Torbin
The sun was barely peeking over the horizon when Riften came into view. Elegvir had returned not long after the skirmish at Shor's Stone reporting that the garrison of Riften was barely a thousand men. I hadn't expected it to be a large force, down here the Empire was completely cut off from the rest of their forces in Skyrim. Taking Falkreath had been a gamble but it had paid off, so long as Galmar made it to reinforce Alvairek in time then the Rift was as good as ours. Alvairek was currently taking the brunt of the Empire's push to reinforce their men in Riften, and the idea was that together she and Galmar would hold the Empire at bay while I secured the Rift. Aside from Winterhold, we would control the entire eastern half of Skyrim, a glorious day for the cause of the Stormcloak rebellion.
The ladders were built, Ralof and Hestida had taken a thousand men a few miles around the coast to assault the city from the water, we would attack the walls and, if the soldiers fought as fiercely as they had on the march south, the city would fall in hours.
My thoughts drifted, as they tended to do as of late. I had many burdens, far more than I cared for. I hadn't heard from Paarthurnax or the Greybeards in months, Delphine and Esbern had been quiet as well. After the battle on the Throat of the World, dragon attacks had become a tad less frequent, but still very much a problem. Esbern had promised me he was working on our next step, but so far I had heard nothing.
Again, I thought of what I had found in the Embassy. The handwritten record that the Thalmor was using Ulfric and the war to keep the Empire too weak to fight them. I had struggled with my resolve since finding it. Once, I had believed in our cause, I had believed in driving the Empire and the Thalmor from the lands of my father and his father before him and his father before him.
Now, I wasn't sure if the Empire was the enemy anymore, now I didn't know what to do. The war had been raging for years, there was far too much bad blood for a truce. Even if there hadn't been, the moment the Dominion realized the fighting had stopped and our blades were turning to them they would send their forces in earnest and crush us.
"What are they doing?" Serana asked, jarring me back into reality
As my army assembled some few hundred yards from the gates, I noticed boats in the water sailing towards the city, waving the banners of Ulfric Stormcloak and blowing horns. After a second look, I realized that wasn't what Serna had noticed.
The gates were opening, and the garrison commander was leaving the city. The Imperial banners fell behind him, white flags raising in their stead.
For the first time since the night before, I breathed a sigh of relief. They had looked over their walls and seen an army four times their size closing from both directions and decided surrender was their best option.
"Commander Torbin," The Legate, who I did not recognize, spoke stiffly as he approached "There is no need for hundreds of men to die today, treat my soldiers with honor, and I will yield the city to you without bloodshed."
"I would have your name," I told him "I would know a man's name to accept his surrender."
"Legate Tinek Garain," He said, removing his helmet "I believe you've met my father."
I was shocked at how young the boy looked, as if he had barely just become a man. I suppose the war had taken a bigger toll on the Empire than anyone had realized. His dark hair was cut short but matted and filthy, and the boy had bags under his dark eyes that rivaled the most exhausted men I'd ever seen.
I knew his father alright, I'd buried my axe in his skull. Ticedus Garain had been one of the most feared Imperial generals to set foot in Skyrim and a veteran of a hundred battles.
"Aye, I still carry a token of his esteem," I smiled slightly, tapping the scar by my eye "I should hope we may meet in a proper battle one day. It would be an honor to know you do your father credit as a warrior."
"My father was a great warrior," He admitted "But he did not lead men to slaughter. We are tired, starving, and cut off from all relief. I have more wounded men than able bodied."
"Jorasif!" I called behind me
"Aye?" Came the Greycloak's answer from a few rows behind
Jorasif the Greycloak was the finest healer a man could ask for, although I was never sure why he was called the Greycloak.
Truth be told I had never even seen the man wear a cloak.
"Escort Legat Tinek and his men to the dungeons, see them fed and his wounded treated." I ordered
"Very good," Came his reply "You lot, with me!"
"I am heartened to know the bards do not sing false tales of your honor," Tinek nodded as he turned to follow the host of men heading into the gates "Until we meet again, Commander."
A few hours later
The Jarl and her family were happy enough to be free of their cells now that the Stormcloaks had retaken the Rift. I, on the other hand, was as on edge as ever. Serana was too, and I made a mental note to talk to her more once we were away from the city.
Midnight was saddled outside the gate along with Serana's horse and once I had changed back into my Dawnguard armor we would be off. I could only pray that Isran would give me the chance to speak rather than order Serana dead on sight.
Midnight was the only thing I had left of my family, she had been born several months before I had left home. Thanks to the cover of night and her quick thinking, she was the only horse on the farm that the Thalmor hadn't taken or butchered.
I prayed a long life for her. Once my adventures were done I would build a pen for her next to the manor, and she would never again bear the weight of packs or men.
I headed down to the lower levels of the city, ensuring that everyone had been alerted the siege was over and it was safe to come out. Serana had followed me, clearly impatient to get on the road.
"I think that's the last of them," She said as we watched a group of children scurry out from under their hiding place "We should get going."
"I think you're right " I nodded "When we get to Fort Dawnguard, try to let me do the talking will you?"
"Worried my mouth will get us both killed?" She chuckled
"Very," I nodded "Isran would sooner put your head on a spike and send it to your father than let you open your mouth."
"Fine," She rolled her eyes "I'll keep my mouth closed while Isran spits at me and calls me a monster."
"Serana, I'm serious, Isran isn't-" I stopped suddenly, every hair standing on end
Serana sensed it too. I turned and drew my sword, leveling it in the face of the man who had silently approached our back. I noticed a blonde woman standing behind him, and a few others wearing battered leather armor standing on the other dock.
Even if I hadn't known his face, I would've recognized the Nightingale on their chests a mile off.
"No need to be so jumpy, lad," Brynjolf grinned, not even flinching "If I wanted to kill you, I would've done so."
"Oh please," Vex rolled her eyes "You and I both know you couldn't sneak up on him on your best day, and those are far behind you."
"I was wondering if I'd see you here," I admitted, sheathing my sword "I wondered what had become of the guild."
"The guild wondered what had become of you," Vex countered "We heard such tales. Dragonborn, trusted commander in the army of Ulfric Stormcloak, renowned warrior, you know the rest I'm sure."
"I'm sure they tell enough fables here as well," I replied "Serana, this is Vex and Brynjolf. Respected members of the Thieves guild."
"Oh, are we respected now?" Brynjolf laughed "I suppose there's no need to hide in the Ratway anymore. Better run and tell the Jarl."
"Would you prefer low life brigands?" Serana quipped
"I like this one," Vex laughed "This one has wit, strange to see a vampire hunter traveling a vampire."
At this, Serana's hand casually rested on the sword still hanging on her waist. I still wasn't sure if they meant to attack or not, but the comment had not gone over Serana's head. Her guard was now up, and she would draw at the first sign of trouble. If we were lucky, however, there would be no trouble.
"How does that come to pass?" Brynjolf asked
"A tedious tale," I said, smirking slightly "If I emerge from this mess with my head still on my shoulders, perhaps you'll hear the bards singing it one day."
"Aye, I should look forward to that day," Brynjolf said strolling past us and into the Ratway "Farewell, Torbin. I don't wish to hear the songs of your glorious demise just yet."
Vex followed him, smiling to me as she passed by and the other members of the guild had retreated back into the shadows as well. I felt myself relaxing, but still wondering why the guild would show themselves in broad daylight with a fresh army patrolling the streets of the city, even if just to see me again.
Brynjolf and I had been close once, nearly brothers. Vex had been more motherly to the both of us, and the dynamic was that of a tired old woman and her two trouble making sons. After Mercer had betrayed the guild, I had begun to become disillusioned with the kind of life it offered. I suppose it had started before then, but Mercer's betrayal had been the final nail in the coffin. Brynjolf, Vex, Sapphire, and all the others tried and failed to convince me to stay.
The guild didn't feel like home anymore after that, and I didn't feel like spending the rest of my life looting purses and picking locks, although I had been plenty good at it.
"They seemed surprisingly friendly." Serana remarked
"Lucky for us," I sighed "Brynjolf is getting old but he's no pushover in a fight, Vex either."
"Didn't you kill a man twice your size yesterday?" She chuckled "I'd put my money on you."
"I appreciate the confidence," I laughed "Come on, let's get moving. Daylight doesn't wait around."