Brace yourself, Winter is coming - 18th of Evening Star - 4 E 201 - Windhelm - The Palace of the Kings
Of the men that captured Whiterun, only five travelled back to Windhelm with their General. The rest of them stayed in the golden hold, either in the city or the villages around.
The stormcloak army had taken over Fort Greymoor on the tenth and based their men there to protect the hold. A detachment had been sent to Rorikstead, and another to Riverwood, with orders to prevent and cut any communication between Solitude and the rest of the Imperial controlled provinces.
But even with Hjaalmarsh and the Reach cutting Whiterun from Solitude, Galmar feared they did not have enough men to secure their position on the center of Skyrim, with their southern flank constantly threatened.
"The scouts of the Pale are based here to warn us in case of Imperials marching on Windhelm."
"Winter is coming.", the General stated, exhausted and clearly not in a mood to have his advice questioned, which did not stop Ulfric from convoking their newly promoted officer to have her opinion upon the tactics. "The pass will soon be blocked by snow. Tullius can't send his men to us before the spring. The same can't be said about Whiterun."
The jarl reluctantly nodded. He didn't like the idea of allowing Tullius a way to Windhelm, but they had gone through too much trouble taking Whiterun to leave it rot with not enough men to defend. In many ways, it was the heart and soul of Skyrim.
"You said nothing.", Ulfric noticed, turning to the Dragonborn, remained silent from the start of the reunion. "What do you think?"
The general shot Eliana a dark glance as she hesitantly walked around the map and placed herself by the jarl's side.
"Inconveniently enough, the cold is at Tullius' advantage. With the frost, he can move his men easily through the swamps of Hjallmarsh.", she exposed calmly. "But I think the man cunning enough to find a way through Oblivion itself if he as much as suspects a chance to put you down."
Ulfric clenched his fists.
"Windhelm is under-protected. You are under-protected."
"You worry too much.", he smiled.
"Am I wrong to? If Tullius managed to set that ambush in Darkwaters Crossing, four months ago, on your very own land, it means that nowhere - not even Windhelm - is safe!"
The jarl drew a sucking breath and turned to Galmar.
"About Darkwaters Crossing…"
"Still got men investigating but we found nothing."
"In other words, the only people I can trust in this world are the two present in this very room."
Eliana and Galmar exchanged a glance. Though she was very moved by Ulfric's trust, she couldn't help but feel ill-at-ease for she knew the general might not share his views. Though they managed to keep a polite and professional distance on the battle-field, she feared he would no longer hide his dislike when it would come to have her so close around the man he swore his life to protect. She was half-elven; half of her he would always mindlessly hate…
Unexpectedly, Galmar chose not to voice his thought or whatever doubts he might have about her - at least not until Ulfric would send the girl away… which he did not seem to intend to.
"Our troops are running thin with the mess in Whiterun. I can't devote any more men to the protection of Windhelm."
"And I do not demand such thing of you, Galmar.", Ulfric stated. "I appreciate your concern, Miss Evergreen, but I can take care of my own safety."
"I never meant you can't.", she protested with an apologetic smile. "I'm just worried about you. With Hjaalmarsh in our grip, we are practically at Tullius' backyard. Just a few weeks and we can end this war for good."
Ulfric's eyes brightened with delight at this very thought. Skyrim's soil had already drenched in blood for too long. If there was a way they could take Solitude before spring…
Eliana's voice brought him back to his senses.
"But I fear a cornered Legion might get even more dangerous.", she said. She took a deep breath, as to secure her voice as she prepared to bare her fears. "Tullius loathes the Thalmor just as much as we do, but the more we advance our position, the more he might be tempted to accept any help Elenwen has to offer. He thinks your death will be the end of the rebellion… The Thalmor must know better…", she added, earning a frown from her commanding officer. "Don't misunderstand my meaning. If we lost you… our army would be devastated but… Many of us would keep on the fight. We would be… disrupted, and disorganized… but maybe more dangerous and more violent that we'd ever be under your command. It's in the Thalmor's interest that the war goes on. Making you a martyr would make it everlasting!"
A heavy silence concluded her speech. Eliana felt her heart clench in her chest as a dark shadow passed over the face of the jarl; she could tell he was wounded. She fought hard not to blink before Ulfric finally broke eye contact and turned to Galmar.
"Send whatever reinforcement you need to secure Whiterun.", he said, his voice calm and firm. "And devote the rest to Fort Katsav and Fort Amol. I trust your judgment on the best way to use the few resources we have. You are right.", he added towards the Dragonborn. "as we find victory across our land, the Legion will get more desperate, and I have no doubt the Thalmor will try to get its way with us. But I will not sacrifice the protection of my people for the sake of my own."
The young woman gave him a knowing nod.
"And, should the worst come by… I trust you to defend your hold and your jarl."
Eliana smiled. "On my life, my jarl, I will."
Some things need to be said ^^ A short chapter, sorry, but I assure this tactical issues will have an importance later ;) Next chapter will be muuuuuuuuuch longer! Teaser : Old life Festival and werewolves ;)
Once again, thank you, all of you, for your patience and for staying tuned to my fic! More chappies to come ASAP! :)
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