"Playing With Fire"
Description : Hugo's widow, Selene Valmont makes a plan for the Council. The mages take their first class at the College Of Winterhold. Dorian thinks about the future. The jarls of Skyrim arrive at The Blue Palace.
Part 1: The Blue Palace (The Courtyard)
Selene Valmont stood patiently as the remains of her husband were carried off in a coffin down the steps of the Blue Palace. The High King, Hugo of the House Valmont, a man so fierce and gallant, now laid dead in a coffin for all of Solitude to see.
Selene's children, Elbert and Eleasa Valmont were behind her. They both had puffy eyes from crying. They were twins and both got their traits from their mother. The Black hair, porcelain skin, and green eyes were attributes that will be passed down in the future of House Valmont, thanks to Selene. With them was the the Court Enchanter, Maxwell who stood only a few inches taller than Lady Eleasa but his skin was darker in complexion as were his eyes. There was an older, hard woman named Theodora, who was the Master of Coin. And then there was Ser Curtis, a large man who commanded the Crown's forces.
"Advisors" Selene said without turning around.
The three in back of her who were not her children looked up, awaiting the widow's orders.
"I will be at our meeting soon. Right now I must speak to my children" she said
Curtis, Maxwell, and Theodora nodded and walked into the Blue Palace. The Valmonts were left alone in an empty courtyard. Selene turned to see her two despaired children.
"I know this is hardly the time" said Selene as she pulled out two items from her sleeve. "But your father wanted you to have these"
The two items were rings. There were plenty of rings in Skyrim but these two were special.
"Moonstone rings" Eleasa said
"Father had these made?" asked Elbert
"Yes. You know well that our House symbol is the moon" said Selene "These rings will always remind you of your family and heritage"
She placed both rings in the children's palms.
"I love you both" said Selene "You both could never understand until you bear children. A mother's love is unconditional"
Now a tear was shed from her eye but she rubbed it off her face. She could not look weak in front of her children like this. If she was not strong for them at this moment, who else would?
"Try to get some sleep" she said to both of them. She walked past them to enter the Blue Palace.
"Where are you going?" asked Eleasa
"I have business to attend to. Your father's death left a lot of loose ends. The jarls will be here soon and we will be ready" replied Selene
"What do you mean?" asked Elbert
Selene smiled faintly as best she could and walked up to them.
"You'll see" she said.
She kissed both of them on the forehead and turned around and walked into the Blue Palace. When she was gone, Elbert and Eleasa looked to each other. Both were dressed in black to mourn their father, and now they knew that this was the time they needed to stick together. The fate of their house will not be known until a new king is chosen.
Part 2: The Blue Palace (The Red Room)
Night was falling as Maxwell, Curtis, and Theodora sat in a large sized room inside the Blue Palace. The called this place The Red Room because it had been the room where many military leaders planned out battles and drew blood. When the jarls come, this will be the room where the meet. Where they will choose a new king. They sat in silence, waiting for Selene to walk in but before she did, Curtis broke the silence.
"Maxwell" he said. Maxwell looked up and raised one eyebrow.
"Are you not the best wizard in Solitude?" asked Curtis. His tone was aggressive and his face harden when he uttered the words.
"I suppose that I-" started Maxwell
"And are you not loyal to the Crown?" Curtis asked
"Of course I am!" exclaimed Maxwell
Curtis smirked.
"What are you going on about?" Theodora asked
"It's curious that the finest wizard couldn't use his so called great powers to save our King's life" said Curtis
"How dare you" Maxwell said
"You're a fool Curtis. We were all in the Blue Palace when Hugo suffered the fever that took him" said Theodora, clearly annoyed.
"Yes. And how do you think he died so quickly?" asked Curtis
"You know very well" said Theodora
"I do. I know that there is no use of a wIzard in our court if he can not do his job!" yelled Curtis as he stood up.
"Perhaps you should calm down" said Selene as she brushed into the room with the same black gown she was wearing earlier. Curtis immediately sat down.
"My apologies" said Curtis
Selene was angry. This was no time for foolishness. She went to the head of the oak table and spoke to the advisors.
"You all swore allegiance to House Valmont when my husband became the High King. For 20 years you have served us well. I am the head of House Valmont now. This is no time to be bickering amongst ourselves. We will not participate in foolishness while the other houses are coming here now to take control over Skyrim!" said Selene. She was yelling now.
The advisors said nothing to this.
"House Valmont has the biggest army at it backing in all of Skyrim" Selene said. She looked to Curtis ""Is this not true?"
"It is true, my lady" said Curtis
"And you are loyal and at my command, are you not?" asked Selene
"Aye" said Curtis
"Then in the name of Hugo Valmont, who was your king, bring in all of your troops into the Blue Palace" commanded Selene
"Why are we bringing in troops? A new High King will be chosen soon and they will reside in the Blue Palace" said Theodora. Theodora always spoke when something was out of sorts.
Selene smiled and turned around for a second. She examined the wall for a second. Stone walls that covered all of the Blue Palace. Walls she trusted. Walls she knew.
"Indeed" Selene said as she turned back around "There will be a new king and his name is also Valmont"
"What do you mean, my lady?" asked Maxwell. All of the advisors looked confused.
"Our House has ruled Skyrim successfully for 20 years. There has been prosperity and life flourishes from Winterhold to Riften. Why should our House not rule Skyrim forever?" said Selene
The advisors were shocked. When choosing a High King, for the most part it was inherited by birth. But the jarls could sever House Valmont's claim to the throne and elect a new High King. That would not do. Theodora spoke.
"That's quite impossible" she said
"Is it?" Selene asked
"To make this possible we would have to go against centuries of having elections for the High King" said Maxwell
"So be it. The other nobles houses would have faced many tribulations if my husband had not helped them in their time of need. My house can rule better than all the others" said Selene
"If you do this, you will have to convince them. More than half of the jarls must agree to this" said Maxwell
"Are you saying we have no chance?" asked Curtis
"No" said Maxwell "It is possible"
Selene gave a smile.
"The jarls will support our claim. I've always been a persuasive woman" said Selene
"That you are, my lady" said Curtis
Selene paused for a moments to gather her thoughts.
"This could be our one chance to make House Valmont the richest and most powerful in Skyrim. I need you all to do what is necessary to make that happen" said Selene
The advisors nodded.
Maxwell and Theodora looked at each other for a split second. They had always shared a bond that neither of them had with Curtis. They knew that if this failed it would not be a simple "no" from the jarls. They would consider it treason against the rest of the houses of Skyrim. A possibility of war would come when the jarls do. Curtis was blind to this because he was a puppy on Selene's leash. He blindly followed orders for his lady, no matter what they were. Nothing was beneath him.
"That will be all" said Selene
They nodded and got out of their chairs and walked across to the door and left. Selene smiled to herself. Her house will be triumphant, no matter what the cost.
Part 3: The College Of Winterhold (Main Hall)
Ian felt uneasy about his first class in Destruction. It was one of the more useful schools of magic, it being the only way to fight as a mage, but his magic favored Alteration spells. Well, he had to do it sometime. He opened the door and was inside the College. Like the Hall of Attainment, this structure also was warm inside despite the bitter cold that always plagued Winterhold.
Ian started walking when he heard someone behind him.
"An early bird?"
He turned around and saw Rachelle.
"You woke me up with all of your moving around" said Rachelle
"I'm sorry"
"It's alright. I probably would have overslept if it was not for you"
Rachelle smiled.
"Come" she said "We have class in here"
Rachelle and Ian walked forward into the main room that also had one of the glowing blue pillars that dotted the institution.
"I enjoyed what you did to Halvard yesterday" said Rachelle "He was being a cunt"
"I'm glad you enjoyed it"
"I've always wanted to come here" she said
"Because you want to learn magic?"
"Because I want to be free. Free from everyone who looked down on me for being a mage"
Rachelle's face hardened. Ian had went through what Rachelle was talking about. It seemed people disregarded mages in favor of men in armor with sword or axes.
"It's silly isn't it?" asked Ian
"What? That even though mages have great abilities they are still disregarded?" asked Rachelle
"That too" replied Ian.
Just then Aemund walked into the main room with Halvard and Dalia in tow. Aemund looked at Ian and Rachelle and smiled.
"You're here early" Aemund said
"I'm an early bird" said Ian
Halvard sighed.
"Don't mind him" Dalia said "He's not to happy that I woke him up"
Halvard rolled his eyes.
"Lets form a circle" said Aemund.
They all formed into a spaced out circular shape. Ian got the feeling it was easier for Aemund to teach this way, where he could speak loud and clear.
"Welcome to your first Destruction class" Aemund said "Tell me, have any of you practiced any Destruction spells?"
"I have" said Halvard almost immediately "I have successfully done several spells in this field, my old tutor said I had a knack for fire based magic"
"Excellent" said Aemund, he looked at the other students and realized their plight. They had no experience shooting ice, thunder, or fire out of their palms. Halvard gave a smirk. Of course he would feel superior to his amateur peers.
"No matter" said Aemund "You will all become great mages by the time you leave our institution"
Becoming a member of the College was becoming a member for life. Even if your training ended, one could still find a bed in the school. They could even find work for themselves. Aemund coughed lightly and began his lecture on Destruction.
"Destruction is the school of magic that us mages use to do damage against our enemies. But if we don't control our power, it will be chaos. In our classes you will learn how to harness the energies of fire, ice, and thunder with the tips of your fingers"
Rachelle sucked her teeth which sent an echo through the large room, cutting Aemund off. The whole group looked at her.
"Is something wrong?" asked Aemund
"I mean no offense, Master Wizard. But don't you think we should see a bit of what we are going to do instead of listening to it?" asked Rachelle
Halvard and Dalia nodded in agreement. Ian felt his own head nodding up and down. If what Aemund said was true yesterday, about magic slowly becoming a lost art, shouldn't they learn as much as they can as fast as they can?
"Well I was going to go a little more into detail, but since you all want to try these spells, I will move forward into the demonstrations" he said. He paused for a second. "It's time for you to learn how to cast a fireball"
Ian smiled. It's finally time! He was going to learn a real spell in a college of magic! Rachelle smiled to, it was because of her that the new mages were accelerating their first lesson.
"First, I will show you all how to properly shoot a ball of fire out of your hands" said Aemund
He gestured for the circle to break and move away. Then he turned his body so his side was facing Ian. He breathed. His hands went back, creating a ball of heat and light and quickly pushed it in front of him, causing a fireball to fly across to the wall. The fire hit the wall with a loud noise.
"Will anything burn?" Dalia asked
"Don't worry" said Aemund "The wall are resistant to magic"
He was right. As he finished uttering those words, the fire on the wall sizzled.
"The trick to fire magic is to breathe. Let the energy form inside you and then release it through fire out of your palm" said Aemund "Who wants to try first?"
Halvard raised his hand and walked near Aemund. This began a series of the mages going up and trying to create fire. Halvard was obviously the best. He would have this smug look on his face everytime he got it right, which was all of the time. Dalia's was the worst. She was a kind girl that everyone in the group seemed to like already but she was not very good at magic. Ian and Rachelle's were not great like Halvard's but were not bad like Dalia's. Rachelle's only problem was how hard she thrusted her arm.
"You can't force it too much" said Aemund "Magic is wild, it does what it wants"
Rachelle grunted in frustration as a reply.
Ian ended the practice session hoping that he would get one as powerful as Halvard. He followed through the motions gracefully but he could sense that this fireball would be great. The thought frightened him, what if he could not control it? He followed through the motions and a perfect and big fireball went out. For a second he was glad but after he casted the fire, it curved to the left and Halvard dodged it in the nick of time before it crashed on the wall behind him. Had Halvard stayed in his position, he would have definitely been severely burned. Halvard's face grew red with anger.
"You could have killed me you low born sack of shit!" he screamed as he started to walk towards Ian.
Dalia and Rachelle got in between.
"Calm down everyone!" said Dalia
"I'm sorr-" Ian tried to apologize
"Save your fake apologies cunt!" said Halvard as he swung for Ian's face.
"Stop this madness!" yelled Aemund.
Halvard stopped after a few seconds, face still red with anger.
"It's alright everyone" said Aemund "Halvard are you alright?"
"Yes" he said angrily
"This just reinforces to rule of safety, we must always be understa-" said Aemund
"Are you serious? He almost killed me and no one says a word!" yelled Halvard.
The whole room filled with his echoes.
"Halvard I didn't mean to" said Ian
"He didn't Halvard. If you would have been burned I could have healed you anyways" said Aemund
"It does not matter" sputtered Halvard "This poor excuse for a pupil just let his magic get out of control! I demand to see him punished!"
"You are a fool" said Rachelle "Making demands in an institution you don't own"
Halvard looked at Rachelle like he would incinerate her on the spot.
"Perhaps you should go rest Halvard" said Aemund
Halvard stared at him.
"You're kicking me out of my first class?" asked Halvard furiously
They all stared back in response. Halvard looked at Ian.
"I will have my revenge on you" Halvard said
He turned away from the group and stopped out of the room. Aemund sighed,
"Class dismissed"
Part 4: Riften (Inside The Thieves Guild)
Dorian sat in the Thieves Guild daydreaming. No one was in the section of the Guild he was in right now, most of them were probably getting drunk in The Ragged Flagon, the underground bar that you could get through from the Rataway. He was thinking about Akeem.
Akeem and him met a long time ago, when they were both 12 or 13. Even back then, Akeem was tall enough to be a man. Akeem caughts Dorian stealing from his mother's cart. But he let him take the food. After then, piece by piece, they grew to trust one another. Things started to get romantic around 2 years ago, when Dorian was 15. Now Dorian did not know what to do. They kept their relationship a secret from most because if Akeem's mother were to find out, everything would fall to pieces. She despised men who had other men. A homophobic bitch is what Dorian called her.
Dorian's thoughts were disrupted by a familiar voice.
"Having a good time staring wistfully in the distance Lover Boy?"
Dorian turned to his side and stood up.
"How are you Miriana?" she said
"I just came back from hours on horseback with two fat drucks who call themselves thieves" Miriana said
"Sounds like you"
"What have you been doing while I've been gone?" she asked
"Nothing much" Dorian said "I gave some money to Phoebe the other day and I saw Akeem"
"Akeem? Do tell" she said
"We didn't have time for a lot. We just kissed like we always do. He gave me some food for me and Etta"
"What you usually do? You mean you never… "
"No"
"Why?"
"Because I don't have ti-"
"Time? Dorian, the people of Riften tell stories of the thieves of this city. How we'd rather have a life of stealing and laziness over actual work" Miriana said
"It's different for me. I'm the only one in here that has to provide for someone else"
"Well maybe you should learn to stop. Etta is 12 going on 13. She's going to learn how to survive on her own sooner or later"
"She will survive if she doesn't get into trouble" Dorian replied
Miriana rolled her eyes and sat down, Dorian did the same after a second.
"I heard about the jarl. He's going to some Council. His son is in charge"
Dorian sighed. He could not care less about Jarl Dreshner and his idiot son, a man who a few years older than Dorian.
"I've been thinking about the future" said Dorian
"Again?" asked Miriana sarcastically
"Yes again. About me and Akeem"
Miriana was silent so that Dorian could talk.
"Akeem will one day own his mother's business. Maybe one day he will even want to move away from Riften for better money. I don't want anything holding him back from doing what he wants"
"You think that you will be his undoing? Who's to say if he will even want to leave?" asked Miriana
"I do. Everyone would leave if they had the choice. But Akeem would never tell me such things" said Dorian
"Dorian anyone with working eyes could see he does everything for you. He's obviously in love with you"
"You don't think I know that?"
"I don't. You don't know how deep his feelings are for you"
Dorian sighed.
"I just don't know what I'm going to do" said Dorian
"None of us do" said Miriana
Deep inside, Dorian knew Miriana was right. Akeem loved him with every bone in his body. And Dorian loved him too. But how long would this last? Would Akeem really want a love in the shadows of the Rataway? Dorian didn't know. The only thing he has ever know his how to survive and provide for Etta. And now Miriana talks of her one day robbing mansions like he did with the Guild. How long will this life run it's course until everyone around Dorian was tired of being in the dark?
Part 5: The Blue Palace (The Courtyard)
"Will you please stop being so jumpy?" Cecil asked his sister
"Will you please stop being so rude?" Imogen shot back "We're finally here"
"Both of you stop" Lillian said.
Imogen slunk back in her seat. She had dreamed of the Blue Palace for a long time and she was finally here. She only wished she could experience it with all of her family.
Lillian turned to her husband, who had been brooding for a few hours.
"Are you alright my love?" she asked
"It has been years since we have been here. And now I won't be able to see Hugo, only his grave" said Alexander.
He was worried. Now that Hugo was gone, the whole province can lead to a downward spiral. The jarls would have to be careful about who they choose.
"Who do you think they will choose?" Alexander asked Lillian
"They might choose you" said Lillian
"They won't. The throne is usually inherited by birth, they more likely would choose Elbert Valmont" said Cecil
"That doesn't mean they can't choose someone else" said Lillian
The carriage finally came to a complete stop in the courtyard of the palace. The carriage doors opened to sunlight and greenery as the Cromwells stepped out onto the stone walkway. The air was colder than it was in Whiterun, now that they were in northern part of Skyrim, but the Sun warmed their skin.
The servants started taking their belongings out of the carriage when Alexander noticed a second carriage on the walkaway. He immediately recognized the seal. The seal of House Rostova of Windhelm. Alexander smiled.
Pavel Rostova, a big, dark skinned man with shining black hair and beard, walked out of the carriage and onto the walkway with a big huff. Alexander knew the Jarl of Windhelm was not big for travelling. Pavel looked up and saw Alexander a broke out into a smile.
"Alexander!" he said as he approached him
"Old friend" Alexander said as they shared a masculine embrace
"What have you been doing all these years?" Pavel said
Alexander scratched his back. "Ruling Whiterun for The High King" he said
Pavel's grin fell and he looked slightly down.
"How are you?" Pavel asked
"It's a little hard to imagine. Someone so loved can be taken so fast" Alexander said
"I hear you. It was hard for us to" said Pavel
Alexander opened his eyes in memorization.
"I'm sorry about your wife. She was a good woman" said Alexander
Pavel nodded
"Indeed she was but she had been ill for a long time. Death showed her mercy" Pavel said "But enough of that old pain, we must look to the future"
Pavel turned to the two Cromwell children and Lady Lillian.
"Lady Lillian" said Pavel
"Lord Pavel" said Lillian in return with a smile. She held her hand out and he kissed it in respect.
Pavel looked at Cecil and Imogen.
"I haven't seen both of you since you were as tall as my boot" said Pavel
Cecil gave a small bow and Imogen curtseyed.
"I heard you're a smart one, Lord Cecil" said Pavel
"You've heard correctly, Lord Pavel" said Cecil
"And you've truly blossomed Lady Imogen" said Pavel
"Thank you, Lord Pavel" she replied with a smile
"Where are your children?" asked Alexander
Pavel looked back. "Anastasia, Antoine!" called Pavel.
Two dark skinned people, one boy and girl, with shining black hair walked out of the carriage. Both looked like young adults.
They both approached the Crowells and bowed/curtseyed.
"How are you two?" asked Alexander
"We are well Jarl Alexander" said Anastasia
"This climate is strange" Antoine said as he wiped sweat off of his forehead.
"My children" Pavel said "Let me introduce you to Alexander's children"
Imogen and Cecil stepped forward.
"Greetings" Imogen said
"Is that a copy of The Lusty Argonian Maid?" Cecil said to Antoine.
Antoine was holding a dark book that almost blended with his dark clothing.
"Yes" Antoine said unapologetically
Cecil's eyes lit up. "Can I… borrow that?"
Imogen and Anastasia looked at their brother and groaned.
"Off with you young folk" said Pavel "Let the old people talk alone."
Cecil, Imogen, Anastasia, and Antoine then went off to another part of the courtyard and started to talk to each other as if they had known each other all their lives. Their two houses were close, so they were natural allies.
"That's the future of our holds" Pavel said
"Please don't say such things, you make me worried" said Alexander
They all laughed.
"I wonder what this meeting will tell" said Alexander
"Who knows?" said Pavel
"What do you think Selene will do?" Lillian asked
"Does it matter?" Alexander asked
"House Valmont has ruled Skyrim successfully. Who knows what Selene will say to keep her house in power?" she said
"Lady Valmont has a reputation of being ruthless" said Pavel
Alexander waved both of them off. "These are talks for the actual meeting. We have a few minutes of leisure, let me enjoy it"
The doors of the Blue Palace opened and Selene Valmont stood there with a winning smile with Curtis, Theodora, and Maxwell in tow. She lightly came down the steps and onto the walkway. The children of the jarls quickly came on the walkway with their parents as she approached House Rostova and Cromwell.
"My lords" Selene said with a curtsey
The group did their respective greetings.
"My lady, I'm sorry for your loss" said Alexander
Selene gave a sad smile.
"Thank you" she said
"The other houses will be here in a couple of hours or they have already arrived. The servants will show you your rooms" said Selene
They nodded in reply.
"Be prepared for the Council my lords, it's sure to be one for the history books" she said.
She turned around and the advisors cleared themselves to make a path for Selene. She left the courtyard lightly and they all followed her inside.