Memoirs of Larz D'Ovakine ~ The Reluctant Imperial pt.2 (spoilers)

• Posted by Guy Corbett February 16, 2012 - 717 views

  The Grey haired General's face erupted in a gigantic smile, laughing he shouted my name again in welcome. Throwing his arms up in the air as he rounded the table he embraced me. Our armour chinked together like two tankards of Mead. I returned the embrace to the shocked look on the Legates face. Her expression betrayed her true feelings at such a show of male affection. Tullius broke the welcome still laughing and shaking his head

  "Larz, My old friend. What in the name of the Emperor are you doing here? I haven't see you for at least a decade. Do you still have that shop in the Market District? It's so good to see you, just the other day I was thinking about our days back in the Guild. How strange that your now stood before me. Please, come, sit and tell me what your doing in Skyrim". He pulled out a chair and sat at the other opposite. As I sat down the Legate leaned forward and whispered into Tullius's ear but he shooed her away. She rose and impatiently stared at me over his shoulder. I went about telling my tale, I didn't realise how good I was at telling it, once more my engrossed audience leaned forward to make sure they were hearing things right. I finished my fable by putting my proposal forward

  "....so you can understand. Now that I have lost my shop and Family to this Altan Glowermane my only thought was to make contact with the Empire. Altan being with the Stormcloaks I thought you would be the best people to have any information on the theiving Skeever. I had no idea that you had been posted here in Skyrim my friend". Tullius sat back in his chair folding his arms and scratched his chin. Obviously he pondered over the wealth of military knowledge he had. Before he could respond I pressed for an answer

  "Well what do you think? Will you be able to help me? Tullius seemed to nod a confirmation as he sat forward once more

  "I think we can help each other, my old friend." Slamming his palms on to the table " We will provide you with the information you need.." Legate Rikke could contain her frustrations no longer and interrupted the conversation

  "Please Sir, We can't have any OLD mercenary walking in off the street and provide them will vaulable strategic information. I don't know or trust this man!" Tullius turned and calmed the Legate with a hand gesture

  "Legate Rikke, if you let me finish. I was saying that we will provide the information but you will have to join us Larz and help us with our campaign here in Skyrim." Once more Rikke burst into the converstation

  "But Sir! I mean no offense to Larz but what could he possibly help us with?" Tullius fumed at her his anger was visible in his face. 

  "Rikke I have told you not to interupt me like that no matter how dishonoured it might make you feel. Larz D'Ovakine is one of my oldest friends, allies, shield brothers and teachers. I have witnessed his prowess in battle on numerous occassions and I am not ashamed to say he has saved my life a couple of times aswell in my more foolish days. He will be invaluable to us I can promise you that." Tullius turned back to me with his hand outstretched

  "I'm sorry about that, So Larz what do you say? Are you game?" I grasped his hand and shook it firmly

  "Thank you my friend. I actually feel I have a chance to save them now. Seeing your friendly face after everything I have been through, you can't understand how grateful I am. Shall we take the oath now? I queried

  "No, I think you should prove to Legate Rikke here just how useful us old coots can be. Go have a word with her, if my memory serves me correctly her problem will be right up your street." With that I thanked him again and stood getting Rikke's attention.

  "Legate Rikke, Tullius tells me you have a problem that this old coot may be able to help out with. How can I help?" Rikke frowned at me, I obviously hadn't managed to get her to warm to me. She snapped back

  " Well this will definitely test your honour and strength of your sword arm. There are few of the ancient Nordic Forts left habitiable let alone standing. But there is one nearby up in the mountains, Fort Hraggstad. Unfortunately it is currently occupied by some Bandits. I want you to go clear the Fort so we can station a garrison there." Smiling I stood to attention, saluting her I turned and marched from the room to the amusement of Tullius and the frustration of Rikke.

  The feeling of relief that gushed through me as I walked back through Solitude made my head spin. What were the odds that Tullius would be one of the highest ranking Imperials in Skyrim? That I would turn up as he planned to storm across the Realm. It felt as though my luck had begun to turn. Maybe there was more to this realm than I originally thought.

  The Sky was clear and blue with the Sun warming the road as Drago led me away from Solitude and headed up the mountainside. No sooner had we crossed the tree line onto the snow capped peaks of the ridgeline the clouds rolled in. Dark, heavy and grey they poured large flakes of snow on to the road. I secured Drago as best I could to the stone marker at the side of the road leading to the path up to the Fort. I new I was going to be outnumbered so opted for a stealthy approach. Drawing my Bow I crept up the muddy path until Hraggstad came into view.

  I understood what Rikke had meant, the dark stone tower and ramparts still stood tall around the buildings in the courtyard. The only visible damage was to the tower to the right hand side. It was just a husk of its former self rubble strewn over the ramparts and snow. I spotted two Bandits patrolling the Entranceway but just to the right hand side of the arch a thicket of trees blocked any further view. To the right hand side of the path a large rocky outcrop poked through the snow allowing me to creep closer in cover. With my back pressed against the frost covered stone I quickly popped my head out. From the new angle I could see another Bandit on the Ramparts. I quietly slid an arrow in place and snuck round letting it fly. The angle and distance of the shot was complicated but I scored a hit flipping back round into cover. I sat crouched counting down in my minds eye until I knew I was clear I repeated the process. Again I scored a hit but as I pulled back into my hiding place I heard the Bandit  call out an alarm. I cursed my clumsiness swapping to my Shield and Axe. The mist of my breath grew larger as I prepared for close combat.

  For once the snow and cold actually helped me. Softly at first I recognised that familiar crunch of footsteps in the fresh white blanket. To my surprise they came from behind, I spun just in time to see the two entrance Bandits weapons drawn rounding the outcrop of rock. One matched my weapons, the other carried a Great Axe. The time for stealth had passed I charged at them unleashing my shout stunning them both. I went for the two handed Bandit first making short work of the dazed axeman. Turning, the Shield bearer had come round and deflected my strike. I brought my shield up smashing into his groggy face sending him staggering backwards in a spray of blood that once was his nose. His shield arm dropped and I sliced through it. Screaming the shield clattered to the ground as I spun slamming my shield into his chest sending him sprawling on to his back. I brought my Axe up for a final strike but it wasn't necessary.

  An arrow struck me in the back of my calf, the force dropping me down to one knee. I turned my head noticing the Bandit lazily firing from the ramparts. I dropped my weapons, drew my Bow and pulled the arrow back to its maximum power. Crouched my aim was steady, releasing the arrow it darted through the thin mountain air with the force throwing the man backwards off the ramparts. I yanked the arrow head free of the flesh of my leg and quickly conjured my healing spell feeling the relief and relaxation of the calf muscle. Swapping to my Great Sword I stormed out of cover up the slope to the Entrance way of the Fort.

  On the far side of the courtyard stood the main building, to the right hand side a smaller building with the iron bars of a Prison or Jail. Steps lead up to the ramparts on either side. I made a lap of the ramparts taking out the few Bandits still holding position. On their own they posed very little threat to me. Next I went about clearing out the small prison. The darkness in the crampt penal building served me well. I managed to take each bandit on single handed destroying their effectiveness with large numbers. No prisoners where in the cells and their supplies were meagre at best which made me think they hadn't been there long. The only place that remained left to search was the main building.

  Entering through the door Sword drawn, the cold stone room was pretty much empty apart from a few bits of old wooden furniture. The room was split in half and illuminated by a large fireplace. The three remaining Bandits were on me immediately. The light from the fire flickered bright enough to see me enter. I spotted the leader easily as he wore inferior plate to mine. I could see the blemishes in the metal in the light of the flame. His two companions wore similar furs to the rest of the gang so I focussed on them first. Charging forward sword raised high, the burst of thunder left my lips stunning them, in an almighty overhead swing I cleaved the first from shoulder to thigh sending him to the ground in a shower of his own blood. Bringing my sword in an upswing I skewered the second bandit lifting him from the ground. The leaders Axe smashed into the back of my left shoulder. The plate folded round the blade saving me from a brutal injury but at the same time rendering the armour painful to continue to wear. Elbowing him in the face I turned and struck out the blade singing of his shield. Again and again my blade rang off his shield scarring the metal each time. Surging forward with his battered defence he sandwiched me against the wall slamming me, my sword fell from my grip as metal clashed with stone. Gasping for a full breath I managed to let my shout go knocking the Leader backwards. Falling to the ground I reclaimed my sword and stood lunging forward. The bandit raised his shield but the blade pierced through pinning it to his chest as the tip continued through his inferior plate. Blood ran the length of my blade as his arms fell limp. 

  By the time I was done collecting up weapons and equipment I was exhausted. Levering open the door to the yard I was surprised to be greeted by Drago. Stood a few steps from the door, the ever impressive steed shook loose the snow with his greeting. Patting my friend I reached for an apple from my pack. Clambering back into the saddle Drago sped me back down the mountain towards Castle Dour.