Defending Whiterun
"After the Fall, We'll shake it off"
Blow Me Away, Breaking Benjamin
All the soldiers were lined up outside. Zion stood next to Rikke as she delivered the mission decree.
"Listen up! Jarl Balgruuf has agreed to allow the Legion to garrison his city." She paced back and forth, making eye contact with everyone. She turned to Zion. "I am trusting you with this mission."
"Yes ma'am!" He nodded and saluted her out of respect.
"You're to bring your group of soldiers to Whiterun. You'll report to Legate Cipius." She looked back at the other soldiers, "We've already sent some of our other soldiers to fight, if needed. You're simply reinforcements."
Everyone nodded.
"If Ulfric were to attack, Whiterun will be ready. This is not a mission to fail. This will be a key part in this war. You die, you will die with honor."
Some of the men were nervous.
"Does he plan to attack Whiterun?" Rexus asked, stepping forward. Rikke turned to face him.
"Nothing solid, but we're sure his next move will be Whiterun as it's the center point of Skyrim. He will try to take it, and it'll be soon." She put a hand on Zion's shoulders. "I look forward to hearing of your success, Captain."
Zion nodded and turned to group.
"Alright, men! Gear up and let's move out!"
They all disbanded to the stables.
Asbjorn smiled as he approached Balder, who was now geared up in Legionnaire emblems. He was wearing it proudly.
He mounted Balder and looked in the direction he last saw Mojdar.
"You know," everyone turned to face Hjar as he started talking, "they say one in every six soldiers is a spy for the other side."
"Well, isn't that something?" Zion said with amusement. He turned to Hjar, "Way to out yourself."
Hjar looked offended.
"I can assure you, it's not me." He looked directly at Asbjorn, who in return turned away.
"Can we just get moving?" He asked as he was the first to start heading out. They all followed behind him.
"So, when we get to Whiterun, do we just sit around and wait? I was really hoping to jump into a battle!" Falx started rambling. Zion turned to him as they were riding.
"We'll get orders from Legate Cipius. I'm sure he'll have some juvenile tasks for us."
"Of course." Falx said in disappointment.
"Excitement for war will get you killed faster, Falx." Hjar stated. Falx turned to him and shook his head.
"Nah, I ain't a milk drinking loser. I won't die!" He joked.
Asbjorn remained quiet. Part of him was thinking about Mojdar and the other half was thinking about the war.
"Will we be stopping in Rorikstead, I could use a drink." Siddan said. Zion raised a brow.
"We don't have time for that."
"But we'll be passing through and it'll be for a quick rest."
"We need to report immediately to Whiterun. And besides," He looked at him, "I've seen you drink and you were drunk out of your mind."
"So what? I like to have fun." He looked at Hjar, who turned away.
"You were flirting with all the women!" Hjar yelled at him. Zion nodded.
"At least I got some last night!"
Hjar growled.
"Ohhh!" Rexus and Falx hooted.
"Finally, we've reached Dragon Bridge." Falx said.
"Huh, I wonder why they call it that." Rexus said.
"Well, notice the giant Dragon Bridge." Falx answered sarcastically. Rexus returned the sarcasm through a laugh and playfully pushed Falx.
Asbjorn looked up.
"Guys, don't shove." He said. The two looked back at him.
"Yes, father." Falx said jokingly.
Asbjorn rolled his eyes.
"It's just that things can get heated between the two of you and it can easily turn into violence."
"Damn, kid, what in Oblivion happened to you? You're so serious." Rexus said.
"I like him better when he's drunk!" Falx said. Asbjorn looked down and then whipped his reins, going faster.
"We'll find out your secrets, one of these days!" Rexus called out to him. He turned to Falx, "Was it something we said?"
"Knock it off, guys. We need to stay a team. Keep your comments to yourselves." Zion said as he rode ahead.
"It was a joke!" Falx yelled. He looked back at Rexus and shrugged.
As they approached Whiterun Hold, it was getting late.
"Come on, can we please stop in Rorikstead for a break?" Siddan asked. Zion sighed.
"Fine. But we're not staying the whole night. We'll give the horses a break and then we're back on the road."
"Sounds like a good plan to me." Falx said.
They approached the small town. It was getting dark. There was a slight chill in the air.
"Man, it's even cold out this way…" Rexus said as she shivered. Falx nodded.
"I'll never get used to this cold and I've been living in Skyrim since I was a baby. This isn't nearly as bad as Falkreath though."
Rexus nodded in agreement.
The group finished tying their horses down and headed towards the inn.
Once they were all settled in, they all sat around chatting.
"So, what do you think is up with Asbjorn?" Falx asked. He was the first to speak up since they came inside. He took the opportunity to speak while Asbjorn and Siddan were getting their drinks and food.
Zion turned to him.
"I don't know. Maybe he's had heavy drama in his life. If he doesn't wanna talk about it, we shouldn't pry."
Hjar leaned in.
"Maybe he's a spy…"
Irritated Zion sighed and looked at him.
"What makes you think that?"
"Because I overheard him—"
"Alright! Who's hungry and thirsty?!" Siddan approached with the drinks and food.
Asbjorn set a plate and a drink down.
"I'm gonna take a step outside, alright?" Asbjorn said as everyone dug into their drinks and food.
Hjar stood up and followed him out.
"What's your aim here?"
Asbjorn turned to him as he leaned against the railing.
"Sorry?"
"You're hiding secrets from us. You're a damned Stormcloak, aren't you?"
Asbjorn stared and blinked.
"What the heck are you talking about?"
Hjar stepped forward, "Don't play dumb with me." He leaned in, voice low, "I followed you into the Blue Palace. I heard everything."
"What did you hear?"
"They called you a Stormcloak."
Asbjorn sighed.
"Hjar, you're out of your damned mind."
Hjar shook his head aggressively. "Listen here, traitor. If you even think about double crossing me or anyone, you're a dead man." He turned around and headed back into the inn, leaving Asbjorn speechless.
He sighed and turned around taking in the fresh air, staring into the night sky.
"Hey, stranger." He looked over to see a young Dunmer woman approaching him. He recognized her from the bandit ring.
"Hi. You made it. That's good."
"So you're a soldier?"
He nodded slowly.
"Yeah. I just took the oath actually."
"Interesting." She smiled and stepped up next to him. They both stood in silence. "That other soldier seems to think you're in with the wrong crowd."
"He's just out of his mind."
"I believe you. You saved my life and the lives of many women. No way you're a Stormcloak sympathizer."
He nodded again.
"Where's your Kahjiit friend?"
"He uh…he had some business to take care of."
"Oh." The two stood in silence again. She turned to him. "So, do you like the soldier life?"
He looked at her.
"What do you mean?"
"You get to travel, meet people. Must be great."
"Aside from the fighting? Sure."
"I've always wanted to travel. But I'm here, with my parents."
"You're a farmer?" He asked. She looked at him.
"Do you not like farmers?" She asked. He looked at her with fear. He didn't mean to offend her! She started to laugh. "I'm messing with you! The look on your face." She crouched down from laughing so hard.
He started to laugh along with her as she started snorting.
"What's so funny?"
"Your laugh…it's…interesting." He hasn't laughed in so long. It felt good.
"How so?"
He shook his head.
"Never mind."
"So, are you gonna be around for long?"
"We're making our way to Whiterun soon. We'll be stationed there for awhile."
"I see." She looked at the sky and then back to him. "Well, Asbjorn, was it? I hope you have a good night and hope to see each other again soon." She started walking off.
"Wait!"
She stopped and looked back.
"What's your name?"
"It's Annallee."
"Annallee. Well, I hope you enjoy the rest of your night and hope to see you again."
She smiled and continued walking. The air grew colder and he turned around to head inside.
"Welcome back!" Falx said. Asbjorn quietly sat down.
Zion looked over at him.
"You ok?"
He nodded.
"Yeah, I'm fine. I just needed some air."
"Alright."
The rest of the group chatted while Asbjorn listened. They told stories of their childhood and their reasoning for joining the war.
"So, Asbjorn, are you finally going to tell us about yourself?"
He looked up.
"What do you want to know? I was born here in Skyrim and left with my mother to Cyrodil. Nothing much to tell."
"What about your father?" Hjar asked looking at him.
Asbjorn was beginning to learn to be cautious around him as he may expose him as a Stormcloak.
"He…died."
"Oh? Really. I'm sorry to hear that."
It got quiet.
"Well, I'm gonna get some rest." Rexus said, breaking the silence. He stood up.
"Great idea." Siddan said.
Zion sighed and decided to retreat for the night as well.
Everything was quiet. The fire cackling was the only sound other than the snoring men.
Asbjorn shot from his bed with a loud gasp. He was covered in sweat, heart racing as he tried catching his breath.
"You alright, Asbjorn?" Zion asked sitting up.
"It was just a bad dream, that's all."
"You look done in, want me to get you some water?"
"No, I'm fine. Please, go back to sleep."
"Whatever you say…" He slowly sank back down. Asbjorn threw off his blankets and slept with out them.
It wasn't even sunrise when the group prepared to leave. The group packed up their gear and headed towards Whiterun.
"Why couldn't we wait until sunrise?" Falx asked as he yawned.
"We need to get the as early as possible." Zion said.
They were following the path, as taking shortcuts across the fields were too risky with the giants around.
"Whoa! Stop!" Asbjorn yelled as he pulled the reins.
"Why?"
"Look ahead. We almost walked into that." He pointed out ahead.
There must have been three or four giants with their mammoths.
"What do we do?"
"Try to evade them and go around."
"I say we fight." Falx said as he pulled out his bow.
"Really?!" Zion said. It was too late Falx was nearing the giants. Zion groaned and charged ahead followed by Rexus and Hjar.
Asbjorn and Siddan just watched and then turned to each other.
"Should we help them?"
"I don't think we have a choice, do we?" Asbjorn asked as he readied his sword.
"Guess not." Siddan said as they charged.
Once they brought the last giant down, they all stood around.
"That felt amazing!" Falx said as he stretched his arms.
"I've never felt so much adrenaline before!" Rexus exclaimed. He was pumped and was really feeling it.
"Hey, someone's coming." They all looked ahead.
"Shit, they're bandits!"
They came closer, starting to charge.
"Well ,ain't this a surprise?!" One of them shouted.
Falx, Rexus and Hjar were shooting arrows while the other men were fighting with their swords.
"Damn, Asbjorn. You really know how to block and attack."
He looked over, catching his breath.
"Yeah, I had a lot of training."
"Do you think they've got anything good on them?" Falx asked.
"What are you doing? Looting their bodies? That's sick!" Rexus said. Falx shrugged.
"They would've done it with ours."
"Ah, man, you're just sick."
Falx sighed and climbed back up on his horse.
"Well, let's continue then."
It wasn't long until they could Whiterun from a distance.
"There it is."
"That's Dragonsreach at the top, right?"
"Yeah, that's where the Jarl lives and in no doubt, that's where we're heading."
They continued moving.
It was just after sunrise when they reached the stables.
"So, this Whiterun." Falx said, looking up at the small inclined hill.
"Looks a lot, different up close." Siddan said.
"It's nicer on the inside of the walls." Rexus said to him as he dismounted his horse.
"Come on, we should go meet with Legate Cipius. I'm sure he's been expecting us for a few hours now." Zion said as he looked at Siddan.
"What? You could've kept moving." He led his horse to a post.
"So, we'll get to see what Dragonsreach looks like on the inside. I bet it looks awesome." Falx said.
"And we have to be on good behavior."
"I'm always behaving." Falx said with a grin.
Asbjorn fed Balder a carrot and followed the rest of the soldiers up the hill to the gates.
"Wow! Who would have thought?" Falx said as he looked at the city.
"What did you expect?"
"Well, from the crumbling walls on the outside, I wasn't expecting this."
"We'll have to time to explore later, come on. Dragonsreach is this way." Zion said as he led the group through the city.
"I thought Talos worship is supposed to be outlawed?" Rexus asked as they passed by the giant statue. Heimskr, the preacher was shouting in front of the altar.
"I think that guy just might be crazy." Zion replied. He turned to Asbjorn and shrugged.
They walked up the long steps to reach Dragonsreach at the top.
"Are you the party that's supposed to meet with Legate Cipius?" The guard asked as they approached.
"Yes, we were running behind." Zion said. The guard nodded and led them in.
"Head up those stairs and you'll see him. He's been waiting for awhile."
"Thank you." Zion said.
"Damn this place is better than I imagined!"
"What did you imagine, exactly? Surely you've seen a castle or some nobility homes before." Rexus said.
"Well, I mean, yeah but not all places are the same and this place is legendary!"
"Come on, you can admire the place after we report in to Legate Cipius." Zion said.
Falx turned to the others while Zion wasn't looking and made a 'kissing ass' gesture.
Rexus turned away as he held in a laugh.
Asbjorn looked down, not wanting to draw attention from anyone. Sure, he was older now. But with his history of being in Skyrim, he was bound to be noticed by someone of nobility, but then with the rumors spreading of his death, maybe no one would recognize him.
"You alright there?" Falx asked. Asbjorn nodded.
"Yeah."
They headed up the stairs and into the war room.
"Legate Cipius?" Zion asked as he approached the table.
The man looked up at him.
"We're reporting in from Solitude. We're the reinforcement team sent by General Tullius."
"Ah, we've been expecting you. You're late."
"Sorry about that, sir. We-,"
"No time for excuses. Captain Zion, is it? We do not have time for screwing up. Understood?"
"Yes, sir."
"Now," he stood up straight and looked at the soldiers. "Formation!" They all got into a straight line as he walked back and forth in front of them. "State your names."
"Rexus."
"Falx."
"Siddan."
"Hjar."
Silence.
"And you?" Cipius approached Asbjorn.
Asbjorn shook his head, snapping out of his daze.
"Asbjorn."
"Stay focused, soldier." Cipius turned away and sighed. "You know why you're here."
"Sir, yes sir!"
"And why is that?" He asked Falx. Falx gulped.
"To protect and serve the city, sir!"
"Yes, that's one reason." He cleared his throat as he paced back and forth. "We had a scouting party, who was supposed to find out some information for us. They haven't returned, yet. It's been almost a week. It'll be your mission to go to their camp, see if you can find out what happened."
"Where's the camp, sir?" Hjar asked. Cipius turned to him.
"Eastmarch, just over the mountains."
"Oh, perfect the spy can be weaseled out."
"Spy? What spy?"
"I am certain there is a spy in our group. And he'll be outed in no time." He stared directly at Asbjorn.
"What makes you think there's a spy?"
"Well, common sense. We have a large group and someone is bound to be a spy for the other side. Is it not common?" Hjar asked
Cipius looked over the group and cleared his throat.
"Well, if there is a spy among the group, I trust you'll handle the situation, Zion."
Zion nodded.
"Yes, sir."
"Now, head over to the camp. Take note of anything and everything you see. If you must, seek out a Stormcloak camp. Be cautious. There might be something worth finding. Now go. We expect to receive word in about two day's time."
"Sir, why not just enter Windhelm? We could always disguise ourselves."
"That would be a death sentence if anyone were to find out." Asbjorn said.
"Of course you would say that, traitor." Hjar, almost provoking Asbjorn.
"I am not a traitor!" He yelled.
Everyone watched as Asbjorn got fired up.
"I'd appreciate if you'd stop saying that I was."
He sighed and turned to everyone.
"Walking into Windhelm would be a mistake. Not only are the Stormcloaks based there, but the city guars are Stormcloaks. If we were to enter and some how get exposed, it'd be a death sentence."
"Or a risk I'd be willing to take." Hjar said. Asbjorn looked at him.
"Enough!" Cipius shouted. He turned to Hjar. "As much of a good idea that is, I can't risk it." He looked back at Zion. "I trust you'll be on top of your game."
Zion nodded and turned to leave with the group. Hjar stayed behind for a moment.
"Legate Cipius, I have reason to believe that Asbjorn is a traitor."
"What do you know?"
"Well, when he went to see Jarl Elisif in the Blue Palace, the court called him a Stormcloak."
"Really?"
"Yes, they were unsure of weather or not they wanted to trust him. And why else would he not want to enter Windhelm? If he truly was on our side, he'd want to destroy them, right? He's definitely hiding something."
"Keep a close eye on him while you're out there. Report to me when you get back. If it turns out to be true, I'll send word to General Tullius."
Hjar nodded. "Yes, sir."
He turned and headed out to the stables.
"What took you?" Zion asked as Hjar approached them.
"Nothing, just had a word with Legate Cipius."
"About?"
"Nothing."
"Alright, so…we're going to change into traveling gear, not of our Imperial armor. We have to attract less attention to ourselves."
"And if we need to fight?" Rexus asked.
"Steel plates under our tunics."
"Ah."
Zion mounted his horse and turned to everyone.
"This is going to tough. We might even have to fight, let's just remember to remain calm and collected as much as possible. Everything will go our way if we remain orderly, got it?"
"Yeah!'
"Let's do this!"
Once everyone was mounted and ready, they disbanded for Eastmarch.
As they reached the border of Eastmarch, the air grew colder. Asbjorn was quiet, deep in thought.
"You alright?" Zion asked as he rode next to him. Asbjorn continued looking forward.
"I have a bad feeling that we should turn back. Something's wrong."
"We've got our armor and we have each other's backs if something does go wrong…"
"Most of us anyway." Hjar said coldly. Zion rolled his eyes.
"Rexus and Falx are excellent archers, they'll standby."
"Why are you so worried? You're good with a blade, you're agile. Nothing can go wrong." Siddan said as he rode up on the other side of Asbjorn.
"The only thing that could go wrong, is if there was a spy among us." Hjar said.
"Stop it! No one here is a spy!" Zion shouted. He sighed and got to the front of their group and stopped. "This is my first real mission. Let's please not screw this up, huh?"
"What if we run into Stormcloaks?"
"Well, we are in Stormcloak territory so it wouldn't surprise me. Just remain calm and collected, like we talked about. They don't know we're the Legion and they don't' have to know. Got it?"
It started to snow.
"S-s-so c-c-cold." Falx shivered and wrapped his arms around himself. Rexus turned to him and nodded.
"Imperials." Siddan joked. He shook his head and snickered.
"Well, sorry, that we're not cold blooded and that ice doesn't run through veins!"
"Here," Asbjorn said tossing Falx a spare fur cloak. "It's hooded."
"What about me?" Rexus asked.
"I only had the one spare, sorry."
"Wait, you can use my blanket." Siddan said as threw it at Rexus.
"Thanks."
Siddan nodded.
"Ah, there they come." Hjar said as a small group of Stormcloak soldiers were walking their way.
"Stand your ground, don't make contact with them." Zion said.
They continued moving forward.
"And so that's why I—wait a minute." One of the soldiers looked up at Asbjorn.
"Shit." Asbjorn said quietly. It was Skost.
"Asbjorn." He grinned.
Hjar looked at Zion raising an eyebrow, as if saying 'I told you so'.
"I'm sorry, do I know you?" He asked looking down.
"Ah, I see. Sorry. I must be mistaken. Get a move on then."
Asbjorn quickly moved ahead, with the others close behind him, leaving the Stormcloaks behind.
"What was that all about?" Zion asked Asbjorn. He shrugged.
"I don't know. I've never seen him before in my life, honest."
"Well, he seemed to have known you from somewhere." Hjar said as he approached from the side. Asbjorn sighed.
"I don't know, ok. Perhaps he thought I was a different Asbjorn?"
"That's some weird coincidence."
"Yeah, well. A lot of fucked up shit is happening, right?" Asbjorn asked, rolling his eyes.
"Yeah, right."
They continued moving until the reached a spot where the camp should be.
"I think the camp should be around here somewhere…" Zion said. They traveled up a hill and noticed some tents with no one around. "Shit."
There were bodies all over the place.
"Damn, they were attacked."
"Yeah, it seems so. Look, there's some dead Stormcloaks too."
Zion turned to the group.
"Spread out. Look for any notes."
They scouted the camp for a few moments.
"Oh man, guys," Falx said as he lifted up a piece of paper. "You know that group of Stormcloaks we saw?"
"Yeah what of it?" Zion asked. Falx looked up and held out the letter.
"I think they're heading to Whiterun."
"Shit!" Zion looked towards the path and then looked over the tree tops. "We need to get out of here and head back to Whiterun! Now!"
They all scattered and climbed their horses.
"Damn, kid! You're intuition was right!"
They approached the top of the hill crossing back into Whiterun Hold.
They all looked across to the burning city. They could see a large amount of Stormcloak soldiers.
"Damn it!"
"Where did they all come from? We didn't pass that many!"
"No, they must've had been at a hidden camp nearby."
The sun was setting, which meant the battle would continue in the dark.
"Whiterun was prepared, remember? I just hope the townsfolk are safe."
"So um…do we…?" Falx started to ready his bow. Zion turned to him with a slight nod.
"We fight. If we die, we die honorably, right?"
"Come on!" Asbjorn shouted as he charged.
The rest of the group followed behind him.
"Die you rebel scum!" Hjar shouted as he ran his sword through a soldier.
It was bloody and it was hot. The flames and smoke were high. Bodies were dropping everywhere. Catapults were being used. This certainly was a battlefield.
As most of the Imperial soldiers were defending the actual city, Asbjorn's group was outnumbered out on the field until reinforcements began to show up.
Skost approached Asbjorn, sword in hand. The two stared each other down for a moment before they both had their weapons clanking against each other.
"It's a shame that it'll end this way."
"Skost, I don't want to hurt anyone, you know that."
"You didn't hesitate putting a blade through that Elf."
"He fell and his sword pierced him."
"That's not the story that went around."
Asbjorn used all his strength to send Skost flying backwards. He landed on a fence post.
"It's not over, Imperial scum." Skost mumbled as he had help from two of his fellow soldiers. Asbjorn watched as they retreated into the hills.
"You let them go!?" Zion asked.
Asbjorn turned to him.
"I just…I don't know what happened."
Zion groaned as they continued fighting their way through.
The battle continued on. Bodies continued dropping.
"Does anyone need medical attention?!" One of the healers, Sira asked.
"I think Siddan may need help!" Zion shouted as he and Hjar were helping him walk.
"No good! Get him out of here until it clears out!" She turned to Asbjorn, Falx and Rexus, "You three, move to the city, now!"
They nodded and ran ahead to help defend the city.
Once they have killed off the Stormcloak commander in charged, the others then fell back.
All the Imperial Soldiers surrounded at the main gate as the Jarl made his speech about the attack and the future for Whiterun.
Asbjorn had spaced out due to the adrenaline the battle had caused. This was his first battle.
"And you?"
Asbjorn snapped back into reality. "Huh?" He was staring eye to eye with a soldier had hadn't met before.
"I asked your name."
"Asbjorn."
"Thanks, soldier!" He said as he walked away towards the stables.
"Man, what a day!" Rexus said.
"Yeah, that was quite the rush."
Legate Cipius stepped forward.
"Good, you're alive."
"Sir, yes sir." Rexus said.
"You did well, soldiers. For a first battle, you handled it well. And you didn't fall apart."
"Had no choice, sir." Asbjorn said.
"Yes, well, thanks for the help. The Jarl wishes to accommodate for all of you. Free drinks and beds at the Bannered Mare and Drunken Huntsman."
"Sir, yes sir!"
He walked away.
Zion and Hjar were dragging Siddan into the city.
"Is he ok?" Falx asked as he approached.
"We wrapped up his wound, but he's not going anywhere for awhile." Zion said. He looked at everyone. "So, how does it feel?"
Despite being in the Legion for quite some time, this was the biggest battle anyone has fought in and it was the first fight for many of the soldiers.
"Fighting? I felt a boost of energy and knowing I was doing well, damn, I can't wait to do it again." Rexus said.
Asbjorn turned away.
"What's up?" Rexus asked. Asbjorn shook his head.
"Nothing, I'm just tired."
"We did just fight off a whole bunch of rebels, being tired is normal, I guess."
"Anyone else's ears ringing?" Rexus asked.
"No."
"Oh, ok then. Guess it's just me."
They all continued walking along. Thankfully, most of everything was still in tact minus a few fixtures and the buildings were only damaged to an extent.
Zion and Hjar had taken Siddan to the Temple of Kynareth to help Siddan heal.
Asbjorn looked around him. It would take so much time for everyone to get back to normal.
"Hey, I think I'm gonna go for a walk." He said. Falx turned to him.
"Are you sure? Why not have a drink?"
"No, I need to get some fresh air and I would like to be alone."
"Oh, ok. Well, meet us at the Bannered Mare!"
Asbjorn waved as he separated from Rexus and Falx.
"Where's he going?" Zion asked.
"Said he wants to be alone.." Rexus said.
"Probably absorbing the shit he just went through. He's just a kid."
"So is Hjar and Siddan. And heck, even I'm still a kid!" Falx said.
"We all do things our own way…"
Hjar then approached the group.
"He's always on his own. Something's not right and I'm gonna prove that he's a spy."
Zion groaned.
"What makes you think that?"
"He said it himself. He said he's a Stormcloak. He somehow knows Jarl Elisif in Solitude and he went to see her at the Blue Palace, the steward or whatever there accused him of being a Stormcloak."
"Accusations? You're judging based on accusations?"
"You don't understand. And he was so defensive when we were in Eastmarch. And what about that Stormcloak soldier who seemed to know him? He even called him by name. And I bet he has an amulet of Talos under his clothes."
Zion pushed him off.
"Even if he did, what does it matter? You don't understand."
"What? Do you worship him too?"
Zion turned around and punched him.
"Will you just shut up?"
"Why you-," he then got up and started throwing punches back.
"Guys, come on." Falx said as he watched the two of them fight. Rexus sighed.
"He's a Talos worshipper!"
Zion groaned.
"And so, what if I do? It ain't hurting anybody. Just leave Asbjorn alone. He seems to be going through things. No one understands, but I think he needs some friends more than enemies." He pushed Hjar as he walked by him.
"Traitor."
Zion stopped and turned to throw another punch at Hjar.
"Shut up! I am not a traitor!" He grabbed his tunic and clenched him as he brought him to his face, "Call me that one more time and I will throw you so hard—"
"Break it up, now." Cipius said as he approached the group.
"It ain't worth my time anyway." Zion shoved Hjar back and walked away.
"If I see that shit happen again, I'm reporting you both to General Tullius and you'll both be discharged, do I make myself clear?"
"Yes sir." Hjar said.
"Good." Cipius said as he walked away.
Asbjorn was leaning over the one of the watch points of the city, looking ahead.
"Asbjorn, is it?"
"Legate Cipius, what is it?" He asked as he turned to face him.
"I just wanted to check in with my men. Is everything ok?"
"Everything is fine. Why do you ask?"
He approached closer.
"You just seem to be…off at times. I want to make sure that you are capable of keeping up with the fight."
"Yes sir. I am always ready and able."
"Good, that's what I need. I'll be keeping a close eye on all of you."
"Yes sir."
"Have a good night, Asbjorn."
"You too sir." Cipius stepped away to head back to Dragonsreach.
Asbjorn sighed and headed towards the Bannered Mare.
"Asbjorn!" Falx shouted.
It was crowded. Soldiers and townsfolk were everywhere.
"Could I get you something to drink?" One of the barmaids asked.
He shook his head. "No thanks."
"Let me know if you need anything." She walked away and made her rounds to the other soldiers.
"This place seems cool," Falx said as he took another drink.
Asbjorn laughed.
"You just try to remain your cool."
"I'll try, but this Honingbrew Mead is so good. I might lose my mind."
"Don't make me take that away from you." Zion said.
"I told you, just leave me alone. I'm not looking for marriage or a man."
Asbjorn looked up.
"Come on, you're hot. I'm hot. We go together."
"Please, I'm just here to wind down. Out city was just attacked, you know."
"You will change your mind one of these days, Carlotta."
"In your dreams," she started to walk away from him. He grabbed her arm.
"Hey!" Asbjorn walked over, "Let her go. The lady is not interested."
The bard laughed. "What are you going to do about it?"
"Just stop, I don't want to fight. But if you're going to be a man, you don't handle anyone like that. Especially when they say, stop!"
"But she's into me. They all are."
"Are not!" Some of the ladies said. Asbjorn crossed his arms.
"Leave them alone."
"How about mind your own damn business?" He got into Asbjorn's face.
Zion and Falx stood up.
"I can't do that when I see someone in distress."
"A hundred septims, I can kick your ass. If I win, I can do whatever I want. You win, I'll back off."
Asbjorn sighed.
"I don't want a fight." The bard threw the first punch to engage in battle.
Asbjorn didn't back down and threw a returning punch.
Zion and Falx tried to pry him off the bard.
Asbjorn continued to punch Mikael in the face as hard as he could until blood was drawn.
"Ok Asbjorn, enough!"
"Fight! Fight!"
"Ok, ok. I surrender. I'll leave her alone. Get off of me, please!"
Asbjorn backed away shaking his fist and wiping the blood off his lip. He turned around to head out but was stopped.
"Excuse me," he turned around to see Carlotta, "Thank you."
"It's no problem. Men like that just piss me off."
She smiled, "I just, never had someone stick up like that. We all appreciate what you did just now."
"Again, it's no problem. Sometimes men just need to be put into their place."
"I own a stall in the market, just outside. Fresh produce. If you need anything, it's free for you to take."
Asbjorn smiled.
"Thank you, I'll remember that." He headed outside for some fresh air, again.
It was getting late and all the torches were lit throughout the city. Half the city was probably asleep and the other half was awake still drinking.
Soon it would probably be quiet and asleep.
End of Chapter