Chapter Text
Gallius Angianus had to sit on the stairs.
Things were already mad enough. He had a Thalmor prisoner- a small Khajiit cub - in his house. He couldn't understand why she was so important to them or why she suddenly wasn't.
And now this strange letter....
He put it in his black book of school offenses he always kept with him. He wanted to show Isossia once he was other there.
He heard the child hum to herself in his room.
Such a young, innocent voice. And yet somehow old. Anxious. Perhaps she was scared she was taking so long.
He bowed his head as he remembered what Fash'rin had said.
A lot of it didn't make sense. He had never known the Divines to take an interest in the Khajiiti people. They worshipped the moons for God's sake. Why would they want to bless a cub? For what?
Reason told him this was mostly nonsense. He never believed in folk who claimed to see the future. It was madness.
And yet this letter was old. The paper itself was the rough Elsywer type he used to struggle with when he wrote to his superiors. The writer, whoever it was, wrote in the Khajiiti cursive way that was hard to read straight away. Some words were in Tagi - the first language of many Khajiit.
And then of course, this Fash'rin knew a great deal about Karina. And Sayori.
Perhaps it was the Thalmor trying to lure her? Or trick him into giving up her location?
The last paragraph was not encouraging either. Would it be a waste to reach out to Rimmen?
No. He'd promised this child he'd try to find her. And he would. Even if the address went to a new grave.
And if Karina did pray for someone to protect her daughter, he would. As he prayed for guidance from the Divines, he took a moment to tell Karina that wherever she was, he would protect her child.
The sun outside got brighter and tbe air warm. As if Karina was sending her thanks to him. Perhaps she was indeed responsible.
He heard his bedroom door open and turned from where he sat. He made sure to sound friendly; "You found one with a hole at the back?"
"Most of them do but they're big."
"We'll keep them and you'll grow into them"
"Drosia would like some of the smaller ones. I couldn't get them on"
"Which one's Drosia?"
"My younger sister."
"She likes her fashion does she?"
"Clothes are just clothes."
"Not for me. I have to wear this garment to show my importance here."
She noticed something; "That's Leona’s lute?"
"Never mind that for now" he picked her up so she sat on his left shoulder; "Let's get some of what you missed for breakfast then head down. I still want to show you the library".
They went over the bridge. The Khajiit still on the Headmasters shoulder.
Two guards on steel bowed when they saw Gallius but then blinked in disdain when they saw the little girl.
Gallius noticed. To his relief, Sayori did not.
She was too busy taking in the splendour that was Dragon's Keep. He told her to look at everything. He joked he would quiz but secretly, he wanted to see how much information her young mind could absorb.
The sight of the library itself made her almost jump off his shoulder. He would have loved to leave her there if not for the looks they were gettfrom passing students, staff and professors.
Some were curious, some confused while others were volatile.
He was ashamed but not surprised that a few professors looked at the furry child with disgust on their faces. Like he had brought in a giant ball of mammoth dung. He wondered if that would be less of a problem to these people.
Thank tbe God's, Sayori didn't appear to notice.
He took her to the from of the great hall which was empty except for the passerbys. He then put her down, sat at his usual stone seat which resembled a throne and he began to tune Leona's lute.
Sayori flinched at the sound; "Does she not play much?"
"No. I think her birth parents wanted her to be a Bard. Leona wants to do nothing of the sort."
"Wilk she be... alright with you-?"
"She'll be happy to have it out if her hands." He finally had it tuned. He beckoned her close; "I'd like you to play with it."
".....why?"
"You said you took lessons?"
"I'm uh.... yeah but I'm not as good as my sister."
"I'm not going to judge your lack of talent child. Play something simple for now. Go on, give it a shot."
"......."
With a lute if her size, Sayori's shaky fingers touched the strings and played a chord.
Then, as if something had taken hold of her, she began playing a tune Gallius had never heard before.
He hid his delight as well as he could. For the first time, the child was at peace.
She then closed her eyes and her soft voice somehow filled the quiet hall
Halls loom ahead of me
My heart is yet untried
I know it is my destiny
To walk the path with pride.
Guiding winds push behind
Darkness lies ahead
The threads begin to unwind
I must swallow my dread.
Khenarthi's winds will guide me
To brave the path with pride
Lorkhaj's steps will bind me
To follow in his stride.
Alkosh will purify me
To mend the sands of time
His mask will sanctify me
A champion of pride.
I ride the winds cunningly
And never break my stride
I face the darkness valiantly
The lanterns are my guide.
When the threads are all spun
When I've earned my right
I'll stand before the Endless One
And bow before her might.
Khenarthi's winds will guide me
To brave the path with pride
Lorkhaj's steps will bind me
To follow in his stride.
Alkosh will purify me
To mend the sands of time
His mask will sanctify me
A champion of pride.
Holy mask and Path of Pride
Path of Pride, Path of Pride.
I shall mend the sands of time
Gallius could feel tears in his eyes. He couldn't look away.
Sayori put the lute down.
But before she could ask if he was feeling well, they were both distracted by the sound of hands clapping.
Sayori's private performance had stopped several students in their tracks on their way to their next classes. Professors running in to round them up also froze when they heard the music and the young voice.
Gallius was pleased to see disgust and disdain were mostly replaced with begrudging respect or even cautious admiration.
But he also noticed Sayori didn't like this attention at all so he took her hand, whispered to keep her eyes on his feet and he guided her away.
He saw Isossia on his way. Her face was beaming. Before she could tell Sayori what she thought, Gallius handed her his black book and told her to read the letter inside "and make sure you're sitting down."
He then took Sayori into his office and sat her down on his guest seat.
She was shaking like a leaf.
"What was that tune?"
".... um....Song of Alkosh's Champion"
"Alkosh is Akatosh right?"
"A song about a Khajiit undergoing the trials of the Halls of the Highmane.... least that's what was in Fash'rin's song book."
"Why did you choose that song?"
"....don't know, I just like it"
"You'd be an excellent Bard Sayori. Once you have the confidence, you'll do very well. Other children are a tough crowd and you won them over."
"......"
".... you don't believe me do you?"
"....my mother liked to listen to me play."
"I'm not surprised."
"But it's not a big deal-"
"Good music from bards is rare in Skyrim. You being good music from another region and your a lot better than the bards this school has hired over the years."
"Do you like music?"
"I do. My predecessor had his own Bard. The only reason I don't is because his old room belongs to my sons. Not having a Bard sleep with the maid or in the stables. Sent him back to Solitude."
"....that's the city hear the Embassy."
"..... why didn't you run that way?"
".... I don't know. I wasn't thinking much."
"It's just.... just as well. They would have easily picked you up. Your a lucky girl Sayori." He tested the strings again; "Do you know any good Imperial or human songs?"
"Yes sir."
"Any favourites?"
".... my mother had a favourite. Eyldi the Bear. She made me song it to my teacher."
"Not sure I heard that one." He gave her the lute back; "No one will hear us in here. Except the guards through that door there - the one that Keady to the balcony. They won't disturb us."
Sayori played and, much more quietly, sang "Eyldi the Bear", just as she did at the Temple. A simple performance.
And Gallius listened and tried his hardest not to tear up.
He was confused. He liked music but he'd never been moved like this.
She suddenly stopped before she could finish; "I don't... I don't want to upset you-"
He wiped his eyes; "I'm not upset. I was enjoying listening to you. The lute has a beautiful tone when in the right hands. Your hands."
She wasn't moved by his word's.
The letter was right. This kid had no self worth.
He took the lute from her: "You may not think much of it but it makes me feel at peace. If I was to ask, could you write down every song you know? I would like to learn them myself. "
"I can do that" she was pleased to be of some use for him.
He quickly got her a quill and a small writing book; "Don't hurt your hand. If you want a drink just ask."
He then got on with his own work. One eye on the child who was furiously writing away quite happily.
And he felt happy to have her there.
He missed having his children come to his office to play or do their work. None of them were keen to visit him in his office now.
He quietly but reluctantly began to write to his contacts in Rimmen. He felt after that letter, it would be a waste of time.
But he'd promised this very young girl he would try. So he did.
By the time he ordered it sent, she was still scribbling away.
