Rising up from a Nobleman to Intergalactic Warlord!!

Silently picking off several unsuspecting soldiers as we moved through the Stormcloak camp, I told everyone to hang back and hide while I continued forward toward their rearguard. Disregarding my orders, Bloodtide leapt back up onto my shoulder and insisted she be allowed to fight by my side. Reluctantly agreeing to her request, I told her and everyone else to refrain from making a move until I killed the enemy commander.

“Not to be rude, but as far as I can tell, all these simpletons are wearing very similar attire. How exactly do you intend to identify their commander?”, Malys questioned, eager to pounce on the unaware soldiers in front of her.

“Their commander is the only one not wearing a blue uniform.”, I answered, recalling that fact from the video game. “They also tend to lead their men from the frontlines as they are all glory-seeking idiots.”

“While I understand the desire to seek out glory on the battlefield, there is no honor in pillaging, rape, and the slaughter of defenseless civilians.”, Aela remarked, watching our rear for stragglers. “Are we planning on killing everyone, or letting some of them go?”

“Please say we are killing everyone. All the fighting we did in Commorragh yesterday has me itching for some wholesale slaughter!”, Hesperax pleaded, licking her blade enthusiastically, ‘It is disappointing I cannot draw their suffering out, but I can make do with killing hundreds of them as a consolation prize.’

Aware that this whole farce was secretly instigated by the Thalmor to further weaken the Empire and Skyrim, I was hesitant to give the Drukhari the go-ahead to massacre everyone. Knowing that the Nords would need every able-bodied soldier they had to resist the storm that was brewing, an epiphany suddenly came to me. Since the Drukhari would already be here doing various jobs for Valerica, Hesperax and Malys could have some of their people establish a puppet regime within the Aldmeri Dominion and resolve the civil war for me. Stabilizing both the economic and political situation on Nirn would make collecting research material far easier.

“You are free to kill as many enemy soldiers as you want, but do not bother pursuing those that manage to slip away in the chaos.”, I answered, knowing that more than two-thirds of these people would be dead by the time this was over.

“Hehe, you are the best! Thanks, Victor!”, Hesperax responded, before hearing Yoma’s voice echoing in her head, “I mean, Supreme Commander.”

Silencing my radio, I began forcibly pushing aside soldiers as I sought out Hjornskar Head-Smasher. Recalling that he was the Stormcloak’s commander in the Whiterun region, taking his head was certain to break the enemy’s spirits and soften them up for my group. Annoyed by rudeness, the first few soldiers I shoved drew their blades and attempted to threaten me. Hurling several insults as they turned to stare me down, they fell silent upon seeing my imposing build. Sheathing their blades immediately, they, along with their colleagues, stepped aside to create a clear path for me to continue forward. Keeping their heads down, none among them dared to utter a word about or to me again.

<Wow, these humans are terrified of you. How does that make you feel?> (Bloodtide)

“Cut it out; I am trying not to grin like a fool. It is hysterical how fast their vigor disappears in the face of unimaginable power.”, I replied, over our private communication channel, “By the way, what is with your new physical appearance? Are you trying to seduce people instead of killing them?”

<I am glad you finally took notice of my prominent changes. I have spent many hours perfectly adjusting my form to be the most suitable figure for a male companion. It was imperative that I became more useful to you, so I do not get left behind.> (Bloodtide)

“While I appreciate the effort and do find your modified form pleasing to the eye, you do not need to change who and what you are to stay relevant among us. You are an irreplaceable member of the team; do not forget that.”, I remarked, spotting Hjornskar Head-Smasher berating the city defenders outside the closed drawbridge. “Alright, time to get to work.”

Calling out to the devoted follower of Ulfric Stormcloak, as I ascended the hillside, I challenged him to a duel as a Thane of Whiterun. Stopping what he was doing, Head-Smasher turned around to see who was foolish enough to come before him declaring themselves a member of Jarl Balgruuf’s court. Anticipating an average-sized person, his expression paled, and his lips puckered when his eyes fell upon my formidable form.

“By Ysmir’s beard… The reports made no mention of a beast of a man like you in Balgruuf’s court.”, Head-Smasher gulped, taking a healthy step back, ‘Talos protect me!!’

“By Shor’s bones, is that you, Thane Stark!?”, a Whiterun Guard gasped from atop the lower rampart. “Your return could not have come at a better time!”

“Send a messenger to the Jarl immediately. Tell him that his Thane has returned and that I have brought aid to end this siege.”, I spoke, pulling Stormbreaker off my back.

Watching lightning begin to crackle around my weapon, Head-Smasher quickly put his hands up, insisting we speak before resorting to violence. Clearly aware of the chasm between us, he sought to turn things around by offering me what he considered to be a generous offer.

“It is not too late to switch sides, friend. If you join the Stormcloaks, High King Ulfric will grant you a prominent position within his court.”, Head-Smasher asserted, glancing up at Bloodtide, ‘What in Oblivion is that thing?! Is that a Dremora or Dwemer contraception?’

“As a Thane of Whiterun, I am sworn to protect the Jarl, the people, and their lands from aggressors like yourself.”, I said, trying my damnedest not to crack a smile. “A man’s word is his bond, and I am no oath breaker. Steel yourself, invader, for your head is mine!”

<If you value your life, now is the time for you to start begging for it.> (Bloodtide)

Startled by Bloodtide’s cold words, it took the man a few moments to compose himself again. Respecting my decision to stand by my vows, he fought through his fear and drew his greatsword. As he psyched himself for the fight, my AI companion took the opportunity to leap off my shoulder and up onto the lower rampart, scaring the guards in the process. Assuring them that she would not harm them unless they provoked her, Bloodtide turned her gaze toward the army below.

<If you are hoping to see your family and loved ones again, now is the time to start fleeing. Once this one-sided massacre starts, most of you are going to be lying in pools of your comrade’s blood.> (Bloodtide)

‘Jeez, she is not mincing words today.’, I thought, as the intensity of Stormbreaker’s lightning increased. “Ask yourselves this: if you die here today, who will be left to take care of your families? Is your devotion to Ulfric’s cause truly worth condemning your families to decades of despair and suffering?”

Listening to my words carefully, several dozen men and women tossed their weapons to the ground as their instincts told them to run. Following what their guts told them, they broke formation and began sprinting toward the mountains to the east. Watching more and more of his troops abandon their posts, Head-Smasher put it all on the line to revitalize their morale. Raising his sword into the air, he released a loud battle cry before taking a step forward.

“For Ulfric Storm- “, Head-Smasher began to howl.

“I gave you a way out, but you refused to accept it. Do not blame me for what is about to happen.”, I remarked, smacking his head clean off with a gentle backhand, ‘Haha, I bet your ancestors are going to laugh their asses off when they hear how I killed you.’

Watching their leader’s corpse collapse to the ground, the most devoted believers of the Stormcloak’s cause charged up the hillside toward me while the rest were frozen in place. Seizing upon the soldier’s temporary hesitation, everyone leaped out of their hiding places and began their assault. Cutting down several hundred men within seconds, things rapidly devolved into utter chaos as fear took hold of them. Putting up a feeble resistance initially, their lack of coordination and planning quickly led to a complete collapse of their forces.

“By the gods, this really is a massacre!”, a Whiterun Guard remarked, watching the Drukhari cut troops down with ruthless precision.

<Not to be rude, but I believe Lord Stark gave you an order. You should get working on it right away.> (Bloodtide)

“Right… I will head up to Dragonsreach now to inform the Jarl!”, another guard said, sprinting toward the gate.

Dropping down on the Stormcloaks as they approached me, Bloodtide crushed several of them beneath her before leaping back to my side. Picking up Head-Smasher’s greatsword, she spun it around like a propeller before gently resting the blade on her shoulder. Exchanging a nod, the two of us charged straight at them, ready to kill everyone in our way.

---3rd Person POV, Dragonsreach---

Reading over the most recent field reports, Jarl Balgruuf and his trusted advisors were devastated to learn that General Tullius and his men had only recently arrived in Rorikstead. Realizing that aid would not arrive for several more days yet, the group was uncertain how they would maintain control of the city until then. Having thwarted several attempts by Stormcloak sympathizers to weaken their defenses over the past few weeks, Irileth feared their luck would soon run out as the number of turncoats was growing day by day.

“Avenicci, how are our food and weapon supplies holding up?”, Balgruuf questioned, wanting to know where they stood on that front.

“What we have stockpiled beneath the keep should last us until General Tullius and his men arrive…”, Avenicci said, turning to the captain of the Whiterun Guard, “However, that is contingent upon the city guard’s ability to stop sympathizers from reaching the underground warehouse.”

“I can assure everyone here, my men and I are doing all we can to maintain order and protect the city. The most hardworking and stalwart men are guarding those supplies; they are ready and willing to sacrifice themselves to protect them.”, Commander Caius asserted, having worked several double shifts to ensure their protection.

“That is what you said about the other warehouses, and look what happened to them. Someone burned them to the ground, and your men were nowhere to be seen!”, Hrongar snapped, upset that the perpetrators had not been caught yet.

(AN: Hrongar is Balgruuf’s younger brother.)

Accepting full responsibility for the failures of his men, Commander Caius swore that these handpicked guards would not fail them. Unconvinced by his words, Hrongar crudely joked that they should replace Caius with a more competent man. Glaring at one another, the two men were about to exchange blows when a sudden boom of thunder brought them to a halt.

“Well, that is strange; it was a perfectly sunny day just a few minutes ago.”, Avenicci commented, having recently returned from visiting with his daughter. “Where could that thunder have come from?”

“You do not think that was the front gates giving way, do you?”, Hrongar questioned, reaching for his axe. “We should go check it out.”

“No, Avenicci is right, that was most definitely a thunderclap.”, Farengar Secret-Fire confirmed, walking over and peering out onto the Great Porch. “The skies are bright blue and clear; that can only mean the thunder was the result of a magic spell. If the Stormcloaks have enlisted the aid of mages, the city gates will not hold for very long.”

(AN: The Great Porch is where you capture Odahviing in the game. I am only pointing it out because I had no idea until I researched it. I never really paid attention to its name when I went there.)

“Everyone, grab your weapons. We are heading to the gate now!” Balgruuf commanded, grabbing his war axe as he ran toward the stairs.

Following the Jarl down to the Great Hall, Caius and Irileth began shouting for the guards to prepare for battle. Hastily setting down their food and drink, the soldiers grabbed their equipment and fell in behind their commander. Storming out the front door, Balgruuf halted his march when he noticed that a panting guard was running toward them. Assuming they had a report on what was happening, he wanted to hear it before blindly rushing into a fight.

“My lord… Thane Stark has arrived with reinforcements to aid us.”, the guard announced as a massive bolt of lightning dropped outside the city walls. “He, his family, and band of Dark Elf mercenaries are engaging the Stormcloaks as I speak.”

“Is he mad?! There are tens of thousands of soldiers out there.”, Avenicci gasped.

“Hjornskar Head-Smasher lies dead by the drawbridge, and his forces are in complete disarray. When I last looked, there were literal mounds of Stormcloak corpses piling up.”, the guard insisted, understanding the steward’s doubts.

“If what you say is true, now is the time for us to drive back the Stormcloaks and end this siege.”, Balgruuf said, looking over his shoulder. “Let us join my thane on the field of battle and take back what is ours. FOR WHITERUN!!”

“FOR WHITERUN!!”, his entourage bellowed, following him down the many stairs to the Wind District.

Gathering more men as they ran through the market, Balgruuf was the first to notice that the city gate was wide open now. Standing atop the lower ramparts, a group of civilians, Lydia, and the guards were raining down arrows and stones upon the enemy. Taking it as a sign that the battle was going in their favor, he doubled his pace and hurried over to see where things stood.

“By Ysmir’s beard, what happened here!?”, Balgruuf shouted, seeing piles of bodies at the foot of the hill, ‘This was not a battle; it was a slaughterfest!’

“This will send a crystal-clear message to Ulfric and his followers. Whiterun will not bend the knee to the fake High King!”, Hrongar said, watching the last soldier fall to a Dark Elf wearing a weird mask. “Thane Stark, reveal yourself so that we can properly greet you.”

Striding out of the sea of blood and gore, Victor cleaned himself up with magic before giving the crowd a big grin. Momentarily looking at his housecarl, she sheepishly looked away, pretending to have not noticed his gaze.

“Good morning, Jarl Balgruuf. My sincerest apologies for not arriving sooner to aid in Whiterun’s defense.”, Victor said, bowing his head respectfully.

“Is that you, Victor?! You must be eating very well to get that big!”, Kodlak shouted, taken aback by Victor’s drastic appearance change since they last met, ‘I see now why Aela was smitten with the lad; Nordic blood runs deep in his veins. With a build like that and a temper like hers… their children are going to be quite the handful, HAHA!’

“It is good to see you as well, Kodlak. I hope things have continued to run smoothly in Aela’s absence.”, Victor chuckled as the others moved to join him. “If you do not mind, can we sit down and talk over breakfast? We ran straight here when we saw that the city was ablaze, so we have not eaten yet today.”

“Absolutely, the end of that terrible siege is worth celebrating together!”, Balgruuf said, turning to Avenicci, “Make preparations for a victory celebration immediately; do not skimp on the food or mead.”

Offering to add some of the supplies he had on him as well, Victor set out several crates full of fresh meats and produce for the civilians to take from. Taking him up on his generous offer, the people thanked him as they carried everything to market for distribution.