Alarys Drethen stared deeply into the candle standing by the edge of his desk, his eyes darting left and right, following the tiny flame as it flickered and danced about. His focus quickly returned to the parchment lying before him as he diligently skimmed through the words he had written. One could always easily identify any letter penned by Lord Alarys Drethen, High Councillor of House Dres. The left-handed Dunmer never left any shortage of smudges and ink smears upon his letters, which he always made sure to wipe off as best he could before placing his seal, and this time would be no different. Using the cloth he always kept close by, Alarys carefully wiped down the page before eloquently folding it, making sure the creases of the paper aligned perfectly. Pouring a dab of hot wax onto the page, Alarys stamped the signet of his ring into it, sealing the letter with the mark of House Dres. Finally placing the parchment aside, Alarys took a deep breath as he buried his face in his hands, taking that moment to clear his head and collect himself. It was a peaceful night outside, and the shining gaze of the moonlight allowed Alarys to relax.
A knock sounded at the door to Alarys's study, the Dunmer's head jerking up as the noise startled him.
"Alarys, am I disturbing you?" a sliver of light shone inside the study as the door slowly creaked open. Alarys stood from his chair behind his desk, giving a faint smile as his wife took a step inside.
"Valarya, my love, your presence is never a disturbance," Alarys replied warmly. Valarya Drethen returned the smile as she sauntered into the room, boasting the confidence and grace of Almalexia herself. It was said that Lady Valarya was the only thing that was ever able to make her husband smile. Alarys Drethen was known to be cold as ice to those who knew him, his exterior hard and rigid as stone, his resolve like steel. His wife was the only one who could get past all that, who could reach deep down inside of him and bring out any sort of resemblance of affection or caring, no matter how slight.
There was not a man nor woman alive in Morrowind who would deny the beauty of Valarya Drethen. Tall, slender and fair was she, her face refined and smooth as silk. Within her sleek, narrow eyes lurked a gaze that was equally alluring as it was fierce. The Dunmer woman was no doubt a more than suitable match for any of the highborn men of the land, provided of course she deemed them worthy. Raised amongst the wealthy nobility, she was heavily exposed to the frequent scheming and plotting that took place, and over the years she developed an intelligent, cunning mind that allowed her to cement a place of her own within Morrowind's Grand Council and establish a considerable amount of power and influence.
Alarys and Valarya first met at a formal ball centuries ago, where his future wife was, at that time actually betrothed to the son of a powerful lord of House Indoril. Alarys Drethen was never a man to let what he wanted slip through his fingers, however. He did not hesitate to ask the young woman to a dance. He openly displayed his affection for Valarya, courting her over a period of many months, their relationship slowly but surely growing as time passed. The two would eventually come to fall deeply in love with one another, and it was then they knew they belonged together. When Valarya's betrothed learned of the relationship, he challenged Alarys to a duel to settle the matter once and for all. Alarys slew the man in mere seconds, thereby winning Valarya's hand. They were wed shortly after, and their marriage was by all accounts, a happy one.
Alarys Drethen himself was his wife's senior by sixty-eight years. Aged four hundred and twenty-one, the Dunmer was not yet quite considered elderly, but he was certainly past his prime, and for years Alarys had begun to feel the slow effects of increased age creeping up on him, like a viper silently slithering through the grass. The man still possessed a full head of black hair that fell to his shoulders. His lightly wrinkled face betrayed few emotions, his expression nearly always remaining serious and solemn. The man never laughed, as such a thing was considered childish and immature to him, and he had a difficult time trusting those who did. Laughter was a sign of insincerity, and Alarys always questioned the motives of anyone who displayed it openly before him. Only his wife could bring anything even remotely resembling a smile to his face. Only with her, did Alarys allow his guard to drop. Only with Valarya, did he let himself be open and vulnerable.
Lord and Lady Drethen shared a kiss as they embraced, their red eyes burning as they gazed longingly into one another. Alarys ran his fingers through his wife's long black hair, his other hand holding her close to him as he rubbed the smalls of her back. Lady Valarya cupped her husband's face with her hands, which he always kept clean-shaven. The moonlit sky illuminated their faces as they stood holding each other before the wide, arched window that provided a breathtaking view of Morrowind's many rural farmlands, rustling seas, and lustrous forests. If one looked far enough, they would even be able to see the smoking, ashen summit of Red Mountain looming in the distance that sat at the heart of the island of Vvardenfell.
Drethen Manor was one of several wealthy plantations that surrounded the great city of Tear, the seat of House Dres and their center of power. The Drethens by far ran one of the largest and most successful operations in the land, and the amount of money they brought in for themselves each year was staggering. Most of the territory of House Dres lay on the southeastern corner of mainland Morrowind. Unlike much of the rest of the country, this region of Morrowind was blessed with an abundance of rich, fertile soil and ripe, healthy vegetation. Fields and farmlands stretched as far as the eye could see across the sprawling plains, each year providing bountiful and fruitful harvests that brought in hefty profits for the wealthy landowners, like Alarys Drethen. Agriculture had long been the key to House Dres's economy, and this allowed their wealth and power to spread across the land over the centuries. And all of this, of course, was made possible from their centuries old practice of slave labor.
"This came for you today, my love," spoke Valarya, revealing a sealed letter from the sleeve of her black and maroon dress. Alarys gave his wife another kiss as he gently took the letter from her hand. The Dunmer sat back down at his desk, giving an audible, irritated groan as he eyed the dragon sigil of the Empire upon the seal.
"What in Oblivion do those Imperial dogs want now," grunted Alarys as he unfolded the letter and began to read. Lady Valarya sat at the edge of her husband's desk, crossing her legs as she slowly waved her hand over the candle flame.
Lord Alarys Drethen,
I hope this letter finds you in good health. It is unfortunate that our last meeting ended as poorly as it did. It was never my intent to disrespect you, my lord, and I deeply regret any offense I may have given. Having said that, however, I am afraid I must remain adamant in my request for you to release all of your slaves with all due haste.
I understand that slavery is an ancient practice in Morrowind. I know that many of the great lords of this land wish to preserve the old traditions and customs, and I truly respect that desire. But Morrowind is entering a new age, Lord Drethen. It is the wish of my Emperor, that the Empire and the lords of Morrowind such as yourself, can work together to usher forth a new era of peace, prosperity, happiness, but most importantly, equality for all citizens of this great country, outlander and Dunmer alike. With all respect due, slavery simply no longer has any place in Morrowind. If this land is to progress forward according to the Empire's vision, as well as that of our many supporters, this barbaric, cruel practice must be abolished and buried for all time.
I am aware this is no small feat to ask of you, Lord Drethen. That is why the Empire is generously willing to compensate you in the amount of five hundred thousand septims for the release of every slave currently under your ownership. Every man, woman, and child will be free to remain in Morrowind, or leave to wherever they so desire. Every individual will be given the chance to make something of themselves, to live a life they never thought possible. It is my sincere hope, Lord Drethen, that you will have a change of heart, and cooperate with the Empire as we work to change this land. For I assure you, those who continue to refuse the Empire will be subject to the full penalty of Imperial law. I hope it will not come to that, Lord Drethen. I eagerly await your reply.
By His Grace Emperor Uriel Septim VII,
Vicentus Antorius, Knight of the Imperial Dragon, and Lord-Commander of the Imperial Legion, Morrowind Division.
Not a single expression crossed Alarys Drethen's face, not a single word passed his lips as he scanned through the letter again and again. Valarya stared inquisitively at her husband, trying to gauge his expression in an attempt to deduce what he was thinking. Alas, even with her keen eyes, she was unsuccessful.
Half a million drakes for all the slaves on my estate?! Does the Empire think me a beggar? Lord-Commander Antorius may as well have come up to Alarys in person and spit in his face directly.
"What does the letter say, Alarys?" asked Valarya. Alarys did not answer his wife. The Dunmer held the letter into the candle, the parchment curling into itself as it burnt to nothingness in Alarys's hand. The Councillor of House Dres expected no different from the Empire. Honeyed words, lined with a veiled threat. This attempt to intimidate Alarys into compliance was beyond pitiful.
"Our dear friend the Lord-Commander is offering me chump change, if I agree to release my slaves," Alarys finally spoke. "Apparently fancy titles and fancy armor means he can order me around like a common peasant."
"And let me guess," began Lady Valarya, "there was a nice little threat tacked on at the end?"
"Quite right, my love, as you always are," said Alarys with a smirk.
"Who do these Imperial scum think they are…" said the Dunmer lord, his face suddenly contorting to a scowl. "They come here to our borders, unwanted, barge into our lands, claim lordship over our people, piss on our traditions and way of life, and threaten those who refuse to stand idly by while Morrowind slowly falls into foreigner hands. All the while pretending to be acting in our best interests, claiming to serve Morrowind, claiming that what they do is for the greater good of the Dunmer people. And they expect us to just bend the knee to them?! To grovel at their feet like a starved dog?! I'll die before I bow to those fetchers!"
Valarya Drethen remained silent. Long ago, she learned that the best thing to do when her lord husband went on one of his spiels, was to simply say nothing at all. Alarys stood from his seat, pacing back and forth across the study.
"I am a true Dunmer," Lord Drethen continued. " I will never abandon our ways. Even King Helseth himself may lick the Emperor's boots, but I will not. Morrowind was built by the Dunmer, for the Dunmer. I would see every outlander hanged and butchered if I had it my way. The Empire preaches of equality. They dare to place those beasts that work our fields on the same level as us. Bah! It is our right to keep those fur-bags and scalebacks as slaves, has always been our right! Those beasts were bred to serve us, and that is how it shall always be. This country was built on slavery, and it has served as the foundation of Morrowind's economy and prosperity for generations. I will not allow the Empire to tear that asunder. The abolition of slavery will be the death of Morrowind, and I simply will not allow that to happen. The Imperials can make all the threats they damn well please, they cannot touch me here."
When Alarys finally managed to calm himself, he sat down again, taking a deep breath as his gaze stretched across the dark study. Valarya stood behind her husband, placing her hands on his shoulders as she began to gently massage them. Alarys shut his eyes, taking a deep breath of relief as he basked in his wife's touch. The tension and stress boiling inside him began to subside, allowing him to think more clearly and rationally.
"I value your opinion above anyone else," said Alarys to his lady wife. "What do you think I should do, Valarya?"
Valarya took a moment to formulate her response as she continued to massage her husband. There was not a single instance in their entire marriage where Alarys did not come to her and seek her advice when he was unsure of something. Other Dunmer lords were too proud, or perhaps even saw it as a weakness to go to their wives for help. Valarya knew those men were fools, and she was always more than happy to share her thoughts and wisdom with her husband, even if it wasn't always what he wanted to hear.
"I think you should take the Empire's threat seriously," she finally said. "As much as I hate to say it, they have proven they are a force to be reckoned with. If this Lord-Commander Antorius does somehow convince the king to impose sanctions upon us, it could potentially hinder, or even cripple our entire operation. I'm not telling you to bend to the Empire's will, I'm simply warning you that we should be ready for the potentially harsh consequences we will face if we are to defy their wishes. Those are our slaves. If the Imperials want them, then we need to ensure we can resist them, should they come knocking. Let them know that challenging the Drethens is a grave mistake."
Valarya Drethen was always the more level-headed of the two. While they were of equal intelligence to each other, Valarya had a better sense of patience which allowed her to think through a problem with a clearer mind and let her see things in ways her husband might not. On the other hand, Alarys had always been known for his knack for quick thinking and hatching unique solutions on the fly. They were a perfect balance to one another, and it was their minds together that allowed the Drethen plantation to run for as long as it had.
"You're right," said Alarys. "I think we need to-"
"My lord!" a voice rang. Alarys looked up to see Malisarr, the captain of his plantation guard force come marching into the study.
"My lord," said the young Dunmer again as he stopped before Alarys's desk, "my lady," he gave a small bow to Valarya.
"Yes Malisarr, what is it?" asked Alarys with noticeable irritation.
"My lord, a Khajiit slave was caught not long ago, trying to steal several crops from the fields," said Malisarr, trying to sound as authoritative as possible. "It was probably his intention to hoard the crops within his shack and keep them for himself, as well as the others who share that shack. I was just wondering how I should-"
"You n-wah!" Alarys cursed. "This is what you interrupt me for, Malisarr?! Do you seriously intend to waltz in here and pester me every time a slave so much as sneezes? Punish the fur-bag and be done with it. I have much more pressing matters to deal with, Malisarr. If you need me to tell you how to do your job, then perhaps it's time I found a new captain."
The captain stood silent as he quivered beneath the wroth of his employer's voice.
"Y-yes, my…my lord," stammered Malisarr, "my apologies."
"If that is all, Malisarr, then get the hell out," said Alarys.
"There is actually one more thing, Lord Drethen," Malisarr replied. "My men have discovered a new mine, about a half hour east from here. An ebony mine."
That caught Alarys's attention.
"Go on," said Alarys, leaning back in his chair.
"The mine appears to be completely full with ebony ore, my lord. But even more importantly, it's vacant. My men were only able to venture a short ways inside, as a significant portion of the mine appears to have caved in and collapsed, blocking off at least half of it. But if we were able to somehow dig our way through-" Malisarr didn't have to say another word.
"There could be millions, waiting in that mine," said Alarys. "At dawn tomorrow, you are to gather the most able-bodied slaves and get them working in that mine, before the Imperials get to it first. Clear out as much of the blockage as you can, then focus on getting that ebony into our hands. If you can, conceal the path to the mine and mask its appearance. I don't want those Imperial dogs sniffing around my profits. Do this, Malisarr, and I promise you a significant cut of the spoils."
"As you command, my lord," said Malisarr, his confident tone of voice returning. "It was a pleasure seeing you, Lady Drethen." With that, Malisarr left the Drethens alone in the study, shutting the door behind him.
Alarys grabbed another parchment, dipping his quill into the ink before setting it to the page.
"Is this your reply to the Lord-Commander?" asked Valarya, peering over her husband's right shoulder as he wrote.
"Bugger him, that'd be a waste of perfectly good ink," said Alarys. "This letter is to my old friend, Orvas Dren."
"The leader of the Camonna Tong?" Valarya asked with mild surprise.
"Yes, my dear wife," answered Alarys. "The one and only."