"My lord, the new Jarl should be out there with his people, not inhere wasting away in front of that map. This is your coronation after all"advised Galmar Stone-Fist. Ulfric Stormcloak, the new Jarl of Windhelm kept gazing at his map; ignoringGalmar's
implores and ignoring the obnoxious laughing, cheering, and music upstairs.

Ulfric let out a groan,"I told you we didn't need one, Galmar. We can celebrate when we over throw the imperials. First, we start with Torygg."

"Ulfric, you're the youngest Jarl known to Skyrim. The people will need convincing"replied Galmar.

"I don't need that right now" snapped Ulfric, "my election as Jarl is a step closer to our plans. Skyrim is oppressed by the Empire and wish only for one thing; anuprising. Banning the worship of Talos lit their flame, and soon the fire will
/spread into a war for Skyrim- I shall grant their wishes. The minute Torygg is dead, we can start our rebellion."

"Another war..." muttered Galmar grimly. Ulfric returned a look to Galmar. The look reflected much aggravation andcuriosity. A look he never gave Galmar before. How could Galmar doubt the war now that Skyrim was in such an oppression? To be deniedTalos;
a true god of the Empire?Galmar starred intently at Ulfric in return hoping for him to speak to break the ever suspenseful silence.

"... I know... you don't need it right now"sighed Galmar. He then left to accompany Ulfric's subjects in his stead, and left the Jarltohis thoughts. Ever since his fathers death, his only source of family was Galmar. His mother now rested
inSovngarde with his father, Ulfric was now truly alone. If it hadn't been for Galmar, Ulfric would have just charged into Solitude and killed Torygg where he stood. "Traitor", he thought to himself. To Ulfric it was impossible to understand
/his High King. What kind of Nord betrays the old ways as if they are a used bar rag; no longer worth appreciation to the succession it has provided? A Nord's god was Talos, if anyone was to be loyal to Talos, at the end of the seasonit would
be a Nordswearing his life and family for the greatest Septim turned Divine, yet Torygg betrays that god for the Emperor's gold. Hewascoward whobetrayedhis own country;his own Divine- given to
not what it used to be, and Ulfric knew that now. He was determined to turn things to normal and save the Nords of Skyrim even if death challengedhim. There was nothing more passionate to him, besides family which was stolen away from him by
the Thalmor.

Ulfric had to face something everyone feared, something everyone should fear; loneliness. He had to deal with the death of his father, the memories of torture by the elves and to top it off the rebellion he was soon to rise. The Jarl had lived his lifeby
himself. Tending for himself since he was only 5, cooking his own meals, not having a father to tuck him in or tell him a grand story of one of his various adventures. Ulfric could feel the hot tears slowly well up under his eyes. He didn't close
tolet them fall, instead he stared at that map...planning, and loathing himself. He let out a deep breath; exhaling out a heavy amount of warm air and then inhaling sharply. It hurt his throat, and ached his heart. He fought his tears with
/every inch of self-respect he still had, and used it against his pain. No matter how much he tried the truth seemed to still claw at him. He was truly alone.

That night Ulfric did nothing more but study and plan his liberation. Now that Windhelm was under his command he could fight with more than one sword, and soon his cause wouldbe spread across Skyrim and so his rebellion wouldgrow, and over
throw the a sound was heard after the celebration concluded. I few visitors tried to congratulate him, but then were turnedaway by his guards. The moon was its highest at that point of night. Everyone in the kingdom was
sleeping; except Ulfric.

Suddenly breaking the silence a Windhelm guard nearly broke down the door to alert Ulfric,"Sir! A spy is lurking near Windhelm!" Ulfric looked at the panicked guard with an interrupted expression.

"We fear it's the Thalmor" he continued.

"What would the elves want with Windhelm?" Ulfric questioned now totally removing his focus from the map.

"Acknowledging the concept they murdered your father, I'm sure they would extend to murder his son. The defiler was seen sneaking near the trees ofWindhelm; like it had a job to do. Due to suspicion and our post to protect you, were taking you away
fromyour palace to keep you safe."

"Let them come. I'm not a feeble old Jarl like my father. If they wish to kill me they shall bring the fight to me." Ulfric said rather disgruntled by the interruption, "justtake ease for now. If he shall attack, I'm sure I can handle it. Now go
back to your post soldier."

Theguard took his leave immediately. Not wanting to disrespect his Jarl. Ulfric looked out his tinted window to the icy scenery of Windhelm. He knew the guard was right, but elves never normally thesneak,for they are far more cunning
and associatedwith magic. Unless this was an assassination. Now that they are the superiors of the puppy dog Imperials why would they wish to implant a murder of another Jarl? Hiding a killing from the public is their only option now. This time
however, Ulfricwas ready.

It wasn't until night was approaching dawn that Ulfric sensed a dark presence in his palace, and the clank of a fallen object inhis , he grabbed his sword in which was passed down from generations and fled to his hall to investigate
the

sound. All that lay in front of him was an empty throne, a table full of plentiful food,and a dying fire place. The hall was empty;not even a guard. He lowered his sword and searched thoroughly for a hiding assassin, a dead body, even
a fallen sweetroll, but he couldn't find anything. The place seemed too empty;it kept Ulfric on edge.

Suddenly another object fell crashingthroughout the palace. The eruption caused him to drop his sword; he could feel the rich metal of the blade rattle on the floor. Then silence. The object that had fellwas a wine cup in his stewards
room. However the steward was not there to hear it, for he was in Whiterun for official business. That moment Ulfric knew this was a set up and something was in the palace playing games with him. No assassin or Thalmorwould be stupid enough
to knock over two objects unless they were trying to getcaught. Ulfric reached down to retrieve his sword. Instead he felt nothing but the cold marble floor. he briefly looked around him to find his idyllic blade but it wasno where in
sight. His sword was gone.

"Looking for this?" questioned a conniving feminine tone. Ulfric followed the voice like the speed of light. It was no man or elf, but a woman. She sat comfortablyon an eagle head statue near his chambers. Her face was cloaked with a black cowlonly
revealing her leaf green eyes, and his sword in her skillfully agile hands. She flaunted it in front of him; it sparkled off the lit flames around the hall. She let out a deceiving chuckle and lowered the beautiful blade. Ulfric could recognize
/that black and red attire anywhere. The Dark Brotherhood.

He had only heard stories of the Dark Brotherhood when he was little. His father used to say they didn't kill for sheer pleasure or revenge, but the gold that would be handed to them at the end of each day, and the gold was always more than the commoncould
afford. No one dared to hunt them down or send out warrants. They were a very confidential group and were entitled with dark magic. It was best to keep your distance from them, and just let them do their job. Ulfric assumed he would never seeone.
Untilhe encountered a dead argonian member outside of Helgenduring the Great War. He must have got his kill, but the guards were just too fast for the murderer. They were Tamriel's most skilled assassins. It was clear that if someonesent
a Dark Brotherhood member to kill Ulfric someone really wanted him dead.

"It is an honor... Jarl"said the astute assassin.

"Give me my sword"commanded Ulfric,"orI'll have no choice but to kill you."

"On the contrary, I'll be the one committing the murder",she then easily kicked her self off the 10 feet eagle only to land soundly on the floor. She held Ulfric's sword in her right hand.

"What a song it'll be, for the new Jarl of Windhelm to be killed by the Dark Brotherhood on his coronation night by... his own sword";she stepped closer to him, her hips moving seductively to every step she took.

"Would it be breaking the rules to tell me who payed you to kill me?" confronted Ulfric.

She giggled lightly,"..Of course." Ulfric backed away as she stepped closer. He distracted her with as many questions as he could so he could find a weapon.

"How about showing me the face of my killer? I really do pray you look as pretty as you sound."

"Flattery? Well you really know how to play. I'm sorry butas my first important job I wish to see it through." she continued.

"How about your name?"

"Enough."

Ulfric was no match for a Dark Brotherhood associate, until he heard "first important job" from her lips. The girl must have been a rookie, since important jobs are given to the Dark Brotherhoods all the time. Most contracts are normally allaround
Tamriel, it'srare when one is "important" in Skyrim. If there was any chance of luck in defeating her, Ulfric was willing to take it. Ulfric then remembered an iron dagger in his father'ssheath kept near his throne always. A pig sticker
right

now was the only option.

He then absconded to his throne and quickly clutched the dagger from it'ssheath. Before he could turn around to face her, the she-assassin had him by the shoulders and attempted to dig his sword into him from behind. Ulfric found an advantage in
her effortsand grabbed the sword with his gloves. Unable to penetrate the skin due to his hide gloves he held tight to it. The assassin then ripped the bladefrom his hands and itcut through his gloves and his skin. A quick,sharp
burning sensation flashedthrough

his hand. He yelped for his sliced palm was now gushing blood. She attempted a swing with the blade. Ulfric having nothing to block with he used his dagger. His hand stung like fire as he used all his strength to block the thundering attack. Every
/force he tried to keep the sword from winning just made him weaker. The sword was indeed powerful, with out aid Ulfric would surely lose this battle.

As curiosity and surrender over came him, he reached his left arm over her head and ripped off her cowl. Ulfric only got a brief look of his murder's face. She wasa Nord. Her hair was golden yellow and hung down her shoulders. Her eyes were much
greenerthan they were as her ivory skin illuminated them into beautiful green pearls. Her face was flawlessly shaped and gave off an enticing glow. If it wasn't for Ulfric's idea, he would have been dead by distraction.

Suddenly Ulfric's power came out in three simple words. Thinking he had forgotten,he some how managed the Thu'um.

"Fus..RO..DAH!" the power weighing against his dagger was released as the assassin went flying across the hall. She slammed on the hard floor, her body reacting like a rag doll.

"Agh!" she yelped. Ulfric's powerful voice must have awoken the whole of Windhelm. Attempting to crawl for the sword that had landed by her she let out numerous aches and cries. She held on tightly to her ribs which must have gotten the worst of the
Thu'um didn't kill her, but it surely must havehurt her. Ulfric stood dazed and bewildered that he actually used the Thu'um. It was the first time he used it on a real enemy. Noticing the assassin's efforts to retrieve the sword he made his
way toher, quickening with every step.

"The..Thu'um... By Sithis... it cannot be"she maundered. Ulfric smiled at her flabbergasted eyes.

"You won't die just yet, cutthroat"he spoke. She let out some desperate coughs and glanced back into his eyes. No fear was shown in her, and no pain.

"I am no cutthroat." she choked out clutching her chest. Ulfric starred intently at her, waiting for words.

"I... am Astrid, an eternal agent of the Void. My hand is guided by Sithis. We will meet again, my dear friend, and when we do, I will send you to his plain of darkness."

Before Ulfric could respond Galmar and various guards erupted through the great doors of the Palace of Kings. The red raysof the dawn sun came blazing through the hall.

"Ulfric! We heard the shout. Are you..." Galmar stopped instantly when seeing the assassin before him.

"Dark Brotherhood..?" he muttered. Suddenly the assassin built up as much strength as she could, grabbed the ancient sword of Stormcloaks and flee'd through the guards. The she-nord was indeed very fast.

"My sword! Get her!" screamed Ulfric.

"Archers!" ordered Galmar.

Ulfric panicked,"No! Don't kill her!" the confusing orders and the speed of Astrid led them to find that she had escaped, with Ulfric's sword. The sword that had been his father'sfavored weapon.

Ulfric ran out to the morning mist and snow outside his warm palace, "YOU CAN'T HIDE FROM ME, CUTTHROAT!" he shouted out to the town, "I WILL GET BACK WHAT'S RIGHTFULLY MINE!" Ulfric embraced defeat as the cold blistering morning air hit his face. His
cheeks red and his eyes heavyfrom failure.

"Don't kill her? Why?" asked Galmar, settling himself next to him.

"She knows something no one else does... I need her to tell me who sent her andwhy."

"She was partof the Dark Brotherhood, sire"stated Galmar.

"All the more reason to find her and tell me who payed."

"My point is... it's nearly going to be impossible to find her."No matter how much Ulfric wanted to deny it, Galmar was right.

"Send out parties. Scour the land for this girl. I want warrants out for her immediately! Gather the troops. I want my sword back in my hands and I want that girl interrogated as soon as possible!..."

"But sir! What do we have to rely on?" pleaded Galmar. Ulfric didn't know much but was willing to give all.

"Not much... we do know however a name and an occupation."

"Her name?" asked Galmar once again.

"...Astrid." snarled Ulfric. The name had a certain elegance to it, somethinga pompous assassin would have.

"I'll go to find her as soon as I can. I know only a limited amount of people infiltrated with the Dark Brotherhood. Perhaps they know something of this "Astrid" and can give us reasonable answers."

"I'll go with you."

"No you will not, Galmar. I must do this on my own. The only way to defeat the Dark Brotherhood... is to act like one." stated Ulfric.

"You're only 24, Ulfric. You must need assistance!" cautioned Galmar.

"I can handle her... she's afraid of me. With fear she will express her weaknesses. Or she will surrender. Only me seeking her can tell." Ulfric didn't actually know what he could expect finding this assassin. He only wished for his sword back, and theone
holding his contract. With those two reasons in his head he believed he could see this mission finished.

"Well..." Ulfric announced, "I suggest I shall begin packing for my journey."