"So" I start, riding up to the lonely King of Skyrim "How does it feel to consign thousands to their deaths while subjugating the rest?" I ask with false cheer.
Torygg twitches violently, we have been riding for three days now and the young man was constantly deep in thought, the consequences of the invasion weighing heavily on his shoulders.
He gives me an irritated glare "Must you word it like that?" he grits out, already knowing the answer.
I shrug "You know damn well that your enemies will do far worse than merely play with words. You should prepare."
The King groans "How can you be so irritating and so right at the same time?"
"I am the master of my art, Your Majesty." I quip, and a moment later I decide to ask "How is your intended taking the voyage?"
He sighs "Thank the Divines we were able to get a carriage prepared, she hasn't been feeling all that well after witnessing the bloodbath" Once again he lightly glares at me but there is no heat behind it.
I wave him off "She will be fine, she has Sybille to distract her after all."
He winces "I don't think teaching her how to set people on fire is a good distraction after seeing literal thousands of them burn to death..."
I raise an eyebrow "So you don't want your future Queen to be able to defend herself" I grin teasingly "Want to have her always be a damsel for you to save, oh heroic King?"
He blushes and looks away "I don't know what you are talking about."
I snort loudly "Why so defensive Torygg?"
"Why must you be so..." he trails off trying to find the right words.
"Dashing?" I quip.
He gives me a half lidded stare.
"Wise?" I smirk.
The stare narrows.
"Outstandingly majestic?" My smirk splits into a grin.
Torygg takes a deep breath and looks away "By the Divines, sometimes you make me wish to die to an angry mob instead of having you nearby."
"I live to impress" I mock bow, as much as I can while riding a horse "What are our plans when we reach the city?" I ask after a prolonged silence.
He thinks for a moment before responding "We will be leaving my new subjects at their designated villages while stationing some of the mercenaries as temporary guards, when we get to the city we will hold a parade to celebrate our victory and after that, we will hold an award ceremony for the most distinguished."
I hold back an irritated groan "Please don't tell me I have to attend that."
Now it is his turn to smirk "How can I allow your glorious deeds to go unrecognized Reyvin, I would never dishonor the greatest warrior of this campaign in such a manner!" His tone is righteous and proper but the mirth in his eyes is clearly evident.
I look away with a 'tsk' "How dare you use my spells against me?" I ask with mock offense.
As he finally gets one over me he chuckles merrily and sighs moments later "This has been a very exhausting couple of months."
"Also very glorious when it comes to your tenure as High King." I add.
He nods "That is true of course, but is it wrong to prefer peace to all this excitement?"
I chuckle and shake my head "As King, peace for your people should always be your top priority. The only times you should fight is to preserve that peace, whether from potential or current threats."
Torygg blinks and looks at me "So should I just let Ulfric become King then? To avoid the war?"
His question is very rhetorical of course but I still choose to answer "Ulfric will bring naught but pain and suffering to your people, and probably my own now that I think about it." I scratch my chin "So no, you should fight him with everything you have because the only true victor if Ulfric kills you will be the Thalmor."
He nods dejectedly "Indeed, they want us at each other's throats."
"Which is likely why they let Ulfric escape his imprisonment in the first place and engineered Madanach's invasion of Markarth, thus leading to further distrust and anger from Ulfric and the hardliners among the Nordic traditionalists." I say offhandedly and Torygg stills.
He seems baffled as he asks "You think the Thalmor are behind everything?"
I shrug "More often than not they are." My brow twists into a frown "They may be n'wahs of the highest order but they are most assuredly neither incompetent nor are they impatient. Out of all Mer they live by far the longest, so you can expect such long-term planning from their leaders who have likely been doing it for centuries already."
Torygg remains silent for a long time after that, before he finally asks "So what do you suggest I do about it?"
"Beat them at their own game" I shrug "Get spies, organize a massive network of informants, create a blades-like organization to fight them in the shadows... You could do many different things, and all of them would be both risky and expensive." I let out a long breath "At the end of the day, their machinations have mostly succeeded, we must first remove the issue they have caused already before going on the counter-offensive."
The young King sighs "I really hate this crown sometimes..."
I chuckle "That probably means you are a good King... I think."
He chuckles and shakes his head, once more focusing on the road.
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The rest of our journey went without any further incident.
I spent most of the time speaking with my college friends or just carousing with some of the legionaries and warriors. I seem to have developed quite the reputation among the rank and file and the usual dark jokes of the legionary veterans now contained a lot more immolation than before.
My agents found very little of actual note within the former temple of Namira, the jewelry was an obvious slap in the face by the Thalmor, but we couldn't reasonably prove that they were the ones who did. Which was probably their plan all along in case they lost now that I think about it...
The n'wahs were learning and that was a growing concern.
My students were both doing surprisingly well considering their recent brush with death.
Marco was focused on helping anyone he could, likely in an attempt to distract himself from the mix of my revelations and his beating at the hands of the Forsworn.
Minthara on the other hand seemed to grow very attached to the little girl she helped heal, when I heard the story I was so impressed by her determination that I allowed her to leave the anatomical tome for later. Naturally the demigod had to once again impress me by refusing my offer and doubling down on her studies.
I really should enchant her something nice for all that effort.
As we started getting closer to the city, our long line started shrinking. The mercenaries and Reachmen were left behind at each settlement we passed with one of Torygg's housecarls left behind in each village as a interim governor. Their names would be celebrated once we reached the city but the job of ensuring peace came first so they would have to skip the glorious feast. Something which they all eagerly accepted, much to my surprise.
I guess good old greed will win over even a Nord's yearning for glory and mead...
We arrived at Solitude just after the morning of the tenth day of our march, we were after all slowed down by the extra 'baggage'.
We didn't even get near the gate before a massive crowd gathered on both sides of the road, their cheers and chants resounding so loudly and clearly that every soldier marching behind me stood just a little straighter.
As we passed by the gathered people they gave us, the gathered leaders and champions, looks of awe and respect. Many bowed in thanks while others cheered us on, a surprising amount of them focusing on me.
Scorch, who was sitting comfortably on my shoulder as he finally managed to shrink himself down sufficiently, preened happily at all the praise, no doubt interpreting all looks and praise sent to me to be directed at him.
The soldiery got a different reception, for as they passed the people they were offered bottles of mead and homecooked meals. Rikke was kind enough to allow them to accept the gifts as they did thoroughly earn them.
As we entered the city, the more wealthy part of the population gathered, and the gifts they offered were of far greater value than the ones outside. What I did not expect at all was the song that broke out, as we rode by Castle Dour the crowd started signing, or chanting, Marco's song about the battle of Woflskull.
The young Mer blushed so hard his face reminded me of Minthara's hair, but I did not miss him straightening up in pride as we passed near the Bard's College and saw the proud look Viarmo gave him.
The legionaries, both new and old were invited to the feast held in the massive palace, though they would not be attending the throne room, save for a few exceptions.
My agents on the other hand, had no need nor desire to carouse so I paid for a couple of luxury suites at one of the local inns and had them spend the day there with the exception of Davos who was already too high profile to miss the celebration.
It took less than a measly hour since we dismounted and we were already sitting in the grand hall of the Blue Palace drinking to our hearts content and listening to our men recount our glorious deeds.
I noticed Helm and Harald become fast friends almost as soon as their eyes met, and I had the pleasure of watching Helm pout at the fact he was forced to miss out on the massive battle.
The two other Thanes were to my great surprise quite reserved upon our return. I used my blessing to see what was going on and to my utmost surprise even Eirkur was pissy about missing the glory.
Was the spoiled little nobleman finally growing some hair? I guess we shall inevitably find out, after all, there was a far greater battle on the horizon...
The feast went on for almost the entire day, almost consuming the Palace's entire pantry in one fell swoop, but neither the King nor his Stewards minded all that much, they knew all too well the complete disaster we barely avoided.
------------
Sybille throws herself on my bed as we finally climb up the tower.
She takes a long breath and seemingly melts into the luxurious mattress "Finally..." She tilts her head to the side "I am all for a good fight but if I have to sleep in a camp anytime soon I will drink someone."
"Didn't you already drink about a hundred of them?" I ask as I slip out of my formal clothes, my voice one of amusement.
She smirks "Exactly my point."
I let out a light snort "Poor poor cave dwellers."
She turns around, laying on her back this time "I still don't see why you had Torygg allow them to settle here, they should have all been permanently dealt with."
I shake my head "So bloodthirsty" Her eye twitches and I shrug "This is both more efficient and morally correct"
She waves me off "Yes, yes I've heard you explain yourself" her arms spread invitingly "Now enough about that, I need my pillow."
I huff and shake my head "And they call me the childish one." I lazily dodge a flying shoe and lie down next to her, sleep claiming me almost immediately.
----------------
I awaken the following morning alone in my bed, or noon as I soon came to find out. Apparently all the fighting was exhausting, go figure.
As I exit my chambers, a new set of formal clothes in a more Nordic style and my growing beard shaved down to a neat goatee, I come face to face with Savos Aren, his eyes gleaming with excitement and curiosity.
Well... this should be interesting.
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Much like the crowd granted the army gifts so too should you grant me stones.
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