Chapter 9
Italica, City Palace
Bozes and Piña were preparing themselves for their guests. They had exchanged their armors for more feminine gowns.
"Piña… I'm still really unsure of what you expect us to do," Bozes said.
"These people are an enigma. They are our foes and yet… their actions are that of allies. By all accounts they should hate us but still, they saved our lives. We need to know more about them, to assess their strength but also who they truly are," the Princess explained.
She watched the Nirnian soldiers through the windows. "They look so similar to us…" one of them removed his helmet, revealing a cat Demihuman, "and so different."
"I get your point but why do all of this? Couldn't we just ask the Captain herself? Why change our outfits and invite these two men if it's just to interrogate them?"
Piña turned around and walked toward her friend. "Because first, I really want to thank them. Second, they will open more easily about them and through them we'll get a more honest view of their people and Third…" she grabbed Bozes by the chin to make her look at her, smiling, "Men have their weapons. We have ours."
Hamilton had brought Cyrus to the entrance of the Princess' apartment where Marius was already waiting.
"Sir," the Battlemage saluted.
"Battlemage Cyrus," the Centurion acknowledged back.
Hamilton bowed before the two men. "I shall inform the Princess of your arrival."
She opened the door before quickly disappearing on the other side.
"Between you and me," Marius began once they were alone, "do you know why we're actually here? Is it really just to thank us?"
"I don't believe so. The Captain and I think it is a way to learn about us, who we are. It could also be used to win her support into securing the peace between our two worlds. We might need to deal with those Daedra incursions."
"True, that is the current priority, however you see…" he scratched awkwardly the scar over his left eye, "I'm a Colovian and furthermore a lowborn. I do not know much about politics. I'm counting on you to tell me how to proceed."
"I'm afraid I am far from being one of these silver-tongued Nibeneses you think of," Cyrus corrected him.
"Wait! That's not what I wanted to say! I mean you do have experience with high society right?"
The Heartlander nodded. "You could say that. A lot of Battlemages are from powerful old families, that isn't my case but being one of them… you're considered part of their club. I've picked up on a few things. Besides Black-Scales is keeping an eye on us, through him I will be continually in contact with my fellow Battlemages."
Marius smiled before looking around. "Really? So he's somewhere with us? Why am I not surprised?" He turned back to Cyrus. "You and him seem on a familiar basis, I take this isn't the first time working together?"
"Far from it. Everyone in our squad has known each other since our days at the Arcane University. That's where the Imperial War College recruits pretty much every Battlemage."
"I see. Indeed that's quite a while. And what about you? Where are you from Cyrus?" The Centurion asked.
"Some small village from the Heartlands, Argos. Captain Caranya too actually. Not much to say about it. We grew up under the care of the local priest with the other orphans."
"Oh… I'm sorry to have brought it up…"
He was stopped by Cyrus. "Don't be. We had a better childhood than some children with their parents still alive did. What about you sir?"
"Not much to tell either. Grew up in the Jerall Mountains, followed in my father's footsteps and joined the Legion. I ended up graduating as a Centurion of an elite century. In short, more or less the usual Colovian career. Well minus the "elite" part."
Their conversation cut short as Hamilton came back. "The Princess and lady Bozes are ready for you. Please follow me."
"What about our weapons? Is there no objection about us keeping them?" Marius asked, surprised she didn't mention them.
The girl briefly paused before answering. "We hadn't really thought about them. As soldiers you are expected to carry them so you can keep them. Had you any intention of killing us, we both know it would have been already done."
"Point taken. We will follow you."
They were led to a room with windows giving on the city. A table had been set. Piña and Bozes rose from their seats as they entered.
"Centurion Marius Aurelius and Battlemage Cyrus," Hamilton announced.
The two men took off their helmets and kneeled to salute them.
"Please Sirs, there's no need for you to kneel before us, raise," the Princess said, a smile on her lips.
"As you wish your Highness," they answered, then tilting their heads towards the other woman "Lady Bozes."
The two men immediately noted the Saderan ladies' new choice of attire.
"Black-Scales, are you here?" Cyrus telepathically asked.
"Affirmative. I'm seeing everything and I'll transmit it directly to Caranya. I've got your back. Good luck to the both of you."
"Thank you."
Hamilton gestured towards where they could leave their weapons and helmets. She then bowed to the Princess before exiting the room.
They sat on couches around the table.
"Before we start, I'd like to ask… what are the proper honorifics to address you? We wouldn't want to offend our guests," Piña stated.
"Nonsense. There is no such thing as offending us for such trifles," Marius exclaimed with a smile.
"In the chain of command our "titles" would be our ranks, Battlemage and Centurion. However since you're not part of it you can use my first name," a more neutral Cyrus explained. He turned towards the Centurion. "What about you, sir?"
Marius waved his hand. "Of course. Like I said, not a problem."
"As you wish Sirs."
The Princess recorded mentally the difference in ranks. Centurion is higher ranked than Battlemage then, but Captain Caranya seemed to outrank everyone…
"What would you wish to drink as refreshments? We have tea, wine, something stronger perhaps?" Bozes proposed the soldiers.
They looked briefly at each other, Cyrus nodding at Marius without any hint of what it meant.
"We'll have tea, thanks. No alcohol, we're still on duty," the Battlemage answered.
Bozes clapped hands. A maid rabbit woman entered and bowed.
"Delilah, bring us some tea and cakes please," the blonde girl asked.
The maid disappeared without a word, coming back with a large plate.
"Captain Caranya to Black-Scales, what's going on so far?"
The young Altmer and Jing were standing not far from Aviera who was issuing orders in the Centurion's absence.
"Not much. They just started drinking and eating. The Princess asked for honorifics to use."
"Link me in, I want to see everything," the officer ordered.
Her subordinate complying, Caranya saw through his eyes. She observed the scene's protagonists and studied their behavior and body language, lingering on the Princess. She let out a curse.
That caught Jing and Aviera's attention.
"Something's wrong?" the young Tharn asked.
"I'll tell you later." She then addressed Black-Scales, "Tell me, Marius, how is he with women?"
"How is he with… normal I guess? I mean his second in command is a woman."
"That's not what I meant," she corrected, "how receptive is he?"
"... I'm sorry Captain but I sincerely don't understand. Nor do I know."
"The Princess and her friend may intend to play their charm on Marius and Cyrus to gain their trust. I'm not worried about Cyrus but I don't really know enough Centurion Marius to guess if he can fall for it," the Altmer explained.
"How were you able to guess?"
She smiled. "Feminine intuition"
"... Nevermind. I'll relay this to Cyrus, just in case." The Argonian switched back to his comrade. "Cyrus! Black-Scales here. The Captain wants me to warn you that the Princess and Lady Bozes may attempt to… charm Marius and yourself. Be careful."
"I suspected as much," the Nibenese said, glancing at the girls as they drank their tea.
"How so?"
"It's a common strategy in that kind of event, a "game". Their choice of clothing seems to confirm it. And my instincts were telling me the same."
Your instincts… the Argonian mentally grumbled, at least he had actual reasons.
A comfortable silence had installed itself between the Saderan highborn and the Nirnian natives.
As Piña sipped her tea, she gazed upon the two men. They were as different as day and night.
Marius was taller and paler compared to his compatriot. His blue eyes combined with the scar on the left one gave him a certain handsome look, she could not deny it. And, if she was right about it, neither could Bozes.
She smirked. Something to tease her about later.
Cyrus was… well strange wasn't exactly the right word, more like... mysterious? Compared to his more spontaneous superior, he was more neutral and reserved. She didn't know if it was just him acting professional or his personality. Physically he wasn't anything special barring his dragon warpaint. She had to admit he was quite good looking. Though one wouldn't suspect the power he possessed or the influence he somehow carried over Rory Mercury. That raised a lot of questions.
His eyes suddenly meet hers, catching her by surprise.
As he watched her, Piña felt intimidated, like prey circled by its predator, as if he was prowling her thoughts. Maybe it was the goal.
Did I just see fangs?
His gaze was as neutral as ever, impossible to read. She answered it with a confident smile, passing her hand behind her neck to clear her braid in a calculated move.
He finally broke eye contact as he resumed drinking his tea. She let out the breath she had been holding.
"We cannot thank you enough for what you did," the Princess began, "in spite of being enemies… you protected Italica and its people against a fate probably worse than death. I wish I could repay you."
"It was natural," Marius handwaved.
"Natural?" an incredulous Bozes said. "We declared war on you. Shouldn't you make common cause with our enemy?"
He flashed her a grin. "That is not our way."
"Really? Then so what is it?" she questioned by returning his smile.
Piña cleared her throat.
"What Lady Bozes meant to say was… there is a certain similarity between our people. Your armors and some of your ranks are proof of that."
Cyrus nodded. "Yes, that is were wondering about that as well."
The Redhead blinked.
She shook her head and continued. "We do look alike in some way. But your actions are… very un-Saderan. For example, is it so common in Nirn for women to fight?"
"Is it not here? Your Highness, Lady Bozes and you seem to be pretty capable warriors," Marius answered.
"Thank you for the compliment Centurion, though I fear we're nowhere as skilled as you think. The Rose Order of Knights is the only place where highborn women can carry weapons. I created it with my father's blessing."
"Tamriel has a long story of female warriors. They're rarer than their male counterparts but not because they are not allowed to take arms or are weaker, rather a lot don't manage to balance motherhood and martial duties," Cyrus explained. "Genders are equal before the law."
"Tamriel? I thought your world was called Nirn."
"It is. Tamriel is our home continent," the Battlemage clarified.
"You say genders are equal before the law. Does that mean highborn daughters can inherit their family titles like sons?" Bozes asked, visibly interested.
"Yes. The first ruler of our people was an Empress."
Both Saderan women's eyes widened before looking at each other.
"That's …unexpected. Women aren't allowed to carry much power in our Empire. If they inherit titles it is passed to their husbands," the Princess said.
A world where women can actually have power… Interesting. Maybe that's why they respect me so much, in their eyes I am a legitimate heir to the Imperial Throne. If only it was true…
"Some of your soldiers were female, others were Demihumans and that includes Captain Caranya. Should we conclude they are considered equal, too?" Bozes asked.
Marius seemed puzzled at her question. "Demihumans? What do you mean by it? Half-mannish? The Captain is 100% Altmer as far as I know."
Cyrus intervened to clear the misunderstanding. "Demihuman is the term they use here to call Beastfolk and Mer… Elves I mean, Sir." He turned back to the Saderan girls. "We don't really use the same classification on Tamriel. There's us, the Men or Mannish Races, the Merfolk or Elves and then the Beastfolk. Beastfolk classification is muddy at best, it's literally used for every other sapient species. Out of them, only Argonians, like Black-Scales, and Khajiits, Catfolk, are actually fully part of Tamrielian society. All of us are equal before the law within the Empire."
"Why the question?" Marius asked. Then remembering some part of his briefing, "What is exactly their status per Saderan law?"
There had been a hint of disapproval in his tone. Both Piña and Cyrus had noted it.
"Their status varies depending on the place. In Italica they are treated kindly. In others however… It may also depend on the Demihuman species. Some are irremediably violent and unable to fit into society," the Princess tried to explain diplomatically.
"Yes. That is true in Tamriel too. A lot of other Beastfolk rarely show anything other than outright hostility even outside their territory. I can easily see this is the case here too," Cyrus acknowledged, "like Sloads."
The Centurion looked disgusted for a moment. "If it's anything like those slug bastards I can understand."
It hadn't escaped Piña that Cyrus had intentionally defused the situation. She silently thanked him. "I feel we keep comparing both our countries but at the end of the day we hardly know you. And we invited you in the first place to know what kind of men are our saviors."
"What kind of men are we? I fear there isn't much to tell," Marius answered.
"Please Marius," Bozes began in a pleading tone, "I am sure a courageous soldier like you has plenty of tales to share."
"My thank you Lady Bozes. Though I would argue taking a last stand like you did was incredibly brave too." His blue eyes lingered into hers.
On the other side of the city, Caranya groaned mentally.
Piña blinked several times. Were they flirting or playing that game?
Cyrus broke her train of thought. "We are both from the Imperial Province, Cyrodiil, your Highness. Cyrods or Cyrodiils is the name of its inhabitants." He continued as the attention was centered unto him. "I studied magic during my teenage years before enlisting within the Legion into the Battlemage Corps. I was decorated from the last war the Empire fought and won. I'm afraid there isn't much more to tell, your Grace."
"Really? Yet there's something that has been puzzling me since I met you, Cyrus. This Dragon head on your face… What is the significance of it? If I may ask of course."
"It's a Dragon Warpaint. I've donned it to honor one of our Gods, Akatosh, the Dragon-God of time," he pointed at the diamond shaped dragon on his armor, "Chief-Divine of Cyrodiil and the Empire. It is a traditional custom for my people to paint their bodies into various ways. Strange, I know."
The Princess smiled. "Strange indeed. I've heard of Demihumans and barbarian tribes doing body painting but I never knew why. I find your reasons fascinating." She turned towards Marius. "And what about you Marius?"
"I don't do body painting. Not that kind at least. It's not a custom from where I come. But I am from Western Cyrodiil. Cyrus is from the Eastern part. We… don't share the same customs."
Now that caught her interest. "How so?"
"It's complicated. It's tied to our history. Western Cyrods, the Colovians, are a martial and direct people. Us from the Eastern part, the Nibeneses, we're more into trade, magecraft and are more... esoteric," the Battlemage explained. "Our… aristocracy also differs. Colovians are military commanders, Nibeneses are divided between great landowners, merchant-prince families and at the top the Battlemage magocracy."
That explains the difference in attitude between the two I guess. Wait… did he say Battlemage magocracy? As in mage aristocracy?
"You're a Battlemage yourself, does that mean you're part of that "magocracy"?"
Cyrus paused. Was he? I'm not part of the old families but does it really matter at this point? It's more semantics.
He nodded. "Correct. Though I'm young and not that involved in politics so far."
"Must I conclude you are yourself a Colovian highborn Marius?"
"Me?" the concerned awkwardly asked. "I'm afraid not your Highness. I am just some commoner who rose up high enough to command an elite century."
Piña frowned. So even though Cyrus is highborn he follows the orders of a lowborn? Wait a second… if Battlemages are all nobility does that mean Demihumans like the Captain are too? Speaking of Battlemages…
"There is something I still do not understand. How is it possible for your Empire to have so many mages working for it? Magic is pretty rare in Falmart and rarer are sorcerers powerful enough to make a difference. You spoke of a magocracy… is magic tied to noble blood in Tamriel?"
Cyrus shook his head. "No, not really. It's more a matter of aptitude and being willing to study it. And having good teachers of course."
"Really?" Piña said, having a hard time believing it, "how common are mages in Tamriel?"
"Depending on the region… I'd say every settlement has at least one spellcaster though not necessarily very impressive."
The two Saderans' eyes widened.
At least one per settlement? Only Elves can boast similar claims. And they have enough powerful mages to employ in their army… Aaaand my headache is coming back
Their reaction hadn't escaped the Cyrod duo.
"Is magic really that rare in Falmart? Master Cato and his apprentice were holding their own just fine during the battle," Cyrus pointed out.
"Master Cato… he is one of a kind. He's one of the most powerful mages from the Rondel Academy of Magic. I'm not sure how magic works exactly and why. You'll have to ask the Sage himself." The Princess' eyes suddenly glinted. "I'm almost ashamed to ask you this, Cyrus, but could you… show us some of your magic? Just some tricks." Her cheeks blushed out of embarrassment. "It's to compare with what I saw at Rondel."
"As you wish."
The young man opened his fist. A small flame formed in it, capturing the Room's attention. Then he merely started to juggle with it, a common trick mages were known to do when bored.
The two young women applauded him.
"Fantastic!" Bozes cheered.
"It just comes so easy to you… as if you were just breathing. I admit I have seen more impressive raw power but never something where the mage acted so… relaxed I guess? Could you please show us another? I know we're asking a lot but it's not every day we meet a skilled sorcerer," the Princess pleaded.
The Heartlander nodded before getting up and stepping back from the table.
"I'm warning you it might look more dangerous than it is." Then in a sudden flash of light, he sets himself aflame.
Piña and Bozes immediately reacted by holding each other out of fear, almost yelling.
Marius looked unperturbed. "Show off."
Realizing they had nothing to be afraid of, as nothing had caught fire yet, they separated themselves. The Princess had the cheeks red with embarrassment yet again.
Way to show a moment of weakness Piña
She rose from her couch before walking the distance separating her from the burning man. Confidently, she extended her hand to touch his armored torso. She did feel some warmth and… something but nothing like fire.
"Incredible…"
"If you had been an enemy, you would have burned to a crisp," he told her neutrally as ever.
"Really?" She smirked. "Does that mean you do not consider me one?"
"You haven't given me reasons to."
She froze, not knowing what to say.
Eventually his aura dissipated and they retook their seats.
"So… I take it you're specialized in fire and healing magic?"
"Actually while it is correct, my area of expertise is mainly about the Dark Arts, how to counter and use them. And that's all I can say about them," Cyrus explained.
Marius ticked a bit at the mention of "Dark Arts", Piña didn't miss it.
I take whatever those "Dark Arts" are it's not pleasant to discuss about it
"Were you the one to heal me then?" Bozes asked.
He shook his head.
"It was me actually," Marius indicated to the Saderans' surprise.
"You are a mage too, Marius?"
"Not really, I only know a bit of healing magic and your wound wasn't that dire so I was able to heal you. But I'm no mage," he clarified.
The Princess frowned. "I do not understand, you used magic right? How can you be able to use magic and not be considered a mage?"
"As I explained previously, to learn magic is a matter of aptitude in Tamriel. Anyone can learn a few spells and are encouraged to do so within the Legion. But to truly master it, it requires long studies. Think of it as Mathematics if you will," Cyrus said.
Okay… so spellcasters are actually just people that know how to cast spells. So they have less mages than I thought. On the other hand, where do they actually draw the line between "simple spellcasters" and "mages"? The Princess' headache intensified at these thoughts.
Cyrus whispered something to Marius. The Centurion's face contorted with anger before nodding to the Battlemage.
"Your Highness there was something we needed to inform you about, it's rather delicate," the Nibenese told her.
"If it's a favor you want you can safely ask. You have done more than enough to deserve one at this point. Provided it's of course reasonable."
"I'm afraid this is not about that. You see, I spent a huge time after the battle treating the wounded. Among these wounded, several women of various ages coming from the area near the Walls showed older specific wounds. I came to a conclusion for the origins of these wounds." He paused a bit. "They were sexually assaulted."
None of the Saderan highborns reacted immediately. Rather they paled. Bozes covered her mouth with her hand, shocked. Piña contained herself. She knew the price to pay for being a woman in times of war.
"The culprit, whether they are a single or several, is probably still out thererunning. But I doubt they will escape our men. Since it's technically one of your subjects, we wanted to let you be the judge of their crimes. Although this is technically Countess Myui's city, she's a bit young and we preferred protecting her given the gravity of the acts."
The Princess finally found the strength to talk. "Of course, we understand. Thank you for bringing up this." Then, remembering the other events, "About those "daedra", did you find anything?"
"I'm afraid not, yet. We do have leads to explore. If anything comes out we'll inform you right away."
"My men are already in the process of fixing the damages the Walls sustained. If they come back, we'll be ready," Marius added.
"Our fate is in your hands," Piña said.
Even if I hate to admit it.
"We'll need to resume our duties soon, if there is nothing else and with your permission we'll take leave of your company," the Centurion informed.
"Before you go, I wanted to ask you one last thing. Why did you help evacuate the villagers of Coda? If your mission was to go to Italica, why delay it for them, especially for free?"
"We figured we could help them and gain some recognition in exchange. Besides they needed all the money they could get if they wanted to survive in the city. And leaving them behind would have meant their deaths. It was the correct and logical choice," Cyrus stated.
Depends for who, the Princess mused as she nodded faintly.
The two Nirnians rose from their seats and bowed to the Saderan ladies. "Your Highness, Lady Bozes, it was a pleasure."
"Likewise Sirs, we wish you good luck and will pray the Gods will chase these creatures from their Garden. Maybe we could have all another tea session? There is much we'd like to discuss about."
"We had a great time," Bozes added.
Piña clapped her hands. Delilah entered once more. "Delilah please escort back our guests."
"Of course, Princess. Please Sirs, follow me."
As the Nirnians walked behind the rabbit-woman, Marius spoke. "So specialist in the "Dark Arts" heh?"
"Yes. I hope there is no problem with it," Cyrus answered.
"Me? Not really. Well, a bit. But I'd be more concerned about Optio Aviera. She… well… She doesn't really like Necromancers. You might want to talk with her about it before it causes friction. Before joining in the Legion she was a Templar or a Crusader, I'm not sure which one. You know the type."
The Nibenese nodded. "Noted, will do, Sir."
As they exited the palace, someone called out to them. "Centurion Marius, Cyrus! Over here!"
They turned around to see Black-Scales.
"Well done, both of you. The Captain was very glad how it went. Seems like the Princess warmed up considerably to us."
"Thanks but I wouldn't have managed without Cyrus. I shudder to think if I had to do all the talking alone," Marius said as he scratched his scar.
"Just doing my duty, Sir," the Battlemage responded.
"Anyway, the Captain, Optio and Jing are near the Walls overseeing the rebuilding. We should meet them," the Argonian informed them.
"Before that, there's something I need to do. It won't take long but it might be crucial for the current situation. Do you know where Rory is?" Cyrus asked him.
"Go check the villagers' enclave. I think Tuka went there much earlier."
"Very well, I'll join you later." The Heartlander departed towards the direction indicated.
"Hey Black-Scales, I wanted to ask, your buddy, is he always so uptight or is it the mission?" Marius asked.
"...long story. I don't even know all of it. But no, he wasn't always like that."
"I see." The Colovian leaned forward to whisper, "and… between you and me, is he a vampire?"
Black-Scales frowned. "Heh? What are you talking about?"
Marius pointed his teeth.
"Ooh, that. Now I understand. I assure you, he isn't. He got his "fangs" sharpened in Valenwood. A local custom apparently. Don't ask me why, I don't know the details."
"Ah yes, now I well recognize some of that fancy Nibenese attitude," Marius said as he shook his head.
"Did you think the Shadow Legion had vampires as members?"
"Maybe?" As the Argonian stared at him he added, "there's all sorts of rumors on the Shadow Legion higher ups, maybe some could be true."
Black-Scales shrugged. "Fair enough."
"So what do you think of them?"
Piña had taken a glass of wine from a nearby bottle. Bozes was watching the city from the windows while Hamilton was standing near the door.
The blonde girl answered while still looking outside. "Well they aren't completely alien to us even if a lot of what we learned seems… strange to say the least."
"Huhu…" the Princess mused while checking the inside of her glass. She took a sip from it. "And what about them personally?"
Her friend turned around. "What do you mean?"
"Well not physically obviously," she smirked, "though I admit they were quite attractive, particularly those blue eyes."
Hamilton looked surprised at the blonde.
Bozes blushed. "Very funny. So what?"
"Well I won't judge you. We have the right to appreciate good things in life before we're married." She took another sip. "Anyway, about my question?"
"Pfff… well they are…" she searched the words, "decent men."
Piña put her glass down. "No, they are good men. They can help people, they just do it."
She suddenly bursted into maniacal laughter. "I feel safer with these enemies than with my own brother!" She tried to regain her breath. "They went as far as warning us about some rapist rather than the Countess because they didn't want to harm her mentally! What kind of people would do that these days? Let alone care about some lowborn girls from poor neighborhoods?"
"Good people," Bozes answered.
The Princess nodded. "We're not going to warn Sadera about them. Besides I'm sure with their magic they would know it. We'll collaborate with them to the best of our abilities."
"Princess!" Hamilton exclaimed as she put her hand on her mouth, shocked. "But why?"
"Calm down Hamilton. Have some faith. I have a plan." She looked at her glass. "They want peace. And so do I. But I can't give it to them now. Only the ruler of the Empire can. Currently Zorzal is still away on the borders. That should facilitate things. These people have things we could want. Without that idiot, I...we could negotiate a treaty that satisfies both parties."
Bozes smiled. "And by both parties you mean them and you."
Piña nodded with a smile.
"I don't understand," Hamilton said.
"It's simple," the Princess began as she filled two glass with wine and handed them to her fellow Knights, "these people could influence things that could benefit us."
"Yes, soldiers who aren't actually thugs, magic…" the blonde continued.
"You forgot the most important : agency of women."
Bozes' eyes widened. She smirked. "Piña, you absolute bitch…"
"Empress Piña Co Lada, Senators Bozes Co Palesti and Hamilton Uno Ror, sounds good?"
The other girls extended their filled glass. "It does."
"A toast then."
Cyrus finally found the one he was looking for. Rory was apparently busying herself over some manual task he couldn't quite tell from where he was. A little girl stood nearby, her eyes red, as if she had cried.
Not far from them was Tuka. She was apparently playing with a group of children.
"Cyrus," the Apostle said without looking in his direction, "I sensed your arrival. Was there something you wanted? I'm a bit busy at the moment."
"I can see that. Maybe I can help."
"I somehow doubt it." She stopped what she was doing, showing him the object she was holding. It looked unmistakably as a girl's doll albeit damaged. The Battlemage understood the situation immediately. "Unless you know how to fix dolls I fear you can't help me this time."
"Hand it over," he simply said.
She did so.
He began to study the toy's exact condition.
Rory smirked. "You're gonna use your magic to fix it?"
He stayed silent and reached for something inside his armor. To her utter surprise, he pulled a needle and began to sew. After a few minutes of work, he cast a spell over the doll before handing it back to the girl who was now beaming.
"Here. Good as new. I hid the threads with an alteration spell. Do be careful next time."
"Thank you Mister! You're my hero!" the girl exclaimed before joining back the other children.
As he turned back, Rory looked at him with a puzzled expression.
"So you're a mage from another world who doesn't hesitate to pick a fight with immortal beings, save people who by all accounts should be your enemies and… you know how to sew dolls?"
"I grew up with a lot of girls who had dolls like this one. Sometimes, things like that happened. I learned how to sew for them. I didn't like seeing them sad." Then he added, "I was a kid too you know."
"I guess, well… anyway if you're here I guess you wanted to ask me something?" she said.
"Yes. It's something that I keep noticing. The locals have an expression about the Gods of here and their Garden. Can you explain?"
"Oh that. Of course. See it's simple. The Gods here are the "gardeners" of this world. They cut its branches which have grown too big. In theory at least," she explained.
"Meaning?"
"Forbidden knowledge is suppressed. They also deal with the Gate when it opens," she added.
"But not this time apparently."
She spat. "It's all Hardy's doing. I don't know what happened but from what Emroy told me it wasn't supposed to open to your world. She totally lost control over it, as if something had stolen it from her."
"Something… Or someone"
"The Daedra?" she asked.
"It should be impossible for even the Princes," he answered.
"One of your Gods then?"
He remained quiet. "They could but… I don't see why they would. It just isn't like anything they've ever done before."
Rory shrugged. "Then your guess is as good as mine."
"You seem to have a particular animosity towards that Goddess, Hardy. Why is that?"
She grabbed her halberd, tightening her grip as she reddened with anger. "Let's say it's a long story. She is rather infamous, it's not the first fuck-up she ever did. Just the more severe."
"And now she's upset the balance of this world."
She nodded with a serious face. "I'm afraid so. Now, if you don't need me anymore, I'll go back helping Tuka with the kids. I'll see you later I hope."
"Of course."
As he walked back to his comrades, Cyrus couldn't help but muse about what he learned.
This world was a Garden, following the laws of the native deities, until now. And now, the balance has been broken. But by whom?
Words suddenly resonated inside his head.
The laws of the Arena shall prevail over those of the Garden