Chapter 12

The Battlespire

The mask that Pious wore made it impossible to read his expression. All the better to hide his frustration as he looked at the arcane-projection of Mundus before him. They had finally located the plane from where the invaders had come. The process had taken an entire day with the portal spell as Mundus was technically infinite. Yet a new problem had arisen.

Upon opening the Portal via a voidgate (and thus this time unrelated to the Rift back in Ykalon), the images reported by the Atronachs sent to the other side didn't correspond with anything mapped by the Battlemages back in Falmart. Considering they had only explored a small part of a single continent so far, Pious hadn't been troubled at first. That's when the infiltrated Battlemages he sent started reporting strange occurrences.

First it was the inhabitants speaking a different language and no mention of the Saderan Empire at all. Again, not a problem if it was a different continent. But then it was the positions of the stars not matching at all. Pious deduced the plane was much bigger than previously thought and included several unknown worlds. Trying to map it would take a very long time and so he had recalled his scouts.

"What are our orders, Sir?" a nearby Battlemage asked.

"Nothing yet. I will need to inform the Imperial Battlemage of our discovery. And then we wait for instructions."

Unknown place

Cyrus dropped to his knees, stunned. It wasn't every day a God was standing before you, with an avatar the size of a Tower no less and he had no trouble identifying this one. Boethiah, Daedric Prince of plotting and unlawful overthrow of Authority, the God-ancestor of the Dunmer. And they were smiling at him.

Ask your questions, little Cyrod

So the intentions of the Dark Warrior were clear then, they simply wished to talk. That reassured him, though Boethiah had never been one of the most antagonistic Princes towards mortals, on the contrary. "Is this true?" he waved around him as he got up, "Am I truly here, conversing with a God or is it just a dream?"

The Prince's smile widened.

The answer is yes to both. You are merely dreaming. Yet you are truly here, in my plane, in a way

"How do I truly know this isn't a hallucination produced by my sick mind?"

Dreaming of me is enough for us to communicate. I am not a mere limited entity that I am not the same between waking reality and someone's dream. All of this is real, as long as you allow it. Part of you already suspected it

That immediately raised another question about what would happen if someone would unconsciously dream about a more unpleasant Prince but Cyrus didn't want to know the answer. So he chose to focus on the matter at hand. "Why did you come to me?"

It's been a while since my eye caught sight of you

He frowned. What did they mean? When? More and more questions. "Loyalty is one of the virtues I hold above all else. To my home country, to my comrades and my friends. Why would I listen to the Daedric Prince whose sphere leads to backstab and treason?"

The giant figure of Boethiah merely looked amused by his accusations.

Oh, little Cyrod… I'm not my dear Webspinner. I am more pragmatic. Look at the Dunmeri society which was founded on my principles. They hardly spend their time backstabbing each other. There are strict rules. Why would I tell you to betray your friends when you have next to nothing to gain from it? Do you have so little faith in yourself and your moral code that I could turn you against them easily?

Cyrus looked briefly at his hands before tightening his fists and clenching his teeth. Boethiah had seen right. He was already trending on a thin line. "Even so, I am a mere mortal and we all know we are just…"

Yes, pawns to be used in our schemes, our playthings; that's what some of my Siblings would say. But I see your kind differently. My sphere is self-improvement by any means, it has little use for daedra. But for mortals like you?

The young man didn't reply, considering his interlocutor's words. "Very well, but it still doesn't explain your involvement in the situation at hand."

The deity planted their axe in the ground, causing it to shake, before crossing their arms over their chest.

You already have a theory. I want to hear it

He nodded. "Right. I don't believe for a second you are involved directly in any way whatsoever. It just doesn't reflect your way nor the fact it should be impossible for daedra to link two places within Mundus. However, you obviously are informed a lot about the plot. I reckon you know the mastermind and you are endorsing what they are doing."

Well done. You failed to disappoint me and carefully guessed the true player. Of course I won't tell you about them or their goals, that's for you to find out

"Why are you so interested in it?"

The Prince gestured for the mortal to turn around, indicating the stele behind him.

Read it

" 'There is a magical operation of maximum importance: the initiation of a new Eon. When it becomes necessary, to utter a word, the whole planet must be bathed in blood.' Written at an unknown date by an unnamed Moth Priest." He turned back.

Do you know what it means?

The Necromancer seemed to hesitate. When he had first read it years ago, he hadn't given it much thought. There was a meaning behind it for sure but other than sounding cool, he hadn't cared that much. Now however, it had a whole other context. "A new Eon or Era, the shedding of blood… I think it's meant to say every world shaking event will be preceded by calamities of proportional size. As per the laws of nature. The laws of Nirn… the Arena."

As the last word was mentioned, Boethiah's face warped into a sinister grin.

Cyrus's eyes widened as he realized the implication. "Are you saying…"

We are on the eve of a new Eon? For this world? Yes. Tamriel? Not anymore than before. The Dragon Crisis already precipitated it. Otherwise your Moth Priests would have known. The rest of Nirn on the other hand… but that doesn't concern the current situation

The rest of Nirn? What did the Prince mean? Akavir? Pyandonea? Atmora? Thras? The remains of Yokuda? Some unknown place they never heard of? Strangely, the Dark Warrior didn't want to confide about that part. Then there still was the current matter. "This world? What do you mean?"

That you guessed right. It has lost balance the moment the Rift opened. However, truth is it would have been lost either way without the manipulation on Nirn

There were so many unknowns. At first glance, for reasons that escaped him, the Prince wanted him to know. "Why are you telling me all of this?"

The deity's face contorted in anger, his red eyes literally burning and suddenly the entire realm shook. Volcanoes erupted and giant waves of lava began to form. Cyrus stumbled , trying to steady himself with the stele.

Because you are a child of the Arena and that world is a mockery of it!

The earthquake ceased as soon as it had begun and Cyrus got up, hoping none of his questions would anger the deity anymore. "A mockery? You mean the 'Garden of the Gods'?"

Precisely. The immortal child told you as such. It's a world willingly kept in stasis by those so-called gods, not just the knowledge but the mortals themselves! It is the antithesis of what Lorkhan, Shezzar as your people call him, created. He wished for your kind to grow by overcoming tests

Of course. Boethiah had always admired Shezzar according to the Velothi mythos, it all made sense now. "And with the opening of the Rift, the rules changed. The local Gods can't enforce their stability anymore and Shezzar's rules will be the ones that prevail…" As he reflected on it, a simple conclusion came to his mind. "You want us to triumph, to prove Shezzar was correct."

Your Empire was forged through ambition, plotting and bloodshed and has managed to survive in spite of every crisis it faced, changing and adapting every time. It pleases me. Theirs has only begun their first true test. Prove me right, son of Cyrodiil

So Falmart was going to be another Arena for the pleasure of the Dark Warrior? But what about the Hidden player's goals? And there were of course… "The lesser Daedra…" he whispered before raising his eyes towards the deity. "Where do they factor in all of this? How did they find this world so fast?"

Once again the Deity smirked.

The child told you the goddess was a, how does she say it again? Ah, right, a 'fuck-up'. The Rift has a fault , it can attract extra-worlders if staying too long in place. She knew that and still opened it

Cyrus sat on the stele, staring into the lake of fire before the island. "I'm beginning to think I should have stayed on the Battlespire." This was beyond idiotic, surely she should have known the risks? She was a Goddess. He felt lost.

Ask the child how much time she has left

He turned back in their direction, surprised. "Rory?"

All will become clear

Back to being cryptic then. Still, there was something he needed to know. "I still don't understand. Why come and tell me all of that? Why me in particular? If you truly wished to have the Empire to champion your cause in the name of Shezzar, why not come to the Emperor?"

The Realm suddenly resonated with its Deity's supernatural laugh.

Ah… Little Cyrod, do you really think you're the only one I'm visiting as of now? How can you be so sure I didn't come to your Emperor? You could ask him yourself

Cyrus clenched his teeth. He was in the dark. Could the Emperor actually be aware of the Prince's machinations? It was a possibility but perhaps it was Boethiah manipulating him. How could he trust them? "Earlier you said I attracted your attention? When was it and why?"

The Deity went silent. To the young man's utter surprise, the Avatar shrank in size, before making their way towards him. Boethiah was now only a head taller but it wasn't the only change he noted. Their body and face had taken a clearer feminine appearance, resembling more a female Dunmer than before. They, or rather now she, was smiling at him. Cyrus breathed regularly, trying to keep his calm. The Goddess put her hand on his chest while the other grabbed his chin to make him look at her.

Does it answer your question?

"..."

I came to you, before. You don't remember as your psyche was damaged. I could unlock those memories but I suspect it would result in a lot of mental pain

And it wasn't the moment for that, the mission had priority. "Thank you Dark Warrior but I will regain them on my own." He was troubled with the Prince shift in attitude. Her tone had changed. More… motherly. Or maybe like a Mistress addressing her dog. Who knew with the Daedric Princes?

She smirked as she let go of his chin.

Good. Nothing less than what I expected from you

"Why wait now to come back if I had caught your interest? Do you expect more from me?"

I know what is it you seek, Cyrus of Argos

The young man almost snarled despite his better judgement.

Some people's dreams are simpler. Others far greater. You? Your wish is simply... uncommon

"It's simply that, a dream."

But I also saw what you were doing, ever since the end of the war, always pushing your limits

He remained quiet, waiting for her to finish.

You are desperately trying to improve yourself to reach your goals. Do you see now? You were always going to end up with me

Cyrus turned his back on her, gazing at the alien red sky. The Prince was right. Ever since what had happened… he had only thought about one thing : being better. For him but also for everyone else, to not be a failure anymore. As soon as he had been admitted back into the Legion, he had taken every assignment he could, to prove himself. But that was never enough. He had become obsessed with his work, hardly doing anything else, even not talking at all for days to anyone, not even to Caranya. It was almost toxic but he couldn't back off. That was too important.

He looked back at the Goddess. As far as he could tell, there was no malicious intent in her eyes. She extended her hand toward him.

You do not have to renounce your moral code nor your loyalties to follow my ways. Veloth was a healer and Lyrisius a great hero of the people. Be your own being and forge your destiny. For once give into it, be selfish and embrace your inner self

"You do know I will report everything you told me, right? As I said, I am very attached to loyalty."

Do what you wish for. It doesn't matter. All I care is you embracing each test you went, are and will get through, the victories as well as the defeats and only then you will be better

His knees shook. He took hold of the amulet of Akatosh around his neck and knelt, reciting mentally his oath of Legionnaire.

"Upon my honor I do swear undying loyalty to the Emperor of Tamriel, Ivan Mede the First, and unwavering obedience to the officers of his great Empire.

My will shall be of iron and my mind of steel

From the Shadows I shall be the bulwark against the Terror from beyond and within, the defender of Tamriel's people.

I am a Battlemage of the Shadow Legion and I shall know no fear

May those above judge me, and those below take me, if I fail in my duty

For the Emperor! For the Empire! For Tamriel!"

He got up, looking back at the extended hand. Did he want that? Yes, he did. For himself, for the others and for the Empire. He reached her hand. "I will."

The world suddenly spinned around him. When it stopped, the Prince had vanished and he was wearing his armor and staff. As he looked around him, he realized he was still in Boethiah's realm but inside a large arena. As he searched for the Deity, his eyes located the Prince, now male, sitting atop a giant throne carved into the Mountain dominating the arena.

I will grant your first wish

Footsteps made him turn around. His eyes widened as he saw the figure before him.

It was a light brown Khajiit male dressed in relatively light chainmail khajiiti armor with the sigil of Alkosh, wearing as his only weapon a large bladed staff. His size being relative to Cyrus as well as his rather animalistic walk, it was easy to identify him as a Suthay-Raht. The Khajiit realized the salute of Elsweyr's monks.

Cyrus replied with his own Imperial salute before imitating his adversary and putting himself into a battle stance. He wondered if this was really 'him' or just an illusion created by the Prince.

Remember to give into yourself

Cyrus took into his Bone Goliath form before rapidly summoning Mira, his bear and a few skeletons. Then he charged the Khajiit.

"Vae Victis!"

The Khajiit with a single leap crossed the distance separating them, moving faster than the Cyrod could have reacted. Both adversaries' weapons clashed with a mighty shockwave.

Black-Scales stirred on his cot, realizing the sun was going to rise in a matter of minutes.

"You're finally awake."

He turned his head to see Cyrus already in full armor kneeling in front of the altar they had set up in their tent. "Hello to you Black-Scales. You slept like a hatchling last night."

"Hi Cyrus! You had good dreams I hope?" He greeted his friend with a smile.

"I dreamt about getting my ass kicked by a Khajiit monk all night, so yes."

Why do I even bother to ask? the Argonian deadpanned as he changed himself. "By the way, do you happen to know what today has in stock for us?"

The Cyrod got up, turning back to him. "Councilor Mei should arrive during the course of the day to start the diplomatic talks, some knights are going to depart for their scouting mission and the villagers of Coda will be finally moved out. As for us… I don't know. Probably checking with the other teams' progress or our current stock of potions and magical gear."

The Argonian scrubbed his chin. "Councilor Mei, eh? It's been a while. I even missed her."

"So do I."

"Mmmh…" Caranya moaned as she woke up before sitting on her cot.

"Morning Captain!" Jing exclaimed as she was putting her armor on. She seemed in rather high spirits.

"Morning," the Altmer yawned. She looked at her friend. "Are you well?"

"Yes, why do you ask?"

"You don't remember anything about last night?"

"No, should I?" she replied while glancing at the other woman curiously.

Caranya waved her hand before getting up. "Nevermind." As she grabbed her armor, she spoke back. "By the way did you remember it's today, in her position as Councilor and Diplomat, that Magus-Commander Mei will arrive?"

Jing frowned. "Yes…" she replied coldly.

Her superior turned back to her, concerned. "Do you wanna talk about this?"

She shook her head. "I'd rather not. I just hope she won't go full 'mother hen' on me. It's… humiliating."

As the Altmer finished putting her breastplate, she put her hand on the Easterner's shoulder in a comforting gesture. "I'm sure she will keep it professional. Besides we won't think less of you, you know that."

Jing grabbed her arm. "I know and… thank you."

The other woman nodded with a smile. "Anytime Jing, anytime."

"Keep your hands firm soldiers!" Marius shouted at his men.

With the death of the remaining city's watch, most of the barracks had been repurposed by the Century. The courtyard was where the Legionnaires were practicing, either one on one by sparring, or, like the current exercise, more teamwork adapted exercise.

Two formations of ten soldiers each were facing one another to practice cohesion and cooperation against disciplined opponents should they face more organized foes. Other drills could include adapting to fight against opponents with magical abilities and individuals or creatures strong enough to break formation. The latter two were also the occasion for spellswords and berserkers to similarly test themselves while outnumbered or cut off from their units.

One of the units began to break. "Don't lower your guard yet!" Their Centurion said. "Put your backs into it!"

Not far from there, a smithy area had been installed where the four Battlemages were busying themselves with the upkeep of their weapons and armor.

Caranya inspected her breastplate where her own spell had hit her. There was no mark to be found to her relief. She gave the piece of armor a kiss as a mock thanks.

"What is today's mission, Captain?" Black-Scales asked her as he grabbed a nearby hammer.

She shook her head. "I'm afraid our particular skills aren't required for today. You and I will check on the potions stock and ask Master Cato and Lelei about any local plants properties they know in case we would need to replenish it ourselves. Cyrus, Jing, you will check on the magical gear integrity. We'll also be the ones checking the Knights' recon mission with the device we gave them in case… something comes up."

"Fairly monotonous then," the Argonian grumbled before hammering his chainmail. The tool he used wasn't mundane but a hammer specifically made to maintain magical gear of high quality. "What then when Councilor Mei arrives? What will be our new role? Will she replace Magus-Commander Sejanus in our chain of command?"

The Altmer stopped what she was doing to consider her comrade's words. "Perhaps. Technically she's only there as a representative of the Elder Council, not as an officer of the Shadow Legion. But given we were mostly on our own and he was only acting as a link with Ykalon… I truly don't know."

Jing, who until then had remained quiet, jumped in the conversation. "We already accomplished our primary objectives, securing the young Countess of Italica and the city next. We even did better given we managed to acquire the Imperial Princess for future negotiations. I think it will be up to the other team now and what they discover."

"You forgot the intel we gained via some important person," Black-Scales added, emphasizing on the two last words with some disdain.

Cyrus, who was working on his staff, raised his eyes on him, simply staring quietly at his comrade before going back to his task.

"I wonder who that person is," a familiar childish voice suddenly spoke.

The Argonian froze before slowly turning his head towards the source. Rory was standing not far from the group, carrying her halberd, her signature smirk on the face.

"When we speak of the Devil..." Caranya reflected in Aldmeri.

"The way you spoke of them, that person must be annoying you. I wonder why," Rory said as she approached the Nightblade, an aura of dread enveloping her.

Black-Scales thought about simply disappearing. He had never been afraid of little girls but that one was really scaring him, she even seemed to enjoy it.

"Would you mind telling us what you're doing here in an area restricted to civilians, young lady?" Caranya questioned her in a stern tone.

Rory stopped before turning back, her cheeks red of annoyance. "I am around 960 years old! I am older than you all so do not treat me as a child!"

The Altmer rolled her eyes before sending a pleading look at Cyrus. The one meaning 'please, can you do something about the underage looking demi-goddess?'

He nodded silently before calling the Apostle. "Rory, come here, please. I'm gonna check how your halberd is."

She raised a brow. "My halberd?" She looked at her weapon. "It is fine, why would you need to take a look at it?"

"We may never know, come."

She finally decided to comply, sitting near the Necromancer while Black-Scales allowed himself to breathe again.

"I told you you shouldn't have talked about her like that," Jing blamed him.

"She's creepy and you know it."

"Enough! The subject is closed, back to your tasks," their Captain ordered.

Cyrus inspected the Apostle's weapon as she looked on.

"You find anything?" she asked.

"Mmm… blood. I'm gonna clean it."

"There's no need, you know. It works just as well like that," she assured him.

He handed her back the halberd. "Suit yourself."

As he watched her looking at the traces of blood, Boethiah's words came back to his mind. Ask the child how much time she has left

The Apostle must have noticed him as she stared back. "Something's on your mind?"

As Cyrus was about to reply, something else caught everyone's attention.

Lady Bozes dressed in her knight's armor had surprisingly made her entrance and approached Marius. "Greetings Centurion Marius," she said, a bright smile illuminating her face.

"Lady Bozes," he acknowledged her back, "I hope you are well."

"Thank you, likewise."

"What brings you here?" the Centurion questioned.

"This may sound foolish," she gestured to the sparring area, "but I wished to test my martial skills… against you."

Marius paused, surprised at the request. "You want… to spar with me?"

She nodded. "I do. It may seem strange but… I wanted to see how strong my savior was."

The Cyro-Nord grinned. "I'll gladly accept, my lady. Though I'll warn you, I won't go easy on you."

"Oh do not worry, I'm not known among peers to hold back," the blonde answered as they made their way to where the fighting was going to take place.

The Battlemages hadn't missed the scene.

"Marius my friend, you're a sly dog," Black-Scales said, holding off a laugh.

Jing deadpanned while Caranya simply groaned out of frustration.

"Great, now we got horny people acting like teenagers to deal with. Worst mission ever," the Altmer grumbled as she shook her head.

"Do you think she's purposely trying to seduce him?" Cyrus asked.

Caranya waved his concerns. "No, she seems genuine, more like a girl's crush on her shining knight. You know what I mean."

He nodded before watching them back. The blonde laughed about something the Centurion said. His officer was right, they were acting like teenagers flirting.

"I can sense the sexual tension from there."

They all widened at Rory's words, completely surprised she knew about such things.

"How do you know about that?" Caranya questioned her.

The Apostle simply shrugged. "Well the God I serve governs Love too."

"There is much more to Love than mere sexual relationship," Cyrus plainly affirmed.

"Huh? I mean I know that, but what do you mean exactly?"

Caranya's hand suddenly ruffled through Rory's hair much to her annoyance. "You'll understand one day."

Palace of Italica

Piña sat at a desk covered with various sheets of parchment. She had scribbled various notes to prepare the negotiations with the Nirnian emissary, asking about the prisoners, conditions to cease hostilities and so on.

She knew her position was fragile, not only because she depended on the goodwill of the Nirnians but also in spite of being Imperial Princess, she had no actual authority to speak in the name of the Empire. Worse, she knew the pro-war faction would be opposed to any resolution that wasn't victory. But Grey and her had made a few calculations. With the loss of the initial army, they would need to raise new legions and add Zorzal's own army to replace them. And even then there were the Vassal Kingdoms.

The Princess was no fool. For a bunch of other-worlders, the Nirnians had been relatively well-informed about Falmart's politics. They knew her and identified Italica right away. They probably knew as well the current situation with the Vassals. She doubted the team of Captain Caranya was the only one sent. It would be logical to send at least another to the Kingdoms. Their military strength was currently comparable to that of the Empire. Her father had humiliated them before, if they were to learn of the recent defeat and the fate of Italica, they might not attack the Empire directly but would start seceding. Worse, some nobles within the Empire itself could be willing to join them, igniting civil war. That would be catastrophic.

She pulled back from the desk, falling on her chair, sighing. All of her plans hinged on the Nirnians being open to cooperation but she knew next to nothing about how their diplomacy worked nor the emissary that was to arrive soon. She hoped it was similar to Imperial diplomatic customs until she remembered that Saderan diplomacy was limited to 'submit or die'.

Maybe I should have another tea session? she thought jokingly.

Someone banged against her door.

"Enter!"

It was Grey. As he made his way towards her, he noted the pile of paper on her desk. "I see you've been working hard, Princess. How is it going?"

"As good as it can be, I suppose. I'm preparing for the worst and hoping for the best."

Her mentor nodded, a smile of satisfaction on his face. "That's the hallmark of good leaders. Staying positive no matter how hard it can be."

Piña smiled back, the praise had impacted her more than she would admit. "Thank you, Grey. I know I can always count on you. Why did you come by the way? Did something happen?"

The veteran knight scratched his bald skull awkwardly. "Well… maybe. I just saw Panache on the way who informed me Bozes left for the barracks occupied by our friends. I thought it was on your orders but then she told me she was in armor which I found strange so I wanted to inform you about it."

The Princess paled. "Did you just say Bozes 'I don't know what friendly competition means' Co Palesti went, dressed in armor and carrying a weapon, to the Nirnian barracks? With whom I'm trying to initiate a peaceful relationship?"

"... yes?"

She rose up from her seat in alarm. "We need to get there and fast!"

Italica barracks

The "duel" between Marius and Bozes was still ongoing. The entire courtyard had stopped their activities to watch their officer's fighting prowess.

The Saderan girl's weapon of choice, a one handed sword, put her at a disadvantage against the Centurion's signature shield and sword style. She was forced to rely on a more aggressive strategy, always on the attack to force her opponent on the defensive, never giving him the initiative. She did have however the speed advantage, her armor being lighter compared to the walking tank that was Marius.

The Knight initiated a flurry of blows which were parried by Marius' shield. The true goal being to open a breach in his defence, her eyes glinted when it seemed her opponent fell into her trap. She struck, only for Marius to surprise her by parrying with his sword and then bashing her with his shield, forcing her back.

The two duelists seemed evenly matched, with Bozes being a little better. To the trained eye however, Marius was merely holding back. Whereas Bozes was panting, the Centurion was still fresh, barely breaking a sweat. The Cyro-Nord suddenly relaxed his stance, almost goading her into an attack. The Knight bit back her lip in frustration, before charging once more. Faster than she would have expected, Marius reacted by disarming her with a hard bash on her arm, causing her to drop her sword while grunting in pain. The Centurion put his weapon under her chin.

"Do you yield?"

"I do," she said while massaging her arm.

Marius planted his sword in the ground before casting a healing spell on her wounded arm. "I'm sorry, I might have gone overboard."

Bozes looked in wonder as the white ethereal light enveloped her member. As it vanished so was the pain. "Incredible," she said as she looked at her arm. "To think you are not even considered a mage." She then looked back at him. "You held back, didn't you? You could have pulled that move anytime?"

The Centurion didn't answer, instead retrieving her sword and handing it back. As she grabbed the weapon, the girl stepped closer, whispering something to him. The officer's face showed an expression of surprise before nodding with a smile. It was brief, but some people saw them.

"Did that just happen?" an incredulous Jing asked no one in particular. Her and Cyrus were the only Battlemages left. Caranya and Black-Scales had already departed to the field hospital to look into the potions stock.

"Apparently it did," Cyrus answered her, looking imperturbable as he inspected magically infused crossbow's bolts.

"That's love," Rory mocked while holding her cheeks. The Apostle had apparently decided to stay with them for some reason.

Jing deadpanned. "Sure, whatever." For someone who was close to one thousand years old she sure was immature at times.

"I know we have technically cordial dealings with them but… given we're still officially at war, are those kinds of relationships allowed?"

"I… perhaps? As long as it doesn't interfere with his duties it should be fine." She looked back at them. "Granted we're just gossiping at this point. It might be nothing."

He nodded while putting back the bolts in place. She joined him to help him inspect their stock of scrolls.

"Do you think we'll need to make more?" she asked him.

"It's probably for the best that we do. We don't have any specific goals for today so we might as well refill our stock."

Rory grabbed a scroll from the pile before opening it, gazing on what was written with curiosity. "I've never seen that kind scripture before. What do all those symbols mean?"

Cyrus rudely snatched the piece of paper from her hands. "It's a magical scroll which contains a spell to use without using magic. This one is a fireball scroll, you could have blown us up," he explained as she looked outraged and angered by his actions.

She pouted. "No need to be such a jerk about it."

As she observed their interactions, Jing allowed herself to smile briefly. It looked like a parent scolding their child. As Cyrus turned back towards her, she hastily went back to work. She felt his gaze lingering. She finally raised her gaze to meet him.

"Is there something you want?" she asked with an uncertain tone.

"There was something I wanted to talk about yesterday with you," he replied in Aldmeri.

She raised a brow. "What about yesterday?"

"The enthrallment ritual. I saw how you reacted to it, and I'm sorry."

Her eyes widened as the memories came back. "I…" she sighed. "Let's not talk about it, okay? Not now. I'm fine, I swear."

He stared at her. The silence between them grew uncomfortable before he finally spoke again. "As you wish. I'm not going to press you."

Before she could answer him, noises coming from the courtyard drew their attention. To their utmost surprise, the Princess had made her entrance with a small number of her Knights in tow. They recognized Hamilton and Grey among them. The soldiers around had kneeled as usual to salute her but apparently the Princess was more focused on her subordinate.

"Ouch, I wouldn't like to be in her place right now," Jing commented.

"Your Highness," Marius saluted, a knee on the ground.

Piña acknowledged him with a smile. "Centurion Marius, I was just… visiting. I hope all is well." She sent a subtle glare to Bozes who started fidgeting her fingers nervously.

He rose up. "Everything is alright. Lady Bozes and I were just having a friendly sparring session. I won."

The Princess eyed her friend suspiciously. "Is that so?"

Bozes nodded frantically. "Yes! I wanted to test myself against the Centurion! To see how strong my savior was!"

"If you say so…"

"Was there something you needed help with, your Majesty?" the Centurion asked.

Piña frowned. She couldn't say she was there because she feared Bozes would provoke a diplomatic incident. She caught the sight of people approaching. As she recognized them, her eyes glinted. It was two of the Battlemages, Jing and Cyrus, and her holiness Rory.

"Your Majesty," the two soldier-mages greeted her on their knees.

"Please raise," the Princess gestured to them. "Captain Caranya isn't there?"

"She went to the field hospital with our comrade Black-Scales," Jing indicated.

"I was hoping I could find her, had I known…" Piña shook her head. "No matter I require your assistance."

"About what matters if I may ask you, your Highness?" Cyrus questioned.

"Understanding"

The Nirnians didn't reply, waiting for her to elaborate.

"Despite our similarities, we have our fair share of differences. Being unaware of your diplomatic customs… I wish to ask for your aid. A diplomatic faux-pas is the last thing that we should wish to happen, right?"

"Indeed. Then we will help us the best you can," Jing affirmed her. "Though I doubt you need the both of us?"

"Of course not. I imagine you have work ahead of you."

The two Battlemages exchanged glances before Cyrus finally nodding. "Then I'll be glad to be of assistance, your Highness."

The Princess' face lit up. "Thank you Battlemage Cyrus."

Jing looked on as her comrade departed with the Princess and her followers.

"I saw what you did there."

She turned back to see Rory gazing at her with an indecipherable expression. "I can sense your dark thoughts eating you. It took me a long time to understand. You sent him away to dwell alone on them and clear your mind."

The Easterner clenched her teeth. "That's my own business!"

"I was only pointing it out," the Apostle defended herself.

"And I was clarifying," the young Sorceress replied as she went back to her tasks visibly angered.

City of Tuscania, Capital of the Kingdom of Elbe, Royal Palace

The Kingdom of Elbe was considered the most important of the Vassal Kingdoms of the Saedran Empire. Situated south of the Tybe Mountains and West of the Blue Sea, it was the closest geographically to the Empire and as such enjoyed (or not depending whom you were asking) a greater connection with it. Under the charismatic King Duran, 'the Lion of Elbe', the realm achieved its peak. Sadly all was not rosy.

The Empire had recently grown greedy and raised the amount of tributes its Vassals were to provide in exchange for the Saderan 'protection'. There had been protests of course, among all of the Vassals and Duran had been chosen to represent them at the Imperial's court. Things had spiralled for the worst there. While part of the Imperial Family and Senate had been sympathetic to his plight, Emperor Molt hadn't seemed to care in the slightest. Instead he had let his elder, Prince Zorzal, to choose how to deal with the situation. Zorzal had chosen strength of arms and fear over negotiations.

The Prince's had unleashed his men across the borders of Elbe, raping and rampaging villages and towns alike. Duran had been forced to submit, knowing if he was to choose to crush the Prince's army it would give the Empire motives to fully annex them. The others Vassals had quickly followed his lead, out of fear. But neither they nor the people of Elbe had forgotten the atrocities nor their anger at Molt and his heir. Until then.

Two nights ago, bands of unknown rampaging creatures had been sighted near Tuscania. Duran had immediately reacted by sending a posse of Soldiers to deal with them, to no avail. Those beings were unlike anything they had ever seen and much stronger. The only survivor had recounted how some of the creatures had torn apart a Knight and his mount and how others had made use of magic. He had only escaped because the Fiend's leader let him go to spread the word about them. That was when the King decided to raise an army.

Then the unexpected happened. Word of a small team of warriors defeating the creatures spread from several villages. At the same time several reports confirmed the bodies of several fiends recently slain had been found. So when the leader of said gathering requested a private audience with the King, Duran was more than happy to accept. He had hoped to learn more about the creatures. Turns out it was bigger than expected.

In less than an hour Duran knew everything, the Gate, the defeat in the other World, the Daedra and how now another Empire was asking for something of him. The King was drumming his fingers on his throne's armrests as the Captain of the 'Nirnian' group, a man that wouldn't look out of the place in the Saderan Heartlands, named Alexios Marcius, was finishing his story.

"Tell me Captain," the King began, "why shouldn't I deliver you to the Emperor as a gift? An envoy passed there not long ago."

To their credits, the Battlemages didn't seem moved by the threat.

"Because I think you have little to gain from it, your Highness," Alexios replied. "According to our information, your Emperor sent this envoy to ask you and your fellow Vassals to raise your armies and sent to campaign on the other side of the Gate. It doesn't take a genius to see why. You either succeed and Sadera can reap the benefits from your hard won victories...or you fail and you're a less of a threat to the Saderan Empire's stability."

"You forgot the third option. I join your Empire in this war and me and my fellow Vassals attack Saderan Heartlands. At which point your Realm finishes the survivors."

"If such agreement were to take place, we would honor it. You have our word," the Captain protested.

Duran simply smiled. "Forgive me, Captain Alexios, but I hardly know anything about your Empire and if I can trust it. May I refresh your memory? You came to me because of my discontentment with my current Suzerain." Even if he could already note some differences : a better equipment as well as the inclusion, to his surprise, of Demihumans as non-auxiliary troops, as he glanced on the green hulked individual among the small band.

"You need us as much as we need you, your Majesty," Alexios pointed. "The Saderans already know they are in a precarious situation which is why they asked for you to raise your army. You know that. Besides let's not forget about the Daedra."

True. He needed them. But he wasn't ready to trust strangers on their word alone.

"I may also inform you that the city of Italica is already under our control."

The King's eyes widened. "The city of the Formal Clan? What happened to the young countess?"

"Under our protection. You may be glad to know that her father, Count Colt, is still alive and well under our custody."

So Colt is still breathing and he has become a turncoat? Then again, chances were he was coerced under torture to help them. Or maybe not. They did defend the villages attacked by those "Daedra". Maybe they had more honor than the Saderans did.

Duran closed his eyes for a brief instant. "Very well," he said as he found the solution. "I will use my influence over the other Kingdoms to deny the Empire its request. However we will not go to war with it. We'll stay neutral into this whole conflict of yours for now. Do we have an agreement?"

Alexios smiled. For a non-diplomat this wasn't bad. "I guess we do, your Majesty."