Chapter 16
A Woman's Pain
With a sigh, Kaisa dropped down off of Sky and looked at Nulfaga's estate with a mixture of relief and trepidation. After a week on the road she was glad to finally reach her destination, Kaisa wasn't looking forward to dealing with the insane woman in the estate.
"Sky, if you see lightning, fire, water, fog, or generally anything weird coming from that building…run like hell," Kaisa said patting Sky on the neck.
Sky snorted in what almost sounded like a laugh and nudged Kaisa towards the estate with his big head. Kaisa stumbled a little before glaring at Sky who only began munching on some grass without a care in the world.
"Ass," Kaisa snarked back but the smile on her face took any bite out of her words.
With another sigh Kaisa began walking to the front door of the estate with a hand resting on the pommel of her sword and her shield held tight. Her last encounter with Nulfaga didn't go so well and Kaisa was afraid of a repeat. Kaisa opened the front door and cautiously peered into the room. The estate was in a much better condition then Kaisa's last visit which surprised her. The foyer was well lit and clean and a servant quickly moved to greet Kaisa in a clean suit and no fear in his stance or eyes.
"May I be of assistance my lady," the servant said crisply.
"Good day sir, I am Kaisa Alierius, I request an audience with Lady Nulfaga."
"Yes, you were named as one of her majesty's trusted agents, if you would follow me," the servant said before spinning on his heel and walking deeper into the estate.
Kaisa followed quickly and began to relax when it became clear that she wasn't in danger of imminent death. Kaisa found Nulfaga sitting in the drawing room reading a thick book of some variety and took a seat across from the old woman. Nulfaga briefly glanced at Kaisa before returning to her book, clearly not caring about Kaisa's presence.
"My Lady, do you not remember me? I am investigating your son's death."
"I remember," Nulfaga replied without taking her eyes of the book.
"I have gained the aid of a sorceress who can maybe scry some information about his murder, but she requires something of Lysandus's that he was wearing on the day of his death. Can you assist me with this," Kaisa asked while praying that the old woman would just give her what she wanted and didn't make her fight some stupid trial.
Nulfaga suddenly stopped reading her book and looked at Kaisa intently. Kaisa did not back down and matched Nulfaga's stare with confidence. After several moments Nulfaga finally relented and produced a gold broach with blue gemstones in a swirling pattern.
"Take this, it was his favorite broach. My son never told me of where he acquired it but he would never part with it, even for a moment," Nulfaga said holding out the trinket for Kaisa to take.
"Good, with such a strong attachment to the object it should make the scrying much more successful and the chances of us learning something better," Kaisa said taking the jewel.
"Agreed," Nulfaga said simply before returning to her reading.
Kaisa waited a moment awkwardly but when it became apparent that Nulfaga had already forgotten Kaisa's existence she got up and let herself out of the room. The same servant as before was waiting patiently for her and gave a small bow of respect.
"Is your audience with Lady Nulfaga concluded?"
"Yes," Kaisa said with a small smile.
"Excellent, would you like me to show you out my Lady?"
"Please."
"Right away my Lady, if you would?" The servant said gesturing down the hall.
Kaisa began walking back to the front door while the servant smoothly fell in step with her and a step behind in respect to Kaisa's station. Word had apparently gotten around that Kaisa was from one of the most powerful noble families in the Empire. Even outside the Empire the name Alierius carried great weight. As an Imperial Agent it allowed Kaisa to open doors she otherwise wouldn't have access to.
Quickly enough Kaisa found herself back outside in the estate courtyard where Sky was waiting patiently for her.
"Come on boy, back to Daggerfall, we need to give this to Medora."
Kaisa with a sigh, stumbled into the safe house where Medora tensed at first before relaxing once she realized it was Kaisa.
"You're back!"
"It looks that way," Kaisa said dumping her pack in the corner and sitting at the dinning table with a sigh.
"Were you successful?"
Kaisa simply grunted in answer before digging the broach out and handing it to Medora. Kaisa finally looked up when Medora didn't take the broach and was surprised by the reaction she saw. Medora was crying and the hand that had originally reached for the broach with confidence was trembling inches from the gold pin.
"Um...you okay?"
"This broach, I gave it to my love...I," Medora whispered before taking the broach and cradling it like it was a feather.
"Oh," Kaisa said dumbly.
Medora didn't hear Kaisa as she had retreated to the bed and folded herself around the golden treasure. As Medora began to sob quietly Kaisa busied herself with getting something to eat which her stomach happily reminded her. Kaisa was doing her best to be patient as the woman was obviously still grieving over losing the man Madora clearly loved with every fiber of her being. Kaisa had never been in love with someone so she could only imagine the pain Medora must be going through. Kaisa pondered that as she ate her simple stew and bread and wondered why that was. It wasn't that Kaisa wasn't attracted to people or didn't enjoy lovers, she just had never fallen in love with someone. The closest Kaisa had ever come to being in love with someone was Sariah. Kaisa was fairly certain that Sariah was in love with her but when Kaisa envisioned giving her heart, mind, and soul to someone, Sariah's face is not what appeared in her mind. Kaisa hoped that one day she would stumble across someone to spend eternity with but given her life style she didn't have high hopes of that happening. Not many woman were willing to see their wife only a couple times a year and living in constant fear of a Centurian coming to visit with soul shattering news. Even fewer woman were willing or capable of joining her on her missions that were highly classified and dangerous. Knowing the likely hood that her love life would be little more that short flings was depressing to say the least. Not to mention her mother nagging her to the end of her days because Kaisa hadn't found a wife and started a family.
Kaisa pushed those thoughts from her mind as Medora approached her with blood shot eyes and a tear stained face. Getting up Kaisa met Medora half way with what she hoped was a compassionate expression..
"Thank you for being so patient, its...hard," Medora said with a week smile.
"I understand, think nothing of it," Kaisa encouraged.
"I think I am ready to try the spell."
"Are you sure, you will be witnessing his murder," Kaisa cautioned.
"I...I know, it will hurt but my love must get justice. I can endure that if it brings him peace."
"Okay, whenever you are ready," Kaisa said nodding.
Medora took the trinket to a basin filled with water and dropped it in. After a moment to center herself Medora began chanting something in a language that Kaisa didn't remotely recognize. The water began to shift and turn almost a silver color before finally shifting into an image of the late King in a tent. It was similar to the image the scroll showed Kaisa just clearer and significantly less painful. The person that killed the King was still blured do to the assailant being behind the King but this time Kaisa could definitely tell that the assassin was wearing the coat of arms of Wayrest. It was progress as that narrowed it down to about half a dozen people that it could possibly be.
The image suddenly evaporated and Kaisa looked up to find Medora's face as white as snow and her breathing rapid. Knowing what was coming Kaisa quickly got a bucket just in time for Medora to lose her lunch in. Kaisa held Medora's hair out of the way and rubbed soothing circles into the grieving woman's back. Kaisa couldn't imagine the agony of watching your loved one getting murdered right in front of you.
"Thank you," Medora whispered weakly once she got her stomach under control.
Kaisa simply nodded while taking the bucket to dispose of the contents. When Kaisa returned, she found Medora curled up on the bed with the jewel clutched in her hands and sobbing.
"I'm sorry, I just need a moment," Medora said trying to wipe the tears from her eyes.
"Just rest, we can pick this up in the morning," Kaisa said sitting down on the bed next to Medora.
After a moment of hesitation Medora nodded gratefully before starting to get up to give Kaisa back her bed. Kaisa quickly pushed her back down earning a confused look from the mage.
"Take the bed, I'll get confortable with a chair."
"Are you sure?"
"I insist, I think you need it more than I do right now," Kaisa said with a warm smile.
Medora reached out and took Kaisa's hand and cradled it in hers and looked up at Kaisa with tears threatening to spill again.
"You are a very kind woman, Kaisa Alierius," Medora said squeezing Kaisa's hand.
"I try, I have to make up for all the naughty things I do," Kaisa said with a small laugh to bring some humor to the situation.
Medora for her part smiled weakly before releasing Kaisa's hand and getting into her night gown. Kaisa settled into a chair and resigned herself to a stiff neck and aching back come morning.
Hours later, Kaisa was fitfully trying to fall asleep when she felt a presence standing over her. Snapping awake Kaisa had a blade half drawn before she realized it was Medora standing over her.
"Medora? Is something wrong?" Kaisa asked slightly slurred as she was still half asleep.
"No...yes," Medora said clutching herself timidly.
Kaisa took a moment to study the woman before her. Medora stood with shoulders hung loosely and her chin tucked in. Her arms were folded as if to ward off a frightening spirit and she lightly danced from foot to foot. Finally, Kaisa could barely make out fresh tear streaks on her face in the gloom of the night.
"What's wrong?"
"I...I know this is a bit forward of me to ask...but would...would you...sleep...with me?"
"What?" Kaisa blurted with wide eyes and a jaw in her lap.
This caused Medora to seam to shrink even more into herself as a nervous panic started to build in the distraught woman.
"Medora, you're attractive but I don't think that is a good idea right now. You are not in the right state of mind and it would be wrong of me," Kaisa said as gently as she could.
"What? N...No! Not like that!" Medora almost shrieked.
"Oh," Kaisa said dumbly while scratching her head in embarrassment.
"Could you just lie next to me, I don't want to be alone right now. Seeing my love get...it."
"Are you sure?" Kaisa asked hesitantly.
In response Medora dropped to her knees in front of the still seated Kaisa and took both her Kaisa's hands into hers with a vice grip.
"Please?" Medora begged with pleading eyes.
"...okay, give me a moment to get into a night gown," Kaisa said getting up.
"Thank you."
Medora silently stood up and made her way back to the bed and under the covers and waited patiently. Kaisa stripped out of her cloths and pulled a night gown on for modesty sake. Granted that never bothered her much in the past but in this circumstance, she didn't want to give the wrong impression.
Climbing into the bed, Kaisa had just gotten herself comfortable before she found Medora tucking into her side timidly. Kaisa stiffened in worry while hoping this wasn't just some ruse to get in her small clothes.
"Medora?" Kaia asked wearily.
"Please," Medora asked in a completely broken voice.
Internally Kaisa sighed in sympathy as her heart broke for this poor woman. In reply Kaisa just opened her arms in a silent invitation. Medora practically dove in and molded herself to Kaisa's side. Medora's head landed on Kaisa's shoulder and her hand clutched Kaisa's night gown like her life depended on it. Kaisa took the hand gripping her gown in a death grip and held it gently in her own while the arm that was pinned under Medora's head slowly stroked up and down the shattered woman's side.
"Rest, I got you."