CHAPTER TEN: INNOCENCE LOST
Baurus
More and more soldiers entered the Imperial City with each passing day. It took longer for cities like Anvil and Leyawiin to send in their contributions to The Last Stand—the unoffcial name for the army that would face the Daedra in Kvatch—than closer cities like Chorrol and Bravil. By Baurus' count, The Last Stand was over two hundred men strong. Another two hundred men and women from the Imperial Legion, plus the whole force of the Blades and a self-proclaimed order of knights from Cheyhindal, put the number of warriors close to five hundred.
When the first hundred troops arrived, Baurus had been impressed. Disbelief kicked in when the two hundred mark was passed. Jauffre smiled when Baurus brought this up to him. "High Chancellor Ocato likely told the Counts and Countesses about Martin. Though I'd have rather kept his existence a little known fact, I don't think we would have had this great a turn out otherwise."
Baurus wasn't quite as lighthearted about revealing Martin to the whole of Cyrodiil as the Grandmaster of the Blades. He was still furious about Martin having been used as bait to capture an agent of the Mythic Dawn. The plan may have worked, with them now having a way to open the Oblivion Gates, but there had been too much room for error. Where would we be had we lost the last Septim?
Baurus put his anger to good use while training the greener of The Last Stand. He and the other Blades were the most combat-experienced against the Daerdra. As such, they were in charge of teaching common Daedra tactics to the rest of the army. A great deal of the soldiers were guards with basic training, so there was a lot of teaching to do.
The highest ranking captains for each city had been made in charge of their respective detachments of guards by their Counts, though they weren't to lead The Last Stand. Martin, not taking "no" for an answer, volunteered himself to command the army. He wasn't doing it alone, however; Mikhail accepted Martin's offer to run The Last Stand alongside him. All but one of the city-captains hadn't liked the idea of reporting to two unknowns. That was fixed when they found out Mikhail was the Hero of Kvatch and Grand Champion of the Arena and Martin was to be their future Emperor. Again Baurus hadn't been happy about more people learning about the latter, but it wasn't his place to tell Martin what to do.
The one exception to the captains' intial dislike of Mikhail and Martin came in the form of Claire Rosal. The captain of Skingrad's contingent, she was a Breton in her early thirties with bright green eyes, long ebony hair, and a deep tan. Had she been an Imperial, Baurus would have mistaken her for a relative of Giovanni, Rebeka's husband. Her relatively tiny stature strongly conflicted with her larger-than-life personality. Her men seemed to like and respect her both because of her capability has a leader and her easiness to talk to.
She instantly got along with the co-commanders of The Last Stand, especially Martin. Baurus noted that it was a mutual attraction as Martin spent a lot of time with Claire before and after she and the other captains were let in on his secret. The age difference didn't seem to bother either one of them; though in a time where Daedra ran wild across Tamriel, Baurus could understand that age was the last thing they needed to worry about.
Baurus would have thought Claire was trying to make herself the next Empress of Cyrodiil had she only started flirting with Martin after learning of his being a descendant to Tiber Septim. But Baurus could see that what the two of them had was quickly starting to look like what he'd had with Constance: forbidden love.
A few of the female recruits Baurus was in charge of training gave obvious indications that they were interested in him. He was flattered, but he didn't respond to any of their advances. Constance had been his one and only. Even had his heart healed enough for him to find another, it would have been wrong to do so, given that Kole was still being lied to about his mother's death.
Kole wanted to see the soldiers and continue his training alongside them but Baurus wouldn't allow it. Jauffre had convinced the concerned father that the servants and owner of The Merchants Inn could be trusted in caring for the five-year-old while Baurus trained The Last Stand from dusk until dawn every day. Baurus had begrudgingly accepted Jauffre's words since he had no other options to go with. Each night Baurus returned to the inn to find Kole in perfect condition; fed and cared for by his volunteered supervisors.
That was until three days before the march to Kvatch would commence.
Baurus was returning a little later than normal to The Merchants Inn that night. As he was Martin's personal guard, Baurus had been present for his and Mikhail's strategizing the battle plans for Kvatch. Mostly it involved disscussions for where and in which order the Oblivion Gates would be opened by the Mythic Dawn cultist that they'd taken prisoner, and how large a force would be going into them and the larger Great Gate that they needed the Great Sigil Stone from. Jauffre was also present, representing the Blades. Claire Rosal was there as well, her advice and other input having been greatly appreciated by Martin.
Because of the meeting, Baurus was rushing back to the Market District, hoping that Kole wasn't worried about his father being so late. He walked alone at a steady pace towards the inn. He was the only Blade—only member of The Last Stand, in truth—who wasn't staying in the large camp located just west of the Imperial City. Keeping an eye on shadowed corners in case a thief or a murder made the mistake of attacking an armed and armored Blade, he made his way towards his son.
Luckily no one made that mistake and Baurus safely found himself at the door to The Merchants Inn about an hour after the sun had set. He entered, expecting to see Kole sitting at the same table they always sat at. Kole wasn't there. He is normally asleep by this time. He's probably there. Baurus walked to the room that he and Kole shared. Kole wasn't there either.
Baurus raced back to the bar and found Velus Hosidius, owner of The Merchants Inn. "Where is Kole?" Baurus demanded. "He was not in his room."
Velus gave him an odd look. "He left just a short while ago with the Blade you sent to get him."
"What are you talking about?" Baurus asked, certain he did no such thing.
The innkeeper retrieved a piece of parchment from his breast pocket and handed it to Baurus. Baurus unfolded it and read what it said.
The Blade who delivered this message has been sent to collect Kole and take him to a safe and discreet location for the time being. I thank you and your staff for caring for him during my extended absences. Training my men has been a grueling process, but a necessary one if we wish to stop the Daedra. However, with so many of the Imperial Legion involved in the army that will be marching to Kvatch, I felt it better to send Kole where he can be better protected.
I would greatly appreciate if you could supply the two of them with three days' worth of food and drink. The next time I see you I will pay for the expense in full.
—Baurus
Under the forged signature was the seal of the Blades, or a very close replica of it.
Angrily Baurus crumbled the short letter and stuffed it in his pocket. "This is a fake message, Velus; I didn't send for anyone to take Kole anywhere."
"I... I'm sorry, Baurus," Velus said sincerely. "When I saw the seal, I just assumed—"
"I don't want to hear it!" Baurus abruptly shouted, angrier at the situation than at the misguided Imperial. Kole was stolen. Baurus pinched the bridge of his nose, trying his best not to think of the worst that could happen. Stolen by someone who has experience forging signatures and the ability to almost perfectly recreate the Blades' seal.
"What did the person look like?" Baurus asked, an inkling of who the kidnapper forming in his mind.
Velus opened his mouth to answer but hesitated, staring into empty space as he tried to form words. "He wore a cowl... and... he was tall..." He rubbed his forehead. "I think." There was a bewildered gleam in his eyes. "All I can remember is a cowl, a grey cowl. Must be losing my damn mind."
Baurus knew that wasn't the reason behind Velus' sudden amnesia. Him remembering just a grey cowl confirmed Baurus' suspicions. "Thanks," he said to the innkeeper as he headed right back out the door.
Baurus located a beggar sitting on a street corner within sight of The Merchants Inn. The Gray Fox—Giovanni Valentine—was a known friend to all beggars in Cyrodiil, as was the whole Thieves Guild. If there was anyone who would know where Giovanni had gone with Kole, it was this Dunmer in rags.
The Dunmer didn't notice Baurus until the Blade was standing over him. The Dunmer had gray hair, but as with all elves determining his age based on appearance alone was next to impossible. When the elf did see Baurus, he stuck out an empty hand. "Spare a Septim or two?" he asked.
"Have you seen the Gray Fox?" Baurus inquired, tossing the Dunmer two Septims.
The Dunmer looked over Baurus, who towered over the homeless man in his Blade armor, and narrowed his eyes. "I'm not sure who you're talking about."
Luckily Baurus knew that as much as beggars respected the Thieves Guild, most had no true loyalty to them. Baurus gave the Dunmer a coin purse with twenty-odd Septims inside. "I'm talking the leader of the Thieves Guild."
"Oh, that Gray Fox," the Dunmer replied, counting out his money. "Yes, I remember now. He stopped by not too long ago and chatted with me; gave me a few Septims. I saw him enter that inn over there." He pointed at The Merchants Inn. "When he left there was a kid and dog with him."
Baurus threw him more gold. "Do you know where they all went?"
"He mentioned purchasing two 'exquisite' horses at a nearby stable," the Dunmer said. "The only stable I know of in the Imperial City is outside Talos Plaza."
Baurus had just come from that direction to enter the Market District. Had Giovanni gone the same way to get to the stables, Baurus would have run into him on the way there. Or would he? Giovanni might've had a different route to reach the stables the Dunmer had mentioned—Chestnut Handy Stables. Or he might've seen Baurus long before Baurus would have seen him, and thus disappeared before the father of the boy he kidnapped saw them.
Either way, it was the only lead he had. Without another word Baurus left for the Talos Plaza District.
The first thing Baurus saw as he neared the stables were two horses facing away from the Imperial City, in the direction of the stone bridge that spanned across Lake Rumare. As it was even later in the night, Baurus had to get a little closer before he could make out four silhouettes around the horses. Two of them were adults, piling bags onto the rears of the horses. A third was child-sized. The last was low to the ground and had far too many legs to be anything but an animal.
Though finer details could not be pulled from these silhouettes due to the distance from them and the late-night hour, Baurus knew exactly who they were. "What are you doing with my son?!" he demanded as he closed the distance between himself and the kidnappers.
All four turned to face the approaching Blade. "Daddy?" Kole called out. He started walking to his father but made only one step forward before a hand on his shoulder stopped him from going further.
"I will not allow harm to fall upon my nephew," said the silhouette that'd stopped Kole; verifying Baurus' notion that Giovanni had not come to the Imperial City without Rebeka. "My family has already suffered enough by your hand, Baurus."
"I was not the one who killed—" Baurus stopped himself from saying her name, not when Kole was standing right there. "Mehrunes Dagon is to blame."
Baurus was more than halfway to the stable now, able to pick out details that'd been out of reach moments ago. Rebeka wore a riding gown instead of the simple shirt and breeches she normally sported. He wondered what the change in attire was attributed to until he saw the bump on her stomach; by his guess, she was four or five months pregnant. Kole had on the same thing he'd been in that morning when Baurus left for the war camp, the elven short-sword commissioned for him by Mikhail included.
Baurus also noted that Giovanni, his face currently lacking a grey cowl, had a hand on his belted dagger. Matching the pose, Baurus stopped a dozen yards from the Valentines with his katana half raised from his sheath.
Rebeka was unfazed by the clear threat. "Do you want to slay me directly? Would you show me any more mercy than what was shown to my sister?"
Kole looked at her, confusion his only expression. Baurus bit his lip. Kole was smart for his age; interpreting Rebeka's words to know exactly what his aunt had said was entirely possible.
And that's what happened.
"What happened to my Mommy?" Kole asked, almost demanded.
Rebeka shook her head in disappointment. "Kole still doesn't know, Baurus? Still doesn't know what you've done?"
Tiny, watery eyes moved from Rebeka to Baurus. Baurus' heart skipped a beat, his son's pain and fear evident by Kole's quick, shallow breathing. "Daddy?" It could barely be considered a whisper.
Rebeka knelt down to be level with Kole. Tears—more of hatred than sadness—were forming in her own eyes as she spoke directly into his ear. "Your father murdered your mother."
"That is a lie!" Baurus shouted. The Divines seemed to pity him as Kole didn't seem to believe Rebaka's retelling of events.
"Is it?" Giovanni asked, speaking for the first time since Baurus had approached the stables. "Then tell us, Baurus: where is Constance?"
Baurus couldn't meet Kole's gaze as he admitted a truth he should have told him a long time ago. "Kole, your mother died when the monsters attacked our home. She fell to their blades saving you from them." Baurus looked up and regretted it immediately. Kole was openly weeping now, and no one could blame him. "I played no hand in her death, besides not being there to take the final blow myself."
"Don't listen to him Kole," Rebeka said.
Kole resisted her, shaking her hand off his shoulder. He distanced himself from the Valentines, albeit without getting any closer to Baurus as well. Wolfy followed, loyal only to his master.
"Why didn't you tell me?" Kole whimpered, his whole body shaking violently as he sniffled and cried.
"I wanted to spare you the pain," Baurus revealed. "You didn't deserve to know the anguish of... of losing a mother."
"How long did you plan on lying to him, Baurus?" Rebeka asked, standing back up straight. "Or were you never going to tell him what happened to Constance?"
Baurus ignored her, looking at his son. "Mikhail wanted me to tell you from the beginning, but... I was still coming to terms with her death. I wanted to have my time to grieve so that I could properly comfort you through your sadness."
Kole shuddered, but he took a step in Baurus' direction.
"Believe me when I say you are the most important thing in my life," Baurus begged, "and that your mother was second only to you. I'm sorry I lied to you, Kole. I am so, so, sorry."
Another step.
"If I lost you... I'd have no reason to live. Nothing left to fight for."
Kole rubbed his eyes with his sleeve and gradually continued walking to Baurus. His pace was slow, but he didn't pause.
Rebeka hissed at Baurus. "I won't let you kill my last connection to Constance." She turned to Giovanni and nodded.
The Grey Fox swept in and grabbed Kole by his waist. Kole shouted as he tried kicking out of Giovanni's hold. "Let me go! I want my Daddy!"
Wolfy bared his teeth at Giovanni and growled. He lunged at his leg. The thief dodged the dog then gave it a hard kick that sent dog flying a couple of feet. When Wolfy landed, he didn't move.
"Wolfy!" Kole cried.
"Release my son!" Baurus ordered, fully unsheathing his katana.
Giovanni shook his head. "Kole is safer with us than he is with you."
"LET ME GO!" Kole screamed.
There was a flash of light and then a surprised grunt. Giovanni dropped Kole and fell to one knee, clutching his gut. Kole scampered away from Giovanni and into his father's arms, burying his face into the steel armor.
Rebeka screamed as she approached her fallen husband. Baurus blinked and saw why.
He wasn't holding his stomach. He was holding the hilt of a short-sword embedded in his abdomen—a short-sword made of elven metal. Baurus didn't have to check Kole's sheath to see that it was empty.
Baurus knew he might've had a chance in saving Giovanni's life. Restoration was the school of magic he was most proficient in.
But he didn't want to save his son's kidnapper, the man who killed his son's dog.
As Rebeka downed healing potion after healing potion down her husband's throat—which would do nothing as long as the sword was still inside him—Baurus lifted his again crying son and entered the Imperial City.
AUTHOR'S NOTE: Thanks to Celestine Dark, ElderSage, InnerDecayedPrincess, lioness84, Nuclearwullfs, DJROB91, and Shroudedpanther for reviewing since the last update... which was more than five months ago.
Writer's block sucks. That's all I can really say about taking so long to update. It probably would have taken even longer had Shroudedpanther not broken the block with a simple review. I promise that I'll try to update more frequently.
For those of you who have read or plan to read the story that this one serves as a prequel to, "The Nerevarine's Return", you should remember the name Claire Rosal. It's going to be rather important in the future.
Leave me a review telling me how happy you are that I've finally written a new chapter.