Sangreal

Chapter 5 - Parting

Sangreal – Chapter 5 – Parting

Morning rose too swiftly for the weary champion as she achily lifted herself from the bed, a hand cupped upon her swollen belly, the other steadying her upon the sheets. "How are we this morning, little one?" She asked smiling as she stared at her stomach. With a deep breath she lifted herself off the bed and towards the vanity.

Upon the side table stood a deep bowl and a tall pitcher of water. Slowly Sirai poured the liquid into the bowl, splashing her face with its coolness. Her reaction was to shake off the water, and she grabbed a towel afterwards, drying herself quickly.

Sirai dressed into a very loose dress, brushed her curls out and walked into the main feast hall of the temple. The morning was still fresh, and only a few blades were beginning to sup on their breakfast. Deciding she was more than famished, Sirai took a seat at one of the tables, consuming an apple, a wedge of cheese, and a robust chunk of beef bathed in potatoes, carrots and celery stalks. She left the table after finishing a glass of freshly squeezed grape juice and traveled outside, munching upon a roll.

Towards the stables the wobbling woman strode and upon entering, greeted Shadowmere with a lovely red apple. "We travel to Anvil today my friend. I know how much you love to look upon the oceans." The mare seemed to nod her black silken head in agreement. Sirai patted the horse upon her curved neck and left to take in the fresh air.

As she looked around at the new day, she noticed Cedric and Jauffre busy discussing something upon the temple walls. She slowly walked towards them and both men greeted her. Cedric's Nordic physique stood strongly against Jauffre's Breton features, but the same expression stood out upon their faces; one of determination. They had stayed awake late into the night, planning their route into the Morrowind Province, and their hard work showed beneath their eyes.

"How are you this morning, Sirai?" Jauffre asked with a slight bow. Sirai nodded her head back and smiled, "I am doing rather well. It's almost as if the morning is welcoming us to begin our journeys in earnest." Cedric looked upon his former lover with doe eyes and exclaimed, "Perhaps the nine understand why we long for our emperor to be back. Ocato has been advisor for a long time, but never ruler himself. The dragon fires have always been a symbol to our people of protection and of power."

Jauffre nodded and added, "Even though the barrier between Oblivion and Nirn is now forever closed, it's the symbolism behind those fires that made the people feel safe beneath Akatosh's wings. Without them, and an Emperor, we are susceptible more than ever to being invaded. The High Elves are growing in strength to the south, and there is rumor of the Argonians to our east planning to take Morrowind."

Sirai took a deep breath. Before she could ask their intended route, Jauffre unclasped his hands from behind his back and produced a small rolled map. He unraveled it for her and explained to her the path of the ink line that ran its surface. "Cedric and I shall take a small mass of my Blades here and travel to Cheydinhal where we will supply ourselves and cross over into Morrowind. From there we will go towards the Inner Sea and cross over to Vvardenfell. The Blades still have a slight foothold in Ebonheart upon the Ascadian Isles, so hopefully from there we can travel to Dagoth-Ur, or Red Mountain." Sirai weighed his words and questioned him, "How long will this journey be? Surely I will be done before you?" Cedric chuckled to himself and replied, "In your current state, milady, we should be back within the same amount of time as you." Sirai laughed. Sometimes she forgot she wasn't her old self; lean and vicious.

The group was then interrupted by a soldier clad in the traditional blue and gold armor of the Blades. He stood erect, bowed to Jauffre, and proceeded to speak. "Grandmaster Jauffre, I present Caius Cosades." Jauffre thanked the soldier and walked hastily towards an erect figure dressed in full Blades regalia. The two men embraced joyfully. "Grand Spymaster Caius, what a sight for sore eyes!" Jauffre smiled. His friend removed his feathered helmet and smiled back, "I heard you were in need of a guide in Morrowind." Caius was himself a graying man and in many aspects resembled an Imperialized Jauffre. The old monk laughed heartily and replied, "Who better to guide us than the man who helped the Nerevarine save Morrowind?"

Jauffre turned back towards his companions, "I would like to introduce you to Cedric Galaynus, Watch Captain for the Imperial guard," Caius and Cedric bowed to one another, "and this is our very own Champion of Cyrodiil-" Caius cut Jauffre short and finished, "Sirai Allesia… I thought I'd never see the day." He took the heroine's hand and kissed it gently, rising from his bow slowly. "You've made quite an impact on this world. Are you planning on performing one more miracle?" Sirai closed her eyes for a moment and then looked at Caius deeply, "Perhaps I am."

With horses readied and saddle bags filled, two accompaniments glistened in the sun, light reflecting off of the various pieces of metal armor. The three men rode in front of the Blades as Sirai sat serenely in front of the Imperial escort. The large group moved as one, down the mountains and onto the Silver Road, as they delved deeper and deeper into the Heartlands.

Once the Silver Road intersected the Red Ring Road that circled the Imperial City, the two groups parted, the Blades riding west and the Imperials riding east. Sirai would stay in the city for the night in order to gain her strength, but Jauffre, Cedric, and Caius would travel until they reached Cheydinhal.