Rastislav
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Arc 8 Chapter XCI: The Big Day
🕑 Added 2025-03-02 00:12:41 +0000 UTCAs one might expect from such a controversial introduction, the good Emir's prompt visit rattled the Emperor's council something fierce, with even the more moderate members being at least somewhat offended by his behavior.
Which is to say we spent a lot more time discussing the topic than was necessary to reach the same inevitable conclusion, but without people's pride being spat on.
Far later than was planned, Minthara and I left the council chamber behind with Valenicus still pouting, Jukulus looking like he had swallowed a particularly vile lemon, and Titus admirably managing to hide the guilt he felt for his past actions and decisions.
Guilt but not regret.
None was quite so dumb as to propose forsaking a free foothold in Hammerfell though, and in the end that was all that mattered.
One quick teleport later (fuck your wards in particular) we appeared within the core of my manor, and came upon the scene of Akulakhan radiating his utmost boredom as he watched one of the figures seated within the dining room lazily poking the other figure's shoulder.
The instant we appeared though, the aggressor's eyes lit up while the victim let out a sigh of relief "Reyvin!" Serana smiled "I think I broke your man here."
Giving Davos a pitying look I turn back to the vampire "Nah, he just got used to it."
"Boss" Davos sighs "With the utmost respect. Why the fuck did I have to babysit this one?"
I blink "But you didn't?"
He stills utterly before ever so slowly turning to the vampire, whose smile was so sunny it could be called beatific. The elf's arm twitched to his belt dagger repeatedly before he just let out a long tired sigh and stood up "I am going to sleep now, wake me up never."
"Should have just fetched Alor" I point out with a chuckle "He always did seem fascinated with you."
Serana exhales in amusement "Exactly why I did not do that." She shakes her head "The boy is cute, but still very much a boy."
Fair enough.
Before she could continue playing along Minthara interrupts with a mildly annoyed mutter "She is staying here?"
Not that either of us could miss it "Why wouldn't she be?" I ask, unconcerned.
Instead of being insulted by this, Serana merely smirks "Of course I am staying here. How else am I to steal the groom right from under you?"
"Har har har" Minthara deadpans, even as I feel her competitiveness spike "Very funny."
Serana nods smugly while quoting the wisest man in existence "The height of wit indeed."
It was then that foolishness struck me, or was it boredom? And I spoke "Come now ladies, no need for such hostility-"
And I felt two gazes zero in on me with such intensity that I was almost uncomfortable.
Then they proceeded to throw jabs at each other for a whole ass hour while I was 'forced' to sit and watch.
Jokes on them this shit was funny as all hell.
-----
Quite surprisingly, or the exact opposite, I am frankly unsure, Serana and Minthara ended up hitting it off once the Dreaded Dragon Overlady realized her 'territory' wasn't in fact being threatened by the greater vampire's presence.
Oh certainly, Serana continued poking at her but it was all in good humor, and I knew Minthara's reactions were far too adorable not to.
Their newfound friendship, or at least amiability if one were to be conservative, likely came from the simple fact that Serana was one of the rare people Minthara couldn't just crush out of hand, and was thus categorized as an actual person in her lizard brain instead of just another mortal that she had to deal with.
She didn't actually think of people that way, and when she did she found it mildly disturbing much as she told me herself, but it was one thing to have to corral your immortal time spirit induced arrogance into dealing with people and another thing entirely to have it accept someone as worthy enough of your time.
The two spent a fair bit of time together, mostly with Minthara showing Serana around the Imperial City and beyond when her schedule permitted, which of course gave those in the know a massive headache about such a powerful creature, one thoroughly allied to myself at that, was frolicking about in the center of their power without anyone being able to do a thing.
Cope and seethe you fucking irritants.
That the members of the Vampirum other than Hassildor were panicking at the sight of a Volkihar slowly worming her way into being a confidant of the future Empress was just icing on the cake for me.
Even with Harkon dead, and likely because of how he died, the Volkihar name was fucking terrifying to other vampires.
While all this was happening, I did make a point of visiting the delegations of the other provinces. The connections were too valuable to ignore and if they were hostile to me at least I'd get an idea of just how and why that was the case.
The first group I visited were the Bretons, and while I was forced to go through yet another day of slogging through formality and ostentation, I found them to be a mostly well intentioned if very ambitious group of nobles who were open to certain reforms so long as it served their goals.
Which when coming from a Breton may as well have been heresy incarnate.
When combined with their constant flattery and flowery speech, I was tempted to start doubting them out of hand but after spending far too much time paranoidly scanning their intentions and in some cases their surface thoughts I found out my initial doubts were almost ridiculously off point.
They were all fucking terrified off me, and were doing their utmost to not offend me in any way shape or form.
Apparently rumors of my actions in Black Marsh had spread, and as rumors always do they grew more overblown with each retelling, effectively painting me as a Daedra descended to those too distant to get a proper full picture of it all.
The whole reform idea was literally just an attempt at appeasing me because of what I was doing in Morrowind.
And thus to make a long story slightly less long, the masters of Wrothgar would be very useful tools for my future plans, even if I would still have them all watched on principle.
The only exception were Reynauld and his band of warriors, who were far more interested in another bout with me over all the politicking, something I indulged and something that earned me a fair bit of frustration as I realized the man was still better at pure swordsmanship than I was.
Arrogant frustration to be entirely honest with myself, but frustration non the less.
My visit to the Redguards was both far shorter and less ostentatious.
Emir Kasimir welcomed me in a distinctly ritualized fashion, something I reciprocated as best I could with Dunmeri customs, and we shared a meal of some traditional Hammerfell spicy food.
Though I must admit, I do not understand why they all looked so terrified when I properly spiced my curry-equivalent, it was only a few spoons of the stuff...
Their astonishment and sudden looks of respect aside, our discussions were kept short and to the point. We shared the main points of the future alliance and potential cooperation between the Dunmer and Ra-Gada specifically, something I was more than happy to facilitate by throwing Regnild and Eldor at the problem.
The two money goblins were thick as thieves by now and fell upon the task with gusto.
All in all I left the Redguards feeling rather satisfied, and with a newfound appreciation for their honesty and forthrightness.
They were almost like Nords in that sense...
And speaking of my most appreciable of snow dwellers.
The vast majority of my visit to the Nord 'camp' was spent carousing with the rowdy bunch, singing, drinking, and retelling great deeds throughout most of the day only to vaguely imply some kind of further cooperation and have it agreed upon near instantly so we could all go back to the more important issues of more drinking.
The chaos in tandem with my personal projects and political meetings did a great job at distracting me as the days began blurring into each other and before I knew it my month-long 'break' came to an end and the day of the marriage ceremony had arrived.
Just in time for me to put down my brush.
-----
(General POV)
The Temple District of the Imperial City was filled up to near bursting with people as the midday sun approached its zenith, the hundreds upon hundreds of legionaries barely managing to keep order as the excitement in the air grew near palpable.
A line split the sea of bodies, and when the time came many a horse drawn carriage, each more elaborately decorated than the last, left the center of the city in a neat line and toward the Temple of The One, a relic of ancient days now serving in the honor of the Nine instead.
Within the great edifice to the gods awaited the Archpriest himself, garbed in immaculate robes inscribed with symbols of all nine Divines, and accompanied by a Priest of Mara and his own newly named Apprentice, a humble Deacon of Zenithar.
All around them were arranged nobles and worthies from all four remaining provinces, each man or elf looking to represent the greatest of their culture and homeland as they all clad themselves in clothes more opulent and elaborate than could be seen near anywhere else in the world.
But none came close to the bride and groom, whom both looked resplendent indeed.
The Hortator of Morrowind's tall form was covered in clothes of a style hitherto unseen in Tamriel, their design seeming nearly banal in its composition of pants, vest, and shirt, if not for the obvious enchantments covering them and making them look like a mesmerising mix of smoke and ash interrupted only by elaborate cursive lines of Dunmeri runes in the colors of his house.
On the other end of the chamber stood the Crown Princess, and the last scion of the Septim dynasty, and her husband to be was more than happy to admit she had him thoroughly beat in the looks department, as the elegant blue dress decorated with reds and golds she wore made her look utterly mesmerizing to his eyes.
How she maintained her feminine beauty while also being a warrior was a mystery most likely wrought by divine hands, he surmised.
The proverbial clock struck twelve, and the Archpriest of the Nine began going through a prayer for all the Divines, a ritual deserved for ceremonies relating to the imperial family that sought a blessing from them all.
Only once he recited odes to the other eight did he face the bride and groom, bid them approach, and spoke the prayer to Mara, the Divine in charge of marriage "It was Mara that first gave birth to all of creation and pledged to watch over us as her children. It is from her love of us that we first learned to love one another. It is from this love that we learn that a life lived alone is no life at all. We gather here today, under Mara's loving gaze, to bear witness to the union of two souls in eternal companionship. May they journey forth together in this life and the next, in prosperity and poverty, and in joy and hardship. Do you agree to be bound together, in love, now and forever?"
The two faced each other before speaking with near-perfect synchronicity ""I do, now and forever.""
The Archpriest nodded solemnly and declared, his voice inured with a weight it had never carried before "Under the authority of Mara, the Divine of Love, and in the name of all the Divines, I declare this couple to be wed! May their union be eternal, and bring prosperity and peace to all!"
All nine altars behind him shone with divine light, that then leapt up to the windows above and illuminated the great temple with what could only be a direct sign of approval from the patrons of the Empire.
Herjolfr felt short of breath at the wondrous sight he had been gifted with but he still held on to enough of his wits to finish his duty as he bowed before the two "You may now declare your union with a kiss."
And so they did, with impressive enthusiasm, and the entire Empire rejoiced.
(Reyvin's POV)
We were practically dragged back into the White Gold Tower by our followers, the thousands of people standing to the sides of our path passing by in a blur as their cheers nearly deafened us.
Not that either of us cared as we were quite focused on other things.
Minthara's contented smile made her look downright radiant and even if once upon a time I went through a similar experience I found myself feeling impacted by it all all over again.
Young Reyvin may have been but an echo in comparison to the old man but that did not mean I could not indulge that side of me and be genuinely happy for once, for as rushed and marred with politics as our marriage was I found myself not regretting the choice one bit.
As if in a blink our mutual staring was interrupted as we found ourselves seated just below the Ruby Throne, said edifice currently left unoccupied as Titus busied himself mingling with the guests.
"Finally got your attention?" Torygg smirked in front of us, his fellow Nords grinning widely as Minthara held back her embarrassment.
I naturally only winked at them "You weren't much better if memory serves. Couldn't stop looking at Elisif for one second."
Chuckling in good humor, the young ruler shrugs "And any man who is shamed by such is a fool!" He grins "Why I fully expected to die of old age before you settled down. This on the other hand... I must say, the future has never looked quite as bright with your union."
"Hear, hear!" The Jarls raise their mugs.
Having managed to collect herself in the meantime Minthara clears her throat and smiles at them "He certainly did need some convincing at first, but my husband" And how she preens at the term "knew not to dig his grave too deep."
"Ha!" Balgruuf laughs "He is a flighty one, that much is certain" He gives me a bit of stink eye "Maybe now he will finally stop pestering old folks when he is feeling bored."
"Oh come now, Balgruuf" I smirk "I only shook your world thrice or so."
"You had me growing grey hairs with tales of the apocalypse for as long as I've known you!" He barks without heat before sighing "I feel like I've aged three decades in as many years."
"I feel like you are barking up the wrong tree there, my friend." Torygg chuckles.
Balgruuf frowns "What do you mean?"
"I don't know what you want me to do, Jarl Balgruuf" Minthara ponders aloud "Terrifying nobles sounds like an incredibly useful hobby to have."
The poor man shudders and mutters "There are two of them..."
"Amusing as my Jarl's suffering is" Torygg contains his chuckles "We really should make way for the other guests before they start a riot." He pulls out a scroll and presents it to us "From the Kingdom of Skyrim, I present to you the deed to Proudspire Manor in Solitude, to belong to you and yours in perpetuity."
A practical symbolic gift, considering they did not actually have anything we would need besides their armies and taxes which they owed anyway.
The Jarls themselves also presented gifts of their own, Balgruuf informing us of two new Whiterun steeds in the stables, Assur presenting us with two enchanted banners imbued with the courage spell, and Hemming naturally bringing a dozen barrels of the best mead the Black-Briars ever produced.
Other Jarls sent servants in their stead, mostly bringing us forgettable, if valuable trinkets.
"I miss staying in Skyrim." Minthara mutters as they leave and the music picks up once more "Cyrodiil is so stifling after you get used to it."
"Well at least now you can stay there whenever you want." I toss her the deed "An excellent summer home, even if I do prefer Silruhn Fell."
She scoffs in amusement "Of course you prefer your own tower, but as delightful as your city is it is a bit too orderly for a proper Nord party."
"Hey, don't knock it till you try it." I point at her "Skyrim's elves may have been too focused on survival but old elves tend to go wild when looking for excitement, that naturally transfers to some of our parties."
She pats my shoulder consolingly before snuggling up to me "There, there, dear. I am sure your parties are just as good."
"Barbarian Nords have no taste as always" I raise my nose before suddenly halting "Look alive, here come the vipers."
She does a good job at hiding her pout by the time the Breton delegation saunters over to us.
King Uthred smiles widely even as his nerves radiate from within him "Congratulations on your auspicious union, Your Imperial Highnesses. I must say, the two of you are an image of elegance." He directs a curious look at me "Even if I have to admit to never having seen that particular form of suit, a House Dagoth garb perchance?"
"A little experiment of mine only, I am afraid." I correct him 'graciously' "Most of the surviving Dagoth 'fashion' you'd find today is either robes or armor and that felt far too stale for my wedding."
He blinks in surprise before seemingly evaluating the suit I was wearing "Certainly a bold choice." The actual discernment in his eyes disappears near immediately and the simpering returns "But where are my manners, allow me to present to you the gifts we have brought."
His lickspittles offer similar compliments and we are once more presented with a deluge of mostly useless if pretty trinkets and clothing items, the Bretonnic obsession with looking powerful and important instead of actually playing the part being a rather recurring theme.
I will admit that my smile was genuine once Reynauld presented us both with shields of his order, something his cousin seemed incredibly smug about.
"Wear us down with the boring shit so the sentimental gift has more impact." Minthara mutters as they leave us alone "No wonder my people dislike this kind of politicking."
"It has its uses." I hum "Thought I will admit that it is rather grating it is happening on our wedding day."
She grumbles in affirmation, and we are once more accosted by more guests.
Hours pass like this, as delegations from every corner of the Empire approach us to curry any manner of favor or to show their support, with some being more genuine than the others, and once that is finally over and done with we proceed to the feast in truth and then the dancing and merrymaking.
The choice in bards was excellent indeed.
But I still had my own little gift to give, even if that was not really a tradition here, and so after clearing my throat with just a touch of magic added to the noise, the entire hall turned silent. I clapped my hands and Akulakhan stepped inside, gingerly carrying a large covered package.
Raising my glass of brandy I face the crowd "I thank you all for coming to share in this blessed day with us, my wife and I are delighted by your support and well wishes" The crowd cheers "But before I let you all get drunk, as you very well should-"
The Nords of course react as you might expect.
"I feel like I should present a gift of my own." My words serve to confuse them somewhat as I turn to Akulakhan who had laid the large canvass stand onto the ground, and with a flick of my hand I unravel it "While this is a gift to my wife, one I have invested much work and effort into, I feel you are all due a glimpse as well."
And with a snap of my fingers the seemingly black canvas begins to shift and soon the image of a large bridge of whale bone connecting a landmass to a great mead hall reveals itself.
A silent but steadily growing in volume chant begins to fill the hall.
And out of the mead hall begins marching a small army, headed by Tsun, Minthara, and myself.
By the time the display was finished multiple things happened simultaneously.
First I realized that showing the Nords the truth of their beliefs maaay have been just a tiny bit of a bad idea, as some of them looked rearing to go for a full blown crusade to earn their place in the hall.
The non-Nords looked fucking reverent, terrified, amazed, and a general mix between those three, and I could practically hear a good number of them swearing off of fucking around while the two of us ruled.
And then I was promptly tackled by an overexcited Lady Dagoth.
Good times.
Comments
Hakkira
Thank you kindly for the chapter 😁
WannaBeATree
Nice.
