Chapter 13; A reward, a challenge;

Characters of the chapter

Cato Argos, Magister of the Tevinter Imperium, by the authority of the Archon and the Imperial senate supreme overseer of all affairs and militaries of the Imperium in the continent of Essos

Julius Argentus, Magister of the Tevinter Imperium, commander of the 1st expeditionary legion of Tevinter

Selia slave to Tiraen Tasvius

Tiraen Tasvius Magister of the Tevinter Imperium, ambassador to Meereen, commander of the 5th expeditionary legion of Tevinter, formerly apprentice to Magister Cato Argos.

It had felt like an eternity of riding through a nightmare, but eventually Tiraen and Selia left the destruction behind and reached the edges of the camp. The sun was already setting by the time they arrived. Behind them many Tevinter soldiers were still walking or running to camp. Some were on horseback, others were on foot. More than a few were helping their fellow soldiers limp along as they returned. From the camp emerged healers and slaves to offer assistance. Almost all of the Dothraki had fled in other directions and those handfuls too frightened to notice they were fleeing straight to the Imperial camp were picked off by the perimeter guards or the survivors of the two legions.

As soon as she reached the edge of the camp Tiraen dismounted, handing the reins to a nearby slave. Without pause she went to walk amongst the returning soldiers, looking for Julius, searching face after face. Overcome by exhaustion and with many others seeking their comrades the other Imperials paid her little heed.

"Julius! Julius!" She called over and over again, to no avail. With every moment spent not finding what she sought the urgency in her step grew, desperation and concern becoming a tight knot in her stomach.

Then a voice, tired but familiar: "Tiraen!"

She turned and saw him, dismounting from his horse a short distance away.

"Julius!" She shouted in relief and ran to him. They embraced and kissed.

"Thank the Elder One you yet live." Julius whispered in her ear as they continued embracing one another.

"I couldn't find you. I was so worried that…" She whispered back, voice almost breaking. "We're both here. We made it." She then reassured herself and him.

"Yes. We are." Julius concurred.

Her eyes turned to the other Tevinters returning to camp. "Any notion how bad a beating our legions took?"

"No idea. Bad. Though I think our legions are still combat effective. And the enemy had it worse. We were mauled by what occurred, but they were bloody annihilated by it." He said.

"Indeed. The tribute brought by Tiraen gave us a great victory this day. The orb worked perfectly, though regrettably the effects proved harder to control than anticipated. My apologies for the lives lost to it on our side, but I think they were a necessary loss." A new voice spoke up.

They turned and saw Cato. He tried to conceal it, but it did not escape her notice how heavily he was leaning on his staff as he walked to them.

"I am pleased that you two survived at least." He added stopping before them.

"Mentor." She said in greeting. "So this was caused by the artefact. I suspected that it was, but I had no way to know for sure."

"Are we safe here? Or do we need to evacuate the camp?" She asked.

"We have stopped powering the spell, so there should be no danger this far from the center of the event aside from a few stray demons. Camp guards should have little difficulty dealing with those. And the artefact has been re-tuned to help reinforce the Veil and contain the devastation. The anomaly we created should dissipate with enough time, though leftover effects may of course continue for years to come." Cato explained.

"So what now?" Julius asked.

"Word has been sent for our allied contingents on the field to return to us to augment our strength, and for Meereen and Yunkai to send additional elements from their legions. Once those reinforcements arrive we shall find ourselves another route through these mountains and move against Vaes Dothrak. With the majority of their warriors dead on this field of battle that place is now vulnerable. Once it falls, so will any chance of these scum being a threat to us in the future. We will be able to…" Cato said before stopping suddenly, closing his eyes and sighing heavily.

Tiraen noticed him starting to sway. "Mentor!" She exclaimed and rushed to his side, managing to catch him before he could fall.

"I'm alright, I'm alright. Just tired is all. Using the orb proved a great strain. I believe I should rest." Cato said.

"Yes. Yes. I think we all should. It had been a very long day and we are all exhausted." She concurred, trying to keep worry over her mentor from her voice out of respect.

As their last actions of the day they saw to it their soldiers were being provided the care they needed, and ordered a headcount of the survivors to be made. Those numbers confirmed considerable casualties. But enough had survived for their legions to remain combat capable forces, especially once the requested reinforcements arrived. Their numbers would be sufficient in the short term to carry on to their next objective with minimal delay. In the long run new recruits could be trained and their legions be restored in truth. Replacement soldiers were always in training during wartime, so it should not take overlong.

Later, as the night had already fallen over the world, Tiraen was reclining in a chair, Selia attending to her. Close by a bathtub was being heated for Tiraen's use. Tiraen and Julius had conversed late into the night, appreciating their mutual survival to the fullest extent. Eventually Julius had left for his tent to get some sleep and allow Tiraen to do the same.

Pet had also survived the battle. He had just walked back into camp like he had just been ordered to take a stroll. Tiraen of course had been aware of his survival even before he had shown up. Because of the magics involved here was a link between her and her creation. Only by concentrating on it she could always tell if Pet was alive or not (though sadly nothing more, like where he was). Currently Pet was standing at his customary place outside, his mountainous mass bringing a sense of security for her. One of the perks of the many upgrades she had bestowed upon him was that he needed no sleep and no sustenance, and so could stand watch there for as long as it pleased her.

Tiraen was pleased that Pet had survived. He had proved to be a very useful instrument, a bringer of death to many enemies of the Imperium. It would have been a shame to lose a weapon like that, especially given the amount of effort that had gone into making it. His survival meant he would be available for many battles to come.

"Is something the matter, Mistress ? Not to sound impudent, but it you have been looking at me all evening." Selia asked as she refilled her owner's wineglass.

"Just remembering the day you came into my service." Tiraen said in contemplation. "I was just a young child when my father bought you. You were a gift, the first slave that was to belong to me rather than my family. We were of age and at first I had actually thought my father had bought me a sister. Of course my father was quick to correct me. Even so I think some portion of the notion never died out." Tiraen said.

Selia smiled faintly. "I remember."

"We grew up together, and I have been glad of you company for all these years. Ever since that day you have been with me. Always loyal, always tireless and diligent in your duties. I have never had to discipline you. Not once. I'm not sure if you are aware of this, but that is an exceedingly rare claim to be made of one's slave." Tiraen continued.

"I am aware of this, Mistress. I am glad to serve you. And I thank you for your words. I am not worthy of praise." Selia said.

"Oh, nonsense!" Tiraen said, laughing and shaking her head. "You saved my life today. If that's not worthy of praise, then what is? What's more, you had an opportunity to seize your freedom, yet you chose to stay by my side. The loyalty you have displayed today is beyond anything that might be reasonable to expect. Loyalty like that deserves a reward. A precious reward."

"A-a reward?" Selia stammered, caught by surprise.

"Indeed. I shall grant you a single wish, so long as it is within my power and not beyond reason." Tiraen said.

Selia surprisingly appeared a bit hesitant. "I… a slave should not expect a reward for merely doing her duty."

"No." Tiraen agreed. "But these are special circumstances. Come now. There must be something you want. Would it be freedom? I can give you that too. I think you have done enough to earn it. Just say the word and it will be yours."

The elf went even more silent than usual at that. "With respect, Mistress… no. Please don't do that."

"No? I would have thought that any slave would want that?" Tiraen said, genuinely surprised.

"Many would. But many are also short sighted in that." Selia said.

"Explain." Tiraen said.

"If I were to be freed in the middle of slave nations, I'd be an outcast. Those who are still slaves would think I cheated my way out a fate they still must suffer. And those who were born free would consider me a slave still, no matter what I did to prove otherwise. In Tevinter or here I'd be stuck between two states of being, shunned by both groups. The only chance for kinship would be with other freed slaves, and those are few and far between. And I'd struggle to make a living, since all the work I know how to do is already being done by slaves, whom one does not have to pay wages to. And… well slavers on either continent aren't exactly respectful of the rights of a former slave. There is a good chance I'd simply be re-enslaved and sold to someone worse than you, Mistress." Selia said.

"I see. If that is what you fear then I believe there is a way for us to work around the problem. You could continue in my service, as a free woman." Tiraen suggested. "That's not unheard of in the Imperium, although rare. I'd pay you a small wage. Nothing fancy, but you'd have food, clothes and housing as before, so the pay would just be extra. I could use a steward. You'd be in charge of the slaves in my service and in taking care of day to day matters, ensuring my household runs smoothly and I am free to focus on more important matters. You have already been doing work like that in an unofficial capacity, so it would not be anything you haven't done before. You'd have the security you want, the friend's you have will probably come around once they realize you are still you. And since you know your fellow slaves you will know how to motivate them while still being fair towards them. Most importantly you'd have the rights of a liberati. You'd be able to own property. You'd be able to start your own family without needing my consent first. And if the day should ever come you see a better path for yourself, you will be free to take it, as you choose. Would that arrangement suit you better?"

Selia's eyes had gradually widened in wonder as Tiraen spoke, the barest whisper of a smile on her lips. "If-if this is what you would be willing to offer me… then yes. Yes! I accept! Thank you Mistress, thank you! You are too good to me."

Tiraen smiled and nodded. "Then so shall it be. It will take some time to accomplish this. I will need to find a judge and have the necessary paperwork made. But this shall be yours in time. That I promise."

"Is my bath ready?" She asked then.

Selia moved to the bathtub and tested the water with her hand. "I believe so, Mistress." She said.

"Excellent. I believe I can take care of matters from here on. You can take this evening and tomorrow off." Tiraen said.

"Very well. Thank you, Mistress." Selia said. She was about to leave when she paused. "Mistress, if I may… in the battle you said that the lyrium potions were three times my worth. I find myself wondering, is that really true?"

"You're wondering if I value them more than you, a living thing, someone I've known from youth? You're wondering if in private you should be offended of this?" Tiraen guessed. Then she chuckled. "My words were spoken in the heat of the moment. I meant nothing by it. It is true that the value of those potions is greater than what I might have gotten from, say, selling you to someone else. There were many potions after all, and lyrium has been known to command a price greater than diamonds at times. But once one drinks a potion it is gone for good. You have been an investment whose usefulness has been extended over many years. By that measure you are worth far more. And you have value that goes beyond coin. I value you more than I do those potions, rest assured of that."

Selia smiled and gave a grateful nod.

"Go on now. Enjoy yourself as you've earned." She finished.

Selia bowed one final time before leaving the tent. Once the elf was gone Tiraen thought of the promises made just now. She was forced to admit some surprise with herself. Her mind drifted back to her conversation with the Elven mage back in Valyria. Selia's people were a doomed race, at best afforded a chance to serve their betters before the end. Her opinion of that had not changed. And by no means was she a champion of slave freedom. Slaves had their place, a useful place, and she didn't think they needed to be moved from it. That was the sentiment of most in the Venatori and the Imperium in general, though she remembered at least one individual who had felt quite differently on the subject. Many lively, highly stimulating conversations had been had with that one about this. As there had been on many other subjects. Yet none of those conversation had gotten her so invested as to change her opinion on slaves. Her preference for having free citizens in her service in some cases was simple pragmatism, as she knew them to be more reliable, more enthusiastic in their contributions. There was no kindness in that preference.

Most slaves Tiraen didn't pay any attention to, so long as they did their work as was required of them. Yet Selia was not your average slave. She was Selia. A special case. And exceptional service ought to be rewarded.

Tiraen considered the bath for a moment, then decided it could wait for a moment longer. Instead she stepped outside and turned her eyes to the horizon. In the distance the tortured sky was still wreathed in green flames and lightning of the same color. She suspected nothing remained alive underneath that supernatural storm. She stood there, mesmerized by the sight.

"Do you hear them, Dragon Queen? Your people burn, crying your name, begging you to come save them. May their shouts reach your ears and fill you with unreasoning fury. Yes, come to save them, to exact vengeance. Rush to your doom. Come see the pyre I built for you. I call you with it. I have summoned you. The Scion of the Imperium calls you to war. Will you answer me, or must I go after the second people you name your own?" She thought, a smile appearing on her lips.