*** Korvanjud ***
"This place always creeps me out..."
Ralof said while in front of the formation, for a survivor of a dragon attack, he was surprisingly creeped out by the prospect of moving corpses.
"You saw a dragon, yet draugr still creeps you out?"
"I'd be more impressed if someone isn't, imagine seeing your ancestors move around..."
Ralof muttered, but then suddenly unsheathed his weapon, which caught everyone off guard.
"What is it?"
"Looks like these filthy imperials got here before us."
I took a point of vantage that overlooked the ruin's entrance, and Ralof was right, just at the entrance alone, there were already dozens of imperials stationed.
"I didn't expect them to go looking for the jagged crown as well; it's a miracle those stubborn imperials actually considered chasing a Nordic legend."
"Any ideas, new-blood? I'm not a strategist myself."
Ralof crouched beside me, seeing the heavily guarded ruin entrance as well.
"We're in an elevated position... what about we rain arrows on them?"
I replied, it was the most obvious answer. The Imperials had drastically better armor than us. In a melee, it would be our disadvantage, especially since most of the men from the two sides have the same skill level; the armor would make all the difference.
But an arrow from above from former legion veterans would pierce their armor like nothing.
Ralof gestured to the rest of the army, silently ordering them to prepare their bows. Good thing he was smart enough to take my suggestion.
We slowly covered the entire opening of Korvanjud itself, making sure to make as little noise as possible, our light armor making it surprisingly easy.
"Ready... aim..."
Ralof whispered next to me as I saw the Stormcloak archers prepare to fire. They were far smaller than the number of melee combatants, but we had enough to take all the defenders out.
"Fire!"
FWOOSH!
FWOOSH!
FWOOSH!
THWACK!
It didn't even take more than twenty seconds for all the defenders to fall; at least seventy arrows flew from above.
The ambush was highly successful.
"By Kynareth! It worked!"
Ralof laughed loudly, standing up from his crouched position as he raised his steel sword high.
"Let's show those Thalmor bootlickers the strength of the true sons of Skyrim!"
Ralof's speech rallied the entire army, the two hundred immediately rushing to head inside Korvanjud, the successful ambush skyrocketing morale.
"W-What the!?"
Two imperials stood watch when we entered the ruin itself, left behind to warn the rest.
But they didn't even get to move as another volley turned the two into pincushions.
It was a tide of fury and shouting against a well-oiled machine.
"Bjorn! Take the lead with me!"
Ralof shouted, and I responded, shield raised as and Ralof formed a mini shield wall as we rushed through.
SLASH!
SLASH!
The imperials were formidable, but the vastness of the ruin was enough to stretch their powerful forces thin enough to cut down piece by piece.
"Stop!"
Ralof commanded as we entered another huge room, a small corridor being the only way you enter.
It was risky, and even the might of a crowd of bloodthirsty nords was no match for a well-planned ambush.
"Let's stop for a while, we don't know what's waiting for us at the other side."
Ralof sternly ordered, commanding each to search the ruins for any other entry point than a small corridor.
Anything would have been better than that.
"How is the mission?"
The voice of Galmar suddenly appeared from behind, his distinct bear armor making it impossible to stay unknown; it seemed he had finally caught up.
"We've reached an impasse. I'd rather not risk our men."
"Bjorn, you're an expert in this type of ruins, right?"
"I dabble from time to time."
"That's good enough for me, take a good look around, will you?"
I obviously didn't refuse; it gave me a chance to get some better equipment and potions after all, Nordic ruins seemed full of them despite their age.
"Will you look at that?"
In a nearby ancient Nordic counter was a blend of stamina and health potions, their colors still vibrant despite their age.
"I wonder what they used to make these potions last this long..."
I muttered as I pocketed them, and it was a good thing I did, since the path of loot eventually led me to another entrance to the next chamber.
Another small corridor, but this time on top.
"Galmar, I've found another way!"
"Check it out, will you!"
I briefly entered, my shield raised as I eventually found the end, seeing imperial soldiers already stationed, but they weren't many.
If anything, they would only stall us for a few minutes.
"There are seven of them; most are occupied with talking, they don't have an ambush planned."
I returned to report the information, Ralof and Galmar nodding as they gathered the men, this time splitting the group to enter from both the top and bottom.
"Bjorn! Lead the archers! I'll lead the soldiers from below."
"Got it!"
My group entered first, all sneaking with bows already in hand, me, of course, being the only one without. I only had a steel sword and shield for my equipment after all.
"Stop..."
I stopped just before we entered the next chamber.
"Seven of you head first... pick your targets."
FWOOSH!
FWOOSH!
The seven found their target, with four of the imperials dying before they even got to react, but some were fast enough to block the arrows.
And it was Galmar's job to take care of them.
"Charge!"