Chapter 6

Italica, city Palace, nightime

Piña was not having a good time. When she had obeyed her father command, she had thought a way to prove her worth. The request had seemed simple enough. Restore order by putting down the conflict over which sisters would inherit the rightful heir's watch.

And now here she was, trying to make plans for the city to survive with the few troops she had at her disposition. To make the matter worse all the experienced levies had been taken by the Count leaving only young blood behind. As for the matter of her and her fellow knights, with the notable exception of their mentor, they didn't fare any better than the remaining soldiers.

Someone knocked.

"Princess! I have an urgent message from Ser Norma Co Igloo!"

"Enter" she ordered.

The door opened on a watchman. He bowed. "Sorry to disturb you but he sent me to tell you we opened the gates to a group of peasants fleeing their village."

She massaged her head, feeling a headache coming.

"Wonderful news indeed," her second in command and best friend Bozes, a blonde haired young girl, said sarcastically.

"And what were they fleeing soldier?" Piña asked.

He swallowed. "A Flame Dragon your highness."

Almost all of the room occupants paled. The youngest, Myui Formal, tried to keep a brave face despite tears threatening to roll.

A middle aged bald man in armor clapped his hands. "Everyone calm down. Ancient Dragons like these have from memory never attacked a city. The Gods would not let them."

"Does it still look like we have their favor now Grey?" Bozes responded unnerved.

"Enough!" Piña cried while slamming her hands on the table. "Now is not the time to quarrel!"

She turned back to the guardsman. "Was there anything else I needed to know?"

He bowed once again. "Yes your Highness. You see the peasants were escorted by a group of mercenaries. Since we were lacking on manpower… Ser Norman engaged them on your behalf."

"I see… bold move. How many are there?"

"Well… only four."

Just four? Curse it!

"Still, as we witnessed ourselves, they are not your average hired thugs. They had organized group of armed peasants alongside the convoy to help with its protection. They themselves possess some of the most finest equipment I have ever seen and at least three of them are like mounted knights with the fourth in charge of a wagon."

Grey nodded with enthusiasm. "That indicates a certain experience. Them being possessing equipment comparable to knights is in our favor as well even if they are few." He winked at Bozes. "Perhaps it is divine favor after all."

She chose to ignore him.

"Very well, I will receive them," Piña said, putting an end to their antics.

A moment later, Norman entered followed by four individuals armored in similar black armor. The only distinction between them was the red crested helmet of the tallest mercenary and another one wearing mainly chainmail. Instead of bowing, the tall one (the leader probably) kneeled followed by the others as one. The Princess noted their discipline, rare amongst mercenaries.

"Raise!" she ordered.

They did so while taking off their helmets, allowing her to study them. To her and the rest of the room surprise two of them were women which included the (supposed) leader. Some of their facial features looked exotic enough, especially for the black haired woman. One of the man even possessed an ebony skin surpassing by far the darkest of the Dark Elves. Only the last one seemed Saderan nobility bred, if his facial dragon warpaint and his peasant brownish tanned complexion was ignored.

"You can return to your post Norman."

He bowed before closing the door.

She then returned her attention on them. "I assume you don't know why you were brought here?"

The tall woman was the one to answer. "Your subordinate only said we were hired in your name your Highness. Though we could not help but witnessed the state of the Fields and the buildings outside the city walls. Are we right to suppose it is linked?"

Piña nodded affirmatively. "In a way it is. But first let me clarify something, I know mercenaries don't work for free and we have gold. Lot of. Plus you will have the pleasure of serving a member of the Imperial Family. Your names will be known across all of Falmart. I am sure you see where your benefit lie."

"Your Grace… Mercenaries we may be but we are not without ethics. Once we take a contract we fulfill it or die trying."

"A commendable attitude. But I didn't get your name lady?..."

"Caranya, the captain of our small band. And this is Jing, Jacques and Cyrus."

Each of them bowed.

Piña smiled. "A pleasure to meet such well behaved mercenaries for a change, truly. Allow me introduce my companions." She pointed the room remaining occupants. "Former Imperial Knight Grey Co Aldo, my second in command Bozes Co Palesti and the rightful ruler of Italica, Countess Myui Formal. As for myself, I am the Imperial Princess Piña Co Lada, if you didn't know already."

Before the conversation could continue, loud cries came from outside.

"Hey! What are you doing? You're not allowed here!"

"Do you really want to stop me?" An almost childish voice asked. "You might not like what will come."

Before anyone could intervene, the door opened once again and a teenage girl carrying an oversized hallberg entered calmly, taking a place next to the "dragon face" mercenary, Cyrus, Piña remembered.

She froze upon recognizing her and stopped with a hand gesture Grey and Bozes to intervene.

"Lady Rory… what are you doing here?"

It was Cyrus who had talked.

So it is her

She feigned being hurt. "I could ask the same of you. You abandoned me in that wagon with the villagers. That's not very nice."

"I am sorry my lady but duty calls first."

"Mmmh…" she smiled. "Forgiven"

Piña wiped her sweat. He was a true professional. She could have almost kissed him for "taming" the Apostle of Emroy. Almost.

"Lady Rory Mercury… it has been a while," she said.

Grey and Bozes paled upon hearing the name.

"Indeed it has Princess. But enough pleasantries! I'm curious too about hearing why you need desperately men right now."

"Of course." She took a deep breath. "After the depart of Count Formal, his youngest child, Myui, became the facto the head of the Formal clan and the ruler of all its lands, including the city of Italica. The reason being her eldest siblings had already been married to minor clans and could not pretend to their birth clan name anymore."

"Let me guess," Caranya said, "they were not happy with it and wanted a part of the cake too?"

"Indeed," the Princess answered. "Both of them argued which one should become Myui's tutor. They didn't agree and the situation quickly escalated. Their husbands called their levies to war and fought over the control of the city. They only agreed for a truce when an Imperial delegation passed. Only to start over once they were gone."

Impressive. Either the locals have more balls than Breton lords, either they are more stupid, the disguised Altmer thought.

"When I finally arrived with my knights to restore order, most of their fighting forces had been killed or deserted. I immediately put under arrest the sisters and their husbands but the damage was done as you've seen it." She sighed. "This morning I was sent a message from a nearby bandit lord. No doubt he learned everything from a couple of deserters. He demanded the unconditional surrender of the city with the entire population, me, my knights and the countess included, serving him and his men as slaves. With everything it entails of course."

"Gods… from Dagon to Molag," "Jacques" said. "We promised the villagers they'll be safe but now they may face a fate worse than death."

"In normal time, I wouldn't worry about it," Piña continued. "The city could hold quite a siege. But now… with a reduced manpower and the walls weakened…"

"Yes. They may exploit it," Caranya concluded. "Do not worry your Higness, my men and I are at your service. We will die defending this city."

"As if it would be necessary," Rory said. "I won't allow them to harm Emroy followers."

Before Piña had the time to thank them, a horn was heard, catching everyone by surprise.

"The alarm! They're already here! I'll trust you'll handle your men distribution Caranya!" The princess left in a hurry followed by Grey and Bozes.

And so much for preparing a plan, the Captain sighed mentally.

Ykalon, Imperial camp

Hector was currently in the war tent, looking over the map of Falmart and updating it magically. Ivan and Basil made irruption, interrupting his casting.

"Our mistakes. You hadn't finish?" The Emperor asked.

The Imperial Battlemage shook his head. "No, actually I was just done processing the informations relayed by Commander Sejanus."

"Good news I hope?"

Hector smiled. "Indeed they are so far. Our teams made significant progress in scouting the region. And two of them closed on their goal. Captain Caranya of Argos reached Italica about one hour ago while Captain Alexios Marcius was near the capital of Elbe. The only problem observed so far was that "Flame Dragon" as the locals call him."

Both Ivan and Basil's eyes widened. "A Flame Dragon?" The prince said incredulous. "As in like our Dragons?"

Hector waved his concern. "Nothing of the sort. First it has six members including its wings like Peryite so it's not related to Akatosh. Second, Captain Caranya's team managed to drive it away when the beast closed on them so not as dangerous as our Dragons."

Ivan released his breath. "Akatosh be praised indeed," then thinking about something else, "Count Formal shall be pleased to hear news about his city. What did the Captain report tell about the situation here?"

"The fields and suburbs immediately outside the city as well as its walls had suffered several damages. The city itself is under a curfew and currently ruled by a Princess. That's all we got so far."

"A Princess…" Ivan paused. "The Count feared the Emperor would use his disappearance as an excuse to seize his lands. The Princess could be one of his children."

"And the damages would have been caused by the city revolting or the Saderans taking it by force," Basil continued.

"Possible… are the centuries ready?" Hector asked.

"They are. We also received reinforcements. Nothing fancy but a few knights. Aside the spellswords and battlemages we hadn't mobilized mounted forces within the centuries till we had knowledge of the terrain," Ivan answered him.

"So despite these new development the plan remains unchanged?" Basil asked.

"I will open a connection with Sejanus to have the current situation in mind, literally, but yes nothing should impede it," the Chancellor stated.

"Once we are in contact with the King of Elbe, we introduce ourselves, what we want and why it is in his interest. The Count and Lady Sartorius should convince him easily. His influence should win over the other vassals," the Emperor explained.

"And if he isn't?" Basil questioned.

"Well… it would be a waste. But our Battlemages know what to do."

Hector took over. "Second part of the plan consist in securing the daughter of the Count. Then, once we get a clear understanding of its situation, we take the city of Italica. We return the Count there to win the locals over. The city will be used as a ralliement to the vassal army combined with our own force. From there we shall march unopposed on the capital, forcing the Emperor Molt to surrender a treaty favorable to every party, save the aggressor of course."

He pointed Sadera on the map. "I should add that the team of Captain Eveline Dulion who was assigned to the Capital didn't encounter any major force on their way. Though they have yet to reach it, they heard rumors about how a significant part of the Saderan army was busy elsewhere on the border."

The Crown Prince frowned. "We are lucky indeed. Still this plan rely a lot on the Vassals willingness to help. If they don't…"

"Our Battlemages will destroy any evidence of the deal made, through force or mental manipulation," the mage reassured him.

Basil didn't continue, seemingly convinced.

"Well since it's done, we are letting you handling the extra-Nirnian communication. Inform us of any development."

"Of course." He saluted them.

Father and son left the Imperial Battlemage to his astral occupation.

"Basil, makes sure your selected troops are ready. I'll go inform our friends about what we learned."

"As you command Father."

As his son left, Ivan reflected on the current situation. So far everything is good, Italica will be in our hands soon. Divines be willing, this "war" will be known as a footnote in history.

He grabbed his amulet of Talos. Father you entrusted me the Empire's survival. The Dominion was defeated and so will this foe, I promise you.

Colt and Livia were in discussion when Ivan joined them.

"Your Highness! What a surprise at this hour. I take something came up?" The Sartorius matron asked as the two Falmart natives bowed.

"You've seen right." He turned his gaze on the Count. "I have news about your city."

Colt hesitated. "Good or bad? You don't need to manage me."

"Both" Ivan answered before continuing. "Starting with the good, some of our men reached Italica not long ago. The bad news is… well actually it's not really bad as much it's a lack concrete informations. The team reported the fields and the suburbs outside the city had sustained damages as well as the walls. The reason is unknown however a curfew is currently enforced by a "Princess"."

Colt remained silent for a moment, processing everything. "So nothing yet about my daughter?"

The Emperor shook his head. "Nothing, I'm sorry," he said in a sincere tone.

Livia touched his shoulder in a comforting gesture. "Keep hope my friend. As a parent myself I can only imagine what you're going through."

The Count lifted up his head. "Yes, no news, good news? After all the city is still there." He then thought for a moment. "A Princess has established a curfew you said? There's only one Imperial Princess I know who has any kind of martial power, Piña Co Lada and her Rose-Order of Knights. I have no idea why she has taken control of my city but I assume it was on direct orders from Emperor Molt."

"She's also the most reasonable of the eldest Imperial children. Her brother, Prince Zorzal… less so. The little Myui is probably under her care as we speak. This is rather good news!" Livia said, trying to cheer up Colt.

"True, you're probably right. The Princess was always more soft-hearted than the rest of her family."

"Interesting… could you tell me more about her?" Ivan asked, genuinely curious of their praises.

"Of course your Majesty. I don't know her well personally but I heard about her a lot in the Imperial Court I could tell you," Livia answered with a smile.

Ivan took a seat at their table. "Very well, it might be a while before news from the other side. And we never know, it could prove useful to our situation."

Italica's streets

The horn was still echoing across the city, causing panic among the populace. Some people were trying to get out their houses despite the curfew, reaching for the more protected and wealthy areas.

The Battlemages went back as fast as they could to their wagon. The villagers had been allowed to camp near the circus as it had been closed since the Count departure, at the opposite side of the main gate.

"Captain Caranya? What's happening?" The former chief of Coda called to her. He was followed closely by Cato.

"Italica is currently under attack! Make everyone stay here and keep your calm until it's over, got it?" She turned back to her subordinates. "Resupplies yourselves! Cyrus, you head to the main Gate, Jing you take the one on his left and Black-Scales you're on the right! I'll try to find a good spot to get a good view of what we're dealing with! Dismissed!"

"Yes Ma'am!"

Before they could leave Tuka ran to them a bow in hand. "Wait!" She hesitated. "I want to help."

"Not the moment Tuka, you stay here with the villagers," Caranya ordered more sternly than usual.

The orphaned elf got taken aback. "But…" she started.

"Look, we thank you for offering your help Tuka but this is dangerous. We don't know yet what can kind of weapons those bandits have. And you are still not fully… erm.. healed from your recent ordeal," Black-Scales tried more diplomatically.

"But… but I can enchant arrows to make them deadlier! I can be useful! I must be useful!" She sobbed as tears were starting to roll from her eyes.

Caranya sighed.

Black-Scales handed Tuka a tissue to wipe her tears. "We are not doubting you but you need to understand we can't take you with us."

"Protect the villagers then," the Altmer said. "We won't be here to do it so stay here, can you?"

The orphaned elf nodded.

"Good," the Captain said with a smile. Remembering the Sage presence, she asked, "Master Cato, is there spell you and your apprentice know that might help protect the convoy?"

"Yes, there's a barrier spell I know that should work. Provided the enemy isn't too numerous to overwhelm it. I can even do it alone, Lelei is currently busy checking the pregnant women," the old mage answered as he stroked his beard.

"Very well. Now let's go!"

They separated themselves, each of them heading towards their destination. Rory followed Cyrus.

"Incredible how fast you can ran despite that armor of yours," she said while easily keeping up with him.

"You intend to follow me everywhere?" It was a rhetorical question.

This was however missed on the Apostle. "Yes"

Maybe I should treat her like a teenager after all

Caranya reached the Palace. As the most elevated building in the city it was perfect for her. She levitated to its roof after verifying no one was near. Good now let see what we're dealing with. Her eyes glowed white as she casted a scrying spell.

Cyrus and Rory were finally arriving to the other end of the city. Norman was before them, sending more watchmen to reinforce the Gate. Noticing the duo, he separated from his men to meet them.

A whistling sound was all they heard before Cyrus instincts kicked in and tackled both Rory and Norman to the ground.

"Get down!"

A rain of fireballs hit the area between them and the gate. Entire buildings were reduced to rubbles in a mere instant. Fortunately their owners had already left. Less fortunate were Norman's men who were obliterated by the attack.

Getting up, Rory was the first to react. "What in the Underworld was that? Fire raining from the sky? Are we sure we are facing bandits?"

"That was magic, no doubt about it. And a very powerful and precise spell at that," Cyrus confirmed. But the army at Ykalon didn't have mages, how come mere bandits could have acquired some, let alone of that caliber? He turned towards Norman. "Those bandits… are they normal? I mean was there something special about them?"

The knight didn't answer him. He was still in shock about the ordeal.

"Cyrus, get to cover! They're raining down arrows on your position!" Caranya telepathically informed him.

The battlemage grabbed his companions and put them back to the nearest building while shielding them with his body. As the arrows were about to connect, they suddenly stopped in the air.

"Did you really forget I was an Apostle?" a smiling Rory asked him as she held up her hand towards the arrows.

"My mercenary instincts were stronger," the Nibenese answered.

"You're probably the first I ever saw having that kind of instincts." She released the arrows from her telekinetic grip, letting them fall harmlessly.

Looking strangely familiar now up close, Cyrus grabbed one of them. Those arrows…

He contacted Caranya to get the end of it. "Captain, can you see with what we're dealing exactly here? I could have sworn having already seen that arrow design somewhere."

"..."

"Ma'am?"

"Dremora… those are Dremora arrows. Don't ask me how but the bandits we are fighting have Dremora foot soldiers and mages alongside other daedra!" Caranya finally answered.

"Daedra! How can this be possible for a bunch of bandits and deserters to have daedra with them when the best the local army had was flying grown up dragonlings?" Black-Scales questioned.

"Cyrus, the arrows you've been targeted with, they're not made of pure daedric materials?" Jing asked her comrade.

"Negative. It looks somewhat similar now that you said it but of vastly inferior quality."

"Then we're dealing with low-caste members. Finally a bright news," She concluded.

"I'll contact immediately the Magus-Commander. In the meantime, try to rally the defenders as best you can to hold off the attackers. If the worse came to it… no holding back unless if the city ends up damaged. We're gonna make it!" Caranya said, still shaken by what she saw.

As the connection ended, Cyrus turned his gaze towards Norman. "We need to rally your men now! The enemy may use these attacks at his advantage to enter the city!"

The blonde man didn't answer.

"Come on!"

Rory pulled the Battlemage aside. "It's useless. I sensed his men death. It's just us now."

The Heartlander looked before him. The fireballs rain had left the path to the Gate obstructed with the destroyed building. At least it would delay the daedra.

"Then we retreat for now, find another path and come back with more men."

"Assuming they simply didn't decide to just all hide themselves," the Apostle pointed.

"Commander Sejanus Aelius, this is Captain Caranya of Argos! I have urgent informations to report! Italica is under siege by a group of bandits allied with daedra! They already started bombarding the city with fireballs!"

"I am afraid to say I am somewhat aware of it. Or rather you are not the only team facing similar encounters. Captain Alexios Marcius and his men are currently fighting a roving band who ambushed them. As for myself… let say I managed to run into one of them too."

A spellcaster Dremora had just called his brethren to fight for him. Sejanus had merely raised his hand to summon a group of skeleton Legionaries. The two armies were now clashing with the Legionaries having the advantage thanks to their more disciplined formation.

"I should be able to contact Tamriel very soon to inform them about the full situation. In the meantime your objectives are unchanged. Protect the countess and the city. We need the latter relatively intact to use it as our base. Aside that, bring them the pain Captain!"

"As you command Sir!"

As the connection cut, Caranya concentrated herself. Her eyes started to take a bluish purple glow as she extended her arms towards the sky. Dark clouds started to form above the city.

"Listen up everyone! I am calling a storm to support you. Commander Sejanus is dealing with troubles of his own until he contact Tamriel. It's now up to us to protect the city till that time. I repeat, the city mustn't fall!"

"Where are those clouds suddenly coming from?" Rory asked her companion as she watched the sky.

"Could be the weather changing, could be magic, it really doesn't matter now," Cyrus answered as he was dragging Norman with him.

They had turned back, trying to find another way to the Gate and any reinforcements they could take with them. They had of course yet to see any city watch member running to help.

Did they just all desert? The Cyrod thought.

His thoughts were interrupted when a mounted party met them. They immediately recognized the Princess and Bozes, accompanied by two other girls of their order. Piña halted her party upon seeing them.

"Norman! What happened?" she tried to ask him. Since no answer came she turned her gaze on Cyrus and Rory.

"Well…" the Apostle began, "everything in the main Gate vicinity got hit by a rain of fire and then of arrows. No survivors aside us. We were trying to find… well anyone really and another way more easy to access the Gate. Assuming there is anyone in the first place to accompany us."

One of the girl with short silver hair dismounted and went to Norman. "Hey! Snap up Norman! We need you right now! You're one of the best fighter of the order! We'll relax later!"

That got him a reaction. "Don't you fucking tell me I am relaxing Panache! Where the fuck were you all when all the people under my command just went poof in a single moment? By the gods what was I supposed to do? Tell me!"

Cyrus grabbed him by the shoulder as Panache step back, mortified by her comrade outburst.

"Calm down. She's right, we need to focus back if we want to save the city," the Battlemage stated.

"Who in the Underworld do you think you're talking to?"

Seeing the situation quickly escalating, Piña intervened. "It's enough Norman! You can retreat if you want but don't antagonize everyone!" she commanded him. That stopped him net. She then turned her gaze on the "mercenary". "I'm sorry I don't recognize you well with the helmet…"

"It's Cyrus your Highness."

"Cyrus. Could you tell me more about this… rain of fire? What is your expertise on the situation?"

"The enemy has mages with them, that's the only answer. We absolutely need to go back to the Gate and engage them in a close fight. They shouldn't risk their own troops by bombarding them."

"Mages…" more headaches were coming. She shook her head. "No time! You heard him? To the main Gate!" She launched her horse at full speed. She hoped she would rally the few guardsmen left to fight.

The others followed her only for Bozes' horse to start rearing dangerously. "Someone help me!" She was threatening to fall.

Cyrus reacted faster and grabbed the animal. Unseen to anyone his eyes glowed green briefly as he whispered calming words to the beast.

"Thank you," a relieved Bozes said, "this is the first time I've seen her act like that. What could have pushed her to do it?"

The "mercenary" nodded while gently patting the horse's head. I wonder indeed. He felt suddenly a familiar sensation overrunning him. He turned his head where the Princess was. "Wait! Your Highness there's…."

Whatever he was going to say was cut by the sound a fireball crashing next to where she was, leading to another building falling and cutting the path to the Gate.

Everybody was too shocked to react immediately.

Finally Bozes got out of her stupor. "Piña!"

No answer came.

"Piña! Answer me!" She was totally panicked and tried to get horse to move. Cyrus stopped her. "Let me go! I order you to let me go!"

"And do what? Get yourself killed?" Rory said rather coldly. "He is trying to save you."

"But… but… I can't abandon her! She's my Princess and my best friend! Why would you even understand that? You're not even fully human!" She was in tears.

Visibly angered, Rory advanced towards her with a threatening glare. Cyrus blocked her way, shaking his head. This was enough to stop her though without refraining her from sending a murderous gaze.

"Captain… did you see what happened at my position?"

"I did."

"The Princess, did she seem to have survived?"

"Her aura didn't disappear so I guess she's still alive but barely." Caranya paused. "You want to go, right Cyr'? But of course you want."

He didn't answer.

"Just tell me, not as your officer for that one moment, but as your friend, why? I know you. It's not for pragmatism."

He looked briefly at the sobbing Bozes who was comforted by her fellow knights.

"Because… because of what I already did once. For a dear friend. And besides… I know I can save her without any problems."

The Altmer smiled fondly. "Go for it soldier. But first…" she added Jing and Black-Scales in their telepathic conversation, "we pray."

They all kneeled, holding their staves in the ground before them. "Divines we pray to you, in our darkest hour. Father Akatosh, Dragon God, grant us strength. Arkay, God of the Dead, protect our souls from the depths of Oblivion. Merciful Stendarr, Patron God of the Legion, grant us your righteous fury for the Daedra are at our door. Talos, Hero-God of War, grant us victory in battle. Magnus, greatest of the Magna-Ge, shine your Light upon us. And Shezarr the Creator, ancestor spirit of our Order… grant us your undying will. So be it."

Cyrus stood up, Rory looking at him with confusion. He walked right to the blocked path and climbed it.

"You're not going to save her," he said to Bozes. "I'll be going. And I'll bring her back alive."

"Don't be stupid!" Panache interjected. "I commend your bravery but don't go risking your life in vain! The Princess would have never wanted that!"

She also didn't want to lose the only person looking experienced in this sort of a mess.

"I'm not throwing my life if I can save her," he stated plainly. He then jumped off the ruin.

"... he's either stupid or really brave."

She then noticed Rory was walking towards the ruin too.

"You are right in that I can't let him risk his life. Plus my Apostle sense has been acting strangely lately. There is something I need to verify." The girl realized an impressive high jump to rejoin Cyrus.

"Wait for me!" She exclaimed as she ran up to him.

"You came."

"Of course I did. I couldn't let you play the hero and go meet my boss too soon." Her smile widened. "So why did you want so badly the Princess?"

He didn't answer right away. "It was the right thing. Besides I was going to the main Gate regardless. With or without reinforcement."

"And you think you can take bandits with spellcasters on your own?"

"Yes"

"Modesty isn't one of you quality I presume?"

You'd be wrong, he mused as he used his detection spell to locate Piña. Two auras next to each other appeared, one dead and the other still alive. Wreckage were hiding them from view.

He walked towards them. "There"

Rory followed him, visibly confused until her face lit in recognition as she saw the Princess lying face down next to the body of her deceased horse. Cyrus carefully checked her, putting her on the back.

"How did you…" the Apostle started.

"She has several broken bones, possibly her ribs damaged too, internal bleedings. Her skull may also have suffered a trauma though not severe enough to kill her."

Rory looked back from where they came. "If this is true, then her fate is sealed. I have no healing power and the only one who could save her are that Lelei girl and her master on the other side of the city. And even I doubt they could fully restore her."

Cyrus didn't say anything, simply applying his hands above the abdomen of the wounded. They started glowing white and soon so was the Princess.

Rory watched the scene, taken aback. "You were a mage all along! You hid it but why? Wait… your friends too are in it?"

He absently nodded, concentrated on the girl below him.

Several explosions were suddenly heard across the city.

He reached his comrades. "What was that?"

"Those damn dremora bandits whatever… they just started bombarding my side of the walls," a visibly angered Black-Scales answered. "Oblivion take them! All the watchmen who didn't fled are dead! I barely escaped it myself! They punched a hole in the wall!"

"The same thing happened here!" Jing reported.

"I get it now. Those bastards were focused on softening the city's defenders and breaking their morale, " Caranya deduced. "And now we're the last line of defense between them and the rest of the city. Get ready!"

"So they are finally coming." He had fortunately finished healing Piña and put her to safety behind him before grabbing his staff.

Rory imitated him and took her hallberg.

Soon enough they arrived. They were three in full armor, which surprisingly lacked either red or blue color, respectively the trademarks of Merhunes Dagon and Molag Bal. As a result their equipment appeared mostly black.

Those Dremoras… are they unaffiliated?

The same scene was replaying itself before Jing and Black-Scales. The former, as the team expert of Oblivion, identified right away their caste.

"Churl! Those are Churl."

"Really? I'm almost insulted. They could have at least sent Caitiff," Black-Scales joked as he unsheathed his dual blades.

"Not the moment! The area where you all are isn't the only one where they can enter! One to ten we may be better but we are fighting in urban area and they outnumber us!" Caranya informed them.

"How many?" Cyrus asked.

"Several hundreds with the bandits. From what I'm seeing at least."

As Dremoras closed on her, Jing started glowing dark purple. Her armor was replaced by a full replica of a daedric armor with a face of terror*. Her staff had equally been replaced with a bound longsword. In a swift move, she cut three of them in two parts. The last struck her with his mace. To his dismay he didn't even manage to dent her. She decapitated him with the same ease she had dispatched the others.

Black-Scales for his part had simply vanished. As the daedra carefully searched him by hacking anything suspect with their weapons, they were hit by a red light. They growled, rendered utterly berserk by the spell and turned on the closest living thing nearby : themselves.

Oh Divines I do love my job, the Argonian mused as he watched the Dremoras killing each other.

Back at the main Gate, Cyrus' staff blade was now burning. The Battlemage and the Apostle had taken an offensive posture.

One of the dremoras roared. "Face us mortals if you dare!" he said in his guttural accent.

The pair charged, Cyrus letting a warcry. "Vae Victis!"**

* daedric face of terror : one of the original daedric helmet in Morrowind

** Vae Victis : woe to the conquered