Chapter 4: Dearest Vingalmo

Previously: One of Those

My dearest Vingalmo,

 

I am pleased to report that Prince Cassian has finally arrived from Cyrodiil.

 

As strange as it might sound, I actually prayed to Molag Bal for his safety. If the boy had died at sea, I don't know what any of us would've done. I imagine Falk Firebeard would have clutched his chest and collapsed.

 

He is tall, and quite handsome. He is also thankfully well-bred; Cassian has the poise befitting an Imperial royal. He's very charming, so much that many at court are not as resistant as I initially feared.

 

To be clear: they still do not like him. Both Thane Erikur and Thane Bryling insist Elisif should marry a Nord. Lady Vittoria Vici had hoped Elisif would marry one of her closer relatives. And though Elisif herself commends his appearance and overall bearing, she still mourns the loss of her husband.

 

It is no matter; the banns have been read, the invitations sent, and the Blue Palace is busy with endless preparations. The couple is to wed in five days' time at the Temple of the Divines in Solitude. A priest of Mara is traveling all the way from Riften to bless the union.

  

The Jarls and Thanes of Skyrim are grumbling about having to travel, but they know there will be consequences if they do not attend.

 

If you could, my lord... please speak to our lord about summoning me home. Elisif will soon be wed, and I very much desire respite from living among mortals. I've broached the subject numerous times, yet Harkon insists that I remain here.

 

The wedding will seal the alliance. Is Volkihar so thirsty for court gossip that I must suffer this endless, unnecessary exile?

"Who is this Viktoriyah who writes to you so lovingly?" Katarinya coyly inquired, handing the letter back to him. "I can already tell by her penmanship that she's yet another student of yours."

 

"Viktoriyah?" Vingalmo's eyes widened. "Loving?" He threw back his head and laughed.

 

"Is she a Breton girl?"

 

Vingalmo shook his head. "Redguard through and through. She just likes having a Breton name."

 

Katarinya rolled her eyes. "She's one of those."

 

He raised an eyebrow. "As I recall, 'Katarinya' isn't your real name either."

 

"But it's unique." She shrugged. "Whenever I tell people my name, no one can deduce the origin. Viktoriyah sounds so stiff, prudish... posh," she added, after a delay. "Did you choose it for her?"

 

"She was already calling herself that when she arrived," he told her.

 

Katarinya let out a soft snort before pausing. "When she arrived?"

 

"She came here alone, and presented herself to the court," Vingalmo told her. "She demonstrated her admittedly impressive martial skills for Lord Harkon."

 

"Who sired her?" Katarinya asked, brow furrowed.

 

"She was sired in the wild, as so many of us are, unfortunately."

 

"Did Harkon bed her?" There was no humor in her question. She sounded matter-of-fact.

 

Vingalmo chuckled. "Viktoriyah... isn't the most romantic or even flirtatious. She's not odd per se, but she can be somewhat cold and aloof. Harkon recognized her potential for espionage and assassination right away."

 

Her eyes widened. "She's his sword?"

 

"She is Volkihar's sword," he said, and there was a grave note to his voice. "Viktoriyah has killed scores of vampire leaders upon the mainland, some as far away as Cyrodiil."

 

Katarinya's eyebrow went up. "And that's why you befriended her?" 

 

The elf shook his head. "Harkon commanded me to instruct her. She was talented with weapons. But people? Not so much. I tutored her in chess, literature, music. I taught her the courtly graces."

 

"Did she learn anything?"

 

Vingalmo nodded. "She excelled in all things, even some of the mystical arts." After a pause, he added, "She's gifted in illusion magic."

 

Katarinya nodded slowly, understanding. "Just like Alythia."

 

He locked eyes with her. "Not like Alythia. There will never be another like Alythia."

 

Next: While You Were Away