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]

Short, but to the point.

CHAPTER SIX


“We need to keep a close watch on Millona.”

It was now ten o’clock at night, and once again Rachel and I were sitting outside on our balcony. I had been waiting while a servant brought me two bottles of wine. I’m now a nervous wreck, for I know what my wife has in mind. She mentioned something like this long ago, and I paid it no attention then. I wish I could do the same now, but I fear that would be a mistake.

“Are you even listening, Louis?”

I was in fact listening to her, but only partially. I was more interested in gazing up into the sky, with its bright stars glimmering down upon us. They just floated around as if they had not a care in the world. I wish my life was like that. Unfortunately it was not.

“Yes, I’m listening, Rachel. So, what do you suggest?”

“I don’t trust Millona a bit, and you know this. If you ask me I think she’s bluffing entirely. She may have the scroll, and she may be looking for that priest, but I think she wants it for herself. She knows her army cannot even dream of standing up against ours, and if she has the scroll and the priest then she will have all the answers. The priest will decipher the scroll and Millona see what must be done in order to gain what she wants.”

“And that is?”

“The same as Lex and the same as the South. She wants total control, Louis. She’s a conniving woman, and an intelligent one at that. She’s very dangerous, and if you ask me I think she is more dangerous than Lex himself.”

I looked at her crazily and said, “And why the hell would you think that?”

“Simple. She’s playing the ally-card right now. She thinks you’re too naïve to even dream she would ever betray us. And sadly, it seems she’s right. I’m telling you, Louis, send a spy and have him take a look through the castle.”

“What if our spy finds doesn’t find anything?”

“What if he does?”

I sat and stared back into the skies, and pondered what wife had just laid before me. There were several options. I could stick to what I wanted to believe, and wait for the meeting tomorrow before making a decision. I could send the spy now so he can search Millona’s castle and chambers while she is in my city. I decided on the former.

“We will wait until speaking with Millona tomorrow. After that I shall make my decision on this matter. Let us sleep now. I am very tired.


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


The next morning I woke up bright and early, and so did Rachel. We bathed and got dressed as soon as possible, and then went downstairs to our thrones. There we waited roughly three hours, and at noon Millona appeared through the doors with three bodyguards.

“Good morning, Louis,” Millona said, and then added to my wife, “And how are you, Rachel. It’s been a long time.” She said this without much emotion, and to be honest Millona could care less about how Rachel feels.

“Yes, it has,” Rachel said bluntly. It was easy to tell that the two weren’t really that happy with each other, though I never could tell why. It just always seemed like there was always a dark cloud hanging above them whenever they met.

The three of us entered the assembly hall and sat down at the table. The food was there, just as planned, except the foods present were foods you would find at dinner, not lunch or breakfast. I figured I might as well make Millona as comfortable as possible.

“Welcome to Skingrad, Millona,” I said after drinking some of my wine. “What do you think of the city? I know you haven’t visited since I became Count,” I said amusingly, with a small chuckle.

“Ah, that is true, and I apologize for that. The city is very beautiful, and the market area has flourished since the last time I saw it. Very impressive, Louis.”

Enough of the small talk. I was interested in getting down to business. “So, is there anything else I should know about our little situation?”

Millona swallowed a piece of deer meat and then said, “Nothing much. My men have already excavated the Temple of the Ancestor Moths. We found nothing, not a thing. There weren’t any dead bodies lying on the floor, and there weren’t any documents lying around. We even checked the houses and the chapel, and again, nothing. Lex must have gotten there before us.”

“So there’s nothing we can do but sit and watch the East fight with the South?” Rachel asked, a little rudely.

“Oh no, of course not. I we need to send spies to the cities of Cheydinhal and the Imperial City, especially Cheydinhal.”

“Why?” I asked, a little confused on the last part.

“Because it would only make sense, at least in my opinion. In our talks yesterday, Louis, how many times did we focus on Cheydinhal?”

“Not many…”

“Exactly, and Lex I am sure realizes this. I think if he does have any important documents, I believe they are hidden somewhere in Cheydinhal. In fact, I have reason to believe the Priest is there as well.”

“That’s ridiculous! Why the hell would Lex hand over the priest to Count Indarys?” Rachel was starting to get mad, and I kicked her leg slightly under the table, trying to calm her down.

“Because he doesn’t think we would expect it. Maybe you don’t, Rachel, but I do. That is why I will send my agents to Cheydinhal, and you shall send yours to the Imperial City.”

“Hold on, we haven’t agreed to anything yet…” Rachel said a little loudly.

I tapped her arm and said, “Why are you so intent on us going to the Imperial City? If nothing is there, what’s the point of looking?”

She sort of sighed, looked at the ground for a couple of seconds, and then said, “Very well, you are probably right. How about we conduct a joint-operation? One of your agents teams up with one of mine?”

Despite what Rachel obviously felt, I was kind of intrigued by the idea of a joint operation. “Alright, I agree. I’m not really sure if there is anything in Cheydinhal, but there’s only one way to find out. When shall we conduct the operation?”

“I’d say as soon as possible. Maybe tomorrow morning we send them? I would like my agent stay the night, if that’s okay with you. That way they can leave together.”

Rachel looked at me crazily, but I paid it no attention. “That’s fine, just bring him over later and I’ll have a room set up for him.”

Millona rose from the table and said, “Thank you for understanding the situation, Louis. I must take a leave now, and I will have the agent here sometime this evening.”

She left abruptly, and I couldn’t help but suspect that she was both happy unhappy with what took place during the meeting. She was glad that I have agreed to conduct an operation in Cheydinhal, but I also think she was mad at the fact that Rachel had copped an attitude with her.

“What is it with you, Rachel?” I asked once Millona was gone. “Why do you hate her so much?”

“Because she’s a liar, Louis. She thinks she’s knows everything, and she clearly does not. Cheydinhal? Are you kidding me?”

“Alright, I’m a little skeptical of that, I’ll admit. But we have to start somewhere.”

“Whatever, Louis, let’s just go back to the throne room. You know the advisors will be here soon, wanting to know what happened. Besides, we need to tell them what’s going on anyway.”

We walked back to the throne room, and Rachel didn’t talk until the advisors arrived, four hours later.