//------------------------------// // Chapter 85: Treason and Treaties // Story: The Equine Scrolls: SkyFiM // by FireOfTheNorth //------------------------------// Chapter LXXXV: Treason and Treaties “But our brethren, the Minotaurs, scorned the Draconequi, and mocked our foolish rituals, and preferred instead their gods of Reason and Logic.” We were surrounded by complete and utter chaos. While we’d been within Labyrinthian, the Imperial Legion had arrived, adding yet another faction to the battle raging in the wilds of Horizon. The Battle of Five Armies, as it would come to be known, was a terrifyingly confusing affair. The Pegasari, Imperials, and Stormclouds were all fighting each other. At the same time, the Griffins were actively fighting the Pegasari while trying to avoid getting mixed up with the Stormclouds or Imperials. And the Minotaurs were out to attack anything that moved. Everypony (and Griffin) was fair game to them. Battle waged everywhere, whether in the air or on the ground. The only place there was no battle going on was at the fringes of the conflict, which my friends and I fought to reach. Imagine my surprise, then, when I saw a certain zebra wandering around in the north. “Sar’van?” I asked, “What are you doing out here?” “Our caravans travel; it is our way,” she replied, “Why should you be surprised to see us today?” “Well, maybe because the battle of the century is raging just over there!” Steadfast said. “Sar’van sees much fighting, but nothing gets solved,” she observed, “Perhaps it is best to not get involved.” “I can’t just let that happen,” I said, “I’ve got a plan to end all this, but to do it we need to be able to get to the Pegasari fleet.” “I may have something you can try,” Sar’van said, rooting through her saddlebags and producing a phial of something, “One sip of this, and like a pegasus you’ll fly.” I took the phial from the zebra and drank down a bit of it. I pulled my armor off as something began to grow out of my back. Looking over my shoulder, I saw that two pegasus wings now sprouted there. And, unlike when we’d been in disguise in the Dominion, these would allow me to actually fly. Well, I could fly awkwardly at best. I wasn’t used to the wings, and more than a few times I ended up plowing into the ground as I practiced. But, it would have to be good enough. Once Steadfast and Mystic were also confident they could fly well enough to reach the Air Fleet, we thanked Sar’van and flew off into the sky. None of the Pegasari soldiers paid us any mind, nor got close enough to us to be able to tell that we weren’t really pegasi. We winged our way up toward one of the larger airships, hoping that we could catch the Pegasari High Commander off guard. It wasn’t until we landed on the deck of the ship that the crew noticed that something was off about us. As my wings retracted into my body, they realized just what that was. The Pegasari troops still on the ships drew their blades and attacked us. I sent a blast of fire at one, causing him to go tumbling over the edge of the ship and plummet to the ground as a fireball. I swung Dawnbreaker around to block the battleaxe of another. As she pressed back at me, I pulled out my Changeling war axe and swung it around into her neck. I swung my axe at the next pony to attack me, but she swung her sword around, blocking my attack. As Dawnbreaker came down at her head, she flicked my war axe away and brought her sword up to block. The blades screeched against each other as they met, and I brought my war axe back around to strike the pegasus’s blade and force her back. She pulled her blade against mine, and ducked under them as my weapons swung over her head. She sidestepped as I tried to bring my blades down on her, and used her wings to gain a height advantage over me. I sheathed my war axe and shot lightning up at her, striking her wings and sending her into a tumble. Steadfast finished her off with his warhammer, smashing her ribs in. <> I Shouted at a pair of Pegasari soldiers that left their posts at the cannons and drew their swords. They doubled over with pain, and their armor snapped as my Shout tore through them. I sliced one’s head off easily with Dawnbreaker, but the other managed to block me. I spun his sword around, throwing it from his mouth, before stabbing my Draconequus sword into his chest. More Pegasari soldiers emerged from the cabin at the rear of the ship. Mephalda dropped a few with her bow before they could get close, but wasn’t able to take them out completely. Steadfast swung his warhammer up, lifting one the Pegasari off her hooves before slamming her back down to the deck. <> I Shouted, my fire breath lighting the Pegasari soldiers, and a bit of the deck, on fire. Mystic quickly sprayed ice where the fire spread on the deck, keeping it from hitting the barrels of black powder near the cannons. If it had hit them, things would have been disastrous, especially since only one of our number could fly at the moment. Another pegasus charged toward me, swinging her warhammer down at me. I jumped to the side, and her weapon struck the deck. Before she could get it back up, I sliced Dawnbreaker across her neck. As another pegasus leapt at me, I shot an ice spike through her neck, killing her. As I impaled a Pegasari soldier with a pike, I saw a Pegasari officer emerge from the cabin. I’d seen this pegasus before; his rainbow mane was a dead giveaway. He just might be the key to ending this whole war. “General Typhoon!” I called to him, catching his attention as he looked out at the carnage on the ship’s deck. He drew his sword, expecting me to attack him, but instead I sheathed my weapon. My friends did the same, perhaps not understanding my intentions, but seeing that I meant him no harm. Puzzled, the General lowered his guard slightly. “You . . . know me?” he asked. “We’ve met once before, on the docks of Pegasor!” I shouted over the screams of dying ponies and the roar of cannon fire, “It was right after you were rejected by the Pegasari Congress for speaking out against this war! I was disguised as a pegasus then!” “Yes, I do recognize your voice!” he said, realization dawning in his eyes, “You’re the one who encouraged me to keep fighting against the war!” “Yes!” I said, nodding vigorously. “I don’t think my protestations did much good!” the General said, looking around, “Look at this! Ponies killing each other, and for what? To prove which race is superior? It’s pure foolishness!” “I agree!” I said, “This has to end now!” “But how?” he asked, “The Pegasari Congress is fully behind this attack! Only the High Commander can stop it now!” “Then you’ve got to talk some sense into Lightning’s Fury!” Mephalda said, “By force, if necessary!” “Are you talking about . . . mutiny?” “If we must!” Mephalda replied, “You’re more fit to lead the Dominion anyway! Think about what the High Commander has gotten you into! Wouldn’t it be better if the Dominion was headed by somepony who hasn’t taken leave of their senses? Think about what’s best for the Pegasari Dominion!” General Typhoon pondered what Mephalda had said, but I could tell that his mind was already made up. “You’re right!” he said, sheathing his sword, “We’ve lost enough ponies to this war! It needs to end!” “So, do you have a plan?” Mystic asked. “I was hoping I’d never have to use it, but yes!” Typhoon replied, “My soldiers are loyal to me, and I’m of a high enough rank that I should be able to convince the others to follow me as well! The only problem will be the soldiers on the High Commander’s flagship, who are loyal to her alone!” “Then let’s get going!” I said, “We haven’t got a lot of time!” General Typhoon nodded his agreement before heading down into his ship and mustering up a few Pegasari soldiers to help us in our endeavor. Turns out, Typhoon was far from the only pegasus who just wanted the war to end. It was a comforting thought as we drank more of the potion Sar’van had given us and flew over to the High Commander’s flagship, the General leading the way. “General Typhoon!” one of the Pegasari soldiers guarding our destination said, saluting sharply as he flew up to her, “High Commander Lightning’s Fury and Commissar Fireflight do not wished to be disturbed during the battle! Please return to your own operations post!” “I’m sorry, you’re only doing your duty,” Typhoon said before drawing a sword and slashing it across the guard’s neck. The rest of the Pegasari soldiers on and around the ship suddenly turned on us, drawing their blades. Arrows shot at us from archers on the airship’s deck, and Mephalda returned fire. I swiftly glided down to the deck before the wing potion wore off, and slashed Dawnbreaker through a pegasus with a mace. <> I Shouted, slowing time down as I charged into the crowd of pegasi on the deck. I drew my ebony sword as well and slashed through the Pegasari soldiers around me, knocking their weapons aside and killing them as they sluggishly tried to retaliate. As time snapped back to normal, I put away the Blade of Hoofingar and focused on using Dawnbreaker to block the swing a pegasus with a battleaxe made at me. I pushed back with Dawnbreaker, but the mare held her ground. As I pulled my sword away to slash at her side, she drew her battleaxe back and swung it around at my head. My swing came up short as I dodged her blade, but I shot a blast of lightning at her as I dodged. As sparks danced over her face, she dropped her battleaxe. Dawnbreaker slid smoothly up through her armor and into her heart. As a few pegasi attacked me from the air, Mystic roasted them with her magic. I ducked down as Steadfast swung his warhammer over my head, striking a Pegasari soldier that had been charging toward me. I slid across the ground as Steadfast leapt over me, and headed toward a Pegasari with a greatsword guarding the door to the airship’s cabin. She raised her weapon as I approached, preparing to block me. A shot from Mephalda grazed her neck, causing her to drop her guard for a split second. With that moment, I slammed Dawnbreaker down on her greatsword as hard as I could. She nearly dropped the weapon but managed to cover, and swung it up at my chest. I failed to jump out of the way quite fast enough, almost forgetting that I wasn’t wearing my torso armor. The blade cut a nasty gash in my flesh, but thankfully didn’t puncture any major organs. I slammed her blade to the ground with Dawnbreaker, but she swiftly slid it out and spun it around toward my head. I Shouted, hitting the mare at point blank range. She suddenly dropped her weapon as fear struck her. She backed away and cowered in a corner as I repaired the damage to my chest. One of the soldiers that had come with General Typhoon finished her off. Another pegasus tried to take me by surprise, dropping toward my back, but Mephalda shot him out of the air, striking him in the throat with an arrow. General Typhoon led the way as his soldiers mopped up the remaining resistance. Pushing the door to the cabin open, he stepped inside. Within the flagship’s cabin were many ponies, mostly officers, checking charts of the battle around them. Messages were passed up to them through holes in the floor, and they updated their charts accordingly. Behind the main charting table was the High Commander, who looked up in surprise as we entered. Beside her stood a Blackwing agent in elaborate robes. No doubt this was Commissar Fireflight. She flexed her wings as she saw us, revealing the hidden blades within them. “What is the meaning of this?” Lightning’s Fury exclaimed, “General, I demand an explanation!” “High Commander, we’ve got to end this war, now!” Typhoon said forcefully. “Now, when we’re on the very verge of absolute triumph?” she scoffed, “I hardly think so. Return to your post.” I noticed that as she finished she began to pull her sword out of its sheath a bit with the tip of her wing. “Very well then; I see I have no other choice,” Typhoon said reluctantly, “High Commander Lightning’s Fury, I hereby relieve you of duty.” “On what grounds?” the High Commander demanded. “Insanity,” Typhoon replied, “According to the Pegasari Constitution, Article IV, Point 45, if the High Commander proves to be unfit to command during a combat exercise, due to either medical or mental degradation, the field commander has the right to relieve her of duty and take her place.” “This is treason!” Lightning’s Fury exclaimed, “I’ll see you court-martialed and hung for this!” “Please,” Typhoon pleaded, “Step down voluntarily.” “I’d rather die!” the High Commander said, drawing her sword and launching herself through the air at the General. Typhoon was ready for her and drew his own sword, also taking off into the air. Their blades clashed as they met in midair, and it was soon hard to see exactly what was going on as they tumbled around, their blades flashing as they swung them in a flurry. Around the room, the Pegasari officers stayed out of the fight, trying to keep their distance. Apparently there were many more pegasi who supported Typhoon than he’d thought. Also, they were all lower ranking officers, and didn’t much care about the upset of power in the upper echelons. It might even pave the way for them to be promoted, once the new High Commander forcibly retired his political enemies. The Blackwing Commissar was not so docile. She drew a sword and launched herself toward the duo, but was quickly turned away as an arrow from Mephalda struck her in the neck. The shaft didn’t penetrate, as it had hit armor concealed beneath her robes, but it did get her attention. She turned toward the four of us instead, and we scattered as she reached us. She swung her sword through the Pegasari soldiers loyal to Typhoon before spinning back at us. We ducked down as wing-blades went flying through the room. Mystic put up a ward in front of us as Fireflight threw knives at us with her forehooves. <> I Shouted as she flew toward us, and her sword went flying from her mouth. She recovered quickly, twisting her fetlocks in such a way that the hidden blades in her gauntlets extended out. I brought up Dawnbreaker to block as she slashed one of them down at me. Her other blade struck one of Mephalda’s Blackwing blades. She flared her wings, keeping Steadfast and Mystic at a distance. As Mystic tried to fire lightning at the Commissar, it bounced off her enchanted armor, pursuing the caster. Instead, Mystic found a Pegasari sword and tried to get close enough to the mare to strike. I was forced to move my sword swiftly in order to hold off the Blackwing’s blade. It wasn’t easy, and several times she nearly managed to get a hit on me. Nearby, Mephalda swung her sword around wildly, putting the Commissar on the defensive. At last, Mephalda managed to swing her sword around and snap Fireflight’s hidden blade off. She was taken by surprise as the Blackwing suddenly flicked her hoof up and shot a vial of poison out of her gauntlet. Mephalda was hit with the poison and fell backwards, her flesh beginning to burn away as the deadly liquid splashed over it. I pulled a potion of cure poison out of my saddlebags and tossed it to her, hoping she could catch it. I’d let my attention lapse long enough already. Fireflight knocked Dawnbreaker out of my grasp and sent it spinning across the floor. I Shouted as I drew the Blade of Hoofingar. My ebony blade spun around rapidly, slicing off the Blackwing’s hoof before she could shover her blade into my neck. She was befuddled as I did so, and shot blades out of her wings at Steadfast and Mystic, forcing them to dodge, before turning her wings on me. Desperately, she struggled to block my flurry of strikes with her wing blades while she clutched her bleeding foreleg to her chest. The blades on her wings shattered beneath my strikes, and I sliced up her wings as well, ensuring she’d never fly again. She drew a knife with her mouth, but I quickly batted it away, sending it sticking in the floor. As she tried to strike me with her good forehoof, I chopped it off as well, before swinging my sword around and taking off her head. As it rolled away, I rushed over to Mephalda to make sure she was all right. She looked awfully pale, but she was alive at least. She grabbed my hoof and I helped her up, lending her a shoulder to lean on until she regained her full strength. I retrieved and cleaned my weapon, looking away from the dead Blackwing Commissar, whose blood was staining the wood of the airship. Across the room, General Typhoon managed to run the High Commander through with his sword. He cleaned his blade before sheathing it and trotted over to the holes in the floor from which scrolls were still coming. “Send a message to all commanders and troops,” the new High Commander ordered the couriers on the deck below, “Announce ceasefire immediately, and recall all troops to their ships.” “Wait!” I said to Typhoon, “What about the Minotaurs? They’re trying to kill everypony and take over the Northlands.” “Really?” Typhoon asked before seeing that I was serious, “Okay, announce ceasefire against everyone except the Minotaurs. And have all ships concentrate their fire on the Minotauran army.” “You know,” Typhoon said to us after he’d sent the couriers off, “I want to end this war as fast as possible, but I can’t immediately withdraw to the Dominion, not while the Minotaurs are here. The Legion and the Stormclouds might not take our presence here very well.” “Don’t worry about that,” I told him, “I’ve got a plan.” ◊◊◊ ◊◊◊ ◊◊◊ “You want me to do what?” Stormcloud asked incredulously. My plan consisted of speaking to the leaders of the different factions and convincing them to end this war. High Commander Typhoon of the Pegasari Dominion was already on my side, and I’d managed to speak to King Grimwarikh the Mighty of the Griffins on the way down from the Pegasari Air Fleet. While he was understandably sore at the Dominion for destroying Griffinium, he agreed to at least give me a chance, and sent his troops to attack the Minotaurs instead. I had no idea what general would be leading the Imperial Legion, so I expected convincing the unicorns to withdraw would be difficult, maybe even more so than the Dominion. The Stormclouds were the safe bet, or so I’d thought. I already knew the Jarl, and hoped that I’d be able to talk some reason into him. “This war has got to end,” I explained to him, “Otherwise, we ponies will just end up tearing each other apart, and the Minotaurs will walk over the carnage.” “If you think I’m going to just forgive those pegasi and unicorns after all they’ve done, you’re sadly mistaken,” Stormcloud said, “The Pegasari took Seclusion, and the Legion now controls Splitten. If I make peace with them now, it cannot last, not while they still control earth pony land.” “I’m not asking for immediate peace,” I said, putting together a more permanent plan in my mind, “Just a ceasefire and an agreement to fight the Minotaurs instead of each other. We can work out a more lasting peace once this battle is over.” “How do I know the other sides will honor the agreement?” the Jarl asked. “I’ve already taken care of the pegasi,” I said, “The High Commander has been replaced with a pony who wants an end to this war just as much as I do. I don’t know about the Legion yet, but hopefully if you call for a ceasefire, the Imperial leader will honor it.” “I don’t know,” Stormcloud said, considering my proposal, “It seems too risky a gamble to make.” “Send a party of emissaries with me if you must,” I said, “Send us to the Imperial leader, and we’ll work out a deal.” “Hmm, very well,” Stormcloud said, though he continued to frown, “I suppose that so long as I have delegates there, the deal worked out will have to be fair.” “Thank you,” I said, “We won’t disappoint.” Within my head, I was overjoyed. That was three leaders down, and only one more to go. ◊◊◊ ◊◊◊ ◊◊◊ Waving a flag of truce, we approached the Imperial lines. Thankfully, they honored it and let us pass through to the command tents set up in the back of the army. I was surprised to see the stallion standing behind the table with a map of the battlefield. “General Cuirass?” I said, “What are you doing here? I thought you couldn’t leave the Imperial City.” “As Imperial Potentate, the Equine Council forbade me from leaving,” he explained, “But they can’t very well stop the Emperor from leaving.” “Well, congratulations,” I said to the new Emperor. “So, why is it you’ve come here?” he asked. “I’ve come to make peace,” I replied. “Always the diplomat,” Cuirass said, shaking his head, “Tell me, why I should make peace with a rebel government that ousted me from power and spit in the Empire’s face, and a land that humiliated the Empire in the last war and seeks to destroy it in this one?” “Because if you don’t, the Minotaurs are going to take over the Northlands,” I said plainly. “Ah, yes, the Minotaurs,” Cuirass replied, “I don’t see what that has to do with this, nor do I have any clue where they came from in the first place.” “They transported themselves forward in time,” I explained, “They were looking for the opportunity to take over the Northlands when they’re weak and defenseless. This war is making the very world they came to conquer, and if you don’t make peace with the other leaders, everypony will be lost.” “That serious, huh?” Cuirass asked. “That’s right,” I said, “They’ll win unless everypony bands together to stop them.” “Very well,” the Emperor replied, “I may not understand exactly why you do the things you do, but you’ve never steered me wrong before. I expect that Stormcloud will be content with a ceasefire now, and the details of peace can be worked out later?” “That’s right,” Bereloth spoke from behind me, “He agrees to a ceasefire, so long as you agree to focus your forces on the Minotaurs. If you do, he shall do the same.” “Then it’s agreed,” Emperor Silver Cuirass said, “From this moment on, we share a common enemy, but that does not make us allies, not yet.” ◊◊◊ ◊◊◊ ◊◊◊ With the Dominion, the Griffins, the Stormclouds, and the Imperial Legion united, the battle against the Minotaurs was soon over. As the dust settled from the Minotaurs’ defeat, the four remaining armies returned to their camps and kept at a distance from each other. Now, it was up to me to arrange for a more permanent peace. The next day, I traveled to the Crest of the World, and walked the 7000 Steps once more. I spoke to the Greymanes, and they agreed that High Hoofgar could be used as neutral ground to negotiate peace. They were none too keen about having so many ponies step inside their sacred halls, but I was able to convince them that it was for the best if the conference could bring lasting peace. The day after, the four of us returned to the four remaining armies, splitting up to spread the word faster. Emperor Cuirass, High Commander Typhoon, and Jarl Stormcloud all agreed to attend, but the Griffin King did not. He’d had enough warfare, and his people needed time to heal and rebuild the city they’d lost. He left Horizon, taking his Griffin warriors with him, leaving three armies to work out a peace and defeat the Minotaurs. On the third day after the Battle of Five Armies, the three leaders met at High Hoofgar, bringing their entourages along. It was crowded in the Greymanes’ conference room, but it didn’t seem to matter now that at last something was getting done. Night-Sparkle called the meeting to order, and the leaders began to voice their intentions. “The first term on the table should be the return of both Seclusion and Splitten to Horizon,” Stormcloud spoke up. “Of course,” Typhoon agreed, “It is my intention to withdraw all Pegasari troops from Horizon as soon as possible, and turn Seclusion back over to Stormcloud hooves. In fact, even now my troops are only there to garrison the city in case of Minotaur attack. Jarl Radiance the Fair rules again.” “Very well,” Stormcloud said, satisfied with Typhoon’s concession, “And you, Emperor Cuirass?” “I would, of course, be willing to turn over Splitten, but I’m afraid I can’t,” Cuirass responded. “And why not?” Stormcloud asked, rising angrily. “Because Splitten is no longer in Imperial hooves,” Cuirass replied evenly, “I received a report last night that Minotaurs have overrun the city. I will, of course, be willing to help drive the fiends from the city and turn it over once it is in my power to do so.” “I suppose I’ll have to be satisfied with that,” Stormcloud said, taking his seat, “Next, we have to discuss the return of prisoners.” “Yes,” Typhoon spoke up, “We will gladly return all earth pony and unicorn prisoners if we receive all pegasus prisoners as well. That includes the Blackwings.” “Unacceptable,” Stormcloud said, “I cannot, in good conscience, turn over agents who seek to dismantle the very foundations of earth pony religion.” “I can promise you that no longer will they be sent to enforce the ban on Talhooves worship, but only if those you have captured are returned to their homes,” Typhoon said, “The White-Gold Concordat was an unfair treaty, and it was that way on purpose. The purpose of the treaty we are creating here today is to establish lasting peace, where nopony needs fear their neighbor.” “Fine,” Stormcloud conceded, “All pegasus prisoners will be turned over to you, and the same will be done for the unicorns.” “We will also return all prisoners,” Cuirass promised, “But if we are talking about lasting peace, there is one more thing we must discuss.” “What is that?” Typhoon asked. “The talents of the three races must be shared,” Cuirass explained, “We unicorns will regulate the rising and setting of the sun, moon, and stars, as well as the changing of the seasons, in exchange for food from Horizon and favorable weather from the Pegasari Dominion.” “The pegasi will proveide both Unicornica and Horizon with the weather they need in exchange for the unicorns’ magic and the earth ponies’ food,” Typhoon agreed. “And we will provide you both with food in exchange for the cycle of days and seasons and favorable weather,” Stormcloud said, completing the circle. “Then it’s settled,” Typhoon said, “At last, a lasting peace between our nations.” “Only one obstacle stands in the way of true peace,” Cuirass pointed out, “The Minotaurs.” ◊◊◊ ◊◊◊ ◊◊◊ A more official treaty was written up later, guaranteeing all the things the three leaders had promised at High Hoofgar. But, though the war between the pony races was at an end, the war with the Minotaurs was just beginning. During the negotiations, the Minotaurs had not been idle, and had taken Whitetrot. The Three Armies were waiting around the Crest of the World, and the next day they moved out to take Horizon’s central city back. The Pegasari Air Fleet began the attack, pounding Whitetrot with cannon fire again. Imperial trebuchets and Stormcloud catapults also leant a hoof, pounding the Minotaurs and their automatons waiting inside the city. While the pegasi attacked the city from above, the non-flying ponies stormed the front gates. After a battlemage blew the gates open with a spell, we entered the city. Minotaurs were waiting for us, and Dawnbreaker tasted blood right away as I slashed through the torso of one of the hulking creatures. Crossbow bolts came shooting down from the rooftops. Mephalda returned fire, shooting arrows at the stationary automatons. I assisted, firing lightning bolts at them, but was forced to stop when a Minotaur with a warhammer charged toward me. I jumped out of the way as the weapon’s end slammed into the ground where I’d been standing. I stabbed Dawnbreaker toward the Minotaur’s side, but he knocked my blade away with his warhammer. I jumped back as the warhammer swung past my forelegs, and blasted fire at the Minotaur’s hands. He dropped his warhammer and I jumped forward, stabbing Dawnbreaker into his chest armor. The armor cracked, but I wasn’t able to pierce the Minotaur’s flesh before he knocked me aside with his burned hands and drew a sword from his belt. I ducked down as the sword swung over my head, and then swung Dawnbreaker up to meet the large bronze blade. I shot the Minotaur’s hands with lightning so that his grasp on his blade weakened, and I threw it from his grasp, stabbing my sword up through the hole in his armor I’d made earlier. As the pony soldiers surged through the city, I followed the wave, heading up into the housing district. Automatons rolled around on the streets, and I shot ice spikes through the heads of a few before they reached me. I brought Dawnbreaker up to block as one swung its blades around at me. I slid my Draconequus bladed down until I was able to slice off the machine’s arm. I spun my sword around and stabbed it through its head a moment later. Mystic sent a blast of fire rolling down the street, consuming many automatons. I rushed into the gap left by the inferno, and swung Dawnbreaker around at the Minotauran machines. One of them brought up a blade to block me, and I drew my Changeling war axe as well, slamming it into the side of the mech’s head. I swung Dawnbreaker around at an automaton different than one I’d seen before. It blocked my sword strike with a shield, and tried to stab at me with the sword attached to its other arm. I spun my sword around, knocking the automaton’s blade away. It bashed at me with its shield, and I was forced back. <<>> I Shouted as it rolled at me. Ice coated its shield and arms, spreading into its mechanisms. Steadfast slammed his warhammer into the automaton’s shield, shattering it. I followed up with a strike to its torso, impaling the machine in its steam plant. Steam hissed from the ruined automaton as it collapsed to the ground. My friends and I galloped ahead to where the Pegasari soldiers were finishing off the Minotaurs and automatons in Whitetrot’s square. Together, we headed up the steps to Whitetrot. No more Minotaurs were around, but a death-clanker sat in front of the keep’s doors and stood up, hissing steam, as we approached. <<>> I Shouted, and storm clouds began to converge overhead. Lightning shot down from them, striking the automaton repeatedly and breaking apart its armor. I charged toward the machine, dodging the giant bolts it fired at me, the Pegasari troops followed. I ducked as the automation swung an arm over my head, and stabbed my Draconequus blade through its armor, tearing open a gash in its chest. The death-clanker grabbed me with its mechanical hand and held me in front of it, preparing to scald me with a steam attack. I swung Dawnbreaker into its arm, trying to break free, but its grip held. A lightning bolt went shooting down from the clouds above and penetrated the hole I’d made in the automaton’s chest, striking its power source. The light in its gem eyes died as it toppled to the ground. While some of the Pegasari worked to pull the automaton’s remains out of the way, Mystic, Steadfast, Mephalda, and I stepped into Dragonsreach. There were only three Minotaurs here, one of them sitting in a new throne where Jarl Valor’s Blade’s had been. The two armed Minotaurs charged toward us, drawing their crossbows to take a few shots before we were within melee range. Mystic put a ward up in front of us, deflecting the deadly shafts, and Mephalda fired arrows back through it. One of her shots hit a Minotaur in the hand, making him drop his crossbow and pull the shaft out. I drew Dawnbreaker as I leapt toward one of the armored Minotaurs. She drew a greatsword, and our blades clashed. I tried to slide my Draconequus sword down toward her hand, but she flicked it away with her own weapon, and swung her blade at my back. The greatsword struck the armor, and I fell to the ground from the force of the impact. I rolled over, bringing Dawnbreaker up to block as she swung her blade down at me again. <> I Shouted, sending a blast of dragon fire up at her and forcing her to step back. I swung Dawnbreaker around at her hooves as I rose, but she jumped to the side, and my blade only grazed her armor. As she swung her greatsword toward my head, I ducked under it and jumped in toward her, stabbing Dawnbreaker through her armor. I drove the blade in up to the hilt, swiftly pulling it from her body as she toppled to the ground. Mystic finished off the other Minotaur, frying him within his armor with continuous lightning. I wiped my sword off and strode toward the last Minotaur, the one sitting in the throne. “Please, don’t kill me!” he begged as we approached, “I surrender!” “We’ll take him prisoner,” I said. Enough blood had been shed on the Minotaurs’ account, and even more would be before this whole thing was over. “I knew this was a bad idea,” the Minotaur said, “But Adamantium Resolve wouldn’t listen.” “What do you mean?” I asked. “Everything went wrong!” he replied, “Underkeep’s Overseer transported us too far forward; too many Arcanexi were damaged, and most of our race never arrived. Then the Supreme Commander had us abandon Underkeep; in fact, we abandoned nearly all our cities and moved to take your towns. Adamantium Resolve should have known you’d fight for every city, but he gave the order anyway.” “Where is he now?” I asked. “Supreme Commander Adamantium Resolve?” the Minotaur asked, “He’s hiding out in the only Minotauran city we still occupy, Nuzel-zum.” “Nuzel-zum,” Steadfast said, “Isn’t that in-” “Marekarth,” I finished for him. Level Up Health: 380 Stamina: 380 Magicka: 380 New Perk: The Weakest Link [Light Weapons] -- Your skill with Light Weapons allows you to find the most vulnerable spot on an enemy, allowing you to ignore their armor rating. New Quest: The Minotauran Plan -- Take Marekarth back from the Minotaurs and capture Adamantium Resolve.