(Torygg's pov)
So much death... even with our preparations hundreds still lost their lives.
Even as my gut wrenches at the sight of the emaciated refugees currently under the care of the healers we brought I can't help but question if this all was worth it. Even if deep down I know for certain that we are doing the right thing I cannot help but wonder how many have lost their lives or families just because I couldn't keep a singular Jarl from pressuring me into hard choices?
*Sigh* I can already see Reyvin's mocking grin 'Oh but you are the King, Torygg! You don't have the luxury of mercy.'... damned smartass, why don't you sit in the chair for a day?
"Move your fat asses!" I hear a deep voice from nearby, and turn to see what is going on.
Speak of the devil...
I see Reyvin practically kicking dozens of lightly armored people on his own, and they all obey without daring to say a thing. What did he do to them to inspire such fear?
He seems to notice me and waves cheerfully, something that looks very jarring when combined with whatever curse he placed on his new helmet. He stands before me and points to those he brought "This bunch have graciously volunteered to help with cleaning the place up in return for their miserable lives."
I raise an eyebrow "And they are...?"
"Oh just what remains of the Freemen's leadership." He waves it off like it is no big deal and closes in to whisper "Their lot seemed alright in a fight so you could always recruit them as auxiliaries for our later issue."
Always scheming... well at least it is for my benefit. I give him a shallow nod and he pretends to cheer "Capital!" he turns to his prisoners "Now kiddies, you go along and help the good King, I have other things to do."
They nod so quickly and enthusiastically I fear some might snap their necks, Reyvin claps in satisfaction "Good, off I go!" Suddenly a nearby shadow seems to grab him and drag him inside of itself and he is gone.
I turn to the Orc that looks to be the leader of the lot "So..." I start not really sure what to say.
Thankfully the Orc saves me from the awkward situation "Just tell us what to do, whatever you want! Just please don't let him anywhere near us again!" I think I see a tear of terror in his eye.
What in oblivion did he do to them?!
(Reyvin's pov)
A couple of shadow-walks later I am standing in front of what I was told was the Massif's mansion. Seriously man, if you are already so rich why in oblivion did you choose to live here?
Hmm, could be he pissed off some noble in Daggerfall and was actually hiding down here?
A bunch of Brotherhood members leave the house and hold back a flinch when they notice me, I recognize Bolvar among them and ask "Did this lot give you much trouble?"
He seems to be weighing his words, as he is still rather pissed at me "They all fell quickly and easily, turns out the rioting was actually caused by one of the fat pig's lieutenants trying to overthrow him, and the moment the first strike was made all semblance of order broke and they started killing and pillaging from each other." is what he settles on.
I nod "Quite lucky for us, where is Helm?"
"Currently looking for Louis himself." He answers quickly, likely wanting me gone as soon as possible "he disappeared off to somewhere but there is no way in oblivion for him to get out of the slums unnoticed."
I wave him off "If you didn't find him in here then it is likely he is already dead, I told my retainer to make sure none of the big leaders survived."
Bolvar gives me a skeptical look "How can you be so sure he can get all of them?"
Because he is literally blessed by the goddess of stabbing people in the back, is what I think "He is pretty good at his job." is what I say with a careless shrug.
The Nord grumbles in annoyance, but before he can say anything I interrupt him by turning back to the gate.
Not long after Davos, followed by a somewhat sick looking Minthara walks out while dragging a bag with him, he notices me and without a care in the world drawls "Job's done boss."
I look at Bolvar with a smug smile that he cannot see "As I was saying."
He grunts in annoyance "Whatever, I am off to find my brother."
"I do so hope you didn't dismember the fatso and pack him into that bag Davos." I say as the Nords leave.
He rolls his eyes "I am not a Boethian, boss. It's just loot that the idiot thought to run off with."
I blink "Neat."
I turn to Minthara "Why do you look like you went on a date with the local skooma stash?"
She was stuck giving me an odd and confused look and my question seems to wake her up "Wha-" she shakes her head back into focus and points an annoyed hand at Davos "Oh it's just that your man here decided to burn a man with the weight of five other men to death because he forgot to restock on bolts."
I send Davos a disgusted look "Ugh, the burning fat must have smelt disgusting."
Davos nods instead of refuting me and looks into the distance with dead eyes "He even squealed like a pig..."
Minthara kicks him in the leg "Stop reminding me of that asshole!" and then points an accusing finger at me "You!"
My left eyebrow goes up "Me?"
"You!" She seems unsure of what to say.
"Uh huh..." I drawl
"You aren't old!" Is what she settles on.
"And that is relevant... how?" where is she even going with this?
"So I was right..." She nods to herself "You are just some young mage abusing your power to steal me away for your desires!"
I give Davos a questioning look, but he merely whistles while looking away. I turn back to Minthara "That is quite some self-confidence you have."
Whatever tirade she was about to go on gets stopped in its tracks "Wha-"
"Besides" I interrupt "I am already entangled with someone else."
Davos snorts "Entangled he says. I can barely sleep these days."
"Acting in respectful mutual courtship." I correct him with a drawl.
"Courting death more like." He snips with a chuckle.
As the words leave his mouth I still "Don't ever use those words again." I say as flashbacks assault my ravaged mind.
"Umm... boss?"
"Just... just don't. Alright?"
"Whatever you say, boss." He nods while still giving me an odd look.
"And Davos" I add "We really are going to need to talk about you discussing my private affairs in the presence of others. The next time you blurt out something like this you will be taking Scorch on walks."
My vassal gulps in fear while Minthara sighs to herself and mutters quietly "Never mind, if I am forgotten so easily maybe my purity is safe." She turns to me "Who is Scorch anyway?"
Before I can answer my glorious hawk boy appears on my shoulder in his shrunk form, having learned to adjust his size somewhat over time "Yo." The bird caws.
Minthara blinks a couple of times, completely stunned.
"What are you looking at Nord?" he sniffs at her "Ugh, even worse. A mongrel dog of the Empire."
I barely hold back a laugh.
"Wha-"
"Indeed it is I, the great Scorch! You should be in awe!" he bobs his head cutely.
"I'm-"
"You are without words to describe your joy, I know! At least you are respectful to your betters."
"N-"
"You are right, it is truly the difference between night and day. Your life before this meeting was one of darkness, but now my radiant resplendence has infinitely improved it!" Is he imitating Meridia just to piss me off?
He stares at the stunned Minthara and nods to himself "Good, I accept you as my first follower, I know it is an honor to meet me and you want to spend your years in worship but I must go now!" and disappears back into my Magicka just in time to avoid my smack.
"Cheeky little shit" I mutter with a smile.
Minthara blinks her eyes quickly and even smacks herself "What was that?" She asks me in a voice that was almost manic.
"That was Scorch." I drawl. I notice the tiniest flinch at the name, not even two minutes and he already traumatized her, ha!
She palms her forehead "I don't think I will ever forget the name, what I mean is why a bird is on fire and able to talk?"
"Oh, he is my familiar." I say simply. She seems to be waiting for me to elaborate but I shrug "There you go, another reason for you to show up in my tower tomorrow."
She sighs and nods "Fine, I guess I will stay a while after you heal Bella."
I let out a short laugh "Heh, it is cute that you think there is a choice."
"Cu-" She almost seems to stammer in embarrassment but then she computes the rest of my sentence and glares at me "Fuck you."
"You wish~"
A shriek of pure fury leaves her, almost releasing the tiniest spark of thu'um with it.
"Umm... boss, maybe don't piss off the new recruit?" Davos suggests carefully.
"Don't ruin my fun." I say calmly.
He sigh "I just don't think that-"
"That I give you enough time alone with Scorch?" I say with a chilling smile he cannot see.
He gulps "Nevermind."
(General pov)
The reordering of the sprawl amazingly took only one day, the combination of luck, assassination, and good old Nordic violence brought the place to order with minimal casualties.
The Legion and Solitude Guard quickly got to work making sure that there was no great unrest and any rabble-rousers were quickly caught and forced to help with repairing the houses and with the construction of new ones.
Naturally, merely retaking the sprawl was not enough. Fixing the entire situation would take months if not an entire year, as there were simply far too many people to feed and employ.
A meeting of the council, now joined by Helm who felt very out of place, was called. Ideas were presented, shouting was had, snarky elves humiliated profiteering blonde Nords, and as the Steward ended up browbeating everyone into order the final plans were drafted.
With some budget finagling and cuts to non-essential spending, it was decided that a couple of new villages would be founded around the main road between Solitude and the rest of Skyrim, with the King offering to temporarily employ the large workforce in helping the surrounding settlements with whatever they needed and assisting in constructing roads and repairing fortifications.
That last bit was recommended by the younger Court Mage, who assured everyone that this would inevitably enrich the entire hold. Speaking of the younger mage, once he removed his mask and Helm saw what was behind it, the poor Nord almost lost his eyes as they tried to escape his face.
The Legion also graciously accepted many new recruits from the sprawl, and any fools who thought they would get to resume their brutish lifestyle in the 'fancier guard' were quickly taught the harsh lessons of discipline and order by the veteran Legate.
Torygg looked like he had aged a decade over the course of the meeting, having to discuss the dead and wounded really brought his spirits down.
Luckily a letter arrived from one Harald Fair-hair actually praising him for his efforts which seemed to instantly rejuvenate the young man.
Naturally, his new motivation was turned into red-faced embarrassment once Reyvin learned of this and voiced his thoughts aloud for everyone to hear.
Finally, peace was achieved in Solitude... for now.
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!YGGID YGGID, seunitnoc keew esrever ehT
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