Chapter 10

The Truth Below

POV Undil Rumeir

Undil follows Casaveer as he storms back to his tent. The walk back from the front was a silent as the walk to, with neither Mer saying a word until they enter the tent where Mantel resides.

"That was quite the quick battle Casaveer, what of it?" Mantel says while lounging in an extravagant robe, smoking on his ornate pipe while he reads.

"Adiveer is a fool." Casaveer yells in a frustrated tone as he throws his glass helm to the corner.

"This I know." He says in a nasally tone, exhaling smoke as the words leave his mouth. "The detail is why I inquire."

"The whole city is to be burned, no one who escapes is to be granted life." In frustration Casaveer swipes several empty cups from a table near the entrance.

Mantel stops mid pull and turns to them puzzled. "Unwise, even for Adiveer. I am sure you inevitably gave protest."

"Of course I did , In no world would I stand silent while ignorance leads to disadvantage. But the prick pulled rank."

"He tends to do that when his orders are questioned. So all that blood on your armor is from an argument with our brother?"

"The Imperials made a desperate attempt on the front line when they saw several Justicar's present. The attack was desperate and unorganized, nothing I could not handle."

"Obviously."

"But that is not what's important, was that Adiveers command or a direct order from father. I know you laid eyes on the parchment."

Undil, surprised by the revelation blurts out. "You read Lord Adiveers orders? They can deem you a traitor for such an offense."

Unfazed by the word Mantel calmly replies. "Well then, be sure not to bring that up at the next gathering, and no brother, father did not orders the slaughter of the entire populace. Yet I doubt that detail will make him lose any sleep."

"I will not follow Adiveer if every step he makes is one to incite further massacre."

"Understandable, Go in to the back room brother, there is a lovely Bosmer girl in there that will make all your troubles fade, if only temporarily."

"I fear even a woman's touch won't put my mind to ease."

"Khajiit then. An interesting choice, but who am I to judge." He says with a smile as Casaveer shoots back a blank stare.

"Well if you don't want to take advantage of our position then be my guest, more for me" Mantel says returning to his smoke. "But sometimes excess is the only thing that can numb the shit of the world dear brother, never forget that."

"Of course Mantel, all problems can be solved by a bottle of wine and a stable of whores." Casaveer says as he heads in to his room.

"Ah he's finally catching on." Mantel says jokingly to Undil as he walks up to the young Justicar, putting his arm around his shoulder.

"I trust this conversation stays between us, my father already has enough reasons to despise me, dose he really need another?"

"In this case Mantel, you have my silence." Undil says, despite still being weary of the Mer.

"Good" Mantels says, sitting down to a large meal. "Join me if you please, this land is plentiful with savory delicacies not found in Alinor."

Undil did not desire to join Mantel but his curiosity once again getting the better of him, joins the Mer if only for a brief moment.

He struggles to keep his mind on topic as he sits at the table, bountiful with meats, cheeses and fruits ranging from bore and venison meat, to strawberries and watermelon. With copious amounts of unfamiliar snacks and deserts such as sweet cake, shepherd's pie. He picks up a unknown pastry and sinks his teeth in to his new favorite desert, the cinnamon sweet roll. The luscious taste was almost enough to take his mind off of the horrid events he just witnessed, almost. Casaveer should try these, he thinks to himself as he rapidly devours the pastry.

"So, what moves your thoughts young Mer." Mantel says as Undil swallows the final bite. "Your mind clearly seeks some sort of resolution."

"I am curious as to the argument you two shared the other day, you and Casaveer that is."

"You will have to be more specific." Mantel says with a mouth full of food. "Casaveer and I tend to debate commonly and cover numerous topics."

"The ancient battle lead by Lord Deran, you were arg, er debating the topic upon my arrival. Casaveer praised his tactics the other day, yet did he not commit the same acts that we do now?" Undil says to Mantel, unable to see the difference.

Mantel lights his pipe, taking a deep drag before speaking. "What of the women and children in Bravil?"

"They are to share the same fate as those who fight." Undil says mournful of those who will meet a needless end.

"There were no women or children in Arenthia, the rebels had evacuated the civilians before Lord Derans arrival." Mantel says as he takes a bite of his meal, fully aware he just ended the conversation with that comment. "That is the contrasting detail."

Undil had forgotten that detail in the story, and now the delicious snack had turned in to a knot in his stomach, and decides to leave the tent, unable to eat any more after such a day. He gives his respects and walks out to the air only to come to the realization that the sun was setting. He had been awake for hours, but to him it felt like mere minuets. He looks once more to the city ablaze only to make the knot worsen. As he looks back down he notices his hands shaking violently, quickly he covers it up as a messenger walks up.

"Lord Adiveer has instructed all the Justicars to pack their things once victory is assured. You are to head for Alinor in at dawn."

Undil nods to the messenger and starts walking back to his tent, his eyes glued to the ground as the sun set is partially blocked by the smoke of the burning city nearby.