I can hardly believe we made it to Candlehearth Hall before midnight, but we did!

  We had one hell of a hike getting here, but it was, overall, not a bad day. The weather was only a little bad in spots along the road, and it didn't even get that cold until we got near Windhelm.

  We got up early so we'd have time for a hearty breakfast, then went to the market to sell our goods. Balimund's closed for the time being because he needs those Fire Salts, so we sold off our extra goods to Grelka (she's a grumpy one).

  I went down below to see if Elgrim had any Fire Salts, and so Lydia could give Ingun an update on our progress.

  Elgrim was fresh out of them, and Ingun asked where we were headed to next. We told her we were on our way to Windhelm, and she wished us luck in finding the rest of the ingredients we were looking for.

  On the way out Elgrim's wife, Hafjorg, stopped us and asked if we were going to Windhelm by way of Shor's Stone. Before I could tell her that I had no idea where that was, Erandur and Valdimar said yes, in unison.

  That got a laugh out of everyone, and Valdimar explained that Shor's Stone was on the main road. It would be a bit out of our way, but only barely.

  Hafjorg said that Elgrim was too scatterbrained to take care of a little errand they needed to run. She said that the smith there, Filnjar, had sent them a letter asking if they could identify an ore sample he found in Redbelly Mine. They were glad to, but that was forever ago and Elgrim still hadn't gone to take a look at it.

  Since we were more or less going that away, we agreed to stop by and pick it up. I told her we were on our way to Markarth for the Temple, so it might be a while, but she was fine with that.

  "Not like the rock'll go bad!" she said, and we had another laugh as we headed out.

  We followed the road north, and soon a fort came into view. There were large wooden spikes set up in front of it, and I could see people patrolling on the walls. Valdimar said it was Fort Greenwall, and that he didn't know if the people inside were friendly or not.

  None of us felt like finding out, so we very carefully snuck around. Not far off we saw some houses, and Valdimar said that was Shor's Stone.

  You know, it wasn't even noon when we got there. Elgrim could've been there and back in less than a day!

  The first place we saw was the blacksmith's, and we spoke with Filnjar. He recognized both Erandur and Valdimar!

  Apparently, Valdimar used to pass through there from time to time running errands for Jarl Idgrod, and Erandur was there about a month before we met him. He'd been gathering ingredients around the hot springs when his dagger broke. A mace is no good for cutting roots, so he made for the nearest town to see if he could get it fixed or trade some potions for a new one.

  Anyway, Filnjar explained that he sent the letter to Riften weeks ago, but he knows that Elgrim's the distracted type. Said the man would forget his pants if Hafjorg didn't help him get dressed! He said that Redbelly Mine is an iron mine, but he found this ore that looks like iron but has strange red streaks in it.

  It looks like normal quicksilver to us, but who knows? We're not the experts.

  Filnjar added that he found it right before the "spiders moved in." Turns out the mine was closed for weeks because of them. As usual, the guards were no help, so everyone was just hoping that the spiders would move on before they ran out of whatever it was they were eating in the mine.

  Of course we offered to clear them out, and off we went.

  Redbelly Mine isn't very big. It's mostly just a pit with some scaffolds and a walkway spiraling down, but it gets its name from the thick red fog that fills it. It smells a little bit like copper and rotten eggs. Erandur was "mostly sure" that it was harmless, but it made us all cough a bit, and I know my eyes were watering. Septim whined, and sneezed a few times.

  The mine was also full of spiders! There were only about six or so, but it didn't take long to kill them. Honestly, it took longer for me to do some mining!

  When we got back out into fresh air, I took some time by the smelter to Transmute the iron ore to silver and gold. I'll admit I tired myself out a bit doing it, but I made sure my magicka was good before we left town.

  Once I had my gold ingots, we went to Filnjar and told him that the mine was safe to work in. He was very happy, and awarded us a nice pile of gold.

  While I was stowing that away, he turned towards the town and shouted that the mine was open again. We bid him farewell and went to leave, but had to stop once we hit the road. A crowd of miners, eager to get to work, flooded the street and blocked our way.

  Erandur was looking at the miners as they filed towards the mine, like he was looking for someone. Turns out, he was. At the back of the group, walking slowly, was a young woman about my age. Erandur went up to her and asked how she was doing.

  Her name was Sylgja, and she was surprised to see him wearing armor, but glad he was there. Erandur asked after her leg, and she said it still hurt a little, and that she got tired easily, but otherwise she was doing all right.

  Turns out Sylgja had a terrible accident in the mine a bit before Erandur got to Shor's Stone. She fell off the upper walkway while bringing in some food and landed at the bottom! It's a miracle she wasn't killed, but her leg hit a barrel and a handcart when she landed and broke in several places.

  Erandur did what he could. She'd already started to heal when he arrived, and re-breaking her leg to set the bones properly was out of the question. It was too dangerous, so all he could do was speed up her healing with magic and prayers. He did leave her a handful of potions for the pain, and a few to help her sleep if her leg bothered her too much.

  Of course, her parents were worried about her because she hasn't been able to visit them like she usually does, so she asked us to take them a pack of letters.

  As luck would have it, she's from Darkwater Crossing, and Anneke is her mother!

  Obviously we agreed to drop the parcel off for her. Going by the mining camp meant we took the long way to Windhelm, but we weren't expecting to get here until after nightfall anyway.

  Erandur bid her farewell and we gave her a few extra potions in case she or anyone else needed them, then got back on the road.

  Not far from Shor's Stone we found a guard tower by the road. It was hung with Rift banners, and there were two guards laying dead outside by a campfire. There was blood splattered on the ground, and Septim ran up the steps to the top, barking.

  There were two more dead guards inside, and more blood. There was a locked chest up top, and I took care of that while the others started to loot the rest of the place.

  I got a few potions and some iron weapons out of the chest, and when I went downstairs Lydia held up a note she'd found. She read it out loud to us. It warned of an Imperial Legion nearby.

  I asked why the Legion would attack guards, and Lydia continued. The letter promised reinforcements, and the writer signed off with the words, "Talos guard you."

  Stormcloaks.

  Either actual ones in Rift armor or guards sympathetic to the cause.

  Poor bastards.

  Oh, well. There was nothing to be done about it, aside from laying them out neatly and having Erandur say a few words for them.

  I expected the rest of the trip to be quiet, but the animals started attacking us again! Maybe it's because we'd fought the spiders? I have no idea. At least there weren't many bears or wolves, so it didn't slow us down much.

  At any rate, there's one point where the road flattens out a bit, then goes down sharply. I was in front, and as I looked down I saw a bear. It started to charge me, and I decided to try my new Shout.

  It just… FLEW back and down the hill. I got my Firebolts ready for when it got up, but it didn't move.

  Septim ran forward, barking, and then he sat down and started to wag his tail. I went to check, and the bear was dead.

  I don't know if the fall killed it or the Shout. When I looked back at the others, standing on the rise, they looked…

  Divines, if I didn't know better I'd think they were afraid!

  I know I was.

  They were actually amazed, and were glad that I'd been able to do it. Valdimar said that now I know the whole thing, I can probably practice so I can learn to control it.

  I hope he's right. I didn't ask for this power. I don't want it.

  At least, maybe, I can get good at it. Good enough to keep us all safe.

  Anyway, we got to Darkwater Crossing, and it was getting late. The miners were done for the day, and we found Anneke and Verner in their house, having dinner. They were glad for the delivery, and to hear that Sylgja was doing well. Last they knew, she was still stuck in bed from her injury.

  We agreed to give her some letters in return, but we warned them that it might be a while. They said that was fine. There was no urgent news, which is a good thing.

  We bid them farewell, then left for Windhelm.

  Of course, right as we got back on the road a thief decided that he could take on the five of us. Idiot. I tried to convince him to leave us alone, but he came at me with his daggers. Before I could do anything Lydia rushed forward and just skewered him on her greatsword like a kebab.

  The rest of us stared at Lydia while she wiped the blood off her blade. She just shrugged and said that it was getting late, and she was getting tired of delays. She wanted to get to Windhelm so we could have a decent dinner.

  You know, she gets a bit extra-stabby when she's hungry, so I tossed her an apple once she got her sword put away. She grumbled at me after she caught it. I'm pretty sure she said "thank you."

  The rest of the walk was quiet. It was late when we got through the gates, so we decided to just head here to the inn. We ordered dinner, and I made sure everyone had plenty of supplies and such before I started writing.

  The plan is to go tell Aventus the good news in the morning, then sell off what we got from the thief and the dead guards. We'll head for the manor, and when we're done there, go to Markarth.

  Hopefully, if we're very lucky, the plan will go without any more interruptions.

  At least until we get to Markarth. I don't hold out a lot of hope for things being quiet there.

  -/-/-/-/-/-

  I had a nightmare. Here's hoping writing it down will get it out of my head so I can get back to sleep.

  It was about the bear from earlier, the one I killed with my Shout.

  I'm almost certain that's what did it. I don't think a fall down a hillside would be enough.

  In my dream, the bear ran up, and I Shouted at it, and it fell, just like what happened earlier, but when I looked back to tell the others, they…

  —|||||—

  It's Lydia.

  You couldn't finish writing, so I'll do it for you. I know I didn't ask permission, but this is ink, so… Tough.

  Your dog woke me up because you couldn't breathe. I thought it was your Spirit Wound, but when you could talk again you told me you had a nightmare, and writing it down didn't help.

  So, you told me, and I'm writing it here for you.

  You dreamt about the bear from the mountain. In your dream, instead of being impressed, we were all afraid of you, and left. Even the dog ran away, and you were left all alone in the road.

  You said it got darker and darker, until everything around you was pitch black. You got out a torch, but it didn't do anything. There were no stars or moons, and all the sounds had stopped. You were all alone in darkness, and then the torch went out, and you woke up.

  You told me how you don't want to be the Dragonborn. You didn't ask for any of this. Even if you try to ignore that prophecy, things keep happening to bring you back into it.

  I can't blame you for trying. I know how it is.

  For the record, I think it won't help you to re-read this because it's stupid and would never happen and in fact didn't happen like that, but I know you like keeping track of things, so I'm writing it down anyway.

  First off, you're not scary. Even if you can shout a bear off a mountain. Mudcrabs are more intimidating than you.

  Second, you're not dangerous. Yes, you could probably go on a rampage that would make a Thalmor torturer take notes, but you won't. That's not how you are.

  Lastly, we won't leave. Not just because we're sworn to, but because we actually like you.

  Honestly, I think of all the people in Tamriel, you're the best one to be the Dragonborn. That other guy says he's a Dragonborn, and he started a cult!

  Well - After we talked, I gave you a hug and sat with you until you fell asleep.

  I'm bunking with you tonight because your stupid dog's in my bed and if I go back in there I'll smell like him when I wake up.

  See you in the morning.

  -Lydia.

  I'm so tired. It's well past midnight, and I can't wait for my watch to be over.

  Today was just one thing after another, and that's before we got to this gods-forsaken place.

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  We're in a lighthouse somewhere between Winterhold and Dawnstar right now, and the place is a mess. It was an absolute bloodbath when we came in here, but at least it wasn't hard to figure out what happened.

  But I'm going too fast. I'll start with this morning.

  We woke up and bought an extra breakfast on our way out to give to Aventus. It was early enough that the streets were pretty empty, so I didn't have to worry about anyone seeing us when we went into his house.

  He was excited to see us, and thrilled to hear that Grelod was dead. He paid me for the job with a fancy silver plate, and said that he wanted to be an assassin when he grew up, like us.

  I just rolled my eyes and told him to start packing his things for Riften. We explained that if he went to the guards and told them that he'd like to go back to the orphanage, they'd have no choice but to take him back. Especially if he did it in front of Viola!

  He promised that he would, and that he'd never tell anyone who the "assassins" were.

  We said our goodbyes to Aventus, and left to do some trading before we set off for Dawnstar.

  We weren't far up the road, almost to the bridge to Anga's Mill when we heard shouting and howling.

  A small pack of wolves were attacking a pair of Vigilants on the bridge, and we ran to help. We got there too late for one of them, but the other survived. We helped her move him to the side of the road, and asked if she needed any more help.

  She said that she would be fine, and that she would go to Windhelm to let the Temple of the Divines know to get the body. She said a quick, simple blessing for her companion before she ran off.

  While we were getting what we could off the wolves, I noticed that there was a path that followed the river, branching off the road. I don't know why, but I felt like going that way instead of crossing the bridge, and the others didn't have a problem with the idea. We were still headed the right way, so it's not like it really mattered.

  I did find some ore deposits along the way to mine, so that was good.

  As I gathered some iron ore (have to remember to Transmute that once I'm rested) Lydia told Erandur that he would've made a good Vigilant. He's a good fighter, and he'd renounced Vaermina and didn't like vampires. Why didn't he join them after he got kicked out of the Bard's College? Why did he choose Mara?

  "Because I was done with hate," he said.

  He went on to explain that the Vigilants, while they did good, were often made up of people out for revenge. Their anger was useful, obviously; they saved countless lives, but he'd lived his whole life up to that point driven by it. Everything he had been was built on violence.

  When he found Mara, he realized that all he'd ever wanted was love.

  I couldn't help but sneak a peek at Valdimar, and I honestly can't describe the look he was giving him. It wasn't a bad look, but it was more than just "understanding." I think he looked hopeful.

  Anyway, right about then we got to where the trail flattened off for a bit, and saw a campfire by a tent on the other side of the river. I was starting to get cold already, and so was Erandur. Lucky for us, the crossing was shallow, and there were stones there we could use to get across and stay mostly dry.

  The only problem were the five or six angry mudcrabs that rose out of the silt as soon as I started across.

  They weren't too hard to take care of, but I did have to pry one off my ankle after it was dead. It didn't take much to Heal it, but there's a nasty mark that'll be there for a few days.

  We made it to the fire and warmed up around it. We didn't see any signs of the tent's owner, but we figured they were probably off hunting or fishing. Erandur had a few extra pieces of firewood in his pack, and left them by the tent as a thank you.

  We had a quick snack, and while we were eating a courier ran up and said he had a note for me. I asked who sent it, and he said he didn't know. He said it was a creepy guy dressed in black who paid him a lot of money to get this note to me as fast as he could.

  I waited for the guy to warm up and be on his way before I opened it, but I don't know why I bothered. It was just a smudgy handprint with the words "We know" underneath it.

  I have no idea who "We" is, and the others don't have a clue, either. Valdimar had never seen anything like it before, but Erandur and Lydia had. She saw one once back when she was a guard, and Erandur had seen a few when he was smuggling.

  They didn't know what it meant, though.

  So, I put it in my pack and we continued on the road towards Dawnstar.

  The weather got worse, and I was starting to get cold again. We decided to duck into Nightgate Inn real quick to warm up and have some drinks.

  Speaking of drinks, I'd kill for a cup of kaveh right about now. I don't like how they make it here. I haven't had a decent cup in months!

  Anyway, we left once we were warm again, and decided to try heading through the pass north of Nightgate Inn. We found a shrine to Arkay at the very top, with a skeleton laid to rest on a slab right beside the road.

  I got a blessing, because why not, and just as we started down the other-~__ . _ _ . _

  The ink trails off, and some of the words are slightly smudged. A partial lip-print in burgundy is in the bottom right corner, as through the writer's face was resting on the page.

  You're gone. We can't find you, Bronwen.

  This is Lydia. I'm writing in this because we woke up late this morning in the lighthouse and you weren't there, and I know you would want to know what happened while you were gone.

  And I don't know what else to do.

  Neither do the guys.

  Valdimar woke up first. He said Septim was whining and pawing at the door to go out, and that's when he realized he missed his watch. We all had.

  We got dressed and searched the lighthouse, but we couldn't find you anywhere. There's a door on the outside that's locked, but we couldn't get in.

  We can't pick locks like you can.

  I know Valdimar's a good tracker, so I had him and Septim see what they could find outside, while I got our things together and Erandur made us some food for the trip.

  Don't worry. I made sure they ate. I didn't have an appetite either, but I know you wouldn't want us going hungry.

  They're holding themselves together better than I thought they would, but the quiet's almost too much.

  Never thought I'd miss the constant chatter.

  When you read this, don't tell them I said that.

  I couldn't find any of your things, just your journal and your writing kit. It looks like you fell asleep while you were writing.

  Gods, I hope that's what happened. I don't think there was any fresh blood in there, but there was so much all over the place already from that poor woman I couldn't really tell. Erandur said he couldn't smell any. I'll trust his nose.

  Valdimar found some fresh horse tracks in the snow, so we know some idiot's taken you. The tracks were mostly drifted over because of that damn wind, but Septim was able to follow the trail all the way to the beach in Dawnstar.

  We had to stop because the tide had come in and washed away what was left of the tracks, along with the scent.

  We asked the ferryman if he'd seen anyone come by, but it was almost noon by then and he said that he'd been there for only a little while. He said the weather was so bad this morning he stayed in until he felt it was safe enough to go out.

  Since the tracks followed the beach and it was too dangerous to sail, I know that whoever took you must have stayed on land. They couldn't have gotten far in the bad weather dragging your unconscious ass, and especially not if you were awake!

  You're probably being such a pain in the ass right now the poor bastard's getting ready to pay us to take you back.

  Gods, you had better be causing problems. I'd be worried if you weren't.

  I decided to come back to the house to regroup, so here we are.

  It's not quite mid-afternoon. I'm at the table writing in this while I try to make a plan. The dog was scratching at the door so I let him out. I can hear him barking outside. Erandur was praying in the cellar, but now I hear hammering. Valdimar's in the alchemy tower, keeping a lookout. I offered to do it because I know how much he hates heights, but h

  -/-/-/-/-/-

  I'M ALIVE!

  I feel like shit, I've got a bunch of new scars and my mage robes were damn near cut to ribbons, but I'm alive!

  Right now I'm in bed back at the manor, and I've finally convinced Erandur that I can sit up without hurting myself. Dinner will be ready soon, and I want to write down what happened so I can get things straight before I tell them while we eat.

  That's assuming they'll let me walk down the stairs, but first things first.

  I woke up a little past noon. I didn't know where I was at the time, but I know now that I was in the creepy abandoned shack in the middle of the swamp.

  Yeah, the one we can see from the house!

  Anyway, I woke up on the floor of the shack, and I felt groggy in that sickening, familiar way that told me I'd been drugged.

  Good thing we always worked in pairs.

  I thought I was alone, and that nightmare from last night was all I could think about. I panicked for an instant, then my eyes cleared up and I heard a woman ask me if I'd slept well.

  She was dressed in assassin's armor with a cowl covering half of her face, and lounging on top of the bookcase in the corner like a cat.

  I demanded answers, and she told me what really mattered was that I was alive, and Grelod was not.

  Apparently, the Dark Brotherhood was pissed that I'd taken a kill from them, and she wanted me to settle the score. That note had been from them.

  She gestured behind me (such an over-dramatic bitch, I swear) and I saw three captives lined up against the far wall. They each had a black bag over their head, and their hands were bound behind their backs. I could hear them talking, but their voices were too muffled to make out what they were saying.

  She said that she wanted me to kill one of them, but oh, which one? It was up to me to figure out who was the mark. She wanted to see which one I'd choose, and to admire my work.

  According to her, Grelod's death had been a nice, clean kill, the type of thing they like to see. They were impressed.

  I was tired, angry, and everything hurt from being passed out for who knows how long on a hard floor. I didn't have my pack or my daggers on me, but I could still talk, so I decided to hit her where it hurt.

  I quipped that if that's all it took, they must be cheap dates, too! Of course, I shouldn't be surprised, seeing how they ignored the kid's summons for months!

  That wasn't very professional of them, if you ask me.

  She didn't react to the first half, but being called unprofessional got to her.

  She got mad, and said I was lucky there were no contracts on my head at the moment. Then, she ordered me to pay my debt.

  I asked her how, exactly, since I didn't have my daggers or anything.

  She gestured to my pack, which was by the door, and told me not to worry. Not a single septim was missing. She had left it alone as a "sign of good faith."

  So, I got out my dagger and poisoned it, and took a quick swig of a destruction potion. I got a spell ready, too.

  Flame Cloak.

  Time to take a page from Erandur's book.

  She didn't do anything when I cast it, just sort of hummed in a surprised way, but then I summoned my Flame Atronach and turned my dagger on her.

  I took her by surprise, but she still fought like a dremora! If I didn't know better I'd swear I had to down a healing potion between each one of my strikes!

  I could hear the captives screaming in the background, and that combined with the pain and the fire everywhere… It was just too much for me.

  I Shouted.

  I didn't want to after what happened on the mountain, but I was losing a lot of blood and I panicked! I used the terrible one. The one that makes a chill run up my spine and my stomach drop.

  She staggered, and that was enough for me to down a few more potions so I wouldn't die.

  She lunged at me, but she wasn't as precise anymore. Her swings were getting wild. I could tell she was afraid.

  Then, I heard barking, and right after that, heavy banging on the door. I don't know who was throwing themselves against it, but the hinges started to splinter.

  That's the opening I needed. She got distracted by the pounding, so I poisoned my knife again, then rammed it up and under her ribs.

  She went down, and as she died she said, "Well done,"

  I never did learn her name.

  I found the key on her body, and opened the door.

  They mobbed me as soon as I opened it! I'm pretty sure Valdimar was about to cry, and I know Erandur shed a few tears. It's hard to tell with Lydia, what with her Ebony helm, but she gave me a big hug.

  I almost forgot about the prisoners! I was just so tired and everything hurt and I felt awful so I just sank to the floor and hugged Septim while the others let the hostages go.

  Even though I was able to walk, Valdimar insisted on carrying me back. I'm glad he did, honestly. I got dizzy once the rush from the fight wore off.

  They told me how they heard me Shout. Lydia and Erandur said they could hear it from inside the house, and Valdimar heard it from the top of the alchemy tower. I'm surprised he was up there, but it's a good thing he was. He saw Septim bolt for the shack, and went inside to tell the others which way he went.

  They all knew it had to be me and not one of the other Tongues because they recognized it. They knew it was the one I only use when things get bad.

  Anyway, they brought me back here and got me to bed. Erandur checked me over and while he did what Healing he could, there's no spell or potion that can un-spill the blood I lost. I'd had too many potions to be able to eat anything - I still feel a bit queasy - so he just told me to get some sleep and made sure I had a big cup of water before my nap.

  I'm excited for dinner, though. I don't know what they're cooking down there, but it smells great!

  -/-/-/-/-/-

  Dinner was amazing! I told them what happened, and Lydia said I should tell the Guard in Solitude.

  With the throne of Skyrim up for grabs, they'd surely want to know the Dark Brotherhood's been lurking in the swamp across from the city.

  She has a point. We have some goods to sell, so we'll go and make a day of it tomorrow if I'm feeling all right.

  I'll need to check out Radiant Raiment, too. Valdimar fixed my robes, but I'm not sure how long they'll hold. I don't want my robes failing mid-fight!

  If I'm lucky they'll have some good ones there for me.

  Anyway, Lydia didn't read what I wrote so she didn't continue where I left off.

  Here's how we got to the Lighthouse of Horrors.

  Once we left the Shrine of Arkay, we ran into some guy who handed me a pair of enchanted boots and told me that he was never there. I said okay out of reflex, then he ran off to hide behind a rock. A hunter came up a minute later and asked where the guy was.

  Of course, I didn't say a word - Thieves' Code - and he went to look for the thief. Unfortunately, he found him and killed him, then ran off.

  Lydia scolded me for being dishonest, but she quieted down when I pointed out that we now had some free enchanted boots to sell!

  We continued down the hill, and ran into an abandoned dig site surrounding a Dwarven ruin. It looked huge! There were towers sticking out of the ice all over the place.

  Valdimar said it must be Alftand, and I decided to investigate the little ruined shacks and fallen tents the expedition members left behind. We didn't have time to look at it right then but we'll go back later.

  As I poked around to see what I could find, I found some of the expedition members.

  Well, what was left of them.

  They were burned to a crisp!

  How, I don't know. It didn't look like dragons to me. Maybe it was some Dwarven traps? Or some fire mages looking to loot the ruins?

  We couldn't figure it out, and I found a journal written by the leader of the expedition, Sulla Trebatius.

  It wasn't much, mostly a list of everyone involved, but he did note that a way into the ruin was potentially through a crack in the glacier itself. He also mentioned that a storm was coming.

  It was almost sunset by then, and we had to keep going. Valdimar said he wanted to look around more, but he understands. Besides, he's more excited for Markarth so he can talk to Calcelmo. He wants to ask him about the Aetherium shard.

  Good idea!

  We started towards Dawnstar and saw a tower, the lighthouse, through the blowing snow.

  Outside there was a dead horse, along with a small cart full of traps, weak poison and some lavender. Clearly, the lighthouse had a skeever problem.

  At least, I wish that's what it was.

  We all gave each other uneasy looks. It didn't bode well, but… We were literally freezing to death, so I knocked on the door, which was open. I called out as I poked my head in and asked if we could just warm ourselves by the fire for a moment.

  By the Nine, we walked into a bloodbath. There was a dead Redguard woman in the middle of the living space. Her body was on a smashed dining room table, with a Falmer axe stuck in her chest. There was a dead Chaurus by the fireplace, too.

  Once we got over our shock, (and warmed up) I started to look around. I found a journal on her that belonged to her husband, Habd. Her name was Ramati, and he wrote how they'd come to retire in the lighthouse. They wanted nothing more than to live out the rest of their days in peace and quiet, watching the icebergs drift by.

  But it wasn't peaceful. Their children, who were grown, were miserable. Can't say I blame them. I'd lose my damn mind if I had to stay cooped up in a lonely, freezing place like that.

  Habd wrote that they started to bicker, and their daughter said she heard scratching at night coming from the basement. We could all hear it, too. Poor Septim was beside himself, barking and digging at the door while he tried to get at it!

  Ramati was terrified of skeevers, and she also said that things were going missing from the cellar. So, Habd went to town to get some traps and such to deal with them.

  When he got back, he found Ramati dead, their children missing, and the chaurus running rampant. He managed to kill it, and followed the trail of blood into the cellar to try and save his children.

  It was obvious to us what happened there, but I couldn't pick the lock to the basement. So, we searched the place. We found the others' journals, and it sounded like they weren't having a great time here. Their kids, Sudi and Mani, were itching to leave. They hated that place as much as their parents loved it!

  According to Ramati's journal, which we found in the couple's bedroom, her husband loved it so much that he wanted his remains put in the lighthouse fire so he could watch over the sea for eternity.

  -/-/-/-/-/-

  MARA'S TITS!

  We have to go back.

  I found Habd's skull in a chaurus reaper and I didn't take it and throw it in the fire!

  I know, I know, probably nothing'll happen if I don't do it, but dammit, I feel bad. I got a blessing from Arkay right before we went into the Lighthouse of Doom and I feel a bit like I should… I don't know, "honor" that blessing?

  I know I'm not big on the Divines, but I am superstitious! I don't want to cross them!

  I told the others about it and they agreed with me. As soon as the Dark Brotherhood figures out that i killed another one of their assassins and let some targets go free, they're going to be after me like a pack of hounds.

  "This is no time to be making enemies," Erandur said.

  Tell me about it!

  Anyway, that's our plan once we're done with Solitude. We'll go to the lighthouse, cremate Habd, then head towards Markarth.

  Well - Back to the lighthouse.

  It's getting late and Erandur's threatening to take my light if I don't stop soon, so I'll be quick.

  We found the cellar key where Ramati had hidden it, and went into the basement. There were some chaurus there, and once they were dead, we continued to follow the blood trail to a hole in the wall.

  Through the hole and down a little slope was a Falmer encampment. We fought our way through them, and kept on fighting as we went through chamber after chamber, tunnel after tunnel. There were Falmer, chaurus, chaurus reapers, and even some flying chaurus-like things that burst out of these pods?

  Along the way, we found Mani's body, and then Sudi's. Mani had clearly been killed by the Falmer, but Sudi was laying in a pen-like area with a bloody knife and slit wrists. She left some notes saying that there had been others in the pen with her and her father, but the Falmer took them away. Habd was feverish from a chaurus bite, and then they took him, too. He did manage to give her the knife before she was left all alone.

  Erandur made sure to say a few words for her before we went on.

  We finally came to an ice cave that was absolutely full of chaurus eggs! It was a nest!

  It was also full of chaurus, and just past that was a bigger cave full of more chaurus and more eggs. That's where we fought the giant chaurus reaper, and where I left Habd's skull.

  I hope I can find it when we go back there. At least we cleared it out.

  The way out wasn't far past that. We ended up dropping through a hole right back at the beginning.

  We were all dead tired after that slog, so we just trudged back upstairs and the others went to bed while I tried to stay awake by writing in my journal.

  Yeah, that didn't go as planned.

  Anyway, it's time for bed. Hopefully I'll feel a lot better, tomorrow.