Author's Note: I may end up redoing the POV for the first few chapters, so stay tuned for updates! Read and review, loves!
-Cortana
Forward:
A young girl by the name Decima Sentinelle was born into a family of ten children, on the island of Vvardenfell. Due to poor funds, her mother, Vivian Sentinelle, gave her up to the Duke of Ebonheart, Vedam Dren, when she was 10 years old. It seemed as if Vivian had good intentions by sending her daughter to a better home. A roof was over her head, her belly was kept full, and her clothes were decent- at least compared to the commoners outside the castle. But in truth, Vivian just wanted to leave her chaotic life in Vvardenfell and move to Summerset Isle. For seven years, Decima was a servant for the Duke and his wife, Katriah Dren. Katriah treated her poorly, as did the castle staff. Despite the efforts of Katriah and her staff to teach Decima how to behave and walk within the lines, she continued to discover ways to provoke them.
Decima was destined for greater things outside of Morrowind. Perhaps it was merely chance that she was in the right place at the right time; but a sudden turn of events in her life would lead her down a path that not even the wildest of dreamers could ever imagine.
Chapter One: Welcoming Dinner
Decima loathed seeing Katriah Dren's face, and Katriah probably felt the same way about Decima. Their rivalry started when Decima was summoned to accompany Katriah during one of her routine walks around the town plaza. Decima didn't have any interest in watching the countess prance around the town plaza in front of the commoners. So instead, Decima wandered off towards the docks where a large fishing boat was unloading the day's catch of slimy blue fish. Desperate for some form of entertainment, Decima grabbed a fish from the pile near the boat and proceeded to walk towards Katriah and her entourage. With the fish hidden under her skirts, Decima walked up next to one of the ladies in waiting. As Katriah was near the docks, Decima dropped the fish in front of Katriah, who was oblivious as to what was about to happen. Immediately Decima began to walk away from the scene to avoid more trouble than what she was about to get in to.
As expected, Katirah unknowingly stepped on the slimy fish and slid into the water. But all Decima heard was a loud shriek, a splash, and the squealing voices coming from Katriah's entourage. Immediately, fingers were pointed towards Decima. Looking back, Decima questioned whether or not it was really the fact that she was bored, if her actions were merely upon impulse, or if there was an inner hatred for the countess from the start. Regardless of her motives, Decima's life in Ebonheart was going to go downhill from that day on.
Now, years later after the incident, Katriah had arranged a lavished dinner party for Emperor Uriel Septim VII, who was visiting Vvardenfell at the time. He was supposed to arrive in Ebonheart upon arriving in Vvardenfell. The next day he would arrive in the city of Vivec. As the cousin of Queen Barenziah, and not wanting to be overshadowed by her, Katriah wanted to make a good impression on the Emperor. Decima knew this all too well.
Usually Decima would do her best to humiliate Katriah. But she was to be in the presence of the Emperor! Uriel Septim himself! And her punishment for messing up during this event would be far worse than anything she had experienced before. Tonight, Decima would be on her best behavior; and it didn't seem like behaving would be that hard. Besides, she'd probably just be assigned to working in the kitchen or simply keeping things tidy around the castle.
On the day the Emperor arrived, Decima kept to her room as much a she could until she was summoned to help prepare for the Emperor and the other guests with him. Tivela, another servant, lead Decima out to the front of the castle; where royal guards and a vast amount of cargo awaited her.
"This, Decima, is the cargo that arrived earlier today. I need it moved into the castle before the Emperor's ship arrives." Tivela said, pointing at the pile of crates, clothing, and other miscellaneous items; most of which didn't really seem necessary for traveling. "Take what you can and follow the others carrying cargo up to the suite reserved for the Emperor. And please, be wary of what you are carrying, and don't break anything!" Annoyed as Decima was, she didn't argue. She had to keep her thoughts, and temper, to herself tonight.
After scanning the collection of chattel, Decima picked up a small wooden crate and proceeded towards the castle. Upon entering the castle, Decima was intercepted by Katriah, who was running around trying to prepare everything for the Emperor's arrival.
"Decima! Head over to the kitchen right away. We have enough people moving the cargo. I don't want you fooling around with our guests' possessions." Katriah said, still short of breath from running around the castle all day.
"What about-" Decima started.
"Oh, that." Katriah began as she looked for someone else transporting cargo. "Rolis! Take this crate!" She said, placing the crate in Rolis's already full arms. "Now, get to the kitchen!" And Decima sprinted away towards the kitchen before Katriah even finished her sentence.
Although it smelled good from afar, the kitchen was stuffy and crowded. Cooks and servers were running around, juggling pots and pans. Then down the corridor was the large dining hall, where servants began setting up plates, goblets and centerpieces. After wandering aimlessly between the kitchen and dining hall one of the head servants, namely Elynea, grabbed her by the arm and into the kitchen, and sat her next to about six other servants.
Elynea bent her old and wrinkled face into a serious frown, cleared her throat and began, "Now, you seven are to help in the dining hall by serving the emperor and his company. Whatever the guests want, they get. And they get is as fast as possible! And please, don't do anything stupid!" She said, eyeing Decima and Caria, another servant who sat next to her. Elynea lead the seven of them into the hallway and proceeded to line them up against the wall.
"Put these robes on. This is what you will wear while tending to our guests." She said, while handing out dark green robes to the servants. "Now wait here until I return." Elynea said then walked off towards the dining hall.
Caria, a pale Breton girl, turned towards Decima with smirk on her face. "One size fits all, eh?" She said. Decima let out a low laugh in return. After everyone got their robes on, Elynea returned to lead them into the dining hall. She situated them into their places around the large room while shouting orders to various people simultaneously for several long minutes.
"He's here! Uriel Septim is here!" A short, round woman shouted upon entering the room.
"Listen up! When the Emperor enters the room, BOW! Consider it an honor that you were in the right place at the right time to be serving in here!" Elynea demanded. Decima took in a deep breath, trying not to let her nervousness show though. Looking around, Decima noticed the extra decorations and banners hanging from the tall ceiling and the scarlet rugs on the stone floor and long table cloth on the table. "Hopefully, this ensemble is pleasing in the emperor's eyes..." She thought. Great, now she was nervous about décor that she isn't even responsible for! She quickly shook the thoughts from her head.
All of the voices that once occupied the room went silent, and everyone scattered to their stations. Uriel Septim was about to enter the room. The loud clanking of steel armor could be heard as the guests and their guards approached.
The doors opened and the Emperor entered the room, dressed in an extravagant velvet robe of scarlet, violet, and gold trimmings. Immediately, Decima kneeled down, as did the rest of the room's occupants. The footsteps of the many guests were approaching as they found their seats. Once the Emperor had been seated, the servants could rise.
The feast had begun. Drinks were poured and toasts were made. But Decima didn't pay attention to what anyone had to say. Instead, she scurried about, trying to fulfill the many requests of the guests. Just as Decima was about to take a break, a rather snobby Altmer guest had requested for more wine. Decima ran over towards the bottles of wine to get the man's selection and headed back.
Running back, Decima suddenly found herself falling over! She had slipped while running back to the table to serve the wine! Her body was hurled towards the table and hit the side of the wooden table. The wine bottle flew out of her hand upon her impact, and crashed somewhere in the distance.
She dazedly stood up to see the disaster she'd caused. Katriah sat with her eyes wide open and her jaw dropped. Decima's eyes left Katriah to find the emperor's robe covered in wine. His face was stuck somewhere between angry and amused. She stared at the scene and then closed her eyes, hoping that it was just a bad dream.
Katriah let out a loud cry and jumped up to make sure those next to her were okay. And by "those next to her", she only cared about the Emperor at that moment. Only during Katriah's cry did Decima recover from getting the wind knocked out of her upon slamming into the table's side.
"YOU... YOU! GET OUT! Look at what you have done! You stupid girl!" Katriah yelled as gasps as faint murmurs could be heard from the guests. Elynea grabbed Decima by her robe and hurried her out of the room.
"I didn't mean to! I swear! I'm so sorry! Please!" Decima pleaded to Elynea. But the older woman's face remained expressionless. Elynea led Decima to her quarters without a word.
Chapter Two: Escape
The door slammed behind her, rattling the water glass upon her nightstand. Tears filled Decima's eyes.
Elynea finally spoke from the other side of the door, "How dare you disgrace Ebonheart like you did! After all of that work! Right in front of the Emperor! Your clumsiness has gotten the better of you, if there's even is a 'better' side of you!" Her loud voice boomed from the hallway, followed by the sound the old woman's feet shuffling away in the direction of the great hall.
How could this be happening? All because she slipped! Decima tried so hard to behave! Why couldn't everything just go according to plan? Perhaps it was karma for simply being who she was; and no matter how hard she tried, Decima would mess things up. And this time it was an accident! Although, Decima highly doubted that she had tainted the image of Ebonheart!
After changing out of the green robes and into clean clothes, she climbed up onto her bed to look out of her window. Only the weak hours of twilight allowed her to see the activity of the guards below. Oh how she wished to be down there, outside, away from these cruel people! All of her life, she loathed the gruesome work of a servant. Decima wanted adventure- she wanted to escape.
Voices were now coming from the hallway. Decima walked towards the large wooden door and leaned against it to hear the conversation.
"It's a disgrace! I want her out! That brat did it on purpose! The whole dinner... ruined!" It was Katriah.
"Now, my dear, be reasonable. It was an accident! The poor girl meant no harm." Dren replied. "Even if we sent her off, where would we even send her?"
"Somewhere up north. I know someone in Caldera who might take her. Or maybe further! Perhaps in the West Gash!" She replied. "I'm so sick of that brat! I want her out! OUT! OUT!"
The conversation continued, but Decima had heard enough. Not long after the conversation ended, Decima heard footsteps outside her door followed by the turn of a doorknob. Quickly, she sat up in her bed looking down at the floor. Light from the hall outside filled her room. Katriah stepped inside, still in her wine stained dress, followed by her bodyguard and lady in waiting.
"Decima," her Dunmer accent was stern. "How dare you disgrace me in front of our Emperor?" Decima could feel, yet again, the tears building up in her eyes.
She started to speak, "Forgive me-"
"FORGIVE? Forgive you of all people? Why should I forgive a dumb servant, donated to me by her promiscuous mother of ten ugly children? Well, now it is time for me to play your mother's role and be rid of you! And oh how I can't wait to be rid of you!" Decima couldn't hold back her tears anymore and she felt them start to flow freely from her eyes, almost painfully as she still desperately tried to hold them back. Yet Katriah's glare only lead to more sobbing from Decima.
"Lock the girl in here until I have the time to deal with her properly." Her body guard and lady in waiting left the room, following Katriah. Darkness took over the room once more. She made her way over to the bed and curled up next to the window; her only outlet to the rest of the world. The stars twinkled above her, just like the tears still rolling down her cheeks. This was her only chance. This was the time to escape now or be sent off as a servant to some other noble. Could it be that hard to escape Morrowind? Getting out of Vvardenfell would" be the hardest part if she were to go through with this.
Decima immediately gathered the little things she had into a leather bag. First were her clothes; one outfit for working and traveling, the other was her blue silk dress, only used at banquets she had to help serve in. Later, she packed some of the dried fruits she kept in her room, 200 septims she had gathered over the years, and a dagger that she had nicked from the armory when she was eleven years-old.
She gathered up the sapphire amulet and will her mother gave her before leaving for Summerset Isle without her. The will had entrusted a house to her mother in the Imperial City. Decima was baffled as to why her mother didn't keep the will for herself. Was Summerset Isle that tempting? Was it worth passing up the chance for a free house? Then there was the necklace. As much as she despised her mother for leaving her like she did, Decima knew that the necklace was all she had left of her family; and she felt that the few memories she had of them would need to be kept. Both of these items would have been taken away from Decima if the castle's staff had discovered them. When she first was sent to Ebonheart, Decima hid both the will and necklace under a loose floor stone, hidden under her bed.
Decima picked up the will and began to read:
"Sundas, Last Seed 4, 3E 389
I, Surien Sentinelle, leave my house, and all of my belongings within it, to my grandaughter, Vivian Sentinelle. If Ms. Sentinelle does not want my home and its contents, it is up to her to find a suitable owner. The house is located in the Elven Gardens district of the Imperial City, in the Imperial province of Cyrodiil. The holder of this will must report to the Office of Imperial Commerce, in the Market District, to receive the deed and key to the house. I wish the best of luck to the holder of this will in his or her days ahead."
Of course, Decima had no idea as to where any of these places were. She picked up the amulet to look it over, just as she did many times before in her time alone. Perhaps she would see her mother again. But if she really did go to Summerset Isle, how would she find her? Decima shook the thoughts from her mind. This was no time to merely dream! She needed to escape from the castle before Kariah convinced her husband to send her off north! Decima carefully wrapped up the necklace and will in an old cloth and placed them in the bag.
The reflection of Decima in her mirror caught her eye. She seldom took a good look at herself, but tonight was an exception as she stared at her tear stained cheeks, tattered black hair, and blue eyes. The blue that dominated her eyes was the kind of blue that appeared when the moonlight hit the water. Those same beautiful almond-shaped eyes were surrounded by dark rings; the aftermath of a full day of working.
In her mind, the only alluring part of her was the fact that she was half Dunmer. She only found the fact that she was part Dunmer alluring. In fact, Decima despised the physical results of her heritage. The only evidence of this was in her slightly pointed ears and her ever so slightly blue-colored skin. It was an often occurrence that she was mistaken for one of the Bosmer of Valenwood. But she didn't mind. Decima didn't feel the need to be defensive about her heritage, for it didn't matter to her. By hiding her ears and face under her long black hair she managed to avoid too much speculation from others.
But now wasn't the time to gaze in a mirror, she thought as she tore her eyes away from the mirror. She planned out her escape while looking out the window, trying to find a way to climb down into the courtyard below. Vines and loose stones on the castle walls would help Decima climb down; but the descent still looked dangerous. Getting past the guards was going to be a big problem; especially with the increased security measures during the Emperor's visit. The safest time to leave was when the guards switched out men between shifts. And if she left late at night, the men would be tired and easy to sneak by. Hopefully, and with much luck, her plan would work.
In the dark hours of night, Decima studied the guards' behavior and shifts. She waited next to her window until only two guards remained; both distracted by the activities on the other side of the courtyard wall. This was the perfect time to begin her descent.
Decima climbed over the window sill, with her bag slung over her shoulder. Hanging out of the window she searched for a good foot hold and grabbed onto a thick vine. Upon stepping off the window sill the vines she clutched groaned under her weight. Cautiously, she reached down towards a lower vine and stepped down onto a window sill below her. One of the vines snapped and Decima lost her balance on the windowsill, sending her falling to the ground below. Desperately trying to slow down her fall, Decima was clawing at whatever she could before landing.
Her landing was less than graceful, not to mention very painful upon landing on a large, prickly, shrub. Ignoring the pain in her shoulder from the fall, she scrambled over behind a tall hedge to avoid the guards' sight. Decima waited until she was sure that the guards had lost interest after doing a quick search of the area, and silently sprinted through the courtyard, down the long walkway to the gate leading out of the castle's grounds. Royal guards stood at attention at the gate. Decima prayed that they weren't at the dinner, so they wouldn't recognize her.
"My lady, where are you headed?" The man asked. What was she supposed to say? Who would have business this late at night? She spoke fast, hoping that the man wouldn't care either way.
"I need to retrieve medicine for a fellow servant, sir. The situation is urgent." She mumbled. He nodded in approval as Decima sped off into the night.
Attracting more attention would be the worst case scenario. The last thing she'd need was more people to report her presence outside of the castle. She dashed into a dark alley and began to devise a route to the city docks. Staying in the shadows and in the alleys would be her only chance in getting through town and to the docks. She jumped from building to building through the town, blending into the shadows against the stone walls of the various homes and taverns, avoiding the guards and finally reaching the entrance to the main plaza.
A guard was standing next to the large statue of the Imperial Dragon in the center of the main plaza, with Decima just out of sight. She quietly slid around the wall towards the shadow being cast by a large building. After a few minutes of waiting for a window of opportunity to move again, the guard walked towards the Six Fishes Corner Club. Decima held her breath as the man walked right past her. She noted that he looked awfully strong and, supposedly, alert; yet he was so ignorant of what lurked right next to him. But as long as his foolishness was to her advantage she was fine with such ignorance. As soon as the guard turned the corner, she quietly dashed towards the docks. Decima had made it to the docks! Now, time to get out of Vvardenfell, then out of Morrowind itself.