"A mistake made with the intention of love is a lesser sin
than the deed done through malice or apathy."
-Archon Cato Augarine
It never fails. She disappears for only two weeks, two weeks, and all the administrative paperwork gets disorganized or backed up. In some departments, it was both. She couldn't imagine how bad it would have been if both she and the Archon disappeared.
Claudia had to admit, dealing with paperwork, billing information and administrative issues was a welcomed alternative to the particularly bad mission she came out of. It was hard to top getting impaled through the gut.
Still, on top of all the things she needed to catch up on at the cathedral, she also had to wrangle through the figurative gears of the inquisition. The information they gathered had to be corroborated and, failing that, had to be approved. At best, a wild goose chase would waste resources. At worst, an innocent person might end up being throttled for no reason.
So while she and her team waited for clearance to go track their hunch up in Skyrim, Claudia had to deal with papers. Within a week, she was also back to making sure her antsy teammates didn't blow up the building again. Bann-Je was back to relentlessly cleaning and organizing the sanctuary. The Archon wasted no time in immediately tossing Do'Ravier back into his research position in the library and Sibylla was again counseling the faithful.
That still did not keep them from getting in trouble.
Specifically, Claudia was headed to attend the latest bit of drama to hit her team. This time it involved Sibylla. Even more interesting was the nature of the incident. Someone had been foolish enough to challenge Sibylla to a duel.
His name was Sir Gervald.
The duel had been offered as a friendly challenge and yet, Claudia could not help but shake the bad feeling she had. She had a suspicion that Sibylla was not going to go easy on the knight. Besides, what was that knight thinking anyway? Anyone with even a fraction of observatory skills could see that Sibylla could not in any way be described as "meek." Claudia was certain this was going to end badly for the knight.
She kind of hoped he would change his mind the moment he saw Sibylla take up her battleaxe.
She found Bann-Je and Do'Ravier already sitting on one of the smaller partition stone walls that was in the cathedral courtyard. It was the same place where the dead were buried and where Sibylla regularly practiced with her ax. A few of the cathedral staff were interested in watching how the fight went, if only because it was something different from the routine. Claudia insisted that they all stand inside the doorway where the threshold doors opened up to the courtyard. That way she could at least make sure to close the doors if the fight got too close to them and ensuring that the spectators would remain safe.
Obviously, she could not make Do'Ravier or Bann-Je comply with that. Those two would be on their own.
"Now, neither of us are the betting type, but hypothetically, who do you think would win?" Do'Ravier asked Bann-Je with a grin.
Bann-Je shot him a wry look before considering.
"Sibylla is formidable...but someone should root for the underdog." Bann-Je suggested.
"Seriously? It would be foolish to bet against Sibylla. If we were betting." Do'Ravier replied.
They fell silent when they saw the competitors arrive.
It was clear that both Sibylla and Sir Gervald favored steel armor but only when they stood next to each other could they see that there was some difference between the two. Sir Gervald's plate armor was polished to such a degree that it shone and was practically a mirror to all who beheld it. Ornate designs swathed the armor, hiding their real intent of further reinforcing the steel plate.
Sibylla's in contrast was dull, almost gray, and could under no circumstances reflect light. The only artistic elements on it were the howling wolves on her gauntlets and the raised wings upon her helmet that protected her temples.
Even their weapons were different. Gervald favored a sizeable steel shield and mace. For the sake of the duel, both left their real weapons in place of practice ones. Gervald's complex, spiked mace was left aside for a simple, smooth one. Sibylla had to make do with a dulled war ax, something she disdained as she really only felt comfortable with Head Reaper. Still, Claudia had insisted on some safety measures.
Sibylla thought that was silly. Considering the nature of the weapons they were using; both of them could crunch bone without ever breaking the skin.
As agreed, the duel would be to whoever yielded or was forced to the ground and was unable to get up. Only Gervald seemed to be keeping to formality at this point and while Bann-Je and Do'Ravier kept ever ready to catapult themselves behind the wall and away from the fight at a moment's notice, Claudia was already placing her hand on the doors. She'd be ready to close it if the whim ever hit her.
"You honor me with this test of skill, my lady. May the better warrior prevail today." Gervald smiled behind his closed helmet as he gave a bow.
"Are you ready, Breton?" Sibylla asked simply.
"Why yes, of course." Gervald replied.
He barely had time to raise his shield to block Sibylla's overhead swing.
Most of the other priests, priestesses and acolytes, while they may have seen Sibylla practice her sparring, had never seen her lash out in anger. Claudia, Do'Ravier and Bann-Je knew that this was nothing. Sibylla was simply playing to win at this duel, if savagely. The others had never seen this before so this was something altogether jarring for them. For many it was even upsetting. The good knight had been nothing but courteous and friendly in his visit.
Sibylla was playing a desperate symphony off of his shield.
"I don't think our brave knight will be lasting for long. He's barely gotten to use his mace." Do'Ravier murmured to Bann-Je.
"We all know Sibylla's style. She's fast, considering that she uses a two handed weapon. However, catch her at the right time and she is left vulnerable. If Gervald does not exploit one of his split second chances, he will find himself hammered into the ground before long. Unless he intends to wear Sibylla down." Bann-Je analyzed, paying close scrutiny to their techniques.
"Have any of us seen Sibylla get worn down before?" Do'Ravier asked skeptically.
"Gervald may be in trouble." Bann-Je agreed.
The good knight did not seem to be in the best of circumstances. Again and again Sibylla's practice ax screamed down to bang off the knight's shield. The spectators could see that it was better than the alternative of taking a full blow from the ax without the shield but it was not much better. The knight slowly but surely being beaten down.
And without warning, Gervald deflected the ax away and swung overhead with his mace.
It hit Sibylla on her shoulder plate.
Everyone let out a cry of surprise. Even Sibylla seemed momentarily stunned. It was for the shortest of breaths, however, because Gervald had to have his shield up again as the Nord relentlessly responded. Still, it could not be denied, Gervald had finally returned a blow. There was also another question, Gervald had hit Sibylla's shoulder, couldn't he have easily gone for her head?
Maybe the knight had a better chance than they gave him credit for.
And the rhythm of battle changed. Now, Sibylla had to change the symphony as Gervald was able to throw in more blows since he had slowed her down. The large Nord woman was forced to bring the haft of her ax up to block incoming blows from Gervald's mace. For a while, the onlookers were wondering if there would be a standstill as it looked like the two combatants had battered themselves into a standstill, neither able to find a break in their defenses.
"Changing your mind on your hypothetical bet, mage?" Bann-Je snickered quietly.
"Wait for it, wait for it. The tall, angry woman will toss a surprise in." Do'Ravier replied.
And suddenly, she did.
Gervald sent his mace forward, catching Sibylla before she could swing her ax at him again. Startled in mid-swing, Sibylla instead put some force into her block. The haft of her ax caught Gervald's mace with jarring force.
Bann-Je and Do'Ravier were sent scrambling away as the mace sailed in their direction.
If Gervald appeared dismayed, none could see his face behind the steel of his helmet. Instead, the knight found himself staring the blunted edge of the large ax that Sibylla menacingly held over him.
"Yield!" Sibylla declared.
Not only did Gervald refuse her, he threw in his own surprise.
Gervald charged in under the ax.
Sibylla pushed the shaft forward trying to block the armored Breton. She succeeded in only momentarily giving him pause because Gervald sent his fist forward, knocking Sibylla's helmet. When she staggered, Gervald was already trying to wrench the ax free from her grasp. Rather than losing it to him, Sibylla forced it aside so that neither could have it.
And before anyone was quite sure what was happening, the two were hurling fists at each other and staggering around as only two heavily armored warriors with a limited field of vision could.
"Well...this is rather unchivalrous." Do'Ravier murmured.
"Yeah, I give up." Bann-Je added as the two beasts poked their heads above the wall.
Over at the doorway, Claudia had a palm on her forehead as she sighed in exasperation.
And for one final twist, both Sibylla and Gervald struck each other at the same exact moment...and both ended up flat on their back.
"Hypothetically speaking, I believe we've both lost." Bann-Je murmured.
"You both all right?" Do'Ravier asked, walking up to them.
Sibylla and Gervald both responded that they were at least fine, more or less.
Assured that the combatants had survived relatively unharmed, if neither side gaining a clear victory, the other onlookers all left. They had wasted enough time with such antics for the day. Claudia could not help but shake her head but she too left, as did Bann-Je and Do'Ravier.
"So if we draw, how do we handle this? I take it we both lose." Sibylla said, eyes still gazing through her visor into the morning skies.
"If you deem it appropriate, I suggest we each are allowed to grant a favor to the other. If you so wish." Gervald offered.
"Very well, knight. You owe me a tankard of mead. Now, what would you ask of me?" Sibylla asked.
"Only your company for an afternoon ride into the countryside." Gervald replied slyly.
"...Very well, sir knight." Sibylla agreed.
Hidden to everyone else, she had a bemused smile behind her helmet.
Do'Ravier hastily jotted notes down on one of the large chalkboards. He was back in his old study room. The library had at least been gracious enough to return the books that the Cathedral had donated to them in his "death." On top of all the priests who needed something looked up, Claudia had ordered a massive research project for him. Claudia wanted to know everything he could find on disease and vampirism. He thought it was an odd request but Claudia specifically emphasized to him that he was not to give just a straightforward answer. She wanted an exhaustive paper on the issue, written so that she could understand.
So much for getting a vacation. Even being dead had turned out to be a chore.
The Khajiit wiped the cloud of chalk out of his paws when he heard the door open. He was surprised to see who it was. Sylva, the Redguard mage from that failed Dwemer ruin expedition, stood in the doorway with a potted plant. As predicted, she was left with three straight lines along the side of her face, scars that would never go away from the accident but she still had her life.
"So, I heard you died...and then you didn't?" Sylva asked, stepping into the room.
"There was a misunderstanding. How do your studies go?" Do'Ravier inquired, trying to change the subject.
"The ruin has been catalogued though more are coming to further research it. My job is done. I'm off to explore more. I can't stay long but I just wanted to leave you this since you saved my life. Originally I thought I was going to have to leave it at your gravesite but I think you'd appreciate it more here." Sylva smiled, offering the plant.
"Indeed. Well, I hope your adventures will be safe as well as exciting." Do'Ravier replied, offering his paw.
"Thank you for everything." Sylva replied, shaking his hand before leaving.
Do'Ravier carried on, he still had one more project to get through before he could tackle Claudia's request. However, he was in a good mood. Maybe he would get another cup of tea for lunch and then maybe two for dinner. It was a happy thought, it made him giggle.
And now, he just realized, he couldn't stop giggling. Not to mention, between fits of snickers, he could see he was no longer writing straight.
Divines above, had he been drugged?
Do'Ravier looked around the room, trying to fight the laughter in his throat while his addled mind tried to deduce the problem. It was really hard not to get distracted by all the pretty colors. It had to be a recent induction, unless of course it was introduced into his body on a delayed mechanism.
And then he realized he should probably take a better look at those plants.
Yep. Catnip.
Do'Ravier really felt bad about tossing the plants, pot and all, out the window but at least it was the thought that counted, right?
Bann-Je was in the sanctuary dusting as was his usual custom. The stream of visitors had died to a trickle and for now the place was mostly deserted. He preferred it this way. He could sweep through everything three times, as his compulsion demanded, and not have a visitor muss it up.
Two of the lay sisters had also taken the infant they found a month ago out to keep him company. The child was developing fast and sadly, they just could not settle on a name for him yet. Well, there was one name he was responding to but no one else was quite sure if they were comfortable with it.
"Hello, Skib." Bann-Je greeted as the sister walked by with the child in her arms.
Skib giggled and waved back at him, as much as his still developing motor skills allowed.
While Bann-Je had plates and shrines to polish, the two Cathedral sisters played and coached the child. Apparently, the bably was dead set on trying to stand. Crawling was coming to him easily enough but he wanted to stand. He'd climb up to the side of a pew or some other raised object and then try to haul himself up. It was always met with mixed success and more often than not, he either ended up back on the floor again or hastily caught by one of the sisters before he hurt himself.
Bann-Je did not know who these two lay sisters were, so they were either new or worked in another wing that he was separate from. The Cathedral was large with many teams. Any staff member could easily work for the institution and never know someone else on a different team. These two were young, probably fresh into the ranks. Both kept their hoods over their hair but Bann-Je could see one had ebony black hair while the other's was a fiery red. Both of them were Bretons. Humans were so odd with their hair, and brows and eyelashes. They didn't even have double eye-lids. And they said he was weird.
Bann-Je was otherwise preoccupied even if he was listening to them. The offering had to be sorted again. He realized a long time ago that it was hopeless for anyone else to understand his system though it boggled his mind why no one could.
Somewhere between polishing a shrine and the tabletop below it, Bann-Je realized Skib had crawled up and was playing with his tail. Tails were an odd thing, one to the beast races they belonged to and two for the other races who had to deal with them. As always it was generally considered in bad form to step on a Khajiit's or Argonian's tail and the beast races did their best to understand that mistakes happen. After all, even then might commit the mistake themselves.
Playing with a Khajiit's or Argonian's tail? Well, that was a bit odd in any social context, given that the tail did eventually connect to their backend. However, among children it was at least endearing, if odd.
Bann-Je curled it around Skib when the baby started to lose his balance and seemed poised to fall back down.
"Perhaps you should take him where there are more cushions so he doesn't hurt himself." Bann-Je suggested to the sisters. They readily agreed.
"Ar'ga, Ar'ga!" Skib laughed as they took him away.
"Keep practicing, you'll eventually figure out all the other letters in there." Bann-Je smiled.
This railing had one spot that absolutely refused to shine. The Argonian put more elbow grease into it.
"Bann-Je."
The assassin turned around to see that Claudia had arrived. Sibylla and Do'Ravier were in tow behind her. Sibylla seemed to have recovered from her duel. The Khajiit seemed to have a goofy look plastered on his face but Bann-Je didn't think anything of it at the moment.
"Yes?" the Argonian asked in curiosity.
"Come. I have your next assignment." Claudia ordered.
Bann-Je rubbed the spot three times and then left to join them.
Claudia led them to a side room off one of the hallways leading into the sanctuary. It was rather small but the privacy it afforded was all they needed. Sometimes, it was best that others did not hear of the plans of the Vigilant of Stendarr.
"The inquisition has approved our mission. They cannot spare any more men to look for Furaldur in Skyrim but they can allow for you three to go after him." Claudia announced simply as soon as they shut the door.
"You're not coming?" Bann-Je asked curiously.
"No. They want me to continue recuperating, the Cathedral's administrative papers are a mess and they seemed to imply they want me closer on hand at the moment. I'd argue but the orders were clear and came down from the top. You'll excuse me if I agree with them on the 'recuperating' part." Claudia admitted.
"Understood." Bann-Je replied.
"Sibylla, Skyrim is your home province and we know that Furaldur mentioned something about Peryite. Are there any shrines or places devoted to Peryite there?" Claudia inquired.
Sibylla only shrugged.
"I heard that there might be a shrine to him somewhere but I don't know. Obviously, his followers are not going to mention it too much. Besides, aren't Daedra more of a Dunmer thing?"
"Yes, but there are shrines are all over the place. Do any of you know anything on where to begin your investigation there? Bann-Je? Do'Ravier?" Claudia pressed.
No one said anything.
Claudia sighed and decided to ask one last question on a hunch.
"What about Azura? Maybe a shrine to Azura?" Claudia asked.
"Sure, there's a shrine to Azura near Winterhold which I'm sure someone could point us to. They're a little more open about her shrine. But what does she have to do with Peryite?" Sibylla inquired.
"Just go there and ask. Azura is a Daedra and her followers seem the most helpful, or at least the most likely not to do any harm. It's as good a place to start as any." Claudia argued, again finding a way not to reveal her visions.
Her three teammates simply nodded in agreement, acknowledging they understood what to do.
"Sibylla, this is your home province and you've already been put in leadership once so I'm putting you in charge again. Any questions?" the Imperial woman asked.
When she was only met with silence, Claudia dismissed them.
They were to leave immediately.
Half an hour later, Sibylla, Bann-Je and Do'Ravier were beyond the walls of Wayrest and heading north again. This time, they would go beyond the city of Northpoint and head into Skyrim. It was going to be cold. Snow blanketed much of the earth and it only promised to become more frigid the further north they went. Bann-Je and Do'Ravier seemed particularly bundled up as the Khajiit clutched his spear as if it were frozen to him while Bann-Je rubbed his hands together.
They had to travel light. Speed and mobility was more important on this mission as they were tracking someone. They were granted additional funds so they could buy supplies as provisions as they went. Should the situation deteriorate, many elite Vigilant teams were trained to live off the land if they ran out of coin to purchase food. Considering there never seemed to be an end of bandits, a little dispensing of justice was never discouraged either.
"Oh come on, this will be fun!" Sibylla laughed as they walked along the roads. She was a little disappointed that she was not able to take Sir Gervald up on his offer yet. He was gracious and said that they would honor their requests when her mission was over. He himself would be heading south, possibly looking for wrongs to right.
Not that she'd admit to looking forward to it.
"Do'Ravier does not like the cold." The Khajiit grumbled in a heavy accent.
"Below freezing is not good for Argonians." Bann-Je added miserably.
"Okay, okay, I get it. You two aren't Nords. Still, could I ask you two one thing?" Sibylla asked.
"What?" Do'Ravier huffed, his breath turning into frost as soon as it left his mouth.
"I get the extra layers but you two have never wrapped up your bottom paws before." Sibylla observed, pointing at their non-humanoid feet.
"You go walking along these cold, frozen, cobblestone roads and then not get frostbite." Do'Ravier grumped.
"We must get to the next town. I want a warm drink." Bann-Je shivered.
"We just left!" Sibylla cried.
"We must hurry then." Bann-Je retorted.
Claudia was on edge. She could not show it because she was bringing Skib back to the nursery. Most of the Cathedral was already sleeping. It was late at night to begin with. She had been busy taking care of the endless pile of paperwork when she heard Skib fussing. It was probably just a nightmare but as she was coaxing him back to sleep, she felt visitors come into the sanctuary.
The heartbeat thing was at least mighty useful in figuring out where people were even if it was still a little creepy.
Visitors late at night was nothing unusual. You just got used to these things if you worked at a Cathedral. It did not matter if it was three in the morning. Someone, somewhere would probably be possessed with the need to go visit a holy place. However, despite it only being a few days, Claudia had gotten accustomed to listening to the heartbeats around here.
There was something wrong with these. There were four of them and they were in the main sanctuary. She had half a mind to go see the visitors herself. Putting Skib back to bed, she decided she would indeed check on these visitors. She didn't have to confront them directly of course. She was a priestess, this was her place. What was another priestess shuffling through the sanctuary?
She still felt the overwhelming need to get her rapier before she went to the sanctuary. She trusted her instinct and got it. She realized that while a priestess walking across the sanctuary was not unusual, a priestess carrying a weapon was out of place.
She'd find a way to make it look casual.
She made her way to her room and fetched the steel rapier. Compared to most weapons it felt like a twig, her hand easily enfolding the wide part of the blade. However, you could not underestimate a rapier. It had its weaknesses, all weapons did. Still, the long slender blade did not have the raw strength of many other weapons. Put it under too much stress or hit it just right and the blade could snap apart. It also was not best used for slashing, it was a thrusting weapon. If you knew how to use it right though, you could bring swift and unexpected death to the unwary.
Claudia stepped into the sanctuary and immediately bumped into the four visitors.
"Oh." Claudia said, caught off guards.
The visitors were all dressed in cloaks. It was cold and dark outside but there was something wrong with what they were wearing. The clothes were black, loose fitting. They were made to conceal, not necessarily to keep warm.
And their...irregular heartbeat. They were beating too fast.
Claudia flung the sheath of her rapier aside, her blade drawn just in time as the four of them pulled out blades of their own. Claudia had no idea why she was being attacked, why there were four of them but she was confident they meant her harm and that this was all pre-meditated. They had come prepared and she had barely a moment's notice to respond. She could not call out for help either. She was the only person in this building who knew how to use a weapon, she would only endanger others if she cried out. She'd only do that if something went drastically wrong.
But nothing was going to go wrong, she was going to make sure of that.
Blades whirled and clanged as they all bounced off each other. Claudia found herself hating the long robes she was in, not fit for fighting and certainly of no good protection either. Between the flurry of the blades and keeping sure to dodge each swipe at her, Claudia realized that they had not expected her to put up a fight either.
She felt her first victim fall through a quick flick of her wrist, the tip of her rapier barely touching his neck but just enough to slice through the major artery. The second fell even quicker as she worked up her battle fury. Her downward stroke caught on his dagger and a simple push drove her weapon into his chest.
Two more.
The two split up, facing her from opposite directions. Claudia hissed, sweat dripping from her brow, preparing for their attack. She could feel her stomach burning, the wound becoming irritated by all this exertion but if she relented even for a moment then she really would die.
She felt the two hearts approach her.
Claudia faced behind her and flung her hand back. The blunt end of her rapier's handle flew into the face of her attacker, bludgeoning him back so that he was no longer a problem, at least for a moment. It was almost too easy when she jabbed it forward, easily impaling the other assailant who rushed her. Pulling the blade out, she reacted on instinct once again and pointed the edge of her blade back to her first attacker, the metal hissing as it went through the air.
Plunging the point into the face of the last enemy was more of a mistake. She wanted to keep him alive. He couldn't give her any answers if he was dead.
"CLAUDIA!" Archon Tacitus shouted.
Claudia jumped. The Archon seemed disheveled though clearly shocked at what he was seeing. She couldn't blame him. Here she was standing with her rapier bloodied, four bodies bleeding out in the sanctuary and a frightened acolyte huddling in the corner while Archon Tacitus stood there trying to process exactly what he was seeing.
"What in the name of the Divines is going on here?" Tacitus demanded.
"...It would appear several people tried to assassinate me." Claudia replied.
At the Thalmor headquarters outside of Wayrest, Alaviera walked at the head of a long line of Justiciars. The tongue lashing she had expected from Delamar never came. Her superior was disappointed of course, but he understood that the Khajiit's death was never that important. He just warned her to really make sure the target was dead next time.
She did not intend to make that mistake twice.
Still, that did not matter. Delamar had told her that new things were at hand. Now that she had returned, Delamar planned to set in motion a plot he had been cooking up. It was simple, nothing too specific and yet very important.
The Thalmor would be closing their fingers around Wayrest in due time.