A/N: Chapter eleven is here! We hit over 600 views, so I just wanted to say that I am so happy that so many people have taken an interest in this story and wish to read it! If you can, It would mean so much if you could take the time to leave a review to tell me what your thoughts are on this story thus far. I value the opinions of every person that reads this story and want to make sure that it stays as good as I believe it currently is.
But, without further ado, let us move on with our tale!
CHAPTER TEN
Fortress in the Clouds
The Jerall mountains had always been a beautiful sight to Cassian. Partnered with the Velothi and Valus mountains on the Morrowind border, they formed a magnificent mountain range that spanned the area that was the border itself. Despite their beauty, Cassian knew that the mountains were rugged, steep and rather inhospitable due to the cold winds and snow that regularly fell on them. It was the only place in Cyrodiil where snow regularly fell, but Cassian knew that it was only the case due to the border with Skyrim not being far. Despite all of the dangers that he knew about it and all of things that could potentially be lethal living up in them, they did nothing but add to the beauty. He had first seen them on his first tour of Skyrim at age twenty, almost ten years before the current crisis. They amazed him then as they still amazed him now. They simply took his breath away.
Peering at the white-capped peaks through the breaks within the pine trees, Cassian could feel the chill of the ice-cold winter down his spine. With his black woollen cloak still wrapped around him, still dressed in fur-lined leather armour like his younger counterpart, he sat atop the rock at the edge of the campfire and rubbed his hands against his arms. With nothing on his mind but his intention to stare up at the mountains above, lit only and accompanied by the crackling campfire behind him and the men sat around it, Cassian felt his freedom for the first time in a long time. It hadn't truly hit him until now. He guessed that it was because he had more important goals on his mind, but now he could feel it. He also felt as if his conscience weighed him down, thinking back to things that they had said he had done.
He had all the time in the world to think about the things he had done as he stared out of that prison window, but he instead thought of nothing but the outside world and how he longed to escape the place where they put people who deserved their sentences, locked like a false madman in a cage. But now he was out and free of all burdens, Cassian could do nothing but think about what had happened. He remembered it all so vividly, of the look on the ambassador's corpse as he checked it over. The look of fear and dread, the look of a man who was truly afraid in his final moments of life. Cassian wished he had been more alert, wished that he could have done something to warn his comrades. But he couldn't.
It would be his nightmare, his regret. Forever haunting him for the things that he could have done better. It would be the one thing that ruined the life of the Imperial Quaestor and left a black mark next to his record for all time. Now, he was a shadow. A ghost sharing the name of the traitor to the Empire, forever walking people who didn't truly remember who he was. For now, that was okay. However, Cassian knew he couldn't be underground forever.
"Good view, isn't it?" A voice spoke from behind him, breaking Cassian out of the trance that he had worked himself into. "It's a lot better from the walls of Cloud Ruler."
Turning his head just a little, the edge of Cassian's mouth curled into a smile as he watched Jauffre walk up to the rock he was sat on, two wooden bowls in-hand that were filled to the brim with some kind of stew. Moving over so that the elderly Blade could take a seat beside him, Cassian took the bowl from Jauffre with one hand and a spoon with the other.
"I used to stand on the walls during my training, watching the sun rise over the mountains." Jauffre explained, beginning to swirl his stew with his spoon. "I'm anxious to see it again."
Cassian smiled in Jauffre's direction, before beginning to eat. "I'll make sure I see it."
Dropping his head down to look at the food he was eating, Cassian sensed that Jauffre had turned to look at him. Not having the strength to look at him, Cassian simply kept his head down and simply ate. He knew what the Grandmaster was going to ask, but didn't really know the answer he was going to give just yet.
"What's on your mind?" Placing his spoon down, Jauffre simply sat and patiently waited for an answer from Cassian. Despite this, Cassian didn't even know what he was going to say. He couldn't stomach the words that he had bottled up for so long.
"I…" Cassian placed his bowl to one side and pressed his head into his hands. Dragging them down his face and into his beard, Cassian sighed heavily. "I don't know where I want to go next. I don't what I want to do, where to go."
"What does your heart tell you?" Jauffre smiled, a smile that was more akin to a grandfather than to a military man. Cassian rose his head and then subsequently allowed his eyebrow to rise as well, causing a chuckle from the old Blade. "In all of my years, I've always said that your heart is the thing that tells you where to go. Just listen to what it thinks."
Nodding his head, Cassian closed his eyes. Looking into his heart, he tried to think what it all meant to him. He had seen the horrors that had been unleashed to the world. He had seen the destruction and aftermath of Kvatch, he had walked through the fires of Oblivion and fought the monsters that walked that realm. He knew that his sense of duty told him to stay, despite everything that was going on in his own life.
"…This burden is now yours alone to bear…" The voice of Emperor Uriel Septim spoke inside his head again, his final words the reminder for Cassian to continue on. He had been rescued from his fate by the kindness of an old man in his final hours, he knew that he couldn't abandon that for the sake of saving his own skin. "…You hold our future in your hands…child."
Opening his eyes, Cassian sighed once again and turned to Jauffre. "It tells me that my work isn't done yet. That Tamriel needs me."
"Tamriel needs us all." Jauffre replied, placing his hand on Cassian's shoulder. "It sounds strange to admit it, but I honestly believe we were chosen for this. Only the strange fate of Uriel Septim would bring you two to me with the Amulet of Kings. Whatever events have transpired thus far, they are not a mere coincidence. We are pawns in the next chapter of the Divine game now."
Turning his head back to look at the campfire, Cassian caught Martin's eye. Absent-mindedly eating his food with a book on the floor beside him, he quickly glanced a smile before retreating back into the pages of whatever he was reading. This, in turn, made Cassian chuckle and smile from ear-to-ear. He had his father's smile, Cassian could see it now. It was a small thing, but it was noticeable if you knew the lineage. He had the kind features of the man who had saved his life. Cassian felt obligated to protect the man who had saved him, as a final thank you and goodbye to his former life.
"Do you think he can do it?" Cassian asked. "Can he be the Emperor?"
"I believe he can." Jauffre mused, turning back to look for just a second. "With the right training from the right people, I have no doubt in my mind that Martin can be just what this Empire needs to grow and become stable once again. First, we need to get the Amulet back. I'm hoping our agent in the Imperial City can help us."
"Let us hope that's the case." Cassian smiled, before picking his bowl up once again.
"Indeed." Jauffre replied, doing the same. After a few moments however, he stood and shivered on the spot, before letting out a hearty chuckle. "This cold mountain air is getting to my bones. I'm not as young as I used to be. I'm afraid I'm going to need to warm up."
"I believe that I agree with you." Cassian nodded, rising to his feet also.
Walking to the campfire themselves, Cassian looked to Martin and Varsa as he took a position around the campfire. Scooping mouthfuls of food into his mouth, Cassian began to think as he looked around, taking on board what Jauffre had said about destiny. Maybe they were just pawns in the game of the Divines, maybe they were being used for some divine purpose that they couldn't explain. Maybe this was some divine plan. Cassian didn't know. All he did know was that this wasn't over. They needed the Amulet.
But first, they had to get Martin to safety.
Travelling up the Orange Road and then onto the Silver Road, Cassian, Martin, Varsa and Jauffre made sure that they were making their way to Cloud Ruler as fast as they could. Stopping only to rest when needed, they avoided roadside inns, taverns and much more in the risk that there could be assassins waiting for them, as there had been in Skingrad. The entire situation, Cassian noted, had left Jauffre with a sense of paranoia. He did not who to trust and was constantly on guard as they travelled, his prime priority making sure the heir to the throne would be safe within the confines of Cloud Ruler.
The only time that Jauffre felt relatively comfortable was when they travelled through Bruma, but only because he knew that there were bound to be Blades agents somewhere in the city that had been informed of the goings-on in the rest of the Empire. Jauffre explained during one of their camps that he had sent numerous letters before the attack on Weynon Priory, informing all notable Blades across Tamriel of the situation. However, he knew that many of them would be too busy to help. It seemed like the entire Empire was in chaos, with more Oblivion gates opening across the world. The three had heard rumours of more being opened by villages in the Great Forest, with daedra reducing what had once been little hamlets into nothing more than smoking ruins. It showed that what had happened in Kvatch was more than a simple attack on a city, but the start of a grand invasion. The gates, the assassins, all of it was linked. They just didn't know how.
Reaching one of the main traversable paths up the mountainside, one specifically chosen by Jauffre when they exited through the Bruma gates, all three men dismounted from their horses and instead took them by the reigns. It would be easier for them to go on foot than it would for them to try and manoeuvre three horses up a steep and rocky cliff face. They travelled for a bit longer, blocking their faces from the cold winds and watching their steps on the numerous twists and turns that dotted the path upwards. However, after a while the path formed in a one, long road that looked like it led perfectly down to the city of Bruma below.
Standing before them, in all its beauty and splendour, was Cloud Ruler Temple. Formed out of multiple solid stone bricks, with two watchtowers looking out over the valley. In between those two watchtowers were two large wooden doors, larger than any doors that Cassian had remotely ever seen before in his lifetime. It all added to the mystery behind the fortress, it looked as impregnable as Cassian had been told. No daedra would get through the walls of Cloud Ruler Temple without a fight, especially since the best swordsmen in Tamriel stood behind its walls to protect it.
"Look at the size of this place…" Varsa gasped, gently trotting his horse up the snow-covered mountain path. "It's gigantic…"
"This is the last bastion of the old Akaviri Dragonguard." Jauffre smiled as he trotted past Varsa, able to manoeuvre his horse a lot better on this terrain. "A true marvel of old Akaviri architecture. There isn't any other fortress quite like it. It would take much to scale those walls and break down that door."
Looking up to the watchtowers above, Cassian was sure that he saw a figure move from the inside of the tower and then out of sight, but was interrupted by Jauffre before he could truly think about it. The Blades Grandmaster pushed through his three companions and made his way to the large wooden doors in front of him, smiling as they pulled back to reveal a grand stone staircase that led upwards and upwards into what looked to be the clouds themselves.
Stood at the start of the stairs, having opened the doors, was a Redguard Blade dressed in the same ceremonial Blades armour that Baurus, Glenroy and Renault had all been wearing. His arms folded, the Redguard bowed his head and quickly removed his helmet from his head in a sign of respect. "Grandmaster, is this…?"
"Yes, Cyrus." Jauffre smiled, bowing his own head in respect. Cassian, on the other hand, stood back and watched the entire situation. It was not his job to get involved. "This is the Emperor's son, Martin Septim."
Stepping to the side to allow Cyrus to pass, Jauffre smiled as the Blade knelt in front of his new Emperor. "My lord, welcome to Cloud Ruler Temple. We have not had the honour of an Emperor's visit in many years."
"Ah, well, uh, thank you." Martin smiled, warmly. "The honour is mine."
Stepping forwards towards the group once more, Jauffre smiled. "Come, my lord. The Blades are waiting to greet you."
With a nod, Martin waited for Cyrus and Jauffre to begin their ascent up the stairs before following suit. Cassian himself waited for the rest of them and followed Martin up from behind, all four of them walking up the stairs like a royal escort, with Varsa tagging behind as he still continued to marvel at the architecture like a child. Reaching the top of the stairs, Cassian' eyes widened as he saw two rows of Blades on either side of where the stairs ended, kneeling on one knee as they awaited their new Emperor to walk past. As he did so, the Redguard Blade, Cyrus, stood aside in one of the remaining spots in the right line and withdrew his katana, placing it in a downwards angle as he too knelt for Martin.
Taking his position at Martin's left side, as Jauffre had taken Martin's right, Cassian stood on the stairs that led into the great hall of Cloud Ruler Temple and waited for what Jauffre had to say. This was all quite overwhelming for him. Almost one month ago, he had been a forgotten member of society, a simple prisoner who had been thrown in a cell for a crime that he had never committed in the first place. Now, he was standing at the side of the rightful Septim Emperor and was being hailed as the saviour of a city, the only person in Cyrodiil to have entered an Oblivion Gate and successfully closed it. Waiting for Varsa to stand beside him, Cassian folded his arms across his chest and looked to Jauffre.
"Blades!" Jauffre spoke, loud and clear to them all. His voice seemed to take on a more serious, commanding tone that it had through the times that Cassian had spent with him, his true form as the Blades Grandmaster finally seeming to reveal itself among the frosted peaks. "Dark times are upon us! The Emperor and his sons were slain on our watch, the Empire is in chaos! But there is yet hope!" Turning his arm, Jauffre outstretched his hand in Martin's direction. "This is Martin Septim, true son of Uriel Septim!"
The Blades immediately rose in unison, pointing their katanas into the sky above them as they saluted their new leader. "Hail to the Dragonborn! Hail to Martin Septim! Hail!"
"Your highness, the Blades are now under your command." Jauffre spoke, extending his own katana towards Martin with honour and pride towards his new Emperor. "You will be safe here until you can take up your throne."
Stepping back, Jauffre allowed Martin the room that he needed. Cassian did the same, stepping forwards so that he stood next to Cyrus. Martin simply coughed and stepped forwards himself. Cassian could see how nervous he was, even from the side. His knees had started to tremble, fidgeting the hands that he had no clue what to do with. He was a nervous young man, anxious at speaking to his subjects. This was no Emperor, this was a simple priest. He would need to learn, but Cassian was sure that he would.
"Jauffre, all of you." He smiled warmly, clasping his hands together. "I know you all expect me to be Emperor. I'll do my best, but this is all new to me. I'm not used to giving speeches, but I wanted you to know that I appreciate your welcome here. I hope I prove myself worthy of your loyalty in the coming days."
Turning to Jauffre, Martin's eyes widened as he realized he was expected to continue. "I…uhhh, that's it. Thank you."
Silence filled the air around Cloud Ruler, an anxious few seconds passing before Jauffre cleared his throat. "Well, thank you, Martin. We'd all best get back to our duties. Captain, may I speak to you for a second?"
As Jauffre turned to speak to one of the Blades, a middle-aged Imperial man who looked to command the rest of the Blades, Cassian knew that he shouldn't interrupt. Stepping out of the way once more instead to grant the men some privacy, Cassian walked to the edge of the Temple and looked out over the side, taking in the view that Jauffre had recommended to him. He felt as if he was on top of the world, higher than he had ever been before. Rubbing his hands together in the cold, he smiled and began to walk further down the ramparts of the fortress as he began to explore. Ancient Akaviri architecture, some of the last remaining remnants of it in all of Cyrodiil, and Cassian had the pleasure to walk its halls.
Clasping his hands behind his back as he looked over the mountain range they had just rode up, Cassian felt pride. These Blades were truly the last bastion, the final line of defence for the Emperor of Tamriel. He had seen them fight in the sewers, he had seen them defend their lord until their legitimate dying breaths, he had never seen such dedication and loyalty to a single man. Not even Imperial legionnaires had as much loyalty to their Empire as an individual Blade had for their Dragonborn Emperor. It made him proud to stand among them. Closing his eyes, Cassian listened to the wind whistle around his head. However, he also heard something else with it. The sound of footsteps.
Opening his eyes, he waited for them to speak.
"May we talk for a moment?" Martin smiled.
"Of course." Cassian nodded, taking a few steps back so that they were alone on the edge of the Temple's wall, looking out onto the snowy landscape. "What's on your mind?"
"It wasn't much of a speech, was it?" Martin mused, placing his hands into the pockets of his robe. "Didn't seem to bother them, though."
"It wasn't bad for a first-time speech." Cassian smiled. "I've heard worse."
"I know, but it still feels like I let them down." Martin replied, sighing. "It's all quite overwhelming, you know? The Blades saluting me and hailing me as Martin Septim...It seems like everyone expects me to suddenly know what to do, how to behave. They want an Emperor to tell them what to do and I haven't got the faintest idea…"
"A week ago, you thought you were a simple priest," Cassian folded his arms. "Trust me, you might think so but nobody expects you to immediately fill your father's shoes."
"I know. I don't mean to sound ungrateful." Martin held up his hand. "I know I would be dead now if it wasn't for you, so I just wanted to thank you."
"I did what anyone would have done in my situation." Cassian smiled in reply. "I want nor deserve no thanks, your highness."
"Don't you start calling me that as well, friend." Martin chuckled.
"Alright, Martin." Cassian corrected himself. "Now, you should get some rest."
"I believe you may be right on that account." Martin nodded. "I haven't slept properly since the day of the attack on Kvatch. I'm hoping things will be different here."
"I'm sure they will. You're safe now." Cassian advised him. "Now go. I'm going to stay here a while and take in the sights."
With a nod, Martin turned on his heel and walked back down the ramparts. Watching him go, Cassian smiled. That was the Emperor, the leader of all men in the realm. They would need to find the Amulet and retrieve it from this unknown force that had stolen it, but then he would definitely be the Emperor. Whether or not he could do it was a completely different question.
But Cassian believed he could do it. He knew he could.
Rising just after the dawning of the sun, Cassian was immediately brought into the main hall alongside Varsa. Looking beside the fire, a large table had been set up with two men stood behind it, backs to the large hearth. On closer inspection, Cassian's weary morning eyes eventually realized that it was Jauffre, now dressed in the full ceremonial armour of the Blades as a replacement for his worn monk robes. To his right stood the middle-aged Imperial Blade that he had spoken to as soon as they had arrived at Cloud Ruler Temple. Walking towards them collectively, Jauffre smiled and outstretched his hands.
"My friends, I would like for you to meet Captain Steffan. He's the acting Grandmaster of the Blades here, he rules in my absence." Jauffre replied, outstretching his hand to point out Steffan to the rest of the group.
"Good to meet you." Steffan held out his gauntleted hand, which Cassian shook. "The Grandmaster has told me all about your exploits in Kvatch. Good work."
"Thank you, sir." Cassian replied. "We did the best we could."
"If that was your best, then you put our best to shame." Steffan smiled before letting out a hearty chuckle. "I bet you could have even bested Renault."
"Renault? Captain Renault?" Cassian raised his eyebrow.
"Aye, Captain Louisa Renault. One of the greatest swordsmen I've ever had the honour of fighting alongside." Steffan nodded in response. Cassian could see an expression of sadness in Steffan's face, but did not bring it up.
"That makes two of us." Cassian replied, solemnly. He remembered Renault well. She had not trusted him, but respected the Emperor's wishes on letting him come along. Cassian could only hope that he had earned her respect before she died. "I was there when she died. She died valiantly, protecting the Emperor from the assassins."
"A shame to hear, though that sounds just like her." Steffan lowered his head. "She…she was a good friend."
With a nod, Cassian looked to continue. However, before he could do just that, Varsa stepped forwards and spoke up. "Jauffre, with all due respect, why are we here?"
Nodding his head, Jauffre turned his entire body to look at Cassian.
"Cassian, there was something that I did mention back at Weynon Priory." Jauffre smiled, looking towards Steffan as he knelt behind the table. "I recognized you as soon as I saw you. We all did."
Cassian sighed heavily as Varsa looked to him to explain what Jauffre had said. With a heavy heart, he turned to them and lowered his head. "When you met me, I never told you why I was imprisoned in the Imperial dungeons…I was accused of being a traitor, sentenced to life imprisonment for a crime I didn't commit."
Seeing that the entire thing was looking harder and harder for Cassian to explain, Jauffre cleared his throat and began to walk around the table.
"Imperial Quaestor Cassian Silvanus was tasked with leading a convoy containing an Imperial ambassador to Elsweyr, where peace talks would begin between the Empire and the Renrija Krin. The convoy was found dead on the Elsweyr border by an Imperial patrol, with Quaestor Silvanus being the only remaining soul alive with no injuries, but blood covering his entire body." Jauffre clasped his hands behind his back. "However, the Blades know otherwise. Shortly after you both arrived at Weynon Priory, I dispatched a carrier pidgeon to the Blades in Elsweyr. We discovered that the Renrija Krin attacked the convoy in an effort to maintain their crusade against the Empire."
Dropping his head into his hands, Cassian couldn't believe it. He had been right. Everything that he had said had been right. He had looked in the face of the Imperial jailor and told him exactly what had happened, and they still didn't believe him. He was branded a traitor and sentenced to life imprisonment because an Imperial patrol had stumbled in at the wrong place at the wrong time. At a different time, he would have been able to clear his name. He had pleaded to the judge, but they had simply ignored them due to the 'significant evidence piled against the accused'. It was bullshit, all of it.
"We sent this information to the Imperial Command. Cassian, you are hereby absolved of all crimes and formally discharged from duty. Congratulations, Quaestor." Jauffre smiled. "But there is one more thing."
Watching closely, Cassian watched as Steffan brought two objects covered in a black velvet cloth out from under the table and placed them so that they were visible.
"Before your imprisonment, we had once considered you to be a Blade. Your superiors spoke truly of your skill with a blade and your tremendous loyalty to the Emperor." Jauffre noted, holding something in his hand. It was long and covered in a black cloth. Cassian noted that he had not been holding it before they arrived. "And even now, you have proven yourself to be a loyal servant of the Empire, even after your false imprisonment and mistreatment by the Empire."
Jauffre threw the cloth from the object and held it out to Cassian, revealing it to be a katana of Akaviri origin, the same one that all Blades wielded. "As Grandmaster of the Blades, I would be honoured to welcome you into our order as my brother."
"As would I." Steffan added, smiling.
"Me? A Blade? I'm not worthy…" Cassian took a step back, eyes wide.
"You might think that, but you are worthier than any Blade to stand by Martin's side during this crisis." Jauffre smiled. "Cassian, you are ready."
"Then I accept." Cassian smiled, grasping the handle of the katana with a firm grip.
"Then it is my honour to welcome you into our ranks, Knight Brother of the Blades." Jauffre said, clapping Cassian on the shoulder as the new Blades brother fastened his katana upon his belt.
"Congratulations, Cassian." Varsa said, bowing his head. "You deserve this."
"I'm not finished, Master March." Jauffre smiled. "For a simple backwoodsman, you have shown tremendous loyalty and honour. You are the model for what every citizen should strive to be and a credit to your family. It is because of this, I also offer you a place in our ranks. Join us, my friend."
With even having to think about it, Varsa seemed to step forwards and bow his head. "If you will have me, then I would be honoured."
"Then it is my honour to welcome you into our ranks, Knight Brother of the Blades." Jauffre said once more, repeating the sacred line he had said to Cassian.
"Congratulations, my friends." Steffan added. "I'll have you a bed drawn up in the West Wing, there should be enough space and have you a full set of armour commissioned. I would say that you would be given time to officially meet your comrades, but time is not on our side and we need to get moving."
With a nod, Jauffre invited everyone around the table and leaned in close.
"We need to think of a plan." Varsa immediately interceded whatever Jauffre was about to say. "We need to find the Amulet of Kings."
"Correct." Jauffre nodded to his new Knight-Brother, before continuing. "The Amulet of Kings is the key to everything now. Without it, we are losing this war. But, once we have it, Martin can light the Dragonfires and this invasion can end."
"But we don't have it." Cassius added. "Do we have any leads to where it could be?"
"As I mentioned before, I have sent an old friend to search for leads on it." Standing up, Jauffre looked straight at Cassian and smiled. "I'm sure you know him well."
Immediately putting the pieces together, Cassian smiled. "Baurus? He's alive?"
"Of course. He's been in the Imperial City since you escaped from the sewers. He's glad to hear that you're still alive." Jauffre nodded, folding his arms. "He's currently found no leads, but I will be sending you to aid him in the Imperial City once he has found one."
"The City?" Varsa added, his face darkened. "Are you sure?"
"Yes." Jauffre replied. "Baurus has been tailing possible agents of the organization. He believes that he potential leads, but has asked me for support before he acts upon any of them in search of evidence."
"With all due respect, Grandmaster, do you really think sending both of us is a good idea?" Varsa shot back, folding his arms. "We are both known to this organization. I believe that it would be safer and quicker if Cassian was to go alone."
After a few moments, Steffan nodded his head. "Agreed. We need to keep as low a profile as possibly within the city. We don't know the level of influence this group could have within the capital. Having the two men who closed the Kvatch gate could hinder us instead of aiding us."
Thinking about it himself for a few more moments, Jauffre eventually relented and nodded his head. "Very well. Cassian, I will have a horse saddled and supplies prepared. Will you be okay to leave within the next day or so?"
"Of course." Cassian nodded in response. "By your orders, Grandmaster."
With a nod, Jauffre rose and stood tall behind the table. "That will be all. Gentlemen, you are dismissed."
With a nod, all three men turned on their heels and walked in their separate directions. The plan was set, all it needed was a willing duo to act it out.
Luckily enough, they had it...and they were coming for a counterattack.
