Chapter XCII: Gearing Up

(Reyvin's POV)

Nudging the Redoran contingent in volunteering themselves for the mission was easier than I expected. Oh sure I heard they were getting hit by dragon raids on the eastern edges of the Velothi mountain range but it was apparently worse than I initially thought.

And for all the apparent lack of belief in his own abilities, this Almeril was without a doubt a proper warrior champion, likely endowed with a fair bit of strength after participating in a proper dragon slaying without any arch-magi or demigods present.

The challenge in surviving alone probably boosted his entire existence a fair bit.

Instead of voicing my satisfaction I nodded at the gruff elf "So in conclusion you don't wish to be left out of the glory?" I smirk "Not all that different from the Nords when you think about it."

I see his eyes flash with annoyance for a brief moment but he keeps impressive control and shakes his head "You are mistaken, Serjo. If your claim of a threat to the world is true then we must all do our part to see it slain."

Pointedly not mentioning my lack of certainty about Alduin's plans I smile at him "A respectable stance if there ever was one." I clap my hands and one of my veteran guardsmen steps from a nearby corner "Guide them to the barracks and Terryn's detachment, they may pick any equipment that meets their fancy."

"You..." The Redoran blinks in surprise, an emotion widely shared by his men. As always, he composes himself swiftly "I assure you, Lord Dagoth, our equipment is of sufficient quality." Much to the internal grumbling of his men, no doubt.

I let out an a mused and vaguely offended chuckle "You will find, Sera Redoran, that the equipment I offer you is far beyond the mere standard of any other great house. I am one of the greatest enchanters to have ever lived, as you will no doubt find." I spread my arms grandly "You may even keep all you take after we are done, if you survive that is."

He goes to reject me out of hand once gain but his aide shoves his shoulder slightly and leans in to whisper an attempt to convince him otherwise, after a full minute of mental gymnastics around the stoic elf they separate and Almeril speaks "We... will accept your generosity." He bows "The house of Redoran thanks you for the opportunity to prove our honor to the world."

"Slay enough dragons and I expect the Nords will be more than willing to enter beneficial negotiations." I wink at him "After all, the High King himself leads the mortal forces of our endeavor."

The implication of my words hits him immediately and he straightens his back, gives me another deep bow, and follows my guardsman alongside his soldiery.

More canon fodder is always useful, and should at least one of them survive I get a nice boost with the Redoran... "Scorpion" I speak.

"My Lord." The agent bows from a nearby shadow.

"Ensure a few of them survive the battle, you have permission to use the strategic potion reserve." Bloody near-revival potions Hakan came up with, that man is way too powerful "And inform the forges to prepare a large gift to the Redoran as thanks for their... sacrifice." That ought to open many doors with the militarist house.

"By your will." He offers a deep bow and disappears.

And with that I too leave the dining hall, heading for a specific part of the tower as the rest of my people who would be participating in the assault were running about all around me in preparation for the upcoming fight.

Soon I reached the personal rooms of my vassal nobles and came right into the scene of Nightshade and Davos holding a no doubt rather emotionally charged conversation. Though it took them only a brief moment to notice me, as was my intention.

Nightshade was thankfully not bullheaded enough to bow in her current heavily pregnant state but still offered an inclination of her head in greeting "My Lord." While Davos simply waved "Boss."

"Nightshade, Davos." I offer them each a nod "You two seem rather nervous."

Nightshade pauses briefly and nods "Yes, my... state does not permit me to serve you as I should and waiting here doing nothing does not sit well with me."

I give her a long stare at that "A person must have their priorities in life, especially when it concerns their children." This being a point I made many times she just nods in acceptance "Speaking of" I look to my fellow Dunmer "Davos, you can sit this one out of you so choose. Things will get bloody and Nightshade isn't the only one that should be concerned with the kid."

"Ah piss on that, Boss!" Davos scoffs loudly earning a quick glare from his... fiancee? I think the title fits at this point "I may be scared shitless but I am not letting you out of my sight until this is done. I told you once and I will say it again, I am with you to oblivion and back, and no flying lizards will stop me from keeping my promise!"

I stare at him for a long moment before letting out a merry chuckle and giving him a quick hug and a pat on the back "The other lords must be seething with envy that I have someone this loyal!" I look to Nightshade "I will bring the idiot back, even if he does his best to get his ass killed."

She smiles happily at me and then threateningly at her intended, who gulps in well justified fear "I am very grateful to hear that, my lord." 

"Speaking of keeping a dumbass alive." I snap my fingers and Akulakhan steps out of a nearby shadow holding a large chest "I think it is high time you got yourself an upgrade."

No doubt keeping his excitement in check, Davos nods me a thanks and opens the chest AK had just placed on the ground, revealing an absolute masterpiece of a crossbow with a drum style magazine made from ebony and emanating enough power to make a master mage cry in envy.

Below the crossbow lay a set of light plate armor with an accompanying helmet, all of it made to look sleek and ornate at the same time while still being usable by an agent of Davos' skill, with enchantments for lightness, comfort and added protection applied to ensure his survival. The set was neatly rounded off by a magical cloak which would greatly suppress his presence and protect him from the elements.

"Webweaver's chitinous cunt." I hear him curse, something he no doubt learned from me "How bloody much is this worth, Boss?"

I shrug "Eh, something along the lines of... ten-ish? million septims?" I shrug again "Honesty I'd say people would quite easily go to war over it."

He gawks at me like a fish out of water, for far too long as it would appear as his intended promptly slapped the back of his head and hissed "Thank the lord for his grand gift or I swear by Auri-El I will send you to battle in your breeches!"

He winces and quickly bows before me "Thanks, Boss. I will make good use of it." Nightshade still glowers at him for the lack of formality but my expression tells her to cut him some slack.

"Just be sure not to die." I chuckle and turn to leave, Akulakhan following beside me.

"The meatbag is useful, but too fragile, My Master." His voice booms yet remains quiet at the same time.

I nod smugly "Indeed, not all of my servants are as blessed as yourself."

"As it should be!" He nods immediately and with complete certainty "None may compare with my legendary artifice, but those worthy may come close!"

Making some small talk with my creation I fail to notice the time pass as I fly up the tower and make my way to its peak, where the rest of the Quarrelsome Quintet awaited me, all of them currently busy in some kind of debate, no doubt about something inane as they attempted to calm their nerves.

Though my focus was inevitably drawn to the very familiar looking man in his prime standing at the center of the group "Holy shit!" I blurt, earning a few chuckles from my fellow archmagi "Finally decided to drop the old man act, eh Tolfdir?"

"While it was amusing" The young old man smiles beatifically "I need to be at my best for what is to come."

"And we all thank you for the sacrifice" Savos smirks at him "Your entire life must no doubt be shaken by the change."

Phineas' glamor rolls its eyes "Oh come off it you old coots, this is the fourteenth bloody time you are going through this whole charade."

"""It is funny though""" Savos, Tolfdir, and Shalazar giggle/simply point out/squeak.

"I don't know what the fuck I am still doing with you people." The lich mutters tiredly "You will drive me to drink! And I am dead!"

"Would a skeleton get drunk off of milk?" Shalazar ponders aloud and Phineas shrieks in agitation before leaving just as quickly.

I cup my chin "You know what I think they just might..."

"A thing to ponder in the future no doubt" Tolfdir smiles and I already see plans churning behind his eyes.

As he and Savos trail off in a conversation of their own, no doubt discussing the best way to try and get Phineas 'drunk' I look to Shalazar "You seem... tame today." I tell him "Something worrying you?"

"Keep your focus my most defiant of disciples!" He squeaks with false merriment "My discoveries are of far lesser import than your grand quest!"

Right, so important but not important enough to derail us. I nod "Very well, be sure to not die so you can tell me what exactly you found."

"Oh don't worry." He waves me off "Even if I get killed I won't die."

I blink "I am just going to put that in a corner of my mind before the questions start coming."

"Probably wise." He squeaks and nods "Now off with you! You have lesser lizards to ride!"

"As the great one commands!" I bow to him and leave for the Strundov, a rather annoying (to the dragons) name Minthara came up with for the clearing behind my tower where they all gathered. Had she not beaten the absolute shit out of Odahviing earlier I have no doubt the red dragon would have declared some kind of blood feud when he heard the name. 

I appear at the entrance to the clearing, where a large portal had already been constructed and revised on dozens of occasions by my fellow arch-magi and their apprentices. The clearing was filled to the absolute brim with champions from Skyrim, Cyrodiil, High Rock, and even a few from Hammerfell, no doubt here following Muntazir the so called Ebony Warrior, and now with the addition of the Redoran.

As I walked through the massive group I noticed many familiar faces, Torygg and his Jarls, most of all Jarl Ballin' himself, Tullius, Rikke, Tiberius, and Zarok from the legion with their own veterans, a massive majority of the Companions, many of whom sported numerous new scars from a mission they 'totally did not go on' Almeril and his goons accompanying Gelebor, his Paladins, and my own veterans led by the three brothers and Terryn.

Karsus, my Steward, approaches me the moment he sees me "My lord" He bows "All weapons, armor, consumables, and reserves have been shared amongst the army of champions. We are ready and waiting for your signal to storm the enemy."

I give the dutiful Mer a smile of satisfaction and lean in "Our journey will no doubt take a few hours, have a small feast prepared for them and make sure to dump as much vitality elixir in the food while still making it tasty enough to motivate."

He nods "By your will."

Ignoring the curious gazes of the rest of them I walk up to Minthara, who was currently busying herself holding conversation with her new vassals. I make my hand unnaturally cold and poke her neck.

She shrikes in surprise and jumps away, immediately glaring at me as her face reddened "Gods fucking damn it all, Reyvin." She sighs.

"You were tense." I shrug with a smile "Better be angry than stuck in your mind."

"The elf speaks well, Thuri." Odahviing speaks "Worry before battle is a boon for the enemy."

I look up to the red dragon "I see Paarthurnax and your underling are missing."

He nods "Indeed, the old one continues to vex us with his foolish belief, while Vulstrunfeyn has been instructed to await in ambush."

"It is his preferred strategy." I nod, remembering Windhelm "And cut Paarthurnax some slack, he is so powerful that his instincts must be incredibly hard to control at this point."

"I do nto begrudge him his immense discipline." Odahviing mutters "It merely vexes that one so mighty refuses to fight for what he believes in."

"Timeless as the Dov are" Kreinaarvokun cuts in "His mind is burdened by the past, and should he slay his own brothers I do not doubt it will lead him away from his peace."

"At least he promised to head off any 'opportunity raids' from the other dragons." Minthara speaks up "So we won't have to worry about another Falkreath."

"True enough." I shrug and give her a serious look "You ready for this?"

"No." She sighs.

"Well that is just too bad." I grin "Because we are going in anyway."

She huffs and grumbles something rather unkind to her own spiritual father but in the end nods her assent.

I turn to the group of nobles and leaders currently laser-focused on our conversation and nod at Torygg, who had let his image as a youthful king be fully subsumed by the serious ruler ready to die for his people "Wait for the signal" I tell them "And then rush through like the world itself depends on it."

Not waiting for their response I turn to Minthara "Let's get this show on the round" And offer a light bow while pointing at Odahviing "Ladies first, of course."

She forces a grin and goes to mount her vassal, while I turn to my own and do much the same.

All the preparations were made, all the allies gathered, and all hidden traps mostly removed. All that was left was to do, or to die.

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Doth thou even excavate?

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