Okay, here's chapter four guys! I hope you've been enjoying it - this is collaborated on Bayd1074's work, The Ruby Throne - here's the link: s/9083155/1/The-Ruby-Throne . It shows the Imperials and the Nords, and is really addictive. Anyway, R&R and enjoy this longest chapter yet!
"Cassius!" I was greeted by a smirking Vaenus in Attrebus' quarters. "Where's your sword?"
"Broken." I muttered. Vaenus didn't attempt to stifle her giggle.
"The mighty Cassius was bested in combat?"
"I wasn't bested. He broke my sword - I could've killed him if I wanted to."
"Who was it?"
"It doesn't matter," I said, turning from Vaenus to Attrebus, "Carvain is dead." Attrebus simply grunted, acknowledging me. "I killed him in the dungeon - the Nords didn't get any knowledge from him."
"That's of little importance." Attrebus said, stroking one of his golden rings.
"I have more news Sire. The rumours of the High King Gunder is true." Attrebus widened his eyes. "He is the Dragonborn."
"Are you sure?"
"Positive. He shouted strange words that made me stumble, and fell from a castle without so much as a scratch." Attrebus sighed deeply, deep in thought.
"This changes things."
"Sire, I'd suggest you send out your operators immediately." Attrebus waved a hand away.
"Cassius, you are to report to the royal blacksmith as to getting a new sword." I was about to protest more about him sending out his operators, but I knew it would do no good - soon he would come to his senses. I put my arms stiffly by my sides and bowed lowly. Vaenus stood up, curtsied to our brother and proceeded to leave the chambers with me.
"The mighty Cassius," she grinned as we exited the chambers, "bested by a barbarian."
"Quiet down little sister." I hissed.
"Peace brother," she smiled, "we all know of your exploits across Tamriel."
"And all of Tamriel knows of your exploits." I replied. "Tell me, who was your latest courtier? Sir Tenebraeus? Lord Caprius?"
"Sir Ignus actually." She corrected me.
"My little sister." I shook my head. "Tell me, do you use poison or a dagger?"
"Neither." She responded, an eyebrow cocked. I shook my head.
"I'm going to the forge." I said, and I turned around to walk down the long ornately decorated corridor, untying the ropes of my leather scabbard and carrying it in my hand down to the forge.
I got to the steaming anvils outside the palace, near the stables and approached the blacksmith.
"Sire. Is there anything I can do for you?" I handed the scabbard to him. "What happened?" He asked, astounded. "You didn't lose your sword did you?"
"What do you think?" I hissed at him. He immediately slammed his smirking lips shut and proceeded to bow, and turn around, forging a new sword.
"You know, I remember when I had your first sword forged my Lord." I rolled my eyes, deciding not to humour the man - he didn't seem to mind my silence. "A short little knife for you now, but back then it was like a greatsword." He chuckled. "You've grown up a lot since then if you don't mind me saying so my Lord." I grunted. I was frustrated with everyone, but decided that my 'subjects' should not bear the brunt of it - after all, Titus taught me that being a ruler, the people deserve my love and care. I couldn't help acknowledging the man's words though, and my mind floated back to a time with Titus in my life, when I was only seventeen...
I stood in the court, my hanging my head low. I looked to my right, where Attrebus stood, mimicking my stance.
"What have you to say for yourselves?" I looked up at the looming seated figure, his wife seated next to him. I glanced back to Attrebus, and then back to the ground. "Cassius?"
I took a step forwards and placed my hands behind my back, bowing my head.
"I am sorry for any dishonour I have brought to you and your empire sire. I acted in haste and on impulse. I was simply trying to protect my brother." I said, feeling Attrebus' eyes on me. "He was in trouble and I could not stand idly by. I apologize humbly for any shame I have brought to your name, but I cannot regret my actions." There was a small murmur throughout the court. I took a step backwards, maintaining eye contact with my father, who gritted his teeth, before trying to maintain his composure.
"What say you Attrebus?"
My brother stepped forwards, dipping into a low bow.
"Humbly, my Emperor, I come before you. The truth is that my brother Cassius speaks the truth. I may have thrown the first blow, but it was he who struck me first, as he gave grievous insult to those close to my heart." He looked over to me. "The fault is not his, nor is it mine." Our father stayed seated in his chair, as he had when I had spoken, only now he smiled, beamed at his eldest son. He laughed and clapped his hands.
"Attrebus," he said, standing up and walking down towards us both, "you have grown into a mature young man, and I am proud to call you my son." He clapped his hands on his shoulders, beaming proudly onto his eldest son, as I stood nearby, head still bowed, but acknowledging the scene; I couldn't help but feel some resentment towards my brother, for our fathers favoritism of him - it was because of our status: he was the eldest son, and therefore heir to the throne. Whereas I was the King's bastard son - only slightly younger than Attrebus, but I was brought up in the palace all the same, trained to become the weapon of my father. I was determined to prove my worth to him, to make him proud of me. "You, on the other hand Cassius," my father walked over to me, "you have grown into a reckless, arrogant and impulsive boy." I tried to breath deeply, preserving my anger at his words. "You think your skills make you superior, but you are not superior until you learn restraint, like your brother. You should follow his example." I tried to focus on my breathing, shutting out his words. I nodded once.
"I shall, Your Grace."
I hoisted myself up again, my anger at the memory boiling the sweat on my brow; I was in my chambers, pulling myself up above the beam repeatedly - I had been at it for two hours. Given how Attrebus dealt with the politics of the Empire, I had little to do other than train. I was angry - at the Dragonborn. He was stronger than me. This anger had fueled me to train myself to be stronger, faster, better. I had to be better to beat him - and I would beat him. I needed to match him in my strength if I was going to kill him. I finally dropped myself from the beam, then moved over to the iron frame that held my bow and various swords and knives.
The door knocked, and at my invitation, five soldiers came in, clad in heavy steel armour; they had learnt from their previous injuries that the wooden staffs could bruise badly.. They came over and readied themselves with their quarterstaffs; this was my training routine.
I grabbed my staff from the wall and nodded to them to start. The first one came at me - running forwards with the staff like a spear - trying to impale my stomach - or just bruise it rather: I stepped out of the way and brought my staff around to hit him in the jaw with the butt of it. I immediately swung my staff around to block a blow from above from a second guard, kicking his knee just above his greaves in order to make him drop down on one knee, while ducking under a horizontal blow from the previous guard, I spun around, whacking the staff square into his face, sending him up in the air, before spinning around once more to hit the kneeled guard - sending him sprawling across the floor - too injured to continue the training.
In an instant, another two guards came at me. I spun around the first one, brushing his running impale at my aside, and spinning around to jut the butt of the staff into his chin as I faced the other guard, who swiped at my head. I ducked underneath, spinning around again to fling my staff into his shins, knocking him to the ground, his face hitting the ground first. I turned back to the other guard, who had recovered from the blow to the face, and was advancing towards me. I hit him with the butt of my staff once more and then brought it back around, knocking him in the jaw with the end of it, sending him spiraling off to the side. I turned back to the other guards and brought a heavy swing upwards, hitting the guard in the face with the end of the staff.
I turned around to see the last man come at me, the staff whipping around through the air, towards my face. I caught it mid-strike, my hand bruising badly. I ignored the pain, and jutted the staff into the man's nose, knocking him backwards, and then I gripped the bottom of the staff, bringing it around to hit the man's torso, the quarterstaff splintered off. I panted as I looked around - all the men lying on the floor. The doors to my chambers opened, and I saw Vaenus standing there, chuckling.
"Careful there Cassius, you broke a sweat." She teased.
"Ah, little sister." I grinned, feeling slightly better from my 'outlet' of training. "It's unusual for you to pay a visit."
"I simply wanted to spend time with my older brother." She smiled, entering the chambers: it seemed that she was in one of her nicer moods now, and I was not one to dismiss or alter that - we were family after all. I nodded.
"How is Sir Ignus?"
"Dead - ingested some poison." I nodded.
"Of course." It was not unusual for her courtier to die - they almost always did.
"So," she picked up my bow and began running her fingers along the ornate carvings on it, "what are we going to do about Wintershield?" I cocked an eyebrow.
"I take it when you mean 'we'-"
"Attrebusm, you, and I." She confirmed, nodding. I laughed.
"Good to know. So, what is this miraculous plan of yours Vaenus?" I asked, smiling with intrigue.
"I could go into Solitude, and-"
"No." I cut her off instantly.
"Cassius I am capable of-"
"I don't care." I said flatly. "You're my little sister, and the barbarians will cut your head off before saying a word to you. You should stay here where you are safe." She sighed.
"That's exactly what Attrebus said."
"I'm surprised he didn't confine you to your quarters." I chuckled.
"He tried." She replied.
"He has a point - you're only eighteen."
"You're not that much older than me. Neither is he for that matter."
"But is he is still your Emperor as much as he is mine." I said, as I walked across the room, taking my bow from her.
Right on cue, one of the palaces servant boys came into the room, dipping into a bow.
"My Lord. My Lady." He said stiffly. He stayed bowed until I waved a hand for him to straighten up, which he did. "General Caesennius wishes to see you, My Lord." I nodded.
"Send him in." The boy bowed again, exiting the room.
"Looks like I have my next assignment." I said to Vaenus, as I pulled on my black leather armour over my shirt.
"Do you know where you're going?"
"Hammerfell I think."
"Remember to bring me a souvenir." Vaenus said as she stood up from the chair, exiting the room as the general entered.
"My Lord." He bowed his head. I bowed my head as well.
"General. I believe you are entrusted to brief me?"
"Indeed so My Lord. The High King of Skyrim, Gunder Wintershield, has sent his sister, the Lady Freyja, to Hammerfell." I nodded, as I lounged in my chair.
"He's seeking an alliance then." I stated.
"He will have one soon enough - King Cyrus Boldon harbours no great love for our Empire." I nodded.
"I remember, Boldon was one of the first who objected to the treaty with the Thalmor." I nodded. "So, Attrebus told me he wanted information on Freyja?"
"Yes, you are to travel to Hammerfell and observe what she and Boldon are planning." I scoffed.
"You think he'd allow a woman inside his war room?"
"The Wintershields are a proud Nordic family - that means something to the Redguards."
"It means nothing to me." I said. "So, I'm to kill her after I learn of their plans?" Caesennius nodded. I sighed - I didn't take great pleasure in killing women - I never had; usually the women had been defenseless, and didn't stand a chance at fighting me - it was an execution, not a fight. I always carried out the deed though.
"Is that a problem My Lord?"
"Of course it's not a problem." I said, as I stood up, reaching for my bracers.
"I would suggest, my Lord, that you do not wear the sigil this time."
"What do you mean?"
"My Lord, I would suggest that you wear the clothes of a civilian, so as to not arouse suspicion." I nodded, and proceeded to undo the side-straps cuirass, taking it off and placing it on the mannequin. I proceeded to remove all my armour until I wore my fine white shirt and my light brown trousers, as well as my leather boots. I opened my wardrobe as the general continued to speak. "I would advise your Lordship to go to Sentinel by boat? The Syriaca is docked and ready to depart for High Rock." I nodded, pulling on my black leather doublet, strapping it up, while tying up the stitches on my matching bracers. I felt too open and vulnerable without my armour, but I still had my hood, stitched to the inside of my doublet. "I would also suggest not to bring weapons, Sire, as it could arouse suspicion." I grunted, reluctantly putting my bow back on the frame with other weapons.
"How do I look?"
"Like a nobleman my Lord." Caesennius smiled.
"That'll have to do." I muttered. "Send word to the captain of the Sentinel; I'm ready." I smirked slightly. "Let's go find a princess."
Review Responses:
Bayd1074 - Thanks! I tried hard to make it a sort of step-by-step account of his escape - it helped me to long out the chapter.