Skyrim: A Sorcerer's Tale

The instant my greeting reached her, the air around the slender automaton flickered, and in less time than it would take me to blink, Umbra (the sword) was hovering just an inch above my neck.

My eyes meet those of the automaton, my eyebrow rising lazily as if to ask 'Are you done?'

Umbra tilts her head, and once more her form blurs, reappearing in front of Edrassa, sword poised to impale her through the chest.

Only to once more stop but an inch away from its target.

The automaton ignores the girl's panicked screech, and once more tilts her head "That is irritating."

For a moment I could have almost sworn she sounded like a child whose toy was taken away.

Ignoring those thoughts for now!

"Why thank you." Is what I settle on, voice filled with false cheer "Admittedly it is a bit insulting that you thought I would not create safeguards but it is always nice to be complimented."

She rounds on me with a mechanical precision approaching elegance "Dozens of mages tried before you and they all failed to shackle me."

My expression shifts into a mocking smirk as I 'innocently' shrug "It only takes once."

Something in her posture and the way she moved made a small part of me distinctly uncomfortable but I suspected that is simply what being in the presence of someone bloodier than even myself felt like.

The glowing purple eyes narrow for a moment "And so it does."

She was not about to press for more information so it fell to me to move things along.

"Now that the pleasantries are out of the way, introductions!" I point my thumb at myself "I am Hortator Reyvin Dagoth, your new master." My hand moves to Junior "This is Akulakhan the Younger, the prototype of your new state of being and the one you will be working with the most."

She says nothing, eyes roaming from her own new body to his, probably analyzing every difference she could see.

"Junior" Shrugging internally I look to AK "This is Umbra, mass murderer extraordinaire and one of the greatest swords/sword wielders in existence."

His eyes blaze momentarily and he nods.

'Awww, poor boy is hiding his excitement' Scorch coos in my mind.

Rolling my eyes I turn back to Umbra "You have questions?"

She nods "You say I will be working with your little metal pet, and there is only one reason why you would seek me out specifically. What possible use can I be to you if I cannot murder as I will?"

"Rather simple, my freshest of subordinates." I grin and point at myself "You will be murdering as I will."

Once more, she tilts her head, no emotional outbursts, no threats, just an increase in focus "Very well."

"Excellent." I grin and clap my hands "Akulakhan will catch you up on everything else, I seem to be needed elsewhere." 

Not waiting for her response I begin walking over to where a downright giddy Baladas is trying to convince (read: extort) Edrassa for her new innovation while Mephala goaded the both of them.

Though I do still catch the two automatons first words to each other.

"So, my fellow slave." Umbra's voice remained utterly cold while somehow transferring all her disdain "What is your preferred form of murder?"

Junior did not answer immediately, actually considering it for a moment "The meatbags crunch nicely when I punch them in the head." 

"Hm? A bit basic but it works." The fact the topic made her animated did not instill confidence "I myself prefer-"

And it was then that I realized it, the reason her existence made me uncomfortable. The posture, the air around her, and the way she spoke when not sizing someone up... It was Mephala but horny for murder.

Jesus what a terrifying thought.

---

(General POV)

The Webweaver daintily sipped on her tea, eyes closed as she waited for her guest to ask the question.

She even made a fine effort of it, not speaking once for a full hour since they returned to the Spiral Skein, but even beings of their level were not infinitely patient and Ithelia finally cracked "Would you finally care to tell me why you dragged me into that waste of time?"

Mephala's eyes opened halfway "Did you not enjoy yourself, my dear?"

Ithelia nearly snapped at her but still considered the question "It was... fine."

"And" Mephala smiled behind her cup "Did you notice anything... odd?"

"Odd?" Ithelia frowned "Well the people did seem hopeful and motivated, almost unnaturally so. But that still does not explain why you dragged me through a dozen mortal clothes stores."

"Ah but it explains everything." The weaver of webs opened her eyes fully, depositing her cup on the table and leaning on her elbows "For it is all the result of one elf."

"Your favored pet." Ithelia said icily.

"Ah, if only" Mephala sighed forlornly before quickly shaking her head "Do keep your biases in check for but a moment, and use your dreadful little ability. Tell me, which path was the most likely for the world but five years ago?"

The Prince of Paths frowned but acquiesced anyway, closing her eyes and tugging at her still recovering domain. Immediately she saw a world aflame, warlords, necromancers, prophets, and even dragons all ruling their tiny domains, both the Empire and Dominion being but distant memories after butchering each other to the last, and finally the maddened demigoddess who lit the first fire of it all.

Her eyes snapped open and she was met with the ever smug face of her host "That is not the current path." She pointed out uselessly.

"And I so wonder why~" Mephala singsonged.

"You've made your point." The crystalline woman very nearly growled "What do you want from me?"

"Merely observe" Mephala shrugged oh so very innocently "Things are going to change in the not so distant future, and something tells me you will enjoy what is to come." 

"And if I just so happen to help your favored spirit, then that is just a happy little coincidence, no?" Ithelia asked irritably.

"Only if you want to~" The dreaded spider lady chirped, eyes shining with mischief as she leaned in "I would definitely not do everything in my power to direct you towards my preferred outcome, that would be incredibly rude of me, wouldn't it?"

Ithelia's face swiftly found its way into her hands as she began regretting ever leaving the damned tree "You should have just left me in Apocrypha."

"Too late~"

As her exterior groaned at the prodding, a small part of the liberated Prince of Paths wondered what arcane trickery she was under, that she was actually beginning to enjoy the irritating Daedra's companionship.

---

(Reyvin's POV)

I held back a wince as I saw Umbra evade a devastating hammerblow, her expert hands already moving into a killing counterattack.

And then my premonition was proven correct as her target merely grabbed the sword with a gauntleted hand, dragged it forward and clutched the automaton's head, throwing her full force against a nearby wall and cracking the heavily enchanted stone surface.

The ebony automaton remained crumpled on the ground as its self repair enchantments went to work.

"She is pretty good." Minthara smiled as she stretched, hammer handed over to the ever attentive Lydia "Almost took my by surprise."

"Almost took her by surprise she says" Marco mockingly parrots from my left "I couldn't even see what happened. One moment they are staring at each other and the next the walls are in need of redecorating."

"Skill issue" Minthara fires off without even bothering to look at him.

He does stop his halfway raised middle finger as her head ever so slightly moves his way.

"So." I clap my hands as Akulakhan goes to help his new sibling "Thoughts?"

Minthara plops her armored self next to me without a care for the poor sofa and cups her chin "She will be terrifying to anyone who isn't me, or Serana. Mages will have to actively detect her if they want to counter her before she stabs them."

"Exactly my philosophy when designing her body" I nod, smiling in satisfaction "The poor Altmer fucks who haven't left their towers in centuries are going to be in for a delightful surprise."

"Sooner rather than later." Minthara mutters.

"Oh?" I quirk an eyebrow, having returned from Morrowind but an hour ago.

"The hidden little embassy we gave the Thalmor." She points in the vague direction of the building unerringly "They've been rather tense in the past few days, some of them even look like they are about to run off."

"Could be they are simply under pressure from their masters?" I posit, knowing it was far too optimistic, and then scoff at my own words "Or maybe you are right and the inevitable is coming."

"Even if they weren't ready, our legions are." She says, her eyes distant "And initiative is half the battle in war."

"True enough" I hum, hugging her side and feeling her growing tension deflate somewhat "Playing defense may be tactically advantageous but defending territory instead of aggressing simply means you are already losing."

"And we do not lose." She continues firmly.

"Exactly." I nod, feeling her resolution completely overtake her unease "We do not lose. Not against gods or demons, and certainly not against a bunch of uppity fucking Altmer."

---

Hours later I found myself working in my study, Minthara having decided to properly put Umbra through her paces and the rest of them remaining to watch the spectacle.

I on the other hand, was currently leafing through Davos' intelligence report.

I left the news from High Rock for later and spoke "So she was right. The Thalmor rumor mill reached them somehow and they know the war is coming." I look up "The reports of ships bearing the banner of a blue serpent are worrisome however. Did they actually manage to ally themselves with Pyandonea of all places?"

"Probably just trading with them, Boss." Davos shrugs "Things were very hush hush, so it very well could be some kind of alliance but Alor said something about the historical precedent making it almost impossible. Didn't understand half his words but that is the jist of it."

Mind racing with possibilities I merely voice a non-committal hum "With all the information we possess he is definitely right." My finger taps the report "But we do not possess all information, now do we?"

He nods, completely used to that fact, as ironic as it was for a master of spycraft like himself "What do we do then?"

"We can't really post lookouts and call it a day." I frown "I don't know shit about Maormer except that they are supposed to be blue and are ruled by an immortal moneybag." My tapping increases "I will have to content myself with ensuring Alakim posts more guards at our most important ports. Otherwise we will simply have to react to what comes."

"Leave the navying to the navy folks" He nods.

He sees me eyeing the final part of the report and shuffles about a bit.

"The fact they didn't elect a new Overlord in thirty years offends me to my core." I grumble "It is going to be held in Castle Alinor so it isn't like we can do much to fuck with them..."

"That is not... entirely correct" Davos corrects me hesitantly.

"You have an idea?" I quirk an eyebrow.

"Not me" His shoulders sag "Jackal does."

By the time he had explained everything both of us were feeling thoroughly drained of all will, the brilliant yet manic idea Davos spoke of making me question myself more than my actual war crimes and blatant murdering ever did.

Didn't stop me from giving my assent though.

-----

The evening of the same day found Minthara and myself within Titus' council chambers once more, the old Emperor frowning deeply as he listened to my reports and those of Jukulus, who had just finished listing his own reports from the Breton homelands and comparing them with mine.

To make a long story slightly less long, the orcs were still killing each other and everyone around them, and somehow growing in number all the while. Uthred was already halfway through Stormhaven, contenting himself with playing peacemaker while the King of Wayrest lost all credibility.

And last, but certainly not least, Daggerfall was playing host to a delegation of Altmer.

"I could have them all disappeared?" I propose, cutting through the silence.

Titus considers it briefly before shaking his head "No, it is wiser to use their presence to create conflict between the titular High King and his subjects while our own candidate advances." A few of his councilors give him worried looks but his face may as well have been carved from stone "Some cities will no doubt burn in the conflict, but I stand by my words."

"They should have stopped politicking and fought for their rights and liberties like the rest of us" Marshal Valenicus grunts "Uthred may be another ponce but at least he can see that."

"Let us not have this conversation again, my friends" Francis Vierre clears his throat "My homeland's sophistication has both benefits and detriments." The ensuing stares of disbelief leave him fidgeting as beads of sweat rolled down his face.

"Our course is decided." Titus' voice cuts through the chamber, the old man's presence feeling far sharper than usual "The Hortator's report tells us we have but a month before the Thalmor hold their conclave, after which they will be much harder to take off guard."

He looks to me "Marshal Valenicus will be directing our overall strategy, I trust that this will not be an issue?"

Tilting my head just enough to give said legionary some side eye I shrug "His competence was never in question, merely his good social sense."

Titus directs me with a withering look, the result of which would surprise no one. He wisely decides to move on "Valenicus, go ahead."

"Of course, Your Majesty." He stands up, uncovers a large map that had been carved into the table overnight, and begins placing figurines "As of right now the enemy legion numbers remain the same at sixty thousand Alinori soldiers"

Two figurines are placed near Arenthia (Northern Valenwood city) and two at Riverhold (Northern Elsweyr city)

"Unfortunately" He goes on, placing another three khajiit looking figurines near the ones at Riverhold "Their auxiliary recruitment efforts have proven fruitful, and around eighty thousand Khajiit have joined their ranks." He places two less armored elven figurines near Arenthia "Same goes for Valenwood, forty thousand Bosmer have joined the ranks."

"These numbers are of course, going to grow over time." Jukulus adds for everyone's benefit.

Valenicus grunts an affirmative "Yes, and don't forget the home legions of Alinor itself." And presents more figurines, one of whom he places in Anvil "Legion I will garrison Anvil to protect it from naval invasion"

He places another three at the western reaches of Bravil "Legions II, III, and IV will be stationed at the Elsweyr border" He places a more rugged figure next to them "Legion Windhelm" And then another "And the Rihad auxillia will join them."

He looks to Minthara and places a dragon figurine next to them "This army will be commanded by General Julius Gracchus* in truth but will nominally be under the Crown Princess' leadership. Your target is Riverhold."

"Acceptable" Minthara nods.

Valenicus' eyes briefly flash with surprise but he composes himself quickly enough and moves on "Your proposal for a draconic onslaught is deemed acceptable. However we ask that you station some of your... brethren on the mountains surrounding Cyrodiil to harry enemy lines."

"That is sensible" She nods "I was not going to take more than ten with me anyway."

"Your Highness" He nods and turns to me before pulling out even more figurines and placing two more elaborate elven figures, a rugged figure, and a less armored human figure south of Skingrad "Legions Mournhold, Kragenmoor, and Whiterun, and a Cyrodiil volunteer auxillia consisting of some twenty thousand non-legion guard veterans are to be stationed south of Skingrad."

Something told me he was understating the importance of the auxillia troops due to legion pride. Oh well, more hidden assets for me to throw at the enemy and actually expect to come back alive, what joy!

His eyes narrow almost challengingly "The army will nominally be under the leadership of the Prince-Consort while General Servius Tullius holds operational command."

"Tullius knows what he is doing" I shrug.

Poor Valenicus looks almost unhappy that I didn't fight him on this as she offers a clipped nod "Your target will be Arenthia."

"Burning trees is a beloved specialty of mine" I grin.

The man's face twitches as his instincts tell him something bad was going to happen but he bravely soldiers on, pulling out four more figurines "Another Cyrodiilic auxilia, joined by as many mercenaries as we can scrounge up will be stationed at Leyawiin"

I nod as he places the two figures near the port city, happy that my warning was heard.

"And finally the Pennitus Occulatus and the Imperial Garrison will remain within the Imperial City, both as a reserve and training force, and to keep public order as well as we are able."

Commander Maro nods, expression serious.

Valenicus pulls out a final piece, looking at it almost reverently "The Knights of the Nine have agreed to join the war effort and will be gathering alongside the other orders, they are to be placed under His Imperial Majesty's direct command, and to be directed as the war requires."

Titus absently taps the blade sheathed at his side at all times, his minor ticks telling me quite clearly that he wanted to do nothing more than use the legendary sword to incinerate his enemies.

As the Marshal finishes with his presentation, the Emperor stands, facing each and every one of us before speaking "I thank you for your dedication my friends, we shall yet see the dream come true." His eyes blaze with will as the tired war hero settles on one final battle "You have your orders. For the Empire. For Tamriel!"

"For Tamriel!" All of us respond.

All of us knew much would burn before we were done. But it would all be worth it in the end.

-----

*Tiberius' father and the leader of the glory hound faction

**Human legions are around 25 thousand strong (anything between soldiers, followers, support staff etc), elven legions are 15.

Orcs and beasts don't really do legions but if they did it would be human-adjacent.

(These numbers are an approximation just there to give you an idea of what Valenicus' ramblings mean)

And yes I know that historical legions were much smaller but this just clicks better for me.

-----------

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