Across The Pond

The boat Strillian and his men were on made its way to the southern end of lake Rumare. The ride took only a few minutes but the anticipation made it feel like hours. Strillian was on his feet next to a Breton by the name of Theodane. Strillian was nervous for the coming battle but felt confident. If nothing else in the ability to keep the Thalmor out of the city, at least long enough for the Emperor to escape if needed.

It had been nearly two hundred years since an Emperor attempted to flee the city and then the Emperor was killed, and that was with Blades protecting him. Strillian drew his long, narrow sword and was on his feet. He was prepared for however many forces came up the river and steadied himself.

All together there were only five ships the Empire had at their disposal.They were circled around the water opening connecting Nibenay and Lake Rumare. Three were spread out covering the entrance and the other two ships filled the spaces between the three ships but were further back from where the large portion of the fighting would be.

Strillian was on the ship front and center to Nibenay and had a great view as the Thalmor armada made it's way to the small defense the Empire had put together. Strillian steadied himself and was prepared to jump across, knowing the Thalmor favored magic he had expected them to get close.

Strillian was readying himself for the leap when he noticed the large Thalmor ship leading the armada. It was twice the size of any ship the Empire had and didn't seem to be showing any signs of slowing. Strillian looked around and shared nervous glances with the rest of the crew.

Theodane looked over at Strillian and asked "Do you think they can even see us?"

"I'm sure they can see us, someone would have said something I'm sure. But I don't know why they aren't stopping" Strillian said, scratching the side of his head with his free hand.

"Well they aren't stopping" Theodane said.

The large ship had already covered half the distance between Nibenay and the ship Strillian was on and was still moving forward at the same speed. The ship was made with a thick looking wood and had a gold lining around the ship. Strillian scoffed, 'even on war ships they find a way to waste money' he thought to himself.

The ship was coming up on the boat fast and many of the sailors were moving towards the edge of the ship, many not even bothering with life boats. Those that jumped of swam to another ship but every single Blade stayed on the ship. Theodane stayed with Strillian and his men.

"Any reason we aren't getting out of the way" Theodane asked nervously as the shadow of the Thalmor's ship started to fall on their ship.

"Easy" Strillian said as he made his way towards the front of the ship where the Thalmor ship would be hitting first. "We are going to climb up on when these two ships start to collide."

"You're insane!" Theodane yelled as he quickly followed the Blades towards the front of the ship.

"Who's the bigger fool? The fool or the one who follows the fool?" Strillian asked. "Besides I don't want to get wet, that water is cold." Strillian gave Theodane a quick smile before the force of the impact hit.

Theodane, Strillian, and his four Blades all jumped onto the side of the ship. Strillian and Theodane made the jump first, getting a fine grasp on the side of the ship. Two more Blades were right behind them and they found themselves safely on the side next to Strillian and Theodane.

The other two, however, didn't even get the chance to jump. The wooden planks of the ship's deck fell out beneath them before they got the chance and they fell into the water. The other Blades looked on worriedly, waiting for the other two to come above water. Strillian shook his head and yelled out to them over the sound of snapping wood.

"It's too late for them, we can hope they made it but waiting here and trying to spot them in the wreck will only waste time and energy. Come on lets get topside."

One of the Blades nodded his head and they followed behind Strillian and Theodane as they made their way up the side of the ship.

Twilight, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, and Pinkie Pie all watched as the massive ship moved strait through the empirical ship like it was nothing. They were looking at the front of the ship, they were next in it's path towards the Imperial City. But before they could even start for the edge of the ship the massive boat stopped, right where their ship had been.

"What are they planning on doing?" asked Twilight.

There was a moment of eerie silence that fell on the entire lake. No one on either side, Thalmor or Empire, were making a sound. There were no cheers from the Thalmor or screams from the Empire. The only movement was of the ripples of water a few more smaller Thalmor ships moving up to the larger ship created.

Carmalo, the Imperial who had assigned her and her three friends spoke first, breaking the silence. "I think they want us to fight back." His voice was barely above a whisper when he spoke.

"Why would they want that. If they can just go right though us why taunt us?" Rainbow Dash asked Carmalo.

Carmalo looked away from the wreck and towards Rainbow Dash. "Because they know we can't stop them."

"Now is that any way to talk? Ah reckon them acting all high and mighty will help us win" Applejack said with confidence.

"Yeah, their arrogance will be their downfall" Twilight said with enthusiasm.

"Hey, some of the people from the wreck are coming aboard! Someone get some towels or a blanket so they can warm up, those waters are cold!" Yelled one of the sailors to the rest of the crew. Two sailors ran off below decks as two people climbed aboard.

"Those are Blades" Carmalo said as he ran over to them.

The two sailors came up from below decks and handed each a thick blanket. The Blades took them and started to dry themselves as they sat on a few nearby crates.

"Where are the rest of the Blades? Where is Strillian?" asked Twilight.

Neither Blade answered, instead one of the Blades pointed towards the front of the ship. It was then that Twilight noticed four figures moving up the side of the boat.

Carmalo looked at the figures and said "They are going to need a distraction. They'll have enough issue fighting on top of that ship they don't need the extra headache of trying to stay on with the Thalmor actively trying to knock them down."

One of the sailors turned and said "then lets give them one."

The sailor then moved to the steering wheel of the ship and the ship started to move towards one of the smaller ships.