Imperial city, Imperial army outpost 4e 203
"Are we clear, human ?"
"Yeah. Why can't hire the Dark Brotherhood remnants or send one of yours ?"
"We have done it and thought about it but it didn't succed, this time is different"
"How so ?"
"We know the target knows you, and that assassin cult is no different than cutthroats, despite having them hired at times. And the target is not in Cyrodiil but in Skyrim, and our situation there is not good"
"IN SKYRIM !? Do I have to go all the way there !?"
"You have. This is the price you pay for your actions. Fail and your family will die, defect and and we'll find it out, and send someone no matter the political situation. Legate, I leave him in your ... hands. Don't you two start something, or the Dominion will take action"
"Yes Inquisitor"
I'm left in the room with the Legate "Fucking elves, what do they really want ?"
"This is not for you to know, damn Thalmor have something more than conquering. You still killed soldiers , remember ? Consider yourself lucky I hate the Thalmor too, know that we will fight them when needed. The new emperor will guide us, we may be weaker but he is a skilled diplomat and warrior, remember that"
"So, if the empire is reunited or an alliance is formed, we'll send them back to Summerset ?"
"We hope so for our future. It will be hard and many will die but we must form something. Maybe start with Skyrim since they seem to have drive the elves out, like Hammerfell or High Rock. Their stupid king can listen and reason with our general, or the emperor himself"
"You couldn't kill some rebels, what do you know they won't destroy you again ? There already rebel groups everywhere which you can ally with . I know some elves defected too after seeing what their officers do. You know some magic and have experience !"
"Did the Mad God touch you !? I ... I ... you take this now, you will go with an Imperil carava to Bruma and head there. Don't fuck this up, scoundrel"
"... long live the empire ..."
The paper describes the target and what I should do, I leave and look for the carriage. Apparently I have to kill the Dragonborn, possibly in a city called Whiterun and going there days earlier and infiltrate the festival or even go loud, wander looking for it or take someone too. I don't know how this character would know of me, I know the legends of old and a bit about the dragon wars, the old Nords and their wars, but there better be no more dragons around
Well at least I get to travel to a beautiful land, cold, deadly and full of stories. Not like years ago I hope
At the meeting point I'm told the trip would last an hour or so. I will use heavy first for the next travel, and steel sword and knife. And the small magic knowledge, nothing special but restoration is the best school magic to me. Even the simple flames spell saved me a few times, and that's almost all
As we begin the second travel, I stop watching the landscape and read the paper, better this time...
NAME Ysmir (adopted)
RACE Redguard
AGE 20
BIRTHSIGN -(unsure) Shadow
SKILLS Adept marksman, exceptional swordsman , Adept thief, basic and crude understanding healing spells comprehension
ALLIANCES Stormcloacks, Blades, High Hrothgar Greybeards, Skyrim thieves guild guild master (attempted assassination in Riften failed), Companions mercenaries Harbinger and rebellious Redguard connections, captured along others and escaped execution
DESCRIPTION Barbarian title 'Shezarrine', tall enough for human standards, can use 'shout' magic to move faster, push anything away and assume a pseudo draconic aspect, has salvaged eleven armor, enchanted ebony bow and imperial- like sword. Seen in completely black armor alongside two figures. Owner of the legendary axe called 'Wuuthrad', DO NOT engage alone and in the open, use magic, has killed many of our patrols. Has slain the wretched dragon 'Alduin', used the Companions to help vampire hunters kill vampire lord 'Harkon'. Fonts say he was seen on Solstheim accompanied by individuals, notable connections are two Nord women and three Nords men alongside a Dunmer. Posses daedric artifacts, travels often and owns a manor near 'Riverwood' (good opportunity). Target travels often and will be present at Whiterun in seven days. Terminate with extreme caution, advised methods include stealth and and magic
Long live the Dominion, Tamriel shall return ours again.
-Inquisitor Arundiil, Thalmor Fist
After an other hour or two, I arrive with the trader caravan at the small town of Riverwood. His names is Lucan and used this route since a year and half ago after these Stormcloacks made routes 'safer'. Not every time the bandits were the aggressors... And despite all the tensions, merchants are free to move
I rented a room at the inn and left the heavy clothing there, choosing to explorethe new place. Guards in blue and black, and sawmill and a blacksmith, with several other buildings scattered near the mountain. And youngsters ... well kissing and running somewhere, ah youth, better not waste it
"Morning there, new around here ?"
"Yes, finally travelled to Skyrim"
"Aye, how does it seem to you ?"
"Beautiful. Beautiful landscapes and mountains. I hope to see all of it. Beautiful snowy peaks, long frozen plains and also great grass plain and the river, that's all I saw for now"
"Kind words Imperial, I have seen the frozen tundra of Whindhelm and the plain of Falkreath and Whiterun. Heard Dawnstar and the Reach have beauty too. That's all a Nord needs to see. Besides fine swords, beautiful ladies and mead ha !"
"Oh and I'm sure all of these things are never ending here ! Listen, I have a few questions"
"Go ahead"
"First, what is that mountain going up to the clouds ?"
"That's the Throat of the world, where the Greybeards live, up the seven thousands steps"
"Hope to see it"
"Not sure Imperial, unless you have the gift of the Voice"
"Hmm... how do I get to Whiterun ? Also my name is Cassius"
"Alvor, town's blacksmith. You got to follow the road, half an hour or so and you will see Dragonsreach, the city hall. Fucking Ulfric - sorry" He looks away
"None taken. Heard of them, took Skyrim from the empire and got the damn Thalmor out ?"
"Aye young man, those elves won't be bothering our homeland. I lost a nephew in the war ..."
"My condolences. I lost friends in the war too, I almost got killed too because of it"
"I hope my daughter... me and a family here, friends, now... well, we got past it now. My daughter and their son are close aye, don't want more war around here. Say, would you like some mead ?"
"Yeah, and food"
"Come with me. Ah i will take a look at your blade after"
Whiterun, 7 days later
Skyrim is quite the beauty. I arrived at Whiterun today , afte days of exploring along the rivers and I can say this place is the typical and beautiful Nord city. Strong walls, wooden and brick buildings and lots of plants and trees, reminiscent of the Imperial province. I am amazed by the colors and warmth of this place, and many say I should visit Solitude, Riften and Markarth
One week in and I'm in love with with this place, even forgot why I'm here at times. It's contrast between cold people and warm and beautiful flora, the cold stoic people, the tall snowy mountains and just the variety of it. Divines created something beautiful despite their mostly selfish and Tamriel- like behaviour. At the inn the argument was mostly about this festival, a recurrent event for the Stormcloacks victory
Can't disagree with them and their love for Skyrim, same as with the empire and Cyrodiil. Damn Almer. . Alright, I'm ready today, got a small buckler shield and a blood freezing poison. But before that, I will visit the temple near the restored and marvellous tree, called the Gildergreen. I also will visit the warrior den around here, can learn something more
Hade
i stroll through the gates with the twins behind me , going to Jorrvaskr and waiting for that useless festival to begin. As much as they were both right I feel Ulfric just wanted the throne. To the Nord tradition, the Dragonborn should have the Jagged Crown... After I defeated Alduin and the empire, I returned to Hammerfell, aware of the Thalmor presence, to help them again the Dominion. I was not alone and they seemed to value Nords, I even managed to unite some Orcs and Bretons with us, sabotaging lines and raiding parties
I left my old elven armor and Nightingale bow in the Harbinger quarters but kept the sword
"Evening Harbinger, I was wondering if you would like to hunt later" She says, closing in and nuzzling at me
"I would like to, Aela... but I don't have the beast form"
"It is no problem... I want another prey..."
"You're so fiery Aela..."
"And, also yours, dragonslayer" A loud knock on the door and Farkas enters
"Umm, Harbinger, can I talk to you ?"
"Yes. What is it"
"We had a visitor, left now but had a different smell"
"You noticed too, icebrain ?"
"What visitor ? I didn't notice"
"Yes Hade, he came here to talk and see the place, and then went in the yard with Athis. An Imperial, had this smell of bad intentions most likely" She says
"So this idiot wanted to prove himself ? How did he do ?"
"Athis won of course, wooden swords and all. Had a smell of magic too after they were done, left some time ago"
"If there will be a problem, I'll take care of it" i say. Farkas left and after ago brief discussion, me and Aela let the matter go...
The celebrations were of songs, dances and mead in the Nordic fashion, and after I was thanked and praised by the jarl and people, I left for the empty Dragonsreach courtyard. Memories of Sovngarde and - I feel the dragon soul readying for battle as I feel watched. I can feel it, maybe another Thalmor !
Up, a shadow I noticed at the last minute, crashed onto me with it's weight smashing me down hard and as I kick it away, the cold sting of a poisoned slash. At least didn't go through me. My body locks up and it's so fucking agonising !
I record fast enough to get my sword as it takes a small shield and sword, attacking me. Thank the Divines the blade didn't cut me well. I deflect, slash, block and attack to get my head bashed with the shield, swinging to keep it at bay and as it evades "FUS !"
Slashing it, I can feel some of it's energy transfer to me and kick out, hitting the target and receiving the counter. It's all blocking and swinging until I am left open I shout again and the staggering figure doesn't notice the door opening, guards coming and restraining him. The man struggles but is disarmed, and see his hands glow brightly and hot, close to the guards' faces... 'freezing' them
"Alright. Let him, he's surrounded" The spell dies and retrieves sword and dagger back
"The Thalmor want you dead"
"What a surprise. Who are you ? ... I can say I seen and know your face"
"And you beat them well too if I may add. Well, Dragonborn, who are you really ?"
"Dragonslayer, Harbinger, Night - oh I much like this night, another spy to kill. I'm Hade, at your service" I know I sounded completely brain rotted. Close one
He appears shocked "You ! The one of the ambush ! That really you !?"
"How do you know ?"
"I thought you fucking died ! I'm Cassius ! After we got into it I got imprisoned somewhere but escaped and now you'r alive !"
We talked despite the assassination attempt, the Dominion wants something in Skyrim and he told me about the events. It's been a long time but I swear I knew those sword swings patterns ! I called the Circle and explain all, though not easily and not without some tensions. Looks like we have something big going on. Tomorrow I will head to Riften, with an unlikely companion and we'l, the Companions
I am afraid to say a second great war is looming closer ... And Cassius agreed I should be the High King and Ulfric my general, even though not being a Nord, but that's what the ancient traditions say