Flower of Avernus

Part Two: Autumn

A/N: Okay, second chapter. No one is probably reading this and I understand why, I just wanted to post this somewhere. If any of you are wondering why Azimuth's here, it's because I'm kinda skeptical about where, in SR2, Mobius says that six of the Circle were killed off by Vorador when I only counted three guardians being cut down in the Blood Omen opening. I might go back and change the names here later once I make up my mind on the matter.

Elspeth was despondent after learning of her father's demise. In the letter sent by the Bishop of Avernus, he had found Lord Grigori's body dumped unceremoniously upon the altar, the scene too grisly to describe, and to think of the pain he must have been in as he died was far too much for the Lady to bear. Once again, she was silent, hardly ever leaving her room or accepting visitors. The Circle had given their reassurance that they would double their efforts, but Elspeth just could not believe them. Azimuth, the Planer, was a child of Avernus, just as she was- if she cared so much, why was she not doing all she could for her city now when it needed it most? Elspeth had never been known to be bitter, but it was hard not to be when one has lost the only parent they've ever known.

On one occasion, perhaps a week afterwards, Lord Mortanius paid her a visit, supposedly to report on the investigation.

"It is unfortunate that your father had to be a victim," He told her, almost sounding guilty. "Had we been any wiser, perhaps there would have been a way to prevent this tragedy."

Gazing into the fire, Elspeth merely waved her hand in a half-hearted, dismissive gesture. "I don't want to hear excuses. Did you only come to give your condolences, Lord Mortanius? Or do you have anything of worth to report?"

Mortanius hesitated, perhaps a bit too long to be considered normal. "No, Your Grace." He inclined his head in a slight bow. "But, given the circumstances, perhaps it is best that word is sent to your brother. Avernus cannot remain without leadership."

"The bishop is in charge of the people, and we have bankers in charge of our finances, and our soldiers and local militia is enough to maintain peace in my father's absence." Elspeth drummed her fingers against the chair she was sitting in. "For my brother to take his inheritance now might make him a target of the cultists, and Mikail will surely agree with me. However, I am aware that the decision is his own to make." She sighed, shutting her eyes for a moment. "This madness cannot continue," She stated firmly despite her tired tone. "I know I might be overstepping my bounds by asking this, but double your efforts, if you can. I want my father's murderers brought to justice before they take any more lives."

"Your will be done. By your leave, my Lady." Mortanius turned and left, and Elspeth took a few shaking breaths to calm herself. Part of her wanted to think that these cultists would let go of their grudge now that her father was dead, but she knew that it would not be so simple. To think otherwise was too irresponsible.

Then, in the foreboding silence, a knock soon came at her chamber door, followed by the entrance of Lord Raziel. In these trying times as the last embers of Summer were slowly fading, Raziel continued to persist in asking Elspeth to walk with him, even when she did not want to.

"Come to drag me along on another walk, Lord Raziel?" She remarked flatly. "You can't just let me mourn my father in peace, can you?"

"It will do you no good to sit here and sulk." Smirking, Raziel leaned against the wall nearest the hearth. "It's a lovely day. The leaves are starting to change their colours. I thought I spied a leaf as red as the dresses you wear and couldn't help but think of you—"

"Spare me your poetry." Elspeth scowled at him, rising from her chair. "Have you no compassion? No sympathy?! My father is dead. My people live in fear of their own lives- a walk in the sun is hardly appropriate, given the circumstances."

That certainly wiped the smirk off of Raziel's face, but it was replaced with a scowl more fierce than the one Elspeth had been giving him. "You say that, and yet I doubt you stopped to consider that I have not known loss as you have?!" He drew away from his relaxed posture against the wall and stared her down. "I have lost brothers in arms to the vampires, watched families lose everything- I watched as my parents died screaming, unable to do anything to save them! Are you so shameless that you would forget that there are others in all of Nosgoth that suffer as you do? Or is your famous heart of gold merely hearsay?"

The nerve of it all! Elspeth dearly wanted to put this insolent priest in his place, but she had no right to do so. He was right- there were others that had lost fathers as she had, and it was unwise to be so callous towards her hosts, not to mention the only one in Nosgoth who had bothered to offer companionship, even if his arrogance was often irritating rather than comforting. Elspeth folded her hands politely and squared her shoulders. "Forgive me. It was not my intention to be so rude."

This seemed to satisfy her companion. "I'm sure it wasn't- so does grief make fools of us all." Raziel crossed his arms. "I am willing to overlook your outburst, my Lady, if only out of respect for your loss." He turned and walked towards the door, but just before he left, he said, "Let go of your hate. Bitterness does not suit you as well as you think."

Within the same week, another letter was sent from the Bishop to Lady Elspeth. With her father dead, Mikail was the heir apparent to his fortunes and titles. Seeing as Elspeth could not leave the stronghold for the sake of her people's morale out of fear for her life, Elspeth wrote to her brother and sent a messenger to Willendorf to deliver it to him- he would still be in the company of the King and may not have yet heard of their father's murder. With much on her mind that could not be settled by sitting by a fire, Elspeth finally removed herself from her quarters for a walk, without the company of Inquisitor Raziel, who had been sent out alongside Inquisitors Dumah and Turel to Wasserbunde to deal with a coven of witches who'd been causing problems a few days ago. The only inconvenience this caused her was the fact that she couldn't go riding, or speak to anyone. Despite Raziel's arrogance, he had some admirable traits beyond his good looks, that at least she could admit, and he wasn't completely unbearable- though Elspeth was unsure as to whether that was what she really thought or if it was the boredom setting in.

Elspeth's thoughts again returned to her city. With her brother set to take over the role their father's death left vacant, would she be leaving the Stronghold so she could return to her usual duties? However, if so, would she be doomed to the same fate she now endured, locked up like a bird in a cage without the hope of flying again? The thought sickened her. Though it was surely a small price to pay for the sake of helping to protect her people, the thought that she would probably never ride again made her about as anxious as her horse was.

"Lady Elspeth," Came a new voice, snapping her from her thoughts. "Goodness, I don't believe I've seen you since you were so small."

Elspeth fought back the urge to roll her eyes as she straightened her posture to face the tall woman in front of her. "Lady Azimuth," She said politely. "I would have thought you would be in Avernus."

The Dimension Guardian chuckled and placed a willowy hand on her hip. "Moebius had need of me. But think nothing of that, my dear." Azimuth extended a slender finger to hook itself under Elspeth's jaw. "What a pretty thing you've become. For a winter's child, you've grown quite well.

Elspeth forced a smile. She hated Azimuth. She had seen her in her father's court, tall and snake-like. She was bald, no thanks to the after-effects of her magics (or so she'd heard), but her figure was the envy of almost every woman in Nosgoth. "Thank you, Lady Azimuth. Hearing that from you is quite a gift indeed."

"Oh, come now, think nothing of it." Azimuth moved to stand beside Elspeth and placed a hand on the small of her back so that they were walking together. "Are we not both daughters of Averus? It is imperative that we maintain our morale in these troubled times."

Elspeth kept her smile. Well, it's a good thing I think so little of you, she thought to herself.

"Will your brother be filling your father's role, now?" Azimuth asked, her smile just as fake- it took a lot of Elspeth's own will to stop her skin from crawling.

"I sent word to him this morning," She replied matter-of-factly. "With luck, we should have a reply by next week."

A thoughtful hum was Azimuth's response. "Your mother would be proud to see her children taking on such a burden." The Planer's finger tapped against Elspeth's brooch. "And to see that her daughter has chosen to involve herself so personally with the Sarafan for the sake of their cause."

Elspeth was taken by surprise and sputtered like a fool before she managed to find the words to speak. "How absurd," She said quickly. "You speak in riddles, Lady Azimuth."

Azimuth cocked an eyebrow. "As if your 'friendship' with Inquisitor Raziel has not gone unnoticed?"

"He is no friend to me." The response was perhaps a bit too quick, and Elspeth quickly corrected herself. "I merely choose to entertain him. Countless noblewomen have been swayed by his charismatic disposition- I refuse to be one of them when I have better things to worry about."

Azimuth chuckled. "Are you so certain?" The taller woman asked. "He seems quite fond of you."

"I doubt that." Elspeth crossed her arms. "And even so, if that were the case, it would be forbidden. Everyone knows that a priest is not allowed to fall in love."

"No need to be so defensive," The Planer remarked with a slightly hurt tone that Elspeth could tell was false. "I was merely asking. But keep in mind that there have been Sarafan who have left the order to marry their lady loves- perhaps there is a chance for you two yet."

Elspeth smirked mirthlessly. "A pleasant thought- if only the Inquisitor knew how to love a woman properly."

The troupe of Sarafan soldiers sent to Wasserbunde returned that night, and Elspeth watched them return their horses to the stables from a balcony. Gypsy had grown to tolerate her new neighbours, and nickered in welcome to the ones returning to their stalls, receiving a tired response from them- Elspeth could only wonder what those horses had seen, but her heart was lightened slightly knowing that Wasserbunde was safe once more. Perhaps she'd sneak them all an apple for their efforts. Squires walked about only half-awake to put away the tack while the soldiers spoke among themselves. Raziel was obviously tired, but his smile remained and turned to face his men after muttering something to Dumah. "May God's grace be upon you, men. Thanks to your valiant efforts, all things borne of darkness once more have reason to flee from the light. I am proud of each and every one of you- go, now, and rest. Heaven knows you've earned it."

The men left in good spirits, and Raziel turned his gaze to the balcony where Elspeth stood, shawl pulled around her shoulders against the cold night air. He smiled up at her, but there was something different in his expression, something akin to reverence instead of the confidence she knew him for. He nodded to her, and Elspeth smiled back, though either out of polite formality or because she had genuinely missed him, she just didn't know. The three left to report to Mobius, and Elspeth decided to return to her chambers. How odd, she thought, that she would have missed the same man who irritated her so. Was she perhaps going mad? Raziel was pompous, arrogant and though she found it endearing, she could just as soon do well without it, and his indignant outbursts. As is the strength of his devotion, she supposed. It is worrying, but that is how it is with priests, I should think.

However, walking by the chapel on the way to her chambers, Elspeth saw the door was open slightly, and she could hear the Mobius' voice echoing from within, giving some sort of sermon to the Inquisitors she had so recently seen in the stable courtyard, and stopped to listen just out of sight.

"Allied with vampires, you say? A dangerous business indeed." Mobius adjusted his hold on his staff as he turned to face the Inquistors that knelt before him with their helmets tucked under their arms. "If the forces of darkness are allied against us, we must remain vigilant, ever ready to snuff them out at every turn. Their existence alone is a cancer, let alone their dark powers, but we must pity them, I suppose- vampires are seductive creatures by nature, and the temptation of the dark gifts they possess is stronger than most. I have heard some think of them as mere beasts, but I say otherwise! Every last one is a demon, all fully aware of their transgressions and completely remorseless for it! They are abominations, each and every one of them, an affront to the one true God- and so it is our sworn duty to become His instruments of Holy Retribution, and let nothing sway us from our path. Remember this well."

Deeply troubled by the Time Streamer's words, Elspeth decided it was best to quietly slip away so that she would not be noticed. Such cold words! She did not know just how it came to be that mankind had ever risen up against the vampire menace, or how their appearance had coincided with the pillars being erected some hundreds of years ago, but whatever it was, it certainly was a sensitive subject. However, regardless of this, she simply had to disagree, though it was not her place to do so. Elspeth pitied the vampires- they were all merely doing what was necessary to survive, and she had heard rumours that there were some vampires who fed on rats or wild dogs, sometimes even wild boars, simply to avoid feeding from humans. Surely not all vampires were evil- who were they to judge another species for how it survives? It never made sense to her. However, there was still the unfortunate fact that there was always going to be evil vampires and evil humans, and for the sake of the greater good, their numbers had to be controlled- at least, that was what she had been led to believe.

The next day as she paced the corridors of the stronghold, Elspeth crossed Raziel's path. The man had a rather serious look on his face, as if something was troubling him, but Elspeth tried to smile at him anyway. "It is good to see you have returned, Lord Raziel," She said hesitantly. "I can only guess that all went well in Wasserbunde?"

Raziel looked away for a moment, saying nothing but his expression told Elspeth that something was on his mind. She was about to excuse herself and take her leave when the Inquisitor suddenly spoke. "My Lady. Might I ask that you accompany me a while? There is something rather pressing I must discuss with you."

Elspeth nodded and gestured for him to lead on. "I thought of you often in Wasserbunde." Raziel's voice was missing its confidence, and Elspeth looked to him worriedly as he spoke. "It was an awful business there- seeing the suffering of those affected, seeing their fear...I thought, for a moment of Avernus, and how frightened they must be, and of you when the news reached us of your father's death." They eventually stepped out into a secluded, quiet courtyard, near abandoned save a few birds picking about the cobblestones. "I wanted to apologise for my words the day before I left. It was completely out of line for me to have said such awful things."

"I should hope that you speak honestly, ser," Said Elspeth. "But I should think that it is unnecessary. Your words were harsh, but they were what I needed to hear, even if I did not think so at the time." This apology was very much unlike Raziel, but if he was genuinely remorseful of his actions, then she was willing to take an apology where it was offered.

"You would ask me to speak honestly, my Lady?" Raziel said lowly. He turned to face her, his face set in a serious expression. "Very well, then. If it's honesty you want..." He stepped in front of Elspeth as if to block her path, one hand gripping the hilt of his sword. "Wasserbunde may have been a success, but I was plagued by recurring dreams, constantly distracted by thoughts I should have set aside for the sake of the mission...would you care to know the cause of this?" Elspeth nodded, though she didn't really think it was worth hearing at all. What concern was it of hers, anyway? In almost a whisper, Raziel replied, "You."

For a moment, Elspeth was stunned by those words, until sense kicked itself into her. "How absurd," She scoffed. "If this is part of some plot to make me swoon like all those pretty little fools you've won over, then it is most certainly in poor taste!" She had started to turn and walk away when Raziel grabbed her wrist and pulled her back to him. Blushing furiously, Elspeth tried to take it back. "What do you think you're doing?!" She cried. "Let me go!" She was shocked into silence when Raziel suddenly backed her up against a pillar holding up the balcony above.

"Do you really think so little of me?" He asked, leaning in slightly. "Do you not see how I suffer because of what you've done?"

"What on Earth are you saying?!"

"What I feel for you is different to what I have felt towards serving girls and other noblewomen I have met. You have consumed me." Raziel's gaze was so intense, it could have set a man alight. "Every waking moment is spent with you on my mind, and even in sleep I cannot escape it! It is torture- a fire within me that, try as I might, I cannot quench! Make me your fool, spurn me if you must- if you will not have me, then release me!"

Elsepth trembled, confused and frightened. She could not take her eyes away, held captive by the fierce flash in the golden-brown eyes that stared her down. "Forgive me, ser..." She stammered. "I know not how...!" Raziel looked surprised, as if he didn't understand. Had he not truly felt for a woman this way before? "I understand how you must feel, I do not doubt that your love is true, but you would be risking your position by involving yourself with me. You are High Inquisitor, Lord Malek's right hand- surely you would not gamble that for the sake of a romantic affair?" She swallowed nervously, her heart hammering in her chest as she waited for her companion to respond.

Raziel's grip loosened, though still too tight for Elspeth to snatch her wrist away. "If you will not release me from this binding," The Inquisitor spoke slowly, "Then allow me this." Without further explanation, Raziel pulled Elspeth into his arms and kissed us. Though shocked by this, Elspeth made no move to fight back and instead chose not to starve her heart any longer. She did love Raziel and she could not deny it. If this love was true, then what did it matter? Priests were not allowed to marry, yes- but there was no rule that said they could not fall in love.

Some weeks passed since then. The walks weren't just Elspeth tolerating whatever Raziel had to talk about anymore- the two talked about their lives, shared their fondest memories, their deepest fears and closest-held secrets. Sometimes, the two met in secret to avoid suspicion, though their meetings were never anything more than a moment of tenderness and calm away from the eyes of others. These often happened after Elspeth's meetings with Mobius and Mortanius to discuss the progress of the investigation at Avernus, or after Raziel had returned from a mission somewhere and was in need of an escape from the stress of battle.

A letter came from Lord Mikail in those days saying that he was returning to Avernus to meet with the bishop, but he would be going through the mountain pass above the hamlet of Uschtenheim, a town famous for its ales and horrible cold in the winter months, and through the Termogent Forest to better avoid any assassination attempts. He would be leaving with a small group of soldiers from Willendorf, but that did not assuage his sister's fears. Not only was the Termogent Forest home to the vampire Vorador, a creature whose decadence rivalled his hatred of humans, and the mountains above Uschtenheim were home to Vorador's sire, Janos Audron, the oldest and, supposedly, the most dangerous vampire in all of Nosgoth, the origin of its vampiric plague. Elspeth could do nothing but fret.

"Damn him," She sighed as she paced restlessly in her quarters, her brother's letter still clutched in her hand. "What in Heaven's name is my brother thinking?"

Raziel had been there when Lord Mikail's letter came and had been watching Elspeth pace for the past few minutes- it was starting to make him a bit frustrated himself. "Surely your brother would not decide to take this route if he was not aware of the danger ahead," He reasoned.

And still Elspeth paced. "I should certainly hope so! We've already lost Father, Avernus is still in danger and the Circle has done next to nothing-!"

Raziel finally decided he'd had enough of Elspeth's pacing and chose that moment to step in while her back was turned and put his arms around her waist to stop her. "Elsie. That's enough." He spoke softly, but firmly. "I understand your frustration, love. It is difficult to stand aside and do nothing, but I believe your brother knows what he is doing. Have faith."

Elspeth huffed out a sigh and crossed her arms. "Two of the most dangerous vampires in Nosgoth and Mikail chooses to go marching right through their nests," She grumbled. "I will never understand my brother."

Raziel pressed a kiss into her oaken locks. "If it makes you feel better, I will send word to our outposts in Uschtenheim and on the borders of the Termogent Forest and ask the men to keep an eye out for your brother and his men. Would that help?" Elspeth thought of this for a few moments before giving a firm nod. "Then it is decided. Now you don't have to worry."

Elspeth rolled her eyes and smirked. Again with that boundless confidence- there were days where she wondered how she ever thought such a thing could be considered an endearing quality, but she was more than happy to put up with it now that she had gotten to know the man better.

Their happiness was not to last, for now we come to another tragedy that came as Autumn faded into winter- as the first snow fell, a messenger came from Uschtenheim, bringing terrible news: Lord Mikail and all the soldiers sent with him had perished in the mountain pass, and it was suspected that the vampire lord, Janos Audron, was responsible for the massacre.