Chapter XVI: Trust

(Reyvin's POV)

My internal celebration ends as swiftly as it began as I feel a sudden lack of power, whatever Magicka high induced bender I was about to indulge in was ruined utterly by the sudden feeling of being metaphorically splashed by a barrel of freezing water.

Feeling one's veins bursting with power only for them to suddenly feel completely empty was not a sensation I would ever enjoy but the massive power spike made it all worth it so it was just another thing I would add to the list I dislike doing but still must do, the same place talking to nobility is now that I think on it.

The tiny fact I had magic drugs on hand to help me deal with all of this childish whi- *Cough* rambling was just a happy little coincidence of course.

One lit stick of whatever the fuck Hakan had cooked up back in Winterhold later and I was feeling much better than a couple of seconds back, the equivalent of magical dehydration swiftly squashed by the influx of new power.

Naturally, I was not left alone long enough to enjoy it as the sound of armored boots rushing, though not running, toward me drew my attention. Soon enough Zarok stepped out of a nearby tower, followed distantly by a curious Serana.

The orc saluted "Sir, do you require assistance?" His eyes were filled with a mix of dread and awe, with a small undertone of worry.

Unsummoning my crown, and noticing a couple of the legionaries around me visibly relax, I raised an eyebrow "No? I think that I will be fine with just a bit of rest."

The orc blinks in surprise but swiftly hides it "If that is what you believe sir" Cheeky fucker couldn't stop himself from questioning me after all "Do you want the after-battle report?"

I sigh tiredly before waving for him to 'get on with it.'

He nods and starts talking, the long and short of it being that we lost another twenty three soldiers to the enemy while three of the tower-mounted scorpions were heavily damaged in the night raid. Enemy losses were estimated to be at around one hundred and fifty at the wall itself and an additional three hundred in the field of glass as I now privately called it.

"All in all a successful and productive evening!" I voice with only a hint of mockery, much to the chagrin of the nearby legionaries. Without a care for their perceived offense I got up and started walking toward the camp "Come on then, we might as well celebrate our success. Not like the dumbasses will dare attack again after all that." I say the final part a lot more quietly but it is loud enough to reassure some of the soldiers around me.

Then, feeling like a complete dumbass I stop and ask "Any wounded in need of healing?"

A couple of dozen healed wounds later I was sitting in front of a large bonfire, the legionaries enjoying some food and drink from my personal stock, a small reward for their admittedly impressive performance during this short siege.

The fact that they looked at me like I was an angel descended from the heavens when I summoned an entire barrel of premium black briar was also a nice bonus.

It might seem foolish for me to give them drinks but I had good reason to believe the siege to be over as we were about to get reinforcements while the enemy had lost a massive amount of their local veteran forces. Such losses no doubt crushed morale among their greener troops and not even the Stormcloaks were dumb enough to throw boys into the meatgrinder that is the fortified pass.

Simply put, I had just bought the legion weeks of unmolested operation within Falkreath Hold, much more than enough for me to make a big move without the Stormcloaks being able to do a thing about it.

"Thinking about the war?" I hear Serana ask quietly enough not to be heard by anyone but myself. Zarok had discretely given me a report on her performance during the battle and it seemed that she simply settled on battling the enemy magi, not showing even a hint of her vampiric powers either magical or physical. The men were all in all grateful for her presence seeing as she was under no obligation to help them and still did.

Funnily enough, no one bothered asking her name or anything about her for that matter. The soldiers knew to keep their noses out of the business of nobles and Serana looked like the quintessential noble.

I shrug "A rather obvious conclusion, I have to capitalize on this massive victory or all we have done would be some relatively minor casualties."

Seemingly losing interest in the small talk she jumps straight to the real reason she is talking to me "I knew you were powerful, but that spell..."

I give her a blank look and ask with a hint of mockery "Did magi in your time openly advertise their full power?"

She gives me one in turn "Don't pretend to be an idiot, it does not suit you."

"Why thank you." I promptly pretend to be an idiot for but a moment before Serana's lack of amusement threatens to have her throw something at me "As for the question you refuse to actually ask" I helpfully point out, much to her annoyance "I am in 'cahoots' with many a higher power, something which arms me for the challenges ahead."

She stares at me for a while, waiting for me to elaborate but when I don't she shrugs "I am not getting more than that, am I?" She asks rhetorically before lightly sighing "Very well, I have another question, however."

"Ask." I mutter, my voice lacking much interest.

"If you were so powerful, why go through all the trouble of convincing me to help you and the fledgling group of vampire hunters if you can simply overpower most of Castle Volkihar's warriors with a single spell?" Her cold tone gives the impression of judgement but I had talked to her enough to recognize it as mere curiosity.

I huff "Only a fool relies on simple power to solve his problems, and besides much like I have my own secrets so too does your dear father." Her gaze turns contemplative but I am not finished "And this might come as a surprise to you, considering your upbringing, but when your allies trust you and actually want to help you instead of being coerced into it, they tend to not do something as idiotic as withholding information or ya know, the whole betrayal thing."

She frowns as if this was the first time she had heard something like this "Things did not work like that in the castle."

"Your castle really shouldn't be taken as an example in most things social or functional, no offense." I immediately fire back.

"None taken." She shrugs, obviously agreeing with my assessment "I simply say that trusting someone is not something done easily, especially when one is raised by Balites."

"You do not count yourself among them after all?" I quirk an eyebrow.

The look of sheer and utter disgust completely overpowering her general lack of expression is all the answer I need for that question.

"Good." I offer praise instead of apology "And while I know my words won't be of much help, living without being able to truly trust someone sounds like a far more cursed existence than merely being irritated by the sun."

"That is easily said." Serana mutters though she doesn't outright deny my statement.

"Hmmm" I cup my chin momentarily "If you are unable to convince yourself to feel something then just follow the process of elimination. I've had every opportunity to either destroy you or force you into servitude, yet I have done none of these things, that is usually where trust begins."

She gives me a sideways glance "Yet you still ask me to help you against my father."

I shrug "Because I know that you know it is the right decision."

She stills suddenly before sighing "Are you this frustratingly perceptive with all of your allies?"

"Only the interesting ones!" I quip "Now enough with all the serious stuff, what can you tell me about hemomancy?"

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Even with the sweet temptation that was high quality mead the legionaries kept to discipline and only indulged to a limited extent, Zarok keeping everyone at at least partial attention and still setting up a proper guard rotation.

Unnecessary with me present but I would not have them grow careless just to satisfy my ego.

And much like I expected no further movement came from the Stormcloaks, save for some magical fluctuations below the glassed ground, which was most likely the surviving mages teleporting out when they realized there was no help coming.

I sent Scorch out to scout the enemy army in the Rift and dear Dagoth were we lucky that the pass was so narrow! There had had to be at least three thousand of the fuckers on the other side and even with their sudden disorder at witnessing a literal sun appear atop their forces but half a day prior I would still need at least two thousand men supporting me to do any real damage. Something that was swiftly confirmed when Scorch's memories ended with a massive barrage of ice shards the moment he was spotted.

By noon of the following day our reinforcements had finally arrived, about five hundred men wearing Whiterun colors, the banner of the stallion hanging proudly above the formation of horsemen and heavy infantry.

The legionaries tensed as the force of Nords approached, even with their victory and celebration they were all still very tired and paranoid due to the deaths of many of their friends and comrades.

I naturally cared not for such things and stepped out to meet the men of Whiterun, swiftly recognizing the two men leading them I rose my hand in greeting "Ho there Grey-mane and Battle-born!"

Adar Grey-mane squinted at my approach "Let me guess Flame-tongue, you already had all the fun without us?"

Ungrim Battle-born rolls his eyes at his friend's words "As if a bunch of sweaty Windhelm cuckolds would succeed where a Daedric Prince did not."

The duo of Whiterun housecarls guffaw at the man's joke while I look at them with amusement "I am afraid that I did in fact take all of the fun, you get to sit your asses down while whatever remains of the legionary garrison goes for some paid leave."

Surprisingly it is Zarok that speaks up "Sir, with all due respect we can't le-"

I look at him with a smile that was most assuredly not a smile and ask "I am sorry Quaestor, but did I stutter?"

The orc shivers at my tone and looks away "No, sir."

"I thought as much." My smile widens fractionally, looking all the more terrifying "You lot have earned some rest and you will need to be properly reinforced and reequipped, if you thought I wasn't going to reward you lot for surviving that then I would be rather insulted."

Zarok stares at me unblinkingly while his brain resets.

"I do believe this is where you thank me." I drawl with great amusement.

He snaps at attention as his mind finally reboots "Yes sir, um thank you sir!"

"Right then." I turn back to the duo of Whiterun housecarls "You two can take your time setting things up as the rebels won't be moving about for some time at least, but I need another thing from you before you do."

Adar raises an eyebrow "What do you need lad?" many a legionnaire gawks at his term of address but seeing as I ignore it no one speaks up.

"I need a map imperial operations within Falkreath, as well as the position of the command center." I rub my hands while my smile turns slightly feral "I have a city to conquer after all."

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A lack of stone to me is an impediment

thus I ask of thee a toll in sediment.

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