A/N: And here's the next chapter! Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I don't own the Elder Scrolls series. I only own my original ideas.

Chapter 35: Skywatch

Shouts-at-Sun's POV

Our fleet made landfall, and the troops disembarked as quickly as they could. They assembled into proper formation, and took up position just out of sight of the city of Skywatch. Here, on this day, the campaign to stop the Thalmor would officially begin. The plan was a simple one: march on Skywatch, capture the government buildings, including the nearby prison, seeing if we could find any willing to join our cause there. I gazed over those assembled before me and readied myself for what was to come.

"Today, we declare ourselves unwilling to obey the whims of the Thalmor any longer," I said, "we choose to fight for what we believe in, and that is future in which we may live free of oppression. The doctrine of the Thalmor claims that the world we live in is an aberration, something to destroy. I don't know about you, but I've grown rather fond of the world".

I paused briefly, listening to the laughs of the troops, and then continued.

"You have come here to defend your right to live, brave warriors of the Empire, Elsweyr, Valenwood, Argonia; you have come together under our banner because you too, can see the madness the Thalmor have sown. All I can ask is your support in bringing this conflict to a swift conclusion. Commanders, the field is yours!"

I stepped back, and rejoined my companions.

"Not bad for your first speech in your new role," said Sunders-the-Heart.

"I only hope it is enough," I said.

"It will be," said Sunders-the-Heart, "The only way it wouldn't is if you doubt yourself. Let's get ready ourselves, you know we're the ones staging a prison break".

"True enough," I said, "I guess it's time to do my part".

I looked skywards and extended my thoughts.

"Lokhunnonvul, it's time to begin, my friend," I thought.

"The Dovahhe await your command, Zaanahstkrein," replied Lokhunnonvul, "we have taken up positions in the mountains near the target cities".

"Commence attack run," I thought, "just like we planned, give them a good scare".

In the distance, I could hear a faint roar, and watched the northern skies. Soon, I saw them, Faal Dovahhe, flying in formation towards the city.

"All troops, advance, take the city!" I shouted.

At once, the collective soldiers of Tamriel charged forwards, intent on capturing the city of Skywatch. The Dragons arrived first, providing a critical period of distraction amongst the Thalmor forces. The main portion of our forces engaged the Thalmor before they could fully recover. Meanwhile, I led a smaller group towards the prison complex. Our archers swiftly dealt with the guards outside, and we made our way in. As expected, be battled our way past the warden, and his guards, but didn't see nearly as many as we'd expected. Some of our troops stayed behind to cover our escape, and we made our way down to the cells.

What we discovered there was far worse than we'd imagined. Most jails on Tamriel were fairly mild affairs, nothing more than a place to lock up to local undesirables, ranging from belligerent drunks to hardened criminals. This… was a full-on torture chamber. Just looking at those kept here, it was obvious that most were lost causes. There were victims of all races present in these cells. Some were sitting in the corners of their cells, rocking back and forth while gibbering quietly, others were screaming relentlessly, even through the gags they were wearing. Still others stood there silently, eyeing those who had arrived with dangerous looks. There was one exception: sitting in one cell in the corner, lying back quietly, and looking somewhat bored was what appeared to be an Argonian. However, something seemed… off about him. As I approached, he sat up, and looked at me with interest.

"Who are you?" asked the prisoner.

"Enemies of the Thalmor," I said, "Who are you?"

"An… unfortunate traveler," said the prisoner, "I wass traveling thesse landss when the accussed me of sspying".

"You can drop your act I know you are not what you appear to be," I said.

"What are you talking about?" said the prisoner.

"You gave yourself away when you hissed your S's while some Argonians to have a bit of a lisp, none, not even those living in the deepest wilds of the Marsh have one that strong".

"Oblivion, why do I alwayss sseem to run into the mosst perceptive individuals," said the prisoner.

The prisoner in the cell suddenly changed, his legs merging into his tail, and his scales shifting to a golden color.

"Ah, a Tsaesci," I said, "what exactly led you to come all the way here from Akavir?"

"I'm not sure I trust you with that information yet," said the Tsaesci, "you could easily be another of the Elves playthings".

"Playthings?" I asked, "what do you mean by that?"

"It's what my lovely hosts have been doing," hissed the Tsaesci venomously, "torturing their victims into insanity, tearing down what them who they are, and filling the then blank slate with their own propaganda. It's truly sickening".

"I agree," I said, "how would you like a chance to strike back at the Thalmor, those who committed these acts?"

The Tsaesci's face broke into a fanged grin, and then he replied.

"I believe I can consent to that," said the Tsaesci, "give me a sword, and I'll fight at your side".

I waved the soldier who'd collected the key over, and had him open the cell.

"Thank you for my freedom," said the Tsaesci, "you may call me Vata".

"I am Shouts-at-Sun," I said, "get geared up, and we can prepare for our next step".

With that, we headed out of the prision, leaving the soldiers to the grim task to releasing those unfortunate to be jailed here from their misery.

A/N: And there we go! I knew when I came to the scene of the Thalmor Prison, it wouldn't be pleasant to think about. At least we don't have to revisit it. Anyway, next time, the adventure continues! See you then!