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]

Ok my loyal readers, it's time to wrap up chapter 7...
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Two hours later we were sitting in Ilmeni’s apartment in St Delyn again, licking our wounds, or rather I tried my best to heal the cuts and bruises on Seth, while Athyn offered him a mug of Cyrodiilic Brandy, which he seemed to appreciate more than my doings.

Ilmeni returned from her trip and was quite upset when she found out about the duel.

“Sethyas, you did the right thing, of course, but…but you could have gotten yourself killed. And that would have been …” She burst into tears.

I felt bad. Sethyas had fought for me; if he had been killed it would have been my fault. Then again this was his profession; he was the most skilled assassin of House Redoran; if anyone could stay alive it was Sethyas Velas!

Seth took her on his lap to comfort her, and after a while she composed herself and put out some bread and cheese on the table.

“You’ll get beastly drunk if you drink that stuff without eating,” she said dryly.

Then there was a knock at the door. Ilmeni, who anyway was up on her feet, opened it and in strode two Imperial guards, flanking a familiar person.

“Son… ehh, Imsin! What brings you here?” I asked in astonishment but also joy; it had been a long time since I’d seen her.

“Serene, Athyn…and Sethyas, we have a problem,” Imsin the Dreamer said in a tired voice. "After this duel, I was scheduled to fight Vantinius," she continued

"Why?" I wondered aloud.

"To become Knight of the Imperial Dragon, to command the entire Legion in Vvardenfell. Higher-level ranks in the Legion are often determined by duels. You know this, as you are in the Legion."

I nodded, starting to understand what she was getting at and it made my blood chill.

"The problem here is that you, Sethyas, are now the Knight of the Dragon. We must duel."

Imsin turned to Seth, who didn’t move a muscle, and just stared straight at her.

"No! I, I ... Sonya, you're my friend, Seth is my brother, you can’t!"

“Shush, Renie, she’s right, you know that; let her finish!” Seth muttered. I was stunned; Athyn took my hand and squeezed it;

“Have faith my love, it will be OK.” His words were comforting but the look on his face wasn’t. Ilmeni had grown quite pale; she didn’t say anything, and she was far more composed and calm than I was, but her whole posture showed worry. Athyn rose and put his arm around her back, urging her to sit down beside him.

"I do not want to fight you, Sethyas Velas," Imsin said in a low voice, "but our plans are not served by you as the head of the Legion. It must be me: you have other, more important, matters to attend to."

Sethyas nodded, not taking his eyes off her face. Then she turned to me;

"Serene, listen to me. These duels are not always fought to the death. Only stupid people with foolish pride insist on that. Remember your knowledge of Legion procedure?"

Comprehension dawned on me and I nodded. She stepped away from me, turning to Seth again;

“What about you, Dunmer? Are you prepared to meet me at the Arena in an hour?”

I knew the procedure, but did Sethyas? He wasn’t a member of the Legion…

“Yes, Sera, I am ready.”

Ilmeni looked at me in horror and disbelief. I didn’t know if she could read me but I tried to tell her it would be ok, that is if her beloved assassin would listen to me.

We all went back to the Arena. During the trip I tried to talk to Seth, to tell him what the procedure was all about, but he was unwilling to speak to me; he just held Ilmeni close to him, embracing her and kissing her hard.

Silly Dunmer, you need to know how to do this!

For Azura’s sake, leave me be woman. Get out of my head. I want to have this moment with Ilmeni in peace!

I closed my mind, feeling a bit hurt that he shoved me away, but I did as he wished and sat silent close to Athyn the rest of the trip.

By now the Arena was crowded, for this was to be the ultimate fight, the duel for the title Knight of the Imperial Dragon. The crowd rumbled. They wanted their fight.

Imsin and Sethyas were now alone in the pit. I glanced at Imsin, and despite her calm I could see tears slowly run down her face. That was it. Fear, but mostly anger rose in me and I gathered all my willpower to penetrate the mind of the stubborn Dunmer down in the Pit.

NOW you listen carefully, reckless, silly, stubborn assassin! I will tell you exactly how you will act, and you just DO IT! Without hesitation, without questions. Imsin believes you know this procedure, but I doubt it!

I could see Seth put his hand to his head. Good. I was in. He gave me a quick glance and a grimace. My heart pounded, and I prepared to lead him through this.

"SILENCE" bellowed the Nord who normally leads the duels. It was the same one who led my duel with Bolvyn Venim.

Silence actually descended.

The Nord called to Seth, "Sethyas Velas, are you prepared to duel Imsin the Dreamer right now?"

"I am."

"Imsin, are you ready?"

"I am"

"Begin!"

Seth drew Chrysamere and Imsin drew her weapon.

He shifted the grip on his sword and began the maneuver. It was difficult to do in this armor: it was as if the armor did not want to do it. Nonetheless, he completed the maneuver and was now kneeling on the bloody sand. He was holding Chrysamere by the blade. The hilt faced Imsin.

"I yield," he said. Imsin could not hear him over the roar of the crowd, but the gesture was clear.

I let out my breath; he got it right! I took Ilmeni’s hand, whispering to her that it was going to be OK. She looked at me, wiped her face and kissed me.

Imsin approached him and gently took the offered sword from his hands, sheathed her blade and held his up high. The crowd's roaring grew even louder. The weapon came down ... and its tip rested on the sand.

"SILENCE," shouted the Nord.

The crowd was immediately silent.

"By an honorable duel," he announced, "Imsin the Dreamer has defeated Sethyas Velas and is now Knight of the Imperial Dragon, head of all of the Legion in Vvardenfell!" The crowd went wild. The noise was deafening.

Imsin offered her hand. Seth clasped it and she pulled him to a standing position. She returned Chrysamere to him and smiled.

It was not until late in the night I felt at ease. It was a warm humid night, and we sat outside Ilmeni’s apartment overlooking the sea, sipping warm comberry wine.

“I…I don’t think I’ve had a chance to thank you, Seth, for restoring my honor and giving me my past back,” I said, smiling at him over my mug. He just blinked at me raising his mug in a toast.

Anytime, sis, anytime!

He then turned to Ilmeni, kissing her gently and pleaded;

“So friends, it is high time to prepare yourselves for the event of the year in Vvardenfell; Ilmeni and I are going to get married in about six weeks and you are all invited! Oh, and we would very much appreciate if you, dear Sister, would volunteer to be in charge of the arrangements!”

“Sethyas! Really, Serene is the Archmaster; she surely has better things to do,” Ilmeni hissed.

“Has she now? “Seth laughed. “But our dear Archmistress owes me one, right?”

I smiled, and leaned my head against Athyn’s shoulder.

Anytime, dear brother, anytime!

So at last;

Justice is taken – I had done what was prophesied for my House; I had also regained my honor and my past, without having to take another life…

Comfort is given – At last there would be peace: I could go on with my life, together with my beloved Athyn, with my dear friends and kinsmen. I could be truly happy again.

I should have known there are no such things as happy endings!

Here ends chapter 7

Have patience with me, chapter 8 is already in progress!