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]

At last! I'm apologizing for my very long delay, there's really no good explanation apart from that weird thing you may call RL!!

Anyway here's an update for you...Enjoy!

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Time was crucial here; the shack was almost filled with smoke, and the wall beside the door was totally on fire; even the door was engulfed in raging flames. From the corner of my eye I saw Foryn heading for the window. If he managed to get it opened the fire would get even more furious, and it would be fatal.

I just had to stop him!

Now fishing nets are flammable, so I yelled “Igneus Manus” and the fire that appeared in my palms quickly burnt through the net and my hands were free. Unfortunately robes are also flammable so I almost succeeded in setting myself on fire as well.

Anyway I literally jumped at Foryn and landed heavily on his back, immediately clutching my arms around his waist. We fell to the floor, both of us. Down there the smoke wasn’t that thick, so I could actually see him. His face distorted from anger and fear, he tried to escape from me, but I did not let go of him.

“Cooperate now, Foryn,” I yelled. “We have to get out, NOW!”

I didn’t wait for him to agree or even reply, I managed to drag us both on our feet and then I headed for the door.

“NOOOO!” He bellowed. “Crazy woman, you’ll kill us both”

Foryn Gilnith and I crashed through the burning door, tightly clinging to each other, continuing right into the Inner Sea. The cold water put out the fire on our clothes and certainly calmed him down. The fire had attracted the Guards of Seyda Neen, so there were a lot of hands to help us out of the water.

“Ahh, Sera, let me take care of this scum.” One of the Guards grabbed Foryn by his arm. The poor Dunmer was shivering with cold and did not make any resistance.

“Oh no you won’t,” I snapped. “He’s mine, and he’s no scum, just a Fisherman who lost his home and income. I need to talk to him so if you please take us to Arrille’s so we can get some dry clothing.”

I understood there could be some difficulties explaining to the guards that I was the Archmaster of House Redoran, apart from my urge to travel here incognito, which per se was a success, I really looked like a mess; clothes burnt to rags, my hair partly burnt off and I was soaking wet from the encounter with the Inner Sea. So I didn’t actually want to commence a discussion with them, I just wanted Foryn and me to get somewhere we could talk.

Kausha raised her eyebrows as we entered Arrille’s, but the girl was clever enough not to ask any questions; she just showed us to an empty room, and put various clothes on the bed.

Foryn smirked at me, as I ripped off my rags and eventually ended up naked in front of him. I didn’t care; I just slipped into a shirt, far too big, and a pair of worn trousers. A thick green robe concluded my dressing.

“Come on, Foryn, get yourself into some dry clothing, or else you’ll catch a cold,” I said to the shivering Dunmer. He stared at me with a grumpy look on his face.

“Turn around, woman! Even if you’re shameless enough to undress in front of me, I’m not keen on letting you have a peek at me!” Foryn spat. I smiled and placed myself facing the window, overlooking the sun setting in the sea. I felt remorse; I had been too harsh confronting Foryn Gilnith, and as a result, I had deprived him of his home, his belongings and probably his ability to have a life.

A knock at the door interrupted my thoughts; it was Kausha, bringing two mugs with hot comberry wine.

“To warm you up, Sera; you both look as though you need it.”

I thanked the young Ashlander and then closed the door firmly after her.

“So, Foryn, I suggest we do as follows: First we drink this hot wine; it will make us feel better, then we head over to the Census-office and speak with Socucius Ergalla. He’s really a fair man and I’m sure we can sort this out for the best.” I sounded more confident than I was; for all I knew Foryn could just attack me and try to kill me on the spot. I wasn’t sure I would blame him for it.

“Ergalla? You must be kidding me!” Foryn yelled. “The man hates the sight of me; he will put me into prison immediately. No way I’m going near him!”

“No he won’t,” I replied. “I have more power than you think; he will listen to me when I tell him what to do.”

Foryn looked suspiciously at me, and a smirk on his face revealed he did not believe a word I was saying.

I must admit I had a hard job convincing Socucius Ergalla I was the Archmaster of Redoran, but I couldn’t blame him, considering the way I looked. Finally he believed me and listened to me. He was pleased the murder was solved at last, but he insisted that Foryn should have proper punishment for his deed. He was very clear on that and told me that no Archmaster of whatever Great House could stop the justice of the Empire.

“I told you, damn woman,” Foryn Gilnith spat, looking at me with murder in his eyes. He was trembling with rage and fear and it made me feel more and more sorry for him.

I by then had had about enough of stubborn men; I took out my Amulet of the Knight, which showed I had the rank of Knight Protector in the Legion. This made Socucius Ergalla silent. He bowed and reassured me that my wishes were his orders. I smiled…

“First, the tax-money will be returned to the Census and Excise Office; I will see to that as soon I’m back in Ald’ruhn. Second, Foryn here shall have a punishment, but not a useless one like going to jail, which would only mean he will be a cost for the good people of Seyda Neen. No, I suggest that he will perform some good labor to pay off his guilt….” I stopped to let my speech sink in.

Foryn looked at me with disbelief, and then just shook his head.

Socucius Ergalla nodded; he understood what I meant and it did please him in a way, I could tell from the expression in his face. The important thing now was that he came up with a suggestion of what kind of work Foryn should do. I waited with a faint smile on my face.

“Ahhh, how about working for Thavere Vedrano, in the Lighthouse? She could certainly do with some help nowadays,” Socucius Ergalla smiled, somewhat evilly, actually.

Foryn went pale, then jumped to his feet, gasping for breath.

“Are you insane? That woman was almost engaged to that Tax-man! She would never have his murderer work for her!!! No way I’ll do that; I’d rather go to jail, but then again…” He stopped, covering his face with his hands, shoulders shivering.

“Foryn? “ I put my hand on his shoulder, waiting for him to continue. I suspected there was more to come; he had said something about his mother back in the burning shack….

“My mother…she lives outside of town, in a small farmhouse growing saltrice and stuff,” Foryn mumbled, still covering his face. Then suddenly he burst out;

“She’s old and sick! I give her all money I can spare from the fishing. She needs help, and if I don’t support her, she’ll just die! That’s why I took that money…to get her medicine!”

“Ok, I’ll go and see her,” I said. “She’ll be ok, I promise.”

Foryn was a beaten man; he needed no more punishment, so I took him by the arm, said goodbye to Socucius Ergalla and followed him to the Seyda Neen Lighthouse. I figured I had to explain some things to Thavere, or she would most certainly not just accept the murderer of her former fiancée showing up on her doorstep.

First, however, I had to see to that Foryn looked decent, so I turned to a legionnaire I used to know, Vodunicus Nuccius, who still hadn’t managed to get home to Cyrodiil. I asked him if he possibly could guard Foryn for me while I went to talk to Thavere, and also see to it that the Dunmer got some more clothes…

Thavere wasn’t overwhelmingly happy about having Foryn Gilnith working for her at first, but after a great deal of persuasion from my side she agreed to the arrangement, providing there would be a guard present for security’s sake.

Vodunicus Nuccius agreed to take care of that; he knew Thavere and was happy to be able to be of service, if for no other reason having something useful to do.

For my sake I decided my task in Seyda Neen was finished and took the strider to Balmora to see Milie Hastien about my terribly destroyed hair before returning to Ald’ruhn and Athyn.

Milie succeeded in making me at least look decent again; of course my hair had to be cut pretty short and then colored with heather to look ok, but I was feeling confident when I finally met with my family again, hoping for some peaceful time to come.

That, as it turned out wasn’t going to happen!