{"sf1_id":710844,"sf2_id":null,"title":"A Champions's Burden: An Elder Scrolls Tale","author":"diosoth","words":19845,"posted_at":"2014-05-28T19:50:00.000Z","tags":["Angst","Drama","Elder Scrolls","Elf","F/F","Human","Lesbian","Orgy","Violence (Not In Yiff)"],"url":"https://fse.anthro.fr/stories/710844-a-champions-s-burden-an-elder-scrolls-tale","original_url":"https://sofurry.com/view/710844","image_url":"https://www.sofurryfiles.com/std/thumb?page=710844\u0026ext=.jpg","description":"","content":"Author's notes:  \n  \nI play a rather mod-heavy Oblivion environment and a lot of the content  \nin this fiction will reflect that. I'm not too concerned with breaking  \nlore though. Cyrodiil was only 16 square miles in the actual game due  \nto space compression, opposed to the several thousand square miles it  \nshould've been, so I'm not worried about a building being in a place  \nit's not \"supposed to\" be.  \n  \nFor easy reference, I will be referring to these mods and content from  \nthem, among others. I won't list all the minor clothing and weapon  \nmods but may make reference to those-  \n  \nAranMathi player home  \nVerona House Bloodlines  \nLost Spires  \nKnights Of The Nine Revelations  \nHeart Of The Dead  \nA Brave Old World  \nOscuro's Oblivion Overhaul  \nDaggerfall Memories - Cybiades  \nTrade And Commerce  \n  \n  \nI play a \"good\" character- Fighter's Guild, KOTN, etc. I'm not giving  \nmuch to Bethesda's vague statements from Skyrim- I don't believe   \n\"a fox\" and \"a severed head\" are more than vague and don't properly  \ncanonize anything. If Bethesda wants to make certain things canon then   \nthey should make more linear games with no freedom. As far as the fates   \nof the other guilds, we will assume that someone else fulfilled those  \nroles.  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;Katriana is a character from Heart Of The Dead, one of the two   \ncharacters you will side with in the mod. I'm sticking to my own  \ncharacter's name despite both being very close.  \n  \nI will assume the reader has played Oblivion, SI and most of the   \nofficial plug-ins, and will probably not go into great detail  \non many things. I will describe some of what was covered by game  \nmods, but not too heavily.  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n-------------------------------------------------------  \n  \n  \n  \n4E 3  \n  \n  \nThe Empire of Tamriel was dead.   \n  \nPerhaps now, the rickety remnants held together, for what little   \nremained to keep the peace. However, the Emperor was dead, Martin had  \ngiven his life to defeat Mehrunes Dagon and the Elder Council was  \nbarely a force to maintain order.   \n  \nBlack Marsh and Elsweyr had already split away, Gareth's bid for  \npower had nearly torn the land apart in tyranny and war, and it  \nhad been clear to some that the Altmer sought a return to the old ways.  \n  \nAnd the Champion... what did they call her? \"Hero of Kvatch\"? \"Hero of  \nBruma\"? \"Champion of Cyrodiil\"! How few knew the real truth of what a   \nlone escaped prisoner merely in the right place at the right time had   \ndone to prevent Tamriel from becoming a burning wasteland. How few   \nwould know the hardships, the risks of going into the Deadlands, the  \nunexpected trials that she was constantly given.   \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;Did it matter? Was the state of the Empire really a sign that they   \nhad won? This woman knew more than anyone what seemed to be in the  \nhearts of many Altmer. Umbacano had used her as a tool in a bid for  \npower, sending a willing pawn off to search for the keys he needed  \nto revive a dead empire. Umaril's return had been a mere hint of what  \nwas to come next. Sir Gareth has all but sacrificed the Knights Of The  \nNine and almost altered history to reclaim Ayleid rule, and if not for  \nthat wizard, the Champion would never have returned to end his rule.  \n  \nThe fate of the Empire. Oh, if only she had been appointed Empress!  \nCertainly the Elder Council, and most of the people of Cyrodiil would   \nsupport a decision, allowing Martin's friend the position. Certainly  \nwith her willingness and strength, the Empire could be reunited, or   \nhave even remained intact.  \n  \nBut such things are impossible. Her need to be a hero forced on her a   \nlordship that ended such an idea before it began for the hero had   \nbecome Sheogorath. Her humanity would be slowly but surely drained  \nas this power took hold. She had made vague excuses to Ocato to avoid  \nsuch a request, but knew that someday soon they would make a formal  \nproposition, and how to deny that... doing so could tear apart the  \nEmpire's decaying remnants. How would the people react? What new   \ntyrant would attempt to fill an empty position?  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;If only she had stayed out of that idiotic portal. If only she'd  \ngiven up on the whims of the Madgod. The pain of having a noble heart  \ncould mean that saving one land deemed another to die, and that's  \nwhat she had done. By coming to this realm and doing what was needed,  \nby playing Sheogorath's game, the people of the Shivering Isles may  \nhave been saved, but Tamriel would suffer without their hero.  \n  \nSheogorath. Was that to be her name now? if this poor woman even had   \na real name, she never knew. The orphan caretakers had simply called   \nher by their preferred name. Tamriel knew her by many names, all  \ntitles, but her real name?   \n  \nThe future was uncertain but looked bleak. To have been to the future   \nand still know nothing. That damn portal to another land was meant  \nto have been a simple expedition, yet she had been thrown three   \nhundred years forth to that new land. Three hundred years. Befriending  \nthe forest elves, becoming a dragon rider, yet almost no knowledge  \nof the fate of the Empire was to be found. She only knew it may have   \nstill existed, but even the people she met on that journey had no idea   \nfor they were merely descendants of those who had fled Tamriel.  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;It was pure luck that she had been able to come back at all. Would she  \never see her dragon friend again? This task of becoming the new Madgod  \nwas even less certain for almost no mention of the Daedra were found.  \nIt seemed this new land had no need to worship or acknowledge them.  \nWhat if this power hoisted upon the Champion was temporary? What if  \nSheogorath's gambit to stop the Greymarch had given her power to do  \nso? There was no guarantee this power would change her.  \n  \nPerhaps it could simply be declined and given away? She could throw the  \nstaff away and return to Cyrodiil, become Empress and unite the land.  \n  \nUnfortunately, no one was fit to be given such power. Not one   \ninhabitant of the Shivering Isles was fit to rule. Most were barely   \nfit to exist in any type of society for they were all mad. They barely  \nfunctioned in this realm of madness. Abandoning such power could only  \nallow another Prince to claim it, and she would allow none of them  \nsuch power, certainly not at even the slightest chance that  \nMehrunes Dagon himself would do so.   \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;Oh, how she feared his retribution. It could be any day now that Dagon   \nwould attack the Shivering Isles. Mere paranoia? Knowing that the   \nentity you denied a victory to could show up any time was hardly  \nparanoia! She may have had the title of Madgod but was still no Daedric  \nPrince.  \n  \nThere was only one person that gave the Champion hope now...  \n  \n  \n------------------------  \n  \n  \n\"I have no wish to visit Tamriel. It has never been of interest to me,  \nnor will it ever be.\" Haskill merely sat, ignoring the food as he did  \never morning. \"If what Lord Sheogorath tells me is true, then Mundus  \nis even worse off now than it was before.\"  \n  \nThe red-haired Elf woman could not understand Haskill at all. \"Don't  \nyou get bored being here all the time?\"  \n  \nHe replied, \"my duties keep me sufficiently occupied. I must admit,  \nif Cyrodiil were in any way as it were described in some of the books,  \nit would be a tempting journey to make. Dragons swimming in the rivers,  \nfanciful plant life, and all that. Pity your authors had to paint such  \na colorful portrait of a dull land.\" Haskill had a point that no  \none seemed to argue with- Cyrodiil was merely forests, plains, hills,  \nmountains and farms with only a few cities and ruins dotting the   \nlandscape. \"My Lord may have been better off coming here, as would  \nanyone who wishes to flee the turmoil. Considering the state of Mundus,  \nyou are most certainly better off where you are now.\"  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;The Elf saw no need to argue with the Chamberlain. \"We will be  \nreturning today, she will be stepping down from the Fighter's Guild  \nand we have other things to deal with.\"  \n  \n\"Ah, yes, I do recall her saying that there was business to take care   \nof. Do try not to be gone too long, and please make sure she doesn't go  \noff on any unplanned adventures this time.\"  \n  \nThe Elf simply said, \"if not for her adventures, she would not have met   \nme. Or saved Tamriel numerous times.\" The Elf was perhaps the closest   \nthe Champion had to a family, and now, the Champion was the closest   \nshe had to one.  \n  \nGlancing at the throne, seeing no sign of his Lord, Haskill muttered,  \n\"I hope she has not run off on us again. I would have expected her  \nto be to breakfast by now.\"  \n  \n\"Let her sleep,\" Kat replied back, \"she's had a lot on her mind  \nand hasn't been getting much rest. I will also have you know that  \nshe's been worried about what to do with the army of this land. You  \nmight not think it's more peaceful here than in Cyrodiil if you paid   \nmore attention.\"  \n  \nLooking around the great hall gently, Haskill was quick to notice what  \nshe had meant. Aureal and Mazken stood on their assigned sides of the  \npalace, doing their jobs, but somehow, just now, the Chamberlain saw  \nthe look in their faces. All he could say was, \"oh, my...\"  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;The two Daedric armies, the Dark seducers and Golden Saints, been a  \nconstant presence in this land serving Sheogorath. The Madgod has   \nalways taken a strong degree of joy from the constant conflict  \nbetween both sides, each believing themselves to be the favored of   \ntheir god. Unfortunately, that changed when the title was passed and  \nnow there was a new Sheogorath. Each seemed uncertain of who was  \nfavored in the eyes of this newcomer, and it appeared that tensions  \nwere soon to break. the Champion herself feared this especially, as  \na civil war here could easily allow Mehrues Dagon a chance to invade   \nand take revenge.   \n  \n\"I see my Lord has finally joined us.\" Haskill almost smiled- almost-  \nas Sheogorath sat at the table. Her purple dress was a far cry from  \nthe armor she was accustomed to but at least wearing the clothing  \nif the Madgod seemed more fitting than armor did while in this land.  \n  \n\"Sleep well, my love\"?  \n  \n\"Slept, yes. Well... has Kat been talking you to death again,  \nHaskill?\"  \n  \nHe answered, \"not at all. It would be rather boring without some degree  \nof conversation.\"  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;\"That's good,\" she said. \"I know you don't eat yet you're here at the  \ntable with her almost every morning.\"  \n  \nKatriana. Perhaps the only one that gave the Champion any real comfort  \nin these darker times. They had met on an adventure the year before,  \na chance meeting that still haunted her. No, it was not Katriana  \nthat was a cause for bad memories, but her father's actions. Inar  \nhad duped her as Umbacano had, only that time the power-mad Elf had  \ngone too far. It was pure chance that Katriana showed her any   \naffection, kissing her in that lodge. It had been a buried secret,  \nthe Champion's interests in other women, that only few knew of and   \none she chose not to flaunt. No one in the Shivering Isles minded  \nbut most of them were insane and couldn't care one way or the other.  \nthe majority were loyal to her as Sheogorath.  \n  \nWatching her die still hurt. Inar led his brianwashed daughter into that   \nchamber and cut his own blood down as a sacrifice. How she took  \njoy in gutting Inar in battle, that damned Ayleid who had survived the  \nmany centuries. No, she did not fault Katriana for being half  \nAyleid. She could not. She hated the Ayleid, having been dragged to   \nthe First Era and witnessing their rule directly. She hated Inar.  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;Katriana... being told she could save her lover was perhaps the only  \nthing that kept her from falling apart. At times, she didn't know why   \nshe'd crossed the veil- destroying the heart of the dead was important,  \nno one would argue such a necessity, but traveling into the void of  \ndeath to recover the woman she loved was perhaps more important to  \nher than a mere task.  \n  \nWhat was it first that the Champion noticed? That long red hair?  \nThe freckles? Their first night together she could barely hold  \nback indulging in such beauty. Certainly she was beyond the typical  \nsights in Cyrodiil. The Champion herself was only average by   \ncomparison. Plain yellow hair, an average face, her muscle tone was  \nthe only aspect of note for she was built almost like a Nord now,  \nwhich was uncommon for an Imperial, though slashing a sword and  \nrunning around in heavy armor left their mark. \u0026nbsp;  \n  \n\"Kitrina! Are you sure you're not still asleep?\"  \n  \n\"Huh?\" Hearing her name snapped the Champion out of those thoughts.  \nNo Hero, no Champion, no Sheogorath. It was the name her caretakers had  \ngiven her yet so few called her by it. Haskill had a habit of   \npreferring Sheogorath, or Lord, or some combination. Much of Cyrodiil   \ndidn't even know her real name. Jauffre and Baurus would, on the rare   \noccasion she saw either.  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;Thankfully, no one made any jokes about the couple having similar names.  \nAt least, not to her face, at any rate, though very few were foolish  \nenough to provoke a woman who had closed Oblivion gates.  \n  \n\"Maybe we should postpone the Fighter's Guild meeting until tomorrow  \nand let you get some rest,\" Kat suggested with a smile.  \n  \n\"No,\" Kit mumbled. \"Well do it today. If I put that off any longer,  \nMordryn Oreyn will probably have a heart attack in frustration.   \nBesides,\" pausing to stuff a sweetroll down her throat, \"they need   \nsomeone who can devote full time and I haven't engaged in guild   \nbusiness for to long. I think Azzan would be a better guildmaster.\"  \n  \n\"Poor Burz gro-Khash, he was hoping to be named.\" Kat knew there were  \nonly two choices, and she'd figured the Orc to be the likely candidate.  \n  \nKitrina shrugged. \"He might be stronger but the guild needs a public  \nface and Azzan is more qualified.\"  \n  \nHaskill remarked, \"what my Lord means is, the Orc was a bit of a   \npompous jerk, from what I was told of the guild.\"  \n  \n\"He called me 'meat',\" Kit grumbled.  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;\"Ah, well, the Orcs are not known for their manners,\" the Chamberlain  \ncommented. \"And I suppose, given your position above him, that the old   \nsaying holds true, that payback can be a-\"  \n  \nHaskill cut short. \"I do apologize, my Lord, I did not intend to refer   \nto you as a...\" The usually stoic Haskill had a slight expression on   \nhis face. \"Such behavior is more fitting for unsophisticated mortals.  \nI do believe I may have been conversing with mortals far too much  \nrecently and it's began to influence me.\"  \n  \nBrushing off the remark, Kitrina said, \"we'll be back tomorrow. After  \nguild business we... want some time to ourselves. It's been awhile  \nsince we got in- you know what I mean!\"  \n  \n\"Of course. I do not judge you for mortal desires,\" Haskill replied   \nback. \"As usual, I shall tend to the business of the realm. You've  \nleft me to that task many times before and this shall be no   \ndifferent. Speaking of tasks,\" the immortal muttered, \"there is   \nstill the matter of selecting the new Duke of both Mania and Dementia.  \nIt has been three years.\"  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;Yawning, followed by gulping out of a nearby bottle of wine, Kit  \ngrumbled back, \"I know it's been three years but can you name one  \nperson in this realm qualified?\"  \n  \n\"If you refer to their mental state,\" Haskill groaned, \"both prior  \nholders of the thrones were not exactly sane when they were given  \nthe tasks.\"  \n  \n\"And who appointed them?\"  \n  \n\"Point taken,\" the Chamberlain said quietly.  \n  \nKitrina stretched out, joints popping loud enough to make Kat wince.  \n\"I know I don't do things the way Sheogorath did. I'm not him. He left  \nme the power and the realm to stop the Greymarch. I have to run things  \nas I see fit now. If you have any objections...\"  \n  \nMaintaining his usual stoic expression, Haskill responded, \"none at   \nall. This is your realm now and we have pledged loyalty to you. If not  \nfor you, many here would have likely died and the guard have accepted  \nyou without question.\"  \n  \n\"I'll get around to it. Today I have to wrap up business with the   \nguild. There's also the matter of the knights Of The Nine, eventually  \nthey'll have to be told the truth. I also want to stop by the   \nArcheology Guild briefly.\"  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;\"Why?\" Kit asked, puzzled. \"You already appointed a new guildmaster.\"  \n  \nThe Champion answered, \"I'm wondering if they learned anything of that  \nodd artifact I found near Bruma.\" The artifact. It was a strange  \nmetallic object that most certainly seemed to be of a culture unknown.  \nUnusual curved shapes, writing in a familiar language but unknown  \nwords, and that bow she found beside it was also a mystery. It was  \nunlike any weapon invented in Tamriel. So many small parts, it was not  \na simple flexible piece of wood or metal. \"I need to find what  \nI did with that paperwork as well before we leave.\"  \n  \n\"Please tell me you didn't lose it!\" Kat whined.  \n  \n\"Of course not. I moved all of my important papers and many books here   \nlast month but I never did get them organized.\"  \n  \nFinished with breakfast, the Elf simply said, \"not a problem. Ahjazda  \nwanted help moving a large stock of goods from her store to   \nCommon Treasures and I offered my assistance. It seems Tilse Areleth  \nbought much of what Ahjazda had no room for.\"  \n  \n\"That's not surprising,\" Kit remarked, \"she'll buy almost anything   \njust to own it.\"  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;\"That is what your predecessor enjoyed most of the people who lived   \nhere,\" Haskill remarked. \"Insanity has many forms, a variety of  \nbehaviors that many would often label as abnormal. The Dunmer   \nshopkeeper must own objects, as meaningless as they may seem. No doubt  \na harmless trait but one that would cause some to scoff in disgust.   \nEven so, it is mild compared to that Bosmer who has a habit of  \nstealing. I fear that is a more advanced form of the same psychosis,  \nand one that will likely cause trouble.\"  \n  \n\"Or get him into the Thieves Guild,\" Kitrina grumbled.   \n  \n\"I imagine you will wish me to fill in for you should one of the   \nmany mortals in Tamriel summon you?\" Haskill has become accustomed to  \nspeaking to mortals in such a manner, for it kept the secret safe  \nas well as covering for the adventurer when she would vanish.  \n  \n  \n----------------------------  \n  \n  \nPapers.  \n  \nPapers, papers, papers.  \n  \nDeeds. Letters. Old journals. Books.   \n  \nBiographies. History. Fiction.  \n  \nWhy did she keep all of this? Reminders of past adventures? Was she too  \nlazy to toss it out?   \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;There it was, the shop deed. An old store in Chorrol she'd purchased   \ncheap as a curiosity, it'd turned out to be a great help in her   \nadventures. Selling things to the shops for small amounts of septims   \nonly offered so much, being able to sell direct was much more   \nprofitable. But that was all past now. No adventures since Katriana  \ncame into her life, no new goods to sell anymore. The Figher's Guild  \ncould at least use it to fund themselves rather than relying on  \ncontracts.   \n  \nAs Kitrina folded the document, she was startled when Haskill pushed  \nopen the door to her private chamber. \"My apologies, my Lord, but  \nyou are needed immediately. There is an urgent matter than needs   \nyour attention.\"  \n  \n\"Mehrunes Dagon?\"  \n  \n\"Thankfully, no,\" Haskill assured her. \"It would appear that the  \ntension between the Golden saints and Dark Seducers is about to  \nerupt into a conflict in the center of New Sheoth. I only dread to  \nconsider what shall happen if this gets out of hand.\"  \n  \nSlamming her fist against the old wooden desk, Kitrina barely had time  \nto grab her sword, running quickly to deal with the problem. she'd been  \nhoping both sides would have at least kept themselves in control,  \nnot to risk upsetting her, their Madgod.   \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;  \n----------------------------  \n  \n  \n\"Go back to your own side, Seducer. We do not need you in Mania!\"  \n  \n\"Don't give me orders,\" the Mazken shot back. \"I do not recognize  \nyour authority. I am assisting a citizen of the Isles and a close  \nfriend of Lord Sheogorath! Keep to your own business!\"  \n  \nTeeth gritting hard, the Aureal stared at the Dark Seducer with   \neyes squinted. \"Your respect for mortals is disgusting. Go back to  \nyour own side!\"   \n  \nAnother Golden Saint joined her sister. \"Do as you are told!\" she  \nshouted, sword drawn.   \n  \nBoth sides seemed oblivious to the crowd gathering to witness the  \nstandoff. No doubt the residents of Mania were fearful of a bloodbath,  \nthough the idea of Mazken in their side of the city was one that  \nheld little favor.   \n  \nKatriana, however, was quite concerned, and fearful of a small  \nwar breaking out. \"Please, stop this! You don't need to fight! What   \nwould-\"  \n  \n\"Silence, mortal!\"  \n  \nKitrina pushed open the gate, her eyes seeing the golden slash connect  \nwith her lover's stomach, Kat's body sent to the cobblestone road  \nfrom the force of the impact. Painful memories of another blade   \nhitting the Elf, limp body falling to the stone beneath suddenly  \nfilled her mind.  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;\"No....\" Knocking several of the crowd over to reach her, Kit saw the  \nwound. Red trickled down as Katriana cried in pain. Without thinking,  \nthe Champion's hands reached out, pale light emanating forth as mind  \nset into motion healing magic. \"Please don't die... not again...\"  \nPowerful restoration magic sealed the cut, a slice in Kat's green  \nshirt the only sign of the wound. Stunned, the Champion dropped her  \nsword as she suddenly became dizzy.  \n  \n\"Katriana? Answer me!\"  \n  \n\"I'm fine, it's nothing...\"  \n  \nSnapping out of the trance, Kit looked into her lover's eyes. It was  \nonly a minor injury at best, nothing that simple healing hadn't been  \nable to undo. However, some injuries left more than physical  \nmarks, and in certain cases affected more than just those who had   \nreceived them. Rising up, sadness dissipating as anger grew,  \nKitrina's hands clenched into tight fists. Her lips were opened  \nonly part way, enough to reveal teeth gnashing tight, as the  \nHero Of Kvatch turned to the Golden Saints.   \n  \nNo words. No reprimand. No scolding. Kitrina instead proceeded to   \nlunge forth, swinging fists like mad, pummeling the Aureal who had  \ncut her soul mate. Screaming like a wild animal as blow after blow  \nknocked the Daedra around like leaves in wind, Kitrina only felt rage,  \nthat same feeling she'd felt in so many battles before.  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;This was not the same. Mankar Camoran, Garn Vulna, Gareth, none of   \nthose men had earned such a response. Only one had prior- Inar.  \nThis was no fight, this was revenge. Honor did not apply.   \n  \n\"STOP IT! Please!\"  \n  \nThese words stabbed her brain, slicing the rage. Not the words, the  \nvoice. \"My love, please, stop!\"  \n  \nThe Champion's anger and hate cleared enough to realize that Katriana  \nwas begging her to end this madness. \"I-\" The Madgod gazed down at  \nthe Golden Saint she'd assaulted. Most Daedra were quite strong,  \nquite immune to emotion, so it was unusual, almost saddening to see one  \nlying on the ground, bruised and whimpering. Brown patches loitered  \ngolden skin. Her armor was battered and dented, helmet laying some  \ndistance away, likely having flown off. The Aureal looked up slightly  \nand in her eyes, Kitrina could see fear. Fear. It was an emotion that  \nthe Daedra knew, but rarely expressed. She had never seen it in their  \neyes personally, until now.  \n  \nSharp pains shot up the Champion's arms. Unfolding her fists, Kit  \nsaw the small cuts made by fingernails pressed into her palms. Knuckles  \ndripped blood, both her own and her victim's. Her chest burned,   \nbreathing hard even now.  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;The Mazken and Aureal stood still, too stunned to move. Residents of  \nMania kept silent, merely watching. \"I just know you sick freaks   \nenjoyed this!\" she shouted. \"You, Bliss, you've wanted a war with the  \nother side for some time! You don't want to get along! And you!\"   \nTurning towards her armies, the Champion screamed, \"all you think  \nabout is which one of you I'm supposed to like more! You think this  \nis a popularity contest! You don't care if anyone gets hurt because  \nof your egotistical feud!\" The crazy Bosmer, Fimmion, was grabbed  \nby his shirt collar. \"And you! Put some pants on! I'm tired of  \nseeing you walk around without pants! You can NOT be that crazy!\"  \n  \n\"KITRINA! Please... you're scaring me!\"  \n  \nKatriana's voice seemed to cut the anger even more. \"I- I....\"  \n  \nTaking her companion's hand, Kit led her to the palace. \"We need  \nto get out of here.\"  \n  \n  \n----------------------------  \n  \n  \nHaskill knew far better than to say anything. Indeed, the ways of the  \nShivering Isles were different now. The previous Sheogorath would  \nhave no doubt enjoyed the commotion today, but what he would have  \npreferred didn't matter now. Sheogorath was gone, once again  \nJyggalag, and in his place was this mortal, given Daedric power  \nout of necessity with no thought to what would come after.  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;Mortals often bonded in pairings called love, and today the love of  \nhis new Madgod had been threatened. Haskill would sooner provoke  \na Flesh Atronach that dare incur this woman's anger. Haskill may  \nhave been an immortal being, but not even he wished to find out  \nwhat could happen if his god chose to do to him what had happened to   \nthat Golden Saint.  \n  \nKatriana was quite worried now. Understanding, but worried. Past   \ntrauma had been resurrected, she could only imagine what the Champion  \nhad seen that day a year ago, and to see it again now. All the Elf   \ncould do was sit quietly beside her love.   \n  \nKitrina. All she could do was sit still, still breathing in deep,  \nheavy gasping that could be heard throughout the main hall. Her  \narmy stood their usual vigil but members of both factions were  \non edge. Whatever fear the beaten one had felt seemed to spread  \namongst both sides like an illness. They were terrified. It was true   \nthat their god was still a mortal, and that they could easily defeat   \nher if they assembled in large numbers. However, to do so would  \nlose them respect and gain suspicion amongst other Princes. To attack  \nthe one who had helped both sides before would be blasphemy. To attack  \nwhen they knew\u0026nbsp; their god's anger had been justified would be   \nhypocrisy.  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;Although a few of the males seemed fearful that not even the combined  \nstrength of their entire armies could have mattered. Their commanders  \nwould scoff at the idea, yet when one considered that this woman had  \ncut her way through hundreds of foes prior, grew more powerful by the  \nday and was blessed with Daedric abilities, even the more willing would  \nfeel it necessary to reconsider. Many had seen the Champion as nothing  \nmore than an average mortal, and they had all fallen due to their   \narrogance.  \n  \nThe silence was broken as two Aureal dragged behind them a prisoner.  \n\"Lord Sheogorath, we discovered this intruder near the city.\"  \n  \n\"So deal with him, I-\" Kit did not expect a Dremora to be brought   \nbefore her. \"Prepare for war. It appears that Mehrunes Dagon has sent  \na scout.\"  \n  \nThrough an expression of anger, the Dremora grumbled, \"as I expected.  \nThe mortal mind is simple, like an animal. You do not even recognize  \nthe one who assisted you?\"  \n  \n\"Yes...\" The Champion recalled a single Dremora that had offered   \nassistance rather than combat. \"Kathutet. What did your master send  \nyou here to do? Doesn't matter, tell Dagon his scout failed. Kill him.\"  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;\"NO!\"   \n  \nSuch an outburst of fear was unexpected from any Daedra, especially the  \nDremora. \"You must not allow my soul to fall into his hands. He has  \ndiscovered what I have done. Offering you the bands of the chosen was  \nseen as treason. I have been hunted for some time, finding a way to  \nthis realm was not easy. It is known you have taken the throne of  \nSheogorath. I have made the journey here to request protection and  \nto offer my allegiance.\"  \n  \nCutting down this Dremora would have been simple, a quick solution  \nto the issue. \"And what guarantee do I have that Dagon won't send  \nan army after you? I'm already concerned he'll invade at any time   \njust to get revenge against me.\"  \n  \n\"I assure you,\" Kathutet responded, \"that Lord Dagon lacks the   \nstrength. The injuries inflicted during the invasion of Mundus have  \nleft his body weak and it may take many decades to heal. In this realm  \nhe would have no power and none of my kyn will invade another  \nrealm of Oblivion for fear of the other Princes taking offense to  \nsuch action. Even though you have likely not achieved apotheosis   \nalready, many still regard you as Sheogorath.\"  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;The other Princes. Molag Bal hated her, but was in no position  \nto assist Mehrunes Dagon, nor would be care to. Clavicus Vile was  \ndealing with Umbra and likely paid no attention to any other matter.  \nAzura, Meridia and many of the others would likely serve as allies  \nfor she had gained their favor, although whether they could ignore  \ntheir own feuds to work together was uncertain, and Kit wondered  \nif allying with one would turn another into an enemy.  \n  \n\"I don't have time to deal with this right now. Lock him away somewhere  \nuntil I return. If he doesn't behave, kill him. Come, Katriana, we   \nhave duties to attend to in Cyrodiil.\"  \n  \n  \n----------------------------  \n  \n  \nMany ancient Ayleid structures had been reduced to the state of ruins  \nover the centuries. Their darkness only served to conceal the dirt,  \ncracks, remains and neglect. AranMathi was not one of those. Sitting  \nalong the cost of the Nibenay Valley, a wizard had set out to  \nrestore the ancient structure and use it as his home. The unnamed  \nonce succeeded, only to disappear shortly before the Oblivion Crisis.  \nIt had left the structure clean, yet empty, with only a few servants  \nleft to guard a home with no master.  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;When a lone woman stumbled upon the restored ruin, the guard offered  \nthe young woman a home, provided she could fill the hall with   \ntreasures and pay those who had been hired to take care of the grounds.  \nIt had been a lucky find, for it offered much more than a simple bed.  \nOne such gift had been a spell to allow the master of the house to   \nreturn regardless of where they may be. Kitrina found the spell to  \nbe quite useful, for a portal behind the main bedchamber linked to  \neach of the cities of Cyrodiil. Many had often questioned how the   \nChampion seemed to move around so quickly, although with potential   \nrisk of bandits, vampires or a group such as the Dark Brotherhood  \ngaining such power, it was a secret she intended to keep.  \n  \nA haze of light and smoke heralded the arrival of the Champion and  \nher companion, their bodies solidifying as teleportation magic  \ncarried them from an island in the Niben Bay to the bed chamber.  \n  \n\"Typical,\" Katriana commented, gazing at the sight before her. A Golden  \nSaint forcefully fondled a Dark Seducer, both naked and embraced  \nin a passionate bout of ecstasy.   \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;Hearing the remark, the Mazken looked up. \"Uh... hi.\"  \n  \nSuch a sight would have been unexpected by most, though Kitrina has  \nbecome to expect this behavior from the pair. Poking at a wine bottle  \nplaced on a small table by the bed, \"Empty. Why am I not surprised?\"  \n  \nIt had been two years ago. Gareth had carried out his plans to seize  \ncontrol of the Empire, a plot which dragged the Champion with him to   \nthe First Era. Gareth has returned on his own, leaving Kitrina   \ntrapped with only a slim chance of return. It was a risky plan, one   \nthat only just worked, although she'd awoken a year too late. Being  \nfrozen in stone all those centuries, sealed away.  \n  \nHaskill had become desperate to find his Lord, with no trace whatsoever  \nof her to be found. Her prior adventure into the future has been   \nrelatively brief, but having been absent for many months and with  \nthe boundaries between Mundus and Oblivion weakened by the madman's  \npower, he had sent a small number of both armies to Mundus to search.  \nThey had failed, of course, their god being trapped in stone, but  \nin that time spent in the mortal realm, those four had begun to abandon  \ntheir usual ways as they were exposed to mortal life.   \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;Perhaps Kitrina should have taken it as a sign when both groups had  \nbeen found in taverns.  \n  \nTwo Mazken, two Aureal. One of each had been assigned to the Knights   \nof the Nine as guards, explained away as many knew of her frequent  \ntrips into the Shivering Isles. They had been told that Sheogorath,  \nknowing some of his soldiers were in Cyrodiil, agreed to allow them  \nto stay. This was technically true, after all.  \n  \nThe other two remained in AranMathi. They never left. A pair of  \nDaedra running around would have caused trouble, they didn't  \nrequire food or sleep, and these two had taken quite an interest in  \nphysical pleasure, something which their sisters didn't understand.  \nWith each other, with the servants and guards in the structure, and  \neven with their god. Shantara, the Golden Saint had lengthy golden hair  \nto match her skin. Trina kept short hair, finding it easier to manage  \nshould she need to slip a helmet on.  \n  \nChoosing to ignore their fun, Kitrina grumbled and walked off. \"I need  \nto change into appropriate armor. Wait here.\"  \n  \n\"OH! Uh...\" Trina reached for an envelope, shoving it towards her   \nmaster. \"This showed up yesterday.\"  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;\"What is it?\" Kit asked.  \n  \n\"I dunno,\" the Mazken replied.  \n  \nGrinning, the Saint remarked, \"she only reads stuff she can masturbate   \nto.\"  \n  \nTearing open the envelope, the Champion's already addled mind only  \nfilled with even more sensations of anger. \"Areldur... he was  \nassaulted three days ago.\"  \n  \n\"He's one of the Knights of the Nine, isn't he?\" Kat inquired.  \n  \nShe nodded. \"Altmer tried to kill him. Go to Chorrol and tell them  \nI'll be late. I need to deal with this.\"  \n  \n\"I'll come with-\"  \n  \n\"Go to Chorrol! Don't argue with me!\"  \n  \nKat was hurt by the tone her lover had used. The Champion had never   \nspoken that way before. Even before they fell in love, her behavior   \nwas calm, if unrefined. \"Okay. I'll tell them to expect you. Do be  \ncareful.\"  \n  \nTouching the glowing disc, Katriana thought of the house in Chorrol and  \nwas taken away. Kit grabbed the empty wine bottle, screaming as it was  \nthrown. \"Damned Altmer! They won't stop until they bring back their  \nold ways! You two, I want you to be ready in case anyone tries to break  \nin here. I know they'd come after me given the chance! Although I   \nsuppose asking either of you to wear clothes would be too much?\"  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;Pacing off with no further words, Kitrina headed towards the treasure  \nroom. The Saint simply shrugged. \"What's got into her?\"  \n  \n  \n----------------------------  \n  \n  \nIf the front door of the castle had been opened any harder, it migth've  \nbeen ripped from the hinges, she was so angry. It certainly alarmed  \nthose in the main hall that someone had come in. A woman with yellow   \nhair, wearing the bright and polished white armor of a paladin. That  \nsame armor had once belonged to Melus Petilius in his younger days,  \nbefore the death of his wife. Earning this armor had offended Molag  \nBal, for the Prince wished for his servant to force the holy knight to  \ncommit violence.  \n  \n\"I see you took the news well.\" She was greeted by Sir Thedret, a  \nRedguard who had helped her resurrect the order many years ago.  \n  \n\"I want all the details.\"  \n  \n\"Sir Areldur is alright, thanks to those two you left here,\" he   \nexplained, pointing to the Aureal and Mazken standing guard. \"He went  \nout for a walk and didn't return for a meeting. When we went to search   \nfor him, he was found being beaten by several Altmer.\"  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;Kitrina closed her eyes tight, squeezing the lids so hard it   \nphysically hurt. \"If this wasn't because he's with us, then I'm  \nMalacath.\"  \n  \n\"I know,\" Thedret replied with disdain. \"We're keeping watch in case  \nthey return. I would ask you to stay but I know better.\"  \n  \n\"No. I need to get to the Imperial City immediately. Ocato might be in   \ndanger. If they're after Altmer who aren't loyal to the old ways then   \nhe's likely to be next.\"  \n  \n  \n----------------------------  \n  \n  \nWhite Gold Tower could be seen from almost anywhere within Cyrodiil and  \neven as a distant shadow in much of Temriel. A spire that marked the   \ncenter of the city, it had once been an Ayleid capital before Allesia's  \nrevolution. It had also once been home to the Emperor, but those  \ndays were now over and the Elder Council merely ruled in the absence of   \nthe Septim line.  \n  \n\"I need to see Chancellor Ocato!\"  \n  \n\"He's in the Elder Council Chambers,\" the guard said. \"The Elder  \nCouncil will be meeting shortly but you should have time to speak   \nwith him if you're brief.\"  \n  \nMost would have been turned away, but the Champion of Cyrodiil was  \nregarded more so than most.  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;Pushing open the heavy doors, Kitrina walked towards the Chancellor.  \nAs she had expected, a single Golden Saint stood guard nearby. Yet  \nanother Daedra trapped in Mundus thanks to Gareth's actions, Kitrina  \nhad instructed this one to keep watch on Ocato.   \n  \n\"Hail, Champion!\" the Elf greeted.   \n  \n\"I have some bad news. Are you aware that the Knights of the Nine have  \nan Altmer in our ranks?\"  \n  \nOcato's expression turned sour. \"I take it that he was attacked by  \nAltmer thugs?\"  \n  \n\"How'd you know?\"  \n  \n\"There have been numerous attacks against Altmer all across the   \nEmpire,\" the Chancellor answered her. \"It seems those who worship the  \nNine, or those who express allegiance to the Empire are being targeted.  \nAs for myself, we have increased security in the Imperial City, and  \nI do have a personal guard with me at all times, thanks to the...  \ngenerosity of Sheogorath. Might I ask, will your business with him be  \nconcluded soon? You would serve us greatly with your presence.\"  \n  \nHow she wanted to open up and say 'I'm Sheogorath, actually, and in  \na few more years I won't be able to come here,' say it and be done  \nwith it. \"I will ask him. Be safe, you are all the Empire has left.  \nI would stay but I have other matters to attend to.\"  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;\"Of course,\" Ocato replied.  \n  \n  \n----------------------------  \n  \n  \n\"First order of business...\" Kitrina placed a document on the desk.  \n\"You now own the shop next to Seed-Neeus' shop. You may sell whatever  \nthe guild wishes to sell there. I no longer have time to stock or  \nmaintain it.\"  \n  \nModryn Oreyn, the elder Dunmer who served as the Champion of the  \nFighters Guild, collected the paper. \"Your gesture is appreciated,  \nI'm certain this will help the guild maintain enough funds to pay  \nits members.\"  \n  \n\"Now then...\" She looked at the gathered group. \"I no longer have time  \nto run this guild, as you are all aware.\" Pushing a key towards  \nAzzan, she said, \"you are the new guildmaster.\"  \n  \n\"Really? Me?\"  \n  \n\"Yes, you,\" she grumbled.  \n  \nPocketing the key away, Azzan replied, \"I will do my best to honor the  \nguild as its new master.\"  \n  \n\"If that's all then I have to go. Take care.\"  \n  \nTurning to leave, she heard Burz gro-Khash whine, \"Azzan? I don't  \nbelieve it...\"  \n  \n\"I don't care what you don't believe!\" It was a sudden outburst that   \ntook the entire guild hall by surprise. \"This guild needs a positive  \npublic face and Azzan is that face!\"  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;\"But I'm stronger than he is! He's a bureaucrat! I've put more hard  \nwork into this guild than-\"  \n  \n\"And this is why you don't get to be guildmaster!\" the Champion   \nscreamed back. \"You're a complete jerk! You insult everyone beneath   \nyou, you think this guild owes you something!\" Grabbing the Orc's  \ncollar, surprising the brute, Kit yelled out, \"if I had any less  \nself control than I do I would knock those ugly oversized teeth out  \nof your head right now! You don't know the first thing about hard  \nwork! How many Oblivion gates did you close? Were you the one who  \ndestroyed the Blackwood Company? Were you there when Martin gave   \nhis life for the Empire? I'm done with the guild. You have a new   \nmaster. Like it or leave.\"  \n  \nShoving Burz away, Kitrina marched off, holding back a strong,  \npainful urge to hit someone. Modryn, taken by surprise at the woman  \nexploding in a fit of anger, somehow understood. \"She's   \noverworked. Pushed herself too hard trying to save the Empire. Who   \nknows what else?\"  \n  \nAzzan remarked, \"she's tried to do everything but the Empire is still  \nin trouble.\"  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;Dusting himself off, Burz ignored the debate. \"I'm going back to  \nCheydinhal.\" Keeping his opinions quiet, Burz almost swore that,  \ndespite the woman's blue eyes, he could have seen pure red in them.  \n  \n  \n----------------------------  \n  \n  \nTossing the gauntlets aside, Kitrina sat on the edge of her bed.  \nKat tried to put an arm around her, but it seemed to go unnoticed.  \n\"I'm going to lose you again...\"  \n  \n\"What did you just say?\"  \n  \n\"I said...\" Kit sighed as if her will to live was fading. \"I'm going  \nto lose you again. I'll become a Prince within a few years and will   \nbe immortal. And you,\" gently staring into Katriana's eyes, \"will  \nwaste away and die. I'll be alone. I'll be alone with no means to  \nsave the Empire, god of a land that's on the verge of war.\"  \n  \nA chair in the corner nearly tipped over as the heavy cuirass smashed  \ninto it, thrown aside with such anger that Kat suddenly felt a chill.  \n\"I watched the Emperor die. I watched Martin die. I've watched many   \nsacrifice themselves, many more die, but none of those hurt me.   \nUriel Septim knew he was going to die. Martin chose his fate. But   \nyou...\" She looked at the Elf. \"When I saw you die I couldn't handle  \nit. I don't know what would have happened if I hadn't been able to  \nbring you back. The heart of the dead? I don't know if I could have   \ndestroyed it. And the Empire, I could petition for the throne and  \nsave it but I can't because I had to become Sheogorath! Everything  \nI did, all the slain monsters and all the evil I've purged, none of   \nit mattered!  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;\"You can't believe that!\" Straightening the corner, resting the  \narmor neatly in the chair, Kat replied, \"If it hadn't been for you,  \nTamriel would be a wasteland now! Gareth would still be Emperor!  \nWho knows what other evil power would have taken control?\"  \n  \nSlumped over, breathing deep and hard, Kit whined, \"so what? I stop  \none power-mad individual, and another one comes along. Eventually one  \nwill come along that I won't be able to stop. It doesn't matter.  \nI only delay the inevitable.\"  \n  \n\"Why did you become Sheograth? If you knew what it might mean,  \nwould you answer me that?\"  \n  \n\"I... it was the only way to save those people.\" Sliding off the   \nmattress, Kitrina was on the floor, crying. \"No. I did it because,  \nI thought... if I had that power than I could stop Mehrunes Dagon! But  \nit didn't matter because... because that power was useless! It  \ndidn't work in Cyrodiil! I cursed myself and the Empire to obtain  \nthat power! And now I'll suffer for it because I won't ever die. I'll  \nhave to watch you die once again and... and...\"  \n  \nEmbracing her lover, the Elf lifted her body back into bed. \"I'll  \ngive it away. I'll find someone else to become Sheogorath. Yes. I will  \ngive it away, come back here and become Empress with you by my side   \nand the Empire will be safe. No. I can't do that. What if whoever   \nI give the power to becomes dangerous? I could be putting Tamriel at   \nrisk if I give it to some madman, and everyone there is crazy!  \nyes, they're all crazy!\"  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;Madness. Kat knew that the stress had finally pushed too hard,  \nthat Kitrina had begun to feel the weight crashing down. Nothing  \nsaid would help her now. Merely holding tight to her lover's body,  \nKat could only embrace the Champion of Cyrodiil as she fell asleep.  \nIt would no doubt be a restless sleep, for doubt, helplessness and  \nanger had taken hold.  \n  \n  \n----------------------------  \n  \n  \nIf it were possible to resign, Haskill would do so.   \n  \nBoth of the Daedric armies were frightened of what their god would  \ndo, and Haskill was in the middle of it. \"I would advise you  \nto wait for Lord Sheogorath's return. What she shall do is beyond  \nmy means to surmise. You may be banished from the realm, or you  \nmay be reprimanded.\"  \n  \nAurmazl Zudeh was quite concerned for it'd been one of her own kind  \nthat caused this incident. \"I do not see how Lord Sheogorath could  \nexpel all of us from the realm. It would leave the area outside of  \nnew Sheoth unguarded. The mortal that was attached was not killed   \nor even severely injured.\"  \n  \n\"You do not seem to understand, do you?\" The Chamberlain wasn't  \nat all surprised. \"You attacked someone very close to her heart.  \nI am aware that moral concerns are not something that Daedra   \nunderstand, but please keep in mind, our new Lord is mortal.\"  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;\"No, I do not understand...\" Huddled in the corner of the main hall,  \nhidden within shadow, a single Golden Saint was curled into a ball.  \nFear had overtaken this one, for she was the very one that Kitrina   \nhad beaten. \"My sister is suffering. Perhaps our disregard for mortal  \ncustoms will be our undoing in this realm?\"  \n  \n\"It is possible.\" He could see, even in shadow, that one of the usually  \nstoic Aureal was gripped with terror. \"For now I would suggest that  \nyou attend to your expected duties, as would the Dark Seducers. It may  \nvery well be in your favor to do so.\"  \n  \n  \n----------------------------  \n  \n  \n\"I can't say I'm surprised,\" Shantara groaned. \"It was going to  \nhappen eventually.\" The Aureal was used to her kind's arrogance,  \na trait she'd long abandoned thanks to mortal indulgence. This might  \nmake her a traitor in the eyes of the others, but it was of no  \nconcern.  \n  \nSwigging from a fresh bottle of wine, Trina remarked, \"they can't   \nget over their popularity contest and work together. Those idiots can't   \neven realize that Sheogorath favored the people, not the army.\"  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;\"Didn't he see them as a form of amusement?\" Kat was familiar with  \nthe tales of Sheogorath. The Madgod earned that title many times over  \nas mortals were turned to madness.  \n  \n\"Eh... that too. But he lets them live in his realm, they're protected  \nand they're fed.\" The Mazken had been a member of the army for some  \ntime, long enough to have seen many mortals enter the Madgod's realm.  \n\"But things are different now... different.\" Trina suddenly realized  \nwhy it was that the Daedra often avoided attachment to mortals. \"You  \nlive such short lives. My kind have always been more sympathetic to  \nmen and mer but never would get too close. Hey! Didn't your father use  \nsome sort of magic to live?\"  \n  \n\"He did,\" Kat said, saddened by memories. \"My father... Kitrina told  \nme he had been alive since the First Era. It doesn't really matter,  \nI have no idea what magic he used or if anyone knows it.\"  \n  \nShanrata dropped an emptied bottle and spoke, \"isn't there that one old   \nguy who used to work for Jyggalag? Sheogorath made him an immortal.\"  \n  \n\"Oh yeah, that one old man who won't leave his cave,\" the Mazken   \nrecalled. \"He's waiting on her to undo that so he can die, I think.\"  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;Slumping down in the sofa, Katriana was ready to fall asleep. \"I wonder  \nhow she's supposed to make that happen?\"  \n  \n\"No idea,\" the Aureal mumbled. \"I think a Daedric Prince just wills   \nstuff to happen and it happens. At least, in their own realm.   \nSheogorath created the males of our kind. Maybe she can make you   \nimmortal? Oh... but she's not a Daedric Prince yet. When's that gonna   \nhappen, anyway?\"  \n  \nTrina rolled over in her chair. \"I hope it happens soon. Our sisters   \nare ready to tear each other apart. Too bad they won't just have sex  \nwith each other instead.\"  \n  \n\"There's an idea! But...\" Shantara sighed. \"How are we supposed to  \nmake them all lighten up? Maybe we could... get enough alcohol for  \neveryone, make them drink it and...\"  \n  \n\"And how much alcohol would you even need for that?\" Kat inquired.  \n  \n\"Oh... good question...\" Trying to add up the numbers, the Aureal   \nanswered, \"I think there are around two thousand per side. Not counting  \nthe males.\"  \n  \nKat demanded, \"and how many of them are there?\"  \n  \n\"I think...\" Biting her lip, Shantara blurted out, \"about twenty.\"  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;\"Twenty!?\"   \n  \nShrugging, she remarked, \"it's not like we NEED males. We don't   \nreproduce. Anyway, getting them to have sex with men would be almost  \nimpossible. Sheogorath only created them to annoy us.\"  \n  \n\"Sure,\" the Elf scoffed. \"The only reason you're not having sex with   \nmen is because there are none living here!\"  \n  \n\"She's got a point,\" Trina agreed. \"I guess we could go to Bravil,  \nbut we might have half the city guard trying to kill us. But have  \nyou seen the males of our kind? They were designed to be pathetic.\"  \nIt was a statement that was probably quite true. After all, the Madgod  \nhad to toy with everyone, even his servants. Even Haskill was not  \nimmune. \"So how come you haven't had sex with a man?\"  \n  \n\"I-\" Looking away, Kat grumbled, \"that is... it's really none of your  \nbusiness.\"  \n  \n\"Well, I know why our new Sheogorath doesn't,\" Trina smirked. \"She's  \nnot attracted to them. That's about it.\"  \n  \nThe Elf shrugged. \"She's never talked about it.\"  \n  \n\"Think about it! I mean, she probably took the Emperor's death hard,  \nand Martin's. She's worked with men a lot but none of them interested  \nher. Instead she-\" The Mazken quieted herself.  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;\"You mean she had sex with both of you, everyone else in here, and me?\"  \n  \nTrina smiled. \"If you wanna put it that way.\"  \n  \n\"But she hasn't actually done anything with anyone else since you came   \nalong.\" Popping the cork off another bottle, Shantara groaned, \"but  \nwe all know why that is.\"  \n  \nKatriana disregarded the conversation. she had a hard decision to  \nmake, one that would perhaps be harder to make than a simple choice,  \nbut her eyelids would not stay open.  \n  \n  \n----------------------------  \n  \n  \nLight stung the Champion's eyes as they opened. Her body was stung by  \ncold air, causing the warrior woman to awaken quickly. Looking down  \nthe bed to see her naked body, Kitrina was almost certain she was  \nwearing her armor. Though she barely recalled going to bed, only that  \nher mind had been filled with jumbled thoughts.  \n  \n\"You were asleep long enough.\"  \n  \nThe voice belonged to Katriana.  \n  \n\"How long was I out?\" Kit demanded, yawning as her body began to   \nadjust.  \n  \n\"Twelve hours. I took off the rest of your armor so you could sleep  \neasier, and piled them up neatly with the parts you threw across  \nthe room.\" Sitting in the corner was a neat stack of armor. \"You   \nscared me a little, you know. I was afraid you were having a nervous  \nbreakdown.\"  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;The Champion began to recall everything. \"I feel so helpless. The   \nEmpire is crumbling, the Shivering Isles are ready to turn into a  \nwar zone, and now the Altmer are becoming violent.\"  \n  \n\"You can not be expected to do everything,\" Kat said, sitting beside   \nher. \"You've done a great deal already but one person can not do  \neverything. Please, answer me, why did you become an adventurer?\"  \n  \n\"I...\" Kit remembered that day in the jail cell, that day Uriel Septim   \nand his guards opened a passageway. \"I just did.\" Such a simple answer,  \nsuch a simple reason. \"I've spent my whole life doing whatever task  \nI was given with no thought. I followed them out of the cell, I   \ndelivered the amulet as I was asked. I found Martin. I did what had  \nto be done.\"  \n  \nKatriana found the truth to be a cold one. Her lover had led a life  \nof doing, not a life filled with joy. \"Why did you agree to find the  \nheart of the dead? I know you didn't need treasure. You were running  \nthat shop, you were already rich.\"  \n  \n\"I was asked to. I had nothing better to do. I thought your father was  \nnothing but a harmless old man.\" Looking into the Elf's eyes, she said,  \n\"I never felt emotional about anything until I met you. I watched  \nthem cut the Emperor down, but it didn't hurt. I watched Martin die,  \nbut it didn't hurt, either. I've killed many, watched many more die.  \nBut I didn't know what love was until I met you.\"  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;Such a sad reason, to think that a person's life was simply an   \nexistence that was spent reacting to whatever was put before them.  \n  \n\"No. It didn't hurt then but it does now. The Emperor told me he   \nknew when he was going to die and I accepted that. Martin knew what  \nhe was doing and I accepted that. But now it feels like such a waste of  \nlife.\"  \n  \n\"You feel love now,\" Kat said, holding her close, \"but you feel pain  \nas well. I think, to feel something, you also have to feel the   \nopposite, otherwise you can't tell the difference. You've place the   \nweight of the world upon you. You've tried to be the hero everyone  \nneeds, but you can't.\" reaching down under the bed, Kat pulled out  \na long, jagged wooden staff. \"You see? I'm holding Sheogorath's staff.  \nAm I Sheogorath now?\"  \n  \nKitrina felt no different, certainly not as if a great power had been  \ndrained. \"But I thought-\"  \n  \n\"If this power was nothing but a piece of wood, anyone could take it.  \nI don't know why Sheogorath passed this onto you, but it may have been  \none of the few sane decisions he ever made. He thought of his people,  \nhis favored ones. He sacrificed himself for others.\"  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;\"That doesn't make any sense!\" The Champion found the idea to be   \nabsurd. \"Daedric Princes... why would he do that?\" Reconsideration  \nof the idea changed her mind, for now it made perfect sense. \"To save  \nhis people. He could've let the Greymarch happen, as it had before.  \nHe would still be around. I wouldn't have thought a Daedric Prince  \neven capable.\"  \n  \n\"My love,\" Kat mumbled, \"I've made a decision. If a way can be found  \nto extend my life, I will allow it. I believe you may be able to will  \nit so when you've become a Daedra. Although when that will be is   \nuncertain.\"  \n  \nNuzzling her lover's red hair, Kitrina replied, \"the Empire may be  \ndead. Maybe it will survive if Ocato can only maintain order. But I   \nshould stop worrying about what I cannot control and focus on what is  \nwithin my power. I can't do anything here but I have a realm that   \nneeds my attention. Do you think we can do what is needed?\"  \n  \nA voice rang out, \"I think you can, my Lord.\" Shantara and Trina  \nstood in the entryway of the bed chamber, fully dressed in their  \narmor.  \n  \n\"I see you finally put on clothes,\" Kit smirked.  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;\"Our sisters must learn new ways or they will destroy each other,\"  \nthe Aureal stated. \"if teaching them to enjoy mortal pleasures will  \nsave them, then we will show them what we have learned in our time  \nin Mundus. Perhaps it will be enough to open their eyes.\"  \n  \nThe will of these two Daedra to abandon a life of leisure and   \npleasure for their master was unexpected, certainly, but welcome.  \n\"You do know that once you've returned to the Isles, you can never  \ncome back here?\"  \n  \n\"My Lord,\" Trina replied, \"we are trapped in this place. We can not go  \noutside, into the cities, for fear of what mortals would do. Laying  \naround all day drinking and engaging in physical pleasure is something  \nwe can do in our realm, with more freedom of choice. This is barely  \nabove a prison. Our sisters also live in a prison, one of the spirit.  \nThey must be shown freedom from their ways.\"  \n  \nRising off the mattress, Kit stated proudly, \"alright then, after I  \neat a quick meal, we shall gather some supplies to take back with us   \nand-\"  \n  \n\"You're still here! Thank the Nine!\"  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;The unexpected intrusion was Heddvild, one of the guards who watched   \nthe main hall. A tall Nord woman who wore a suit of Golden saint  \narmor and wielded a gigantic hammer, she saw that no one stole any of   \nthe many treasures on display. \"I- oh, I'm sorry, I wasn't aware...\"  \n  \nIf anything, Kitrina was barely shy of her nudity, at least when women   \nwere staring. Modesty was not one trait the woman had been taught in   \nher broken childhood. \"Like you haven't seen me naked before. What  \nis it?\"  \n  \n\"One of the Knights of the Nine just arrived and asked for you. It  \nseems urgent.\"  \n  \n\"Not good...\" An uneasy feeling took hold, fear that one of the order's  \nown was in trouble. \"Tell him I'll be out shortly,\" Kit muttered,  \ncollecting the holy armor and clasping the heavy armament to her   \nmuscled body.  \n  \n\"I will change as well,\" Katriana stated.   \n  \n\"No, I-\" Kit paused. \"Yes.\" How tempting it was to keep her lover safe  \nfrom harm. How tempting to put her up in safety and handle all the  \ndanger herself. But to entrap someone, to keep them on a leash, was  \na certain way to lose one you cared for. \"Wear your good armor. I have  \nan uneasy feeling about this.\"  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;  \n----------------------------  \n  \n  \nSir Lathon had only begun to browse the display cases when the Holy  \nCrusader herself ran towards him, almost bumping into one of the  \ncases. \"I take it that Areldur is in trouble?\"  \n  \n\"Yes.\" The Redguard felt ready to break down. \"He is missing. We   \nbelieve that his captors snuck in somehow, either with a spell to  \nteleport in and out, or strong chameleon magic, but Sir Areldur is  \nmissing, taken from the castle despite our best efforts to protect   \nhim. We have been searching the area thoroughly, but Sir Thedret sent  \nme to find you. I am thankful you were here.\"  \n  \nKatriana ran towards them clad in shiny black half-armor that seemed  \nmore designed to show off than for protection, followed by the two  \nDaedra. \"Ah, you have your own guards here as well. Those you left with  \nus have been helpful. Sir Thedret owes his life to them after the first  \nassault by these monsters.\"  \n  \n\"Go and join them in their search. I will follow shortly,\" Kitrina  \nordered. As the knight fled to join the search, Kit screamed out,  \n\"Heddvild!\"  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;\"Yes, my lady?\"  \n  \n\"If any Altmer break in here, assume they may be more than thieves.  \nBut try to take them alive, should I need to question them.\"  \n  \nGrabbing her war hammer firmly, the Nord responded, \"will do.\"  \n  \n  \n----------------------------  \n  \n  \nTime was not a commodity to be wasted, not now. A quick transport to  \nSkingrad, a short walk to the castle grounds. How she would explain  \ntheir timely arrival was another matter to be considered later.  \n  \n\"You two,\" Kit ordered her Daedric servants, \"you search the north   \narea. We will go east.\"  \n  \n\"Are you certain he's even here? What if they did teleport away?\"  \nThe Elf was worried, not only was a man's life was in danger, if he were  \nnot already dead, but that her own people were responsible; people  \nthat would likely label her a traitor and do the same to her.  \n  \n\"No. They would have watched the castle closely. Teleportation without  \nproper magical knowledge is quite hard.\" Concentrating, a spell of  \nNight Eye cut through the darkness. Clipping a ring to her necklace,  \nthe Champion saw a glowing haze around her lover, a sign of life.  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;Pushing through brush and leaves, no doubt making more noise than  \nthey should, the pair scoured the area until a burning campfire   \nalmost blinded Kitrina. \"Damn!\" Shaking off the effects of Night Eye,  \nshe cursed, \"stupid magic, whoever created it must not have known what   \nlight was!\"  \n  \n\"Oh, dear...\"   \n  \nKat saw the bodies. Men in robes, six at least, lifeless around the   \ncamp. Stooping to inspect one, she was hardly surprised to see pointed   \nears. \"Altmer. But why are they dead?\"  \n  \nThat glowing hazy mist tipped the warrior off to an intruder. Screaming  \nas he ran forth, more than eager to cut down the new arrivals, the man   \nbarely had a chance as the Champion of Cyrodiil swung her blade wide,   \nslashing her attacker clean, as she'd done hundreds of times before.   \nKilling an enemy had become almost an afterthought. Weapons charged   \nwith enchantments made the task easier, forcing the victim to endure   \nelectricity, fire and frost, amongst other effects, and a powerful   \nenchantment could end a foe's life with only a single stroke. \"DAMN!   \nWhy did I do that?\"  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;Kat remarked, \"perhaps it was because he was going to plunge a knife  \ninto you?\"  \n  \n\"I needed him alive... to ask what happened. Thedret did not do this,  \nhe would have returned to the castle.\" Cursing her impulsive nature,  \nKit turned from the fire and cast the spell again. \"Perhaps I can  \nfind some sort of trail. Whoever came here, or left, should have...\"  \nKitrina hated Night Eye. Lights hurt quite bad and everything was  \ncast in a haze of blue which made it hard to see details or  \ndistinguish between objects, but a blood trail always left a distinct  \nblack mark in the user's vision.  \n  \nKat failed to grasp this turn of events, though one could hardly blame  \nan individual for failing to make sense of that which was strange.  \nFollowing behind her love, the two were led to an old rotting wooden   \ndoor over a cave entrance. Nothing special, as such caves littered the  \nland, mostly abandoned mines. Swinging the door open, Kit eased in  \nslowly, sneaking through the darkness.   \n  \nLight again burned the warrior woman's eyes. Allowing her spell to  \nwear off, Kitrina could see what looked to be a living space in  \na larger chamber, albeit a very basic living space. A man, elderly  \nand with the ears of an Elf race sat by the fire. Lying nearby was  \na form clad in the armor of the Knights of the Nine. Watching from the  \nshadows, the pair witnessed the older man turn and hand a bottle to  \nthe knight.  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;\"Stop!\" Not concerned with being seen, Kit ran out, cautious but  \nuntrusting of the stranger.  \n  \n\"Oh, my!\"  \n  \nAreldur held up a hand, shouting, \"don't hurt him!\"  \n  \nSword gripped tight, the Champion demanded in a harsh tone, \"who  \nare you and why do you have this man here with you?\"  \n  \n\"I am Urelar,\" the old man responded. \"Not long ago I was out for a   \nwalk and saw a battle taking place. I offered my assistance, but your  \nfriend here was injured. I brought him back here to heal him.\"  \n  \n\"I'm fine,\" Areldur said, drinking the potion, feeling some of his   \nwounds closing. \"I might've been killed if he hadn't arrived.\"   \n  \nPlacing a hand upon the knight, Kitrina sent a wave of healing magic   \ninto his body. \"The entire order has been searching for you,\" the  \nChampion explained, \"we were only hoping you were still alive.\"  \n  \nBack aching from old age, Urelar asked, \"who were those attackers?\"  \n  \n\"Altmer have been assaulting any of their kind that they feel are  \ntraitors,\" Kit explained, \"it seems as if this has been going on  \nthroughout the empire. Somehow I'm not surprised. I expect you might  \nbe one they'll come after as well.\"  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;\"Let them try,\" the old Elf responded without fear. \"I am perhaps  \nolder than they think, it does not matter, I have no fear of death  \nany longer. It would seem as if the desire to return to the old  \nways burns strong once more.\"  \n  \nAreldur let out a sigh. \"I was once a priest serving the Chapel of   \nStendarr in Chorrol, before joining this holy order. No doubt those  \nresponsible consider that to be a tremendous insult. Unfortunately,  \nit is a fact that our people wish to rule again and those of us not   \nwilling are seen as a threat.\"  \n  \n\"Gareth,\" Katriana mumbled. \"Umbacano as well.\"  \n  \nGareth was a name familiar to everyone. \"I have heard the rumors of  \nwhat's been going on in the Sumerset Isles.\" Urelar seemed saddened by  \nall this. \"Strange,\" he muttered, looking at Kat. \"You are only part  \nElf. But... you should return your friend and let everyone know  \nhe is safe. But would you return afterwards? I wish to discuss   \nsomething important.\"  \n  \nLeaning close, Kat whispered, \"I think he knows I'm Ayleid.\"  \n  \nNodding in agreement, Kitrina responded, \"We shall return shortly.\"   \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;  \n----------------------------  \n  \n  \n\"I did not wish to say it in front of our guest, but I believe you are  \nof Ayleid lineage.\"  \n  \n\"That's correct,\" Kat answered. \"But how did you know?\"  \n  \nUrelar stated unexpectedly, \"I have lived long enough to be able to   \ntell my own kind apart from the Altmer. Subtle differences do exist.  \nI know there are some still alive to this day, both surviving villages  \nand those who-\"  \n  \nThe Champion knew what his silence meant. \"Those who used magic to   \nsurvive.\" She had to keep calm, hold back the urge to kill. \"Modern  \nAyleid worked with Gareth, I know that. But you know of ancient magic  \nto extend life, and are quite old. I met another like you.\"  \n  \nUrelar turned to the half-Elf and asked, \"may I ask, do you know who  \nyour father was?\"  \n  \n\"My father was...\"  \n  \n\"Inar. And he's dead.\" Kit held off on telling the old man why.  \n  \nThat name sent shivers down the old man's back. \"I'm glad to hear it.  \nHe was a bastard. His brother created the heart of the dead, an-\"  \n  \n\"I know. Yurn died many years ago but Inar tried to use me to get  \nahold of it so he could revive Ayleid rule.\"  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;Eyes closed, letting out a sigh, he mumbled, \"and I suppose you are  \nhis daughter. His sacrifice. But he failed.\"  \n  \n\"Barely,\" Kitrina said, almost crying. \"She was sacrificed. I was  \nable to kill him before he could cross the veil.\"  \n  \n\"You mean... what happened to the heart?\"  \n  \nShe answered, \"I destroyed it. Yurn helped me, it seems he wasn't   \nlike his brother.\"  \n  \n\"And you were able to retrieve your friend's soul as well. Wonderful  \nnews. That dreaded artifact will never threaten Tamriel again!\"   \nUncorking a bottle of cheap beer, Urelar said, \"many of us extended   \nour lives. Many of us died over the years, or were lost. I do not know  \nwhat happened to most of them but I was a young soldier in those days.  \nOver the many thousands of years I grew to hate what we had done to  \nthe land and the people. I only hope I can die before witnessing   \nthe old ways return.\"  \n  \n\"That magic,\" the warrior begged, \"do you know what it was?\"  \n  \n\"Why would you ask such a question?\"  \n  \n\"I-\" Kit couldn't simply tell this man the full truth. \"I have been  \ngiven eternal life in my journeys but Katriana will grow old and die,  \nand I can not bear that loss. Not again.\"  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;\"Oh. I see. Well, your relationship is none of my business,\" he  \nreplied, realizing the two were more than friends, \"but let me think...  \nyes, I believe I have a scroll somewhere with the details. It was  \npowerful Daedric magic. You will need a few items, some may be hard  \nto obtain.\"  \n  \nSomehow worried that this may not even work, Kat demanded, \"my mother  \nwas human. Will that matter?\"  \n  \n\"Hardly,\" Urelar shot back. \"Although you may not love as long as a  \npure blood might. However, I take it to mean you wish to find a more  \npermanent solution. This should at least allow more time, and preserve  \nyour youth in the meantime. Now, let me see...\"  \n  \nMoving towards an assortment of storage chests, the old Elf rummaged  \nthrough clothes, supplies and books. \"Here is- no, that's not it.  \nWhy did I keep this junk? No, that's not it either... here! Oh. I  \nforgot.\" Unrolling the scroll to reveal ancient writing, \"it is  \nin Ayleid. I can translate it if you wait.\"  \n  \n\"No need,\" Kit said. \"I can read it. Inar gave me magic to read  \nAyleid while I was serving as his pawn.\"  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;\"Very well. You will need a few common herbal ingredients, a welkynd  \nstone and a varla stone, either if which should be too hard to  \nobtain. Though the Daedra hearts may be difficult these days.\"  \nHanding the scroll over, he went on, \"it brings my old heart joy to  \nknow that one of my kind will live on with a pure heart, not hatred.  \nI can see it in you, your soul is as beautiful as you are. Our people  \nwere once good, until-\"  \n  \n\"Until Luminai left?\" Kitrina let slip. It had been a fact discovered   \nin her time with the Archaeology Guild.  \n  \nUrelar was impressed. \"You know. Incredible.\" Returning to the fire,  \nthe old Elf whined, \"I will be dead within days. I am too old. I am  \npleased that I was able to do something good before that time.\"  \n  \nKat's heart sank. \"You're dying? Can't we do anything to-\"  \n  \n\"No,\" he cried out. \"I said I was prepared. I have lived far too long.  \nI need my rest.\"  \n  \nWithout answering, Kit turned to her lover and said, \"we need to return  \nto the castle and make sure everything is okay. Then we have other  \nmatters to tend to.\" Looking at the Elf, the Champion told him, \"I am  \ngrateful for what you have done for us.\"  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;  \n----------------------------  \n  \n  \n\"If she doesn't come back soon, this entire island is going to become  \na war zone!\"   \n  \nHaskill brushed off the concern, for Kilthan was paranoid. Not merely  \nparanoid, but perpetually, chronically paranoid. \"Yes, I'm sure our  \nLord will return shortly, but you are more than aware of the trouble  \nthat mortal woman is capable of getting herself into... although  \nI suppose you have not lived long enough to recall the unusual behavior  \nand many vacations Lord Sheogorath himself would often partake, such as   \nthe time he spent an entire month believing he could teach lettuce to  \nspeak and conduct plays based on the history of Mundus.\"  \n  \n\"I-\" The Redguard's jaw hung open. \"I don't even know how to respond  \nto that. But both armies are ready to tear each other apart and in case  \nyou haven't noticed, that woman isn't a Daedra yet. What if they  \ndecide that she can't stop them? Then what? Everyone dies. I think  \nsome of us should consider leaving here and going through that gate  \nwhile we still have our heads attached to our bodies!\"  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;If Haskill had behaved in the manner of mortals, the Chamberlain would   \nhave rolled his eyes. \"Of course, you or anyone else in the Isles are  \nfree to do so if you wish but- ah, Lord Sheogorath has finally arrived.  \nPerhaps you should reconsider your plans to flee, for the time being.\"  \nTurning to his master, he asked, \"I trust you took care of your  \nerrands, my Lord?\"  \n  \n\"We had problems,\" Kit replied, \"it's getting worse.\"  \n  \n\"As one would expect when considering the current state of mortal   \naffairs.\" He knew better than to ask the details or even question  \nhis god's decisions. \"I trust you are prepared to take care of affairs  \nin this realm now?\"  \n  \n\"Yes. I want the commanders of each army in my private chambers in  \none hour. I intend to settle the problem with both sides, with the  \nhelp of those two.\"  \n  \n\"It would appear as if two of the four I sent to Mundus have finally  \nreturned home.\"  \n  \n\"They've learned things that I want to spread amongst the rest.\"  \n  \nIt was an unusual sight. Haskill, for once in his existence, seemed  \nto widen his eyes in shock, even if only partially. \"Oh, my... this  \nis unexpected, I would not have thought either the Saints or Seducers   \nto indulge in mortal ways. One can only imagine the trouble those   \ntwo have gotten into living amongst mortals.\"  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;Shantara grinned, shouting proudly, \"our sisters need to learn how to  \nhave fun and stop being so stuck-up.\"  \n  \n\"This little popularity contest they're trying to win,\" Trina muttered,  \n\"is going to have to end. They need to learn to love each other.\"  \n  \nWith a sigh, Haskill responded, \"I should not be surprised, yet I am.  \nI wonder, did your predecessor consider how things may be run when  \nhe left you in charge? Although I suppose the idea of changing the   \nDaedra is so insane, he would have approved. I only wish for your   \nsuccess, my Lord, fr the stability of the shivering Isles may depend   \nupon it.\"  \n  \n\"Right now I need to talk with that Dremora. I need to find out what he   \nwants.\"  \n  \n\"Of course. Herdir has been keeping careful watch on him\" the  \nChamberlain explained. \"Will you execute him, my Lord?\"  \n  \nShrugging, she shot back, \"as much as I want to, I need to know  \nwhy he came here. He did help me kill Mankar Camoran.\"  \n  \nSomehow, Haskill felt confident in his master's plans. \"I wish you   \nluck in dealing with that one. I shall send word to the commanders to   \nmeet with you as you have instructed.\"  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;  \n----------------------------  \n  \n  \nWith a sharp crack of the knuckles, an old man stared at his captive  \nlike a cat about to toy with a mouse that was to be dinner. \"It's  \ngoing to be fun torturing you,\" Herdir blurted out with glee. \"Yes,  \nyou're going to be someone new to break.\"  \n  \n\"We shall see, mortal.\" Kathutet had served Lord Dagon since the   \nbeginning, but had grown sick of his god's simple-minded goals. Many  \nof the Princes could have accepted him willingly in their service,  \nyet he had fled to this one, one with no trust of him. The Dremora had  \nbegun to regret this choice.  \n  \nHer white and gold armor was out of place in this dreary, moldy   \ndungeon, almost eye-searing how it contrasted. The Daedra remembered  \nit well, for it was the very holy armor this warrior woman had  \nworn when he first encountered her. \"You shall decide my fate, I have  \nplaced that fate into your hands, although the decision may be one I  \nshall regret.\"  \n  \n\"Regret.\" Tapping her sword to the floor, Kitrina spat back in anger,  \n\"you don't even regret what you did to Kvatch! I think you only   \nassisted me because you thought Mankar Camoran was inferior. One  \nof the Mythic Dawn, the one who helped me kill Camoran, he seemed to   \nregret what he had done...\"  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;Indeed, Eldamil had felt remorse for destroying the city and for  \nsiding with Mehrunes Dagon. \"But you don't, nor do I think you ever  \ncould. You're of no use to me, you would disrupt life here, and I  \ndon't care for you. Tell your master if he ever comes here I shall   \nbe waiting.\"  \n  \nWeapon drawn back, screaming a warrior's cry, Kitrina thrust forward,  \nstopping the blade short as the Dremora cried out, \"please, no!\"  \n  \nFear.  \n  \nA Daedra expressed fear.  \n  \n\"Very well. You're so terrified of Mehrunes Dagon that you beg for your   \nlife.\" Letting go, sword clattering against the stone floor, she  \nbellowed out, \"you will work a farm. You will grow food for the people.  \nYou will serve mortals. You will not interfere with anyone, you will  \nnot interfere with my army. You will assist those in need. You're going  \nto have to learn to regret what you did. You will not be permitted  \nto leave or own weapons. If you attack anyone, poison the food you  \ngrow, or sabotage crops, you will be executed without question and   \nreturned to Dagon.\"  \n  \n\"As you wish... Lord Sheogorath.\" Kathutet had no choice. His sanctuary  \nwas little more than a prison, but preferable to torment and   \nenslavement at the hands of his former master.   \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;\"You will be stripped of your armor and given clothes. I will see to it  \nthat a house is provided where you will tend your garden. And to show  \nyou I mean it... Herdir!\"  \n  \nGrinning, the old jailer mumbled, \"as you wish, Lord Sheogorath!\"   \nbefore releasing a mild burst of electricity into the Daedra's  \nbody, just enough to cause intense pain but not enough to do any  \npermanent damage. Torture was a skill that required practice and  \nrefinement to get just right; after all, a prisoner could not give  \ninformation if they were dead.  \n  \nSatisfied that her new arrival knew that she was not to be betrayed,  \nKitrina said, \"make sure that everything I just said is taken care of.\"  \n  \n\"Of course,\" Herdir responded, dissatisfied that an execution was  \nnot to take place today, but hopefully this Dremora would screw up,  \nallowing the jailer a chance.  \n  \n  \n----------------------------  \n  \n  \nWine was one of the many finer creations of Cyrodiil, although many   \npreferred the simpler pleasure of beer merely because of cost. Wine  \nwas an art that few could master, as only very few vineyards decorated  \nthe landscape. Several bottles of various brands and vintages were  \ndisplayed neatly, even the hastily-made, possibly poisonous roofwater  \nwine that Sickly Bernice produced. It was this that the Madgod   \nuncorked, guzzling down, as she'd already sampled two other better  \nbottles. Roofwater wine was nasty stuff, brewed by a crazy person, and  \nhardly tasted of real wine, though the alcoholic content was sometimes  \nsuspected to be far greater than most. Pity that Katriana had already  \ntaken a bottle of Tamika's West Weald, it was the last one and was  \nprobably halfway gone by now.  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;Kitrina's private chambers were nothing exceptional, merely a new  \naddition to the palace for privacy. Her predecessor left no such  \nquarters behind, although Sheogorath had no need for a bed or even   \nprivacy. One day, neither would she, but that time had yet to come.  \nPlacing the Paladin's gloves neatly onto the armor stand, Kit paused  \nas two of her soldiers entered the room. \"On time. Perfect.\" She did  \nnot expect either to be late, disobeying an order even slightly  \nwas not within the capacity of these loyal Daedra. \"I trust you know  \nwhy you were requested?\"  \n  \nStaada, Aureal Commander, responded, \"the incident in Mania. Yes,  \nI am aware of what happened.\"  \n  \nMazken Commander Dylora remarked, \"one of the Golden Saints wounded  \nyour friend after starting an argument.\"  \n  \n\"An argument that began merely as one of the Dark seducers had to set   \nfoot in the walls of Bliss and-\"  \n  \n\"STOP IT!\"  \n  \nBoth Daedra did as told, shocked by the outburst. \"This is the exact   \nreason you are here. Both sides have problems that I cannot and will  \nnot tolerate. I do not know what joy my predecessor took in watching   \nyour petty feud but I shall not allow this! You will either have to   \nabandon your rivalry and become friends, or I shall have no choice  \nbut to expel both armies. Before either of you say anything, Sheogorath  \nput me in power. I have every right to do that.\"  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;\"We-\" Looking at her counterpart, the Aureal commander commented, \"I  \ndo not know... I am aware your friend means something to you,  \neven if she is a mortal.\"  \n  \n\"And that's part of your problem,\" Kit blurted out, holding back   \nthoughts of, 'and if she had died I would have hunted down and   \nslaughtered every one of you.' \"You believe you're better than mortals  \nand yet neither of you have even a basic understanding of them. That  \nmust change. You must be enlightened.\" Removing her boots, Kit  \nunclasped the cuirass and placed it onto the stand, followed by  \nthe heavy greaves. Naked body exposed to both, the Champion ordered,  \n\"remove your armor\".  \n  \n\"My Lord, I do not understand,\" Staada voiced, \"do you wish to fight  \nus?\"  \n  \n\"Of course not,\" Kit responded, \"just... remove your armor.\"  \n  \nPulling off gauntlets, purple skin exposed, the Mazken commander   \nmuttered, \"do you wish to engage in mortal pleasure with us? Is  \nthat why?\"  \n  \n\"No. Don't worry, you will learn...\" Pausing to admire both of them  \nas their garments clanked one by one to the ground, the warrior  \nwoman composed herself and continued, \"there are two cups nearby.  \nI want each of you to take one and drink.\" sitting in a plush chair,  \nKit thought to herself, 'one you both have been shown pleasure then  \nI'll teach you something myself.'  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;Each collected a silver cup, smelling the contents. \"This is some sort  \nof drink that mortals consume,\" Stadda whined.   \n  \n\"Yes, I am aware that you normally do not need to eat or drink,\" the  \nChampion responded, \"but please, drink.\" She had thought the Mazken   \nwould be first, only for the Aureal to lead in sipping fine aged wine.  \n\"You're not used to tasting food, so drink slowly and do not be afraid  \nto enjoy it.\" Kitrina watched both of her loyal companions sneak from  \nbehind their hiding spots, each one embracing their commander from   \nbehind. Staada gasped, almost dropping the wine cup, while Dylora  \nseemed to remain better composed.  \n  \n\"Taste good?\" Trina blurted out.  \n  \n\"You'll start to feel a bit strange in just a second,\" Shantara said,  \n\"I found out the hard way that Daedra have a lot tolerance of alcohol.\"  \n  \nThe Aureal commander shouted out, \"what are you doing?\"  \n  \n\"Oh, don't be like that,\" Shantara whined. \"We're here to teach you  \nsomething fun.\"  \n  \nSpinning around, Staada saw that both of these newcomers were as naked  \nas they were. \"I recognize you, Haskill sent you to Mundus to search  \nfor Lord Sheogorath when...\"  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;Smiling now, \"you're feeling just a bit dizzy, probably. But a bit   \nrelaxed?\" Shantara eased closer to her superior, hands slinking down,  \nfingers curving around her ass. \"Our bodies are similar to mortal   \nfemales, it's just that we never knew how similar.\"  \n  \nTrina's own hands slid up, tweaking Dylora's nipples. \"Mortal women  \nuse these to feed their infants, but they're not just decoration on  \nus.\"  \n  \n\"You are insubordinate, and- oh, wow...\" the Mazken commander could  \nnot believe what she was feeling. Massaging each breast, squeezing  \nthem, Trina's legs began to tingle.   \n  \nEasing over to the four, Kitrina was quite excited by the scene.  \nShe couldn't recall her first realization of her attraction to other  \nwomen, and never questioned why her preference leaned towards the   \nfemale body over males- it certainly had nothing to do with any  \nhatred of men- but knowing that two of her army were soon going to  \nexperience sexual pleasure, a new feeling, was exciting.  \n  \n\"You might think this is disgusting, immoral and beneath you...\"  \nLeaning in close to Dylora, the Champion whispered, \"but I do this  \nall the time. You won't tell me I'm doing something wrong? Relax and  \nenjoy, let them show you love. your hate will destroy both of you,  \nand the people. Love is more fun.\"  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;Pacing away, Kit heard the doorway to her bath chamber open. A  \nred-haired Elf walked in, naked as she was, pushing her lover to the  \nbed. \"I haven't been with you in weeks. Let them explore, it's our  \nturn to have some fun!\"  \n  \nShantara's fingers crept downward, teasing her commander's slit.  \n\"Just think, we've had this here for millennia, and never knew we  \ncould touch it.\" Sparks shot up Staada's back, causing the Aureal to   \nmoan as her clitoris was grazed. \"You really believe mortals are so  \ndisgusting when they seek to experience this sensation?\"  \n  \nWith a smile, Shantara and Trina took hands, twirling around as the  \nDaedra switched partners. Leaning in, the Saint looked the Mazken   \ncommander in the eyes. \"Are you willing to trust one you hate so much?\"  \n  \nTrina began kissing her Aureal partner, lips down to neck, downward,  \npausing to suck her puffy nipples. \"So hard,\" she groaned, \"I think  \nyou're enjoying this.\"  \n  \nDropping to her knees, the golden-skinned Shantara looked up towards  \nDylora, asking, \"do you want me to use my mouth?\"  \n  \n\"Do I what?\" Looking at her god, wishing to seek advice, or ask  \npermission, all the Mazken leader noticed was Kitrina far too busy to  \npay her any attention.   \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;\"No, don't ask her.\" Placing the tips of two fingers right between  \nthe Seducer's legs, ready to thrust inside, she explained, \"you have to  \ndecide. Do you want me to make you orgasm? It's not anyone else's   \ndecision. Foolish woman, so thoughtless and loyal to your god you   \ncan't even decide if you want pleasure on your own?\"  \n  \nStaada shouted out, \"my legs, they... feel wet.\" Sliding down, Trina  \nwiped a trail of juice off the Saint's thigh. \"I'm tingling...\"  \n  \n\"If you think that feels good,\" the mortal-desiring Mazken moaned,   \n\"wait until you climax!\"  \n  \n\"Please show me...\"  \n  \nTrina's tongue began flicking between her partner's labia, parting  \nthe lips until they began to swell. Taking one of the swollen flaps  \nbetween both her lips, Trina sucked on the golden skin, moving upward,  \nsuckling on the swollen bulb. Groaning quote loud, overtaken by new  \nfeelings, Staada's whole body shook as if the entire palace were   \nfalling down.  \n  \nDylora's crotch was almost burning, watching her counterpart  \nengaged in deep pleasure. \"Please show me...\"  \n  \n\"Good girl.\" Grinning wide, Shantara thrust both fingers in deep  \nwith harsh force, licking her lips upon hearing the Mazken scream out.  \nIn and out, faster and faster, the Aureal kept her thumb out to graze  \nDylora's clit, free hand squeezing the woman's ass tight. \"You  \nlike this! Admit it! You want me to get you off! You'd rather do this   \nthan be just another soldier that can't even think for herself!\"  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;Her cry filled the room. Dylora felt her first orgasm, a feeling  \nnew, a feeling that in thousands of years she'd never felt, never  \nthought she could feel, overwhelming every sense.   \n  \nWitnessing her equal writing in ecstasy, the Aureal commander's knees  \nbuckled, falling backwards as climax hit, pleasure that hit like  \nlightning and was stunning in how wonderful it felt, so strong that   \nfalling flat to the hard stone floor didn't even seem to hurt. Panting  \nhard, the shock wave of orgasm wearing off, Staada looked up to see her  \ngod looking upon her.  \n  \n\"Did you enjoy it?\"  \n  \n\"Yes, Lord Sheogorath... I never noticed your beauty before, your   \ngrace\"  \n  \n\"That might be the wine,\" Kit suggested. \"Although it is possible  \nyou are realizing that you can see the world around you in more than  \none way.\"  \n  \nBending down to help the Aureal up, Trina mumbled, \"it's rather likely  \nthat lesbian lust was buried deep within us all this time, after all,  \nwe are a society of almost all women. Would the two of you like to  \nplay with each other?\"  \n  \n\"Oh...\" Dylora looked upon the Aureal military leader. \"Perhaps, if  \nthe Mazken and Aureal are to unite...\"  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;Staada smiled for the first time in her memory. \"I look forward to the  \nopportunity to learn more about what we just experienced.\"  \n  \nFeeling positive of the situation, Kit pointed towards her bed. \"Over  \nthere. Kat and I wish to bathe.\"  \n  \n\"Can we have more wine?\" the Seducer commander inquired.  \n  \n\"Uh... yes.\" Grabbing the bottle from a nearby table, the Champion Of   \nCyrodiil said, \"don't drink too much. You have no tolerance of it yet.\"  \n  \n\"Two down,\" Shantara grumbled, \"thousands more to go...\"  \n  \n\"Lord Sheogorath, forgive me,\" Staada blurted out, \"but there is an  \nurgent matter that needs your attention. It concerns the Aureal you-\"  \n  \n\"Yes, I thought that might need to be taken care of.\"  \n  \n\"You do not understand, my Lord,\" the Saint explained, \"she has been  \ntraumatized by the experience.\"  \n  \nKatriana's heart sank. \"I was afraid something like this might   \nhappen... you beat her severely, she may have taken it quite hard.\"  \n  \n\"Oh, uh... have her sent to my bath chamber.\"  \n  \n\"Excuse me?\" Kat blurted out, surprised. \"what do you have in mind?\"  \n  \nTaking another bottle of wine from the drawer, Kit responded, \"perhaps  \nthis one might need my personal attention. That is, unless you mind?\"  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;The Elf simply stared up at her lover. \"Well...I know it's for the  \ngreater good, and I suppose if I show her I forgive her...\"  \n  \nStumbling over a pile of scattered body armor lying haphazardly on   \nthe floor, Trina whined, \"I'll find her and bring her here. Soon as  \nI get dressed.\"  \n  \n\"Or we could go out naked,\" Shantara suggested, \"Really give Haskill a  \nheadache. It'd serve him right for being so stuffy.\"  \n  \nSlapping her friend's rear end, Trina replied, \"just get dressed.\"  \n  \n  \n----------------------------  \n  \n  \nHuddled in shadow, out of sight, a lone Golden Saint hid herself away.  \nHer god had been offended, she had made a mistake, and had been shown  \nthe angry hand of her Lord. Perhaps it had been deserved, being beaten  \nand unable to move, for her crime almost cost a mortal their own life.  \n  \nA soft hand took her by the arm. It was an unexpected sensation.  \n  \n\"You need to get up now, you can't sit there forever.\"  \n  \nThe voice had come from one of her own people, a face she didn't seem   \nto know. Long hair and a smile gazed upon her, a strange sight  \nto behold for one so used to discipline from the Aureal. This one did  \nnot wear her helmet or gauntlets, which for the Golden Saints was  \nunusual.  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;\"Please leave me alone.\"  \n  \n\"I know what happened to you,\" Shantara said softly. \"We're going to  \nmake everything right. Just come with us.\"  \n  \n\"You...\" The Saint noticed the Mazken standing beside this one. \"Why  \nis a Dark seducer here?\"  \n  \nTrina answered, \"Shantara and I have been living in Cyrodiil for two  \nyears. We have come to end the old ways and bring a needed peace to  \nthe Shivering Isles. We have come home to help our sisters.\"  \n  \nLeading her out of the main hall, into the bed chamber, Shantara  \nasked, \"what is your name?\"  \n  \n\"Frela. Rank Auredel\".  \n  \n\"Frela, would you remove your armor?\" Unlocking the clasps of her  \nown chest plate, Shantara's breasts fell free. The skirt dropped down,  \nmaking a clinking sound as it bounced.  \n  \nConfused,\u0026nbsp; the Aureal asked, \"why do you make such a request?\"  \n  \nAs Trina stripped down, she responded, \"it's time to shed old habits  \nand traditions. We will start with your armor for now.\"  \n  \n\"Very well.\" Removing each peace slowly, unaware of what her nudity  \nmeant, the Aureal became aware of a low moan echoing from the other  \nside of the room. \"What is that sound?\"  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;The sound was, of course, the commanders of the armies intimately  \nexploring their bodies. \"Do not worry about that right now,\" Trina  \nresponded. \"All will be made clear shortly.\"  \n  \nPushing open the wooden door, the pair led the Aureal into the bath   \nchamber where two naked women sat within steaming hot water. \"Lord  \nSheogorath! I-\"  \n  \n\"Please, join us.\"  \n  \n\"I do not understand.\"  \n  \nSlowly fondling the confused Saint's breasts, Shantara explained, \"our  \nlord has a gift to give to her loyal servants. You're going to be  \nenlightened.\"  \n  \n\"Why are you touching me like this?\" Confused now more than before,  \nFrela wondered if everyone had lost their minds.  \n  \n\"Don't you want me touching your body?\"  \n  \n\"It's not- I mean to say-\" Frela did not know quite what to make  \nof this, but feeling her breasts squished and played with was  \na new experience, one she did not seem to object to. \"Please,   \ncontinue...\"  \n  \nSmiling wide, Trina stepped forth, hand reaching between the Saint's  \nlegs, slipping a finger into the folds and rubbing up and down. With  \nher free hand, the Mazken held up a bottle. \"Drink some of this.\"  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;Uncertain of how to respond, surprised to be in this situation, Frela  \ndid as she was told. \"Please tell me what this is... what is this   \nfeeling?\"  \n  \n\"Didn't know touching that spot felt so good, did you?\" Shantara   \nscolded her Deadric sister. \"It's no wonder we're so angry and uptight  \nall the time.\" Stepping forward, gently pushing Frela along, the  \nAureal led her to the water. \"Sheogorath has something she wishes to  \ndo.\"  \n  \n\"Yes,\" Kit said, \"I went too far. I wish to show you love, not hate.\"  \n  \n\"You're the one I-\"  \n  \nKatriana spoke, \"I'm not mad at you. But you need to experience this,  \nif you're to ever change.\"  \n  \nHer muscular frame rising from the water, Kitrina took the Aureal's   \nhand. \"Will you allow me to show your heart something new?\"  \n  \n\"This is quite strange,\" she replied. \"Indeed, you are nothing like  \nyour predecessor to the throne.\"  \n  \nNo words. Leading the Golden Saint to the edge of the tub, Kit helped  \nher lay down, balancing on her own knees in the water, bent over  \nwith her head in between the Daedra's legs. Kissing her right thigh,  \nKit moved upward until the Aureal's clit was within her mouth.  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;Refusing to be left out, Kat swam forward, poking a finger deep within  \nthe Champion's crotch, shouting out, \"try to keep your knees steady!\"  \nas a second finger went in, twisting hard, inner vaginal walls  \nmassaged with such force as to make the Hero of Kvatch groan.  \n  \n\"I think whatever I drank is... oh, wow...\"  \n  \nWatching from the edge of the bath, Shantara and Trina could only  \nrub themselves while their eyes watched with unbreakable interest.  \n\"Katriana's really giving it to her,\" the Mazken commented.  \n  \nAs the feeling of pleasure within her hips intensified, Frela began  \nto cry out, gasping for breath. Whatever this feeling was, she wanted  \nmore of it. Was her body really capable of such feeling? Did her  \nkind willingly suppress this desire?  \n  \nAs her tongue flicked around like crazy, Kit shoved forward, screaming  \nloud, muffled thanks to the Golden Saint's dripping wet pussy filling  \nher mouth. she cried out, \"stop!\"  \n  \n\"You're finished already, my love?\"  \n  \n\"I would imagine your arm is quite tired from all of that,\" she  \nscolded. \"When I finish with her then I'll lick you.\"  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;  \n----------------------------  \n  \n  \nKitrina's mind was a foggy haze and the sudden brightness of the   \nmorning sun hurt like a thousand daggers within her own brain.  \nMorning had come, but why was she feeling so terrible?  \n  \nBody becoming alert, the Champion could feel a hard object held tight  \nin her hand. It must be a wine bottle, only that could explain why   \nit felt as if an ogre had punched her. Shifting in the bed, a heavy  \nobject impeded movement, resting between her legs. Whatever it  \nwas, it was quite heavy, perhaps large enough to be a person. Only  \nKit knew that her Elven lover would not fall asleep like this.  \n  \nStaring down to see yellow hair, she whined, \"what the hell is going   \non?\" Sliding out from under the weight, Kit rolled over, foot out of   \nbed, stepping on something other than carpet. \"What now?\"  \n  \nRolling over to see, the Madgod was puzzled to see a Dark Seducer  \nlaying prone and naked beside her bed. She was further puzzled upon  \nrealizing that her entire bed chamber was filled with several of her   \narmy, all naked, most passed out cold, and empty wine bottles   \nscattered all around. Those that were not unconscious seemed engaged  \nin carnal affairs with each other, or with themselves.  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;\"Why does my head feel like it were crushed by a warhammer?\"  \n  \nKatriana's red hair was a mess. eyes opened, she whimpered, \"by the   \nNine, what have we done?\"  \n  \nStirring herself back to consciousness, Mazken commander Dylora  \nblurted out, \"oh, Load Sheogorath... load? Lord! I think... I think  \nwe shouldn't drink too much.\"  \n  \n\"No shit.\" Clapping loud, drawing the attention of any of them who  \ncould hear, Kitrina ordered, \"get up! Get your armor on, get these-\"  \npausing to belch, she continued, \"get these damn bottles cleaned up  \nand find my clothes! I need to meet with... what the hell his name   \nis.\"  \n  \nKat asked, \"you mean that old man who used to serve Jyggalag? Dead  \nmouse? No, Dyus! I'd swear someone punched me in the face...\"  \n  \n\"Everyone get yourselves sober! We need to ration out the alcohol  \nfrom now on... it would be just fine if Mehrunes Dagon did invade,  \nseeking my head, and my army was too busy playing with themselves  \nbecause they were all drunk.\"  \n  \n\"It's not that bad,\" Kat muttered. \"I'm sure this kind of thing   \nhappens in Sanguine's realm every day.\"  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;  \n----------------------------  \n  \n  \nIt was unusual for no one to be at the table by now. However, Haskill  \nwas quite aware of the contingent of guard that was sent to meet with  \nSheofgorath. But whatever was going on he had not been informed.  \n  \nMarching out one by one, at least twenty of each Daedra exited the  \ngreat hall of the palace, although the Chamberlain could have sworn  \nthat some were barely able to walk straight.  \n  \n\"Good morning, Lord Sheogorath,\" he greeted. \"I will have breakfast  \nsent out immediately.\"  \n  \n\"No time,\" Kit grumbled. \"We're going to see Dyus. I want the   \ntownspeople gathered at the church tonight.\"  \n  \n\"I shall send word. May I ask what this is about?\"  \n  \nThe Champion replied, \"there are going to be changes. Severe changes.  \nThis my my realm and I will run it as I see fit. This hatred between  \nboth sides has to stop. I've begun with the army, but the people  \nmust be shown new ways.\"  \n  \nHaskill felt uneasy, for major change could be drastic and hard, and  \ncould bring rebellion. \"I wish you luck with what you intend to do,  \nmy Lord, I fear you will need all you can get.\"  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;  \n----------------------------  \n  \n  \nKnifepoint Hollow was little more than a typical cave, for what may   \nhave stood before was long destroyed by Sheogorath. All that now  \nremained was one man, who had been forbidden to die. One man,  \nlonely, sitting in peace.  \n  \nPeace no more. \"Lord Sheogorath, this is a surprise,\" he greeted as   \ntwo forms stepped into view. \"I see you brought another with you,\"  \nhe muttered, uninterested in the woman in the green dress.  \n  \n\"A surprise? I thought you could see everything of the future?\"  \n  \n\"I could, once... why have you come here? Am I to finally be free  \nof this curse?\" with a sigh, Dyus grumbled, \"of course not. You have  \nyet to become a Daedric Prince. Very well, what is it you wish of me?\"  \n  \nKit asked, \"how did Sheogorath grant you immortality?\"  \n  \n\"This is unexpected. tell me, who do you wish to curse with this?\"  \n  \n\"Her.\"  \n  \nwithout changing his expression, Dyus explained, \"it was his will.  \nNothing more, nothing less. If you're asking how Daedric powers work,  \nI can not answer that. The realm of each Prince bends to the will and  \nwhim of its master. One day, when this realm has changed you, you will  \nknow everything there is to know. I can only hope that, on that day,   \nyou will free me of this eternal existence.\"  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;\"When will that be?\" Kit demanded. \"I must know!\"  \n  \nStaring her down, the old man responded harshly, \"I can not tell you   \nfor you had to go against what I had predicted and now... now, I can   \nnot determine the future. Your chaotic nature proved Sheogorath   \ncorrect. I had accurately surmised the action of every living creature,  \nin Oblivion and Mundus, but then your impulsive actions undid all of   \nthat and now I do not know what the future holds, for you or anyone.  \nI can say, however, that the fate of Tamriel itself may have been  \ncursed by your decisions.\"  \n  \nGripping his robes by the neck, she screamed out, \"what do you mean?  \nYou tell me...\"  \n  \nUnwilling to show fear, for he could not die, Dyus told her, \"you  \nwere to fail in your quest to remake the staff of Sheogorath. You  \nwould have returned to Tamriel, the Greymarch would have concluded  \nas it had before. Martin Septim would have sacrificed himself to stop  \nthe invasion of Mehrunes Dagon, and you would have become Empress in  \nhis place. The Empire would have thrived under your rule.\"  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;\"I-\" Releasing her grip, Kitrina begged to know, \"why didn't you tell  \nme?\"  \n  \n\"Whatever you may think of me,\" he said, \"I did not tell you because  \nI was certain that it would have been pointless. My predictions held  \ntrue since the beginning. There was no need. It was your violation of  \nmy predictions that changed everything. If I had told you of your  \nfate, would you have thrown the staff away and abandoned this realm?  \nWould you have been able to choose? To allow those here to die and  \nsuffer? You proved you could do as you wished, to choose your own  \nfate. The fate of the Empire is now uncertain.\"  \n  \nKatriana could see her lover's heart sinking. \"I do not know what to  \nsay...\"  \n  \n\"It...\" Kit's eyes squeezed tight as she inhaled deep. \"It wasn't your  \nfault. Maybe it was mine. I had to gain power, I had to become   \nstronger, to had to break rules.\"  \n  \n\"If you have what you came for,\" Dyus muttered, \"please leave me in  \npeace.\"  \n  \n\"Yes. Come, Kat, we need to go now.\"  \n  \n  \n----------------------------  \n  \n  \nNormally the Sacellum Arden-Sul was only lightly crowded during   \nsermons, for even the devout worshipers of Arden-Sul had things to  \ntake care of at all times. Both priests hardly expected to see the  \nwalls packed to bursting, even if Sheogorath herself had requested  \nit.  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;\"The seats are full, the aisles are full of people standing, where are  \nwe going to put everyone?\" Arctus demanded to know.  \n  \nDervenin, high priest of Mania, shouted back, \"leave me alone!\"  \n  \n\"That attitude is not healthy!\"  \n  \nBoth men were shocked to hear the statement. Walking past, purple dress  \nilluminated in the light of the Cold Flame, Kitrina stood between  \nboth altars. \"Listen to me!\"  \n  \nWithout question, voices silenced and faces turned forward. \"As   \neveryone knows, I am ruler of this realm now. the man you knew as  \nSheogorath is no more, for he has become Jyggalag once again and  \nwill not be coming back. This realm was given to me. Both sides of   \nmadness are in constant struggle, and it is time for resolution.\"  \n  \nStepping to the massive wall of blue flame, Kitrina took the power  \ninto her own body, the Cold Flame of Agnon burning with a pure energy  \nthat felt as if it could move mountains, or even mount movements.  \n  \nIt was that second sentiment that was of interest to the warrior woman.  \n  \nDervenin smiled. \"I see she has favored Mania! I had one day hope for-\"  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;Hands raised, each pointed to one corner of the ancient structure,   \nthe flame was divided, sent rippling into each chamber, burning bright  \nfor both sides. \"What has she done?\" the Bosmer Priest cried out in  \ndisbelief.  \n  \n\"That is impossible!\" Arctus screamed.  \n  \n\"And yet I have done it!\" Turning to the citizens, staff held firm,  \nSheogorath proclaimed, \"the rivalry between both lands must end.  \nThe Shivering Isles must be united or this land will crumble.\"  \n  \nMurmurs began, as she had expected. \"Regardless of what you may think,  \nthe other side is not out to get you!\"  \n  \n\"This is insane!\" Dervenin was not prepared for this.  \n  \n\"I thought you liked insanity?\" she responded with a smirk. \"You   \nrecall the incident in Bliss several days ago? Someone close to me  \nwas injured, they could have died. The same could happen to any of you  \nbecause hatred has spread.\"  \n  \nEaril stood up, shouting out, \"death is a vicious monster! I do indeed  \nrecall what happened, and I don't wish for that to happen any further!  \nAnything that allows us to live longer is fine by me!\"  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;The mad Argonian, Raven Biter, stood and proclaimed, \"you all just  \nwant to get close to my wife!\"  \n  \n\"why would anyone want your ugly hag of a wife,\" Dumag gro-Bonk cried  \nout, \"when I'm far prettier?\"  \n  \n\"Not this again,\" the Argonian grunted. \"You are not a little girl,  \nyou are an Orc, and a man. You are a homosexual, not a pretty woman.\"  \n  \nCutter, unwilling to allow her rival any peace, mumbled, \"certainly  \nnot pretty.\"  \n  \nA loud tapping echoed like thunder. Kitrina slammed the butt of her  \nstaff to the floor. \"This is exactly what I mean! I am in charge  \nand I have to stop this! If anyone absolutely doesn't want to get   \nalong with their neighbors they're always free to go back to Cyrodiil  \nand reject what I propose!\"  \n  \n\"NO! Only a fool would go back there! You would have to be completely  \ninsane beyond salvation to want to live there!\"  \n  \nEyes turned to the Altmer who had let his voice be heard. \"I don't  \nrecognize you,\" Kit said. \"Which side do you hail from?\"  \n  \n\"Neither...\" The answer caused commotion. \"I fled here from Bravil  \nlast week,\" the young man answered. \"A group of Altmer thugs tried to  \nmurder me simply because I worship Talos! My own kind want me dead!  \nI can see that Tamriel is doomed, a victim of the hatred that threatens  \nthis land as well! If you wish to change things I will gladly offer   \nmyself into your service, Lord Sheogorath!\"  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;\"Wait,\" she begged, \"how did you get past the gate keeper?\"  \n  \n\"You mean the large creature?\" The Altmer explained, \"I simply asked it   \nif I could be allowed free passage into the realm.\"  \n  \n\"That must be a joke,\" Cutter said with a groan. \"How did you ask it?  \n  \n\"I did not have a weapon drawn, I simply approached the beast.\"  \n  \nKit asked, \"what is your name?\"  \n  \n\"Alendril,\" he responded.  \n  \n\"I suppose the idea is so crazy no one ever thought of it. Strange.  \nBut how did you-\" Kit fell short of completing her thought. \"Right,  \nI never locked the gates. Completely forgot to.\"  \n  \nAlendril continued, \"please, there is a difference between madness  \nand stupidity! United, this land could thrive and revel in the many  \nshades of insanity, but divided it will only lead to bloodshed and  \ndeath. I would also think that you people, above all others, could  \nprove yourselves better than those who choose to stay in Tamriel!\"  \n  \nThe sentiment hurt Cutter worse than any blade, for she cried out,  \n\"if you are implying that I can not live above the standards of those  \nmortals then you are mistaken!\"  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;\"I... suppose we can try...\" Dervenin let out a sigh. \"We have a new  \nMadgod, anyone who expected things to stay the same would have to be  \ncrazy...\"  \n  \n\"I cannot and will not tolerate hatred and violence. I cannot rule the  \nrealm like this. I have begun to show the Mazken and Aureal unity,  \nbut I expect it will take time. as for you... I know SOME of you  \nare friends!\"  \n  \n\"I have always thought the bickering was stupid,\" Ahjazda shouted.  \n\"Tilse and I have been friends for many years. We run the shops and  \nshare goods.\"  \n  \nThe Dunmer woman stood up. \"I am in favor of uniting the lands. We are  \nnot all the same, we indulge in different shades of madness, but we  \nshould not be so divided. We could start by tearing down the wall  \nbetween the halves of the city. And I could have the pieces of it!\"  \n  \nHer suggestion slowly spread amongst the people of New Sheoth for  \nthe cries of \"tear down the wall. Tear down the wall. TEAR DOWN THE   \nWALL!\" grew louder and louder.  \n  \nTove the Unrestful, a burly Nord who had lived much of his life  \nhere, screamed out, \"it's not gonna tear itself down. Grab hammers,  \nchisels and whatever you can get your hands on and get to work!\"  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;As the crowds fled the church, Haskill approached his master. \"I am  \nquite impressed. I had expected everyone to try to kill you, or each  \nother.\"  \n  \nApproaching the Altmer newcomer, Kitrina said, \"I welcome you, and I am  \naware of the situation with the Altmer. a member of the Knights of the  \nNine was attached only days ago.\"  \n  \n\"Dreadful... they're gaining power and I don't like it.\"  \n  \n  \n----------------------------  \n  \n  \nStaada sat with Dylora, a show of camaraderie amongst the armies that   \nhad begun to form amongst the Aurela and Mazken. \"Alright,\" Kit  \nsaid, \"both sides agree to allow each other free passage through   \nCylarne, correct?\"  \n  \n\"We have made such an agreement,\" the Saint commander responded. \"Now  \nthat the Cold Flame of Agnon burns bright over both sides of New  \nSheoth there is a sense of peace that spreads quickly among my kind.\"  \n  \n\"Of course,\" Dylora cut in, \"it will take time to spread this message  \nto everyone, and there may be those who resist and defect.\"  \n  \n\"I expect that may be the case,\" Kit replied, \"but hopefully it will  \nnot be a large problem. However, I do have a plan that may make both   \nsides happy, and possibly show them that I am their friend. It  \nregards the males. Have all male Golden saints and Dark seducers sent  \nto the Fringe immediately.\"  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;\"You are... not expelling them from the realm?\" Staada asked.  \n  \n\"No, but they are not soldiers and your society has yet to look   \nfavorably upon males. I have a use for them that will separate them   \nfrom you.\"  \n  \nThe Seducer commander responded, \"I see. Once our alliance has grown  \nsufficiently, we will begin patrolling the Isles in pairs of one  \nAureal and one Mazken. with the changes in New Sheoth, crossing the   \nrealm freely should no longer be a problem. I also wish to request  \na meeting place of neutral ground for both of our armies, one that  \nwould allow relaxation and intimacy.\"  \n  \n\"Oh, dear,\" Kat groaned. \"I knew they were going to ask for a place  \nto have sex...\"  \n  \n\"I think that can be arranged,\" the Champion replied eagerly. \"It would  \nbe preferable to going at it in the woods or in public. Although the  \nsupply of alcohol will be very limited.\"  \n  \n\"Please do not mention alcohol,\" Staada said with a worried grunt.   \n\"Forgive me, Lord Sheogorath, but it seems we are very susceptible  \nto the effects of wine.\"  \n  \nKatriana shrugged. \"After this morning, I would think you'd not want  \nto get drunk again. Getting everyone dressed and out of the room was  \nsuch a chore.\"  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;\"Regarding the Dremora,\" the Mazken said to change the subject, \"we  \nshall keep careful watch on him. He is not to be trusted.\"  \n  \nKit shot back, \"I have already said that if he falls out of line even  \nonce he is to be killed. I trust him less than you do.\"  \n  \nDremora were the opposites of the Aureal and Mazken, they favored   \nmale dominance and violence. Their loyalty to Mehrunes Dagon was strong  \nand their bloodthirst frightening. \"Both of you were open to   \nexperiencing kindness, compassion and love. I do not believe their  \nkind will ever be able to embrace such feelings.\"  \n  \n\"Having experienced mortal pleasure,\" the Golden Saint commander   \nresponded, \"I have a new respect for them. I had always seen mortals  \nas inferior and yet we were so blinded and lived such meaningless,  \nsimple existences.\" The thought that she'd spent three thousand years   \nor more without knowing that it was like to feel pleasure was  \nenough to make the Aureal depressed. \"Perhaps the previous Sheogorath  \nderived pleasure from our lack of knowing what enjoyment was.\"  \n  \nUnsure of what to say, Kit only voiced, \"arrange for the males to be   \nsent to the Fringe at once.\"  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;  \n----------------------------  \n  \n  \n\"This is... pathetic?\"  \n  \nThe males were barely enough to matter. Very few existed on either   \nside, and those that did exist were short and scrawny. It seemed as  \nif they existed only to be a joke played on the Saints and Seducers,  \nand recalling that Sheogorath had Kitrina do in Border Watch, and her  \nexperiences with the staff of the Everscamp, she could barely claim  \nto be surprised. was it any wonder that the armies hated each other?  \nOr that the residents hated each other?  \n  \n\"Okay... I have a task for you, and... I will be placing an open   \ninvitation to the people of Mundus soon, for any who wish to flee the  \ncollapse of the Empire and come here.\"  \n  \n\"How are we involved in this plan?\" a raspy Aureal male voice inquired.  \n  \n\"Yes... you will greet newcomers and help them prepare to leave the  \nfringe and live in the Shivering Isles. You will also deal with any  \nundesirable newcomers that may cause trouble such as thieves and  \nany member of the Dark Brotherhood. There is also brewing situation  \nwith Altmer who are attacking others of their race, you will deal with  \nany of them who may come here.\"  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;\"Forgive me, My Lord,\" one of the Mazken asked, \"but I have noticed  \nstrange behavior in the Mazken ranks. They are becoming friends with  \nthe Aureal. I do not understand!\"  \n  \nThe Madgod answered, \"you will, one day. I'm running things my own  \nway. You will be important here, not merely in the way of your  \nsisters.\"  \n  \n\"Important,\" a Saint repeated. \"I like the idea of being useful for  \na change.\"  \n  \n  \n----------------------------  \n  \n  \nChancellor Ocato took the letter, cracking the seal and reading. \"This  \nis interesting... is he serious?\"  \n  \n\"I have no reason to believe otherwise,\" the Champion of Cyrodiil   \nresponded.  \n  \n\"If Sheogorath wishes to offer sanctuary...\" Ocato was hesitant.   \n\"I will put word out. I am somewhat loathe to make this gesture  \nknow,\" he whined, \"but I know what is happening. I am not blind. I  \nam doing my best to maintain the Empire but it is a grim possibility  \nthat I will fail. You say an Altmer refugee recently fled to   \nSheogorath's realm?\"  \n  \nShe answered, \"that is true.\"  \n  \n\"Damn. I will have notices placed in each city immediately. I thank  \nyou for bringing this to my attention, it may very well save a few   \ninnocent lives.\"  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;  \n----------------------------  \n  \n  \n\"This is not something I expected to see,\"\u0026nbsp; exclaimed Phintias,   \nproprietor of the only book store in the Imperial City, as he  \ninspected a large stack of books. Mankar Camoran's commentaries, all  \nfour volumes. Many copies of the first two were piled high, a few   \nof the rare third, and one copy of the fourth volume. \"I've never  \neven seen the fourth before.\"  \n  \n\"These are the copies I took from the Mythic Dawn. All pre-owned.  \nYou... may find specks of dried blood on some.\"  \n  \n\"I see.\" Normally, books taken by killing would have made the Redguard  \nuneasy, but knowing who had died seemed to make it right, in his eyes.  \n  \nKitrina said, \"I have no use for them, just pay me whatever you feel is  \nreasonable.\"  \n  \n'That fourth volume could leave me broke,' he thought. \"Hmm... tell  \nyou what. I have a... very rare book in my possession I could trade  \nyou for them. It seems to be a magic volume that would allow one to  \nduplicate any item they touched.\"  \n  \n\"Really... so what have you not used this book to make yourself rich?\"  \nshe said with a smirk. \"I can't trade for useless paper.\"  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;\"It's not that... though truth be told I'm not even certain the  \nbook works. Let me show you.\" Pulling the dusty tome from under  \nthe counter, Phintias opened to reveal the confusing text within.  \n\"I can't even begin to understand this.\"  \n  \n\"I see what you mean.\" Considering the trade, Kitrina grunted, \"if  \nthis book works it could be quite useful. If not then I have traded  \na rare collection for nothing.\"  \n  \nPushing the book forth, the salesman responded, \"you would be gambling.  \nIs the risk worth the reward?\"  \n  \nRisk and reward, two concepts the Champion of Cyrodiil was quite  \nfamiliar with. Sometimes good, sometimes bad were their outcomes.  \nGrabbing the old book, she said, \"enjoy your collection\"  \n  \n  \n----------------------------  \n  \n  \n\"Are you ready?\"  \n  \nHolding the scroll, placing each of the required items into a bag held   \nin the other hand, Katriana read aloud the ancient Ayleid words. In  \nseconds, a glowing mist enveloped the half-Elf.  \n  \n\"Did it work?\" Kitrina begged to know.  \n  \nChecking the scroll, all the Elf could see was blank paper. Her bag  \nwas now empty, its contents consumed by the ancient spell. \"I don't   \nknow, I... don't really feel different but I guess it did?\"  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;Taking her lover's hand, the Madgod exclaimed, \"I suppose time will  \ntell.\"  \n  \n  \n----------------------------  \n  \n  \n  \nEpilogue  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n4E 201  \n  \n  \n  \n  \nIt was time to go home. Pelagius' eternal suffering had been cured.  \nCURED! Of all things. His people had begged him back, and the Madgod  \nsupposed it was time to return, and after all, his tea party companion  \nwas no longer available.  \n  \nPacking himself to a nearby camp site, Sheogorath bent down and nudged  \na sleeping woman curled up in a bedroll. \"It's time to get up, we're  \ngoing home.\"  \n  \nRolling over, the red-haired half-Ayleid woman looked up. \"Already?\"  \n  \nConcentrating and thinking, Sheogorath's form shifted from the shape  \nof a man to that of a muscular woman, how the Madgod once looked long  \nago. \"Sorry about that, sometimes I'd forget my own head if it weren't   \nattached. Some adventurer came here to tell me I was wanted back in   \nthe Shivering Isles. I had him perform some menial tasks and the   \nbastard actually took care of poor Pelagius and his mentally ill   \ndelusions, so I suppose he's not going to be much of a   \nconversationalist anymore.\"  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;\"I would have been there but I was just so exhausted...\" Kat groaned.  \n  \n\"HA! I did keep you up late! Ah well, better go make sure things  \nare still standing. I didn't even get to tell Pelagius about my trip  \nto the First Era!\"  \n  \nKat's eyes rolled. \"Not everyone needs to hear about your conversation   \nwith the severed head of Pelinal Whitestrake.\"  \n  \n\"I do enjoy telling that one, don't I?\" Taking her hand, Kitrina merely  \nstated, \"it's time to go! They're waiting for us!\"  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n----------------------------  \n  \n  \n  \n  \nEnd notes:  \n  \n  \nThe character feels like a bit of a Mary Sue, but that's in the nature  \nof the Elder Scrolls, I suppose. Your hero character can do anything   \nand everything. Join all the guilds and become the master of each,   \nsave Tamriel, be the strongest. However, for all this, the Empire still  \ncrumbled despite a character that could do almost anything.  \n  \nIt wasn't enough for her to believe her decisions doomed the Empire-  \nshe had to be told. I worked with and around lore, trying too hard not  \nto bend things. Tamriel still crumbles away and there's nothing she  \ncould do about it. She's far from a perfect character, with few manners  \nand little shame. Her hands are hardly clean. She was a perfect puppet  \nfor the Nine when they needed a champion.  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;  \n  \n\n"}