Log of Larrius Varro, an Imperial Soldier: Part II

Rated M for Violence, Language, and Sexuality

Make sure and read Part I.


Rain’s Hand 8

            I rose early in the morning.  Walking downstairs, I smelled the aroma of bread and sweetness.  When I came into the kitchen, I was greeted by Rielle.  Very shyly, she asked if I would like some sweetcake.  Serving up a nice portion of the cake and placing it before me, she apologized that she wasn’t able to eat with me, that she had taken her breakfast already, and that she had housework that needed tending.  Needless to say, the sweetcake was amazing.

            After I ate, I went into the den and pulled a book from Langley’s bookshelf and read while the woman continued her work.  She was currently dusting the mantelpiece above the fireplace.  Once while I was reading, I caught her watching me from the corner of her eye.  When I looked up, she returned her gaze to the mantelpiece, and continued dusting.

            Later that morning, I told Rielle I was going to check in at the Legion camp, and left the house.  The truth is, I had received no such instruction, but it was clear the girl was uncomfortable in my presence, so I decided to go out. 

I came back to the camp, where my unit’s Commander informed me that no message had yet come from the Imperial City.  I ate lunch in the camp, and afterwards made my way back into the village.

I entered the Red Dragon tavern, and ordered a pint of ale.  In the tavern were two other Imperials, not soldiers but Hofgard’s residents.  There were also three Nords here, all sitting at a table together.  One of them was a large, burly man, with a rough beard, and kept giving me threatening looks.

I gulped my ale, and left the tavern, not wanting to get into a fight.  Many of the people in the village, mostly Nord, watched me with disdain.  I soon decided I would return to Langley’s house, and perhaps take a nap. 

On the way up to Langley’s house, was a large cliff, which was empty, except for a very large pile of wood.  I was curious about this wood pile, as it looked like a pile meant for a bonfire, and I would ask Langley or his niece about it later. 

There was a population of around a hundred people living in the village.  Unlike the rest of the Empire, Hofgard consisted of only Imperials and Nords.  There was not one Khajiit, Argonian, High Elf, or any other race.  There were not even any Bretons or Redguards.  As I stated earlier, most of the homes were built on mountain cliffs, with stairway paths that connected them.

When I returned to the house, Rielle was sitting down on the couch, reading.  She asked me if I had lunch, and I replied that I had.  I told her I was going nap, and to knock when dinner was served.  She assured me that she would knock.

She seemed a bit more comfortable this time, as her voice was a bit louder than normal, and she looked straight at me, chin up while speaking to me.  I figured Langley must have been by for lunch and probably figured I left because she looked uncomfortable and probably lectured her on speaking to me.

I slept well that afternoon, probably too well, because I awoke to a knock at the guest room door.  It was Langley, who informed me that dinner was being served.  Dinner that evening was beef, rice, and salad.  We did not speak much at the table.  After dinner though, I joined Langley and his niece in the den with a fire in the hearth.

Langley was sitting in a chair, and Rielle was sitting on the couch.  I sat next to her.  After a few moments of silence, Langley opened up the conversation.  “So, Larrius, I heard you went down to your camp to report in.  Any word from the Imperial City?”

I replied, “No, sir, not as of yet.”

Langley said, “It’s good having you here, boy.  You have become so much like your father.”

I replied, “Thank you, sir,” and we then discussed the news happening around Tamriel.  Another skooma ring had been disrupted down in Bruma.  Also, there was news of Imperial troops arriving in the Imperial City.  One unit was from Hammerfell.  Another unit arrived from High Rock.  Rielle remained silent the whole time. 

Langley said, “Something’s going on.  That’s the second and third unit since yesterday.  The Empire’s getting ready for something.”

I replied, “Either that or they needed extra troops to reinforce their position.”

Langley then yawned.  “I’m goin’ to bed.  Goodnight.”  He then rose from his chair and walked by us and up the stairs, leaving myself and the girl alone.

We listened as he walked up the stairs, footsteps down the hall, and a door shutting behind him.

There were many minutes of silence.  For a long time, none of us spoke or made any sound.  Outside, we could hear the winds howling in from the north.  The only light in the room came from the hearth.  Though, before too long, it was Langley’s niece who reignited the conversation.  “I do remember, you know.”

I looked at her and asked, “Remember what?”

She said, “When you and your father came to Hofgard.”

I told her, “I was 13 at the time.  Still so long ago, and my life in the Legion has taken a toll on my childhood memories.

She said, “I have been living with Uncle Langley since I was 10.  It seems though only a fortnight since my parents died.”

I said, “By the power of the Nine Divines, your brother was in the Legion at the time, and was spared.”

The woman replied, “Yes, I’d be all alone if it wasn’t for my brother.  Do you really think he’s alright?”

I said, “As I said earlier, we’ve received no news of such, but I’m sure he’s okay.  But, why Langley?”

She said, “Well, he is my father’s only brother.  My father’s will stated that if anything should happen to him and my mother, that Uncle Larrius would care for me.  My father was a poor farmer.  He wanted so much for me.  He wanted one day for Uncle Larrius to help me become a merchant anyway, to let me work for him and to teach me mercantilism.”

I asked, “Does he take you to the butcher shop?”

She said, “Usually twice a week he takes me.  The rest of the time, I care for the house, which he pays me nicely.  One day, I plan to take my savings and open up my own shop, perhaps in Solitude or Dawnstar.  Tell me soldier.  Is there…anyone special in your life?”  She had paused while asking this and her voice even toned down a bit after she said the word ‘special’.

I cleared my throat, and replied, “Well, uh, no, not really.  Life in the Legion and all.”

She asked, this time seeming much braver, “Is it more of a time issue, or a hazardous life one?”

I said, “It’s both.  For one, I would not wish pain on the part of the one I love during the time I am away, nor the agony if I should die.”

The woman replied, “It’s sacrifice though.  Agony must be endured, and patience must be required for love to grow.”

We sat in the silence for many minutes.  It was not awkward, but calm, and a bit relaxing.  In a few moments, she opened conversation again.  We discussed more of our lives, our hobbies, our dreams, and our most wild fantasies.  I talked about my travels, discussed more about my time in the Legion, and told her I had not dreamed much, which made her laugh.  My wild fantasy was being the historical Champion of Cyrodiil.

She was very curious, asking many questions.  She wanted to know more about Windhelm, being quite fascinated by Dunmer culture.  She also asked about the Imperial City, and if I had ever been to Morrowind.

Her dream was of course to become a Tamriel-famous merchant.  Her wild fantasy was being the daughter of the Emperor.

Several hours passed us by, and the midnight hour came.  She bid me goodnight, and went upstairs.  By now the fire had went down, so in a few moments, I too went upstairs to bed.

Rain’s Hand 9

            This morning, I awoke to Rielle’s voice calling me down to breakfast.  As we ate, Langley told her to take the day off, and for the both of us to go out.  The woman immediately had an idea.  “You know, Uncle, Larrius told me he enjoys fishing.  Perhaps we could go fishing.  How does that sound, Larrius?”

            I said, “That sounds like fun.  We should even roast them on the bank and eat.”  By now, we had finished breakfast.    

            She said, “Well, then.  Allow me to dress more appropriately for a day outside the village, and then we’ll leave.”

            As soon as she went upstairs, Langley left for his day at his butcher shop.  Before long, the girl came down the stairs, dressed in a rough white dress.  We left the house then, and proceeded down into the village, and out across the bridge.  We turned, and followed the small mountain river to the northeast.

            Now, we were deep within the mountain forest.  We had stopped, and Rielle sat on the bank.  I removed my tunic, tossed it aside, and waded into the river.  I bent over, and put my hands into the water, preparing to catch the first fish that crossed my path.

            The first one swam by in a couple of minutes.  I made a grab for it, but too soon, for as soon as my hands struck the water, it changed course and quickened its pace.  The second one came by a bit later, and this time, I caught it.  Holding it tight with both hands, I carried it to the banks and tossed it in the basket.

            “Can I try,” she asked.

            I said, “Come on.”  She gave me her hand and I helped her up.  I lead her into the river.  She released my hand to hold her dress above the water.

            I told her, “Don’t worry about it.  You won’t catch anything like that.”  She released her dress, which fell into the water. 

            The water was only up to her thigh.  She asked, “Well, what do I do first?”

            I stood behind her, and said, “Well, you have to bend over like this.”  As I stood behind her, I took my hands and held her arms and put them into the water.  I continued, “Well, now we wait.  When a fish swims by, you just reach for it with your hands.”

            I watched from behind.  She stood bent over, for quite a few minutes, before the first one crossed us.  She tried to move too fast, and lost it.  A second and third one came during the first half hour, but she also missed them.

            She said, “I don’t think I’m doing this right.”

            I said, “Then let me help you.”  I then stood close behind her, took her arms, and held her arms beneath the water.  When the first fish came by, we missed it.  The second though, we landed just right.  I moved her arms in its direction, and she clasped her hands over it.  I took her arms out of the water, and we both walked onto the bank together, with her arms still in my hands, and tossed the fish in the basket.

            Now, we decided to get a fire going, and cook our catch.  We ate in silence.  Once we finished eating, she said, “My real name’s not Rielle.”

            I asked, “Really, then what is it?”

            She then told me her real name, and about how her uncle began calling her Rielle after she began living with him.  She told me the name was from the Ayleid language, and that it meant ‘beauty.’

            I said, “I’d say your uncle hit the nail right on the head when he named you Rielle.”  She looked away and blushed.  I then changed the subject. 

            “So, what’s that large pile of logs I saw in the village?”

            Rielle said, “It’s for our bonfire.  Hofgard’s anniversary is tomorrow.  It’s the day Hofgard was founded.  Each year, we have a bonfire.  The entire day, there’s music, and feasting, and dancing.  Then, as the sun sets, we light the logs for a bonfire.  I hope you’ll join us.”

            I said, “Nothing would be more pleasant, unless my company has to depart.”

            Rielle said, “I’ll understand if I have to.  Larrius…?”

            “Yes,” I asked.

            She then asked, “Would you write me as soon as you see my brother?”

            I said, “Of course.”

            We remained out there, the whole day, resting, talking, watching the clouds, and the wildlife around us.  It was late afternoon before we began walking back to the village.  We took our time though, moving as if life itself was an eternity.

Rain’s Hand 11

            By the end of yesterday, I had felt too depressed to write.  The truth was that I was in so much agony that I was finally leaving.  I had come to a realization, too late it seemed, that I loved Rielle, and now I was moving on.

            I was in my tent, during the midnight hour of the 11^th, as we were ordered to do so since we were leaving early the next morning, and we should be ready to march at a moment’s notice.  That day had truly been wonderful.  That day, the festival began at noon.  Rielle wore a lovely blue dress.  There was also something else about her.  She had cut her hair.  Now, instead of running a few lengths past her shoulders down to her lower back, her hair now stopped just right below her shoulders.

            That day, I was introduced to a few woman friends of hers, mostly Imperials, but also one Nordic woman.  Langley introduced me to a few of his pals, all Imperials.  All that day, there was feasting, and music.  Bards and lutes and drums filled our ears.  We heard epic tales from the past, including the story of Hofgard’s founding. 

            According to the story, it was founded by a Nord named Logvaar who was tired of living in a world among elves and beast folk.  So he got permission from the Emperor himself and received the funding and the settlers to settle the northern border of Skyrim.  They endured quite a few attacks from bandits and marauders, but the settlement persisted.  Starting out with 5 families, the village had grown to 17 families.

            Langley told me after the story that he came to the village 30 years after it began, himself tired from living among orcs who he didn’t trust and absolutely believed the orcs living in the Empire would one day turn on the Empire, and that it would be a massacre.

            The food was great.  Rielle had spent the night before the festival, after our day out, at a friend’s house to help prepare part of the village feast. 

            There was much dancing.  I danced with Rielle mostly, but also danced with her friends and some of the elder ladies as a sign of courtesy.  After all, I am a soldier in the Imperial Legion, and it is only courtly for a Legion soldier to do so.

            That night, our garrison captain called us together, telling us to enjoy the rest of the evening, that we were leaving the following morning, and ordered us to return to our tents by midnight.

            When I returned to Rielle, Langley was standing right next to her, and it seemed they were watching our gathering.  I told them that my company was leaving in the morning, and that I no longer required their hospitality.

            Later that night, shortly before midnight, we shared farewell.  Langley grasped my hand, and shook it proudly.  Rielle and I embraced each other.  It was friendly, though a bit lengthy.  I could feel her heart beating against mine.  There were things I wanted to say, but couldn’t.  And now I know there were things on her mind she wanted to share, but couldn’t either.

            I left them after saying a final farewell, walking back to the tent alone.  I knew I should have told her how I felt, and this was the cause of the agony, so I did not write last night.  But, something happened, something I did not expect.

            I was stronger than this.  I was a soldier in the Imperial Legion.  Certainly, love could not keep me awake, but it did.  And so, I was still awake when I heard a familiar voice, “Larrius?”

            It was Rielle, whispering to me with her head near my tent opening.  I immediately got up, put on my red robe, and left my tent.  I asked, “Rielle, what are you doing here?”

            She was dressed in a long white robe, folding her arms.  I said, “Come on, it’s warm in my tent.”

            Rielle said, “No, I need to speak to you, but not here.  Come on.”  Before I could ask where we were going, she took off running.  A moment later, I took off behind her.  She was fast, but I kept pace.  We followed the shallow river we fished from earlier.  We passed the bridge into the village.  We continued through the mountain forest, following the river. 

            Before long, she stopped, and I stopped as well.  We were far from both the camp and the village.  I soon recognized the same place we fished and ate at earlier.  We stood silent for a moment.  I then called her name.  “Rielle.”

            But she didn’t answer.  She walked over to the river bank and stood, looking out into the forest.  There upon the ground was the ruin of the fire we lit yesterday to roast our fish. 

            She left her spot where she was standing and began gathering sticks.  When I saw what she was doing, I helped her, and soon we had another pile of sticks for a small fire.  But, I had nothing to start the fire with. 

            Then, I watched as her lips moved and fire erupted from her hands, and lit the sticks.  “Woah!” I said.  “Where did you learn that?”

            “My uncle,” she replied.

            We both sat near the fire for a minute, warming ourselves.  She then got up and walked over to the river’s edge.  I was quite confused at the moment.  Rielle was acting so strange.  So, I got up and stood ten steps from her.  Her back was to me.

            A few more moments of silence passed, until she said, “I know what’s going on.”  She seemed not to want to look me in the eyes.  “You are going to the Imperial City.  But I know better.  They are not just calling garrisons from around Tamriel just to reinforce the Imperial City.  You’re going to battle, aren’t you?  To make the orcs pay for the blood of citizens.”

            I said, “I do not know as of yet.”

            Rielle said, “I was afraid this evening, when you left my side.  I’m afraid I will never see you again.”  With this last statement, she put her head in her hands, and started weeping.”

            I walked over to her slowly.  By this time, she had stopped and was wiping her tears, as I lightly touched her shoulder and turned her around.

            “Rielle…I…” 

            I never finished the sentence I meant to finish, at least not till our night was done.  But, I immediately took her hands and pulled her to myself and began kissing her.  She then removed her hands from mine and clasped my robe, and removed it from my body.  The only clothes I had on were my trousers, along with of course my loincloth.  I felt the chill of the north wind, but I cared not.  My lips were still sealed on hers. 

            While Rielle put her arms around my neck, I then took off her robe.  She pulled away from my lips, and folded her arms tightly around herself, shivering from the cold.  Beneath the robe, she had worn a long white gown.  Her arms were all naked, and her upper breast skin and chest bare. 

            I lifted her up and carried her over to near the fire and set her down.  I then moved behind her, put my hands on her shoulders, and leaned over and began running my lips along her neck.  While I massaged her neck with my kiss, I grasped her gown straps, and slid them off of her shoulders.  With that, the gown slid off her body.  All that now clad her were two piece undergarments

            Truly a beauty to behold, Reille’s darker skin reflected the power of the moon’s gaze.  Now, running my lips along her left shoulder while still behind her, it wasn’t long before the both of us stood completely unclothed in the night of the forest.

            I turned her to me, and we just stood, looking in each other’s eyes.  I then lifted her and laid her on the ground next to the fire.  I then laid above her, kissing her, and ran my lips along her neck and her chest.  That night, we made love to one another, a night I know I will constantly call upon when despair is nigh.

            We slept in each other’s arms next to the fire, our bodies both naked, beneath her robe for covers to keep out the chill.  It was her who woke me up.  “You need to get back to your camp,” she said.  “And I need to get back home before my uncle wakes up.”

            We got up, and dressed, and ran along the river bank, hand in hand.  We soon found ourselves standing on the bridge to Hofgard.  “Well, this is it,” she said.

            I took her hands, and held them, and caressed her face.  I then pulled her close, and kissed her.  Before I let go, She said, “Come back to me.”

            I said to her, “I promise you.  I will return.”  With that said, and one more kiss, we left each other.  I walked back to my camp, and entered my tent on the edge of the camp before the sun broke the horizon.

            I laid down, and not too much later, horns sounded.

            This day, we marched further into the mountains and crossed the border into Cyrodiil.  We set up camp somewhere in the Jerall Mountains.  My spirits were much stronger now, having been emboldened by her love.

            This may be the last log I write for a while, at least not until we come to civilization.  I will use every memory of ours, every day we’ve been together, to keep my morale from failing me.  May Talos keep me strong!