Seven years later

3E 417

It had been three years since Teldryn had last heard from Rinori. The letters died out soon after she'd written about meeting a man from Cyrodiil. There was a rumor though, that she might have been somewhere on Vardenfell. The messages from their father out in the Ashlands said a friend of his overheard a man taking about her in Vivec. How much of that was true he didn't know.

He, meanwhile, had begun apprenticing under Meden like his sister had done before him. At seventeen he still looked eleven or twelve by human standards but was maturing at the expected rate. Unfortunately his magic just wasn't up to the same standard as his sisters had been. By his age she could summon flaming bears. He barely managed a skeever.

"I got stuck with the idiot sibling because of a pile of skooma." Meden laughed, "Keep it up and you might even be able to summon a horker in a few years!"

Teldryn scowled but tried to ignore it. It was hard enough trying to wrestle with the insecurity of being behind without Meden always pointing out how horrible he was at it. Time was running out for him. Pretty soon he would be forced to become a farmer like his parents if he couldn't catch up to his peers. Something about that idea always made his chest restrict a little bit.

The breeze around him was cool and the field was quiet. With a breath he pulled himself back into focus. Hand raised and brows furrowed he called up his magicka again and held it in his palm. The magic within him named the beast he wanted to call. Wolf. A flash of purple and then silence. Nothing showed up. Behind him Meden gave an amused sound. Embarrassment waved through Teldryn as he turned to look at his teacher. The senior mage's expression of mockery only rubbed it in further. With a huff he walked off the field. His magicka was spent for the day anyway.

"Catalog those scrolls for me before you leave today!" Meden called after him, "I don't teach you for nothing!"

Teldryn waved his hand in response not bothering to look back.

That evening, when he strode up towards his mothers house, a particularly wonderful smell wormed it's way into his consciousness. The soft light that poured from the windows comforted him. Despite himself a smile crept to his face. The front door swung open at a touch from his hands and he strode into the room.

The sight that waited for him on the other side caught him off guard. At the table a young Dunmer boy was sitting in his sisters old spot. His mother was sitting with him and had drawn up a bowl for him.

"Mom? ...What?"

"Come, come, it's alright." She waved her hands and pulled out a chair.

Cautiously he closed the door and sat down, eyeing the boy curiously. He was so small Teldryn couldn't have guessed him to be older than six or seven. The boys large red eyes glanced over him with an unconcerned lightheartedness as he swung his little bare feet under his chair.

His mother was smiling and handed him a bowl. Something about her eyes gave him an unsettling discomfort.

"This is Ondar Garil. He is the son of one of your fathers fellow workers in Bel Isra."

The boy let out a quick "Hi" before returning his focus to his soup. His little hand held the spoon like a sword and his head barely peered over the bowl from his short chair.

Confusion was written all over Teldryn's face. His mother could sense the questions forming on his mind before he even needed to voice them.

"Ondar's father dropped him off and has to go away on a trip for a little while, so your father told him he could stay with us. Hopefully you won't mind the company?" Her voice sounded rather high pitched.

Not knowing what else to say he agreed, "...Sure. Whatever is fine..." Something was off.

At that they fell silent, neither sure of what the other was thinking. The meal ticked away with every awkward spoonful. Ondar was oblivious to the tension. While the other two were quiet he began a bout of passionate off-tune humming, wiggling his body for emphasis. Something about the performance struck Teldryn and he couldn't help but smile. His mother chuckled.

"Do you know you used to do that very same thing when you were his age?"

"What? That?" He looked at her with an almost insulted look, "I would never do something so undignified!"

"No?" Her eyes were twinkling now, "I distinctly remember a six year old Teldryn wearing nothing but his sisters-"

"-No! Don't mention that!"

Ondar perked up. "Mention what?"

Velvani turned to him with a grin. "Did you know Teldryn used to run around with only his sisters underwear as a hat?"

The little boy burst out in a fit of giggles as Teldryn covered his eyes.

"Mom... Why...?"

That only added to her glee as she continued, "And another time, I found him alone in the garden with two carrots up his nose!"

Ondar was in hysterics. You'd have thought he'd never heard something so funny in his whole life. Through his fingers Teldryn watched the laughter and was again smiling despite himself.

The rest of the meal passed with general pleasantness and a few more of Ondar's giggles. Afterwards Teldryn resigned to clean up as his mother settled the youngster into Rinori's old cot. From the wash tin he could hear her singing to the boy as she used to do for him. A pang of sadness reminded him of the moments when he and his sister had fallen asleep to that same music.

Once the boy was settled Velvani entered the room and motioned him to follow her into the yard. Teldryn complied, leaving the pile of dishes forgotten. It wasn't until she was sure Ondar wouldn't overhear that she began to explain the situation, "I should start out by saying that your father is safe."

She took his hands into hers, "But Bel Isra was attacked. They don't know who did it, but they know why. The Redoran Offical your father works for is very wealthy and they have taken his wife for ransom."

That certainly wasn't what Teldryn was expecting.

"Ondar's mother was with her when it happened and they took her as well. Ondar's father, Broder has tracked them to the mainland here in the northwest. Your father told him that his son would be safe here with us until he came back."

"He's not going alone is he?"

"Unfortunately they have only just now been able to get word back to the Redoran Council in Ald'ruhn for reinforcements and they are a long ways off. Broder fears they will kill his wife since she isn't needed for the ransom."

His mother's eyes grew sad as she continued, "The only other person who has the skills to fight at that stronghold is the Master at Arms but he refuses to leave his Master's side during this time."

"Broder is going to leave his son here and attack a bunch of bandits by himself?"

She hesitated before answering, "He is very upset and feels his wife has no hope unless he gets to her soon."

The news caused Teldryn's chest to tighten and his stomach to do a turn.

"He's going to die." The words spilled out before he could stop them, "Ondar's father is going to die."

It felt like he'd swallowed a rock.

"If Broder goes after those kidnappers alone his son is going to lose his father as well as his mother." He was repeating himself now.

Velvani didn't know what to say. She didn't want to admit it but that was the outcome her instincts warned her of.

"What stupid things people do for love! Does he not see the family he still has in his arms?"

Teldryn crossed his arms and put his fingers on his forehead. He thought for a moment.

"Where is he now?"

"At the Cornerclub in town, he is going to leave tomorrow morning." Her voice carried sadness.

"How far off are the reinforcements?"

"He says it's going to be a week or more."

"Of course."

A plan was boiling in Teldryn's mind but it was the kind of plan his mother would absolutely forbid. His next words had to be delivered carefully.

He shifted his tone to carry a defeated air. "He's an idiot, what else can we do for him?"

She looked at the ground and closed her eyes in solemn thought. She paused and then answered, "We offer a home and good counsel. Beyond that, his choices are his own. I can not say I am ready to commit to another twenty years of child raising."

He nodded, "Well said. For now let's wait until we see what the future holds."

She held out her hand and he took it. Together they walked back into the house. With a hug good night and a light forehead kiss she bid him a restful sleep and then retreated into the master bedroom. He knew she would likely be awake for the next few hours. As quietly as he could he crept into the room he was now sharing with Ondar. The boy seemed to be asleep. Teldryn cast a quick candlelight spell and for once his weak magic came in handy. The light was very dim and just bright enough to keep from disturbing the boy.

Reaching under his bed he grabbed his warmer robes and a pair of boots. He figured his dagger might come in useful too and threw that in the bag as well. He was about to leave when he saw a tiny glow emanating from behind his underwear basket. His scroll! How could he forget? Burrowing his way back under the bed he fished out the rolled paper and added it to his supplies. A year into his service Meden had given it to him as a show of goodwill.

Not wasting another moment he creaked open his door and then knocked on his mothers room, "I'm going to go outside for a minute."

A muffled "Ok" responded back to him and he walked across the creaky floor not worried she would hear him. Once he was outside he waited for a few minutes and then loudly reopened the front door and closed it. It was imperfect, but he hoped she wasn't paying too close attention to the sounds of the floor.

The walk to Blacklight was easy. They lived only fifteen minutes from its main gate. No matter how many times Teldryn made that journey he was always impressed with the sight that greeted him. House Redoran architecture made him proud. Their honor bound warrior code made him even prouder.

It didn't take him long to find the Cornerclub along the main drag. Music and loud voices emanated from its walls. He paused in front of the door and took a deep breath in. The image of his mom shaking her head in disapproval almost stayed his hand. Yet even her disappointment wasn't enough to stifle Teldryn's adventurous streak and he stepped inside.

The room was filled with townsfolk, ruffians, and travelers. A bar maid tended the fire in the back. Several fat hunks of meat hung over the flames and filled the air with a delicious smell. He scanned the tables and realized his own aunt was drinking at a table with a few friends. With a note of panic he rushed to the staircase and made his way to the main bar on the lower level praying to Vivec she hadn't seen him.

A visiting bard from Windhelm was singing some nonsense about dragon children in the corner while the owner was hurriedly pouring drinks for his guests. Like above, the room was filled with locals and travelers drinking away the worries of the day. At the bar a few loners were taking their drinks. One was armored and laid with his head facedown on the counter. Something in Teldryn's gut told him that was Broder.

He found a stool, pushed his way through the other guests, and placed the seat beside him. He had to sit on his knees to maintain equal height with him. The man's eyes were closed. The dark skin made it difficult to tell but the area around them seemed red. With a gentle shake Teldryn pulled him to attention.

"Broder Garil?"

The man lifted his head and looked at Teldryn with angry and mourning eyes.

"What do you want?" The voice was spiteful.

Teldryn's plan only now finished forming. He considered how best to approach this then pushed forward. "I've heard the news." He smirked, "Just wanted to bother you while you grieve your deceased wife."

"What?!"

Like lighting the man grabbed Teldryn by the collar and lifted him off the stool.

Through gritted teeth the next words ground out with a whole world of hate and pain. "SHE. ISN'T. DEAD."

Teldryn strained to look him in the eye.

"You don't know that."

Broder used his grip on him to throw him into the floor. His other fist slammed the table.

"If you weren't a child your face would smear the walls."

He turned away from the boy and back to the bar, "Leave."

The landing sent a jolt of pain down Teldryn's spine. He groaned and rolled to his side. Shame washed over him as he realized the whole Cornerclub was watching. He knew some of them. Steadily he got to his feet and brushed off the new bruise he knew was forming on his back.

A breath steeled his nerves, "A sword will gut you and your son will rot away in an orphanage."

"I said to leave." Broder waved his hand and didn't look back.

He pressed his point, "You walk into that camp alone and your son grows up fatherless."

"Just who in Oblivion do you think you are?"

The man stood to face him once again, rage swelling.

"Just somebody trying to keep an idiot from getting his throat cut."

Then more quietly but with emphasis, "And, someone who wants to see your whole family ALIVE."

"And just what would you know about that?"

Teldryn fixed his gaze unflinchingly to Broders eyes, "I know you are a mourning man who can't bear to live without her, but I also know you are about to throw away your life on a mission that has no hope of success." He paused and grabbed the scroll from his bag, "For the sake of your son, I want to help you raise your odds."

Teldryn held the scroll where Broder could see it. There, written in small letters across the rim, were the words, "Scroll of Mass Paralysis." The mans eyes grew wide.

In a flash he tried to rip it from Teldryn's grasp, but the alcohol he'd consumed slowed him just enough for the boy to pull away in time.

"This stays with me." His voice had an air of spite, "I don't trust your ignorant backside to use it effectively."

Broder growled, "You can't possibly think your scrawny ass is coming with me."

"I do and I will, and if you have any sense you'll shut your mouth about it."

Then with a glance towards the crowd of patrons around him he leaned in and lowered his voice. "And we'd best be going sooner rather than later."

Broder made a sound to protest but Tedlryn cut him off, "-Don't tell me you planned to take them all on in broad daylight?"

The man considered this for a moment. Finally he nodded his accent and grabbed his helmet off the table, though not without a deep scowl.

Once his back was turned Teldryn gave a huge sigh of relief and rubbed his forehead. His plan had worked. Now for the hard part.