Windhelm was a white, frozen city; one of the coldest in Skyrim, a Nord land legendary for its wintery climates. Aisling Gray-mane stood at the city's gates and regained her barrings. It had been almost a year since her last visit when she had been named Thane and received a house in the city. The last nine months of her life had been dedicated to being Galmor Stonefist's second and the mission to expand the Jarl Stormcloak's holdings for their rebellion. The day was particularly chilly and she made her way into the shop district. Elves and humans alike peddled their trade in this hold and Aisling's gold lit her pocket aflame. Browsing she was ensnared by a display of vegetables in one booth while another by The White Phial, the town apothecary, enticed her with meats and mead. She adjusted her semi-full pack and . approached the meat vender, a slightly built Dunmer, whom she did not recognize .
"Two beef and a venison please; as well as four spiced mead, and a bottle of alto wine. Oh! Two pheasants also, please." She added pulling out her purse.
"My dear that is quite a bit." he commented whilst gathering her requests.
"I've been away quite awhile."
"The rebellion seems to do that to many people, freedom is a just cause though. 35 gold pieces please." He said smiling.
"There must be more here than that?" she questioned.
"Call it a soldier's discount. I can't fight n account of my knee, so I help those that can."
"How do you know I'm a soldier?"
"It's in your eyes, your stance, stride. It shows in many ways."
"Then you must know I will pay you no less than what your good are worth." She reached over and handed him a hundred gold pieces. "Consider the rest a gift from your Thane for your loyalty." She smiled and watched his face redden.
"Thank you my Thane."
"Please call me Aisling." She said as they bowed to one another and she moved on.
The Nord woman from whom she bought her vegetables was crass and short spoken so she received her things without much conversation and was glad to leave for home, her pack fully laden.
She had grown to like Windhlem more than her previous home; it was for that reason, among others, she had sold her things in Markarth and decided to only live here. Hjerim's rooms were dark when she arrived so she arrived so she quickly stored her belongings and left again to speak to Galmor concerning her recent summons to the Palace of Kings. She cut around through the market too void the cemetery; she had seen enough brothers die before her arrival she wanted no reminder of the dead. The was a pang of loss that struck her deeply but subsided quickly so she did not examine it to thoroughly. When she arrived at the Palace of Kings the guards allowed her immediate entrance, after she presented her ring bearing the sigil of Windhelm's Thane.
The Jarl's receiving hall was vast and cavernous in fact the entire place brought to mind a bear's cave, full of large high ceiling rooms and wide tunneling halls. Which made a strange kind of connection to the bear the flag bore and the hides the generals dressed in, like the uniform she was now permitted to wear on account of her station and proven battle prowess.
Looking around the room she saw no sign of Galmor and the Jarl's Throne stood empty at the hall's end. The only place it seemed logical for both of them to be was the war room they had erected beside the hall. Making her way up to the room she nodded kindly to the Jarl's Stewart and housecarl that sat, with others she did not recognize, eating. The Jarl's cook was extremely skilled and as a result many of the rebellions highest ranking members kept her busy in her kitchen.
The war room had no door only a large archway that Aisling reclined on and took in the scene. Galmor in his full general's regalia stood pouring over war maps that were marked with flags of Stromcloak blue and Imperial red. Despite their efforts over the previous months their blue flag had not dominated the map. The Imperials had dug into ancient forts and small town full of innocent people, while the Stormcloaks owed many holds the Imperials seemed to own just as many smaller strategic points. Aisling worried the war may never end.
To Galmor's left stood Ulfric Stormcloak, Jarl of Windhelm and leader of their rebellion. Ulfric seemed to be the very paragon of Nords in Skyrim. His squared solid features were Skyrim's mountains while his tawny golden hair its fields and warmer places. even the thick brogue he spoke reminded her of the fluidity of the ocean and the rumble of deep caves. She had known the Jarl all of his life, whether he knew it or not, and she was pleased to see the man he had become. She had yet to make up her mind on the man he had been, but felt his father would be proud of the leader he had made himself into. She watched the Jarl as her mind conflicted with her heart, she had loved him once long ago and she would die for him but after the last decade she decided she was unsure if she loved him now.
Standing she put extra pressure on the heels of her Officer's boots letting their echo announce her presence.
Both men raised their heads and Galmor waved her to them. "Aisling, good you're here."
"We've interrogated some of the surviving Imperials; it seems they tell stories about this Stormcloak Ice-maiden. You, Aisling, have become their new angel of death." Ulfric offered his face passive but there was a lit of approval and recognition in his voice. "You do your clan proud, Thane of Windhelm." Aisling bowed before they could see the discomfort on her face.
"Do you know of Fort Greenwall?" Galmor asked pointing to a flag of red on the map in front of them.
"It's small, dilapidated, and after all these years still a formidable fortress. If the Imperials are there it will take your best to liberate the fort from them." She said lowering her dark hood and freeing her red-gold braids down her shoulders.
"I'm glad you think so ." Galmor said smiling.
"This will be your command. I want you to take this fort, it is a two day ride. You leave tomorrow your brothers wait for you." She opened her mouth to protest but the Jarl leveled her with a stern, authoritative gaze. "Rest Shield-maiden, bring me this fort or die trying."
Aisling bowed to her Jarl. He had given her another chance to show her skills and she realized the opportunity to do just that. As she turned to leave met face-to-face with Ralof, another brother in the rebellion. She turned and nodded to Galmor before she left the room to speak with Ralof.
They walked toward to door together still in silence and Aisling could hear Galmor and Ulfric join the others at the table. "He does not mean you are expendable." Ralof finally said breaking the silence between them.
"I am," She countered simply her steps not faltering, "We all are."
Ralof stopped and gaped at her, "You can't mean that. You have lost the least soldiers of any of the generals, I know you value your troops."
Aisling stopped and turned to face him, "I have not been a general as long as the others and I value all my brothers and sisters the same, from the Jarl to the recruits."
"I'm not so sure of that." Ralof accused
"What you think you know is of little consequence to me." She began to walk again.
"Even if know of you and the Jarl?" He asked briskly passing her by.
In a moment of rage, and to a lesser extent panic, she grabbed Ralof spinning him about to face her. "Be wary of what you speculate out loud soldier." She ground out between clenched teeth.
Aisling looked eye to eye with Ralof but in that moment he swore she took up more of the hall. Her muscles were ridged and her face contorted like he had never seen before. This must be how she seems in battle. Ralof was unsure of what she may have done had the Jarl and Galmor not been in the main hall. Aisling turned to look at them as well and Ralof took advantage of her distraction quickly slipping out of her grasp and the palace.
"Aisling," Ulfric called and she made her way up to the head of the room again.
"Yes my Jarl," She said dropping to one knee and bowing formally, so as to take time and regain her composure.
"I need you more rested than you appear. such displays,"he said motioning to the door where the incident with Ralof had just occurred, "such displays only harm our unity. I have no need for a general who will make mistakes."
"My Jarl-"Aisling began to defend herself but Ulfric held up a hand to silence her while he thought.
Something about her passion and her fire intrigued him and since it had been so long since such occurred to him. "Aisling I want you to go home to wash and dress then join us for the evening meal." of the few who remained in the hall, all turned to the Jarl in curious disbelief.
Aisling felt very uncomfortable in the spotlight and a bit like cornered prey. She had been enlisted and ranked long enough to know this was not a common request from the Jarl. "I am sorry Jarl Ulfric but no." She had set the room on it's ear, all heads turned to her and she scrambled for some justification other then her temper. "If you wish me to rest I should return home and do such. It has been a long journey to Windhelm." The Jarl nodded in the same majestic way he always did and Aisling took her leave and hurried as quickly as unnoticeable possible to the doors. Once free on the stares in side the Palace of Kings she made her way to the commerce section of town once again.
The blacksmith of Windhelm, Oengul War-Anvil, sat at his grinding wheel and repaired an expensive ebony longsword. "Hail my Thane! What can I do for you today?"
Aisling smiled, she enjoyed the blacksmith's company. He reminded her uncle, also dead long ago. She had missed so many passings whilst imprisoned. She was the last of her line and even then she was no longer to be that woman.
"Aisling? Is everything all right girl?" Oengul asked.
"Yes I'm sorry. I seemed to be lost in thought much of late. I was wondering if I could work your forge later this evening?" he raised a brow encouraging her to explain. "I came across some Orichalcum ore and I'd like to smelt it down and forge a new set of swords."
He laughed then and smiled warmly at her. "After all you've done for me, for all of us in fact it is the least I can do. You've made life better for many of us."
"I can't see that, I haven't been back for almost a year now." She said modestly.
"The army helps us and as our Thane you have brought change. Eorland would agree, he helped a good girl." Aisling's eyes grew frantic for a moment and she paled. "Don't worry my Thane. Your secret is safe."
"When did you know Oengul? Who told you?"
"Eorland sent a missive when he found you were joining to rebellion, so you would have a friend here. Your father would have been proud of you and all you've done."
"Of that I am unsure. I will return later after you've closed so as not to hinder your business."
"Very well I will keep her burning for you." - Smiled and turned his attentions to helping a Breton, Aisling took the chance to return home before she found any other trouble.
Hjerim was well warmed and the lamps burned invitingly when she arrived home for the second time. Inside Calder, her housecarl, busied himself with preparing the cooking hearth and abruptly came to her side when she entered. "My Thane why did you not send word ahead you were arriving today. I would have readied he house better..."
"Calder!" She stopped him. "Firstly the house is fine also if this is to be my home we must address a few things." He closed his mouth and listened to her. "Please do not dwell on the fact that I am Thane, if we are to live together let us be less formal while in our home. Secondly I have brought venison and spiced mead for dinner." He nodded to her. "Now let us get me into a bath, I am filthy from the road and politics."
"Very well my Tha-," he paused for a moment and corrected, "Aisling, the large basin is on the second floor, once there we will start with your armor." Aisling nodded and made her way up the loft stairs.
Calder collected a dress for her and began to help her remove her armor. It was times like this she almost missed Lydia's mothering, almost. It took them a great deal of time to get her into the bath due to Calder's unnecessary modesty but once submerged in the warm water he returned to the kitchen and she could wash in peace.
When she was cleaned and redressed she began toward the stairs and the smell of roast venison and vegetables made her stomach tighten painfully with hunger. Downstairs the table was set with fine golden colored dishes she had retrieved from a Dwemer ruin and Calder was returning with the roasting pot. Aisling retrieved the mead from one of the cupboards and sat across from Calder.
They ate with polite conversation about Windhelm and Calder asked after the war front. With a meal heavy in her long empty stomach Aisling began to feel tired. "I must return to the Forge, I have ore to smelt and weapons to perfect." She said better to do it now before she became to tired.
"I will go with you in case of incidents. That way you need not change again." Calder offered.
"Very well, I think I should like the company." They cleared the table and Aisling retrieved her bag of ore. Orichalcum was expensive and she had been lucky to stumble upon a vein in her travels. The ore had been heavy but would be most excellent for making a pair of fine Orcish swords, Aisling had even learned a trick from Markarth's Orc blacksmith to make them exceptionally durable.
The forge area was empty and she set to work at the smelter. Within a few hours the first blade was shaped and tempered, with in a few more hours the second was also complete. With none of the incidents that Calder had feared they returned to Hjerim.
"I must rest some." Aisling said and Calder turned a concerned eye to her. "I must leave tomorrow and I still need to have these enchanted by the Jarl's mage." Moving sluggishly she made her way up the stairs and into her room. Closing the door behind her she stripped off her gown and crawled into the first real bed she had seen in months.
Morning comes early to a soldier on the last day of their leave and Aisling was no exception. She rose with the sun, after much of her own coaxing, and dawned her armor before collecting her pack and weapons. Calder stood by the door, travel food in hand, with a grim look on his face. "You wear that long face for me?" Aisling asked curious, "I've not died nor will I"
"I cannot help it. I worry is all my Thane. I like serving you."
"Well stop. I'll be back and have taken the Fort in no time. You'll see. As for you serving me," She smirked devilishly at him, "We will have to discuss that at a later time."
"Your bravado is not reassuring, even with your jokes." Calder chuckled slightly but leveled her a serious gaze. "Be careful."
"It is not bravado Calder, It is Faith. Have a little in me won't you?" She asked smiling sweetly.
"I will have to." he agree
Smiling Aisling clapped him on the shoulder and exited the house bound for the stables. In the early hour she had decided it was best not to pay the mage for enchantments until she had tested the blades. The stables were quiet given that many others had already made the journey to their camp outside Fort Greenwall. She checked the saddling and tack on her ebony and ivory gypsy before attaching her riding packs. Mounting up she turned the reluctant horse from it's bay and headed toward Fort Greenwall and the legion of her brothers and sisters she could very well be sending to their deaths. The idea weighed heavy on her and she pressed forward at a quick but maintainable pace.