Ch. 12 That Thin Line
I understand that a few people are getting impatient for anything to happen and I understand but I am trying to get all my pieces on the board but I promise that things will start happening very soon. Until then, please bear with me and keep on reading!
On a positive note, I have surpassed the 100k total story views milestone and I honestly have no words that can tell you all how grateful I am for it. Thank you all for your support and here's to another 100K.
Disclaimer: I own nothing, all characters are copyright of Bethesda.
"I'm afraid I misheard you, please repeat what you said." Maven said as her voice turned cold as ice.
"Legate Marius said that he will visit your city when he decides to my Jarl." The messenger said as Maven narrowed her eyes.
"I want him arrested and brought before me." Maven said as the Imperial soldiers stiffened.
"Only a Legate or above could even attempt that and it would be impossible to find any Legate willing to do that." Another soldier replied as Maven growled.
"Are you telling me that the Legion is scared to face down one single man?" Maven said as the soldiers nodded.
"That would be the gist of it." The messenger replied neutrally as Maven waved him away.
"Maul, would "kindly" pay a visit to Whiterun and acquire his cooperation?" Maven asked as Maul cracked his knuckles.
"My pleasure." Maul replied before he walked out.
"Make no mistake, I will be reporting this to General Tullius and to the Cyrodil Council and I will ensure they send me more competent soldiers." Maven said as she got off the throne and walked to her private chambers.
"If she thinks they will go against the Dragonborn then she has completely lost her mind." A guard said to his partner.
"How long until he comes here to level the city?" Another asked as the guard shrugged.
"Dunno but I'm putting my septims on a week." Legate Fasendil said as he emerged from the back room. "In any event, I want the city garrison ready to evacuate at a moments notice."
"Yes sir!" The guards said as they rushed out.
"Are you really going to allow Riften to burn?" Wylandriah asked as Fasendil shrugged.
"If you want to face down a bunch of dragons led by a man who wants revenge then be my guest, I won't have my men die just to appease someone who thinks that the world should revolve around her and her damn meadery." Fasendil replied as he walked out of the room.
-With Marius-
"I'm still working on getting you out of there you know." Marius said as Durnehviir turned westward.
"I appreciate it but the Ideal Masters have trapped myself completely and no amount of bargaining will ever be enough for them." Durnehviir replied as Marius frowned.
"Even now that Valerica is no longer there? I thought your time there ended when she was gone?" Marius said as Durnehviir shook his head.
"Nid, my body has come to rely on the Soul Cairn; without it I will waste away." Durnehviir stated sadly.
"And if we try to cut the link between you and that place then it will just make you wither faster." Marius said as Durnehviir nodded. "I'll find a way Durnehviir, I promise."
Durnehviir was silent for a moment. "Would you like to know a secret?"
"Depends on the secret, if it gets me in trouble then no." Marius said as Durnehviir laughed.
"Nid nuz Alduin fen kos paakmey." Durnehviir said as Marius raised an eyebrow.
"I still don't know the language very well you know." Marius replied as Durnehviir snorted.
"You will learn it in time but my secret is one that will ensure you are not steamrolled by Alduin. She prizes strength above all and you can use that to your advantage." Durnehviir said as Marius tilted his head.
"What are you trying to say?" Marius asked curiously.
"Prove your strength to her and she will have no choice but to bend to your request. If you really want to control her then make her the submissive one when the time comes." Durnehviir said as Marius thought for a moment before he turned red.
"You are one perverted dragon Durnehviir." Marius said dryly as Durnehviir rumbled in laughter.
""This "perverted" dragon will ensure that you remain the dominant one in the relationship." Durnehviir said after he stopped laughing.
"Alduin will kill both of us you know, you for telling me and me for trying it." Marius said as Durnehviir shook his head.
"Nid, Akatosh won't allow it...until you rob his precious daughter of her innocence then all bets are off." Durnehviir said as Marius laughed.
"Yeah right, him kill me because she wanted to have kids; nice joke my friend." Marius said as he continued to laugh. "You are joking right?" Marius asked as he realized Durnehviir wasn't laughing.
"How would you feel as a parent if you found out that someone has done that with your daughter?" Durnehviir asked as Marius stopped laughing.
"I would...kill...them...crap." Marius said as he put his head down in shame. "So when she jumps me it will be me who gets killed."
"This old dragon will help ensure your time left on Keizaal is well spent before Akatosh comes down for you." Durnehviir said as Marius gave him a small scratch.
"Then let's live like we are dying, to the Northern Shores! We have a newly arrived battalion of Thalmor to kill!" Marius shouted as Durnehviir gave a roar of acknowledgment.
-With Alduin-
"He is on his way there?" Alduin asked as a dragon dipped his head in acknowledgment.
"Yes thuri, him and the kast gein were seen flying there in high spirits." The dragon replied as Alduin looked at him.
"Why were they in high spirits?" Alduin asked as the dragon gave a slight shrug.
"That isn't known thuri but they seemed to be enjoying themselves." The dragon replied as Alduin growled.
"Go watch them and make sure they don't do anything stupid." Alduin commanded as the dragon took off to the north.
"You are trying to court and are being courted by the magnet of trouble you know." Odahviing said as he alighted on a rock.
"Then that means that all those who stand in my way will be grouped at one point which makes it easier." Alduin remarked as Odahviing nodded.
"I take it you have heard about Riften." Odahviing said calmly as Alduin snorted.
"They still believe that they can do what they want with dumb muscle; I want you to tear whoever they sent apart but save the head and drop it on the steps of that Keep." Alduin stated as Odahviing took off. She watched him go before looking behind her. "You will go to Paarthurnax and tell him that he may spread his so called "Way of the Voice" as long as he doesn't try to corrupt us completely and any that refuse to learn aren't to be forced and when that is done head to Solitude and tell that General that the time is approaching to reclaim what was lost." she said as they dragon bowed and departed.
"Aren't you moving a little fast thuri?" A dragon asked as she snorted.
"Nid, I am ensuring that all the pieces are in place for when we begin." Alduin said as she took off. 'And I am forcing the Dovahkiin to quicken his pace...all according to plan."
-With Astrid-
"You need to stop staring so much or else you'll give us away." Astrid said to her husband as he glared at her.
"I still don't understand why we don't just kill them and be done with it." Arnbjorn said as Astrid narrowed her eyes.
"Because then we will have to deal with four dragons in the city and an entire host outside the gates, if we wait and do it inside the house then we have all night to escape before the bodies are discovered." Astrid said lowly enough so only he could hear or so she thought.
"Joor are almost too easy." Nahlonvriiah said to herself as she watched them walk down the street. "At least deer in the woods can move quietly without a sound when they are trying to ensure they aren't heard by a predator."
"I hate waiting." Arnbjorn said as Astrid hushed him.
"It makes the victory all the more sweeter." Astrid said as Nahlonvriiah shook her head behind them.
-With Marius-
"That's...a little bit more than a battalion." Marius said as he stared at the sheer size of the Thalmor force on the northern shores of Skyrim.
"It looks like the beginning of an invasion force." Durnehviir said as Marius narrowed his eyes.
"Solitude can withstand this number but if this is just the initial party then we will need to begin mustering the troops." Marius said as he backed away from the cliff. "You were sent to watch us correct?"
"Geh Dovahkiin." A dragon said as it saw looked him over.
"Go back to Alduin as quick as you can and tell her that Thalmor are beginning an invasion; try and get her to send a flier to each hold and have them start mustering their forces." Marius ordered as the dragon regarded him for a moment.
"Very well." The dragon replied before flying away.
"Durnehviir I know your time is short but I need you to get me to Solitude or as close as you can." Marius said as Durnehviir nodded.
"I will get you there with all haste." Durnehviir said as Marius climbed on and he shot off.
And we will cut it right there. Maven is about to lose another hand, the Imperial Legion is all set to abandon Riften when Marius comes to clean it, Durnehviir turns out to be a pervert and still warns Marius that Akatosh will want to kill him for robbing his daughter of her innocence and the Thalmor are starting to make their move and forcing Marius to move his timetable up a notch.
Pretty straightforward chapter and I have given a pretty nice set up for the start of a new war but this time the Legion has new allies who are itching for a fight. Also, I haven't shown it yet but Alduin is getting closer to that time of the year so expect more attitude from her in the coming chapters. Also, the title is referring to that line that is always there and just waiting to be crossed by someone and in this case Maven has crossed it and the Thalmor are about to cross it.
Read and review and I will see you all later.
Translations courtesy of Thuum . Org
nid nuz alduin fen kos paakmey – No but Alduin will be embarrassed
kast gein – Trapped one (Durnehviir)