Make sure and read parts 1 & 2
- Part I: Sept. 5
- Part II: Sept. 12
Rain’s Hand 23
The journey has been a long and taxing one. We crossed through Pale Pass Jerall Mountains
We arrived in the Imperial City Imperial City
We stayed in the Legion barracks in the Waterfront District. We were informed that tomorrow, we shall be able to survey the damage, and will be informed of the casualties. I shall be sure to inquire about Rielle’s brother, if I can, and hopefully speak with him. Tomorrow night, I shall write her, to tell her I am safe and the news of her brother. I hope he is alright. I don’t know what I should say if he was among the casualties.
Rain’s Hand 24
I am shocked tonight as I write this, as I received very ill news.
Today, we awoke, ate breakfast, and were ordered to march to the Arboretum. Many of the statues here were destroyed, statues that had stood here for centuries. The statue of Tiber Septim received some minor damage. But, as we observed later, a lot of the destruction occurred in the Talos Plaza District and the Temple District. The number of citizens slain were in the hundreds. Fifty-two legion soldiers died in the attack, a third being guards. When I inquired about Rielle’s brother, Gerich, I was informed that he was among the casualities, one of the very first soldiers who responded to the attack.
I’m not sure how to tell Rielle this news. Perhaps I should not say anything, and wait until I am with her. Though I am sure her uncle would be able to calm her. Also, the Captain informed us today we would be leaving tomorrow for the Dragontail Mountains.
Around the necks of the orcs slain in the defense, was a necklace from which hung sabertooth tiger teeth. It is believed to be symbolic of their tribe. We will travel to Orsinium, where we will attempt to learn more about this tribe, especially where they live.
Our mission is to punish the tribe, to capture their chief if possible and return him to the Imperial City
Second Seed 19
We left the Imperial City
Now, we have come at last to the last breadth of civilization before we come to the craggy paths of the Dragontail Mountains
I shall be glad when this journey is concluded, as the Captain informed us that after this mission, we can return home to see our families. I will make sure I stop in Cyrodiil to see my family, but also to stop in Hofgard to see Rielle. I miss her terribly and long for the time when I can gaze upon her face again.
Second Seed 25
I write this, as I am hiding in a small mountain crevice with my unit, at least what is left of it. Yesterday afternoon, we were ambushed in a large ruined fortress that we attempted to camp in. Arrows and balls of flame shot at us from above. Men all around began falling. The source of the attack was unknown. Our units separated, and dispersed from the fortress.
My unit gained higher ground as quickly as it could. Finally spotting our attackers, our archers fired back. Archers from my unit killed 10 or 12 of them. Six men from my unit fell. Chaos ensued. Soon, we were down to four men. My unit commander ordered us to retreat.
As he turned around after us, an arrow twitched into his neck. Blood sputtered from his throat, and he fell to the ground. There was nothing we could do for him. The two remaining other troops and myself retreated.
We found a small cave where we hid. All afternoon we waited, listening for any other troops that might pass, or perhaps a couple of orc hunting parties. We remained there till nightfall.
Once darkness overcame the land, we crept out of our cave, and snuck back in the direction of the massacre. We came to the old fort and spotted a large party of orcs just within the gateway, some wielding torches, and several men kneeling and hands bound. Some orcs were armed with axes. Others with bows. And there were a few orcs with staffs, who I assumed to be orc shamans.
After several moments passed, the orcs shoved the men to their feet, and they started to walk. We retreated several yards away and got down behind some rocks, so they would not spot us as they exited the fort.
As the orcs left the fort and turned north, I motioned to my comrades to follow me. I knew not what madness took me, but thus it did, and we followed them. We walked all night, careful to remain where the orc party could not see us. We moved in the dark, well out of their torchlight.
Before the sun rose, we spotted a large camp. The orc party entered the camp with their prisoners, but we dared not follow them.
There were 10 Legion prisoners, of which they tied each one to a pole. By now, daylight was fast approaching. The two soldiers, named Luther and Helvo, and I went back a ways, and hid in a small crevice. It wasn’t a cave by any means, but provided a small space by which we could keep ourselves hidden till nightfall.
After we caught our breaths, and got over some of the shock, we spoke, in lowered voices. It was Helvo who opened the conversation. “Where’s the 7th Battalion? Where’s the units from Hammerfell and High Rock?”
Luther said, “Dead most likely. Vile orc bastards! Could you see any faces, Larrius? What units were those prisoners from?”
I replied, “I couldn’t tell. It was just too dark, and the men’s faces were turned away from me.”
Luther said, “Well, what do we do now?”
Helvo said, “I say we return to the Imperial City
I then told them I was going to try and rescue the men. Helvo thought I was absolutely crazy.
I told them I was trained in the arts of stealth, along with my combat training, that I would go and rescue them, and for them to remain here.
Luther told me that he would join me. Helvo reluctantly agreed it was the right thing to do.
I knew it was a desperate, dangerous move, and I told them so. I strongly desire to see Rielle again, but I also know that I cannot, in good conscience, leave those soldiers behind.
And so, now we wait here, for the darkness of night, and wait for the eternally long hours of silent daylight to end. I shall write Rielle, and give the letter to Helvo. In fact, I may order Helvo to remain behind and deliver the letter if anything should happen to me.
