The Scroll, the Priest and the Angry Imperial, Formerly known as, 'Dawn of a New Era' Options

[redsrock]

Author's Note

My new fan-fic focuses on the 'new' Count of Skingrad, and the 'new' Cyrodiil. This story takes place three years after the Oblivion Crisis, and the story simply tells the Count's adventures, mishaps, etc. The first chapter is more of a 'telling' chapter, rather than a 'doing' chapter. It might seem boring, but I assure you, it has to be this way. I have to lay down all the ground work so that you don't get confused down the road. Trust me; there will be plenty of action in this fic. That is what has been lacking in my other tales.

Feel free to ask any questions about what's going on, I'd be glad to answer them for you. And of course I'd appreciate some feed back as well.


The Scroll, the Priest and the Angry Imperial


PROLOGUE

When the Gates of Oblivion were finally closed, and once Mehrunes Dagon and the Mythic Dawn were eliminated from existence, the province of Cyrodiil was still left with an enormous problem. They were without an Emperor, and without an Emperor Cyrodiil went into an immediate mode of panic.

Ever since the Oblivion Crisis, the cities of Cyrodiil have had to fend for themselves, resulting in several alliances. The territories of Cyrodiil have changed, and the map at the bottom explains everything.

As of now there are four regions spread out through Tamriel. These regions are simply classified as North, South, East and West. VERY simple, yes, but what's the point of making fancy names? Nobody cares anyway.

The North region, as you can see from the map, consists of Bruma and Chorrol. Essentially the entire area of the Jerall Mountains is under Northern control, and that in its self would make them a formidable foe if war were to break out. (Thankfully that has yet to happen) The leaders of the North are Countesses Arriana Valga (of Chorrol) and Narina Carvain (of Bruma). Both are skillful leaders in their own right, and Lady Carvain is a shrewd and tactful negotiator. As of now the Northerners are fairly quiet, and for the most part keep to themselves.

The East region consists of Cheydinhal and the Imperial City. The leaders are Count Andel Indarys (of Cheydinhal), and High Commander Adamus Hieronymus Lex (of Imperial City). Lex took over as leader of the Legion once the Chancellor Ocato was assassinated by an unknown assailant. It is rumored that Lex had something to do with the killing, but nothing is factual. After Ocato's death the Council got scared and decided to let Cyrodiil fend for itself as a whole. Yes, that does sound a bit absurd, but that is what has resulted.

Count Indarys lets Lex do most of the talking, though it is also rumored that Indarys wishes to employ a more Dunmerian influence within the Eastern leadership. It is highly unlikely for Lex to agree with that. Whatever is left of the Legion lies in the Eastern region. Though their area is the second smallest, they hold all advantages in terms of military because of their massive army-size.

You see, once Lex was formally named leader of the Legion (though of course he did this himself oddly enough, no doubt with a swift and iron first) he recalled all Legion troops from foreign lands. Now Morrowind stands Imperial-less, and Helseth is now the main-man over there, battling his way through the angry Ashlander tribes of course.

The Easterners are very active, fighting with the Southerners for area control. Also, the troops of Cheydinhal are currently dealing with some rebels in the northeast. As of now they have not bothered the North and West, but it is inevitable that something will happen sooner or later.

The South region includes the cities, Leyawiin and Bravil. Leaders of the region are Counts Marius Caro (of Leyawiin), and Regulus Terentius. The two leaders are power hungry, plain and simple. It is almost safe to say that the South and East are the 'bad guys' of Cyrodiil, but if one had to be chosen as the 'good guys' it would probably be the South. The East wants power all to them selves, and they pose the greatest threat. Either way the two forces are equally dangerous.

And last but not least is the West, which includes Anvil and Skingrad. The leaders of the West are Countess Millona Umbranox (of Anvil), and myself, Count Louis Vero (of Skingrad). There's no doubt in my mind you're wondering where Janus Hassildor is, correct? Well, I'll tell you.

The former Skingrad Count stepped down shortly after the Oblivion Crisis, one year to be exact. Nobody knows the true reason for his departure, but I have my own theory. Count Hassildor was a vampire, though not many knew this. I myself knew because I was a personal diplomat for the former Count of Skingrad. Somehow a few others found out about his dirty secret, and in my eyes Janus felt the need to leave before a riot started. Either way it doesn't matter, I (along with my lovely wife), am the present and future of Skingrad.

Like the Northerners, we Westerners like to keep to ourselves and not cause a ruckus. Out of all the major cities in Cyrodiil I'd say Skingrad is the most prosperous. Many merchants come to my city simply for the fact that I will let just about anyone open shop, as long as their items aren't illegal of course. I don't want a city full of skooma and moon-sugar addicts, mind you.

And now, as I stand here on my balcony with the cool, evening wind blowing in my face, I can only feel lucky to be in the position I am now. Skingrad has been lucky to have had a peaceful atmosphere for the past few years, and that of course has made my transition to Count smooth as well. However, something tells me that the peace will not last much longer. I don't know why, but I have a very bad feeling something major is going to happen. I just wish I knew what it was.


http://s284.photobucket.com/albums/ll18/re...nt=Cyrodiil.jpg

This post has been edited by redsrock: Apr 20 2008, 02:35 PM

[redsrock]

CHAPTER ONE

"Come on, sweetie, come back to bed. It's two o'clock in the morning."

My wife did have a point, for it was early in the morning and the only ones out and about were my city guards; but I just couldn't get to sleep, at least no after what happened earlier.

"I'm wide awake, Rachel. I might as well wait it out."

So she threw the covers off of herself and got out of bed to join me. Then she closed the double doors to the inside, and pulled up two chairs requesting that I sit down and talk with her. My wife had always been like that; according to her sitting down and discussing matters was the answer to every problem.

"I'm sure it's nothing, Louie. You know Lex; he's always been paranoid that someone is going to take his throne away from him."

True, Lex was unquestionably paranoid, to say the least. Though what happened earlier today was still biting at my lip. A guard found a Legion spy milling around through the castle corridors, the ones that are off-limits for civilians. Now this isn't much of a surprise, especially coming from Lex. This has happened more than once before, but even then the spies never actually infiltrated my castle. Of course that doesn't mean that they have not been inside my castle before, only that my guards haven't caught them in the act just yet. I suppose I shouldn't worry too much, but I've just got a funny feeling something is up.

"I don't know, Rachel, this isn't like before. I think I'm going to pay Lex a visit tomorrow."

She didn't like that idea one bit, and her dark-skinned nose rose up in disapproval. "I think you're beginning to turn into Lex yourself. You're worrying too much, baby. The South and East are at war, they're always going to…"

Rather than let her finish I quickly cut her off, a tad bit rude I should add. "Exactly! The East is at war with the South, not us! Why would he order an agent to spy on us if he didn't have a plan up his sleeve?"

"Because he is Lex, Louis, plain and simple! I can't believe you're that surprised by this. Knowing Hieronymus I'm actually surprised he hasn't sent his whole army yet. You know that will come eventually," She said matter-of-factly.

"Yes, Rachel, I know. You don't have to remind me," I said, rubbing my hair. I was starting to get a headache from all of this stress.

She cuddled up beside me and put her head under my left arm to show her love. She always knew how to cheer me up. "Go ahead and speak with him tomorrow. Then you'll see you were wrong and I was right, just as usual," she said playfully.

"You know, you sound just like you mother unfortunately," I said humorously back.

"And just what is that supposed to mean? She is always right," She said, after lightly hitting my on the shoulder with a smile.

"True, you mother knows all," I said sarcastically, "But if I remember correctly, she did say you and I would never make it together. The last time I checked she was wrong about that one."

"Well, I guess that proves she's not a goddess," Rachel laughed.

"You could have fooled me," I said, sarcastically again.

She hit on the shoulder once more, this time a tad bit harder than before. "Oh shut up, Louie. Come, let's get back to bed."




Rachel doesn't mind my sarcasm simply because she knew exactly what I was talking about. She came from a Redguard family of seven kids and one mother. The father left the family for whatever reasons when she was just a baby girl, and her mother, who we'll call ‘Mrs. Levine" had a tough time of raising her children, but all in all I'd say she did a nice job.

When I first met Rachel, in the Imperial City of all places, I was on a business trip for Janus Hassildor. She was a librarian of the Arcane University and I was trying to find a certain book for my master. You can probably guess what that book was about, so I won't go any further on that matter.

I couldn't help but notice Rachel's beauty, and once I talked with her for a little while, I knew she was the one. But when I went to meet her mother, some couple of months later, Mrs. Levine didn't like me at all. With me being a Breton, and Rachel a Redguard, she disregarded me pretty much as scum. She didn't believe in cross-race dating or anything of that sort. But thankfully, after a lot of you-know-what kissing, she finally gave me the nod of approval. Not that I needed it or anything, but I'd rather have her approval than her disapproval. And the rest, as too many would say, is history.




The two of us then stood up and went back inside, and after a little fun, finally fell asleep.


+++++ +++++ +++++ +++++ +++++ +++++


I slept the entire night without waking up even once, which was strange for me. Usually I would toss and turn all night, and then would wake up several times to use the restroom. This night, however, was totally peaceful.

When I finally rose from my slumber it was almost eight-thirty in the morning, and Rachel was just slipping her elegant baby-blue dress over her slender, tan body.

"So you finally decided to join the rest of the world, huh?" she asked teasingly. "I was going to wake you up in a few minutes anyway."

I'd say if it weren't for the bright rays of the sun shining through our window curtains I would probably still be sleeping. But I needed to wake up anyhow. I usually didn't sleep past seven o'clock, so this was definitely late for me. I rubbed my eyes and rolled out of bed, and then headed over to my mirror.

My brown hair was in a mess, and was hanging loosely below my ears. On a good day, whenever I had it kept neat and trim, it would stop just at my earlobes. Now I looked like some kind of monster. Oh well, it wasn't anything a simply comb would fix. Within one hour I had bathed and gotten myself ready for the trip to the Imperial City. But of course before I left I would need to speak with my Commander.

Rachel and I walked together to the throne room, and sat down at our seats. I saw one of the servants, and then asked, "Would you please fetch Commander Artellian and Captain Dion? Thank you."

Dion is the Captain of the city guard and my two honor-guards. Danus Artellian is the Commander of the Skingrad army. Within minutes the two appeared in front of me and I told them of my plans.

"I will be traveling to the Imperial City soon to talk with Lex about our little spy. I shall leave at noon and should return sometime in the evening. I don't know if I will be invited for dinner as a guest, but knowing Lex that is unlikely. Anyway, Dion, I need you to prepare my honor guards."

The Redguard Dion stood there with his usual polite demeanor. He was my favorite soldier by far. He never once would give me grief, and always did his job with a happy smile. I enjoyed having the service of Dion. He was an excellent soldier and a good person.

"Yes sir, right away," Dion said, just before marching off to complete my orders.

Then I turned my attention to Danus, who himself looked rather tired.

"You don't look too good, Danus; almost as if you didn't a good nights sleep last night."

"I was up all night searching for anymore spies. Somebody has to do it, since apparently a certain person can't do his job correctly," Danus said, with a mean tone.

I knew exactly who he was talking. His rude remarks were referring to Dion. The two have never gotten along, even when I was just a diplomat. The prime reason for their little ‘rival' is that Danus is stuck up. I hate to say that about my own commander, but it is true. In fact, if Danus wasn't such a skillful and knowledgeable officer I would have relieved him from his duties a long time ago.

Danus has criticized Dion more than once about correctly following orders. And of course Dion, with his sometimes sarcastic attitude, will fire back at him and give him what he deserves. But of course Dion has to watch what he says. Even though most people despise Danus, he is a rank above Dion.

And really, I don't despise Danus; I just think he's a pompous fool sometimes. I suppose I don't have a hatred for him since I've dealt with those kinds of people all my life. Even way back in Ebonheart as a child I had to put up with that nonsense. But that's a story for another day.

"Dion did what he could, Danus. But I didn't bring you hear to bad-mouth him. I want you to keep an eye on things while I'm gone, and be sure that Rachel always has an escort wherever she goes. Alright?"

I took a glimpse at Rachel and she rolled her eyes, but I simply shrugged it off.

"Yes, sir. Everything will be fine," Danus said, and then walked away. He didn't like my tone, I could tell easily. But what else was new?

"I can take care of myself, you know," Rachel said flatly, once Danus was out of earshot.

"Oh," I said with a hearty laugh, "It's not you I'm worried about. I would just feel terrible for the unlucky man who looks at you the wrong way!" Rachel really liked that one.

"Very funny, Louis. But seriously, enough with the jokes. I want to talk to you about your little trip."

I looked at her and raised my head in question. "Yeah, what about it?"

"Be careful, sweetie, I'm not kidding. I don't want anything happening to you out there."

"I thought you said there was nothing to worry about?" I asked questionably.

"I know what I said, but I was thinking last night in bed." She looked at the floor for a couple of seconds and then looked back up at me. "I…I can't honestly say what you should expect. Who knows what Lex is up to, and if it is something that involves Skingrad, well…I just don't want you to get hurt, Louis."

Right then I was reminded why I love my wife so much. Even though she was a bit sarcastic, even a bit bossy at times, she was still the most loving and caring person I had ever met. I reached over and took her hand in mine.

"Don't worry, Rachel. I won't let anything happen; I'm not stupid," I said with a wink. "Besides, I'll have twenty soldiers with me, plus two personal honor-guards within my carriage. Everything will be fine, I promise."

Then I reached over and kissed her on the right cheek and stroked her long black hair, and that seemed to help lift her spirits, but only a little bit. I absolutely hated to see her upset. And unfortunately sometimes she used this known fact to get what she wanted. Like I said, she's an angel and a devil, if you will. I'm thirty-five-years of age right now and she is thirty-three. We've been married for five years now and I wouldn't want her any other way.



At around a quarter-till-noon I said my last goodbyes to Rachel and left the castle, escorted by two guards. I could tell she really didn't want me to go, but I didn't know why. She had never acted this anxious and questioning before. It was kind of strange now that I think about it, but oh well; I really didn't see a need to be so nervous. Lex may be a paranoid honoured user, but he would never attempt to take my life when there was really no call for it.

Outside of the city twenty soldiers were standing in place, with Dion at the front talking to my two honor-guards. The skies were bright blue and there wasn't a cloud in sight. The temperature was fairly warm, with a nice cool breeze coming in from the Abecean Sea.

"Is everything ready, Captain?" I asked Dion.

"Yes, sir. The men are prepared and ready to go. Judging by the skies I'd say you'll have a smooth trip. Too bad you're going to meet with Lex. He'll change all of that I'm sure," he said with a laugh.

I laughed along with him for several seconds and then boarded my carriage, along with my two personal honor-guards, Torlin the Redguard, and Vaden the Dunmer. Soon Dion motioned towards my coachman and we set off towards Skingrad.

"Good morning, sir," Torlin said with a cheerful smile.

"Good morning, Torlin. And you too, Vaden. You seem a little quiet this morning, though," I said.

"I apologize, sir. I just don't like the fact that the spy was able to infiltrate our castle so easily. But what gets me most is where we found him and what he was doing. He wasn't even trying to hide it seemed. Why would Hieronymus send such a fool to do his spying?" Torlin asked, thinking deeply at the same time.

"Well, that's why we're off for the Imperial City. We'll find our answers soon enough," I winked.

This post has been edited by redsrock: Apr 14 2008, 09:35 PM