Elder Scrolls: The Great War (IC)

[Lancearc]

Jo'Rak and a few other of the members of his small force had been sent out on a routine patrol that day around Bravil and on the road to Leyawiin. It was just about as boring as the patrols he did rounds for before the Dominion attacked, but that was fine with him, his injuries, although healed by the Altmer who'd accompanied him out of the city through the great underground ruins, still burned slightly. He could still aim and fire a bow true and far but it took a bit more effort on his part. One of his comrades, a Dunmer, spoke up. "Do you hear that Jo'Rak?" he asked, turning and looking towards the direction of Bravil. Jo'Rak of course heard it with his heightened hearing. He nocked an arrow to his bow, but didn't pull back the string. He saw the source, a few horses galloping down the road to Leyawiin. The Imperials formed a line accros the road, blocking the traveler's path temporarily.

"Stop!" he said once the horsemen got close, holding up a hand on which his claws were outstretched. "Leyawiin now belongs to the Thalmor traitors, and anyone approaching must turn back, lest we suspect them of being spies for the Elves. Now Jo'Rak asks, what business do you have there?"

Caladan smiled faintly at the imperials. Fools, to think that I would possibly wish to help those accursed elves and their personal insanity they wish to spread to the world, he thought. He saw the one called Jo'rak with his nocked bow. Idiot, to think that he would stand a chance.
"Why, my business is to attack their scouts and make their days as troubled as possible, perhaps even slow them down whilst the Imperium marshals its forces. Hopefully the empire hasn't decayed so far over the centuries as to be completely incompetent and inept at dealing with enemies. I hear there's a formidable... leader of theirs, at Leyawiin. Might even prove better than most enemies I've faced."

Jo'Rak smirked, nodding. "So, another poor adventurer and his band of doomed companions heading to Leyawiin to face the Aldmeri Dominion? I do hope you know what you're up against." he replied, looking at his still slightly scorched right arm at mention of the leading sorceress in Leyawiin. "Yes indeed, and it took the best trained soldiers and battlemages the Imperial Legion has to offer to simply draw blood, and I was the first to do so. If you go past this point, one of two things will happen. Either the Elves will try to recruit you to their cause, or your body will end up dumped in the Topal bay. I don't appreciate mercenaries of no uniform thinking themselves better than the Legion, and if I find out that you've been pulled into the Dominion's forces, or even helped them in the slightest, I'll hunt you down and kill you myself. So I'll let you pass, not that I'll ever see you alive again. But if what you say about what your actions are from here are true, I won't have to hunt you like an animal. he said, stepping aside with his comrades.

"Oh, and if you DO happen to meet with the Evil Huntress, tell her that Jo'Rak sends his regards."

[Videssos]

Caladan smiled faintly at the imperials. Fools, to think that I would possibly wish to help those accursed elves and their personal insanity they wish to spread to the world, he thought. He saw the one called Jo'rak with his nocked bow. Idiot, to think that he would stand a chance.
"Why, my business is to attack their scouts and make their days as troubled as possible, perhaps even slow them down whilst the Imperium marshals its forces. Hopefully the empire hasn't decayed so far over the centuries as to be completely incompetent and inept at dealing with enemies. I hear there's a formidable... leader of theirs, at Leyawiin. Might even prove better than most enemies I've faced."

Jo'Rak smirked, nodding. "So, another poor adventurer and his band of doomed companions heading to Leyawiin to face the Aldmeri Dominion? I do hope you know what you're up against." he replied, looking at his still slightly scorched right arm at mention of the leading sorceress in Leyawiin. "Yes indeed, and it took the best trained soldiers and battlemages the Imperial Legion has to offer to simply draw blood, and I was the first to do so. If you go past this point, one of two things will happen. Either the Elves will try to recruit you to their cause, or your body will end up dumped in the Topal bay. I don't appreciate mercenaries of no uniform thinking themselves better than the Legion, and if I find out that you've been pulled into the Dominion's forces, or even helped them in the slightest, I'll hunt you down and kill you myself. So I'll let you pass, not that I'll ever see you alive again. But if what you say about what your actions are from here are true, I won't have to hunt you like an animal. he said, stepping aside with his comrades.

"Oh, and if you DO happen to meet with the Evil Huntress, tell her that Jo'Rak sends his regards."

"I myself am not a mercenary however- and I knew the empire when it was fresh, and under the reign of a Septim- First it was Emperor Antiochus, then it was Empress Kintyra the second that succeeded him. Uriel the third came to power when my castle was attacked and.... many things happened- none of them to my liking. As it stands now though; this is what I say. What is dead can never die, but rises again harder and stronger. The elves will find that they have underestimated their opponents. The only one who has managed to "recruit" me, to their cause is Vaermina- several centuries of insanity within her ever-changing nightmare realm would help the Daedric deity in that endeavour. I am a sorcerer of some skill myself, and I understand how magic can turn the tide of many battles, as can the ancestral blade of house Velaryon that I have,
sheathed upon my back; Stormbringer. The blade forged by the god Reymon Ebonarm at the Tower of the Gods- Adamantia." He paused, before continuing. "If I do encounter this Elven witch that you speak of, I shall send your regards."

With that, he gestured to his mercenaries, and they carried on towards Leyawiin.

[Lancearc]

Jo'Rak smirked, nodding. "So, another poor adventurer and his band of doomed companions heading to Leyawiin to face the Aldmeri Dominion? I do hope you know what you're up against." he replied, looking at his still slightly scorched right arm at mention of the leading sorceress in Leyawiin. "Yes indeed, and it took the best trained soldiers and battlemages the Imperial Legion has to offer to simply draw blood, and I was the first to do so. If you go past this point, one of two things will happen. Either the Elves will try to recruit you to their cause, or your body will end up dumped in the Topal bay. I don't appreciate mercenaries of no uniform thinking themselves better than the Legion, and if I find out that you've been pulled into the Dominion's forces, or even helped them in the slightest, I'll hunt you down and kill you myself. So I'll let you pass, not that I'll ever see you alive again. But if what you say about what your actions are from here are true, I won't have to hunt you like an animal. he said, stepping aside with his comrades.

"Oh, and if you DO happen to meet with the Evil Huntress, tell her that Jo'Rak sends his regards."

"I myself am not a mercenary however- and I knew the empire when it was fresh, and under the reign of a Septim- First it was Emperor Antiochus, then it was Empress Kintyra the second that succeeded him. Uriel the third came to power when my castle was attacked and.... many things happened- none of them to my liking. As it stands now though; this is what I say. What is dead can never die, but rises again harder and stronger. The elves will find that they have underestimated their opponents. The only one who has managed to "recruit" me, to their cause is Vaermina- several centuries of insanity within her ever-changing nightmare realm would help the Daedric deity in that endeavour. I am a sorcerer of some skill myself, and I understand how magic can turn the tide of many battles, as can the ancestral blade of house Velaryon that I have,
sheathed upon my back; Stormbringer. The blade forged by the god Reymon Ebonarm at the Tower of the Gods- Adamantia." He paused, before continuing. "If I do encounter this Elven witch that you speak of, I shall send your regards."

With that, he gestured to his mercenaries, and they carried on towards Leyawiin.

Jo'Rak nodded, watching the party carry on. "Come, the captain wants us back at the camp, our preparation time is short and they need every hand available to work on defenses." he said. The Dunmer who had informed Jo'Rak of the incoming band earlier nodded, and he and the third man of the patrol, an Imperial, sprinted back to the camp that the Empire had sprung up around the rickety town of Bravil. The camp was still relatively undefended, but obstacles were being dug and set up as they arrived back at it. A contingent of the Bravil city guard was lending a hand as well, and the patrol reported back to Captain Antioch.

"Captain, the area around us is clear, except for a few pesky scouts of the Thalmor's." he reported. The captain nodded. "Good. Bide your time for now, I'll have something else shortly I assume."

[Vahvanti]

Niniel's eyebrows went up a few rungs. That's... quite an interesting punishment, she thought to herself. The aspiring adventurer felt infinitely safer as she pulled out her scimitars in case Artemis's organization decide to do a number on her.

The noise eventually died down. However, the tunnel became uncomfortably silent for Niniel's liking (Mentally blocking out Athrogate's jokes was no easy feat). Well, this organisation must be very efficient, isn't it, she thought.

As the trio turned around a corner, they were greeted along the path by a dozen trolls, who were feasting on the fresh corpses of unlucky goblins.

"Are they part of your organisation?" Niniel asked Artemis.

[Frisivisia]

Crazy Al looked out one of the upper windows of the White-Gold tower. As one of the higher-ranking generals in the legion, he was granted a rather luxurious suite. He looked back over the strategy table with his lieutenants crowding around. As is in Orcish nature, he considered himself a man of few words, and was as well.

He coughed. The room stopped.

"I trust you all know that drastic measures must be stopped to keep those Elven bastards from reaching the Imperial City." They nodded. "So, where do you suppose our armies should muster?"

"I suppose Leyawiin is where they are at right now." One of his lieutenants said nervously.

"No! I understand what you say, but cities are not our focus. As far as we care, there is only one city, and you know what that one is?"

"Bravil?"

"Oblivion no! The only city that matters right now is the one in which we stand! Get orders to send supplies in here and then destroy the bridges! After that, order our armies to muster in the Nibeny Valley. We are equally matched, and letting them come to us and making them siege gives us the upper hand. Make sure we get arms, in case something goes wrong and we are forced to fight using civilian power!"

"This sounds drastic, sir!"

"It must be." The lieutenants went out on their orders and Crazy Al picked up his axe. He began to hit the dummy that he had ordered brought in that morning. Whack! Whack! Whack! The ebony pounded the brittle wooden frame. Whack! Whack! Whack! Whhhh-Crch! The dummy's head flew off, onto his bed, with marks like a smile that taunted him.

In that smile he saw that high elven face that he imagined killed his mother, his stronghold. In that smile he saw the very smile he forced when he had to kill his father. Why did he wait to run away? Why? He had pondered for years on this very subject and had been unable to force himself into a lie. A lie that would ensnare him and free him at the same time.

His village had been pillaged and burned and utterly, totally destroyed by Thalmor agents undercover trying to destroy Daedra worship. He hadn't been there, but in the Imperial report he read, he saw vividly the bodies strewn about the place, walls torn, buildings burned. He saw his friends and family dead, mangled, raped, disgraced in death. The damn elves had come in night, killed many in their sleep before an alarm was raised. That was before the war. That was when he started to hate the Thalmor. Now he began to hate high elves.

[Zemkal]

Dralin let no emotion show on her face as she was treated like a beast. Although she's been mistreated much within the Thalmor, none had gone as far to call her a thing, a pet. This woman had no idea who she was dealing with.

Then again, it took no genius to realize that this woman was a very powerful Mage. Dralin wondered briefly who would win in a fight, before being re-shackled and led to the castle. She looked around discreetly as the four guards lead her through the main hall. A lot of damage had been done to the place, and Dralin suspected the Aldmeri Battlemage had done most of it. Before she could make out any specific characteristics, she was lead off the hall and downstairs.

They passed several corpses and low ranked soldiers, all who looked in curiosity at the shackled Dunmer. She paid no heed to them, as she turned another corner and was lead into a cell. The door locked behind her, and she merely rolled her eyes, sitting upon the floor, crossing her legs, and beginning her ritual of praying to the only god that mattered to her, the Night Mother and her unholy husband, Sithis.

She fell into a deep trance, unaware of her surroundings. She fell into the darkness of the void, embraced by the Night Mothers embrace. She may have been abandoned by the Brotherhood, but not the Night Mother.

Never the Night Mother.

[Spetznaz Assault Teams]

Benyamin Do'urden
The Dark Brotherhood
Chorrol, Cyrodiil

Benyamin's twin scimitars slid out with a rasp. Athrogate's morningstars came off his back and began to swing in slow loops. A businesslike air descended on the pair. Athrogate let out a chuckle.

"Fer sure if'n the beasts be roamin, we're to be killin! BWAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!" The odd little man led the charge, his twin morningstars swinging with brutal force. The first troll looked up in surprise, and received a morningstar to the face for it's trouble. The troll's head veritably exploded under the weight of the impact. Benyamin waded in second, his scimitars whirling. The other eleven trolls roared with anger and charged. Athrogate spun and roared, his morningstars creating an impenetrable defense, before smashing into a vulnerable area on one of the brutes. Benyamin was no less spectacular. In contrast to the hulking brutes he seemed to dance, so light were his steps, so swift were his cuts.

---

Illna Letnea
The Dark Brotherhood
Leyawiin, Cyrodiil

Illna sat on the floor of her room, hovering an inch above the floor. When she had extended her conscious to speak with the leader of the conquerors, she had sensed all the life forces around. One in particular had intrigued the psionist. It had carried the touch of both Sithis and the Night Mother, something that only those who served the Dark Brotherhood had. On the other hand, she could sense deep hatred and fear within the mind she touched. Too light of a touch to be sensed meant too light a touch to gain anything other than the touch of gods and the deepest and most base emotions.

Letnea reached out again this time trying to find the woman touched by Sithis and the Dark Mother. It took her the better part of an hour, combing the city. When the psionist touched the mind of the woman she was seeking, her breath stopped for a moment. This mind carried the touch of the Dawnstar Sanctuary. Each Dark Brotherhood sanctuary had a distinct impression left upon the mind. No two were identical. A mediocre psionist, which Illna was far greater than, could tell where the person in question had trained. Illna sent a message.

Who are you little one? Who are you that has been touched by our lord Sithis and his wife the Dark Mother? Who are you that has trained in the Dawnstar Sanctuary?

[Zemkal]

Dralin felt a whisper within her as she floated through the void.

Who are you little one? Who are you that has been touched by our lord Sithis and his wife the Dark Mother? Who are you that has trained in the Dawnstar Sanctuary?

Suddenly, she was forced out of the sanctuary of the Void. She had felt the words within her very mind. It was not unfamiliar to her, as many of her Thalmor captures used it. But this person had a presence about... Her, yes, her, that seemed familiar.

She suddenly realized this was a member of the Dark Brotherhood, possibly a member of the Black Hand itself. She had become so paranoid over the years, however, that she would not let down her guard.

"I think I would rather know who you are, and why, after eight years with these Elves, a child of Sithis would choose now to contact me?"

[Vahvanti]

Even though this was one of the very few moments where they numbered more than two in one location, the trolls were still on the receiving end of a massive thrashing by Artemis, Athrogate and Niniel.

Athrogate was a dragon hiding inside that laughable frame, his morningstars consistently twirling in the direction of the three-eyed demons in front of him. As witnessed in his previous bout, Artemis was lightning-quick, dodging every single punch thrown by the trolls and responding with the most precise and most gruesome slashes.

Niniel could hold her own as well as she manouvered around the trolls and split their brains in half. She even had the gall to pull out an arrow and fling it against her own good judgement, but you probably knew it was going to land in a troll's middle eye, anyways.

Eventually, all of the trolls were obliterated grabbed whatever valuables they left behind (Gold being among them for no known reason).

[Spetznaz Assault Teams]

Benyamin Do'urden
The Dark Brotherhood
Road to Leyawiin

Benyamin emerged from the tunnel into the light, squinting slightly. His purse now bulged with gold retrieved from the dead trolls, and Athrogate's constant joking seemed to suggest that the little man had gotten his fair share as well. He shot off a telepathic message to his Lieutenant.

We are out. Where are you?
Here.

The Lieutenant led Athrogate's pony and Benyamin's charger out of the woods, astride her own battlehorse. She stopped short, and had an arrow on the bowstring in an instant.

"Who is she?!" The woman yelled in a half strangled voice.
"A friend. She is coming with us."
"Why-"
"I do not like having my orders questioned." The tone was mild, but to a member of the Dark Brotherhood, coming from a member of the Black Hand, the order was clear. Do as I say. The Lieutenant nodded and gestured.

"Where is her horse?"
Benyamin turned to the wood elf.

"Well? We told you we'd be exiting by the southern tunnel." He held up a hand at his Lieutenant's outraged squawk.
"Where is your horse?"

---

Illna Letnea
The Dark Brotherhood
Leyawiin, Cyrodiil

The psionist frowned.
We did not know of your existence, Dralin Reona, initiate of Teria Letna. None witnessed your capture... I see. Except for your mentor, who was slain. My deepest apologies, both for the tragedy and for delving into your mind. No, I am not one of the Black Hand, though one will be arriving shortly. Your tenure with these lesser mortals ends tomorrow. Our Lord Sithis and his beloved have not abandoned you. We, have not abandoned you. Perhaps you have heard of the man who will be rescuing you tomorrow. His name is Benyamin Do'urden, the only of the Black Hand with dust on his boots and blood on his blades.

[Vahvanti]

"Hellooo, sunshine!" Niniel cried as she left the tunnel. The blinding rays of the Sun was gleefully taken in by the wood elf as if she had seen the light for the first time. It was as if the tale had ended and Niniel would need to rest and meditate on what she had learned.

The sudden appearance of a shady-looking woman and the horses that followed her would provide the plot twist, though. Said woman's introduction to Niniel involved pointing an arrow straight at her.

Must be the 'Thalmor' thing, again, the bosmer thought to herself.

Thankfully, using his stone-cold speech and apparent familiarity with the woman, Artemis helped to prolong Niniel's life temporarily.

"Where is her horse?" the woman soon asked. Even Athrogate stared at the elf upon hearing the question.

"Well? We told you we'd be exiting by the southern tunnel!" she continued.

Artemis held up his hand at her in response. "Where is your horse?" Artemis asked Niniel.

She pointed towards the gate. "Well, I last saw her outside the gate, which should be... Wait, we're south of Chorrol, are we?"

Niniel blushed. "Err... can we go back to the north gate?"

[Spetznaz Assault Teams]

Benyamin Do'urden
The Dark Brotherhood
Road to Leyawiin

"No." Benyamin said flatly. "We don't have enough time. You'll ride double. Alternating. We ride hard. I plan to be at Leyawiin tonight."

He put one foot in the stirrup and hopped onto his charger. Athrogate mimicked the motion on his pony.

Sir. A voice entered Benyamin's head.
What?
We found a remnant of the Dawnstar Sanctuary.
What?!
She is alive, but imprisoned by the rebels. She has been used... dishonorably.
Those bastards. Tell her tonight is her last night with them.
Of course sir.

[Zemkal]

Benyamin Do'urden
The Dark Brotherhood
Road to Leyawiin

Benyamin emerged from the tunnel into the light, squinting slightly. His purse now bulged with gold retrieved from the dead trolls, and Athrogate's constant joking seemed to suggest that the little man had gotten his fair share as well. He shot off a telepathic message to his Lieutenant.

We are out. Where are you?
Here.

The Lieutenant led Athrogate's pony and Benyamin's charger out of the woods, astride her own battlehorse. She stopped short, and had an arrow on the bowstring in an instant.

"Who is she?!" The woman yelled in a half strangled voice.

"A friend. She is coming with us."
"Why-"
"I do not like having my orders questioned." The tone was mild, but to a member of the Dark Brotherhood, coming from a member of the Black Hand, the order was clear. Do as I say. The Lieutenant nodded and gestured.

"Where is her horse?"
Benyamin turned to the wood elf.

"Well? We told you we'd be exiting by the southern tunnel." He held up a hand at his Lieutenant's outraged squawk.
"Where is your horse?"

---

Illna Letnea
The Dark Brotherhood
Leyawiin, Cyrodiil

The psionist frowned.
We did not know of your existence, Dralin Reona, initiate of Teria Letna. None witnessed your capture... I see. Except for your mentor, who was slain. My deepest apologies, both for the tragedy and for delving into your mind. No, I am not one of the Black Hand, though one will be arriving shortly. Your tenure with these lesser mortals ends tomorrow. Our Lord Sithis and his beloved have not abandoned you. We, have not abandoned you. Perhaps you have heard of the man who will be rescuing you tomorrow. His name is Benyamin Do'urden, the only of the Black Hand with dust on his boots and blood on his blades.

Dralin stood and paced the walls of her cell. Deep down inside, her heart leapt with excitement at the idea of escaping the Thalmor, and going back to the Brotherhood. The very thought filled her with glee...

But her mind couldn't help but be skeptical. Now, of all times, they choose to search for her? A little Elf girl who was barely above the Rank of Slayer eight years ago? And by a member of the Black Hand, no less?

Benyamin... Teria had spoken of him often. She'd said he was the most promising member of the Brotherhood to be groomed in twenty years... Yes, him being a member of the Black Hand made sense. There was no way this was a Thalmor ploy, they could have never known the inner workings of the Brotherhood...

Unless...

"Tell this Benyamin I'll beleive it when I see it."

With this she closed her mind to the world. She fell back into the corner of the cell, her feet tapping off the hanging chains of her restraints in agitation.

She wasn't about to get her hopes up.

She knew better.

[Avorez]

Enelya calmly walked through the streets of the ruined city towards the Temple, once she had subjugated the city, she had great plans for this backwater city, plans that would involve the destruction of the Blades and the conquest of the Empire. But for now, this city is simply refusing to bow down to Thalmor rule. Flanking her were two Thalmor soldiers escorting her as she walked towards the Temple. "Great One, be cautious, there have been reports of resistance forces within the area." Enelya brushed off his comment, "There is no need to fear them. Follow me into the darkness of the war and overcome the fear of the Empire. As long as you follow me, the one with no fear, there is nothing that can stop us. Nothing they can do to overcome our might."

Arrows flew past her, killing a Thalmor soldier behind her, there are shouts of horror and orders as troop commanders attempted to keep order amongst the troops. "Great One! We must seek cover!' She once again brushed them off, "Seek cover if you wish." An arrow flew towards her and shattered when it hit her barrier, "when will they learn..." She held a green fireball in her right hand and flung it into a building window, causing an explosion that destroyed the entire building. Enelya shouted, "Mages, locate the enemies and crush them with magics, all soldiers advance forward and clear each building. Kill any resistance soldiers you encounter."

She drew out her black katana and continued walking in the middle of the streets, Enelya turned around, looking as she cast fireball after fireball killing resistance members as she walked. With her back turned, she heard someone shouting, "DIE THALMOR SCUM!" She turned around just to see a resistance member running towards her, somehow penetrating her barriers and trusting the sword through her in the middle of her chest. "What...the..." Blood spilled out of her mouth and the wound. "No..." Her eyes registered the shock of being stabbed, "my shields....." Her eyes slowly started losing life in them.

The resistance soldier heard a soft chuckle behind him, "Do you think I'm so easy to kill?" He turned around just in time to see Enelya standing in front of him and seeing her black sword bisecting him in two through his hips. "What? But..." As he fell, he turned to look at the body he skewered, it was Enelya wasn't it? The body shattered into glass, revealing a small child with the sword sticking through the kid. "When..." He slowly faded away as blood poured out of his top half of the body.

"Trash." She kicked his bottom half of the body away and looked up to see the Thalmor soldiers watching her and the actions she did. She looked at her soldiers and raised her free hand to form a beckoning gesture, "Come, follow the one that has no fear."

Using her magic, she amplified her voice so that the entire city could hear her.

"Citizens of Leywinn. You have fought bravely in resisting us. You have performed admirably in the defence of your city and your country. For that I offer the respect of the Thalmor Dominion. To the warriors who continue to resist the Dominion, I tell you this. Surrender now and we will allow you to leave the city in peace. This city has fallen to the Dominion, there is no hopes for you to capture the castle or anything else. I tell you now, surrender and leave the city at once or everyone will die. Every single man, woman and child will die because you refuse to surrender. Surrender and experience the peace that the Dominion has to offer, fight on and feel my wrath."

Maximus heard the voice throughout the city, he and his soldiers were hard-pressed to fight these Thalmor scum. He then began to speak back to this....thing "Do not worry, miss! We will be back one day to force you to atone for the crimes you have committed against the people of the city of Leyawiin and the rest of the Empire!" Maximus looked towards Briggs and he gave the final signal from the roof tops with his archers "Withdraw!" all the assembled 70 or so Umbras and press-ganged militiamen pulled out from the city in silence.....just as they had appeared during the storm a few days earlier.

Once they had withdrawn from the city, they retreated deep into the Blackwood forest, there the rest of the Umbras were hiding and returning form their own missions that they had carried out. One, a Bosmer, approached Maximus "Sir, team Sicarius successfully gathered the support of local bandit clans, as well as the marauder warlords across the river. We may be able to contain them and hold off their advance for possibly a week at the most, but we don't count on the enemies Warlock Corps. staying there for long while their war machine still hungers. Therefore, we have set them up into squadrons and organized them into set areas for their defensive patterns. We have also sent out many Argonians into the water where, upon the enemies arrival, they will attack from the river and quickly sink back into the river." Maximus looked at the Bosmer and said "Good, we have recruited fifty new members from Leyawiin, and hopefully with this supposed summit going on in the Imperial City, the legion will be up and fighting again soon."

[Terripin]

Imperial City, Cyrodill
The Imperial City. The heart of the Empire's walls loomed over him as he rode toward the town of Weye. However, this time it was different. Around 20 Imperial Legionaries armed with spear and shield by the sides of the town moved toward the center of the road, blocking his path. Telindar could see another 50 or so at the entrance to the bridge.

"Halt! You are entering the Imperial City. Under new orders every traveller entering the city must state their name, business, and will be searched." spoke a Nord who he assumed was the centurion. His prideful voice gave it away.

"I come as Telindar, Wizard of the Arcane University. I come to attend business of the Arcane University." Telindar stated the words very slowly.

"And what business is that?"

"It is none of your concern." said Telindar. The Nord exploded. The next five minutes was the endless bickering over the officer's authority. Finally, the centurion gave up.

"Go, You wizards and your vile magic!" he cursed at Telindar. Telindar simply smiled to himself and rode on.

Approaching the gates of the Imperial City, he saw it was guarded by another set of guards. These guards simply stared at him as he rode in. He stabled his horse at and began the walk to the Arcane University.

[Wolfmanne]

Earlier:

Enelya listened to the introduction that Kregan gave to her and the...somewhat rough looking creature called Dralin. She looked at Dralin and arched her eyebrows at Dralin. "What is this? I have no time to deal with this thing. Bring her to the castle, feed her and so on. I will send for you two when I am ready. There is much to do....Oh and deploy the reinforcements to the wall. Thalmor troops need to man the wall properly." With that order, she turned around and walked towards the castle, confident that her orders will be carried out.

While walking back to the castle, she encountered a psychic message, she shook her head, this was...new. She had never encountered a psychic message outside of the Dominion. Recalling the lessons she learnt at the Academy, she sent back a message, "The Dark Brotherhood, very well. I will have use for you. Do not attempt anything." She continued walking, visibly disturbed somewhat by this message. Something about it unsettled her.

In The Castle

"The resistance in the city of Leyawiin has finally died down, Great One. As per your orders, resistance forces who surrender have been allowed to leave the city in peace.....Pardon my question Great One but why are we allowing them to retreat? They will undoubtedly attack us again." A Thalmor Commander kneed as he reported to Enelya, who sat on the throne within the ruined castle that she only hours ago attacked. "Do you question the wisdom of your superiors Commander?" She stared at the commander who had started panicking and stammering. "I...err...I mean....err...no disrespect."

"I gave them my word. If we attack them now, the city will continue to rise up against us. As powerful as we are, we do not have the numbers to hold the city successfully till Lord Naarifin arrives with the bulk of our troops. For now, these are my order. Rebuild the city's defenses and organise regular patrols across the city. Anyone who resist our occupation, execute them....Oh and Commander, I have several issues to handle personally. You will be in command for now."

"Yes Great One."

"Oh yes. tell Kregan that the pet that he brought...what's it called....Dralin. Bring it to the throne room when I'm done with my matters."

"Of Course Great One."

Earlier in the Castle courtyard, she had received a message via an arrow. The uniqueness of the delivery meant that this was no ordinary message. She looked at the arrow she caught, it was an ordinary silver arrow but she could discern some powerful enchantments with it. It was not meant to kill her and it could not so it meant the arrow and bow was designed to just send messages. "Curious. Not many of these bows still exist...Only..Only the Blades still use them..."

She opened the message and read it. It was from the leader of the Blades. She quickly scanned the message and burned it. "Excellent..."

Forest near Leyawiin

A black mist formed around a clearing in the forest, it formed into the shape of Enelya and the mist faded away. She did not really like this method of teleportation but it was one of the most effective means of traveling. She walked around the clearing and looked around. There was no one here and there were no traps laid here.

"I am here. Show yourself."

The Marshal appeared from a cloak of invisibility, having had drunk a particularly strong Invisibility potion to avoid the Thalmor patrols, and kept several others for when the cloak started to run out. Here she was; Enelya. This would be the only time that these two giants would meet on a 'friendly' basis; all other times, they would likely be commanding forces trying to kill each other.

"For while we are in this Forest, we are not enemies" Marshal Antonius begun. "The reason I summoned you is that your presence has... disturbed me. Before your people killed my men, they did gather a substantial dossier on you but I only gave it one glance... until now. After years of study, I have learnt how to connect with the world of Tamriel to broaden my knowledge of what is around me. For some reason, you seem to be the biggest threat to me and the Blades. I would like to ask why". Antonius kept his right hand on his sword, while his left was free, however he would use it as a ward if this woman tried anything.

[New Endenia]

Enelya slowly turned around to see the last person she expected to see in the forests near Leyawiin. It was the Marshall of the Blades, the leader of the organization that she was out to destroy. She smiled at him as she listened to the words that came out of his mouth. "Why?" She laughed as she slowly walked towards him, "Why do I want to destroy the Blades? Your organisation has done so much to interfere in the Dominion's plans. Do you think we invaded the Empire on a whim? We have been preparing for so long, trying to weaken your little Empire with plots and rebellions but only to be stopped by the Blades. We know much about your organisation, the elite guards and agents of the Emperor and hunters of Dragons."

She could see the surprise on his face at the mention of the Dragons, "Oh yes we know about that. We have studied the Blades for years, noting every single thing you all have done." She slowly drew out her black katana blade and stood a distance away from him. "Once I find Cloud Ruler Temple and sack it, we will find the artefact that we have been looking for. Don't worry if you don't know what it is I'm looking for. Just know I intend to bring about the return of the Dragons and end the Empire."

She appeared behind him, her black blade drawn and pointed at his back. In-front of him, an after image of Enelya still stood there staring at the Marshall, both images of Enelya moved their mouths in unison. "And the return of the Dragons start...with your death Marshall." After saying that, she thrust the black blade into his back.

[Vahvanti]

"R- Riding double?" Niniel coughed out.

The adventurer barely got what Artemis meant; When she tried to pull him back for further inquiry, she found herself being dragged across the ground as the man was unstoppable in his task of getting towards Leyawiin. Niniel's tugs were incredibly ineffective, but she held firm to his arm and kept bombarding him with questions.

She didn't even let go as Artemis mounted his charger, culminating in the elf being his dangerously inquisitive passenger. It didn't take a lot to stir the stallion into life, and soon, all three horses blasted their way through the Great Forest.

Artemis's charger was definitely faster than Niniel's by miles. It trampled all over the plants and critters scattered across the forest, and Niniel swore that it went through the bark of several trees with neglible consequences.

"Artem... Artemis!" Niniel called, her speech staggered by the steed's unwavering gallop. "What did... You fee-... Feed your hor-... Your horse!?"

[Wolfmanne]

"BEHIND YOU!" the voice shouted into the mind of the Marshal, who sidestepped and pulled out his sword. In anticipation for a counter, he activated his ward. He intended to pull out his shield, for he didn't need his hand to use magic; years ago, he wouldn't had touched a spell book. If he continued his time in the Legion, he would not be the man he is today. Perhaps he would had been a General or someone of political importance. But forget philosophy; his life was in contention. He dropped his ward and pulled out his shield from his back. He charged at him his sword high in the air, ready for a nice, clean cut. Howveer, he did not strike the mage, for he was too far - he struck the ground. Suddenly the trees became uprooted and were flying. While in thought, he picked his sword up and charged at Enelya; at the same time, the trees sky dived towards her positon.

[New Endenia]

"BEHIND YOU!" the voice shouted into the mind of the Marshal, who sidestepped and pulled out his sword. In anticipation for a counter, he activated his ward. He intended to pull out his shield, for he didn't need his hand to use magic; years ago, he wouldn't had touched a spell book. If he continued his time in the Legion, he would not be the man he is today. Perhaps he would had been a General or someone of political importance. But forget philosophy; his life was in contention. He dropped his ward and pulled out his shield from his back. He charged at him his sword high in the air, ready for a nice, clean cut. Howveer, he did not strike the mage, for he was too far - he struck the ground. Suddenly the trees became uprooted and were flying. While in thought, he picked his sword up and charged at Enelya; at the same time, the trees sky dived towards her positon.

The image of Enelya attempting to stab the Marshall in the back shattered like glass and fell to the ground in a million pieces. Using her illusion spells, combined with a modified teleportation spell she created, she kept moving around the clearing, leaving afterimages that were soon shattered into glass by trees falling from the sky. "Very...impressive." She smiled. After all the trees that have been uprooted fell down to the ground, Enelya left 3 more after images of herself standing around the clearing. "Really now Antonius, such drastic magics, I thought the Blades were more...subtle than that." She appeared behind him again and whispered in his right ear, "I've been watching you for a long time." Before he could react, she faded away. Appearing right in front of him, she put her hand on his chest and whispered, "I sense fear. Yes. Fear in your heart." Again before he could slash the air infront of him, Enelya faded.

Re-appearing a distance away from him, she stood there, three images of Enelya spread across the clearing. "My turn." All the images of Enelya made a strange gesture with their right arm, allowing arcane energy to gather in their hands. One image started firing green fireballs at the Marshall, while another image fired ice bolts in his direction, a third started lashing out lightning arches and Enelya herself snapped her fingers, causing the earth to start breaking and cracking, "Black Coffin. A spell I created while back in the Dominion." Black lines started forming at the base of the Marshall, quickly linking up to form a square. "You should try to run now."

[Wolfmanne]

As Enelya made her announcements, Antonius gave a sign. Black Coffin? How touchy. Dragons? She was insane - an insane woman, who Antonius wished to put her out of her insanity. But He gave orders not to - there was something about her, something which He wished to know about. As a result, Antonius couldn't try and directly harm her. Kneeling, he look down at the ground, his left leg in front and his right leg on the floor. His body started to turn white as the ground started to crack. From there, a white spirit rose up from his body - that of a blue energy that encircled him. The blue energy spoke through him, absorbing the damage as it came.

"Is this really required, Enelya" Antonius said, keeping calm as the ground cracked below him. "I just summoned you to a meeting, a meeting which you disrespect n front of the deities, yours and mine. Do your worse, I ask you". The blue energy then rose above the space, allowing for Enelya to have a clear shot of him. Next came out another spirit; blue as well, it formed into the shape of a dragon, giving out a roar. It gave a roar of blue energy, one of which hit one of the manifestations and spread around as a chain reaction, not hitting the real Enelya.

"Here Enelya, is your dragon" Antonius stated, sounding apathetic to the ongoing dangers around him. "Tame him and his knowledge, his power, is yours. Now, tame him, do your worse to me!".

[New Endenia]

Enelya looked around to see her images all shatter at the roar of this...dragon like image. She faded away from Antonius and re-appeared a distance away. She studied the image that had form in front of her. She gave a manic grin as she layered on her most powerful wards and shields on herself. "Oh this is just too good to be true. You are simply too fascinating to kil now." She stopped and considered the situation in front of her. She was powerful, but possibly not powerful enough to destroy this....thing infront of her. She sheathed her sword back into her scabbard, "Gods? I believe in no Gods at all. I only believe in myself now. And now I'm just so curious as to what this...thing is in front of me." She stood and studied the Marshall.

"Fine. I shall tame it."

Her body glowed with purple and green energies as she embraced the arcane might, channelling it all within her. "Bind it." She snapped her fingers and sent tendrils of energy around Antonius, wrapping around the Marshall and the blue creature. "Crush him." The tendrils tightened around Antonius and crackled as it attempted to bind the blue manifestation.

[Spetznaz Assault Teams]

Benyamin Do'urden
The Dark Brotherhood
Road to Leyawiin

"HYA!" Benyamin yelled, urging his horse on faster. Niniel's question finally filtered to his brain, pleasantly addled by the speed of their movement. Never one to miss an opening, Benyamin yelled back.

"DRAGON EGGS! HYA! GIDDYAP!" He rode hard, knowing that far more importantly than a contract, one of the Brotherhood's own lay captive. This was something which would not be stood for. The captor would pay with his life, and any guard with their manhood. Any who had so much as touched the captive would have their hands removed. Such bloody thoughts kept Benyamin riding hard.

[Lancearc]

Benyamin Do'urden
The Dark Brotherhood
Road to Leyawiin

"HYA!" Benyamin yelled, urging his horse on faster. Niniel's question finally filtered to his brain, pleasantly addled by the speed of their movement. Never one to miss an opening, Benyamin yelled back.

"DRAGON EGGS! HYA! GIDDYAP!" He rode hard, knowing that far more importantly than a contract, one of the Brotherhood's own lay captive. This was something which would not be stood for. The captor would pay with his life, and any guard with their manhood. Any who had so much as touched the captive would have their hands removed. Such bloody thoughts kept Benyamin riding hard.

The Khajiit was sitting in a tree, his bow hanging at his side, a small camp set up between him and Hakiig, his Nord friend. They both ate the fried remains of an unlucky mudcrab, the easiest to find and best source of food they had out here. Unless you counted the abundance of plants, but he was a Khajiit. Not a Bosmer. Did they eat mainly plants? He didn't remember, it wasn't of consequence right now to him anyway. His ears twitched, and he heard the distant cry of a rider pushing his horse to the limits on his way to Leyawiin. Did news really travel that slowly, or were people of the Empire really just that foolish?

He and Hakiig stepped into the road, the Nord drawing his silver longsword and the Khajiit nocking an arrow to his steel bow. They saw the riders, and Hakiig raised his shield. Jo'Rak once again raised a clawed paw. "HALT!" he said, hoping the travelers wouldn't be too foolish.

"Jo'Rak bids you tidings, citizens. I ask of you, what buisness do you and your...companions have in Leyawiin, captured by the Aldmeri?" he asked to the man who seemed to be in charge, who's passenger was a Bosmer woman. Strange she didn't have a steed of her own.

[North Banrodesia]

Isratial woke up from a long, Restless sleep in a insect ridden bed from the battlemages tent. It was about Seven in the morning, And a thick fog slithered through the pines and over the crystal surface of the Niben. Soon, Everyone at the camp would have to return to Bravil to hold the siege, But that was a time still to come, And for the first time for what felt like an era, There was not a constant tense atmosphere in every nook and cranny of Tamriel. Picking up his Mage's staff, A long, Beige thing crafted from the finest birch in Summerset, With a amber gem wedged into a flame shape carved out of the wood. For now, He would go with Gulundril and check the road for any travellers thinking themselves intelligent enough to cross into Aldmeri Territory.