Chapter 2

Boldness

Aurelia woke to the faint rasp of Halbjorn's snores. The sabre cat cub curled tight against her side, a warm lump under the furs. Morning light, slipped through her window—another late Evening Star day. She nudged him gently. "Up, you."

He stretched flexing his claws and yawning wide before blinking up at her, a low mewl rumbling out. She scooped him onto her lap. He was small still, but growing heavier each day. She grabbed the comb from her bedside. "Hold still," she muttered as she began working it through his patchy gold fur, tugging at knots. He purred, lazy and content as he sprawled under her hands.

She'd been at this weeks—waking up with him near since finding him on that snowy hill all alone. Today, though, she'd start training. Teaching him discipline, maybe a trick or two. Sweet rolls sat stashed in her drawer. She'd been swiping them from Odar's batches to use as bait for the cub's focus. She smirked, comb pausing while she pictured him hopping for a crumb. "After lessons," she said, half to him and half to herself "we'll sort you out." Halbjorn huffed, eyes slitting shut, purring louder as she smoothed his flank.

Later that day Aurelia sat in the palace library at the oak desk, her quill scratching away on the parchment as she diligently practiced writing in Elven. She could feel the weight of Ondolemar's sharp gaze on her as he paced back and forth.

"You've improved," he remarked without looking at her. "But your form remains stiff. The fluidity of the language comes with time and care."

Aurelia paused and looked up, raising an eyebrow,"time and care," she repeated, placing her quill down. "Does that mean you've had both of those in abundance when you learned?"

Ondolemars lip twitched slightly, a hint of amusement on his normally guarded face. "I had other things to worry about."

Aurelia tilted her head, curiosity had gotten the better of her. "I'm sure you did. But tell me Justiciar Ondolemar… how old are you anyway?"

The question was casual, but she couldn't deny the boldness of it. She couldn't resist the temptation of pushing the boundary just a bit. Just enough to see if she could get her mentor to say one simple, personal thing about himself.

He looked at her now, his eyes narrowing with a trace of irritation flickering on his face.

"What does this have to do with your lesson?" He replied

Aurelia leaned back slightly, the corners of her mouth curling into a playful smile. "You seem like you've been doing this for so long. Surely you've had time to age a little." She crossed her arms studying him for a moment, "Though it's hard to imagine you wereany younger than this."

He stared at her for a moment. Then he let out a quiet sigh. "Age is of little consequence when one is focused on matters of greater importance." He said cryptically, "but if you must know, Lady Aurelia, it is a number you would not likely comprehend."

Aurelia frowned, this only increased her interest. "A number I wouldn't comprehend? You make it sound like you're centuries old."

Ondolemar's lips curved ever so slightly, his voice softened but the amusement never fully left his eyes. "I would tell you my age, but you would not believe me. Now, my age does not matter. What matters is your focus. I suggest you redirect it, Lady Aurelia."

Aurelia gave him a sly smile while picking up her quill again continuing with the lesson as before. Though she didn't get the answer she was hoping for she did get a reaction out of Ondolemar.

After her lesson, Aurelia bolted to her room, snagged the sack of sweet rolls from her drawer, and scooped Halbjorn under her arm. She crept down the stairs the cub squirming. Then she made her way to the palace garden. She plunked him down, grinning. "Right, Halbjorn, it's your turn."

He mewled, his tail flicking, yellow eyes glinting up. She smirked. She had spent weeks with him, and he was getting it. Or just sniffing the rolls. She yanked one out. "Sit, you."

Halbjorn stared then his paws started swiping the air, tail thumping. "Sit," she snapped, sharper this time. He froze, then flopped onto his haunches, eyes locked on the prize. She tossed him a chunk, grinning wider. "Good enough!"

She crouched down to his level "Roll over!" He cocked his head, mewling, nosing at her hand. "Come on, smartest cat in Skyrim—"

"Aurelia." Ondolemar's voice cut through, low and crisp.

She jolted up half-turning to find him at the garden's edge, arms crossed. His eyes narrowed. "What's this?" He stepped closer.

"Training Halbjorn," she said—chin up, nodding at the cub nudging her legs. Halbjorn mewled as if backing her up.

Ondolemar shut his eyes, thumb rubbing his nose, a soft groan escaping. "Sabre cats," he said, "they hunt. They kill. These are not pets. They-"

"They learn," she shot back, scooping Halbjorn up, scratching his belly. He purred his claws snagging her sleeve. "He's a baby, sweet as anything."

His eyes flicked open, a spark glinting past the irritation. "Oh, a beast-tamer now?"—voice wry, edged, "Mastered predators at twelve?"

She plopped Halbjorn down with a grin. "Watch." She crouched. "Sit!" The cub stared, then flopped again, his tail thumping. "See?" She beamed up, cheeky. "Results, Justiciar."

He exhaled, rubbing his nose harder. "What would Torygg say?"

Her grin wobbled, but then snapped back. "He trusts me." She straightened putting her hands on her hips.

"Trust," he said arching a brow, "doesn't tame claws."

"Not taming. I'm teaching him," she huffed "discipline."

Ondolemar glanced at Halbjorn who was now gnawing the hem of her sleeve, claws out. "Discipline," he echoed, "sure."

She tugged her sleeve free, shoving a roll-bit at the cub. "Don't tell him," she muttered, eyes flicking up.

He tilted his head his stern easing a hair—"Aurelia—"

"Beast-taming, eh?" Torygg's warm voice rolled in from the shadows. "So that's where my sweet rolls went."

"Father!" Aurelia's face flared as she went red to her ears" He's not a beast. His name is Halbjorn, and he's just a baby!" She hugged the cub tighter. His mewl squeaking out.

Torygg stepped closer his eyes steady on Halbjorn, a grin tugging. "Halbjorn, is it?"

"Yeah," she said, cradling him. "I've trained him. He listens. Please—don't make me get rid of him."

He watched her, pausing a moment. Then glanced at Ondolemar. "What's your take, Justiciar?"

Ondolemar straightened, smoothly he replied "Your Majesty, a sabre cat in the palace—however small is a risk. It's a predator—"

"Thank you, Justiciar," Torygg cut in holding his hand up turning his eyes back on her. "Aurelia—if he so much as scratches wrong, he's out. Clear?"

She nodded quickly "Promise, Father—he won't."

Torygg sighed, a grin breaking loose. "I hope you're right." He turned then paused by Ondolemar. "Keep her in line."

"Of course, Your Majesty," Ondolemar said, dipping his head.

Torygg ambled off as Aurelia's breath whooshed out. Her grin returned. "Told you he'd be fine with it."

Ondolemar groaned, muttering in Elvish as he stalked away.