Chapter 6 Tanzelwil
The next morning Deri returned to the mage guild, giving a full report to Curinure and received the payoff for the job. As there was no other development available, she decided to go for repairing the less used equipment and call on the magic services of the guild. As member she had access to the huge library, looking out for some literature concerning her special dragonknight skills, also Curinure was helpful in answering questions and orient herself in the chaos the mages called order. A quick walk down the city to the harbor side market to meet the blacksmith was done so fast that a short stop in the local tavern was an option as well. Having something to eat, different from the usual guild slup was a welcome distraction, Deri never understood why they book men could eat this slop by the day, but perhaps it was owed to the fact, most of them didn't leave the halls until the full ordination of a mage. Anyway, the visit in the Salted Wings Tavern turned out to be a funny event when Deri saw a few of the famous Undaunted sitting at the tables and drinking a lot of mead. As expected the young heroes, as they named themselves, were singing, shouting at the all monsters they were going to kill, one day. Deri doubted one of the present had ever looked one of the named creatures in the eyes and when this drunken Khajiit Turuk, cheered by his fellow comrades, jumped on the table, dropping parts of his armor and started to dance half naked on the table, before the bartender could prevent the drama, she absolutely was convinced in the idea of a drinking-fun-guild. But it had been quiet entertaining while she enjoyed her Tarragon Chicken. Luckily she didn't see or meet the annoying cat anywhere, so the evening passed peacefully.
Next day Deri got lost in her studies, busy with an old rare book about the possibilities of altering her dragonknight skills, especially the mutations of her often used lava whip caught her attention. She didn't hear the words addressing her twice until a tap on her back made her look over the shoulder to meet the eyes of Curinure who seemed to be very excited. "I am sorry Derisande, but I need someone quickly." he explained. "An urgent issue. The priestess Menaste sent a call for help to the guild."
Deri finished the fascinating book, dropped it away. "What kind of help?" she asked.
"She and her sisters have problems with the temple. You must travel to Tanzewil as soon as possible. The ghosts..the ancestors seem to attack the pilgrims which is a very serious case..."
Tanzelwil? Oh that mentioned the cat...
To be honest, Deri had no intentions to meet Razum-Rar again, she just made a promise to get rid of him, having a job there crashed her plan of ignorance hardly. But she had no choice, she couldn't tell the mage about her fake promise and use it an argument to deny the job.
Half an hour later, Deri sat on a horse provided from the guild and spur the poor mount towards the ancient elven ruin. The ride last almost half the day before the vestige could make out the rest of a former temple complex, but afore she reached the beginning of a caravan of royals, blocking the street and the way. The present marines stopped and forced her to get off her mount for a report to the leader.
The guards led her to the prince himself, making Deri cursing when she realized she had to face all the notabilities and in worst case, the bitchy queen again.
Meeting the altmer of high birth fulfilled all the bad expectations the vestige had, arrogance, stiff and talking like butter sliding from a knife.
"Ah reinforcement from the guild I guess." Deri only nodded in approval. "I'm glad you're here..." he went on in his stiff, aristocratic manner,. " We came to Tanzelwil to honor the spirits of our ancestors, and now they seem bloody well determined to kill us all."
Deri dared to ask, not understanding the situation, Curinure talked about priestess and pilgrims or didn't he? "Why would your ancestors try to kill you?: "
"An excellent question, for which I have no answer. " Naemon shot back. "My dear sister, our Queen, brought us here to perform a ceremonial ritual. Its a bit of political theater, really. Gain the blessings of the dead and all that rubbish."
Oh shit spiky-ears is here... Damn it
Come on ask something smart now or they will think you are stupid..
"Is the Queen in any danger? " was the best coming up into her mind.
"If danger doesn't find her, she'll seek it out and invite it home to dinner. She's in the ruins just ahead, conspiring with the Battlereeve. They're determined to complete the ceremony. Do be a loyal subject and see she survives. Won't you?" The prince asked her firmly.
"I'll see what I can do..." was the good answer.
"Haha I swear, It's like being home for New Life Festival. The family's been drinking since noon, and everyone wants you dead." Now the Prince laughed bitterly then followed the glimpse Deri shot towards all the nobles in the back who were drinking whine and talking nonsense for sure.
"Oh, you know how it is. In the waters off the island, there are great sea beasts. Smaller creatures cling to their sides, eating off the scraps they leave behind. It's the same with the nobility on land." he added before the vestige could ask about all those people.
But still Deri had questions. "Why does the Queen have to do these rituals?" she tried not to sound as clueless as she really was.
"Tradition! Whenever a new monarch takes the throne, there are endless rituals and ceremonies. I myself was halfway through the eighty-eight days of liturgical chanting required to take the throne... Then my dear, lovely... sister returned." The prince told with a small whiff of disappointment.
Obviously he wanted to tell more but Deri had the urgent need to leave, despite she wasn't looking forward the reunion with the queen, but she said goodbye then marched towards the inevitable.
She didn't need long to reach the known battle reeve with his queen, currently in front of a shrine while this Ayrenn tried to perform a pray for a ritual. All around the area she saw angry ghost flying around making this place dangerous. When the altmer spoke the words. "We call upon our honored ancestors to pass on their memory and wisdom... "
Suddenly out of nowhere, a mysterious spirit appeared, answering. "Your ancestors disavow you, false one. The Veiled Queen is the rightful heir, and Norion shall end your reign."
More spirits emerged when Urcelmo shouted. "My queen, look out!" Deri draw her staff in a reflex, charging towards the Queen to protect her. Ayrenn draw her blade as well trying to defend the attacking ghosts as good as she can. In seconds the battle reeve and the vestige were next to her side striking back the evil creatures until they finally vanished.
Ayrenn looked at Deri and the vestige feared the worst when the altmer spoke to her. "Well, that could have gone better. Maybe it's all that royal WE nonsense... We call upon our ancestors. It's all rather condescending, isn't it?"
And Deri couldn't answer when being addressed in that kind of manner she hadn't expected. Spiky-ears cocked her brows before she went on. "Seems you refuse to enter into my service, but according to my information, you saved the town of Silsailen and also unmasked a conspiracy of my opposition and now you returned...what should I suppose about that?"
Oh shit the captain reported...
The queen remained silent, fixed her eyes while taking solid ground, obviously waiting for a lucid explanation. But something was different from the latest encounter, Deri noticed. Ayrenn seemed to be stressed, tired and her gaze was not penetrating or intimidating as before, but she seemed to carry some kind of amusement in this absurd situation.
"Well your majesty... I 'm just on guild business, nothing else..."
Good girl..good answer...
"Well... seems your guild business matches the interests of the crown for the... third time... " the queen explained easy-going, her lips forming a secret smile.
"Must be a coincidence.." the words left Deri's mouth before she was thinking about her stupid answer.
Oh shit. Couldn't you think of something better...
And the queen hearty laughed at the simple answer, but made the vestige upset with that kind of reaction. The elf was a riddle for the Breton, Deri couldn't see through this young woman who ruled the elfish nation,no hint for motives or intentions. Dealing with Ayrenn was like a dance on a chess board, long and demanding in psychological terms, in addition this upcoming piercing look coming from crystal blue eyes made it ever worse. And Deri hated it.
Damn woman..what is your problem...?
The young Breton cleared her throat then asked in a calm and proper tone, while she tried to get back her strength .."With all respect your majesty...What is so funny?" she puffed up to to make a better impression.
"You!" the queen quickly replied while crossing her arms. Obviously Ayrenn wasn't resentful for her former rejection, at least for the moment. She relaxed and shot amused glances towards the poor vestige, who already regretted accepting this assignment for the second time that day. Her counterpart waited, seconds passed by, neither of them spoke, waiting for each other to make the next move.
The battle reeve who followed the action silently so far, coughed twice to pull the attention back to the purpose of visiting the location. Both woman, men and mer fixed his gaze gratefully when he spoke reasonable.
"My queen, you should continue to perform the necessary rituals to complete the quest. We need to focus in making progress to leave this place as soon as possible. Your security is not guaranteed here.."
"Wisely spoken Urcelmo.. I shouldn't be stopped in finishing my duties by some angry ancient spirits." she agreed to the suggestion then faced Deri again. "So, since you're already here...and do business for the mage guild..." her voice sounded amused by mentioning it again.."...You can do the job, you are here for..." she pointed upwards to the higher ruins in the back explaining. "There are two priestesses on the west and northern ritual Site, who should aid me in performing all this dusty nonsense. They a good women I trust but fear for their safety..."
This time it was Deri who cocked a brow.
...dusty nonsense...?
"Citizen, go and protect them if necessary. Make sure they are safe and can complete the task!" this sounded like an order from a queen, now Ayrenn was completely back in her role as ruler, her posture become straight and her impression changed to a focused look. "Then meet me at the main entrance for report!"
And Deri took the chance to escape the displeasing situation quickly by nodding and heading towards north to find the mentioned priestesses.
To her regret the quest was done to soon for her personal feeling. The vestige had to end a spirit named Colonwe, which interfered with the efforts of Priestess Aranwen while doing her pray and the other one needed protection when several waves of ancient spirits tried to interrupt that part of ritual. Sure, Deri had efforts in fighting the spectral creatures, which drained a lot of her magika in fight, she even took some potions before she went over to the other ritual Site because of little exhaustion but nevertheless the reunion with the queen wasn't wanted. Deri even started with a paranoia, shooting around guilty looks in order to meet the damn cat again, she hasn't waste a thought on since she arrived the place. As she knew him from the former encounters, the Khajiit was predestined to show up whenever not expected. To all misfortune she owned him an answer to whatever or didn't she?
Deri got lost in her thoughts when shuffling slowly towards the center of the ruins, where apparently the queen was waiting for her report. The spirits were less in number now, performing the rituals seemed to have an effect on the enchanted place and the path was free from danger as she could make out with watchful eyes.
Why does she always have the habit to make things more complicated for herself whenever she has the chance to? Maybe this was the reason she was in that kind of mess now and above all the douchebag for Emeric as example. Things could have been simply easier when saying the word NO more often, but who could say NO to a king? She also said YES to Vanus suggestion….but hey she became better when saying NO to the elven queen, but still she was the douchebag now . Did she really said NO? Or does she really have a choice?
Of course Ayrenn was waiting impatiently with her faithful battlereeve in tow and expected her news concerning her task. Being the good servant, Deri willingly gave information about the success of her job, hoping she was done for it.
Hearing about the safeness of priestesses and the successfully performance made the queen feel relieved, she gave her satisfied smile, tension flow away visible. Although Ayrenn expressed her disapproval on that whole ritual stuff, it seemed it was nevertheless an unwanted evil to pass for her duty as queen.
"I guess the mage guild will be proud of your business... " she wisecracked in addition and Deri was back in her uncomfortable zone. But her mission wasn't finished yet as she experienced by the following remarks of her favorite spiky-ear.
The queen wanted her to accompany inside the Ancestral Chamber down under the visible ruins of the ritual Site. Urcelmo harshly objected the idea but was silenced by Ayrenn's unmistakable orders to remain outside and guard the entrance. The battlereeve had no word to argue, his concerns about the queen's safety didn't reach the ears of the tall blond young woman. But was her hair really blond? Deri caught herself starring at the shimmering thatch falling down her neck below that feather crown, it was more silver than blond she recognized in the midday sun. According to her knowledge, the brighter the hair of an elf, the more pure blooded and higher born the one was considered. Urcelmo had dark hair, he couldn't be of high born she fantasized in her mind.
Glad my hair is dark ...and no one cares...
But Ayrenn was restless, not leaving her space to continue on silly thoughts, pulling her attention back to the huge stone made door which lead into the heart of the old temple complex.
Deri had no choice and sighed when she was firmly summoned again to follow. A last warning before entering: "I should warn you, three coins say Norion is down in the crypts..."
The vestige remembered her experience with the advisor from Vulkhel guard when toddling behind resolute elf to underground. No wonder the snooty elf was one of the bad guys, Deri already had suggested him guilty to be involved in the assassination plans made by Captain Astanya. Ayrenn also confirmed her idea by explaining. "If he's sided with that Veiled Queen, he's nothing than a traitor..hat means we have to end him, here and now."
Passing down the stairs, the first enemies approached suddenly. Spirits, the same as on the surface before appeared in the passage, accompanied by the voice of Norion which threatened Ayrenn with death to give the throne to this ominous Veiled Queen. Deri made a quick jump towards the leading queen who had pressed ahead the dark halls with high speed to keep up. The queen quickly pulled her weapon approaching the spectral enemies, letting her sword dance through the glowing limbs with dainty finesse while Deri took care of the peril nearing from the back as more of the disgruntled appearances show up to slow them down. Studying the books of the Mage Guild bore fruits when the vestige used her new burning Talons to stop her opponents coming further, letting them roast in the storm of cinder. She may have to practice for more efficiency but it was enough to end before taking much damage herself. She turned back to the queen who almost finished her issues in same time, smoothly sinking her blade into the last glowing ghost before is vanished with a loud puff into the air. Deri was little impressed she had to admit, shooting a surprised look towards the apparently not so helpless young woman to earn reproachful looks back.
"I was a warrior before I became queen. I can handle myself.." she announced.
Deri cocked a brow at the given statement, she couldn't suppress a crooked grin.
Really dear?...Then tell me why I am here...
Ayrenn stopped abruptly her efforts to move on when realizing the grin from the Breton. "Honestly, you think of me like a spoilt little princess...do you?"
Oh behave...
"Of course not your majesty... I would never think of you like that..." Deri tried to save herself.
But I wanna keep my head...
But Ayrenn wasn't satisfied with her neutral answer, according to her face. She get tensed and took position solid with crossed arms in front the Breton, declaring. "Of course you do... " she sober determined. "...Don't tell me this usual your-majesty-bla-bla-bla, just like all the lickspittles who are blinded by my crown."
And now they were back on the chessboard, figures set for the next move. Deri hated to be put on the spot.
"Afraid to ask a real question?" Ayrenn cheeky shot.
"Of course not!" was answered immediately by Deri, who took defense position opposite.
"Then ask!" she ordered and put her sword back into the sheath. Apparently the queen was hurrying in finishing the plot down here before, but unfortunately now there was enough time to discuss Deri's obviously misplaced reaction towards the glorious fighting skills of spiky-ears now.
Deri was on the horns of a dilemma, what was proper to ask a queen without risking bad consequences?
"If you have been a warrior before...How did you gain the throne?
So smart...change of topic
But Ayrenn eagerly answered to this topic. "My father, King Hidelith of Alinor, passed on the Aetherius. He was a good man. So I returned to take my father's place, because of my birthright."
The vestige became keen, remembering the chats in Silsailen and the information given by Elenwen in the evening. " And why didn't your brother Naemon ascend to the throne? According to the record..with all due respect your majesty... you vanished a long time ago..."
Ayrenn commented this fact with a deep bugged sigh before the vestige continued." You elves are normally so... bound your traditions of rituals and ceremonies..." she pointed out. "...Your brother... The price told me he was halfway through a eighty-eight days of liturgical chanting required to take the throne..."
Ayrenn waved her off, insisting. "...because my lifetime of experience has prepared me, honed me, to be the ruler we need now." She put another question while leaving her position and approaching the vestige slowly, talking serious. "And honestly tell me, would you do such a nonsense of studying dusty Praxis and obsolete Ceremonial traditions for 3555 days, locked in a labyrinth filled with bigoted old mer watching outnumbered scrolls, while the real world outside changes more and more?"
Deri agreed by shaking her head in understanding, not realizing yet they were in the middle of a nice banter, chatting casually. "So you run away and had your fun in adventuring?" she shot out.
Oops perhaps this is to cheeky...
But this made Ayrenn smile, she even laughed. " Hah. Have you heard some of the rumors? My exploits have been greatly exaggerated, I can assure you. Except the story about the bear. That one's true." She grinned at the memory, became amused and funny for a moment. That was not so usually expected queen-like, Deri recognized.
"What about the bear?" she asked curiously, this was something she definitely was interested to hear more, but sadly Ayrenn ignored her question, when returning to her former mood, pacing up and down in the small floor.
"I'm aware of the fact that some of my people disapprove my actions in the past, not understanding the need for changes." She finally stopped in front of the vestige, clenched her fists, speaking more like a plea, as she wanted to reassure and strengthen herself. "The more important is to show and present my willingness to honor the old traditions which a new monarch has to perform in gathering the throne and get the legit support and trust of my people."
Then she headed off, started to walk on, explaining. "Normally, we have to commune quietly with the dead. We're supposed to show willingness to heed the wisdom of our ancestors. But as you have already seen, my reign so far has been anything but normal. I worry there will be even more complications." A pause then one simple order. "Lets move on, my sword is thirsty!"
And then the conversation stopped suddenly, the queen turned into her focused status back, eager to carry on the path into the halls lying before both woman.
Deri silently followed behind Ayrenn. It didn't take long to face the next barrier, again spirits and a well known voice by Norion promising the fate and repeating his mantra concerning this veiled queen. The battle happened silently, no words just the sounds of magika filling the old halls and clinking of swords until the the floor was clean again. A short statement of Ayrenn disturbed the recurring silence. "It feels good to draw my sword again!" She examined the wordless vestige, asking. "Do you need a break?"
Me ? No..Do you need one?
Deri didn't answer with words, not sure to start over another conversation, she simply negate with a gesture. Ayrenn obviously had something different in mind when asking another question. "Do tell me...Why do you hate elves so much?"
"I don't hate your race...of course." short and simple answer of Deri.
"But you despise me and my people..I can see it in your eyes." Ayrenn remarked confidently, letting Deri spare room to get out of the blame.
Deri felt caught, did she show her own disapproval about altmer-pretension so visible to see? On one hand it was true, she doesn't like the elves for their arrogance, but since arriving the island, going to the guild and meeting the people in Silsaien who treated her normal and openly shared their opinions about the actual political on goings in the nation, she had admit the prejudices don't fit in general. And just in this moment, the queen of the alleged arrogance was standing personally in front of her, a huge riddle for its own to solve.
"I don't... your majesty... otherwise I wouldn't serve for the guild here..." That was true or wasn't it?
"Racism is the greatest enemy against progress and peace. High elven supremacy cut my folk too long from the real world outside." the queen offered with a hint of regret. "I spent many years traveling the face of Nirn, realizing how the world really works." She seems to recall memories of former times when ending her comment with a deep sigh. Her glimpse turned tired and exhausted, like she dropped a well prepared and maintained mask, she was off-guard for a moment.
"This Veiled Heritance is a danger to the dominion, to peace. Pure racists, High Elven supremacists with no understanding of the real world." Ayrenn felt back into a mantra she must have repeated in the past before. Playing with her hands, stretching and clenching her fists again, she angrily shot at the walls. "Short-sighted misanthropes with delusions of grandeur! Bastard throwbacks that should crawl back beneath their rock!"
"And yet, you claim the rulership for Nirn over all races, just a as two other ones before." Deri interjected in a soft and sober tone.
She didn't want to discuss politics as she avoided the topic as good as she could in the past, oddly this time she was interested in drama of missing leadership for Tamriel especially in the motives of queen Ayrenn. The nonsense or not-nonsense Ermeric proudly told her in stormhaven, was still present in her mind. Of course everybody had good reasons and only the best intentions for every single citizen living on the face of Nirn.
Ayrenn locked eyes with her, saying calmly. "Yes I do. Years of war and suffer, the continent dipped with blood of countless souls, daedra worshiping in the imperial city, spreading around all cyrodiil. It has to end."
"And why must you be the one to save everybody? Why have the Altmer and your dominion the legit claim on the ruby throne?"
"Men have failed in fulfilling this task over and over again, but we can do it. Together with the Wood Elves and Khajiit, we have the iron will, the strength of arms and the depth of character to solve the problems facing Tamriel."
"And then? Elfish domination over all other races? Nobody will accept his." the vestige made clear, leaning back at the wall.
The queen stretched herself, still wearing her exhausted face. "No. My rulership should be one of peace and prosperity. One folk united under the eagle banner to stop the cycle of violence and destruction for all citizens in Tamriel." Ayrenn thought a few seconds, biting her lip, like she was unsure how to go on. Deri waited, giving her space until she spoke again. "I don't blame the men-races, but they are too young, they are children without the wisdom gained of age, they need a strong hand to lead them."
Deri got pissed, taking it to personal when remembering her own fate and the sacrifices she had given. To be regarded like a child made her angry. "Do I look like a child for you..your majesty?"
Now it was Deri's part to quit the conversation and move on quickly. In her back Ayrenn stepped behind, explaining calmly. "You took it out of the context."
"You are talking about ending racism, but still you do...you think... about my people as minor. That's racism or isn't it? Or does your idea of equality only fit for Bosmer and Khajiit because they are part of your dominion?"
"Good point..." Ayrenn sighed in her back. "... but as long the other races are enemies and fighting us, they can never be part of the Dominion or a new order." Deri felt a hand touching her shoulder, no firm pressure but enough to make her stop and turn around to face Ayrenn's intimate gaze.
"Do I treat you like a minor, Derisande?" she asked reproachfully.
Addressing her by the chosen name for the first time, made the vestige shuddering.