Cardonaccum, The beauty of a thistle. Options

[Captain Hammer]

It has been too long since I managed to catch up, and when I do, it is with this. After reading several posts where I can only imagine that Lady Cora is going to let her arm be rendered permanently lame in order to keep her seat, I was beginning to wonder if her vassals would find it necessary to step in for her. Seriously, the Lord of Cardonaccum has stones.

And then, of course, you bring back Talos. A Deity to dance with the Goddess, indeed. I must admit you succeeded in surprising me, and your use of subtlety is something that I can't ever hope to equal. But you did it. He is most assuredly of the Blood of Dragons.

[Acadian]

Very neat! Loads of mystery and deliciously unanswered questions. As ever, I loved the little role that Cinnie played. You did a great job with this magical encounter, from beginning to end and the lingering questions beyond.

And I see that Cora is just beginning to deal with the question that widows and widowers have asked ourselves for ages: ‘How can one hope to compete with a ghost?’

[Grits]

Cinnie was not alarmed by the general in the shadows. I like how she paw-pinned Lady Cora’s hand.

Whoa, Talos gives a new meaning to “The Fire Within!” That was a nicely hot, delicately awkward in the aftermath, and perfectly intriguing scene between the Lord and the General. Awesome!

[haute ecole rider]

@SubRosa: Yes, how did he get there so fast indeed? It's a long trip from Wayrest to Cardonaccum! But General Talos rarely did anything by convention, did he? Whisper of dragon magic? More like a kiss of the Dragon! And yes, Lord Wallace has been her first, and so far, her only love. She would feel guilt over feeling that way with another.

@BamBam: Sometimes it's nice to have more than one episode to catch up to. I'm glad Lady Cora kept you guessing as to the depths of her determination. I recall your previous comments about GENERAL TALOS, DRAGONBORN OF THE NORTH!!! and how I felt reading them, knowing that this was coming! Yes, he is indeed of the Blood of Dragons.

@Acadian: I knew that you would totally love little Cinnie. And yes, I knew you would empathize with Lady Cora's quandary of her loyalty to Lord Wallace and her physical attraction to General Talos.

@ Grits: No, Cinnie was not alarmed by the presence of the General. She is a very smart cat, indeed. I'm glad you liked the scene between the two of them. It's about time we started seeing the sparks fly, in my opinion.

The story so far: Lady Cora has had a rather unsettling encounter with General Talos, whom she least expected to see on this cold spring afternoon. Especially while preparing to perform one of the least pleasant duties of a Lord: the execution of a recalcitrant traitor.

******************
Chapter Thirty-five

“It’s completely healed,” Siné’s voice reached me as she palpated gently at my shoulder. “How did this happen, milady? And in such a short period of time?” She came around to face me, her eyes serious. “I know you spent much of the afternoon in the apothecary garden, but . . .” Her voice trailed off and her eyes sharpened. “Can Nirn’s power work so quickly?”

I regarded her silently in the flickering candlelight. It was late, and the others had already gone abed. Sir Broc’s head, impaled upon a pike, looked out over the moat and the drawbridge. His steward swung from the gibbet, awaiting dawn to be taken down.

I had not told anyone of my encounter with General Talos, nor of my healed wounds. Instead I drove myself through the grim task of execution, holding Sir Broc’s gaze without wavering until they forced his head down onto the block. Robert had performed his task well, and I only had to guide Thistlethorn into the groove below the traitor’s throat. The weight of the heavy weapon did the rest.

The amount of blood that flowed didn’t surprise me, only the manner of its flowing. Violent spurts of crimson gushed from both head and severed neck in wide arcing sprays. Decorated with blood for the second time in as many days, I fought back nausea as Broc’s life subsided into a spreading pool, then ceased.

Of all the eyes on me that evening, I was most aware of Siné’s. I knew I couldn’t hide the truth from my castle healer. Sure enough, as soon as the guests had bid their farewell and I retired for the night, she followed me. Siné would not leave me until she had seen my injuries for herself.

Now I regarded the older woman. How much do I tell her? “I can’t let this be common knowledge, Siné,” I murmured. “I would prefer to let others think you have healed me.”

“Was it Nirn?” Siné persisted. “For if it was, that would be invaluable knowledge for both of us. Anything to help you recover from illness and injury as quickly as possible can only help you as Lord of Cardonaccum.”

Siné is right. But what use is it to know, if it won’t happen again? Not like that, I won’t let it! Again I felt the sickening sense of betrayal. “Siné, I can not let anyone know what h- happened.” I shook my head. “It is unlikely to occur again.”

“What you tell me tonight stays between you and me, milady,” Siné held her fingers up between us in an inclusive gesture. “But if I am to understand how it happened, I can make it happen again if need be.”

I shook my head. “It wasn’t just Nirn, Siné. It was Nirn and - and something else.”

Her brows rose. “Something else?” she repeated. “Whatever it was, it has done you a great deal of good. Your pain is gone, the arrowhead is gone, even your stutter is absent for the moment.” She sat beside me on the edge of the bed. “Can we duplicate the manner of healing?”

I shook my head. “No, it’s not likely to occur again.” Again I swallowed back the bitter taste of guilt.

“Milady,” Siné sighed. “I am a priestess of Arkay, and qualified to hear confession. I am the castle healer, privy to secrets I must carry to my grave. Above all, I wish you would consider me your friend, for I have always been so, ever since you came here.”

I considered her words, memories of the first time I met her surfacing in the silence between us.

“This is Siné, our healer and priestess of Arkay,” Lord Wallace waved the woman up. Slender, graceful, her blue eyes full of serene kindness, the woman met my gaze with a nod. Her rich brown hair, bound in a single braid beneath her right ear, draped over her shoulder and fell to her waist.

My uncle drew himself up and puffed his chest out. “My pleasure, Lady Siné,” he said. Behind me I could sense my cousin Theodastyr stiffen to attention as the healer drew near. She ignored the men, her eyes on me. “I believe your healer will find naught to complain.” Bedastyr continued.

“Come with me, child,” Siné took my cold hand in hers. “We will go away from these men, somewhere with some privacy.”

My heart pounding, for I dreaded what would come next, I followed the older woman. How would she react? She would know the truth about me - one cannot hide secrets of this nature from a healer. Once she tells Wallace of the truth, would he void the agreement and send me back to my uncle’s household? Or would life here at Cardonaccum only be worse? I could not imagine anything more adverse than what I had already endured since my father cast my mother and I out into the Reach winter.

As I expected, Siné’s eyes were changed as she looked up from her examination. “Sit up, milady,” she lowered my skirts over my legs and eased my knees to the edge of the bed. The healer moved to the nearby table and washed her hands a second time. “Your womb quickened. What happened to the babe?”

“I lost it when it was discovered.” Beaten out of me, more like.

“Does your uncle know?”

I shook my head wordlessly. Siné dried her hands deliberately on the white towel and set it down beside the washing-bowl. She came back to me and bent down, taking my chin in her firm grip and lifting my face until I met her gaze. “Did you love him?”

Did I love him? “He is my c- cousin.”

Siné did not let me avoid the question. “But did you love him? Do you still?” She read the answer in my eyes and sighed. “So it was painful for you, wasn’t it?”

Memories of my mother’s treatment at the hands of my father flitted behind my closed lids. “Is it ever without pain for women?” I felt Siné’s hand fall away and her withdrawal. When I opened my eyes, she was seated beside the bed, her gaze on me steady.

“Lord Wallace is a good man,” she said quietly. “I’m sure he would show you otherwise, for his first wife never had cause to complain.”

“You’ll tell him?” My anxiety about the marriage surged into fresh panic. “But he’ll c- cancel the marriage contract!”

“I’ll tell him only what he needs to know,” Siné answered. “That he must always be gentle with you, milady. He won’t cancel the contract, even if he suspects. Your virginity, or lack of it, was never a condition of the marriage as far as he is concerned.”

Siné had been right, I returned to the present. Our first night together had shown me that things between a man and a woman could be wonderful indeed. And it only got better as we came to know each other through the years.

“Do you remember?” Siné asked. “I never told Wallace about your cousin, nor your babe. I only told him that you knew only that it can be painful for women, and that you were terrified.”

“Did he ever guess the truth?” I wondered aloud.

“That sadness in his eyes that never went away?” Siné reminded me of a wayward comment I had once made to her. “That wasn’t grief for his wife, not after I spoke to him. He didn’t mind that he wasn’t your first, but rather that you had only known pain.”

“He never spoke of it to me,” I wondered at it. Just how much do I still not know of the man who shared my bed for ten years?

“He never wanted to cause you pain, nor remind you of it.” Siné smiled at me, but her eyes shared the sorrow I felt. She took my hand in hers and squeezed it comfortingly. “Now tell me.” Though her voice remained soft, it held an edge of unmistakable command. “What happened after we left you alone in the study?”

“I - I wasn’t alone, after all,” I drew my breath. Dare I confide in Siné? Even though she is my friend? “There was another present.”

“Another?” Siné repeated. “Who?”

I shook my head and looked down at our clasped hands. “I c- can’t say.”

“Can’t, or won’t?” Siné pressed gently.

I met Siné’s gaze. “Until I understand what happened, it’s best I say naught of it.”

Siné drew a deep breath. “What if you never understand it?”

I shrugged. “Then I’ll never speak of it again.”

This post has been edited by haute ecole rider: Feb 24 2014, 05:15 AM

[SubRosa]

So we have fast-forwarded past the unpleasant bits, and moved to the more pleasant afterglow of Broc being dead.

But what use is it to know, if it won’t happen again?
Now whenever a woman thinks like this in a romance, it means beyond a shadow of a doubt that by the end she is going to end up in bed whomever it "won't happen again" with.

Followed by a wonderful flashback to Cora's arrival at Cardonaccum and first meeting with Sine. We learn more about the circumstances of Cora's banishment by her father, and how she married Wallace. Also we see the beginning of her friendship with Sine with a bond of trust between the two.


nits:
Now I regarded the older woman. [i]How much do I tell her?
You have an errant [i] italics mark left there. Also, I am wondering if the entire first five paragraphs were meant to be in italics? It does not all feel like a flashback, or internal monologue.

This post has been edited by SubRosa: Feb 24 2014, 05:25 PM

[Acadian]

I was relieved to hear that the executions went smoothly and as planned, without any blade falter by Lady Cora. Although gruesome to think about, the image of Broc’s head on a spike was quite apropos here.

Nice job on the flashback. As ever, you show the right stuff at the right time. It seems Sine is a true friend indeed. And a master of discretion.

[ghastley]

“There was another present.” - I like her (your) choice of phrasing here. Not even revealing the gender of the other person. Cora knows well how to keep secrets from leaking a piece at a time.

Did she have Broc's head piked as a punishment for splashing her?

[Grits]

How wonderful to read about the beginning of Sine and Lady Cora’s friendship and trust. By the end of the episode Sine’s and Lady Cora’s emotions were perfectly clear though never spelled out on the page. Beautifully done!

[haute ecole rider]

@SubRosa: I have to agree with your oh-so-true comments about women in romances! "It'll never happen again" only proves the old maxim "Never say never!" I found this the perfect time to show a little more of how difficult Lady Cora's early life was and how much she had suffered under her uncle's care. We have not yet seen why she was banished by her father - that will come later. I promise! And thanks for catching that idle italicization - I had forgotten to include the closing italic mark!

@Acadian: Yes, Siné is one of those characters that is always a joy to write. There is so much of her that it is difficult to skim over her parts, and unfair to one of the most awesome healers I've had the privilege to write. I wanted to show that she is so much more than just a healer to Lady Cora - along with our beloved Jannet, she did much to ease Lady Cora's transition into her new role at Cardonaccum ten years ago.

@ghastley: Yes, Lady Cora knows how to keep her secrets! She's full of them! And no, Broc's head on a pike is the typical result of a beheading - it's a warning to others to not mess with the current Lord of Cardonaccum!

@Grits: I'm glad you enjoyed this little bit of estrogenic writing. I felt after all the blood and gore and pain it was time for a little feminine bonding. While the two women didn't exactly talk about hair, it served its purpose.

The story so far: With Sir Broc beheaded and Sir Enrick set up in his place, the rest of the spring and the following summer has brought good fortune and a full harvest to Cardonaccum. But storm clouds are beginning to gather once more on the horizon on this sunny late fall day.

*****************
Chapter Thirty-six

“He’s settled ten mares over the summer,” Cadric announced as the stream of horses passed us. “And Nightshade’s had twelve of his own. Both are right happy and content, if ye ask me.” The two stallions brought up the rear, tossing their heads and prancing, sparks flying from shod hooves.

The sun picked out the gleaming highlights of the horses’ coats, healthy after a summer of good pasture and plenty of activity, both in the breeding shed and outside. Nightshade’s black coat shimmered violet in and out of the shade of the trees, while Inferno’s red color echoed that of the leaves above their heads.

I smiled at the aged horse-master. “That’s good news. I’m certain Lieutenant Alorius will be glad to have his stallion back in fine fettle.”

Titus joined us, his eyes scanning the mounts. “Good afternoon, Cadric,” he addressed the older man. “I trust Inferno wasn’t too difficult for you?”

Cadric eyed the taller Colovian thoughtfully. Titus turned to meet his gaze. “The truth, sir? He was a handful in the beginnin’, but we put him with a boss mare for his first and she put him in his place right quick. After that he was fine.”

“And come s- spring,” I added, “we’ll make certain you get the pick of the foals!”

The Colovian’s eyes grew somber. “Ah, that is something I will need to discuss with you, Lady Cora.” His left hand rose and drew my attention to the parchment between his fingers. I recognized the General’s seal from our copy of the treaty and lifted my gaze to him.

“Walk with me, then, Lieutenant,” I gathered my skirts. “Good work, Cadric. We will speak more later.”

The horse-master knew he had been dismissed. He knuckled his forelock at us and departed after the newly arrived young stock. We began walking toward the apothecary garden.

“You have a message from General T- Talos?” I asked. It had been six months since those tumultuous few days which ended in Sir Broc’s beheading. I had avoided thinking of my last encounter with the Colovian commander for much of that time, but my body had an irritating habit of reminding me when I was alone at night.

“Yes, Lady Cora,” Titus answered. “I’ll let you read it first.”

I stopped beside the low wall which delineated the garden and absently rubbed my palm over Cinnie’s head where she sat beside the entrance. Titus handed me the missive and waited while I read it.

King Cuhlecain has called us back to Cyrodiil. Prepare your Legion for immediate withdrawal to Wayrest. Transport to Anvil will be waiting. General Talos.

My hand trembled slightly as I looked up at Titus. “It’s late in the year for sailing, Lieutenant,” I kept my voice steady. “It will take a sevenday to get to Wayrest with the autumn rains we’ve been having.”

“Yes,” Titus’s gaze seemed unusually somber. “There’s more.” He withdrew a sealed missive from the cuff of his gauntlet and held it to me. As we traded parchments, I breathed slowly.

“Do you know what this c- contains?” I asked him.

“Only the gist of it,” he replied. Something in his voice unsettled me, and I hesitated to crack the seal. “You may want to sit down and read this in some privacy,” Titus added. Silently I nodded and moved to the wall. It was just the right height for me to set my rump down. Cinnie pranced up to me and butted my wrist with her head, purring loudly.

Titus withdrew a few steps away, his gaze on the plants within the garden. The parchment crackled as I broke the seal and unfolded the missive.

Lord of Cardonaccum, I have been commanded to relay an invitation to you. King Cuhlecain requests your presence in Cyrodiil City to celebrate the Emperor’s Day. Lieutenant Alorius will escort you the entire way. General Talos.

The terse message left me reeling, questions surfacing in rapid succession in my mind. “Emperor’s Day?” I looked up at Titus. “We don’t celebrate that here.”

“There hasn’t been an Emperor in ages,” Titus agreed. “But it was the day the old Empire celebrated the ruler’s birthday. It falls on the thirtieth day of Frostfall.”

I gasped. “But that’s a month from now! How c- can we travel quickly enough to arrive in time?” My fingers clenched on the parchment as my gaze drifted over the apothecary garden. “This is not a good t- time for me to leave Cardonaccum.” I shook my head in defiance.

“General Talos is well aware of that,” Titus answered. “He knows that you need to stay for the harvest, and put Cardonaccum up for the winter. He also knows that taking us away leaves Cardonaccum exposed. But he doesn’t make such orders lightly. There is something else going on that we are but a small part of.”

I regarded Titus solemnly. “It’s no secret that this K- King Cuhlecain intends to crown himself Emperor. But he hasn’t yet taken Cyrodiil City, how can he claim the Ruby Throne?” Suddenly my eyes widened. “General T- Talos will take it for him . . .”

“So it seems,” Titus murmured, not meeting my gaze. “There is more. Talos’s messenger tells me that Cuhlecain wishes to ratify the treaty you have with Talos, only in his own name.”

“A treaty with King Cuhlecain?” I began to shake my head. “No, no more treaties. I have enough between General T- Talos and Baron Godras of Phrygia!” Not to mention the contract with Bedastyr. I had given the covenant little thought until Wallace’s death. Now I had to consider whether or not to renew it as Wallace’s successor or let it lapse.

Now I rose to my feet and walked a few paces away from the garden. “Isn’t the K- King getting ahead of himself? Planning to celebrate the Emperor’s birthday when he is not yet crowned Emperor? When he has not even taken the White Gold Tower?”

“He has always been impetuous,” Titus answered carefully. “It has stood him in good stead in the past.”

I turned and faced Titus. “What if I declined - politely and with regrets, of course - this invitation of Cuhlecain’s?”

The Colovian’s lips thinned slightly, but his gaze did not waver. “Then my Legion would be punished for arriving without you. We are your designated escort.”

“Punished?” My eyes flickered toward the activity in the bailey, up on the walls, where legionaries and thistlemen patrolled and drilled side by side. “Punished how?”

“Decimation. The officers are drawn, hung and quartered.” The neutral tone in Titus’s voice in contrast to the gruesome images his words conjured stunned me.

“Would you c- consider refusing your orders to withdraw to Cyrodiil?”

“No.”

“Of course not. Such a silly question to ask, I know.” I returned to the wall and re-seated myself, fighting the nausea that threatened to destroy any composure I had left. “How s- soon must you leave?”

“Immediately,” Titus responded. “I already have my men gathering their gear and supplies for the move to Wayrest. We want to take advantage of the good weather while it lasts.”

I looked up at the blue sky, the precise shade of infinity. “Yes, before the rains makes the road impassable.” I sighed. “A sevenday to Wayrest, then how long a sea journey to Anvil?”

“The winds are turning unpredictable this time of the year,” Titus answered. “Another sevenday, maybe ten days. A day to embark, another to disembark. Then five to seven days on the Gold Road to Cyrodiil City, depending on how much of the countryside has sworn to Cuhlecain. Last I heard, Kvatch and Skingrad are still holding out.”

“If they are hostile, will your Legion be able to get past them?” I wondered.

“I’m certain Talos will make arrangements for your safe passage, Lady Cora,” Titus replied. “Either by force or through diplomacy.”

“I’m not worried about myself, Lieutenant,” I met his gaze. “Tell me, has this - decimation happened before? Who ordered it?”

“It has long been a method of punishment for wayward Legion officers,” Titus kept his gaze level on mine. “Officers who permit Legions to disobey orders are considered traitors. It has been the prerogative of Emperors to dictate such punishment.”

“And King Cuhlecain?” I pressed. “Has he ordered this in the past?”

“Yes,” Titus’s eyes turned grim. “When General Talos resisted his order to take Old H’roldan because it was too heavily fortified for a single Legion to take, Cuhlecain threatened to decimate the Legion.”

I felt my brows rise at his words. I recalled the news of Old H’roldan’s fall over two years ago, in the spring before my father and brother met their fates at Sancre Tor. “So General T- Talos obeyed to protect his men?” Titus nodded. “He must not have enjoyed Cuhlecain’s favor since.”

“I do not presume,” the Colovian officer reminded me. If that were me, I’d be resentful at being backed into such a corner! My men for what gain? I considered Titus thoughtfully. If I refuse, would Cuhlecain have the guts to carry out such a loathsome act? Why would he do so? I don’t matter in the grand scheme of things. Especially affairs happening so far away - what influence do I have in Cyrodiil City?

“I understand, Lieutenant,” I said finally. “But I must have time to settle my affairs and prepare Cardonaccum for my absence.”

“You have good people here, Lady Cora,” Titus tipped his head back toward the bailey behind him. “They will keep Cardonaccum safe through the winter.”

“It is the spring that worries me,” I answered. “My cousin will likely press for renewal of our contract with Grey Hills, and our five-year tribute to Phrygias is due next harvest.” I shook my head. “And can you guarantee that I will be back before winter?”

Titus only shook his head.

[Acadian]

You weren’t kidding when you said there were storm clouds on the horizon!

And enter our favorite (not) king. So much for Lady Cora to process so quickly. And what indeed would Cuhlecain want from the far away and relatively small realm lorded by Cora? I predict that she will reluctantly accompany Titus’ Legion.

So it seems this story may be hitting the road (and seas).

[SubRosa]

Time for more Cardio! Erm, Cardo that is.

So it was not only Cora getting some romance in over the summer. Nightshade and Inferno certainly have lived up to their titles as studs!

So King Cuhlecain wants to see Lady Cora? Doubtlessly to bring her over to his side, as opposed to Talos'. I was a little surprised to hear that he did not hold the Imp City though. I was expecting this - the conquest of High Rock - took place after unifying Cyrodiil.

I loved the extra glimpse into the High Rock politics you gave us here, of tributes and contracts. Lordy Cora has more than just harvests and day to day business to worry about.

So too does Alorius it seems! Well, this story has certainly taken quite an unexpected turn!

This post has been edited by SubRosa: Mar 3 2014, 04:53 PM

[jack cloudy]

I admit the latest timeskip took me by surprise. I thought we weren't done with the fallout of Broccoli's betrayal and powerplay. (I like that nickname too much after having used it once.)

However, the new twist suggest the fallout might still be coming. With Cora gone, there is all kinds of bad things that could happen to Cardonaccum. It would be quite ironic if this story ends with her at the head of a conquering/liberating army.


And king Cuhlecain. We haven't seen him yet or heard much of him for that matter. He sure doesn't seem to be lacking in confidence however. As pointed out, by announcing his festival he's pretty much crowned himself already. If he doesn't succeed in conquering the tower, or even if the siege would just drag out too long, it would be a major loss of face and potential rallying point for both conquered and non-conquered territories. And given precedence, there is a possibility that he'll lay the blame at his subordinates and seek to punish them. Which with the aforementioned loss of face will only make things worse for the king. Desertion and all that.




In other news, Talos' mystery grows. How did he enter Cardonaccum? Was it by ways of the same strange magic that let him bypass the normal rules regarding Cora and healing? Or was it just a matter of asking one of his men to open a backdoor and keep quiet?

Why did he apologize? Was it because his miracle has a price he didn't mention, was it because of the unasked kiss or was it simply because he tore a drat arrowhead out of her with his bare hands?

[haute ecole rider]

@Acadian: Yes, Cuhlecain is our favorite king! We just love to beat up on him. I have to admit that Destri's version will strongly influence mine, though I doubt Lady Cora will find him so short as he appears in Interregnum.

@SubRosa: High Rock is not yet conquered in this story. I see it as a process that took many years, bit by stubborn bit. Cardonaccum lies in the far northwest corner, near where the peninsula runs into the mountains separating High Rock from Skyrim. As such it is logical that General Talos would go there after Old Hroldan and Sancre Tor. As for Wayrest, there is an uneasy truce for the moment between that vital port and Talos. It won't last, though, as his ambitions become more evident.

@Mr.Cloudy: So many questions! That means I am laying out this story as it should. I want people to wonder what is ahead for our intrepid heroine and her staunch supporters, which include Lieutenant Titus for the moment.

The story so far: Lady Cora and Lieutenant Titus have been summoned to appear before King Cuhlecain, ostensibly to ratify Cardonaccum's treaty with General Talos. However reluctant she is to leave Cardonaccum so close to winter, Lady Cora feels obligated enough to Titus and his men to obey the "invitation." Coming up, her first sea voyage.

******************
Chapter Thirty-seven

"Get yer fetchin' arses up here!" The shout sliced through the chaos to our ears and drew our gazes to the horse transport before us. Not aware of our presence, or just doesn't give a damn? The source of the insulting command was not looking at us, but rather down at the knot of soldiers struggling with their mounts. The uneasy horses skittered at the base of the loading ramp. “I ain’t got all day!”

I had to agree with the horses’ apparent assessment of the sea-going vessel that bobbed dockside. A small, ketch-rigged cog, it rode low in the water, its hold already full of water tuns and fodder for the cavalry mounts. A small battlemented platform crowned its bowsprit. I recognized the lethal lines of a ballista, unstrung, crouched behind the crenellated walls.

Cog

A similar, larger structure rose above the stern, high enough for a Colovian to stand beneath. The space beneath the platform was crammed full of cargo and supplies. A long pole jutted out the side of the deck into the water. The rudder. Side-mounted instead of rear-mounted.

Morna pressed close behind me as the big Nord shouted more invectives at the hapless soldiers. Inferno snaked his head and pinned his ears against his neck, nearly sweeping his handler over the edge of the dock. The sailor uttered a particularly foul curse that made Morna gasp and strode down the ramp toward the stallion.

I put my hand on Titus’s arm, preventing him from stepping toward the horses. “No, Lieutenant, anger will only make things worse.” I shook off Morna’s clutching hands and gathered my skirts. Before the others could stop me, I ducked between the scrambling horses, running my hands over lathered backs and tense necks. The animals settled down as I passed each one, snorting and blowing but otherwise standing quietly.

Inferno’s haunches rose before me as he reared against the sailor’s hard hand on the reins. I stepped to the side and chanted a lullaby my mother had taught me. His hooves clattered to the dock as he swung his head toward me, his ears pricked. The Nord stared at me when I held my hand out for the reins.

After a moment, the sailor dropped the straps into my hands. I smiled up at the stallion and ran my hand down his nose from the round star between his eyes to the velvety soft skin between his flared nostrils. He blew against my fingers and dropped his head until we stood eye to eye.

“Shush, Inferno,” I whispered to the charger, so like my husband’s Nightshade. For a moment I regretted leaving the handsome black stallion at home. But having two stallions on board such a small ship, especially at this time of the year, would only spell disaster. And Nightshade is much too big for me! Rosehill is much more my size. I glanced back to where the elder mare waited at the rear of the group. Titus had generously loaned her to me for the trip, as, in his words, we suited each other so well.

I turned to Inferno’s handler. “Best lead the mares on board first,” I advised him. “Then this one will want t- to go where they are.” Now I turned to the bemused sailor, whose sun-worn eyes shifted from me to the red stallion. “Sir, please tone down your language. Horses are very sensitive to voices and do not like shouting or cursing.”

“Th’ sooner these fetchers are on board,” he growled, but his tone was much softer, “th’ less cussin’ there’ll be!” He turned and stomped back up the ramp.

I waved up Rosehill’s handler, one of the legion slaves. The boy, just seventeen, led the mare quickly up the ramp. She followed him readily, her ears pricked forward as she passed Inferno. The stallion whickered at her, but she only switched her tail at him.

As I moved to return to my escort, a tall figure caught my eye. His elbows rested on the rough surface of a dock piling, and blue smoke drifted around his golden face from a pipe cradled in one long-fingered hand. Russet hair pulled back from a widow’s peak showed his sharp features to advantage. Unlike the Nords and Bretons of Cardonaccum, he had no beard. Slanted eyes regarded me thoughtfully as he puffed on the pipe.

I had not seen Altmeri since leaving my father’s household, and the sight of the ship’s captain sent shivers down my spine. But not all Altmeri are so cruel as Aldon, I reminded myself. But I still felt unease at the thought of sharing ship’s quarters with a member of the elder race. Swallowing back unpleasant memories, I returned to the dock and my anxious maid.

“Milady!” she exclaimed. “Such rudeness!”

“The Nord?” Morna nodded. “He doesn’t know who we are,” I returned mildly, as much for Titus’s ears as my own. “The day grows short, and he has much work to do.” The sooner the ship gets underway, the further it can travel before night comes. I turned to Titus. “Have the horses traveled by s- sea before, Lieutenant?”

“Yes,” his gaze drifted over the mounts as they filed onto the ship, Inferno stamping impatiently at the foot of the ramp.

Inferno’s hooves on the ramp drew our attention back to the loading process. The big stallion pranced up the wood planks and hesitated at the top. He stretched his head forward and blew at the deck just a short hop below. From the top of the deck ramp leading down into the bowels of the ship, Rosehill lifted her head and whickered softly. Inferno jumped down onto the cog and tossed his head at the rocking of the vessel. But the calm demeanor of his mother apparently reassured him, and he strutted after her down into the hold.

“If it pleasse the ladies and the gentleman,” a hissing voice drew our attention to the strange figure now bending down to our trunks. “I sshall bring thesse aboard.” Morna gasped as we took in the reptilian head of the crewman. Strong muscles rippled as he picked up the largest container and swung it to one shoulder, causing the scaled skin to shimmer in the sunlight. Sharp teeth parted to reveal a forked, snake-like tongue. Akaviri? I wondered briefly. But no, he has legs.

“Thank you, crewman,” Titus’s tone was nonchalant. He caught our stares as the lizard-man strode for another ship moored further down the dock. “He’s an Argonian, from the Black Marsh.”

“But that’s on the other side of T- Tamriel from here!” I exclaimed. Titus smiled at us.

“Sailors go everywhere,” was all he said. I flushed, embarrassed at revealing my own provincial ignorance. Of course, they go everywhere.

Now the tall Altmer approached us. Clad in unrelieved black linen doublet and breeches, he struck an imposing figure. “Lieutenant Alorius,” he bowed to Titus. “I am glad to see you again, sir.”

“Thank you, Captain,” Titus turned to me. “Lady Cora, this is Captain Solinar of the good ship Arpenmalatu.”

Noble Truth. He knows his Aldmeri. “It is my pleasure to meet you, sir,” I tipped my head back to meet his gaze. Captain Solinar bowed his head in greeting and smiled at me.

“Lady Cora, miss,” he nodded at Morna. “Welcome to my humble ship.” He waved expansively down the dock toward another vessel. “If you will please come aboard, I will show you to your quarters.” He turned and strode past the horse transport.

“Quarters?” Morna whispered to me. “Where on these little boats is there room for quarters?” I shushed her with a look and followed after the Captain.

Unlike the cogs hired for troop transports, Arpenmalatu turned out to be slightly larger and more elegant. Her bow lacked the forecastle of the smaller ships, and her sides were sleeker, not as rounded. I noted that her stern had a more triangular shape, and she had three masts. A multitude of cables dropped from the heights down to the deck in spiderweb patterns. Unlike the horizontal yards of the cogs, the vessel’s own sail supports sloped toward the deck at sharp angles.

Caravel

“She is a caravel,” Captain Solinar had noticed my interest in his command. I could hear the pride in his voice. “The latest in Altmeri ship technology. She can ride out storms at sea without capsizing, and seasickness is less likely aboard her.”

I glanced at Lieutenant Alorius. “Less seasickness? Then why aren’t the horses traveling by caravel?”

He shrugged and tipped his head toward the Altmer captain. I shifted my gaze to the tall commander.

“Good question, madam,” he inclined his head to me. His brown eyes held no condescension. “Because of the narrower sides, a caravel does not hold as much as a cog. More water can be fitted aboard that cog,” he thumbed in the direction of the ship we had just passed, “than aboard Arpenmalatu. I understand your holding breeds horses?”

“Yes, Captain,” I answered. “Chargers and palfreys.”

He lifted his brows at me. “I must admit I do not know the difference. But I do know that a single horse requires a great deal of water, and I am certain you are well aware of their capacious thirst.”

I felt an easing of tension as we reached the loading ramp for Arpenmalatu. He is not like the Altmeri at my father’s court. I find that I rather like him. Perhaps this trip won’t be so bad, after all.

This post has been edited by haute ecole rider: Mar 9 2014, 06:10 PM

[Acadian]

How wonderful to see this introduction to seagoing vessels through Lady Cora’s inexperienced eyes!

Her way with critters shines through again as she plays 'Horse Whisperer' and helps ease loading of the animals.

Happily, she seems to get on with the Altmeri captain. He was wise to acknowledge her expertise with horses, just as she was wise to acknowledge his expertise at shipping.

I hope that her loss of contact with the soil of Nirn during the voyage will not cause her problems.

[SubRosa]

A cog! Those things always look like they are about to flip over to me. But apparently they worked quite well in the North Sea and Baltic. And those stem and stern castles made excellent fighting platforms. Hopefully

As Acadian observed, Monty Roberts could not done a better job of horse whispering to get their trusty four-legged friends onboard the ship.

And a legged Akaviri sailor? Perhaps this is an ancestor of Talun-Lei's? Plus an intriguing Altmer captain. Hopefully they will not have to test his caravel's sea-worthiness on the trip around High Rock and down to Anvil.

[Grits]

Egad, I enjoyed Chapter 26 immensely when you posted it but never returned to say so. The perils of reading on a mobile device.

What a shock under the clear blue sky to receive a summons to Cyrodiil City. I look forward to Lady Cora’s meeting with Cuhlecain.

The ship talk is as captivating as the horse talk, and this chapter had both! I enjoyed the multicultural flavor in Chapter 27.

[haute ecole rider]

@Acadian: Horse Whisperer indeed! And not just horses, either. It's one of Lady Cora's lesser known talents. Makes sense, when you think about how she can get grown men to do things her way, too. As for her loss of contact, we will soon see how that goes.

@SubRosa: The cogs were the standard Hanseatic ships, so they must have some value. I learned that they are best in coastal waters, as they do not weather storms at sea so well. Lady Cora will get more lessons in cogs vs. caravels. I thought I would go back to the twelfth and thirteenth century for inspiration for this story, as Julian has galleons in hers, and those are the logical evolution from the caravels. Portugese sailing history is fascinating!

@Grits: I hear you about reading on a mobile device! I get emails when Jerric's Story updates, and some times I forget to log in and post a reply! I'm glad you enjoyed the multicultural flavor in Chapter 37. There will be more coming as we head to Cyrodiil City.

The story so far: Lady Cora, her maid Morna, and her escort Lieutenant Titus Alorius have just boarded the good ship Arpenmalatu. Captain Solinar is kind enough to provide Lady Cora and Morna with a little orientation session.

*********************
Chapter Thirty-eight

We followed Captain Solinar as he strode up the narrow ramp. With a light leap onto the deck, he turned and held his hand out to me. “Welcome aboard the Arpenmalatu, madam.” I looked down to see a short flight of steps from the ramp resting atop the ship’s rail to the deck. The soft rocking of the vessel inspired gratitude for the Altmer’s courtesy as I navigated my way onto Arpenmalatu with his assistance.

With both my feet as solidly on the deck as its mild swaying would allow, I studied the caravel from this new perspective. The bow rose gently to the left, where three Khajiiti clambered swiftly over ropes and up the forward mast itself. The center mast rose from the deck directly before us, shrouded in spiderwebs of twisted hemp. A similar, smaller mast rose from the raised structure at the stern.

Two doors squatted at the base of short flights of steps beneath the stern structure, recessed below the deck. Between them lay a triad of barrels lashed to the deck, a tap inserted into the topmost container. Above them, on the stern deck, I could make out the ship’s wheel behind a brass structure. Elsewhere along the deck rested piles of coiled rope and tied-down crates.

A broad-shouldered Redguard, brown linens barely darker than his skin, approached us. He silently offered Morna the same courtesy Captain Solinar had given me. Clearly intimidated by his impassive appearance, Morna glanced at me uncertainly, perched at the top of the ramp. Behind her, Lieutenant Alorius leaned to her ear and whispered softly. After a moment, Morna accepted the man’s assistance and followed me to the deck.

“This is my first mate,” Captain Solinar gestured toward the Redguard. “He goes by the name Karim, though the crew call him Basim.”

I met the first mate’s gaze. “Basim?” I repeated. “Why?”

“Basim is Yokudan for ‘smiling,’ madam,” Karim tipped his head to me in a dignified nod. I studied his impassive expression, those amazingly black eyes, the close-cropped black wool that covered his skull, and the grim set to his generous lips.

“Smiling, sir?” I tilted my head to one side. “I take it you never do?”

The slightest flicker passed through the midnight gaze, but his lips did not lighten. “Correct, madam. If you will excuse me,” he turned to the Captain.

As he gave a terse report on the ship’s status, I glanced at Morna to see her studying her hand, the one she had surrendered to Karim’s steadying clasp. She became aware of my regard and met my eyes with a flush to her cheeks, wiping her palm on her skirts.

I waved the taller woman closer and stretched to her left ear. “We will be encountering many s- strange folk on this journey,” I whispered so only she heard. “Accept them as equals to yourself, no more and no less.”

Her face when I set my heels back on the deck held doubt, but she met my gaze and nodded her understanding. I turned back in time to see Captain Solinar and Karim regarding me curiously.

“It is our first time traveling by sea, Captain,” I spoke first. “Perhaps you would be so kind to explain to us how things work aboard Arpenmalatu, how we should behave, and what we should expect of the voyage ahead of us.” I waved my hand expressively at the bustling crew. “The last thing we would like is to get in the way of your crew and be knocked overboard.” I heard Morna’s sharp inhalation behind me and stifled my smile at her unease. I’m even less comfortable than she is!

Already my stomach began complaining at the unaccustomed movement of the vessel. Repeated attempts to convince myself that it was just like riding a horse had little positive effect. If I can keep myself distracted, this voyage could be more tolerable. I dug my bare toes into the rough deck boards, seeking after any of Nirn’s strength that remained within the creosote-soaked wood. It would take too long to travel by land, especially through An Sloc and the Reaches. Hammerfell is not our friend. And I don’t care to return to my birthland - no friends remain there.

Little of Nirn’s strength reached me through the deck boards. Titus’s gaze met mine steadily as I swallowed against the incipient nausea. During the five days of traveling to reach Wayrest, we had spoken often of the possible effects of sea-traveling I might experience.

“Seasickness is quite common, at least until you get used to the motion of the ship.” Titus remarked as Inferno tossed his head against the reins. Beneath me, Rosehill paced sedately along, one ear flicking a warning to behave toward her offspring. “Some liken it to riding a rambunctious horse, much like this one!” Affectionately Titus slapped Inferno’s arched crest and smoothed the stallion’s mane down. The big horse dropped his head and slid a sidelong glance at me.

“But even a rambunctious horse keeps his feet on the ground, at least half the time!” I exclaimed. “And while I may be r-removed from Nirn on horseback, the horse gives me enough of her own magicka to sustain my strength for a little while.”

Titus’s face grew serious. “Lady Cora, what are the symptoms of your illness? What do you experience if you are severed from Nirn for too long? And how long is too long?”

I thought back to those days when I tried to fit in with the ladyfolk at Cardonaccum. Those nightmares every night. Gods, not now! “Weakness, malaise at first,” I said finally. “Loss of appetite, followed by lung chills and c- coughing. Weight loss.” I lifted my gaze to the sun, already low in the southwest. “It took about a sevenday to feel the first effects.”

“Healing potions didn’t help?” Titus asked. I shook my head. “What about healing spells? The captain of our ship is skilled in restoration - that’s why his crew is so loyal to him.”

“Any magicka conferred upon me tends to pass through to the ground,” I answered. “On board a ship? I have no idea. Only that it’s not likely to work as intended. I have a very strong inimical r- reaction to magicka in any form.” Any form? What was it that passed between General Talos and me last spring, if not some kind of magicka?

“Thank you for the information, Lady Cora,” Titus brought my attention back to the present. “If it is all right with you, I’ll keep an eye on your health. If you take a turn for the worse, I’ll ask the captain to run us ashore so you can recuperate.”

“But it may cost us time,” I protested. “Best to bear the burden for the short time it will take us to reach Anvil.”

“But if you are seasick as well,” Titus would not give up. “Wouldn’t that lower your tolerance to being severed from Nirn?”

I shrugged. “We will have to see.”

“. . . I will do everything I can to ensure a comfortable voyage for you, madam.” Captain Solinar’s voice grounded me in the present. “First, your quarters for the voyage,” he led me to the short flight of steps leading down to the right-hand door beneath the sterncastle. He ducked through it with practiced ease. “Watch your heads, guests,” he added. The warning was needed, for even Morna had to lower her head to enter.

We found ourselves in a narrow room that took up about half the space beneath the raised stern deck. A cot and a slightly larger bed stood against the slightly curved right wall, nestled between sturdy beams that rose up from the floor and disappeared through the low ceiling above. That’s the hull. No wonder it’s curved like that. Lanterns filled with argent fire swung from beams nearly as massive as the hull’s. Footsteps moved overhead at irregular intervals. Now that we were inside, out of the wind, I could hear creaking as the ship rocked gently at its moorings.

Morna glanced sidelong at me and placed a hand on one of the hull beams to steady herself. “Our trunks are here already, milady,” she pointed at the two containers, neatly placed between the two beds. I nodded at her and moved after the Captain toward the rear of the room. Narrow panes placed near the ceiling in the back wall - stern wall - let in some measure of daylight through translucent glass. A small desk stood beneath the windows, its lid closed. The left hand wall consisted of smooth boards butted up against a wide, rounded central beam that ran through the floor and the ceiling. Its lighter wood contrasted with the darker tones of the rest of the room. I stepped forward and touched the rough-shaped surface with my fingertips. Nirn’s strength, though diminished, thrummed softly into my blood. Something in my belly eased slightly, and I barely stifled a sigh of relief.

“That’s our stern mast,” Captain Solinar had noticed my interest. “We just replaced it after the old one was broken in the last storm. That’s why it’s lighter colored.”

And why I can still feel Nirn. How long will it last? I kept my thoughts to myself and eyed the cabin again. “These are your quarters, Captain?” I met the Altmer’s gaze.

He considered me thoughtfully. “Yes, madam, when we have no passengers.”

“This is only half the space beneath that -” I pointed at the ceiling with an unspoken question.

“Poop deck, madam,” Captain Solinar responded. I bit my twitching lips and turned my pointing finger at the wall bracketing the stern mast. “On the other side is the compass room, where we meet to plan the day’s sailing.” He nodded at Titus. “Myself and Lieutenant Alorius will be sleeping there.”

“Then where will you and your -” I paused until the appropriate term came to mind, “- ship’s officers meet?”

Titus stepped forward. “The same as always, Lady Cora,” he responded. “It is just like sleeping in the barracks - grab what sleep we can when it’s quiet.”

I regarded the two men, then turned back to Morna where she stood anxiously between the two beds. “I hate the thought of turning you out of your own bed, Captain,” I paused. But where on this ship is room for a passenger cabin? It is designed for cargo, not for passengers. If I don’t accept this cabin, who else will have to give up his bunk? Somehow the thought of turning the saturnine first mate out of his space did not appeal to me.

“The only other bunks are below,” Captain Solinar apparently read my thoughts. “All the men share the same space, and there would be no privacy for women such as yourselves, madam.” Morna squeaked at his words, her eyes wide.

I sighed. “Very well, Captain. I regret doing this to you, sir . . .”

“General Talos made the arrangements before he sailed ahead,” Captain Solinar assured me. “Believe me, if better were available, he would have chosen otherwise.”

[SubRosa]

Love the Khajiit putting their natural talents to use climbing the ropes! And welcome Mr. Smiles. I was wondering when a Redguard would put in an appearance, given their race's fame as sailors.

Now Cora will have to face nearly a week without touching the ground. Hopefully that brand new mast will give her just enough happy earth juice to keep her going.

As I expected, Cora and Morna will be sleeping in the Captain's quarters. It is a good thing they have a gentlemanly captain like Horatio Hornblower Solinar.

[Acadian]

Morna, we’re not in Kardinansas anymore! The Altmeri captain, clambering Khajiit and smiling Redguard impart more exotic flavor than Morna is likely used to. Nice job showing this.

Ah, I see Lady Cora and her Lieutenant have pondered the same concerns I had regarding severing her ties to Nirn. I love the amelioration so creatively supplied by the new stern mast.

Yes, quartering lady passengers on cargo or warships has often proved challenging. Morna made a nice ‘girly’ contrasting backdrop to Cora’s more polished and practical perspective.

Overall, this voyage is shaping up to be a joy to read!

[Grits]

Karim’s nickname made me grin, and of course the nimble Khajiit were a delight.

I enjoyed every step of this introduction to the sea voyage. Titus fascinates, as always. I loved how the flashback answered my questions within the same episode. Throughout the week I look forward to this story very much!