Kest breathed deeply as a pleasantly warm breeze passed her as she lay down her basket to pick the flax flowers that grew over the wilds of Skingrad County. A personal guard stood vigil several feet away. Lagburk gro-Yarug's family served at Castle Skingrad for generations. Not only was Lagburk her personal body guard he was also one of her tutors. He trained Kest in combat as a precaution after what happened to her parents. His sister Karina helped her refine her smithing skills.
Janus Hassildor Count of Skingrad looked over to Kest as he sat beside his wife Annabeth. Janus had known Kest's father since he was a lad. Janus had even known Kest's great grandfather and been good friends with the man. As such Janus and Annabeth made sure that Kest would grow into a refined young lady. A schedule was set to ensure that while she learned Kest also had many opportunities for play.
When Kest would first wake at night she would break her fast with Janus his wife and their three children: Antonius, the eldest, and the twins Aviticus and Juliana. After the light meal of blood Kest would learn arithmetic and literature. Lunch was often spent at her leisure and after the midnight meal Antonius would often take Kest horse back riding and teach her the history of Nirn. Aviticus and Juliana would then spend time with Kest teaching her how to enchant small pieces of jewelry.
On Lordas was when Karina would have Kest help at the forge or take the young lady hunting before the last meal. However on Morndas through Fredas the last hour before the final meal of the day Kest would spend it with Janus learning alchemy or with Annabeth learning language and dance. Every Sundas was spent as a family near a small pond called Shadeleaf Copse relaxing the night away.
Kest watched as the count stood and looked around warily. "Uncle Janus?" she whispered softly also looking around. After her father's death five years prior Kest had become quite skittish when outdoors for any length of time.
With a motion of his hand the count's family moved over to him placing Kest in the center of them all for protection.
"Show yourself!" Janus ordered. Lagburk drew his sword as a Nord Vampire came into the small clearing. His face bore wrinkles and scars. His hair was white and his eyes the color of coal.
"Who are you to intrude on my lands?" Janus asks as Annabeth and Juliana pull Kest closer to them. "Forgive me, I am Darmus of Dawnstar. I am looking for the daughter of a dear friend of mine. I learned of his death two years ago, but no one knows what became of his only child," Darmus explained with a smile on his face. Janus was not fooled by Darmus's pleasant act, but he would not pick a fight out in the open where Darmus may have friends hiding.
"I am Janus Hassildor Count Skingrad. May I know the name of your friend and his child?" Janus said keeping a civil tone.
"Of course, my friend was Ahkriin of Falkreath and his child was a girl, Kest. Ahkriin arranged for Kest to be my bride once she was of age," Darmus said smiling. "Ahkriin was my nephew and Kest is well. She stands before you. Come you must be tired and the sun will rise soon." Janus knew how to play politics and how to act civil even toward the most horrid of bastards on Nirn.
"Thank you milord. It makes my heart glad that my young bride to be is alive."
Annabeth and Juliana frowned and held Kest tighter to them.
The journey back was uneventful and once the party returned the count asked that his son's and Darmus join him in his study. Annabeth, Juliana, and Kest retired to a light meal of blood and cheese.
Annabeth looked at Kest, "Until this man leaves you and Juliana will be staying in your uncle and my chambers, Kest. Do not act out of the norm, but neither of you will be without an escort until this Darmus leaves. He thinks your uncle and I fools, Kest."
"What do you mean Aunt Annabeth?" Kest asked setting her goblet down.
"Before his death your father wrote to your uncle of a man named Darmus who tried to bribe Ahkriin with a bride price. Your father was adamant that you choose your own husband when you came of age. Darmus would not take no for an answer. In his last letter your father wrote that he feared for your safety and maybe even his own life. Darmus has a fairly large clan and is an Ancient. It may very well be him who had your father killed," Annabeth took a sip of blood to quell her rage at the possibility that the murderer of Ahkriin could be under the same roof as her.
"Mother if the Darmus that is here is the same one Ahkriin wrote to you and father about why is father being so kind to him?" Juliana asked.
Annabeth sighed, "As I said if it is him Darmus is an Ancient and has a fairly large clan. There is no telling how many allies he has. It would be best to not start a fight with him until we know how strong he stands."
As Kest lay between her aunt and cousin she could not help the nagging feeling that this peaceful life she was living would soon be up heaved.
Darmus had remained a guest at Castle Skingrad for little more than a week. He would often try to catch Kest or Juliana alone, but to no avail. The final straw had been when Darmus turned a Khajiit grounds keeper into his thrall.
Days after Darmus left a new servant was brought to the castle. The girl was from Cheydinhal and could pass for Kest at a glance. The girl's name was Alga and she was Kest personal maid. The two became fast friends and would often stay up late into the day playing. Today was such a day.
The girls had fallen asleep on a plush rug after playing dress up and making fun of the nobility of other courts. Kest found herself string to the smell of smoke. Lagburk raced into the room, "Grab your pack milady we are under attack!" Kest grabbed the small pack she had brought with her all that time ago. The two girls followed the Orc into a secret passage.
"Lagburk what is happening?" Kest asked as she pulled a terrified Alga along. "Thalmor and Vigilantes have over run the city. I need to get you to Cheydinhal. Count Indarys is a good friend to your family."
They exited near the count's privet stables. Lagburk placed Kest and Alga on the fastest horse available. Alga, having never been on horse back, held tight to Kest as Lagburk mounted his horse and soon the three were off. Not an hour into the ride the trio was forced to halt as an arrow hit Lagburk and his horse. A group of Vigilantes soon stood in front of them.
"We will not tolerate those who align themselves with Daedra!"
"GO! I will hold them off!" Lagburk yelled drawing his sword. Kest urged her horse to a fast gallop northward as Alga cried behind her.
Night fell and the two girls stopped as the horse fell dead from exhaustion. Alga and Kest set up a small camp huddling together for warmth as they both cried. Soon Alga cried herself to sleep yet Kest could not find it in herself to rest. They had passed Bruma almost two hours ago and now lay in some ruined structure high on a hill that over looked the city in the distance.
Two days passed and the two girls thought of where to go. Cheydinhal was no longer an option since the Vigilantes intercepted them on their way there to begin with. Alga reminded Kest of Skyrim and Kest was sure that her old home was still standing. The plan was set tomorrow Kest would go to Bruma for supplies and the next day the girls would steal across the border.
The snow was falling lightly as Kest made her way up the trail leading to the ruined temple. She paused as she reached the top. The small camp they had made was trashed and Alga was no where in sight. Kest hid behind a crumbling wall as she heard heavy footsteps coming from inside the temple.
"Do you think we have the right girl, Horis?" asked a man as he came into view. "Of course, Levi: She's a Nord girl about fifteen, red hair, blue eyes, and dressed in tattered finery" Horis said smugly. "But she doesn't seem vampirc at all" Levi said with a frown. "That's cause her ma was human. Foki is bringing her to Darmus as we speak. Let's go nothing to see since Darmus had Skingrad sacked to find the brat," Horis chuckled as he walked off. "Very well" Levi said following Horis.
Kest set her teeth on edge and waited for them to leave. She would follow them and get Alga back!
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