Blood and Choice
Chapter 12
Assurjan did not wake her the next evening, instead waiting for her to awaken on her own. It made for a late start; they did not leave the shrine until well after midnight. Though Raema felt as if eyes were on her back for the whole journey, they saw no one. Assurjan set a slightly faster pace than he had the night before. Well-rested, if still feeling a bit weak, Raema was able to keep pace with him easily enough. She gnawed on bit of stale bread she had found in a crate in the shrine, and wondered if Assurjan, like herself, was reluctant to reach Telasero.
Reluctant or not, they could not dawdle all night. It was nearing dawn when they drew close to the stronghold. Assurjan had been silent nearly the entire journey. Now, in the faint, growing light, she could see the way his jaw was clenched, could almost feel the fury radiating from him.
"Can you sense them, my lord?" she asked, knowing the two of them were near enough. If any vampires remained in Telasero, he would be able to feel them by now.
"No," he said shortly, quickening his pace.
The rocks gave way to the paths she knew, and Assurjan slowed again as the fortress loomed into view. When he stopped suddenly, Raema nearly walked into his back.
"What is it?" she asked, coming up beside him.
"Telasero," he said grimly, "is empty of vampires. But if Quarra has mortals at her command, I will not be able to sense them." He glanced at her, eyes glinting faintly. "You are still unarmed. Stay close, Raema."
She nodded, and they approached the stronghold. It seemed eerily silent, even for the barren Ashlands. They saw no movement as they approached the staircase on the stronghold's side. At the top of the steps, Raema could see bodies scattered across the stronghold, clearly visible in the pre-dawn light.
Assurjan prodded the nearest one with his foot, rolling the body onto its back. Raema did not recognize him, or her. Shriveled and desiccated like anyone killed by a vampire feeding, it could have been one of Juraene's, or Quarra's. Assurjan left the body where it lay, and made for the door; Raema hurried after him.
Inside, the stronghold was dark as pitch. After waiting a long moment, listening to the silence, Assurjan muttered a word. Light bloomed, bright after the utter darkness, and Raema squeezed her eyes shut. When she could open them again, she saw that he had lit the candles in the audience chamber- the few that had not been smashed flat. Raema imagined mercenaries' booted feet trampling through the stronghold, and grimaced.
There were more bodies in the audience chamber, which Assurjan ignored. The hall to his chambers was empty; in his library, books were scattered about, pages torn, splashed with blood. Even Raema's own little alcove outside his bedchamber had been ransacked, her few possessions scattered or missing.
Assurjan's bedchamber was worse. The bookshelves had been completely overturned, spilling books and bottles and his sorcerer's items across the floor. His worktable, once a site of organized work, looked as if some spellcaster had enveloped it in flame. Charred papers were scattered about, and the glass paraphernalia of his work was melted and misshapen.
Just inside the door, another body lay. Raema glanced at it, expecting it to be as unrecognizable as the others, then gave a cry of shock.
"Talintus!" She dropped to her knees beside him, horrified. Above a nose smashed and bloody, the Imperial's eyes stared blankly. She had known not to expect anyone alive, but still- seeing Talintuswas a shock.
"His sword," Assurjan said. "You need a weapon, Raema."
Bloody Oblivion, she thought. She had not even noticed it; his weapon was still sheathed at his side, unbloodied. Hesitating, she murmured a quick prayer for her weapons master. "Forgive me," she added, reluctantly unbuckling his swordbelt.
"He never even drew it, my lord," she noted, getting to her feet. "He trusted whoever it was that killed him."
"Irarak," the Ancient growled. Raema shivered; she still could not believe that Assurjan's old friend had betrayed them all. Unbidden, his words from weeks ago came back to her. Assurjan needs someone he can trust, someone loyal, someone who won't betray him. Had Irarak known, even then, what he was going to do?
She followed Assurjan to the lower level of the stronghold. There, they found only more of the same: disarray and corpses, but nothing more. Even the cattle had been slaughtered.
"My lord?" Raema asked, as he stood staring at the bodies strewn about the common area of the lower level.
He glanced over at her, and she took an involuntary step back. All night, she had been painfully aware of the fury that seethed under his calm exterior; now she could see it blazing in his eyes, and it startled her with its intensity.
Before she could speak, however, footsteps sounded from the upper level. Soft footsteps, but ringingly loud in the stronghold's emptiness. They paused, then drew closer, descending the stairs. Assurjan motioned her away from the steps, his hands gaining an unearthly glow of magicka. Heart pounding, Raema gripped Talintus' sword, waiting.
When Jole stepped warily into view, a throwing knife readied in each hand, Raema nearly collapsed in relief. The Redguard's face broke into a wide grin when he saw her.
"Raema! Gods, I'm glad to see you-" he stopped, looking back at Assurjan. The grin faded. "This is a dangerous place for you to be, Ancient," he said. "They're coming back. Curio ordered that the Hlaalu gather anything of value that they didn't get last night, and begin clearing away the bodies-"
Raema's legs did collapse then; her knees thudded painfully onto the stone floor, and Jole cast her a startled glance. She didn't want to believe it. Betrayal upon betrayal, Irarak and House Hlaalu...
The glow of Assurjan's hands winked out, but the fury in his eyes only intensified, a blaze that outshone the scattered candles. "The Hlaalu," he said, in a voice as cold as the grave.
Jole glanced from one to the other, not understanding. Horror broke over Raema in a chilling wave, settling into a pool in the pit of her stomach. It's my fault. My fault. I knew not to trust Bero, I knew it! If I had told Assurjan, then maybe... She struggled to her feet, forcing her stunned mind to work. The Hlaalu betrayed us. Bloody Oblivion, they killed the clan. And now they will want Assurjan... We can't stay here!
"They're coming," she said, hardly able to speak, her heart was pounding so hard. She moved towards him, half-intending to pull him bodily toward the stairs. "Assurjan, we have to leave, now!"
He looked at her, visibly making an effort to control his rage. "Raema," he said in a firm voice, cutting through her near-panic. "Dawn has already broken. There is nowhere for me to go."
That pool of horror in her stomach roiled, nearly making her gag. The Hlaalu had them in the perfect trap.
She began cursing, and didn't stop until he grasped her arms, startling her into silence. "You must go," he said softly. "You can still escape."
"I'm not leaving you." As if he truly thought she would abandon him to the Hlaalu and simply leave! "Between the two of us, we might-"
"Fight all of them off until nightfall? No!" He snapped, his hands tightening on her arms. "Neither of us have the strength for it. You will not stay here, Raema. I forbid it. Get out, while there is still time."
He was afraid, she realized with a shock. Not afraid of the coming Hlaalu, but afraid for her. I can't leave you, she thought. I won't.
"You no longer command me, Assurjan." It came out in a whisper.
He snarled wordlessly, pushing her back a step until her back met the wall. "Do you want to keep me alive? Then you must get to safety; or else they will only find a way to use you against me. They will use you to bend me to their will. Quarra has taken my home, my clan, my oldest friend. I will not let her have you." He stepped closer, until she had to tilt her head back to meet his eyes; they held an expression she had never seen but almost recognized, as if he had only allowed her glimpses of it until now. His next words made the floor fall away from under her feet, until she felt that the only thing holding her up was his hands on her arms.
"I love you, Raema. Do not make me watch you die, or I promise you, I will not be far behind."
Her mouth dropped open, but she could not speak. Somewhere, distantly, an old wound healed over, closing a hole that had lain open for a long, long time.
He kissed her quickly, pressing her against the wall with a fierce desperation. "You must go," he breathed against her mouth. "Please, Raema..."
Assurjan released her, stepped back, still staring at her. Raema squeezed her eyes shut. After everything, to finally hear the words she had longed for, now...
Jole moved forward, cleared his throat. Raema had forgotten he was there. He was watching the Ancient with a peculiar expression on his face; and he had his manacles in one hand, the enchanted ones that blocked the wearer's magicka. "It will go easier for you, Ancient, if you allow me to restrain you. There is a reason the Hlaalu sent me ahead. If I have already captured you by the time they arrive, no one will question it."
"Easy, hunter?" Assurjan asked softly. He shifted slightly on his feet, and the entire atmosphere of the room changed to something cold and deadly. "The slaughter of my entire clan was far too easy for you. Do not expect me to allow you anything."
Raema flinched. She hadn't even thought to wonder how Jole knew about the attack on the clan. But he'd been working for the Hlaalu.... She felt sick again. Irarak, and the Hlaalu, and Jole-!
But the Redguard was shaking his head; he looked pained. "I knew nothing about this, Ancient. For weeks, the Hlaalu were paying me to not hunt your clan, the same that you were. I didn't know what they were planning, didn't learn about Telasero until afterward." He paused, glancing at Raema. "I promise you, I would have warned you if I knew. For Raema's sake."
Raema rubbed at her temples, overwhelmed. Assurjan's words still echoed in her head, just another thing she could hardly believe. Not now, she told herself. Think! There has to be something, some way... Without fleeing, without fighting...
And then, she knew exactly what she had to do. An image formed in her mind of Assurjan from her dream, watching her with sad eyes above her own sword in his chest... No... I can't.
But it's the only way.
Slowly, she raised her head to look at the vampire. His eyes were still afire, with hunger and fury, and something else, something new, that she could not acknowledge. Not now. "Assurjan," she said slowly, her voice trembling. "There might be a way. To keep you alive, to let me stay close to you. But..." She paused, glancing at Jole. Whatever he said, she could not be certain of his loyalties. And that meant she could not explain, not thoroughly, not in his presence.
She drew a breath, then met the vampire's eyes again. "Do you trust me, my lord?"
Assurjan was silent, that utterly still silence that only the undead could achieve. And from the upper levels, voices rang out, growing closer. The moment stretched; Raema could hear her own blood throbbing in her ears.
Assurjan lifted his hands without a word, holding them towards her, almost as if he were presenting her with a gift. Raema nodded tightly to Jole, who moved forward to clasp the manacles around the vampire's wrists. The Ancient ignored it; he held her gaze without blinking, and Raema stared back, her heart twisting in her chest at what she was about to do.
The manacles snapped into place with a metallic click. Almost immediately, Assurjan's bound fists rose and smashed into Jole's face, making the Redguard stagger. He recovered quickly, with a blade flashing out and laid against the vampire's throat before Raema had a chance to react. But the vampire resumed his stillness, regarding the hunter coolly.
Assurjan raised an eyebrow. "Would they have believed I was captured without a fight?"
Jole snorted a humorless laugh. Spitting out a mouthful of blood, he eased the knife away. "Bloody n'wah," he said, sounding rueful.
Raema clenched her fists. She felt crazed laughter bubbling up inside her, and sobs too, as if she were some skooma-addled Khajiit. Voices called down the stairs, asking for Jole.
"Here!" the hunter shouted back. With an apologetic glance in Raema's direction, he grasped Assurjan's arm. "Come on, Ancient."
Boots came thundering down the stairs as Jole guided the vampire to meet them. Assurjan met her eyes once more.
"I'm sorry," was all Raema had time to whisper. Forgive me for what I'm going to do...
People crowded into the chamber, members of House Hlaalu, fighters in armor and mismatched clothing, weapons at the ready, all eying the vampire warily. The last man paused on the steps, surveying the room silently.
"Councilor Bero," Raema blurted, when she saw the startled recognition in his eyes. "As we discussed... I seized an opportunity, and brought you a gift."
Jole shot her a startled glance. She ignored it, keeping her gaze on Dram Bero. Don't turn around, she told herself desperately. Don't look at Assurjan. She knew the expression he'd be wearing, had seen it in her nightmare.
"Well," Bero said finally, descending the last step. He approached the three of them, looking justifiably wary. "This is... a pleasant surprise. Raema, I am happy to see you again-"
He knows! She realized; there was more than polite concern in his voice. He knew how she had been used for bait in the trap, knew she had been sacrificed to Calvario. She had to swallow back a new wave of fury.
"How did this happen?" Bero continued, studying the Ancient. Assurjan regarded him calmly, but the fierce light in his eyes belied his blank expression.
Raema gestured at the manacles around his wrists. "These were left in the tomb where I was captured," she said. "I took them, just in case. When the Ancient told me what happened, what he wanted me to do... I knew he wouldn't let me go, not even now, with his clan gone. So I took the opportunity when I could, threw these on him and brought him here. I figured you would be back eventually."
"She was here waiting when I arrived," Jole added. He rubbed at the blood that smeared his lip, and grinned. "Aside from a little scuffle, this was the easiest catch I've ever made," he added, with a swift glare at the Ancient.
"I see," Bero said. He turned to Raema. "Well, sera, I'm very happy to see that you made the right choice. As we've discussed, I'm sure we will find a place within House Hlaalu for you- as a free citizen, of course- in thanks for this service you have given us."
Raema swallowed, and could only nod in reply. She could feel Assurjan's stare like a weight leaning against her. He hadn't known, of course, about Bero's attempts to make her turn traitor. Gods, all she wanted to do was draw her sword and clear a path through the Hlaalu, to prove to the Ancient that she was on his side...
"What do you plan to do with him?" Jole asked, and Raema knew it was more for her sake that he asked.
The Dunmer councilor hesitated. "Volrina Quarra will take him," he said, looking unhappy. "That was her price for her aid. My lord Ancient, I am sorry it came to this. I do not relish turning on an ally. Perhaps it would have been better if our two groups had never allied at all."
"Indeed," Assurjan said darkly, his deep voice layered and fractured with hunger. Even captive, restrained, surrounded, he made that simple word into a threat. Several of the gathered fighters shifted nervously, gripping their weapons.
Bero didn't seem to notice. He pulled an object from his pocket, handed it to a nearby Hlaalu: a propylon index. "Take the prisoner back to Hlormaren," he ordered. "Ser Devan, if you'll be so kind as to accompany the Ancient..."
Raema winced inwardly. The walk to the propylon chamber, in sunlight, would be short but painful for the vampire. She took a step, meaning to go with them; Jole's quick, warning shake of his head held her back. She stood frozen, heart pounding, while a few more Hlaalu stepped forward to surround Assurjan. The others gave the group a wide berth as they made for the stairs.
Assurjan caught her eye as he passed. For the briefest instant, his cold exterior cracked. Raema could see that sadness she knew from her nightmare, and- Oh, gods- the newly professed love he bore for her.
Then he was once again blank as stone, being led away. Raema made herself watch. I did this, she thought hollowly, as he ascended the stairs. I gave him to the Hlaalu. And if it weren't for me, the clan would still be alive...
No. It is House Hlaalu, and Volrina Quarra, who have done this. The reminder made her grit her teeth.
"This must be difficult for you," Dram Bero said quietly. Raema bit back the reply she wanted to give, and made herself smile hollowly.
"A bit," she conceded. "But freedom is a wonderful feeling."
Bero smiled back. "I'm glad. My lady Hand- well, I suppose I cannot call you that any longer. Raema, you know this stronghold well. Would you be so kind as to show us about?"
And help you to plunder our home, she thought bitterly. "Of course, Councilor..."
"Here, this one," the Hlaalu said, gesturing towards a cell... of sorts. The lower level of the stronghold Hlormaren had been converted to a prison area: new doors had been installed in the four large side chambers, all metal bars and magicka, faintly glimmering. Jole eyed the craftsmanship, and decided it would hold.
The Ancient did not resist as Jole steered him into the room. He turned about, watching silently as the Hlaalu woman swung the door shut and sealed it. The vampire had borne the sunlit trips to and from the propylon chambers without complaint, but there was a tightness around his eyes that spoke of pain and weariness.
"Those bracers better not come off, for anything," Jole told the woman. "They're the only thing keeping him from tearing down the door."
"I believe it," she said, with nervous humor. "I don't think anyone will be going near enough to take them off, trust me."
Assurjan's lips twitched; his amusement only seemed to unnerve the woman more. She took a step backward, hand on her dagger's hilt. "Councilor Curio will wish to speak with you," she said to Jole.
"In a minute," the hunter said, waving her away. She left with a hurried stride, and Jole and Assurjan remained staring at each other through the barred door, silently.
"For what it's worth, Ancient, I'm sorry it's come to this."
The vampire interlaced his fingers, as if it were his own choice to hold his hands bound together, and said nothing.
Jole rubbed his chin, feeling the last few days' accumulated stubble under his fingers. Gods, when was the last time he had slept for more than three hours together?
"Did you mean what you said? What you told Raema?"
Assurjan raised an eyebrow. "Do you believe I would give voice to such a thing, if it were untrue?" He asked softly.
"I think you would lie about anything, if it meant your survival."
"Nearly anything, perhaps. But not this. Not to her." There was something in his voice, a flicker of emotion through his careful impassivity, that startled Jole.
"Bloody Oblivion," he muttered. "You do love her, don't you?"
"You were undead yourself, Redguard. Is it truly so hard to believe it possible?"
An image burned into Jole's mind, one that he had kept hidden away for so long... Berinda's eyes, frozen wide and terrified, lips twisted into a silent scream, above the mess where his fangs had torn her throat out. Her arms were curled protectively around the soft roundness of her belly- their child, who would also be dead, by now. The blood that had nourished it, Berinda's blood, still tasted salty-sweet on his tongue. Oh, gods, what had he done? Berinda, his sweet Berinda... he had loved her so much, and now-
He shoved away the memory, found himself still deep under the stronghold, one hand bracing against the wall, Assurjan's piercing white stare fixed on him. Curse the vampire, for making him relive that again! Furious, Jole glared back. "That's all she ever wanted, you know," he said in a low voice. "For you to love her. It's a pity you only told her now, at the end." He felt a vicious satisfaction at the vampire's stricken look. Fists clenched, Jole turned to leave.
"Yes," Assurjan said behind him, as he made for the stairs. "A pity, indeed. But she lives."
Jole stumbled a little, catching himself again on the wall. Assurjan loved a mortal woman- and he had not torn out her throat.
And Raema... she would live the rest of her life, knowing that her actions had led to the death of the one she loved. Gods, he would not wish that fate on her. He had tried to protect her! Vampires don't love...
But of course, he had been wrong.
He could feel the Ancient's eyes on his back, cold and piercing. Jole straightened, and forced himself to climb the stairs without a backward glance.