#third empire

"We have a unique relationship with the Empire in Hammerfell. Since the treaty of Stros M'kai, it's been understood that we are part of the Empire, but not a subject."

For @tes-summer-fest day 4, I interpreted the prompt "Sacrifice" from the point of view of the Empire from the Oblivion Crisis up to Skyrim's civil war, how they sacrificed some provinces to save others, but even those slipped from their grasp; and on the other side, the Thalmor rose. Ultimately, the Empire kept losing and losing- perhaps unsurprising considering the brute power that was needed to create it in the first place.

~

Nine provinces in hand When the Daedra swept the land And the Hist took up its fate Then there were eight-

Eight provinces though we say, Slow suffering darkens the way, Plainly with the ash it is graven, That there are only seven

Seven, a rival brings us to our knees, At the heart of the forest and of the seas, Powerless to intercede, eager to survive, And so we retreat to six and five

Five allies, we count with bated breath- Mane and Moons are met with death; When light graces again the sandy shore We weep silently, a pack of four

Four, and one offered as sacrifice, To keep the water from reaching our eyes, Those thus drowned in rage break free, We shake hands now over only three:

Three; one's power hollow within, Its assurances never to begin, Its loyalties as brave as true, Will they leave us bereft with two?

Three; one on itself has turned And in the Thalmors' sneer burned, Sweet worship bathed in bloody hue, Will it be the one to make us two?

That 'one', indeed, which we call 'us', And imply as inseparable thus, Is by creeping unrest overrun- Leave, others! We are ourselves none!

The Third Empire strives to keep the name, Woven together only by ancient claim- A claim fractured by Daedric fire, We farm, blinded, on the Septim pyre

A pyre draped with black dragon on red, Our Founder's godhood thrown on it dead, We shrink and withdraw, all gather to defend These bloodstained inches to the bitterest end.

~

Prince Imperial Napoleon Eugene, killed in Zululand war in 1879.

This image was taken a year before his death and as you can see...he was VERY hot.