XV

- "Do you understand, Wajra?", Lady Toziri asked the groom again. "You are to deliver this letter personally to Mizzir'Dar and no one else."

The khajiit nodded as he took hold of the precious letter handed to him by Councillor Sahkar. He rolled up the parchment and tucked it into a leather pouch strapped to the saddle of his horse. Flavia and Captain Tassar were also present and looked at the courrier with gravity. Wajra was one of Lady Toziri's oldest servants and a skilled rider. It was for these reasons that he had been chosen to carry out this mission.

- "I will not fail you, my lady," he replied in a solemn tone.

After a final bow, the khajiit climbed into the saddle and clicked his heels on the sides of his horse. The horse took off at a triple gallop, quickly leaving the grounds of the villa and disappearing into the distance in a cloud of dust. Flavia watched the rider ride away pensively.

In view of the continuing threat to Princess Shazira, it had been decided to seek help and reinforcement from an old acquaintance of Lady Toziri. Mizzir'Dar was a merchant and a wealthy notable from the city of Corinthe who owed some debts to the owner of the Golden Cane farm. A messenger had therefore been sent to deliver a letter to him requesting his assistance, but despite this, Flavia was still worried. Captain Tassar had noticed this.

- "You seem pensive, Captain," he said curiously. "Is something wrong?"

- "Corinthe is two days' ride from here. By the time the messenger reaches the city, delivers the letter, gathers the necessary help and returns here..."

- "You fear it is too late?" the khajiit interrupted.

The former legionnaire nodded, running her thumb under her eye patch.

- "Our enemy could attack at any time and, given our losses last night, we would be overwhelmed in an instant. "

- "If that was the case, why didn't they continue their assault last night? "

- "Perhaps they are in the same situation as we are, needing reinforcements and regrouping as we speak. "

- "If what you say is true, that gives us a brief respite."

- "There is no guarantee that we will receive help either. Will this famous Mizzir'Dar still be inclined to help us knowing we are facing a daedra?"

- "I am ready to put my tail to the fire that he will help us without question?" It was Lady Toziri's turn to answer. "We have known each other for many years and it is thanks to me that he has obtained his position and privileges. Besides, he won't have to get his hands dirty, just recruit and send us guards and mercenaries."

- "So I trust your judgment," Flavia replied laconically.

But these answers were not enough to silence her concerns. The messenger they had sent might never reach Corinthe, intercepted by the enemy or killed by bandits on the road. And there was still the matter of the traitor, which worried her to no end. Apart from Gunnar and Imril, she hadn't told anyone else, for fear of creating a general paranoia, which would only make her investigation more complicated. In her experience, it was always easier to unmask a spy when the spy was convinced that no one suspected him. Captain Tassar's voice drew her out of her gloomy thoughts.

- "You look terrible, Captain. You should think about getting some sleep."

Flavia could only agree with this remark. With the recent events, it had been almost two days since she had slept and her body, like her mind, was as taut as a bowstring.

- "You can talk," she replied with a smile. "You have more dark circles under your eyes than I have wrinkles on my buttocks."

The khajiit greeted the remark with amusement. He too had not slept in a while and it showed on his face. Flavia was very fond of Captain Tassar. He was a professional soldier, disciplined, uncompromising and unwaveringly loyal to his khan.

- "We all need to rest," Lady Toziri said wearily. "It has been a very long night, and though we still have much to do, we have all earned a few hours sleep. Captain Tasarr'Do, Captain Flavia, you may leave. Councillor Sahkar and I still have some business to attend to. "

The two soldiers saluted before leaving the stables.

- "Is the princess still with the boy?" asked Tassar as they walked through the courtyard.

- "Yes, I left her in Gunnar's care. Tired as she is, she is not likely to run away."

When Shazira had been found and brought back to the Golden Cane farm after her nighttime escapade, she had begged to be allowed to stay at Alberic's bedside. At first reluctant, Flavia had finally agreed to her request, knowing that, if she had refused, the princess would have found a way to get her way anyway, with or without her permission. She had therefore instructed Gunnar to watch over her and the boy, which the Nord would not fail to do with the utmost vigilance.

- "I am relieved to hear that the young man under your command has survived. To die so young is always a waste."

- "Thank you, Captain Tasarr'Do. As for me, I am sorry that so many of your men died last night."

The khajiit nodded grimly. Flavia knew better than anyone what it meant to lose a soldier under her command. Of the fourteen guards he had commanded before the attack, only half had survived. It was a hard blow to take and one of the main reasons why Lady Toziri had asked for outside help.

- "There were a lot of those bastards... but we gave them some payback," Tasarr replied.

The mysterious assailants had indeed paid a heavy price for their attack the day before. The Khajiit workers were still busy removing the last bodies from the fields and throwing them into a mass grave dug away from the farm. Apart from the fact that they were of different races and ages, Flavia had found no further clues as to the nature of their enemies.

- "I will return to my men to give my orders," Tasarr continued, "We must maintain our vigilance."

- "I agree. For my part, I will pass on the same instructions to my mercenaries."

The two captains faced each other and saluted like soldiers before going their separate ways. Flavia walked with a slow step that betrayed her fatigue. But despite her increasing desire to sleep, the mercenary captain still had business to attend to.

She entered the large garden behind the villa. The garden, which had been used mainly as a place for the mistress of the house to stroll and nap, had been hastily converted to accommodate the guards and the injured Khajiit farmers. They had been installed in large tents set up in the alleys and flowerbeds. Flavia saw the old Zaradi going from one patient to the next to provide care. She also recognised the figure of Master Imril who was doing the same. His knowledge of alchemy and medicine was very useful, and the high elf was strangely more humble and helpful since Flavia had discovered his imposture. The altmer was busy applying a poultice to a farmer's leg when Flavia called him.

- "Master Imril."

Startled, the altmer gasped before turning back to the mercenary captain. As he did so, he drew a squeak of pain from his patient.

- "Ca... Captain Flavia. How may I... help you?" he asked nervously.

- "I'd like to talk to you for a moment, Master mage."

- "I... I'll be with you in a moment."

Despite his trembling hands, the altmer finished applying a bandage to his patient's leg before following the mercenary captain aside. The latter did not speak again until she was sure that no eavesdroppers were listening.

- "You said you failed all your magic exams, correct? "

- "I did," Imril replied with a blush of shame.

- "I would like you to answer me truthfully. Are you unable to cast a single spell?"

- "Of course I can!" The elf, stung in his pride, seemed to have regained his confidence. But he continued in a low voice. "But... only simple and basic spells."

- "Cryomancy, I suppose?"

- "Very little indeed. I also know some illusions and alteration spells[1], why?"

Flavia was silent for a moment as she thought. Finally, her single eye glinted and she gave a grin that was close to a smile.

- "All things considered, I may need your services... Master mage."

* * * * *

Alberic had never been so hungry in his life and he savoured his meal as if it were the best he had ever had. It was only a few pieces of fruit, but they were juicy and sweet and he couldn't remember having eaten better fruit in his life. Still lying on his bed, he bit into their tender, tasty flesh as he listened to Shazira's story.

The young khajiit had slept most of the afternoon and it was already dusk when she finally woke up[2]. She immediately bombarded Alberic with questions, worried about his injuries and his health. Once reassured, she got up to steal food from the storeroom and bring it to her hungry friend. The latter had then asked her what had happened that night and the princess had immediately launched into an enthusiastic and very colourful story despite the presence of Gunnar who was still snoring loudly beside the bed.

- "And as I was hanging over the void, clinging to that big branch, I swung with all my might. I thought I was going to die when, with one last push, I managed to get back on the cliff just before the branch broke! "

Sitting on the bed, Shazira mimed every gesture of her story with great enthusiasm. On their journey to the Golden Cane farm, the young khajiit had listened with great interest to the adventures of Flavia and Gunnar. Now she was even more excited to tell her own story. Alberic listened intently as he did not want to interrupt her story and was, in any case, too busy satisfying his stomach to speak.

- "Once I was back on the cliff, I started climbing the rock again, despite the rain and wind. Like this!" She pulled out her claws and pretended to climb the nearest wall. "It's a good thing we khajiits have claws, otherwise I would have fallen more than once and died crushed to the ground. But despite everything, I kept climbing higher and higher!" Her voice was now filled with pride. "I climbed so high that I could touch the clouds. And that's when I found the big flower that saved you! "

- "What's it called again?" the young mercenary finally asked between mouthfuls.

- "Jode's whiskers."

- "You must have been very scared."

- Not at all," she replied with aplomb, puffing out her chest.

In truth, Shazira had been terrified throughout the climb. But now that she thought about it, looking back, she felt galvanised and excited by the experience, like when she had faced the sandstorm with Alberic in the desert. The young breton had found the princess's story very entertaining despite its many exaggerations and it gave him a little more clues about the events of the previous day. The old Zaradi had not lied when she told him that he owed his life to Shazira.

- "Once again, you have saved my life." He smiled warmly at her and nodded. "Thank you, Shazi."

- "That’s nothing, after all the times you've done the same." She returned his smile with a knowing wink. "Just don't make it a habit."

- "Is it true what you told me about the assassin? Did I really save you from him?"

Shazira's smile grew more pinched as she searched for her words carefully.

- "Oh yes... yes, of course," she replied with all the conviction she was capable of feigning. "If you hadn't been there, he probably would have killed me. You fought like a... like a lion! I've never seen that before. Not even Captain Tassar is that fierce!"

At the time, the young khajiit had preferred to lie rather than admit his mediocre performance in his fight against the assassin. Especially since she still felt a little responsible for the poor boy's condition at that moment. Alberic was already wounded enough in his flesh. No need, therefore, to hurt his pride as well.

- "If I was that strong... how did I lose?"

- "He... uh... he gave you a traitor move."

- "Traitor move? What do you mean?"

- "I... I don't remember. Everything was going so fast."

- "That's strange... I don't remember anything."

Fortunately for Shazira, the moon sugar and poison had obviously altered Alberic's memory.

- "The main thing is that everything ended well," he sighed. "With any luck, this whole thing will be over soon."

- "What do you mean?"

- Well, you know. All that protection stuff and keeping you hidden here. Maybe you can go back to Rimmen, now that the assassin is dead and his allies are on the run."

- "Maybe..." the young khajiit replied in an unconvinced voice.

Like her, Alberic had no idea of the true nature of the threat to the princess, as Flavia had not had the time or opportunity to keep him informed of the latest developments. Shazira was, however, far less optimistic than her friend and was even convinced that this story was still far from over. But there was another thought that worried her too.

- "Say... when it's all over. What are you going to do?" she asked in a curious and nervous voice. "Where will you go?"

- I don't know. I haven't thought about it yet," he admitted. "If I make enough money from this contract, maybe I'll go back to Highrock to help my parents at the farm."

- "You don't want to travel anymore?"

- "I don't know. It's a long way home already. Maybe I'll stop in Cyrodil or Hammerfell to travel around before I go home."

- "I see..."

There was a long silence, only interrupted by Gunnar's loud snoring as Shazira pondered Alberic's words.

- "What are you thinking about, Shazi?" he finally asked, curious about the long silence that was unlike the young khajiit.

- "Well... I was wondering if..." She seemed hesitant to continue. "When this is all over, how about..."

- "I thought I told you to rest, young man," a new voice interrupted her.

Old Zaradi entered the room, her basket of potions and remedies still under her arm. She looked at the young breton disapprovingly.

- "But I'm resting," Alberic defended himself. "I've been in bed all day."

The healer sighed, rolling her eyes at her patient's stubbornness, but she didn't answer him, knowing that it would be pointless to argue with the young man.

- "I'm here to change your bandage," she said, approaching him.

Shazira immediately pushed herself aside to make room for the old khajiit. After placing her basket on the sheets, the bonesetter began to undo the bandage on Alberic's shoulder with precise and practiced gestures. The young mercenary let her do it with complete confidence.

- "What were you about to tell me?" he asked, turning to the princess.

- "Oh... uh, nothing. Nothing important," Shazira answered eagerly.

She turned her attention back to the boy's shoulder as old Zaradi finished removing the bandage. The young breton's wound, though deep, was not very large and was already stopped bleeding. The sight of it, however, made Shazira feel guilty.

- "The skin has already healed well," the healer commented as she inspected the wound. "It will take longer for your muscles, though. But with the right remedies, you should be able to use your shoulder again in a week or two... provided you rest, of course."

- "Yes, ma'am."

- "Don't call me ma'am. It makes me old." She turned to the princess, who was still staring at Alberic's wound steadily. "Are you still here, you? This is no show for a kitten and I believe you are expected elsewhere."

The healer nodded in the direction of the entrance. There, two of Captain Tassar's Khajiit guards stood in the doorway, their hands resting on the handles of their weapons. Outside, the sun was beginning to set.

- "We have orders to escort you to your room. Please follow us, Princess," one of the guards said in a firm voice.

Shazira hesitated to obey them. She had spent most of the day sleeping and had not been able to enjoy her friend to whom she still had so much to say. It was finally Alberic who decided for her.

- "You should follow them, Shazi. You'll see me again tomorrow and read to me," he said, smiling.

- "Are you sure? I wouldn't want to disturb you..." she replied, glancing at the old Zaradi.

- "As long as he doesn't move from his bed, you can come back to see him tomorrow. Just don't tire him out, okay?"

- "I promise!"

The young khajiit smiled broadly as she stood up to follow the guards who were still waiting for her near the entrance.

- "Shazi!" Alberic called out to her.

The princess turned to stare at her friend with a raised eyebrow.

- "Thanks again... for the flowers."

Shazira stared at him for a moment, obviously surprised by his words, before laughing. She replied in a mischievous voice.

- "It's usually the boys who give the girls flowers... not the other way around. "

Without giving him time to answer, she walked out the door, followed by the guards. Alberic watched her go with an amused smile on his lips. Zaradi was now staring at the young Breton with a curious look that quickly made him uncomfortable.

- "What?" he said, raising an eyebrow. "You're the one who told me to thank her, right?"

* * * * *

The inner chamber of the shrine was deathly silent. Even the braziers seemed silent as the scene was played out.

Still bent over the large silver basin, his eyes rolling back in his sockets, the High Priest Jaro was as still as a statue. The noxious fumes rose from the basin to lick his face and make him look like a ghost returned from the dead. He had been like this for hours.

Sitting near the entrance to the cave, Brother Coronus waited patiently while staring at the motionless khajiit. He had prepared the dream manipulation potion himself and was curious to know what another person's dreams might look like. But despite his curiosity, he had never dared to ask the high priest. He was the master of the cult, elected by their dark lord himself, after all. Curiosity could be a bad habit, and more than one follower had already suffered the wrath of Jaro for being too indiscreet. The high priest was a stern and uncompromising man with his flocks.

The alchemist was therefore content to observe in silence, waiting for his master to return to satisfy his needs. The dream manipulation could last a few hours or days. So he had already prepared food and drink for the high priest's awakening.

To observe another person's dreams was not very complicated. All that was needed was a potion made from various precisely dosed ingredients and an element belonging to the target. A lock of hair, a few drops of blood or fingernails would do the trick. Once placed in a container, the potion was called the "window" and allowed the victim's memories and dreams to be viewed. But this was not enough to influence them.

To do so, another potion was needed, the "whisperer". Once ingested, it gave the ability to subjugate the dreams of the sleeper by the mere force of the mind. The manipulator could then slip images or messages into the dreams of his victim. It was like trying to hypnotise someone, except that the person had to be asleep rather than awake to be receptive to these echoes.

Brother Coronus knew all about the theory, but he knew nothing about the practice. He sometimes imagined himself diving into someone else's dreams to discover all the secrets, both happy and ashamed. And each time, this thought intrigued and terrified him at the same time. The alchemist adept turned his gaze back to the high priest.

Still as still as a statue, the whites of his eyes glowed faintly through the vapours, like two pale pearls.

What could he possibly see at this moment?

* * * * *

Night had fallen on the Golden Cane farm. The insects were singing their incessant nocturnal melody to which was added the soft and regular whistling of the wind. The sky was studded with a multitude of stars, each brighter than the next, and celestial bodies like long, glowing clouds snaked lazily between the stars. Masser, the larger of the two moons, was in its first quarter while Secunda was full. The nights of Elsweyr were renowned throughout Tamriel for their mystical and enchanting beauty, and many poets had been inspired by its starry skies.

Leaning against the window sill, Shazira gazed absently at the night sky. When she lived in Rimmen's palace, she used to stare at the stars from the balcony of her room in an attempt to discern the different constellations of Nirn that her tutor, old Tauryon, had taught her. The young khajiit had always loved to look at the sky when the sun was down[3]. The light of the stars and moons over the city made her feel as if she could travel beyond the walls of the capital.

But tonight, her mind was not on that. Too many doubts and questions occupied her mind to enjoy the beauty of this spectacle.

The last three weeks had been very eventful and despite all that had happened, Shazira was still unaware of all the dangers she faced. A first murderer in Rimmen, then a second one here at the Golden Cane farm. It certainly could not be a coincidence. Who could send two killers after a young, unremarkable khajiit? She had never hurt anyone. And why were they so angry with her? It just didn't make sense. All these uncertainties and mysteries only increased her worries and anxiety. What was worse, she was convinced that those around her knew the truth but refused to tell her.

Why? Shazira was no longer a kitten. She was old enough to understand the world, but those around her didn't seem to think so, and that only made her more irritated. What did she have to do to get answers to her questions?

Sometimes the princess felt like giving up. She wanted to pack her bundle and run away once and for all, leave all this behind and go off to discover Tamriel. She had been tempted more than once. But each time, fear and common sense had held her back. It was a vast world out there, with many dangers that would not fail to make a bite out of her at the first opportunity. And although she dreamed of travelling, Shazira was very attached to Elsweyr, its people and her family. She missed her father very much. He was so big and strong, and she wished he could have been there to reassure and protect her.

Fortunately, the presence of Alberic at her side helped her to endure the situation. Despite their first meeting and the stormy beginnings, the two young people had become friends and a certain complicity had even developed between them. The princess found the clumsiness and grumpiness of the young mercenary very amusing. But the young khajiit also appreciated his kindness and courage. She also felt more confident in his presence and wondered if he enjoyed her company in return. Since they had met, the princess had been nothing but trouble for the young breton, but he didn't seem to mind. At least he seemed to enjoy their reading sessions and the few moments they managed to spend together. Shazira was not yet used to having a friend but she was sure of one thing, Alberic smiled at her much more often than before.

However, she felt disappointed and a little sad too. The young man had told her that he wanted to go home once his mission was over. As for her, she would most certainly return to Rimmen to be locked in the palace again. She would then lose her only friend and everything would go back to the way it was before, boring and monotonous to death. If only Alberic would decide to stay with her, in Elsweyr, she would feel less lonely. Shazira hadn't had time to ask him, but she intended to do so tomorrow, when they met again, sincerely hoping he would accept.

Her thoughts were interrupted when there was a soft knock on her bedroom door. Moments later, one of the Khajiit guards watching the hallway poked his head through the doorway.

- "Princess. You have a visitor."

- "Send him in," the young khajiit replied after a brief hesitation.

Who could be coming to see her at this late hour? Probably her Aunt Toziri, or perhaps Captain Tasarr. They often came to visit her in the evening, to check on her or to lecture her. She opened her eyes wide with surprise as Captain Flavia entered the room. The guard closed the door behind her, leaving the two women alone in the room.

The mercenary stared at the princess in silence for a long moment, quickly making her uncomfortable. She was still giving him the cold shoulder with her steely gaze.

- "I will be brief, Princess Shazira," she finally said in a slow voice. "I only have two things to say to you."

- "What do you want to talk to me about?"

- "Firstly, I wanted to thank you. Without you, Alberic would be dead by now. Thank you."

The captain bowed with the utmost respect, showing a delicacy that Shazira had never seen in her.

- "I... you're welcome," the surprised young khajiit replied. "Alberic has already saved my life three times. It was the least I could do for him."

- "You climbed a high cliff in a terrible storm... you don't lack courage, princess." She continued in a more stern tone. "However, I would very much like you to avoid doing that kind of foolishness again in the future. I was hired to protect you as best I could, but it will be very difficult for me to protect you from yourself. Do you understand me?"

- "Well... of course."

- "Glad to hear it."

- "And that... that second thing you wanted to talk to me about?" the princess continued, trying to change the subject.

- "Yes. I came to return something to you."

Flavia approached Shazira to hand her a small object that glowed faintly in the candlelight in the palm of her hand, and which the young khajiit recognised at once.

- "My moon amulet," she said, opening her eyes wide and putting a hand to her chest, where the jewel should have been. "I must have lost it in the storm without realizing it."

- "I thought it might be important to you."

- "Thank you," Shazira replied, retrieving the necklace. "It's a memento of my late mother."

- "Then don't lose it again."

The princess closed her fingers around the amulet before holding it to her heart. It was a very precious object to her, the only memory she had of her mother. She looked up to give Flavia a look of gratitude.

- "Thank you again, Captain Flavia," she said with emotion and relief in her voice.

- "You're welcome. It was the least I could do after you saved the life of one of my men. With that, I bid you good night, Princess. "

The captain bowed again politely before turning on her heels and heading for the bedroom door. She was about to turn the handle when Shazira called to her.

- "Captain Flavia?"

- "Yes, Princess?" the latter replied, turning her head.

- "You say you were hired to protect me, is that right?"

- "That's right."

- "Then you must know what you are protecting me from, right?"

Flavia stared at the young khajiit silently with her single eye. She could see her usual coldness in it, but also more unexpected feelings, like compassion and pity. The captain finally sighed.

- "I'm sorry, Princess. It is not my place to answer your questions."

After a final nod, she left the room, leaving Shazira alone and her questions unanswered... once again.

Notes:

[1] Traditionally, magic is divided into five main schools; destruction, alteration, illusion, healing and conjuring. There are also more specialised disciplines such as thaumaturgy and mysticism.

[2] Khajiits are able to sleep for very long periods, sometimes for days on end. This characteristic has earned them a reputation for laziness in the eyes of the other peoples of Tamriel.

[3] Khajiit culture is intimately linked to the stars and moons, which play an important role in their religion and folklore.