Serene of Cyrodiil, chapter 5, Home is where your Heart is... Options

[minque]

Family isn't about whose blood you have. It's about who you care about

Trey Parker and Matt Stone, South Park, Cat Orgy, 1999


Chapter 5, Home is where your heart is

Before I continue with the story of the upcoming events in Ald´Ruhn, I think I want to say a few words about Intervention-scrolls, and spells for that matter!

It seems so utterly easy and convenient; you speak an incantation, either written on a piece of parchment, or you know it by heart, then all of a sudden you are somewhere else, just like that...

Of course it’s not that easy, all who have used this kind of transportation know what I´m talking about. You actually decompose yourself, your physical body, into its building-stones, and then you put them all together somewhere else, all magically of course. Now that has to affect you somehow and it surely affected me, when I suddenly found myself in the courtyard of the Ald´Ruhn Temple that rainy morning.....

The actual travel, or intervention, feels like you’re totally weightless, flowing in the void, whirling like an autumn-leaf. You have no idea what’s up and down, your intestines are all spinning around, or at least it feels like they are. Darkness and pain engulf you, the very air around you is filled with the most terrible screams from poor souls that never reached their destination.... and you are certain you will never get out of it alive. But of course you do, that is if you don’t happen to meet anything hostile where you end up.

The Almsivi-Intervention brings you directly to the nearest Tribunal Temple, so as I mentioned, I ended up outside the Ald´Ruhn Temple. I was shaken and nauseous, and it took a while before I could compose myself enough to gather my scattered belongings, check that all was there and head off to a well-known place, at least for me; the Mage’s Guild!

Ironically, I always seemed to be in a mess when visiting this Guild house, so it was no wonder Edwinna Elbert laughed when she greeted me.

“Serene! How wonderful to see you again.....but you look like you need to use our washing-facilities- as usual- I’d say!”

After a hot and invigorating bath I sat down in Edwinna´s office, wrapped in a worn but warm robe, telling her of my adventures with the Ashlanders.

“You need to go and see Neminda,” Edwinna advised me when I told her about my last encounter with Azura. “You belong to House Redoran, and they will most certainly take care of you, my child.”

So later that afternoon I went to Under Skar, to the Redoran Council-hall, once again dressed up by the generous Mages of Ald´Ruhn, to meet with Neminda.

She was pleased to see me but commented on how thin and wiry I’d become since the last time we met; it was no wonder though after living almost a year among the Ashlanders. When I told her about my time in the Ahemmusa Camp she listened carefully without a word until I came to the part about the Outlander who was asking to be named the Nerevarine, then she interrupted my telling;

“Ah, I know that man, he’s adopted into House Redoran, and he has a very good reputation within the Great House. He is a Breton as far as I know, from High Rock....He doesn’t speak so much about himself…” Neminda smiled, “But forgive my interruption, Serene, continue please.”

After I finished my story and also told her about Azura´s prophecy about “claiming my family,” Neminda sat silent for a while, in deep thoughts. Finally, she spoke:

“ Serene, I think I know the meaning of the words of The Divine. Leave now, and go to the Temple and talk to Lloros Sarano. He is a wise man and I think you may find it useful to talk to him.”

The Temple of Ald´Ruhn was rather small, just a few rooms on the ground-level, and then a bigger area downstairs. A rather friendly-looking Dunmer approached me upon my entering the premises and introduced himself as Lloros Sarano. It turned out he was a temple-servant, specialised in mental illnesses and healing, which made him utterly interesting to talk to. There were not many healers around Ald´Ruhn at the moment so he was happy to meet me so he could discuss his latest experiences in the noble art of healing. Or at least that was how I explained his questions regarding my own experiences with healing and restorative magic.

I spent the night in the Mage’s Guild, and the next morning I paid another visit to Neminda.

“Serene, it so happens that Serjo Athyn Sarethi, one of our councillors, may be able to help you out....he is a friend of my father and has had a lot of sad things happening to him and his family lately.” Neminda sighed and continued: “First his son was kidnapped, then he was the victim of an assassination-attempt, then he is almost certain his wife is betraying him, and above all his son was charged with murder.”

I gasped, thinking that there was no end to this poor man’s misfortunes, but also wondering where I fit into this? I couldn´t see the connections....not at all.

“Athyn is most of all concerned about his son, Varvur. He is back home, and his name is cleared, but he is in a very bad shape, he has lost his will to keep on living, he’s just lying on his bed, staring into the air, not talking to anyone, not eating....he seems to be determined to die. Athyn is at his wit’s end, he doesn’t know what to do, now when Trey’s gone and all.” Neminda sighed once more and blew her nose.

“Trey?” I asked, “Is he that outlander I met?”

He was, and since he also was the saviour of both Athyn´s and Varvur´s lives and honour, according to Neminda, I could very well understand the loss the old councillor felt.

“Words spread fast in these surroundings,” Neminda smiled, “Serjo Sarethi knows about you, Serene, and he knows you’re back!....So go to Sarethi Manor and talk to him..”

Sarethi Manor didn’t look very fancy from outside, just another door in the wall, but inside was a completely different thing. A spacious hallway, with ornaments on the walls and a thick red carpet on the floor, sloped slowly downwards, leading to a huge room, with austere furnishings....

The man that approached me was at least double my age, tall, with black, grey-streaked hair, dark-red very sad eyes and a face that showed he had had his share of life and it had not been all pleasant. Yet it was a fascinating face, pointed cheekbones, straight nose and a strangely sensitive mouth. I couldn´t take my eyes off him.....

“Serene was it, right?” His dark voice had this magnetism that affected me more deeply than I then realized!

“Y-yes” I stuttered, “Neminda sent me, she thought maybe you could have some use for me.”

Athyn Sarethi smiled, led me to a chair and bade me sit down. The fate of young Varvur Sarethi was sad. The young man had been kidnapped by the Archmaster of House Redoran, Bolvyn Venim, accused of a crime he didn’t commit. Although it was actually more complicated- he probably HAD fought with the other young man, but had been under the influence of malign magic at the time. It was a well-understood point of Dunmeri (as well as Imperial) law that a person was not responsible for their actions if they where bespelled. He had been rescued from Venim Manor by the outlander known as Trey of High Rock; as Athyn mentioned the young Breton, his face brightened, almost glowing. I understood this man was very dear to him. Still, Varvur was accused of the murder of his best friend, Bralen Carvaren, so not only did he loose his friend, he was suspected to have taken his life! The whole thing sounded absurd to me but I kept my mouth shut.

Trey again acted and cleared Varvur from the accusations, but Varvur was mentally in a very bad shape ever after. As he spoke of his son’s worsening condition, the animation left Athyn’s face and he clasped his hands before him so tightly that I could see the knuckles whiten. He gave me a long, searching look before he spoke-

“Serene, it is my understanding that you are a healer of great skill- perhaps even greater than you know yourself. I have spoken with Lloros Sarano- I asked him to determine whether the stories of your skill are accurate…forgive me if that seems intrusive, but I had a pressing need….”

He then made his request- my task was to cure Varvur...one way or another, and the worst thing was....I had not the faintest idea how to do it!

[minque]

At last, yesterday I celebrated the successful installing of Word with making an update of this godforsaken story

So enjoy all my loyal and wonderfully patient readers!


Varvur Sarethi did resemble his father quite a bit, but where Athyn’s face was stern and sharply outlined, Varvur was faint and weak. He was a young man, a couple of years older than me, tall and thin. His hair was originally jet-black but now it had an unhealthy greyish shade, besides it was rather oily and lank.

He was lying on a narrow bed in his small bedroom further down at Sarethi Manor, staring with unseeing eyes at the roof. The room was hot and stale and the smell of dirty clothes and unwashed human being was striking.

“Varvur, I’d like you to meet someone,” Athyn spoke gently, while putting his hand to the young man’s forehead.

“Please Father; leave me alone, I don’t want to meet anyone. I have a terrible headache.” Varvur´s voice was hoarse and guttural.

“That’s why I want you to meet this lady, she’s healer and...”

“Another healer?” Varvur smirked, “I don’t need another healer, they can’t help me anyway, so just leave me alone will you?”

I felt rather dizzy; the heat and the young man’s apparent repudiation of having anything to do with me made me want to leave...immediately. A trickle of sweat ran down my back and I had some difficulty breathing the stale air.

“Varvur, please,” Athyn had obvious difficulties controlling his voice, and the pain in his eyes made me feel even worse.

Then all of a sudden Varvur sat up and took a look at me. His red eyes were totally callous. I tried to stay calm and even gave him a faint smile.

“Ha! At least this one is good looking, not like those old hags you usually get here.” The young Dunmer gave me a scornful smile and leaned back on the bed again.

“There is no need to be rude, Varvur,” Athyn replied icily, “Serene here is a very skilled healer, so please give her a chance.”

I remained silent, just put my hand gently on Athyn´s arm to draw his attention away from the young man on the bed, and as he turned towards me the world stopped. There was nothing except the old Dunmer and I; I could not move, not even withdraw my hand; the only thing that existed was Athyn Sarethi´s dark sad eyes looking right into mine.

I can’t explain the storm flood of feelings that came over me, I just stood there for eternity as it seemed. In fact the strange moment just lasted like a minute before I forced myself to let go of his arm, saying:

“I’d better go now, Serjo Sarethi, to make some preparations and then I’ll come back in a day or two.”

Athyn Sarethi nodded, still looking at me with an almost tender expression in his face.

I went directly to the Mage’s Guild after leaving Sarethi Manor. There had to be some source of useful information to help me plan this delicate task of curing Varvur. I was considering consulting Lloros Sarano as well but decided to wait until the next day.

Edwinna was very friendly as always. She prepared a meal for me and I discovered I was starving, oddly enough, so I enjoyed the crab-stew and the freshly made bread she put in front of me very much.

“Serene, I think it would be a good idea to visit Venim Manor,” she said thoughtfully, “You might be able to come up with a clue to why young Varvur was held prisoner there in the first place; besides, you’re new to House Redoran and it would be an act of courtesy to pay a visit to the Archmaster of the Great House.”

I shrugged- after what I’d heard about Archmaster Venim, I had no real desire to meet him. It seemed that he was a very powerful man, who used his power in ways that I considered questionable. Still, I agreed with Edwinna, a visit to Venim Manor could be fruitful.

I wanted to look the very best when visiting Archmaster Venim, so I washed myself thoroughly the next morning, Edwinna made my hair in an intricate coiffure, just to make a good first impression. Also she lent me her finest dress, the one she usually wore at celebrations and other important events.

If I had known how things would turn out, I wouldn’t have bothered so much.

Upon my entering Venim Manor I was immediately examined, and I was glad I didn’t bring any weapons, since I thought that would prove my good intentions. The examination was not at all pleasant, even though it was performed by a female guard, who presented herself as Velsa Orethi. She told me about the greatness of Bolvyn Venim and also how fortunate she was to be in his service. During her everlasting torrent of words, her hands were all over my body poking and squeezing….

I was told Archmaster Venim was occupied at the moment with another councillor, Garisa Llethri, so I was left unattended but not unguarded in the great lower hall of Venim Manor.

This Manor was different from Sarethi Manor, more spacious, overwhelming in its layout, richly decorated with flower arrangements, colonnades and lots of thick carpets on the walls as well as on the floor. It was a grand Manor but not as nice and comfortable looking as Sarethi Manor.

While I was waiting for my audience with the Archmaster I was approached by a Dunmeri woman who looked rather aware of her own importance, which was quite appropriate since she presented herself as Fathasa Llethri, wife of Councillor Garisa Llethri with whom Archmaster Venim was currently meeting. Fathasa was extravagantly dressed and very good at conversations, as it turned out.

“So, you must be the new outlander who has joined Great House Redoran!” she exclaimed, clutching her hands together, “So nice to meet you my child…..Now what is your name? Are you really from Cyrodiil? Oh I wish the Archmaster would send my husband there...I´ve always wanted to visit The Imperial City….Now what’s it like there?” She stopped for a short moment to catch her breath and I rapidly interrupted her;
“Sera Llethri, I’m honoured to meet you, yes I’m Serene Catraso, new member of Great House Redoran and yes I’m from Cyrodiil originally. I’m here to pay my respects to Archmaster Venim...”

“Oh yes the Archmaster, he’s an extraordinary man, strong, bold, a truly great leader and a very good friend of me and my husband.”

Fathasa´s face glowed in a rather strange way when she talked about Archmaster Venim and I got the feeling there was something the matter here.

I continued my conversation with Sera Llethri for a while, and then two young guards came by, telling me that Archmaster Venim was ready to see me.

I must admit I was rather nervous about meeting the head of House Redoran, but held my head high when I was lead through the great hall, up a broad staircase and into the grand audience-chamber where Bolvyn Venim awaited me.

Along the way I passed a young woman who gave me a faint sign as if she wanted to speak to me…..

Bolvyn Venim was standing beside his desk, straddle-legged, with a stern look on his face, and he stared at me in a piercing, unpleasant fashion, as if he did not like what he was seeing. Well the feeling was mutual, but I maintained a cool expression that would have made my deportment teacher in Cyrodiil proud. At last, realizing that I was not about to wilt under his stares, the Archmaster spoke:

“Now then…what do we have here? Another saucy outlander intruding into our noble House Redoran…it’s completely outrageous, Guards! Get her out of here!”

I went cold with anger. this man had no reason to treat me like this, I had come with nothing but good intentions and he didn’t even bother to let me speak to him, but I didn’t give up that easy, I was here and I intended not to let me be put off like this.

“I greet you honourably Archmaster Venim!” I said in a louder voice than was intended, “I’m Serene Catraso and I recently joined Great House Redoran, and so I’m here to pay you my respects!!”

“Respect? “He frowned, “I don’t accept any respect from a dirty outlander like you; now you get out of my house immediately or I’ll have you thrown out.”

I didn’t wait for the guards to throw me out; I turned around and hurried down the staircase, tears burning behind my eyelids. It was quite long since I was treated in this humiliating way and I was shaking from anger and sadness.

Once outside the Manor I stopped, panting heavily, trying to prevent myself from crying, when a soft voice spoke from behind me,

“Serene, I’m sorry for my father’s behaviour; please don’t be sad, I think we must talk!”

I looked up, and saw that the young woman who gave me the sign before was standing on the walkway, her hand outstretched in a friendly manner.

“Your father?” I asked, and wondered how a rude bastard like Bolvyn Venim could possibly have a daughter who sounded that nice.

“Yes, Bolvyn Venim is my father, nothing I’m particularly proud of, by the way my name is Vendrela Aravel, and I really think we should talk……you see I’ve known Varvur Sarethi since we were children; we actually grew up together”

I looked at her stunned, first, because she apparently knew of my interest in Varvur Sarethi, and second because she just might be a source of information on what was going on in this snake’s nest that was called the Great House Redoran…