Once back in the Keep, Tullius beckoned Rikke into his office.
“Legate,” he began. “Are we doing the right thing, do you think?”
“If by doing the right thing, you mean putting a Forsworn agent on the Mournful Throne, then honestly no,” Rikke said, radiating disapproval of the whole thing. “But it's your call, sir, and I do agree there weren't any other qualified candidates. We can hardly just sack a Jarl and replace him with one of our officials, the Nords would never stand for it. At least Nepos is respected by all of Markarth.”
“Even if he is working for the King in Rags,” Tullius sighed. “At least Elisif is alive and well from the sounds of it. I was worried about her, although you didn't hear that from me. The girl's trouble but she's not corrupt and she's someone all of Skyrim will rally around. The Empire needs her.”
“Do you think he was telling the truth? That he can locate her? I doubt Madanach would just hand her over, sir.” Rikke genuinely did like Elisif, and the thought of the Forsworn keeping her captive broke her heart. She'd heard stories of Madanach – he was not known for his compassion. He was however also not a fool. He'd treat an asset well.
“I don't think he would either, but perhaps he'd be willing to negotiate. Either way, Nepos is probably our best chance at getting in touch.” Tullius was sitting at his desk, hands on his temples as he stared down at the map of Skyrim spread out on it.
“You're really willing to negotiate with the Forsworn, sir? They're barbarians, General,” Rikke said, amazed he was even considering anything other than wiping them out – but she also knew they really didn't have the men, the Stormcloaks were more dangerous and a long drawn-out campaign in the Reach, against hostile natives with magic on their side in rough terrain, wouldn't help anyone.
“I know, but twenty-five years ago, Ulfric tried genocide and it didn't work. Now they all hate him. I can use that if I have to,” Tullius shrugged. “And I will do what it takes to get Elisif freed and returned to us, even if it does involve sitting down to talks with a sociopath like Madanach.”
“I don't like it, sir,” Rikke said softly. This certainly wasn't what she'd joined the Legion for – but then again, nor was biting her tongue and forcing a smile whenever that bitch Elenwen entered the room. If General Tullius thought it was for the best, she'd follow orders without question – but that didn't mean she didn't have an opinion.
“We have our mission, Legate,” was all Tullius said, glancing up at her and holding her gaze. “The Legion does not falter even when things are difficult. The Legion will find a way. Are you with me in this, Legate?”
Rikke hesitated before nodding.
“As always, sir,” she said quietly. Tullius held her gaze for a moment longer before looking away, seeming satisfied.
“Good. Dismissed, Legate, tomorrow's going to be a difficult day for us all.”
Deposing a Nord Jarl from a Hold of Skyrim and effectively placing the Forsworn in charge. Ulfric should have just left Madanach in charge in the first place. With a heavy heart, Legate Rikke headed for bed, wondering when life had got so complicated.
Re: The Wolf Queen Awakens 21.9
“Legate,” he began. “Are we doing the right thing, do you think?”
“If by doing the right thing, you mean putting a Forsworn agent on the Mournful Throne, then honestly no,” Rikke said, radiating disapproval of the whole thing. “But it's your call, sir, and I do agree there weren't any other qualified candidates. We can hardly just sack a Jarl and replace him with one of our officials, the Nords would never stand for it. At least Nepos is respected by all of Markarth.”
“Even if he is working for the King in Rags,” Tullius sighed. “At least Elisif is alive and well from the sounds of it. I was worried about her, although you didn't hear that from me. The girl's trouble but she's not corrupt and she's someone all of Skyrim will rally around. The Empire needs her.”
“Do you think he was telling the truth? That he can locate her? I doubt Madanach would just hand her over, sir.” Rikke genuinely did like Elisif, and the thought of the Forsworn keeping her captive broke her heart. She'd heard stories of Madanach – he was not known for his compassion. He was however also not a fool. He'd treat an asset well.
“I don't think he would either, but perhaps he'd be willing to negotiate. Either way, Nepos is probably our best chance at getting in touch.” Tullius was sitting at his desk, hands on his temples as he stared down at the map of Skyrim spread out on it.
“You're really willing to negotiate with the Forsworn, sir? They're barbarians, General,” Rikke said, amazed he was even considering anything other than wiping them out – but she also knew they really didn't have the men, the Stormcloaks were more dangerous and a long drawn-out campaign in the Reach, against hostile natives with magic on their side in rough terrain, wouldn't help anyone.
“I know, but twenty-five years ago, Ulfric tried genocide and it didn't work. Now they all hate him. I can use that if I have to,” Tullius shrugged. “And I will do what it takes to get Elisif freed and returned to us, even if it does involve sitting down to talks with a sociopath like Madanach.”
“I don't like it, sir,” Rikke said softly. This certainly wasn't what she'd joined the Legion for – but then again, nor was biting her tongue and forcing a smile whenever that bitch Elenwen entered the room. If General Tullius thought it was for the best, she'd follow orders without question – but that didn't mean she didn't have an opinion.
“We have our mission, Legate,” was all Tullius said, glancing up at her and holding her gaze. “The Legion does not falter even when things are difficult. The Legion will find a way. Are you with me in this, Legate?”
Rikke hesitated before nodding.
“As always, sir,” she said quietly. Tullius held her gaze for a moment longer before looking away, seeming satisfied.
“Good. Dismissed, Legate, tomorrow's going to be a difficult day for us all.”
Deposing a Nord Jarl from a Hold of Skyrim and effectively placing the Forsworn in charge. Ulfric should have just left Madanach in charge in the first place. With a heavy heart, Legate Rikke headed for bed, wondering when life had got so complicated.