When we stop we've only marched a few miles, but we're close to Ivarstead. If everything goes as planned we'll take the Ivarstead guards unawares and capture the tiny town tomorrow morning, but right now I have a free day. It's one of those rare times I have nothing to do, of course my mind naturally begins planning. After a few minutes, I have a brilliant idea and return to my shared tent, push my way inside, and rouse my squire from her nap. "I want you to go to Ivarstead.". I tell my squire once she's awake. Rubbing her eyes she asks, "Why?". I sigh and tell her, "When I attack I'm only bringing ten men, you can kill the captain of the guard when the fighting starts. You will have to stay overnight though, I'm sure they know we're here. Tomorrow they might not let you in the town.". It takes a while, but eventually my squire reluctantly agrees and leaves. As I eat lunch I can't stop the nagging feeling inside me. It's only been an hour and I'm already worried about my friend. But, all I can do is stir my soup and pray she doesn't get caught.
Dovahkiin:
I glumly trudge into Ivarstead and almost leave instantly, but force myself to make my way over to the inn. I order ten bottles of ale and begin drinking, but stop when I hear the tavern keeper and a patron talking. "Damn Imperial bastards are camped out a few miles from town." The inn keeper says and he cleans a mug. "Don't worry, if they come here we'll fight tooth and nail. But, who in Oblivion is leading the assault? I thought all of the Legates were busy growing fat in Solitude." A drunkard asks the man behind the bar. The man laughs before telling the drunk, "The leader is Rikke. The Rift, Eastmarch, and Whiterun are the only three holds still resisting the Legion. Guess they needed their best to take one stinking city. Not that she will, Jarl Laila will stop them at the gates.".
They share a laugh before I ask the innkeeper, "Any other rumors about the Legion?". The man eyes me before saying, "Yeah, quite a few. Care to hear 'em?". When I nod he smiles and tells me, "I'll tell you all of the ones I know. Rikke managed to capture and tame a werewolf, but the wolf's as mad as Sheogorath. Also, the Legion joined forces with a bunch of savages up near Rorikstead. Their leader is an insane woman with no name, but she's killed a thousand men. ". The man suddenly smiles and says, "Now for my favorite! The no name leader is as filthy as a skeever, but saved a maiden from a group of rapist. Afterwards, the maid gave her maidenhead to the savage, but Rikke stole the woman from underneath the savage while they were sleeping. Even now Rikke keeps the woman locked away in her tent, every night she forces herself upon the deflowered maid as an insult to the nameless savage."
He scratches his face and continues, "Rikke's been robbing any city, town, or person she meets on the road. The Legion's desperate for anything, even men. Any able-bodied person she meets has been forced to join the Legion, or die trying to escape. Well, that's all I know.". I thank the man and ask him, "Who's the captain of the guard around here? I'd like to help defend against the Imperial dogs.". The drunkard slaps me on the back and tells me, "Me! Met me tomorrow morning!". I nod and slip the innkeeper some gold. "Have a room?". I ask him. The man looks at the gold and points to an empty room. I thank him and go to bed, my mind racing.
Rikke POV:
When I spot Ivarstead I almost scream in anger, five men are armored and ready to meet us. But, I see my squire standing beside their leader and can't help smiling. When my squire slits his throat and reveals herself as a turncoat there will only be three men defending the city. With a laugh I command seven of my men to return to the march. Usually I frown upon cockiness, but I've fought enough battles to know this one won't last three minutes. And, I'm almost right. When the guards see their commander die they flee in terror, but two are killed by arrows. The third one has the luck to get hit in the leg and keep running, but isn't able to outrun my horse. I trot my mare over to my squire, blood staining my horse's hooves. I offer my squire my hand and yank her up so we're riding double. My horse whinnies at the extra weight, but knows the consequence of bucking me.
I put my heels to my mare and ride back to the slow moving march, within a few minutes I'm at the head of the column. "We'll rest for the night, but I have another favor to ask of you." I tell my squire as we ride. She looks afraid, but asks, "What?". I urge the mare to go faster and tell her, "We attack Riften tomorrow, and I want you beside me when the gates fall. Beast or woman, I want you by my side. Also, when we take the city you'll soon learn the city is crawling with thieves. I want you and a few men to go down into the bowels of the city and clear the sewers of the scum living within. I'm not going to force you, but I want you to lead the men. A lessor soldier might allow their gold to distract him from justice. Will you lead?". My squire squeezes my abdomen and tells me, "I'll always stand by you, but I think I'd rather do it on four legs this time. As for the thief matter," She squeezes tighter. "I wouldn't mind cracking a few skulls.". I can't help smiling as I urge my mare faster, anxious to get to Riften.