4E 202, Solitude
Kiera Fendalyn
Kiera had never been to Solitude before. Many had said the city was one of the grandest in all of Skyrim, she was willing to believe it,
As Vermithor descended beneath the clouds, the capital city of Skyrim came into view.
The city rose like a fortress of stone upon the great arch of rock, a natural marvel bent into the shape of a crown. Even from this distance, Kiera could make out the Blue Palace's spires, bright against the gray.
The heaviest of Winter had passed as they now approached the coming of Sun's Dawn, but snow was still pouring from the clouds, covering everything in a blanket of white. Though they melted quickly at the sight of the sun's first kiss, pouring back downstream onto the Sea of Ghosts.
It had been a day since they defeated Potema, Dawnbreaker now sheathed onto her belt. It was a masterpiece of a weapon, no lesser than Gerron's Mercury Hammer. Meridia had certainly kept her promise, especially with Serana.
The Vampiress had a small smile on her face as she enjoyed the views of Skyrim from this high vantage, her hood down as she met the rays of sunlight without flinching. Her new immunity to the bane of vampires had given her a new lease on life, allowing her to enjoy the sights she had previously never known to appreciate.
Kiera was glad for it. And while they still held qualms about Meridia's promise of taking away her curse, it provided hope where there were none previously.
They could have been here in a quarter of an hour if they'd flown straight from Mount Kilkreath, but charging unannounced into the capital on a dragon was a quick way to get a bellyful of ballista bolts.
She'd learned that lesson in Winterhold. An entire city's garrison primed for battle when she'd landed, only avoiding disaster because Serana had spotted her from the walls. Solitude would be no different.
Rikke's rider had arrived a day ahead, bearing word to Jarl Elisif of Kiera's approach on dragonback. At this point, the news that she was a Dragonrider should have already spread far and wide, so it shouldn't surprise them too much.
Vermithor banked low over the Karth River mouth as they approached the city, the docks sprawling beneath them. She glimpsed the busy piers, the East Empire Company warehouses, and the great galleons rocking in the tide. From the look of the faces below, the sight of a dragon skimming the harbor would be conversation material for months.
She found a broad landing space directly before the Blue Palace's gates, where Soldiers already ringed the area. A mix of legionnaires and Solitude guards garbed in crimson, pikes at the ready. But none loosed an arrow; the warning messenger had done her job.
The landing was barely smooth, Vermithor's talons digging small furrows in the stone. The presence of the Bronze Fury towering over everyone had more than one soldier instinctively take a step back.
"Welcome to Solitude, Dragonborn. Lady Serana," Jarl Elisif said, stepping forward with a serene smile that only partly masked her curiosity. She was a young woman, perhaps a similar age to Kiera, though she certainly looked regal with the golden crown on her head and the crimson gown. There was steel in her bearing, reminding Kiera that this was a woman lauded by many to be the future High Queen of Skyrim. "Please, come this way. We can begin our talk in the council room."
Kiera nodded as she and Serana slid down from Vermithor.
"I shall await you right here, Kiera." Vermithor stated loudly, a huge snort releasing hot air that had some of the surrounding Legionnaires gulp.
The Blue Palace was a monument to Solitude's wealth and history. Marble floors reflected the golden light of high chandeliers, and long tapestries told tales of Skyrim's victories and tragedies alike. Servants kept to the edges of the hallways, their eyes flicking curiously toward the Dragonborn as Elisif led the way.
The council chamber was already filled. Falk Firebeard sat at Elisif's right, Sybille Stentor standing a half step behind the Jarl, several thanes filled the remaining seats, and at the far end, General Tullius himself.
Elenwen, the Thalmor Ambassador, was nowhere to be seen.
"It's a pleasure to finally meet you, Lady Kiera." Elisif began once they were seated. "When word of your accomplishments started to spread far and wide, it gave many others hope in a situation that seems so hopeless."
"I try my best." Kiera offered a polite nod. "I apologize for the sudden meeting, but time is of the essence. Have you received word of the Peace Summit?"
Tullius's brow furrowed. "What peace summit?"
"I have," Elisif answered before Kiera could. The admission drew a sharp turn of the General's head. "Ulfric Stormcloak has proposed a meeting of all Skyrim's Jarls, to discuss a temporary ceasefire until greater threats are dealt with. I intend to attend."
"What?!" Tullius's voice snapped through the room like a whip. "This is reckless! A trap waiting to be sprung. One use of his Thu'um and he could slaughter the leadership of Skyrim in an instant!"
"That won't happen," Kiera said firmly, her tone cutting through his protest. "The Vigilants of Stendarr, the College of Winterhold, Serana, myself, and the Dragonslayer will be there. No such treachery will succeed."
Serana nodded from beside her. "I was there when Ulfric pitched this to us. Honestly, he seemed pretty spooked. The attack on Windhelm by the dragon Caraxes had made him realize that the Civil War was doing nothing else but waste time and resources. At least for now."
Falk Firebeard commented. "We have received reports ourselves about these threats around Skyrim. Haafingar and Solitude weren't spared either. Captain Aldis's reports about the Mythic Dawn, along with Legates Rikke and Adventus' campaign in the mountains against the undead have proven that things are dire. We're facing enemies on more fronts than just the war."
"And that's not all," Elisif said gravely. "Even capitals of major holds have begun to fall."
This was news to Kiera. "What do you mean?"
It was Sybille Stentor who answered, a woman Kiera realized was a vampire the moment she entered the room. "Dawnstar and Riften are lost. Word had arrived from Jarl Laila Law-Giver that Riften was beset by an army of Draugr led by a Dragon Priest, Dawnstar itself had gone…quiet. Some investigations revealed that the entire city had fallen into the clutches of a Daedric Prince, though we won't know anymore until the Vigilants does a proper investigation."
Kiera looked to Serana, who shared her grim look. Serana had shared plenty of stories about the things she did in Shor's Stone. After all, Kiera was very interested in the place that Gerron had grown up and the town he called home.
During that time, Serana had met with a Priest of Mara called Erandur, who had revealed to her his true identity being a former member of the Cult of Vaermina.
Kiera quickly shared that information, earning even more grim looks from the others.
"So," Falk murmured, "we face not only the Mythic Dawn, but this other cult of Vaermina as well."
General Tullius tried again. "Both Dawnstar and Riften are holds that have declared for Ulfric. Do you not see, Elisif, that he's trying to call for this ceasefire because he has found himself in a weaker position?"
"Perhaps," Elisif allowed. "But it changes nothing. I do not care whether the Jarls declared for Ulfric because in the end, it is the people who are suffering for it. If there is even a chance to turn our strength toward the greater enemy, I'll take it. I will hear him out."
Tullius opened his mouth once more, but when Elisif slid the reports toward him, his gaze lingered on the stark facts. The words from Legate Rikke were the ones he read with utter seriousness. At last, he exhaled through his nose and gave a curt nod.
"I…suppose." Tullius relented. "...that we have no choice. Though we will take precautions, just in case."
His words had the Jarl nodding as agreement rippled through the room. Kiera allowed herself the smallest of smiles. Progress was progress.
"An interesting conundrum." A voice said as the doors of the room suddenly opened. The person who entered was the very last person Kiera would ever expect.
Clad in bright golden armor with a long crimson cape, bearing the near-glowing symbol of the Empire on it. Four towering members of the Penitus Oculatus followed his every step.
Every person inside the council room, including Tullis and Elisif herself stood up in respect, for Emperor Titus Mede II himself had made his presence.
Kiera froze. She'd had no word the Emperor was even in Skyrim. Serana just swiveled her head around, before her eyes widened. While she might not have recognized him, she was smart enough to make the connection.
The face of an aged elder, though still possessing the strength of a man who had shouldered the responsibility of all of Tamriel, met Kiera's eyes. "You are Kiera Fendalyn, yes? The Dragonborn of the current era. It is an honor to meet you."
Kiera nodded, standing straighter. "The honor is mine, Emperor Titus."
The Emperor gave everyone in the room a measured stare as he moved across the room, patting the shoulder of General Tullius all the while. "Did you know, I came here to Solitude to attend my cousin's wedding. Imagine my surprise when I found the state of the province, where not only a Civil War reigns, but Dragons and Vampires also threaten the livelihood of my people."
Tullius and Elisif had their heads bowed, shame on their faces for letting things go this far.
The Emperor then met Serana's gaze with a smile. "Though it brings me joy that warriors and champions of all kinds have appeared to defend it."
Serana gave the man a nod as she folded her arms, giving the Emperor her own measured stare. Kiera's lips twitched at that.
"Tell me everything from the beginning, please. I shall hear what you have to say, Kiera." Titus Mede said to her. Kiera and Serana shared a glance before they mentally nodded. This was a chance to get the Emperor himself in the loop.
They did so, sharing everything they've experienced ever since Kiera arrived in Skyrim all those months ago. Serana added the small bits of pieces from her side..
It also seems that some of it was news to Jarl Elisif and the others, for they showed open surprise on some of the details that they shared.
The Emperor nodded when they were finished, showing no outward expression. "And what of the Thalmor? Where is Ambassador Elenwen?"
Elisif and Sybille Stentor shared a glance before the Jarl answered. "I have reason to believe that a Thalmor outpost was attacked by the Vampires, Your Eminence. Elenwen went to deal with it herself."
"And so she missed my own arrival to the capital. How…convenient." The Emperor gave a thin smile that didn't reach his eyes. "Though it matters not in the end. I have heard the proposal and I, for one, agree to it. Commander Maro."
One of the Penitus Oculatus guards stepped forward and took off his helmet, revealing a black-haired Imperial who immediately saluted. "Yes, Your Eminence?"
"How many members of the Oculatus are here?" He asked.
"Ten of our best escorts you at all times, while another fifty are in Solitude itself." Commander Maro stated. "We have another fifty stationed in the outpost at Dragon Bridge."
Kiera raised an eyebrow. She had heard of the Penitus Oculatus, an organization that answers to no one else but the Emperor himself. They were the Emperor's personal bodyguards, taking over the duties after the Blades were disbanded.
A single member was said to be better trained than a Legionnaire elite, and there were over a hundred of them here in Skyrim. That was quite the force.
"Very well," the Emperor nodded before giving his command. "Prepare an escort for myself to High Hrothgar. I shall attend this peace summit myself."
Kiera nodded, pleased. "Serana and I have business in the College of Winterhold that might provide answers for the coming conflict. We might need to fly there on Vermithor after this."
"The Elder Scroll reading, yes?" the Emperor said. "Of course, do not let me keep you. If anything, your importance in this Dragon Crisis outweighs mine, Dragonborn." He ignored the gasps coming from the others. "I might be the Emperor, but my fighting days have long passed. The people need a leader, one that could be seen in the field. That leader is you, I have no doubt."
Kiera's eyes widened before they turned resolute. Kiera met everyone's stare as Serana smirked. "I won't fail. I'll see you all in the Peace Summit."
…
AN: I hope I surprised some people with the appearance of the chad emperor Titus Mede II himself. All bro wanted was a vacation where he could see his cousin's wedding, only to find Alduin and Harkon on his doorstep.
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