Dance of the ja-Kha'jay.
By Lakyan.
Chapter 3 – Regency
Ocato paced around in the foyer of the Imperial suite. Ri'rassi had been locked inside the room with Rythe Lythandas for hours. He didn't know what was going on in there, but involved a paintbrush. Ocato had long admired the works of Lythandas, and he wondered what Ri'rassi wanted with him. Eventually he heard the door unlock, and Ri'rassi came out with Rythe in tow.
"Thank you for the use of your talents. Please send my regards to your wife." Ri'rassi bowed to him, and handed him a pouch of coins. Rythe said a quick thank you, and left the building.
"What was that all about?" Ocato asked.
"Come, I shall show you." Ri'rassi led Ocato into the chamber.
Ja-Kha'jay slept quietly on the bed, and there were three fresh paintings. Each one had wet paint, and were sitting propped up on their easels. The first one was a typical painting of Martin. The painting was like the others in the hall. Martin was smiling in front of the fireplace in Cloud Ruler Temple. The second was of Martin during the Battle of Bruma. He was marching down the ranks and encouraging his men forward. The third was of Martin as the Avatar of Akatosh, standing in the ruins of the Temple of the One. All of the paintings had superb detail.
"Ri'rassi these are beautiful." Ocato said.
"I know. I needed to paint them as my way of moving on." Ri'rassi answered sadly.
"I understand…" Ocato held her close as she cried her last tears over her lost love.
Ocato looked at the Council solemnly. Almost half the council was gone, due to the recent secessions from the Empire.
"We need a leader. The Elder Council has been the Regents of the Empire since the Oblivion Crisis. Already the Empire has begun to fragment, and I fear that we are on the very edge of war. The Elder Council, in its current state, cannot lead the Empire during war. We must think about electing a new Regent until the Crown Prince Ja-Kha'jay comes of age." Ocato announced.
"Seconded." An Argonian councilor agreed.
"I would like to appoint Regency to Ri'rassi, Hero of Kvatch, and mother of the Crown Prince Ja-Kha'jay." Ocato continued.
"I second that nomination." A redguard woman said.
"Won't some people be upset at having a non-Imperial in the Dragon Throne?" a Nord lady asked.
"You forget that Queen Katariah I was a Dark Elf, and she reigned for forty-six years." An Argonian explained.
The Nord nodded in satisfaction.
"All in favour?" Ocato raised his hand.
"Aye." The entire council answered.
"We shall hold a coronation ceremony, and then Ri'rassi can take her place as Empress Regent of the Empire. Councilman Word-Weaver, can you please take care of the arrangements?" Ocato asked.
"Yes, High Chancellor." The Argonian man answered.
"We shall need to inform the citizens of the remaining provinces of the heir, and the new Regent Empress." Ocato stated.
"I shall inform the Black Horse Courier that you wish to see them to issue a formal statement." A Breton woman said.
"Right, now that we have finished the more pleasant details of the Council meeting, we move on to more grave business. We are on the brink of war, and should recall all the legions from Morrowind, Valenwood, Elsweyr and Summerset Isles. Already word has been sent to the Blades as well as the Cyrodiil braches of the Fighter's and Mages Guilds. A Knight from Leyawiin is also on her way. Together with them, the Elder Council will form a Council of War. We shall instruct the Legions to gather along the borders of Morrowind and Elsweyr." Ocato explained, unrolling the huge map and motioning to the correct places.
"The Morrowind border of Skyrim is well fortified. We can keep the Dark Elves at bay from there." A tall Nord woman offered.
"High Rock shall provide additional support for Skyrim from our standing army. We shall also start building warships, in case the Aldmeri Dominion makes a move earlier than expected." A Breton man declared, to which the Nord lady nodded in appreciation.
"Any troops available in the Black Marsh shall be mobilized to the borders near Leyawiin and Morrowind. We doubt House Indoril will try much unless they have the support of King Helseth." Word-Weaver hissed.
"That may be true, but Hlaalu, Telvanni and Dres have united." A new voice said.
The Council turned around and looked at the newcomer. A Suthay-Raht Khajiit stood by the door. He was dressed in fine Akaviri mail, and a fire-clad sword hung by his side. He had a heavily bearded face, which looked tired, haggard and travel-worn. He approached Ocato.
"Who are you and how do you know this?" An Orc woman asked.
"I am Ra'jissan, Hortator and Nerevarine of Morrowind. I know this because I passed through Almalexia on the way here from Akavir." The Khajiit bowed low to the Council. He showed his ring, Moon-and-Star, to the gaping council.
"Ra'jissan, I greet you. I am High Chancellor Ocato of the Elder Council. Your sister Ri'rassi was anticipating your arrival." Ocato shook Ra'jissan's hand, careful to avoid the long claws.
"You have two hundred foot-soldiers, and seventy battle mages on your very doorstep. I have advised Arch-Mage Skink-in-Trees-Shade and Guild master Percius Mercius to keep out of the war. Helseth has ejected all the Imperial Legions from Morrowind. Helseth also didn't like it when I told him I wanted no part of his campaign. He set the Cammona Tong after me, but I got away. Helseth's army is based near the mountain pass near Cheydinhal. Call any troops there at once." Ra'jissan told the council.
"Thank you for that information. Where are Morrowind's Imperial Legions now?" Ocato asked.
"They have come through Riften, and are coming through the pass near Bruma." Ra'jissan explained.
"Very well. Once Grandmaster Jauffre arrives, word shall be sent for the troops to be positioned in Fort Farragut. However, we have Elsweyr to worry about." Ocato motioned to the province on the paper.
"Why Elsweyr?" Ra'jissan asked confused.
"Your sister can explain better than I can, but the Mane has withdrawn the Confederacy from the Empire. You did not know of this?" Ocato asked, an eyebrow raised.
"No, I hadn't. The Dunmer are so involved with themselves that they didn't even bother telling me. The Ashlanders are too isolated to know all the comings and goings of the other Provinces. Indeed, the secession of the Confederacy is a shock." Ra'jissan shook his head. His tail dropped noticeably.
"Any way, the council session for today is over." Ocato addressed the councilors. "I shall see you all tomorrow. Word-Weaver don't forget the arrangements, and make sure the Black Horse Courier gets here soon." Ocato waved everyone from the room.
He turned to Ra'jissan once the last one had trailed out. "Come, we have much to discuss."
Ri'rassi was changing Ja-Kha'jay's diapers when she heard the door open. She turned around and saw Ocato enter. He was grinning widely, which made him look very handsome. Ri'rassi would have blushed had she been human when she realized her own thoughts. Ocato held the door open and ushered two Suthay-Raht into the room. Ri'rassi recognized them at once.
"Ra'jissan! Ahnassi! It's been a long time! You did get my letter? How was Akavir? How do you like the Imperial city so far?" She asked in rapid succession.
"Yes we got your letter, Akavir was interesting, and the city is lovely." Ra'jissan answered before he was caught by Ri'rassi's embrace.
"Ahnassi wishes to see her nephew or niece. Please?" Ahnassi asked quietly.
"Of course!" Ri'rassi grabbed the other woman's hands and dragged her over.
Ahnassi stared at the squirming infant.
"He grows fast, like Khajiit. He is Mane, but also something else. Yes?" Ahnassi asked about the child's appearance.
"Yes, his father was a not a Khajiit. He was an Imperial." Ri'rassi explained.
"An Imperial? Not Khajiit? But then Ahnassi is lucky Ra'jissan is Khajiit." Ahnassi cradled the baby.
"No, I fell in love with an Imperial man, he is dead now." Ri'rassi looked sad.
"And left M'rassi alone with child? What a terrible man to get himself killed when he has a family to think of." Ahnassi said.
"It's Ri'rassi now. His father was Martin Septim. There was nothing either of us could do." Ri'rassi defended.
"Martin Septim!? I see now. You are very lucky Khajiit. No Khajiit in royal family until now. What is child's name?"
"Ja-Kha'jay Septim." Ri'rassi said.
"A fitting name. Ahnassi thinks he will make good Emperor when time comes."
While the two women were discussing the child's parentage, Ra'jissan and Ocato were discussing battle tactics. Ra'jissan gave a very good story of how he vanquished Dagoth Ur, and how the Tribunal Temple was destroyed.
"You really killed Almalexia?" Ocato asked, stunned.
"Yes. The n'wah tried to kill me. She'd gone mad, after I destroyed the Heart of Lorkhan." Ra'jissan clenched his clawed fist at the memory.
"Then Lord Vivec?" Ocato wondered.
"Lady Azura made her wishes quite clear." Ra'jissan left Ocato to think on that.
"Anyway there is something I would like to announce to the three of you." Ocato said.
The two women stopped and looked at him, and Ra'jissan also swiveled his bearded head.
"I would like to say that the council voted on a very important matter this morning." Ocato left it to one of the others to press him for more information.
"Which was?" Ri'rassi prompted.
"The Elder Council has formally elected you as Empress Regent of the Empire." Ocato stated.
Everyone's jaws dropped. Ri'rassi staggered.
"I-I.." She stammered.
"Are you alright?" Ocato steadied her with an arm.
"Well, yes, but I…Martin…I…Empress?" She babbled incoherently.
"I know it's rather a shock." Ocato said slowly.
Ri'rassi continued to speak quickly.
"Calm down. Deep breaths." Ahnassi grasped Ri'rassi's hands, pressing a calming pressure point. Ri'rassi visibly calmed. "Now what were you saying?" Ahnassi pressed.
"Before the Battle of Bruma, Martin expressed his love for me, and his desire for me to be Empress beside him. I said I would, but after he…died, I forgot about that. Once I realized I was pregnant, the thought vanished entirely. I did not know what would happen once I gave birth, but it certainly wasn't this." Ri'rassi explained.
Ocato and Ra'jissan's jaws dropped, stunned at this piece of information. Ahnassi smiled.
"Either way, my sister-in-law is still the Empress."
Fine silks were draped all over the stone Dragon that stood in the ruins of the Temple of the One. A red velvet carpet was laid through the large doors, and shredded pieces of coloured parchment were scattered all over the ground. Ocato stood on the dais at the Dragon's feet, and the rest of the Elder council ringed the temple. All were dressed in their finest garb. Ra'jissan and Ahnassi stood behind the Elder council, cradling a squirming Ja-Kha'jay. Ri'rassi waited behind a screen with Jauffre, who'd arrived a day before. Ri'rassi peeked out from behind the screen.
"It seems the entire province is here!" She quickly pulled her head back in.
Jauffre nodded calmly, is Akaviri armour clinking softly.
Out on the dais, Ocato was speaking to the gathering crowd.
"In these troubled times, the Empire needs a rock to be anchored upon. Indeed the tides of fate have brought nothing but strife in the past year. The Elder Council has made a unanimous agreement on this matter. We have elected a new monarch. This individual is very brave, a true warrior, but this person is also gentle, and will rule with a kind but firm hand. Ladies, Gentlemen, and all men, mer or beastfolk, As Lord High Chancellor of the Elder Council, I present to you, the Hero of Kvatch!" Ocato threw his arm to one side.
Ri'rassi took her cue and came out from behind the screen. The audience fell instantly silent. Ri'rassi paused, unsure if this was a good sign. She was dressed in lavish purple velvet robes, fit for the Emperor. Jauffre gave her a gentle push from behind, urging her on. Ri'rassi continued around the Dragon statue, and approached the dais. Ocato extended a hand and guided her up the stairs. Ri'rassi knelt once she reached the top, tail twitching in anticipation. Ocato produced the Dragon Crown from a small velveted table beside him. He raised the crown above Ri'rassi's head.
"I, Ocato, Lord High Chancellor of the Elder Council, declare Ri'rassi, former Hero of Kvatch, Empress Regent of the Empire!" He said very loudly, so all could hear him, as he gently placed the crown on Ri'rassi's head.
A great shout went up from the crowd, and the roar of applause was deafening. Ri'rassi stood slowly, her heart beating wildly. She turned to the gathered citizens, motioning with her hands for quiet. Once the crowd quieted down, she began.
"Thank you all for being here. I know having a Khajiit on the Dragon Throne is a shock to some." Someone coughed. "But I was the last person to expect this. During the Oblivion Crisis, Martin Septim pledged his desire for me to be Empress beside him. After his death," She looked up at the statue. "I forgot all about that. Soon I discovered I was with child, and thus I have an announcement to make. I formally present to everyone here today, Ja-Kha'jay Septim, the son of Martin Septim, and Crown Prince of the Empire." Ri'rassi motioned Ra'jissan forward.
"By the Nine! The Nerevarine!" A dunmer in the first row gasped.
Ra'jissan gave the squirming child to Ri'rassi and bowed to the Dunmer, before receding behind the dais. Ri'rassi held the child up for all to see. A cheer went up from the crowd, and Ja-Kha'jay babbled happily. Ri'rassi motioned for silence again.
"Again, I would like to thank you all here today, and I hope I can be the ruler you expect of me." Ri'rassi bowed low. The crowd shouted cheerfully before dissipating.