E'ermore; Galmar Stone-Fist, First Entry

  • The evening was cool, even for a Nord the southern holds were chilly when the sun went down this time of year. His bear cloak was draped over his shoulders, the head of the beast rest upon his own mantle. His Officers light leather and hide armor would prove warmer than any steel in these parts of Skyrim. The Imperial Milk-Drinkers hadn't figured that out yet, as they marched around in uniforms of mixed leather and steel chain and light plate. The Imperials would never outlast the cold long enough to win this war, and those who did endure made enough racket in their armor that a man could hear them coming a mile off. He was bent over the tattered map on the hardwood table before him, his hands to either side. Leaning his weight over it as though the weight of the kingdom were upon him, Galmar Stone-Fist knew this ambush had to go smoothly.

    The flap of the tent opened letting a blast of wind through the tent. The flames of the candles upon the table flickered as they struggled to survive. Galmar looked over his shoulder to the hide door of the command tent, it was Ulfric Stormcloak in his brown furs and he was donning his armor. His shoulders armored in plate, each depicting the likeness of a bears head, his chest armor was protected by polished steel.

    "Assist me with my cloak friend." Ulfric asked of Galmar, handing him a winter-blue long cloak.

    It was nothing that would keep him warm, but he stood out from the rest of the rebellion. His men would see him in the fray of the battle and give them courage and spirit. Galmar fastened the King's cloak to a pair of clasps upon his chest.

    "So the scouts have returned then?" Galmar asked pointedly of his superior.

    "Aye, they have." Ulfric replied nodding, "There is an Imperial camp not more than two hours march from here through the pass and just within the boarder of the Rift. Tullius is amongst their forces. Get ready, we're going on the attack and I want you by my side at the lead."

    Galmar looked back to the table and picked up his heavy iron battleaxe, it's sharpened twin blades glinted in the dull light of the tent as he picked it up. His eyes found the map again. Closing them in hesitation, the giant man exhaled a long slow breath. There was something that ate at him, something that had gone over looked, but he knew not what it was. Turning from the table and its contents Galmar followed his King from the command tent.

    "Gather round men." Galmar bellowed across the camp. The small force of twenty men made their way over as the finished putting on their armor and fastening their weapon belts. "Tonight we strike another blow against the Empire. Tonight we fight for our freedom and the freedom of the man next to us. We fight for our children and the women in our beds. We fight our brothers and sisters of Skyrim. We fight for Talos!"

    "For Talos!" Erupted the men of the camp as they shouted back in reply to Galmar's speech.

    Ulfric called out, "Ralof, Gunmar. To me." The two soldiers approached their King. "Tonight you'll accompany Galmar and myself as we take the lead. You've scouted out the Imperial Camp and we'll need you to lead us there."

    Galmar and Ralof took their positions to either side of Ulfric Stormcloak and Galmar Stone-Fist as they left the camp walking four abreast. The wind grew stronger as the rebellion force traveled through the night and the higher they climbed into the mountain pass the worse the wind seemed to get. The moons were out to light their way, but the blowing snow still made the trek difficult. The winding pass was made evermore treacherous as rock came tumbling down the mountain face, some the size of a trolls head. Galmar eyed the cliffs around them.

    "The winds, Galmar. They're heavy enough up there to blow a man off his feet." Ulfric said confidently, "Gunmar reported that General Tullius, himself, was spotted at the camp ahead. Hah. Can you imagine the look on his face when he looks me in the eye and my steel has run him through. And out in the wilds no less, the war will be won not in some great city behind stone walls but in a thickets of brush out here in the Rift. Hah."

    Through the summit they marched and on the descent the weather shifted for the better as the winds left them and the terrain of rock and snow gave way to the brown autumn grasses and late season flowers.

    Ralof slowed his pace and put his hand out his side and across Galmar's chest to bring the company to a halt. "It's up here a little ways. Tucked in against a rock face and walled off from escape. We can use that to our advantage and keep them from scattering." The scout suggested to his commander.

    "Aye, a sound plan. Ralof, take Gunmar and go back through the ranks. Tell the men to spread out and come at them from all sides. We're going to cut off their escape and bloody them against the wall." Galmar Stone-Fist took his grand axe in one hand and weighed its balance, measuring it with his eyes. A frown appeared across his brown to Ulfric's notice.

    "You seem apprehensive, friend. What bothers you so?" Ulfric said to his second in charge.

    "I don't like it. Not one bit. It's... It's just too damn easy." the commander replied with a burning in his gut. "I've known that something hasn't been right since we marched down from Whiterun Hold. But Talos be damned if I know what it is."

    Ulfric pulled his sword from his belt and bent down. Turning his face from his friend and placing one foot in front of the other he lead his men into stealthy approach. The others followed suit as they closed the semi-circle formation in on the Imperial encampment. All was silent as their feet padded through the long, dry grass and matted leaves

    "Ca-Caw!" the shout came from amidst their own ranks. A signal to alert the Imperial troops of their arrival.

    Galmar looked at his King with worry upon his face. The small rebellion force had a traitor in their midst. This wasn't a camp, it was a trap; and the bait, Tullius. Placed here as an opportunity too good for Ulfric Stormcloak in all his arrogance to pass up. The Imperial General could be seen at the far side of the encampment racing for his horse. He mounted his steed and made his escape hurdling over a spiked barricade placed between the cliff and a large rock formation.

    "Charge!" called Ulfric as his friend looked upon him, fright in his face. The command was given and they both knew this wasn't going to go as planned.

    "Go." Ulfric commanded of Galmar Stone-Fist. "Return to the camp and wait for my return. If I'm not back by sun up, then I'll see you in Soverngard, friend. Don't let our rebellion fail. See that Skyrim is free."

    "My King? I-" Galmar questioned.

    "Go!" Ulfric cut him off.

    ***

    "Caw-Ca."

    The noise came out of the darkness as the Breton sat himself straighter against the post trying to see where it came from but his binds were pulling at him. The General flew from his tent at the sound and untied his horse, mounting it in one swift motion before jumping a nearby barricade and disappearing into the darkness. Men around the camp, clad in their leather and chain and light plate uniforms were drawing their weapons and taking formation. Another shout was heard from the darkness before the yelling began and what looked like two dozen men came and rushed the camp. Many were taking arrows to the head and chest before they got within range. The Imperials threw down their bows and drew up their swords and shield as the attackers came crashing down upon the camp. A great Nord in long blonde hair was leading their charge, his sword held high. He moved through battle like a great warrior as blood spattered his face and armor. His sword was bathed in blood each time he pulled it from another victim. His men could see his ferocity and it gave them strength. The Imperials were being pushed back toward the cliff.

    "We've got them now." Their leader yelled. "Finished them off, I'm going for Tullius."

    The Imperials escaped the cliff wall by way of the barricade and let loose rock fall from the cliff face to crash against it, separating the two forces. From above, Elven archers appeared and began their steel rain upon the rebels while the Imperials rounded the stone formation and cut off the attackers escape. It was bloody work.

Comments

2 Comments
  • Lucid
    Lucid   ·  June 5, 2015
    'priciate the advise. I'll fix those up.
    I'm glad you enjoyed it. It's short and sweet and creates an excellent Segway to my next Entry with Inexs which will be a bit longer... I hope.
  • The Long-Chapper
    The Long-Chapper   ·  June 5, 2015
    Great job! I love Galmar Stone-fist. His brother is awful, but I join up with the Stormcloaks just to hear his dialogue. Just be aware of separating dialogue into individual paragraphs. You did really well with it this time, but you missed I think one or ...  more