Chapter the first: Returning
There once was an imperial named Aurelius Tyro. Among others of his kin he would have been considered above average.
His family was deeply connected with the military, which after the Great War only meant so much. For months he had been sent off to train for higher postings, eventually graduating with some distinction. He himself did not expect the next series of events to unfold.
This is his story...
10th of Sun's Dusk, 4E200
After his first deployment, Aurelius finally came home. He arrived on a cart carrying a few other soldiers, all still in their heavy gear. As the cart came to a halt, he took the hands of each shaking every individual one respectively. There were smiles and also exchanges of information, mostly to keep in contact.
Stepping off the cart he waved goodbye to his brothers in arms and then turned his gaze at the estate before him. Walls of hedges surrounded the estate, leaving a gap enough for a gate spacious enough for even war machines to pass. It felt different being gone for so long only to see not much had changed.
Through the fixture he pushed forward, the metal making an obvious creaking noise. It seemed someone forgot to add the oil to the hinges again. The nostalgia gave him a grin, because if he was right he knew just who was responsible for the lack of care given.
Cupping one hand around his mouth he yelled, "Hey Kalkaa, you forgot to grease the gate again!"
Off in the distance, an all too familiar mumbling could be heard as a female khajiit in worker's attire came nearly stumbling out from a group of hedges, clippers in hand. Immediately after brushing herself off she turned to look towards the sound of the voice and dropped everything. She jumped for joy and turned tail towards the front door opening and enthusiastically slamming it shut.
As he approached the door closer and closer he could hear arguing at first and then shouts of surprise and excitement. He chuckled as he put both hands on his helm, removing it and holding the armor at his side as he stopped right at the door, waiting.
Then another familiar noise permeated the air, the all too familiar voice of his mother. You could hear her voice from one end of Tamriel to the other if you listened closely, or so some would whisper. It was useful not only on the battlefield, but also for calling scolding children from the far reaches of Cyrodil.
Suddenly the doors flung wide open and an older woman in a vibrant red and white gown leapt upon her surprise guest, a most very welcome one. Aurelius barely flinched, the weight of his armor keeping him in place.
"Praise the nin..." she began to say, but looked to see if anyone else was listening. She then stood back and placed one hand on each of Aurelius' shoulders. "Praise the eight my son has returned home." She finally finished, a noticeable accent still lingering.
"Careful what you say mother, you never know if our Thalmor overlords could be listening." Aurelius said jokingly.
His mother scoffed at him, taking one hand to playfully punch him in the face.
"The first time I hear your voice in six years and you say these jokes. Nonetheless it is good to hear you speak once again. Come come, your father should be home from the imperial city by dinner." She said as she guided him in through the door.
Inside the manor had changed somewhat. Decorations had changed and even the paintings on the wall. Familiar faces greeted him here and there, including one of his brother, but he was not alone in the portrait.
"So Crassus did decide to marry that woman?" He asked, condescending in his tone.
His mother tightened the grip she had around his arm, reminding him of the strength she still had, even at her age. "I know how you felt about her when you knew her but she has changed."
"Has she now? Could've fooled me all considering she tried to use me to get our family name and reputation." Aurelius abruptly replied.
A sigh came from his left as she shook her head and mumbled something just under her breath.
"Well at least you are home now." She answered him, patting her free hand on his shoulder.
From side to side there were new faces, all part of the team of people who kept the manor in an immaculate state. Kalkaa was still there but there but none of the wood elves they had on staff were there anymore. Aurelius took notice.
Up a flight of stairs they went to the main hall where residences were one way, and the dining hall the other. She guided him down past a series of doors, each familiar, and each seemingly locked. One he recognized instantly from the crack in the door to this day. Crassus could be thanked for that one, though he also played his part in the fun creating the mark.
Finally, down on the left was his room. His mother let go briefly to pull a keyring from a small pouch at her side. Flipping a few keys around she singled one out and opened the door. As it opened Aurelius glimpses into what one could assume to be a time capsule. All was left as it was, and in pristine condition.
He took a few steps in, setting his helmet on a nightstand as he looked around.
"I made sure this room was looked after every other day knowing you would return someday. I prayed you wouldn't be harmed by any of the skirmishes I hear about at the border."
"...thank you mother."
Walking up behind him she stood on her tip toes to plant a kiss on his cheek and stepped away. Her footsteps echoed through the quiet hall as Aurelius simply stood there, staring through the window at the garden outside.
Slowly his pack slid off of his back as he allowed it. He then turned to the door and gently closed it shut.
A sudden shaking in his knees caused them buckle, leading him to fall to the floor, face buried into the carpet as the sound of weeping emerged.
Later in the evening...
He sat at his desk flipping through the pages of the log he kept on deployment. Most of the day he stayed in his room, reading through the past after he picked himself up. All the armor once saddling him was now strapped and buckled on a mannequin as it would be on a living being.
Every now and then his gaze shifted from the pages to the pictures and other memories scattered all around him. His mind began to soar into the past, recalling the bow hung on the wall and the many monster bushes he felled with it. Good times were scattered all around him.
Then a light series of knocks made their way through the door, bringing him back to reality.
"My apologies but your presence is requested in the dining hall." An unfamiliar voice spoke to him.
"Has my father arrived?" Aurelius asked.
"No, Lord Praxian has not returned yet from the Imperial City."
"I see..." he sighed closing the book in front of him he turned to follow the unknown voice.
The same hall he had gone through what felt like such a short time ago was now lit by ornate sconces symmetrically sitting across the hall from one another. Walking ahead at a cordial pace was one of the new helpers around the house, guiding him as if he had no bearing of their estate.
Curiosity got the better of him as he asked, "So, who are you?"
"Me? Oh...I am Dorian, I tend to the dining hall."
"I see..." Aurelius replied, rubbing his chin. "Tell me, does the name Errandil sound familiar?"
Ahead the servant briefly paused to collect his thoughts. A proper "hmmm" could be heard emanating from him.
"Now that you mention it I do, though Lord Praxian said not to mention a word about him any more. Him or any of the other elves for that matter."
The last word in the sentence threw Aurelius off. He knew his father had such prejudices against the Altmer, from his time in the war no doubt, but Errandil was a Bosmer. Most of the other elves he had hired were Bosmer, spare Lyrinn who was half Altmer half Imperial.
Many questions arose in his mind, all of them troubling.
He would have to question his father as soon as he got home. Right now, however, he would enjoy the present company at hand as a bard strummed melodious chords in the corner. An argonian plucked at the streams with her nails like all natural picks, plucking the strings in such a way he almost lost the questions he had in mind.
Such sweet music reminded him of his time on deployment.
"Please have a seat sir." Dorian said as he stopped ahead, motioning him towards the closest seat to the head of the table.
Doing as he was asked he pulled the chair himself and sat down, right across from his mother who was having a conversation of her own with another one of the servants, a younger woman about his age and with a similar accent to her.
"Welcome Aurelius, I'm glad to see you out and about. I almost thought you had fallen asleep after your long journey back."
He snickered, "Trust me, bumpy wagon rides across country can be very relaxing mother. You never know until you try!"
The older woman shook her head at the antics of her son. "You and your father are all too similar. I truly do believe he passed his sense of humor onto you for sure. Crassus not so much."
"Maybe that's why he chose to settle down with Falta. I would try everything and she would never crack a smile, not even once."
His mother shifted in her seat, but not uncomfortably. A sigh escaped her lips right before Kalkaa stepped out from one of the wooden doors off to the side. In her paws she carried a tray of appetizers, just enough for the two of them right there.
"Thank you Kalkaa." Aurelius said as he carefully took the tray in his hands and set it down.
"Always this one's pleasure." She said with a bow and then retreated back into the kitchen.
Right across the table his mother poured a cup full of a sweet smelling drink which also carried a more pungent, but familiar smell to Aurelius, it was mead.
"I wonder when your father is going to return, it usually doesn't..."
Before she could finish her words, a rather familiar voice cleared their throat from across the room. The bard ceased her playing as all turned to see who it was, and well before she could take a sip of mead, there he was in all his attire.
"Praxian my love!" She said running to him, like she did in their youth. He stood there waiting with open arms as she hugged the man she called her own.
"I'm glad to see you too Ingrid." He said as he planted a light kiss on her lips. "I'd also like to say hello to you son...it's been too long." He said, his voice becoming more solemn.
Aurelius took the cue and walked up to his father, eventually standing face to face with him. The man's smile he had never seen so wide before, and before he could even lift a finger his father grabbed him by the hand, pulling him in for a hug.
"It has been far too long my son, I'm glad to see you."
A brief pause came about on the other end of the conversation as the seasoned soldier took a moment to try to recompose himself. He was always taught to not allow his feelings to get the best of him and now being away from the field he returned the sentiment, a tear not making itself not all too evident on his face as he patted his old man on the back.
Pulling himself back together, Aurelius took a step back, allowing Praxian to measure the years the military had taken on his offspring. He could tell his deployment had not been kind to him, but he was in the best shape of his life.
"Why don't we continue this conversation over the meal? Kalkaa and the others just brought out the main course." Ingrid said, laying hands on the two before her.
"That sounds reasonable. All the politicking and humdrum has left me famished, and I'm sure Aurelius here wouldn't mind having a good home cooked meal after all these years."
The three took their places at the table just as in times past. A small feast was shared between them and those who cared for the manor, for even they were considered family too. Ingrid brought up stories never heard of by the newer faces, stories she had waited for Aurelius to be present for all for his reaction.
Laughs echoed all around the chamber, followed by the dulcet chords of the bard. She too joined in as the raucous bunch began to wind down some.
Aurelius himself looked around and remembered back to past times, similar to the one before him. Crassus was there as well as Errandil...
Naming his old friend brought the questions flooding back, and more importantly the conversation he had in mind.
The time to ask was then.
"Father, if I may ask, where did Errandil and some of the other elves we had here go?"
As he mentioned the name to his left, all to his right the conversations around him ceased, and all began to tune in and listen. He nearly thought he may have somehow uttered a spell of silence over the table and had no idea as to how he cast it. Praxian cleared his throat very briefly and took a sip from his goblet.
"Please please, carry on everyone." He said waving off to everyone, then leaning in towards his son. "We will discuss this after dinner. Meet me in the memorial garden out back."
Aurelius wasn't sure of the secrecy his father wanted, more importantly why, but just as he learned in his time deployed...
Some things were not meant for everyone's ears.
It was later in the evening when Aurelius met with Praxian in the memorial garden. Vast pillars of marble stood all around them, each with vines of the various plant life inhabiting the scenery around them. Right at the end of the row was a statue of a man in ornate imperial gear, not resembling one or the other.
"We're here now father just as you asked. Please tell me what happened to Errandil." Aurelius asked, a hint of sternness in his tone.
Praxian walked up the massive statue in front of him, gazing up at the detailed eyes in marble gazing outward and away. He stood almost at attention before the figure, both of his hands clasped behind the small of his back. Only those who were his family and closest associates in the imperial city knew what this meant.
"When the White Gold Concordat was signed into effect I told Titus Mede he not only resigned us to Dominion rule, but all those south of our borders as well. I believed we had the resolve and effort to not only save our country but those under tyranny...I know our ancestor would agree." He said, one hand reaching out, providing a means to keep himself up.
"What explanation is that, where are they?" Aurelius questioned. "What happened while I was gone?"
A great sigh escaped his throat before he looked back up at the statue's gaze. "They came over one day, all in their robes, just like some they wore during the war. You would think they had no means to enact their will so brazenly but somehow they found a way, daedra always do. Word reached them of Talos worship at our estate, even claiming us to be supporters of the uprising in Skyrim and that's all they needed. Military police escorted them too which made it worse, they found your mother's shrine son..."
In the background Aurelius was attempting to picture everything in his head. Mother was still there and Praxian still had his position, so all he was trying to find was an answer, and one came to mind. He narrowed his eyes at his father as anger swelled in his gut.
"How could you!? Errandil had been a friend to the family since I was young!" He shouted.
Then turning to face his son Praxian had the most serious look he had worn before his son in years. "Do you know where or how Errandil and his friends came to us? Valenwood became a nightmare after the Dominion took over. The Thalmor sought to "domesticate" the Bosmer and create a society likened to their own and in return the Bosmer sought to restore their land. A unit of blades put under my supervision in the war saved them, they stayed with me and in return they owed us a life debt."
Aurelius turned to the closest marble bench and sat down. He couldn't believe a word spoken to him, shocked by the new information. All he knew had changed, everything, everyone, nothing was staying its course as a constant.
And that's all he wanted...
The old general then walked up to his son, placing a hand on his shoulder. "We never asked him to do what he did, what any of them did and someday, trust me, the Thalmor will pay for what they've done."
"When?" Aurelius retorted.
Looking back towards the statue.
"For now you should get some rest because tomorrow is going to be an eventful day." He said as he moved off to abandon his son's presence, but just before he left he turned slightly to the side and uttered,
"Soon."