Mori Pro Imperio: The Story of Pliton Calleius

It was late afternoon by the time we reached Rihad. The sun had beat us mercilessly all the way, and we showed it.

When we walked through the gates, we were bombarded by different smells, sights, sounds and people. There were merchants desperately trying to sell their wares, and blacksmiths being given no rest.

“Stay with me,” I said, “We just need to see who is in charge, and then we can get out of here tomorrow.”

“Okay,” she said, grabbing my hand. We walked through the markets, to find a large castle looming over the houses and markets.

“I guess we’ll start there.” I said as we walked up to the gate. As we did, we were stopped by two Alik’r Warriors.

“Halt,” one said. He had dark black hair hidden by a red Akal. He also had a black moustache that hugged his upper lip. He was taller than me by a few inches, and he had his Scimitar ready to be drawn.

“I am Legate Pliton Calleius of the Fourth Imperial Legion.” I introduced, “I need to hire a carriage for tomorrow and secure a bed for myself and my companion, Twilight Sparkle, of the Royal Equestrian Army.”

“Equestrian, you say?” The Alik’r stroked his chin. “Where might you be heading?”

“I am not at liberty to say,” I said, “Anyone can be conspiring with the Daedra, or be a Changeling.”

“That is true, my friend.” The Alik’r chuckled, “Alright, you can head inside and speak with the king, Jimsnn Ruuz. Do be careful, he does not appreciate Imperials.”

“I recognize your warning and heed it.” I said, “Thank you.”

He nodded, and unlocked the gates to the castle. I walked in with Twilight slightly behind me. She grabbed my hand, and held it in her own.

The castle was empty. There were almost no people milling about, only three servants and two stewards helping the local Forebear King, Jimsnn Ruuz.

“Who is this?” Ruuz asked pointing at me. He was a rather authoritarian figure on his throne, with light purple clothes on, and a large ruby and gold circlet around his head. His skin was a perfect tan, and his long hair was done in a single braid down his back.

“My lord,” I said, going to one knee, “I am Legate Pliton Calleius of the Fourth Imperial Legion.”

“Another Imperial!” Ruuz said, “How great! Why should I help you when you left us to die by the Aldmeri’s hands?”

“My lord,” I pleaded, “Have you not seen what goes on outside of Rihad? The Daedra have returned, and I am needed in Hegathe. I need only a carriage and a bed for myself and my companion, Twilight Sparkle of the Royal Equestrian Army.”

“Equestrian, you say?” Ruuz was intrigued, “I have heard of you people from all types of men. Men and women blessed wings or magical horns, and impressive prowess in battle. Is this true?”

“Yes, my lord.” Twilight said, “Now, will you aid us?”

“I will,” he said, “Only because I am intrigued by these Equestrians. Senynd, show these two where they will be sleeping for the night. Tralen, ready a carriage for the morrow.”

“Thank you,” I said, “My lord. The Empire recognizes your kindness. Divines bless your kind heart.”

Ruuz grunted as an attractive Redguard woman led us through numerous hallways to a room with two beds and chests.

“Here is where you will be staying for the night.” She said, “We will be having dinner in about four hours.”

“Thank you,” Twilight said, “That will be all for now.”

“Let me know if you need anything,” she said before closing the door.

When she did, Twilight fell back on one of the beds, and sighed deeply.

“What’s the matter, Twilight?” I asked, sitting down next to her.

“Nothing,” she said, “I’m just exhausted. I think I’ll take a little nap later on.”

“Alright then,” I said, “What’s really on your mind?”

“Well,” she said, “I just don’t know what to expect on this Stros M’Kai. I don’t know what’s going to happen, and I’m worrying about my brother and friends back home, especially Rainbow Dash.”

“Don’t worry,” I said, rubbing her shoulder, “I’m sure if anyone can get her to wake, it’s you.”

“Thanks, Pliton.” She said, pecking my cheek. “I really needed that.”

“Hey,” I said, “Who would I be if I didn’t console you?”

“You’re right,” she said, “You know, two weeks ago I never would have thought that I would’ve fallen for you, but…”

“I do have my way with charm.” I smirked, only to have Twilight smack me on the arm.

And so we milled around the city for the rest of the afternoon, looking at different spell tomes and potions for Twilight and weapons and forging materials for me.

When we came back to the castle a few hours later, our purses were a bit lighter and we were very hungry. When we came into the Great Hall, dinner had been served, and we ate until we had our fill of food and stories from different warriors
from across Tamriel bound for Stros M’Kai, much like us.

I had befriended a Breton, who had mastered the ways of the sword and spell, who surprisingly wasn’t Legion. He had been taught by neighbors and teachers from across High Rock, and had adventured across northern Tamriel, from Windhelm in Skyrim to Skaven in north Hammerfell.

When we had returned to our room, we were incredibly tired, but we didn’t fall asleep immediately.

“Pliton,” Twilight said affectionately, twirling her hair, “I’m not that tired, are you?”

“No,” I said, gravitating towards her. We joined in a kiss, and the clothes came off soon after.

When we awoke the next day, it was the Redguard woman telling us that the carriage was leaving whenever we were ready. Not needing to be a nuisance, we dressed hurriedly and ran out with all of our supplies.

Once we got outside of the castle, we saw a large Redguard man at the reins of two beautiful chestnut horses.

“Are we leaving or not?” He said indignantly. “Come on now, I’ve not all day. Oh, and the name’s Tralen, I guess we’ll be quite the friends once we reach Hegathe, will we not?”

He laughed at that remark, and Twilight glanced at me. Her face said it all, it was going to be a long trip to Hegathe.

We were about to leave, when I saw the Breton we had talked with run out of the castle towards a horse. Being the gentleman I am, I stopped the carriage and hopped off.

“Hey,” I called, “You, the Breton. Don’t you think that a carriage with my companion and I would be better than travelling on your own?”

“Why not?” He said, climbing onto the carriage behind me.

“Hey,” Tralen said, “This ain’t a party carriage. That’s it, we’re leaving now.”

He whipped the horses, and the carriage lurked forward. We were off, next stop, Roseguard, two days away at this pace.

Of course, he slowed down once we got outside of the city, and he said it should be five days at most to reach Roseguard, granted we didn’t run into any bandits.

Then, I had a great idea to stop bandits before they even attacked us.

“Twilight,” I said, “I need you to conjure up Imperial banners on both sides of the carriage. Bandits would have to be crazy to attack an Imperial transport.”

“Good idea,” Tralen hollered, “Except we’re not!”

“Shut up,” I told him, “And drive the carriage.”

Tralen complied reluctantly, and with mumblings of hating Imperials and their pompous attitudes. I only chuckled at what I heard.

Twilight’s horn glowed, and, lo and behold, perfect Imperial banners appeared on both sides of the carriage. I thanked her, and gave her a quick kiss.

“Whoa,” the Breton said, “You said companion, I didn’t know that kind of companion.”

We laughed at that, and he only said, “Just don’t bed each other in front of me.”

“Alright,” I said, “Um…”

“The name’s Ernand.” He said, “Don’t forget it, I told you last night, did I not?”

“Oh,” I said, embarrassed at the memory that he had. “I’m sorry, but yesterday was a turbulent day.”

“Alright,” he said, “So, when will we reach Hegathe, Tralen?”

“About three and a half weeks.” Tralen hollered, “We’ll all going to be friends when we reach Hegathe!”

He laughed at that remark, and Twilight sighed and shook her head in dismay. So apparently I wasn’t the only one who hated the guy.

And so it went on like that for the first day. When we set up camp for the night, the stars had come up over the small forest we had camped in. Twilight fell asleep in my arms gazing up at the stars, and me at her.

The journey was very uneventful until we reached Roseguard, or what was left of it. It was burnt to the ground, and right in the center of the town, was, you guessed it, an Oblivion Portal.

Ernand, Twilight and I jumped off the carriage. Ernand reached for his Ebony Sword, and readied a spell in the other hand.

We split up, and searched the town for any Daedra. We found none, but when we regrouped around the Portal, Daedra flooded out of the gate and attacked us.

I immediately went to work hacking and slashing at different Daedra. I had already killed two when one came up behind me.

I turned to see it raise its Greatsword, but fell to the ground. Behind the Daedra, Ernand lowered his hand, dispelling the lightning swirling around the Daedra’s body.

I smiled, but immediately went back to fighting the Daedra. I had absolutely no idea where Tralen had gone, but he had probably left us here to die in this dead town.

“That bastard!” I muttered as I sliced through a Dremora Lord’s neck, instantly killing it. I was growing fatigued, we had to go into the portal and shut it down, but we couldn’t with the seemingly limitless number of Daedra coming out.

“Twilight, Ernand,” I called, “Regroup on me!”

They did, and I told them what I had planned.

“You’re crazy, Calleius.” Ernand said while cutting through a Scamp a Mage had conjured. “I’m not letting you do this.”

“Pliton, you’ll die!” Twilight said, “You can’t do this!”

“I have to!” I told them, “Let Talos guide me. Keep them occupied, I’m going in there.”

Despite some verbal resistance, they did nothing else to try to stop me from stepping into the Plane of Oblivion.
Immediately, the intense heat hit me like a wave. I immediately began sweating profusely, and became short of breath for a moment.

When I had regained my composure, I made for the Sigil Keep, where the stone was held.

When I was halfway there, I was ambushed by three Dremora Lords and about a dozen other Daedra.

I readied my sword, and ran at one of the Dremora Lords. I slashed at him, but he deflected my blow with his Greatsword, and shoved me back with the broadside of the sword. I stumbled back, and regained my balance just in time to defend against his attack.

I brought up my shield to protect against the brunt of the attack, but still felt some of the force. I stepped back, but lashed back quickly. I cut through its armor, leaving a large gash across its midsection.

While it was reeling from that attack, I drove my sword through the back of its head, killing it. I turned around, and sliced a Scamp’s head clean off.

I cut my way through the rest of the Daedra, and ran into the Sigil Keep. What I found waiting there was completely unexpected.

There, on a throne, sat Molag Bal, with Chrysalis by his side.

“Look at who came, my love.” He said, “The Champion of Talos!”

“Oh,” she said, “I am more powerful from his love just by looking at him!”

Molag Bal stepped off his throne, and walked around me.

“Who got you this armor?” He asked, “Surely you couldn’t have made it.”

“I do not know,” I said.

“Of course you know!” He said, punching me in the face, sending me to the ground. “I can smell it, you are lying! Who was it?”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about.” I said before he kicked me in the chest, prompting Chrysalis to laugh evilly in delight.

“Since you will not tell me,” Molag Bal said, “I’ll just have to take it back.”

He drew a sword from the ground, and raised it above his head. As he brought it down, I parried it with my own sword, surprising both him and Chrysalis.

“Well,” he said, “You are the Champion of Talos. Come now, engage me, Champion!”

I got up, and slashed as him. The sword penetrated his side, but Molag Bal melted around the sword. He materialized behind me, brandishing his sword.

“Too slow,” he said, driving the sword into my back. My vision blurred, and I fell to my knees. All I could hear was Molag Bal laughing, and before I blacked out, I saw Chrysalis come up to him, and kissed him, congratulating him on this victory.

“What shall we do with him, love?” Chrysalis asked.

“I have an idea.” Molag Bal bent down and smiled at me before I passed out.

Okay, so Chrysalis and Molag Bal, I’ll explain it in the next chapter, though I can guess most of you bronies know why she is with him. And as for Pliton, please leave a comment as to what you think Molag Bal will do to him, I might choose yours if I can’t come up with anything. So, as always, PLEASE leave a review, and maybe a favorite while you’re at it. I’ll have the next chapter up soon, so, goodbye for now.