Corpus Tamrielicum - The Imperial Library

138 2. THE ELDER SCROLLS CHAPTER 2: DAGGERFALL
"There's that." The storm seemed to have moved away. Aliera went to the door and stared up
into the sky where clouds raced past the eastern moon. A single large brilliant blue star hung
near the moon. "Zenithar hangs near Tamriel tonight. Moraelyn?"
"I'd thought to mend her roofs tomorrow if it's fair," he said as she returned to the fireside.
"We'll do so much at least. As for the rest, Aliera?"
"She asked for my help, in a way and I...I think I hear Zenithar's voice in the wind and feel his
hand in the rain on this night."
"Thy quest, then, wife."
Aliera nodded, unsmiling. She curled up with Moraelyn in the chimney corner and they
whispered and laughed together for awhile. Edward fell asleep. In the morning he was sent up
on the roof to help Beech and Willow place new shingles. Moraelyn wrote a letter which he
gave to Mats, telling him to take it to the baron, to arrive at the castle around dinnertime and
to go afoot.
"You're going to challenge him for the girl!" Edward grinned. "But will he fight? And
wouldn't he take her back again once we're gone?"
"Mmm. Since he wouldn't let me in his town, thy mother thought to invite him to our house
instead." Moraelyn stamped the letter with his sealing ring and handed it to Mats.
"Oh. It's a long way to your house still, isn't it?" Edward felt a bit of disappointment that no
rescue seemed imminent, but he supposed it really was not reasonable to expect eight people
to take a keep, even if they were Moraelyn's Companions. Probably the songs exaggerated
their deeds.
Moraelyn grinned, ruffled Edward's hair and told him to cease his questions, get up on the
roof, and mind his mother. Moraelyn and Mith set off together on foot. Aliera said they were
going hunting. They did not return even at suppertime. Aliera told Edward not to worry;
they'd meet later.
It was well after sundown when she bid their hostess farewell. They took all the horses with
them and left them in a grove near the north wall of the keep. Aliera asked Edward if he
wanted to wait for them with the horses. Edward asked where they were going.
"We have to enter the keep to get Ora's grandchild out. No questions, Edward. If you're
coming, then stay with me and do exactly as I say. Levitate across the moat: I must swim.
Once across we'll scale the wall. Once inside, just follow me and be as silent as you can."
Edward gaped at his mother and the other Companions. How could the six of them possibly
storm a keep? Three women, two men and a boy? There would be guards up on the wall and a
lot more inside. Mats would be inside too, though, he guessed. But where were Moraelyn and
Mith?
There were fearsome things in the moat. Edward began a protest, then thought better of it.
Ssa'ass slid into the moat first. There was some splashing and hissing, then the water went
quiet. Aliera entered the water. The others levitated.