Dance of the ja-Kha'jay.
By Lakyan.
Chapter 5 – The Battle of Septim's Gate Pass.
The fog enveloped the Dunmer war-camp. The soldiers sat in loose circles around small fires, sheltering from the chilly mountain air. Snow fell in brief flurries, and the wind howled. The soldiers were miserable, their tents were thin walled, and the food poor.
"Have you seen Reylas? I'm supposed to take his shift." One Dunmer nudged another.
"I don't know. He's probably skived off his watch, drinking sujamma to keep warm. I don't blame him in this miserable cold." The other replied.
The first man never answered. He seemed to have vanished.
The Dark Elf looked around wildly, wondering where his comrade had got to. This wasn't the first disappearance; many men had vanished in the Pass. The soldiers were whispering of some sort of monster, invisible in the night.
"Did you guys see where Oren went?" the man asked.
His comrades all shook their heads, muttering something. They didn't see the creature just beyond the light, before it rushed into the camp and begun tearing them to pieces.
"That's the first time it's ever attacked a camp." A Dunmer general banged his fist on the table.
"We still don't know what it is, sera. It tore the whole camp to shreds. Men, tents and even the burning logs were scattered around the place." The shaking messenger said.
"We must find out what it is! It's whittling down our ranks at an astonishing rate." The general shouted, causing the messenger to cower further.
"I know sir. But the men can't see the creature in the dark." The messenger cried.
"I know." The general thought for a minute. "Order all the battlemages to make detect creature potions. That should even things up a bit more." The general dismissed the man.
The messenger hurried from the tent into the dark. He made it a short way towards the central camp before he vanished into the darkness, another victim of the night creature.
The sun rose on a quiet valley. The snow gleamed in the pale light. A single sparrow pecked at the last of the scattered seeds on the road. Over a rise came a single guar-rider, heavily armoured and showing Helseth's banners. The sparrow abandoned his meal at the approach of the rider, flitting to safety. Behind the rider many Dunmer marched. They were heavily armoured, and carried halberds. Each had a sword strapped to their sides, and a shield on their back. It was King Helseth's army and they were marching to war. The sound of their boots echoed through the pass, drowning out any sound save the trumpeting of the Heralds. The soldiers pressed forward, cresting the pass and laying eyes on Cyrodiil. The guar-rider kicked his mount forward, scouting the road ahead. He stopped abruptly, an arrow sticking out from between the plated of his armour. He slipped off his guar, which fled down the road in panic. Arrows began to rain down on the Dunmer as they realized that the Imperials had lain in wait along the ridges on either side of the pass. Many mer fell, arrows sticking out of various body parts. The Dunmer archers loosed arrows at the cliffs, most of them missing the men darting from rock to rock. One lucky arrow found its target, striking an Imperial. The man fell from his perch, dropping his bow. The body was mangled by the time it reached the bottom of the cliff, and all the arrows in his quiver were broken.
A shout went up. The Imperial army swept up into the valley, charging at the Dunmer hoard. The Dunmer lowered their halberds, hoping to slow the onslaught by impaling them. The Imperials saw this coming and dodged the pointed weapons. The Dunmer quickly armed themselves, striking quickly at anyone without blue skin.
Fireballs flew, the Dunmer battlemages finally catching up with the rest. They shot bolts of destruction magic at the Imperial archers who were now descending the cliffs to join their comrades. Many were killed; many more made it to the bottom, where their light armour made it easier for them to dodge swords and spears. More magic flew, as the battlemages flung themselves into the thick of the battle, supporting their allies, killing their enemies.
A brown beast surged into the ranks from behind the Dunmer, cleaving soldiers with its bear claws. It wore the Septim standard, sewn into a rough waistcoat. It charged through the ranks, tearing, ripping, biting, killing every Dunmer in its path. It found a battlemage, who found a swift end. The beast sought out and killed every mage it could find, and then it started on the soldiers. Tearing throats out it decimated the Dunmer ranks. It jumped up, impossibly high, and leapt from battle to the road behind the Imperial line. It howled mightily, and a crashing sound was heard.
All noise stopped. Every soldier stopped fighting as the crashing sound drew nearer. Over the hill came the Daedric siege machine, spouting fire. Many Dunmer fled in fear of this huge machine. The Imperials gave a great shout and redoubled their attacks. They began to beat the Dunmer back. They were winning.
"The Dunmer are in retreat. We have taken Septim's Gate Pass. Next we march on Bodrum. We will take Morrowind back piece by piece." Ra'jissan's voice emanated from Ocato's stone.
"Very good. Did you check Shadowgate Pass?" Ocato asked.
"I checked it myself this morning. There were about ten guar riders, no doubt for quick support, just in case the battle went badly for the Dunmer. I made sure they didn't get any messages." Ra'jissan smiled.
"The Nords have taken Blacklight, expect to meet with them near Omayni. They should provide additional reinforcements should you need them. If not, they will move on the Vvardenfell. Your army has done well, The Empress Regent is pleased." Ocato broke contact. He had no idea if she was pleased. She had disappeared soon after the battle had begun. Ocato sighed deeply and excused himself from the War Council. He climbed up to the Royal Chambers, only to find Baurus and Caroline guarding the doors, and Ja-Kha'jay in his crib, sleeping. He went up another flight of stairs to the very top of White Gold Tower. Ri'rassi was up there, deep in thought.
"Septim's Gate Pass is won." Ocato bowed.
Ri'rassi waved him off.
"What have I done Ocato?" She asked, despair evident in her voice.
"What do you mean?" Ocato asked, sitting down beside her.
"I've caused so much trouble. Having a Khajiit bear a Septim heir, and then take the throne, I can imagine why so many provinces have left the Empire. So many people hate Khajiit. The Dunmer hate us because we used to be slaves for them. I wouldn't be surprised if Helseth brings back slavery. The Bosmer hate us because we took back land that belonged to us in the fist place. The Altmer hate us…meaning no offence High Chancellor…because they hate anyone that isn't a mer." Ri'rassi said sadly.
"No offence taken." Ocato took her hand to comfort her.
"Khajiit are so different from anyone else. No one else is governed by the moon-strings. Because of this they fear us. They fear the potential our race has for destruction if the moon-strings decide to make all newborns Seche-Raht. They fear even the smallest Alfiq, because even he can be a powerful mage. They even fear the breeds that do not venture outside of Elsweyr, like the Tojay and the Dagi, because they don't know anything about them." Ri'rassi continued.
"And because they fear you, they hate you." Ocato summarized.
"This entire war is all my fault. If I'd been an Imperial, or any race other than Khajiit and Argonian then this would not have happened. The Empire would not have split up, and I wouldn't be sending so many men to their deaths in war."
"Firstly, it's not your fault. The Empire was going to split up anyway, it was only a matter of time. Secondly, we now have an Emperor, when he's old enough to take the throne. Thirdly, this Altmer doesn't hate Khajiit." Ocato said, his arms around Ri'rassi before he could stop himself.
Ri'rassi looked up at him, her ears forward in hope. "Really?"
"Really." Ocato said simply, looking down at her.
"That-That means a lot to me Ocato." Ri'rassi whispered.
Ocato then did something he'd wished to do, but never dared. He kissed her.
Ri'rassi recoiled slightly, but then kissed back, realizing that this was what she wanted.
Ocato broke off the kiss.
"I-I'm sorry. That was inappropriate." He said, blushing furiously. He let go of her and backed off.
"Ocato…" Ri'rassi looked crestfallen.
"I-I shouldn't have." Ocato stammered.
"It's alright." Ri'rassi threaded her fingers through his.
"Really?" He asked, daring hope.
"Yes." Ri'rassi said and kissed him back.
Neither of them could be happier.