Serene of Cyrodiil, chapter 7, Comfort is given, Justice is taken... Options

[minque]

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If an injury has to be done to a man it should be so severe that his vengeance need not be feared.
Nicolo Machiavelli


Chapter 7, "Comfort is given, Justice is taken"

After spending a week in the good custody of Lloros Sarano I was back in Sarethi Manor again. Athyn, who had visited me every day while I was in the Temple, was ecstatic at having me back. I was worried about him; he had had too many traumatic things happen to him during the last six months, and now he seemed more exhausted and worn out than ever. In fact what he needed mostly now, and I too, for all that it mattered, was a vacation, a break from the normal struggle. I promised myself that when all this was over with we’d go…somewhere…that was, if I survived…

The prophecy by Sinnamu Mirpal was very clear to me, and it was also confirmed by the recent attempt on my life, because I knew very well who was responsible for that; the amulet I ripped off my would-be assassin was familiar; it belonged to the Venim family. I doubted Bolvyn himself was the one who tried to kill me, but whoever it was, it was on his orders, of that I was certain.

So all I had to do was to challenge Bolvyn Venim to a duel and then end his life, at the Arena in Vivec…?

Of course it was not that simple! I had to ponder a lot how I should let Justice be taken. I had to take active part in the government of House Redoran, to be able to get to know where the loyalties were. I had to know the standpoint of the other councilors and also raise their disposition to me.

Thorough planning was crucial here; otherwise I would be the one who would bite the dust. I also needed to train my sword-skill. I hadn’t used my Katana for a long time and I knew I had to be beyond simply good if I was to defeat a man like the Archmaster. I didn’t even consider another way of fighting him; a duel at the Arena witnessed by the Nobles of my House would be the only honorable way of dealing with this matter.

I discussed my plans with Athyn; naturally he tried to talk me out of it!

“Serene, I don’t like the thought of you being decapitated by Bolvyn Venim, In fact I don’t like the thought of you being decapitated at all. I love you and I want to spend the rest of my life with you!” he said, holding me close to him. “Why not let Sethyas do the fighting instead? He’s very skilled and…and he is a man! Besides, I know you do not like to take lives, even if taking this life would be justified.”

I took his face between my hands, kissed him deeply and sighed;

“I was convinced you would be the first one to stand behind me in this! I’ve told you about the prophecy of Sinnamu Mirpal…I’ve told you about my weird dream…and you know I am protected by Azura! You, Athyn Sarethi, the sun of my life, I love you more than you will ever know, and I beg you to support me now! The life of Bolvyn Venim will be taken by a woman, not a man, and that woman…will be me!”

Tears burned behind my eyelids as I once more kissed him. I was aware of his fear to loose someone dear to him and also the fear of acts of reprisal from the Venim family. But I couldn’t let that stop me; I had to do this once and for all or I’d never get peace at heart again.

Before he made an attempt to answer me I told him about a book Drulene Falen once showed me, “The Hope of the Redoran”. I actually never read the book but Drulene had told me what it was about.

“You for one should know that some things just have to be done,” I said, “If you hadn’t defeated your cousin back then, we wouldn’t be having this conversation at all.”

Athyn hesitated for quite some time before answering me. I could see in his face he’d given in to me, that he’d stand by my side all the way…This was of great comfort to me.

“I’ll go with you to Fort Buckmoth,” he said, sounding defeated and tired. “You will have to go through thorough training before you can even think of challenging the Archmaster, because that’s exactly what you’re going to do, right?”

I nodded and he continued;

“Since you are familiar with that confounded book, I think you know the name of the lady who used to train me when I was young? Shardie was the very best trainer to be found. She and I got on very well together and it is because of her that I have the position I have now…But you know all that.” Athyn paused, getting out a bottle of brandy and two glasses.

“We will need some fortification I think,” he said and offered me a glass. We tasted the beverage and he continued;

“Shardie has a daughter, named Shardie-Lee, who now is a master-trainer at Fort Buckmoth. She’s known as just Shardie and she is the one who I’d like to train you. Then you will have the best there is!” Athyn gently stroke my chin. “I care so much for you my love; I do not want to loose you.”

“We’ll be off to Fort Buckmoth, first thing tomorrow,” Athyn concluded. “So let’s spend this evening as nicely as we can, shall we?”

We had far too much brandy, far too much good food and maybe far too much love, but I still remember that evening as maybe the last evening that I still was somewhat innocent.

My head was aching and I could hardly stand the bright sunshine the following morning as Athyn and I were heading towards Fort Buckmoth. He, too, obviously suffered from last night’s events because he walked by my side silently with his head somewhat down. The sun was warm and I was drenched in sweat under my full Imperial Armor. Athyn had to take off his robe and carry it; the heat, or maybe last night, took its tribute out of him, and his face was a tad more grayish than usual, with beads of sweat forming on his forehead and he had to stop a few times to regain strength. I was carrying a small satchel with a few shirts and an extra pair of trousers together with my usual herbs and plants; nothing much really but it felt as heavy as if I’d had stones in it.

We found Shardie-Lee sitting in the shadows in a corner of the courtyard when we arrived, her brown skin glistened with perspiration and she was drinking from a large jug. Four young soldiers were scattered on the ground, totally exhausted, apparently from the hard training.

When Athyn presented himself and me her eyes widened; “I’ve heard about you, Serjo Sarethi, from my mother!” she exclaimed with a smile, “Nice to finally get the opportunity to meet you!”

I let Athyn do the talking, for my stomach was in uproar and I merely felt like vomiting; the heat and last night affected me severely. I sat down in the shadows, taking a sip of water, thinking ruefully that I’d have big trouble getting to my feet again…armor is just not meant to wear sitting down…

[minque]

The dedication of this goes, a third time to Mallie for his invaluable help, but also to Blackie for letting me use his great Sethyas Velas, which I really have done in this..


No! I couldn’t let that happen! Too many things depended on my victory! I held my sword vertically and stopped the blade that rushed towards my head. I kicked Venim in his exposed chest, knocking the air out of him. With a yell I swung my sword at him. He managed to block it but the force of the swing caused him to stumble backwards.

“I thought I wasn’t supposed to touch you again!” I shouted at him.

Venim glowered. “You will not mock me anymore!” With that he lowered his sword and charged.

This was it. The moment I sought. I lowered my sword into a low guard position and matched his charge. All I had to do was dodge his sword and pierce his heart. I knew I could do that. It would be simp-

Cold, Daedric metal pierced my body. I screamed in pain and surprise. I had never felt such physical pain as this. It was only then that I noticed that mine wasn’t the only voice that cried in pain. I opened my eyes and saw that my sword had driven itself into Venim as well. His eyes bulged, and blood trickled from the corners of his mouth.

Froth bubbled from Venim´s lips as he spoke. “Beaten… by an… an…. Outlander!” he said in an incredulous whisper before his eyes closed.

Wincing in agony, I withdrew my sword and then cried out in fresh pain as Bolvyn Venim collapsed to the ground and his sword pulled free. I slumped to my knees, unable to keep my feet. The crowd, silent before, erupted into cheers. The noise was deafening.

It was only then that I looked to the stands. I saw Sethyas Velas nodding his head in approval, a small smile on his lips,

I knew you’d make it, I never doubted it.

I saw Baladas clapping happily; his eyes glistening with unshed tears. And then I saw Athyn. His eyes were closed, tears streaming down his cheeks, and his face was the image of relief.

It was only then that I cried in earnest. I had won; the prophecy had come true.

What happened next I remember like a kaleidoscope of scattered pictures and voices; I was so tired…

Click: Athyn’s face close to mine, kissing my sore lips, holding me tight to his chest.

Click: My blood, continuously running from the wound, soaking his robe

Click: She’s dying! Someone get a healer! Ilmeni Dren’s crying voice

Click: Let me through, damn it! I’ll take care of her! I must have smiled, that voice I’d recognize anywhere

I was scooped from the ground; unable to move I just lay in strong arms and was carried out from the Arena Pit.

No stretcher?

This is faster, now don’t you dare die on me, do you hear? Athyn will not survive if you do!

I’m just so tired…

Being dead really is strange. But not entirely unpleasant, so quiet and calm. I just wanted to lie down and rest and that would have been possible if it wasn’t for that disturbing light…And the voices, the voices that urged me to go towards that irritating light. I wanted to close my ears, I did not want to listen, why couldn’t they leave me alone? I was fine, I just wanted to stay where I was, in that dark quiet nothing….

Two voices were stuck in my head, one younger and one older. The younger one cursed me, yelled at me, pushed me to move on, I flinched, tried to get away….

I can’t, I’m too tired, leave me alone, I want to go to sleep

Damn it, you pigheaded, crazy stubborn devil of a woman!! You will not go to sleep, you will come back here, and you will do it NOW!!

Someone hauled me forward, dragged me violently by my arms, I tried resistance but it was futile. I found myself nearer the light, the sharp tormenting light…

Serene, my dearest, come back to me, please my precious…come back!

A gentle voice, a familiar voice, but so faint, so faint…

I broke through! Into a white blurry world of pain and noise, where shadows slowly turned into faces;

“Renie, my love, say nothing. You came back to me; I love you,” Athyn’s voice broke and he kissed me.

My hands were stuck somehow. Athyn held one of them but the other I couldn’t get loose, I tried and when I moved my head a little bit to the right I saw Sethyas holding it tight to his face. His shoulders were shaking.

“If you pull that stunt on me one more time, I assure you I’ll kill you with my bare hands,” he muttered, not looking at me, just squeezing my hand.

“Now, now, no more talk about killing. We’ve had just about enough of that I think.” The nasal voice of Baladas Demnevanni caught my attention. “Here Serene, let me give you this to drink; I’m sure you’ll feel better.”

One of his famous purple vials came in sight and I downed the potion willingly, as the pain now had become overwhelming. My entire body was on fire, I didn’t understand, I remembered the final stroke from Bolvyn Venim, I remembered the feeling of cold steel piercing me somewhere above my left breast, but after that…blackness. So did I kill him? I think I must have…

But why wasn’t I healed? Baladas was there and he was the best healer in Tamriel…

“You were dead, my dear! Nobody can perform healing on a dead person, unless they know how to resuscitate, and I do not have that knowledge,” Baladas smiled. “The katana went right through your body, cut quite a few blood vessels on its way in and out, so we had to stop the bleeding the normal non-magic way,” he continued. “Then you faded away from us, but you came back again…”

Athyn looked at me, gently stroking my hair, the look in his face pure love. He had cried but did not try to hide it, Words were unnecessary. Sethyas still held on to my right hand. I knew he had shed tears as well, but did not want to show it. Not yet.

“Can I go home?” My voice was merely a whisper; the effort of just uttering those few words was almost too much. I did want to get home desperately; I wasn’t sure exactly where I was right now but I could sense the sour smell from old sweaty blankets so I was probably still somewhere at the Vivec Arena.

Then there was a discussion of whether it was possible to move me just yet or if my wound would start bleeding again and so on.

The matter was solved by a sharp knock on the door and a guard entering the small room;

“You still here, folks? She survived. Well, that means you Redorans’ got yourself a new Archmaster! Congratulations lil’ lady; I was almost certain you wouldn’t make it. But now I must ask you to leave; we need this room.”

I froze; I knew I was the Archmaster but somehow I’d suppressed it; I didn’t want to think about it, it scared me.

“Wrap an extra robe around her chest, and someone just carry her, that’ll do it,” Baladas stated.

“I’ll take her,” Sethyas let my right hand loose and stood up. His eyes were redder than usual, but he finally looked at me;

You nearly broke your promise, damn you

I bit my lip; I knew what he meant and my eyes filled with tears.

Ilmeni took off her thin delicate robe and wrapped it around me. Athyn helped out by lifting me up a bit. The slight movement made me scream from pain; it was like a sword of fire went through me. I had to rest a few minutes so the pain would diminish. Baladas knelt by my side offering one of his colorful vials, this time a red one.

“Painkiller, my dear, or you will perish when our strong grumpy hero here scoops you up in his arms.”

It may have been some mysterious mixture in that vial or just Brandy, but it made me feel very warm and relaxed, almost a bit absent. And it did its work because when Sethyas actually did lift me in his arms I felt drowsy and almost happy.
I only remember fragments of our journey back to Ald’ruhn. I was lying in Sethyas’ arms, he held me so tightly to his chest that I could hardly breathe.

“Be easy on her Seth; you’ll suffocate her,” Ilmeni said when I gasped for breath when we entered the gondola from Vivec Arena to Vivec Foreign Quarters. He just snarled in answer.

I leaned my head on his shoulder and whispered;

“Please don’t be angry with me. I did not let you down.”

“Too close it was, far too close! I don’t like to be frightened like that. I don’t like to once again nearly lose a woman that is close to me; it tears me apart.”

I had no answer to that, so I closed my eyes and allowed myself to drift away.

It was late night when we arrived in Ald’ruhn, no people in the streets, just a few guards patrolling. I had slept during the rest of the journey and felt remarkably better. I could almost see the comic aspect of the situation; the new Redoran Archmaster returned to her realm, hurt, bleeding, almost unconscious in the arms of a Dunmer Assassin, and with her court stumbling beside her. I noticed Athyn leaning on Ilmeni Dren, Varvur leading a half asleep Vendrela and at the end of the procession Salyn and Baladas…

It felt good to be home and be the one everybody fussed about. My wound was thoroughly attended to by Baladas and Ilmeni. They even closed the cuts by stitching them together with cord or something. That was a new treatment and it seemed to speed up the healing process. Ilmeni had read about that somewhere and decided together with Baladas to try it out.

Three days I lay in bed recovering. Then it was time for me to claim my realm. I called for a council meeting.

As I entered the council hall, Athyn by my side, I felt proud and expectant. They were present, all of them; Brara Morvayn, with her hearty smile; Miner Arobar, looking content; Hlaren Ramoran, just his normal happy self; Garisa Llethri, shaking his head in disbelief; and Sethyas…my brother, my friend, whom I owed my life. He merely sat there, no expression whatsoever on his dark face. And I knew that if he hadn’t cursed me and yelled at me to come back when I was dying in that small room at the Arena, I would have given in to the ease of death.

“I greet you all, Redoran Councilors. Welcome to this meeting.” My voice was clear and steady…

The first day of the rest of my life had begun!