Civil War Aftermath Chapter 2: War of the Sundered Dragon

[The Good Doctor]

Rebec

Western slope above Pale Pass

nighttime

 

Rebec stands on the ridge above the Pass, a sailor's spyglass in one hand and her crossbow in the other. As she sees more imperials headed into the valley below, she signals some nearby Stormcloaks to blow their war horns. It's a long, mournful sound, and is soon echoed by other Stormcloak units across the valley. She wants the imperials to hear the sounds of war. At one time it would have been the thu'um, but horns will have to do. This is also signal to the second line of reserve archers, who are positioned out of sight on the back end of the slopes on both sides of the valley, to move up. "The mages!" Rebec shouts. "Get the mages!" Word is passed all along the line of archers to concentrate their fire.

As soon as Rebec hears the horns answer, she pockets her spyglass and makes her way further down the ridge, keeping to cover. She then stops and trains her glass on the shield wall just below her. The battlemages' spells are weakening it. Shor's balls, I hope this works, she thinks, and spares a moment to honor the courage of the front line skirmishers, who had to know they weren't coming out of this valley alive.

As she hears the shield wall officers calling for retreat, Rebec takes off again, as fast as the rough terrain of the mountain slope will let her and still keeping to cover. She makes towards the front of the Pass, looking for Baldur's command post.

[The Good Doctor]

Eduard and Lorgar, Pale Pass, night

 

Shit...

Lorgar just finished cutting up another stormcloak soldier, the fire and corpses were everywhere, and there was thick smoke all over the place. He heard war horns blaze so suddenly, Logar barely had time to done his cloak and equip himself with his weapons. Thank the All maker for Legate Graccus, he managed to rally the scattered legionaries before we took too many causalities.

Where the hell is Marius...

Eduard had just put down 2 fleeing Stormcloaks. He couldn't believe how bad the timing for this attack was.

He then decided that he would see if he couldn't find Lorgar, his new partner. He looked and found him cutting down a Stormcloak.

"Hey, Lorgar. It's me, Eduard. Ready to unleash some death to these Stormcloaks?"

Lorgar heard...Edaurd call to him, he turned around, and saw his new partners as well as two stormcloaks approaching behind him, Lorgar wasted no time, as he drew two arrows and fired them simultaneously at the two stormcloaks while screaming to his partner,

"Edaurd GET DOWN NOW!!!"

“No problem," he replied calmly, hitting the ground the instant Lorgar asked him to.

The arrows flew straight pass Eduards fallen body, hitting both of the advancing stormcloaks in the throat.

"Not bad! What now?" Eduard asked, popping back up to his feet.

"See that ridge over there?"

Lorgar pointed to a ridge to the north of there position, there were a dozens stormcloaks on it, raining arrows upon the imperial troops.

“The archers? Yeah, you want to take them out?"

"Yes...I want to take them out so I can use that part of the ridge as a position to rain arrows down on the enemy...Prefect have any ideas?"

"Alright. Here's what we'll do. I'm going to sneak past them and see if I can't push them out towards you. Once that happens you should push them the rest of the way down the ridge, killing as many as possible. It doesn't matter if a couple survive, so long as we take the ridge. Just let me know when your ready."

"Alright, let's take the tangos out..."

"Alright. Here put these on your arrows," Said Eduard, handing Lorgar some fierce poisons. "They're good for putting people down. I'm going to use some poisons myself, but they aren't for lethality. Alright. When you're ready, on 3."

He waved the poisons away, before taking a vial of his own out of a pouch, 

"Nah, got my own, from the venom of sand scorpions, imported from Hammerfell..."

3, 2, 1...

"Keep military silence on this operation...use hand signals...."

Eduard nodded in agreement at the use of silence. After all, stealth was key to his survival.

He made his way past the archers on the ridge, making sure not to alert them. Once he got into a secure position, he spread some arrows on the ground. He coated every other arrow with a frenzy poison, so the archers themselves would aid him. He coated the rest with fear poison, to push some off the ridge.

After he prepared for the attack, it was time to begin. He began to fire on the archers. He shot every fourth soldier, alternating which poison he used. He then hid himself, and allowed the poisons too wreak havoc.

The archers on the ridge who weren't poisoned were startled when their comrades began to attack them. They began to fall back from their friends attack, and started to retreat with the soldiers who had been struck by the fear poisons. As expected, they began to retreat towards Lorgar. It was up to him to finish them off,

Lorgar wasted no time, with un-human speed he charged at the panicking soldiers from the side, ebony daggers drawn. He cut them down like paper. The first soldier he encountered, a dumner, tried to bring down his axe at his chest, Lorgar merely side stepped and landed his ebony dagger in the right side of his neck, before taking on three stormcloak soldiers, who where killed in the time span of four seconds in a flurry of slashes and stabs to various parts of the body. Lorgar continued to massacre the fleeing soldiers in silence,

Eduard rushed to the top of the ridge, finishing off the last of the poisoned soldiers with relative ease.

Once he was at the the topic the ridge, he saw Lorgar. He was slicing through some Stormcloaks. Eduard did notice a soldier trying to sneak up on Lorgar. He dropped the Stormcloak with an arrow before he could even get near Eduards partner. The ridge was theirs.

Pathetic...

The certain area of the ridge was secured, the stormcloaks where ever dead of gone, 

Lorgar signaled his partner to come down,

Eduard made his way towards his partner at his signal. They were standing among the corpses of the archers they drove off the ridge.

Lorgar without turning to his comrade, coldly said

"Area secure... Praefect I need you to assist the regulars against the stormcloak force . I'll hold this position and provide support fire for the troops bellow by sniping targets."

Lorgar unslung his bow, crouched, and began to observe the battle.

"Sounds good. "

Edaurd then ran to down the slope and into the growing battle.

[The Good Doctor]

Baldur, Rebec

Pale Pass Command Post

Dawn

 

Baldur was waiting with the men who would make up the real shield wall, consisting entirely of his Grim Ones. He originally decided he would stay out of the fight because of his rank, but he couldn't do it. He at the very least had to keep eyes on the fight to make sure it was going as planned. As Baldur stood in front of that pass waiting for some word, he saw Rebec charging at his direction towards him.

 

"Is it time to move yet, Rebec?"

 

"They're coming!" Rebec yells as she nears the second- the real- shield wall. That's all she can manage at first. There's not much time anyway before the retreating Stormcloaks will be in view up the Pass as well.

 

Stopping before Baldur, Rebec doubles over to catch her breath. Finally she looks up at him. "The imperials are coming into the valley. I saw Thalmor, lots of battlemages, and legion archers and infantry. They're in better order than we'd hoped they'd be." She takes a few more deep breaths, and straightens. "Baldur... General. I thought I'd find you further back. What are you doing here?"

 

 

Baldur gave a sigh before speaking to Rebec as she caught her breath.

 

"I can't sit back and watch regardless of my rank. Not when the battle is so close to my location. I know it's foolish, but it's what I've decided. I'll be coordinating the efforts of the main shield wall. Make sure the archers when they come shoot in long arcs to hit their back ranks where the battle mages will likely be. They're the main threat. The shield wall can hold the rest in the confined space of this valley. At least for a while so that our archers can nail as many casualties as they can. The shield wall will endure the enemy onslaught until I'm satisfied with their casualties. I'll be in the front of the wall. Make sure those archers keep the pressure on the battle mages. They're the ones whose numbers I'm looking to thin the most. After that, we'll fall back to the HQ, and organize the men into groups for guerrilla warfare within the hold."

 

 

Quickly wiping sweat from her face, Rebec stares at Baldur a moment. There isn't time to argue. "Has the plan changed? Maybe we should rally at Fort Neugrad instead?"

 

 

"No, we'll go back and set a perimeter based around Ancestor Glade, where the Imperials were six months ago. From there, we'll make sure they don't advance into Falkreath or Helgen. If they do, we'll defend Falkreath, then take civilians back to Helgen. But that is a last resort. We won't let them get that far. I had the Skirmishers burn every major farm or source of food outside of Falkreath itself, so the Imperials will be suffering a few hungry nights while they're out here eventually. Pale Pass isn't the most reliable lifeline of supplies afterall due to the place's treacherous nature. Because of that, they will eventually make a push for Falkreath. So, after this battle, we'll make a plan for that time. Now, lets get these men moving."

 

 

"Understood." Before the admiral can move there are shouts from the front, and when Rebec looks up she can see Stormcloaks in the Pass ahead, still a few hundred paces away but in full flight. With a look back at Baldur as she turns to leave, she shouts over the din, "We need you, General, don't forget that. Gods watch over you."

 

 

Baldur ordered the men to follow his lead, and they began their march into the Pale Pass, forming their shield wall as hey did. Baldur had the Draugr Dunmer form the front lines since they were known for their famous resistance to fire. He also had fire resistances due to his enchanted General cape, so he'd be better off than his other Necro Nords would have.

 

"Remember, keep the shield wall tight, and don't allow any arrows inside! No charging. Let them charge us and waste their energy. If they refuse to charge, then we'll sit tight while our archers persuade them to change their minds. Keep moving! The battle's just ahead! For Skyrim!"

 

 

Rebec rolls out back toward the slope she had just come down. On her way she signals the lines of archers to move up. There are three companies of archers here, one for each flank on the slopes at the neck of the Pass, and one short company of longbowmen behind the shield wall. These will wait until the retreating Stormcloaks are through and fire above their own men's heads into the oncoming imperial forces. She hears the officers calling "Fire high and fast!"

 

Picking her way back up the western slope, Rebec finds good cover from rotted tree stumps and rocks directly above the Necro Nords' line, and hunkers down to watch. All around her are Stormcloak archers waiting for the first imperial to show himself around the bend in the Pass, and infantry posted to keep the flanks secure.

 

Biting her lip tensely, Rebec watches. Right now everything depends on the archers above the valley. Very shortly, if all goes as they hope, it will all depend on the Necro Nords' wall of ice.

[The Good Doctor]

Legate Gracchus Ceno
Fort Pale Pass
Early Morning 

The Imperial Army was advancing, but very slowly. They discovered the archers after the Stormcloak war horn sounded. The initial volley resulted in extensive casualties, mostly on the lightly armored skirmishers and the Imperial archers. The Stormcloak archers were high on the ridges on either side of the pass, but before they could get another volley out, he yelled, "Turtle formation! Shields up, battlemages, wards up! Archers provide covering fire from the flank!"

I need a way to take out those archers. They will pick us apart the whole way if we don't get rid of them. thought the Legate.

His thought was no sooner finished when he saw Lorgar and Eduard making their way up the hill, and clearing a spot for them to advance.

"Men, after the next volley, advance up the eastern slope! Battlemages, light fire to the forests on the western side after the next volley also!" as he finished his commands, a volley of arrows filled the air, and fell on his soldiers. Luckily, most of them were blocked by the shields and wards, but the casualties were still more than Gracchus would have liked, and he saw a few mages go down, their wards failing from lack of concentration.

Gracchus, seeing the chance yelled, "Go, the volley has hit! Up the slopes, and burn those archers out!"

His men began their advance, following the path, slowly, that Lorgar and Eduard had made up the eastern slope. His battlemages stayed behind, casting firebolts onto the western slope, hoping to burn out the archers stationed their, before eventually they too began the ascent.

[The Good Doctor]

Boldir, Witchie, Jodun, Baldur and Rebec
Pale Pass
Dawn

"Part ways!"
The Grim Ones making up the shield wall parted for Boldir's company. He entered fist, followed by Jodun and the scrimishers. The remaining archers and Necro Nords came next, and Witchie rounded the group off. The shield wall closed back up. Boldir turned to his men.
"Alright, Witchie, Jodun, you know the plan. Go back with the skirmishers further back. I'll stay with the shield wall."

As they left, Boldir turned to the line of Grim Ones. He sheathed his battle axe in favor of his shield and war axe. He shoved his way back to the front of the formation. I'm not sitting this out.

Boldir put his hand on a frontline Necro Nord's shoulder. "You move back. I'll take yo-"

As the soldier turned, and was now closer, Boldir could just make out the face of the General.

"Baldur? What are you doing down here?"

Baldur wasn't surprised to hear the question.

"You know I can't stay out of a good fight! General or no General, the thought makes my blood run hot. Don't worry, I have fire resistances like our Dunmer brothers from my cape. I should be fine in the front lines."

It was against Boldir's better judgement, but he couldn't help being glad to hear this. Baldur may now be the General, but Boldir was glad to be beside his friend again.

"Baldur the Unkindled! Looks like the name will continue to ring true."

Boldir moved to the front line to the right of the General.

"I'm glad to fight by your side again brother."

"Wouldn't have it any other way, Iron-Brow. Killing Imperials just isn't as fun without my head butting brother by my side. Ha, I hope I get the chance to see that today!"

"I wouldn't worry much about that. They're coming in droves as we speak. Witchie slowed them down, but they'll be here soon enough. Just like you planned."

***

The admiral watched until the last retreating Stormcloaks run through the shield wall including Boldir Jodun and Witchie, but other than a few vainglorious fools who quickly get cut down by archers, not a single imperial appears behind them in the Pass. Seeing this, Rebec stands from her crouch, throwing out a series of colorful curses that would blister even a sailor's ears.

She searches the nearby infantry for the officer that looks the least dimwitted and shouts at him, pointing up to the western ridge, "Get some scouts up there and find out what's going on in the valley. And prepare your men to move up the hill, they may be trying to come up around the flanks." Before he can move, Rebec notices a billow of smoke from the top of the ridge above. "Oh. That's not good," she mutters, and decides that she needs a better look for herself.

Moving up the ridge so that she has a clear view of both sides of the valley, she pulls out her spyglass. Even without it she can see the flare of trees going up in flames. Rebec forces herself to wait, watching the eastern slope, her heart pounding. When she's satisfied, she turns and hurtles back down the slope, crashing through the infantry moving past her up towards the western ridge. "Hold here!" she shouts at the not-entirely-dimwitted officer, and keeps going past him, all the way down to the shield wall. The Admiral Interrupted the duo's conversation to bring her obvservations to his attention.

"I wouldn't worry much about that. They're coming in droves as we speak. Witchie slowed them down, but they'll be here soon enough. Just like you planned." 

"General!" she yells when she sees Baldur. "They're setting fire to the western slope but not the east. It could be a diversion and they still mean to advance down the valley, but I think they're trying to flank on the eastern side."

"No matter. If they are, we'll just back up our forces til they're forced to come down. There's no ridge or anywhere to stand further to the border. Just a road and verticle walls. Men! Prepare to move when they try to flank. Don't turn around, just walk backwards with the shield wall in tact. Archers, fire at the enemy in volleys when you see them as we fall back."

Rebec hesitates, not wanting to contradict Baldur in front of his men. To Oblivion with that, she thinks next. "General, we need that ridge! The archers on the western side are probably spitted and charred. Don't abandon the men up on the other one. Make the imps pay if they're going to take it."

"Rebec, they're likely dead already if they're still up there. The men that just came in with Boldir were the main ones up on those ridges. Their job was never to keep the ridges, their job was to cause casualties, then fall back. That way we can draw them closer to the border."

Rebec didn't like admitting their initial plan had probably failed, nor the fact that they still had no idea how many legion were left. But this was Baldur's sea, not hers. He'd killed his own father rather than let the empire have Skyrim, and that was far more than she'd been willing to do- until now. "Alright," she concedes. "I'll join the archers on the left flank now, if you don't mind. My crossbow is getting bored."

"You may wish to trade that crossbow for a normal bow. At least for this fight. The area closer to the exit is flat, and there's no high ground to shoot from on the sides. Just two vertical walls and a slightly curved road before us, just like I want it. Your shots will have to arc. If they want to take this space, they'll have to push through the killing field. At any rate, like I said, trade that in for a normal bow unless those bolts can arc. I'm not all that knowledgeable on crossbow weaponry."

"Then I'll stay with the infantry. I don't have any skill with a longbow." She glances around and sees Boldir among the men of the shield wall, and smiles, relieved that he had made it out. Then she looks back at the valley, now filled with smoke. "I hope they got a few of those damned mages."

"If not, we'll fill 'em with arrows while they try to fire on us. We'll hold 'em off. Dunmer aren't immune, but they'll last much longer then a Nord would under mage fire. With them in the front, we'll buy more time to rain arrows down on them. Don't worry. We won't hold the Pale Pass forever. I never expected us to hold them back indefinitely anyway. But they're guaranteed large casualties where we're holding up. Now, as soon as they start firing at us, move back. You'll see. We lost good men, but they'll lose more. At least in this battle."

The Nords nearby who hear the General's words shout and thump their weapons against their shields. The sound spreads down the line and becomes deafening. Rebec watches this, then laughs and turns back. "I think they're with you. So am I. And Baldur... keep that freak of a mage that we've got close to you. He saved my life at Rommulas."

"You mean our little Witchie? I'm sure he'll be too busy slinging spells at any Thalmor he sees to worry about a salty old sea dog like you, ha!"

"He's practically an elf himself, or something worse," Rebec says, leaning in so that the others don't hear. "I don't like him, but he has his uses. And I meant that you should keep him close to you." Obviously she is still worried about him. For the moment there seems to be a lull in the battle, but that can't last long.

"He'll be more useful further away so he can focus on killing the enemy rather than protecting me. I have my shield brothers at my side. And you..."

Baldur let that last sentence linger after he spoke.

"I'll be fine. I don't die easy. Besides, I don't trust him. And I likely never will."

“Oh why not? He’s got such a fine, sunny way about him.” Rebec laughs and takes out her canteen. She drinks, then offers it to Baldur. "I'll be off then, General. Take care of yourself." The moment’s peace had been a boon, but there is still a battle to fight.

[The Good Doctor]

Alef
Falkreath Wilderness
Late evening of the day the fighting started

"Alef!" a harsh voice said out loud, not far from where the Dunmer and her associates had set up camp. "Come out here, I have no patience for hide and seek."

Alef felt her heart start to race; the voice was unmistakably the voice of Samuel's personal agent, and goon, Gahgras. If she was here, it could be bad, very bad. "We are over here, Bahgras."

The Orc, and the Breton Bill, came around the large stone they had camped by, neither with a very satisfied expression. Had she done a poor job? Were they here to care care of a loose end? Alef could see that Bahgras' axe seemed ready to be drawn any moment.

"We have new orders from Samuel for you," Bahgras said, in the same voice as before, but now Alef could see that it was not anger. Rather, it was the usual tone she spoke in. She had just forgotten, since she spoke so rarely.

"We were told to give you this," the orc held out a letter bearing Samuel's seal. "And that we are to accompany you until further notice, to ensure your safety."

The Dunmer's clamed down a little, but then she opened and read the letter. Her eyes widened and she shook her head in disbelief; this were her orders? Had Samuel gone completely insane?

[The Good Doctor]

Legate Gracchus Ceno
Fort Pale Pass
Early Morning 

From the viewpoint on the eastern ridge, he could see the archers on the opposite mountainside fleeing from the fire the battlemages had set. The archers on this ridge, however, were either dead or had already retreated. They were in control of the ridges, and would no longer have the archers harassing them.

"Men, we are to go back down the mountain. I know it was a hard trek, but we couldn't let then control this ridge. As soon as we leave, battlemages will set fire to it like they did the other side. Then we will take the fight to these dogs! Whose with me!"

The men yelled and cheered, and made their way down the mountain much more quickly than they went up. Once they had made their way back to the valley floor, the mages burned down the forest, launching firebolts at the trees atop the ridge. He gave them 10 minutes rest as the reached the bottom, before ordering, "March on! We will take the fight to these Stormcloaks!"

They marched, and were slowed down from a blizzard and ice that had appeared on the road. Soon, they were insight of the main force, and Gracchus ordered, "Halt! Stand your ground! We will let them make the first move!"

[The Good Doctor]

Lord Valindil Ramani, Fort Pale Pass, Early Morning

 

Valindil had been trained in the best military universities of Alinor, and he had been trained in the battle tactics of each of the races. He didn’t really pay attention when they were taught the tactics of Nordic warriors, but he remembered one thing: they loved to trust in the strength of their shields and unleash their might when the enemy got too close. 

About fifty Thalmor battlemages had gone off with Osgumund, and that left 400 men under Lord Ramani’s command. His force was far behind the rest of the fighting, but perched on the highest point of the fort, he could see all of the fighting. 

So they are forming a shield-wall, eh? He thought to himself as he examined the enemy’s position. Further analysis lead him to the conclusion that they were luring the Imperials into a trap, and now that the battlemages had been slowed down by a layer of ice, the Imperial soldiers had no cover while headed for the massive shield-wall. 

Damn those Stormcloaks! If we don’t do something now, this whole battle will be lost! We could try to flank the wall, but I’m afraid we have too few men to do so… He thought for a minute and finally came to a decision. 

Flanking them is our only choice. I will gather as many Imperials as possible on the way, but we will have to make do with what we’ve got. Please Auri-El, help us to achieve victory on this day. You have helped your beloved Mer in battle before, do so again on this day.

“You and you, come with me! We’re going to flank the enemy.†He said and he gathered a few straggling Imperials. His men followed him out the Western Gate of the fort to avoid the layer of ice, and they then turned north.

[The Good Doctor]

Stormcloak and Imperial forces.

Pale Pass near the border of Skyrim

Early Morning.

 

After leaving the general’s position, Rebec went the lines of the Stormcloak archers and infantry that are arrayed behind the shield wall. In the middle of a mixed unit of redguard and Nords, she finds Suri.  The girl looks as calm as if she were at a lecture rather than on a battlefield.  Ra gada meditation, probably. “You should have a shield, auntie,” Suri admonishes.  “Your axes won’t help you against arrows.”

Before Rebec can reply, a nearby Nord says, “Here, take mine, admiral.  I’ll find another.  I came in from Fort Neugrad.  Before we set out we had a fine meal with cheeses, cured hams and ale the men say you took off imperial ships.  Take this as my thanks."

“The imps put on a fine captain’s table, I’ll give them that.” Rebec stares at the shield, indecisive.  She finally gives in and takes it, thanking the soldier.  An arrow had taken her out of the Rommulas battle far too soon, after all.  She’ll drop the shield when the fight gets hot.  Briefly putting an arm around Suri’s shoulder, Rebec then moves back eastward, so that she can keep a good view of the battlefield.  If the worst comes, someone would also need to help make an orderly retreat."

Up front, the Necro Nords’ armor glints in the morning sun.  As she watches, Rebec notices fire and smoke suddenly go up on the eastern ridge.  No flank then?  The admiral scans the Stormcloak formations.  These are slightly more dispersed towards the east than they had been, but there is no time to re-form them again.  The attack must be coming up the middle after all.  Baldur would read the signs.  Gods, please...

She didn’t know what she was praying for exactly.

As he and his men sat crouched with their shields raised, Baldur couldn't help but smile at the feel of adrenaline in his veins. It had been quite a bit of time since he last killed someone. At least for a Nord. He was anxious and ready to start the bloodshed, but the Imperials were just looking at them with their shields raised.

"Hmm, looks like we should've waited to raise our shield wall til after they charged. They aren't stupid it seems. Whoever's leading them, they know this charge will cost them. But at this point, they aren't going to have a choice but to come for us."

Baldur looked back and yelled out to the back where the archers were.

"Archers, take aim! Fire!"

Baldur listened as the arrows swooped high above his head, and he started grinding his teeth in anticipation for the sounds of arrows meeting metal or flesh.

"Your move, Imperials."

Baldur heard screams coming from the imperial forces, as flaming arrows hit legionary flesh. However, fire came roaring towards the stormcloak shield wall along with imperial arrows.

"Hold, men, hold! Let the shield wall do the work. The archers will soften up those mages shortly!"

Baldur was beginning to sweat from the heat of the fire as the tempurature began to rise within the confines of the shields surrounding him and his men. His Dunmer men for now were holding up, and his enchanted cape was doing it's job.

"Keep up the arrow fire! Aim for the front ranks where the battle mages are firing from!"

Baldur could hear from the imperial side, "Battle Mages fall back to the rear and fire Flame Mortars..."

As he said that, the fire balls stopped hitting the stormcloak shield wall, until a few seconds later when the fire was being fired into the sky and landing in the stormcloak force.

Gracchus' men had set up their own wall opposite the Stormcloaks', whose archers let their arrows fly towards his men.

"Men, raise shields and crouch! Battlemages, wards up. Keep your concentration, and return fire with your firebolts! Archers, fall back, and return fire when the arrows hit!"

With that, the Stormcloak volley fell, causing several casualties, while his archers returned tha favor with a volley of their own.

The fire mortars began hitting the back ranks of the shield wall, where Baldur had put the Necro Nords. The impact and heat was beginning to become more than some could handle, and some of the men let some of the flame through. The other men knowing that a break in the shield wall would mean death and defeat for the rest of the force simply closed in the gap by moving forward. The men who were caught on fire died on top of their comrades' shields, and were used to protect the others from the rest of the onslaught.

"Do not break the wall! Keep holding! Archers, fire higher towards the back where they moved! Anywhere those mages go, you fire. They can't keep up this attack forever. Keep Firing!"

All Baldur could think about at a time like this was how Rebec was doing, and if she too was wondering the same about him. He forced the thought out of his mind, and forced himself to consentrate on the task at hand for the sake of his men.

 

"Archers, concentrate all your fire at their archers. Same with you battlemages! Take them out!" yelled Gracchus over the noise of screaming men.

Prefect Lorgar made his way to his Superior officer, Legate Graccus who was busy ordering his troops to do various things , Lorgar asked him, "Sir, where the **** is General Marius?!"

"Marius is...gone. I'm not sure where. I told the men he was sick, poisoned, and in Bruma recovering treatment. The men can't know. We have to win this battle, and the men wouldn't fight if they knew he was missing. We need to beat this wall!" Gracchus told Lorgar.

Missing? Lorgar nodded at the Legate's assessment, "What do you need me to do sir?"

 

A Dunmer at Baldur's side looked at him with worry. Baldur gave him a reasuring smile.

"Don't worry men. I committed our entire stormcloak force besides the Grim Ones and Hammerfell men to archers. Right now, we have much more men sending arrows raining down on their heads. They'll have to decide when it's time to stop this and charge. And when they do, we'll hold them back as long as we can. Just keep holding...a little...longer."

The heat was beginning to get to him, and his arms were getting sore from the impact of fireballs. The man above him blocking fire over his head was dripping sweat on Baldur's helmet, and now had to rest his elbow on Baldur's shoulders.

"Just keep holding. Take strength from the sounds of their dying men! Don't worry about our archers. They're giving more than they're taking."

 

"Battlemages, up the fire! Make as much smoke as possible, we need to disguise the troop movement!" he yelled to his troops.

"The rest of you, twice as many cohorts to the east and west flank, make the middle look weak, where the battlemages will be behind to support. Prepare to charge in a few minutes. Until then, keep firing!" Gracchus yelled above the army. "Lorgar, you tell Velan to lead them, I need someone I can trust to lead the charge. I have to have them break," he told the Praefect.

 

Rebec had taken up position with the infantry reserves near the back of the battlefield.  As imperials appeared in the Pass and coming down the eastern ridge, she saw the forest of arrows from Stormcloak archers arc up through the sky, soon followed by more volleys.  Then the sounds of a fierce melee drifted back, and the men around her began shouting and tamping their shields.  “Hold!” she ordered.  “Let the shield wall do its work!”  They would enter the fray only if there was a rout, and that she did not expect to happen- not knowing who stood on that wall.

 

Boldir could barely see given the sweat pouring down over his face. Everything appeared as a blur. He kept his shield up, trusting it against the storm of fireballs and arrows raining against it. He felt didn’t like not being able to strike back at the enemy. “Maybe we should’ve brought more damn mages after all.”

Baldur said, "Funny you should say that, Boldir...I have a trick up my sleeve."

 

Lorgar nodded to his new CO, before joining the V infantry cohort, they all looked weathered but not scarred, they we're legionaries after all. However, as Lorgar joined them, there moral seemed to sky rocket. One of them, a lad no older then nineteen said, "The darkened Archer...we might survive this..."

Lorgar nodded to him, before drawing his two ebony knives and addressing the troops. "All right soldiers, prepare yourselves, the legate has ordered us to charge in a few minutes. Get ready..." Lorgar approached a questor , Velan, "Questor, your to lead in the front, Legate's orders..."

""Alright sir. On your go." said Velan.

The assembled legionaries all saluted him, before getting into position, swords and shields drawn. Lorgar took position in the front. "Alright men, now, now is the time we take back what is ours. We will charge! For the Empire! For the Emperor! For your brothers in arms! Charge!" Gracchus commanded the army, who yelled and cheered before charging at the Stormcloaks.

He wheeled his horse east and west across the battlefield, urging his soldiers on, as they charged with the ferocity of a tidal wave.

"FOR THE EMPIRE, FOR THE LEGION" Screamed Lorgar, as he charged at the stormcloak line with all the other legionaries in the front.

 

Boldir could hear the Legion screams before he could see the charge. He blinked several times to clear his vision. As he opened his eyes, he could see the mass of charging Legionnaires. Just like every other man on the line, Boldir stood steady. It would take more than a few screaming Imperials to break a wall of Grims Ones.

 

Lorgar, getting lost in the thrill and acceleration of the battlefield, decided to let out a spine chilling wolf-howl. Even among all this chaos, Baldur could hear the howl of his rival, and his neck hairs rose in excitement.

 

"Okay men! Now the real work begins! They have more foot soldiers than we do, but we are the Grim Ones! Let's show them what we can do! This will be harder than holding off the fire and arrows, but do your best, and allow our archers to keep firing at their back ranks!" 

Baldur knew that this would have an unwanted effect, which is that the Legion would push harder to stay away from the back, putting more force on his men. But Baldur knew it was a risk he ad to take, as arcs were the only way that his archers could shoot with the Grim Ones blocking off the passage, and the back was the only place they could hit without accidentaly hitting his own men as well.

As the Imperials charged, his men rose up and braced themselves for the smacking of their shields upon eachother. Baldur brought his axe down on an Imperial's shoulder in front of him, and the electrical current sent the man seizuring onto the ground, only for another Imperial to take his place.

"Hold the line, hold the line!"

 

Gracchus, surveying the battle as his men charged, noticed the exposed rock above the Stormcloak shield wall. This had better work... he thought.

"Battlemages, aim for the rocks above the enemy shield wall! Make them fall I their heads!" Gracchus commanded.

The firebolts slammed into the rock face, and the boulders tumbled down onto the screaming men below.

 

Boldir blocked a blow from a Legion soldier before bringing his axe into the man's head. As the Legionaire dropped into an ever-accumulating pile of bodies, Boldir came back into his defensive position behind his shield. Before the next man could reach him, he heard a thundering sound echo throughout the pass. He looked over to his right and saw a mass of troops at the end of the wall being crushed by a rockslide. Damnit.

A quick glance left proved that the same had occurred on that side. "You seeing that Baldur?"

Baldur could hear the chaos of men being crushed behind him, and he took a look back and saw a score of men dead from the tactical and cunning move made by the Legion. "There's no more rocks falling down, so move forward!"

Baldur turned his head to Bodir. "I see it. It makes no difference. Smart move, I'll give them that."

 

Men around Rebec’s position gasped and gave angry shouts as they saw part of the cliffside tumble down onto the Stormcloak forces.  Her own fear and anger had subsided into the calm she feels during sea battles.  Despite the losses, the wall was holding longer than she had thought it would.  Send them screaming to their ancestors, Baldur.

The archer fire ahead of Rebec began to slow as the archers ran out of arrows, and she heard their officers calling retreat.  They would move back through the narrow gap into the ruined farmland before Falkreath, to join other Stormcloak forces there.

When the archers were through, Rebec called for the infantry reserve to follow them.  The men were reluctant to leave the field.  The sight before them at the neck of the Pass was mesmerizing, and they knew their friends were dying up there.  The admiral wanted nothing more than to blood her axes, too, but the wall was still holding and an orderly retreat was more important.  If the imperials pursued, they would find fresh troops eager for revenge, all the way to Falkreath.  All the way through Skyrim, Rebec corrected herself.

 

Lorgar noticed a arrow covered body of a legionary, who had a shield and sword on him. Lorgar quickly sheaved his daggers, and picked up the discarded weaponry, before continuing the charge beside Questor Velan.

 

Now that Baldur could see the sky since his vision wasn't blocked by the inside of his men's shields, he could see that the arrows his men were sending were on fire and some were even exploding on impact, and causing chaos in the back of the legion formation.

"Boldir, how in the hell are we doing that?"

Boldir grinned. “It’s the witch.”

Baldur had a bewildered look on his face as he watched the fire fly over their heads. "That's just plain scary."

 

Lorgar collided into a stormcloak soldier with his imperial shield raised, normally the nordic carved shield would have held, but Lorgar put his entire body weight into the collision, causing the stormcloak soldier to be thrown to the ground. Lorgar took the chance to pin the soldier onto the ground, before finishing him with a slash to the neck with his sword.

The arrows exploding caused Gracchus to topple off his horse, but he hurriedly climbed back on, before shouting, "Battlemages, wedge formation, use shock spells, those Dunmer are resistant to fire, and the Nords to ice, so disintegrate them! Everyone, charge! Take the battle to them!"

With that, the battlemages and reserve infantry charged full force at the Stormcloak shield wall, screaming like banshees the entire time.

 

Baldur stepped over a Draugr Dunmer who had just been overpowered beside him, and had pushed against the man who had finished him off with his shield. The man unlike the others was able to push Baldur back, and he gave the order for his men bahind him to give him support, so he could withstand the tide. "Say, you're definitely not like these other milkdrinkers here that you call Legionares. What is your name? I'd like to know the name of the foe I'm about to end."

The hooded soldier merely, said in a cold voice, "Lorgar Grim-Maw."

Baldur's ears perked up at the name when he heard it, and his excitement peaked to levels he never felt before.

"You don't say. Pleased to meet you again, ex Legate."

 

Velan charged headlong into the smallest Stormcloak he could see. The man was probably about 6'2, 200 pounds. Using his slight size advantage, he was able to push the man to the ground. However, the Stormcloak's comrades prevented Velan from completely breaking through. He did manage to kill the man he knocked down however.

 

Lorgar, continuing to push against the stormcloak officer, felt nothing as his former rank was mentioned.

"Is that you Baldur?"

"It is I, honored foe! Come, and try to send me to Sovngarde if you can! Boldir, give me support! Men, V formation! Let the wedge push in, then squeeze the enemy from both sides!"

Baldur peeked over his shield so that Lorgar could see his face under his bear helmet. "I'm glad this day has finally come, Lorgar!"

 

Gracchus, seeing the Thalmor trying to maneuver around the enemy yelled out, "Osgumund, the area is too tight for that, join in the wedge! We must break that wall!"

He rode across the battlefield, ordering troops around and urging them on. "Archers, if they retreat, I want you to fire! Take out as many as possible," he commanded.

 

Lorgar laughed, a hollow and dark laugh, "I told you long ago, I don't believe in Soverngard..." Lorgar yelled out to his troops, "Break off, Loose formation, charge them from the sides!!!"

Baldur watched as the front line turned from a V to a straight line again as the men from the side of the Legion pushed back to counter his V formation. Fine by me. That wedge was beginning to get problematic.

The front line of men moved to more traditional head on combat, so Baldur now had more room to maneuver and fight Lorgar head on. Baldur sent his lightning enchanted axe towards Lorgar's neck hoping to lob it off.

Lorgar side stepped away from Baldur's axe with in-human speed,  before slashing at Baldur's right side while saying mockingly, "I should thank you Baldur, you've helped me forsake the things that held me back..."

"Thank me for taking you out of a position you couldn't handle!" Baldur blocked the swipe with his shield, and began attacking and parrying with Lorgar. "Boldir, move up with me on him!"

 

Gracchus, seeing his men's wedge even out because of the enemies V formation, ordered out,"Concentrate your attacks at the center, battlemages. Break them now!"

After the Stormcloaks abandoned their odd V shaped formation, Velan was able to resume head on combat with the enemy. He avoided an incoming blow from one of his enemies, and about decapitated the man with a shield bash. While he was dealing with one Stormcloak, another one began to swing at him. Velan swung his sword with fury, meeting the Stormcloak's sword mid swing. The Stormcloak obviously wasn't prepared for the amount of force behind Velan's swing, because it knocked the soldier back a few steps. After a quick scuffle, he was able to dispatch his attacker.

 

Lorgar noticed Captain Boldir coming to join in the duel, Lorgar continued to focus on Baldur's right side "I concur, I was too weak to hold the position of Legate, clinging onto pathetic values that have no real meaning...I have none of those weaknesses anymore."

Boldir circled around Lorgar's right side as he fought with Baldur. The Captain was now just outside Lorgar's field of view he moved in close. Boldir raised his own axe and brought it down in a swipe toward Lorgar's left collar. Lorgar, blocked the axe blow with his imperial shield, while at the same time blocking an attack from Baldur with his imperial sword. As both of Lorgar's weapons were locked, Boldir followed up with a shield bash. Lorgar was thrown off his feet. Before he fell, he quickly drew his two daggers and threw one at Boldir before he could advance on him.

Boldir realed back as the Ebony dagger skidded the edge of his helmet. That was a close one. He moved back in after Lorgar.

Baldur noticed the Legion battle mages were once again up to no good, and they were too close for his archers to hit them without hitting his front lines as well. "Sorry Lorgar. It's been fun, but we gotta scram. Boldir, fall back! Draugr Dunmer, up front! Execute Reval Formation!"

Baldur pulled Boldir back and he worked his way with him to Witchie, who was draining magicka from the soldiers nearby with the rest of the archers. The Dunmer were all yelling out Reval formation so that everyone could know what was going on. The Necro Nords stood back from the line of Dunmer as they all raised their shields making two separate shield walls. One with the Dunmer in the front, and the other with Nords in the back, who were keeping a safe distance from the mass of Dunmer warriors pressing aganst the Imperial Legion forces once more.

Lorgar got back up on his feet, as he watched Baldur and Boldir flee. Before he had a chance to purse, they were behind a good amount of "Grim ones". Fuck...I'll be seeing you Baldur...

 

Gracchus heard someone shout "Reval formation," and all the Dunmer in the Stormcloak lines created a shield wall, while the Nords created a separate one.

"Battlemages, ice magic now! Stop those Dunmer!" yelled Gracchus to his men.

 

Boldir looked to Baldur. "Reval formation sir?"

"Reval Formation. Watch and see. Now!"

As Baldur yelled, the Dunmer all lit up like the flame of Akatosh himself, and released swirls of fire with their Ancestral Wrath ability that began to consume the front lines of the legion.

"Ha ha, that's for Reval, you sons of bitches!"

"Whoa." Boldir couldn't believe what he was seeing. The entire front line was enveloped in flames, and the Imperials were taking heavy casualties as a result. Reval formation. Clever Baldur.

 

****

 

Oh shit...

Lorgar dove to the side as the Giant inferno came roaring towards him, he screamed at the top of his lungs.

"MAGE WARDS NOW!!!"

Velan was just pushed back from the front lines, when the Dunmer exploded in front of his eyes, enveloping his comrades in front of him. "Damn you, that fire won't last forever."

The Dunmer all along the front lines lit up like ceremonial beacons, just like Gracchus had predicted they would. The battlemages ice magic poured onto them, and he commanded them, "Fallback men! Keep that magic on them, use your wards and ice, while the rest of you attack from the sides! Don't let up!"

The battlemages used their wards, and the ice magic and fire clashed in a mixing of elements.

"Hold out a little longer men! Concentrate!"Gracchus yelled encouragingly.

Lorgar quickly got up from his feet and drew his ebony bow along with an arrow, before firing on the blazing Dumner. Light can be stomped out by shadow...

 

"Don't let them break the formation with the frost magic! Do what you need to!" As Baldur said this, the front line of the Draugr Dunmer dropped their weapons and charged the enemy, and made suicide runs by jumping at their foes, and grabbing a hold of them so that they burned them to death. "We will honor their sacrifice later! Fall back, and keep those arrows on them! Fall back!"

 

A crazy Dunmer tried to run at Velan, but he threw his shield and stopped the flaming Elf in his tracks. He then retreated from the suicidal Dunmer.

Disgust filled Lorgar. Suicide bombers...Baldur. "Archers, mages take them down..."

The Dunmer, in a crazy suicidal charge, dropped their weapons and pounced on the nearest legionairres.

"Battlemages, fall back! Archers, prepare to fire at the retreating Nords! Fire! Skirmishers, fall back! Battlemages, clear out of the way, and archers, fire at the Dunmer too," hastily ordered Gracchus, trying to coordinate every aspect of the battle.

Gracchus saw numerous Nords fall as the archers arrows found their marks, and the battlemages were clearing out of the way so the second volley would fall on the Dunmer.

 

As the last of the reserves were moving through the gap towards Falkreath, Rebec took a look back at the Battle of Pale Pass.  When the smoke cleared, she saw a burst of flame go up in the middle of the Stormcloak ranks.  It was an eerie echo of the last glimpse she had had of Reval’s end, only this time she believed that it must have been a rally of the imperial battlemages launching concentrated fire at the Grim Ones.  A claw of fear gripped her, then anger mixed with sorrow.  For all Baldur’s courage, he and Boldir and the others were just men, and they could only withstand so much.   I’m going to have the heads of those battlemages, she vowed.

Boldir began to fall back as instructed. He noticed the Imperial archers preparing to fire on the retreating force. "Keep your shields up!” The retreating Nords raised their shields to deflect the arrows. "Come on, we need to get out of range! Move it!"

Boldir followed his own advice and moved out of the pass, back into Falkreath.

Baldur's men took more casualties than he wanted, but all in all it was a good battle. The Imperials showed their true strength as did they, and it was time to leave.

"Time to move men! Witchie, can you summon one more blizzard to cover our retreat?" asked Baldur.

 

Lorgar fired a handful of more arrows at the fleeing stormcloaks, before a blizzard swept them from view, even Lorgar's advanced vision couldn't see them... Damn it...

Lorgar took a deep breath, retrived his fallen dagger, and headed around too see how he could help...

 

With the last of the Dunmer gone, Gracchus ordered his archers to continue firing at the rest retreating Nords, while the skirmishers held and made sure none returned to try and retake the pass. In total, their losses were as would be expected from such a bottleneck battle, but the pass had been taken, and that was all that truly mattered. His men had shown their mettle, and had achieved their goal.

"Get the wounded out of here," he commanded his men, as he did his best to coordinate the final aspect of the battle.

[The Good Doctor]

Lorgar and Graccus, Pale Pass, Morning 

 

Lorgar got out of the way of a stretcher, carrying a soldier who lost his leg. This wasn't one of the worst injuries he's seen today. The base was being used as a makeshift hospital due to all the wounded soldier's. He headed towards the war room, and saw Legate Trixus and Legate Graccus talking.

"Trixius, I want you in charge of taking care of the wounded. Send some men to Bruma for some healers if you need to, I don't want anymore men dying," Gracchus told Legate Trixius.

After he finished, he noticed Praefect Lorgar walking his way, and a stretcher carrying a leg-less soldier to the makeshift hospital.

Lorgar saluted his CO,!"Sir...

"At ease. So, is there something specific you wanted to speak about, or just wanted I talk war?" Gracchus asked Lorgar.

Lorgar relaxed, but continued to speak in his cold voice,

"Sir, wanted to ask how many did we loose-

Before Lorgar could finish his sentence, a small girl in a frilly white dress was calling,

"Legate Graccus!!!!”

It was the princess, but unlike before she was covered in crimson blood.

Lorgar was interrupted by the princess running in, covered in blood and yelling out his name.

"My gods, what happened to you?" he asked her, as he rushed over to make sure she was uninjured.

She laughed and cutely waved the Legate off,

"Oh i'm fine Legate, I was just helping the Medic's dress and clean the hurt soldier's wounds. 

She smiled,

"Though my dress is ruined, Oh well..."

"Aw, I see. Not many can stand the sight of blood. I appreciate your help, miss," he told the young princess.

She nodded eagerly , and then asked the Legate,

"Do you know where General Marius is Legate?"

"No, and all of my sources are drawing a blank as well. He may have been kidnapped, killed, or fled for all we know. But for all intensive purposes, I've take over the military side of things. It would be nice if we could find him, though," he told Lorgar, as he hung his head over the maps covering the table.

The princess turned, and just noticed the Prefect, she smiled and said warmly,

"Prefect Lorgar, How do you do? Just noticed you now!!!""

Lorgar nodded at her,

"I'm fine ma'em..."

The princess turned her head around back to the Legate, with a face filled with worry,

"That's awful, I hope the poor man's alright!!! I'm sorry for talking up your time, you must be very busy!!!"

Gracchus replied to the princes, "Not trouble at all."

"Lorgar, what should we tell the men? His wagon went missing? That would take care of it, I suppose," he asked the Praefect.

"Tell them the stormcloak's got him..."

Graccus could tell, that a immense sadness was emitting from the prefect, due to his body language...

"Aw, well we'll worry about it later. Now, we have preparations to make for the next phase of this war. We need to capture Falkreath, and it's food supply. But to do that, we'll have to lay siege. And we need to take it intact," Gracchus told Lorgar.

Lorgar nodded in agreement,

"That's the best course of action."

"I'm going to send a courier to the Emperor, informing him of our victory, and asking for reinforcements. Maybe his daughter will be helpful in that request. If you don't mind, could you ask her? If Motierre will listen to anyone, it'll be his own daughter," Gracchus asked Lorgar.

"Also in that letter, I will make recommendations for promotions. Battlemage Arius is to be promoted to Prefect, he displayed great courage. There are several others, but I also recommend you get re-promoted back to Legate, and I to General, in light of Marius' disappearance. You and I have never seen eye-to-eye, but I trust you, and so did Marius, and you do inspire fear in the enemy," Gracchus told the Prefect.

Lorgar saluted,

"Thank you sir, I have always respected you an officer and a soldier. I'll find her highness and see what I can do, though don't you still have to give her a tour of the fort, perhaps it would be more wise for you to ask her there."

Gracchus said to Lorgar, "Damn. I forgot about that gods-forsaken tour. Well, I guess I will beseech her highness then. If you don't mind, I would like you to figure out how to keep our supply lines secure as we advance. That seems to be our major holdup. I better get onto that tour. You are dismissed."

"Yes sir..."

Lorgar left the command room and headed towards his tent.

Lorgar left, and Gracchus headed towards the princess' chambers, where he knocked on the large oaken door and said, "Excuse me, it's Legate Gracchus ma'am."

He heard a girl squeal from the otherside, it wasn't the princess, before hearing a,

"Just a minute Legate.

"Um...what's going on in there? Do you need any help, princess?" Gracchus asked the door, awaiting a reply from the other side.

Graccus could hear the other voice whisper, along with the princess whispering, before saying outloud, "Ummmm, nothing Legate, I'll be out in minute..."

"Whatever you say, princess. I'll be waiting patiently," Gracchus told the princess.

It was around 4 minutes before the princess finally emerged, she was now wearing a pink frilly dress instead of her usual white one, most likely due to it being blood-stained. She smiled and said at the legate, "Are you too be my escort during the tour Legate?”

"You sure did take your time. Couldn't find a suitable dress? And yes, I am, fortunately, going to give you the grand tour," Gracchus told the princess, with a hint of sarcasm.

Not hearing the sarcasm, she laughed,

"I had some business to take care of Legate, and yes I actually was deciding what dress to wear, shall we?"

With that, the Legate proceeded to show the princess every aspect of the fort, and eventually they ended up in the makeshift temple they had set up, with miniature shrines to all Eight Divines. Gracchus took a seat on a pew, and motioned for the princess to join him.

"So, I have a favor I would like to ask you," he told the pink-dressed young woman.

"Hmm what is it Legate, i'd be happy to help..."

Gracchus calmly sat for a minute, thinking about what he was about to ask, while looking over the shrines of the gods.

Finally, he said, "I need reinforcements, from your father, the Emperor, and I know he is more willing to send them if you approve. That is what I ask, for you to beseech your father for more troops."

She suddenly turned away darkly, and she averted her eyes away from the Legate,

"I-...I have the utmost respect for your Legion Graccus, I like all of you" She once again smiled, but it soon turned into a frown, "But father.... doesn't, to be frank with you, I think he hates your legion for some reason. I think it has something to do with Marius" 

"Yes, and now Marius is gone, to only the gods know where. Could you just ask? I don't want to cause you any trouble, but we need more troops if we are to succeed," Gracchus asked her, changing his tone to a more sympathetic one.

She started to look at her feet, and shyly asked the legate,

"Could I-not send this message in person and send it by courier and remain her...I-don't-he'll be angry, so I don't want to be around him...

"Yes, courier was what I had in mind. Just your signature is all I require."

With that Gracchuss pulled out the letter, whose contents included the battle overview, promotion recommendations, casualty list, and the news of General Marius missing, already signed by him, that only lacked a seal to be sent.

"Please, all I need is your signature," he asked her, reaching onto a nearby podium and grabbing a quill and ink bottle.

She took the quill, with her hands shaking, signed the document.

"I appreciate it, your highness. If we are to take Falkreath, we will need all the help possible. I realize you aren't guaranteeing anything, but even this gives me more hope. If you don't have anything else you would like to discuss, I will be on my way," Gracchus said to the princess.

Finishing his sentence, he grabbed the ink and quill, and set them on the podium, before grabbing the parchment and putting it in his inner cloak pocket.

"Good night Legate..." the princess muttered something under he breath about needing someone to snuggle up with, before heading to her quarters.

[The Good Doctor]

Witch-king (aka Witchie)
Stormcloak camp near Evergreen Grove
Evening

Witchie had worked all day healing all the more gravely injured soldeirs and the sun was starting to reach the horizon. When there was only small scrapes and cuts left he decided it was time to leave. But first he wanted to speak with Baldur, who he found in the commander's tent.

"Unless you want me to heal up minor cuts and scrapes that's left, I'll be heading south. I'm planning on learning them the meaning of fear and maybe gather some information while I'm at it."

At this point, Baldur was used to Witchie going off on his own whenever he saw fit, so he was surprised when Witchie came to him first this time around.

"Sounds like a good idea, Witchie. Since I've become General, I've learned that certain men are best used as specialists. Those who work better by themselves. If you don't fit that bill, I don't know who does. Yes, take care of the Thalmor. They're likely assisting the Imperial battlemages, so ridding us of as many Thalmor as possible will be a good idea. Oh, and if you can bring one back with you...that would be most appreciated. I'd like to make an example of one."

"And one more thing, the real reason I came to you before leaving." Witchie picked out a piece of cloth out of a pocket inside the robe and tossed it to Baldur. "Remember that Thalmor I captured six months ago? And that runed piece of cloth he was going to use for delivering that book? Well I found it's twin in the Thalmor section of that imperial camp we destroyed. Also managed to figure out the spell to use them from those scrolls that Thalmor had. This way I can relay information much faster, if I can find something to write on."

"Before you leave, what did you think about our Reval formation? Did you see? How willing they were to die for Skyrim?"

"I saw it."
Why kill elves when you can get them to kill themselves.

And with that said he left the tent, mounted his horse and set his course for the imperial camp. With the horse not needing rest or food, he could ride at full speed through the forest for hours. When he was finally nearing the imperial camp the sun had disappeared behind the horizon, but it still gave a faint light over the land. He stopped after going deep into the forest but still remaining near the imperial camp. Krarsh came flying down before landing on his shoulder and croaked.

"Find Lorgar and lead him to me."

The raven flew away in the direction of the camp. Lorgar would undoubtedly follow when he saw who's raven it was. And he was right, after a half an hour he could feel Lorgar's presence and soon thereafter Karsh came flying through the woods with Lorgar behind, managing to keep up with the raven rather well, at least better than one would expect of one chasing a flying bird. Karsh landed on a branch on a nearby tree and Lorgar walked up to Witchie. Before he could mutter a word Witchie spoke.

"With the Legion's advance into Skyrim, I have decided to advance my own plans."

"Speak then..."

"I need the princess out in these woods as soon as possible. I also want to know everything you have found out about her and this so called 'inquisition'."

Lorgar started stroking his dark brown beard under his shadowed hood, before responding,

"It took me a good deal , but I managed to dig some stuff out. Each member of the Inquisition has the rank equivalent of Legate in the legion, while the High inquisitor has the rank equivalent to a High-General. I also found out that the princess studied with Synod for ten years, so she's at the least adept at ever Alteration or Illusion magic. "

"That won't help her. I know just about every trick in the book. Now how soon do you think you can get her out? Or do I have to disguise myself and sneak into her chambers?"

"I have to get her to trust me, it's going to take some time, but it will pay off. We are going to end her threat non-lethally?" Lorgar asked, his face filled with a mixture of curiosity and worry.

"That choice is hers. And I give you two days before I start seeking alternative routes."

Lorgar switched his voice to his darkened tone, "Witchie, you have to be patient. A black ops operative knows that "Patience" is the route to success, where not in any rush. The attack has delayed our advances."

With a voice dark, crawling and giving a chill the very bone. "This isn't about patience. The blade must be forged while the steel is hot. With your general gone, the princess will have an opportunity to increase her influence over the Legion. And that opportunity is not long lived."

Lorgar voice grew even more cold.
"Wait...How the hell do you know the general's missing?!"

"Someone let it slip that he is a Talos worshiper. So he saught refuge somewhere else. And can not return till the Thalmor are gone."

Lorgar, appeared to be in shock, his arms went limp to the side, and he just starred at the ground. Before saying, in a calm and cool voice.
"Marius...defected to the stormcloaks..."

"With him gone, someone is bound to take advantage of the situation. With the Thalmor having their high positions, they will undoubtedly try to further their influence over the Legion. The only one with the power to hold them back is the princess. So my question to you is; who will you let forge the blade first?"

"I-...give me four days, then...that's all I need. I'll plant information in the troops that Marius is on a special assignment to try and delay the power struggle that's about to happen. As I said, I'll bring to the princess to the location specified in four days."

"Three days. No more."

Witchie rode off into the woods that have now grown completely dark, leaving Lorgar behind, alone in the silent woods, with nothing but sound of a raven croaking before it flew off.

[The Good Doctor]

Rebec, Boldir, Baldur
Evergreen glade encampment and outside Pale Pass
Just after the battle

The retreat had been orderly, but Falkreath town was anything but. The little hamlet had already absorbed hundreds of civilians fleeing the encroaching army and their burning farms, and now it played host to the battered remnants of the Stormcloak force as they reported in.

The unit Rebec was with, having not fought in the main battle, was set to preparing the camp for wounded and building hasty fortifications in case the imperials pressed their attack. The admiral saw these preparations started, but kept searching the incoming forces for the faces she wanted most to see.

Finally she spotted some of the Grim Ones in their distinctive armor, slowed down with carrying the dead and wounded. "Where is the general?" she asked one after the other as she helped them settle the wounded onto pallets, and tried to keep the panic out of her voice. The men gestured wearily behind them towards the Pass. Of course Baldur would stay behind to see the wounded brought out safely, she tried to reassure herself. And Boldir would not leave his side while there was still a threat. I shouldn't have, either.

***

Baldur was walking alongside Boldir on his way out of the Pass, thinking about his next move. Many men died today, but the battle had went as he had planned, more or less.

"Okay, that went about as good as it could have against a force larger than ours. We killed more men than they did, but they have more men to spare then we do. And there's the possibility of them sending reinforcements, but I have a plan for that as well. First, however, we need to establish a perimeter blocking off their men from Falkreath and the fort. I want you to send a soldier to Helgen, and tell the men back there to move all of our supplies to Falkreath, and bring enough food to Evergreen Grove, our new camp location, to last a week. We should have enough to feed our army and the town for months in Falkreath, and we'll need it to starve out the Imperials if a siege comes in the future. So while the supplies are moved there, we'll hold off the enemy from here.

At night, we'll send groups of ten men behind enemy lines to harass them. We kill silently. Arrows, and swords. Men that are asleep, or sentries by themselves. We make 'em afraid to sleep at night, so in the day they're tired and make mistakes. The Hammerfell men are great at these tactics, so they'll make up half of the teams, and we'll have ten teams for these assignments. Jodun will be in charge of the Hammerfell teams, you will be in charge of the Stormcloaks. We'll change out the members so they all stay well rested, and you and Jodun sleep during the day. What do you think?

"I'll hand pick the Cloaks myself. I know several men who will be perfect for this. We'll have no trouble on this end, but what of Helgen? It's an important position. Are you sure it's a good idea to abandon it like this?"

"Abandon? No. I have an idea on that too. I'll get Rebec's crew to talk with the bandits in the area. Ulfric and I were thinking it over, and we agreed that the Empire wouldn't waste their time and lives on bandits. So we abandon the place, and spread the word that Helgen is abandoned, and let them take it for the time being. There's no innocents around for them to harm, and we get all the undesirables in one basket. Not only that, but they'll bring all their loot to Helgen as well, and fortify the place from the Empire. I can't destroy a fortress completely, so that keeps Helgen out of the Empire's hands. And when we're done, we'll sneak in through the tunnels, and take the HQ back by force. In fact, scratch that idea. We "hire" them to hold up Helgen ourselves, and promise them payment to harass the Empire's troops! Let them kill each other out! Even if the Empire does take Helgen, the bandits are likely to take out a large portion of them for us. You know how many bandits this hold has?"

Boldir grinned. It was Baldur's ability to think so ridiculously far out of the box that made him such a good leader. "Falkreath has bandits to spare. Finding some willing to take a free fortress won't be hard." Boldir paused for a moment.
"And what of Neugrad and Orphan Rock? If we fall back onto Falkreath, both positions will be left isolated. The fort is strong, but it can't hold up against an entire Legion."

"Orphan Rock isn't very important in the grand scheme of things. As for the Fort, I'll have men take supplies from there, and likely have it populated by Bandits as well. It's all we can do. Its secret entrance isn't known, so we'll be able to utilize that if the Empire takes it, but in the grand scheme of things, the town of Falkreath is the most important part of the hold. We lose that, we lose our grasp on the hold. And we don't have the numbers to take it back from them. So, step one, we hold this area and keep the Empire from going further into Falkreath. While we're doing that, we will be engaging in guerilla tactics at night, and I'll work on my plan to prevent reinforcements for the time being. Step two, fall back to the town of Falkreath and hold up there as long as we can. The Imperials can't wait us out, and they can't progress into Whiterun without a supply line or without the control of this hold at the very least. Step three, we send word to the bandits from the fort and Helgen to attack the Imperials from behind, and we attack from Falkreath as they do. Step 4, regroup into Whiterun, and prepare for round two in Falkreath. Notice that I didn't say plan A, B, C, and D. Best to expect the worst and hope for the best. But if I have anything to say about it, we'll never get to step four. Our number one advantage in this war is food. When I cut off their supply lines...the scales will tip into our favor. After that, it will only be a matter of time."

Boldir hated the thought of abandoning Neugrad to bandits. It had begun to feel like a home to him, but he wasn't going to let sentimentality get in the way of the mission. "Got it. As for Jodun and myself, if we're to stay back and harass the enemy by night, we'll need a smaller camp of our own closer to the Imperials. I'm thinking we could set up in the old tower at Skybound Watch. We'll have a good view of the region, and no army could make for Falkreath without us seeing it first. The tunnels we cleared a couple months ago will keep us hidden, and if worst comes to worst, they can provide an easy escape route."

"Excellent idea. We'll start carrying out these plans tomorrow after our new camp site is established. I'll start thinking of ways to cut off their reinforcements. I'll speak to Rebec's crew about the ban...wait, Rebec. Where is she?"

"Most of the Redguards and archers had already made for the camp while the Grim Ones were covering the retreat. You think she'd have been with them?"

Baldur's mind started flashing with images of Rebec covered in arrows and burned to a crisp. Baldur ran ahead in the middle of Boldir's sentence to see if she was up ahead or among the wounded. Baldur yelled back to Boldir as he ran off in haste.

"I don't know but I need to see. Talk to you later, Captain."

Boldir pondered what had just happened as the General bounded off. He'd catch up later. There were still plenty of wounded who weren't completely out of the danger zone yet, and they needed leadership. The Imperials weren't pressing the attack from the pass, but he would rest easier knowing that his men were out of their reach.

***
Rebec was desperate to go back up the column to search for Baldur, but the wounded kept coming, the ones who had been closest to the front the worst of all. They hadn't left anyone, living or dead, but those who'd fallen on the ridges and who were now behind enemy lines.

"Admiral," a Grim One called over to her. He pointed towards the end of camp. "You were looking for the general. There he is."

Looking up sharply, Rebec's breath catches as she sees that it is Baldur indeed. Stepping through and around the press of soldiers as fast as she can, she catches him in a fierce embrace that lasts longer than it should. To Oblivion with officer decorum. She turns her face towards his and kisses at his ear. "By Ysmir, I thought they got you." Resting back, she inspects his face, reaching up to touch the singed hair at his temple. "That huge fireball- it was right where I left you and Boldir standing. I thought surely... Is he alright?"

Baldur didn't see Rebec coming when she sidelined him with the hug, but he was pleasantly surprised by how welcoming it was.

There may be something here after all. As nice as this is, I shouldn't let it last too long.

"Yea, Boldir's perfectly fine. Huge fireball? You must mean the Reval Formation. That was from us. I had the men practice that in Solitude. The Dunmer go to the front lines, and they all activate their Ancestor Wraith abilities, just like Reval used to do. It was devastating. The front line sacrificed their lives and ran a suicide charge at the Imperial front line while the other nords and dunmer retreated. You should have heard the Imperials scream, ha! If Shor ever let an elf get into Sovngarde at least once, it should be those elves."

The admiral gapes at this, then laughs. "Horker shit. Really? By the gods, Baldur, you're as sly as a Khajiit sometimes." She realizes that she is still standing pressed against him, or at least armor to armor, and steps back quickly. Her initial relief behind her, she asks, "Are they coming? Do you think they'll press the attack tonight?"

"I honestly don't know. If I were them, I'd keep marching on and press the assault. They have the numbers, and giving us the chance to plan and scheme is a bad idea. So we need to set up our camp immediately and have the men ready to fight and stay on alert. But knowing them, they'll likely stay back to take care of their dead and wounded first though, so we should have some time to catch our breath. But like I said, it's a guess, so we need to act as if they're coming."

Rebec gestures around them. "We're bleeding, but we're still here. The reserves never fought, much as they wanted to. I wanted to be up there with you, too, but it was good I stayed out, as an example. It's hard to cool the blood seeing that many Thalmor with their twinkle toes on Skyrim dirt. I'll never forgive the imperials for that. The blockade first, and now they bring a Dominion army in here."

Baldur's expression grew dark at the mention of the Thalmor from Rebec. When he spoke, he let out some aggression that he had not intended to show, but the words that he spoke were not threats to calm his anger. It was cold truth.

"Yes, the treachery is unforgivable. If I get my hands on any of them, I'll make them regret ever setting foot on Skyrim. They're the only people in existence that I won't feel bad about torturing. I'm gonna butcher 'em and leave their bodies on display for all to see. Now enough of that talk. I'm completely wiped, so I'm gonna catch a few hours of sleep back at the camp."

Baldur looked around to make sure no one was eavesdropping on them before he continued.

"I was thinking, maybe when you grow tired as well, you could join me? Nothing tawdry this time, I promise. Just occupying the same space to keep warm is all."

A shocked expression crosses Rebec's face before she quickly wipes it off. "I will. And, yes... just some company. I understand." Normally she would make a joke, but it's neither the time or place. Laying a hand on his arm, she says, "Go find some food and rest. I didn't fight, so I feel like I need to help here some more before I can do the same."

Baldur gave Rebec a smile without appearing too happy, so as not to make a big deal out of the situation. After he walked away however, he was grinning like a young boy who just found his father's secret stash of "The Lusty Argonian Maid" novels. His mood was quickly brought down, however when he saw one of the Stormcloak soldiers dead on the ground next to four of his comrades who had been trying to tend to him. He was gravely injured by an arrow through his back on his left side, and he finally gave away. Baldur noticed an empty healing potion next to the body. It apparently just wasn't enough.

Every time I find an escape, this world just brings me spiraling back to reality.

Baldur gave a silent prayer for the man, wishing him good luck in Sovngarde against Tsun, and he wearily made his way back to the camp to set up his tent, and finally sleep.

[The Good Doctor]

Rebec and Alef
At the edge of Falkreath town
Evening, just after the battle

The worst was the screams of the men who’d been burned.  Those from her crew had been quickly stilled, swallowed up by the Sea of Ghosts, but the men from the Battle at Pale Pass screamed and screamed on, begging to die.  Healers chose those who were beyond any healing, and at at their request Rebec and a few others went along and quietly finished them.  As she left the triage area, she saw the strange mage Witchie moving along the rows.  Where he passed the men quieted, too, but from his healing magic rather than a dagger's point.

The admiral went to the edge of the campsite, bent down on one knee leaning against a tree, and vomited.  She still wore her chainmail and surcoat, now blood-streaked, but clean compared to others’.  Her war paint had been smeared by sweat and soot.  She couldn't remember when she had last bathed, or eaten.  There had not yet been time for those small habits of the living.

Still on one knee and leaning against the tree, Rebec looked up just as the wind blew the mist away long enough to reveal the arcing towers of the immense ancient barrow high above Falkreath.  Shriekwind Bastion, it was called.  They said you could hear shrieks in the woods of this hold at night, too.  As long as she lived, the admiral knew, she would never hear anything worse than the screams of those burned men.

"Get to your feet, and follow us," something made of metal, probably a weapon of sorts, found itself pressing against Rebec's neck. A gruff voice spoke, and she could hear several people move behind her. "You will not be harmed, but this is a conversation best handl-"

"Bahgras!" a much friendlier voice spoke up, one typically associated with Dunmer women, and it was apparent that whoever spoke was less than pleased with the treatment the Admiral got. "Step back this instant; we don't need to be drawing weapons on everyone we make a deal with!"

"I am sorry for my companions actions," whatever it was disappeared from Rebec's neck and the small hand of a Dunmer came into her view; offering her help to get to her feet. "Could you come with us? I am afraid a mutual associate of ours wants to call in his favor sooner than expected.”

Rebec had hardly tensed when the dagger was put at her throat.  She wasn't afraid of death, not for herself, at least not at that moment.  She was, however, still unaccustomed to being ordered around.  Rising to her feet, she turned and glared at the orc and Dunmer in turn.  "Moon Balls.  Still living up to his name, I see.  I haven't got a choice, I take it?"

"I would be inclined to ask you who this Moon-Balls is, if I didn't have strict orders from Samuel to make this deal as short and to the point as possible," the Dunmer continued to talk; calm, but perhaps an undertone of nerves? "My name is Alef, and it is a pleasure to meet you. You have quite the reputation, in certain circles. Shall we?"

She gestured to the road leading away from the town. The Orc looked at her with an expression that said that she had no choice, and a Breton man that accompanied them didn't seem to have an opinion on what had happened at all. He just looked at her with empty eyes.

Wearily Rebec answered, "I'll come with you.  But your green friend here draws steel on me again..."  Knowing she doesn't need to finish the thought, the admiral trudged ahead of them down the road.

"She won't, unless you or anyone else becomes a threat. And in your state, I wouldn't make myself a threat. Not to insult you, but in your current position, I don't think you could do much against our little group."

Suddenly, as they walked and Alef, in a very friendly voice, talked, four other men, dressed in dark leather, came into Rebec's vision. Every one of them seemed to keep an eye on her and one of the forest around them. 

After a while spent in silence, Alef led them off on a small path that led away from the main road and into the wilderness.

"This is good enough, don't you think? Small chance of being overheard in here?"

"Should I ask you why you think you need so many men?  Not that it matters, now."

"These four," Alef pointed to the men dressed in leather. "Have been working with me for years while I have been dealing on Samuel's behalf. Bahgras and Bill," she pointed to the empty eyed Breton and the Orc. "Are Samuel's personal agents who have been sent to ensure that I do my job properly and that I am safe."

"Now," she continued and threw a nervous glance at the orc, who appeared to be losing her patience. "You still intend to honor the agreement of returning a favor to my employer, yes?"

Rebec sighed.  "Get to the point.  I told Moon Balls my conditions.  He said he won't make me a traitor.  I'm sure he's got a thousand loopholes for that little promise."

"Well, I don't know how to put this, so I'll let you read his own word on the matter," Alef reached into a pocket in her outfit and pulled out a small note, before she gave it to Rebec. It read:

 

Alef, 

 

Bahgras and Bill are to be added, temporarily, to your escort. I have left Skyrim. As soon as possible, I want you to seek out Eduard and Admiral Rebec and offer them a contract on General Marius' life, performed at all costs. He has become a liability that has to be disposed before he becomes a problem.

 

Rebec, I know you will read this, so here is my offer: 5,000 gold and complete immunity from your past actions on completion of the job.

 

Samuel

 

Rebec read the letter over twice, then looked up.  She appeared confused.  "You want me to kill a weasel of an imperial who brought a Thalmor army to Skyrim's doorstep?  I thought this was going to be hard."  Tossing the letter back at Alef, she leaned back, crossing her arms.  "Who's Eduard?  Is this some kind of game, a competition?"

"Who Eduard is is none of your concern, I am afraid. I cannot disclose any information about him, without further orders. Consider it a safety policy on Samuel's part."

"I never thought Samuel would take this personally," Bahgras mumbled to herself, just loud enough for Rebec to hear it. If that was intentional or not was hard to say, but Alef seemed to have missed it. Was it directed at the Admiral, for some reason? Considering the angles Samuel had played before, it was possible.

"So," Alef said. "You are up for the talk? You sure you can convince the other Stormcloaks to end this mans life at the earliest opportunity?"

At the orc's comment Rebec glanced at her sharply, but didn't appear further ruffled.  To her mind Marius deserved to die many times over, so Samuel's motive mattered little.  Turning back to Alef, she replied, "That's not as easy as it might sound.  General Red-Snow has his own mind, and he's as stubborn as an ox.  A Nord ox.  He could want to play games with this Marius or bargain with him.  I may need to contrive a reason to put a crossbow bolt through his heart myself.  Is Samuel picky?"

"A word, Admiral," Bahgras spoke out before Alef could open her mouth and her voice said that Samuel's personal orders were behind this. "And I want it alone."

After taking Rebec aside from the others, the Orc continued to speak. "Look, Admiral, this is very simple. Samuel wants Marius dead because that old moron has decided that after this is done he will spend his life hunting Samuel down. Normally, Samuel wouldn't care, but the General is one of the few people tagged as skilled and well-connected enough to perhaps pull this off. Now you tell General Red-Snow that either Marius dies, or Samuel will cease his mutually advantageous relationship with the Stormcloaks and take a hard stand on the side of the Empire. We don't care how he dies, as long as he does. If you want, you can have a public execution with all the Nords and Dunmer cheering and bla bla bla. Just get it done."

"Samuel is aware that he's in Skyrim, yes?  He doesn't think he took a wrong turn at Bruma and landed in High Rock?  We're Nords, and it's as I told you, Red-Snow is going to do exactly what he wants to do and nothing else."  She paused, considering.  "He did seem to trust Samuel, though, more readily than I did.  Maybe..."  Glancing at Baghras, the admiral leaned in and asked, "What is this really about?  I can see you want to tell me.  Go on.  I'm a sailor, I like dirty stories."

A broad smile, as far as it was possible to see in the lighting around them, spread across the Orcs face.

"The night before the battle- the one who might just end up haunting you for a long time, considering how we found you- Marius and Samuel had a falling out. Safe to say, they have a past and Marius said he was going to make sure that Samuel would lose everything, including his life. Samuel, as he should, decided to make sure the General is unable to go through with his promise. Having Imperial Generals hunting you is never a good plan, even for someone like Samuel. This is a bit more personal than the usual contracts, and I could lose everything by telling you all of this, but it is important nonetheless. Like you will be free of your past, Samuel seeks to destroy one of the few pieces left of his."

Resting back, Rebec wavered a little on her feet from exhaustion.  "Understand something.  This is personal for me, too.  Samuel gave me my husband back, though I didn't deserve him."  She turned and raised her voice so that Alef could hear.  "You understand?  I want to do this, for a hundred reasons.  I'll find a way."

"And that is why Samuel chose to include you in these plans," Bahgras grinned and waved her arm at Rebec. "So, what are you waiting for? Our business here is concluded. Scram."

"Gladly."   As she turned, Rebec cast the orc a wry look, still annoyed about the dagger.  The admiral then walked slowly back down the road, her feet so sore that each step was a trial.  Over her shoulder she called, "Give Moon Balls my regards."

[The Good Doctor]

Rebec and Baldur
Evergreen glade Stormcloak camp
Night after the battle

When Rebec returned from her meeting with Samuel’s associates, the camp had grown quieter. She was beyond exhausted, but did want a bath. There was an area where she’d seen female soldiers bathing earlier. When she approached there were two women in the stream already. Rebec stood among the trees nearby and began the struggle to get her armor and sweat-laden wraps off.

“At least he didn’t cut up the bodies this time. I heard the stories from Camp Rommulas.â€
“There wasn’t enough time at the Pass. Too many. Anyway, those imperials deserved it.â€
“Deserved to have their nether regions hacked to mincemeat? Arms ripped out of their sockets?â€
“What, you think the general is soft? Didn’t hear about Falkreath prison then.â€

In the shelter of the trees, Rebec froze as she realized the chatter must be about Baldur. What had they said, hacked apart bodies? The women were still talking, so the admiral leaned closer to hear.

“...killed his own men right in front of him. But that wasn’t what drove that imperial legate mad, nor the mutilated bodies of his men neither. They say he brought a captive woman down there and [censored] her right in front of him, then killed her.â€
“The general? Our general?â€
“That’s what they said. The guards outside heard the legate screaming about it. That’s how he got the legate to tell him where their camp was. Probably threatened to do it again if he didn’t tell. Iron-Brow must have let it happen, he was acting jarl then. Maybe even watched."

There was a heavy silence, and Rebec shared in it. As the women came out of the stream and were drying themselves, one of them said, “You never can tell about people. I always thought he was a good man.â€
“You just go on thinking that,†the other answered in a warning tone. “We’ve still got to follow his orders.â€

Rebec was numb. The battle, Samuel’s messengers, what she had just heard... it felt like a dream. Even the shockingly cold water of the stream couldn’t wake her from it. Absently she scrubbed off the filth and washed her hair. When she was finished, still half-dressed, she found her pack and got some fresh things from it. Suri was curled up on a bedroll nearby, sleeping soundly. Rebec considered bedding down there, too. She could make some excuse to Baldur later. No. If I don’t go in there now, I won’t ever. I want him to say it to my face.

She found the general’s tent and peeked her head in. It was dark inside. “Baldur?†she said quietly. She could hear him breathing, but he didn’t stir. Moving quietly, Rebec piled up her spare things on a chest and changed into a sleeping tunic. At the bedside, she stopped, looking down at him, remembering their night together in Fort Neugrad. Neither had been with anyone in a long time, that was plain. They went at each other in what more resembled a wrestling match than human intimacy. Later, however, there were sweet moments. Even hung over as she was, Rebec had kissed him with the sort of kiss you only give to someone you care about, or want to care about. You never can tell about people. 

Sliding in next to him on the cot, Rebec adjusted the furs, keeping a few inches between them. Exhaustion soon won out over her roiling thoughts.

Before dawn, Rebec woke again. Baldur had tossed around a little in the night, eventually laying an arm over her waist. She had to move it in order to slip out. First she stirred the coals in the little brazier in the corner, then went outside. A few minutes later she returned with food, a teapot full of water which she set on the brazier, and her small pack. The camp was still quiet. Rebec wrapped a fur around her legs and curled up in Baldur's camp chair. By the light of the brazier, she began sewing a large tear in one of her tunics, her brow knit in concentration

Baldur was dreaming again, like he always did. This time it was about Skyrim, and losing the war. He had this dream quite regularly, and in it, he, Rebec, Boldir, Ulfric, Reval, and any Stormcloak soldier faces he could remember were all being executed one by one by Lorgar, until it got to himself. Before the axe dropped down on his head, he'd wake up, just like that. It was rare nights when he didn't have this dream, and this night had been no different. It changed a little at the end, however. Instead of being executed, it faded away and changed to when he and his parents all still lived together, and he would sleep in the middle of his mother and father with his arm wrapped around his mother's waste. When he woke up, and saw Rebec sitting in a chair in front of him, he figured out why his dreams shifted, and silently thanked her for it. She was giving him a strange look, as if she didn't know who he was, however, which made Baldur feel uneasy.

"Hey Reb. Um...everything okay?"

"Morning, Baldur," Rebec answered, her voice flat. "Sentries report all is quiet. There's some food there." She indicated the table where there were wedges of Colovian cheese and cured meat laid out on a cloth, a flask of plum wine from the West Weald, and hard tack. "Do what you need to do to wake up. We've got some things to talk about."


Baldur started wondering what this could possibly be about. She wasn't with child, obviously. Baldur couldn't tell what was the matter, so he stopped trying to guess.

"I'm up now. So...what do we need to talk about?"

"I heard some talk around camp last night. You've got a morale problem among your female soldiers, and I need to know your orders on how to handle it." Rebec was stabbing at the tunic with vigor, the other hand gripping the shirt as if it might run away. Tonelessly she went on,

"They're talking about how you [censored] and killed a female captive in front of Lorgar, and threatened to do it again, and that's how you got him to reveal where their camp was. I heard it was like this in Whiterun hold, too, even after the court martials. This sort of problem isn't easy to contain, but I'll do whatever you need me to do. We're in too much danger here for insubordination to run through the ranks."


Baldur gave a heavy sigh at the mention of Lorgar, and that night. He thought he put it behind him finally, but it just kept coming back to haunt him.

"Well, I guess it's fitting that this follows me. It's not something that I'd like to keep to my name, but it is what it is. I didn't [censored] anyone. If you heard about that, and they think it's real, then no doubt you think I murdered men in front of his eyes as well. Before I continue, is that really your reaction to it? You're willing to just sweep it away like that? I'd think that you'd be more concerned that the man you just shared a tent with was possibly a rapist."

The admiral looked up, searching his face. She had expected he would deny it, but angrily, not with weary acceptance. "I don't like it, of course. But if that's what you thought you had to do... We don't really know each other, general, you and I. You don't seem the type, but war can do ugly things to people. They said other things about you, too, that I wouldn't have expected."

She swallowed hard, her professional facade coming apart. "Baldur, please don't lie to me. I need to know the truth. I haven't got a lot of people left in the world left that I can trust."


"I didn't [censored] anyone." said Baldur flatly. "But sometimes I feel that I might as well have. After Boldir caught Lorgar in Falkreath, I brought Witchie with me to extract information from him. I knew a man like him wouldn't bend to physical coercion, and I didn't want to resort to that anyway. So, I had Witchie make three illusions. Two were his soldiers recently dead, but he didn't know it, and the other a woman, one that Witchie was apparently close to once upon a time. The first two illusions I killed brutally before his eyes. The woman, I had disrobe herself, and I threatened to [censored] her. If Lorgar still said nothing, I'd have just killed it instead. I can't [censored] anyone, illusion or no."

Baldur gave her time to reflect on what he just said, then he layed back and shut his eyes.

"The worst part was seeing the look on his face when I revealed it was all a lie. Just the trick of a wizard. I may not have physically touched him, but I might as well have. The damage to his mind was done all the same. He's my enemy, and he killed my men, but he's still a man. What I did wasn't good regardless, but it wasn't as bad as murder and [censored]. You can believe me or not. In my mind, illusion or no, the deed was cruel all the same. But if you don't believe me, you can ask Marius. Lorgar shared the information with him. As for us not knowing eachother, maybe we don't know one another as well as Boldir and I know each other, but I think you know me well enough to see that I'm no rapist."

Slowly Rebec expelled the breath she'd been holding. "I had no idea the mage could do something like that." The tension in her eased, her shoulders relaxing. "I suppose I knew, somehow, that it couldn't be true. I'm sorry. I had to hear it from you. They also said that at Camp Rommulas, you mutilated the bodies. Is that just a rumor, too?"


Baldur stayed silent for a few seconds before answering the question, as he wasn't sure how Rebec would take his next answer. He knew it was best not to lie as many men could give account to the fact that it was true. Baldur was always one not to lie or keep secrets, but now he realized that was because before, he didn't have secrets to keep.

"That bit, is actually true. I lost control. Reval, my lieutenant was killed, and I couldn't handle it. It wasn't that he died in battle. It was how he died. Surrounded by the enemy, with no brothers at his side. It looked like he was abandoned, possibly for his race, and the only people I could take vengeance on were the Imperials. After I discovered his body with Boldir...I think I must have been touched by Sheogorath or something. We killed the men responsible for his death, but I did so cruelly and vindictively. Sorry I can't deny that rumor, but it's true."


"Alright. Thank you." The admiral spoke sincerely, her tone more normal. As bad as the admission was, it didn't come close to the other thing. "I tried to get to Reval, several of us did, but there were too many legion in the way. After that, I was wounded and had to pull back. I don't understand how that could have happened, either. He was careful. When I volunteered to be the bait, he grilled me for several minutes in case I might be a spy."

She rested the shirt in her lap, looking across to Baldur. In other circumstances she might have joined him in bed again, but there was still more standing between them. Her difficulty with Samuel could not be explained away as just a rumor. "There's something else. Moon Balls is still about, or his employees, anyway. He wants us to kill Marius or he's going to withdraw any support he'd give to the Stormcloaks and help the imperials instead."


Damnit, first the rumors, and now this?

Baldur sat up and looked at the sky in the distance ignoring Rebec's eyes, as he still felt ashamed of what he told her.

"Reb, I think you know that I can't kill Marius. In fact, I think Samuel knew this as well. He's a potential asset, and even if I wanted to kill him, that decision wouldn't be up to me. It would be up to High King Ulfric."

"I figured you would say something like that, but don't give Ulfric as an excuse. If you told him that you felt Marius was a threat that had to be eliminated, he would support you. And Marius IS a threat. The imperials don't want him anymore, but do you really want him running free in Skyrim? Look what good it did to keep Tullius around, or for the imperials to hold off executing all of you when they first captured you back in the war. He's the one who brought those Thalmor here, even if he didn't lead them across the Pass. You want to make an example, so start with him." Rebec was working to keep her voice even. If she could convince Baldur on the merits, that was better than going into the sordid details of her deal with Samuel. Those she could tell him about later.

"Rebec...I know what I did was...questionable to say the least. But if you think I'm going to kill a man in cold blood without him having a chance to defend himself...I just can't do it. I haven't found a use for him yet, but that doesn't matter. He stays alive unless he becomes a threat. Right now, he's of no danger to anyone."

She shook her head. Of course it couldn't be so easy. "You're wrong. Samuel thinks Marius will be on a vendetta to kill him. I gather that they have some history even before this. If he's that worried, he thinks somehow Marius is going to get free of us. And don't give me that about an innocent man or cold blood. He's not and it wouldn't be. We'd be executing the commanding general of the army that wants to bend Skyrim before the Dominion. It's not even as bad as what Tullius was going to do to you and Ulfric and Boldir and the rest, in Helgen."

Baldur felt trapped. On one hand doing this felt wrong to him, but he was no divine in the first place. And he felt if he ever did do it, he may only be doing it because Rebec asked, and he couldn't let his decisions be driven by attachment. On the other hand, Rebec was right. He couldn't risk an enemy like Marius wandering around the camp forever, even with an escort. If he were to escape, he could find Tullius and try to cause trouble from the inside since he couldn't join the Legion anymore. And there was the threats from Samuel.

"If you really think I should, then...I'll consider it. But first, let me ask. What deal did Samuel make with you? No need to deny it. I know how he works."


Then it was Rebec's turn to avoid his eyes. She looked down at the tunic and picked at the fabric. "He knew where Toki is. My husband. Maybe it doesn't seem like I care about that, but once I realized how much information Samuel has access to, I couldn't let the chance go by. He said he would take payment later, either in coin or by asking a favor. The favor is to convince you to kill Marius." 

Brushing a hand over her forehead, Rebec forced herself to go on. "There's more. He has something on me." As she was about to say the words, her throat refused to move. She had made it out to Samuel that she didn't care what Baldur thought of her, and maybe at the time she had half believed it, but now the lie of that was apparent. Plunge the knife. 

"What I confessed to Ulfric in Solitude wasn't all there was to tell. I ran supplies a few times for Legate Rikke during the war. It was early in the war, but after I'd said Galmar's words. If I don't do what Samuel asks, he's going to expose me. Then my ability to command would be all but finished."Like whatever respect you had for me, she thought, casting a quick glance at Baldur.


Baldur didn't know what to say at first. The first thing that he heard troubled him because he was afraid he'd lose Rebec now that she knew where her husband was. The second thing however left him blank for a while. He gathered his thoughts, and proceeded after he fully digested what she had just told him. It wasn't the fact that she was basically guilty of treason that bothered him, since she had been so vital in the battles at the Sea of Ghosts. What bothered him was that the people wouldn't see that, and that means he'd be forced to play Samuel's game once more.

"Well, if this was simply a matter between you, me and Ulfric, then this wouldn't be a problem at all. But like you said, you'd likely never be able to command the men again, and right now we can't afford that. You're too important to the fleet. How much money did Samuel say he needed?"


Rebec was surprised that Baldur was reacting with practical questions and not anger, or at least disappointment. Still cautious that these were on the horizon, she replied, "He seems desperate to rid himself of Marius. He may not want the coin now. But he did offer 5,000 gold in addition to cleaning any evidence against me. Have you ever even seen that amount of coin? It could buy a lot of ship parts."

She paused, daring to look at him more squarely. "You're taking this better than I expected. I could give you excuses, if you want. Like how Rikke paid well and I've always had to struggle with my business. It was almost as if..." She shied away from that thought. Around the time she wrecked her first boat and killed its crew, her family's fortunes had taken a general downturn. Vilnur had retired in order to quit while he was ahead. Sailors are suspicious, and in the back of Rebec's mind she had always carried the thought that she was a curse to her family.

"All the caravans traded with both sides. The smith in Solitude who made imperial weapons now makes them for Ulfric. It seemed like that to me, then. Just business. And Rikke's family and ours were old friends. It was easy not to think that what I was doing meant something. I hadn't seen war close up, not like this. Now I know what a difference a few sacks of grain can make. I'm sorry, Baldur. For all of this. I know it puts you in a bad spot."

"I'm surprised myself, really. Maybe it's because I've seen how much you've changed. You're a respectable soldier now. Well, for the most part, heh. Or maybe it's because food and supplies aren't nearly as dire as they were back then, when we had to deal with supply lines running dry from ambushes or due to a shortage of coin. Or...okay, this whole mushy deal isn't really my thing, so instead of beating around the bush, I'm just gonna say it. I care for you. I know you're not the type for things like this, and I get that. I won't press you further on the matter, but it needs to be known. So, I'm not going to leave you high and dry. But, I also can't kill Marius, and I can't come up with five thousand gold at the moment to pay Samuel. So, I need to speak with his contacts. Something tells me Samuel expected this as well. A General in his pocket can be valuable. Especially one with the ear of the High King. At any rate, I need you to get in touch with his people so I may speak to them. Can you do that?"


"That's not really how it works. They seem to pop up from the ground every time I turn around to take a piss, but I don't know how to contact them myself. Maybe they'll talk to you next, if Samuel anticipated this. I did warn them that you were stubborn as an ox." Rebec dared a little smile. It was a relief to have everything out. He continued to surprise her, and the honor-and-order mold she had cast him in seemed to fit less and less. At least, his sort of honor was one that she could live with.

She wanted to leave things at that, but what he had said about her deserved an answer. Only she couldn't think of one to give. "Baldur, about us... I didn't think you would... It's complicated, you know."

"Believe me, I know. Especially with the matter of your husband. I understand if you wish to end things now that you know where he is. Not that they had a chance to start yet, but...I'll leave you be."


"I... no, that's not it. I suppose it might have been, once. Toki and I had a kind of understanding when it came to putting in at foreign ports, if you take my meaning. But only for a bit of fun. We couldn't have lived like we did, otherwise. He never asked me about it nor I him, and I was always glad to see him. He had this thing, ever since I first met him, somehow he always knew when I'd be in port. I'd see him standing there on the dock with his stupid grin. He'd come on board and do repairs for me, then we'd rent a room or go back to the cabin in Dawnstar and spend a few days putting back mead and telling our stories. It was really good, actually..."

Her mind drifted a little before she realized that Baldur probably didn't want to know about all that. Stirring in her chair, she said, "We saw less of each other in recent years. Then, when he never came back at all, I thought maybe he'd found someone else, a woman who'd be there for him. It hurt to think that, but I'd have tried to be happy for him. But no, it's not like that." She found it hard to say the words, the reality still so unaccustomed. "No, he's dead. Samuel gave me a good idea where I might find his body, after all this is done. It's in the Reach."


Baldur hated himself for the feeling of relief that overtook him, but he couldn't help it.

"Do you wish to mourn him? I can understand if you want your space. What you two had may seem...strange to others, but I can understand it. And it's not my place to judge. He was your husband, and you loved him in your own way. And he loved you in his. When this is all over, I promise to come and help you bring him to a city to be properly buried. If you want my help."

Rebec stared at him. Gods, he was fearless. "Agh Baldur, you're like those moonsugar sweetrolls I tried once. All sweet and squishy, and next thing I know I'm doing crazy [censored] like confessing my crimes and throwing my ship at imperial galleys. It's quite a recruitment plan you've got going here." She smiled at him, genuinely, and didn't seem sad any longer, at least for the moment.

"Thank you for that. I just can't think about it right now. We have other things... I hate to bring up another sore topic, but there is still this problem of the rumors about Falkreath prison. Do you want Witchie's abilities to be known? I think they have to be, now, to counter the story that's going around."


Baldur, yet again let out a sigh. He was beginning to feel like an old man.

It doesn't matter. Let them think what they will. Any story from me will likely just sound like horker[censored] anyway. It can't be helped. If it becomes an issue, then maybe I'll get Marius to tell the truth."

"Let me handle it. The women all bathe in one area of the stream. I'll tell the real story to one of them and within a day it will be all through the same gossip channels. They don't want to believe that about you anyway, and by now a lot of them have seen Witchie in action. Soon the whole camp will figure out we're still spending nights together, and that will take care of the rest. They'll know I wouldn't stay with you if that were true." Standing, she crossed to the cot, sat on the edge, and reached up to tug at his beard playfully, trying to distract him from what was obviously a painful memory. "So why has no woman caught you yet? I know you're not Unkindled down there, so it must be something else."


Baldur gave her a blush and a playful smile before he answered.

"Haven't found the right one yet I guess. Never let 'em get close. Didn't want to end up like my father. Always bitter at the world. And women. I don't know why it's different with you. Maybe because we have war in common and you're a comrade as well as a friend. And you're a strong woman as well. The work you did in the Sea of Ghosts was impressive. They'll sing songs of your deeds for years to come. You know what? You never told me about your parents."

“Papa lives alone in Dawnstar.  My mother passed on shortly before the war.  They’re salt, like me.  When we were kids one would sail and one stay home with us, until we were old enough to go out too.  Eventually they let me and Vilnur handle all the sailing.  Mama’s only worry on her deathbed was me.  She said I was too wild and should slow down and feel the wind on my face once in a while.â€

Rebec regarded Baldur, and something turned over in her: The thought that maybe she could finally do that, someday. Nevertheless it seemed dangerous to think about the future, with what was going on outside the little tent. "I don't know about songs. I just don't want to screw this up."


"I wouldn't worry too much about that. Me n' Boldir will be there to put the boot to your ass if you do. Ha!"

Baldur laid back down and closed his eyes.

"This was an enlightening chat, Reb, but I'm gonna catch another two hours of shut eye before I get back to it. Don't worry about Marius, I'll take care of the situation later."

"Are you kicking me out? Not a chance." She pushed him over, then tucked herself under his arm and pulled the furs up to his chest and her ear. Relieved of her worries and with at least one battle behind them, in only a few moments her breathing slowed and she fell into the first real sleep she had had in days.

[The Good Doctor]

Lorgar Grim-Maw, Pale Pass Camp, Night.

 

Lorgar walked in silence on patrol with the moonlight on his back, it was his turn to patrol the camp. Lorgar didn’t mind at all, he enjoyed nights to himself when the moon and stars where out. It was very peaceful, and allowed Lorgar to truly think about things uninterrupted.  He decided to take a short break, and sat on a tree stump. The camp was in a up-roar, both caused by the princess’s arrival and the recent battle which caused large causalities.  Now with rumours of General Marius disappearing, whom Lorgar knew was now with the Stormcloaks, the whole place has gone crazy.

 

Witchie is…right. Unless we get the princess under our control, this place is going to Oblivion-

 

Lorgar suddenly went into a predator position as he heard  noise coming from the woods, normal human hearing wouldn’t have heard anything, but Lorgar wasn’t exactly “normal†and with his advance hearing, it sounded like… muffled human screaming…

 

Screams coming from the woods, not good…

 

Lorgar quickly put up his hood, and went into a stealth position, before starting to sprint as quiet as the wind and as fast as a wolf to the location of the scream. These “woods†where little more then a large amount of shivered up dead trees, blackened. Lorgar sense of hearing could start to make out the voices of three males, and the “scream†despite being muffled by most likely a gag, belonged to a very young female. It took little time to pin point the location, and was soon in a glade. The people in the glade, however, utterly shocked Lorgar. The three males, we’re clad in light legionary armour, and had red cloaks and hoods, each had a set of daggers strapped to there leg’s. The fourth figure was bound and gagged to a tree, there were tears all over her pale face and she looked utterly terrified, she wore a pink frilly dress, and had beautiful blonde hair… Lorgar instantly recognized her.

 

Princess Dales Moitre?!

 

Yes, no mistake, that was the royal princess, and she was currently bound to a tree, surrounded by three imperial legionaries. Lorgar watched, already drawing an arrow from his quiver, hiding from there view in the shadows.

 

How the **** did they get the princess…

 

“Sir why don’t we gut the whore right now?â€

 

The third one nodded his head,

 

“I agree with the Questor, Praefect, we should just slit her throat.â€
 

The first, the “Paefect†as he was called, said

 

“Shut up you idiots, I’m thinking…â€

 

“About what?!â€

 

“About if this is right order…She’s just a girlâ€.

 

The Questor, angrily chewed out the “prefectâ€,

 

“Marius Ordered us to cut the ******* throat, she’s nothing but a thalmor whore, she’s ordered the execution of some of our comrades,  lets “put an axe†to her head, as the Nords sayâ€.

 

Marius ordered this?!

 

Lorgar didn't have a chance to voice his disbelief and utter fury, as the prefect finally nodded, and tried to draw his dagger…

 

But failed, as he didn’t have chance due to a black arrow piercing his throat, spraying crimson across the darkness. The two other so “called†assassins couldn’t react in time, before two arrows, one for each, landed in there respected throats.  The battle lasted at the most three seconds, before only silence remained. The princess’s eyes where now wide open, as she saw a cloaked figure approach her from the shadows, and quickly untied her binds and removed the gag from her mouth. As she was released, she quickly fell to her knees, tears where streaming down her pale face, and she was openly crying while her body shaked uncontrollably.  Lorgar, went down to his knee,  lightly put his arm on the girls shoulder and put down his hood, familiarity erupted in her face as she recognized who the figure was, before talking in a fury filled voice and starring into her blue eyes,

 

“Did they harm you your highness?!â€

 

She shook her head, and stuttered out in a voice that was cracking,

 

“No-not really…I…I- She was starting to stutter, and she was very pale, paler then she usually was.

 

“Milady your in shock, you have to-

 

Before Lorgar could finish, he was pulled into an embrace by the girl, who buried her face into Lorgar’s shoulder, still crying. Lorgar was shocked, no ones hugged him in a long time, let along a girl who should be in her right mind terrified of his appearance, she felt…warm. Lorgar observed her, this Talos hating “monster†as the stormcloaks and Marius most likely viewed her as, cry and seek comfort …she was, at the end of the day, she was just a girl. He wanted to protect her. Lorgar features softened, he gently returned the hug, and quietly comforted the sobbing princess in a warm voice.

 

“Shhhhh it’s alright…. I’m here…no one will hurt you…â€

 

Lorgar, embracing the crying princess, heard croaking. Lorgar looked up to see a large Black raven, sitting on the branch of the tree.

 

Later that evening

 

 Lorgar sat on the desk in his tent, thinking about all that’s happened. When Lorgar had brought the princess back to the fort, covered in tears and dirt, all hell broke loose. The princess was rushed to her quarters, which was now guarded by 12 legionaries. Lorgar himself spent two hours in a debriefing; he told them everything…everything but that fact Marius was behind the assassination.  He still couldn’t believe it, Marius while always a pragmatic person; sending assassins after a princess… what the hell was he thinking!?

 

Idiot…Talos-loving idiot…should’ve converted to the belief of the All-Maker like I told him too…

 

Lorgar took out a quill and some ink, before writing a letter to his “allyâ€

 

Witchie, we have a new development, assassins abducted the princess. I managed to dispatch them and rescue her, though the camp is now on high alert. Even worse, I heard the assassins mention that “Marius†was the one who sent them. I need you to confront Marius and see if he was the one who did it.  I have a plan, I’ll take out the princess for a stroll in the woods, you’ll then ambush me and her escort, you are to kill the escort and to incapacitate me, do not mention my involvement to the princess.

 

He waited for around 40 minutes, passing the time by reading some of his “romance†novels (his favourite genre of course),  before Karsk, the annoying raven, came. It croaked, before Lorgar handed it the letter, he told the raven,

 

“Take this is to your master”

 

Lorgar knew the bird was much smarter then it appeared, it croaked, as if to acknowledge it understood what Lorgar was telling it. It flew off into the night, leaving Lorgar once again alone.

[The Good Doctor]

What happened to Titus Al-Nazzir?


EDIT PART: 2

Pale Pass before dawn

Since the 3rd cohort hadn't arrived the Tribune was a bit more flexible then the other Legionnaires.

The cloaked daggers spread around the camp hiding in the trees. Moving from tree to tree the plan was to take out the stormcloaks using invisibility and archery to attack from a distance.

The Tribune would act as a distraction primarily. He could hold his own in a fight but his job was to make sure the stormcloaks didn't give too much attention to the trees raining arrows from above. He could take a good deal of punishment from the zerg rush with his heavy armor and healing abilities.

In one hand he held his enchanted scimitar and in the other was a healing spell.

"For Skyrim!" yelled the Stormcloaks at the battle field.

"Here we go", he said to himself.    


The camp was surrounded by soldiers (stormcloaks he assumed) but for some reason they were wearing old Nordic armor, instead of what he saw at the Stormcloak camp a day ago. The spoke a strange language too.

He immediately rushed toward the enemy army.

Facing a huge mass of enemies has it's advantages. While they have to be careful about avoiding friendly fire, the lone warrior can swing as wildly and unpredictably as he (or she) wants. Unfortunately, quantity has a quality of its own. While the Tribune's solitude granted him an advantage early on against the onslaught, he quickly found himself being overwhelmed. 

"What are you waiting for?" screamed the Tribune as he fought back what seemed like a never ending hoard of soldiers, "I can't fight all these things by myself!"

Between strikes he would activate a healing spell, but the onslaught gradually inched away at his health and magika.

The cloaked daggers just looked on from the trees with a mix of pity and shock. "He's gone insane" one said to another, "There isn't anything there".

"You lazy pieces of [censored]!", he screamed at his soldiers who didn't respond to his pleas for help, "are you (pant) THAT concerned (grunt) about your gold that (gasp) you're just leaving me to fight all these soldiers by my..."

The Tribune disappeared, instantly, right before their eyes. The cloaked daggers stood silently in response to what just happened.... until one of the finally spoke... 

"I don't know about you all... but I'm going back to cyrodiil... I don't care about this stupid war."

The others shruged and followed suit.

[The Good Doctor]

Boldir Iron-Brow

Skybound Watch hidden camp

Noon, two days after the battle

 

Boldir finished walking the length of the pass for his third time. If there were any ancient traps still hidden in here, he'd have found them by now. He headed out of the tunnels through the northern exit. Skybound Pass was planned to be used by the Stormcloaks as a last resort escape pass from Orphan Rock if needed. The central areas of the tunnel were covered in scorch marks from when he and several dozen Stormcloaks had torched the place to deal with a frostbite spider infestation several months ago. The tunnel could pretty much be described as just that, a tunnel. There were no side rooms, and the decor was what one would expect from an ancient Nordic outpost. There were a few old tables, bookcases, and chairs that had belonged to the original inhabitants. Since then, several bedrolls, chairs, and a table had been left behind by various wanderers and bandits who'd used the tunnels for shelter. Other than that, the only furniture was the twenty two cots Boldir and Jodun's men had brought with them, which were lined up along the walls of the pass.

Boldir didn't mind camping underground. It was well hidden and safe. They kept the old braziers lit so light was no issue, and there was much more space in the tunnel between the twenty two of them than the main camp of thousands ever could've offered. While he didn't mind sleeping down there, Boldir spent as little time in the tunnels as he needed to. He much preferred hanging out in the fresh air up at North Skyhaven Watch. Boldir pulled a wooden chair out of the small lookout post and turned it to face north. From up here, he could see for miles, unrestricted by the usual mountains that block one's view of the land. He could see smoke rising from the small village of Riverwood deep in the valley. In the far distance, he could make out the Great Plains of Whiterun. He had several hours until it would even begin to get dark, and discussing plans with Jodun wouldn't take that long. For the first time in what felt like forever, Boldir had time to just sit and think. As he looked out at Whiterun hold, Boldir couldn't help but think about Carlotta, and even Mila. He wondered how they were faring. As he did, his mind drifted back in time.

 

***

 

It was his fourth day in Whiterun. Boldir was sitting at the bar having a drink at the Bannered Mare when the lute cut out and he heard shouting behind him. He turned in his stool just in time to see a fetching woman with green eyes storm past. She had brown hair, and must've been in her mid-thirties. She wore a scowl.

As she passed, Boldir saw a young girl who had to be her daughter following close behind. A man Boldir recognized as the local bard followed them out of the tavern. 

What was his name? Mikel? Michael? 

The man followed the woman to the door wearing an unbelievably smug grin on his face.

"When are you gonna drop this act Carlotta?" The bard hollered. "You and I both know that it's meant to be!"

The little girl stuck her tongue out at the bard, and they stormed out. The man was drunk. That much was clear. Boldir could hear several others in the room groan, and the innkeeper was the first to respond.

"Give it a rest Mikael. I’ll not have you annoying my patrons."

The bard, Mikael turned to the counter. "I pay my tabs Hulda! Who are you to come between me and my next conquest? Besides, you want to keep your bard around don't you?"

Now Boldir groaned. Drunk or not, the man was an ass.

Hulda sighed. "You're right Mikael, I do want you to stay. But could you please keep that stuff quiet? You'll scare off the newcomers."

Boldir waved her over. "That’s fifteen septims right?" He left the pile of coins on the counter and started for the door.

What had I been thinking? I didn’t even know who she was. It wasn’t like me at all. Had I been drinking?

“Ten, actually."

Boldir was already up from his stool and on the way to the door. "Well you can keep the rest. It was a good meal.”

With that, he headed out into the market square and looked around for the green-eyed woman. She didn’t take long to spo. She and her daughter were heading toward an empty merchant stall across the square.

"Hey, you," Boldir shouted as he hurried after them. The woman turned around and her face twisted into one of horror as she pushed the child behind her, a reasonable reaction given the fact that there was a big stranger coming straight toward. Boldir stopped and raised his hands. "I'm sorry, it's not what you think!" 

When she realized Boldir didn't mean any harm, her face turned to one of curiosity. The Imperial stared at him for a good few seconds before responding. "And what exactly is it then?"

"Your name's Carlotta right? That's what that bard called you."

"Yes..."

Boldir motioned toward the Bannered Mare. "Is he giving you trouble?"

The woman looked surprised. "Mikael? Well... not that it's any of your concern... but yes, he's been harassing me for months. Fool's been going around saying that he's going to conquer me like a true Nord conquers a great beast. Pfft. Mikael couldn’t conquer a dry bush if you gave him a torch.”

That was it. I hadn’t expected her to say that. Gods, did I laugh like an idiot?

Boldir laughed. "If he’s a true Nord, he shouldn’t mind a chat. How would you feel about me convincing him to lay off?”

Carlotta looked surprised. And more than a little skeptical. "Huh? Why?”

Boldir shrugged and nodded at the child, who watched him in wide-eyed silence. “The lass doesn’t like him. I wouldn’t want a brave Nord like Mikael to end up in a fight he can’t win.”

The child grinned, and Carlotta studied him, then relented. “Well if you insist. Though I doubt you'll be able to get anything through that thick skull of his."

"We’ll see aboht that." Boldir winked at the kid, then headed back to the tavern. He crossed the room over to the bard, who stood with one foot on the arm of a chair while he tuned his lute for another song. He looked up as Boldir approached.

"Sorry, I'm not taking requests fro-" 

The lute hit the ground as Boldir grabbed Mikael by his shirt and pinned him to a beam behind the chair. He leaned in so close that he could smell ale on the bard's breath. "That woman, Carlotta, you're going to leave her alone. Got it?"

The bard's face twisted into an arrogant smile. "A competitor, eh? She's already mine big guy. Even if she doesn't realize it yet. Why don't you go look for some other woman to appease? I hear Markarth's got a nice temple of them."

Boldir let go of his shirt and stepped back. "I’ll say it again you poncy little milk-drinker-“

"I don't have to take this from you!"

Mikael threw a right hook aimed for Boldir's jaw, but he easily leaned away from it. Boldir’s fist then cracked against the bard’s nose so hard that his head struck the beam behind him and his knees buckled.

Tears streamed down Mikael’s cheeks, and he clutched his bleeding nose. "My nose! You broke my damn nose!"

Boldir squatted down beside him and leaned in close. "Next time it’ll be your throat, singer. Leave. Carlotta. Alone.”

All smugness had left the bard's face. "I- I won't bother her again. By my honor.”

"Good. Now you should probably go see a healer."

Mikael rose to his feet and ran out the door. Every eye was now on Boldir. The innkeeper looked pissed. "I hope you know someone who can play a good tune, or you owe me a new bard."

Boldir walked toward the door. “I’m sure he’ll be back.” He stopped, thinking. “Actually, I’ll be in town for a while. Do your customers like the flute?”

The woman laughed. “A good tipper, and willing to replace Mikael for a bit? Where have you been all my life?"

Boldir nodded. "I'll be back later. Just let me finish some business first."

He went back outside. Carlotta was still at the stall gathering some crates. Though by now her daughter was nowhere to be seen. She turned to him, still holding a crate. "What happened in there? I just saw him running past clutching his face! What did you do?"

"I’ll be taking Mikael’s place at the Bannered Mare for a while. He doesn’t mind.”

Carlotta set down her crate and looked Boldir in the eyes. "You know, I'd thank the gods, but I'll settle for thanking you instead." She reached into her coin purse. "Here have some coins. You've earned it."

Boldir waved the coins away. “You can thank me by coming to listen to me play the flute. You can bring the lass too. I’m going to need some fans if Whiterun’s to take me seriously as a bard.”

She regarded Boldir. Those green eyes felt like they could read his soul. "Who are you?"

"My name is Boldir.”

"Well Boldir, you’ve got yourself a fan.” She smiled coyly. If you’re not rubbish, that is.” She resumes stacking the crates. “So where are you from?”

"I was born in Shor's Stone,” he said, then added, “Although I haven't been there in many years. I'm on leave from Fort Neugrad, down in Falkreath." Boldir motioned to the crates. "Need help?"

Carlotta looked hesitant for a moment. As if she was unsure if she should accept his offer. Finally she answered. "Couldn't hurt. I'm taking these back to my house in the Cloud District. It would definitely save me some effort." Boldir stacked up the remaining crates followed Carlotta with them. "So you're a Stormcloak, then?"

The two talked all the way to her house, where she had Boldir set the crates down beside the door. Carlotta opened it and stepped inside. "It's been nice Boldir, but I've got to get to my daughter..." She looked conflicted about something. "Thank you. Thanks for dealing with Mikael and helping with these crates... Thanks." She closed the door. Boldir smiled.

What a funny feeling.

 

***

Boldir snapped back to the present when he felt a tap on his shoulder. It was Erik. "Sir, Jodun is looking for you. I think he wants to hear from you before heading out tonight."

He took a few moments to recollect himself. "Good. I've got a plan that he will love."

[The Good Doctor]

Osgumund and Valindil, Fort Pale Pass, night after the battle

 

“Valindil, where have you been all day, friend?†Osgumund said as Valindil entered his quarters.

“I have been with my soldiers. You remember those rocks that fell? Nasty bit of business that was. We didn’t lose anyone, thankfully, but we got a few injured. We’ve been clearing the rocks away to make it easier for the whole Legion to make its advance.â€

“So your flank failed, then?†Osgumund replied, honestly unhappy at the fact that his friend did not get the chance to help during the battle.

“Well in a manner of speaking, yes. But before we had to retreat from the rocks that fell, most of my men shot an arrow or two at the Stormcloaks. We took down a good twenty men at least.â€

“Well that’s good to hear. If you’re wondering, Gracchus and I taught those Stormcloaks not to mess with us mages ever again. Fine fellow that Gracchus, he has a beautiful physique.†Osgumund said, with a look of wonderment and admiration. “Would you care for some tea?â€

“Tea?†Valindil replied, taken aback at the sudden change in conversation. “Where would you get tea in a place like this?â€

“Well, the Nords certainly do not have such a refined sense of taste as you or I, and they certainly do not carry good tea in their little stores. So I used to have tea shipped to the embassy, where I would pick it up each month. I’ve been running low lately, but I’ve made sure to save it for a special occasion like this.â€

“Very well, I would love to drink with you.†

Osgumund prepared a pot of water to boil and sat down again. “Now on to business. We must crack down on Talos worship in the camp. We have been neglecting our duties to the Dominion as of late, and it is time we get back to work. We will set an example of people who break the law. We will be brutal with our punishments, but certainly not inhumane.â€

Valindil nodded in agreement. 

“I must find out Elenwen’s whereabouts though! I must! This report has become more vital than ever and the entire war’s outcome lies in the balance!â€

Valindil perked up. “You mean you haven’t heard? She will be here quite soon, as will the garrison from Northwatch.†Valindil, seeing the look of bewilderment on Osgumund’s face, shared Finaavin’s story with him.

“Why, this changes everything! She will no doubt rush to the Imperial City, but with my report she will surely make haste. Alinor must receive the information I am in possession of at once!†Osgumund said, thrilled at such good news of his boss’s survival. “If you’ll excuse me, I have much work to do. I must finish my report before she arrives!”

Valindil, understanding, bid his friend good night and left.

 

**********

 

Valindil went to go find his scout and friend, Finaavin. He found him on sentry duty at the southern edge of the fort. Twice as many guards had been stationed around the fort, to watch for the enemy, and men were constantly being sent to Bruma to purchase torches and the like. Osgumund even planned on teaching some of the Imperials spells like Candlelight and Magelight to help them see in the night.

Valindil approached from behind and put his hands on Finaavin’s shoulders to get his attention. He immediately recognized the touch and asked, “What is it you need, my lord? Shouldn’t you be in bed already? Come morning and you will have much work to do.â€

“Shh, my Finaavin. I wanted to talk to you.†Valindil said quietly. “Do not turn around, you must keep watch. I simply wanted to ask something of you. Would you like to be promoted to be my valet? I am in great need of one, and it has come to my attention that your father was valet to the 6th Baron of Llorendil, so surely you must know a thing or two about it?”

Finaavin was taken by surprise, but he couldn’t help smiling. 

So is that a yes? There would no doubt be an increase in salary.

“Why yes, my lord. I would be honored. As long as it makes me closer to you…â€

Valindil laughed. “Of course it would.†He looked around to make sure no one was watching. He put his hands on Finaavin’s waist, where one of them slowly progressed downwards. 

“Sir? But I am on guard duty”

“Valets don’t have guard duty. Just be quiet my sweet.†

In one quick motion, Valindil rushed behind the nearest wall and pulled the other Elf with him. The two were now hidden. Valindil pulled Finaavin closer and kissed him intimately. Finaavin was still dazed, but made no move to resist. 

“Come to my room when you’re finished with duty. I’ll be waiting for you.†Valindil whispered into Finaavin’s ear and winked. He then left for his room.

[The Good Doctor]

Legate Gracchus Ceno

Fort Pale Pass

Morning of Second Day after Battle 

 

Gracchus tossed and turned, the nightmares eventually getting the better of him and he awoke with a jolt, spitting curses to Vaermina as he did.

The dream always was the same. He was on the boat, the on that has burned the Harpy , but instead of his men burning the ship, it was their ship that caught fire. Or other times, the crossbow bolts would multiply by the thousands, turning everyone aboard to pincushions. 

Why? What about this dream keeps getting to me? It was just another assignment, I've done much worse for the Empire. What did I do this time around that was different? Gracchus thought.

Deciding that sleep was not an option, he walked across his chambers to the water basin in the corner. He grabbed a handful and splashed on his face, letting the shock of cold water destroy all traces of sleep.

Gracchus was bent over, gripping the sides of the basin, watching as the water settled and its ripple were replaced by his face, those dark emerald eyes staring back up at him. They always reminded him of his mother, from whom he had inherited those deep green eyes.

Gracchus' thoughts shifted to all those years ago, before he joined the legion. The little farm, outside the Imperial City, where they grew wheat, mostly, and raised a few chickens. His father was an unkind man, but his mother, she was the nicest women that Gracchus had ever met. When he was little, he would always ask her about the bruises, and she would brush them off as nothing. But as he grew older, he noticed that more often then not, after he would get threw with the yard work and his destruction training, he would go in the house to find her crying, and telling him how much she loved him, and longed for a better life for him. He never confronted his father, instead choosing to run away to the Legion as soon as he could. 

Gracchus never returned there, even after all those years in the Legion. Once he revived the letter of inheritance granting him the farm, he immediately turned around and sold it. His father was the only thing that truly scared him, not because of what he had done to Gracchus, but because of how broken he had made his mother feel.

Gracchus looked up from the water basin, so deep in thought he had not noticed the few tears beginning to well up. Wiping them away with another splash of water, he quickly got dressed and headed outside, to try and keep his mind off of his own cowardice, and the hatred he felt at having left his mother with that monster of a man.

[The Good Doctor]

Jodun and Boldir
Skybound Pass
3 in the afternoon
 

Boldir walked through the tunnel to its center, where they'd decided to set up their makeshift command room. It was just a large table with some maps of Skyrim and Falkreath sprawled out over it. There were scorch marks on the walls. This was part of the area that the spider infestation had been a problem in. Jodun was already waiting behind the table.

"Afternoon Jodun. You set for the raid tonight?"

Jodun was sharpening his ebony scimitars with a rock when Boldir spoke to him.

"Good afternoon to you too, Captain. I am ready when you are, as are my men. I brought the ones that are better at stealth for this occasion. Silent death is their specialty."

"Silent death eh? Good. That's what we need. But for now, I've got a different plan. Your people, the Redguards of Hammerfell, they are the most skilled in the world in making explosive powder for things like cannons and even bombs, am I correct?"

Jodun's face showed his curiosity as Boldir mentioned the explosive powder.

"...Why, yes. We do have what you would call explosive powder, mainly for cannons on ships. Why do you ask, Captain?"

"I've been thinking, the Imperials can't expect to take Skyrim with just one legion can they? They'll have to send for reinforcements eventually. This bunch can cause damage, but they won't win alone. They took a major hit in numbers just getting into the province. Let alone taking the whole thing. Also, with the farms in Falkreath burned down, they must rely on Cyrodil for sustenance. See where I'm coming from? They are totally relying on the southern pass for everything at the moment. If we are to cut off the pass, they will be stranded in Skyrim and forced to play their hand prematurely or risk starvation. To close the pass, we need a huge avalanche. To create a huge avalanche, we need a big explosion. Do you follow me?"

Jodun got up out of his seat as Boldir said this, and picked up a large wooden keg that had been partly rotted at the top. He dropped the heavy burden on top of the table, and a dark black powder fell out partially in small quantities on the table from the top of the keg as he did this.

"I always bring at least some of this stuff with me. You never know when you're going to need it. In Hammerfell, my men used to roll these down sand dunes at our enemy, or at men trying to hold up shield walls, then we have a battlemage throw a fireball at it. Then...BOOM! Instant carnage. Then we send the cavalry in between the lines and break up the enemy formation. Instant rout, every time. Much more force behind these explosions than a mage's fireball."

Boldir smiled. He hasn't expected Jodun to already have the stuff made up. This was better than he'd hoped for.

"The trick is going to be sneaking it into the camp."

Boldir walked over to a chest and shifted through it before pulling out a medium sized grain bag. He poured the contents on the floor in the corner of the room and placed the now empty bag on the table.

"We can fill smaller bags like this so that each man can sneak a reasonable amount of the powder through the pass. We can pour it all together when we get into position. How many bags of powder do you think it would take to create an avalanche capable of blocking the pass?"

"It wouldn't take much of the stuff at all. One bag should do it, but we'll need to climb high for the snow to travel fast and accumulate enough mass for the desired effect. Here's the thing though...We can't bring a team larger than three men if even that. The Imperials likely stepped up security due to our last attack. It's best if only you and I go all the way in, while fifty men get their attention with attacks from the woods. Then you and I can slip in. I'll carry one bag strapped to my back, and you carry one. We're bringing two just to be sure. We'll need to travel light. I wouldn't bring more than an axe if I were you. My scimitars are light enough to bring both. The climb will be treacherous and very dangerous."

"You and me eh? That'll work. Any more could draw attention. Don't worry about the climbing on my part. I had already climbed mountains this steep when I was still just a boy. Never this high though, but that won't matter as much as you'd think. I'll bring my battle axe. It won't slow me down."

Boldir pointed at a spot on a map of Pale Pass. It was far south. Further than Boldir had ever been in his life.

"This is the narrowest point of the pass and is far enough south of their encampment to draw attention to us before the explosion. That's where we'll hide the powder. The hard part now is gonna be getting past their camp. You could perhaps pass for a mercenary, but my armor will be a dead giveaway even at a distance. Unless you've got something for me now, we'll worry about that later. For now, I want you to have two filled bags and one smaller one waiting outside in South Watch. I'm going to send for Baldur so that he can have his men create a distraction for us."

"Okay, have him send fifty of my men. That is all we'll need for a distraction. They'll do some killing, retreat in the other direction, and we slip past them while they're occupied."

"Let's get to it then. We've got a big night ahead of us."

Boldir went back to the chest and found a piece of parchment in it.

"I'll go write Baldur now."

Boldir headed out of the room, anxious to set this new plan into motion.

[The Good Doctor]

Osgumund and Valindil

 

It was a sunny day at the fort, and everyone was nervous. Well, all the Elves were at least. Everyone was nervous for one reason: this was the day that Elenwen would be arriving. For the past few days, Valindil had been preparing the Thalmor soldiers for her arrival, while Osgumund worked on his report and making the fort look clean and suitable for Her Excellency’s visit, short as it may be.

As the group approached the fort, the whole of the Thalmor forces stood at the Northern Gate. Their armor shined brightly in the sun, and their robes smelled fresh, like a bed of lilies in full bloom. In back were the warriors and swordsmen, and in front of them were the archers. To the left of the archers were the battlemages. In front of them were the officers, and at the head of it all were Colonel-Inquisitor Osgumund Kitaneth and Colonel-Justiciar Valindil Ramani.

“Osgumund; Valindil! My, my, it has been so long! I have been looking forward to this day for months.â€

“As have we, Your Excellency.†they replied in unison.

“I would like to present to you my men.†Valindil turned around and held his hand out to show her his soldiers. Elenwen looked at the group of orderly Elves in front of her and was entirely satisfied with what she saw. “You have done well, Valindil. You are well on the road to a promotion if this keeps up!†She smiled and turned to the battlemages. “These are new. When did they arrive?â€

“Last week, Your Excellency.†Said Osgumund. “ They arrived with the Princess.â€

“A smart move to put them under your leadership. Shall we get to business? I have been led to believe that you have some very important news for me?â€

“Ah yes,†Osgumund said, relieved to finally show to Elenwen what he had been wanting to show her for months. “Please follow me.â€

**********

The three went to a balcony high on the Eastern Tower. The birds were chirping and the air smelled fresh and clear. It was a perfect day.

“Over the past few years, I have been extremely busy in Morthal, as you may know.†Osgumund started, as they all sat down. “Seven months ago, when the Stormcloaks took Hjaalmarch, we went into hiding. I frequently sent scouts into Morthal, and other surrounding towns, to get as much information on the current situation as possible. I even went on these missions myself from time to time. Now jump to five months ago, I made the discovery that the Stormcloaks were enlisting the help of Redguard engineers in the city of Solitude. To avoid being overheard by nosy Imperials, I would like you to read the rest in my official report. Now, I covered many topics in this report, so I would like for you to turn to page thirty first.â€

Elenwen picked up the book and opened it. She started reading.

On the 3rd of Morning Star, 4E 202, one of my scouts and I made the shocking discovery that Jarl Ulfric Stormcloak has employed the service of Redguard engineers. These engineers are aiding the Stormcloak Army in creating  long ranged ballistas with "special" ammunition. Just the thought of the Stormcloaks possessing improved weapons was distressing to me, but what was even more distressing was the witnessing of one actually being tested. 

An old wall on the edge of Solitude was scheduled to be demolished, and to test the power of the ballista, the engineers used it on this wall. Now, have in mind that this was an old wall, but nevertheless, the way it disintegrated the wall into a million little pieces was enough to make myself extremely worried.

I write about this because it is, obviously, very germane to this Civil War we are fighting in. If we do not act on this information immediately, our armies will be decimated by these ballistas, for once it hits a target, it explodes and does area damage, effecting anything and everything nearby. 

Elenwen had a concerned look on her face, ready to hear what Osgumund’s plan on how to deal with this new threat was. She kept reading.

I have already developed a more powerful frost spell that would help slow down or stop the ballista, and it's possible it could even destroy it when paired with a lightning spell. But that is not going to be of any use to us in the end; I am convinced that the only way to fight fire is with fire. By this I mean to say that we must begin to develop our own model instantly. If we were to tap into our affinity for magic, I’m sure we could create an even more deadly version of a cannon.

Another thing: as I said before, I think that another war may be brewing here in Skyrim right now. I believe that this war is imminent, and cannot be prevented. Thus, I believe it very necessary for a considerable amount of reinforcements from the Dominion to be sent here. I am sure the Emperor will have no dissent, as we would only be helping him. 

My sources in the Stormcloak Army report that a certain ‘General Jodun’ from Hammerfell has arrived in Skyrim quite recently, and is now working with the Stormcloak General Baldur. This is quite worrying to me, as this means Hammerfell has sided with the Stormcloaks, and has basically declared war on the Empire, and ultimately the Dominion. We are now at war with Hammerfell, as well as the Stormcloaks. We must send a full army to Skyrim as soon as possible.

When she finished reading, Elenwen was shocked. “How many soldiers is a ‘considerable amount’?†She asked.

“Why, as many as you, the Emperor, and the King of Alinor see fit. If it were up to me, I would have at least two thousand sent at once.â€

She sat back in her chair and thought for a minute. Two thousand? Has it really come to this in only six months? It has only been six months, right?

After a few minutes, she spoke again, “If you really think we must be fully involved, then so be it. I value your opinion very highly, you know. I will speak with the Emperor and the King and we will see what needs to be done.†She said, obviously still in shock at Osgumund’s discovery and the fact that this was going to turn into an all out war, and very soon at that.

“We must take the appropriate measures, and Osgumund and I both believe these are the measures we must take.†Valindil said. “The birth-rate in Alinor alone has more than tripled over the past twenty-five years, so we need not worry about a shortage of men, if that is what you are thinking.†Valindil continued.

“Has it really? I didn’t think it had even doubled…†Osgumund said.

“Well, I must hurry to the Imperial City, the Emperor will want to know about this right away. I thank you greatly for this valuable information. I shall leave the men from Northwatch with you; there are about 150 of them left.â€

“Thank you, they will be put to good use, you can rest assured. And you are more than welcome to keep the report, it was written for you.â€

“Well then, I’m off to Bruma. We must keep in touch, I shall like a full report of new developments in the war from you before I hear from anyone else, got it?â€

“Very well. Have a good trip, Your Excellency.†Osgumund said. Elenwen then left with the other Elves who had been with her at the Embassy, as well as a few Thalmor Guards.

[The Good Doctor]

Marius, Rebec and Baldur

Evergreen Grove Camp

Two days after the battle of Pale Pass

 

"So was this before or after you slept with the Innkeepers daughter, Wulf?" Asked a curios Marius, whom was getting kinda confused with the story.

A woman's voice could be heard talking to the Stormcloak guards just outside the captive general's tent.  It was obviously a friendly chat, with some laughter, possibly flirting.  A moment later Rebec's head appeared in the tent.  She was in her leathers, with an ebony dagger strapped to her thigh, and an ebony axe at her hip.  Glancing at the two escorts, she jerked her head.  "Outside.  I want to speak to the prisoner alone."

The two grimm ones saluted, before getting out of there chairs, and heading out of the tent. Marius continued to sit on his bed, arms crossed, with a neutral expression.

"Hmmm, High-Admiral Rebec? You need something?"

Hands on her hips, Rebec studied Marius.  "You look very comfortable, considering you're surrounded by thousands of soldiers who want you dead.  On both sides of the line, if we include your Thalmor friends."

The general changed his neutral expression,  to a grimm one,

"It's because I don't fear death..."

The general's expression changed again, this time to a mocking smile,

"And i've made some new friends, as you just saw, it's not like i'm lonely..."

"Don't mistake hospitality for friendship, traitor.  No one here forgets what you are.  Right now the only friend you have in this camp is General Red-Snow, and he's not too fond of you, either.  I did make sure to remind him of what Tullius was going to do to him and Ulfric when they were in your position."

Marius continued to use his mocking smile, he stretched his arms out,

"What would Baldur have done then if he captured Tullius? Would he use a mage to make illusions of innocents and pretend he was going to rape them? Or maybe...he would do what Ulfirc was planning to do with Tullius before he disappeared, lop of his head? So it's justified if you stormcloaks are the ones who do it, but you consider it a crime if we do it?"

Smiling a little, Rebec moved around the table and came closer, so that she stood over Marius.  Her tone almost friendly, she asked, "Which would you prefer?  I could arrange either, or something more creative.  You know what your emperor did to the Thalmor who took the Imperial City.  Now you've led a Thalmor army here to take Skyrim, and we could easily find somewhere high to hang you from."  The admiral paused.  "Or should I ask Samuel what to do with you?"

Marius's face turned to a neutral expression, before speaking in a cool and professional tone,

"This "army" your refer to is less then 200 soldiers...they would have sent more, but I refused to accommodate them."

Unexpectedly, after hearing that bit about Samuel, Marius's face twisted into a smile,

"Ah, so the mighty "High-Admiral" of the glorious Stormcloak Navy, nothing but a puppet to the lowest life-form on nirn..."

"Now I'm supposed to be impressed by how you stood up to the big bad Dominion.  Too late, traitor.  Lorgar gave me a close-up view of how that works.  So tell me.  What is this between you and Samuel?  I'm genuinely curious.  He obviously hates you.  Hates you passionately, I would say- if he has feelings at all."

"Dont talk to me about what Lorgar did, you obviously don't know the full extent of what he did for you, your stay at Camp Rommulas would have been a great deal more... difficult if he wasn't sticking his neck out for you." 

He switched back to the topic of Samuel,

"Samuel most likely hates me for actually standing up against him, you see i left a few marks on his face last time we meet. I also basically told him to "go **** himself" along with "In the end i'm going to be the one to gut you."

Rebec smirked, but it was a bitter one.  "So dramatic, this little spat you've got going."  She flipped up the latch of her dagger sheath and palmed the blade in one motion.  "Unfortunately for you, your spat cost us a lot of good men.  I need Samuel, but you're worth nothing to me, or to anyone.  We can't even bargain with you."  Spinning the dagger once, she reached out and brushed the tip along Marius' cheek. "Maybe I ought to give you some marks to match Samuel's.  It might look manly.  Not that you're ever going to be getting that sort of hospitality here."  Come on, you bastard.  Try to take the dagger from me.  All I need is an excuse.

Marius, didn't even make a move, he simply and calmly starred at the nord, before responding in a voice devoid of emotions, 

"Do it then, I've faced things you cant ever imagine, I've seen horrors that caused lesser men to loose them selves in despair, i'm not afraid of you, nor am I afraid of Samuel. As I said, I don't fear death..."

"Do you want to die?" Her tone is curious again.  The dagger point draws a small line of blood on Marius' cheek, then she holds the weapon out, point towards him.  It is still easily within reach, but also could be turned and plunged into his chest.  "I'd want to, if I were as pitiful as you."

"You think i'm the one who is pitiful? What did Samuel give you?!" Marius, even with the dagger so near him, smiled 

"Let me guess, he gave you info on a lost loved one?"

Rebec spun the dagger again and slipped it back into its sheath.  She was disappointed, but careful not to show it.  There was still time yet- she hoped.  "I have to admire Samuel's art, luring you here and then turning the tables on you.  What I don't understand is you.  Why did you come here?  Did you honestly think it was going to turn out like he told you it would?  Stormcloak and imperial, holding hands against the Thalmor.  Warms the heart."

"I came here because the one true thing I love, my glorious empire, is being destroyed from the inside by corrupt politicians who treat soldiers like pawns, and only care for there own physical gain. I came here so I could fight against them without being held by the chains of command and loyalty. You stormcloaks can rot in the deadlands for all I care, but the Thalmor and that pretender...that pig Moirtre, deserve to be in Cold-Harbor."

"And what did you hope to accomplish alone?  If things are as bad as you say, then surely there are others.  But you all just keep flailing around in whatever direction the Dominion points you.  Even you needed Samuel to point out the obvious.  Do any of you ever think for yourselves?"

"You don't know what it's like, Admiral. The entire High command staff has been compromised by Thalmor supporters, any General who raises protest is "Retired" from there command. It goes deeper, the high council itself is filled with Dominion puppets, from High General Titus to High counciler Octabe. Frankly, I couldn't do anything about it, at risk of "retirement". "

Rebec's brow knit at the first really troubling thing she had heard in this conversation.  Turning and pacing away slowly, she answered, "I knew it, if no one else did.  It's as plain as the sunrise- if the sun ever shone in this hold."  There is a pause before she goes on.  "When I wake up in a cold sweat, it's not an imperial galley that was the last thing I saw in my dreams.  It's the Dominion fleet I know must be coming after them."  The admiral turned again to look at Marius.  "And you're saying there is nothing any of us can do to stop it?  They're just going to let it go on like this, and destroy Skyrim as part of the bargain.  Why can't you do to Motierre what he did to Mede?"

Marius laughed, "Do we have the entire Elder council supporting us? No, Amaund does. He also has the Aldmeri Dominion backing him, as well as a entire legion utterly loyal to him. Mede had none of those things...."

"So you're giving lie to everything you said to me earlier, about how you resisted taking more Thalmor troops.  Your legions are acting on behalf of the Dominion directly.  Every one of you is a Dominion soldier.  Thank you for confirming what I already knew.  I won't feel a thing killing every last one of you."  The admiral was very sober now.  Marius, at least, would have to live long enough to give this report to Ulfric.  That meant that she would likely lose her command.

Marius Smirked. "I didn't lie, I told the dominion that I didn't want too many of there troops to be put into danger from you Stormcloaks, pandering to there Ego is always an effective way." Marius smirk became a full smile with a completely friendly face 

"Maybe I should tell Ulfric what you offered Lorgar in camp Rommulas...Admiral"

Rebec laughed.  "Go ahead, but you'll bore him.  He's heard that story already.  He more enjoyed the part about how we dismantled Camp Rommulas from the inside and out."  Tilting her head, she said, "So what's next for you, general-as-was?  How are you going to carry out this little gutting scheme you've got planned for Samuel?"

"Do you think i'm an idiot, actually...you probably do..anyway, what's stopping you from telling Samuel what i've got planned for him?"

"I just wondered how you see this thing going.  I want to make sure to lay it out for General Red-Snow so he gets no notions that you're here to help us. You're so consumed with your petty vengeance that you aren't thinking of your beloved empire anymore, since by the sounds of things Skyrim is your only hope for turning things around there."

Marius, once again laughed, 

"Petty vengeance...this isn't about vengeance, this is justice. Do you even know what kind of man Samuel is? Do you even know what he's done? And continue to think that way Admiral, I love the empire, and would do anything for it, defecting to the stormcloak's, is my way of helping it from itself."

"Samuel is a useful man, that's all that matters to me.  Your uses are very few."  Not few enough.  The conversation had convinced her that Marius still did have some use, if only for his information, and possibly to lure the Thalmor to try to claim him.  Baldur was right, damn him.  What that meant for her, Rebec didn't want to consider.  Vexed and more troubled than when she came in, the admiral turned to leave, saying over her shoulder, "You haven't defected, Marius.  If you ever think we're going to fight next to you, put that out of your mind now.  Not until your fellow imperials realize the truth and turn on your masters."

"I see you two are getting acquainted."

Baldur was watching Rebec to see what she would do, and when he saw her walk towards Marius's location, he followed her. When he approached, he ordered the men to keep quiet while he eavesdropped on the conversation.

"Baldur."  Rebec's expression was somewhat guilty, but she wasn't surprised to see him.  She had been more surprised that he hadn't already warned the guards not to let her in, hence her buttering them up before trying to enter.  "Yes, Marius is a better conversationalist than Lorgar was.  Of course we don't have Thalmor here trying to butt in every five minutes.  Yet."  She gave him a pointed look that said we need to talk.

Baldur could hear from inside the tent,

"Your High admiral is a good person to talk to, I feel VERY safe knowing that she's in the camp..."

"I heard the conversation outside, Reb. We'll talk about it in a few minutes. For now, I need a word with the General alone."

Baldur put on a stern face to let her know he wasn't going to leave it up for debate.

The admiral pursed her lips, her eyes turning flinty to match Baldur's.  "Of course, General," she answered coldly.  "His whining about Samuel was getting tiresome anyway."  With a baleful glance back at Marius and another at Baldur for good measure, Rebec ducked back out of the tent.  She withdrew to a quiet area nearby, and paced, waiting for Baldur to emerge again.

Marius glanced at Baldur, who was now entering his tent, he nodded,

"So general, why do I owe the pleasure?"

Baldur sighed before he initiated in the conversation, and then he proceeded with haste.

"Let's cut to the chase. I don't like you, you don't like me. We don't need to like eachother to get along. Bottom line is if Skyrim is lost, your Empire is next. I've done some bad things, and you've done some bad things. But if we don't want Thalmor destroying our homes, raping our women, and enslaving man kind again, we need to quit acting like enemies. You were right, what I did to Lorgar and what I did to your soldiers was wrong. I apologize for killing them the way I did. I don't apologize for killing them, and I don't apologize for Lorgar. But I recognize the gravity of my actions. Now that that is out of the way, can I count on your help? I have my doubts about trusting you, and you'll likely have to prove to me that you're truly with us, but I'm willing to give you a chance. I've done the same for others before."

Marius took a few seconds to take in those words, before responding to the general.

"You can...but I expect you to trust me in turn, make no mistake, I would do anything to prevent the empire from falling, including helping you stormcloaks...Anyway's, I recommend you to restrain your Admiral in her attempts to kill me, you do know she's just being used as a puppet?"

Baldur took a seat on the foot of the General's bed, sighed, and closed his eyes before speaking, "She's in a bit of trouble caused by Mr. Moon Balls. He has dirt on her, and the only way to keep him quiet is to either kill you or pay him 5000 septims. I don't have the time to explain to Ulfric why I need the gold, and I'm not going to kill you. If I don't do as he says, Rebec's ability to command the men will be shot, and she may face some charges, but I suspect her recent activities in the Sea of Ghosts will exonerate her. But I can't take the risk. So the first thing I need to ask of you is, can you promise me that you will not go after Samuel? If you give me that promise..."

Baldur leaned forward and whispered in his ear so it was impossible for anyone but the General to hear Baldur's words.

"You have my word. I will help you find him, then you can do to him what you wish. I can't risk having a man like him around knowing things about Skyrim that he shouldn't. Is that a deal?"

Marius, smirked, before saying out loud, "Fine...I give you my word..." He leaned in to Baldur's ear, and whispered,

"We have a deal Baldur..."

Balder stood up off of the bed and held out his hand for the General to shake.

"Then it's time you become one of us. If you are ready, we will begin the ceremony in front of he men. You break this oath, and you will only prove to me and everyone that we were right about you and the Imperials. If we are ever going to stop the Thalmor, we need to start trusting one another. Starting now. Will you take the oath and become a brother to Skyrim?"

Marius, nodded, his face filled with determination, took Baldur's hand and shook it firmly. "Then let's do it then."

Baldur walked out of the tent with General Marius in tow, and as he did, the soldiers that were his escorts moved to follow him. Baldur put his hand over one of their chests to stop them walking past him.

"Wait. You're no longer his escorts. Go and get me some dye and a bucket. Have General Marius give you his uniform and bring it to me. Tell him I'll meet him over by the pond in a few hours."

As the men looked at him with puzzled looks, they said yes sir, and ran off to follow his orders. Baldur walked over to Rebec who was waiting for him to walk out.

"Well, I took care of it. You have nothing to worry about."

Rebec looked up as the men came out of the tent, and her expression goes from confusion to utter disbelief as Marius apparently is walking out no longer a prisoner.  Lowering her voice to keep anyone from overhearing, she said, "What do you mean you took care of it?  What's going on?  Maybe I'm addled from being on land too long, but this doesn't look like an execution."

Baldur swallowed hard before he gave Rebec an answer. He knew she wouldn't like it. Neither would Boldir more than likely.

"Well, because the Thalmor will eventually come here in force, we need allies. Hammerfell and Skyrim alone aren't enough, so the only thing we can do to assure our survival is to convince the Empire to side against the Thalmor. That's not going to happen from the Emperor's side or the Elder Council's side, but the Legion...the Legion we have a chance to persuade. When they see Marius fighting along side us not as a traitor to Cyrodiil but as a liberator of Cyrodiil from the corruption of her government...other Legion Generals may follow his example. It could lead to an uprising, and even a new Emperor. One that will accept our independence, and accept us as allies against the Thalmor."

Rebec's mouth fell open.  "You want to... I'm sorry, I must have mud in my ears.  You want to make him one of us?"  She searched Baldur's face, hoping there was a punchline here somewhere.  "Tell me that you're doing this as some cunning plan to lure him into false sense of security so that I can come along and stick an axe in the back of his head.  I've got one, you know.  An axe.  Right here.  It's got that miserable imperial traitor's name etched right on it.  I could have put it in his head while I was in that tent, but I didn't, because I trusted you."

Baldur truly believed what he just did was the right move. There was no shame in his heart, so he looked Rebec directly in the eyes and confidently spoke.

"Then keep trusting me, Reb. This is the right move. If we want the Empire on our side, we need to start giving out trust. Here's where we can start. It's either that, or be completely wiped out. When it was just the Thalmor by themselves, we never had much to worry about considering our location. But those corrupt politicians are completely wrapped around their finger, and now it's Alinor, Elsweyr, Cyrodiil and possibly Valenwood versus Skyrim and Hammerfell. We need the Legion on our side. Besides, the General promised not to go after Samuel, so you won't be in danger of being exposed."

She was still fuming, but for Baldur's sake tried to clear the red haze from her eyes and think it through logically.  "You put a lot of stake on this man's word.  It was Samuel who got him here in the first place, otherwise he would have been up there at the Pass trying to break our wall.  Now he turns on his own brothers, and slinks here all alone, when he could be over there doing some actual good for us.  Do you think they're all just going to drop their fancy swords and go home because one man turns traitor?  This is foolish, Baldur.  You're going to sow dissent in our own ranks and accomplish nothing from it.  As for Samuel, I'm sure he'll just take our word that Marius has turned into Mother bleeding Mara.  The man was just bragging about how he was going to gut him."

"Marius isn't very different from myself. He'll do anything to save his home. He'll prove himself to be with us, and when that happens, our men will see I made the right call. You will too. Their men will see him with us, and their loyalties will be shaken. They'll have the Thalmor saying one thing about him, and their minds saying another. It won't be dissent in our ranks. It will be in theirs. You're right though. It did take Samuel's blackmail to get him here, but sometimes it takes a boot to your ass to get you on the right track. You know that better than anyone."

"Don't you compare me to him."  Rebec turned away so that she wouldn't have to look at him anymore.  There was truth to what he said, but she couldn't face it.  Pacing, she said, "Once Falkreath is secure I'll go back to Solitude and resign my command.  Or I can write to Ulfric from here, that may be better.  Sigrid is too cautious, slow to attack, but otherwise she'll make a good admiral.  I'll go into her crew, that way hopefully the men will accept it, and after Samuel does whatever he's going to do we'll just have to see..."  Her mind raced ahead, trying to find some sense of where she was again.  It had seemed much clearer the night before.

Baldur could see that he hurt her, and that made him feel low, but it was the truth.

"Rebec, you don't need to do that! And that's not what I meant...Just, please. Just give me a chance to show you. You know we can't win this by ourselves! I won't be the man to lose Skyrim to the elves for the first time in over four eras! I can't let my father's death by my hand be for nothing. Just please, let me handle this. Please. Allow me to give him the chance to prove himself. Like I did for you."

"I am trying to help you," she said, her voice breaking a little.  "If this is what you're determined to do, then I have to try to get out of this mess with Samuel myself.  I could just wait for the right moment and kill Marius myself, but you would know and I can't live with that, either.  So I have to try to break the hold Samuel has over us."  She glanced back.  "Don't worry.  I won't leave yet and I won't show the men what I really think of that worm.  Gods, I hope you're right, Baldur.  He could be feeding our numbers and defenses to the other side and he'll just call it love for his damn bloody precious glorious empire.  If I find out he's a spy or if he so much as makes a move towards you, all bets are off."

"Rebec, I hate to do this, I really do, but I am ordering you to leave Samuel to me. I'm going to make sure that you are completely left out of any dealings with him. Next time those contacts of his come here, let me know, so that I can make a deal with him. I'm the commanding officer here. If anyone is to take fallout for this decision it should be me. You're an independent individual, and I get that. But let. Me. Handle this! You are a Stormcloak! We don't take burdens on ourselves. That is what your brothers and sisters are here for! Don't worry about Samuel. He's a reasonable man. He'll agree to my deal."

"I know you want that to be the case, Baldur, but it isn't.  You of all people should know that when you give an order, the consequences fall on many others but yourself.  As for my command, that's my decision to make.  But for your sake I'll wait on it, for now.  I said that I'd not only support this madness, I'd help you do it.  You can't order me to like it."

Rebec walked off then, at a fast clip back towards the center of camp, brushing past him as she went.  She decided to do some weapons practice and take out her frustrations on a dummy.  On the way she passed Suri, bent over an alchemy lab.  "Auntie, where are you..."

"Don't call me auntie, gods damn it!  It makes me sound a hundred years old."  The admiral stalked onward, leaving Suri behind with raised eyebrow.

 

****

 

Three hours after Baldur's fight with Rebec, Baldur had finished the final touches on Marius's uniform. It was the same General uniform that Tullius wore, but Baldur had dyed it Stormcloak blue. He also took one of his spare General capes that he had, and applied a darker blue color to it to go along with it. When he was finished, he gathered the uniform and the armor and took it to see what Marius thought of it. He was still thinking of Rebec and wondered if she would still come to stay with him that night or not. He didn't think it was very likely, so he brushed the idea out of his head before he approached Marius.

"Well, what do you think, Marius? I thought it was fitting that you keep the same uniform. Now you will have both the Empire and Skyrim's insignia on you when you go into battle. One on your chest and one on the cape."

"Not bad Baldur, it certainly looks impressive. Nothing like bearing the symbol of the dragon and the bear at the same time to strike fear into the dominion."

"I'm glad you approve. Listen...I'm risking a lot both militarily and personally by trusting you. Please...don't make me regret it."

"You wont ..."

Baldur sounded his war horn to gather all the men before him and the general at the pond near the camp. He was very nervous and wondered what his men would say when they saw him in the new colors. As the men gathered, he pretty much got what he expected.

"What the hell."

"Is he doing what I think he's doing? Has Baldur gone mad?"

"No way, this is some kind of trick. Another one of his pranks, you watch."

Baldur waited for them to stop their murmuring before he started the ceremony.

"General Marius Imperius, are you ready to take the oath?"

Marius, who looked quite calm despite all the murmurs emerging among the assembled Stormcloaks, spoke

"I am, General Baldur Red-Snow"

In the background, Rebec stood, arms crossed and her hair damp with sweat from beating practice dummies senseless.  Her expression was stony, but she silenced a few of the dissenters nearby who happen to catch her glaring at them.  Many of the Stormcloaks were simply confused, unsure of what they were seeing.

Baldur was about to continue when one of the female stormcloak soldiers came out of the crowd and stood before him.

"I'm sorry sir, but we can't let this continue. This man is not a true son of Skyrim! We went along with you when you let more Dunmer into the forces. That was a good decision. We went along with you when you were brutalizing enemy soldiers to the point of being inhumane! If those were Thalmor soldiers, I'd have joined in, but they weren't! We even went along with you and kept quiet when you raped a female captive to get the information of the enemy camp! That was too far, sir. Other men were court marshaled for that very reason, and although we got the info we needed, that is not something that we do, especially not our General! Now, now you want to accept this cur into our ranks? This is too far!"

Baldur was about to speak up, but the men and women's voices started to grow to loud for him to be heard.

"Yea, Galmar wouldn't have done this!"

Rebec wavered, wanting to let this go on, and unsure that even her voice would turn anyone's opinion anyway.  They would say later that she was just after the general's mead spigot, and after all she used to work for the Thalmor.  All Samuel would have to do was whisper in one ear to discredit them all.  She also desperately wanted to save Baldur from his reckless gamble by virtue of popular will.

But, she couldn't, and never did have any sense.

"You lot shut your pieholes!" she shouted, stepping forward.  "I don't like this anymore than you do.  The Grim Ones can vouch that I went in to General Marius' tent today, and I gave the man every opportunity to take my weapon and try to escape.  He didn't do that, and he convinced me that there are more important things going on here than even just the battle for this hold.  General Red-Snow is thinking about all of Tamriel now.  There's nothing that Marius can do with hundreds of us watching his back.  But if he can bring more legion over and turn them on those Thalmor, we may not have see any more of your families' farms burning.  I don't know about you, but I would risk a lot for that."

Her eyes moved around, meeting the gazes especially of the female soldiers she could see.  "As for what you've heard about Falkreath prison, there was no rape and no murder.  You know the mage called Witchie.  He conjured a phantom, that's all.  A trick.  It was a desperate move, but nobody had to die and we got the location of their camp.  But the Thalmor in that camp actually did torture me!  Remember whose side we're all on and who our real enemy is.  General Red-Snow would bleed for you, and he does.  If this man Marius will bleed to kill Thalmor, too, then let his skills and experience be put to good use.  If it goes bad, then you can hold the general responsible.  And you can hold me responsible, too."  She fell silent, glanced once at Baldur, then stepped back among the ranks.  They parted for her, murmuring, still uneasy.

Baldur was speechless. He was waiting for her to say I told you so, not for her to stand up and actually defend Marius.

Perhaps I won't be sleeping alone after all tonight. Perhaps.

"I can't deny the fact that I brutally killed those men. I lost control of myself after the death of Reval. By now most of you have heard about the circumstances behind his death. But that is no excuse. The next time I act so cruelly to my enemy, I'll make sure it's Thalmor. You have my word. As for the rape accusations, as unlikely as it may sound, what the Admiral said is true. I'd ask Marius to confirm it since the man who I did all this to told him, but I know how that would look. You can also ask Witchie himself, and ask him to demonstrate if you wish.

At any rate, lets get back to the issue at hand. Marius has sworn that he will aid us. You may not trust him, and I don't blame you. But please, trust me. You know by now that I do not make brash decisions unless I am damn sure that it is worth it! This is worth it. The Thalmor are taking over Cyrodiil from the inside, starting from the Emperor and spreading through the Elder Council. General Marius was brought to us through blackmail, but he now knows that it was necessary to save Cyrodiil from the Thalmor. And make no mistake about it, that is our goal. If we don't get the Legion on our side, the Thalmor will walk into Skyrim and we will be the first generation of Nords to lose our lands for the first time in over four eras. Is that what you want?"

The soldiers started to murmur, unsure of how to answer.

"I SAID IS THAT WHAT YOU WANT?!?"

The soldiers this time all answered at the same time resoundingly.

"No sir!"

Baldur continued with his speech.

"Then give this man a chance to show us that he is one of us. The Legion is not to blame for this, the Thalmor are! We need to show the Legion that we are willing to work with them, and accepting Marius in our ranks is the first step! If we can't put aside our differences with this one man, we will NEVER be able to do it with the whole Legion, and at that moment we are all doomed. Skyrim will fall, then Hammerfell, then Cyrodiil from the inside, and we will all be slaves to the High Elves. Marius, tell these men and women what is going on in Cyrodiil to the Generals."

Marius nodded to Baldur, before going to the front and addressing the assembled soldiers,

"Want to know what's happening in Cyrdoili? The High Command of the mighty imperial legion is corrupted from the inside, ANY soldier, General to NCO,  who is caught raising protest against the Dominion is reported and, in officers case, stripped of there title, rank, and forced to retire. ANY soldier, regardless of rank or status, is given over to the dominion if caught in the act of "treason", publicly tortured and executed by the Dominion, and it's puppets the imperial inquisition. If a General is caught plotting against the dominion, there given the same treatment, as well as there entire family, both children and women.  The Elder council is filled with vipers and snakes who bend there knees to the dominions ever whim, with the sole motive of power and wealth for one's self.  The emperor himself, and his high council, are in the dominions pocket!!!"

"You see? The once proud and strong Imperial Legion is being held hostage by their own government! The Legion are not our enemies. We just have to show them there's a way out. Now, If there are no further objections, Marius. Kneel down on one leg and bow your head, then repeat after me.

Baldur waited for Marius to kneel before the crowd and bow his head.

"I do swear my blood and honor to the service of Ulfric Stormcloak."

To the shock of the crowd, Marius knelt before the crowd, and bowed his head,

"I swear my blood and Honor to the service of Ulfric Stormcloak."

So far so good.

Baldur continued. "Jarl of Windhelm and true High King of Skyrim."

Marius continued,

"Jarl of Windhelm and True High King of Skyrim."

"As Talos is my witness, may this oath bind me to death and beyond...even to my lord as to my fellow brothers and sisters in arms," said Baldur.

Marius, contained with the oath,

"As Talos is my witness, may the oath bind me to death and beyond...even to my lord as to my fellow brothers and sisters in arms." 

"All hail the Stormcloaks, the true sons and daughters of Skyrim!"

Marius starred at the assembled army, before saying,

"All Hail the stormcloaks, the true sons and daughters of Skyrim!!!"

"Rise, Specialist Marius. You are now one of us. Fight with us bravely and honorably, and we will help free your men from the shackles of the Thalmor. They will not agree with us at first, but they will. Until then we must slay our brethren in defense until we can convince them to rebel against their pathetic Emperor, and replace him with someone worthy of the title. And this will come to pass with your help. Now, everyone. Dismissed!"

The Grim Ones' faces were grave, but they would follow Baldur into Oblivion itself.  The regulars were having a harder time.  One soldier leaned in towards Rebec and asked, "Admiral, do you really believe this horker shit?"

The admiral thought of that image of Dominion ships she had seen many times in her mind's eye, which had become a nightmare.  There was no other logical reason why the empire would throw its entire navy at Skyrim when Ulfric had consolidated so much power.  It all fit- it was the only thing that fit.  "Yes," she replied.  "I do."

Despite wanting to go to sleep, his former escorts now brothers-in arms, Wulf and his brother Nox, wanted to get some mead with him to celebrate Marius's "enlightenment", Marius merley smirked , before saying,

"I suppose one glass of wine would be okay, let's go boys...''

[The Good Doctor]

Witch-king (aka Witchie)
Forest around the imperial camp
Afternoon

The forest was quiet, nothing was to be heard, not even the wind. Everything was still. The air was cool with a mist hanging in it, clouding view for afar, Witchie's work. He was standing among the trees without moving, just waiting. With horse standing a few feet away. Suddenly a sound of a branch breaking echoed through the forest, it came from the left. Witchie ran with muffled steps in the direction of the sound. Soon loud footsteps and the clinking of steel was heard and he slowed down to listen more carefully.

"Such lovely scenery, and I saw some cute bunnies over there"  said a female voice, who was most likely the princess.

“Yes Princess, these woods are very beautiful…†Said a bored male voice, which Witchie identified to be Lorgar's

Now moving closer to his prey, while camouflaging his presence with magic. He peaked around a tree and spotted the group a few yards away, barely visible in the mist. Lorgar was leaning against a tree, the princess was looking the other way, presumably at those bunnies. There  was two guards in heavy white armor standing a bit further away from her, both of them looking a bit bored. While moving closer from behind in the cover of the mist he could hear one of the guards cursing it. No on had noticed him yet when he reached them and was standing right next to Lorgar, right outside his field of view.
The time was right. With his left hand, enhanced with a powerful sedating spell, he punched Lorgar in the side of his head, sending even such a strong man to the land of dreams. But one the guards saw this and was now fumbling to reach his weapon. Before the other guard noticed any of this, Witchie summoned two wrathmen, dark skeletons heavily armed and armored, that was quickly upon them. The guard that saw him punch Lorgar managed to get his sword out just in time to parry an incoming blow, but the other one wasn't so lucky. That guard had just grasped the hilt of his sword when the cursed skeleton's big axe buried itself deep into his shoulder. The guard tried to scream but Witchie silenced him with a spell, the armored skeleton then pulled out the axe and finished him by decapitating him. The other guard had managed to  trade a few blows with his opponent before he was in struck in the leg from behind by the other armored skeleton. He fell down on his knees, his head was then pulled back by the wrathman behind him, exposing his throat. The wrathman then swung it's axe, opening up the throat so crimson flowed down unto his white armor. Witchie then looked around, the princess was gone.

"Lorgar?! Lorgar can you hear me?" the princess yelled in a frightened voice from somewhere deep inside the forest.

The princess must have walked off before he had even made his first move, Witchie cursed himself for forgetting to keep track of her. Luckily the voice gave him directions, he dismissed the wrathmen and ran off to where he had heard the voice call out. It wasn't long before he spotted her in the distance, barely visible, walking aimlessly. He approached her from behind with silent steps, the princess didn't know where she was going but she never turned around so he came into her view. Then when he was standing right behind her, he put his hand on her shoulder, locking her in place.
She quickly turned around, as she felt something very cold touch her left shoulder, she couldn't move anything but her head. He was clad in dark robes, and steel plate gauntlets. The princess noticed something...she couldn't put her finger on it, but it felt or looked familiar some how. She was still terrified, and she said in a fearful voice,

"What...what do you want...we're is Lorgar and my escort?."

Witchie said nothing but instead started to channel a calming spell into her. When the princess fearful expression disappeared from her face and was instead replaced with an expression of serenity, Witchie cast the spell, teleporting them far away to his sanctum in the north. The room they entered was shaped like a massive dome. With edged pillars stretching up along the walls, becoming thinner the higher they went before meeting a large, deep dark blue crystal that sat in the center of the roof. Inside the crystal would swirling, like blue fire, be seen. Along the walls between the pillars hanged banners, all black with a red symbol looking like three spikes in the shape of the head of a trident, with the middle spike being the tallest. In the other end of the room was a throne resting on an elevated platform. And at the back of the throne was a large statue of a dragon standing with it's wings stretched out to the sides and it's maw roaring down at whoever would dare to stand in front of the throne. The room had four hallways leading out of it, one for every cardinal direction. But the southern hallway was hidden behind the large throne. The room was lit up partly by the crystal in the roof but also by braziers with blue fire, standing by the pillars at the edges of the room.

The princess, who now appeared to be out of the calm spells face lit in absolute terror and fear, "Where am I...Where am I...."

"A place untouched by time." Witchie let go of her shoulder and walked around her so he was standing right in front of her and looked her into the eyes, that was filled with fear.

"What...what do you want with me?"

"I have an offer... You die and I consume your soul... Or you agree to bind your will to mine."

Her face filled with shock, before sheepishly asking the hooded man, "Can you...clarify?"

"Either your will or your life is forfeit." Witchie drew his sword and put the point up against her throat. "What is your choice?"

She swallowed deeply, before telling the hooded man in a clear and cohesive voice, "My will..."

Witchie sheathed his sword and walked towards a hallway on the thrones left side.

"Follow me."

The princess was reluctant at first but when three of sanctum's guardians appeared behind her, they looked like ice wraiths but was longer and thinner like snakes, and giving up a dark and cold wheezing, she started to walk. The hallway at least ten feet broad and seventeen feet tall and was lit up by blue flames that simply hanged in the air along the walls. Soon the hallway split in a fourway crossing and Witchie turned right. They entered a rather large room, but it was still much smaller than the throne room. In the middle of room was a long altar with it's broadside facing them. And around the altar a large circle of runes, the runes varied in sizes from up to three feet to a couple of inches and shaped different patterns inside the circle. Some small runes was even shaped in the pattern so they made up a bigger rune. There was a brazier in every one of the four corners of the room.
Witchie walked up to the altar and gestured to it with his left hand.

"Lie down here."

The princess complied with the command, and stiffly lied down on the dark altar, she asked him, "Will it hurt?"

"Not if you resist. Relax."

She inhaled a large amount of air, before nodding, and relaxing her body. Witchie then  raised his hands to the sides so they where almost as high up as his shoulders. Inside the half-open hands were flames of black darkness taking shape and slowly grew till they filled up the entire inside of the hands. The runes on the floor started to glow in a dark purple color, first faintly but the glow grew in strength with the darkness in the hands. The princess's gaze turned black. it went on for an hour or two before the runes glow turn into tentacles that lashed up into the air and then turned down into the woman's body. Her body shook a bit from the impact but didn't give any indication of pain. The glow went in waves along the tentacles, flowing into her body. Time went by, but with no sun it was almost impossible to keep track of the time. In the end the runes glow started to fade and streams in the air lost its' roots on the ground before disappearing into her body.
When everything hade faded away and the woman's gaze turned back to normal, Witchie left the chamber while she was still recovering. He turned left and walked back to the throne room, then down to the right behind the throne and into the hidden hallway. He soon found himself to be in a very familiar room. Near the entrance of the room was a sarcophagus in solid stone and with it's large stone cover leaning against it's side. And in the far end of the hall was a large stone circle, decorated with runes and cracks.

[The Good Doctor]

Legate Gracchus Ceno

Fort Pale Pass

Afternoon 

 

Gracchus had risen early, and decided to oversee the fortification of the Pale Pass. His men had been ordered to begin chopping down trees to make rough wooden walls that his archers could stand on. The Thalmor troops had taken care of the boulders that had fallen on the pass, leaving his men to construct the defenses. Their progress had been fairly quick, and the beginnings of the palisades were already up. He left the men to their work, and also have them orders to be on the lookout for any Stormcloaks. He left several dozen men to guard, and then headed back towards the camp.

Gracchus dropped of his steed at the stables, and walked across the camp at a brisk pace. He arrived at the headquarters, where he told the nearest guard,

"Go find the other Legates, and tell them that I need to see them immediately."

The guard replied, "Yes sir!" and then headed off to find the legates

We'll have to take Falkreath, and it's food before we do anything. And to take Falkreath, we'll need to take the fight to the Stormcloaks, and to take the fight to them, we'll have to meet them on their terms, which probably means guerrilla warfare. And the gods know that they are experts at that. I'll have to get a little creative if I want to take Falkreath before to long. And if we don't get those reinforcements, it'll just be that much tougher, thought Gracchus.

After about five minutes, the other legates arrives. They gathered around the table, and Gracchus spilled out his plan.

"We are going to wage guerrilla war against the Stormcloaks. I want you to gather your ten of your soldiers, the ones who you think will be best suited for this, and send them to harass the Stormcloak caravans and troops. I do not want any major engagements, just skirmishes. Also, tell them to periodically report back, such as when they suffer any casualties. Now, go tell your men and order them to sneak out under the cover of darkness tonight. You are dismissed."

With that, the other legates left, leaving Gracchus only to his thoughts. I do hope this works. Now I need to find Specialist Eduard, and Lorgar, and we can commence the second phase of this plan.

[The Good Doctor]

Rebec and Baldur

Evergreen Glade camp

evening, after Marius' ceremony

 

Rebec watched the old Altmer move along the rows of wrapped bodies, performing the rites of Arkay.  Many had been buried already, and there were pyres for the Dunmer, adding to Falkreath’s already large number of dead.  These were the last.  As the elf came closer, Rebec noticed that there were tears streaming down his face.  How odd, she thought.  The priests of Arkay were usually stoic, even morbid, types.

She didn’t interrupt, but when he had reached the last shrouded body and turned, he saw her watching him.  “Yes, child?  Would you like the blessing of Arkay?â€

“I was more wondering if you needed anything, uh...â€

“Runil.  My name is Runil.  That is kind of you, but no.  It’s only that I thought I had seen such a thing for the last time.  Bodies, twisted by mage fire, so many young lives cut down.â€

“You saw fighting like this before?  The Great War?† At his nod, she ventured, tone darkening, “You were Thalmor.â€

“I served my country and my people, and did many terrible things in their name.   Yes.  The citizens of Falkreath have been merciful to accept me into their midst.â€

Rebec thought of Marius, and of the elf’s tears, and calmed her thoughts a little.  “There are a lot of Thalmor, just over that ridge.â€

A look of fear passed over the man’s face.  “Yes, I know.  If they find me here, I'm afraid that there will be no mercy for me among them.â€

“We’ll do what we can to see that won’t happen.  You can retreat with us, if it comes to that.  We’ll need a priest of Arkay again before this all is done.â€

“Thank you, but I serve the people of Falkreath.  I will stay with them if I can.â€

“Suit yourself.† Rebec watched him another moment.  “You’re a mage, then.  Tell me, what do you know about skin magics?â€

Runil looked startled.  “Where did you hear about those?â€

“My pa knew a lot of old stories.  About the old gods of the Nords, how they battled the gods of the elves, but the elves used skin magics to try to trick the Nords into following the wrong orders, or believing spies were actually friends.  Can you do something like that?† Rebec was thinking of Witchie, wondering where on Nirn he had learned to do what he’d done in Falkreath prison.  It had to be from the elves.

The priest’s eyes fell.  “Child, I have enough trouble living in the one skin that the gods gave me.â€

The admiral was unsatisfied with this reply, but the old Altmer looked so tired and sad that she couldn’t press it.  “Alright, Runil.  Thank you.  And thank you for what you did for our men.â€

“Arkay’s work,†he answered softly, and turned to go.

Rebec helped with the last of the burials, then washed and ate dinner with some of the regulars.  They were all talking about Marius.  There were arguments, but these quieted when Rebec got near, and started up again after she left.  It would go on like that, she knew, until the imperial proved himself.

She saw Baldur once across the camp, and later saw him go into his tent.  He would be wrestling with his decision.  She was still furious, but it wasn’t fair to leave him alone with it.

Entering the tent, Rebec glanced at Baldur stretched out on the bed, and said nothing.  She was also silent as she changed into her nightclothes.  She had decided to wear clean woolens at night, so that she could quickly put her armor straight on if the imperials attacked the camp.

Only when she sat on the edge of the bed did she finally speak.  “Last night when I asked you to execute Marius, it was all ‘ohhh I need to ask Uuuulfric, I couldn’t pooossibly do that.’  Today you’re recruiting Marius into the Stormcloaks, apparently by virtue of his rugged good looks alone.† She swung her legs up in the bed and stretched out, her back still to him.  As she lay simmering, it occurred to Rebec that she and Toki had argued so rarely because she could just get on her ship and go away.

Baldur merely chuckled at the response and tried changing the subject.

"I see you found your way back here. I'm surprised. Thought I'd be spending the night alone. So you think he's good looking? That's a start I suppose."

Rebec glanced over her shoulder to see if he was serious, snorted, and flopped back down.  "Now you're jealous, I suppose.  Just go to sleep."  A moment later, "Unless...  No, just go to sleep."  There was angry sex, then there was too angry even for sex.

Baldur braced himself for what he imagined would be a long night. But he imagined he'd enjoy it more than sleeping alone.

"Speak your mind, Admiral."

"We've done enough talking, Baldur," she answered wearily.  Reaching back, Rebec took his hand and tugged at it until his arm came around her, then settled back down to sleep.  "It's done.  Now we just have to hope to the gods that it doesn't come back on us."

Baldur thought it appropriate to finally say what he was really thinking all this time.

"I appreciate what you did back there. For better or worse...I want you to know...that..I..."

Rebec tensed.  "You're welcome.  You spoke up for me with Ulfric and you didn't have to.  Maybe..."  Gods, she hated being wrong.  It was worse than paying taxes.  "Maybe I even started to believe what I said.  A little.  Don't you dare gloat.  Are you gloating?"  She turned to look.

Baldur tried fighting back a smile, but ultimately failed.

"I'll save the gloating for when he proves himself first. And after I get Samuel off your back. And thank you wasn't the words I was searching for. I think you know what I wanted to say, Reb."

"Yes, I know."  There was a pause, then Rebec rested her head back on the pillow.  She was there; that was the only answer she could give.

"Reb, I..uhoah.."

Uh oh...I think that cheese I had earlier is starting to fight me. Oh no, not now!

The admiral stirred a little, but then closed her eyes, apparently unaware of his distress.

Get it together Baldur, get it together!

"What I was trying to say w, unh. I mean that w-what I ooh."

Baldur inevitably failed to hold back the forces of the digested cheese, and as he made a pass, Baldur prayed to all nine divines that Rebec would somehow not notice.

Her eyes flew open.  "Shor's bones, are you bleeding back there?  I think you ruptured something."

Baldur stayed silent, afraid to say anything and too embarrassed to move. Baldur never stayed in the same bed with a woman overnight before, even after intimacy. Not being able to pass whenever he wanted was completely new and alien territory for him. Baldur decided to close his eyes and pretend he fell to sleep since that was all that he could do in the situation.

Rebec was soon fast asleep.  She had slept in bilge water before.  There wasn't enough cheese in Tamriel to really alarm her.

Thank the divines...

Baldur too fell fast to sleep after Rebec had faded out of consciousness. That night for the first time in a long time, he had a dreamless rest.

 

****

 

Around 3 a.m. in the morning a soldier called out to Baldur in the middle of his rest. Baldur woke up and managed to get out of bed without disturbing Rebec, and he then stepped outside to see what the matter was.

"Sir, it's a letter for you from Boldir."

Thank you soldier. Go get some rest. Let's see what this is about.

 

Baldur,
The men and I have settled into Skybound Watch. We decided to wait an extra night before our first raid to give the Imperials some time to calm down a bit. Jodun and I are going to be handling tonight's raid alone. This is because it won't be a typical assault. We're going to close the southern pass and cut off their supply line and their reinforcements. I'll explain the details later. What I need from you is a distraction. If you can spare them, fifty Hammerfell men should be enough. All I need is for you to have them harass the Imperials at the edge of the pass long enough for us to slip by. There's no need for us to meet them. Just have the men begin their attack at midnight.

Boldir

 

Good! I was wondering how we'd go about that. I was going to get Witchie to do it, but I forgot to ask before he left. Boldir apparently found a way without him though, it seems.

"Soldier! Come back. Sorry, but I need you to take care of the request in this order. Let them know you have my authority to round them up. Can you handle this?"

"Yes sir, General Red-Snow, sir."

"Thank you soldier. I'll be here if you need me."

With that taken care of Baldur went back to bed and fell asleep.