Ysmir groaned as the Dwemer mechanism on his bedside table began to whir and clink. 'Ugh,' he thought, 'why did I salvage that infernal contraption?' He slammed his hand on the mechanism as he got up, but it continued to whir and clink. He groaned, a frown on his face and silently mouthed "Yol" at the mechanism. It started whirring louder and burst into flames, sending shards of bronze like metal all over the room. He opened the door of his room and checked to see if his housecarl, Lydia, was in her room. He found her room empty, save for a note on her bed explaining where she was. He put the letter down and returned to his room, his feet seemingly gliding on the smooth wooden floor of his home. He opened a small box on his bedside table and took out its content, his most prized possession, an Amulet of Talos given to him by his mother the night he was told of his heritage. He slipped the amulet around his neck and made his way to the armory on the first floor. He looked at his different armors and decided on his normal choice, his dragonbone armor. He methodically fastened the straps, knowing how tightly to tighten each strap. He looked over his two normal helmet choices, his dragonbone helmet and the dragon priest mask Konahrik. He pondered for a few minutes and decided on his dragonbone helmet. He went over to an alcove on the wall and unlocked the chest within it. He looked down into the seemingly empty chest and tapped on its side nine times, the bottom fell away, revealing a large put full of weapons and armor. This was his chest of Daedric artifacts, enchanted by the wizard Farengar Secret-Fire and filled with ever artifact he could find in Skyrim. He reached inside an took out the one-handed sword Dawnbreaker, artifact of the Daedric prince Meridia and the dagger Mehrunes Razor, Daedric artifact of Mehrunes Dagon. He tied them both to his belt and prepared to set off. He walked out of his home onto the bustling streets of Whiterun, people walking past. Three children ran past him, one of them stopped and walked towards him, his adopted daughter Lucia. "Where are you going Papa," the young Imperial girl asked, her hands behind her back, a pleading look dancing on her face. Ysmir smiled, knelt down in front of his daughter, and said "Lucia, you can't come with me today, I'm not just going to Rorikstead or Riverwood." Lucia frowned and said "Ok, fine! Be careful Papa." Ysmir kissed his daughter's forehead and said "I will Mal Gein." "Lucia lets go," Lucia's friend Lars shouted. Lucia smiled one last time at her father and ran to her friend. Ysmir stood back up and thought of how to get to his destination. After a minute of pondering, his face lit up with a smile. He reflected on himself and thought of the Shout he wished to use. Once he was focused on the Shout, the Dragonborn took in a deep breath and Shouted at the sky, "Od Ah Viing!" He felt a prickling acknowledgment as a roar sounded from the southeast. A nearby guard drew his sword and yelled "Dragon!" "Weapon away soldier," Ysmir said to him. A slim shaped soon flew over the city, landing on Breezehome. "Hello Odahviing," Ysmir said to the dragon. "Greetings Dovahsebrom Thuri. Where are we flying today," the dragon replied. "Sky Haven Temple," Ysmir replied, climbing up his home and onto the dragon's back. Ohdaviing nodded and flapped his powerful wings, sending them into the air. "Why do we go to Sky Haven Temple Dovahsebrom," the dragon asked as they flew towards the Blades' stronghold. Ysmir looked forward and and said "The plan I told you about is in its final stages, and I am ready to enact one of the final parts." "A long thought plan is a good thing," the dragon replied. Ysmir looked around the land at the patrols of guards. They passed into the Reach and Ohdaviing said "We are approaching Sky Haven Temple." Ysmir nodded and soon, Ohdaviing landed on the great terrace of Sky Haven Temple. Ysmir dismounted the dragon and walked into the temple. He walked down the great stairs of the temple and looked over the people within the building. Delphine, the current Grandmaster of the Blades walked up to him and said "Dragonborn, good to see you again." "And you Delphine," he replied, "I would appreciate if you called Esbern and both of you went to your quarters." Delphine nodded in confusion and went to get the Archivist. Ysmir walked to Delphine's quarters and sat in a chair in front of her desk. Soon, Delphine, followed by Esbern walked into the room. "Close the door please," Ysmir said, waving his hand. Esbern closed the door and said "Why have you called us here Ysmir?" Ysmir drummed his fingers on the arm of the chair and said "I have decided to tell you who I am, where I come from, and my plans for the future." Delphine nodded and Esbern said "We are listening Ysmir." Ysmir nodded and began to speak, "First we will begin with a story. During the end of the Second Era, Tiber Septim fought in and conquered High Rock for the third empire. When in High Rock, Tiber met a young noblewoman and the two spent a night together. Before he returned to Cyrodiil he covered up his affair with the noblewoman and left to rule his empire. That noblewoman bore a child and they grew, got married and had children. This cycle continued for many years, past the end of the Septim Dynasty and into the Fourth Era until my mother, she met a Breton nobleman and married him, producing me. I was born Hjalti Sepim, the name my family took for themselves to mock the family that covered up their lineage. One night, my mother took me outside to look at the stars. After a while of watching the sky my mother turned to me and told me the tale I just told you. I am the true heir of the Septim Dynasty, and I have been planning my ascension to my rightful place as Emperor of Tamriel." Delphine and Esbern looked at him, dumbfounded. "How are we supposed to to trust your word," Esbern asked. Ysmir nodded and said "It's simple, right now, you can't, but if you follow me and serve me, the Dragonfires will prove that I am not lying." Delphine tapped her finger on her desk and said "I don't know about Esbern, but I believe you Dragonborn and am prepared to pledge my loyalty to you and your cause." "Thank you Delphine, do you both want to know my plans," Ysmir replied to the Breton warrior. They nodded and Ysmir began again, "I have been planning my ascension for years and my plan is the reason I returned to Skyrim, my ancestor's homeland. My plan was to gain the trust of the Stormcloaks, but after I learned what I had always suspected, my Dragonborn heritage I had to deal with Alduin first. So I would win the trust of Ulfric and reveal to him my heritage, and hopefully after that, because of his proud belief in Talos, he would declare loyalty and back me as candidate for High King of Skyrim. In my original plan, sometime after this, my cousin Amaund Motierre would contact the Dark Brotherhood and put a contract on Titus Mede II's head. That has already happened, that is why Mede is dead. After either forcing the Imperial presence in Skyrim to leave or swear fealty, I would march through the Nibenay with the forces of Skyrim and those provinces that would support me, and declare who I am and take my place as Emperor after immobilizing the Imperial Legion, through either loyalty to the Septim name, or by destroying them." Esbern nodded and said "While I don't entirely believe your story of being the secret how to the Septim Dynasty, I will support you because of how intricate your plan is, besides the Empire could use a change in leadership." Ysmir smiled wide and said "Well then, gather the Blades and prepare for a march to Windhelm." "I know Ulfric is extremely loyal to Talos but," Delphine began, "what happens if Ulfric refuses, he is a stubborn Nord." Ysmir stood up and said "Then I will shout Ulfric into Sovengarde and we will destroy any Stormcloak resistance in the city." Delphine nodded gravely and Esbern said "Who is already supporting you?" Ysmir looked at Mehrunes Razor on his belt and said "I have the support of the Companions, the Dawnguard, the College of Winterhold through my friendship with its Archmage, the Thieves Guild through an alliance with its Guild Master, the Blades now, and I'm meeting with the Listener after we resolve the Ulfric situation." Delphine nodded and said "Let's get ready."