Rise of the Aurelius Dynasty Chapter 2
"MAXIMUS! WE NEED TO GET OUT OF THIS STORM!" Yelled Aureleth over the howling winds from atop her mount.
The 21st Cohort had been searching for the hidden stormcloak force for the past week with little to show for their efforts. Nothing except abandoned campsites and empty bandit caves. The lack of anything really to explain the reports have unnerved the men. The 21st had been morving through a mountain pass to continue their search along the borders of Whiterun when a fierce storm hit them with no warning.
"I KNOW!" Maximus yelled back from atop Alfisngr. Quickly looking around for any kind of shelter, Maximus saw what looked like a large opening in the rock wall to their far left. "THERE! MAKE FOR THAT OPENING MEN!" He called out to the rest of the Cohort. The rest of the Cohort moved to follow him to the cave.
Maximus arrived at the initial opening and dismounted before waving over Prefect Murgud. "Murgud take your Cabal and secure the 1st hundred feet into the cave. The rest of use will join you when we've accounted for everyone." Maximus ordered. Gratefull that the rock wall that now protected them from the worst of the storm.
"Aye, Centurian." Murgud replied before taking his men into the cave.
"Breia! How many did we lose?" Maximus asked when the dark elf and her men arrived.
"About 23 spread across the 1st, 3rd, 4th and 5th. Hadvar and the 2nd havnt arrived yet, so i dont know if they lost any." Breia replied. Maximus winced when he heard her report. Losing 23 men to a storm is never good to hear. Even worse when you have a full Cabal missing as well.
"Damn. I hope Hadvar gets here soon. I'll wait here with a squad and keep and eye out for them. I want you to grab Aureleth and take the rest of the 1st, along with the 3rd and 5th into the cave and get a camp set up. I'll join you in either and hour or when Hadvar gets here, which ever comes first." Maximus said to her.
"Alright Max. Be carefull out here though. The storm is getting worse." Breia said to him before the ground shook as a large spike of lightening was seen hiting the mountain above them. Luckily though, there was no avalanche. Breia gave him a look thate seemed to say 'my point exactly' before heading into the cave herself.
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After about 45 minutes of waiting Maximus saw Hadvar and about half the 2nd arriving.
"Hadvar! What in oblivion happened?" Maximus called out to him after seeing the severely reduced 2nd.
When Hadvar arrived he replied with. "A gods forsaken rockslide taking out half my men is what happened Maximus."
"Damn that makes 38." Said Maximus regretfully. "38... no it cant be. No one loses 38 men to a gods damned storm!" Hadvar said heatedly. Maximus couldnt blame him. He felt that same anger as well. Losing 38 men in battle is one thing, because at least your men would of died fighting. But to lose that same abount in a storm? Expecially when its the wrong time of the year for such strong storms in Skyrim? Shaking his head to clear his head Maximus said. "Hadvar lets get inside where we can take care of any injuries your men have." Hadvar only nodded in response before following Maximus into the cave.
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Arriving deeper in the cave Maximus saw Aureleth walking towards him with an uneasy look on her face. Maximus could only sigh knowing that he wasnt going to like what she was about to say.
"Report." He said.
"We've got a camp up and are treating the wounded, nothing serious just cuts and bruises from falling rocks mostly. After we first arrived a few legionaires went missing. Murgud took the 4th deeper in the caves to look for them but hasnt reported back yet. Also we found some old nordic ruins, I think." Aureleth said uneasily.
"What do you mean you think? Maximus asked with a raised eyebrow.
"I mean they are similar to Nordic but yet darker, creepier looking especially the statues. Here I'll show you." She answered while motioning for him to follow. After walking about a few dozen feet and passing multiple newly pitched tents, they arrived at what had to be the creepiest looking statue Maximus had ever seen.
"What kind of unholy abomination is that?" Maximus asked, mentally comparing the creature to a foul mix of daedra, bat and werewolf.
"Honestly I have no idea Max. But its not the only thing wrong with this place. The air itself is filled with the faint scent of dried blood and rotten bodies."
"I dont smell anything." He said while sniffing the air.
With a small smirk Aureleth replied. "Thats because your human. Elven senses are stronger. Also..." She trailed off while frowning and Maximus could see one of her pointed ears twitching as if listening for a distant sound.
'What do your hear?" He asked while placing a hand on his Gladius Sword.
Aureleth also placed a hand upon her own sword before replying. "Shouting along with clanging getting closer to us." She said before looking in the direction of a side passage and moving towards it. Maximus followed while drawing his sword.
Soon the shouting and clanging of metal could be heard by the rest of the camp who had drawn their own swords, seeing their leader draw his. After a minute more a handfull of legionaires ran out of the passage with pure terror written on their faces, they were soon followed by Murgud who yelled out. "Hurry their coming!"
"SHIELD WALL!" Maximus bellowed. Deciding not to waste time asking who was coming. Luckily the cave was large enough for a proper if somewhat cramped shield wall formation. Soon the wall was set, with Swordmen in the front, archers and mages in the back. Maximus watched the passage from the middle of the wall. Aureleth on his right and Hadvar on his left.
Finally another legionaire came running out. She was drenched in blood and babbling incoherently while running straight for the shield wall. She was only 100 feet away when Maximus saw a dark shadow leap out of the passage and onto the legionaire. A loud crunch could be heard as the shadow landed on the legionaires back before a loud gurgle followed as her throat was ripped out by the shadow. The shadow then looked up and Maximus could see a pair of glowing blood red eyes that seemed to stare straight into his very soul.
Soon about 2 dozen more shadows came out of the passage. Each with the same eyes as the first.
"Vampires..." Maximus whispered with fear while mentally praying for the divines to grant his men strength.
The shadows charged...
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Next Chapter: Battle between about 100 legionaires and 2 dozen vampires. The journey through Dimhollow Crypt, and finally meeting with Serana. Also possible introduction of the Dawnguard. hehehe that last one will have surprising twist if i add it.
If anyone wants to submit a battle scene I would appreciate it. I have difficulty writing large battles.
Also I am accepting oc submissions. Give race, name and biography for character.
They cannot be dragonborn though. Maximus will be dragonborn. Its needed for the sequel.
Fun Fact: In the original one-shot that was never published on the site. Maximus Aurelius was a legate and Aureleth Aurelius was originally named Kira Elrond with the rank of Tribune and was not adopted by Maximus.