An Uneasy Alliance

Fandom: Elder Scrolls (Skyrim with DLCs)

Author: CatandKaraForever

Rating: T

Genres: Adventure, Action, Fantasy

Karisse's Point of View:

"Jarl Balgruuf," I began, "What are the chances that the citizens of Whiterun who stayed behind are simply hiding in their homes?"

"I'm not certain," he admitted, "Most of them are smart enough to know not to resist the occupational forces...But they may have gone back to some version of a normal routine in the meantime."

"Do you have any idea how many of their forces remain within the city?"

"No," the Jarl said, "No word of the conditions of the city has made it here since we escaped."

I swore under my breath, coming to fear that the war was turning against us.

"General Karisse! Jarl Balgruuf," a voice shouted from behind us and I swiveled quickly.

"What is it?"

The young Nord boy paused to catch his breath.

"The elves! The invaders are in Riverwood," he said, "They appear to be preparing for a siege."

"By Auri-El," I muttered, "They're planning to assault us here. Jarl. Get the townsfolk to the deepest part of the barrow. They'll be safest there. Have your city guards stay in the depths with them. My men and I will drive the New Order back."

"Are you sure you have enough men?"

"The New Order are coming at us with a severe disadvantage," I pointed out, "We have the high ground and archers."

"The general is correct," Irileth said, "If they're coming up the slope from Riverwood to fight us they're disadvantaged...By far."

"They must be planning something...That or whoever's commanding this unit is a fool," I said.

"Farenger and Irileth, you are to get the townsfolk to safety," Balgruuf instructed, "Farengar, once the townsfolk are in the depths, set some magical traps in place at the side and back entrances. Irileth, move half the city guard to block the main entrance. Have the other half of the guard split up and cover the trapped entrances just in case the elves come through the side or the back."

The two nodded, running off to follow their Jarl's instructions.

"Archers! Ready your arrows!"
My archers drew their bows back, prepared to fire upon the advancing New Order troops.
"Something seems wrong Karisse," Carir said, "Very very wrong."

I nodded in agreement.

"I know," I said, "This is too obvious. The Order must have something up their sleeves, I just don't know what. No Thalmor general, New Order or not, would be foolish to attack while at a disadvantage like this. Archers! Fire!"

My bowmen opened fire, their arrows streaking down towards the New Order. There was an eruption of light, not unlike a ward spell and the arrows clattered to the ground in front of the troops.

"By the Eight," I swore, "They've got some kind of ward, arrows are useless. Hold your ground men!"

The soldiers advanced on us, and I gripped the hilt of my blade tight, waiting.

"Charge!"

I rushed forward, jumping into battle with the New Order troops. I brought my shield up, just as one of the Order soldiers swung his mace in a heavy blow. I felt my arm buzz as it hit my shield, and then drove forward. My blade glanced off his cuirass, and I brought my shield up, catching him in the chin. As he staggered backwards from the shield blow, I swept my blade up and across, severing his head neatly. Two New Order soldiers rushed at me, both wielding heavy two handed hammers. One of them swung his hammer towards my skull, and I ducked under the swing. The other one caught me in the side and I felt a painful crack in my ribcage. I let out a gasp of pain, staggering sideways. The first soldier lunged at me again, raising his hammer. As he brought it down, I lifted my shield to absorb the impact. I gasped in pain, feeling my arm buzz from the impact. I staggered backwards, dropping my sword. Two ice spikes whistled through the air, burying themselves inside the two soldier's throats.
"You looked like you needed some help!"

I glanced over to Carir, and nodded in gratitude. I cast a quick healing spell, snatching my blade up again. I leapt back into the fray, swinging my blade in a few heavy strokes, driving back a few of the soldiers.

"How many losses?"

"Minimal," Carir reported, "Not sure what the New Order thought would happen with an assault like that."
I nodded in agreement, "We should go back inside, make sure the townsfolk are safe."

"General!"

I turned on my heel, looking at Irileth.
"Yes, Housecarl?"

"The New Order sent a small strike team in," the Dunmer explained, her hand pressed against her side, "They took the Jarl..And Farengar."

"By the Eight," I swore, "I'm sorry, Irileth. How were they able to get past the wards Farengar put up?"

"Not sure," she admitted, "They walked directly through the traps as if they weren't there...They killed the majority of the guards on their way in."
"This is my fault," I said, "I should've had my troops reinforce your forces on the inside. Are you wounded?"

She waved her hand, "I am, but I'll live."

I gently put my hand on her shoulder and cast a quick healing spell. I watched her face relax slightly as the spell washed over her.

"Thank you," she said with a nod, "Do you know of anywhere they might have taken the Jarl and Farengar?"

"I do not, but I have agents, I can try to find out. That said...They'll be kept alive," I reassured her, "A Jarl and his court wizard are too valuable and strategically important to be assassinated."