By Mithlian of the College of Tomes

Some years ago, I hired an Argonian guide to help me explore Solstice's ancient Stone-Nest sites. Gakeesh proved to be a loyal and inquisitive companion. Together we explored many little-known sites, and I made sure to credit his assistance in all my research papers.

One day, while we were exploring an old shrine on the eastern coast, Gakeesh suddenly reached out to stop me. "Not this way," he said. "We can go no farther here."

"Stop here? But why?" I asked, more surprised than annoyed. "The altar chamber is just ahead!"

"It is too dangerous to go on." Gakeesh pointed at the two massive statues that stood beside the door to the next chamber. "Voskrona guardians watch this place."

I followed his gesture, and looked more closely at the moss-covered statues. I speak the Argonian language well enough to piece together meanings, but I wanted to be sure. "Voskrona? Stone-secret guardians? Is that what you fear?"

"I do not fear them, but you should," Gakeesh replied. "These guardians were set in place during a time when Elves were enemies to the Stone-Nest People. Songs of vigilance and retribution were sung over them. If you cross that threshold, they might wake."

"That was a thousand years ago," I said. "Surely, whatever curse you fear has long since been forgotten."

"The voskrona do not grow old and they do not forget," said Gakeesh "They can still stand up and crush you."

I started to scoff, and even took a step toward the doorway. But Gakeesh's calm certainty unnerved me. I paused and looked up at the voskrona on my right: the stylized representation of a grim Argonian warrior dressed in ceremonial armor, easily twice my height. Each mighty stone fist was bigger than my head. If such a thing could come to life, I could probably outrun it. Probably. Then I remembered there were two of them, and looked up at the one on my left.

Its cold stone gaze was fixed on my eyes. I would have sworn it had been looking straight out into the antechamber when we first approached. And did I hear the faint scraping of stone?

I took a step back. "Very well, Gakeesh. I will stay here. Go have a look and tell me what lies in the altar chamber."

Gakeesh shook his head. "Not while you are present. The voskrona are restless. I deem it wise to avoid provoking them."

I sighed, and backed away another step or two. "I suppose I deem that wise, too," I admitted. "Let's explore in a different direction."

I do not know for certain if those voskrona guardians slept. But I admit I have never quite trusted a statue of an Argonian warrior ever since.