Author's note. It's nearly been three months since I last posted a chapter. The one thing I've found that affects writing productivity is routine. After posting chapter 61, I changed positions at work which interrupted my routine. So much for a chapter a week. Still, I haven't stopped writing and I'm settling into new routines. I can no longer promise a chapter a week, but I'm still dedicated to this project. I hope my subscribers are still with me and haven't lost interest in the story. There is plenty more intrigue to be had.

-Arbiterssword

Gathal Llethri. Orvas Dren's Retainer.

I straightened my tunic as I made my way to Orvas Dren's office and adjusted the harness that held the enormous daedric claymore on my back, a gift from Master Dren. The priceless item was proof that I was a close, trusted servant. At least, that's what I told myself to calm my nerves. It was uncommon to have a one on one meeting with the Camona Tongs kingpin.

Once in the Lord's manor, I slowed my pace to a walk, not wanting to appear hurried or out of breath. Slaves shuffled aside and bowed subserviently in the halls. I climbed one set of stairs to a solid wooden door, stopping in front of it to smooth my hair before knocking. A deep voice called, "Enter."

I pushed the door aside and stood in a spacious room, hung with a number of paintings and other expensive pieces of ornamentation. There were shelves made of rare and exotic timber filled with books, scrolls, and more decorations. The center of the room was taken up by a desk, the top of which was polished marble. Sitting behind it in a high backed chair, the large statured Dunmer, Orvas Dren sat, looking as if he were at his wits end. I had to fight the urge to squirm under his gaze.

"You called for me Muthsera?"

"So I did." Orvas was curt and after speaking, fell silent to look me in the eyes for an uncomfortable amount of time.

I shifted my gaze downward. "What may I do for you Muthsera?"

Orvas replied, his words not seeming to match his disgruntled expression. "No no, the question is what can I do for you Gathal? You are one of my most loyal and trusted servants after all."

I wondered if I dared take this as a compliment. In my experience, Orvas Dren did not easily offer praise. "I thank you for your concern Muthsera, but I am happy. I want for nothing."

"Nothing? Nothing at all? Surely there must be some unfulfilled desire in your heart. We are all flesh and blood, are we not? I never knew a man who wanted for nothing?"

My stomach tightened uncomfortably, still standing as I hadn't been invited to sit. "I am content Master."

Orvas slowly stood and walked around me, turning to stare me face to face, uncomfortably close. I dared not move. "What do you think of my daughter?"

Sweat sprung to my brow. I knew I'd been caught. Granted, all I'd ever done was look at Safia in passing, but this was Orvas Dren's daughter. You'd be safer casting glances at the Goddess Almalexia. I knew I had to do damage control. "Muthsera, I really don't feel it's my place to," I was cut off.

"Answer the question." It was now an order.

I snaked my tongue between my dry lips. "She, um... She's a true beauty Muthsera."

"Oh come now. I've had you standing guard over her since she returned from the temple. You cannot tell me the only thought you've had was of her beauty."

I hesitated. "I mostly concentrate on our surroundings Muthsera. In order to protect her properly, I have to be aware of any potential threats."

"Enough of this guar dung." His voice was not raised, but I flinched anyway. Orvas stepped back and rested his weight on the surface of the desk. "You aren't a blind fool. That's why I keep you so close, you and your brother. You can be of service to me in a highly distressing problem and in fact I need you badly. Spill your guts Gathal Llethri. I want the truth."

My tongue tied itself in a knot. The order was so counterintuitive to all the unspoken rules Dren's servants lived by that I felt physical pain in my chest from the tension. In order to actually tell the undoctored truth, I had to close my eyes as if I could pretend Orvas wasn't there. "I think she's amazing Muthsera. She's not like so many of the Great Houses youth. She's smart and I know she sees more than she lets on. I feel she will make a competent heir, which is surely no small task given the scope of your political and business ventures. I admire her devotion to the temple, although, selfishly, I wish she weren't so devoted. I feel it'd be a shame for a fine woman like her to join the cloth and live a celibate life."

Orvas was silent for an eternity and a half, allowing my mind ample time to wander over the consequences of what I'd just said. When Orvas finally broke the silence, it was with a sigh of acquiescence. The tiny gesture had an effect on me that was far too profound for how insignificant it was. I felt as though a rucksack packed with stones had slipped off my shoulders and I was at risk of drifting into the ceiling as I realized he was not angry with me.

Orvas' tone was resigned as if he'd just been soundly defeated in what could have been a profitable business negotiation. "I too believe she is a fit heir to all I own except for one thing. One... tiny... detail. She hates me. She seeks out any tool she can use to defy me. Her devotion to the temple makes her too soft to hold my businesses together. I fear that were she to inherit it, she would destroy it all or worse, give it as alms just to spite me. She is more than capable, she's my mirror image, but as she stands she is a threat to me and my Empire and by extension, her own welfare. I've tried to invite suitable men to court her in hopes that the responsibilities of marriage and children could rein her in, but she refuses to have anything to do with anything I've touched. It's as if I leave a repugnant stench that she can't stand. Ever since I ordered her home from the temple, she seems to have become entirely withdrawn. She complies with my expectations to the most minimal level, but I know she only does so under duress."

Orvas massaged the bridge of his nose. "I cannot hope to find a noble suitor she won't reject, so I have a new plan. I need someone she knows I'd never approve of, but who is still loyal to me." Orvas paused and raised his gaze, boring through me like a drill through butter.

I trembled from the powerful sensation of butterflies in my stomach. "Muthsera, I don't know what to say. I'm not of noble birth."

"Precisely. I can no longer hope that Safia will be able to take my place in House Hlaalu. She will find love and she will pursue it whether he is of noble birth or not. I've made my peace with this. The best I can hope for now is to find her someone who can rein her in and keep her out of trouble."

"Why me Master?"

"Oh, why not you," Orvas huffed, his voice laced with equal measures of this new, uncharacteristic resignation and his trademark brand of confidence that comes with being a master manipulator. "You're a young strong warrior and everyone knows I'd never approve of a relationship between my daughter and a commonborn Ashlander, even one in my employ. If you make advances on her, she'll see you as a dashing rebel. Eventually, people will find out about your relationship and word will leak to me. I'll confront you two about it, but you'll stand up to me in front of her, unintimidated. Naturally, I'll grudgingly be won over by your bravery and devotion to her. I'll make it clear that I don't approve and I'll never give you my blessing. Usually, I'd have such a nuisance removed, but Safia already knows I depend on you, so she'll assume that's the reason why I never have you removed. We'll let her think that she's found an ally in her crusade against me which will drive her into your arms completely. You will run off to get married in secret and give her an outlet for all this youthful passion of hers. She and I won't be on speaking terms for a while, but," he caught my eye with a knowing look, "motherhood changes a woman."

I listened with the intensity of a defendant waiting for a judge to pronounce a verdict. I don't know how it got there, but I felt like I had a stone lodged in my throat.

Orvas finished laying out his plot with no more emotion than if he were explaining one of his business strategies. "Gods willing, we might be one big happy family in time for next year's harvest celebration."

I was stunned. I couldn't believe this was really happening. Surely this was an elaborate trap to test my loyalty… somehow.

"Well, don't just stand there. What do you say?" Orvas' smile went flat as my face went red, then purple. My head was too light on my shoulders and my sense of balance abandoned me. I'm told that I passed out, tipping backwards like a board and thudding numbly to the floor. Orvas relaxed, sitting on the edge of his desk and filled two crystal glasses with a fine alcohol. "I know how you feel," the lord mused to his unconscious servant. "I can't believe this is happening either. Here's to your health and happiness boy." Orvas raised his glass and threw back the drink, savoring the burn. Then with another glance at my body on the floor, he shrugged and threw back the second glass too.

Later that evening, I tracked down the Lord's daughter. I found her on the dock that ran alongside the river in a deep ravine next to the Villa. As I descended the stone steps carved into the ravine, I looked at her like I never had before. Not in a passing glance, afraid that someone might see and get suspicious. No, this time I rested my full gaze on her, taking in all the details, unafraid of retribution. She wore an uncharacteristic practical outfit for a noble, but looked amazing just the same. A corset hugged her top close to her body and she wore trousers as well. I watched for a moment from a distance as she sat reading from a tome of magic with her feet dangling in the water.

Someone stepped out from an evening shadow along the side of the ravine, rasping metal signalling a sword being part way drawn. "Oh Gathal. You should have announced yourself," chided Llaro, my twin brother, as he let his daedric katana fall back into the sheath on his back.

"Sorry. I'm a bit distracted."

Llaro glanced at Safia, who was facing away from us, out of hearing range. "Careful brother. I don't want to see you hurt. There are plenty of girls. No reason to dance close to the fire."

I clapped my brother on the shoulder, appreciative of the concern. "It's different now. You have to keep this a secret, but Master Dren asked me to court her. He's worried she'll fall for someone beyond his influence."

Llaro gritted his teeth and shot a pained glance between me and Safia. "I don't like this brother. Orvas has always been fair with us, but you know what he's capable of."

"It doesn't matter," I shrugged. "It was an order, not a suggestion and I really do like her."

Llaro shook his head, trying to process the situation. "Alright then. I'll leave you to it."

Safia noticed Llaro and I switch places, but paid it little heed. She'd rarely been required to have a bodyguard until her father had made her return home from her service at the Balmora temple. Now, she was never allowed to be alone. Even when she was in her own chambers, a handmaid remained in the room, whom she was sure reported directly to her father. She was eager to return to Balmora, but was hesitant to request permission to leave.

The girl chose to make use of her time by practicing magic. She'd been able to find a couple books with information on illusion, which I saw her studying quite often.

She was distracted when I approached, sitting on the stone staircase leading down to the dock where she sat. I usually kept a polite enough distance that she could pretend I wasn't there, as did Llaro. She seemed to become self conscious and crossed her legs as she lightly dangled them over the docks edge. She briefly glanced up from her book to catch me scanning the opposite banks of the river. I wore a simple, rough linen shirt and pants and standard leather boots. As far as armor, I wore only leather bracers on my forearms.

She tried to ignore me and continued reading. The servants and hirelings knew their places around here and they rarely dared so much as casual conversation with Safia or her family, so she was used to the silence. I knew this and he struggled for the best way to break the silence.

'You don't have to win her heart today,' I told myself. 'Just get her to notice you.' I killed time by concentrating on watching the surroundings, pretending there was an assassin behind every piece of cover. The sun soon stood low over the horizon and cast the sky in streaks of peach rays. "Beautiful sunset," I mused, then quickly followed up with, "But not as beautiful as you."

Safia looked up at me with disbelief in her face, but said nothing. I met her gaze briefly and quickly turned my attention back to the horizon, taking her look for rejection. I sat silently berating myself for my stupid line. Safia turned back to her book. When I dared to look at her again, her lip was curved in a small grin. My heart soared. Orvas had been right.