Sorry that it has taken so long for me to update :)
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Nikkhola lead the group of soldiers to Balmora. No one spoke as they neared the city gates. The only sound that was heard was the low grumbling of the silt strider that towered overhead.
The group was a small one: the Garrison Captain, theCaptain of the guard, and three guards, along with Nikkhola Abreius. Although they were heavily armed, just as all Imperial Legion soldiers are, there was a feeling of nervousness in the air. Everyone was uncomfortable and nervous, especially the three guards. They were young and were inexperienced. They felt a little better being with the two most senior members of the garrison...but not much.
The Balmora streets were deserted. There was no one walking the broad boulevards. There were no guards on patrol in the dark, narrow alleys. Banners in front of inns and pubs fluttered in the silent wind. It seemed as if every living thing in the city had vanished. This sense of absolute loneliness made the guards even more nervous, and they all grasped their weapons tightly.
Nikkhola led them to the River Odai and towards the bridge that had been the scene of the crime. The blood was still fresh, and the poor Argonian was still floating face down in the still waters.
"Here," she said to the Garrison Captain. "See? You can see the holes where they stabbed him to death."
The Garrison Captain looked at the Captain of the Guard. His eyes said it all. This was way worse than what he had imagined. On the one hand, they couldn't let the criminals walk. If they did nothing, then Imperial Law would be seen as something that could be broken whenever. But if they pursued this criminal investigation in Hlaalu territory, there would be a possibility of fighting.
The situation was complicated enough, but to make matters worse, footsteps were heard coming from the north side of Balmora. The group turned around and saw a group of Hlaalu guards and other Dunmer approaching them.
"At ease, soldiers," said the Garrison Captain. "Do not draw your weapons unless I say so."
The guards nodded.
The situation took a turn for the worse as some of the Hlaalu guards crossed one of the bridges and some of them stayed on the same side. In this way, they surrounded the Imperials on the bridge. On both sides there were Hlaalu guards. Seemingly out of nowhere came the entire Dunmer population of Balmora.
"What are you doing here? Balmora is Hlaalu territory. You are not welcome here," said one of the guards.
"I am the Garrison Captain from Fort Moonmoth. We are here conducting and investigation in the murder of this Argonian."
"We don't need you! We have our own guards!" yelled someone from the crowd. Others yelled similar opinions.
"Unfortunately, it has come to our attention that the Hlaalu guards have not taken care of the matter in a quick and expedient manner. Therefore, our only course of action was to take this investigation into our own hands," replied the Garrison Captain.
"Who said we didn't do our job?" demanded one of the Hlaalu.
"And what if we didn't? You're still not welcome here, Imperial scum!" said another. The crowd cheered.
"I would like to remind you that although you have independence to a certain degree, you are still part of the Empire. In essence, there is no 'Hlaalu territory'. It all belongs to the Empire. You are all citizens of the Empire. You have been given a privilege which is to be able to police your cities with your own soldiers, but this privilege can be taken away from you," said the Garrison Captain, letting a bit of anger slip out.
Naturally, this was not very popular among the Dunmer. Amazingly, the Hlaalu guards kept their composure. The crowd began to yell and scream threats and curses at the Imperials. Nikkhola felt very scared indeed. She thought that any minute, violence would break out. She had her sword under her robe, and she was fairly skilled in swordsmanship, but she didn't think she could match up against Hlaalu guards.
"Maybe the age of the Empire is done here in Balmora," said one of the guards. "Maybe we choose to be free from your grasp of oppression."
"This talk is full of treason," said the Garrison Captain. "I suggest you all go to your homes or we will be forced to enact martial law in the city of Balmora."
The crowd fell silent.
"We will return at dusk. Hear these words. If we return and you are still here at dusk, we will drive you out by force," said the head Hlaalu guard. With that, he turned around and the crowd broke up. Within a few moments, the streets of Balmora were as dead as they had been when they first arrived.
Sweat poured and dripped on the faces of all the guards, as well as Nikkhola. The Captain of the Guard turned to one of his men.
"Go to the fort and call for reinforcements. Also, send a message to Pelagiad to send some men here too. The Imperial Legion will not be driven out of any city. We will now be taking control of Balmora. As of this moment, Balmora is under martial law."
"Yes, Captain," said the young soldier.
"Nikkhola, you go with him. This place is not safe any longer. Stay atMoonmoth until it is safe to come out," the Captain said to her.
She nodded. Even if he hadn't told her, there was no way that she would have stayed here any longer. The two walked back towards the city gate and hurried out. She couldn't believe things had gotten this bad already.
From the roof of one of the buildings on the east side of Balmora, two Dunmer clad in boiled netch leather armor saw Nikkhola and the guard walking towards the fort. They looked at each other and nodded. So they thought to get reinforcements, did they? Not today... they jumped from the roof onto a tree and climbed down. After that, they headed up the hills that surrounded Balmora. They made their way to the other side and hid amongst the rocks and boulders that lined the path from Balmora to Fort Moonmoth. Both unsheathed steel daggers dipped in strong poison and waited for the two Cyrodiils to walk by.