Cearbhail: So, new chapter. I'm sure by the name of the chapter, you understand what's going on. Ok, played that new downloadable content. Man...that was a very long mission, the one with the snow elf. No spoilers over that but... soon, you will see some of that campaign either leaking into this story or a sequel. We'll see. Well, enjoy.

Dear journal,

Finally! We're at Windhelm. No more random encounters, no more Falmer. No more dragons, trolls, bandits, thieves, Orcs, or necromancers. Well, once we got to the town, we were welcomed by a couple thugs giving us Nords a bad name. They were harassing a Dunmer and giving very loud death-threats to her…right in the middle of rush hour. And no one even stopped to defend her. Then they started beating on her so Asger got involved and now…we're in jail. Again. Well, not all of us are in jail. Ruby, and M'aiq were not allowed to enter this great city so they're waiting for us outside. Maleek, at hearing that he could enter but Ruby could not, waited out with her until we could get some clearance for her and M'aiq. They seem to be getting closer, at least enough to where they don't try to kill each other anymore. Wish I could say the same between Maleek and Asger.

Speaking of which, Maleek tried to kill Asger a few minutes before entering the city. He shot an arrow off, tripped on some loose ice, and the arrow flew off, hitting a troll in the back. Well, we were attacked by a group of trolls, just enough to wear down our Stormcloak escort to only four people. Ralof was not happy with Maleek. When Maleek stayed out of the city, I think Ralof was going to die happy. He's so weird.

Anyway, I'm glad that we're done with everything for right now. I really want a rest from all this. Too bad Jarl Ulfric is already on his way down here to change all that.

Lydia…

…

I closed my journal and looked over at Cecilie, who was lying down on a pile of hay. The room was cold and dark. Water dripped on occasion in the cell next to us. It was a calming thing, but…it gets annoying after a while. You just want that dripping water to shut up…but you can't do anything about it.

Drip…drip…drip….

I sighed as I grabbed a pillow and put it over my ears, trying to drown out the sound.

Asger sat quietly in the corner, unhappy that we were all in rags. He looked over at me. "Gee…in these raggy clothes again…" He said looking over at me and Cecilie. "Couldn't they have at least let us keep our clothes?"

I shrugged, looking down at the ugly brown sacks that the guards made us wear. It was supposed to be our 'prison uniforms'. I looked back up at Asger. "I guess they want us to be boring and complacent?"

Cecilie only chuckled before she sat up. "It's not like we're staying in here forever. Have your forgotten that Ralof was getting Ulfric while we were being dragged away?"

"That's Jarl Stormcloak to you." A deep and powerful voice gently said from the corridor. I saw a giant shadow flickering through the flames to the right of us and the shadow started growing smaller as the person continued walking up to us. "I am Ulfric Stormcloak, Jarl of Windhelm and as such you will address me by my honorific title." A giant Nord said as he walked up to our cage.

Ulfric was impressive. I have never seen him, but hearing tales of how he killed High-King Torryg, of how he survived the Great War…I expected him to be very strong and intimidating. And he was. He had very thick long shoulder-length hair…and a goatee. That was always a sign of either a power-crazy maniac, or a lesser villain. I wasn't sure which one he was yet, but I sure hoped he was on our side. The fact that he was adorned in all black armor hinted towards him being evil. But his sandy blond hair said otherwise. Jeez…I wish I could figure him out before he opened his mouth. Judging him would be so much easier.

I shook my head, clearing it away from any distractions. Honestly, I was probably the only sane person left on this team, so I couldn't let something like looks hinder what I thought. He was probably a good guy.

Jarl Ulfric looked us over for a second. He looked at me, then Cecilie. He focused on her for a longer time, studying her eyes, no doubt. "You're a seer, aren't you?" He said as he looked at her. "Those eyes…they are the eyes of a Moth Priest. Blinded by an Elder Scroll were you?"

Cecilie nodded, smiling. "You sure know your blind girls, don't you?"

Ulfric only gruffed in reply. He looked away before saying, "I spent time evacuating Moth Priests from the Imperial City before it was taken by the Thalmor during the Great War. It was during that evacuation that I was taken prisoner and tortured by the Thalmor. Enough about that, however." He looked at the cage. "Let's get you out of here. GUARD!" He yelled out, bringing the jailor over to our cage. Ulfric gestured to lock and said, "These are my guests. Let them out."

Asger smiled as he leaned forward. "Speaking of guests…we came here with two Khajiits and an Argonian. All of which were banned from entering Windhelm. Can you extend that graciousness to letting them in?"

Ulfric looked stunned for a second before saying. "The Argonian, sure. The Khajiits…will need individualized escorts."

"Why?" I asked as I looked up at him.

The lock on our door shifted open and Ulfric walked in. He shrugged as he said, "Old law. Those cats are known for being sneaky thieves. And I will tolerate them only because the Dragonborn is in the company of them. I will not, however, allow them to run freely through my hold capital. They will stay in the presence of my guards at all times."

I was about to combat him on the thought patterns of my friends being thieves, but then I started thinking of Ruby. I could already see her eyes glowing with the sight of anything shiny and expensive. Knowing Ruby, she would steal something within two steps of walking in the town. Then I started thinking about M'aiq. He would probably start a fight with anyone just to get a laugh. I had to sigh as I realized that Ulfric's concerns and stereotyped beliefs could be founded as true if we let our friends into the town.

Asger laughed as he stood up and brushed off his dusty raggy clothes. "You expect a race of mischievous cats to behave after being so adamant about staying out of your city? How well do you feel that is going to go over?"

Ulfric only shrugged as he stepped out of the cell. "About as well as our war with the Imperials. If they stick to their good graces, they will prevail in being welcome here freely. If they stray from the path…they will be killed." Then he stopped and turned around. "Bad turn of phrase. They will be punished. Jailed or banned from entrance." He shrugged it away. "Now, let us begin our conversation. Follow me, please."

…

So, we walked through the town, Ulfric telling us about his struggle with the Empire and Aldmeri Dominion. He was in the Great War as an Imperial soldier and fought in some of the greatest campaigns before he was captured by the Thalmor and slowly broken. He eventually escaped his captors and returned to Skyrim, after finding that the Imperial City was spared after Emperor Mede signed the White-Gold Concordat. From there, Ulfric was not happy to find that he somehow did not recognize the home returned to, only finding his leaders bowing to the Thalmor and slowly welcoming them into our home.

Honestly…I didn't hate the Aldmeri Dominion until they tried to kill my daughter. Now, I hated them just because of said fact. And although we had a war with them and we were in some sort of stalemate, I still didn't hate them for any other reason. I should hate them because they killed so many people just to rule all of us. The race of man was already ruled by elves and that did not end up so well for either of us. Now, they were trying it again. Did they really think history would not repeat itself?

Even with everything Ulfric told us, I still think he's being a little petty about his revolution. Did he not understand he was putting so many people's lives at risk? This war within Skyrim was not being challenged by the Thalmor because it helped weaken our armies.

I sighed as I tried to clear my head of all the political issues of Skyrim's plight. Sure, I could go on about both sides of the field and maybe even say something good about the Aldmeri Dominion and some rightful claim to rule us…yeah…somehow I still wouldn't convince myself about that.

I shook my head clear as a child ran up to Jarl Ulfric and Asger. She stopped a few feet away and asked, "Can you please tell me where Aventus Aretino lives?"

Ulfric stopped and addressed the young girl. "Oh…that's right. I heard he came back…even after I sent him to Riften to live in the orphanage there." He looked back at Asger and then over to Ralof, who was now joining us. "Hey, Ralof…isn't Aventus living in his family's house?"

Ralof nodded. "Yes, Jarl Ulfric." He smiled at the child and pointed down the road. "He lives down the road. It will be the fourth house on the left. You can't miss it. It's the only house that turns into an arch. So…are you his girlfriend or something?"

The child smiled. "Something of the sort. We have an…agreement of sorts."

Ulfric stopped to brush his chin. "Be careful, child. Rumor has it that Aventus is trying to contact the Dark Brotherhood. I do not know if the rumors are true, but that's the word in my court."

The child looked scared for a second. "The Dark Brotherhood? Why…why would someone do that?" She started crying as she walked away. "Thanks for the information, mister. I'll be careful and report any assassins to the guards."

I watched as she ran off towards the house. Why did something bother me about her? I couldn't place it in my mind, but it seemed like she was acting. Well, I guess she was involved more than she let on. Maybe she was an assassin? No…she was just a little girl. Who ever heard of a child assassin? Like some sort of girl hit man. Nah…that's just a ridiculous idea.

So, we finally reached the gate to see Ruby and M'aiq with several other Khajiits out by the caravans. They were all sitting down to a circle, taking something white and grainy. Now…I'm not one to judge but…why were they snorting it? Even so, as we approached, we could see Ruby smiling from ear-to-ear, her eyes wide and dilated.

Ulfric crossed his arms and looked back at us. "Oh…I'm sure this will change my mind about letting these drug-takers in my city."

One of the Khajiits hissed in amusement. "Oh…come on, man. We're not doing anything bad. We're not hurting anyone." He wobbled as he pulled a cup of something up towards Ulfric. "Want some moon sugar? See the rainbows in the sky…"

Ulfric looked straight up and so did I. Was he talking about the northern lights? If so…you didn't need a drug to see them. I sighed as I looked down at Ruby and said, "Ruby…tell me you didn't have any of that moon sugar."

Ruby glanced at me and her smile widened. "Since when does your hair change colors? I like that: blue…orange…green….white….purple…"

I sighed as I grabbed her and dragged her off her feet. "Ok, tell me this. Where's Maleek?"

Her smile dropped. "We got hungry…"

Asger full out busted laughing. "Oh my gods…they ate Maleek." He turned around, still bending over, laughing his ass off.

"No, they didn't." Maleek said as he walked back, hauling a dead deer behind him. "They got hungry and since I'm the only one capable of smelling prey and killing it…they sent me on an errand." He dropped the deer in the middle of the circle of drugged Khajiits and said, "Here you go…sugar tooths." He brushed his hands off an looked at us. "So, I take it that we're allowed in the city now?"

Ulfric looked down at the drugged Ruby and M'aiq. M'aiq was passed out, but Ruby was glancing up at him with kitten eyes. "I'll be good…I swear." She said with a glazy grin growing on her mouth.

Ulfric looked over at Asger and sighed. "You will have an audience with me, now. I have a lot to say and not a long time to discuss it."

Asger nodded. "Yeah, that's fair. Can Lydia and Cecilie join us? Maybe Ruby too?"

Ulfric's eyebrows shot up. "Never…has a Khajiit set foot in my palace." He looked down at the drugged kitten, who was already starting to pass out. "but… I guess some time that needs to change. We have a bigger threat to deal with and anyone who hates the Thalmor is ok with me."

Ruby nodded very passionately. "Oh yes…I hate the Thalmor. They're meany-pants."

The other Khajiits gasped at her words. The leader of them shook his head. "No, no…they're not. They saved the twin moons. They saved our race from extinction. If it had not been for them…we wouldn't be here now. Our race depends on that moon, we can't breed without it."

Ruby turned her head away. "I don't care. They tried to kill my friend." She stood up and nodded to me. I could see her eyes clearing up. I could see the amethyst in her hand. "Well…thanks for teaching me a little bit about my culture, guys. I hope I get to see you guys later."

The circle waved good-bye to her and went back to sniffing their moon sugar as we began walking back into Windhelm. Ulfric had already begun to see that her head was clearing up. Eventually, it led to this. "You seem very…normal. What happened?"

Ruby held up an amethyst. "This keeps my head clear. Those Khajiits wanted to show me a moon ceremony. We sat in a full-moon circle and took turns taking the moon sugar to see visions. I…saw something but I don't think it was a vision." She smiled and looked over at me. "It was fun, though."

That was when I noticed the girl from earlier walking towards us. She looked happy. That's when her eyes focused on us and her face scrunched up. "Maleek?"

We all stopped and Maleek tripped on his own sword.

The girl smiled and said, "Yup…can't be anyone else now." She ran up to us and said, "Maleek, what are you doing here? Your father's worried sick, you know. Where have you been for two months?"

Maleek smiled and said, "Oh, you know…job."

She looked from Maleek over to Asger and then back to Maleek. "Taking your sweet time with it? Wasn't that your father's 'job'?"

Maleek shrugged and I started to reach for my sword. Oh great…this was an assassin after all. She was a hit girl. Jeez, they were making them younger and younger. Must be hard for the Dark Brotherhood to survive these days if they were resorting to using children. But…it was genius because no one, not even I, would ever think that children could be assassins.

The girl saw me reach for my weapon and gave me a sick glare that I could feel in my gut. "What's the matter, miss? Do you hear dragons approaching?" I could hear her voice feigning innocence and a little apprehension. Whoever she was…she was good.

I looked over at Ulfric and Ralof, both of them were looking up at the sky now. I guess they were looking for the dragon. In that second, that girl just flew up to me, jumping into my chest and grabbing me by the neck. "You even try anything and I will snap you."

I shook my head and looked down at the girl. She was still looking up at me. She grinned lopsidedly at me and nodded. Was…was that my imagination or did she just project an Illusion spell into my mind? I couldn't tell so I looked down at Maleek and said, "So, Maleek. Who's your friend?"

He looked up at me, his eyes wide. "Um…Babette. She's my…well…friend from school."

Babette walked up to me and said, "And until further notice, I guess I'll be following you."

I found myself nodding at her. Was this a bad thing or a bad thing? I could not yet tell. So, I looked over at Cecilie, who did not looked shocked or worried at all. Good…maybe this wasn't so bad after all.

Cearbhail: Ok, so next chapter will envolve a lot of talking. Talking between Maleek and Babette. Talking between Ulfric and Asger and talking between Ruby and the demon on her shoulder. Ok, enjoy.