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 We ended up staying for another day or two to rest up and to help the survivors the best we could. Most of the captives from the dungeons were extremely traumatised and weak from their captivity. All of them, even the extremely young had been carefully bled to feed the coven. But being released, feeling the sun on their skin again and the appearance of a full cohort of Legionaries had done wonders for them all. When we had finally bid them all goodbye they were beginning to reclaim their former lives, repairing and restoring the castle and the village and caring for the injured, distraught or otherwise weakened members. The more enterprising of them were carefully raking and shovelling the ashes of the slain vampires into barrels as to alchemists and wizards, the substance was worth more than ivory. It seemed somehow poetic that those ashes represented a fresh start and a more certain future for the region and those who chose to remain.
 "You both obviously haven’t been keeping up with latest events in your travels, otherwise you mightn’t have been too surprised at how we haven’t heard of this yet." Azzan looked like he was still struggling to comprehend what we had achieved, and if I was being truthful I wasn’t sure whether Viconia and I had yet either.
 "Things been that interesting have they?"
 "Yeah." He moved around to the other side of his desk and sat himself carefully into his chair. "Things are not going too well for the Empire."
 "We heard a few rumours and stories on the way here." Viconia replied.
 I nodded in agreement. "Mostly during our stay in Skingrad."
 Viconia and I shared another glance. "Fighting and skirmishing up on the border of Skyrim and Morrowind, Argonians migrating back to Blackmarsh... That sort of thing."
 "That’s barely even a part of it all." There was a sigh from the Redguard mercenary. "It’s true that the Eastern holds and House Redoran have started bickering more than normal, but that’s only a tiny part of what’s going on. Best way to put it, is that the whole Empire is starting to go to Oblivion in more ways than just one."
 Viconia ground her teeth together. "Is it really that bad?"
 He nodded. "You better believe it. House Redoran is no longer pulling punches anymore, not after Ald’Ruhn. They’re mobilising for war and they aren’t giving a shit about what everyone thinks. Especially the other houses."
 A chill ran up my spine. Years serving in north western Vvardenfell had left me more familiar with the Redoran’s than the other Great Houses of Morrowind. While they were some of the more warlike of the Dunmer, the loss of their capital spelled a change to Morrowwind’s political situation.
 "That doesn’t surprise me." I muttered, feeling their eyes on me. "The Redoran’s have always seen themselves as the defenders of Morrowind. Being unable to defend themselves against the daedra will have struck a nerve."
 "It’s done more than that I’m afraid." Azzan shrugged and rummaged through some of the sheets on his desk until he found a letter opener. "They are pulling out all the stops, buying up every scrap of leather, slaughtering their netch herds and every piece of Ebony that is not required for the Imperial tithe is being smelted. They’re building an army."
 "What does the Elder Council say about this?"
 Looking up at me he idly picked at his teeth with the letter opener. "The Council? All the members are too busy trying to gain power for themselves. There have been condemnations of course but it’s not going any further than that. As long as they don’t engage any Legion forces I doubt anything will stop them. It is however giving ideas to everyone else. House Hlaalu are quickly following suit, and Eastmarch hold and the Rift are mobilising their own forces. There have been clashes on the border and if everyone isn’t careful a war will break out between Skyrim and Morrowind."
 I swore under my breath and shook my head. "What else is going on?"
 "Well, everyone in one way or another is getting ready for war. Either between the provinces or against the daedra. The Crowned and the Forebears have a semi-official truce going on, which has left Hammerfell with real peace for the first time in decades. If not longer. A few of their cities have been attacked by the daedra so it’s made a lot of Redguards realise the threat they we are facing."
 "How many cities have been attacked?" Viconia was listening intently, scrunching her face with concentration as she tried to piece together the news and everything I had taught her of the provinces. She had been learning as much as she could about Tamriel the past months and I knew she was picturing the maps I had been drawing and showing her in her mind.
 "Dozens at least. Most attacks these past months have been more like raids as there have been very few portals opening. Those that do open seem to open in the wilderness rather than just outside a city’s gate like what happened here. I’d bet a lot of money on the fact that your "other’ friends have something to do about that."
 Both Viconia and I knew that he was right, and he knew it too. The Blades had not been resting on their laurels the past months and the fact that most of the gates were opening away from civilisation meant that the Mythic Dawn was being hunted to extinction. This meant that they had to flee from the towns and cities and the enormous network of agents reporting back to Jauffre.
 "That’s not to say that there haven’t been massive attacks. Black Heights in Elsweyr, Mournhold in Morrowind, Whiterun in Skyrim and Sunhold on the Summerset Isles have all been besieged like Anvil had. Nearly all have taken damage or suffered serious losses. When the portals open in the wilderness it gives the daedra some time to rally their forces together and do a concerted attack, rather than just rushing in blindly. About the only place so far that didn’t get too badly wrecked during a battle is Evermore in High Rock."
 I felt my eyebrow raise at that piece of news. "The daedra seem to have a habit of underestimating Knightly Orders."
 "You’d think that," Azzan replied humorously. "but this time no, it wasn’t any of the Orders. They are preparing for war just everyone else though. I’ve heard that the Knights of the Rose have in excess of fifteen hundred fully fledged members. and that number is potentially growing."
 "If not knights, then who?"
 There was a gleam in his eye. "Orcs."
 Slapping a hand over his heart and making the sign of Talos with his other he laughed. "On my honour. A warband of orcs several hundred strong appeared, charged the daedra, stomped them into the dirt and left. They stayed only long enough to burn the dead and pick up their wounded."
 "Bet that’s pissing off all the bluebloods up there. Can’t imagine their reactions at being saved by a bunch of filthy greenskins."
 "Oh... Yeah... It’s only the beginning though. Good old King Gortwog is getting them all ready for a fight and they aren’t sitting back waiting for the daedra to come to them. Some of the stories going around at the moment is that there is rolling thunder coming from the Wrothgarian Highlands."
 Viconia looked confused. "Thunder?"
 "Yeah, thunder. As in the kind made from of scores of smithing hammers, hundreds of bellowed orders and the tramping of thousands of plated feet." He looked between to two of us and twirled the dagger in his fingers. "I doubt there is a single Orc up there who isn’t strapping on some form of armour and grabbing an axe."
 Viconia’s eyes widened at the thought of the entire Orsimer race readying for battle. "Why do I suddenly feel sorry for the daedra?"
 Both Azzan and I laughed as a ghost of a smile played across her face.
 "What about the southern Provinces?" I asked simply.
 "Bit of a mixed bag. Haven’t heard much from Summerset other than rumours, but the elves have their panties in a bunch." There was another chuckle. "A little more than usual at least. They are arming themselves but there are stories of how some of them are turning to daedra worship as a means of dealing with the other daedra."
 My own snort stopped him in mid breath. "That story is older than time itself. The damn elves are always being spoken of worshipping daedra and summoning the damn things."
 Bunching and twisting, the muscles in his shoulders stood out under the tunic as he shrugged. "That’s what I’ve heard in any case. Elsweyr is as usual full of cats running around chasing after themselves and worshipping the moon. They are still taking precautions after Black Heights was razed. Looks like every Pahmar-raht is capturing and taming every Senche-raht they can find and the rest are digging up every piece of moonstone armour they have been making these past years."
 "And Valenwood?"
 The expression that crossed his face was indeterminable for a moment before he simply shook the thoughts away. "Valenwood is an enigma as usual. The tree worshippers have been having fits for the past years since Falinesti rooted itself to the ground. Now they are saying that it a sign from their gods or something."
 "That sounds like you have heard other things." Viconia asked.
 "I have... In a way." The pause dragged on for a handful of seconds before he markedly glanced between the two of us. "I’ll come back to that in a sec. I will need to explain the situation here in Anvil and why I requested the two of you to come."
 We sat quietly as he took some measured breaths, making a point of meeting out gazes with his own. "I trust you both saw how busy the city is at the moment?"
 Together we nodded and he bobbed his head along with us. "It’s a little... crowded to say the least." I stated very simply.
 "Ol zhah aluin ulu plynn tangin inbau l’gow doeb d’ussta ofil’nisha..."
 Azzan smiled slightly and nodded as though he understood what Viconia had muttered, before continuing on. "It’s crowded as the population has almost doubled in two months. Since the attack, nearly every village, town, hamlet and farm in the area has been abandoned from as far away as the Hammerfell border. People are terrified, and rightly so. With Kvatch so close nearby, no one is under any illusions of what a daedric attack can do."
 Leaning over the desk he gazed over the gleaming pointed blade in his hands that seemed little large to a toothpick. Such a item seemed ridiculous in the hands of a man who’s go-to weapon was twenty kilograms of lead filled steel. "The guild has easily doubled in numbers, both from us actively recruiting and from the number of volunteers. The local guard has been transformed into a militia and is well on the way of becoming a small army in its own right."
 "How many soldiers?" Viconia voice was filled with awe as she asked the first question that came to mind.
 "Before the assault there was only about three thousand guards in the entire city. Now? Easily ten times that number. The recruits are being given weapons so fresh from the forges they are almost still glowing. Every metal worker in the city is tasked with churning out arms and armour and whatever else they need. The Countess is sparing no expense in ensuring that they are as well-equipped as they can be."
 I could feel my mouth go dry as I heard the number. While unable to match the discipline, equipment or exacting standards of the Imperial Legion, six full legions worth of Militia was a sizable force. "Obviously the Guild still has contracts with the Castle for training them all?"
 Another nod. "Indeed. Half of us are trying to teach them enough that they won’t stab themselves or lop an arm off. Most are limited to training with broom handles or sticks due to the shortage in equipment. That in itself makes it interesting to turn a mass of tavern wenches, stableboys and farmhands into something resembling warriors."
 "By the Nine..." My whisper was too quiet for either of them to pick up but my expression was obvious. The numbers and the sheer scale of what was occurring was incredible and hadn’t been seen in Cyrodiil since the Tiber Wars at the beginning of the Third Era.
 "That isn’t the issue though. Training the militia, even in such numbers isn’t a problem. We are making good progress. The real issues are what else is going on in the county. We’re in a bad way and it is not going to take much for things to get a lot worse."
 Azzan sighed and gestured hopelessly. "Everyone is scared, terrified of the daedra and most have left their homes and their possessions behind. Half the County is abandoned and the bits that aren’t are havens for bandits and cutthroats. Maybe one in every five caravans heading along the Gold Road make it as far as Skingrad without losing part of their wares or gold from highway "tolls’. Some, never even get as far as Kvatch. To make things even worse, the attack on the cathedral has left everyone fearing similar attacks within the city that the guard and militia can’t deal with. Dealing with refugees was straight-forward, but now we also have doomsayers and prophets in the streets preaching "end of the world this’, and "doom upon all mortals’ that. Those who have come in from the countryside are left as little more than beggars and the almhouses and boarding houses are filled to capacity. A lot of them are simply living in tents on the streets. Those who join the militia are being paid at least, but its draining the city coffers like a drunkards flagon. To top it all off, we’re barely one or two days away from famine and starvation at any given time."
 "What in all the hells do you expect us to do?" Viconia snapped suddenly, looking stunned and concerned at the situation. "I’m half surprised that they haven’t been ejected outside the city walls at least."
 "That was considered by the bluebloods." Azzan said scornfully, and judging by Viconia’s expression she had said the least brutal idea from her experiences and Drow nature. "Among other things..."
 "I bet the idea of killing off a few hundred or so, or letting them starve was thrown around."
 The moment’s hesitation from Azzan answered the question that I knew had been on the forefront of Viconia’s mind.
 The same ghost of a smile and the darkness in her eyes returned for a moment before vanishing. "L’shinduago zhah saph l’Har’oloth foldraevals..."
 "Anyway," Azzan continued. "The reason why I sent that message out requesting you both to return wasn’t so you could come back and bust skulls. That might be a part of it but I have a worse job for you two."
 "I’m hesitant to ask what that could be..."
 White teeth flashed in his dark face. "Public relations."
 Groaning, I turned and looked at Viconia who seemed to share the same expression. Even though she wasn’t entirely sure of the meaning, she knew enough of the surface and the common tongue to get the gist of it.
 "Don’t you have a nice hell-portal for us to go dive into instead?"
 "Ha. But no." The grin grew wider and he was obviously enjoying himself at our expense. "With all the doom and gloom and fear in the area we needed more than just another pair of swords. The locals are going to be a lot calmer and relaxed knowing that the City’s champions and the very heroes of Kvatch are here in person. By now half the city will know that you have returned."
 Nodding soberly, I remembered the expressions from some of the local guards as we made our way through the restored city gates. Our armour alone was enough to provide the city’s inhabitants our identities. Both Viconia and I could see his point and knew that it was well founded. Something as simple as having us in the city would do wonders for morale and let a lot of people sleep better at night, even if it was akin to a placebo.
 "So we spend the next few days or weeks or however long walking about the city, making speeches and kissing babies? That sort of thing?"
 "Fuck no." he exclaimed simply. "I’m still going to have you both earning your coin. I have something special in mind for both of you. Especially yourself Kaius."
 My stomach twisted unexpectedly. "Such as?"
 "Well, half of the Guild is training the militia, but the other half is trying to do something about the bandits in the area. We’re working with the Mages Guild and taking small squads of guards and soldiers out with us on excursions. So far it has been working well. We’re burning out a few camps, taking prisoners and giving the newbies their first taste of combat in the process."
 "So you want us to tag along on a patrol and hunt some bandits?"
 "Not exactly, and not the two of you." My stomach did another mild flip-flop at his words and Viconia and I glanced at each other again. "For the most part, the bandits in the area at little more than beggars and looters. A lot of the locals and their families have been forced to crime and there have been a lot that have taken to robbing each other just to eat. There are some though that have come from further away or are much better organised. They are proving more difficult to find, let alone combat."
 Gesturing over his shoulder in the rough direction of north, he shrugged again. "Whatever ones we can take prisoner we can, and the Countess has decreed pardons in some cases. Even better, her and her cronies are doing a damn fine job at ensuring everyone is fed and looked after. That’s going a long way to stopping the looting and pillaging. Those who have turned to highway robbery and banditry out of desperation are easy to find, easy to deal with and usually surrender at the first sign of a guard. The others however are becoming massive thorns in our sides."
 "Sounds like a bandit plague."
 Azzan tongued his cheek in thought. "You’re not far from the truth. There are several gangs or groups that are very experienced in this area. A couple are from Hammerfell, and there is at least one group that has come all the way from Skyrim to prey upon the caravans supplying Kvatch. Between the Redguard marauders and these "Raiders’, they have been responsible for the majority of the deaths and nearly all of the attacks."
 "How many are there?"
 "Several dozen or more from Hammerfell and maybe two dozen Nords in half a dozen groups. All are very well equipped, especially for bandits, and are very good at living off the land and hiding."
 The lights were growing brighter in my mind as I realised what he had planned for me. "You need someone experienced in tracking."
 "Exactly." He nodded carefully and I saw how Viconia was listening intently while remaining perfectly expressionless. "Nearly all of us in the guild and the vast majority of the guard have lived in cities or on ships all of our lives. We couldn’t find our own arses in the wilds, let alone several small groups actively hiding from us. You however, being a forester and all will be perfect and will go a long way towards helping out the others. The only trackers or scouts we have are Llensi and Rhano, and Rhano’s a better trainer than hunter. They are being run off their feet and fatigue is building quickly."
 Trying to ignore the strange expression growing on Viconia’s face I tried to get my head around his intent. "You want me to go out looking for the bandits, find where they are and report back."
 "Yep. That’s the overall gist of it. You find the bastards, and then lead a team of guards and guildsmen and a mage or two back to them to do the heavy lifting. Now I know that after fighting vampires, werewolves, and daedric incursions that you’d be able to handle a few drunken Nords and Redguards by yourself, but please try to let everyone else earn their keep... Okay?"
 "What about me?" Viconia added very softly. "Am I going to be stuck babysitting?"
 "Don’t worry Vicky, you won’t be bored." The gleam in his eyes returned once more. "You might be the public face for the guild and showing everyone that the Champions of Anvil are in town, but I’m not getting you to do this because you are prettier than this dumb bastard."
 The faintest hint of a smile creased her face as he gestured to me.
 "Part of their training is patrolling the streets and helping the more experienced members of the guard. There’s a lot of tension in the city at the moment and this week alone we have had to break up or stop five separate incidents that nearly turned into full blown riots. There’s going to be plenty of fighting to keep you entertained while you have a break from Kaius."
 "I could use with some time to myself." She said simply, smiling coldly and somehow not letting it reach her eyes which seemed somewhat concerned at the prospect.
 "Part of the issue that we have in the city on top of everything else is that there are a number of travellers arriving and staying in the city. Pilgrims, if you can believe it."
 "Why are pilgrims travelling to Anvil?"
 He looked me dead in the eye. "The Cathedral is not the only one to have been attacked in such a way."
 Both Viconia and I looked at him stonily and waited for him to continue. Using the point of his letter opener he made gestures as he spoke, drawing a map of Tamriel out of the air with deft movements. "Similar attacks have occurred in Skyrim, Wayrest, Vvardenfell and Hammerfell. Each time it has been the same story; everyone inside at the time died, their bodies ripped apart and used to desecrate whatever altars or holy artefacts lie within. Those responsible have somehow always been able to escape or vanish before anyone can arrive."
 "So no one has been able to tell who’s behind it all?"
 He shook his head. "Only guesses and rumours; the usual currency for these sorts of things. One of the guards at the Castle I play dice with has been part of the local investigation. Its seems that despite the other attacks; this was definitely the first that occurred."
 "Was he able to tell you anything more?" Viconia asked, watching his hands move about as he used the gleaming dagger to articulate with.
 "She, and not much I’m afraid." The tanned skin seemed to go a few shades darker for a moment and I wondered whether dice was the only interest they had. "They have ruled out any involvement from the Mythic Dawn, which only makes things even more confusing. Just when we thought there wasn’t any room left for murdering cults and assassins this goes and happens. They've also ruled out the Dark Brotherhood and a number of other parties that may have been responsible, but instead they have come to a dead end. The best guess that anyone has had, is that daedra are responsible but it doesn’t seem to fit the modus operandi of the lot besieging the Empire."
 "Mehrunes Dagon is not subtle. If he wanted a chapel desecrated, he’d just raze the entire city and be done with it."
 "On that everyone seems to agree with you Kaius. They’ve ruled out the Prince of Destruction but otherwise there could be any number of alternatives. The Church of the Nine has got a lot of enemies within Tamriel and beyond."
 "Any pattern anyone can determine?" Viconia’s eyes narrowed as she listened and I realised that she probably had more experience with attacks on temples and faith and the darker side of worship. Especially from her time as a priestess of Lloth.
 "Other than that the only temples or centres of worship that have been attacked have belonged to the pantheon of the Nine. Besides the Cathedral of Dibella here, the others have been dedicated to all of the gods. In fact, the only one of the Nine who hasn’t had a temple or something attacked has been Talos."
 My snort raised his eyebrows. "Only a matter of time by the sounds of things."
 "That’s what everyone seems to be thinking at least. In the meantime, there have been a lot of pilgrims and faithful travelling here and the sites of the other attacks. Some are travelling from all over Tamriel and most are arriving little better than beggars themselves. The only benefit from them is that other than the odd demagogue or firebrand trying to stir things up, they are helping keep the peace and are generally helpful and calm. What will be surprising, is that you aren’t the only Knights in the city at the moment."
 "Really?" I exclaimed, somewhat surprised. "What knights? And from which order?"
 "Several." Azzan’s expression changed to mild confusion tinged with annoyance. "They are mostly travelling alone but there are a handful of smaller groups around as well. They are here for the same reason as the pilgrims; they all heard about the attack and decided to come to Anvil. Not sure what all these god-botherers plan is or what they think they can accomplish by coming here, but having Knights strolling about makes our job easier."