Yssha had intended to spend today exploring Saarthal, but instead she had to visit the Jarls, and remembering a promise, she decided to start with the presumptive High Queen. So, instead of her armor, which she persuaded Marcurio to carry, she wore the garments Taarie had given her at the Radiant Raiment.

From the reactions of passers-by between the Solitude gates and the entrance of the Blue Palace, she was sure the Radiant Raiment clothes, even though not custom made, enhanced her looks, so she was practically preening when she entered the Throne Room and approached Elisif. She didn't even have to say anything about the clothing; Elisif asked her first. "Dragonborn, is that you? You look so different, out of armor."

Yssha smoothed her skirts. "I do like to get out of it when circumstances allow, my Jarl. Unfortunately, my opportunities are few."

"You should do it as often as you can. Where did you get that beautiful dress?"

"Here in Solitude, my Jarl. At the Radiant Raiment, across from the Winking Skeever."

"Well, if you get back there any time soon, please tell them I will be wanting some dresses myself, and if yours is a good example of their work, they will have my patronage."

"I will be happy to do so, my Jarl. But that is why not I came here."

"Why, then?" Elisif asked, obviously curious.

"To ask that you forbid hunting or harming any dragons that are not actually preying on your people or their property. A number of them have sworn fealty to me, and I am assured others will do so as well. Those are no threat to your people, and I wish the reverse to be true as well."

"As long as my people are able to defend themselves, yes, I'll give that order." She turned to her Steward. "See to it, Falk."

"Yes, my Jarl."

"I assume you'll be asking the same of the other Jarls - ?"

"Of course," Yssha said. "It would do my lieges little good if they were safe in only one hold. And I am sure they will be needed in the upcoming war with the Thalmor."

"You don't think that can be avoided? We just finished a war."

"Only briefly, I am afraid, when the enemy is as determined to overrun us as the Thalmor are." Yssha paused. "But that is a subject for another time. I must continue my journey and speak to the other Jarls, if I may be excused."

"Of course. Safe journeys, Dragonborn."

"Thank you, my Jarl." Yssha bowed, and they left. On the way out of the city, they stopped by the Radiant Raiment to report the Jarl's reaction to Taarie, who was delighted enough to give them a thousand septims as thanks. Then Yssha asked to borrow the fitting room to change back into her armor. "This dress is lovely, but armor is more suitable for traveling."

Taarie chuckled at that. "True, especially for one who's fighting on a regular basis. But while you're attractive even in armor, you're beautiful in ... more colorful wear." She paused for a moment, studying Yssha. "You know, I think ... when you're finished, come to the counter, please."

Yssha got changed, then did as Taarie had asked, going to the counter to find several bolts of brightly-colored cloth. Taarie began holding them up to Yssha's chest and studying the effect.

"What do you have in mind?" Yssha asked curiously.

"Adding some color to your everyday wardrobe," was the reply. "Do you have a favorite color?"

Yssha hadn't really thought about that, at least not in a long time. "Not really," she said at last. "Just not blue, as that was the Stormcloak color."

"Hmm ... too bad. But red looks almost as good on you. Yes, that'll work. And the emblem should be something dragon-related ... do you have anything against the Empire's stylized dragon?"

"Not at all - I am a Legionnaire, after all. But I still do not know what you have in mind."

"I'd rather show you than tell. Give me ... say two days, then come in next time you're in the city." Taarie grinned, clearly not intending to say any more.

"Very well." Yssha shrugged. Taarie's enthusiasm for her craft, and her skill, were undeniable, but she could be stubborn. "I shall trust you, and see you in two days or so."

They left the shop, then continued outside the city to their teleport target.

Siddgeir was next, because she wanted to thank him for the additional help in getting Lakeview into livable condition so rapidly, as well as get him to order a stop to the dragon-hunting. He agreed, but didn't really seem to care very much.

Things went equally smoothly as she visited other hold capitals. Even Maven Black-Briar in Riften agreed to forbid the hunting or killing of non-hostile-acting dragons without an argument. It wasn't until after she'd spoken to Jarl Brunwulf, her next-to-last stop, that she decided to visit the Temple of Talos. It was the only one remaining in Skyrim, though there were a number of shrines like the one in Whiterun, and she found herself grateful to Ulfric Stormcloak for preventing its destruction.

As soon as she approached the huge statue at the front of the Temple, she heard the voice she'd first heard halfway to Dawnstar. It is time to reveal your mission, and that it is My Will, to My worshippers, since those you most wish to recruit will not cooperate otherwise. The voice's next words sounded amused. And it is time, though it will probably do no good, for the Thalmor to feel My power this once. Then the voice became audible, though not loud, and the statue began to give off a soft glow.

"You are Ysmir, child of My spirit and bearer of the Stormcrown. I grant you My blessing for all of your days. Gather your allies and defeat the Empire's enemies, that it may regain the glory it had when I founded it. I charge you to see that Empire and Stormcrown support each other, in their separate ways."

Yssha bowed, deeply and formally, toward the statue as its glow faded. "I will do as you command, Lord Talos. I thank you for your blessing."

But you do not understand the Stormcrown, do you? Its meaning has been lost over the ages. It was Alduin's for centuries, until he began acting against Akatosh's other worshippers. When that happened, and he refused to either stop or give up his power, he became unworthy of it. But Akatosh's love for His firstborn was such that He could not kill him, despite his transgressions. So when He foresaw Alduin's return to Nirn, you were born with a dragon soul and the dragon blood. Do you understand now?

Yssha thought back to her meeting with Odahviing and Dovgrahaak, when Dovgrahaak had said she could claim the title of Dovahjud. "I believe so, my Lord."

And you are correct. It is well. I leave you to your mission, then.

Yssha stayed for a few more minutes, meditating and praying that she not fall into Alduin's failures, then left the temple, to find a crowd outside. Most of them backed away from her, but a man in partial, battered Stormcloak armor approached hesitantly. "Y ... Ysmir?"

"That is me, yes. What may I do for you?"

"It's the other way around," the man said, with a bit more assurance. "He said to gather your allies. Even if it means supporting the Empire now, it started out as His, so I want to be part of that effort."

"I do not suppose you would consider joining the Legion, in return for amnesty?"

The man shook his head. "A lot of us can't quite trust the Legion or Empire yet, and maybe never. It's you Talos spoke to, so it's you we can trust."

Well, she had told Odahviing and Dovgrahaak it would be necessary for them to fight in partnership with the joor races. "I need to found a new order of dragonfighters, and possibly bodyguards, loyal primarily to me." At least at first. "It will involve working with dragons who are sworn to my service as well. Would that be acceptable?"

"And in return?" The man looked intrigued and hopeful.

"I will try to obtain a pardon for any crimes committed as a Stormcloak, plus pay and equipment equivalent to a Legionnaire. My imperial rank is Legate, so I do not have the authority to do that on my own, but I will speak to General Tullius, who does. I do not have a place for you to stay, though."

The man chuckled. "That's good enough for now. I'm your man, then, Ysmir. Franken Hard-Head, at your service. I pledge to you, as to Talos himself, my loyalty and life."

"And to you, Franken Hard-Head, my loyalty and what protection I can give. Be welcome to the Skyguard." At least she'd thought of a name ...

She paused. "You do realize that my protection at the moment is mostly intention, rather than something actually useful, since I myself am on the Thalmor kill-on-sight list. But I mean what I said."

"Understood, Ysmir." He gave her a wolfish grin. "Does that mean Thalmor are fair game?"

Yssha shook her head. "Not quite yet. That is a decision only the Emperor himself can make. You are free to defend me, yourself, and any others they threaten, but for now, it must at least be plausible defense. You understand. And find a red surcoat, if you can - a scarf or armband, otherwise. Red will be the color of Skyguard uniforms, in honor of the dragon who first acknowledged me as his overlord." And it was the color of whatever Taarie was making her, as well ...

"Of course, sir." Franken smiled happily. "I'll inform my friends of my good fortune, in hopes that you'll welcome them as well."

"As many as I can," Yssha said. "But I cannot afford to support too large a group on my personal resources, however many bandits I find and kill."

"We shall see, Ysmir, we shall see. By your leave?"

"You have leave." Yssha turned to Marcurio as Franken left, smiling. "You know, he sounded more like an officer than an ordinary soldier."

"He did indeed," Marcurio agreed. "I hope so, because if he's typical, recruiting in Skyrim may be easier than either of us thought before that ... announcement."

"Yes ... a Stormcloak officer coming to my side is a good omen. But we have one more Jarl to visit. Let us find a private spot, and go to Whiterun."

That proved more difficult than usual, since the announcement by Talos had raised her noticeability level another notch. They ended up having to rent a room at the inn, and teleport from there. Fortunately Whiterun was used to having them around, so they didn't get much more attention than usual on the way up to Dragonsreach.

Jarl Balgruuf welcomed her as he usually did, smiling. "Welcome, Dragonborn. Or should I call you Ysmir now?"

Yssha cursed to herself. "The choice is yours, my Jarl. It seems I am collecting as many titles as Greats-Grandmother did, and will answer to any of them."

He cocked his head. "But do you have a preference, my young friend?"

Yssha considered that. "Other than my birth name, no. Whatever you think most appropriate, my Jarl."

He looked thoughtful, then nodded. "Since both the Greybeards and Talos Himself named you Ysmir, I think that one is best. What can I do for you?"

"Do not hunt or kill dragons unless they are ones who attack your people or their property," she said, for the ninth time. "The ones who do not are sworn to me, and I would be as unhappy at their injury or death as you would be if they harmed your people."

Balgruuf chuckled, then looked thoughtful. "You have dragons sworn to you?"

"I do, my Jarl. Not many, but I do. The one I called to the Grand Porch, and approximately fifty others. Those have named me dovahjud, Dragon Queen. Talos called it Stormcrown."

"Then you are a Jarl in full, despite not having a Hold, and can attend the Moot by right. And Talos' announcement makes it important that it be held soon. We shall have to make fewer allowances for other obligations."

"You could say I do have a hold, of sorts," Yssha said slowly. "Dov are creatures of the sky, and I am one, despite my lack of wings. So in a way, the sky could be considered my Hold. I also have a former Stormcloak sworn to me, the first non-dov member of what will become, in time, the Skyguard."

Balgruuf looked quizzical. "Another military force?"

"Since the former Stormcloaks are not yet willing to swear to the Empire and join the Legion, yes, although I plan to integrate it later, once they overcome that reluctance. In the meantime, it will serve as my Hold Guard."

"That's an ... interesting concept," Balgruuf said. "But in several ways, I can see advantages to accepting your arguments. Airborne scouts, for instance, or a dragon attack on enemy positions and forces. You need to talk to General Tullius about this. Now, how do we identify these Skyguards of yours?"

"The non-dov will wear red - surcoats, as those can be made. Scarves or armbands, until then. The dovahhe will simply not be hostile, since they do not wear clothing."

"I'll include that when I send couriers urging a Moot very soon."

"Thank you, my Jarl. I was not looking forward to another tour of all the holds, even if I were to do it on dragonback."

Balgruuf looked suddenly thoughtful. "You know, that might not be a bad idea. It would certainly help the people get used to the idea of peaceful dragons."

"He has a point, love," Marcurio said. "I'm nowhere near as fond of flying as you are, but I'm sure I'll get over the airsickness eventually."

"Airsickness?" Irileth asked.

"Like seasickness, but from the way a dragon flies," Marcurio explained. "It isn't exactly smooth, and on the flight to Skuldafn, it was a struggle for me not to vomit." He chuckled. "She, of course, had absolutely no trouble."

And flying, Yssha thought, would give her a plausible way to get places quickly, though not as quickly as teleporting. She'd still 'port, of course, when it was necessary, but yes, flying most places was a good idea. "The only problem I can see with that is frightening livestock if we land too near them, but that should be avoidable. If you will excuse us, we should get back to Lakeview."

"On dragonback?"

"Not this time - my usual way, until I speak to Odahviing again and find out if he or another dovah is willing to carry me on a regular basis."

"I understand. We'll see you later, then."