บท 590: Up in Arms

"Even if I believed you, Dragonborn, what could I possibly do? Most of my men are situated along the borders to prevent an invasion, along with keeping Imperial-sympathisers and bandits in check. As you've seen before, no man stands a chance against a dragon no matter how trained! I doubt even armies would be effective against them!

You're asking me to send good men and women to their deaths! For what!? To act as fire-fodder while you fight Alduin!?"

"What other option do you see, Ulfric!? Because I don't see any other way forward than this! Even in death we wouldn't be saved, our souls devoured by Alduin as soon as we entered Sovngarde. Forget the end of the world! If you refuse to aid me, you, your ancestors, your children, your children's children. All of them will be devoured should they be allowed into Sovngarde! So, for them and everyone else dining in Shor's Hall, we must gather the men and take the fight to Alduin!"

...

"Where would this battle even take place?"

"Deep within the Eastern mountains. The journey there may even be more difficult than the battle itself... But it must be done regardless." Surtr states.

"And how, may I ask, will we transport the Skyrend siege weapons there? The things that give our men a chance of bringing down one of those flying lizards?" Ulfric inquires.

"We will have to do without them."

Ulfric throws his hands up, "And what sane men would willingly go against dragons without a way to fight back!? And rest assured, Dragonborn, they will have to be willing if they are to embark on this."

Surtr frowns, he had hoped that Ulfric would order his men to go... Even with his fame and reputation, not many people would willingly throw themselves into the jaws of a dragon. Which is essentially what they'd be required to do if they entered the incoming battle. "Tell them, all of Skyrim that I seek men. Tell them the stakes, what we're fighting for, and the danger they will face. I will take whoever is able and brave enough to take up arms."

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Elsewhere :

"Soooooo... Either of you two gonna tell me what's going on?" Michael asks the two dragons parked right outside of his Spire... Durnehviir's body took up most of the plateau and Illococoo's dragon form claimed the rest. Needless to say, most of Winterhold was gathered below his property gawking at the two flying lizards...

"A giant black dragon attacked the mountain!" Illococoo exclaims, while jabbing a claw towards the Throat's general vicinity.

"She means Alduin, master... We, along with Paarthurnax and the Dragonborn fended him off, but he has retreated to Sovngarde to recover and gather his forces."

Michael runs a hand through his hair, "You mean, it isn't just like, two dragons?" he asks, recalling the number you had to fight to reach the portal.

Durnehviir shakes his head, "We have all already heard Alduin's call. You and the Dragonborn have slain many, but I suspect almost a hundred of our brothers will have joined his side."

"A hundred!?" Michael blurts out, "Where the fuck did he find over a hundred dragon corpses!?"

"These dragon burrows around the land make not even a fraction of the remains... Most of us were killed deep within the mountains, the humans hunting us with both fervour and fear of becoming slaves once more... We will be lucky to only fight a hundred of my kin, many others have decided to stay neutral or join our side in the coming battle."

"How many?" Michael asks.

"Only ten, as of now, but there will be more when they gather their courage... Will you fight?"

Michael rolls his head in thought, "Well, I guess I'll have to with shit turning up to eleven... Illu, thoughts?"

"We should fight, I think... Moving home again would be annoying, especially after making friends with everyone..."

"Yeah, I'm on the same line. What's Surtr doing right now?"

"Trying to gain aid from the mortal king."

"Hmm... Guess I should start recruiting too, a hundred dragons is a bit much..."

The Eredar might be able to hold their own in a battle like that, but he didn't know if he wanted to risk their limited number on it. He'd ask them if they wanted to participate or not...

His reservations couldn't be afforded to the Volkihar vampires however, Serana and her mother still owed him, so he'd have them help out. Most of the noble vampires were far stronger than a regular warrior, he reckoned that five or six of them could take on a dragon on their own... Though, that was only during the nighttime when they had the advantage.

Who else could he get to help too? His friends were coming regardless, Tiff's Void Spells had come a long way and were certainly powerful enough to fell a dragon, the same could also be said for Megumin's explosions, since she'd found new inspiration after visiting her world again.

Saya and Maria were the only ones he was unsure about, while both were strong mages in their own right, he wasn't willing to risk them against a single dragon, let alone an army of them.

"Are the Greybeards going to help? I mean, it sounds like they had Alduin shouting their front door down...

"We don't know. They stay in their temple meditating, not answering even the Dragonborn's call." Durnehviir states, inwardly sneering at the cowardly mortals.

Michael idly nods, before a thought pops into his head... He still hadn't fixed Darth's problem, and he had a fresh Chimera corpse to make use of...

"You guys go and persuade any dragons you can find, I'm going to give Darth a hand... And maybe a complete body if things work out in our favour." he says, standing and entering the Spire.