Chapter 58 -- Siege
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Things happened quickly. Commander Caius was happy to put his men under my command, admitting that he was used to guarding against bandits and other minor issues. Having to defend the city against an entire army was something he admitted he had no idea what to do. So I thought long and hard about what tactics to use. Unless Tullius sent us significant numbers, we would be outnumbered.
So that meant we'd use a tactic I'd read about more than once. A shield wall. Place it somewhere that would funnel the Stormcloaks, unable to flank us, and they would fight and die at the wall. I thought it was a solid plan, sitting down with Caius and Balgruuf, explaining my idea. They were all for it. Serana arrived within three days with the entire Dawnguard alongside her. They would assist. The next day, the mages of the College arrived to help. Soon, any open space in Whiterun was filled with tents as we prepared.
The Stormcloaks made their move a week after my meeting with Jarl Ulfric. They arrived during the evening, when only the night watch manned the walls. I was woken at dawn, an excited scout explaining the situation. Heading out to the walls, I could see siege weapon at three sides of our walls. It looked like preparations were still being made, but there were numerous weapon on display, and the numbers of soldiers... This was going to be an all-out offensive, Ulfric leaving nothing to chance.
Thankfully, Imperial soldiers arrived the next day. Well, they would have done, but with the Stormcloaks now ringing the city, they had to fight their way through. We couldn't afford to head out and help them, but mages and archers helped from the walls. In the end, two-thirds of the Imperial force managed to get through the Stormcloak lines. I met their commanders, Legate Vakarian, who told me that he and all his men were being placed under my command. When I explained my idea, he smiled, stating he knew all about shield walls, and that he would assist where he could.
As the Stormcloaks prepared, so did we. I had soldiers and guards drilling all day. The mages knew they would invoke fear in the Stormcloaks. Ordinary Nords had a fear of magic, and I had no doubt the ordinary Stormcloak soldier would probably hate coming against a whole bunch of mages. The Dawnguard joked it would be weird killing humans instead of vampires. The Companions sat back and relaxed, simply waiting for the order to join in the killing. For once, they'd fight for pride rather than coin.
One evening, I stood with Ulfric at his map table, the map now of Whiterun and its surroundings. Whiterun was basically surrounded. Catapults were situated in positions that could easily rain down missiles that would hit anywhere. Attempts had been made at counting the enemy, and even with the arrival of Imperial forces, we were still outnumbered.
"How goes the training?" Balgruuf asked.
"They're ready to fight, my lord."
"And... will you use your gift?"
I sighed, running a hand through my hair. "I've given my word to the Greybeards not to use it against man. And before you ask, I won't call in any dragons. I don't wish to abuse the understanding we have. And I doubt they would help. This is a human problem. They simply won't care. I trust my sword arm, my lord. And I trust the men and women under my command. We might be surrounded, by the walls are strong, and the shield wall will hold."
"When do you believe they'll finally attack?"
"I've thought about that and asked the Legion Commander. He believes they'll attack at first light. Generally, that's when shifts changed, people are just waking up, or going to bed. They can't attack at night. It's too confusing."
"I've received no word that Jarl Ulfric is here. Do you believe he'll arrive for the attack?"
I nodded. "Yes, my lord. He'll want to lead this personally. Taking this city will be a feather in his cap. And he'll want to pit his wits against the Dragonborn. Me being here makes it somewhat personal for both of us. And he'll want to gain victory by defeating not just the Empire but the Dragonborn."
"Then we wait for Jarl Ulfric ad see if he will parley. But I already know what he'll demand. Open our gates and side with him. And he will already know my response." He sat back in his chair and sagged with a sight. "There's nothing else that can be done right now, Dragonborn. Go home and relax. We know they won't attack without him being present. Hopefully he arrives soon and we can finally get this solved."
"I'll return tomorrow morning for breakfast, my lord."
He escorted me all the way to the doors of Dragonsreach, offering his hand as always, though I always grabbed his forearm and he would mine. "Thank you, Dragonborn. Save my city and... I'm not sure I could ever pay back what I owe."
"I'm owed nothing, my lord. It is the right thing to do."
Returning to Breezehome, it wasn't too late, Serana, Aela and Lydia still awake, waiting for me to return. Their roles were already defined. Serana would be with the mages. Lydia would be with me in the shield wall. Aela would join the archers on the wall. I took a seat by the small fire, sighing as I did. Lydia stood up and walked over to the area where food and drink was kept, returning with a tankard of ale for me. I offered thanks before taking a sip. "Are you in the mood tonight?" she asked.
I met her eyes and smiled. "For you three? Always. I'm sure you're as frustrated as I am. I hate waiting." I sighed again. "Despite the fact I haven't been fighting, it is exhausting."
Serana walked over and sat on my lap, wrapping an arm around the back of my neck, a soft kiss on my cheek. "Then maybe we should just... cuddle..."
"I can definitely do that."
We each drank a couple of tankards, eventually sitting at the table, reminiscing about times past. I knew we all worried about the conditions Whiterun would be left in at the end of the battle. I was confident of victory, but while I had skill and my gift, I knew I'd also been lucky. All it would take is one well timed arrow to take me down.
Heading upstairs, the four of us undressed and slid under the furs. There was a little kissing, hands being naughty, and we eventually split into pairs, Aela and Lydia having a little fun, while my fingers got busy with Serana. She was happy with that, giving her a couple of rather nice orgasms before she snuggled into me. Aela and Lydia fooled around for a bit longer, putting on a show which Serana and I enjoyed. Lydia then realised I hadn't enjoyed an orgasm, so insisted she blow me. I wasn't going to refuse, and certainly didn't last long, Lydia joking it was now unusual my cum ended up anywhere except in her pussy.
Eating breakfast together the next morning, a knock at the door wasn't a real surprise. But the insistent banging suggested someone had important news. Opening the door to be greeted by Irileth, I immediately assumed it was important news. "Jarl Ulfric has been sighted at the Stormcloak main camp to the south. Jarl Balgruuf believes we will receive a message or emissary at some point today."
