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An Ordinator’s Tail.

3rd Era 352

    Methal Dres stood in surprise at the sudden guest that stood with his father in the main study. His father and guest turned to him seconds after he entered. His father wore an expression only reserved when things were going badly at the saltrice fields or when he and his brothers were caught doing something wrong. Methal looked from his father to the guest that now started to walk toward him. The Dunmer that approached him was a little taller than himself. Small scars lined the Dunmer’s face and arms. As he continued to walk toward him he noticed a slight limp. The guest stopped a few inches short of Methal, then began to slowly walk around him. Methal glanced skeptically at the Dunmer as he circled him.

    “Father, what is this all about?” Methal protested looking back at his father now. He felt he was like a guar put on for show at a market.

    His father, jaw clenched walked over to the bar and poured a drink raised the glass and swallowed its contents quickly.

    “You have been chosen Methal.” His father answered with only a slight cough, “Our guest is from the Temple.”

    By now the Dunmer had completed his inspection turned to Methal’s father and gave an approving nod.

    “I’ll be back in a week’s time to pick him up for his training. Just remember that he will only be able to take two changes of clothing and one personal item.” The Dunmer stated flatly, then turned back to Methal gave him another cursory glance then promptly turned and walked out of the study.

    Methal could not believe what he was hearing. The Temple was supposed to pick from house Hlaalu this year, not his. Methal quickly closed the gap between them feeling his anger flare.

    “Father this is absurd!” Methal spat.

    His father shook his head in disgust while pouring himself another drink, turned and faced his son and motioned to a chair. Methal, chest heaving, jaw clenched reluctantly sat down. His father sat across from him downing the drink.

    “Son, regardless if you want to go or not you have no cho- “

    “Father you know I was to marry this year!” Methal yelled out, “You know that we have been planning this wedding with Nephelle Hlaalu for the past two years!!” Methal now stood and started to pace angrily, “What am I to do? Become a priest?” Methal stopped pacing facing his father now, “Priests don’t get married nor can they own land by Tribunal law!!”

    “But Ordinators can and do.” His father replied now fondling the glass in his hand his tone forceful.

    Methal started to say something but soon found his mouth dry. He sat again placing his head in his hands. His father on the other hand let what he said sink in during this silence.

    “Methal…Son, Nephelle’s father didn’t approve of your marriage so he must have pulled some strings.” His father said now holding the glass with both hands, “You know that if you would have married her you would have been a part of house Hlaalu, the only thing I can think of is that he used that as an excuse to get rid of you. Since the wedding was going to take place this year the Temple would not have cared either way.” His father’s voice sounded calm but still carried with it an air of concern, “You are going to be an Ordinator whether you like it or not.” His father now stood walked back to the bar but this time pulled another glass out, “Azura must have a sense of humor only her and other Daedra must comprehend.” His father said pouring drinks, “But remember to be faithful to her son. She will watch as you serve the Tribunal.” His father returned and handed him the drink, Methal looked up at his father and took the glass, his father sat across from him then finished with, “The Mother of the Rose is the Daedric prince of change and transition. This must be your transition.”

    Methal held his drink while looking at his father, then took a sip.

    “But not of my choice father.” Methal responded coldly after swallowing.

    “Son you will find that most changes in your life are not of your doing.” His father answered back, “Don’t think of this as a failing, think of it as an opportunity. If anything, our family has turned misfortune into fortune by sheer will alone and the blessings of Azura.” His father reached out and placed his calloused hand on Mathal’s shoulder, “And this will be no different for you as well.”

    ***

    The next week passed by quickly, far quicker than Methal had predicted. During that week he spent time with his brothers making sure that they would have something to remember him by. After all, ordinators were prone to die at an early age depending on where they were assigned. Especially the ghost fence. That was prospect he did not look forward to.

    But for now he stood with Tsavi his Khajiit attendant at the long walk to his mansion, both dressed at the finest awaiting his love Nephelle. She was a striking woman. He had met her some years before when his father had business with house Hlaalu, they wanted to purchase land and slaves for saltrice farming. The most profitable lands belonged to his house, it not only provided a sizeable amount of food for the local areas but also as an ingredient for the local beverage mazte. He still remembered being told to entertain her. How he imagined that she would bear a horrible resemblance to her father. A large and unsightly Dunmer. Thankfully she looked more like her late great aunt. Short mud red hair, sharp angular features common to their people. Eyes dull red like rubies. He remembered how he had done his best that day to hide his hands, he feared she would mistake him for a servant and not one born of a noble house. His father made he and his brothers work the fields along with the Argonians. This served two purposes, the first was to teach them how to properly care and grow the saltrice. The second was to enforce a good work ethic from the slaves, it made it easier make sure they weren’t being sloth in their duties.

    He was brought back from his memories to the sound of the horse and carriage coming from the road. He fidgeted straitening his shirt and collar.

    “Young master you look well enough…oh string!” Tsavi corrected herself. She quickly whipped her claw out and cut it then brushed it away. “Now you look handsome!”

    “Thank you.” Methal nodded standing straighter now, “I want this night to be perfect…”

    “And it will be young master be calm! Remember as I taught you. Poise young sir! Poise!” Tsavi instructed taking a dignified stance and look, “Look how my tail is relaxed and not swaying back and forth.”

    “And if I had a tail I am sure it would be fluffed out and swinging wildly.” Methal remarked smirking.

    “I am inclined to agree. Oh here she comes! Poise young sir!” Tsavi instructed again.

    The carriage drew closer then stopped at the foot of the walk. The driver stepped down and quickly opened the door. Nephelle extended her hand from the door way in turn Methal grasp gently leading her out. Her dress a subdued gold color her hair now longer pulled back into two separate locks which rejoined at the back of the collar. Methal bowed and kissed her hand. Then raised up smiling drawing her close taking her other hand into his.

    “Oh how I have missed you dear Nephelle.” Methal said giving her delicate hands a squeeze.

    “And I as well love.” Nephelle said giving a coy smile.

    Tsavi cleared her throat.

    “Dinner will be served in a few minutes’ young master do not keep your father waiting.”

    Both looked at Tsavi acknowledge her and proceeded to the mansion. After dinner Methal took her to the gazebo in his backyard and sat with Nephelle holding her close, telling her of his plans.

    “After a few months I will send for you and then we can marry at the temple of Vivec.” Methal assured her, “I have looked into it and that is where most members serving the Tribunal perform the ceremony.”

    Nephelle’s eyes lit up she sat up and clapped her hands together excitedly.

    “Oh I cannot wait!” Nephelle gushed, “I will be living in the capital of Vvardenfell!”

    “And I with you.” Methal said placing his arms around her resting his head on her shoulder, “My only regret is that I only have this one night with you until then.”

    Nephelle smiled sweetly at him, leaned in for a kiss, she took him by the chin and whispered after drawing back,

    “Then let us make this night a memorable one my love.”

    ***

     The next day the same Dunmer who had come to inspect him arrived late that morning. His brothers, father and Tsavi stood at the door to bid him farewell. Methal hugged his brothers’ goodbye placing his small bag down as he wished them each well. His father stoic extended his hand when Methal came to him. They shook hands, his father’s grip like that of an ogrim.

    “Good luck son.”

    “I will make you proud I promise.”

    His father clenched his jaw and patted his son on the shoulder, then went back inside of the mansion. Tsavi walked up to him straightened his shirt and looked at him adoringly.

    “Young Methal, I will say what your father cannot. I know you will make us proud.” Tsavi purred, the use of his first name taking him off guard, “Your mother as well if she were still with us. I have watched you and your brothers grow from trouble making boys into strong and honorable Dunmeri. Because today I take my leave from your house and go back to the imperial city.”

    Methal looked on as Tsavi’s ears went flat a tears welling up in her eyes. Her tail swishing back and forth.

    “Poise Tsavi.” Methal responded a tear running down his cheek, “Always poise.”

    Tsavi nodded stood straighter. Ears now raised attentively her tail once again still.

    “Warm sands to you my cub. Warm sands… always.”

    Methal bowed slightly to her sniffed and followed the older Dunmer to the coach that was waiting for him.
End of part I

Description
body div#devskin0 hr { }

An Ordinator’s Tail.

3rd Era 352

    Methal Dres stood in surprise at the sudden guest that stood with his father in the main study. His father and guest turned to him seconds after he entered. His father wore an expression only reserved when things were going badly at the saltrice fields or when he and his brothers were caught doing something wrong. Methal looked from his father to the guest that now started to walk toward him. The Dunmer that approached him was a little taller than himself. Small scars lined the Dunmer’s face and arms. As he continued to walk toward him he noticed a slight limp. The guest stopped a few inches short of Methal, then began to slowly walk around him. Methal glanced skeptically at the Dunmer as he circled him.

    “Father, what is this all about?” Methal protested looking back at his father now. He felt he was like a guar put on for show at a market.

    His father, jaw clenched walked over to the bar and poured a drink raised the glass and swallowed its contents quickly.

    “You have been chosen Methal.” His father answered with only a slight cough, “Our guest is from the Temple.”

    By now the Dunmer had completed his inspection turned to Methal’s father and gave an approving nod.

    “I’ll be back in a week’s time to pick him up for his training. Just remember that he will only be able to take two changes of clothing and one personal item.” The Dunmer stated flatly, then turned back to Methal gave him another cursory glance then promptly turned and walked out of the study.

    Methal could not believe what he was hearing. The Temple was supposed to pick from house Hlaalu this year, not his. Methal quickly closed the gap between them feeling his anger flare.

    “Father this is absurd!” Methal spat.

    His father shook his head in disgust while pouring himself another drink, turned and faced his son and motioned to a chair. Methal, chest heaving, jaw clenched reluctantly sat down. His father sat across from him downing the drink.

    “Son, regardless if you want to go or not you have no cho- “

    “Father you know I was to marry this year!” Methal yelled out, “You know that we have been planning this wedding with Nephelle Hlaalu for the past two years!!” Methal now stood and started to pace angrily, “What am I to do? Become a priest?” Methal stopped pacing facing his father now, “Priests don’t get married nor can they own land by Tribunal law!!”

    “But Ordinators can and do.” His father replied now fondling the glass in his hand his tone forceful.

    Methal started to say something but soon found his mouth dry. He sat again placing his head in his hands. His father on the other hand let what he said sink in during this silence.

    “Methal…Son, Nephelle’s father didn’t approve of your marriage so he must have pulled some strings.” His father said now holding the glass with both hands, “You know that if you would have married her you would have been a part of house Hlaalu, the only thing I can think of is that he used that as an excuse to get rid of you. Since the wedding was going to take place this year the Temple would not have cared either way.” His father’s voice sounded calm but still carried with it an air of concern, “You are going to be an Ordinator whether you like it or not.” His father now stood walked back to the bar but this time pulled another glass out, “Azura must have a sense of humor only her and other Daedra must comprehend.” His father said pouring drinks, “But remember to be faithful to her son. She will watch as you serve the Tribunal.” His father returned and handed him the drink, Methal looked up at his father and took the glass, his father sat across from him then finished with, “The Mother of the Rose is the Daedric prince of change and transition. This must be your transition.”

    Methal held his drink while looking at his father, then took a sip.

    “But not of my choice father.” Methal responded coldly after swallowing.

    “Son you will find that most changes in your life are not of your doing.” His father answered back, “Don’t think of this as a failing, think of it as an opportunity. If anything, our family has turned misfortune into fortune by sheer will alone and the blessings of Azura.” His father reached out and placed his calloused hand on Mathal’s shoulder, “And this will be no different for you as well.”

    ***

    The next week passed by quickly, far quicker than Methal had predicted. During that week he spent time with his brothers making sure that they would have something to remember him by. After all, ordinators were prone to die at an early age depending on where they were assigned. Especially the ghost fence. That was prospect he did not look forward to.

    But for now he stood with Tsavi his Khajiit attendant at the long walk to his mansion, both dressed at the finest awaiting his love Nephelle. She was a striking woman. He had met her some years before when his father had business with house Hlaalu, they wanted to purchase land and slaves for saltrice farming. The most profitable lands belonged to his house, it not only provided a sizeable amount of food for the local areas but also as an ingredient for the local beverage mazte. He still remembered being told to entertain her. How he imagined that she would bear a horrible resemblance to her father. A large and unsightly Dunmer. Thankfully she looked more like her late great aunt. Short mud red hair, sharp angular features common to their people. Eyes dull red like rubies. He remembered how he had done his best that day to hide his hands, he feared she would mistake him for a servant and not one born of a noble house. His father made he and his brothers work the fields along with the Argonians. This served two purposes, the first was to teach them how to properly care and grow the saltrice. The second was to enforce a good work ethic from the slaves, it made it easier make sure they weren’t being sloth in their duties.

    He was brought back from his memories to the sound of the horse and carriage coming from the road. He fidgeted straitening his shirt and collar.

    “Young master you look well enough…oh string!” Tsavi corrected herself. She quickly whipped her claw out and cut it then brushed it away. “Now you look handsome!”

    “Thank you.” Methal nodded standing straighter now, “I want this night to be perfect…”

    “And it will be young master be calm! Remember as I taught you. Poise young sir! Poise!” Tsavi instructed taking a dignified stance and look, “Look how my tail is relaxed and not swaying back and forth.”

    “And if I had a tail I am sure it would be fluffed out and swinging wildly.” Methal remarked smirking.

    “I am inclined to agree. Oh here she comes! Poise young sir!” Tsavi instructed again.

    The carriage drew closer then stopped at the foot of the walk. The driver stepped down and quickly opened the door. Nephelle extended her hand from the door way in turn Methal grasp gently leading her out. Her dress a subdued gold color her hair now longer pulled back into two separate locks which rejoined at the back of the collar. Methal bowed and kissed her hand. Then raised up smiling drawing her close taking her other hand into his.

    “Oh how I have missed you dear Nephelle.” Methal said giving her delicate hands a squeeze.

    “And I as well love.” Nephelle said giving a coy smile.

    Tsavi cleared her throat.

    “Dinner will be served in a few minutes’ young master do not keep your father waiting.”

    Both looked at Tsavi acknowledge her and proceeded to the mansion. After dinner Methal took her to the gazebo in his backyard and sat with Nephelle holding her close, telling her of his plans.

    “After a few months I will send for you and then we can marry at the temple of Vivec.” Methal assured her, “I have looked into it and that is where most members serving the Tribunal perform the ceremony.”

    Nephelle’s eyes lit up she sat up and clapped her hands together excitedly.

    “Oh I cannot wait!” Nephelle gushed, “I will be living in the capital of Vvardenfell!”

    “And I with you.” Methal said placing his arms around her resting his head on her shoulder, “My only regret is that I only have this one night with you until then.”

    Nephelle smiled sweetly at him, leaned in for a kiss, she took him by the chin and whispered after drawing back,

    “Then let us make this night a memorable one my love.”

    ***

     The next day the same Dunmer who had come to inspect him arrived late that morning. His brothers, father and Tsavi stood at the door to bid him farewell. Methal hugged his brothers’ goodbye placing his small bag down as he wished them each well. His father stoic extended his hand when Methal came to him. They shook hands, his father’s grip like that of an ogrim.

    “Good luck son.”

    “I will make you proud I promise.”

    His father clenched his jaw and patted his son on the shoulder, then went back inside of the mansion. Tsavi walked up to him straightened his shirt and looked at him adoringly.

    “Young Methal, I will say what your father cannot. I know you will make us proud.” Tsavi purred, the use of his first name taking him off guard, “Your mother as well if she were still with us. I have watched you and your brothers grow from trouble making boys into strong and honorable Dunmeri. Because today I take my leave from your house and go back to the imperial city.”

    Methal looked on as Tsavi’s ears went flat a tears welling up in her eyes. Her tail swishing back and forth.

    “Poise Tsavi.” Methal responded a tear running down his cheek, “Always poise.”

    Tsavi nodded stood straighter. Ears now raised attentively her tail once again still.

    “Warm sands to you my cub. Warm sands… always.”

    Methal bowed slightly to her sniffed and followed the older Dunmer to the coach that was waiting for him.
End of part I