A/N: To all those who have favorited or followed the story, I just want to give a special shoutout. Author of Ice and Fire, DaKiwiMonsta, Lecterbabe03, Order and Chaos - Qui Iudicant, RoyalKnight Studios, SeekerM, ShadowNinja161, ThatGuyYouKnow, That Taco Guy, aidan2201, and davoid123. Also, to my first reviewer IrishA03, I want to give a big thanks. I hope to do you proud and keep all of your interests.
Jul
Lucius
I stood silently in the main room of Castle Dour, the terrible news having left me numb and broken. In my worry about the dragons, I had completely neglected my duties as a soldier of the Imperial military. Perhaps, had I been present, Whiterun would have survived. Had I been present, would Lydia – "Auxiliary? Auxiliary!"
I snapped out of my broken stupor. "Auxiliary, I know this is difficult for you, but I need you to pull yourself together," Tullius firmly stated. I stared into the balding general's eyes and nodded. "Good. The embassy went completely quiet nearly four hours ago, around the time that our messenger found you in the Solitude wilderness. That was about twelve hours after the first messenger hawk arrived with the news of Whiterun's fall. The embassy's silence... I take it that this means your mission was successful?"
I nodded. "Um... Yes, Sir. I... Um, I found... They don't know anything about the dragons, Sir. Less than any I've met so far. I have the journals of the ambassador here... I..." I shook my head somberly and pulled the two reports from my pack. Wordlessly, I passed the dossier on Ulfric Stormcloak to the general.
Tullius flipped through the pages of the report, slowly at first but he soon began to wildly turn the pages back and forth, studying the information. As he read the final page once again, his eyes widened and he looked back up at me. "Y-you're sure about this?" he asked.
"Yessir," I said with a somber nod.
Tullius looked back down at the page and shook his head. He motioned for one of the guards to enter the room. "Go get Legate Rikke and bring her here, straightaway," he commanded. The soldier saluted the general and ran off to find the legate. Tullius turned back to me, shaking his head. "It... If this is true, then this entire war has been orchestrated by the Thalmor just to hurt the Empire. Oblivion!"
"Sir, what is it that you need?" Rikke asked as she was led into the room.
Tullius looked over and waved the guard from the room. When the soldier left, Tullius handed Rikke the report. "Legate, what do you make of this?"
Rikke flipped through the pages of the report quickly, then returned her attention to the general and me. "You believe it is true, Sir?" she asked. Tullius nodded. "Then I am afraid to say that, while this offers a great insight into Ulfric's mindset, I am unsure whether it will be useful."
"What do you mean?" I growled. "What do you mean it won't be useful against Ulfric?!"
"I believe that this report is true," Rikke assured, assuaging my rage. "But Ulfric will likely be able to spin this in a way that draws more to his side, especially in the wake of Whiterun's fall. Revealing this information would only appear petty and weak until a victory has been achieved."
"What the hell do you mean!?" I shouted. "We need to cripple them! Destroy them NOW!"
Rikke sighed. "Luc, they would deny it. Claim we only released it because we were afraid they might win. They'd be right about that."
"And on top of that," Tullius continued, "Ulfric's hatred of any non-Nord would be proof enough for most we were lying, despite the veracity of our information."
I glared between Rikke and Tullius. I knew that they were right. I knew that the Stormcloaks would destroy our claims or even hide the information itself from the people of Skyrim. Finally, I sighed and gave in. "Fine... Is Balgruuf going to be here? I – I'd like to know more about how Lydia died."
Tullius nodded. "Of course, but first... for bringing us this information with deadly risk towards yourself, I promote you to Quaestor. You are worthy of this – more than you know, I think," the General said. "Take this sword as a symbol of your office." From his belt, the general took an enchanted ebony sword. "Balgruuf should be here within the week. We need time to prepare our next move, anyways." I nodded, saluted the general, and left him and Rikke to discuss Skyrim's fate.
Fahiil
Thera
Thirty-seven Altmer and fifteen Bosmer killed, in a single day. By, no less, a human. Such a thing seemed... impossible. But this human was trained by the Dominion, by superior Aldmeri teachers, so the murders were more of a compliment towards the superior skills and techniques of Mer warriors, mages, and assassins. Lucius was a continuation of their skills, a battlemage of the highest order; moreover, the man's Breton blood connected him to the Aldmer as well, further evidence of the strength of the Mer in his ancestry.
"Have you seen him in recent times?" Elenwen asked as she looked down at the bodies of her guards with sadness. Weakness. They fell to a human – even if he was trained by elves, they should have killed him.
"Lucius? No, not since the incident with the dragon at Whiterun," I explained, then I began to laugh. "Though if the best he could send against me was that Nord I killed, I doubt he will give me too much trouble."
Elenwen grabbed my shoulder and turned me to look at her. "I saw the way he moves, the way he fights. Truly it is as if magicka itself flows through his veins," she stated, fear causing her words to quiver. "You would do well to not underestimate this threat, Thera."
"Is that fear of a human I detect, Elenwen?" I mocked. "The grand council would not approve."
"And who will tell them, hm?" Elenwen threatened.
I smiled. "Not I, Elenwen," I lied. I smiled to assuage her fears. "What would you have me do?"
Elenwen frowned. "This entire attack – and even the dragons – reeks of the Blades. And perhaps even Tullius. Around us his voice is one with the concordat. Behind closed doors, however, I doubt he will pliable to our cause. But Tullius is too high profile, so he is safe, for now at least." Elenwen turned away from me and began to pace across the bloody snow. "The Blades are the only ones we could find. One of the dossiers stolen by the human was information on a Blade, Esbern, hiding in Riften. I have dispatched messengers, but the effects of the war will hinder the progress of an elf into Stormcloak borders. For now, look for Blades in Skyrim, find what they want with Lucius. Then kill them."
"Of course, Elenwen," I said with a bow.
Jul
Lucius
"Dragonborn," Balgruuf said as we greeted. The man's once powerful, cunning eyes were empty and pained. His spirit had been broken by the loss of his home and forced abandonment of his family. He sat at a table in the cellar of the Blue Palace, the home of Jarl Elisif, with Irileth and his brother. He looked embarrassed that I was seeing him there, at his lowest. "I – What brings you here, friend?"
I looked at the ground. "I should have been there," I said quietly, apologizing to my friend. I glanced upward with my eyes.
Balgruuf looked at me somberly. "Aye, Thane, you should have been. The Voice was with the warrior who took my home," he said. Shock and fear ran through me, along with self-loathing. I had failed him. Suddenly, I felt his hand on my shoulder and looked up. He smiled sadly. "But you also hold a duty to the world, as Dragonborn, and to the Empire, as her soldier. General Tullius explained what you were doing to me. You could have saved my hold, but a chance to harm the Thalmor is... necessary. Tell me, Dragonborn, what did you learn?"
"Ulfric is not the hero that the Stormcloaks believe," I said. I shook my head. "Do not let anyone else know, my Jarl."
"Of course, Dragonborn," he replied, placing his fist over his chest.
"Thank you," I said, doing the same with my fist. "Ulfric is being used by the Thalmor. The entire civil war – it's a ploy to weaken the Empire. He's a Thalmor asset."
Balgruuf's eyes widened. "That is... Damn."
I nodded. "Aye." We two were quiet for some time then. Finally. "Do you need anything, Balgruuf?"
The Jarl looked at the ground and sighed. "If you can make it into Whiterun anytime soon, please... I need to know if my children are safe."
I nodded. "I have business in Riverwood anyways, my Jarl. I would be glad to help you," I said. I smiled to comfort the man, and a glimmer of his old self seemed to shine through.
"Many thanks, my friend," he said. He pulled my hand from his shoulder and clasped my forearm. "Many thanks, Dragonborn."
Fahiil
Thera
The Blades. I knew it was only a matter of time before those defunct warriors tried once again to attack the Dominion. Despite what Elenwen believed, I highly doubted the old Akaviri order had the strength to summon a dragon or bind Lucius to their will. Whatever the questionable strength of the human order, they were more nuisance than threat to the Thalmor. That did not mean, however, I would ignore Elenwen's orders regarding the blades. She did not deserve to command me anymore, but I could not turn down murdering a Blades warrior. It's too much fun, and too rare now.
I walked into the town of Riverwood and was greeted warmly by the Stormcloak occupying soldiers, many of whom had taken part in the battle for Whiterun. The town blacksmith cast a dirty look in my direction as he hammered the steel at his forge. The Nord was not the one to catch my eye however. Standing just outside of the inn, clad in full battle armor, was Delphine. She stared at me with concern and confusion, then turned on one heel and bolted from town. I narrowed my eyes. "Round two," I muttered to myself as I drew my blades. I sprinted after her.
She led me away from the occupied township, over hills and along the river that ran through the village. Finally, she stopped and turned to me. "What do you want, bitch?"
"Oh, articulate, human," I mocked. "You can form full sentences now?"
The Blade growled and her katana sang from its sheathe, the sunlight glinting menacingly off of the edge. "This didn't end well for you last time," she noted with a smile.
"We didn't know who I was last time," I said, grinning with what she would have probably considered 'evil.' I can't help it that I would take joy in skinning her alive.
"What are you talking about?" she asked, confusion running through her eyes.
"Wuld!" I shouted, suddenly appearing next to the Blade. The woman stood, frozen, as the knowledge of exactly what I am dawned on her.
"B-but..."
"Surprised I am the Dragonborn you fools have searched so long for?" I asked, twisting the metaphorical knife. "You long for the leadership of a Dragonborn, and it turns out that I was with the Thalmor the entire time, you worthless human."
"This can't be..."
"It can. And it is." I smiled cruelly. "Prepare to die, fool." I pulled my blade back to jab it through her midsection and finally end the thorn in my side that was Delphine. Fate, it seemed, had other plans. I felt a blast of fire collide with my side and was thrown away from the Breton, my body bruised and my pride singed. No one should have been able to sneak up on me.
I pushed myself to my feet, grateful that I had been able to hold on to my sabers. "Unfortunately for you, last time we met my friend Lydia was alive. You killed her, so prepare to die," my assailant said. Lucius Atmoran stood with fire in his hand and eyes, ready to kill me. "Fool."
Jul
Lucius
As I made my way into Whiterun, ignored largely by the Stormcloaks occupying the town, I was greeted warmly by Alvor. "Hail, Dragonborn!" the blacksmith whispered as we clasped arms.
"Hail, Alvor," I replied. "What's going on here?"
"Damn Stormcloaks – ever since they took Whiterun, they've been taking supplies from the people. Claim it is a tax for supporting the Empire so long. Damn Milk-drinkers. I've had my last set of armor and two waraxes taken as 'retribution' already," he said. He frowned and shook his head. "Damn elf warrior."
"Elf?" I asked.
"Aye, follow me," he said, looking around carefully. He led me into the main body of the forge, where we were obscured by the smoke. "It's not safe to be seen speaking about her."
"An elf woman?"
"Aye. A Stormcloak, destroyed the entire military force defending Dragonsreach. So the rumors go," Alvor explained.
"Did Hadvar make it out okay?" I asked.
"He wasn't there to begin with – he's posted in Dawnstar. He's told me that he's intercepted messages and that the hold is close to falling to the Empire. At least, that was the news before..." Alvor raised his arms in defeat and looked around. Suddenly his eyes became hard and he glared out of his smithy.
"What's wrong?"
"That's her, the damn elf," he said, gesturing with his head. My gaze followed his and I froze. Even through the heavy smoke of the forge, I knew who he was looking at. Thera, the damnable Thalmor.
"What's she doing here?" I asked of no one in particular.
"Damned if I know," Alvor said as he watched her go off. "But Delphine doesn't seem to like it."
I looked up in surprise and watched the Breton sprinting from town, away from Thera. "It's been good catching up. I'll be back soon," I told Alvor. "Stay safe, friend." I did not stay to hear the man's reply, and merely sprinted from the town after Delphine and Thera. Delphine sprinted a good distance from town, a good thirty minute's run. In my heavy armor, there were times I was worried I was falling behind. Eventually, however, I saw the beginning of the confrontation.
Thera Shouted – Shouted – the whirlwind sprint shout and appeared, suddenly, next to Delphine. I walked closer, drawing my blade and bringing the formation of a fireball to my fingertips. "Die, fool!" the elf shouted. Her blade drew close to the stunned Delphine, and I let my fireball go.
The elf woman was flung away from Delphine, the metal of her armor melting from the intense heat. "Unfortunately for you, last time we met my friend Lydia was alive. You killed her, so prepare to die," I began. I sneered and mocked the elf woman further as I neared her. "Fool."
Thera scrabbled to her feet, both blades still in hand, and glared at me. "Lucius Atmoran – we meet again," she said. A single line of crimson flowed slowly from the edge of her mouth. She sneered and her blood stained teeth evoked the image of a monster ready to kill all around her. "You caused quite a commotion when you broke into Elenwen's study. I doubt her political strength will recover from such a blow."
I ignored her. "You murdered my friend, my closest friend," I stated simply.
"What, your human pet?" she asked. "Surely your Thalmor training taught you better."
"She was my friend. Abandoning you monsters taught me about things like that," I said. I fired another fireball at the elf, but she rolled beneath the blast and rushed towards me, twin blades swinging for my throat. I was in no mood to go easy on her. I brought my blade up to catch her first blow and lashed out with my foot. She doubled over and stumbled backwards. I advanced towards her slowly. "But killing you monsters... it takes me back to then. To when I was tortured for eight days straight until I murdered a child. It reminds me of why I kill Thalmor – and only Thalmor – without remorse."
The she-elf laughed dryly, but a flicker of fear ran through her eyes. "There's the asset our masters worked so hard to craft."
"Failed to craft – just like you Thalmor fail in everything," I sneered. The woman's eyes lit up with fury. "Humans are just better than you trash." She roared, then, and rushed at me again. I aimed a blast of fire at the ground and she ran through the blaze. Her armor began to melt again and she screamed in pain. I slammed the pommel of my blade into her head and she stumbled backwards. I raised my blade to attack once again, and brought the edge down onto her twin blades that struggled to defend against my relentless strength.
"You will not escape me, Thalmor Bitch," I stated.
The woman's eyes were filled with fear. "I will. FUS... RO DAH!"
I was flung backwards and crashed through the dirt. The world disappeared around me as I slipped into unconsciousness.
I finally came to hours later, with Delphine tending my concussion. Thera was nowhere to be seen. "Are you okay?" she asked.
"Aye," I said as I struggled to my feet.
Delphine was quiet for a moment. "Ha..."
"What's so funny?"
"Nothing. Not really. Well... the Blades searched for a Dragonborn for two hundred years, and there were two living under the thumb of the Thalmor the whole time. Ha... I don't know why I'm laughing," the Breton said.
"I escaped them," I said.
"Did you really? Or did they let you think that?" she asked, the accusation of living Thalmor ties ringing in her voice.
I furrowed my brow and my eyes became icy. "I am called Lucius Atmoran, successor of Ysgramor. Elf-Bane. Thalmor Slayer. I am a dark legend spoken of by the Aldmeri Dominion in fear, in agony. They would never allow such a blow to morale to exist," I said. I paused, and my face grew softer. A fear ran through my spine. "She is Dragonborn, then?"
"She seems to think so," Delphine replied sadly.
I shook my head. "Regardless, we have to get to Riften. A Blade named Esbern is hiding there, and the Thalmor seem to think -"
"Esbern's alive?" Delphine breathed. Her face lit up and she shot to her feet. A new life and joy seemed to be running through her bones. "Well, I guess nothing's hopeless! We need to hurry – the Thalmor have to be after him, still." Delphine turned to me, grinning. "Lead the way – Dragonborn."
