"They're here? Already?"Jorleif choked in his panic.
The whole room seemed to be filled with people jaw's dropping to the floor in shock as the news hit us like a tidal wave.
"How many?" Ulfric asked quickly. "How many are at the city gates?"
Ralof had completely changed his demeanour: he was actually being serious for once. "None are on land yet. Four black ships with blood red sails have been spotted by the coast - the ships of the Volkihar vampires. I would say each ship is holding around one hundred of them at the very least."
Ulfric disappeared to the armory in a haste to get suited up, leaving everyone looking to me for instructions.
Where's Galmar when you need him?
"Alright, I want our five best ships out of port at once. Try and bring these ships down before they can reach ashore. If they can't be sunk, at least try to slow them down so we can build up more defences in the city. I also want as many of our merchant ships that are small enough to move upstream to Dragon Bridge, and the others to head for Windhelm. Ensure no one is in harms way doing so...Stock is replaceable; lives are not.
"If a ship comes within firing range no more will be deployed in case they're shot at or followed," Ralof stated, catching on from what I had said. "We need to save as much food and sellable items as we can."
Jorleif shot up and was already bolting out the door as he said, "I'll inform the fleet to set sail immediately."
I nodded absently as a thought suddenly popped into my head. "I need to get something," I mumbled, distracted.
I hastened to our bedroom and dug through one of the chests, it cluttered to the top with random pieces of junk.
Hidden at the bottom was Auriel's Bow, it's majestic and other-worldly silver marred with dust and dirt. I had it brought to Solitude when we first learned of the new vampire threat, though I hadn't ever used it, not even against Harkon.
It was said to have been wielded by an elven form of Akatosh himself - I can only hope to be as worthy.
I lifted it out carefully, as if the slightest act of carelessness would make it shatter in my hands. It truly was enchanting, though. The specially crafted Elven arrows shared its beauty and its delicacy, though the power they behold are said to outshine the mere appearance of the weapon.
I threw in my Dragonbone bow and quiver in its place, leaving the room as quickly as I had entered. There was a time when I thought I would never have to use Auriel's Bow, but here we are, the threat greater than ever.
Ulfric was already back in to the Throne Room, his armour clinking with every move he made. It was solid tinted navy steel plate with the bear of Windhelm inlaid in gold on the chest, far more eye-catching and protective than the normal black and grey attire. His war axe was sheathed at his hip - sharp, gleaming, and unfortunately going to be used.
"I'm going out there with my men. We will stand together to fight these monstrosities invading our land. Skyrim's just been freed from the plague of war... Whilst I'm still breathing it won't happen again."
"So we best make sure you continue to breathe, huh?" Galmar barked as he lumbered into the Throne Room.
The Commander stood next to Ulfric, arms crossed, with the closest thing Galmar would ever get to a smile stretched upon his face.
"And I couldn't ask for better men to do it."
"Alright lovebirds," I clapped my hands together. "Best get on with it otherwise we're all going to have shiny new red eyes to swoon at each other with."
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Survivor (A Skyrim Fan-Fiction)
FanfictionAemilia has put the adventurous life of being the Dragonborn behind her, now living with her best friend Erik in the secluded forest of Falkreath. The dragons are gone, the Imperials defeated in a blood-ridden yet historical three year war by the St...