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]

Oh dear! To high expectations I´m afraid, the idea is really very simple!


Naturally I would have to speak with Athyn first about sending his son away, for that was my intent…to send him to my friend Imsin the Dreamer at Fort Buckmoth. Not for military training; that would not be appropriate for a young man like Varvur, but there are other tasks to be done at a training-camp and by just being there he might get some more confidence in himself and maybe feel somewhat needed. He had told me he was good with figures, so maybe Imsin could find him a suitable position. Besides, he would be out of the way of the Archmaster, which would be a good thing, considering the situation.

I sat with Varvur until he’d finished his second mug of warm sweetened wine, which in fact affected him somewhat, his stiff posture eased and he calmed down considerably.

“You do care about Father quite a bit don’t you?” he asked me, putting the empty mug on the table beside the bed. I nodded; I didn’t want to go deeper into that matter because I was afraid my face would reveal more than I wanted it to.

“Well then I do apologize for breaking down like this, and I feel better now than I’ve done in weeks; maybe I had to let it out…and to a complete stranger! You really are some kind of a witch aren’t you?” He even smiled faintly at me, taking the sting from those words.

“It’s OK, Varvur,” I replied “But I’m not a witch, just a Redoran kinsman, like you, who happened to be there at the right time.”

“Then tell me why you had me fall apart and tell you all that stuff, I’ve never done that before...not to anyone! You must have cast some spell at me…. ”

I just smiled; it would have been easier to admit I really did bespell him but that wouldn’t do him any good, so I just shook my head.

“Now I’ve got to look after your Father, so you go and take that bath and then come for dinner; you’ll feel a lot better”

I found Athyn in his private chambers, sound asleep. No fever or anything had complicated his state, so I decided to let him sleep a bit longer.

I proceeded into the kitchen-area to see if I could find something to eat. I was starving after the encounter with Varvur and I guessed both Athyn and his son could use a bite as well. The Manor was eerily empty; I didn’t see a single soul, not a guard, no staff at all. I felt a tickle down my spine; there was something wrong in this house, but I couldn’t tell what. Varvur joined me after half an hour, looking quite good, clean shaven and with decent clothing; a red Redoran shirt and brown trousers. He seemed somewhat embarrassed to see me, so I didn’t talk directly to him. He took out some bread and a bottle of Flin and with a faint smile he went away, probably back to his room.

I prepared some food for Athyn which I brought to him on a tray. I also made a mug of warm sweetened wine for him; I thought it would do him good as well.

He sat up in his bed as I entered and gave me a hearty smile.

“You spoil me, Serene,” he said quietly. My heart pounded, and I just handed him the wine, telling him to drink it while it was still warm.

“I need to talk with you…about Varvur,” I said after he’d finished the simple meal I’d prepared for him. I vaguely noticed I hadn’t eaten anything myself; I simply forgot about it. He leaned back and looked at me, and I wished he hadn’t done that, for it was hard enough to focus on what I was about to ask him.

“You want to send him to Fort Buckmoth? To the military camp over there? Why, is that really something for Varvur?” Athyn sounded doubtful.

“No…no, I’ve got a friend there, Imsin the Dreamer, she’s a kind of high commander in the Legion, and I think she can find something useful for him to do! The thing is he needs to be recognised by you, he wants you to be proud of him….” I stopped; maybe I should have told Athyn in more detail about the conversation I had with Varvur, but then again I wouldn’t want to give the young man away, and I would certainly not want to tell Athyn about the real reason why Varvur was captured by Archmaster Venim!

“But…I am proud of him as it is!” Athyn exclaimed. “He’s intelligent and kind and keeps track of the household’s accounts!”

“Have you told him that?” I asked.

Athyn sighed and shook his head; “Maybe I haven’t been as clear about it as I should have.”

We agreed that I should write a letter to Imsin, telling her about Varvur´s situation, and then asking her if she’d agree to giving him some kind of suitable job.

I meant to ask Athyn about the total absence of staff or guards in the house, but I was interrupted by the sudden appearance of Domesea Sarethi, who burst into the room with an air of someone with a guilty conscience.

“Oh my darling!” she shouted, “I heard there was some kind of problem this morning, but our dear boy, Trey sorted it out! How lucky we are to have him, aren’t we dear?” Domesea flung herself at Athyn, hugging him vigorously, I noticed the pain it caused him, but he didn’t complain, just murmured something and patted her back.

Then she noticed me…

“Oh my! Sera Catraso is it? What, may I ask, are you doing in my husband’s bedroom?”

I could have asked her were she’d been that morning, but of course I didn’t. I just smiled politely at her and told her I had healed her husband’s injuries from the attack and was checking on his progress.

“Well you have completed your task so there’s no reason for you to be present anymore,” she snapped at me.

“Domesea, please! Be nice to our guest, she did a great job healing me, and I think she has a solution for poor Varvur as well.” Athyn sounded tired and he put his hand to his forehead as if he had a headache.

I decided to leave, as I didn’t want to upset either of them and I had better things to do, such as talking to Varvur and writing that letter to Imsin.

“Are you out of your mind woman?” Varvur yelped, when I told him about going to Fort Buckmoth. “It is not the place, nor the time for me just going away like that!”

I spent nearly an hour trying to convince him that this was the best thing he could do as the situation was.

“You’ll be safe, damn it!” I barked “Nobody would imagine you, Varvur Sarethi- the coward, dwelling at a place like Fort Buckmoth, an Imperial Fort and a military training-camp.” I was utterly tired of this young man, always opposing me, when all I wanted was for him to be safe and get a life!

“Besides, my friend over there will be told of your special abilities, so she will find a proper spot for you, and YES, I’ve spoken with your Father, and he thinks it’s a good idea!” I added.

As I returned to my room at the Mage’s Guild that evening I was exhausted. I still wore the clothes stained with Athyn´s blood and I hadn’t eaten during the whole day, so I let Edwinna take care of me – as usual!

Before I went to sleep I wrote the letter to Imsin. I had to rewrite it because of the tears of exhaustion and frustration that flooded down my face and ruined the first one.

Dear Imsin
I write to you because you are my friend and I need to ask you to do me a favour. The young man who delivers this letter to you is the son of Serjo Athyn Sarethi, Councillor of the Redoran High Council, who is also my benefactor as he has adopted me into his house and family. This young man, Varvur, has angered the Archmaster of Great House Redoran in such a way that he fears for his life. The reason for this I will not mention to you, but I am sure Varvur himself will, if he thinks he can confide in you.

Varvur Sarethi is an intelligent man, skilled in reading and mathematics. He is not a fighter, but I am sure you could make good use of him. The important thing is that his whereabouts are not revealed, not to anyone, or his life will be at risk. He will be going under a pseudonym for his and your safety.

I sincerely hope you will be able to help out, Imsin, it would mean a great deal to me, and I’m asking this of you because you are my best friend and I will always love and cherish you.

Wishing you all the best

Serene

The next morning as I entered Sarethi Manor, Athyn seemed totally recovered, and he embraced me and held me in his arms just a bit longer than was appropriate.

“Are you alright, my dear? You look worn out, have you had enough sleep?” His voice was dark and tender and I tried a reassuring smile, while looking around afraid that Domesea would appear wondering what on Nirn I was doing in her husband’s arms!

I told Athyn I was OK, a bit tired but OK…

Domesea wasn’t at home as it turned out, so Athyn, Varvur and myself made the necessary preparations for his departure to Fort Buckmoth. Domesea was informed about the plan and had no objections; maybe she even felt good about getting Varvur out of sight for a while, that would make it easier for her to keep her trysts with Archmaster Venim. I didn’t show my wicked thoughts, but I couldn’t resist thinking them.

It wouldn’t be safe for Varvur just to walk to Fort Buckmoth; he would need an escort of some sort. Naturally I could walk with him, but Athyn didn’t like the thought of the two of us being out there alone.

“I care too much about you two, so it’s out of the question,” Athyn stated, “but I know of a good reliable man, a kinsman in our House, his name is Sethyas Velas and I’d gladly trust him with my son’s life.”

“I’m sure he will agree to escort Varvur to Fort Buckmoth,” Athyn continued.

With Varvur gone, I felt I had no reason to hang around in Sarethi Manor anymore, so the following week I buried myself in studies at the Mage’s Guild.

“Do come and see me again, Serene. I’d like to show my appreciation for your deeds in a proper way!” were Athyn´s parting words to me…

And I’m glad I actually did….and that I didn’t wait too long to do so.