Chapter 4: City of the Wolf
“There she is. Solitude”, announced Harlaug
Axius look in awe as the boat passed through the huge rock archway that forms the mouth of the Karth River. The 3-hour boat ride finally reached the end of its voyage. The Sea of Ghost was a calm and quiet sea which was not what the Imperial expected.
He read that the Sea of Ghost was named after the titular creatures that misled sailors who sailed their waters. They were the ones who caused the death of Ysgramor’s eldest son, Yngol. Now, he dismissed them as ghost stories Radovir told to scare away him and the other Initiates, just like the dragons and the snow elves.
The boat docked on a small wooden platform, in front of it was a ship about twice the height of Axius. He stepped out of the boat and thanked the ferryman before heading up to Solitude to resupply.
His ears were filled with bells ringing from the top of the ship’s mast and seagulls flying above the port while his nose caught the scent of salt water. The Imperial saw a sign hanging from counter which says “East Empire Company”. Behind it, was a huge door that leads to the Company’s warehouse if he could remember correctly.
“Just like old times…”, Axius said as his mind went back 12 years ago.
Axius was a young boy when he first visited Solitude with his father and mother. Benedict was invited by High King Istlod for a family dinner. They met during the Great War when the preparation for the Battle of Red Ring was taking place. Istlod respected Benedict’s tactics and leadership in battle. They became good friends.
He could remember looking up at dome of the Blue Palace. Inside, the room had marble walls with matching tiles. He remembered the dinner they had with the High King’s family, he sat between his father and mother while in front of him was the High King’s son, Jarl Thorygg and his fiancée, Elisif. One of few cherished memories Axius had, now destroyed by the Thalmor. Even Istlod was outraged at Benedict’s and his wife’s execution but he couldn’t do nothing as a threat to the Thalmor means a threat to the Empire he had sworn loyalty to.
Axius was pulled back from his recollection when he approached the gates into the city. Some sort of commotion could be heard from the other side. The guards greeted him in a much more friendlier manner than the ones back at Dawnstar.
“You’re just in time to see Roggvir”, One of the guards said.
“Who’s Roggvir?”, Axius asked them.
“He’s the one who let Ulfric Stormcloak escape after he killed High King Thorygg”, the other guard answered.
Axius was both shocked and horrified at the same time. He shoved through the guards and forcibly opened the gate to get inside.
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The Imperial was greeted by the shouts of disdain along with the faint sound of protest mixed within. He looked at the right to see a Nord prisoner, standing at a stone platform, near the chopping block with the Headsman beside him and a captain on the other side.
"They can't hurt uncle Roggvir. Tell them he didn't do it.", cried out a little girl.
"Svari, you need to go home. Go home and stay there until your mother comes.", the father told his daughter.
Back on the platform, the Captain confessed Roggvir’s crimes to the public.
“Roggvir. You helped Ulfric Stormcloak escape this city after he murdered High King Torygg. By opening that gate for Ulfric you betrayed the people of Solitude."
“He doesn’t deserve to speak!”, shouted out an Imperial which left Axius disgusted.
"There was no murder! Ulfric challenged Torygg. He beat the High King in fair combat.", Roggvir replied in assurance, he didn’t show no fear.
"Such as our way! Such as the ancient custom of Skyrim, and all Nords!", he boasted only to have a stale cabbage be thrown at him by the yellow shirted Imperial.
"Very well, Roggvir. Bow your head.", the Captain ordered.
Roggvir bowed down without any resistance, as if he was willingly wanted to die. The Headsman’s large crude axe raise over the Nords neck.
"On this day... I go to Sovngarde.", he wistfully said, before his head detached from his body in a single motion.
The crowd cheered as his head rolled into the basket below.
Atleast his death was swift… Axius was sick to his stomach. His parents execution had scarred him for the rest of his years and seeing another one just made him remember more about it. He then went to a building where everyone else was heading, presumably the Inn.
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The inn was filled with music and drunks singing. Most of the patrons were sailors or corsairs spending the night away from the sea. They wore bandannas or tricone hats with clothes stained by salt, beards soaked in mead and cutlasses on their belts. Axius had suspicion that they could be pirates but dismissed that thought.
The yellow shirt Imperial that was at the execution walked past Axius and greeted the innkeeper who was wiping the smooth, oak wood counter, in a family-like tone.
“How was the execution, Sorex?”, the Innkeeper asked.
“Well, he’s dead, Dad. That’s all I could say. If you need me, I’ll be down at the basement refilling the mead kegs”, Sorex replied to his father before heading downstairs through the crowd.
Axius brushed passed Sorex and sat on the stool at the counter. Everyone outside had the right to be angry at Roggvir but he said that Ulfric challenged Thorygg and if it was true, then they just killed an innocent man.
“Welcome to the Winking Skeever. What can I get you?”, greeted the Innkeeper in a warm smile.
“I need these waterskins to be refilled with spring water and 3 salted meat, wrapped in linen.”, Axius requested as he put 2 empty waterskins and 40 septims on top of the counter.
When the innkeeper returned with filled waterskins and wrapped meat, Axius asked him a question.
“Do you have a general goods store here?”
“Sayma runs the Bits and Pieces. Her store is just near the marketplace.”, the innkeeper answered.
Axius headed outside, towards Bits and Pieces which was just a few paces from the inn. The marketplace was a small circle where vendors would sell their goods. At the center of it, was a well where Axius used to make wishes by throwing a septim. “Wishes couldn’t bring back the dead”, He coldly thought.
He entered the store and his first sight was a boy in red looking up at him.
"I thought adventurers were supposed to look tough", the boy said rudely.
“Kids…”, Axius ignored the boy and proceed to the counter where the merchant was.
The Redguard merchant shooed her son away before getting back to business. He showed her 4 gleaming gemstones which sparkled in the Redguard’s eyes.
“How much would you give me for these?”
“200 septims, all of them”, Sayma offered which made Axius nearly jumped off his boots.
Oh, so you wanna play it that way huh?
“How about 500? You will never see gems as flawless as these”, Axius put on a charismatic face, hoping to get atleast 350 septims from the gems.
The Imperial wasn’t no stranger to the merchant’s trade. Back in Skingrad, he used to make frequent deliveries of Surilie Brothers Wine to the Colovian Trader. He would stay for a while and observed how Gunther, the owner, traded with most of the residents. Gunther came from a line of friendly and well respected traders dating back to his great-great grandfather, Gunder. Gunther would occasionally teach Axius how to haggle for the best prices, something that the Imperial would keep for years to come.
After a few more haggling, the two managed to come to and agreement.
“Okay, final offer. 400 septims for the gems and you’ll get these for free”, Sayma firmly said. She dropped three books that seemed to be in pristine condition.
“Deal”, Axius smiled as they shook hands.
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Axius left Solitude, 200 septims richer than when he arrived with three books that would fill his time during the journey to Markarth. As he stepped out of the gate. He could see the guards carrying Roggvir’s head and body, possibly to the Hall of the Dead. Axius knew Solitude wouldn’t let him leave without something to remember her. And just like its history, that something was dark and hard to forget.
The Sun was slowly sinking into the sea as the orange sky turned darker. Just down the paved slope was the carriage driver with his horse. The driver greeted Axius before asking him where he wants to go.
“Think you can take me to Markarth?”
“Yeah, sure but I prefer getting paid first before going there. You know how the Reach is.”, the driver answered. He was afraid and nervous but gladly accept the bag of gold when it was given.
“Hop on aboard”, the driver said.
During the trip, Axius was busy reading “Knights of the Nine”, a favorite of his, from the three books Sayma gave him for free. They soon passed by three Thalmor soldier escorting a Talos worshipper. Axius avoided eye contact remembering his uncle’s advice. Make sure the Thalmor don’t recognize you. He took extra precaution to make sure he didn’t resemble his father such as changing his hairstyle and especially not getting involved with the war. The Thalmor believed that Axius Revan is dead after they burned down their house. I am Axius Cornell but I will always be a Revan, he whispered to himself as he continued reading.
They passed through Dragon Bridge, a small town named after the large stone bridge that connects Haafingar and Hjaalmarch. The large concentration of Imperial soldiers has made the townsfolk a bit uncomfortable.
“You know, I heard that if the Stormcloaks capture Dragon Bridge, they could transport their siege machines near Solitude.”, the driver said, trying to establish some conversation with the Imperial.
There was no doubt about it, Dragon Bridge was the only bridge in the North Karth River. Crossing through the rocky terrains of the Reach means a death sentence either by sabrecats or Forsworns. There was also the thought of the Stormcloak destroying the bridge if they couldn’t cross it but only a moron would of think of that.
It was already night time, crickets and owls hooting, filled the ambient sky with the occasional howls from the wolves. Axius was sleeping quietly in his seat while the driver was trying to keep his eyes awake. Suddenly, the carriage stopped which caused Axius to be pushed forward, instantly waking him.
“Wh...why did we stopped?”, Axius asked as he scratched his bruised head.
The carriage driver didn’t reply, he sat still, like a twig being blown by the wind.
“Hey! I’m talking to…”, Axius was immediately pulled by someone before he could finish. His back hit the ground hard and when he looked up, he saw three individuals in fur armor, weapons in their arms and menacing looks.
Great... bandits, Axius sighed.
Table of Contents
Author's Note:
Yes, it was a bit fast to release it. I should really double-triple-quad check my work a lot before posting.
I might of gone a bit lore-hostile on this one. First, I don't know how Gunder from Oblivion is like. I only got his traits through UESP. Second, High King Istlod was also tricky. I don't know, if he actually partake in the Great War or not.
Comments
occasional howls from the wolves
Yaaay!!