Arc 3—Uncivil War—Chapter 14:

Knowing before we set out that the password might have been wrong, we had a back-up plan, though it wasn't one I liked.

As soon as we realized we'd been discovered, our attack force spread out below the base of the wall in case they had a cauldron of boiling oil or water up top awaiting us. Anyone trying to fire arrows or bolts down on us had to lean out over the wall, though we'd have been up the proverbial creek if they'd had large numbers of rocks to fling down on us. None came raining down, so that became a point I would remember if we were in a position of defending the fort.

As soon as the bolts were fired, Serana had stepped forward and jammed her staff in one of the four slots in the gate, being careful to stand to the side so they couldn't shoot at her through one of the other three. A moment later, she fired off a fireball into the fort's courtyard, angling it down so it hit the ground and exploded just a few paces in, probably singeing or perhaps roasting anyone near the gate.

As she was doing this, two soldiers with axes started chopping at the gate, though I felt this to be futile since most gates had iron reinforcing to counter such measures. I had no time to watch them since I was tasked with stepping out from under cover and launching a grapnel. Knowing that they could have me in their sights at any time, I swung the rope with the hook just twice before letting it fly to the parapet. As soon as it was secure, I was scaling the wall. When I neared the top, I had to use a relentless force shout to push away those at the top of the wall who were about to do in me along with some of those below.

Once over the top of the wall, I slew a defender who rushed at me before making my way down. Two more met me as I neared the gate, and I fought them for some time while Serana released another explosion, this time farther across the compound, where soldiers were coming out of their quarters. Still, two more were coming from the sides, as if to jump on me.

As I felt the dovah's power returning to me, I saw that I was outnumbered and wouldn't be able to open the gate unless I moved quickly. My shout was "WULD!"

Like a whirlwind, I shot thorough their midst and lifted the bar before turning back to face them just as they recovered from the surprise and started to chase after me. However, the gate, now free of the bar, swung open to bring help. With sword and dagger, I advanced with the others coming behind me. Serana fired off a lighting strike on some aiming at us from the wall and then another explosive strike with her staff on the tower. At the edge of my vision, I saw the soldier next to me fall; turning, I was glad I'd used a shout with a short recharge period. With the power returning, I shouted, "FUS RO!" His attacker staggered back, allowing me to move left and get in a blow that felled him, probably keeping the unknown legionnaire from being killed. Serana had the Stormcloak back on his feet just moments later, but this time, he was guarding her rather than attacking us.

More of our troops were starting to stream into the fort from the woods nearby. With these reinforcements, the battle tipped in our favor; it had been a hard fight but the Stormcloaks realized that all was lost and they surrendered. "Quarter! Parole!" they shouted.

We took them prisoner and put them in the fort's prison, telling them that their names would be taken and they'd be released soon. Not knowing who might have keys to the prison cells, we used chains and locks that some of our reinforcements had brought with them to secure the doors.

At the same time, we were securing the gate and assessing our losses, which were heavier than the Tribune had expected. Seven of our soldiers were dead, and five others were wounded, leaving only 25 of us still able to fight. Over the next hour, I was able to cast healing hands on a couple, bringing our force back up to 27, a mere pittance compared to the army arrayed just a few miles to our south. We could only hope that we'd be reinforced by Legate Rikke's main force before the Stormcloaks discovered their loss.

~ESV~

We did what we could over the next few hours to make the fort more defensible in case the Stormcloak force struck north. It was already believed that one of the Stormcloak soldiers had escaped, probably fleeing south to inform General Galmar Stone-Fist of the fort's loss. We got confirmation just before noon when we saw a force draw up at the edge of the woods across the fields from us.

"How many do you think?" asked Tribune Shondar as our troops rushed to the walls. The few baskets of stones we'd gathered as missiles wouldn't last long. We'd made a few push sticks, too, to cast off any ladders that might be used against us, but, like the stones, there weren't enough.

Looking at the group, I guessed well over a hundred, but Shondar's sergeant shook his head. "They've got close to 200 showing, and probably another 50 to 100 hidden in the woods as backup. They're making scaling ladders now, so we have a half hour, tops. They'll probably come with a battering ram, too, so I recommend we barricade the gate with whatever we can find."

"Make it so, Sarge," said Shondar. Once the man had gone to give the orders, he turned to me and Serana. "Our backup force will be here by nightfall, and, if things go as planned, the situation will change at the front about that same time. For us, though, it will probably be too late."

"How so?" I asked. "We've learned from the mistakes the original defenders made. If we can keep them out—"

"If," he said, nodding. "Unfortunately, if their commander has a brain in his head, they'll come in from at least two or possibly three sides and we won't be able to resist them all. Once they get in, the shear force of numbers will slowly overcome us."

I looked at them across the way as they trimmed the felled trees and lashed on branches between them to use as rungs. Another group was preparing a large tree to be used as a battering ram, just as the sergeant had speculated. Our gate wouldn't hold up long versus that, no matter how much we had piled behind it, particularly if they set fire to it. I was about to speak, but held off when Serana beat me to it.

"We'll just have to keep them out, then Tribune."

He smiled at her. "I hope we can, Mistress Serana." He looked down at his feet, almost sheepishly for a moment, before he looked back at her and deep into her eyes. "Pardon me for saying, my lady, but you have the most unusual, most beautiful eyes." He looked quite embarrassed when he realized what he'd said, but that may have been what pushed him into finishing his thought. "If we succeed, I would love the honor of looking into them further over dinner sometime."

Serana looked as surprised as I was at his invitation, but even as she smiled at him, his focus changed back to the enemy. "Legionnaires! To the walls! Defend the walls at all costs."

The soldiers who'd been within the fort trying to strengthen the gate, drawing water to resist fires, and collecting more rocks to use as missiles, came running, clambering up to the top of the wall for what could be our final battle. The Stormcloaks across the field were lining up in ranks around their ladders and the big ram. Just as the tribune had speculated, they arranged their forces on three sides; when in position, they started chanting as our troops looked on in silence.

I'd switched from the Stormcloak disguise back into my glass armor during the morning, so I stepped up on a crate atop the walk where many of them could see me.

"Soldiers of Skyrim! Hear me! I am the Dovahkiin, the Dragonborn. YOL!"

I blew a gout of fire into the sky to get their attention and to prove my words. After sharp intakes of breath and a quick hub-bub, the field became quiet again as I held up my hands.

"Listen to me, brave soldiers of Skyrim! Our land has been cursed by civil war. A most uncivil war, it is, with many parts of our land in ruin and, in some cases, brother against brother, or sister against sister. You, across this field, pledge your allegiance to Ulfric Stormcloak but he is a traitor to our land and has brought much of this upon us. He killed the High King for his own benefit and now sacrifices you, the young people of our land, for his own glory. He allowed our young women to be killed in his own city of Windhelm because the murderer was eliminating some of those he considers undesirables, people who, by choice rather than birthright, call our land home. I ask you, put down your arms! Let us work together to end this evil war and find peace."

The soldiers across the field looked at each other, questioning the righteousness and wisdom of what I'd said, but their officers seized upon the situation and ordered them to press the attack. Perhaps if even a few had listened and put down their weapons, the situation might have turned, but as it was, they advanced toward our fort.

Looking at our few, our brave band atop the wall, I knew we had no chance to stop them.

Unless...

"Divines forgive me," I whispered so that only Serana heard. Everyone heard the rest: "OD AH VIING!"

Where the force had been crossing the field toward the fort, groups of soldiers suddenly stopped, with some throwing down their ladders and running away. Even some of those carrying the big log to be used as the battering ram ran, overburdening the remainder and the ram fell to the ground, trapping two of their number who hadn't let go in time.

"What in Nirn?" asked Tribune Shondar as he watched the disaster occurring on the field.

I shook my head, but Serana was smiling at him.

"Soldiers talk, Tribune. Word of the Battle of Morthal has spread among these troops; some of them may have even been there. Those who are running probably know what's coming."

She was right, so I took advantage of the situation. "Surrender and live!" I called out. "Dragon fire will rain down on you in moments!"

Many more of the Stormcloaks threw down their ladders, and some, even their weapons. They ran for the woods.

Gusts of wind buffeted us as Odahviing descended just in front of the wall facing us, stopping to hover just feet above the ground. Of course, dragons don't actually hover, so each beat of his wings lifted him and he descended to the same point before the next beat. "Dovahkiin! You called. What is your wish?"

"Odahviing, my friend. Fly around the fort and kill any who attempt to enter. Allow those who flee to go in peace. I will call you shortly."

"As you say, Dovahkiin."

The big dragon winged his way around the outskirts of the fort, watching as more and more of the enemy turned in fear and ran away. Those on the wall, my allies, stood in awe and held tightly to their weapons. Some even kneeled down, not in honor of the dragon flying above them, but in fear they might accidentally lose their balance and fall off the edge of the rampart as they looked up watching him.

With their troops having deserted them, even the Stormcloak officers eventually fled, leaving near silence on the field around the fort. The only sounds were the sweep of Odahviing's wings and the occasional cries of the men trapped under the battering log.

"Odahviing, my friend, land and meet me in front of the fort," I called.

I slid down a rope to exit the fort and started walking toward the discarded log. A rush of air blew around me as the big dragon landed next to me.

"Enemies?" he asked as I looked down at the trapped men, who tried to show no fear as their last moments before their souls took residence in Sovngarde.

"No, my friend. They were, but now they have a chance to be fellow Nords again. Gently, please, remove the log from them."

As easily as if it were a twig, the dragon picked up the log and then hefted it at least ten paces away. He turned his head and then moved it in close to see me bending down next to one of injured men.

"Rest easy, soldier," I said. Placing my hands on him and speaking carefully, I felt the healing power flow into him. He breathed more easily and closed his eyes as the healing continued. When done, I told him, "Rest."

Moving to the other soldier, I did the same before calling out, "Serana, please bring water." In a lower voice, I reminded the dragon, "She's a friend, too."

"Ah, the glorious battle wizardess," he said. "So nice to be comrades again, Mistress Serana."

"And thank you, once again, Master Odahviing."

After giving the Stormcloaks water, I told them, "Go in peace, fellow Nords, and tell your friends what happened here today."

I stood watching as they hobbled off the field together before turning to the dragon. "Many thanks. Until next time, dovah."

~ESV~

Our relief force arrived by midafternoon and improvements to the fortifications continued until nearly dark when a contingent of Imperial cavalry arrived. Although nearly exhausted after their ride through Hjaalmarch and across The Pale, they continued on to the south after a short break, intent on cutting off the north road toward Anga's Mill.

The reason was due to the plan I'd discussed with General Tullius. Shortly after General Stone-Fist dispatched a portion of his troops to attempt to retake Fort Dunstad, the Stormcloak general was surprised to see the first of the Imperial reinforcements arrive.

General Tullius had temporarily commandeered every ship and boat in Solitude in order to use them to ferry his troops up river to the Hjaalmarch side as well as preventing Stormcloak spies from sending word to Ulfric's forces. Once across the river, the troops had marched overland past Morthal before cutting through the Labyrinthian, similar to what Idgrod and I had done. However, at my suggestion, Tullius' already well-armed troops had also been armed with torches, even during the day, to keep the frost trolls away. Cutting through the mountains, they'd headed directly east to arrive well before the Stormcloaks were made aware that they'd left Solitude. The arrival of three hundred of Whiterun's troops under Jarl Balgruuf, finally exiting the fence he'd straddled so precariously for so long and declaring a side in the war, made the Stone-Fist's situation even more untenable.

On learning of the disintegration of the force he'd sent to retake Fort Dunstad and realizing that he was between the proverbial rock and hard place, the Stormcloak general had little choice but to withdraw his troops to the north and east, back toward Windhelm. The Imperial cavalry, though greatly outmanned, presented a formidable look, effectively blocking the north road to Anga's Mill and the southern valley was therefore used by the bulk of the escaping Stormcloak army. At the same time, the Whiterun troops moved east to cut off the Stormcloak force opposite Balgruuf's counter force on the River Road, as well as blocking the possibility of attack by any new Stormcloak forces.

With the hard-driven Imperial troops nearing exhaustion and the forts we'd taken protecting their backs, the Imperial commanders allowed their forces to rest for a full day before the order was given to drive on toward Windhelm.

However, our force didn't rest. Tribune Shondar called me to him after we'd been relieved and he promoted me to Praefect. I thanked him, leading him to give me a strange, questioning look before I realized that a salute would probably have been more appropriate. After I made that correction, he returned the salute and then laughed as we clasped arms. "Aerik, we'll make an Imperial soldier out of you yet. For now, though, we have other business."

We marched for the next few hours, reaching the outskirts of Dawnstar about an hour before dusk. Having been part of my original plan before it was modified by General Tullius, our orders were now to capture the town, by whatever means were necessary. When Shondar, with a look of distaste on his face, started giving us the battle plan, I shook my head.

"Tribune, I think there's a better way."

"What do you mean? The dragon?"

"No. Give the troops your plan in case this doesn't work. Give us an hour. If the bells aren't chiming by then, start the battle, but if they do..."

"Good luck and Divines bless, Praefect."

~ESV~

Slipping into Dawnstar unseen, we approached The White Hall as if we belonged there.

"Hold, stranger," called one of the guards. "It is late. What business have you here?"

"Urgent message to Jarl Skald regarding the battle to the south."

Growing nervous on hearing of a battle, he looked at me closely. "Say...you've been here before."

"Yeah, I've spoke with the Jarl on several occasions, actually." When I saw him looking at Serana, I added, "Oh, and this is my, ahem, shieldmaiden."

He grinned before looking at my glass armor for a moment, but since many Stormcloaks supplied their own arms and armor, he nodded, fortunately without seeing the glare that Serana was giving me. The guard spoke to his opposite, "Inmaltor, I'm taking them in to see the Jarl."

I suspect the elderly jarl, long a widower, was with his current mistress when we arrived, for he was disheveled and in a foul mood for being called away from his activities even before he saw me. He grimaced as he finished buttoning his tunic before seating himself on his throne with a veritable snarl.

"Dragonborn, what brings you back to White Hall? Word has it that you've thrown your lot in with the Imperial scum. Have you come to change sides, or, perhaps, to surrender?"

"No, my jarl. I have come to warn you that Forts Dunstad and Fellhammer have fallen to the Imperials. General Stone-Fist attempted, unsuccessfully, to retake Dunstad today, but was driven back and he was forced to withdraw his army from the southern Pale and northern Whiterun plain through the south Yorgrim Valley toward Eastmarch to keep from being trapped. Jarl Balgruuf the Great of Whiterun has finally declared for the Empire and has committed his troops. Worse yet, even now, a force of Imperial legionnaires approaches Dawnstar with plans to take your city by force. They will be arriving within the hour and will destroy anything or anyone that opposes them, even if it means burning the entire city to the ground. The only way to stop this disaster is to surrender the city to me and I will see that you are treated fairly."

Glaring at me, he cursed, the same curse repeatedly, before asking, "What's to stop me from having my men cut you down on the spot?"

Serana, who'd already been standing a short distance behind me, turned so her back was to mine and stepped a little closer to me when Skald said this. I merely shrugged my shoulders.

"Nothing, my jarl, other than Serana and me, and then probably only for a time. Yes, your men will most likely kill us, eventually, but you, like a number of them will be killed in the process and you, in particular, will never know the outcome. As a result, I'll tell you that your city will, sadly, be razed by the Imperial force, which draws closer by the minute, and even the guards that survive the fight with us will still probably be dead before morning. The choice is yours, Jarl Skald. Please choose wisely...for all our sakes."

"Stone-Fist has withdrawn toward Eastmarch? Seriously?"

"Yes, Jarl, leaving you exposed on all flanks."

He cursed several more times before reaching up and pulling the crown from his head and tossing it to the floor at my feet.

~ESV~

After the ringing of the bells, Skald was furious when he discovered the size of the Imperial force coming to take his town, but I'd taken him prisoner and given him the parole paper like the Nords on the ship. He and the rest of his soldiers were free and walking around when the rest of our group arrived. I thought for a moment that he was going to rebel and try to get his guards to do the same, but having pledged his honor, he was bound by it, as were they. When he lived up to his part of the agreement, I flipped the crown back to him and told him he was in charge administratively in The Pale until the Empire relieved him. Similarly, Tribune Shondar would be charge militarily until his relief arrived.

It was after midnight at our temporary headquarters at the Windpeak Inn when Shondar slapped me on my back for my brazen effrontery earlier in the evening. Whispering, he said, "General Tullius is going to be extremely upset that you placed the traitor, Skald, back in charge as jarl, but he may laugh so hard at your means of capturing the old man that they may just offset each other."

"Skald knows his hold better than anyone and can manage it until the general can find someone else to take his place."

"Legate Rikke told me that the Merilis woman is under consideration, but I don't know if that's been finalized," he told me. Then he switched topics.

"Tell me, Aerik, as a friend: would you have brought the dragon to fire the town if Skald had refused to submit?"

I shook my head slowly. "Shondar, I have used dragons to defend Morthal, Dunstad, and my love when she was in danger, but I would never order them to kill indiscriminately for gain, whether my own or the Empire's. If Skald had called my bluff..." I shook my head again, wondering just what I really would have done, though I knew it would not have been that.

He nodded. "I thought as much."

~ESV~

Our relief arrived the next morning, so we were given a rare day off. I became worried late that afternoon when I realized I hadn't seen Serana in several hours. I was assigned a room in the Windpeak Inn, but Serana wasn't there, so I found our sergeant.

"Sarge, do you have any idea where I might find Serana?"

For a brief moment, his face reddened before he said, "Yes, Praefect. She was assigned to Brina Merilis' home during the day. You might find her there, though I wouldn't advise disturbing her. She's probably catching up on some much needed sleep."

"Not likely," I muttered to myself after returning his salute and walking away. I figured she was probably at the alchemy shop making potions, but since the Merilis house was on the way, I stopped by and banged on the door a few times. "Serana? Are you in there? Serana?"

Corporal Sela was sitting on the beach nearby with her feet in the water. She turned around when she heard my knocking, jumped up, and started coming toward me at a swift clip.

"Aerik, what?" asked Serana, sounding very perturbed as she peeked around the edge of the door at me. From that angle, I could tell she wasn't fully dressed.

"Are you taking a bath?" I asked. "I figured—"

"Aerik, go," she said firmly. "I'll see you later."

"What's going on?" I demanded but she shut the door in my face as Sela arrived and grabbed my arm, pulling me away.

"Come on, Aerik. Let's go for a walk." She sounded as insistent as Serana had been. When I started to question again, she pulled me with her. "If the tribune yanks my rank, I'll make you regret it. Somehow," she whispered.

"What's going on, Corporal?" I demanded again, but this time with the voice of rank.

Sheepishly, she looked down. "I was supposed to be standing guard but didn't dream anyone would come barging in so I just went down to the water's edge to feel it on my feet."

"Standing guard? We're supposed to be off today. Why on Nirn—"

There was something in her Fay-like expression that answered the question for me and, as a result, I said something in reply that merited several septims in Lucia's swear jar. Essentially, it was, "You've got to be kidding me?"

She had sly smirk on her face as she shook her head. "Let's leave them be. From what I could see, she needed it every bit as much as the Tribune did."

A few seconds later, I owed Lucia a few more septims in her jar before finally realizing I should just shut up and be happy for them. Taking off my stockings and boots, I spent the next few minutes walking barefoot in the water with my half-nymph friend while we both kept an eye on the house to make sure they had no other unexpected company.

~ESV~

Author's Note:

Thanks for reading! Please let me know your thoughts on the story.

Just one more chapter to go!