Part 2 Chapter 5: The Fallen House
Sylvestor stared at the new addition to the terror.. How could this be happening?? beasts were pouring out of the gate.. too much to handle! they had to run, he turned tail and ran down the slope. His life was at stake and he wasn't going to risk it. He reached the small encampment where the rest of the forces were waiting. he panted the news. "Great Gate.. top of the hill.... no hope.. not enough people" Vanir stood his ground at first. The others yelled at him but he ignored them. This was House Redoran. This was his father's house. He wouldn't let it fall so easily. He fought on for about an hour, and finally realized that there was no hope. He slew two more, and ran backwards. He took one last look at the Skar before it fell to the Daedra. His father had spent his life fighting for House Redoran. Vanir had let his father's house fall to ruin. He sat down next to Sylvestor, his face in his hands.
Meanwhile, Ahnassi sat and worried. Ald Ruhn had fallen. Everyone knew by now that it was gone, ever since the Great Gate opened. She worried that Sylvestor had died there. She worried that everyone would die there.
Ald-Ruhn, the capital of the Redoran district, had fallen. Some of the finest warriors in all Tamriel had not been able to stop the Daedric hordes. If Ald-Ruhn could fall so easily, who would be next? Balmora? Vivec? Mournhold itself? An-Jar didn't want to find out. No matter the cost, these gates, which he had since learned were appearing all over Tamriel, needed to be closed - permanently. Maybe the Telvanni could find a way...
Sylvestor watched the destruction of everything unfold, daedra were flowing over the once-city, ripping things apart. "What can we do, but watch? we don't have near enough troops to counterattack. We must send messengers out, rally some horses, we'll call on all the cities nearby, if they come fast enough we can stop this now today"
"I'm going to alert Vivec personally. You guys go do your usual thing. Sylvestor, I suggest you get back to Ahnassi. She'll miss you, " he winked.
Sylvestor was glad for the oppurtunity to visit Ahnassi again, while he was in pelagiad he could rouse the guard and tell them where to go. "Be safe Vanir, there are lots of daedra to look out for". Sylvestor waved goodbye and started back towards Pelagiad on a fresh horse. He got there by duskand after talking to the Guard Captain he walked to Ahnassi's house. He entered without knocking, he didn't expect to be rushing in on anything. Ahnassi was sitting at the table eating a small dinner by herself. There were tears in her eyes. He smiled at her, he knew she must have been worried about him. "well i'm back.. i can probably stay until dawn when the guard will move out. He sat down at the table and started to eat.
"Ahnassi thought you were gone! She heard about the city and was very worried. She is glad you are back."
"I'm glad to be back, many died, there were scores upon scores of daedra, they may very well be advancing south right now, assuming they want to go to vivec. but this is not a time to talk about that" Sylvestor finished eating and stretched his sore muscles, he had been riding a lot in the past two days. "Ahnassi, what is there to do in pelagiad?"
An-Jar, one of the best assassins on Vvardenfell, was extremely agitated. Usually, this was not a good thing - people often ended up missing limbs when An-Jar was mildly agitated, and their lives when he became somewhat annoyed. If he ever happened to become truly angry...
Anyway, he had lost several good people in the fiasco at Ald-Ruhn (Morag-Tong agents insinuated in the Redoran hierarchy...), and the news of more Oblivion Gates opening up had not improved his mood. The good news - if you could call it that - was that he now knew the reason for the Oblivion Crisis. The Emporer had been assassinated, and it was well-known that the Emporer served as a barrier between Oblivion and Mundus. Unfotunately, there was little they could do form Morrowind, besides close the Oblivion gates as they appeared. A more immediate threat was the daedric 'army' of sorts massing on the ruins of Ald-Ruhn, pouring in from the still-open Oblivion gates in the city. There were even reports of a massive Daedric seige machine, almost as large as one of the cantons of Vivec itself! Those gates needed to be closed, or the Daedra would quite simply overrun all Morrowind.
"There is not much for us to do. Ahnassi usually goes about her buisness, does chores around the house, and talks to friends. She also does her job as a thief, but not always. Only sometimes. Now she has a very special friend to talk to.
Sylvestor liked the idea of stealing. "when do people normally go to bed around here? I need to get back in the practice of sneaking up on people, i don't intend to kill anyone, but practice is always good"
"Ahnassi knows that the castle has many guards outside, but few inside. It is good for stealing." She finished her meal, got up, and went downstairs.
They all sat in silence. They set up chairs and a table in the Palace to hold a meeting about this. The head of the three Great Houses in Vvarvenfell, the Lord Archanon, Fedris Hler (head of the Hands of Almalexia), the Nerevarine, Vivec, and Vanir were holding a meeting about this crisis.
Vivec spoke, "I do not know how to keep them closed, the best we can do is keep closing them, but I do have an idea of what caused them. Fedris, do you remember the End of Times cult?" Fedris nodded. "Well, it seems they were right. Daedra pour out onto the land and we are in great danger. However, I believe that the Nerevarine had a part to play in this. By destroying the Heart of Lorkan, they made our pact with the Daedra obsolete, which kept them from attacking Tamriel. Another item was Balrizars Mazed Band. It allowed her not only to travel to Clockwork City, but to also open Gates to Oblivion. Back to the Heart of Lorkan however, it seems that it, much like the Dragonfires, kept us safe from Oblivion. All we can do is hold our ground until they figure something out in Cyrodiil." Vivec nodded his head to say that he was done. Then Vanir spoke to the council,
"I can have my Legionnaires assault and take back Ald Ruhn, with the aid of the surviving Redorann, while you others must close any other gates that threaten your realms. Ordinators and Bouyot Armigers can hold any near Ghostgate or Temple areas, while Hlaalu and Legionnaires hold the Hlaalu territories. Redoran is in ruins after their war with the Nords and the Daedra attack. No Telvanni representatives are here, so we must have someone warn them. I believe I know who to send. Mournhold should have no trouble holding off any Daedra. The High Ordinators are well trained, and the Hands of Almalexia are said to be some of the greatest warriors in Tamriel. Vivec, you will have to start getting out and helping your people do this. Not only will it give them hope and/or strike fear into the Daedra, but you still have fighting prowess without your divinity. We must take a stand here. They will not take Morrowind from us. Now, let us get back to our duties and make sure no gates threaten us." At that they broke council. Vanir headed on his way to Pelagiad.
Sylvestor liked the idea of sneaking into the fort, he decided to dress up like a messenger from another city. He put on his best outfit (Deciever's Finery smile.gif ) and headed up to the fort to check things out. He went in and started wandering around aimlessly before he met an Altmer named Angoril. He spoke as Sylvestor entered the room "oh look, a filthy little kitty. You should look into a change of outfits so you're not mistaken for a slave, or a pauper"
Sylvestor sneered in disgust, "I've killed people for less.. you are warned".
The Altmer obviously didn't believe Sylvestor. "I've met mudcrabs more intimidating then you"(gotta love the stupid combat lingo). Sylvestor suddenly had a change of heart about his plan tonight. There would be a murder, and while he was at it, there were two prisoners that could be freed as well. He returned to Ahnassi and told her of his plans.
"Ahnassi does not like murder. She thinks you should embarrass him, but no murder, please. Maybe paralyze him in a bad position? Just no murder. Ahnassi thinks you should blind him. Many days. He would get the message. Stealing is a good idea, and you should also release the prisoners. One is a Thieves Guild member." She smiled slightly. It went away when they both heard a knock on the door.
"You're right, a murder would be bad, I should blind him permanently though, or maybe disfigure him in such a way that he will be unaccepted everywhere.." Sylvestor contemplated which would be better, he had a paralyze spell ready, so he would not struggle, and now it was just a matter of what he would do. Sylvestor heard the knock at the door and opened it cautiously.
In the doorway stood Vanir, looking as tired as ever.
"We held the council and decided just to close the gates as they come until they solve the problem over in Cyrodiil. And, " he knew Sylvestor wouldnt like this," I'm leading the attack to retake Ald Ruhn."
An-Jar shows up shortly thereafter, with news from the Telvanni.
"Okay. We need to close those gates in Ald-Ruhn - immediatly. Some Telvanni wizards I've been meeting with have seen some sort of Daedric machine in the city, and its capable of laying waste to an entire army. If we can close those gates, the daedra won't be able to send reenforcement for when we re-take Ald-Ruhn."
Sylvestor let Vanir in and sat him down at the table "here, eat something and then get some rest, i'll be back in about an hour.. I have some business to attend to at the fort"
He pulled on his full Assassin's Armory, including the mask and slipped outside into the darkness, It would be difficult to get to his altmer friend through the front way because there was the guard captain patrolling there. Instead he turned left and entered the north wall. It was dark inside, only the flickering of torches every ten feet to light the way, Sylvestor crouched low and sprinted down the passageway, a guard came near, but he ducked into a small alcove just in time. Sylvestor climbed the staircase at the end of the hallway and left through a trapdoor. He was now at the top of one of the few towers, he backed up against the wall and sprinted toward the end, he had to reach the top of the main tower twenty feet away.
He flew through the air and after swinging around a flagpole he landed safely on top. Quietly he slipped down the trap door into Angoril's room. Angoril was breathing steadily in his curtained bed, Sylvestor drew back the thin cloth and cast a ninety second paralyze spell.(oh-so powerful) Sylvestor then cut a thin line across his face, and again and again, his face would be horribly scarred. Now for the embarassment [*slice slice*]. Sylvestor hurriedly dragged Angoril to the great hall balcony (there isn't one.. but pretend) and threw him over. Sylvestor ran out the side door in the commotion after stealing some gold from nearby chests.
He ran back into Ahnassi's home "I'm back.. I didn't steal much but Angoril got what was coming to him. Vanir, I left a note on the Guard Captain's desk as well.. he should have 25 troops waiting at the gate at dawn, for our use at ald-ruhn"
Dawn was approaching and Sylvestor was getting into his battle armor (Guard Captain armor from OB.. except light). He strapped on his poisoned elven longsword, elven bow, and tied an elven dagger around his waist (plus elven arrows of course). This would be one heck of a battle.
He strolled out to the gate and saw the guards waiting for orders. "Start your march to Ald-Ruhn. Myself, Vanir, An-Jar and Tedril will catch up shortly on horses."
Tedril gives each of the others an Amulet of Intervention, which will instantaneously teleport the wearer to safety should the command word be spoken. (Fort whateverisnearAld-Ruhn moth). Then he withdrew to prepare his spells...
An-Jar was doing the same as Sylvestor, though with a more ranged intent - he changed into some light yet strong mithril chainmail, and strapped on his enchanted daedric bow and shortsword. For good measure, he even dipped several arrows in a potent poison he had invented - it would paralyze the victim while simultaneously sending waves of electric energy throughout their entire nervous system, causing excruciating pain. The poison also had the rather interesting side-effect of preventing spellcasters from casting any spells at all.
Part 2 Chapter 6: Rallying the Troops
Vanir was armed and ready. He had the swords ready, and his spear in hand. He held no shield. The men were afraid. He strode up to the front of the lines of men.
"Soldiers! That Great Gate has destroyed the body of House Redoran. We cannot let the Daedra get out of that city. I've fought for a long time with some of you. We've been on some tough missions, but somehow we've always pulled through. Now I'd be lying to you if I said we'd get through this alright, but one way or another we will get the job done. We have a duty to ourselves, a duty to our fellow soldiers, a duty to the rest of Tamriel. The way wont be easy. The Daedra aren't going to let us walk in
and destroy that thing without a fight. They're going to try to stop us every step of the way. But you you know what I have to say to that? I say we've beaten them before and its time to finish the job! I ask you, not as a general, but as a brother in arms, to fight! Over the years we've lived and died together. We've shared barracks and we've shared refuges. We've shed tears and shed blood together. But I would not have you remember what you have done, but why you have done it. We were fighting for something more than ourselves, for more than our personal honor, or glory. Its something that speaks to each and every one of us, something that lies deep within each of our hearts. Something that calls out to us, urging us to fight on. Something that pushes us forward, assuring us of the righteousness of our quest. I want you to remember what we're fighting for. I want you to remember what all of us are fighting for. Today, we fight for Morrowind, and for the Empire!" At that he raised his spear up and a cheer let out from the ranks.
Sylvestor joined the rest of the troops in cheering, it was time to launch the attack on the daedra, the fight would undoubtedly last multiple days. There were already scores of daedra awaiting them outside the gate. Hopefully leaving the Oblivion Plane itself less inhabited. If they could get a small group of people into the gate they should be safe while the rest keep the tides of daedra from advancing any further. Sylvestor mounted a white horse and trotted up to Vanir at the front lines.
Vanir looked up at Sylvestor, "A horse? Well, dont let it die in vain." He smiled. He had inspired them, but it was likely that less than half of them would come out of this alive.
"I've got to arrive in style, the horse should be able to mow through the ranks well enough to get me near the great gate itself. I don't expect her to live more than twenty minutes though. She'll serve her purpose well."
An-Jar and Tedril agreed with Sylvestor - a frontal assualt on the ruins of Ald-Ruhn would be suicide. No matter how good the Imperial Legions were, no army could defeat an enemy with unlimited reserves. The Great Gate rising from the ruins of Skar would need to be closed before any battle could begin.
"I suggest that we take some legionnaires and close that gate - soon. I've recieved reports that the Daedra have some sort of machine with them, but thankfully, its very slow. If we can close the Great Gate before they can get it out, we may have a chance at winning this fight. They'll have to open their Gate elsewhere.
Tedril was quickly killed. An-Jar and Sylvestor fought their way up towards the sigil keep, dispatching - and, in An-Jar's case, soultrapping - large groups of Daedra as they went. Xivali may be powerful in close combat, An-Jar thought, a feral grin on his dark reptilian face, but an arrow through the eye sure works wonders. Yet another Daedra dropped dead, and its sould was consumed in a burst of magical energy, powering the Reaper for yet another shot...
Sylvestor drew out his longsword and started hacking through the xivilai, he needed ton save the rest of his arrows for the larger battle, he bashed skulls in one after another, blood seeped on his armor, disfiguring the once-white breastplate. Sylvestor ran into the sigil's keep and sprinted towards the stone. He was just a few feet away.
"Stop now mortal" Sylvestor turned, startled by a deep, raspy voice behind him. It was a Xivilai, that much was certain just by how tall he was. But he was also clad in daedric armor, wielding a daedric claymore in one hand and a shield in the other. Sylvestor grabbed his dagger, right now agility was his only way out. He dodged a slash and rolled behind him, he climbed up his back, using the ridged armor as handholds, using both hands he ripped of his full face helm and plunged the dagger into the base of the neck. Unexpectedly the Xivilai still had some fight left in him. He threw Sylvestor across his back knocking him against a pillar. he rolled into the impact but he crushed his arm as well, ignoring the pain sylvestor drew his longsword once more and ran at the Xiviai full of fury. This time, the Xivilai fell. Sylvestor had rammed the full blade up through a separation of armor into his belly, he sank to his knees and fell backwards. Sylvestor was now free to grab the stone. he yelled down to An-Jar "The stone is up here, come up here and we'll unanchor the gate" An-Jar joined Sylvestor in the Sigil keep. Together they removed the stone from its stand, and wited as the world burst into fire. They were unprepared for what greeted them when they opened their eyes again...
Vanir had to use every ability and skill he knew just to stay alive. They just kept coming out, and the Daedra must have been in the thousands already. His men were getting slaughtered. Come on, close the gate guys. As if to answer his thoughts, fire erupted into the sky as the gate closed. The morale of the Daedra lessened, but they still far outnumbered the men. Vanir and the Legionnaires, with An-Jar and Sylvestor making their way to his side, fought on.
Vanir turned, slew two more Daedra, and found himself surrounded by the foul things. No allies nearby, he fought on long and hard. Suddenly, something hit him on the head from behind. He fell forward, his helmet bouncing off. He turned to see a Xivilai raising its claymore for the killing strike. He lashed forward and stabbed his sword through the Xivilai, killing it. With his back exposed, the Daedra came at him. Three arrows immediately hit his chest. He fell backwards and laid among the dead for the rest of the battle, breathing raggedly.
Part 2 Chapter 7: The Finest Hour
Sylvestor continued to fight the Daedra, though it seemed to not be helping at all, A daedroth came from behind and bit his armor, making it crush his ribs. He was forced to take it off, and he continued to fight without a breastplate.
Vanir struggled to get up. He had bloodied hands from punching, elbows bleeding (from elbowing, which can sometimes be more deadly than punching), and a gash on his forehead, along with the three arrows sticking out of his chest. He slashed at two more Daedra and looked around. He spotted An-Jar and Slyvestor, but Tendril wasnt in sight. He just couldnt fight. His attacks became more and more weak until finally a Daedroth crushed him to his knees. He stabbed upwards and it fell. He leaned against its body and lost conciousness.
Sylvestor turned suddenly and saw that Vanir had fallen. He quickly slashed of the daedroth's head and sprinted to him. "Vanir.. you're cut up pretty bad! Let me get some medicine for you" Sylvestor fumbled around in his supplies and brought out a healing potion. he poured it in Vanir's mouth and waited for things to happen.
Vanir opened his eyes, stared up and jerked, sending pain throughout his body.
"Damnit... I need to help my men. Listen, you need to lead the troups... lead them to victory. They need you to lead them to victory... aggh!" He winced as Sylvestor pulled out another arrow. Amazingly, the tide of the battle was turning. Suddenly, they all heard a horn blow out. The fighting stopped, and it went quiet.
On the top of a nearby hill stood around four hundred Ashlanders. At the head of the group stood the Nerevarine, ready to lead them into battle. A horn blew again and the Ashlanders charged. The legionnaires fought harder with this new ally, and the battle began to turn into their hands. Gates were closed. Daedra were defeated. Finally the last of the fighting stopped.