Chapter 22: Way Back Home.
I looked at Alinor of in the distance. 'It has been almost a year since i was here' i thought to myself. I heard a soft movement from behind me. I waited until Sasha was right behind me before i suddenly turned around and made her jump in surprise. "Wha. You're mean daddy." She pouted and crossed her arms. "I thought i had you."
"Who taught you to sneak anyway Sasha?" i asked her with a small grin on my face.
"Who do you think father. You wanted me learn as much as i could right?" she deflected back. I just gave her a small smile and stood up and watch towards Alinor.
"Come her child." I said reaching for Sasha and lifted her up. "We are almost home, it will be a change for you if you see where i come from."
"We will arrive in an hour says the captain" Arundil's voice came from behind us. I turned around and nodded.
"Now see that is sneaking didn't even notice her, now go pack your bag we will be home soon." I put Sasha down and she ran towards her cabin. I turned around and watch some more before heading to pack my bag as well.
I stepped of the ship unto the shore of Alinor. I took in a deep breath. "Smell the pure sea air, there is nothing quite like it." I felt a small hand tug my sleeve and i turned around towards Sasha.
"Arundil arranged a transport for us." Sasha said uneasily and started pointing towards Arundil. Next to Arundil was a cart which was being loaded by the dock workers. I nodded towards Sasha and we began walking towards Arundil.
"Our bags are loaded sir. And on your order we will leave." She said with a curtsy bow. I took a seat with Sasha to my left and Arundil in front and i gave the cart driver the signal to move and looked Arundil over. She was dressed in simple but elegant clothing light brown with hints of gold around the edges. Arundil caught me staring and i quickly looked the other way. The rest of the trip Arundil and Sasha talked about Alinor and Sasha's future.
As we entered the city limits of Alinor Sasha stood up and looked around. "It has been years since i was here, it is still as beautiful as i remember." I got a Hold on Sasha's waist to make sure she didn't fall and gave a smiling nod towards Arundil who held her hand in front of her mouth.
"Are you coming with us to the Palace or do you want to go to your father first?" i asked Arundil quietly.
"It doesn't matter to me much my lord, if you want me to come with you i will." She said slowly. I turned towards the cart driver and bade him to stop.
"I will have someone deliver your bags to you Arundil, i will see you soon and good luck." I gave her and sincere smile and she got out of the cart and began walking away with long strides." Now Sasha sit down i want to discuss something with you." Sasha sat down and the cart began to move again. In the time it took from central Alinor to the palace i told Sasha how to represent herself to the Queen and what is expected of her in the coming days. She paid close attention and asked question regarding the Queen and how she should talk and do.
"We have arrived sir." The cart driver said flatly without looking to us. I jumped out of the cart and helped Sasha as well. We began walking to the Castle gates. I saw two red legion recruits guarding the gate.
"Hold!" One of the guards said while they both crossed there spears in front of me. "Only personnel and persons on the list may enter. State your name and business."
"My name is Thorein Aldmeri, and my business is that of our queen." I returned simply.
"Sure and i am the emperor of Cyrodiil the other guard said jokingly.
"Quiet just check the list and see if he is on it." The first guard snapped. In which the other pulled a board with a few papers attached and nodded after several minutes.
"Yes the name is on the list but Commander Calonwer needs to confirm this is truly the Thorein." The second one said in low voice.
"Then summon my sworn brother with the bell behind the gate and he will confirm it." I said commanding and the two guards looked at me puzzled. The second guard walked towards the gate backwards not leaving me out of his sight and rang the bell. I looked towards Sasha who has been clinging to my hand this whole time and i gave her a light smile to put her at ease. Sasha relaxed a bit but still held my hand tightly. The time spent waiting was from the guard's side tense to put it mildly and Sasha afraid.
The guards discussed something in a whisper when Calonwer came striding in his Glass armor Commander sigil of Alinor proudly on his chest piece with a spear in his left hand and shield in the other being followed by several Red Legion soldiers.. "Yes what is it now recruits?" he said with an annoyed tone.
"This person claims he is Thorein and when we checked we found a note that said to ask your confirmation." The first one said while jumping in attention.
Calonwer looked at me and began laughing hard. "As i live and breathe." He said while walking towards me with his left arm partly to the upper right and i held my right arm in the opposite manner and our wrist collided with a small thud. "How are you brother?" he asked with that silly grin of his.
"Is he my uncle papa?" Sasha quipped before i could reply Calonwer. Calonwer's grin flashed away and was replaced with and questionable look.
"it is a long story Sasha i will explain later, now brother can you get someone to paid that man and bring our bags with us?" i said nodding at the respected person while i mention them. He simply nodded and one of the soldiers walked towards the cart.
"Now brother come the queen would want to see you." He said with his usual grin and motioned us away.
"Why did you need to check if it was truly me and why are there recruits stationed here and not the soldiers?" i asked as we walked towards the main palace gate.
"Because these recruits don't know you on face value and i needed to talk to you." He stopped and turned to us. "The queen makes us help the dominion forces keeping Alinor secure and the trade routes on both sea and land. The Thalmor are up to something and the queen updated security for the feast this week." I nodded and bade him to keep walking.
"I understand that but what do the scouts say about thalmor business?" i asked while stroking my chin.
"That is the problem, brother we don't know anything about their plans except the usual purge in dominion territory." He said softly so Sasha didn't hear. I looked towards Sasha who looked around in awe.
I pondered that a few moments. "Well we will see this week but tell me about the recruits?"
"The usual reasons but we have allot since you went away, the Thalmor have been busy in Valenwood and many fled into our arms and we transported them here." He pointed towards a ring of recruits and said. "the Queen wanted them here also to learn how to handle the nobles and that has been complicated the first few weeks but they adjust and are capable of anything we throw at them."
"And any recruit caught your eye?" i said with a little smirk.
"Well there is one dominion soldier who joined and he is an excellent example of true Dominion value." He said after a while.
"Good, we will see in the coming days now we will meet the queen." I said when we reached the main gate of the palace.