Across The Pond

Strillian led his small group as they made their way through the woods. The six ponies were right behind Strillian, Theodane and Carmalo walked side by side, talking as they followed behind the ponies and the two Blades took up the rear. They walked for an hour before they reached a fork in the trail, one path lead south and the other continued east around the city.

They walked for a short while down the east path until they were just north of the Imperial City. Strillian stopped and turned to face the rest of his small group.

"This won't be easy you know" Strillian said, addressing the two Blades who he had assigned to do reconnaissance on the Imperial City.

"Is there anything you want us to be especially mindful for?" asked the shorter of the two Blades.

"Actually yes, along with searching for the Emperor I also want you to keep an eye out for the two ponies that are presumed to still be in the city. But remember, you are doing recon, that means look, listen, then return. Don't endanger yourselves more than you have to until reinforcements can arrive" Strillian commanded.

The two Blades nodded before heading towards the waters of Lake Rumare. The Thalmor had only enough ships to surround the Imperial City on the south, east, and west. The north, while void of ships, was still under heavy watch and it seemed that swimming at night was the only way they would get past the Thalmor guards.

While the two Blades figured that out Strillian, Theodane, Carmalo and the four ponies moved along the familiar path to the north up to Cloud Ruler Temple.

They walked for a few hours until they came upon the city of Bruma. They were all tired from they lack of rest and food after the battle. Strillian was a little more accustomed to the famished state as he has had years of experience but he decided it was best if they all had a little food in them before trying to ascend the steep climb to Cloud Ruler Temple.

Strillian lead them into Bruma and to the keep so he could talk with the count of the city, a long time associate and friend of his. Strillian was recognized and was let in, though everyone in the city seemed to be nervously staring at Strillian.

Strillian walked through the familiar halls and to the throne where Count Adrian sat. Strillian began to walk forward, hand extended to great his friend but instead of a hand, his was met with a look of confusion and the words "you're alive?" It was more a statement than a question.

"Uh, uh" Strillian stammered, confusion now taking over his face as well. "Why wouldn't I be?" Strillian finally managed to ask.

"Well with what's happened at the Temple and then the Imperial City I assumed all of the Blades were being hunted down" Count Adrian told Strillian.

"What's wrong with Cloud Ruler Temple?" demanded Strillian.

Count Adrian sighed as he motioned to the guards to the door and said "leave us."

Once the guards had left Count Adrian looked at Strillian, not entirely sure of where to start.

"Well" Strillian said impatiently.

Count Adrian cleared his throat nervously before starting. "The Thalmor, to my knowledge, have taken the Temple. They have taken the Temple, and, as far as I know, killed everyone inside."

The words of Count Adrian sounded forced, like even he, who had been in the area to watch the Thalmor march up, to watch the pillars of smoke and the smell of charred bodies consume the air, didn't want to believe it.

"Oh" was all Strillian could mutter before he found it too difficult to stand on his own and he fell back against one of the pillars in the large room.

Theodane walked forward, not bothering with the proper way to address a Count, especially one he didn't know. "So are you saying the Blades, one of the most elite fighting forces in all of Tamriel, is now endangered of being completely wiped out?" Theodane was screaming now. All his life the Blades have been untouchable, sure every now and again a few would get killed, or worse, but when together they couldn't be stopped. Or at least that's how he remembered it.

The Thalmor was far more powerful than anyone could have anticipated, any hope the Empire had of victory was out the window if they could take down the Blades when the Blades were held up in their fortress.

"That's exactly what I'm saying, and yelling at me or complaining to the nine divine won't change that boy" Count Adrian told Theodane.

"So what happens now?" asked Twilight to nopony in particular.

"Now, we find Rarity and Fluttershy an' get home. This isn't our fight Twi, and the sooner we can get back home the safer ah'm gonna feel" Applejack told Twilight.

"But where would we even start?" asked Twilight.

"My guess is that, wherever the Emperor is, they are too" Carmalo answered.

"So what are we waiting for, let's go" Rainbow Dash said, already moving for the door.

"It looks like these talking ponies are more optimistic than even you, that isn't like you Strillian" Count Adrian said.

"Yeah, well. Shit happens" Strillian said flatly.

Count Adrian coughed into his hand to get all of their attention and said "why don't you stay here for the night, eat and rest and fulfill any other desires so you can have all the energy in the world to find the Emperor and your friends. Just go through the doors in the far left corner of this room and at the end of the hall is a large room, usually used for barracks for new recruits but there are none this week so it's all yours for the night."

"Well that's mighty kind of ya mister" Applejack said.

"Yes, thank you very much sir" Twilight said once Applejack had finished.

The four ponies, Theodane and Carmalo all walked to the barracks, Rainbow seeming a little disappointing but willing none the less. Strillian stayed behind. Count Adrian waited until the small group of six was out of earshot before trying to talk to Strillian.

"Is there something else you wanted to walk about Strillian?" asked Adrian.

"No, but I do have something I want to tell you."

"Oh? And what might that be?"

"Thank you for always being there for me and I'm afraid I'll have to decline your generous offer. There are a few things I need to be sure of. Tell the others to go on without me and that I'll catch up" Strillian said, finally standing back up and beginning to move to the large doors that lead out of the throne room and into the city.

"Strillian wait" Adrian called out.

"You can't stop me Adrian" Strillian told him.

"I wasn't planning on it, but if you are going where I think you are then you'll need some help. Go see my court mage, she will enchant your weapons and armor for you."

"Thank you Adrian, you're a good friend."

"I'm just making sure you don't get your dumb ass killed" Adrian said, crossing his arms and shaking his head.

Strillian smiled a little, though only for a moment. He walked to the large doors and on his way out he heard Count Adrian call out "Good luck, old friend."