Legate Jacinicus' brows knitted together in a frown as he watched the horses approaching from the forest. Shifting his gladius to make it easier to access, his body tensed up as the small procession approached.
"I must say, he's got quite a pair on him if he actually showed up." Legate Urimo remarked as he brought his horse closer to Jacinicus, his heavy armour clanking against both his sword and that of his horse.
"Either that or he's just got a goat's brain." Legate Tertor added as he to moved closer to Jacinicus who now resided between the two.
Jacinicus ignored the two, still entirely focused on those approaching, "Remember," He said, his voice gruff, with a tone of authority, "This man is extremely dangerous, do not underestimate him. I will do all the talking, you boys just sit there and look pretty."
Now normally the two, relatively young Legates would have been outraged at this relegation yet they both complied instantly, trusting and fearing the older and more experienced Legate. Jacinicus could only thank the Divines that the sides of his helmet concealed his face twisting in fear as he made his horse walk forward to meet Legate of the Rogue Legion.
Unlike all the other Legates present, the brand new arrival's helmet was of the closed variety, and his armour was that which was most often seen upon that of the common heavy legionnaires. His armour did have a way of standing out however, with the red plume covered with steel, as well as every piece of armour having golden lines gilding it. Also unlike that of both the Legates and Legionnaires, he had two swords strapped to his side instead of one and a shield on his back. His guards wore the common heavy armour of legionnaires, yet they also had two spears each strapped to their saddles.
The procession stopped a few feet away from the other Legates, who had also stopped. A silence persisted, the tension being so thick it felt like you could cut it with a knife.
"I assume you know why we are here." Jacinicus finally broke this silence, staring into the shadows of the two eye holes of his helmet.
The Rogue Legate nodded, "I am aware." He said, his speech seeming both slow and smooth yet carrying a deadly edge, "You intend for me to surrender, join you, and win the Ruby Throne."
Jacinicus exhaled, "Look, you can't win this fight. I have three Legions at my command and the Daggerfall Covenant at my back." Honestly, Jacinicus knew that these negotiations would inevitably fail yet there was no harm in trying.
"Do you even remember your oaths, Jacinicus?" Was the reply, "Or have you completely become a Breton lapdog."
Jacinicus' grip on his reigns tightened, "You dare lecture me about oaths? You not only turned your back on the homeland but everything else as well. The Daggerfall Covenant is the best shot at restoring the Empire and destroying the Daedric scum!" He half shouted back.
The Rogue Legate remained silent before speaking once again, "Do you know why I gave up my previous name, Jacinicus?"
Shocked slightly by the question Jacinicus shook his head. Truth be told he had never even heard of who the man before was. By oblivion even when they fought side by side in Varen's Rebellion he only called himself 'Legionnaire'. And when he ended up being promoted because of his actions in the Rebellion he simply switched to 'Legate'.
"When I was a kid, my village was raided by a party of Reachman. They killed everyone that couldn't flee. They slaughtered my parents and were going to kill me as well." He explained, "The only reason I am here today is because of the Imperial Legion. They took pity on me and so decided to take me along with them. They trained me, clothed me, and fed me. And you know what the 'Emperor' did? He sentenced the people who took me in to execution for killing his kin." The Legate's tone now had a murderous undercurrent to it.
"In that moment I lost almost everything. The people I grew up with were dead. The ones who saved me and cared for me had been killed. Sure I still had family left, but if I went to them, I would never be able to get revenge.
"Thus, I chose to get rid of my old name and forsake my noble lineage. At that point I became a soldier of the Legion, and nothing else. I remained loyal to the Empire and to Varen. But now? They are both dead. I did not turn my back on the homeland, for the homeland is gone, and soon it will be ruled by a foreign power once again. The only oath that truly remains now is that of the one to the Legion. And I do not intend to break that on some false hope of creating puppet Empire." T
The Rogue Legate finally finished, leaving the gathered in silence. Glancing to his sides Jacinicus' eyes narrowed as he noticed the conflicted looks on his fellow Legate's faces, "Now I understand how you got an entire Legion to go along with your nonsense." Was his reply, unfazed by the speech given.
The Rogue Legate shook his head in what seemed like disappointment before reaching into his saddle, pulling out what looked to be a container commonly used by messengers to protect scrolls and throwing it to Jacinicus, who caught it with a suspicious look on his face, which changed to one of shock as he noticed the eagle insignia which adorned it. The symbol of the Aldmeri Dominion.
"We intercepted this communique from an Aldmeri scout. They know that you are going to attack me and plan to jump in once the fighting is finished and you troops tired. While we are enemies at the moment, I do not want my fellow imperials to die by foreign hands because of me." Came the explanation, to which Jacinicus hurriedly read it, eyes widening as it confirmed what the Legate had said.
Jacinicus gripped the paper tightly as he grit his teeth. This meant that they couldn't attack him until they dealt with the Aldmeri. Both Urimo and Tertor's faces tensed up as they noticed Jacinicus' reaction.
The man in question glared up at the Rogue Legate, his expression and face hidden behind the helmet. "This won't change the end result." He spat, "You and your traitor soldiers will all hang." Jacinicus paused for a second, "But not today. Today will be a day for Aldmeri blood."
And with that he turned his horse around the other two Legates looking at each other before nodding to the Rogue Legate and following after Jacinicus.
As the trio crested the hill the ones remaining stayed silent for short while before it was broken by the Legate, "See, I told you he would fall for it." He said in a slightly bored tone as he turned his horse around and back to the forest.
The bodyguard on the left nodded sadly, "How someone like him got to be a Legate is beyond me."
The guard on the right chuckled, "I think that he thinks the Legate here actually cares about the lives of traitors."
"Well, he is quite good at speaking ain't he? By oblivion even those younger Legates looked like they would change sides."
The two guards chuckled heartily as they made their way deeper into the forest.
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Aurelus grimaced in concentration as he carefully infused his magic into the engraved Ayleid tablet, a look of joy and relief flooding his face as the circular tablet's engravings responded, glowing a brilliant blue. Gently setting it down on the collapsed pillar he had deigned to be his impromptu table for his work he stood up, rolling his leather clad shoulders as he began to stretch, the setting sun at his back casting his shadow upon the stonework. And, there was another shadow there.
"I see you have finished your work just in time Aurelus." A familiar voice suddenly said from behind him, causing the battlemage to freeze mid-stretch. This did not last long however as Aurelus quickly spun around, giving hurried salute of his fist over his chest.
"Y-Yes Legate, I figured out how to activate the last stone." He stammered out, surprised by the sudden appearance of the Legate.
"Hmmm, so that means that the portal can now be opened, yes?"
Aurelus hurriedly nodded, "Yes sir, I only await your command."
The Legate nodded, "Activate it immediately, I will gather some of the rangers to scout ahead for us. I successfully bought us some time but not much." He turned to a pair of auxiliaries oiling swords by a campfire. "You two! Spread the word to pack up the camp!" He barked, to which they both hurriedly complied, rushing in different directions while shouting at anyone they could spot.
Aurelus hurriedly began his part too as the Legate marched to the outskirts of the clearing the camp resided in, assumedly to gather the rangers. Picking up the tablet he quickly sprinted over to the large stone structure at the centre of the camp.
It was an archway of Ayleid make, presumably made at the height of their power yet abandoned after their fall. It stood taller than most buildings and was made of the same white stone as the White-Gold Tower. It had somehow remained largely unscathed over the centuries, the only sign of how old it was being the large amount of fauna growing on it yet engravings meaning who knows what were still visible.
According to Ayleid records that they had discovered in the ruins nearby this archway was a sort of portal that could transport people to other places. Where these places were, was not known, however the legion did not really have a choice in the matter.
Admiring it's simple, yet powerful design he hurriedly rushed to the right side of the archway. Looking around he spotted what he was looking for, a perfectly circular groove embedded into the stonework. Gulping he slowly bought the still glowing tablet up to the groove, inching it forward.
Suddenly the tablet seemed to be sucked in by the stone as blue tendrils shot out from the groove and latched onto it, shocking Aurelus into releasing his grip on it. The tablet snapped into place, now glowing even brighter than before, while also causing the rest of the engravings to mimic it.
Soon every engraving in the archway was lit up, showing themselves off to the world. This was not the end of it though, as a loose, semi-transparent blue substance slowly lowered itself from the top of the inside of the archway, reaching downwards before eventually reaching the green grass below.
Every soldier in the vicinity watched the scene before them in awe, Aurelus included. Looking into the portal he could both see past it and into the camp beyond, as well as his reflection perfectly. Safe to say, it was indeed a strange experience.
Blinking, he looked around at the stupefied soldiers, frowning in displeasure, "You think this gives you a good enough reason to stop and look?" He shouted, bringing the legionnaires out of their stupors as Aurelus began to jog back to his camp, "Your legate gave you an order so MOVE!!"
Everyone hurriedly began to pack up even faster, Aurelus included as he strapped the few personal belongings he had into the backpack with all his necessities, including his tent and bedroll.
Soon, the Legate returned to the campsite, a party of rangers at his back. Every legionnaire stood at attention in front of the portal as per their designated captain's orders. The Legate nodded to the rangers who all moved to the portal, stopping for a few seconds before they began walking through one by one...
And not coming out of the other side. Rather it seemed that the water like substance had swallowed them up. The portal worked. Gasps of disbelief and shock sounded throughout the gathered legion, even those at the very back who couldn't see it were told of what had occurred. Meanwhile the Legate stood in front of the portal, unfazed as he stared into its depths.
After the initial surprise the column quietened down again, a feeling of expectance in the air. The portal began to shift. A rolled up banner of the Empire flew out. The Legate picked up the banner, looking it over before turning to the column.
"Legion!" He shouted, looking over the faces of every soldier he could see.
The Legate turned back to face the portal.
"Forward march!"