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_AUTHOR'S NOTE: (warning: spoilers follow!)

I'm always interested in the stories of side-characters in games. How did they get to where I found them, and why? Playing through Oblivion, I encountered the character Marz, an Argonian healer in Bravil, the dirtiest, seediest city in the game. Much was made of her homesickness, but nothing was ever explained as to why she came to Bravil. Then I discovered that, during the events that take place in the Knights of the Nine expansion, Marz is killed. It upset me that what could have been an interesting, sympathetic character was killed off without so much as a deferential nod by the storyline. I decided that Marz needed to have a life of her own, and some form of closure with her eventual fate.

You don't need to have played any of the Elder Scrolls games to follow the story, but I think fans of Oblivion will like the effort I've put into expanding the main quest and some of the characters and events in it. As always, thank you for reading!

Legalese: I do not own the Elder Scrolls, Oblivion, or any of Bethesda's characters listed herein. This work is not for profit._

--

"Welcome to Bravil, stranger. First time in town?" Giolaus Antareus greeted the cloaked Dunmer with a friendly smile, which was returned with a tired one. "Yes, sera," the dusty-looking Dark Elf replied. "Been a long time on the road, and I'm glad to have gotten here before dusk. Could you direct me to the inn?"

"We've two of them, sir." The guard pointed. "Silverholme on the Water is just down the street; Gilgondorin's serving his braised mutton today. Across the bridge is the Lonely Suitor Lodge- probably the better place for good ale if you're looking for it. Neither is very expensive."

"Hmm. I could go for a drink right now. Thank you, sera."

"No trouble, sir." Giolaus watched as the road-weary Dunmer trudged along towards the river that split the town in half. Across the gateway, Leyara Reycholus shook her head. "Hope that one won't be trouble," she murmured.

"He looked too tired to be troublesome." Giolaus chuckled. "Keep an open mind, Leyara. Not every Dunmer who walks through the gate is a slaver or assassin."

"Enough of them are to where the rest get a second glance." The guardswoman spat into the dirt. "Have to love being out here in the swamps. Pickpockets, thieves, bandits, Skooma dealers, hired killers... you can probably count the number of honest people we get here on one hand."

"So pessimistic." Giolaus shrugged, leaning back against the wall. "Still, I suppose there's not much to Bravil that attracts the more... productive sort."

"Ha. There's an understatement for the Age." Leyara reached up and swatted at something that had landed on her neck. "Gilgondorin's got it right- the city's motto should be 'The Cloaca of Cyrodiil'. Nothing but bloodsucking creatures everywhere you turn, and the biggest one sits in the big chair over there." She gestured towards the castle, whose crenellations were just visible over the wall from where they were standing.

"A poor way to talk about the man who issues our pay, don't you think?" He chuckled. "It's neither here nor there to me, honestly. After what happened to Kvatch, I'll take even these city walls anyday."

"Gah. Kvatch. Don't remind me." Leyara kicked a loose stone. "I hope my promotion comes through soon... I'd much rather be in the Imperial City, with its nice thick walls and full compliment of City Watch. A handful of daedra could stomp this mudhole into- GAH!" She swatted at yet another insect.

"I have to wonder if the daedra could survive the mosquitoes long enough to make it to the walls!" Giolaus laughed. "I keep telling you, mix some bergamot seeds with some mandrake and you've got yourself a sure-fire bug repellant."

"Not to mention a stinky concoction on your skin when it gets hot. Plus it makes me break out in a rash."

"Try diluting it a bit. Haven't you ever done a little work with a mortar and pestle before?"

"Yes, and my father made me sleep out in the shed for a week until the smell finally washed out."

Giolaus laughed heartily at that, quieting down when he saw another pair of guards coming towards them. "Ah, here's our relief," he said.

"About time! Another ten minutes in this musty air and I might grow fungus. Thank the Gods it's Fredas!" Leyara stretched her arms. "I'm catching a ride with a caravan down to Leyawiin tomorrow morning, going to make a weekend shopping trip of it! You should come too... I swear, those clothes you wear off-duty fell out of fashion in the Second Age."

"Timeless classics, I tell you." Giolaus shrugged. "Think I'll stay around the city. I'm saving up for a few things myself."

"Like what, that miserable house the Count is trying to foist off?" She scoffed. "You're better off in the barracks, trust me."

"I don't know, maybe with some work it might look nice. I'm tired of taking five-minute baths in thrice-used water and finding fleas all over my bunk." He raised a hand to greet the other two guards as they finally came within speaking distance. "Hail!" he greeted them.

"Evening. You two may stand down; you're relieved." The replacement guards- rookies whose names Giolaus hadn't learned yet- took their places by the gateway. "Can't wait to get these boots off," Giolaus sighed as he slid his helm off and brushed back his jet-black hair. "Anyway. Enjoy your trip and all!" He waved to Leyara as she headed for the womens' barracks, and he took a quick walk through town to grab a drink at the Lonely Suitor before heading to the mens' barracks to get changed. His route took him past the Temple, and he paused a moment to sit on its steps and rub at his sore ankle.

"Is that ankle still causing you trouble?" came a somewhat raspy voice.

Giolaus turned his head to see Marz, the Temple's Argonian healer, standing above him with what seemed to be a worried expression on her scaled face. I still have trouble reading Argonian moods, he thought. Even with the Khajiit you can at least look at their ears. "Hm? Oh, no, ma'am. Not much, anyway. The salve you gave me for it has been doing wonders- but standing on it for eight hours a day takes a toll, after all."

"Well, I don't doubt that. A shame you have to wear those heavy boots." She crouched down next to him, smoothing out her dress over her knees as she did so. "You've kept the ankle wrapped as I told you, right? Reapplying the salve before and after duty?"

"Yes, ma'am. The swelling's almost completely gone and there's no more redness in the skin." He smiled. "I doubt I'd be standing on it at all right now without your help."

"Well. I appreciate the work the guards do for the city, especially after what happened to Kvatch." Marz shuddered slightly, making her tail twitch. "And I wouldn't be much of a healer if I didn't help those who needed it. So be certain to keep that ankle wrapped until you don't feel any pain from it after a shift, and let me know if you need more of the salve. I keep plenty on hand."

"I will, ma'am. Thanks again." They stood, and she placed a hand on his arm. "Mara bless," she murmured, giving him a slight smile before heading on. Giolaus made his way to the Lonely Suitor and stepped inside, letting out a quiet sigh as the cooler air hit his skin. Bogrum looked up at his entrance. "Evening, Giolaus," he called.

The Imperial couldn't help but smile. Sure, living in a small city like Bravil had its drawbacks, but everyone knew everyone else's name here. Even in Skingrad he'd likely be "anonymous city guard twenty-three". "Evening, Bogrum," he replied as he approached the bar. "What's the good word?"

"You won't believe it!" The Orc was practically bursting with pride. "The Hero of Kvatch himself is spending the night in this very inn!"

Giolaus almost ran into the bar with his mouth open in shock. "Here? When did he get in?"

"Half an hour ago! How did you miss him? Don't you read the Courier? This came in as a special edition this morning!" Bogrum held out a parchment featuring a rather detailed sketch of the very same Dunmer who had come through the gate earlier. "We aren't allowed to read while on duty," Giolaus sighed. "For Talos's sake... The Hero of Kvatch walked right by me and all I did was give him directions!"

"The Hero of Kvatch was thankful for those directions, sera." The Dunmer followed his words down the stairs; a slight smile decorated his lips. "I'm actually somewhat flattered that you were so friendly without knowing that title. Sometimes I feel like it runs ahead of me and screams for people to fawn over me as though I'm the avatar of Talos." He chuckled, extending a hand towards Giolaus. "Saros Tahlran is what people called me before this 'Hero of Kvatch' business, sera. And you are?"

"Giolaus Antareus, sir. It's an honor." He shook the Dark Elf's hand firmly. "Do you have any news from Kvatch?"

"They're working on driving the last of the daedra out now. It's a real mess... it'll be months before any of the survivors can return home." Saros let out a deep sigh, taking a seat at the bar, and Giolaus took the stool next to him. "Barkeep, an ale, please," the Dunmer said, placing a stack of Septims on the bar. "And this fine Imperial's drinks are on me as well."

"Well, thank you, sir. It's appreciated. I'll only be having a couple, actually- just got off my shift and I'm looking forward to getting out of this mail."

"No doubt, no doubt. What news do you have here, if I might ask?" Saros leaned against the bar. "No reports of daedra sightings this far south, I hope?"

"None that's been brought to our attention. We've been hearing rumors of more of those damnable Gates opening, but we've had no solid confirmation... do you know if that's true?"

"I'm afraid it is, sera." He paused as Bogrum made an odd sound of dismay. "Several now, in seemingly random places in the wilderness. I'm... working with agents of the Empire to do something about them. Closing them is a painstaking process, I've learned."

"Well... at least we know they CAN be closed!" Giolaus did his best to put on a brave face, though inwardly the idea of another Kvatch disaster made him shiver. "Indeed," the Dunmer agreed. "As a precaution, I'm giving the guard of each city in Cyrodiil I come through instructions on how to handle the Gates. I'm hoping they'll never be needed, but... well, I'm one for caution." He turned to Giolaus. "Who is your commanding officer here, sera?"

"Captain Viera Lerus, sir. You'll usually find her either at the castle or patrolling the city itself. I'm sure she'd want to hear what you could tell her about those Gates."

"Good. I'll seek her out first thing in the morning." Saros yawned. "Until then, I'll get some sleep. The roads are certainly long here in Cyrodiil."

"No argument here, sir. Sleep well." With a nod, the Dunmer finished his drink and then trudged back up the stairs to the second floor. Bogrum shook his head in wonderment. "I thought he'd be taller, honestly," the Orc said. "But he's definitely the Hero of Kvatch, alright."

"You wouldn't have known it by me this afternoon. Half the reports I'd heard before described him as an Altmer."

Bogrum laughed heartily at that. "That's what we all get for listening to rumors instead of waiting for the Courier," he chuckled. "Ah well. So how is that ankle of yours doing?"

"Better. Marz performed her healing touch on it, then gave me some salve to finish the job and told me to keep it wrapped. So far it's mending up well."

"Of all the ways to be injured on duty... having your foot go through a rotten step." Bogrum laughed again. "It's a good thing we have Marz here. A pity she's not quite so happy about it."

"So I've heard... honestly, I can't see how Bravil could be so much different from the Black Marsh, but I can understand homesickness." He put down the now-empty mug and slid himself off the stool. "Think I'll go get changed and take a walk outside the walls before it gets too dark. Last thing I want to do is blunder into a daedra at night. Take care."

"You too." Bogrum waved as Giolaus left the inn and quickly walked to the barracks. An unwelcome sight greeted him as he went inside- an official notice from the Captain that the guard shifts had been increased in light of what was now being called the "Oblivion Crisis"; every guard would work at least a half-shift every day, without exceptions. Apparently Count Terentius had also heard the rumors of more gates opening and was taking no chances. Leyara isn't going to enjoy hearing this, he mused as he changed into his civilian clothes and strapped his own short sword to his belt.

Sure enough, as he left the barracks for the main gate, Leyara stormed by him, muttering expletives that would make a sailor blush. He couldn't help but chuckle to himself as he left the city, walked over the bridge leading to the mainland, and headed towards the shore. A figure was standing at the edge of the water, staring out towards the southeast; in a pique of curiosity, he approached, to see that it was Marz. "It must be wonderful to be able to stand out here and not worry about being eaten alive by mosquitoes and leeches," he joked quietly.

"Hm? Oh." She turned. "Hello. Giolaus, isn't it? I almost didn't recognize you out of your uniform."

"Yes, ma'am. I was just out for a walk and saw you. Would you like some company?"

"I would not mind." Giolaus stood next to her on the banks of Niben Bay; the sun was behind them, but the skies were a beautiful mix of blue and red, the sight doubled with just a bit of rippling on the calm waters of the Bay. The various frogs, night birds and other nocturnal creatures were just starting up their chorus. "Say what you will about Bravil," he said quietly, "but you can't get a view like this in most other places in Cyrodiil."

"Indeed not." Marz's voice was hushed. "It is not the Marsh, but it is lovely nonetheless."

"This is probably the closest I've ever been to Black Marsh. If half of what I've heard about it is true, I doubt I'd last the night before I ended up a drained husk with a thousand insect bite marks all over me."

The typical Argonian laugh wasn't exactly pleasant, but Giolaus had heard worse. "Perhaps not," Marz replied. "Unless you are fond of very strange baths, I can scent a poultrice on your skin entirely different from my salve, a very effective insect repellant we Argonians sometimes use for other reasons. An alchemist, are you?"

"I dabble. I also like my blood on the inside of me." He chuckled. "I found out quickly that summer is a bad time for us soft-skinned folk here in Bravil. I asked around and got a local remedy that I didn't have much trouble making."

"Adaptable. Perhaps the marshes would not be so bad for you." Her voice trailed off. The silence was uncomfortable, and Giolaus felt compelled to break it after a long moment. "I've... heard that you miss it," he said. "The Marsh, that is."

"I do." Marz's voice was quiet, and perhaps a little strained; it could be hard to tell with Argonians. "But this is where Mara wishes me to be, and this is where I stay."

"Well. I know I'm far from the only one who's glad you're here. If, you know, there's anything that can be done to make you feel more at home here...."

Marz turned, and what seemed to be a slight smile crossed her scaled lips. "Many already try to do so," she replied. "And it is appreciated. You don't need to worry, Giolaus. I am happy here in Bravil, doing the work of Mara. It may not be home, but it is a welcoming place."

"I'm glad to hear that." He smiled. The silence descended again as they looked out over the Bay; a couple of stars could be seen twinkling in the darkening skies. "A question, if I may?" Marz spoke up.

"By all means."

"I recall that you once told me that you transferred to Bravil willingly. I remember that because it struck me as odd. Almost every other guard I have spoken to during my time in Bravil was sent here more or less against their will. And, if I may be so uncouth as to show a prejudice, I do have something of a hard time believing any Imperial would come to this particular corner of the Empire to enjoy themselves." Was that a playful quirk of the lips? It was hard to tell. "I'm curious as to why you would choose to be assigned here."

"Heh. Well. Honestly... when I was a young lad living in Chorrol, I was picked on by a Nordish boy. He called me things like 'sheltered' and 'weak' and said that Imperials couldn't make it outside our big cities. Well, the sheltered weak little Imperial boy broke the Nord's jaw in two places with a surprisingly well-aimed punch, but once my broken hand was healed I decided that I wanted to prove him wrong. So years later, when I signed up for service in the Guard and was given a choice of postings, I picked the one nobody else wanted- Bravil. I wanted to prove that an Imperial can get by in what someone might call the 'uncivilized' places." He shrugged. "Hardly an epic tale of adventure, but it's what I have."

"Perhaps not epic, no, but... interesting, yes." Those strange, slitted eyes seemed to sparkle in the dying light. "And perhaps... I might hear more, sometime? If you like, I could tell you more about myself as well. I admit... I don't get to talk much to anyone outside the Temple."

"No? But there's other Argonians who live in Bravil; I might have thought you'd talk to them during your off-hours."

"Kud-Ei is always too busy with her Guild, City-Swimmer is an incorrigible kleptomaniac who doesn't even know the difference between 'he' and 'she', and Jee-Tah... ugh." Marz shook her head. "He stinks of arrogance and cheap ale and has more than once tried to place hands where he shouldn't."

Giolaus scowled at that. "Those Blackwood Company types are getting a very bad reputation and I've had a feeling that Jee-Tah might deserve it. Especially to lay hands on a woman like that."

Marz laid her hand on his arm. "I appreciate your concern, but you need not worry. These teeth are quite functional should the need arise." She bared them for emphasis. "But anyway. It grows dark, and even I would not want to be at the mercy of the nighttime insects outside the walls. May I accompany you back into the city?"

"I would appreciate that, ma'am." He fell in step next to her, and she gave him another smile. " 'Ma'am'?" she repeated. "I prefer that my friends call me by my name." She patted his shoulder.

He grinned. "Gladly, Marz."

--

"I do like to read a book now and then, actually, when I have some time... and don't have a lot of paperwork to fill out." Giolaus chuckled. "We're not allowed to read while on-duty, of course, so that does cut down on what time I have to lean back and enjoy a good story."

"Hmm, I can imagine. When the Temple is quiet and all the chores are finished, I do sometimes get to read a few pages, but that doesn't happen often." Marz paused a moment to watch a butterfly flitter across the path they walked along. "Do you have any particular favorite books or authors?" she asked.

He couldn't help but chuckle. "I'm wondering what you'd do if I said Crassius Curio."

"Probably hit you with one of those cattails over there until you fell down." She gave him a little smirk.

"Ha ha ha, fair enough." He gave her his best disarming grin, hoping the expression worked as well on her as it did on others. It seemed to, as her lips lifted in a reptilian smile. "I actually have a copy of The Eastern Provinces Impartially Considered that I read through now and then. Aside from that, I'd say Tamrielic Lore by Yagrum Bagarn. I enjoy reading about old legends and treasures. Sometimes it makes me wish I'd taken up that whole adventuring thing."

"Why didn't you? You seem a young and healthy man; I am sure you could have done well."

"Crawling through ruins full of poisonous gases and rattling deathtraps is not my idea of a fulfilling career." He chuckled. "There's bravery, and then there's foolishness, and there's a thin line between." He smiled. "What about you? What is it you read?"

"Well, I'm about one-third of the way through the 2920 series by Carlovac Townway, and I've got this rather amusing book called Withershins that I picked up from a travelling merchant. Aside from that, from time to time I read one of Alessa Ottius' guides just for a chuckle or two."

"Oh, Gods." Giolaus placed his hand against his forehead. "That woman is a racist and bigot of the highest order. I'm ashamed to be the same race as her."

"Please don't." She patted his shoulder. "You will find her ilk wearing every skin, including the kind I wear. It's a sad truth that you should never let reflect upon wiser people like yourself."

"Hmh. Well, thank you. I appreciate that. Still, one of these days I'd like to feed her one of her 'guides'. Or maybe hit her with it until she falls down." The Argonian laughed heartily at that, and he gave her another one of his best grins. "Not that, as a member of the Chapel of Mara, I can condone the thorough thrashing of a woman using her own bigoted prattle," she chortled, "but... please, let me watch!"

"I'll hold a seat in the first aisle just for you." He laughed softly, clasping his hands behind him as he looked out over the bay. It was rare that he got a full day off without paperwork or other administrative things waiting to be done, and rarer still that the weather cooperated as well as it was this afternoon; the air was cool, the sun was bright, and even the bugs seemed to have gone on vacation. "Beautiful out today, isn't it?" he asked.

"The air is a bit dry for my tastes, but it is rather pleasant." Marz inhaled deeply, her nostrils opening wide to take in the varied scents. As she stretched her neck, Giolaus saw a flap of skin move just behind the small hole that was her ear. "I keep forgetting some things about you Argonians," he admitted. "Like those gills, for example."

"Hmm, yes. They seldom show unless we are swimming or need to take in extra air."

"Probably one of the most amazing things about you Argonians- you can live almost anywhere. Never have to worry about picking up some exotic disease, being poisoned, falling in some forgotten well and drowning... we Imperials like to think we can go anywhere, do anything, but I don't think we can hold a candle to you."

"Well... we do have some issues with the cold, though I've been told that there are a few Argonians living as far north as Bruma. Still, we Argonians aren't quite the adventurous, exploring types that Imperials can be. I can freely say that the Empire has brought good things to many people. I have even heard that it has finally persuaded Morrowind to abolish slavery- which would likely have never happened without that influence."

"I've felt that the Empire does best when it offers instead of imposes. Of course, sometimes I'm in the minority on that." Giolaus shrugged. "I'm a soldier, not a politician. I don't get to influence the big decisions."

"Maybe not, sadly enough. But Imperials like you, who show the good side of your race- confidence, bravery, open-mindedness- do your part on the smaller scale, amongst the people you defend and befriend."

"Alright, now you're just flattering me." Giolaus gave her a friendly smirk. "Perhaps a little," she admitted with a slight smile. "But I do speak the truth. There is value in your way of life, offered freely to those who might seek it. I know I consider myself to be quite better-off from what I have learned while in Cyrodiil."

There was a bit of a lull in the conversation, as they made their way out to a spot near the shore that had a large tree providing shade. A gentle breeze came out from over the Bay, ruffling Giolaus's hair. "Here's a question I've meant to ask you," he said to the Argonian woman. "How did you come to be a healer in the Chapel of Mara in Bravil?"

"That... is a bit of a long story. There are a few things I would rather not share, but most of it is ordinary enough. Why don't we have a seat here?"

The ground was dry enough beneath the tree, and they sat, watching the sun's reflection shimmer over the surface of the water. Marz told him some parts of her past- how she'd come to be in the possession of a book from a long-abandoned Temple of Mara on the outskirts of Black Marsh, had begged to be taught how to read so that she could understand what was written, and how she immediately fell in love with the preachings of Mara, mother to all creation, and the idea of all creatures being in a grand kinship. She had hoped to spread those teachings amongst her own people once she became an adult, but in a dream that she was certain had been a vision from Mara herself, Marz saw herself taking a long journey through the swamps towards the west, into Cyrodiil, coming to what had been for the young Argonian a strange sight- an island wrapped in stone walls, home to a chapel of the Goddess she adored. As it turned out, Marz had arrived in Bravil just as the Chapel had begun searching for a skilled healer to assist their members; Olava the Fair, the Nord who was considered to be Mara's living saint, had immediately welcomed her into service, calling her arrival a gift from Mara.

"That was twelve years ago," Marz finished, "and I have been grateful for every day I have spent in Bravil, even if I do miss my home."

"Well... I don't know if I'd call that 'ordinary'. I certainly know Talos didn't give me any particular signs saying I should be a guard here- unless he acted in the guise of a cocky Nordish brat."

Marz laughed at that. "Who can say? The Gods work in mysterious ways, after all, and more often than not we are where we should be." She reached over and patted his hand. "I haven't had lunch yet, have you?" When he shook his head, she nodded. "Good, then. Perhaps we should head over to Silverhome-on-the-Water and rectify that."

"That sounds good. I'll buy." He stood, and helped her to her feet.

"I do appreciate the offer, but I can afford the meal," she replied.

"Oh, I don't doubt it. But, as dated as it may seem, I do believe in chivalry. And besides, you should save your money for yourself and the Temple."

"Ah, you are a good man. But I do insist that, if we make dining together a regular event, I be allowed to pay for a fair amount of the meals."

"Fair enough, I think." He smiled. "Let's head back, then."

--

"You know, there's one thing I've never understood. Argonian names." Giolaus took a bite out of his sandwich and washed it down with some water. "I've heard of City-Swimmer, Hauls-Ropes-Faster, and Quill-Weave... as well as Jee-Tah, Mach-Na and, of course, you. I've never been able to figure out the logic behind how Argonians are named."

She chuckled at that. "Translations, to be honest," she said, pausing to sip at her wine. "Some Argonian names are almost impossible for any other race to pronounce, so those with such names may go by the Cyrodiilic translation of the name. Other times they end up being given 'alternate' names by others based on what they're known for."

"Ah, I should have thought of that. Though I can't say I've ever heard the Argonian language being spoken." Another bite from the sandwich. "Does your name have its own meaning?"

"The closest it comes to in Cyrodiilic is 'faithful'." Marz smiled again, just a bit; Giolaus was beginning to believe that was fairly close to the most an Argonian could smile. Their faces didn't seem to move much. "Which, I admit, would be ever so poetic, but rather silly-sounding as well. So I chose to retain my Black Marsh name."

"Which brings me to another question, which might sound silly to you as well. How do your parents decide what names to give you? I mean, how could they have known that City-Swimmer would end up here in Bravil wading through the river?"

"If they had known that, they probably would have called her 'Needs-To-Get-A-Hobby'." She snorted, grinning a little as Giolaus laughed. "It isn't quite how you think it is. We Argonians are not named until we are considered to be adults, and then are given names to reflect our personalities."

"Ahhh." He finished his sandwich and leaned back in the chair as Marz cut off another slice of mutton. "I can honestly say that it troubles me that men and mer know so little about you and the Khajiit, though I can also say that I understand why you would be so secretive. It seems that anyone who goes into Elsweyr or the Black Marsh is either looking for conquest or slaves."

"Men and mer can be a puzzle to us as well." Marz chuckled. "Some of you desire power and will take whatever you want. Some of you are the finest people we could know." She finished her meal and leaned back as well, swirling her wine around in its glass. "There can be understanding, I think. Yes, I can see how alien we must seem to you- we are vastly different in many ways. But we've also learned to live together in places like this, have we not?" She finished her wine and set the empty glass down. "It will take time, of course, and understanding. But I refuse to believe it impossible."

"I agree. It's something I hope I get to see myself someday." He looked up at the wall clock that Gilgondorin kept by the bar. "Bah," he murmured. "I'm running a bit late; I'll have to get moving or I'll miss my shift." He stood, and Marz was quick to follow suit. "Lunch is on me this time," he told her, laying a handful of gold coins on the table.

She made a face. "Giolaus, this isn't fair," she chuckled. "Six times we have dined together and you have only let me pay once."

"I have extra income from the increased shifts I've been working, so I can afford it. It's not as though I could go spend it somewhere else, anyway. The guards can't even leave the city without express permission from the Captain, and with more Gates being reported she's simply not giving it." He chuckled. "It could be worse, though. I shudder to think of having to stand around all those hours if you hadn't taken care of my ankle."

"I am glad to have been of service." Another of those slight smiles crossed her snout. "I will be sure to come see you at your post before I retire for the night. Do take care of yourself, my friend."

"I will. You as well."

"Of course. Mara bless." She patted his arm, watching as he hurried out of the inn and practically sprinted towards the barracks. With things so tense, the Captian would likely skin anyone reporting to duty even a minute late. Fortunately, the roads were clear- rather amazing for this hour, even despite the rain- and he gained the barracks with a couple of minutes to spare. He quickly changed into his uniform and its comfortable matching cloak, belted on his sword, retrieved his shield and looked to the schedule to see his posting. Stuck by the bridge near the Fighters' Guild, he thought. At least it isn't the front bridge detail. Things go so much slower when you've got no one to talk to.

He walked back out into the rain. Normally he disliked being stuck out in weather like this, but since he'd started spending time talking to Marz he'd decided to start better appreciating nature. A little rain never killed anyone, he mused as he made his way to his post. It's not even all that cold out. Toughen up, Imperial!

Easier said than done, of course, especially when faced with ten hours of standing out in the cold and damp with hardly any protection from the elements at all. But what choice have I got anyway? Have to work the shift, that's how we make the BIG money. He chuckled to himself as he approached the far side of the bridge; standing there was Veron, one of the few Redguards in the Bravil city guard and a friend of his ever since he'd first arrived. "Hoy, Veron," Giolaus called out. "You're relieved. Go in and dry off, you look miserable."

"That's probably because I am miserable. Thanks, Giolaus. Try to stay dry." The Redguard quickly left, and Giolaus took his place, leaning against the bridge's post in an attempt to keep at least a bit of the rain from hitting him. "You'd think they'd at least put up shelters for us," he muttered to himself.

He had no idea how much later it was- he couldn't see the sun and had no access to a clock- when a slender figure, hunched over under a thick cloak, wandered into sight, then spotted him. He could make it out to be Nilawen, who ran The Fair Deal. "Excuse me, sir," she called out as she approached. "Maybe you can tell me. The Hero of Kvatch- did he leave town recently?"

"Yes, ma'am. Two days ago, in fact. Apparently he had to head back to the Imperial City for something."

"Oh." The Bosmeri woman looked positively crestfallen. "It's not likely he'll be back soon then, is it?"

"I wouldn't say that, ma'am. The Captain convinced Isabelle Bienne to sell him a horse at a fair discount. They may not be the best horses in Cyrodiil, but I'm sure on that one's back he won't take too long to get where he needs to be."

"Oh, that's good news. The city was actually lively for a while with him here; I hope he finds his way back soon. Thank you, sir." She turned to leave, paused a moment, then turned back. "Hmm. Wait, aren't you the Imperial who's dating Marz?"

"Dating?" He blinked. "Erm... I don't know if you'd call it that, ma'am. She and I do talk on occasion, sure. She's a good woman and I enjoy her company."

"Mmm-hmm. Dating." She grinned. "I was just curious. Marz seemed so much happier during last Sundas's sermon! It hasn't taken most of us long to put two and two together and figure out it's you who's the positive influence."

"I... err, well." He could feel himself blushing, and Nilawen actually giggled. "I've noticed she's happier, yes, but I didn't think the effect was that profound."

"Oh, she's practically glowing these days! There's a few people grumbling about an Argonian and an Imperial having any sort of relationship, but they're fools of the highest caliber, the same sort who had fits about Kud-Ei and Henantier living together. The rest of us think it's positively sweet that you two are seeing each other." She patted his shoulder. "You take care now!" she exclaimed, before rushing back the way she'd come. Giolaus was too stunned to do anything but stand there for a while, his open mouth actually catching rain; fortunately for him no criminals were on the run nearby, because it was likely they could have simply pushed him over and escaped. Finally, he just shook his head and laughed quietly to himself. Dating, he thought. Maybe she's right. We've been out to dinner, read books together a couple of times- we've even walked along the riverbank while the sun set. Well, I suppose I could do much worse than Marz as a "lady friend"!

He amused himself with that line of thought for a while, even going so far as to imagine introducing Marz to his parents- wouldn't that be interesting; Talos rest their souls, but they never were the most open-minded people in the Empire- while listening to the rumble of thunder over the bay. He truly hoped the storm wasn't going to get much worse, as his cloak was already almost completely soaked through, and he was starting to shiver a bit. He was just starting to wonder when his relief was going to show up when he heard a loud crash and a scream from the main gate. He wasn't supposed to leave his post except for emergencies, but that scream sounded serious, so he quickly launched himself into a run through the mud.

What he saw as he approached the gate almost terrified him into a full stop. One of the guards was lying on the ground, holding half of a shattered shield and bleeding profusely; Marz was crouched over him, one hand on his shoulder, while the two gate guards were standing a little ways off on either side. All four of them were frozen in fear, staring at what had undoubtedly caused the wounded guard's injuries- a grey-colored reptilian creature with a large bony crest on its head and a wicked-looking beak coated in blood, easily as tall as Giolaus was. The monster fixed its beady eyes on the fallen Imperial and the Argonian crouched beside him.

MARZ!

He was there before he'd even realized he'd started running again. The creature had just set itself to pounce on the defenseless pair before it, and had time to glance in his direction before his shield slammed into its head. It reeled back, stunned, and with a loud cry Giolaus spun around behind it and brought his sword down onto its neck, beheading it in one stroke. The creature's body immediately fell to the mud, twitching violently.

Giolaus dropped to his knees beside it, shuddering. Striking that blow against the creature had sent a twinge of agony through his entire body, as though it had somehow redirected some part of its own pain back at him. It took him a moment to shake his head clear of it and stand again. The two standing guards were staring at him like sheep, and he growled in disgust. "You!" he shouted, pointing at the nearest one. "Get to the barracks and raise the alarm! And you-" he motioned to the other- "bar the gates until reinforcements arrive!"

"Uh... right!" Both guards scrambled to follow his instructions as Giolaus stepped over the still-twitching corpse to kneel by Marz, placing a hand on her shoulder gently as he looked down at the wounded guard. He had apparently been gored by the creature, his chainmail shirt torn like cotton and his stomach not faring much better, and his skin was pale from blood loss. Marz had her hands just above the wound and was channeling blue-glowing magicka into his body. "What happened?" Giolaus asked.

"Gate...!" was all the guard managed to get out before a wracking cough took hold of him. Marz let out a soft sound of dismay and put more effort into her healing; after a moment, the coughing subsided. "Oblivion Gate... outside... old tower ruins," the injured man groaned. "Daedra... poured out, attacked...."

"By the Gods." His worst fears had been realized. The Oblivion Crisis had come to visit Bravil. "Marz," he said quietly. "We'll need to get him into the Temple and get a triage set up. I don't think we're going to get through this without casualties."

"Good advice, soldier," came another voice. Giolaus looked up; Captain Lerus stood over him, flanked by more of the city guard. "Get this man into the Temple," she ordered; two of the guards immediately knelt by the injured Imperial, picked him up as carefully as they could, and began carrying him towards the Temple. Marz stood to follow them, but paused a moment to brush her hand against his. "Be safe," she whispered into his ear.

"You too." With that, the Argonian quickly headed towards the Temple. The Captain turned to Giolaus. "Guardsman Antareus, report," she ordered.

"Yes ma'am. I heard a scream and came to see what was the matter. The creature here had apparently attacked the front bridge guard and chased him into the city. I intercepted it before it could cause further harm and ordered the gate barred until reinforcements could be brought up. The wounded guard says that an Oblivion gate has opened up near the tower ruins outside." He shook his head. "I've no idea of the situation beyond the walls outside of that, ma'am."

The Captain nodded. "Excellent work, soldier," she replied. "Now. I want these walls secured immediately. You, you and you, get on the parapets. I want a full report on the outside situation within two minutes." The guards she motioned to immediately moved to obey. "A full alarm has been raised. The civilians will go to the castle; that and the Temple are our primary defense points. The river gates need to be barricaded in case whatever's outside decides to take that route." She glanced at the beheaded creature distastefully. "And get that thing off my road," she added.

People moved quickly. While word on the situation outside was awaited, two of the townsfolk came up to the Captain- Delphine Jend and Henantier, both from the Mages Guild. While upset that they hadn't joined the other civilians in the castle, the Captain couldn't turn down their offer to help in the city's defense; their magical firepower would be of use. "You're to stay behind the lines at all times," she warned them. "I'll have no dead heroes on my watch. Let us take the risks."

"Absolutely," Henantier responded. "Call out what targets you want us to bring down for you. Do what you can to keep your men away from those locations... I have the feeling that Delphine will be looking to test out her reworked Enemies Explode spell."

The Breton in question grinned wickedly. "Oh, most definitely," she agreed.

Everyone fell silent as the sentries sent to the wall finally returned. All of them looked pale. "A few dozen at least, ma'am," one of them said. "Scattered around the mainland primarily, but several are gathered near the far end of the bridge. They look like they may be waiting for anyone to come out, or for someone to lead them in a charge on the gate."

"That's not going to happen." The Captain motioned to several guard archers. "Man the walls," she ordered them. "Use your heaviest arrows. Turn any creature that tries to cross that bridge into a pincushion." She turned. "I want volunteers for a strike against the daedra. At the very least I want that bridge cleared so that we can get a messenger out. I hope the damned creatures haven't attacked the horses...."

Several guards stepped up, including Giolaus. To his surprise he was the first one picked. "Alright," she said, after she'd taken six volunteers. "I want the rest of you to maintain positions at or near all entrances. As I said, the Temple and the castle are our primary defense points, and I have them guarded already. The daedra are not to reach them. Am I clear?"

A chorus of "Yes ma'am!" echoed through the group. As the gate was unbarred and the Captain's chosen group gathered by it, she turned to them. "Listen," she said. "We're not entirely sure what we're up against and we're short-handed. Do not try to be a hero and chase down the enemy just so you can be caught in an ambush. Our primary objectives are to clear a route to the stables and keep the road as clear as possible so that a messenger can be sent and reinforcements will have a path. The Hero of Kvatch has given me instructions on how to close the gate, but I don't want to risk it without knowing some sort of help is on the way, so until the area is clear of hostiles, we will cautiously engage the enemy when the opportunity presents itself, and retreat when the odds are poor." She glanced at the gate, from which the bar had finally been removed. "If I fall out there, retreat into the city. I've written down the instructions for closing the gate and left them posted inside the castle. Do what you have to to protect Bravil."

She turned to face the doors as they opened, and Giolaus swallowed and took a deep breath, gripping his sword tightly. Beyond the gates was a scene from his worst nightmares, come to life- creatures that the Gods never meant to walk the soil of Tamriel, stalking back and forth beyond the bridge, as if on some unholy patrol. Beyond that was what he supposed was the Oblivion Gate- an arch of half-molten ebony in a roughly oval shape, inside of which glowed a bright-orange portal which warped and flowed in ways that made his eyes hurt to watch. Several of the daedra were gathered near the bridge itself and were watching them intently, looking as though they might rush the gates at any moment.

Apparently the Captain would have none of that. "Archers!" she shouted, pointing at the monsters; the moment she did so, heavy ebony arrows zipped through the air, finding their marks in the creatures at the far end. Several of them fell, and the ones that remained had definitely taken damage from the barrage; with a battle cry, Captain Lerus led the charge, her steps sure on the swaying bridge. The moment her feet hit solid ground, she struck out at the nearest daedra, another of the reptilian-looking ones; it took the blow to its side and fell. The Captain cried out in pain but kept her feet, turning towards the next creature, a short brown-skinned thing that seemed intent on keeping its distance. It raised its hands, and fire blossomed inbetween them....

"No you don't!" Giolaus literally swatted it with his shield, taking it off its feet, and its fireball dissipated into sparks. With one quick lunge he put his sword through its chest, and it died almost instantly. "Nicely done," the Captain commented, giving the field a quick look; the rest of the guards had quickly slain the surviving creatures. "Alright, Mages! Down there- that group!" She motioned to a crowd of creatures that was making its way up the hill. "Send them back to Oblivion- the more pieces, the better!"

Not a moment later, two bright balls of flame shot forth from behind the ranks, sizzling as they flew through the air and impacted in the middle of the crowd. Giolaus could feel the concussion even where he stood; a couple of the daedra were literally blown off their feet, propelled like ragdolls to tumble across the now-scorched grass. When the smoke cleared, though, he was both stunned and dismayed to see that one of the creatures still stood... in fact, it barely looked singed. The beast- a massive, bipedal reptilian creature that was possibly wider at the shoulders than he was tall- shook itself, let out a deep snarl and charged towards the soldiers.

"ARCHERS!" the Captain screamed. A volley of arrows flew, every single one of them striking the behemoth- and yet the damnable thing barely slowed, still coming at them. "Spread out!" Captain Lerus shouted, setting herself to face the demon-

-when a blur of motion flew past them, giving out a fierce war cry. Giolaus knew a moment of terror as he thought an even worse creature had found their flanks... but it was the Hero of Kvatch, mounted on horseback, broadsword raised in defiance. The horse skidded to a stop at the top of the hill, and the Dunmer nimbly dismounted, putting himself between the daedra and the soldiers. "Strike the daedroth's joints to slow it down!" he called out. "Then stab or shoot it in the eyes or inside the mouth! Otherwise you'll be hacking for hours!" With that, he rushed down the hill, meeting the beast head-on. The Dunmer ducked one wild swing and slashed at the creature's leg, forcing it to stumble.

The Captain raised her sword. "You heard the Hero of Kvatch!" she shouted. "Let's go!"

Giolaus was the second one down the slope, right behind the Captain. Fear had left him, replaced by anger. These monsters were not going to have Bravil while he still drew breath! While Saros kept the beast busy, Giolaus flanked it and delivered a deep cut into the back of its knee. It stumbled, snarling its rage, and the Captain hamstrung its other leg with a swift strike, sending it falling in heap. Quickly, Saros leapt onto its chest and drove his broadsword up into its gaping maw, skewering its brains. The great beast shuddered and became still.

The Hero of Kvatch yanked his sword free and turned to the guardsmen. "Well done, all," he said, plainly relieved to have them in his presence. "I'd had no idea so many Gates were opening so quickly. Thank the Gods that I was on my way back here to speak to the Count!" He wiped his blade clean on the grass, sheathed it and turned to the Captain. "I see you've done a fair job yourselves," he said, gesturing at the slain daedra. "Have you taken any casualties?"

"Only one so far, in the initial attack. He's being tended to in the Temple."

"Excellent. With your permission, Captain, I need to take some of your men with me to close that Gate. Things are moving too quickly for me to spend too much time in there. And while I would much rather have you stay behind and direct the defense of the city, I feel it would be best if I showed you how to close these damnable Gates firsthand. I ask that you choose three of your people and follow me through."

Captain Lerus looked puzzled. "Just three, sir?"

"More would only slow us down, Captain. This needs to be a surgical strike, not a full-on offensive. I'll wait for you by the Gate while you choose." With that, the Dunmer turned and sprinted towards the gate.

"I see...." The Captain turned. "Even with the Hero of Kvatch with us, I can't guarantee any of us will come back alive," she said. "So I'll accept volunteers. There's no shame in not stepping up to this, but it isn't just Kvatch that's at stake- it's all of Cyrodiil, maybe even all of Tamriel. Who will go?"

Giolaus had never considered himself an exceptionally brave man, but there was not even the slightest hesitation in his mind as he stepped forward. Veron was next to him only an instant later, and- to the Imperial's surprise- Delphine Jend was the third. "You're going to need me," she said, cutting off the Captain's objection. "Steel alone isn't going to be enough to fend off the daedra. Especially not beasts like that." She pointed at the daedroth. "I'll do what I can to stay out of your way if you'll give me room to cast when I need to."

"...alright. The rest of you, reinforce the city walls and keep the daedra at bay. If I don't make it back out of that Gate, follow those instructions I've left on how to close it. Do what you must to protect Bravil." The Captain led the group to the gate, where Saros was waiting for them. "Good to see you again," he said to Giolaus, "though I wish it was in better circumstances. Now listen carefully, please, all of you. Almost everything you see in Oblivion will try to harm you in some way. Don't touch anything unless necessary, watch for any sort of movement, and keep close to me. With a little luck we'll be right back here in less than an hour with a sigil stone and a closed Gate. Are you all ready?"

All four humans nodded. "Alright then," said the Hero of Kvatch. "See you on the other side." And with that, he reached out, placed his hand into the shimmering surface of the portal... and vanished.

With an audible gulp, the Captain duplicated the motion, likewise disappearing in an eyeblink. Delphine Jend followed shortly after. Next to Giolaus, Veron let out a soft sigh, and Giolaus turned to look at him. "Think we'll get hazard pay for this?" the Imperial wondered.

Veron snorted."More like the Count will dock us for leaving our posts."

Somehow Giolaus found it in himself to laugh. "Well, let's go, then."

With gritted teeth, he thrust his hand into the tear in the fabric of reality.

white light fading to red roaring of an eternal storm the crackle of fire

A blast of infernal heat hit Giolaus's skin an instant later, destroying the last hope he'd had that this was all a dream. He opened his eyes- when did I close them?- to find himself on a nightmarish plain. The ground beneath his feet was dusty grey rock, spotted only by black outcroppings and blood-red plants of some sort. In the distance, he could make out creatures stalking the ashen grounds, and well beyond that he could see an ominous spire rising up over its own moat of lava. Overhead, crimson clouds crossed a dark sky full of stars that didn't twinkle, but instead seemed to glare malevolently down at them.

A few feet ahead of him, Saros was observing the scene with a look of grim determination. "Alright," he said abruptly, turning to the three soldiers and the Mage. "You may have guessed that the center tower there is our destination. Unfortunately there seem to be a couple of gates barring our progress. I expect that the release levers will be in those two other towers to the sides- but that means we'll have to fight our way up them. I might add that the last time I did this, the daedra seemed to know I was coming." The Dunmer sighed. "But I've smelled enough brimstone to last me through the next Age, and I'm sure none of you want to stay, so let's step quickly and get this done with. Follow my lead."

They did so, careful not to stray from the path he traced over the burned rocky ground. They were forced to fight several daedra, thankfully only a number of the small grey ones, "scamps", two of the small reptiles- "Clannfear"- and a ghastly half-human spider creature that literally spat lightning and sent a smaller version of itself to spit venom at them, appropriately enough called a "spider daedra". Even as he fought, Saros gave them instructions on how to deal with the creatures, and while Giolaus had a close call with a burst of electricity near enough to set his tunic to smoldering, the small group came through unharmed.

Giolaus was sweating profusely by the time they'd reached the bottom of the first tower. He'd left his cloak somewhere near the Gate and had tied his tunic around his waist, but the unbearable heat was almost too much for him. He wiped sweat from his forehead and tightened his grip on his sword. "Ready?" Saron asked as he put a hand to the door.

The four humans nodded. "Ready," the Captain replied.

The stench hit them the moment the Dunmer pushed open the door. They were immediately assaulted by a smell like bodies left out in the sun for a week, multiplied a thousand-fold, or a long-abandoned butchery. Then Giolaus spotted the corpses hanging from the roof of this open-ceiling tower, and he fought the urge to retch. "Dear Gods," Veron murmured.

"It gets worse," Saros murmured. "Pray you never see what they do for sport. Come on."

A spiral ramp led up to the top of the tower, where a skeleton encased in a bloody metal cage was being "guarded" by another of the daedroth. Before the creature could even prepare itself, Saron charged the creature and slammed his shoulder into it, sending it off-balance and over the edge of the ramp. Its deep snarl of outrage was cut short as it fell onto the thick spike of the platform at the bottom of the ramp, killing it instantly; with a satisfied grunt, the Dunmer threw one of the two levers that stood on either side of a massive set of gears with wicked-looking restraining teeth; with an ear-pounding clatter, they rotated a few times before coming to a rest. "There's one," Saron muttered, rubbing one of his ears. "Let's move."

The second tower proved a bit more difficult, as not only was there a Clannfear at the bottom of the ramp, but the top was guarded by what appeared to be a flaming woman in blackened metal armor. Saros, with his race's tolerance of extreme heat, chose to take the creature head-on, keeping it busy as Delphine pelted it with blasts of freezing magic until it finally fell with a hissing shriek. Giolaus gingerly stepped over the still-shimmering form and joined the others at the switch. "Alright," Saros said. "Once we open the gates, the dremora will very likely notice. We'll want to move as quickly as we can to the primary tower. Ready yourselves." He reached up and yanked down one of the levers, again with the same eardrum-pounding result as the gears spun and then ground to a rest. "Alright, let's go!" he shouted.

The gates were already rumbling open when they left the tower, revealing a short stretch of stone platform leading to the door of the main tower. On the platform stood what appeared to be a tall, armored man weilding a longsword and thick shield. "Damn," Saros growled. "A Dremora guard. Tough as nails and a caster to boot. They like to open with a magical attack, so be on your guard, and keep on his flanks while I keep him busy."

Again the Hero of Kvatch was right. The heat of the fireball that the Dremora flung at them was intense, even though Giolaus had managed to get out of the way; Veron wasn't quite so quick, nearly catching the magical projectile on his chest. He let out a yelp and stumbled before regaining his balance and pressing the attack on the Dremora. Whatever it was the demon wore as armor was amazingly tough; blows that would have parted solid steel ended up getting caught in the black-and-red metal. Giolaus knew he would have stood no chance against this creature alone, and was glad when their combined effort finally silenced its continual taunts and curses. "And stay down, fetcher," Saros growled, pulling his sword from its chest. "Good work, all." He turned towards the tower.

Giolaus caught sight of movement in the corner of his eye. A dark shape holding something, long and thin, up near its shoulder. Then he understood. "Get down!" he shouted, shoving the Captain back and leaping at Saron, sword falling to the ground as he pushed the Dunmer out of the way, his shield held up to block the incoming arrow. The defensive action proved fruitless- the impossibly heavy projectile punched through steel and wood as though they were parchment, did the same to his chainmail tunic, and tore a gash across the left side of his chest. He let out a cry of pain as he fell onto the steps of the tower.

"Damn it! Kill that thing!" the Captain called out, rushing forward. From where he lay, Giolaus could see a bright blast of lightning from Delphine blow the Dremora off its feet, and the others closed in before it could regain them. His armor proved to be thinner than that worn by the first, and he was quickly cut down; Giolaus was just attempting to regain his feet when Saros returned to his side and helped him up. "How bad is it?" the Dunmer asked.

The Imperial tested the range of motion of his left arm. The wound was bleeding slowly and movement was rather painful, but it wouldn't overly restrict him in battle. "I can make it," he answered.

"Good man. Come on." With that, they entered the third and largest tower.

It was a slow and miserable slog up the numerous spiraling ramps inside, lit only by the bright- and loud- pillar of flame rising from the pool of lava on the main floor and the ruddy red light coming in through the various windows. The heat and the constant running up sloping ramps, combined with that steady dull roar of infernal energy, was giving Giolaus the mother of all headaches, but he resolutely plowed on.

Finally, after fighting what seemed to be every last daedra in Oblivion, they reached the apex of the tower. The pillar of flame came through a pit in the middle of the chamber's floor, terminating as it struck a small floating object around which the air warped and twisted just like the gateway they'd arrived through. Giolaus blinked away the sweat in his eyes, trying to force them to focus, and gritted his teeth when he heard more voices above them. "Come on, these are the last we need to get through," Saros shouted. "Let's put these s'wits down and go home!"

Despite his bone-aching fatigue, Giolaus raised his sword and let out a battle cry, charging up the left ramp alongside Veron as Jend, the Captain and the Hero of Kvatch rushed the other. Two guards were caught in their pincer strike- a Dremora clad in a stark black robe and what looked like a different sort of Dremora altogether, blue-skinned and wearing only a loincloth. It summoned forth a Clannfear as the Dremora called a flame atronach into being- but the group had learned quickly, and the two summoned creatures quickly faded as those who had manifested them were brought down by steel and magic. Giolaus had to brace himself against the nearby wall as fatigue almost made him lose his feet. "Quickly, sera!" Saros called. "Come to the sigil stone, it's our way out!"

With a grunt, the Imperial shoved himself off of the wall and approached the sigil stone. "Place your hands on me," the Dunmer said. "Removing the sigil stone should send anyone not of this plane back to where they entered it, but I prefer to play it safe and have us all in some sort of contact with the stone."

The four humans placed their hands on his shoulders, and he quickly pulled the stone sphere out from the pillar of fire. The group moved back as the beam seemed to suck in on itself for a moment and then shoot out through the roof; heavy vibrations began to literally shake the room apart, shattering ebony and steel and threatening to send the walls down on them-

• and then, with a bright flash of light, they were back outside Bravil, standing together in the rain.

"Thank the Gods!" Captain Lerus let out an uncharacteristic whoop and shook her fist; next to her, Veron practically leapt into the air. "We've done it!" Delphine exclaimed. "We've closed the gate!"

Giolaus leaned against a ruined secton of the old tower's wall for a moment, closing his eyes. The battle had taken a lot out of him; he felt as though he was still in Oblivion despite the cooling rain now pouring down on him, and his muscles trembled with fatigue. He was dimly aware of the voices of the others becoming more distant as they headed back towards the city, and he opened his eyes as he made to do the same... but something was wrong. His vision was blurry, distorted, and everything seemed to sway back and forth. He staggered forward a few steps, trying to find his balance. Really need to sit down a while... rest....

The next thing he knew, he was tumbling down a short hill, his shield flying off somewhere as he lost his grip on it. He came to a rest flat on his back, staring up into the grey sky, wondering where he was now and why his arms and legs wouldn't do what he wanted them to. He had no idea how long he was there in that dazed state when he heard two familiar voices.

"Giolaus? Giolaus, where are you?"

"He came out of the Gate with us, I saw him. He was leaning against the wall...."

"GIOLAUS!"

Fast footsteps in the mud were followed by an indistinct shape standing and then kneeling over him. "Sweet mother Mara, what's wrong? Giolaus, answer me!"

Marz.... For some reason he was having a hard time thinking clearly, or speaking for that matter; all he could do was manage an indistinct mumble. Another shape appeared on his other side. "Gods," came a deeper voice. "His arrow wound... he must be poisoned! Why didn't I think of the possibility?! Can you do something for him, Healer?"

"I don't know...." He felt a cool, smooth hand on his forehead, and then glass was placed to his lips and a liquid poured between them; instinctively, he swallowed whatever the bitter-tasting concoction was. "What would have been used in the poison?"

"Probably bloodgrass and harrada. They both grow like weeds in Oblivion. The poison is likely to be potent."

"We have to get him out of the rain and into the Temple so that I can heal him properly! Please help me carry him."

"Absolutely, muthsera. I'll take his shoulders."

"Let me help." Another familiar voice, this one deeper than the other. "Come on, my friend, you didn't make it back out of Oblivion just to die in the mud. Stay with us."

He was vaguely aware of being lifted and carried, and the creaking of the main bridge into Bravil. Then he must have blacked out for a while, for the next thing he knew, he was somewhere dark and quiet, stripped of everything but his trousers and laying on a rather soft bundle. He could hardly move his head, let alone the rest of his body, but he could see someone standing near him. "I'm sorry, sera," a voice came. "It's my fault this happened to you. Good men like you are seldom found and sorely needed these days... please, stay with us." A strong hand patted his shoulder, and the person left. Who was that... and why can't I remember when I know I should? What's this poison done to me? I feel too tired to even be afraid....

Another person came to sit by him, and even in his confused state he remembered his Argonian "lady friend". Her cool, scaly palm was gently laid on his chest, and a bright flash of blue light came from it; a tiny bit of the fatigue and feverish delirium lifted. "I'm so sorry, Giolaus," Marz whispered into his ear. "I didn't come out right away when I'd heard that the gate was closed... there was another rush of daedra after you'd all gone through, I had to stay to help heal the wounded. When I found out that you hadn't come back into the city and no one knew where you'd gone, I ran out through the gates as fast as I could to find you. If only I'd been faster, or had been there when you'd come back...." There was a long pause, interrupted only by a quiet, high-pitched noise. Was she crying? He was too far gone to tell for sure. "I'm sorry, my friend. I am so sorry. I just...." He felt her hands on his chest again, another burst of magic, and the fever lowered a bit more. "Please don't...." her voice came, a quiet whisper into his ear. "Please... don't leave me."

He wanted to say something to her, comfort her, but all that left his mouth was unintelligible mumbling. She moved away, and after a moment his overfatigued brain decided that consciousness was too difficult to maintain; he descended into a fitful, fevered sleep.

Of course, he'd been sick before as a young man, and while sick he'd had nightmares- but never any this intense. He was alone, unarmed and wearing only trousers, standing on a tiny island of brimstone surrounded by bubbling, flaming lava. He swore he could feel the heat of it on his skin, almost too great to bear. As he looked around, he could make out shapes coming towards him, literally walking on the surface of the lava- twisted, horrific representations of the Daedra he'd fought in Oblivion, larger than life and seemingly exuding auras of pure evil. They surrounded him on all sides, snarling and cursing at him, the sounds making his head pound; he wanted to curl up in a ball, but doing so would put him in the lava. He waited instead for the creatures to make their move.

Just as they began to close in on him, he felt something cool and smooth on his chin. To his left was a shimmering shape, standing as tall as him, holding out what seemed to be a hand to comfort him. Two reddish-orange slitted eyes gazed calmly into his own. "Giolaus," a voice spoke. "Come back. Come back to us. You are needed."

The cooling touch soothed him, absorbed the torturous heat, drove away the monsters surrounding him. He trusted in those strange eyes and that familiar voice, and gently took the hand in his own; the lava dimmed, cooled, slowly faded into blackness, leaving him shivering but relieved. And finally, he slept, untroubled by dreams of demons and flames.

The next thing he was aware of was cool wetness on his forehead- not the rain like before, but a wet cloth. As he stirred, he felt the presence of a tightly-wrapped bandage around his chest and a blanket over him. He let out a soft groan as his body protested his movement, and almost immediately felt a hand stop him. "Whoa there, my friend," Veron's voice came. "Thought I heard you make a noise. Hold still and let Marz have a look at you to make sure you're alright." He raised his voice. "Marz! Giolaus is waking up!"

"Oh, thank Mara!" The cloth was removed, and almost immediately he felt her cool scaled palm press against his forehead. "It looks like his fever has broken, finally," the Argonian said. "Thank you so much for keeping an eye on him for me, Veron."

"Giolaus is a good friend. I'm glad he's got you taking care of him." As his eyes focused, he could make out Veron getting up from a chair, and Marz taking his place. He could see the worry in her eyes, even though her face hid it. "Thank Mara you're awake," she murmured. "I have been so worried. Never had I seen a fever so high before."

He opened his mouth to speak, only to find his voice rasping harshly enough to almost sound like an Argonian himself. "How long was... I out?" he managed to croak.

"Nine hours. Nine hours of pouring potions down your throat and sending all the magicka I could spare into your body to help it fight the poison. I was afraid it wouldn't be enough." She cupped his cheek with her palm, and it astonished Giolaus how welcome and comforting the feeling was. He waited as she poured a small cup of water down his throat, soothing the roughness. "Marz," he replied, barely able to place his hand on hers. "It's... my job to take the risks to defend the city. You can't blame yourself for what happens to me... when I'm doing my duty. Not when other lives depend on you as well."

"I know that, but...." She fell silent for a moment, and Giolaus had the feeling that he'd somehow said something wrong. He squeezed her hand as hard as he could, which in his state wasn't very hard at all. "But... thank you," he added. "I owe you my life."

That got a smile from her. "You should rest now," she said. "Your body is still weak from the poison and needs to recover."

"I know, but... I want to try to stand. I can't simply lie here and be useless."

" 'Useless' is not a word I would apply to you in any way, sera." To Giolaus's surprise, Saros Tahlran was walking towards him from the other side of the Temple. "I'm glad to see you've recovered. I would have worried all the way to Leyawiin and back otherwise."

"I... thank you, sir." He could swear he was blushing. "Really, though, I only helped you-"

"You saved my life, Giolaus Antareus, guardsman of Bravil, and almost gave up your own in exchange." The Dunmer smiled. "I don't take such things lightly, especially with the stakes so high. You, Veron and the Captain are a credit to the city and the Empire."

"And what about me?" Delphine Jend followed her words over. "What am I, chopped mutton?"

"You, my dear, are several times as frightening as anything Oblivion could ever hope to throw at me." The smirk on his face showed that he was kidding, and the short snorting laugh the Breton gave in return showed that she knew it. The mage turned a moment to give Giolaus and Marz a glance. "Hmh," she said quietly, looking back up at Veron. "You're right, they do make kind of a cute couple."

The Hero of Kvatch broke out in laughter as Veron's dark skin flushed in embarassment. The Redguard gave Giolaus a sheepish apologetic look before hurrying off, with Delphine close behind, teasing him the entire way. Saros chuckled a moment longer before turning back to the pair. "Well," he said simply, seemingly noting their mouths open in shock. "Apparently what seems to be Bravil's worst-kept secret hasn't yet reached the two involved in it. I'd heard before that the two of you were regularly seeing each other, but now that word has spread of the gentleman's stalwart defense of the lady, and the lady's tireless efforts in healing the gentleman, it seems that everyone believes your relationship has gone beyond platonic into romantic." The Dunmer shrugged his shoulders slightly. "I can be completely honest... not very long ago, I was a prisoner in the Imperial City's dungeons, and not very long before that I was one of the most conceited and racist fools you could ever hope to meet. I've seen too much death and suffering and depravity since then to care what someone is anymore. All that I see now is two good people who perhaps don't yet see how much the other cares for them." He smiled. "At any rate, I do need to be going. The sun will be up shortly and I need to get an early start to Leyawiin. I have a bad feeling that they might soon be seeing a tour group from Oblivion as well. Take care, both of you."

And with that, he was gone, leaving Giolaus and Marz to gaze at each other in bewilderment. After a moment, the Argonian spoke. "Giolaus... well, I...." she stammered.

"Hold on." He put his hand over hers. "I can tell you haven't slept. Neither of us is in good condition to discuss this now, and this is something we should approach with clear minds. I want you to go get some sleep and we'll talk about this when we're both at least somewhat functional. Alright?"

She nodded slowly. "Yes... you are right. I'm sorry." She placed her hand over his and squeezed it lightly. "I could not sleep before, without knowing...." She let that sentence trail off. "I will get some rest, if you will as well. You need it more, Giolaus, and I won't take any argument to the contrary."

She was never so confident, or stubborn, as when she was tending to a patient, he'd learned, and he knew he had no chance of arguing with her- never mind the fact that his fatigued body was begging him to acquiesce. They exchanged wishes of a restful sleep, and then Marz retired to the Chapel living quarters, as Giolaus did his best to make himself comfortable on the bedroll near the Altar of Mara. And as much as he wanted to think over everything that had happened, his body had other ideas, and he was very quickly asleep.

--

"Three in the afternoon. Gods, we must have both been exhausted." Giolaus rubbed his face with the palms of his hands. He still felt tired, despite all the sleep, but he'd forced himself to get out of bed and wash up, then change into some clean clothes. Marz had changed the dressing on his still-healing wound and allowed him to move about without restriction. Now they sat on a simple stone bench near the southern wall, away from everything; a walk outside was out of the question until the Captain was certain that the daedra were cleared out.

"I hope I never see poison that potent again." Marz shook her head slowly. "To have had such an effect from a flesh wound... I shudder to think what a full dosage could do."

"I'd rather not think about it." He rubbed his side absent-mindedly; the wound was still a little sensitive, but not nearly as much as before. "Damned daedra."

A silence settled over them for a short while, as they studiously avoided looking each other in the eye. Finally, Giolaus spoke. "We didn't come here to not talk about this," he said quietly.

He heard her let out a soft sigh. "You are right, of course," she replied. "Giolaus, I... gah. Mara help me, why can't I figure out how to say what I want to say?" He finally turned to look at her and saw her staring down at her hands, which she was wringing together. He placed his own hand on top of them. "Marz, go easy on yourself," he told her. "You don't have to feel pressured to say anything. Honestly, I just want to figure out where you and I are right now, as far as... you know. Us."

"Yes... us." Marz took in a deep breath and let it out slowly. "Giolaus, I have been meaning to tell you something, but after what the Hero of Kvatch said... I suppose I've been left wondering about it myself."

He kept his hand on hers, squeezing it gently as a sign of support. "What is it?"

"When you'd left to go fight off the daedra, and I had headed into the Temple to set up triage, I'd taken a moment to pray for the city and for all of you who'd gone out to protect it. Then someone rushed in to announce that the Hero of Kvatch had arrived and had taken you, Veron and Captain Lerus, along with Delphine, into the Gate itself. With all that was at stake, all the lives at risk... all I could think of was you. The thought of you going into that Gate and never coming back out...." She quickly shook her head, closing her eyes for a moment. "I had never thought about our relationship in that way before, but realizing that I could lose you... I prayed for you, Giolaus. I begged Mara to let me see you again. And as I knelt in front of the altar, I felt a strange sensation... I felt warm, comforted, as though I had nothing to worry over. And then I felt a warm soft-skinned hand in mine." Marz slid one of her hands over his. "This hand, Giolaus. I believe it was a message from Mara, that you would come back to me. And you did." Now she finally looked into his eyes, a look of certainty in her own slitted ones. "Mara brought you into my life," she told him. "Before I met you, I was never truly happy with my life outside the Chapel. But now I have someone who listens to me, who cares about me, no matter that I am so strange to him. You are a gift to me."

He slid his hand under her chin, gently holding it. "You are not 'strange', Marz," he told her. "You are unique. I consider myself a better and wiser man for having known you. And I felt exactly the same kind of fear when I saw the Clannfear- that creature that came through the gates- set itself to attack you. I don't think I've ever moved that fast in my life."

Marz chuckled softly. "I talked to one of the gate guards in the Chapel. She had sworn you'd teleported."

He couldn't help but chortle at that, as he lightly caressed her cheek. Her scales were smoother there than he might have guessed; it would make sense for a demiaquatic race to present minimal restriction to the flow of water over their bodies. "You're a special woman, Marz," he told her. "To have stayed here in Bravil for so long to fulfill your duty to Mara-"

"-is nothing compared to the bravery of walking through that Oblivion Gate," she countered. "Even the Hero of Kvatch commended you! Bravil could have become another Kvatch if not for your quick thinking." Her hand slid to the back of his neck. "I don't think I could ever have had the courage to enter that Gate. You cannot expect me to believe that you are just some simple, anonymous soldier when-"

He hadn't noticed he'd been leaning in towards her, as apparently she hadn't noticed her hand against his neck had been pulling him closer. It was only when his lips touched hers that both of them realized what they were doing... but neither pulled away for a moment as they found themselves in a completely accidental kiss. After they finally separated, both of them looked away. "That... er. I'm...." Giolaus stammered; he'd been about to say "I'm sorry", but something inside him stopped him from uttering that phrase. Am I sorry for kissing her? he wondered. No... not in the least.

She seemed similarly flustered, but her eyes were sparkling. "Well," she murmured. "That was definitely... a new experience."

"Agreed." He couldn't stop looking into her eyes. So strange they were, but so hypnotizing... the thin slitted pupils were widened, probably not much different from his own. "You have... such beautiful eyes...." she murmured. "As blue as the skies themselves...."

"But it seems that I'm the one staring into two shining gemstones...." He was leaning towards her again, this time of his own free will, and he could see that she was doing the same. They were mere seconds away from a second kiss when a deep rumble caught them by surprise- Marz's stomach was growling. "Oh dear," she gasped, glancing down. "I... goodness. If I could blush I certainly would be doing so right now!"

He couldn't help but laugh, even as he took her hand. "Come on. We'll stop by the Lonely Suitor and pick up a little something to eat."

"Can I at least pay this time?" She chuckled softly as she let him help her to her feet, and they walked hand-in-hand towards the inn.

"Well... alright," he answered. "But only if I get to make Jee-Tah jealous."

"And how do you propose to do that?"

He let go of her hand and slid his arm around her waist, pulling her closer to him. She gave him a reptilian grin as she did likewise. "Oh, he might very well gnaw his own tail off in jealousy when he sees this," she chortled, resting her head on his shoulder as they walked.

They were in for a bit of disappointment, it seemed. As soon as they walked in, they saw two unusual things- a tall, brawny Nord woman seated at the bar, and a complete lack of Jee-Tah's presence. Bogrum looked up at their entrance. "Well hello, you two," he said with a toothy grin. "Good to see you're doing better, Giolaus. That poison had me worried for a bit!"

"You're not the only one," the Imperial replied with a smile. "But when you've got Marz on the case, your odds are as good as they can possibly be." He glanced around. "Where's Jee-Tah? He finally manage to get his tail untied from that table over there?"

"Ha ha, you're not kidding. He lit out of town about a day before the Oblivion Gate opened, actually. I was suspicious at first, but it turns out that the Blackwood Company is no more."

"Really?" Giolaus lifted an eyebrow in surprise. "Can't say I'm sorry to hear it. What happened?"

"Perhaps the lady there could tell you. Giolaus Antareus, Marz, meet Hidelga the Insightful, the Fighters Guild's new Mistress." The broad-shouldered Nord raised her ale mug in greeting, and Giolaus and Marz raised their hands in return. "Well met," Giolaus said. "What was the story with the Company?"

Hidelga took a long swig from her mug. "Found out they were all dosing up on sap from a very sick Hist tree they'd smuggled into Leyawiin. Also found out- the hard way- that the sap caused a short-term bloodrage in anyone who drank it." The Nord looked utterly haunted as she spoke. "Lost a lot of good people thanks to those damned fools."

Giolaus noticed that Marz's eyes were wide. "A Hist tree... in Leyawiin?" she asked quietly. "What... what became of it?"

"Destroyed, along with the machinery they were using to keep the thing alive and suck it dry." She shook her head. "I admit I don't know much about you Argonians, but I always thought you loved those trees. Really makes me wonder how a bunch of lizardfolk could do that to one." She shrugged. "I suppose greed can get to anyone."

"Yes... I imagine so." She gazed down at the bar for a moment, and Giolaus rubbed the back of her neck gently, slipping his fingers between the short spikes that traveled down the length of her spine. "What is it?" he asked her.

"Hist trees are sacred to Argonians, yes. Very much so." Her voice was quiet, her eyes haunted. "To bring one into Cyrodiil... that alone would ensure its eventual demise. But to turn it into a veritable spigot for its sap...." She shook her head. "It angers me that other Argonians would do that. And simply for money!" She sighed deeply. "I'm sorry. It just troubles me to think of such a thing being possible."

"Well, you don't have to worry about it happening again." Hidelga indicated the haft of the rather large sledgehammer she wore slung over her shoulder with a jerk of her head. "The Blackwood Company is completely out of business."

"I am more pleased to hear that than I should be." She heaved a sigh and brought her head up. "I'm sorry. What you did is to be commended, Hidelga the Insightful. You corrected a greivous wrong."

"Yeah... maybe it'll help make up for the one I committed because of that damned sap." She gulped down the rest of her ale and signalled for another. "Well, speaking of doing things to help- I heard you folks had one of those Oblivion Gates pop up on you."

"Afraid we did," Giolaus replied. "Took some doing to get it closed, but the city is safe for now."

"Yeah, I heard you had the Hero of Kvatch to lead you in. Still, a nice piece of work all around. I've seen the aftermath of Kvatch... I hope it never happens again." She gave Bogrum an appreciative smile as he refilled her mug. "I was hoping to talk to the Hero of Kvatch myself, maybe discuss what the Fighters Guild could do to help, and maybe get the Mages Guild in on a cooperative effort as well. Think he'll be back?"

"Should be, within a couple of days; he's riding down to Leyawiin now to talk to the Countess. If you want to talk to the Mages Guild in the meantime, you'd want to find Kud-Ei. She's not the Arch-Mage, but I hear that she carries a bit of weight and a lot of respect, and I'm sure that at the least she can give you the help of the Bravil chapter."

"That's a good start, thanks." Things were quiet for a moment as Giolaus and Marz ordered a late lunch; as they ate, a few of the Suitor's regulars wandered in, some of them talking with Hidelga for a bit. Apparently no one was upset to see Jee-Tah gone, and more than one person commented on how much more pleasant and quiet the place was with his absence. Finally, with his stomach refusing to take in one more bite of food and Marz similary leaving her plate untouched, Bogrum came to collect the dishes and settle up the tab, but as Marz reached for her coinpurse, Hidelga raised her hand. "I'll handle the bill for those two, barkeep," she said, plunking down a small bag of coins on the bar. "And a round of drinks for the others."

That got the Nord a hearty cheer from the mid-afternoon crowd. "This is very much appreciated," Marz said. "What's the occasion, if I may ask?"

"Bravil's got a reputation as a dunghole," she replied plainly. "But times like these bring out the true character of a place. And I see that underneath the mud and bugs there's a decent city with decent people in it, who aren't going to run off when trouble comes calling. So celebrate a little, because I think you deserve it."

With that, the Fighters Guild Mistress stood, bowed her head slightly and headed out. While the other regulars started discussing the downfall of the Blackwood Company, Giolaus and Marz headed outside into the late-afternoon sunshine. It took him a moment to realize that their arms were around each other again, without so much as a word having been spoken; Marz's head rested lightly against his shoulder. He could see that her eyes were slightly narrowed and that her lips were tightly pressed together. "Upset about what happened with the Hist tree, Marz?" he asked quietly.

She glanced up at him as her expression shifted into one of surprise. "It seems you've learned to read my moods," she chuckled half-heartedly. "Yes... Hidelga spoke truly; the Hist trees are sacred to Argonians. I remember how you told me that you were ashamed that Alessia Ottus was an Imperial just like you... now I know that sort of shame."

He stopped with her by the wall of the one vacant home in the city; none of the Count's people had been able to convince anyone to buy it. "And I'll tell you the same thing you told me," he responded. "None of that reflects on you, or any other Argonian. For every one like Jee-Tah or those other fools at the Blackwood Company, there'll be four like you or Kud-Ei- hard-working, honest and caring. I can't stand to think of you being so hard on your- mmf."

Marz was quite intentionally kissing him now, gently but without any sort of reservation, and he slipped his arms around her to hold her close to him as he returned the kiss. It felt a bit strange to have those scaled lips against his, but it was not at all an unpleasant sensation. Marz was as close to a full-out grin as he had ever seen an Argonian get when she finally drew away. "You know," he told her, giving her a playful wink, "if you wanted me to shut up, you could have just asked."

"I would not have enjoyed that nearly as much." She leaned back a bit to look up into his eyes. "We have been friends for less than two weeks," she said quietly, "but you have become so dear to me... what is it about you, my sweet Imperial, that makes it so easy to be open with you? Wait... I think I know." She ran one of her fingers along his cheek. "Listening to me, being open with me, wanting to understand me... it's difficult to get that from anyone these days, Argonian or not."

He wasn't sure what to say to that, so he simply held her against him, lightly stroking one of her head-fins with his hand. It was more flexible than he would have thought, and much less rough to the touch. Marz closed her eyes for a moment and let out a soft, relaxed sigh. "That feels nice," she murmured. "I would think you had some experience in holding Argonian women."

"I wouldn't say I've had very much experience in holding any women, honestly," he chuckled.

She gazed up at him. "Are you serious? I would expect a man like you to be fending off crowds of interested women with a stick."

He shook his head, giving her a wan smile. "Maybe the boys in the Legion over in the Imperial City have admirers, but when you're simply one more Imperial city guard in a place like Bravil, you're not going to have any merchants' daughters dropping their handkerchiefs at your feet." He shrugged. "Not much of a bother to me anyway. I'm not the type who enjoys casual dalliances. I'd rather spend time with one woman I care about than six women to whom I'm nothing more than something to brag about in their little social circles."

A gentle smile crossed her lips at that, as she stroked the backs of her fingers along his cheek. "A loss for those women, then," she told him. "But then I get to have more time with you." After a moment, she leaned back. "Speaking of... would you like to head to the Chapel and read for a bit? I know you'll have to return to limited duty in a couple of days, and I'll have to get back to Temple duties once everything's returned to order... so I would like to spend what moments I can with you."

"I think I'd like that very much." They headed back to the Chapel's sanctuary, where Marz picked out another of her books for them to read together, and they spent some time looking through and talking about it. They were so engrossed in the book- and each other's company- that the only thing that interrupted them was the rest of the Chapel's members turning in for the night. "Huh," Giolaus grunted, rubbing the back of his neck. "Must have completely lost track of time, with there being no windows here."

"Mm-hmm. Blame it on the lack of windows, of course." Chana Mona came over to stand in front of the pair as they stood and stretched; the Priestess had a smile on her lips. "I'm sure it has nothing to do with you two being completely lost in each other." She waved her hand at the pair. "Come, now; our dear Healer is going to be rather busy tomorrow and she should get her rest, so we'll have to chase her gallant defender off for the night. You can always visit her in the morning."

"Alright, alright," Marz chuckled. "Just let me show him out."

"Yes, of course." The Breton stepped aside to allow Marz to walk Giolaus through the main doors of the Chapel, where she embraced him tightly. "It is going to feel strange going back to the routine after all that's happened," she told him. "I feel.. different, now, and not just because of what happened with the Gate." She ran her fingers through his hair. "I feel like I've found something I never knew was missing. And to think I almost lost it before I knew what I had."

He smiled at her. "I'm glad to be the one to make you feel that way."

With that, they shared their first deliberate, consensual kiss, letting it linger for a long moment; Giolaus was aware of Marz's tail swinging back and forth as she leaned against him. "Sleep well, Marz," he told her. "I'll stop by tomorrow to see you. Maybe I can lend a hand with your tasks as well."

"I would very much appreciate that. Thank you, Giolaus. Sleep well." She clasped his hands in her own for a moment and gave him the biggest smile he'd ever seen from an Argonian before slipping back into the Chapel. The Imperial took a moment to stretch and bend his body before heading back towards the barracks, humming softly to himself. His route took him by the Mages' Guild, where he could make out Kud-Ei and Henantier standing on the steps and speaking to each other quietly; Kud-Ei seemed to take note of his passage, spoke quickly to the Altmer for a moment and then stood. "Excuse me," she called out as she jogged towards him.

He came to a stop. "Yes, ma'am?"

"You are Giolaus Antareus, correct?" Kud-Ei stopped in front of him; he hadn't noticed until now, but she was rather tall for an Argonian woman, even a bit taller than he was. "Yes, ma'am, that's me," he told her.

"Good." She smiled. "I've heard a bit about you, my good Imperial- or should I say, about you and Marz. I wish I could say I was a friend of hers, but my duties in the Guild have made any sort of friendships outside those walls extremely difficult." She spared a glance back at Henantier. "But... recent events have caused me to reassess my priorities," she continued, clasping her hands together in front of her, "and I would like to rectify that neglect. And one avenue I can approach in this effort involves you."

"Me, ma'am? I'm not sure I follow."

"I understand that you've been posted here in Bravil for a while, Mister Antareus, so I imagine you remember the uproar when Henantier and I chose to live together."

Giolaus frowned. "I do, ma'am. That was a disgusting bit of idiocy, if you ask me. I can't believe some of the things that were shouted in front of your home. I was just glad that so few actually took part in that."

"As were we, and I am doubly glad that most of those sort have left Bravil in the time since." Kud-Ei cocked her head a bit and sighed. "But not all of them have, and others have come to the city since then. You may hear some protests from those people for your relationship with Marz. Even here in Cyrodiil, the melting-pot of the Empire, there are still bigots." The Argonian's tail twitched in agitation. "The relationship between Henantier and I is only friendship, but I have been led to believe that you and Marz have... moved beyond that." She chuckled as he felt himself blush. "That is not my concern, of course, nor anyone else's besides yours and hers. But some may MAKE it their concern and attempt to cause trouble for you or her. The fact that you are a guard here in Anvil, and a respected one at that, and that Marz is a healer for the Chapel, will help dissuade some hostility- but it will not insulate you completely. I do hope you understand that."

"I do." He nodded. "I also quite honestly do not give a damn. I won't let what others think stop me from caring about Marz, and I certainly won't let the stupidity of others hurt her."

Kud-Ei gave him a toothy grin; Giolaus noted that he wouldn't have known it from a sign of aggression without having learned so much about Argonians from Marz. "I am beyond pleased to hear that," she told him. "I think Marz has done well to end up with you. Far better than that egg-sucker Jee-Tah." She snorted derisively.

"You've had trouble with him too, hm?"

"Not once I told him exactly where I could use a Flame Touch spell on him." She smirked. "I warned him off of Marz as well, not that he listened. It's a wonder he never tried anything with City-Swimmer... I suppose even he had some standards." They shared a soft laugh. "Well. I apologize for accosting you so late when I'm sure you would like to be in bed, but I felt that a good man such as yourself should know what you might run into in your relationship with Marz."

He smiled. "I appreciate it, ma'am."

"Please, call me Kud-Ei." She extended a hand, which he shook. "And call me Giolaus," he replied. "Getting to know people like you and Marz is part of the reason I came to Bravil."

"And we are lucky to have you here." She seemed to consider something for a moment. "I... hope you do not take this the wrong way, Giolaus, but you may wish to remember that Marz is indeed a woman, and should your relationship reach... certain understandings, you should approach her as such." She looked a bit uncomfortable, but gave him a slight smile. "We Argonians are not so different in some respects."

"I... well. I will keep that in mind. Thank you. Have a good night, Kud-Ei." He returned her smile and waved to Henantier before resuming his walk back to the barracks. As he changed into his nightclothes and settled down in his bunk, he spent some time thinking over what Kud-Ei had said. While he was close to Marz and in fact was rather attracted to her, he'd never thought of her in a sexual sense- not because she was an Argonian, but because he'd simply fallen out of the habit of looking at women that way. Guess I'm not used to being an object of desire, he thought with a silent laugh. But would Marz actually think of me that way? I mean... on my part, it is definitely not at all difficult. She's rather lovely to look at, really... her scales are interesting colors, she has beautiful eyes, she takes care of herself, she even smells nice. Can't say those last two about some of the human women that walk around this city. He wrinkled his nose at the memory of Wretched Aia, as drunk as an entire Nord wedding party and trying to cozy up to him a couple of years back. Well... I'll wait to see what she wants. If she wants to remain friends, I'm alright with that. If she wants more....

He decided to let that line of thought drop, and eventually fell into a rather fitful sleep.

--

"Goodness, I had no idea you city guards had so much paperwork to deal with."

Marz had decided to take a break from cleaning the Chapel, and was helping Giolaus catch up on his backlogged paperwork. A thick stack of parchments sat on the bench next to him, and he was scribbling quickly across one of them, pausing only to dip his quill into the nearby inkwell. "The Captain likes to keep track of what goes on in the city," he told her, "especially with the problems Niben Bay has been seeing with the Renrijra Krin. And now with the Oblivion Crisis going on, we're all having to write detailed reports of what's been going on." He shrugged. "Could be worse, though. I hear the Imperial Legion boys get this much paperwork in a single day. It's a wonder the Empire hasn't deforested the entire countryside for all the parchment we need."

She chuckled, taking a moment to organize the various pages he'd already filled out. "I have a question," she said. "What do you think the chances are that we might someday see merfolk or beastfolk in the guard ranks in Cyrodiil's cities?"

"Funny you should ask that. I do know there was an Altmer sentry in Kvatch, and he was advanced as a personal favor to the Count, but I've heard there's a bit of a movement in the middle of the chain of command to see the other races be openly offered enlistment in the various city guard rolls. Popular thinking is that it'll provide different ideas and senses to law enforcement, and give some troublemakers a reason to back down when they see a face like their own telling them to ease off. Rumor has it that the higher-ups have been sitting on the idea for a bit because they're not sure how the various Counts will go for it. Probably the main likelyhood of resistance is Leyawiin."

Marz snorted. "I get the feeling that Alessia Caro would sooner stand a post herself than let an Argonian or Khajiit do it."

"Hmph, that I'd like to see." Giolaus leaned back. "Not to badmouth the nobility or anything, but I think that woman could use a nice swift kick in the-"

"Giolaus!" Veron's exclamation startled him, and he glanced up. "I thought I'd find you in here. Hi there, Marz."

"Hello, Veron." She smiled at him. "What can we do for you?"

"Thought you two might want to know that the Hero of Kvatch is back in town. He headed right for the castle, too! I think something's up. Might want to have a look."

With that, the Redguard jogged back out of the Chapel. Marz looked back at Giolaus. "What do you think?" she asked.

"Any excuse for a break from this is fine by me." He grinned as he shook the parchment in his hands. "Let's go."

It was rather windy outside, and Marz had to hold her dress down at times as they made their way to the castle. The guards at the gate gave them friendly smiles and let them inside; Giolaus did what he could to get his mussed hair back into something resembling order. As they approached the throne room, they could see Saros just leaving, with the Captain at his side; they seemed to be discussing something. "...a pity you can't spare more men, but I understand the reasoning," the Dunmer said. "I'll be happy to have you there, Captain."

"It'll be good to fight alongside you again, sir." The Captain smiled, before turning to see Giolaus and Marz again. "Ah, Guardsman Antareus," she said. "What do you-"

"THE DAWN IS BREAKING!" Two shouts from either side, behind the Captain, made her whirl on her heel. Two people garbed in red cloth and black armor charged out of the corners, wicked-looking maces raised threateningly. "Down with the protector of the Septims!" a vaguely-familiar voice cried out.

As if acting on a shared thought, Giolaus and Marz both moved- Marz quickly pulling Saros out of harm's way, and Giolaus diving into the closer attacker's knees. Caught by surprise, the man literally flipped over him, crashing into his cohort, whose wild swing had missed the Hero of Kvatch's unprotected head by a hand's width. Before they could untangle from each other, the Captain had her sword out and pointed at both of them. "Stand down!" she ordered. "Who the blazes are you and what are you doing here?"

"Fool," one of the two said, this one with a woman's voice. "This world is ending, and a new one will take its place!" They quickly regained their feet, charging once again- but this time, Saros was armed and ready, and between him and the Captain, as well as the castle guard who quickly joined in, the two attackers were sorely outmatched and quickly cut down. As they fell, their armor and weapons seemed to dissolve into mist, revealing the most shocking sight Giolaus had seen yet.

"Blessed Mara!" Marz exclaimed. "Ranaline?! Hans Black-Nail?!"

The Captain knelt down to check the two bodies. Both of them had bizarrely blissful looks on their faces despite the horrendous wounds which had taken their lives. "What in the names of the Nine is going on here?!" she demanded.

Next to her, Saros let out a deep sigh. "More Mythic Dawn agents, it seems," he replied. "This is the third time this has happened."

"The Mythic Dawn?" Captain Lerus repeated. "I've heard of them- aren't they behind the Emperor's assassination?"

"Very much, muthsera. They have 'sleeper agents' seemingly everywhere- people who hide their allegiance to the Dawn and go about acting like ordinary citizens. It seems that I've proven a dangerous enough opponent for them to drop their act, even in public."

"But... I've known Hans for years." Giolaus had never seen the Captain so taken aback, not that he could blame her. "And Ranaline has worked at the Lonely Suitor for four years now. She was always a quiet one, but to think that...."

"The lies run deep with the Mythic Dawn, Captain. I'm sorry this happened." He looked back at Giolaus and Marz. "However, I certainly am not sorry to see the two of you again. Thank you. Your quick thinking may have saved my life once more."

It took Giolaus a moment to realize he'd put his arm around Marz protectively, and she was leaning against him with his hand clasped in both of hers, still gazing in shock at the two bodies on the floor. "I... well, I'm glad we were here to help, sir," he replied in a shaky voice. "I just... I'm sorry, this is a shock to me. We all know each other here in Bravil. Or... or so I thought."

The bodies were quickly covered and removed by the castle guards, who also seemed to be in a state of disbelief over the attack. "This only underscores how quickly I need to move," Saros murmured. "The Mythic Dawn has been one step ahead of me all along the way. Captain, I must head to Skingrad as soon as possible, and speak to Count Hassildor on gaining his help. Bruma will have already prepared for your arrival."

"Wait. Bruma?" Giolaus raised a hand. "What's going on in Bruma?"

"Taking the fight to the enemy, sera. Captain Lerus has volunteered to head there to assist me."

"I'd bring as many soldiers as I could, but the Count wants to keep Bravil secure." The Captain shrugged. "Still, if I can make any difference at all, that's good enough for me."

"I see...." Giolaus considered for just a few seconds, then spoke. "Captain, I want to come with you."

"I can't allow that, Guardsman. The Count has disallowed any other of the city's guards to come with me. And my horse will be laden with supplies- I won't be able to carry you."

"Officially I'm still on injury leave for three days, Captain. I'm off-duty. Unless you specifically ordered me not to, I could go up to Bruma myself."

The Captain opened her mouth to talk, but Saros interrupted. "Captain, I ask that you allow him to come," he said. "This man's courage and quick thinking would be a great asset. I have a second horse that I've been using to carry supplies- I would gladly lend that to Mister Antareus."

"I...." She seemed caught up in the decision for a moment, before reluctantly nodding. "Alright. I'm stretching the rules quite far here, but I can explain it to the Count easily enough. Guardsman Antareus, you have one hour to pack your gear and get ready."

"Alright." Just as he was about to turn to head for the barracks, a hand on his shoulder stopped him. "Wait," Marz said. "Giolaus... if you are going, then I am coming with you."

He gazed at her for a moment. "Marz-"

"Please, Giolaus. I want to help. And I don't want to be left here worried sick about you."

Saros nodded slightly. "Sera, she would be greatly useful should we see any wounded- which we are very likely to. And my horse could bear you both, along with a fair amount of gear."

"But...." He didn't want to place her in danger, but the Dunmer was right- and, quite honestly, he didn't want to be without her. "Alright. Though I expect you'll need to speak to Olava or Chana to get official Temple permission. I'll go with you."

The Captain nodded. "I can't restrict you from going, Marz, but I do ask that you be careful. You are too dear to Bravil for us to want to lose you."

"I will, Captain Lerus. Thank you. And you as well, sir." She gave Saros a smile before joining Giolaus in a quick jog out of the castle and to the Chapelm where they found Olava the Fair diligently cleaning one of the altars. Marz quickly launched into a brief recap of what had happened in the castle and the situation in Bruma before breathlessly begging permission to accompany Giolaus up north. Strangely, the Nord didn't speak for a moment, instead gazing at the sponge she'd been using to clean the altar of Kynareth. "Ranaline was in here just yesterday," she said quietly. "She asked me for a blessing. I gave it to her. I... had no idea what she truly was." She looked up at the pair. "Go, my child," she told Marz. "Go with my blessing. If things have come so far as this, we will need all capable hands and minds working against these 'Mythic Dawn' heretics. You will bring Mara's grace to Bravil, as surely as Giolaus will bring Talos's righteousness." She clasped Marz's hands in her own. "And may the Nine provide that you both come back to us, hale, whole and victorious."

With that, Marz and Giolaus separated, to pack what they would need for the trip to Bravil.

--

"Some days, I truly feel like a naive little hatchling." Marz chuckled softly as she rested her chin on Giolaus's shoulder. "This is the first time I've ever ridden on a horse, let alone gone to the Imperial City."

He rubbed her snout gently. "I wish it were a casual trip so I could show you around. As it stands we'll probably only have time to get a room for the night. We'll need to leave early if we want to make it to Bruma before sundown tomorrow."

"You're right, of course. I just hope that someday you and I can see the city together without having to worry about the world ending." She snuggled herself against him, and he was aware of her breasts pressing against his back. "Can you believe that I've never seen snow?" she asked him.

"We never saw much of it in Chorrol, really. Never more than a few inches- enough for mischevious boys to make snowballs with."

"Throwing snowballs sounds like fun." She let out a sigh. "I've never known cold weather before. I hope I'll be alright. Being reptilian can be troublesome in some cases."

"You should be alright with warm clothing, so long as you move about regularly. That's what Saros says, and he knows an Argonian who lives in Bruma, so I'll go with his advice." He grinned. "And, if you like, you can always stay close to me and I'll keep you warm."

"I like that idea." They fell silent for a while, listening to the clomping of the horse's hooves as they watched the scenery move by. Though both of them were armed- Giolaus with his duty blade and Marz with a dagger- they were pleased to see that no brigands or highwaymen were stalking the roads; apparently increased Imperial Legion patrols- or simply the threat of confrontation with roaming daedra- had driven them off. After they'd passed a fork in the road, Giolaus realized that Marz was humming a tune that he could barely hear. "What is that song?" he asked.

"Hm? Oh... it is an old Argonian travelling hymn that I learned from my tribe in the Black Marsh before I left. I sang it to myself the entire way." She let out a soft laugh. "I suppose that, this being the first extended trip I've taken since I came to Bravil, it sprang to mind as a source of hope."

"I see." He rubbed her snout again, and she leaned into the affectionate gesture. "Would you sing it for me?"

"It is not translatable, I'm afraid, at least not easily enough for me to sing it in Cyrodiilic."

"That's fine. I'd prefer to hear it in your own language, if you would like to share it."

She seemed to consider this for a moment. "You are sure? I know that my language is not always pleasant to the ears of other races."

"Have you heard R'vanni wandering the streets trying to sing psalms after an all-day skooma bender? Unless your song will literally make my ears bleed, it can't beat that."

The Argonian woman actually giggled at that. "Oh, goodness, I think I would have to eat your ears to compete with that." She gently nosed one of them, and he couldn't help but shiver. "Alright, then. I will sing for you, my dear Giolaus. But do not say you weren't warned."

After a moment to take in a deep breath- during which her breasts pressed even more firmly against his back- Marz launched into a quiet, sibilant string of hisses and deep vowel sounds, interspersed with what almost sounded like bird calls and whistles. Far from being unpleasant, Giolaus found it almost mesmerizing, and he half-lost himself in the song while still keeping an eye on the road for dangers. The song went on for about five minutes, never seeming to repeat anything- though Giolaus would have been hard-pressed to tell for sure- and ended with a lilting refrain that faded into silence. He was left speechless for a moment, and Marz chuckled at that. "I did warn you," she teased.

"No, it's not... no." He patted her hand. "That was... honestly one of the most beautiful things I've heard."

"Truly?" She seemed shocked.

"I'm left wondering how you can speak such a strange and complex language and this one. Or even why you'd want to speak Cyrodiilic when your own language is so beautiful." He shook his head. "How many other things have we missed out from other cultures simply because none of us trusts the others enough to share them?"

"I don't know, my friend." Marz let out a soft sigh and rested her chin on his shoulder again. "I think you understand now why I feel so strongly about Mara's teachings- how much better off we could all be if we only acknolwedged the ties of kinship between us."

"I can see the draw of that, definitely." They were silent again for a while, watching the lonely spire that was White Gold Tower rise higher and higher as they approached the city. "Amazing," Marz said. "It really is as tall as they say."

"Say what you want about the Ayleids, they knew how to build things to last. No one living today could build something like that and keep it from falling over by the end of the week, let alone a thousand or so years later."

It was nearing dusk by the time they'd crossed the main bridge to the city, and Masser and Secunda were twin slivers in the darkening sky; the moons' light guided them to the stable, where they let their horse rest in the paddock, and up to the massive gates of the city. A pair of heavily-armored Imperial Legion guards curtly welcomed them into the city, and one of them gave directions to the several inns that could be found inside. As it turned out, the King and Queen Tavern was full-up, as were the All-Saints Inn and Luther Broad's Boarding House; it seemed that a lot more people were taking up at least temporary residence in the city, due to the Oblivion Crisis. A well-dressed and compassionate Khajiit mentioned that the Tiber Septim Hotel still had one room to rent, so the pair quickly made their way to the Temple District.

As it turned out, the room that was available had only one bed, but given the difficulty of finding someplace else to sleep the pair agreed it would do; to her credit, the publican hardly batted an eye at the idea of an Imperial and an Argonian sharing a bed. The rather stunning forty-gold asking price was paid for out of the money Saros and Olava had given them for provisions and other expenses, and they made their way up the plush-carpeted stairs to the room, at sight of which Giolaus whistled softly. "This room alone would be considered a mansion in Bravil," he said.

"Truly." Marz set her cloak on the stand near the doorway and slipped off her sandals, burying her toes in the thick carpeting. "I didn't know they made carpet this lush!" she exclaimed with a laugh. "Goodness, I could almost burrow into it!"

"And look at this bed!" Giolaus pushed a hand down against it. "There must be enough goosefeathers in here to build your own flock!" He took his overcoat off and set it next to Marz's cloak. "Since we have the time, and we paid a premium for the luxuries, I'm going to have a nice hot bath. I can't smell very nice to you after all that riding."

"My dear Giolaus, remember where I'm from. One slightly sweaty Imperial does not compare to a bog." She smiled. "But enjoy your bath. I'll stay here and relax for a bit while you do."

The bath was indeed hot- the hottest he'd ever had, almost too much so- and Giolaus felt amazingly clean by the end of it. Dressed in his nightclothes and drying his hair with a towel that was almost as soft as the carpeting, he returned to the room to find Marz lounging on the overstuffed chair, gazing at the painting on the opposite wall. "I don't know how I'm ever going to go back to my cot and single candle at the Chapel," she chuckled.

"At least you get your own cot there. I hate when I'm bunked with someone who snores." He grinned. "This has got to be the lap of luxury... too bad we can't get used to it, hm?"

"Agreed. We simple backwater folk may never know the likes of this again." Her tone was gently mocking. "Ah, well... what we have is good enough for us, hm?"

"I'd agree with you more easily if my feet weren't so glad for this carpet." As he tossed the towel in the laundry bin, there was a knock at the door; apparently this inn had complimentary room service, and while the selection was not exactly staggering, simply having the choice was a great surprise for the two Bravil citizens. Giolaus chose the steamed venison with blackberries, Marz picked the grilled mutton with apple slices, and the servant left two trays with them, asking that they leave the dishes outside the door once finished. The pair sat down at the spacious table and talked as they ate, with Giolaus filling Marz in on what she could likely expect up in Bruma insofar as the weather was concerned. The notion of building snowmen made the Argonian guffaw, and she called it the silliest thing she'd ever heard- but she did admit that she would have to try it herself if given the chance.

Finally, their meals were finished, and with a well-satiated stomach Giolaus set the dishes outside the room, on the table next to the door. "Well... I think I would like to sit down and let this meal settle for a bit," he said.

"And I am going to get changed out of these dusty clothes." She disappeared behind one of the dressers for a few moments, and came back wearing a nightdress. "There, that's much better," she sighed, stretching her arms before flopping down on the bed. "So soft. We had better leave a curtain open so the sun wakes us up, or quite honestly I might sleep until noon."

He came to stand next to the bed. "So... are you alright with the two of us sharing a bed?"

"I was going to ask you that." She chuckled. "At the very least, your not having a tail will make things easier."

"True, I'd imagine."

She stood and approached him. "Giolaus... the last thing I want in the world is for you to be uncomfortable with me. I am no threat to you in any way." She gently placed her palms on either side of his face. "And... no, I do not mind sharing a bed with you. You have already proven beyond any doubt that I may trust you completely. So much so, in fact, that I can do this." She stepped away from him, reached back and undid the ties of her nightdress, letting it fall to the floor and leaving her clad in only a bra and panties. Almost against his will, his eyes wandered over her form; she had the body of an acrobat, slender and toned muscle with hardly a trace of fat. "In my tribe, we seldom bothered with clothing," she told him. "It was here in Cyrodiil that I learned the customs of remaining covered for modesty. However, with you... I am comfortable enough to wear this little."

He noticed that she was shaking just a little. "Are you...." he stammered, with a mouth that had suddenly gone dry. "Are you cold without your dress?"

"No, it isn't that, it... well. It is not often that a man looks at me that way, and most often, any one that does is quite unwelcome."

"I- I'm sorry, Marz. I just can't help it. You're... beautiful."

She came close to him again, once more taking his face in her hands. "I do not mind you looking at me that way, Giolaus," she told him. "It is entirely different with you than it would be with someone like Jee-Tah. I know you respect me as a person- all that fool lizard was looking for was a quick conquest."

He slid his arms around her and held her close, and she almost melted into the embrace. "Then let's let fools like him find women that are as shallow as he is," he replied. "Women like you deserve far better."

She smiled, lowering her eyes. "You could make even an Argonian blush, Giolaus."

He held her that way for a while, content to simply enjoy the feel of her body against his, until he slowly became aware of a rather uncomfortable sensation. Then he realized that his body was responding to the fact that he was in the arms of a beautiful and barely-clothed woman, and the pressure he felt was his growing erection pressing against her stomach. He could feel his face burn as he blushed. "Marz, I-" he began.

She pressed a finger to his lips. "Shh. I know. Actually... I am flattered." She began to stroke his back with her fingertips. "It doesn't bother you at all that this woman you have found yourself with is Argonian?"

"Not at all." He kissed the top of her snout gently. "Does it bother you that this man you've found yourself with is Imperial?"

"Not in the least." He was aware that his hands had gone lower along her back, until they met the base of her tail, and she shivered. "I am having... a very hard time believing that you have not been with an Argonian before, Giolaus," she murmured into his chest. "It is hard for me to describe what your touch does to me."

"I'm... finding that I'm enjoying touching you, Marz." He lowered his head to kiss her neck, the scales smooth and cool against his lips. Then he felt a different sensation as her hands slid beneath his nightshirt to caress his chest; her fingertips traced the outlines of muscles built by years of steady training and exercise. "You are so warm," she said. "I can't get enough of it."

He let one of his hands move up to her neck, while his other gently rubbed the base of her tail. "Marz, I have... something I want to ask you."

"Yes, dear one, please ask."

"I'm... attracted to you. Very much so, in several ways- physically, mentally, emotionally. Now that I have the chance to ask, and we have the time to ourselves, I had hoped that we... might explore our relationship further."

She seemed taken aback for a moment before giving him a gentle smile. "You have stolen the words from my throat, dear Giolaus. I was building the courage to ask you the very same thing."

Now there was a surprise. "You were?"

"We both know that we may never leave Bruma alive. There is the chance that Saros's plan could fail, and we may all be slaughtered by the daedra. I am not afraid for my own life, for I know that Mara will welcome my soul when I leave this world, but...." She paused for a moment. "But facing my own mortality has made me realize that I only have a certain amount of time to do those things I wish to do. And one of those things I wish to do... is to experience intimacy with a man I care for." She took one hand from beneath his shirt to cup his chin. "And I have never cared for a man as much as I do for you, my sweet Giolaus," she told him. "Nor has any man shown me the caring that you have. So... please, my friend, my love- join me in that bed and share yourself with me."

She stepped back and tugged his nightshirt up, and he raised his arms to allow her to remove it completely. She flicked her tongue against his bared chest, making him shiver. "I ask that you feel free to tell me if you like what I do," she told him. "I have not... been with many men, and those I have been with were all Argonians, so I do not want to make some mistake and displease you."

"I don't think I'm all that different, but I will let you know," he replied, giving her a gentle smile. "I ask that you do the same as well."

"I will, dear one. I will tell you, though, that so far you have done everything right." She placed a soft kiss against his chest and slid her hands down to his waist, slipping her fingertips underneath his shorts. With a gentle smile, she slid them down over his hips and let them drop to the floor, releasing his erection from its confines. She gazed down at it for a moment. "Humans have hair in the strangest places," she chuckled, trailing her fingers through the thick patch of hair over his length. "I've never seen one of you nude before. You are rather different from Argonian men."

His breathing was coming more quickly, as her touch aroused him further. "How so?" he asked.

"My race's men keep their manhood inside their bodies until aroused. We are somewhat like common reptiles that way." She smiled. "When one spends much of one's time swimming through the swamps, one does not want vital anatomy being chewed on by small creatures with sharp teeth."

"Ouch, good point." His soft chortle was interrupted when her fingers gently curled around his length and began to stroke it with slow, light motions. "That... oh, Gods," he gasped.

"My scales do not hurt, I hope?" she asked.

"No... no, no, absolutely not." They felt wonderful, actually; the scales on her palms were small enough to avoid painful friction, but bumpy enough to provide extra sensation. As he gently leaned against her, he reached around to her back and undid the ties of her bra, easing it over her shoulders and letting her breasts fall free; they were covered in the same light-green scales as the rest of her upper body, and had large patches of tough skin covering the nipples, but otherwise were no different from any human or meric woman's breasts. He leaned down and rubbed his tongue against one of them, finding that the scales were quite smooth there as well. Marz let out a hissing sigh. "Ohhh," she breathed. "That's nice...."

"Tell me how you like this," he said, lowering his head and gently moving aside the covering flap of skin over one of her nipples before taking it into his mouth and sucking on it gently. An immediate shiver through her entire body told him he was doing just fine, and her words confirmed it. "Giolaus!" she gasped. "That... that is wonderful...."

She had to release her grip on his length as he knelt down before her, giving her breasts the attention they deserved- nibbling and sucking gently on the nipple of one as his hand squeezed and massaged the other. She squirmed against him, panting softly and stroking the back of his neck with her hands. Deciding to move to the next step, Giolaus slid his free hand down her back to the base of her tail, finding the thin string where her panties were tied up around it; with a deft tug, he undid the simple knot, and slowly slid her panties down to fall to the floor. He leaned back for a moment to take in the sight of her body unimpeded by clothing.

It didn't come as much of a surprise to him to find that her sex was rather different from a human woman's as well. The cleft of her entrance was little more than a slit, around which the scales were so small and smooth as to almost be completely flat, and its edges glistened with what was very likely the wetness of her arousal. He couldn't help but want to touch her, and his hand slid between her legs, stroking her gently with his palm; her skin there felt like soft, supple leather, and her slickness spread across his hand. She braced her hands against his shoulders. "Ohhh, sweet Mara," she groaned. "I almost forgot what this felt like...."

"You and me both, dear one. But I think you were worth the wait." He embraced her once more, naked bodies pressed together, skin and scales in close and intimate contact. "Now, about that bed," he said, giving her a wink.

"Oh, we mustn't forget about the bed," she giggled. She brought him to its edge before reluctantly releasing him and lying down upon the soft mattress, reaching out one hand and beckoning for him to join her. He wasted no time in doing so and immediately returned to her arms once they had both settled onto the bed. "So soft," she murmured blissfully, snuggling up against him.

"Me, or the bed?" he chuckled.

"You are not soft, my dear Imperial. Perhaps you do not have scales, but these muscles of yours are quite firm." She rubbed her hand up and down his chest. "Now... there is something I would love to try if you are agreeable."

"You can do whatever you like to me, on the condition that I be allowed to do the same to you."

She gave him a slight grin. "Done and done. Now, I will be careful here...." With that, she slid down the bed into a kneeling position, placing one hand on his stomach and bringing her snout down to his groin, gently nosing his length. "Another way you are different from Argonian men," she murmured, using her other hand to gently stroke the sack hanging beneath it. "With them, these are kept inside as well, at the base of the tail. I think I prefer them to be where I can touch them, so that you can enjoy it."

"You... are doing a good job of that," he murmured, shivering slightly under her attentions. He gazed down at her as she nuzzled his manhood, and then opened her mouth, gently taking its tip inside. Any worries he might have had about her sharp teeth being so close to his tender flesh dissolved quickly, as he felt nothing but her lips and tongue caress his length. The slightly-cool wetness of her saliva made him groan. "Oh Gods, Marz," he groaned. "Here... let me do the same for you."

She didn't cease her gentle motions for even a second as she moved to lay her body along his. She was lighter than he would have imagined, and her scales felt so nice pressed against his skin. She straddled him, presenting her nether region to her with her tail lifted high; he gently pressed down on her back with one hand while flicking his tongue out to taste her sex. The fluids that now practically dripped from her entrance were thicker than a human woman's, and had a rather strange bittersweet taste that he didn't mind in the least. He spread her open with the fingers of his free hand and slid his tongue deep into her.

It didn't take him long to discover the strange-feeling ridge of flesh that ran along the length of her inner walls. Guessing at its purpose, he rubbed his tongue along it slowly, and was rewarded with a deep moan and a shiver from his Argonian lover, as well as more intense sucking and licking at his length in return. Emboldened, he slid two fingers into her as well, caressing that ridge with them as his tongue lapped up her wetness; Marz squirmed atop him, her tail swaying back and forth, her moans of pleasure muffled by his manhood, which she seemed absolutely adamant about keeping in her mouth. Her movements became quicker and her cries louder, and he understood that she was close to release, so he spread her entrance open wide and slipped his tongue into her as deeply as he could, pressing it firmly against her inner ridge.

That was enough to send her over the edge. She shuddered mightily against him, her tail twitching with the movement, and she let out a deep, long moan into his groin as her juices seemed to pour out from her; he did what he could to catch all of it, but most ended up all over his face and neck. Once the peak had finally passed for her, she slowly let him free from the wet confines of her mouth and raised her head to look back at him. "Giolaus," she whimpered. "No one has... ever done that to me before." She gave his length an affectionate nuzzle before turning around to face him, once more straddling his body. "I can't... I... it is almost as though I feel I am dreaming. Part of me cannot believe this is real."

He wrapped his arms around her and kissed her neck. "What can I do to prove that it is?" he asked playfully.

"Well... I can think of one rather convincing way...." She lowered her hips, rubbing her slickened sex against his own. "If you are willing, of course, my wonderful Giolaus."

"Willing, my sweet Marz? I could never refuse you."

She let out a soft, hissing sigh as she set her hands at his sides, gazed deeply into his eyes and lowered herself onto him, letting his length impale her. The soft, wet, slightly cool flesh of her entrance surrounded him, and both of them let out a long, quiet moan. "Sweet mother Mara," Marz whimpered. "Giolaus, you are so warm, so firm within me... I have never felt anything quite like this before."

He leaned up and placed a soft kiss to her scaled lips. "You are the best lover any man could hope for."

She squeezed him with her inner muscles, making him groan again. "I am your lover, now. Let me give myself to you."

And with that, she began to move against him, and words faded from his mind, replaced by wonderful sensations. Their soft moans, the wet sounds her sex made as he slid in and out of her, the rustle of the bed beneath them, and the pleasant slap of scales against skin- every sound they made formed the backdrop in Giolaus's mind, underscoring the pleasure that Marz brought him with each movement of her body. He clung to her, bound to her by passion and affection, caressing her and laying soft kisses against her scales wherever he could, and she responded with gentle licks against his skin and even quicker movements.

He felt her tremble from a second climax, and she buried her snout against his chest in order to stifle the involuntary cry of pleasure. But she never stopped moving against him, and as the peak faded, she gazed at him with a look so carnal and wanting that it transcended all differences of race and lifestyle. With a soft snarl of desire, she raised her tail, arched her back and began to ram herself down on him over and over again. It was all he could do to hold on to her and keep his voice down as she rode him like a stallion, her eyes narrowed in concentration and her breathing harsh and ragged.

It had been so long since his last coupling, and so taken by surprise was he by her burst of passion, that he couldn't last much longer. She seemed to sense it, and her motions became quicker, almost frantic, as if her one goal in life was to bring him to climax. He gazed up at her in wonder, unable to utter a word, left grunting like a beast by the pleasure this wonderful woman was bringing him.

His climax rushed through him like a jolt of magicka, almost making him cry out before he could regain some semblance of control over himself. His body shook beneath Marz's as his length shot jet after jet of his seed into her cool, moist depths, and her sex squeezed his gently inside of her. The moment seemed to stretch on forever, until finally his body had no more to give, and the pleasure slowly died down as the last spurt of his seed entered her. Above him, Marz shuddered slightly, eyes closed, as she gently lowered herself against him. "Giolaus...." she murmured.

He wrapped his arms around her weakly, his strength spent. "Marz... that was incredible."

She opened her eyes slowly, and arched her neck to look up at him. "That... I... I don't know what came over me, Giolaus. At that moment, at my peak, with your warmth inside of me, I...." She shook her head for a moment, apparently trying to come up with a way to describe what had happened. "I felt this overwhelming need to please you, to bring you to your peak, to take your seed inside me. I had become a rutting animal, but it felt so natural, so wonderful, so free... I could not help but give into it."

He placed a soft kiss against her snout. "I won't complain in the least," he told her, his voice soft. "Is it an Argonian thing?"

"I... do not think so. No other man has ever brought me to that state. And I don't think it was because you are human." She licked his chest lightly. "I think it was simply you, Giolaus, and those wonderful things you did to me. I felt no reservations, no insecurities... all I knew was you, and my desire to please you." She snuggled against him, letting out a soft sigh. "Whatever happens to us in Bruma, my sweet lover, what we have shared tonight can never be taken from us."

He stroked her cheek gently, loving the feel of her scales there. "Whatever happens," he agreed. "I will be yours, and you will be mine, if you wish to be."

"I do. I most certainly do."

They cleaned themselves up a bit, with help from some water from the pitcher on the nightstand, and redressed so that they wouldn't scandalize some poor servant checking on things in the middle of the night. Then they settled into that warm, soft bed, held each other close, and drifted off into an exhausted but contented sleep.

--

"I would never have guessed that you could see someone's breath." Marz chuckled quietly as she slipped the hood of her coat over her head. "Odd that I cannot see mine, though. Perhaps because my body doesn't warm itself the way yours does?"

"I would think so, yes." Giolaus exhaled small clouds of steam into the cold air, watching them vanish moments later. It was hard to see them against the dark grey, overcast afternoon skies, that threatened to drop snow on them at any moment. "It is strange to be somewhere this cold," Marz murmured. "But... refreshing, in a way. I will never be a Nord, but perhaps I could grow accustomed to such weather, with time."

"I don't doubt that you could." He gave her hand a gentle squeeze. "It might be nice to come up here once in a while, just for a change of pace from Bravil."

"Mmmh." She nodded. "While I am dedicated to the Temple, I have found that the idea of travelling occasionally appeals to me. Especially when I have a travelling companion so warm to snuggle against when the weather is cold." She pressed herself against him, lightly nosing his ear. "Have I told you in the last five minutes how glad I am that you are here with me?" she asked him.

"I think you have, but I don't think I'll ever tire of hearing it." He grinned, leaning back to plant a soft kiss on her snout. "I'm glad to have you here as well. To be honest... I'd be a lot more worried if I were coming up here alone. I feel better having you with me."

She gave him a gentle smile and settled her chin against his shoulder. As they continued along the road towards Bruma, snowflakes began to drift down, dancing in the slight northeastern wind; Marz watched them, enthralled. One fell on her gloved left hand, and she gazed at it in wonder. "Amazing," she whispered. "Frozen rain, falling from the skies. My tribe back in the Marsh would never believe it."

"A pity more Argonians don't travel the other provinces. Still, you could probably say that about most of the other races." He grinned. "I've known Nords who thought will-o-the-wisps were nothing but folklore until they saw one. From a safe distance, of course."

"Mmh. I can understand. As many creatures as I had seen in the swamps, there was nothing quite so frightening as a minotaur." She shivered a bit. "It is good to travel with someone whom you can rely upon."

The snowfall grew heavier as they rode on, though the horse- well-protected by her thin blanket- didn't seem to mind in the least. Marz watched the white flakes fall in contemplation. "Do you hear that, Giolaus?" she asked quietly.

"Hm? What?"

"Nothing. I mean... there is utter silence. I can hear nothing but the steps of our horse."

She was right, of course; the quickly-falling snow deadened what little sound came from the wilderness around them. "It's been a while since I've 'heard' that," he told her. "Wonderful, isn't it?"

"It is amazing. I have never known silence so complete." She tightened her embrace. "I feel as though you and I exist in our own world at this moment. If only all the world could know such peace."

It warmed his heart to watch her experience this for the first time; he'd forgotten his own wonder, as a child, at watching the snows fall. They remained quiet as they made their way northward up the hills, watching the crennelations of Bruma's walls rise into view; torches at the main gate had already been lit against the darkening skies, and a young Imperial man cheerfully took their horse in at the stable as the pair entered the city. Past a tall granite statue of Talos- at which Giolaus habitutally bowed his head- and up a flight of stairs, the two found the Jerall View Inn, quite cozy-looking and welcoming to the two cold and weary travelers. There was a room available, and its reasonable twenty-five gold asking price was paid by their somewhat dwindling funds, which also bought a small meal to take into the room- which, to Marz's surprise, was in the basement. "To keep in the warmth?" she ventured as she closed the door behind her.

"Right in one." Giolaus hung up his travel cloak, then took hers and hung it as well. While not nearly as plush as their room in the Imperial City, it was comfortable, warm without being stuffy. Giolaus had asked the publican- a genial Nord named Hafid Hollowleg, who had given them a strange look on their request to share a room but had said nothing against it- to wake them at dawn. He didn't want to ask for any sort of special treatment based on his and Marz's mission here; it was enough for him that he had a warm bed and someone to share it with, when the other soldiers were sleeping on bedrolls underneath makeshift tents.

The pair undressed in front of each other with the ease and familiarity of lovers, embracing each other gently and sharing a soft kiss before slipping into the bed together. "It strikes me as odd," Marz said quietly, "that this is only our second time doing this... and yet it feels as natural as anything to me."

"I could say the same." He stroked her head-ridge gently. "I don't at all feel self-conscious with you. I just enjoy being with you too much."

"Mmm." She leaned over and affectionately licked his neck. "I feel the same way. I love you, Giolaus. And once this is done, and the Mythic Dawn is destroyed-" he loved the surety with which she said that- "I do not want this to end. Yet our stations in life allow for so little personal time and privacy... how will we hope to be together?"

"We'll work something out, Marz." He leaned over to kiss her neck, his lips lightly brushing against the flap of skin over her gills, and she shivered. "I can swap shifts, try to gather up a little time off... after all this is over, I'm sure that I'll be able to get the occasional entire weekend off. And I'm sure Olava and Chana would give you leeway and some extra personal time if I lent a hand with your duties. We could afford to rent a room on occasion."

She gave him a smile. "Maybe... though I would rather spend all my free time with you, away from everyone else. But I would make any sacrifice for you, my sweet Imperial." She laid back in the bed. "However, for tonight, you and I have only one concern."

"And I think I know what that is." He moved himself over her, and she spread her legs, gently wrapping them around his waist. "To cause each other as much pleasure as we can possibly stand?"

"If not more." She slipped her arms around his neck, and he lowered himself upon her, his length parting the edges of her sex and sliding into her already-slickened passage. Her body shivered against his, and he felt her tail lash lightly against his legs. "Mmmmh," she sighed. "I cannot get used to that. It feels so wonderful."

"I'm willing to give you all the time you want to get used to it," he murmured into her ear. Slowly, he drew himself out of her and slid in again, careful to be quiet, as the doors here were not as thick as the Tiber Septim Hotel's. "Ohhh," she gasped. "Giolaus... it is an effort for me not to make noise... I want to cry out my pleasure to the heavens for you."

He laid a soft kiss on her lips. "Someday," he whispered. "Someday we will be free to do as we like, together. I promise you this."

She pressed her heels against his back lightly, urging him to action. "A worry for another day, love," she told him. "Now... take me. Please."

Once more, he gave himself over to instinct, and began to thrust himself into her, hearing her whimper softly and feeling her body pressing against his. They quickly found a pleasurable rhythm, Marz rising up to meet him every time he rocked against her. He had to fight the urge to take her as hard as he could, and the knowledge that she ached for him to do so made it even more difficult. He ground himself against her, wanting to feel every last inch of her depths, moaning softly as she pressed her thighs against him and squeezed him tightly within her. "Ohhhh, yesssss...." she hissed into his ear. "No man has loved me as you do, my sweet Imperial... ohh, blessed Mara... I am yours, Giolaus... harder, pleasssse...!"

The need in her voice, in her gaze, almost drove him beyond all reason. He thrust himself into her as quickly as he could while still keeping quiet, and her soft, growling whimpers of pleasure increased in pace. He was barely conscious of her clawtips pressing against the skin of his back or of her tail lashing against his shins; all he knew was her wide, shining eyes, her tight grip on his body, and her cool wet depths clutching at him.

It was much too soon when he felt his control begin to slip. Somehow, Marz knew, and she arched her neck to lick his ear lightly. "Giolaus," she panted. "Fill me. Please." She squeezed him within her, her body shuddering from the pleasure. "I want to feel that warmth...."

He pressed himself against her, grinding, rocking his hips to rub himself against every fold of her wet passage. Her shuddering breaths and whimpers of pleasure were music to his ears, fueling his building orgasm, He pulled her to him, embracing her tightly, a barely-suppressed cry of ecstacy leaving his lips as he finally gave himself over to climax; his length poured his seed into her, more than he thought he could possibly give, and his Argonian lover's body eagerly milked him for every bit it could. Marz's jaw hung open as she panted for breath, trembling beneath him. "Mmmhhh," she murmured. "Making love to you makes me feel so alive, Giolaus... not just the warmth of your body, but of your heart."

She released her embrace long enough for him to lie down next to her, and they cuddled together beneath the blankets, enjoying the afterglow. "Marz," Giolaus said quietly. "Tomorrow, you and I go out to do what we can to maybe save all of Nirn... either of us could fall to the daedra, or Gods only know what else. I don't want to leave this world without being sure that you know how much I love you."

"I know, Giolaus. You have not failed in any way to show me that." She nuzzled his chest. "I love you, too. Whatever may happen to us in the morning... that fact will never change."

Content to sleep in the nude for the night- Nords were sticklers on hospitality and wouldn't dream of entering a guest's room without good cause- the pair burrowed into the thick covers and snuggled close together. It didn't take long for Marz's body to warm from their cozy embrace, and the exhaustion of travel and lovemaking quickly put them to sleep.

--

"Is that... him?" Marz tugged nervously at the collar of her cloak. "The Emperor?"

"Soon to be, once Saros can get him safely back to the Imperial City. Emperor Martin Septim." Giolaus shook his head slowly. "To think of it... they say he was raised by a farmer, served as a Priest of Akatosh in Kvatch, and now he's leading us into battle against the Daedra for the sake of Nirn itself. I can't begin to imagine what's going through his mind."

"The same as with you and I, I think, Giolaus." She placed a hand on his shoulder. "Fear, uncertainty. Hope."

"You're probably right." He fiddled with the strap of his shield, even though it was firmly tightened. A cold wind pushed at them from the southwest, making Marz pull her cloak around herself protectively. "The waiting is the hardest part," she murmured. "I want to move, and not just because of the cold."

"Mmh. I know what you mean." Once more Giolaus checked his scabbard, watching as Martin spoke with the Countess and Saros for a few moments more. Finally, whatever they were discussing was decided, and the Emperor and the Hero of Kvatch began a march towards the main gate. Burd, the Countess's guard Captain, raise his hand and twirled two fingers in the air, the signal for everyone to gather up; chainmail and leather rasped as the assembled soldiers and others joined the procession. Soldiers from the various cities were not the only ones joining the fight; both the Mages' and Fighters' Guilds had sent what few members they could spare, and a number of civilians had also volunteered. Giolaus had the sneaking suspicion that at least a couple of them were Thieves' Guild material- not that he cared; a strong arm, quick mind or keen eye were welcome no matter what. Gathered together, they numbered nearly fifty brave souls of all races and creeds. We may actually have a chance after all, Giolaus thought, gently squeezing Marz's hand.

A crowd of Bruma's citizens had gathered on either side of the main road, cheering and applauding the group as they marched. "All hail Martin Septim!" they cried. "Huzzah, the new Emperor! Huzzah, the Hero of Kvatch!" Some of the other soldiers waved back, others pumped their fists in excitement, but it was all Giolaus could to do keep one foot moving in front of the other. Every step he took on the cold, snow-covered ground felt as though he were approaching destiny itself. Marz's gentle grip on his hand might not have been the only thing keeping him going forward, but it was no small part of it either. We'll be alright, it promised him. I am here for you.

The cheering receded behind them as they left the city proper and marched a short way to a clearing, where apparently the daedra had plans to open up the same sort of gate that Kvatch had seen. The soldiers and various volunteers formed a rough double-line at the edge of the depression, while the young Septim- closely followed by the Hero of Kvatch- walked out into the center, clearly intent on delivering a speech. Judging by the nervousness now being shown by those assembled before the would-be Emperor, Giolaus knew that it had better be a good speech.

And in a clear, authoratative voice, Martin Septim met that need.

"Soldiers of Cyrodiil! The Empire will stand or fall by what we do here today. Would we let the Daedra do to Bruma what they did to Kvatch? Will we let them burn our homes? Will we let them kill our families?" He turned on his heel, clenching a plate-clad fist. "No! We make our stand here! Today, for the whole of Cyrodiil!" He looked up at Saros, whose expression was at once grim and proud. "We must hold fast until the Hero of Kvatch can destroy their Great Gate! We must kill whatever comes out of that Gate!" With one quick motion, the Imperial yanked his gilded sword free from its scabbard. "Soldiers of Cyrodiil! Do you stand with me?!"

Giolaus drew his own sword and raised it into the air, matched by the soldiers around him. "For the Empire!" he roared, his battle cry mingling with dozens of others into a chorus of defiance. As Martin turned to face the rear of the clearing, an elderly Breton in dark Akaviri-style armor raised a wicked-looking katana. "Soldiers, listen carefully!" he called out. "We must protect the Emperor and ensure that the daedra do not leave this clearing! The Hero of Kvatch will be going into Oblivion alone to stop their siege engine and destroy their Great Gate from within, but it will be up to us to keep Bruma from being overrun in the meantime. Maintain your ranks, keep your eyes open, and fight with everything you have!" As he spoke, the ground began to rumble; just as he finished, something split the earth at the far end of the depression- two spires of pure obsidian, which quickly connected at the top to form a rough "O" shape. A Gate! Giolaus realized.

The Breton obviously understood as well. "Form up! Archers, Mages, be ready!" he shouted.

Bowstrings bending and magicka crackling filled the air as a blood-red shimmer formed in the middle of the Gate. As soon as it had stretched to fill the Gate's edges, something clambered out of it- a spider daedra, looking somewhat surprised at its new surroundings. Six arrows and a shock spell gave it little time to adjust before it died. The brief feeling of victory that welled up in Gioalus' chest, however, died very quickly when five more shapes scrambled through the Gate- almost crawling over each other, it seemed, in their eagerness to emerge- and rushed the assembled group.

Giolaus felt the emotional part of his mind quiet, leaving reason and rationality at the forefront. The horrible, bloodthirsty demons from another plane became simply enemy units- having different strengths and weaknesses, requiring different tactics. He dimly heard his own battle cry as he rushed forward at a scamp- not the highest-value target, but its fireballs would make it dangerous if ignored- and swung his sword in a tight arc, lower left to upper right, cleaving through the little demon's abdomen and chest. Foul blood splurted, and the creature fell back with a strangled cry.

One down. There was no room in his mind for any sort of celebration. There was literally a limitless number of daedra that could come pouring out of that gate. So when one of the Xivilai- the hulking beasts that looked like Dremora, but weren't quite, from what he'd been told- rushed forward with a large ebony warhammer, Giolaus was quick to sidestep him and use his greater maneuverability to slice at the back of one of its knees. It snarled, going down for a moment, and Giolaus turned his attention to one of the Clannfear that was rushing at him. Unwilling to strike the creature and suffer from its ability to redirect physical damage, he instead juked left, then jumped to his right at the last moment, causing the creature to misdirect its leap and plow into the downed Xivilai. Before either demon could recover, a lightning bolt blasted the Xivilai flat onto its back, and the Clannfear faded from existence with an ear-piercing screech.

A quick glance around showed him that so far, the crowd of daedra was being kept thin. But a sudden rumbling under his feet served as warning that their adversaries were upping the stakes; a second Gate erupted from the ground, just to the left of the first, and formed another portal through which more eager daedra scrambled into the world. Suddenly pressed with double the amount of hostiles, the front ranks reformed, and Giolaus found himself with a woman dressed in Cheydinhal armor to his left and a large Khajiit male in thick leather armor to his right. All three of them instinctively ducked as a huge fireball streamed over their heads, impacting a crowd of daedra and sending a few of them flying; Giolaus raised his sword and rushed at those who had survived the blast, followed closely by the woman and the Khajiit. A scorched-looking spider daedra, half of its hair burned to cinders, looked up with its one still-functioning eye to see Giolaus' sword come down on its skull. As the now mostly-headless corpse dropped, Giolaus spun on his heel- and caught sight of the Khajiit stabbing his glass shortsword through the heart of a daedroth. "Back to Oblivion with you!" the feline snarled, yanking his weapon free. Giolaus opened his mouth to congratulate the beast-man on his kill-

THOK

-and then the Khajiit was falling over, a thick ebony arrow protruding from the side of his skull, the corpse landing on the frozen ground with a soft thud.

Everything seemed to slow down, a moment stretching out to forever, as Giolaus turned towards the second Gate. A Dremora archer was already knocking another arrow, eyes scanning the crowds for another target of opportunity. Before he knew what he was doing, he found himself rushing the archer, shield up and sword trailing behind, rage coursing through his brain. It was stupid, it was foolhardy, it went against every last lesson of combat he'd learned- but Giolaus had seen a life taken within arm's reach of him, without any warning or chance to defend, and he would not stand back and let it happen again.

The world was a blur around him as he rushed forward, hacking at targets of opportunity as they presented themselves but always keeping that archer in sight. His pell-mell run somehow kept him out of the way of various weapons and magicks aimed at him, and even put him squarely at the back of a Dremora mage who was too busy fighting a duel of ice spheres with one of the Mages' Guild contingent to notice him- until he put his blade through the robed demon's spine, at least- until he cleared the main battle line. The archer caught sight of him and reached back to draw a wicked-looking arrow, as Giolaus put as much speed as he could into his rush.

Then the ground bucked underneath their feet, sending both Imperial and Dremora spilling across the frozen earth, and a deep rumble that drowned out the sounds of battle spoke of the opening of a third Gate. Giolaus scrambled to his feet, sword still clenched in his hand, and found the Dremora struggling to stand; his heavy armor proved a hindrance to the task, and Giolaus took advantage, driving the tip of his sword through the back of the unhelmeted archer's neck. With a choking gurgle, the demon's struggles ceased.

Heat washed over him as he pulled his blade free, and a deeper rumble that made the ground swell like waves at sea almost forced him to his knees. "The Great Gate!" he heard someone- Martin? It could have been- cry out. "Quickly, Saros, you must enter! Retrieve the Great Sigil Stone before the Siege Engine can emerge!"

As if moving through some invisible corridor, a tall figure in silver-and-black armor rushed through the front lines, towards the enormous Gate that was steadily rising from behind the three others. Almost as soon as the portal formed, Saros was flinging himself into it, disappearing from view in a wash of ruddy red light. "People of Cyrodiil!" Martin cried out from somewhere far too close to the battle. "Redouble your efforts! The Hero of Kvatch enters Oblivion itself to stop the Daedra, but it is we who must ensure he has a city to return to! Rally upon me, and we will send these demons back to the depths of Oblivion they crawled from!"

For the first time since this battle had started, real hope gripped Giolaus' heart. This day could be won, with strength and courage, and he would not let his own fail! With renewed vigor he sprinted back towards the battle lines, steering clear of the corpses that littered the ground, and cutting down a scamp who had strayed too far from its masters. Aside from a half-hearted freezing spell that hit the ground a few feet behind him, he managed to skirt the main battle group without incident.

It was when he got to the defensive lines that he understood why. The attention of every single Dremora was fixed on the young would-be Emperor, and only a ragged double-line of defenders stood between them and him. Yet for some reason the demon hordes weren't pressing the attack, and as Giolaus reached the ranks of the defense force, he could sense the confusion and fear that permeated the lines. "Why aren't they attacking?" he overheard a Bosmer mutter.

A simple enough answer popped into his head. They're waiting for something.

What that something was appeared a moment later. Another Dremora stepped through the Great Gate, but this one stood out from the others; it was much taller, clad in ebony armor so black that it seemed to absorb all light around it, and the eyeslits of its thick helmet glowed with a crimson light that hurt to simply look at. The new arrival bore a katana longer than many spears Giolaus had seen on its belt, and as he watched, the demon drew it forth, causing a screech of metal that made him cringe. That massive hunk of ebony was pointed in the would-be Emperor's general direction, and a voice that sounded like the end of everything issued forth from that helmet.

"DEATH TO THE FINAL SEPTIM!"

And with that, the stalemate broke as the Daedra attacked. A good number of them fell in the few seconds it took them to reach the defenders, thanks to prepared mages and archers, but once the battle was joined face-to-face there were precious few openings for ranged combat that did not put allies at risk. The defense lines bowed before the onslaught, but did not break, as mortals desperately fought to hold their ground. Despite his best efforts to use some sort of strategy, it was all Giolaus could to do keep himself alive, as he blocked and parried and slashed, just barely able to keep his opponents from rolling him over. His previous calm fractured more and more each time he heard the scream of man, mer or beastfolk somewhere around him. Can't keep this up, he thought desperately. Too many of them... damn it, pay attention!

He raised his shield just in time to deflect a blow from a Xivilai's glass warhammer, and was sent staggering back from the force of the impact- and away from the jaws of a Daedroth clamping shut where he'd just been. He managed to plant one foot and bring his sword down onto the Daedroth's arm, cutting deep and enraging the beast; the creature spun towards him, his tail lashing out and knocking the Xivilai off-balance. The massive reptilian monster raised its head, maw opening wide to bite Giolaus in half-

-and then a blast of freezing-cold air blew past Giolaus' right side and impacted dead-center on the Daedroth's chest, making the creature roar in agony as the cryokinetic spell split scale-toughened skin and tore the muscles beneath. The Daedroth fell back, snarling, and before it could regain its feet, Martin himself rushed forward to drive his sword through its chest. The beast's growl became a choking gurgle, and even as it fell back to the ground, the elderly Breton dashed past Giolaus on the left and lopped off the half-risen Xivilai's head with a single stroke of his Akaviri katana. Martin raised his sword high and called out. "Defenders of Cyrodiil! Rally to me! This line must hold until the Hero of Kvatch returns! Fight for your homes, for those you care for! Do not let the demons defeat you!"

The tactical part of Giolaus' mind noted how foolhardy it was to have such a valuable target as Martin at the front lines. The rest of him was enormously glad for it. Having their leader fighting alongside them boosted the Cyrodiilans' flagging morale, bringing them to fight all the harder, and the effect made a notable change in the flow of battle; for the first time since the Great Gate had opened, the Daedric lines were beginning to collapse. Giolaus sliced through two legs of a Spider Daedra, causing it to stumble, and a Redguard woman with a poleaxe longer than she was tall finished it off with a quick thrust of her weapon between its breasts. Three Elven arrows thudded home into a Dremora's chestplate in quick succession, staggering the demon, and Giolaus was quick to circle behind it and thrust his sword into its lower back. It screamed in agony and crumpled to the ground, bringing a Bosmer somewhere behind the lines to shout triumphantly. We've got the advantage for now, Giolaus thought, scanning the crowds for any new threats. But Saros has to hurry or we'll be overrun through sheer attrition-

He reflexively ducked as something small, dun-colored and screaming flew over his head. The bizarre thought that the Daedra had started using their own Scamps as catapult ammunition was quickly squashed when he saw the real reason- the enormous Dremora was literally bashing its own troops out of his way, apparently so eager to join the battle that it didn't feel like waiting for the other demons to move aside. Arrows and magicka screamed through the air towards it, but its thick armor seemed to deflect or absorb whatever was thrown at it; the assault barely slowed the creature down as it finally reached the battle lines, intent on plowing through whatever stood between it and Martin.

The Redguard woman with the poleaxe was the first to go against it- only to have her arcing swing easily knocked aside by its sword, which came around to cut both her weapon and her body in half without so much as slowing. Fresh blood splattered across the frozen ground as another life fled its mortal coil. "Bring it down, BRING IT DOWN!" an Orc called out, rushing forward as quickly as his Dwarven-armor-clad body could manage; he raised a steel claymore and brought it down in a brutal blow, only to have the attack blocked by the Dremora's gauntlet, shattering the weapon as though it were glass. Before the Orc could recover his balance, that wicked ebony blade speared through him, puncturing armor and bone with equal ease and lifting the massive warrior off of his feet for a moment before the Dremora yanked its weapon back to let the corpse fall.

Giolaus was afraid, deep down to his core. But he knew that if that juggernaut in black armor killed Martin, then everyone was going to die- likely in ways that would make this massacre seem gentle in comparison. So it was with every expectation of a quick and brutal death that he charged forward, approaching the Dremora Prince- he was sure that was what it was- from its left, keeping his approach as silent as possible to try to surprise the demon.

It didn't work, of course, and he was expecting the horizontal swing aimed at his head, but he was a hair too slow in ducking it and it sheared off the top of his shield like a knife going through cheese. Giolaus managed a crouching stab into the demon's stomach, but the tip of his sword skittered off the dense metal, barely scoring a mark in its surface; before he could get a second strike in, one huge gauntleted hand smashed into his shield, nearly breaking his arm beneath it and sending him tumbling through the air to land on something metal. He lay there for a moment, trying to remember which way was up, grasping his arm to his chest in an effort to get the feeling back.

Finally, his senses came back to him, and he clambered off of the corpse of the Dremora he had slain not three minutes ago, shaking his head to clear it. His shield was little more than half a plank of wood still strapped to his arm, and his sword was gone, but the ebony katana the dead Dremora had held was still on the ground next to it, so he hefted the heavy weapon as best he could with his terribly-aching arm and glanced around for signs of the Dremora Prince... not that he expected it to be hard to find a nine-foot-tall juggernaut that every mortal in the area wanted dead.

There he is. Several of the remaining defenders had formed a line in front of the Emperor, a veritable wall bristling with weaponry, and yet the Prince stood before them with its weapon held idly at its side as though it were under no threat at all. Whether it was simply savoring the moment or deciding who to murder first, Giolaus had no intention of letting it continue on, so with every last ounce of strength in his tired body, he rushed forward with the katana over his shoulder, ready to swing.

Even though it seemed to sense his coming and turned to parry his blow, it appeared surprised to see one of its own weapons brought against it, and the clashing blades staggered the Dremora Prince just a little. Giolaus planted his left foot and hauled the weapon back around with all of his might, but the demon was quicker, and brought its weapon up to turn his aside. He lost his balance and almost lost his grip on his weapon as he staggered back, expecting that wicked blade to come back around and cut him down- but there was a shout, and the sound of metal striking metal, and Giolaus turned to see that the other defenders had taken advantage of the Prince's momentary distraction. An iron warhammer smashed against the Daedra's backplate, and as the demon turned, a steel shortsword struck its arm, trying for the bend point in its armor at the elbow. A fireball struck the side of its helmet and exploded, causing a flare of light and smoke that temporarily blinded the creature, and Giolaus saw an opening.

He was too weak, the blade too heavy, for him to hope to cut through that thick ebony armor. But however strong the demon was, seventy pounds of metal swung with all the might one tired Imperial could muster delivered enough of an impact to its helmet to stagger it, and the Argonian with the iron warhammer capitalized on that key moment, driving his weapon into the back of one of the demon's knees. With a cry that sounded more like surprise than pain, the Prince fell sideways and hit the ground like a ton of bricks.The defenders were quick to take the advantage and began to beat on the downed Dremora with their weapons, as it struggled to regain its feet; impossibly, despite the efforts of seven people to keep it down, the Prince rolled to its side and got one arm under its body to begin to regain its feet.

"No you don't!" Martin's sword swung in an upward arc, catching the temple of the demon's helmet and shattering it, sending the Dremora back onto the ground. The face beneath the helmet was just as terrible to behold- black bone horns, glowing red eyes, snarling mouth baring teeth flecked with blood- and it stared up at the would-be Emperor in defiance. "Celebrate this minor victory while you can," it growled. "You merely send me back home. I will see your souls join me in Oblivion soon enough!"

"Save your speeches for your master." Martin raised his blade in both hands and drove it down through the Prince's eye, and that massive armored body shuddered for a moment before finally relaxing. Before Giolaus could even think of some way to celebrate, a call came out from further down the line. "The Great Gate!" someone shouted. "Look! The Siege Engine comes!"

Is this it? Giolaus wondered, letting the heavy Daedric sword fall out of his hands as he watched the massive crawler begin to emerge from the Gate. All our effort so that this infernal construction could simply trample us and destroy the city? Saros, where are you?!

Just as the Siege Engine turned its firey maw towards the city- not even fully emerged yet- there was a flash of light, and Giolaus cringed, expecting a wave of fire to claim him and everyone else around. But then there was the crashing of metal against the ground, and he looked up to see the Gate collapsing; the Engine, still coming through, was severed in half by the closing of the portal, and with its structure so violently compromised, it literally tore itself to pieces as it fell to the cold Bruma earth in a heap. Emerging from the dust of the destroyed war engine was a tall figure holding something that glowed with the same twisting red energies that the Gate had used.

"The Hero of Kvatch!" someone shouted. "It's him! He did it! He DID it!"

Giolaus dropped to his knees in stunned exhaustion, his mind struggling to process this last-second reprieve after staring at the fiery maw of destruction that had claimed Kvatch. Saros rushed up to the Emperor, his expression tired and grim despite the congratulations the survivors heaped upon him. "My apologies, Sire, for the last-moment delivery," he said, bowing. "There was some resistance inside the gate... but I have what we needed." He held out the Great Sigil Stone, which Martin quickly took. The Dunmer looked around at the corpse-strewn battlefield, at the few remaining Daedra being mopped up by the defenders, and the wounded being tended to by healers who had come down from the rear lines. "I'm glad to see you were able to hold out," he murmured.

"Indeed, with the help of these brave people here." Martin stuffed the Great Sigil Stone into a carrying bag slung over his shoulder. "I must get this back to Cloud Ruler Temple at once, Saros. Join me when you are able... but rest a while first. I fear your next task will require no less effort."

"Yes, Sire." Saros joined the others who were walking- or staggering- back towards Bruma. Giolaus managed to regain his feet, and turned towards the hills above the clearing. "Marz?" he called out.

"Giolaus!" There she was, just standing up from the side of a wounded Altmer, giving him words of comfort and a pat on the shoulder before rushing towards her lover. He picked her up in his uninjured arm, spinning her around, and she laughed softly. "We did it!" he told her. "We stopped them!"

"We did, thank the Nine." She placed her hand on his cheek. "We have lost so many lives today... but we have saved countless more." She lowered her eyes for a moment. "Field healing has done all it can do here. The wounded are being prepared for transport back to Bruma, and I will be helping to look after them once we return. What of you, Giolaus? Are you hurt?"

"I took a bit of a hit to my arm." It hurt now to raise it, the numbness and adrenaline both wearing off, and she gently took the wounded limb in her hands and sent her magicka into it. The pain subsided a little. "You will come to be tended to as well, soldier," she told him, her eyes glittering with humor even as her voice did its best to sound authoratative. "I will not have you out of my sight until you are once more at full health."

"Yes ma'am." He grinned and kissed her forehead. "I don't think I want to let you out of my sight either. Not ever again."

She smiled at him, wrapping her arm around his waist and taking his uninjured hand in hers. "I like that idea."

--

The four days that came after the Battle for Bruma went by like a blur. Saros, now being hailed as the "Savior of Bruma", had left with Martin for the Imperial City the night before last; the cause was secret, but rumors swirled that they had somehow regained the Amulet of Kings and were racing back to the Temple of the One to instate the young Septim as the new Emperor. Between Marz needing to care for the wounded and Giolaus' recovery- both bones in his arm cracked by that single blow, he'd learned, and his wrist almost shattered as well- it had only been now that they had been able to set back out for home. Money would be no problem, though; the Blades- the Emperor's secret protective force- had paid quite fairly for the efforts of the survivors, and had promised to compensate the families of those who had fallen, where possible. Inside one of their saddlebags was an official commendation for Captain Lerus, who had been one of the many to give her life on that cold slope in the defense of her Empire.

"I'm definitely taking you for a bit of shopping," Giolaus chuckled, tugging at the reins of Saros' horse as she ambled her way along the stone road leading south towards the Imperial City. "Maybe get you a new dress, or a soft pillow for your cot in the Temple."

"And perhaps a new shirt or two for you as well," Marz giggled in reply. "Not to disparage you, love, but Leyara may have spoken the truth... your wardrobe could use a little updating."

"Maybe." He laughed good-naturedly. "We'll see. I'm sure no one will complain if we spend a day in the City. If there's a coronation for the Emperor, we might even get to see it."

"Mmh. And one more chance for us to be together before our return home." She rested her chin on his shoulder. "Well, two more chances, I suppose. That will be the most difficult part of our return to the routine."

"We'll figure something out." He patted her hand. "Maybe Kud-Ei and Henantier have an extra room they can rent to us. I think those two would understand why."

"Perhaps. It is worth asking once we...." Her breath caught in her throat. "Giolaus, look," she whispered. "The Imperial City... it is in flames!"

"By the Nine!" Even here, half a day's ride from the City itself, they could see smoke rising up from the different districts, and flames licking up at the skies. "What's going on over there? Could it be another Daedric invasion?"

"It could be... I believe I can see a Gate through the smoke...." As they watched, there was a great flash of bright red light, blinding even at this distance, and when his vision cleared his gaze fell upon a terrible sight. "It... it can't be," he gasped. "Please, Gods, don't let this be...."

The monstrous form of Mehrunes Dagon, standing head and shoulders above the very walls of the Imperial City, strode through the city as though it were his own personal playground. They were too far away to hear anything, but Giolaus could imagine the screams of the citizens trying to get away from the Daedric Prince of Destruction; he knew there was nothing that the Imperial Guard could hope to do to destroy him. "Is this... is this the end?" Marz whispered. "Has everything we have done been for nothing? Oh, beloved Mara, spare us...."

Giolaus could do nothing but grip her hand in his as they watched helplessly, waiting for some sign of what was to come, sitting on their nervous horse in silence as the very world seemed to wait with its breath held to learn of its fate. Mehrunes Dagon leaned over the dome of the Temple and caved in the roof with one mighty blow, reaching in after something...

...only to reel back as a flash of golden light speared out of the Temple, destroying most of what still stood inside as it flew into the thick clouds of smoke over the city. A moment later, a long, sinuous, glowing shape soared into view, dropping to the ground as it stood against the Prince of Destruction, easily as tall as he and bearing two gleaming wings in place of arms. "By Talos...!" Giolaus breathed.

"Yes...." Mara replied, her tone reverent. "It... it is Talos!"

The ensuing battle was a short one, which spared the city the massive damage that a full-on fight between Aedra and Daedra would've entailed; after taking several blows from the Daedric Prince, the dragon engulfed him with yellow flame, then seized his neck in its jaws and twisted, snapping the demon's neck in a move that would have instantly killed any mortal creature. Even Mehrunes himself was left dazed, and the avatar of Talos took advantage, once more smothering him in fire that finally destroyed the Prince of Destruction's physical form in a flash of white light. The dragon stood for a moment, obviously wounded, then reared back and let loose a triumphant roar loud enough to be heard even at their distance; as the Imperial and Argonian watched, the shimmering form became still and darkened, seeming to turn to stone before their very eyes.

It was a long moment later that Giolaus finally let out the breath that he hadn't known he'd been holding. Behind him, he felt Marz shaking uncontrollably. "Giolaus...." she whispered. "What... did we just witness?"

"I... I don't know." Despite the coolness of the air, he was sweating heavily. "We'd better go find out."

Their horse seemed to understand the urgency her two riders felt, and practically flew along the roads, reaching the bridge to the Imperial City as the sun was just touching the horizon. All along the streets, people were chattering about what had happened, and as the pair walked through the Talos and Elven Garden districts they were able to piece together what had happened- as Martin had been about to be crowned Emperor by the Elder Council, the City itself had been the victim of a massive Daedric incursion, somehow weakening the barriers between Oblivion and Nirn enough for Mehrunes Dagon to come through. Saros had brought Martin into the Temple of the One... and then there had been the battle for Nirn itself between Mehrunes and Talos, visible from practically anywhere in the entire country, from Chorrol to Cheydinhal. Martin hadn't been seen since, and Saros had been escorted into the Palace by Chancellor Ocato shortly after. Rumors were running rampant, each less likely than the last.

The pair booked a room in the King and Queen Tavern, as the All-Saints Inn had taken considerable damage during the fighting, and the other two Inns were booked solid. Their room- which had just been vacated by someone named Velwyn Benirus, who'd apparently just left for Anvil saying something about it "being safer with the ghosts"- was warm, cozy and set well away from the main hall, yet the two lovers couldn't find it in themselves to think of sex this night. They stripped themselves bare, snuggled together in the large double-bed, and discussed what they'd been through and seen.

"I know it may be difficult, but I would like to speak to Saros tomorrow." Marz rested her back against Giolaus' chest, sighing softly as he stroked the fins on her head. "Not only to find out what happened... but I worry for him. I know he was a close friend of young Martin, and with him missing now...."

"Mmh. You're right. The poor mer must be trying to put his own world back together again, after all he's been through. Gods provide that he's resting well tonight, I think he deserves it."

"Indeed." She gently laid her tail across his legs. "Giolaus... it seems as though we are safe now from the machinations of Mehrunes Dagon... so why is it that I still feel so uneasy?"

He considered for a moment, searching his own strikingly similar feelings as well. "If Martin is lost to us, that leaves the Empire without an Emperor or ascending heir for the first time in its history," he replied. "I'd imagine that the Elder Council will hold things together in the short run- everyone says they've been handling the day-to-day stuff for years- but I have no idea how the Empire is going to manage all the upheaval that's bound to happen now. Things haven't been exactly calm and quiet between the provinces for a long time."

"You are probably right." Marz squeezed his hand in hers. "It seems that the fate of the Empire rests largely in the hands of its people. I... wish I could find that more comforting than I do."

"I'd call you a pessimist if I wasn't feeling the exact same way." He laid a soft kiss on her neck, just below her gills. "But I suppose we haven't got a choice but to wait and see, do we?"

"We do not, of course." She slid her fingers between his, and he relished the feel of her soft scales on his palm. "All we can do is simply forge ahead, one day at a time, and pray that we have not saved ourselves from destruction only to inflict it upon ourselves instead."

As comforted as they were by each other's presence, it was a while before the two fell asleep.

--

"Quiet! Quiet, please!" High Chancellor Ocato had to shout to be heard above the concerned murmuring of the crowds gathered along Green Emperor Way; he stood flanked by guards at the entrance to the Council Chambers, in front of what seemed to be every last citizen of the city as well as a good number of others all crammed together in a rough semicircle. "Please, the sooner you all quiet down, the sooner you can hear what I have to say. Thank you." The Altmer adjusted the collar of his expensive-looking silk shirt. "Now. I appreciate that you have all come here to learn what transpired inside the City yesterday. No doubt that the sight of Daedra on our very streets was frightening and unnerving, let alone the culmination of that battle. You, the people of the Empire, seek answers, and I will give you what ones I can."

Typical politician, Giolaus thought, gently squeezing Marz's hand in his own as he sensed her impatience. Take your time getting to the point.

"Yesterday, at just after two hours past noon, the Hero of Kvatch, Saros Tahlran, brought into the Council's chambers the previously-hidden son of Uriel Septim VII, Martin. It was determined that he was indeed of royal blood, and was to be brought to the Temple of the One to relight the Dragonfires and end the Oblivion Crisis. Unfortunately, it was at that moment that Mehrunes Dagon brought forth the final phase of his plan, and opened Gates within our very walls, before emerging himself into our plane. No amount of military might could hope to repel the very Prince of Destruction, but Martin, protected by the Hero of Kvatch, gained entry into the Temple and enacted a desperate plan- perhaps the only one which may have saved us. Martin Septim shattered the Amulet of Kings and called upon the power of Talos to manifest his avatar here. Yes, that mighty dragon which you all saw was in fact the embodiment of Talos, himself."

"What became of Martin?!" someone called out from the back, starting up a new round of murmuring that had to be hushed before Ocato could continue.

"Please, allow me to continue without interruptions!" The High Chancellor lowered his head. "I truly regret to inform the good people of the Empire that our Emperor-to-be, Martin Septim, sacrificed his own life to summon the power of Talos." There were assorted gasps and shouts of dismay, and Giolaus held Marz tightly against him as she sobbed softly. "Truly would young Martin have made a brave and wise ruler, a credit to his lineage. Let it be known to all that the day of his passing, 9th day of First Seed, will be known as a day of mourning." He paused a moment, a sign of deference, and the crowd became similarly hushed. "The Empire now goes on without an Emperor to guide it, for the first time in its history. But you, the people of the Empire, need not fear. The Elder Council will continue to oversee the daily governance of the Empire and advise the various cities and provinces on how best to deal with situations which may arise. A reassessment of Imperial military and political stances will come shortly. In the long term, the Council will be holding a series of meetings to develop and implement the choosing of a new Emperor." He raised his hands. "I am afraid I can answer no questions at this time, as I and others have much work ahead of us in the coming months to ensure the safety and longevity of the Empire. I encourage you all to watch the Black Horse Courier for further bulletins from the Council. It is our hope to have smaller meetings between notable citizens of the Empire and representatives of the Council to better share information and discuss questions. For now, noble people of Cyrodiil, I wish you peace and luck."

With that, Ocato retreated into the Council building, leaving a large group of bewildered and upset people outside. As the crowds began milling out, Marz tugged at Giolaus' hand. "This way," she whispered into his ear, leading him behind one of the crypts, mostly out of sight of the masses leaving the center of the city. The Argonian's nostrils flared briefly. "Saros?" she whispered. "You are here?"

There was a quiet chuckle as a Dunmer seemed to form out of thin air. "You would make an excellent tracker, muthsera," he told Marz. "I'm sorry for hiding in such a way, but it seems I can't go anywhere without being mobbed. I wanted to hear what Ocato had to say."

"I can understand that, sir," Giolaus replied. "Is... is what Ocato said true? Martin is gone?"

A look of utter despondency crossed the Elf's dark features for a fleeting moment. "Yes. I was there."

"Sir... Saros...." Giolaus placed a hand on the mer's shoulder. "I didn't know him well. But what he did, he did for all of us. You did more than anyone could ever ask simply ensuring that he could."

"I know. It's... it's just hard to feel that at this moment."

"It will be some time before that comes to be, my friend," Marz said, gently clasping Saros' hands in hers. "You will mourn, and you will wonder what you could have done differently. And you will come to know, after a time, that the sacrifices made were not at all in vain, and that what was lost is a hundred times made up for in what was saved."

Red-irised Dunmeri eyes stared into red slitted Argonian eyes for a moment, and then Saros managed a smile. "Your wisdom is welcome, both of you," he said. "They want to call me 'the Champion of Cyrodiil', but without the help I received from people like you, there would be no Cyrodiil." He reached to his belt and untied a rather hefty pouch, which he handed to Marz. "Here. Spoils rescued from the depths of several of the most dank and disgusting holes the Deadlands had to offer. It doesn't seem I'll be needing to worry about money for some time, so I would rather this go to people who can use it."

Marz opened the pouch and gasped. Giolaus peered over her shoulder and saw that the thick leather pouch was practically overflowing with precious gems- rubies, diamonds, sapphires, one or two other kinds he didn't even know the names of. "My rough estimate is that this pouch will net you eight or nine thousand gold," Saros said. "More than enough to buy that home in Bravil and make it a comfortable place to live. I suggest you see Hamlof Red-Tooth at Red Diamond Jewelry and arrange to have a letter of marque drawn up so that you don't kill your horse with half a ton of gold."

Giolaus needed a moment to catch up to everything that was happening. "Wait... our horse? We'd intended to return her as soon as-"

"Yes, sera, your horse. I've no need of her now, and quite frankly I think the Orc that runs the stables outside the city would likely eat her." He shook his head. "No, I would like you to keep her, at least until you return to Bravil, and if you choose to sell her after then I merely ask that you find her a good owner who will care for her." Saros drew the hood of his cloak up over his head. "I thank you both for what you've done for me, but I need some time alone to think. The Champion of Cyrodiil needs to vanish for a while so that Saros Tahlran can grieve for a friend."

"I think we can understand that. If you need anything that we can assist you with, you only have to ask."

Saros shook his outstretched hand, and then Marz's. "Gods watch over you," he said, before slipping a ring onto one of his fingers and immediately vanishing from sight. Only a slight bending of the light showed the Dunmer hero walking towards one of the exits, until his silhouette was swallowed by the crowds.

Marz and Giolaus shared a glance. "I think we had better get to the Market District, then," she said quietly, her eyes wide in a combination of shock and excitement as she quickly closed the pouch and tucked it safely away.

He couldn't restrain a grin. "I think you're right."

--

The key rattled in the lock, and the door slowly swung open. Giolaus chucked quietly to himself as Marz peered in. "I cannot help it, I am so excited!" she exclaimed. "I have never owned a home of my own before."

"Neither have I, remember?" He squeezed her hand. "Come on, let's see what all that money got us."

Together, they walked inside the small house they'd purchased from the Count- to his great surprise- and looked around. They had gotten the furnishings with a bit of a discount from Nilawen, who was finally glad to have someone to sell them to, let alone two of their own "heroes of the Oblivion Crisis". While the place certainly wouldn't make any owners of the grand homes in the Imperial City jealous, it was warm, cozy and clean. Marz quickly went to start a fire to fight off the chill in the air, while Giolaus hung their cloaks up in the small closet near the door. "It looks much better on the inside if you ask me," he commented.

"Agreed!" Marz got some kindling to catch fire, and stood back as the flames grew. "This is quite nice," she decided, looking around. "We even have bookcases now! And a place for your duty armor and weapon. I will move that by the door for you."

"Let me help." Together they got the stand situated near the door. "Once we unpack, I'll get all my duty gear situated on there. We've got a dresser for our clothing, there's already a broom and such in the closet, and it looks like we've got a little space here for you to put together a shrine for Mara if you like."

"Mm, yes, that would be quite nice." Marz slid up to Giolaus and put her arms around his waist. "However, there is something else I would like to do first."

He laid a soft kiss on her snout. "And what is that, my dear?" he asked with a playful smile.

"Test the bed for sturdiness." Her scaled hands slid underneath his shirt and along his chest, drawing a soft moan from him. He was quick to reciprocate, reaching around her to stroke the base of her tail, giving it a light squeeze and making her gasp quietly. "This clothing is in my way," she teased, tugging at his shirt.

"Allow me to rectify that, my good lady." He was quick to shed his garments, standing naked before her, watching as her deep red eyes gazed over him and her tongue slid over her thin, scaled lips. "You... are sure that the door is locked?" she questioned, giving him a lacivious grin.

"Quite sure," he told her, reaching over to undo the sash of her dress. Her nimble hands joined his in laying her as bare as he was, and she let out a deep moan as his palms caressed her breasts. "I ache so deeply for you right now, Giolaus," she murmured. "I need to have you within me, here, in our home." She pulled him into the small bedroom, then climbed onto the bed on her hands and knees with her tail raised high. "Claim me," she begged. "Take me! I want to be yours!"

He was already on the bed by the time she finished speaking, kneeling behind her, gently grasping her tail with one hand and her waist with the other. His length rubbed against her sex, finding its edges already seeping with her wetness, and after a moment to lubricate himself to make his entrance easier, he slid himself into her. She hissed softly in pleasure, gripping the thick bedsheets. "Oh, Giolaus!" she cried out. "My love... do not hold back, please... give yourself to me with all of your passion...."

Her words, and the feel of her tail curling over his shoulder and pressing against his back, turned the flame of his desire for his Argonian lover into a roaring inferno. He drew himself back and waited for a long moment with just the tip of his length inside her, making her shiver underneath him, before thrusting himself as hard and deep as he could into her. She let out what almost seemed like a snarl of pleasure and clenched the sheets in her fists, placing her lower legs over his and pressing firmly to brace herself against him. Her inner muscles gripped him as he pulled out and thrust in again, beginning a swift rhythm, his bare skin slapping against her scales. Free from concerns of others overhearing, they were free to enjoy each other however they wished, and Giolaus was quite eager to take advantage of that.

Marz's body undulated beneath his as he drove himself into her, her hips rising up to meet him, her tail pressing against his back to urge him on. He could feel her squeeze him inside her as he drew back, as if her body were unwilling to let him go, and draw him into her cool, wet passage as he thrust forward. Her head was pressed against the pillow, and her gasps and moans were interspaced with whispers in her language, barely audible over the wet noises their union made. His sweat trickled down her scales as his body warmed hers, making her squirm even more beneath him.

Her climax was quick and loud, her voice strained as she gave out an inhuman growling cry of pleasure and shuddered beneath him. He paused for a moment to let her recover- and to catch his breath- while he stroked the small of her back. "So far it looks like the bed's holding up well," he chuckled.

"Mmm." She drew away from him and turned to pull him into her arms for a tender kiss, letting her tongue flick across his lips. "Good... for I intend to put it to good use, quite often." She gave him a toothy grin, reaching down to stroke his length, which practically dripped with her wetness. "And now, it is my turn, my sweet Giolaus," she told him. "Lie down for me, please."

He did so, eagerly, and she was quick to straddle him, rubbing her groin against his for a moment before once more taking him inside her. She began to ride him, stretching her arms over her head and bringing herself down on him with swift, smooth motions; he brought his hips up to meet her each time, and reached up to gently squeeze and caress her scaled breasts. He could feel her wetness dripping along his thighs, soaking his crotch and easing his entrance into her as her inner muscles clutched at him. Their quiet moans of pleasure were punctuated with soft panting, exclamations of love, and the occasional squeaking noise from deep in Marz's throat as Giolaus' length rubbed up against a particularly sensitive part of her sex.

It was when she bent down to kiss him that he wrapped his arms around her and rolled, leaving her pinned to the bed beneath him, as he gently pressed her arms against the bed and began driving himself into her as quickly as he could. "Oh my," she exclaimed, her ruby eyes going wide. "Ohhh...!" She wrapped her legs around his back tightly, pressing her thighs against his ribcage, and thrashed her tail against his shins as he took her. Her lips and tongue brushed across his neck, and he gently kissed her gillflaps in return, feeling her shiver a little underneath him. She threaded her fingers through his hair as she pulled him down for a deep kiss, her moans loud and insistent against his lips as her eyes closed tightly.

She gave him almost no warning that another climax was approaching- and by the look in her eyes, it was just as much a surprise to her. A deep, chirring noise escaped her throat as she pulled him against her tightly, her inner walls tugging at his length; the sensations were too much to withstand, and his own orgasm struck from seemingly nowhere, making him shudder against her as his length filled her with his seed. They clung to each other for a few minutes, panting softly, tangled up in each others' arms, before he slowly drew himself out of her and moved to lie next to her. "That was... amazing, Marz," he murmured, reaching up to stroke one of her head fins. "I mean... Gods, how long were we at it?"

"I... honestly have no idea." She chuckled softly, gazing up at the window and the sunlight streaming through the thin wool curtain that covered it. "But we may have visitors today- I'm sure that your friends in the Watch will wish to visit, as will the others at the Temple- so I believe we should make ourselves more presentable."

He laughed at that, needing a moment to get out of bed before he could help her up as well. As they washed themselves up, they gave each other soft kisses and caresses, stealing playful gropes and squeezes as they helped each other redress, and sat at their table holding each others' hands as they talked about their hopes for their new life together.

--

"The walls... R'vanni hears the walls laughing at him... make them stop...."

"Good Gods." Giolaus knelt down next to the poor Skooma addict, who was curled up in a ball and clutching his head. "How long has he been like this?"

"This one doesn't know." S'Krivva clasped her hands in front of her, her eyes narrowed and her ears back in a Khajiiti expression of worry. Giolaus had always had his doubts about her- guardsmen had spotted her associating with some known unscruplous sorts- but he could tell her concern was authentic. "She found him like this just moments ago and went to find someone to help. Skooma doesn't normally do this to R'vanni... could he have had even more than usual?"

"Even he has more sense than that. I wonder if he got a bad batch of the stuff." He slipped an arm underneath the bare-chested Khajiit's back. "Come on, old cat," he said soothingly. "Let's get you to the chapel and get a potion or two into you to help you ride out the worst of it."

R'vanni's eyes were darting back and forth, and his ears were plastered against his skull, but he seemed to relax a little at Giolaus' soothing voice. He allowed himself to he hauled to his feet and leaned heavily against the Imperial's plate-clad shoulder. "You... won't arrest him for this, will you, Captain?" S'Krivva asked.

"I think he's suffered more than enough for his indiscretion. We'll consider the public intoxication fine waived." He started forward, half-carrying the unsteady male beastman out of the alley where he'd been lying. "Heyyy...." the Khajiit drawled. "R'vanni knows you. You're the Human who beds the lizard lady."

Giolaus only chuckled, letting the comment pass; he wouldn't let an offhanded remark from someone obviously not in control of his own faculties upset him. S'Krivva seemed ready to tell her fellow felinoid to hush, but R'vanni's next words dismissed the need. "'S kinda sweet, R'vanni thinks. All what you Imperials say about us being equal in the eyes of the law, sometimes that smells like guar dung, but R'vanni sees an Imperial and an Argonian who love each other... and he thinks maybe J'zin-Dar is a fool, and there is hope for people in the world after all."

"Oh, we'd say there's just no hope for some people." A tall, ragged-looking Dunmer followed his words out of one of the nearby alleys, flanked by a Breton and a Nord. All three were holding heavy-looking truncheons and wore expressions of contempt. "Some people are just determined to be disgusting and foul. Sleeping with lizards, for one."

Giolaus stopped short, weighing his odds of being able to let R'vanni go, draw his sword and get into a defensive position before these bigots could get the drop on him. Then a voice off to his right told him he needn't worry about it. "What I think is disgusting," Veron said, rounding another corner with his hand the hilt of his duty sword, "is the fact that people like you think you have some sort of right to tell others how to live their own lives, when nothing is being harmed but your own backwards views."

For a moment, the thugs seemed to be debating taking on the second guardsman as well- but then more people approached, several of the citizens who'd been out and about for whatever reason, each one armed with a short blade and looking quite willing to draw them should the three interlopers be so brave as to attack. On seeing this, the Nord and Breton immediately bolted, and the Dunmer made a show of standing tough for only a moment before running off to join his confederates. Giolaus shook his head in disgust. "Am I ever glad to see you, Sergeant," he chuckled.

Veron grinned. "Just following three suspicious-looking out-of-towners, sir. These fine folks must have seen my concerned face and came to make sure nothing was wrong." He motioned to the people who had gathered around. "What's wrong with R'vanni?"

"I think he got a dose of bad Skooma. I'm bringing him to the Chapel so that they can try to get it out of his system. Can you give me a hand? He's heavier than he looks."

"You got it." The Redguard took up support of the Khajiit's other side, and together the two Humans got him moving at a good pace towards the Chapel. Tadrose Helas, the Dunmer who handled blacksmithing for the local Figher's Guild chapter, went ahead to let the Chapel staff know of the issue so that they could prepare. The walk along the way was accompanied by a very slurred but hilarious song from R'vanni about a racist Dunmer and a simple Khajiit who tricked him into doing all sorts of embarassing things. Even the normally-reserved S'Krivva was giggling behind her hand by the time Giolaus and Veron got the intoxicated beastman into the Chapel building proper.

Inside, Marz was quick to take charge of her newest patient, having him placed on a spare cot and wrapped in warm blankets while he was given potions to help his body flush out the Skooma. "It must have been an especially bad mixture to have this effect on him," Marz sighed, once the middle-aged Khajiit was bedded down and on his way into a deep, medicated sleep. "Certainly it would have required an immense amount of regular Skooma to have this adverse an effect on him."

Giolaus nodded. "Mmh. We've never been able to pin down who's dealing it here in Bravil, but I doubt he or she would knowingly hand out bad batches to loyal customers. I wonder if there's another source setting up shop nearby- one maybe not so careful about how they make their product. Veron, we'll need an investigation into this."

The Redguard nodded. "Yes, sir. I've got just the people in mind to do the footwork, too. I'll have the paperwork on your desk first thing in the morning."

"Excellent. We'd better head back out and finish our patrols, then." He leaned over to give Marz a quick kiss. "Take good care of R'vanni. I've gotten rather fond of his singing and I'd hate to see something happen to him."

Marz chuckled at that. "Of course, Captain Antareus," she said playfully, brushing her fingers over his cheek. "Be safe. I will see you at home tonight."

With that, the two guardsmen left the Chapel. Veron gave his superior officer a puzzled look as they walked down the steps. "Not going to tell her about those three thugs in the alley?" he asked.

Giolaus shook his head. "I didn't have the heart, really. The fact that she and I have been together for almost half a year, and we still get issues like that sometimes... it hurts her. I know she goes and talks to Kud-Ei about it once in a while, and that seems to help. Heck, I've had to go talk to Henantier once or twice when I just couldn't get the anger out of my head- those two know where we're coming from."

"Hmh." Veron sighed. "It makes me angry myself just to think about bigots like those three. But then I think about how all those people gathered around, ready to draw steel to defend one of their own. I think that shows how much you and Marz are cared for in Bravil."

The Imperial chuckled, nodding slowly. "I suppose it does, at that. Maybe we're not the biggest or cleanest city in this Empire without an Emperor, but I'd put a Septim against a bent nail that we're the best when it comes to watching out for each other."

"Wouldn't argue with you in the least, sir." Veron grinned and clapped Giolaus on the shoulder. "Take care, sir."

"You too."

--

"This troubles me greatly, Giolaus." Mars gazed down at her copy of the latest Black Horse Courier, entitled "Desecration of Chapel Dibella!". "We are barely nine months removed from the Oblivion Crisis, and now this? A Chapel of the Nine attacked? Runes written in blood around the altar?" She leaned against him, laying her head against his shoulder, and he wrapped his arm around her to hold her close. "Even I now keep a blade on me at all times, and you know how I feel about carrying a weapon!"

"I do, sweetheart." He kissed her forehead. "I'm worried too, Marz. Bad enough we had reports of the Renrijra Krin targeting areas near Bravil, and then Summerset Isle having some sort of uprising and the Nerevarine going missing... now we have some maniacs targeting Chapels." He rubbed her shoulder. "I've changed the guard patrols to visit the Chapel of Mara four times a day, and I've even contracted with the Fighters' and Mages' Guilds to give a bit of extra protection. Besides, I've heard that Saros is looking into this as well- and if there was one mer I could ask for above all others to help solve this crime, that would be him."

Marz smiled, squeezing his hand gently. "That does take some of the worry off my mind, yes. Thank you, love."

He walked with her through the light morning rain into the Chapel, letting the doors close behind them as they entered the building. But they'd progressed no more than a dozen steps inside when something struck him as being terribly wrong. The light streaming through the windows seemed subdued, somehow, casting the Chapel into deep shadow. Next to him, Marz shivered. "Giolaus... I smell blood in the air," she whispered.

He gripped her hand, holding her close to him as he carefully walked towards the middle of the Chapel. His instincts screamed at him to get out and shout for backup, but he couldn't cause a ruckus like that just on a hunch... but what was that by the altar?

When he made it to the aisle in between the pews, his blood turned to ice in his veins. The form of Uravasa, the Dunmer Priestess, lay crumpled next to the altar in a pool of her own blood. He suppressed the impulse to run forward and check on her; the attackers could still be in the building, he was without his duty armor, and Marz was similarly vulnerable. "Back to the doors," he whispered to her, his throat tight. "We need to get the guards-"

A blur of gold and bright glowing blue cut him off in mid-sentence, as something rushed out from within the shadows behind one of the pillars and came right at him. He pushed Marz out of the way and ducked the haphazard blow from a glowing blue axe held by what seemed to be a living suit of burnished golden armor, its platemail-booted feet clanking on the floor as it corrected for its missed swing and brought its weapon back around in another swing.. Giolaus drew his duty sword and turned the axe aside, grimacing as waves of electricity shot up along the blade and into his arms. "Marz, run!" he shouted, backpedalling to give himself distance as he tried to keep the creature from blocking his path back to the doors.

A bone-chilling scream made him spin on his heel, and fear gripped his heart. Two more of the living suits of armor had blocked the exits, and Marz was stumbling from her attempts not to run straight into them, falling to her hands and knees for a moment as she scrambled to make it back to him. She had just regained her feet when one of the creatures struck, and he watched in horror as the axe sliced through her back, sending her collapsing onto the floor, body twitching as strangled cries of agony left her lips. With a shout, he spun around and swung his sword at the nearest attacker, only to have the attack parried easily; the jolt of electricity that went up through his blade made his arms spasm, breaking his grip on the weapon and staggering him. He was just starting to turn, hoping beyond hope that he could pick up Marz and rush her out the doors while avoiding the other two creatures, when the axe of the first one sank into his side just beneath his ribs.

Agony shot through his body, as the weapon's magical electrical charge shot through his limbs, and the blade tore through vital organs. He collapsed on the floor, helpless, forcing his eyes to focus on what lay before him- Marz, lying on her side in a growing puddle of blood, gazing at him in shock and fear. Her arm was outstretched towards him, and with what little strength he had left to him, he reached out and took hold of her hand, looking into her eyes. One thought ran through his mind, in time with the beating of his heart.

_Won't let go.

Won't let go.

Won't let go.

Won't_

--

"Please, Gods. Please, not Bravil. Not there." Saros urged his horse to go faster, even though the Cheydinhal black horse was already risking injury on the rain-slicked cobblestones of the Green Road. He'd been far too late to do anything about the atrocity in Anvil, and had just been able to stop an attack on the Chapel of Zenithar in Leyawiin... odds were slim that Bravil would be spared, and he had to be sure they knew of the severity of the threat. He had faith in Giolaus to have seen the news of Anvil's attack and to have taken precautions, but there was no way the man could know that the Temple desecrations were being committed by an entirely new sort of Daedra.

The miles sped by in a grey blur, the rain seeming to come down harder as he approached the walls of Bravil. He practically leapt from the back of his horse as soon as he reached the stable, shouting instructions to the bewildered young Breton man tending the other horses there, before running full-tilt across the rickety bridge across the moat that surrounded the city. The front guards looked on in shock as he rushed through the gates, sprinting around the corner of the first set of stacked homes... only to see a small crowd gathered around the entrance, and one expected figure entirely absent. He half-staggered to the stairs, panting for breath, searching the Redguard Veron's eyes for confirmation he didn't truly want.

The man's expression explained everything. Bewilderment, anger, loss- all were easy to see on that brown-skinned face. With a wordless nod, he escorted Saros into the Chapel to witness what had happened.

Despite all he'd been through, all the slaughter and bloodshed and pain he'd seen, the sight of two of his dearest friends lying dead on the floor of a holy building, hands still clasped, struck him like a sledgehammer to the heart. He had to lean on the nearest pew to keep from falling to his knees. "...how long ago?" he managed to choke out.

"Three hours," Veron answered, in a voice that showed he was no less distraught, despite his best efforts to keep himself together. "Someone heard a scream. Fighters' and Mages' Guilds were just sending over a couple people, just like... just like Giolaus asked. They found three creatures, dressed in gold armor, desecrating the Temple. Managed to hold them off until the Guard could get here. Damned creatures disappeared just after they were brought down." The Redguard's eyes shimmered with tears that he was visibly refusing to shed. "We lost Uravasa, Olava, Chana... Marz... and the Captain." There was a moment's pause, and then the man's control started to break. "Why, Saros? Why did this happen?"

"The Gods themselves are under threat. Those creatures- Aurorans- are agents of Meridia. I... I didn't expect any other attacks until I got to Leyawiin and stopped one there. I rode as fast as I could back here, but...." Saros shook his head. "Veron, as much as I wish I could stay and see to this... I have to get to back to the Priory, there are dark things happening and it's looking like I might be the only one who can stop them."

The guardsman nodded slowly. "Gods be with you, Saros," he said quietly, putting his hand on the Dark Elf's shoulder for a moment. "You've seen us through one crisis, and I know you can do it again. But if you can, come back soon. I would like it if you could... attend the burial."

"I'll be there, my friend. I swear it."

--

The procession had been a rather beautiful one; Count Terentius, in a rare public appearance and an even more rare showing of seriousness and sobriety, gave a short but meaningful speech lauding those lost, remembering their efforts during the Daedric attack on Kvatch during the Oblivion Crisis. Saros, dressed in a dark cloak that did a good job of hiding his face, listened as the citizens of Bravil mourned on the deceased, including their dismay at the loss of what had become their own symbol of the city's unity, the cross-race couple of Captain Giolaus Antareus and Marz. "I don't like the guards," his sharp ears had overheard one Khajiit woman saying, "but knowing how those two died, holding hands like that... I'd have to be heartless not to feel anything about that."

The sounds of a poorly-sung but heartfelt funeral dirge wailed by a shirtless Khajiit male echoed in Saros' ears as he walked out of the city, past the tower ruins where he'd first fought alongside Giolaus, Veron and Captain Lerus, and along the shore of Niben Bay until he found a quiet spot where the water was still. He crouched down at the water's edge, flinging a few rocks into the Bay before gazing down at his own reflection, framed by the quickly-gathering clouds of an approaching storm. The Hero of Cyrodiil, they call me, he thought bitterly. Chosen by the Gods, they call me. What does it all mean when I can't protect the people who depend on me? Why do the Gods let all this death and loss happen? How many more good, decent people will I have to see buried before this is all over?

A drop of rain struck the water, distorting his reflection for a moment. When it cleared again, another face had joined his own in the image. "I understand your feelings, my friend," came a familiar voice.

Saros' breath caught in his throat, but he dared not turn around. "Martin...."

"Your doubts are the very same ones I felt in the Chapel of Akatosh on that fateful night when the Daedra attacked. Where were the Gods when so many fell? Where were they to stop the suffering and death? My friend, they are not so direct as that, under most circumstances. But they do not forsake we, the faithful. When we have passed from the world of the living, they welcome our souls into the world beyond."

Two more drops struck the water's surface, and a pair of faces showed in the reflection opposite of Martin's. "You didn't fail us, Saros," Giolaus said. "The Gods know you're doing all you can... you've done far more than could be expected of just one mer."

"We are not lost to you, Saros," Marz followed. "You hold us in your heart, remember us as you fight to save our very world. We are with you, as the Gods are with you, my friend- even in your darkest hour."

The skies opened up then, turning the Bay into a mishmash of ripples; slowly, Saros climbed to his feet and turned around, finding himself alone at the edge of the water. Yet Martin's voice came to him as if he were standing right beside. "The Gods will not forsake you if you do not forsake yourself. Have faith in them, and believe that what you do makes a difference... for it does, my friend, much more of one than you will ever see with mortal eyes. Be strong."

Saros closed his eyes for a moment, let out a deep sigh, then opened them again and nodded. Useless recriminations would only weaken him in Tamriel's hour of need. The best way he could honor the spirits of the fallen was to fight on, with every ounce of strength, and ensure that their lives were not lost in vain.

The Dunmer hero slid his helmet onto his head and jogged back to the stables to retrieve his horse. There was still much work to be done, and he would not let himself be found slacking.