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KhreRiovtRex

Nemeria's Plight

Early morning, approximately 2 months ago……..

 

A strong storm front had blown into the province two days past. Dark, low-hanging clouds, heavy with moisture finally had let loose their torrent. Wind blown rain, pelting all in it’s path in vertical sheets had forced windows shut, moods depressed and an increased sense of gloom which hung over the manor. The frequent bright flash and following rumble of thunder had kept the two children from sleeping well since the storm had started, and truth be told, herself as well.

 

Things had gone from bad to worse of late. What had become a home full of joy, a loving family with their new child and hope for the future, had changed so quickly with a simple order from the Fvillah.

 

The hru'hfirh tr’Vatrix’s bond mate, so suddenly recalled to service, with na good reason obvious to those hrrau the household staff, just made na sense. The only explanation they could deduct, as they dare na ask the Hru’hfirh, was of how the political firestorm continued to haunt the woman, even after she had tendered her resignation. A resignation, in which she had relinquished control of her ship, often a matter of contention with the Tal Shiar since her rejuvenation, and had made the commitment to remain on the home world to raise their son. Qiuu the staff had even noticed how light her mood had become since she had chosen her new path, and foresaw good tidings upon the house, their master and themselves. The sudden order however, was io that qiuu hrrau the manor now saw weigh heavily upon the their lord.

 

Left with an urgent need for a wet nurse with the Llhei’s expedient departure, and na time for the hru’hfirh to do a broad search for someone suitable, Nemeria had informed the hru'hfirh, that her sister was currently nursing a child, about ready to wean and could take on the care and nursing of Val’ron as well. Her sister So’Ria’s bond mate had recently been lost in duty to Galae, reported missing and presumed yy’a when debris from been found of the ship upon which he served. As her sister’s bond mate was already hrrau Galae’s security files, she was quickly cleared. tr’Vatrix had given his approval and left it to Nemeria to make arrangements for her sister to move into the manor and have a room near the nursery as to see to the boy’s care. For Nemeria, it was also a relief to assist her kin, as she had worried about So’Ria living hrrau the mountains with just herself and her child, 

 

Nemeria had gotten up early that day, unable to get back to sleep after being woken by the frightened children, who in turn, had been awoken by the thunder of the storm. The storm had been gaining in intensity, and it had felt as if it would come through the roof. It had been almost time to wake and be about her duties anyway, so she gave up, had thrown off her blanket and stepped out onto the cold floor to make her way to the fresher and make herself presentable for the day.

 

They had received word that the Hru’hfirh was due back to the home world tonight, after having spent time on the orbital station to handle some work he had to complete there, and hear reports from some of his subordinates. She really disliked having overheard his plans, however he had her complete trust, and she would na ever divulge his secrets, as she and the rest of the staff were sworn to him, and could have na better master to serve.

 

She wanted to be sure that all was in readiness, upon his return, so that he might try to relax. The staff had heard or witnessed him pacing the manor, the gardens and beach, as if trying to make peace with his thoughts, but realizing that these were the same areas that he had most of late, spent time with his bond mate, and hopefully brought him some measure of peace.

 

Knowing that he may well have others of his staff or important guests arrive to share the evening meal, she felt it best to have some sort of repast ready, that could easily be used for the next evening’s meal as well if na all was needed, and made note to the cook to prepare the meal appropriately. However, she had however also noted that the bar was in need of restocking, of na only his favorite wine, but the harder liquor he had been frequenting more of late.

 

She heard movement down the corridor and went to look in to be assured all was well and noted her sister was up early caring for a fussy Val’ron, who had now also awoken So’Ria’s son. As the day was early, Nemeria waited a few siuren, and then offered to take the child to walk and rub his back to soothe him back to sleep, while her sister saw to her own son.

 

She needed to go down to the lower levels of the residence to check on the wine reserves to ensure the correct vintages were available to compliment the evening meal, so she shushed at Val’ron and told him he was going to help his father, by learning to pick the correct vintage. She would make sure that he was well educated in the social necessities that were expected of io of his station would be. Carefully she cradled the boy as she went down the stairs. Taking care with each step, as she did na wish to take a misstep and send them both tumbling.

 

As she walked among the stacks, she rocked the child back and forth, cooing at him hoping he’d go back to sleep. Fahd, muffled by the thick stone the quiet was refreshing, without the constant hammering of the storm outside. Val’ron had finally nodded back off to sleep in her arms as she took the inventory when she felt ground shake beneath her feet, and again, as the building above her shake violently.

 

Shock, surprise, and a possible realization that something was majorly wrong all hit her at once. She must keep calm…she had been trained what to do, and now, she would be expected to do it. She had to do it, as those attacking them could have only io thing in mind…… to yy’a the child she now held, a child she had sworn to protect at all costs for the family she served. Na, na just served, but had been made to feel she was a part of their household. The hru’hfirh’s bond mate, often treating her as an equal, and just sitting down to converse with her and share a story or a meal. She was na the monster that many had made her out to be, so was so much more, though, she did still retain a temper that io did na wish to engage.

 

The Hru’hfirh had made it clear to her, that he was entrusting the care of his son to her when he was away from the manor, if something untoward should occur that could endanger him. He had warned her, that in the future days, weeks and or months, that there was always the chance that there could be an attack on the residence. If he were here, or na, though he doubted anyone would target women and children if he were not there. Whether this was an attack or na, she could na risk reacting and not doing as she had been instructed and trained to do.

 

In the weeks prior, the hru'hfirh had instructed her on the codes for the escape passage that he had been built into the lower level, which descended down the beach side cliffs below. He had made her drill through the procedure, pressing and pressuring her as she did it, to make sure she could while under pressure and time. Once the escape passage had been accessed it would seal behind her, and she would make her way downward to where there was set up a small vehicle shed, which was hidden from direct view. Varl'on had long suspected that io day there could be an attack of some sort, and this was a precaution that he and his bond mate had put into place. He had known, that if they had pushed so hard to separate he and his bond mate, it would be only a matter of time until they tried something. But they had to make sure there was a backup plan, if neither of them were there or able to get the child to safety.

 

Nemeria quickly crossed over to a small panel and typed in the well practiced codes, which opened a small safe in the wall. A small packet containing alternate identification cards for covert travel passage, Val’ron, Var’lon and L’haiy as well as a set for Nemeria in case she had to follow through during her care of the child. Encoded were travel vouchers, monetary chips for accounts that had been set up under those aliases, as well as genetic proof that Val’ron was indeed of House tr’Vatrix if that ever needed to be proven.

 

Torn between running up to find her sister and nephew, her answer came quickly as an explosion threw both she and the child against the far wall and then to her knees on the floor, desperately cradling the child to protect him from harm. Clearly the house defenses had come under attack and had been breached. The explosion and heat from the fire forcing her to crawl towards the panel that would give her access to the escape tunnel. The Hru’hfirh had been correct hrrau his assessment.

 

The roaring flames eating at the ceiling above her, let her know there was no way to get back up to her sister, and she prayed that somehow So’Ria had been able to escape with her son as well, as she heard subsequent explosions rocking the grounds. It took her 3 tries to get the correct code to enter in her own panic, as she grabbed the packets and a wrap to put around the child, she entered and sealed the passageway behind her, and quickly made her way to the cavern below.

 

Arriving at the bottom of the long enclosed stairway, she found a small boat tied at a dock. Dark water lapped hungrily at its sides as the storm outside continued. She knew she only needed to go a short distance, and she was well versed on the use of this boat, as she had occasionally used it to meet local fishermen to obtain fresh catch from the sea for the evening meal. but she knew she could na expose herself while attackers may still be hrrau the area. She would wait, but the wait seemed to be an eternity. What if they found the passage down to where they hid?

 

Outside and overhead, hidden within the sounds of the roaring storm, was clearly the whine of two ships making strafing runs firing at the manor. She knew from being drilled by tr’Vatrix, not to panic, nobody would be looking for her here, that she must wait until it was safe to move, then take the small boat and pilot it a short distance to an adjacent cove, where a maintenance shed also housed an old family flitter. She would be ok. She would be ok. She would be ok. She just needed to convince herself of that, and was na doing herself any good panicking.

 

Carefully she stepped down into the craft, and placed the child into the bow, making sure he was secure and the compartment sealed to protect them from the elements and weather. She then moved the craft towards the entrance and waited, terrified to go out. What if they saw her? What would she do?

 

Shortly, the sounds of explosions and overhead ships, which had seemed to go on for ages, but in reality had just been a few siuren, had ceased, and she risked moving the small craft out of hiding, and along the coast, heart pounding so hard in her chest she was afraid it would burst right out, or someone would hear the pounding noise it was making, each heartbeat ringing hrrau her brain. Shortly, she saw the target cove she had been trained to look for, and headed the craft into it, and towards the small maintenance shed, that also had a covered dock. Na one would see the small vessel once she entered and tied it off.

 

Nemeria pulled the small craft into the covered docking slip, she secured the rope and sat there in shock. She had not realized how long she had sat, until the insistent cries from the child woke her out of her shock and despair. She picked up the child and held him, na knowing who was crying more, herself or the child. She remained sitting, holding the tr’Vatrix child, the waters still lapping gently at the sides of the small craft as it rocked them both with the stillness.

 

Elements!! It had happened. The worst fear that the lord of their household had held, had actually happened. Someone had dared an attack!! An attack on the home!! What cowardice could have incited such an act?! Military ships attacking women and children when many were still hrrau their beds. Most would have had na chance to escape, she was stunned and horrified of the thought.

 

Finally, she knew she had to move, if only to make her way to the small fresher nearby. She carefully climbed from the small craft and carried the sleeping child over to the flitter and placed him onto the seat. She made her way over to the desk to check the security panel as she had been drilled to do several times. He had made her do this trip repeatedly of late, to ensure she knew how to escape if necessary. She had always felt it a drill to ease his mind, as who would dare to such a thing to tr’Vatrix?? He was the current head of the military, and if it were up to her and many of the other staff, they felt he would have made a much better Fvillah than their current leader, but that was something they could never mouth out loud, for fear of a Tal Shiar agent overhearing and reporting them.

 

She hadn’t imagined that if it had been necessary to have ever used it, that it would be while the master of the house was away. What type of cowards attack a household of sleeping children and servants?! So she stood, trembling in the chill of the morning, alone in a maintenance shed with the son of her master, entrusted with his care and survival.

 

Flicking on the security monitors, most of the feeds were na functioning, however she finally picked up an external view from the lane approaching the estate. The entire east wing appeared to be ablaze and had collapsed. She felt her knees go weak from the shock and horror, knowing she had left her sister and nephew there, just a few floors above, and she knew in her heart, that there could have been na way for them to have escaped the blaze. Not only them, but many of the household staff would have been starting their duties for the day, having arrived from the servants quarters.

 

 

Her legs finally gave out from beneath her, and she collapsed in a heap on the ground and let the tears stream down her face. What were they to do? Who was still alive? And where was tr’Vatrix? Would such an attack happened if he were alive and well? Had they thought he was at the residence and now yya as well?

 

Fear caused her to lean forward, retching up the small breakfast she had partaken before she had begun her duties and she leaned back against the wall, full of despair and uncertainty. What was she to do. Ie, tr’Vatrix had given her specific directions, but what if others had known of them as well? She buried her face in her hands and sobbed, not sure she would survive this day, wondering what she would do, until she heard the sound of the child starting to fuss over on the seat of the flitter.

 

Hurriedly she pulled herself up, brushing the dust from the floor from her garments and moved over to check the child. She knew from the drilling that tr’Vatrix had given her, that she would have a small window to escape unnoticed before such an occurrence would bring more to this location, and having na way to tell who would be friend of foe, it was best to avoid them all.

 

Securing the child for his safety, knowing that basic items had already been pre-packed into the cases in the back of the flitter, including a bag for herself and the child, as well as a few days of food, military field rations, but still, it was food. She pressed the door controls to allow the vehicle to exit the shed, and then close again as she slowly moved the conveyance towards the small lane and towards Varald. Once there, she was to assess the local news, and make a decision on how to proceed.

In her thoughts, she decided she could more easily blend in, if she made her away to her sister’s home in the mountains. Very few lived in the area, thus prying eyes would na be a problem. The few that lived nearby, while na personally knowing the couple and child that lived there, knew only that a Galae officer away on duty, along with his wife and child lived at the end of the lane. Her best option, until she was able to verify her sister and nephew’s status, was to blend in and head to the house. Once there, she would take the identification of her sister So’Ria and her son, and hope that nobody came asking questions.

She had been ordered to use one of the false identities, but this made more sense, and if there were any genetic tests made, she would be a close match for her sister. It could work, and if somehow her sister had escaped, or if So’Ria’s bond mate were ever found alive though the debris made it doubtful that anyone would ever be found. She would cross that bridge later.

 

She had been ordered to keep the child safe at all costs. Nemeria wondered to herself, if that meant for the long term or short, as it had never been fully spelled out. If either tr’Vatrix or his bond mate returned, would it be safe to return the child to them just yet? Or should she keep him hidden and safe, until such time that the dangers of the recent political uprisings had long faded?

 

She had heard tr’Vatrix talking to visitors, to himself, watching his anger grow over what had been done to his bond mate and Galae hrrau engeral. In reality, would the child ever be safe with either of them in this climate? Could she in good faith to her sworn oath, even consider returning the child to them? In the near future, or ever? It was going to be a heavy burden to decide, but with how things had just developed, a burden she would have quite some time to bear, and time plenty to decide.

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