Simus
An Excellent Site Member
Family and Honor
A happy little family lives in the Imperial City during the 200th year of the 4th era. Cyrodiil has enjoyed 29 years of peace since the Great War, the terrible conflict between The Empire and the Aldmeri Dominion. The wealth and safety of this family is a testament to that peace but they harbor a forbidden secret: They worship the hero-god of mankind, Talos, in direct violation of the White-Gold Concordat. This family has kept its secret well but the Thalmor have been given free reign to hunt down so called “heretics” and they will not be fooled forever. This tale is of this family’s exposure to the Thalmor and of its extraordinary adventure afterwards.
Author’s Note: Anyone who’s roleplayed with me will recognize at least some of the characters contained within this tale, which is essentially a fleshing out of who the Psyrakon family used to be and how it got broken up by the Thalmor. For those of you not familiar with my work, I hope to produce a fine and epic tale for your pleasure. I’m not sure how long this will be but I can promise if you keep reading I’ll keep writing. If I see people reading and leaving comments, I’ll try my darndest to post once a week.
Chapter 1
The half-set sun set an orange glow over the Imperial City, producing a pretty autumn night. It was the 18th of Hearthfire and the cold weather was making itself known in Cyrodiil. Alice squinted her eyes against the fast-fading light of day and knocked an arrow. It was almost 7:00 p.m and she would soon be called for dinner but she knew she could get in a few more shots. Her brother’s lucky streak of ten bull’s eyes from a single quiver’s arrows was an affront to her reputation and she had to correct that.
She steadied her left arm and pulled the bow back with her right, bringing the arrow back to her check. Nine bull’s eye’s down with three out of thirty arrows left. She closed her eyes, took a deep breath and let the world around her fade. The grass of her backyard, the low stone walls that lined their property, the two oak trees flanking the yard with her mother’s garden in the middle, the two story white stone house that had sheltered her since she was a babe, all of it disappeared in Alice’s mind as she focused her vision into a tunnel between herself and the target. She let her arrow fly and it struck the target less than a second later, square in the middle of the red bull’s eye that made up its center.
Yes, she thought. Once again we’re even Titus. Now I just have to beat you.
She knocked a second arrow, heady with confidence and pulled back just as before. Years of hunting with her mother and brother had made Alice a skilled archer, especially since she was only seventeen years old. She wasn’t as good as her mother yet, but she came close. She fired straight and true but her moment of pride had shifted her aim ever so slightly. The arrow flew just as hard and just as fast but missed the bull’s eye by a hair’s breadth, landing on the border between the target’s red center and its blue inner circle. It was a close shot, but according to the rulings her father had set down, there was no cigar.
“Damn.” Alice muttered under her breath.
She should have made that shot. It was easy. The target was only ten yards out after all, and she had beaten Titus plenty of times. Then again that was always in the presence of her father, her mother, her little sister or someone else that loved and admired her. She always did better when she was being supported or being tested. This was just practice so it was neither. As far as Alice knew, there was no one out here for her to put on a show for.
What is it with me? She though. Am I really so much of a diva that I need a crowd just to do a practice shot? Am I getting sloppy without the attention? Or is it just because I’m not shooting a deer? Wait a minute…
This train of thought gave her an idea: An idea that would guarantee another perfect shot. She translocated her mind away from the confines of the Imperial City, away from it’s pristine streets and whitewashed buildings and its crowds of people and its huge white walls that everyone was confined in. She moved it to The Great Forest.
This was her second home, her constant sanctuary in the middle of Cyrodiil. She would go out with her mother about once a month to hike and hunt but she made it out by herself whenever she could. It was quiet, detached, a place of sheltering oak trees and cool shade. It was a place of peace and reflection and a refuge from the busy life of the city. Alice would wander the forest for hours on end, even in the dead of winter: Especially in the dead of winter. After all, no one was out there in the cold months between Sun’s Dawn and First Seed and not many people hunted until the full of spring in Second Seed, so Alice had it all to herself. Whenever she got tired and hungry, she would have a campsite and a warm fire waiting for her, along with either a warm meal of fried fish caught by her father or venison hunted by her mother depending on who accompanied her out of the city. Her mother worried about her more than her father did but still let her eldest daughter roam as she would. Her brothers and sister would be there as well and everything would be prepared for her when she got back. That’s what Alice loved about her family: They gave her enough freedom to do what she loved but they were always there for her.
Her mind was in the forest now, at peace and completely focused. With a relaxed posture and a content smile, Alice drew her last arrow and nailed the shot, splitting her first arrow right down the middle.
“Eleven.” She muttered. “Take that Titus.”
Her reputation as the best archer in the family reestablished, Alice gave a prideful smile. She took a few moments to revel in her glory but it was soon broken by the call of her mother.
“Alice!?” She called from the back door of the house. “It’s time for dinner!”
“I’m coming!” Alice called back. She quickly crossed the yard and went over to the target, shouldering her bow and returning the arrows to their quiver. After a few minutes she had found them all and they all appeared intact save for her twenty-ninth shot which had been split down the middle.
“I saw what you did out there.” Her mother said, giving her daughter an impressed look. “Looks like all our hunting’s paying off. Titus is gonna be sore when he hears what you did.”
“I had a good teacher.” Alice said, smiling at her mother and grateful for her approval. “Besides, Titus is too quick a shot.”
“Maybe.” Her mother said. “But you my dear tend to hesitate. Considering how good a shot you are I’m not sure why that is.”
“I guess I just want to wait until the perfect moment. That’s why I never miss.” Alice said.
“Almost.” Her mother said.
“Almost.” Alice added in agreement. “What’s for dinner?”
“Chicken and brauts.” Her mother said. “C’mon, we’re waiting on you.”
Alice followed her mother into the house just as the sun was finished setting. She was greeted by the smell of hot food and a warm fire.
***
The back door led into a spacious but cozy living room with a large and well lit fireplace directly across from it. A few feet in front of the door was an L shaped leather couch that went out wide enough for two people then curved all the way to the wall, ending right next to the fireplace. Another three people could fit on this longer side. An assortment of pillows and folded blankets were place at regular intervals. To the left of the couch about where the fourth corner would be was a padded wooden rocking chair. A large coffee table was in the middle of all this to create a comfortable and efficient meeting area. A full bookshelf was against the wall on the far right side of the room was the kitchen with a large oval shaped table in the middle of it. On this table was laden a delicious looking dinner of large chicken breasts, fat crispy sausages, a large basket of fluffy white biscuits glistening with butter, a bowel of fresh and crisp peas and two large ice-cold pitchers: one of milk and one of beer. Around this table starting at the nine o’clock position was an aged Imperial in his mid-fifties with straight shoulder length silver hair and four red scars running down his now-blind left eye. He was wearing a green collared shirt with the sleeves rolled up and the top button undone, as well as a blue pair of tough cloth pants. Two pieces of soft white cloth tied at the ankles covered his feet. The eleven and one o’clock positions held his two boys, the first being seventeen with shoulder length unkempt ebony hair and a lean strong body despite being a mere five feet tall. His face had the same triangle shape as his twin sister. His was the only plate with food and he awaited only his mother’s word to dig into his dinner. His brother was beside him and a full seven inches taller, just as tall as their dad. His hair was short, brown and neater than his brother’s and his was a calmer disposition. The boys wore a set of scaled armor with a fighting harness in place of the shirt and a blue mage’s robe respectively. Their mother Amy was a tall and attractive woman the same height as her husband. She had long ebony hair, cool blue eyes, a thin oval face and a warm smile as she put the finishing touches onto dinner. Her youngest daughter, about eleven, sat next to her with pretty brown hair, a sweet face and a short blue dress with white extensions on the sleeves and skirt that reached her wrists and ankles. A white belt tied in a bow at her back kept her midsection orderly. She was in quite conversation with her oldest brother when her elder sister came in, removing her leather jacket and placing it on the back of the empty chair: the final place setting was for her.
“Bout time you showed up.” Titus said, greeting his twin sister with a nod. “I’m about to faint from hunger.”
“You clearly survived.” Alice said, smoothing out the mid-thigh-length skirt of her short sleeved blue dress and adjusting the long sleeves of her white shirt underneath it. She unzipped and removed her brown leather knee-high boots to reveal the white leggings and footwraps underneath before taking her place at the table. “Eleven.”
“…No.” Titus said, surprise covering his face, shortly followed by disbelief. “You’ve never gotten eleven! I had to go through an entire quiver to build up to TEN! How did you get to ELEVEN so fast? You cheated, you must have!”
“No precognitive abilities or magic were used in this official record stomping of little boys who think they can outshoot their sisters.” Alice said, sticking her lounge out, breaking her wide grin.
“Ooooh!” Cilla said from next to Alice, offering a low five to her sister which she accepted.
“Gods damnit.” Titus mumbled. “How’d you do it?”
“It doesn’t take me five arrows to shoot a doe from ten feet away. That’s how.” Alice said.
“Alright you two, that’s enough.” Simus said. “And watch your language Titus. Your sister doesn’t need to hear that sort of talk.”
“She’s said worse during sparring dad.” Titus said rather cheekily to his father. “I guess the gods don’t show her EVERY move before it happens.”
“Your OTHER sister dingus.” Simus. “The little one? The one who’s twelve? Remember that one.”
“Okay, whatever, I got the message.” Titus said. “Can we please eat now?”
“We ready mama?” Simus asked.
“I believe so.” Amy said, putting out a dish of mustard for the sausage. “Okay guys, dig in.”
“Finally.” Titus exclaimed, falling upon his food like a wolf as everyone else fixed their plates and passed the food around the table, Titus being most unhelpful in this regard. He and his father had glasses of beer while everyone else had milk.He and Simus had large glasses of beer while everyone else had milk. After a few minutes, everyone was settled and started on their dinner, Alice’s polite meal and good table manners in stark contrast to Titus shoveling in his edible mountain. Simus soon called everyone to order.
“Guys?” Simus asked. “Can we talk about our week for a second?” He paused for a moment to let everyone focus their attention.
“So mom, what do you have for…?” He paused again to grab Titus’ hair and pull his head up, interrupting his attempt to shove an entire biscuit into his mouth.
“Son?” Simus asked. “Can you talk to us?”
“Yuh-huh.” Titus said, dropping the biscuit out of his mouth and swallowing his current bite.
“Now then.” Simus started again. “Mom? What do you have going on this week?”
“Well,” Amy began. “As you guys know, the Arena Games start up in about three weeks and that means lots of orders for the shop. Suppliers all over Cyrodiil are making wares for the Games but Dad and I will probably work late nonetheless.”
“That means you guys are going to need to help mom with dinner this week.” Simus said. “All four of you, as in don’t just dump it on Alice and Cilla.”
“She cooks better than the rest of us. Why not just let her take over?” Stephen said, being quiet until now.
“Because if you all work at it together, it’ll be an easier job for everyone.” Simus said. “Furthermore I said so. Now Cilla?”
“I’ve got a test on factoring and division on Monday.” Cilla said, giving her dad a beaming smile. “We’ve covered all the material in class already so this week is mostly review and study. I think I’ll do okay.”
“I’ve been working with her.” Alice said. “I think she’s ready.”
“Then let’s hope you do good sweetheart.” Simus said. “Your sister’s a good resource. Use her to help you. I can help you too when I get home. Alice?”
“This week looks pretty hum-drum.” Alice said. “We’re supposed to start talking about the importance of the moons in Khajiit culture in Anthropology of Elsweyr tomorrow, but Dr. J’Zargo is going to call in sick tomorrow so we’ll have a free period. I’ll probably use that time to read ahead on Nightingale Study. Our next reading is going to be larger than usual.”
“All right then.” Simus said. “And remember about your appointment with Severus tomorrow at 4?”
“Mhmm.” Alice said.
“And you haven’t had any weird or unusually crazy visions?” Amy asked.
“No ma’am.” Alice said.
“And you would tell us if you did, right?” Amy added.
“Of course I would.” Alice said. “I’m doing okay mom.”
“Okay.” Amy said. “Just checking: It’s my job to make a fuss you know.”
If Alice was with anyone besides her family, the fact that she had just predicted the illness of one of her teachers and the result of such would cause the table to go quiet. Due to circumstances none of them quite understood, Alice had the ability to see the future. At times it was a blessing but most of the time it was annoying and in rare instances it was a curse. This hardly made her omniscient but it did give her some insight into things to come as well as give her greater empathy and acceptance of change than most people. Severus was a Master Mage of Mysticism and Divination that Alice saw every week to make sure her mind was healthy and properly defended from unwanted entities. Her early adolescent years were turbulent ones but as of late she was doing very well.
Simus smiled at his daughter then turned to his boys.
“Guys?” he asked. “What have you got?”
“Stuff.” Titus said.
“What kind of stuff?” Simus asked, trying to focus his younger son.
“You know, stuff.” Titus said between mouthfuls. “School stuff and fighting stuff and workout stuff. Probably going to the gym with Reman and Wags-His-Tail.”
“After you get your homework done right?” Simus asked.
“Yuh-huh.” Titus said.
“And you’re gonna be on time for school every day this week right?”
“Yeah.” Titus said. “I’ve only been late a couple of times.”
“You’ve only been late a couple of times EVERY WEEK.” Simus said. “These habits are gonna catch up with you mister and if you don’t finish the year out you can’t go into the Games next year.”
“Dad, chill.” Titus said, not wanting to be grilled by his father about his attendance issues for the umpteenth time. “I’ve got this.”
“We’ll see. You’ve been all vine and no tater so far.” Amy chimed in, frustrated at what was becoming a weekly conversation.
“Okay, Stephen?” Simus asked.
“I’ve been working on a new ice spell I’m hoping to present in Advanced Destruction this week.” Stephen said. “It’s a standard ice spike spell that shatters into fragments upon impact, doing severe secondary damage to all nearby targets.”
“Cool.” Simus said. “You’ll have to show it to me before you present it. Could I take a look at your scrolls after dinner?”
“Sure.” Stephen said. “I’ve also got some new Illusion spells you might like Alice, if you’re interested of course.”
“Sure, I’d love to.” Alice said.
Her older brother was a talented mage and she always enjoyed seeing his work in action. With their week concluded, the family resumed dinner, Simus and Amy discussing their day and the week’s work for the blacksmith’s shop they ran together, A Fighting Chance. Cilla and Titus were keenly interested in smithing and listened intently to the conversation. Alice and Stephen didn’t care so much and zoned out as they ate their dinner. Everyone was done after about twenty minutes and Amy cleared the table with the assistance of Alice. As they started the dishes and the others dispersed, a knock on the front door. He headed down the short hallway toward the front door, passing the alchemy/enchanting room and first floor bathroom to his right and the open sewing and dining room to his left. The front door was a few feet in front of the steps leading to the second floor. As Simus opened the door a young Legion Soldier in Light Imperial Armor was at the threshold holding out a letter.
“Good evening Citizen.” The soldier said, saluting Simus. “I’m sorry to bother you at this time of night but I have a letter addressed to Simus Psyrakon. Is he available?”
“That’s me.” Simus said, smiling at the young man who was no older than Titus. “And don’t worry about the hour, you’re no bother. We just finished dinner as a matter of fact so your timing was good.”
“I’m glad to hear that Mr. Psyrakon.” The young soldier said. “I’m looking forward to dinner myself. What did you all have?”
“Chicken and brauts.” Simus said. “Please, come in. Get out of the cold.”
“Sounds delicious.” The soldier said while stepping inside, Simus shutting the door behind him. “Thank you for the offer. It’s getting pretty cold outside.”
“Good evening.” Amy said, coming from the kitchen to greet their guest and having overheard the conversation. “We’ve got some leftovers from dinner. Would you like some?”
“No thank you madam.” The soldier said. “I’ve got several deliveries to make tonight and I won’t have time to eat until after my shift. Even so, thank you very much.”
He handed Simus the letter and Amy gave him a handful of septims in return, which the young man greatly appreciated.
“Looks like that’s it, got to go.” The soldier said. “Thank you very much Mr. and Mrs. Psyrakon. Have a good evening.”
“Same to you.” Amy said with a smile. “Goodnight.”
The soldier left the house and took off down the street. Simus and Amy were left with the strange letter stamped with the Imperial Seal and the Seal of the Thalmor. Every piece of mail in Cyrodiil had these seals, considering the Thalmor walked the province as if they owned it, so this wasn’t so odd. What made Simus nervous was the return address for the Thalmor Embassy in the Imperial City, Sinisterly located on the upper level of the Imperial Prison. He opened the letter and scanned it, Amy putting her left arm around his waist as she read over his shoulder. The letter was a summons for both of them to report to the Thalmor Embassy at 10:00 a.m tomorrow. They were to meet for an interview but for what subject was unclear.
“Simus?” Amy said nervously. “What do you think this is?”
“I’m not sure sweetie.” Simus said, looking into his wife’s eyes with the same concern as she showed him but doing his best to keep calm.
“What if they know?” Amy said. “What happens if they know?”
“Then we stick with our plan.” Simus said calmly, taking Amy into his arms. “It’s gonna be okay sweetie. We’ve planned for this. We’re ready for this. We’re gonna be allright.”
***
The entire house had found out about the letter within minutes. Simus and Amy had gathered their children, told them what was going on and promised that this was nothing to worry about. None of them were convinced of this however. All four of them were clever and educated enough to know who the Thalmor were and what they did to people like their parents. Neither of them had hid their faith in Talos to their children and had indeed passed it along as best they could, all in direct violation of the White-Gold Concordate, the treaty that ended the Great War thirty years ago. Alice and Stephen were fervent Talos worshippers themselves and vehemently protested against this summons but they knew there was nothing they could do. Once you were summoned by the Thalmor, there was no refusing them. Their parents calmed them as best they could and everyone decided simply to drop the matter until tomorrow, for nothing could be accomplished tonight.
The next couple of hours saw everyone dispersing to their respective hobbies, things that they found solace in. Cilla in her chalk drawings, Alice and Simus in their books, Titus and Stephen challenging each other to card and dice games, Amy in her quilting. The boys decided that their parents could take care of themselves and that whatever would happen would happen. They retired for the night without much fuss but Alice and Cilla needed some comfort. Cilla was old enough to process what was going on and be frightened for it but still young enough to have absolute faith in her parents. Her mother had helped her into her white footy pajamas with blue raindrops, her favorite pair. She then gave her a warm glass of milk and a big hug before tucking her into bed and hugging her again. That was enough to get her to sleep. Alice however was harder to pacify. Simus had spent over an hour reading Gods and Worship to her while she was curled up by him on the couch downstairs. Prior to this she had changed into her own pajamas, which were identical to her sister’s except hers had laughing black skulls rather than raindrops. Simus had accompanied her to the room she shared with her sister and led her to her own bed but she was still worried about tomorrow. Simus tucked his daughter in and soothed her as best he could, careful not to wake Cilla, who was fast asleep with her mom by now.
“I don’t understand it dad.” Alice said, her worry mixing with fatigue to make a rather distraught young lady. “Why do the Thalmor want you and mom? Why now?”
“It’s like we told you guys downstairs honey.” Simus said, sitting on her bed and resting his hand on her covered stomach, softly rubbing it. “We don’t know what the Thalmor want with us and we won’t know until tomorrow. In the meantime there’s nothing we can do.”
“How can you just accept that given your history?” Alice asked. “And mom’s? She’s a Blade remember?”
“I remember.” Simus said. “So does she.”
“Then how can you stay so calm?” Alice pleaded.
“Because this is completely out our control at the moment.” Simus said. “Alice, your mom and I have a long history together, gotten into all sorts of trouble. We know the Thalmor better than anyone and we’ve got more friends than enemies. A lot more. We’ve also taken very thorough tracks to cover up both our histories and if you don’t think we haven’t thought of and planned for every possible contingency the Thalmor can throw at us, then you either don’t know your parents very well or you’re too tired to see reason. Given the circumstances, which do you think is more plausible?”
Alice thought for a second. He had a good point, he always did. Her mother hadn’t had any contact with the Blades in over thirty years and all possible documentation linking her or her father to the order was destroyed. The precautions her parents had taken to hide themselves had, she thought, flirted with paranoia. Now she was eternally grateful for such vigilance. The Thalmor didn’t know who they were, they couldn’t know.
“Maybe you’re right.” She said, satisfied with her own logic and a smile replacing her frown. “I mean, the Thalmor do a lot more for Cyrodiil than hunt for traitors. A lot of Thalmor I’ve met have been pretty nice.”
“Exactly.” Simus said. “See? You worry too much. All you’ve got to do is stop and think and things aren’t so bad are they?”
“I guess not.” Alice said, smiling up at her father. “Thanks dad. I love you.”
“I love you too honey.” Simus said, giving her a kiss on the forhead before she undid her covers to give him a big hug. He gladly returned it and then retucked her.
“Goodnight.” He whispered.
“Goodnight.” She whispered back.
Simus then left the room, motioning Amy to discreetly get out of Cilla’s bed and follow. Alice fell asleep within minutes with absolute faith in her father’s words. If there were two people in this world the Thalmor could never take, it was her parents.
Everything would be okay.