The Reach

Bodies litter the plains for the battle during last night's bout was bloody. The attack on Fort Sungard was far from a success and Rikke was getting more than frustrated. "Dammit!" she slams her fist hard on the table inside her tent after hearing the casualties, seventeen hundred were lost and the legion's armada here in the Reach was that of three thousand. She and Legate Emmanuel Admand were having a private council inside her tent, planning and looking at any scenario to retake the hold but none to avail.

"I don't understand this!" hissed Admand; a pulsing anger was visible on the brenton's face. "We had the Reach since the days of this war started, tightly controlled, heavily defended and suddenly we out here on the ass end of the countryside trying to regain atleast a footing near Markarth and are losing men more than we can count!"

Rikke's eyes rolls to a bit of annoyance, "If I can refresh your memory Emmanuel, our illustrious Dragonborn is the reason why we're out here stuck in the mud while Ulfric runs his hands through the mounds of silver coming from the city."

"Oh that's right!" says Adman sarcastically, "The truce he brokered in order to use Balgruuf's castle to catch a dragon on what I've heard."

"Correct dear Legate, a dragon whom he then released." Rikke waved to her assistant/ squire ordering her to give her a cup of wine on which she then took two large gulps of the hard brandy. "Speak of that dragon shouting bastard where in oblivion is he!?"


Arrows and sparks of magic pelt the legionaries in all direction, Rohan and Hadvar stood side by side with other soldiers forming a barrier with their shields. "Stay in the center!" barked Rohan, keeping his steel shield in front with the sharpness of his sword tight in his grasp. Before them an army of Forsworn shrouds them with attacks, many unshielded legions fall to either and arrow or a bite of magic.

The small legion unit had been battling the feral brentons the entire day near a small gorge close to Karthwasten. They were a small army of scouts, sent to track stormcloak movements but were having trouble maneuvering throughout the Reach due to the savage Forsworn attacking. "Try and push the bastards back!" yells Hadvar and on command, legions muscle forward like a shielded wall, scuttling towards the small army of Forsworn. As the legions get close, Rohan signals them to break apart "Now!"

The legions disperse, sword in hands and slashing at any forsworn near them. "FUS!" a quick burst of his breath, Rohan quickly pushes back a few ravagers, bringing his blade of dragonbone into their chests and stomachs. Hadvar was cutting the savages back, hacking off limbs from the blunt of his sword, chopping and cutting. The scuffle was coming to quick end, with the forsworn routing back in draw, dispersing from the heaviness of the legion soldiers' attacks.

"Kyne's mercy these bloody Forsworn are everywhere!" said Rohan taking off his steel legion helmet and wiping the blood mixed sweat from his soaked hair. He had minor wounds on parts of his exposed arms and one wound on the side of his head on where on when one of the forsworn summoned a damned stone atranoch with it shooting Rohan atop his head causing some minor bruising.

"Never thought I'd be hoping for a stormcloak ambush." he continued.

"I know what you mean" said Hadvar, "The fighting gets only worse; we should talk to Rikke about this."

"Rikke? Please, she's still caught on her Fort Sungard campaign to blind to realize that it's the forsworn that's the major problem."

"Ever think that the forsworn are working with the stormcloaks?" asked Hadvar

Rohan shakes his head, "Hardly, forsworn are just tight ass brentons and they hate nords. There's no way they'll be working in Ulfric's hand not to mention what Ulfric did to them during the Markarth incident."

"You can say that, plus I'm sure the stormcloaks are having their own problems with these Forsworn any way."

"Come on, let's gather the dead and injured and head back to camp."


Wagons of wounded bodies were hauled as the attendants of Arkay get to work. Rohan was seeing to his own wounds in his personal tent when one of the young squires came to him. "The legate wishes to seek word with you tribune" says the young lad.

"Great…" mumbled Rohan under his breath, "Bet she wants to know why half her scouting unit turned up dead."

He finishes washing the cloth the small wounds with hot water before wrapping them with a bandage before heading to Rikke's tent. As he walks inside her hold, he could feel the sour tension coming from the legate, her eyes cold and face as hard as stone. She was at her usual spot, leaning over her table with maps and documents scattered around. The brenton legate Emmanuel Admand standing at her side.

"Hadvar's report was said to be of Forsworn?" she spoke.

"Yes ma'am, we were caught in an ambush near Giant's gorge most of the region near Karthwasten is covered by forsworn raiders."

Rikke hanged her head and sighed, "Gods, if it isn't the stormcloaks that's killing us it's the forsworn."

"If I may inquire legate" Rohan was sounding that of nervous school child, "May we resort our attention from Sungard and possibly to the forsworn briefly, just so we can maneuver more fluently in the hold?"

"And how might we do that dear Tribune?" Rikke's voice was that of faint sarcasm, "We all know you've one terrific strategist, after all it was your brilliant plan to give Markarth to the rebels in the first place."

"So I should've just let Alduin devour us all?! It was not like I was given a choice in the matter to let Ulfric have the Reach; it was the only way for him to even sit down, that plus the Thalmor bitch!"

Rohan mended his tone, trying not to show disrespect to the superior officer that Rikke was but he couldn't get over the annoyance of people reminding him that he's the reason they're in this state, out here in the mountains getting slaughtered by both sides.

"I'm sorry legate…forgive my outburst I…"

"No Rohan I understand" Rikke's voice was getting calm as Rohan's. "This damn battle is taking a toll on us all."

"Like what happened at the massacre at Karthwasten?" implied Admand.

"Don't…remind me of that Emmanuel, please." Rikke rubs ridge in brow for a bit, trying to bite down the stress. "Your views on the forsworn are right Rohan. But I'm not sure if we can use the man power we have at the moment, we're already stretched thin."

"Then what are we going to do then? Keep throwing men at Sungard?!"

"No I…" Rikke falls to her chair sighing, "I just don't know Rohan….I'm not sure."

"Then we sit and plan then?" said Admand.

"Yes, we sit in plan" sighed Rikke.

Rohan sits down in a chair in the corner of the tent, "Talos save us"


-Castle Dour

Tullius and Xirex were busy dealing with incoming messages coming from various holds and regions of Skyrim. Tullius more attentive from any word of Rikke in the Reach, it had been nearly two months of silence coming from Rikke and still no word of progress. Tullius was getting anxious but to top nervous for he knew Ulfric would have Markarth plus the rest of the hold in tight security.

"Might I say you are the only general in legion history to give up territory to an enemy so easily." said Xirex in a snobbish teasingly manner.

"It was the damned dragons" grumbled Tullius.

"And the incredible lost of thousands of men by the past month, is that the dragons' fault too?"

Tullius gave Xirex a stony look, he had always rivaled the stuck up general, since their days in Emperor's personal guard. Xirex was always the one to try and out do Tullius, with the flaunt of his social caliber with high ranking officials in the emperor's council and some members in the dominion. Not just social prowess but military as well. Xirex commanded the Imperial Sixth Legion, a celebrated unit known for its successful campaign High Rock when rouge orc strongholds began raiding nearby cities. It was the sixth legion that stopped the orc raids and pushing the brutish mer back into small feral areas. Not only that accomplishment that put Xirex on the track but it was also own skill during the Great War. During the retake of the imperial city, Xirex had leaded a small garrison of men deep in the imperial plaza taking on the Thalmor front side. Xirex was able to push a hole for the emperor's soldiers to move in and didn't lose a single man at that. But it was of his accomplishments that gave him a sort of smugness to other legion officers and especially to Tullius, given their past.

"You want to know what the problem is Augustine?" continued Xirex as he paced the room. "Your soft, I mean look at you!"

Tullius rolled his eyes not even wanting to dull in this conversation.

"You are a imperial General! A high ranking status of emperor's court and you stand around here pandering to these nords!"

"It's their homeland! What in Oblivion am I supposed to do!?"

"This is a province of the Empire; this land is of the emperor's! And the empire's laws must be obliged here! You are the empire's law! But instead you go around in tombs chasing bone crowns and letting the enemy take holds! When I heard the barbarians had their hands in our silver I had to come here and I say I should've gotten here sooner!"

"And I'm glad you're here Pias!" grumbled yet again Tullius, annoyance mixed with sarcasm. He buries his head into his palms as he slumps in his seat.

"But I have to say Augustine; I hope you don't believe I've come here for full support."

"What?" Tullius raised his head bewildered. "I called for more men power what in Divines sake did you come here for?"

"I was hoping not to full tell you but the Emperor is at doubt." said Xirex.

"What do you mean!?"

"Well…Augustine it's been years since this war has begun and well since word of you giving up Markarth and other parts of the region, plus the lost of soldiers in multiple campaigns and none to avail, the emperor has his doubts on your capabilities."

"But we've gain a footing in Falkreath and Dawnstar, not to mention the full support of Whiterun!"

"Yes but Winterhold is surprisingly a main hold in defense not mention reports of Ulfric pushing south trying to regain the Rift and Whiterun is still at an unpredictable clause due to the multiple enemy camps in the region. And let's not forget Markarth, you're hardest bout."

"So Emperor believes that I'm not capable of regaining Skyrim?"

"Skyrim is not at a lost Augustine, it's just in a flux cause these nords don't know how to handle their political debates in a civilize way."

Another stony look from Tullius.

"But don't feel so down Augustine, you still have a chance to prove the Emperor otherwise, you'll just need to find a new… strategy."

Tullius ponders a bit, tapping his chin until an idea came mind. "Strategy huh? Hmm…" He goes to find some parchment on the table and began to write quickly with his quill. "I'm going to send a message to Rikke."

"On what?"

"Some information she might want to know about Markarth."


-Blue Palace

It was a fine afternoon, the clouds were barely showing and the sun was bright. Elisif and Myra were having tea and brunch in the patio/ balcony above the palace garden, with Councilor Rantoli keeping company, attempting to flirt with one of the palace maids. The loving vista of the ocean before them gave off a beautiful sight, with the soft smell of the sea foaming in the air.

"I remember we used to do this in our younger days" said Myra putting a strawberry tart in her mouth. Elisif was keeping timid and daydreaming not responding to Myra's words. "Elly?"

"Huh?" Elisif pops out of her trance, "Oh sorry, my mind was on something of thought I didn't mean to ignore."

Myra had notice something strange from Elisif the past coming weeks, she was pale and always with a blankly stare. She looked down to the Jarl's plate and noticed not one bite of her food. "Is something the matter?"

"No…no, I don't think so. I'm just a little caught up in this war."

Myra smiled at her friend and went back to the long gaze of the outer sea view, "Don't trouble yourself with that Elly, I brought Xirex for a reason. Let the soldiers worry about war, you must enjoy yourself."

Elisif mustered up a smile trying to give her friend a stout look, "Right" Her saying she was worried about the war was only rouse among other things for her mind was still concerned on a more personal matter. Something she didn't have the courage to discuss with anyone…yet. Something that had to do with her sudden change of health.


Word from da Ryda: Okay I know you're pissed at me, and I'm not going to give you some bullshit excuse on why haven't updated this bitch in months. But to explain: writer's block and the case of the mundane re writes gave me a lost hope in continuing the story but something gave me the burst, from PM's from you wonderful people and the help of Electric Wizard a fan fic writer and friend of mine, so you have the Wiz's actual thanks.

I am very…very…very….very…very…very…very SORRY that I haven't been at this in a while and I thank you for your patience, to your favorites and your wonderful words of support. I'm going to be more connected with you guys like most writer's do, you know responding to reviews and answering question if you're confused at some parts of the story.

Now back to this story, this is going to be very emotional drama/rollercoaster of a story. I've been brain storming with the Wiz and we've got a real big idea going on, I do remember responding to a PM from SpartanC165 about the Dark Brotherhood will make an appearance and yes they will. SPOILER the Emperor will too BUT there is major play with Elisif, I'm not going to get into further detail but like I said before there is going to be drama.

Please give me a holla if you could.


Character Refresher- (characters used in this chapter, both in game and made up)

Rohan Satilus (Thunder-blade): nord Dragonborn, adopted by imperials when he was baby, birth parents killed by thalmor. Slayer of Alduin, Harbinger of the companions and all around nice guy.

Legate Rikke: nord legionnaire and one bad ass bitch (bitch in a good way) second in command to Tullius's legion.

Hadvar: nord Legion and Rohan's dear friend. He sort of reminds me of Sam Worthington's character in Clash of the Titans. I do not favor him over Ralof though, I like them both equally.

Legate Emmanuel Admand: He's the brenton imperial Legate stationed in Markarth, in the game when you give Ulfric control of Markarth during the Season Unending quest; he retreats to the imperial camp.

General Tullius: Commander of the fourth legion stationed in Skyrim, he's kind of dick to nord culture but I see that he sympathizes and grows to respect it. I gave him the name Augustine because it was never mentioned in the game that he had one, I hope I'm not infringing on any of Bethesda's character rights, if so I'm trying not to.

General Pias Xirex: Commander of the sixth legion decorated war hero and complete asshole to both Tullius and nords. He's really an Aldmeri sympathizer, always bootlicking the Thalmor given the fact he fought them in the war.

Jarl Elisif: Jarl of Solitude and upcoming High Queen of Skyrim and has a secret crush on Rohan, (although in chapter 6 I'm sure it came obvious). But don't folly, I'm not making Elisif a soft character, she'll be smart and resilient in this story.

Myra Santoir: in Chapter she was brought in, a brenton noble who comes from a very wealthy family from High Rock and have high political standings in Cyrodiil. She's actually one of the wealthiest people in all Tamriel and is a nice caring person, sympathizing with the nords since the banning of Talos. She's all a child hood friend of both Elisif and Rohan and a former girlfriend of Rohan (their relationship was keep under wraps due to her noble bloodline)

Councilor Rantoli: A minor character, he's usually Xirex's toadie, always nosy and what not, you'll grow to hate him.

Answers for Yo Questions!

logan: No, Rohan will not end up with Aela; their relationship is already a dramatic ride. I'm not making a full romance into play here, just climaxes of with the women he's been with. They respect each other deeply and care for one another but the lover's relationship is history.

(Side note: I'm kind of slowing down the whole sexual deviant that Rohan kind of is, I know it's kind of cool, the Dragonborn getting the attention from dem ladies but I don't want to overplay it and drag it out, soon it will be nothing more than a porn. Sexual themes will all be in the new but I'm not going to do with every woman he sees. Also, I'm retiring the word COCK when describing adult themes, it's just once you write the word COCK in your chapter it instantly becomes a porn not to get mixed up with someone saying it in a dialogue for slang or something)