Chapter 9

The Burning of Bravil

Trying a New POV Casaveer Arantis, Hope you enjoy.

Casaveer walks up the path to Undils tent as the soldiers scramble to prepare for Adiveers arrival. He marches forward fully prepared for battle, sporting a full set of Elvin Glass armor, and two swords at his left side. One is a short Elvin blade made from Moonstone with an ebony sheath and hilt that he forged when he was a young boy. The other sword was his prized possession, a sharpened Katana in an Akaviri style with a golden inlay of ancient Akaviri and Aldmer writings. It was a one handed blade but he crafted an extended golden ebony hilt for dealing with larger adversaries. When he completed the blade several years ago he dubbed it Rahtan, which translates to reach in Ayleid. He was proud to say that everything he had was forged by his own hand.

Unlike his siblings, Casaveers silver hair is cut short and slicked back so he can comfortably wear his helmet. He enters the room, the sun glaring of the green glass as he waves Undil over to inform him of Adiveers arrival. Casavees does not waste any time to fill him in and head for the front line, where Adiveer is already riling up the soldiers.

"Will Mantel not be joining us?" Undil says timidly as they move through the Thalmer camp.

"No, he is not exactly the fighting type."

"Quite perplexing, he being your twin and all. I thought all Mer were required to fight for the Thalmor."

"He provides his unique talents when they are required, however most frown upon his methods." Already agitated, he attempts to end the young mers badgering. "You need not concern yourself with Mantel. He is an eccentric Mer but his skills are not lacking."

Undil says nothing, only nodding in acknowledgment. Casaveer did not know what to make of the young Justicar, but he admired his drive. They walk the remaining distance in silence, passing by dozens of Mer preparing for the battle.

"Do your best to not mind Adiveer" Casaveer casually says in his deep voice as they grow closer, breaking the silence. "He comes off as a cocky prick."

They approach Adiveer as he is in the middle of catching his men up to speed, yelling out orders from the top of a overturned cart. He is adorned in the customary Justicar robes, but has added ebony plate down the side of his arms that connects to a custom black Elvin breastplate covering the dark cloth.

"Adiveer." Casaveer yells loudly. "Father has sent word."

He turns and stares at Undil who wears his identical Justicar robes, completely ignoring Casaveers words as he takes a shot at Mer. "So they will let anyone wear the robes these days. Better throw some armor over that boy, were not playing games here."

"Just take the orders." Casaveer says while tossing the bound parchment.

As Adiveer reviews the parchment a man on the battered wall of the city takes note of the several Justicars conversing near the sea gate, and throws a flaming torch over to the Thalmor side of the wall. It was clearly a signal to attack as a large group of raggedy guards and soldiers lunge out of the water and charge up the steep hill towards the two Justicars. They had been swimming underneath the gate blocking the river and waiting under the water, a bold but clever technique. Surviving only by using a hollowed out root that naturally grows straight out of the water in the surrounding area, they were able to extended it to the surface for air. This also made it go unnoticed by the Thalmor.

The men yell wildly as they charged out of the water and up the steep hill, a common trait from cornered beasts. Casaveer moves to the front of the line and grabs the hilt of his Akaviri Katana strapped to his left side with his right hand, patiently waiting for the first man to attack. The Mer soldiers nearby quickly create a line next to Casaveer, separating the Justicars from the approaching imperials.

The first guard wildly threw his sword over his right shoulder, water dripping from his armor as he attempts to bring it down on Casaveers. He waited for the very last moment to draw Rahtan. Then in the blink of an eye, Casaveer drew his sharpened blade and swung up at the guard, slicing through his steel armor and severing the man's right arm, shoulder, and head in one fluid motion. He then unsheathed the Elvin short sword and holds the blade facing downward. Blocking a second imperials attack with the short blade, he kicks an adjacent man back down the steep hill and slices at the soldier with Rahtan, spilling his insides to the grass. Casaveer is narrowly caught by an archer further down the hill, as an arrow skims off his glass pauldron. Peering down the hill he identifies the culprit who knocked the arrow and decides to break rank, charging down the hill straight in to the imperial force. Casaveer heads towards the archer while parrying two separate attacks, passing the men by knowing the Mer behind would strike them down before they could pose a threat. Without losing momentum he dodges another attack and kicks the man directly to the side of the knee, breaking his leg instantly. He then turns his back to the archer as he swipes his sword at a second man with the Katana, easily slicing through the light imperial armor. Before turning Casaveer took note of the pesky archer taking aim at him once more, so he rolled backwards so as to avoid the arrow but not lose any speed. Upon completion of the maneuver he jammed the Elvin blade in to the thy of a charging imperial, using him as an anchor to quickly spin back around and block an incoming sword. Rahtan sparked as it clashed with the imperial long sword, grinding down towards the hilt. Casaveer was kneeling when the guard attacked so he could not overpower him. But he ripped the Elvin blade from the imperials thy allowing him could moved in close and slit the bearded mans throat.

As the imperial falls to his knees, blood pouring out of his neck, the archer down the hill comes in to view as he lets loose another arrow. But Casaveer quickly ducks down as the arrow flies over his head and in to the injured man he used for an anchor moments ago, cutting the tether of life.

The archer stares at Casaveer, appalled at what he just did. Another guard in full steel armor makes attempt on Casaveers life, attacking with a large matching steel battle ax. He moves swiftly, avoiding each lumbering swing with grace while swiping at the man, steadily breaking off parts of the armor. He rolls under a heavy swing and upon completion turns around and swipes at an exposed part of the guards back, right below the cuirass. The man screams and puts his hand to the wound, dropping his weapon in the process. But before Casaveer can capitalize an arrow whizzes past his Glass helm, missing by only inches.

He looks to the archer who has now moved even closer, and when they lock eyes he smiles and holds up his hand, clenching his fingers close together insinuating the close call.

The man screams in frustration and knocks another arrow, this time unencumbered by chance of collateral damage. Casaveer stands tall and readies himself, as he can see the guard in his peripheral vision fall over in pain, no longer a threat. As the archer knocks the arrow, he sheaths the Elvin blade and grips Rahtan with two hands, grabbing the lower part of the hilt in preparation for the shot. The archer must of pulled the string back with all his strength as the arrow comes flying towards Casaveer with deadly speed and accuracy. But he was prepared as he swipes the Katana at the arrow, clipping the front and altering the trajectory of the arrow just enough to avoid damage. He grinned as he peered towards the archer, and the realization that no more men lay between the two is clear upon the man's face as he nervously makes attempt at another arrow. He knew it was over. However he did managed to knock the arrow, but Casaveer had already closed the distance and swipes Rahtan at the bow before he can draw back, snapping it in two. The imperial attempts to grab the hilt of his sword but Casaveer draws his Elvin blade and slam it down on to the archers hand, piercing through his hand and continuing in to his side.

The imperial screams in pain as his arm is pinned and Casaveer turns, peering up the hill to see the Thalmor finishing off the remaining soldiers. He sheaths Rahtan after he confirms all remaining soldiers are dead.

Sliding the Elvin blade deeper in to mans side, the pain forces the man to fall to his knees, and Casaveer goes down to one knee with the dying man. Casaveer speaks while still looking towards the other bodies on the hill, watching for any survivors.

"Why do you make such foolish attempt, we held the high ground." He says, curious the reasoning behind the attack.

"We sought to cut the head off the beast" The man barely says as blood streams from his mouth. "With hopes of stifling attack, extending." He coughs. "Time for aid."

Casaveer takes off his darkened glass helm, his silver hair partially stained red with blood that seeped through. "A noble effort put to action by true warriors, it is unfortunate I was burdened with the task of preventing you." He looks the man in the eyes when he is positive there is no longer a threat.

"Truer words, could not be found." The imperial says as he closes his eyes and looks away, accepting his fate.

"I shall show you to the afterlife now." Casaveer calmly says as he rips the Elvin blade from the Imperials sternum and stands up. He takes the Imperials sword from his sheath and places it in to the dying man's good hand. He takes the execution stance with his lead elbow high behind his back, his palm against the pummel, and the point of the blade aimed straight for the imperials heart. "You will die with your sword in hand." He says before quickly slamming the point downward with enough force to pierce the man's heart. He then slid the blade out, wiping it clean and sheathing it before making his way back up the hill.

Before Casaveer can return up the hill Adiveer had given the order for full attack from the siege weapons and the archers, and moves down the front of the line ordering a full scale attack. He takes note of Adiveer as he gazes upon the flames, clearly elated to finally be done with this retch of a city. His stare intensifying as the Elvin fire rains down upon the wooden houses, quickly engulfing a majority of the entire city. Screams could be heard over the crashing flames, as the people inside the city are burned alive. Those lucky enough to escape the flames unlock the gates and stream out of the city. Adiveer gladly gives his signal, allowing the archers to let their knocked arrows loose, killing any who crosses their path. As the mound of dead outside the gates grew larger, it helped the aim of the siege catapults, who now according to orders were to fire upon the escaping citizens. Dozens of bodies are ignited as the balls of fire crash down on top, transforming the dead in to obstacles for the others attempting to escape. He takes note of Undil, and how he turns away from the carnage, the lack of mercy proving to be too much for the young Mer to take. Casaveer was never a fan of the place itself, but the ruthless nature of the Thalmor was unlike anything he had imagined it would be. Undil managed to take comfort in the facial expression adorned upon Casaveers face, which was far different to that of Adiveers.

Casaveer was visibly disturbed by the ruthless nature of the order, tightly gripping the hilt of Rahtan and tensing his jaw. Undil must of seen this as an opportunity and approaches.

"Is such a outcome truly desirable to the Thalmor?" Undil asks.

"It is not." He says without a change in his expression.

"Then why, dose Adiveer really hate men that passionately?"

Casaveer turns to Undil. "Adiveer is blinded by his need to honor our father."

Backing down from questions, Undil replies. "It is a heavy thing, to have a hand in the slaughter of an entire cities worth of people."

"The amount of dead matters not, I have parted that many from this world, ten times over." Casaveer makes clear.

"Then what moves your frustration?" Undil says, unable to grasp his logic.

"There is no honor in the killing of defenseless people, nor is there a reasonable tactical advantage. Yet time and time again the mistake is made by the ambitions of desperate Mer."

Before long Casaveer had seen enough, walking off to approach Adiveer as he scolds his men for allowing the initial attack.

"Do you forget you Sontaras training?" Casaveer yells out as he peers angrily towards his brother. "You will be making martyrs of every man woman and child in this city, thousands will be able to find new motivation to personally slit your throat."

"I encourage it." Adiveer says loudly. "Let the inferior beings make their attempt on my life. That way we won't have to root them out of the holes we will inevitably force them in to."

"And what will you do when they come Adiveer? Kill them with your ego?"

"Be weary of your place in this army Casaveer. I am in command and my order is absolute."

"Only a fool believes his word is absolute." He says as he storms off the front line. "I will not have my name tainted by the whispers of this day."

Undil was looking for any excuse to leave the front line and seized his opportunity by following Casaveer as he heads back to their tent.