Skyrim (c) Bethesda
Forgotten Paladin, Chapter IX: Potema II.
He has to stop himself from punching the wall. Damn that steward to the deepest planes of Oblivion. Kaylee has been missing for three days. Nodding towards the priest that led them to the basement, he motions his small squad of six forward. Rikke takes careful steps behind as they move past dead bodies of Draugr.
A purple wind blasts threw them, knocking them against the walls. A nervous soldier speaks out, "What was that?" Adjusting himself, he merely continues forward. He registers Rikke's voice behind him, muttering some response to the soldier.
He still doesn't know why he cares so much for her. He does consider her a friend, just wasn't sure if she was a close friend or not. Probably a close one, as he has very few friends, but he has neither want nor time to make any. Another purple wind hits them. It feels like it is trying to guide them, and that he does not like. A female voice rings out. "Oh look at the saviors. Here they come to rescue their own!" Musical laughter follows, but there is an evil ring to it. "You should, and will, see it, dearest legionaries. The body of broken Paladin. She is my servant now."
Before them stood Kaylee, sword unsheathed and shield ready. Her eyes, once pale blue, were dark red. "Her ladyship commands your death. Die." Pushing her visor down, she charged shield raised. "Move!" The legionaries scattered. "Try to knock her out! And stay out of her range!" Rikke yelled. Two soldiers attempted to move behind her, but Kaylee swung at them, slicing one of them lightly.
Tullius gritted his teeth. Trying to sneak up on her wouldn't work. "Charge her and surround her with shields up!" Forming a shield wall the legionaries moved into a circle, inclosing Kaylee. She snarled and tried to break out. "Hold! Hold!" shouted one of the soldiers. "Do not let her Shout!" Tullius barked the moment Kaylee opened her mouth. He pushed out with his shield knocking her in the chest.
It was the moment they needed. Rikke dashed forward, threw off Kaylee's helmet while another soldier hit the back of her with the hilt of his sword. Sheathing his sword as quickly as he could, he moved forward and caught her. "Well, isn't this interesting." Heads turned.
The purple wind from before had token on a female shape. "You proved be smarter than I expected." Tullius handed Kaylee to one of the men and stood. A shrill laugh echoed the room. "General Tullius, how about you come and face me." Moving forward, he held a hand up to his men. "And how do you fight if you are merely a spirit of your former self?"
"A fair question." Potema snapped her ghost fingers. A female Draugr's body appeared next to her. "I suppose I can use this… corpse to kill you." Tullius readied himself. "Get to the back of the wall. Now." He unsheathed his sword once more and twirled it. Rikke called out to him, "Be careful, sir!" "I will."
Potema raised herself from the ground. "It has been awhile since I have walked. Perhaps that will give you an advantage." She grinned. "I hope it doesn't." Her sword flew downwards. Tullius brought up his shield. "Not a bad strike for an old woman." He commented dryly thrusting his sword forward. Potema stepped back. "I will not be taken down so easily." She swung to the left. Tullius blocked it with his blade, and slammed his shield into her causing her to stumble backwards.
Using his now free sword hand, he slammed his sword downwards, leaving a good sized cut on her sword arm. Potema cried out. "Damn you!" Gathering destruction magic in her left hand, she took aim at Tullius. "I refuse to go down so easily!" She bellowed slinging the magic at him.
A familiar crested shield blocked its path. Potema hissed. "How dare you disobey your master!" Kaylee lowered her shield slightly. "You are not my master!" Kaylee lunged forward, piercing Potema's stomach. Pulling her sword back out, she slashed Potema's neck. Turning Kaylee faced Tullius, whom looked slightly relieved. "I'm sorry for attacking you." He waved it off. "You were not in control of yourself. Don't worry about it."
Kaylee sighed in relief when they reached Castle Dour. Tullius had sent ahead a messenger to inform Elisif's court that everything was in the clear. She sat lazily on Tullius' bed, watching in amusement as he pondered over more letters. She was to rest for the next two days, and then she would be joining Rikke in the Pale.
"It was very impressive." Tullius' head snapped up. "What?" Kaylee chuckled. "What you did back there. Facing Potema on your own." He sat back in his chair. "Yes, I guess it was." Getting up slowly, Kaylee walked over to a chair and plopped herself down. "You should rest too, you know." Tullius grunted.
"I have no time for that." It was Kaylee's turn to grunt. "Ulfric won't be moving his troops for a couple days. There have been reports of major snow storm near the borders of the Pale and Winterhold. You do have time." He bit back a groan. She was up to something, and he needed to know what. "What are you up to, Paladin?" The only response was an innocent grin. "Nothing. An army may be only a strong as its weakest link, but its strongest link must also be strong as well."
"What are you suggesting?" A laugh broke from her lips. "I'm suggesting that I give a massage to loosen your shoulders." Throwing down a letter from the Jarl of Falkreath, he stood up and sat on the bed. "Fine." Kaylee placed her hands on his shoulders and began rubbing. Her thumbs worked away all the tense muscles, giving Tullius some relief. He sighed pleasurably in response. The corner of Kaylee's lips turned upwards. "Told ya so."
He leant back. "Shut up." He mumbled, Kaylee laughed again. "If you keep it up like this, I'm going to fall asleep on you." He yawned. He could feel her shrug. "Go ahead. The Nine know you don't sleep often, and when you do, it's not well enough." His head rolled back as his eyes drooped. "Thank you." He managed to get out before sleep took him.
Kaylee watched in content as the General fell asleep in her arms. "You're welcome." Pulling back the covers, she placed him into bed. She took the moment to stare at him. Despite his age and all he had seen, he was still fairly handsome and his face was mostly spared of scars. Unlike hers which had gained a scar at some point. After placing the cover over him, she leaned forward and placed her lips against his.
x
x
"Secure the door." Tullius barks at two Imperial soldiers. They move into position as she, Tullius and Rikke walk towards Ulfric. "It's over, Ulfric. Surrender and you will have a fair trial." The man in question laughs a hallow laugh. "The last time you said that, I was destined to the chopping block. Of course, until Alduin irrupted."
"Alduin has nothing to do with this, Ulfric!" It's the first time Kaylee has spoken up since they left Solutide two weeks ago. Ulfric lazily glances at her. "I suppose you're right, Dragonborn." "Then surrender." He smirks. "No."
The housecarl, whom has been quiet, charges them, battle axe ready. "Rikke, Tullius, take the housecarl. I'll deal with Ulfric. Voice versus Voice." She yells while jumping on the table and charging Ulfric. Neither one agrees with it easily, but can't voice their opinion as they block swings from the housecarl.
Ulfric dodges the swing easily, but not fast enough. A thin red line appears on his cheek. "Fus!" The Shout flies from his mouth. The force staggers Kaylee, giving Ulfric a chance to swing at her. The blade of his axe slices the armor of her left arm. He would have congratulated himself, until he heard his housecarl, Galmar, cry out.
Tullius is down on the ground, with Rikke standing above him, her sword through Galmar's chest. Distracted by the scene, he never hears Kaylee's Shout of "Liz Slen Nus." An ice grips him, freezes him solid, and he falls to the ground frozen. "Nice job." Rikke comments after she pulls out her sword. "Thank you."
The soldiers from before grab his frozen form and they lead him out with Rikke close behind. Kaylee kneels next to Tullius, examining his wounds. "They aren't fatal." She mumbles out reaching to heal him. The healing magic works itself around his wounds, and Tullius sighs in relief. Accepting her hand, he lifts himself up. "The Emperor himself will be coming to the trial. I imagine he will wish to speak to you."
"Yes, I've already thought of this." They are shoulder to shoulder as they exit the Palace.
A cheer erupts from the streets as Ulfric is led through Solutide. The courtyard of Castle Dour is alight with many emotions. He glares as he led in front of the so called Emperor. Rikke yells, "Quiet! Quiet!" Once more Tullius stands before him, and with him is Kaylee. The Paladin looks at him with a sad gaze. His vision snaps back to Tullius whom is speaking.
"Ulfric Stormcloak, you are here today to face the crimes committed against the Imperial Empire. You are to beheaded." Hands grab him as Tullius finishes speaking. His last memory is the sight of Titus Mede, Tullius, Rikke and Kaylee watching as the axe fell.
"It's over." Rikke states after Ulfric is beheaded. The Emperor nods sagely. "Yes, it is my dear." Rikke salutes before leaving to clean everything up. Mede turns to Tullius, "Well done General." Tullius shakes his head. "It was she whom defeated Ulfric, not I." The Emperor fixes his gaze upon Kaylee, whom fidgets slightly. "A Paladin." Sucking in a breath, Kaylee mumbles out, "Not just Paladin, but Dragonborn as well."
"I see." He places a hand on Kaylee's shoulder. "Even still, I thank you whether you are Dragonborn, Paladin, or not." Kaylee bows her head and places her fist on her chest. "The Paladin Order will always be faithful to the Empire." Mede chuckles. "I know. By the way, I never did get your name." "Kaylee Whitestrake." He ponders over the name. "Whitestrake. I know that name. Rudin Whitestrake, whom I take it, was your father?" A slow nod is his answer. "He would be proud of you, you know." Mede starts to walk towards a door. "Come you two, we shall discus your rewards."
Banners hang from the walls, some flutter in place. A throne sits at the end of the hall, like any other castle. Mede lowers himself unto it slowly. It looks just as uncomfortable as the Jarls' thrones. Tullius and Kaylee stand a foot away from each other waiting for Mede to speak.
"I know you may eager to have your rewards, but, I wish to learn more about you, Kaylee. And your plans for the Paladin Order." She shifts her weight to her right foot. "I plan to rebuild it of course. Thankfully, there is another way to become a Paladin." Mede raises an eyebrow at her response. "Oh?"
Kaylee takes another look at Tullius before continuing. "It isn't very well known since the Dominion burned most of the books on my Order, but yes there is another way. It's called the Arkay Trial." Titus strokes his chin briefly and motions for her to continue. "You would meet with four different Paladins. One would wield a bow, another would wield a two handed weapon, then it would be a one handed weapon and shield, and the last Paladin would simply wield a dagger."
"Why would one of you wield just a dagger?" Kaylee scratched the back of her head. "I think it's because there were some Paladins who were just healers, and the dagger was a way protecting them just in case." "I see." The emperor rested his elbows on his legs. "There is one last thing I wish to discuss with you, Kaylee, and that is you Dragonborn heritage. Historically, the Dragonborns were placed on the throne. However, for these last 200 years, that has not been practiced."