AN: And here we are, entering the Dragonborn Arc of this story. I'm excited for this; the timeskip will have our two Dragonborn becoming vastly different people, though their motivations remain mostly unchanged. Lucius has been hardened far too much by his losses, while Thera definitely takes to the life of an Empress. I hope the evolution of some of the followers from the game sound logical to everyone. This is a chapter focused more on Lucius' Empire and its upper echelons with a mere peak into Thera's. I hope you like it all.
The Bard
The Bard winced as he stood up, feeling old pains shooting through his back. The Tale of the Dragonborn was a long one to tell, and he had been spending more time telling it to his patrons than he had anything else in the past few days. Food, sleep, personal enjoyment – all took to the wayside as he told the story once again. He looked around at the people gathered around him, their faces expectant.
The Bard didn't speak, instead looking around at the many people arranged around him. The nobleman was back, as were the sons of the city's blacksmith – shirking their duties to their studies, it seemed. However, no matter how hard the Bard looked around, Wulf did not seem to be present. Talos was not present, or at least not obviously so. That surprised the Bard more than anything else – the god had seemed intrigued by the telling of the story, so why would he disappear a short while before the tale reached its conclusion?
Perhaps it was nothing, maybe he had been mistaken when he had called the man Talos. Or perhaps the Divine preferred not to be seen as he truly is. In the end, the Bard could do little about that. What he could do, however, was tell the story. "Hello again, everyone," he said, smiling at the crowd assembled around him. He clapped his hands together and smiled. "Our story last ended with both of the Dragonborn feeling the sting of defeat at the other's hands. For Thera, the source of her ire was the loss of the Bow of Auri-El, the survival of Lucius, and the loss of the only other Daughter of Coldharbour of which she knew. For Lucius, twas the death of many of the Dawnguard, the massacre of the only one who could cure his Lady Love of her affliction, and the exile of Serana herself.
"Where we go now is further into their lives. As the wingbeats of Akatosh drove time ever onward, these two heroes found themselves at the center of the world's events. But no longer were they reacting to the desires, whims, and plans of those around them. No, they had decided the only way to achieve their goals was to conquer all of Tamriel, by force or by reason."
"Five years after the death of Lamae Beolfag, the Jokaar were in the middle of a war. From the southwest, covering Elsweyr, Valenwood, Alinor, the south of Hammerfell, was the Sanguinis Aldmeris Dominion, or the Dominion of the Aldmeri Blood. To the Northeast, controlling High Rock, the rest of Hammerfell, Skyrim, and Cyrodiil, was the Atmorano Imperium, the Empire of the Atmoran," the Bard explained, pulling a map from his pack on the floor. He unrolled it with a flick of his wrist and gestured at each of the nations in turn.
"But this war was not the only threat to all of Tamriel," the Bard continued. He moved one of his fingers to the edge of Skyrim. "From beyond the edge of both Empires grew a force of evil intent on spreading its reach across all of Nirn. A being older and more ancient than any, with the power to devour the souls of the Dragonborn and all the dragons they had destroyed before. They knew not what was coming, however, for their war was growing more dangerous by the day. Three years into their war, the Empire and Dominion clashed in the ruins of the Redguard city of Rihad..."
Jul
Lucius
Delphine had grown to hate me in the past three years. Not in that she didn't like me, more in that she despised the fact I – the Emperor of Cyrodiil – was so set on leading my army from the front lines. As the head of the new Dragonguard based in the central building of the Imperial City, my – it's odd to say it even now – palace from where I reigned over the Empire, it was her duty to protect me. My jaunts through war zones tended to make that difficult, even for one of her skill. The newer recruits seemed to be thankful, though; Aela's training had a way of rubbing off on all of them.
I ducked beneath a spell cast by one of the soldiers against whom we fought. This one was a lieutenant in Thera's military it seemed. A Vampire, as all of her officers were. I charged the elf and buried Dawnbreaker in his chest, causing a massive explosion of Sun Magick to drench the world. Unfortunately, not many of the lesser soldiers were the undead, so it had little effect. As much as I hate to admit it, Thera was clever in matching many of my tactics. Early battles had been one sided either way; we've both learned much from each other in the art of war. Where once our armies had been oceans of bodies clashing for dominance, there now existed hardened forces with equally hardened commanders. We were getting very good at killing each other.
I turned in time to see an ax spinning through the air towards my skull. Most people would assume they were in danger. I, however, was not. The ax continued to approach for a moment, until an arrow slammed into its side and sent it spinning off. I turned to stare at Dorthe as she ran towards me.
"Damn it, Emperor Lucius, at least try to make my job easier," she said as she approached, firing off another streak of arrows into the crowds before looping the bow around her Akaviri Plate covered head and shoulders then drawing her Akaviri Katana. She had grown up much in the past five years. Gone was the young woman who had struggled to make her way into Solitude, replaced instead by a young woman who could one day become a hero in her own right. Jordis and Aela had trained her well; it was her natural ferocity that had made Delphine choose the young woman as my bodyguard, and her good heart that had caused me to approve. She was much like her cousin, gods rest his soul.
Hadvar had died a year before, leading the charge to take Skaven, our first attempt at taking land back from Thera's Empire rather than just defending our own. Naturally, as he was my brother in shield and soul, he was entombed in the Royal Crypt and his cousin had become something of an adoptive daughter to me. His statue stood in the center of the city he had freed, a symbol of hope and heroism.
"There was no need" I said, my gaze hard as I moved towards my next target. I blocked an incoming blow from my target – a Redguard with desperate, crazy eyes – then impaled him on my sword. "I have nearly ten layers of spells and enchantments concentrated on me right now. If a simple ax could end my life, then I would not be the greatest wizard in Tamriel. And you would be a rather unfitting bodyguard."
I cast an angry look down at the Redguard. Thera was very good. Her Empire, from what my spies told me, was incredibly stratified. At the bottom were the human slaves. Above them, the Beast folk. Next were the mortal Mer citizenry, who shared their position with vampires of all non-elven races. The top caste was that of Thera herself – Elven Vampires. Still, the fact they would still be second class citizens did little to stop those living in her Empire from attempting to win her curse through valor on the battle field. Save a select few – such as the child she kept at her side constantly – the humans gained little real power. I turned from the body without a word.
"Talos guide them," Dorthe said. I slowly nodded, though my heart wasn't in it. I returned my attention to the battle, as did my young bodyguard. She caught a blade on her Katana and flicked it away. I noticed a head roll past my feet as her attacker failed to defend himself.
I snarled as the battle raged on, and I raised my palm to begin casting one of my newer spells I had created. The energy flared up for a moment, and purple lightning lanced from my hand. It curved around the bodies of my warriors, leaving only dust in their wake as they cut down the Dominion soldiers by the dozens. My soldiers let out a roar of courage as the magic disappeared, their hearts emboldened by my spell. "The Divines are on our side!" one of the men shouted before leading a charge into the ranks of the small pockets of resistance that remained, tearing the elves and their slaves to shreds.
"Do you always have to do that?" Dorthe asked from beside me. "I was beating you."
"This is not a competition. Regardless, the men needed the morale," I replied coolly, sheathing Dawnbreaker and removing my helm. I glanced around the battlefield, observing the carnage and trying to force myself not to care. The battle would be declared a victory, and I was sure that the newly freed citizenry of the city would agree. Too many of the men died for my tastes, though. The families of the fallen would be invited to the Imperial City for their public Honorifics and the awarding of the Hadvar Blade of Honor during the lull in the war that came with the intense heat of summer in southern Tamriel. In fact, this was likely the end of our assault until the autumnal season. "A final, quick victory before they aid the region in their training and resupply actions. Rayya will be up to the task for the next few months."
"I'm sure she will," Dorthe said with a sigh. She sheathed her Katana and crossed her arms. "But you shouldn't make a target of yourself like that, Emperor." Ah, she wasn't using my name. That's how she always behaved when she was angered by my more rash decisions. Something that most of the Blades recruits had picked up from Delphine. "It's dangerous to draw attention to yourself on a battlefield."
"I have no need for your warnings," I responded. I clutched the weapon at my side and looked across the battlefield, then wordlessly began to return to the war camp. Another battle closer to Thera, the only thing that mattered. "Send word to the Council. I expect to see them in the White Gold Tower when we arrive in the Imperial City. We need to set up the plans for the next phase of the war."
"Emperor Lucius," Dorthe muttered, rushing up to walk in tandem with me. "Uncle Luc!"
"What?" I growled, casting a glare at the young woman as I walked. She had taken off her helmet, letting her braid fall down her shoulder. She looked like her mother, with a hint of her father's family.
"You're not acting like yourself," she told me.
"I am acting no different than I have for -"
"The past five years. Aye," she finished for me. I shook my head with a scoff and walked faster. "What happened to my cousin's brother?"
I stopped and turned towards Dorthe yet again. "He sailed away to parts unknown more than five years ago," I responded. I placed my hand on her shoulder and shoved past her. "I hope he isn't dead."
Fahiil
Thera
I moaned as I extricated myself from beneath a group of my half-drained Thralls, taking some blood with my fingers and licking it off. "Mmm... Bosmer," I muttered, stepping over that specific body. It was yet another of Lucius' spies who was incapable of keeping herself from being discovered. Sending Mer was a clever move on his part, but it was easy to see through the weak minded fools who would follow a human. I should thank him, really, for sending them; I was running low on Bosmer blood. I couldn't very well murder all of those living in my kingdom, as killing one's army is a poor decision when one is at war.
I moved through the small army of my mentally frozen Thralls, their dying minds pushing out a few words. "Please..." a human muttered as I passed. I simply patted his shoulder and bit into his wrist.
"Good breakfast," I said a moment later, smiling at the slave. He shuddered, but said nothing. The silence was broken by the sound of a hand rapping against the door to my chambers.
"Babette," I sighed as I opened the door slightly. The face of a Breton child stared up at me, eyes filled with annoyance. "What is this time?"
"You're late, your Grace," she said with a frown. She crossed her arms over her chest and narrowed her eyes at me.
"Babette, you know you shouldn't talk to me like that," I growled.
"If I didn't, you'd never come to Court," she retorted, drawing a laugh from me.
"Too true," I admitted, smiling down at her from behind the door; Babette didn't appreciate standing waist level with naked elves. "Summon the less broken Thralls for the morning routine, and I'll be on my way down."
Babette sighed, but nodded. "At least you didn't open the door all the way this time," she muttered as she rubbed the bridge of her nose. She was, of course, referencing the first time I had answered the door to my room and thrown the door open. It had been an uncomfortable experience; even I do not like living down a child – even if she is really older than I myself am – walking in on me.
I smiled down at Babette. It was not often that any human, even a Vampire, amused me this much. She was my favorite servant, and the closest being I had to a... 'friend.' But as the head of an Empire of Elves and Vampires, friends would only be a weakness. So I merely allowed my servant to amuse me. Besides, it would be best to keep my personal assassin happy. "You'll never let me live that down," I sighed, shaking my head for her benefit. "Well, go get the more aware Thralls. I need to be dressed."
"Yes, Listener," Babette said, still shaking her head as she walked away.
Jul
Lucius
I stood in my Imperial Robes, open palms resting atop the round table containing a sand and stone built replica of Tamriel. Figures representing armies dotted the landscape, protecting the borders of the fledgling Empire or advancing into the surrounding areas. A token representing a diplomat – both one of mine and one of Thera's – was placed at the center of Morrowind as they campaigned to add the land of the Dunmer to the guard of the Empire, be it as an ally or as a protectorate. The latter, of course, would be preferred. "Lucius," Tullius muttered, voicing his concerns about my anger. They all did, from time to time. The Empire had become increasingly aggressive towards the Dominion in the past two years. They all knew it was necessary, but my fervor gave even Delphine pause at times.
"What is it?" I asked, trying to shove down my irritation while I spoke to him. He was older than before, the Civil War and the current war weighing heavily upon him. His already thin hair was gone completely now, and his eyes had grown gaunt over the past five years. He was a strong man, but even the strongest men had their breaking points. His had been approaching rapidly, so I had assigned him for the time being to act as my personal aide during the war; the front lines had left his body behind years earlier, though his mind was still an extremely useful one.
He put his hand on my shoulder. "I think perhaps we should focus on the anniversary celebration for end of Summer," he said, trying to draw my attention from the war and towards something less draining. "It's a time of peace, for now. Let's deal with something to reward the people for their faith."
"He's right," Tolfdir said from the other side of the table. The new Archmage of the Mages' Guild crossed his arms and sighed. His resplendent purple robes heaved with his shoulders. "We have to cover what Magickal games and events the Guild will set up for the people."
"The Fighters' Guild also needs to set up the jousting and dueling tourneys for the Arena," Uthgerd said. She was wearing stylized plate armor branded with the symbol of the guild she had joined, and now led, after following me to Cyrodiil. The Unbroken leader of the Fighters' Guild had, at my insistence, formed close ties between the the Guild and the Companions, given their intense similarities. I believed that the Guild could learn much from the structure and behaviors of the Companions, and my successor Vilkas did as well.
"Not to mention the uncountable security risks that your unnecessary desire to take part in the games causes," Delphine pointed out from the corner of the room, leaning against the wall. She wore the armor of the Grandmaster of the Blades, plate formed from the bones of long dead dragons. The protrusions were etched with golden filigree in the shape of men and dragons waging war. Dorthe was quiet beside her, observing the room around us as was her duty. "And coordinating for Balgruuf's visit during the festival."
"So you're suggesting that I end my quest for peace," I stated angrily.
"I'm suggesting you end your quest for vengeance," Tullius said with a disapproving scowl plastered on his face. "Rikke told me everything. Idgrod is worried about you and told her everything when they last met. She hoped the General of the North could perhaps get through to you. She passed word on to me."
"That is not the only reason," I snarled, returning my attention to the war table. "Millions languish under the rule of Vampires – Vampires, Tullius. I fought one war against a Vampire who wished to rule Tamriel. I would not see the sacrifices of all who fought her to be in vain."
"And they won't be!" Florentius snapped, finally speaking up. "I was there, too, Luc. Even Isran wouldn't want you to... become Isran!" I glared over at the monk for a moment, but he continued. "Arkay says that you should enjoy this life before you must enter his domain."
"I have no plans to die," I responded. My vision blurred for a moment and I felt a shudder of exhaustion run down my spine. "Not until I've already won this entire gods damned war."
"Then what's the harm in enjoying four months of peace?" Delphine asked. I frowned. The fact she was trying to get me to calm down said a lot.
Still. "No. I can feel it. Something is... coming," I muttered.
I jolted as the noise of knuckles rapping against wood echoed through the room. I sighed and pushed myself away from the table. If the servants were interrupting me, then whatever it was must have sounded important even to those who did not know the specifics of the war. "Speak of the Daedra... Enter," I commanded, shifting to stare at the door. I clasped my hands behind my back and set my brow as the young man stepped through.
He was panting heavily, eyes wide. From the sweat on his brow, it was clear that the boy had sprinted up to the room from the atrium of the Palace. He looked afraid and worried. I placed my hand on the handle of Dragonbane at my hip; it was the blade I used when not in direct battle with Thera's forces. It made me feel... as if Paarthurnax stood at my side even now. Speaking of, the Greybeards had decided that Thera had indeed fallen from their path, though they still thought of me as a monster as well. To them, leading an Empire was to surrender to the evil in your heart. "Well?" I asked, growing impatient with the servant.
"Your Eminence," the boy said, standing up and composing himself. He took a deep breath to calm himself and frowned. "I... Sir, you have some rather strange visitors."
"Is that all?" I growled. He had interrupted my war council for this?
"Your Eminence, they say that they are agents of the True Dragonborn. They wish an audience."
I glanced over at Dorthe. "Are they still in the Atrium?" I asked the servant.
"Yes, Your Grace," he said, bowing.
"Come, Dorthe," I said, pushing past the young man. Thera had thought to send diplomats? Assassins? It mattered little which. When they inevitably tried to kill me, I would gladly do away with them. "We have visitors."
