Author's Note: Closing in on the end of Blood and Choice! There are two chapters to go after this one. Thank you to everyone who has read and reviewed! :-)

Blood and Choice

Chapter 13

The Eight Plates, like the rest of the inns in Balmora, was full of Hlaalu mercenaries. Raema strode through the common room, feeling their gazes following her. They were her enemies, though they didn't know it yet. Only a few of them knew that she had been the Hand of the Ancient they held prisoner; and they now believed she was on their side. Aside from those few, she was unknown, not a Hlaalu member that anyone remembered seeing at the battle, a late-comer. Some of those gazes were jealous ones, calculating, determined not to let her receive a cut of their pay that she hadn't earned with them. It gave her a grim sense of satisfaction, knowing that they mistakenly thought her one of them.

She ignored them, making for the stairs. She had been lucky to get a room to herself; Dram Bero had made a few others share rooms so that she might be alone. She'd been grateful, at the time.

Now, when she opened the door and found the councilor inside, rifling through her things, she realized he had not done it out of kindness. Of course not... He's a Hlaalu.

He looked completely unsurprised to see her, and not at all ashamed to be caught snooping. "My lady Raema," he said, and held up the amulet she had purchased that morning. It dangled from a leather cord, glinting with an iridescent Recall spell. "Were you planning to go somewhere?" he asked, letting the amulet fall onto the scrolls of Divine Intervention she'd acquired as well. "With a particular undead companion, perhaps?"

"Get out of my room," she said, startled at how cold her own voice sounded.

"You heard the Hand, Omesu," Dram said to his guard, a Dunmer woman standing in the corner. "If you'd be so kind, leave us to speak for a moment."

The woman nodded once, and slipped past Raema, pulling the door closed as she went.

Raema let her hand rise to grip her sword over her shoulder. "You should go with her, councilor I don't take kindly to finding thieves in my room."

Dram gave her a tiny smile, raising empty hands. "I have taken nothing, Raema... nor do I plan to. You, on the other hand, seem to be planning to steal something yourself."

"I just like to be prepared," Raema said coolly. "Your House betrayed me once already; I'd like to avoid a recurrence. Always good to have a way out."

"A plausible explanation," Dram said, and fixed her with an intense stare. "Except that I know you, Raema- not well, but we have worked together. And I can't imagine that the Raema I know would turn on her master so easily... even for the promise of freedom. You're planning something."

Raema eyed him for a long, silent moment. She let her fingers tighten on the grip of her sword; the leather scabbard creaked softly. "And you are confronting me in my room with your guard outside. Why?"

"I did not intend to confront you, I assure you. I planned to let you attempt your rescue without interference."

That startled her. "Why?"

"In the hopes that you would provide a distraction, allowing us to deal with a far worse vampire."

"Quarra," Raema breathed.

Dram nodded once. "I had little say in the House's involvement with the vampires; all of it was Crassius' doing. I would have preferred to avoid them altogether... but it has become apparent that Volrina Quarra was a far worse choice of ally. If Assurjan's escape will allow us to be rid of her, so much the better."

"Why?" Raema asked again, bitterly. "She has helped you rid Vvardenfell of all the vampires. The news has already spread; people all over the island are talking about it. House Hlaalu will have more power and influence than ever. Isn't that what you wanted?"

"All the vampires save one," Dram said darkly. "She has the House firmly in her grasp, now. And I do not imagine she will be content to leave us be. I would far rather be allied to Assurjan Juraene than enslaved to Volrina Quarra."

Raema laughed softly, humorlessly. "If you think we will ally with you again-"

"House Hlaalu will shortly be under new leadership," Dram said calmly. "I fear that Crassius Curio's judgment has been compromised by Quarra's influence. Fortunately, a large number of our members agree with me... and the others can be bought, for the right price."

Raema let go of her sword, folded her arms across her chest. "So we should ally with you, instead? You did nothing to stop your House from destroying us, Councilor. They are all dead, now. They may have been only vampires, but they were- they were my family." An image of Talintus rose in her mind: sparring with her, his grizzled face grinning at the strength and skill she'd developed under his tutelage. "And Assurjan-"

She looked away, searching for words. Dram waited silently, his expression somber when she finally looked back at him. "He is a vampire, yes... and he is honorable. He found me, a troublesome slave worth less than it cost to feed me, and he made me into something more. And he wanted only to do that with his clan, as well. That was why we had allied with House Hlaalu: he was trying to carve out a place for Juraene clan, a way for us to exist side-by-side with the people of Vvardenfell. He sought to make his clan better, more than simply a group of undead blood drinkers. And I will not let him be rewarded for that by being held as a trophy of House Hlaalu's bloody greatness!"

"Nor should you," Dram said quietly after her outburst. "In my experience, he has been nothing but honorable. Frightening, perhaps, but I've never had reason to distrust him. Hlaalu's leadership has made some poor choices- I will ensure that it does not happen again.

"Now, do not misunderstand me," he added. "I cannot offer to help, and I am not fool enough to believe you would trust me if I did. But, I can ensure that you will not be hindered. And if you succeed in escaping Quarra, we will not pursue you."

Raema stared at him. She could not entirely believe what he was saying- but did it matter? "You've betrayed him," she said. "Are you truly willing to let him go, knowing that he will be free, and still furious at you?"

"Given a choice between him and Quarra, I know my answer," Dram said, with a rueful smile. "If it rids us of Quarra, I am willing to risk his escape, and hope that it will redeem me somewhat. Now, she was to come for him at sundown tonight, so-"

"Sundown?" Raema exclaimed. Bloody Oblivion, it was already early evening when she'd returned to the inn. How long had they been in her room talking?

Dram picked up the scrolls and the amulet, held them out toward her. "There is an entrance to Hlormaren's sewer levels among the rocks on the coast. You should hurry, Raema."

Raema stared at him, wide-eyed. The thought flashed through her mind that it was just another trap, another betrayal...

But if it were not, this was her only chance to save Assurjan.

She snatched the items from Dram's hand and turned to go. "Good luck," called the councilor's voice, as she rushed from the room.

The sun was dangerously close to the horizon, hovering over the edge of the sea, when Raema burst from the trees at the shore. She glanced at it worriedly- How long before it set? The muck and sand on the beach pulled at her boots as she ran north. She was gasping for air when she found the half-submerged door that connected Hlormaren's sewer level into the sea.

Once inside, Raema clambered out of the water, and grimaced down at her wet clothing. The invisibility spells wouldn't do her much good if she was going to leave puddles of water everywhere she went. In the dim light, she shook herself off, squeezed the excess water from her hair, then drew her sword. No sense in letting it rust in the sheath, she thought, and began to make her way deeper into the sewer.

The tunnels seemed deathly quiet, with only the occasional drip of water to cast tiny echoes. Rounding a corner, Raema didn't see the Dunmer curled up on the floor until she tripped over him. She stumbled, hissed a curse, caught herself on the tunnel wall with her empty hand.

The Dunmer stirred, then sat up. In the dimness of the sewer, Raema could tell when his eyes opened; they blazed with the hunger of a new vampire. He caught sight of her and snarled wordlessly. Nearly too fast for Raema to see, he gathered his feet under him and sprang for her.

Acting on instinct more than thought, Raema thrust the sword at him, feeling it slide between ribs. Undeterred, still snarling, he clawed at her, fingers glinting with the feeding spell. Grimacing at the sensation, Raema planted one foot on his chest and jerked her sword free. He swayed on his feet as blood oozed from the wound. When he lunged at her again, she took his head from his shoulders with a yell.

Silence returned as the vampire's corpse dropped to the ground. Raema stared at it, shaking. He was newly turned. He could not have been a vampire when he'd fallen asleep- vampires didn't sleep. She remembered, all too well, how it felt to first awaken with that new, all-consuming hunger for blood and power... how it could drive a young vampire to ignore even a stab to the chest, because all that mattered was the pursuit of the hot, sweet blood that flowed in the veins of its prey-

Stop it, she told herself, forcing the memories back. She bent to wipe the blood from her sword with his shirt. How had the Dunmer gotten here, and who was he? A Hlaalu, fallen asleep on guard duty in the sewer? She had no way of knowing which bloodline had turned him... but she couldn't help hoping that a Juraene vampire had managed that bit of revenge.

Either way, it didn't matter, really. She left the body and moved on; the only thing that mattered was Assurjan. Around a few more turns, the door to the stronghold's lower level appeared. She crouched beside it, pressed her ear to the damp wood. She could hear nothing, feel no vibrations through the door. It was unlocked.

Her free hand strayed to the Recall amulet that hung about her neck, making certain it was still there. It was set for one of Juraene's "safe-house" caves. She also had the scrolls of Divine Intervention in her pockets, but they wouldn't be her first choice. She tucked the charm back inside her shirt, and cracked the door, squinting in the sliver of light that spilled through.

A glance showed no one in sight; the room beyond seemed as deathly quiet as the sewer had been. Raema pushed the door open just enough to slip through. It opened into a large chamber, almost filled with two of the huge columns that supported the weight of the stronghold above. Four other rooms branched off to the sides; these had been fitted with cell doors, iron and magicka glinting in the torchlight. Inside the nearest one, four Dunmer slumped against the walls, one with an arm that ended in a bloodstained bandage. Another one glanced over at her, and his eyes widened.

Raema stared at him. She knew him- one of Irarak's followers. He opened his mouth to speak, and she held a finger to her lips. Wait, she mouthed.

The vampire nodded, but he crept closer to the bars, eyes glinting with desperate hunger. Silently, he pulled himself to his feet, and Raema could feel his eyes on her back as she crept farther into the room. If she released them, the chaos they caused might cover her and Assurjan's escape- but they might as easily turn on her without knowing it. She didn't relish the thought of four starving vampires running loose.

Raema ducked around the first column, slipping closer toward the door. The cell opposite Irarak's vampires was empty. Assurjan had to be in one of the other two- those cells were guarded by a lone Hlaalu in bonemold armor, seated on the bottom steps with his sword across his knees. His helmet was propped beside him on the stairs.

Raema pressed her back against the column, drew a deep breath. He hadn't seen her, and he was only a few steps away. If she was quick-

Raema whirled around the column, crossed the open space in three strides. The Hlaalu looked up, startled, and reached too slowly for his hilt. Raema's boot lashed out in a round kick, smashing into the side of his head. His temple struck the stone wall, and he fell back, armor clattering on the stairs. Wincing at the noise, Raema froze, waiting to hear shouts of alarm from the upper level.

None came. In the silence, she could sense that Irarak's vampire was not the only one watching her. Turning, she saw Assurjan standing inside the nearest cell.

"Raema."

Raema felt herself break into a grin. Assurjan looked weary and worn, with his braid of black hair disheveled and his eyes glowing hungrily. He was whole, though, and in better condition than Irarak's people. He stood with his hands, still bound by Jole's manacles, folded before him.

"My lord," Raema murmured, approaching his cell.

The corners of his eyes crinkled- the barest hint of a smile. "This is... unexpected."

Raema swallowed. "You didn't think I would leave you to rot with the Hlaalu, did you?" She asked, attempting to sound light-hearted, and failing at it.

The Ancient raised one eyebrow, and said nothing. Wincing, Raema reached through the bars to grasp his hand. "I did what I had to do, to keep you alive, my lord."

He squeezed her fingers. "I know," he said softly. "I should be grateful that you played your part so convincingly."

Gods, that look in his eyes... Raema had spent so long wishing to see it, she could hardly tear her gaze away. "Not finished yet," she murmured, and squeezed his hand again before pulling back. Frowning, she examined the cell door. It was spelled, glinting with a nearly-invisible, iridescent sheen. That would interfere, she knew, if it stood between her and Assurjan when she tried to use the Recall amulet with him. Alright, plan B, she thought, pulling her lockpicking tools from her pocket. She knelt before the door. "Quarra is coming for you at sunset. We'll be gone by then...I hope."

"Sunset," Assurjan said quietly. He would be able to sense its approach, as well as Quarra's, Raema knew. Examining the door lock, she breathed a sigh of relief that it was not trapped. Assurjan watched silently as she set about picking the lock.

Minutes ticked by in silence; Raema began to sweat as she worked. Every moment that it didn't open, someone was bound to come down the stairs and...

"She is here," Assurjan said suddenly. "Raema, you must go."

Raema ignored him, ear pressed to the lock so she could hear the tumblers clicking. "Wait-"

The Ancient reached through the bars and grasped her hand. At the sudden jarring, the pick shifted in her hand, and the tumblers dropped. Raema muttered a curse.

"The guard, Raema," Assurjan reminded her. She glanced over her shoulder at the Hlaalu she'd knocked unconscious. She would have to hide, and wait for another chance- but she couldn't leave the guard there. She shoved the lockpick back into her pocket, and pulled out one of the Divine Intervention scrolls instead.

She pressed it into Assurjan's hands. "If you get the chance, if they take the bracers off, use it," she said urgently. "Promise me you'll use it if you can, my lord."

"I will," he replied, tucking the scroll inside the sleeve of his robe. "Quickly now, Raema."

Raema snatched up the guard's helm and shoved it onto his head, then hooked her hands under his arms and dragged him to the cell next to Assurjan's. With luck, no one would glance at the empty cell... but she dragged the man into the back, into the shadows, just in case.

As she lowered him to the floor, she heard voices, footsteps, coming down the staircase. She pressed herself against the wall of the cell and dared a peek around the corner.

Seven guards were there, weapons drawn, while an eighth, an Orc, unlocked Assurjan's cell. "Come on, vampire," the Orc growled, seizing Assurjan's arm in one massive hand. "Someone's come to call on you."

The other guards sniggered as the Orc shoved Assurjan into their midst. One of them spat at the vampire; Assurjan fixed the man with a glare, and said nothing.

"Check him," the Orc grunted to one of the others. Raema blinked in surprise as Jole stepped forward and inspected the manacles. Assurjan watched wordlessly; when he was finished, Jole glanced up at the vampire. If he regretted what was about to happen, he showed no sign of it. "They'll hold," he told the Orc.

The guard nodded. "Let's go," he snapped, prodding Assurjan with the butt of his spear. The eight closed around him, and began to climb the stairs.

When the door above shut with a thud, Raema darted from the cell, reaching for her invisibility-

"Hand of the Ancient," called a voice behind her, a voice shattered into hungry layers. Raema froze; she had forgotten about Irarak's vampires. She turned to see them all on their feet, crowding at the door, staring at her with glimmering white eyes.

Raema bit her lip. "I can't," she whispered. "Quarra will sense you, she will know if you're moving." And I can't afford to have anyone sound an alarm... not until Assurjan is safe.

"You will leave us to our deaths?" the one in front said. "The Hlaalu will not let us go. Irarak will try to free us, but... They are letting two Ancients get away, and they will cling to any prisoners they still have. We will all be dead in a matter of days."

Raema glanced back at the stairs. Where were the Hlaalu taking Assurjan to meet Quarra? She had to hurry after them. But... She couldn't just leave Irarak's people. Too many vampires had already died. Briefly, she considered asking them to help her... but they were weakened from their captivity, starved and desperate. She didn't want them at her back. And, she thought, looking at the Dunmer woman with the stump of her arm wrapped in dirty bandages, they've been put through enough already. Everything that had happened due to Irarak's betrayal was no fault of theirs.

Slowly, she approached the cell, stopping when she was just out of reach. All four vampires, even the maimed one, stared at her silently, eyes bright in the shadows.

"You can sense the Ancients too, can't you?" Raema asked quietly. The one who had spoken gave a nod.

Raema pointed at the door that led to the sewers. "Through that door is another exit, to the sea. You can get out that way, and be on your way to safety without the Hlaalu knowing. But Quarra will know if you are escaping, and she will send them after you. You must wait until you know she's gone." She held up her lockpick, and fixed the vampire in front with an unblinking stare. "Promise me."

He nodded slowly, and held his hand out to her, palm up. "I swear it."

Raema laid the pick in his hand, and hurried away before misgivings could set in.

The stronghold appeared empty and mostly quiet as she hurried through its levels- Rather eerily quiet, in fact. Was everyone still recovering from the battle? The only sound was her own hurried footsteps echoing in the stone hallways. Heart pounding, she climbed the stairs to the rooftop and slipped out the door.

A group of Hlaalu were milling about, and Dram Bero was there, directing them where to stand. They all moved quickly, nervously, hands on their weapons. "Where is Crassius?" Bero demanded. "This is his bloody doing... the n'wah should be here to deal with the vampire. You!" He said, pointing at another Hlaalu guard. "Send someone to Councilor Curio's room, make sure he's coming. And you..." He strode away, still giving orders, as a few more more Hlaalu approached from the Propylon chamber.

Assurjan stood in front of the group, still as calm as ever, his manacled hands folded before his waist. The eight guards formed a semicircle around him, with Jole at the far right. The other Hlaalu made sure to keep the guards between themselves and the Ancient.

Rubbing her head absently- she was starting to get a headache- Raema joined the back of the group while they organized themselves. Tense and nervous, they did not seem to notice her. A sudden hush fell over the crowd, and all attention turned to the staircase at the side of the stronghold.

Volrina Quarra came into view as she ascended the stairs. She looked just as Raema remembered from Nerano tomb: smiling smugly, torchlight glinting on her glass armor. Irarak was with her, as well as a few more Hlaalu serving as an escort.

"My lady," Dram said, going to greet her. "Be welcome to Hlormaren. As you can see, we have your prisoner."

"Indeed," Quarra said, with a wide, dangerous grin. "Your House has done well, Dram." At her side, Irarak glanced over the crowd. When he caught sight of Raema, his eyes widened. Raema's heart nearly stopped, and they stared at each other. She kept her face as blank as she could. Let him keep silent, she prayed fervently. She had no idea what Irarak believed about her part in Assurjan's capture, or whose side she was on.

Finally, he looked away, and said nothing. Raema managed to breathe again, just barely.

Quarra, meanwhile, was closing the distance between herself and Assurjan. "Well, well," she mused, stopping in front of the other Ancient. Her vicious smile deepened. "It's so good to see you again, Assurjan. You don't know how I've been longing to see you- with your clan destroyed, everything you cared for ripped away." She reached up and seized his jaw, her fingernails pressing into his dark skin. "We have so much in common now, so many things to discuss," she continued, in a low voice. A spot of blood welled up beneath one fingernail, trickled down her wrist. "I'm looking forward to a long, long visit with you, old friend." With another smile, she let him go, and paused to lick his blood from her hand.

In uncomfortable silence, the Hlaalu glanced at each other, shifting nervously. Assurjan remained impassive, while a slow trickle of blood dripped from his jaw. Raema tensed, wondering when would be the best time to move. No doubt Quarra was planning to leave via sorcery; Raema would have to make her own escape with Assurjan before that happened. Slowly, she began to ease her way through the small crowd of Hlaalu, moving toward the front.

Quarra turned toward Jole. "And Ser Devan, what a surprise to see you again. I hadn't thought that your agreement with House Hlaalu made you a member."

"I'm just a vampire hunter, and I'm just here to see an Ancient brought to justice," he said easily. "And I don't much care which one, so you probably shouldn't come any closer."

Quarra stopped moving, but she was still smiling. "Oh, I had my fun with you already, little hunter. I have no intention of bringing you back to my lair. I will, however, be taking Raema." As she spoke, she waved a hand, and Raema froze as a paralysis spell settled over her.

Spitting curses in her head, Raema glared at Quarra, straining against the paralysis spell. The Hlaalu around her gasped in surprise, and moved away quickly as Quarra approached. There was a sudden commotion as Assurjan lunged forward, snarling, and was stopped by his guards. Jole was wide-eyed and staring, both hands on his knife hilts. Dram Bero spoke up in protest, and Quarra ignored all of it.

"Silly little Hand," she murmured, tucking back a strand of Raema's hair. "You were finally free of him, but you couldn't just leave him, could you? So devoted..." She glanced back at Assurjan, and her fangs gleamed. She reached up and unbuckled Raema's sword, tossed it to the ground. "I don't much care what happens to you, Bosmer- but Assurjan does. Gods, I will love making him watch what I'll do to you..."