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My dreaming mind did not stay a blur for long once I fell asleep in Novo's feathery embrace. My mind...began to clear. I felt warm. I could smell a savory aroma in the air that I vaguely recognized. And then...I was awake. Dreaming, yet aware. Lucid. And a pleasant sense of curiosity came over me. Was it time for another adventure? But then... Where even was I?

I found myself bundled up in a familiar faded blue padded vest. Perfect for colder climates. The bed I was resting on... Primitive and rustic while covered in hay beneath soft animal pelts. Behind me on the wall was a sturdy wooden kite shield with polished steel plating grafted onto it, a pair of iron swords crossed behind in decoration. The humble wooden interior design beneath a slanted ceiling... I recognized where I was. "Whiterun? But...why?"

I only barely remembered to keep my voice down as I muttered to myself. I could even see between the floorboards beneath my bed. Such interior design granted little in the way of auditory privacy. Even the heavy wooden and iron door being closed in the corner would not keep my words to myself. And after peering over the side of the bed and peeking between the wooden floorboard, I recognized someone seated before the crackling fire pit downstairs. A fair-skinned human woman with long dark hair stirring the cooking pot set before the flames. Lydia was present in my Whiterun home. My housecarl and trusted friend. But again... Why there?

The fact that I was so lucid that I may as well have never fallen asleep at all told me that an outside presence had journeyed into my dreaming mind. And I welcomed it. I covered my mouth to muffle my voice as I spoke out to the only ones who would hear me. "Luna? Nightmare Moon? What're we doing tonight?"

I waited. And yet I received no answer. Why? The only ones whose presence would causing my dreaming mind to become lucid were the dream weaving royal sisters of the night. Except maybe for their father, but he surely would have responded with a jolly response by then. There was no way the wonderful King Orbash would keep me waiting for a reply with how much he adores who he has called his darling prince. My eyes narrowed in confusion. If they had not intruded into the dream my mind was producing, then...who else could...

My eyes widened in sudden realization. I glanced around at the bedroom I found myself in. I had been there once before in an equally lucid not so long ago. And I had not been alone at the time. Someone had been by my side. And as my heart was filled with a complex maelstrom of excitement and unease, I whispered to myself. "She's near?"

As if to spite my realization, there was a knock at the door. And before Lydia could stand up to open it, it began to creak open. I watched my housecarl to the best of my ability. She very quickly rose to her feet and reached for the sword at her side. To knock only to barge right in? Who was this brazen intruder? I watched and waited with bated breath. Only for Lydia to relax as she left her sword in its sheathe. I heard her speak softly. "Oh? Ah, it's you. Welcome back, little wyrm."

I brought myself to the edge of the bed to better see under the wall. Someone stepped into view. A long creature with scales of a dark violet. The very sight of it filled me with...dread? Part of me was happy to see her, yet...certain dark memories also flashed through my mind. Memories of pain. The burning of flesh along my arm. The agony of a blade cleaving me across my torso. All because of a hasty misunderstanding caused by hidden traumas I never could have suspected. And as I beheld the reptilian creature down below, I heard her speak wit ha familiar voice. "Is he here?"

"Yes, he's asleep upstairs." Lydia replied without objection. She had met the intruder before and showed no hostility or suspicion towards the little wyrm. She then asked knowingly, "Shall I leave you two alone for now?"

"Please. Just for now?" The dragoness asked in turn before Lydia quietly saw herself out of the house. I heard the clicking of the door's lock being secured to insure we would not be disturbed. Lydia was probably even standing just outside the door as a means to stand guard. What assumptions did she have about that little wyrm?

I heard her sniffing the air before seeing the dragoness inspect the soup pot beside the fire pit. That aroma of hearty meat and zesty spices was reaching my nostrils as well. It was whetting my appetite. And as if she read my mind, the dragoness went galloping over to the cupboard at the far end of the floor before coming back with a wooden bowl held in her mouth by the rim. She then repeated the process to bring over a small spoon. She reached up to the pot to steady fill the bowl one ladle at a time. But now came the tricky part. She had no means to carry the bowl if she could not walk with a bipedal stance. And the way she crossed her arms while gazing down at the bowl of hot soup told me she knew this would be a challenge. "All right then... One step at a time."

She had done this once before. There was only one way to transport that bowl of soup without spilling the contents. Step by step, the dragoness lifted her bowl in her little hands before reaching as far as she could before setting it down. Only to step forward and repeat the process. It was a tedious and painstaking effort to compromise with being a quadruped creature, but she did not let that stop her. That bowl of soup was not meant for her. She was bringing it to me.

It took minutes just to get that bowl of soup to the very steep stairs leading up to the second floor. At least it was easier for a quadruped like her to climb, even with having to lift that bowl step by step. My view of the dragoness between the floorboards ended once she was behind the bedroom wall at the top of the stairs. With nowhere to run or hide, I set my head back down on the pillow and closed my eyes to feign sleep. I was not in danger. I knew that. And yet, I still felt a chill of unease. I did not know what to expect.

I could hear the gentle pattering of her hands and paws against the wooden floor. The door to the bedroom soon slowly swung open. The pattering of her digits reached my ears again until she was just to my right. I head the light tap of wood against wood as she surely placed that bowl on the blocky wooden nightstand beside the bed. Only to then hop up onto the bed beside me. I tried to not flinch. Tried to breathe deeply to attempt to pass myself off as asleep. Just to wait and hear what happened next.

She was gentle and silent. I felt a hand wrapped in scales rest atop mine. Only four digits. The fingers had one fewer joints than mine. And the hand gently curled its fingers in an attempt to hold mine. I heard her voice speak with a whisper. "Hey... I'm here now. It's all right if you need to sleep a little longer. I'll be...right here."

There was no point in hiding by then. Now that I knew for certain my guest meant no harm and that I could not run, I finally cracked my right eye open to gaze upon her. Those beautiful teal eyes gazing down at me in mild surprise... Cynder had found me. "Hey. Welcome back."

My tone was cool and cautious. As it had been the previous time we crossed paths. And I saw a look of profound disappointment settle in her eyes. But she still tried to smile. I could see the edges of her mouth curve upward. "I...brought you something. Just in time for lunch, right?"

I looked to my right and saw that wooden bowl on the nightstand. A trail of fragrant steam was rising from that hearty dark red fluid. I looked at Cynder again while she waited with a hopeful smile. I then said what i had told her once before. "You didn't have to do this."

"I know... You don't even look so sick anymore. But...I just...wanted to see you smile." She said with a sigh as that smile faded. She knew that the scars she inflicted upon my heart would not be so quick to heal. I knew I could trust her by then, but that was not the same as being comfortable around her.

And yet... I was angry with myself. Why was I still so wary of her? Cynder had been extremely harsh on herself for nearly throwing away everything we had built since the night she came back into my life. Instead of fading away, she continued to linger. She developed a will. A soul. She was no longer just a mirage produced by my dreaming mind. She was alive. And she returned to me...because she wanted to be with me again. She was there for me during a very dark time of my life...only to...

I silently scolded myself as I took the bowl of soup in hand. My mind and heart were at war with each other. My mind demanded I continue to be cautious. That the dragoness who had maimed me during a very vivid dream could still relapse. Her actions that night were not the result of a lingering curse left behind by the one who had originally shackled her. That night, her sins were entirely her own.

As I sipped away at the delectable soup, my mood began to improve. And my heart began to speak more clearly to me. That hearty horker stew was as delicious as the last time. And that simple labor of love... Just getting that helping of soup to me was a challenge for someone like Cynder. But she did so anyway without complaint. I did not even ask her to do so. She brought it to me entirely of her own volition. Just to be kind to me. And even before then...

We had smiled together. Held each other. Defended each other. The last time we were together, Cynder defended me from more than one threat with ruthless brutality. And even I... I nearly lost her that night. An arrow to the throat... In that moment, all wariness and distrust I held for her was pushed aside. I was afraid I was about to lose her. Was it my heart that commanded me in that moment to rush to her side? To defend her from the clueless archer who mistook her for a threat? To use what little Restoration magic I had to mend her wounds in mere moments? If I feared her so... Why did I try so hard to save Cynder when she was drowning in her own blood?

Cynder waited patiently beside me without a word as I slowly and carefully slurped down that hot soup. I never glanced at her once. Focusing only on that exquisite flavor and my own thoughts. Was that how it would always be between us from that night going forward? Hardly an enjoyable way to be. And I was angry with myself for it. The Cynder who returned to me that night in the forests of Falkreath... The Cynder who shed tears over her choices and gave me the opportunity to command her to leave and disappear forever if I never wanted to see her again...

Why then did I stop her from leaving? I could not answer, yet she confidently assumed my silence meant the more painful decision for her. She was ready... Ready to leave my side if it meant I would be at peace. Even if parting ways for the last time meant condemning herself to oblivion. I could have been rid of her forever, and yet...I took hold of her. And I gave her the only answer I could. To wait and see what happens by taking things one day at a time.

And there she remained. Cynder all too happily remained at my side. She watched over me. Protected me. And at times she even...laughed with me. We still found reasons to smile at each other in spite of my lingering concerns. And now she had returned to my side. Entirely for my own sake. Why was I still so wary of her when I had no right to be?

I set down the bowl once I had consumed every drop I could get beyond my lips. For as insignificant as that snack was, I was happier by then. But she was still there at my side like a very large housecat. Cynder gazed up at me while I gazed down at her. She asked with a small smile forming at the edges of her reptilian face, "How was it?"

"Tasty. Very flavorful. I guess I did need it after all." I replied while still pondering what I should do or say. I could not bring myself to even look or sound satisfied with that delicious gift she had brought me.

Cynder's smile faded quickly. And she sighed with her eyes closing in some small distress. She soon gazed up at me and said, "You don't have to say it... I know. I wronged you. And I have no one to blame but myself. I wish I didn't... I wish I listened to you. I should've listened to you, but... It's something I'll just have to live with."

I could see it in her eyes. Cynder was much more upset with herself than I was with her. She hissed with a harsh sigh as her head bowed. "But...I'll be patient. I'll wait as long as I have to. Weeks. Months. Years... Even a lifetime, if I have to. I'll keep waiting for the day when you can truly smile at me again. Like you always used to..."

She began to reach for my hand. Fingers splayed, ready to take hold. I made no attempt to pull my hand away. But...she hesitated. And Cynder soon lowered her hand back to the pelts under us. She then smiled...very bitterly up at me. "You're all I've ever had. And...you're all I'll never need. And I won't ever let these claws hurt that beautiful heart beating in your chest. I promise... Do you believe me?"

My left hand was concealed by my body as I remained sitting up beside her. And it was fiercely clenched into a fist. Quivering in anger. Not towards Cynder, but towards myself. What was wrong with me? Her actions that night may have been her own, but the trauma forcing her actions was a result of her old master voicing...truly vile and lecherous desires for her. To make her into his personal whore. Had he ever acted upon that, Cynder would have never been the same. She would have been irrevocably broken to a point where no amount of kindness or patience would have mended her heart and soul. Even years of healing kindness and love would not fix her. Even in death, the evil Malefor had still twisted Cynder into carrying out one last cruel act towards me through nothing but the chains of horrifying memories. In hindsight, it was almost as if he had planned it out of sheer spite. Cynder's actions that night were her own...but only partially. And I could see in her eyes and words that she would never let anyone's influence turn her claws onto me again.

She was free again. Truly. She was no one's victim or pawn by then. I kept telling myself this, trying to convince my mind to believe my heart. And as I gazed down upon Cynder while she gazed up at me with a moment of profound silence between us, inspiration struck. I turned my gaze up to look directly ahead at the slanted wall behind Cynder. Where the roof and wall were one in the same. And there upon the wall were a few narrow vertical gaps that served as a form of ventilation. Beyond that wall of wood was the clear blue sky. And as inspiration filled me, my eyes narrowed. And Cynder noticed. "James...?"

I narrowed my eyes further as my brow furrowed. I was trying to look as if I had spotted something that had me suspecting foul play. There was a flat roof at the base of that slanted section. A resourceful person could scale the outside of the house and stand outside. Those ventilation gaps in the roof could serve as a window. And were just wide enough for an assassin to shoot an arrow through. At least I assumed they were. I scowled in false suspicion and concern as I gazed upon those gaps in the wall. And only then did Cynder turn back to see them too. "Those...? Is there someone out there? Did you see something?"

Cynder quickly took the bait and rose to her feet. Wings spread wide in defiance as she watched the blue sky beyond those gaps. Watching for any signs of movement beyond them. "Who's out there?! Are you another assassin here for him?!"

My draconic companion had completely turned her back on me as she put herself between me and the tiny window. Once again, she was putting herself between myself and whatever danger may have been out there. She was protecting me. And also trusting me with her back to me. I sighed to myself as I saw the true Cynder before me. With my mind and heart still locked in a fierce debate, I inhaled deeply and made my move.

In one discreet move, I scooped Cynder into my arms and pulled the startled dragoness up against me. I then fell onto my back and cradled Cynder in a silent embrace. She was more confused than anything else as she spoke out. "Wha... Hey! James, what are...?!"

I said nothing. I merely held Cynder against me. Feeling her. Holding her. Keeping her firmly wrapped up in my arms while being very mindful of the horns on her head reaching towards me. Even the three spines on the back of her neck made holding her tricky. But I was not deterred. If my mind would not listen to my heart and continue to cling to those scathing memories, then perhaps my body would be able to convince it as well.

My hands dragged my fingers over the smooth rosy red ventral scales lining Cynder's strong chest. And then over her shoulders to feel the large violet scales armoring her body. Feeling her, caressing her, holding her as tenderly as I once did. Literally squeezing out my doubts and concerns as that beautiful creature put up no resistance in my arms. Her startled confusion made way for quiet curiosity. "James...?"

All I could do was sigh. I closed my eyes and focused on my other senses. The gentle breaths from her lungs. The feeling of her slender body lined with scales. The faint indescribable scent of her body. I rested my head between the horns on her head, my cheek gently nuzzling against her smooth scalp. Cynder felt so...reassuring to hold. It felt so familiar to hold her in such a way. So nostalgic... And comforting. With barely more than a whisper, Cynder finally understood what I was doing. "Do you...forgive me?"

I was not sure if I could say that. To forgive her for what she did that night? Could I? Without opening my eyes, I said what was in my heart. It was not forgiveness, but...something just as precious. "I missed you."

"You did...?" Cynder whispered with a wavering voice. And I soon felt her little hand resting over the back of mine. I could not resist this invitation. My hand lifted from her chest and wrapped its fingers around hers. I held her as much as she held me. And what a soothing sigh I heard as she fully relaxed into my embrace. I think Cynder had figured out by then that there was no danger. No one was waiting on the other side of that wall. I just did not want her to see my affection coming. And as the seconds went by, she asked softly, "May we...please...just start over?"

It was a challenge to find the will to speak. But I could not stay silent. I wanted to defy my doubts. And that tender embrace was winning over my mind. I did not want to fear her anymore. I longed for the days when I wanted to see Cynder happy. When I wanted...to see her leave the realm of dreams and awaken into the world of reality. And so I ignored my mind and said, "Yeah... Let's."

"I'm with you." Cynder said a very familiar line. And I found it reassuring. Something she had always spoken with conviction. And with it, I knew there was nothing to be had in expecting her to relapse. Those words served as a vow. A promise to my heart. And I answered in kind with something I know she longed for. I placed my lips upon the back of her head to give her a kiss. And at the sides of her face, I saw it. The edges of her lips curving into a calm smile. Although she then asked, "Again? Please?"

And so I did. I placed another kiss upon her scalp. Only for her to ask for another. And then another. Over and over, I kissed Cynder atop her head. It was not just her who found the experience enjoyable. I too found the act reassuring. I was making myself vulnerable by doing so. And the feeling of her scales against my lips was pleasant. Ember, I now understand why you were so afraid the first time...

"James... May I turn around? I want to see you." Cynder asked while I did as she requested without a word. My arms released her before she forced herself to stand only to flop right onto her left side. Her face was before mine as those beautiful teal eyes gazed into mine. With no horns or spines facing me, I felt more comfortable holding her. I began to put my arms around her again while Cynder welcomed my embrace. Her hands rested over my chest while I felt her right wing also drape itself over me in her own embrace. Those little hands rubbed over my padded chest, as if searching for the beating of my heart beneath it. But I then noticed Cynder lift her head again to bring her face before mine.

Her eyes... She looked uneasy, yet also happy? I was tempted to speak, but retained the will to stay silent. But then... Her snout. It lifted just a bit as if scrunching up in response to an incoming sneeze. I had always believed that Cynder's face was as stiff as most other reptiles and yet it proved more flexible and expressive than I anticipated. But instead of sneezing, Cynder just gazed at me. Her lips were thin and stiff. With her snout rising just a bit, the front of her mouth was simply left open just slightly. But instead of speaking, she leaned closer and...

I was so confused. What was she doing? Trying to return the kiss I had just given her? Her lips were a poor match for mine when I was not pressing into it myself. Her lips touched mine while she also reached out to touch me between the lips with her tongue. Cynder quickly pulled back with what I am sure was a crooked smile on her stiff reptilian lips. "That...didn't go the way I expected."

It was only then that I found the will to speak. And I was tempted to chuckle as I asked, "Was that supposed to be a kiss?"

"Yeah... I just wanted to see if I could do it. I guess I just need some practice." Cynder replied nervously as her eyes kept wandering. She was really not used to it. I could still recall the conversation we had in Riverwood the last time we crossed paths. The equivalent of a kiss for her kind does not involve the lips at all. Cynder's act of trying to kiss me on the lips was nothing more than a silly little experiment. Although her eyes did brighten when her gaze met mine. "At least I got you to smile."

And I was. I found myself smiling. And as I sat up, I felt unsure if I should be. For just an instant, I felt those doubts trying to win out against my heart. My mind was telling me that I should not be smiling in the face of one who more or less betrayed me that fateful night. And Cynder was quick to notice my conflicted aimless gaze. "James... Here. Let me hold you. Please?"

Cynder was quick to rise to her feet and reached up to me with her hands. And I very eagerly wrapped my arms around her. Just trying to squeeze the doubts out of me. The little dragoness whispered tenderly to my ear, "Never again. I'll never doubt you again. I trust you. I believe in you. And I'll keep believing in you... Just like they do."

"Yeah... Just...need to take things one day at a time." I sighed with one hand reaching for the back of Cynder's head. I gently slid my fingers over her scalp and weaved them around the three spines going down the back of her neck. Over and over, just trying to soothe her as much as I was trying to convince myself. "It's OK... Everything's OK now... I'm...glad you're here again."

"Shhh... I'm with you. I'm here for you." Cynder replied as her beautiful rosy wings wrapped around me. Shielding me from anyone or anything that may want to antagonize me. That embrace... It felt so...familiar. Like the embrace of another beautiful dragoness I loved so dearly.

My arms tenderly cradled Cynder against me as I closed my eyes. The feeling of those smooth scales. The soft flexible caress of her wings. Even the vague scent of Cynder was similar to Ember's. And for just a moment, my heart got the better of me. "You hold me the same way she does..."

The way Cynder's face reacted to those words... I felt the edges of her mouth curve upward into a curious smile. "And who would that be? Someone dear to you?"

There was no need to hide my beloved's name. Certainly not when Cynder had already met her once before. My eyes closed as my heart longed for that wonderful dragon woman. "Ember."

"Em... Ah, her! Your beautiful blue dragon queen, right?" Cynder replied with a certain playfulness in her tone. I released her from my embrace and found Cynder gazing upon me with no doubt or bitterness in her eyes. Nor in her voice. "It was so good getting to meet her. And the way she spoke of you... Even if she's not ready to commit, just the way you two spoke to each other... I could see it. You're very happy with each other."

I stared at her for a moment almost in surprise. Did she really mean that? Even after what happened that night? I needed to be absolutely certain. I could not risk Cynder changing her mind on me after what happened last time. "You really don't have a problem with us being together?"

Cynder's smile dimmed slightly before she spoke to me. "They had such beautiful stories to tell. There was no jealousy or doubt... I should've listened to you the first time. I shouldn't have...ever assumed you could ever see females as trophies to own. I'll say it again... They don't belong to you. You belong to them. And...it was such a wonderful thing to actually see. I'm...happy for you. And for them. Please... Keep being good to them, all right?"

"Thank you. I'm really trying. I get a little more confident about the whole thing every day. I just want them to be happy they chose to be a part of my family." I said with a sigh as I thought back to the three wonderful women who joined us that night. My beloved wife, my future queen, and the beautiful yet cautious Dragon Lord herself. And I especially recalled the unexpected camaraderie Ember displayed with Cynder. Almost like they were in the process of beginning a genuine friendship.

I could see that smile on Cynder's face. She asked curiously with her tail swaying slowly in a feline manner, "She was so uneasy with discussing things about you two. But it was clear that you two were very much in love. Have things changed since then? Have you two...committed yet?"

"No, not yet. Things have been getting better bit by bit, but...not yet. Although...there has been one little change." I replied with my eyes wandering. But when I gazed upon Cynder again, I found that she almost looked excited. Like she was waiting for more information she wanted to hear. And so I whispered with my eyes squinted shut in joy. "She has...formally requested that I sire her heirs. And...I happily accepted."

Cynder's smile spread so wide that her thin reptilian lips could not contain it. Her jaws opened to fully reveal a grand smile as if she was going to cheer for me. No such shout came, but she knew what those words meant. But then that smile closed as she began to put more pieces of the story's puzzle together. "Wait... Ember wants you to give her offspring? But...what about your first love? That pegasus... Flutter...shy, was it? Do you have children, James?"

I sighed as I closed my eyes. My thoughts went out to two sleeping pegasus fillies that were far north of me at that moment. "I have two. The eldest is adopted. I grew to know her and found that she is an orphan. She's been living happily with us ever since. And...the other... She was born just months ago. In our home, surrounded by friends. She's a very happy little filly. And...she has my eyes."

Cynder's hands came together and became clasped with each other. Her smile displayed awe and surprise. As if she could not understand how a man and mare could be blessed with children. But Gladesong was real. She was proof that such love in Equestria could produce precious and happy children. And her eyes widened in a sudden realization. "You...are a father?"

I quickly understood why she suddenly looked so horrified. That dark night... She did not just lash out at the husband of my beloveds. She tried to harm the father of my children. There was only one thing I could think of to take Cynder's mind off of that reckless mistake. I rested my hand on her head and said, "Yeah. I am. And I hope I can introduce you to them someday."

"You do?" Cynder asked with her gaze of unease being replaced by one of hope. I gently rubbed my palm over her scalp to reassure her further to growing effect. She briefly closed her eyes before letting out a long sigh. "I would...like that. But are there others? Have you been blessed with children from more than just Fluttershy?"

I smiled warmly at very recent memories from not even a day before. And I did not hide the truth. "Not yet... But hopefully soon. Novo and I just recently started actively trying for children."

"Novo... Oh her! That amazing hippogriff queen! I could never forget her. She did seem like the...motherly type in hindsight." Cynder replied with a happy smile as she surely remembered her first and very memorable encounter with that amazing queen. Although she then sighed more sincerely before saying, "Her tale was especially touching... I could see just how dearly in love you two are. If you're trying to have children together, then I hope you'll be blessed with many when the time comes."

"Yeah... Many. That's what we're hoping for." I sighed in fond recollection. I knew that Novo was still beside my sleeping body with her wing draped over me. And just maybe... At that moment, our firstborn was possibly beginning to come into existence within her womb. I then looked down at Cynder with a bit of a shy smile on my lips and said with barely more than a whisper, "Thank you for supporting us."

"And thank you...for introducing me to your...family. Even if it's a very unusual family, I can see it's a very happy family." Cynder said with a hopeful smile. She pulled herself forward before bowing her head. Her scalp pressed up against my padded chest while she turned her head from one side to the other as if to nuzzle me with her scalp. "Be good to them. And I hope you'll all be happy together."

All that talk of family... My hand gently stroked my companion between her shoulders. I came to a sobering realization. Cynder had no family. I never knew of her mother and father. All I knew of her origins was that she was practically born into servitude under her fallen master. She never knew what I knew when it came to family. While foolish to even ask about it, I knew we could not ignore the reality of Cynder's past. "You...never had one, did you?"

"No... I did not." Cynder said somberly with her scalp resting against my chest. But her words were not as bitter as I expected when she continued to speak. She sounded...grateful. Relieved in a sense. "All I ever had was you. And...you're all I really need. When I'm with you, I'm home. That's...enough for me."

My doubts surrounding Cynder receded evermore in the face of such an admission. I bowed my head and kissed her on the back of the head between her two most prominent horns. I wanted to believe that the corrupted shade she became that night would never return. That the precious little wyrm before me was once again the wayward vagabond that I had hoped would join me in the realm of reality one day. I asked softly, "Is there anything I can do for you?"

"Please... Let me continue to be with you. To keep finding happiness with you. To stay by your side wherever you go. Just like we used to..." Cynder pleaded with hope in her whispering voice. I tried to remember... To think back to when we first met. Soaring through that glade and forest, then out over a shimmering ocean. We swooped beneath the breaching form of a true leviathan of a whale. Only for the ocean to fall away as we soared through the void of space within a swarm of shimmering comets. And when the dream began to end, we plummeted into that white void. All while holding tightly to each other. That should have been the end, and yet... She would return to me. Something no other creature spawned by my dreaming mind had ever done.

It was a dark time for me when that fateful night came. Nightmare Moon sensed a presence adrift at the edges of my mind and called it near. She remembered me. Immediately stepped into my arms. And I could never have expected to feel so...relieved to see that little wyrm again. And when she learned of my troubled heart, she stayed by my side. We wandered and explored, enjoying each other's company. We smiled. We even laughed. We were...happy. Happy to know each other. Happy to be reunited. And when the time came where I had to awaken... She pleaded to come with me. Clung to me in as tight an embrace as possible so that I would drag her out of that world with me. And yet... I awoke without her in my arms.

These memories were sobering, yet comforting. I did all I could to remember why I had grown to...cherish Cynder in the first place. Trying to remember what we once had before a tragic misunderstanding nearly destroyed what we had built together night after night. And as I gazed down at the back of Cynder's bowed head, I made my decision. "I...want that. Welcome back, Cynder."

It was a new beginning. Just the first step of leaving that dark time behind us. And Cynder responded in an appropriate fashion. She pulled herself up against me and wrapped her limbs and wings around me to the best of her ability. Wrapping me in a cocoon of scales. Her head rested on my shoulder as she whispered a familiar loving thing to me. "I'm with you. Always."

There was no point staying up there in that bedroom. We should not spend our entire time together in bed. There was a world out there to explore. And so I stood up while cradling the little wyrm as she equally clung to me. Her eyes were closed as she allowed me to decide where we went. And I had a good idea of how we could improve the mood. With one hand holding her at the base of her tail, I used my other to carry the empty soup bowl at the side of the bed. With very careful steps, I descended the wooden steps nearby to reach the stone floor below. I then asked with a whisper into Cynder's ear, "Are you hungry?"

"Now that you mention it... Yeah. It feels like I haven't eaten in far too long." Cynder grumbled with an uneasy chuckle. While I am sure she does not require sustenance when adrift at the edges of my mind, it is hard to not notice when one has gone too long without eating once they become conscious. I carefully brought myself down to my knees to let Cynder down gently. She stepped aside to let me do what I had to in order to make certain she would have a fine dining experience with me.

I fetched another bowl and spoon from nearby and filled both hers and mine with more of that delicious stew set before the fire pit. I took a seat in one of the chairs before it, but Cynder had to settle for resting on the floor beside me. Her reptilian body would not allow her to use a proper chair. But she could still hold a spoon just fine with her hands, so there was no issue with her feeding herself. I took a sip of my stew, savoring that flavor. "How's yours?"

Cynder blew on the hot spoonful of soup to try and cool it enough for a taste. And she mumbled in approval with that first gulp. "Impressive... You called this horker stew, right? I don't even know what a horker is, but...this is amazing."

"This might sound weird, but horkers are basically Tamriel's equivalent to the walrus. I bet this meat is rich in that blubbery fat. Although it is kinda weird to imagine hunting those things... Not the most conventional source of meat. Unless you live in the arctic, I suppose." I muttered as I realized that how the walrus and primitive humans of the arctic influenced each other was not something that ever crossed my mind.

"Walrus... Those things that live in the frozen ocean? I never knew just how good they could taste." Cynder replied with a hearty chuckle. She was just too hungry to care and I had to pour her another bowl before long. The second bowl appeared to be enough to satisfy her as she lied down beside me in the glow and warmth of the fire before us. "I think you were right about how rich that meat is. Very filling..."

While I gazed upon the flickering flames beyond the soup pot, I started to notice a certain sound reaching my ears. A clicking or scratching sound against stone. Even Cynder flinched as she noticed that sound with every idle sway of my tail behind her. Her head rose suddenly before her eyes narrowed in confusion. "Wait... Why does it sound like..."

We both looked back and saw the source of that sound. The platinum blade affixed to the tip of Cynder's tail would click along the floor with every lazy swish of her tail. There was just one problem with that. Cynder had given away that blade last time she and I crossed paths. Cynder's eyes widened in shock as she saw something on her body that should not have been there. "Why...? I remember given tat blade to that little human girl back in that village. Why is it back again?"

Cynder began to examine her body. We had removed and even bartered away several of the seven platinum pieces attached to her body. And at that moment, they were all back where they had always been. As if they had never been removed at all. Cynder's eyes narrowed in frustration as she muttered, "Am I...cursed? Is this punishment for being Malefor's pawn?"

I was not about to let Cynder dwell on that. She had already been through too much already and did not need to start brooding over a time that no longer held any meaning to her. While Cynder looked at her hands and the two platinum bangles above the wrists, I set my bowl of stew aside and made my move. I reached over and took hold of the band around Cynder's throat and quickly unclasped it. Cynder froze in surprise and looked up at me to see that shackle now in two even halves. I looked at it and then back down at her as I realized what a steady supply of platinum meant for us. "I really don't see what the problem here is. If those things keep finding a way back to you, then that just means more pieces of this precious metal to barter with. And platinum is a very valuable material, right?"

Cynder just stared at me. And then she laughed. She threw her head back and hollered with very sudden laughter as she sudden saw the upside to such a 'curse'. She soon placed a hand on her brow as her laughter was replaced by quieter chuckling. "When you put it like that... I guess this really is a good thing! But if you don't mind..."

The little wyrm sat up and held out her hands to me. She gazed up at me with a relieved smile and asked, "Care to do the honors? I can't get these off myself so easily."

"Sure thing. Just a minute." I went to work removing Cynder's two little bangles before also removing the shackle clasped around her tail. But she moved her wings away when I reached for the two platinum spikes covering her natural joint spines. "Hey, i can get those too."

"Wait, wait! Not these. At least not yet. They might come in handy while we're out there today." Cynder replied while keeping her wings reaching straight back to keep those two spines out of my reach. I suppose she was right. I could not imagine spending our entire night together in just Whiterun. There was much to see in Skyrim. And much danger. The better armed she was, the more efficiently Cynder could protect us both. Although she then added with her eyes glancing around at the cozy interior of my home, "I mean... I'd be all right with just staying here today. But I'd be happy to explore more of... Wait... I can remember this..."

Cynder looked confused as she lightly tapped a knuckle on her hand against the underside of her jaw. What was she trying to remember? She then suddenly managed to snap her fingers as she spoke up, "Right! This is the hold of Whiterun! In the province of Skyrim! On the continent of Tamriel! In the world of Nirn... Did I get that right this time?"

"Yep. Good memory." I replied while gently patting Cynder on the head. She looked pretty proud of herself for correctly recalling where we were. That first conversation we had last time got rather comical with how she kept incorrectly guessing what name applied to what part of that world. I then turned my attention to the door ahead of us. Lydia was likely still outside. She probably even took a book with her as a means to help pass the time. But...

I began to ponder Cynder's presence as I slowly slurped away at my the stew in my soup. How did she know where to find me? She had not been summoned to my side even once after the first time we reunited. And Whiterun... The architecture of that city follows a certain aesthetic. It would be easy to get lost and mistake one home for another if one had not spent much time there and I was certain Cynder did not have a photographic memory. And yet, Cynder found her way back to me without trouble. Just like every time before. I glanced down at Cynder as she lifted the bowl in both hands to her lips to gulp down the last bits of her serving of stew. It was as good a time to ask as any. "Cynder... Did you have trouble finding my house here today? You didn't walk in on total strangers while trying to find me, did you?"

"Huh? No, not at all. I came right here. I still remembered to knock though." She replied with no display of concern on her face. Although she did lift her empty bowl higher to me. "May I have another?"

"Oh sure." I quickly took hold of the ladle in the pot to pour my companion another helping of that delicious stew. She immediately took her spoon to it with a hungry smile on her thin reptilian lips. I then tried to press her for more information. "If you had no trouble finding me... What happened before you reached Whiterun?"

Cynder paused in her dining and looked up at me with a look of sincerity. "Before I got here? Well... It was pretty much like every time before. I was just...wandering. Not really absorbing anything that was happening around me. Like I was in a haze. But then...I felt you. Somewhere nearby. And...I wanted to see you."

That did sound similar to how she described what happened to her after the first time we parted ways. So lost in a dreamlike haze that Cynder needed to be directly called over to me by Nightmare Moon herself. As I listened, Cynder continued with a look of subtle happiness in her eyes. "And so...I woke up. I couldn't miss out on another chance to be with you. To...hopefully find happiness with you again. I fell through just...empty space. Then through clouds. And when I came out of it... I saw the vast tundra around this place. It was a very beautiful sight... And then I saw Whiterun again. It was easy to recognize. And one seemed to mind me to much when I came in for a landing. I did get a lot of stares. There was even one human child who offered me something sweet... A gentle boy, I think. That treat was round and covered with a layer of sweet icing. I think he thought I was cute."

"Sounds like you made a good first impression on the locals. I guess being a pretty little wyrm helps with that." I replied before I noticed Cynder giving me a bit of a suspicious scowl. And I quickly remembered why. "Hey, you've been a good girl. So you're not a lesser wyrm anymore."

Cynder let out a snort as her disapproving scowl was replaced with a very amused smirk. And then a quick chuckle. Although that was when I understood how Cynder found her way back to me without knocking at the wrong address. "I guess that explains things then. The locals do know where I live and could easily point you to my location."

Rather than confirm that assumption, Cynder just looked up at me in surprise. "Huh? No, I didn't ask anyone where I could find you. They didn't even looked like they recognized me or knew that we're associated with each other. I came to your home here because...I could feel you somewhere inside."

All I could do was stare. She found me... Cynder knew where I was...because she could literally sense me? How? I never heard of her having such an ability, even with what little knowledge I had of her before she ever appeared before me in the first place. Such an ability... It could not be inherent to her species of dragon. I needed to know more. "And how...would you describe being able to sense me like that?"

Cynder was at a loss for a moment. She became too distracted to even feast on her bowl of stew. She began to speak carefully with her gaze lowering. "I didn't notice at first. But I think... After the second time we met, I... It's always been there. And it's...only grown stronger since then. When I decided I was ready to find you again, I followed your presence to the forest. But I still couldn't pinpoint exactly where you were. I could sense you were near, but not in which direction."

I listened in silence. I dare not interrupt Cynder at the time. Her gaze soon rose to meet mine. And she began to smile. "But this time... I could sense exactly where you were. I felt so...warm. Like I was coming home. And I was hoping...that my home would welcome me. And you did."

What was this connection she was describing? A special connection between dream and dreamer? And it had only grown stronger in time? But as I pondered this revelation, a certain skepticism filled me. And then I began to smirk as I had an idea. "Hmmm... You wanna test that theory?"

Cynder took note of that sly smile on my lips and rose her right eyebrow with a curious smirk of her own across her lips. "A test, huh? What do you have in mind."

"Hang on. Let me finish this first." I replied before Cynder and I made certain to finish our meal before anything else could happen. We then set aside our bowls before I explained my idea. "I'm going to leave the house. Once I'm gone, you wait no less than five minutes. And then you come and find me. I need those just how good your sense of direction is."

"A game of hide and seek? Really? All right, sure. Go on. Run away from me. I'll hunt you down like I always do." Cynder said smugly while resting one hand over the other as she rested on the floor beside me. The swishing of her tail... She was clearly trying to look the part of a lounging feline letting her prey get a head start.

Why was I so giddy? Was I really so trusting of Cynder by then that I would happily play with her? Regardless, I was eager to put my theory to the test. I quickly left the house and was immediately hit by a climate shock of the cold winter air around me. To go from the hot sunny tropics to the chilling tundra in one night was more than a bit jarring and reminded me of what awaited me when I finally got back to Ponyville. That fire pit in the middle of that house did a fine job of keeping the place warm, but my exposed faced took in a gentle yet frigid breeze once I was outside.

Sure enough, Lydia was standing beside the door with a book in hand. She looked up at me before asking, "Is everything all right in there, my thane?"

"Yeah, just peachy. In five minutes or so, she'll be coming out. And when she does, you never saw me." I replied before turning and running up the stone road leading higher and deeper into the city. The gentle incline led me to the market followed by a set of stairs that led to the town square and the beautiful Gildergreen tree in full bloom. I ignored the preaching and shouting priest before the nearby statue, ran past the great wooden longhouse, and then up to one of the most famous locations in the entire hold. I gazed upon the mighty Skyforge.

It truly was a sight to behold. Instead of most forges set in a circle of compacted stones, the burning coke was held in a stone basin before a great stone wall. And that wall had been beautifully carved to resemble a great eagle looming over the forge. The clanking of a hammer striking hot iron. Turning to face the left of the forge revealed a old Nordic man with an impressively muscular build forged through decades of his craft, his long silvery hair and beard stained with soot. When he happened to turn my way to get the forge's mighty bellows working, he noticed my presence and spoke with a deep voice filled with an accent that was thick even by most Nord standards. "Got a lot of steel to shape. What can I do for you, lad?"

"Good to see you, Eorland. I'm not here to by. I'm just waiting for someone." I replied while stepping past him. He pursued the conversation no further and went back to work. He had always been a man of few words when laboring at the forge. There was a stone platform before the great stone eagle's left wing that held many pieces of armor crafted by the peerless blacksmith behind me. And among those pieces of various alloys was a full suit of armor composed of beautiful ebony. Black as pitch with striking silver engravings making it look just as gorgeous as it was sturdy. "Ebony... Truly a wondrous sight... Wait... I wonder..."

I looked around myself. The Skyforge was tucked away in a location where t would be difficult to see anyone up there behind walls, architecture, and its general elevation. The stone flooring around it reached quite far and allowed one to get an excellent view of the city and the vast tundra fields of the Whiterun hold beyond the city walls. Cynder would never see me if I stayed far back against the wall. But as I beheld that armor, an idea formed in my head.

Even if Cynder found her way to me, what if I made myself unrecognizable? That suit of ebony armor would be the perfect guise. Although there was a problem. It would take much too long to put on. I had only four minutes left at best before Cynder left the house to try and track me down. And that was time I simply did not have. Not to mention I am sure Eorland would only let me wear it after paying for it. With no other option to hide, I turned to the only person who could help me. I turned away from Eorland and whispered discreetly, "OK then... Nightmare Moon? Luna? If any of you are watching..."

I was fortunate that my words did reach someone. A familiar voice spoke to me as if inside my head. "Good evening to you, my friend. From the looks of things, Cynder found her way back to you again. I trust things have been mended between you two since last we spoke with her?"

Luna had entered my dreaming mind. While not present when my dreaming thoughts became lucid, the Princess of the Night had surely detected an anomaly in my dreams and entered them to investigate. And it appeared that she had been doing so without my knowledge. Glad to know that my idea could be put into action, I then looked over at that great stone shelf lined with masterfully crafted pieces of armor. "Yeah, basically. Listen, I need you to be quick and don't ask why. You see that suit of armor? Black as night? I need you to swap me out of these clothes and suit me up in a full suit of it."

"Huh? Whatever for? That armor is certainly a sight to behold, but wouldn't your own enchanted armor be better for... Wait, you did say to not ask questions. So be it. I'm curious of where this is going anyway." Luna replied with an honest chuckle once she caught herself. She must have only just entered my dreaming mind mere moments ago. With a flash of her magic, Luna exerted her will onto that world laid upon the fabric of the dream realm. That soft winter attire was instantly replaced by a sturdy suit of metal armor affixed to a soft black underlying bodysuit as Luna whispered to me in awe. "My goodness, that looks so much better on you than just sitting on a shelf."

I was immediately shocked by something I had not expected. For as beautiful and protective as the helmet was, it came with a cost. The only thing I had to see through was a horizontal slit in the front. I tried waving my armored hands in front of my face to test my field of vision and found myself scowling in annoyance. I grumbled inside that bucket of a helmet, "How does anyone even see in this thing?"

"Huh?! Lad, where did you even get that armor? You didn't happen to... No, that set I just crafted is still right there. Where did you get that suit?" I heard Eorland speak from behind me. He must have only just turned to look in my direction and saw that I had swapped out of my previous attire into a full suit of exquisite plate armor in less than a minute.

"Uh... Hang on, where are you? Can't see a thing in this... Ah, there you are." I grumbled before turning myself around and pivoting my head to maximize my field of awareness. I finally spotted Eorland staring at me with such a bewildered gaze while still holding onto the rope of the forge's bellows. With no idea of how to even try to explain myself, I held my arms out to the side with palms facing upward. "How did I get into this suit? I guess you could say...um... The gods work in mysterious ways."

Thank goodness Eorland could not hear Luna. She cracked up instantly at my retort to my host's prying. With nothing else to ask, Eorland rolled his eyes and went right back to work. He had probably seen stranger things in his long years. Especially in an enchanted world like Nirn. Now that I was completely suited up in an inconspicuous suit of armor that completely concealed my body, it was time to put my charade into action. I clanked on over to that stone shelf and took a seat at the furthest edge. I was hoping to pass myself off as a traveling mercenary who had stopped by the Skyforge to commission the local smith to forge me a new sword. But even then, I still hated how that helmet limited my field of vision. Not that I was missing out on much. I could not see much of Whiterun at all from there with the local mead hall in the way. "I'm never wearing this crap again, I swear... Just not worth it."

And so I waited. I even tried to give myself a bit of an impatient look by crossing my arms. Eorland did not object to my presence at all while I sat at the very edge of the forge. I began to turn and pivot my head to try and keep an eye out for Cynder. If she would be coming from anywhere, she would ascend the stone stairs I had used at the far edge of the area. And sure enough, she came bounding up the stairs and into view in so little time that she must have known exactly where I was. Did someone rat me out to her after all?

I was careful to not make a sound or even react physically to Cynder's presence. The helmet over my head made it impossible for her to see that I had seen her. She even appeared momentarily confused in the brief moment she was in my field of vision before I turned my head to stare directly ahead of me. She had come charging up those stairs while probably expecting to bark at me in triumph only to find that I was nowhere to be seen. And so I sat there with Cynder being obstructed by the helmet over my face. Even Eorland did not seem to notice her.

A smirk began to spread across my lips as I resisted the urge to snicker to myself. I got her. I was hiding in plain sight and Cynder was none the wiser. She knew where I had gone, but did not know I was right in front of her. I had won our little game... But then I heard the faint tapping of her claws against the stone floor. She was approaching. My sense of smug triumph began to rapidly fade as a new kind of tension flooded my nerves. She was getting closer. And closer...

My arms remained crossed and my gaze directed forward. Cynder could tell that I most definitely could not see her behind that helmet. And very soon, I knew she was standing right next to me. My teeth were clenched, my lips clamped shut, my body trying to regulate its breathing. Trying to not let myself feel afraid. I mean it was tension instead of fear, but I was still consumed with the anxiety of being discovered. And finally... She tapped my on my armored boot.

She was so close... Doing all I could to hide my mood with my eyes widening in a strange kind of terror, I turned my head in a confused manner to show that I was having difficulty seeing anything around me. I then tilted my head down to see the little dragoness gazing up at me. I even added another layer of subterfuge to my act by tilting my head to one side while looking at her. Just trying to convey without words that I was someone who was puzzled by the strange creature before me.

Cynder did not speak either. But she did begin to smile. And that smile started to turn into a smirk. A big wide smirk as her eyes narrowed in an almost menacing fashion. I tried to play dumb and tilted my head in the other direction. There was no way she could tell that I was inside that armor. She could not even see my eyes from such a close distance. I just needed to hold out a little longer. She would see that she had the wrong guy and go away. Just a little longer and... "Hello, James."

She got me. Oh lord, she got me good. With that, I hunched over in laughter as my voice echoed around me inside that metal shell around my head. The tension was gone. Cynder had found me. And entirely without even truly seeing me. "Hahaha, all right! All right, I'm convinced! You know how to sniff me out after all!"

My companion was really proud of herself. She even instinctively spread her wings wide in triumph. Although she then spoke as I took my helmet off, "I didn't rely on scent to follow your trail at all. I just had to look around and I just could...feel you in this direction. I wish I could explain it better, but...I just feel...something connecting us."

There was no point in even trying to debate or discuss that unexplainable intuition Cynder was feeling. Her very existence was an anomaly in the dream realm. Even the likes of Luna and Nightmare Moon had never witnessed such a creature become more than a mere dream until Cynder survived our first encounter. But now that I had seen such a phenomenon in action, there was no denying it any longer. "No wonder you keep finding your way back to me. At least now we know you'll never get lost."

Cynder's beautiful teal eyes brightened considerably as her wings relaxed. "Then I'll always find my way home from now on."

I reached out and rested my hand on Cynder's scalp right between her horns. She closed her eyes as she welcomed my touch. The black fabric lining my palm was not akin to leather. It almost felt silken in texture. It only reinforced the sheer decadence of ebony armor and its inherently beautiful craftsmanship. Although Cynder did finally turn her head as the sound of a hammer striking metal reached our ears. It was then her turn to tilt her head in one direction in puzzlement. "He didn't even notice me when I showed up... You think the old man is deaf?"

"Eorland? Nah, he just gets really in the zone when he's deep in his work. The man's the finest smith in all of Skyrim, if not the entirety of Tamriel. Best not bother him unless you need something." I replied before noticing the helmet that was still in my hands. Perhaps I should put it back on and give it another try? It might even improve my general ability to sense danger while in my usual equipment.

I was distracted by Cynder taking an interest in the wooden structure just before the Skyforge. She pointed over to it and asked, "Before I forget about it... What even is that? It looks...like an upside-down boat. Doesn't it?"

"Now that you're bringing it up, it just might be. Maybe? We're nowhere near the ocean and the river nearby would never allow something like that to travel its length, so I don't understand how that would be possible..." I replied before taking a moment to ponder the overall design of Skyrim's traditional longhouses. Were they simply designed to resemble the wooden hull of a ship, or were they actual repurposed ship hulls? Regardless, I then explained, "But anyway, that's just Jorrvaskr. The home of the Companions. Think of them as a band of noble mercenaries who take jobs all over Skyrim while generally keeping the peace... You can even see them down there now. Must be lunchtime."

The longhouse before us had a patio with a roof over it out back. Training dummies were set up along the wall for combat training, so it was likely a place allowing for the rest of the Companions to kick back and have a meal and drink while watching their comrades perform. Mostly Nordic men and women clad in varying suits of steel and leather armor, but there was one Dunmer amongst them as well with his gray complexion and pointed ears. They sounded rambunctious with noisy conversations playing out between them with tankards of cold mead. I had heard from some that the Companions are largely a bunch of disorganized ruffians who spend more time drinking than fighting. And on some days, that sentiment might be more true than on others. But I still found myself smiling as I heard them chatting. They were all righteous souls in the end.

Cynder stepped closer to the edge of the stone platform we were on to get a better look at the Companions having a good time below. She soon looked back at me and said, "They do look like warriors. Maybe I should stay away."

"That might be wise. Don't want to blunder into their den when they've been drinking. They're liable to start throwing punches at each other and maybe anyone else if they think you'll put up a good fight." I said with a snort of amusement. I then looked down at the helmet on my lap and finally secured it over my head. I did feel safe inside it even with my vision limited, but I knew it would be foolish to put too much trust in armor on one's head. Still best to avoid taking a blow there. I then stood up and spoke with my voice now being muffled by the layer of metal encasing my face. "Anyway, where to now?"

Cynder turned her gaze up at with a bit of a cockeyed look on her face. She almost looked like she was tempted to laugh. "You sound like you got your head stuck in a metal pail! Are you sure that's how you're supposed to sound?"

"Yes! Of course this is normal! I just don't normally sound like this because my usual helmet doesn't cover my face! I'm just trying this for a change of pace now that I've got it." I replied before keeping a close eye on Cynder as she began to lead me away towards the stairs over yonder. Even while Eorland paid us no mind. But when I was almost there... "So then, what are you in... Ah?! Hey, whoa!"

Wearing that helmet had turned out to be a bad idea. A very bad idea. With my vision so limited, I did not know that I was veering towards the very edge of the Skyforge! And right when I was no more than five paces away from the stairs, my left foot slipped off the very corner and sent me tumbling over the side. It was thankfully not a straight drop. i went clanking and rolling over some great gray rounded rocks jutting out of the side of the hilltop the Skyforge had been situated atop before rolling right off them and falling flat on my face maybe ten feet down. Right into the stone walkway leading behind Jorrvaskr. And the Companions saw everything. They were howling at the ridiculous sight of some guy in beautiful ebony armor so tumbling off the Skyforge like some drunken oaf. I found the strength to lift my armored fist at them even while remaining flat on the floor. "Oh shut up! And I'm still more sober than all of you!"

I doubt they even heard me from over there with my helmet in the way. I remained where I was, my pride more wounded than my body. Thank goodness those rocks were in the way, or the drop would have been a fair bit longer. I would have broken something had I had a straight drop from the Skyforge to the courtyard below. But I was still very sore and was in no hurry to try and stand up. I heard the flapping of Cynder's wings as she swooped down at me. "James! James, are you all right?! Did you break anything?! Why did you even do that?!"

"I can't exactly watch my feet when I can't even see anything in this helmet in the first place! And as hard as it is to believe, no. I don't think anything's broken... Except my expectations for this armor." I grumbled as I felt Cynder rest a hand on the back of my head. I wanted nothing to do with any suit of armor with such a counterproductive helmet design. I then growled quietly, "Luna. I don't care if anyone's watching. Get me back in my previous outfit right now. I'm done with this armor."

"I should say so after that graceless spill. And you are remarkably bruised. Let me get you fixed up so you can be on your way in peak form." I heard the Princess of the Night say somewhere in my head. And in a quick flash of light, my peripheral vision returned while I felt much softer padding over my torso. Even the pain in my body was gone. Although Cynder then stepped back in surprise as I hurriedly climbed to my feet. Even the Companions had ceased their laughing once I was suddenly out of armor. "OK, enough of that. Let's get outta here."

I heard a voice from behind me that sounded like the owner had been drinking especially heavily. And there was only one person in the Companions who fit that description. "Hey, am I the only one who saw that? Did all that ebony suddenly turn into fancy clothing and I only blinked and missed it? Or was that just the mead messing with me again?"

The distinctive sound of a Dunmer man's voice spoke up in response as Cynder and I walked away. "Not the first time I saw it happen. I never told anyone, but there was this time when I took a job to rough up some fool causing trouble in Markarth. He was all armored up in steel plating. But when I showed up and got my fists out, he turned tail and ran in nothing but common garb with all that armor just falling into a heap. Neatly folded too! True story, I tell you."

That tale must have got Cynder wondering since she then looked up at me with a confused stare. I noticed and explained quickly to her, "Luna swapped me out to the clothes I had been wearing earlier. She even healed me just now."

"Luna...? Ah! One of those creation goddesses. She's watching over us?" Cynder replied while smiling in comfort. While that was not entirely true, I stuck with that facade. Cynder could not be allowed to know the truth yet. Not until it was time for her to awaken into the real world.

As we descended the steps before Jorrvaskr, that incessant yelling reached my ears. Standing before a statue of a helmed bearded human man with a sword pointed at a small creature at his feet was a man wrapped in yellow and orange hooded robes. His hands were raised high as he cheerfully and passionately preached his dogma in defiance of an unjust doctrine put in place on the people of Skyrim in decades past. A doctrine that would be liberated in due time for certain, but would continue to be a point of contention for the people of Skyrim until that day finally came. But I still had enough presence of mine to put myself between that priest and Cynder while hoping his hood would keep him from noticing her. "Best not let him see you. He'll probably think you're a messenger of Talos or something. We'll never hear the end of it if he does."

"He's a loud one... Maybe I should be glad he didn't notice me when I came up here the first time." Cynder grumbled as we descended the steps on the left with Whiterun's market coming up before us. It was bustling with many locals turning out to inspect the wares. Produce, fresh cut meat, and even fine jewelry were available for purchase. I patted myself around the pockets of my trousers and found that the four platinum bands I had removed from Cynder were still present. We still had a means to barter for goods.

Cynder looked very happy as she glanced around at the people going about their business in town. She appeared to enjoy being around people in society. After so much of her life trapped in servitude with even her will and mind shackled in her own body, she was finally free and now was just another person in Skyrim's society. No one even seemed to mind her too much. But as we wandered along further, Cynder's eyes perked up as she saw someone she seemed to recognize. "Oh! There! That's him! The boy from before!"

A young human boy was inspecting the butcher stand. Clad in a blue shirt with long sleeves and with his auburn hair slicked back, I recognized the boy immediately. "Him? That's Lars. And yeah, he's a good kid."

"He really was kind to me. I hope he's a happy child." Cynder replied while knowing we had no time to stop and chat with him. I did not even know exactly how much time we had left before I would have to awaken. It would be best to use our time wisely. And Cynder probably knew that to some degree. As we headed back down the gentle incline along the road back towards my home in Whiterun, Cynder looked up at me and asked, "Well then... What are you up to today? Are you back in Skyrim for a reason?"

"Me? I'm currently on vacation. And you won't be finding anything tropical around here. But now that you mention it, I guess we should find something to do... Let's take a look outside. Lots to see around Whiterun." I replied while knowing I would be safe without a sword at my side. Cynder had proven herself more than capable of handling any threat that might harass us on the road. Once we passed through the sturdy wooden gates and exchanged glances with the guards on each side, I looked down at Cynder and asked once we had crossed the drawbridge on our way down the road, "Where would you like to go today?"

Cynder looked back up at me and said, "I know absolutely nothing about this world, so I'm just along for the ride. You lead and I'll follow."

I should have expected as much. The only time Cynder had seen Skyrim was during our previous encounter. And the only holds of that region she had seen were Whiterun and Falkreath. That at least gave me an idea. "Right... You haven't seen much of this place yet. But...is there anywhere you've seen that you might want to revisit?"

That got Cynder thinking. She came to a stop and tapped one finger on the stone road with her brow furrowing. She then asked, "What about that area with the thick forests and that huge lake? I think I'd like to take another look around there again."

"Falkreath? Sounds good to me. Sure, we can head on back there." I replied while also holding a fondness in my heart for that particular hold. Such a beautiful place and with a more moderate climate as well. And Cynder had proven extremely capable in dealing with the more dangerous creatures there.

As we began to enter the plains outside the city walls, I took note of just how far we had traveled during our prior visit to Skyrim. We had wandered from the forests of Falkreath all the way to Whiterun last time. It would save us time if we were to enlist the aid of a carriage. And beyond the stables just outside the walls was one such carriage with a single mighty horse bound in a harness. "Let's see if we can get a ride. We've already come this way on foot. Might be fun to try rolling along the roads in a wagon this time."

Cynder happened to look up at me only to turn her gaze towards the sky. Her eyes widened in some contemplation as she then said, "That might be a good idea. I think it's sometime in the afternoon now. Are the roads here safe once the sun starts going down?"

"That's a good point... Yeah, there are dangers in Skyrim that are only active at night. Let's try to get there on wheels instead of on foot. I just hope the driver accepts barter instead of just coin." I replied with some unease. I was surprised by just how late in the day my dreaming mind had placed me. For all I knew, Cynder and I would be together well through the night as well. The two of us hurried along at a quick pace to reach the carriage, which was a simple open wooden wagon. The driver, a Nordic man with a thick head and moustache of brown hair, turned to look down at me as I spoke out to him. "Excuse me! Do you happen to accept barter? I'm fresh out of Septims."

The driver was quick to respond while he lounged in the front seat of his carriage, "Not normally. But depending on what you have to offer, I might be willing to make an exception."

I felt around in my pockets and pulled out one of the smaller bands I had removed from Cynder's wrists. With the shun shimmering along its polished surface, I held it up to him. "Will this do? It's solid platinum."

"Platinum?! You almost never see that around these parts. Let me see here..." The driver reached down and took my offering in hand. He examined it closely for a minute while Cynder stepped out from behind me to get a look at the driver and his horse. "You're right, this isn't silver... All right, you've impressed me with this. I'll gladly get you where you need to go. Where to... Wha... Wait, what's that down there? Is it yours?"

The driver was quick to see Cynder looking back at him from below. Not wanting to let the driver assume she was trouble, I quickly spoke up for her sake. "She's with me. Cynder here is basically my bodyguard."

This brief explanation calmed the driver, but it did not quite sate his curiosity. He then asked, "A guardian beast, hm? I've seen all manner of creatures with travelers, but never anything like this. What do you call this creature?"

Without even thinking, I gave him the same response I had given everyone else who had asked the last time around. "Her kind are native to Elsweyr. A lesser wyrm."

And that was all I needed to say to provoke a response out of Cynder. She did not even try to feign being voiceless as she suddenly turned to me with her wings spreading wide in annoyance. "Oh come on! Haven't I been a good girl?! What's so lesser about me anyway?!"

"By the nine, she speaks?! Haha, just when I think I've seen it all with this job, something new comes along to surprise me!" The driver suddenly laughed while taking more amusement with Cynder's outburst than alarm.

I was worried that there may be others nearby who might have heard Cynder while she continued to bark at me. She took an assertive step towards me and spoke loudly with a scowl on her face. "James, really! Do you have to keep calling me that?! I already told you that I'm moderately sized! Does that sound lesser to you? At least call me a greater wyrm for once!"

"Fine, fine, greater wyrm it is! I'd say you've earned that by now anyway." I retorted with Cynder displaying a proud smirk on her face. I then turned to the driver and spoke in exasperation, "My apologies, I mistook her species for something else. Cynder here is a greater wyrm. Also from the canyons of Elsweyr."

"No problem at all. Although I've never seen a guardian beast talk back to her master like that. It makes me wonder who's really holding the leash here." The driver said with a bit of a snide tone. I could see that smirk on his lips. And I could only answer it with an annoyed frown.

Cynder did not let the driver get away with that. She quickly placed one hand on top of my right boot while she glanced up at me with a smile. "Hey, I'm proud to serve him. And only because I choose to. I keep him safe and he pays me...with happiness."

Both the driver and I looked down at Cynder with surprise. I had almost forgotten that she had said something very similar during our prior encounter. And now that my worries over Cynder's intentions had been quashed, I was able to truly appreciate the beauty of that statement. Thankfully, the driver reminded us of what we needed. "Well then, how about I get you two where you need to go from the safety of this carriage so you don't have to worry about protecting each other? Climb on back and we'll be off for Falkreath."

We did not delay any longer. I went to the back of the carriage and took a seat on the left side before Cynder threw herself up onto it with a flap of her wings. She draped herself along the rest of the left side to rest her head on my lap. I heard a click of the horse's reigns before the entire thing lurched forward. The heavy tread of a stallions hooves reached our ears as the carriage began to roll long the stone road ahead. I expected us to make a right turn at the fork in the road ahead and carry on along the southern edge of the plains, but the driver instead had the horse turn left inside to pass the farms and meadery instead. The driver looked over his shoulder at me and said, "How about we roll into Falkreath from the east? It's always a pleasure to pass through Riverwood and get a good long look at the lake afterward."

"Sounds good to me. Might be safer that way too." I replied while one hand gently stroked Cynder down the middle of her scalp. I could hear her sigh while the driver kept his attention on the road. She looked...happy. Completely at peace as her eyes closed. I suppose being on a moving vehicle can help one relax in such a way. But my thoughts went back to the last thing she said before we headed off. And so I asked with a whisper, "Do I really give you so much happiness?"

Cynder tilted her head to the right so she could look up at me with just her left eye. And I saw the edge of her mouth curve into an honest smile. She replied with an equally quiet whisper, "You make me very happy to be alive."

I was happy too. With every passing minute I spent in Cynder's presence, the more I remembered those familiar feelings of trust I once felt for her. It felt...right to let those fears go. I had missed her more than I knew. Not that bitter shadowy beast that tried to chase me down, but the lovely little beast lady resting across my lap. Seeing her so happy after everything she had gone through made me happy as well. And as that one eye gazed up at me, Cynder whispered a request to me. "James... That one time? When I was large? During a storm? What was it you called me that night? It was...something precious. Could I please hear it again?"

We had to do everything we could to make certain the driver to my left would not eavesdrop on us. These were precious words meant only for our ears. But that time... When I soared across a stormy ocean and followed Cynder into a thick forest in the midst of a thunderstorm without even knowing it was her... Yes. I did recall that time. It was a precious time we spent together after Cynder had truly believed she lost me in the aftermath of the War of Preservation. But what was it I said to her that day as we held each other? I tried to recall... Gazed along Cynder's slender body. That beautiful dark violet as the sun shone along her smooth scales. And then those words came to me. "You were...my shimmering shadow."

"Yes... That was it... I'm your shimmering shadow. And shadows always follow." Cynder said with that smile only curving more. But the way her eye gazed up at me... Narrowing in relaxation...or something else? She whispered to me softly, "Your shimmering shadow... Yours. And only yours."

It was not the time to ponder if there were any hidden meanings to those words. Cynder had been...surprisingly affectionate towards me many times. Perhaps...even inappropriately so if her actions carried the kind of weight I think they do for her species. At that moment, I just wanted to be with her. To continue appreciating the dear friend who had returned to me. I hid my confused mind behind a smile while I wordlessly continued to stroke her head. The leisurely pace of the horse ahead of us trotting along generated a relaxing ambience as the carriage under us rocked gently. As if encouraging us to let ourselves nod off for a nap.

The carriage was just starting to pass in front of the local meadery at the southeastern edge of the plains. An intersection where four roads met was coming up ahead with a stone bridge crossing the raging rapids flowing to the north. The towering form of the Throat of the World loomed over the road beyond it. I then happened to look back at the entirety of the tundra of Whiterun to the west. But as I did, something caught my eye. Two towering pale creatures lumbering along the road at a quick jog. And in each of their mighty hands were two massive clubs hewn from wood and rock. "Uh oh... Giants."

The handful of guards patrolling the southeastern edge of Whiterun had taken notice and began to pepper the two lumbering giants with arrows. Towering in form, they appeared to be massive lanky yet muscular pale humanoids with elven ears and very thick and long braided dark beards. These creatures were not like the elves of Tamriel. They were simple and primal creatures who adorned their bodies with markings and thick beast pelts. And judging by how they were entirely ignoring the guards trying to put them down with arrows, they were on the hunt for something else. And they were charging right down the road towards... "Uh... Driver...? I think we've got trouble."

There was no doubt in my mind. Those two giants had wandered in from the plains to the west and happened to notice the horse-drawn carriage heading east. A mighty beast with plenty of meat on its bones and a heavy wooden wagon loaded with goods they might be able to use. Cynder had noticed the distress in my voice and lifted her head to look around. But when the driver looked back and saw the two hulking behemoths jogging right for us, he responded with a tone of resignation. "Ah... So this is how it ends, does it? We'll never be able to reach a quick enough speed to escape them... Might as well have one last drink. Save yourselves if you can."

I could only stare in disbelief as the driver reached to his left and lifted up a very large bottle. It must have been at least a five liter bottle of mead that he was keeping on hand for one last hurrah before an untimely end. And perhaps he was right. With the weight of the wagon behind it, there was no way the horse would be able to increase its gait to escape our pursuers in time. Not without hurling us all from the wagon with a sharp turn ahead. And yet, I was hesitant to jump from the wagon and run. Cynder only then looked back to the west and quickly stood up. "What are those?! They almost look human, but...much bigger!"

"Giants. They normally keep to themselves, but some might raid caravans. And nothing hits harder than a giant's club. Which means..." I explained in brief before I suddenly had a horrifying realization. Both of those giants were carrying clubs and were at a full lumbering sprint. I knew by then that when a giant hits something with a club while at full sprint, the sheer power behind that blow literally almost breaks the laws of physics. And with two of those giants about to do just that...

My blood ran cold. A pit opened in my stomach. And my breath caught in my throat. There was no escaping this. I set myself down at the middle of the carriage to get as low as possible. "Cynder. Hold onto something. You can't stop these guys. Giants have a natural resistance to elemental magic. You'll never drop them before they can reach us."

Cynder took my word for it and huddled up against me as we watched our approaching doom. I took hold of whatever I could get my hands on. The giants were getting closer. And they were maintaining a formation with each side by side. They knew exactly what they were doing. A bitter giddiness filled me as I snickered in anxiety, "A once in a lifetime experience, Cynder. We're about to find out what it's like to be launched into orbit."

"Huh? Orbit? How?!" Cynder barked as she quickly glanced back and forth at me and the two approaching giants. And just when they were about to come close enough to hit the carriage, they raised their mighty clubs in unison and brought them down hard right behind the carriage. It rolled forward just enough to avoid a direct hit, but the resulting shockwaves of the clubs striking the ground behind it...

What followed was the mother of all whiplash. The combined force of the two giant's and the clubs literally catapulted the entire carriage skyward! Tumbling rear over front, Cynder and I shrieked together in confused terror as the sheer G-force of our rapid ascent pinned us to the carriage beneath us! The horse was left behind with the launched carriage tearing its reigns free and it likely managed to gallop away safely, but there was no coming back down for us. We were rocketing skyward with the carriage whirling like a wheel under us! And even more ridiculous was that the driver was still pinned to his seat as he chugged away on his last drink.

"What's even happening?! How is this possible?!" Cynder squealed as we rose higher and higher, the rapid tumbling of the carriage gradually slowing and forcing us to more tightly hold onto our wooden vehicle We were getting so high up... Well over the Throat of the World's summit! It was just so surreal to be gazing down upon all of Skyrim while we continued to drift east. It was also so bitterly cold at such an elevation, but Cynder and I were too panicked to really notice. Cynder glanced about rapidly before saying, "We'll never survive this fall! James, I'll glide us both down! Take my hands!"

"Hang on, I got another idea! Someone's watching who can help!" I retorted as the carriage began to reach the peak of its ascent. Gravity would soon take hold and send us all crashing down the east side of the Throat of the World. But I knew someone was watching us closely. Someone who could save us. "Luna! I know you're watching! Please make sure we have a safe landing here!"

While she did not say anything to us, Luna did respond in her own way. After one more full rotation, the carriage suddenly stopped tumbling as it stood righted. And for just a moment, we were motionless high above Skyrim. What a view! At least...until we started to feel the carriage beginning to roll forward as if on a very slight incline. Cynder and I both looked past the driver as he continued to chug away at his last drink while completely oblivious to what was happening around him. And Cynder spoke first. "Bad feeling... Very bad feeling about this."

I did not notice at the time, but a sparkling blue aura was wrapped around my lower body to keep me securely pinned to my seat. Safe with Cynder as she remained across my lap. And beyond the carriage was set of sparkling blue trails of magic in effect. Luna's magic. And it was now creating a set of tracks for the carriage's wheels to roll along. And the way it began to lurch forward more with every second... Tilting forward more on a descent. I suddenly shouted to the sky, "Luna! I said a safe landing, not a roller coaster!"

And then the descent began. Just a rapidly accelerating dive down the tracks Luna was laying out ahead of us. I did not hear anything from the cheeky Princess of the Night, but I just know she was laughing as she saw Cynder and I utterly freaking out as we felt the G-forces of our growing speed pulling on our internal organs. There were thankfully no loops, but there were plenty of spirals, rises and dips, and long waving sections where the carriage almost turned entirely on its side. I can only imagine how we must have looked to anyone down below if they happened to glance up and see a wooden carriage rolling at breakneck speeds across the sky. All the while, Cynder would not shut up. She was just not built for roller coasters. "I want off! Let me off! I don't wanna die like this!"

"I don't think we're in any real danger... But I'm gonna get her for this! You hear me, Luna! You're gonna pay!" I raised my fist to the sky as I shouted during a brief ease in the forward momentum of the carriage. We were rolling above a vast lake in southeastern Skyrim by then. At least if the ride came to an abrupt halt, the water would break our fall. Even if we would be soaked in unbearably cool water. But Luna would not do that to us, would she?

She thankfully did not, but that did not prevent other random zaniness from occurring during our ride. Cynder would not stop shouting and squealing. Until finally something shut her up unexpectedly. Something almost shot by us in the sky before I suddenly realized that Cynder's shrieks had become muffled gags. A quick glance to my right revealed that Cynder had almost swallowed a passing thrush! The bird's legs flailed as it remained stuck halfway past her wide mouth before Cynder had the presence of mind to throw her head back and fling the confused bird out of her mouth. That was just so random that I could not help laughing while Cynder coughed hard. "Ugh! Almost swallowed a bird! What's next?!"

"I... I think we're just about ready to come in for a landing!" I replied as the dips and twists in the path ahead of the carriage began to ease up. Up ahead and down below was the lakeside city of Riften. Completely the opposite direction we had wanted to go, but I did not care where we ended up by then. I just wanted off that ride!

Luna was in control of our direction and she appeared to finally line up the carriage to land right outside the stables at the northern edge of town. Pretty much the ideal destination of any traveling carriage. But then there was another long dip. Letting the carriage pick up tremendous before a very sudden incline sent us flying almost straight up and over the edge of the lack. Cynder and I grit our teeth as we saw the glimmering blue trails ahead of the carriage vanishing, leaving us to the whims of physics and gravity. And as the carriage drifted through the air further east at the height of its climb, the carriage managed to completely even itself out. And then we began to fall and I cringed in preparation. "This is gonna hurt..."

Down we went. At least a straight thirty foot drop. And with a thunderous crash, the carriage hit the ground in a spectacular fashion. The impact with the ground was so hard that it blew the wheels off their axles and left the carriage completely stuck on its underside. Cynder and I clung tightly to each other during the fall and remained frozen to our spots as that wild ride finally came to an end. I opened one eye and glanced about without turning me head. "Are we dead?"

"Are we...? I could've sworn that was the end back there." The driver replied as he finally set aside his empty bottle. He only then took note of his surroundings and said, "What was in that mead? I'm alive? Praise be to Kynareth... But I don't remember Falkreath being so...orange?"

The local flora around us was very different in the Rift than it was in Falkreath. Instead of evergreens, most of the trees nearby were sycamores with pale bark, their leaves a brilliant orange as if in a perpetual state of autumn. But right as he tried to stand, the driver slumped back into his seat. No wonder. He had downed an entire five liter bottle of mead in one shot. He was not going anywhere for a while. "Or maybe...I really am on my way to Sovngarde..."

"Meh, you'll be fine. Sleep it off." I retorted as I tried to finally get myself back on my feet. And I flinched as I tried to force my legs to stand. The impact with the ground had transferred the shock into my lumbar regions, leaving me quite sore. I staggered off the wooden carriage and onto solid ground as I groaned, "Oh man, I don't know which was worse... The whiplash of the takeoff or the busted tailbone of the landing..."

Cynder said nothing. All she did was crawl down the middle of the carriage and roll right off it onto the ground. She then immediately began to crawl along to where the front gates of the city were. She did not even try to stand and her eyes were very narrow with a profound scowl on her face. I asked cautiously, "You OK there?"

"Shut up, my nerves are shot. I'm not standing until the world stops shaking." Cynder snapped at me as she dragged herself along the ground. I could not help snickering at her response. Neither of us had a good time back there. I staggered along with her towards the front gates, eager to just find a soft spot to sit down at.

Something that immediately caught my eye were the two guards standing beside the gate on each side. Their attire matching the Whiterun guards, their faces concealed inside a helmet while wearing a coat of scale mail, but their surcoats where a shade of purple instead of yellow. And they just...stared at us. Not at all surprised. Almost as if they had seen such a sight before. And once I was about to pass the one standing to the right of the gate, he asked with a thick Nordic accent. "Giants?"

"Giants." I grumbled as I stepped past them with Cynder in tow. I suppose I would have to watch the skies from then on. Not just for dragons, but also for the absurd spectacle of wooden carriages being catapulted skyward by overzealous giants. But I still found one humorous element of the situation. "At least we got here in record time thanks to them. I wonder if such forms of transportation will ever take off in Tamriel..."

I held the door for Cynder as she dragged herself in past the stone arch and walls of Riften. She was still not in a speaking mood. Only once we were both inside did she force herself to stand. The dazed dragoness shook her head lazily before asking, "I take it we're not in Falkreath like we planned..."

"Nope. Those giants sent us completely in the other direction. We're in the Rift now. The southeastern section of Skyrim. And...well... Welcome to Riften. For whatever that's worth." I replied before turning my gaze ahead at the wooden architecture of the city. It felt more modern than the likes of Whiterun and was situated over a moat that ran through the town and back out to the great lake outside, but it was far from my favorite hold in Skyrim.

Cynder took note of my bitter tone while I pressed on the back of my hip. And it was no because I was sore. She looked up at me and asked, "You sound like you don't care for this place much."

"No. I don't. There's a lot wrong with this place and I don't have the power to do anything about it. I know. I tried." I grumbled as I led Cynder down the road of stone before us. It did not get far before being replaced by wooden walkways and bridges set atop the stone brick walls lining the moat below. The architecture of Riften had the first floors composed of stone bricks or even whole logs before the upper floors consisted of wooden boards for the walls. It gave the city a delightfully rustic feel in a traditional sense. It was just such a shame that such an atmosphere was overshadowed by the city's criminal reputation.

The first thing that caught my mind was the first building across the first bridge spanning the moat below. The Bee and Barb, Riften's local inn and tavern. Knowing that I had friends there and that it was not late enough for the usual evening rush, it was a good time to relax with a cold drink. I looked down at Cynder and asked, "How about a drink to calm the nerves after that ride?"

"Sounds good. I think I'm still quivering from the crash..." Cynder replied with her gait being somewhat unsteady. Nothing but the soothing relaxant that is alcohol would calm her nerves by then.

I held the door for my companion and was greeted by the wonderful aroma of raw wood in the air. The first floor of the Bee and Barb Was decorated with the pelts of large beasts and even mounted stuffed creatures on the walls ranging from river beasts to the head of a snarling bear. And sweeping the floor ahead of us with a broom in hand was an Argonian in a white shirt that was covered in old stains from working in a kitchen. His scales were a dazzling green with his reptilian head dotted with feathers of a lighter green hue. I approached him as his round eyes perked up at the sight of me. "Ours is to smile at our passing, friend. What can I get you? Food? Drink? Both?"

"One table for two, Talen. We just want a cold drink. We're a bit sore from a...wild ride into town." I replied before glancing down at Cynder. She looked all too eager to find a comfortable spot to lie down.

Talen took one look at Cynder before looking back at me with a notable gaze of confusion in his eyes. I knew where that conversation was going. "Two? I believe your pet here would be fine under the table."

"He said a table for two, please." Cynder spoke with a very tired tone. Talen, not certain how to respond, led us both to the square table in the center of the room. He did not even try to question why Cynder had a voice to speak with.

The two chairs were rather low to the floor and was easy for Cynder to climb onto. She got situated well enough while our host could only gaze in bewilderment at the sentient sophistication Cynder was displaying. His toothy maw opened again as he asked, "If you don't mind me asking... What are you exactly, ma'am?"

"A greater wyrm." Cynder said in brief before glancing at me from across the table. I saw that smirk at the edge of her lips as she took control of her own narrative. I could only smirk back at her and let my companion tell her own fantasy. "From the canyons of Elsweyr. You can tell that I'm not a lesser wyrm because I can speak fluently. Anyway, we're parched. What's on the menu?"

"Ahahaha, I can see that. Very well, milady and lord. What are you in the mood for?" Talen chuckled with an Argonian's smile on display. Cynder, in spite of her fatigue and soreness, was in a good mood by then.

Cynder knew nothing about Skyrim cuisine, but I knew the Bee and Barb well enough to know it had something to offer no other inn in Skyrim did. I turned to my friend and asked, "Don't you have a few specialty drinks to choose from?"

Talen was all too happy to recite the recipes for his personal specialties. "Yes. Three, in fact. First is the Velvet Lechance. Which is a mixture of blackberry, honey, spiced wine, and just a touch of nightshade. Perfectly safe, I assure you. Next is the White-Gold Tower. Which is heavy cream with a layer of blended mead, lavender, and dragon's tongue on top. Lastly, and only for the bravest of souls, we have the Cliff Racer. Which is Firebrand Wine, Cyrodilic Brandy, Flin, and Sujamma."

The mention of brandy in that third choice told me all I needed to know about its flavor profile. Brandy is such a harsh and potent liquor that I can barely stomach its pure flavor. I winced a bit at the thought of how it would taste before saying, "I think we've had too much daring in one day for a Cliff Racer... What about you, Cynder? What sounds good?"

Rather than be intrigued, Cynder looked unsettled by something she had heard. She looked at our host and asked, "You put...a dragon's tongue in one of the drinks?"

"It's a flower. Dragon's tongue is a flower with warm orange colors that kind of looks like an orchid. It's perfectly safe to consume and has uses in making potions." I explained while Cynder's look of disgust became one of relief. I thought my choice over carefully and said, "I'll have one Velvet Lechance."

Cynder then snorted in amusement as she then said, "I guess it would only be fitting if I had a White-Gold Tower then. I need to see what this dragon's tongue looks like for myself."

Talen all too happily replied, "One Velvet Lechance and one White-Gold Tower coming up. That will be sixty gold please."

I immediately reached into my pocket to feel around for the three remaining platinum bands I had removed from Cynder. Sixty gold coins in Tamriel really does not amount to a lot, so I pulled out the other wrist band I had taken from Cynder's arm. I held it out to our host and asked, "We're fresh out of gold, so will this cover it? It's pure platinum."

Our host took the band in hand and closely examined it with a look of intrigue in his eyes. "Yes, we do accept barter. But...platinum, you say? I'm not certain of what the trade rates are for this material, so I'll ask Madesi tomorrow to appraise this. But...yes, I do believe this will do nicely. I'll go fetch your drinks in a moment. They are all mixed fresh, so please be patient."

Cynder leaned on the table to get a bit closer to me as our host headed on over to speak to the bartender. A fellow Argonian woman with striking red eyes than offset her pale sandy scales. She certainly had a rough look about her. Cynder then asked softly, "You said his name is Talen?"

"Talen-Jei. It's a traditional Argonian name. They have some unusual naming conventions. But he's a good man." I replied before looking over past the support beam our table was set up against. Talen was getting right to work mixing up our drinks.

It was quiet for the moment, which allowed our voices to carry further. Aside from a local mercenary mage in the corner looking over a tome, there was no one else in there besides us. Cynder then asked quietly, "You seem to have friends everywhere you go when we're in Skyrim. Riverwood, then Whiterun. And now Riften."

"I...have a history here. It's difficult to explain, but I've been all over Skyrim. People have problems and I find the time to assist them. Having friends all over the place is...rewarding." I explained with my eyes wandering. Cynder would never be able to understand. The world around us was the result of my memories from an interactive story I embarked on before my arrival in Equestria. Entirely fictional, and yet no more fictional than Cynder herself.

"It is, isn't it? They've even been kind to me too. They must think you're a good judge of character." Cynder replied before taking a moment to survey her surroundings. For all of Riften's foul reputation, the Bee and Barb felt like a safe haven for the most part. Although I was hoping we would not be there for too long. While generally a safe place to be, the Bee and Barb was still frequented by the worst of Riften when they were looking to unwind after a long day.

We were not kept waiting much longer. Talen-Jei returned with two tankards. And with them were a pair of towering pewter pitchers that really added to the presentation of our beverages. He proceeded to pour our respective brews into our tankards, but I was more interested in Cynder's choice. With that golden creamy look, the White-Gold Tower looked like a dessert drink. Once our tankards were filled to the brim, Talen set a single dragon's tongue blossom the surface of Cynder's drink as a garnish. "Enjoy. Let me know if you need anything else."

Cynder's eyes widened as she beheld her drink. The two of us were left to each other before we carefully sampled that first sip. Simply delightful, but I really wanted to try Cynder's choice next time. Cynder was careful to not spill hers before sighing in satisfaction. "So cold... And decadently sweet. How's yours?"

"Such a zesty and sweet flavor. The spiced wine complimented by the fruit and honey... These are good drinks if you want something that just tastes good." I replied while glad I passed on the Cliff Racer. That sounds like the kind of drink one wants if they want to be plastered after one order.

There was enough in those pitchers for two full helpings. And we were in a very good mood once we stepped outside. The sky was getting dark and the usual rabble would start coming in with the place getting noisy. But just after stepping outside, we passed a very unwelcome surprise. When I saw who was approaching us, I felt my nerves alight. There was a very well dressed young man clad in attire fit for royalty. But it was the woman walking beside him that drew my attention.

My hand clenched into a fist as I prepared for any signs of trouble. The Nordic woman before us was clad in a long padded coat that was similar to mine aside from being a shade of autumn brown. Her dark yet fading hair reached past her shoulders with her aging face showing me the face of a woman in her 50s. And her eyes... Cold and unflinching. The aura surrounding that woman reeked of a particularly slimy evil. And that icy gaze met mine as we passed. We took a step further...and passed each other without incident. My nerves were not allowed to relax until I heard the doors to the Bee and Barb close somewhere behind me. And then Cynder spoke. "Did you feel that too?"

"That chill? Yeah, I felt that. Probably the one person in town I really didn't want to see today." I sighed as my nerves began to settle. The alcohol in my body did little to soothe me.

Cynder turned back now that we were concealed under the upper section of the Bee and Barb reaching out over the wooden walkway to its right. She then looked up at me and asked, "I felt such an...evil presence. Who was that?"

I too looked back at where we had come from. I could hear the door to the inn opening and closing as more evening patrons began to enter just around the corner. I sighed bitterly as I said, "Maven Black-Briar. She's scum. She's head of the most successful meaderies in Skyrim. And one of the foulest women in all of Tamriel. All that power and not a shred of good in her."

Cynder began to scowl as she then asked, "I take it she isn't simply ruthless in the field of her business."

"No. She's worse. She has ties to the Thieves Guild, an assassin league, and even enemy nations. I can't imagine how many lives she's ruined... Or how many murders she's responsible for. She needs to die. Tamriel would be better off without her. I wouldn't even be surprised if she directly hired some of the assassins who were out for my head when I was traveling the roads in Skyrim..."

My companion very suddenly turned her head to look up at me. And in her eyes was a silent fury. She then asked with a vengeful hiss, "She arranged to have you murdered?"

There was something startling about Cynder's sudden shift in tone. She looked...ready to maul something. But I then answered honestly, "Most likely. I've interfered in matters she had a hand in. She would probably want nothing more than to have me disappear."

I was almost expecting Cynder to walk right back over to the front door of the Bee and Barb before barging inside. But instead, she stood her ground and replied with a...concerning lack of rage in her tone. "I see."

Perhaps Cynder understood that the power Maven possessed made it unwise to recklessly dispose of her. Perhaps that is why Maven always appeared to be impossible to put down. Whatever the case, I was not there to see or start trouble. I just wanted to get somewhere safe to unwind now that night was coming in. "Come on. Right over here. My home in Riften is right there."

I led Cynder across another small bridge to a cozy cottage nestled in the northwestern corner of town. Once inside, we were greeted by the cozy interior design of Riften architecture. A fireplace was just to our right with a Nordic woman seated before it. She was clad in steel armor insulated with tufts of beast hides, as was the norm for Skyrim's housecarls. Her complexion was fair and complimented her head of fiery hair. Her face was stonelike and her gaze firm, bringing to mind a mighty bear for some reason. Even her voice was bold as she greeted me. "Honor to you, my thane. Welcome home."

"A pleasure to see you, Iona. Don't mind my little friend here. She's with me." I replied while Cynder stepped out from behind me. The eyes of the little wyrm was immediately drawn to the axe of sturdy steel holstered at my housecarl's side. A brutal weapon for a bear of a woman. I noticed the look of unease on my companion's face and rested my hand atop her head. "Cynder. This is Iona. Like Lydia back in Whiterun, she keeps me safe as my housecarl."

Cynder still found Iona's presence intimidating, which I suppose means Iona was doing her job right. Even by housecarl standards, everything about Iona felt stern and imposing. Regardless, Cynder understood that she was our ally. "Right... Please keep him safe. I hear Riften isn't the safest place to be."

Iona's stern gaze widened slightly as she beheld the little dragoness speaking to her, but regained her composure quickly enough. "And I shall. For I am his sword and his shield. You are safe within the walls of Honeyside."

"Honeyside...? Is that what you call this house? OK then..." Cynder muttered before she began to explore the first floor of my home. It was very well furnished and felt like a step forward in time when compared to the even more primitive and rustic Nordic architecture of Whiterun. Perhaps Riften being situated right at the southeastern edge of Skyrim with the northeastern edge of Cyrodiil to the south resulted in the two provinces melding their cultures to result in architecture different from the rest of Skyrim. Even the bed was an improvement, having a proper soft mattress covered by a vibrant green blanket. Cynder took an immediate interest in it and bounded up onto the bed to examine it. "Ha! Even the beds are better than Whiterun's!"

While Cynder prodded and even rolled around on the bed to test its comfort, Iona turned to me and asked with barely more than a whisper, "She's an interesting creature. Charming too. Where did you find her, my thane?"

Iona would never understand if I tried to explain the true history between Cynder and I. All I could do was maintain the facade I had cooked up. "I didn't find her. She found me. A wayward wyrm native to Elsweyr that somehow wandered way too far north. She's got nothing in common with the dragons of Skyrim."

"I assumed as much. She looks nothing like them. I suppose there are more than one kind of dragon in Tamriel." Iona replied while maintaining her steely resolve. We would certainly be safe in her presence. We both watched Cynder messing around on the bed. At least until something else caught her eye. She bounded down from the bed and began to wander over to our right. She had spotted the stairs leading down into the basement. Although they looked more like a ladder than anything else.

Iona remained on the top floor while I followed Cynder downstairs. The basement consisted of stone walls and floors, carved out of the earth. It was pleasantly cool down there as I watched silently. Cynder was just exploring out of sheer curiosity. She was immediately drawn to a object in the far corner. A type of round stone table with glass beakers of some kind and a heating element towards the back. She stood tall and placed her hands on the edge to get a good look at it. "This looks interesting... What do you call this thing?"

"That's an alchemy lab. You need that if you want to mix ingredients together to create potions or other concoctions." I replied while not knowing where to begin. There was a large chest next to it that I had surely deposited many spare ingredients during my travels around Skyrim, but most likely would never use. Cynder looked back at me while appearing to be waiting for an explanation. And I averted my gaze in some mild embarrassment. "It's...uh...a field I was never able to really get the hang of. I'd gladly tell you how to really use that stuff if I could, but I don't really know how."

Much to my surprise, Cynder did not seem bothered much by my lack of knowledge on the field of alchemy. She instead replied, "Oh you don't have to. I've already got some skill in mixing stuff like that."

How was that even possible? Cynder had never been to the world of Nirn. Unless... A skill she learned before we ever met? "You do? Wait... Where did you even learn of alchemy?"

"To be fair, that's not what I called it. And it... Well... Malefor instructed me in the way of it. I was taught how to create poisons... So I think I can figure out how to get this to work." Cynder replied with some shame without letting herself dwell too much on the past. And it definitely sounded like something that vile schemer would teach her how to do.

I happened to notice some slips of paper folded on a narrow table set up against the wall beside me. I took them in hand and carried them over to Cynder before lining them up along the edge of the lab. "In that case, help yourself to whatever ingredients you find. You can make poisons with this, but there are far more potions you can make instead. I think these have a few recipes here."

"They do? Let's see... Resist fire? Regenerate magicka... Invisibility?! Now you've got me interested." Cynder muttered before chirping in surprise at the contents of the last note. There was indeed a recipe for an invisibility potion.

Unfortunately for her, Cynder did not understand how invisibility spells or potions work in the world of Nirn. I had to quickly explain to her, "Hold on, invisibility enchantments aren't as flawless as it sounds. Yes, you do become near undetectable through sight when it's in effect, but it wears off instantly if you do anything more complex than move around. Land a blow on an enemy or even so much as open a door and the spell wears off. It's very situational and best used just to avoid danger."

"Really? Thanks for telling me. I never would've guessed it's that situational. But even so..." Cynder replied with a look of surprise in her eyes. She had sounded so excited to dabble in the art of invisibility only to look... I would not say she looked disappointed, but her expectations had been lowered. But she still looked very intrigued. She looked around at the alchemy lab, the chest beside it, and even a tall bookcase likely loaded with books filled with information on the field of alchemy. Cynder then looked back at me and asked, "Would it be all right if I helped myself to whatever ingredients you have lying around? I want to try my hand at this...alchemy thing."

"Go right ahead. And I'll just leave you to it." I replied before turning and heading back over to the steps to return to the first floor. When I looked back, Cynder had opened the chest beside the lab and looked rather excited as she beheld the many colorful ingredients inside. I could see a bit of them peeking over the top and there was indeed a lot to choose from. She then set the lid back down and trotted over to the bookcase to start skimming through the book available. I then asked with a curious smile, "Do you even know where to start?"

"I don't even know what this stuff is! I know what a dragon's tongue flower is, but what's a chaurus egg? What does vampire dust look like? Mist wrappings? Taproots? Ectoplasm?! I hope these books can tell me more about what these ingredients even look like..." Cynder grumbled in annoyance. For as eager as she was to get started in experimenting in the art of alchemy, she would be working in the dark if she had no idea what was what. While I could have pointed out which ingredient was which, it would probably be best to let Cynder figure it out on her own. I then left the studious dragoness and went back upstairs.

Iona was by the fireplace while stirring a pot of stew over the crackling flames. It did not have a dark broth like the last. It appeared to be clam chowder. There had always been a thriving fishing industry in Riften, so freshwater shellfish were probably readily available. My housecarl glanced my way as I walked over to inspect the fare and asked, "The beast has knowledge of alchemy, from the sound of it."

"Yeah, sounds like it. Don't mind the mess if Cynder has a few accidents down there. She found my alchemy ingredient stash and inspiration struck." I replied as I took a seat at the only other chair by the fire. Iona poured us both a bowl of that hearty chowder to let us chat over dinner.

Skyrim cuisine has always had a reputation of being simple yet robust. I loved how everything I ate there tasted so pure and was easy to enjoy. The natural flavors of the ingredients really shone through in every dish. As I carefully slurped the hot chowder from my spoon, Iona turned to me and asked, "That little wyrm is unlike anything I've ever seen in Skyrim. Her eyes are so bite and filled with awareness, my thane. Not like a beast... More like a woman. What is she exactly?"

"Like I said, she's a species of wyrm native to the canyons of Elsweyr. She's either a lesser wyrm or a greater wyrm, but it can be hard to tell them apart." I replied with a smirk while knowing that Cynder would be quick to correct me if she was within earshot. I then explained further, "I guess you can say she's a guardian beast who looks out for me. She protects me. And I protect her when I have to. She's my..."

I paused. It almost slipped out so naturally. I gazed out into space while Iona waited patiently for me to continue. A small part of me was holding my tongue back. And yet, I decided it was time to push the last shreds of doubt from my mind and heart. With a sigh, I spoke what I knew was true. "She's my friend."

"Then I have nothing to fear so long as you are in her company. I am certain that little wyrm will protect you with her life." Iona said with a glimmer of a smile breaking her stone-faced facade. At the end of the day, I am certain Cynder's elemental arsenal would easily overpower the average warrior. I had seen her unleash a flame breath, trails of lightning, and conjure gales around her. What else did she have up her sleeve that I had yet to see?

I continued to slurp at that bowl of chowder as it warmed my body alongside the delicious wine in my belly. I did not want to get too tipsy that evening. I wanted to stay sober enough to keep a clear head now that Cynder was back in my company. With a new bowl in my hands, I decided to step out back for some fresh night air. One of the benefits of Honeyside was that there was even a back porch set out over the edge of the lake. The sky was much darker by then as I saw a layer of mist draped over the lake spread out before me. The Riften fishery was just off to the left and a flight of wooden stairs led down to a walkway that would let me reach the stables just off to the right. That ruined wagon was most likely still over there with its driver surely still sleeping off all that mead. He was in for a monstrous hangover in the morning for sure.

Recalling how Cynder and I even ended up at Riften reminded me of the soreness in my lumbar regions. I leaned on the railing with bowl of steamy chowder in hand and grumbled, "And I thought Celestia could be cheeky. Luna. I know you're out there. I'll get you for what stunt, just you wait."

The Princess of the Night let out an uneasy chuckle as her voice echoed in my head. "Oh dear, do go easy on me, my friend. I assure you that I had no intention of letting you or your little friend be harmed. I didn't set you down that hard, did I?"

"Now that you mention it, I am still quite sore in my... Hey, what did you do just now? That ache is gone. Trying to appease me?" I replied before a sudden flash of magical sparks showered down around me. The pain in my body was gone. And I knew who was responsible. "OK then, I guess I really will go easy on you when the time to strike back comes along."

"James, please. Do go easy on me. Please? We are on vacation here." Luna pleaded with a nervous giggle in her voice. How would I get her back? Maybe spike her next fruit smoothie with some ghost pepper sauce when she is not looking... Although my devious thoughts were interrupted as Luna then asked, "But besides that... Are you well? Or...should we delay the project for some time? I have not forgotten what happened when..."

"Huh?! Oh no, don't worry about it. You and Nightmare Moon keep at it. Cynder's fine." I replied while knowing exactly what Luna was referring to. And that was a memory I just wanted to move on from. I took another slurp of my chowder and said, "Really... It's OK now. Cynder...is herself now. Just like how I remembered her."

"I certainly hope so. Nightmare Moon seems to be more in tune with her than I am. She has said...some very heartfelt things about your little friend. The poor dear truly needs you. I hope there will be no more unfortunate misunderstandings between the two of you." Luna said with a relieved sigh. What a harrowing night that was... She and Nightmare Moon had to force Cynder to relent.

I quickly shook those thoughts from my head. Especially when I remembered what followed it. "I don't think we have to worry about that. Fluttershy, Novo, and Ember really set her straight. She knows better now. And she's...said some very sweet things to me today. I'm safe with her."

"So I have seen. In that case, I shall continue to watch from afar and allow you two to reconnect. Enjoy yourself, my friend. Just call out to me if you need me for anything." Luna said one last time before she became silent. I knew I would not be hearing from her again unless I really needed her. With only the sounds of the night reaching my ears, I took a short while to myself to enjoy a hot bowl of chowder and just be alone with my thoughts.

How bizarre, spending a chunk of one's dream doing nothing but just standing around and thinking. It was easy to forget that I was asleep at the time. I had to actively remind myself of that fact and went back indoors once my bowl was empty again. I approached the stairs ahead, but stopped when I heard a sound coming from downstairs. The tapping of a mortar and pestle. A required step in the art of alchemy. Cynder was still at work and sounded like she was getting the hang of things. Not wanting to interrupt my friend while she was in the zone, I decided that all I could do was go out for a walk. With everyone either at home having an evening meal or unwinding noisily at the Bee and Barb, I was not likely to encounter anyone out there.

And yet... When I stood before the door leading back out to the streets of Riften, I hesitated. How dangerous exactly was it out there? The Thieves Guild were based in that blighted city, but just how active were they under the cover of night? Not wanting to take chances, I turned to Iona. "I'm heading out for a stroll. Could I ask you to keep me company for protection, Iona?"

My housecarl promptly rose from her seat and stood ready with her right hand resting atop the head of the axe at her side. "Of course, my thane. I shall protect you with my life."

"Wait! Hang on!" A distant voice called out with us both turning towards the bedroom. The tapping of feet hurriedly coming up the steps echoed through the house before Cynder rushed around the corner and into view. She promptly spoke up, "I've got this. Leave him to me. No one will touch him when I'm around."

Iona displayed a look of surprise while I decided that it would be wiser to have Cynder at my side instead. Both for protection and as pleasant company. "Actually... Yeah, leave it to Cynder. She's much more dangerous than she looks. I'll be very safe with her."

Rather than be disappointed, Iona replied with a smirk while turning her gaze down to our reptilian companion. "Is that so? Then I leave him in your care, Cynder. Spare none who raise a blade to him."

"Oh I'll be sure to make them regret it if they try." Cynder replied with quite the confident smirk on her lips. With nothing else to do or say, I stepped outside and held the door for my friend. Cynder then looked up at me and asked, "Where to?"

"Good question... Let's just take a look around town and see." I replied before south and across the bridge that took us back behind the Bee and Barb. It must have been jumping in there at the time. We could hear the clamor of a busy and noisy tavern through the walls. We soon passed by the local blacksmith with the forge's ember's glowing dimly now that it had gone dormant for the night. The town square was deserted with the vendor stalls locked and empty. The twin moons of Secunda and Masser hung in the sky and cast a welcome amount of ambient lighting over the countryside. I found the sight of them so mesmerizing that I had to stop and gaze at the sky. "Beautiful view tonight."

"Whoa... This world has two moons? And one of them is so much bigger than the other... That's amazing." Cynder muttered as she too gazed at the sky in awe. It was an almost magical moment that was only barely interrupted by the handful of guards patrolling the streets. Cynder soon spoke softly to me, "I wish I was still large. I would take you for another ride high in the night sky like last time. Just the two of us again..."

"I dunno about here though... It would be a beautiful view, but that wind chill would be awful. I don't know where we were last time, but it wasn't winter." I replied while trying to think logically about such an offer. That experience the previous time was truly wondrous. But there in Skyrim? Good lord, we would both have a miserable time dealing with the frigid winds of Skyrim. Especially at higher altitudes. I glanced down at Cynder out of the corner of my eye and saw her look annoyed by her disappointment, her rosy wings drooping with such a bitter scowl on her face. I then asked, "You'd really like to do that?"

Cynder's eyes brightened with a look of hope in them as she turned her gaze up at me. "Yes. I would. I...really enjoyed myself last time. Holding you in my arms... Drifting on my wings with the stars above us... Knowing no one would ever find us while we were up there. I want to do it again sometime."

There was something about the way she said that... A tone of longing in her voice. Not wanting to leave Cynder feeling disappointed over the lack of such an opportunity, I then began to ponder a solution. "Well... Hm... Tell you what. If that kind of phenomenon ever happens again where you end up being that big and we're not in an arctic region, we'll do that. We'll go for another flight together. So long as you promise to not drop me."

"Of course I won't drop you! I didn't last time, right?" Cynder barked while I snickered under my breath. She quickly lost that scowl of annoyance and gave me a more confident smile instead. "I am a greater wyrm, remember? Only greater wyrms can carry a man like you in their arms. And I'll prove it someday."

"And I'm sure you will." I replied before we continued our trek along the outer edge of the town. Looping along the street of stone and wood. We passed by the home of the jarl and past one of the grander houses in Riften. But when we passed by a stone wall that opened up to reveal a yard beyond it, I paused. There beyond and up a set of steps stood a familiar location I knew too well. The most sacred location in all of Riften that served as a beacon of goodness against the sinister machinations of those who gave Riften its shady reputation. "There... I think we should stop here at least once while we're here. The Temple of Mara."

"Temple? Mara?" Cynder asked with genuine ignorance.

I began to explain to my friend as I led her down the path towards the temple. "Yes. Mara. One of the nine divines. Basically the gods who created this world. She is the goddess of love. And weddings are carried out under her watch."

Right when I reached the steps, I noticed that Cynder was not by my side any longer. I looked back and saw her standing several paces back. And she looked very...uncertain. "What's wrong? They welcome all races here. They won't tell me to leave you outside."

"It's not that. It's just... I..." Cynder stammered before she uneasily stepped towards me. Her head was bowed for a moment before she looked up at me out of the corner of her eye. "I... I'm tainted by the shadows. Look at these sigils on me. They're brandings left behind by Malefor. I've tried to leave that time of my life behind, but... Do you really think I'll be welcomed in there?"

So that was why. Cynder still felt shackled by her past. Even if she understood that she was not truly at fault for her actions while under the thrall of her old master, she was convinced others would not be understanding. Especially when it came to the unseen omniscient divines of that world. But I still cracked an amused smirk. It was not the first time I had heard something like that. "You remind me of someone I know in Skyrim... Come here. There's something I need to tell you about a friend of mine."

Cynder's eyes widened in curiosity as I took a seat on the temple steps while under the glow of Nirn's twin moons. My friend sat before me as I began to explain. "First of all, the divines of this world. They are known as the Aedra. And they are righteous and good as any true god should be. But there is also a pantheon of other divine entities. They are the Daedra. I guess you can say they are dark gods. And they are able to more directly interact with the physical world than the Aedra. Some are a bit...ambiguous. Some of the Daedra are genuinely respectable. But many are absolutely vile. And one of these truly evil Daedra is the one known as Vaermina. The Daedric lord of nightmares. And one of her disciples was a man named Casimir."

The dark dragoness before me listened with keen interest. She did not speak. She only listened. And so I continued while trying to be profound with my choice of words. "But he eventually came to forsook the teachings of Vaermina. He fled from her followers. And in time, he found himself under the banner of Mara. His fellow priests welcomed him and they patiently taught him the ways of her kindness and love. Casimir was no more. And in his place, Erandur came to exist. Mara forgave him. And she welcomed him into her priesthood."

Only then did Cynder finally speak. And she spoke with wide eyes. "She...forgave him? And he's now a priest for this goddess of love?"

I nodded and spoke once again. "Erandur is a good friend of mine in Skyrim. And he is a very good man. If Mara forgave him, she will forgive you. You were never a willing follower of Malefor. You were just a tool. And tools can be used for good and evil alike. You are you're own master now. And more than that..."

A smirk spread across my lips. I knew how to get through to Cynder. My hand reached out and rested upon her scalp and between her horns. "You're not some dark puddle. You're a beautiful shadow. My shimmering shadow."

Cynder bowed her head as an uneasy easy snicker hissed behind her lips. She then reached up and pulled my hand down before gently clasping it between her two hands. She gazed at me...with such a beautiful gaze. She looked lovely in the moonlight. And through that gaze, she whispered to me. "Thank you. And...sure. I'm ready. Show me this Temple of Mara."

And so I did. I stood up and guided Cynder up the steps and past the doors. The main chamber of the Temple of Mara was comforting with the many candles casting a glow from the chandelier above and the many sconces placed at the edges of the pews. And there before us was a wide altar bearing a shrine to Mara. And behind it stood a liking of Mara herself. A stone statue with an almost golden hue bearing the for of a hooded human woman, hands down at her sides with palms facing upward. She appeared to be weeping with a basin for holy water set before her. Cynder glanced around cautiously, as if she was expecting to be smote by a divine force. But no such strike came. Only then did she relax. "It's...comforting in here. Like a safe haven in a storm."

"I don't think even the Thieves Guild ever disturbs this place. Ransacking a place for worshipping the goddess of love would be too low even for them." I replied as I slowly walked down the aisle between the pews. There was no one to be seen. The priests had surely turned in for the night, but visitors were welcome at all hours. I had precious memories of that place. When I stood before the image of Mara with her at my side. That wonderful Argonian woman...who was surely awaiting my return in Solitude. And as that memory struck me, my breath caught in my throat. "Shahvee..."

It was only one night. During dark days on the Empty Plains, my memories of my story in Skyrim had conjured someone I adored. The one woman I chose over all others during that story. The loveliest Argonian woman in all the land. Her loving and gentle tone in spite of the rough growl of a reptilian voice. Her tender hands holding and caressing me as she comforted me during such a dark time. And that night...when we truly consummated our love as husband and wife. I knew that if I had no choice but to live my life in Skyrim, I would be always happy so long as I had Shahvee. And yet...I knew such a love could never be. Even the wedding ring on my hand had changed. It was no longer the same band on my finger in the real world. It had been replaced by a much thicker golden band that was more in line with Tamriel craftsmanship.

I had stopped as those memories flooded my mind. How I longed for her... How I wanted to hold my beloved again. And how I knew it could never be. Cynder came forward and rested her hand on my knee as she spoke out to me. "James...? What's wrong?"

I should not hide such a truth from Cynder. And so I spoke forlornly, "I...was married here. To a wonderful Argonian woman I rescued from the slums of Windhelm. She deserved better...and I wanted to give her a life of happiness. She's in Solitude far to the northwest. And she's surely waiting for me."

Cynder's eyes lit up at this revelation. And she spoke happily to me. "Oh, you have a mate here as well? I mean...a wife? Then...we should go see her. She sounds very lovely. Come on, maybe we can..."

"No... I can't go back, Cynder. Not to her. I love her. I want to see her again. But..." I lifted my hand to gaze upon that ring. And it pained me to know the truth. Even if Luna and Nightmare Moon successfully developed a means to bridge the gap between dreams and reality, Shahvee would never truly belong in a world like Equestria. And even besides that... "She doesn't know about the others. And...even if I were to explain it to her... She would never accept it."

My loyal friend was quick to rebuke such a claim. I know she meant well and she understood how my heart worked. But she was still ignorant to the situation. "No, I know she'll understand. They told me such wonderful and sincere stories. I know she'll be happy with you and them. I believe in you. Let's go see her and..."

"Cynder. Stop." I said firmly yet sorrowfully. And she did fall silent. With my heart aching, I gazed upon that ring. "I wish she would understand, but I promise you... She won't. Things just...don't work like that in the world of Tamriel. Not even in Skyrim. If I told Shahvee, it...would break her. She would reject them. I assure you that...it will never work. I love her...but I know I can't have her."

She did not speak for a moment. Cynder closely scanned me while I could not take my eyes off of that ring on my finger. And with a sigh, she whispered to me. "I...see. I'm sorry. I don't fully understand the context here, but...I can see that you know what you're talking about."

"It's all right... Excuse me for a moment. There's something I need to do." I said with a sigh as I stepped forward to the altar. I could feel tears building in my eyes. Those memories... They were wonderful memories. It was only a single night. But what a night it was. To truly experience the love of my beloved Shahvee for the first time. to get a taste of what it would be like to live a life with her as my bride. It felt so real... And it was intoxicating. If I were to fall asleep and never wake up with my mind playing out a life of living as her husband, it would be a life well lived. But I could not. I knew that all of my beloveds would welcome her, but she would never welcome them.

I stood before the altar as I struggled to bring myself to do the unthinkable. With great hesitation, I removed the ring from my finger. I gazed upon that simple gold band as the tears finally began to flow down my face. I was very grateful that none of the priests who presided over that precious wedding were there to witness what i was doing. My voice choking, I set the ring upon the altar beside the shrine of Mara. And as I did, I whispered to myself. "I'm sorry, Shahvee... I can't go back."

It was done. The ring was out of my grasp. And I felt my heart break. I staggered back and was brought to my knees as I buried my face in my palms. Such a beautiful dream... A dream that could not come true. And as I clenched my teeth to try and reign in my voice, I was embraced. Cynder stood before me and wrapped me in her arms and wings. She rested her jaw atop my head as she whispered very sweetly to me. "It'll be all right... You are loved... They're waiting for you to come home to them again. They believe in you... We believe in you."

I did all I could to take Cynder's words to heart. I knew that I would awaken in the winged embrace of my beloved Novo. And even then, more of my beloveds were nearby. The beautiful and wonderful Celestia, Ember, and Rain Shine. And back home, my beloved Fluttershy awaited my return with our precious daughters at her side. It was a life and love I would not trade for anything. But the love I only got a taste of from Shahvee... It felt so real and plausible. So pure and powerful. To let it go forever... It still broke me. And only time would heal that wound.

I had seen enough. It was time to go home for the night and drown myself in some mead. With an unsteady gait, Cynder led me out of the temple. But upon stepping outside, Cynder suddenly went galloping down the steps and peaked around the stone wall ahead to the left. I heard the distant sound of a door closing at that time. That was enough to distract me from my sorrow for the moment. I jogged after my friend and asked, "What's wrong?"

"I saw her again. That Black-Briar hag." Cynder growled as she gazed up at the house right next door. It was an impressive wooden structure rivaled by few in Riften, complete with a small balcony above the front door. She was right. That was the home of the Black-Briar clan.

"Sounds about right. That is her house." I replied as we stepped out onto the street to get a better look at it. I glanced down at Cynder again and noticed a very bitter scowl on her face. I then spoke firmly, "Cynder. Not now. Please don't go starting trouble."

"I wasn't going to." She said equally firmly. We finally made our way back towards my home and were fortunate enough to not bump into any interruptions along the way. And upon laying eyes upon Iona by the fireplace, Cynder spoke up briefly. "This man needs a drink. Could you please see to him?"

"Are you well, my thane? You look troubled. Allow me." Iona replied as she rose from her seat to root around inside a barrel nearby. Cynder left my side and made her way back downstairs to give me some time to myself and to resume her tinkering in the art of alchemy. I took a seat beside the fireplace with my heart still heavy. I soon heard the uncorking of a bottle and glanced over to see Iona pouring me a tankard of some Black-Briar reserve. Severely overpriced and a product of the shadiest meadery in all the land, but I was hoping it would be enough to soothe my emotions.

One long swig of that impressively cold mead was immediately soothing. Heady and potent, the flavor of honey carrying a certain tartness to it. I sighed after that first taste and muttered, "This has got to be the only thing the Black-Briar meadery puts out that's worthy drinking."

"I should say so. The standard fare doesn't compare to Honningbrew, my thane." Iona retorted with a hint of wit in her bold voice. She then stepped past me to secure the lock on the front door. "It is late and you seem exhausted. I'm going to lock everything up for the night. Pleasant dreams, my thane."

"It's appreciated, Iona. Thank you." I said with my words being followed by a sigh. Her heavy armored boots thumped along the wooden floor of my home before Iona soon descended the stairs to reach her own bedroom downstairs. I heard her exchange a few words with Cynder before the sound of doors closing echoed up the stairs. Even the lighting had been dimmed with only the fireplace casting a warm glow throughout the area. And I was sure that the flames licking the logs would only last another hour or so.

I sat there and sipped at my mead bit by bit, just taking a moment to mourn the loss I had to accept. It was for the best. I had a wonderful family of beloveds to return to once I awakened. I just needed to focus on that. But for the moment, my heart would not be so quick to forget. And so I did the only thing I could and drown my sorrows.

There was nothing left to do by the time I emptied my tankard. All I could do was lie down in bed and go to sleep. How would that even work in the dream realm? Would my dream within the dream realm pass by almost instantly with me waking up in a matter of minutes? Or would I end up wasting what precious few hours I had left genuinely asleep? There was only one way to find out.

I removed my boots and hung up my padded jacket on some wall hooks nearby before pulling down the green blanket on the bed. Finally, a real bed with a proper soft mattress. I did not feel any springs inside it, but it was comfortable enough. But I did not go uninterrupted for long. The sound of someone coming up the stairs reached my ears before I saw Cynder come into view with her dark form illuminated by the lingering flames in the fireplace. She asked softly, "Time for bed?"

"Yeah... Join me?" I asked with a whisper before Cynder all too happily bounded up onto the bed. She gently touched her brow to mine in tender affection as I spoke with a pleased sigh. "Sweet dreams, Cynder."

"I'm with you. Tomorrow will be a better day. Good night, James." Cynder whispered as I got comfortable under the covers. She chose to remain curled up in a feline fashion atop the covers. I set my head down on the wide and narrow pillow at the head of the bed and was out in surprisingly little time.

I may have been onto something about that earlier theory. I do not remember dreaming of anything. In fact, it felt like no time had passed at all by the time I awoke. But time had still passed in that world. The fireplace had long since gone out. The house was only dimly lit by the morning sunlight. I even noticed some extra weight being draped across me and found that Cynder had repositioned herself in the middle of the night. She was now at my side with a wing draped across me.

Cynder's presence was comforting. I had momentarily forgotten about my aching heart from the previous night. I reached out and placed a kiss between her eyes. Cynder stirred before those beautiful teal eyes opened. And she immediately smiled at me. "Good morning. Feeling better?"

"Yeah... I slept well. Although I don't think I dreamed at all last night. Weird, huh?" I replied before sitting up in bed and stretching. Cynder did the same, but in a very feline fashion. I fetched my boots and coat again as I felt the need to get out of the house. The lighting indoors was cool and dreary most likely due to a cloud of mist cast over the lake right outside. That crisp cool Skyrim climate would be enough to wake me up. I then checked my pockets to make certain I still had some of Cynder's old platinum components to barter with. "Let's go see what's available at market. There must be stuff available for breakfast around here."

Cynder followed with only a yawn as I got the front door unlocked. I made a right and began to cross the small bridge spanning the moat. Although I noticed it was a bit quiet for that time of morning. It was not even all that early. Surely the vendors had opend for the day. There was no sound of commerce in the air. And the usual guards patrolling the streets also seemed to be absent by the time we were walking behind the Bee and Barb. But when we stepped out from behind it to behold the town square... "Huh? What's happening over there?"

Just to the right of the entrance to the courtyard of the Temple of Mara... It looked like the entire town had turned out to gather around the Black-Briar clan's home. Several guards were set out by the door to keep anyone from entering. What could have possibly drawn everyone's attention to that particular house? For as infamous as the Black-Briars had always been, they never attracted such a mob before. Let alone one that appeared more curious than angry. I grumbled to myself as I began to lead Cynder through the circular town square to get a closer look, "What'd you do this time, Maven?"

I did not get far before a voice spoke up from behind me. A quiet and suave voice of a man I had learned to be wary of. "Not everyday you see something like this, lad. I take it you haven't heard the news?"

A long sigh escaped my nostrils as I braced myself to turn around. I turned to find a Nordic man standing at one of the vendor stalls that was lined with many large bottles containing a dubious red fluid. His long red hair was offset by his padded blue jacket that was identical to my own. He stood there with his arms crossed as he watched the scene play out before us from a distance. Despite his sophisticated attire, I knew that the gentleman before me had likely not done a single day of honest work in his life. With a sigh, I forced myself to speak a response. "What do you want, Brynjolf?"

"No need to be so uptight, lad. I'm only here as a bystander, same as you." He replied with stark sincerity. He then turned his gaze past me to look upon the Black-Briar's home across the way. I could hear the guards commanding the locals to stay back and to let their investigation continue. It sounded like a crime had been carried out there Did some freelance thief have enough daring to rob the place in the middle of the night? Perhaps a hired burglary arranged by a former victim of the Black-Briars? Brynjolf then proceeded to reveal the truth to me before I could even ask. "I'll be clear with you on this, lad. Nothing was stolen out of there, if that's what you're thinking. No. Something else was taken and I still can't quite wrap my head around it. Our dear Maven Black-Briar. Murdered in her sleep."

It took me maybe a good five seconds to process what I had just heard. My nerves were set alight. My blood chilled. Not because I was upset. But because I was just so...shocked that it had finally happened. I turned to gaze in disbelief at Brynjolf as I muttered, "She's...dead?"

Brynjolf calmly nodded and said, "Hard to believe, isn't it? Even I thought Maven sold her soul for some kind of devil's luck by this point. I thought the reaper would never come to collect. But in the end, it finally did."

I was stunned. But why then? Why now of all times? Who not only took a blade to Maven Black-Briar, but how? I was at a loss for words. And Brynjolf continued to speak as he gazed upon the distant crime scene. "I know a thing or two about discretion. And the circumstances surrounding this is...strange. There were no signs of the ground floor doors having been tampered with. They were all locked when morning came. No windows broken either. And the murder looks like it took place after midnight. The only other way in would've been through the balcony door up there. Conveniently located too. It leads right into the master bedroom where old Maven would've been at the time."

My eyes focused on the balcony above the front door. No one would be able to reach that without a ladder or scaling the roof. And even if they tried, someone would have noticed. The guards would have seen and heard the intruders well before they could reach the door. I turned to Brynjolf and asked, "You would know your way around breaking and entering. How do you think this was pulled off? And by who?"

Brynjolf paused as his eyes narrowed. He appeared deeply puzzled with his brow furrowing. "Who? Lad, the real question is what. Because whatever did this... It wasn't man or mer. To get up there quickly and quietly, the assassin would've needed to be able to fly. And I'm sure they would've needed some sort of invisibility enchantment to reach it and get away unseen. Whatever did this slunk in through the balcony door without anyone seeing or hearing it, cut out Maven's throat with a dagger as she slept, and then escaped through the balcony before flying away unseen. And they did so silently. All without waking anyone in the night. Her son was the first to find her corpse in the morning and the guards ruled him out as a suspect. But just who or what could've pulled a heist like this off without being spotted or leaving a single shred of evidence behind? Even the Dark Brotherhood aren't this discreet..."

My eyes immediately fell upon Cynder as she observed the crowd. She was being noticeably silent. Too silent. But perhaps it was because she knew that if I was wary of Brynjolf, then it would be wise to not say anything around him. But I could not forget Cynder's immediate animosity towards Maven when I first described that hag's history of evil in Skyrim. And then... My eyes suddenly widened when my gaze counted the platinum objects that were still on her body. I had bartered away two while another two were still in my pockets. Three should have remained on her, but... Her tail blade was missing. All that I could see was her feathery red tail spade. No... Her interest in alchemy... Especially towards that invisibility potion recipe... She did not... Did she?

Cynder happened to notice my gaze of shock and wisely did not show any sort of a reaction. She was being admirably discreet to avoid drawing attention to herself. Although Brynjolf then began to speak surprisingly profoundly. "In the end though, I suppose this was fated to happen. Maven made many enemies throughout her career. Too many. I suppose this just goes to show that no matter how much power or wealth one has... Or how many connections one has... If you become hated enough, then it's only a matter of time before someone musters up enough daring to put you in an early grave. If even Maven wasn't so untouchable, then no one is truly safe from an early death."

Brynjolf sounded remarkably unfazed by the death of what was surely one of his most recurring clients. He was calm and did not shed a tear. He did not even so much as sound disappointed. He was...accepting of the sudden news. I looked at him and said, "You sound like you're not particularly bothered about this."

"And why would I be, lad? There was no love lost between my ilk and old Maven. For us, it was always just business. She paid too well to say no to. Besides, if she wanted someone dead, she would contact the Dark Brotherhood to get it done. And that never sits well with anyone outside of that guild." Brynjolf replied while still keeping his arms crossed. His brow furrowed further as his calm gaze turned into the slightest scowl. Almost as if even he was disgusted by what he knew. "Having ties to the Dark Brotherhood and especially the Aldmeri Dominion is enough to make anyone an enemy of Skyrim, especially here in the Rift. If word got out about that around here, I'm sure even dear Laila Law-Giver would've finally had old Maven's head on a pike and no amount of bribery would've been enough to save the old witch."

If there was one thing that everyone in Skyrim agreed on, it was their universal hatred of the Aldmeri Dominion. A truly evil foreign governing power that had inflicted injustices across Tamriel. Being an ally of them in Skyrim would not end well if such knowledge became public. But there was still one question on my mind. "And what about you? What happens now?"

Brynjolf appeared to relax as he cast me a calm smile. "Me? I think I'll go have a toast with my boys. The old dame paid well, but the world's a better place now that she's gone. It never ends well for a witch. Even a very wealthy witch."

Much to my surprise, Brynjolf then reached into his pocket and pulled smoothing out. A bright red apple. He then held it out to me in offering and said, "Anyway, I doubt the shops and market's going to be opening anytime soon with everyone more interested in this turn of events. If you're looking for your morning fix, have this. It should hold you over until everyone's ready to open up shop and feed you something to fill your belly."

A very strange fellow indeed. I was wary of Brynjolf for I knew of his role in the reviled Thieves Guild. And yet, he was not without elements of kindness and generosity. I suppose thieves are a fickle bunch. With some hesitation, I took the apple. "Um...it's appreciated. A meal was exactly what I was looking for."

Brynjolf once again crossed his arms and looked at me with an almost hopeful smile. "Let today teach us all a valuable lesson. And a word of advice, lad. Don't go through life going out of your way to make enemies. And if you do, you'd best make certain you've made many friends along the way who are willing to put their lives on the line for you."

"That's some good advice. And don't worry. I've made many such friends. Both here and outside of Skyrim. And I pity those who choose to become my enemies." I replied with a bit of a confident smirk on my lips. I took one last look back at the home of the evil Maven Black-Briar. Now that I had processed what had happened, I felt a sense of relief come over me. As I should have. "Well then... Good riddance. Ding dong, the witch is dead. I say I'm in agreement with you on one thing, Brynjolf. Time for a toast."

"Aye. Time to break out some of that Black-Briar reserve. Perfect day for it. But before you go, lad..." Brynjolf replied as I began to turn to walk away. I only took one step before looking back at him. And his eyes were not directed at me. His gaze was lowered to Cynder at my side. "I have to say... That's a fine beast you have there. Not native to Skyrim, is it? Are you looking for a buyer? Uh... It doesn't seem to like me much, does it?"

Cynder turned to face Brynjolf with a scowl on her face halfway through that statement and assumed a widened stance. She was probably trying to pass herself off as a beast that was not sure if Brynjolf was a threat or not. I spoke up promptly, "She's not for sale. If you're so interested in trying to catch one for yourself, search the canyons of Elsweyr. That's where I found her."

"Elsweyr, eh? Now that you mention it... Yes, I'd say that she would be right at home down there. Maybe I'll discuss planning an excursion with the boys sometime. We could catch a flock of these down there..." Brynjolf said with a contemplative tone. And I smirked to myself as I began to walk away. It was satisfying to know I was likely unwittingly sending the entire Thieves Guild on a wild goose chase after creatures that did not even exist in the world of Nirn in the first place.

But my smugness did not last. I glanced down at Cynder as she walked beside me and was reminded of her missing tail spade. Maven Black-Briar's killer was right beside me. As soon as we were out of sight behind the Bee and Barb, I hastened my pace to get us back to my home as quickly as possible. Once indoors, we passed by Iona at the fireplace while I spoke briskly to my reptilian companion. "Cynder. Come."

Cynder did not even try to speak. She knew exactly what this was about and did not object. I led her down the stairs into the basement before leading her past the apothecary lab and into the room beyond. We stood inside Iona's bedroom before I closed the door behind us and set aside the apple in my hand. Cynder sat down before me as I quickly dropped to my knees. Surrounded by walls of stone dug out of the earth where no one outside would hear us. I firmly grasped her shoulders and spoke just as firmly, "What did you do?"

The look in Cynder's eyes was not of fear or nervousness. She appeared very accepting and understanding of my shock over the fact that she was literally the only person in town who could have carried out Maven's death. And she spoke with a very calm and forward tone. "I did what I had to do."

She was not even trying to deny her actions. Cynder had killed. Likely slipped away in the night after I fell asleep. Probably even went out the back door where it was near impossible for anyone to have seen her before flying over the entirety of Riften. And her tail blade... The dagger used to cut out Maven's throat. She had likely removed it herself after seeing how I managed to do it the last time we saw each other and cast it into the lake just outside the back door. The only piece of evidence was now lying at the bottom of that lake and no one would ever be the wiser. And so I asked, "Why then...?"

Cynder was much more willing to discuss her motive than the fact that she was the one who had ended Maven's life. Her voice was composed yet stern as she gazed at me without blinking once. "She tried to have you murdered. Many times. Now she will never hurt you or anyone else ever again."

There was no way I could fault Cynder's reasoning for her actions. Yes. Maven had likely sent assassins after me. And she absolutely had done so to others before then. She had an ocean of blood on her hands. For the sake of Tamriel, Maven Black-Briar needed to die. Even so... To know that Cynder had deliberately and meticulously planned and carried out a kill like that... And all for me. Maven's social status, wealth, and power meant nothing to my friend if it meant destroying an imminent threat to my life. In Cynder's eyes, Maven was an enemy of mine who was evil and dangerous. And she had to die for the greater good. That was the cold hard truth of the situation. But even then, to know that Cynder had done so... My gaze lowered as I felt a genuine feeling of shock come over me. "But...you still killed someone..."

The little wyrm reached up and planted both hands against my chest. She then gazed into my eyes and spoke...almost fearfully. "I won't let anyone take you from me. Or from them. They need you... I need you. I already lost you once. I won't... I can't lose you again."

Her eyes glistened. Tears were present in Cynder's eyes. As I processed those words... And that quivering tone... I placed my hand over both of hers to keep them pinned to my chest. Words failed me. I tried to speak, but nothing came. So Cynder spoke for me. "I will kill for you... I will sin for you. If it keeps you safe... And keeps you and them happy..."

"No... No, you didn't. You didn't sin last night." I replied as I finally found my words. I took Cynder into my arms and carried her to the simple bed of hay and beast pelts in the corner. I cradled my loyal friend in my arms while I sat down. Holding her as I whispered, "You did not sin here... You did a very good thing. A harsh thing, but still a good thing. Don't feel shame for what you did... It had to be done. Tamriel is a safer place now that she's gone."

I heard Cynder wheeze as her tears finally flowed. What was going through her head? And through her heart? "Thank you... I... I could barely believe what I had done when I saw her blood on my blade. I felt such...hate for that wretch. But to see...that crimson on that silvery sheen... I took no pleasure in it. I did what I had to do and I fled... I washed the blood off in the lake, but... It wasn't enough. I couldn't stand to have the blade be with me anymore. I remembered how you twisted it off and...threw it as far as I could into the lake. It's out there... No one will find it now."

I had assumed as much. But there was still one question on my mind. Like any good murder mystery story, everyone wants to know how it happened. And so I whispered to my friend, "If you don't mind me asking... How did you do it? How'd you get in and out of there with literally no one knowing? Did you...concoct something at the lab in the corner?"

Cynder let out a sigh as the flow of her tears slowed. "I did... I mixed together two invisibility potions. That was all I needed. One for the approach and one for my escape. I waited until after midnight. When you and Iona were asleep. I could only carry two out with me and I did so right outside the back door. And you were right. I literally could almost not see myself after I drank the first. And it wore off as soon as I tried to open that balcony door. I flew over the city and landed on the balcony. And she was right there inside. I went over without a sound...did what I had to do...and slipped back outside before drinking the second potion before flying away. The only trail of blood I left ended at the door."

I gently stroked my fingers over Cynder's scalp to soothe her. Cynder did always have the capacity for violence. But she never took pleasure in it. That was an admirable quality to have. I whispered to my friend, "You did it for me... You saved me. And you saved others. Thank you."

"I... I just... I..." Cynder muttered weakly as she lifted her head to look at me. Fresh tears stained her face, but they were no longer flowing. Her jaw had lowered. Her mouth hung open as she looked like she was trying to say something. Something that just would not come. After a moment, Cynder sighed harshly as she appeared to give up. But she then tucked her head under my jaw and leaned into me. And she spoke something I had heard many times before. "I'm with you."

That display of affection of her kind... A very indecent display, in her own words. But I did not question it. I continued to hold Cynder while tucking her head under my jaw. My heart was so...uncertain at the time. What was Cynder really trying to tell me? "Is that what you really wanted to say?"

Cynder's words... They came one after the other. Lovely things to say, and yet... Not entirely what she wanted to say. I am sure of it. "I'm with you... I need you... I can't lose you... I'll...never let you go."

"Then don't let me go. Stay with me? Please?" I whispered back to her as I tightened my embrace. I heard the faintest of happy chuckles come from her. She did not speak, but Cynder was happy to hear that. I knew in my heart by then that I would never fear her again. I did not want to fear that precious little wyrm. I just wanted her to find happiness. Because she deserved it. And I wanted her to know it. "I'm not afraid of you anymore. I feel safe with you."

"I hope so..." Cynder spoke with a sigh as I continued to hold her against me. Her hand rested over my heart. And she whispered sweetly to me. "This heart beats for them... It needs to be kept safe. I won't let it be pierced...or broken."

I felt so tempted. To tell her something beautiful. But...it would not have been true. Would it? I pondered a response for little Cynder. And I did finally say, "A heart can only be broken if someone has been entrusted with it."

I heard a cautious whisper come from my friend. An almost fearful whisper. "James... That night. When I...returned to you while believing my own lies... Did I...break your heart?"

There was no hiding the truth from her or myself. I sighed with my hand resting on her back, "Yeah... You did. Severely."

She clung to me. Tried to get her wings around my body even while keeping her head tucked under my jaw. Cynder spoke again with a bitter whisper, "Never again... And if your heart's still fractured, I'll search high and low to find all the missing pieces. If I broke it, it's my job to fix it. Your heart is...just too beautiful to leave ruined..."

Just how much had my heart healed at that time? Was it still in pieces, or had it healed more than I thought? And...why did it shatter so viciously when she returned in that towering shadowy form? Did I...love her? As I pondered my own heart, I asked a foolish question. "Have you...ever been loved?"

"Of course not... I...barely even know what love is." Cynder spoke with a sigh. Although she began to pull her head out from under my jaw as her fearful embrace began to relax. "But...I think I'm learning. I've been feeling so many...wonderful things when I'm with you. And I've seen so many examples to follow from a master of the art. You make me so happy to be alive. And...I'm at my happiest...when I'm with you."

Cynder lifted her head to gaze at my as my body and heart burned with a strange tension. What was I feeling? And what was she feeling? The confused little dragoness asked softly, "James... What is love?"

"It's...something I don't think you can really explain. But...it's a universal feeling. Something anything can experience. At least that's what I believe." I replied while very disappointed in myself. So understanding of love, yet not knowing how to describe it. Perhaps it is not something that can ever be fully understood...

"Something that can't really be described? Only felt?" Cynder asked as if she found amusement in my own inability to describe it to her. She then whispered with an...indescribable gaze in her eyes. "And you love so many... So evenly too."

She began to lean closer. And that fire burned in me while Cynder too was likely trembling. And with a cautious yet hopeful whisper, Cynder then asked, "Do you think...you would ever love me too? Could you?"

Cynder's snout rose to reveal her slightly agape maw. Just like before. Her eyes began to narrow almost in relaxation. An invitation. I answered that call and...

Such a strange feeling... Our lips were very mismatched. For not being as inflexible as I expected for a reptile, Cynder's lips were just too thin and stiff to be able to return a kiss from a pair of human lips. And perhaps that awkward realization was for the best. Our heads were drawn back as that strange fumbled kiss registered with us. My eyes averted themselves as I said, "That...was weird."

"I guess I now know why a traditional kiss really isn't a thing among my race." Cynder replied with an awkward chuckle. We both cracked awkward smiles and found ourselves chuckling together lightly. A part of me was grateful there was something to diffuse the situation. What was wrong with me? Why was my heart burning so hotly for a woman who technically did not exist? It was not healthy... Or was it? And Cynder did not completely forget about what she had asked a moment earlier. "But really... Do you think...you will ever find it in yourself to love me?"

"That's a good question... A question I don't really have an answer for." I replied while not being entirely honest with Cynder. Or with myself. Our times together had always been few and far between. But every single experience spent together had always been memorable and wondrous. I remember that feeling of sorrow and loss when Cynder fled from me atop that cliff. How I was so desperate to not let her go that I was prepared to take a leap of faith and hurl myself from the cliff had Luna not intervened that night. For that connection to strengthen so quickly... Quality over quantity?

And yet I knew it was foolish to long after something that only exists in one's dreams. Not yet. Not until Luna and Nightmare Moon had found a way to bridge the gap between dreams and reality. And...I could not tell her. How could I? Would she even believe me? And if she did... How would she handle the horror of realizing her own nonexistence? It was something best kept to the back of my mind for the time being. All I could say to put the topic to bed was as follows. "One day at a time, Cynder. Like we agreed on."

"Ah... Right." Cynder muttered while averting her eyes in a very meek manner. But she still then tucked her head under my jaw once again before speaking more sincerely. "But I'm still with you. All right?"

"Yeah... Thank you." I whispered back to my friend while stroking my hand down her slender smooth body. Just to take a moment to get my mind off of everything. Cynder was just allowing her body to soothe me much like a big housecat set across my lap. Even her tail lazily swished about like one.

I sighed to myself as I sat on that bed, my fingers stroking that reptilian feline creature in my embrace. And deep in her throat, I heard a familiar sound. A purr. Not at all like that of a cat, but still a pleasant and soothing sound. I found myself smirking as I recognized it. "I forgot you can do that."

"I only just remembered how myself." Cynder giggled before she continued to purr in my arms. The purr of a dragoness... Not even Ember had ever shown the ability to make such a sound. It was the soothing call of a beast. And Cynder was right atop that sacred threshold between beast and woman. A rare and mesmerizing quality that I had long adored dragons for. Cynder soon paused in her purring before whispering oh so sweetly to me, "Is there anything else your little shimmering shadow can do for you this fine morning?"

Something about the way she said that tickled my heart. And I decided to add my own brand of wit to the situation. I spoke softly with a smile as I tried to glance down at her, "My dear, if I didn't know better, I would assume you were trying to be sweet on me."

Cynder playfully retorted as I felt the left edge of her mouth curve up into a grin against my chest. "Who's to say I wasn't?"

We were just so happy together. I missed that feeling... It was almost nostalgic to feel that quiet joy with Cynder in my arms. It felt so long ago when we had last been truly at peace with each other. I just wanted to leave that time of turmoil behind as I heard my little shimmering shadow continue to purr for me. And so I whispered something precious to her. "You are beautiful."

Cynder's purrs made way for a long and happy sigh before she whispered to me in longing. "And I want to be beautiful for you... I want to be as captivating at the night sky for you. To be as radiant as I can be for you... And only you..."

"And you are... You've always been." I replied with a whisper of my own. There was no denying it. Cynder had always been beautiful. A perfect specimen of a true dragon of yore. And I remembered something she had said to me near the end of our previous time together. "But if there's one thing you can do for me... Please stay small. So I can always hold you like this."

The lovely little dragoness spoke with a cheeky giggle in her throat as she kept her head tucked under my jaw. "I can't make any promises... But I'll try to stay moderately sized for you. Will that be all right?"

"Yeah... Moderate is good." I muttered as my mind wandered. Just how big would Cynder get if allowed to grow at her own pace? Would she ever regain the towering size I had first seen her as? Or would she not quite reach such an inconvenient height? I could imagine her at least becoming as large as a tigress. Impressively large and powerful, but still manageable. And I would still be able to hold her all the same. I then asked in curiosity, "But...just how big do you hope you'll get?"

"I would be to happy stay this size forever, if my body would let me. As for how big if that's not an option... Hopefully no larger than a bear. And bears are pretty big already." Cynder replied with a calm tone. And once again, she began to purr. I decided to stop speaking by that point so as to not interrupt that rumbling sonnet in her throat.

We just sat there in each other's embrace. My hand stroking down Cynder's slender body while she purred so soothingly for me. And her head never left that spot under my jaw. Tucked securely under it. An...indecent show of affection for her kind. But I pushed that thought out of my mind. Cynder needed comfort after a harrowing experience under the cover of night. And that realization brought me back to the news at hand.

I began to ponder Cynder's actions the previous night. She deceived everyone to allow herself a shot at the seemingly untouchable Maven Black-Briar. She even deceived me. Began brewing invisibility potions as an assassination tool without me ever thinking she would be daring enough to take a blade to Maven's throat. And she did it all for me.

Cynder was not one who took pleasure in violence. Yet she had proved herself to be very willing to resort to it if anything threatened me. She had already put herself between me and even minor threats. And she responded with lethal brutality to anything that made an honest attempt on my life. She burned a Spriggan alive and struck down a highwayman who had already begun to retreat. And now she had resorted to stealth and trickery to slay a cunning enemy of mine who used her social status and wealth to stay out of reach while having mercenaries and assassins carry out her evil will. Cynder was no sadist, but she was ruthless to her enemies. And my enemies were her enemies. And I knew she would kill again if someone wronged me.

It would probably be unwise to remain in Riften. And I began to wonder if it would be best to not return to Skyrim entirely by that point, especially with Cynder in my company. I had already let go of someone dear to me in that land I could no longer go back to... Perhaps it was time to say goodbye for good to that beautiful realm. But before we could do that...

A name came to mind. A very special friend. Someone I should see before I turned my back on Skyrim for good. And so I rose from my seat with Cynder still held in my arms. Even with her continuing to purr, I spoke to her. "We should probably be going now. I don't think it'll take long before someone starts to wonder if you had something to do with what happened last night."

"Oh... Right... But...where can we go?" Cynder asked with concern in her voice. I managed to get the door open and decided to leave my apple where it was. I had lost my appetite by then and was certain it would not be long before that dream would end. But before I got far, I found someone leaning against the wall just to the right of the door. Iona had been patiently waiting with her arms crossed and no doubt overheard everything on the other side. I turned to face her as Cynder spoke with a wary tone. "You heard... Didn't you?"

Rather than act rashly, Iona merely cast a knowing smile at Cynder. That mighty bear of a woman then spoke boldly, "You have done Riften and my thane a great service, little wyrm. You have my thanks."

"Oh?! Uh... You're welcome?" Cynder replied with some confusion before I began to carry her upstairs. I soon set her down on the bed before she asked with a very hushed whisper, "She's really not upset with me?"

"My housecarls serve me first and never my enemies. You don't have to worry about them ratting us out for doing the right thing." I replied with confidence as I heard Iona close the doors to room. She likely had a hunch I would be departing soon and was taking some time to herself and was probably going to enjoy that apple I left behind. I turned my gaze towards the door leading out to the lake and said, "But we really should be going. There's someone I need to see."

"There is? In that case, lead on. I'm with you." Cynder followed me out the door and we were greeted with a blanket of mist cast out over the lake to the west. Cynder inhaled deeply that humid cool air before speaking with a pleasant sigh. "It's such a nice morning out here. Just look at that mist. And where are we going?"

"Hold that thought." I retorted before gazing up at the sky. Where we were going, wings would be needed. "Luna. If you're still listening, I could really use my armor now."

Luna responded without a word. In a flash of magic light, I found myself clad in my enchanted armor. I did not feel the cool bite of Skyrim's climate anymore aside from across my face. And Cynder was quick to comment on it. "I guess the creation goddesses are still watching over you. At least you have a helmet you can actually see out of this time."

"Very funny. Anyway, ready to fly? Where we're going is very high up." I replied while spreading my armor's wings. Cynder did the same and stood ready. With a great leap and flap, we hurled ourselves skywards and began to soar towards the east. I doubt anyone noticed us with the mist helping cover our escape.

Cynder was able to tolerate the cool air of southeastern Skyrim for the mment. She called out to me as we gradually ascended, "Where are we going anyway?"

"Right there. The Throat of the World. You've had you eye on that mountain for a while, right?" I replied while pointing ahead. There to the west while towering over the entirety of Skyrim was a colossal excuse of a snowcapped mountain. The highest in all the land.

"Oh, that?! Yeah, you can probably see that from anywhere in Skyrim. Is that the tallest mountain here?" Cynder asked with her eyes widening in intrigue. I still remembered when she saw it for the first time. The Throat of the World has a very commanding presence in Skyrim.

"Not just in Skyrim. It's the tallest peak in all of Tamriel." I spoke as I continued to lead Cynder on. We soared higher and higher on our wings, the wind becoming increasingly bitter. My helmet's passive enchantments kept the wind from reaching my face, but I could still feel the cold upon my exposed skin. But when I happened to glance at Cynder, I noticed she was starting to fall behind a bit. "Uh... You OK there?"

I could almost see Cynder quivering as she glided along on her wings. Her eyes were wide in shock as she felt the worst chill Skyrim had to offer at its highest altitude. She may have been able to tolerate the more moderate climate zones of Falkreath, Whiterun, and the Rift, but she had finally reached her limit. She called out to me, "How do you stand this?! This cold will kill us!"

What could I possibly do counter the intense arctic cold of that altitude? Perhaps it would have been wise to bring along a potion that provides resistance to cold... What could I do to instill her with warmth? The sun was not even shining that brightly at the time... But what about the sun I normally carry in my right hand?

Inspiration struck. I channeled the magic in my right gauntlet in the hopes of summoning the Celestial Sword to my hand. And in a flash, it appeared. My sword's pure white blade glowed gently. I could even feel a certain warmth radiating off of it. I drifted closer to Cynder and held the blade in my hand to reach out to her with its hilt. "Here, try holding this.

I could feel Cynder's tremors through the blade as she clamped down on the hilt with her teeth. But a second later, she became much more stable. Her eyes widened before she looked very relaxed. Maybe too relaxed. And while she could properly speak with a sword hilt held between her jaws, I think I heard her try to say, "It feels like I'm under the warm summer sun."

The Celestial Sword always had a certain compatibility with my right gauntlet's fire magic. It looked like it could even counter winter cold by basking its wielder in the warmth of the sun. The two of us continued to soar higher and draw closer to he Throat of the World's summit. I was reminded of just how dizzyingly high that location is. One could see beyond Skyrim's borders from up there.

I was not aiming precisely for the very top of the mountain. Only as high as the path going up it reached. We were already flying as high as the summit reached, so Cynder had already been given the best view of Skyrim possible. I went into a gentle descent while Cynder followed. And we soon came in for a landing on a snowy path winding up the mountain just under peak. And just behind us was a veritable wall of gale force winds blocking the path back down. And Cynder took note of that localized blizzard. She momentarily dropped the Celestial Sword to free up her mouth to speak. "Now I see why we had to fly. Looks like there's some kind of barrier in the way."

"Yeah, the Throat of the World is sacred ground to all but a few. Anyway, come along. There's someone up here I need to see. And I think you would want to meet him too." I replied before continuing up the path with fresh snow beneath my armored sabatons. Cynder took the Celestial Sword into her maw again and followed along. Even with snow under her bare hands and feet, she did not seem the least bit uncomfortable. The warmth of the Celestial Sword completely repelled the frigid cold around her.

The slope under our feet eventually evened out with the peak looming over us to our left. And ahead appeared to be a stone wall carved out of the mountain itself that curved inward as if partially encompassing a circular area. And perched atop a rocky outcrop overlooking it was exactly who I was hoping to see. But Cynder did not notice him. Between the many thick snowflakes drifting about and the gray arctic sky, he was blending in very well with the pale stone and snow around him. Cynder tried to speak through the sword hilt in her mouth, "Where is he?"

I started to feel a certain mischievousness fill my heart. If Cynder had not yet noticed him yet, why not have some fun with it? "He should be nearby. Over here."

Cynder suspected nothing and followed along beside me. We drew nearer towards the semi-circular wall that was half buried in the snow. And when we were perhaps twenty paces from it, my hidden friend turned his very large head to look directly at us. Only then did Cynder suddenly notice him and drop the Celestial Sword from her mouth as she staggered backwards. "Gah?! What?! Where'd you come from?!"

He and I both burst into laughter at Cynder all but walking into him without even knowing he was there. My friend's voice was much deeper and carried with it a wise yet bestial gruffness to it. Such a booming from such a massive beast. With his laughter running its course, the mighty and ancient creature before us spoke kindly to us. "Drem Yol Lok. Greetings."

The creature looming over us was clearly draconian despite not looking even remotely similar to Cynder. A line of great spines reached down the middle of his back with his arms also serving as his great wings. A thick beard of spines lined the underside of his powerful broad jaws. And yet, a few has clearly snapped off. Even the edges of his impressive wings were tattered by eons of use. The old dragon before me was ancient, even by his kind's standards. For he was one of the very few to have lived so long. Even his body's tough scales had become faded in time, bearing the hue of bleached sand. Time had been most harsh on him, but he continued to endure as arctic snow blew over the mountain's summit. I reached out to my friend as he lowered his head towards my hand. I rested my palm upon his chin as I spoke the name Cynder was surely wanting to know. "Paarthurnax."

"It has been some time since your last visit upon my sanctuary, Dovahkiin. But who...or what is this you have brought with you? Few creatures who bear scales can endure the frigid peaks of Skyrim in the way I can." My ancient friend asked with his booming yet wise voice. He was not trying to speak loudly. It was just the nature of a dragon's voice in the world of Nirn.

Cynder was quickly reminded of the bitter cold around her and quickly placed her hands upon the hilt of the Celestial Sword as it lay fallen in the snow. Her shivering immediately stopped while she gazed up at the beastly creature above us. "I...am Cynder. And I am...a dragon. And...I think I recall being told about you just once. You're the dragon who lives up here? But...you only have four limbs? And your arms are your wings?"

The ancient drake before us displayed a curios smile, even if his rugged face was even stiffer than Cynder's. Only the edges of his maw curved upward as he said, "A dragon, you say? Yet surely not one of my ilk. Your voice does not carry the power of the Thu'um. And yet...I do believe you, little wyrm. But know this. You may be dragon, but you are not dovah."

Our host's words only confused Cynder. She looked to me for answers as she asked, "Dovah...?"

"It means 'dragon' in their native tongue. The dragons of Tamriel have their own language to speak. He even greeted us with it, remember?" I replied as I lowered my hand from Paarthurnax's thorny chin.

"Drem Yol Lok. In your tongue, it means Peace Fire Sky. And it is used in greeting between dragons. I bid you both welcome to my sanctuary here atop the Throat of the World. Even you, little wyrm." Paarthurnax explained in brief as Cynder got comfortable before him with the Celestial Sword turning the biting snow under her into a soft cushion. She did not feel cold at all.

Cynder, while no longer afraid of our host, still cast a bit of an annoyed scowl and smirk at him. "Just don't go calling me a lesser wyrm. I've heard enough of that already."

Paarthurnax snorted with a suppressed laugh. "Hmph. Boziik. You possess quite a fire in your heart, little one. Bahlaan Ahkrin. I mean no disrespect, child. All creatures of Tamriel seem small to the might of a dovah. We were meant to dominate, from man to giant."

"So your kind are at the top of the food chain of this world? I can see why." Cynder replied before she happened to take a look around. Now that we were at the top of the Throat of the World, an opportunity had arisen. Cynder's gazed drifted behind her before she gazed up at the peak that was looming over us. She then looked back at us and said, "I don't mean to keep this so short, but...since we're up here now, I'd really like to see how the world looks from the peak. May I excuse myself?"

"You wish see the world from atop its throat? Faasnu. Do as you will, child. It is a sight few ever get to experience." Paarthurnax replied with a bit of a chuckle. I did not object either. It was a real treat getting that high up and seeing all of Skyrim around oneself. Cynder took the Celestial Sword into her mouth again and took to the air to fly on up to the peak. Only to suddenly almost get swept off the mountain entirely by a frigid crosswind. She went tumbling and clung to the peak before us until she began to reluctantly climb the uneven craggy slope before her. All without dropping the Celestial Sword once. Paarthurnax let out a chuckle as he said, "Faasnu Nuz Mey. It is unwise to attempt flight up there unless one's wings are as powerful as a dovah's."

"Yeah, I almost thought she was gonna get blown clear of the mountain for a second. I hope the climb is worth it." I replied before turning my gaze back towards the ancient creature above me. He was watching Cynder with great interest as she climbed the peak bit by bit. Perhaps he knew there was something not right about her. And now that I was there with Paarthurnax... I did not know what to say. I just wanted to see him one last time before saying goodbye to Skyrim for the last time.

I did not need to wait long for a topic to come up. It was Paarthurnax who spoke to me first. "Dovahkiin... There is something...unnatural about that little wyrm. I can sense it. She is indeed dragon, yet she is not dovah. And the dov are the only dragons of this world. She does not belong here. She is...not of this world."

Of all the dragons in Skyrim who would be able to intrinsically sense something off about Cynder, it would be Paarthurnax. But he then turned his beastly head to me as he then spoke cautiously. "And you... This armor you bear. Never before have I seen it. And within it... There is magic. But magic that is not of Nirn. This armor... Where did you get it?"

"You can tell, huh?" I replied as I very carefully pondered my response. I wondered... Would it be wise to tell him? Would Paarthurnax be one of the few who could handle the truth? With a sigh, I looked up at the peak and saw Cynder was not even close to halfway up. She would be a while before coming back down. "There's...something you need to know. Something I think you can know. But first, let me get us more comfortable."

Paarthurnax watched in great interest as I used the magic in my left gauntlet to erect a semi-circular wall of blue magic ice to finish the circle that the curved wall behind me started. Just a means to hold off the wind. I still left a gap at the end that Cynder could use to get back inside once she came back down. I then whispered softly, "Luna. Please give us some firewood to work with."

The Princess of the Night responded promptly and conjured up a pile of small logs in the center of the circle. All without saying a word. I then reached out with my right hand and unleashed a stream of golden flames at the pile. Paarthurnax and I were soon illuminated by the crackling orange flames of the resulting fire. The ancient drake above me sighed as he said, "Ah, the warmth of open flames. The cold of Skyrim matters little to me, but such warmth is always a welcome reprieve."

Paarthurnax did not remain atop the crag above me. He crawled down the side and curled up against the wall behind us to expose as much of himself as possible to the heat of the flames. The wind continued to blow overhead, but it could on longer reach us with those walls of stone and ice in the way. I too got comfortable and rested against the mighty wyrm's tattered wing. Paarthurnax then spoke again while we both kept an eye on Cynder's gradual ascent. "Now then... Tell me, Dovahkiin. What is it you are not telling me? Is there something I must know about these otherworldly anomalies? Why bring these here today?"

I felt a quiet sorrow fill my heart. This would surely be the one and only time I would ever speak to my friend directly. I felt his powerful body rise and fall with every mighty breath that escaped his maw. He felt so alive. So ancient and wise, one I could trust with anything. And so I felt it was possible to trust him with a truth even Cynder should not be allowed to know. "I came here...to say goodbye."

My words puzzled Paarthurnax greatly. His prolonged moment of silence told me that he did not immediately understand. "Whatever do you mean, Dovahkiin? Yes, we must part ways, but there will be another time. A greeting is followed by a farewell. And in time, that farewell is followed by a greeting. You are always welcome here in my sanctuary."

"No, old friend. No... I'm here to say goodbye for the last time. I...think it would be best if I never return to Skyrim. Too many memories... Too many precious things I had to let go of..." I explained with a heavy heart as I gazed up at the distant form of Cynder. She was admirably sticking to her task of scaling the tallest peak in all of Tamriel. The biting cold gusts meant nothing to her in the warm glow of the Celestial Sword still clutched tightly in her maw.

Paarthurnax fell silent as he tried to ponder the meaning of my words. And when he finally did speak, he still did not understand. "I see... Then your travels will take you far from here. Where do you suppose your travels will take you next? To High Rock and Hammerfell to the west? The ash wastes of Morrowind to the east? Or perhaps you long for the more temperate climate of lush Cyrodiil to the south?"

He could never hope to understand on his own. And I knew I would have to tell him. I bowed my head and said, "How do I put this in a way you'll understand..."

"You are troubled, Dovahkiin. I can hear it in your voice. The Thu'um wanes in you. Speak. And I will listen." Paarthurnax spoke boldly yet kindly to me. He was wise. Much wiser than myself. Perhaps he would understand.

I turned my gaze up at Cynder. She was roughly halfway up the peak by then. Seeing that little dream dragoness reminded me of what I needed to say. "This world... You are familiar with how it came to be? First there was Mundus. Then Nirn was created. And finally Tamriel and all beyond it?"

Paarthurnax spoke contemplatively, "A time long forgotten. A time that predates even myself. But yes, I am familiar with the vaguely remembered tales recounting the creation of all that is. Between the Aedra and the Daedra. My father Akatosh presiding over all before my brother and I came to be. What of it, Dovahkiin?"

I could not even turn my head to look at him. I removed my helmet and set it aside as I said, "The truth of the matter is... This world did not come to be through divine will. This world was created...by a quill on parchment. A story woven by many. The setting was Tamriel. The people in it were the cast. And... Dagoth Ur... The Oblivion Crisis... The return of the World Eater... They were the conflicts to be resolved. Everything that has... Everything that is... Everything that will be... It is not the result of the Divines. For even they are a product of an author's whims. Even I..."

My ancient friend was silent. But I did not know if it was out of horror or shock. I bowed my head as I continued. "Dovahkiin... Dragonborn. I am only him because that is the role I stepped into when I began to read this story. This is all...just a role. A character I am playing. Behind that facade, I'm just an ordinary man who embarked on this tale. A story...of fiction and fantasy. Even her..."

I turned my gaze upwards at the distant form of Cynder. Thank goodness she was too far out of earshot with nothing but the wind in her ears. "Even Cynder... She's the same as you. A work of fiction. A character...spawned by a different story. This world... Her world... They're all spawned from memories I have. This whole world...is just an image on the lid of a sleeper's eyes. A dream. My dream."

With great reluctance, I turned to look at my friend while he gazed at me. "I'm sorry, Paarthurnax. Everything about this world is just fantasy. Created by my memories of fictional tales written by others. Characters who never really existed. You...don't truly exist. Nothing in this world does. I'm sorry."

And with that, he just...stared at me. I even noticed that the deep and powerful breaths of Paarthurnax remained calm. He was not horrified by what he had just heard nor was he beginning to panic. And his seemingly stiff beastly face made the act of reading his emotions nigh impossible. I began to feel confused myself as I asked, "Are you...not horrified by this information? Are you feeling all right?"

Paarthurnax simply let out a long and powerful sigh as he gazed upon me. I saw his eye close briefly before he said, "Krosis Fahdon. Did you expect madness to take me? As if the will of the Daedric lords sank their hooks into me? No... No, that is not so. Perhaps time has...tempered me to accept that I am but another cog in the wheel of fate. We all are, as the Elder Scrolls foretold."

Was he intentionally misinterpreting my words? I turned to Paarthurnax fully and said, "That's...not what I'm saying here... I meant what I said. You. The Divines. Everything in this world and beyond are..."

"Yes, Dovahkiin. Yes. I understand. I was merely stating that my acceptance of fate...may have prepared me for this." Paarthurnax spoke during the briefest lull in my words. I had spoken and he had listened. Now it was my turn to listen to my ancient friend. Paarthurnax cast his gaze upon the flickering flames before us as he said, "And as you say... Even the Elder Scrolls were wrote by something beyond even the Divines... Even... Bormah... Akatosh himself. A result of the whims of mortal minds, weaving tales from far behind the eyes and thoughts of those who reside on all planes of existence... Alduin would be broken were he to know how insignificant his existence truly is..."

He was calm... Too calm. Hardly distressed or even crestfallen in the face of the news I had just spoken to him. I cautiously spoke to my friend, "You are...being much more accepting of the truth than I was anticipating."

A deep chuckle rumbled through Paarthurnax's long throat. "And why would I not be? I know my place in the grand scheme of things as the Elder Scrolls have foretold. All you have revealed is that there is another layer of that tale beyond them. I find it...intriguing. But in the end, little changes. To the Elder Scrolls, everything they foretell may as well be a work of fiction. Fiction within fiction. Perhaps even beyond your dreams, someone or something is chronicling your every act. Who can say?"

Paarthurnax had completely turned the tables on me. Now it was I who was struggling to comprehend what I had been told. I gazed up at the arctic sky above as I mumbled, "Now that really is quite the mindscrew... Like something out of a cosmic horror story... I probably shouldn't think too hard about it."

The wise and ancient drake openly laughed at my own confusion. What a strange twist... He then said kindly, "But truly, Dovahkiin... For me, this changes little. For I will continue to exist here in this land. Whether you are thinking of me or not. But I must ask..."

He lifted his head to gaze upward. And only then did I happen to notice the splash of dark violet and rosy head hues carrying along a single glowing white line. Cynder was nearing the summit above. Paarthurnax then asked softly, "Does she know?"

I sighed harshly. The ancient Paarthurnax was one thing. But a young woman like Cynder... "No. She...can't be allowed to know. Not yet."

My response prompted Paarthurnax to glance at me out of the corner of his eye. "Not...yet, you say? If she cannot be permitted to know, then why consider telling her regardless? Nis Mindoraan."

I gazed upon the very distant form of Cynder as I glimmer of hope burned in my heart. "There may be a way out for her. To escape the dream realm and join me in the realm of reality. Powerful beings... Close friends of mine who are watching us right now. They are researching and experimenting with their unique forms of magic to try and bridge that gap. When it's time for Cynder to awaken...and become real... Only then can she be allowed to know. Because by then it won't matter if she was ever fictional at all."

"Ah... Now I see. Onik Drem. Then I hope for your good fortune in this endeavor. I know nothing of this Cynder in your company, but you seem fond of her. I hope that your efforts will grant her happiness." Paarthurnax said with a subtle smile at the edges of his maw. But he then glanced at me and asked, "And...beyond this realm of dreams you claim we now reside in. What is this real world you call home?"

"It's not the world I was born in. I was found in the world called Earth. A blighted world that surely has a doomed future. I was found...and transported to a very distant world across the cosmos. A world that calls itself Equestria." I replied as I bowed my head and pondered all that had happened after my arrival. Wonderful experiences and many friends and even lovers gained. And few but devastating crises that I became embroiled in. I spoke with a sigh, "It's...such a beautiful world. Not like mine. Or even like this one. A world of purity and innocence. A world I want to preserve."

I lifted my head to gaze at Paarthurnax as he gazed at me out of the corner of his eye. A burst of inspiration struck in me as I spoke with a calm smile. "Perhaps you too could make that jump to the realm of reality. It doesn't have to just be Cynder. You can do it too. I'd be happy to have..."

"No... No, Dovahkiin. I must not." Paarthurnax spoke unexpectedly with a somber tone. I could not see it in his face, but I heard it in his voice. He then said to me, "Remember what I told you. Dov Wahlaan Fah Rel. My kind are meant to dominate. And this world... A world of innocence... Of purity, you say."

All I did was nod. While there are very powerful beings in the world of Equestria who guide and protect it when needed, I knew where Paarthurnax was coming from. He then continued, "The you also remember that not a day goes by where I am not tempted to return to my inborn nature. I have conquered those ancient impulses through eons of meditation. But this world of yours... This...Equestria."

I felt my heart sink. There was a growing sorrow in Paarthurnax's voice as he turned his great beastly head to gaze at me. "If this world is what you say it is... Then if I were to see it for myself... To see such meek innocence... I fear my conquered instincts would struggle all the harder. The urge to dominate... To devour... I fear that even eons of temperance would not be enough to..."

My hand rose and rested upon his chin. I could almost hear Paarthurnax's voice beginning to quiver as he spoke. "No... I beg of you, Fahdon. Leave me here. Tamriel is my home. It is where I belong... Where I am needed. Do not bring me into a world that I am not meant to see. Do not unleash me onto a world where I will surely be doomed to return to being exactly what my kind came to be despised for... Do not let me become your enemy. Do not let me...devour the world you love."

He knew himself well. Paarthurnax knew the inner working's of a dovah's mind better than anyone else. I wanted to believe there was hope, but...I had to put my faith in his words first. Paarthurnax had found his place in the world of Nirn. That world had tempered him in a way only it could. But in Equestria... I bowed my head as I felt a single tear flow free. "I won't... I'll...leave you where you belong, old friend."

A shuddering breath wheezed forth from Paarthurnax's powerful maw. And he spoke surprisingly softly. "Ah... To feel tears flow... I have often wondered if a dovah could truly weep... It would seem we can."

I saw it. A liquid trail flowing down the sides of his jaws. And I saw a smile form at the edges. He spoke to me with his voice trying to reign in its booming tone. "I must confess... My memories of you are...not quite how you are now. You were never so...kind during our previous meetings... You were the Dovahkiin...but as you are now... Is this the true you, Fahdon? To be clad in armor for war, yet so...gentle? Dovahkiin... No. Please, tell me. Who are you? What is your true name?"

I did not hide the truth. I bowed my head and rested my brow against the side of Paarthurnax's face. "My name is James."

"Ah... Not at all a name of Skyrim. You appear to be a Nord, yet not at all Nordic. Truly...you are not of this world." Paarthurnax spoke with an almost amused smile on the edges of his face. He tilted his head towards me and said, "Then...I am honored to know the true you if this is truly our final encounter. I will long for the days of our conversations. But should you ever find the urge to return... I shall be waiting here for you. Bring me many stories to hear, yes? I am most curious of what happens in the world you now call home."

"I can't make any promises, but... If... If I do return... You will be the first person I seek out." I said some peaceful resignation. To be able to speak with Paarthurnax as myself...and not the persona I had adopted as I experienced the story of Skyrim... It was an enlightening and pleasant experience. But not a moment sooner, I felt Paarthurnax tilt his head back to gaze upward. And as I did too, I felt the world tremble. The time was near. "Huh... Looks like she made it."

Cynder had reached the very top of the Throat of the World. And she took her sweet time up there just gazing around at the vast horizon around her. A part of me was hoping he would return to us soon. I did not want to wake up without having Cynder at my side. And sure enough, she did try to descend as quickly as possible by gliding back down. But the harsh winds of the mountain would not have it. She twisted and struggled to avoid getting blown clear of the mountain. I finally decided enough was enough I held out my right hand. "Oh fine, allow me."

I took hold of Cynder in a levitation spell as she quickly and evenly descended the peak in a straight line. She looked confused as she was wrapped in the billowing golden yellow aura of Celestia's magic. Cynder soon fell out of sight behind the walls of ice around us and came galloping through the narrow gap between them without the Celestial Sword. The snow around the fire had already melt and had revealed the stone beneath. Paarthurnax then asked with a smile, "Satisfied your curiosity, have you?"

"Yeah, I did. What a view... And what a pain the wind up here is!" Cynder grumbled while looking very tired out. Scaling the peak on foot while lugging around the Celestial Sword in her mouth must not have been fun. Although Cynder then said, "I don't know where you found the wood to light a fire up here, but I'm glad you did. I really need to rest my limbs now..."

Cynder promptly came over and curled up against me with her head resting against my breastplate. I felt the world quiver again. It was almost time, but I hoped I could spare several more minutes. Between the dragon and the dovah, I felt safe and comfortable. Paarthurnax even curled his body inward a bit to try and encompass Cynder and I. Perhaps he too in his vast wisdom could sense the world quiver and waver around us. He asked with his gentle yet booming voice, "Will you two be off soon?"

"Yeah... But not yet. This is...nice." I replied as I leaned further towards Paarthurnax's head. It was comforting to be in his presence as a friend. "I'm glad I was able to see you like this."

"Hmm... As am I, Fahdon. Such companionship... There are many pleasures only mortals truly understand. Pleasures the dov never understood. I am grateful you could share this with me." Paarthurnax said with an almost exhausted sigh. While ageless, he was still old. And he certainly felt like it.

Cynder tilted her head to see past me as I once again felt the world waver around me. "That's a shame... Even my species of dragon are known for their longevity, but we're still mortal. There are so many things you can do in this world and so many people to meet. I haven't been in Skyrim long, but I've met quite a few good people down there."

Paarthurnax let out a rumbling chuckle as he then said, "Ah, if only I could do the same. But even if the people of Tamriel would look upon me as an equal, I could...only do so much. As I am sure you can see by simply gazing upon me. But I have long since accepted my place in the fabric of this world."

"Yeah... You wouldn't even be able to fit through the door of a local tavern. Couldn't hold a tankard of mead... Come to think of it, just how much mead can your kind down before they become even remotely intoxicated?" I asked with Paarthurnax letting out quite the hearty laugh. I felt the air quiver around us from the sheer power of that bellowing guffaw. Even Cynder cringed at the sheer volume of it. But as I pondered my words, I suddenly had an idea. I began to reach under my armor's right wing and said, "Come to think of it, I'm sure I've got a bottle of the stuff around here somewhere..."

Cynder cast me a bit of a cockeyed stare as she then asked, "Wait, you do? How? You weren't carrying a satchel on you when we came up here."

"I said I have a spare bottle around here somewhere." I replied while knowing someone was watching and listening. And so I began to say, "A nice cold one liter bottle...of Honningbrew mead... Ah, there it is."

Luna heard my call and provided me with what I requested. I pulled my hand out from under my armor's wing the instant I felt something solid materialize in my grasp. Sure enough, a tall bottle of mead with the Honningbrew label was in my grasp. "See? I told you I had one."

"How... You know what, forget it. But how about I have a sip?" Cynder retorted with such a baffled gaze. She was right. I had nothing on me to carry such a thing, but there it was anyway. I used levitation magic to pry off the cork and poured a helping right into Cynder's waiting maw. "Mm! Perfectly chilled! And I can still taste the honey."

"Good stuff, right?" I replied before taking a swig of it myself. I then turned to Paarthurnax and held up the bottle. "The rest is for you. Ready?"

"Ha! Never before have I tasted Skyrim's most famous nectar. You do me a great kindness, Fahdon. I thank you." Paarthurnax laughed before bringing his great head closer and opening his maw. He made certain to tilt his head back to insure it would all go right down the hatch since he did not have much in the way of cheeks to keep it from spilling out the side.

I wanted to make certain Paarthurnax would get the best experience possible and began to pour the bottle right over the tip of his tongue. It washed right down the middle and down his throat. And it was pretty ridiculous how I was watching that behemoth of a drake chugging almost an entire liter of mead as quickly as it left the bottle. Once the flow of mead had been reduced to mere drops, Paarthurnax closed his maw and tilted his head back to swallow it all down. He sighed deeply before saying, "Ahhhh... Frigid and sweet... Never before have I partaken in such sweet and potent nectar. I can feel a warmth in my belly in spite of the chill."

"I hope it doesn't mess with you too much. Downing too much mead at once can make a guy nauseous." I replied while speaking from experience. Mead has a unique potency that other liqueurs and even wine does not have. But I was still glad to have a toast to what would surely be my final meeting with one of my most important friends in Skyrim. I took the bottle in my hand and lifted it high. "Cheers, old friend."

"Yes. To us, Fahdon." Paarthurnax said with another long and satisfied sigh of his powerful voice. I brought the bottle's mouth to my lips to try and get what few remaining drops were left. But then I felt the world quiver again. And Paarthurnax surely noticed as well. He turned his head towards me and said, "Little wyrm... If you would permit this old dovah to ask you... A request."

Cynder immediately lifted her head and asked, "Sure. What is it?"

I saw Paarthurnax glance at me out of the corner of his eye before he turned his attention to Cynder once more. "I know that you two must depart before long. And I cannot follow. I must remain here. You two will be far beyond my sight soon. I can't follow, but you will remain by his side. Yes?"

The little dragoness at my side looked at me while I looked at her. She then looked back to Paarthurnax and spoke with a noticeable warm smile across her lips. "There's nowhere I'd rather be. Without him, I'm lost."

Paarthurnax smiled as he began to kindly yet cryptically speak to her. "Ah, I see. Pruzah. Then I have little need to worry. I can sense it in you. You are no dovah. Your voice does not carry the might of the Thu'um. But I sense within you magic that is not of this world. Powerful forces for you to use. He will be in good hands in your company. Watch over him, Mal Hahnu Vahlok. For you need him more than you know."

"I really don't understand all these strange words, but...yes. I'll keep him safe. No matter what. His enemies are my enemies and they will never have him." Cynder replied while I too had to wonder exactly what some of those words even meant. I have never been fluent in the dragon language of Tamriel. Too archaic to memorize. But Cynder then looked at me again as she smiled more somberly. "I'm with you."

"I know. And thank you." I replied before setting aside that empty bottle and resting my armored hand on Cynder's back. She nestled up against me as I lifted my head to gaze beyond the walls of magic ice and the summit of the Throat of the World. I could see it far beyond. The gray cloudy skies being overtaken by a gradually approaching white void. My heart sank. And I turned to Paarthurnax one last time. "I have to leave soon... Goodbye, old friend."

"I know... And thank you again for granting me this one final conversation. Farewell, Dovahkiin... Farewell, Fahdon." Paarthurnax whispered as quietly as he could to me before bringing his head closer to me so I could lean directly against him. There was no way his powerful voice could ever hope to speak stealthily, but he did not rouse suspicion from Cynder.

I gazed upon the raging fire before us as Cynder closed her eyes one last time. Between me and the comforting warmth of the flames, she looked ready to nod off for a nap. I kept my hand upon her and looked at my little friend. The last time we parted ways, I was so uncertain of how to feel. But by then... I knew I would miss her dearly. The walls of white were closing in. And when they overtook the walls of enchanted blue ice before us, I closed my eyes.

My dreaming mind transitioned to being awake almost seamlessly. I stared at the ceiling above me in the dark. I felt strangely rested and yet...still so tired. What time even was it? Had I woken up at the crack of dawn? Novo still had me draped in her wing as she slumbered quietly beside me.

Profound disappointment filled my heart. Cynder had returned to me. We found happiness with each other again and dearly wanted to look past that dreadful night where almost everything built between us was destroyed. Everything had been made right again... And once again, we had been forced apart.

Never before has waiting been so difficult. All I can do is wait until the two royal sisters of the night finally find a way to connect reality with the dream realm. I have faith that they will find a way, but... It is just so insufferable having to wait.

With nothing to do and feeling too unhappy to even try to get my day started, I closed my eyes and soon drifted back to sleep in Novo's winged embrace. Perhaps I would get lucky and find Cynder waiting right on the other side with her wondering where I disappeared to for just a little while.

And most importantly... Where would my dreaming memories take us next time?