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]

Chapter 5. opportunity?

Ocato couldn’t believe it. Two counts dead in a single day. He had a thousand questions and very few answers. What were the two of them doing in that cave? If they were meeting, why were they meeting? By all appearances, a large band of Argonians had done the deed, but what could a band, any band, of Argonians gain from the deaths of two counts? Nothing. At least nothing that Ocato could see right now. So they had to have been working for someone, but for whom? Who could gain from their deaths?

Had it just been Leyawiin it might be a different matter, but Bravil made it puzzling.

“Jauffre?”

“Yes, Chancellor.”

“What can you tell me about Gellius Terentius? I know what kind of Countess Alessia will be in Leyawiin, but what can we expect from Gellius?”

“Not much I’m afraid, Chancellor. He’s a typical spoiled nobleman’s son. He’s addicted to gambling, drinking and we understand he’s addicted to Skooma as well.”

“So what you’re saying is he’ll be a leech on our treasure chests until the day he overdoses?”

“I’m afraid so yes, Chancellor; he’s nothing like the son of the Cheydinhal count. When he becomes count some day, you’ll be certain to have a strong and just ruler in place.”

“Jauffre, do you think someone could control Gellius? I mean force him into doing their bidding?”

“Hm, perhaps, if someone approaches him with enough power, I think it would be near impossible for him to stand against such a person.”

“Thank you Jauffre. I need some time to think this over; would you please leave me?”

Ocato stared unseeing at the wall as his thoughts continued along their reluctant course.
No, it couldn’t be, could it? Could Countess Valga be behind this heinous slaying? With the death of Count Caro, Lady Caro, daughter of Countess Valga, would become the next ruling Countess. And someone like the Countess was surely ruthless and strong enough to blackmail young Gellius into voting her way. Was she so determined to pass her proposal as to kill off those voting against her? Ocato shuddered. With Gellius and Countess Caro voting her way, Countess Valga still only had three votes. There had to be more going on and Ocato was determined to find out what before the next meeting took place in two days time.

Opening the door to find Jauffre standing guard in the corridor Ocato asked, “Jauffre, please send word to Anvil, and ask Count Umbranox if he can come into the city very early. I’d like to speak with him privately.”

Ocato reasoned there would be none better at political maneuvering then someone who had headed the Thieves Guild for so many years. It was moments like these where he was eternally grateful for Jauffre’s intelligence, and his discretion.

Very late the next evening Chancellor Ocato met with Count Umbranox. It was their second time that day and Count Umbranox had spent most of his day meeting all the other counts separately.

“I believe we may have a problem, Chancellor. I believe you’re right in your assumption. Count Gellius and Countess Caro will vote with Countess Valga, but to my astonishment, so will Count Indarys. I have no idea what Countess Valga told him, or threatened him with, but he made it clear enough that he will vote her way as well. That gives her four votes. Countess Carvain is yet undecided, as always lately.”

“Yes, ever since the Daedra attacked Bruma and she caught a glimpse of that siege crawler she has been terribly insecure about everything. I think nowadays she must spend an hour deciding on whether to wear a blue or a red corsage.”

“And in this matter she is not very different. I believe I’ve managed to convince her to vote with us, but I just can’t be sure. Janus of course will vote for us. I don’t think there’s anything anyone could say to force Janus to do anything he doesn’t want to.”

“So that gives Countess Valga four definite votes, it gives us three votes and Bruma yet undecided. It’s a very close call, Corvus.”

“I agree Chancellor, but unless we can come up with a few more Counts that agree with our way of thinking between now and the Council meeting tomorrow morning, I don’t think we stand much of a chance.”

“It’s a shame the late Count Goldwine of Kvatch is no longer with us; he would surely have voted with us. And obviously the steward that rules now, what’s his name, Hosidus, is not allowed to vote instead of a Count.”

“Hm, he’s no count no, however, Chancellor, I believe you’ve just given me an idea. May I have use of the Imperial Library for the rest of the day? I’d like to study some old records if I may.”

“Of course, Corvus; the place is yours.”

“Thank you, Chancellor; I’ll see you tonight after I’m done if that’s acceptable.”

The meeting that night did not last long, but when Ocato went to bed afterwards, it was with a smile on his face.