Disclaimer: I don't own Elder Scrolls and Gladiator. They belong to their respective owners.
Chapter 9: In the Company of the Warriors
The next morning, Cloud Ruler Temple was filled by activities. Juba and Cicero were preparing to depart to Imperial City, Jauffre had the Blades to think for, Hagen was standing in front of Martin's quarter, while Maximus was somewhere else. When Martin came out of his room, he went to the window, opened it, and was greeted by the breeze of Jerall Mountain's cold wind. It was indeed the highest place he ever gone in his life, most of his times were spent in the grasslands and forest area, not the mountains. Then Maximus came from his behind, "Good morning, Martin, Your Highness. How was your sleep last night?"
Martin turned around to see the man who saved his life back in Kvatch. "It was okay. The image of the burning city was back to haunt my dreams. I could hear the people screaming in terror." He looked sternly at Maximus's eyes, somehow he looked like he understood what he experienced.
"Ah, forget it. The point is I'm here, alive and talking to you, is that right?" Martin stated as he waved his hand. "So, where is Cicero and Juba? They must be preparing for their hourney, I reckon." He continued.
"They are in the hall, taking some food for the road. You know it's almost four-day journey to Imperial City. Can't investigate anything with empty stomach." Maximus told him as the two laughed.
They walked their way to the temple hall where Jauffre watched over Juba and Cicero. He stood up from his chair the moment he saw Martin entered the room.
"Martin, you are awake. You come at the right time, they are just about to leave. I think you may want to see them off." Jauffre said with a smile.
Martin nodded. "Yes, Jauffre. We never know what will happen to them. Maybe I could give them some blessing as well because, well, I was a priest."
"I think that would be pleasant. This way, please." Jauffre led him to a table with Cicero and Juba who put some bread and potato in the knapsack.
Martin folded his hand, "So you're leaving today? Be careful, if the rumor is true, then you will encounter some resistance. I just hope the Nine guide your path and protect you all the time."
Cicero and Juba bowed their head in respect and gratitude. Then when they began to walk to the door, Maximus gave them a little advice. He told them to tell Baurus that they are Maximus' friends so that the Blade won't give them a hard time. After what happened to Uriel Septim, Baurus seemed to trust Maximus enough. The Redguard and the Imperial went towards the main gate until they become a tiny dot for the Blades who watched them from high above the wall.
After five hours, at 12 o'clock, at noon, Cloud Ruler Temple was back to the usual day with Blades sparing with each other and some other were on sentry duty. Martin was reading some books in the library, mainly the ones about Empire history and the Divines. He thought that as a future emperor, he should know about the background of the Empire, the emperors and empress of old, the conflicts, and the relationship with other provinces. He determined not to repeat the mistakes of his predecessors by maintaining good and healthy relationship with other regions of Tamriel. He put down the book he was reading before and took a sip of wine. Before him, there was three stacks of books. It seemed he had read for a quite long time.
Then Maximus and Hagen entered the hall, "Martin, it's nice to see you here. Can I talk to you for a moment, please?" Maximus shouted from across the room with his booming voice.
"Yes, my friend. Is there something I can help you with? Please have a seat." Martin said.
The two sat down before Maximus opened his mouth. "As you know I send my fellow fighters to fetch my family and place them in Bruma. Now I am thinking to grab them and bring them here, so we can ensure their safety easier with all the Blades here. So I'll be leaving the temple in a moment, and meanwhile…" He paused for a second or two and look at Martin who had been listening to his words.
"Meanwhile, I saw that you have some skill with magic. But if the situation go south in the future, I think it would be the best if you can defend yourself with a blade, just in case the magic fails you, no offense." Maximus stated his opinion.
Martin leaned back to his chair, "None taken. So what's the plan?"
Hagen began to speak, "Maximus and I decided while he goes after his family, I will train you how to fight with a sword or whatever weapon of your choice. What do you think? Are you up for the challenge?" He declared with a smile.
Martin was thinking for a moment before he decided. He never wielded a sword in his life, he thought it was too brutish and magic was a finer technique. But since he would be the emperor, there's nothing wrong of doing something different for a change.
"I don't think I have a choice in this. You will still make me learn to swing a sword even if I say no, right?" Martin asked them which they replied with two yeses.
Martin took a deep breath, "Then when do we start, General?"
Maximus was halfway walking to Bruma when it's 13.00. He wore a set of farmer cloths, courtesy of Jauffre. The old Blade thought it wouldn't be wise to wander around in full Blades armor or even Fighters Guild apparel in this time of crisis. The assassins could be hiding among the residents of Bruma and they would surely attack Maximus if they saw him in all his glory as the Hero of Kvatch. His mind was filled with hope and joy to see Claudia and Octavius again after almost a month. The gate of Bruma was seen from the hillside where he was. The guards opened the gate after he said that he was a farmer who came home from collecting the woods. The streets of Bruma was built with the strong Nordic influence which was not surprising judging its proximity to Skyrim. He strolled down to the second level of the city where people made their shops. He walked towards Fighters Guild Bruma branch, opening the door, he saw two Fighters Guild members stood guard by the door. He greeted them with the code only Fighter Guild members could understand and showed them his badge, then they let him inside. The hall was made of wood like many other houses in the area. The two fighters guided him to the barrack where a woman was sitting by the bed, repairing some clothes. His heart jumped when she ran towards his embrace.
"Maximus, it's so good to see you again. I thought you were dead after so long. We're so worried." Claudia cried with happiness and relief. At the time, Octavius came from the basement to see what happened above. He walked to his father and hugged him tightly.
"I thought I would lose you again. That's when these guys came from Chorrol. Then I knew you survived, I should have known you are just too stubborn to die, Dad." Octavius and Maximus laughed while Claudia watched him with pride.
After a moment, Maximus remembered his initial plan and told them to get out of the city. Octavius brought some weapons with him and gave his mother a steel dagger which she hope she wouldn't have to use it. In order to avoid the crowd, they split into two groups. Maximus, Claudia and a fighter went to the northern gate while Octavius and another fighter went to the eastern gate. After nerve-racking 20 minutes or so, they were regrouped just north of Bruma and then resumed the trip to Cloud Ruler Temple. Along the way there, Maximus was telling them what happened to him in the last month. Claudia and Octavius were dumbstruck when they learned that their husband and father was in fact the Hero of Kvatch they keep hearing from the news. The feeling of awe and proud overwhelmed them about how Maximus was given order by the Emperor Uriel Septim himself to shut the gates of Oblivion, which he did bravely in order to save Kvatch from the wrath of Daedra. For Octavius, his father's story didn't deter him at all, in fact it just strengthen his determination to become a great fight like his father, or at least to fight side by side with him to give Martin a smooth way to his rightful throne that waited him in Imperial City.
Martin was holding an iron shortsword, facing a monster in front of him called Hagen. The huge Nord was wielding an iron greatsword that suited him very well. He stroked Martin lightly, while Martin parried the strike by holding the sword horizontally like Hagen told him earlier. A couple more parrying and Martin made his first attack to Hagen's abdomen which was deflected easily by him. The Blades came by to watch their ultimate leader learned to fight with the weapon that was always with them, including Jauffre who was watching from his balcony. Finally Martin lunged forward to Hagen, but unfortunately, he lost his footing and began to tumble. Hagen quickly put his sword to his neck, ending the practice session.
"And you're dead, Martin. I think you must practice your footwork more, Your Majesty. Our enemy won't be so merciful like I am." He said while helping Martin stand up.
"By the way, you learn quite fast with parrying and striking. Tomorrow I think we are going to polish your combat technique until you develop your own style. Sounds good?" He stated while hugging Martin who was panting like a horse who ran from Imperial City to Bruma.
"I could do that… after I got… some breath..."Martin answered his mentor. That brought laughter to the Blades around them. Jauffre then stepped down the stairs and addressed the Blades, "Alright, alright, show's over. Back to your duty, boys and girls! Come one!"
After the crowd dispersed, Jauffre let Martin enter the hall when they heard footsteps from the main gate. It was Maximus with a young man and a beautiful woman, who Martin assumed were his family. They went up to the hall towards the fire pit so they could remove the chill from Jerall Mountains. After having warm soup, Claudia and Octavius were finally introduced to Jauffre and Martin. They bowed with a great respect to the Grandmaster of the Blades, and even more so to the would-be emperor of Tamriel. Claudia found herself change into the royal mode when she addressed Martin by using "Your Highness", "Your Majesty", or "Sire", much to Martin discomfort about those titles. And for Octavius, for the next 5 minutes, he was wandering the hall, looking the awesome-looking swords that were hanged on the ceiling. Maximus took the opportunity to tell his boy about the Blades from what Jauffre had told him and that made Octavius want to serve under Martin to protect him, just like his father, but then Maximus reminded him that he just joined the Fighters Guild not too long ago, and that meant he couldn't leave the guild just like that.
After some simple dinner, the commotion eventually died down and everyone went to their bed, leaving Maximus who stared at the ceiling, thinking of his two friends, somewhere out there.
This is just a filler that I write before the next part, I just need to describe what happened up there, when Path of Dawn quest is going on. You know, Blades doing Blades stuff plus Martin plus the Hero. I'll see you again on the next chapter, bye for now.