'Neath Moon and Star

Sword

Naris and Ryna spent the night in an inn in Sadrith Mora. Naris dreams were once again filled with misty barely there people and a language he couldn't speak. Thankfully he managed to sleep through these dreams and wake feeling rested and well.

Naris cracked his neck as he prepared to put his armour on the next morning. He and Ryna had decided on visiting Ald'ruhn again to check up on the dealings of House Redoran before returning to Balmora.

"Naris!" Ryna's shocked call made him spin, clutching for a sword that was not there as he did.

"What?" He asked, looking around wildly.

"Your hip," she pointed at the spot where his shirt had fallen down again after he finished stretching.

Naris looked down, pulling up his shirt as he did. His eyes widened when he saw what had shocked his friend. There on his hip was a patch of gold stretching from front to back. Naris stared blankly at it for a moment. Dunmer did not have golden skin, not anymore, not since the Battle of Red Mountain when they had gone from chimer to dunmer, from gold to grey. But there, on his hip was golden skin. Naris pulled his shirt completely off and looked over the rest of his skin.

There. On his arm, right where the corprus had clawed at his body was more golden skin, contrasting against the dark grey surrounding it. "How?" Naris breathed.

"I don't know," Ryna muttered. "But it's there, you have..."

Naris blinked at her. "I am going to ignore this," he said, still in shock.

Ryna let out a laugh, "ignore it? I guess that works."

"Yes," Naris nodded once. "Now leave me while I dress?" Ryna nodded and stepped out of the doorway to allow him space.

They both remained silent as they walked to the mages guild and travelled back to Ald'ruhn. Ryna did not even speak until they reached Under-Skar. "You can see it on your hand," she said softly, motioning to Naris' left hand.

He looked down to see that there were traces of gold along the wrist and pulled his sleeve down slightly. "Let us hope it does not spread," he said.

"Let us," Ryna winced and nodded. "I do not think you would want to answer those questions." Naris nodded in agreement.

"Naris!" Neminda's voice called from above. Naris turned to see the woman standing outside the council hall. "Perfect timing! Lord Sarethi wished for some assistance."

"I shall head right to him," Naris bowed his head slightly.

"And Ryna," Neminda turned to her. "There are some other things I need you to take care of, if you please?" Ryna nodded, she said a soft goodbye to Naris, who gave his own and turned to walk over to Sarethi Manor.

"Ahh welcome serjo," Lord Sarethi smiled when Naris entered his study. "I was hoping Neminda would send you. You see I have a problem."

"I assumed so," Naris smiled back.

Lord Sarethi laughed, "yes yes." He sobered quickly though. "My son is being held in Venim Manor, which is the first manor to your right when you enter Skar. Bolvyn Venim holds my son as a privilege of private justice. Find my son and bring him back to me. Once you and Varvur leave Venim Manor, you will be safe and no one will follow you."

"You want me to sneak into the Archmaster's house and take a prisoner?" Naris asked.

"I do," Lord Sarethi nodded. "Go now, and then I will have a reward for you."

Naris bowed and turned to leave, thoughts racing with ways to possibly do this.

The manor was open, as the Archmaster's manor always was, but there were guards everywhere and there was no way that Naris could find Varvur like this. Naris fiddled with his bag, trying to find anything inside that would help. When his gold-stained hand ran across the cold metal of an amulet he paused, an Amulet of Shadows. It could make him invisible for at least a while, that would make this easier.