Chapter Twenty-Six: Breaking Bonds
*Windhelm*
Aventis could barely sleep through the night. He tossed and turned in his dusty, cold bed. With the money the Jarl had given him he planned on renting a room at Candlehearth Hall for a few nights, but he was far too shaken after visiting Calixo Corrium's store. Aventis couldn't get the images out of his head - the black handprint with blood. It didn't make sense, but he knew it couldn't have meant anything good. Perhaps Calixo was just messing with him, performing some sort of dark magic to trick him. Surely that had to be it, Aventis thought to himself. There was no way a mere book could do such things. Then again, he had seen a Giant and a dragon just a couple days ago...perhaps the unbelievable was no longer so.
Aventis tried to shove the worries to the depths of his mind. After all, he was in charge of his fate. He decided what to do with his life and had control over the decisions he made, not Calixo Corrium or some book. He stood to his tired feet from the hay bed and draped his bear pelt around him instinctively, it rested against a short stone railing next to his bedside. Aventis slept with his leather boots on, they provided extra warmth. He muttered curses under his breath at the biting cold as he fastened his scabbard belt to his waist, sword hanging readily. He swore to himself that he'd rent a room tonight, but he had to pay a visit to his father first.
Aventis was so shaken that he could not stand to make the trek to the Nightingale Inn in the cold of last night, but anticipated conversations began funneling through his eager mind. He knew Commander Pavo would be proud of him, how could he not? Aventis will have given his father the enemie's very next move. Information that could lead to the end of the war in Skyrim, information that would lead to the death of Ulfric Stormcloak. That thought tugged at him a bit. Ulfric was the enemy, he knew that, but the rebel Nord didn't feel like an enemy as of late. He was honorable and fiercely protective of his people and his land, which in itself Aventis knew was not a crime. However he was the man who murdered his own High King. Men who do such things typically can't just get away with it. The logical side of Aventis knew that Ulfric did so because of the decree outlawing Talos worship, he knew the man's motives were just...
Like the Book of Fate, Aventis shoved the second thoughts to the back of his mind. He had a duty to perform, and his father's orders were too important to him at this juncture. He himself was important to this war. With a sigh of finalization he set out for Nightingale Inn in the light of the early morning.
Aventis opened the door to the Nightingale Inn, where he had been dozens of times prior. The warmth from the rolling fire in the middle of the dining hall hugged his body. His brown eyes scanned the room and was surprised to find his father sitting at one of the tables instead of in his room, he was cutting into a plate of elk chops and boiled chicken eggs. He was wearing common clothing.
Aventis approached the table and sat down on the bench next to the Commander, the two met eyes and it was almost as they didn't recognize each other at first glance - until a slow smile spread across both their mouths and they embraced in a hug, patting one another on the back.
"So, you survived, eh?", Commander Pavo jested with a warm smile as he clasped his big hand on Aventis' shoulder. His father's smile slowly began to fade as he looked his son over, removing his hand from his shoulder as if Aventis were a stranger again. "I see that Ulfric has given you a new getup...", the Commander said bitterly.
Aventis looked down at the nicer brown leathers that was given to him before the journey to Fort Kastav, and the unmistakable bear pelt that was signature of all things Stormcloak.
"I was only assuming the role you told me take on, father.", Aventis lowly said. He glanced the span of the wooden table and noticed a half finished mug of ale. He clasped his hands around it and took a swig from it, his father's eyes watching him.
"Since when do you drink ale? I recall you only ever taking a liking to wine, the spirits of women.", the Commander asked. Aventis didn't reply, and his father didn't need an answer. "I know you're just following orders, but it still disgusts me to see my son donning rebel wear. Have you at least brought me something? Any word from the enemy camps?"
Aventis peered over his father's head at the fat innkeeper who was lazily sweeping the floor in the corner. He didn't seem to pay them any mind but it made the teen wary.
"Can we go to your chambers to discuss it further?", Aventis lowly requested. His father looked into his deep brown eyes, eyes that matched his own, and nodded. The two got up and walked into the Commander's room, closing the door behind them.
"Well, get on with it.", his father hastily said as he turned to face his son with his arms crossed. Aventis took only a second to glance around the room, as if gathering his thoughts. With a subtle exhale he met his father's stare once more.
"Ulfric let on to his soldiers his plans for when the war resumes..."
Commander Pavo's eyes went wide for a moment, he waited with baited breath. "And?"
"He's planning on using the forces from Windhelm and Whiterun to attack Falkreath. They'll make their camps in Riverwood and all throughout the hills between Whiterun and Falkreath.", Aventis replied back almost in a hush. The Commander's eyes were still wide, even as he glanced around the room and took a seat at the small table that sat in the corner next to his bed. He looked at his son again.
"And you're absolutely certain of this information, Aventis?", he asked with a stone serious expression on his tan face.
Aventis subtly nodded. "I was sitting not much further than you and I when he announced his plans to the soldiers at the fort. I'm certain of it."
For a moment things were silent, even the sound of the hay bristles against the stone floor could be heard outside as the innkeeper continued his sweeping. The Commander rose to his feet again and walked to the window, peering outside at the falling snow and dark depth of the pine tree forests. Aventis knew he was thinking, his father was a strategical man like that. It's what allowed him to rise to his military position. The teen dare not utter a word while the Commander swirled his thoughts around.
"If Ulfric is planning on seizing back Falkreath then he means to secure the southern border, cutting off the flow of Imperial troops from Cyrodil.", Commander Pavo said without so much as turning his back from the window. "It's a smart strategy, I'll give Ulfric that. He knows with the agreements discussed in the truce that Falkreath belongs to the Empire, that we won't think twice about protecting what's already ours and will funnel Imperial troops over the border." Finally he turned back around, his face one of pure business. "And with the troops from Whiterun, Falkreath will fall to Stormcloak forces within hours.", he said almost solemnly, as if his words were set in stone and inevitable. He turned his gaze to his son once more. "And how soon until Ulfric acts on these plans?"
"Once the dragon threat is quelled. From what I understand, he plans on keeping with the truce until then.", Aventis answered obediently. His lanky arms hung tightly by his side, as if he were one of his father's soldiers receiving routine orders. He felt like a solider at times like this, his father was intimidating even when he wasn't acting as a military Commander. Aventis heard a weary scoff from his father.
"Heh, the dragons. The Dragonborn. It wouldn't surprise me if they're working together to fuel this dragon threat somehow - "
"The Dragonborn has nothing to do with Ulfric's plans.", Aventis said as he cut off the Commander's words as quick as his wit. "And Ulfric had nothing to do with the dragons, I've seen one up close, father..."
Commander Pavo had reached for and found a few scrolls of paper and an ink quill by this point but had nearly dropped the quill from his hands at Aventis' words. "What - a dragon?", he asked as he studied his son's face for a joke. For a moment, Aventis felt as serious as his father. He moved closer to the Commander.
"Yes, at Fort Kastav in the woods. It attacked our hunting party. Ulfric killed the dragon, he slayed his with his battle axe.", Aventis could feel his heart jump in his chest as the images from that day flooded his mind again. "He even - ", he trailed off before the words could be finished.
"He even what?", his father asked, his voice changing to an octave deeper in anticipation of his son's next words. Aventis looked down at his feet for a moment, trying not to fidget in the place he stood.
"He even saved me, father. From the dragon itself."
Commander Pavo registered his son's words, his eyes soon darting down to the scrolls and quill he had gathered, then around the room again. His mouth was parted slightly, as if he wanted to say something but couldn't find the words. Aventis wagered he was fighting with his emotions in that moment, similar just to how he'd done since the very attack occurred.
"If you assure me that the Dragonborn is not involved in Ulfric's plans then I trust your word.", the Commander lowly said, ignoring his son's revelation for what Aventis could only assume was conflict of emotion. He went back to gathering his scrolls from one nightstand and set them down at the wooden table, sitting down again.
"I assure you.", Aventis replied confidently. His father took the quill in hand and began penning black words on the paper scroll. Another quiet moment passed between them and Aventis inched closer, trying to peer at the letter. "What will you do now? What will we do now?", he asked quietly.
Commander Pavo did not look up from his writing. "I'm writing this information to General Tullius and sending off a raven at once.", he replied very briefly. Aventis only nodded slightly. He dared to press him again.
"And what will come of all this?", he asked. The Commander stopped his writing this time and hesitantly looked up at his son.
"If it's any of your concern, I assure you, I'll let you know.", he replied with a long stare before turning his head back down and continuing with the letter to the General. Aventis knew that stare, it was a look of warning. It meant that Aventis was curious about something that did not concern him, but it did concern him. It was because of him that the very letter being written was even possible, he reminded himself. Usually he would've taken his father's curt glance and dismissed himself, but not this time. Aventis plopped down in the chair across from the Commander.
"I assume you'll meet Ulfric's forces while they march on Falkreath, take him by surprise?", Aventis said as if he were invited to make the plans.
"I said, if it's any of - "
"It is of the utmost of my concern.", Aventis snapped back. His father's head jerked up to meet his face, his jaw clenched as tight as the quill his held in thick fingers. "It's because of me that this information is even available to you.", he finished, his voice almost a shout and he felt his father tense up.
"You'd watch your tongue if you knew it was good for you.", the Commander replied with pursed lips.
"No, father. You've done nothing but dismiss me since we came to Skyrim.", Aventis continued as he shot up from his seat and it was he that walked to the window this time, peering outside as he felt his emotions welling up inside him. "It's me that brought you this valuable information, and what do I recieve in return? Not even so much as a thanks or a pat on the back." He could feel hot tears creeping into the corners of eyes, but he fought to keep them from falling as he stared outside.
Commander Pavo laid his quill down gently and slowly stood up. He walked closer to the window and stood beside his son, facing him while Aventis still stared out into the snow.
"If it's praises and applause you seek then you should've became a bard, but this is war, son. There are no pats on the back for doing what's expected of you, it's called honor and duty.", Commander Pavo spoke lowly and with an attempt at gentleness, but Aventis knew his father well enough to detect the scold in his voice. "I am proud of you, Aventis. You know I am.", he finished as he outstretched his arms and took his teen son in for an embrace. Aventis could no longer hold back his tears, they fell down his cheeks like ice on a hot day. He wrapped his arms around his father, recalling the last time the two had shared a hug - when he was much younger, Aventis thought. There was something about the embrace that didn't feel right. It was that sense of unfamiliarity again, as if he was in the arms of a stranger rather than his own father. Aventis felt nothing, he felt no warmth or love...only resentment, a feeling in which he desperately tried to suppress, yet hummed through him like an angry bee. He and the Commander pulled away from one another and to no surprise to Aventis, his father's face remained stone and unmoving, like he too felt the emptiness between them. He had vied his whole life, especially as of late, to hear his father say he was proud of him - but when the words filled his ears he felt nothing.
"I promise when this war is over, when we've won and restored peace, we can leave this frozen wasteland and go back home. Your name will recieve mentions and your role in our victory will gain the praises of the Emperor himself. Don't you worry about that, son.", Commander Pavo said with a longing in his own voice. Aventis met his eyes.
"If we win the war."
"When we win the war.", his father emphasized. He looked to the table where the unfinished letter sat, pen laying haphazardly next to it. "Now, I have to get on with duty. General Tullius will no doubt want to hear of this at once." Aventis felt the air move as the Commander stepped away from the window and sat back down, picking up the quill and resuming his writing.
Aventis nodded subtly to his father's back and turned to walk out of the room, his hand on the knob of the door when his father spoke up from his wooden seat.
"Oh, and next time, son - don't wear Stormcloak garb in my presence again. No matter how immersed you say I force you to be, do not forget that you are not a Bear."
Aventis did not glance back to return words, he only twisted the handle of the door felt his father's cold stare stabbing him in the back of his bear pelt until he clicked it shut behind him.
The lazy innkeeper was pouring a fat glass of purple wine to a patron sitting at the bar. He was wearing leather robes that seemed lightly charred from flames and dirty from mud. His matching hood was half up over his head. Aventis picked up on their conversation as he left his father's room and made his way to the door.
"A burning orb, right into the Ghost Sea?", the innkeeper asked with wide eyes as he topped off the patron's mug and slid it over the wooden counter to him.
"I swear it on my life. Crazy as it may sound, I lived it, as did others. I never fled so fast before.", the shaken up young man said as he lifted the mug to his lips, his hands even trembling lightly. He was pale. "I could've kept running all the way home to Riften. But I couldn't make it any longer without warming up. I had ran through the night, never stopping until I got here.", he said as he glanced around the inn, his leg was bouncing up and down nervously. "Soon you'll no doubt have guards coming and going from this quiet little place. They'll be looking for him you know..."
"Looking for who?", the innkeeper asked with his brow cocked.
"For the man they say killed the Arch Mage of the College of Winterhold."
*Whitewind*
The wind whipped outside, it could be heard against the side of the house when the lone tree that stood by the porch scratched at the side with its long dead branches. The fire roared in its stone pit and Katara felt its warmth on her bare feet and arms. It had been burning for a couple hours since they arrived. Beside her on the table lay the Elder Scroll.
Katara looked over at it, it was longer than she expected, more than two feet. She ran her finger gingerly down the paper, feeling its smooth - almost fuzzy - texture. At the ends were two golden pommels, crested with various colorful jewels, that had a long brown leather sash connected at the ends so it could be slung over one's back like a strap. In the middle of the scroll was a red iron band, a thin band, that clasped the scroll neatly shut. Katara had dare not open it, not yet. She remembered Urag's words about people going blind, even those who were capable of reading the Elder Scroll like Moth Priests.
She heard the familiar heavy armored footsteps trudging up the staircase and crossing the length of the wooden floor. Teldryn appeared by her side and plopped down on the other chair that sat by the fire. He sighed at first then leaned forward and began unfastening his boots, he had not yet taken off his armor since they rushed in from the cold.
"How is she?", Katara asked while looking into the fire.
"She's resting.", he replied wearily, doing away with one boot before glancing up at her. "As should you be too."
Katara shook her head lightly. "I'm fine.", she muttered. She was indeed exhausted, having not slept many winks in their time spent down in Volskygge and galloping all through the night from the scene at the College they fled from. Her body wanted to sleep, but Katara's mind would not allow it she knew. "Has she said anything?"
Teldryn only kept his eyes down and shook his head as he peeled the other boot off and tossed the pair off to the side, going to work on his clunky chitin gauntlets next. Katara could sense he was anxious, tense even. She had the same feeling. Fayleen had not said a word upon fleeing the College, not even when they arrived at Whitewind in the early light of dawn. Katara and Teldryn had many questions that burned in their minds. Returning from the ancient ruins to find half the College of Winterhold plummeting into the Ghost Sea while a fire pushed out hordes of people raised enough questions in itself, but Fayleen valiantly sprinting away with an Elder Scroll and a rose staff, and several injuries, toppled on more mystery - and concern.
Teldryn was free of his gauntlets as he tossed them to the side where his boots lay and outstretched his legs, feeling the warmth of the fire now on him. There was a silent moment between them as the fire cracked and the wind whipped outside.
"This is a good little place, you know.", he spoke up, lightly glancing around them at the fire, the bookcases, table, a small kitchen, a couple barrels, and even weapon plaques that hung on the walls. That was just the first floor, underneath them down the stairs were two bedrooms, each with mannequins for armor and chests to keep their belongings. Not to mention the secret room that Ulfric had showed her upon first seeing Whitewind, the false door that led to the hidden room through the stand up dresser in her bedroom. She had yet to show even Teldryn the room yet, things had been hectic once they arrived. Fayleen was pale, paler than she usually was, and Teldryn carried her off Namiira and rushed her into the house, laying her gently on the bed and tending to the wound on her leg. Katara helped him clean it and wrap it as Fayleen broke out in a cold sweat, her teeth chattering. Once they stabilized her they allowed her to rest, but not before Teldryn made her take a few sips of a weak healing potion he still had in his bag and sat next to her bedside until her green eyes closed. Katara realized it was the first time Teldryn had really been able to take in the details of Whitewind.
"It certainly isn't bad.", Katara replied back with a nod as she too glanced around the room. "Maybe even in time it could feel like a home." She dare say the words, every place that she's grown comfortable to has been taken from her had to be abandoned to follow the journey of fulfilling the prophecy. The thought of the prophecy made her eyes darted back towards to the Elder Scroll. Teldryn noticed.
"It's...prettier, than I expected.", he weakly said, noting the jewels on the golden pommels. "And here I was anticipating a drab scroll that evaporated into dust when unraveled." Katara knew he wanted to ask exactly when she planned on doing just that, but he didn't press it. Now wasn't the time.
"What do you think happened?", she lowly asked as her and Teldryn shared a concerned look.
"Something bad, I can tell you that.", he replied back grimly.
"It depends on what you consider bad.", Fayleen's voice boomed softly from behind them. The two of them jerked around and shot up from their seats to look at her, standing at the top of the staircase level with them and leaning against the wooden railing.
"Fayleen, you need to rest. Please - ", Teldrym started. She waved off his words and made her way closer to them, closer to the fire. She limped slightly, the bandage around her hip stained with dry blood, her barefeet shuffling across the wooden floor until she found a seat near them and sit down with a low groan. The two of them knew better than to protest Fayleen, so they waited until she had taken a seat to resume theirs. They watched her with curious eyes until she settled in and met their gaze.
"Do you remember the book that Mirabelle gave me upon arriving at the College?", Fayleen asked them softly. They nodded. "Well, I spent a night or two flipping through it after the two of you left for Volskygge, just reading about my father's experience at the College." A smile almost curled up her rosy lips but never did. "There was a passage written in there by Savos Aren. My father had uncovered a Dragon Priest amulet in a school study of an old ruin. Savos gifted it to my father, his words were penned right there in the book. I knew my father never saw that amulet again, I was sure of it. It had to be in the Arch Mage Quarters still." Katara and Teldryn listened attentively.
"I - I broke into the Quarters and found it, the amulet was there.", Fayleen continued with a sheepish tone in her voice, as if she were confessing a crime to the authorities. "I had it in my hand when Ancano caught me. He threw me in jail, in The Midden."
"How did you get out?", Teldryn asked her, expecting the thief to say that she meticulously picked her way out, but that was not the answer he received.
"Mirabelle let me out, she snuck me into her room."
Teldryn's face scrunched as he tried to make sense of it. "Why would she break you out if you stole from the Arch Mage?"
Fayleen's eyes slowly met theirs. "Because that wasn't the only reason I was jailed." Both of them had curious looks on their faces.
"Along with the amulet was a letter written by Ancano, signed by him even. It was a confession to murdering Savos Aren in his sleep with Jarrin root.", she said very plainly and with a straight face. Teldryn jerked his head up and his eyes flew wide open. He chewed on her words for a moment.
"I knew his death was too odd, too untimely, even for an older Dunmer like himself.", he said in a hush. Fayleen nodded weakly.
"With Mirabelle's help I broke into his Quarters again and took the letter for good, along with this." Fayleen dug around in her pocket, wincing when her hand brushed her thigh. She pulled the Dragon Priest amulet out and felt its weight her hands, then she showed it to the both of them. She passed it to Katara, who looked examined it before handing it to Teldryn to do the same, the emerald green reflecting beautifully in the light of the fire. "All the professors read the letter for themselves, most of them sided with Mirabelle and myself. So we rallied everyone and went to confront Ancano. He was ready for us."
A twinge of anxiety shot through both Katara and Teldryn. They began piecing things together in their minds now as Fayleen solemnly stared into the fire and continued.
"Everything fell apart in that instant. Professors turned on each other, Ancano turned on us. Fighting ensued, people died.", she recalled bleakly as she looked down at her wound. She shifted in her chair slightly. "The guards from Winterhold arrived and put those of us against Ancano in binds, thinking that he was innocent. That rose staff, the one sitting next to my bedside, belonged to him. He and Tolfdir fought over it and it misfired at the orb that sat in the middle of the Hall of Elements. That's when the room began to crumble, people started to flee, but Ancano didn't back down." She fell silent for a moment. Katara and Teldryn never took their eyes off her.
"And?", Katara dare pressed. Fayleen looked at them both with an almost blank expression.
"So I put my dagger through his back.", she replied very plainly with tight lips. Teldryn exhaled the breath he was holding and sat back in his chair. Katara remained unmoved, she just stared at Fayleen. Another silent moment.
"And the people, did they see you kill Ancano?", Teldryn asked after a moment of swirling around her words in his mind. Fayleen's nervous glance gave him all the answer he needed. He got up from his seat and paced in front of the fire, running his hands through his black mohawk. "Fayleen, you understand that - I mean...", he struggled to find his words as they jumbled with his thoughts. Finally he rested his arm on the mantle of the firepit and wearily looked over her. "You realize that you're going to be one of the most wanted criminals in all of Skyrim, probably even Tamriel? Jarls in every hold will know to be on the look out for you, word will spread to every guard in the land. The High Queen, gods...", he trailed off, worry evident in his voice. "You murdered the Arch Mage of the College of Winterhold, Fayleen."
"Who would've murdered me first if I had allowed him the chance.", she shot back as she stood to her feet, wincing under the weight that it put on her hip but remaining standing. "Besides,", she added. "They don't know my name, and I doubt they could even draw a description of me, it was so chaotic in that moment. Even the guards ran for their lives when the whole place came crashing down." For a moment her mind flashed to Mirabelle and Tolfdir, she knew they wouldn't turn on her - that's if they survived, which she hoped they had.
Teldryn exhaled deeply and opened his palm, looking down at the amulet. He walked over to where Fayleen stood and wrapped it gently around her pale neck, fastening the ends together so the pendant hung at her throat. He took her face in his big hands and looked at her deeply.
"I'm just glad that you're here.", he said, his words barely a whisper. Katara smirked and looked away as the two shared a quick but deep kiss. He broke away and stroked her cheek gently with his thumb. "I'm going to feed the horses, poor things are probably starving and exhausted from last night.", he said to both her and Katara as he turned and walked out of the front door, a slight nip from the outside air filling the room when he left. Katara was quiet for a moment as Fayleen sat back down, she peered over at the Elder Scroll again.
"How did you, why did you - "
"The Arcaneum, in my escape. I took advantage of the situation. The whole place was moments away from being at the bottom of the Ghost Sea, it was the only shot at retrieving it. You needed it."
"You risked your life to get this for me.", Katara reminded her, almost taken back by her own words. Fayleen looked down meekly. "I can never thank you enough, Fayleen."
The Breton blushed a shade of pink and tried to shrug it off. "It's the reason we came to the College in the first place, right? Sorry I, uh, destroyed the place in the process.", she said with low eyes and a sheepish smirk. Katara smiled back for a moment, then she noticed Fayleen wince at her leg again.
"You need to stay here and take it easy.", Katara urged gently. "It's safe here, you know. This place is set back so far from the road that guards or travelers don't even think twice about venturing here."
Fayleen nodded her head in agreement. She knew she had to rest as well, her leg could get infected the more she exposed herself to the elements outside - on top of the risk of being noticed by guards.
"And what will you do?", she asked. Katara mowed over the question for moment, having not given much thought into what to do tomorrow, much less the next hour. She had the Elder Scroll now, just as Parthurnaax instructed. Katara wagered that the next step would be to trek up High Hrothgar again to bring it to him, seeking his advice on how to read the ancient texts so she could finally learn Dragonrend. The tool needed to destroy Alduin sat there, clasped shut, on the small table next to her. Though she knew she couldn't leave Fayleen, nor could she make the climb up the mountain alone. She was certain Teldryn would not stray far from Fayleen until her wound was healed more. Katara knew she'd be at Whitewind for a few days at least.
"Windhelm is not but an hour's ride down the southwestern road, I may go there and stock up on any food and supplies we may need for the next few days - any potions or healing herbs for you - visit with Ulfric while I'm there.", she replied.
Fayleen twitched nervously at her last words and gave Katara a wary glance. "I'm sure the Jarl will soon know about the College, if word has not already spread..."
"He'll never know a thing about you, Fayleen. I swear it.", she insisted. Fayleen relaxed a bit and trusted in Katara. "Besides, Ulfric is already wanted for murder himself, what can he do?"
*Solitude*
An abundance of scrolls lie on the large dark wooden table, some opened, others still sealed - all bringing forth news from around Skyrim.
They scarce held small council meetings anymore, things had been rather quiet for the capital city of Solitude as of late. Since the truce all Imperial forces have been pulled back into the Reach and High Queen Elisif stayed true to her word on keeping them there. She mostly handled small matters within the city and the hold, with the help of Falk, her trusted steward.
Falk Firebeard sat at the long table, next to him was Annette, the court mage, and across from the both of them sat Fenrar, the High Queen's closest knight. The three of them sat in silence, sharing looks amongst each other and tapping their fingers on the table until they heard the familiar knocking of fine boots echoing closer from the hall. Moments later High Queen Elisif emerged and the three of them stood up and lightly bowed to her presence. She acknowledged them with a smile and took her seat at the head of the table, the others followed.
"Where is General Tullius?", Elisif asked, noting the empty seat next to Fenrar.
Falk cleared his throat. "He seems to be late, My Queen."
Elisif shrugged it off as nothing and leaned forward in her chair, reaching for one of the unopened scrolls. "No matter, we'll carry on until he decides to join us.", she went to work unraveling the scroll. "Anything new that I should be concerned of within Solitude?", she asked to any of the three of them.
"We've had complaints from some of the citizens neighboring the Bard's College of their parties being too noisy in the late of the night.", Falk said with an annoyed tone in his thick Nordic voice.
"They do realize that it's a college for bards, right?", Annette remarked with a jest. Falk, Fenrar, and even Elisif laughed light heartedly as the High Queen began reading the scroll in her hands. Slowly her smile began to fade the further the words jumped out at her. Not only did her smile vanish, it was replaced with a look of horror. Her council watched her eyes skim from line to line, concern growing.
"My Queen...?", Falk tenderly pressed. Elisif gently placed the open scroll down in front of her and lifted her head with a blank stare, worry in her hazel eyes. Falk picked up the scroll and quickly began reading for himself, his lips silently mouthing the words as he read, before he returned a worrisome expression to Elisif. The scroll was then passed to Annette and Fenrar.
"I knew Ancano from my time at the College of Winterhold, he was not always a friend to everyone, but I never knew him to have enemies willing to go this far...", Annette expressed as she sat back in her chair with wide eyes.
"By the Nine...", Fenrar said as he shook his head. "Murder of the Arch Mage, that's a crime that warrants the chopping block."
"Do we have any clue who could've done this?", Annette asked.
Falk picked up the scroll again and skimmed through it once more. "The Jarl of Winterhold says that the College was nearly destroyed by the fight that ensued between Ancano and the professors, and that his guards were unable to relocate the remaining professors for questioning when the buildings began to collapse.", he finished grimly, setting down the scroll again. "There doesn't seem to be any definite idea of who murdered him to be specific." Falk glanced over at Elisif, who was silent and staring at a space at her table. "My Queen, what's say you on the matter?"
Elisif went to open her mouth but was interrupted by the abrupt slam of the iron doors flying open, the sound of steel armored boots clanked and around the corner appeared General Tullius - in a brisk walk and an unraveled scroll in his hand. He hastily bowed to High Queen Elisif and extended the letter to her without so much as even sitting down, his breath slightly quickened.
Elisif looked up at the General with a concerned face, a bad feeling grew in the pit of her stomach as she flattened the corners of the opened scroll and began reading line for line. General Tullius rested his palms on the table and leaned down, waiting for her to finish.
Once she did, her eyes flew up to meet his and she slammed the scroll onto the table. "Where did you find such information?", she asked, her voice hasty. The General took the scroll and threw it to the middle of the table so the rest of the small council could grab for it and read.
"I have sources in Windhelm, sources who have infiltrated Ulfric's inner circle, that assure me this information is accurate.", he replied. The note was being passed around and read by the other three. Fenrar was the first to venture on the subject.
"Falkreath, eh?", he spoke up, setting the scroll down. "Ulfric means to take the southern border back." Falk nodded in agreement.
"It's a good strategy for him, now we have to think of a better one to counteract his when the time comes.", Falk said.
"When the time comes?", General Tullius repeated, a slight annoyance in his tone. Everyone, and Elisif, gave him their confused attention.
"Are you suggesting a different approach, General?", the High Queen asked. Tullius finally took his seat next to her.
"I'm suggesting that we don't wait and bide our time until we see this plan come to fruition and Stormcloak forces are marching on Falkreath.", he started, glancing at everyone's faces but mostly Elisif's. "We have the upper hand, we know his next move. I say we take this valuable information and act on it - now.", the General beat his fist on the table on the final word for emphasis. Everyone at the table shifted uncomfortably in their seats.
"And how exactly do we act now?", Annette asked genuinely. The General gave her a look, almost a sly smirk, yet he gave his answer to the High Queen.
"We ambush Ulfric. Draw him out of that frozen pile of shit he calls a city and capture him. I'll bring him back to you - dead or alive.", he replied. "It would put an immediate end to the war, an instant win for the Empire.", the General finished with an eagerness in his voice.
"And how will you do it, this ambush?", Elisif asked. Her small council sat back, surprised that their Queen entertained the General's words. Tullius looked hesitant for a moment before giving his reply.
"That's really only for my men and myself to know, My - "
"I am your High Queen while you are here in Skyrim, General. You have been given a place to lie your head in my city upon arriving. I break bread with you at my banquet table. I have offered my home and my resources to you and yours in an effort to aid your battles in this war. I know that you are not a Nord, nor do you hail from Skyrim, but I am the one you answer to while on my soil.", Elisif began. She exhaled and met General Tullius' serious eyes. "You are not only here to put an end to this war, you're here to bring justice to my husband. You're here to make sure Torygg's death was not in vain. And I'm sorry, General, but avenging the untimely death of my husband is to fullest extent of my concern."
All eyes flicked to General Tullius, who sat there speechless for a moment, only mouthing the words in which he could not find. Finally he sighed and nodded in obedient agreement.
"Yes, My Queen.", he gently answered. The General sat back in his chair and gripped the edge of the wooden table tightly as he formulated his words. Eventually he fiddled around in his breastplate and fished out a map, unrolled it revealed Skyrim. "My confidants in Windhelm tell me that they learned of Ulfric's battle plans while visiting Fort Kastav. He's traveling, but only within his hold because even he knows it's too dangerous to venture too far - just as you do.", he began as he pointed to a spot in the hold of Eastmarch. High Queen Elisif and the other three leaned in closer. "If we could garrison one of his forts, preferably Fort Hoag as it's the farthest from Windhelm, and then lure him there...we could take him by surprise.", he finished. He made it sound simple. Falk had a puzzled look on his face.
"Seize Fort Hoag? Wouldn't the soldiers just send word back to Windhelm that they've been attacked?", he asked, fiddling with his primmed fire red beard. General Tullius looked up at him and scrunched his brow.
"I know you're no man of war, Falk. But I'd guess you were smart enough to figure a solution to that problem. There won't be any Stormcloak soldiers left to run and squeal to Ulfric once we garrison the fort.", he replied very plainly, a sharp jeer at Falk, who understood and dropped his further questions.
"I think your strategy is good, General.", Fenrar spoke out. "I'm a truer Nord than any when I say I want to see the traitor who murdered my High King gagged and sent to the chopping block once and for all. But what you're suggesting is breaking the truce - the same treaty in which you and our High Queen signed and legally bound your word to."
General Tullius slammed his fist on the table, the reaction making everyone jump. "To hell with the damn treaties and handshakes! It comes back to the dragons, thats all I hear around this wretched land - dragons. It's been months since the return of the flying beasts and yet they seem like the lesser of all our threats at the moment, have you noticed?" His voice was raised as a fire burned in his gut. "And our Dragonborn has yet to do anything about them, yet we know she's visited with Ulfric more times than she's slayed a dragon." That thought tugged at Elisif, she had a bad feeling about the possible alliance that she heard began to grow between Katara and Ulfric, she was worried about that months ago. Her worries only mounted as the General's words were bitter like the truth. She snapped her attention back to him when she felt his eyes on her. "My Queen, you said it yourself, the unfair death of your husband must be avenged. If it's anyone who should want to see Ulfric Stormcloak's head on a spike, it's you." For a moment the General was sincere, and Elisif sensed it. He was right too, Elisif had more reason than anyone in all of Skyrim for wanting an end to the man that killed her husband, her High King. But above grief and anger, she was still scared as she tried to hold it together. She inhaled and rose slowly to her feet, placing her palms on the table as if she were a Commander plotting a battle strategy.
"General, you understand that if we break this truce and fail, Ulfric Stormcloak will not pull back his forces. He will march on Solitude, you remember the day we swore it to each other in that snowy forest.", High Queen Elisif warned him with serious eyes. "The war will rage until its outside those doors.", she finished, pointing to the large iron doors.
General Tullius knew the risk, he also knew it was the biggest opportunity presented for the Empire to turn the war around in their favor. They had the upper hand, the element of surprise. It was a prefect recipe for success - if executed correctly. For a seasoned veteran of war like Tullius, it was a risk worth taking.
"You have nothing to fear, My Queen. Allow me and my men to carry it out how we see fit and Ulfric is as good as yours.", he replied back surely. Elisif nodded.
"And what of the Dragonborn? IF you cannot succeed, she will surely choose a side, of which I think is fairly clear.", Falk broke his silence. "Are we supposed to kill her too, with the dragons still flying about?"
General Tullius shrugged his shoulders and looked to the High Queen. "It's Ulfric I want, you should deal with the Dragonborn draft-dodger how you see fit in your realm, My Queen."
She thought it over for a moment, trying to reason with herself. "We'll keep her here until I deem it is appropriate for her to be released, dragons be damned, I'll fight them myself. Those who side with traitors should not go unpunished. Capture her. Alive.", Elisif declared. The General nodded obediently and looked to Falk, Annette, and Fenrar who had a remained silent yet listening intently and nodding in agreement to the High Queen's words, daring not to protest against it.
"Then I'm off.", General Tullius bowed to Elisif. "My Queen." He turned to walk away and dismiss himself, his iron boots clanking again with each step. Elisif stared back into the eyes of her three trusted advisors. She could tell it in their faces, the same faces she's known for years even when Torygg wore the crown, that they didn't fully agree with her decision. She also knew they'd never challenge it, they admired her husband as much as she did. Seeing an end to Ulfric is something they each wished for. More than anything she saw fear on their faces, the same fear she felt within her own being.
In that moment as she still stood to her feet, her council looking up to their High Queen, Elisif realized the cozy life she'd grown accustomed to had come to an abrupt halt - and the prospect of Ulfric storming the King's Keep once more rolled over her in a wave of loneliness and fear.