Chapter 4
As I awoke, I saw Gailen was still asleep. This will not do. I gathered water and used a frost spell on it; just enough to make it ice cold, but not freeze it. I throw it in his face and he shoots up from the bed. It was funny, but I remained as serious as ever. No smiling upon the time of war. I just gazed at his tired and sleepy expression as I said:
“Get up, we are leaving.”
“What time is it?” he replied in a raspy tone.
“About 4:30 am; Tirdas, 24th of Mid Year 4E 503. Today is Tibedetha in honor of Tiber Septim, or Talos as the people call him these days.” I throw him his armor and belongings. “Bathe, now.”
“Alright,” he said still half asleep.
Fifteen minutes later he came out. I was already dressed in my Light Armor, my cloak, Agony on my hip and Phantom and her arrows in my back, hanging from her small and comfortable quiver. My hooded cloak covered all the weapons and almost all my appearance. It is not a weak cloak, it is almost like armor and the hood can be adjusted. When it is, it becomes stiff or more lose fitting, if I wish.
Gailen was all set and also hooded. I nod as we depart from the Snowy Palace. Sneaking out of the city is quite easy, it is morning and the city is open. No walls, just nature and a small gate.
It is midday and I can tell this wretch is starving, so I toss him bread. He glares at me with curiosity. I stop suddenly and whisper in his mind: We are being followed. Have your weapon ready, do not draw it. And, say no word, or I will have your tongue for diner.
He just nodded. I believe I scared him. That’s cute.
The strange feeling follows us no more after I casted an Illusion spell. Whoever it was, cannot track us for the rest of the day.
An hour later, I feel another presence; this one being pure, like water from a river. Hmm, ever so fresh, pure and gross; Too much purity is not my style. I listen to a voice saying:
“O’ Lady of the everlasting energies and life, hear my prayer. Take this soul with you, as he is departing so painfully. Lady of the Light, take away his pain and give him a peaceful and honorable death, by your name and your grace. Lady Meridia! When shall you answer my prayers? Ever since I was born, I have been faithful. Now, I run your temple and your priests alone. Lady, please come forth. At least, for this soul, for I have blessed him in your name.”
I come forth and whisper.
“Child of the Doors, I salute you.”
She cries and smiles “You follow the Mistress of Light?”
She was so young and pretty, yet disturbed. She was in a great deal of suffering.
“You could say that.”
“Are my prayers being answered? I found this traveler. Some bandits struck him with an arrow and took his belongings.”
“That is most unfortunate,” I reply. “I don’t think we can do much for him.”
“I was afraid so,” she continues her prayer. “Lady, please… bless this soul.”
The land became silent as a light fell from the heavens.
“Blessed and delivered to the Doors he was, Arav. You have grown to be so beautiful. Yet, where is your will? You have proven yourself quite enough already. I just want to see more of you. I am not your whole life, my child. I am but a part of it. You need to start creating your own, with my blessing and guidance, of course.” Meridia appears in her true form. A beautiful woman made of golden light. “And Moon, how are you?”
“I am alright. How is mother?”
“Not good, I am afraid. I am sorry, child.” I sigh.
“Now, Arav, Moon is a good friend and she needs your help with a few things. Do as she says. Great evil is upon us and I am her ally in this bloody conflict. May my energies bless you in this journey,” She smiled. “I will be back soon, I have things to attend to. Take care now, the three of you.”
She faded into the sky like a star.
“Three?” Arav asked.
“Oh, I hadn’t realized. Gailen, come out.”
He came out and bowed to Arav; she just nodded with a smile.
“Well, how can I help you, my Lady?” she said.
“Hmph, I see that you are unaware of the war that is bursting in Oblivion.”
“No, miss, I am not. What is happening?”
I explained to her quickly.
“There are enemies that are shrouding themselves in the name of Meridia. They are a big group of vampires, worshipers of Molag Bal. they call themselves the ‘Light Warriors of Meridia’. In truth, they are all undead, but they use light magic. Not fire, but light. We need to find the source of the magic. We need to infiltrate their main headquarters. Meridia has an infiltrator there, but she is trapped. We need to find the source of their Light Magic and take her out. She has been there for years and she is trusted by the vampires there; even the leader himself. She has been turned into a vampire, but Meridia knew this was nessesary.” I explained after I told her about the alliance.
“That is aweful… but how do I come in all of this?” she asked.
“Since they are worshipers of Meridia, they know everything about her cult. I want you to teach Gailen the way of your cult, so he can infiltrate safely. I’d teach him myself, but I have business to attend to.”
“Will I be a vampire?” Gailen interrupted.
“No, we’ll get you out of there before that happens,” Looking at Arav I said “This paper has all the instructions for him. I will be back in two days. Have him ready by then.”
“And you, behave.” I said to Gailen.
I left them and I was off to my business. I needed to find the person following us and kill them. They knew too much already. Shadows preserve me.
***
Gailen’s point of view.
I watched as Moon walked off and left me with Arav. I have to say, Moon was stunning. The way her raven curls fall and move like waves of the ocean. She has such long hair, it’s beautiful. Her eyes are scarlet stars. She never smiles, but I bet that’s beautiful too. Nevertheless, I still don’t trust her… I did not like the way she treated Nightshade. Was she jealous? I doubt it. She is too proud and too cold to even feel a speck of love. Arav snapped me out of my day dream about Moon when she said to follow her. She was quite young, no more than seventeen. But she looked in so much pain, she also gave off the aura of a grown and mature woman. This girl was beautiful too, but she didn’t come close to Moon. She is blond, straight short-ish hair, tall and pale. She looked like a Nord. Even her facial features show strength and sturdiness. Nords are great, but not so beautiful since of their masculine and rough features make them look suffered and tough. Still, I am not here for a love affair.
“So, Arav,” I started. “Where are you from?”
“My father was from Skyrim and my mother was from Cyrodiil. I was born here, though.” She replied.
“Ah, I see.”
“Yourself?” she asked.
“Here as well.” I replied with a grin.
She sighed and said, “Your friend, Moon is it?”
“Yes, what about her?” I replied a little annoyed. Why did she have to bring the freaky Daedra up?
“She makes me feel uneasy. She scares me, yet she makes me feel comfortable. It is unexplainable.”
“She’s cold, horrible and evil.” And I cannot wait to be out of her grasp. I thought to myself.
“I have to disagree. She does not seem evil, just cruel. Lady Meridia is at her side. I doubt she is truly evil, if the Lady says to trust her. Plus, she has gone through a lot, I understand her.” She replied simply. I just nodded.
A few minutes passed and we arrived to the temple. There was a statue of Meridia on top of a small cliff. In front of it, a building; it was the color of the sun. Not too big, not too small; very secluded indeed. That must be the temple to Meridia. We had walked for five hours when we arrived. I looked at it in awe.
“My mom built this,” she whispered.
“It’s beautiful,” I replied. I think her mother passed away. I will not bring it up, it will hurt her to speak of the subject; just like it hurts me to talk about my family.
When we entered Arav said:
“Have something to eat and sleep. Your quarters are in that direction and turn left at the first door. Tomorrow I will teach you the basics. For now rest and, please be silent. Most of the priests are sleeping during the night and meditating during the day. Silence at all times. Good night, Gailen. May Her energy accompany you in your slumber.”
As she departed, I grabbed something to eat and went straight to my room. It was very simple; a bed, a nightstand with a book and a lantern. After I bathed in a small pond they had not too far from the building, I went into my quarters and decided to read the book. The cover read ‘Meridia and the Bosmer Priest’ I opened it and a note fell out of it. It said:
“Meet me by the pond, tonight. I will be waiting by a big rock with an Iron Ore Vein in it. We have much to discuss, Gailen. Please, do not be late.
~N.”
I guess I should go, then. It might be something important, but N?
I walked by the rock and I saw Nightshade with a short sleeping gown on as she said with a grin on her face, “Hello, dear.”