Chapter 13: The Battle of Diss
"Your Majesty," said the Sorceress Earana to King Maglir of Woodhearth, "I have a report from Her Imperial Majesty. Our spy in Aleria's court has reported that Aleria is leading an army to Haven, and Her Imperial Majesty fears you are next."
Earana had contacted Maglir through shadow magic, a school of magic similar to necromancy, except much rarer. It was magic from Aldmeris, magic she had learned from her former mentor. Both Earana and Maglir were covered in Shadows, removed from the physical plane of existence, now in an unknown realm in the cosmos.
Earana did not usually practice such complicated shadow magic, as she viewed it as dangerous. She only used this magic while in council, which was rare enough for her to remain safe. However, Earana had been instructed to contact Maglir, and this was the fastest way.
Earana had known she was misinforming Maglir, and that Aleria's army was coming towards Woodhearth. Her leader had decided that seeing Valenwood under the rule of Aleria would be more profitable to everyone…aside from Valenwood. Aleria's incompetence, both as a leader and as a parent, would doom Valenwood.
Maglir nodded at Earana. "So, Aleria wants to fight, does she? I'll send six thousand of my finest troops to Haven to defend Ganredhel and freedom." Maglir growled.
"Excellent, Your Majesty," Earana said, as she disappeared from the shadows.
That same night, the army of Falinesti, under the command of Empress Regent Aleria Willows and Minister of War Arthronir Thornall, departed from the City of Falinesti. The Empress Regent had not been to southern Valenwood for many years, as she had no reason to. Southern Valenwood was less stable than northern Valenwood, and Aleria, Maglir, and Ganredhel could rarely agree on anything. That's why Aleria planned on burning Woodhearth to the ground.
The army of Falinesti had five thousand elite soldiers, trained specifically for besieging a city. Aleria had ordered that five thousand soldiers go on the Woodhearth Campaign as the disciplined soldiers of Falinesti could easily beat twice as many of the weak and cowardly troops from Woodhearth or Haven, and it left a sizeable defense force in Falinesti. Aleria knew that Lady Rosebush would try to take over Falinesti in her absence, and knew that she couldn't accomplish much with an army guarding Falinesti and the Emperor.
Aleria knew her child needed protection. He always went around saying how he was a great warrior, and how he could kill ogres, but Aleria knew he was just being boastful. Farwyn needed every last bit of protection he could possibly get. There were just too many dangers in Tamriel: murderers, tramps, and Liches, to name a few.
Farwyn swung his sword at Alveleg Deadwood, the fifteen-year-old son of Lord Deadwood. The two were dueling, and were being watched by Ervil Treethorn, Brallion Yggdrasil, and Samia Thormis, the daughter of Lord Thormis. Alveleg lifted his sword and blocked the on coming attack, knocking Farwyn back. Farwyn laughed and stabbed Alveleg in the stomach.
Alveleg was wearing an elvish cuirass, and shrugged off the wound. Before he could do anything, Farwyn stabbed him again, and Alveleg fell to the ground. Farwyn walked over to him, kicked him, and threateningly said, "Surrender."
There was a moment of silence before Alveleg said anything. "Okay," he said, before bursting into a fit of laughter. It was only a moment before Farwyn and the others joined him, and Alveleg pushed himself up.
"Pathetic," Farwyn said to his friend as the two went to sit down with the others. As Farwyn sat down, Samia came over to him, sat on his lap, and began to stroke his long black hair. Samia was a chestnut haired fourteen-year-old, with a very freckled face. She had a very pretty smile, and simple, shallow eyes.
"Yeah, that was bad." Ervil said to Alveleg, also laughing at him. Brallion merely rolled his eyes at the others.
"What are you looking at?" Farwyn said to Brallion. Brallion was a member of the noble Yggdrasil House, one of the most powerful families in Falinesti. While his family held no noteworthy titles of nobility (he had an aunt who was a Countess and an uncle who was a Baron), they held power elsewhere. Brallion's father was High Priest Y'ffre, the God of the Forest, while his mother was a Priestess in the Cult of Mephala. Brallion knew that his father did not believe in the power of the Bosmeri Gods, but he used the post to gain power.
Brallion rolled his eyes again, and said, "I'm just stupefied by the fact that you have had the chance to cease power since your mother left, and you've still not managed to do so."
Ervil and Alveleg stared at Brallion confusedly. Samia looked interested, but continued to stroke Farwyn's hair. Farwyn's eyes, on the other hand, lit up. "You're saying that I can take over, and use the rest of my army however I want?" he said excitedly.
Brallion rolled his eyes again, and sarcastically said, "No. I'm suggesting we sit here and continue to act like ten-year-olds." Seeing that none of them understood the sarcasm, Brallion said, "Yes. That's exactly what I'm suggesting." He rolled his eyes again.
The others were still puzzled, but Farwyn managed to ask, "How?"
Brallion simply said, "The Sister of Chaos."
Lady Rosebush was in one of the taller branches of Falinesti, making secret plans to escape with a small group of nobles who were opposed to Aleria's regency. This group was known as the Patriots of Falinesti. Lady Rosebush was meeting with them for the first time.
Lady Rosebush had never seriously considered joining the Patriots of Falinesti. Although they had only recently formed, she had heard rumors of their plans. Plans that involved attacking high profile targets, like the Beautiful in the Summerset Isles. Lady Rosebush disapproved of this, and knew that it would be better if she were just to leave Falinesti and go elsewhere…maybe Cyrodiil, or Skyrim. Maybe even Wayrest.
Lady Rosebush looked around at the cloaked figures as the meeting began. All of them, save herself were hooded and masked, and hid their identities to prevent any spies Aleria might have from getting any information. Lady Rosebush didn't see that likely, as Aleria had a habit of mistrusting those loyal to her, and trusting those who betrayed her. Aleria knew that both Lord Redwood and Lady Oakenelm were up to something. She didn't what, but it was something.
The head figure called the meeting to order. He was short, even for a Bosmer. That was all Lady Rosebush could tell about him, as his face was masked. "Welcome to the Patriots of Falinesti." Lady Rosebush was able to recognize his voice. It was none other than Gaeldol Yggdrasil, the High Priest of Y'ffre. "As many of you know, Aleria has become increasingly intolerable, killing our own Bosmeri brethren. While Chaos is a welcome addition, this is worse than a sin. She must be stopped. We need a more capable regent."
Several of the figures gave suggestions, including "Lord Thormis," "Lord Deadwood," and "Lord Treethorn." However, one of the women in the crowd gave a suggestion that the others seemed to agree on. "Gaeldol Yggdrasil." she said. Lady Rosebush thought for a moment, and she realized that it was Gaeldol's wife. Lady Rosebush had never learned her name, but they had met.
The room filled with sentences along the line of, "Yggdrasil…the High Priest of Y'ffre…yes, he never liked Aleria, and he serves Y'ffre. That can't go wrong." There was a consensus that Gaeldol was the best choice, and Lady Rosebush realized what was going on. The Patriots of Falinesti weren't actually devoted to freedom, but devoted to installing Gaeldol Yggdrasil into power. She knew that her very life would depend on getting out of Falinesti immediately.
The woman, Gaeldol's wife, continued, and said, "However, before we can perform and major social change, we have one issue to resolve." There was a moment of silence amongst the group. "Lady Rosebush, a member of the Emperor's Council, is with us tonight, and she wants our help to escape Falinesti."
Before anyone could say anything else, there was a knock on the door. Lady Rosebush could tell that it was no regular knock, and was instead a battering ram. Before anyone realized it, both Gaeldol and his wife had vanished. As the battering ram continued to beat down the door, Lady Rosebush realized that she would be arrested for treason.
The door broke down, and a group of Imperial Guards, led by Lady Oakenelm charged into the room. They began aimlessly firing arrows into the room, killing many of the "Patriots" of Falinesti. Lady Rosebush did her best to hide, but she too soon joined to growing pile of bodies.
Aleria's army had just arrived in Emperor's Run. As a loyalist city towards Imperial Valenwood (what Aleria had started calling the Kingdom of Falinesti), Aleria had been expecting nothing but praise and applauds upon her arrival. How wrong she was…
Aleria, in one of the smartest moments of her life, decided not to bring her army into the city of Emperor's Run. She had realized that if she brought the army into the city, the population would become uneasy and restless. However, she did little else right.
Aleria entered the city, not escorted by an army, but a small escort of heavily armored soldiers, led by Minister Thornall. The guards walked throughout the street, clanking and disrupting the peace. As it was nighttime, the sleeping citizens were painfully awoken by the banging of the guards. Many of them burst from their small houses, shouting, "Quiet!" and "People are trying to sleep!" At this shouting, Aleria snapped her fingers, and Minister Thornall shouted out to the town.
"People of Emperor's Run!" he cried, "I present to you, Her Respected Imperial Majesty, Empress Regent Aleria Willows!" There was a moment of silence, and no one made any noise. The newly appointed Minister continued, "She has come to speak with the ruling Lord." Once again, there was a moment of silence, and Thornall had to continue to elaborate. "Where is he?"
No one answered, and the silence continued. After another moment, the crowds began to boo and hiss at the entourage. Some of the peasants even began to attack. Aleria did the one thing she knew how to do in a crisis. She screamed, "HELP! HELP! I'M BEING ATTACKED! SAVE ME! SAVE ME NOW!"
Aleria's guards quickly moved her and Minister Thornall through the town square to avoid the mob. Aleria was still screaming, not wanting to be killed. Minister Thornall, Aleria's indubitably most loyal supporter, even wanted to shut her up. Bottles and pitchforks were flying, and there was chaos everywhere. Aleria's guards were being slaughtered left and right.
Before long, however, the town guards showed up and started to calm things down. When the guards realized who was being attacked, they quickly began executing the townsfolk: men, women, and children, anyone who had attacked the Imperial Entourage. It was not long before this part of the town had been set on fire.
The guards from Emperor's Run quickly and silently escorted Aleria, Minister Thornall, and her remaining guards to the Castle of Emperor's Run. Aleria noted that it was rather "un-Valenwood" in style. For starters, it was on the ground, not in the trees. Aleria knew that only large cities, such as Falinesti, Woodhearth, Haven, Southpoint, Diss, and the likes could afford to have the entire city in the trees, but most small towns had only the castle…which was more of a palace than a castle in most cases.
That was another difference. The Castle of Emperor's Run was a castle, and not a palace. Aleria hated this about Emperor's Run. It was so…so "un-Valenwood." It stood out like a sore thumb.
However, the thing Aleria hated most about the Castle of Emperor's Run was that it was irredeemably small. Aleria was used to living in the two hundred-room Willows Palace, as opposed to this pathetically small, twenty-room castle. Aleria hated things when they were small…except Bosmer, of course. She liked that, and disliked her…her…her abnormality of a son.
Aleria's company approached the Castle of Emperor's Run, and they found that Lord Morth Groundtree was waiting for them outside of his castle, with two of his advisors, one on either side of him. Like most Bosmer, Morth Groundtree was short. Unlike most Bosmer, Morth Groundtree was immensely fat (which, incidentally, was something else Aleria hated about Emperor's Run).
As Lord Groundtree walked down a flight of stairs to greet Aleria, he tried to bow towards her, but could not due to his weight. "Great…" Aleria thought as she looked at the fat pig. She couldn't help but to be disgusted with yet another loyal follower. "Morth," she said, "it's a…it's a pleasure to see you." Aleria was stuttering, unable to hide the fact that she was lying. Luckily, Lord Groundtree didn't seem to catch on.
"Aleria, darling," he said. Aleria noted that his voice sounded like a dying warthog, and she covered her mouth in disgust. When she noticed Morth was looking at her strangely, and she tried to fake yawning. The two advisors glared at each other suspiciously, but Morth seemingly believed the yawn. "What brings you to my humble city."
"I wouldn't call it humble." Aleria thought, but instead said, "Why thank you, Morth. However, I come bringing terrible news. As you already know, Valenwood is in a state of war. I am marching my armies to Diss and then to Woodhearth, where I will deal the traitor Maglir. Once I'm done with him, I'm sure Ganredhel will…warm up to me, think of me more as a friend. I think that she'll agree a unified Valenwood will be best for all." Aleria gave a sinister laugh.
"Indeed." Morth said. "What is it you require of me, Empress?"
Although Aleria didn't like Morth, she couldn't help but admit he was loyal. "Morth, I want you to rally as many troops you can, and come south with me. Help me lead my forces into battle."
Morth hesitated a moment, and then said, "Yes, Empress. I will have my troops by dawn."
Aleria shook her head and frowned. "I'm afraid that won't due, Morth. You see, I want to see Woodhearth in flames by tomorrow afternoon. I need your troops ready in one hour. We will march through the night, burn Diss by early tomorrow morning, and I will have Maglir's head on a Pyke by dinner tomorrow."
Aleria expected resistance from Morth, but instead he said, "Yes Empress." She was shocked that someone she so obviously disliked could be this loyal to her. It puzzled her, but did not distract her for long.
The Empress Regent had always believed that good service should be rewarded, so she said, "Morth, I hereby appoint you the first Viscount of Emperor's Run, in honor of your services to Imperial Valenwood." Once again, Morth attempted to bow, but could not muster the strength to do so.
………………………………………………………………………………………………
"Your Imperial Majesty," Marie said to Mathilda, "I'm afraid that General Ergeon has a request for you." Mathilda and Marie were inside the Grand Council Chambers in the Castle of Daggerfall, accompanied by the Sorceress Earana. Mathilda was reading a book entitled "Orsinium, a History" by Bathilda Bagshot. Earana was performing some basic telekinesis, as Marie paced around the room, looking nervous. Marie didn't like Earana, and any request Ergeon had could only be trouble.
"Send him in," Mathilda said disinterestedly, and Marie complied with the order.
General Viktor Ergeon walked in. The tall proud Breton towered over Mathilda and Marie, but was shorter than Earana. The General walked over to stand over Mathilda, seemingly trying to intimidate her. "Empress," he said, grudgingly acknowledging her post, "I'm afraid we need more time in preparing the army on Orsinium."
Mathilda's eyes narrowed at this statement. "Viktor," Mathilda growled, "I've given you three days to prepare an army of five-thousand. Ample time. Explain to me how it is you've failed in doing this. I wanted to smell smoke from Orsinium tomorrow evening."
The General took a deep breath, desperate to avoid the Empress's wraith. Although he opposed her politically, General Ergeon knew that the Empress was a powerful force. Although no proof had ever been found, it was an unspoken fact in Daggerfall that Mathilda had murdered Gothryd and his family to claim the throne for her own. "Empress, I am sorry, but Orsinium has been reinforced."
Mathilda looked intrigued at this. "Reinforced, you say? Well, well, well," she said maliciously. "Exactly what do you mean by reinforced, Viktor?" If it was what Mathilda had hoped for, things had just changed drastically.
The General was confused, but nonetheless answered. "Elysana has summoned the armies of Wayrest north to defend Orsinium. Your spies within the Courts of Wayrest and Orsinium have reported that the city has approximately forty-thousand soldiers defending it, in addition to the Imperial and Royal Guard, and any mages they may have."
Mathilda carefully masked a triumphant smile, not wanting to give away her position to Viktor. Instead, she hissed, "Your incompetence is growing most taxing. Why didn't you increase the size of the attack force? I specifically recall telling you to take command of five thousand battle mages and any other forces you could possibly use that wouldn't leave us vulnerable." When the General hesitated in leaving, Mathilda continued to hiss. "Well? I will give you an additional to prepare my armies, but no more. If they are not prepared, I think you will dread the consequences."
The General scampered out of the room, and Mathilda unconcealed her smile. Earana, surprisingly puzzled at this smile, asked, "Empress, why are you so jubilant?"
Mathilda gave a cackle, and said, "If Elysana is defending the city with an army of forty-thousand ragtag soldiers, most, if not all, of the Royal House of Wayrest will be there. All we need to do is see to it that poor little Gro-Mak-Han does not survive the battle, and we've won. Orsinium will fall if their leader dies."
Marie, seeming as if she was vying for attention, jumped up and said, "Your Imperial Majesty, what are your orders?"
Mathilda smiled insidiously again, and commanded, "Prepare a small group of my most loyal and powerful battle mages. We're leaving for Orsinium six hours after Viktor." Three of her enemies would die in one battle.
Aleria and her reinforced army arrived in Cori Silmoor. Rather than taking the tame approach that had failed in Emperor's Run, the entire army marched into Cori Silmoor, on the advice of Minister Thornall. He had reminded the Empress Regent of the Baron's relations to Maglir.
It was because of this Aleria had stormed the city without giving any warning, arrested any protesters, and quickly went to the castle, followed on either side by Viscount Groundtree and Minister Thornall. The guards who tried Aleria at the castle gate were also quickly arrested. Aleria intended to speak with the Baron immediately.
As none of the guards had yet opened the gate, the Empress Regent was preparing to force it open. She ordered her soldiers to prepare to break the door down, and cause yet another controversial incident. Aleria was tired of such insubordination: Leafroot, Rosebush, Deadwood, Thormis, and now Baron Silmoor.
As the men prepared to charge, the door was opened by a skinny, tall, and very poised Altmer woman. Aleria quickly recognized her as Narcalya Silmoor, the Baroness Consort of Silmoor, and the sister of Queen Nirya of Lillandril, and the real power in the Barony of Silmoor. The Baroness was an elderly lady, with pale grey eyes and a scowl that would terrorize most. "Narcalya." Aleria said curtly.
Narcalya scowled, and defiantly said, "Aleria, Arthronir, Morth." The Empress Regent nearly fainted. Viscount Groundtree shook his head in disgust. Minister Thornall almost charged at her, but cowered when she scowled. Apparently, the Baroness's Altmer heritage was showing. Living in Valenwood for six centuries didn't change an Altmer's snobbery.
Aleria did her best to ignore the insult, not wanting the direct wrath of Summerset Isle so early in the war. "Narcalya," she said, biting her tongue, "Where's your husband?"
Narcalya shook her head and said, "The Bosmer oaf I live with is sleeping. Seeing as it's three in the morning, I can't help but not to blame the Bosmer idiot."
Aleria was outraged at this obvious disrespect towards the Bosmer race. "Could you go wake him up?" she asked angrily, doing her best to avoid countering Narcalya's insults.
"I haven't been in his room since our wedding night. No, I can't go wake him up. You Bosmer can be such degenerates." Narcalya growled. "Really, the only Bosmer I've ever liked were all from Haven."
Aleria bit her lip, and Viscount Groundtree flinched, but it Captain Thornall could hold his rage no longer. He began to charge at Narcalya, but before he walked more than a few feet, a green bolt hit him. Narcalya had paralyzed him.
"It will only last a few minutes before he'll be able to move again, don't worry." she said. As she said that, she called one of the servants over and sent him to go wake Baron Silmoor.
Aleria, however, was not satisfied. "You-you-you paralyzed my Minister!" she screamed.
Narcalya curtly turned, and rebuked, "So you noticed. In case you haven't noticed, Aleria, you're idiot guard tried to attack me."
Aleria was stunned that a member of her own peerage was so outright defiant. "Why you-" she started, before being interrupted.
"Shut-up, Aleria." Narcalya ordered. "Unless you want my sister to here what's going on here. I'm sure she'll get Eldaris into Valenwood faster than you can count to three…of course, that does give him a year or so."
Aleria gasped. The very little she knew about diplomacy and politics left her, and she found herself knocking Narcalya to the floor. When the Baroness pushed her off her, Viscount Groundtree tried to crush her, causing her to take swift evasive action. Aleria's guard charged at Narcalya, and she cast another paralyzing spell upon Lord Groundtree. Aleria's guards continued to press forward as the Baroness moved back, Narcalya threw a lightning bolt at one of the guards, knocking him off his feet.
Aleria realized that she was on the losing side of a battle. Narcalya was Altmer Royalty, trained in only the finest magic. And even if they won, Nirya would have been annoyed. Although she hated admitting it, Narcalya was a keep element in the survival of Valenwood. As another one of her guards was knocked off his feet, Aleria cried, "Stop attacking Baroness Narcalya."
As Aleria said that, and the guards calmed down near a flight of elaborate stairs, a well dressed, regal looking Bosmer walked down those stairs. "What's going on here?" he asked.
Aleria looked up to see Baron Fillin Silmoor. "Fillin," she said, greeting him.
Fillin kneeled and bowed towards Aleria, and said, "Your Respected Imperial Majesty."
There was a moment of awkward silence when Narcalya said, "Get up. Aleria, I want you out of our city now, and as compensation for the chaos you caused, I demand my husband be made an Earl."
Aleria laughed. "You aren't serious, are you? I'm more likely to have you arrested and executed."
Baron Fillin cowered, but Narcalya said, "I'm sure my sister would love to here that story. As I already said, Eldaris will have an army in Falinesti before you could count to three…by the way, that goes one…two…three. Not five, three."
Aleria was stupefied. She hated giving Narcalya her satisfaction, but had no choice. Even Aleria knew Eldaris had power…dark power, power that he could have shared with Queen Nirya. She knew that a cordial relationship with Summerset Isle (for now) was necessary to survive more than a month in this war. "Fine…Grand Countess." As she said that, Aleria turned away from Cori Silmoor, and knew she would never return.
In the Imperial City, Barenziah, Alessia Armus, and Camandila had been left as co-Regents with Iszel's absence. However, it was generally acknowledged that Barenziah was the final authority, as Alessia and Camandila were always at each others throats. This left the Queen Grandmother of Morrowind as the tiebreaker.
The three of them sat in the Elder Council Chambers. With them were the Marquise Cristina Axia, Baroness Amyra Viturex, Deputy-Chancellor Celia Camoran, King Kayle, and Interim General Falco Sedeus of the Imperial Legion. Sedeus had been given a temporary promotion from Commander to General because it was unlikely that Octavian Gratus would survive his wounds from the assassination attempt on Iszel. This made up the new Elder Council.
The entire Elder Council had been worried about the fate of Bruma. All of them were tired, as it was four in the morning, and they had been having petty debates for the past seven hours. They had agreed to stay in place until news came, making several people testy (or testier, depending on the person). Alessia and Camandila were the most notorious of the arguers, however.
The new Elder Council was in disorder, and Barenziah was the only one who had kept her senses.
Camandila and Alessia's latest argument was over the status of Camindila's position. "The Empress appointed you because you were the only available option!" Alessia cried. "You are by no means a permanent appointment."
Camandila rolled her eyes, and angrily said, "You just don't like me because I'm an Altmer! I thought the Empire was against racism!"
"Please!" Alessia rebuked. "If that's why I objected your appointment, I would also want to remove Celia from her position. She's a Bosmer!"
Camandila laughed. "Really? Aleria doesn't pose a threat, and her son's only thirteen. You wouldn't need to remove any Bosmer because Aleria's too stupid and paranoid to trust anyone." Barenziah nodded her head, seemingly agreeing with Camandila.
Falco Sedeus interjected. "Alessia's got a point. Camandila is an Altmer, and really isn't trustworthy. And I don't care how stupid Aleria is, I think Celia should be removed too. The Elder Council should only be made of Imperials, Redguards, and Dark Elves."
Alessia looked at Falco warningly, and said, "I don't want to remove Camandila from her position because she's an Altmer. I just feel that we should get someone who's worked with the Imperial Legion before."
Celia, however, ignored Alessia and turned her anger towards Falco. "I've been serving this Empire since before you were born!" she cried. "How dare you try to dispose of me!"
"Calia, darling," the Marquise said, not realizing she misaddressed Celia, "Of course no one doubts your service to the Empire. It's just at times like this we should be careful about who we employ. Right, Falcus?"
Both Celia Camoran and Falco Sedeus rolled their eyes in disgust. The Marquise was old, just not that old. As their eyes rolled, Baroness Amyra chimed into the argument. "I think that the Camandila is the most cost effective. She's done wonders, and hasn't charged anything. Lets keep her."
"Amara," the Marquise said, "You're only saying that because you don't have any money…unlike the rest of us." Amyra joined Falco and Celia in their anger.
"This is ridiculous." Camandila muttered.
"What was that, Carmilla?" the Marquise asked her.
"Nothing, Carina." Camandila snidely replied. Unlike the Marquise, she had intentionally called her by the wrong name. Barenziah gave a quick laugh, but pretended to cough to cover it up.
Before the Marquise could retort, the door to the Elder Council Chambers burst open. A soldier, clad in bear pelt armor, charged into the room. He shouted, "News from Bruma for the Elder Council."
The Elder Council was silent. This is what they had been waiting for. They might finally be able to sleep.
"Well, what is it?" Camandila asked anxiously, breaking the silence.
The messenger grew somber. "Narina Carvain is dead, and her daughter Livia is Countess Bruma. The city underwent heavy loses, but survived. The Empress and High Chancellor are both alive and well."
"And?" Camandila asked testily.
"Eldaris appeared." he said, and the room went into a fury.
Cries of "What!" and "How!" and "That can't be!" filled the rooms. Only Barenziah was able to keep a façade of calmness.
"And what did he do?" she asked, breathing heavily all the while.
The messenger bowed his head, and said, "He murdered the Countess. She had been wounded beyond help, so he killed her. And he explained that the gem the Countess wore around her neck was a powerful artifact called Winter's Will." The messenger continued to recount Eldaris's explanation, and the reformed Elder Council was in shock.
"Oh my." Alessia said. Camandila nodded her head in agreement.
There was a moment of silence, and Barenziah said, "I think this just got more complicated. What did the Empress decide to do?"
The attack on Diss began at sunrise.
While the city slept, flaming arrows flew into the sky. Houses caught fire, guards were burned. The giant tree itself had been set aflame. Although much of the city had awoken in the chaos, many of them had no chance of fleeing the city.
The lifts leading up to the tree had been shut down, and all of the platforms were kept in the highest branches. Although their were switches to activate the lifts on the lower and ground levels, they were heavily guarded by only the strongest fortresses. Taking them would be impossible. Getting in and out of the city was nearly impossible now. There were only two ways: one was to climb, which was highly unlikely.
The other was to levitate, which wasn't a workable suggestion for the Empress Regent. She had little patience for sorcery, feeling it was ineffective, and only confused things. She didn't have many battle mages with her. At least she didn't have enough to take a city.
And that was why Viscount Groundtree had ordered a series of archers to set fire to the city. If Aleria couldn't control Diss, she would kill everyone inside. Every betraying man, woman, and child would suffer.
The Duke of Diss knew that this was the end. He knew that the city would fall if he didn't do anything, and he knew that thousands upon thousands of people would die. And he knew it would be his fault if he didn't do anything.
The Duke of Diss was shorter than the average Bosmer, and a cowardly elf. A smart elf, but a cowardly elf. The Duke knew that Aleria was psychotic enough to not agree to reason and surrender. And the Duke knew that he was too cowardly to deal with this.
And that's why the Duke of Diss had jumped out of the branches of Diss, falling, coming close to impact with the ground. If he were lucky, he'd land on one of Aleria's men, or Aleria herself. If he were lucky, he would be remembered as a hero. If he were lucky, someone would say how he fell from a branch while trying to save a child.
Sadly, he wasn't lucky.
In the Shivering Isles, Haskill had summoned both Autkendo Dylora and Aurmazl Staada to New Sheoth Palace from Pinnacle Rock and Brellach. As the only two members of Lord Sheogorath's most trusted inner circle that did not live in New Sheoth, it was unsurprising that they were the last ones to arrive at the meeting.
When Lord Sheogorath had left Shivering Isles to return to Nirn, under his "normal" name of Axenon, he had left Haskill in charge. This was a good choice, for many reasons, as Haskill was very devoted to Shivering Isles, and to Sheogorath. When he had left, Haskill had formed a council of eight-two Manics, two Demented, two Dark Seducers, and two Golden Saints, to rule help in his rule. Naturally, he chose the most loyal to Sheogorath.
The first of these was Autkendo Jansa, supreme commander of the Dark Seducer armies outside of Pinnacle Rock. Fiercely loyal, extremely cunning, and very patient, Jansa was a perfect choice for a Dark Seducer leader.
The second of these was Aurmazl Zudeh. Like Autkendo Jansa, Zudeh was in command of the Golden Saints, apart from those of Brellach. Faithful to Lord Sheogorath, powerful, and impulsive, Zudeh was a model Golden Saint.
Third and fourth were Dylora and Staada. Although they were equal in rank to Jansa and Zudeh, they held authority within their respective strongholds. They were both able commanders, and efficiently governed their fortresses.
Fifth was the new Duchess of Dementia, an Altmer sorceress named Essalma of Alinor. Essalma, unlike Syl, was cautious, but not paranoid. She kept a firm grip over Dementia, and her subjects feared her. However, she had been a capable leader, and had improved the living conditions of Crucible. She was a feared tyrant.
Sixth was the new Duke of Mania, a Khajiit named Ri'sra. Ri'sra was often too drunk to know what was going on. In other words, he embodied Mania.
Seventh and eighth were Arctus and Dervenin, the High Priests at the Sacellum Arden-Sul. Although they argued frequently, their input in important subject matters was invaluable. They had both been able to please their respective populations.
As the last two arrived, Haskill began the meeting. "It seems," he said in his usual depressing tone, "that Lord Sheogorath is dead, and we are without a leader. Sadly, we can't simply pass the title of Daedric Prince from one person to another. Unless we do something soon, we can be sure Jyggalag will want his realm back."
"Well," Duchess Essalma said snidely, "Did Lord Sheogorath have any children?"
"Several." Haskill answered.
Farwyn, Brallion, Samia, Alveleg, and Ervil were in a dark room, performing a summoning. "Night Mother," Brallion said, "Sister of Mephala, Bride of Sithis, come to our aide. Falinesti needs to be ruled properly. Aleria has left useless Ministers in charge. Blood is not being shed and souls are not being given to the void. We beseech thee for your aide."
A ghostly apparition appeared before the group. The Night Mother herself had appeared before the group. "Brallion, I see what you need. You want me to take the life of Lord Redwood, who was done nothing to aid your cause. However, I will need payment in blood. I want the soul of a young Bosmer. With the death of one our Speakers, the Void is growing ever wider."
The group lit up in shock. Both Brallion and Farwyn knew that they were safe from this price. Samia didn't worry, but Alveleg and Ervil were terrified. Brallion, however, had a plan that wouldn't sacrifice any of his friends. "Night Mother, Farwyn has impregnated Samia, the girl before you."
Samia gasped, and Farwyn looked like he liked the idea. "I see," the Night Mother said. "When the child is born I will claim its soul. Lord Redwood will meet his demise shortly."
And after a long update, that's the chapter. I know it wasn't much of a "Battle of Diss," but I promise that there's a better battle scene coming up! In fact, there are a few of them.
And once more, I encourage you to cheer!
Till next time, which is hopefully sooner,
Necromancer and Sorcerer.