Blood and Choice
Chapter 5
The stars always surprised her, when she remembered to look up at them; they spilled across the sky behind the moons like a curtain of diamonds, a breathtaking beauty just overhead, too often taken for granted. Raema leaned back against the wall of the Propylon Chamber and watched, deep in thought, as the stars began to appear in the void left by sunset.
Movement flickered at the stronghold's entrance: Talintus, and a few others of the clan, leaving to take advantage of the night to hunt. Her old weapons tutor raised a hand to her, and she waved back, as the group scattered into the shadows. She could almost sense them, as if it were just a skill she'd forgotten when her vampirism was cured. Now, though, if she concentrated, she felt only the barest brush on her senses. She almost could see them, in her mind, moving farther from the stronghold; but she was not entirely certain that it wasn't only her imagination.
No sense in waiting, she thought, finally. With a habitual check on her sword, and on the knife tucked into her boot, Raema strode across the stronghold, descended the stairs. Around the base of the stronghold, there were no visible signs left of the struggle that had taken place there weeks ago... But it still made her uncomfortable to walk there, especially after dark. She could imagine the ghosts of the vampires who had fallen there, still haunting the site. Telling herself not to worry so much, she peered into the darkness. She wished she had a few Night-eye potions with her. Traveling at night was a skill she had improved, but it was still hard on her eyes.
Not far from the stronghold, another presence brushed at her awareness. Moments later, a shadow unfolded itself beside the path, a crouched figure rising to a standing position. Raema paused, reaching for her sword, before she recognized Irarak.
He smiled when he saw her, though the expression didn't seem to reach his eyes, half-hidden behind the fall of his wine-colored hair.
"Good evening, Hand of the Ancient," he greeted her, making the formal title sound almost teasing.
"Irarak," she replied with a grin, more relieved than she wanted to admit. "You had me worried for a moment, hiding in the dark like that."
"My apologies," he said. "A necessary precaution, until I could see who was approaching. Where are you headed?"
"To Vivec," she said, gesturing ahead toward the city. "Running errands, as usual. And yourself?"
Irarak extended an arm in the same direction. "I will walk with you for a while, if you would like company."
"Of course," Raema agreed. She found herself smiling; she'd always liked Assurjan's old friend.
They chatted amiably as they walked, gossiping about this and that. "How are your vampires?" Raema asked eventually. "I have not seen them around Telasero lately."
He was silent for a long moment before answering. Raema began to worry that she'd found a touchy subject. Irarak had only reluctantly turned his followers, and then lost several of them in the battle with the other clans. There were plenty of reasons why he might not want to talk about them.
"They will be... fine," he said, finally. "They... were feeling crowded, being so close to Telasero and Assurjan's clan. They have gone looking for a new lair. Something near the coast, I hope," he added lightly. "I am fond of the beach."
"Ah." Raema skirted around a bubbling pool of muck. "We'll be sorry to see you go. You've been such a good ally to Juraene clan... you and Assurjan must be close."
"Close as brothers, once," Irarak said after a moment, a hint of sadness in his voice. "Things changed when... when we were turned. And then, after I fled Berne clan, we had no opportunity to speak. Eventually, enough years passed that we nearly forgot about each other."
Abruptly, the southern coastline appeared before them as they rounded a stone outcrop. The Ascadian Isles scattered ahead of them, just barely visible in the fast-darkening twilight. They turned west, and Raema was able to concentrate more on her thoughts than on the ground, now that the terrain was smoother.
"Why did you come to us?" she asked curiously. "Was it more to help Assurjan, or to hinder Berne?"
"A bit of both, I suppose," the vampire replied wryly.
They were quiet for a few moments, as the deserted coastline gave way to the cultivated fields surrounding Suran. Silently, they moved south of the small town and hurried across the narrowest point of the channel linking Lake Masobi to the sea. Putting the water behind them as they headed for Vivec's city lights, Raema asked quietly, "What was he like? When he was alive, I mean?"
In the darkness, Irarak sounded amused. "Much the same as he is now, really. Proud, fierce. Ruthless, when he had to be. Responsible."
That last description seemed incongruous, but Raema was struck by a sudden memory of Assurjan twice refusing the chance to be cured, because his vampires still needed his leadership. She smiled in the darkness, sadly, wishing she could have known the Ancient before he had been one.
"You're good for him," Irarak said suddenly.
Raema grimaced. "I might have been," she said. "But..."
"He is lucky to have you. He needs..." Irarak paused, for long enough that she began to wonder if he'd forgotten she was there. "He needs someone he can trust, someone loyal, someone who won't betray him. It's good that you are there for him; he will realize it, sooner or later."
"Maybe," Raema said, unconvinced.
They made the rest of the journey in companionable silence, as the cluster of Vivec's cantons, lit at each level by scattered torches, drew closer. Within sight of the bridge into the Foreign Quarter, Irarak stopped, and pulled up the hood of his cloak to hide his face. "This is where we must part, my lady Hand," he said, in the same teasingly gallant voice as before. "I thank you for your companionship; it made the journey much shorter."
"My pleasure," Raema said, and meant it. "Where are you off to, now?"
The vampire smiled again. In the shadow of his hood, his fangs glinted briefly in the torchlight. "I am a vampire, Raema. Don't ask questions you don't wish to hear answered."
Raema shivered. Sometimes it was all too easy to forget that the vampires were, indeed, undead predators who thirsted for blood.
With a nod, Irarak turned away, and vanished into the night with the same ease that all the vampires seemed to share. For a moment, Raema stared at the place where he had been, straining to see or hear movement in the darkness. There was nothing but the faint lap of the waves against the shore, and the chirping of nighttime insects. Shaking her head ruefully, she resumed her trek into Vivec.
According to the messages House Hlaalu had sent, Dram Bero's home was hidden in plain sight in the St. Olms plaza, in a manor that the commoners believed to be haunted. This late at night, the plaza was mostly empty, and her footsteps echoed loudly as she crossed the flagstones.
Too bloody loud, she thought, as the noise drew a look from an Ordinator across the Plaza. Just keep going. Look uninteresting.
Fortunately, the entrance to the "haunted" manor was hidden from view by a stand of potted plants. As she approached the door, the thought occurred to her that a secret meeting, in a deserted manor in the dead of night, would be a perfect trap for House Hlaalu to take a hostage, if they were so inclined. As Assurjan's Hand, she was about the most valuable potential hostage Juraene clan could offer.
And when did you become so distrustful?She asked herself, though she was fairly certain she knew the answer to that question. She pushed the door open, letting it swing silently into the room.
The inside of the manor was dark, only dimly lit through dusty windows that overlooked the Plaza. Though furniture, books and other items lay about, just as in any other home, all was covered in dust and cobwebs, and she found herself understanding the manor's "haunted" reputation a little better. No threats were immediately apparent, however, so she ducked into the manor before the Ordinator outside caught sight of her.
Sword held at the ready, she moved carefully through the building, past more abandoned and dusty rooms, ears straining to hear any sounds. Around one corner, she came face-to-face with a tall, silent Dunmer woman, her chitin armor glinting ethereally in the dim light. Raema jerked back, sword darting upward instinctively before she caught herself.
The woman raised both hands in a calming gesture. "Forgive me," she said. "I did not mean to startle you, Hand of the Ancient. I am Omesu Hlarys; my employer sent me to await you here."
Heart still pounding, Raema forced herself to relax. Easing her sword down, she managed a small bow. "Please, call me Raema. I was told that Councilor Bero wanted to speak with me regarding... business."
Raema couldn't imagine that Omesu was thrilled to have dealings with anyone from a vampire clan, but the mercenary showed nothing but cool professionalism. "Of course," she said. "If you'll follow me, I'll take you to Councilor Bero."
She led Raema deeper into the manor, to rooms brightly lit with candles and lanterns. The Councilor was waiting for her in what appeared to be the dining room, seated at one end of the long table. He stood up when they entered, and greeted her with a great deal more respect than Crassius Curio had ever shown her.
I like him already, Raema thought with dark amusement, while he dismissed the guard.
In Balmora, at the meeting with the councilors, Raema had been too focused on Assurjan's offering to House Hlaalu to pay much attention to the others present. Now, she studied the Dark Elf councilman for a moment. He was stern-looking, a Dunmer who was not easily intimidated. His eyes held a calculating look, as if he were accustomed to gauging people's worth at a glance. She wondered what he thought of her, the mysterious Bosmer who had somehow gotten herself attached to a vampire clan.
He poured her a glass of schein, and she let him sip his own before she tried hers. If he noticed it, he didn't let on. They spoke for a time about business; then he unrolled a map onto the table and let her mark out the edges of Juraene clan's reach.
When she straightened up from the map, Dram was watching her. Raema raised a wordless eyebrow at him, thinking with amusement that she had absorbed too many of Assurjan's habits.
Dram took a sip of his schein, then said, "Tell me, Raema... What would you do if Assurjan granted you your freedom tonight?"
Raema blinked. That was not a question that she had expected. Frowning, she set down her glass. "I... I don't know. Freelance, I suppose, or join a guild. Why do you ask?."
Dram gave her a half-smile, setting his own glass down on the table between them. "Just curious, sera. I imagine that, no matter what you decided to do, you would do it well. We could use someone like you in House Hlaalu."
"You make it sound as if I have a choice in the matter."
Dram spread his hands. "Even a slave can make a choice," he murmured.
If you escape, Juraene clan will hunt you, and as an escaped slave, you will find no help from the living. Assurjan's warning floated through her memory, as she had heard it on the first night she'd met him... The night he had given her the choice of becoming his Hand or his food. She shivered at the memory.
"I told you before," Raema said softly. "Slave or not, I am loyal to Assurjan. And he has already pledged to free me himself," she added, as much for her own benefit as Dram's. "Discussions like these are making me disinclined to trust House Hlaalu, Councilor."
To her surprise, Dram only chuckled. "And I told you before, it is the Hlaalu way to learn as much as we can about our allies. Including whether we can trust you."
Raema narrowed her eyes. "Trust me... to do what? To remain loyal to Assurjan? Or to support House Hlaalu?"
He looked at her for a long, silent moment- and the longer it stretched, the more Raema knew it was not hesitation, but a deliberate pause. "The two need not be mutually exclusive," he said finally, with a reassuring smile. "Juraene clan is our ally now, Raema. We are on the same side."
"However," he added, holding up a finger for emphasis. "There is another thing I have told you before, which you may remember. We Hlaalu are opportunists. If an opportunity for profit presents itself, we will seize it. As your ally, I would be remiss if I did not advise you to do the same."
"I... will keep that in mind," Raema murmured, though that was not what she'd intended to say. She added hastily, "And I will pass your advice on to Assurjan, of course."
"Of course," Bero said, with a tiny smile.
Get out, Raema told herself. Before you do something else stupid. Waving a hand at the map, she said, "You should have everything you need, Councilor I will be in touch; you know where to find us if necessary."
She moved toward the door without waiting for a reply, but he stepped into her path. Raema stopped, fingers itching to reach for her sword.
"I've upset you," Dram said. "I apologize, my lady. It was not my intention to offer insult. I hope this will not affect our relationship with Juraene clan. Will you forgive me?"
She wanted to agree simply to make him move; the shut-in manor was suddenly stifling, overwhelming her with the urge to escape. Taking a deep breath, she forced herself to relax. "No one appreciates having their loyalty questioned," she said, giving him a small smile. "But you are right to be cautious. There is much we must learn about each other, if our alliance is to endure."
Dram nodded, giving her a more genuine smile as he stepped aside. "Omesu will walk you out," he said. "I am very impressed with you, my lady Raema. I am certain there will be a place for you in House Hlaalu, should you wish it- when you are free of Juraene clan, of course. Do consider it."
"Thank you," Raema managed, because she was afraid to say anything else. Pushing past him, she hurried out, letting his Dunmer guard Omesu escort her to the manor's exit.
Oh gods, oh gods... Taking in deep gulps of the cool night air, Raema leaned over the canton's rail. Bracing her hands, staring down into the dark waters, she shuddered. Dram's hinted offer did not frighten her as much as had her own reaction. There was a time when I would have been horrified, infuriated, at any such suggestion. Before Assurjan had turned her, before she had driven him away, before he had begun treating her so coldly, she would have been indignant at the very suggestion that she was disloyal. But now...
Now, a new thread of temptation had woven its way into her thoughts. And with it, excitement- she could be free.
"Stop it," she muttered aloud, straightening up. Don't even think of it. Of course you are tempted. It doesn't mean you need to act on it. Rubbing at her face, she glanced upwards. It was a relief to be back under the stars, even though they were half-hidden by the glow of the city. It was late, some hours till dawn, and most of Vivec was asleep... but if anyone would be awake, it would be Jole. Turning west, she headed to the neighboring canton of St. Delyn.
His home was a modest tenement on the canal level, with a view of the Temple of Vivec. She smiled when she saw the light shining from under his door. Though neither of them were vampires any longer, they both found themselves to be nocturnal, more often than not.
He answered her knock on the door almost immediately, his usual bright grin splitting his dark face. "Raema! Come in," he welcomed her.
She stepped inside to find the room in a state of disarray, weapons and clothing and a few books scattered haphazardly over nearly every surface. "Bloody Oblivion," she exclaimed. "Were you robbed, Jole?"
He laughed, taking up a handful of potion bottles and tucking them into a bag on his table. "No, just packing. There's a vampire that's harassing the settlers up near Dagon Fel; one of the Imperial officials there sent for me. You came just in time; I was planning to leave tonight."
"Well, I won't keep you, then," Raema said. "I was... running some errands in the city, thought I would stop and say hello."
"Errands for Assurjan?"
She opened her mouth to remark that not every trip out of the lair was on clan business- then realized that wasn't true. "Yes," she said shortly.
Jole gave her a shrewd glance, but said only, "I've been meaning to ask you: why is House Hlaalu paying me to leave your clan alone?"
Caught off guard, Raema blinked at him. "They are?"
"That's the main reason why business has been so good. They're paying me to take down as many vamps as I can and leave Juraene in peace. Works out pretty well for me, since I was doing that already... But you can understand why it makes me curious."
Discretion, Raema reminded herself silently, watching him. She trusted Jole, but... He doesn't need details. And the fewer people that know about the alliance, the better.
"Assurjan and House Hlaalu have... an understanding," she said carefully. "And you needn't ask me what he's doing for them in return. He doesn't trust me as well as he used to." That was truthful enough.
"Hmm. Well, for this kind of pay, I am not really particular about the why. But if you do happen to find out, I'd be interested to know."
Raema smiled. "I'll remember that. I won't keep you any longer, Jole. I have to return to Telasero, anyway."
He nodded, and gallantly walked her the few steps to the door. "You sure you don't want to come with me? I could always use backup. This Dagon Fel vampire sounds like a tough one."
"Maybe some other time," Raema said, more reluctantly than she'd expected to. In fact, she realized that some time away from Juraene clan... and from Assurjan... sounded lovely. "I'm expected back tonight."
"Alright," he conceded, as she stepped out the door. "But maybe I can come ask permission to borrow you, sometime soon."
Raema laughed. "I'd like that... But remember, we agreed to split the pay evenly. You can afford it," she added, teasingly.
He groaned, pressing a hand to his stomach as if she had punched him. Laughing, feeling a little better, she left him to finish his packing.
As the Hand of the Ancient crossed the bridge, back towards solid ground, Omesu touched the amulet at her neck, and staggered. The amulet was invaluable for getting in and out of her employer's secret manor unseen, and it made tasks like this one infinitely easier- but she had never gotten used to the wave of vertigo that came with its use. Swallowing hard, she watched until Raema had vanished into the darkness, presumably on her way back to her vampires. Her lip twisted at the thought of an entire fortress full of those undead creatures. Omesu turned back, heading for home. If she hurried, she could make her report to Dram before he went to see Crassius...