The stench of fire was everywhere. I wasn't sure if we'd meet up with any daedra down here or not.

The soldiers were on edge. So was I, but I had a reason to fight: these creatures killed everyone in my home. I would see this ended, or join my family in the other life.

The path led town a set of stairs. To the side was a mass of burning debris. No bodies or daedra were to be found anywhere, but we still proceeded as quietly as we could.

We found no monsters, just lots of burning pieces of wood. Eventually we reached the other end of the passage, found the ladder taking us back up, and found outselves in the gatehouse. There were two gates, with monsters waiting for us on either side.

"Open the gate." shouted the soldiers. "We'll hold them off as long as we can!"

That said, I ran to the wheel and turned it.

As both gates opened, the soldiers on one side and the daedra on the other clashed together like two waves from the same ocean. Several clanfear made their way up the stairs to attack. Another constant healing potion and a lot of slashing with my short sword finally put an end to them. I took a potion that fortified my magika and began summoning everything I could: weak creature, strong creature, I didn't even care. I needed an army and so did the soldiers.

By the time the battle ended, the bodies of daedra were everywhere. The two Imperial solders that had come to our aid from the road had also died. Our numbers were dwindling, but we had made it to the castle.

After catching our breath, Savlian said "You take the right, I'll take the left. Let's go!" He then pushed the door open and rushed inside.

Once inside the castle we found dozens of Flame Atronachs setting fires to almost everything in the room.

As a dark elf myself, we resist fire. I took the two on my left, then two more that had come from behind.

And still, they kept coming.

It was several minutes before we had finally defeated them all.

Savlian was exhausted. "All right," he said, "this is it!" We'll hold this area. You head to the back of the castle, and find the count. Don't come back here without him!"

The next room was about as bad as the first, with several Flame Atronachs exploring the chamber.

And setting fires everywhere.

The one thing they don't like is a shock spell. I shot off two spells, then went invisible.

The Flame Atronachs came over, looking for me, but by this time, I was several steps away.

I gave them one shock spell after another, going invisible each time.

It confused the hell out of them, right up to the time when they dropped down dead.

I made my way to the other end of the chamber, meeting a clanfear sniffing around for food. I didn't see it in time, so it caught me by surprise. All I could do was hit it over and over with my sword. The creature fell back, giving me a second to go invisible. I retreated back a few steps, summoned my own clanfear and let the two of them duke it out until mine won.

With the chamber now clear of creatures, I managed to find my way to the Count's private chambers. He wasn't in any of the other rooms, so this was the only place left where he could possibly be.

I saw the count lying on the floor, but before I could approach him, a daedroth lumbered over to attack from behind an overturned table. Several fireball spells later, the monster was dead.

I checked the Count. He was dead, apparently killed by the daedroth I had just slain.

We were too late to save him. I figured I'd better bring proof I had made it this far, taking one of his rings with me to give to Savlian Matius.     

I walked slowely back to Savlian. "Where is the Count?" he asked.

"I'm sorry, but he, well, he didn't make it. He was dead when I reached his room. He had been killed by a daedroth I found in his chambers."

Savlian looked down at the floor, as if everything he had worked for had just burned to the ground.

"Damn." he said. "If only we'd gotten here sooner! This is indeed a dark day for all of us who are left."

"Savlian, we did what we could." I reminded him. "Don't beat yourself up over it. The odds were against us from the start."

"Yes. You're right." he admitted. He looked back up to me. "But I thank you for risking your own life to help us. Did you find the Count's ring, by any chance."

I handed the ring to him. "This one?" I asked.

"Yes, thank you." he replied. "At least this is safe. Thank you. I shall make sure it is protected until a new Count is crowned." Savlian gave me his cuirass. "I won't need this any more. You deserve it."

It was enchanted. I thanked him. "I must now go find a priest of Akatosh by the name of 'Martin'. Do you know him?"

"Oh, you mean the priest?" he replied. "Yes, I believe he was with the refugees that we freed from the Chapel. He should be at the base of the mountain with the rest of those who escaped."

I left the castle, headed for the Chapel and then for the city gate. I looked again, for the first time finally able to take in the horror and damage done by the Oblivion Gate that had opened within the city walls.