Enjoy the story! It goes without saying that I don't own Oblivion. If I did, I wouldn't be writing stories about it.
Savlian Matius was enjoying his dinner for once. The often gruff guard was sinking his teeth into a tasty apple and some stale bread this late afternoon. He had just been promoted to guard captain. Finally, I get what I deserve.He thought smugly. The count, Ormellius Goldwine of Kvatch had finally seen Savlian's skills firsthand as he deftly brought justice to a petty thief that morning. Justice had never felt so good for Savlian, since he had aspired his whole life to reside at this lofty position. He was in the barracks of Kvatch, sitting at his new table next to his new bed. All of his twenty fellow guards would now have to answer to him. So, in his dismal little chair, he felt as if he could take on any problem. He would soon have that feeling tested.
Meanwhile, A Dremora Markynaz named Giel-Harkep prepared his soldiers. A Dremora Markynaz was a sort of Duke in Mehrunes Dagon's realm. Every Markynaz was entitled to some sort of lesser territory. Giel-Harkep's territory just so happened to be the county of Kvatch. Giel-Harkep knew because of their Imperial ways that the people of Kvatch likely wouldn't give up their land willingly, explaining why he was scheming with a Kynmarcher (Higher ranked officer.) named Orthim to take Kvatch and its territories by force. Orthim and Giel-Harkep went through all possible plans, since they had all the time they needed on top of Giel-Harkep's ashen main tower in the Sigillum Sanguis chamber, residing on a small island dubbed 'Giel-Harkep Isle' in Mehrunes Dagon's realm of Oblivion. The army would be strictly made up of Dremora that were recruited six months previously. There was only one Xivilai berserker who's sole purpose was to guard his Markynaz master. Every Daedra that would take place in the battle was stationed on Giel-Harkep Isle. The master Markynaz and his Kynmarcher assistant made sure this would be an easy victory. It was the first foothold Mehrunes Dagon would take in Cyrodiil. If they were successful their Lord Dagon would take Bruma a week later, and subsequently Leyawiin if the battle of Bruma was won. Finally, Mehrunes Dagon would take on the Imperial City itself using the power generated from the three earlier battles. Giel-Harkep would make sure it was an easy victory, because if he failed, his god would certainly expend him. This would be made worse by the fact that all daedra reincarnate. Angering a god, especially this one, would be foolish.
"Sir, are you going with plan Ayem?" Orthim humbly asked.
Giel-Harkep nodded. "Set up the gate after you give each soldier their job. Use a churl as the messenger. Then deploy. With fifty soldiers, not counting us two and the Xivilai, Kvatch won't have time to send someone for help." This would be an easy battle indeed.
Savlian was finishing his meal when Merandil rushed in, panting from a sprint across town from his post at the gate. He was attempting to catch his breath and get Savlian's attention. He certainly achieved the latter.
"Foolish recruit, don't you know better than to disrupt my dinner? Or abandon your post? What's gotten into you?" Savlian muttered quite gruffly, hoping that the High Elf would have a good reason to come here.
After catching his breath, the Altmer replied, "I'm sorry sir, but I came as soon as I could. There is something seriously wrong in front of the gates. The citizens have already been notified and told to stay in their homes. Come, you have to see this!" The Imperial guard captain was slightly interested, but he didn't like that his authority was defied on telling the citizens to stay in their homes.
"What is the meaning of this? You can't just-" Savlian began, but was cut off by Merandil.
"With all respect, sir, but this is urgent! Throw on your armor and come with me at once! Innocent lives are at stake!" Was the panicked reply. Savlian accepted this small defeat, and threw on his cuirass and began to jog towards the front gate with a frantic Merandil.
"Sir, the sky has started to redden and thunder is resounding throughout the heavens! This all started when a gate of some sort popped out from the ground. It was in the shape of a sort of rectangle but then suddenly a thin sheet of fire spread inside this portal. I ran to get you to see what is to be done about it." Merandil said hurriedly. Savlian was paying attention to what he said while also processing the sights and sounds from the sky. It smelled like ash, although none was visible. Once they had arrived on top of the wall, the Imperial saw that everything Merandil had described was true. The ground around this gate to hell itself was black and burnt. The gate itself looked the same way, but the fire didn't appear to be giving off any heat. Suddenly, an exact copy of the first gate sprung from the ground to the original's right. Two?! All of Savlian's men were up here, shaking in their armor, hoping they wouldn't pass out. Although Savlian Matius felt the same way, he kept his composure and his stoic expression never faltered. Suddenly, an evil humanoid...thing... stepped out from the blaze. The race it looked like most was a Dark Elf, with blue-gray ashen skin with some red scattered around. It had two devlish horns protruding form the scariest places on its forehead. It had what looked like daedric armor and a mace to match, and this demonic creature was marching toward's Kvatch's gates. That's when it hit Savlian, and what one of his fellow guards said confirmed it.
"Gods blood... This is a Dremora! What will we do?!" Screeched Jesan Rilian, until then a respected man known to be fearless. Menian Goneld, the second in command, stepped up beside Savlian, studying every detail about the scene unfolding before them. The churl stopped at the gate, and demanded to be let in and to speak to the leader of county Kvatch.
Menien piped up, "Orders, captian?"