Marcus Tullius Cicero: 3 January 106 BC – 7 December 43 BC, was a Roman philosopher, politician, lawyer, orator, political theorist, consul and constitutionalist. He came from a wealthy municipal family of the Roman equestrian order, and is widely considered one of Rome's greatest orators and prose stylists. (Wikipedia.) Cicero was a good friend of Caesar, altough they didn't always agree. He was killed during the proscriptions. (Marcus) Antonius ordered to chop his head and hands off and tied them to the Rostra, where the politicians used to speak. A horrible death.
A/N: Enjoy! The Imperial Legion delivers the final blow to the Stormcloak Rebellion. Ulfric is brought to justice. Guest: Seems like a good idea, but it can't be too easy for Julius. :P I make sure your idea gets some kind of appearance. Other ideas for the second Great War are always welcome! I am still messing with another chapter, featuring Brutus' return to Rome and I have currently half of it written, but one question, do you like to see Marcus Tullius Cicero as a character in the Elder Scrolls universe or not? I'm leaning towards a yes. He is after all Rome's greatest orator. Oh yes, is there someone who would like to beta read my chapters? Send a PM if you want. My grammar isn't that good and perhaps there are other mistakes I frequently make. I also cleaned up earlier chapters, mainly the first one. I added some text too, what happened before the assassination attempt.
The next day, General Tullius ordered them: "Ambarys Rendar wants to meet your men near Windhelm, to be more specific, our camp there. He will try to smuggle you in, but we cannot guarantee your safety. To be sure, we will take a ship to Windhelm and launch an attack from the docks. Gods be with you." Julius and Brutus nodded and departed both with their men to the camp. Brutus and Julius had their horses, but they preferred to walk with their men. It was a bit riskier when they were in Eastmarch, but it seemed that Ulfric had reduced the guards to a minimum. Julius let Jensen and Lucius borrow Brutus' and his own horse for scouting ahead.
They set up camp in a cave, well hidden from prying eyes. Julius had asked his Khajiit legionnaire to look if there was some kind of danger in the dark cave. J'zargo had replied: "No, sir, this one doesn't see anything. It is safe." He nodded and went to sleep. Jensen and Flavius were the first two to guard the camp. After Jensen and Flavius, Julius and Olaf guarded the camp. Julius conversed with the Nord: "Tell me, Olaf, why do you fight for the Empire?" Olaf answered: "I fight to protect Skyrim from Ulfric's rebellion and to rebuild the Empire, so we can take up arms against the Elves. Can I ask you a question, sir?" Julius nodded in silence and Olaf asked: "You've told us a lot about your city, Rome, but could you tell me how Rome looks like?"
Julius smiled warmly and replied: "Rome, my friend, is the greatest city in the world. When I was still a young brat, like Flavius over there, I used to live in the Subura. The Subura was famed for the brothels, more about that later. Rome is built on seven hills: the Aventinus, the Caelius, the Capitolinus, the Esquilinus, the Palatinus, the Quirinalis and the Viminalis. Near the city itself, you have the Campus Martius, where the comitia centuriata is held. Before I ended up here, I had building plans for the Saepta Julia, a place where the citizens could cast their votes. My son-in-law built a theater there. The theater is where they tried to assassinate me. Near the Campus Martius, you have a river, the Tiber.
We have our own sewer system, the Cloaca Maxima. It supplies water to the public baths and to other places. The city is divided in several districts, among them the Subura. Every district has his own specialty. My family was noble, but not that right, so we lived in the Subura. It is horrible in the night. The real heart of the city is the Forum Romanum. It is where the Senate resides. You have also the temples there and the statues of famed Romans and the Gods. I bought ground near the Forum with the aid of Rome's most famed orator, Marcus Tullius Cicero, he outclasses everyone.
With the money I earned during my conquest in Gallia, I paid nearly everything. That part of the Forum was known as the Forum Julium. The Forum Julium is an expansion to the Forum Romanum, and there is a temple of my ancestral mother, Venus Genetrix, but it isn't ready yet. I hope they'll finish it. If I am not mistaken, there is a statue of my favorite horse and a shrine for myself." Olaf whistled and said: "When you are describing Rome like that, it seems like it outclasses the Imperial city itself. You must be really rich!"
Julius smiled and when Julius and Olaf went back to sleep, it was Brutus and Nils' turn. Clinton and Jurgen had the last shift. The next day, they continued marching to the secret camp.
The Auxilia there were busy preparing everything. Ambarys Rendar was already waiting for them with a few other people, and in the distance, you could see a ship. The sails were neutral, but everyone in the camp knew that it was Tullius and his men. The sail had a silver color.
Julius spoke with Ambarys: "Thank you for helping us out. If you ever want to reenlist, ask for me, Caesar." Ambarys nodded and they settled the last details. It was a big risk, but Windhelm's walls were high and Ulfric Stormcloak had retreated nearly all of his men in the city. Julius, Brutus and the men had hidden into wine tons. When the carriage was at the gates, Ambarys said: "Ambarys Rendar, citizen of Windhelm and the innkeeper of the New Gnsis Cornerclub." The guard asked: "Let me look in one of the tons, please." Ambarys lied: "I can't, it is sealed, sir."
The guard hesitated, but finally let Ambarys in. Ambarys called a few Dunmer over to the carriage, and they moved the heavy tons in front of Candlehearth hall. One of the other guards asked: "By Talos, what are you doing?" Ambarys lied again "Elda wanted some wine too."
The guard nodded but waited there, watching the tons. When Ambarys and his men had finished, they just left, like they had agreed with Julius.
The guard raised a brow, but before he could say something, Brutus, Julius and their men climbed out their tons, shouting: "For the Empire! For Skyrim!" Julius ordered: "Testudo! Now! Lucius, Jurgen, Nils, Flavius and Olaf first line!"
In the distance, they could hear General Tullius giving a speech: "All right. It's time to deliver the final blow to the Stormcloak rebellion. You have all fought bravely, and sacrificed much to bring us to this point. Ulfric thinks he can hide behind the walls of his castle. But we will fight our way in and drag him out through the rubble to face justice. Because this is the end for them, the Stormcloaks will fight like cornered rats. They will be fierce and crafty. But they are no match for Legionnaires. You are the best and the brightest warriors in Tamriel. Professional soldiers, fearless and devastating. The Emperor will be paying close attention to what happens here today. Men who distinguish themselves will be well rewarded. Ready now! Everyone, with me! For the Empire! For the Legion!"
Julius joined the Testudo formation, paying no attention to the fleeing citizens of Windhelm. They marched forward, noticing the barricades. Julius was great on the field, but he hadn't battled that much in the cities. He had to think, quickly. How could he break through the barracks? How? -Fire!-
Julius yelled: "Tribune Brutus, Quaestor Lucullus, take over command! Now!" He ran to the pits near Candlehearth hall, as fast he could. Tullius' men were already in the city, trying to make their way to Candlehearth hall. Julius ran past Stormcloaks and Imperials fighting for life and death. Duels weren't that common in the Roman armies, because they were tiring for the men. He had found the pits of fire, but he needed something to carry the fire to the barricades.
Tullius and Rikke were overlooking the battle, hand in hand. Rikke pointed to Candlehearth hall and said: "Do you see that? I think it is Julius. Let's aid him, he seems to have an idea." Tullius nodded and drawed his sword. Rikke, Tullius and a few soldiers sprinted to the inn, where Julius was busy searching for wood. He found a stick of wood and cut with his dagger a piece of cloth from his tunic. He tied the cloth to the stick and ignited the 'torch'.
A Stormcloak saw that Julius was busy doing other things, and raised his axe to kill him. Julius saw it too late, but the Stormcloak fell dead before his feet. General Tullius exclaimed: "By the Eight, what were you thinking?" Julius replied: "I wanted to ignite the barricades there. Thank you." He sprinted back to his men, igniting the barricades, and joining the Testudo formation again. They managed to break through the barricades and marched to the Palace of Kings.
Julius ordered them: "Tribune Brutus, Quaestor Lucullus take over command again. Phalanx formation. Let nobody enter." He, General Tullius and Legate Rikke entered Ulfric's palace. General Tullius ordered Julius: "Secure the door." Julius replied: "Already done, General."
Tullius raised his voice and said: "Ulfric Stormcloak! You are guilty of insurrection, murder of Imperial citizens, the assassination of King Torygg and high treason against the Empire. I's over." Galmar Stone-Fist grumbled: "Not while I'm still breathing, it's not."
Rikke tried to reason with her old friend: "Step aside, Galmar. We're here to accept Ulfric's surrender." Ulfric retorted: "I'll never surrender Skyrim into the hands of a corrupt and dying Empire." Rikke sighed: "Skyrim doesn't belong to you, Ulfric." Ulfric responded: "No...But I belong to her."
Tullius was annoyed and wanted Ulfric's head, so he raised his voice again and said: "Enough! You are traitors and will die traitors' death. Stand down and face public execution, or advance and face summary execution by my hands. It matters little to me. Either way I'll be sending your heads back to Cyrodiil." Galmar drawed his axe and exclaimed: "Well, what are we waiting for?"
They engaged into combat, Galmar going for Julius, and Ulfric going for Rikke and Tullius. Julius blocked the first few blows of Galmar's axe with his shield, praying that Beirand had made it thick enough. He used the classic Roman battle tactics he had learned in his youth, hiding behind a shield and trying to stab the enemy.
It was no use, because Galmar's axe had a much longer reach. Julius shifted to a faster, but more dangerous style of combat. He dropped his shield, only using the elven sword Tullius gave him. It was a bit longer than his old shortsword, but it didn't weigh that much and it was sharp. Julius progressed forward, throwing Galmar off balance with the new style of fighting. Galmar swinged his axe again in Julius' direction, but Julius saw it coming and stepped aside. Galmar turned immediately to Julius, who was already dangerously close. He ducked for another swing of Galmar's axe, and he had an idea. Julius distracted Galmar by swinging his sword again at the housecarl and drawing his dagger. He throwed the dagger towards Galmar. The dagger hit him in the leg, letting Galmar slightly stagger.
Julius used that opportunity to stab his sword in the man's belly. He pulled the dagger out the dying housecarl's leg, turning his attention to Tullius, Rikke and Ulfric. Ulfric had managed to shout them to the other side of the room, but they were back on their feet. Julius sheathed his dagger and took his shield again. Julius sprinted to Tullius and Rikke, asking: "Are you alright?" They nodded and continued to fight Ulfric. Julius attacked him from the right side, but Ulfric shouted again: "Zun-Haal-Viik" Julius' sword was grasped out his hand, and so were the ones of Rikke and Tullius. Ulfric came dangerously close, and his sword was too far away. If Julius didn't act quickly, Tullius would die. He grabbed his shield with both hands, and charged forward, knocking Ulfric on the ground.
In the meantime, General Tullius and Rikke had recovered their swords. The General said: "Thank you, Julius." Julius replied: "No thanks. You saved my life earlier." Tullius nodded and turned to Ulfric: "Well Ulfric, you can't escape from me this time. Any last requests before I send you to... to wherever you people go when you die." Rikke interrupted: "Sovngarde, Marcus." Tullius sighed and continued: "Right. Well?"
Ulfric didn't reply, so General Tullius killed him. Rikke muttered: "Talos guide you." The General asked sharply: "What was that, Rikke?" Rikke replied: "Nothing. Just saying goodbye." Tullius nodded and continued: "Well, the men will be expecting some kind of speech. And we'll need to hand the city over to that Free-Winter fellow." Rikke said: "Brunwulf. Yes, I've sent men to protect him and bring him here. Windhelm will need a government quickly if we are to prevent more violence." Tullius replied: "The Legion will be staying here for quite some time. I don't expect there to be any more violence."
While they walked outside, Julius asked General Tullius: "Are you going to return to Cyrodiil now?" Tullius shook his head and replied: "No, I suspect Skyrim to be my home for many years. Can't say I'll ever get used to the damn cold, or understand these Nords... but I've come to respect them, thanks to Rikke. The harshness of Skyrim has a way of carving a man down to his true self."
They laughed and Julius asked another question: "Do you think there will be peace now Ulfric is dead?" Tullius answered: "The fiercest of the remaining rebels will continue to harass us, but by and large, the people here desire peace. What I'm not so sure about is the peace we've made with the Thalmor. But we'll keep that between the two of us, alright?" Julius nodded and when they were outside, he raised his voice and announced: "Attention! General Tullius has an announcement!" He stepped back, and Tullius speeched: "The rebellion is over. Ulfric Stormcloak is dead. His head will be sent to Cyrodiil where it will adorn a spike on the walls of the Imperial City. Let this day be a final warning to all who would still call themselves Stormcloaks. We are turning the city over to Brunwulf Free-Winter, an honorable and faithful man. Many of you will be staying in Windhelm to aid the Jarl in restoring order and stamping out any embers of rebellion that may still smolder here. In appreciation for your exemplary service, I am doubling your pay and compensation to the widows of your fallen comrades. I am proud of all of you. All hail the Emperor. All hail his Legionnaires!" He muttered quietly: "I hate giving speeches." Julius assured him with a smile: "It wasn't that bad. I've heard worser in Rome." Tullius responded: "I hope we haven't just created a martyr." Rikke said: "There's bound to be resistance. There are many Stormcloak camps tucked away in the hills. They'll no doubt strike whenever and wherever they can. But without Ulfric to inflame their passions, they'll settle down and return to their homes eventually." The General replied: "I pray you're right, Legate. In the meantime, we'll continue to root them out and put them to the sword." They walked to Brunwulf Free-Winter, demanding him to swear the oath. Brunwulf did so, and Tullius appointed the men who he wanted to stay in Windhelm. Julius, Brutus and their men returned to Solitude. Tullius told them: "I want you to report in a week for duty at Castle Dour. Until then, you are free to do what you want."