Gah-Jorane: The Great Betrayal Act II

Legion Camp
General's Tent

Birane smiled as the Countess spoke. Glancing over to the other officers, he noticed they seem dumbfounded at the seemingly random statement on winning a battle that was already lost. Birane stepped a ways back from the map of Anvil and offered his place for the Countess.

"By all means, Amarie, do tell."

"I'm still waiting for a 'The Last Orgy: Fall of the Empire'-esque RP. Show how the Imperials are so good
at staying on top and how miserable they'll be once they're forced down by all the other races." - Ristaag, Bethesda Forums

Secret Location Outside Chorrol
ABS Headquarters

Sublo was very glad that the mans mood had changed from aggression to that of being friendly. The man seemed to think that Sublo could come in handy to the group.

"Yes sire, I have been wandering for near fifteen years now. I must hunt to survive, and can track in almost any conditions. The names Sublo. My last name is of little importance. Who might you be?"

"A politician needs the ability to foretell what is going to happen tomorrow, next week, next month, and next year. And to have the ability afterwards to explain why it didn't happen."

-Winston Churchill

Amarie was disappointed by the expressions of the officers. They’ve given up already, she thought with surprise. She wasn’t sure, but it seemed that even the General’s reply held a note of sarcasm. If only Stenar were here she thought sadly, but then pushed the thought aside. This was no time for personal grief.

“Well gentlemen,” she said firmly, “assuming you do still want to recover Anvil…?” Her statement held a questioning tone, but when she looked at each one to gauge their reaction, she saw only blank looks. Disconcerted by their apparent lack of interest, she turned her attention to the map.

“I’ll take that as a yes then,” she said with some annoyance. “Well, I can show you secret entrances that come out here,” she pointed to the Chapel on the map, “here,” she pointed to a shop adjacent to the harbor, “and within the Castle walls. With the element of surprise, perhaps we can take control quickly and efficiently even with a force at half strength.”

Looking up from the map she added, “Or were you intending to withdraw? From what the General says, the number of safe places to run to is rapidly dwindling. If we take Anvil it will provide a safe place to recover and regroup, and to treat the injured properly. You know as well as I do that it is easily defended – else you would have attacked sooner. So the troops here are more than enough to defend Anvil once it’s under our control. What better option do we have?”

Legion Camp
General's Tent

The officers looked at one another after Amarie finished her speech and felt ashamed for not taking the positions she pointed out into account. With these tunnels leading into multiple parts of the city, it could be taken within hours, even less. Birane stepped beside the Countess and placed his hand on her shoulder.

"She has made an important point at that. With that said, here is our battle plan. With our numbers in wounded overwhelming, the majority of our army will be attacking the Eastern side gates with everything they got. During the final assault, my elite troopers will sneak through the tunnels that Amarie shall map out for us," he said through an malicious smile. "The elite troopers shall come through the shop, chapel, and Castle walls. Now, the only complication we'll have is for a small team will have no choice but to attempt to open the Eastern gates for the army to pour in. Otherwise, the elite troopers will risk being overwhelmed by thousands of Mer guerrillas and wiped out before the army can get in."

Birane sighed at the thought of such a perfect plan gone to waste. "Gentlemen, this is the last push we have to offer. If this doesn't work, we'll have to retreat to Kvatch to refit and resupply. Which means we won't be back in Anvil for weeks, perhaps months. By then, the Mer would have an army ready to take us out on our return."

The officers nodded and knew what must be done. "For honor and glory," Birane said aloud.

"For honor and glory," the officers replied back, saluting before departing to collect the troops.

Birane turned to the Countess and nodded to her, "Let's finish this."

"I'm still waiting for a 'The Last Orgy: Fall of the Empire'-esque RP. Show how the Imperials are so good
at staying on top and how miserable they'll be once they're forced down by all the other races." - Ristaag, Bethesda Forums

Her surge of energy now spent, Amarie felt suddenly tired as she waited for the reaction to her information. Perhaps these men were right to doubt her. She had no experience in planning battles, and they knew far more than her of the situation they faced. But she had so wanted to free the citizens still held prisoner.

With such negative thoughts, she was certain that the General’s hand on her shoulder was a prelude to being politely thanked and then promptly ignored. So she blinked in surprise when the General immediately decided to implement the plan, adding the clever idea of having a team secretly open the Eastern gates as well.

After the officers left to get put the plan in motion, General Birane turned to her and said, “Let’s finish this.”

With a relieved smile she replied, “I thank you General. If this succeeds, Anvil will not forget your support. Two things I would ask though. First, my maid Falana – a young Mer girl – still resides in the castle. She has been as faithful to me as a sister, and would have helped me escape if General Flavius had not arranged my rescue. I would see her protected from any harm.”

She paused and thought carefully about how to phrase her next request. “And, difficult as it may be after the bloody attack on this camp, I would not like this to be a massacre. I understand this is a battle and the fighting will be fierce. But if we succeed, I’ll not countenance the wanton killing of those who surrender willingly. Also, if we can take the leaders hostage, it may give us a bargaining chip to help end this war and restore peace to Cyrodil.”

Legion Camp
Prison Barracks, Cell Block A

Audentes ignored the spit and hissing of the Mer. He was even surprised the Mer wasn't more insulting as prisoners were often wont to be. He sighed and walked around the chair, stopping behind the Mer. His hands rested on the Mer's shoulders.

"It would be rather important you showed me more respect," Audentes sighed, "If you wouldn't mind, I would still like to know your name. It would seem rather impersonal and rude to call you Mer or Dunmer." He then moved to the Mer's side, his hands in his belt.

"And yes, I am an Imperial. But race is of no importance in this matter. What matters at the moment, is your name, your cooperation and slight pinch of politeness would be helpful as well. I would rather this stay cordial and I would like to see you go free and not drowning in blood." He ended his sentence in the same calm voice he had began with. He moved once again in front of the Mer.

Waiting for his answer, Audentes took a sip of water, offering some once again to the Mer with a silent motion.[/i]

"Give us clear vision that we may know where to stand and what to stand for, because unless we stand for something, we shall fall for anything." - Peter Marshall

Legion Camp
Prison Barrack's

The Mer looked up at the Imperial and gave him an intimidating glare before cracking into a smile.

"You're wrong," he said laughing, "race is everything now. It's because of race that you pigs decided to start this war; and as punishment, it shall be the last you'll ever see."

He paused and moved his tongue around in his mouth before spitting out more blood on the ground. "And you think that I'll give you 'politeness?' You Imperials are pathetic and I wish to see to the extermination of you all."

Legion Camp
General's Tent

The mention of the camp and all of its victims had shaken Birane. With the lost of all his men, it seemed that the Mer should suffer a slow and painful death, but then again, perhaps if the Humans treated the Mer with respect then they shall receive the same appreciation.

"Of course, Amarie. Anything for the Countess of Anvil. Though I cannot guarantee the men will feel the same way. For seeing their brothers-in-arms be slaughtered and killed without mercy, it will be difficult to enforce such a rule. But I'll do what I can."

"I'm still waiting for a 'The Last Orgy: Fall of the Empire'-esque RP. Show how the Imperials are so good
at staying on top and how miserable they'll be once they're forced down by all the other races." - Ristaag, Bethesda Forums

Legion Camp
General's Tent

The Countess watched an array of emotions cross the General’s face as he considered her request. She knew it would be easy to give in to feelings of hatred and revenge after the attack on the camp. But that would only lead to a vicious cycle of continuing hatred… and simply mean more losses on both sides.

Fortunately it seemed the General could see the same thing. With a grateful smile she replied, “Thank you again, General Birane. If all our Generals showed your intelligence and compassion, perhaps this war will be over soon.” Or perhaps not even started, she thought but chose not to say.

“Now General,” she said in a more practical tone. “How long do we have before your men are ready to begin? I think I would like to take your earlier advice and rest briefly. I would like to find something more comfortable than this armor too, although I suspect that’s hoping for too much.”

Legion Camp
Prison Barracks, Cell Block A

Audente's jaw clenched. He replaced the his flask by his side and considered the Dunmer. The fool was as blind as the Emperor who started the war. He was thickheaded and would obviously not want to see reason through pleasantries, as Audentes had feared. Just as the Mer finished, a hard slap crossed his face. Audentes' left hand then took hold of the Mer's collar.

"I guess I should be thankful of you, Mer, just as I should be thankful of the Emperor," he snarled in the Dunmer's face. "It is because of people like you that I have a job." He shook the Mer slightly following with a quick jab to the stomach. He let go of the Mer agent and whispered into his ear. "And I am good at my job." He stood back then, his calm face returned as if nothing had happened.

"So, let us dispense with niceties, shall we?" One of his knives appeared in his hand. "I will make you a deal. I want you to give me information about the Mer's side of the siege. Positions, number of soldiers, plans, anything. Now, each time you resist, I will induce pain upon your body. Deal? Deal."

He circled the Mer. "And to show you my intent," he whispered, "I will have to give you a demonstration." With that, he took his knife and pealed off the nail on the agent's left index. Cleaning off the knife slightly, he continued. "Are you ready to cooperate?"

"Give us clear vision that we may know where to stand and what to stand for, because unless we stand for something, we shall fall for anything." - Peter Marshall

Legion Camp
Prison Barracks, Cell Block A

Dregan yelled as his index finger nail was removed and began panting heavily the moment it popped off. His panting began to turn into laughter as he sat bounded and defenseless on his half broken chair.

"Is that all you got Imperial? Kill me."

Legion Camp
General's Tent

"Yes, it won't be for at least several days, at worst a week, before the army is ready for the assault. But if I can get a good several thousand heavily armed unit reinforcing my own, we'll be ready in a matter of days. Lucky for you, Countess, this will be a good opportunity to visit our good Redguard friends to the North. Tell me. How much do you know about the King?"

"I'm still waiting for a 'The Last Orgy: Fall of the Empire'-esque RP. Show how the Imperials are so good
at staying on top and how miserable they'll be once they're forced down by all the other races." - Ristaag, Bethesda Forums

Legion Camp
General's Tent

Amarie pondered the question briefly. "The King of Hammerfell?" she replied. "Very little I'm afraid. Only his name, Vilann Haven, Lord of Sentinel. There has not been any contact between him and Anvil recently, so we've never met. Why do you ask?"

Cheydinhall
Walls Around The City

Vincent stared down at the departing Emperor. He moved across the wall a little so he could jump onto the roof. He leaped upwards and grabbed a ledge. He pulled himself upwards, and scuttled forward. A glass window on the roof was looking down at the Emperor and his guards.

Vincent took his eyes forward and awaited the Emperors next move.

"Tonight, my friend, tonight, you will dance before sithis"

Legion Camp
Prison Barracks, Cell Block A

Audentes sighed and put away the knife.

"You're not helping yourself Mer," Audentes murmured, "Now, give me the information I want." He took hold of the Dunmer's right forearm. Taking his palm, he pushed on the back of the elbow slowly. "Give me my information," Audentes said again calmly. He suddenly pushed hard, a loud snap echoing in the prison cell. Audentes slapped the broken joint a few times.

"Mer, I've got all day," Audentes said shaking his head , "I will put you through immense pain to get what I need. Give in now and I will stop. If anything I'd like to get you your freedom," he finished by taking hold of the Mer's other forearm.

"The choice is yours."

"Give us clear vision that we may know where to stand and what to stand for, because unless we stand for something, we shall fall for anything." - Peter Marshall

Legion Camp
Prison Barracks, Cell Block A

As soon as they entered the room, Ustol let Audentes take care of the torturing. Placing his helmet on the ground, Ustol stood back on the wall and watched Audentes torture the Mer.

Ustol noticed that the Mer was still resisting the forms of torture. Ustol knew then that it was the pride he'd have to break and not the body. Trying to think up a plan, Ustol ignored whatever else was going on.

Turning to Audentes he suggested in whisper so the Mer wouldn't hear "Perhaps we should turn the tables on him. We could suggest ways to cripple the enemy forces and see if he seems worried about any."

Cheydinhaal

Looking down at the Emperor and General Leonde, Vince watches as they leave into a chamber deep within the Castle and lock the door behind them. He notices several guards within the large chamber in which the Emperor departed, but cannot sneak into the room any other way but by entering the Castle.
He can either risk going through the front entrance and attempt to fight his way through dozens of Legion troops, or somehow sneak into the Castle either by sewer or window and move in from there.

Legion Camp
General's Tent

Birane smiled at the mention of the Lord of Sentinel. He was indeed a good man, though has to rely on a confused and partially corrupted Council conducted by the clergy and military to help him with orders.

"I ask because he has a massive army that I know is just begging to enter the war. As you already know, Amarie, Hammerfell is neutral to both us and the Mer and Beast people. They don't want any part of this war..." he paused. "Yet."

Birane walked over to a small counter in the tent and filled two goblets of wine, handing one to the Countess. "You see, we need to get Hammerfell not only into this war, but on our side. I would like to ask for you to make your way to Sentinel, Hammerfell and bring our alliance to his presence. Do you wish to take on this quest for the good of the Legion...and Anvil?"

Legion Camp
Prison Barracks, Cell Block A

The Mer screamed even louder then last time as his arm snapped; the sound of broken bone and screaming echoing through the Cell Block. Panting again, Dregan felt blood dripping from his mouth, for he was beginning to bleed from within his body.

"Okay! Okay! No more!" He said between breaths. After a couple moments of heavy breathing, he began to laugh hysterically; some tears coming down his face from the pain. "I know what you want, Human. I know... what you want."

After what seemed to be several minutes of silence between the two, the Mer finally responded. "The end of the beginning."

Anvil

Elan stopped outside a fairly large but destroyed and battered building, taking rest. It was a new day and he has yet to find anything. He remembered hearing several Mer talking about an ambush against the Legion and suddenly his senses came to him when he saw the majority of the Mer army retreating back into the city. Some were dragging their comrades; bloodied and tattered.

Looks like the Legion managed to hold them off he thought through a tired grin.

Two Mer officers began approaching the building Elan was posted at and he quickly ducked for cover. He overheard part of their conversation bout missed several words through their strong Elven accents.

"Its your....."

"To Oblivion....you! Get....plans and reorganize.....army!"

With the mention of 'plans,' Elan could only assume that was what he was looking for. After waiting for a good half an hour for the Mer officers to leave the building, Elan lost patience and entered inside.

Upon walking in, Elan was shocked to what he found. One of the Mer officers he saw speaking with the other was dead on the ground. Papers were littered all over the floor and tables and standing over the body was the other Mer officer. Elan's eyes met with the Mer and Elan immediately drew his sword.

"Intruder!" The Mer began to yell. Hesitating for only a moment, Elan charged at the defenseless Mer and thrusted his sword through the dark-skinned fiends chest. The Mer fell to the floor moments later and now time was against Elan, for anyone who heard his call will be arriving soon.

Elan began searching through the papers furiously. Finally, he managed to come across to what looked to be battle plans, though it was in Aldmeri writing and signed by General Heceril himself it seemed. Elan smiled and packed the papers into his sack and began making his way out the door. As he was about to push the door opened, he glanced down at a paper marked in red ink before his feet. He stopped suddenly and picked the paper up.

It read - 12:01 - The End of the Beginning.

"I'm still waiting for a 'The Last Orgy: Fall of the Empire'-esque RP. Show how the Imperials are so good
at staying on top and how miserable they'll be once they're forced down by all the other races." - Ristaag, Bethesda Forums