Chapter 7
Kvatch Barricades
Ruins of Kvatch
28th Last Seed
3E-433
Hadrian Septim stood at the barricades with his legions and what was left of the city watch. It had been two hours since Selena went into that thing, but they could only pray she was alright.
It was then that they noticed the gate starting to look unstable. It eventually imploded, and standing in the remains of the gate was Selena herself, who, upon hearing the cheers of the legionnaires, turned and ran to us.
Hadrian P.O.V
I couldn't believe it she closed the gate when she made it back to the barricades I hugged her much to her shock and the legionnaires and if Hadrian had seen her face Elisif jealousy, "you did it you closed the gate thank the nine now we can retake the city."
I smiled at the first good news since this mess began: "Sire, with your blessing, I wish to help take the city." She spoke with a determined look in her eye. I knew that look well, and who was I to deny her? "Very well, one moment."
Turning to my legions, it was time to fight. "Sons and daughters of Tamriel, the empire has been wounded. The emperor and his sons, my family were slain by traitors who then led the Daedra into our world. Look at the results. Kvatch is merely a demonstration of what they will do to our world. Are we going to let them?"
The response from the legionnaires was deafening noooooo! "Then let us take back this city and send the Daedra screaming back to oblivion, ready now. Everyone with me for the empire! For the legion! Advanced!
Normal P.O.V
Over twenty thousand legionnaires and Kvatch city watch marched towards the walls with their prince at the head. They saw the gates were sealed and the walls manned by Daedra. The legion was momentarily halted when they saw Hadrian run towards the gate, only to stop and use his Unrelenting Force shout.
The sheer power of the shout struck the gates of the city, only for the gates to shatter the Nord legionnaires. Elisif and her Solitude guards were more than impressed with the new soon-to-be emperor.
The Daedra never stood a chance. The 2000 odd Deadra in the main plaza were overwhelmed by the legion troops as legion steel carved its way past flesh, bone, and scales. The damage to the city was great. The chapel of Akatosh was one of the few things not completely destroyed. If any people still lived in the city, they would hide there.
Selena P.O.V
I thought I saw war during a minor uprising in high rock. I saw the legion put me down quickly. But this was war. The legion moved as a well-oiled machine, swarming the Daedra with their greater numbers. However, this was only one district; the rest of the city had to be taken.
I saw Elisf welding her Steel Longsword cutting down a Scamp before dodging a hammer swing from an angry Dremora stabbing him in the chest as her guards fought around her, she had to admit it was an amazing site.
"Selena". Hadrian yelled to her, getting her attention. "Get to the chapel and see if there are any survivors, we will deal with this hurry!" he yelled to her as he cut down a Dremora while bashing a scamp with his shield.
I nodded and made my way to the chapel door. As soon as I got inside, I was met with four swords pointed at me. "Who are you, and how did you get in here?" demanded a redguard woman who was clearly a member of the city watch.
"my name is Selena goldfield I was ordered by Prince Hadrian septim to check the chapel for survivors he's outside right now with his legions fighting the daedra". Before the 4 guards could say anything, the bangs were heard on the door. "Open up in the same of the legion!"
When Hadrian's voice came, I opened the door. The four guards dropped their weapons and bowed, seeing the prince with a blade and legion soldiers behind him.
Normal P.O.V
Time skip 5 hours
Hadrian looked at the site. His forces were working on moving rubble out of the way to allow the legion to get to the castle in force, but that was not what was up with him in the chapel.
Only 4 guards and 12 civilians were left alive, in total 20 city guards and 2114 civilians had survived out of 55000 citizens that called Kvatch home. It was a blow the region would not soon recover from.
The majority of the Daedra had retreated to the castle and arena districts, leaving the rest of the city to be occupied by his forces. He sent Selena to oversee the taking of the arena district while he and Elisif stormed the castle and rescued the count.
The final assault began. Legion forces stormed into the castle district plaza cutting down the few dozen scamps outside the castle walls they never stood a chance however that is where their luck would run out as the castle gates were closed, and the only way to open them was from inside the gatehouse. as a hour passed Hadrian saw the gates open an Selena standing there she had got inside somehow the legion marched across the bridge and into the courtyard pushing the Dremora mages back they made their way into the castle proper.
Castle Kvatch Greathall
The hall was a wreak bodies of Kvatch guards, and Deadra lay everywhere but the legion had no time to look for survivors as a Group of fully armoured Dremora charged straight at them forming long lines spanning the width of the great hall. The legion advanced shields ready and swords drawn. Some legionnaires were cut down by the ruthless Dremora warriors but were quickly avenged by their brothers in arms, but at the end, the legion had taken the great hall.
Selena and a group of legionnaires went ahead to find the count on Hadrian's orders, as he stayed to check the fallen. They had taken the city but not without loss. 46 legionnaires from the 8th legion had lost their lives in the fighting, but compared to the total loss of the city of Kvatch, it was a minor loss.
However, when an hour passed and Selena returned with her men but no count, they knew there day had just gotten worse.
Savlian Matius looked at her. With annoyance, "Where is the count? Why is he not with you". He demanded only to pale as Selena handed him the counts signet ring "I am sorry he is dead killed by Dremora".
"We were too late. If only everyone had gotten here sooner. This is indeed a dark day for all of us left, but at least this is safe. I will safeguard it until a new count is crowned.
Hadrian walked up to them with a grim look on his face. "Savlian, I must return to the imperial city and light the dragon fires. I will leave my legions here to keep order, clear the ruins, and ride ahead with the Calvary. If we are to stop any other city from suffering this fate, the dragon fires must be lit."
The captain nodded, "Yes, sire. I thank you for your aid. May the nine keep you safe, sire."
Hadrian nodded and turned to Selena "I have an important task for you are you up for it". The look he received told him of course she was.
Unknown location
Unknown cult leader P.O.V
2 Days Later
30th Last Seed
3E-433
So, the Young Septim Prince still lived, but he did not have the amulet. According to the reports I had received, this was wonderful.
Sure, his forces had been beaten and the city retaken, but without the Amulet, the young prince would flee to a cloud-ruler temple north of Bruma.
So yes, he may have bought his empire some time by taking back Kvatch, but it did not matter; I would still win in the end. Looking to my followers, I stood from my throne to address them.
"My children dawn is breaking the Dragon Throne is empty and the last septim does not have the Amulet, he will flee north to hide behind his blades at cloud ruler temple believing he will be safe there". He paused long enough for his followers to laugth.
"Focus our efforts in finding him heading north, fear not for lord Dagon is with us. Now go, and end the Last of the Imperial Line in the name of our Lord."
As I watched them hurry to fulfil your orders, I smiled. Soon, the last dragon would be dead, and Lord Dagon would walk Tamriel again.
Normal P.O.V
If only he knew the truth, the reports he had received had not been from his followers but from a blade who, upon seeing a familiar face in the capital, found out that one septum still lived. Baurus had failed to protect emperor Uriel. He would not fail Hadrian.
So when he saw the prisoner, he sent the amulet of kings running towards the palace with news for the Elder Council; this would be his redemption. Less than 14 miles away from the capital, just over 1,000 riders could be seen going at full speed to the capital. Leading them was the soon-to-be emperor Hadrian Septim. They had to hurry. The longer the dragon fires remained unlit, the weaker the barriers protecting Tamriel from oblivion grew.
The Elder Council Chambers
The Imperial Palace
The High Chancellor rushed to gather all of the Palace Guard; he would need them to fulfil this task. Seeing them gathered before him, he stood from his council seat. "Guards, the full garrison will leave the Palace with me immediately to go to the Temple of the One." He smiled at them as he picked up his mage staff. It's time we had an Emperor again."
With a cheer the Palace Guard followed the Chancellor out of the Palace and made their way towards the Temple District, while across the City in the Talos Plaza District the City watched lined the Streets all the way from the main entrance to the gates to the Temple District ready for their Prince to arrive as he got Closer to the Capital.