I dipped my hands into the washbasin, splashing the water over my face as a feeling of refreshment poured all over me. I gave my hair a quick dip into the water, gently scrubbing my fingers all throughout as I tried to get out as much of the dirt and grime as possible. Taking a glance into the mirror, I ran a hand through my facial hair, which I finally came to notice had gotten more than a little scraggly and disheveled over the past month. I gave my beard a nice trim, afterwards giving my face another quick rinse with water. Once I decided I was clean enough and no longer looked like a beggar, I took another quick look at the still bandaged spot on my side that concealed my arrow wound. I gently placed a hand over the area, and fortunately it no longer seemed to be painful to the touch. Out of some strange curiosity, I peeled just a tiny amount of the bandaging away and stole a glance beneath. The wound certainly looked nowhere near as bad as I thought it would, and I could tell it had been cleaned thoroughly, though there still were a few nasty marks that would mend only with time. I quickly dried my face and hair, before slipping on my tunic and heading downstairs.

Renaiya was nowhere to be found in the house, more than likely she was already outside. She had been kind enough to make breakfast, much to my delight. Gazing out the kitchen window as I ate, I could see that this morning would be a fine one. The first gold streaks of sunlight could be seen peeking through a light bed of clouds, illuminating the waking woods outside in its splendid gaze. After I had finished eating, I spent just a few minutes standing in front of the window, having a quick smoke as I stared into the clear morning sky. Over the past few days since I had woken from my week-long slumber, I couldn't help but notice I was smoking much more often than I ever had before, and my cravings were beginning to grow quite substantially. To be sure, the pipe and the bottle were probably the sole things keeping me together and allowing me to stay sane through this difficult time, but there was no use denying that I was becoming increasingly dependent upon these substances. I knew deep down that this was never a healthy way to try and cope with my problems. Drowning my sorrows and woes with drink may have served to bury the pain I was feeling for a short while, but like every other time, I knew it would all just resurface again, and even more painful than it was before. I was aware of all this, and yet I still couldn't stop, largely due to the fact that maybe I just didn't care that what I was doing to myself was bad. For the entirety of my adult life so far, smoking and drinking were the only things that granted me any sort of peace, the only things that allowed me to suppress the dreadful memories that plagued me day after day, even if it was only temporary. The euphoria and tranquility that the substances brought me, in my mind, far outweighed any of the negative effects of my habits. Finally finishing off the last of the herb in my pipe, I quickly put it away before making my way outside.

I found Renaiya lying in a hammock in the backyard, resting peacefully in the shade beneath the looming trees. A soothing breeze blew across my face as I walked through the gardens, taking in the glorious sight around me. The sky above me was a beautiful pure blue that day, the few clouds that lingered were gradually being shone away as the piercing rays of the morning sun cut through.

"Good morning, stranger!" said Renaiya, a bright smile on her face as she shifted in her hammock to face me.

"Morning to you as well," I replied, standing beside her as I continued surveying everything around me. "And a hearty thank you for that breakfast."

"I've never been one to let my guests starve," said Ren, chuckling. The Breton woman took a deep breath, turning her head to face the sky. "Isn't this beautiful, Sargoth?"

That was the biggest understatement I had heard in a long time. When Ren said that she was an avid gardener, I could see she certainly wasn't kidding. Lustrous, vibrant flowerbeds of pretty well every color under the sun could be seen blooming all around, swaying gracefully back and forth with the morning wind. Swarms of roses, redder than the most exquisite ruby blossomed in straight lines beside the rich stone walkways that spanned the entire backyard. A marble fountain stood near the center of the garden, encircled by more stones as well as a mixture of red tulips and violet lavenders. No small amount of butterflies and other small insects could be seen merrily buzzing and hovering over the flowers, and I couldn't help but wonder if they were as amazed at this wondrous sight as I. From the fountain, the stone walkway then split off in several directions, each path leading to a different area. The different sections of the garden were walled off by tall, green hedges. Wide archways, also made of hedge grass, complete with little wooden gates allowed entry into these areas. Large ceramic pots were placed eloquently along the hedges and walkways, each one bearing countless varieties of thriving flora, their mixed colors blending together so perfectly made them more grand to look upon than even a rainbow. Green, swirling vines hung from above and ran across the hedges and trees, thin and slender, slithering, twisting and curling to the ground almost like snakes. And to my amazement, I could even see numerous grass sculptures dotting the land, that had been cut and finely trimmed to resemble several different animals and creatures. Gazing across a small distance, I caught sight of a long, trickling stream that flowed past more rows of flowers and thick bushes that sat along a low bank. A dark, wooden bridge led across the stream, leading to a grassy field where I could see numerous crops growing, as well as a various assortment of alchemical plants. The surrounding trees bathed the vast garden in a caressing black shade, the long shadows of the hanging branches and leaves dancing elegantly in rhythm with the shifting breeze. I can truly say there was not a single inch of this place that was anything less than perfect. Something like this almost seemed too beautiful to even be real, like something you would only envision in a hazy dream. Every single thing here that I laid eyes on left me breathless and awestruck. Since then, there have still been very few sights that I have come across that astonished me to the extent that I was now. I knew that in a place as majestic as this, I could have stood there for the rest of my life, never moving an inch, and still be no less amazed. Even Aetherius itself could not have looked even half as divine as Renaiya's garden.

"I cannot even begin to imagine the amount of work you must've put into this," I said, still gazing in pure wonder. "You clearly have poured your entire heart into this place, and every inch shows that clear as day. How long have you kept this?"

"Close to fifteen years, I would say," answered Renaiya. "To be honest, I'm still surprised myself at how much this garden has grown and flourished since first starting it. To think all of this began with just a few flowers, in one tiny little spot together. Sometimes I can't help but think I'm mad, with all the time, money, sweat and frustration I've put into this garden. And that's merely taking into account the effort required in just keeping it alive and healthy. Making the expansions, and developing everything beyond just a couple plots of flowers and plants to what you now see, was nothing short of a daunting, expensive, and sometimes tedious task. But I love it, and getting to see this every day, getting to admire just how far it's come along, it's truly beyond what any words can describe. When I look at this garden every morning, when I watch it shine and thrive beneath the gaze of the rising sun, I know that every second I've put into this is more than worth it."

A lover of nature and the outdoors. I can't help but think that she and Anora would've gotten along splendidly.

"And believe it or not, this isn't even all of it," Ren continued. "Come on, I'll show you my orchards." The Breton woman stood from the hammock, her blue sundress blowing with the wind as she excitedly led me a ways over, taking us atop a sloping hill.

We came shortly to an extensive plot of land, enclosed by a tall wooden fence and gate. Renaiya opened the gate, leading me in as I followed closely behind her. The sight of lush, towering trees perched within thick swaying grass greeted my eyes, standing neatly and organized in long, stretching rows. Each tree was teeming with swarms of leaves, the branches bearing all sorts of different fruits, from apples, peaches, pears, mangoes, lemons, tangerines and melons. A line of sunflowers sat to the right side, and in the distance I could see little seedlings and buds that had only begun to sprout, but I knew that soon enough they would grow and flourish to be just as large as all the other fruit trees here.

"I swear, Ren, you could make a lump of chicken shit look beautiful," I said, and the woman let out a laugh.

"I'm glad you like it!" she said. "You wouldn't believe how much time and work just one of these trees takes." Renaiya led me through the rows and rows of looming trees, both of us walking together in silence as I gazed in every direction through the grass and patches of soil. The fruit upon the trees almost looked as if they were glistening as they drank in the nourishing light of the sun.

"You know, it's almost a shame," Ren began, "that so few people besides myself ever get to lay eyes on this. While I get more than enough satisfaction in seeing the fruits of my own labor, it is still nice when I have guests, such as yourself that can appreciate and enjoy this place. It just helps reassure me that pouring my heart and soul into this was not a waste."

The Breton reached out her arm, gently plucking a peach off one of the lower branches. She handed me the fruit, smiling as she brushed a lock of hair out of her face.

"This is perfectly ripe," I said as I took a large bite from the orange-yellow fruit, savoring every little bit of the sweet, tangy taste as the drops of water licked my tongue. "Grown in a spot as perfect as this, I wouldn't expect it to taste anything less than so." Ren picked one for herself then, and for a moment there were no sounds to be heard save for the joyous singing and chirping of songbirds that served as the perfect accompaniment to such a glorious morning.

Slowly but surely the sun ascended higher and higher in the sky, the hills and woodlands below rejoicing in its warm touch. The sky was now almost devoid of any clouds, and even though it was now just around mid-morning, I was still able to see the faint silhouette of Masser lingering behind the blue horizon. The wind remained calm but steady, the grass, leaves, branches and crops alike all stirring in the passing of its voice.

"What day is it, anyhow?" I asked curiously.

"Third day of First Seed," Renaiya answered. "Spring will soon be upon us, and it will not be long after that it will be time for me to plant and prepare new, fresh crops for the autumn harvest."

"I came to Summerset in the last week of Morning Star," I said. "It's hard to believe that much time has passed already. I find the older I become, the more difficult it gets to keep track of the days."

"And what do you think of the Isles so far, considering the time you've been here?" Ren asked.

"Well, my enjoyment of this land has been greatly hindered by the dire circumstances that brought me here to begin with," I answered. "But I would be lying if I said Summerset isn't beyond anything I've ever imagined. My experiences here, both good and bad, will forge memories I know will last the rest of my days. Getting to see Alinor, getting to see the Crystal Tower, getting to walk through the endless sprawling forests, crossing over the hills and meadows. This is indeed a wondrous land, and it's an utter tragedy that it's slowly falling apart beneath the Thalmor's rule."

"The Crystal Tower is by far my favorite sight in all the Summerset Isles," said Renaiya. "I grew up reading about it, but seeing it myself for the first time, I honestly thought I had passed into a dream. Destroyed and desolate the tower may be now, it is no less a marvel to behold, and the rich history surrounding it is nothing short of fascinating. I've made it a personal tradition to venture there at the dawn of every autumn and plant my absolute finest batch of flowers beneath its stones in commemoration."

"I happened to notice the flowers when I was there," I said. "So it was none other than you that planted them."

"None other," quipped the Breton. "How's your wound feeling?"

"Much better, I must say," I replied. "There's still some scarring, but nothing that'll kill me. It no longer causes me any pain, and most times I forget it's even there until I feel the bandages."

"That's good to hear, Sargoth," said Ren with a smile. "You've no idea how relieved I am to see you up and on your feet and recovering so quickly, considering you very nearly didn't make it. Do you think you're fit to travel yet?"

"Ever since you mentioned Valenwood, I have to say I've been able to think of little else," I answered. "I've been very eager to get this journey underway. When do you suppose we'll be leaving?"

"We can leave today, if you'd like," the Breton woman replied. I gave a slight nod of my head. "Great! I've been looking forward to this as well. It'll be nice to have somebody with me for a change, I must say."

"I assume you have the means to get us to Valenwood," I said. "I'm sure you're aware it is a long sail there."

"I own a sailboat, which I keep docked at the port north of here at the coast," said Renaiya.

"It'll be nice to sail upon open water again," I said, my thoughts turning briefly to Argyle and the crew of the Sparrow's Tear.

"If we are going to leave today," Ren began, "then I'd like to be on the road before the afternoon. I need some time to change, and to prepare and get all my essentials packed. I would suggest you do the same, then we'll leave when we're both ready. If we can be at sea by mid-afternoon, that will give us several hours before nightfall to cover some distance to Valenwood."

"Sounds good, Ren," I said in agreement.

"I'll try not to be too long," she said.

"Mind if I have another peach?"

"Help yourself."

Less than an hour passed before Renaiya and I were both ready to embark on our journey. I took a seat in front of the fireplace, my satchel resting against me. My bow and arrows stood beside the sofa, while Necrosanctus, along with my several daggers were strapped comfortably to my side. I had to fight the urge to have a smoke, as I knew it would be wise to keep a clear head for the next little while, so I refrained for the time being. But the craving was still there, lingering and persistent, like an itch on your skin that refuses to alleviate no matter how much you scratch it.

Renaiya emerged downstairs not long after. The Breton was garbed in traveling gear, consisting of a dark-brown leather jacket, a white blouse that was visible underneath, and black linen trousers. Her red hair was tied back in one long braid that sailed down her back. She had a satchel strapped to her back, filled with what I was sure to be equipment that would be vital for this trip. What caught my eye, however, was the weapon resting at her side.

"That's a fine blade," I stated, eyeing the Akaviri katana. "You know how to use it?"

"It belonged to my husband," Renaiya answered. "He showed me a little bit in the way of swordplay, but I must admit my skill in combat is lacking, at least compared to you. I certainly could never kill eight Thalmor singlehandedly."

"I suppose what I'm asking is, if we come into a situation where we are forced to fight to protect ourselves, will you be able to handle yourself?"

"Basic self-defence shouldn't be a problem," Ren replied. "I know enough that I should be able to withstand an enemy or two. But if I can tell you the truth, the reason I'm an inept fighter isn't because I can't kill, I just simply don't want to."

"I'm not a killer, Sargoth," Ren continued. "It's just not what I do. I live to create, not destroy. My pleasure in life comes from spreading beauty and joy where I go, not death and blood. To me, life is such a precious thing, and the idea of taking a life from another person just feels so…wrong to me. Maybe you think that makes me weak, or cowardly, and maybe it does. But it's how I feel nonetheless." The conviction in the woman's voice was undeniable, and I could tell this was something she felt very strongly about. And truthfully, I didn't blame her for a second for it.

"I can respect that, Renaiya," I finally replied after a moment. "I hope more than anything that we can avoid any unfriendly encounters during this venture. But if I am going to accompany you, I need one promise from you." I placed my hand on Ren's shoulder, looking her dead in the eyes. "If it absolutely comes to it, you need to be ready to stick that sword through another person's flesh. If it means the difference between life and death, then you must be able to make that decision without a second's hesitation. Your viewpoint is a noble one, Renaiya, but I have seen too many people die needlessly because of it."

"I have stared into the eyes of men who were all too happy to bury their blades in my heart," I continued, "or to sever my head from my shoulders. I have seen men, whose hearts are blacker than midnight's shadow, colder than a winter blizzard. People like that will not hesitate to end your life, and in that situation, all that matters is that you are able to end theirs first. I'm not asking this of you for my sake, Ren. You need not endanger yourself to protect me. The world will be made no darker by my death, nor will it shed a tear for me. But you…people like you are increasingly rare in these times. You're a talented and creative woman, and you work to make this world a brighter place in your own way. I would hate to see your life come to an end while you're still young, while you still have so much to give. It would be a grave sin for a life as amazing as yours to go to waste. So I'll say it again, if it comes down to it, you must be willing to take the life of another, if it means the preservation of your own. Can you promise me that?"

Renaiya was silent for several moments, and I could see the conflict in her eyes clear as day. She returned my stare, looking into my eyes as she took a deep breath.

"Yes, I promise," she finally answered. Her voice was far from assuring, and the fact she looked away from me as she spoke didn't inspire confidence either, but I knew it was the best I was going to get.

"Could I see your sword, if you don't mind?" I asked.

"Be my guest," said Ren. She unsheathed the Akaviri blade, handing it to me by the handle. I gripped the hilt firm in my hand, giving the thin blade several good spins as I tested its weight and balance. Gently running a finger along the edge, I could tell it was plenty sharp. I gave it a few more swings before giving it back to Ren.

"A fine sword, indeed," I said. "Long blades are my melee weapon of choice as well, but they tend to fare poorly in close-quarter combat. Here, take one of my daggers as well. Hopefully you won't need it." I handed Ren one of my weaker knives, and she strapped it to the side opposite the sword.

"Well, if that's everything, shall we be off?" asked Renaiya.

"Sounds good."


It was just before noon as the two of us came to the harbor, nested along Summerset's northern coastline. This port wasn't the largest I had ever seen, being smaller than the one I first arrived here at with Argyle, and certainly smaller than Anvil's harbor. But the place was still plenty busy, all the same. Large, hulking ships with towering masts and flowing sails could be seen coming and leaving the port, the splashing waves of the ocean heralding their passage. Countless numbers of sailors were lurking about, along with some merchants and peasants, and even the odd beggar or two. A couple warehouses stood along the docks, and I could see a little place that even looked to be a tavern. Chatter and laughter filled the air, echoing through the wind as the call of seagulls could be faintly heard.

"This way, Sargoth," said Renaiya, leading me to the docks, "my boat is just over here." A few merchant stands stood along the wooden docks, the booming voices of their vendors could be heard plainly as they announced their supposedly wondrous and amazing goods which I'm sure were little more than junk. A young woman, still a teenager by the looks of her, was pushing a wooden cart, selling what appeared to be oysters and clams.

"Here it is!" Renaiya exclaimed with excitement. "What do you think, my friend?"

"Not bad at all," I said, and that was certainly the truth. Ren's boat was fairly large for a sailboat, easily capable of holding six or seven people by the looks of it. The wood looked more than sturdy and I could see it was well built. A single mast stood in the center of the vessel, with a couple white sails furled neatly near the top. Ren stepped onto the boat first, with me soon following in after her.

"Can you grab that bucket over there and dump out the water that's inside?" asked Renaiya. "I'll lower the sail and get us ready to depart."

"Sure thing." Small puddles of water had indeed gathered at the starboard end of the boat. Dumping all the water out back into the ocean took a good minute or two. By the time I was finished, Renaiya had all the ropes unfastened, and it was only a moment later that the white sails unfolded and cascaded slowly in ripples down the tall mast, almost elegantly. The boat began to shift gently in the water, rocking side-to-side momentarily as the bow lunged forward with a push from the wind.

"How long do you think this journey to Valenwood will be?" I asked.

"I'd say four or five days, at the very least, but possibly a week," said Renaiya. "I find if the winds are strong and the weather favorable, the venture is cut down significantly."

"I take it you've been to Valenwood before," I said.

"Oh yes, many times," said Ren. "And every time I go, I find myself no less amazed than all the times prior. Our course is due east, and as chance would have it, that is the direction the wind is blowing. We're certainly off to a good start."

"I've never been to Valenwood, myself," I stated. "Though I have still come quite far from my little corner of the world. That's largely why I was eager to come with you. I'd like to consider myself a somewhat seasoned adventurer, and after all the tales and stories of Valenwood I've come across, I knew this was an experience I could not pass up."

"Trust me, none of the songs or stories do Valenwood any justice," said Renaiya. "No amount of words can ever properly replace personal experience when it comes to anything in life, no matter how eloquently written."

"True enough," I agreed. "This boat must have cost you a pretty sum. Do you sail often, Ren?"

"As much as I can, during the spring and summer months at least," answered the Breton. "This is the first time this year I've taken to the sea. In my mind, few things in life are more peaceful than traveling upon the open water, listening to the rushing waves of the sea as you gaze upon the distant horizon without a single care in the world. Being able to get away from the everyday burdens and hassles of the world, and just be alone with your thoughts is truly a mind-freeing experience."

Within several hours, the land of the Summerset Isles was little more than a tiny speck behind us. The sea was relatively calm and peaceful that afternoon, with only the odd wave rocking the boat from time to time. The wind remained sure and steady as it carried us further on eastward, blowing through my hair and keeping me cool. The day grew considerably hotter as time passed, and I had long stripped off my leather cuirass, leaving just my linen tunic. Ren did likewise, tossing aside her jacket.

I sat along the port side of the ship, leaning over the edge as I gazed upon my own reflection within the crystal blue water. Renaiya sat at the stern handling the tiller, gently steering the vessel along as needed. I can honestly say I was glad to be back at sea again. The gentle, but swift rustling of the ocean helped to calm and ease my troubled spirits. I couldn't help but let out a smile as I stared toward the distant lands and shores, several leagues away. This time around, my experience on the water was much more joyous and peaceful. On the Sparrow's Tear, all my days were spent performing various tasks and duties around the ship, surrounded by the hardened, tough men of Argyle's crew. I found that I never truly got to fully enjoy and bask in the experience of being at sea, seeing as I was constantly busy from dawn till dusk. But here, I had none of that to worry about. Here, I could just sit and relax, completely carefree, gazing in wonder at the world around me. And that's not even mentioning that Renaiya's company was infinitely more pleasant than that of Argyle's men, as much as I may have enjoyed them. The kind, friendly woman proved to be a delightful companion, and I was finding myself greatly enjoying traveling with her.

"I can take over for a bit, if you'd like to relax," I offered.

"Sure, if you don't mind," said Renaiya appreciatively. I took her place by the tiller, while she sat by the edge, running her hands through the water as she splashed herself cool.

"So what's your story anyway, Renaiya?" I asked curiously, giving the boat a slight shift to the right. "Have you always lived in Summerset, or did you move here at some point?"

"It is true I have lived in the Summerset Isles for most of my life," Ren said after a moment, "but I was, in fact, born and raised in High Rock, like most Bretons. I came to Summerset when I was still merely a teenager, where I've lived for just over twenty years now."

"What was your life in High Rock like, if you don't mind my asking?" I had a sudden curiosity of learning more about this woman. "What caused you to fly so far from your nest?"

Renaiya was silent for several moments. The woman was swishing and swirling her fingers gently through the calm ripples of the ocean waves. I eased my hand from the tiller just slightly.

"I am the eldest daughter, and firstborn child of Mathias and Joanna Sorel," answered the Breton. "My father was the Lord of House Sorel, one of the wealthiest, and most prominent families in all of High Rock. I was named after my great-grandmother. I have a sister, Alindra, and a brother, Marek. My family lived in a large keep, by the coast southwest of the city of Wayrest."

"That certainly sounds like a cushy enough life to be born into," I commented.

"I suppose it was," said Ren, with a small chuckle. "There certainly wasn't much to complain about. Nearly all of my wants and needs were met. I never carried any of the worries of many of the common folk, like food and money. I had access to some of the greatest tutors and educators in the land, and there was always plenty to do in regards to keeping entertained. I certainly had it better than most, I'll admit." I couldn't help but notice a hint of guilt, or even remorse in Ren's voice as she told me all this, almost as if she was somehow ashamed of her high birth.

"And yet here you are, all the way on the other side of the world," I said. "Clearly, the life of the spoiled rich girl grew tiring for you." Ren let out a laugh. A cute, almost childlike laugh.

"My childhood was comfortable, yes," Ren continued. "But growing up…I guess you can say I was sort of the 'black sheep' in the family."

"You didn't get along with your family?" I asked.

"My parents were good enough people, and I loved my siblings," said Ren. "But what you need to understand is, when you're born into a noble, powerful family like mine...there are certain things that are expected of you. There are certain ways highborn ladies such as I are expected to act, and certain ways we are expected not to act. From the day a young girl like me is old enough to speak her first words, she is taught how to carry herself in an orderly, dignified manner. She is taught to show her manners at all times. She is taught all the courtesies and gallantries that noblewomen are expected to know. She is reminded constantly of her rich, noble birth, and is expected to always act accordingly, every second of every day. To put it simply, in an upbringing like mine, there are behaviors that are deemed acceptable, and behaviors that are deemed unacceptable."

"And let me guess, your behaviors were more of the unacceptable type?" I deduced. Renaiya chuckled again.

"That would be putting it lightly, my friend," she said. "As we grow older, girls in the nobility are expected to learn all the aspects of being a faithful, dutiful, and submissive wife, for when we are eventually married off to some highborn man. In addition, we are also taught about the complex political machinations of the land, and we are expected to be fluent in the manners of political scheming and the intrigues of court. We are told exactly how to act, how to speak, how to present ourselves. As my parents were both heavily involved in the vast network of schemes and plots in High Rock, I was no exception to this. To act outside of these norms is considered nothing short of disgraceful, and is detrimental to other people's perception of you, as well as your family. And if you haven't guessed already, I had absolutely no interest whatsoever in any such matters, which very often put me at great odds with my family, particularly my mother and sister."

"Ah, I see."

"Unlike most other young girls of my station, I was far more content playing outside with the other children, and getting involved in their pranks and games. I much preferred spending my days exploring the woods, climbing the trees, swimming and fishing the lakes and rivers, rolling and playing in the dirt, digging through the gardens, and occasionally even getting into fights with the other kids." I could see a faint nostalgic smile across Renaiya's face. "Every day I would come home, covered head to toe in mud and dirt. And every day, my mother would scold me endlessly, about how associating with lowborn children was 'beneath me,' or how getting dirty was 'unladylike.' She said I would never grow up to be a respectable, proper lady by acting in such ways, that no man would ever find me to be a suitable wife. But I didn't care about any of that, and I didn't want to live that way."

"I remember sneaking out of my room almost every night," Ren continued. "I would take to the forests and gather any flowers and ingredients I could find, planting my own little gardens, and I would take care of them all myself. Sometimes I would take the flora I had found, and take them to the chambers of our alchemists, where I would spend hours toiling away in their laboratories, concocting my own potions, and creating my own experiments, seeing just what I could come up with. When I was nine, that was when I held a paintbrush and palette for the first time, and soon after I would often spend days at a time in my room, painting every single thing that sprung into my head, even if it made no sense. Before I knew it, every inch of me would be covered in paint, and you'd swear I was a walking rainbow to look at me."

"You certainly knew how to keep yourself entertained," I said with a smirk.

"No matter what I did though, it was almost always guaranteed to displease my mother greatly," Ren said with a deep sigh. "Whenever I would come and show her what I had created that day, she would simply grow annoyed and irritated with me, telling me to grow up and act like a proper lady. She deemed my hobbies as little more than wastes of time, and more than once she brought me to tears when she would just utterly disregard and criticize my accomplishments."

"Your mother should've been proud of you, Renaiya," I said, trying to be encouraging. "You developed your talents at such a young age, and you have clearly nurtured and honed them your entire life. Such gifts should only be praised and encouraged, not berated and scorned. Was your father the same way towards you?"

"Oh no, my father was much more understanding and accepting of my hobbies and interests, even if they were unorthodox for a highborn girl," said Ren. "Quite often, my father would actually sit with me as I painted away. Sometimes he would fall asleep on my bed, and when he woke up, I would show him the finished piece. I can still remember the smiles on his face as he would look upon my creations. Father did not approve of mother's harsh treatment of me, and that was a frequent point of conflict in their marriage. Father tried time and time again to get my mother to ease up on me, but it was always to no avail. My father may have ruled over the keep and the lands around it, but my mother ruled over him. It was no secret that Joanna Sorel held the real power in the household, and in the end, my father would always bow to her will."

I didn't really know what to say then.

"My younger sister, Alindra, was my mother's golden child," Ren went on. "She was everything my mother wanted in a daughter, and she was the shining example of all the virtues my mother thought a proper lady should have. And most importantly to mother, she was everything I was not. We shared nothing in common, other than our surname. And our competition for mother's affection always stopped us from being overly close with one another. Don't get me wrong, I still cared for Alindra, but it was no secret that mother doted on her, and she made no attempt to hide her preference for Alindra over me. Alindra won all of mother's praise, and of course I couldn't help but feel no small amount of resentment towards her for that. We fought and argued often, and through the years, Alindra started to mirror my mother perfectly when it came to ridiculing my pastimes. While I was off doing my things, Alindra would prance around in her fancy dresses like she was queen of the world, soaking up all of mother's lectures of being a proper woman, learning all the delicacies of being a lady of high status. I knew Alindra would grow up to be the perfect trophy wife for some lord's son someday, and I knew she would love every second of it. I wanted none of that in my life, and mother would make no attempt to even try to understand how I felt."

"I'm sorry you went through that, Ren," I said. "While parents should love all their children equally, I know that such a notion is only a naïve fantasy. I count myself fortunate to have been an only child, in that regard."

"It goes without saying that I was much closer to my father than my mother," said Renaiya, "but even so, for father, it was my brother Marek who was his pride and joy. Being the only son, Marek was the heir to House Sorel, and while my brother was never the brightest torch of the bunch, he was kind, and even from a young age he displayed great strength and courage rarely seen in boys his age. Father instructed him personally in the ways of combat, war tactics, and diplomacy, as every future Lord to a great house needs to be adept in all these areas, and everyone around knew that Marek would grow to be one of the greatest warriors in High Rock."

"And how was your relationship with Marek?"

"I loved my brother dearly, and he was without a doubt the one I was closest to in the family," said Ren. "As young children, he and I would so often play games together, usually consisting of me being the captured damsel in distress, while Marek would be my knight in shining armor, come to rescue me. And so many times, Marek and I would pull all sorts of pranks on Alindra." Renaiya giggled and smiled as she recalled these memories to me. "We grew up close through the years, and possessing the warrior's heart that he did, Marek came to be protective of me, though he was the youngest child. If mother was subjecting me to yet another of her tirades, Marek very often came to my defence, and there was even the odd time he was able to talk her down, something father was never successful in doing. Marek was always there to comfort me when I needed it, and it was he who made life bearable when I wanted to strangle my mother and sister."

"But as I came to realize, growing older," said Ren, "as the years passed, it became clearer that I was the unfavorable child to both my parents. Mother's disdain for my lifestyle was clear as day, and even father was spending less and less time with me as Marek's martial education progressed. Over time, I began to feel increasingly lonely, and unwanted. While I would have died before giving up my hobbies, I knew that refusing to conform to the standards of all the other noblewomen made me an outcast in the eyes of everyone around me. My younger siblings both had set goals and ambitions in their lives, and it was obvious where they would end up. So where did that leave me, exactly? A girl who refused to act in the way she had been instructed to her whole childhood, who preferred to walk her own path, instead of the one she was expected to walk? What did my future hold? I was so uncertain, and my feelings of loneliness only worsened as I became increasingly ostracized within my family."

"I think I can see where this is going," I said. "All of this is what caused you to leave your home."

"The final straw actually came just days after my fourteenth birthday," said Renaiya. "My mother summoned me to her chambers. When I arrived, I saw a man standing there, roughly four or five years my senior. I don't even remember his name now, oddly enough. Mother introduced us, and she then told me I would be marrying this man in a fortnight. Can you believe that, Sargoth? My mother expecting me to marry someone I had literally just met, who I didn't know a damned thing about? Isn't that the most asinine thing you've ever heard?"

"I take it you didn't much care for your new betrothed?"

"That's putting it kindly, very kindly," Ren replied. "I can honestly say I had more feelings for the shit in my chamber pot than I did for him. He was rude, tasteless, completely uncharismatic, and just a plain bore to be around. I protested to my mother countless times, as well as going to my father and asking him to intervene, but I'm sure you can well imagine how that turned out. My mother said this marriage would be just the thing to finally break me out of my childish habits, as she put it, and maybe I would finally start acting like a decent, proper woman. The family of my betrothed was also powerful and influential, and House Sorel needed to secure an alliance with his father, and my parents saw this marriage as the best way to do just that."

"Ah, so you ran away to escape the engagement," I said.

"Eh, not quite, actually," Renaiya answered. "Only days before my wedding was to take place, my mother had me examined by our physicians, just to ensure that I was healthy as could be for my soon-to-be husband. My mother was right there next to me as our physicians looked me over…" the woman paused midsentence for several seconds, taking a breath.

"And that was when we were informed that I was barren, and that it was most likely I would never, ever conceive, or bear a child."

There was a brief moment of silence between the two of us, until strangely enough, Renaiya began laughing.

"What a perfect twist to the story of my life, huh?" she said, still giggling. "I had spent my entire childhood being the furthest thing from a proper noble girl as possible, already disappointing mother greatly, and then to suddenly have something like that thrown on top of it all. As troubling as that news may have been, I'd be lying if I said I still don't appreciate the humor of it all."

"I'm guessing your mother didn't find it the slightest bit humorous," I said.

"Indeed she didn't, to put it nicely," Ren replied. "As expected, upon learning this newfound knowledge, my engagement was broke off by the family I was to marry into. There are many who would agree that a noblewoman's most important duty in her life is to birth healthy children to her husband, to continue the family bloodline and preserve the legacy. And now that it was clear I couldn't even do that, I was seen as little more than defective junk to any potential suitors. Any other teenaged girl might have been devastated at something like this, but I was honestly just relieved I no longer had to marry that piece of slime."

"So what happened after?"

"Well, as you have probably guessed already, my mother was beyond livid," said Ren, pausing as her voice took a more serious edge. "Gods, I will never, ever forget the terrible, vile things she said to me. She said I was a waste, that my existence was some cruel jest by the gods, that my every breath was an insult to our family. She even went so far as to curse the very day I was born, wondering how she could've given life to something so useless." The hurt in Renaiya's voice as she told this to me was all too evident.

"By Azura, your own mother said this to you?!" I exclaimed, appalled at what I was hearing. "All this, over something you had absolutely no control over?"

"Mother and I screamed at each other for hours," Ren said. "That was by far the most terrible, heated argument we ever had. She continued hurling her abuses at me, and the worst part is…I believed every word she said. As we continued arguing, I actually began to think of myself as useless, as defective. I got to a point where I just couldn't keep fighting her anymore, and I started thinking everything she was saying about me was true."

"Your mother was wrong about you, Ren," I said. "I may not have known you long, but I can already see that you're an amazing, wonderful person. If your mother couldn't love and appreciate you for who you were, then she never deserved you, plain and simple."

"Thanks, Sargoth, that really means a lot," said Ren, giving me a warm smile. "That very night, was when I finally ran away from home. I stole a significant amount of my parents' money as they slept, and I quietly snuck out of our keep, never even stopping to look back as I pressed on through the night. It didn't take me long to reach the harbor. Once there, I bought a boat with some of the money I had taken, and that boat was none other than the one we're in now. I sailed away from High Rock, away from my home, entirely alone, with absolutely no idea where I would go or what I would do. I spent over a month at sea, each day traversing the waves of the ocean, exploring the far reaches of Tamriel, marveling in pure wonder at all the beautiful things that existed outside my home. Eventually, I came upon what was none other than the Summerset Isles, and that was where I decided to begin my new life, and here I am now."

"That's certainly quite a story," I said. "Do you think about your family? Do you miss them?"

"Oh of course," the Breton replied. "It'd be a lie to say I didn't miss them at all, even my mother. I haven't seen any of them since I left over twenty years ago. I could never help but wonder how everyone reacted once they realized I was gone. Mother made it quite clear that I had no use or purpose within our family. Maybe not a single tear was shed when they discovered I was nowhere to be found. I'd like to think I was missed, even if only by my father and brother, as I was closest to them, but it's impossible to know for certain."

"Could you ever see yourself setting foot in High Rock again?" I asked.

"Honestly, no," Renaiya answered. "High Rock will always be my birthplace, and will therefore always hold a special place in my heart, but there's just nothing for me there anymore. I left that life behind, and I have never once regretted making that decision. This is where my life is now. We cannot choose the life we are born into, but we can decide what path to lead it down when we come of age, and this is the path I have chosen for myself, and there is not a shred of doubt in my mind that this is the right path."

"Truer words were certainly never spoken," I said in agreement.

"I still hear my mother's voice in my head, even today," said Ren. "With every single little thing I do, I'm still able to hear her shrill voice echoing in the back of my mind. Telling me I'm not good enough, telling me that nothing I do will ever be worthy of praise or respect. I suspect that's the reason I'm such a perfectionist today, as even though I haven't seen my mother in over twenty years, there's still that part of me that wants to prove her wrong, that wants to prove that even though I never lived up to her ideal vision of me, I am still my own person who is no less deserving of love and respect. My merits and accomplishments are things to be proud of, and I will never let her take those away from me. I pour every inch of my heart and soul into every aspect of my life, all to silence mother's voice, to prove the untruth that lies within her words."

"I am not a noblewoman," Ren said. "I am not a trophy wife to be ogled and shown off, I am not a prize for other men to try to win, I am not some piece of sparkling treasure for a man to hoard away to himself, to use as he sees fit. I am Renaiya Sorel. I am the girl who wanted no part of the rich, highborn life. I am the girl who just wants to plant gardens and paint pictures and sail the seas, and simply live out her days in peace. I am no more, and no less than that."

"Very well put," I said with a smile.

"Say, I have a couple fishing rods aboard the boat here," said Renaiya. "What do you say we stop for a while and see what we can catch? Maybe have a little contest, you and I, see who can catch the most. The loser has to drive the boat the rest of the day."

I stood from my spot, making my way over and grabbing one of the fishing rods tucked away in the corner.

"You're on, sera."