Tullius II
"General Tullius, sir, I wanted to tell you that things were quiet here and will be for a few months. The winter is setting in and I can handle what little will happen between now and Spring." Legate Rikke informed me when we started our day.
"What is this about, Legate?" I looked to her.
"Well, sir, as you know this is a two front war and you have been in Skyrim for quite a while now. No telling what your brother has gotten up to in High Rock.I was just thinking I would handle the winter war here while you settle some things in High Rock." She looked at me with uncertainty.
When I saw Rikke I saw the fresh faced Nordic woman who first joined me during the Great War. She had a young friend who went with her everywhere. Well, he and his housecarl. Back when Ulfric Stormcloak had been a loyal Imperial citizen. Ulfric and his housecarl had soon left my service for that of General Jonna, the Nord commander. Divines bless her, if she knew her country had fallen to this.
Soon I was on a ship to the city of Daggerfall. Daggerfall had always been a loyal kingdom of the Empire and still served loyally. I knew that I could count on the King of Daggerfall to side with me. I just needed to hear what all had transpired while I was in Skyrim.
I walked into the royal court of King Leovic of Daggerfall as it stormed through the region. It was so dark outside it seemed to be night. Though the sun was out if did little to help the light in the room.
"General Tullius, it is surprising to see you in my court unannounced. It seems like it has been ages. He stood from his throne. A goblet of wine was in one hand as he extended both arms out to greet me. I did notice he called me general instead of Emperor.
"It has been months since I saw you at my father's funeral." I looked at the man. Instead of the hug he wanted I extended a hand to be shaken. We were not friends. I was his lord and he my vassal.
"Oh, quite right." The man frowned and sat down on his seat. "Now that you are here, care to tell me why? I am sure it has something to do with your brother."
"Yes, Attrebus has become quite troublesome here lately."
"Really, all he has done for months is hold tournaments in the capital cities of High Rock. How has that troubled your war in Skyrim?" The King smiled at me.
"Let's cut the idle talk shall we?" I frowned at him. I hated politics. If only Julius had lived. He could fight as good if not better than I could and he was even more of a diplomat than Treb had ever thought about being.
"Yes, follow me to my study." When I entered I found a man I did not expect to be here.
"Oh yes, this is my friend Aeneas Philipida." Philipida?
"We have met, your grace. I knew his father." The spy told the king.
"Of course, you did. Since we all know each other let's get to talking business."
"My brother has been here seeking popular support from the Breton kings yes?"
"Oh yes, word is that he is set to marry the princess of Wayrest." Aeneas informed me.
"Political, true love, or did he fool around and knock her up?" I asked.
"Oh the girl is seventeen years old. She is scared to death of the idea of marrying your brother. Everyone knows that he is seeking to take your claim to the throne. She knows if Attrebus loses then you are likely to kill her whole family for supporting him and the odds are that he will lose." King Leovic told me.
"And the other kingdoms?" I asked.
"Camlorn is undeclared officially, but I have talked to their king. He said 'I will support the bastard if he can get his ass out of Skyrim and pay a visit.'" Aeneas looked at me. "Do you know the man well?"
"Well enough. He served in the Legion during the Great War." I left it at that.
"Wayrest, obviously will support your brother." Leovic stated the obvious.
"Evermore, has also said they will support your brother. He has taken several of their nobles into his court to fill, and I quote, 'key positions in his government.' Likely they would be his honor guard or something along those lines." Aeneas filled in gaps.
"What of Shornhelm?" I asked after the last kingdom.
"Dead silent. No news have come out of there since your father was buried. That was the last anyone saw of Tiber Lariat." Leovic answered.
"The Lariats are being very picky. They are descendants of Tiber Septim, although their bloodline is very thin. They were given Shornhelm when Cephorus II was made Emperor back in the Third Era in order to get Andronak Lariat to drop his claim to the throne. I would be pissed to if Emperorship went from my father to a distant cousin. Plus after the Warp in the West, they were absorbed by Daggerfall. Effectively ending their kingdom." Aeneas added to the king's information,
"My ancestor's gave them back their petty kingdom." Leovic spat.
"The Elder Council forced him to." Aeneas spat back.
"Do I have your support King Leovic?" I interrupted the argument.
"Why would I go through this meeting if I wouldn't support you? Of course, Daggerfall has always been loyal to the Empire. Now then, would you like to travel with Aeneas and myself to Camlorn? We have a meeting there with King Julian. He is looking for somewhere to send his son to learn about court."
"Leovic, I think I will take you up on that offer."
On the way to Camlorn we discussed the political status of all of the kingdoms of High Rock. Evermore was little more than a city state. It controlled little land outside its city walls and sat right on the border with Hammerfell. If King Azan wanted the city he would have it and be garrisoned before any other High Rock kingdom found out. It was however very prosperous in trade, Most caravans to Wayrest from Hammerfell pass through the city. That's how Treb will finance this war. The trade with Hammerfell.
Wayrest was a strong opponent. The current dynasty was formed when the Agent of the Blades who caused the Warp in the West married the Princess Elysana. Emeric was a friend of the Emperor, who asked for the Princess hand in marriage for his friend. Supposedly the man was a royal courtier before Jagar Tharn threw him in prison. Historians later found works that Emeric was a spy for the Emperor and came to High Rock and caused the Miracle of Peace. As a reward the King of Daggerfall offered his daughters hand in marriage and Emeric took it. Their line still ruled to this day in Wayrest. They were rich with a strong military. They were popular with the people. In every way Leovic's rival.
Shornhelm the home of the Lariats was a kingdom that looked back on the Third Era like it was the wonder years. They were ruled by an offshoot of the Septim line and were favored by the Emperors to the point that Potentate Ocato forced the King of Daggerfall to give their kingdom back after the Warp in the West. During the Stormcrown Interregnum, the Lariats came forward and pressed a claim. My own ancestors laughed them out of the Imperial City. They had no cause to love the Mede Dynasty but I did discover a way to end this. Tiber Lariat had a daughter who was the same age as my son.
Camlorn was waiting for me to enter the city. I did not know how they knew this, but the Penitus Oculatus had taken any steps necessary to prevent an assassination attempt by my brother or the Thalmor, or anyone. I made my way through the city and into the castle where I had an unexpected discovery.
Tiber Lariat was waiting for me talking with King Julian.
"There the old bastard is." Julian rose out of his seat and hugged me. My face apparently showed my displeasure as I could see King Leovic and Aeneas laughing. King Tiber's face never changed.
"So, here to talk war with your brother and you need our support right?" Julian inquired.
"Am I that easy to read?" I asked.
"Well you are shit at diplomacy." King Tiber stated. He was not even smiling.
""Don't be an ass, Lariat. No, we just know what has been going on. You need to do this quick in order to get back to Skyrim and deal with a rebellion quickly correct?" Julian hit the nail on the head yet again.
"Damn it man. Can I speak for myself please?" I looked at my old comrade. He merely shook his head.
"Okay, you both know the situation. Julian what will I need to do to get your support?" I looked at the man. He was as diplomatic as I was.
"Well, I'm glad you asked you old asshole." He grinned. "For one, I want to lead your forces here while you handle that upstart in Skyrim." He looked to Leovic and Tiber. Neither showed a reaction. The man had more experience than both put together. "Secondly, I want my boy to go to your home as a ward."
"Granted." I tried to get in.
"Wait, I mean Battlehorn. Not the Imperial Palace. That place will never be your home. Send him to Battlehorn. Raise him like you are your own son. Then send him here when he comes of age and I can retire."
"Granted. Now King Tiber. I know you are a harder sell, but I am prepared." I looked to the man who I needed to declare for me.
"Well this should be interesting. Let's hear it." He crossed his arms and leaned against Julian's table.
"Since your family was given the Kingdom of Shornhelm they have had many disputes claiming the Ruby Throne." I started.
"Yes I know I had to study it well as a child." He rolled his eyes.
"I am prepared to sit someone of Lariat blood on the throne." His arms came uncrossed and he came off the table.
"You mean?" He left his question hanging.
"Your daughter Elise with my son Apollos. Your grandson will be Emperor."
"Deal."
"So now that I have the support of you two and King Leovic's already here, let's plan this before I have to sail back to Solitude." I looked at my newfound allies.
"Hold on, there is someone else for you to talk to." Aeneas interrupted. I had no clue who this spymaster was but he was rather insolent. Julian had at least earned his insolence. I can't however be angry at the Imperial who can't keep a last name.
As I turned around in walked several Redguard warriors. Their curved swords were at the ready. Their armor was the style of Redguards of the cities not the Alik'r. In walked their leader who announced, "Announcing King Azan of Sentinel and Queen Amake of Helgathe, co-rulers of the Forebears and Crowns, inheritors of Yokuda, blessed of Ruptga."
"Kematu that is enough. They know who we are." King Azan stopped the leader.