With that said, Etain turned and went to the room she had stayed in before, Rosenlyn joined her as before. Etain came back out and spoke with Delphine and Celestine. She told them take shift tonight. I might need your strength tomorrow, so it won’t do us any good if both of you do not sleep. Understood!” Both acknowledged her.

Morning came too fast, they all got up prepared for the trek into the high mountains behind Fort Neurgrad. Alea said, “Where’s Etain, this is all for not without her. If we want to get past the Fort before the bandits start brushing off their hangovers we need to get moving.” Just then Etain came out of the room, with hooded cloak and robe on. You couldn’t even see her hair and barely her eyes.

Rosenlyn said, “Oh, now isn’t that a pretty thing!” Etain then said, “Let’s go! Alea lead us to the fort and let’s hope we can sneak past before their awake.” Alea said, “Once were past the fort, there a set of old docks behind it. We can use them to cross over and make our way up to the old path up the mountain.” Alea looked at Etain and said, “I hope that thing is warm, because it’s going to get cold quick. Let’s get our supplies and move out folks.”

They made their way out of Falkreath the same way they came in. Alea began to work them up towards Helgen. She said, “I now a path that will bring us out from Helgen. It will get cold after we reach that spot. We need to watch out for Bear Traps; they put them out all along the perimeter of the Fort. They don’t care whether it’s animals or people that get caught in them.”

They made their way up to a crossroad and Etain said, wait. Where does that go? Up to Pale pass eventually but that place is locked down tight. Both Imperial troops and guards from Falkreath up there. We passed the Serpent’s trail when we made our way down past Bloodlet Throne, the old Fort we passed. It used to be full of vampires a long time ago, but I heard they were wiped out by someone who took a particular dislike to them.”

Rosenlyn spoke up then. “Yeah, well… did they tell you he was in there because they kidnapped a young girl. She was under his protection via some old Castle near the border of Cyrodiil.” Alea said, “You mean old that Castle built during the end of the Second Era to help stop crossovers between Skyrim and Cyrodiil? That place used to be crawling with Thalmor and Dominion Elves. Lots of bad stories about that place.” Rosenlyn said, “Same one! Anyway he got her out of there. Recovered a special bow and ring and returned a girl’s remains that the vampires had over for dinner.”

Etain grabbed Rosenlyn’s forearm and said, “Come on, story time will have to wait for later. “We’ll talk about it later tonight once we’re settled in. Let’s move out folks!” They made their way towards the fort and when they got close, Alea asked, “Etain what do you sense? “ She closed her eyes for a moment and then opened them and said, Just one guard on either side. Moving slow, likely because their half hung over and its cold too. “ Alea said, no talking until we’re higher up on the trail follow me, single file.”

They all lined up crouched down and made their way winding between the traps until they reached the docks back behind the fort. Alea raised her finger to say, keep it quiet. She led them across the docks and then back to an overgrown path leading up a steep trail up into the mountains. Once they were up to an old Nordic ruin that was broken down she said, “Okay, we can talk now but quietly. The winds will carry your voices down to that fort until we’re up higher.

Hadvar said, “What happens from here with the trail?” “Not too much higher we’ll come upon some switchbacks. The climb itself will be less stressful, but it will get bitter cold fast. “ I would cover your mouth and nose with those scarfs they gave us.”

They all got the scarfs out and tucked them around their mouths and nose. Once Alea saw they were ready she said, “Follow me!” The snows began to fall hard, and the winds were beginning to blow with a bitter bite. It slowed them down a lot and when they finally made it to the entrance it was almost dark. Alea led them in and once they were inside she led them down further into the cave where the temperatures were beginning to moderate.

She stopped them and said, “Okay, you won’t need those scarf again until we step out into Cyrodiil. If you think Skyrim is cold, we’ll be in for surprise when we get out of Rielle.” Etain asked, “Its already dark, is there a place somewhere within Rielle where we can setup camp for a while.” Alea replied “ Yes, but I am warning everyone there is a long rock bridge that leads into the Ayleid Ruin. Don’t slip because you can’t see bottom so, use your imagination. We’ll go single file and space ourselves ten paces behind each other crossing.”

Alea said, okay get those lanterns lit and let’s get going.” They began to wind their way down through the cave. They came upon a turn and Rosenlyn said, “Look Etain that is Ayleid marble made back when you spiritual mother Alessia was a slave under their rule.” Etain said, “Yeah, I know. I read all those books about her. As they passed the marble Etain reached out and slid her fingers across it and all of a sudden she fell to her knees and was holding her head in pain.

Everyone stopped, Weapons were unsheathed and Rosenlyn said, “Etain, what’s wrong. No, all those souls their still here their trapped inside this place. Ayleids, Slaves, Bandits, Treasure Hunters. I felt them all.” Rosenlyn said, “The magical light show appears to have stopped can you walk. We can setup up a camp, fire, and get some food once we get to the reception chamber.”

Etain rose up with the help of both Delphine and Celestine. Alea said, “Okay Etain?” Etain replied, “Yeah, let’s get moving so we can settle in for the night. They came to the bridge and could see a large marble doorway across the way. Alea said, “That’s the entry into Rielle. Let’s go!”

They made their way across and once there Alea had them follow her up some stairs and when they came around a corner there was a doorway and then they were in the reception hall. Let’s get a fire going and get some bedding set down. Etain began to sit down on a bench and Rosenlyn said, “Oh no you don’t not there. I don’t need you having any more tonal memories being captured. Etain looked at Rosenlyn and said, “ I can’t talk about it here in front of all these people.”

Hadvar caught on though and he said, “Really here, there were people that…”Rosenlyn said, stop Hadvar!” Let’s get settled in. You and I will set up over there.” They got settled in and Rosenlyn said come on. I want to show you something. She looked at the rest of the party and said we won’t be gone long. Stepping outside for just a moment or two!” She led her up and outside of Rielle. She took her hand to a central bench and sat down. “Look up there.”

Etain looked up and she said, “Oh my, that’s so beautiful Rosenlyn! What causes that to happen?” Rosenlyn replied, “ No one is for sure, there are lots of debates about those lights that you can see on clear nights like this but whatever they are, they sure do help clear the head don’t they?” Etain and Rosenlyn sat there watching ripples of light that looked like ribbons had been strung across the northern skies.

Then Rosenlyn said, “Come on we better get some sleep. Feel better” Etain said, “Lots, thanks Rosenlyn. “ They made their way back down and some of them were already settled in. Rosenlyn and Etain made their way to bed, covered up and the was fast asleep. Sometime though before dawn. Rosenlyn woke up to hear Etain crying in her sleep.” Others were starting to wake up too.

Etain, “What’s wrong, wake up! Etain. She was moving her head from side-to-side. Then she bolted up into a sitting position with tears rolling down her cheeks. Rosenlyn why didn’t you tell me about her. That she bore similar scars to mine. You know he loved her so much, even with all those scars he loved her more than life!”

Rosenlyn replied, “Yes he did!” Everyone said, “Who did?” Rosenlyn asked Etain, “So you saw them did you? Yes, and you never told me they conceived their daughter here!” Rosenlyn saw everyone was looking at Etain with a hundred questions on their lips. So she said, “Come on, it a long trip up to Cloud Ruler Temple.”

They packed up and made their way into the central courtyard of the ruin of Rielle. Etain asked then, “Where’s this temple at?” Delphine came over and pointed way up behind the city of Bruma. “That’s it way up there.” Etain then said, “Bruma is big, isn’t it?” Rosenlyn said, “Actually it’s mid-sized especially compared to the Imperial City. Wait until you see that place someday.” Alea said, “Come on let’s get going, we’ll stick to the high trails to keep from being seen. There’s still a lot of trade that happens between Bruma and Skyrim. Don’t want to take a chance that we’re seen by anyone.”

It took the better part of the morning and afternoon to finally reach Cloud Ruler Temple. Delphine came forward and said, “I can’t evoke the words of entry with so many here. Etain, you’re welcome to stay because of who you are. “

She began to say something then Etain bowed before it, and said, “I have returned!” There was a loud click and the large doors swung open. Everyone was looking and Etain just stood up and walked up the front steps as the entered the central receiving area the great fires all came awake. Delphine said, “By the divines, the very stones recognize you Etain. It hasn’t done this since Saint Martin was here during the Oblivion Crisis.”

Etain came before the great statue of Akatosh and fell to one knee pulled back her hood and unsheathed her sword. She said to it. “Father of Time, Ancestors of My Blood I have come to restore honor to the Blades. Hear me, I kneel here before you and ask that you forgive them as they have lived in darkness long enough. I would see their honor restored to stand in service to me when I restore the promise I have made to you and mother.”

She bowed low and stretched out before the great statue of the Dragon God of Time. She laid her sword out flat in front of her as an act of submission. The red diamonds all came alive at once, the great doors slammed shut and a great light shone from the vault of the sky above down upon them. Then they heard a great voice.

“Not since the days of Saint Martin has anyone shown such a wiliness to submit themselves life and soul to the cause of restoring the Covenant. Delphine, bow before us! We of the Alessian Bloodline of the Septims restore your honor and tell you to fulfill you’re duty of rebuilding the blades. Support the age our daughter has sworn to bring to Nirn.” Delphine knelt and Celestine came too and knelt alongside of her resting her hand on Delphine’s shoulder.

Celestine cried out. “Akatosh, great father of time. Even though I am a servant of Stendarr. I too pledge to support your daughter and will give her my life if necessary to protect her from harm.” There was a great flare of light and both Delphine’s Katana and Celestine’s Sword flared to life and a multi-colored gem was embedded into each hilt. A voice from the divines said, “We give you the gems of the divines. These swords will help you to protect our daughter. Welcome to the new age.”

Everyone else bowed at that point to one knee and before long there was the smell of food and fires and torches were lit everywhere. Etain returned her sword to it sheath, then looked up and said, “Thank you father, mother, and brother.” They walked into the front doors, and the place had been completely restored as if it had never been abandoned.

Etain walked down the stairs that led to what had been a community room where the blades of the bygone age would meet after a long day of grueling training in sword training that tested combatants in the various Arts of the Katana. Each forms was unique. Battlefield survival, and dueling. This form was based on practical cutting, distance management , and footwork.

Another was the drawing of the blade, striking, and sheathing on one continuous motion. It emphasized mindfulness, precise mechanics, and spatial awareness. Then there as a discipline dedicated entirely to mastering cutting techniques. This form utilized sharpened katana to slice through woven reed and straw targets.

There was another form that was derived from sparring. Practice consisted of controlled, full-contact combat using bamboo practice swords and protective armor. There were those techniques that trained in refining handling and defensive parrying and dynamic footwork, lunging, and cutting.

Etain walked to the center and raised her hands up high. Rosenlyn stepped forward as all the others observed. She unstrapped Etain’s sword and laid it gently on the ground between them. Then both began slow motion gestures designed specifically to synchronize the mind, body, and soul helping to build an acute awareness of internal energy flow. Each movement kept them circling Etain’s blade place on the ground.

Then the two began a fluid, circular footwork and in continuous circles while slowly changing open-hand postures, developed intense multi-directional awareness and mental centering. To those of the team assembled these two resembled two opposing forces that were connected in a perfect dance of symmetry and demonstration of non-lethal combat.

The movements were intimate at times showing a great discipline of trust, loyalty, honor, and kindness. The movements completed by aligning the breath of physical posture with spatial awareness and binding their mental focus now linked to physical intent.

The final movements had them both bowing to each other and the standing across from each other in a frozen image of complete stillness and a calm, hyper-aware mental state. They both knelt down bowing low with arms stretched out towards each other and laying upon the sword.

Then a brilliant flash of multi-colored stars and light filled the room, and everyone could see the ghost of the long dead blades who had trained in these halls moving through the same dance of technique and practice.

Then both Etain and Rosenlyn slowly stood up and faced their friends. Etain spoke to them all.

“Thus are the virtues of ‘The Warrior’s Way’ To become a force that is in service to the new era all of you must do more than learn these words. You must learn to make them become the very breath of life, the outward projection of your inner self. These are the techniques that brought the blades of old such honor, such undying loyalty, such binding trust, and kindness in all things.”

Etain and Rosenlyn both lifted her sword together as one. Rosenlyn then strapped it back on to Etain and she turned and walked away through an old wooden doorway. She turned at the last moment and said to them all. “Know you know my heart; you know my way. I go now to rest, think, and meditate. You must do the same on what you have seen. She then looked at Rosenlyn and said, let me know when it is time for dinner. Rosenlyn stepped forward and they both gently bowed their heads to where they touched each other and then hugged.

Etain turned and disappeared through the doors, Rosenlyn began to work on getting ingredients out of the stores within the temple to prepare a meal for them all. The rest of them came and began to help Rosenlyn with the meal preparations.

Both Delphine and Celestine took up their places on either side of the door that Etain had gone through to guard her. Hadvar asked Rosenlyn, “Is Etain alright?” Rosenlyn smiled and said, “Yes Hadvar she just needs some rest. You’ll see she’ll be fine for the dinner tonight. You already know how much coming here and restoring the honor of this place again cost her. Her parents and others are watching over her now. She’ll be fine!”

Rosenlyn said to all the others. There are rooms with beds and chests available if you need rest. There is also a great bathing area in through that door that is meant for cleaning up if you need it. I am staying here to prepare dinner. Anyone who wants to stay and help are welcome to do so. “

Rosenlyn then told them, “When Etain returns from her rest for dinner, we’ll talk about the path forward and begin to lay out our plans for visiting Bruma. Smile, you are home for now, this is as much your home as it is Etain’s and Delphine’s. Blessing of the nine be upon us all.”

Then she laughed and said, “We’ll need them all before this journey is through!”