Chapter 9

Loac excitedly read the letter. She could be the clerk to accompany Falinir to Skywatch! She'd heard that Skywatch had the most beautiful beaches in all Summerset Isle. It was a popular vacation destination for people from all over Tamriel. Traveling there with Falinir sounded simply wonderful.

"I will have to get permission from my father first, of course," said Loac excitedly, "But I think he'll be pleased that I have the opportunity to be present during the forming of a treaty."

"The coach is already here, so we should leave first thing in the morning," said Falinir, "I hope you'll be able to go."

Loac finished her work for the day, and her horse carriage arrived as usual to take her home. When she reached her manor she saw a brand new Cheydinhal thoroughbred black horse tied outside. It looked very expensive, and she wondered if her father had just purchased it, or if there was a very wealthy guest at the house.

"I hope it's not a new aristocrat suitor here to court me," she thought to herself as she stepped up the marble stairs to her front door. When she swung the door open, she saw her father seated by the fireplace chatting with someone. It was Henantil. He looked at her with a grin.

Loac froze with fear. Why was Henantil here all of a sudden? She didn't know whether he had told her father about today's events or not.

"Loac," said her father as he noticed her at the door, "How was work today? Anything interesting happen?"

"Y-Yes, actually. I was invited by the ambassador to be his clerk at the signing of a new treaty in Skywatch," said Loac. She handed the letter from High Wizard Canato to her father.

"Well, congratulations. You'll get a first-hand look at how a treaty is formed. Give my regards to High Wizard Canato while you're there. I haven't seen him in decades," said High Wizard Warundil.

Loac smiled and said, "Thank you."

"Good evening, Loac," said Henantil with a smile, "I was just showing your father my new horse. It's a Cheydinhal Black. I'm sure you know it's the finest horse money can buy."

"It's beautiful," said Loac with a feigned smile. She felt angry knowing that Henantil had just bought it with Falinir's hard-earned savings. Henantil was also wearing expensive new red silk clothing with gold embroidery. Like any other typical Altmer, he had squandered his money on something overly luxurious to arrogantly show off his status. Loac was annoyed by his presence, but relieved that at least he hadn't told her father anything.

"If you'll excuse me, I'm going to bed. I have to be at the embassy early tomorrow to leave for Skywatch," said Loac.

"If you don't mind, I'd like to have a word with you in private before you go to sleep," said Henantil suddenly.

Loac's father looked at Henantil with a surprised expression. Suddenly it all made sense to Warundil. Henantil's expensive new horse and new suit were simply ways of impressing Loac. Henantil had to be secretly courting her, and that's why Loac loved going to her work so much. Warundil smiled at the thought of it. Though Henantil was older than Loac by about 120 years, that wasn't much considering the 900 year average lifespan of the Altmer race. He had known Henantil for many years, and had grown to trust him. Yes, Warundil decided in his thoughts, he would allow them to marry.

"You may talk to me in my room," said Loac as she walked up the stairs with Henantil trailing behind her. Loac shut the door to her room and looked at Henantil impatiently.

"What is it you want to discuss?" asked Loac.

"Do you realize the grave mistake you're making by having a relationship with Ambassador Falinir?" asked Henantil, "I don't think you know what you've gotten yourself into."

"I don't need you to lecture me. You've already received more money than you deserve to remain quiet," said Loac.

"Just six or seven weeks ago I saw Ambassador Falinir and the other two Bosmer in the embassy eating that clerk who was killed by the Orc. They're cannibals," said Henantil, "The things I saw that day will haunt me for the rest of my life."

"I already know about that", said Loac, "Falinir told me."

"You know?" asked Henantil in surprise, "And it doesn't disgust you?"

"No," Loac said. In truth it did bother her a little bit, but she didn't want to encourage Henantil's argument.

Henantil stepped close to Loac and said, "You can't honestly tell me you think cannibalism is normal. You deserve better than a savage inferior like him. There are better mer out there, sophisticated mer, like myself, who would love to be with someone like you. You know, the day you came to work at the embassy, my heart leapt with joy knowing that I would be working with you. I've worked for your father for over 80 years, and I've had my eyes on you since you were a child."

"You've had your eyes on me since I was a child? That's disgusting!" said Loac.

"What I meant to say is, I have always longed to marry the daughter of the High King," said Henantil.

"Just like every other Altmer out there," said Loac, "I'm not interested. I'm in love with Falinir."

"You can never marry him, and having a secret illegal relationship with him will never bring you happiness. When you finally come to your senses and decide you want to be with a proper mer, know that I'll be waiting for you. I always have been waiting for you," said Henantil.

Henantil tried to touch Loac's cheek and she shoved his arm away.

"Get out," she said bluntly.

"Be careful. The life of your precious little ambassador rests in my hands. If I breathe one word about your relationship to your father, he won't hesitate to kill Ambassador Falinir," said Henantil with a malicious smile.

"My father would never do that," said Loac defensively.

"I've known your father longer than you have, and believe me, he's had people killed for lesser crimes than what Falinir has done. I know this for a fact because I'm the one who carried out the executions. However, I have faith that you'll come to your senses eventually, and it won't have to come to that. I know in your heart you are a proper Altmer. Look, I'm not here to blackmail you..." said Henantil

"It sure sounds like you are," said Loac.

"Just give it some thought. I'm handsome, I have a nice home, fine clothing, a thoroughbred horse, and when I marry you it will allow me to someday become the next High King. I'm your dream come true," bragged Henantil, "Just think about me, and know that I'll be thinking about you. You'll come to me eventually, I know you will. I'm a patient mer. I can wait for you to realize your mistakes on your own."

"Goodnight," said Loac impatiently opening her door.

"Goodnight, my dear," said Henantil with an arrogant smile as he left.

"I can't believe the nerve of that mer! Disgusting!" thought Loac to herself. She closed the door and layed on her bed. She felt afraid. If he really was a secret executioner who worked for her father that made him even more dangerous than she had previously thought. She hoped he would never turn Falinir into her father, but now she wasn't so sure. "I'm a patient mer. I can wait", he had told her. She wondered just how patient he really was. It seemed as though he meant he would let her continue her relationship with Falinir as long as she wanted to. Perhaps he didn't really want to kill Falinir, because then she would hold a grudge against him. If Henantil wanted to marry Loac, it made sense that he wouldn't want to do anything that would anger her. However, she feared what Henantil would do if he realized the truth that she would never marry him. As Loac fell asleep that night she hoped for the best, but in the back of her mind she feared the worst.