At their return to Cheydinhal Iona and Mah'ika took part in the feast to celebrate a liberated Cyrodiil. Wine, beer and mead came along with roasted boar, beef and chickens in a more than descent amount.
The night was, for once in months, deep for Iona.
She slowly opened her eyes, her side hurting a little from her wound, she was alone in the room, Mah'ika was nowhere to be seen. Getting up, Iona remembered something about Juliette offering them to stay in her house (which she inherited from her great-grandmother.).
Iona sleepily walked to the window and opened it. For some seconds she was blinded by the bright sun. But soon, she heard noises. It was the laughing of children running down the street. She looked at them, peace in her mind and nostalgia in her heart. She remembered her young years, running down the streets of Riften with the children from the orphanage (Grelod the kind wasn't already in charge). But soon, her brain pointed something to her mind. She was supposed to go by six in the morning, how was kids already in the street and the sun that high?!
"Ah, I see you woke up my friend" said Mah'ika's voice in the background of her mind.
She tuned to him and took him by the shoulders, asking, "Mah'ika, what time is it?"
The cat-man quickly looked at the sun, returned his eyes to Iona and said, "I'd say : 13 in the evening."
"We're supposed to be gone by now, on the road to High Rock! Why didn't you wake me?!" Said Iona while packing the little she had unpacked and equipping her weapons.
"Calm down my friend, there is no need to hurry."
Quickly checking her curly hairs, Iona asked "Why did you let me sleep?"
"If you slept that much, it's because you needed it my friend." pleaded the Kahjiit.
"Why are you in such an hurry kid?" asked Juliette who just entered the room, wondering what the fuss was all about.
"We need to go! I slept too much!" answered Iona, throwing Mah'ika his pack and was about to exit the room.
Juliette stopped her by grabbing her arm. The second Iona got stopped a loud growling made itself heard.
Iona was a little red on the cheekbones as Lawhawk smiled "That's what I through... There is still a meal for you downstairs, go grab it and eat properly kid."
"But-"
"High Rock can wait ten more minutes."
"Can't I just-" began Iona before getting cut by Juliette, who pointed her to go eat with a motherly look.
While getting down the stairs, Iona mumbled "Gods, I feel like a kid who got lectured."
After eating, Iona bid farewell to Juliette and Sa'shar.
The Bitter Twilight will depart for High Rock in two days.
Mah'ika and her got offered two horse and food to ease their journey to High Rock. They departed soon after.
Closing in to the borders of Cyrodiil. Mah'ika got a cape with a hood out of his bag and gave it to Iona.
"What for?" she asked.
"We're going to cross Hammerfell, yes? Then you should protect yourself from the sun."
"What about you?" she wondered, putting on the hood.
"Kahjiit like warmth and this one's fur protect him from the sun."
"Hammerfell is a Talmor free area, but we never know. Since High Rock is being invaded, there might be Talmor close to the border..."
"Where do we have to meet your friend?" asked Mah'ika.
"Northpoint. Deep in High Rock's north" responded Iona before lifting her head to look at the sky, the sun was setting little by little as the stars were appearing.
Mah'ika took a quick look around and said, "Let's stop for the night here." pointing at an oasis.
Attaching their horse to one of the palm tree.
The night wasn't as deep and peaceful as the last one.
Iona dreamed about Nora, surrounded by a deep fog, Nora looked a her with sadness and love, her lips motioned, but only whispers came out.
"What?" asked Iona before seeing Nora turn around and walking away from her. She tried to reach her but at no point she was able to move.
Extending her arm and screaming Nora's name, she finally was able to move and ended hugging her love. She felt that Nora's muscles were relaxed too much, like she was... dead in her arms.
She shot her eyes open to see the night sky. She sat in her bed and felt tears had flowed at the side of her cheeks. Touching them, she felt like to let them fall, for once, she wanted a be weak enough to cry... But she couldn't break down right now. She returned to sleep as soon as she could.
The morning came and they both resumed their ways. Iona tried to focus as much as possible on the road left. On their way, they encountered a patrol of guards that stopped them. "Can I ask who you are?" asked one of them.
"I'm... Arie Nocaar, and this is Mah'ika, my bodyguard." said Iona, improvising.
"Where are you from?"
"We're representatives from Cyrodiil."
"Could you take you hood off please?"
Iona did as asked and revealed her red-headed self.
"Funny, miss Nocaar... We received reports that Cyrodiil have been freed with the help of the rogue Stormcloak and a Kahjiit... Why are you here again?"
"I... hum... I'm heading for Dragonstar." Tried Iona.
"It's not far now, about an hour from here, let us lead you safely there." proposed the guard.
"Well...hum... Thank you." Said Iona, forcing a smile.
On the way, the guard asked other questions.
"What is your business in Dragonstar? I suppose officials from Cyrodiil aren't here for the green land."
"Actually, I'm on a mission, and have to reach High Rock, captain...?"
"Ashik, Ashik Lassire. You certainly do know that the Talmors are invading High Rock..."
"Yes."
"Then what kind of mission can lead a representative in a country at war?"
Iona looked at Mah'ika who nodded.
She sighed and said, "I'm not a good liar..."
"No, you're not." smiled Ashik.
"I'm heading there to help the Breton knight at Northpoint."
"At what point?"
"I need their help to save Skyrim."
"Well, that's interesting... Ulfric send one of our courier back a week ago."
"By the nine, don't tell me he was in pieces." dreaded Iona.
"No, but he got a good scare." he laughed.
Iona sighed of relief.
"What will happen after you liberate Skyrim?" asked Ashik.
"I'll make the country the Stormcloak really dreamed about. Where everyone is free, Nord or not."
"I see... Well, we're here, the border is right here." pointed the guard captain.
Iona got down her horse and extended her right hand to the Redguard.
"Thank you, captain."
He shook her hand, "You're welcome. And call me Ashik."
Iona, followed by Mah'ika crossed the guarded borders with ease and entered High Rock.
After getting passed occupied cities and hiding the best they could from the Talmor, they arrives at the front line. The Talmor had difficulties to cross the Wrothgarian mountains, unlike Iona, who basically grew up near them.
The front line now passed, they made a stop for the night.
In the morning They resumed their way to Northpoint. Entering the city by nightfall, they soon got arrested by a guard. Iona explained that she had to see Arkan Delanou. But could only after Mah'ika used his persuasive power to explain to the guard that Arkan was expecting them.
The guard led them to an inn. They entered it and saw him looking at a map of High rock with figures on it representing the Talmor and them.
The guard asked Iona to stay where she was and approached Arkan. Whispering in his ear, his face lit up as he looked in Iona's direction.
"Ah! You're here Iona! I get it you found Bitter Twilight."
"Yes, Cyrodiil is free and they'll be here in two days to corner the Talmor's forces."
"A both way attack? It's Juliette's idea? It's all her."
"Yes, Crushing the front line and then, free the cities."
"We just have to pray for the Talmor to have difficulties in mountains then."
"They do. I had no difficulties to cross the mountain under their nose. They'll most likely try to avoid them by going west."
"I'll send some spies to seek for Juliette's forces. Take a break."
The two nodded and got free rooms from the inn keeper.
Two days passed where Arkan, Iona and Mah'ika moved forces to the front line.
All the Breton knights were ready. From the blacksmith to the professional soldier, they all were ready to fight for their freedom. All in line, waiting for the Talmor forces to be seen.
Iona was in the front with others, Mah'ika by her side.
Arkan received reports from his spies. Bitter Twilight were close and waited for his signal to attack with them.
He jumped on his horse and made it run in front of his army. Thousands of Breton, Imperial, Redguard, Wood Elves, even some High Elves. No race was left behind in this, they all felt like they had a duty to protect High Rock. While galloping, Arkan stopped to take Iona on his horse and made a motivational speech.
"Men and Women! We're all here today to fight the Dominion! They seek to take High Rock! My country. Your country. Our country! Today is a special day! By my side is Iona Northsan! Known as the rogue Stormcloak! She is here to help us protect our land! Prevent us from falling down!"
Iona continued the speech while Arkan took his breath back.
"You might have heard about the freeing of Cyrodiil. And you might have heard that I was the one who did it. That's not true. I helped a group of rebels called Bitter Twilight! I fought by their side and they took back their land! Cyrodiil! Which was fully under the Dominion's hands got free by Bitter Twilight's men and women! And today! They're going to help us! On the other side is Lawhawk, their chief, and their forces! We will lead a two side assault! Kick the Talmor out of High Rock! Free your land! You might think they'll overpower us. But in Skyrim, we have a saying : They take one hit to be ended, but we, we take several. This goes for you too! You all are fierce warriors today! Fighters for freedom!"
The speech got cut by a scout, screaming from all his lunge "THEY'RE HERE!" showing the Talmor's army marching for them.
Arkan looked Iona in the eyes as she nodded and jumped off the horse.
"Today! We fight for High Rock as it's warriors!" at this sentence, rain began to drop. "Look at the one by your side, and you'll see that together, you're unbeatable!" The rain gained in intensity little by little.
Arkan took the speech back, "Today! Not only will we take our home back. But we will send a message to the other countries that are under the dominion : You can do it! And the Talmor will see. That never will people of High Rock abandon their land without a fight!" Arkan nodded to Iona to take the end speech while he returned by the Breton knight's side for the assault.
"I have but one last question for you all! Are you ready to fight for your freedom?"
The whole army unleashed a war cry.
"Everyone! Together! For High Rock!" finally screamed Iona, leading the charge as would have done Nora. Soon, all the people were by her side.
The two army collapsed, but Arkan's army was half less than the Talmor's invading force.
Their number melt like snow in the sun. But soon they saw a big part of the enemy turn around.
Juliette's war cry soon got heard under the screaming of Elves. The woman charged her way to Iona, killing countless Talmor in the process. Iona charged too to meet with her.
They soon got side by side with countless Talmor surrounding them.
"No way I'm leaving you all the fun, kid."
"Don't overdo it old one." mocked Iona.
"If those on could stop the chit chat and fight! It'll be great!" complained Mah'ika who followed Iona and was cutting through Talmor.
The circle of Talmor surrounding them got thicker and ticker.
"Give me a push, kid!" asked Juliette who sheathed her rapier and prepared a big spell.
Iona nodded, got on one knee and aimed her shield up.
"And brace yourself!" said Lawhawk, running for the shield.
Jumping on it, she was in mid-air when Iona ran to take Mah'ika in her for protection.
Juliette unleashed a fire storm on her surrounding, destroying half the Talmor army that was left.
Once the hell fire passed, Iona saw Lawhawk tacking her breath back while a big part of the Talmors were now aiming at them.
Running to Juliette's side, she deflected arrows and soon had to cut through soldiers.
They all were getting closer when Mah'ika joined Iona to protect Lawhawk.
"I'm not in my twenties anymore..." cursed Juliette under her deep breath.
Iona was getting weaker too under the high pressure she got her body in. Her side wound re-opened and she made her best to fight.
"I am, and I have difficulties to keep enough strength right now too. I'm out of stamina I won't stand much more longer against them..." tried to comfort Iona.
"To oblivion with it. If I die! I better die historic in a fight!" roared Lawhawk, getting up.
"Our ancestors are smiling at us right now!" Smiled Iona.
They both charged as the rain finally transformed their war ground into a mud pool.
They both fought their best against the enemy, but also against their feet who got deeper and deeper into the ground with each steps.
Soon, Iona heard a horse behind her. Turning over, she saw Arkan firing on both side with the help of some kind of one handed crossbows. Putting one away, he charged conjuration spells. Summoning an impressive amount of ten dremora warriors who began to slaughter the remaining Talmors.
Soon, the dominion's force either fled or died. Leaving only corpses on the battle ground.
The surprise attack of Lawhawk's forces have greatly minimized the loss on Iona's side.
"We did it!" cheered Arkan.
While observing her surrounding, Iona had a ringing in her ears and felt tired. She looked at her re-opened side wound. Not hearing Lawhawk congratulate her. Iona felt her strength leave her body and fell unconscious in the middle of the field, lastly seeing Arkan running for her.