Lutherus Sotasius - Chapter IV, Part V

  • DON'T ASK, DON'T TELL

    From the Journal of Lutherus Sotasius. Date of Entry: Heartfire, 1st, 4E, 201.

     

    "We just don't tell him, then." Finished Lutherus, after spending much time in considering his options. That was of course, to even suggest Lutherus had any in the first place, given that he had just killed the representatives of one the Empire's most significant rivals and potential adversaries. Korst however, was immensely grateful to of been liberated from his Thalmor captors, and took to returning to Helgen alongside Lutherus, and his accompanying Guards. Upon arriving back at the city, still being repaired following the Dragon attack, Lutherus was relieved to see that Praefect Ottius, Commander of the Auxiliary Battalion Lutherus belonged to, wasn't there. His horse wasn't either, indicating to Lutherus that Ottius had left on Empire business. He did however find Marcus, whom Lutherus had helped earlier to get to Helgen from Falkreath, in exchange for the former settlement being returned to Empire control.

    "Now, just a minute Lutherus." Replied Marcus, as Lutherus inquired about the handover of Helgen. "We still need to deal with the matter of defending this city."

     

    "Guards? Valerius never said anything about Guards!" Replied Lutherus.

     

    "That is because it's Ottius' prerogative. Not Valerius'. I understand you're Head Auxiliary now?"

     

    "Yes. That would be correct."

     

    "Then you must of known why you came here. Ottius never wanted to spill blood for this city, spare for that double crosser Acimalo. He was going to allow us safe passage out of the city, in return for garrisoning his troops here as the City Guards."

     

    Lutherus catched on. "And, with the Dragon having wiped out half of his troops at the Bear's Cave Mill, he's kind of stuck in limbo, right?"

     

    "That's correct. Ottius will need more Empire troops."

     

    Lutherus looked confused. "Hold on, this doesn't make any sense. I led those troops into battle, and upon informing Ottius of the skirmish, he brushed off their deaths as nothing more than expenditure. Why would he be so indifferent about that?"

     

    "Are you forgetting something? You're an Auxiliary Battalion. You're meant to be expendable."

     

    It seemed at that precise moment, the lantern finally went on in Lutherus' head. "I see. But, what's this about Acimalo? A double crosser?"

     

    "We've known even before Helgen was attacked. Even before Ottius arrived here he knew that Acimalo was a Stormcloak Spy. Guess he just took an opportunity to remove a thorn in the Empire's side."

     

    "So, will Praefect Ottius be governing the City once he gets his reinforcements? Is that why he left?"

     

    "No. Ottius is a man of battle, never a man for taxation and squalor. No, the Governance is being arranged for Shadrick Oaken-Heart, an Empire Veteran. Well liked by the Empire troops, apparently. And I'm not sure why Ottius left, but he wasn't heading in Shadrick's direction."

     

    "I see, well, thanks, Marcus." Finished Lutherus, and left Helgen Keep. Outside, he found a female Imperial soldier waiting and upon noticing Lutherus leaving the Keep, she marched over to him, presenting herself to attention.

    "Head Auxiliary! Cienna, reporting for scouting duty as ordered by Praefect Ottius!" Lutherus was stunned, ever so slightly. Unlike Aela however, he wasn't stunned by her beauty but rather at the idea of having a scout with him, given the journey to Winterhold would eventually cross into Stormcloak land. Intrigued, Lutherus approached the younger, fairer Cienna.

     

    "What is your order, Auxiliary?" Asked Lutherus.

     

    "Head Auxiliary! I am Scout Cienna, ordered to serve your purpose for your Expedition by order of Praefect Ottius!" Cienna dutifully responded.

     

    "And what might that Expedition be, Scout?"

     

    "Head Auxiliary! The Expedition is to Winterhold! Praefect Ottius request you parlay with Praefect Oaken-Heart!" She replied, still holding her posture to attention.

     

    "Very well, Scout! Lead the way!"

     

    "Yes! Head Auxiliary!" Replied Cienna, she picked up her Imperial Bow and 12 Iron Arrows, before dutifully leading the way to Winterhold. The voyage was long from Helgen, prompting both Lutherus and Cienna to spend the night at Riverwood, half way between both towns. Well, that's what Lutherus wanted Cienna to believe, when they arrived later that evening. It had been 2 days since Faendal deserted and given the opportunity by journeying North, Lutherus wanted to check in on his former colleague in arms and, friend. Night time had already rolled into Riverwood, most of the sleepy village's inhabitants had long retired to their quarters for the evening. Lutherus put up Cienna in the Sleeping Giant Inn for the night, sharing the provisions he had carefully rationed for the journey up to Winterhold, as well as paying the rent money to Orgnar for two rooms. But whilst Cienna slept, Lutherus went back outside. Faendal's house wasn't at all far from the Sleeping Giant, Lutherus remembering exactly where it was. It didn't take him much investigating to see what fate awaited to Faendal, as there it hanged, on a piece of parchment nailed to his front door.

    "Well, at least he's still alive. Somewhere." Pondered Lutherus, still obviously distressed by Faendal's disappearance.

     

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