And so, great Nerevar, Azura-blessed and swift of blade, leapt high into the sky. His form obscured the sun, and with his grand descent, a legion of Nords were felled, struck by the glorious...

"That's not what happened. Alandro said they ambushed the Nords with some Dwemer mercenaries."

Vivec gave a sigh as Sil interrupted his reading; he should know, after nearly a month, that he really ought to turn elsewhere for critique. The boy was one of the most literal-minded mer he'd ever met; he was quite sure there wasn't an ounce of poetry in his soul. He looked over at him in an attempt to give him a withering glance; no luck there, either–Sil's nose was crammed in a book, one hand outstretched to summon a palm-sized ball of fire, then ice, then lightning over and over again.

"Tell me, Seht, have you ever heard the phrase 'history is written by the victors'?" he asked, turning his chair to face him. Sil's pale eyes peeked over his book, brows drawn together.

"I have."

"The saying should be 'history is embellished by the victors'." Vivec leaned forward. "Now, can you dispute what I said?"

"What?"

"Can you prove to me that Nerevar didn't leap up into the sky and blot out the sun?"

"I just told you, Alandro said..."

"I'm not asking about Alandro. I'm asking about Sil ." An elbow rested on Vivec's knee, and his chin plunked into his hand. "Were you there?"

"Well, no, but..."

"But I was, and this is my account. Alandro has his own, Nerevar has his own, but this is the one I'm choosing to believe and write."

Sil frowned at him, magic dispersing from his hand as he shut his book. "But it's not true ."

"And you're certainly welcome to think so. Perhaps you're even right." Vivec sat up, fixing his gaze on the boy. "But there are plenty of people like you, people now and people a hundred years from now, who did not and will not ever see what happened on the battlefield today. The gritty, boring details won't matter to most people–close your mouth, Sil, I know it matters to you–they'll want to experience the feeling . The pride and wonder I felt watching Nerevar's victory. Plus, it's much more fun to read."

Vivec turned back around, picking up his knife to sharpen his quil. "And, now especially, it is very, very important that we build faith in Nerevar as someone capable and near-mythic. It's hard enough getting the Houses to trust someone from a different House–which is why Voryn, for all my complaints, is very essential–and it'd be harder still for someone like me, who's Houseless. But Neht is an outlander ."

Sil leaned in, curious. "Is he really? I thought he was Indoril."

"Well, yes, in name. But he grew up somewhere on the mainland, and, as I'm sure you know, we Chimer get suspicious." He glanced over his shoulder, giving Sil a little smile. "But you and I know the type of person he is. We have to get others to love him just the same, even if they never get the chance to meet him."

Sil sat back, silent as he thought. Young as he was, his face was a closed book; Vivec couldn't count how many times in his short stay that he wished for some sort of indication of what was happening in that head of his.

"But what if people find out it's a lie?" he asked, mouth downturned.

"Well, they'll need to find someone who was there to dispute it." Vivec smiled as he jotted down another line. "And much like me and my egg, what ultimately matters is the outcome. Nerevar and his forces won the day, and we're that much closer to reclaiming Resdayn for ourselves–with or without our Azura-blessed leader blotting out the sun."

For all of Sil's worry about the truth, news of Nerevar's victory started to spread, and because of it, they were finding more and more support. Houses offering their arms where needed, and a few more mer agreeing to join them at their next base–a city, they'd decided, which would need a touch more subtlety than out here in the less populated isles, but would certainly be a much safer meeting point. They even had the very vocal support of a princess –who, as she wrote, despaired over the fact that she couldn't join them until she was of age.

And, more locally, it seemed as though word found its way underground, too. Because one day, after a long visit down below–it was becoming increasingly clear that Nerevar, friendly to a fault, was staying far too long for it to simply be business talks–ended with Nerevar returning with a king in tow. King Dumac, to be more specific, ruler of the Dwemer; laying out the Nords had been the last bit of proof he needed that Nerevar's plan was viable, and he was ready to talk strategy.

Though, in truth, the "planning" was more like a prospective spouse coming to dinner. While a bit of lip service was paid toward using Dwarven technology against the Nords, Nerevar and Dumac were joking and chatting, and each member of the council, for lack of a better term, were being introduced: loyal and noble Dagoth Voryn, who had been here from the start; quick-witted and swift-footed Vivec, who fought with all the same passion he put into his words; Alandro Sul, the immortal son of Azura. (Despite all of Vivec's prodding, Alandro never did confirm whether that was simply a title or simply a statement of fact, which was terribly vexing.) Nerevar was quick to praise each of them.

But they weren't wholly alone. Along with a few of Dumac's retainers, a young boy hung near the table. Sil had said he didn't want to talk, but clearly he'd wanted to listen . For the most part, he went unnoticed. But there was no ignoring the beacon his eyes became as Dumac pulled out what he called a "prototype centurion spider"–it was a little thing, about the size of Dumac's wide palm, that looked somewhat like its living namesake. Sil, still silent, made his way up to the table as, with a little spark of magicka, Dumac brought the little contraption to life, metal legs skittering down from his hand and over the table.

"Obviously the ones we have below are much larger," Dumac explained to the dumbstruck table. "The size of a nix-hound, I'd say. They're better for repairing our other animunculi. For a true battle, we'd want spheres and centurions, of course."

Nerevar grinned at the rest of the table. "I've seen them. Just about scared the piss out of Alandro and me, so I can't even begin to think of how a superstitious lot like the Nords will react." He looked up at Dumac, who was rumbling a laugh at his comment. "And this'll keep our losses down, too."

"Will they... work above ground?" Voryn asked, squinting suspiciously at the spider as it skittered past him.

"Of course! Down below we use steam to power them, but if you get a few mages and an amplifier or two to get them started, we'll have a full army automated for battle," Dumac assured. He glanced over as Sil set his hand in front of the spider, coaxing it into his palm to get a closer look at it. Even beneath his full beard, a wide smile was on display. "Do you like it, boy?" He leaned over as Nerevar beckoned him, listening to a very quiet, urgent whisper, but he nodded without saying a thing.

"How does it work?" Sil asked, his whole focus on the spider. "You said you use steam underground, but magicka above?"

"Oh, we use magicka in both," Dumac said, clearly eager to explain. "At least, to get them started; a little shock will usually get them up and running, and of course a bit of Alteration to get them programmed. But then the steam pushes the mechanisms inside, which is how they move. We have plenty down underground–the magma helps with that–so that takes a great load off of our personal magicka reserves. In a situation like a battle, though, we use metals to amplify our magicka, and then we power them that way."

Vivec could feel his eyes glaze over, despite his best efforts, but Sil was paying rapt attention. He looked down as the spider gave a little shudder before going still in his hands. "Oh, is it okay?"

"Of course," Dumac said with a loud laugh. "It's just metal, after all. Prototypes are just meant to demonstrate what the real thing can do, so it doesn't hold much of a charge. You any good with lightning?"

"Yes, very." Modesty was not an innate trait in the young mer, but Dumac seemed pleased by his bluntness.

"Give it a little shock. Not too much."

Sil looked up at him, then back down at the spider. A flash of lightning sparked in his hands, and the spider was alive again, skittering out of his palms and back onto the table. "So there's something in it that channels the electricity into making the parts move?"

" Yes , exactly. If you..."

"Fascinating as this is," Alandro cut in, smooth as anything, "we still have the specifics of numbers and locations we need to go over. While I don't think a Nord attack will happen immediately , I'd like to know how quickly we can have these metal things ready to go up above ground."

"Alandro's right. Strategy first," Nerevar said, giving a nod.

"Of course." Even with his agreement, Dumac gave Sil a grin. "Why don't you keep that for yourself? Be helpful to have someone who knows a thing or two about mechanics up here." He waved his hand as Alandro cleared his throat, loudly and obviously. "Yes, yes, let's talk about numbers ."

Sil's eyes were huge , and he scooped up the spider with more wonder than Vivec had yet seen from the ever-serious boy. He tried to listen to the actual strategizing, but it was much more fun watching Sil make the little spider run back and forth with the tiniest lightning bolts. If he didn't know any better, he'd even think that young Sil was having fun.

Imagine that.

It was very late by the time the strategizing (and drinking, and storytelling, and chatting) wrapped up, and yet Vivec managed to wake obscenely early. It was cruel and unusual, really, and he couldn't believe his own body would betray him like this.

Still, tossing and turning wouldn't do any good, and he did always write his best when in a bit of a haze. Now might be a good time to edit his full account of the battle. He got up and stretched, looking over to make sure he hadn't woken Sil. But the bedroll was neatly made, without a young mer inside it.

A small seed of panic fell heavily into Vivec's stomach, and he lurched out of the tent. Where had he gone? He couldn't have lost him , could he? It'd only been a few hours. No one could have snatched him, right? Not with everyone here, so then where...?

"So Nall's your sister, right?"

Vivec froze between his tent and the war room as he overheard Nerevar. He was up, too? Well, that shouldn't be too surprising; the mer had always been an early-riser. Impressive that he did so after cavorting half the night. But this was good. He'd tell Neht that Sil was missing and...

"Mm. She would always convince me to go on 'adventures' with her. Said it was good for me to get in some trouble." A puff that was nearly a laugh followed. "I think she and Vivec would get...would have gotten along."
Vivec practically melted into a puddle of relief as he heard Sil's voice, nearly as quiet as the metallic tings accompanying it. He was safe. Safe with Nerevar even, which was probably the safest he could be. By the Three, though, he certainly understood parents quite a bit better now.

He dropped onto a rock just outside the canopied room, gathering his wits as he listened. If he leaned back a bit, he could catch a glimpse of the two of them. Nerevar–cradling a steaming cup and sporting shadows under his eyes–was watching Sil as he fiddled with the spider, while the boy's focus was entirely on his task.

"She was probably right. I always thought it was easier to learn by doing the wrong thing first." There was a pause, and Nerevar laughed. "Obviously you don't think the same, Seht."

"I'd rather have all the information I can, first," he said. "Then I can be certain about what I'm doing."

"A much wiser way of going about things." Nerevar nodded down to the spider. "What about this?"

"What about this?"

"Do you think it'll work against the Nords?"

There was a long pause. "You...want to know what I think?" Sil finally asked, voice hushed. He even lifted his head.

"Of course. Every opinion's important, and I'm curious what you think with all the information you have so far."

A long silence drew on between them. Nerevar, patient as he was, simply sat and sipped at his drink as Sil thought.

"I..." Sil stopped, clearly uncertain.

"Go on," Nerevar encouraged. "It's not like there's a wrong answer here."

"I...I think there's a way to make these better." A quiet ting rang out as he tapped the metal spider. "For fighting. Dumac said they primarily run repairs, but one that's the size he said the actual spiders are have to be pretty heavy. If they could jump ..." Another pause, and a wave from Nerevar for him to finish his thought. "If they could jump , then they could act as another offensive and repair the other amin...animunculi." He carefully ran his fingertip over the spider's back. "I wonder if you could make other animals, too. Like...kagouti or something."

"Well, next time Alandro and I go down to the Dwemer cities, I'll bring you along. I'm sure they'll be over the moons to see someone as interested in their creations as you are." A pleasant silence followed, but even through the gap in the fabric, Vivec could see a wave of concern hit Nerevar. "And...how's everything else?"

"What do you mean?"

"Being here, with us. Are you...doing okay?"

Sil was very quiet for a very long time. Vivec was sure to stay put; he wanted to know, too, even though he could never bring himself to ask as bluntly as Neht.

"Yes, I'm okay with you," he said. "There's not too much time to think."

"Sometimes that's a good thing, you know," Nerevar said with a wry smile. He was quiet for a moment. "You know, we'll be heading off to a city soon."

"Yes, I heard."

"Lots of House mer in cities. If...if you think you'd like it better there, I'm sure we can get you set up with a family."

A very, very long silence followed, and Vivec's nails dug into his thigh as he waited to hear Sil's response. Of course, if they could find a House willing to take him in, that'd be safer. He could grow up a little safer, a little more stable. Maybe he wouldn't spend his life feeling like an outsider, or wandering away to become Nordic target practice, or falling into crime, or being conscripted, or...

"I..." Vivec held his breath as Sil spoke, and he knew Nerevar was doing the same. "I..." Another long silence; Vivec felt as if he were about to burst. "I think...I could help you. Even though I'm young." There was something very hesitant in Sil's pose as he followed up with, "Can I stay?"

"Of course you can stay," Nerevar said emphatically, so emphatically that it covered up Vivec's audible sigh of relief. "And I think you're right. Seems to me like you're taking to that Dwemer machinery like a netch to the air. And like I said, I'd be more than glad to take you down with us the next time we visit Dumac." He drained his cup, then stretched his back as he stood up. "Today, though, we should start packing up if we want to get moving soon. Afraid you'll have to get used to hopping around places like this, Seht."

"I don't mind. I like traveling." There was a quiet scrape of metal against wood, as though the spider was being scooped up.

" Excellent , then you should have a fine time. Don't tell anyone, but it took Voryn ages to stop complaining about being on the move. He still doesn't like it, but he's used to it now, at least." He laughed to himself as they started walking out of the tent.

As they came out, Vivec busied himself with looking toward the sea, as if admiring the early morning sunlight on it and certainly not eavesdropping. He looked up in well-acted surprise. "And here I thought I was the only one awake this early!"

Neither Nerevar nor Sil looked convinced, but both were too polite to say anything about it. Nerevar clapped a hand on Sil's thin shoulder with a warm smile. "You know what, Vehk, Sil here's agreed to be our master mechanic."

Sil's eyes went wide, and he quickly shook his head. "I-I...I mean, not yet. If you need me to, I can...I suppose I can..." He trailed off as Nerevar laughed.

"I'm just teasing, Seht, I'm not about to put that sort of pressure on you," he assured before looking back to Vivec. "But he is staying."

"Well, I'm very, very glad to hear that," Vivec said, resting his cheek in his hand as he grinned up at them. "That gives me plenty of time to finally teach you to appreciate wordcraft."

Sil, to the best of his ability, tried to scoff as he made his way back to their tent. But, as he walked by cradling the metal spider in his hands, Vivec swore he saw a full smile on his face.