Old Habits Die Hard Part Six, some old habits never die Options

[SubRosa]

“You now have more experience speaking to Counts and Countesses than I have.”
The funny thing is, now this is true!

That was a very somber, and unexpected, conversation between Jauffre and Julian. I know that Julian cannot imagine herself ever wanting to leave. However, as a reader, I have seen the little breadcrumbs you have spread around your tale that point to that happening in a future tale.

The Countess was certainly a delight to read. After meeting so many lesser people holding her position, it is good to see someone who deserves it. I especially liked how she figured out what the implications of obtaining a great sigil stone were. I see that she also knows that sometimes you have to roll the hard six. The Count of Leyawiin would have never agreed to what Jauffre proposed!


nits:
An Nord man, oozing dignity from every pore, approached us.
I suspect the An above is a leftover from a previous edit. I am sure you meant A instead?

[Acadian]

“You have - ahem - years on me, Grandmaster.”
Heh, I get the feeling neither of our seasoned warriors are quite ready for Sun City Gweden yet.

“. . . being married to that harridan!”
What a wonderfully descriptive word. It has an appropriately sophisticated/archaic feel, avoids the censor and nails the meaning.

‘Silence, broken only by the fire in the hearth and braziers, flowed downward against the updrafted smoke. The Countess turned her gaze to the fireplace. For several breaths we waited as she considered the implications of my statement. Finally she drew a slightly shaky breath and turned back to me.’
What a great passage, so full of atmosphere and mood – perfect!

“Total destruction is what happened at Kvatch!” Carvain protested. “Are you seeking such a fate for Bruma?”
Fear as she recalls the gate that ate Kvatch is so very understandable by the noble Countess at this point.

I love the way you have painted Countess Bruma for us. Her wisdom and care for her city come through loud and clear.

You are really building some tension here!

[Olen]

Updates

I do hope we see Narina Carvain and Julian in peace time. It would be interesting, both are very practical and fairly shrewd, I think their interactions would make fascinating reading with less shadow of destruction hinging over the world. You showed her dislike of the idea along with her resignation that it had to be somewhere and Bruma was the obvious place, in many ways similar to Julian's feelings about going into the gate - neither likes it but both know it's nessecary.

In the previous part we see another nod to Captain Steffan too, I can see one reason why Julian might leave the blades, or at least the exact position she is in...

Now I suspect we might be in for a battle scene soon.

[McBadgere]

A most excellent chapter... ...

Loved the Countess, brilliantly done there!...

The discussion between Julian and Jauffre about leaving the Blades...Gorgeous stuff... ...*Lip trembles*...

Loved it muchly...Here's to more!!...*Raises glass*...

Nice one!!..

*Applauds most heartily*...

[ghastley]

I like the decision to have more than just one person go to the Countess. It didn't make too much sense to send everyone straight to the chapel to wait for her there. That always struck me as an arrogant assumption that would tick Narina Carvain off completely.

Let's hope Julian isn't too high a level, and cause the gates to spawn really nasty Daedra. I always lose too many comrades during the battle because they don't level up enough to keep up with the player.

[Grits]

“The decision to leave the Blades will not lie with me, or with Captain Steffan or Dragonguard Baurus. No, that decision will be entirely yours, Julian.”

I would have been alarmed by Jauffre’s line of thinking, except that it seems he might think of the Emperor’s Dragonguard as separate from the Blades. After all, the gods showed Emperor Uriel that Julian would be the son’s companion.

Countess Carvain was wonderful, I thought she was just perfect in her scene. She seems shrewd enough to know that a storm was coming as reinforcements showed up at her gates. Still, another Kvatch would be the worst case scenario.

The other thing that struck me in this episode is the high regard that both Jauffre and Countess Carvain show for Julian. In game terms, her fame has grown.

[haute ecole rider]

@Sage Rose: I've always liked Countess Carvain the most of all of the upper-class ladies. I agree with you that she seems to be the most competent and Countess-like of all of them. Maybe that's why they gave her the second Great Gate - because she could handle it! In fact, I like her as much as I like Count Skingrad. I'm glad that you enjoyed meeting her finally - it's taken a while for Julian to meet this classy lady. Though in game she is one of the first nobles you meet (thanks to the Pale Pass quest), I couldn't justify Julian encountering such exalted company until fairly late into the MQ. And yes, Julian will want to leave the Blades, for reasons that will soon become evident.

@Acadian: No, neither of our senior warriors are ready for retirement, like most old soldiers I've met! I can kind of see why - soldiering is not the best years of one's life, but it can be the most meaningful. The scene you quoted, where Carvain considers the implications of the Great Gate opening outside her walls, was pretty vivid in my imagination. She let her guard down a little in front of these two old soldiers for two reasons: she was truly frightened by the idea, and she trusted their discretion enough to let them see how badly it scared her. I've always regarded her as an excellent judge of character - look at her choice of Burd as her guard captain.

@Olen: I'm glad you enjoyed both updates. Yes, I'd like to see more interactions between Julian and Carvain in peacetime. At this point, they have much in common as you so clearly point out - both of them know what has to be done, and both of them understand that someone has to make the sacrifice - in this case, Julian and the city of Bruma.

@McB: I felt it was about time to start planting the seeds that the Blades will not be Julian's permanent home. She has fit in so well with them, and feels so comfortable among them, and they with her, that the decision to leave will be that much harder. But like Sage Rose said, I've tried to drop enough breadcrumbs so it won't be a complete shock to our readers (though it is to Julian!). There will be enough shocks in the very near future.

@ghastley: I agree that the way the game has the PC all of a sudden doing Jauffre's job as liaison with Carvain is a bit sloppy. Why should she listen to the PC when the Grandmaster of the Blades has been her advisor in all things related to the Crisis? I doubt you'll see your wish about low-level Daedra come true - after all, this is the hard six, as Sage Rose calls it. But not to worry, in OHDH, the guards and Legionaries are very hardy people indeed.

Grits: I'm sorry for the confusion. I've always considered the Dragonguard as a subsection of the Blades, and Baurus (as sole survivor of Captain Renault's command) as being equal in rank to Steffan. The former is responsible for the Emperor's well-being, while the latter is responsible for providing the heavy muscle in combat and support for the Dragonguard. Sort of like the Marines have a command devoted to the White House while the other guys watch the walls around the country. Both report to Jauffre. Who would succeed as Grandmaster when Jauffre's time is up (when - I'm not saying'!)? That remains to be seen. Logically it would be Steffan as he has more command experience, and Baurus hasn't started rebuilding the Dragonguard yet. It seems you enjoyed reading Carvain as much as I enjoyed writing her. I have a great deal of respect for the lady and I hope it shows! And yes, Julian's fame has grown. After all, Carvain has to know that all of these reinforcements are in her city eating her provisions because Julian sent them there!

My decision to have Jauffre and Julian visit Carvain has paid off, it seems. After months of thinking about this part of the quest and the myriad problems I had with it, I decided to just let it write itself. This next segment just about surprised me, but feels so natural and reminds us of what Julian used to be. I hope all of you enjoy getting to know a certain man-mountain a little better, and seeing more of the relationship between him and Julian.

Oh, and I wrote this segment (and the ones to follow) before I saw War Horse. I watched it just two nights ago and was impressed by how much like Blanco Joey is. Seems I'm not the only one who sees horses as strong characters in their own rights.

*************************

Chapter 30.2 An Old Commander

“Madame! Grandmaster!” Tolgan intercepted us as we returned to the County Hall.

“What is it, Steward?” Carvain had resumed her cool grace.

“A - Out- Outside the gates!” Tolgan could only manage a stammer. Alarm enveloped us as Jauffre and I exchanged glances.

“Spit it out, man,” Jauffre’s crisp tone steadied the shaken Nord.

“A century - a cavalry! And mages!” Tolgan ran out of words.

I stepped forward. “A century of what?”

“Legion! On the Silver Road!” Tolgan’s wide eyes belied the grandeur I knew followed a Legion cavalry century. I glanced at Jauffre again, then we bolted for the great doors leading outside.

It seemed the entire city of Bruma had the same idea as we. Civilians, guardsmen and beggars clogged the snow-spotted streets, all heading for the eastern walls overlooking the Silver Road. Jauffre and I managed to fight our way through the throng to the Eastern Gate.

Sai had the advantage of his smaller size and quicker speed, and beat us to the top of the road where Burd, several of his Guardsmen, and many of the reinforcements gathered. As we caught up to him, I peered ahead into the still-slanting morning light. Coming up from the valley below, I could see the Red Dragon of Legio Six glimmering from numerous standards in the winter sun. Tolgan wasn’t inaccurate. It was a full century of cavalry, along with its pack train that trailed southwards out of sight.

Four scouts cantered up, their sparkling mail subdued by red surcoats. They saluted Burd and Jauffre. The senior scout’s gaze moved to me and settled on my white hair and Kvatch surcoat. “Greetings, sirs!” He acknowledged the senior officers first before turning his spirited bay to face me. “Julian of Anvil,” his voice rang out clearly in the thin air. “Our commander requests a meeting with you. If you will please accompany us?”

“Where is your commander?” I asked, stepping forward and returning the salute.

“Down the valley a ways,” the scout said. “You can ride behind me.”

I glanced to the Wildeye Stables. “I have my own mount, just let me fetch him -”

“Our commander doesn’t like to be kept waiting, ma’am,” the scout warned.

I smiled lopsidedly at him and leaned forward conspiratorially. “Don’t they all?” His grin flashed at my whisper and he settled his restive bay.

I didn’t move but two steps toward the livery stable before Blanco neatly leaped the pole fence and pranced up to me, snorting and blowing. His dark eye as he glanced toward the Legion horses held scorn, as if to say Ha! Let’s see you jump that!

He stopped before me and turned sideways to present the stirrup to me. ”Showoff,” I muttered to him, brushing my hand down his crest before gathering up his reins. Blanco flipped his forelock as I swung up, then bounced toward the scouts, as round between my legs as a sea ball. Sai pranced alongside us, tongue lolling out of his mouth in gleeful abandonment.

A sardonic brow rose beneath the helm’s visor as the senior scout regarded our approach. I knew just what he was thinking - just try and keep up with us on a forced march! It didn’t matter - Blanco had enough stamina to keep up with these Legion horses and more.

Blanco jibbed at the bit when I drew rein before Jauffre. He was smiling, the years falling away from his face for a moment. “Go on, Julian. See what this commander wants with you. I’ll see you later.”

I gave him the Blades salute, then kneed Blanco around his hocks. He was all too glad to show off in front of the Legion bays and executed what felt like a perfect pirouette. I bit my lip to keep from laughing as he pranced after the Legion scout, blithely ignoring the pinned ears from the other horse. Now I understand why Jauffre enjoys riding Red so much!

Once we were safely away, the senior scout eased the reins on his mount. The Legion bay sprang into a ground-covering gallop. Blanco leaped into a bounding canter before I released my hold on his bridle. His strides lengthened beneath me once the pressure to hold back was gone, and he kept up with the faster horse easily.

A glance down to my left side showed Sai wolf-running alongside us, his ears pricked and his blue eyes laughing. Both dog and horse seemed to welcome the opportunity to run freely down the track.

To my surprise, Blanco didn’t slow down as we neared the hairpin turn in the Silver Road, where it folded around a lone pine tree before turning south along the valley floor. Here he passed the scout’s horse with a sideways toss of his head and tipped neatly into the turn. As he straightened out from his heart-stopping lean, I looked ahead alongside the column of cavalry. Off to one side, I spotted the bronze standard and steered Blanco toward it.

The draco, its red silken tubular body fluttering from the bronze dragon’s head, whistled softly in the northern breeze above the heads of the officers clustered around it. I lowered my eyes from the familiar symbol to search the faces of the riders. My hands twitched on the reins as I recognized a massive figure familiar to me from my last years in Legio Six. His raw-boned mount stood with slung hip and cocked hind foot that conveyed equine relaxation.

Blanco slowed to a trot as we approached the command group. Their leader turned from reviewing the passing column and met my gaze. The bay stepped that lazy foot down and swung his long head toward Blanco. My stallion whickered softly at that unprepossessing mount, but apparently something of my awe of his rider rubbed off on Blanco. He came to a smart halt before the taller bay, ears forward and each hoof squarely beneath each corner of his body. Panting loudly, Sai flopped his hindquarters beside Blanco’s front feet.

“Greetings, Julian,” the familiar voice greeted me.

I slapped my right fist against the Kvatch Wolf on my chest. “Greetings, Inspector General.”

Camillus nodded at his junior officers. With murmured words, they set their own mounts into motion into the column. When only the draconarius remained with us, Camillus’s command face disappeared and he smiled at me.

“How on earth does a poor, retired Legion soldier afford such a fine Witchhorse as this?” His voice, though quiet, still held that rumble of distant avalanches. “And that looks like a Skyrim Husky, though the color’s all wrong.”

“Long story, sir,” I answered, somehow failing to keep the smile from my voice. “And how is it that the Inspector General brings a full century of cavalry to Bruma?”

“Long story, Julian,” that voice boomed softly from the rocks around us. “Suffice it to say that I’m bored with playing the wily old Skyrim fox and got to feeling like a snow bear again.”

My brows rose at his words. How could I forget? He’s always been fond of quoting “sly as a fox, and dangerous as a bear.” “And does our primus legate know that you stand here, sir?” I waved my hand at the passing column of bays. “With a full century of cavalry, no less?”

“I never relinquished my command of Legio Six,” Camillus responded. “And let’s, ah, say that Phillida didn’t command me not to bring some part of my legion to Bruma!”

What Phillida doesn’t know doesn’t hurt him, huh? “So what exactly do you hope to accomplish here, sir?” I said. I wanted to know just how much Camillus knew of the situation in this far northern county.

The lanky bay twitched an ear as Camillus breathed deeply. “Julian, I know something big is afoot here. Your refusal of Phillida’s offer to return to the Legion is inconsistent with the pilus prior I used to command.” His glacial blue eyes held mine levelly, though his head stood higher than mine. “The old Julian of Anvil lived for her Legion. Either we’ve let you down, or you’ve found something that supersedes us. I’m curious to see which.”

His words stung. Yes, you did let me down four years ago. But that’s all flown into the Abecean Sea. “So you’ve come here prepared to fight, sir?” I asked instead. He nodded soberly, his eyes still locked with mine. “Daedra and other minions of Mehrunes Dagon?” Again that decisive nod. “Under whose command? Or do you expect to command the battlefield yourself?”

Camillus grinned. “Countess Carvain is a very smart, cunning and sly lady. And her Captain Burd an excellent captain. But you wouldn’t turn the Legion down to follow them. I can only imagine that you have a son of Uriel hidden somewhere in these mountains.” His grin turned feral at the flinch in my gaze. “Ah, you do, don’t you? And he’s everything his sire was, and likely some?”

I turned Blanco north, where the road turned for Bruma. “Why don’t you come with me and find out from whom I take my orders, sir?”

This post has been edited by haute ecole rider: May 16 2012, 08:15 PM

[SubRosa]

Legio VI? At the gates? Well hot darn! It would be nice if that would happen in the game!

I see Blanco is not going to let himself be outshone by all those new horses. His leap over the fence gave more than a faint smile. Then a horse race! Yep, he is a stallion alright.

I see you went with the later Roman windsock draco standard too. I just love how those things look.

And it is our old friend the inspector general. I wonder if he looks like Danny Kaye? I see the sly old Skyrim fox has figured out there there is still a son of septim laying around. I wonder if he has guessed that is who Julian is taking her orders from now?



nits:
Is it a full legion of cavalry, or just a century? You say a legion at the beginning, then say century toward the end.

[haute ecole rider]

Thanks, Sage Rose. You're right, it's a century of cavalry, not a legion. Nit fixed!

[Grits]

Oh wow, the cavalry is here! As much as I relished every little detail of the man-mountain Inspector General, it was Blanco, Sai, and the raw-boned bay who stole the show for me. Just wonderful! Now I hope I’m also really wrong about being worried for Jauffre…

[Acadian]

This was perfectly done and certainly among your finest work! It was both inspirational and great fun to read.

The animals always steal the show, and Blanco and Sai did not disappoint here!

What an impressive arrival! A whole century of Legion cavalry. I shared Julian’s wince at Camillus’ question as to whether the Legion had disappointed her. She has not forgotten being cast aside when broken. And I see old Camillus did not get to where he is by being a fool as he easily read Julian’s face and ferreted what he sought right out her.

[McBadgere]

Oooh, that's just a pretty chapter that is...*Drools*...Oooh I loves that... ...

This...

I didn’t move but two steps toward the livery stable before Blanco neatly leaped the pole fence and pranced up to me, snorting and blowing. His dark eye as he glanced toward the Legion horses held scorn, as if to say Ha! Let’s see you jump that!

Was brilliant... ...Just fantastic...

Loved the dog too...Bless it... ...Awwww...*Tickles behind ears*...*Draws hand back sharply, lest it be removed*...

The Legion stuff was amazing!!...Sooo well done...

Kinda liked it...*Sniff*...Y'know...'t's alright...

...

Nice one!!...

*Applauds most heartily*...

[Olen]

Blanco was a lot of fun in this part, very much a character in his own right.

This was a great part, it all flowed together and have a bit of everything. Going from the tension of the meeting with the Countess to a ride where Julian almost had fun and then on to the legion. Definitely a hint of the person she used to be.

And then Camillus from her past, along with a borrowed century of cavalry. This battle is shaping up to be rather dramatic. As every great stuff.

[haute ecole rider]

@Sage Rose: Yup, ol' Camillus is a sly one indeed. He didn't rise to the rank of Inspector General on the merits of his mountainous size nor his mountainous voice, but rather for his sheer intelligence (and the ability to use intelligence effectively.) I had to smile at your comparison with my personal favorite. I suppose if you took that Inspector General and added bone and muscle to him, you'll end up with Camillus, though we have yet to see that famous humor.

@Grits: Considering how memorable Camillus is, it's only fitting that his mount be equally so. I'm glad that raw-boned bay made quite the impression on you, especially alongside such flamboyant characters as Sai and Blanco.

@Acadian: I wanted to use this episode to demonstrate why Julian holds Camillus in such high regard, and not for his size and voice either. Up Skyrim way, those characteristics are a dime a dozen. But it is the brilliance of Camillus's perception and intellect that holds Julian in awe of the man. I'm glad that came across for you, as for the reminder that the Legion rather unceremoniously dumped her when she was broken.

@McB: The dog is fine with having his ears scratched as long as you give him a fresh mutton bone first.

@Olen: I hope my writing of this battle won't disappoint. I won't be able to write something on as great a scale as Sage Rose's, and with an experienced paladin's version of the Battle of Kvatch running simultaneously, I have some pretty high standards to meet!

The story so far: With the Countess Bruma agreeing to Martin Septim's crazy plan to allow a Great Gate to open before Bruma, and the appearance of a full century of cavalry at the front gates, it is now time to fill everyone else in on what is planned for them.

***************************
Chapter 30.3 The Coming-Out Ball

“I don’t like it. It’s crazy and reckless, that’s what it is!” The objection was expected. That it came from Burd was also expected. He glared at Grandmaster Jauffre. “Why should we place Bruma at risk here? For some Imperial by-blow, no less?”

Standing between Jauffre and I, Captain Steffan dropped his hand to his katana. “Martin is a Septim, and a Dragonborn! Do not speak that way of the new Emperor!” Hidden from view beneath the table before us, Sai rumbled low and deep in his throat.

Muttering swept around the room. The Cheydinhal captain shook his head and said something in a derogatory tone to Cordelia. Beside her Apsice clenched his fists on his sword belt. Lerus and Varus watched me silently. Vonius and Inian did not look at anyone, but I could see the pained memories in their expressions and the slumped set of their shoulders.

“Enough!” The roar emanated from the immense bulk of the Legion Inspector General at the opposite end of the table. His oaken baton, steel-reinforced much like the one I used to carry as his pilus, slammed the surface so violently that the scrolls rolled away from him. Sai’s snarling stopped and I felt him lean against my leg. I dropped my hand to his head for assurance.

Burd’s jaw clenched as he locked gazes with Steffan. I held my breath, but the two captains did nothing more than glare at each other. Camillus rapped his baton more softly on the table.

“If the Blades are here, trust that this man is a legitimate Dragonborn,” he growled in Burd’s direction. “Accord him the respect he deserves as such.”

“Thank you, Inspector General,” a familiar voice with a new edge slid into the room from behind Grandmaster Jauffre. The three of us moved aside, fists to our breasts and our heads bowed, as Martin Septim stepped up to the head of the table.

“Captain Burd,” he met the tall Nord’s unflinching gaze. “I have heard of your leadership from Julian of Anvil. She speaks well of you. I hope that I have your support as I have the Blades’ and -” his gaze slid to the opposite end of the table, “the Legion’s.”

Burd’s normally florid complexion had gone pale when he set eyes on Martin for the first time. I felt my own skin turn cool as I took in the reason for the Nord’s uncertainty. Instead of the humble monk’s robe he had worn since Kvatch, Martin stood resplendent in Tiber Septim’s enameled armor. Somehow it fit him like a glove, shimmering softly in the grey light that fell from the high clerestory windows of the briefing room. The Emperor no longer seemed so unprepossessing. Now he truly seemed like the descendant of the greatest General that ever lived.

I caught Jauffre’s horrified expression just before he schooled his face back to his usual impassivity. Does Martin intend to lead us into battle? It’s bad enough that we’re going to face a Great Gate. How are we going to keep him safe on the battlefield?

“I beg your pardon, Sire,” Burd saluted Martin belatedly, bringing my attention back to the discussion at hand. The other guard captains and seconds followed suit, Lerus as smartly as ever, Vonius with some pride in his gaze.

“I understand your reluctance to swear support to a stranger you’ve never met, Captain Burd,” Martin’s mild tone still held that edge of command, that same edge I had heard in Uriel’s voice. I closed my eyes against sudden tears. “Especially when that stranger is proposing destruction for your beloved city.”

“Forgive me, Sire,” Burd did not look up from his salute. “I know what happened at Kvatch.”

“No, you don’t,” Martin’s tone turned as flat as his hazel gaze. He nodded acknowledgement at Vonius and Inian. “There are only three of us in this room who know what happened at Kvatch.”

“That is why I don’t want that here at Bruma!” Burd flushed from the effort of keeping his voice down.

“I had meant only to listen,” Carvain’s voice calmed the agitated Bruma Captain. She stepped from the side of the chamber to stand beside him. “But I can’t just stand by and watch anymore.” She met Burd’s gaze and gave him a small nod, then turned away. She moved around the table to stand before Martin.

“I must admit I had the same reaction as my Captain to this plan of yours, Sire,” she said, her head high and her back as straight as any Legion soldier’s. “But as your champion pointed out to me, if this risk pays off, we will be on the road to victory. The only other alternative I can imagine is a slow death through attrition.” She bowed her head and dropped into the deep curtsy of noble to ruler. “Even a fate such as Kvatch’s would be preferable to a long, and deadly siege. I place my city in your hands, Sire.”

Martin offered her his left hand and helped her up from her obeisance. “Thank you, Countess Carvain.” He bowed briefly to her. “These past months since the fall of Kvatch, I have appreciated your steadfast staunchness against the threat of Oblivion outside your gates. The courage and endurance of your Guard against the daedra is short of miraculous.”

Martin turned to face the table once more, his gaze traveling from leader to leader. “There is no doubt in my heart that Bruma is truly the City of Talos Stormcrown.” He gave Vonius and Inian a small smile. “Just as Kvatch is the City of Akatosh.” He drew himself to his fullest height, the armor giving his presence added splendor. “Now is the time for every city of Cyrodiil to step forward as one unit. This crisis has gone on long enough.”

Carvain had returned to her Captain’s side. My estimation of the slender Imperial woman increased with her tacit support of her Captain. She has chosen well in Burd. He may speak before he thinks, but such is the way of the best fighting soldiers.

Martin leaned forward and unrolled a large scroll across the table. It spread into a map of Bruma and its surroundings. Red marks scattered across the drawn rocks of the city’s perch in the High Jeralls. When I saw the one immediately outside and south of the East Gate, I realized that they marked Oblivion Gates that had been closed by Bruma’s Guard and by the reinforcements.

“The advantage Bruma holds is that there is little level ground around its walls,” Martin said as the leaders leaned together to view the map. “Unlike Kvatch, which had a large flat area immediately in front of its gates, Bruma is mostly surrounded by sheer slopes or hilly ground.” He spread his hand on the parchment at a point northeast of the East Gates, just north of the Silver Road on its approach to Bruma. “Here is the closest thing approaching level ground in the vicinity - the Plain of Caribou. This is where they will open the Great Gate. Any other Gates opening elsewhere will be just distractions.”

“Like the Gate outside Cheydinhal was a distraction?” Leland Ulrich demanded. I eyed the Guard Captain thoughtfully. He carried his weapons with the ease of long use, but his slumped shoulders had none of the bearing associated with Legion soldiers. Just who is this man? I wondered not for the first, or the last, time. Lerus, with her contacts, had been unable to learn anything more about this arrogant captain from Indarys.

“Not to your city,” Martin shook his head. “Nor to Leyawiin, Bravil, or any of the others. They were significant threats. But Julian of Anvil has learned something about them.” He turned to me and nodded.

I took a deep breath and moved to lay my finger against the mark that identified that first Bruma Gate. “This Gate opened first, and closest to the main gate of Bruma. The daedra attack from this Gate has been the heaviest and the most severe, right, Captain Burd?” I glanced up into his blue eyes. He nodded.

“Aye, none of the others we’ve closed have been as difficult as that first one.”

“The same is true of the other Gates I closed outside each of the other cities except for Kvatch.” I tapped the other marks indicating the other Gates. “And these, as well as those I encountered further away from the cities, were not as much of a threat.” I straightened up. “However, none of them held a candle to what I saw at Kvatch. The severity and sheer size of the attack there makes me believe that Kvatch was their initial target for a reason. One not found at the other cities, except for Bruma.”

“What reason is that?” Leland challenged. I held his gaze a moment, then turned to meet Martin’s gaze.

“Me.” he said quietly. “Their target all along was me. Now that they know I’m here in Bruma, they will launch everything they’ve got against Bruma.” He nodded respectfully at Carvain. “That is why we must throw everything we’ve got right back at them. Right here.” Again he tapped the mapped plain northeast of Bruma. “And right now.”

“So we let them open a Great Gate there?” Burd leaned forward to study the map, though I was certain he knew the area like the back of his hand. “Not here?” he showed the dell that lay between Bruma and Cloud Ruler Temple. “Nor here?” he indicated the small settlement of Applewatch to the west.

“No,” I answered. “Every Gate that threatened each city was located immediately outside the main entry into each city, or the entry closest to the castle.”

“Why, do you think?” Lerus asked me. “They have siege engines that can hammer down city walls, right?” She glanced at Vonius for affirmation. Grimly the Kvatch leader nodded. “They don’t have to enter by a gate when they can just make their own breach.”

“Because they want to lure the Guard out of the city,” I answered, holding Lerus’s gaze steadily. “Because they want the city largely undefended when they send the siege engine through.”

Vonius was nodding. “At Kvatch,” his tone held no emotion of that horrifying night, “nearly all of us Guardsmen were outside the walls when that monstrous thing came out of the Great Gate and broke the walls down. It completely bypassed the city gates. We couldn’t fight our way back inside thanks to the daedra swarming out of there.”

“Thanks to General Camillus,” I nodded at the immense Nord at the far end, “we now have a cavalry. We block every Gate they open except here,” I indicated the Plain of Caribou on the map. “Here we just hold the line and let them come at us.”

“And when that Great Gate opens, what do we do then?” Varus of Anvil asked. “Do we charge in there and stop that siege engine?”

“The only way to close a Great Gate, or any Gate for that matter, is to take the sigil stone that resides within.” I answered. “When that Great Gate opens, I will go in there.”

Now the leaders stared at me, all except the Kvatch contingent and General Camillus. “By yourself?” Leland asked, incredulous.

“Why not?” The decanus of the Skingrad contingent, a grizzled veteran some fifty years of age, shrugged. “She did that at our Gate.”

Ashcroft nodded. “And at Chorrol, too.” He cocked his head at the Cheydinhal leader. “Are you volunteering to go in there?”

As Leland shook his head fiercely, Vonius lifted serious eyes to me. “There is no sneaking this time, Julian. If Kvatch repeats itself here, you’ll have only about a quarter of a bell’s toll to get that Sigil Stone before the siege engine breaks through. That’s about how long it took at Kvatch.”

I nodded. I had already considered it. “I understand that the stone must be recovered before that siege engine comes out.” My mind returned to the caverns of Lake Arrius. “I’m ready.”

“You know the basic mission,” Martin stepped to stand beside me. “Go back to your contingents. Feed your people well and begin battle preparations. Let’s meet at the Chapel of Talos in two bells to finalize our plans.”

This post has been edited by haute ecole rider: May 19 2012, 09:37 PM

[SubRosa]

I see the IG has his hands full with the captains. No surprise there. When you have that many egos in the same room, there is going to be some friction. Especially when they hear about what the plan calls for!

Martin timed his entrance perfectly. And how perfect of him to be wearing Tiber Septim's armor. Winning the loyalty and trust of these people will be a true test of his ability as an Emperor.

Once again the Countess also shows her salt as a ruler. She not only diffuses the situation, but also rallies the others in support of Emperor Martin.

The following war council give us readers a wonderful overview of what to expect next. You have described the battlefield for us, illustrated the strategy of the defenders, and what they expect from the daedra.

“When that Great Gate opens, I will go in there.”
I just love how Julian throws down here. That is our former centurion!

This post has been edited by SubRosa: May 19 2012, 11:47 PM

[Acadian]

I loved the way you painted Countess Carvain here. Her perfect blend of loyalty to both her emperor and guard captain went far to diffuse things and meld support for the plan. Burd's a good man and his love for Bruma is understandable. I'm glad that came through loud and clear.

“What reason is that?” Leland challenged. I held his gaze a moment, then turned to meet Martin’s gaze.
“Me.” he said quietly.’
Wow! Very powerful stuff!

You held an impressive war council! We know the plan and its risks.

“There is no sneaking this time, Julian.”
Having a character who lives by hiding in shadow, I was struck hard by the truth of Ilend’s words. Here’s hoping Julian’s friends in the Guild of Mages fully provision her with potions to shroud herself. Elixors for fatigue and speed wouldn’t hurt our old warrior either.

[Grits]

When Martin puts on his armor, it’s go time! I love that Julian and Jauffre immediately realized why he’s wearing it. Although Jauffre’s horror could also be related to the whole holy relic thing.

The clash of captains was interesting to see, and Countess Carvain’s calm deference to Martin was so perfect for her.

Now the plan is laid out. The whole time that Julian is making her run for the stone, I’ll be nervous about what’s happening back on the battlefield. The tension here is excellent! I love that at the end of this segment, Martin was standing beside Julian.

[Olen]

Selling that plan to the captains was quite a bit of work. Martin stepped up to it though. Details fo Kvatch and the consideration of the daedra's tactics was a good touch, it makes perfect sense that they should be considered and shows them changing to best oppose the foe. Bravo.

Again you bring a lot of old characters back, some of whom I suspect will have a place in the future of this piece. It gives a nice sense of continuity which the game rather lacked.

Yet another difficulty. Julian not only has to get a gate open, leave the battle (which I think she will not like, especially if Martin decides he's going to be a lunatic), then get across the deadlands, and fast. It will be interesting to see how she manages.

[McBadgere]

Brilliant stuff, loved the way each contingent had a piece to say, and also that they all regarded whatsit from Cheydinhal with disdain... ...Although, I remeber watching him once in that battle, he's a beast with that honking great hammer y'know?... ...

Aaamywho, an exceptional chapter...Brilliant stuff...Loved it...

Nice one!!...

*Applauds heartily*...

[ghastley]

I like the way you put Illend Vonius and Berich Inian in there as part of the Kvatch contingent. People with first-hand experience of a siege engine.

Everyone else has already pointed out the other things I liked.