Chapter 3 The Divination
A couple of big cat eyes looked up on her from the bed.
"Tawny, why are you still awake?" said Althea with a low voice.
"I can't sleep. When will mum come back?"
"I don't know, Tawny. But I'm sure she'll be back soon." Althea tried to sound as assuring as she could.
"What about Mau's mum and dad? Will they come back to?"
"I hope so. Shall we pray together?" She carefully sat down at the edge of Tawny's bed.
"Will they come home then?" No, she wanted to say but she know that she couldn't. She simply didn't have the hart to take away the little girls hope.
"If the gods hear you I'm sure that they will do everything they can to help your parents." Tawny nodded determinedly. "Then I'll pray really much so that they have to listen!"
"That's good." Althea patted the little Kahjiit on the head. They prayed together for all the parents to come home safely, then Althea sat with the little girl until she fell asleep. When she walked out from the dormitory she felt empty. Tawny and Mau came from a nearby village. There were many more just like them. All the men and women who could wield a weapon or cast magic had been recruited into the imperial legion.
"The war hasn't started yet, there is still hope. Maybe nothing will happen. High chancellor Audric won't let anything happen to us." Winifred smiled kindly towards Althea. Her old wrinkly face and white hair looked exactly as it had 16 years ago, when she became abbess of the Priory of the Nine.
"Even Audric's power has it's boundaries. The armies that we're facing are far too great."
"Maybe," she said and nodded. "But as long as we pray, the gods will help us."
Althea was starting to feel frustrated. She knew that there was nothing that the gods could do to help them. "Then why haven't they helped those children? Why are they being punished?"
Winifred seemed surprised at first, but then she put her hand on Althea's shoulder.
"The gods does not always act as we wish, but I do know that they would never let any harm come to those children." The abbess sighed when she saw the confusion in Althea's face. "I'm sure you'll understand in time. After all, you are the one who's supposed to take my place when I'm gone." Althea opened her mouth to protest but the abbess put up her hand to silence her. "Your grandfather would have wanted you to lead this priory."
Althea sighed. "I'm not ready for that kind of responsibility."
"Oh, well, I'm not going to die today! You have time. Time to mature and become wise, just like your grandfather and your mother."
"I guess you are right. But lets pray that there will be a long time until then." Althea smiled. Winifred nodded and went up to her room.
When she was younger she would've believed the abbess words, but things had changed. She no longer wanted to lead the priory, and her faith in the gods were diminishing every day. What god would take both mothers and fathers away from their children? Althea was tired of waiting for a manifestation of the divines. She wanted to help. She wanted to be talk to the leaders of the different sides, try to stop the upcoming war. And if she couldn't prevent the war she wanted to be out on the battle field, healing the wounded and supporting soldiers who had lost hope, no matter what side they fought on. I can do all that, she thought, all I have to do is step outside. She smiled when she thought about it. Finally, she would have the chance to actually help someone. Not that she didn't consider herself an asset to the priory, but the number of people she could help there was limited.
Under her bed was a small bag with her belongings. There were only two dresses, one pair of shoes and a ring, all of which she had inherited from her mother. The rest of her clothes belonged to the priory, and she didn't think it was right to take them. Althea took a deep breath. Usually she was never anxious when she did something she knew was right, but this time it was different. She had lived as a nun in the priory since the day she was born, and leaving it felt like leaving a part of herself behind, but at the same time she was finding something new within herself. Nika was the one who had brought that new thing forward. Ever since Althea met him, she had been changing. He was the one who had offered to take her to the frontline. He had joined Valenwoods army together with the nobleman that he served, apparently this nobleman wanted the best healers in Cyrodiil by his side, and Nika had gotten her a place with the rest of the medics that he had gathered. She picked up her bag and forced herself to smile. Everything is going to be fine, she thought and walked out of the priory.
Nika was sitting on the lowest branch of a big oak. It was past midnight and pitch black, but thanks to his vampire eyes he had a perfect view of the priory. He was wearing a white shirt, under a dark leather jerkin that matched his trousers. A bow and a quiver were hanging on his back, and in his sword belt he had a longsword and a knife, all in silver. Usually he would've been wearing a robe with hood, to make sure that the sun wouldn't get to him, in case he didn't make it inside before sunrise, but this night he had to wear casual clothes in order not to raise any suspicion.
A flickering light inside the priory attracted his attention. He saw an old lady, who he recognized as the priory's abbess, walk past the window. When the abbess was out of sight the light went out. Althea should have come out by now. It was possible that she had changed her mind, she had been more than a bit doubtful when he suggested that she should leave the priory with him, but Nika thought that he had done a pretty good job convincing her. Finally he could hear the slight creak of an old door that swung open at the back of the priory, a moment later Althea appeared behind the corner. She looked wary, and kept looking back to make sure that no one had discovered her. Althea walked past the oak that Nika sat in, stopped, looked around and made a worried face. She was probably scared that Nika wouldn't show.
A graceful, but not very quiet, jump down from the oak announced where he was. Surprisingly she didn't seem startled.
"Nika?" she said with a smile.
"I'm here." Soundlessly he walked over to Althea and put his hand on her shoulder. He knew she could not see in the dark and therefor he took her hand and led her to the carriage. After helping her inside he climbed up to the coachman's seat and took the reins. Nika made a clicking noise with his tongue that made the horses trot.
Snowdrop and Starflower were two of his favorite horses, and thanks to the extensive training he had given them, they were faster and stronger than most other horses. Before he was stricken with vampirism, he bred horses, but he couldn't continue. For several years he had spent every single hour, every day, trying to control his thirst. He tried to hide from all that breathed, but no matter where he went he could still feel the scent of blood burning down his throat. When he met Selestin, who were an old man by then, Nika was completely desocialized and mad with thirst. Selestin and his son, Avinoam, had chained him to a wall in their basement and slowly, painfully, gotten him used to the scent of blood and, with the help of the former count Hassildor, taught him how to drink blood with moderation. The reason that he worked for the Windstone family was mostly because he wanted to "return the favor", but it was also partially because Émile, Avinoam's son, allowed him to take care of his horses. Since he was a little child Émile had always been very fond of horses. Nika remembered once when Cast..
"Uhum! Excuse me?" Nika twitched when he heard Althea's voice.
"Oh, I'm sorry. Did you need anything?"
"No, I just wanted to know where you are taking me."
"Skingrad, as I told you before."
"But where in Skingrad?" She was starting to sound a bit annoyed.
"To the home of the nobleman that I serve." Nika turned his head so that he could see Altheas face. "Do you want me to stop somewhere on the way?"
She smiled. "No, lets just get there as soon as possible."
"Okay.." They came out on the road. There were several turnoffs so he had to turn forward again. ".. but Émile wanted me to take you to a tailor, before we arrive at his home, and buy some new clothes."
"What? I can't afford that, I have no money." Nika suddenly became aware of the heavy coin purse in his pocket. He picked it up and gave it to Althea.
"He was a bit unsure of how much a nice dress costs, but that will probably allow you to buy a few. Won't it?"
Althea stared in disbelief at the coin purse. With shaky hands she opened it and looked inside. "By the gods! He couldn't possibly have meant to give me all this. It's insane!" She quickly closed it again.
Nika snickered. "Well, insane might be a bit of an exaggeration, but.. he does have way to much money, and nowhere to spend it."
"But.. No, this is too much," she said and tried to give the coin purse back to Nika.
"If you want to give it back, give it to Émile, but I'm sure that he would be offended."
Althea looked around in desperation. "But what am I going to do with all this gold?"
"Buy dresses.." said Nika and shrugged. "And a manor. I bet you could even afford one in the Talos Plaza District."
"I could buy the hole district.." she mumbled. Her pale face was starting to worry him.
"There is no need to feel uneasy. This is what you're going to do: you're going to buy all the clothes and jewelries you want, then you hold on to that gold until the war is over. When it's over -if you're still alive- you'll by a house and give the remaining gold to the priory." Nika was speaking clearly, as if she was a child.
"Okay.. That sounds good." She didn't seem very convinced, but at least the color had returned to her face.
"You can see the city now," Nika said and pointed towards Skingrad.
"Do you mean those lights over there?"
"Yes. That is the castle."
"Hm, I thought they were stars. You must have very good eyes."
Nika looked up. "No," he lied. "But the clouds hides all the other stars, so why would only four stars, in a perfect row, be visible?"
"I guess you're right." None of them said another word until they reached the gate. Outside the gate there was an enormous military camp, packed full with men and women.
"Who are this people?" she said with a low voice.
"Volunteers from all over Tamriel."
"Volunteers?" Althea sounded surprised.
"Yes, of course. Unlike the empire we do not force people away from their homes."
"Who are we?"
"We who strive to make the dream of Westland come true." Nika could see that Althea didn't understand, so he explained before she had time to ask. "Valenwood, Hammerfell and the counties of Anvil, Kvatch and Skingrad, as well as the counties in Cyrodiil that we succeed to conquer, will be united to create Westland. Westland will be an empire without segregation, a place where every commoner have a say."
A guard approached their carrier.
"What do we want?" he said with an authoritative voice.
"Freedom and prosperity."
"When will we celebrate?"
"The day of the rose." The guard nodded and went to open the gate.
"What was that about?" Althea asked.
"Passwords. They change them every day, so you should make sure to keep track of them."
Althea sighed. "What is the point of that? It's not like two persons can kill every soldier inside the city."
"You only need to kill one person to stop the Westland army." Nika pulled the horses to a stop outside the tailor's shop. Despite the late hour the shopwindows were lit. Nika got down from the coachman's seat and helped Althea get of. Her long, auburn hair looked tangled and her coarse outfit was a bit to big. Nika smiled. The ladies he knew would rather be caught dead than showing themselves in public with that look, but she didn't seem to care one bit. In fact, she was more beautiful than any lady he had ever met, despite her untidy look.
"Is this it?" she said with a doubtful voice and pointed towards a small door.
"I know it doesn't look like much, but he is a brilliant tailor." Althea let her eyes run down Nika's body, which made him feel uncomfortable.
"Did he make your clothes?" she said while looking at the decoration around his sleeves.
"Yes.." He squirmed, which made Althea realize that she was staring. She blushed and looked away. "Lets go inside," he said quickly. She nodded and they went inside the huge shop with the small door.
Inside it looked as if a tornado had passed through. The room was draped with dark red silk which was decorated with golden embroideries. There were mannequins dressed with half done dresses and outfits in the center of the room. Spools of thread in different colors were all over the place and on top of a table there were garments and numerous peaces of folded cloth. On the floor lay scissors, needles and other pointy objects.
"Uhuhum!" Althea twitched. A short, corpulent bosmer had suddenly surfaced from a pile of fabric. His face was red, and he looked a bit unstable. "Is this the girl?" he muttered.
"Yes," said Nika shortly.
"Hm! Needs some work.." The little tailor pulled out a measuring tape from his pocket and started measuring Althea. While working he sang brash songs with a deep voice, mostly to annoy Althea.
"Bring me that sack over there," he told Nika and nodded towards a big, old sack in the corner. Nika sighed, but did as he was told. Inside the sack there were jeweleries, makeup, creams and other beauty products that neither Althea or Nika could name. The bosmer pulled a hairbrush up from the sack and started combing Althea's hair with brusque movements.
"Ao! It's attached to my head you know!" she screamed. The bosmer muttered something and gave the hairbrush to Nika. Nika stared from the hairbrush to Althea and back again, unsure what he should do. Her hair was still a great mess. With hesitant movements he started brushing her hair. It smells just like lilacs, he thought.
"Tell me if it hurts," he mumbled.
During the time that he brushed her hair, the little bosmer pulled several peaces of fabric out from the pile and held it up towards Althea's face.
"What is he doing?" she said, sounding bewildered.
"I'm trying to find a color that matches your skin tone!" the bosmer hissed.
"Don't mind him, he can be a bit grumpy," Nika whispered. He couldn't help but to feel amused.
"A bit?" Nika smiled and let his fingers run through her soft, wavy hair.
"Think I'm done now." The bosmer, who had heard him, came sprinting towards them with a thick sketchbook in one hand, and white, red and blue fabrics in another.
"Point out the type of clothes you want, and do it quick." He tossed the book towards Althea, luckily Nika caught it before it fell to the ground, he then gave it to Althea.
Her eyes widened as she saw the beautiful gowns, jackets, skirts, pants etc. that the bosmer had designed. She had never seen anything like it.
"How many can I choose?"
Nika laughed. "How many do you want?"
She continued to flip through the book. "All of it.." she admitted.
"Then you should get them all," he said. Althea stared at him, dumbfounded by surprise.
"I can't do that!" she finally said. "I only need a few."
Nika pointed at a gown. "Well.. That one looks beautiful."
"No, no, no!" The bosmer shook his head. "That does not suit her figure at all! Give me that!" he said and snatched the book from her. "I'll make the ones that will suit you, come pick them up on Loredas." The bosmer ran up the stairs. The sound of a door that was slammed shut followed shortly after.
"But.."
"There is no point in arguing with Idris when he has made up his mind."
"Oh, okay." Nika started walking towards the exit. "Wait.."
He turned around. "Yes?"
"Why did he -or well, you- brush my hair?"
Nika shrugged. "Guess he can't stand untidy hair. He did the same thing to me when I came here the first time."
"How odd."
"Indeed. We should hurry to Émile, he really wanted to meet you." Althea followed him outside and across the town, towards Rosethorn Hall.
"I'm just a simple nun, why would he trouble himself so much with me?"
"You're not just any nun, and you know that." Althea sighed. Why can't people understand that I'm not my grandfather.
"But I can't do anything for him, except healing him an cooking for him, but I guess that he already has servants who does that."
"You think too little of yourself. Émile saw something in you, and it's rare that he takes interest in outsiders." That was just a little lie, Nika thought. It was actually Yatniel who had insisted that Althea should be recruited to their side, and Émile never disagreed with anything his older brother said.
"Look, the sun is rising." Nika didn't look, he just kept walking. When they finally reached Rosethorn Hall, Nika felt as if his skin was burning, and it probably was. He opened the door and more or less pushed Althea inside, then he shut the door quickly.
"Are you okay?" Émile looked worried. He had been waiting for them to arrive.
"No.." Nika groaned in pain. Althea turned towards Nika and shrieked. His face and hands were covered with horrible burns. Émile quickly stepped forward and put his hand on Nika's chest. Althea watched in amazement as blue light passed through Émile's arm into Nika's chest and across his body, healing the burns. His agonized face relaxed, but he still seemed somewhat uneasy.
"You're.."
"A vampire." An old, weather-beaten nord woman, wearing a russet felt outfit and an apron, stepped into the room. She had a harsh look on her face. "Didn't you realize that until now?"
"Take it easy Ragnhild." Nika said. "She has never seen a vampire before, so of course she doesn't recognize the signs." Althea felt scared and confused. Several years ago she had met a injured vampire. He had only been a little child and Altheas maternal instinct had gotten the best of her. When she tried to help him, the little boy sunk his fangs into her arm. The following days had been the most painful in her life, but she had been spared from the curse. That little boy had taught her a lesson, vampires could not be trusted.
Émile smiled. "But I'm sure she'll learn all about them in time."
Nika noticed the sudden lack of color in Altheas face.
"Althea, are you feeling alright?" He reached towards her hand, to support her if she felt faint, but she quickly pulled away from him. Nika looked hurt. "Sorry.."
Émile looked a bit surprised. "I hope this doesn't change your decision about joining my army?" His army?
Althea shook her head. "I have no other choice but to stay."
"Don't say that. You can return to the priory if you want to."
"No. You have been very kind to me and my conscience wouldn't allow it."
Émile smiled again. "You won't regret it." Althea raised her head and looked Émile in the eyes, and was once again shocked by what she saw. A veil covered his green eyes. The man, who was most likely to rule the empire in the future, was blind.
"Ragnhild, take Althea to her room."
Ragnhild sighed and opened the door to the basement. "This way." Althea followed her without a word. All that had happened had left her feeling worn out, but there was no way that she would be able to sleep in the same house as a vampire.
Émile patted Nika on the shoulder. "Don't worry about it. When she gets to know you better she'll be sure to.."
"It's fine. It doesn't matter." Nika said shortly. "This was what I expected from the start."
"You're lying," said Émile. Nika squirmed. There was something about the way that Émile looked at him that made him feel uncomfortable. That stare Émile had seemed to pierce right through Nika every time. Despite the fact that Émile couldn't actually see, he still seemed to see more than anybody else.
"How's Yatniel?" said Nika, eager to change the subject.
"Like usual." He sighed. "He's staring out the window like he always does. You should go upstairs and talk to him."
"I'll do that," said Nika and nodded. He didn't really think that Yatniel would respond to him, but Émile looked so childish and helpless when he talked about his brother, that Nika couldn't refuse.
"I'm going to pay count Hassildor a visit," Émile said and walked towards the door.
"He's not count anymore, you are, and you should be more careful around him. Not all vampires are like me."
"I know that, but it's not like he could harm me even if he wanted to," said Émile and blinked before exiting the building. Émile still hadn't told Nika that he had given the ring with all the safety spells to Finn the Docker, and he didn't intend to.
Nika took a deep breath and walked up to the third floor, where Yatniel was.
When he opened the door he felt nervous. Yatniel had at the age of twelve been blessed with the ability see the future, but had at the same time lost his mind. He spent most of his time sitting in a chair, staring out of the window with a vacant expression. Once in a while he reacted to something he had seen in the future with various actions. Émile was, of course, very worried about his older brother. Nika had seen Yatniel's mental state deteriorate during the years, and noticed that the times that he was reachable were becoming more and more seldom.
"Yatniel?" Nika was still standing in the doorway. When he didn't get an answer he stepped inside the room. Yatniel was indeed sitting in his chair, looking out the window. "I've brought Althea here. She is in her room, resting." Althea's name seemed to trigger some kind of reaction, cause Yatniel turned his head towards Nika and smiled. "Do you want me to bring her here?" Yatniel seemed to look at something behind Nika, his smile had disappeared.
"You have lost something. If you can't recall his face, death awaits for both of you." Yatniel turned towards the window and disappeared again. Nika was left standing in silence, pondering over what it meant.
"What? No, wait I don't.. Fuck." He turned around and marched out of the room. Yatniel's cryptic comment was the last thing he needed right now. Suddenly he heard the sound of the front door being slammed open. Nika recognized Émile's scent and hurried downstairs, worried that Janus had done something to him. The expression on Émile's face wasn't quite the one that Nika had expected.
"He's been murdered!" He looked exited.
"Janus?" said Nika in disbelief.
"No, you idiot! High chancellor Audric! The war has begun!"