Chapter Two

As Sintius made his way across the bridge outside leading to the Castle, he noted how bright the moon was, almost as if it were attempting to rival its daytime counterpart. Its brightness was doing a tremendous job of lighting the way for Sintius' trek towards the Castle, so much that even the torches weren't of any use, and instead were almost something of a bother to him.

The moon sure is bright tonight. Perhaps that is a sign that all went well in the Imperial City? But of course if that's the case then what I am doing meeting with Count Hassildor in the middle of the night?

He stepped through the doors of the castle, and waiting right by the throne was Hassildor himself, looking more cheerful than Sintius imagined he would be, or at least for someone wanting urgently to talk with his Guard Captain this late at night. "Good evening, Sintius...or I suppose morning would be a more suitable term to use. It's already after midnight as of now. I apologize for summoning you this late but there is something important we need to discuss."

"It's quite alright, my lord, I wasn't asleep just yet. Is there something wrong?"

"In the future perhaps, but thankfully for now there is not. Actually I am quite pleased with the results from the meeting in the Imperial City. And that is exactly why I've called for you. Come, follow me to my chambers, please. I would rather our conversation commence in solitude. There's no telling who's listening these days."

The two ascended up a flight of stairs and entered through a door into Hassildor's own personal manor, equipped with all the usual lord-like decorations. This included various plants, portraits and paintings, as well as many sculptures as well. Sintius' favorite had always been a life-like stone statuette of Janus Hassildor holing a silver longsword in in his right hand, and in the other a flag bearing Skingrad's coat of arms.

Then of course there were the nobles' rooms as well. Any guest staying the night was always granted one of the lavish rooms, decorated with only the most beautiful of decorations, and supplied with only the finest of wines and food. Over the years Skingrad has earned the reputation as being one of the most hospitable cities in all of Cyrodiil.

Before Sintius had been admitted into the Skingrad army he had once stayed in one of those rooms, while he and his nobleman father had paid the Count a visit. This was when Sintius had been a child, barely old enough for to remember anything. But Sintius remembered it all, and he remembered what his father had told him, word for word. "Son, this is what life can hand you if you follow the right path. Stick to what I've taught you and some day you'll find yourself living in a place just like this."

Of course, Sintius hadn't exactly followed that path his father had mentioned. While he wanted his son to be a nobleman just as he, Sintius was far more interested in the art of war, and everything that went with it. This isn't to say that Sintius is an intelligent fool. That's actually quite the opposite. It's just that Sintius' main expertise lies in military strategy rather than books.

"During my time in the Imperial City, the other rulers and I have come to the conclusion that the only way to thwart the enemy is to invade them, the Kingdom of Sentinel and King Lhotun to be more specific."

The doors of the Count's chambers had been closed and locked, and now the two were inside discussing the events that had taken place earlier in the Imperial City. Hassildor had sat down into his chair behind a large and beautifully-crafted desk close to where the door was, while Sintius was standing.

"An invasion, my lord? Has it really come that?" He asked with a surprised tone, but still in a way expecting what was being said.

"Yes, Sintius, unfortunately it has. I almost blame myself and the other rulers for letting King Lhotun become this powerful, but what could we have done? We had our own war to worry about and there wasn't any way we could have dispatched enough men to perhaps stop him from gaining so much power. We barely even had enough men to defend ourselves from the Daedra."

"No, if anything you should blame the other Kingdoms. Where were the Kingdoms of Taneth and Elinhir when King Lhotun was gaining influence? Shouldn't have they stopped him?"

Hassildor just shook his head. "No, Sentinel was a more powerful force than both Taneth and Elinhir combined even before King Lhotun started gaining more power. They could do nothing but watch and hope their own lands wouldn't be raided. I'm actually surprised that hasn't happened just yet, but I have my own theories on why it hasn't."

"What do you mean? Why the other two kingdoms haven't been sacked as of yet?"

"Yes, I believe Lhotun has a plan. He knows that Queen Clavilla of Taneth and the Prophet Ayaan-si of Elinhir aren't on the best of terms, and I think he will use that to his advantage."

"How so, my lord?"

"I've been thinking about this all the way home from the Imperial City. My theory is that Lhotun will travel to Elinhir and ask for the aid of Ayaan-si. He'll likely offer the land of Taneth in exchange for the Prophet's allegiance if a war breaks out with Hammerfell and Cyrodiil, which obviously will."

"Yes, and about that. Why do you think King Lhotun is doing all of this? Why is he stirring up trouble with us when he could just as easily take over the Kingdoms of Taneth and Elinhir inside his very own country? Wouldn't that be easier?"

"Yes, I agree with you, Sintius, and in fact this is something that I haven't been able to figure out. The only thing I can come up with is that he wants to strike us now before we are back to our former glory and power. Now, I know it may seem unwise for us to be the aggressor and attack him, rather than simply stay here and defend our lands. However, the best decision to attack as soon as possible. He needs to be stopped before he becomes too powerful. Surely you can agree, Sintius?"

"Yes, yes I do. The threat of another war on our own soil isn't something I want to take part in again. I'd much rather fight in a foreign land and see their buildings crushed. I don't like seeing our people suffer, and I am sure they would agree with this as well. But, what does all of this have to do with me?"

"Why, I would like you to come with me to the Imperial City. All of the rulers of Cyrodiil are doing so, in an effort to unite into one leadership. This way we all won't have to travel back and forth whenever we want to discuss something. Fervius will be taking my place here until the situation with Hammerfell is dealt with. I would like you to come with me, and represent our army. I think you will make a fine leader once the invasion starts."

"I would be honored, my lord. Commanding my whole army, you mean?"

"I would pull for you to do so, yes. Though that ultimately would depend on what the other rulers think. I assure you that you will be an officer of some kind, but commander I do not know just yet. If you would I would like you to pack your things tonight, because we'll be leaving earlier in the morning."

"Of course, my lord. Shall I choose a replacement for my own position here in Skingrad? If so I want Eravor to take my spot as Guard Captain."

"Very well, it is done. I'll have Fervius fill out the papers tomorrow. Now, go pack and then get some sleep. Tomorrow is going to be a long day."