The group had remained in Markarth for a bit longer. Planning, gathering supplies for the trip, ensuring that everything was right for their expedition to Oiosila. Finally, much to Kaelotar's relief (as he so vocally proclaimed he'd simply die from the stress of it all anytime it got too quiet over the past few days, despite nobody asking), they finally set out to head back to where Elizna had found the ruins in the first place.
Now, Kaidan was keeping watch while the others packed up their camp from the night before. Alain was clearly above such menial tasks, but he pretended to be doing something by looking at his enchanted map. "Alright, we should be able to make it by noon today. Thank the gods, we've been walking for a week straight. I did not miss this part of being the Dragonborn."
Kael side-eyed Elizna as he folded up the last tent and packed it up. "Is it still regicide if he's not the King in this timeline?"
"Well, considering that nobody acknowledges him as King here..." Elizna narrowed her eyes toward Alain, "...Eh, he's still useful."
"Looking at a map is indeed an essential task." Emeric sneered.
The two of them looked over the valleys. It seemed Elizna was having some trouble, as she continued to hum rather loudly.
"Which one was it again...?"
"I heard that too, you know!" Alain huffed, pouting.
Gelebor looked over at Elizna with a puzzled expression. "You have managed, quite possibly, the most profound discovery in your life, yet you do not recall where to find it?"
Kael snorted. "Leave it to Elizna to lose the ancient Ayleid ruin."
"We have a map for a reason," Kaidan chided gently, plucking it from Alain's grasp. "I'm sure we can figure out the rest when we get there. We've managed weirder."
Kael twitched, dropping his travel pack when his hands fumbled with it. He prodded at his scars with a frown, wincing. "... Hmm. Must be a storm coming on. My scars feel like they're burning."
Gelebor looked at him with mild concern. "Will you be well, my light?"
The ex-Thalmor shrugged Gelebor's concern off. "I've had worse. And I think that Sunnalata will explode if we delay her ability to see this ruin."
"I'll be fine." Sunnalata flashed a halfhearted smile.
Elizna scaled one of the crags, looking out at the valleys from a higher vantage point. After a while, she piped up.
"It's this one!" She pointed to the valley on the left. "The entrance to Balhame is near the source of that stream. Also, good source of fresh water."
Meanwhile, Emeric felt a shiver down his spine. "I think I hear footsteps..."
"Forsworn are many things, but wielders of armor heavy enough to echo along a valley? Not so," Gelebor murmured. "He is correct, though. I can hear it too."
Kael hummed, then climbed up into a nearby tree, ignoring the ominous creaking of the branches even while Gelebor flinched at every noise. His armor was the darkest among the group; he'd blend into the branches easier.
He peered over the rocky hills, leaning a bit heavier than necessary against the branch he was on, earning a pained whimper of concern from Gelebor, which he also ignored. Eventually, his breathing hitched. He dropped down as gracefully as possible from the tree and grabbed for his travel pack, looking terrified.
"Woah, woah!" Alain managed, reaching for his arm. "Where are you going?"
"We need to leave," Kael spat. "Immediately. Come back later."
"What? Why?" Kaidan questioned, looking slightly startled. "Slow down, lad. We need to—"
"No!" Kael snapped, jerking his arm away. His hands flew up to his neck, fingers digging into his scars ever so slightly. "Down there. We can't go. I know what I saw."
Gelebor reached out, pulling Kael's hands away from himself before he could do damage. "What did you see, my light?"
Of course, the answer would be easy to deduce. Kaelotar only reacted like that in the face of one particular group.
"The Dominion. The Dominion are here. And I saw my cousin as well. A Thalmor Emissary. The Thalmor know where Oiosila is."
