Lutherus Sotasius - Chapter IV, Part IV

  • A HEROES WELCOME?

    From the Journal of Lutherus Sotasius. Date of Entry: Last Seed, 31st, 4E, 201.

    But upon looking for the Praefect, Praefect Ottius at the encampment, Lutherus learnt that he had instead departed, on official Imperial business. "He'll be back tomorrow." Mentioned one of the Auxiliaries, who was stationed in Helgen. "Had to deliver his personal report to the Jarl of Whiterun about the state of Helgen, and how much repair the town needs."

     

    "I see." Nodded Lutherus. "Is there somewhere I can get food from here? Somewhere for my remaining party to treat their wounds and rest?"

     

    "Oh yeah, put the wounded in the city confines, we'll have the healers attend to them shortly. We've only got bread and apples so far. That's got to last us until we can get the city back up and running, so don't be greedy." Replied the Imperial Guard, as he showed Lutherus to where the makeshift canteen was.

     

    "Thanks." Replied Lutherus, as he ambled over to the food supply. It wasn't much, but Lutherus' grumbling stomach was loving every savoured bite, washed down with some nice Nord Mead. It will still early, but the early wake up call and shower Lutherus received in the morning by generosity of the Praefect, had left his eyes heavy and yawning. He decided, since there wasn't much for him to be doing until the Praefect returned, to doze off for a few hours. He was awoken later in the evening, the Sun having set and the night-time rolling in, by one of his Auxiliary colleagues.

     

    "Hey! You're on Keep Watch, Lutherus!" He said, nudging him slightly.

     

    "Hmm?? Mmmmokay. One moment." Clearly, army life wasn't setting in as quickly for Lutherus as it was for everyone else.

     

    "Get up!" Whispered the Auxiliary, louder this time, pushing Lutherus to finally come awake. He let out a massive yawn, as he rose from the bed, still in uniform.

     

    "What time is it?" He asked.

     

    "Five past Eight. You're late for your duty!"

     

    "Damnit." Thought Lutherus, as he paced outside to the Keep. Atop it, Lutherus had a great view of the settlement, and with bow and arrow equipped he was in a good vantage point to ward off likely attackers. Speaking of which - what exactly was he looking out for? Bandits? Dragons? Stormcloaks perhaps? Who knew at this point, certainly not Lutherus. He kept watch for an hour, and decided to pull out a book to read during the rest of his shift. He chose The Battle of Sancre Tor, one of the most famous Cyrodiilic victorious battles of the Second Era.

    The book killed some time for his six hour duty, although really he shouldn't of been distracting himself from a duty as important as the night watch. For the rest of it, he kept an agile watch on the mountains, and the descending valley below, yet nothing caught his attention or want to alert the garrison. At 2 o' clock in the morning, his relief arrived to take over, and so Lutherus was free to turn in for a very late night. He turned in for four hours at the partially demolished Inn, this time making sure he got up before the Praefect's wake up call. Rising from his sleep the following morning, he noticed there was a collection of Auxiliaries waiting outside, the Praefect's horse tied to a post, indicating to Lutherus that Ottius had returned. So he got up, put his uniform on and made outside to discuss the action, and men lost in the battle against the Dragon. "Praefect Ottius."

     

    "Yes?" Replied the Praefect. "Oh! Auxiliary! What is it?"

     

    "Auxiliary Lutherus reporting, Praefect. I have news to detail you regarding the action at Ancient's Ascent. We were victorious in slaying the Dragon. However, the men who perished in the battle was substantial, we lost more than half of our party."

     

    "'Tis to be expected, Auxiliary." Responded the Praefect. "But, well done regardless. Without that Dragon lurking about, rebuilding Helgen will be more easier to manage. Good job, Auxiliary."

     

    "Thank you, Praefect." Finished Lutherus, as he went back to the canteen to fetch breakfast.

     

    "Wait a moment." Said the Praefect, catching Lutherus before he left. "THAT is not your standard issue shield, is it Auxiliary? Where on Tamriel have you lost your shield?"

     

    "Praefect Ottius, it was with regret that during the action that killed the Dragon, it just so happened to rip my shield from my arm, and destroy it with it's massive teeth. I found this one for my own safety."

     

    Praefect Ottius considered. "Hmm. Well, alright then. Keep the shield as your trophy for the Dragon, but don't get ideas about the rest of your gear. Understand, Auxiliary?"

     

    "Yes Praefect." Responded Lutherus.

     

    "Very good. Go get breakfast."

    After his breakfast, Lutherus decided to give his new Dwarven Shield a try out at the practice range. Standard Imperial Legion battle actions heavily depended on the use of the shield as a blocking mechanism, something Lutherus was not efficient at just yet. The Dwarven Shield was heavier than his older Imperial Shield, but it afforded more space covered, and being completely made of tough Dwarven Steel, the person on the receiving of a blocking motion would certainly feel it afterwards. He trained with his shield for two hours, and then after that, mused around Helgen for a while until noon came, when he was summoned to Marcus, who had completed his negotiating with Valerius. He found both of them downstairs in the Pantry, that serviced Helgen Keep. They began to discuss terms with him.

     

    "Surely, this idea is pure madness!" Said Lutherus. "You want me to pose as an Imperial Envoy? And then you want to - if they ruse my easily distinguishable Envoys' disguise, spark a potential war with the Thalmor, over this Korst fellow? This is total madness!"

     

    "But it may work, Lutherus." Said Valerius. "It is our only hope. Your disguise is enchanted so you are more easily able to negotiate his release. And, you're going with two of our finest soldiers. You'll do fine. Do this for me, and you have Helgen."

     

    Lutherus sighed. "First Dragons, now the bloody Thalmor. What next, giant snakes? Fine." He conceded, and put the enchanted armour on.

     

    "Perfect!" Cheered Valerius. "Remember, the Thalmor Prison is located south of Helgen, on the road past Fort Neugrad. Good luck, Lutherus!"

     

    "Come on." Said Lutherus to his aides. "Must not keep your Commander waiti-TALOS!" He said, shocked at a sudden realisation. "How am I to pass the Praefect if I am dressed like this?"

     

    "Don't worry." Said Valerius. "It's lunch time now, he's gorging on his Leg of Goat roast, no doubt. He won't see you if you leave via the North Gate."

     

    "Such a mad idea..." Murmured Lutherus to himself, as he left the Keep. He led his company, two dressed up impersonators wearing Imperial armour through the mountainside, deep where the Thalmor Prison was alleged to be.

    "Stay close. It's easy to get lost up here." Instructed Lutherus, to his companions. It wasn't long until they saw a Spire, standing high over the tall trees of the mountainside, Lutherus wagered this was their destination. He moved closer, to see the building standing ominously in the middle of nowhere, the perfect place to build a Prison, not to mention the harsh, colder climate. "You two, keep an eye on the Thalmor. I will do the talking, okay?" Lutherus ordered, as he walked toward the door and opened it. Inside, he was greeted by a Thalmor official, who strode up to Lutherus.

     

    "Who are you? Explain this intrusion!" The Thalmor official demanded.

     

    "I am an Envoy of the Imperial Legion. I have orders to transfer a Prisoner, Cell Block 1138 to Solitude by request of General Tullius."

     

    "Our business with transporting Prisoners is always discussed before you arrive, Imperial! I'll have to check with my Superior. Do not move." Replied the Thalmor, and went to fetch his Superior. In the room opposite, Lutherus could hear two Thalmor talking of him, and his request. Moments later, the two Thalmor came from the room and returned to Lutherus. "The governed rules laid out by the Imperial Legion and the Thalmor is that no Prisoner is to be released without prior knowledge, Envoy. Since I have had none, I cannot release him at this time. Sorry." Informed the elder Thalmor, now speaking directly to Lutherus.

     

    "Sir." Retorted Lutherus. "I am an Envoy of the Imperial Legion. I have come for my Prisoner, of Cell Block 1138. I am not leaving without him."

     

    "Is that a fact? Do you realise that I am a Thalmor Justiciar? Your attempts at intimidation will not work on me."

     

    "No, but maybe highlighting your uncooperative nature with a Senior Officer of the Legion to the Thalmor Embassy might."

     

    "Why, you impetuous little Bastard! Guards! We have a perimeter breach!" Before anybody could know it, the three Imperials were in arms against the Thalmor. Fighting the Thalmor was tough, considering how many more of them there were, but Lutherus and his guard eventually prevailed.

    "So much for a peaceful negotiation!" Said Lutherus, as he pulled his sword from one of the Thalmor's chests.

     

    "We need to find Korst." Interrupted one of the Guards.

     

    "Didn't you hear what I just said?" Asked Lutherus. "We've just butchered a Thalmor Justiciar. Who knows what, when or how the Thalmor Embassy will respond to this!"

     

    "Don't worry. It'll be fine."

     

    "Fine?! What part of Aetherius are you on? Oblivion's sake."

     

    "What's done is done, we cannot just give up now. We find Korst and then we get out of here."

     

    "Fine." Retorted Lutherus, although he was seriously fed up with his colleague's lack of understanding of the current situation. "This Korst better be worth it."

     

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Comments

5 Comments
  • Dean Morrison
    Dean Morrison   ·  June 16, 2016
    The general plan for now is for Lutherus to do whatever he can to scrape more money for Winterhold :)
  • Sotek
    Sotek   ·  June 16, 2016
    I'm curious, was all this your plan or did the characters just go off and cause so much chaos? With me it's usualy the chars themselves.
  • The Long-Chapper
    The Long-Chapper   ·  June 15, 2016
    Well, this keeps going in different directions. I expect Sheogorath to appear shortly. 
  • Dean Morrison
    Dean Morrison   ·  June 15, 2016
    His first mission and he already attacks the Thalmor...
  • Ajani
    Ajani   ·  June 15, 2016
    I don't think praefect is going to be happy...