Disclaimer: I don't own Skyrim. This work of fanfiction is made by a fan purely for the enjoyment of other fans. No money is being made off of this, no copyright infringement is intended, and I am not worth suing, believe me.

Thanks to Thyvillain for serving as my beta-reader.

This chapter came a lot quicker than the last one. Credit goes both to caffeine, for making me so amped I couldn't help but write, but also to playing Skyrim again. Playing it, walking around the world and interacting with the characters is a gold mine for fanfiction motivation and a cure for writer's block, at least when it comes to Skyrim fanfic.

I cannot make any specific promises about future chapters, due a cross-country move and a job search re-ordering my life in recent days, however.

Jarl of Blackreach

By Alkeni

Chapter 10: The Far Side of War

Sun's Dusk 18th, 4E 202

Small House, Blackreach

Serana was starting to get just a little stir-crazy. Not much, and after so many centuries asleep in a pillar, she would have thought it would take her longer to get even this stir crazy. But well, she'd been asleep that time, magically induced sleep at that. In hindsight, it made sense that it wouldn't have given her a tolerance, but that was what hindsight offered.

They'd been in Blackreach for about a month and a half, and things had changed quite a lot in the ruined city. For one, there were no more Falmer left in the city. Not a one.

It hadn't been easy, and Serana had had another scare for Kisyra's life – and followed through on her earlier threat, for a two-day span. Of course, Kisyra had enjoyed it far more than Serana would have liked, given that it was supposed to be punishment, but then, that was her lover for you. Not that the Dragonborn hadn't been annoyed about the lost time at the end of it all, so at least Kisyra really had started to be more careful.

The Falmer weren't completely gone as a threat, for all that they'd been driven out of the Cavern, and even out of Raldbathar, Mizchaleft and Aftand - mostly. They still seemed to find their way in through connecting tunnels and lower routes up, into Blackreach and all three of the other ruins, but it was much, much easier to keep a lid on them.

For one, two more arrivals had come to join Kisyra – Thrynn, a former bandit in the Guild who had mostly served as muscle, as she understood it, and a dour and quiet orc that Serana hadn't caught the name of. According to Kisyra, the orc was a mercenary she'd hired to help Thrynn with that plan to get more variety in their blood. Their secondary job was to keep the Falmer at bay.

And then there was that plan. Unconsciously, Serana licked her lips a little. While the blood of the bandits that had taken up roost in Raldbathar and Mzinchaleft was far from the tastiest blood she'd had, after so many blood potions, so often, it was a very, very welcome change of pace. Between the two of them, Kisyra and Serana had bent the minds of the leaders their immediate subordinates in each bandit gang, using them as a blood source, alternating who they drank from, while also getting control of a number of minions to keep the Falmer out of the upper ruins.

A really good idea of hers, I'll grant.

Bandits hardly made reliable neighbors, or guards, but they did their job, and Kisyra seemed content with her little empire building, between the two bandit gangs and her growing 'Fort Heljarchen'. The main building, complete with living space for Kisyra and Serana was apparently complete, according to the report that had come two nights ago.

And now that it is, I think it's time to get out of these ruins for a few days. Or maybe a bit longer.

Serana turned to Kisyra, who was writing something in one of her seemingly innumerable journals. "Kisyra?"

Serana watched the Dragonborn carefully finish her word and then set the book down, open, letting the ink dry. Then Kisyra turned to her, looking at her as she spoke, "Yes?" She must have seen the look on Serana's face, "Something wrong?"

"Not exactly wrong," Serana granted her, "But I am starting to get a little sick of Blackreach." Serana held up a hand quickly, "I meant it when I said I was mostly content to just go along with you here, for the next long while." Serana laughed briefly, half-sardonically, "It's not like I have much of anything else to do, and I'm spending time with you, but..."

Serana shook her head, "Look, I find all this – Blackreach, the Dwemer and everything else - at least a little interesting, but I'm not so engrossed by it as you. And I'd really like a bit of a change of scenery for a while." She smiled, "Hell, I'm even missing the sun just a little. The stars and moonlight definitely."

"We could always pop up the Tower for a bit-" Kisyra started, sounding just a touch confused, but Serana cut her off.

"I mean getting out of Blackreach completely for a few days." Serana clarified for the Dragonborn.

Kisyra didn't say anything for a moment, then nodded, slowly. "I...alright." She looked at Serana, frowning suddenly, "Do you feel like I've been – ignoring you?" Serana heard the note of concern in Kisyra's voice, and felt a small flush of happiness, as she did every-time her emotionally inexpressive lover gave an indication she cared.

"No," Serana nodded, speaking truthfully, "Though I'll admit I'm a little worried you might, if you find something especially interesting, but you haven't yet. I'd just really like a chance of pace. Maybe a chance to sketch something that's not Dwemer," That part Serana added with a soft smile, though she was also genuine. Originally, she'd just taken up art again to help Kisyra, but after a while, she'd recalled, in terms of experience, just why she'd liked it so much to begin with. She'd been doing a lot of sketching of various structures and formations in Blackreach, and had half a mind to paint them, if she could get her hands on the right supplies. But, no doubt contributing to her sense of stir-craziness, there were only so many square and rectangular structures someone could draw before that too started to lose its appeal.

Kisyra smiled softly, and her voice carried a note of relief, "Alright. I suppose a chance of scenery for a while wouldn't be a problem. After all, I've got time to take this slow, don't I?"

"That was the case you made to me." Serana agreed. "I was thinking we could spend some time at your 'Fort Heljarchen' – at least the night, test the place out, as it were," Serana couldn't help but smirk at the expression on Kisyra's face as she said that, "Then, I dunno. Take a look around the surface. Maybe go to Whiterun for a few days."

Kisyra made a face, "Whiterun? Really?'

"Well, it's easier to get there than Dawnstar, and what other city is closer?" Serana pointed out reasonably. "We weren't in the city for long last time, and I wouldn't mind having a look around, seeing how the place has changed in the last few thousand years." If there was one thing – apart from understanding Kisyra - Serana was engrossed by, it was tracking the changes the world had been through since she'd come out of that pillar in Dimhollow Crypt.

Kisyra nodded in understanding, then, "So what was Whiterun like, then, in 'your day'?"

Serana shrugged, "Not much. Dragonsreach, Jorrvaskr and some scattered houses. And of course the farms to feed everyone. In those days, Windhelm and Solitude had a lot more people than Whiterun. At least in the core city itself." Serana clarified. Eastmarch and Haafingar had never had as many people as Whiterun Hold itself did, even if the hold capitals had been much larger than Whiterun's.

"And now it's the largest city in Skyrim and the bone of contention between both factions in the lovely little civil war going on up here." Kisyra concluded for her.

"Something of a shock to learn how much Whiterun had changed, yes. Though I'd only been there a few times," she admitted. "Anyway, whatever else Whiterun is, it's a lot livlier than Blackreach ever could be."

"That's one of the downsides." Kisyra pointed out sourly. "And that's the city where I'm the most popular too."

"Well, the first dragon you killed was heading for Whiterun. And then you captured a dragon in the Jarl's palace. It's bound to make an impression." Serana pointed out.

"I'll grant." Kisyra admitted, "Doesn't mean I have to like it." Kisyra shrugged after a moment of silence. "Alright, alright. You're right, I have time, and if you'd like to get out of Blackreach for a bit, then we can go somewhere else." She smiled and got up, walking over to Serana. Putting her arms around the other vampire's middle, Kisyra sat in her lap. "In the meantime..." Kisyra smirked.

Returning the favor, though her arms went around Kisyra's waist...and moved a little lower for a moment – Serana leaned in and pressed a kiss to Kisyra's lips. It started light, but very quickly the two of them had made it much deeper.

Sun's Dusk 20th, 4E 202

Whitewatch, Whiterun Hold

Kisyra's first hint that something wasn't right was when they came to Whitewatch. The small community – not even five hundred people – that had grown up around Whitewatch Tower had little to recommend it to the outside world. Its smith wasn't even equipped to make weapons or armor, beyond arrowheads and other basic items. It lacked even a general store or anything resembling as much. It's entire economic life existed around servicing the fifty or so members of the Whiterun Guard based in and around the Tower, who had the duty of policing the northern reaches of Whiterun Hold.

Even during the nighttime – such as now – there should have been at least a few guards on patrol outside the town, indeed, usually even more than during the daylight.

Neither she nor Serana had seen a one.

"This is different." Kisyra murmured as they drew closer to the village – and finally saw signs of life, a few guards right at the spot where the road started passing through Whitewatch.

"Halt, traveler." One of the guards said, raising his torch to get a better view and keeping his axe at the ready. "State your business or else." Kisyra could see that the other two guardsmen had their own weapons at the ready, grips tight, as if itching to attack.

"Just passing through." Kisyra answered, taking her hand off her sword and raising her hands lightly. There was something in the guardsman's tone, a jumpiness she'd only encountered in the early days after the return of Dragons to Skyrim. Combined with the fact that the other guards seemed ready to attack at the drop of an arrow...Something's up.

"Dragonborn?" Another of the three guardsmen said, presumably recognizing her voice. Great.

"Yes." Kisyra confirmed, nodding and getting closer so they could get a good look at her.

As usual for when she was traveling, Kisyra was wearing the armor Nocturnal had given her, that of the Nightingales. Her bow was slung over her back, and both swords – Toorzahkrii and the creatively named 'Nightingale Blade' at her belt. But apart from her glass shield, she didn't have any weapons or items for combat in hand, the shield around her arm.

"Apologies." The one that had recognized her said, lowering his bow and removing the nocked arrow. "We're a little jumpy, after the Jarl recalled most of the men from the tower."

"Wait, what?" Kisyra looked at the guardsman, eyes narrowing, though he'd not be able to make that out, between the mask of her armor and the darkness. "Why did he do that?"

"You haven't heard?" When Kisyra said nothing, the guard continued, "The Stormcloaks have attacked Falkreath Hold. They took the Helgen Ruins and Fort Neugrad before being stopped before they could reach Falkreath itself."

Well fuck. The war really had started up again. "The Jarl recalled most of the guard from the north and east back to Whiterun." The guard continued, "The rumor is that he's going to formally declare for Elisif and the Empire." From the sound of the guard's voice, he thought that was a grand idea.

"Well, that makes Whiterun a less appealing destination." Serana muttered. Kisyra couldn't help but smirk behind the mask at that.

"I see. Thank you for that information. I am allowed through, of course? I'm not planning to stop in Whitewatch."

"Of course." The guards parted off the road for her, "Safe travels, Dragonborn." Kisyra nodded at their words and she went past them along the road through the village and right past Whitewatch Tower. Only once they were past Whitewatch completely did Serana turn to Kisyra.

"I guess you were right then." Serana told her. "About the war starting back up soon."

"I didn't expect it to be this soon." Kisyra replied softly. "A lot of people are going to die before this is done." I guess I overestimated just how stubborn Balgruuf is. Kisyra had known, if Falkreath was attacked that the Jarl of Whiterun was almost guaranteed to declare for the Empire. But she'd thought all of it would take longer. From an attack to Balgruuf declaring formally to...

Well, it's happened now.

Dominant in Kisyra's thoughts was the fact that it would screw with her timetable. It was a distant second in her mind that lots of people would die. Unfortunately, some of them might actually be people she actually liked. There were a handful, and some of them were in Whiterun and Whiterun Hold.

And more generally, Kisyra didn't want lots of people to die – even people she didn't like, death wasn't really something to be celebrated. Except for a handful of people, anyway. And war would kill many and devastate the lives of many more.

Fun, fun, fun.

From both a practical and a moral standpoint, Kisyra could only hope it was over soon.

"Kisyra, if we're about to walk into a warzone, we don't have to go to Whiterun," Serana started.

Kisyra looked over at her lover, and then shook her head, "You're just saying that because you know I'd rather not go to Whiterun." Or get anywhere near the civil war. She added, not needing to say that.

"Well...mostly." Serana replied after a moment. "I mean, I'm not ready to head back to Blackreach, but we could go somewhere else less...exposed."

"We could." Kisyra agreed. "But apart from Morthal, Markarth or Solitude, I'm not sure where that would be. Going in the direction of Falkreath or Windhelm will just run us into the battle lines. Dawnstar or Winterhold could be reasonable, but there's hardly anything up there, and we'd be going back the way we came for part of it – through territory that doesn't have any people to speak of for most of it." Kisyra ran her tongue across her lips, "And after getting back on a diet that doesn't come in a bottle, I'm not eager to break out the potions again."

Serana grimaced at the thought, "Okay, you have a point there." Serana looked at Kisyra, eye to eye. "But seriously, if this is a serious issue-"

Kisyra shook her head, "I don't like Whiterun, nor do I want to get caught up in the war, but at the same time..." Kisyra shrugged, "I don't hate Whiterun either, so if we're not going back to Blackreach yet..." She shrugged again.

"If you're sure." Serana said after a moment. When Kisyra nodded, Serana smiled, "Alright. But don't complain about this later."

I won't.

Sun's Dusk 21st, 4E 202

Outside Whiterun, Whiterun Hold

The Sun was starting to set when Kisyra and Serana reached Whiterun. And it wasn't hard to see that the people of Whiterun and the surrounding land were...

"If I didn't know better, I'd say these people were starting to panic." Kisyra murmured.

Serana disagreed, "No. Not panicking yet. Anxious, and ready to panic, certainly, but they're still moving pretty controlled. As far as cities expecting an attack go, this isn't that bad." Serana had, in life, lived through a number of succession wars in Skyrim and various civil wars in High Rock, and seen several such wars up close to one degree or another.

Including the ones Father fought before he became a Vampire.

Her father had always been a power-hungry tyrant, and even before he'd transformed, he'd been a warlord of note, ruling from Volkihar Keep, his army of mercenaries and fleet of pirates a formidable threat to the northern coasts of Skyrim and High Rock... Becoming a vampire, already expected of such favored followers of Molag Bal, was just the nature extension of his quest for power in this world.

Then he discovered the prophecy and slowly let everything fall apart. By the time Serana had been imprisoned, a series of ambitious Chancellors and scheming 'nobles' among the extended Volkihar clan had begun to squander her father's little 'empire'.

Serana had never really been attached to that domain, but had been...disconcerting to find out that it had vanished completely under the weight of her father's obsession and apathy. The clan was smaller, even, and the castle on the verge of collapse.

"Seen a lot of cities under imminent attack?" Kisyra's question brought Serana back to the now.

"A few. If you think High Rock is unstable now, you should have seen it in the first few centuries after I became a vampire." Serana gestured to the farms that seemed ubiquitous in this area south of Whiterun. "People aren't fleeing their farms yet, and trust me, when opposing armies come marching, anyone with sense gets behind walls as soon as they can."

Serana couldn't see Kisyra's eyes behind her armor's mask, but she could tell that Kisyra had rolled her eyes. "I know that, Serana. I did study history at the Imperial University."

"Granted, but you haven't seen the process with your own eyes. Unless the invading army really comes out of nowhere, fleeing behind the walls of a city and preparing for an attack, or even siege doesn't happen over the course of just a day." Serana pointed to the farms again. "Its not really the right season for growing anything, but from the smell, they're working hard to milk their goats and cattle. If they can get it into cheese before the siege, that's food that will last longer. And that's just one example."

Serana looked at Kisyra, "Right now, everyone is still keeping busy, not running around like a chicken without a head, or even running into the city to be protected by its walls."

Kisyra nodded, surveying the farms. "I see your point," the Dragonborn added after a minute.

"And the carts going into the city, loaded with everything the city might need are another sign. From what little you've told me about Balgruuf, if people were really ready to start fleeing into the city, he'd let them take precedence over any of the carts." Serana smirked at Kisyra, who held up her hands in surrender.

"Alright, alright, you've made your point. I concede to your superior knowledge of the practical mechanics of a city getting ready for an attack." Kisyra laughed.

"It's not like I've studied it." Serana admitted. "Just seen it enough to get an idea of how it goes." Serana shrugged, "And who knows, I could be wrong. They might be closer to panic than I think."

"Well, I suppose we'll get a better idea when we get into the city itself." Kisyra pointed out.

"There is that." Serana agreed.

Sun's Dusk 21st, 4E 202

Belethor's General Goods, Whiterun

"Everything's for sale." The slimy little Breton Kisyra had been forced to do business with all too often broke into his usual refrain as the door to his shop opened. "Take a look around. I'm sure-" His voice trailed off into silence as he saw who it was that had entered the shop.

"I'm not in the market for whatever it is you're going to sell." If there was one thing refreshing about Belethor, in Kisyra's mind, it was that he didn't show her any more respect because she was Dragonborn. He didn't like her because by this point she'd managed to be able to drive some really hard bargains with him, especially when it came to her selling him stuff.

"Why? Are you too good to trade with me?" Kisyra raised an eyebrow behind the mask, wondering just what it is was that had Belethor – who really did buy and sell everything, as he constantly said – in such a touchy mood. Well, touchier than usual, anyway.

"I'm not buying anything at this point." Belethor answered. "The Stormcloaks will be here in a week, mark my words. The last thing I need is extra stuff in a siege. I'll keep my gold."

"Well, you'll be happy to know that I'm not actually here to sell you anything this time." Kisyra told him.

"You're not?" Belethor visibly perked up. "Well then, what are you looking for?"

Kisyra took a heavy coin purse from her belt and dropped it on the counter, letting Belethor hear the satisfying thud and jingle of the money inside. "Sapphires. Let me see what you have."

Belethor looked at the coin purse, then nodded. He crouched down, grabbing something from a shelf in the counter. A small wooden box, which he unlocked with a key from his pocket. Once the box was open, he turned it around to give Kisyra a better look at what was inside.

Like any good businessman, Belethor kept his more valuable items behind second layers of protection. Such as his gemstones. Kisyra ignored the rubies, emeralds and amethysts within the box, her gaze going to the four sapphire gemstones.

Reaching down into the box, Kisyra picked one of them up, looking at it closely. No. She put it back, then picked up another. This one was better. She set that down outside of the box, and after more examination, selected one of the other two as well.

"What are you planning on charging me for these two, then?" Kisyra asked, picking the coin purse back up.

Belethor looked at the gems a moment, "Eight hundred septims." He told her after a moment.

Kisyra laughed humorlessly, "Yea. That's not happening. They're good gemstones, but they're far from flawless. I'll pay you six hundred fifty for the pair of them." Kisyra started to move the coin purse back to her belt.

Belethor looked at the purse, then the sapphires. "Seven hundred sixty. My final offer."

"Seven hundred ten." Kisyra countered.

"Sold!" Belethor rapped his hand on the counter. Kisyra set the purse back on the counter and opened it. Most of the septims within were twenty or fifty septim pieces, made with much purer gold than the standard one septim piece. Given that, it wasn't very hard for her to come up with the seven hundred and ten septims quickly.

"Pleasure doing business with you." Belethor said as Kisyra swept the sapphires into the now noticeably lighter purse. The words were as insincere as the big fake smile on his face.

"Likewise." Kisyra offered, not even bothering to hide her own insincerity as she turned around and left.