Dance of the ja-Kha'jay.
By Lakyan.
Chapter 4 – Battle plans
Ri'rassi was eating lunch with Ocato when she heard the door open. She thought the servant was coming to ask if she would like yet another glass of wine. She still wasn't used to having servants, tending to her every whim. Ocato was staring at the door behind her, almost dumbfounded. Suddenly two large hands were clapped over Ri'rassi's eyes, and a rough yet feminine voice spoke.
"Guess who?"
Ri'rassi jumped a little. She recognized the voice.
"Welcome Sir Mazoga." Ri'rassi smiled.
The Orc removed her hands from Ri'rassi's face, and plopped herself into a nearby chair. The chair groaned loudly under the weight of all the armour.
"Sir Mazoga, this is High Chancellor Ocato," Ri'rassi motioned to the Altmer. He extended his hand. "And Ocato, this is Sir Mazoga, Knight-Errant of the Order of the White Stallion." Ri'rassi used Mazoga's full title. Mazoga looked proud to bear it as she shook Ocato's hand, exchanging mutual greetings.
Jauffre seated himself across from Mazoga, having met her already, and showing her to the Imperial Suite. Ja-Kha'jay squealed in his high chair.
"And who's this handsome lad?" Mazoga tickled the child, who giggled in delight.
"That is my son, Ja-Kha'jay Septim." Ri'rassi told her.
"Septim? Oh yes, I forgot about you and Martin. There's a lot of stairs to get up here." Mazoga complained.
"I know, but you get used to it." Ri'rassi said.
"I got word that you wanted to see me. I would have arrived sooner, but we've been having more than usual problems with the Renrijra Krin." Mazoga sighed, remembering the last raid.
"This is most distressing news." Jauffre commented.
"Indeed. The reason I asked you here Sir Mazoga will be revealed when the others I called for arrive. We are waiting on Modryn Oreyn from Chorrol." Ri'rassi told the Orc.
"Now that's a name that rings a bell. " Ra'jissan said from the door of the guest suite.
"Really?" Ri'rassi queried.
The Nerevarine looked like he was about to say something when the main doors opened. In came a palace guard accompanied by the Dark Elf himself, and Raminus Polus.
"Ah. Welcome." Ri'rassi stood and introduced everyone.
"We've met." Ra'jissan commented when introduced to Modryn.
"Indeed we have. This is the man who gave me the helm of my ancestors." Modryn said to Ri'rassi.
"It really is a small world." She smiled.
"Well, on to some official business." Ocato gestured for everyone to sit around the table.
"There are some things which need to be tied up. As I have now ascended the Dragon Throne, I am turning control of the Fighter's Guild to you Modryn." Ri'rassi nodded to him. "And I am also promoting you Raminus," he nodded. "To Arch-Mage. I have stepped down, and turn the guilds to your capable hands."
Modryn and Raminus nodded solemnly, they'd been waiting on that decision.
"As all of you are no doubt aware, the Empire is beginning to fall apart. We are on the brink of war. We have called you all here today as you are valuable members of each of your various factions. You all have formidable combat experience, and I would like to give command of Legion battalions." Ocato explained.
"I don't have a specific faction, so why am I here?" Mazoga asked.
"Sir Mazoga, you are a Knight-Errant of the Order of the White Stallion, and being positioned in Leyawiin, you can organize not only the Leyawiin city guard, but also any Imperial Legionnaires we sent. Expect for Argonian reinforcements to arrive. You are to see that the west Nibenay valley does not fall to Elsweyr. You said earlier that you have been dealing with increased attacks from the Renrijra Krin. Describe the situations." Ocato asked.
Mazoga started playing with the cutlery on the table, arranging them into the shape of Laeyawiin and the border of Elswyer. "We have had reports of missing livestock from Greyland and Border Watch. We have seen Suthay-Raht, Ohmes, and Cathay-Raht Khajiit prowling in the forest west of Leyawiin. There have been rumours of Senche too. Aside from the missing livestock, there have been a few casualties. Ri'bassa, a Khajiit shaman from Border Watch, has been murdered, as well as the discovery of several bodies in unmarked shallow graves. One was a member of the Leyawiin city guard, who'd been missing for several days." Mazoga explained.
"Keep a sharp eye out. We have two Senche in our possession because of the attempted murder of Crown Prince Ja-Kha'jay, and the suicide of a traitor to the Mane. Take a good look at them before heading back to Leyawiin. We fear Mane will use Senche-Raht, twice as tall as an Altmer, and weigh fifty times more. These will be strong and agile enough to leap over the very walls of Leyawiin." Ocato told her.
"As soon as I return to Leyawiin, I will have the men line the tops of the city walls with spears. Anything trying to get over will impale himself, making him an easy target for arrows." Mazoga started planning already.
"Good plan." Jauffre agreed. "By your leave, Ocato, and yours Ri'rassi, I will return to Cloud Ruler Temple, and rally the Blades and Bruma city guard. We shall move to Fort Black Boot, near Skingrad, in order to provide additional support against the border of Elsweyr." Jauffre offered.
Ocato nodded his approval. "The Blades will be backed up by the Imperial Garrison from Fort Sphinxmoth, once they make it out of Elsweyr. Jauffre you are in charge of the Eastern Nibenay Border."
"I will station Baurus and Caroline here to protect the Empress Regent from any harm." Jauffre stated. Ri'rassi thanked him.
"The Fighter's Guild doesn't usually join in Imperial wars, preferring to stay neutral. However, my sense of duty to my former Guildmaster and friend, drives me to follow her command. What would you have me do, Empress Regent?" Modryn Oreyn asked Ri'rassi.
"What do you think would help?" Ri'rassi asked him, encouraging him to think for himself.
"I could sent Burz gro-Khash and him men from Cheydinhal to either Septim's Gate Pass or Shadowgate Pass. What is the situation with Morrowind?" Modryn asked.
"There are two hundred infantry men from houses Dres and Hlaalu. With them are seventy Telvanni Battlemages. They are stationed at Septim's Gate Pass, though if I know Helseth, he will probably put some guar riders near Shadowgate Pass. This way, if things go badly at Septim's Gate Pass then Helseth can provide backup from Shadowgate." Ra'jissan told Modryn.
"Very well. I shall send Burz and his men to Shadowgate Pass. They can lay traps in the narrow pass, and kill off any troops that make it across. I shall send any Guild members at Bruma to join the Legions at Septim's Gate Pass. I will order the Chorrol and Skingrad men to use the Ayleid ruins of Silorn as a defense against Elsweyr. Our comrades on Anvil shall use Fort Strand in case the Aldmeri Dominion tries anything unexpected. What's left of the Kvatch guild can go to Fort Istirus, to provide quick support to both Fort Strand and Silorn. Perhaps we should station some of the Kvatch city guard there too." Modryn glanced at Jauffre.
"That seems a good idea. You shall have full command of all men stationed along the northern border of Elsweyr and Valenwood." Ocato said.
"Very well. That just leaves the Mages Guild." Everyone turned to look at Raminus.
"How goes the tasks I entrusted to you?" Ri'rassi asked.
Raminus cleared his throat. "The gems you requested have been completed. There is one for each of us." Raminus handed out small polished quartz crystals. "These are for the quick communication between commanders. To use them speak to name of the person you wish to contact, and cast starlight on it. I shall teach the spell to anyone who hasn't learned it. As for the other task, we have had numerous breakthroughs. The Daedric Siege Crawler salvaged from Bruma, is repaired and ready to go. However, we a missing a Sigil stone to power it. Without one of those, it is useless." Raminus told everyone.
"You fixed the Siege Crawler?" Jauffre gasped, his mind boggled.
"It was not easy, but we can use it to aid us in the upcoming war. If we had a Sigil stone." Raminus explained.
"I have only one left." Ri'rassi told him. "It is currently residing with the rest of my belongings in my shack at Bravil. I shall send for it at once."
"The Siege Crawler. The same machine that leveled Kvatch. No city walls will stop that. With it and the communication stones, we have some serious advantages over the enemy." Raminus told everyone.
"The Siege Crawler has only one weakness as far as I can see. That is its legs. Something strong could probably pull them off. A Senche-Raht could do it, easily. The thing is heavy, so if it loses too many legs, it will fall and be rendered useless. When we march into Elsweyr, we should be vigilant so that no Senche-Raht get close. Aside from the Siege Crawler, the Mages Guild can supply all the forts named so far with experienced battlemages." Raminus explained.
"Very Well. We should all return to our various faction houses, be them Temple, Guild Hall or Barracks. We should start right away, as the Dunmer may attack at any time." Jauffre said.
Jauffre, Modryn Oreyn, Raminus Polus and Sir Mazoga all said their farewells and left. Ocato, Ra'jissan and Ri'rassi remained.
"There is one last thing I would like to reveal that may help us in the war." Ra'jissan said, his green eyes sparkling.
"Yes?" Ocato asked, wondering what other revelations may appear.
"First, take Ja-Kha'jay into the other room, and lock the door. With Ahnassi's help, I have trained long and hard to gain the amount of control I have over what I am about to reveal. However, I cannot guarantee the safety of an infant." Ra'jissan told them.
Ri'rassi took the Crown Prince into her room, placing him in his crib. She locked the door with an ornate key, and returned to the group. Ahnassi had joined them.
"Right, what is it you wanted to show us?" Ri'rassi asked, wondering how he could possibly harm her son.
"This." Ra'jissan held up a small silver ring. It was almost plain, but had the head of a wolf on it.
"A ring?" Ri'rassi questioned.
"The Ring of Hircine," Ra'jissan said. "Now please don't be alarmed."
Ra'jissan tuned his back to them and removed all his clothing. He slipped the ring on his finger. At first, nothing happened. Ri'rassi noticed her brothers striped fur was getting darker. His muscles began to twitch and bulge, and his back bowed over. His claws grew out and his face began to become more distinctly canine. The fur on his tail grew at an incredible rate, and was soon a deep brown colour. Ri'rassi watched her brother's transformation with shocked interest. Ocato stared in horror at the malformed beast in front of him, while Ahnassi watched with an expression of utter calm. Soon the transformation was complete, and a werewolf was standing in the Imperial Palace.
Ri'rassi and Ocato stared, shocked, drawing closer to each other. The werewolf turned around and snorted a greeting. Ahnassi placed a hand on the creatures head.
"Do not be afraid. Come, touch him, and feel him. He will not harm you." Ahnassi encouraged.
Ri'rassi removed her hand from Ocato's, wondering how it got there in the first place, and slowly approached.
"Ra'jissan?" She asked, her voice betraying her fear.
The werewolf snorted again in answer, clearly understanding her. He raised a clawed paw, and held it out, palm up. Ri'rassi gently touched one of the long claws. It was very sharp, drawing a prick of blood.
"Gentle." Ahnassi scratched the beasts head. "The claws are like natural enchanted weapons, he's even killed ghosts with them. In this form, he can cross Vvardenfell in an hour, easily getting to where he needs to go."
"I see, but how will this help us in the war?" Ri'rassi asked.
"He can strike fear into the enemy's armies, taking out lone sentries, lowering morale. He can sneak behind the enemy, and take out the Telvanni battlemages from there." Ahnassi explained.
The werewolf turned his back on them, and pulled the ring from his clawed finger. Soon a naked Khajiit stood where the beast had been, and hastily pulled his clothes back on.
"Use me, any way you see fit for someone of my abilities. Just don't reveal that I possess the Ring of Hircine to anyone." Ra'jissan said turning to the group.
"Very well. Ocato?" Ri'rassi turned to the Altmer, who looked much paler.
"Ah, I would ask you to refrain from doing that in front of me." Ocato stated, swallowing his fear, accepting Ra'jissan's strange but useful power.
"I never change in front of anyone, save Ahnassi, before now. I would not be so rash." Ra'jissan said, placing the ring in a hidden pocket.
"Very well. Now how best to use your gift… Perhaps Ahnassi's suggestion is the best." Ocato said.
"Ahnassi thanks the High Chancellor for his praise." Ahnassi curtsied in the Khajiit fashion. She the turned to Ra'jissan. "Let's go. This castle too stuffy. I want to see the Market District." Ahnassi dragged Ra'jissan from the room.
"I should check on Ja-Kha'jay. He probably wants a feed." Ri'rassi patted Ocato on the arm, and left.
Ocato remained by the table, savoring the warmth of Ri'rassi's touch. He shook his head, told himself she was the Empress Regent, and out of his reach.