I spent the next few hours relating to Senna the events that had occurred after the execution - the visit with Thonar Silver-Blood, our false arrest, and our subsequent escape. While we occasionally heard distant sounds of conflict outside, the temple remained untouched. Over time, a few citizens passed within, seeking shelter from the violence, and they brought tales of fighting in the streets between the Forsworn and the city guards - and later, Imperial reinforcements arriving from the nearby garrison. For a time, Madanach had controlled all of Riverside and much of Dryside, pressing hard towards Understone Hall and the Jarl. But the arrival of the Imperial Legion had turned the tide against him, and by dawn Madanach had withdrawn from the city, melting away into the hills.

 

As the fighting played out, I tried to rest - but I only achieved a fitful slumber. Finding a comfortable sleeping position with my newfound antlers was difficult - and after, I'd inevitably toss and turn, waking myself shortly after. Only after Mother joined me in bed, wrapping her arms around me and steadying me, was I able to get some quality sleep. Perhaps if I'd been a little more persistent in trying to lure Jenassa to share our furs, I'd have slept even better, but I was happy enough to get any sleep at all. 

 

I finally rose in the late morning. After placating my protesting stomach with breakfast, Mother suggested I speak with Sister Jolene. I found her offering prayers at one of the idols, though she was quick to turn from her service to speak with me.

 

 

"Sister Kirstia," she said, "you're awake - and well, it seems."

 

I nodded in agreement. "I am, thank you. Mother told me you wished to speak with me?"

 

"Yes, I do. While you slept, I called on Jarl Igmond, and explained to him the circumstances that befell you. He has promised that the corrupt guards who visited this injustice on you will be severely punished. However, privately he suggested to me that it would be best if you left the city for a time."

 

"I'm to be exiled, then?" I asked.

 

"No, nothing like that. There's a matter the Temple needs looked into in any event, and this will keep you away from any attempts to silence you as a witness before the Jarl can complete his purge. While he is not thrilled that you threw your lot in with Madanach, he accepts that as someone falsely imprisoned, you were justified to join in the escape."

 

As much as I was ready to leave Markarth - and maybe leave it forever - by then, it was still a relief to know I'd been exonerated. Having the stink of the city's corruption washed away from my name made me feel a little lighter, and it made me feel a little more justified in what I'd done to Grisvar in achieving my escape. Only a little more, though.

 

"I understand," I said after spending some time wrestling with my thoughts. "What would you have me do."

 

Senna joined us then, concern written on her face. "It's not for us to say. You need to speak to Mother Hamal herself. Kirstia, I know you've had a difficult and challenging road to walk as a neophyte... but we're all proud of what you've done. You may enter the inner sanctum. Go there, and learn of the Lady's mission for you."

 

 

Accepting an ornate key Senna proffered, I bowed my head respectfully. "Sister Senna, thank you. I... I have to tell you that I'd been considering leaving Markarth - leaving permanently."

 

The priestess shrugged. "I understand, and I can't blame you. You've only been here for a few days, but you've seen all the worst that this city has to offer. I hope this mission will give you time to find balance, and that you won't leave the path of service to the temple. But either way, the choice is yours to make."

 

Jolene patted me on the shoulder, adding, "we really are proud of you. You have... incredible potential. But now hasten to Mother Hamal. She will not be pleased at the interruption, but be respectful and all will be well."

 

I crossed the temple hall, key in hand, towards the brass door that concealed the inner sanctum. As I reached it, I found Elizabella - the Sister who had chastised my mother not long before for her unauthorized exploration of my powers - blocking the way.

 

"Sister Kirstia," she said, arms crossed over her chest.

 

 

I tried to keep my voice free of any tension or irritation. "Sister Elizabella, good afternoon."

 

She considered me for a moment, the facets of her jeweled embellishments glistening in the candlelight. Finally, she shook her head in a single, decisive swipe.

 

"I want to apologize to you," she said. "And I'll do the same to your mother next. I was wrong to judge the two of your for your explorations. I've spoken with Mother Hamal and she's taught me much about grace and acceptance. I hope you can forgive me for my arrogance."

 

That surprised me a little, but it was a pleasant surprise. Elizabella was an imposing figure. A Nord, like me, she was slightly shorter, but powerfully muscled and very well endowed on breast and hip. I imagine that if she hadn't chosen the temple life, she could have been a fearsome warrior. Her vestments were different from the other priestesses as well - she covered herself with neither the fine rings of the temple priestesses nor the silk and leather of the travelling sisters. Instead, gems suspended on thick brass wire hung loosely over her body, with thick holden armlets suspending large green gems around her biceps and an open, winding bustier supporting her breasts.

 

Now that she wasn't scowling at me, I realized she was actually rather pretty.

 

"Of course I forgive you, Sister. I understand how Mother's... disobedience might have been upsetting. I'm glad we can speak as friends now, and put that all behind us."

 

Elizabella smiled, almost shyly, "I'm glad too. Will you spend a moment with me before you enter the inner sanctum? I'm told I have been remiss in tutoring you and the other neophytes in Queen Dibella's arts. I'd like to start rectifying that."

 

Her body argued strongly in favor of that ideas. The subtle ripple of muscles under the skin of her wide torso hinted at a firm embrace, and the glint in her eyes promised a very interesting lesson.

 

"Will Mother Hamal forgive my delay in visiting her?" I asked.

 

The priestess nodded with certainty, "yes, I've known Hamal for a long time, and she's always said that when Dibella brings us together, we shouldn't deny her just to tend to mundane business."

 

"Then come, teacher," I said, smiling myself now, "I'm ready for your lesson."

 

Gently, she pushed me to the ground, letting her hard body rest on my just enough to pin me in place. Only inches from her breasts now, I could see that not only did her bustier support her generous bust, the final twist wrapped tightly around her nippes, pulling them away from her body and further shaping her figure.

 

 

Her hair starting to tumble over me, Elizabella looked into my eyes for a moment before leaning close and kissing me. She started with little pecks at my lips, at the corners of my mouth, and even the tip of my nose, before settling down for a deeper penetration into my mouth. As she slid down to come closer to me, her thighs wrapped around my left leg, and I could feel her thick pad of pubic hair caress along my leg.

 

After a time of holding me close, Elizabella guided me into a more upright posture, never releasing me from the lock of her lips. Her right hand slid between my legs, massaging and probing in equal measure. I could feel myself warming fast under her touch, and I shifted, opening my legs further and sliding my hips forward to give her more access to the folds of my vulva - and to the fast moistening depths within. 

 

 

Her massage continued with implacable, steady pressure, coaxing my heart to beat faster and a thin sheen of sweat to start moistening my skin. I was sure that from her touch alone I was about to reach my climax. Chills ran up my spine and I could feel the little hairs on my legs start to prick up into goosebumps. Elizabella smiled at that, slowing her touch. Freeing me from her kiss, she pulled me to my feed and let me to a leather-wrapped couch in a corner of the temple hall. It seemed she had prepared for our encounter, for several implements were laid out on an adjoining table. 

 

She pushed me into the seat, pulling me a little forward and separating my legs so I was fully exposed to her, then showed me polished rod made from a series of spheres or bulbs. Crooking an almost imperceptible smile at me, she said, "I'm told you had something similar to this inside you before. Now let me show you what a difference an experienced pair of hands makes."

 

 

With a firm, experienced hand, Elizabella guided the first sphere into my vagina. I was positively dripping from her previous attention, and while I gasped as the widest part passed into me, there was no real resistance. She gradually worked the first three into me before she slid it back out of me and repeated the motion, this time faster, and reaching the fourth sphere. This continued, first drawing gasps and moans from me, and slowly turning into fast, quick pants. Finally, almost the entire rod was within me, and Elizabella pressed it home with the heel of her palm. I could feel my passage close around the last sphere, almost spasming, unable to relax, despite the top of the rod pressing hard against the entrance to my womb. 

 

By now, my hands had taken on something of a mind of their own, and I was roughly pinching my right nipple between the pad of my thumb and the side of my pointing finger, while my left hand rubbed hard and fast against my clitoris. Elizabella, pushed my left hand aside though, replacing my fingers with her lips and tongue, and so I took to squeezing and pulling on my other nipple as well. I could see her eyes looking up at me from between my legs, watching me with satisfaction. As I felt a rush of wetness start to run out of me, she pulled back, leaving me unfulfilled. 

 

Elizabella smiled at my wryly, saying, "I don't think I'm ready to taste your piss just yet, little one. And I don't think I'm ready to let you come either."

 

That made me redouble my efforts to push myself over the edge. The muscles in my loins were crushing down on the rod, while I was tugging so hard at my nipples it hurt, but in spite of that I could feel the impending orgasm fading away. 

 

She started to turn me then, first placing me on my side and then, as she sat beside me on the couch, turning me until my shoulders were resting on the ground, pulling my rear up in the air. Slowly, she pulled the rod out of me, leaving me gaping open and at her mercy. She dipper her fingers into me several times, coating them liberally with my juices, before turning to my back passage. With little resistance, I felt her fingers start to slide in and out of me.

 

 

"Ah," she said, seemingly pleased, "still snug, but not too tight to work with. That is good."

 

Making sure I could see before she put it to use, Elizabella produced a polished pear-shaped object. "Do you think this will fit inside that little hole of yours?"

 

I must have looked less than confident because before I could muster a proper response she laid down a little spank on my rear and said, "No? Well, I think it will. Let's find out."

 

I gasped as she started to push it into me. At first I clenched my rear almost instinctively, but that only made the pain worse and, remembering Mother's advice at the Doomstone, forced myself to relax. The pear started to enter me, and despite between lubricated my body protested at the intrusion. As it reached its widest part, I screamed loudly and then, suddenly, it was in. Once that last wide spot was passed, my own muscles pulled it the rest of the way, leaving only the bottom flange projecting from my rear.

 

"There, I knew I was right. Now I think you're ready to finish up." With that, she grasped the rod and began to plunge it into me vigorously. 

 

 

The pressure inside me was building fast and constantly now, and with each thrust of her fist, spasms ran through my belly. Holding back my climax was impossible - I fell into it, clenching and releasing the rod and the pear both over and over. Finally, Elizabella forcefully pulled the rod from me one last time, and then leant over to taste me. Licking and sucking loudly, she slurped up the pooling juices between my legs and kept my swollen clitoris continually straining for release. I must have come at least twice more before she finally ended her lesson.

 

Elizabella gathered me up from the floor and laid me across her lap on the couch. She held me in her arms, exchanging little kisses and petting my hair until the quivering stopped and my breathing started to return to normal. 

 

"How did that feel?" she asked.

 

I couldn't must an answer right away, so I kissed her again.

 

"There's much more for me to teach you," she said, "consider that your first step on mastering the next level of the Dibellan Arts. But now you have an important decision to make."

 

"Oh?" I managed.

 

"Do you like how the pear feels? Would you like to wear it for a while?"

 

I thought about that. While it hard hurt going in, the feeling of fullness in my rectum was rather pleasant, and the constant pressure against my anus we giving me a constant 'scratching the itch' sensation that I relished.

 

But I also knew that the spiders resting deep inside me needs to have a clear path to escape in an emergency. And so I shook my head.

 

"I like how it feels but... I think I need to be, um, unplugged, just in case."

 

"Then relax, and I'll help you," she said, her fingers wrapping around the protruding flange. "Pull your knees back with your hands and loosen up as much as you can." 

 

I obeyed, assuming the particularly exposed posture Elizabella had instructed me to take, and she started to wiggle the pear free. Finally, it popped free with a slurping noise, and I heard a little hiss as  a little magically-charged excrement followed it out and singed the couch. Quickly cleaning me with a silk cloth, Elizabella considered me for a moment. "I see your mother wasn't exaggerating about the effects of the magical power bottled up within you. I will enjoy exploring you more in the days ahead - though perhaps with the benefit of protection."

 

My head had swum a little at the powerful sensation of the pear's removal, and it took me a second to muster words. "I'm sorry," I said, "I should have warned you when you first started putting your fingers in."

 

She dismissed that with a shake of the head. "No, you did fine. Now up on your feet - Mother Hamal is waiting for you."

 

Passing through the door, I found that my imagined version of the inner sanctum was all wrong. I'd anticipated finding another large chamber, a mirror of the main temple hall, on the far side of the sanctum doors. Instead, I found spiraling downward ramps that led me deeper and deeper below ground. As I continued, I heard a voice echoing in the distance -- Dibella, guide us! Dibella, show us your Sybil!

 

Finally, I emerged into another temple hall, this one lined with bookcases and racks of alchemical supplies. A profoundly well-endowed woman dressed in an open robe turned from her prayers to confront me.

 

 

"And just what do you think you're doing?" she demanded.

 

"Sister Senna sent me to speak to Mother Hamal," I said.

 

"Unfortunately, we don't allow the uninitiated into the inner sanctum. You have committed a breach, and must pay the penalty."

 

A little concerned, I asked, "what is the penalty?"

 

"Normally, a period of servitude. I'm also tempted to make an example of you, to put an end to these interruptions. But I think I know why Senna sent you, and if so, I can put you to a better use."

 

"And what use is that?"

 

The woman - who I was almost wholly certain now was Hamal - glowered at me. "The ceremony you so rudely interrupted was the Exalted Protocol of the Dibellan Sybil. Our Sybil was recently lost to us. Through the protocol we have seen the home of the next Sybil. It lies in a small village to the north, pressed against the stone. Travel there, retrieve the young Sybil, and I will forgive your transgression."

 

I realized that at last, I was embarking on the quest Dibella had laid on that cold morning so long ago. "I accept," I said, pleased by this turn of events.

 

"We believe the village is Karthwasten. Move quickly, and bring the girl to our temple with all haste."

 

"I will return soon with the Sybil," I said, bowing my head respectfully.

 

I left then, retracting my steps to the temple. When I emerged into the temple hall, I waved to Mother, the shock of Hamal's brusque interaction starting to fade in favor of excitement about the coming adventure.

 

"Mother," I said, "it's time. We're going to find the Sybil."

 

Edippa smiled broadly. "I knew you hard work would be rewarded. Do you need to do anything first, or will we leave immediately?"

 

"Right away, I think. I... I don't just need to set out on the quest, I need to get out of Markarth. I need some fresh air."

 

Mother didn't argue with me, and with Jenassa joining us we made our way to the city gates. Once outside, I felt the chill of late afternoon air on my body - something that the unnaturally warm streets of Markarth had denied me for the whole of my stay. Even Cidhna Mine is far from cold, between the large bonfire in the main cavern and just the heat cast from the naked bodies of its inhabitants. But here, finally back in nature, I felt the cold on my body. My skin tightened and my nipples hardened, and for the first time since I'd had the luminous paint put on my body, I rather regretted having my body hair shaved off - for both my underarms and my nethers could definitely feel the chill on the air.

 

We walked for a time, following the road north away from the city. At length, as gloom and shadow descended, we set about pitching our tent and building a fire. After an hour gathering wood and a few minutes beyond that stacking and lighting the wood, we pulled in close to the blaze to bask in its warmth.

 

 

Jenassa spoke as she watched the fire burn. "So, how do you feel about Markarth, now that you've seen it's uglier side."

 

I sensed Mother watching me as I contemplated my answer. At length, I replied, "if you'd asked me right after the execution, I'd have told you I was ready to leave and never come back. I still think there is something deeply wrong with that city, something rotten buried so deep it might be impossible to root out. But..."

 

The Dunmer cocked her head as I said that, red eyes twinkling in the firelight. "But." she said, not as a question, but as a statement.

 

"But I also feel drawn to the city. It took a while, but I realize that it is my home. And while I wish King Madanach had been able to take his rightful throne, I don't hate Igmond. If anything, I feel sad for him."

 

Mother seemed surprised to hear that. "His father forced you and I both into exile. Surely he doesn't deserve your sympathy."

 

I sighed at her words, and I turned to look her in the eyes as I answered. "His father did that, and for the last twenty-five years he's been trying to make some good of the mess that was left in his lap. If the Divines are just, he'll lose his throne one day, but until then... until then having to sit on that throne is punishment enough for his father's sins. I don't hold any hatred for him in my heart."

 

Mother put an arm on my shoulder then, considering me with thoughtful eyes. "You know, when I decided to go back to Markarth, I'd hoped to revenge myself on Igmond for what his father did. But there's wisdom in what you're saying. Maybe with time I can feel the same way."

 

We sat for a time, eating a light meal of trail rations before Mother and I said our prayers and the three of us retreated under our tent. Mother and I snuggled up in our large bedroll, while Jenasa stood watch. At length, I switched places with her, tending the fire and watching for signs of trouble until morning. After breakfasting, we took a moment to wash up in a nearby stream before breaking camp. As I lathered up and scrubbed the dust of the road from my body, I felt a little scratchiness between my legs. Evidently, Muiri's shave was starting to wear off and my body was beginning to return to its natural state.

 

 

We returned to the road then, continuing north towards Karthwasten and the new Sybil. At first, we strolled at a casual pace, but as the rising sun warmed my body I tested the limits of the magical ankle wraps and found that I could first jog, and then run with comfort along the rough stone road. In Northpoint, a long run was out of the question - a fantastic way to find oneself freezing to death as the sweat pulled all the heat from your body - to say nothing of doing it naked. Now, with a comfort I wouldn't have expected a month ago, I loped along the path and luxuriated in the wind passing through my hair, the sun warming my whole body, and even the odd little jewels swinging back and forth from their perches on my nipples. I could feel all the soft parts of my body swaying with each step, all the harder parts pumping and propelling me forward. I wondered if this is how the wolf feels while he chases his prey. If so, then I envied them somewhat, for it felt fantastic.

 

Half an hour later, we started to hear the clump of heavy boots and then the rustle of armor. Ahead of us stretched a column of Imperial troops - I supposed a routine patrol. Still, I wondered if there would be trouble, or at least questions, in light of the recent attempt on Igmond's throne. To my relief, the encounter yielded nothing more than some lusty howls and hoots of encouragement as I passed them. I imagine as I overtook the column, the sway and bounce of my rear and made for a nice diversion from their routine drudgery. The same treatment greeted Mother, for her vestments left her rather well exposed as well, until a female centurion - the only woman in the bunch - brought the column back to something resembling discipline with a sharp and unyielding voice. 

 

With the soldiers chastised thus, Jenassa - who had been taking up the rear - was able to pass the column without comment. I'd heart rumors about the lengths the Imperials went to prevent fornication in the ranks, and I wondered just how long it had been since these men had been with a woman. I hadn't seen many Imperials in Markarth during my stay there, and it seemed they mostly limited themselves to their garrison outside the city. While I'm sure the men relied on masturbation and buggery to relieve their urges, if a man's experience of anal sex was anything like my own, it wouldn't be quite the same. I made a mental note to speak with Senna when I returned - I imagine the temple could attract many devotees if some of the neophytes and travelling sisters called on the Imperial garrison to preach of, and to more intimately teach about, Dibella's love.

 

 

Up until this point, the road had seemed safe and well maintained, but as we continued north signs of conflict started to appear in greater and greater evidence. First it was little hints - an arrow protruding from a tree or scorches in the grass, but by the time I reached a small crossroads near a bridge over the river it was evident why the Imperial legion was dispatching patrols. The burnt remains of a plundered supply carriage - and the corpses of three Imperial soldiers - testified to the threat. I wasn't certain if this was the work of bandits or the Forsworn, but either way I asked Jenassa - who'd been kind enough to carry my supplies - to hand me my bow. Slinging a quiver over my shoulder, I forced myself to shift from taking in the beauty of the scenery to scanning watchfully for threats. 

 

 

Moving with much greater care now, our progress north slowed from a leisurely run to a slow, cautious creep. It was worth it, though - as we progressed further north we observed from the brush as patrols of armed Forsworn prowled along the road. I wished then that I'd asked Madanach for some token of safe conduct that I could use to move through his territories without conflict. Unfortunately, without such a resource I didn't dare show myself. 

 

After several hours, we passed back into more settled lands, patrolled by Reach guards and showing far fewer signs of conflict. Following signposts, we started to ascend into the mountains until thatched roofs announced a settlement higher up the path. We arrived in Karthwasten as in the waning hours of the afternoon, and we arrived safe - but that didn't mean we had avoided conflict entirely. 

 

Cresting the last hill before town, we came to see a standoff between armed men and townsfolk. I only caught the end of the conversation, but I understood the gist of it. The Silver-Blood family had decided that the mine was theirs now, and these sellswords would lock out the miners until they agreed to surrender the deed. I toyed with just drawing my bow and killing them in a surprise attack, but we were tired and hungry from our long trek, and I suspected there might be a better way to solve this problem.

 

 

The village was quite small, just a few farmsteads and a barracks where the miners lived. After asking around a bit, the locals pointed me to Karthwasten Hall, that doubled as the headman's house and also the local tavern. While Jenassa secured us some refreshments and a place to sleep, Mother and I spoke with Ainethach, owner of the mine and evident target of the Silver-Bloods' avarice. 

 

He confirmed what I'd gathered from the confrontation in the village square. The mercenaries had taken control of the mine and weren't letting any of the miners go to work until Ainethach agreed to sell the mine. 

 

"That's unfortunate," I said. "You may be pleased to hear that the Silver-Bloods have suffered several blows to their power in recent days." 

 

The headman nodded slowly at the news. "I'm happy to hear that, but it doesn't help me with my current problem."

 

 

"Perhaps my daughter can help," Mother said. "We had came here to look for someone. If we can convince the soldiers to leave, will you aid us in our search?"

 

The man let out a long sigh. "If you can get rid of them, I'd happily help you. But I don't think they'll listen to reason. You should keep your sword close at hand." Looking me up and down, he amended, "and maybe your sword belt, too, since you seem to be lacking for one."

 

"I'd rather not have any more bloodshed," I confessed. "I've been witness to too much of it in the last few days. Hopefully when they realize their promised payment is unlikely to ever arrive, these sellswords will lose interest in your property." 

 

"Aye," Ainethach said, "I hope you're right. I hope you're right indeed."

 

We still had a little lingering sunlight, so we made our way to the mine entrance promptly. While I decided to forgo weapons, Jenassa had her sword at the ready. I was a little surprise to find no sentinel posted outside the entrance. Once within, I observed a few sellswords wandering the upper tunnels in something approximating a patrol, but they made no real effort to stop us, waving us deeper in as soon as I mentioned I was looking to speak with their leader.

 

At length, we reached a well-lit cavern. Ascending a wooden scaffold, I didn't have trouble finding their leader. He was dressed in a battered suit of plate armor that had probably once been expensive.

 

"Hail," I said, "I am Sister Kirstia of the Temple of Dibella. May we speak with you for a moment?"

 

The man waved us over to a table, where we seated ourselves. A rather nice spread of fruit, bread, and cheese stretched over the table, and I wondered if we had arrived just before a meal.

 

 

"The mine's closed," the armored man said matter-of-factly. "You should leave before the locals make trouble for you."

 

"What happened here?" I asked. "They seem very upset with your presence here."

 

He shrugged. "The Forsworn attacked the town a while back, and the headman - Ainethach - petitioned the Jarl for aid. But the Jarl couldn't spare any guards. As a favor to him, Thonar Silver-Blood hired us to clean up the mess."

 

"And I take it this mine is your payment?" Mother interjected.

 

"That's the long and the short of it. I don't understand what Ainethach thought would happen. Protection isn't free, and we really will protect the town from the Forsworn. But they have to sign over the mine."

 

"But if they don't," I pressed, "you won't leave." 

 

"Yeah, you get it. I know priestesses like you ladies want to see a clean, pretty world where everyone gets along, but that's not how things really are. Ainethach started this when he asked for help. He's got what he asked for now, and he needs to accept the consequences. Hell, I don't care if he wants to stay on and manage the place. I doubt the Silver-Bloods care either. They just want the deed, and they want the profits."

 

In the range of injustices I'd witnessed in Markarth, I had to admit that this one was fairly tame. Moreover, this man seemed like he was just doing a job, and wasn't getting any cruel relish out of it. 

 

"You know, I realize I never asked you your name," I said.

 

"Atar," he answered, "late of Evarmor. This whole company, really. I think that's why the Silver-Bloods like us, no ties to all the politics here."

 

"Evarmor, that explains it," I said, "I wondered where you'd got that armor - it's in the High Rock style, and not just a copy."

 

Atar slipped into a chair opposite me. "How does a pretty thing like you know about High Rock armory."

 

I met his eyes and spoke with a smile. "I'm only recently arrived in Markarth actually. I spent most of my life in Northpoint."

 

That elicited a laugh from Atar. Slowly shaking his head he observed, "it's a small world, then. What do you think of Markarth and its Nords, then?"

 

I considered telling him what I thought he'd want to hear, but I stuck with the truth. "Not much, if you want my honest opinion. It feels like a place long in decline, and desperately sick with corruption."

 

The mercenary nodded, offering me a bottle of wine. I accepted it, sipping the sweet liquid as he answered. "That's not an opinion, it's a fact. These Markarth folk are worse than anything on our side of the border. But what can we do," he shrugged, "I swing my sword for coin, you earn your keep on your knees - in prayer that is, not meaning anything untoward - and what we think of the nobles doesn't matter one bit."

 

Mother was nodding in agreement as Atar spoke. "Is it fair to say you're here for the Septims then?"

 

He nodded with a grunt of assent.

 

"And what if I told you your coins were never going to come."

 

"Then we'd have a problem. Are you telling me the Silver-Bloods aren't going to pay up?"

 

I interjected, "more can't than won't. Thonar Silver-Blood is dead and his family's finances are in deep trouble."

 

Atar watched me closely. "Now you have my interest, little lady. Tell me more."

 

I explained the details of the escape from Cidhna Mine, the battle that had seen Thonar cut down, and Madanach's return to lead the Forsworn, though I omitted my own role in the affair. Atar seemed to chew on the facts for a time before letting out a long and forceful exhalation. 

 

"Damnation," he said. "Just when it looked like we had a nice easy job, too."

 

"Would you consider closing up shop and moving on?" I asked.

 

Atar grunted in displeasure. "So I take it you're in league with Ainethach?"

 

Mother shook her head. "Not really, but we need to find a missing person, and I don't think we can do it without his help."

 

The armored man shrugged. "That's a fair enough reason. But there's still the matter of pay. I can't send my men home empty-handed."

 

"I don't have a wagon of coin to offer you," I said, "but we can offer your men Dibella's blessing, and I believe I can convince Ainethach to let you leave with all the silver ore you can haul. If you go north to Solitude, I imagine you can sell it for a good profit."

 

"Dibella's blessing, you say? I think that might salve the men's displeasure at having to leave empty-handed, and you're right that there's enough mined ore here to cover much of our costs. But you need to understand that these aren't soft noble boys. They're a rough bunch. Do you really want to lie with them?"

 

Mother smiled at that, "don't underestimate my daughter," she said.

 

Atar laughted, "your daughter? I haven't had mother and daughter together for a long while. Alright, I think we have a deal."

 

Atar called his men around and explained the deal. After some initial skepticism, they seemed to warm to the deal and began undressing. Atar then looked at me and winked.

 

"If reverend priestess would be so kind, I'd like to taste you before my men fill you up with their seed." He made a show of licking his lips as he said it.

 

I laughed at his absurd mixture of politeness and obsceneity, before beckoning him to get on his knees. As his men prepared to join in our worship, I squatted down and ground my nethers against his face. I felt him kissing my folds and running his tongue up and down the sides of my hood. It made me shiver and gasp a little - this was clearly a man who wasn't inexperienced with women. 

 

 

He managed a few more good licks before the first of his men to undress, a Redguard, joined us. We rose, and I pulled the soldier close to me with one arm, rubbing my whole body against him while I tickled his penis with my right hand. I could feel it growing quickly in my grip, even as Atar started sliding his thick fingers into me from behind. Evidently wanting to get the first go at all of my blessings, I soon felt an even thicker presence replace his finger.

 

 

Atar had done a good job preparing me with his hands, and his girth slid in with a pleasant gliding motion. I sighed as he guided it all the way in, until I felt the warmth of his hips against my rear end. Leaning forward, I kissed the Redguard on the mouth while I reached past his now-fully-erect penis to experimentally grip his scrotum. As my tongue worked past his teeth, I gently learned the size of his balls, how mobile they were within his sack, and if he would recoil from gentle squeezing and tugging. Far from rejecting my touch, my tugs seemed to harden him even further, and I could feel a bead of moisture form on his tip and start to smear against my forearm. 

 

 

Before long, I could feel the Redguard reaching beneath my knee and lifting my leg. The move let Atar plunge in even deeper, and I let out a little gasp of pleasure each time he reached the full depth of his stroke. I expected to feel a flood of his hot seed soon, but instead - perhaps in consideration of his soldier, he pulled back and then out, pressing his now-slick member against my puckered anus. I relaxed the tight muscle and let him in with a little gasp as his pressed in deep, opening my back passage wide and pleasantly scratching that itch. Unsurprisingly, the Redguard didn't leave me empty for long. Pulling close, he lifted me up a little further and then slid in to replace his leader's presence in my vagina. 

 

The two men worked back and forth, quickly establishing a rhythm between the two of them. I wondered then if this wasn't their first time sharing a woman. True or not, they were doing a good job, and I felt my body heating as little twitches pinched at my lower belly each time the Redguard's shaft rubbed along the roof of my canal. 

 

 

This continued until I started to feel thick spurts of hot fluid pump into my rectum. He gushed into me an impressive six times before running dry - more than I'd come to expect from men - and after he made a few most strokes I expected him to pull out. Instead, as his own motions slowed and he became soft, he stayed within me while lifting my other leg so his man could pluge in even deeper. I was certain at this point that these two had definitely shared a woman before, as they seemed quite practiced in their motions.

 

 

Glancing down for a moment, I was surprised to see that the two men's scrotums, now wholly relaxed and swinging, were bumping against each other with every thrust of their hips. Perhaps it wasn't just women they had shared together. It struck me as a little unusual for a pair of men to pleasure one another by sharing me as their toy, but it was far from the oddest way I'd found pleasure since Mother started instructing me. 

 

We continued until, with a loud grunt, the Redguard also released his seed into me. The men laid me down gently, their semen comingling as it slowly slid from my openings. Mother had already started tending to the other soldiers, and I took a few moments to rest before beckoning to one of the waiting men. This continued for some time, until each man had found his release at least once. In truth, it seemed Atar had been exaggerating in his warning about his men's roughness. While a few had pulled at my hair or gave something that might have been the start of a love bite, they all seemed to set about their lovemaking with a strong but staid hand. While I was a bit sore by the end, the whole affair was a pleasurable one, and judging by Mother's cries the same had been true for her. 

 

After I caught my breath, I looked to Atar. The big mercenary was strapping his armor back on, and he caught my gaze without hesitation.

 

"You did well, Reverend Priestess. And I'm as good as my word. We'll spend the night collecting all the silver ore that's waiting for the smelter, and we'll leave with first light. You can tell Ainethach that he's on his own - for better or for worse." 

 

Helping myself to some of the food he had laid out on his table, I nodded, smiling, "and your men showed admirable restraint of their... roughness. I hope we meet again some day, Atar, you're an interesting man. Perhaps next time we can share stories of High Rock over an ale."

 

"Perhaps," he said with a nod. "Until then, Divines watch over you."

 

 I rested and ate for a time, before a loud gurgle in my stomach told me it was time to find the privy. After releasing a mass that must have been two parts gummy, clotted semen for every one part excrement, I felt like a tremendous pressure had been taken off my tummy, and I let myself sit on the makeshift toilet for a time before I cleaned myself up and returned to where Mother and Jenassa were waiting. 

 

"Daughter," Mother said, "what happened to your soul gems?"

 

That hadn't been what I'd expected her to say, but I looked down and discovered that they were indeed no longer attached to my nipples. 

 

"I don't know," I concerned, "they must have come loose during the orgy."

 

We looked around for a moment before catching a glint of light that revealed their location, stuck between two floorboards. Mother retrieved them and slipped them into a belt pouch. "Unless you want to put them back on," she said, "I'll hold on to these for now. I'm curious to learn more about their magic."

 

I couldn't argue with her. I'm not sure what had brought it on, but I was incredibly hungry, and I dove right back into raiding the mercenaries' dinner table, this time setting on hearty farm bread and a nicely seasoned fish fillet.

 

"Hey, leave some for my men!" Atar called up as he watched me take yet another serving.

 

Before I could reply to him, Mother put a hand on my wrist. "Daughter," she whispered, "you're leaking."

 

I looked down and found that indeed, a long rope of semen was lazily drooping out of my. "Here, put one foot up on the chair," she said, and I obeyed. Now spread open with one leg in the air, Mother produced a fluffy wool swatched, wiping and dabbing at me until I was clean. Not content to let me go like that, she leaned in and planted a firm, sucking kiss on my clitoris. She held her lips in place, sucking repeatedly, until she released me abruptly. 

 

"Ah, you can't tease me like that," I complained.

 

Mother laughed, "are you saying that I can't have a little fun now and then? How else are you going to learn all the Dibellan Arts?" 

 

I rolled my eyes in response before catching her in my arms and driving her down to the floor. I locked my lips to hers, eagerly exchanging kisses while I rubbed my body against hers. We didn't continue long before I rolled off her, both of us laughing. 

 

 

"Daughter," she said, "I had many fantasies about what our life together would be like, but this was never one of them. I'm glad we met as strangers before we learned of our family ties. I'm so grateful that I can be your mother and your lover. And I think Queen Dibella feels the same way."

 

I pulled her close again, this time not kissing her but just pulling her into a strong embrace. "You're so warm, Mother," I whispered as we held one another in our arms, basking in each other's flesh.

 

"Mother," I asked at length, "in the future when I practice the Arts, will you join me?"

 

She leaned forward and planted a little peck on my lips. "I thought you'd never ask," she said. "Of course." Lowering her voice then, she added, "And if we're lucky, perhaps we can convince Jenassa as well. I think we can make her very happy if we can ease her out of her shell."

 

We both looked at the Dunmer then, who had been watching us from a distance. She blushed a little and looked away.

 

Our work done in the mine, we emerged into darkness. Evidently, while the orgy had run on, night had fallen and the people of Karthwasten had returned to their homes. Fortunately, Ainethach unbolted the door of Karthwasten Hall when we knocked and admitted us within.

 

Trying not to put on too much of a smirk, I told him, "you won't be hearing from the Sellsword any more. They're leaving at first light."

 

The headman shook his head but slowly cracked a smile. "That won't be the last we hear from the Silver-Bloods, but at least we can get back to work. Thank you, Reverend Sister."

 

"Now that we've resolved that situation," I said, "I was wondering if you could help us with something. We're looking for a girl who we believe lives around here."

 

"Oh my," he said, "I think I know exactly who you're talking about."

 

"You do?" Mother and I asked at the same time.

 

"Well, this isn't the kind of town that attracts lots of little girls. But Enmon, he brought his daughter here. I'm sure... well, I'll let him tell you the details. Talk to Enmon."

 

Ainethach escorted us across the town square to the other large farmhouse and promptly rapped on the door. "Enmon! Open up! Someone's hear about Fjotra!"

 

I heard feet descending stairs on the far side and then the door swung open with a forceful pull. Greeting us was a gentle looking man, his nose and brow decorated with runny paint. He led us within until, stopping at the hearth, he turned back to me.

 

 

"Why are you here?" he asked, "what do you know about my Fjotra? Is she safe?"

 

"I think," I said, "I mean to ask you the same thing. I've come from the Temple of Dibella, in search of a young girl who lives here in Karthwasten. Your headman, Ainethach, thinks this must be your daughter."

 

"Dammit woman," he said, "have the Divines sent you to taunt us?"

 

I was a bit taken aback by that. "I'm sorry," I said, "I don't understand."

 

"She's gone," he said with sad finality. "When the Forsworn attacked us, before those sellswords showed up, they took her. Took her off to their camp at Broken Tower Redoubt. She was the one they wanted. Ainethach doesn't believe me, but it's clear as day - they didn't touch anything else."

 

He paused then, exhaling loudly. "I told her they were dangerous. I told her not to go near them. But she didn't listen, and now..."

 

"What do you mean? Did she invite the Forsworn to kidnap her somehow?"

 

The father shrugged. "Fjotra's not much of a girl anymore. More of a young woman, and she's getting restless. Getting interested in men. Getting interested in adventure. And the Forsworn... they fascinated her. Her head was full of daydreams about the fancy-free life she imagined they lived. I think... she must have wandered too close, drawn their attention. And they took her. But why... why is the temple interested in her?"

 

I considered downplaying our mission, but what was the point? So I just told him the truth. "Mother Hamal sent me. Dibella revealed to her that your daughter is destined to be the next Sybil."

 

"The Sybil? Of Dibella?" he asked, stunned for a moment, before stammering. "What an unbelievable blessing! That would explain some of the strange... so you're here to take her to the temple in Markarth?"

 

"Yes," I said. "I've been sent by the Mother herself."

 

Enmon crossed his arms decisively. "Then let's not waste any time. I should come with you."

 

Jenassa interjected. "That isn't a good idea. The Forsworn are very dangerous. Best to leave this to us."

 

He deflated somewhat at her words, but nodded in acquiescence. "You're... probably right. But just hurry. Who knows what those... things... are doing to her."

 

 

 

 

 

Behind the Scenes

Well, it's been a long road, but we're finally on T01, "The Heart of Dibella," where we go out in search of the new Sybil. I have several mods that intersect this quest, so I'm interested to see how this turns out. 

 

Right off the bat, I ran into issues with Sexlab Survival. When I was stopped at the gate for a contraband check, the enforcer confiscated all my equipped armor even though I had a valid license. After consulting with the mod's tech support thread, it appears that the magic license requirement includes non-weapon/non-armor magical items, and since the gifts Kirstia received at the end of MS02 are enchanted clothing they were getting confiscated. For narrative purposes I turned off licenses to allow the story to continue without being disrupted, but I'll have to ruminate on how I want fine-tune the SLS license settings on future playthroughs to account for this.

 

We continued to see some lingering script lag issues that I suspect are fallout from the excessive script instancing that happened in chapter 11. It was most noticeable during tent setup via Campfire, which has always been a mod that acts as a bit of a canary when script load is too high. Out of an abundance of caution I checked the game in ReSaver, but did not observe any one active script that was overloaded. For now, this is a watchlist item for my next build - on that one I'll be switching Lazy Item Hider to Player & Followers only while also setting Fertility Mode to unique actors only. Along with installing the new modular Skyrim at War and reducing its spawns significantly, I'm anticipating I'll see better load handling in the next adventure. If not, then we'll need to revisit the issue and investigate in greater detail.

 

The Skyrim at War edits are also important for a more straightforward reason - the spawn density and difficulty in the Markarth region is just too high. Not reflected in the story is Kirsti and her party dying again and again after getting found and attacked by large (20+ actors) Forsworn raiding parties. You can see a screen shot of one of the huge armies below; it's a little hard to see because of the image space blur, but there are high level Forsworn NPCs visible along the whole road on the far side of the river. The Forsworn also repeatedly attacked Karthwasten itself, which was quite disruptive. Ultimately, I just backtracked to my last save in Markarth and took the carriage directly to Karthwasten.

 

 

I suspect that SAW's author envisioned the Reach as a particularly dangerous and high level area, and that's not necessarily bad; I think there's an argument to be made that this is congruent with the lore. That's especially true in a vanilla game where the main quest steers the Dragonborn in the opposite direction. However, for the game world I'm building, this level of difficult near a major city and quest hub just doesn't make sense. Part of my design is to not give any 'metagame' incentives to use fast travel such as carriages, with the idea being that it's generally better to experience the scenery and the potential of random events and encounters (and also emergent mod interactions). So we'll be toning down the Reach difficulty level in particular.

 

Another interesting mod synergy reared its head during the Edippa/Kirstia scene near the end - apparently either Edippa really likes sex with Kirstia or Kirsti is really good at pleasuring Edippa, because Kirsti's poor mother became super-multi-orgasmic, climaxing five or six times in fast succession during the 3rd stage of the animation. Her SLSO excitement level was more or less pegged at 200%, causing her orgasm bar to fill very fast. This has had the unintended side effect of Kirsti receiving quite a few Marks of Dibella - which if she continues past T01 will help accelerate her rise through the Temple. You can see below, Kirsti is a quivering blob after one orgasm, while her super horny Mother is still raring to go for more - finally down to "just" 100% excitement but with her bar still mstly full.