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Alexi began to laugh but started coughing in disgust instead. "You’ll find no servant’s here. This woman, and the others are all freewomen. Imperial freewomen. Not servants or slaves." |
"You are one of the Duke’s Knights?" I asked, my own voice growling with displeasure and he nodded, quickly and feverishly as though the confession would save him from Viconia’s attentions. "What’s the punishment for rape in Cyrodiil?" |
Stressing the name of the province I could feel everyone’s attentions on me but I ignored it, looking at the knights’ livery adorning his tunic and other discarded clothing. The honey yellow colour was enough to tell me that he was one of the Host of the Horn and it was more distressing that I wasn’t surprised at how ... |
"Three day’s in the stocks Sir." Echoed a voice from outside the tent and I smiled grimly at Carodus’ voice. The retired centurion had a knack of appearing in such situations to the point where I suspected him of being able to spontaneously teleport. |
"The stocks it is then." Through the pain on his face I saw the hint of anger and indignation at the punishment but Viconia’s grasp was unrelenting. "I’ll commission the carpenters in the morning, but until then, you can consider yourself under arrest." |
As the pair of men-at-arms stepped forward I could see the burning hate in the knight’s eyes being directed full force at me and I knew that his realisation of being treated like a commoner was overcoming his pain of Viconia’s grip on his genitals. Seeing the expression, I gestured the men-at-arms to stop in place and... |
"That is of course, unless you would prefer me to leave your punishment to Madame DeVir..." |
One look into the cold yellow irises within arm’s length was enough to decide and there was a mild shaking of the head, accompanied by the groan of agony as she squeezed just that little bit more. Despite her appearance there was iron in her muscles and many people had underestimated her strength, but the disgraced kn... |
Without a single word, the pair of men-at-arms stepped over and caught him as she finally released her grip and let him fall. Judging by his expression it was obvious he was struggling to decide between passing out or throwing up, instead allowing the men-at-arm to loop their arms under his armpits while he grabbed at... |
Sighing, and pressing my fingers into the bridge of my nose, I gave a quick look over the woman, her son and friend, to Viconia wiping her hand down the front of her tunic as though she had shifted through nightsoil to Alexi appearing downcast near the door. |
"The Duke is not going to be happy." He said very quietly and I nodded in agreement. |
"I don’t think he’s ever happy." With one last look to the trio of individuals on the cot, I turned and followed in the direction of the men-at-arms. |
When morning came it was very much as I had expected. Before the sun had truly risen above the horizon I had received a summons to the Priory. It was somewhat amusing that I then found myself waiting until the sun was far above the tree line before I would actually stand before the Duke who appeared as he always did; ... |
It was the cloying smell of fruit and flowers that was annoying me more than his general attitude and indifference that I had come to expect from most nobles. There was something about the way that my lungs dragged it into my chest with every breath that was making my teeth tingle and the bones of my face ache. |
"So," He said finally, moving around the recently completed desk in his office and appearing to look disinterestedly out of the window. "I hear that you ordered one of my knights into the stocks last night. Care to explain?" |
Sensing the subtle threat in his tone and doing my best to stand to attention, I growled in the back of my mind. The fact that there was only sir Wirile within the room with us was not entirely a comfort and I could feel his eyes burning into the side of my skull as I stood there. |
"Sir Phieine was caught raping one of the carpenter’s wives. Cyrodillic Law states that three days in the stocks is the punishment for such a crime." |
"I see." He said after a moment’s pause, not once making a hint of turning around. It was taking all my willpower not to cough from the scent of whatever perfume had been rubbed into his flesh or look at the Sword of Arkay resting lightly on a sheet of pure silk stretched across the desk. "Witnesses?" |
"Madame DeVir was the initial witness, and myself and Sir Vanevius arrived seconds later." |
"No other Horn Knights saw or can corroborate your allegations?" |
"Begging your pardon, my Lord, but there are no allegations; just the truth. Sir Phieine was caught with his pants down, both figuratively and literally. As Second in Command of the Order of the Nine I have the authority to pass judgement on criminals." |
"Sir Phieine is a loyal and devout servant of the Gods." The Duke stated flatly, his hands moving almost of their own accord as he made the mark of the Nine Divines over his chest and forehead and I quickly did the same. Not that I did so out of any religious fervour but from the feeling that they could use any hesita... |
"Chancellor Ocato could have been in that tent and I would have judging him just the same." I said carefully, keeping my voice as neutral as I possibly could without any hint of emotion. "The law is the law, and I will abide by it." |
"Your loyalty and duty is an example to us all." Sir Wirile was standing just as still as I was with his hand casually resting on the pommel of his sword in a way that was supposed to be casual but looked anything but. "I expect that the woman has also been appropriately punished for her crimes?" |
Alexi had tutored me during the night and this question was one that I expected. It was also one that we had been forced to deal with in advance. |
"We did my lord. Ten lashes as appropriate." |
The duke remained as still as I did, staring out the window over the small collection of tents that could be seen through the glass. Sir Wirile merely grunted under his breath soft enough that mortals wouldn’t have been able to hear, but not soft enough to hide it from me. |
"You truly are impartial." |
"I try my best, my lord." This time the hint of challenge was in my tone but I kept myself smirking or otherwise grinning from sheer force of will alone. Striking a noble such as the woman had done in her attempt to defend herself was a punishable offence no matter the circumstances and as much as it pained me to do s... |
Only broken by their soft breathing, the silence dragged on and I found myself growing ever more impatient to remove myself from such an environment. Instead I stood on the spot, not letting my eyes wander anywhere except at the Duke’s back. |
"How soon can the Order be ready for battle?" He asked suddenly and I was taken aback for the moment as this was certainly not a question I was expecting. |
"Weeks at least." I spoke truthfully, feeling his sudden interest despite the way that he still didn’t turn to face me and the way that sir Wirile leaned forward. "The men-at-arms will take time to form a cohesive unit and..." |
"I asked how long it will take for the Order to be ready, not the peasants." |
I could feel myself blinking and feeling the same feeling of unease crawl up my spine as it had several times over the previous days. "The... peasants are the largest source of manpower we have available. With the Host of the Horn, Baron Jaseton’s esquires and the Order of the Nine we have fifty-two knights, all of wh... |
"The knights do not require "training’ and their arms and armour is solely their responsibility. What they wield, wear and ride into battle is not something to concern ourselves with and as nobles they know how to fight." |
"My lord, in all respect we need to train to fight as a unit. Tilting in tournaments is different to fighting a foe seeking your death." |
"Do not deign to dictate to me the differences in fighting and honourable combat." He snapped suddenly, showing the first signs of annoyance and temper to my words. "Have you ever fought in a battle?" |
"Several, my lord." I replied, even though I saw the verbal jaws of his trap slowly creak open. |
"And how many have been in the saddle?" |
"None, my Lord." |
"There. You see?" he said, finally turning and facing me with a corner of his mouth creased in triumph. "You truly haven’t fought in a real battle." |
"I fought with the Legion at Kvatch." |
The seriousness of my tone and the subtle traces of insubordination in my voice was enough to wipe the smile off his face and leave Sir Wirile’s growing a cold as a winter in Morrowind. |
"Kvatch. A backwater settlement that an army of criminals and labourers failed to save. Again... not a real battle." |
The trap was waiting for me, sitting there with the bait dangling oh so temptingly and as much as it almost physically harmed me I resisted taking it. What I couldn’t resist was adding my own barb to the mix. |
"Ninety-six thousand dead in a city of a hundred and ten thousand isn’t considered a backwater in Cyrodiil, although I must admit that I am unfamiliar with Highrock..." |
Despite the fact that his face remained carefully neutral to my unsubtle insult disguised as formality and ignorance. Both of them knew exactly what I had meant, especially how Kvatch had once been equal in population and economically as every city within the Breton homelands. |
"Very well." He said with a slow flush working its way up from under his high necked collar. "As you appear to have the experience in mucking about in the mud with the rest of the peasants, you can have the glory of commanding them." |
"Thank you, my Lord." |
Very slightly, his eyes narrowed at the signs of triumph in my voice before he snorted. "Don’t get your hopes up Sir Desin. Infantry do not have a place on a modern battlefield and they especially cannot compete with the skill and noble heritage of Knights. Use the men-at-arms as you see fit, include those few from th... |
"I won’t, my lord." |
Slowly, carefully he interlinked his hands in front of him, somehow managing to puff out his chest in the movement that I supposed he thought was heroic and noble. "Have you anything further to add?" |
I shook my head, carefully and formally while keeping my eyes locked ahead of me. "No, my Lord." |
"Good. Get out." |
The doors closed as they had the several times I had found myself in the priory rooms. What had been my office was now the preferred place for the Duke to receive visitors such as myself for formal matters and it was becoming all too familiar to me. Especially with the way that the door always seemed to be forcefully ... |
From the various knights and servants within the priory I barely rated a mention as I moved through them. A handful of the Knights were in their full plate, their personal heraldry and that of the Duke obvious on every flowing tabard and surcoat but they barely even nodded or glanced in my direction as I moved through... |
Alexi and Viconia, as they normally did were waiting for me in the Priory courtyard, standing in their armour on the freshly scraped cobblestones that appeared older than the surrounding building itself. They stood in the centre to ensure that they were out of the way of the numerous people moving through the gatehous... |
"Judging by your face, that went as well as we were expecting." Alexi said as I moved over to them, and while Viconia appeared as cold and aloof as she normally did I could tell that she was burning with curiousity. |
"You were right on all accounts." |
Although he pretended to swoon, Alexi beamed, showing his teeth in an enormous grin. "When you’re right, you’re right." The smile however didn’t seem to fully reach his eyes. "He ordered Gaebel to be flogged?" |
"Yes. But they seemed satisfied that it had already been dealt with." |
"Hmmm..." Viconia stepped alongside me and matched my stride as we moved towards the gatehouse. "It sounds all too easy." |
"That’s because you don’t trust anyone." Alexi too moved alongside me and together the three of us moved as one. "But you are right. They gave in too easy." |
"You might be interested to know that I am now the Infantry commander of the Order." |
"Ha! There it is." His chuckle was infectious and I found myself smiling despite my crawling anxiety and unease. "He thinks that he’s just given you a disservice and while technically its a demotion it works in our favour. I also guess that he doesn’t believe in knights training?" |
"Were you listening in or something?" |
"No, but I could guess. Have you seen half of the knights that arrived? Most of them would struggle to walk around the campsite, let alone fight anything more dangerous that their breakfasts." |
"A knight is responsible for his own training, equipment and..." |
All three of us flinched as a giant in ebony plate stepped into our path, respectively giving us space while ensuring that it was impossible to move around him. |
"Gods Falid," Spluttered Alexi as he tried his best not to look surprised. "How do you of all people sneak around like that?" |
The giant Redguard turned and briefly looked him in the eye before returning his gaze to me. He had appeared as though conjured and in my distracted state hadn’t made his presence known until we were almost on top of him. It also didn’t help any of us that he was dressed in his armour minus the helm which only seemed ... |
"Practice." He said, his voice a deep growl. "Sir Desin, I have news." |
"Good or bad?" |
Ignoring my question and the hints of sarcasm in my voice, there was the usual lack of emotion on his face and without even the slightest hint of a shrug he continued on unabated. "I have received word from my Order. The Grandmaster has decreed with the gathering of the Relics of the Eight that the Black Knights will ... |
"So some of your brothers will be joining us." |
"All of them." |
I caught myself blinking at the weight that his words carried but I couldn’t help but feel a chill of apprehension crawl up my spine. "There’s a "but’ in there somewhere." |
Still as cold as ever, Falid continued staring without even the slightest of twitches. "I am going to recommend to the Grandmaster that the Relics be placed under the care of our Order." |
Silence fell between us, only broken by Alexi’s long, impressed whistle and the jingling of chainmail as he put his hands on his head. "Wonderful." |
"The Duke isn’t going to be impressed." Viconia muttered, her scowl deepening. |
"His happiness is not a consideration." The Black Knight growled. "The Relics are priceless and immeasurable in power and it is obvious that the state of the Order of the Nine is untenable. Unless rectified, the Order of Talos will claim them." |
"I don’t think that the Duke will let you and your Order come in and take the Relics." I said softly, seeing the hardening light in Falid’s eyes as he made the suggestion of a nod. |
"Unless rectified," he repeated, slower and more carefully than before. "the Order of Talos will claim them." |
The meaning was clear and I couldn’t help but consider the ramifications of his words. We had been with him long enough to know that he rarely made jokes and this simple statement was more than enough to tell us everything. Besides ourselves, Falid was one of the most accomplished and dangerous warriors and everything... |
"I think you have made your point." Still, there was no change to his expression as he stood there, slowly looking between us all with all the inexorability of a mountain storm. "I don’t suppose you can offer us any form of assistance?" |
This time there was a distinct shake of his head despite the lack of emotion. "No. My oaths are binding and there is no power within this world or beyond that could make me break them. My sword is at your service Sir Desin, but the relics are paramount. I, and my Order especially will not stand idly by and see them mi... |
"On that we agree at least." Viconia added, snarling and flicking her teeth with her tongue. |
"How long until they arrive?" |
"It’s a three-week journey from Rihad and they should be leaving in the coming days. If they haven’t already begun the journey." |
"Great... Less than a month." |
He saw my expression and it was impossible not to hear the bitterness in my tone but there was still no reaction from the giant Redguard. "The Relics will be protected Sir Desin. I would prefer it to be the Order of the Nine but that is not feasible at this time." |
Without a further word and little more than a brief and formal gesture of farewell he turned and strode away, leaving the three of us standing almost in shock and with obvious concern. |
"Are you okay Kaius?" |
Not looking up from where I was pinching the bridge of my nose I struggled not to grind my teeth in annoyance. "Not really. Things can’t be simple just for once, can they?" |
"Life isn’t sporting like that." Alexi replied, looking just as shaken as I was. "What are we going to do?" |
"I have no idea." The truth in my words was a punch to the gut and I groaned. "Where’s Caleb?" |
"Laying low I hope. This time of the day he’d normally be training but I’ve told him to keep a low profile." |
Viconia nodded in the direction of the half-finished stables on the other side of the priory. "You can usually find him around the horses." |
"Good. I think I need to talk to him." |
"Want us to come?" |
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