Rise of the Dark Lords - an Elder Scrolls and Middle-earth tale

Chapter 12 - The Coming Storm

ADELAISA VENDICCI AND THE TWELVE BLADES SPIED THE COLUMN OF EASTERLINGS AND URUKS FROM THE RIDGE ABOVE.  Adelaisa had been tracking the enemy troops since her arrival in Morrowind a week ago.  Since it was learned that the forces of Mordor were in Tamriel there had been a power shift in the world.  Maius, the only Elf in her company had received disturbing news that Sauron had sacked Alinor and Ulfric murdered the royal family.  Maius was a former Justiciar and his  brother was a general in the Thalmor army and reported that Aldmeri Dominion troops were regrouping in Hammerfell.  The Elf's anger at Sauron and Ulfric was barely contained and he thirsted for vengeance.  Adelaisa estimated the number of enemy troops in the column to be around six hundred and they stopped just below the tree line.  They seemed to be waiting and to Adelaisa's surprise fifty elegantly dressed humans emerged from the forest.  

"Nilfgaardian battlemages" Maius snarled.  "I recognize several of the mages from the Brotherhood."

"The Dragonborn did say that Sauron was behind Nilfgaard's rise so it would be safe to assume that they would loan him some of their mages" she replied.

"We should attack" he said drawing his bow.

"Normally I would agree.  Six hundred Easterlings and Uruks against thirteen Akaviri is an equal fight.  But there are fifty battlemages down there and we have only one former Justiciar."

"Then we ambush them at night when they stop to rest."

Adelaisa thought about Maius's suggestion and dismissed it.  Uruks and Middle-earth's orcs were notorious night fighters and she reminded the Elf about the Battle of Helms Deep.

"No, we attack at dawn."

The thirteen followed the Uruks, Easterlings and NIlfgaardian mages for the rest of the day.  The enemy made camp next to a creek and Adelaisa deployed the Blades.  At dawn they would unleash hell on the forces of Mordor.  Adelaisa believed that the enemy would not show mercy so no quarter was to be given to the enemy troops.  She watched as the NIlfaardian mages celebrated and talked about Cintra's sack, the death of Queen Calanthe and the slaughter of its citizens.  One mage bragged that Westeros and Tamriel was going to suffer the same fate as Cintra.  The enemy was unprepared and unaware of the Blades.  At dawn the mages stumbled out of bed, hungover from their festivities.  The Imperial readied an arrow and took aim at the mage in her sight.  Pity I have to kill such a handsome fellow Adelaisa thought.  As the sun crested the ridgeline arrows flew and found their targets.  Her arrow caught the mage in the throat and blood poured from his mouth and he fell dead before his body crashed on the ground.  The Blades loosed several volleys killing a score of enemy before they realized they were under attack.

Adelaisa fired a flaming arrow signaling to draw swords and attack.  The Nord's in her company gave a great battlecry and panic set in as the thirteen Akaviri ambushed the Easterlings, Uruk's and surviving Nilfaard mages.  Heads were decapitated and limbs flew as the Akaviri Knights pressed the attack.  Maius personally decapitated two Easterlings and incinerated a mage with one fell cut of his long katana.  Adelaisa drove her blade through the chest of an Easterling and her axe split the skull open of an Uruk.  The enemy tried to cross the stream to a more defensible position, but Maius created a Wall of Storms that blocked their escape.  The Blades sensing victory, charged into the mass of confusion and after ten minutes over three hundred enemy had been slain with no Blades having lost their lives.  The rest of the enemy troops, routed and having fled into a panic ran before regrouping.  Nearly all the Nilfgaard mages had been killed, the handful of survivors surrendered.  Adelaisa looked at one of the prisoners - a pretty woman who favored her left leg - an arrow shaft sticking out of her thigh.  

"What's your name mage and why did Nilfgaard send you to Tamriel?"

"I am a member of Brotherhood of Sorcerers and that is all you'll get" she said arrogantly.

Maius ripped the arrow out her leg and stepped on the wound causing the woman to scream.

"Sauron sacked Alinor and killed many friends of mine.  I was once a Justiciar and was trained in the art of interrogation.  Believe me when I say that you will talk or die!"

Maius then executed a wounded mage with a savage strike of lightning.

"Kaint no" the mage screamed.  "You didn't have to kill him you murderer!"

"You did far worse to Cintra.  Thousands dead and that bastard bragged he planned to do the same to Middle-earth and Tamriel" Adelaisa said coldly.  "So tell me, why should I care about an executed Nilfgaard mage?"

"Who . . . who are you?  I don't recognize your armor."

"All you need to know is that we are Akaviri . . . better known as the Blades."

The mages eyes flew wide in alarm.  Adelaisa could see the terror in her eyes at her recognition of their name.

"What do you want to know?"

"Why does Nilfgaard support the Dark Lord?"

 "He promised us all the Northern Kingdoms, Tamriel and Westeros."

"You fool.  Westeros is actually Beleriand which was once part of Middle-earth during the First Age.  Sauron wants Beleriand and is causing numerous deaths to find the lost Silmarils and bring about the end of the world" Adelaisa explained.  "You actually believe Sauron wouldn't turn on the Northern Kingdoms after he was done with Tamriel and Middle-earth?"

"Enough of this Adelaisa.  She told us what she knew.  We should kill her" Maius said savagely.

"As you wish.  Then we ride for Sky Haven Temple."

NEWS OF ADELIASA'S VICTORY REACHED SKY HAVEN BEFORE SHE AND HER COMPANY ARRIVED.  The report of Nilfgaardian mages allied with Sauron shocked Yennefer, but Geralt didn't seem surprised.  She hadn't seen what NIlfgaard had done to Cintra or how they pursued Ciri.  Yennefer was upset that the Blades killed the mages rather than take them alive.  Geralt was indifferent about their slaying for they had pledged their services to the Dark Lord and was secretly glad he wouldn't have to face them in combat.

They had also received news of Alinor's destruction by Sauron and the royal family's murder at the hands of Ulfric.  The Thalmor ambassador had personally come to Sky Haven and told Master Delphine that as soon as the Thalmor army regrouped, they would join the Empire in its fight against Sauron and they were willing to reverse the terms of the White-Gold Concordant.  The Dragonborn was glad that would not be facing the Thalmor.  He was pleased that the Blades had destroyed the Nilfgaard mages as well.  

The Dragonborn had also noticed that Daenerys's mood had changed.  She was happier and increased her training with Brianna.  She laughed more and joined the Blades in celebrating Adelaisa's victory.  The Dragonborn wondered what exactly Yennefer had told her.  But he didn't have time to worry about that right now, for in a few days they would march on the Red Mountain.  He wondered if the world would survive the storm or forever be changed