The Imperial City guard stood in tight formation along the pathway to the White-Gold Tower, clad in their best armor and wielding the sharpest weaponry. Many were young lads, fresh from training, and had clean faces, but unclean minds. These were men who fought in the battle of the city; they saw the Numidium smash through the walls like a hot knife through butter; they saw the False Emperor topple from the Tower to his death. Behind them were crowds of citizens, wanting to get a simple glance at what was going on today.

The wind was calm, the skies clear. Birds chirped from the trees in the Districts, their growth greatly helped by magic. This was the crowning jewel of the Empire, after all, and it wouldn't look like a barbarian city. The Market was empty, for all shops were closed, and nobody cared to do shopping on this day. The pathway that the Guards lined themselves along went through the Talos District, then through the Temple District, and finally to Green Emperor way.

The now General Ridarius waited at the main gates to the city, with three soldiers from his First Legion standing beside him. The citizens behind the guards were silent, peculiar for the capital of the Empire.

One of the archers on the gate shouted, "Open the gates!"

Guards rushed forward, and cracked open the new gates fully, to where ten figures on horses could be seen. The horses moved slowly, and finally stopped. The people on them hopped off, and strode in through the gates. Two of the mer stuck out as important right away, one of them being the King. The other mer were just Honor Guard.

General Ridarius stepped forward, and asked, "King Calimilrmerel Highlock, I presume?"

"Yes, and who might you be, degenerate?" King Highlock asked, disgusted that a mere man call him by his full name.

"General Cato Ridarius, First Imperial Legion. Please follow me," Ridarius said, keeping his manners.

Highlock looked around at the crowds, and followed the Imperial along the path.

As the party walked through the set path, Highlock remarked, "I see that you are attempting to rebuild."

"Yes, the Numidium did quite a bit of damage," Ridarius replied.

"I wish it did more," said Highlock, humor in his tone.

Ridarius turned his head slightly towards the High Elf and said solemnly, "Seven thousand dead within these walls. Twenty thousand from the reinforcements. There could not have been anything worse than those numbers."

Highlock said nothing.

"Do you know the name of this Plaza?" scoffed Ridarius.

Highlock growled a little bit.

"What was that?"

"You call it the Talos Plaza, I know. Don't rub it in. We could destroy you if we wanted," Highlock sneered.

"Sure you could," said Ridarius, knowing the elf was bluffing.

The citizens couldn't stay silent.

"Murderers!"

"You dare come here?! We should kill you now!"

Lord Naarifin, the other mer of importance there, said, "Your people are quite hostile."

Ridarius raised an eyebrow, and responded, "You sound surprised."

"No, just... I can't explain," Naarifin said.

The party continued through the city, on their way to the negotiations.

...

Emperor Cassius Septim stood on the steps to the White-Gold Tower, two Blades on either side of him. He watched King Highlock and his party enter the District, and come up the path to the stairs. Cassius bowed slightly as the elf approached, and said, "I am pleased you came."

"Don't get cocky, Imperial," Highlock sneered.

Cassius rolled his eyes, and motioned for the elf to follow him.

...

Sitting at the Council Table were many people: the Dragonborn, the Champion, King Jonah Raccan, King Saken Calissius, Trevlayn Redyn, Grand-Master Esbern, Generals Tullius and Rikke, High Chancellor Philulanie, and Bagamul Ghasharzol. Cassius took a seat at the largest chair, and the Elves sat across from him. General Ridarius sat down next to Rikke and Tullius.

"Shall we begin?" asked Highlock.

"Yes. We shall," said the Dragonborn, anger in his voice.

"Our terms are simple. You shall cede southern Cyrodiil and Western Black Marsh to the Aldmeri Dominion, and allow Thalmor agents to actively pursue any worshipers of Talos. Also, we demand a sum of no less than four hundred thousand Imperial currency to pay for the damages to our fleet," Highlock said, absolutely no doubt in his voice.

Lord Naarifin sank his face into his hands.

Cassius immediately started laughing. Hard.

"What kind of terms are those?! We defeat your precious army and navy, and you demand WE cede things to you?!" he laughed.

Highlock frowned.

"It is the only way to keep peace," Highlock said.

Then Saken interjected, "Might I add that Argonia will not cede any territory to the Aldmeri Dominion. Not now. Not ever."

"Nor shall Morrowind," Redyn said.

Naarifin then whispered to Highlock, "My lord, I think you demand too much."

"Demand too much?! Like I said, this is the best way for peace!" replied Highlock.

"How about this: you keep your borders and such, but your people must help with the rebuilding of all that was damaged in the war. We will demand no fee from you, only labor," the Dragonborn said.

"Absolutely not! The citizens of the Aldmeri Dominion are not your servants!" Highlock shouted.

"How in Oblivion do you think our people feel?! You slaughtered thousands of our countrymen thirty years ago, and then made us abide by tyrannical terms. And you have the audacity to say we demand to much?!" yelled Rikke.

"Shut up, Nord!" snapped Highlock.

"Hey, just take it easy!" shouted the Champion.

"These negotiations are just a mockery of the Aldmeri Dominion!"

"No, they are not, Highlock! Listen to our terms, for they are much more tame than what someone like Chief Bagamul here wants! Chief Ghasharzol?" Cassius said, turning his head to the Orc chieftain.

Bagamul cleared his throat, and then said, "I say we take all the leaders of your armies, and kill them publicly. Then we kill you. Your people shall become slaves to the folk of Tamriel for the crimes you have committed."

Highlock and Naarifin sat aghast.

"Do you see now, King Highlock?" asked Esbern.

"Yes, I see. But your terms are too much," Highlock replied.

"I don't see them as that bad, my liege. We shall still retain our borders, should all go to plan. I, for one, approve of these terms," Lord Naarifin said with a small smile to Cassius.

"Oh, I did not know you were in charge of the Aldmeri Dominion, Naarifin. As a matter of fact, weren't you the one who was defeated thirty years ago? And also the one who lost at Anvil?" Highlock snapped.

Cassius said, "I led the Legion there! We almost lost, had it not been for King Raccan here of Hammerfell."

King Raccan then said, "These are the easiest terms we can offer, but I have one thing to add."

"Go ahead," said Cassius.

"Should the Empire, Argonia, or Morrowind ever be in dire need of assistance, the Aldmeri Dominion must come to the aid of said factions, whether it be limited aid or actual alliances," Jonah added.

Highlock sat in deep thought, his face in his hands.

"Fine," he sighed.

"Pardon?" asked Cassius.

"We agree to your terms. The Aldmeri Dominion will cease hostilities with all parties here. But know that we have reconstruction of our own to do, so any aid that may need to happen would come later," Highlock said.

"I'm afraid that you may have no choice," Saken said.

Highlock then rolled his eyes.

"Contrary to what you may believe, Akavir simply cannot be approaching Tamriel. And should the hordes of Tsaesci attack, then the Aldmeri Dominion shall smash them back to the hole from whence they came!" Highlock shouted.

The chamber fell silent.

"Then it is settled," Cassius finally said after a minute of silence.

Peace had come.