A Victory... of Sorts

Empire forces now occupied Fort Greenwall, the last major obstacle on the main road prior to Riften itself. It wasn't an entire army at my disposal. Tullius had already agreed to my idea that we'd take the city by subterfuge, not through force. Considering nearly the entire city would provide good kindling for a fire, the thought was to simply use my already known presence to our advantage and take out everyone who mattered in one swoop. He thought it was a good idea as no-one liked the idea of a drawn-out siege with other forts and towns still to conquer.

With no apparent Stormcloak presence within the walls, and few troops throughout the Hold in general, we put together a simple plan. We'd hit both main gates at the same time, ensuring the third smaller gate leading out towards the lake was blocked. I didn't particularly want to kill many of the city guards, so I set orders that we'd arrest those who would surrender. Those who didn't would be dealt with as normally. The first objective would be Mistveil Keep, where the Jarl and her entire entourage would be arrested.

"Make sure we catch Anuriel alive," Brynjolf suggested during our last debrief.

"Why?" I asked, looking up from the map we were stood around.

"Because she's paid and bought for by Maven Black-Briar and will no doubt have plenty of information she'd be willing to share if we offered something in return."

I raised eyebrows in surprise. "Should have known. Does the Jarl have any idea?"

Brynjolf barked a short laugh. "She wouldn't have a clue. She has no idea who wields the puppet strings in this city."

"What of the Jarl herself?" Lydia wondered, "Do we want her alive too?"

"Preferably. Tullius and the Empire consider her a traitor but believe losing her Jarldom will be punishment enough, though she may eventually face trial and incarceration once all this is over. But I don't think they'll be wanting executions of most people, except Ulfric and his closest advisors. The Empire simply want this over and don't think executing all involved will put forward the best message. Hell, they even understand why it's happened but can't just let it continue."

While the Keep was being sorted out, small groups would be sent into the Ratway to arrest the remaining members of the Thieves Guild. The agreement was that members of the Dawnguard, plus Empire soldiers in disguise, would go down into the Ratway and complete that objective. The Nightingales didn't want to be involved, naturally, while I would be busy in the Keep.

"What about Maven?" Mjoll asked. I'd invited her in as she wasn't bothered about the civil war one way or the other. She just wanted the Thieves Guild eliminated and Maven behind bars.

"She's the last piece of the puzzle. We take the Keep then we knock on her front door."

We discussed a few more minor details but the main objectives were clear and simple enough. Capture the Keep and the Jarl. Arrest those remaining in the Ratway. Capture and arrest Maven Black-Briar. Her entire family would also be taken in, even Ingun, who we knew was not involved in any of the Black-Briar's businesses considering she spent every day working at Elgrim's Elixirs, but we'd ensure she was released relatively quickly.

Sleeping little that night, we were up well before the sun would appear over the mountains, using darkness to our advantage, much like Ulfric had attempted during his attack on Whiterun. Using the relative darkness as cover, we quickly split into two groups. Naturally, I'd be leading the group that would take the Keep. Isran would lead the rest heading to the Ratway. He was issues one final instruction.

"Wait for the signal."

A single flaming arrow was shot into the sky once our team was in position and we moved quickly, subduing the two guards at the gate without a sound before moving further in. We tried to remain as silent as possible, and managed to catch most guards unaware, but while I bashed my way through those who tried to stop me, I heard fighting break out behind me the deeper we descended into the city.

A pair of guards standing to either side of the doors at the Keep were armed and ready for us. I disarmed one as Karliah put an arrow in the other, hearing shouts from behind for us to continue and the stragglers would be dealt with. We burst into the Keep, aware that the element of surprise had likely disappeared. I have no idea who stepped forward to meet us, the giant of a man not dressed as a guard, but wielding an enormous two-handed axe. Before I could even raise my shield to block the expected swing, an arrow entered his head, right between his eyes, watching them roll back before he collapsed to the ground.

Taking a guess, I found a stairway leading up, dealing with a lone guard by spinning past and knocking him to the ground, leaving whoever was behind to deal with him. Bursting through a pair of doors, I found the Jarl sitting on her bed, looking up at me expectantly as I skidded to a stop. To her right, on another chair, were two younger males. I assumed they were her sons.

I pointed a sword at the pair of them. "You two don't move." I glanced to see both had raised their hands. Smart kids.

Lowering my sword, I returned my attention to the Jarl, hearing footsteps behind me. "Don't worry, Ragnar, it's just me," Lydia stated.

"Is the Keep secure?"

"It is."

I heard a sigh, returning my attention to the Jarl. "I knew this day was going to come eventually. I never expected it to come so soon." She looked me up and down. "So who are you?"

"Ragnar Dragonborn."

"Dragonborn? You mean… 'the' Dragonborn?" I nodded. Another sigh before she chuckled bitterly. "Well, if you're fighting for the Empire, with the gift you have that I've heard about, Ulfric doesn't stand a chance."

"We'll see what happens."

"So what's to become of my family and I?"

"You'll be handed over to the proper authorities."

"And the people of Riften? They will be cared for?"

"Of course. A new Jarl will need to be put in place…"

"Who will that be? Maven? I know she's an Imperial sympathiser."

Now I laughed. "Not likely."

"No?"

"No. Do you not know the truth of who she really is?" The Jarl shook her head. "She's the main benefactor of the Thieves Guild. Your steward, Anuriel, was one of her plants."

I saw the eyes darken at the revelations. "Those pair of… That bitch. Both of them! What's to become of them?"

"Same situation as yourself. Both will be arrested. I assume your steward is being dealt with now."

"And Maven?"

"She'll be handled after this."

"Hopefully someone will slip a dagger beneath her ribs," she muttered.

"The thought has crossed my mind," I admitted, "But we have instructions to ensure she is handed in alive."

"Better off dead. Both of them, though particularly Maven."

I just shrugged. The Jarl had made her bed and now had to lie in it. I turned and gestured to Vex and Delvin. "Please escort the Jarl and her sons down to the jail. Make sure the doors are locked good and tight. We don't want them escaping now, do we? While you're down there, check to see that Sibbi Black-Briar is still down there."

"Will do," Delvin replied, gesturing to the door for the Jarl and her family to leave.

Once they had disappeared, Lydia shared her thoughts. "My Thane, I don't know if it's just me but was all of this just a little too easy?"

"What do you mean?"

"I mean we practically waltzed in here, barely breaking sweat. Where are all the guards?"

I turned and glanced between Karliah and Brynjolf. "Can you go grab those guards who we've taken alive and escort them to the barracks? Make sure they remain disarmed until we put the next plan into action. Hopefully their loyalty will remain towards the people of Riften and the issue of Jarls and who it is won't bother them too much."

They both nodded and disappeared out the door, turning back to Lydia. I nodded my agreement. "I'll admit it was a touch easier than I thought it was going to be. What's on your mind, though?"

She shrugged. "I'm not sure. Just something the back of my mind, like we've just walked into a trap."

"What, you think the Stormcloaks are hiding somewhere?" She shrugged again. "I think we're fine. Scouts have been checking across the Hold for any sign of an approaching Stormcloak army. There hasn't been a single sighting. Sure, there are one or two camps across the border to the north but they don't appear to have the manpower available to do anything about this."

We headed downstairs, though the now rather quiet and deserted Keep. I'll admit to feeling rather tempted to sit on the throne, just for once, but held back from temptation. Before I could think about it again, both Delvin and Vex ran through the opened doors and I immediately something was about to go very wrong.

"He's gone!" Delvin explained, once he'd gathered back his breath.

"Who?"

"Sibbi!"

Lydia met my eyes and we both charged out of the Keep without another word, grabbing Mjoll on the way, virtually pushing the locals out of the way as we closed in on Black-Briar Manor. We gathered at the door, Lydia and Mjoll looking at me as if waiting for instruction. Instead of hammering down the door with an axe, I wondered if the door was open. To all our amazement, the door opened without a problem. Unsheathing my sword, I put a finger to my lips before gesturing for Mjoll to head upstairs and Lydia to check the current floor. I headed downstairs to the basement.

The first room I checked was empty though, considering there was a bed, an end table and wardrobe, I assumed it was the room of someone. The second door I tried was locked tight. I was tempted to kick it in but thought I'd try door number three.

The door was unlocked, opening it carefully, weapon still at hand. A blood-curdling scream reached my ears before anything, peering around the door to see Ingun Black-Briar sitting up in bed, beyond terrified. I lowered my weapon immediately and removed my helmet.

"Ingun, it's me, Ragnar."

Thankfully the screaming stopped and a face of confusion now greeted me. "Ragnar? What are you doing here?"

I avoided the question for now. "Ingun, you have to be honest with me. Where is everyone else? Where's Maven?"

She shrugged. "They all left. They wanted me to go. Near dragged me out of the house. I finally put my foot down and told them no."

I couldn't help the slight smile. "Do you know where they went?"

She shook her head. "No idea." Then it all seemed to click. "Ragnar, what's going on?"

"Can I sit down while I explain?" I asked, sheathing my weapon at the same time. She nodded so I sat at the other end of the bed. "Things have changed very quickly, Ingun. Very quickly. You've lived in Riften all your life. You've heard the rumours of the Thieves Guild, right?"

She scoffed. "Of course, Ragnar. It's all people ever talk about."

"They're no more. I've made sure of that. It's a very long story but I have to be honest about one thing. Maven Black-Briar has been their main benefactor and was tied rather intimately to the previous Guild Master of the Guild."

There was no surprise. Just a sigh. "Should have known the rumours were true," she muttered.

I looked up to see Mjoll and Lydia in the doorway. Both shook their heads, so that at least suggested what Ingun said was true. "She had to have the last laugh, though," Lydia added, striding forward, holding out a letter. I read it and I felt my stomach drop. There was a subtle undertone to the letter than concerned me. I figured my face reflected my thoughts.

"What is it, Ragnar?" Mjoll asked.

I got to my feet. "Escort Ingun to the Keep. Don't worry, Ingun, you're not under arrest or anything, but you may need to be debriefed. Plus, it may end up being safer for you in the long run."

"Where are you going?" Lydia wondered.

"Home. Serana… She knows about Serana…"

*****

It took a lot of convincing by Lydia and the others to stop me charging off blindly to find and kill Maven, and anyone else who had chosen to follow her. Once cooler heads prevailed, and I'd taken a few minutes – admittedly, most of those spent pacing, explaining what things I was going to do to anyone involved – we sat back and planned what we'd do to resolve the issue. Whether it was now possible to resolve it peacefully was anyone's guess.

I didn't like the fact we would take however many number of days to prepare. I didn't like the fact we waited until a Legion force arrived at the gates, ready to restore law and order, though the majority of the population were happy enough that Maven Black-Briar had disappeared and the Thieves Guild had been dismantled. Most just wanted the war over and done with and had no loyalty one way or the other. At the moment, there was no mention of a Jarl to replace the previous one so the commander of Legion forces would run things until that was all sorted out.

Mostly, I just didn't like the fact that I felt completely helpless. I'm a man of action and having to sit and wait around for information near drove me up the wall.

The first thing we did was send out scouts to scour the area for any sign of Maven, her family or the numerous town guard she'd taken with her, no doubt all of them far more loyal to Maven, and her coin, than the Jarl and people of Riften. 'That explained why taking the city itself was so damned easy.' Brynjolf believed that it was unlikely Maven would have headed in the direction of Cyrodil and the apparent safety of the Empire. She was on the run and had my wife as a hostage. She was going to head somewhere she thought safe, but where more importantly, she believed that she would have the upper hand. Perhaps she thought she could negotiate her way out of this. Prior to kidnapping Serana, it may have been possible, however minute. Now, though… Now she'd be lucky not to have a sword thrust into her gut, no matter what Tullius or anyone else wanted. Maven had made this entirely too personal.

It was three days later when we received news of where Maven had escaped too. "She wasn't heading south. We think she may have been trying to head west but, for whatever reason, has now chosen to stay put where she is," the scout reported.

"Her family is with her?" I asked.

The scout nodded. "Both her sons. And at least three dozen men. Perhaps fifty or more but we couldn't get an accurate count. Some of them were town guard but she's hired plenty of mercenaries."

"She has more than enough coin to do that."

"What about the Dark Brotherhood link?" Lydia asked, "We know she's performed the Black Sacrament."

I shrugged. "Who knows? We don't even know who the target was. Well, we can take a guess but…" I trailed off and shrugged before turning to Isran, who I'd pretty much put in charge of the forces ready to move with me. "How ready are we to move?"

"Leaving first thing tomorrow will allow us that little more time to prepare, Dragonborn."

I nodded once. "Very well. Prepare the men to depart at sunrise. We won't be back until my wife is returned to me."

Friends new and old joined me outside the gates before dawn the next morning. I think they all would have joined me even if my wife hadn't been taken, but I had a feeling there had been discussions to ensure I didn't end up bloodying my sword too much. I was trying hard not to show too much anger and rage around everyone but it was hard to keep it all in check, not knowing what was being done to her. I hoped that she was simply being kept confined but I knew Maven would want blood in return. I realised I'd underestimated the lengths she would go.

We'd been riding a few hours, eventually following a road through a densely wooded area, when I saw a small column of horses heading in our direction. They didn't look like bandits or Stormcloaks but that gut feeling I have sometimes started to kick in and I slowed the column, eventually calling it to a halt. The opposing column continued to approach until stopping only a few feet away.

Thalmor. 'Great, that's all any of us need right now. These idiots.'

We waited in silence. I simply glared at the elf in charge. He met my eyes, sneered, then glanced over those over around me. Finally, he decided to speak up.

"Which of you is Ragnar Dragonborn?"

"Who wants to know?" someone called from behind.

"Ragnar, you say? Can't say I've heard of him," called another.

"What do you want with him?" I asked casually.

"He's wanted for numerous crimes, including Talos worship and interfering with Thalmor security operations."

"Is that all?" I asked, chuckling to myself, "And who are you?"

"I am a member of the Thalmor and your superior. That's all you need to know."

I just smiled before I waved Lydia forward. Once next to me, I asked, "How many Thalmor do you count in front of us?"

"Half a dozen, sir."

"Very good. And how many men do we have in our column?"

"At least thirty, sir. Just so you know, at least half a dozen of our men have arrows nocked and ready to open fire at your command. The rest have weapons ready to use if desired."

"You dare fire on the Thalmor?" the leader cried.

I cleared my throat. "You say you are looking for Ragnar Dragonborn?"

"Correct."

I spread my arms wide and smiled. "You're looking right at him." I then put my arms to my side, keeping my hands free, ready to unsheathe my sword if required. "So what are you going to do now?" I asked, making sure to lace my tone with as much menace as possible.

I watched his eyes assess what was in front of him. I wasn't surprised not to see any fear. I'd dealt with the Thalmor enough to know that they didn't seem to experience fear. Probably because of their so-called superiority over us dumb Nords. "This is your…"

"No, this is your one and only chance to turn your horses around now and ride away, preferably all the way back to the Summerset Isles." I used that name instead of Alinor or whatever they called it now just to wind him up a little bit more.

"You dare…"

I held up a hand to interrupt in. "You have five seconds before I give the signal." He glared at me. I continued to smile and held up a finger. "One."

"You wouldn't dare."

"Two."

"Um, sir, he seems pretty serious," one of the other Thalmor stated.

"Smart lad. I'd listen to him. Three."

A couple of horses shuffled behind me, the typical noises a horse would make when a rider adjusted their position. I knew they were getting ready to fire. The string was likely already pulled back, eyes on the target, just waiting for my signal. I met the eyes of the Thalmor again. There was still no fear there. Whether he was actually afraid or not, I'd probably never know. But he didn't allow me to count further, as he simply pulled on the reins of his horse, turned it around and rode away without another word.

I breathed a sigh of relief. "Well, I guess I'm number one on the Thalmor hit list going forward," I muttered as I watched them eventually disappear from view.

"I guess it was always bound to happen," Lydia added.

"What do we do now?" Farkas asked from behind.

"Continue with the objective for the moment. But this is something we will need to discuss later, particularly with Tullius and his commanders."

We moved on and I put anything to do with the Thalmor to the back of my mind. 'But we'll definitely revisit that soon. I definitely have a target on my back now.' We followed the road for at least another hour before I was pointed to a new route, a dusty path leading into the woods. After another ten minutes or so, I called the column to a halt again as there was a small clearing, no more than twenty metres, before there was a crumbling fort.

"This is the place?" I asked.

"Correct," Lydia replied.

"Why here?"

"No idea but this is where the scouts tracked her to. Maybe she's making some last stand?"

"I don't take her as some sort of martyr. She wants to live. And for that to happen, she wants me dead. But she won't get that either, so no doubt she's going to try and negotiate. But why take my wife? I don't get that play. Surely she should have known that would only harden my resolve."

"She thinks you'll hesitate because of that."

"Orders, Dragonborn?" Vilkas asked from behind.

"Spread the archers out along the tree line though ensure they remain hidden. If I give the signal, they are to open fire. I will only signal if necessary, so they are to obey at once."

"Of course, Dragonborn. I'll send the word."

"And the rest?" Isran wondered.

"Dismount and we'll approach on foot. I have no doubt they'll send someone to greet us."

At least half a dozen disappeared into the trees, taking positions, ready to open fire if or when I gave the signal. The rest joined me as we cautiously approached the crumbling ruin. In the back of my mind was a simple thought. 'Why here of all places? Why not simply cut and run?' I glanced left and right, noticing everyone remained unarmed though there was no doubt in my mind they were all ready for a fight, all of them now aware of just who exactly Maven Black-Briar was. Nothing was going to save her now. She should be counting herself lucky that she may end up walking out alive. 'There's still a good chance she won't.'

Halfway across the clearing, the gates opened, unsurprisingly, as between half to a dozen men approached us. None were dressed as Riften guards, also not surprising, forming up in two lines ahead of us. One man stood in front of them all. I felt my own men form up behind me as I strode forward to meet him.

"You are the one they call Ragnar?" he asked.

"I am. You are?"

"Names are not important. I come with a message from Maven Black-Briar."

"And what is that message?"

"She wishes to negotiate the release of your wife. Upon certain conditions."

I laughed, which perplexed the man opposite, his smirk slowly fading away at my continued laughter. "She is in no position to negotiate," I stated through laughter, before I stopped suddenly and fixed him with an unflinching glare, "She will surrender herself to my army and pay for her crimes. She has nowhere to go."

The smirk returned. "Your wife will die if you do not co-operate."

"You underestimate my wife."

The smirk widened. "Not when she's in the hands of Sibbi Black-Briar."

I smiled, which caused his smirk to disappear again. "Thank you for telling me who to look for," I stated as I made the gesture. Five seconds later, every man in front of me lay on the ground, an arrow or arrows sticking out of their chests, necks or faces, barely giving them enough time to scream.

And then we got to work.

Swords were bloodied as we bludgeoned and stabbed our way through the fort, the cries of the dying echoing through the ruins of the fort. I led from the front as usual, my thoughts only for finding Serana. Maven was no doubt somewhere in the fort, and the others were under instruction to take her alive. But she was not my concern. She'd pissed me off and I wanted her dead, so I figured it was best I wasn't the one to find her. So I focused on finding my wife.

I ended up travelling down at least two or three levels with only Mjoll and Lydia for company, the rest of my men spreading through the fort, looking for the enemy. I knew the lower levels generally contained the prison cells or, worse, the torture chambers. We ran into few people the lower we travelled, but I hurried the further we descended upon hearing screams that caused ice to travel up my back.

We approached a doorway and I could hear a scream before all fell silent. Holding a finger to my lips for silence, I quietly opened the door to be greeted by more light then I expected. Inside, a row of at least six cells. Within one, I saw Serana chained to a wall. In front of her stood a man. He turned around and I noticed the blood on his tunic. I glanced towards Mjoll and Lydia, both nodding as I slipped into the room unnoticed.

Sibbi was focused on the small table next to my wife so I was able to approach unseen and unheard. He only turned when he heard the creak of the cell door, barely able to make a sound before my fist connected with his mouth. He went down like a sack of potatoes and I made sure to hit him again to knock him out.

"Get him out of here," I ordered, Mjoll and Lydia quickly grabbing and dragging him away, probably worried that I'd end up sticking a knife in him.

My eyes turned towards Serana. At first glance, she appeared unconscious. Her face was covered in blood, as was her clothing. I checked her for wounds and couldn't help notice the fact she had been flayed. Gently, I released her from the chains holding her and gently lowered her to the ground. I checked signs for life and could see her chest rise and fall, praying to the Nine Divines in thanks that she was still alive.

I withheld the temptation to try and wake her. 'She's better off how she is at the moment.' Instead, all I did was scoop her up in my arms and carefully carry her out of the fort. Upon exiting the fort, I had only one thought as I watched Sibbi being harnessed to a horse by Mjoll.

Vengeance.