A Father's Last Gift

Aran had to strain to keep himself from laughing at Chloe's joke, and was glad he had the helmet on to keep his expression from showing. He had been to free with his emotions around her, and he scolded himself for it. A servant was not to have any emotion, just as a tool would not. His inability to control himself was not a good sign, and he would need to contain it quickly. If he could not get himself under control by the bonding.... There would be no hiding his secrets then.

As Chloe commented on the goat, he pondered hunting it down, but they already had plenty of food. It would be wasteful to kill an entire goat, an his master had not actually ordered anything. He was still waiting for the right moment to cook her favorite meal. Perhaps the cold mountain would present a fine opportunity. He had his cloak pulled tight, and was beginning to wonder if Chloe was cold as well. As if reading his thoughts, she spoke up.

"I wish I'd paid more attention to frost warding spells." she said, her voice flat and annoyed. "How are you holding up in your armour, Aran? I imagine armour gets quite cold."

He nodded, beginning to worry about his master. Thinking about his own shortcomings, he had managed to neglect her yet again. "My training has dulled me to feeling the cold or heat as others might, Chloe. I imagine my armor is cold enough now, if I were to touch it with my tongue, it would become stuck." His voice was as cold as the mountain, and he made sure to maintain it. "If you grow too cold my lady, simply say the word and we shall take shelter. I can make us a fire and clear us an area to rest whenever you desire."

He gauged what time it was by the placement of the sun, estimating it was still a few hours yet before they would need their next meal. He resolved to keep a lingering eye on Chloe, in case she showed any signs of discomfort. Hot food on the stomach and spiced ale was a good way to warm up the body. He'd need to keep his other eye on the trail however. Frost Trolls were a threat in these mountains from what he could remember, and he certainly didn't need to be taken by surprise for the fourth time in less then a week.

"I'll be fine, for a while. We have to keep going if we want to go anywhere, right? Can't stop every five minutes."

"Of course, Chloe. As you wish." Aran had his doubts about her state, but if she pushed herself to hard, he was fortunate enough to have healing magic. The poison the an'Kin used had dulled his senses, and he hoped Chloe did not think to try and match his stamina. Aran would never complain about the cold on his own behalf, unless his master needed the push. He expected Chloe was a little foolhardy, but not so much as that. Either way, it was the end of their conversation, and he made no move to break the silence. 'Do not speak unless needed, was etched into his mind. Instead he filled his time with thoughts of improving the song he had started the previous day, and the time flew by quickly.

Chloe remained vigilant for at least an hour before Aran watched her light a flame by her face. Expecting what would come next, he began scanning the area for a place to rest, make a fire, and cook them some food. There was nowhere nearby he could see on the mountains incline, but they would reach a rock face in about a mile from what he could see. The first point where the road would cut into the rock and through the mountain pass.

"Okay," she admitted, "Perhaps now we should stop and find somewhere. Lest I become a Magecicle. Wouldn't mind to stop and eat, too, this cold has given me a hunger that's quite fierce..... Compared to you, Aran, I'm quite whining aren't I. Cold, wet, hungry, tired. Always wanting something or another."

"If you did not, I would take it amiss, my lady. It is my duty to ensure you are comfortable, and to meet any and all desires you might have. As it is, I am trained to go without rest, food, and comfort. I will find us shelter, as you wish."

He clicked his heels into Strider and made quick work of the mile, reaching the rock face in a few minutes with Strider's quick pace. A snow drift hat settled in the pass, and would make the journey through the pass more difficult. It seemed they had been destined to stop for a rest as it happened, for the horses if not Chloe. He could see her from where he stood, and he quickly located an overhang like the one they had used previously. It was more shallow, but it would serve it's purpose, with a nearby evergreen to tie the horses too. He dismounted and draped Strider's reigns over a branch, disappointed in its lack of options. He breathed deep and tapped into his magicka, using his hand to send flames spewing across the ground, melting the snow on the larger rocks so they could sit. He melted another circle in the ground for a fire pit, before gathering up some branches and drying them with further flames. He made certain to make sure he could still see Chloe, and by the time she'd reach him, Aran had a flame going, a dry seat, and had begun to unpack the materials needed to cook them a meal.

Aran nodded respectfully to Chloe as she arrived, and nearly moved to take her horse for her when she went to tie it to the same his own steed was at. He went about prepping the rabbit for cooking, placing it in a pot over the fire. It would not be as perfect as a stove, but if he monitored it properly he would be able to slow cook the interior further before searing the pre-cooked meat. Then it was just a matter of giving it the proper amount of time to let the seasoning take full effect. He intended to do his best to make it perfect, but there would be some time between, so as Chloe surveyed the area, he moved to Strider and pulled out two apples, holding one in either hand and offering them to the horses. Multitasking had been nearly important a trait to learn as the proper service to provide his master.

"Did you melt the snow off this rock? You know I could do that for you, no need to waste your Magicka, I have plenty."

Aran assumed she was touching the necklace she wore as her hand went to her chest. He had been informed it had magical properties by the kindly Argonian servant, and he was glad they had reached an understanding. Unlike Chloe however, he was unskilled in battle magic, and whatever weariness he felt from the small exertion would be gone by the time they were ready to move again. She would need her magicka much more then he, but there was no reason to explain any of that.

"It is nothing, Chloe. I would not wish for you to exert yourself. The rocks should be suitably warm now. I thought you might enjoy a heated seat, as cold as it is in the mountains. If I had waited until you arrived, it would undoubtedly still be too hot after melting the snow for you to sit."

As the horses finished the apples, he tossed the cores aside, stroking each horses face before returning to the food and ensuring it was cooking suitably. He was glad for his proximity to the fire, as his armor had indeed grown cold and he wished to warm the metal. The rabbit was indeed cooking as he had intended, and he stoked the fire with some more of the branches he had dried with his fires, as well as a short burst of magicka fueled flame to speed the process.

"If you ever get sick, do I have to look after you like this? Seems like a fair part of the deal."

The question caught him off guard, as did her smile, and he wasn't sure how to answer at first, frowning beneath his helmet. HER taking care of HIM? Aran found the idea ridiculously preposterous. He'd be punished for sure. He remembered that it was an unnecessary worry as his mental functions began operating again. He nearly moved to hand her the water skin, but her look had him back away as though she had known exactly what he had been thinking. He rotated the meat in the pan above the fire, contemplating how best to word his answer as she poured the water into his mouth.

"As you wish, my Lady," he said, doing his best not to outright disagree. Refuting anything his Master said was contrary to his training, but there were always more subtle ways to solve a problem. "Of course, I would not worry about such things. It is unlikely I would grow sick, and on the off chance either of us fall ill, I will simply heal the ailment away. I can even heal away poisons should we ever encounter anyway. You need not fear I will ever be unable to fulfill my duties my lady, save if death takes me while in your service."

He carefully pulled the metal pan away and set it in the snow, causing the snow to melt and steam rise and mix with the white smoke of the wood. Pushing it around on the ground, it quickly cooled the pan enough for him to push, and he slid the rabbit onto a plate in his cooking supplies, gathering a bottle of spiced ale he had brought and offering them both to his master. So far as he could tell, the dish had come out just as he had intended, and the ale was the same that she had seemed to enjoy so much at the inn in Wayrest. He had managed to convince the cool there to fill a few bottles of it for him so he could present it to Chloe.

"Hah, I wasn't wishing, I was merely wondering if that would be the case. It is something that friends would do for each other, if you can class us as such. But don't put too much stock in your natural abilities, Aran. There are diseases, poisons and other general illnesses out there that I'm sure even your training hasn't prepared you for. Do you remember the story of the Thrassian Plague? Magically created by the Sload, halfed the entire population of the Illiac Bay, if that. And there were a lot less people around then than now. If you suddenly get a bout of Thrassian Plague, I'm going to have to take care of you."

"Thank you for this meal, Aran. The Eight would be jealous in their hunger, if only they weren't above such things."

He was a bit distracted by her comment, but while she ate, he answered offhandedly while considering what she had asked. "If I get the Thrassian Plague, Chloe, I certainly would not put you at risk by remaining in your presence. There is a simple set of rules each servant is taught, in regards to their servitude."

He was greatly bothered by her implication, and worried what the an'Kin would do if they heard. Friends? No, that would be extremely inappropriate. He did not understand why she would think of him as such, not when he had been so emotionless in front of her. People could not be friends with a sword.

"The first rule, is that we are to always protect our Master and keep them from harm, no matter the cost. If I was sick and could not be healed, I must do whatever necessary to ensure the illness does not befall you as well." The words hung heavy in the air while the implications sunk in, and Aran drew a frown under his helmet. If necessary, he was required to end his own life to protect her, and finding his end at his own blade was not a way he intended to go.

He continued with his explanation, a slight tinge to his voice which he did his best to remove as he spoke in. A chink in the armor, if only for a few seconds. He scolded himself mentally for slipping. "The second, is that I must obey every order you give me, so long as it does not conflict with the first. This did not used to be the case, but the an'Kin did not wish any further rumors of servants killing their masters, even if they had done so under orders." Yet another situation he wished he would never encounter.

"The third rule, is that I must protect myself in order to serve my master and complete their bidding....."

He trailed off, not finishing the rule, though it would obviously end with him never disobeying the first and second rules, but a thought had dawned on him which he found very strange. The slave had stopped in his tracks, and nearly looked shaken, a strip of jerky clenched is his. Hand the hung at his side.

"Forgive me Master" he said, forgetting how she had ordered him not to call her such and doing it out of habit in his shocked state."... It is odd. It had never occurred to me before that the rules do not actually state I need ever obey or protect the an'Kin again...." It was a strange revelation for him, one he should have realized earlier. Was it possible they no longer held any away over him? Was he actually independent of them now, only bound to his master?

But no, that could not be true. Not yet. They were needed for the ceremony after all. If they found him unworthy to serve, they could refuse the bonding and strip him of whatever they seemed fit. He sat on a rock, the jerky still untouched in his hands. He looked through the visor of the helm at Chloe, glad that they were not yet bonded. His own my was far too haphazard for her to see through his facade yet, and he felt undoubtedly her thoughts would shame him in this moment. At least she seemed to enjoy the rabbit.

"You need not call me Master, Aran. I am your Master by warrant of our contract, but it is not my name. Nor the name I wish you to call me, for I was born Chloe not Master."

Aran cringed under his armor. He knew Chloe had told him not to call her 'master' before. Yet still, in his confusion, old habit had slipped out and he had disobeyed his masters orders. He had expected punishment, most likely physical, but again Chloe surprised him by simply continuing on with her thoughts.

"Yes, the an'Kin will have no control over you once all this is over. Would I not hold your contract? Your name? Would you not be bound to my will instead of them?"

It was truer then she knew, his being bound to her will. The ceremony had not yet been completed, and it was truly a difficult experience to describe. Still, she would know eventually, how permanent his service would be. She seemed pleased with the meal at least, meaning he had done something right. Even if he did feel like he deserved a thousand lashes.

"Even now, the an'Kin have nothing to claim you. Money has been exchanged and you belong to me. Should I ask you to, I would expect you to even fight the an'Kin. Hurt them, kill them. Because they have no hold over you, no more than any other now. I would expect you to forgoe any instructions they give you that would contradict mine. It is your duty to do as I command and protect me. You are better with me than them, anyway. Who has a right, to claim another man as property. The Dunmer performed such things with the Argonians, look what that brought them. Do you not think, talk, will, breath? Do the Daedra not look upon you with angered jealousy for your free will? Your ability to create and imagine? You have every right to be free as I do, as all Man, Mer and Betmeri do."

Whatever words she added on at the end were merely fluff in Aran's mind. The phrase was as much as Aran could hope for. 'You belong to me' she had said. She had finally accepted him as her servant, even if it had taken a few days. And he would, if she required it of him, forego everything he had done with the an'Kin, even if they had been his teachers. He was Chloe's property now, and rather then argue, he expressed his relief.

"As you say Chloe. It is good to hear you say that I belong to you now. I had... Worried you did not wish to have me, and that you found me unfit for your service. But what you say is true. I will protect you with my life, no matter what you face... It is your instructions that are absolute now." However, he at least hoped she would not interrupt the bonding with this new found anger towards the an'Kin. That was the most important part of being her property, and he wouldn't be able to do his job correctly without it.

"You are fit for my service, Aran. I have never deemed you unworthy of it. But. . . "

Aran had slipped a piece of dried meat under his helmet, and ate while he listened. It was glad tidings to know that she felt him worthy, but he was unhappy with the way she paused. She was still displeased about something, though he was unsure what.

"It doesn't matter, it's good to have you around Aran. Even if I don't agree on the reasoning you're with me." Chloe said, beginning it eat again. Aran wished to learn what she meant, but he could at least read the signs that she had finished talking. Trying to understand now would only displease her further. Perhaps if he could find a better way to please her, she would not be so strange in her treatment of him.

Resolving to try and do better, he gathered her empty plate and bottle when she had finished with them. First, he dipped the plate in snow, bringing it up with a layer on top of it, before firing it with one hand. The snow turned to water and boiled quickly, and he let the water run away as the plate was cleaned.

He moved to pack the plate away for later use, and the empty bottle to trade at the next town, when a thought occurred to him. He had not paid much attention to the local flora, but he saw a Frost Mirriam on his right, with purple mountain flowers growing around some of the rocks. He gathered some flowers and pulled a branch from the Frost Mirriam, grinding them in his gloved palms as he returned to where he'd left the bottle.

He pulled a cloth from his pack, wrapping the two ingredients inside of it, before setting it down and dipping to the ground with the bottle. He packed it with snow, then stuffed the small cloth and it's ingredients into the bottle, before yet again firing the bottle he warmed quickly, and he had begun to feel the heat through his gloves where he touched the bottle now filled with boiling water. Dropping his knees to the ground, he kept one hand over the top while rolling the bottle in the snow. Soon, it was cool enough to handle once more, an he shook the bottle with his closed hand over the top.

Satisfied, Aran removed the cloth from the bottle and emptied the contents to the ground. He tucked the wet cloth back into his pack, unable to dry it without more effort. Pleased with himself, he brought the bottle to Chloe, offering it to her.

"If you wish to begin moving again soon, it may please you to drink this. It should help with the cold, at least for a few hours. I am sorry I did not think of it earlier, Chloe." He hated admitting that he was fallible. But so far, he felt like he was making a botch of the whole thing, and feigning ignorance would be even worse in his eyes.

Aran began cleaning up the camp as Chloe drank the concoture. He knew it wouldn't be nearly as potent as if he had done it with the proper tools, but an alchemy kit was far too difficult to carry around and would take far too much time to dilute the ingredients properly. Still, it would serve it's purpose, even if not for as long as not as strongly.

"You say I won't feel the cold as much with this?"

"Yes Chloe. It may take a few minutes to have an effect. It is very diluted as far as potions usually go."

"You're right, we probably should keep moving. Lest we get beset upon by some monsters like last time we camped."

He finished cleaning up the camp, putting out the fire and gathering a few more flowers and branches of Frost Mirriam. Hopefully the potion would last the trip, but if not he make her another to last until the reached the end of the mountain.

"I have to admit," Chloe begun, "I don't feel at all as cold as before, it's still there but. . . More like an uncomfortable wind now. Hopefully it will last for our time up in this mountain."

He nodded as he mounted Strider, pulling the untied reign from where it lay over the branch. The war horse was well trained, and had not moved so long as no one held it's reigns. As Chloe was ready, he took the lead to the mountain pass, going slowly as the snow piled higher on the road. It was slow going, and the horses could not move any faster then a slow walk. It did not look as if it was going to storm, but there were a number of things that could trap them in the pass, and from the looks of the long stretch of mountain crevice before them, there would be only two ways out until they reached the other side.

He wanted to ask Chloe questions, to find out what she had meant earlier, and occasionally looked over his shoulder to her, perhaps more then necessary. What could be wrong about the circumstances that she of his employment. There was nothing that had been wrong with the exchange of payment that he had seen. She had said otherwise, but there was a part of Aran that felt as if Chloe still did not want him.