The Missing Snow Elf

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Rhew

The missing snow elf

Rhew

The missing snow elf
rhew banner.jpg
THE WAY OF THE VOICE



Inside the tavern I sat with Lydia as we had a small dinner. Now that the excitement of the dragon attack had ended I felt a little uncomfortable around Faendal and he could tell. It was some of the comments Delphine had said. He hunted the Blades like animals? Him personally? It didn’t sound like Faendal but it left me feeling unnerved. At first it wasn’t hard to avoid him inside the tavern as the owner had recognized him. She was surprised he was even alive. Faendal showed her the scar on his shoulder. He must have stayed here during the bandit incident, I realized.

“You’re avoiding him.” Lydia stated as she took a bite of her dinner.

I looked at her shocked. “Hmmm? What? No! No, no, no. Why would I do that?” I blundered. She raised her eyebrow but said nothing. “Well, it’s just….. You know…..” Just what? I thought. I wasn’t even sure myself why I was acting this way.

“You’re letting Delphine’s words get to you.” She said to me. “I don’t like the Thalmor but Faendal seems no different from a couple of days ago.” Lydia shrugged and took a bite of her food. “Maybe not hiding his secret like before but that’s probably a relief for him.”

I glanced at Faendal who was still talking to the owner. He did seem the same but Delphine’s words supported what I had noticed about him. There was more to him than his gentle sweet side that I had only seen a couple of times when we attacked the bandits at the ruins above Riverwood and at the tower. And that side of him almost frightened me. What had Delphine said earlier? That he had personally hunted down the Blades like animals? I shivered at the thought. Faendal glanced over at me and smiled. I quickly looked away and back at my food.

“You know he’s not going to let you act this way for long.” Lydia pointed out as she watched me poke at my food. I grunted a reply. Lydia stood up from the table and stretched. “Well, I’m calling it a night.” She said with a sly smile.

My eyes grew wide realizing what was about to happen. I was about to call after Lydia but Faendal was already next to me. “Rhew-” he started.

“Was what Delphine said true?” I interrupted him. He looked distressed. His silence answered my question. “You hunted people like they were animals?” I still couldn’t believe it.

Faendal snapped out of his distress. “No. As I said before I was just a scout. I found their locations and that was it.” He said with a smile. His eyes were hiding something more. I could see it. “Rhew, I’m sorry I never told you about who I used to be but that’s not who I am anymore.” I continued to watch him in silence. His distress returned. He looked annoyed with himself because he couldn’t find the right words to make me feel better. “I know you don’t understand a lot of what is going on but I had to keep my past a secret. Not just because I am not proud of what I’ve done but for safety as well.”

That last sentence sounded the most sincere to me. I finally smiled and decided to accept his explanation. “Don’t keep secrets from me anymore, Faendal.” I told him.

He smiled. A wave of relief flooded his face. “I promise.”

The trip to High Hrothgar was uneventful; tiring but uneventful. As much as I cared for Faendal I couldn’t shake the unease I felt. I tried my best to hide my unease from Lydia and Faendal. Returning the horn was more important, I thought. “You have returned.” Arngeir exclaimed, “And with the horn as well!”

“Yes. It was quite a trip.” I said as I handed the horn to him.

“Well then we need to do the ceremony to recognize you as Dovahkiin.” He said. I realized the other Greybeards were shuffling into the main room. Arngeir looked at Lydia and Faendal. “For your protection I would ask you to leave. You may stay in the courtyard. I will call for you when the ceremony is over.” Lydia and Faendal looked at him with confusion but left High Hrothgar.

“For their protection?” I asked, “What’s about to happen?”

“Stand between us, dragonborn. We will perform the ritual that will recognize you officially as dragonborn.” He explained. I looked at him skeptically. “Do not worry. This ritual will not harm you.” I reluctantly walked to the middle of the four Greybeards. They began to speak in the dragon language. The entire building from their voices. I stumbled as they spoke. Soon it was over and the other Greybeards were walking away. “You are now one of us. High Hrothgar is open to you, dovahkiin. You may reflect upon the Way of the Voice whenever you would like here.” He called for Lydia and Faendal that it was safe to come back into the building.

“Thank you.” I said humbly, “What do I do now?” I asked him.

“That is up to you.” He told me. Oh great, I thought, I don’t know what to do now. “You could stay here with us and meditate or search for word walls. But I would caution you if you take this path. You don’t want to grow your strength too fast.” He said.

“Oh! Where are these word walls?” I asked excited.

“There is a whisper of a word. It is at Angarvunde. Hand me your map and I’ll show you the location.” Arngeir told me. Faendal took out the map and Arngeir marked where the ruin could be found. Another ruin, I thought. More draugrs. I frowned. I didn’t want to run into anymore draugrs.

Lydia sighed. “We’re never going to just relax, are we?”

I smiled at Lydia. “How about after this trip we go somewhere to relax?”

“The hot springs?” She asked excited.

“Sure!” Hot springs sounded like a great idea for our constantly aching feet.

“This site isn’t that far from Ivarstead.” Faendal said as he joined us. “Which means it’s also not that far from the hot springs either.” He added with a huge grin. We had our plan and it finally looked like we would get a break that we needed.

“Wind guide you.” Arngeir called to us as we left High Hrothgar.
 

Rhew

The missing snow elf
rhew banner.jpg
ANGARVUNDE



The birch forest was beautiful as we made our way to Angarvunde. The yellow and oranges of the leaves was a nice change from the snowy mountains and cracked earth of the Rift we had been around lately. I could see Faendal wanting to disappear into the forest to hunt but he resisted the urge. Wood elves really do feel most at home in the forest, I thought with a smile. We left the main road and followed a small dirt trail up the side of a mountain. It opened up to a small campsite in front of a cave. There were bedrolls, a table with books on it, a campfire with food cooking on it but there wasn’t anyone around.

“This doesn’t look like a bandit camp but we should be careful.” Faendal commented as we looked around at the abandoned camp. Faendal picked up a journal that laid on the table and began flipping through it.

“This is Angarvunde?” I asked skeptically. It was just a cave. There was a few broken columns scattered around but nothing around screamed Nord ruin to me.

Faendal looked up from the journal. “This is Angarvunde if this journal is to be trusted.” He tucked the journal into his satchel.

“So, are we going to run into bandits?” I wondered aloud.

He shook his head. “No. Maybe miners. Well, unless there was a raid here. We’ll just have to be careful.” He looked Lydia in the eyes. “No charging into a battle here.” She frowned but nodded. I started laughing. Seeing a Bosmer who barely came up to Lydia’s shoulders give orders like that was funny to me. “What’s so funny?” Faendal asked intrigued.

“You’re so short!” I exclaimed between my laughter. Lydia started snickering.

Faendal pulled me into his arms. “You’re shorter than me.” He said with a chuckle.

“Barely.” I retorted. Our lips locked into a passionate kiss. This feeling I got when we kissed made me realize I could get over the discomfort I had about his past.

Lydia cleared her throat. “Let’s find this word wall.” She said. We pulled apart and chuckled.

Faendal took out his bow and notched an arrow preparing for whatever we might run into. Lydia and I followed Faendal into the cave. The narrow cavern descended downward deeper into the mountain. The walls were held up by rotting poles that dotted the walls. Oh, there are definitely going to be draugr here, I thought unhappily. A voice could be heard ahead. I couldn’t make out what they were saying but it sounded like a woman. Faendal had his bow half drawn and ready to fire.

As we inched further into the cave the voice became clear. It was a woman. She was rambling about cowards and treasure. We rounded a corner and saw a dark elf woman in a green dress. Her back was to us. She hadn’t heard us yet. I watched Faendal’s arms falter for a moment as if he was deciding whether to shoot her or not. He finally lowered his bow and unnotched the arrow. “Excuse me.” He called out to her.

She jumped at his voice and turned to us. “Oh, I didn’t see you there!”

“Are you having any trouble?” He asked her.

Her hands went to her hips in frustration. “I’ll say! I hired a group of miners to help excavate this old ruin and they high-tail it out of here at the first sign of corpses!”

“Ugh! Draugr?!” I cried out. I hate draugr.

“Yes, draugr. And if I can’t get past those walking corpses I won’t be able to get to the treasure.” She explained.

Faendal’s eyes lit up at the mention of treasure. “Tell me more about this treasure.”

She gave him a curious look, “There’s a legend that this tomb holds a treasure that bestows great power to the one who discovers it. Not much else is known.” She studied the three of us for a moment. “I’d be willing to share the reward if you help me find the treasure.”

“Maybe we could help you.” Faendal suggested.

“What! But Faendal! The draugr!” I protested.

He chuckled, “We have to go into the ruin either way.” I frowned but he was right. The word wall was inside this ruin.

“That would be great if you wanted to help. It looks like you three could handle those beasts.” She exclaimed. “And once we get through those corpses the treasure will be mine! Er, ours.”

“Well, alright. Let’s kill a few draugr,” Lydia said. We walked by the dark elf and headed down the stairs. The hall twisted deeper into the mountain. Columns laid broken across the walls. We ducked under them and continued deeper into the ruins. Ahead was a large room where the draugr must be.

Faendal made us stop and looked at Lydia again. “Don’t rush until they know we’re here.” He told her. He notched an arrow and drew back the string. He let the arrow fly through the air. It hit one of the draugr in the chest. It made an awful sound but didn’t fall. Faendal fired another arrow and hit the draugr in the head. It fell. The glow in its eyes slowly disappeared.

Two more draugr came running towards the fallen draugr. Faendal fired one more arrow hitting one of the draugr in the leg. “Ok, now!” He commanded. Lydia charged into the room with her sword ready. I conjured a frost atronach which charged in after her. Faendal and I followed behind. He fired arrows at the draugr while Lydia attacked with her sword. My frost atronach slammed its fist into the ground causing the draugr to stumble. This gave Lydia the opportunity to slice into the draugr.

The last draugr pushed its way towards me. “Fus ro dah!” It shouted. I flew through the air and slammed into a wall. The air was knocked out of me. My vision went black. I gasped for breath. Draugr can shout?! I heard fighting continue but my vision was too blurry to see anything. A figure appeared before me. “Fus!” I shouted. I couldn’t get more of the shout out. I was still struggling to breathe. I needed to get away! I thought in panic.

The figure stumbled for a second. “Rhew, it’s me!” I heard Faendal say. Oh, Auriel! I just shouted at Faendal again! He kneeled next to me. I felt his hand brush my hair out of my face and linger on my cheek. My vision and breathing slowly returned but my back still screamed in pain. I cast a healing spell and felt relief flood throughout my body. “Are you ok?” Faendal asked once I was feeling better.

“Yes. I’m sorry I shouted at you again.” I told him. He pulled me into his arms and held me. I sat there shocked for a moment at how he was acting before wrapping my arms around him. He kissed me as if he thought he was never going to see me again. My heart was beating fast. What is going on? I wondered. Is it because of how I’ve been acting around him lately?

“I don’t mind if you shout at me.” He said once we parted. He helped me to my feet. The draugr were motionless on the ground.

Lydia rushed up to me. “Are you ok, my thane?” She asked. My thane? She’s never called me that since we first met. What was going on? I wondered. I nodded. She looked relieved. “I am supposed to protect you with my life. If you died-”

“It’s ok, Lydia. I’m fine.” I assured her. We headed back to the Dunmer woman to let her know the draugr were dead.
 

Rhew

The missing snow elf
rhew banner.jpg
AKEL



“Have you killed the draugr yet?” The Dunmer asked us when we returned to her.

“Yes.” I replied a little irked. “We’re fine by the way.”

“Oh, right. Right. I didn’t actually expect you to survive to be honest.” She said bluntly. “We have no time to lose!” She took off towards the room where the draugr were. We glanced at each other before following after her. There was something about her I did not like. The Dunmer woman stopped in front of a gate that stood at the other end of the room. It was shut and there was no leaver near by. “Hmmm, this door is the only thing between me and the treasure.”

“So, we have to find a way to open the gate.” Faendal stated.

“Yes. There has to be a way to open the gate. You go search for a leaver or chain and I’ll wait here to let you know if it’s opened.” She suggested. I sighed. This woman was making us do all the work for a treasure that may not even be there. But we would be doing this whether she was here or not so it’s ok, I tried to convince myself.

We began to spread out and search the room for anything that looked like it might open the gate. There was a doorway blocked by spikes on one side of the room. They looked like they could be lowered somehow. I peered through the spikes and saw a leaver. That must be it but how could I reach the leaver? I looked around and found a hole in the wall that looked like a window. I could fit through there if someone gave me a boost. I called Faendal over and showed him the leaver. “There’s another one like it on the other side of the room as well,” he commented.

“Help me through this window. I can reach the leaver once I’m on the otherside.” I told him.

“Are you sure? I saw some doors that probably lead to there. We could take them instead.” He suggested.

“Of course I’m sure! I don’t want to go somewhere that might be infested with draugr!” I insisted. “And this is probably much faster as well. Now. Help me through the window.” With Faendal’s help I pulled myself through the window and into the other room. Once inside I looked around. There wasn’t much of value in this area so I went to the leaver and pulled it. It was a little hard to pull down but I managed to get it to move. The spikes that blocked the doorway slid down.

“That did something! There must be one more leaver!” I heard the Dunmer yell. We glanced at each other as we headed to the area Faendal had spotted the other doorway. I felt the Dunmer was going to cross us once the gate was open and I could see in Faendal’s face he felt the same way. Lydia helped me through the window of the second area where I pulled the leaver. There was a loud bang as the gate opened. “The treasure! It’s all mine!” the Dunmer yelled as she ran through the gate.

“Hey! Wait a second!” Faendal called after her. He took off after her through the door. Lydia and I followed. The dunmer ran towards a chest that stood at the opposite end of the room. “Wait! It’s dangerous!” Faendal yelled. He pulled me back when I tried to go after her. The ground she stood on and the ceiling slammed into each other. I cried out in terror as the ceiling ascended. The Dunmer was stuck to the spikes that protrude from it. Faendal tried to hide the gruesome aftermath from me by pulling me into him but it was too late. The image of the Dunmer was seared into my brain.

“There’s a new path.” Lydia said apprehensively. Her face was as white as snow. That could have been one of us if the Dunmer hadn’t been here, I realized. We slowly made our way down the spiraling staircase that appeared when the ground ascended. It opened up into a new room where I could feel the beating and chanting of the word wall. I felt the knowledge of the word rush into me. “What does it do?” Lydia asked once I turned to look at them.

I shouted at the word wall. “Raan!” But nothing happened. I looked at myself. No, this shout isn’t like the one I learned at Jorgen’s tomb. I glanced at Lydia and Faendal. They only shrugged at me. Hmm, that’s strange. I thought, What could this shout do? I shrugged. “Oh, well. I guess we should go now.” Lydia and Faendal began backing up away from the word wall but never keeping their eyes off of it. I turned to see what they were looking at. A black void grew larger and larger from nothingness. Is this the shout? I thought. No. Something didn’t feel right. This wasn’t natural.

“You.” A voice slithered through my brain. It sent chills down my spin. “Snow elf.” It was talking to me? I glanced at Lydia and Faendal and realized they could hear the voice as well. “You are the one that will do my bidding.”

My heart was pounding. My extremities was going numb. What was this thing talking to me? “Y-your bidding?” I stuttered. “Who - what are you?”

“Mortals have given me many names. Akel, Psijii, sithisit, The dread-father.” The slithering voice in my head paused. “Sithis.” Lydia and Faendal tensed up. I recognized the name but I could sense from the other two that this was not a being one wanted to be visited by. “You are the one who will change the Dark Brotherhood.”

Lydia gasped. “What’s the Dark Brotherhood?” I asked.

“They are a guild of assassins.” Lydia whispered to me never looking away from the void in front of us.

“Assassins? I won’t be a part of that. I refuse!” I exclaimed. The tension in the air became thicker.

“Refuse?” The voice slithered. “I will make it so you have no choice. I will take your most precious possession from you. You might get the possession back once you do my bidding,” My most precious possession? I didn’t own anything that I considered precious.

“Rhew.” Faendal whispered. I looked over at him and gasped. An orb surrounded him. Blue streaks of electricity slowly moved around the orb. I reached out for him but the orb shocked me. Faendal tried to reach for me but his hand hit the orb as if it was a wall.

“Wait! Don’t do this!” I begged. The orb began to disappear. I jumped at the orb not knowing what good it would do but Faendal was gone. The void in front of us disappeared. I fell to my hands and knees where Faendal stood just moments earlier. Was this real? Was this actually happening? Tears began falling down my cheeks. The tears hit the dirty floor between my hands. I screamed.

Lydia wrapped her arms around my and tried to comfort me. Nothing would comfort me. Why did I refuse? Faendal would still be here. I began to shake. I didn’t even know what to do. What this Sithis wanted me to do. I felt Lydia help me to my feet. We began to leave the ruin.

I felt empty. Lost. I could hear Lydia speaking to me in a soothing voice but I couldn’t hear her words. She was trying so hard to lift my spirits. I collapsed to the floor sobbing. He’s gone, I thought. He’s really gone. She helped me to my feet again. “Let’s get to Riften. It’s not that far from here.” She said, “We’ll figure out what to do once we’re there.” I mumbled a reply and stared blankly ahead as we left the cave and headed for Riften.
 

Rhew

The missing snow elf
I feel really bad doing this to Rhew. But, you know, growth.
 

Rhew

The missing snow elf
rhew banner.jpg
HAVEN’T DONE AN HONEST DAYS WORK



It took a few days before I could even leave the bed of our room at the inn in Riften. I made my way down to the main room of the tavern and sat at an empty table in the corner. I stared off into the distance. I felt numb, empty, angry. What was I supposed to do? That thing - that void never told me how I was supposed to change the Dark Brotherhood. How I was to even find this group. A red headed man sat in the empty chair across from me. “Haven’t done an honest days work for that coin, did you lass?”

I glanced up at him. He had a sly smile on his face. Handsome as he may be I was not in any mood to hear what he had to say. “Piss off.”

“Oh! That’s quite a mouth on such a cute elf.” He remarked. His sly smile never wavered.

“Unless you know anything about the Dark Brotherhood I don’t want to hear what you have to say.” I told him.

“Funny you should say that.” He said leaning onto the table towards me. “I know someone who could help you with that but I can’t help you unless you help me.”

I watched him for a moment. Who was this guy? You know, I don’t care, I thought. “What part of piss off did you not understand?” I told him.

“Well, this disappoints me, little elf. You have some promise.” He said as he stood up from the chair. “When you change your mind come find me.” He left the tavern. That was strange, I thought.

Lydia took the chair that the man had been in. “What was that about?” She asked me.

“I’m honestly not sure.” I replied poking at the food that sat in front of me. It was cold and had been for a while now.

“Well, I’m glad to see you’re at least outside of the room now.” Lydia stated. I smiled at her but my smile felt empty. I was glad she was here with me. I wasn’t sure I could get through this by myself.

“Did you find out anything?” I asked her.

She shook her head. “No. I’m sure someone knows something about the Dark Brotherhood but no one is willing to talk. Even for coin.”

I sighed and pushed the food away from me. “Will we ever find Faendal?”

“It’s only been a couple of days.” She said trying to cheer me up.

“That’s too many for me.” I replied frustrated, “I had an idea but I doubt it’ll lead us in the right direction.”

“What is it? Anything is better than what we have right now.” She asked.

“Well, when we were heading for Winterhold the carriage driver made the horse sprint by a city. He said it was cursed. I don’t know. Maybe it could lead us somewhere.”

“A cursed city?”

I nodded. “It was called…..” I tried to recall the name of the city, “Morningstar?”

“Dawnstar?” Lydia corrected me.

“Oh, yeah. That sounds right.” I mumbled embarrassed. Lydia started laughing.

“Well, sure. Let’s go there. Riften seems to be a dead end.” She agreed. I looked at the door to the tavern thinking of the man that had just talked to me. He did say he knew someone who could help me but I wasn’t interested in whatever he wanted me to do. “Rhew?”

Lydia snapped me out of my thoughts, “Oh, sorry! Sure. Yeah, Riften seems to be a dead end.” I stood up and stretched. Before we left there was one thing I needed to do. That I promised Lydia.

“Where are you going?” She asked as I started to leave the tavern.

“I’ll be right back.” I walked outside and squinted. The sun blinded me. I haven’t been outside in days I realized. I headed for the blacksmith and bought an elven bow and a quiver of arrows.

“It always amazed me how natural shooting a bow was for you Bosmers.” The blacksmith stated as I bought the bow. I started to correct him but decided not to. What was the point? I thought. I strapped the quiver and bow to my back like it was natural to do. That was easier to do than I thought it would be. Could I have been more than just a mage before I lost my memories? I wondered. I thanked him and headed back to the tavern.

“Here you are. I didn’t forget.” I said as I handed Lydia the bow and arrows. She thanked me as she took the weapons from my hands. “When should we go?” I asked her.

She shrugged, “If you’re up for it we could leave tomorrow.” I agreed with that idea.

We left early the next morning for Dawnstar. I stared into the distance as the birch forest slowly turned into the cracked earth of the RIft to the snowy tundra of WIndhelm. I really hoped that this was the direction we needed to go to get Faendal back. I couldn’t even imagine what he was going through. I felt tears well up in my eyes. I choked them back and watched the mountains slowly pass by. “Are you ok?” Lydia asked.

“Of course,” I said irritated. I may be sad that he was gone but that didn’t mean I wanted others to feel sorry for me. We arrived in Dawnstar late into the night. The aurora borealis were dancing in the sky. It really was beautiful. We headed into the inn where a group of women were panicking about having nightmares. A male Dunmer in robes was trying to calm them. Once the women were slightly satisfied with his answers they left. I walked up to him. “What is the panic about?”

“The entire town is being plagued by horrible nightmares. They’re in serious danger but I’m afraid there’s little I can do about it.” He told me.

“The town is in danger from nightmares?” Lydia asked confused.

“These dreams are manifestations created by the Daedric Lord Vaermina.” He explained. My heart sunk. No. This isn’t the right daedric lord. Or whatever Sithis is, I thought unhappily. “She has an awful hunger for our memories and leaves behind nightmares. The nightmares are like how a cough marks a serious illness.”

“So, this is only going to get worse?” Lydia asked.

“I’m afraid so.”

“But this isn’t what we were looking for.” I said defeated. The Dunmer looked at me with curiosity.

“You sought out this place because of the nightmares?” He asked.

“Well, just that there was a curse here.” I told him.

He glanced at Lydia and me. “There is something you aren’t saying but it is not my place to impose.”

“Is there anything we could do to help?” Lydia asked. I looked at Lydia incredulously. “We’re already here.” She said to me. Yes, we were and we had no leads to go by.

“Mara be praised!” The Dunmer exclaimed happily, “With your help I may be able to actually end the nightmares.”

“You know how to end the nightmares?” I asked. He knew we weren’t telling our whole story but he definitely wasn’t telling the full story as well.

“I’ve already said too much. I would simply ask that you trust me and help me end Dawnstar’s nightmares.” He said sadly.

I glanced at Lydia. She nodded. “Alright. We’ll help you.”
 

Rhew

The missing snow elf
faendal banner.jpg
DARKNESS



Darkness. Darkness surrounded Faendal in every direction he looked. There were no discerning shapes in the darkness. It was a void wherever he looked. Tufts of smoke slowly wafted around was the only thing that broke up the darkness. The smoke never seemed to reach Faendal. Am I in oblivion? Faendal wondered. He was afraid to take a step in any direction. Afraid that he would fall into the darkness. He scrunched into a ball and wrapped his arms around his legs. The darkness was unnerving to him. He was good at getting out of situations but this one seemed impossible.

The darkness felt like it was seeping into his body. Faendal shivered. He missed Valenwood. The thick forest. The giant trees. The deep rivers. Those Igmas. “Rhew.” Faendal muttered. His voice didn’t project. He could only hear it in his head. “What?” Faendal couldn’t comprehend what was happening. He knew he was speaking. His lips were moving. He could feel the words in his throat and hear them in his head but his voice wasn’t there.

He stood up and took a tentative step into the void. His footing was solid but it looked like he was walking on thin air. How is this possible? He thought. His steps became faster and faster until he was running. Nothing ever changed. He never seemed to get closer or further from the swirling smoke. No matter what direction he went nothing ever changed. He soon didn’t know where he was going. Left, right, up, or down. It was all the same. Faendal ran until his legs screamed to stop. He collapsed exhausted and gasped for breath.

What is going on? Am I going to die here? Faendal wondered. How much time had already passed? His mind was becoming clouded. He couldn’t think straight. His thoughts were becoming jumbled and incoherent. The darkness seemed to seep into his being. He needed to concentrate on something, anything, to keep his mind. The only thing that could come to his mind. Rhew.

That daedra. What did he say? When Rhew did his bidding I would be sent back? Faendal couldn’t remember. He knew she would find a way to get him back. He just hoped she did it before his mind was completely succumbed by the darkness.

When Faendal opened his eyes he was no longer in the empty void. He was staring at a dirty stone floor. What? Where am I? How did I get here? He wondered. He tried to move but couldn’t. He couldn’t speak. He couldn’t control his body. Faendal felt trapped inside his own body. “Who are you?!” An old voice asked with shock.

Faendal stood up and turned toward the voice. An old Imperial stood in front of him. He wore a red and black robe with an imprint of a hand in the middle. “Who. Am. I.” Faendal said hollow. Wisps of shadow emanated from Faendal’s body.

“Yes, child, that’s what I asked,” He said annoyed, “Who are you? And where did you come from? If you don’t answer I’ll just kill you and not worry about the fact that you’re an intruder.”

“Oblivion. Sithis.” His voice echoed empty in the room. Faendal screamed in his head. This wasn’t him speaking. He tried to force his body to move, to speak. He could feel his body shake. “Rhew.” That was him. He knew whatever controlled his body didn’t have completely control now.

“Rue? We’ll see if there’s anything you’ll rue. I’ll send you to Lis like the last one who managed to enter our lair. How would you like to be slowly eaten by a frost spider?” The old man watched Faendal. Faendal didn’t move. He didn’t show any emotion at the threat of being killed. There was something strange about this elf. The darkness that radiated from his body and eyes. There was a dark necklace hanging around the wood elf’s neck. The old man grabbed it and immediately snatched his hand away. A burned mark in the shape of the necklace was left on his palm. “Are you saying Sithis sent you from his realm to here?”

“Yes.”

The old man narrowed his eyes, “Why?”

“To help.” Faendal panicked in his head at what his voice said. Am I to join this group against my will?

“Eh, we’ll see if that will happen. I guess I’ll take you to Nazir since Astrid is out. Come on then. Let’s get this over with.” Faendal followed the old man out of the room and down a flight of stairs to a dining room area where a Redguard man and Dunmer woman was eating.

The Dunmer woman jumped to her feet at the sight of Faendal. “Another intruder, Festus?!”

“Calm down, Gabriella, this one is different.” Festus told her.

“Different, how?” Nazir asked with interest.

Festus became annoyed with the two. “Don’t you see the darkness emanating from this elf!” He bellowed. “How can you be that blind? I think he was sent here by Sithis.”

“Yes.” Faendal’s voice said. Faendal hated that he couldn’t control anything.

“Why is he shaking?” Gabriella asked.

Festus shrugged. “Maybe whoever this is is still inside the body.”

“Yes.”

“Does he say anything else?” Nazir asked.

“Of course he does! How do you think I found out about where he came from?” Festus said angrily.

“Alright. What kind of skills do you have, wood elf?” Nazir asked.

“Archery.”

“A Bosmer archer. How unique.”

Gabriella reached out for the necklace around Faendal’s neck. “What’s with the necklace?”

“I wouldn’t touch that if I was you, girl.” Festus warned her showing her the burned impression in his palm. Gabriella jerked her hand back from Faendal.

Nazir started to shuffle through some papers that were stacked on the table. “Well, we could have him do these small contracts. Get them out of the way.” No! I don’t want to do this, Faendal thought. “Here. You’ll take out this one. Narfi. Some crazy beggar in Ivarstead. Have fun.” He explained. “Oh, get him some armor, Festus.”
 

Rhew

The missing snow elf
rhew banner.jpg
VAERMINA



“My name is Erandur. I am a priest of Mara.” The Dunmer told us as we headed out the tavern the next day. He guided us through the small town and between two buildings. We walked up a snowy hillside.

“Rhew.” I told him.

“Lydia.”

“A strange couple exploring Skyrim.” Erandur commented.

“What do you mean?” I asked him.

“A Nord and an Elf. It’s just strange.”

“She’s my Thane and I am her Housecarl.” Lydia explained.

“Well, that’s a bit stranger. Don’t you think?” He repeated. I only shrugged. I didn’t give much thought to our races. Erandur pointed to the mountain behind Dawnstar. There was an old tower sitting at the top. “That is where Nightcaller temple used to be. It is where the priests of Vaermina stayed. They prefered a solitary existence and was rarely seen outside the temple.”

“You seem to know a lot about this place.” Lydia pointed out.

“There’s a small shrine of Mara that I placed in the entryway. I was hoping to find spiritual guidance from her.” He continued ignoring Lydia. Lydia and I glanced at each other. He was definitely hiding something. I just hoped it didn’t end badly for us. We continued up the snowy bank of the hill towards the tower in silence.

The tower was what was left of a very old fort I realized. The fort was in rubble and the tower didn’t look to be in much better shape. Pieces of the fort laid in ruin around the tower. I began to wonder how the tower was destroyed. I shook the thoughts out of my head. They weren’t important. We’re here to help the Dunmer, I told myself. Erandur stopped at the entrance and looked at us. His face was full of concern. “Before we enter I must tell you of the dangers that lurk within. Years ago an Orc war party tried to destroy the group inside.”

“An Orc war party? What happened?” I asked.

“Knowing the priests could never win against the party they released the miasma and forced everyone inside to fall asleep.” He explained.

“If everyone is asleep then why would it be dangerous?” Lydia asked.

“I believe once we open the temple the miasma will dissipate and everyone will start to awaken; orcs and priests alike.” He told us. I felt like we were walking into a trap.

“What is miasma?” I wondered aloud.

“It is a gas that places the afflicted into a deep sleep. It was used by the priests of Vaermina during their rituals. Since these rituals could go one for months or even years the miasma helped slow down the aging process.” Erandur continued, “But it is a dangerous substance. People have been known to lose their mind with prolonged contact with the miasma and some never awaken at all.”

“How do you know all this!?” I demanded.

“Once we’re inside all will become clear.” So cryptic. It was annoying me but we did say we’d help him. Lydia and I followed Erandur into the tower. The entry hall had benches strewn about. A column was collapsed in the middle of the room. A table with a shrine for Mara stood to the side. Ahead a tall carving of a woman with two snakes on each side of her stared at me. Was this Vaermina? Erandur walked up to the carving. “Give me just a moment and I’ll have this open.” He cast a spell at the carving. After a few moments the carving turned transparent. “Come on. This way.” He said as he walked through the carving. We followed him into a curving hallway. “Now I can show you the source of the nightmares.” He took us to an area where the wall opened up. At the bottom of the tower was a force field protecting something. I couldn’t see what it was. “Behold the Skull of Corruption. The source of Dawnstar’s woes.”

“That is what is causing the nightmares?” I asked.

Erandur nodded. “We must reach the inner sanctum and destroy it.” We continued down a flight of stairs. At the bottom were a couple of orcs. They began to stir and awaken. Lydia rushed in and sliced them down before they had a chance to fully stand up. I stared at her wide eyed.

“I’m not taking any chances.” she said bluntly.

“This one is smart.” Erandur commented. A doorway stood in front of us. Some type of electrical field blocked us from continuing. My heart skipped a beat. It looked like the same field that had surrounded Faendal. “Dammit! The priests must have activated this barrier when they released the miasma. It’s impossible to enter. But I have an idea. Follow me.” He started back up the stairs. Lydia and I watched him incredulously.

“Wait just a minute!” I yelled at him. He turned shocked at my sudden outburst. “Just how in Auriel’s name do you know all this stuff?”

He sighed. “I guess there’s no longer a reason to keep it hidden. I know all this from personal experience. I was a priest of Vaermina. When the miasma was released I fled and left all my brothers and sisters here.”

“You should have told us the truth.” lydia said.

“Yes, you’re right. But I was afraid you may not help if you knew my background. I’m sorry.”

“Ok, we’re here now so let’s finish this up. We’ll help you just don’t hide things like this from us again.” I told Erandur. A flash of deja vu came to me. Didn’t I say something similar to Faendal recently? Everyone here seems to have some part of their life they regret, I noticed. Erandur agreed and we continued back up the stairs.

Once through the door we were encountered by another Orc and a priest. “Fus Ro Dah!” I shouted as they began to awaken. They flew across the room and slammed into the wall. They dropped below to the lower level and did not move.

“That….. that is something I have never seen in all my life.” Erandur exclaimed in shock.

“Surprised?” Lydia asked, “She is the Dragonborn.”

“Let’s just look for whatever it is we’re here for.” I said irritated. I didn’t enjoy people gawking at me.

“We’re looking for a book called the Dreamstride. It has a likeness of Vaermina on the cover.”

“The carving that was in the entry hall?” I asked. Erandur nodded. We all began to search the library for the book. I had doubts that the book would even be around with the condition the library was in. The books were waterlogged and ruined. Most of the bookshelves were destroyed. The few that still stood were empty.

“I found it!” Lydia called from the balcony after a few minutes. We rushed to her and she handed the book to Erandur.

He scanned the book. “Mara be praised! The book mentions a way to get through the barrier. We have to find the torpor.”

“What is that?” I asked.

“It is a liquid that allows you to travel by using another’s dreams. It could theoretically get us to the other side of the barrier.”

“That….. sounds dangerous.”

“I will not lie. It could be. But I’ll make sure that nothing befalls you when you take the potion.”

“Me!?” I asked shocked.

“As a priest of Mara I cannot drink the torpor. It has to be someone who is unaffiliated.” I was skeptical but agreed. We continued deeper into the tower and entered a room that was once an alchemy lab. “The torpor should be in here somewhere. I hope.” After searching the destroyed laboratory I found a bottle of strange liquid. This must be it, I thought. I took it back to Erandur and showed him. “Mara be praised! You found it! And it’s intact as well. Are you ready to enter the Dreamstride?”

I really wasn’t but I nodded. I took the bottle and placed it to my lips. The vile liquid went down my throat. “Yech! That’s disgusting!” I complained.

Erandur’s face furrowed in worry, “That’s strange. Something should have happened when you drank that liquid.” I looked around at my body. Nothing was different.

“Why didn’t it work?” I asked, “Is it expired?”

Erandur shook his head, “No, my daughter, this potion wouldn’t go bad. You must be affiliated with an Aedra or Daedra.”

I shrugged. “I don’t remember. I’m sorry.” Erandur looked defeated.

“I’ll do it.” Lydia spoke up. We both looked at her. “Well, I’m the only one here not affiliated with an Aedra or Daedra.”

“No, Lydia! It could be dangerous!” I stated.

She shrugged. “There’s really no other choice. Hand me the potion.” She was right. I frowned but gave her the bottle. She wrinkled her nose at the liquid and took a big swig from the bottle. Lydia disappeared in front of our eyes.
 

Rhew

The missing snow elf
lydia banner.jpg
DREAMSTRIDER



Lydia looked around the room. She was inside the lower chamber next to the Skull of Corruption. A Dunmer with a mohawk and a Nord with a long beard stood next to her. She looked down at herself. Her skin was dark like a Dunmer’s skin and she was wearing the purple robes of Vaermina priests. I must be inside one of the priest’s bodies, she thought in amazement. The two other priests next to her were arguing whether or not to release the miasma.

“We have to release the miasma, Thorek!” The Dunmer told the Nord.

“But, brother Veren…..” Thorek started.

“We have no choice. It is the will of Vaermina.” Veren stated. He looked at Lydia. “What do you say, Brother Casimir?” That must be whose body I’m in, Lydia realized.

“I have made my peace, Brother Veren.” a voice that sounded very similar to Erandur’s said.

“Then go. Don’t let anything stop you from releasing the miasma.” Veren told Casimir. He turned back to Thorek. “We must remain here and guard the skull with our lives if necessary.”

“Agreed! To the death.” Thorek commented.

Lydia found that while she couldn’t control what the body said she could indeed control the legs and arms. This potion she took was amazed and scared her at the same time. She began running through the halls of the tower. Sounds of fighting and screams filled the hallways. She ran past the Orcs and priests fighting. The Orcs swung their large weapons while the priests used magic. Bodies of priests and Orcs were scattered along the path. Two priests were fighting an Orc at the top of a flight of stairs Lydia had to cross. She didn’t know what to do. She was inside the body of a mage but she didn’t know how to use magic. Lydia waited for the fight to move so she could run past them. She felt so cowardly running like this but she didn’t know what else to do.

Lydia continued to run through the curving halls and rooms. She ran past the bodies of fallen orcs and priests and avoided the ones that were still fighting. All these priests and orcs. Are we going to have to push our way through them again when I open the barrier? She wondered. She finally made it to where the door with the barrier was. She pulled the chain that released the miasma and felt her body change. She looked down and saw her pale Nord skin again. I’m back.

“Stop whatever it is that is causing the barrier,” She heard Erandur say. Lydia looked over at the doorway and saw Erandur and Rhew standing there. Lydia looked around and found a soul gem that the power was flowing from. She grabbed the gem and tossed it aside. The barrier disappeared. “It worked! Mara be praised!”

“You disappeared in front of us and when we made it here you were on the other side.” Rhew said astonished.

“Are you mad?! I could have died!” Lydia yelled. Rhew looked hurt at the outburst. Lydia suddenly felt bad for that.

Erandur looked shocked. “I thought I was pretty blunt with the dangers of going into the Dreamstride. But you have made it back unscathed. Oh, how I wish I could see what it’s like to be in the Dreamstride.”

“We can talk about it later.” Lydia said folding her arms across her chest.

“Right. Let’s continue. We must get to the skull and destroy it.” They ran through the winding halls Lydia had just passed through. The dead bodies littered the floors. It seems most of the fighters had died before the miasma had been released. They ran to the inner sanctum. “Wait….” Veren and Thorek appeared before them. “Veren! Thorek! You’re alive!”

“No thanks to you, Casimir.” Veren said bitterly. Lydia was shocked. It was Erandur’s past I was seeing, she realized.

“You abandoned us!” Thorek exclaimed, “You are a traitor.”

“No! I was scared! I wasn’t ready to sleep!” Erandur protested.

“No priest of Mara is going to destroy the skull!” Veren declared. Veren and Thorek charged at them and cast lightning. Rhew conjured a frost atronach. It bounded toward Thorek. Lydia charged for Veren blocking his magic with her shield. Her sword plunged into his gut. Blood trickled from his mouth. She pushed him off her sword. He crumpled to the ground. Lydia turned to charge Thorek to see the frost atronach punch him. He flew into the wall. Erandur threw a fireball at him. He caught fire and began to scream.

“Iiss slen nus!” Rhew shouted. The fire went out and Thorek was encased in ice. “Death by fire is a horrible way to go.” She said sadly.

“They….. were my friends. I knew them from long ago.” Erandur said sadly. He looked as if he was being tortured inside. He walked up the small flight of stairs to the force field that protected the skull. “Give me a moment to destroy the skull.” He began to recite an incantation to remove the barrier. It slowly disappeared revealing a staff.

“He’s deceiving you.” A voice filled Lydia’s head. She looked around but neither Rhew nor Erandur seemed to be able to hear the voice. What is happening? “When the ritual is complete the skull will be free and Erandur will turn on you.” Lydia’s eyes widened in surprise. Could this voice be telling the truth? She had to protect Rhew. “Quickly! Kill him! KIll him now! Kill him and claim the skull for your own! Vaermina commands you!” Lydia placed her hands over her ears and sunk to the floor. The voice continued to command her to kill Erandur.

“Lydia?” Rhew rushed over to Lydia and placed a hand on her shoulder. “What’s wrong, Lydia?”

“The voice.” She said through gritted teeth, “Can’t you hear it? It wants me to kill Erandur.” Rhew looked shocked. “He’s going to turn against us.”

Rhew looked at Erandur who was busy working on destroying the skull. “I don’t think so, Lydia. I think whatever is talking to you is trying to deceive you.” Rhew pulled Lydia into her arms to try and comfort her. She looked back up at Erandur hoping the ritual would be over soon. Lydia was shaking. Her hand was wrapped around the hilt of her sword. If the ritual lasted any longer she was going to plunge the sword into Erandur’s back.

The skull disintegrated into dust. “Forgive me if I don’t appear to be relieved.” He said as he turned to look at the women. He studied the scene before him. “Um, what is going on?”

The voice in Lydia’s head disappeared. Her shaking stopped. “It’s….. it’s nothing. I’m fine now.” She said as she stood up. “Thank you, Rhew.”

“Vaermina tried to deceive you, huh?” Erandur asked figuring out what was happening. “Thank you for not believing her. Dawnstar can sleep easy now.” Lydia looked uncomfortable.

“Are you going to be alright?” Rhew asked Erandur.

“In time, I believe I will. My intentions was to stay here the rest of my life and pray for forgiveness to Mara but…..” He looked at Rhew and Lydia, “I am curious what brought you here. I’m not the only one keeping secrets.”

Rhew and Lydia looked at each other deciding whether to tell him or not. “We’re…. we are looking for the Dark Brotherhood.” Rhew finally said.

“The Dark Brotherhood!” Erandur exclaimed. “Why would you ever want to look for that foul group?”

Rhew began to tear up. Lydia spoke up, “A being claiming to be Sithis took her….” Lydia paused. What would you call Rhew and Faendal? “her…. significant other. It said she wouldn’t get him back unless she contact the Dark Brotherhood.”

“It said I might get him back.” Rhew whispered. “And it didn’t say what I was supposed to do once I did find them.”

Erandur felt compassion for the two women. “What a darkness that has befallen on you.” He said, “I would like to join you and help if you wouldn’t mind. You could use the loving embrace of Mara in times like this.”

Rhew smiled sadly, “Sure. Thank you. But we still don’t know where to find the Dark Brotherhood.”

“There are whispers of the Dark Brotherhood all the time, my daughter. You just have to know where to listen.”
 

Rhew

The missing snow elf
faendal banner.jpg
NARFI’S DOOM



Faendal stood in the middle of the sanctuary surrounded by the members of the Dark Brotherhood. He wore the black and red leather armor given to him by Vazeera. Astrid towered over him as she studied the wood elf. Darkness radiated from his skin. “You really think this elf was sent here by Sithis?” She asked Festus. “How do you know he isn’t acting and once we let him leave to do that little job he won’t just grab a guard?”

“You think anyone is this good at acting?” Festus demanded. He went up to the wood elf and grabbed Faendal by his shirt. His other hand held a flame that grew to a large bright ball of swirling fire. Faendal didn’t move an inch. Even if he could move his body on his own Faendal had all but given up. He was trapped in his own head and felt he would disappear. Festus let Faendal go after a minute. “You see? How could anyone just stand there like that? This isn’t acting.”

Astrid raised an eyebrow. “Well, that is a bit more convincing.”

“Someone could go with him. Watch him to see what he does.” Gabriella suggested.

“That’s a good idea. Why don’t you do it?” Astrid asked.

‘What! I don’t want to babysit this wood elf!” Gabriella protested.

“I’ll do it.” Vazeera spoke up. “I don’t mind.”

“Alright. You go then.” Astrid said, “But don’t help him. Just follow him and see what he does.” Faendal didn’t move. “Go! Kill the beggar and come back here. We will see if you really are a pawn of Sithis.”

Faendal left the sanctuary without a sound. Vazeera stalked him from a few feet behind. It was dark and drizzled rain. Faendal took off in a jog following the cobblestone path around Falkreath. Am I really going to do this? he thought as he ran towards Ivarstead. He tried to stop his legs from continuing but no matter how much he concentrated his body continued forward.

A bridge that went over the cobbled path appeared ahead. Faendal stalked behind a tree and took out his bow. What am I doing? He notched an arrow and let it fly. A woman fell from the top of the bridge. “Where are you?!” A second woman yelled. Another arrow flew from Faendal’s bow and hit the second bandit. She slumped to the floor of the bridge. Faendal glanced next to him and saw Vazeera hiding behind a tree on the other side of the path. He looked impressed.

Faendal continued down the path towards Ivarstead. Vazeera stayed behind but close enough to keep his eye on Faendal. He started up a path that cut through the mountains. Faendal had hunted in this area before. Did whatever was controlling him see into his memories? There was a hunter slowly making his way through the mountain pass on his horse. They passed by each other without a word being said.

A dragon swooped into the mountain pass and shouted fire at the hunter. Oh, Y’ffre! Please whatever is controlling me run. Faendal begged but he knew this wasn’t going to be the case when he took out his bow. The horse bucked the hunter off and ran. The hunter ran and hid. Faendal began to fire arrows quickly at the dragon. I can’t defeat this giant thing by myself! Faendal panicked as he watched himself attempt the impossible.

The dragon hovered over Faendal. He managed to fire off two shots that hit the dragon before rolling from the fire shout. Fire streamed by where Faendal had been just seconds before. The dragon took off and circled Faendal. He fired more shots at the dragon. All those lost arrows! Faendal hated wasting arrows like this. The dragon landed at a clearing above Faendal. He ran after the dragon while notching another arrow. Vazeera was attacking the dragon with two daggers. Faendal fired more shots at the dragon as Vazeera jumped onto the back of the dragon and slit its throat. The dragon fell dead. Faendal and Vazeera watched each other for a moment before Faendal turned and walked away from the dead dragon.

The horse stood at the bottom of the mountain pass alone. The hunter was no where in sight. Faendal pulled himself onto the horse and took off. Did I just steal a horse? He wondered. “Hey!” Vazeera yelled after Faendal.

Faendal turned the horse and went back towards the Argonian. He stopped right next to Vazeera and glared at him. “I don’t need a babysitter.” Faendal stated hollow. “Get on if you want.”

“Ah…. ok.” Vazeera said taken aback. This was the most Faendal had said since Festus had found the wood elf. Vazeera pulled himself onto the horse behind Faendal. He kicked the horse and galloped towards Ivarstead. The horse flew through the trees of the forest. Faendal could see elk and deer run at the sound of the galloping hooves and wished he could just disappear into the forest and hunt.

Faendal brought the horse to a slow trot when the came near the town. He jumped off the horse and waited for Vazeera to jump off the horse before slapping it. The horse took off running away from the small town. Faendal ran across the bridge that entered the town and passed two guards. He jogged towards a house that was in shambles that stood on the other side of the small river. A man in tattered clothes stood next to the house and stared at the water. Sadness flooded across the beggar’s face. Faendal quietly made his way between a large tree and stones that jutted over the water and hid. He watched the beggar stare at the river and sigh.

Why does this man deserve to die? Faendal wondered. But his body took out his bow and notched an arrow. No! I won’t do this! Faendal screamed inside his head. He struggled to have some control. Any control over his body. His arms shook. Narfi turned and started away from the bank of the river back towards his ruined house. The arrow was pulled back. No! Faendal relaxed his grip on his bow and lowered it. I can control what I do, Faendal thought with relief. His arms raised the bow again and drew back the string. Stop this! Faendal demanded himself. “It has to be done.” He whispered.

The arrow flew across the river and hit Narfi in the back. He slumped slowly to the ground with a groan. No, This isn’t right. I promised myself I wouldn’t kill people like this anymore. Faendal felt useless. He knew the necklace around his neck had something to do with what was controlling him. The only way he could get out of this situation was if someone pulled the necklace off him. That would only happen if Rhew found him he realized.

Faendal stayed crouched in his hiding spot for a moment making sure no one had spotted him. He glanced around the town and saw Vazeera hiding behind a building still watching him. Once he was happy that no one had seen the kill he left the town and headed back to the sanctuary.
 

Rhew

The missing snow elf
rhew banner.jpg
ARETINO BOY



I lay my head in my arms and stared at the grooves of the wooden table. We had saved a town from a daedric lord and made an ally but I still felt disappointed. There was a woman singing Ragnar the Red with a horrible voice. Erandur was talking with the owner of the tavern. He felt that if anyone had heard whispers of the Dark Brotherhood it’d be him. Lydia sat a plate of hot food next to me. “You should eat.” She said.

I pushed the plate away. “Food tastes like ash to me.” I mumbled.

“You need to eat. Where is the energy you had when we were in the temple?” She asked me. I glanced at the plate of food. There was a slab of meat, some potatoes, and grilled leeks. It did look good and my stomach was growling but I just couldn’t get myself to eat.

“I think the adventure with the temple helped keep my mind occupied.” I said with a sigh. It’s been over a week since Faendal disappeared, I thought sadly.

“Maybe we could search for others to help?” She suggested.

I tilted my head towards Lydia and watched her for a moment before burying my head in my arms again. “We can’t just forget about him.” I muttered. “But I understand what you’re suggesting. Thank you, Lydia for caring.” I added glancing back at her.

Erandur sat next to us at the table. “You will not believe what I just learned.” He said both excited and alarmed.

“What is it?”

“There is a little boy in WIndhelm who has done the Black Sacrament. He’s searching for the Dark Brotherhood.” he explained, “The poor boy. What could cause a child to want to do such a vile thing?”

“What is the Black Sacrament?” I asked them.

Lydia looked disgusted. “It’s some ritual you perform when you want the Dark Brotherhood to kill someone for you.” She wrinkled her nose. “You have to gather body parts to do it.”

“And a little boy is doing this sacrament?” I asked alarmed.

“Apparently so,” Erandur replied.

My brows furrowed in thought. “Well,” I started, “We should go talk to him.”

“Talk to him?” Lydia asked shocked.

“Yes, if someone from the Dark Brotherhood has already spoken to him then maybe we can figure out where they are going.” I quickly stood up from the table and slammed my hands onto it in excitement. Lydia and Erandur jumped in surprise from my sudden movement. “It’s our best lead yet!” I ran to our room and grabbed our supplies and weapons. In the main room I handed Lydia some of the satchels to hold.

“Wait. We’re going now?” Erandur asked as Lydia and I started out the door. “We’re going now!?” He repeated as he ran after us.

“I don’t think you can understand just how much those two elves care for each other.” Lydia told Erandur as we started up the snowy path away from the town.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” I asked her.

She shrugged, “I just never ever expected to see the two of you separate. I guess I was right when I told Delphine only Oblivion could keep you two apart.”

I smirked, “Yes, I guess you were right.” I said sarcastically.

“I didn’t mean….. I’m sorry.”

We continued following the snowy path towards Windhelm. I pulled my cloak around my shoulders as a harsh wind blew by us. Ahead of us was a man dressed in black and red leather and a black hood walking towards us. “Darkness is coming from this one. Let’s keep away from him.” Erandur said to us. I nodded. The man indeed gave off an uncomfortable aura but he walked by us. The hood hid his face but he never looked at us.

I didn’t think much about the stranger until I heard my name. That almost sounded like….. My heart beat against my chest. I whipped around not knowing what to expect but the stranger continued to walk towards Dawnstar. He never turned. His pace never slowed. I must be hearing things. I shook my head and ran to catch up with Lydia and Erandur. “What’s wrong?” Lydia asked me.

“I- no. Nothing is wrong. Must be my imagination.”

Windhelm was the same cold stone city I remembered last time I was here. I didn’t really like it here. It wasn’t welcoming like Whiterun was. We arrived late in the night cold, tired, and hungry. I ate a few bites of food before my stomach rebelled against me. I sighed and pushed the plate away. I hated this feeling. “Don’t worry. We’ll find him soon,” Lydia assured me.

I nodded. “I think I’m just going to go to bed,” I told them. I stood up and left Erandur and Lydia to finish their meals.

The next morning I woke up with butterflies in my stomach. Something was going to happen. I just knew it. I ran to the tavern owner and asked about the child calling the Dark Brotherhood. “The Aretino boy? Why would you want to know about him?” the owner asked.

“I thought maybe I could help him,” I told her. She watched me suspiciously. Oh, that does sound suspicious! “I mean, you know, help the child from the dark path he’s following and into….” Into what? What would Erandur say? “The loving embrace of Mara.”

I could tell she wasn’t buying my story. “Uh huh. Well, it’s not my business why you want to see the child. There are strange sounds coming from his family’s house.” We stared at each other. “I’m taking a guess that you’re not from here so I’ll draw up a quick map to his home.”

With the quickly drawn up map I set out to find the kid’s house. I wasn’t sure if Lydia or Erandur was awake yet but I didn’t want to wait. I was too excited. I became lost in the twisting streets of the city. Everything looked the same here! I ran into a strange shaped house. I looked at the drawing the tavern owner gave me. It looked like the house in front of me. This is it! I thought excitedly.

I walked up to the door and turned the door knob. The door opened slowly. It’s unlocked? I slowly made my way into the house and up a small flight of stairs. I could hear the boy’s voice echoing through the abandoned house. "Sweet Mother, sweet Mother, send your child unto me, for the sins of the unworthy must be baptized in blood and fear." A sound of a knife stabbing the ground repeatedly echoed through the house as well. I shivered. What a horrible incantation.

I gasped as I rounded the corner. The boy was on his hands and knees next to a skeleton, unknown meat, and a heart. The items laid in the middle of a circle of candles. The boy was stabbing the ground with a small dagger. He looked up when he heard my gasp. “Finally! You’re here!” He said excitedly. “I’ve been praying so long!” I tried to say something but my voice caught in my throat. “Don’t worry! You don’t have to say anything! I know how it works. I gathered all the things needed for the sacrament. The candles, the flowers, the knife, the… the…. body and you finally came!”

“W-why did you do all this?” I finally asked. So, the Dark Brotherhood didn’t come yet after all, I realized.

“To make a contract of course!”

“What contract?” I asked afraid to know the answer.

“I want you to kill Grelod the Kind!” he answered. My eyes opened in surprise. “She’s in charge of the orphanage I’m from. But she’s not kind! She’s terrible to all of us! She does horrible things to us and says terrible things to us! She won’t even let us find new families!”

“I…. That does sound horrible. But does she really deserve to die?”

“Yes!” he yelled, “Why are you questioning this? I thought your kind of people liked doing this.”

Right, right, he thinks I’m part of this group, I remembered. “Alright…. where is this Grelod?”

“At the orphanage in Riften. I refuse to go back while she’s still there. But hurry please, I’m actually getting lonely here. I miss my friends.”

I glanced around uncomfortably. “I, well, alright, I’ll help you. Just….. I don’t want you staying here near…. a dead body.”

“Thank you! Thank you!” He said excitedly. “Oh, and don’t worry about me! I can take care of myself!” I’m sure you can, I thought. I slowly left the house unsure if I should find someone to take care of the boy. I made my way back to the tavern where Lydia and Erandur both looked worried.

“Rhew! Where did you go!?” Lydia asked when she saw me.

“Sorry. I talked to the boy.”

“Really! And what is the news?” Erandur asked.

“We have to go back to Riften. That’s where the kill will take place and where we will find a member of the Dark Brotherhood.”
 

Rhew

The missing snow elf
faendal banner.jpg
DAWNSTAR



Two rib cages above a large skull with spinal cords poking out like horns. More rib cages and two skeletons bent in impossible positions. The mouths open in silent screams. Another skeleton in a fetal position laid just above the two contorted skeletons. Five skulls formed in a circle were below the skeletons. More spinal cords outlined the scene with two profiles of faces looking at the deranged “art”.

Faendal had stared at the morbid stain glassed window for longer than he wanted. He was sure he could sketch out every line of the window by memory. He hated staring at the window but for some reason unknown to him whatever controlled his body always went to this room, sat in the same spot, and watched the stain glassed window for hours. Being stuck at a lumber mill job had made him antsy but being forced to stare at one thing for hours on end drove him crazy.

“Then where do you want to go?” He heard his voice ask in the empty room. There was no response. “I’m talking to you, Faendal.”

To me? Faendal wondered.

“I feel generous.” His voice said, “Most mortals Sithis turns into his pawn go mad by now. You have entertained me. And your past as well.”

Faendal wasn’t sure what any of this meant but his mind went to what any wood elf’s mind would: the forest. He wondered what had control over him. The longer it was in control the more it seemed to have a personality of it’s own and not just a mindless being.

“It’s your lucky day. We’re surrounded by the forest.” His voice said as he stood. He turned and was face to face with the child vampire. Babette.

“Well, isn’t this interesting. Talking to yourself?” She asked studying the elf. Faendal stood emotionless as she walked around him studying him. He was alarmed at how the personality of whatever was controlling him seemed to disappear when a member of the Dark Brotherhood showed up. “Where were you about to go? I’d like to study you.” She said.

“You should sit down,” she told Faendal. He sat back in the same place he had just stood up from. She laughed, “You have to do everything we say don’t you, little pawn?” She was way too amused for Faendal’s comfort. “I wonder if you’re still in there, whoever this body used to belong to.” She continued studying the Bosmer. “Maybe you can’t do anything. Stuck in your own head. Your own prison.” she said with an evil smile.

What is she thinking of doing? Faendal thought alarmed. He didn’t like vampires. He’d had enough run-ins with them in Cyrodiil during the war. Picking the wrong cave to hide in while avoiding the Imperial armies had almost cost his life more than once.

“Maybe I’ll turn you and have my own immortal pawn.” She said as she bared her teeth and moved in to his neck.

“No!” Faendal yelled as he pushed the small vampire away. She stumbled backwards and fell to the floor. They stared at each other for a minute. Faendal tried to move his body again but proved unsuccessful. He was beginning to think he could only control it in small bursts.

Babette began to laugh. “So you are in there,” she said as she stood up, “I guess you really don’t like us vampires.”

“What are you doing, Babette?” a deep voice asked. Nazir appeared.

“Oh, just playing with the pawn,” She said nonchalantly. “But I’ve grown bored with him,” she added with a shrug and left.

Nazir walked up to Faendal and handed him a piece of paper. Another contract. Faendal’s heart sunk. “This is a miner in Dawnstar.” Nazir said, “You’ll go on your own this time. Astrid trusts that you’ll come straight back to the sanctuary when the job is complete.” He looked at the paper. It was a woman.

“Of course,” Faendal’s voice replied.

“Good, happy killing.”

Faendal pulled a hood over his head and left the sanctuary. He was glad that he was no longer staring at the stained glass window even if the inevitable ending of this trip was the death of another random person. He walked across Skyrim swiftly passing by other travellers, guards, and random animals. He neared Dawnstar late in the afternoon. His heart began to race at the sight in front of him. It was Rhew. She was with Lydia and a Dunmer man. Who is that!? Faendal thought angrily. This was it! If he could some how get her to look at him she’d realize who he was. But she seemed to be avoiding him altogether.

They passed each other without a glance. Rhew, look at me! He was screaming in his head. Rhew! “Rhew.” her name slipped passed his lips. He struggled to make his body turn but he couldn’t do anything. The frustration of how close she was and nothing could be done was too much for Faendal. Turn around! He demanded whatever was controlling him. “We have a job to do,” His voice said as he took out his bow and walked into Dawnstar.

He walked by a guard who glanced at Faendal but didn’t stop him. The target was walking away from him ahead unaware of what was about to happen. Faendal followed her through the town to a smelter where she began to work. He hid between a few trees and a building and took out an arrow. Please don’t do this, Faendal pleaded. The arrow flew and hit the woman in the back. Someone screamed. “Murder! In cold blood!”

Faendal turned and ran between the building and the cliff of the hill. He ran up the snowy hill keeping an eye on the scene below. Guards ran everywhere searching for the killer but Faendal was long gone sprinting through the snow and trees. “Why does this bother you?” His voice asked, “This isn’t any different from what you did in the past.”

No, you’re wrong, Faendal thought. It isn’t the same. I was just a scout.

Faendal’s lips curled into an evil smile. “Just a scout? You’ve said that so much you’ve begun to believe your own lie.”

What are you? he asked the thing that controlled his body.

“I’m just a pawn.” It responded. Nothing more was said for the rest of the trip back to the Dark Brotherhood sanctuary.
 

Rhew

The missing snow elf
rhew banner.jpg
HONORHALL



The wooden streets of Riften were quiet as I hid in a dark corner. Riften at night was much different from the hustle and bustle of the day time market. I watched the entrance of Honorhall Orphanage. My arms tingled with excitement and nervous energy. I anticipated seeing a shadowy figure enter the orphanage but nothing stirred except for the occasional guard on patrol. I was not even sure what I was going to do if I saw the shadowy figure but I continued to watch until the first light of dawn appeared.

My eyelids were growing heavy the longer I waited. I jumped when I felt a hand touch my shoulder. I looked up to see Erandur. “Come on, Rhew. The night has passed and you need sleep.”

“But what if they come?” I protested.

“I doubt an assassin would try to do this in broad daylight.” He assured me but I just frowned at him. “I’ll keep watch. I promise.” I reluctantly drug myself to the Bee and Barb and fell asleep.

The nights after were the same. I watched the orphanage always waiting for someone to arrive who should not be there. And always there was no movement. My anticipation slowly disappeared and was replaced by boredom. I found different places to hide during the night just in case the shadowy figure knew I was there. But nothing. I was beginning to suspect that no one was going to arrive.

On the fifth day, I stormed over to the orphanage to find out for myself why a child would ask an assassin to kill a woman in charge of the orphans. An old woman’s voice could be heard as I entered the building. “Those who shirk their duties will get an extra beating. Do I make myself clear?” Beatings?! This woman beats the children? I was appalled by this idea. “And one more thing! I will hear no more talk of adoptions! None of you riff-raff deserves to be adopted! No one needs you. No one wants you.”

I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. It angered me to think that this woman felt she had the right to treat the orphans like this. I looked around the corner and saw a group of children avoiding eye contact with an old woman. That must be Grelod the Kind. There stood a younger woman to the side. How could she just watch this happen? I wondered. “What do you want?” Grelod asked me sharp when she saw me. “We’re not adopting any children out.”

“Can I just talk to them?” I asked unsure how to respond to her.

“Sure. Knock yourself out. Get their hopes up.” She said sarcastically. She turned and started walking into another room. “Just remember, you urchins, no one wants you!” She slammed the door closed.

The children surrounded me begging me to take them with them. “Please, lady! You don’t know how bad it is!” one boy begged.

“She didn’t give me dinner last night because of how I looked at her.” another told me.

“She beats us if we have even a little fun!”

“The closet is the worst!” All the kids agreed with that one.

“The closet?” I asked. No one said anything but all their eyes went to a door next to the one Grelod went into. I walked up to the door and slowly opened it. My eyes widened at the horror. Each wall had shackles bolted to them. Buckets sat in the corners. There was a pile of hay in the middle. I pushed the hay aside with with my foot with apprehension. Blood. Blood stained the floor. Fresh and old blood. I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. I left the closet and turned to the younger woman. “You just let this happen to the children!” I blew up on her, “How could you just stand by and let this happen! They’re children! They should be in loving homes not tortured by a psychopathic old woman!”

“I-I do what I can to protect them!” the woman stuttered.

I pushed past her towards the exit. “You’re just as bad as she is.” I muttered as I left the orphanage. The pleas of the children followed. That’s it! I cannot wait around for an assassin to arrive while these children are being treated this way. I had to do something. A spell I hadn’t tried yet. It would work perfectly, I thought with a smile.

I waited until nightfall and quietly made my way to the orphanage. I looked around. All the guards were occupied and out of sight. I put out my hand and conjured a dremora lord. “Argh! I honor my lord!” he said loudly.

“Shhhhhh! Not so loud!” I commanded him. He was tall. Over a head taller than me. WIth slick black hair and horns. His face was black with red markings. Handsome in a creepy kind of way, I thought. He wore daedric armor and had a sword that was longer than I was tall strapped to his back. “Ok, here’s what I want you to do. Go inside this building and kill the old lady. Do not touch the children and do not touch the younger brunette. Got it?” I commanded him.

“I will feast on her heart!” He replied more quietly but still too loud. I glanced around nervously but the guards didn’t seem to care.

“Ok. ok. I don’t care how you kill her. Just make sure it’s only her.” I whispered as I opened the door to the orphanage.

He took out his sword and charged in. “No one escapes!” It yelled. I followed quietly behind and watched as he charged past the screaming children and at Grelod.

“What the hell are you?” She asked angrily

“I am your nightmare! I honor my lord, by destroying you!” It yelled as it swung it’s blade into the old woman. She screamed. The children were running. The younger woman was running. It was chaos. “You cannot escape me!” the dremora yelled as he started chasing the younger woman. No! I told him not to touch anyone but the old woman.

“Stop! You’re job is done!” I screamed at the dremora lord. He stopped chasing the woman and placed his sword on his back. “Go back to oblivion!” He disappeared with a charge of electricity.

The younger woman stared at me with wide eyes. She was having trouble catching her breath. “Wh-why?” she finally asked me.

“I did what was right for the children.” I said coldly. She only watched me with her jaw open. I left the orphanage before she could regain her composure and went to the Inn.

Lydia and Erandur looked up at me shocked. “What are you doing back already? Did the assassin come?” Lydia asked.

“No.” I told her, “We need to go to Windhelm. I have to talk to the Aretino boy.”

“My daughter, you didn’t.” Erandur started.

“I’ll find the Dark Brotherhood another way. We leave in the morning.”
 

Rhew

The missing snow elf

Rhew

The missing snow elf
rhew banner.jpg
WE KNOW



Erandur and Lydia seemed a bit distant since the night I had the dremora lord kill Grelod the Kind. I didn’t mind. I knew what I did might be wrong but I couldn’t stand by knowing the children were being treated the way they were. The fact that I couldn’t stay patient and wait for a Dark Brotherhood member was the only thing I felt bad for. Now we weren’t any closer in finding the Dark Brotherhood and I had destroyed our only lead. The small grasp I had at finding Faendal was taken away by myself. I laughed and shook my head at the irony. But I felt I needed to let the little Aretino boy that the orphanage was a safe place again. It would be a lot better for him then living in an abandoned house with a corpse, I thought with a shudder.

We walked through the Rift back to Windhelm. This was my least favorite area. The cracked dried earth was ugly compared to the rest of Skyrim. We were approaching the giant camp the stood just off the road. The one that held the giant that I knew was the cause of my amnesia. I stopped and stared at the giant as it slowly walked around the towering campfire. I wanted revenge on the giant. I began to raise my hand to conjure an atronach when Lydia grabbed my wrist. “Don’t,” she said, “He is protected by the Jarl of WIndhelm.” She pointed to a piece of parchment hanging to a post by a dagger.

I stared at the parchment for a minute before I dropped my arm. “Fine,” I muttered as I continued passed the giant’s camp. I wonder if Basilio ever woke up. I felt guilty. He never crossed my mind anymore.

“Are you alright?” Erandur asked.

I glanced at the Dunmer. “I’m fine. Why?”

“I may have only met you a week ago but you are acting different since,” He paused. I knew what he was going to say.

“I just want to get to Windhelm and talk to the child. Ok?” I said before he could finish his sentence. I continued towards WIndhelm leaving Erandur and Lydia speechless. I was irritated at myself because of my rash decision we had no way of finding the Dark Brotherhood. I was irritated at that Sithis thing as well. “Why didn’t it tell me what it wanted me to do?!” I roared at the empty land. I collapsed to my knees and watched the dust billow away from the sudden impact.

Lydia kneeled next to me. “Maybe we should take a few days to rest when we get to Windhelm. I think the anxiety of finding the Dark Brotherhood and…. well, what happened yesterday is getting to you.” I glanced up at her. She looked worried. “I’m afraid you might go into shock.”

“Shock?” I asked. I pushed myself to my feet and continued down the path. I was determined to get this over with. “I’ve been through shock after escaping Helgen. I’m not going into shock.” Although, Faendal’s calming spell would be nice right now, I thought.

The sun hung low in the sky when we walked across the stone bridge to Windhelm. A guard stopped us at the gate. “You! I know you!” He exclaimed.

“You…. know me?” I was hesitant to ask especially with what just happened.

“Yeah! You’re the dragonborn!” He said excitedly.

“Oh, yeah. I guess I am.” I replied with relief.

“Can you shout for me?” He asked.

My eyes widened. “Shout?”

“You can shout, right?” He looked at me skeptically.

“Of course I can!” I asserted. But what shout could I use here? I asked myself.

“What about the one you learned in Jurgen Windcaller’s tomb?” Lydia suggested. That’s right! That shout doesn’t affect anyone but me.

“Fiem!” I shouted. Gasps of amazement were made around me as the guards stared at me. I was see through like a ghost. “Lydia, try to touch me.”

She was hesitant to try but reached out. Her hand went through my body. “By Mara!” Erandur exclaimed.

“You really are the dragonborn!” The guard exclaimed.

“But what about that Stormcloak?” Another one asked.

“He’s dragonborn too, you sod!” he stated loudly.

“There can be more than one dragonborn?”

The guard opened his mouth to reply but stopped after a moment. He looked puzzled. The two guards started to argue over whether there could be multiple dragonborns at one time. We left them to argue and entered the city. Erandur and Lydia went into the tavern as I traversed the winding streets of Windhelm once again. I was soon lost amongst the streets of WIndhelm and found myself in a part of the city that looked broken down and fallen apart. “Where am I?” I asked aloud.

“This is the Grey Quarters,” a Dunmer replied as he walked by. The grey quarters? He turned back to me, “You’re not from here. Not many non-Dunmers come to this area.”

“I was looking for the Aretino residence.” I told him.

The Dunmer looked bewildered. “Why would you want to go there? It’s haunted!”

Haunted!? It might be creepy but that place isn’t haunted. Oh, I hope that child isn’t staying there with a rotting corpse. My stomach churned at the thought. “It’s just morbid curiosity I guess.” I told him.

He looked at me doubtfully but shrugged. “Not my business I suppose but I could help show you the way if you wanted.”

“That would be nice,” I smiled.

I began to follow him through the cold streets. “My name is Malthyr Elenil. I work at the New Gnisis Cornerclub. You should check it out if you have the time.” I nodded in agreement. I never even realized there was another tavern in the city.

He watched me for a moment in silence as we continued walking. “Oh! Right, I’m Rhew.”

“That’s a strange name for a woo-”

“I’m a Snow Elf,” I interrupted before he could finish.

“Snow Elf!” He exclaimed in disbelief. “I’ve heard of you!” Everyone has heard of me apparently, I thought peeved. “A snow elf ate the soul of a dragon in Winterhold.”

“Oh, yes. That.” Winterhold seemed so long ago. “I didn’t eat it’s soul. It just kind of rushes into me.”

“Wow! What does it feel like?” He asked.

I was a little stunned at his question. No one had ever asked that before. What did it feel like having a soul rush into my body? I pondered the question. “It feels like jumping into the freezing river. But it’s warm.” I finally said.

HIs face furrowed in thought as he tried to imagine the feeling. He shook his head. “I can’t imagine that. Sounds amazing though!” I could see the strangely shaped house ahead. The Aretino house. “There you are. The haunted house for you. Good luck with whatever you’re doing there.” He said. I thanked him and headed inside.

The house still felt as creepy as before but the little boy wasn’t chanting this time. I rounded the corner and ran into the little boy. I started. He was so quiet! “You’re back! I was getting worried! It’s been so long! So…. is she…. you know…..”

I pressed my lips together uncomfortable at having to say what I was about to. “Yes, she’s… dead.”

He jumped in delight. “Yes! She’s gone! Finally! I can go back to my friends!”

This little child is going to cross Skyrim by himself? “Do you need company to Riften?” I asked him.

“Don’t worry about me! I can take care of myself!” He said proudly puffing out his chest.

“Well, alright. I guess I’ll go then.” I said uncertain as I turned to leave.

“Wait! I wanted to give you this.” I turned back to have a plate thrust into my hands.

“I….. what?”

“It’s my family heirloom. You should be able to get something for it. And thanks again!”

I studied the plate confused. It’s just a plate. “Um, you’re welcome.” I left the house and began walking back to the tavern studying the plate with more confusion. I wasn’t expecting a gift or payment or whatever this was. I did what I thought was best for the children. Out of the corner of my eyes I noticed a man running to me in a hurry. I looked up from the plate. It was a currier. He looked spooked.

“I’ve got a letter for you.” He said. His voice wavered a bit in fright.

I leaned back a little from him wary of the letter. “Who is it from?”

“I - I don’t know. Scary fellow in dark robes. His face was hidden under a hood.” He placed the letter on top of the plate I held as if it would shock him. “Well, good luck.” I watched him walk away confused. Good luck?

I placed the plate under my arm and broke the seal to the letter. I gasped in horror at the letter. The plate fell from my arm and shattered. There was an imprint of a hand. Two words were written underneath: WE KNOW.
 

Rhew

The missing snow elf
rhew banner.jpg
SO VERY MUCH ALIVE



I entered the tavern shaking and found Erandur and Lydia near a fire. “What’s the matter? You look as white as a ghost!” Erandur exclaimed when I sat at the table. I placed the broken pieces of the plate and the letter on the table. Lydia and Erandur only watched me. I nodded at the letter. Erandur finally picked up the letter and opened it. “Oh, this is bad, Rhew.”

I looked at them with frightened eyes. “Something is going to happen to me, right?” I asked them in a hushed voice.

“I won’t let anything happen to you.” Lydia responded.

I tried to smile but I was worried. “What if I disappear?”

“I’ll search all of Skyrim for you. You are my thane.” She told me.

I shook my head. I couldn’t let her do that. “No. That will put you in danger as well. If something happens to me I want you to wait for me in Whiterun.”

“But what if you’re in danger!” She protested.

“I have my atronachs and dremoras to protect me. I’m not defenseless.” I assured her. She didn’t look convinced. “You’re like a sister to me. I won’t see you harmed. Promise me you’ll wait in Whiterun.” Lydia didn’t look happy at what I was asking but she reluctantly agreed. I looked at Erandur. “Thank you for your help as well.”

“What are you thanking me for?” He asked, “I told you I’m going to stick around until I know you and your love have reunited. I’ll wait in Whiterun with Lydia.”

“Why are you making all these plans, Rhew? You don’t know what is going to happen. Maybe this is it. The letter might be to scare you from doing one of their jobs in the future.” Lydia commented.

“I don’t know. I just have this sinking feeling.” I replied as I stared at the pieces of the plate the little boy gave me. I laughed. “This was what we wanted, right? To find the Dark Brotherhood? I guess it worked.”

“Not if it means your death!” Lydia protested. “You’re the dragonborn! No one else can deal with the dragons!”

“What about Soldin? Everyone thinks he’s dragonborn, too.” I pointed out. I was confused about the large Nord. Hadn’t he suggested he wasn’t the Dragonborn? I tried to think back to when Soldin and I talked. He didn’t deny it either though.

“He’s only using it for political reasons,” she said with disgust. “You are actually doing something.” Am I? I wondered. I felt like I was just stumbling into places that just so happened to be where I needed to be.

We ordered some dinner and I tried to eat the soup that was placed in front of me but I was only able to down a few spoonfuls. I suddenly felt tired. Maybe it’s all the stress, I thought. I left the main room and fell into the bed. I was asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow.

I felt groggy when I awoke. It felt like I had slept for days. “Lydia?” I called out as I sat up. I rubbed my eyes and opened them. Where am I? This wasn’t the inn in Windhelm. There were cupboards and dressers haphazardly sitting around the room. There was a woman in black and red leather sitting on top of one of the cupboards. Her face was hidden by a cowl and hood but I could see that she was smiling.

“You’re finally awake.” She said.

That black and red leather armor. It’s the same armor the man we passed in Dawnstar was wearing, I realized. “Where am I?” I asked.

“Does it matter? You’re warm, safe, and so very much alive,” Her voice dripped with confidence. I felt she was talking to me as if I were below her. “The same can’t be said for poor Grelod.” My eyes widened in shock. “Oh, yes. We know all about what you did to her. How you struck her down in front of the eyes of all those little children.” She chuckled. “It was quite messy.”

“It was a dremora.” I whispered.

“A dremora?” She seemed even more amused at this. “Don’t get me wrong. I’m not condemning you. It was a good kill. The old crone had it coming. And you saved a group of urchins to boot. So noble of you.” I shifted uncomfortably on the bed. “But it wasn’t your kill. That child was searching for the Dark Brotherhood. For us.” So, she really is part of the Dark Brotherhood, I thought excitedly. “You stole that kill from us.”

I glanced around the room and noticed for the first time three people kneeling on their knees bound with bags tied over their heads. I gasped and backed into the opposite wall. “What is going on!?” I demanded.

“A kill for a kill.” She explained nonchalantly. “You took one of our kills. One of these three unfortunate souls has a contract out for them. But who is it?” She was playing with me as if I was a mouse and she was a cat.

“You want me to kill one of them?” I was horrified by the idea.

“Why yes, yes I do.” She answered, “What’s wrong? You’ve killed before. This isn’t anything new.”

I felt conflicted. Was this what Sithis wanted me to do? Did he expect me to do what the Dark Brotherhood asked for? Was I supposed to join them? Become one of them? I couldn’t ever become a cold killer. That wasn’t who I was. Why didn’t this thing tell me what it wanted? “What if I refuse?”

She laughed. “Refuse?! Look, someone here is going to die. Do you want it to be you?” No, I really didn’t want to die. I walked weakly towards the three bound people. I could hear them struggle. Their muffled screams demanded to be let go.

I went one by one and asked them why someone would want them dead. The first was a sellsword who got a little too carried away with one of his jobs. The second was a mother of multiple children. She seemed very rude and didn’t care what others thought of her. The last was a Khajiit who seemed to do everything vile and was proud of it. I could see how each of these people might have a hit on them but how could I decide who should die?

I balled my hands into fists as I heard the three beg for their lives. This wasn’t right. I was shaking with anger. This wasn’t right. I shouldn’t be the one deciding whether they live or die. I turned back towards the woman sitting on the cupboard. Her eyebrows raised as if asking me which one I would choose. Someone here had to die? Who deserves to die?

I conjured a dremora lord. “I honor my lord!” It yelled. Are these things ever quiet!? The three bound people’s begging became more urgent at it’s screams. I looked up at the woman. she cocked an eyebrow. I glanced back at the three behind me. I knew which one deserved death.

I pointed at the woman. “Attack her only!” I commanded the dremora. He unsheathed his sword and ran at her.

“So be it!” She yelled as she jumped from the cupboard. A dagger was in her hand. She dodged the dremora’s swing and ran at me. Her dagger swung down.

“Fiem!” The dagger slashed through my phantom body. I ran and jumped on the bed. The three bound people were screaming at the commotion. I threw an ice spike at her. She dodged it. She is quick!

“I will feast on your heart!” The dremora lord roared. He was able to get behind her while she was concentrating on me. His sword pierced the woman through the back. Her hands felt the tip of the blade that extended through her stomach. Her eyes bulged. She fell to the ground when he pulled the sword out.

I walked up to her and kneeled next to her. She was still breathing. Fast and raspy. Her hand was reaching out for her dagger. I grabbed it and plunged it deep into her chest. She gasped once more and stopped moving. I felt a strange energy flow into me. This dagger must be enchanted, I thought as I pulled it out of her chest.

I stared at the dagger, at the blood that dripped from it in horror. This was…. I just killed someone. Me. Not one of my atronachs or dremoras. And I did it without thinking about it. It was killed or be killed, right? If I didn’t kill her then I would have been killed, right? I tried to comfort myself but I was shaking. What do I do now? How do I find the Dark Brotherhood now?

“Get me out of these things!” The woman bellowed. It snapped me out of my thoughts. I wiped the blood off the dagger and went to the bound people. I cut their ropes and helped them get the hoods off their heads.

“You’re safe now.” I told them. I looked around the empty shack. There was a small satchel on the cupboard where the woman had sat. I grabbed it and searched the satchel. There was some gold, a key, and a letter. The letter was addressed to an Astrid but didn’t say who it was from. I glanced at the woman that laid dead on the floor. Was this Astrid?

“You know,” the sellsword started. I turned and looked at him. “There’s a Penitus Oculatus outpost at Dragon Bridge. They’ve been trying to take down the Dark Brotherhood for years. You should find them and let them know what just happened.” I looked back at the woman that laid dead on the floor. Astrid.

I nodded. “You’re right. That’s what I’ll do.” I no longer cared what Sithis wanted me to do. My blood boiled. I wanted the Dark Brotherhood dead. Anyone who wore the black and red armor was going to die at my hands. I was going to make sure of that.
 

Rhew

The missing snow elf
rhew banner.jpg
PENITUS OCULATUS


The sun blinded me when I opened the door to the shack. My eyes instinctively snapped shut from the sudden brightness. I placed my hand over my eyes and slowly opened them. Where was I? I looked around as my eyes adjusted to the light. The muddy ground was covered in browning grass and weeds. A small dirt path led to a wooden boat. I ran around the shack pass the dead leafless trees until I was back to the front of the shack. I was on a small island. Was this the marsh near Morthal? How did I end up all the way out here? I remembered how sleepy I had felt after eating my soup in Windhelm. Had my soup been drugged?

I looked out in the distance and realized I could see the outlines of Solitude. Dragon Bridge was near Solitude. I pushed the boat into the marsh and jumped into it. I rowed the boat towards Solitude. I stopped rowing and looked around when I realized that the water was down too much to get the boat between the islands. After searching I rowed the boat across the water and pulled myself out onto solid ground and hoped the land would take me to Solitude without me having to go through the freezing water. I ran past the tall sheer cliffs that Solitude stood atop.

After looking around I knew that the only way across was to swim. There wasn’t any other way. I frowned as I watched a chunk of ice float by. I may be a snow elf but I still didn’t like being cold. I stared at the water for a little longer before drawing in a huge breathe. I jumped as far into the river as I could. The icy water shocked my body. I cried out from the freezing water. The bubbles rushed to the surface. This did not feel anything like absorbing a dragon’s soul! I quickly swam to the surface and gasped from the cold. The other side seemed so far away! I swam as quickly as I could. The cold made my muscles stiff. It was hard to concentrate. One hand in front of the other, I told myself. My teeth were chattering. It was hard to breath. Almost there. Don’t give up!

“What are you doing swimming!? It’s freezing!” I heard someone cry out when I pulled myself out of the water on the other bank. I was shivering and my teeth rattled. I needed to warm myself up fast. A guard ran to me and helped me up. “Come on. You’ll die if you don’t get dry.” He began escorting me up the path towards Solitude. “What were you doing?”

“T-t-t-t-t-the D-d-d-d-d” I stuttered as my teeth chattered. I was too cold to even think.

“Ok, ok. Once you’re warmed up we can talk,” he assured me. He took me to a farm just outside of Solitude. A woman looked alarmed as we approached. “Do you mind if she dries off and warms up in your house?”

“Of course not!” She exclaimed and hurriedly showed us inside. The woman pulled me to a chair next to the fire and forced me to sit. The guard sat in another chair near me. She left and soon came back with some dry clothes. “It’s not much but is better they’re dry.” I thanked her and followed her to a room where I could change in privacy.

I was already feeling better with the dry clothes on. I returned to the chair and warmed myself by the fire. “Feeling better?” the guard asked. I nodded. “Good. Now, what were you doing? Not many sane people would swim in the Solitude harbor.”

“I was taken by a member of the Dark Brotherhood.” I told him. The guard and the woman looked surprised.

“Really!? But how did you survive.”

“I…… I killed her…..” I said softly. I took the letter from my satchel and handed it to the guard. It was wet but still legible.

“Astrid?” The guard asked. “You killed Astrid!? She’s the leader of the Dark Brotherhood! You need to let the Penitus Oculatus know about this right away.” That’s what the sellsword had told me. “I can take you to their outpost if you would like.”

“Sure.” We left the farm and followed the path away from Solitude once I was warm.

“Can I ask how you ended up being taken by the Dark Brotherhood?” The guard asked as we walked to Dragon Bridge.

“I’m looking for a friend who was taken by them,” I told him. No need in going into details. I’m not sure he would even believe it if I told him.

“If the Dark Brotherhood took your friend away…. He’s probably dead.” he said somberly.

I shook my head. “No. I know he’s still alive.” The guard didn’t ask anything more during our walk to Dragon Bridge. I was glad. I didn’t want to explain anymore of my endeavors to the random man. I was worried about Faendal. About Lydia and Erandur. I had no idea how long it had been since I was taken from WIndhelm. I just hoped Lydia did listen to me and went to Whiterun.

We walked through the small town of Dragon Bridge. The bridge the town was named after looked familiar. But like everything else that looked familiar I didn’t know why it was familiar. The guard took me to a small building that had two large black banners with a red Imperial insignia in the middle. He knocked on the door. Another man in armor similar to the imperials opened the door. “What is it?” he asked.

“This elf has some pretty amazing news about the Dark Brotherhood.” the guard told him. The man looked me over unimpressed at what he was looking at. “She should talk to Captain Maro.”

“Ok, fine.” The man finally said and allowed us inside. “Captain Maro, this elf has news about the Dark Brotherhood.” the man told the captain with sarcasm. I didn’t like him.

“The Dark Brotherhood? What is it?” Captain Maro asked with interest. The captain was a tall older man with long black hair and a mustache.

I glanced at the guard and back at the captain. “Well, I think I killed the leader.”

“You think?”

“She is part of the Dark Brotherhood.”

“Show him the letter,” the guard told me. Oh, right. The letter. I took out the wet parchment and handed it to Captain Maro. He gently opened it and read the letter. His eyes opened wide as he read it.

“This letter is to Astrid. She is indeed the leader of the Dark Brotherhood here in Skyrim.” Captain Maro said astonished. “And you killed her?”

I nodded. “She took me captive. I had no choice.” I lied. I couldn’t tell them why she actually took me. That I could have killed one of the three captives. That the reason she took me was because I killed Grelod the Kind.

“If you could kill her you might be able to get the rest of the group!” Captain Maro exclaimed. “How would you like to destroy the Dark Brotherhood?”

My body tingled with excitement. This was exactly what I wanted to do. “I’d love that.”

“Great! I’ll show you where their hideout is and how to get inside.” Captain Maro explained as he grabbed a spare map. “Some of my men can go with you as well.”

“No. I’ll do this on my own.” The men looked at me stunned. “I’m the Dragonborn. I can take care of myself.”
 

Rhew

The missing snow elf
rhew banner.jpg
BLADE OF RUE



The carriage stopped just outside of Falkreath. I thanked the driver and hoped out of the back. I walked away from the town feeling the wondering eyes of the driver on my back. I did not care what anyone thought of me right now. The only thing on my mind was the Dark Brotherhood. My hand wrapped around the hilt of the blade I took from the dead woman.

A few minutes walk found me what I was looking for. A door hidden inside a small cliff. The door had an engraving of a skull with a handprint on its forehead. A skeleton sat underneath the skull. Five smaller skulls sat at the feet of the skeleton. It gave off an ominous vibe.

I hesitated before knocking on the door. This was it. “What is the music of life?” A voice slithered through my head. That same voice from the Nord ruins!

All my hesitation left. I was angry. Sithis was going to pay for taking Faendal from me. “Silence, my brother.” I responded.

“Welcome home.” The door swung open. A smile spread across my lips as I entered the cave. I walked down the narrow passage and stopped at the corner. My heart was pounding against my chest. Was I really about to do this?

“Astrid?” A gruff voice called out from around the corner. I took out the dagger and ran around the corner and came face to face with a tall blond Nord. He looked surprised but it quickly changed to anger. “Where’s Astrid!” he asked as he unsheathed his two-handed axe.

“Astrid is dead,” I told him. “And you’re next!” I threw an ice spike at him. It grazed his arm as he swung his two-handed axe at me. “Feim!” I shouted. The axe passed through my phantom body. I laughed at his shocked expression.

I conjured a dremora lord. “I will feast in your blood!” It yelled.

“Shut up! Kill everyone that gets in your way!” I commanded the Dremora lord. “But don’t harm any wood elves!” I yelled after it as it ran deeper into the cave.

“Wood elves?” the Nord stopped confused for a moment but he was soon over whatever confused him and swung his axe at me again. I ducked under the swing and threw another ice spike at his back. He fell to the ground. The axe skidded away from him. He quickly turned to stand up but I was faster. I jumped on top of him and raised the dagger over my head.

“Where’s Faendal!” I demanded.

‘Who?” I plunged the dagger into his chest and pulled it back out.

“Where’s Faendal!” I repeated. The Nord was unable to speak. He started choking on the blood that trickled from his mouth. I plunged the dagger into his chest a second time in frustration.

I took the dagger and left the Nord to gasp his final breaths. I ran towards the sounds of struggling to find an argonian on the floor still alive. The dremora lord was deeper inside the cave. I could hear him screaming his threats. I watched the argonian struggle to stand up. Blood gushed from a deep wound in his side. I walked up behind him and pulled his head back by his horns. The dagger drug across his throat. I dropped the lizard and continued deeper into the cave.

I followed a staircase to the right that was located next to a waterfall and a creepy stained glass window. I heard the fire being hurled at me before I saw it. I ducked beside the wall and watched the fire blast past me. “You think you can take on a mage!?” I heard an older man yell.

I laughed. “I am a mage!” I called out to him. I moved in front of the doorway and searched for the old man. He stood on the other side of the room. I threw an ice spike as he threw a fireball. I hide on the side of the doorway and watched the fireball pass by me again. I heard the ice spike hit the wall.

“You’re going to have to do better than that if you want to defeat me, girl!” He was right. We could dance like this all night. But I wasn’t just a mage. I could stop him. “Too afraid to fight me now, are you child?”

I jumped in front of the doorway and glared at the old man. “Fus ro dah!” The man flew into the next room and tumbled into a dresser. I ran after him and grabbed him by his robes with one hand. The other hand held the dagger to his throat. “Where’s Fandal.” I demanded.

“Who is Faendal?” the old man asked. I pressed the dagger into his neck. Blood dripped from the puncture I made. The old man grimaced. “Is that Astrid’s dagger?”

“I won’t ask again. Where is Faendal.” I pressed, “Sithis took him from me. I will get him back.”

“Sithis took him? You mean the wood elf? He’s in the Night-mother’s chamber. Like always.” He was here! I knew it! I dropped the old man and headed out the room when I heard the sound of fire rush towards me.

“Feim!” The fireball shot through my body and blasted into the wall in front of me. I turned and threw the dagger at the man. It caught him in the arm. “I might have let you live!” I yelled at him as I began throwing ice spikes at him. The ice spikes buffeted the old man. He crumpled to the floor. I walked up to him and sntached the dagger that stuck from his arm. The night-mother’s chamber, I thought. Probably where that ugly stained glass window is.

I could hear the Dremora Lord clashing with someone else. I wasn’t concerned with that. I followed the cavern towards a room that seemed to glow in red light. Is this the night-mother’s chamber? Faendal stood in front of a few benches. My heart leapt for joy at the sight of him. He’s alive but something was wrong. He stared at me. He didn’t move an inch. No, he didn’t just stare. He was glaring. I took a step towards him. “Get back!” he yelled. He carried his bow. An arrow was already notched. Every inch of his body was trembling.

“Faendal?” I asked uncertain. I took another step into the room.

“I said get back, Rhew!” He repeated, “Go away!” The bow was drawn and pointed at me. He seemed to struggle with himself. I heard the dremora behind me.

“I smell weakness.” It said in it’s dark voice. It unsheathed it’s long black sword.

“No! He is not our enemy. Do not attack him.” I commanded it. What was wrong with Faendal? I needed to figure it out. I made one more step towards him and he let loose the arrow. I swiftly deflected the arrow with my dagger. I was amazed that I was able to do it but I didn’t have time to think about it. Faendal dropped his bow and charged at me with a sword.

I placed a ward up to block his sword but remembering the ward was only for magic I jumped out of the way and rolled on the ground. The dremora blocked Faendal’s blow with his sword. It pushed him back causing him to stagger. The dremora raised it’s sword to attack. “No! I said do not attack him!” I yelled.

I had to think of a way to stop Faendal without hurting him. What spell could I use? I jumped up and ran behind my dremora from Faendal’s swing. The dremora caught Faendal’s blade with his and again pushed Faendal back. “Enough of this! Fight!” Faendal yelled. I can’t hurt him! Maybe a calming spell! But how did it go? I was never good at illusion. I managed to send the calming spell at him but he didn’t seem to be fazed by it. “What are you doing!” He swung his sword down at me. I fell back avoiding the swing. His sword caught in the dresser that stood behind me. “Son of a bitch!” He cried out as he tried to pull it out. I scurried across the floor to the other side of the room.

Faendal grabbed his dagger from his boot and threw it at me. I screamed. This was it! I didn’t have time to avoid the dagger. The dremora ran in front of me. The dagger penetrated it’s stomach to the hilt. It disappeared with a cry. The dagger fell to the floor with a clatter. Faendal ran to grab the dagger. I kicked it aside before he could grab it. “This ends now!” He threatened.

I panicked. “Iiz Slen Nus!” I shouted. Faendal’s body was trapped in ice. He struggled but couldn’t move.

“What is this!”

I pushed myself to my feet and made my way to a bench. I sat down and placed my head in my hands. My whole body shook. I didn’t know what to do. Was this how we were going to die? Was I to be killed by the one I loved or kill him myself? It wasn’t fair! After everything I went through to find him only to have him attack me. I could hear him cursing and shouting. The calming spell didn’t work. What was I to do? Keep him trapped in ice the rest of our lives? The thought of being trapped in ice brought back memories of my past but I shook them away. I was not concerned about my past at the moment.

“Rhew, the necklace!” I heard Faendal struggle to say.

What necklace? I dropped my arms and pushed myself to my feet. I walked to Faendal and studied him. He glared at me. He was acting like a rabid dog but there were moments when his eyes seemed to show fear or sorrow. There was something controlling him and I had to end it. I began to carefully melt the ice from his neck and chest. There it was.`Around his neck. Yes! I became excited! The necklace. It wasn’t the one I gave him long ago. Maybe it’s the reason he is acting this way. It was an ugly black necklace that seared my palm as I quickly ripped the chain from his neck and tossed it aside.

“Rhew” He called out softly. “I’m so sorry. I couldn’t control myself.”

“Shut up, Faendal.” I pressed my lips against his and kissed him long and tenderly. His sweet aroma left me feeling intoxicated. I never thought I would see him alive again. “I love you,” I breathed when we separated.

“I-I love you too,” he replied a little surprised. “But can you get me out of this ice?”

I laughed. Tears of happiness fell from my eyes as I melted the ice from Faendal’s body. Once he was free of the ice I pulled Faendal into my arms and caressed him. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know what else to do.”
 

Rhew

The missing snow elf
faendal banner.jpg
FIRE STORM



“Where did you learn to use a blade like that?” Faendal asked Rhew. He couldn’t believe she had blocked his arrow earlier. Sure, he was relieved she was able to knock it away but he never knew she could handle a blade like that. And a dagger no less.

“What are you talking about?” She asked him as she studied the blade. She looked up at him and smiled. “It was instinct.”

“Instinct? That was skill.” He countered. She frowned at him. Her blue eyes were full of confusion. “You don’t remember, do you?” She shook her head. “More mysteries. I think you have more secrets then I do.”

“Perhaps.” She said with a smile. “Can we get out of here? I don’t like it here.”

Faendal smiled. He didn’t want to be in the hideout anymore than she did. He also wanted to find new armor to replace this black and red armor the Dark Brotherhood had made him wear. “Sure,” He watched as Rhew walked away and grabbed her. He pulled her into him and kissed her. It had been far too long since he had held her. His fingers slipped through her hair as he pulled her into him unable to get enough. They had been away for so long. All he wanted to do was feel her. Taste her.

After a moment, Rhew pulled away from him and smiled. “Let’s get out of here. We’ll have plenty of time to catch up.” He laughed. He didn’t want to let her go but they did need to leave the sanctuary.

Before they left Rhew threw an ice spike at the stain glass window. The glass shattered and sprayed out into the main cavern room below. Chunks of jagged glass were all that was left of the window. “That thing creeps me out.” Rhew said. Faendal agreed. He never understood why the thing that controlled him stared at the window but he was glad to see it gone as well.

Faendal couldn’t hide his horror as he and Rhew walked through the cavern. Festus lay on the ground. At least ten ice spikes impaled the old man. Faendal glanced at Rhew. She looked straight ahead never once glancing at the carnage. Did she do all of this? He wondered. Vazeera’s body lay in a pool of blood. He had a large gash in his side and across his neck. Faendal could not believe that Rhew would do something like this. She always seemed to avoid conflict and prefered to use her atronachs to do the dirty work.

“Rhew-” he started but his voice caught in his throat when a darkness appeared before them. Faendal backed away from it. Oh gods, don’t let it take me again, he pleaded in his head. Rhew glared at the darkness. Faendal had never seen her this angry before.

“Your plan failed,” Rhew proclaimed. “The Dark Brotherhood is dead and I have Faendal.” Faendal was flabbergasted. Was she taunting the void?

A laugh slithered through their brains. “You are wrong. I was right to choose you. You did exactly what I want.”

“What!” Rhew’s eyes grew wide. She was stunned. She did exactly what the void had wanted her to do? Because of this thing she had done things she would have never done before. She had killed…. so mercilessly. “I destroyed the Dark Brotherhood! I destroyed everyone that worships you!”

So she really did do all this, Faendal thought as he glanced at Vazeera’s body. He hated the things he had been forced to do but he did feel grief for the Argonian. He didn’t seem like such a bad person for an assassin. Perhaps under different circumstances they could have been friends.

“The Dark Brotherhood has not been destroyed.” the voice slithered through their heads. Faendal shivered. The voice crept through areas of his head he didn’t realize could be penetrated. “You have merely destroyed a group who claimed to be the Dark Brotherhood. Now my followers will grow stronger than ever. The Listener, the Keeper, and many others will appear and the Dark Brotherhood will return to its former glory all thanks to you.” The void disappeared leaving Faendal and Rhew in the dank cave.

Rhew’s whole body shook. She clenched her fists so hard her knuckles turned white. Faendal gently placed his hands on her shoulders. He looked into her eyes. “It’s ok, Rhew,” he told her in a comforting voice.

“I did what it wanted me to do?” She asked through clenched teeth. “I did what it wanted me to do!?” she repeated more frantic. Faendal had never seen Rhew this angry before. He backed a few steps from her. Her eyes glew red like fire. Fire slowly began to swirl around her body. The swirl grew larger and larger as Rhew became even more enraged. He ducked as she began to scream. Fire blasted in every direction. It stormed over Faendal like a typhoon. What kind of magic was that!? He wondered in dismay.

Everything in the cavern that could catch fire was ablaze. Including Vazeera. That could have been me! Faendal thought. They were surrounded by the flames. The room was quickly becoming engulfed in smoke.

Rhew slumped to her knees hyperventilating. Faendal was curious what she had been through the last month to make her react this way. He knew she didn’t like it when he used his calming spell on her but at a time like this…… He cast the spell at Rhew. Her breathing slowly returned to a normal pace. She leaned over onto Faendal. “Thank you,” she whispered.

“Come on,” Faendal said gently as he pulled Rhew to her feet. “We need to get out of here before the flames get too out of control.” Rhew leaned against Faendal’s shoulder as he lead her pass the flames. They began to cough as the smoke became worse. His eyes stung from the smoke. Faendal helped Rhew step over the body of the blond Nord. Multiple stab wounds, he noticed. He glanced at Rhew for a moment as the made the rest of the way out of the cavern. Could she really kill someone like that?

The fresh air was exhilarating. Faendal took a few deep breaths of the clean air. He looked around expecting to see Lydia but there was no one around to greet them. “Where’s Lydia?” he asked Rhew.

“I don’t know,” she mumbled. That’s…. not normal, he thought. Rhew walking around Skyrim without a companion? Was Lydia safe? There were so many questions swirling in his head. Would she even tell him what happened to her?

They headed into the closest town and found the inn. Once inside, Faendal helped Rhew into a chair and left to rent a room. The woman behind the counter stared at Faendal. “You must have been through something,” she said, “Your face is as black as coal.” Faendal’s hand instinctually rubbed his face. Black soot covered his hand. He looked back at Rhew. She was staring at the fire. Her face was also black from the smoke.

“And your armor….” The woman continued. Faendal turned back to the woman at the counter. “Oh! I know who you are!” Who I am? he wondered. “You’re not here to hurt one of us are you?” She asked cautiously. What is she talking about? Faendal realized he was still wearing the armor Vazeera had given him long ago.

“No, no, no! It’s nothing like that!” he assured her. “We just want a room for the night.” He pulled out some coins to hand her.

“Oh no!” she exclaimed pushing the coins away. “Just take the room. Just don’t harm any of us.”

Faendal gave her a confused look. “Thanks, I guess,” he said uncertain. He left the gold on the counter and went to Rhew. She did not even look up when he arrived. He wasn’t sure if she was acting this way because of what happened to her or because of the calming spell. He pulled her up from the chair and helped her to the room where she collapsed on the bed. “Are you going to be ok?” He asked her as he took the dagger from her.

“Sleep,” she mumbled. “I just need sleep.” Faendal sat in a chair and studied the dagger. This was indeed Astrid’s dagger. He remembered it being pressed against his throat so fondly the first time she had met him when she had arrived back at the sanctuary. But how and why did Rhew have the dagger? He didn’t remember seeing Astrid’s body anywhere when they left the cave. What had happened to Rhew? he wondered. He had to get her to tell him. First thing was first though. He was going to get new armor as soon as possible.
 

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