4E 202, Labyrinthian
Gerron Ironbreaker
By the time Gerron and his company crested the last ridge, Labyrinthian stretched below them. The ancient city was sprawled across the vale, truly humongous and grand.
While a lot of it had long been swallowed by great mounds of snow, it stood bigger and wider than even Whiterun itself. Crumbling walls and frozen spires jutted out from the mist, ancient stone that was built a long time ago, way back during the height of the Dragon Cult.
The outside walls were now ringed with banners of red and silver. Legion tents dotted the snowfields in ordered rows, campfires flaring orange against the pale light. The clatter of steel and the murmur of disciplined voices filled the air, broken now and then by the heavy tread of patrols.
There were signs of combat all over, the grounds charred and scarred from a recent battle. The ground was littered with the corpses of Draugr, their hollow eyes missing the faint blue fire of necromancy.
Off in the distance, Gerron could see the lumbering figure of Vermithor resting higher in the mountain, around him the skeletalized corpses of dragons.
"There was a battle here." muttered Savos Aren, adjusting his staff as the biting wind pulled at his robes. "Looks like Alduin's forces arrived here before we did."
"Sending word to the legions was the right move, it seems." Gerron replied.
A horn sounded from below. A patrol of legionnaires marched toward them through the snow, crimson cloaks snapping in the wind. Their leader, a stern-faced Imperial with frost in his beard, saluted sharply.
"Greetings, Jarl Gerron. I am Legate Taurinus Duilis of the Hjaalmarch Legion. This is Praefect Hadvar." He gestured to the younger officer at his side, though time and war had visibly hardened him. "We're here to escort you and your retinue to the war camp."
Gerron inclined his head. "Appreciated, Legate."
As they descended into the encampment, Gerron took stock of what lay before them. Rows of tents, barricades of timber and stone, ballistae being assembled on high ground. A warcamp built not for a raid, but for a siege. Soldiers of Whiterun and the Imperial Legion worked side by side; even a few Stormcloak tabards could be seen among them. Barrels and crates of supplies were being hauled in, preparing for a potentially long campaign here in Labyrinthian.
"Tell me about the fight here, Legate." Gerron said, scanning the perimeter as they walked.
"Yes, Jarl Gerron." Taurinus' tone was clipped. "From what I've gathered, the Dragonborn and her dragon companion engaged a host of Alduin's forces before we arrived. We supported her, as the battle raged for two days and nights, before reinforcements arrived from the Dawnguard."
"Kiera did?" Serana stated in surprise. "Is she alright?"
Hadvar answered this time, his tone respectful. "Yes, Lady Serana. She sustained some wounds battling two of the masked Dragon Priests, Vokun and Volsung, from what our mages could identify. But she survived. The Dawnguard's arrival turned the tide. The undead were driven back deeper into the mountains."
"Two days of fighting…" Savos muttered. "By the Nine, that woman's will is forged of steel."
Once they passed the outer lines, Gerron turned to Renly, captain of the Shor's Guards who accompanied him. "Find a place to set up our tents. You know what to do."
Renly gave a quick bow. "Aye, my Jarl."
With the guards peeling off, Gerron continued onward with Serana, Savos, and Karliah at his side. The Nightingale's eyes flicked over the rows of soldiers and the ordered chaos of the camp, her hood shadowing her expression.
"I admit, it is surprising to see such coordination and leadership from the leaders of Skyrim." Karliah stated. "With a mere word from you, to have such a force assembled without problems. It is…a hopeful sight for the future."
Gerron gave a low chuckle. "You should've seen what it took to get this far. If anything, Alduin's attack back on High Hrothgar was a blessing in disguise. If he didn't, the leaders of Skyrim wouldn't put away their grudges so easily."
"You're telling me." Serana smiled faintly. "Things would've been harder as well had the Emperor not been there. I guess we should count ourselves lucky."
"Luck…or fate?" Karliah tilted her head, thoughtful.
"Fate is a fickle thing, Karliah." Savos said quietly. "While the gods have certainly been more…active in recent times. Getting too deep within the strands that manipulate this world would see you falling deep into a spiral."
Karliah gazed at the older Dunmer silently before acknowledging with a nod. "I'll take your words to heart, Archmage."
They reached the command tent soon after. A massive pavilion of red and brown canvas, its poles crowned with iron spikes. Inside, the air was warm from a central brazier, the smell of smoke and leather thick around them.
Kiera stood near the war table, armor scorched and battered at several places, Dawnbreaker leaning against a chair. Isran loomed beside her, arms folded. Across from them stood Vilkas, with Aela the Huntress at his side.
"Kiera," Serana greeted.
The Dragonborn looked up, her fatigue melting into a genuine smile as she embraced the vampire. "Serana. I'm glad you guys are here."
Gerron stepped forward, clasping Vilkas' arm. "My condolences for Kodlak's passing. And congratulations, Harbinger."
Vilkas let out a humorless chuckle. "While the losses are still recent, we've learned to move on."
"It's good to see you guys again." Kiera said with a smile as she turned to hug Gerron.
Gerron accepted with a chuckle. "It's been months. How are you?"
"You know, I'm still alive so that's something." Kiera said with a smile before it turned into a serious frown. "Have you heard of what we're facing? Two Dragon Priests, along with thousands of Draugr and at least four dragons."
"They aren't the only ones." Isran suddenly said. "Harkon is also here, with his whole court of Vampires and Thralls. We're pinched between two armies."
"My father is here?" Serana stated with surprise.
"Then he's here for the same reason as Alduin," Gerron muttered. "Whatever lies inside that tomb, every monster in Tamriel seems to want it."
Introductions were made quickly. Karliah was received with a few wary looks until Gerron vouched for her, calling her the Champion of Nocturnal. Aela raised an eyebrow in interest at the bow strapped to Karliah's back.
"What about Labyrinthian itself?" Serana asked. "Have there been movements from inside?"
"Unlikely." Savos shook his head. "The prison holding Morokei is still standing. If anything, we should be worried about stragglers from both sides sneaking inside."
"Having a camp without proper defenses is practically a death sentence with dragons." Gerron analyzed. "Until the siege weapons could be properly set, an immobile station like this is suicide."
"Vermithor is the only reason we haven't been overwhelmed." Kiera stated. "Alduin's mistake in sending all of his more powerful dragons to Whiterun and High Hrothgar means the only dragons remaining are younger and weaker ones. Vermithor could handle the aerial defense."
"But for how long?" Vilkas asked. "Vermithor might be capable of holding the four dragons in the sky, but what if more of them come?"
"Then I will aid him." Aela spoke up for the first time, gaining everyone's attention. "I am the bearer of Hircine's blessing. With it, I am capable of tussling with the dragons."
Gerron had heard that a member of the Companions had unlocked a rare werewolf form from the reports of the attack on Whiterun, he just didn't realize that it involved being a chosen of Hircine.
Six champions stood beneath that tent now. Gerron, Kiera, Serana, Isran, Karliah, and Aela. Six mortals bearing the favor of gods and daedra alike.
"Then we have a plan." Gerron stated. "With Aela and Vermithor handling the dragons, that just leaves Harkon and the Dragon Priests as the biggest threat."
"Don't forget about the undead army." Kiera stated. "A good amount of them are deathlords with the ability to use the Thu'um. They're not to be taken lightly."
Serana let out a deep breath. "Not to mention the numerous vampires in my father's court. Most of them are Vampire Lords themselves, and the thralls that are subjugated by powerful vampires become more powerful themselves."
Isran frowned and grunted. "The Dawnguard will spearhead the defense and attack against Harkon and his ilk. When the Vigilants arrive, they'll prove useful as well."
"I will join you." Serana narrowed her eyes. "I will see for myself what kind of monster my father has become."
"Jarl Balgruuf has allowed me command of the Whiterun Guard." Vilkas nodded to Isran. "They and the companions will assist you, Dawnguard."
"What of the Dragon Priests?" Karliah questioned.
Kiera piped up. "Vokun and Volsung. While Vokun is an adept fire mage, the true threat lies in Volsung, who was said to be the greatest Conjurer of his time." Kiera furrowed her brow. "He summoned a Xivilai from Oblivion last we fought."
Savos widened his eyes. "Truly? To bind such a being to his employ…he must be a Master in Conjuration."
"Can you stop him?" Gerron asked.
Savos tapped the table a few times, deep in thought. "Perhaps. A conjurer of his skill could turn the tide against us. I'll focus my wards on preventing any planar breaches. It should prevent any of his summons from coming here."
"How long can you hold it?" Gerron questioned.
"As long as necessary, so long as I am uninterrupted," Savos stated. "Though I suspect his focus will turn to me once he knows what I did."
"Then I'll engage him while Kiera handles Vokun." Gerron said, to which Kiera nodded. "Good, then the Legate and Legions will—"
The flaps to the tent opened as Hadvar came running in. "My lords! We have a problem! Our sentries detect a massive army of Daedra coming down from the eastern ridges! They're marching in ranks, disciplined ranks! Among them we've spotted banners, they bear the crest of the Mythic Dawn!"
Outside, a low rumble rolled across the mountains, followed by the sound of war horns.
The air itself seemed to darken as red lights flickered through the mists. Silhouettes started to form. Tall, armored, infernal.
At their head, Calixto stands, a wide grin on his face.
…
AN: Here we go, Labyrinthian sets off with a bang. I have some pretty major plans for this arc.
More chapters are available on my Pat_reon. Chapter 84 should be available by the time this chapter was posted. Just look up my name, TeemVizzle, and you'll find me.
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Cheers guys and see you next time!