Chapter 432: Wabbajacked...
Over in Solitude, High King Torygg had been meeting with his Thanes to discuss the raising of taxes and levying recruits to prepare for a potential escalation in the war. The Blood Moon had caused things to pause but under Sybille Stentor, the Court Wizard's assurances, it wasn't an immediate threat from what she could tell.
Torygg did have Solitude reinforced however just to make sure nothing untoward occurred... Which in the end seemed to be the right choice, as he soon found himself standing on the exterior wall and looking down at the army that'd amassed below him.
"W-what in the Divines..." he breathes before turning an eye to his Court Wizard, "'Nothing to worry about' you assured me, 'Likely nothing'..." he gestures over the wall at the tens of thousands of mud crabs slowly marching towards the gate.
Many were of the smaller variety, only really able to pinch off a finger if you let it, but others were the sizes of horses, and that's not even mentioning the one at the back of the army, which was the size of a fat giant... Indeed, it seemed to be continually getting larger as it picks up its brethren and forces them into its mandibles, eating them.
It'd also grown an additional thin claw that protruded from its back and held a rather conspicuous staff... The Wabbajack. Which would occasionally fire off a red projectile at creatures and humans in its path, turning them into yet more mud crabs that reinforced its army.
Sybille Stentor crosses her arms as her camouflaged crimson red eyes narrow, "I accept my mistakes, my Jarl. But no one could have anticipated something of this scale... The Blood Moon is usually linked with Hircine, so I anticipated some potentially Werewolf attacks, even equipped the guards and hunters with silver weapons. Obviously, these preparations failed... The Wabbajack's involvement means the Prince of Madness is involved somehow..."
Torygg nods while tentatively listening, wondering if things could somehow get worse. He doubted that the mud crabs would be able to breach the walls, especially after he'd mobilised all of his forces, and even the Imperial soldiers present in the Castle Dour.
He'd already had the Ballistae that he'd purchased from the SkyRend corporation, so even the bigger mud crab's thick shells wouldn't be difficult to deal with. Not to mention the many mages that called the city home, Solitude should come out of this just fine... If economically weaker due to the mud crabs annihilating a few villages in their march.
"Have the Ports been evacuated yet? That'll be the first place to go if the crabs take that route."
Sybille nods, "Some from the East Empire Company refuse to leave their goods, but everyone else has been safely secured within the walls."
"And what of my Thanes? How are they responding?"
"Thane Bryling has granted us use of her personal guards, along with a stockpile of weaponry for any who wish to assist with the defence. The others have done their own part, whether through economical assistance or keeping the peace of the city. Though, I must say that Thane Erikur's insistence on paying for the fees of prostitutes for the soldiers is only likely to be an obstacle for us." Sybille explains.
"Yes, well, we can't expect Erikur to be anything but useless... Why did my father make his Thane again?" Torygg asks, knowing that his unaging Court Wizard would be the one to know.
"Thane Erikur was the one to introduce your mother to your father, and continued to help him court her afterwards. He felt that was enough to justify the title, especially with Thane Erikur having his hand in most businesses in Solitude by that point."
Torygg lets out a low chuckle, "Hm, I can believe something like that. The thought of Erikur in battle or doing a grand service to the city boggles the mind." he shakes his head, "The enemy'll be at our gates in around six minutes judging by their speed. Have all the-"
A red light shoots from the Wabbajack on Sheogorath's Champion's back, straight towards Torygg who's unable to respond to the surprise attack. Indeed, even Sybille was surprised that it was so fast and accurate over such a large distance... Was the mud crab even intelligent enough to realise Torygg's importance?
*Chink!*
Just as the projectile was about to hit the High King, a black blade forces itself in front of him, blocking the projectile and causing ebony sword to begin rapidly shrinking.
Torygg and Sybille look over and spot Michael awkwardly standing there with an exasperated look as his sword shrinks... "Hey, I see you've got a pest problem. So I'm here to help you out."
"And who might you be?" Torygg asks just as the ebony sword fully morphs into a rose flower...
"This should be Michael Tahlin. The mercenary who's been assisting people all across Skyrim, even helping Markarth deal with some of its Forsworn problems." Sybille explains, causing realisation to light up in Torygg's eyes.
"Don't forget my work in Falkreath either..." Michael adds before letting out a sigh at his ruined sword/flower. "For you, my lady." he jokingly says as he presents the rose to the mage.
"Oh? Must I add a charmer to that list?" the vampire neutrally remarks.
Michael shakes his head, "No, that's the payment for another ebony sword you owe me. I think sacrificing my sword for your king is worth repayment, right?"
Sybille scowls, "Protecting the ruler of Skyrim is a reward on its own. Be thankful my Jarl is soft-handed in such matters-" she starts, completely forgetting about the threat, even as another projectile is launched from the Wabbajack, this time with Michael blocking it with his ebony dagger, which again, turns into a rose flower.
"Okay, that's two ebony weapons you guys owe me. Let's get down from the wall before you cost me any more. Alright?" Michael hastily says, and isn't argued against since Torygg had nearly been hit two times already, all without any intervention on Sybille's part.
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