"Halt and state your business." A legionnaire at the gate called down to them.
"Legate Xilef Tonnre to see the garrison commander," Felix called up, lifting the faceplate so the guard to get a good look. "We are Children of Skyrim and wish to see her whole again."
The guard shouted down to his comrades to open the gate. With a loud clank the gate began to rise, allowing Felix and Kim to ride on in. Kim had seen pictures in her studies but to see an actual legion camp in action…she could think of dozens of colleagues who would give their right arm to see what she was seeing. Orderlies rushed up to take their horses while the pair dismounted. The soldiers parted around Felix almost as if they were in awe of the man. There were whispers of "Hero of Skyrim" as the pair past. She really was out of the loop here…but Felix had to be in his element. He greeted many of the troops as old friends.
The night spent in Riften had been absolutely wonderful. But this was…were those Scorpions mounted on the ramparts of the fort?
For what was effectively a military base, the castle had a very homey feel to it. Children were running around; women, presumably soldiers' wives were running AFTER said children. Felix seemed to know exactly where he was going. He paused outside a door and knocked, presumably the door to the garrison commander's quarters. Surprisingly it was a female voice on the other side that bid them enter. The woman behind the table was fairly tall, brunette, and like Kim's beloved wife, had an air of intimidation around her. Upon recognizing Felix, the woman snapped to attention.
Introductions were made all around and the commander's eyes fell upon Gracie. "This one has a spirit in her. I've given seven years to the Legion and I can see that she will make a fine warrior someday." Sure, that was what Gracie needed; an ego boost. The fates must REALLY want Kim to atone for what she put her mother through. The captain turned to Felix and jumped to attention. "Legate Tonnre, it's an honor. How may the garrison be of service?"
"My fellows and I request quarters for the night. We're journeying to Solitude at the request of the Queen and General Tullius."
"It would be my pleasure Legate. My aide will have quarters made available immediately."
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Kimberly Anne Possible wouldn't want to be Dr. Drakken when Shego got a hold of him. True to her word, Kim had touched base with her wife just after dinner, a surprisingly good meal of potato soup, grilled leaks, and what Felix called seared slaughterfish, and Shego had hit the roof when she found out. Wade had spread his metaphorical net and Shego and Ron were on standby to swoop in with a pair of handcuffs…and a little corporal punishment if Shego had anything to say about it. Kim was hesitant to bid her Eme goodnight. They'd spent time apart before but…this just seemed different. Her wife was so far away…
Sleeping had proved difficult but Kim felt better in the morning. She…she just missed her wife. Kim couldn't understand it. She'd spent time away from her Eme before but…she just felt so far away right now. But it really was true what they said; busy hands were happy hands. Over a breakfast of eggs and toast, Felix filled mother and daughter in on the first "quest" the trio had to accomplish. The first leg of the journey was to the city of Solitude, the capital of Skyrim and the headquarters of this Roman Legion look alike. Whatever they had to accomplish, it involved General Tullius, the general in command of the entire Legion in Skyrim, and High Queen Elisif, widow of the High King and the "Jarl" or ruler of Solitude.
"According to what I programmed, General Tullius is conspiring to overthrow the Emperor, using Skyrim as a base," Felix whispered to Kim. They WERE in a game but Kim had no idea exactly how real this could become. These characters seemed to interact with them as normal humans so until they could be sure, best to keep a low profile. "According to the story, Queen Elisif has been suspecting this for several months. She's loyal to Skyrim and the Empire and sees Tullius as a corrupt shadow of what the Empire used to be."
"So we need to 'take care of' the General?" Gracie asked.
Felix shushed her. "Essentially yes, but there's a complication with the plan. You see, to progress through certain quests the key is choosing the right dialogue response. These people interact exactly like actual humans so I have no idea how this is going to play out. Until we do know, we need to keep the details of what we have to do between the three of us Gracie."
The trail ahead of them would be difficult. Solitude was at least three weeks ride from their current location. But the garrison commander had informed them that she'd be able to provide them with an escort as far as Whiterun. Felix seemed pleased with that so Kim didn't see the need to push it.
"Is she…friendly?"
"We only have to worry once we get within range of Solitude," Felix leaned in. "The majority of the Legionnaires in the province are natives of Skyrim."
After a filling breakfast, Gracie in particular was very excited to get out and explore. Though her boyfriend Billy was the real fanatic, Felix had given Gracie the game for her last birthday and she'd become a respectable fan. After thinking about it through the night, Kim had come to the realization that as long as Kim was with her, Gracie would likely be able to succeed in this environment. The garrison commander had actually assigned a full Centuria of 80 Legionnaires to escort them. Various bandit groups were a certainty. If the Legionnaires were any good, they'd have the bandits running for the hills. The Centurion in command road to the head of the column and saluted Felix and Kim; Kim could see a little hero worship in the man's eyes.
"Legate, My Lady, Centurion Alfinn at your command. I give you my word that my troops and I will escort you safely to Whiterun."
The two adults bid the man their thanks. Looking very much like his title in the game, "Legate Xilef" ordered the formation to move out.
KPKPKPKPKPKPKP
Good Grief; it even hurt in a video game. Kim stifled a groan as she slid out of the saddle at the close of the first day. Twenty five miles in a day; how in Heaven's name did Uncle Slim and cousin Joss do this on a daily basis? As soon as the tents were up, there was a soft cushioned chair with her name on it. One of the legionnaires took her horse, informing her that her equipment would be set up in the tent provided. The armor-clad redhead thanked him and hobbled towards a babbling creek next to the clearing to get a drink. She knelt down and let the chilly water cascade over her hands. Utterly Amazing; it felt and tasted completely real. Now refreshed, Kim marched through the rapidly arising camp looking for her daughter. A few of the higher ranking legionnaires had shared a few chuckles at Kim's daughter, many of them seeing themselves when they had apparently joined the Legion at her age.
Shortly after departing the fort, Gracie had struck up a friendship with one of the non-commissioned officers of the group, a Decanus Annvor Distad. Leave it to the gaming teenager to be the easiest to adapt to their situation. This was truly remarkable. These characters were interacting with these characters as if they were actual people. Felix had commented on the very same, theorizing that instead of sucking them into the game itself as it had done with Ron and Zita, by using the Pan-Dimensional Vortex Inducer, Malcolm had succeeded in creating an entirely new dimension based on the game's parameters. For all intents and purposes, this environment WAS reality.
Kim found the pair off on the edge of the camp, among the rocks on the edge of the cliff on the camp's flank. Gracie had a spyglass glued to her eye and was focusing on something below them. Upon spotting Kim, Distad snapped to attention, seeing an obviously close friend of the "Hero of Skyrim" as being worthy of praise. Felix had hashed out a backstory for the mother and daughter that seemed to contribute to the respect from their escort. Kim or rather "Kimbra" was a former member of the Companions, a noted fighting force in Skyrim, and the wife of "Legate Xilef's" brother, a very prosperous trader from Northern Cyrodiil with merchant ties throughout Tamriel. Gracie, as an aspiring archer, had been receiving training in Valenwood while her mother oversaw her husband's affairs.
"You find something down there?"
"Check it out Mom," Gracie motioned her mother forward and handed her the spyglass. "Directly ahead, just below the tree line."
Kim began scanning the terrain…and had she not been prepared to see literally ANYTHING, she would've either passed out or been convinced she'd had a mental break. Through the spyglass, clear as day, were three wooly mammoths straight out of the ice age. They were utterly breathtaking, a small gasp escaping Kim's lips. They looked so real!
"The Divines have indeed blessed Skyrim with many wonders," Decanus Distad commented, seeing the look of delight that was creeping over the older woman's face. She'd joined the Legion to see the world; Divines willing she'd be able to see some of the wonders Lady Kimbra and her daughter had seen in Valenwood.
The finishing touches were put on the camp, a guard was posted, and everyone began to settle in for the evening. The sounds and smells of an army camp quickly began to permeate the surrounding woods, laughs and cheers echoing throughout. Gracie, Kim, and Felix were quickly drawn to the mess tent where a few of the legionnaires were roasting a pair of deer that had been taken for the group's dinner. The smell…Kim's mouth was watering. Gracie spotted a pair on the other side of the tent, only a few years older than her, cracking out some tunes and settled in to listen while Kim and Felix got in line for grub. Kim's daughter hung on every note that was played. The music seemed to be very much of her tastes and she quickly got up the courage to talk to the two aspiring musicians. Kim had just been handed two plates of roasted venison when Gracie's voice caught her attention.
"This is a song that we all know and love. It's one of my favorites." Gracie turned to the band and counted off a start.
Our Hero, Our Here
Claims a Warrior's Heart
I tell you, I tell you
The Dragonborn Comes
With a voice wielding power of the Ancient Nord Art
Believe, Believe the Dragonborn Comes
Kim…every parent probably thought things like this but her eldest daughter had the most beautiful and melodious voice Kim had ever heard, something she had most definitely not inherited from Mom.
It's an end to the evil of all Skyrim's foes
Beware, Beware the Dragonborn comes
For the darkness has passed
And the legend yet grows
You'll know, You'll know the Dragonborn comes
A cheer erupted from the legionnaires in the tent. Faced with the prospect of entertainment, more legionnaires began pouring into the mess tent. Gracie conferred with the two musicians for a moment, smiled, and turned back to the crowd.
We drink to our youth, to the days come and gone
For the Age of Agression is finally done.
We'll drove out the Stormcloaks and restored what we own.
With our blood and our steel we'll took back our home!
The troops in the tent joined the chorus jubilantly. "DOWN WITH ULFRIC, THE KILLER OF KINGS! ON THE DAY OF YOUR DEATH WE DANCED AND WE SANG!"
We're the Children of Skyrim and we fight all our lives
And when Sovngarde beckons, every one of us dies.
This land is our land and we saw it wiped clean
Of the scourge that has sullied our hopes and our dreams!
We drink to our youth, to the days come and gone
For the Age of Aggression is just about done!
KPKPKPKPKPKPKPKP
She'd FINALLY done it! Gracie Anne Possible had gotten to perform in front of a crowd. Yes, it was in a video game and YES there were questions as to whether or not this was actually happening but…oh, if only Mary and the guys could've been here. The event had been over for two hours and her head was still buzzing. Though she tried to hide it, Mom was constantly chuckling at her daughter's euphoria. Well…phooey on her! She was living the dream!
"You sure as shooting didn't get your singing talent from ME," Kim detached her sword and sat on the cot adjacent to her daughter, unstrapping her armor and ready for a good night's sleep. Something was telling her that her limbs were sore enough that a repeat of the previous night's lack of sleep wouldn't be a problem. "You were great tonight Muffin. I'm very proud of you."
Wow…was Mom actually starting to forget Gracie sneaking away? This was great; Momma would require a little more work but if Gracie could get Mom on her side…
Mother quickly interrupted daughter's train of thought. "And just so you know, you're still grounded when we get back."
"How…but...how the heck do you do that?"
"Secret Mom powers," Did Mom always have to look so smug when she did that? Mom lifted the gambeson underneath her tunic. Her hand came to rest on a scar near her ribs, just below the right breast. Gracie had seen most of her mothers' "battle scars" and heard the stories but she couldn't recall that one in particular. "Gracie Anne, I just fell into saving the world. But once I found my stride, I was a lot like you. This…I was fifteen. Uncle Ron and I were tracking down a stolen safe and despite your Uncle's objections, I barged straight in…and straight into the blade of a knife. Had your uncle not been quick on his feet, there's a very real chance that neither of us would be here right now." Mom pulled Gracie off her cot and sat her down next to her. "You? There's no need for you to go through that…and neither Momma nor I would ever forgive ourselves if you did go through that."
"But Mom, you both keep treating me like I'm made of glass. You, Momma, and Abby taught me to handle anything that comes my way."
"I know Muffin, I know. But back at the game studio, I was walking into a very hostile area completely blind. That's something I've done many times but you have yet to do. Our family is a team and a team works together. You're still young and I need to know that I can trust you to follow instructions when Momma or I give them to you." Was she really this bad? Gracie…she understood this on an intellectual level but…sneaking away from the Cops seemed like a good idea at the time. George hadn't exactly been HAPPY to keep them occupied but…God, being a teenager sucked!
"I know Mom and I'm sorry."
Mom pulled Gracie closer and wrapped an arm around her. "You know, your Grandma is convinced that God is teaching me a lesson. If Grandma Possible knew HALF of the stuff that I actually got into…well, Momma's threats would be a picnic."
There was a knock on the tent post, pulling mother and daughter out of their bonding moment. A legionnaire ducked his head in. "Ma'am, Legate Xilef requests you come to the command tent."
KPKPKPKPKPKPKP
The bandit rode right by the camp like a bat out of Hell. There were enough eyewitnesses that everyone was positive that the person was wearing bandit armor. Felix must have been slipping; the bandit ran right by him and he barely had time to loose a single arrow. The horse had looked either half mad or half terrified with the bandit fighting to just hang on.
"So the scouts are positive that no one else is near the camp?" Felix turned to Centurion Alfinn.
"I would bet my life on it." Alfinn nodded. "I don't know what he was attempting to do but…"
"What's going on?" Kim had finally turned up. Felix filled the seasoned world saver in on what had just occurred and it definitely seemed to be as suspicious for Kim as it was for Felix. If the bandit was scouting the camp, he was going so fast he wouldn't have been able to spot any useful details anyway. There were a few broken down forts and mines that were occasionally occupied by bandit forces but none of them would be stupid enough to attack an Imperial column, even in open country. The whole thing just…
Without warning, a gust of wind sprung up, rustling the branches, carrying a foul smell with it. The stench…was it…rotten eggs? As quickly as the smell had arisen, a rumble joined it from the sky; not quite thunder but…NO! Those three details…Dragon!
"Call out the forces!" Felix barked at the Centurion. He turned to Kim, the woman easily grasping the seriousness of the situation on Felix's look alone. "Kim, get Gracie and find cover. Find a bow and quiver if you can. We're about to be attacked by a Dragon. Gracie's familiar with the game so she's likely clued in to…"
An earth shaking roar sounded through the countryside and a great hulking beast plummeted from the clouds. Felix grabbed Kim and heaved them aside just as a jet of fire impacted where they had been moments before. "DRAGON!" Felix belted out, jumping to his feet and hauling Kim back up as well.
The camp became a whirlwind of activity. Legionnaires came pouring out of their tents, half dressed in their armor but weapons at the ready. Kim's eyes never left her and Gracie's tent as she began running. Two Possibles nearly collided as Gracie emerged from inside the tent with an arrow knocked. The teenaged archer spotted the dragon, drew the arrow and loosed. Gracie…Gracie looked downright composed. Either Gracie may be playing too many video games or…never mind! Kim needed to get her hands on a bow.
Author's Notes:
I originally started writing this portion with them starting out at the Imperial Fort but I think it works a lot better with them start out from Riften, one of the major regions of Skyrim. In Malcolm's first appearance, he had trapped Ron and Zita in a World of Warcraft or Everquest knockoff with players from all over the world so I was very interested to allow Kim and Gracie to interact with the characters as if they were real humans. I think that really works and it's something I want to pursue further. Hope you're enjoying it so far. And heads up, Dragons are VERY hard to kill.