The Elder Scrolls V: Darkest Days [IC]

[VeilOfMaya]

The king took a step back in response to the man jumping off of the roof and landing a couple feet in front of him. He charged two paralysis spells in each hand, but quickly let the energy go after realizing who it was that landed on the stone road. "Rayya." He said, sighing. "This way." He said, pointing up the steps to Understone Keep. When the two arrived at the Keep, the two Khajiit guards asked the King a question. "Zedrick-king, who is this Redguard? Khajiit do not trust strangers." The left one asked. "Do not worry, my friends, this one I can trust." He said, motioning for the betmer to lower their swords. They bowed and did ask instructed, opening and closing the doors for them before going back to their job. "I love the Khajiit. Interesting, to say the least. I enjoy having them around, as well as all the Dunmer, Orsimer, and Bretons I have under my liege." He said, smiling. His people were his pride and joy, you see. "Under your liege? What are you talking about Zedrick? Did something happen while I was gone?" Rayya asked, confused. Zedrick sighed heavily and took a seat on his throne. "Rayya, much has happened. Brace yourself." Zedrick said, clearing his throat to speak of recent events. "Well, three days ago, we took the city. We fought and fought, each one of your brethren fighting for their pride and their cause. The Nords, however, put on one hell of a fight. Those men...died for their honor and home with a smile on their face. I know you hate Nords, but that was damn impressive." He said, taking another deep breath. "Well, we reached the keep and broke through the door. It was Kastus and I, Calisto, Urgazh and an assortment of other soldiers. There were a reserve of men to defend the Jarl. They fought just hard as we did, but in the end, we prevailed. However, Kastus set off a trap, and was hit by a falling boulder, killing him on impact." He said, tone getting more remorseful with each word. Rayya's jaw dropped and he shook his head. "Kastus? Of all people to get killed, he was the one to go...." The Redguard said, sighing. "Please, go on." "Yes. He's gone. However, much more has happened. As his Warlord of the Reach, the title of king falls to me." Zedrick said, sternly. Rayya was even more surprised now. He didn't expect for his mentor to be King of the Reach. "So...you're...King now?" Rayya asked. "Yes, my friend, I am." He said, closing his eyes. Rayya took a couple slow deep breaths. King. Huh, he didn't think that he would be taught by his King. "So...anything else happen while I was away?" Zedrick opened his eyes again. "No. But the Thalmor are coming." He said, darkly. The dark skinned man shook his head as he was reminded of what he found out about the Thalmor. "Master, I have learned that the Thalmor are preparing an assault on Markarth." He explained. Zedrick eyes went wide. "When." He asked flatly. He needed to know this information. Rayya nodded and spoke again. "Within the next month, master." He finished. Zedrick nodded. "We will be ready." He said adamantly. The Thalmor will be in for a surprise.

"Now Rayya, you are not strong enough to fight these mer. I will teach you what I know. Urgazh will instruct you on fighting with that enormous sword of yours." Zedrick explained. Rayya nodded slowly. "I understand master. What are you going to teach me?" He asked, genuinely curious. "I'll teach you how to do this." Zedrick said, charging a purple sphere of magic in his left palm and released it on the otherside of the room. From the sphere grew a huge hulking figure. It formed into a giant creature formed of ice. Rayya looked at the...thing with amazement as it stomped it's way to Zedricks' side, standing and awaiting any danger that may come. "What...what is that?" Rayya asked. Zedrick chuckled. "That, my pupil, is a Frost Atronach. One of my favorite spells." He said, dismissing the massive hunk of ice back to Aetherium. Rayya nodded. "So...that's Conjuration." He shook his head. "So, when do I start my lessons?" He asked, anxious to get started. Zedrick stifled a wide grin. "Tomorrow night, friend. I learned this magic at night, and I will teach it to you underneath the moon every night." Rayya stood and bowed. "Yes, Master, now I must get some rest for tomorrow." His king nodded. "I understand, young one. I'll let know Urgazh know by soldier that you are to be instructed by him every morning. Now, get going, Rayya." He said, and Rayya followed his orders and left the Keep and back into Markarth.

[Punky]

After an hour of waiting on his weapons to be sharpened, Dandre slides his two steel swords into his sheathe. He coughs slightly, he needed to get some food soon; been too long since he had a decent meal. Dandre turns and begins to walk up the hill.

"You should head to the keep since you just just arrived. His majesty may want to meet you.", the Orc blacksmith says to Dandre's back. Dandre turns back and gives a slight nod.

Dandre walks up the hill, thinking to himself about why he would really need to meet this king, but he decides it would probably be for best to do so. He heads up through the city heading for the keep, getting lost several times among all the turns and dead ends.

Finally, he makes it to the keep. He is stopped at the entrance by two guards, "State your business inside."

Oh you got to be kidding me..., he thinks to himself, "I need to see 'his majesty'. I just arrived in the city and was told it would be best to come see this guy.", he says aloud sarcastically to the guards.

"Hand over your weapons, remain still, and keep your arms where I can see them.", one of the guards says to Dandre.

Dandre takes a step back, not about to relinquish anything over he places his hand on his swords handle, "Not happening.", he simply says.

The guards pull their own weapons out, one a sword, the other an axe, "We won't ask again stranger."

Dandre tightens his grip, ready to withdraw his swords as he stares the two guards down, I'm really starting to dislike this place and their guards..., he thinks to himself.

The trio stare each other down intently, the guards holding their stance ready to attack Dandre if need be.

[Leon5431]

The barmaid delivered the food to the table, Leon sighed hoping the others would arrive before the food, as he did he saw the door open and two of his men walk in one if then being the warrior he sent to wait at the gate Leon smiled as they walked in but quickly hid the smile. They sat down and Leon looked to the new coming Nord archer, "what took you so long?" the man looked at Leon "I'm sorry, but I have a good reason I overheard a group of Thalmor, they are planning to take the Reach they are moving a army west soon within the next few days." Leon smiled at the news "good the. Things will get less crowded here" he said the group nodded happily "what of the others?" Leon asked, the More girl that he went to the gates answered "they are at the gates waiting for us" Leon nodded and looked to the other two that had started eating, "take it with you or eat fast" one stopped eating and the other eat faster, Leon laughed at him and stood grabbing his pack which he had set on the floor, the others did the same.

- - -Updated- - -

Leon looked to the man still eating "come on mate we are leaving" he nodded and stood. They gathered their gear and left the Inn, they made their way outside of Whiterun, as they exited the city they met the last two people in their group, they were ready, they made their way down the path and when they were out of ear shot of the guards Leon filled them in on the plan "Alright, the supply caravan should be just north of Whiterun right now, if we hurry we could reach the ambush point before they enter they enter the woods" the others nodded. They began making their way to the Pale Pass, it wouldnt be a long run maybe a little under an hour, Leon hoped they didnt run into any bandit trouble, if they did it would complicate things, especially if they lost a member. Leon didnt want to think about that, the death of a member was hard for them cause it meant so much more then if the Thalmor or Foresworn lost a man, when they lost someone it was someone they all knew, someone they had all gotten to know and it meant they were that much closer to defeat, twenty people is all that they were made up of as opposed to all the soldiers the Thalmor had were if they lost one it wouldnt matter cause there would be one of a few hundred thousand more to replace him. But here it was someone that could be replaced as easily.

After a long enough time the group arrived at the edge of the snow covered forest, the could northern winds of the frozen plains blowing through the trees. The group began to set up the ambush the archers took cover behind the towering trees, while the Warriors hid behind rocks or behind mounds of snow. They waited, each of them mentally preparing themselves for what could very well be their deaths. Leon looked to his soldiers they were all nervous it was apparent, the most Leon could do to help was look as strong and ready as possible, which didnt come hard to him, he was a natural born leader he had a nack for inspiring his troops, he had done so when he fought the Thalmor back when he was part of the hidden Legion that had gone into hiding here in Skyrim and he had done so in every fight against the Thalmor or anything that threatened him or his friends.

Finally it came into veiw, the Thalmor supply cart came moving down the road in their direction, the group had already settled down deeper into their hiding spots. Leon looked at the escort it was a group of 7 Thalmor, 'How lucky we are even in numbers' Leon thought to himself, there was one mage leading the escort the rest seemed to be warriors, Leon sighed in relief it was just one mage it wasnt going to be that hard then. The cart came rolling closer to the ambush point Leon gave the signal for the archers to ready their arrows, they did so, the cart rolled ever closer the Thalmor soldiers conversation could be heard clearly now. Finally t was at the perfect position, Leon gave the symbol and the archers loosed their arrows, soon Leon watched at one of the arrows hit one of the Thalmor soldiers in the side, another his the soldier in the neck the last missed its mark and plunged into the Thalmor mage's leg, Leon cursed but they didnt have time. Leon shouted "ATTACK!" then the warriors of his group charged out of their hiding spots towards their Thalmor prey, Leon brandished his Steel sword and shield in hand as he charged the nearest Thalmor foot soldier who had just finished drawing his sword when Leon bashed him with his shield knocking the man back. The man stumbled but barely regained his footing in time to parry Leon's strike he tried to land a blow on Leon but was met with the ringing of his blade as it collided with Leon's shield. Leon brought his shield upward taking the Thalmor soldiers sword with him exposing his body, Leon quickly dispatched the man with a stab to the chest then yanked the blade out then brought it down on his head, he turned to the rest of his men, they were finishing off the rest of their foes , Leons group's archers picking off the extras that tried to help their fellow soldiers, Leon turned to see the Thalmor mage standing back up after healing his Leg wound, he shot two firebolts at Leon but Leon blocked them with his shield, the Thalmor shouting in rage "you Nordic dogs will all die!" as he shot more firebolts at the rest of Leons group, they were either met with shields or the ground as the target jumped out of the way. Leon charged the mage, his shield raised to deflect any attacks the mage shot, the Thalmor tried to land a hit on Leons legs but had his hand knocked to the side as Leon bashed it to the side, he tried to his Leons side with a firebolt, but Leon swung his sword upward cutting the mages hand off, then plunging the sword into the mages stomach. Leon pulled the blade from the wound the mage falling to his knees, "no, you shall die" he said as he swung his sword slicing the mages head off of its body. The body slumped to the ground limp the head landing a few meters away. Leon looked to the others who seemed to have made it through the fight. He nodded to them "good job everyone, now lets get these supplies to the group" he said as he gestured toward the caravan with a distraught horse attached to it.

[OlNoSoul]

Varanno sat in his tent, working behind his desk, writing everything he could squeeze out of his ass to write up some kind of report to send to the Isles. He had to make it sound good, The Dominion wouldn't spare an auxiliary force of Cathay'Raht and another High Jusitciar and his forces to reinforce an army that had done nothing but marching. Varanno was on the verge slamming his hand through the desk and going on a complete rampage through Tamriel, taking any non-Mer's life in the most unpleasant ways he could think of. This boring monotony did not suit the headstrong Altmer at all and his men were starting to sense it. No one questioned his orders, they didn't in the first place but it was more out of fear now, he didn't come out of his tent at all and he barely talked to anyone. Finishing off the last words of the report, he rolled up the scroll, sealing it with wax and standing from his seat. He stepped outside and called for a messenger, a miscellaneous Thalmor soldier rushing up to him after the last syllable left his mouth wrapped in that commanding voice of his. A few seconds after taking his seat, an uninvited guest stepped into his tent, apparently trying to appeal to his ego from everything he said behind that helmet of his. The Argonian outstretched a hand.

"So, are you the spy I have heard so much about? Skulking around in Markarth seems to suit you, seeing as you've survived whatever has happened there," Varanno simply gave his best professional smile and a polite nod at the Argonian's scaly hand, "So, tell me, what of the stone-wielders? I am all too eager to hear what has transpired from that City of Stone."

[Soza]

Rayya left his masters keep with a lot on his mind. It was a lot to take in at one time but he accept it all. Kastus was dead, Zedrick was the new king and Rayya didnt want it any other way. Of course he did mourn the loss of Kastus, he was happy to see Zedrick now in a position of power. He returned to Markarth where he found and Inn. He didnt have enough gold for his own place so he had to go to the Inn. It was warm inside he walked up to the barkeep who was serving a drink to a single man. Rayya sat at the chair located in front of the bar. Barkeep? A drink please. The barkeep nodded and walked over to him bringing him a drink. A dark colored liquid filled a brown cup. Rayya gave his thanks and drank the drink. It was harsh but to him it was good. The barkeep refilled his cup. Do you have any rooms open? The barkeep nodded. 25 gold a night. Thats the forsworn discount. Ill be needing one. Rayya said as he drank another cup full. By this time Rayya was feeling good with himself. All of the thoughts that plagued his mind were gone. Up the stairs, last door to the left. Rayya stood and dropped a small sack of gold on the table. Ill be needing it for a few nights. That should be enough. The barkeep took the sack and refilled his cup once more. This ones on the house. The man said. Before going to his room, Rayya drank the liquid once more. It was just what he needed. He walked up the stairs and entered his new room. It was a large room with a large bed. There was a balcony that overlooked parts of the city. Rayya walked to the bed and dropped down on it. He laid there for a few seconds when he heard a knock on the door. He got up slowly and opened. Yes what is it? He said rubbing his eyes. Eydis stood there, his cloak still wrapped around her. He then realized that he had left her on the roof. Oh Eydis...Im sor- She placed a finger on his lips to hush him. She smiled and pulled him close planting a kiss on his lips. Dont worry about it. She said to the redguard. She entered the room and shut the door behind her, locking it.

[VeilOfMaya]

As Zedrick's apprentice left the keep, a wave of exhaustion washed over his body. He had been exerting himself so much mentally, that he haven't had a thought to himself in the last three days. The thought of the Dominion knocking on the giant gates of Markarth with a mass of Thalmor soldiers made him queasy. However, he would not let his fears and insecurities be the downfall of his people. His mentor, Kastus had his own fears, but he got through them and became the greatest Reachmen to ever live. The thought of his master brought a slight smile to his face. He stood and stretched and called for his servant, Frey.

"Frey, where are you?" Zedrick asked aloud, the orcish guards not even flinching. After less than twenty seconds, his servant approached him and bowed. "Yes, Zedrick?" She asked.

"Please, draw me a bath. I am dirtier than a Argonian with a Skooma addiction." He said, chuckling. With a small giggle, the Nord woman, left her king and drew the bath and tending it with all kinds of herbs that would soothe his aching joints. She came back and took him to his bath. "Perfectly warm Zedrick." She said, trailing off at the last word. Zedrick heard the change in tone. "What?" He questioned. "Oh, nothing. Just noticing the stress and concerns that are apparent in your eyes, Zedrick." She said, softly. Zedrick was taken aback by her statement and the truth behind it. He had never expected such a amount of perception from someone like Frey. "You...are very good at reading people, Frey." He said, sighing. Frey smiled and curtsied as a sign of respect. "It's something that i've grown to be able to do very well. Even though I never talked to my previous master, I could tell when he was stressed. And when you guys stormed the gates of Markarth, the look in his eyes was pure terror and fear." She shrugged. Zedrick sat on the edge of the hot bathtub and nodded slowly. "I see, well, i'll be sure to make a note of that." He said smiling. Frey sat next to him and asked a question. 'Do you want to talk about it?" The woman asked tenatively. Zedrick's eyes widened and his heartbeat sped up. He did not expect this...strange woman to take an interest in his internal struggles. "Uh...sure." He said, scooting to the left a bit. Frey stifled a smile. "Well, what is on your mind, Zedrick?" She peered further. The king sighed again and buried his face in his palms. "Fear. Fear of losing what we have fought for so long. Fear of letting down the people that have put their faith in me as their king...." He said, abruptly. Frey's eyes widened the look on her face turned from curious to concerned. "Who would take this from us?" Frey asked, scared. Zedrick said in a monotone, "The Aldmeri Dominion, or more commonly known as the Thalmor are not very happy about us taking Markarth from the native Nords. There will be a military response." He explained to the woman. Frey's bangs draped over her face as she looked down at the stone floor. Shaking her head, she looked at Zedrick again. "Whatever happens, i'll be here for you, my king." She said, bowing. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I have some clothes to wash." Bolting out of the room.

Zedrick shut the door behind her and stripped off his robes and boots along with his undergarments and sunk into the warm, soothing liquid. Soon his muscles and joints began to release and relax. However, the thought of his servant, Frey crept back into his mind. He couldn't believe that a Nord was being so kind to a Breton like himself. Her eyes....were filled with worry and care. He didn't understand. However, he was completely wiped from his day, and cleaned himself, shaved and took a seat on the throne for the first time.