bopdog111: Sanguine has come to Markarth.
Ulrich362: True, fortunately for Noel... he knows not to get into a drinking contest with him. Though how will he acquire the Sanguine Rose?
bopdog111: Well more like Noel's underage but knows better. I think the Sanguine Rose will be obtained differently here.
Ulrich362: Fair enough, enjoy the chapter.
Disclaimer: We don't own The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim but we own the OCs!
With the two in Noel's room he walks to a small shelf that was in the room the former Jarl Thongvor was in before he turned to Sanguine with a smile, "Any preference Lord Sanguine?" He gestures to the numerous bottles of Ale, Mead, all that stuff.
"Surprise me." Sanguine chuckled. "You know you're making quite the name for yourself."
Handing the Daedra Prince of Debauchery a bottle Noel admitted, "Well I wasn't expecting for you to be here Lord Sanguine. Lord Dagon, and Lord Molag Bal both knew about me before, and I didn't think you would show up in Markarth's doorstep."
"It isn't just them, we all know about you and your time in Molag Bal's domain." Sanguine mentioned taking a small sip. "To be honest, you amuse us."
"All of them?" Noel asked hearing that surprised that all of the Deadric Princes (except one certain Prince) is taking time out of their personal schedules to view him over, "Lady Boethiah, Lady Mephala, Lord Sheogorath, all of them?"
"Every one." Sanguine nodded.
"Whoa don't know if I should feel embarrassed or honored." Noel chuckled sheepish at that before admitting, "Well I had been trying to gain their favors each so it might make sense they would try to know about me."
"True, though tell me what does the young wolf want to do next? Obviously I can't just hand over my staff and according to Molag Bal, the real person behind this empire is still dead now isn't she?"
"Well since we got 5 artifacts, yours included if I managed to earn it, I might think over going somewhere special. Right to where part of Lord Molag Bal had blessed a old king with immortality with craving for blood." Noel answered with a small smile, "For this to work, and gain all of the Prince's favors, we are also including their powers in ways here. I was also thinking on having Potema being an actual Wolf Queen which means Lord Hircine's power of Lycantrophy will be useful for her."
"You have this all planned out don't you?" Sanguine inquired before chuckling.
"Well me, and Potema stayed in Coldharbour for a few months, we spent it on training me, and planning ahead on everything for the Empire so that we can both destroy the Thalmor, and truly begin to live in peace." Noel admitted with a small smile, "They wouldn't head to you, and your fellow Princes as well cause you know the type of reputation the Daedra have."
"You have a point." Sanguine chuckled.
"Well, you guys aren't evil, I mean inherently evil since you guys are basically Gods, and listen to whatever the mortals want in... interesting ways." Noel said with a small chuckle, "And the power of Werewolves, and Vampirism, their both dangerous yeah but it doesn't mean they have to be called evil. I mean people take one look, and go, 'Ah! Help it is a bloodsucker, and a large rabid werewolf!' Judged before knowing them. What I'm trying to do is that although the Daedra, and anything involving them although different, and at times death related their nothing to be afraid of. They live in the same universe as us, and they can be used for a peaceful era co-existing."
Sanguine started to laugh. "You're even more interesting in person."
"More ways then one apparently." Noel admitted before saying, "Well to be honest, I never expected to be here. Where I'm from, I'm nothing but a nobody... but here thanks to Potema, I got a chance to bring a peaceful era from Elven Supremacy."
"Sounds like an upgrade to me." Sanguine mentioned. "Well, I should be going. It was... interesting to meet you my young wolf."
"Of course. And this would be the Sanguine Rose will be picked up at a later date?" Noel asked hearing that.
"Tell you what, let me know when your coronation is and I'll bring it as a gift." Sanguine mentioned.
"Alright sounds good to me. And by anytime you feel like it, you can come back, and we can celebrate however you like." Noel smiled at that.
"I'll keep that in mind." Sanguine nodded charging a spell.
"Okay see ya." Noel smiled waving before calling, "Oh, one more thing! Can you bring a message to Lord Hermaeus Mora?"
"What kind of message?" Sanguine inquired. "He probably already knows what you want to say."
"Probably but just to make sure." Noel agreed nodding with a smile before getting serious, "Tell him to expect me in Apocrypha soon cause, I want to talk with him... about Miraak."
"I'll pass the message along." Sanguine chuckled before vanishing.
"Thanks, Lord Sanguine." Noel smiled staring at where he was. Sighing a bit he walked exiting the room where Madanach, and Borkul we're waiting as he smiled to them, "Well Lord Sanguine, and I talked, and when my coronation of an Emperor is scheduled, he will bring his own Daedra Artifact as a gift."
"So which one now?" Borkul asked.
"Well actually we will take a break from getting the rest of the Artifacts. We should turn our attention to other important factors." Noel mentioned with a small smile, "Something for the true leader of our Empire to show her power."
"What do you have in mind?" Madanach inquired calmly.
"The power of Lord Hircine. Humanoid Wolves, or called Werewolves." Noel answered.
"Werewolves, are you sure we can trust savage animals like them?" Borkul questioned.
"Yes. The true leader of the Empire was known as the Wolf Queen. She wasn't a Werewolf herself of course, but she can definitely earn their trust." Noel answered that question, "First we head to Whiterun for the group known as the Companions."
"What about the rumors, that a dragon was seen in Whiterun?" Madanach inquired.
"Don't worry about it. I got something that if a Dragon does attack it, it will regret it." Noel said confidently having known about Dragonrend due to playing all of the Main Questline. It might be cheating since it's not known yet but, hey who's gonna call him out for that?
"If it were someone else I'd have my doubts." Borkul chuckled. "You though, I almost feel bad for these dragons. So who's going to Whiterun and who's staying here?"
"I'll head in myself in case a Dragon comes in." Noel answered, "Borkul you'll also join me. Madanach there is something I need you to do in the meantime."
"What is it?" he inquired.
"Head for Solitude's Blue Palace. Ask the Steward about a Wolfskull Cave, and take a job involving it. If you accept be back here, and wait for us." Noel answered that question, "This is the highest important task, I can give onto anyone here."
Madanach simply nodded. "Right."
With the plan set Borkul, and Noel takes the carriage to Whiterun with 4 Forsworns in case a dragon attack happens. While they were heading there Madanach with a Forsworn Squad of his own traveled to Solitude for the Blue Palace about the Wolfskull Cave.
With Noel, and Borkul...
The Forsworn in the carriage we're talking about stories of their adventures while fighting for fun to pass the time while Noel ignores them since he can't help their hearty nature. The carriage driver looked a bit nervous which Noel told him, "We'll pay for the carriage if we break it, and we'll pay you for getting us to Whiterun safely."
"Right." the carriage driver nodded.
"I've heard about the companions, they're supposed to be a group of warriors for hire or something like that." Borkul noted.
"Your right Borkul. There also Warriors looking to battle for Glory. They haven't had a leader ever since Ysgramor when he lead them years ago wielding the legendary axe called Wuuthrad to battle the elves. If there is anyone that knows more about Elvenkind the best it be them, and they might have Wuuthrad with them." Noel explained to him.
"They sound like my kind of people." Borkul smirked before pausing. "Isn't it about time you explain what happened back in Markarth, that yelling thing you did."
"An ancient power known as the Thu'um. You take your vital essence, and make yourself into the Thu'um or shout. It's versatile so it works in many situations. The one I done on Ondolemar was Aura Whisper that allowed me to detect him even if he turned invisible." Noel explained to Borkul, "I was taught how too since the Empire's true leader can do it herself."
"Sounds impressive." Borkul nodded.
"Did you say shout?" the carriage driver suddenly asked. "They say Ulfric Stormcloak used that power to murder the High King."
"That's what the stories say but the truth is held deeper in that regard. Some say he was murdered by shouting him to pieces, some say he was beaten in combat by the shout, and then a sword through his heart. The point is that Ulfric proved that Skyrim was weak from the Imperial Empire having been in peace for too long when the Nords should be fighting the Thalmor." Noel said with closed eyes before telling the Forsworn, "Let that be a lesson to you boys, the Imperial Empire may talk about peace but even they can break under the Thalmor's heavy numbers for Elven Supremacy. As long as we fight to the very last, and never give up, we can prevent ourselves from making the same mistakes the Imperial Empire had done. But we will not resort to killing the High King of Skyrim to prove our point."
The Forsworn all cheered at that causing the carriage driver to shudder slightly.
"It must be a small world though. Apparently an Argonian had the same power… he was supposedly able to kill a dragon just outside Whiterun only a few days ago."
This catching his attention Noel turned to him, "An Argonian had the power of the Voice to kill a dragon you say?"
"That's what I heard. He worked with a group of Whiterun guards to kill it and then he supposedly shouted." the carriage driver confirmed.
Closing his eyes Noel nodded before saying, "Alright, thanks to informing us." 'So he probably gotten busy same as I. I don't know what to do if the Dragonborn comes to us soon. Best as well keep our guard up.' Soon they arrived in Whiterun as he announced, "Okay boys ride's over."
"Enjoy your time in Whiterun." the carriage driver mentioned as they got out of the carriage.
Noel handed him a bag of gold, "Don't spend it all in one place." He winked with a smile as they walked together to the gate entrance.
"Halt, city's close with the dragons around." mentioned a guard at the door.
"I'm afraid we're here on official business from Markarth." Noel told the Guard.
"From Markarth, what kind of business could you have in Whiterun?" the guard questioned.
"That's classified but it concerns the Companions." Noel told him simply.
The guard stared at him. "Alright, but I have my eyes on you."
They opened the gate door as they walked in. Turning to his squad Noel told the Forsworn, "Okay boys remember we're in neutral territory. One single bad move could have it turn against us, so don't do anything that would cause trouble. You all can head to the pub or go shopping as long as you behave." Turning to Borkul he said, "Come with me Borkul, we're going to the Companions."
"After you then." Borkul shrugged as the Forsworn walked through the city getting some shocked looks from the people of Whiterun.
They walked together heading up with Borkul as they walked to an old building raised an eyebrow at a mage saying things in front of a statue of Talos, "So rise up! Rise up, children of the Empire! Rise up, Stormcloaks! Embrace the word of mighty Talos, he who is both man and Divine!"
"Interested?" Borkul blinked turning to Noel who asked that having a grin to him.
"A bit." Borkul admitted.
"If anyone knows more about Talos it's that guy." Noel turned walking back with Borkul. Before entering Noel turned to him, "Now Borkul before we enter here there are things you have to know."
"I'm listening." Borkul mentioned.
"First off, they have no allegiance in the war so their neither on our side, or the Empires, or the Stormcloaks. Second, we can't spout off they have the Blood of the Wolf, that will make them suspicious. Third, let me do most of the talking, I learned a lot about politics from our true leader. And finally, if all goes well we could have the best steel in all of Skyrim." Noel listed off some things before he then grinned, "Something that can give your Forsworn Sword some needed boost with Nordic Skyforge Steel."
Borkul nodded. "Right."
They entered, and when they did they noticed a fight happening at one side while the other side involves drinking mead while laughing heartedly singing songs, and playing some instruments while a kind elder woman was cleaning the hall with a soft small. At the end of the hall Borkul notices pieces of something in the shape of a two handed axe.
"Looks like that axe you mentioned won't be very useful." he told Noel.
"In it's current state." Noel agreed as they walked together down.
They walked down the end of the hall where they hear a conversation.
"But I still hear the call of the blood."
"We all do. It is our burden to bear. But we can overcome."
They entered where they see two nords one having grey hair with a large beard, and blue marks on his face, and a brown haired man with dark shaded eyes both wearing identical Wolf Armor were talking where the younger man said, "You have my brother and I, obviously. But I don't know if the rest will go along quite so easily."
"Leave that to me." the older man said assuringly before noticing the two, "A couple of strangers comes to our hall."
Noel walked before bowing politely raising up, "It's an honor to meet you oh great Harbinger of the Companions. My name is Noel, a working Emperor to an ever growing empire." He gestures to Borkul at the entrance, "And this is Borkul one of my trusted comrades."
"An Emperor? You're a bit young for that." the brown haired man mentioned.
"Age matters little in the time of Empire building. It's fine if you don't believe me some opinions are not worth disputing." Noel said to him with a nod before saying to the older man, "That being said, I would like for my army to join the Companions. We are Soldiers for Glory, and we feel that the Companions will help us on the right path."
"Would they now? Here, let me have a look at you. Hm." the older man looked over Noel before turning to Borkul examing them, and thinking about it before nodding with a interested gaze, "Yes, perhaps. A certain strength of spirit."
The younger man couldn't believe what he just heard trying to voice his opinion, "Master, you're not truly considering accepting him?"
"I am nobody's master, Vilkas." the older man reminded him as while he is highly respected as a Harbinger, he is not someone to give orders to the Companions before he added to him, "And last I checked, we had some empty beds in Jorrvaskr for those with a fire burning in their hearts."
"Apologies. But perhaps this isn't the time. I've never even heard of this outsider." Vilkas admitted to him considering that the two in front of him had just walked in on their conversation.
"Sometimes the famous come to us. Sometimes men and women come to us to seek their fame." the older man listed off several people who came to him to join the Companions; some rejected, and some aren't, before shaking his head pointing out, "It makes no difference. What matters is their heart."
"And their arm." Vilkas added with a nod.
Hearing that what to start knowing if he's any good at fighting the older man turned to them. "Of course. How are you in a battle, you both?"
"Trained hard, and well to work for something for a great cause." Noel listed, "I'm a decent fighter, not the best but am content with any improvements, I can get."
"I've survived this long with my strength in battle." Borkul mentioned. "And I can say with confidence Noel's a strong fighter despite what he says. With a good hook."
Noel chuckled a bit remembering the solid punch he gave Borkul back in Cidhna Mines. His hand aches whenever he thinks of it but it was what earned Borkul's respect.
"That may be so. This is Vilkas. He will test your arm." the older man introduced them to the man beside them before turning to him, "Vilkas, take him out to the yard and see what he can do."
"Aye." Vilkas nodded although a little bit annoyed about them walking in sighing standing up telling them, "You two with me."
The older man explained to them, "Vilkas will see if you're worth our trouble." They nodded as they walked together with Vilkas walking out the backdoor before he turned telling them, "Okay first would be the young lad. The old man said to have a look at you, so let's do this. Just have a few swings at me so I can see your form. Don't worry, I can take it."
He readied a shield at this while Noel stares. He then grinned pulling out the Mace of Molag Bal while Borkul leans against a supporting pole with crossed arms to watch. Soon Noel charged in letting out a battle cry swinging down hitting the shield with a loud noise but Vilkas was pleasantly surprised by the strength in the arm. Noel swung a few more each Vilkas blocks before the last arm made Vilkas take a step back, "Pretty good arm you have there. There you go!"
He held up his hand which made Noel stop, "You both might just make it. But for now, you both, and the army still are whelps to us, new bloods. So you do what we tell you."
Noel nodded at this hearing that before turning to Borkul, "Looks like that went well Borkul."
"It sounds like it." Borkul nodded.
Vilkas then unstrapped his Steel Sword handing it to Noel, "Here's my sword. Go take it up to Eorlund to have it sharpened. And be careful, it's probably worth more than you are."
"We'll pay you if anything happens to it." Noel said without fear taking it.
"I'll be the judge of that." Vilkas stated.
Turning to Borkul, Noel told him, "Come on Borkul, time to see the man behind the Skyforge Steel."
"Actually, there's something I need to do." Borkul mentioned walking off as Noel realized he likely meant the worshipper of Talos they saw before.
Noel shrugged before walking by himself.
Borkul walked over as the mage was still going on in front of the statue of Talos giving praises.
"What are you doing here?" Borkul inquired.
"Hm?" the mage turned over before saying, "Ah. I am simply reciting that the rule of mighty Talos should not be ignored! He is the greatest hero Tamriel has ever known! Turning your back on Talos is turning your back on Tamriel itself, which is why the Emperor banned the worship of Talos!"
"Makes sense to me." Borkul nodded.
"Are you a true son of Skyrim?" he asked.
"Let's just say, I'm a wolf." Borkul smirked.
The mage blinked hearing that, "A wolf who fights for true Skyrim?"
"Something like that, I've aligned with my Emperor." Borkul mentioned. "What he thinks of Talos... that's up to him, not me."
He turned to walk off only to pause. The mage stares before saying, "If he allows Talos Worship, he has my support."
"I'll talk with him about that." Borkul nodded as he walked back to Jorrvaskr.
He finds Noel walking out of Jorrvaskr asking, "How did it go?"
"Decently well, I was just talking with that preacher we saw... he wanted to know your position on Talos." Borkul answered. "Personally, I don't care one way or the other."
"Talos was the first Septim Emperor. He was also the greatest Hero Skyrim ever had. He had his faults, and he gotten where he is cause he embraced his destiny as Emperor from the Greybeards." Noel told him before saying, "His worship is free to be used in the Empire, anyone is free. Disregarding Talos himself is blasphemy."
"Then we might have a new addition to the empire." Borkul chuckled. "So what now, we head back to meet with Madanach?"
"Yes. The Companions placed a task for us which one of the boys can do easily." Noel answered before saying, "Doing some honest work would put a positive influence for them to understand for what the world is like. We can talk to Balgruuf about joining some other day."
With that they walked to the pub to pick up the Forsworn. When they arrived they saw the Forsworn drinking and listening to music but one of them looked like he was beaten up with bruises and a broken nose.
"What happened to him?" Noel asked them gesturing to the beaten up Forsworn.
"He challenged her to a fight." another Forsworn mentioned indicating a woman in armor sitting in the back of the pub. "Lost badly too."
"Ouch, must've been hard." Noel chuckled before telling Borkul, "Get the boys together, I'll go talk to her. But have the one beaten taken to a Healer, and do the task the Companions enlisted. It'll teach him for challenging someone like her."
Borkul nodded with a smirk. As Borkul gathered the Forsworn, Noel walked over to the woman before bowing, "I offer my most sincere apologies for one of my men to challenge you to a brawl."
"You don't need to apologize, we had a small bet and he lost." she mentioned. "Not the best fighter though."
Noel looked up to her, "Well perhaps you like a decent challenger?"
"Are you challenging me?" she inquired.
"Depends. I got stronger men if you want a better challenge." Noel answered before smiling, "But are you by any change free to be employed?"
"Go on..." the woman mentioned.
Meanwhile with Madanach...
After heading to Solitude, and witnessing a public execution of a Roggvir he walked up to the Blue Palace while his presence gets some shocked looks from the civilians. He arrived at the Blue Palace walking up some stairs to see a woman with a female priest, and a red suited man talking to a man looking frantic.
"I swear to you, unnatural magics are coming from that cave! There are strange noises and lights! We need someone to investigate!"
"Then we will immediately send out a legion to scour the cave and secure the town. Haafingar's people will always be safe under my rule." the woman said from her throne.
The man looked relived bowing. "Th... thank you, my Jarl. Thank you."
The female priest frowned voicing her opinion. "Your eminence, my scrying has suggested nothing in the area. Dragon Bridge is under imperial control. This is likely superstitious nonsense."
"Perhaps a more... tempered reaction... might be called for?" the man suggested for them.
"Oh. Yes, of course you are right. Falk, tell Captain Aldis I said to assign a few extra soldiers to Dragon Bridge." the woman agreed with a nod.
"Thank you, Jarl Elisif. But about the cave..." the frantic man pointed out.
"I will have someone take care of the cave as well Varnius, you can rest easy. You're dismissed." the man called Falk assured with a smile as the frantic man nodded slowly before walking off.
Madanach took that opportunity to make his presence known. "Is something going on?"
Falk turned over hearing that, and widen his eyes, "Madanach!?" That made everyone looked over seeing the King of the Forsworn in the flesh in the throne room.
A few of the guards grabbed the hilts of their swords to take him away if needed.
"I'm not here to fight, I couldn't help overhear about this cave." Madanach mentioned calmly. "What's going on, if you don't mind me asking."
Falk blinked at the request before he then explained, "You mean the Dragon Bridge issue? I'll be honest with you, I was planning to let that go. Varnius is a bit jumpy at the best of times." He rubbed his head at that. "There have been reports of weird happenings near Wolfskull Cave. Travelers disappearing, odd lights. I suspect wild animals or perhaps bandits. I don't think it's worth our time with the war going on, but if you want to clear out the cave, I'll make sure you're repaid for your work."
"Falk you can't be serious. For all we know he, and that 'Empire' could be the ones behind it!" the female priest pointed out.
"The reports happened right before the Empire was formed. Besides the Forsworn are only interested in the Reach, so why would they make their appearance on Haafingar?" Falk asked her before turning to Madanach, "Although to be fair, I don't exactly know your intentions but I trust it's the beginning of things changing for the Forsworn."
"True, and I know someone who might be able to help with this Wolfskull Cave." Madanach mentioned calmly.
"I'll not ask your methods, I'll only ask it causes no harm to Solitude." Falk told him.
Madanach nodded at that before turning and calmly walking off. He takes a carriage back to Markarth arriving in at the Understone Keep to find Noel, and Borkul had came back with a steel plated armored woman as Noel smiled to him, "So was there a job offer for Wolfskull Cave, Madanach?"
"There was, it doesn't seem to be anything out of the ordinary... weird lights and people disappearing." Madanach answered. "They think it's just bandits or wild animals though."
They see Noel's smile gotten wider, "It's even better then that. It's Potema."
"So we'll finally be meeting the Wolf Empress herself?" Borkul inquired.
"That is correct. Rescuing her is more like it, cause in Wolfskull Cave some Necromancers are trying to revive her, and bind her in for their own purposes." Noel answered hearing that before saying, "This task is really the most important one we have. We got to rescue Potema, and help her come back from Coldharbour. So Madanach, Borkul gather the best of your brothers we're heading out to Wolfskull Cave immediately."
Turning to the woman he smiled, "And your coming with us too. We could use a strong warrior in our numbers against these Necromancers."
"I can't say I fully understand, but I'll help you guys out." she mentioned.
Once they gather a group of 10 Forsworn with them Noel from a small standing podium told them, "Alright men! We are at our most important mission! Rescuing the Wolf Empress, Potema Septim, the true leader of the Tamriel Unification Front, and the Wolf Queen herself from a group of Necromancers binding her for their own purposes! If we succeed the Tamriel Unification Front will be at full strength, and we have a much better chance of destroying the Thalmor! Some of you might be uneased at Potema coming back, but I assure you it will do good! She will revive the Septim Dynasty of Emperors with her revival, and guide us all to a better future! So what you say brothers, are you ready to rescue our Empress!?"
A few moments passed before they all cheered raising their weapons.
"I can't hear you!" Noel's call for a louder determined response.
The gathered Forsworn cheered louder at that holding their weapons high.
"Then let's go!" Noel held up the Mace of Molag Bal high as they all went on carriages heading off to Wolfskull Cave with all there determined minds.
Ulrich362: It's finally time, the Wolf Empire is starting to align with the Companions... or at least work with them, but more importantly the Wolf Queen will soon be joining them.
bopdog111: The namesake of the Empire in general. Will they succeed in rescuing Potema?
Ulrich362: Well Noel has both the skill from his training in Coldharbour and the knowledge of this particular quest considering it was the last thing he attempted before dying so... I would say unless an Argonian interferes they shouldn't have much trouble at all.
bopdog111: We will see next time. Be sure to review!
Ulrich362: See you in the next chapter.