Serene of Cyrodiil, her true story

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!

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 stare, 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…
Vendrela Aravel was a beautiful young woman. Her skin was lighter than most Dunmers, with a smooth complexion. She had long jet-black hair streaming down her back, and her slightly narrow eyes were dark reddish-brown. We were sitting at the Rat-in-the-Pot, having a brandy; we decided we needed that after the rough encounter with Bolvyn Venim. It turned out to be a highly enlightening conversation- she knew a great deal about Great House Redoran, especially the sorts of things that did not make it into the “official” records.

“I never knew my mother; she died when I was born, of some unknown infection…My father has never forgiven me for that, and for the fact I was a girl and not the son he really wanted.” Vendrela sighed, “I have lived with that guilt ever since.”

I felt very sorry for her; her fate had a resemblance with my own. I, too, never knew my real mother, even though I did have a kind of mother who really cared for me….until I decided to leave, a thing I sometimes did regret.

“I grew up in Venim Manor, a never ending parade of nannies taking care of me, thoroughly lead by the Housekeeper, Vindyne Belvani, who spent most of her time trying to keep me away from my father who didn’t want to be disturbed by a child….especially not an unwanted girl.”

I suggested we buy a bottle of Flin and go to my quarters in the Mage’s Guild to continue our talk, since I feared that the walls of The-Rat-in-the Pot may have ears. I didn’t want the rumour to be spread that I had had a conversation with Bolvyn Venim´s daughter, for her sake more than for my own!

“Our generation is the youngest in Vvardenfell today, we were the last children in our time,” Vendrela sighed. “Some say it’s because of a curse, a curse made by The Sixth House Cult, in order to subdue the Dunmer, as a revenge for the deeds of the late Lord Nerevar. I don’t know if it’s true, I only know our women don’t get pregnant anymore...”

I looked at her, and remembered that Sedrane Mirpal once told me the same thing, back in Balmora soon after I arrived in this strange part of the world. I thought it was the Ashlanders only that suffered from infertility, but obviously all Dunmer did.

“However, there’s an outlander in House Redoran, just like you, Serene, who is believed to be Lord Nerevar Reborn…..” Vendrela stopped and looked away, is if her mind had turned inward, to thoughts only she could see. I waited, I wouldn’t rush her, but I needed to find out more about Varvur Sarethi if I was going to be able to do something about his current condition. And that was a thing I wanted to succeed with, more than anything else just now, not because of the young man himself, but because I couldn’t get the sad face of his father out of my mind. Then again, Vendrela´s words about the mysterious outlander caught my interest; I decided to talk to Athyn Sarethi about him.

“We all went to The Mage’s Guild Elementary School together, Varvur, his younger brother Salyn, Nartise Arobar, Delyna Mandas, Sanvyn Llethri, Neminda and her sister Elone; yes they are outlanders those two, but fully accepted into The House! Oh yes, Bralen Carvaren also attended from time to time.”

“Salyn? Varvur has a brother?” I wondered. “Where is he now?”

“He’s a Buoyant Armiger at Ghostgate,” Vendrela answered. “He’s not allowed to come home other than for very special occasions, but if that wasn’t enough, Varvur and Salyn also have a sister, or shall we say had, because I think she is dead by now. Her name was Satyana; she disappeared about 10 years ago and has never been seen since. Athyn never speaks of her, not in front of his wife anyway. “

“Varvur has always been too sensitive for his own good. Salyn left right after school to join the Armigers, for he is skilled with his sword. But poor Varvur wouldn’t know how to even hold one!” Vendrela laughed.

“So Varvur couldn’t have killed Bralen…..at all?” I knew his name was cleared but there could have been some curse or spell involved as far as I knew.

“Varvur can’t hurt anything; he’s totally unable to raise a hand against any living creature,” Vendrela said in a stern voice. “But something happened just before my father took him as prisoner….”

I waited for Vendrela to continue, hoping she’d trust me enough. I knew her decision balanced on the edge of a blade- she searched my face without saying a word. I pondered over the information I had uncovered so far; Varvur wasn’t the single child of Athyn Sarethi and his red-headed wife, but he was the only child living at home at the moment. I wonder what happened to his sister, and why his brother wasn’t allowed to go home to comfort his parents.

Vendrela finally spoke again, and she told me about her father’s promiscuous life, his affairs with various women, nobles and commoners alike among his loyal kinsmen. She said she normally never spoke about it, even though she knew it was common knowledge among almost all the people of Ald´Ruhn.

“I’m afraid my father and Domesea Sarethi have something going on, and have had for some months now. Athyn doesn’t know, not for sure anyway, and nobody dares to tell him; he’s such a kind and honourable man, it would probably kill him. He is very particular about his family, as you may have understood already.”

I realised that Bolvyn Venim had hurt the Sarethi Family in far more than one way, not only when he had had Varvur as a prisoner, he also had an affair with his mother, Athyn´s wife. I suspected this could have had an impact on Varvur´s mind, if he knew. Vendrela´s story made it obvious to me that he had found out, but how, she didn’t know.

Varvur and Bralen started to hang out with a man called Galtis Guvron, a farmer-boy from just outside the town. He was a nice but weak boy, and he was acquainted to a woman who dominated him completely. Her name was Hanarai Assutlanipal and from what was later revealed, she was a Sixth House Cultist; she even had a shrine in the basement of her house. She had given Galtis some strange items called Ash-statues, which caused mental sickness with those who possessed them. One of those statues was believed to have caused Varvur to kill Bralen, but Vendrela didn’t believe that; she thought that the statue’s evil power had caused Bralen to somehow take his own life. Unfortunately Varvur was found unconscious beside Bralen´s dead body. The man called Trey of High Rock found out about Galtis Guvron´s role in the matter and was forced to kill him and his fiancée and fellow cultist.

“Now they’re all dead, except Varvur, thanks to Trey,” Vendrela smiled. She refilled her glass and mine again. I started to feel a bit dizzy; it had been a long day and I hardly had had anything to eat, so the alcoholic beverage went straight to my head. I leaned back on the bed I was sitting on, and closed my eyes, just for a second…

When I opened my eyes again, the room was dark and I was alone. I found a note on the table saying:

“You fell asleep my dear, so I have gone home. I want to give you some advice though: Keep your eyes and ears open when in Sarethi Manor, but be careful with your words, the walls have ears. You ought to talk to Varvur- he has nobody to confide in anymore and I think he needs that. It might not cure him, but you might find it helpful anyway. Make him trust you. If you need to see me, go to the Market outside the Ald´Ruhn-Temple- I’ll be there with Vindyne to get the weekly supplies, every Loredas morning.
Please destroy this note when you read it

Vendrela”

I burned the note after I’d read it. Could it be as simple as that: Varvur was depressed because his mother had an affair with the Archmaster? I reckoned it was part of the truth only...

It so happened, I was more right than I ever could imagine.

I decided to pay a visit to Sarethi Manor first thing in the morning. Maybe I could come up with some more background information that could help me figure out how exactly Varvur´s mind functioned. Then again, who was I fooling? I wanted to see Athyn again; somehow the old Mer had gotten straight into my heart and even though I was terrified where that would lead, I simply could not restrain myself from seeing him.

The evening I spent at the Mage’s Guild, trying to find some useful recipes for potions good for invigorating the mind, as well as potions with some kind of “cheering-up” effect. I found that the Mages did not have that much experience of these kinds of mental problems in humans or Mers either, for that matter, so I had to experiment with new kinds of mixtures of plants and herbs. The work was alternately frustrating and rewarding, and before I realized it, the hour had grown quite late. The mages had gone to their homes or their quarters, and only a few night candles illuminated the halls as I made my way to my bed.

When I opened the door to my room, I saw that my lamp had apparently gone out- “Probably out of oil,” I thought, making a mental note to remind the Guild steward in the morning. For now, it really did not matter, for I was quite tired and did not plan to follow my usual practice of reading before sleep. Also, my night vision was unusually good, something my friends had remarked on as I was growing up, saying, “Serene, you have eyes like a cat.” For some reason, that attribute failed me on this night, as I failed to see a small stool in my path, which fetched me a sharp rap across the shin and caused me to stumble. I bent to rub the injured leg, muttering some decidedly un-ladylike words that would have surprised my poor mother. That sudden movement saved my life, as I heard a sudden exhalation of breath behind me and felt a blade whip past where my head would have been!

There was no time for thought or questions; my training and instincts took over. I had left my sword on the bed when I arrived- I lunged forward and rolled to the opposite side of the bed, I grasped the hilt and cleared the scabbard in a swift flick. This move placed the bed between me and my assailant and also allowed me to take advantage of the light coming from the open door. And that light revealed—a shadowy figure dressed in black from head to foot, holding a dagger that seemed to be smeared with a sticky yellow substance. A Dark Brotherhood assassin- here in Ald’Ruhn! I stared at his blade as if it was a deadly serpent- which was appropriate- it was an envenomed fang, seeking my heart. A single cut could spell death- I had no idea what type of poison he had used- and I had no desire to find out by experimenting.

But I had a weapon of my own now, one with far greater reach. I could probably keep the assassin’s dagger away from me, but I wanted to do more- I wanted to find out who was sending these killers after me. Never taking my eyes from the dagger, I reached my left hand down and bunched up the coverlet. Distracting the assassin with a shrill shout and wild swing of my katana, I threw the fabric, entrapping the dagger! I then leapt on the bed and brought the flat of my sword down on the top of his head. He collapsed in a heap and I quickly rolled him over with my foot and kicked his dagger away. Muttering the cantrip that summoned mage-light, I reached for the mask that covered the killer’s face. First, I would see who he was, then I would summon the Redoran guards and we would find out who had hired him- or so I thought. Like a striking snake, his hand shot up and grabbed my wrist, trapping my arm in a crushing grasp. He had been feigning unconsciousness, waiting from me to make a foolish mistake and get too close. And I had obliged him, forgetting everything I had learned, forgetting that this was not practice, but life and death. But he had made a mistake too, for he had pinned my left hand, not the one that held the sword. More out of fear and reflex than from conscious thought, I brought the razor-edged blade down across his neck. Blood spurted as his head rolled away and my dinner completed the job of ruining the carpet as I was violently ill.

I had to put an end to these attacks from The Dark Brotherhood, especially now, when I had an important task to accomplish…and….had met a man that affected me far more than I would admit to myself.

I couldn’t remember the name of the person I had to talk to about the attacks, but I was sure Neminda, or even Athyn would know that. I shrugged; my desire to stay alive had increased a tremendous amount during the last weeks.

An ash storm haunted Ald´ruhn that morning as I was on my way to Under Skar, and since the hood of my cloak effectively covered my face I was brusquely stopped by two Redoran guards when I was about to enter the giant crab shell.

“Hail there Outlander! Where do you think you are going?” One of them grabbed my arm rather hard as he spat those words out.

“Good Morning to you, ser” I answered politely, “I’m on my way to see Serjo Athyn Sarethi, about an important matter.” I pulled back the hood to show my face to them.

“Ah yes …well you see there have been several assassination-attempts on Councilor Sarethi, so we have the entire Under Skar under surveillance,” the guard responded. “Now you do look innocent but I’ll have to check your satchel there, Sera.”

I did not show the fear that struck me at his words. Assassination-attempts! Athyn could be in danger and here was I, being stopped by these guards when the only thing I wanted was to rush to his side! With trembling hands I opened the satchel and showed them the contents; a couple of vials containing the potions I was going to try on Varvur, some useful scrolls, and my personal items.

The guards naturally showed interest in my potions; magic always seems to puzzle men in general and guards in particular. I told them it was only harmless pick-me-up potions and they seemed to believe me so they let me off the hook.

I tried not to just rush off like a hunted kagouti, but I must admit I hurried down the gangplanks towards Sarethi Manor at a rather high speed. Just as I came within a few yards of the entrance to the Manor, the door opened and a man stepped out, a tall blonde Breton, with a stern, worried look on his face; I raised my hand to greet him, for I recognized him as Trey, Trey of High Rock, but he paid no attention to me- I doubt he even noticed me. I watched him head towards Llethri Manor, and thought to follow, but I had more urgent matters to attend to.

The smell of blood and other fluids was overwhelming as I entered Sarethi Manor. Down the hallway I saw two guards kneeling over a body lying flat on the floor There were no signs of Athyn, and I whined as I rushed towards the sprawled body.

“Serene! I’m over here; oh it’s so good to see you!”

Athyn´s voice was hoarse and he sounded utterly tired and dejected. He was sitting on a chair beside the table in the open chamber just adjacent to the hallway. I immediately went to him, taking both his hands in mine, unable to speak, because of the big lump in my throat that made me burst into tears as I saw his pale face streaked with pain and fatigue. A thin trickle of blood ran down his cheek from a cut in his left temple. I still couldn’t speak; I was shaking too severely, so he rose and simply took me in his arms, gently stroking my head and back.

“Shhh, Serene, it’s ok now, but this was a close one. If it hadn’t been for Trey, I don’t know….”

I finally composed myself, feeling a bit embarrassed for breaking down like that, but Athyn didn’t seem to mind at all. He led me by the hand to a chair and told me what happened.

“They were dressed as Redoran-guards, so I wasn’t suspicious at all when they came down the hallway, then all of a sudden they attacked me from two sides! Lucky I had my sword- I usually don’t, you know, but lately I’ve always been armed…Naturally I realized I wouldn’t have a chance against two fully armed assassins, but somehow my urge to stay alive helped me in pushing them back,” Athyn sighed.

“Then they knocked me to my knees, and I thought the end was coming, when suddenly Trey burst in and…well that was that.”

I realized Athyn didn’t want to talk about it anymore, and also he obviously was more wounded than was apparent, because his face suddenly went even paler than before. A cold sweat started running down his face and mixed with the blood from the cut. He struggled for air and slowly slid off the chair and down on the floor.

I did not break down this time, as the healer in me took over and I examined him. I found a severe cut just under the ribcage that had bled ominously, but his red cloak had concealed it efficiently.

I put my hands on the cut and focused. It had been quite some time since I’d performed a healing-task and this time I also had to do it on a person I cared for, which always made it more difficult. The well-known rise in temperature took its time to appear this time, and I trembled as I held my hands on his body, and sweat ran down my back, I so much wanted this to function, as I noticed his face turn paler and his breathing get shallower.

I had almost given up when I felt the tickling in my fingers and heat emerge from them, and before my eyes the deep cut slowly closed, and left a pink scar across his chest. I looked at my hands, as always a bit astonished, since I never really understood how I could do these healings. I then put one hand on the cut on his temple and felt it close ….this time leaving a more pronounced scar…

I sat back on my heels, sending a grateful thought to Trey of High Rock for being there…in time to save Athyn., And I wondered- was it a sign from the divines or was it sheer coincidence?

I never found out, and I still don’t know, so many years after…

After helping Athyn to bed, I went on to see Varvur. Strangely enough he hadn’t been awakened by the commotion in the great chambers, but obviously the walls of Sarethi Manor were thick enough to hide any kind of noise. I didn’t see Domesea either, but she was probably not at home…at all.

Varvur was sleeping when I entered his bedroom. As before the stench in the room was remarkable so I left the door open in order to get some fresh air into it.

I unpacked my satchel at the table; I had brought some comberry-wine and also a small pot containing a thick yellow liquid. I looked at it and my thoughts started to wander; to Fort Buckmoth, the Training Camp…Lalatia Vabdas, the woman who showed me the secret of making the wonderful thing called honey. I gently stroked the small pot…

The comberry-wine was dark red and smelled delicious as I slowly heated the mug over the open fire in the corner of the room. I poured a good spoonful of honey into the warm wine, together with a selection of herbs that Edwinna gave me, meant to give me strength, but I figured Varvur was in more need for that at the moment. I tasted the wine to find out how it tasted, it was quite delicious, and I hoped Varvur would like it.

“Varvur! Wake up, I’ve got something for you” I gently shook his shoulder, but he just groaned and turned to the side. I waited patiently till the scent of the wine finally reached his nostrils and he sat up in his bed, peering suspiciously at me

“Well it’s you again,” he muttered. “What is that smell?” I handed him the mug, and he frowned a bit but then took a small sip…His eyes widened and he took a whole mouthful of the ruby liquid.

“What is it!!!? It’s…it’s good! Really good!”

I smiled faintly as Varvur Sarethi emptied the mug. He looked at me, slowly shaking his head.

“You…you witch, what more tricks do you know?” He was smiling as he uttered those words, then his gaze went downwards to my skirt and too late I understood he’d seen the dark stains on it, his father’s blood…

“Is that….is that blood?” he whispered, turning pale. “What’s happened? Is Father at home?” Varvur´s voice rose to a scream; he dropped the mug on the floor and grabbed my arm fiercely. I grimaced; his grasp was quite painful and I struggled to get loose.

“It’s ok, Varvur! There were some assassins, but Trey took care of it all, so you don’t have to worry, your Father is alright…now.” The last word just slipped my mouth, which I regretted immediately as Varvur jumped to his feet, and grabbed me by both shoulders, vigorously shaking me as he shouted in agony;

“NOW? You tell me, you damned witch, what happened to my Father? Did somebody hurt him? I’ll …I’ll hurt you if he’s not ok!”

I took a deep breath, grasping both his hands and forcing him to let go of me, I had to use my whole concentration, had to force him to look me in the eyes to calm him down…

“Listen to me Varvur! Your Father is ok! Trey took care of those assassins and I…I took care of your Father, he…he was hurt but he’s quite well now.”

It was as if the sudden outburst of strength totally wore Varvur out, for he suddenly just sank down on the bed again, covering his face with his hands. I sat down beside him, putting my arm around his shoulders…and there Varvur broke down in tears, revealing the sad story of his young life;

“My sister, Satyana, was ten years older than me, she was such a strong, beautiful girl, intelligent but ever so stubborn. She always went her own way…Father was so proud of her, he always said she would one day be the Archmaster of our Great House, and she would make a good one, he said.”

“Our Mother disliked that; she did not approve of Satyana being so strong and man-like; she wanted her to be more like a lady, to get married into one of the noble Redoran-families…That’s what caused her go away, and she never…came back, she’s probably dead, a twenty year old girl can’t survive out there!”

I remained silent, thinking that I had survived out there and I was just sixteen when I left home….and if Satyana was as strong as he said she was…

“I was very weak as a child, always suffering from some sort of illness or fear…there wasn’t a day I didn’t cry for some reason or another. Satyana always defended me when the others mocked me and teased me…but after she left…”

Varvur´s shoulders were shaking heavily, I embraced him, patting his back and letting him take his time; obviously he needed to let all his grief out and all I could do was to be there, listening to him.

“I love my Father deeply, but I never have managed to make him proud of me, I’ve always let him down, dishonoured the Sarethi-name! I can’t handle a sword, I can’t hunt down a Kagouti or even a scrib, because I can’t stand the sight of blood…or any kind of violence.”

“Varvur, has your Father at any time blamed you for that?” I asked softly. He looked at me, his face swollen and wet from tears, and shook his head.

“No…no...But it’s compulsory amongst Redoran men to at least be able to defend your house and family, and I’m unable to…as you’ve seen!” Varvur began to cry again.

“If I was a disappointment to my parents, my younger brother Salyn wasn’t. He was all what they could wish for, bold, strong, fit and sound. He still is a glory to his house and family, but he also left home, leaving just lousy me behind!

“Varvur, I’m sure you have something else in you to compensate for you lack of the ordinary Redoran skills,” I noticed I sounded more like a teacher than a friend to confide in, but he didn’t seem to notice.

“Books! I like to read…and I’m rather good at numbers….” His voice was hoarse and guttural; I scarcely heard what he said.
“But that doesn’t help my Father does it? That big bastard Bolvyn Venim wants him dead so he can continue courting my mother!” Again Varvur´s voice broke into a scream.

I felt an ice-cold hand grip my heart, as the pieces fell into place. So it was Bolvyn Venim who sent those assassins after Athyn!

“But...but you can’t be sure,” I whispered, still unwilling to believe that the Archmaster of my own adopted House could be so wicked.

“Can’t I? I’ve caught them in the very act! I was seeing Vendrela, to borrow some books, and I happened to open the wrong door! And…and there they were! Like animals…” Varvur sobbed desperately. I just held on to him; it must have been a terrible experience for him seeing his mother in the arms…or rather in the bed of Bolvyn Venim.

“He came to me the day after, said I’d have to shut up about what I saw…or else. He obviously didn’t trust me, because three weeks later Bralen was killed and I got the blame for it and he locked me up in his Manor. Trey got me out alright, but I’m too scared to even leave my room. He’ll find me and somehow find a way to put another spell on me, expose me to another Ash-statue, or something…and eventually make me kill my Father!”

“Varvur, NO! No he won’t, I’ll make sure he won’t!”

Varvur looked at me again, this time scornfully, “How can you possibly prevent that?”

I didn’t answer, I just went to the table to prepare another mug of warm honey-sweetened wine. As I did, my hands were shaking, for I did not know how to handle this situation anymore, but I’d have to ask him an important question.

“Does your Father know about Archmaster Venim and your mother?”

“No…of course not! Everybody else seems to know but he’d be the last….and believe me, it would kill him if he found out!”

I nodded but said nothing; I had this weird feeling that Athyn in fact knew subconsciously that Domesea had betrayed him, but he suppressed it deep inside himself. In some ways, his own honour worked against him- he could not, or would not see that others were capable of such deceit.

Then I got an idea…

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 almost 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.

Against my initial intentions, I decided not to visit Sarethi Manor again. It wouldn’t lead anywhere; I could not stand being under the same roof as Athyn and not “having him”. It would be too painful, so I tried my best to forget about the Sarethi family. I had accomplished my task of curing Varvur, or at least I had made a decent try, so it was time to get on with my life.

The sad thing was that I had no idea what I wanted to do with it!

After more than a week of wavering, one rainy morning I found myself heading towards Under Skar, pretending I just was going to see Neminda because it had been a long time since I last visited her. I did go to the Council Hall at first. Neminda was glad to see me but did seem a bit astonished that I still lived at the Mage’s Guild.

“I thought you were living with the Sarethi family by now, you did such a good job with Varvur, and Athyn, I’ve been told!”

I hesitated; it didn’t feel right to tell her why I chose to remain with the Mages, so I just shook my head and smiled.

“I think I’ve got to tell you there have been a lot of rumours among our Councillors lately, quite a few dark events have taken place during the last six months, and the Archmaster isn’t acting like he should. It’s common knowledge that he’s a womanizer, but some says he’s now gone too far!” Neminda said slowly. “Naturally there’s no real evidence he’s done something really illegal or even unethical, but the rumours flourish nevertheless.”

I felt a cold wind blow through the small chamber in which we were sitting. I was glad Varvur was out of the way, but I also felt a rising rage against Bolvyn Venim. I knew the rumours were most certainly true but I wouldn’t dream of getting Varvur back as a witness; it would probably just cause his death, and deadly hurt to Athyn, which was the last thing I wanted.

“What kind of events are you referring to?” I asked carefully, “I am no particular friend of Archmaster Venim, on the contrary I’d say, but could you tell me more?”

“Since his wife died in childbirth, about 20 years ago, Archmaster Venim has literally had an incredible number of women, inside and outside our Great House. Naturally he’s been very discreet about it, but those things tend to get out anyway, despite how thoroughly you try hiding them.”

“There are also some men who mysteriously disappeared, and their wives have been ’taken care of’ by the Archmaster.” Neminda continued. “Then some of our nobles have been threatened by assassins, and there have been at least two murder-attempts on Athyn, but you know that already!”

I nodded, “Trey of High Rock saved him twice, as far as I know…”

“Yes!” Neminda exclaimed, “He truly is a loyal and righteous man, and also most certainly Lord Nerevar Reborn…But he now has a difficult task before him, he’s applying to be the Hortator of House Redoran.”

“A Hortator?” I asked “Excuse my dumbness but I haven’t the faintest idea what that is.”
“It’s a war leader. He will unite our troops and lead our Great House in war,” Neminda smiled, “And it’s not a dumb question at all, the problem is to get all of the councillors, including the Archmaster, to vote for him at the next Grand Meeting.”

I pondered all that information, and tried to get a structure of it…

Archmaster Venim was playing some kind of wicked game here, probably to strengthen his power. He also obviously used, or rather misused women, for his own benefit. I knew for certain he had a tryst with Domesea Sarethi, and probably also with Fathasa Llethri. And as far as I understood he had some dark connections to the Sixth House Cult, which the incident with Ash-Statue indicated.

He was also a murderer….and would not hesitate to murder again….

Then there was Trey of High Rock… He would be an excellent Hortator and Archmaster, but how he would get the votes from the other stubborn Redoran Councillors, I really didn’t know.

“I think I’ll have to discuss a few things with…” I began, and then Neminda immediately interrupted:

“Athyn! Why of course you have to, he’s your sponsor and benefactor in House Redoran!”

I blushed; really I shouldn’t need an excuse like that to visit Sarethi Manor, but it felt better to have an important errand to discuss before going there.

Neminda noticed my red cheeks and gave me an amused smile.

“Go see Athyn immediately!”

I didn’t go…then …and I still regret it in some ways, even though it probably changed my life for the better.

Instead I went to see Mistress Brara Morvayn, who lived in an apartment in Under Skar.

Her husband was dead, murdered from what I understood, and her home infested with corprus monsters after some issue involving an Ash-Statue. I thought this was too much of a coincidence not to be investigated a bit further.

Mistress Morvayn was an impressive woman, probably in her early fifties, but as far as the Dunmerii race is concerned you can’t be absolutely sure of their real age. Her hair was jet black with only some minor white stripes in it and combed in a complicated style. Well dressed she was in a purple and blue robe with silver embroideries.

She received me in her library, a rather large room where the walls were entirely covered with huge book-shelves. Two comfortable-looking armchairs were standing in a corner and between them a table, with some pitchers made from that green glass said to be found in mines on this continent. They were really beautiful, and I vaguely remembered seeing similar ones at Arvs Drelen….
“A good day to you Sera Catraso,” she greeted me, “I have heard some interesting things about your skills. Words travel fast in Ald´Ruhn you know!” she smiled and gave me her hand.

It was a delicate hand, a hand of a noble woman who obviously never had done a day’s work it her life… I took it and was astonished at the firm grip. This lady had strength and sincerity, I could almost feel it.

“A good day to you too, Mistress Morvayn,” I replied, “I’ve come to present myself to you as newly adopted kinswoman in Great House Redoran.”

Mistress Morvayn turned out to be a really nice acquaintance, bold, determined and humorous, despite her great loss.

“He’s a very insecure male,” she said about Archmaster Venim, “He needs to be recognised…all he time he needs to put his attractiveness to the test. That’s why he courts everything that wears a skirt…except for me of course!” she chuckled.

I must have made quite a face because Brara immediately added:

“I scare him to death! I do not look at him with those doggy-eyes that that little wimp Fathasa Llethri does...or ’Domi’ Sarethi, for that matter!”

I sat silent…Brara shook her head and took out a bottle of ancient Cyrodiilic brandy from a small cupboard behind her armchair.

“Let’s have a drink… May I call you Serene? You can call me Brara by the way.”

She poured the drinks, and I admired the beauty of the golden liquid in those magnificent green glass-pitchers, and wondered how this conversation would continue. Brara obviously knew quite a lot about the Redoran Councillors and the Archmaster.

“And then there’s Athyn! Poor stupid man but ever so nice and too kind for his own good. He believes that there’s some goodness inside everybody, and that will lead to his death, trust me!”

I must have made a sudden move, because I noticed Brara raising an eyebrow and then she gave me a satisfied nod, as if I had just confirmed something she had suspected. I would have to remember to never play cards against this woman!

“Nevertheless, my dear Serene it’s a pleasure to talk to you, or actually it’s been me who have done most of the talking, but you’re an excellent listener, my child!...Oh and I must admit I’m much more positively disposed towards outlanders since that nice young Breton cleared out my old house after the attack.”

Then she told me the following story:

“Thedryn, my late husband, acted strangely the last six months, ever since that evening he was called to the Grand Council for an urgent meeting. Yes, he used to be a councillor at that time! He never told me what it was about, but he brought a parcel with him that he immediately locked inside the chest of drawers in his study. His strange behavior escalated; he barely spoke to me, and he used to go out late at night and was very angry with me if I dared to ask him why he had to spend so much time somewhere else and not telling me about it. So one evening, about three months ago, we were sitting having dinner , when a bunch of unbelievably grotesque creatures just came bursting in! I flung myself under the table but Thedryn just tried to negotiate with them!”

“Can you imagine such stupidity? How could he imagine it was possible to even try to talk to monsters like that?” Brara sounded bitter now, and I could fully understand that.

What I couldn’t understand was that she was sitting there, just three months after the murder of her husband and telling me all this, like it was a story or something! That woman really was one of a kind.

“So it turned out I was the sole witness of the murder of my husband, because their answer to his negotiation attempt was a severe blow on the head, followed by the most cruel slaying of a man you could imagine. He didn’t have a single chance to defend himself, and I was sitting paralyzed under the table. In fact I remained there for more than six hours before I even dared to come out.

I finally got out and dragged myself to Under Skar, where I happened to meet Athyn, coming from the Apothecary heading home. He naturally took me with him and I spent a couple of weeks in Sarethi Manor to recovery, until eventually Neminda got me this apartment.”

During her story Brara had taken several sips from her brandy and it was obviously affecting her now, her eyes glowed with fire and her voice had gone somewhat thick. I was hardly affected at all, despite the fact that I’d been drinking quite a lot as well, but her story, or rather the way in which it was told, frightened me a bit.

I suggested that I’d go out to buy some food, that it would sober us up a bit if we had something to eat, then Brara laughed :

“Ah sweet Serene! I don’t want any food! I want to be drunk; it’s been so long since I have had a chance to really talk to someone, who else would listen to an old widow?, So let’s celebrate that you’re a Redoran and I bid you welcome to the House; you’re a refreshing change from all the old geezers here!”

“You know…Trey…Trey cleared out the mess in my house, yes he did, but I can’t face moving back…not yet!”

Brara closed her eyes and leaned back, seeming to fall asleep, so I took the delicate pitcher out of her hand and prepared to leave, when she suddenly sat upright and grabbed my hand fiercely:

“He killed him, you know, and he will do it again!” Then she fell back, snoring heavily.

I put a blanket over her and left.

Outside the Council Hall I felt a sudden chill, as a familiar voice came to me, and the world went dim:

“Serene! Go home, there might still be a chance, but you must go home now.”

I didn’t have to ponder what Azura meant this time, so I turned around and headed for Sarethi Manor with an uneasy feeling in my stomach. The last few yards I actually ran and slammed the sturdy door open.

The stench! The metallic stench of…blood! As I hurried down the hallway I noticed the carpet was pushed aside, the floor was slippery with dark brownish grime.

Then I saw it…

“NOOOOOOOO!” My scream echoed between the walls….and I fell to my knees…

Athyn was sitting on the floor, with Domesea´s head in his lap. Her beautiful red hair was soaked with blood…she was severely wounded as far as I could see, her face pale grey and a trickle of blood running from her mouth. I was terrified; I had no idea what had happened here but obviously there had been another attack!

“She saved my life,” Athyn whispered, “And now she’s going to die!”

“Athyn…I am so sorry,” she whispered “I’ve been unfaithful to you and I sincerely regret it, but now it’s too late; I’ll pay for my sins with my life, but I do hope you will find happiness elsewhere, so please forgive me! I did not appreciate what I had, I wanted more and now comes the reckoning…oh my love, you deserve better.” Her voice faded as another stream of her heart’s-blood emerged from her pale lips.

I took a deep breath and prepared to perform a healing…

Then Domesea opened her eyes and gave me a sign to get closer. Her lips close to my ear, she whispered the strangest words…

“Serene, listen, take care of him will you? I know you love him and he loves you, even if he doesn’t know yet…he’s not been the same since he met you…please will you do that for me?”

I nodded, tears streaming down my face, and put my hands on her bloodied chest but her heart beat weaker and weaker as the spark of life slowly faded from her. I couldn’t believe it; the power of healing did not work and I knew she was doomed. I looked at Athyn, but he just shook his head, holding his dying wife in his arms, his tears wetting her hair.

Domesea Sarethi died in her husband’s arms, and when her heart stopped beating, she seemed to transform into the young beautiful Dunmer maiden she once was….

Instinctively I embraced Athyn and he clung to me tightly, just holding me close to him. We sat like that for ever, at least it seemed that way…

When I examined Domesea´s body I found that she’d been stabbed right in the heart by a poisoned dagger. The venom had gotten into her bloodstream extremely fast, disrupting the red blood-vessels and caused her death within minutes from severe internal bleeding. That indicated that the attack had taken place just before I arrived, but then how could the murderer have gotten away that quick? Something weird was going on and I felt I owed it to Domesea to investigate her murder.

“Athyn…what happened here? Are you ok, so you can tell me?“ I asked, still holding on to him.

“It was meant for me, that dagger,” Athyn said, his voice was hoarse and guttural. “I am the one who should be dead, not her! I let her down; she wanted more of life than I was able to give her, I was never as ambitious as she wanted me to be, satisfied to be a simple councillor. I never wanted to be anything more! She was so disappointed with me! No wonder she looked for someone better…”

I didn’t answer, I just held him closer, stroking his hair. I didn’t know what to do, and I couldn’t really do anything to ease his pain, except just be there for him. With a visible effort, he pulled himself together and began to speak in an ashen voice:

I came home from the weekly council-meeting….the house seemed empty, then I heard voices and suddenly Domesea came from her chambers, accompanied by two men dressed in black. I unsheathed my sword, but they were too fast for me; one of them cast his hammer at me and my sword fell to the ground. The other one charged and flung himself at me, when suddenly Domesea screamed and threw herself in front of me…to protect me! The dagger went right into her back and she fell…severely bleeding. The two men obviously got scared when they hit the wrong target and simply ran away…Then you came…

I shrugged, for it was clear that those men were sent out by Bolvyn Venim to finally dispose of Athyn, but when they happened to give a deadly wound to the mistress of their employer they got cold feet and disappeared as fast as possible.

Now it wasn’t yet the time to put all my cards on the table- Athyn was too shocked and sad at the moment, but sooner or later he had to be told the whole story. In my mind I planned for revenge. This had gone too far- someone had to stop Bolvyn Venim one way or another.

As I mentioned before, word spread fast in Ald´Ruhn, and as we were still sitting on the floor, Athyn and me, holding on to Domesea´s corpse, the door was flung open and two men entered. It was two of the other councillors, Hlaren Ramoran and Miner Arobar. Both seemed very upset and told us they’d met two men dressed in black running from Sarethi Manor. Naturally they had tried to stop them but it was futile, those men were too fast for the two councillors. So they hurried here instead.

“It was The Dark Brotherhood who did this!” Miner Arobar said. He had a sharp voice, and sounded a bit too self-confident, as he nodded vigorously. “I just know it’s that black gang…I can tell you!”

“Not so sure,” Hlaren Ramoran added. “They usually don’t attack women. Besides, why kill ´Domi´? She hasn’t done any harm.”

I could have said he was wrong, since I’d encountered several attacks from The Brotherhood, but I didn’t. In my opinion they were both right; no doubt the actual murder was an accident, but someone had hired them to perform an assassination, for they usually don’t act on their own. No, they must have been hired by someone, and I had a pretty good idea who!

“Please!” Athyn said quietly, “Don’t argue my friends, I…we…must take care of this…” His voice broke and he bowed his head. His shoulders were shaking and my heart bled for him. Oddly enough I had stayed rather composed during all this, maybe that was an instinct telling me I had to be the strong one now…

My memory fails me a bit about what happened next, but there was suddenly quite a crowd in the hallway of Sarethi Manor. I guess one of the councillors had arranged for some people to come and help take care of things. I was mostly concerned about Athyn, but Councillor Ramoran helped him to his feet and led him towards his chambers. I felt somewhat left out and thought of leaving; my skirt was once more bloodied, this time with the blood of Athyn´s dead wife and I wanted to get it off as soon as possible.

I was already halfway to the door when I heard Athyn´s voice;

“Serene! Please don’t leave, stay with me…please!”

“But Athyn really!” Miner Arobar sounded doubtful “You surely don’t want her to stay around? An outlander, you hardly know her, she might even be the one behind this!”

I froze…Miner Arobar was obviously no member of my fan-club, but I didn’t blame him! I was an outlander, an Imperial as well, and generally Dunmers were suspicious about folks of my race. And…I was found with my hands and clothes smeared with blood, sitting beside the victim.

“Miner, Hlaren! I beg you both, leave me with Serene, I have confidence in her, and she’s done nothing but good to me and my family. I...I need her right now,” Athyn´s voice broke again, as he wiped his face with his sleeve and took a few steps towards me. I stretched out my hand but he put his arm around my shoulders instead, and leaning against me he headed for his room.

I did not take any notice of the two councillors but I could feel their looks behind my back, and that didn’t feel pleasant at all.

Athyn sank down on his bed and just closed his eyes. His clothes were a complete mess, soaked with blood and his robe was torn at the front. I unbuttoned the robe to check if he was hurt somewhere but he wasn’t, Domesea´s body had shielded him thoroughly.

“I guess it is true then,” he said in a muted voice, “ She really did have an affair with the Archmaster…well I can’t blame her, Venim is much more the sort of man she believed she wanted.”

“You knew?” I took his hand and held it.

“Not for sure, but she told me just before you came in…she said she was sorry!” Athyn laughed a bitter sad laugh. “But the price she had to pay! She saved my life, yet I wish she hadn’t; now I’ll have to live with it for the rest of my life.”

Knowing that House Redoran still observed the tradition of the honourable duel, I glanced at a display of weaponry on the wall, wondering if Athyn would now challenge the Archmaster. He seemed to interpret my look and shook his head wearily.

“No, Serene. I cannot. House Redoran’s Council must be strong and united in these troubled times. With Dagoth Ur stirring once more and the increasing unrest on the mainland, we must maintain a united front. We are beset from all sides- the Nords, Telvanni, and Hlaalu all seek to rip at the flesh of our House. I cannot weaken my House, not without sacrificing my honour!”

That last was spoken so forcefully that it set off a spasm of coughing and I feared that he had taken some unseen wound after all. But it was just exhaustion and emotional overload- he had suffered so much in these last few weeks….

I said nothing- there wasn’t much to say. His wife had betrayed him but somehow she managed to make amends…by saving his life whilst losing her own. I could understand that would be hard to live with but then again, he was a Redoran Councillor He had to get back on his feet despite his great loss, and I felt I had to help him with that. I have to admit that I felt a guilty joy that he wanted me to be with him- that he trusted me. But with that guilt I saw a faint light at the end of the tunnel.

The following days, I lived through as though I was in a mist. Neither Athyn nor I got any sleep; he was in a frantic mood, mad from grief. He talked, almost without ceasing. He told of their first meeting, their courtship, the early years of their marriage, when it seemed as if anything was possible. He almost seemed to believe that if he painted a vivid enough picture with his words, she would come back to life as the girl he had first known. Then too, it was as if he wanted to unburden himself of the guilt he felt when Domesea died, and in doing so, saved his life.

Then he had concerns about how to tell his sons their mother was dead. I said I’d talk to them, if he would allow me to. I noticed he didn’t mention his daughter at all…

“Telling Varvur would be acceptable; he knows you, but Salyn! He’s a hot-headed young man, and also he’s in Ghostgate, I wouldn’t want you to go there; it’s too dangerous.” Athyn didn’t want me out of his sight it seemed, but I persisted; I knew I could do it and honestly I wanted to meet Salyn!

“Before you set out on this mission, Serene, please move in here, at the Manor! I’ll organise a bedroom and a study for you, you’ll be most comfortable and…and I do want you here.” He took my hand in a firm grip and looked into my eyes. I trembled, for the emotion I saw in those dark brownish-red eyes was almost more than I could bear.

“I…I…is that really appropriate?” I stuttered. “What will the other councillors think about it and…and the rest…” I wanted to be with him more than anything, but I couldn’t ruin his reputation within the House, his honor amongst his kinsmen…that would be fatal.

His answer was very clear, he just took me in his arms, holding me tight, and then he turned my face towards his and kissed me. I have been kissed before, but this felt different, oh so different…

“Now did I make myself clear?” he whispered, as I swayed in his arms. I just nodded; I could not speak, for the rush of emotions had made me dizzy.

I still insisted on going to tell Varvur and Salyn of the grim fate of their mother before making any other arrangements. The rather short walk to Fort Buckmoth was refreshing; the sky was clear and the sun was shining for a change. What might have caused the lull in the ash storms, I did not know, but I took it as a hopeful sign. I didn’t encounter even a single cliffracer during my trip, which pleased me. I knew now how to handle those beasts, but nevertheless, I didn’t like them.

Imsin was happy to see me, and I spent an hour with her first, telling her about the ghastly thing that happened. I didn’t particularly speak about my developing relations with Athyn but she suspected something, I’m sure.

“So...ye want te see our new employee, Ralen Andrano?” she smiled “Aye ´tis a guud boy, clever an nice…don’t say much, that´un.”

I nodded; Ralen Andrano was the pseudonym Varvur had chosen to stay clear of Bolvyn Venim´s notice. . I focused on the terrible thing I had to tell Varvur and wondered how he’d take it…

He took it better then I expected. He just sat silent for a while, then sighed, and turned towards me slowly shaking his head.

“I was afraid something like that was going to happen, though naturally I didn’t want my mother to die. But she died honourably, saving my father’s life. She has paid for her sins, even if the price was too high. I only wish the Archmaster would be at least sorry, but he won’t be, for him she was just a toy, like all other women he had.”

I didn’t really know what to say. His words were wise, and only too true. He had known of his mother’s deceit and he had resented it, but he believed that she had redeemed herself in the manner of her death. He was a true Redoran indeed.

“Are you staying at Sarethi Manor now, Serene?” He asked me. “I know Father wants you to; he’s so very fond of you.”

“No…it wouldn’t be appropriate,” I answered, “Not yet anyway, but as you may have understood I’m very fond of your father, so I will try to help him out at the moment, to ease his grief so to say, to try to make life a little bit more bearable to him.”

“I bet you do!” Varvur smiled. “Why, he has spoken about you all the time since he first met you- not in front of mother, bless her soul, but when we were on our own. You certainly have made an impression on my old father!”

“He is not old…not to me anyway!” I blushed at my outburst; it didn’t feel right to discuss these matters at a time like this. He should be sad about his mother’s death and not try to fix me up with his father! In fact I was more than capable of doing that myself…

I changed the subject by asking Varvur what his immediate plans were. He told me he’d learned a lot in those few weeks he’d been at Fort Buckmoth. They had some skilled teachers, so he planned to stay for at least six months, then he would apply for a job at the EEC, he said.

The EEC, East Empire Company, was headquartered in Ebonheart. It was a prosperous enterprise and a skilled accountant could make a nice career …I wished him luck, and we had supper together before I headed back to Ald´Ruhn again.

I was convinced Athyn would be pleased with Varvur´s progress. I could hardly wait to tell him. What bothered me was the relative coldness Varvur showed when I told him his mother was killed. It really disturbed me; didn’t Varvur have any feelings towards Domesea? What had she done to make her son hate her, or at least dislike her like that?

In fact Athyn did approve of Varvur´s plans for his future. To get a job at the EEC would improve the influence of Great House Redoran in the company, the only question was how the Hlaalu owners would react or if they’d even let Varvur have the job.

Again Athyn tried to persuade me to move to Sarethi Manor and again I refused, referring to his good name and the honour of the House. Inside I was bleeding; my feelings for him had grown, and I didn’t want anything else but spend the rest of my life with this man, but of course I couldn’t admit that…..not now, when the planning for Domesea´s funeral was going on.
Courtesy and custom bid a year of mourning, at least, and I had a hard time thinking about how I’d cope with a whole year without being allowed to fully express my feelings.

I didn’t have to go to Ghostgate to tell Salyn Sarethi about his mother’s death as it turned out. Salyn eventually came home, having heard some rumours about a terrible thing that had happened to his family, and so he was granted leave to come home.

One chilly morning, I sat in the big room beside the hallway trying to learn more about the Caldera ebony-mine, and how Great House Hlaalu ripped it out of the hands of the Redorans. The documentation was incomplete and I felt that the mine was badly run, and that I might have to look into these affairs some more.

Suddenly I heard the front door open and down the hallway came a young Dunmer, his long black hair wind-blown, he was wearing dusty glass armor and a sword was hanging at his side. His features were sharply outlined, his dark brownish-red eyes glowing with anger or worry, I couldn’t tell. He was a younger image of his father though and I nearly jumped off the chair as he approached me.

“And who might you be, Sera?” he asked, in a stern voice, “And could you by any chance tell me the whereabouts of my father?”

“I...I´m Serene Catraso, then you must be Salyn?” I stuttered.

“Yes, yes, I’m Salyn Sarethi, now tell me where my father is, or my mother!” he sounded impatient and my heart sank. This wouldn’t be easy…

“Please, Salyn, take a seat, I have to tell you something.”

“There’s nothing you can tell me that I can’t hear standing up, besides…” his face broke into a faint smile, “This armour is damn uncomfortable and not meant to wear sitting.”

“Salyn” I started, “There’s been an attack…Two assassins broke into the Manor, they… they attempted to kill your father, but…” my voice broke; I had to pause for breath.

“WHAT!? “ He shouted, “Is my father DEAD??”

“NO…no , your mother interrupted the attack, she…she saved him but….she was killed instead.” I covered my face with my hands to hide the tears that gushed from my eyes.

Salyn Sarethi sank down on a chair, armour and all. He said nothing, just stared out into the air. Then he turned to me and handed me a napkin from the table to wipe my face.

“There, there, …Serene, was it?” He said, patting my hand, obviously feeling awkward seeing me cry.

I dried my face and told him I’d take him to his father at once. We walked down the corridor to Athyn´s bedroom. I stayed behind as father and son reunited.

I felt I was not needed; in that belief, it turned out I was, in fact, totally wrong….

*****************************

I had to stop writing for a moment; the unborn child in my womb was tossing and turning and I walked about the room to ease the discomfort.

How do you describe a funeral? And to a child….not wanting to upset it, but yet still depict the odd feelings I had regarding the funeral of Domesea, the legal wife of the man I was deeply in love with. I had no idea how to continue the story. Nevertheless I made myself remember the event and how I felt about it because I regarded it as essential for her to fully understand why things turned out as they did. And then I suddenly knew how to go on…

I put my hands on my belly and stroked it gently;

“Hey little one, you’re with me, and soon you’ll meet your father and the rest of your family, and everything will be alright.”


***************************

I was halfway out the door of Sarethi Manor when Salyn called for me, wanting me to come at once. I didn’t understand why until I saw Athyn lying on his bed, apparently not feeling well. He was pale and his face covered with cold sweat, and he was panting heavily.

I sat down beside him, and the healer in me took over, for which I indeed was grateful, and put my hand on his forehead. He’d had a shock; apparently seeing his younger son again, combined with the stress of Domesea´s death had been enough to cause this near-collapse.

“What’s the matter with Father?” Salyn asked, sounding really worried, “He just went pale and fell back on the bed.”

“Shock,” I said “It’s just been too much for him lately, but be calm. I’ll help him.”

I looked at the man I loved, seeing grief, fear and…something else… in his eyes, so I gently stroked his chin, and focussed…

After a few minutes the color slowly returned to his face and he fell into a normal invigorating sleep. That was good, just what he needed. I put a woven blanket over him and went into the living room together with Salyn.

“He’ll sleep it through,” I said, “We need to make arrangements for your mother’s funeral now; her body is in the Temple, being properly prepared, so….”

“The tradition says she should be buried in Sarethi Ancestral Tomb,” Salyn sighed, “I don’t really like my mother being put there- it’s haunted!”

I understood him, ancestral Tombs are spooky, somehow the inhabitants don’t sleep in peace, they kind of float around in there….I also didn’t really like the idea, but who was I to go against Redoran traditions and rules? Then too, I hoped that the spirits would recognize that we were not intruders, but family…. That thought sent a sharp pang through me- after all, Athyn and his sons were family, but what about me? Was I not an intruder- in more ways than one?

That evening there were quite a lot of people gathered in Sarethi Manor. Athyn felt a lot better after a couple of hour’s sleep, and Salyn managed to get the other Councillors to come over as well. We decided not to tell about Domesea´s last words, and so preserve her honor…

Brara Morvayn was really an asset in this, having recently buried her husband. Her suggestions about the ceremony and above all the feast afterwards were invaluable.

“I’ve got some bottles of the finest Cyrodiilic Brandy left…”she said, “I’ll be glad to share them.”

“Amazing that is, considering your habits,” Miner Arobar smirked, but Brara just gave him a hearty smile back. That woman was one of a kind, but as I later understood she regarded herself as above the smug remarks from any of the other councillors.

The Tomb was situated on the island of Dagon Fel, far north-east of Vvardenfell. I roughly knew the place; it wasn’t that far from the Ahemmusa Camp where I’d spent over a year before coming to Ald´Ruhn. The easiest way to get there was to take the Siltstrider to Khuul, then go by ship to Dagon Fel. From there you had to walk…The Siltstrider driver, Navam Veran, was indeed honoured to transport a funeral procession, something he never had done before. For the occasion he decorated the Strider with dark purple fabric on the sides., It looked amazing and I was really touched.

A big procession followed Domesea Sarethi on her last journey, including Athyn, Salyn, Varvur and myself plus all the Councillors, their wives and children, and even the Archmaster…I found it outrageous that he had the nerve but then realised it would have seemed odd if he hadn’t, due to Redoran honor.

Six Redoran nobles carried the coffin, Salyn, Varvur, Hlaren Ramoran, Miner Arobar, Garisa Llethri…and Sethyas Velas. I hadn’t met him at the time he escorted Varvur to Fort Buckmoth and I didn’t actually meet him now either, but I could see Athyn was pleased to have him around, and that was all that mattered to me.

I sat beside Athyn in the Strider. We didn’t talk, there was simply nothing to say; I just took his hand now and then and he rewarded me with a smile or a quick glance.

The boat to take us to the island of Dagon Fel was specially ordered just for us. It, too, was decorated with dark purple fabric, which made it rather spectacular, but not as spectacular as the arrival of Lloros Sarano, the official from Ald´Ruhn Temple, who would lead the ceremony at the Tomb…

We were standing outside the door when a sharp light suddenly was visible and out of it he just materialized. I didn’t ask which kind of intervention-spell he used, but I suspected it was custom-made.

The ceremony itself was breath-taking, speeches by every one of the Councillors, telling about Domesea´s virtues, blessings from Lloros Sarano…and a touching, sad speech from Athyn. He stayed calm and composed; not a tear fell from his eyes, which was more than could be said about me. Through a flood of tears I saw Bolvyn Venim smirk at Athyn, and it filled me with a burning rage. I’d had about enough of his evil schemes; he’d done nothing but hurt the Sarethi family and now he had the guts to look at Athyn as if it was his fault that Domesea died.

When he turned his hooded glance to me, I could see the hatred in his eyes, and I then knew I’d made a very powerful enemy, who I was by no means was prepared to stand up to…yet.
It was then I decided it was time for me to leave the Sarethi family, hopefully not for ever but at least for the time being.

After the ceremony, when the coffin was to be put inside the tomb, I made my move. I slipped out quietly as I could and ran down the path leading to the narrow bay that separated the peninsula on which the Tomb was situated from the main island. I ran into the water and swam across the bay, not considering the possibility of any kind of water-living beasts...

Two hours later I knocked on Anja Swift-Sailer´s door in the village of Dagon Fel, wet through, and desperately sobbing-

“Please, Anja, will you take me to the Ahemmusa Camp?”


Here ends chapter 5

On to the next chapter