Cyrodiil Options

[Alexander]

Ok, so for the unavoidable introduction babble, as most of you know I was rather pleased with Morrowind. I thought it was far better then the dribble I wrote prior to that, and most people seemed to agree with me. After I finished Morrowind I already had an idea for a sequel, I actually wrote the very first chapter of said sequel while I was posting up parts of Morrowind. Unfortunately though, after that first chapter I kind of lost interest. I didn’t think the ideas I had back then were enough to weave an entire story together, and I was probably right.

But as these things have a habit of developing themselves, over the past months I kept thinking back to the sequel, and kept adding ideas to the pile I already had. Now it’s done. I once again enjoyed writing this, and I hope you’ll have similar fun reading it.

As I’ve explained in the past, I’m not very good at making up things like titles, Akatosh knows it took me about as long to come up with the various titles of the chapters as it did to write the entire thing, so I’ve named the story “Cyrodiil” (catchy wot? )

Before I end my babbling and get on with posting the story, I once again would like to thank Treydog for agreeing to help with my story as editor, and for fixing the many, many, many grammatical and spelling errors, and placing every comma, semicolon and whatchamacallit in the correct place. And thanks to everyone who ever read Morrowind, and commented. I really enjoy the comments.


Now, while you don’t have to have read Morrowind, I believe in order to get the most out of Cyrodiil, it would be recommended.


So, enough babbling and on to Cyrodiil.

[Alexander]

Before I post the next part which is the start of a new chapter, I feel I should appologize. I wrote two chapters from different perspectives, quite a while apart, but after reading them back I found the events not only to be taking place at the exact same time, but also at almost exactly the same places.

keeping the two chapters as they were, one after the other, simply didn't feel right as you might read about some things in one chapter that were meant in a different chapter, so instead I decided to mix the two chapters into two new chapters to make it more chronologically sound.

My appologies if this harms the flow of the chapters.
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Chapter 3. Moving forward.

The weeks after the incident in the temple of the one were chaos. Throughout Cyrodiil, people grieved for Martin Septim. Just as they had a new emperor, fate reared its ugly head and tore him away from them again. But everyone was at least as sorry to lose Varvur Sarethi. While he had only been in Cyrodiil for two years, his actions had made him famous and beloved by everyone. The Hero of Kvatch, savior of Bruma, and Champion of Cyrodiil.

Chancellor Ocato had made an official statement the day after the catastrophic events in the Imperial City, proclaiming before everyone who had gathered that Varvur would henceforth be known as the Champion of Cyrodiil.

But even in the midst of their grief, the business of securing the Empire had to take precedence. Nobles from every town in Cyrodiil were arriving at the Imperial City, for there was to be a meeting of the Elder Council tonight inside the palace. Baurus had been assigned to the count and countess of Anvil to make sure no harm befell them in the chaotic Imperial city.

Baurus found it very hard to do his job properly; many times during the days of meetings he found his mind wandering, away from the count and countess and to Varvur. Knowing he might still be alive and in the grasp of someone as awful as Mehrunes Dagon made Baurus despair. It was only on the insistence of Jauffre that he’d even agreed to serve as guard to the count and countess. Jauffre probably assumed it would take his mind off of other things, but Baurus didn’t think anything could take his mind off of the loss of Martin, his Emperor; and of Varvur, his friend.

He’d gone to see Chancellor Ocato several times now, begging him to allow Baurus to seek out someone, anyone, who might know of a way to either teleport into Oblivion, or teleport someone out of it, but either Ocato didn’t know of such a way, not now with the gates to Oblivion being shut by Martin, or he simply wasn’t telling. He’d also pleaded with Jauffre, even begged at one time, to send out any and every Blade operative in search for answers, but of course Jauffre judged them more needed in the Imperial city and the rest of Cyrodiil than on what he must consider a wild goose chase.

“Baurus.” Startled from his thoughts, Baurus looked up to see both count and countess looking at him in a questioning manner.

“I’m sorry my lord, my lady, what was the question?”

“My husband and I think it’s time to go to the Imperial Council chambers; the meeting will surely start soon.” Almost as an afterthought she added; “Are you feeling alright, Baurus?”

“Yes, my lady. My apologies for being distracted, and you’re right of course; please follow me.”

Baurus led them through the city to the Green Emperor Way, and into the palace. They were questioned several times by patrolling guards. After the attacks, patrols had been increased dramatically; in fact, all security had been greatly increased. Baurus stopped at the entrance to the Imperial Council chambers. Looking inside he spotted Grandmaster Jauffre, Chancellor Ocato, and at least half a dozen counts and countesses already inside. Stepping aside, he allowed Count and Countess Umbranox to enter the chambers. Baurus took position next to the only door leading in, safe in the knowledge that anyone that wanted to disturb the meeting would have to go through all the Imperial guards stationed at the doors, several other Blades acting as bodyguards and himself.

“You soldier, you’re Baurus aren’t you?” Turning around, Baurus saw Count Caro of Leyawiin and his wife looking at him.

“Yes, my lord; that I am.”

“They say you were close to Varvur and actually saw him crushed by Mehrunes Dagon.”

“Yes, my lord, I was and I did.”
“I’m sorry for your loss Baurus. He was a brave man.”

“Hah!”

Startled by the sudden outburst, both the Count and Baurus looked at the source, and, as she saw their faces turn toward her, with much insolence the Countess continued;

“’Man’ indeed. He was no man, he was but a Mer, and a Dunmer at that. Running headlong into the enemy is all they’re good for isn’t it? Perhaps had it not been for him, we might still have an emperor rather than a marble statue.”

It took all of Baurus’ self control not to strike down the Countess where she stood. He was about to say something, but was saved by Count Caro who responded first.

“Enough! I forbid you to speak of the Champion of Cyrodiil thus. Go on inside Alessia; I’ll be along shortly.” His look showed that he was very angry with his wife, and she chose to take the safe route and did as he said. Turning back to Baurus, the Count spoke,

“My sincere apologies, Baurus. Unfortunately Alessia has never had a very worldly view; lately though, it only seems to have gotten worse. She should never have been allowed to say what she said.”

“I understand Count Caro, and she’s not the only one with such views.”

The Count nodded at that and proceeded inside; the doors closed after him indicating the meeting was starting. Baurus looked down, and saw his hands were bloody; he’d pressed his fingers so hard into his palms that the nails had penetrated his flesh.