Chapter 6
Hadrian's P.O.V
Fort Sutch Commanders Office
County anvil 3 hours before the death of the emperor
It had been a great few weeks; Elisif had arrived at Sutch to hang out and see how I ran this Garrison town, for that is what Fort Sutch was, a town built around a Legion Fort, and thus it had many moving parts that had to be maintained, Trade, Security, and general day to day operations of any large town within the Empire.
This, however, put the town and fort under the jurisdiction of the Duke of the Goal Coast. That meant me and the most annoying thing to ever plague this world…paperwork.
I was reading over a request from the countess of anvil when my door opened not bothering to look, I suddenly felt a notion to move like someone was screaming at me. I moved. Just in time to see a sword stab my chair, drawing my own silver longsword, I looked to see 4 red-robed figures bearing weapons. The Nord of the group snarled at me. "Time to die little prince" before the 4 of them could move I blasted them into the hallway with "fus,ro,dah!" Killing 3 of them instantly it was just me and the Nord I charged him slashing at his chest slightly wounding him only for his mace to smash me in the chest thankfully I was in full armour but it hurt like hell.
The Assassin thought he had won, but a katana pierced his back straight into his heart. It was my blade guard, Jena. "Sire, are you well?" She rushed to check on me, not bothering to get her sword, just as Elisif and Legion Troops flooded the hallway.
(Present time)
Within 10 minutes, the fort was on complete lockdown. We had sent news to the imperial city and were waiting for a response from the council. However, it was not the news I was hoping for. The legion messenger handed me the letter, and when I read it, my heart broke.
Hadrian
I am overjoyed to know you are alright; however, that's the only good news I have received today. I am sorry to say that your uncles have been assassinated and your grandfather has been evacuated even, however, the legion patrol that was waiting for him on the road to Bruma have not received him yet I have the city watch searching the escape tunnel as we speak.
Hadrian, I ask you, not only as your grandfather's High Chancellor but also as your friend, to please stay at Fort Sutch until we have more information. As I understand it, the 9th Legion is on its way to you.
Please stay safe
Yours truly
Ocato of Firsthold
High Chancellor
Of the imperial elder council
That's what I had intended to do until a soldier in the uniform of the city guard of Kvatch ran in "Your Highness, I beg for your help. Daedra has taken the city. Most of the population is dead. We need your help, sir". standing up I turned to the legate
"Ready the men. We march on Kvatch".
Jena turned to me when everyone had left the room. "Hadrian, are you okay"
Turning to her, I gave a sad smile. "I pray when we get to Kvatch that it was a group of mages who summoned the Daedra and not that they came her freely, for if that's what has come to pass, it means the dragon fires are out, and the emperor, my grandfather is ...is dead".
At the head of an army, Hadrian Septim marched his forces into county Kvatch, all ten thousand of them, to liberate the city. The men of the 8th legion were ready to fight, and with the young prince leading them, morale was high. They all wanted to send this Daedra scum back to oblivion.
Riding next to him with her 20 solitude guards was Princess Elisif, who had told him in no uncertain terms that she was going to sit back at the Fort while he went off to war. She was a True Nord and would find Victory or be welcomed into Sovngarde.
Time skips 4 hours
Kvatch refugee camp
The citizens of Kvatch cheered seeing the banners of the imperial army, and at its head Prince Hadrian Septim and Princess Elisif; while he outwardly showed himself as a strong prince inside, he was in shock was this all that remained of citizens of Kvatch a city that had a population of fifty-five thousand people this was barely two thousand at best. "Legate have the men set up food stands for the people and have our cavalry units sweep the countryside for any refugees". He called to his legion commander who saluted and rode off to give the orders he dismounted his horse and began his walk up the hill with 200 legionnaires at his back while the rest got ready for battle.
Savlian Matius P.O.V
When I heard the sounds of hundreds of armoured feet making their way up the hill behind us, I expected the worst. However, upon seeing the banner of the 8th legion, as well as the duke and Princess of Skyrim leading them, I gave silent thanks to the nine.
Walking up to him, I dropped to my knee. "Your Grace, your highness, I am Savlian Matius, acting captain of the city watch or what's left of it." Heeling, his armoured hand grabbed my shoulder. I looked up to see a grim look on his face. "Rise, captain. My legion is here to aid, and reinforcements are on the way right now. We have to deal with this oblivion gate come. We have a battle to plan and a city to take."
Time skip 2 hours later
Hadrian's P.O.V
Sitting with Elisif and my officers, I was discussing how to take down the Oblivion Gate when two legionnaires came in carrying a woman wearing what looked like a leather cuirass and what looked like prison garb. "Sir, we found this woman on the road. She says she brings word from the emperor."
I looked at the imperial in front of me I had only received word an hour ago when the 9th legion arrived that grandfather was dead, I was the last Septim. Looking at the girl with anger in my eyes, I spoke as calmly as I could, "What news do you have about my grandfather except that he is dead?".
She looked up at me with a tear in her eye. "I was with him when he died. He told me to find you. His last words were close shut, the jaws of oblivion. I was also told to give you this." She picked up a package from her pack and placed it on the desk. I had a really bad feeling. I knew what it was, and I was right under the wrapping: the red jewel of the amulet of kings.
Elisif and the legion commanders kneeled and said in unison, "Long live the Emperor! "I looked at the girl and asked her a simple question: "What's your name, citizen? ""Selena Goldfield, your majesty, "was her response, her eyes showing a small flicker of hope. I smiled, "Well, Miss Goldfield, I need your aid. Will you serve your empire? Will you serve me?"
Selena P.O.V
"Will you serve your empire? Will you serve me?" hearing the prince. Emperors? Words I nodded my head in agreement "yes sire I will serve you I am yours to command." I saw the royal smile with approval in his eyes "I warn you what I will ask of you could very well end with your death my legionnaires are ready to take back the city but with that damn gate open I cannot risk it. I need you to get in there and find a way to close the gate."
Close the gate. He wanted me to close the oblivion gate on my own. Looking up at him, I spoke my mind. "Sire, why am I going on my own?". He looked pained as he responded, "believe me, I do not wish to put you in harm's way; however, before we arrived, captain Matius sent in a group of his city watch to try and close the gate only for the group to be ambushed only one man made it back alive the gate seems to be able to warn the Daedra of large incoming groups of people into it so we are going to try sending one person in."
It was a huge risk, but there was something about the young royal—something in his eyes that screamed power and strength. I stood and bowed, "It shall be done, sire." I turned and walked out of the command tent. I saw a chest of supplies had been left for me. I equipped myself with a new steel longsword and new leather armour. Walking past the barricades, I made my run towards the gate, passing the barrier and straight into hell.
Plane of oblivion
Selena P.O.V
this place was a horrific desolate wasteland of fire lava, and Daedra, from where I was, I could see the Kvatch guardsmen that had gone in before her. Walking up to the bodies she saw from the wounds they stood a chance until she felt one of them grab her. "Hurry there is no time y-you must get to the top of the tower there and grab the Sigil Stone it's the only way to close the gate."
"I can't leave you here. I have to get you help. The duke of the Gold Coast is outside the city with two legions." I tried to get him up, but he just pushed me away. "Listen, don't worry about me. There is no time. Close the gate and get back to the prince. He's in great danger, and only he can stop the Daedra from destroying our world. Now, hurry, get across the bridge before they close the gates, and get moving now!"
With that he finally died from his injuries I would not let him die in vain I bolted for the bridge and saw the gates were starting to close I got past the first but saw the 2nd was almost closed I made a jump for it and got to the other side. Now all that was left was to get to the top of the tower and close the gate so the legions could retake the city with a quick prayer to the nine and ran to the tower's doors.
Imperial palace
Elder council chambers
Ocato P.O.V
By nine, that boy was going to give me a heart attack. Not only had Hadrian left the safety of Fort Sutch, but now he was leading two legions on a mission to retake Kvatch from Daedra, and even worse, Princess Elisif of Skyrim had gone with him. I think I need a drink.
Normal POV
While the High Chancellor went to find the strongest drink, the Palace had a hooded figure in an unknown location who spoke to his master about the latest events. "Master the Prince has Twenty Thousand soldiers with him at Kvatch, should we not open more gates and end the Dragon Line permanently?"
The Master, a High Elf in fine Blue Robes, continued to stare at a random wall, thinking about what his lacky had said. It would be the smart thing to do, but his Lord had demanded he find the Amulet of Kings first. "The young Prince could have a million men; it would not matter. Without the Amulet, he is of no threat to our plans. Focus our efforts on finding the Amulet of Kings."
The Hooded follower bowed his head. "Yes, master, Dawn is Breaking." With that, he ran off to give his master's orders to his brothers and sisters.