THE JAGGED CROWN (PART TWO)
From the Journal of Lutherus Sotasius. Date of Entry: Heartfire, 3rd, 4E, 201.
Lutherus penned his latest entry into his journal aboard one of the two horse carts Praefect Ottius had kindly hired for the Battalion. Korvanjund was closer to Windhelm than it was to Solitude, therefore making faster travel to Korvanjund a necessity. Along with other members of the battlation, the Imperials were also joined by Legate Rikke and Hadvar, the latter being much to Lutherus' content with the mission. He closed his journal upon Praefect Ottius rising from his seat aboard the cart, half way through the journey.
"Allright Auxiliaries! Listen up! We go as far as Whiterun, then march to Korvanjund. Our sentries in the field have spotted Stormcloak encampments there, so it is imperative that we stop them before they find the crown. If it's there, of course. Report any unusal findings to myself, or to Legate Rikke, she will be commanding this operation. Find Head Auxiliary Sotasius if you find yourself in a spot of trouble with the Stormcloaks, y'hear?"
"AYE! PRAEFECT!" Came the rousing response. The cart continued on the road until it reached Whiterun, where the Imperials had to disembark and continue on foot. Lutherus led the Battalion as Head Auxiliary, but was also behind Praefect Ottius and Legate Rikke.
"Heard about your exploit in the Sightless Pit, Auxiliary." Said Praefect Ottius, as he led the Battalion atop his horse. "I'm impressed. Word is that Oaken-Heart's runner put you up for promotion to Quaestor, but I think you need to show me your courage once more, before I agree to the recommendation."
"Praefect Ottius. With all due respect, I only came here so I could study."
"Oh aye, I know that. Tullius told me of your Winterhold ambitions." Responded Praefect Ottius. "But you know, as an Auxiliary you haven't the right to abandon your duties. Earn the Quaestor promotion, and you can take leave."
"Even if I got the promotion Praefect, I'd still need to raise the 2000 Septime those, Stormcloak bastards stole from me."
"All the more reason to stay within the Legion then, lad!" Laughed Praefect Ottius, as he continued the march. Crossing into the territory of the Jarl of Dawnstar, Praefect Ottius instructed Lutherus to ascend to higher ground, as the road the Battalion was on proceeded into a shallow valley, but could afford a hidden Stormcloak army the perfect site for an ambush.
Taking Cienna with him, Lutherus climbed the salient, and found the Stormcloak encampment outside of Korvanjund on the other side. Lutherus and Cienna ducked for cover immediately, praying they hadn't been spotted by the enemy. Praefect Ottius saw the commotion on the hilltop, and upon Lutherus waving his hands in a motion to suggest danger to the Praefect, ordered the Battalion to a quiet halt. Legate Rikke ordered the first Company that made up the first half of the Battalion to manouver around the encampment, whilst ordering the second to prepare to advance. Praefect Ottius silently moved up behind Lutherus to get a better view of the surroundings. "How many do you think are in there?" Whispered the Praefect.
"Not sure. I've only seen a few moving around the perimiter. There could be a dozen more inside."
"Good. Lambs to the slaughter." Responded the Praefect, before signalling to Legate Rikke to charge the first Company in. The Stormcloak garrison at Korvanjund were totally unaware that their position was being encircled. They were soon made aware when they heard the charge order, echoing through the valley, followed by the stampede of the 1st Company, as it poured toward Korvanjund. "Now's the time Auxiliary!" Said Praefect Ottius, as he drew his sword. "CHARGE!!" The Stormcloak Rebels hastened to a quick defense, alarms rang throughout the encampment.
"Get our men out of the Temple, now! We're under attack!" Came a voice from a Stormcloak. The Temple itself was sunken in the earth, the only access point being a stairwell leading down to it's doors. The Imperials made quick work of the defenders, some of whom were pushed down from the ground level, falling to their deaths on the hard stone floor of Korvanjund.
Lutherus fired several arrows from his bow, incapacitating and wounding several of the Stormcloaks whilst Legate Rikke led the 1st Company in close combat. As soon as the combat started it was over, the Imperials having taken no losses but had lost the element of surprise, as some Stormcloaks managed to escape into the Temple to carry the alert to the occupants inside. "Get that door open!" Ordered Legate Rikke. Lutherus made his way to the door, and with assistance from Hadvar, managed to force the door open after several attempts at ramming it with themselves. The Imperials poured in, where they saw the Stormcloaks mustering back to the doors to assist their fallen comrades. Legate Rikke ordered the Imperials to conceal themselves in the Temple's ruins, before springing a deadly trap on the advancing Stormcloaks. Like outside they were heavily outnumbered and caught by surprise, after the final Stormcloak soldier had fallen, Legate Rikke took a moment to consider her next move.
"3rd Platoon. Take up defensive positions here. Quaestor Falian, don't let anyone of the Stormcloak bastards in." Instructed Legate Rikke. The Platoon marshalled to positions, blocking off the bottleneck that the entrance was. "The rest of you, follow me." Legate Rikke led the rest of the Company in, but soon arrived at another Stormcloak trap. The Legate, on a hunch believed that behind another secured door, would be an ambush awaiting the Imperials. "Auxiliaries, find another way in and check out what's in front of us. Deal with any adversaries at will."
"Yes, Legate Rikke." Replied Lutherus, with Cienna in tow. They soon found a small walkway into the adjoined room behind the secured door. The Stormcloaks had massed here to pin down the advancing Legionnaires, whilst their bowmen on the above walkways could easily pick them off. Lutherus noticed however, that some of the archers had unknowingly stepped in a liquid pool of some sorts. He also noticed a candleholder above them, and with one well placed shot, Lutherus brought down the candleholder on top of the two unsuspecting rebels.
To Lutherus' surprise, the liquid turned out to be incredibly flammable, and cooked the two archers to death. Legate Rikke charged in when the Stormcloaks left their defensive positions to investigate the ensuing fire, depleting troops at the door in the process. The result was another total victory for the Imperials, as Legate Rikke and her Legion were able to decimate the weakened Stormcloak ranks before advancing. Lutherus made sure to gather plenty of Steel Arrows from the deceased Stormcloaks, as they were far better missiles than the Iron counterparts that the Auxiliaries were given. The Stormcloaks, what remained of their ranks in Korvanjund, retreated deeper into the Temple, with the Imperials in pursuit. Legate Rikke's party soon came to the Hall of Stories, which had walls decorated with intricate portrayals of the Ancient Nordic deities and their inceptions. At the far end of the hall, the party came to a dead end - a door sealed shut, much like the one Lutherus encountered at Bleak Falls Barrow. In front of the door was two dead Stormcloak Rebels.
"Legate Rikke!" Announced Lutherus to his superior.
"Yes, Auxiliary? What is it?"
"Legate Rikke, I have had experience with these doors before. We need a Golden Claw."
"A Golden Claw?" Questioned Legate Rikke.
"Yes. It's the only way we'll be able to get inside. Lucan Valerius at the Riverwood Trader has one."
"Right, i'll send a runner straight awa-"
"Legate Rikke! Head Auxiliary! I found it!" Said Cienna, as she pulled a Claw, coated in black ebony from one of the dead Stormcloak troops.
"Will that work?" Asked Legate Rikke. Lutherus moved to Cienna's position, took the claw from her and matched the sequence on the claw: Bird, Moth and Dragon, to the door's mechanism. He pushed the Ebony Claw into the doorway, and to Legate Rikke and the Legion's amazement, opened the door. "Excellent work, Auxiliary." Reassured Legate Rikke, as she proceeded first into the new portion of the Tomb. Inside this new area, the Legionnaires quickly realised that they had in fact attracted the attention of the Draugr, as many burst from their tombs.
"DRAUGR!" Shouted Legate Rikke. "Positions!"
The sudden ambush of the Draugr caught the Legionnaires by surprise. Despite being able to beat back the undead warriors, Legate Rikke's party suffered casualties but was forced to press on considering the importance of their mission, the retrieval of the Jagged Crown. "Stendarr watch over you." Said Legate Rikke, as she graced the fallen Legionnaires. She also whispered something, but was unrecognisable to the troops in her command. "Let's keep moving Auxiliaries."
"Korvanjund Crypt." Mentioned Hadvar, as the Legionnaires advanced into a secret portion of the Tomb. "If the Jagged Crown is anywhere in this Tomb, it must be here."
"Very well." Replied Legate Rikke. "Everyone, split up and find that Crown." The Legionnaires dispersed, careful not to attract the attention of the Draugr again. Well, that was the hope, until Hadvar inadvertently stumbled upon the hunched over corpse of one sitting on a throne. As he drew nearer to investigate, the corpse rose once more, as well as two more Draugr bursting from their tombs.
"Ambush!" Shouted Legate Rikke, as she hurriedly pulled her sword from her hilt. Vanquishing the other Draugr here was just as challening as it was before, but the Draugr on the throne turned out to be much more powerful. In this engagement, the Draugr shouted something at the Legionnaires, it's voice so powerful that it knocked down some in battle. To Lutherus, it reminded him once more of Bleak Falls Barrow, where he saw the same type of shout occur.
"Hit it with your shield!" He said. "It'll interrupt it's shout!" The Legionnaires followed suit, and finally were able to put down the Draugr when Legate Rikke thrusted her sword into it's decomposing abdomen, forcing the Draugr to it's knees. Ensuring it was dead, Hadvar took to slicing his Dagger across the Draugr's throat. He then inspected the corpse, obviously intrigued by it's display of power.
"Could it be..." He murmured, as he inspected the Draugr's weapon. Most Draugr weaponry were ancient, rusted relics of wars past but this particular Great Axe wielded by the Draugr, was much more potent. Hadvar recognised the Axe almost immediately. "Legate Rikke, this is indeed the corpse of King Borgas. The legend was true. This really was his final resting place."
"Well, it is now." Came a chuckled voice from one of the Auxiliaries. Legate Rikke and Hadvar, both native Nords soured their eyes at the Auxiliary for speaking so incredibly out of line.
"You will speak when spoken to, Auxiliary!" Came an angered warning from Legate Rikke. "With the Jagged Crown now in Imperial hands, we can ensure it's safe keeping from the deceptive Stormcloaks." She finished, addressing everyone. "Well done, Auxilaries. You did the Empire proud today." She then turned to Lutherus with the Jagged Crown in hand. "Auxiliary Sotasius. You have shown great courage today. You should be the one to deliver this crown to General Tullius. I'll marshall the troops back later tonight."
"Yes Legate Rikke. Thank you." Replied Lutherus, as he carefully took the helmet from Legate Rikke and returned to Solitude. Cienna would be left under Legate Rikke's command. Lutherus ventured out of Korvanjund, and headed down the road back to Whiterun, where he could solicit a horsecart for the journey back to Solitude. On the same road however, he happened upon a peculiar sight.
There stood in front of him was a man, dressed in rather peculiar clothing and mumbling incoherently to himself. His strangeness attracted the attention of one of the Dawnstar Border Guards, but since he had commited no arrestable offence, there was nothing that could realistically be done.
"Try talk to him." Said the Guard.
"Why don't you do it? It's kind of your job to do so, right?"
"Me? No way. Guys probably insane."
"Pride of Dawnstar you are." Retorted Lutherus, before approaching the confused man. "Excuse me Sir, are you alright?"
The man, dressed as a Court Jester spun around to Lutherus. "Botherrrrrr-and-befffffuddle!poor-mmmmmmother-lies-still!"
"Slow down Sir, I didn't catch that. What's your name?"
"Ciceroooo!Cicero!Cicero!"
"Cicero? My name is Lutherus, and I want to help you." He replied kindly. He noticed that Cicero's wagon had stopped moving, owing to a cracked wheel. "Need some help here Sir?" He asked, approaching the cart.
"NONONONONONONONONONONONONONO!" Shouted Cicero, as he made an ambitious display of preventing Lutherus from inspecting the damage.
"Cicero, I can only help you if you left me inspect the wheel. Please, allow me."
"Vvvvvvvvery-well!" Replied Cicero, as he literally jumped out of the way with clenched fists to his jaw. Lutherus looked at the wheel, noticing that the cap that would normally prevent the wheel from detaching had came loose. A relatively simple problem that could easily be fixed, so Lutherus did so. Within minutes, the wheel was fitted properly again. Cicero was delighted! "OH-Ttttttthhhhhhhank-you-stranger!" He yelled, extending his arms and legs in joy. "Whaaaaaatever-can-cicerooooo-do-fffffor-succccch-a-nice-sssssstranger?"
"Well, if you're heading to Whiterun I would sure appreciate a lift."
"OFFFFFFFF-Coooooourssssse!Hoppppppp-innnnnnnn!"
Lutherus was initially uneasy about Cicero's state of mind. To think someone as obviously mad as he was capable of making it this far in Skyrim with a horsecart was a miracle. Irregardless, Lutherus climbed aboard as Cicero mounted his horse. Fortunately for Lutherus, the ride to Whiterun wasn't his last. Unfortunately for Lutherus though, was Cicero's unpredictable chosen route. It took twice as long for him to get to Whiterun, and only arrived there by dusk. Cicero took off as soon as he arrived, barely giving Lutherus time to dismount safely, a fact Lutherus attributed to his madness. He found a carriage willing to take him to Solitude from there, and arrived back at the Imperial Stronghold an hour before midnight. Despite how late it was in the day, Lutherus still decided to head to Castle Dour, rather than the tavern to sleep, hunching that General Tullius would still be awake. His hunch proved well, there in the Castle he saw General Tullius sat down with a mug of hot milk in hand.
"General Tullius? Beg pardon my interruption, Sir."
"Not at all Auxiliary, come in."
Lutherus wordlessly pulled the Jagged Crown from his inventory, and presented it on the table to General Tullius. The General smiled. "Excellent job, Auxiliary." He commended, standing up to face Lutherus. "I've heard of your exploits son. You've done incredibly well, I don't know what it is that drives your performance but I sure wish I could instill it in all of my Legionnaires."
"Anything to get me closer to the College of Winterhold, General."
"Ah yes, about that." Replied General Tullius. He handed a hefty coin purse to Lutherus. "Here's 1000 Septim. I'm officially pardoning you from Auxiliary duty for the next two months. I'm sorry it doesn't cover the whole cost of how much the tuition is there, but this should at least make up for the difference." Lutherus grinned at this revelation, his hard work seemed to finally pay off.
"Thank you Sir, thank you very much!" He replied, happy as ever.
"Don't thank me lad, thank the Emperor. When he heard of your report at the Sightless Pit, he recognised you as the descendant of your Father - General Silaric Sotasius. He felt compassion for your case and well, wanted you to know that the Empire takes care of it's own." Said General Tullius, smiling with confidence throughout. "Now, go on. Get some rest, you can start your leave tomorrow morning."
"Yes, General. Thank you." Replied Lutherus, saluting General Tullius before leaving the Castle.
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