Although the weather was lovely this morning, with bright sunshine and not a cloud in the sky...
Riverwood was far too quiet. Every household had its doors and windows shut, and even the bullies who usually shook down passing travelers and merchants on the street had vanished. The town's streets were completely deserted, like some haunted, abandoned tomb?
Even the poultry and livestock that usually ran wild had disappeared, casting the little town in an ominous, murderous hush—as though the shadow of the ancient, desolate tomb beneath the waterfall on the mountain across the river had swallowed it whole.
Of course, anyone who went to the northern exit of Riverwood would have found the air there even more oppressive. Even the birds, beasts, fish, and insects seemed afraid to approach.
That was because more than fifteen hundred Imperial Army soldiers had already assembled there in formation early that morning, fully prepared for battle!
Riverwood had no walls. Apart from the stone-and-wood gate to the south, the only defenses were the fences around the villagers' homes and yards. With no defensible terrain, it was only natural for the Imperial soldiers to take up positions outside town, on the relatively flat ground, and make it their designated battlefield.
"Report!"
"General Tullius!"
"The enemy will be here shortly! There are between three hundred and twenty and three hundred and thirty of them. We didn't spot any cavalry or ranged units. Their commander has two large hounds for mounts; the rest are all those flame monsters on foot, armed with blades!"
"That's what I found, sir. Awaiting your orders!"
Before long, an Imperial light cavalryman in leather armor came galloping down the broad road, widened by the constant passage of merchants and travelers. He reined in his horse before the army's formation and immediately