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Chapter One: Lunpa Cleptavius

Lunpa sat on the balcony of his manor in Anvil, swirling the mulled wine in his goblet, lost in thought. ‘Forty years since the Crisis and the Empire’s gone to the dogs.’ Lunpa was made a lord after becoming the Divine Crusader and slaying Umaril, but even such a feat was forever overshadowed by the one the Empire hailed a hero for aiding the last Septim in stopping Dagon from destroying Mundus. ‘Still,’ he thought, sighing with a shrug, ‘I suppose it’s a blessing. It helped me mask my behaviours. But still, I am five and sixty, but what’s to show for it? A glorified cheese lord for a son and a daughter who dreams of being Gormlaith Golden-Hilt reborn.’ Lunpa sighed in lament at the thought. He loved his children, but he’d raised them in hopes of something higher, but his son, Titus Cleptavius, was a rich merchant who, in truth, was only a success thanks to Lunpa’s contacts. His daughter, Helvia Cleptavius, was more of a success within her own field, but in his eyes, this didn’t count for much.

Helvia joined the Imperial Legion and even reached the rank of Centurion, but he wanted great things for her, for both his children, in order to secure the legitimacy of his newly named House when he was titled a Lord. He took a pious sigil from his days as the Divine Crusader, but he was a thief at heart and became a shrewd politician, if only to secure more wealth for himself and his family. Once he’d reached forty, he’d mostly managed his time between politician and father. Between being ‘new blood’ in political circles and a distant father, he was constantly in a circle of frustrations. When Lunpa spoke out against Titus Mede’s ascension to power in 4E 11, it only hurt his close attainment of power, leaving him wealthy, but unrecognised in the political circle he’d worked his remaining youth away in as the rest eagerly bent the knee to their new Emperor. His thoughts were interrupted when a metal bang on the door to the patio got his attention, “Come.” The head of Walks-With-Pride, his personal bodyguard, poked out onto the sun soaked patio to get him. “My Lord, Helvia has come to see you. She says she is on leave from the Palace to stay with you for a week.” Lunpa smiled at that, ‘Titus is like me in my youth, but it is my gruff Helvia that loves her father.’ He groaned as he got up, bringing the wine goblet with him. When he got down stairs, he couldn’t hide his emotion, “There she is, there’s my beautiful daughter.” He clasped her, his hands clanking as they hit the back of her heavy chest plate. Helvia kissed his lightly wrinkled cheeks and led him to a seat by his fireplace. “Father, I have wonderful news! Go ahead, guess!” Lunpa gave a fake frown, “You know I hate these games! Hmmm, are you retiring from the Legion?” Helvia gave a laugh, “By the Nine, no, daddy! I’m being promoted to high office in the Imperial City as a Palace Guard!” Lunpa gave a smile, ‘An empty honour, I’m sure. But at least you’re proud of it.’ However, knowing it meant the world to her, what he told her was “Wonderful news! Would you like me to buy you a home in the City? I could pull some strings for you.”

Helvia waved a hand at that, “No, daddy, I want you to be proud for me!” Her tone sounded more wounded than anything else, “Besides, I’ll get quarters in the White Gold Tower now!” Lunpa only gave a forced smile, one his daughter didn’t seem to notice, or ignored it. “And I am, my sweet Helvia. I just want you to be well off too. I won’t be here for ever. You’re only four and thirty; plenty of time to grow old in a nice home in the Talos Plaza District should you choose to retire.” He put a pale hand in her golden skinned hand. “I just want you to financially secure, better than a Legion pension could ever cover.” Helvia took her hand back, gently. “Daddy, I am secure. I’m not Titus; I know how to budget my Legion payments. Titus is the one you should worry for. He’s always spends his gold on silver plates or lavish clothes and other fine things.” Lunpa was a bit hurt, but smiled, “You’re your mother’s ghost, no denying that.” He ran a hand on fair golden cheek and hugged her, “I’m sorry. You know how I worry about you, about us, our family legacy. You and I, we will die, but the family name lives on. I founded this House, in you and Titus I pray you two carry it to further success.”

Lunpa digressed from this topic, knowing how much Helvia hated him bringing up ‘The Family Name’. “Oh! Yes, come take a look at what I had commissioned, Helvia.” He excitedly took her by the hand the basemant. When they got to the very bottom, he showed her a painting mounted on the centre of the back wall. “Isn’t it beautiful?” Helvia didn’t speak, only got close and caressed the painting. “I…is this?” Lunpa gave a smile, “Your mother? Loralia? Yes.” He smiled as she whispered the name, caressing the face on the painting. “A remarkable likeness to her, and you.” He went closer and looked at the family portrait. “It took a small fortune, but I managed to get the painter to get every detail of her likeness. The blue velvet gown was always her favourite. You’d never know it to look at her, but she was a warrior much like you. She was a stronger treasure hunter and I the more silent and subtle hunter. We ran into each other in an ancient Ayleid Ruin; forget which one, someplace east of the Imperial City. At first, as you might imagine, we had our swords drawn, ready to duel then began to realise after guarded conversation were both no mere looters, but scholars of Ayleid history. Nor had I seen a more beautiful Altmer than she. As you can see, the rest is history.” Lunpa gripped Helvia’s arm and made a smile, “Now, let’s go upstairs for some lunch. Walks-With-Pride just bought this most delicious mammoth cheese from Skyrim from some traders just in from Solitude.” Though Lunpa had an elegant cane, he knew Helvia enjoyed feeling supportive to him so he took her arm and had her escort him up the stairs to the dining room.