The news had rocketed across the Empire. What would take Imperial couriers about a week to reach their places it only took a couple of days. Already, the Imperial commanders are scrambling to gather at the Imperial city for the emergency War Council.
General Arctrius Tullius was one of them; leaving his Legion momentarily to the command of High Legate Rikke.
General Cairus Scipio of the fifth Legion was there even quicker. Beforehand, however, the Elder Council was called into a quick session to ultimately decide on Constantine's claim to the Dragon Throne.
The council had gathered in the chambers, Faebinder and Laemorin missing from the group. With them were Constantine and his 'personal guard.'
Moria Gallenus was tapping her foot nervously.
"Where are Councilor's Faebinder and Laemorin?" She questioned.
"They don't matter now, Moria!" Cidius bursted. "Mearanil came to me earlier with this declaration; might as well hail them as traitors."
"Please, Cidius, get a hold of yourself," Malvolan said. "Take a seat." Cidius stopped at his order, shaking. He slowly took a seat, trying to calm himself. "It is fair at this point to exclude Councilors Faebinder and Laemorin and continue this last session." He turned to the sitting Constantine and began to speak to him. "Arminius Constantine, as a Dragonborn do you lay claim to the Dragon Throne."
Arminius had to think about it for the moment; the whole time he was just playing along with Councilor Motierre's game, but never really thought about him actually wanting to take the Throne. He was persuaded to run in the candidacy, and felt like it was his duty. But this was his clean and conscious thought; he believed that he needed to take this Dragon throne.
In the books that he has read, they said that the Dragon Throne was the rightful place of a Dragonborn, ever since Tiber Septim. It was now his duty to claim it, experience or not. Hell, Martin Septim didn't have much experience on being an Emperor, yet he was still glorious in his five minutes of being one.
Arminius looked to his friends, each one of them nodding for approval. Then he focused specifically on his wife, who slowly nodded her head as she looked at him with her red eyes.
Arminius acknowledged and turned back to the High Chancellor.
"Yes I do," he said. The High Chancellor nodded and looked around at the other Councilors.
"Then we will conduct a chamber vote," he said. "Do any of you wish to object?" The council remained silent, and Malvolan took that as a no. "All those in favor of the Dragonborn to claim the Dragon Throne."
Immediately, every Councilor raised their hand, one hundred percent of them. "The votes make up three thirds of the present chambers. I pass the votes as accepted." Malvolan stood from his seat and walked over to Arminius.
"Arminius Constantine, please stand," he said. Arminius stood and faced the High Chancellor, his friends standing up straight to get a good look at this moment. The rest of the Elder Council stood as well. Malvolan got on one knee and held out his hands above his head.
"Arminius Constantine, on behalf of the Elder Council, I accept your claim to the Dragon Throne," he stood up. "Unfortunately, the coronation ceremony will have to wait until this war is resolved."
So that's it, he's the Emperor now. Having that title brought a rush to his heart rate and his body temperature to heat up, especially now that it's in a time of war. But now Arminius had to express confidence and a commending attitude.
"We will get you your Emperor's Robes immediately," he said, before Arminius cut him off.
"What armor does the Emperor wear?" he asked.
"It's the Emperor's special armor," Malvolan replied.
"Bring that here instead," Arminius said. "We're in a time of war and we need to be ready."
"Of course, sire," Malvolan said. "You are also expected to be present at the war council."
"I know, just bring me that Armor, you can worry about the Robes later."
The other councilors had bowed to him, greeted him as "Sire" or "Your Majesty." It felt empowering that he was given these terms, but at the same time weird because he wasn't used to it.
Eventually, his friends came up to him.
"So you're the Emperor now?" Hadvar questioned, smiling. "I don't suppose we should call you 'your majesty' from now on?"
"You don't have to worry about formalities with me, Hadvar," he said. "You're all my friends, you bow to no one."
"So what should we do now?" Marcurio asked. Arminius thought for the second and then sighed.
"For now, you'll keep acting as my personal guard, at least until the Penitus Ocalatus get here," Arminius took another look around at them, remembering all their different skills as individuals. "I might have some things planned for all of us."
It was a secluded part of the area where the camp of the second Legion was. The small hill covered by several different trees was being looked out over by Ambassador Elenwen.
"Elenwen!" came Kaeso from behind her. She turned and saw several of her Justiciars and about an entire unit of Kaeso's troops. "I brought these men just as you asked." Elenwen nodded and put her attention on the scared looking Legionnaires.
"I chose you specific men because I was given access to your personal records, all your family and friends," Elenwen said. One Legionnaire started to shake, and he gulped. "If you don't do as I say, your families will be in serious peril. Am I clear?"
"…yes Ma'am," some of them said together, nervously. She turned out to look at the sunset, hands behind her back.
"There are some villages and small settlements in the general area," she said. "Pillage them, leave it disturbed and the residents with no home to come to." The Legionnaires were silent, stuttering in shock. "Go."
"uhh…yes Ma'am."
They nervously went on and destroyed several villages in the coming of the next few days. The Thalmor Justiciars that were watching over them made sure that they actually did what they were told, and that they weren't hesitant about it. They left a lot of grieving families, but it was to protect their own. Now the Legionnaires were really questioning what they were doing, but they were unable to because Elenwen would have their heads.
For some reason, each of these chapters seem like a rush job.
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