Dragonborn Ascendant (19)

Madanach’s corpse stared lifelessly at me, pale looking, the blood drained from his face. The expression on his face was angry and haunted, resigned even, with a faraway look reflecting on glassy eyes.

“That’s the last one of them,” the Orc jailer grunted to my side. “Lord Silver-Blood always asked us to treat this one a bit more nicely than the others. Guess he doesn’t need him anymore.”

“Indeed,” I nodded. “He really doesn’t.”

It was laughably easy to pass up as one of Thonar’s new mercenaries when I had his gold and several letters with his seal. Ordering the guards at Cidhna Mine to poison the food of the inmates was a trivial matter despite the confused and hesitant looks the guards gave me, though they all knew better than question me and go against my orders; and before night even set the corpses were being collected. Only Morghul the Beast still stood, if barely, and a quick shock spell made sure to topple the Orc down. By the time Madanach even realised he was cornered I had him dead and his secret escape tunnel to Markarth’s ruins collapsed.

“Bring his body to the Jarl,” I told the captain. “He’ll want to see this one dead with his own eyes.”

“If you say so.” Grunted the gruff Orc, turning to face her subordinates. “You heard the man!” She barked a moment later. “Load this one in a cart and bring it to the Understone Keep!”

“I’m sure Lord Silver-Blood will be pleased when he hears news of this,” I commented while supervising the men moving to follow their orders. “You’ll find he’s a very generous man that likes to compensate the people that do well on their job for him.”

“Yes,” the Orc grunted, and I saw a glint of greed shining through her dark eyes before she hid it with a toothy grin. “Of course. Well, I appreciate Lord Silver-Blood's generosity. It is unwarranted, but an excellent job must be rewarded, doesn’t it?”

“Certainly,” I nodded along with her delusions, clasping her shoulders in a friendly gesture. “Now, I should get moving. We don’t want to make the Silver-Bloods wait, do we?”

“No, no,” the Orc easily agreed, offering me a firm nod. “We don’t want that.”

Returning to the Understone Keep was a slow and dragged out task. The streets were filled, and even if the guards tried to keep a clear path for us, there were still many onlookers that tried to take a peek under the cloth covering the cart. I had no doubt there were still Forsworn agents out there in the city, and I was sure some of them were watching me as I marched with their king's corpse away. They were powerless however. They wouldn't ever attack the guards, not so openly during daylight and in front of hundreds of different eyes witnessing the entire transportation.

If I didn't already have the hatred of the Forsworn, now I'm sure they have sworn eternal vengeance against me.

"Finally you are here," Jarl Igmund boomed by way of greeting, rising from his throne to approach in large strides. "Is this the man, this… 'Madanach' you spoke about?" He asked, pulling the cloth to inspect the dead man's face.

"It is," I nodded. "Dead, as promised."

The Nord nodded in silence, taking another moment to look at Madanach's face, an intense stare on his eyes before his lips curled and he cracked an ugly smile. "Indeed." Smiled Igmund. "Bastard, you caused me so much trouble. You were such a dishonour to my father… filthy wretch, I hope your soul dies in Oblivion."

"Harsh," I muttered, getting a stern glare in return. I shrugged. "I didn't expect you to bore such hatred for someone you've never met."

"I may have never seen this man in my life, aye, it's true," the Nord nodded, straightening his back to meet my eyes unflinchingly. "But this man caused chaos in my lands, he blemished my family's name, mine and my father's honour…" Igmund growled. "He deserves the suffering brought upon him. All of it."

Perhaps, I shrugged. But then, it isn't as if he didn't have a cause, a fair one at that, even if he went around it in a very underhanded method.

I shook my head.

"Regardless," I continued, stepping forward and waiting for the Jarl to turn and lead the way, where he then brought us to a room adjacent to his hall to speak privately. "Madanach's death won't be the end of it. It'll only prevent the armies outside of the city from remaining organised and cohesive."

"I know," the dark haired man grunted with a gruff voice. "And I already have a plan to get rid of them, and finally free the Reach from this plague."

"Really?" I raised an eyebrow and he nodded.

"You said Madanach was their king, didn't you?" Igmund asked. I gave the confirmation through a nod which prompted him to continue. "With their king dead, then the Forsworn are headless, and a fight for succession will ensue." Commented the man. "I have no doubt, those two armies will clash, and whoever comes out victorious will become their leader."

I nodded. It was exactly what I thought, and so far our thoughts had aligned perfectly. "You want me to attack whoever wins this fight." I concluded.

Jarl Igmund paused, smiling as he stared me in the eye.

"No."

I frowned "No?"

"I will make an announcement," he started. "I'll declare Madanach's death and the termination of the Forsworn upper echelon. I've no doubt the news will travel and reach these armies, and that's why I want you to go out and march for Karthspire." The dark haired warrior declared, a mad smile on his face before he continued explaining his plan. "If you manage to break their hold over Karthspire, then I can sweep this side of the Karth River of the Forsworn before you can proceed to Red Eagle's Redoubt. With you landing a victory on the Karth River, then the news will reach the Redoubt for sure, and I bet their morale will be low. With the Dragonborn leading the men…"

A breath escaped my lips as I leaned back and crossed my arms. His plan really hinged on me, and I was of mixed opinion to that. On one hand it would land Igmund further into my debt, on the other one it placed a lot of responsibility in my hands.

I worked my jaws for a moment.

"Where will you get the man for this madness?" I asked. "The Legion won't give you any soldiers, and your own men won't be enough."

"General Tulius has posted men on all cities loyal to the Empire," the Nord argued. "It's an insurance and a threat at the same time, but Legate Emmanuel has orders to march with his men if it is to protect the Hold and the people… and to ensure someone loyal to the Empire remains at the seat of the Understone Keep."

"And?" I asked. "How many men are we talking about? Five hundred? Eight?" I demanded another time.

"Three hundred legionaries." I was told, and I grit my teeth clenching my jaw.

"You don't expect me to be able to kill an army of thousands with just three hundred men, do you?"

"No," Igmund shook his head. "And that's why the city guard is also going with you."

I blinked.

"They are mercenaries in the Silver-Blood's pockets," the older warrior said with a careless shrug. "At least this way the gold Thonar paid for them will be put to good use."

"Let's hope so." I grunted, returning to cross my arms.

I only hoped this new addition gave me at least another three hundred men, or I'd be in a serious pinch.

"Tell them to be ready at dawnbreak," I said, getting up from my seat. "We'll march down the mountain in a day or two at most."

"I'll be informing Legate Emmanuel," Jarl Igmund nodded. "The captain of the guard will also be notified. Also, don't bother about making my city guard survive. They are all mercenaries with no loyalty for my city. Their survival is not a priority."

Another grunt left my lips as I nodded.

From the Understone Keep I went back to the Silver-Blood Inn where Lydia and Aela waited for me eagerly, and, surprisingly, with Betrid between the two women. Her clearly hesitant and embarrassed presence made me raise an inquisitive eyebrow in return, to which the brunette merely blushed while averting her gaze and shying away from mine and the redhead meeting my eyes with narrowed ones and a dangerous, predatory smirk playing on her lips as she handed me mug after mug of mead.

“We’re heading out tomorrow morning,” I informed the two warrior women, both of whom raised eyebrows and Aela leaned on Betrid’s shoulder to whisper something in her ears.

“Where to, my lord?” Lydia asked after a sip.

“Karthspire,” I answered. “The Jarl wants the Reach free of Forsworn, and we’ll be hitting them hard on the Karth River.”

“Oh, finally some action,” Aela muttered, a devious smile on her lips. “How fun.”

I frowned, throwing a suspicious look at the redhead. “What are you planning?” I asked, eyes dancing between the huntress and the noblewoman.

“Now, that’s a secret.” She smiled, eyes shining with mirth. “I promise you’ll like it.” My frown deepened as I settled back with a wary look on my face.

Lydia ducked her head then, ears burning as she avoided everyone’s gaze. Whatever these women had discussed it was something quite wild and bold, enough to make her blush like a virgin. And I didn’t think she was an easily embarrassed woman since she never really showed much of an outward reaction the few times she caught me shirtless despite the lingering and furtive glances she gave me whenever she thought I wasn’t watching; and only looked vaguely embarrassed when she caught me naked once, face exploding with red as I adjusted my clothes after a tussle with Aela.

I was slightly reluctant to retreat to my room, and I was right to, because not long after, the redhead slipped inside the room and closed the door behind her, a smirk on her face. “Finally some time alone…” she muttered, voice husky in a tone I was by now very familiar with.

“Aela…” I growled, and she placed a finger on my lips.

“Hush,” she demanded. “I promised you would like it. You can come in now.” She called, and the door opened another time, a third figure stepping inside the room, with blonde hair hidden by a hood that was immediately pulled down, revealing the most nervous expression I’d ever seen a woman wear in my life.

“I hope no one saw me coming in here, it would be such a scandal.” Betrid Silver-Blood grumbled as she swept her gaze across my room before her eyes finally landed on me.

She bit her lips.

Oh, I know where this is going...

-x-X-x-

A/N: So, chapter 19 was the third chapter I had to rewrite because of my craze, and I still have to do the same to chapter 20... In any case, if it wasn't clear in the chapter, I'll spell it out here, Magnus and Aela have sex with Betrid.

Will I write this scene? Eh, probably... Will it be any time soon? I hope to have it done by New Year, but my muse is fickle, and she's not too generous with smut. I'll manage, I think.

Anyway, I'll see you guys next week.