Start of Act 4
…
4E 202, Shor's Stone
Jarl Gerron Ironbreaker
The central tower of Shor's Stone, one that was originally built as the center of protection for the city, now served as the seat of the Jarl of the Rift.
It was magnificent, created exactly like the blueprint Gerron saw long ago. A pillar of grey stone lined with dwemer steel and brass. The walls were lined with magicka turrets of his own design, making it quite possibly the most defensible stronghold other than Dragonsreach itself.
Gerron's boots echoed against the flagstones as he pushed open the grand doors, two members of the Shor's Guard flanking it and looking at him in awe.
Serana followed close beside him, her crimson eyes taking in the interior. Pillars of stone were carved with several runes of protection, a polished archway set on the entrance with servants and maids walking about.
At the very end of the Grand Hall was a high backed throne, the new banner of the rift now hanging above it. A place where he was now expected to sit.
Gerron just shook his head at that as the servants of the castle looked at him and Serana with awe. The story of how three people had pushed back Alduin had spread far and wide now, no doubt already spreading into legend as bards and story tellers continue to spread the tale with their own details mixed in.
The Jarl of Shor's Stone had returned home.
Three figures waited for him in the hall. Filnjar had his arms crossed, his expression half-proud, half-tired. Grogmar was giving a tusked grin. And Ralof stood with a soldier's poise, a look of respect in his eyes.
"You left this damn town as a nobody and came back as a Jarl." Grogmar laughed. "So should I start kneeling and bowing the moment you enter a room, eh?"
Gerron snorted. "If you did, I'd start charging you taxes for standing up again."
Laughter rippled through the room. Filnjar only shook his head with that familiar, long-suffering sigh. "Aye, becoming Jarl of an entire Hold. What's next, lad? Plan to build a forge big enough to hammer the moons back into shape? Or maybe even the High King of Skyrim?"
"Well," Gerron grinned, "you'll be my steward now. So expect it to be a busy season."
Serana chuckled softly beside him, and Filnjar groaned. "Divines help me then.."
Ralof and Gerron's forearms met with a clasp. "Who knew that blacksmith from a small town would rise this high, eh? The divines smile on you, my friend."
"You as well, Ralof." Gerron smiled. "Ulfric told me you'd be the Bone-Breaker stationed here?"
"Aye. We've had bandits test their luck, thinking this town's ripe for the taking. Didn't end well for them. Grogmar and the Shor's Guard have it more than handled."
"Hah!" Grogmar laughed. "By Malacath's hairy hide, I've seen him cleave three men with one swing. He's half too modest, I say."
Gerron chuckled as well before meeting Filnjar's gaze. "We have a lot to talk about."
"Come on, then." Filnjar nodded toward the back. "We'll speak in the war room, lad."
The war room was a simple room behind the grand hall. Long tables were covered in parchment, designs, and maps of the Rift. Walls bore weapon racks, blueprints, and a great window that looked out toward the mines below.
Outside, hammers still rang through the air, the Street of Steel. A whole stretch of road dedicated for production.
As Filnjar began his briefing, Gerron listened quietly.
Shor's Stone was thriving. The steel of the city was now regarded to be the best in all of Skyrim. The forges burned night and day, exporting armor and blades forged in his techniques.
The Shor's Guard now marched clad in full quality steel. The heavy infantry all clad in ebony plate, others a mix of leather brigandines and tabards. They all wore Gerron's sigil with pride.
The only thing holding them back now was numbers, with only a thousand men to call upon. However, that would soon change as they could now call for volunteers and conscripts from the entirety of the Rift.
Gerron turned to Grogmar first. "You're now the Master-at-Arms of Shor's Stone."
Grogmar blinked before chuckling and nodding. "About damn time."
Gerron just smirked back before continuing swiftly. He told them of Serana's position as the Court Wizard, which everyone accepted immediately. Her reputation and merit had far outweighed the prejudice and fear most people now have towards vampires.
Filnjar gave a small bow. "The people will take no issue, lad. If anything, they'll sleep better with her on our side."
Gerron nodded. "Good. Now listen well, the dragons are stirring again. The Jarls will be conducting a coordinated attack soon." His gaze shifted to each of them in turn. "Grogmar, begin conscription across the Rift. Pick someone you trust to command the Guard while you oversee training."
"Aye." Grogmar nodded. "Already got one in mind. Renly, a Nord young'un. I'll introduce him to you after this."
Gerron nodded back before looking at the aged Steward. "Filnjar, supplies and reinforcement will be coming in from the Emperor and the other Jarls. Set up a section of the city to be a military district. Barracks, armories, storehouses. We'll need them all."
"Aye, lad. I'll get that done." Filnjar nodded. "Though I do feel the need to tell you about a problem. There's a woman here, Maven Black-Briar. I'm sure you know who she is."
Gerron raised an eyebrow. "She's alive? I thought she and her ilk died in Riften."
"Well she didn't, and she's been a thorn in our side since word of your return. Trying to buy up property, bribe guards, even requested an audience. When news came about that you became the new Jarl, she grew more enthusiastic."
Serana tilted her head. "Who exactly is this Maven?"
It was Ralof who answered. "She's the Matriarch of the Black-Briar family, Lady Serana. Her family is old nobility. They held much weight and influence back in Riften. My guess is she wants to cozy up to the new Jarl and provide Gerron here with some advice on how to rule. Probably thinks he's inexperienced in ruling since he's a former blacksmith."
"Ah." Serana smiled faintly. "A noblewoman who's lost her influence and power. I imagine she doesn't take that well."
Gerron just snorted. "Tell Maven to get her shit together. If she wants to stay in Shor's Stone, then she plays by our laws. Otherwise, she's free to walk out the gate."
Filnjar nodded. Serana's lips curved slightly. "Actually, allow me. I'd like to see what kind of woman she is."
Gerron chuckled. "Be my guest. Try not to turn her into ice unless she really deserves it."
Then Grogmar cleared his throat. "One last thing, some of my men found marks of the Thieves Guild around town. Word is they're trying to set up shop here again. Wanted to ask what you want me to do with them."
"Pull them out root and stem." Gerron said flatly. "Unless they can be useful, I want them gone. I don't need thieves prowling around when he have enough problems to deal with."
"Aye," the orc replied.
Finally, Gerron turned to Ralof.
"I need you and the stormcloaks to increase patrols and scouts in every part of the Rift. Take a hundred men and ride to Fort Greenwall. Ulfric and Laila told me that Gonnar Oath-Giver remained there after Rahgot's attack on Riften. When the dragons strike, I want to know before the smoke rises."
"Yes, my Jarl," Ralof said, bowing his head.
…
The meeting ended just as the sun started to set. When all business was done, Gerron found himself standing in front of an old oak door.
He pushed it open.
His workshop was just as he had left it. The smell of metal and oil clung to the air. Every anvil, every tool had been cleaned but untouched. Filnjar had kept it safe, perhaps knowing Gerron would always return to it.
He stepped inside slowly, fingers brushing against the cold steel of the workbench.
This was where he had reforged Caraxes' scales. Where he had built the first magicka turret. Where he had created his ebony armor.
He drew a deep breath, then exhaled. A grin ghosted across his face.
'Ever since Zenithar appeared in that dream…' he thought. 'this calling's only grown louder.'
His hands itched for the forge.
The tasks of the Jarl could wait for now, his people were capable. Filnjar, Grogmar, Ralof, Serana. They would carry the day-to-day duties. His task was something else entirely.
A crown, one fit for a Jarl.
New armor, reforged and upgraded.
A new line of automata. Constructs that could mine, guard, and build like the Dwemer once did.
And one final weapon, one that could strike the World-Eater himself.
A low hum filled the air. The Artificer System flickered to life, a blue screen that danced in his vision.
It felt like years since it last activated. His gaze turned across the workshop, dissecting everything within. His mind flooded with schematics and possibilities.
Gerron rolled his shoulders, cracked his neck, and reached for his hammer.
"Time to get to work."
…
4E 202, College of Winterhold, a week later
Savos Aren
Snow drifted lazily across the courtyard of the College as Savos Aren crossed the stone bridge, his cloak whipping in the wind.
"Welcome back, Savos." Mirabelle greeted the moment he stepped foot in the courtyard. Beside her were Tolfdir and Faralda, both looking equally expectant.
"While news doesn't travel fast up here," Mirabelle said as she approached, "it doesn't take a scrying spell to know you were busy."
Savos let out a quiet chuckle as he descended the last steps, his robes brushing snow from the stone. "Busy doesn't even begin to describe everything that happened."
Behind him, armored boots crunched through the snow. The Penitus Oculatus, six men in Imperial red and steel, led by Commander Maro himself.
"This is Commander Maro of the Penitus Oculatus," Savos said, gesturing toward him. "They are here to take our prisoners off of our hands."
"My lady," Maro greeted curtly, offering a small nod.
Mirabelle nodded back in greeting. "Great. I've had about enough of Ancano complaining and screaming down in the Midden."
"You and me both," Tolfdir muttered, stroking his beard. "Come along then, Commander. I'll lead you to him."
As Tolfdir and the Penitus Oculatus disappeared down the spiral stair toward the Midden's depths, Savos exhaled a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding. While he certainly didn't fear the Thalmor, the uncertainty that came from dealing with them was unneeded stress that he's glad to let go.
He turned to Mirabelle. "I trust everything else is in order?"
"About that…" Mirabelle said hesitantly, sharing a glance with Faralda. "There's something you should see."
Savos tilted his head in curiosity before obliging and following the Master Wizard.
"As you know, Faralda and Collette led another student expedition to Saarthal." Mirabelle explained as they began walking through the courtyard. "They returned just as you left for the Peace Summit. And well…"
"We found something there." Faralda continued, her tone cautious. "Something unlike anything we've ever encountered. Brelyna Maryon, you remember her, the Dunmer apprentice, discovered a hidden chamber beneath the main crypt. And inside it was…"
They stepped through the double doors into the Hall of Elements and Savos stopped dead in his tracks.
Floating in the heart of the chamber was a colossal orb of blinding blue light. It hovered several feet above the ground, rotating slowly, its surface veined with tendrils of energy made up of some unidentifiable script runes.
Its texture was neither solid nor ethereal. It shifted, as though reality itself refused to decide what it was. Every few seconds, a pulse of power rippled from its core, like the beat of a heart far too large for mortal comprehension.
All the hairs on Savos' body stood on end. He felt the raw thrum of magic through his bones. The amount of power he could feel emanating from this thing was…astronomical.
"What is this?"
"We don't know." Faralda said quietly, eyes fixed on the orb. "When we found it, it was protected by a Draugr Deathlord, one unlike anything I've ever seen. It drew strength from this thing and was completely impervious to our spells. We barely managed to contain it. After it fell, the power it siphoned returned to the orb. Colette and I didn't know what to do so we just brought it here."
Savos stepped closer, his reflection warping in the Eye's light. He could feel it, an odd presence that creeped up in his mind. Somehow, someway, it dreadfully reminded him of Morokei, and the staff he wielded in his hands.
It was a memory that still haunted his dreams, the brilliance of forbidden magic, the hunger that came with touching it.
"Quarantine the room. No student is to step foot in the Hall of Elements until we understand what it is we're dealing with." Savos said sharply, his voice cutting through the hum of magic. "A Master Wizard is to be stationed here monitoring the orb at all times."
Mirabelle blinked. "Savos, what is it? You're reacting as though—"
"As though we've invited Oblivion into our halls?" Savos interrupted softly. "Because that may not be far from the truth."
The orb pulsed again, a wave of energy rippling across the room, stirring the braziers and tugging at the hem of his robes. The Archmage steadied himself, eyes never leaving the sphere.
"Such caution is necessary for dealing with something such as this. Send word to Gerron in Shor's Stone. His unique insights of magical artifacts might shed light on this… thing. If anyone can discern its structure, it's him."
Faralda hesitated, but nodded. "Yes, Archmage."
"And in the meantime?" Mirabelle questioned.
Savos's expression hardened, his tone leaving no room for doubt.
"In the meantime," he said, "no one touches the orb. No experiments. No probing spells. Not a single spark of magicka. We simply watch and wait."
The Eye pulsed again, as though it had heard him.
Savos's eyes narrowed, and for a fleeting moment, he thought he saw something move within it, a faint silhouette, deep within the swirling light.
He straightened his robes. "That's an order."
…
AN: There we go! Act 4 starts with a bang as I involve yet another canon plotline within the game. Man the amount of things I'm including in this fic is making me dizzy.
I hope this chapter was thrilling enough to serve as the opening of a new act. Things are gonna get serious after this.
The Eye of Magnus will be pretty important, all things considered.
As always, more chapters are available on my Pat_reon. Chapter 77 should be available by the time this chapter was posted. Just look up my name and you'll find me.
Cheers guys and see you next time!