It didn't take me long to make my way back up the snow covered road into the valley lined with Pines breaking the mountain range. The road ahead was blocked by the wooden extension of the Fort. The troops location was on the other side of the Fort so I left the road and traversed round through the Pine forest, scrambling over the rock face and avoiding detection from the Stormcloaks Guard posts.
I forced my way through the undergrowth popping out just behind the waiting Imperials. The officer gathered the men around me
"Morning men, We have to do this quick. We can't linger here to long so I want us to strike hard and fast. Split into two columns as we approach, men at the rear give cover and take out their archers, men at the front shields and don't stop until we clear the first courtyard. Our second objective is to take the Forts actual courtyard and we will hold there until not one Stormcloak remains breathing. Any questions? No. Right then men steel yourselves, fight strong and honour your families and Emperor."
With that I saluted the men and we split into two columns. I positioned myself at the rear of the left hand column that skirted the edge of the forest. Sneaking up the road, not five paces forwards, a rustle to my left as a Giant pulverised the undergrowth charging out into the middle of the column, its trunk of a club sending men flying and instilling panic to the ranks. The right hand column stuck in formation but ran up the hill towards the Fort taking the full force of the Stormcloaks first volley. I bellowed for the Soldiers to form up and support the Right hand column, shouting for them to ignore the Giant and drawing my sword I sized up the Stupid Behemoth.
Three of the men stayed back and we made short work surrounding and hacking the overwhelmed Giant until we felled it like one of the huge Nordic Pines. No sooner had it hit the ground I had the men charging up the hill to reinforce their fellow soldiers. The men had regrouped well, only a couple of Archers remained on the Battlements and they were already clearing up the make shift courtyard that blocked the road. I finished off the last couple of Archers switching to my blade as we entered backing up the Imperials as they made their assault on the Stone Arch of the Fort proper.
The Stormcloaks were in disarray running for cover and the doors to the Towers. We cleared the courtyard and secured it. We had moments before the Stormcloaks seemed to pour back into the courtyard over the walls like water clashing with front line Imperials in a spray of red. More of their Archers started peppering the men from on high, drawing my bow I shouted for Archers and took to picking them off. The men slowly slew the Stormcloaks but no sooner had they stopped flowing from one Tower they started pouring out of the other. For a few moments the courtyard was chaos as the reinforcements of the Stormcloaks charged the defenceless Imperial Archers. The ensuing white water effect made my eyes blur as they tried to reorganise themselves. Many fell to their deaths in the confusion.
Finally as the stem of Stormcloak seemed to stop one last wave of battle worn Stormcloaks charged through the Archway. Again I had to simply shout the order and the remaining Imperial Archers dropped the last stand in the blink of an eye. I shouted for confirmation that there were no more enemies left. I got shouts of clear from the ramparts, towers, archway and guard towers. Throwing my bow back over my shoulder I threw my fist to the air and yelled
"For the Emperor!" With the surviving Imperial troops joining the chorus.
I made my way back out to the road giving a couple orders to the Officer and asking for a Horse. The Officer questioned my hasty departure and my only response was that I had to save my Family. With that I kicked the Horse to a gallop and headed towards Whiterun. I decided to use the road up to Riverwood then onto Helgen. It stirred strange emotions in me as I saw the ruined mountain Fort. I hadn't been here since that morning I had evaded that Black Dragon. I didn't hang around to long it felt wrong being back there. The clouds enveloped me as I got higher up and rode through the high walled granite pass seemingly carved into the mountain. Only when the sky began to clear did I recognise where I was. The road turned and I was faced with the small hut in the clearing from the fateful night. The events flashed through my minds eye and for some reason the back of my head began to ache. I shook myself free inhaling a deep lung full of the forest scented mountain air, the Sun was setting making the treetops seem to ignite with the colours of flame. I steered my horse off the road and found the Rift Imperial camp tucked away beneath some old Nordic Ruins.
Rikke greeted me as I rode up into the camp.
"Larz, excellent you made it and I received the report from Dunstadd earlier. You continue to impress me. But don't get down from your Horse we have gathered some information on a Supply caravan on the road now, transporting Gold and Weapons. I need you to go secure that Caravan and if memory serves me correct they maybe Altan's men. Here is the location of the Scout team I sent to investigate ahead of you."
I saluted and turned the Horse back towards the Road. The Scout team were just past Ivarstead at the bottom of the massive ridge that splits the Rift. I spotted them in the bushes at the side of the road and a familiar face rose out of the greenery.
"Well you really started something ha I thought I was doing well after Helgen but look at you. How are you Sir?" It took a moment before I placed the name to face, Hadvar, the Imperial who escorted me across the flaming courtyard of Helgen.
"I'm good but I will be better once I find this caravan. What's the situation? I'm sorry to be abrupt Hadvar it's just one of these men could tell me where to find my Family so lets makes sure we have a survivor." Hadvar's professionalism took over and he reverted back to a soldier.
"I'm sorry sir I had no idea. The caravan is just round the bend, a wheel has come of the wagon and they have set up camp for the night. There's a look out just over this ridge but nothing else, they are focussed on the repairs."
"Excellent, Lets move up and I will silence the look out, then you two provide cover with your bows from the ridge, the rest of us will storm the camp. Clear?" I received nods from the men "Don't charge until you hear the look out go down."
The men slowly crept into position. I parted the foliage and spotted the Guard on the rocky outcrop. The twilight sky hid me perfectly and I lined up my shot. Just as I was poised to fire a rabbit hopped past me. I startled and the arrow flew striking the man threw the knee. Howling he fell to the ground at least we had a survivor. The Scout Team and Hadvar rushed out of hiding, each aiming for their own target and the Archers pinning them from above. I ran from cover straight for my man, Hadvar had things under control and I didn't want the Stormcloak to get away. I shouldn't of worried, he was still writhing about on the floor with my arrow piercing all the way through his knee joint. I jumped on him and grabbed the shaft of the blood soaked arrow. The man screamed in pain
"Where does your commander Altan call home? Which Fort is he holed up in? Tell me now or the Divines help you I will tear this arrow from your leg and pierce it through an eye each time you fail to answer me with the truth!"
"I Don't know no Altan......we came......from Windhelm!" I watched the man's expression and could see through his pain and desperation he was still holding out. I yanked the arrow free, the soldier's scream echoing off the Rift, a primal noise, struggling under my weight I pinned the man on his back and brought the tip of the arrow to his eye ball.
"I won't warn you again! Where do you hail? What's your destination?" The man was slipping into shock. I quickly cast a weak healing spell I last used on a shield brother. The Stormcloak visibly relaxed and his knee partially mended. I slapped him to bring him round. He muttered one word
"Mistwatch!"
Comments
Yeah the Giant attack was actually in game. I couldnt believe it when he blundered onto the road. All the men got scattered as we approached j... more
Guy, you amaze me with your battle descriptions, so clear yet full of action. "We had moments before the Stormcloaks seemed to pour back into the courtyard over the walls like water cl... more