Legacy
- 4 years ago
- 15
- 0
The smoke inside made it difficult to breathe. The flickering on the walls of the flames of the burning oil made for a macabre scene inside. A dead soldier lay at the bottom of the stairs. I heard voices coming from where Astrid usually waited for me. Two soldiers were talking about the traitor in the Dark Brotherhood helping them. I killed them both. Another dead soldier was already in that room. Rumbling and random explosions came from various rooms as the flammable barrels exploded.
I started down the stairs. Through the flames, I could see Arnbjorn in his werewolf form fighting against half a dozen soldiers. I started helping him by killing them from behind. I took them all out. He saw me and grinned his thanks to me, then suddenly his face took on a look of shock as he was hit from behind by an arrow, right in the back of the head. His body fell forward into the flames, his fur igniting instantly. I killed that soldier as well.
Moving forward, I found Gabriella, almost dead, with a soldier’s body at her feet. I quickly cast a healing spell on her. “Come on, girl, let’s get you out of here.” I got her to her feet and led her to the entrance, giving her another healing potion. “Hide outside and wait for me.” She nodded, too drained from nearly dying to say anything else.
I continued back through the flames and found Nazir still alive, fighting against another soldier. I quickly killed his opponent with another arrow. Coughing due to the smoke, Nazir came up to me.
“You’re alive! I was beginning to wonder.”
“The whole Emperor assassination ... it was a trap. Someone set us up.”
“I kind of figured that, since most of us are now dead. I actually wondered if it was you that did it, but you saving my sorry ass there sort of erased my doubts. So thanks.”
“We need to get out of here. Where are Astrid, Babette, and Veezara?”
“Veezara is dead. Babette was out on a mission. I’m not sure where Astrid is. What about Gabriella?”
“I got her out, hopefully she’ll be okay until we can get to her. Festus is dead as well.”
“Damn!” Nazir cursed. “Come on, let’s go before we’re cooked.”
As I followed Nazir, I helped him kill another soldier, then heard a voice in my head. “Listener, come here. I am your only hope.” The Dark Mother called to me. “Come to my coffin. It will protect you.” A nearby barrel blew up, pushing me to the side. I lost sight of Nazir in the smoke and flames and ran for the coffin. I shut the door to the coffin just as a large explosion rocked everything, and I heard no more.
I woke after I don’t know how much time had passed. I could hear two voices through the coffin. “Come on, get her out of there.” It was Babette.
“Hey, I’m not as young as I was, and I don’t see you moving this stuff off.” Nazir had also managed to survive.
I felt the coffin shaking as debris was taken off it. The Night Mother said to me, “You must find Astrid. She will tell you what to do.” Then the coffin was opened. I could see a worried Nazir and Babette looking at me as I stumbled out. The smell of ash and burnt flesh was strong, but at least the fires were out. I must’ve been in there a while.
Nazir put his arms up to help me. “Whoa, take it easy. Slow down. You’ve been through a lot. Maybe you should sit down and rest a bit...”
“I’ll be fine. The Night Mother has another task for me, for us. Let’s go.”
“Oh.” He looked surprised. “Well in that case, lead on. We’re right behind you.”
I knew where to go. I ran up the stairs, noticing that the fires were now out. Once we were through her bedroom, we could see an open secret door in back wall. Laying on the floor, spread out, badly burned, lay Astrid. Somehow she found the will to speak. “You’re ... you’re alive. Thank Sithis!”
“Astrid...”
She was coughing and obviously in pain. “Shh ... Please. There is much ... I have to say. And ... not much time ... I’m sorry. So very sorry. The Penitus Oculatus ... Maro ... He said that by giving you to them, he would leave the Dark Brotherhood alone. Forever. By Sithis, I was such a fool. All of this ... it’s all my fault. You were the best of us, and I nearly killed you ... as I’ve killed everyone else.”
“Not everyone. The Brotherhood will survive. You will survive and lead it.” I could feel the tears leaking from my eyes.
“Don’t you see? It was me. I set you up. I wanted you dead. I betrayed you, the Night Mother ... everything I hold dear. And now Maro has betrayed me. I just wanted things ... to stay the way they were. Before Cicero, before the Night Mother, before ... you. I thought I could save us. I was wrong. But you’re alive! So there’s still a chance. A chance to start over, rebuild. That’s why I did ... this.”
I looked around her. The candles, the book, the flower. I understood then. “Don’t you see? I prayed to the Night Mother! I am the Black Sacrament.”
“What are you saying?”
“I’m saying you were right. The Night Mother was right. The old ways ... they guided the Dark Brotherhood for centuries. I was a fool to oppose them. And to prove my ... sincerity, I have prayed for a contract. You lead this Family now. I give you the Blade of Woe, so that you can see it through. You must kill ... me.”
I stood there for several moments, then knelt by her side. I leaned close to her, my face just over hers. I could see her pain. I picked up the Blade of Woe. “Astrid ... you were wrong to do what you did. But you did something you didn’t know. You won my heart. And I won yours.” With that, I plunged the dagger into her chest, cutting out her heart. I put it into a special pouch on my belt.
Nazir and Babette stood in shock. I told them, “Wait here. I’ll be back.”
I walked back down, to where the Night Mother stood in her coffin. As I approached, she spoke to me again. “Astrid is dead. It is as it should be. She will face Sithis in the Void for what she has done. But while you live, the Dark Brotherhood lives. And we must complete our contract. Emperor Titus Mede the Second ... must be ... eliminated! Find Amaund Motierre at the Bannered Mare in Whiterun. He will inform you of the location of the true Emperor. But first inform Nazir. You must bind this family together, for you are the Listener!”
“Yeah, well, don’t forget one minor detail. So was my Mother.” I grinned, the first smile I’d made in a while. “You like chaos, you’ll get chaos ... bitch.”
I walked back to where Nazir and Babette were waiting. Nazir said, “What a mess. I guess this is the end.”
“Not exactly. The Night Mother spoke to me again.”
“What? What did she say?”
“Oh, not much. Time for me to go find Amaund Motierre, finish the contract, and then for us to rebuild the family.”
“Wait! You mean ... by Sithis, I like the sounds of that. Go, find that slimy bastard Motierre, kill the Emperor, finish the contract. While you’re doing that ... this place is finished. We’ll move, to the Dawnstar Sanctuary. I’ll find some way to move the Night Mother’s coffin. You ... go! And bring back a barrel full of gold.”
He turned to Babette. “Babette, my girl, we’re moving. Pack your things!”
“I was hoping you’d say that, Nazir. Good luck, Listener. We’ll be waiting for you.”
“Yes. You just worry about fulfilling the contract,” Nazir said in a reassuring tone. “I’ll take care of everything on this end.” He smiled as I left.
When I got to outside again, I realized that quite a bit of time had passed while inside. Gabriella was passed out at the feet of where Festus still hung from his arrows, hidden under some foliage. I woke her. “Here, dear. Another potion, and food. Go on back inside, try to help Nazir and Babette if you can. I’ll meet you all soon.” I gave her a quick kiss on the cheek that seemed to energize her more than my potion.
I was hungry, thirsty, and tired. So I moved into the woods a little further, pulled out my bedroll, ate. and then took a nap. The next morning I checked the pouch on my belt. The magic imbued in this trinket Mother had given me was working perfectly. I stored it and then looked around. The horses and wagons the Penitus Oculatus had used were still there. Time to ride to Whiterun.
I ran into something I hadn’t come across in quite a while. A vampire was roaming the roads near Falkreath. A simple arrow to the head took care of him, though. It was early evening when I arrived.
I put on a different disguise before entering town and proceeding to the Bannered Mare. I walked through the tavern and opened the door to the room where Motierre waited. “What is it? I said I didn’t wish ... to be ... disturbed...” He trailed off.
“Sithis is due a soul, Motierre. Wouldn’t you agree?”
He sounded shocked. “By ... by the gods! You ... you’re alive! But I had heard ... your Sanctuary ... Please! You mustn’t think I had anything to do with that! I wanted the Emperor dead! The true Emperor! I still do. It was Maro! He...”
“Titus Mede. The real one. Where is he?”
“You mean, after all that’s transpired, the Dark Brotherhood will still ... honor the contract? Why, this is astounding news! Wonderful news! The Emperor is still in Skyrim, but not for long. He’s aboard his ship, the Katariah, moored offshore in the Solitude inlet. If you can get on board that ship, kill Titus Mede the Second, as contracted ... I will reveal the location of the dead drop that holds your payment.”
“Where is Maro?”
He chuckled. “Ah, yes, I can imagine you’d be wanting to settle that score. Last I heard he was at the Solitude docks, conducting the Emperor’s departure.”
I nodded, then took my leave of him. I made it to the docks of Solitude with only seeing a wolf on the whole journey. It was very early, before dawn, and not much was stirring. I could see a man holding a torch, pacing the docks. It was Maro, and he was alone. I readied my sword and approached him.
“So, is Titus Mede ready to set sail, hide his tail between his legs, and flee?” I taunted.
“You! You’re ... you’re dead!” Maro sputtered. He pulled his great sword and started swinging it at me. I interposed my shield, blocking every swing he made at me. After a few blows, I realized that there were no guards out to come to his aid.
“You’re still a failure, Maro.” His next swing came in and instead of blocking it, I deflected it with my shield, knocking his sword sideways. That left him open for my thrust through his heart.
Still in the dark, I headed back up to my horse and started riding north along the shore. I saw the outline of the ship against the false dawn. Time to get seriously wet, and not in a good way. I pulled most of my armor off, so that the leather wouldn’t get wet and dry awkwardly. I bundled things together and set them on my shield. I’d use that as an impromptu raft for my gear.
Damnation! The water was as frigid as a hag’s love! I tried to hurry as best I could without making too much noise. Fortunately the hour of the morning worked in my favor, with the guards being lax as well. After all, the Dark Brotherhood had been destroyed, so what did they have to fear? I found the anchor chain and quickly climbed it. My shield barely fit through the housing. The noise my chattering teeth made while drying off brought a sailor to investigate. I had wondered if I could do this without killing too many extra people. Apparently not.
He got too close and started to raise an alarm, so I got to cut his throat. At least his clothes were dry, which gave me something to finish drying myself off with. Now to be about my business.
I was in the forward hold. An assortment of boxes, barrels, and crate were stacked high here, supplies for a long sea voyage. A small flight of steps led up, to another room. Two doorways were on either side, leading to bunk rooms. Sailors were sleeping in each of them. They slept sounder after being shot with an arrow. I started down the corridor that led from this common area. Another bunk room was ahead, and I could see another sailor starting to get up, probably to complain about whoever it was that was hammering at some armor.
I shot him with an arrow. The sound of the arrow flight attracted the attention of a nearby guard, who came charging into the room. I put an arrow into the back of his head. The guard had been enjoying a meal in the common dining room. This was also where the ship’s mainmast was anchored to the hull. The pounding was coming from somewhere further up.
I took the flight of stairs carefully, making sure to step lightly. There were several doors leading from this area, but no one in sight. I could hear the pounding clearer up here. I decided to leave that room for last, the metallic pounding would help conceal any noise I might make. I went to the stern and found a ladder leading up to the deck above. I didn’t want to go that way yet. A doorway off this room led to an occupied cabin. The occupant heard the door open and started to get up. He laid back down permanently with an arrow through the heart.
Quickly searching him, I found that he was the captain of the vessel and had a special key. I hoped it would open all the locks on board. The next room I checked in had a sailor, bent over the corpse of another one, with a bloody dagger in his hand. I didn’t bother to find out what made him kill his mates, I shot him. He’d apparently been a bit of a thief, or worse, as there were three dead bodies already in the room.
Finally I went after the pounding, and found what I was expecting, a small armory. The armorer never heard my footsteps coming up behind him. I grabbed his head and slit his throat. The spray of his blood coated his workbench.
I found and killed two more members of the Penitus Oculatus, as well as their senior officer on board. Another flight of steps led upward. I’d found the quarters of Titus Mede. It was time to fulfill the contract. I opened the door to his room.
Titus Mede was sitting at his desk, as if expecting me. His gravelly, aged voice broke the silence. “And once more, I prove Commander Maro the fool. I told him you can’t stop the Dark Brotherhood. Never could.” He rose to his feet. “Come now, don’t be shy. You haven’t come this far just to stand there gawking.”
“So, you were ... expecting me?”
“But of course. You and I have a date with destiny. But so it is with assassins and emperors, hmm? Yes, I must die. And you must deliver the blow. It is simply the way it is. But I wonder ... would you suffer an old man a few more words before the deed is done?”
“Since a cry for help would do you no good at this point, I’m listening.”
“Very true. I thank you for your courtesy. You will kill me, and I have accepted that fate. But regardless of your path through life, I sense in you a certain ... ambition. So I ask of you a favor. An old man’s dying wish, if you will.” He snorted. “While there are many who would see me dead, there is one who set the machine in motion. This person, whomever he or she may be, must be punished for their treachery. Once you have been rewarded for my assassination, I want you to kill the very person who ordered it. Would you do me this kindness?”
“The person who ordered it? I was already planning on killing him, anyway. It’s not possible for me to kill the actual being who started it, though.”
That intrigued him. “Oh, really?”
“Unfortunately, yes. I have my own abilities, Titus, but killing a god isn’t one of them.”
He sounded puzzled. “Such familiarity with the Emperor, even from the very woman who is going to kill him, is unseemly. But you say this is due to a god?”
“Of course. As the assassination of my grandfather was also the action of the gods. The Nine and the Daedric Lords, doing their bit to bind and weave our actions in their grand game. Don’t get me wrong, I had planned to kill you on my own, simply because of my own career path. This way, using the Dark Brotherhood, is simply ... easier.”
“Why would they be involved in the assassination of your grandfather, young lady, unless...” He sounded puzzled. “Your path. No, surely not, you’re too young.”
“I sometimes wish I was. It wasn’t the Dark Brotherhood then, but the Mythic Dawn who killed my grandfather. Emperor Uriel Septim the Fourth.”
He sat back down heavily. “Oh, child. I am so sorry.” I could hear the remorse in his voice. “Had I known there was a Septim still alive ... Damnation. The bloody Thalmor and their stupid Concordat. No wonder they pushed it so, they must have known.” He put his head in his hands for a moment, shaking it, then raised it and got back up.
He turned towards the windows, where the rising sun was just breaking over the horizon. “Rule my empire ... your Empire ... and give death and damnation to the Thalmor. I thank you for the courtesy. Now, on to the business at hand, I suppose.”
He walked to the windows and stood there calmly, waiting for the death stroke. “Even though you are not Nord, since you fall here, your bravery at your death should see you in Shor’s Hall in Sovngarde.” I killed him as painlessly as I could.
I decided that this fine ship should remain here, in case I needed it. I slipped onto the main deck and quickly killed the half dozen members of the Penitus Oculatus that were walking their rounds. The sole surviving sailor cried for his life, but I could leave no witnesses. It would simply be easier, and safer, to get a whole new crew. For now, only the dead would inhabit this ship.
I lowered a small skiff and rowed it to shore. No need to get wet. My horse was waiting patiently. I slept at the Four Shields Tavern in Dragon Bridge, then headed the next day to Whiterun. Motierre was ecstatic.
“Aha! You’re back! I received the news moments ago that you were successful. This is glorious! My friend, you may not realize it, but you have served the Empire, indeed all of Tamriel, in ways you cannot possibly imagine. Ah, but you care little for politics, am I right? You want money, and money you shall have! You payment awaits you at a dead drop, inside an urn, in the very chamber where we first met in Volunruud. Our business, thank the gods, is concluded.”
I shut the door to the room. “Almost concluded, Motierre. I was asked a favor by an honorable man, and I also must correct you.”
“What do you mean? I ... if you’d just ... get going?”
“The correction is simple. I do care, quite a bit about politics, the strategy, the deaths of kings and the movements of pawns. But keep in mind that even a pawn can become the Queen. Especially when she is ... Septim.”
He looked dismissive. “Oh, for the love of Mara, would you please just ... wait, what?”
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If anyone ever tells you that getting hit in the back by a frost troll is a pleasant experience, they’re lying to you. I slammed face first into the rock wall of the cave and felt blood gushing from my nose. I saw stars for a moment. The troll apparently simply ate whatever bodies that the Thalmor threw down here and must have thought I was another easy meal, which meant that for a moment, he simply, stood bellowing his thanks for the food presented to him. His mistake. I got turned around,...
The narrow canyon walls would have been perfect for an ambush, or to hold off a determined enemy. Whoever chose this as a location did well, presuming the enemy couldn’t fly. The canyon went on for quite a while, which caused me concern. Where were the guards? As the canyon opened up into a valley with a glacier fed lake ahead. I could see the high and impassable peaks of the Velothi Mountains beyond the lake, reaching far into the sky. A young farmer was sitting alongside the path. “Oh, hey...
“I’m really getting tired of this mountain. Now I understand why Klimmek wanted us to bring supplies up here.” “Look at the bright side, my Thane. It’s doing wonders for our legs and thighs.” “True. Yours were very nice when wrapped around my face last night.” Either Lydia was blushing, or the cold from climbing the mountain was bringing color to her cheeks. “I could say the ... Watch out!” A bear rose from where it was resting beside the path. I quickly ran to my right. “FUS RO DAH!” One...
As we were walking back, Lydia was curious about something. “I don’t understand something, my Thane. We can SEE the College of Winterhold from here. Why is it that if Urag or any members of the College were concerned about Septimus, they didn’t just go out and look for him themselves?” “It’s simple, really. Think about yourself for a minute. About the you that was, before you met me. How far outside of Whiterun had you actually gone?” “Well, I’d been to the meadery, and ... that’s ... I’d...
The gates of Whiterun lay behind us. We had spent a day and a half getting ready to go back underground, and I thought it was time well spent. I’d made some slight improvements to our armor, even finally getting Lydia a Blades sword to match her armor. She was so happy with that present we had to delay our preparations for an hour while she thanked me properly. I had also taken some of the things we’d found in Alftand to Dragonsreach and learned their enchantments. That enabled me to use the...
“I’m pleasantly surprised, Lydia.” “I bet Arngeir has no idea how close he came to, uh, having issues.” “That’s what I mean. He didn’t actually piss me off this time. I wonder if he made this trip to talk to Paarthurnax and got told something by the one being he respects.” “We’ll find out soon enough. There’s Paarthurnax waiting for us.” We got closer and with his deep voice, the dragon spoke. “You have it. The Kel – the Elder Scroll. Tiid kreh ... qalos. Time shudders at its touch. There...
It was two days later before we entered High Hrothgar again. Arngeir was in mediation near the entrance. “Arngeir, we need to stop the war. And while I am Dragonborn, the Nords respect you.” “You misunderstand our authority. The Greybeards have never involved themselves in political affairs.” “Ah, but you you misunderstand why we need to stop the war. Jarl Balgruuf won’t assist me while the war rages.” “I see. The dragon will lead you to Alduin, but without the Jarl’s help...” “Exactly....
I didn’t know that a vampire could faint. You learn something new every day. Lydia was laughing a bit. “ Remember Delphine? Seems like every time you get with an older woman, they have this reaction to you.” “Technically I’m probably older than Delphine, but not really, so I suppose you’re right. Here, hold your dagger tip out, so I can prick a fingertip.” She did, and I let a drop of blood well up. I held my finger under Serana’s nose. That worked like I hoped. “Oh, my. Sorry about that. I...
The entrance to High Hrothgar was before us. I couldn’t delay things any further, so I opened the door and entered the home of the Greybeards. The four of them were waiting in the entrance hall. To my surprise, two familiar faces to me had apparently walked in just ahead of me. Delphine said, “So, Arngeir, is it? You know why we’re here. Are you going to let us in or not?” “You’re not invited here. You’re not welcome here.” Arngeir said, true to form. “We have as much right to be at this...
I wasn’t sure what to expect, being a living being entering the halls of the dead. I knew from my reading that I was no longer on Mundus, I was probably on the plane of Aetherius. I found myself at the top of a long flight of stairs. Half a dozen statues of someone in robes lined the stai.rs down. It had been midday when I entered the column of light. Now it appeared to be twilight. A rainbow colored aurora lit the sky, and when I looked straight up, there were clouds rotating in a circular...
Well, even though there had been no formal coronation, it appeared that suddenly a lot more people were ready to follow me and accept me as their Empress. “I accept you into my service willingly and without reservation. Arise.” Elise yelled out, “Three cheers for the Dragonborn!” Everyone joined her. “Hooray! Hooray! Hooray!” “Okay, enough. But now, who’s going to explain this all to me?” “It’s quite simply, milady. We followed Balgruuf in battle either during the Great War or when he...
“Martina, I ought to apologize, I think. I don’t know what came over me last night.” “Well, Ysolda, if I were to make a guess I’d say Lydia, then me, then Lydia again, and finally me.” “You’re ... you’re not upset?” “Love, that was just pure fun. Now, how about we get some breakfast, and talk about your new responsibilities.” “I am hungry enough to eat a horker. Wait, what new responsibilities?” “As my personal merchant and trader, of course. Come on, let’s go see what the Bannered Mare...
We left our horses outside the entry to the canyon leading to the fort. The weather was slightly bad, with a light snow falling. Annekke looked around in awe as we walked through the canyon, then at the lake and what lay beyond. “I was a ranger, but we were never this close to Morrowind. This area is a fortress, you could defend it from attack with only a few troops.” “Unfortunately, that’s all there are right now. I’ve talked to ... someone ... and I’m sure the vampire attacks are only...
“This is a nice home, Argis. You’ve done well in maintaining it.” “It is my sworn duty to protect you and your property, my Thane. You ... well, your exploits are those that will be sung about through the ages. I am honored I was allowed to swear to your service.” “Very good. This is Lydia. Just as you are my housecarl for Markarth, she is housecarl for me in Whiterun. And this is Annekke, someone who is following me as we, as you put it, have exploits.” “I was told to expect the three of...
We ended up spending three days in Whiterun getting everything ready to head out again. Argis got to meet Irileth and Jarl Balgruuf when we had dinner with the Jarl the second evening. Proventius was unhappy at the influence I had in the Jarl’s court, and did a poor job of hiding it. Farengar, on the other hand, was ecstatic that I was able to provide him with some samples of dragon blood and bone, courtesy of the dead dragon just outside the walls, and begged for me to do that more often –...
Wolfskull Cave opened into a natural tunnel that then descended into the mountainside. There were a few torches guttering along the hallway. We’d been walking for several minutes when I saw a draugr patrolling ahead. I shot him with an arrow. We continued past his corpse and soon the passageway opened into a larger chamber. There were two figures warming themselves at a campfire along one wall of the chamber. I quickly dispatched both of them. We checked their corpses, they were both human....
The guards in Riften were a bit jumpy. A dragon had flown over the town recently and while it hadn’t attacked, they were concerned. I did my shopping, then we went back to the Bee and Barb for the night. It was peaceful inside the walls, and we weren’t expecting trouble the next morning right when we left town. More vampires were waiting in concealment for us just outside the city. And there were a lot of them with their thralls. Two master vampires, three fledglings, and half a dozen...
We arrived at the gates of Solitude in time to break up a vampire attack. “Okay, that’s enough of this. I thought that helping Sybille would take care of the issues locally. At this point, I wouldn’t be surprised to find the Thalmor helping the vampires in this.” It was early evening, so we grabbed something to eat, then I sought Viarmo out at the Bards College. “Here’s the verse about King Olaf you were seeking.” “Ah, let me see. Oh, no! It’s aged such that parts of it are unreadable. And...
It wasn’t quite at a run that we made it to the stable but close. “Jordris, grab a horse. Giemund, you know us by now from caring for our horses. We need another.” He nodded and told me a fair price that I immediately paid. “Okay, mount up and ride as if Elisif’s life depends upon it. Which I suspect it does.” We left at a gallop. “Lydia, Serana, this is the way we first went when we headed for Castle Volkihar. Be ready in case of animals, don’t stop, just ride over them.” We actually did...
Climbing down from the ledge was relatively easy. Relative being the operative term, since it was snowing, late at night, and we were all tired. Somehow or other, Annekke Crag-Jumper did not live up to her name and managed to fall and break her leg. “I swear, if I didn’t know any better, I think you did that just so you could share my bed when we get back to Proudspire Manor.” She looked pale from the pain as she took the healing potion I handed her. “Any time you let me share your bed is a...
If Astrid didn’t become pregnant that night, it wasn’t due to lack of trying. After two hours, I was exhausted, and fell asleep with her sprawled across my body, with the toy still impaled inside her. Elisif and Serana had been incredibly supportive, keeping Astrid always at the peak of release while also keeping me supplied with either a drink for energy, or a taste of their own juices for ardor. For the first time in ages, my sleep was not troubled by bad dreams. I did dream, but it was...
“I thought Gelebor was going to try to force things earlier,” Serana said as she finished removing her gown. “I think if it was any other day than today, he might have. But this is one time that my ... what’d you call it, love, adventuring ways ... will not get in the way of family.” Elisif looked up from where she was crouched between my legs, gently stroking my private hair and starting to rub things. “Something like that. But do we have to have this conversation now? I totally drenched...
A very wet and cold group entered the Nightgate inn. “Oh, my, surely you didn’t all fall into a lake?” the concerned innkeeper asked. “No, stupid Dwemer construction, having a water pipe rupture and flood the chamber you’re in is not a good way to stay dry. We’ll need towels and the fire built up a bit to dry off, as well as warm food and drink. Lydia, get dried off first, I want you to get to Irkngthand and bring our party back here.” She quickly stripped her armor and underthings off,...
I don’t mind waking up stark naked in bed if I’m wrapped in the arms of someone I love. Finding myself naked, with my arms and legs tied down, gagged, and with nothing covering my modesty or lack thereof isn’t something I think I care for. That, and seeing a man sitting in a chair near the bed just reading a book. If I’m going to be tied up and on display, at least he could be leering at me, after all. I tried to speak and the gag felt like I was spitting dry sand out of my mouth. He heard...
Everyone at the table sat in deep thought after my last comment. Brunwulf broke the silence. “Seems to me that you’ve been doing what you can to unite it, at least under your own rule.” “It’s not of my original choosing, I’ll tell you that. All I came here, to Tamriel, to do was to find out about my own history. If I had my druthers, I’d have a simple life, work metal, bone, and leather in a smithy, maybe do some alchemy, and be content with the love of my wives as we all grow old together....
“You know, I’ve lived in this town most of my life, and I’ve never been here. This is all new to me and ... what is this? Are you sure this bridge is safe?” “Not really, no. If you mean, do I think it’ll collapse under us, no, there’s magic in play keeping it up. If you mean, am I afraid that we’ll fall off the damn thing because these idiots have never bothered to fix the rails, then no, it’s not safe.” He chuckled at my comment. “That’s ... not what I expected to hear the Dragonborn say...
“I can’t believe you’ve only been here a week, Your Majesty, and accomplished so much for our community, for all of Solstheim. How can we ever repay you?” “Continue leading my subjects as you have, Councilor Morvayn. With the mines open again and the cultist threat eliminated, I think you should be able to keep the Northern Maiden very busy traveling back and forth with trade goods to Skyrim. Hopefully before too long we’ll have more ships plying this route.” Captain Gjalund nodded his...
The lead element of the first column of the Redoran Guard stopped at the rebuilt Traitor’s Post. The bandits that formerly occupied the building had quickly left when the Dragonborn’s Own returned from Winterhold and took to the rebuilding of this post with a vengeance. We had stocked it with food and refreshment for the incoming troops and our cooks were ready. “I am Captain Merano of the Royal Army. My first contingent of troops will be here shortly. From the tables I see you have set up,...
“Pardon my ignorance, but I’m confused. I know that we had planned on going to war against the Aldmeri, at least eventually. We discussed that at your wedding. But you’ve ended the civil war here, and you’re the Empress. Doesn’t that mean something?” “Oh, it does, Jarl Siddgeir. It means that I have a responsibility to all the citizens of the Empire. So while I’ve been successful here in Skyrim, there’s still Cyrodiil, Morrowind, and all the other provinces that are part of the Empire. And...
The warm water in the pool was relaxing to my muscles. I was sitting on the steps, the water up to my shoulders, with Serana in my lap leaning back against me. Astrid was to my left, with Elisif in her lap. They laughed as Serana finished telling them the story of how the brave Njada Stonearm had collapsed in fear. It was rather quiet in my Luxury Suite. Leah was sitting off in a corner, playing soft and gentle music on her lute. Elise had placed a tray of drinks and light snacks near the...
The road leading south from Bruma was packed with soldiers. By now, there were civilians fleeing ahead of them, so the army would no longer have an uncontested march deep through Cyrodiil. But that army was being led by two competent leaders, so while I knew they would have losses, I had no fear that they would see defeat. In the meantime, four companies of troops, five hundred men and women total, were making their way west, away from the main body. Depending upon the resistance we met, the...
“Are you sure about this, Martina?” “No, my love, not really. But it’s the best idea I have at the moment.” With our success in the city, I had a few of the residents of Chorrol that were actually related to members of the Imperial Legion company stationed at Battlehorn Castle and Fort Rayles with our small group, as well as Honditar. The main army had continued on to the west after two days of rest and replenishment to join the Cheydinhal forces. The battlements of the castle were visible...