Chapter Three

I had planned on telling Eravor all about what the Count and I discussed, but when I arrived back at the barracks he was already sound asleep, snoring like a bear . And as much as I didn't want to wake him up from his slumber I also knew I probably wouldn't have time to tell him in the morning.

"Eravor...Eravor, wake up!" I nudged him gently on the shoulder, but when he didn't respond I tugged at his shirt with a little more force than a simple nudge.

"Wh-what do you want, Verick?" He yelled in irritation, covering his Redguard ears with one of his many pillows.

"I need to tell you something, about what the Count and talked about. You're going to be our new Guard Captain."

"Can't it just wait until-" then he stopped mid-sentence and gave me a confused stare. "What did you just say?"

"You heard me right. You are to be named Skingrad's new Captain of the Guard." I smiled with a toothy grin at Eravor, who in return sat at the edge of his bed with his eyebrows raised in suspicion.

At first he thought I was drunk from the wine, that perhaps I had a few drinks too many, But once I explained everything and he knew that I was serious he had several reactions, mostly that of shock.

"So...we're really about to go to war?" he asked, scratching is clean-shaven face.

"Well, not exactly. First we have to build up our army to what it was before the Oblivion Crisis. We may have defeated the Daedra, but not without a price. We lost a lot of good men in the war, not to mention all of Kvatch."

"And they iall/i died at the hands of the Daedra. It's too bad none of them survived the sacking of Kvatch, except for Martin of course."

"Yes, It's a shame none of the soldiers there made it out alive. And if the Champion wouldn't have been there to save Chorrol three days later I'm really not sure if I can say that we would have won the war. I just wish he was still here, and that he had not died in the Battle of Bruma. And after closing the last gate too..."

"Yes, but none of that matters now. We're all alone," he said with a serious tone. What about the troops in Morrowind? I know a few gates spawned there as well, but couldn't they spare a few soldiers?"

"No, and in fact the Count and I were discussing this just the other day. They're having their own troubles right now, with the Ashlander tribes rebelling against our weakened forces. The Great Houses are even starting to make a rumble I've heard. Now is not a good time for the Empire..."

"Not," he said with a sarcastic chuckle, "not at all. Well...I think I'm going to go to sleep now, just so you can get your rest. You'll definitely need it." he then extended his hand to mine and we shook. I could have sworn that I saw tears in his eyes, but the room was dimly lit and I couldn't tell for sure. "And be careful out there, Verick. You know, I've always pictured you as an officer, and not just some Guard Captain. You'll make a strong leader, there's no doubt in my mind about that."

"Thanks, my friend. And I know you'll do a fabulous job of leading our men here while I'm gone. But remember, when I get back you have to give me back the position," I said with a laugh and playful punch to his shoulder. He returned the favor and I walked back to my own bed, at last falling asleep sometime later.

"Once we arrive you will promptly be showed to your room by one of the the servants. And after that I will have you meet with the two Imperial Legion Captains, Adamus Phillida and Itius Hayn. They have been taken care of things ever since Ocato died and it is more than likely that the two of them shall lead our forces into Hammerfell once the time arises. Though that is up for discussion for the other rulers and I. Nothing is in concrete just yet. For now we need to focus on strengthening our defenses near the border, specifically around Bruma. Which is another thing I want to discuss with you..."

"Yes, my lord?"

The Count and I were on our way to the Imperial City the following morning, already having passed Lake Rumare and just entering the bridge connecting to the inner island itself. We were roughly three minutes away from arrival.

"Soon we will be sending a small army to Bruma to aid in their defense of the region. As you know they are dangerously close, and even though the mountains would make a treacherous pass, I believe if King Lhotun decides to invade us he will do so by attacking Bruma first. I would like you to lead the small army their, and act as the high officer. You already know Captain Burd of Bruma, and you two would both serve as the Generals of the army. I haven't spoken about this with the other rulers, but I don't think I'll have much trouble convincing them."

"Bruma? It's awfully cold up," I said with a laugh, though it was more of a subtle way to hide my true feelings. To be honest I really didn't want to be assigned there, even if I would be granted General-status. "And who is going to represent you in the Imperial City if I do in fact get shipped up to the north?"

"I really don't need anyone to represent me, Verick. He believe I do a good job of that myself," he winked. "I can tell you're not sure about all this, and that I can certainly understand. It iis/i cold in Bruma, but just think about it. Ever since you joined my military I could see a bright future for you, outside of Skingrad I mean. You have the skill and intelligence to be an excellent leader, Verick."

"Thank you, sir. It's just a little sudden to me. Last night you said that I would be staying in the Imperial City until the invasion begins, and now you want me to lead a large group of men that I've never even met before."

"But that is what you will deal with during the invasion. Did you expect to hand-pick your soldiers?" he asked with a sarcastic tone, but a friendly one of course. I've never had to worry about the Count talking down to me.

"That is true, my lord, I'm not sure why I said that. You know, I suppose it wouldn't be too bad of a situation. I like Burd, he's a good leader himself. And if anything I'll gain the experience for the future."

"Precisely, Verick. I'm glad you see it that way, because that's exactly why I've come to this decision. I was thinking about it last night while trying to fall asleep. I want you to be ready when the torch is passed to you. When you are called upon to lead the Legion I want you to be as prepared as much as possible. That is very important to me."

The carriage suddenly stopped and in a matter of seconds the doors swung open, and we had at last arrived in the Imperial City. As we got out and walked through the entrance I noticed for the first time the damage that had been caused by Mehrunes Dagon and the Daedra, during the last stand in which Martin Septim had just narrowly defeated the Daedric god, and at last closing the barrier between Oblivion and Cyrodiil thereafter.

This was my first time visiting the city since that famous battle, one that will be remembered for many eras to come. The section of the city that suffered the most damage was that of the Temple District, not that I've seen it just yet. I've only heard it from the tales of traveling merchants and others coming from the Imperial City. There have also already been several songs written referring to the battle, to honor Martin's sacrifice.

While we walked through the Talos Plaza I noted the destruction that had been caused during the battle. Despite Mehrunes Dagon having spawned from his Oblivion home to the Temple District, there had also been several other Oblivion gates opened during the final stand as well. One in the Talos Plaza and one in the Arena, in which the Arena itself had been completed leveled. I looked around saw that the Tiber Septim Hotel, the most lavish and expensive hotel in all of Cyrodiil, was still being worked on by the Imperial City workers. But not every structure was this lucky and many manors had been completely destroyed beyond repair.

"Here we are, Verick. Let us enter the Palace and have one of the servants show you to your room." We walked inside the Palace, and in the lobby several Counts had already arrived, Regulus Terentius of Bravil and Andel Indarys of Cheydinhal. "Good morning, I hope your trip was just as pleasant as mine," Count Hassildor said to the two other rulers after they saw we had arrived.

"I don't know about Andel, but mine sure wasn't. It rained half the time..."

"You complain too much, Terentius," Andel said annoyingly towards the Count of Bravil. Then he turned his attention to Hassildor. "I can't complain. After all, I live fairly close as it is."

Hassildor laughed and then a Breton maid walked in from a side door. I watched as she was cleaning the tables with a towel and a bucket of water. Hassildor called out to her and she walked over quickly. "Yes, my lord?"

"Show my Captain here to his room, will you please?"

"Of course. Follow me, please," She said to me. I was about to follow but the Count grabbed my arm and kept me back.

"I'll be sure to send Adamus and Itius your way. I'm sure you three could really strike up a conversation," he said with a wink.

Th maid led me up a set of pearl white stairs and into a long hallway decorated with a red and golden rug. At the very end she stopped at the door on her right and said, "Here's your room, sir. It was just cleaned this mornin', so there should'n be any problems. But if there's somethin' you need don't be afraid to come find me, or any of us for that matter."

After I thanked the maid she left the hallway, likely going back to her cleaning in the lobby. I entered the room and closed the door behind me, sat on the edge of the comfortable-looking bed in the corner, and started to stare at a small wooden cabinet in the opposite corner. It was a wine cabinet, and suddenly I felt myself becoming thirsty for a drink. In the cabinet were all sorts of brands; this included various drinks from Tamika and the Surilie Brothers, along with a few drinks from Morrowind as well. I grabbed a bottle of Flin and then sat back down on the bed. But as soon as I started to drink a loud and rapid knock came from outside my door.