I doing? I am arranging safe passage for the children.
• Kegor: Your Excellency, who are the children.
• Wulf: Amongst Sigmayne’s many crimes, he has been involved in child kidnapping, sacrifice, and molestation.
• Rigmor: In the part of the palace that you were forbidden to enter are four high-ranking nobles. Sigmayne invited them to a molestation party.
• Sarah: The sounds of battle did not stop their planned molestation.
• Wulf: Four children were abducted. Sigmayne molested at least one of them before offering them to the nobles.
• Rigmor: We have not completed our investigation, but our suspicions were correct.
• Wulf: Part of Evermore’s sudden wealth stems from Sigmayne’s trade of child flesh for diplomatic and trade favours.
• Sigmayne: The children would have grown and tasted the rot of their lowborn status. They would be subsumed in the despairing mediocrity that every serf endures. I have shown mercy and spared them from that fate.
• Wulf: The headsman will show mercy and spare you from your miserable existence.
• Sigmayne: You must understand. These beautiful tykes are now joyous and resplendent with youthful vigour because they serve this kingdom.
• Jathon: Wulf, is he saying we are happy?
• Wulf: Yes, Jathon.
• Jathon: Hey, King, I am not a serf! I was very happy at home, but you took me from my family, which made them and me sad. The other children are serfs, but their families still love them. You and others sticking your thingies up our butts and other places will never make us joyous. You laughed when I cried out in pain and grunted like the pig you are!
• Sarah: I was a Princess with all the privileges thereof. I still have nightmares about your hand groping me below. What despair and mediocrity were you saving me from? Stop trying to justify your perversion!
• Sigmayne: The children exchanged their nubile nectar to enrich the lives of royalty. After many years of conflict and thousands butchered, we have finally built a time of remembered peace. Evermore is a gleaming miracle in the East!
• Wulf: If it were a gleaming miracle, there would not be an insurrection, and I would not have been sent here by Lady Mara and His Imperial Majesty. No, Sigmayne, Evermore is poisoned by a canker. Your removal is the first step in its lancing.
• Jathon: I had a boil lanced last month. My sister almost upchucked when Dad squeezed, and puss and blood oozed out.

I used a bit of Thu’um for amplification and said, “Sigmayne Antieve, you are under arrest. You will be confined to jail as we await His Imperial Majesty’s instructions regarding your trial. I will compile a list of charges, witness list and evidence to be available to your attorney or attorneys. Several of the charges are capital offences. I will be seeking the death penalty.”

• Jathon: Yeah! That arrest was worth seeing. Can I watch his head get chopped off?
• Sigmayne: Kegor! Arouse the torturers and let them do whatever they wish to this scum. It has sinned gravely against royalty.
• Kegor: Sigmayne?! The children? How could you do this, King?
• Sigmayne: Has he spread the cancer of treason through you as well, Kegor? I will not repeat myself!
• Rigmor: Is the kid diddler insane or just a good actor?
• Sigmayne: Anyone who mentions this ordeal outside this palace will have themselves and their families put to death immediately, with no exceptions!
• Sarah: I think the reality of the situation has scrambled his brains.
• Sigmayne: This scoundrel will see the gravity of the crimes it has committed while it draws breath.
• Wulf: Sit down and shut up, Sigmayne. You have no authority as you are no longer King of Evermore.
• Sigmayne: You overextended. No doubt your heart burned with dreams and ambition. If you had but known your place, you may have achieved them.
• Rigmor: The armour His Excellency wears, and the sword he carries are worth more than this palace. But he does not measure his worth by his wealth. He is Champion of The Divines and is from a long, revered noble line.
• Sarah: Sir Wulf is loved by many, including The Nine. Lady Mara asked him to attend to Evermore’s problems. She has guided him along the way.
• Sigmayne: The magnificent griffon you slaughtered will never fly again!
• Rigmor: People sacrificed children to that griffon, and you knew it. That is one of the many crimes you must answer to.
• Wulf: But the griffon did not kill the children whose bodies I found incinerated in one of your store rooms. You and your guests killed them.

Just then, an Ustase came running into the room and approached the throne. He gasped when he looked my way.

• Ustase: Your Highness, I bear grave news.
• Sigmayne: What is it, man?
• Ustase: Gavaudon Quarry is in the hands of the Orcs. Ustase corpses were piled high. Some Greenskins in fancy armour would not let me enter and look for Prince Damian. Instead, they told me to deliver this message.
• Sigmayne: Do you know what happened to my son, scum?
• Wulf: The Ustase scum already said he could not enter the quarry to look for him.
• Rigmor: Sigmayne is turning red. I suggest Your Excellency answer him before his head explodes.
• Sarah: That would deny an Imperial Headsman his fee! We cannot let that happen!
• Wulf: Prince Damian was murdered some time ago, as was Consort Murinne.
• Sigmayne: Do you see, Kegor, what a murderous pig this man is?
• Wulf: I did not kill them. The same Daedra that killed the two prostitutes murdered your wife and son.
• Rigmor: You placed a Daedra in charge of Raven Spring. Not much of an improvement over Ol’ Monty.
• Sigmayne: Liar!
• Wulf: Do you know what we did in Gavaudon Quarry, Advisor Kegor?
• Kegor: You freed the enslaved Orsimer.
• Wulf: Correct. Sigmayne knew they were breeding Orsimer for enslavement. He also knew they were arresting innocent Orsimer and enslaving them. You also knew that, Ustase scum.
• Ustase: Well…um…
• Wulf: I went to Gavaudon Quarry to stop a plan by the Daedra called Ambition, several Evermore nobles and Predothor. That plan would have destroyed Evermore and included your untimely death, Sigmayne.
• Rigmor: Predothor was not what he seemed. His Excellency had to travel to Oblivion to kill him. He was a Dremora Lord who did not return to Badlands after The Oblivion Crises.
• Sigmayne: Gods! You are the evil that came to undo my kingdom. What agent of discord do you work for? Are you a Usher lackey?
• Rigmor: As explained several times, His Excellency is here because Lady Mara and His Imperial Majesty asked him to come. Are you saying the goddess of love and your emperor are agents of discord?
• Kegor: The walls are falling. More serfs have joined the rabble, and their rampage turns this city’s streets red. We cannot be doing this.
• Sigmayne: I will have your head, Kegor. Obey your king and bring justice to this scoundrel! NOW!
• Kegor: You are no longer my king. You are a disgusting piece of shit.
• Jathon: King Shit.
• Rigmor: Shitty king.
• Jathon: Yeah, I like that better.

The two guards and the Ustase attacked.

I growled, “Children, look away!”

I then decapitated all three attackers in less than three seconds.

Jathon said, “That was good but icky!”

I stood in front of Sigmayne who had come closer.

I told him, “I am finding it hard to resist doing the same to you. Sit down and shut up. I am spending time with you rather than trying to rescue who I can from the chaos.”

Sigmayne sat on this throne. I could sense a portal opening and looked towards the entrance.

When I got closer, a portal to Husk’s Pocket Plane appeared.

I turned around. Sarah and Rigmor were waiting for instructions.

• Wulf: Take the molesters, including Sigmayne, to Solitude’s jail. Take the children and Durzsha to Dragons Nest until we can locate their parents, and it is safe for them to return. The Bog is to be raided immediately. The enslaved Orsimer there are in grave danger.
• Rigmor: What if Husk and Ambition have rejoined?
• Wulf: I can sense Husk through the cord. He is alive. It may take some time for him to get dragged into The Void.
• Rigmor: Speaking of time. You were gone thirteen hours on the first trip to that pocket plane. Then, ten hours followed by three days. How long are you going to be gone this time?
• Wulf: How long is a piece of string? I do not know, Rigmor. That pocket plane is collapsing. Time there is malleable. It may even cause a Dragon Break when it collapses entirely.
• Sarah: We will be busy aiding General Tullius and Evermore’s people, Rigmor. You will not have time to worry.
• Wulf: Vayu must decide if Divine Knights will risk their lives trying to rescue people in Evermore City. Securing the smaller villages and towns should be the priority while Tullius travels across the kingdom.
• Rigmor: Wulf…
• Wulf: I must go, Rigmor. I do not know how much time Husk has left.
• Kegor: Come, Divine Knight Eisra, who seems to be Divine Knight Rigmor. Our troops were being decimated. It will not be long before those doors are ripped open. These children need to be taken somewhere safe.

I kissed Rigmor, which generated giggles amongst the children. To find humour after what they experienced is remarkable. Then again, my Rigmor recovered well from her trauma. Well, mostly.

I ran toward the portal and leapt over the barrier.

I was instantly transported to Husk’s pocket plane. A pile of dust with a skull on top occupied where I last saw Husk.

I got closer. The skull was that of a Half-Orc. If Husk wanted to speak to me further, it was too late. His soul was now in The Void.

There was constant rumbling, and the remains of the False King’s tower were gone. There was no invisible pathway leading to a door. There was no cord for me to follow.

I had to try to reach the cave where I had entered the pocket plane days ago. If it looked like I would not make it, I would use the Ayleid Waystone. However, instinctively, I knew that was a risky thing to do within a collapsing pocket plane. It would be safe to use if I reached The Void.

I turned around and saw a burning statue of a griffon.

If it was supposed to represent the destruction of Evermore, it was inaccurate. If I put the flames out, the singed wood of the statue would represent Evermore. It would be singed but still salvageable.

I headed for where the tongue bridge used to be. Husk’s last piece of his Monomyth artwork still existed.

Lady Mara’s avatar appeared with an orange tinge.

I rushed to stand before the Divine and was concerned.

“Lady Mara, as this pocket realm dissolves into The Void, you can traverse it. But you have put yourself in grave danger!”

“You are correct. As this pocket collapses, benign entities are allowed passage, for a moment.”

“Please, leave!”

“Fear not for my welfare, Special Child. I have come to provide succour for you, who have traversed the quagmire of want.

However, this interstice rapidly approaches its end. Dread will return. We will have to depart soon.”

“It seems this a plan of revenge by some, such as Zenalata. And a plea for recognition to Sithis from Lady Namira. My presence and actions have led to the chaos that has started in Evermore City and will spread rapidly across the kingdom.”

“Special Child, I wept with every orifice of this ethereal being. Every effort to thwart the systems of men and insidious circumstances had fallen short. We tried and will keep trying to stem the tide of horror.”

“The battles between gods have always been between mortal agents.”

“Yes, the hearts of mortal agents are locked in struggle, their souls tandem with fragility. Swathes of individuals seeking to covet their being have given rise to the terrific scenario you witnessed. Such chaos has led to extremities in every strand of thought, where the sadist and butcher thrive in dire times.”

Something started to drag me away from Lady Mara. Not physically. My soul suddenly became the rope, no, the cord, in a tug of war.

“Special Child, the two halves have rejoined. Spitefully, the reconstituted being is trying to keep you here. You will die!”

“Leave me, Lady Mara. You will perish, and Convention will unravel. Mundus will be bereft of natural laws. Chaos will reign in every corner until Alduin returns and consumes the detritus. Leave, I beg you!”

Lady Mara cried out in anguish, “I am sorry, Rigmor, I have lost him!”

I heard Rigmor’s sweet voice via Mara’s Rings.

“WULF! DON’T YOU DARE LEAVE ME! PLEASE! WULF!”

“There must be some connection to Mundus for the rings to work. I am not going to leave you, Rigmor.”

I grasped at a recent memory, for it was most likely to work. A memory of holding Rigmor and kissing. A memory of children giggling. I willed myself to where that happened.

I came out of the ether into the place of that memory.

I grasped my Amulet. Father’s dweomer told me I was on the correct timeline, but five days after I entered the portal.

The palace was falling apart. Fiery debris fell to the ground below the throne room’s dome.

There was no sound of battle.

My mind was reeling. I could not think straight or sense Rigmor via Mara’s Rings.

I summoned Celestine. She appeared and summoned Rigmor, Sarah and Lydia.

• Wulf: Lady Mara risked her life. Did something happen to her? Is that why our rings do not work?
• Sarah: Lady Mara is okay, Wulf.
• Rigmor: I could not sense you via the rings, but now I can.
• Celestine: It must have been a transient issue caused by who knows what gobblygook.
• Wulf: What has happened?
• Rigmor: We will give you a brief overview. Save questions till later.
• Wulf: Okay, boss. I am happy to see you and hope the feeling is mutual.
• Rigmor: The rings are working, so you know how I feel!
• Wulf: Yes, sorry. Can I blame my cynicism on the gobblygook?
• Rigmor: It does not matter. Now, do you want a summary or not?
• Wulf: The floor is yours, including the wonky carpets. Why did the looters leave them behind?
• Rigmor: General Tullius was on the border and mobilised the entire legion at Vayu’s recommendation. The first elements reached The Divide a few hours later and secured it without opposition.
• Celestine: Vayu returned to this palace, and we teleported to the Safe House with the prisoners. From there, we marched the prisoners to Solitude’s prison. Squads of Divine Knights have been guarding the cells on an eight-hour rotation.
• Rigmor: Celestine and I visited High Queen Elisif and explained the situation. She agreed that Solitude’s prison was a better option than anything in Evermore.
• Sarah: Inigo and the Ka’Po’Tun took the children and Durzsha to Dragons Keep. Our blue friend has a remarkable way with children.
• Wulf: He and his brother were orphans.
• Celestine: Many other prisoners have joined the original five, including the Arch-Bishop and others mentioned in the plan Mengrelle and Josiah authored. I know they were stupid, but including names like they did was idiotic.
• Rigmor: After the initial prisoner transport to Solitude, five squads entered Evermore City and rescued Ambassador Vaeser and many civilians. The Wayrest troops aided us. All Evermorin Guards were eliminated early in the uprising.
• Lydia: We escorted thousands of people to Raven Spring and The Divide. Miraak aboard Rava acted as a scout. Not one person died on that march as Divine Knights eliminated all Witchmen, Exiles and aggressive Orsimer who came too close.
• Rigmor: Several dragons wanted to help, but we thought civilians might hide from them. Rava has become a familiar sight.
• Celestine: Ghorbash and Borgakh remained at the quarry for several days. Many Orsimer Legionnaires were teleported in to aid them. When Master Urag was told of the situation, he left The Arcanaeum in the hands of subordinates for the first time in centuries! He and several Masters of Restoration aided the Orsimer in The Bog and Gavaudon Quarry.
• Rigmor: Several Orsimer Chiefs from Skyrim have been taken to both places to see what the Evermorin did. They were satisfied that the guilty would be punished and that freed Orsimer received needed care.
• Wulf: Can anything be done for those who could not talk?
• Celestine: They will be able to talk after a while. There is nothing that can be done for the castrated.
• Sarah: Very few people who visited The Bog and Gavaudon Quarry escaped bouts of weeping. For many, it was their first introduction to the depravity of other mortals.
• Rigmor: More than half the Imperial troops exited Evermore, leaving the remainder to secure cities, towns, and villages. The Wayrest troops returned home. No forts have been garrisoned, and few troops are allowed within ten miles of the borders.
• Wulf: Why?
• Rigmor: The other kingdoms were concerned His Imperial Majesty may have removed a king and killed his successor without provocation or legal right. They thought Wayrest was taking advantage of the situation.
• Wulf: How the other kingdoms would react was always a concern.
• Rigmor: Patrols of Divine Knights and Legionnaires travel the roads, eliminating hostiles.
• Sarah: Evermore City was declared a loss. Vayu scouted it with Miraak aboard Rava.
• Rigmor: Miraak has dragon sight like a weirdo that I know.
• Sarah: They reported Orsinium’s Sons and Witchmen battle for control of Evermore City. They said neither faction would have the numbers to hold it against a few platoons of Legionnaires. They also said a platoon of Legionnaires was wiped out.
• Wulf: What were they doing there?
• Sarah: Communication was difficult at the start. Commander Drugo had stationed them to protect the cured Afflicted in the nearby town and farms. The legionnaires must have heard the commotion and entered Evermore City, unaware of the situation. Serfs and other civilians attacked them before Sir Usher realised what was happening. He has apologised.
• Wulf: It is the sort of thing I expected. Enraged Evermore citizens would have regarded Legionnaires as responsible as the Evermorin Guards.
• Rigmor: We must wait for the other kingdoms to review the evidence gathered and agree that His Imperial Majesty’s actions were justified. Until then, we cannot retake forts and places like Deepcrag.
• Sarah: The evidence is overwhelming, and we have the support of religious leaders. It will not take long before this city is retaken and rebuilding can begin.
• Wulf: Raven Spring and The Divide cannot hold this city’s population.
• Rigmor: Jehanna and New Orsinium are accepting refugees. A large tent city has been established by General Tullius just over the border. Legionnaires escort teams of carriages from The Divide to Skyrim, where other refugees can seek shelter. Other Legionnaires guard the route to New Orsinium.
• Lydia: At first, the number of people wanting to flee was troublesome. Now, it is a trickle as the chaos is over.
• Wulf: I want to see the damage. I want to walk through this city and to The Divide.
• Rigmor: We might encounter hostiles, although it seems they have almost wiped each other out.
• Lydia: They have been hiding when the large patrols are seen. They may think the five of us are an easy target.
• Wulf: Good. I am in the mood to lop off heads.
• Sarah: There is much evidence that Namira devotees, not just Witchmen, are still active. Cyrodiil Vigilants of Stendarr will visit Evermore in numbers once the other kingdoms are placated.
• Lydia: Vigilants lived in a tavern within a stone’s throw of Raven Spring.
• Wulf: What?
• Lydia: They did nothing during this crisis and have been recalled to Cyrodiil.
• Wulf: If I had known they were there, I would have made them defend Raven Spring against the Daedra!
• Rigmor: I am sure you will have questions as we travel.
• Wulf: I expect to be involved in Evermore for some time, Rigmor.
• Rigmor: I know. You have diplomacy to do.

We made our way outside, dodging falling masonry as we went.

We heard skirmishes. Every building was damaged. Rubble and fires were abundant.

Our first attackers were Orsimer. I could not tell if they were Orsinium’s Sons, disgruntled locals, or a combination.

It did not matter, as they decided their fate.

I contemplated entering the temple. However, I decided that I did not want to desecrated Divine shrines.

We interrupted a clash between Orsimer and Witchmen.

We came upon some of the slaughtered Legionnaires.

Orsimer in Wayrest armour lay among the dead.

Sarah commented, “They are wearing the colours of Father’s Royal Guards.”

I had seen enough, and we headed for the main gate that Aventurier once protected. Unhealthy large Oblivion Roots showed a Witchmen connection to Namira still existed but was waning.

• Wulf: Do we know how many Orsimer joined up with Orsinium’s Sons?
• Rigmor: Not that many. Miraak says most Orsimer Chiefs have moved their tribes from their traditional locations to avoid being targeted by other factions. Many have already been escorted across the border. However, after the temporary withdrawal of our troops, many Orsimer are waiting for an escort. Without supervision, the racist elements of Evermore are emboldened.
• Wulf: Do you know what happened to Luther?
• Celestine: He spent time at Gavaudon Quarry. He is now at the meeting of High Rock officials discussing the situation in Evermore.
• Rigmor: Guess who was invited to that meeting?
• Wulf: You named your horse after him.
• Rigmor: Smartarse!
• Wulf: Baa’Ren-Dar is probably the most respected diplomat in Tamriel. His neutral views would be respected since he is not an Imperial Citizen.
• Lydia: I will never get used to how quickly you come to correct conclusions.
• Wulf: After Sancre Tor, we know why that is.
• Rigmor: I wish The Divines gifted me with special abilities.
• Wulf: They have. You consume a copious number of Sweet Rolls and remain slim.
• Rigmor: I wonder if that will be the same with chocolates?
• Celestine: We shall binge on chocolates together and see if that is the case.
• Lydia: Have you tried the liquor chocolates?
• Sarah: I have. You can get fat and drunk at the same time!
• Rigmor: Cool!

We had not travelled far when we saw Orsimer battling Ustase, including Aventurier.

By the time we reached the skirmish, nobody from either side was alive.

It was evident the Ustase had been killing civilians. Restricted numbers of Legionnaires placed people at risk.

Most bridges in Evermore were wooden and had not survived. Carriages had been ambushed before Legionnaires and Divine Knights had started escorting them.

I laughed when I saw an ad hoc Orsimer village near Grey Belmor.

• Rigmor: That is where Ambition said he would create gardens and so on.
• Wulf: Now, the people he wanted to eliminate occupy it.
• Sarah: That has a taste of poetic justice about it.
• Lydia: Do you think they are waiting to evacuate?
• Wulf: I do not know. We will not approach them as they may be hostile. I want to avoid further bloodshed if possible.

Witchmen had desecrated Lady Mara’s statue outside Raven Spring. The Oblivion Vines seemed much healthier than those in Evermore City.

Rigmor asked, “Are we entering Raven Spring?”

“No. I have no doubt everything inside is under control. However, I do want to visit the embassy.”

We could hear fighting and hurried inside the embassy.

Ustase were being rapidly eliminated by Legionnaires and Erandur’s squad of Divine Knights.

We joined the melee.

I approached a lieutenant, who recognised me and saluted.

• Wulf: Stand at ease, lieutenant. What is your name?
• Lozodakh: Lieutenant Lozodakh Yargub, Your Excellency.
• Wulf: What was happening here?
• Lozodakh: The personnel stationed here have been reassigned. We had just finished securing the embassy when the Ustase attacked. The Divine Knights are accompanying us on patrol.
• Rigmor: The Ustase must have been suicidal!
• Lozodakh: They are getting desperate as they have nowhere to hide. They have been declared outlaws.
• Lydia: You have the right to eliminate them on sight.
• Lozodakh: Correct.
• Wulf: Are they being intercepted at the borders?
• Lozodakh: All Ustase were branded upon initiation on their upper right bicep. Several trying to disguise themselves as civilians have been dealt with at the borders.
• Rigmor: Did you visit Gavaudon Quarry or The Bog?
• Lozodakh: I visited the quarry. I am glad no live Ustase were left. Otherwise, I would have found myself in front of a tribunal.
• Rigmor: We did not leave one breathing.
• Lozodakh: Divine Knight Ghorbash entertained me with the details of their elimination.
• Wulf: Many who were responsible for the crimes are awaiting trial. They can look forward to the headsman or many decades inside the same mines and quarries.
• Lozodakh: They will get three meals a day and not have head cages.
• Wulf: I will insist they are shackled. That is not usually done, but we can make exceptions.
• Lozodakh: Have you seen much of what is left?
• Wulf: We came from Evermore City. That is a mess. However, the other damage I saw was not as severe. I think the kingdom’s infrastructure will be repaired within months. Eliminating the hostiles might take longer.
• Lozodakh: The Witchmen are the biggest problem. They infest miles of caves and tunnels. Without the poison antidote, we would have lost far more soldiers. However, their mages are effective. That is why every patrol includes Divine Knights.
• Wulf: The rest of the legion will cross back over soon. It was inevitable the other High Rock kingdoms would be concerned.
• Lozodakh: I only know part of what you uncovered, Your Excellency. I suspect it will be grim reading when made public.
• Sarah: Grim is an understatement.

I saluted Lozodakh and went to Erandur.

• Wulf: Are you having fun?
• Erandur: I would prefer a mead or two in Aurane.
• Wulf: Evermore grows on you.
• Erandur: As do warts and pimples.
• Rigmor: At least the feeling of imminent catastrophe had gone.
• Erandur: Yes, we noticed that sudden change a few days ago.
• Wulf: Probably when the Wayrest troops attacked Evermore City. The chaos had begun.
• Erandur: Miraak said there is not much to salvage.
• Wulf: I have never seen such a large city destroyed like that.
• Sarah: Most of the damage was caused by serfs and other enraged civilians. It is a testament to their anger.
• Lydia: Pissed off civilians once destroyed much of Riften.
• Wulf: Angry enslaved carved out a new empire.
• Celestine: They had a couple of Demi-Gods assisting them.
• Wulf: Yes, but Mother led and motivated them.
• Erandur: We are finding fewer hostiles each patrol. It would be best if we could start collecting the corpses and arrange proper burials.
• Wulf: The other kingdoms will rapidly conclude we had every right to remove Sigmayne. Then, we can wipe out the remaining enemies, provide burials and start rebuilding.
• Erandur: You look tired, Wulf.
• Wulf: I am. I will continue my tour and then rest before continuing my work. Diplomacy is still needed if Evermore is to recover. Anyway, we better continue before it gets dark.

We left the embassy and headed along the main road to The Divide.

Exiles puzzled me. Some submitted to Tullius’ army, claiming they were exiled for minor crimes. Unfortunately, many records were destroyed in Evermore City, so their claims were impossible to investigate. Those Exiles would be treated fairly. Others decided to continue a life of banditry. We cut down several groups of them on our way to The Divide.

I saw a group of Witchmen heading towards Forlorn and Grey Belmor.

I told my friends, “Watch how powerful my Thu’um has become.”

Unrelenting Force raced across a river and killed the Witchmen. No bow could reach that far, and few mages could cast a Fireball that distance.

More Exiles committed suicide not far from The Divide’s first watchtower.

When we reached The Divide’s gate, a Divide Guard called down, “Halt! Who are you, and why do you seek entrance?”

Rigmor replied, “Look at our armour and weapons and take a guess who we are.”

“The tall one. That is Sir Wulf, isn’t it?”

“DUH!”

“Pardon my insolence, Divine Knights. It is so tense around here with everything happening that I cannot be too careful.”

“We understand, but a single guard is not much protection.”

“It is best we can do until the Imperial Army returns to full strength.”

Rados was leaning against a fence. He straightened when he saw us but was far from steady on his feet.

• Wulf: Rados, it is good to see you! Are you building a new smithy here?
• Rados: Yeah, I like the scenery.
• Rigmor: Are you okay?
• Rados: Yeah, fine, Divine Knight Eisra. I had a teeny bit too much rum again.
• Rigmor: Have you been drinking a lot?
• Rados: Yeah. I just could not handle it after our ordeal in that foul world. Gods, I am pathetic!
• Rigmor: It can be a shock to realise how evil is always so close and how repulsive it can be.
• Rados: Nah, you do not get it. I was having these problems way before then. After the battles against Wayrest, I returned to the bottle. I wanted to drown in the bottle. Then I recovered somewhat, only to find that slaughter was unjust, and then I got thrust into the domain of childhood nightmares.
• Wulf: We have eliminated or arrested those responsible for the savagery in Wayrest.
• Rados: The brutality by my fellow citizens was just as evil as what we saw in Oblivion. And I was a coward and watched it happen.
• Sarah: Remember me, Rados.
• Rados: Yes, Princess, I remember who you are.
• Sarah: Sometimes you must accept it is not the time to intervene. That nothing will be achieved by doing so. You must pick your battles, Rados. My father’s steward waited years before enacting revenge on Evermore and Sigmayne.
• Rados: I thought I could join you knights on a hero’s journey without succumbing to that state again. But the sounds and smells of the violence brought it all back.
• Rigmor: You helped Sir Wulf close an Oblivion Gate. Few people have ever accomplished that feat. More than the people of Raven Spring benefited from your bravery. That is something you should remember with pride.
• Rados: Perhaps I could have if I were born a warrior, but I was not. I am not my grandfather, and I will never be. I have not got the mettle. I tried hard to live up to his legacy but could not. After every battle, I will hit the drink, which changes me. No longer Rados the jolly but Rados the miserable. I was sober for so long now I do not think I will ever be again.
• Lydia: No Divine Knight glorifies battle. We do not feel pride in how well we fought. We feel pride in the outcome achieved. So, you, Rados, had better feel proud of what you did because it was astounding!
• Sarah: Stop worrying about those who do not understand what you have seen. You do not need to be your grandfather. You must be Rados, the blacksmith, and use your skills to rebuild Evermore. Then you can look around and not see the horror but the excellent work done and have pride in that.
• Wulf: Rados, Divine Knight Sarah is correct. Not everybody is a warrior, and not everybody needs to be. The drink will not make you forget. You must fill your head with good memories and learn to be proud of your actions. Your skills as a blacksmith will be needed, so do not disappoint those who look to you for help.
• Rigmor: Your grandfather deserves to be recognised for what he did, but not in the previous manner. His armour and sword should be on display, not his corpse or inside a temple. Give them up, wear your apron and wield your blacksmithing tools.
• Rados: So, I replace the bad memories with laughter and the thanks of grateful citizens. That sounds easy.
• Rigmor: It is easier than slowly dying from drink. It is easier than being ignored by those trying to rebuild this kingdom. It is easier than disappointing those who do not expect you to be Mados but do expect his name to be honoured.
• Wulf: There was nothing we could do to prevent the chaos. But you helped us minimise the damage done. I am not leaving Evermore for some time as my skills will be needed. I want to see you working beside me.
• Rados: This kingdom was built on crimes and living on borrowed time. The things we did to Wayrest and Munstor were terrible enough. I have since learned about the children and enslaved Orcs. We deserved the punishment delivered.
• Celestine: Evermore is not unique, Rados. All countries and provinces built on a foundation of injustice eventually collapse.
• Wulf: The everyday people of Evermore deserve no punishment. We are still collecting those who do, and they will face judgement according to Imperial Law. You deserve no punishment, for you were lied to.
• Rados: I will try, Sir Wulf. I might not be very functional as I wean myself from the booze, but I will get there.
• Wulf: As I said, I will be in Evermore for a while longer. If I do not see the effort, I will use unpleasant methods to make you sober.
• Celestine: Believe me, Rados, you do not want to know how unpleasant that can be.
• Rados: Okay, I will not try to become sober. I will become sober!
• Wulf: Be proud of what you did. Do not regret being the grandson of a great man.

A bit further on, Horustair was kneeling in prayer. On a table in front of him was an activated Mara’s shrine. Priests and priestesses had been travelling as far as was safe and activating shrines. Next to Mara’s shrine was a statue of a griffon.

I brought my sword down on the griffon and reduced it to dust.

The startled knight stood with his hand on his sword. When he saw who I was, he relaxed.

I told him, “Do not sully Lady Mara by placing such a thing near her shrine. They are opposites in every way. I hope you were praying to her and not that foulest of creatures. It is not even a deity, and its veneration in this kingdom was sacrilegious. No different than the ancients treating dragons as gods.”

“I was praying for the souls on this bridge. An Orc contingent within the bog is determined to see the souls on this bridge suffer further indignity. Evoking the memory of Mados for a moment, if you can recall his encounter with those Orcs who laid that curse on Grey Belmor, it seems this realm is regurgitating those same awful events all over again. However, we hope those shamans can be culled this time before their hideous magic reaches its penultimate form.”

“It would have taken hundreds of shamans many months to produce that curse. Ask yourself why they have not done it since. Think with logic, not racism.”

A Divide guard ran up and said, “Excuse me, Sir Wulf. There is an Orc at the gate. He says he is from the swamp near Belmor. He said something about a truce.”

“Any Orsimer who wants to travel to New Orsinium has been offered safe passage. I believe hundreds have travelled via The Divide already.”

Horustair started walking, saying, “That was before I manned this gate. Let us see what they intend to do!”

I put my arm in the way of him and asked the guard, “Who did he ask to see?”

“He asked to see Sir Wulf Welkynd.”

“Nobody is to draw their weapon or knock their bow. Keep your racism and hatred to yourself. If you cannot do so, then stay here. Let me talk, and do not dare interrupt!”

I retrieved Volundrung from my document case and then approached the lone Orsimer.

I said, “I am Sir Wulf. What is your name?”

“Anka-Ur.”

“What can I do for you, Anka-Ur.”

“We were told we could have safe passage to New Orsinium. But the knight over there is known to be hostile to my people. I have been scouting for days, hoping you would arrive and arrange that passage for us.”

“If the agreement was made, I will honour it. If it had not already been made, I would make it. Tell me, Anka-Ur, did your tribe threaten The Divide with a curse?”

“That was not my idea, and I told Chief Dom-Kurz it would not make some people more amendable to our request.”

“Why did you ask for me?”

“Luther told us you can be trusted. I guessed you would eventually come this way.”

“Why didn’t your tribe travel through The Divide earlier?”

“Our home is some distance, and we had to be cautious. We have set up temporary shelters near Grey Belmor as we await our opportunity.”

“Are you Orsinium’s Sons?”

“No. They turned reasonable Breton against us. We have since heard rumours that The Thalmor were directing them.”

 I asked, “Do you know what this is?”

“Luther told us you were Bloodkin and Malacath’s champion. That is Volundrung.”

I turned and said, “Sir Horustair, the Divine Knights, and I shall accompany Anka-Ur to meet with Chief Dom-Kurz. Once I am certain there is no threat from shamans, we shall march the tribe through The Divide and then to the border.”

We trotted behind Anka-Ur.

A while later, we arrived at the Orsimer camp.

Three female shamans surrounded a cauldron chanting gibberish.

I used Night-Vision as I walked to Chief Dom-Kurz. I wanted to observe what the shamans were doing.

One dropped something into a cauldron, and fumes engulfed all three shamans. They collapsed. Celestine rushed over to check on them.

She yelled, “They are okay and will be back on their feet in a minute or two. They will have terrible headaches, but it serves them right for mixing reagents without proper training.”

I stood before Dom-Kurz and said, “I greet you, Chief Dom-Kurz, under the rules of parley. Do not break those rules.”

“Why should we believe anything you say?”

“I am Bloodkin and Malacath’s champion. If you accuse me of falsehood, prove your claim in combat. When your corpse is rotting on the ground, your people will enjoy the freedoms and independence New Orsinium offers.”

“Proof of right to lead does not prove honesty.”

“I have stopped a planned attack on New Orsinium and rescued many Orsimer from enslavement. I have done nothing but help your people in both Skyrim and here. What I have not allowed to happen is the slaughter of civilians who have done you no harm. The Orsinium Sons did not follow the Code of Malacath. Their deaths were the Blood Price owed.  There are many things to be discussed in future negotiations. Let us get this one out of the way. State what you want.”

“Just get my people safely across that bridge so we can join the others in New Orsinium.”

“Done, but you must turn a deaf ear and a blind eye to insults. Many do not distinguish between Orsinium Son’s and other Orsimer. You will be blamed for their atrocities.”

“You got a sharp tongue. Lead, and we will be right behind you.”

“We will have to wait till the shamans recover.”

I walked to the cauldron and asked, “How are they doing?”

Sarah shrugged and said, “They have puked a few times but seem healthy enough.”

“Will there be any long-term problems?”

Celestine replied, “No. Their heads will probably throb for a few hours if we do not heal them.”

We cast Grand Healing on the three shamans, then started our return to The Divide.

Some Witchmen got in our way and died. That started a lot of chatter amongst the Orsimer. Witnessing the power of The Voice can be enlightening, frightening or both.

When we reached the gate, Horustair stood in the middle of the road.

“Everybody stay put till I talk sense into Sir Horustair.”

I stood before the knight and asked,“Sir Horustair, do you intend to stop our progress?”

“You have made a deal with savages who have raped their way through this kingdom. Are you insane? Have their shamans put you under a spell?”

“These Orsimer are under my protection. Stand aside, Sir Knight.”

“We cannot allow these murderers and rapists to walk away without punishment. You have gone too far. Mother Mara demands we avenge our fallen.”

“So, Lady Mara told you this?”

“Well…no.”

“Lady Mara asked me to negotiate peace in Evermore. She did not ask me to continue the senseless slaughter. Have you visited The Bog mines or Gavaudon Quarry?”

“No.”

“Therefore, you have not seen the once enslaved Orsimer. They were either bred into captivity or forced into it without crime or trial. You would not have seen them wearing head cages with attachments to stop them from speaking. You would not have encountered the castrated males or the breeders. The Orsimer were treated no better than the Ayleid treated Saint Alessia’s people.”

“That does not justify what has been done to innocent citizens!”

“Orsimer are Imperial citizens! Why did so many Orsimer flee Evermore before we arrived? Could it be that bigots like you blamed all Orsimer for the actions of a few? Should the actions of the Witchmen incriminate all Reachmen? Should I cut you down because you are Breton and Exiles have attacked innocents?”

“No.”

“I could kill you for questioning my authority and judgement. At the least, I should strip you of your knighthood. But I will not, as this kingdom can only survive if it obeys The Ten Commands of the Nine Divines. It can only survive if past hatreds are confined to history and end as of now. You have a choice, Sir Horustair. You can return home to your wife and son and use your status to help rebuild Evermore. Alternatively, you can disobey me, be stripped of your knighthood and jailed. The latter choice will allow you to continue your senseless hatred. What is it to be?”

“I apologise, Your Excellency. I have known about Sigmayne’s corruption for years. It is senseless to blame all Orcs for the actions of Orsinium’s Sons.”

“The noble Orsimer families of Cyrodiil and the many Orsimer of Skyrim had every right to seek vengeance for what has occurred in Evermore. They could have swarmed across the border in great numbers. Yet they have chosen to watch and see how their Bloodkin are treated going forward. Think about that before you call them savages!”

I gave a signal, and the column marched past Sir Horustair.

We reached the area where refugees can board carriages to their destination. Once they leave Evermore’s border, Legionnaires will act as guards.

Reamonn saw me and moved to the side to talk without getting trampled.

• Wulf: How are you fairing, Missionary Reamonn?
• Reamonn: Your Excellency, you kept vanishing and reappearing in the oddest places.
• Wulf: I was in and out of Oblivion, and sometimes, time runs a bit differently, especially in the smaller pocket planes.
• Rigmor: And His Excellency makes it sound like a walk in the park.
• Wulf: They need to improve the aesthetics if it is supposed to be a park.
• Reamonn: I did not handle my encounter with Ambition very well.
• Celestine: He was something foreign to your normality. Your reaction was typical.
• Reamonn: Your Excellency kept hinting there was chaos you were trying to prevent.
• Rigmor: It was an impossible task. Lady Mara knew we would fail.
• Reamonn: I had been repressing the thought that the order we clung to could ever slip away. Even through the worst of it, I believed we would eventually return to normal.
• Wulf: The status quo in this kingdom was not normal. Evermore nobility and The Priest Circle were corrupt and evil, and those seeking favour were willing participants in the worst depravity. The evil here was entrenched well before Dark Lords got involved.
• Reamonn: I will do what I can to help rebuild.
• Wulf: I will rest a day or two and then return to help rebuild. That is what Lady Mara wanted from me.
• Rigmor: Who is the little girl?
• Reamonn: That is Dusk. You might have seen her mother at the entrance gate waiting for her husband’s patrol to return. The Ka’Po’Tun Divine Knights are with them. I had a meal with your furry friends, and they told me many stories about your time in Akavir.
• Celestine: Likely exaggerated.
• Reamonn: Perhaps, but I think Sir Wulf and the Divine Knights are capable of the impossible.
• Wulf: Divine Knight Eisra, could you go for a week without a Sweetroll?
• Rigmor: Ahh…no…nope…never!
• Wulf: That is proof we cannot achieve the impossible.
• Lydia: Divine Knight Celestine, could His Excellency ever say something deliberately humorous?
• Celestine: Ahh…no…nope…never!
• Lydia: That is further proof we cannot achieve the impossible.
• Wulf: I see somebody who should not be walking free. Excuse us, Missionary Reamonn.

We approached Lisrier, who saw us and tried to walk away.

I grabbed him by the shoulder and turned him to face me.

I sneered, “Are you making a profit from charging the desperate who wish to leave Evermore?”

“Yes, well, things were already bad enough, but your entry into this spoiled land was the spark that engendered this inferno.”

“Show some respect. If we had not come when asked by Lady Mara, every person you see would have died. Nobody else could have closed that Oblivion Gate!”

“Of course, only in hindsight can we look at the grander picture and say that tragedy was inevitable. This chaos required an extraordinary ingredient, a special someone.”

“While we were risking our lives and helping the people, what were you doing? When the people of Raven Spring were desperate for goods, you bypassed them to make more profit at Evermore City.”

“So, you blame me for being smart and making a profit? This is the real world. Levy the blame at every other merchant and person engaged in gold rather than me, then weep at your naïve arguments.”

“There is nothing naïve at all in what I said. When you could have helped, you did not. Yet you pay lip service to the worship of Lady Mara. You contributed to the chaos that ensued with your self-righteous pursuit of profit. Now you see more profit in charging the destitute a fee to take them away from here.”

“The memory of this old order of decrepit royals will fade. The people will beg for new shepherds, and the masters of the coin will take up that mantle.”

“And condemn the people to further horrors just like the Direnni Hegemony! There will be big changes. Serfdom will be eliminated. The trade routes will be opened to Khajiiti caravans and the East Empire Trading Company. Evermore’s citizens will sell their produce and keep the proceeds. Real priests and priestesses will be inside the temples, and Imperial Patrols will maintain order. The enslaved Orsimer will be free. Gutless profit-chasing morons like you will be a thing of the past.”

Lisrier was looking worried at those prospects.

I continued, “The Orsimer of New Orsinium are no threat to trade routes but will soon be trading from that new city.”

“Ha! Orcs cannot even tell left from right. How would those savages have any knowledge of trade and its importance?”

“You are so stupid that I am surprised you remember to breathe! I am Arch Mage of The College of Winterhold. Many Orsimer mages are infinitely more intelligent than you. Many universities within The Empire have Orsimer professors and students. Noble families of Orsimer traders live in Cyrodiil. The Orsimer Strongholds in Skyrim thrive on trading with their Nord neighbours and Khajiiti caravans. You exemplify the greed that led to Evermore’s problems!”

“All your talk and apportioning blame is for naught. Plans are already well underway for the merchants’ ascent.”

“Do you mean the plans of Mengrelle and Josiah? I killed them and recovered copies of it, and your name is mentioned several times. Kegor also told me you were involved.”

I drew my sword and said, “Missionary Reamonn, please come here. A citizen of Evermore is being arrested, so another citizen should witness it.”

Reamonn promptly joined us.

“We deal with gods and the highest rungs of merchants and nobility. You are a gnat, Lisrier, compared to those who respect me and the Divine Knights! Every person on Nirn owes their life and freedom to Sir Wulf Welkynd and the Divine Knights, including you. We have sacrificed comfort and safety many times over, not for profit but for the benefit of strangers.”

Lisrier realised that his life as a merchant was over. I felt no guilt in transferring some of my anger towards him.

I used a bit of Thu’um so many in The Divide would hear my proclamation.

“LISRIER GULINDS, YOU ARE UNDER ARREST FOR SEDITION, PROFITEERING AND THE PLANNING OF MASS MURDER. YOU WILL BE TAKEN TO SOLITUDE, WHERE YOU AND YOUR CO-CONSPIRATORS WILL BE TRIED FAIRLY. YOU CAN CHOOSE YOUR ATTORNEY, OR ONE WILL BE APPOINTED IF REQUIRED.”

I summoned Ghorbash and Borgakh.

A few seconds later, they appeared from the ether.

I said, “Divine Knights Ghorbash and Borgakh, Lisrier Gulinds is under arrest for sedition, amongst other charges. He was amongst those planning an attack on New Orsinium. Please prepare him for travel to Solitude’s prison.”

Ghorbash threw Lisrier to the ground, and Borgakh bound his hands behind his back. They then dragged him into a kneeling position.

I growled, “I could charge you with treason, Lisrier, and then your head would roll. You will be found guilty of the lesser charges as I have ample proof, including Kegor as a witness. You are scum and can look forward to replacing the enslaved Orsimer at the quarry. You will contribute to the rebuilding of this kingdom by providing the rocks needed for construction. Maybe you will learn something during those long years of honest labour.”

I explained, “Missionary Reamonn, you now own Lisrier’s carriage, cargo, and horse. Look after Jenna. Her last owner was scum, but she is a good horse. Use your new property to aid in Evermore’s reconstruction.”

I summoned Urdr and explained the situation, and she teleported the group to Solitude.

We then continued our journey to the border.

The Orsimer thanked us for our assistance. Legionnaires would protect them from the border to New Orsinium.

I stared at the border gate and tried to gather my thoughts. I was unsure as to what to do next.

Rigmor held my hand, and Our Quiet enveloped us.

She said, “I fancy a couple of days in Dragons Keep. You have not used your private quarters there.”

“Meeko and Olette would not forgive me if they were not invited.”

“You can invite them after we have a day to recuperate. The healing power of being around children will give you the strength to return and help Evermore.”

“That is a great idea!”

“Of course it is. All my ideas are great!”

“Yeah, right. Pfft!”

“Steal my saying once more, and there will be trouble, Dragonbum.”

And that is how Evermore’s nightmare ended, and reconstruction began.